The Simpson Stump - August 2022

Communities Matter. Community Matters.

Communities like Simpson Neighborhood and our surrounding neighborhoods play a role in our lives, whether we realize it or not. They work on everyone's behalf to improve and maintain our corner of Phoenix.

More importantly, a sense of community is what makes our neighborhoods feel like home. Knowing, helping, and interaction with your immediate neighbors and beyond creates lasting relationships that community is built upon.

Simpson Neighborhood Association started with the encouragement of the principal of then Simpson School who helped parents Peggy Klitzke and Paul Enniss, (Co-chairs) & Paul's wife Cindy Enniss (Treasurer) about 1995. The association has been a true bridge between old and new, uniting neighbors with available community services to aid the transition from run-down blighted neighborhood to a desirable community. Randi & Steven Still (Co-Chairs) took the reins from Paul Ennis and Peggy about 2017. Randi & Steven have worked towards creating a greater sense of community by starting events such as Quarterly Alley Clean-ups, Monthly Litter Walks, reviving the Holiday Luminary Display, and adding the Hot Chocolate Social gathering.

In our neighborhood are 1,800 households, 5,000 residents, Phoenix Fire Station No. 18, a location for the Boys and Girls Club of America, and 8 churches. Within a mere 3-tenths of a mile of our neighborhood is Phoenix Baptist Hospital, The Washington Adult Center, Washington Park and Public Swimming Pool, the YMCA, Solano Park, the Yucca branch of the Phoenix Public Library, Harkins Theaters, the Jewish Community Center. Simpson Neighborhood is bordered by various businesses, restaurants, and a grocery store making it a unique and vibrant neighborhood to live in.

This newsletter, thanks to the funding from the 2022 Block Watch Grant Program, will be coming to you directly instead of the digital or hand delivered versions of previous years. The hope is that more people will get the latest information and be interested in getting involved in making our community a place we can all be proud to call home. We look forward to engaging more in the months to come.

What Can the City Help With

The City of Phoenix offers resources to neighborhoods and individuals. These can include: online bill pay, street maintenance issues, and more. All of these can be accessed online or via their app.

Online: phxatyourservice.com

What Can the Neighborhood Help With

The Simpson Neighborhood Association was able to procure a Blockwatch Grant for 2021 and again for 2022. This funding has allowed for the purchase of safety, security tools, & community building equipment to be shared or available free of charge to neighbors.

Items available to neighbors:

• Large Padlocks (for gates etc)

• Small Padlocks (for breaker boxes etc)

• Smart Switches

• Outlet Timers

• Durable Letter/Number Stencils

• Safety Vests for litter pick up events

Also available to borrow as needed:

• Pop up tents

• Tables

• Chairs

• Portable Generator

• Portable PA System

These are available on a first come first serve basis as there are limited quantities and we want to help as many neighbors as possible. Please contact Steven or Randi to coordinate your needs.

Community Updates

There are always things going on in a neighborhood and city this size.American Furniture Warehouse has opened up in the old Costco Location. For anyone looking to freshen up their furniture we can now show locally.

There is some new development going on in Simpson Neighborhood as well. A new apartment complex scheduled to go in on 21st Ave just north of Camelback.

Upcoming Events

Simpson Neighborhood Meeting - August 16th 6:30PM - First Indian Baptist Church 2005 W Georgia Ave

Simpson Neighborhood G.A.I.N. Potluck and Block Party - October 15th 4pm-7pm

Get Involved

Volunteer Opportunities abound especially now that we have funding and additional administrative overhead.

• Volunteers to help set up for the GAIN event

• Donate sodas etc to share with neighbors.

• Volunteers to join up as a treasurer

• Volunteers to join up as a secretary willing to help coordinate future newsletters, take meeting minutes, etc.

Follow Us

Look for Simpson Neighborhood Group on Facebook or join Nextdoor for additional online interactions.