Twelve inches of snow.... so far...

coxes_of_clay_terrace_2007
Originally uploaded by indycoach.

It's a small price to pay, to get to live here in the Clay Terrace neighborhood.

Super Snow Colts !

van_snow_colts
Originally uploaded by indycoach.

7 inches of snow... is just icing on the cake... when you're home to the Super Colts Champions !

Super Saturday

Reminder: 'First Saturdays Coffee"... Feb. 3rd

This will be a Super Saturday coffeetime at the Paradise Bakery this time.

• Colts Gear Only.
• No Bears Fans Allowed (to talk).... Gerald!!! LOLLLL
• We'll have a new dvd of some personal stories of some Colts players and Coach Dungy.

Also... graphics artist Ellen Spencer will be with us, before her Flickr Day presentation [down at the inner-city cafe where some of us go help frequently]. So if you have questions about digital cameras or how to get your pictures onto the web to share at the #1 website... Flickr.com... Saturday will be a great day to ask.

Or better yet, also come be with us and help-out down at the Unleavened Bread Cafe... noon til 2pm as we do the full presentation & training.

"So You Wanna Be In Pictures?" -- Flickr training. Learn how to get your digital photos onto your computer, edit them and/or uploaded to the internet (free & easy), so you easily share them with your friends & neighbors. Example: Here are some pictures from Clay Terrace uploaded by various people... at Flickr.com.

And share your internet skills with others. If you can surf and do email, you're a step-up on many of our inner-city friends who don't even have internet access. So come make friends among some folks who'll appreciate your friendship and help.

"First Saturdays" Coffeetime... Jan. 6th

Reminder: Our 'First Saturdays' coffeetime together, will be this Saturday -- yikes, that's tomorrow -- Paradise Bakery, here in the ClayTerrace Mall.

8 a.m.... We'll be doing the normal catching up with each other... And in particular, we'll be discussing New Year's Resolutions... and how we can help each other KEEP our resolutions. **smile**

So come join us -- it's open to everyone with an interest in the Clay Terrace area.

And as always... Even if you can't make it tomorrow... If you know of NEEDS in the neighborhood area... contact us... we always try to pray about such things, and would try to help somehow if we can.

Hope to see you tomorrow morning.

Clay Terrace on Wikimapia

[Visit Clay Terrace neighborhood on Wikimapia]

Reminder: Breakfast with Santa... THIS SATURDAY

A free Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, Dec. 2nd, 8:30am to 11:30am. [continued]

Happy Thanksgiving !

Sorry, I couldn't resist... LOLLLLL. Hope you all have a happy thanksgiving with family and friends.



And here are some interesting links re Thanksgiving, including a story for children (and adults).... "The Miracle of Thanksgiving". And you're welcome to leave a comment below with other great links you know of.

Blessings everyone!

December 'Coffee-time' with Santa...

Because of the special "Breakfast with Santa" [see post below], we'll be participating in this community event for the kids, instead of our normal time together.



Come join us. We're do coffee there... (while we help **smile**). Bring your kids & grandkids.

Breakfast with Santa... Saturday, December 2nd

Suddenly it's getting cold, and it's time to start making Christmas plans...

"Breakfast with Santa"



One of our community's 'warmest churches' is hosting a Free Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, Dec. 2nd, 8:30am to 11:30am.

It'll be a great time for the kids (and those of us who enjoy seeing our kids have a great time.)

River Oaks Community Church
13200 N. Old Meridian St., Carmel
[Old Meridian x Main Stree (map)]

For more information call
317-575-9568


************************************
[This happens to be where we attend church. But we'd also be happy to post other special charitable events like this. Let me know. Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays!]

New truck lane opens at Clay Terrace

This week, a truck driver blazed a new trail from Rt. 31/Meridian into the backyard of the neighborhood.

'First Saturday' Coffeetime... Oct. 7th

Don't forget... 8am... Paradise Bakery in the Clay Terrace Mall.... Saturday, Oct. 7th.

Mrs. Walter will be sharing some stories from the early days of Walters Plaza, the former neighborhood area now called Clay Terrace.

And Pat will be sharing some devotional thoughts to discuss.

Everyone is warmly welcome. Come listen, ask questions. Learn more about our history and help build our future together.

See you there!

Life Factory

Clay Terrace firm to solve voice-mail jail

Interactions Corp. was founded in New Jersey in 2002 and moved its corporate headquarters to its current location at 14390 Clay Terrace in Carmel earlier this year. It uses "intent recognition" technology that allows customers to describe an issue or ask a question through an automated system and be helped immediately through state-of-the-art technology.

Interaction is a marriage of humans and computers that allows customers of companies to ditch what's called voice-mail jail and talk to a computer that talks back like a human. Its founder is Michael Cloran.

