Colonial Place/Riverview Civic League
COMMUNITY NEWS

May 2009

             Guest Speaker, Amelia Baker, owner of Green Alternatives, At This Month's Meeting

NEXT BOARD MEETING will be Monday, May 18, 2009, at 7:00 pm.

DEADLINE for the Jume issue is Friday, May 15, 2009.

THIS MONTH'S MEETING AGENDA:   Monthly police report - Amelia Baker, owner of Green Alternatives, will speak

Greetings Neighhors! Spring is in full force and our neighborhood is coming alive with the most amazing colors of azaleas, cherry blossoms, and crepe myrtles. As I walk around the neighborhood, I am always impressed with how beautiful the yards are landscaped and cared for. We truly live in a beautiful community. Below are some updates and notes regarding CPRV.

• The City Assessor’s Office will begin a five-year field review program that will include a physical inspection of every residential and commercial property in the City of Norfolk. Field reviews will be conducted Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for the months of April through July for the next five years. Prior to initiating the inspection of a particular property, the appraiser will make the appropriate introduction at the door. Riverview is one of the neighborhoods on the top of the list to begin this April. For more information, please see the www.norfolk.gov website.
• The resurfacing schedule map for Mayflower Road was circulated at the April Civic League meeting. Mayflower is scheduled to be repaved in the upcoming paving season. It includes Mayflower Road along Knitting Mill Creek from New Hampshire Avenue to Virginia Avenue, Gosnold Avenue from Delaware to New Hampshire Avenue, Rhode Island Avenue from Mayflower Road to Newport Avenue, and Massachusetts Avenue from Mayflower Road to Newport Avenue.
• In response to the amount of trash left on the property behind the Retro Diner, I have made contact with the owners. The vacant lot behind the Retro Diner has been clearly marked with a sign letting people know that if they park there, they will be towed. I am an authorized caller to have cars towed, so please call me @ 469-3531 if you see people parked there. Hopefully this will stop all the trash accumulating on that lot.

Amelia Baker, owner of Green Alternatives earth-friendly general store, will be speaking briefly about some key eco-tips to get you on the road to green. She’ll also speak about the importance of recycling, what to look for on labels, and how you can make the best of your local greenie resources. She’s eager to share her passion with you and to answer any and all questions you have about going “green.”

Remember, the meeting’s at 7 p.m.---the usual meeting spot , Knox Presbyterian Church!

Meeting called to order at 7:05 p.m.

• Crime Report: PACE Officer Paschal introduced his supervisor, LT Stevens. Crime statistics included 9 larcenies from autos (state inspections, 4; tag removals, 2; personal items, 3), 2 copper thefts (1 from a vacant house, 1 from an occupied house). Officer Paschal recommended buying a $4 tool, from auto parts stores, which makes license plate removal extremely difficult.
• Guest Speaker: Marie Butler, Landscape Coordinator at the Virginia Zoo spoke about plant selection, composting, and gardening tips. She answered questions at the conclusion of her presentation.
• Secretary’s Report was read. Motion made to accept minutes as written.
• Treasurer’s Report was presented.
• Dog Park: The Dog Park Chair presented a proposal to support a 15% portion of the large dog park being designated as a separate area for small dogs. A vote was taken and membership approved. The small dog park will measure 37 feet by 48 feet. It will include three gates and a separate holding area. This city will install the fencing. Donations are being accepted to raise funds for the $1500 materials cost.
• New Business:
  • Street resurfacing and revetment repairs in Colonial Place are scheduled. Resurfacing will occur on Mayflower, along Knitting Mill Creek, from New Hampshire Avenue to Virginia Avenue; on Gosnold from Delaware Avenue to New Hampshire Avenue; on Rhode Island from Mayflower Road to Newport Avenue; and on Massachusetts from Mayflower Road to Newport Avenue.
  • After-hours parking behind the Diner was discussed. The new “No Parking” sign was mentioned. Several residents are concerned about the continuing trash problem and the fact that cars are still being parked in the lot. A suggestion was made to send an official Civic League letter to Peter Decker, the lot’s owner, expressing our concern over the situation. A suggestion was also made to make a nearby resident an official towing representative, authorizing him/her to initiate towing for cars in violation of the sign.
  • Ron Johnson invited fellow residents to become Red Cross platelet donors. He mentioned there’s a critical need. The donation location is on Brambleton Avenue.
  • Judith Brown, User Citizens’ Advisory Committee member, talked about Hampton Roads Transit user information. She briefed residents on two upcoming hearings and plans for the Midtown Tunnel and for Norfolk as a whole.

