NMCA Newsletter (August 2017)

Phyllis Gilreath Announcements

 

 

*The Board of Directors now meets the first Tuesdays of most months at 6:00 PM at the Bobby Pearse Community Center.  Members are welcome to attend. Please email northmaincomm@gmail.com in case there is a location change and to insure we are meeting that month.

 

August 22 is the first day of school here in Greenville.  This is a day later than usual to give all a chance to view the solar eclipse…a once in a lifetime experience.  For a copy of the 2017-18 school calendar just click here.  Please watch out for walkers and bikers on your morning and afternoon commutes.  Be safe!

Make sure the eclipse glasses you get are certified for safety.  According to the American Astronomical Society, “We used to say that you should look for evidence that they comply with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard for filters for direct viewing of the Sun. But now the marketplace is being flooded by counterfeit eclipse glasses that are labeled as if they’re ISO-compliant when in fact they are not. So now we suggest that you make sure you get (or got) your eclipse viewers from one of the suppliers listed on our Reputable Vendors of Solar Filters & Viewers page.”

Welcome to our Newest Business Members

Servpro of West Greenville Residential and Commercial Restoration and Cleaning Services “provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any size disaster. Our highly trained technicians can respond immediately to your residential or commercial emergency.  As a locally owned and operated business, we live and work in this community, too. We are close by and ready to respond immediately when you need cleaning or restoration services. We’re also part of a national network of over 1,700 Franchises, which allows us to respond quicker with more resources. For major storms and disasters, we can even call upon special Disaster Recovery Teams for additional resources.”  They can be contacted by phone at (864) 292-8570, via email at  office@servpro10560.com or their website or FB page.

Comprehensive and Cosmetic Dental Studio of Greenville is a new dental office located at 644 N. Main St., Suite 111, just down from Two Chefs restaurant.  A native of Easley, Dr. Bullard graduated from The University of South Carolina and went on to The Medical University of South Carolina, graduating in 1999.  “We focus on having a positive attitude and forming a relationship with our patients through listening, teaching, and always communicating in an open and empathetic way.  We are enthusiastic about our mission to serve you through world class oral health care in a warm, caring, joyful, honest, and earnest environment.” They offer basic dentistry and cleaning as well as restorative work, appliance therapy and bleaching/cosmetic dentistry. You can reach them at 864-520-2942 or contact them at info@greenvilledentalstudio.com

 

 

 

Development and Other News

  • I’m sure you’ve all noticed the work going on at NorthPointe. The city planning and economic development departments are beginning to plan for possible public improvements along this gateway which includes Wade Hampton, Church and Stone Ave.  They are meeting with property owners and will host a public meeting this fall to gather community input.

They will also be starting the new intersection at Wade Hampton Boulevard and East Stone Avenue Wednesday, August 9th. They will be temporarily closing the section of Wade Hampton between Column Street and East Stone Avenue and will have a detour in place. They anticipate the detour lasting until October 20th; see the  temporary routing diagram below.

Additionally, the timing of the new traffic signals will be modified for the duration of the detour to accommodate the new route. They ask that you please be respectful of the people who call North Main home, and do not use the residential streets to bypass the road work. To reiterate, the traffic signals are being re-timed to keep traffic moving in a relatively normal fashion around the work.

The majority of this work will be completed in the DAYTIME!!!  They anticipate minimal overnight work for this section of roadwork.  Why is this highlighted?  Their biggest complaint since starting work is the noise at night. However, SCDOT will not allow work within 10′ of the road without closing a lane (worker safety!), but because of the volume of traffic, would also not allow closure of lanes during the day. With complete closure of this section of Wade Hampton, the majority of the work will be during the day and will get completed faster.

