1. A lion dance is featured at the Multicultural Block Watch Signs Festival. 2. Street renewal blessings are given by American Indians Karl Anquoe and the Coyote Soldier Boys. 3. Reverend Kanjin Cederman from Nichiren Buddhist Temple
Historic, dynamic, colorful, unique — these are some of the descriptions voiced by people who attended the Multicultural Block Watch Signs Festival held on May 21 on South Weller Street. The festivities started with the Mak Fai Chinese lion dancers chasing away lingering evil spirits.
Four months of neighbors calling 911 succeeded in chasing away the drug traffickers and prostitutes who had been operating openly on South Weller Street’s sidewalks between 12th Avenue and 10th Avenue.
Following the lion dance, master of ceremonies Thomas O’Kelly welcomed the guest speakers which included Alan Lai from the Chinese Information and Service Center, Sara Wysocki from the Department of Neighborhoods, and Jay Shin and Paul Gracy from the Community Police Team of Sergeants, and Linh Thach, its Asian Liaison.
These representatives recounted how neighbors working together are the best ways for a neighborhood to achieve public safety and harmony.
The highlight of the afternoon was the street renewal blessings given by American Indians Karl Anquoe and the Coyote Soldier Boys, Reverend Andrew Ng of the Chinese Southern Baptist Mission, and Reverend Kanjin Cederman from Nichiren Buddhist Temple. ♦
For more information on the East ID Neighborhood Awareness Project, please e-mail Thomas O’Kelly taokelly@hotmail.com.