Student Intern to Work on Stone Avenue Project
Mayor Knox White has assigned his summer intern to focus on Stone Avenue business recruitment and planning. His name is Mills Armstrong and he’s a student in Clemson’s graduate school of Commercial Development. He previously worked for Earle Furman Company. He just started this week and will be on the job until sometime in August. Welcome, Mills! Glad you’re here and we hope you have a very ‘productive’ summer!
How a Year Does Fly!
The City of Greenville Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 4:00 PM in the 10th floor Council Chambers at City Hall. One of the applications to be considered is the following: E. S 11-106. Application of Waffle House, Inc (WH Capital, LLC, Owner) for a Special Exception Permit pursuant to Section 19-2.3.5, Special Exception Permit and Section 19-4.1, Table of Uses, of the Greenville City Code to operate a Restaurant Open to the Public Between the Hours of 12 Midnight and 5 AM’ pursuant to the requirements of Section 19.4.3.3 (A), Use Specific Standards, Commercial Uses, General. The property is located at 11 E. Stone Avenue in a ‘C-2′, Local Commercial, District (TMS #’s 0035000401700 and 0035000401800).
Project Rx: A River Remedy
Project Rx is a community collaboration of organizations to provide regular medication take-back events to ensure proper disposal. Their purpose is to protect the environment from improper disposal (flushing meds) and to keep medication from getting in the wrong hands, preventing abuse, especially among youth. The event is Saturday, June 18th from 10 am to 2pm. Participants can come to either location at McAlister Square (225 S. Pleasantburg) or St. Francis Downtown (Hwy 123 at St. Francis Drive). It is free and open to anyone in the Upstate. The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office will be onsite for security and disposal. It is a drive-thru style event, so participants can easily bring prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, supplements, veterinary medications, etc….liquid or pills. They are NOT accepting sharps. No questions asked.
For more information, see the following links:
Website: www.ariverremedy.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ariverremedy
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ariverremedy
YouTube: www.youtube.com/ariverremedy
June is Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month!
The month of June is extra special—it’s Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat month. Many shelters offer specials on adoptions to celebrate. But don’t forget about feral cats. The number of feral cats in the U.S. is estimated to be in the tens of millions. Sadly, many communities still opt to control populations via outdated methods, including lethal elimination or relocation. Not only are some of these methods horribly cruel, they are also highly ineffective. It’s time to focus on feral cats in the fight to end animal cruelty.
Is There a Difference Between a Stray Cat and a Feral Cat? Yes. A feral cat is primarily wild-raised or has adapted to feral life, while we define a stray cat as someone’s pet who has become lost or has been abandoned. Stray cats are usually tame and comfortable around people. They will frequently rub against legs and exhibit behaviors such as purring and meowing. In contrast, feral cats are notably quiet and keep their distance. Stray cats will also often try to make a home near humans—in car garages, front porches or backyards. Most are completely reliant on humans as a food source and are not yet able to cope with life on the streets. The ASPCA endorses Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) as the only proven humane and effective method to manage feral cat colonies. http://www.aspca.org/adoption/adopt-a-shelter-cat-month/
SLAM! – Saturday Local Art Market
New – Saturdays June 11th – October 29th from 11am – 4 pm at 702 S. Main St. (Lot across the street from the Army Navy Store On the corner of S. Main and River St.) Admission is Free!
The Saturday Local Art Market will feature extraordinary handmade local art. Styles include Painting, Photography, Ceramics, Glass, Jewelry, Wood, and Printmaking, plus Handmade Clothing, Furniture and other delights. Between 20 and 25 artists will display and sell their wares each week.
In addition to local artisans the market will also include the following:
* A food and beverage booth hosted by local West End’s Coffee to a Tea.
* A sponsor’s tent
* A Student artist’s tent, featuring the work of a different local high school student each week.
* A children’s art activities area.
http://slamart.com/home.html
Block Parties
If you want to have a neighborhood block party and temporarily close your street, please fill out permit application at least 15 days in advance.