Cloran was attracted to Indiana by cost-of-living, a friendly business environment and nearby universities. According to technology enterpreneur Scott Jones, Indiana gains a new player in the high-tech sector the state craves. "Creating this critical mass allows us to have acceleration of our high-tech industry in Indiana," Jones said.

[continued at WTHR TV]

'First-Saturday Coffee'... Sept. 2nd

Don't forget... 8am... Paradise Bakery in the Clay Terrace Mall.... Saturday, Sept. 2nd.

This time, we'll do a little online surfing together -- especially to give you some inside-information regarding the 'SAVI' system mentioned in the blog-post below. It'll give you a chance to see the types of neighborhood information becoming increasingly available via the web.



And Gerald agreed to provide a short inspirational lesson we can discuss together.

Everyone is warmly welcome. See you there!

Community Research Conference... Sept. 22nd

[SAVI is the comprehensive community research tool of choice here in the Central Indiana area, and which contains many varieties of data... for metro area communities and even neighborhoods... including available data from state & national community-research, including U.S. Census Bureau research info.]



The September 22nd 'SAVI Users Conference' provides an opportunity to learn about new tools in SAVI, discover how other users have harnessed the power of SAVI through new approaches, and participate in discussions about how SAVI can help your organization better understand its community.

It also is a great place for people new to SAVI to learn how it can help your organization.

Choose from several interactive and hands-on breakout sessions throughout the day and learn how SAVI can help you.

[continued]

First Saturday Coffeetime

Don't forget... 8am... Paradise Bakery in the Clay Terrace Mall.... Saturday, August 5th.

Everyone is warmly welcome. See you there!

FHL Slide-Show

Click to see the photo album from "Faith Hope & Love Week" here in the metro area, including a ton of work in Carmel.

'Community Prayer-mobile' coming to Clay Terrace... July 25th

The "Faith Hope & Love" Prayer Trailer, a 50-foot state-of-the-art Mobile Chapel which will offer visitors the opportunity to pray and seek intercession at various locations throughout FHL Week, will be parked at the Clay Terrace Mall on Tuesday, from 3pm til 7pm.


Click for close-up of tech set-up.

The sponsors include: Helping Hands Ministries, Alphonso Bailey Ministries, Young Life, Shepherd Community, Kairos Prison Ministry, and Truth @ Work.



So come visit. Say a prayer for our community. 4 out of 5 adults pray each week. We all need it. Or have someone pray with you. It will bless your life.... So bring your children -- bless the little ones too in this unique way.

*********************************
Visit 'Faith Hope & Love' website to learn more, and see how you can volunteer this week in this unique metro-wide effort.

"Real people. Real needs. Real life."

Interview: Mayor Brainard... on "Faith Hope & Love Week"

Special thanks to Mayor Brainard and all the great folks of the Carmel area involved in this year's "Faith, Hope & Love Week"... helping neighbors in a joint effort to bridge the social, economic, and spiritual gap in our community.

Below are some comments from Mayor Brainard...


QUESTION – WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO PROCLAIM JULY 30 AS FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE DAY LAST YEAR?

ANSWER - I felt it was important to proclaim July 30th as Faith, Hope and Love Day in the City of Carmel because I believe very deeply in the mission of the Faith, Hope and Love organization. At this time of war, I think it is especially important that community members’ come together for a common goal, to serve one another in Faith, Hope and Love.

QUESTION – AS MAYOR OF CARMEL, WHAT ABOUT FHL APPEALS TO YOU MOST?

ANSWER – What appeals to me most about FHL is that it includes other community organizations in carrying out its mission. FHL matches different organizations with volunteer opportunities according to the needs of the community. This eliminates any feelings of competition or resentment because everyone is invited to be a part of the Faith, Hope and Love activities.


QUESTION - IN YOUR OPINION, HOW IS FHL DIFFERENT FROM OTHER COMMUNITY MINDED ORGANIZATIONS?

ANSWER – FHL is different from other community organizations in that it “seeks to break down man’s walls of separation between churches, races, social status, government and education to unite people to show the compassion we were all created to give on another.” I am not aware of any other community organization with such an all-encompassing mission statement. FHL truly aspires to include all.

QUESTION - HOW DO YOU SEE FHL HAVING AN IMPACT ON THIS COMMUNITY AND THE SURROUNDING CITIES?

ANSWER – FHL provides an outlet for community members to work first-hand to assist others in the community. I think it will be very positive not only for those receiving the assistance but also for those volunteering for the effort. I think people will walk away feeling more a part of the community-at-large after seeing the results of their efforts.

QUESTION - WHY SHOULD AVERAGE CITIZENS GET INVOLVED IN FHL WEEK ACTIVITIES?

