Firefly Means Being the Spark!
There is a spark at twilight. It begins small. You see one. A glimpse in the darkness. Such a surprise. Such magic. Then you see another. And another. And then all -- illuminating the engulfing night. The community revealed. Champions called to shine their lights into shadows. Sometimes, the night feels dim. One may feel their light is too brief, too weak. But you have learned to become the beacon. You learned to lead. Being the spark in dark places, this takes the most courage. But then the surprise, the magic. First you see one, and then another, and then all join together to create a light powerful enough to penetrate the darkest of places. You are the spark that illuminates the night.
It only takes one spark to change the future of a community. Be the Spark!
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Strong Neighborhoods Initiative (SNI)
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Holiday Safely &
Family Fun
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HAVE YOU AMENDED YOUR INCORPORATION PAPERWORK LATELY?
Remember, as an HOA or Neighborhood Association who has a bank account you must be Incorporated at the State of Oklahoma as a Not for Profit (a few may be an LLC). You must update if any of the information on the original application has changed or it loses its validity.
The process is quite simple. Go to the website of the Oklahoma Secretary of State, find the Amended Not for Profit Incorporation form (linked here) and fill it out online, or you can print it and mail it back. You can find the form under the drop down menu --> Corporations - Domestic (Oklahoma). There is a minimal fee ($25) associated with this service.
After this is updated your association will once again enjoy the benefits afforded by law to an incorporated entity. Any questions, please contact us at the Neighborhood Alliance.
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STAY IN THE LOOP!
Is your neighborhood registered with the Neighborhood Alliance? Have you updated your contact info in the last year?
Stay in the loop regarding important decisions and info that can help better your neighborhood like upcoming developments, city projects, beautification resources, and more!
Click below to update your officers and/or register your Neighborhood Association or HOA.
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THE CITY OF OKC ADOPT-A-CITY STREET PROGRAM
Neighborhoods, businesses and individuals can make a difference in their community by adopting a City street. Interested parties may apply for streets that aren't already adopted.
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Christina Brightwell Thompson and Metro Park Neighborhood Association volunteers and partners load tires onto trucks in October, 2020. |
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Putting Down Roots: Tree Selection Guide
Planning to plant some trees this fall? 🌳🍂
The City of Oklahoma City has a great Tree Selection Guide! This is a great resource for personal use and to share with your neighborhood association leaders when working on beautification projects.
"Putting Down Roots," is a 130-page guide for the selection, care and maintenance of trees in central Oklahoma. This free resource guide features full-color photos and information about more than 60 trees that are suitable for planting in the central Oklahoma region.
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Jeanna Daniel, founder of Riverpark NA and longtime resident of 55 years, plants a Redbud tree on Sunday in memory of her beloved father. |
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Ron Brewer, Former President of Rollingwood NA, stands next to a gorgeous Yaupon Holly in his yard, planted in Spring, 2015. Ron is actively serving his neighborhood on their Crime Watch Patrol and Beautification committees. |
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65,000 BULBS. ONE COMMUNITY.
Let’s plant some HOPE for spring 2021!
Neighborhoods, community parks, schools and other entities managing public green spaces in Oklahoma County can now apply to receive bulbs for FREE to brighten our city with spring-blooming flowers.
This project is made possible by Community Foundation donor Ralph Meador, who established an endowment fund to support city-wide beautification projects, like this bulb-planting initiative.
Who is Eligible?
- Neighborhood parks
- Schools
- Public Libraries
- Neighborhood associations (e.g. frontages, medians)
- Managing entities of public green belts
*Other spaces in Oklahoma County may be considered as supplies are available.
Project Timeline:
- Applications are due by Monday, Nov. 9, 2020
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Bulb distribution will take place at the OCCF on Thursday, Nov. 19, Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21, 12-6 p.m.
- Planting must occur before Dec. 14 to ensure bloom in spring 2021
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CITY OF OKC SIDEWALK REPAIR
& REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
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OKC’s Sidewalk Repair and Replacement Program helps residential property owners improve their neighborhood’s walkability. If you are responsible for the sidewalk on a residential property you own, the City can split the cost of repairing or replacing it. The City will provide labor, equipment and materials for sidewalk construction if your sidewalk is selected for the program.
