MLK Day of Service, 1/25/14

We had a nice gathering this morning.  The Rosses were there, the Kuhls came, our Manager, Heidi Shafran, came and brought her partner Marlene and their delightful daughter, Shoshana, Jorge and Karen Marinoni stopped by, Dave Coviello and his partner Lucas were there, Dale Blanton and Louie Bowen were there, Bob Anderson was there, Dan Keys was there of course, Candido Sosa-Cruz, Cesar Hernandez, and John Jenkins were there from Public Works, our one-time Recreation employee Diane Kessel was there and seems to have brought a date, and Mai-lin Nguyen was there.  That's a little more dedication than you expect out of a clerical employee.  And an ex-employee.  Milt Hunter came by early, but couldn't stay long.  Erica Pettis came by late.  Barbara Watts showed up after the work was done, but provided a final check on the project.

We worked hard for an hour and a half, and we got some good cleaning up and new planting done.  The result won't be obvious, yet, but the border of the 6th and 113th corner will in time be more impressive than Dan Keys and Ana Garcia already made it.

Roxy Ross is the sponsor of these MLK Day of Service events.  She chooses the task, and she asks for money donations.  The task was very satisfyingly accomplished today (this year).  Roxy raised $580 in donations in hand today, and some other people made pledges.  Roxy is hoping for a final tally of $1000.  Whatever money is raised will go toward the larger project across the street, in the "pocket parks" on either side of the 6th Avenue bridge.  So even if you didn't come today, you are more than welcome to contribute something in the names of the people who did come.  Two of our neighbors stopped by for no other purpose than to make a donation.

Speaking of which, Candido Sosa-Cruz was remarking after several people had gone that Biscayne Park is unique in having people, residents and "staff," who wear different hats.  I think that's right, and I added that we are unique in so often asking residents to donate to the Village.  You're asked to make a donation to something, you think you just made a donation a week or a month ago, and the response is yes, but this is a different project.  So now, you're welcome to donate to the "MLK Day of Service," to help the Village get more done in the "pocket park" project, and you're welcome to donate to the Zaluski sculpture, and you might soon enough be hit up for the Lueza sculpture, or some other piece of public art.  Well, it's all for a good cause: you, and your Village, and the investment you made in the homestead you bought.