herman Hill
Association
NEWSLETTER August 2000
herman Hill
Association
NEWSLETTER August 2000
What's inside
Governor Vilsack signs Preservation Tax Credit
York Taenzer
Hello everyone!
I first want to say how good the neighborhood is looking with sidewalk repairs, curbs, approaches, lights, absence of of telephone poles and great gardens. Everyone deserves a hand for all the hard work.
I want to give a special thanks to Jack Porter, Randa LeJeune, Bob Micke, and Sonja Roberts for all their hard work and dedication on the lights, curbs, walks, and pole removal. I know everyone appreciates the extra effort and time you all have committed.
Tour is just around the corner. We will need volunteers to help with the tour so if you have a few hours free on the weekends in September, please call the office and leave your name and phone, and we will be in contact.
There are few new things we will need to focus and concentrate on in the next months and years. 1620 Pleasant will be transitioning, we aren't sure how it will go, but let's hope it will be to the neighborhood's benefit. With the City's help, we will keep pushing for something to be done with Celebrity Care on 16th St. Houses will probably be moving in the next year because of MLK and 235 construction projects. We will need a team of people to help coordinate the moves and negotiate with Mid-American.
We have lots of major projects and development to look forward to in the Neigborhood. I appreciate and thank everyone that has dedicated their time, skill, knowledge, blood, sweat, and tears to the forward momentum we have created in the Sherman Hill Neighborhood. Lets keep going!
Take care!
York
515.288-8984, E-mail: ytzenzer@uswest.net
Capitol Stone Update
It is hard to imagine that nearly three years have passed
since our neighborhood received the Capitol Stones. Many
neighbors were instrumental in their donation. It was the
mission of the past two "Father's Day Garden Walks" to raise
the money so they can be placed in a final resting place in
our neigborhood.
It was originally thought the stones could be placed on
corners or other public spaces, but after discussions with
the city, this seems an unlikely option. After discussion,
the SHA Board and individuals who were integral to the
procurement of the stones, plan to ask private homeowners
whose properties are on the perimeter of our neighborhood.
Several people have been contacted and hopefully the stones
will be placed prior to the Fall House Tour. Placing the
stones in prominent locations will carry out the intent of
the goal. Thanks to everyone who has given their input, time,
and money to this project.
Kathy McFarlin
August 14 Quarterly Meeting - 6:30 pm, Hoyt Sherman
22 Board meeting - 6:30 pm, Wallace House
September 19 Board meeting - 6:30 pm, Wallace House, Newsletter draft
16,17 Door to the Past Walking Tour
23,24 Door to the Past Walking Tour
October 17 Board meeting - 6:30 pm, Wallace House, Newsletter deadline
November 10 Petitions due, Board Member election
13 Quarterly meeting - 6:30 pm, Hoyt Sherman
21 Board meeting - 6:30 pm, Wallace House
December 2,3 Holiday Progressive Dinners
22 Board meeting - 6:30 pm, Wallace House
Governor Vilsack signs Preservation Tax Credit
Iowa is one of 17 states in the country that will offer a state tax for the rehabilitation of historic properties. HF 2560 covers commercial, and residential buildings, barns and schoolhouses. The bill passed both the Iowa House and Senate with unanimous support. This bill will have the ability to help revitalize urban and rural areas. The effective date is July 1, 2000 and the administrative rules are still being written. If you have more questions about the administrative rules, please contact Patricia Ohlerking, 515-281-8824 OR pohlerk@max.state.ia.us
Excerpt from the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance Newsletter
First Annual "Walk As One" A Celebration of Community
Put on your walkin' shoes and stroll down to Hoyt Sherman
Place on Sunday, September 17th for an afteroon of fun, food,
and cameradie at the Iowa NCCJ's inaugural "Walk As One"
celebration of the diversity of our community. Registration
begins at 12:30 p.m. The walk begins at 1:30. The walk will
begin at Hoyt Sherman Place. It will venture west to the
Governor's mansion for rest and refreshments, returning to
Hoyt Sherman Place for music, fun, and prizes.
The proceeds from this new annual event will be used to fund and expand human relations programs for youth in Des Moines and across Iowa. With each new generation we have a new opportunity to end prejudice and bigotry.
