Colonial Place/Riverview Civic League
COMMUNITY NEWS
Guest Speaker, Congressional Representative Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, At This Month's Meeting
NEXT BOARD MEETING will be November 18, 2002, at 7:00 pm.
DEADLINE for the December issue is Tuesday, November 26, 2002.
THIS MONTH'S MEETING AGENDA: Monthly police report - Code enforcement update - Representative Robert C. "Bobby" Scott will speak - Riverview property petition - Raising Civic League dues.
I want to start my article this month by saying Thank You to Mayor Paul Fraim for taking time out of his busy schedule to be our Guest Speaker last month. We really appreciate the valuable insight Mayor Fraim was able to convey on many of the topics we find important. I sincerely believe each of us was able to glean a bit of knowledge that we could use at the polls and in making decisions about the future for our great city -Norfolk!
Now that November has arrived we are surrounded by fall in all of its glorious and splendid colors. And what a busy as well as colorful month it is with Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Hanukkah all this month. Election Day has passed by now and I trust that everyone made it to the polls to cast their all-important vote.
Our meeting this month will fall on November 11th, Veterans Day. So in addition to attending our Civic League Meeting remember to say Thank You to a Veteran. We have all seen the importance that these courageous people exhibit serving the United States of America.
The November Civic League meeting will be very full. We will have to move things along at a steady pace to avoid the reduced or blinking lights! First we will have our Congressman Bobby Scott as a guest speaker. I know we are all looking forward to hearing from our elected Representative and what he has to say. We will then hear from a Riverview property owner who has a petition before the Norfolk Planning Department. The petition reads: for the closing, discontinuing and vacating of the southern 12.5 feet portion of 40th Street that extends from the eastern line of Holly Avenue to the to the western line of Beach Avenue. Please attend this meeting if you would like to address this issue before the Civic League. And finally, we need to discuss raising the Colonial Place and Riverview Civic League membership dues. Our yearly membership renewal notices are being sent out soon and we would like to raise the annual dues. The dues have remained the same since the 1970s, and the Board has opened discussions to increase the regular dues to $10.00 per person and the senior dues to $5.00. Give this topic some thought before our next league meeting.
And I wrap up this article the same way we wrap up November, with Thanksgivings for all our blessings!
Our Congressional Representative, Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, will speak at the November meeting. Congressman Scott, who is running unopposed this year, represents Virginia’s Third Congressional District that runs from Richmond down to Norfolk.
Rep. Scott grew up in Newport News, graduated from Harvard College and Boston Law School, and returned to Newport News to practice law from 1973 to 1991. He has served in the Massachusetts National Guard, the United States Army Reserve, the Virginia House of Delegates from 1978 to 1983, and the Virginia State Senate from 1983 to 1993.
The following is from his biography located on the web at www.house.gov/scott: “In 1992, Rep Scott became only the second African-American from Virginia to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and he is the first African-American elected since ‘Reconstruction.’ He serves on the Education and Workforce Committee and the Judiciary Committee where Rep. Scott is the leading Democrat on the Crime Subcommittee. In the Congress, he has championed several highly successful bi-partisan legislative initiatives. The Death in Custody Act requires states to report information regarding the death of any person who is in the process of arrest or in the custody of law enforcement officials. Rep. Scott led a successful fight to protect the rights of all children with disabilities to a free and appropriate education under the Individuals with Disability Education Act. His long-term legislative goals include making health care affordable for all, establishing a first class public education system throughout the U.S., extending the opportunity to attend college to all who wish to attend, and expanding economic opportunities throughout Virginia and the U.S.”
Rep. Scott will provide a legislative update touching on the economy, the budget, and Iraq. Come prepared to ask him questions. One item we will be asking about is the future of our local Post Office, Milan Station.
Please note that the Post Office Box number has changed from 6347 to 6130. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
I just wanted to thank all of you for allowing me to serve as your Treasurer for the past year. I am resigning as I have moved out of Norfolk, as of January 1, 2003. ANY ONE INTERESTED IN TAKING OVER THE JOB IN JANUARY, PLEASE NOTIFY the President, Craig Reilly, at 627-6887. Again, thanks so much for letting me fill this position.
Our entryways are looking greener these days. Notice the new plantings around the historic designation signs and the greenway recreation sign. In October, we planted daffodils at all of the sites and pansies at the Llewellyn Avenue location. Look for cheery daffodils early next year to brighten your drive or walk through the neighborhood.
The Beautify Our Borders (BOB) Committee has requested trees which will be placed between the sidewalk and curb at the intersection of Virginia and Mayflower Avenues as well as around the greenway. The City of Norfolk has responded by telling us that eleven more London Plane trees will be planted at the Virginia Avenue intersection between October and March. The City proposes planting twenty Crusader Hawthorne trees around the perimeter of the Colonial Place Greenway. Crusader Hawthornes are a medium-growing tree producing berries in the fall and early winter. They will be planted in three groups for maximum effect. One group will be placed at each end of the greenway and a third will be near the middle. The BOB Committee is also looking at the feasibility of engaging in a maintenance contract to ensure that the three historic designation beds are looking their best at all times. Many people helped by providing willing hands to beautify our borders. Thanks go to fellow residents, the Boy Scouts, and Dean Bowles, Landscape Architect with the City of Norfolk. All of you made it happen!