ANSWER – Citizens should get involved in FHL activities because it is an opportunity for them to give back to their community in a positive way. We are a spectator society in that we are so accustomed to electronic media that we often take a back seat in the actual workings of the community. This is a chance to be a part of something larger than oneself and experience the benefits first-hand.

QUESTION - WHAT IS THE INCENTIVE FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIANA TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THIS TYPE OF PROJECT? AND IS IT APPROPRIATE?

ANSWER – Government and social service organizations can only do so much with the available resources to help those in need in the community. By making the community aware of the FHL mission, it encourages people to become more involved by volunteering their own talents.

QUESTION - WHAT ABOUT CORPORATE ENTITIES AND THEIR INVOLVEMENT… HOW DO YOU SEE THE CITY BENEFITING FROM THEIR INVOLVEMENT?

ANSWER – The involvement of corporate entities in Faith, Hope and Love Day benefits both the corporation as well as the community they are located. It gives them a positive attitude toward their work and how it affects the community. It also encourages its employees to become involved in their free time.

QUESTION - HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE CITIZENS OF CARMEL SUPPORTED AND HELPED THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF FHL?

ANSWER – I would like to see the citizens of Carmel continue to seek out opportunities to help others in the mission of Faith, Hope and Love. It is good for all of us to step outside our daily routine and realize that there are many people in need around us at all times. It is a shame that it takes a day dedicated to this for people to take notice but it is a start. Once people start to recognize the needs of others in the community, I think they will find themselves becoming more involved on a regular basis. I believe that the participants will receive far more than they give.

*********************
Visit FHLcommunity.org and see how YOU can be involved this week. The local coordinator for the Carmel area is Paul Backer, Carmel Christian Church. 317/846-1230

First-Saturday Coffeetime... July 1st...

8 a.m.... THIS Saturday (July 1st)... is our monthly coffeetime together here in the Clay Terrace area. Everyone's welcome as always. Besides the normal chit-chat, and catching up on the latest in the neighborhood area, the topic this month -- in honor of 'Independence Day' -- is "Peace".

So come enjoy sharing life together here. Who knows, maybe we'll even solve the issue of 'world peace'. We can at least do our part. **smile**

And as always, let us know about any special needs in the area. We'd like to pray about them, and help find solutions if possible.

See you there... at Paradise Bakery, in the Clay Terrace Mall.

What's The Latest On The Monon?

Video: 'The Little Lamb' Day Care @ Clay Terrace

[And visit The Little Lamb -- Day Care in the Clay Terrace area.]

What Movies & Email-Forwards Have In Common

What do movies & email-forwards have in common?

I don't pay a lot of attention to either.

_

I get a ton of forwarded-email from all sorts of well-meaning folks. Even my mom.

I pay 'virtually' no attention to them. [pun slightly intended]

And sorry, Mom. But they usually turn out to be hoaxes, do they not?

Where SHOULD we, or anyone, go for Truth?

A good friend reminded me yesterday that the Treasury Department advises us that if you want to know whether something is counterfeit... you need to compare it against the genuine thing. That's good advice. Click the image at left, to stay in touch with the ongoing discussion... comparing the DaVinci movie with the genuine thing.



And remember: We're going to be discussing the movie/book "DaVinci Code" at our next 'First Saturday Coffee'... June 3rd. 8am. At Paradise Bakery, here in the Clay Terrace Mall. See you then.

Tourism Prize-Patrol Coming To Clay Terrace

The Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau will celebrate See America Week with their own Hamilton County Prize Patrol. The bureau will visit local communities May 16 and 18-20 to distribute tourism publications and giveaways.

May 18... 11am-3pm... Clay Terrace Lifestyle Center, 14300 Clay Terrace Blvd.

[Full Story]

The Motherhood Development Chart

[Happy Mothers Day, Neighbors. Lori's done book-signings here in our local Barnes & Noble. Neat lady.]



Childhood development charts that help new parents track every burp, gurgle and coo of a new baby are bountiful and plenty. It’s motherhood development charts that are hard to come by. Experience tells me that a reliable one would go something like this:

Week 1: The new mother may cry if over- or under-stimulated. Complains about not being able to find things. Like her waistline. On average, awake for 22 hours a day, but alert for only two. Head bobs forward in sitting position, especially after 7 o’clock at night.

Week 2: ... [continued]

Reminder: "First Saturday Coffee"... May 6

Friends & Neighbors...

Just a quick reminder re "First Saturdays Coffee" tomorrow, 8am at Paradise Bakery in Clay Terrace Mall.



Normal stuff... enjoy coffee... eating together... catch up on neighborhood news... discuss a book or topic... pray for our community. Then go home and cut grass. **smile**

Tomorrow Pat will be leading as we finish up our discussion of the "Purpose Driven Life" book.

