Wow, time really flies when you’re having fun, huh? Most recently, the Special Events Committee and a group of neighborhood volunteers gathered over the course of several weekends to construct the 2010 Old Southwest float entry for Roanoke’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. I’d like to thank each and everyone that volunteered their time in seeing our float come to fruition. As it turned out the weather this year cooperated which made for an exciting event!! Because of our hard work and effort Old Southwest was awarded our 4rd consecutive trophy for “Best Neighborhood Group”. I’d like to dedicate this award to everyone who worked hard and came out to show the parade goers that Old Southwest is truly a force to be reckoned with...

As winter winds down we will begin seeing signs of new life in and around Old Southwest. Spring is upon us and it’s such a beautiful time of year with fresh colors of greens, yellows, pinks, and many more “springing” up around our homes and green-spaces. I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely ready for the warmer weather that the spring season brings with it. If you’re like me you’ve been “chomping at the bit” to get out and work in your yards and flower beds in preparation for warmer days. I so enjoy relaxing on my front porch after a long day at work and swinging on my porch swing greeting passers by much like those before us did many years ago.

In addition to all the positive things that the warmer weather brings, let’s not forget to keep in the back of our minds the issues that “spring” up once warm weather arrives. For those that don’t regularly participate in our monthly safety meetings or neighborhood meetings, we encourage everyone to keep their eyes and ears open for anything suspicious and call 9-1-1. Be sure to document all reports made to 911 and come to a monthly meeting to share this information with our safety committee and police officers. These efforts of paying attention and reporting issues have helped reduce crime from our streets in Old Southwest by more than 30% in recent years. Over the last several months Old Southwest Inc., in conjunction with Roanoke City Code, and the Roanoke City Police Department have been successful in reducing questionable / suspicious activities in the 500 & 600 Blocks of Day Avenue SW.

I would encourage anyone reading this blog post to participate in the neighborhood you call home. A friend once told me “this organization is only as strong as those that participate in it”, and it’s very true. You’re neighborhood needs you, come out and be a part of the continued success that is Old Southwest.