Saturday, October 31, 2015

Halloween Decorating Award

Happy Halloween!!

Check out the Halloween displays in the neighborhood.
Congratulations to our decorating contest winners!

Halloween Decorating Award:
Romanchuk Family
3455 Grindley Park

Honorable Mentions: 
  • 3421 Grindley Park
  • 3500 Grindley Park
  • 3260 Bennett
Notables: 
  • 21124 Carlysle
  • 3813 Katherine
  • 3533 Dudley
  • 3645 Roosevelt
  • 3421 Pardee
  • 3737 Pardee
  • 2847 Geneva
Be sure to check out these great displays tonight while Trick-or-Treating!

Award certificates and prizes will be given out this
Thursday, Nov. 5th at the S.O.D.A. general meeting.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Yes, Sally, there is a Great Pumpkin!

Yes, Sally, there is a Great Pumpkin! But don't miss out on Trick-or-Treating!
We've gotten a couple questions to the Contact Us form here on sodadearborn.com from new residents in the area asking if there will be trick-or-treating in the neighborhood or if the Track-or-Treat event was the only thing. This year's Track-or-Treat event was a huge success and possibly the largest event to ever have been done at Penn-Vassar Park with over 500 people. But Track-or-Treat is just and extra fun event to get the neighborhood and families out together.

Trick-or-Treating is definitely happening on Halloween!

Smartasset.com recently ranked the city of Dearborn 8th in the entire nation for the Best Places To Trick-Or-Treat. While some of that ranking was due to Halloween Nights at Greenfield Village, it should not be overlooked that it's also due to the many houses that give out candy, the short distances kids have to travel, and community safety.
Halloween is one of my personal favorites, and as my birthday is only 4 days before Halloween it has always felt like an extended birthday party. Although I may not dress up and go out ticking for treats anymore, I still enjoy taking my own kids around on the 31st and decorating our home for the fun frightful night. More and more residents in the neighborhood are decorating their houses for Halloween, and S.O.D.A. will be announcing awards next week at our November 5th meeting for the best Halloween decorations.

A couple things to note about Halloween Trick-or-Treaters:
  • Trick-or-Treaking Time: 5:30pm - 8:00pm or until your candy runs out
  • Turn ON your porch light to let the kids know you have candy
  • Turn OFF your porch light when you'tr done, otherwise you'll have knocking well past 8:00pm
  • Later in the evening (or even earlier) you may see a car load of kids come around. It's OK. Not every neighborhood does Trick-or-Treating, and not every neighborhood is a place where kids can feel safe. Be happy that these families are out enjoying Halloween together, and take pride in the fact that our neighborhood is a safe place for them to enjoy it.
  • The group of almost adult, half costumed, pillow case carrying teens; they know their childhood is almost over, don't make them feel worse for it. Give them a piece of candy with a smile. They will all to soon be an adult, let them have some fun while they still can.


Also the Dearborn Police have put together a list of Halloween Safety Tips:
  1. Parents should help their children pick out a costume that will be safe. The costumes should be fire resistant, masks should have eyeholes large enough to allow for good peripheral vision and the costume should allow free movement.
  2. If your child will be carrying a prop such as a pitchfork or sword make sure the tips are flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on. Of course, never carry real weapons of any kind.
  3. If you set jack-o-lanterns on your porch with candles in them, make sure that they are far enough out of the way so that children’s costumes will not accidentally be set on fire. Better yet, use battery operated pumpkin lights.
  4. Make sure you know the route your children will be taking for trick or treating, if you are not going with them.
  5. The best bet is to make sure that an adult is going with the children during trick or treating. If you cannot go with your child see if another parent or a teenage sibling can.
  6. Children should stay together as a group if going trick or treating without an adult.
  7. Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars. Tell your children to only cross streets at cross walks.
  8. Instruct your children never to go into the home of a stranger or get into their car.
  9. Make sure you set a time for your children to be home and stress the importance for them to be home at that time. Finally, instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you.
From myself and the rest of the S.O.D.A. board,
have a safe and fun time Trick-or-Treating!
Happy Halloween!!

Timothy S. Harrison
S.O.D.A. Vice President

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Interactive Loose Leaf Collection Map

The City of Dearborn has provided an interactive schedule map for loose leaf collection. This is a great use of technology by city employees to help clarify information for our residents!

