LBReport.com

News / Event Advisory

"Friend Fest" Debuts At Drake Park Sat. June 22, First In Series of Festivals Planned by Newly Organized Willmore City Area "Friendship Neighborhood"



(June 20, 2013) -- A newly organized group -- the "Friendship Neighborhood" -- will launch a series of festivals in Drake Park (Willmore City area, 10th St/Maine Ave.) starting this Saturday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In a release, organizers say the event will include live music by local band Romero y Perez, skill-share workshops on seed planting presented by Foodscape Long Beach, DIY non-toxic cleaning products and creative reuse art, as well as various park games, face painting, and an open "Free Market" "in an effort to bring neighbors together as friends."

[Event release text] A grant was awarded to The Friendship Neighborhood Friend Fest by the Building Healthy Communities: Long Beach initiative based on the intention of the group to create a sustainable network of allies that celebrate the gifts and talents of their neighbors as opposed to focusing on deficits of the area. Through the course of the on-going development of this and future events, the objective is to build healthy relationships amongst residents of all ages in ways both empowering and uplifting for all.

The idea for a series of Friend Fests came after the neighborhood was rocked by gun violence that ended the life of a 23 year old Willmore City resident named Nelson Suarez. A 2nd incident of gun violence 6 days after this well-loved young man's death prompted home owners, property managers and renters to come together at a community meeting featuring the district's City Council member, the LBPD West Division Commander and their local gang unit.

"I left the meeting feeling very unsatisfied with the answers we got. The only solutions perpetuated seemed to be that of increased surveillance via video cameras and operating as a 'nosy neighbor' that reports any and everyone that they think 'doesn't belong' -- how do I know who doesn't belong just by looking at them? I don't want us all just peering through our window afraid of everyone. I felt we need to address the root of the problem, not foster fear and suspicion and solely focus on catching people doing wrong," said Erin Foley, Willmore City resident and local organizer,

"Ultimately, as neighbors talked, it was decided that the best first step might be to try to get to know our other neighbors. The more you get to know people, the more you care about them -- the more we get to know each other, the better we can figure out together what we can do together to foster positive change."

One way the group plans to break the ice amongst neighbors is utilizing the solidarity and trust-building techniques of Augusto Boal's "Theater of the Oppressed," which brings participants together through various games to beget respect of diversity of experiences and thoughts along with the shared humanity of all participants.

In order to help create awareness of what is available and what people can get involved in, local organizations such as Centro CHA, Foodscape Long Beach, Green Long Beach!, The Long Beach Time Exchange, The Long Beach Depot for Creative Reuse, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, Willmore City Heritage Association, Friends of Drake Park, Housing LB, and Building Healthy Communities: Long Beach, amongst others, have been invited to share their various resources, ideas and actionable ways for perpetuating sustainable growth and positive change for the community of Willmore City.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a dish of their choice for the potluck and/or gently used clothes and books for the Free Market - no one will be required to bring anything in order to participate fully. Reusable water bottles, plates and utensils are encouraged -- fresh water will be provided by local organization Green Long Beach! via a free hydration station.


ABOUT THE FRIENDSHIP NEIGHBORHOOD

The mission of the Friendship Neighborhood is to foster a proud, safe, vibrant neighborhood of diverse, yet connected friends and acquaintances empowered through education, cultural & activist history, shared resources, and community building activities. All residents and friends of Willmore City are invited to the bi-monthly Friendship Neighborhood community building meetings held on Sundays from 2:30 - 4 PM in Drake Park to help work together to bring future ideas to fruition.

The Friendship Neighborhood also hosts a neighborhood cleanup the second Saturday of every month starting at Cesar Chavez Park (5th St. & Golden Ave.) at 9 AM and ending at Drake Park (10th St. & Maine Ave.) at 11 AM.

The Friendship Neighborhood a presence on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheFriendshipNeighborhood.


Follow LBReport.com w/

Twitter

RSS

Facebook

Return To Front Page

Contact us: mail@LBReport.com




Ad above provided in the public interest by:














Carter Wood Floors
Hardwood Floor Specialists
Call (562) 422-2800 or (714) 836-7050





blog comments powered by Disqus

Return To Front Page

Contact us: mail@LBReport.com


Copyright © 2013 LBReport.com, LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of Use/Legal policy, click here. Privacy Policy, click here