More and more people are using bicycles for transportation, exercise, sport, and just plain fun. This gain in popularity makes bicycle theft very profitable. The best tool to help the police in combating this crime is properly securing your bicycle and bike registration. Registration of a serial number and other identifying marks enables the police to easily trace a stolen bicycle to its rightful owner.
Theft Prevention Tips:

• Register and license your bicycle.
• Never leave your bicycle unattended.
• Lock it! Always lock the bicycle when unattended, and only leave it in well-lit areas where there is frequent pedestrian traffic. Always lock your bicycle to a bicycle rack. Never lock just the front wheel; include the rear wheel and frame. Use a recommended, high-security bicycle lock.
• Report suspicious activities. Report all bike thefts and suspicious activities near bicycle parking areas.

The Lafayette Wetlands Partnership, in collaboration with Theresa Augustin, Curator of Natural Areas with the Norfolk Botanical Garden, planted more than 60 grasses and flowering plants at the corner of 46th and Colley Avenue on Saturday, April 18. The landscape plants will not only help prevent erosion into the wetland off Knitting Mill Creek, but they will also create a visual focal point for an educational sign that will describe the value and importance of urban wetlands. The pedestrian sign will be erected in May.

Theresa created the design and was present to help in its planting. Back East Landscaping tilled the beds. Andy Wallach led volunteers from the Lafayette Wetlands Partnership in planting, mulching and watering the new plants.

The Colonial Place/Riverview Civic League was the lead donor in a fundraising initiative that paid for the wetland restoration accomplished last September and for the plants and sign that will complete the work.

The Partnership will be responsible for the maintenance of the landscaping. Anyone interested in helping with that work is invited to contact John Stewart at 623 -8127, or jdstewart1@cox.net.

REACH (Reading Enriches All Children) would like to thank all of the CPRV members that attended the March 28th REACH Book Sale, we made $636 for our reading programs for homeless children! We would also like to give a huge thanks to Alice McCoy for hosting our sale at Riverview Coffee Parlor. We will have another sale May 16 at Riverview during the Riverview Sidewalk extravaganza! Come fill a bag of current titles for $10 or buy a book for a donation. Thank you!

CPRV regular size stickers are still only $1.00 each; mini stickers are a mere $.50 each. Even at these low prices the CPRV treasury benefits and you promote the neighborhood. Now that the weather is finally warm­ing up to the magic 55 degrees required for effective sticker stick it’s time to wash the family car and put on a bright, new sticker. You could also put a few stickers on your trash and recycling bins in hopes that they will stay in the neighborhood and not wander off, as some have recently, with copper pipes from CPRV homes inside. Get your “Stickers-by-Mail” by sending a check made out to CPRV to: Jeanne Ullian, 4400 Mayflower Road, Norfolk 23508. Be sure specify the number/size and your delivery address as I usually hand deliver these on my neighborhood walk.

Sheila Janes, President of the CPRV Civic League, named David Spriggs (627-1441), Maggie Trump (233-9576), and Wilma Haley (623-1434) to the nominating committee for officers for the next fiscal year. If you would like to serve as an officer, please contact one of the committee members. Duties of the positions (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Riverview or Colonial Place Representative) are delineated in the By-laws, which are available on the CPRV website (http://www.cprv.org/blaw.htm) or from one of the committee members.

CPRV is different from many civic leagues because of our two term limit. While term limits ensure new ideas and broader participation, they also require a continuous stream of volunteers willing to serve. Be one of those volunteers. The following excerpt from the By-laws describes our election process:

Article VIII. Elections
Section 1. A nominating committee shall be named at the April League meeting. This committee will be comprised of three members. At least one member of the nominating committee shall have been a resident for seven years or longer and at least one member of the nominating committee shall have been a resident for less than seven years.
Section 2. The nominating committee shall nominate a slate of officers of one or more names for each elective office at the May meeting. Nominations for elective offices may also be made from the floor. All nominations made at the May meeting shall be published in the next newsletter.
Section 3. The election of officers shall take place at the League annual meeting in June.
Section 4. No officer shall serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office. For the purposes of this Section 4, any period of six months or less shall not constitute a term.
Section 5. Each officer’s term shall commence upon the conclusion of the meeting at which such officer was elected.
Section 6. If any position is not filled at the annual meeting, then it shall be treated as an interim vacancy, as provided in Article IV, Section 7.

