Colonial Place/Riverview Civic League
COMMUNITY NEWS
Holiday Celebration
NEXT BOARD MEETING will be December 19, 2005, at 7:00 pm.
DEADLINE for the January issue is Tuesday, December 27, 2005.
THIS MONTH'S MEETING AGENDA: Holiday Celebration--no formal meeting.
Wow! What a busy month. Lots of resident involvement. Great discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of having a Montessori school in Riverview Village. The Civic League voted in support of the school and I expressed that support to the Planning Commission, but also expressed our concern about potential traffic problems. At the request of Ms. McDonald, the Planning Commission granted a continuance until the December 15th Public Hearing so that the City Planning Staff could reconsider the traffic issues. The City Planning Staff had recommended approval of a special exception to operate a school contingent upon limiting school enrollment to 50 children. Ms. McDonald wants to be able to grow enrollment to 125. So, all you proponents and opponents have another opportunity to influence the Planning Commission in December.
Mr. Dupree’s request for a special exception to construct a single-family home on a lot on Georgia Avenue that does not meet minimum lot width requirement was disapproved by the Planning Commission. The Commission supported the conclusion of the Planning Staff that the architecture of the proposed house does not conform to those of surrounding homes. While Mr. Dupree has the right to build on the property, his design must be approved by the Planning Commission and the City Council.
During the previous month, I attended three forums that dealt with the issues facing Park Place. I expressed to the Park Place leadership our support and willingness to work with them to solve problems. I need someone to lead an outreach program that can work with the residents of Park Place to address the causes of problems that afflict both communities. If you are ready to organize this effort, please let me know.
I thank those who voted on November 8th. Turn-out at Stuart was 1,265 out of 2,555 people registered to vote or 49.5%. This was significantly above the overall City-wide turnout of 40.6%. Voter registration and actual voting is very important to our community regardless of the candidates you support. Potential votes are power. For example, the House of Delegates 89th District includes 24 polling locations. Stuart, with 922 votes for Kenneth Alexander, is second most important to Rosemont, where he received 1,051 votes. With a slightly higher turn-out or slightly more registered voters, we could have easily been the re-elected delegate’s most important constituency. So I urge you to register, now, for the next election. In 2006 we will vote for Mayor for the first time. We want to be heard; the greater the registration and the larger the vote, the louder our voice.
Happy Holidays. Hope to see you at our Civic League Holiday celebration on December 12th.
The Winter Holidays are just around the corner, so grab your calendar now and mark the date for a very special CPRV “Holiday Celebration” to be held on Monday, Dec. 12th, 7:00 p.m., at Stuart Center School (yes, it will be open this time!). Please come out and share in some holiday cheer CPRV-style. Join us for an evening that will be fun for every member of the family (young and old) as we eat pizza, share desserts and listen to holiday tales read by Mrs. Susie Weaver, owner of Broad Street Books on 21st Street. Mrs. Alice McCoy, owner and purveyor of fine coffee and food at the Riverview Coffee Parlor, will be on hand once again with her coffee, teas and hot chocolate. This year the CPRV Civic League is hosting a toy drive to benefit the local non-profit organization ForKids, which helps families in need help themselves. Please bring an unwrapped toy donation for a child age 0-17 years. ForKids has a program in which the adults of the families they help work to earn vouchers that parents use to purchase the gifts for their children. This is a “toy drive” that brightens the world of needy children while endowing the parent with a sense of pride that they provided for their family through their own efforts (for a great article on the work of ForKids, please see the 11/22/05 issue of the Port Folio Weekly).
Please bring your family (you don’t have to cook dinner!), a plate of desserts to share and an unwrapped toy donation for ForKids (point information: ForKids is headquartered in CPRV on Colley Avenue near our community garden). We plan to make this a family-oriented night that is merry and bright. We will dispense with the regular civic league meeting business and spend the time socializing and getting to know each other. See you on the 12th of December at Stuart Center School.
Do you realize that your companion animal must be kept indoors or on your property on a leash? The laws for dogs apply to cats as well, meaning they are not allowed to roam. Cats are also required to be inoculated for rabies and have city licenses yearly. (Norfolk City Code Section 6.1 - 56 and 79). Citizens are advised that they have the right to trap stray cats and transport them to the animal shelter for impoundment. The owner is then charged an impound fee and also must show proof of current license for their animal. Any questions or concerns may be directed to Officer Deborah Michielson at Norfolk Animal Protection, 5585 Sabre Road, Norfolk (757-664-PETS or email at deborah.michielson@norfolk.gov). Remember, compliance keeps your pets safe and your neighbors happy! A huge thank-you to all of our neighbors who are keeping their pets on a leash and pick up after them.
