e-newsletter | December 2010 PHASE 2 PRE-LEASING IS BEGINNING REGISTER NOW CDA GRADUATION RECYCLING AT COLUMBIA PARC ENTER THE TACKIEST, WACKIEST GIFTS CONTEST  NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS Congratulations CDA Graduates Join us in congratulating the recent graduates of the Child Development Assistance (CDA) training program. The free 10-week program was sponsored by Columbia Parc, the Bayou District Foundation, Capital One Bank, and Kingsley House‘s Community Supportive Services program. Graduates received a certificate and some will intern at the early learning center at Asia Baptist Church. Other program graduates will progress with attaining Bachelor and then Master’s degree in early childhood care. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Marc Boucree of Capital One Bank. Capital One Bank awarded laptops and a matching donation (up to $1,000) to all program graduates if they save the same amount over the next month in a Capital One Bank account while working on their internships. To take advantage of ongoing FREE programs, participants must be a former St. Bernard Public Housing resident, a current resident of Columbia Parc, or reside in the Columbia Parc community. Contact Gilda Johnson or April Gaudet at 504-282-2424 for more information. Recycling at Columbia Parc We're getting greener by partnering with Phoenix Recycling. Please help us conserve energy and resources by using the recycling bins. You can download our information PDF to learn more about the types of plastic, cans, paper, and cardboard that can be collected. Did you know that you can also recycle your Christmas tree? Residents are invited to participate in this year's Christmas Tree Recycling Program. The initiative collects used Christmas trees after the holiday season to be deposited in Bayou Savage as part of an ongoing wetland restoration project. Trees should be stripped of all tinsel, garland, lights, ornaments, plastic bags and tree stands. Flocked or painted trees cannot be used for the project. Garbage trucks will only make one pass through the neighborhood. If you would like to participate, place your tree in the dumpster area on the evening of January 5th for collection. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RECYCLING PROGRAM (YouTube) > Enter the Tackiest, Wackiest Gifts Contest We get it – it’s the thought that counts. But, we also have a sense of humor! For those of you who received gifts this holiday season that are, shall we say, tacky or just plain wacky – here’s your chance to win a $100 VISA gift card. From ugly hats to funky shoes to the truly unexplainable, send us your photo through a Facebook message and then we’ll open it up to public voting to determine the winner. This contest is open to everyone so spread the word to friends and family (just don’t include the person who gave you that tacky, wacky gift). To learn more, visit our Facebook page now. VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE NOW >

Bayou District Foundation is a 501(c)3 non profit organization dedicated to the healthy revitalization and sustainability of the Bayou District and surrounding neighborhoods through quality education, housing and recreation opportunities. Bayou District Foundation has been monitoring the unfolding situation with Willie Hall playground. It is scheduled to be closed until August 2011 while the school site it sits on is remediated in preparation for the construction of the new McDonogh 35 High School; which is currently in the design phase of construction. BDF is attempting to work with the School Board, Willie Hall Booster Club and the school designers so that the playground can potentially remain open so that kids of Columbia Parc have a playground to use this spring and summer. If that is impossible we are exploring a wide range of possibilities to ensure appropriate play space for the kids of Columbia Parc. Hopefully this can be resolved soon and we will let you know what the result of our efforts are when the time comes.

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