Eleven neighborhood gardens "opened their doors" for the
Father's Day Garden Walk on June 18th of this year.
Approximately 100 Sherman Hill neighbors took advantage of
the "free to all who reside in Sherman Hill", along with 125
paying customers.
Our neighborhood was all spiffed up, showing off the
diversity and charm of our gardens. The gardens were as
varied as their gardeners, ranging from Urban Vegetable
garden to small "Secret Gardens".
Many of our guests commented positively and enthusiastically
about our neighborhood and how far we had come over the
years.
Thank you to everyone in the neighborhood who took time to
do all the extra lawn and garden manicuring. It is a real joy
to walk in the neighborhood and see all the beautifully
tended yards, gardens, corners, and public spaces.
A special thank you to everyone who opened their gardens,
planned the walk, printed the maps, distributed fliers, put
up signs, and manned lemonade stands. Because of you, this
was a fun and successful event.
As summer projects get into full swing, I'd like to discuss a
potential, preventable, problem that led to the unfortunate
hospitalization of a neighbor last year.
Plumbism, lead poisoning, is an age-old problem, described
by Hippocrates in 370 B.C. The developing nervous system of
children is most susceptible, but adults are also at risk
through various hobbies and occupations.
In 1904 lead-based paint in the home was recognized as a
problem for children. Not banned from U.S. housepaints until
1977, 3/4ths of homes built prior to then contain lead (Pb).
Urban homes in NE and NCentral U.S., including Des Moines,
are likely to have received many coats of such paints.
Pb contaminated dust can be swallowed or inhaled, 20-40%
absorbed, and to a lesser extent, absorbed by the skin.
Nationally, 9% of children 1-5 years old have significant
blood lead levels. Urban children in older homes are 3 to 4
times more likely to be exposed. Household pets can also be
affected. Most with chronically elevated levels are
asymptomatic, but there will still be effects: descreased IQ,
abnormal neuropsychological testing, altered bone formation,
anemia, effects on vision, hearing, blood pressure, and
reproduction. Acute poisoning usually exhibits GI symptoms
(colic, pain, constipation, nausea), fatigue, muscle or nerve
related aches and pains.
Blood Pb levels are our best diagnostic tool, especially in
acute exposures. Acute symptoms occur at relatively low
levels, whereas chronic exposure may tolerate higher levels
before obvious problems. OSHA has permissable occupational
blood and air levels, as well as recommended responses. Iowa
participates in ABLES (Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and
Surveillance) program, mandating reportage of Pb test
results. This may instigate work environment investigations.
For children 6 mo. - 3 yr., CDC has a screening
questionaire. Yes to any questions recommends testing. It
includes: "Does your child live in or regularly visit a house
built before 1978 with planned or on-going renovation or
remodeling?".
Chelation therapy, IV or oral for days/weeks, may be
warranted depending on blood level and symptoms. Retreatment
may be needed based on follow-up testing, particularly in a
chronic exposure. Pb can reside in the skeleton for decades.
Prevention through home remediation is effective. It's safe
execution requires specific worker precautions. The sanding
and burning employed releases Pb contaminated dust.
Prevention should include: 1) Engineering controls: isolation
of environment (may warrant containment structure), exhaust
ventilation. 2) Personal protection: respirator masks,
hygiene. 3) Good work practices: housekeeping to remove dust
accumulation with fine dust filtered vacuum.
I am confident that with informed use of such precautions,
we can continue to safely rehabilitate our Painted Ladies.
Dr. Bret McFarlin
24th Annual Walking Tour of Homes
Doors to the past, Windows to the future
The planning is already underway for this fall's 24th annual
Sherman Hill walking tour -- Doors to the Past (and Windows
to the Future - more on this later).
Sherman Hill is Des Moines' oldest neighborhood from its
beginnings in the 1870's; it was designated as Des Moines
first local historic district in 1982. The Sherman Hill
Association, formed in 1977 as a non-profit neighborhood
organization, promotes the restoration of the Sherman Hill
Historic District, enhances the social environment, and
encourages civic pride and commitment to our neighborhood.
