• See the free seminar Monday, February 6th from, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m
• Millennium Student Center Century Room C
• Refreshments will be served

David Weisburd, Guest Speaker

David Weisburd is a Distinguished Professor at George Mason University and Director of the Center for Evidence Based Crime Policy. He also holds a joint appointment as the Walter E. Meyer Professor of Law and Criminal Justice and Director of the Institute of Criminology of the Hebrew University Faculty of Law in Jerusalem. Professor Weisburd is editor of the Journal of Experimental Criminology and sits on the editorial boards of Criminology, the Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, and the Journal of Quantitative Criminology. He is the 2010 winner of the Stockholm Prize in Criminology and the 2011 winner of the Klachky Prize for the Advancement of the Frontiers of Science

Coach Adastra is expecting to have 25-30 players, 20 have already signed up. A uniform which consists of pants, jerzy, belt, and socks costs $100.00 for each player. Many of the students are in need of cletes which cost $40.00 per pair.  Other quipment such as gloves, bats, balls, pitching and hitting nets are also needed. Many of the students simply cannot afford to purchase cletes or gloves.

Sports are very important to the overall development of students. Sports help students with character building, discipline, teach the importance of teamwork, and are a great way to have fun.  It is important to help provide good positive ways for our teens to use their energy. Who knows one of these students may end up in the Majors one day thanks in part to your generosity.
Please help if you are able. $50.00 or $100.00 donations would be wonderful. Equipment donations would also be greatly appreciated. The team needs to raise $4000.00 to completely fullfill their needs. Please forward this email to any other list serves you may be part of and you friends. If you know anyone in the sports equipment business please give them a call and ask if they can help.
Please help the team, please help these kids enjoy being kids.
Thank you.
Coach Bart Adastra can be reached at 314-974-4696

bart.adastra@slps.org

7:00 – Welcome to meeting – Introduction of New Attendees present

7:05      Legislative Updates:  Michael Butler, Legislative Aide to State Senator Robin Wright Jones  DID NOT APPEAR – RESCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY

State Rep JEANETTE Mott Oxford can’t make it to meetings, but wanted to share that she is available by cell or email as indicated below:

Melanie,

I am unable to come to TGENA meetings from January until May because of being in Jefferson City Monday-Thursday for those weeks. But I want your members to know that they can reach me quickly by using my cell phone: 314-775-8940. I also monitor my House e-mail account frequently Monday-Thursday at jeanette.oxford@house.mo.gov during those months, so that’s a second option.

JMO

Jeanette Mott Oxford
State Representative, 59th District (MO)
573-751-4567 (o); 314-771-8882 (h)
2910 Lemp Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118

7:10     Update from 3^rd District St. Louis Police Department – Det. Paul Kosednar

“Not much going on in Tower Grove East in the last few months, and that’s a good thing.”

• Had one case in the last couple of weeks and it was an issue at a vacant property. The legislature is working to make the sale of copper much more difficult. Copper theft seems to be the main problem. Keep an eye on vacant properties on the block. We get those calls all of the time.

• Crime in the last few months is definitely down.
  • QUESTION from Neighbor: Should patrol be watching for kids who are supposed to be at Roosevelt?
  • ANSWER: If you see somebody who looks suspicious, call the police. The patrol can deal with the kids and decide what to do. The principal at Roosevelt is good at disciplining kids who have been skipping.

Rachel Witt: Police Officer Stuckey does a good job bringing skippers back to school.

One person-to-person crime investigating – the robbery involving the resident who maced the robber – they are reviewing surveillance video from a bus, have some leads.

7:15  Featured Speakers: “Curb Appeal: The Neighborhood:  How to Sell Tower Grove East.”

What excites buyers, invigorates realtors, and makes people put down roots here?”  Panelists:  Dawn Griffin, Tyler Olsen, and Rachel Witt

•  Rachel Witt: from the South Grand Community Improvement District
• Dawn Griffin, Realtor: bought her first house on Hartford near Roosevelt High School.
• Tyler Olsen, Realtor: lived in tower grove east for about 12 years. TGE is a great neighborhood and a great place to live. Tyler has been a realtor for almost 18 years.

