Colonial Place/Riverview Civic League
COMMUNITY NEWS
Guest Speaker, Ms. Sarah Sterzing, Community Relations Director of ForKids, At This Month's Meeting
NEXT BOARD MEETING will be Monday, January 16, 2006, at 7:00 pm.
DEADLINE for the February issue is Tuesday, January 24, 2006.
THIS MONTH'S MEETING AGENDA: Monthly police report - Code enforcement update - Ms. Sarah Sterzing, Community Relations Director of ForKids, will speak.
Happy New Year! A warm, special thanks to all who have worked this past year to help our neighbors and improve our community. Every action you take, big or small, heading up a civic league committee, rolling-in your neighbor’s trash can, picking up a piece of trash, coming to a civic league meeting, is commendable. It is not too late to make a New Year’s resolution. I ask all of you to resolve to do something extra for Colonial Place & Riverview this year. A few actions each by thousands are so much greater than many actions by a few.
Hopefully during 2005 you found the Civic League beneficial. Vice-President Steve Earnhart did a fabulous job arranging a great variety of programs ranging from poetry to zoning. We tended to business democratically while also taking time to enrich our lives socially. Treasurer David Nye continued to log in-flows and out-flows and initiated the purchasing of certificates of deposit to increase our treasury. Secretary Susan Sussman diligently recorded our general and board meetings, and handled correspondence. Editor Joe Rivas revised the Community News format presenting you with the latest information to keep you informed about your neighborhood. Faced with an increase in violent crimes on our borders, Malcolm Martin and then Sheila Janes and Chris Casnelli led our effort to work with the City, the Police, and our neighboring communities to address contributing factors. Audrey Webb and Amy Fant beautified and improved our community. Those flowers don’t just sprout up out of the ground naturally … they ain’t dandelions. David Block and Rosemary Zermanian continued their efforts to improve our business districts on Colley and Granby. Thanks to all of you who patronize our establishments. Buffy Masten, the creator of Norfolk’s first dog park, continued to oversee the operation of the outdoor romper room for our canine residents. (Jack Kennedy and I will build a platform around the kiosk this year.) Webmaster Jeanne Ullian continued to enhance the best civic league web-site in Norfolk. Ann Fitzgibbon publicized our events and organized an improved annual ice cream social. Bob Baxter and Glenda Warner diligently recruited and maintained the membership rolls. David Spriggs as Riverview Liaison ensured that Riverview interests were well represented during discussions with the elected Colonial Place officers. Thanks to Glen Harris for collecting funds for Officer Reaves’ family. A special thanks to our Community News distributors led by Margaret Bright and Art MacConochie. Every month the News ends up on our doorsteps and this is not by magic. Volunteer deliverers, recruited and coordinated by Margaret, walk door-to-door. After many years Margaret is hanging up her track shoes and giving YOU the opportunity to perform this very important task. We need a volunteer now to work with Margaret on transitioning the job.
The CPRV Civic League is proud to present Ms. Sarah Sterzing, Community Relations Director of ForKids. Ms. Sterzing will discuss the mission of ForKids as well as what we in CPRV can do to get involved with their work. As you know, our December Holiday Social featured a toy-drive for ForKids, and in working with the staff before and after the holiday social, I was impressed by their organization’s ethos of providing a “hand-up” to families in need rather than a “hand-out.” Please mark you calendar to learn more about our neighbor ForKids at our meeting on Monday, January 9th, at 7:00 p.m., at Stuart Center School. For a sneak preview of some of their work, please visit their website http://www.homesforkids.org/content/main.html.
As we move into this New Year, please know that Andy Wallach and I are always interested in your ideas for discussion at our monthly civic league meeting or suggestions for guest speakers. I have already received input from our neighbors interested in sidewalk design, hurricane preparedness, senior citizen services, animal control issues and many, many more ideas. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us with your ideas.
All of us at Tanners Creek Garden Center would like to thank all of you who helped welcome us at our new location in the former Be-Lo building this Holiday Season. Thanks to you, our mission of helping employ adults with disabilities is off to a great start in 2006! I would like to take this month to address one of the most frequently asked gardening questions. When do you prune trees and shrubs and anything else that needs shaping? Very generally speaking, winter is the best time to trim most plant material in the garden; however, there are some basic guidelines to follow.
