NMCA 2019 Holiday Newsletter

Phyllis Gilreath Local Business

 

 

Welcome to Our Newest Business Members

Turneround Homes at Keller Williams Drive is a women-owned real estate team dedicated to providing top-notch service and a seamless real estate experience.  We are a team of professional women living in the N. Main, Augusta Road, Paris Mountain, and Five Forks areas.  With both Listing and Buyer Specialists, we are able to customize marketing plans and strategies to sell any home in the Upstate, as well as match our buyers with properties that meet their specific needs.  We think Greenville, SC and the surrounding areas are what dreams are made of!  Our team is dedicated to providing the absolute best customer service in finding or selling your home quickly!  Visit our website www.turneroundhomes.com, email us at shanda@turneroundhomes.com or call us at 843-696-3458.

 

MOPPS Cleaning Company offer weekly, bi-weekly and monthly cleaning in the Greenville County area.  They offer Deluxe Cleaning, Maintenance Cleaning, Office Cleaning, Move-in, Move-out Cleaning and more.  No matter the size of your home, who you live with, whether you need weekly cleanings, a single deep cleaning or a clean before you move in or out of your home. Mopps Cleaning Company is here for you! We offer flexible home cleaning plans that will easily suit your busy schedule and specific house-cleaning needs.  Call them at 864.906.2048, email customerservice@mopps.co or check out their website to find out more information or schedule an appointment.

 

 

 

Development & Other City News

 

  • Crime and Homelessness Meeting. For those who missed the Nov 28 neighborhood meeting, the following is a brief summary:

        Lt. Mike Austin and Officer Ben Sanders spoke about some key crime prevention issues.  One is line-of-sight.  They recommend pruning bushes around the house to no higher than 2 feet and trees no lower than 6 feet.  This allows police cruising the area to get a better look at anything that should not be there.  The same is true for fences.  While a privacy fence gives you privacy, it also gives privacy to a burglar.  Most porch lights only light up a small area directly in front of the door.  You can’t see what’s just around the corner, but criminals get a great view of you and what’s inside.  Consider motion sensitive lights to light a larger area.  Cameras seem to be popular right now but can give a false sense of security.  Just remember they don’t prevent crime, but they may be helpful in solving crimes.  Over the last 2 years at least 10 auto or house burglaries were solved with the help of some type of doorbell or other security camera.

        The city does have a  program called Safewatch.  You can register your security camera with the GPD’s voluntary camera registration program.  When an incident occurs, officers can identify nearby registered cameras, contact camera owners, and collect relevant evidence.  Learn more at this website.

Primary entry point is doors…often unlocked.  Windows are noisy. Alarm systems help police get there sooner.  Set lights on timers when out of town and let neighbors know.  Get deadbolts with 3-inch screws.  Over 90% of break-ins to homes and autos were a result of an unlocked door or something valuable in plain sight.  A clearly visible number on the house and/or curb is very important.

Our neighborhood contact in Zone 2 is Lt. Michael Hammett.  If it’s an emergency, call 911.  If it’s not an emergency and you have a question or concern, he provided his cell number…520-7194.  Leave a message and he will get back to you.  More information can be found at the GPD website.

       Susan McLarty, Greenville Homeless Alliance (GHA) Coordinator, provided a lot of great insight into the Homelessness Issue in Greenville.  There are many good services in the county…the problem is getting that information into the right hands.  Over 3,600 men, women and children experienced homelessness in the county in 2018-19.  The GHA is a coalition committed to making homelessness brief and rare.  Charged with looking for sustainable solutions to homelessness, they work to educate, advocate, collaborate and innovate with policymakers and the community.

Problems include lack of adequate housing, transportation, access to medical care, etc.  They have over 75 partners working collaboratively.  They encourage everyone in the community to become committed to ending homelessness and participate in creating a systemic and empathetic community-wide response to do so.

The 23-HEART (Homelessness Education, Assistance, Reduction and Transition) initiative was established by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Greenville Police Department, to provide a productive framework of cooperation among local law enforcement, non-profit organizations, businesses and faith-based groups to adequately address and provide solutions for the growing problem of homelessness in Greenville County.

