* The Board of Directors meets the first Wednesday evening of each month at 6:30 PM at various local venues – check our website calendar for the location of the next meeting.
2011 NMCA Elections – Second Call for Nominations
It’s that time of year to start thinking about NMCA elections for the coming year. According to the by-laws, the annual election takes place at the late fall membership meeting, scheduled this year for December 2 at 7 PM at the Bobby Pearse Center on Townes Street. Officers will be elected by the members of the NMCA. All officers must reside within the geographical boundaries of the NMCA for the entire period they hold office, Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2011. All officers must have been a member in good standing for a minimum of 12 months prior to the election and must be 18 years or older.
The President, Vice President and Treasurer may be able to serve 2 consecutive terms and may run for any office after being out of office for at least 1 term. The Recording Secretary and Membership Secretary will be able to succeed her or himself as elected by the members.
This is the second call for nominations for the 2011 NMCA Board of Directors. Any member may nominate someone for office. The nomination must be submitted in writing no later than October 1. You may email the nomination to pgilreath@aol.com or mail to NMCA, PO Box 571, Greenville, SC 29602. The person nominated must agree in writing to serve if elected and a brief statement of their qualifications and past contributions should also be submitted. Election ballots will be mailed out to all members prior to the membership meeting.
Update on Stone Avenue Plan
(Our thanks to Megan McLaughlin, Dover, Kohl & Partners, for the following update)
“The Stone Avenue Plan is moving forward. Over the summer, Dover, Kohl & Partners and Hall Planning & Engineering worked closely with City staff to prepare a detailed phasing plan for the Stone Avenue road diet. We created a three-step phasing plan that can transform Stone Avenue’s current 4-lane configuration into a 2-lane road with left-turn lanes, on-street parking, street trees, and sharrows for bicyclists. The first step of the plan is a “paint-only” scenario that could be implemented quickly and cheaply by restriping the travel lanes and striping a lane of on-street parking on the south side of the street. This could be used as a testing period before making more significant investment in street improvements. Step two of the phasing plan involves planting street trees on the south side of the street, widening sidewalks, and installing distinctive street lights. Step three of the phasing plan involves adding on-street parking and street trees to both sides of the street.
On August 24th, Dover Kohl, Hall Planning & Engineering, and City staff met with SCDOT to discuss the charrette vision for Stone Avenue, and explain the road diet phasing plan. SCDOT did not feel that they could make a determination to support or oppose the Stone Avenue road diet without further investigation of traffic impacts. They asked us to submit all of our transportation analysis data so that they could review our work and conduct their own internal analysis. We have sent our work to them and we expect to hear back at the end of September.
A critical question was raised during our meeting with SCDOT. Towards the end of the meeting, a SCDOT engineer asked, “Does the City support this road diet?” This is where North Main residents and the Friends of Stone Avenue are needed to step in. Tell your elected officials about your vision for Stone Avenue and let them know your opinion on the road diet. It is important that SCDOT receives a clear message from the City of Greenville about its stance on this project.
Because we are waiting to hear from SCDOT at the end of September, it is likely that the next public meeting for the Stone Avenue will be in November. We will let you know as soon as a date is confirmed.”
News from City Council (from City Council Member Amy Ryberg-Doyle)
Planning Ahead…. The Sign Ordinance
The City’s economic development department has used this economic downtime for some strategic planning. The sign ordinance is the latest effort to address some obstructive and poorly designed signs. The goal of the updated ordinance is to address road signs, building signs, multi-tenant signs and window and awning signage. Signs will be required to have improved materials and to fit in better with building design. Thank you to all the business and property owners who participated in giving feedback. To read about the sign ordinance, go to the City’s Planning and Zoning Website.
On New Sidewalks….
The N Step program will begin two new sidewalks in the North End shortly: Funds have been appropriated for Batesview Drive (from East North Street to Wade Hampton Boulevard.) With costs coming in under budget, an additional sidewalk was added to this Nstep program…… a new sidewalk construction will begin on Chick Springs!!!!!! (from Rutherford to Lake Crest Drive.) Thank you to all the neighbors and League parents who supported this effort!
What is the Traffic Calming Process?