The planning committee for the Colonial Place and Riverview charette has announced that the Charette will be held on February 1, 2003. An easy way to remember that date is:
| 2-1-03 = | 2 Neighborhoods | 2 Neighborhoods |
| 1 Voice | 1 Community |
Put the date on your calendar and plan to attend. We will give you more details such as the location and exact times as we get closer to the date. There is no fee, but in order to plan for the facility and for refreshments we do need you to register. Call Margaret Bright at 627-2815 to reserve your place. Give her your name, address and phone contact and the number from your household attending.
You will be hearing much more about our Community Charette in the weeks and months ahead. It is a chance to have your voice heard about our future. Just like voting, if you do not participate, someone else will speak for you. This event will be to determine how we as a community want to chart our future. We encourage everyone to attend and welcome you and your entire family. We also want everyone to ask a neighbor to attend.
We also have some requests for helpers. If you have any suggestions for or want to volunteer for any of the following please contact Michael Fitzgibbon at 628-8338.
Sponsorships for the Charette - Individuals or Businesses that want to sponsor the event to help defray our costs.Volunteer Faculty - Individuals with group facilitation skills to help with small break out groups.
Individuals to serve as guides or ushers to assist with movement of people during the Charette.
We also want energetic individuals who will help us reach out to the community and generate enthusiasm and attendance for this important event. We encourage anyone to volunteer. We would welcome any students who want to fulfill community affairs activity requirements for school. The time commitment will be minimal and clear instructions will be provided for any activities.
It’s almost time for the Colonial Place/ Riverview Holiday Decorations Contest. The categories include Best Door, Best Lighting, Best Yard Display, Best Use of Natural Material, Best Group of Homes (3 or more homes), Most Original and "Judges Favorite.” Judging will be held on Thursday, December 19. As in previous years we will have some great prizes. Please note, last year's winners will not be eligible for a prize this year.
The local businesses of Everafter, Riverview Coffee Parlor, and The Garden Gate are once again sponsoring a Blood Drive on November 13, 2002, from 2:00 to 7:00 pm Please sign-up in advance at any of those shops or call 622-1365. There is a critical need for all types of blood. You must be in good health, at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 lbs. and have not donated blood within the last 56 days. Here are some helpful reminders: Eat foods rich in iron several days prior to donating. Drink plenty of fluids. Don't skip breakfast or lunch that day.
Thanks to the these businesses for sponsoring this event and to those of you who will be rolling up your sleeves!
Norfolk Public Schools offers free adult education courses in basic education, GED prep, and English as a Second Language. These courses are offered during the day and in the evening at many locations around the city, including several near our neighborhoods. If you, or someone you know, would benefit from these classes and would like more information, please contact the Office of Career and Technical Education at 628-3956.
Many thanks to all of the artists who participated in this year’s Art Walk. Your art work and your porches looked great (and when you look good, we look good!) The Art Walk was a great success, with more people attending and coming from further away. I received many favorable comments about the Art Walk, the artists, and the neighborhoods as well.
Some of the comments included:
“What a great idea the art walk is-I think we’ll try to start one in our neighborhood.” (Olde Town Portsmouth)
“I never knew this neighborhood was back here-what beautiful old houses!”
“I’m enjoying the flowers and gardens as much as the art.”
“Why are there so many artists in this area? This is so great!”
“Some of these houses are works of art in themselves.”
“We really enjoyed meeting the featured artist, Clayton Singleton; he’s a great guy.”
Riverview and Colonial Place have many talented, creative people: some express their creativity in visual arts, others in gardening and landscaping, and still others in building and house designs. The primary purpose of the Art Walk is to promote the artists, their artwork; and collect a modest $10.00 registration fee from the artists, which offsets some of the printing and miscellaneous costs involved. In the past, we have usually made a little money in spite of ourselves (usually through a raffle for a donated piece of art), which we turned in to the Civic League as “seed money” for the next year’s art walk.
Due to an increase in printing expenses (color) this year, the costs exceeded what we took in by $339.10. In accordance with the bylaws, this amount is being published in the newsletter, so that reimbursement can be made. Next year, so that no one is made to wait a month for reimbursement, it may be advisable for the executive board to add a line item in the budget to provide for the Art Walk. The amount of $500.00, while the full amount may not be needed each year, should cover costs and allow for quality advertising and printing. (When we look good, we look GOOD!)
Colonial Place/ Riverview has received the Norfolk Environmental Commission's 2002 Environmental Action Award. The Award is based on those contributions our neighborhoods have made to promote environmental stewardship. Over the last two years, we have conducted seasonal clean-ups collecting approximately 25,930 pounds of litter and debris.
