Elmwood business district cleanup, honoring Jim Gifford

It has been five years since Jim Gifford, a longtime resident of the Elmwood neighborhood, was attacked and killed outside the now-closed 7/11, a short half-block walk from his home. In his honor, and grateful for the annual support of Rev. Lateef Johnson and his Believers Chapel City (located in Jim’s old Elmwood Presbyterian), a group has gathered each year since 2014 to beautify the crossroads where Jim lived and where he spent so much of his retirement. All welcome. Needed: trimmers to bring down the tall weeds that dominate the streetscape along Valley and parts of the South Avenue commercial strip. Organizers will provide trash bags and litter tongs.