You may be eligible if
- You own a residential property in OKC limits.
- You can provide half the project cost before construction begins.
- The property is fully improved and occupied.
- The sidewalk is your responsibility, and not the homeowner’s association or someone else.
- The sidewalk is in a platted easement.
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CITY OF OKC NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS
MAP TOOL
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Interested in learning what neighborhood association you belong to? If you live in The City of OKC you can quickly identify your neighborhood association by simply typing your address into the Neighborhood Association Map search bar. Following that, you can reach out to the Neighborhood Alliance to connect with your Neighborhood Association. Easy-peasy! |
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At the Neighborhood Alliance, we compiled this handy list of useful numbers for quick referencing and to easily share with other neighbors. You may download the PDF version linked below. |
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DECORATIVE STREET LIGHTING |
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Pictured above is an example of decorative street lighting in Cleveland UCD, a neighborhood in central OKC.
Decorative streetlights can add warmth and elegance to your neighborhood. The City can help you get them, but most of the job will be yours.
The City installs practical, efficient streetlights to make your neighborhood safe at the lowest possible cost to you. But if your neighborhood wants the style and atmosphere of period-style streetlights and is willing to pay for them, additional options are available.
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Beautifying the Neighborhood, One Light Box at a Time |
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Featured photos are from around the world!
Did you know that beautifying often tagged surfaces such as lightboxes can help decrease crime as well as contribute to placemaking and neighborhood pride?
This is a helpful and beautiful placemaking activity that any OKC neighborhood can do!
Visit the website linked below for more information and reach out to the City of OKC Arts & Cultural Affairs Liaison, Robbie Kienzle.
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CHECK OUT THE NEW OKC ARTS AND STRONG NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE PUBLIC ART PROJECT!
The Neighborhood Alliance is very proud of the Classen Ten Penn Neighborhood Association for their work on this neighborhood project! Way to be the spark!
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JumpStart Your Neighborhood Association! |
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Hey there! Have newly elected officers? Want to organize your neighborhood but don't know where to begin? Need to brush up on your neighborhood leadership skills?
If you answered 'YES!' to any of these questions, this training is for YOU!
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Remaining Workshop Dates for 2020
6:00PM-8:00PM
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For Voluntary Neighborhoods
Join this virtual workshop from the comfort of your own home and enjoy topics that cover:
-Association Setup
-Officer Roles
-Incorporation & Bylaws
-Bank Accounts
-Event Planning
-Meeting Management
-Neighbor Engagement
Registration required (links below):
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For Homeowners Associations
Exclusive training for Homeowners Associations ONLY. Taught by Executive Director, Georgie Rasco, who will share her 20 years of HOA organizing experience, attendees will learn how to handle issues specific to Homeowners Associations as well as tips on general organizing practices.
Topics include:
-Meeting Management
-Updating your Articles of Inc., Bylaws and Covenants
-HOA Officer Roles
-Best Practices for HOA's
-Developer Turnover Issues
-Tips for making your HOA run smoother
-Q&A
Registration required (links below):
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Space is limited, so reserve your spot today! |
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FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER....On the Season Finale of Porch Chat....The Neighborhood Alliance welcomes Ward 7 Councilwoman, NIKKI NICE!!! 🤩
Tune in Thursday, Oct 22nd @ 11:30am to this FB Live event as we discuss any and everything - Neighborhoods, community development, hopes and dreams, fears and frustrations and well..... everything!!
You don't want to miss this!!!
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Come join our new Facebook group, Firefly: The Good Neighbor Network!
The purpose of this group is to support each other in our quest to be the best neighbors we can be. United to support safe, beautiful, and healthy neighborhoods for everyone. Although our primary area of care is Central Oklahoma, anyone that is interested in creating a great neighborhood may get great advice from this group.
This group provides a central location where you can communicate and share ideas of projects, resources, and all things neighborly.
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WANT TO WALK, BUT NEED A BUDDY?
Sisters In Motion (And Brothers Too) offers a safe, fun, and supportive environment for individuals to walk and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. They meet 6 days a week at different parks across the metro area. Their walking schedule and contact information are below.