You may request a traffic calming study on your street at any time. You will need to contact the City’s Traffic Engineering Dept. (email: tecalming@greenvillesc.gov) If the study area warrants a review, petitions are sent to your neighbors. Traffic is measured for speed and volume. Recommendations are made from the City’s traffic engineering department. Then, you vote on the best measurement (speed humps, landscaped medians, etc…) For more information, go to the Public Works Website.
There is a traffic study beginning for Lake Forest Drive area. The meeting will be Monday, September 13th in the cafeteria of League Academy starting at 6 PM.
How do I Learn about Boards and Commissions?
The City Council appoints citizens to serve on a variety of Boards and Commissions. The terms of the commissions vary. You will need to submit an application and go through an interview process. We are always looking for good people to serve. I encourage you to read more and consider serving on one of the city’ Boards or Commissions.
Several North End residents have interviewed in the last weeks for various positions. In two weeks, City Council will make one appointment to the BZA and two appointments to the ATAX committee.
Park Clean Up – A Good Start
Thanks to everyone who worked at the North Main Rotary Park to help us “take back” the stream banks and start eliminating the kudzu. If you haven’t been by the Park lately, come take a look. We accomplished a lot more than you may realize. The two parks dept employees, Cathy and Brad, have worked tirelessly with us to get the park cleaned up so that we can develop a management plan which is practical and feasible for maintaining it with the limited manpower of the Parks Dept.
We had a great work team for the two weekends including Don & Julia Shabkie, Karen Littlefield, Ginger Adams, Jean Martin, Yvonne Vance, John & Amy & Jack & Chelsea Rose & William Doyle, Jim & Phyllis Gileath, Joyce Murphy, Joanne Conner, Mike Cubelo, Bob Bainbridge, Rick Huffman, and Cathy Flenniken and Brad Smith from the City. Thank you again for being an active part of our neighborhood!!!
More good news! NMCA just received news that we were awarded funding for our grant application to the Greater Greenville Master Gardener Association to install signs on the hillside and around the Bobby Pearse Center identifying the plants by common and scientific name. Watch for more information this fall.
Fall Gardening in Greenville
Have you noticed? The mornings are finally getting a little cooler….bringing a sigh of relief to gardeners weary of pulling weeds, deadheading, and watering in the heat. You can start thinking about what you want to plant later this fall and work on your wish list for spring. Milder temperatures and less drought stress makes fall a good time to plant. Plus, many nurseries will have shrubs and trees on sale now, as they make way for new plants to arrive. Take advantage of bargains, even if you have to hold them for a while before planting. Choose shrubs and trees with more than one season of interest. Look for attractive foliage, branching, flowers, fruit, and bark, and remember the needs of wildlife. Want to add some color to your landscape? Take a look at this Clemson publication that tells you what colors you’ll get from different trees and shrubs.
Think about butterflies for your next garden. Need some ideas? Visit the Butterfly Garden at the Roper Mountain Science Center. It’s FREE. It’s maintained by the Greenville Master Gardeners and you’ll get to see what the mature plant looks like and where it would best fit in your landscape.
Fall is a good time to incorporate compost into your soil, giving it a chance to break down this winter, releasing nutrients that will be available to plants in the spring. Autumn is also the time to sow ryegrass & fescue. Spring flowering bulbs can be planted in October and early November in this area. Be sure to plant where they will get adequate light next spring. There’s seldom a lack of things to do in the SC garden.
Want a free Irrigation Check-up?? Just go to our website for more information.
Weather Tidbits
According to climate data at the GSP airport, the average maximum temperature for Greenville in September is 81.2°F, the average low is 61.3°F and the average precipitation is 3.96”. On September 4, 1975, the thermometer hit 96°F and on September 30, 1967, GSP recorded a chilly 36°F. Brrr! Last year our first frost occurred on November 4. Check out the SC DNR weather site for more information and for educational ideas and games at
Dogwoods on Main Street
It’s been brought to our attention by our Beautification Committee that there are 18 dogwood trees missing on the stretch of North Main in our neighborhood. One way to help is to support the Greenville Tree Foundation. Founded in 1980 to enhance funding for tree plantings, the foundation has planted over 300 trees annually throughout the city for a total of over 8,000 trees. Planting a tree is an excellent way to honor a loved one or observe important family events. If you wish to make a donation, the City will plant and care for the tree(s) throughout their lifetime. All donations are tax deductible and they can even send a special card to the person you are honoring.