The new Trolley route officially began Thursday, August 3. Thanks to all the NMCA members who responded to our survey many months ago. Your efforts paid off! The Heart of Main and Top of Main (ours) routes will operate year-round. Reportedly 3000 passengers rode the new routes last weekend!  Let’s keep it going!  Operating days and hours for all four routes are:

  • Thursdays, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Fridays, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Sundays, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Currently the northernmost stop for the Top of Main Route is on N. Main, at Edge Ct.  According to a Greenlink spokesperson, Greenlink is open to adding stops along the Top of Main route and is currently awaiting the completion of the Northpointe development and associated intersection improvements to Wade Hampton and Stone Avenue before proceeding with additional stops.  They will be evaluating this initial service and making changes based on what is observed from now through October 31st; this includes adding and/or removing stops.  One stop that will likely be considered is Gallivan Rd. To see a map of all the trolley routes, click here.  Trolleys will only pick up and drop off passengers at designated stop locations.  And, to answer one member’s question, Greenlink only allows service animals onboard any of its vehicles.

To hopefully answer some questions before they get asked… the current stop was considered the closest, safest, and most level stop surface they could find to get passengers to the Soda Shop and the nearby residences. Greenlink must abide by ADA law which requires a minimum 5’ wide x 8’ deep level stop pad to accommodate passengers of varying mobility needs. They also chose this area as it’s the closest to the crosswalk to accommodate anyone travelling from the north to access the stop.  Also, the uncertainty of detours and road closures associated with the NorthPointe development prevented them from adding stops that they may have not been able to service entirely in this first season.

  • The first sensory-deprivation tank business, Drift Float & Spa is shooting for a mid-October opening at Main & Stone between Ji-RōZ and Two-Chefs. Flotation therapy is a sensory deprivation treatment that allows the user to float in warm salt water in a float tank. Water is kept at skin temperature, around 93., and the pods are insulated against sound.
  • You may have also noticed two additional businesses are making their home in North Main. In Site Design will be one of the occupants at the old Shinola location and SHLTR Architects will be opening in the small building next to the Community Tap.

 

Meet Your New Legislators at Community Tap

Less than one year ago, the North Main area voted in two new legislators, Senator William Timmons and Rep. Jason Elliott.  Join the North Main Community Association and our North Main neighbors, with both Sen. Timmons and Rep. Elliott, at the Community Tap on Tuesday, September 12th for a drop-in from 5:00 to 7:00pm.  

No formal agenda will be planned – just an opportunity to join up with neighbors and these two legislators for an informal drop-in.  It is a great time to get to know them better and ask questions about goings on at the State House.  No RSVP is required.  Cash bar.

Questions?  Contact NMCA President John DeWorken on his cell at 864-905-5529.

 

 

If you have renewed or joined this year and not received a decal for your car or business and would like one, please email northmaincomm@gmail.com and we’ll get one to you.  Thanks… and we hope you’ll display them on your car window or, if you are a business, in a visible location to show your support for our community.  We are in the process of updating our membership and mailing list, so if you haven’t renewed, please do it now.  Not sure? Email Dave at djmodeen@gmail.com and he’ll let you know.

 

 

 

Weather Tidbits

August is the month when summer begins its slow crawl towards autumn, but not before a few more hot days and thunderstorms!

According to climate data from 1884 to the present, the average maximum temperature for Greenville in August is 89°F, and the average low is 69°F.  The average rainfall for the month is 4.48”. The maximum high was 105 on August 10, 2007. The maximum low temperature was 78 on August 16 and 11, 1995 and 2007.  The minimum high temperature was 61 on August 21 and 27, 1949 and 1944.  The minimum low was 50 on August 29, 30, 1905. Maximum precipitation (rain) in a 24-hour period was 9.32” on August 26, 1995.  http://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/index.php .

Colorado State University hurricane researchers continue to predict an above-average Atlantic hurricane season. They cite both neutral El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions and a warmer than normal tropical Atlantic as the primary reasons for this above-average prediction.  The CSU Tropical Meteorology Project team is predicting a total of 11 additional named storms to form after Aug. 1. Of those, researchers expect eight to become hurricanes and three to reach major hurricane strength

Extremely hot conditions can also be dangerous for humans and pets.  Please check on elderly neighbors and make sure pets have a steady, clean supply of water and somewhere shady to cool off.