It’s December 2005 so it’s ho-ho-ho, merry-merry and happy-happy all over the place, you just gotta love it! I am sure you asking yourself, “How in blue blazes do I take care of all of the beautiful holiday greenery that I have spread all over the house?” We hope to answer that question right here and now!
POINSETTIAS. Nothing says Happy Holidays like a colorful poinsettia but it might seem ironic to some that the poinsettia is native to Mexico. I have so many customers ask what kind of poinsettia will work on the front porch for the Holiday and the answer is, the silk or plastic kind. Poinsettias need regular household temperature and moderate humidity. Keep the soil moist and the more natural light you can provide, the better. That will get you through the Holidays and a little beyond but once the plant starts to decline, cut it back, allow it to go somewhat dormant and then place it outside in the spring till just before the first frost in October.
CHRISTMAS CACTUS. Named this only because of its pointed leaves and the fact that it blooms near the Holidays. However, it is not a cactus at all and if you treat it like one, you’ll lose it. Give it lots of light, water once a week and 50% humidity, and it will thrive. Place it outside after all danger of frost is gone; and to promote blooms the following year, leave it outside till the nighttime temps get into the 40’s but bring it in before a hard freeze. By then, you should see new bloom buds peeking through!
CUT EVERGREENS. These greens are cut and not living plants so they are going to turn brown and dry out. You want to wait as long as you can before buying cut greens so that they will be fresh through all of your entertaining. If you need them early, such as right after Thanksgiving, you will more than likely need to replace some of them by mid-December. The best way to “lengthen the green” is cool temperatures. The household heat is what dries out all plants in the home.
Now, as for that big beautiful tree that you and your family spent hours at Tanners Creek Garden Center picking out, and we are so glad you did since it is going to a good cause. It is a misconception that the longer you wait to buy your tree, the fresher it will be. You want to get that tree off of the retail lot and get it to your home as soon as you can. If you are not ready to place it in your home, then make a fresh cut at the bottom and leave it outside, in a bucket of water. When you are ready to bring the tree inside, place it somewhere away from the heat vent, and PLEASE keep you cut tree well away from the fireplace. It always looks nice when they place the tree right next to the fire in the movies and magazines but realistically, BAD MOVE! When you are ready to dispose of your tree, call the local extension office or check with the Ernie Morgan Environmental Center at the Va. Zoo to see if there is a local tree recycling program going on. Better to give the old tree a new “life” then to let it turn brown on the curbside in January.
Happy Holidays to all of our neighbors in this wonderful village we know as Colonial Place and Riverview! If you have any questions, feel free to come up to the Garden Center or drop me an e-mail at: Hoffmaster.james@egglestonservices.org
Norfolk Botanical Garden will be aglow with all the brilliance of the holiday season during Garden of Lights, The four seasons come alive with close to a million twinkling lights! Cost (per car): $10/ members get $2 off! For more information about Garden of Lights, please call 441-5830 ext. 312 or visit our website www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org.
Come join other CPRV stay-at-home parents at our weekly playgroup! We meet on Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m. until noon, at member houses and local playgrounds. Babies and children of all ages are welcome! For more information, contact Sara Baxendell at 624-6810 or email: b.baxendell@att.net.
A heartfelt “Thank You” to the citizens of Colonial Place and Riverview for their generosity in supporting the family of Norfolk Police Officer Stanley C. Reaves, who gave his life in the line of duty on October 28th, 2005. The donations by the individual citizens, plus a donation from the Civic League proper, resulted in the sum of $1482.40 raised to support the surviving wife and two children of the late officer. The funds were forwarded to the Michael Imprevento of the law offices of Breit, Drescher and Imprevento, who established the fund.
While the collection efforts in Colonial Place and Riverview have ended, anyone still wishing to donate can send their checks to: Stanley Reaves Memorial Fund, c/o Breit, Drescher and Imprevento, 1000 Dominion Tower, 999 Waterside Drive, Norfolk VA 23510.