The map below provides information on the loose leaf collection schedule for 2015. To see your area's next scheduled loose leaf pickup day, click on the highlighted section surrounding your address. Sections are divided by color, with each color corresponding to a different trash day.

The schedule serves as a guideline for loose leaf pickups and is subject to change. The map will be updated regularly, so please check back frequently for changes.

Please note that there are different pickup schedules for different recycling schedules (A and B) in each trash district. Zoom in on the map to make sure you are looking at the correct information for your address.

Monday: Purple
Tuesday: Orange
Wednesday: Yellow
Thursday: Blue
Friday: Green

All residents have green recycling carts, which are stamped with either an A or B on the lid to let you know what recycling schedule you are on.




Monday, October 26, 2015

Track or Treat 2015 Success

Thank You to everyone that came out for Track or Treat!
It was great to see the community out together.
There where over 500 people in the park!!

Highlights from Track or Treat 2015

We had some great sponsors, and great people who donated candy and helped out.
Here is a list, in no particular order. Without these people, this event wouldn't have happened

  • The Dearborn Agency
  • Salon X-pressions
  • Redeemer Community Church
  • Lue Thai CafĂ© 
  • Adrian's Collision
  • The Michigan Lightning Football Team 
  • Finders Keepers Insulation 
  • Lolly by Golly Sweet Shoppe
  • Lafontaine
  • Mizudo Academy of Martial Arts
  • Yoga Shala Wellness Center 
  • Real Estate Dreams 
  • The Dearborn Farm Market 
  • Kroger
  • Susan Dabaja
  • The Girl Scouts at Whitmore-Bolles 
  • The Girl Scouts at Snow
  • Stormy Records-Windy Weber
  • HFC Graphic Novel Club
  • HFC Community Service Club
  • HFC Intervarsity Christian Fellowship Club
  • The Whitmore-Bolles PTA
  • Jeffrey and Kelli Hassell
  • Michele and Dan Featherston
  • Brian and Becky Topolski
  • Carol Lowe
  • Sylvia Hall 
  • Pamela Mayberry
  • Peggy Strachan
  • Carol, Pat and Kim
  • Judy Ann Struble
  • Shirley
  • Jay and Tammy Rayburn
  • Michelle Krause
  • Treg Moore
  • Jennifer Keblaitis
  • Jennifer Buckner
  • Ginny Russell
  • Jennifer Wilson
  • Carl and Michelle Weigand
  • Mary Williams
  • Linda Snow
  • Dawn Michelle
  • Steve and Donna Nemeth 
  • Dave and Viki Pung
  • Debra Ainsworth
  • Donna Hay
  • Michael D. Albano
  • Nathan and Michelle Leonard
  • Julie 
  • Stacey Vaughan
  • Ryan Woods
  • Michelle Rebecca
  • Nicole Schaumburger
  • Debbie Turley
  • Szewc Family
  • Michelle Franko
  • Sam Borrello 
  • Debbie Sosnowski 
  • Timothy Shawn Harrison


Sunday, October 25, 2015

S.O.D.A. Track Or Treat 2015

2nd Annual S.O.D.A. Track or Treat

Sunday,  October 25th,  5:30 pm
Penn-Vassar Park
Cost: FREE

A fun evening in the park for the whole family. Kids get to "trick or treat" around the track at Penn-Vassar park and collect candy from decorated treat stations.

All kids welcome, bring a treat bag and come dressed in your Halloween costume.
  • Prizes awarded for the best costumes.
  • Prize awarded for the best treat station!

Interested in running / sponsoring a treat station?

Contact Sarah Ford:  sford@vividclean.com
Cost to run a treat station: FREE

We're also accepting candy donations! (Individually wrapped candies)
Thank you for your support.

Photos from the 2014 Track Or Treat shared by S.O.D.A. FB Group members

Thursday, October 22, 2015

S.O.D.A. POP Tonight - 10/22/15

Tonight! S.O.D.A. POP Trivia 9:00pm

Bailey's Dearborn
22091 Michigan Ave (@ Mason)

For more info visit the S.O.D.A. POP page

Monday, October 19, 2015

Loose Leaf Pick Up

Loose Leaf Pick Up Starts Today.