More on the eclipse:   At 2:36:02 pm, the shadow of the great 2017 total eclipse first touches the final state in its path. South Carolina also brings us the fifth state capital to be immersed in shadow, and several large cities will be able to play host to eclipse-chasers from all over. Greenville is a very large city, and it is fully in shadow by 2:38pm.

 

  “Be Prepared”

How many of you remember this phrase from your scouting days?  It still applies today!  We are still in Hurricane season and as you have seen, weather everywhere seems to be getting more unpredictable and more dangerous. Regardless of the disaster or emergency situation, planning ahead can make a difference in the outcome for you and your family.  NMCA recently received some helpful links for information from Meagan Clark at Preparedness Guide.  It Includes pet safety as well.

 

August Gardening

The weather this year has been anything but predictable.  Hard to believe it’s already August and things are starting to lose that bright green hue.  Your fescue lawn may be a little thin (after all, it’s a cool season grass).  If you plan to plant trees or shrubs, start planning now, but late fall and winter are the best times to plant.

This is a good month to apply a complete fertilizer to warm season lawns (centipede, zoysia, Bermuda, St. Augustine).  Summer is also a good time to aerate them.  For cool season lawns such as fescue, it’s better to wait until it’s cooler.  Just remember it will need about a month of good growing weather to recover after aerating.  Summer perennials and annuals are starting to fade, but don’t be too quick to remove those seed heads.  Many birds rely on the seed heads as an important source of food in the fall and winter.

You can still do some pruning this month.  Just remember for Summer-Flowering Plants:  Prune before spring growth begins (produce flowers on current season’s growth).  Spring-Flowering Plants:  Prune after flowering (produce flowers on previous season’s growth).   When either annuals or perennials get scraggly, cut them back about 1/2 way and fertilize. Continue to water them and as the days start to get cooler they can bounce back and give you some more color.  Order your spring blooming bulbs now for planting this fall.

August is one of the hottest months of our year. Container gardens will dry out faster now. Small containers might have to be watered twice a day. Keep in mind that it’s better to wake your plants up wet and put them to bed dry!

I’m finally seeing more butterflies lately, such as the yellow tiger swallowtail pictured here (SC’s state butterfly).  Of the three butterfly periods each year, late summer to fall is the most active.  That’s why it’s important to plan and have some late blooming butterfly attracting plants in your garden.  Also check this site for a list of butterfly plants.  Many also attract hummingbirds.

 

 Greenville Woodworker Guild’s Youth Program

The Greenville Woodworker’s Guild has a great youth program for those interested in woodworking.  It is their mission to provide a safe learning and working environment in a dedicated area of the Education Center for use of the youth program participants.  The program will provide developmentally appropriate practices and activities in which young woodworkers can work to develop skills and construct projects that exemplify an age appropriate understanding of woodworking and assist in the promotion of the physical, cognitive, social and creative development of the young woodworker as it relates to woodworking.  Programs are provided for teens, charter school seniors and Scout merit badge requirements.  Parents must complete a Registration Consent Form and Liability Release Form.

 

This Month’s Trivia

How many baseball fans do we have out there?  To show you how times (and prices!) have changed, take a look at the following costs related to baseball games in 1946 compared to 2012:

World Series Tickets:              Then: $1.20 – $6.25              2012: $110 – $1,040

Hot dog and a Beer:                Then:  50 cents                    2012: $10.25

Program:                                  Then:  25 cents                    2012: $15.00

Winning Players Bonus:          Then:  $3,742.34                  2012: $377,002.64

Ring:                                         Then:  $100                          2012: $10,000 (estimated) 

 