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OKC-County Health Department COVID-19 Halloween Precautions
Halloween will need to be celebrated differently this year to prevent another post-holiday COVID-19 case spike. Though costume masks are no substitute for cloth/surgical masks, that doesn't mean we can't celebrate! Plan for a fun & spooky night with these tips:
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Get free disposable face masks with drop-offs at OKC’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility
Oklahoma City residents can get a free box of 50 disposable face masks every Thursday in October in exchange for dropping off hazardous waste.
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Oklahoma City’s mask ordinance extended until Dec. 7
Oklahoma City’s mask ordinance is in place until at least Dec. 7 after the City Council voted to extend the requirement to wear face coverings in indoor public places.
Evidence shows there’s a high risk of infected people spreading the virus with their breath if they don’t use a face covering. Evidence also shows infected people can spread the virus even if they don’t have symptoms, underscoring the importance of mask-wearing even for people who feel healthy.
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Oklahoma City CARES Act funds dedicated to response, testing and tracing, and community support
With about three months to go before the federal government’s deadline, the City of Oklahoma City is on track to spend its COVID-19 relief funding on pandemic response, testing and tracing, and community support.
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Oklahoma City celebrates Bike to Work Day with first protected bike lanes in expanding network
In September, crews installed the first stretch of Oklahoma City’s first protected bike lanes on General Pershing Boulevard west of downtown. Upright, white plastic delineators along the right-hand side of the recently resurfaced road (both east and west bound) separate the bike lane from vehicle traffic.
When installation and striping is complete, the bike lanes along General Pershing and Main Street will eventually extend from May Avenue to Lee Avenue. Bright, green paint helps drivers more clearly see key stretches of the bike lane without vertical delineators, like at EMBARK bus stops and intersections.
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STRONG NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE (SNI) |
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About the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative (SNI)
In 2010, OKC leadership recognized the need for a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to neighborhood revitalization. At the direction of the OKC Council’s Neighborhood Conservation Committee, a new program framework, the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative (SNI), was developed that seeks to holistically improve neighborhoods through physical, social and economic investments that will tip neighborhoods toward self-sufficiency.
SNI is currently working with 3 neighborhoods, Capitol Hill (2018), Capitol View (2018), and Metro Park (2020). OKC planning staff is working with neighborhood residents, local stakeholders and city departments to develop and implement revitalization strategies for all three neighborhoods.
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SNI Goals
SNI neighborhoods will soon see beautification projects, new homes under construction, existing homes being repaired, hazardous trees removed, new trees planted, afterschool programs and more – all in an organized effort to realize the following revitalization outcomes:
- Improved quality of life—From a place to “A Place”
- Engaged neighborhood groups, children & parents
- Decreased turnover in neighborhood & schools
- Improved property values & market stabilization
- Decreased perception of crime
- Reduction of vacant properties
- Greater connectivity to jobs, education & services
- Increased homeownership & private investment
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More Information
Shannon Entz
(405) 297-2911
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HOLIDAY SAFELY & FAMILY FUN |
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Sky Rink at Scissortail Park
Come visit OKC's new seasonal, outdoor roller skating rink!
The Sky Rink at Scissortail Park is located in the southeast corner of the Park near the Skydance Bridge.
The rink sits under the Event Pavilion and has approximately 5,000 square feet of skating surface for both traditional quad skates as well as inline skates. Skates are available to rent, but personal skates are always welcome
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Halloween Safely During Covid-19
Above is a graphic ranking Halloween activities per the newly released CDC COVID-19 guidelines according to the level of risk. Please visit our Pinterest board for more fun Halloween activity ideas below!
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October Events in OKC
It's a spooktacular time to explore Oklahoma City. Although this season might look a little different, there is still so much fun to be (safely) had. Here are a few recommendations of ways to discover OKC this month from VisitOKC.com.
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Since we are working remotely at this time, the best way to reach us is through email. We look forward to hearing from you!!! |
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Georgie Rasco
Executive Director
Admin, Neighborhood Issues or HOAs
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Ana Carmina Dange
Community Organizer and Neighborhoods
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Ashley Dickson Oso
Director of Marketing & Programs
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Sarah Lawhead
Community Organizer and Neighborhoods
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Amanda Olszewski
Sponsorships, Funders, Donations, Giving, or Admin
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Stacey Smith
Billing & Finance Issues
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Remember, at the Neighborhood Alliance, we are here for you! |
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