NEW Recycling Center will be opening at 514 Rutherford (between Foster and Parisview). The new building will be used for educational field trips. It will have electronic recycling and a community compost. More info to come. Got a question about what you can recycle? Check out the city’s recycling website at http://www.greenvillesc.gov/PublicWorks/AboutRecycling.aspx for useful information. (Thanks to Amy Ryberg-Doyle for the above information)
Compost Troubleshooting
Many of us are composting in order to improve the soil in our landscapes and gardens. For information on composting, visit http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/pdf/hgic1600.pdf
The following troubleshooting tips are provided by the cityAlways cover your compost pile with leaves. Add red wiggler worms to speed up the process.
What’s Happening and How To Fix It:
Smells like garbage…….Too wet, wrong food items included or not covered with browns Mix in dry leaves or sawdust
Pile is dry……..Not enough water or too much woody material Mix and moisten; chop materials into smaller pieces
Pile is damp, but not composting…….Lack of greens Mix in greens or remove excess woody material
Pile is smaller, but doesn’t look like compost……..Outside of the pile is dry, but inside is most likely composted…….Use non-decomposed material in a new pile. http://www.greenvillesc.gov/PublicWorks/Composting.aspx
Live Well Greenville
Live Well Greenville is a partnership of dozens of public and private organizations that aims to make Greenville County a healthier place to live, work, and play. Formed three years ago by the Piedmont Health Care Foundation, the coalition has engaged more than 100 key partners in crafting plans to create policies, systems, and environments in our community to make living well easier. Safe places to walk and bike, healthier foods in schools and workplaces, nutritious snacks in child care centers, better access to parks – these and other positive initiatives will be shepherded by the partners of LiveWell Greenville. http://livewellgreenville.org/
One upcoming event you don’t want to miss……Run a Mile in Her Shoes – Men’s High Heel Race. OK all you men….grab your high heels and run for charity!! June 12. 9 am. 631 S. Main Street. http://go-greenevents.com/event/id/325
A New Home for the Humane Society and an Expansion for ACS
Visit the Greenville Humane Society at their new facility….305 Airport Rd., not far from Haywood Mall. They are busy doing adoptions and now have an increased capacity for low cost spay/neuter services. They need volunteers for everything from walking dogs to unfolding newspaper (they go through a stack of unfolded paper 6 to 8 feet tall every day!) If you are saving your papers for the Humane Society or any other animal group, it would save them time if you would remove the slick paper ads first. (I can say this as a volunteer who spends a fair amount of time sorting and unfolding newspapers!) http://www.greenvillehumane.com/
As a volunteer, I also get asked how the Humane Society and Greenville County Animal Care Services (ACS) differ. Many thought they were one organization until the recent move. (Greenville ACS is still at their location on Furman Hall Road and has expanded into the areas that previously housed the Humane Society.) Greenville County ACS receives animals from Greenville County and municipalities’ Animal Control departments. ACS is an open admission facility, meaning they take in all animals…..owner surrender, strays, etc. Currently, the Humane Society only accepts owner surrendered animals. The Humane Society also has a larger focus on community education and outreach. Otherwise, the services offered are now similar. ACS’s new expansion will mean addition of the following services: adoptions, low-cost spay and neuter services, wellness services and humane education. Just like the Humane Society, ACS is looking for volunteers to aid in all areas. These new services will mean even more citizens will be able to afford needed services for their pets. In turn, it will help to reduce the numbers of unwanted animals and will help keep animals in homes with people who love them. http://www.greenvillecounty.org/acs/
Weather Tidbits
According to climate data, the average maximum temperature for Greenville in June is 85.5°F, the average low is 64.6°F and the average precipitation (rainfall) is 4.49”. The record maximum temperature for the period 1962-2006 was 100° F on June 5, 1985. The record minimum was 40°F on June 1, 1972. 1994 was the wettest June with 10.12” and the driest was 1993 with 0.17”. We typically have 7.7 days in June above 90°F. On June 1, 1903, 9.18 inches of rain fell in a 24 hour period in Walhalla and was considered a 100 year rainfall event.
This year has seen record breaking and devastating severe weather in much of the country. Tornadoes occur in every state except Alaska and Hawaii and SC ranks 19th in the US for tornado frequency.