This year’s Lafayette Lights Contest, sponsored by the Hampton Roads Rowing Club, will award a prize for the best decorated tree along the Lafayette River. The prize will be a $250.00 gift certificate from Daniel's Lawn and Garden Center, 4900 Colley Ave., towards a landscaping project. Judging will take place between Christmas and New Years and the winner will be announced soon after the first of the year. For information visit the Hampton Roads Rowing Club website, HRRC.net, or call 451-8488.
The Maury Booster Association is selling citrus fruit and vine-ripened tomatoes from Florida monthly through April. All proceeds benefit Maury High School. Fruit must be ordered in advance and picked up on specific days at the school. January orders should be placed by Jan 2 with pickup on Jan. 13 at the school. January products are pink grapefruit, honeybells and tomatoes. For details and to order visit: www.mauryboosters.org or call 628-3349.
Crime Prevention in CPRV is moving steadily ahead. The neighborhood watch program has increased the awareness of many. The list serve is a great tool in reporting crimes to residents so they can be made aware of up-to-date information. The police are listening to our residents’ concerns and have stepped up patrols in our area. Residents of CPRV are working with Park Place leaders and city officials to help make our whole community safer, as we are not an island. We are expanding our network of neighborhoods working together as I write. I encourage you to join forces in partnering together with the Norfolk Police Department and other neighborhoods to reduce crime in our community. The police cannot do this alone. They rely on residents to point out the potential problem areas, report the codes violations, and report suspicious activity when they see it. Please participate in the monthly CPRV Crime Prevention meeting held the last Monday of every month at Stuart Center. If there is a way that CPRV Crime Prevention can help out with a specific problem, please don't hesitate to contact me. Have a happy and safe holiday season!
The Seniors Art Forum is a senior citizens group that meets at 2 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month for a tour, discussion, and light refreshments. No reservations are necessary for individuals, but please call (757) 333-6268 for group reservations. Cost: included with Museum admission.
Meets each Monday, 9:30 a.m., at AMF Bowling Lanes, 2441 East Little Creek Road. The day includes three games of bowling, shoe rental, and free beverages for a nominal fee per person. Please contact Jean Saunders at 441-2109 for additional information.
The Oceanview Senior Center hosts the 60+ Business Meeting every Wednesday at 11 a.m. Featuring Card games, BINGO, Ballroom Dancing and a Hot Meal.
Friday, December 9th, 2005
7:15 p.m. - Admirals Hockey - Scope - Contact 640-1212
8:00 p.m. - Elizabeth River Theater’s Production of DON QUIXOTE - 40th St. Stage - Contact 423-40TH (4084)
Saturday, December 10th, 2005
8:00 p.m. - Elizabeth River Theater’s Production of DON QUIXOTE - 40th St. Stage - Contact 423-40TH (4084)
Sunday, December 11th, 2005
2:30 p.m. - Elizabeth River Theater’s Production of DON QUIXOTE - 40th St. Stage - Contact 423-40TH (4084)
Monday, December 12th, 2005
7:00 p.m. - Civic League Meeting - Stuart Center
Wednesday, December 14th, 2005
10:00 a.m. - Childrens Playgroup - Contact 624-6810
Saturday, December 17th, 2005
1:00 & 3:00 p.m. - Bryan Piano Studio, Student Holiday Recital - Larchmont Methodist Church - Contact 622-4664
7:00 p.m. - ODU Basketball - Constant Convocation Center - Contact 640-5555
Wednesday, December 21st, 2005
10:00 a.m. - Childrens Playgroup - Contact 624-6810
Wednesday, December 28th, 2005
10:00 a.m. - Childrens Playgroup - Contact 624-6810
7:15 p.m. - Admirals Hockey - Scope - Contact 640-1212
Sunday, December 30th, 2005
7:00 p.m. - ODU Basketball - Constant Convocation Center - Contact 640-5555
7:15 p.m. - Admirals Hockey - Scope - Contact 640-1212
(Dates and Times subject to change without notice)
Consult your local periodicals for additional information, costs and updates)
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: Joe Rivas, Phone 277-2822
Community News Distribution: Margaret Bright, Phone 627-2815
Advertising: Joe Rivas, Phone 277-2822
Please deliver typewritten newsletter items to:
Joe Rivas
Phone: 277-2822
e-mail: cprvnews@gmail.com