Since that time, the Association's Board of Directors, staff
and membership have concentrated on continuing the
renaissance through a variety of activities and project. For
example, last year the neighborhood completed a special
street light project, erecting special Victorian-era
streetlights throughout the neighborhood. Our Sherman Hill
walking tour each year generates a significant amount of
revenue for the Association.
The central event of the tour is visiting a variety of homes
in our neighborhood. We host over 4,000 guests for the two
weekends. We have found 10 homes in various stages of
renovation. There are numerous factors, which must be
considered before finalizing the route; such as keeping the
houses within a reasonable walking distance, etc....
Dates: September 16, 17, 23, and 24 Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily Tickets: $10 adults, $5 children (under age 12) Advance tickets: $8 adults, $5 children (under age 12) Group discount rates are available also.
Advance tickets may be purchased at the following locations in last week of August: Hoyt Sherman Place, Borders Books Music & Cafe, and Chocolatarie Stam. Tickets may be purchased at the Wallace House, 756 16th street, on all days of the tour.
Food concessions will be available on the tour. There will be a tour of Woodland Cemetery (about 1 1/2 hours at a cost of $5 ($4 will go to the Parks & Recreation, and $1 will go to the Sherman Hill Association)) - this is very interesting and limited, try to call SHA for reservations, it will go fast. There will be speakers from the Historic Board, and from the Terrace Hill restoration project giving talks on different days. Several raffles, door prizes, and a possible silent auction will also be held.
The tour is the premier event of our neighborhood. If you would consider the possibility of opening your home or have questions, please call the Sherman Hill Association 284-5717 or Helen Wells 280-9050.
Also, if you aren't able to open your home this year, please consider doing a write up of your home's history and future renovations projects that we may make posters of for display. The initial idea is to put pictures and biography on stand-alone windows (Windows to the Future) positioned on your lawn so visitors will have point of interests along their walk from home to home on the tour.
There are many volunteer opportunities associated with the house tour, and we welcome and encourage you to participate to make this fund-raising event for our neighborhood a great success. Besides having fun, it is a great way to get to know your neighbors better.
Thank you for your consideration. We will be anxious to hear from you.
2000 SHA Walking Tour Committee Call ListDeb Copeland and Jeremy Phillips, 282-4533 Media and Hospitality Directors Helen Groves-Wells 280-9050 or hgwells@shermanhill.org, Administrator Hal Davis and York Taenzer 288-8984, Media Directors Lea Ann Knecht 288-3495, Food Director Judy McClure 280-3015, Historian Darrell Mertz 243-6461 w 244-3484, brochure and printing Nancy Nicholas 284-7417, Graphics Designer and printing Carrie Pester, 288-2267, Volunteers Coordinator Sonja Roberts 243-2033, Homes Coordinator, Budget Director Todd Schroeder 288-0081, SHA Board Liaison Scott Slaughter 288-0081, Tour and raffle tickets director
Support Your Neighborhood Businesses and Talent
The Carter House Inn, Bed
and Breakfast
Green House Antiques and Collectables, 704 19th St., Des
Moines, IA 50314, (515) 284-7417
Galleria Custom Framing, 3619 Ingersoll, Des Moines, IA
50312, (515) 274-3266
Masonry Work and Repair, Clint Richey, (515) 991-6615 after
3:30 pm
920 18th Street, 288-8984
1623 Woodland Ave., 243-2033
1511 Center St., Des Moines, IA 280-7871
1503 Center St., Des Moines, IA 288-3808
Directors
1701 Woodland Ave., 282-0396
650 17th Street #1, 280-9141
680 20th Street, 288-3495
1706 1/2 Woodland Ave, 288-0081
1706 1/2 Woodland Ave, 288-0081
WANTED
Interested Sherman Hill neighbors who would be interested in discussing the possibility of a "Garden Club". Please contact Dave Clem at 280-5395 or Mary Noss Reavely at 282-4743.
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SHERMAN HILL NEWS is a publication of the Sherman Hill Association, Inc. a non-profit corporation with officers at 756 16th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50314. The Association is dedicated to the restoration of the Sherman Hill Historic District, enhancement of the districts social environment and commitment to the district. The NEWS is published six times each year in January, February, April, June, August, and October. Views expressed are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Association. |
Contact us:
Sherman Hill Neighborhood Association
756 16th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50314
Phone: (515) 284-5717