NOAA’s 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook calls for a 65% chance of an above normal season. This outlook reflects an expected set of conditions that is conducive to above-normal Atlantic hurricane activity. The conditions expected this year have historically produced some active Atlantic hurricane seasons. Therefore, the 2011 season could see activity comparable to a number of active seasons since 1995. We estimate a 70% probability for each of the following ranges of activity during 2011: 12-18 Named Storms, 6-10 Hurricanes, 3-6 Major Hurricanes. The official NHC seasonal averages are 11 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes. http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/hurricane.shtml
Drought Status – Hope Mizzell, S.C State Climatologist stated, “The lack of rainfall coverage combined with the unseasonable hot weather has brought all counties into the first stage of drought. Over the last week daily evaporation rates have reached as high as 0.40″. Charleston reported the second driest May on record receiving only 0.41″ for the entire month.” Darryl Jones, S.C. Forestry Commission, reported the Keetch Byram Drought Index has reached drought criteria for all counties. Wildfire activity has picked up in the last couple of weeks. The high heat has already impacted the relative greenness of fine fuels in most of the State.
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/Drought/drought_current_info.php
Community Crime Update
We continue to see reports of thefts, especially from cars, in many parts of the city, including our neighborhood. The amazing thing is that the majority of the cars are unlocked! You would think people would learn! Please be diligent about locking your cars, your garages and your homes. Don’t leave yard tools or other items laying in the yard….that’s just an open invitation to someone to pick them up. Keep an eye on your neighbors, too, and if you see suspicious activity, please report it to the police non-emergency number at 271-5333. You can also let our neighborhood crime specialist, Courtney Palmer, know. Her email is cpalmer@greenvillesc.gov and her number is 467-5147. Let’s let people know that folks in our neighborhood are watching out for each other and the police are not far away if needed.
Commuter Challenge
Since the beginning of May, 57 participants in the Greenville ‘commuter challenge’ have commuted 3,000 miles, saved 100 gallons of gas, and prevented 2,000 lbs of CO2 from entering our air. Here’s how to join, click here and register on the World Commute website. Once registered, join the Bikeville group. Next, ask your friends, family, and co-workers to join and then start logging those bike trips. “We want to know how many of you are out there using your bicycle for transportation. World Commute is a FREE website and will allow us to quantify how much gas we saved and how much CO2 we kept from our air while getting much needed exercise.” Sign-up for this bicycling and greenways e-newsletter and others the City has to offer by going to this link http://www.greenvillesc.gov/publicinfo_events/enews.aspx
Helping Wild Birds Keep Cool
While wild birds have many ways to keep cool even on the hottest days, conscientious birders can easily help their backyard flock avoid the heat. Consider…..
Bird Baths: Provide a bird bath filled with clean, fresh water for birds to drink and bathe. The depth of the basin should be no more than 1-2 inches to accommodate bathing birds easily. On the hottest days, this water may evaporate quickly, so check regularly to keep it filled.
Misters and Drippers: Moving water will act as a billboard to passing birds that a refreshing drink or bath is available. Some bird species, such as hummingbirds, prefer misters or drippers instead of deeper bird baths, and providing multiple water sources will ensure all the birds can keep cool. http://birding.about.com/od/birdingbasics/a/howbirdskeepcool.htm
Wonder where your hummingbirds have been? I have hummingbird feeders up but noticed a decline in traffic recently….here’s why… ”When the females have young to feed, they spend most of their time looking for tiny insects rather than sipping nectar. Insects contain protein, which the nestlings need in order to grow as fast as they do. Once the young have fledged, the parents still continue feeding them for a few days until the youngsters have figured out how to catch their own food. That’s when you’re likely to see them at your feeders again.” http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/faq/season/summer/document_view
Calendar
City Council Formal Meeting and Work Session schedules can be found at http://www.greenvillesc.gov/city_government/meet.asp
June 11 – Red Cross Babysitter Training – 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Hughes Main Library. Greenville. http://www.greenvillelibrary.org/calendar/
June 18 – Project Rx Disposal Event – 10 am to 2pm. Participants can come to either location at McAlister Square (225 S. Pleasantburg) or St. Francis Downtown (Hwy 123 at St. Francis Drive). www.ariverremedy.org
June 18 – National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) fundraiser walk. Fluor Field. Registration 3PM. No fee to participate but donations accepted. http://www.namigreenvillesc.org/
June 21 – Native Plant Society Meeting. 7:00 pm – William Bartram’s Shoals Spider Lily in the Savannah River. Hymenocallis coronaria was first discovered by William Bartram in 1773 in the Savannah River Shoals. Dr Judy Gordon will describe new research on this population and the threats it faces. Meeting at Greenville Tec @ McAlister Square, 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville. http://www.scnps.org/activities_ups.html
Now Through October- Saturday Market – Over 50 vendors. Opens at 8 am. www.saturdaymarketlive.com and facebook.com/saturdaymarket
New this year, the market has partnered with The Children’s Museum to provide a kid-centric activities area every fourth Saturday of the month. Children of all ages are invited to participate in this free event!
