Historic Huffman

It is Cityfolk Festival time once again. This downtown event presents top international acts on multiple stages at Riverscape Metropark. This year, the park has a large new semi-permanent tent-like structure to accommodate one of the stages. It was part of an addition which included a bicycle hub building which is designed to make commuting to the city easier by bike.

We rode our bikes to the festival. Though, the ride was far too short to have any need for the bike hub. Once there, we caught parts of two excellent musical acts and shared some falafel. Check out the pics and video.

As with any downtown event, the place was filled with energy. We’re hopeful this festival will continue for years to come. The Cityfolk organization is struggling to find sponsors now that some of our larger corporations have left town. This may be the last free Cityfolk festival for awhile. I don’t think I’m alone in thinking that an admission fee could be charged for such quality entertainment.

We’re keeping our fingers crossed for Cityfolk. Not only because it is a fantastic organization and knows how to put on a spectacular show, but because it’s commitment to downtown greatly benefits Huffman and all the other neighboring historic districts.

If you are afraid of a little geek talk, you may want to move on to one of the other fine posts on this blog. I’ve been trying really hard to not talk tech here, but I couldn’t resist any longer.

You see, I’m typing this post from my new phone. Since you’re still with me, I’ll assume you care enough to know that it is a new HTC Evo. It’s been fascinating to use this phone in the neighborhood. Apps are available that let me see recent home sale values and appraisals. Another lets me use the video camera on the phone to survey the landscape while directing me to local businesses. It won’t be long before you see some video shot from it, too.

I’m excited to think how we might use the device on vacation in Portland, Oregon this summer, too. Many of the apps appear to make finding your way in a foreign location much easier. I’m eager to watch Portland’s public transportation apps test the general utility of it. It makes me wonder what kind of apps Dayton, and specifically Huffman, could have.

Any ideas? I have a couple. How about an app that displays historical information about the nearest address? Or, maybe an app that sends trash day and street sweeping alerts?

Those are pretty lame. Help me out. What kinds of things would be handy to know as you stroll through Huffman? What can we do with time and location information that is unique to our neighborhood? I’m not saying I have the skill to build any of it, but isn’t this a great exercise for thinking about living in Huffman a little differently? I hope you can share my geeky excitement.

On Saturday, June 26, the Huffman Historic Area will hold a neighborhood-wide garage sale from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Check out Map of garage sale locations!

Last year, I found so many treasures! It’s really fun going to a garage sale in a historic neighborhood because the array of items seems to never be run-of-the-mill. Most of the sellers have the common household items for sale, but there may also be some things you might not expect. For example, many of those who have restored their homes may have a box of various historic door knobs and/or hinges that many of us might actually be able to use in our 100 year old doors. There may be various light fixtures, doors, and maybe a sink or two from the homeowners recent historic restoration of a bathroom or kitchen, and since historic homeowners value originality and historic style, they may also be getting rid of some of the numerous antique pieces of furniture that they just could not help but buy, but really don’t have room for.

I always like visiting with my neighbors during the sale, though. It’s nice to see everyone out in their yards at the same time, and getting little updates about their lives is nice.

It’s also quite a nice tour of the neighborhood if you decide to join us. :)

Apparently, ‘if you’re gonna play in Texas, you gotta have a fiddle in the band.’ I know this because the catchy Alabama tune is wafting across the neighborhood as we enjoy a cold beverage on our patio. I used to consider the Beach Boys the official sound of summer until the neighbors inflated their pool and hung neon palm trees on their privacy fence. Now I know WHKO 99.1FM sings summer in East Dayton.

I’m not complaining, mind you. We live in the City, close together, by choice. We appreciate the sounds of families enjoying their Huffman homes and yards as much as we enjoy ours. It’s what makes a neighborhood, well…a neighborhood!

Other sounds of summer in Huffman include [but are not limited to]:

Lawnmowers and weed-whackers; the tinny strains of “The Entertainer” or “Pop Goes the Weasel” blasting from the ice cream truck; small planes flying over downtown; teenagers laughing and talking [in both English and Spanish] as they ride bikes down the street; a canine chorus of barking in response to a cat in the alley; brothers playing catch; bird songs; congregants making their way to church on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening; neighbors who stop to chat while out for a walk; children on the church playground; the hammers and power tools of historic renovation; pick-up basketball games; garage band practices; fireworks after a Dragon’s game or holiday; and hollyhocks growing in the roundabout [okay, maybe I just imagine that I actually hear those beautiful plants growing in the traffic circle!]

Well, I better get back outside…I left John out there with Carrie Underwood and the Dixie Chicks!