Oh, and here's a note re NEXT MONTH... (June 3rd)... We plan to discuss the curious new movie coming out... 'DaVinci Code'. So if you're planning on seeing it, then specially plan on being with us next month too. We'd like to hear your take on it. [And tomorrow, we'll have a 'movie companion guide' with some info about it, in case you're interested on more info as you go see it. Or even if you don't go see it.]

As always, feel free to use the egroup, or ClayTerrace.org, to better 'share life together'. Or contact us you know of special needs in our general neighborhood. We'd try to help.

Trade in your Chico's clothes at Clay Terrace Mall

[continued]

Websites Changing Home-Buying

Craigslist.com and Google.com, two Web sites that have fundamentally altered the way consumers buy a broad range of products, are emerging as places to shop for residential real estate, a development that in the long term could weaken Realtors' hold on home selling.

Listings of real estate for sale on Craigslist, a popular Web site featuring free classified ads, rose to 335,126 in March, more than triple the level of a year earlier.

Google, meanwhile...

[continued at IndyStar.com]

Pat & Luanna... Katrina Relief

[Hey guys, when we helped pull Pat's trailer out of his soggy backyard the other night, here's what it was all about... helping them... to go help others. You can follow their Katrina excursion... complete with stories & pics.]



"This is the story of an adventure being lived out by twenty nine people who have come together intentionally for a week. Each of us has given up our spring vacations to travel sixteen hours away to live in marginal conditions to serve those less fortunate in some ways than ourselves. Last summer, Hurricane Katrina devastated the coasts of Louisiana and Mississippi. Thousands lost their homes. All that remains of some houses are foundations. Others are severely damaged, many beyond repair. Some people have left forever, while others live in temporary trailers.

We have come in the spirit of the early Christian church..."

[continued at Katrina Family Trip blog]

First Saturdays... Coffee at Paradise Bakery

Just a reminder:

"First Saturdays Coffee & Conversation"
8 a.m... April 1st. [no foolin!]

Come have coffee and a muffin. Enjoy catchin' up on the latest in the neighborhood area, and getting to know one another. Find out what's new? Who's going where? Who sold what for how much? And who just broke what?

We'll continue to discuss the "Purpose Driven Life".

And of course, we're anxious to know of any special needs in the area that perhaps we could somehow help with. If you know of such needs, you're welcome to email me or call (490-1255).

This week, some of our friends from the little cafe in the 'hood, are coming up specially to be with us. Get a little taste of 'Carmel'. They're neat people -- hope you'll get to meet them.

Neil

Monon Trail Newsletter, Spring 2006

NEW TRAIL ADOPTION IS NOW UNDERWAY

"A special THANKS goes out to the Webber family
who have devised a unique and valuable way for all
trails users to get involved with their favorite trail –
it’s the new Trail Adoption Program!
Right now, most of the trail 'adopters'...

[continue (.pdf)]

"Just the coffee" ???

Just a quick reminder...

"First Saturdays Coffee In The Neighborhood"
8:00 a.m. at the Paradise Bakery @ Clay Terrace.

As we begin reviewing the best-seller, "Purpose Driven Life", we'll be addressing the introductory question of the book... "What on earth am I here for?"

And if your answer to that question is... "just the coffee".... LOL... that's ok too. Come.

We welcome all neighbors in the Clay Terrace area. [Aw, what the heck... we welcome EVERYONE. **smile**]

And as always, any needs in the neighborhood... let us know how we can pray for you, or help.

Or anything else you'd like to have posted at ClayTerrace.org... advise. Homes for sale? Lease? Looking for a lawn guy? Garage-sale date? Email us.

See you tomorrow morning...

Neil
coach@goal-partners.com

[P.S. If any of you might be thinking, "Hey I'd really like to be included, but I just can't make it on Saturday mornings."... let us know what evening you could commit to. We might fire up a 2nd coffee-klatch group. Anyone?]

Carmel legislates trail speeds

[continued at Monon.Net]

1st-Saturday Coffee-time postponed to March 4th...

Our normal morning to get together for February would have been tomorrow... the 4th; but we've postponed it til March 4th instead.




In March, we'll begin discussing the first 5 chapters of the best-selling book, "Purpose Driven Life". So buy your copy (available at many of the superstores) and start reading -- they're short chapters intended to be read one-per-day. See what you think. Bring your thoughts to the table next month. Everyone warmly welcome. See you at Paradise Bakery in the Clay Terrace Mall... 8am on March 4th.

New Drive-In? Oops...

[continued at WRTV-6]

Here, Kitty, Kitty?

Anyone calling your semi-large, very friendly, golden, ring-tailed kitty with a lighter-colored tail... and he/she won't come? [contact us]

New Year's Coffee?

Reminder: this Saturday, Jan. 7th...

Come join us at the neighborhood coffee shop...