June and July Educational Activities Include:
• June – Kids can bring in old tank tops and we will help them upcycle the tops into reusable farmers market shopping bags. They will also be able to decorate their new shopping bag. We will have tank tops for kids who don’t know about the project in advance, but we were hoping you would advertise for kids to bring them to help with supplies with your website and weekly farmer’s market email.
• July – We will bring our worm compost bin and the kids can explore a worm bin. They will also get to do a worm art project.
Upcoming Booth with a Cause Participants: June 11- Greenville Evening Rotary Club; June 18 -Foothills Animal Rescue ; July 16 – Phoenix Rising Border Collie Rescue. http://saturdaymarketlive.com/BoothWithACause.aspx
Upcoming Programs (Summer 2011) for the Bobby Pearse Community Center
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 864-467-4331.
Program Name: Yoga
Dates/ Time: June 13 – August 8; Mondays, 6:30-7:45pm
Fee: $5 per class for city resident; $6 per class for non-city resident OR $35 for the 8-week session paid in full for city resident; $42 for the 8-week session paid in full for non-city resident
Registration: on-line at www.greenvillesc.gov/ParksRec/CommunityCenter/
or if paying per class, fee may be paid upon arrival.
Description: This will be an 8-week beginner yoga class. The instructor, Brooke Kleinfelter, will teach the class at a beginner level; however, it will tailored to the participants, so all levels are welcome to join. No class on July 4th.
Program Name: Jr. Jazzercise Camps
Dates/ Time: Saturday Camp – July 9 – August 13, 2-3:30pm
Sunday Camp – July 10 – August 13, 2-3:30pm
Fee: $140 for all
Registration: Call 467-4331 or 346-4671
Description: We will be offering two Jr. Jazzercise Camps this summer at Bobby Pearse, one on Saturdays and one on Sundays, with both camps ending on Saturday, August 13 for a final performance. The ages for the camps are 7-14 years old. Jr. Jazzercise is a highly accredited youth fitness program that consists of workouts, nutrition and self-esteem lessons, dance performances and creative games!
Program Name: Monthly Writing Workshops: Out of your Head and onto the Pages
Dates/ Time: The second Sunday of the month: June 12 and August 14, 2-4pm
Fee: $5 per class
Registration: Register at http://www.emrys.org/workshops-seminars/
or the fee may be paid upon arrival to the class.
Description: In partnership with the Emrys Foundation, these writing workshops will be led by various members of the Writing Room faculty. They 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 new 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. All levels are welcome.
Program Name: The Greenville Chess Club
Dates/ Time: Every Thursday at 7pm
Description: The Greenville Chess Club meets at Bobby Pearse each Thursday evening at 7pm. Both rated and informal games are played, and everyone is welcome.
Program Name: The Greenville Storytellers Guild
Dates/ Time: 7-9pm on the 3rd Tuesday of each month
Fee: FREE
Description: Storytellers and listeners are welcome! The stories must be approximately ten minutes in length (or shorter) and appropriate for all audiences. Genres include local folk lore, ghost stories, family narratives and classic tales. The Greenville Storytellers Guild is open for anyone to join.
The use of trade names or advertisements in this publication does not constitute endorsement or discrimination by the North Main Community Association.