Loose leaf collection Oct. 19 - Dec. 4  

Collection of leaves that are raked into the street will take place between the week of Oct. 19 and end the week of Nov. 30, with the last pick up on Friday, Dec. 4. Weather conditions may alter that timeline.

Leaves raked into the street are not picked up every week.
Crews aim for two pickups during the season in every neighborhood.
Leaves are picked up on non-recycling weeks, but not every time.

Schedule beginning Oct. 19

On Monday, Oct. 19, crews will be in neighborhoods with Monday trash collection and an “A” week recycling schedule. Note they may not finish the whole section that day.

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, crews will be in neighborhoods with Tuesday trash collection and an “A” week recycling schedule. Note they may not finish the whole section that day.

The pattern will continue through Friday, Oct. 23.

On Monday, Oct. 26, crews will be in neighborhoods with Monday trash collection and a “B” week recycling schedule.

On Tuesday, Oct. 27, crews will be in neighborhoods with Tuesday trash collection and a “B” week recycling schedule.

The pattern will continue through Oct. 30.

This process will be repeated through the end of the loose leaf collection program.
In addition, vehicles must be removed from the streets from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on a neighborhood’s trash day/Public Service Day.

Bagged Leaves
Residents may also put their leaves in approved paper yard waste bags or approved 20-32 gallon containers labeled as yard waste.   The containers or paper bags should be put on the easement by 7 a.m. for pickup each week on residents’ trash day. That way, they will be picked up each week.

Leaves in plastic bags or in cardboard boxes will not be picked up.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Healthy Dearborn Family Bike Ride

Healthy Dearborn
Family Bike Ride

10:00 am 
Sunday, October 18th 2015
Cost: FREE

Ford Community & Performing Arts Center
15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI

Registration begins at 9:30 am

The ride starts at 10:00 am at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, taking off from King Boring Field onto Greenfield Rd.  From there riders will follow a designated 6.5 mile route through the center of the city and end back the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.

The ride will be family friendly, and will be police assisted. Riders of all ages and abilities are welcome. Before biking, participants will be asked to sign a liability waiver, available at the event or online.

Click here to download the waiver

Those who wish to participate in the event without going on the guided bike ride are invited to check out The Center free of charge on Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult for this family event.

Families with young children and other cyclists who don’t want to ride on the road are welcome to pedal the outdoor paved path that surrounds The Center.

Healthy snacks, water, and materials with safe bicycling tips and rules will also be available.

Call 313-943-2285 for more information.

This event is presented by:

Monday, October 12, 2015

October Raffle Winners

Congratulations to our October General Meeting raffle giveaway Winners!
We had one very lucky family this month.

Member Raffle
Gift card to Fisher's Flowers

Winner: Jay & Tammy  Rayburn

To win the member raffle you must be present at the monthly meeting.
Member names drawn but not present to win:
Sandra and Michaek Salliotte
Windy Webber
Virginia Russell
Mike LaFata
Michael McCaffery

Attendance Raffle
Fall decorations

Winner: Jay & Tammy Rayburn

The attendance raffle can be won by anyone in attendance at the meeting. Prizes are typically items donated by local businesses or business members.

50/50 Raffle
Winner: Carl Wiegand

Thursday, October 8, 2015

October S.O.D.A. Meeting & Neighborhood Watch

The October S.O.D.A. Meeting
Thursday Oct 8th @ 7:00pm
in the auditorium at Whitmore-Bolles Elementary
21501 Whitmore St, Dearborn, MI 48124

Special Guests:
TBA

Win Prizes At The Meeting
  • Member Raffle for any paid Regular Members in attendance.
  • Attendance Raffle for ANYONE in attendance.
  • 50/50 Raffle

The only requirement for winning is attending the association meeting. For the Member Raffle we pull names from the entire member list until we pull the name of a paid regular member in attendance. For the Attendance Raffle we draw names of anyone that signed in when attending the meeting. You must be present to win.

*All prizes are donated by our supporters and business advertisers.

There will also be Neighborhood Watch committee meeting at the end of the general meeting for some updates on the neighborhood watch activities.

Facebook Event - October Meeting

After the meeting head over to Bailey's on Michigan Ave. for S.O.D.A. POP Trivia