In addition to the 23-HEART cooperative, a hotline has been established for anyone seeking emergency or transitional shelter, food provisions and medical care. The hotline numbers are 864-23HEART or 833-23HEART (toll-free).  They encourage cash donations for the homeless to be given ONLY to organizations that specialize in helping the homeless transition off the streets and into housing and employment.  They have a wallet size card that you can get at the United Ministries or City Hall in Ginny Stroud’s area of Community Development. It has a map on one side and listing of community resources for the homeless on the other.  Good to have if you are approached for help.   For additional information, we encourage you to take a look at the 2019 Report on Homelessness in Greenville County.

  • North Main Rotary Park and Bobby Pearse Community Center. NMCA Board and Shives Memorial

Garden representatives met Nov18 with city staff and others involved in updating the Rotary Park Master Plan. The focus was not the plans regarding the Bobby Pearse Community Center, although staff did respond to questioning.  Points expressed by residents (and responses) were:

~ The ball field is used a lot, especially by Greenville recreation leagues, but could be an asset for more community social events, if wine and beer were allowed on the property.  NMCA would work with staff to define guidelines that address concerns and controls.

~ A major priority is getting proper restrooms in place of the portable… either + (near the ball field) or as part of a renovated BPC building.

~ Grounds maintenance is an issue, especially when workers do not know which plants are weeds versus natives.  It was noted that much of the staff is new, so they are all on a learning curve.

~ Safety is a concern, largely due to the encroaching bamboo stands which offer transients and others a place to hide.

~ The wet area along the sidewalk to creek on the south of the ball field and current rain garden needs to be reworked.  More usable space would be available if that area did not flood, along with the sidewalk area over the bridge, during rain events.  One resident suggested such space might provide for a dog park.

~ We emphasized that the community is still strongly in support of having a community center.  This support was echoed by council members as well as the mayor and city manager at a council work session in October attended by NMCA reps.  Dave Modeen offered oral comments for clarity at the meeting and a written letter (in September) on behalf of NMCA to the new City Manager.  Staff said the strong community support is recognized and although a final decision has not been made, necessary inputs are almost complete and a management decision should be forthcoming.

In conclusion, we were advised staff may conduct a survey at some point to get additional public input.  While frustrating with the pace of progress, clearly, decisions on Bobby Pearse and the Park in general have been caught up in a major reevaluation of the overall City plans for Parks and Recreation facilities and maintenance.  In the long run, we expect that will provide a positive outcome.

 

Newly elected Council member John DeWorken has been involved in these and other meetings with staff and provided the following input:  “Members of the North Main community, like myself, are looking forward to the City fixing the Bobby Pearse Center.  It is my goal to have a community center that serves our neighborhood well. 

       I am optimistic.  The City is currently working with a private company to determine how to best fix the BPC and the cost associated with the repairs.  I am also cautiously optimistic that we have the support on Council to make these repairs a reality. 

       Getting sworn in on Monday December 9 to be your District 1 City Council representative, it is at that time that I will be in a better position to work to make sure the BPC is repaired as soon as possible. 

       If you have any questions for me, you can call or text my cell at 864.905.5529 or email me at jdeworken@gmail.com.”

 

New Real ID Cards

As you know, beginning October 1, 2020, your South Carolina driver’s license or identification card must have a gold star to show it’s a REAL ID in order to use it as your identification to board a domestic, commercial flight, enter a secure federal building, or visit a military installation  .You may have received a postcard in the mail that you are eligible to apply for your new Real ID card online to avoid long lines.  If not, or if you can’t find it, you can check this website to see if you are eligible.  I got mine this way.  It was easy, cost $25 and I got the card in the mail the next week.

 

 

Weather Tidbits

The average maximum temperature for Greenville in Dec is 54°F, and the average low is 34.  The average rainfall is 4.11”.  The record monthly high was 79 on Dec 10 & 11, 2007.  The maximum low temperature was 67 on Dec 2, 1991.  The minimum high temperature was 18 on Dec 31, 1917 (all-time record).  The minimum low was 3 on Dec 30,1917.  Maximum precipitation (rain) in a 24-hour period was 3.83” on Dec 29,1901.  The wettest December was in 1931 with 12.56”.  Record daily snowfall was 14.4” on Dec 17, 1930.  The last time we had a white Christmas was 2010 when we recorded 1.6” on Christmas day.  (Records are from 1884 to present.  Normals are from 1981 to 2010.)  http://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/index.php .