What would you see as the core marketable attributes of TGE?

• TO: lots of activity here. I can see lots of renovation going on and lots of excitement. We are in the shadows of Wash U and SLU. Our neighborhood is just starting to get restaurants. Close to 44 and 55. I think it’s going to grow and I think the location is going to be a big part of that.
• DG: I think the location is one of the best things about the neighborhood. The South Grand Business District belongs to us also.
• RW: People my age want to live in an urban environment with walk-ability. The homes are amazing and you can’t find them out in the county. They move here because they want to live in a diverse neighborhood– socially, racially, economically.

What are businesses looking for?

RW: we created a statistics packet. I can email this to you. They want to know the density income, traffic. There are 30-thousand cars a day going down south grand. That’s the kind of date that business want to have.

What can we improve on?

RW: There’s so many organizations trying to make a difference- like Sales Housing. Get involved in these organizations like Operation Brightside. Work on blocks that need a little lift.

DG: Plant trees within the street and the sidewalk. If you go to other neighborhoods like Tower Grove South, there’s a lot more trees. That creates a certain “feeling” for buyers. Get rid of chain link in the front. You can’t necessary change your neighbors’ properties but you can encourage them. Check out the city’s tree lawn program.

David Lott: Contact the city forestry department but it might take awhile. They do it at a certain time of the year.

Get your block together. You can possibly make the request as a block. Residents in the 3000 block of victor requested 16 trees.

TO: Support all of the new businesses around here. Check them out and keep them going.

Neighbor: One thing that we can all do is pick up trash. Even if it’s in someone else’s yard.

What does web presence do for a neighborhood?

DG: I think most of my clients start their search on the internet. The web presence is a really big deal. The listserv is the best place for residents within the neighborhood to go to talk about crime.

TO: The listserv is extremely important. All of our clients that are interested in TGE have already researched the websites.

DG: I have a lot of clients who are professors at Wash U and SLU. You should try featuring the residents of your neighborhood on the website. Show off a neighbor each week and talk about where they’re from and what they do.

More on website:

RW: I think Joe has done an amazing job with the TGE website. He’s done a site for us and we’ve had so many hits based on what Joe has done. Keep it simple

DG: lots of pictures, feature the architecture

TO: I think TGE has great architectural appeal compared to Tower Grove Heights

DG: Just be sure to market the people in the neighborhood

 David Lott: We put a lot of work into getting the neighborhood on the National Register of Historic Places, which can help residents can get extra tax credits. How important is that?

TO: I’ve used those tax credits before and they’re very important to us (as realtors)

DG:     Individual buyers, they want the completely done / fully rehabbed experience. But investors are going to turn homes around with those tax credits – it will drive more investment.

What do you think about the “stereotype” of state streets in St. Louis?

DG: One of my biggest pet peeves is that people are put off by these street names. I deal with that on an individual basis. I try to talk through with a client about how long Michigan is. I think you should “own it.” Confront that stereotype straight on.  Maybe have a state street party or something to draw positive attention to it.

TO: I think we’ve overcome that.

What kinds of attributes are TGE buyers looking for in a home?

DG: Buyers are into the architecture. Some are looking for modern lines and some will walk out the door (if it’s too modern). Well-done is always something that people respond to. Well done. Make sure the details are there.

DG: the homes that make the most money are the ones that are done correctly and are crisp and clean.

Should we open up the floor plans?

TO: Open floor plans are a big seller for me.

DG: Open floor plans are great but don’t force it. If it doesn’t feel right, then don’t do it.

Closing Statements

 RW: I want to address what we’re doing to get more businesses to South Grand. We’ve been putting together a new marketing campaign with new logo, tag line, videos. We’re getting a 6’ x 5’ banner for the post office. The project is going to look beautiful when it’s done. We’re waiting on MODOT for approval before moving ahead with Phase 2. The project should begin again in spring/early summer. Phase 2 should be a lot quicker. The district will be better lit. It won’t be as bright as Cherokee– but close! We’re designing a new sign at Grand and Hartford to show off the parking lot. We will be doing movie nights again. We’re hopefully going to do a craft show in the parking lot in the fall. We want to get more businesses and more foot traffic, which will help get more people moving into the neighborhood.

