RADO is working on a Neighborhood Crime Watch.

While I was at our clean-up last weekend it was brought to my attention by those who live in the area between Post and I-10, that there have been a lot of burglaries lately. So, I am in the midst of working on a Neighborhood Crime Watch! RADO actually initiated one a couple years back when Jenny McCharen was working here and it was very successful. Unfortunately, when she left the crime watch did too.

My goals are to get another successful group up and running by April. I have a lot of interested people and we are in the process of working with the Riverside Avondale Preservation Society. They are starting a crime watch as well and hopefully we will be able to combine forces!

If any of you are interested feel free to call me. Our number is 904.381.0950 and my e-mail address is msbyrd@radocdc.org.

Weekly Credit Series

Tip #4: Charge less than the maximum amount available on your credit card. Even if you make payments on time, creditors may think that you are too much in debt.

Pictures From RADO, Harpoon Louie's and Florida Bank Clean-Up

Some people enjoying some vittle yum-yums!

Some Volunteers!

The $30 Harpoon Louie's Gift Card winner!

The Florida Bank Crew

Some Clean-er Uppers!

The clean-up was super AWESOME!!!

The title says it all! Our clean-up this past Saturday was excellent!!! I have so many to thank ! Harpoon Louie's and Florida Bank were our sponsors and provided lots!! Tee shirts , gift cards, food, drinks and people! And I can't forget Jacksonville's Clean-it-up Grean it up team who provided the bags, reflective vests and grabbers. Also Bill Loehle from Wood & Laminate Fine Custom furniture graciously let us use their dumpster.
I could not have asked for a more beautiful day. That must have put everyone in a very productive spirit because we accomplished a lot!

Here's the list...

-38 adults and 4 children came out out to help. Some living as far away as San Pablo Road!

-98 bags gathered (just 2 shy from my goal!)

-A whole line of trees and shrubbery were cleared on a very dangerous curb by Alphonso Madison. He lives on Gilmore Street and said there is no visibility on that corner. I think he had to have been our hardest worker. He wouldn't even stop to eat!

-Garfield Cooper RADO'S next door neighbor rode up on his very spiffy bicycle (he does own a bike shop you know) to help out before he went to work. Now that's dedication!

-Maria Cooper from the Times Union was there and we even had a volunteer , Nancy Beecher there just to take pictures for me! She is an excellent photographer and you will see her handy work soon!

We had so many caring people come out that I definitley could not name them all . Well, I mean I COULD but no one would want to read all of that! So I will just mention a few
Rachonda Grover, Ivelisse Torres, Rachel Fender, Harriett Hollinger, Alexis Thraen and Howard Caroway!

So again thank you to

Harpoon Louie's Pub & Grill http://www.harpoonlouies.net/

Florida Bank http://www.flbank.com/

Clean it Up Green it Up of Jacksonville http://www.coj.net/Departments/Environmental+and+Compliance/Dont+Trash+Jacksonville/Clean+It+Up.htm
ZenCog http://www.zencog.com/

the H.I.R.E Group (Hispanic Internal Revenue Employees)

Wood & Laminate Fine Custom Furniture.

Weekly Credit Series

Tip #3 Remind yourself that credit cards are loans. Before you pull out your credit card for a purchase it helps if think of as taking out a loan. Try asking yourself next time,
" Would I really take out a loan to buy this? ".

"I'm SO excited, and I just can't hide it" :)

I can't help it! I am pretty excited about tomorrow's meeting. What meeting might you ask, well, The LISC AmeriCorps meeting of COURSE! The Riverside Avondale Development Organization is very proud to have their very own AmeriCorps member and tommorow RADO is hosting the monthly meeting.

~Wait a minute, AmeriCorps? Is that like Peace Corps?

~Well sort of, a domesticated version I guess. Let me me try to summarize it for you. It is Federally funded though, so beware of wordiness!

LISC AmeriCorps is part of the National Service Network.

~Okay ,that sounds easy.

It was established by an act of Congress in 1993 and re-authorized as the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. In 1994 LISC , which stands for Local Initiaves Support Corporation, began it's sponsorship of an AmeriCorps program. There are LISC offices all over the country with a total of over 200 hundred AmeriCorps Members for the 09/10 year! Americorps members are set-up to serve with partner organizations by promoting volunteerism and civil engagement. They do this by helping with home ownership counseling /education to prospective buyers and participating & engaging the community with events such as clean-ups and seminars. Forming crime watches and neighborhood groups are also common for an AmeriCorps member but, positions can vary. I know AmeriCorps Members who workin re-entry programs for ex-offenders.

