DNA Gears up for Third Meeting, Learning About TimeBank
(Crystal A. Proxmire, 3/9/2011)
A group of residents in the Downtown Ferndale Area have formed the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) as a way to stay connected as neighbors. Their third meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at the First Baptist Church, 1841 Pinecrest north of 9 Mile at 7pm. The guest speaker will be Michelle Foster, founder of Ferndale TimeBank.
Ferndale TimeBank is an online system of swapping services that pools everyone’s skills and needs, and allows individuals to contribute time doing things for others, and earning time to have things done for them. For example, one person might do sewing, yard work and painting. Another might do taxes, computer repair or teaching classes. Another might do car repair and babysitting. The system allows users to trade indirectly, by tracking hours put into the system, and hours used. A small annual fee makes sure that only truly interested people are in the database. Please go to www.ferndaletimebank.org for more information.
Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) started in October as neighbors got together to discuss how noise from Downtown Ferndale bars and restaurants affected them. Led by Sherry Wells, the group has been involved with petition attempts (https://oaklandcounty115.com/2010/10/02/noise/), and has been brainstorming other ways of connecting the community. She said the goal of DNA is “to work together to make Ferndale a continually better place for its residents to live, work and shop.” She added that “FUN is an important part of my memories of block club activities–the picnics and yard sales.” She said the group hopes to team up with local businesses to hold an event of some sort later in the year.
Wells described the earlier meetings:
“The DNA had its first meeting in October. Dave Cottrill requested the room for us in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Ann Muller, who grew up in the First United Methodist Church, arranged for the November meeting space we had.
‘The DDA (Downtown Development Authority) sent Cindy Willcock as its representative to the first meeting and brought volunteer forms for those who wanted to keep helping our downtown improve.
‘It was no surprise that more than half of those at these meetings raised their hands when I asked how many, when they walk downtown, pick up litter. These neighbors care about the Downtown that their homes surround.
‘They also are affected by the downtown and discussed problems with and possible solutions to excessive noise from music and customers, and vibration from extreme bass, littering, and parking,”
Inviting TimeBank to come and talk is another way Wells hopes DNA can help keep residents active and working together. “I see the TimeBank as part of the Good Neighbors motto of the city–get to know each other by helping each other,” she said.
There is no cost for being part of DNA. And though Wells envisions it as a group for people in the Downtown Area, everyone is welcome. To be added to the contact list for DNA, email Sherry Wells at sherwells@tm.net or call 248-543-5297.
For more information on Ferndale TimeBank, check out their website at http://www.ferndaletimebank.org.
