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.

Lose A Parrot?

One of our neighbors found a parrot in Walters Plaza subdivision -- let us know if you or your friends lost one.

Snow Plowing?

Ivan Rouse comes highly recommended... 925-8243.

Monon Trail Section Re-opens...

Two fences and two months later... the trail is now open again... according to this Indianapolis Star article.

Free Breakfast with Santa...

One of our community's "warmest churches" is hosting a Free Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004. 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!

Walters Ridge...

If you ever wondered what it's like living in Clay Terrace's front yard, visit Walter's Ridge.

Retail Article in Star...

Here's one of the Clay Terrace articles -- we'll try to get them all posted here if practical.

Something New In The Neighborhood...

Cool. One day not long ago we were simply a dust-bowl... but now check it out... we're a village!