December Neighborhood Newsletter
Last newsletter of 2024! Thank you for your involvement. We've had a great year and can’t wait to continue building our community in 2025. Share feedback and get involved by subscribing to the newsletter at www.vickeryplace.com. Wishing you a happy and safe holiday season!
The last newsletter for 2024! Thank you all for your involvement in the neighborhood. We've had a great year and look forward to further building our community in 2025. Let us know how we did, what we can improve, and what you'd like to see going into the new year. Want to get involved? Make sure your account on www.vickeryplace.com is subscribed to the volunteer newsletter.
We wish you a happy and safe holiday season and look forward to seeing you in the 2025!
2025 VPNA Board
We are thrilled to welcome both returning and new members to the 2025 Vickery Place Neighborhood Association Board. Together, we look forward to continuing our efforts in building a strong, vibrant community and addressing the needs of our neighborhood in the year ahead. Let's make 2025 our best year yet!
Pet of the Month - Ripley
This month's VPNA Pet of the Month is Ripley! Ripley will be receiving a generous gift basket custom curated just for them from our neighbor Dr. Benjamin Wright & his team at Lakewood Vet Center.
Ripley is a 4.5-year-old Vizsla that lives on Miller Avenue. She knows most folks that walk along the street because she is always likes to say hi and request some scratches. They call them “velcro vizslas” because they are so attached to people! Her favorite activity is playing fetch with her dad and her 2-year-old human brother Eli, sometimes at night with a glow in the dark ball. Ripley loves Vickery Place and is always interested in making new friends!
Nominate a Pet to win Pet of the Month below:
BMW Dallas Marathon - ROAD CLOSURES will affect access to Vickery Place - 12/15/24
The BMW Dallas Marathon will be coming through our area on December 15th. Please note map route which comes across Monticello to Greenville, then down to Richmond. Plan your morning accordingly. Always fun to go down to Greenville Avenue and cheer on the runners!
Monthly Book Club
The Vickery Place Book Club is a once-a-month group that meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month. We read fiction (so far) and books are selected during the meetings.
We nominate books and select the next two at each meeting.
We accept new members, so if you've never been there are always new people.
The hosting rotates through the group, but no one is required to host
Book for Dec 12 - We are each bringing one title to suggest for 2025 plus a book for the gift exchanges. This meeting will be a pot luck.
Check out the post below for more information.
Andrea Hundley
Tips on how to prevent damage during a Freeze
JL Long Peace Pantry - Christmas Meals
We had an overwhelming response to the Thanksgiving Gift Meals and were unprepared to handle the volume nor had a backup plan when the school's stopped taking donations. Sorry for the confusion! If you are wanting to participate for a Christmas Meal gift, please sign-up at the link below.
Geneva Heights Building Dedication Ceremony - 12/14/24
Holiday Travel Safety: Protecting Your Home While You're Away
As the holiday season approaches, many of us are planning trips to visit loved ones or take a much-needed vacation. While you're enjoying your time away, it’s important to keep your home safe and secure. Here are some essential tips to help protect your property while you're out of town:
- Secure Doors and Windows: Double-check that all entry points are locked, including doors, windows, and sliding glass doors. Install (and use!) deadbolts or security bars for extra protection.
- Install Timers for Lights: Use timers to turn lights on and off in various rooms to give the appearance that someone is home. You can also use smart bulbs or plugs that you can control remotely.
- Ask a Trusted Neighbor for Help: Have a neighbor or friend collect your mail, newspapers, and packages while you're away. A pile of deliveries at your door is a clear sign no one is home and will, at a minimum, attract porch pirates.
- Use a Security System: If you have a home security system, make sure it’s active and working properly. If you don’t have one, consider investing in a doorbell camera or smart security cameras for real-time monitoring.
- Avoid Public Social Media Posts: While it’s tempting to share vacation photos, refrain from posting your travel plans or current location on social media. This can tip off potential burglars that your house is empty.
- Check the Exterior: Before you leave, make sure your yard is tidy. Remove any items that could be used to gain entry, like ladders or tools, and ensure that your driveway and walkways are well-lit.
