A Third Condemned House Demolished - The Deer Park & Habitat For Humanity Partnership

Before - January 2011

Hey Everyone,

I hope you are getting ready for the holiday season. I know we are. Thinks are hectic around the Duran Household, as Katie and I are wrapping presents, remodeling our offices, and planning strategies for next year's newsletter. With all these things to do, we always make sure we thank each other for the things we do for each other.

After - December 2011

In spirit of holiday thanks, I wish to thank Habitat for Humanity of Omaha and Wells Fargo for a wonderful Deer Park Christmas present. This week, a third condemned property in Deer Park was tore down as part of our partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative. This is a huge blessing, as this property, only one block from a great elementary school, was the first property identified for demolition less than one year ago.

What a great way to end 2011. 

What A Merry Christmas! - 2011 Deer Park Christmas Party a Huge Success

Hey Everyone,
Thanks to everyone who attended our annual Deer Park Christmas party. It was great visiting with you all.

A special thanks are needed for..

Traci Bittleston & Katie Duran - The hall and decorations looked fabulous,
Guss Plamer - The best Santa we know,
Rick Long - The Food was delicious,
Garry Gernandt - Our holiday greater, and of course
The Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall # 3 - Thanks for being such great neighbors and letting us use your hall.

If you missed the event, no worries, we are planning more fun events for 2012, just keep visiting this website or reading our newsletter.

Thank You Palleton!!! We are Proud to Have You in Deer Park

Hey, Hey,
I an writing this post with a big smile. Why? I was doing my typical internet searches looking for people talking about our wonderful neighborhood, and I found a shout out from Palleton Inc..

They mention us on  their website and say they are a  "Proud member of the Deer Park Neighborhood Association - Omaha, NE".

I get so excited when a strong business leader in our community has pride in their neighborhood. You Rock Palleton!!!

A Lot to be Thankful For: Deer Park Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative Progress

Greetings All,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

I wanted to use this month’s An Exciting Future to announce that Habitat for Humanity of Omaha (HFHO) scheduled the demolition of a condemned home within Deer Park for Wednesday, November 23. I am pleased to announce that this will be the second blighted structure tore down in Deer Park this month as part of Habitat for Humanity of Omaha's Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI). Next year, a newly graded lot will make way for a new home, making this the sight of the first Habitat house in Deer Park.

The photos included in this post show the demolition of the first condemned house in Deer Park that occurred last week. The removal of these condemned structures marks that positive changes in the condition of housing in South Omaha are underway.

This hint of progress should be celebrated, but remember this is only the beginning. The Deer Park Neighborhood Association and HFHO are taking back our neighborhood one condemned house at a time, but we have a long way to go and really need your help. If you know of a vacant and or condemned property around your part of the neighborhood, please let us know so we can look into it. If you know of a neighbor that could use some critical exterior home repairs, tell them about Habitat’s Roof & Repair program that offers zero interest loans to qualifying home owners. If you see a new neighbor moving in on your block, go and say hi and tell them about DPNA.

DPNA has shown that we not only care about housing, our youth, our neighbors, and our neighborhood we live for them. Please tell as many people as you can about the great things our organization is doing to improve life in our neighborhood. Share these experiences with us and others by spreading the words that we know so well, that our neighborhood and its’ residents will make a positive difference.

It is a great feat for our neighborhood to begin to see these condemned structures tore down and make way for new families to move into the neighborhood. Even better is that this has come to fruition around the Thanksgiving season. These events remind me that I am very thankful for all the great things going on in our community because of neighbors like you and community partners like Habitat for Humanity.

As always, please let us know if you have any questions about anything our organization is doing in the community. We love your input and especially your encouragement.

Kindest Regards & Happy Holiday’s,

Oscar Duran

Hardware Gallery's Street Art Show - November 4, 2011

Hardware Gallery - 1801 Vinton Street Omaha, NE

NFS - Not For Sale Street Art Show

Friday, November 4, 2011 from 6 pm - 10 pm at Hardware Gallery.

This is a special show designed for the appreciation of Street Art! The collection will feature works by Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Mr. Brainwash, Imbue, Rene Gagnon, Fake and many more! Although no pieces are for sale from the collection, there will be Mr. Brainwash posters and a signed Shepard Fairey print given away!

Also, artist Gerard Pefung has done a special print for the show which will be available for sale! A limited run of 20 prints have been produced!

If you have not visited this Deer Park treasure, you are missing out. come support local artists, the Deer Park neighborhood, and a wonderful addition to our neighborhood.  

Dia de los Muertos at the Bancroft Street Market Gallery

Hey Everyone,There is another terrific event being hosted in our neighborhood. Make time to support our community and our local artists, it will be worth it.

Gallery opens October 29 and will run through November 12. Look for specific times in the flyer below.

Dia de los Muertos at the Bancroft Street Market Gallery   Eighteen artist once again take part in this year's Annual Invitational Dia de Los Muertos "Mensaje de las Mariposas" exhibit and installation. Organized by Chicana artista Linda Garcia, this event brings both traditional and contemporary aspects of the art, ritual and spirit of an ancient tradition going back to the writings of the Popul Vuh. When Thu, October 20, 7pm – 8pm Where Bancroft Market - 10th & Bancroft Street

Hey Everyone, 

The Chamber is hosting a community meeting in Deer Park. there has been a big buzz around Vinton street and many people are starting to see what our neighbors know, that there is a lot of potential to develop this part of our neighborhood. 

The Vinton Street Talk Back meeting will be held in both Spanish and English.  The community meeting details are also listed below.  

The Chamber had had a great study conducted in our and three other neighborhoods. Come hear what they found and give your input. 

See you there!

Date/Time:  Tuesday, Oct. 18, 5:30 PM

Location:  Ferguson Studio; 1701 Vinton Street

Intention:  We need your feedback!  Come hear a summary of the Neighborhood Business District Project findings and share your input on project ideas. 

For more information visit:

www.NBDfeedback.wordpress.com