As for trees and shrubs, there should be only three reasons to trim and in this order. First, trim for safely. If there are branches that pose a safety hazard to people or property, then trim only to correct the issue or to remove dead branches that might come down in a storm. Second, trim for health. If a tree or shrub is showing signs of disease or infestation, trim out the troubled areas but take down the entire plant only if necessary and use a professional for the large jobs. Finally, the least important reason to trim is for aesthetics. If a tree is a little off balance or over grown for your taste, chances are, it is growing just the way nature intended it to and should not be trimmed. Trimming for this purpose will only result in repeated trimmings and eventual disease or even death for the tree and some shrubs. Advance planning for trees and shrubs will eliminate this issue altogether.
Again, generally speaking, if it blooms in the winter or spring, trim in late spring or summer just after the blooms drop off. If it blooms in summer or fall, trim in winter. If blooms are not an issue or if it is evergreen, always trim while the tree or shrub is dormant in winter but do not trim your evergreens too close to the trunk as it will not come back and most likely, you will always have a bare spot where you trimmed. Shrubs that bloom only on new wood or the new growth of the plant such as hydrangea should be trimmed now to promote fuller growth in spring and increased blooms. To maintain a compact shape and beautiful appearance, here’s a quick tip for mondo grass: Cut it all down to near ground level to make room for the new growth to come through free and clean. The quickest way? Set your lawnmower to its highest setting and plow through! Quick and easy and this is the best time of year to do it! New growth will appear in March and you’ll have no brown leaves to look at!
I hope this sheds some light on your trimming questions but if you would like more information, we have a free printed guide available at the Garden Center that we would love to share with you. While you are there, take a look at the quality tools available to get the job done! Happy New Year!
- Because the grass was greener on the other side.Yes, the new fescue lawn I carefully tended this fall has become a prime goose feeding ground. The geese wander over once or twice a day, eat the grass, and then recycle what they eat as droppings on the lawn and sidewalk. Geese droppings are equivalent in size to that left by a small dog -- only this is the equivalent of ten small dogs once or twice a day. The honking of car horns as drivers vainly try to clear the road of geese has grown tiresome. All of the pansies in my corner garden have been trampled or picked off. We have had to erect a chicken wire fence around our front yard in an attempt to keep the geese out. We regularly hose off the sidewalk fearing someone will slip and fall on the droppings. I still limp due to sore and bruised toes that stopped a fall I took while putting up a few Christmas lights in our front yard.
I am asking my neighbors to stop feeding the geese. Their natural diet (as evidenced above) is not white bread. And, unlike ducks who eat things in the water, geese eat grasses growing on the land. The narrow path along the bulkhead in front of my house is more mud than grass. The geese are eating it bare and leaving their droppings behind. Just before Christmas we visited the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge where a sign proclaims: Keep the Wild in Wildlife--Do not Feed the Animals. Canada Geese are considered migratory fowl and federally protected. We cannot harm them. However we should not be feeding them. In fact it is illegal (Virginia Code) to feed them. So please leave the dry bread at home next time you head to the waterfront.
I wanted to thank everyone involved in last month’s CPRV Holiday Social. For the holiday spirit-challenged people like myself, evenings like that remind me that the holidays are to be enjoyed (and not feared) and that our neighborhood is the place to live in Norfolk. First of all, I would like to thank the merry citizens of Colonial Place and Riverview for showing up, pitching in to help, donating gifts to ForKids and eating so well. Our citizens brought forth more desserts than I have ever seen and the ample leftovers were taken to the fire station next to Old Dominion University (they were very happy to receive them). We collected over 75 different toys for the ForKids Toy Drive. Next on the list of those who have been very nice in 2005 would be the gifted storyteller and bookseller known far and wide (from Port Norfolk to Colonial Place) as Ms. Susie Weaver of Broadstreet Books (http://www.broadstreetbooks.com) who closed down her shop on 21st Street a bit early to join us for the evening and read holiday tales. Continuing her strong support of CPRV, Mrs. Alice McCoy of the famous Riverview Coffee Parlor (in Riverview Village) once again graced us with coffee, hot chocolate and hot cider. Her refreshing beverages were complemented by the above mentioned desserts and we are grateful for her participation once again. Our neighbor Fellini's (on Colley Avenue) came through with the biggest salads you have seen this side of the Palace of Versailles. They were very kind to donate to our holiday party and we thank them for being good neighbors throughout the year (they help with the community garden). Last, but not least, I would like to thank Mrs. Woodhouse, Principal of Stuart Center School, and Mr. Green, Stuart Custodian, for allowing us the use of Stuart Center School. Thanks again to everyone who made this evening so special.