Every 1st Saturday... 8 a.m.,
at Paradise Bakery at Clay Terrace Mall
'First Saturdays Coffee & Conversation'

As always, we chat about a number of things. One of the things we've been talking about is how to help each other sharpen our Spanish/English skills to enhance communications. If you could help with that, or be helped by that, it'd be worth the price of coffee to hear from you.

As always, our informal time each month is to enjoy sharing life together and building a great little niche community. Catch up on the latest each month. Just have some fun together.

And as always, for anyone that wants to stay a while longer...

Afterwards… at 9 a.m.
'Community Care Group'

Some of us stick around for another cup of coffee, to pause and ask about special needs among us -- our own mini-Katrinas . Pray for those needs and try to find some ways to help, in a "Love your neighbor as yourself" sort of way.

Here in the New Year as everyone is thinking about new goals they'd like to pursue for 2006... we'll talk about possibly reading/discussing the popular book, "Purpose Driven Life". It's now in its 154th week as #1 on the New York Times Best Seller List ('Advice' category).

And throughout the month… ClayTerrace.org

As you see, ClayTerrace.org has now taken on a 'blog' format. A neighborhood newsletter of a sort -- but with the ability to leave comments, questions, suggestions, and active links to news, sports, events, that might be of interest among us. We can talk more about all this over coffee on Saturday. Btw, if you have a laptop, bring it -- Paradise Bakery is wireless! Or for that matter, if you have internet questions, we might all be able to learn a lot from each other.

Then… let's do it all over again next month…
"First Saturday Coffee & Conversation"

P.S.... Since we have new neigbhors and not everyone is yet on the email list -- please help us get the word out. Also, if you can't come, but you have special needs we might be able to help with, let us know.

Breakfast with Santa

One of our community's "warmest churches" is hosting a Free Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, Dec. 3rd, 8:30am to 11:00am. It'll be a great time for the kids (and those of us who enjoy seeing our kids have a great time.)

[If you know of other community events like this one... let us know.]

Merry Christmas!

Neighborhood coffee... Dec.3rd

Reminder: this Saturday, Dec.3rd...

Come join us at the neighborhood coffee shop...

Every 1st Saturday... 8 a.m.,
at Paradise Bakery at Clay Terrace Mall
'First Saturdays Coffee & Conversation'

As always, we chat about a number of things. One of the things we've been talking about is how to help each other sharpen our Spanish/English skills to enhance communications. If you could help with that, or be helped by that, it'd be worth the price of coffee to hear from you.

As always, our informal time each month is to enjoy sharing life together and building a great little niche community. Catch up on the latest each month. Just have some fun together.

And as always, for anyone that wants to stay a while longer...

Afterwards… at 9 a.m.
'Community Care Group'

Some of us stick around for another cup of coffee, to pause and ask about special needs among us -- our own mini-Katrinas . Pray for those needs and try to find some ways to help, in a "Love your neighbor as yourself" sort of way.

We're reading & discussing the little booklet 'The Ultimate Win', a modern translation of the biblical book of "John". Remember, John was a close Jewish friend of Jesus and introduces us to him in the unique way that only a close friend can do. So any of you are welcome to participate. It could be a good time to ask any questions you might have. You're amongst friends. [Here's a link to read it online if you like.]

And throughout the month… ClayTerrace.org

As you see, ClayTerrace.org has now taken on a 'blog' format. A neighborhood newsletter of a sort -- but with the ability to leave comments, questions, suggestions, and active links to news, sports, events, that might be of interest among us. We can talk more about all this over coffee on Saturday. Btw, if you have a laptop, bring it -- Paradise Bakery is wireless! Or for that matter, if you have internet questions, we might all be able to learn a lot from each other.

Then… let's do it all over again next month…
"First Saturday Coffee & Conversation"

P.S.... Since we have new neigbhors and not everyone is yet on the email list -- please help us get the word out. Also, if you can't come, but you have special needs we might be able to help with, let us know.

Clay Terrace Mall celebrates with growth spurt...

[continued at IndyStar.com]

Saturday, Nov.5th... neighborhood coffee...

Reminder: this Saturday, Nov.5th...

Come join us at the neighborhood coffee shop...

Every 1st Saturday... 8 a.m.,
at Paradise Bakery at Clay Terrace Mall
'First Saturdays Coffee & Conversation'

As always, we chat about a number of things. One of the things that came up last month is at least a possibility of some of us helping others of us to learn Spanish. If you could help with that, or be helped by that, it'd be worth the price of coffee to hear from you.

As always, our informal time each month is to enjoy sharing life together and building a great little niche community. Catch up on the latest each month. Just have some fun together.

And as always, for anyone that wants to stay a while longer...