 DG: Do things to build the community in the neighborhood that are less formal. For instance, put together a ladies night or bar-hop. This can help improve the neighborhood. Those are things that we can talk to buyers about and they’ll respond to.

 TO: It’s really hard to keep a neighborhood cleaned up. Not everyone participates all of the time. It’s very important to pull together as a community and keep the neighborhood cleaned up. A gallon of paint is $20 but it’s worth $1,000 on the wall.

7:45  Announcements from elected officials and/or their staff:

Ald. Kacie Starr-Triplett – 6^th – NSO – Felicia Henderson

Kacie is training for a marathon!

A few things going on since we last heard from Kacie:

At the last meeting, we talked about the corner store and Michigan and Magnolia. Good news- there are new owners. The previous owner is still on the lease. That building is still on the crackdown list but there haven’t been any service calls recently. If you notice anything, please report it.

Hopefully you’ve heard about the signing of a grocery store at 44 (in the old Foodland). We should be able to announce the grocery store tenants in less than 30 days.

You can watch election results with Kacie and neighbors at Fox Park Grille on (February 7?)

BANNERS:  Working on finding someone who will make/place the banners at an affordable price.

Remember to report problem properties to Felicia Henderson – 6^th Ward NSO.

ALSO from Felicia: Operation Brightside wants volunteers for bulb planting. It’s happening on Friday January 27 and Saturday Jan 28. 9 am to Noon. Shuttle from Upper MUNY

Jerome (6^th Ward Problem Property Coordinator): if you see someone suspicious going between buildings- call police. Keeping porch lights on is really important!

Michelle (8^th ward NSO) Remember to keep porch lights on!! It provides a sense of security. Also after redistricting, the 8^th ward has extended itself farther north.

                        Ald. Steve Conway – 8^th Ward – not present

Ald. Jennifer Florida – -15^th Ward – not present

7:50     Brief announcements

Neighborhood ownership model:  If you are interested in being in a group that explores whether this is feasible, please sign up.  If you are interested in chairing/spearheading this effort, please contact Norah Ryan – our safety committee chair. NEED: Victim Outreach Coordinator, Crime Watch Coordinator, and Court Watch Coordinator

 Other (official) ways to keep in touch: 

• WEBSITE: www.towergroveeast.org
• ListServ (note recent change):  listserv@towergroveeast.org
• Facebook page – but note that this is not an official mechanism for contact, just a way to chat with other residents
• Can sign up at the website
• Email me:  melaniederousse@gmail.com

7:55     Any member announcements?  Announcements from any board members or committee chairpersons present?

•  New Music School for Kids (Grand and Pestalozzi). They will post information online.
•  Tanner Virtue: Next month I’ll be talking about the value of putting solar panels on rooftops. If anyone is interested, contact him online.
•  Reminder about “Forget-Me-Not Bed & Breakfast” in our neighborhood on Compton! 10% discount for family members of residents.

8:00     Conclude and happy hour. Next meeting:  JUDGE ROBIN VANNOY to discuss criminal justice and neighborhood involvement

Want to show some neighborhood pride? How about a TGE T-Shirt! STL-Style has started selling this fashionable shirt. You choose the color, size and style. The great thing is that when you buy one 10% goes to the neighborhood association. Get yours today…

Click Here To Buy A Tower Grove East T-Shirt From STL-Style

More info:  http://www.upxchange.com/

1/24/2012: TGENA General Membership Meeting – Tower Grove Abbey, 7:00 p.m. Speakers will include a panel on “How to Sell TGE” – what we can do as a
neighborhood to improve property value and buyer interest, and also a legislative update from the office of Robin Wright-Jones about pending legislation that affects our fair city. Followed by social hour. Day care available.