For Our Furry Friends

Reminder: Community Cat Program – A lot of folks still are not aware of Animal Care Services (ACS) Community Cat Program which is helping to reduce the number of unwanted cats and kittens and work towards making Greenville County a no-kill community. Cats are trapped, neutered, ear-tipped (the universal symbol of a sterilized cat), and returned to their outdoor home.  FOR FREE!!  Tell your friends and neighbors!  Unwanted or abandoned cats living outdoors full-time in Greenville County are eligible.  You can borrow a humane cat trap at ACS with a refundable deposit. No appointment is needed when bringing in community cats. Instead, drop-off time is between 10AM – 4PM Mondays through Thursdays (No Friday drop offs). If you arrive after 12PM the cat may not be spayed or neutered until the following day.  Then you simply return the cat to its original location. Call their community cat info line for more information: (864) 467-3981.  All adoptions are only $35.  And don’t forget that all dogs over 40 lbs are free this summer.

Mark your calendar for the August 26 “Shoeless Jam”. “This homegrown music festival is guaranteed to be a good time. The entire festival is benefitting Animal Care, and we’ll have adoptable dogs out to enjoy the event. See us at our booth or stop a volunteer to talk about how you can save lives!”  See website for more info on times and bands.

Greenville Humane Society also supports TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) efforts in Greenville by offering discounted surgery, vaccine, flea/tick treatment, and ear-tipping prices for the feral cats in our community.  Check out their website for details.  Precious Not Parents:  For a limited time only, GHS is offering spay and neuter surgeries for puppies and kittens under 4 months old for only $20.00! Save 60% on already affordable prices by booking your appointment now!

Did You Know?

A friend recently told me that a woodpecker’s tongue wraps all the way around its head.  Skeptical me… I had to check it out.  According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, woodpeckers do not get headaches from banging on trees. They have thickened skulls and powerful neck muscles that enable them to deliver sharp blows without damaging their organs. For storage, the tongue is curled around the back of the head between the skull and skin.  So, when it’s not extended to capture insects, this storage position actually helps cushion its head.

 

Other interesting bird facts:

  • A bird’s heart beats 400 times per minute while resting and up to 1000 beats per minute while flying.
  • The homing pigeon, Cher Ami, lost an eye and a leg while carrying a message in World War I. Cher Ami won the Distinguished Service Cross. Its leg was replaced with a wooden leg.
  • Birds have hollow bones which help them fly.
  • One bird behavior, called anting, is almost comical. It can be active, where a bird rubs an ant under its wings, or passive, such as when a bird crouches on an anthill with its wings and tail spread, allowing ants to crawl freely throughout its feathers. One common belief is that anting controls parasites (via lactic acid), such as biting lice and feather mites, which live in the inner catacombs of a bird’s plumage. They also use a similar position for sunbathing.
  • Crows are highly adept at recognizing human faces. What’s more, research shows they use their keen perceptive abilities to distinguish between good and bad humans, forming opinions that can last for years! Scary, huh?

                                    

 Buy Local

 

Keep your dollars in your community. The following companies are committed to preserving the beauty and economic well-being of the North Main Community and the greater Greenville area.  Please thank them and give them your business when you can. Click on the company name to go to their website:


 

 

Gardening and Plants

 Law Firms/CPAs/Financial

Insurance

Retail/Home Décor

Realtors

Food/Drink/Catering

Personal Health/Well Being

Home Improvement/Builders/Architects

Miscellaneous Professional Services

If you would like to see your company listed here, please join the NMCA today!  Businesses do not have to be located in the North Main Neighborhood to be members.  They only need to provide services to North Main residents.

 

Calendar

 

City Council Formal Meeting and Work Session schedules can be found at http://www.greenvillesc.gov/city_government/meet.asp

  • The Hughes Main Library has numerous programs for adults and children. Check out their August calendar.
  • The Children’s Museum has summer camps and other great programs for kids. Check them out on their website.
  • Check out the current exhibits and other programs at the Upstate History Museum.
  • Don’t forget about a great local resource for family activities. Macaroni Kid lists all kinds of local activities for kids and families.
  • And check out Kidding around Greenville, a great site for fun things to do in Greenville.