Afterwards… at 9 a.m.
'Community Care Group'

Some of us stick around for another cup of coffee, to pause and ask about special needs among us -- our own mini-Katrinas . Pray for those needs and try to find some ways to help, in a "Love your neighbor as yourself" sort of way.

We're reading & discussing the little booklet 'The Ultimate Win', a modern translation of the biblical book of "John". Remember, John was a close Jewish friend of Jesus and introduces us to him in the unique way that only a close friend can do. So any of you are welcome to participate. It could be a good time to ask any questions you might have. You're amongst friends. [Here's a link to read it online if you like.]

And throughout the month… ClayTerrace.org

As you see, ClayTerrace.org has now taken on a 'blog' format. A neighborhood newsletter of a sort -- but with the ability to leave comments, questions, suggestions, and active links to news, sports, events, that might be of interest among us. We can talk more about all this over coffee on Saturday. Btw, if you have a laptop, bring it -- Paradise Bakery is wireless! Or for that matter, if you have internet questions, we might all be able to learn a lot from each other.

Then… let's do it all over again next month…
"First Saturday Coffee & Conversation"

P.S.... Since we have new neigbhors and not everyone is yet on the email list -- please help us get the word out. Also, if you can't come, but you have special needs we might be able to help with, let us know.

This Saturday... "Clay Terrace in Review?"

Reminder: this Saturday, Oct. 1st...

The weather is taking a cooler turn. Hot coffee and a pastry on a brisk morning is sounding better & better. So come join us at the neighborhood coffee shop...

Every 1st Saturday... 8 a.m.,
at Paradise Bakery at Clay Terrace Mall
'First Saturdays Coffee & Conversation'

Now that the mall's been open for a year, we'd like to hear from each other this month. How's Clay Terrace been for you? Nicer than you imagined? What do you think -- are our property values up? Or have your worst fears been realized? What have you been pleasantly surprised about? Have you developed favorite hang-outs here yet? Favorite shops? Stores? Know any store associates by name yet? Any horror stories out there?

As always, our informal time each month is to enjoy sharing life together and building a great little niche community. Catch up on the latest each month. Just have some fun together.

Then, for anyone that wants to stay a while longer...

Afterwards… at 9 a.m.
'Community Care Group'

Some of us stick around for another cup of coffee, to pause and ask about special needs among us -- our own mini-Katrinas . Pray for those needs and try to find some ways to help, in a "Love your neighbor as yourself" sort of way.

We're reading & discussing the little booklet 'The Ultimate Win', a modern translation of the biblical book of "John". Remember, John was a close Jewish friend of Jesus and introduces us to him in the unique way that only a close friend can do. So any of you are welcome to participate. It could be a good time to ask any questions you might have. You're amongst friends. [Here's a link to read it online if you like.]

And throughout the month… ClayTerrace.org

As you see, ClayTerrace.org has now taken on a 'blog' format. A neighborhood newsletter of a sort -- but with the ability to leave comments, questions, suggestions, and active links to news, sports, events, that might be of interest among us. We can talk more about all this over coffee on Saturday. Btw, if you have a laptop, bring it -- Paradise Bakery is wireless! Or for that matter, if you have internet questions, we might all be able to learn a lot from each other.

Then… let's do it all over again next month…
"First Saturday Coffee & Conversation"

P.S.... Since we have new neigbhors and not everyone is yet on the email list -- please help us get the word out. Also, if you can't come, but you have special needs we might be able to help with, let us know.

Flu Shots... Wild Oats...

With flu season just around the corner, several clinics in the north suburban area will offer vaccines in October and November...

[continued at IndyStar.com]

Day of Caring... Sept. 16

"The Day of Caring, actually, is two days of caring. The event is scheduled for Sept. 16 and 17 and is an opportunity for businesses to allow employees to donate time to help local not-for-profit organizations. More than 300 volunteers are expected to participate..."

A kickoff is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. Sept. 16 at Clay Terrace.

[continued at Noblesville Ledger]

Cancelled Coffee. Commenced Katrina Collection.

CANCELLING COFFEE this Saturday, Sept.03...

Because of the Katrina Relief efforts quickly underway from the Indy area, we're cancelling this Saturday's coffeetime together...

BUT... we'll be canvassing the neighborhoods this week, collecting food & clothes that will be needed in the affected areas in the coming weeks & months.

Please help us get the word out among neighbors in the Clay Terrace area.... We have new friends/neighbors and not everyone is yet on the email list. Send them this link to it so they can join.

Emergency Relief Networking...

You can connect to many in the city who are now actively connecting in the Indy/Indiana area, and to national Christian networks involved in emergency relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. More details at WhenYouNeedSomeone.com.

Carmel food pantries feel pinch

[excerpted from Carmel Topics newspaper]

Two of Carmel's five food pantries and two of Fishers three agencies are desperate for donations, especially canned goods, as limited supplies continue to dwindle.