To be quite frank, the role of a LISC AmeriCorps Member is vital to keeping Communities Sustainable.

~That wasn't too bad right? So, these 14 wonderful Jacksonville AmeriCorps will be in our office tomorrow to have lunch and their monthly meeting. So like I said , I'm pretty excited!

P.S. It is pronounced " Amer-a-Cor". There are no corpses involved!

We have a little write up in the Florida Times Union Westside Sun. Check it Out!

http://jacksonville.com/community/riverside/2010-02-13/story/the_sun_notebook_ortega_student_a_contest_winner_plus_a_clean_u

Credit Help : Weekly Series

TIP #2 : Pay off credit cards every month. If this is too difficult, cut up the card so you can't use it. For a less drastic approach, put it away until it is completely paid off. Then only use the card if you have an emergency or know you can pay the balance every month. For all other purchases, write checks or pay with cash. This will help you stay on budget.

HandsOn Jacksonville

Just in time for Valentine's day, the Riverside Avondale Development Organization wants to share their LOVE for the not-for-profit organization , HandsOn Jacksonville. Their organization matches volunteers with a variety activities, for free!!! I definitely love FREE. With just two steps of becoming a member and then choosing a project, you are able to choose from a number of volunteer events. They range in type of activity from volunteering at MOSH to helping with a street Clean-Up.Their mission is clearly stated on their website , "Our Mission is to inspire , equip and mobilize people to take action that changes the world." That pretty much says it all!

For more information you can visit their website at http://www.handsonjacksonville.org/ or call them at 904.332.6767

Our beloved Riverside Avondale neighborhood, or neighbourhood if your British, is featured in the London's Financial times!!!

This is a really well written article and NO I am not just saying that because our wonderful neighborhood is featured in it! Well, maybe a little... But I am so proud to have read this article from across the pond, and to know that the Riverside Avondale Development Organization has done our part in preserving this incredibly beautiful and eclectic neighborhood that we live and work in!
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/0b3639c0-111e-11df-a6d6-00144feab49a.html

Credit Help: A new weekly series

Unfortunately a lot of people I come into contact with for my job have had difficulties with their credit. I have also found that a lot of people never received a proper education on how to acquire and maintain good credit. Apparently, they did not have an oh so caring mother like mine to nag you over and over again with, "It'll go on your credit. " Ahh...I can hear her sing-song nagging now....But, back to the present! So, due to my recent findings, I have decided to post tips on how to acquire credit, improve your credit or maintain the good credit you may already have.

Steps that you can take on your own.

Tip #1 Pay Loans First. Pay them before you spend money on extracurricular activities i.e.
dinner movies etc. Missed payments hurt your credit rating.

Our Featured Clean-Up sponsor, Harpoon Louie's American Pub and Grill

I thought it would be nice to feature one our gracious sponsors for our upcoming clean-up. Drum roll please!!!! Harpoon Louie's has been around for close to 20 years now , so they must be doing something right. Over the years it has evolved from a dive bar, to a late night hangout, now to a very family friendly neighborhood pub. It's owners are three best friends by the names Justin Watkins, David Witt and Gary Kuehner. Justin Watkins works for JEA and is a previous restaurant owner. David Witt has worked at Harpoon Louie's for many years in the past before attending culinary school and opening a restaurant with Justin in 2003 and Gary Kuehner is a captain for The Jacksonville Fire Department. They have been owners for over three years now and have made a few changes while keeping the tried and true. One change is their farmer's market specials they have every weekend. They also have live music on the weekends and are trying to branch out with community efforts. They are known for their wings, burgers and pasta salad to name a few! If you'd like to try out one of their famous "Blackened Bad Boys" or "Fish Nuggets" stop by today! Their number is 389-5631 . They open at 11:00 am everyday. If you would like more information go to their website http://www.harpoonlouies.net/ You can visit them on FaceBook as well.

STREET Clean-Up Scheduled for FEBRUARY 20th!

Hello all! Do any of you need volunteer hours, or have you been meaning to do something for the betterment of the community for this new year? Well, this is the perfect event for you! The Riverside Avondale Development Organization is planning a clean-up with their partners Harpoon Louie's American Pub, Florida Bank and LISC AmeriCorps. This street cleanup will improve the area in the Northwest quadrant of Riverside. It will include the streets of Stockton , Gilmore and Ernest! And of course all of those in between! If you or anyone you know is interested in attending this event please RSVP. with Melody at 904.381.0950
P.S. There will be lunch provided for those who attend!