As a graduate of the City of Fort Collins Neighborhood Services Program, I took the initiative to work with my neighbors and apply for the Vibrant Neighborhood Grant (VNG). What you see below is part of the process we did to apply for the grant--which we were awarded in November 2017. Our first event was the Astronomy Night on January 19th (flyer to the right).
The next event I will help to produce as part of the VNG, will be the Ribbon-Cutting Celebration Ceremony for the installation of our neighborhood Little Free Library that Kris Hite is building.
The location of the installation will be at the south west corner of Rogers Park (near the community gardens). There will be a band, food and presentations by local librarians. The date is still to be determined, but likely early May.
Vibrant Neighborhood Grant Series of Events Ideas
| Event |
Season/Location |
Special Guest(s) |
Menu |
Music |
Note |
Champions |
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| Little Library Installation |
Late fall or mid-spring. SE corner of Rogers Park |
Wolverine Press/FC Library Board Member |
Sandwiches/cookies |
String musician |
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Kris and Amanda |
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| Halloween Pumpkin Party |
Oct. 31 at The Grange |
Local artists--City's Art in the Park Rep |
Foods that start with the letter P |
DJ Dance party |
|
Dhara and Gwen |
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| Astronomy Night |
Winter; Saddle Ridge Natural Area |
Local Astronomy Club |
sm'ores, hot chocolate |
campfire music |
have lounge chairs set up around a campfire |
Elsie and Jonny |
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| Garden Walk |
late spring or summer or fall/Rogers Park neighborhood |
Master Gardeners from the City or County |
Progressive dinner |
host choice |
showcase neighborhood gardens with low water use |
Eve and Gelly |
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| Talent Show |
Winter/The Grange |
City Council Members |
buffet |
sound system |
Invite Open Stage Theatre to host |
Denise (?) and Molly (?) |
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| Music Night |
Summer/The Barn |
Pathways Cares/Peace Corps |
pizza |
Drum Circle |
Sing |
Gelly, Bill, Dhara |
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Click here to see "liner notes" for the application process
And the winner is A series of educational, cultural, and dramatic programs held throughout the year that pays tribute to what is great with our City and with our neighborhood.
Consider these ideas and submit your own.Please install the CRM WebTool to use Leadboxes First idea is to design, build and install a mini-library at the SE entrance to Rogers Park and then, for the ribbon cutting, have a rep from Wolverine Press come and a do demonstration on letter presses and talk about publishing. Afterwards, we'd enjoy a catered dinner and a local musician providing music. Held at the park.
Halloween Pumpkin Carving Party with local artists helping with the carving and talking about the painted electric boxes and other art projects around the City. There'd be a Trunk or Treat costume walk (candy stations in the car trunks in the parking lots) for the families. Catered dinner with foods that start with the letter "P". DJ Dance party following. Held indoors at The Grange
Astronomy Night with the local astronomer club showing off the night sky with a powerful telescope. Have lounge chairs set up; bond fire and sm'ors; story telling and science. Hosted by Saddle Ridge Association; held around the pond.
Local Talent show of folks from the neighborhood, hosted by Open Stage Theatre. Invite City Council members to either co-host or roast. Provide dinner.
A Progressive Dinner Neighborhood Garden Tour--highlighting neighborhood landscaped gardens with low water needs.
A Master Gardener would be on hand to meet and greet. Different houses would provide the salad, another a soup, another hors'dervs, side dish, main dish, another dessert, etc.
Music Night moderated by a music therapist from Pathways Care. Incorporate a drum circle and possibly a presentation by The Peace Corps. Enjoy ethnic food following the drumming. Held at The Grange.
