MEETING TO DISCUSS CITY BUDGET WITH CARTER BURDETTE, JULY 28
The Arlington Heights Neighborhood Association invites you to a meeting with Councilman, Carter Burdette on Wednesday July 28, 2010 at 6:30 pm at the Arlington Heights United Methodist Church located at 4200 Camp Bowie (enter on Hillcrest).
Topic: Fort Worth City Budget
This will be an opportunity to learn more about the challenges facing our city budget and to ask questions on this important subject. A poll will be taken at the conclusion of the meeting.
This meeting is given in collaboration with the West Side Alliance and their member neighborhood associations including Arlington Heights N. A., Crestline N. A., Crestwood N. A., Monticello N. A., North Hi Mount N. A. and West Byers N. A.
Come join other west side neighbors from other neighborhood associations as we discuss this important topic.
EASTER EGG HUNT SATURDAY, APRIL 3
Join us for the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Thomas Place Community Center on Saturday April 3 at 11am.
CRIMEVIEW COMMUNITY ONLINE
The City is pleased to announce the release of the new web-based community policing application that enables community members to access crime data within the past 90 days in their neighborhoods quickly and easily. With “CrimeView® Community”, users can:
- View crimes near an address, park or landmark as well as within a specific boundary.
- Select from a template of crime types.
- Enhance our community oriented policing efforts by keeping our citizens and business owners well informed.
This exciting new tool also includes “CyberWatch™”, which allows residents and business owners to receive email alerts regarding recent incident activity in their desired area. The e-mail alerts contain a report outlining what type of incidents occurred, as well as when and where they occurred. The e-mail alert will also contain a link directly to the on-line mapping application that depicts the results of the requested query.
http://www.fortworthpd.com/CrimeView
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING, FEB 15
Monday, February 15 at 6:30pm
Arlington Heights United Methodist Church
4200 Camp Bowie Blvd. (enter on Hillcrest)
Join us in February as we welcome Stroke Clinical Education Specialist Allene Brown, RN BSN MBA with Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth who will discuss stroke and stroke prevention measures. Following will be our regular business meeting including crime report.
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING SIGNS
AHNA needs your help! We need several volunteers to put the monthly general membership meeting signs in their yards prior to the meeting (held on the 3rd Monday of each month, except December). If you live on a major or highly traveled street and wouldn’t mind helping us out, please email Makenzie Carpenter at president@arlingtonheightsna.com
THANK YOU!
BURGLARY PREVENTION TIPS
THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON’T TELL YOU:
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week.. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste … and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4.. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
5.. If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
8. It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. ( Don ‘t take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
11. Here’s a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids’ rooms.
12. You’re right: I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the
flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)
8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON’T TELL YOU:
1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
3. I’ll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he’ll stop what he’s doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn’t hear it again, he’ll just go back to what he was doing. It’s human nature.
4. I’m not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
5. I love looking in your windows. I’m looking for signs that you’re home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I’d like. I’ll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It’s easier than you think to look up your address.
7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it’s an invitation.
8. If you don’t answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE ARLINGTON HEIGHTS CITIZENS ON PATROL (COP) PROGRAM. FREE TRAINING SESSION, SEPT. 24
For those interested in becoming a member of the Arlington Heights Citizens on Patrol (COP) program, there is a FREE training session from 6-9pm on Thursday, September 24. For more information, please contact Officer Teri Majors at 817-992-0187 or teri.majors@fortworthgov.org. We need to add volunteers to this program as crime is on the rise in our neighborhood. Please join us!
SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION: WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS
As most of you are aware, the September newsletter is delivered to each and every household in Arlington Heights — that means we need volunteers to help deliver to all 2,500 homes.
We still need volunteers for the following streets/blocks:
- CALMONT 4100-4300 & 4500
- BIRCHMAN 3600-4000; 4100-4500; 5000-5100
- EL CAMPO 3600-4000
- COLLINWOOD 3600-3700; 4600-5100
- BYERS 4500-4700
- BRYCE 3600-3800; 4200-4500; 4600-4700
- SUTTER 1900
- DOROTHY LANE 1900
- KENELY 2200-2400
- SANGUINET 2400
- EDLDRIDGE 2400
Newsletters will be ready for distribution the week of September 7 and should be on doorsteps by September 13. Again, we need all the help we can get! To volunteer, simply email me, Makenzie Carpenter at president@arlingtonheightsna.com and let me know what blocks you would like to deliver to, your address, and a contact email address or phone number. I will call/email you when newsletters are ready for distribution.
Again, THANK YOU!!!!
How to meet your neighbors
Knowing your neighbors by name and face gives people living on a block a feeling of community and safety. If you know everyone who lives on your block, then you know who belongs and when something may be awry.
Here are some ways to get to know your neighbors:
- Sit on the front porch or lawn to relax after dinner.
- Ask to borrow a cup of milk or something small, even if you don’t need it. Borrow an egg to make cookies and then give your neighbor some of the cookies.
- Notice your neighbor’s hobbies and ask questions.
- Plan a yard sale and invite people on your block to contribute items or have a coordinated sale involving several homes.
- Wave and say hello when you see your neighbor, ask about their children, and be open to starting a conversation.
- If you have an abundant flower or vegetable garden, offer to share excess vegetables or plants with your neighbors. Take frequent walks on your street. Stop to chat with neighbors who are outside.
- Invite people on your block over for lemonade or dessert.
Zoning Committee Meeting: July 1
We have a scheduled AHNA Zoning meeting next Wednesday, July 1st at 6:30pm (note the time change, please) at Christ Chapel Church on Birchman in Building H. Our primary topic of discussion will be a case to be heard by the Commercial Board of Adjustment for the property owner at 5129 Calmont. This is a residential home that is currently zoned multi-family, B. The owner and her agent would like to open a day care and needs a “Special Exemption” to do so. According to Jim Schell, who is representing the property owner, there will be no more than 29 students attending the school. Parking will be located at the rear of the facility (as shown on the site plan), 5 caregivers will be employed, hours of operation are 7:30am-6pm (school will be in session from 9am-4:30pm), and the students will range in age from 18 months to 6 years old. No updates to the building will take place other than bringing it up to Fire Code, according to Jim Schell. Mr. Schell and Penny Boyce, the property owner, will be there to present their case and answer questions.
All neighbors have been notified of this case, please take the time to attend this meeting if this case impacts you or your neighbors as your feedback is critical to how the association will proceed – we are your advocates.