Friends of the Reedy River Kudzu Eradication Program
Friends of the Reedy River is a local, grassroots, volunteer-based, non-profit conservation organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and restoring the Reedy River. The Reedy, Greenville’s “hometown river”, has been an important natural resource for hundreds of years, utilized and valued by people who have admired its scenic beauty and relied on its water for power, sustenance and inspiration.
“Currently we are seeking volunteers for our Kudzu Eradication Project along the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail. The GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail is a wonderful addition to the Greenville community. Our immediate focus is on the sections of the trail that run along the banks of the Reedy River. Unfortunately, kudzu is running rampant along many parts of the riverbanks and is literally suffocating some magnificent old growth trees and forest areas! In some areas the kudzu is so thick it’s impossible to see the river from the nearby trail.
The Friends of the Reedy River has initiated a Kudzu Eradication Program with the help of our friends at the City of Greenville. Each Saturday morning until September 25, we will host group work sessions to clip and kill kudzu vines. One week is all it takes to start to see results from your volunteering! There is no need to register and no experience is required. Volunteers must be 13 or older and liability waivers must be signed.”
Time: 8AM – 11AM (every Saturday until – Sept. 25) 9/4, 9/11, 9/18 & 9/25
Location: In front of the dog park at Cleveland Park
Dress: Shoes that completely cover the feet, long pants and long sleeves are highly recommended to prevent the possible spread of poison ivy; work gloves.
Equipment: Limited supplies of work gloves and clippers will be provided. Please bring your own, if possible.
Did You Know?? Research has found that kudzu is increasing ozone pollution, according to a new report in the current edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers found that “kudzu caused a doubling of emissions of nitrogen oxide from soils–along with volatile organic compounds, the key precursor to ozone pollution in the lower atmosphere, and the main component of urban smog. While ozone in the earth’s upper atmosphere protects living things on the surface from harmful ultraviolet rays, in the lower atmosphere, it can damage other plants, and cause respiratory problems for humans. Because kudzu likes warmer climates and also can take advantage of higher carbon-dioxide levels in the air, its range may continue to grow northward, according to the study.”
It’s Time to Pitch in and Pick up in Greenville County
Greenville County Solid Waste Division is hosting the 7th Annual Litter Pick Up on Saturday, September 25th. All they ask is that you volunteer, as a group or individually, on September 25th to pick up litter in your community. They will supply the safety vests and bags. To volunteer, call 243-9672 or email wmcnatt@greenvillecounty.org.
Questions?
The SC Mountains to Midlands Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is encouraging all local businesses to get creative with our color – PINK! Go Pink for the Cure is an effort to bring awareness and empower our community in the fight against breast cancer. The Go Pink program will be done in conjunction with our 16th Annual Race for the Cure in Greenville.
All area businesses are challenged to get creative! The idea is to decorate your store in a pink theme between September 20 and October 2, 2010. You may paint your windows, light up your building, have your employees dress in pink, showcase pink merchandise—the possibilities are endless! The one requirement is that you display the Race for the Cure poster in your business. We want everyone to “think pink – live pink – go pink!” Photos of all businesses that Go Pink will be place on their website. Please contact Ryan Tollefson at 864-234-5035 or ryan@komenscmm.org with any questions or for more information.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Roaming Dogs
After issuing an alert last month about dogs roaming in the area between Avondale and Hillcrest, we were contacted by JoAnne Smythe, Animal Control Officer for the Greenville Police Dept. She is interested in helping locate and remove the dogs that are causing problems. If she is aware of a problem in your area, she will place traps to try and catch them. Please contact her at her office at 467-8012 or jsmythe@greenvillesc.gov Please note, if there is a problem that needs immediate attention, then call the police dispatch number, 271-5333. You will get a faster response this way.
We have also had a report of a neighbor’s dog breaking through a privacy fence and killing a neighbor’s pet. When something like this happens, get JoAnne an address and she can go out and give them a notice. She also recommends getting a picture or having two people make statements and they can see about giving a summons. Of course, call Animal Control, too, when the event is occurring …..or the Police (see numbers above) if after hours.
Fall Foliage – Why are Some Years More Colorful?
