City Recognizes Neighborhoods at Awards Ceremony at the Farmers’ Market

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 29, 2009

For more information, contact:

Vickie Provine, Program Manager, Housing and Neighborhood Development Department, City of Bloomington, 349-3505

Danny Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-CITY, lopezd@bloomington.in.gov

City Recognizes Neighborhoods at Awards Ceremony at the Farmers' Market

Bloomington, IN - The City of Bloomington's Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Department will recognize neighborhood associations and individuals during the ninth annual Blooming Neighborhood Celebration on Saturday, June 6, at 10 a.m. at the Farmers' Market.

Individual associations will have tables set up displaying photos and information about their neighborhoods beginning at 9 a.m.

Winners of the Blooming Neighborhood Awards receive a $100 check payable to their neighborhood associations. There are 45 neighborhood associations currently registered with the HAND, which established the Blooming Neighborhood Award program to recognize special projects and initiatives.

Bryan Park Neighborhood Association is the winner of this year's Mayor's Excellence Award with a certificate of recognition going to the Gentry Estates Homeowners Association.

The Woodlands-Winding Brook Homeowners Association is the winner of the City Council Neighborhood Enhancement Award with a certificate of recognition going to the Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association.

Jan Sorby of the Bryan Park Neighborhood Association is the winner of this year's HAND Neighbor of the Year Award with certificates of recognition being presented to Ann Kreilkamp of Green Acres Neighborhood Association, Paul Ash of McDoel Gardens Neighborhood Association and Keith and Caroline Clay of Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association.

This year's celebration also includes a presentation from Jim Diers, former director of the City of Seattle's Department of Neighborhoods and author of Neighbor Power: Building Community the Seattle Way, on Friday, June 5, at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall. Diers will share the story of Seattle's neighborhoods and provide insights from communities around the world that are working to build active and creative neighborhoods. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information about the Blooming Neighborhood Awards or other Programs offered by HAND, contact Vickie Provine at provinv@bloomington.in.gov or 349-3505.

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