In spite of the recent snowstorm in the Midwest and Northeast, warmer-than-average temperatures are forecast for much of the U.S. this winter according to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. Although below-average temperatures are not favored, cold weather is anticipated and some areas could still experience a colder-than-average winter.  “Without either El Nino or La Nina conditions, short-term climate patterns like the Arctic Oscillation will drive winter weather and could result in large swings in temperature and precipitation.”

 

 

Greenville Fire Department Offers Free Safety Programs

Safety Programs:  If you would like to have a firefighter speak to your school or organization, please fill out the online Public Education Request form.  They also offer fire extinguisher classes, and classes on other topics.  They typically consist of a 20 to 25-minute video and Questions and Answers session. This will be followed up by a hands-on practical demonstration. Class length is determined by the number of participants. Hosts are responsible for providing a meeting room, television, and a DVD machine. Participants must be 18 years or older.

More home fires occur during the winter season than at any other time…over half of those are heating related.  Download these winter heating safety tips from the state fire marshal.

The Greenville City Fire Department provides smoke alarms and installation, free of charge, to city residents.  You may use the city address locator to verify you live in the city limits.  Fill out this Smoke Alarm Request to request a smoke alarm for your home, at no cost to you.

Smoke Alarms for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing:  These smoke alarms, commonly called “bed-shakers,” are not smoke alarms. Rather, they work with smoke alarms in the home to notify deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals of a possible life-threatening fire emergency. Fire Safe South Carolina is currently able to provide this life-saving technology to qualified applicants.  download the Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Smoke Alarm Program Application.

 

Remember Charities This Holiday Season

Charitable donations make a great gift for someone who’s hard to shop for or has everything.  If you’re considering donating to charity in someone’s name, check out Charity Navigator to see just where your money will go.  And remember, if you shop on Amazon, please use AmazonSmile and pick your favorite charity to receive a small portion of your purchase amount.  It all adds up!

The Northgate Soda Shop will have a container in the “Other Side” for non-perishable food items, coats, blankets, gloves, hats for The North Greenville Crisis Ministry. They will collect through December 21st. PLEASE SHARE SO WE CAN HELP OTHERS.

  

For Our Four-Legged Friends

During the holiday season, eating seems to be a major component of celebrating.  Don’t forget your pets and the dangers of some foods.  We all know about chocolate being a no-no, especially dark chocolate.  The Humane Society of the United States has a comprehensive list of foods that may be dangerous.  There are also many plants which have parts that are poisonous.  Some common houseplants include poinsettias (ALL parts are poisonous), caladiums, Easter lilies (all parts poisonous to cats), hyacinth, and philodendrons.  For a complete list, check out this website.  If you must have these plants, locate them where your pet cannot have access.

With so many pets being reported lost or found, please try and keep your pets either inside or in a fenced yard.  Have them microchipped and make sure they have a collar with ID tags and contact info. And remember, when we are celebrating the New Year with fireworks, this can be a terrifying time for animals, so be mindful of our furry friends.  There are tips on keeping animals calm during these times. Here are some from PETA:

  • The most soothing thing for scared dogs is to have their guardians close by. Distract your pet with games, brushing, petting, or food, and make sure that you act upbeat and calm to reinforce the idea that he/she doesn’t have a reason to be afraid.
  • Drowning out fireworks with white noise or, even better, with “Through a Dog’s Ear” CDs, which are specially created by a sound scientist, a veterinarian, and a concert pianist to calm anxious dogs, makes the loud booms seem less frightening, and shutting the curtains and keeping the lights on helps to camouflage any sudden bursts of light.
  • Melatoninis the best calming natural supplement for dogs, and you can find it at any health food store. Give your dog from 1 to 4 mg, depending on bodyweight, and try to give it a little ahead of the fireworks, if possible.
  • A Thundershirtmight also be a solution. This snug garment (based on the same principle as swaddling a baby) has a very high success rate at calming anxious dogs. Some have said even a snug T-shirt also works.