We are lucky to live in a part of the country where we can enjoy the changing colors and seasons. Leaf color and timing varies by species as is evident in this Time-lapse movie of a forest changing color done by the Virginia Tech Dendrology Department. Leaf color varies every year, but is most spectacular when just the right conditions are present. Leaf pigments, length of night, the type of tree, genetic variation, and the weather all play a role. A succession of warm, sunny days and cool, but not freezing nights seems to bring about the most spectacular color displays. Bright sunny days increase food production in trees and plants. These sugars are trapped in the leaves spurring the production of anthocyanin pigments, providing the red tints to fall foliage. The amount of moisture in the soil also affects autumn color. A late spring, or a severe summer drought, can delay the onset of fall color by a few weeks. A warm period during fall lowers the intensity of autumn color. Click here for even more information.
Want to know the best time and place to view fall color in SC? Just check out the SC Parks Site. Get a weekly update on fall color and the best places for viewing.
Why Buy Local?
Buying local is an increasingly popular way to boost your city’s spirit and rev up the area economy. According to the non-profit Institute for Self-Reliance, if you spend $100 at a local business, $45 stays within the community. Spend that same amount at a national chain and only about $14 recirculates. It’s also about trading superstore sterility for something more unique. This trend seems to be particularly popular with the over 50’s crowd and is expected to grow as more people retire and seek locally owned shops and eateries. (AARP Newsletter, August 2010) Check out the NMCA Shop Local Page.
Calendar
City Council Formal Meeting and Work Session schedules can be found at the City’s Website.
September 18-19 – USA Professional Cycling Championships returns to Greenville for a fifth consecutive year. The Championship weekend features the USA Cycling Professional Time Trial Championship on Saturday at CU-ICAR and the USA Cycling Professional Road Race Championship on Sunday, which starts and finishes in downtown Greenville. Bikeville will once again offer free bike valet parking at the event on Sunday.
September 21 – 7:00 pm: “Mosses in the Landscape” Native Plant Society Meeting. Speaker is Dr. Robert Wyatt, former Director of the Highlands Biological Station. Dr. Wyatt will focus his talk on ten native moss species that make attractive subjects for a range of garden sites. Founders Hall, Southern Wesleyan University, Central.
September 25 – Apple Festival. Carolina First Saturday Market.
October 2 – Fall Native Plant Sale. 9:00 – 1:00 PM in the parking lot of University Center (the former McAlister Square) at S. Pleasantburg and Antrim Drive.
October 2 – Paws for a Cause Charity Dogwalk for Cancer. Falls Park.
October 8-10 – St. Francis Fall for Greenville. Downtown Greenville.
October 17 – NMCA Neighborhood Night Out. North Main Rotary Park. 4 – 7 pm. We’ll provide the food and beverages. Bring the kids and come get to know your neighbors and join the fun!
October 29-31. Friends of the Greenville County Library System Used Book Sale. Watch for more details.
Pawsitive Effects – If you’re not familiar with Pawsitive Effects, it’s a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of dogs by ending life on a chain….a dangerous, cruel and abusive practice. This is a 100% volunteer group that builds fences for dogs that have been chained/tethered for years. They also educate the public and advocate legislation to restrict this practice. One of our NMCA members, Grant Hursey, is running in the Spinxfest 5K on Oct. 30 to raise money for this cause. He also volunteers to help build these fences at no charge to the owner(s). If you would like to sponsor Grant or find out more information about this group, you can email him at granthursey@att.net You can also check out their website to find out about other ways to help.
The following classes will be held at the Bobby Pearse Community Center, 904 Townes St., on the dates indicated. For additional information or to register for programs call or email Pam Davis at 864-467-4331 or pdavis@greenvillesc.gov .
September 13 – October 18 – Mondays 6:30-7:30 pm. Yoga. Instructor: Brooke Kleinfelter. Fee: $5 per class. Pre-registration NOT required. This class is geared towards beginners, but all levels are welcomed and encouraged. (Editor’s note: Even if you missed earlier classes, you can still come and join the fun.)
September 7 – December 9 – Tuesdays and Thursdays, NOTE TIME CHANGE 8:30 – 9:30 am. Fitness Aerobics for Adults. FREE. In this class, participants will get a great cardio aerobic workout. The class will be geared to adult participants. All levels are welcome! Participants do not need to pre-register for this class. Instructor: Colleen McCullough.