Every Tuesday – Line Dancing at the Sears Shelter at McPhearson Park from 6 – 8pm.  Swing Dance – McPherson Log Cabin each Tuesday evening. Lessons begin at 7pm. $4 for City residents! No partner or dance knowledge required. Two left feet are fine. Bring your friends and have some fun.

August– There’s always lots going on at the Community Tap.  Check out their calendar.

August– Check out the classes and other events at the Swamp Rabbit Café

August 10-20 – Restaurant Week Greenville.  gives local, regional and national food lovers the opportunity to enjoy amazing values during dinner at participating casual and high-end South Carolina restaurants. Restaurant Week’s goal is to position South Carolina as one of the top culinary destinations in the nation by increasing awareness of the many dining opportunities available in the state, as well as stimulating business and revenue for restaurants throughout South Carolina.

August 18 – Karaoke with Vannah.  Northgate Soda Shop.  8:30 pm – 1am.  Kitchen will be open till 9pm.

August 22 – First day of school. See the 2017-2018 school calendar here.

August – Nov 16 –  Earth Market at the Swamp Rabbit Café and Grocery.  First and Third Thursdays, 3:30 – 7pm.   Also Saturdays at the Traveler’s Rest Farmers Market from 9am – noon.

August 18 11:00 AM - August 19, 6:00 PM.  The 10th Annual SHE Weekend (formerly known as the Upstate Women’s Show) TD Convention Center.  An event full of shopping, creating, learning, tasting, making, laughing, and having a great time! We formally invite you to experience the 10th Annual SHE Weekend, with more unique vendors, more choices, extended hours, more activities, and more fun! Scott Reeves and Steve Burton will appear on Saturday afternoon! (Their beneficiary this year is Greenville County Animal Care with a portion of the proceeds going to their Second Chance Fund.)

August 25 – ZooTunes.  6:30 PM - 10:00 PM.  A fundraiser for the Greenville Zoo with drinks, foods and music.

August 26 – India Day. T.D. Stage at the Peace Center.  10am – 10pm.  Display of Indian Cultural program including folk dances, fashion show, display of arts and crafts and Indian Cuisine.

Sept 1 – SC Hall of Fame College Football Kick-Off. 5pm – 10pm.  935 S. Main St.  Live music, food trucks, beer/wine and mobile SC Football Hall of Fame mobile museum at event. Raising awareness for the SC Football Hall of Fame and promoting memberships.  Free live concert, plus food, drink, and SCFHOF Inductees and special guests to hang out with. Sam Wyche, Coach Ford, and George Rogers are scheduled to attend and will be able to sign pictures and get your pictures taken with them. More information on the musical acts are coming soon.  Volunteers are needed to help setup and tear down the event; man 2 registration tents, the Kid Zone, food tents, and beer tents. We will also need some volunteers to help with the music acts, special guests at the SCFHOF Mobile Museum and Fan Experience. All Volunteers don’t necessarily have to stay the whole time, but we will need help all the way through the event from 5-10:30 pm.  

Sept 4 – Labor Day.  All City offices and Greenlink will be closed. Since the Labor Day holiday falls on Monday, trash/recycle pick up will be a day late.

Sept 8 – Sippin’ Safari 6:30- 9:30 pm.  The annual sampling event presented by the Greenville Zoo Foundation transforms the Greenville Zoo into a pathway of wine and food tasting stations, live music, tours of the zoo and a silent auction not to be missed. The purpose of Sippin’ Safari is to raise awareness and funds for various programs around the zoo and Greenville Zoo Foundation.

Sept 8 – 10 – Weecycled Wear Children’s Consignment Sale.  TD Convention Center, Hall 2.

Public Sale:   

  • Friday, September 8th, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 9th, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, September 10th, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (select items 1/2 price)

Check website for additional information on entering items, New mom, dad and grandparent sale, etc.

 

The use of trade names or advertisements in this publication does not constitute endorsement or discrimination by the North Main Community Association.

 

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NMCA Newsletter (August 2017)