Sunday, November 22, 2009

ONGOING COVERAGE: KENDALL YARDS

West Central residents can meet neighbors at barbecue Tuesday

Salem Lutheran Church and its Book Parlor have been a central gathering place in the West Central neighborhood. Pictured are, front row: Jerry White and Tom Rodgers; middle, Connie Copeland-Malone and Bob Messer; rear, Casey Laughary and Felicia Kortness. The church hosts monthly Neighbor-to-Neighbor meetings of Bridge and College Avenue residents. (Paul Delaney) You're invited Neighbor-to-Neighbor barbecue, Tuesday, 6 p.m., at 1428 W. Broadway Ave.

Paul Delaney
Correspondent
June 21, 2007

Nothing perks up the senses on a summer evening like the aroma of the barbecue.

Connie Copeland-Malone hopes the scent of hamburgers and hot dogs cooking on the grill on Tuesday in the Salem Lutheran Church parking lot at 1428 W. Broadway Ave., will get West Central residents meeting and talking.

"We'll start the barbecue at 6 p.m.," said Copeland-Malone. Then the monthly Neighbor-to-Neighbor meeting that takes place the fourth Tuesday of every month at Salem Lutheran will begin at about 6:45.

Past Neighbor-to-Neighbor gatherings have allowed residents of College and Bridge avenues to meet one another, address their concerns and work toward fixing what might ail their part of the neighborhood.

Copeland-Malone hopes to extend the reach of the group and encourage others to form similar organizations.

The barbecue, sponsored by Jubilee Community and Housing, is open to anyone from the West Central neighborhood.

Jubilee will provide buns, hot dogs and hamburgers. Copeland-Malone is asking people who plan to attend to help out if they can and "bring something to share. We welcome donations from the community."

Copeland-Malone can be reached at 328-6527 or by e-mail at connie-cm@hotmail.com.

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Copeland-Malone has been the central figure in organizing her neighbors that border the planned Kendall Yards development.

"Anything we can do to get people together and talking" is the goal. "We want to partner with everyone," Copeland-Malone said. "Whatever it takes to get folks together."

"We're trying to connect all the pieces. People don't know who lives in their block," she said.

According to Copeland-Malone, the Jubilee organization helps "facilitate and educate folks regarding decent, safe and affordable housing. We encourage people to buy houses and be responsible homeowners."