September 9 – December 2 – Girls on Track. T/TH 5:15-6:30pm
September 13 – December 1 – Girls on the Run. M/W 5:15-6:30pm
This fall the Bobby Pearse Center will be hosting Girls on the Run: Preparing Girls for a Lifetime of Self-respect & Healthy Living. ‘Girls on the Run’ is an afterschool program that uses the power of running to help girls become strong, content, self-confident young women. ‘Girls on the Run’ will be for girls 8-11 yrs. old. ‘Girls on Track’ will be for girls ages 12-15 yrs. old. Fee is just $10.42 per 75 minute session (24 sessions). **Full and partial scholarships are available**
To register: email girlsontherun@ghs.org or call 864-455-3252.
September 21 – November 18 – Homeschool Fitness Classes: Mondays and Wednesdays, 6-12 year olds at 9:45am – 10:45am; 13-18 year olds at 11am – Noon. 9-week session: 2 classes per week = $60 for one or 1st child, $50 for 2nd child, $40 for 3rd. 9-week session: 1 class per week = $35 for one or 1st child, $25 for 2nd child, $15 for 3rd.
October 7 (Thursday) 6 pm -8:30 pm & October 9 (Saturday) 9 am – 11:30 am – Fly Fishing for Beginners. Cost $30 for 2-day session. Participants: Adults. Register: Greenville Parks & Rec Dept.
October 16 – November 20 – Saturdays 9am – 10am. Eight Pieces of Brocade and Qigong. Fee: $30 for six week session. In this class, we will work with several basic Qigong movements, as well as learn a complete Qigong set called the Eight Pieces of Brocade. The name of this well known form refers to the eight individual movements of the set which are said to impart a quality of health of the body to be likened to fine brocade – a richly decorative fabric. The Eight Pieces of Brocade date back to the Song Dynasty (between 960 and 1279.) Register on-line at: Greenville Parks & Rec. Dept.
THE WRITING ROOM: The City of Greenville Parks and Recreation will be partnering with the Emrys Foundation to offer The Writing Room at the Bobby Pearse Community Center. Register for current classes at the Emrys website or email mindyfriddle@gmail.com or contact Pam Davis at the Bobby Pearse Community Center @ 467-4331 or pdavis@greenvillesc.gov.
• Monthly Writing Workshops: Out of Your Head and Onto the Pages – the second Sunday of the month: Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 12 from 2 – 4 PM. Cost is $5, cash only, payable at the door. These writing workshops, led by various members of the Writing Room faculty, are designed to stimulate creativity and generate ideas for fiction and nonfiction. We’ll use a series of short in-class writing exercises to inspire n ew work and deepen your writing. Come prepared to write in class, to share your exercises without fear or self-judgment, and above all, have some fun. For all levels.
• Memoir: Work & The Story of Your Life – Sunday, October 24, 2-4 PM. Cost $25. $20 for Emrys members. We’ve all held a variety of jobs, both paid and unpaid, and even if we didn’t realize it at the time, we were collecting immersion research material for possible future essays. In this class, we’ll use a focused reading of work essay excerpts as jumping-off points for our own work, and start drafting essays about our various work experiences. All levels. Instructor Joni Tevis (teaches literature and creative writing at Furman University).
• Creative Writing 101 Workshop – Wednesdays: Nov 3, 10, 17 and Dec. 1, 8, 15. Time: 6:30 – 9pm Fee: $180 ($170 for Emrys members) This six-week workshop provides an excellent overview for beginners or anyone who wants to brush up on the craft and practices of creative writing. You’ll get a mixture of brief lectures that hit the high-points and weekly writing exercises that let you try your hand at what you’ve just learned. You’ll also have the option to share and discuss each other’s work. Level: Beginner to Intermediate. Instructor: Mindy Friddle (Founder and Director of The Writing Room and award winning author).
Don’t forget to renew your NMCA membership. Only $10 annually. You can renew easily via PayPal or download, complete and mail the form found at our membership page. Membership runs on a calendar year from Jan 1 to Dec 31. If you are not sure if you are current in your dues for 2010, please let us check for you. Just email pgilreath@aol.com and we’ll let you know.
We need your participation!! Tell your neighbors, too. Thank you!!
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
The use of trade names or advertisements in this publication does not constitute endorsement or discrimination by the North Main Community Association.