Should I call 911 (emergency number) or 441-5610 (non-emergency mumber)? At our Nov. 28th Crime Prevention Meeting, Ron Keys, Director of Emergency Operations for Norfolk, cleared up a few uncertainties about which number to call and when. During a 911 call, the Emergency Communications call taker obtains caller’s information and, within seconds, passes it electronically to a dispatcher. The information is then dispatched to either Police, Fire or EMS. Additional questions may be asked to prepare units with as much detail as possible before arriving on scene. High Priority and life-threatening calls take precedence over non-emergency calls. High Priority calls may be: Burglaries or Assaults in Progress, Domestic Violence, Foot Pursuit, Officer Needs Help, Child Abduction, Explosion, Shots Fired/Shootings, and Stabbings. A few CPRV residents were concerned that sometimes the 911 line rings several times with no answer. Mr. Keys’ s response was, “do not hang up” until a call-taker answers. The twelve trunked lines may be busy due to call takers having to maintain contact with caller to give Emergency Medical Dispatch instructions (i.e., CPR) until rescue units arrive on scene. Also, Mr. Keys mentioned that sometimes 20 people or more may be calling in to report the same accident, which could be another reason the lines are tied up.
Non-Emergency calls to 441-5610 are for all other situations not considered High Priority, such as suspicious activities or shots fired. Emergency units will be dispatched when they become available. In keeping with CPRV’s efforts to log gunfire, calls should be made to 441-5610 for shots heard but not seen.
Mr. Keys gave an excellent overview of his Emergency Operations Center, and he has proven himself to be highly competent. He reiterates that his door is always open to any comments or concerns regarding EOC. You may contact him at Ron.keys@norfolk.gov or call him at 441-5600.
Norfolk residents should urge the City of Norfolk to allocate more tax dollars to the Emergency Operations and Response Team. There appears to be an immediate need to increase the number of dispatchers, as well as police officers, and implement improved equipment, like a Non-Emergency Automated Telephone System. The department is state funded, and paid for through our local and cellular phone bills. As taxpayers, we should have a top-quality, fully staffed Emergency Operations and Response Team that can accommodate our growing population. Right now, “fully staffed” means nine supervisors, 69 tele-communicators, and one deputy using 12 trunked lines. Sixty-nine may seem like a lot, but that is only 12 call-takers answering the phone per shift. Some of our residents have had problems with waiting too long for a call-taker to answer. Although call-takers may have a valid reason for not answering immediately, this is unacceptable when the caller may be having a heart attack or life-threatening emergency. One concern about the increase in cellular phone usage is that it is much more convenient for people to call in emergencies and non-emergencies on cell phones, which increases the incoming telephone traffic for the Emergency Response Team. With cell phone use on the rise, we need to support an expanded Emergency Operations Center at the upcoming budget hearings.
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.
THE SOCIAL BOWLING CLUB: 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.
60+ CLUB BUSINESS MEETING: 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, January 6th, 2006
7:15 p.m. - Admirals Hockey - Scope - Contact 640-1212
Saturday, January 7th, 2006
2:00 p.m. - Senior’s Art Forum - Chrysler - Contact 333-6268
7:00 p.m. - ODU Basketball - Constant Center - Contact 640-5555
7:15 p.m. - Admirals Hockey - Scope - Contact 640-1212
Monday, January 9th, 2006
2:15 p.m. - Senior’s Bowling Club - Contact 441-2109
7:00 p.m. - Civic League Meeting - Stuart Center
Wednesday, January 11th, 2006
10:00 a.m. - CPRV Childrens Playgroup - Contact 624-6810
Friday, January 13th, 2006
7:15 p.m. - Admirals Hockey - Scope - Contact 640-1212
Saturday, January 14th, 2006
7:00 p.m. - ODU Basketball - Constant Center - Contact 640-5555
Monday, January 16th, 2006
2:15 p.m. - Senior’s Bowling Club - Contact 441-2109
Wednesday, January 18th, 2006
10:00 a.m. - CPRV Childrens Playgroup - Contact 624-6810
7:00 p.m. - Admirals Hockey - Scope - Contact 640-1212
Thursday, January 19th, 2006
7:00 p.m. - ODU Basketball - Constant Center - Contact 640-5555
Monday, January 23rd, 2006
2:15 p.m. - Senior’s Bowling Club - Contact 441-2109
6:30 p.m. - Crime Prevention Meeting - Stuart Center
Wednesday, January 25th, 2006
10:00 a.m. - CPRV Childrens Playgroup - Contact 624-6810
7:15 p.m. - Admirals Hockey - Scope - Contact 640-1212
Thursday, January 26th, 2006
7:00 p.m. - ODU Basketball - Constant Center - Contact 640-5555
Friday, January 27th, 2006
7:15 p.m. - Admirals Hockey - Scope - Contact 640-1212
Monday, January 30th, 2006
2:15 p.m. - Senior’s Bowling Club - Contact 441-2109
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