The fall color of autumn leaves is rapidly fading, and the grey dread of Winter is descending. … But fear not, for we are going to Light Up Forest Park!

Usually around Thanksgiving I join many of you in putting up lights and holiday decorations. Since I happen to be Christian, I actually look at the start of Advent (preparing for Christmas), and the end of Epiphany (season of “light” following Christmas), as the time for the lights to be up — also the darkest part of the year.

Hanging the lights can be a challenge, especially if the weather turns rude. I’m not going to climb the extension ladder to the peak on the front of the house if it’s icy. I’ll just grumble while I do when it’s merely cold.

At the beginning of November, I noticed lights were on at a neighbor’s house. “Oh boy! They are eager beavers,” I thought. Then I thought again. The light went on! … My neighbors have Nepali heritage; they are celebrating Diwali! … Oh boy, another good reason for lights in the dark months! (Perhaps I should consider putting the lights up even sooner, in honor of my neighbors?!)

Diwali is a festival of light celebrated by our neighbors whose heritage is from a variety of places in Asia. It comes in mid-October to mid-November, in accordance with the traditional calendar, timed by a new moon (Nov. 4 this year). Diwali celebrates “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.” Now that sounds worthy of celebration.

Enjoy the season of hanging lights, whether it be for Diwali, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, another holiday, or just plain enjoyment. I’ll also be enjoying your lights.

See you soon! It’s so good to be sharing a place we can all call HOME.

Your president, Scott Prigan.
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30 years ago, Northland Mall was still a BIG DEAL “place to go” for shopping in Columbus — and there were many booming businesses along the Morse Road strip.

20 years ago Northland Mall was featured on the Ghost Malls website — and a significant number of the businesses on the strip were struggling. … But positive developments were starting to move! New people filled with new hope (many in a new country) were moving in. These folks saw good housing in a good neighborhood. They saw the empty storefronts as an opportunity. They perceived the value of the area and were eager to join us! Some came as renters first, some bought homes immediately, some established businesses. People from 4 continents recognized Forest Park and Northland as a place they could call HOME!

Today the empty storefronts on Morse Road are GONE — essentially fully occupied, and 161 is soon to follow. Most of these are local businesses, run by local people — not chains that cut and run if the company has a bad quarter. (Remember the Olive Garden, busy and prosperous, but still pulled out. … and the chains eventually seek to follow the local entrepreneurs back into the neighborhood.)

I encourage you to visit these neighbors. Tell them about the Forest Park Civic Association. Invite them to JOIN F.P.C.A., both as families (if they reside in Forest Park proper), and as businesses. There are a couple of fine fellows who can help them join as well:

Business Representative: Sheridan Landon, sheridanlandon@yahoo.com, 614-515-0783
Asst. Business Rep.: Alan Ray, aray.bergahorn@gmail.com, 614-506-3386

See you soon! It’s so good to be sharing a place we can all call HOME.

Your president, Scott Prigan.
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See the recent Columbus Dispatch story that inspired my thoughts:
New census data show Asian, other minority residents driving Northland’s population growth

References:
Contact FPCA
Join FPCA
online Business Membership Form

I recently got a message from a community member (paraphrased) and my response (annotated):

… I have a question about excessive noise with our neighbor across the back fence and I am not sure who to turn to for help.
He really has a big sound system in the back yard with a massive bass. In past years, he has played music into the early morning hours a couple of nights in the summertime. We just dealt with it. I really don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun. This year, he’s been loud pretty much every weekend, an even weekdays.. The bass can be felt in our house! While my family is trying to enjoy our backyard, we get to hear his music every night.
I have called the police non-emergency number a couple of times, but I know that they are busy protecting us and tending to other things, so I understand it can take a while for them to follow up.
I really don’t mean to complain, start a conflict, or ruin anyone’s fun at all. I just wish I was able to get sleep and enjoy my backyard as the gentleman with the speaker is enjoying his backyard.
I have spoken with several neighbors, and they share my concern. Is there anything we can do to “quiet” this issue?

I too find this kind of thing frustrating. I thought we left all the loud party stuff behind when we left the college environment. (Don’t be tempted to retaliate by chainsawing your old dead tree at 5 am some morning after.)

The best thing, if you can, is to engage the noisy neighbor in a conversation (not confrontation). As school is soon starting, we have another reason to request cooperation. If things go well, you might even get invited to the next (not so loud) party.

The Columbus noise standards are a little subjective, but provide legal support. [2329.11 Community noise.] They stipulate a noise level not to exceed 60 dB over an hour from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., or 65 dB 7 a.m to 10 p.m. 60dB would be normal conversation, perhaps in a restaurant or office, background music, air conditioning unit at 100 feet, fairly quiet — half as loud as 70 dB. 70 dB would be office noise, inside a car at 60 mph.

Sec (C), “Prohibited sounds,” states: No person shall make or allow to be made any unreasonably loud and/or raucous noise in such a manner or at such a volume as to disturb the quiet, comfort, or repose of a person of ordinary sensibilities. Strict liability is intended to be imposed for this section. Further, it states that amplified sound should not be heard 50 feet beyond the property line. That limit is reduced to 25 feet when residential units are located within 50 feet of each other, which describes most of our homes with 10-15 foot setbacks from property line.

[So you are fully in your rights to call the police! … But our inquirer was trying to be a kind neighbor, so … ]

You might calmly advise the neighbor of what you expect — e.g. hour after which you would be forced to call police. If there are other neighbors who don’t appreciate the “sharing,” perhaps they can agree and also call when noise is too loud or too late.

One should be able to enjoy one’s music without disturbing the neighbors unduly. That’s a good sign of a lively community. But if they really want to crank it up, perhaps they should take it inside and close the windows — or invest in some great headphones. Respect must go both ways.

Hope this helps.

See you soon! It’s so good to be sharing a place we can all call HOME.

Your president, Scott Prigan.