September 2023 Newsletter
It's officially fall, y'all! The neighborhood is bustling with activities and our Nightmare in Elmwood Park 5k is right around the corner. We're counting down the days until the Halloween decor comes out!
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Don't Forget to Register for the 5k
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This year’s Nightmare in Elmwood Park 5k is Saturday, Oct. 28. Dust off your running shoes and register today!
Thank you to our sponsors:
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Neighborhood Meeting Recap: Security and Homeless Services
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Our September 11 neighborhood meeting included a special presentation with Kameisha Heppard, Columbia’s Director of Homeless Services, and Capt. Hicks with Columbia Police Department. A few key takeaways:
- Allied Universal Security has been hired to patrol Elmwood Ave. This service will be in addition to the Yellow Shirts and the patrol area will include Roy Lynch Park and under the Elmwood Ave bridge.
- Kameisha Heppard manages the day-to-day operation of Rapid Shelter Columbia and oversees wrap-around services and other strategies for homeless services. She is a great resource for our community and can be reached at 803-545-3472 or kameisha.heppard@columbiasc.gov.
- The best way to voice your concerns or support is by attending city council meetings, which are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 4 p.m. at City Hall: 1737 Main Street, Columbia, SC.
- Additional key contacts:
- Transitions Outreach Coordinators:
- Alycia Roach (daytime): aroach@transitionssc.org, 803-467-0411
- Larry Benjamin (evening): lbenjamin@transitionssc.org, 803-363-4581
- Yellow Shirts (only covering Elmwood Ave):
- Timothy Smith: Outreach@msdcolumbia.com, 803-995-2316
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It's National Preparedness Month
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National Preparedness Month is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. This year's theme is 'Take Control in 1, 2, 3" and focuses on preparing older adults for disasters, specifically older adults from communities that are disproportionally impacted by the all-hazard events, that continue to threaten the nation.
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Neighborhood Safety Reminder
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Please always call 911 first for immediate help and then follow up with our Community Response Team (CRT) Officers. You can also call the non-emergency number (803-252-2911) first.
You can also reach:
- Officer Hendrix at 803-318-6986
- Corporal Rogers at 803-397-2090
- Lieutenant Brink at 803-509-1787
Please also continue to file police reports for anything of concern. There is a convenient online reporting tool for non-emergency matters.
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Last Friday Night Featuring Soda City Brass Band: Sept. 29
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Photo by Soda City Brass Band
Kick off ColaJazz Fest weekend by joining us on Friday, Sept. 29, from 7 - 9 p.m. on the 1000 block of West Confederate Ave to jam out with Soda City Brass Band, featuring ColaJazz Executive Director and South Carolina’s Jazz Ambassador Mark Rapp.
Put on by a small group of Elmwood Park neighbors, Last Friday Night is an ongoing concert series that takes place on the last Friday of every month.
If you enjoy the Last Friday Night series and want to help keep it going, please financially support the event at the button below. All donations go directly to the artists performing and help build the budget for booking artists for the year.
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Addressing Our [Loud] Furry Neighbors
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We love our furry Elmwood Park pups, but please remember that their barking can be a disturbance to neighbors, especially during the evenings or early mornings.
If you are a neighbor who is having extreme challenges with this issue, please contact Animal Control at 803-776-7387. If the barking is at night, you can call CPD's non-emergency line at 803-252-2911.
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Show Your Neighborhood Pride With Elmwood Park Merch
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Our new logo means new merch! Head over to the Elmwood Park website to purchase shirts, hats, cups, flags and even a new apron.
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September Yard of the Month
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Congratulations to Michael Edmonson and Melanie Pacheco at 1123 Pope Street for being selected as September's Yard of the Month (YOM) winners!
Michael and Melanie have lived in the neighborhood for three years and have completely redone their yard. The first thing they did was define new beds in the front, build trellises going up the columns, and introduce some perennials to shape out the front. They added jasmine to the sides of the house because they love the smell in the spring.
Their favorite thing about the neighborhood? There is always something going on within walking distance. Whether it’s enjoying a glass of wine at Vino Garage, hearing live music down the street, or enjoying other neighbors at a porch party – there is always something!
A big thank you to Image 360 for providing us with beautiful YOM signage and to Gardner's Outpost for providing all winners of Elmwood Park's YOM a gift certificate to use at their store on Franklin St. in Cottontown. We appreciate your support!
Keep your eyes peeled for information on this year's Halloween decoration contest!
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Admiral Radio Selected for Spotify Playlist
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Photo by Wright Media
Congratulations to our neighbors Becca Smith and Coty Hoover of Admiral Radio for being selected for Spotify's New Grass editorial playlist. If you like ‘Slow Lane’, go give it a listen on this particular playlist—interact with it, save it, share it, add it to a playlist, put it on repeat.
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Movie in the Park: Oct. 6
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Join Village Church on Park Street for Movie in the Park on Oct. 6 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. There will be a pumpkin patch, food trucks and other activities for families. The featured film will be The Super Mario Bros. If you would like to volunteer, contact Village Church at 803-252-6434.
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National Night Out: Oct. 13
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Join us for our National Night Out (NNO) event on Friday, October 13, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Roy Lynch Park. NNO enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Join us for food, live music and to meet our law enforcement officers! We encourage neighbors to bring a sharable dish.
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Renew Your EPNA Membership
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While we moved to rolling annual memberships last year, many memberships are coming up for renewal now! Please be on the lookout for your renewal email from our Wild Apricot membership platform. If you’re not yet a member yet, join us!
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Interested in hosting a porch party?
Email board@historicelmwoodpark.org with your name, address and preferred month. The parties are potluck; hosts need only provide whatever food and drink they'd like, a place for people to gather, and (preferably) restroom access. We'll connect you with our Porch Party Captain, Bart Tittle, to help with coordination.
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Gardener’s Outpost Tip of the Month
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Mums! Yep, it’s mum season! When picking out your mums to decorate your porch, consider cracking and tight buds. Fully blooming mums are gorgeous, but picking out ones with little color and lots of tight buds will ensure your porch gets color longer.
Decorating tips:
- Position your mums so they don’t touch! Wherever mums touch each other they won’t bloom well, but don’t worry they like other plants!
- Yes, you can plant mums in containers! Consider 4” mums in different colors to add pop to your fall planter.
- Each time you walk past your mums, consider pinching the spent flowers to encourage them to keep blooming. No tools are necessary, just pinch and go!
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Need help or have questions? Visit Gardener’s Outpost at 1211 Franklin Street!
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Interested in becoming a neighborhood sponsor? We'd love to have you! Let us know!
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