Another way to make the neighborhood beautiful

We’ve been doing a lot of beautification events this summer and we’ve talked about nearly all of them here on the blog. But neighborhood beautification can mean a lot more than patrolling the streets picking up trash or planting flowers. It can also involve art.

A few months ago, we were contacted by Tracey Obenour who, along with her husband, paints murals on buildings. She wanted to do a mural on the building over on East 5^th Street building that would capture the spirit of the urban farm there and of urban farming in general. Of course, we were more than happy to agree.

The project was started in April, and the first week of August, we got an email from Tracey saying that the mural was about 90% finished and she wanted to know what we thought. We rushed right over and, as we drove into the lot, we had to smile.

Tracey’s mural certainly does capture the spirit and the essence of urban farming, and is beautiful to boot. It gives a whole, new, fresh look to a building that was serviceable but plain and, frankly, industrial. Now, it is cheerful and bright, and it will bring a touch of spring and summer even during the harshest of winter months.

While we were there, we took a look at the progress of the crops planted by volunteers this spring. Wow! Were we pleased! Tomato plants shoulder high, teeming with cheery and regular-sized fruit; beans that had grown, had been harvested by Ken and his volunteers; chives that were spreading over the ground, ready to reseed themselves; and even a couple of melons, tempting us in the summer heat.

Gardening has its pleasures, not the least of which is the witnessing of the growing and maturing process. To see a plant grow from a seedling to a mature, productive adult has the feel of a small, natural miracle and never fails to bring a smile.

Together with the great mural Tracey and her husband created, that small part of East 5^th Street is a whole lot better than it was at the beginning of the year.

And we’re very thankful to Tracey, Ken, and of course, all the volunteers who made that possible.

DXC East is pretty too...

OK, so the outside of the building is not so great and it's actually pretty hard to find us because there is nothing that says outside "Dayton Christian Center". But come inside and you will find a warm and friendly environment teeming with young energy. Hope computers are your thing, but if not, we can find you some reading material and a comfy chair. Back massages are extra, but coffee is free.

-Eric

New Furniture

Last week, we had been slowly moving furniture out and around over at East to prepare for new furniture arriving last Friday. Some of the regular guys that come here here helped out, and Harvey, one of Jodi's friends, came and assisted in the move. Harvey's job is to move furniture and he is a former power lifter so he could pretty much palm all the furniture.

The new furniture is a welcome addition. It is much more "Feng Shui". Instead of a conglomeration of random articles of furniture, we now have a much more professional looking establishment. Come check it out! And if you want, you can get your taxes done too. Check out the Tax post.

-Eric

Some troubles with Taxes...

There was a few hiccups in setting the computers up in preparation for Tax Time. A few of you may have missed out, but we did our best to get everyone fit in. Now we have everything up and running, so there is no need to worry about a slowdown again.

Everyone that needed to be contacted already has been, so if you have not, do not worry about it. Jerry looks forward to doing your taxes!


-Eric

Taxes on February 2nd

We are getting ready to have someone come in and do taxes for you! Jerry is great at what he does, and you don't need to do it.

Taxes will be done at East campus, over at 101 Linden Avenue, on the backside of the church. If you want to make an appointment, give us a call at 937-424-3550. Jerry will be around from February 2nd until April 15th Monday Wednesday and Friday.

Also, there may be a Spanish/English translator. Call to check if it is finalized.


-Eric