Category: Art/Music/Entertainment (Page 1 of 8)

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Mead

Glenwood South is a neighborhood where volunteerism is literally adding to the colors and designs on the street, bringing better lit and safer-feeling sidewalks, and knitting friendships that strengthen cooperation.  When Sue Glennon (Hampton Inn and Suites), Liz Johnson (Revolver) and Donna Belt (SpiritWorks) met with Sharon Hayes, Executive Director of St. Saviour’s Center (616 Tucker Ave) this week to arrange a neighborhood tea for donating Tree Sweater blankets to the residents of Glenwood Towers, the surprise was on them.  Melissa Brigman, Property Manager of the Towers wondered out loud how residents could volunteer to help the neighborhood.  As thrilled as they were to receive the blankets, they were equally happy with a donation of yarn that allows them to knit items to donate to a charity they select.

Tree Sweater Blankets

Our changing of the world has already launched, right here in our neighborhood.  St. Saviours Center offers a variety of volunteer opportunities from serving seniors through Meals on Wheels, helping distribute food at the Wake Relief Food Pantry, supporting  the Community Music School (offering music lessons to disadvantaged children for $1/lesson), or even donating disposable diapers and children’s books to the Diaper Train that is part of the Healthy Baby program.

Whether you offer a morning per month or seek more regular service, come out and meet other neighbors who are helping to create a network that enhances us all.

• For more information about volunteering, please contact Sharon Hayes 919-833-6400, ext 201, shayes@saintsaviourcenter.org.
• Contact Linda Frenette, Executive Director of the Community Music School to support their fundraiser on May 3 when they’ll be raffling guitars painted by local artists. executivedirector@cmsraleigh.org.

And of course, please join us for a neighborhood tea at St. Saviours on May 15 at 10:30 when we’ll be raffling our Tree Sweater blankets to residents of Glenwood Towers.  Thanks to Sara Coleman Fitzpatrick for supplying cupcakes from the Cupcake Shoppe!

Written by Donna Belt 

Tree Sweaters – Seattle neighborhood

Participants will gather at The Carter Building at 10am on the morning of January 25th before trailing down the length of Glenwood Avenue to Peace Street, leaving the trees dressed in stripes and patterns of every color.  Hot chocolate and snacks will be served  at 11:00 at Tobacco Road Sports Cafe, when visitors and participants gather for comments from city officials, prizes awarded to knitters, and a drawing of gift certificates from local merchants.

For the past six weeks, knitters have been meeting each Friday at SpiritWorks Studio at the Carter Building to create Tree Sweaters for the city owned trees lining the Glenwood South thoroughfare.  Many cars pass through on their way into downtown, but merchants and residents have banded together into the Glenwood South Neighborhood Collaborative to offer reasons to stop on their street, long before their popular late night businesses come into full swing.  

“What better way to show who we are than a community art project?” asked Donna Belt, owner of SpiritWorks Studio. “Tree Sweaters are whimsical and as varied as each of us are.” 

Even Belt is surprised at the response to this community art initiative, which originally aimed for 70 Tree Sweaters.  More than 50 participants, aged 8 – 80 have responded, creating 100 Tree Sweaters, each in their own colors and style.

City Council showed their support for this initiative by approving a petition for the Tree Sweaters presented at their January 7th meeting.  Policies established through the Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department in response to this community art project promise to streamline future grass roots art installations that they believe will continue to enhance the appeal of Raleigh’s downtown.

Since their first meeting at Hampton Inn and Suites on December 9th, residents and business owners of Glenwood South have worked together with the Downtown Living Advocates, Downtown Raleigh Alliance and Shop Local Raleigh to pursue a number of strategies aimed at maximizing the vitality of businesses, and building a bond between residents and neighboring restaurants and clubs.  This Tree Sweater installation is a colorful start to their plans which range from refining late night noise ordinances to fostering well lit, attractive sidewalk scapes.