"We are really having a tough time keeping these people going, and the need's getting greater, too," said Nancy Chance, president of Good Samaritan of Hamilton County, which oversees 29 food pantries throughout Hamilton County.

Chance said the solution is simple.

"If everyone would take a bag of food to their local pantry, we might be able to turn this around..."

[continued at Topics.com]

Reminder... this Sat...Aug 6th... 8am

Reminder: this Saturday, Aug. 6th...

We're developing a regular time we can get together each month for some coffee & conversation in the neighborhood.

Every 1st Saturday... 8 a.m.,
at Paradise Bakery at Clay Terrace Mall
'First Saturdays Coffee & Conversation'

As always, it'll be a time we can enjoy each other as we share our lives together here in what's becoming the Clay Terrace community. Catch up on 'the latest'. Just have some fun together.

Then, for anyone that wants to stay while longer...

Afterwards… at 9 a.m.
'Community Care Group'

Some of us stick around for another cup of coffee, to pause and pray for special needs among us, and even find some ways to help each other, in a "Love your neighbor as yourself" sort of way. Maybe find ways we can better help each other and our community.

We'll be starting to read & discuss 'The Ultimate Win', an introduction to the biblical book of "John". John was a close Jewish friend of Jesus and introduces us to him in the unique way that only a close friend can do. So any of you are welcome to participate. It could be a good time to ask any questions you might have. You're amongst friends. [Here's a link to read it online if you like.]

And throughout the month… ClayTerrace.org

As you see, ClayTerrace.org has now taken on a 'blog' format. A neighborhood newsletter of a sort -- but with the ability to leave comments, questions, suggestions, and active links to news, sports, events, that might be of interest among us. [Our former site -- WaltersPlaza.com -- will soon be incorporated into ClayTerrace.org.] We can talk more about all this over coffee on Saturday. Btw, if you have a laptop, bring it -- Paradise Bakery is wireless! Or for that matter, if you have internet questions, we might all be able to learn a lot from each other.

Then… let's do it all over again next month…
"First Saturday Coffee & Conversation"

P.S.... Since we have new neigbhors and not everyone is yet on the email list -- please help us get the word out. Also, if you can't come, but you have special needs we might be able to help with, let us know.

Baker Furniture is 9th store worldwide

"New York, Georgetown, London . . . and now Carmel.

The Baker Furniture company, known for its designs of upscale, traditional and fine styles, has opened the newest retail shop in Carmel's Clay Terrace."

[continued at IndyStar.com]

'Faith, Hope & Love Week'...

'Faith, Hope & Love'... is a week long period of helping neighbors in our community, followed by a festival to celebrate this annual event.



[Read Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard's proclamation regarding this neighborhood-focused initiative.]

Clay Terrace neighbors will be...

• Collecting cans of food for those less fortunate.
  [alternatively, if you need food, let us know when someone stops by.]
• Volunteering time in one of the special projects.
• Doing other random acts of kindness.
  Wish YOU could help someone this week?

This year, the annual FHL Community initiative was originally launched and is especially targeting the Indianapolis neighborhoods in the Nora/Castleton area. The festival on July 30th is a metro-wide event. Come enjoy the 1st Annual 'Faith, Hope & Love' Festival.

Old National... new to Clay Terrace

[continued at IndyStar.com]

Woman killed in crash, Rt. 31 x Rangeline...

[continued at IndyStar.com]

Orvis coming soon... fishing & hunting for customers

[continued at IndyStar.com]

Wild Oats to host 'Dog Days' Event... July 30

"Uh-oh."

[continued at IndyStar.com]

New Yard-sign?

We now have a new yard-sign to alert everyone... once in a while... when there's any significant news or event in the neighborhood. And then we'll post the info here at ClayTerrace.org.

For instance: "First Saturday Coffee & Conversation"
is this coming Saturday morning... July 2nd... 8am... at the Paradise Bakery here at Clay Terrace. As always, everyone is welcome... come have coffee and catch up on things.

Likewise, any of you that would like to set out the sign and post a message here...

• New babies in the neighborhood?
  or puppies? **smile**
• Grand-babies? **smile**
• Major birthdays? [black crepe, $5 extra... LOL]
• Major Anniversaries?
• Promotions at work.
  or well-deserved promotions from work!
• Block parties?
• Yard-sales?
• Home for sale? (hope not)
• Surprise your spouse?
  (hopefully not re new babies! LOL)

Anything of that sort that you'd like to herald.... just email me the message to post (and I'll try to do what I can as soon as I can)...

... Then stop by and pick up the sign at... well, you know, where that other yard-fixture always seems to be...

Supreme Court: Cities may seize homes

"Cities may bulldoze people's homes to make way for shopping malls or other private development, a divided Supreme Court ruled Thursday, giving local governments broad power to seize private property to generate tax revenue.