If you’re thinking that a cute puppy or kitten might be a great gift for the little ones in the house (or the adults, too), keep in mind that owning a pet is a responsibility and commitment not to be taken lightly.  Hopefully, he/she will become a family member. There are lots of animals that need homes, but they need good, forever homes.  First time pet?  Please considering fostering.  Just a little love and time is all it takes.  No cost at all!  Lots of animals only have the equivalent of a cold, and they get better faster in a home than in a cage.  And if you fall in love, you can always adopt but there are no obligations.

Check out Humane Society’s wish list for more ways to help.  Greenville County Animal Care (GCAC) also has a wish list of items they need.

And if you have stray cats in your neighborhood, try and provide some type of shelter, preferably in a dry, protected area not too close to the house.  Even a cardboard box on its’ side with a wool blanket in it can work. And if you have outdoor pets, please provide them with a warm place or bring them inside.

An open-admission shelter such as Greenville County Animal Care must take in all animals. Sometimes there may be a waiting list for owner surrender pets.   Some great news to end the year on!  To be considered ‘No-kill’, a shelter has to have a 90% or better life-saving rate.  In 2019, GCAC reached that goal, with a 90.5% life-saving rate!  This is a major milestone for an open-admission shelter!  Read more at this link.  Please help spread the word to friends and neighbors and encourage them to adopt, not shop.  Remember:  All animals at GCAC are only $35.

Newest F.E.T.C.H. Unit Member Introduced

In November, Stone Academy held a unique ‘gender reveal’ pep rally to introduce the newest furry member of the Canine F.E.T.C.H. Unit, Cookie, a yellow Labrador retriever. This dog was sponsored through the efforts of the Stone Acadamy, North Main Community Association, and community members, and will serve the patients of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center located on the Patewood Medical Campus.  This pooch will comfort and care for outpatient pediatric patients and family members.

 

For the Birds

Don’t forget about feeding birds in winter.  Water is often more critical than food…especially if this drought continues. Keep bird baths filled with clean water, and most important…keep a clean, thawed source of water available!  Though they can extract some moisture from their food, most birds drink water every day. Birds also use water for bathing, to clean their feathers and remove parasites. After splashing around in a bath for a few minutes, a bird usually perches in a sunny spot and fluffs its feathers out to dry. Then it carefully preens each feather, adding a protective coating of oil secreted by a gland at the base of its tail.

Birds are attracted to moving water. You can buy one of the commercially available products that drips or sprays water into a birdbath. Or recycle an old bucket or plastic container by punching a tiny hole in the bottom, filling it with water, and hanging it above the birdbath so the water drips slowly down.  http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/notes/BirdNote09_ProvideWater.pdf

 

Santa’s Workshop in McPherson Park            

Santa will be visiting the Sears Recreation Center on Saturday, December 7. Bring your camera and take a free photo with Santa. Yes, Santa will be checking his list by the chimney between 12pm and 2pm so kids will have their last chance to give him one more hint. There will also be cookies, elves, and crafts! This event is FREE and open to the public so come join in on the fun. For more information call Sears Recreation Center at 864-467-4326.

 

NMCA Fall Social

Thanks to all those who came out and enjoyed the fall social at the Northgate Soda Shop.  Thanks especially to Iris and Ren for hosting.  Enjoy a few of the photos below.  For more, check out our Facebook page.

 

 

 

 Shop 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. Hover your mouse over each company name to read a brief description or click 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.  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 several programs for adults and children during the holidays. Check out their calendar
  • Don’t forget about a great local resource for family activities. Macaroni Kid lists all kinds of local activities for kids and families.
  • For a list of Dec events at the Upcountry History Museum, check out their website listing.
  • For other community events including info on Main Street Fridays, Downtown Alive, Reedy River Concerts, and other special events, check out the City Calendar.
  • Kidding Around Greenville has listed over 75 things to do in the Greenville area this holiday season.

Dance Ventures is accepting Adult Students for New Classes in Tap, Ballet, Jazz and cardioTapdance® that will start in January, 2020.  See the ad in this newsletter for more information or text 864.277.7701 for more info or questions.

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

Dec – The Children’s Museum of the Upstate has lots of holiday events for kids.  Check out their calendar for more information.

Ongoing – Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Line Dancing, Lindy Hop and International Folk Dance at the Sears Shelter at McPhearson Park.  Dances are taught in a fun and easy way with a variety of music. No partner or dance knowledge required. Two left feet are fine. Bring your friends and have some fun. Check out the Parks and Rec website for times and registration for each.