Hooray, the dream of all of our small dog families has reached fruition! We have the go-ahead to put a small dog park into the northwest corner of the original dog park. It will be 48 feet long by 37 feet wide. The city of Norfolk has agreed to install the fence for us. All we need to do is pay for the materials.The cost for the materials will be approximately $1500. We will collect these funds by donations, so I encourage all dog owners and other interested neighbors and businesses to contribute to this worthy cause. Please send your donations (any amount you feel that you can give) to : The Small Dog Park Fund, Colonial Place & Riverview Civic League, P.O. Box 6130, Norfolk, VA 23508. I will also have fliers and envelopes at the dog park for you to use. Let's get this done quickly so we can use the small dog area this summer. Thanks ahead of time for all your great support.

The Riverview Village Business District will have a Sidewalk Extravaganza on Saturday, May 16. There will be free food and drinks, raffles, children’s activities and entertainment the whole family can enjoy! Many of the businesses will have special sidewalk sales!

We are also proud to support many of our favorite charities.

• One Eleven Art Gallery & Studios will donate 10% or their sales to the Tidewater Art Alliance.
• Bloom, Happy Go Lucky and The Silver Rattle will donate 10% of their Sales to CHKD.
• Tabbs Restaurant will sponsor the Five Points Community Farmer Market Produce Stand.
• Riverview Coffee Parlor - Book Sale to benefit REACH.
• Bent Fork will be accepting newspapers, blankets and donations for the SPCA.
• Crackers will deduct $5 off your food bill if you bring in nonperishable food for the Food Bank.

One Eleven Art Gallery & Studios has an upcoming class, “Simplify Your Time and Space,” offered by Tara Sheldon, MSW. Do you want to clear your clutter? Challenge your beliefs in order to let go of your clutter with this four session class lead by Feng Shui consultant and Professional Life Coach Tara Sheldon. Beginning Saturdays in May (2nd, 9th, 23rd and 30th) at 10 a.m. Space limited. The cost is $125 for 4-week group plus a one hour on site consultation. For information and to register go to www.tarasheldon.com and click register.

An upcoming Exhibition, “Migrations and Explorations,” will be presented by watercolorist Amy McKay. The show opens Saturday, May 2, 6-8 p.m., and is free and open to the public. Join us as studio member artist Amy McKay presents a new portfolio of exciting water media! Exhibition runs through June 7th.

One Eleven Art Gallery & Studios is located at 111 Pennsylvania Avenue, right off Granby Street across from Riverview Theater. Call them at 625-1110. Their public hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-4 p.m.

Residents of Colonial Place and Riverview are urged to contact the city when they become of aware of properties being offered for rent within our neighborhood. Call Rusty Masten at 664-6527 (City of Norfolk) and request an Occupancy Permit Inspection for the vacant or soon-to-be-vacated rental property.

Once a month, open to everyone! Day and time may vary depending on who is hosting. Join the Veg Club listserve by going to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cprv_veggies/. Or send an email to: CPRV_Veggies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. If you would like to join us or have any questions, contact Joanna at joannajenkins@cox.net

ForKids is an organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty for families and children. ForKids currently serves 150 families with 300 children weekly throughout Hampton Roads. The CPRV Civic League was instrumental in ForKids’ construction of an attractive detached home and apartments for five families on 38th Street. ForKids invites CPRV residents to attend events to support these fragile families who have been greatly impacted by the economic situation.

On Sunday, May 17, at 1:15 p.m. the Norfolk Tides will take on the Louisville Bats to “Strike Out Hunger.” This event is being hosted by the Panim students of the Simon Family Jewish Community Center (JCC). Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door, by calling ForKids at 757-622-6400 or by calling the JCC at 321-2338. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit ForKids, The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and Jewish Family Service. Non-perishable food items can be donated at the game.

To learn more about ForKids, “Food and Facts” will be held on May 13, 8-9 a.m., and May 28, 6-7 p.m., at the Marie & Paul Finch Center for Families & Children on 4200 Colley Avenue. You will be able to tour the Center and hear a brief presentation about the needs of local homeless families and their children. CPRV Civic League members attended in April, so please come over and learn more about how you can help families in our community!

COMMUNITY NEWS is produced by:
              The Colonial Place/Riverview Civic League
              P.O. Box 6130
              Norfolk, VA 23508

Deadline for articles and advertising is the third Friday of the month

Community News Editor:   Blair Barbieri
              Phone: 908-797-8750
              Email: cprvnews@gmail.com

Newsletter Advertising Chair: James Gregg
              Phone: 757-489-8968
              Email: jamesrgregg@aol.com

Community News Distribution:   Mary Hormell, Phone 627-2392

CPRV Web Page: www.cprv.org