.floatimg-left-hort { float:left; } .floatimg-left-caption-hort { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:300px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-vert { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right:15px; width:200px;} .floatimg-left-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; font-size: 12px; width:200px;} .floatimg-right-hort { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px;} .floatimg-right-caption-hort { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px; font-size: 12px; } .floatimg-right-vert { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px;} .floatimg-right-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; font-size: 12px; } .floatimgright-sidebar { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; border-top-style: double; border-top-color: black; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: black;} .floatimgright-sidebar p { line-height: 115%; text-indent: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar h4 { font-variant:small-caps; } .pullquote { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 150px; background: url(http://www.dmbusinessdaily.com/DAILY/editorial/extras/closequote.gif) no-repeat bottom right !important ; line-height: 150%; font-size: 125%; border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid;} .floatvidleft { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatvidright { float:right; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} A newly formed neighborhood group has been acknowledged by the city of Des Moines. On Dec. 7, the City Council approved a resolution to formally recognize Sheridan Gardens Neighborhood Association, the 55th neighborhood association in Greater Des Moines.

Kyle Larson, a city planner, said the group began a grassroots initiative to organize last March. “I think even without being official we’ve had the ability to make some changes,” said Christine Larson, president of the association, including efforts to quell illegal activity within its boundaries: East 33rd Street to the west, Hubbell Avenue to the north, Easton Boulevard to the south and Des Moines city limits to the east. Going forward, Christine Larson said, the association plans to complete a number of beautification projects and to assist elderly and low-income residents with things such as lawn care.

According to the city’s Neighborhood Recognition Policy, “A neighborhood organization is a group of people who identify with a common area, who share common goals and concerns, and who meet the standards for neighborhood recognition. Recognized organizations represent the position of the organization or the board of directors and provide direction to the city on issues affecting neighborhoods.” Sheridan Gardens’ next public meeting has been slated for Jan. 20. Prospect Park, on Aug. 10, was the last previous neighborhood association to be recognized by the city.