In a scathing dissent, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor said the decision bowed to the rich and powerful at the expense of middle-class Americans."

[continued at IndyStar.com]

Ted Turner visits 'Teds'...

"It's a little after 5 p.m. at Ted's Montana Grill in Clay Terrace, and Ted is on a tear.
That's Ted Turner, who is visiting one of his two area restaurants..."

[continued at IndyStar.com]

Mayor Brainard declares "Faith, Hope & Love Day", July 30th

[Carmel, Indiana]

Mayor Jim Brainard declared July 30th to be "Faith, Hope & Love Day" in Carmel. Click image to read the proclamation in entirety.

Friends & neighbors... join together to enhance our community life together... and especially to help those who may be struggling the most. Look around you. Who could use your help this summer?

If you have ideas for helping your neighborhood in some special ways during the special "Faith, Hope & Love Week" (preceding the final day's festival... July 30th), please leave a comment below. We'd also be very anxious to post some stories about this effort, both before and after July 30th... email me anytime.

Pastors & neighborhood Christians interested in specially participating... visit FHLcommunity.org.

Neil Cox, Carmel

Indianapolis Mayor Peterson declares "Faith, Hope & Love Day"... July 30th

Mayor Bart Peterson today declared July 30th will be "Faith, Hope & Love Day" in Indianapolis. The day will conclude a week-long period of helping neighbors in our community, and will culminate in an annual festival to celebrate together.

The vision is to build communities of faith, hope & love through active participation in improving neighborhoods and helping those in need... and to bridge the social, economic and spiritual gap in our community.

For more information on the collaborative Christian efforts that week, visit... FHLcommunity.org.

"First Saturdays Coffee & Conversation"

We've developed a regular time we can get together each month for some coffee & conversation in the neighborhood.

Every 1st Saturday... 8 a.m.,
at Paradise Bakery at Clay Terrace Mall

It's a time we can enjoy each other as we share our lives together in the best possible way here in what's becoming the Clay Terrace community. Catch up on 'the latest'. Just have some fun together.

But more than that, slowly we are creating something of a 'community care group' -- that is, to pause and pray for special needs among us, and even find some ways to help each other, in a "Love your neighbor as yourself" sort of way.

And we take some time each month to try to reflect on the things that are important to us… who we are and what we hope to become, what we want for our children, and how we can better serve each other and our community. [And even other communities... We have something of a 'sister-neighborhood' in Indy's inner-city that a few of us participate in.]

For instance, not long ago we read & discussed the best-seller, "Purpose-Driven Life", which asked some great questions for each of us. Another time, we read & discussed the short biblical book of "John". John was a close Jewish friend of Jesus and introduces us to him in the unique way that only a close friend can do. Anyone is welcome to participate. It was a good time to ask important questions people had. And why not -- you're amongst friends. [Btw, here's a link to read 'John' online if you like.]

And throughout the month… ClayTerrace.org

As you see, ClayTerrace.org has now taken on a 'blog' format. A neighborhood newsletter of a sort -- but with the ability to leave comments, questions, suggestions, and active links to news, sports, events, that might be of interest among us. [Our former site -- WaltersPlaza.com -- will soon be incorporated into ClayTerrace.org.] We can talk more about all this over coffee on Saturday. Btw, if you have a laptop, bring it -- Paradise Bakery is wireless! Or for that matter, if you have internet questions, we might all be able to learn a lot from each other.

Then… let's do it all over again each month…
"First Saturday Coffee & Conversation"

P.S.... Since we have new neigbhors and not everyone is yet on the email list -- please help us get the word out. Also, if you can't come, but you have special needs we might be able to help with, let us know.

Neighborhood Party...

Walters Plaza Neighborhood Party
Saturday, May 14th, 5pm til....

Bring your own meat to grill, drinks to drink and a side dish to share!

Should be fun!

Volunteering to Help Teach Computer Skills...

U. B. bloggin'

Want to put your skills to work? Chances are, your worst computer skills are still better than those left behind by the 'digital divide' -- the widening disparity between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots'.

There's a great little Christian cafe in the heart of 'the hood', where we do informal computer training... just sharing with others what we learned from someone else. Our goals are simple: To develop the 3 basic capabilities of the internet... in just 3 weeks. Unbelievable? Come see for yourself as you simply help others do what you may have just learned yourself. It's fun... and it's a chance to expand our friendships among folks there who welcome you with open arms. [continued at 'U. B. Bloggin']

Community Basketball...

Here at the start of another new year, perhaps making resolutions and thinking about goals for ourselves or our children, I'm reminded of this great community asset... the Indiana Basketball Academy. There's nobody I'd rather entrust my kids to than Tom Abernethy to learn bball skills and important life values.