2/28/2012: TGENA General Membership Meeting – Tower Grove Abbey, 7:00 p.m. Speakers will include Judge Robin Vannoy, St. Louis City Circuit Court,
addressing the criminal justice process and how and when neighborhood input matters. Followed by social hour. Day care available.

All are welcome -regardless of home ownership status, membership status, or any other status you can imagine. We are often joined by reps from the 3d
District Police and from local elected officials and their staff. Meetingsare limited to 1 hour.

I look forward to meeting you! Melanie DeRousse

Eligibility: All applicants must be 13 years of age or older and reside in the St. Louis or surrounding area.
Entries: All entries must be received on the contest entry page on towergroveeast.org. The contest runs from the time posted until February 10th, 2012.

Rules: Entrants can submit photos of a home, building, landmark or architectural element located in Tower Grove East. The photo must have been taken by you, the person submitting it. By entering a photo in the contest, you are agreeing that if selected, you will allow your photo to be used in the 2012 TGE Directory. No compensation will be paid, but if your photo is used, photo credit will be included in the directory. In addition to the cover photo winner, one or more runners-up will also have their photo(s) included in the body of the directory. Photo credit will be given for these photos also. Please note that the photo selected for the cover may be artistically cropped or altered.

Please be respectful of private property in taking your photos – it is permissible to take a photo of a private home while standing on the public sidewalk, but it might be polite to photograph your own home, a streetscape, or a public building for your submission.

Other Info: Past cover photos for the directory have included: an element of the facade of the renovated 7th District Police Station building at Grand and Magnolia (2011); one of the “onion” domes from Roosevelt High School on Hartford Street (2010); and an element from the facade of Shenandoah School (2009). Nancy Bridges, professional photographer and TGE resident who has provided the cover photos for the last several years, will serve as one of the judges for this contest.

TGE Directories have been published for Tower Grove East for the last 5 years or so. The purpose of the directory is to serve as a combination marketing piece for TGE, neighborhood business and resource directory, and replacement for the welcome packets we used to assemble for new residents. Block captains and local businesses are encouraged to distribute the directories, and copies are available at our monthly TGENA meetings at Tower Grove Abbey/Stray Dog Theatre.

We’re having a contest to find a cover photo for the 2012 TGE Directory, which will be published in April 2012. The first-place contest winner will receive a gift certificate for two to a restaurant that advertises in the directory, along with a 24X36″ unframed poster of the winning photo. The prizes will be provided by Virginia Publishing, which publishes the directory for Tower Grove East Neighborhood Association.

Rules: Entrants can submit photos of a home, building, landmark or architectural element located in Tower Grove East. The photo must have been taken by you, the person submitting it. By entering a photo in the contest, you are agreeing that if selected, you will allow your photo to be used in the 2012 TGE Directory. No compensation will be paid, but if your photo is used, photo credit will be included in the directory. In addition to the cover photo winner, one or more runners-up will also have their photo(s) included in the body of the directory. Photo credit will be given for these photos also. Please note that the photo selected for the cover may be artistically cropped or altered.

Read The Official Contest Rules

Please be respectful of private property in taking your photos – it is permissible to take a photo of a private home while standing on the public sidewalk, but it might be polite to photograph your own home, a streetscape, or a public building for your submission.

More: Past cover photos for the directory have included: an element of the facade of the renovated 7th District Police Station building at Grand and Magnolia (2011); one of the “onion” domes from Roosevelt High School on Hartford Street (2010); and an element from the facade of Shenandoah School (2009). Nancy Bridges, professional photographer and TGE resident who has provided the cover photos for the last several years, will serve as one of the judges for this contest.

TGE Directories have been published for Tower Grove East for the last 5 years or so. The purpose of the directory is to serve as a combination marketing piece for TGE, neighborhood business and resource directory, and replacement for the welcome packets we used to assemble for new residents. Block captains and local businesses are encouraged to distribute the directories, and copies are available at our monthly TGENA meetings at Tower Grove Abbey/Stray Dog Theatre.

Please hurry! All entries must be received by February 10th!

Enter Here:

Link:  Cherokee Recreation Center | BentonPark.com