My thanks to all our trash volunteers, we couldn't have done it without you. Our next trash drive will be some time in April, 2003.
The Real Estate section at www.cprv.org/info.htm has been updated to reflect the latest data from Vicki Woody of Long & Foster Realtors. A chart is now loaded on our Web site to help promote Colonial Place and Riverview as GREAT neighborhoods in which to live and in which to invest. Selling prices on detached residential dwellings in Riverview jumped 20% from 2001 (Jan-Sept) to 2002 (Jan-Sept). Colonial Place was not far behind with a 15% increase for the same period.
Creating our Future-the neighborhood effort to direct the future of our neighborhoods-will continue to have a link off the home page or can be accessed directly at www.cprv.org/cof.htm.
Please take a minute to look at this informative chart.
Comparative Real Estate Data for January to September of 2002, 2001, and 2000
| Colonial Place | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | ||
| Detached Residential | |||||
| Number Sold | 54 | 47 | 36 | ||
| Average Market Time | 48 | 64 | 70 | ||
| Average List Price | $136,067 | $121,146 | $122,229 | ||
| Average Sell Price | $136,037 | $118,371 | $116,202 | ||
| Attached Residential | |||||
| Number Sold | 6 | 4 | 6 | ||
| Average Market Time | 23 | 57 | 122 | ||
| Average List Price | $69,783 | $64,350 | $61,816 | ||
| Average Sell Price | $69,050 | $62,875 | $59,320 | ||
| Duplexes | |||||
| Number Sold | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| Average Market Time | 46 | 17 | 36 | ||
| Average List Price | $97,467 | $121,769 | $119,100 | ||
| Average Sell Price | $96,967 | $119,966 | $101,875 | ||
| Riverview | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | ||
| Detached Residential | |||||
| Number Sold | 20 | 12 | 12 | ||
| Average Market Time | 63 | 51 | 38 | ||
| Average List Price | $185,695 | $160,450 | $142,941 | ||
| Average Sell Price | $184,945 | $153,935 | $138,137 | ||
| Duplexes | |||||
| Number Sold | 2 | ||||
| Average Market Time | 67 | ||||
| Average List Price | $96,500 | ||||
| Average Sell Price | $97,500 |
If you are not a member, please use the membership form in this newsletter to join. Your membership will be good through all of 2003. Early December all members will receive by mail a request to renew your membership. If you do not renew before mid-December you will not receive your membership cards and receipt until early April. Several people have suggested that Christmas time is poor time to ask for renewals.. For personal reasons, the membership chair is unable to do this in January or February. So I ask you to send in your renewal in the addressed and stamped envelope in December.
On the final weekend in September, the Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference conducted its annual meeting in Charlottesville. Over 250 people attended the event. The city of Norfolk was very well represented by both residents and Norfolk city staff.
Although the afternoon walking tours were rained out, the Town Hall meeting was standing room only. Participants from 12 Virginia cities and Raleigh, N.C., responded to a number of pre-selected questions with a variety of effective strategies. Topics included everything from fundraising to crime prevention to methods of increasing youth participation. The discussion was lively and was then followed by time at the exhibit booths and an evening reception. The next morning began with a breakfast speech by the City of Norfolk’s own William Curtis Randolph, Director of Neighborhood and Leisure services. Mr. Randolph, a strong supporter of neighborhood initiatives, presented a basic and encouraging theme: “Neighborhoods are the Commonwealth’s greatest assets.” He cited neighborhood success stories throughout the state and then explored the challenges that our neighborhoods face and must surmount. These challenges include lack of clear vision, lack of clear leadership, dysfunction in the neighborhood, families under siege and lack of collaboration. Mr. Randolph believes that “family is the most influential element of the social fabric of the neighborhood” and that “it takes a whole village to build a community.”
Participants also attended a variety of workshops aimed at introducing new skills and techniques for empowerment of neighborhood organizations. Workshop topics included: website technology, leadership, asset based development, communicating with public officials, neighborhood team approach and strengthening public housing.
The attendees at the conference appeared re-energized by the opportunity to interact with their counterparts throughout the state and in North Carolina. Next year the conference will be held in Hampton, and a contingent of representatives from our civic league should consider attending.
The current phase of construction should be finished in mid-November with the installation of the concrete cap. High tides have delayed the work slightly. The next two phases, which will replace the bulkhead down to Connecticut, are scheduled to go out for bid in November.
The Colonial Place/Riverview Civic League
P.O. Box 6130
Norfolk, VA 23508
E-MAIL: president@cprv.org (checked weekly)
WEB PAGE: www.cprv.org
Community News Editor: Kelly Sorensen, Phone 622-0437
Community News Distribution: Margaret Bright, Phone 627-2815
Advertising: Kelly Sorensen, Phone 622-0437
Please deliver typewritten newsletter items to:
Kelly Sorensen
Phone: 622-0437
e-mail: cprvnews@earthlink.net