Community Engagement Task Force

I went to the Community Engagement Task Force https://www.ci.lubbock.tx.us/city-government/community-engagement-task-force community meeting tonight.  This is the 3rd such community meeting.   I missed the second, I did not know about it until it was too late to go.  The two meetings I have attended have been very informative and interesting.  I am glad I have attended.  I have seen social workers at each meeting, the Catholic Charities director at the first meeting. and some Lady Raider Basketball players at the meeting tonight. I need to remember to send out an announcement about the next meeting.  It is tentatively set for November 29, 2016, location unknown.

This is a good community activity. 

National Night Out

National Night Out https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/bja/180775.pdf has been occurring for more than 30 years, I think.  I remember when Tonya was spending the summer with Ken and I one year, and she wanted to be sure we kept the front porch light on for National Night Out.  We were in the house on 91st Street, so that was between 1984 and 1988. The article says 1985 was the first year.

Tonight, Lubbock had several neighborhood National Night Out Celebrations, and one was in my neighborhood at Leftwich Park, which is my neighborhood.

http://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/local-news/lubbock-neighborhoods-invited-to-participate-in-national-night-out-on-tuesday-august-2.  It was sponsored by Redeemer Church http://redeemerlubbock.org/, YWCA Sun and Fun Club http://www.ywcalubbock.org/, the Lubbock Police Department http://www.mylubbock.us/departmental-websites/departments/police-department/home and the Lubbock United Neighborhood Association http://www.lubbockunitedneighborhoodassoc.elisting.us/.

I went to the park, and stood in line for dinner, a brisket sandwich or hot dog, watermelon, chips, water, cookies.  Sides included snow cones, cotton candy and popcorn. It was all free. The speakers were difficult to hear, but were from the Police Department and the YWCA. The music was canned. There were bounce houses for children, and free admission to the YWCA.  Whoever set up the park knew what they were doing because much of the area took advantage of the large shade trees in the park.  There was a police truck, an unmarked police car, a Semi truck kids could climb into the cab, a police helicopter periodically circling overhead, and a firetruck for the kids to look at (that was very popular.)  The police did children's ID kits (fingerprints) http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2014-05-23/lubbock-police-providing-children-id-kits-national-missing-childrens-day#.V6FteI-cFxI.

It was a nice evening. I spoke to some folks I knew. I talked to every police officer and fireman I could approach, thanking them for their service. I toured the YWCA facility that was free and open to the public, which was not the case for their grand opening in May, when admission was charged. (I suspect this was a good will gesture to the community, because their business has caused bad traffic congestion in the neighborhood.  I have not complained, because I think the benefit of the facility probably outweighs the traffic congestion, but I am still not happy about it.)

The Caprock Neighborhood used to have a neighborhood association and community garden.  I know. I helped to develop it.  That was 20 years ago.  I left the neighborhood after a while, and the organization could not sustain.  I regret that.  But I was pleased to see the activity tonight.

I Am So Blessed

I think about my life and how things are for me, and I am so blessed.  I have good friends. I have concerned coworkers. I have an extended family who are there if I need them.  I have fun pets. I have a career that I enjoy, and that I feel allows me to contribute back to society.  I can participate in my professional organization and have good colleagues with whom I can interact, receive support, and with whom I can work in harmony.  I am able to give back to my community by volunteering on a board of directors of a non-profit agency that is well respected and does good works in the community. I have access to health care if I need it. I have a home. I am able to express my feelings, negative or positive, to my elected officials about the state of the government.  I am able to participate in activities which I enjoy.

I am so blessed.  I am sure I have missed some of my blessings. Count your blessings. They are probably many, more that we might initially think about.