By taking these simple precautions, you can travel with peace of mind knowing your home, and our beloved neighborhood, are all staying that much safer. Happy holidays and safe travels!
Keeping Your Pets Safe with Houseguests
The holiday season often means hosting family and friends, but if you have pets, it’s important to plan ahead to ensure their safety and comfort while you entertain. Here are some tips to help keep your furry family members safe when you have houseguests:
- Create a Safe Space: Designate a quiet area in your home where your pet can retreat if they feel overwhelmed by guests. This could be a separate room with their bed, toys, and food to provide a sense of security.
- Monitor Interactions: Not everyone is familiar with your pet’s temperament. If you have guests who aren’t accustomed to animals, gently remind them to approach your pet calmly and respect their personal space.
- Keep Harmful Foods Away: With extra people around, food may be left unattended, which could pose a danger to your pet. Make sure guests know not to feed your pets any scraps or leftovers, as many human foods (like onions, garlic, grapes, and raisins) are toxic to animals.
- Secure Your Pet's Identification: With more people coming and going, there’s a risk that your pet could slip out the door. Ensure your pet has a collar with an ID tag and that your contact information on their microchip is up to date in case they get lost.
- Maintain Routine: Pets thrive on routine, so try to stick to their feeding and exercise schedule as much as possible, even with the extra hustle and bustle. This can help keep their stress levels down and maintain a sense of normalcy.
- Clean Up After Guests: With houseguests comes extra clutter. Keep cleaning supplies like pet-friendly disinfectants handy and make sure any harmful items (like chemicals or small objects) are safely stored away.
By planning ahead, you can ensure that you, your pets, and your guests enjoy a happy and safe holiday season together!
Local Organizations to Consider Donating Resources or Your Time During the Holiday Season:
- Austin Street Center: AustinStreet.org
Provides safe shelter and meets the basic needs of the most vulnerable homeless. - Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center: DCAC.org
Improves the lives of abused children. - Dallas Hope Charities: DallasHopeCharities.org
Instills dignity, stability, and hope for all. - Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support: GenesisShelter.org
Created to give women in abusive situations a way out. - Jubilee Park: JubileeCenter.org
Housing, health, safety, education, and workforce opportunities. - New Friends New Life: NewFriendsNewLife.org
Restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women, and their children, while driving awareness of the issue. - Operation Kindness: OperationKindness.org
North Texas Lifesaving Animal Shelter. - Texas Community Charities Foundation: TXFCCF.org
Serving the needs of the many, one community at a time. - White Rock Center of Hope: WhiteRockCenterOfHope.org
Cultivates hope through basic needs and personalized empowerment.
Dallas Coat Drive for the Homeless
TIS THE SEASON TO BE WARY!
Winter months give rise to more opportunities for criminal activity. As daylight hours become shorter and holiday gift-giving activities ensue, the potential for theft of personal property increases. Here are some reminders to minimize the opportunity for crime:
- Leave your front porch light on and have motion detection lights in your side/back yards—outside lights deter criminals and cost little to operate.
- Lock your doors and windows when you leave the house or retire to bed. If you have an alarm system, set your alarm.
- Lock up your car, and if possible, park in the driveway. Do NOT leave valuable items in your car.
- Have packages delivered to your office or a drop box location—porch pirates abound during the holidays.
- When out shopping or having some cheer on Lower Greenville, have your keys ready when returning to your vehicle and pay attention to your surroundings.
If you are traveling for the holidays, make sure your home looks occupied even when it is not:
- Double-check that doors and windows are locked before you leave home—this includes the garage or outdoor shed.
- Let a trusted neighbor know you’re leaving, when you will return, and provide a contact number. Have them watch for anything that might appear out of place.
- Ask your neighbor or friend to grab the paper each day and pick up the mail. Even when you have the PO stop your mail, it doesn’t always happen, so have someone check.
- Leave some lights on, and set lamps on timers.
Don’t forget, the most important part of crime prevention is knowing your neighbors and looking out for one another! Have a safe and happy holiday season!
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