Check out the events at the Carolina Music Museum at Heritage Green.

Dec 1 – 31 – St. Francis Festival of Trees.   Enjoy the beauty of the holiday season by strolling through spectacularly decorated trees lining the interior of four hotels in downtown Greenville.

Dec 5 – 7 – Holiday Fair Greenville. The region’s largest holiday arts, crafts, and gift show. The Greenville Convention Center transforms into a winter wonderland offering opportunities to find that one-of-a-kind gift for the Christmas Season. Exhibitors include more than 350 crafters and commercial vendors from 15 states in this three-day award-winning fair.

Dec 5 – Night of Lights.  5 – 8pm. Count down with Mayor White as we light the official Christmas tree and turn on all of the holiday plaza lights. This exciting FREE event includes food trucks and vendors, live music and a special visit from Santa Claus. Also, stop by United Community Bank Ice on Main for a special glow skate. All skaters receive glow sticks and a voucher to return to the rink at a discounted rate. The official tree lighting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Main Street, from Broad Street to Court Street.

Dec 7 – Poinsettia Christmas Parade.   6 to 7:30 p.m. The route stretches along Main Street from Augusta to North streets.

Dec 7 – Safari Santa.  11am – 1pm The Greenville Zoo kicks off the holiday season with Safari Santa – a free (with admission) event for all ages. Kids can take their picture with Santa and the first 100 children receive a free cookie while enjoying a day at the zoo.

Dec 13 – Northgate Soda Shop Christmas Party.  7pm.  Please bring a dish to share with everyone.  If you would like to participate in the “Rob Santa” fun time, bring a wrapped gift with a cost between $10 and $15.

Dec 14 – TD Saturday Market – Holiday Edition.  10am – 2pm.  Click here for a list of Holiday vendors.

Dec 17 – Christmas with the Chorale, 7:30 PM, McAlister Auditorium, Furman University. One of the Upstate’s most popular and enjoyable holiday traditions is this Chorale concert of Christmas favorites. This year’s program will include the beautiful “Ceremony of Carols” by Benjamin Britten, traditional carols and an audience sing-along to the beloved 12 Days of Christmas. A special performance by High Point Academy Honors Concert Choir, directed by Chase McAbee. For tickets, call 864-467-3000.  $35 Adult $20 Student $5 Age 12 and under.

Dec 20 – Karaoke.  Northgate Soda Shop.  8:30 – 12:30 am.

Dec 21 – Santa Run. 9am.  Kroc Center.   The Santa Run 5k course runs through downtown Greenville including Main Street, Falls Park and the River Walk. Don your favorite Christmas-themed costume and don’t forget the jingle bells. Join the holiday throng of Santas, Reindeers, Elves and Elvises as we take to the streets of downtown. Spread the Joy!

The Jingle Trot follows the same route as the Santa Run through downtown. The only difference is that it ends in a “doggie area” off the main field. Proceeds from the JINGLE TROT go to support the facility and staff at Greenville County Animal Care. Fleas Navidad!

Now through Jan 20– Ice on Main. United Community Bank Ice on Main is located next to the Courtyard Marriott and City Hall on the Village Green at Main@Broad. Admission is $10 per adult and $8 per child (12 and under), which includes skate rental. For daily updates visit their FB page.

Jan 10-12, 2019.   Don’t miss the newest cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs as they cruise into the Greenville Convention Center for the South Carolina International Auto Show .  Close the loop on your auto research, experience the latest in-car technology and see customs, classics and exotics that most can only dream about. Show goers are also invited to take their favorite vehicle for a spin, with dozens of the latest models available for test drives!

Jan 18 – Run Downtown 5K. 9:00 - 11:00 AM.  The 42st annual Greenville News Run Downtown 5K is one of the oldest, largest and most-popular 5K runs in the state. The run/walk is presented by The Greenville News and Greenville Track Club. It is also a GTC Corporate Shield event and is a part of the Greenville Track Club running series. The certified course will begin in front of Soby’s Restaurant, head down South Main Street, wrap back toward North Main Street and end with a finish line in front of The Greenville News building.

 

The NMCA Board would like to wish you all a very safe and happy New Year!

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

 

NMCA 2019 Holiday Newsletter
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