*The Board of Directors meets the first Wednesday of most months at 6:30 PM at the Bobby Pearse Community Center …check the website for the date of the next meeting or email pgilreath@aol.com for the location and if we are meeting that month. Any members are welcome to attend board meetings.
Renew Your NMCA Membership Today!
You should be receiving renewal notices soon to kick-start the membership for 2014. If you’ve already renewed for 2014, thank you! If not, you can save us a stamp and go ahead and renew now via PayPal at our website or mail your $10 annual membership dues to PO Box 571, Greenville, SC 29602. Thank you!
Note: If you choose to donate via Paypal, once you’ve donated, click the button to “Return to North Main Community Association”. This will direct you to choose Individual or Business and prompt you to fill in your name and address and to select any issues or areas you are interested in.
HOG Day
On Saturday, January 18, NMCA participated in the MLK Service day with Hands On Greenville (HOG) by sponsoring a work day at our wonderful Rotary Park. Thanks to Park Committee Chair Jo Anne Conner for organizing the event and a big thank you to the volunteers who participated. Low 20 degree weather made it a challenge, but it was sunny and did warm up to the upper 30’s. In addition to Board Members Bob Bainbridge, Joyce Murphy and Jim Gilreath, we had four “new” volunteers who signed up on the United Way HOG site. Thanks to Carol and Jon Henson, Erin Williamson and Bruce Nolan. As you can see from the photos, we spent a lot of time on the bamboo near the basketball court, but also weeded the Triangle Bed and trimmed and cleaned out the ivy on the big bank, and Joyce cleaned out the Beauty Berry bed below the basketball court. Look for our next workday in March…tentative date is March 22…we’ll keep you posted with final date. At that time we will cut back the Beauty Berry, kudzu, more ivy and elaeagnus. We can always use more help!
Travel Inn Property Update
The Travel Inn Property on Wade Hampton is under contract. There is a private developer interested in building market rate apartment homes. A community meeting was held January 29. The majority of the discussion revolved around the design of the building, which was described by several as “dated” and “pedestrian”, with no interesting architectural features. There will be 109 units, with 182 bedrooms and baths, and equivalent parking spaces. (See rendering below.) The developer offered to look at any preferred design ideas that were sent to him, but he will be seeking Planning Commission approval in less than two weeks. There was concern about the size of the buildings. Traffic concerns were expressed, both with the difficulty of turning left onto Wade Hampton and cut-through traffic into the neighborhoods behind the apartments. There was some support expressed for the project but it was primarily based on the fact that Wade Hampton is in need of anything new. The majority of the opinions seemed to express a desire for a better looking development….not trendy, but not dated, and something that will encourage other good investment.
According to Amy Doyle, the developer, architect and civil engineers met with the City planning staff on February 3. The goal of the meeting was to address the multi-family design guidelines. Their application is in for the planning commission meeting for February 13 at 4pm, 10th floor council chambers at City Hall.
Small hands: BIG HEARTS
From Jonathan Jones, Bobby Pearse Center Supervisor….”The Small Hands, Big Hearts Holiday Service Project was a huge success. The students of the Bobby Pearse Community Center’s After School Program donated a total of 135 Bobby Bucks. Their donation amount far exceeded our expectations and we cannot tell you how proud we are of each of them. With the generosity of the North Main Community Association and its’ kind residents, $300 was raised to support this project and the children of the Shriners Hospital of Greenville. $300 worth of brand new toys were purchased and donated to the hospital on December 20, 2013. The Shriners volunteers and the Shriners children were extremely grateful and appreciative of this effort. This simple act of kindness definitely spread the joy of the season and achieved its goal of sharing smiles. On behalf of the children of the City of Greenville’s Bobby Pearse After School Program and the Bobby Pearse Staff, we would like to thank the North Main Community Association and its’ residents for their support and generosity in making this project a success. We are grateful and appreciative to be a part of this community.”
2013 Financial Report
As required in the by-laws, we provide members with an annual financial report which is as follows:
Beginning Balance, January 1, 2013 – $2879.93
Ending Balance, December 31, 2013 – $3605.94
Major Expenditures: $3148.44
Dogwood Trees for North Main median: $1500.00
Plants for Earle Street corners and Welcome Sign on Hill by Rite-Aid: $326.77
Spring Social and Membership Drive: $431.32
US Postal Service box rental – $124.00
Office Supplies, copying, postage, etc. – $656.35
Support of Bobby Pearse children’s programs – $100.00
Income from Membership Dues – $3391.70
The Dating Game: Food Waste
Most of you have been hearing on the news about the huge amount of food that is wasted due to a misunderstanding of the food labeling system. A recent NRDC (National Resources Defense Council) report, produced in conjunction with the Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic, provides information on the current laws as well as offers recommendations to decrease food loss. “The biggest problem is that consumers think the labels are about food safety and they’re not.” Read more here.
On that same topic, beginning next summer, landfill-bound garbage trucks in Massachusetts might smell a little less putrid thanks to a new regulation that would prohibit any generator of more than a ton of food scraps per week from hauling those scraps to the landfill…joining their neighbors Vermont and Connecticut. New York is considering it, too. Massachusetts expects to be sending much of the food waste to hungry people, animal-feed producers, commercial composters, and high-tech anaerobic digesters which convert waste to energy and fertilizer. “Let the food fight begin.” http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/service/energy/anaerobic-digestion/anaerobic-digestion-questions-and-answers.html
Thank You!
Thanks to all those who donated money, clothes, etc. to help the couple who lost all their belongings in a house fire last month. This is only one of the things that make this a great neighborhood to live in!
Thoughts on Tree Canopy
On Saturday, February 1, the Greater Greenville Master Gardeners held their annual symposium. One of their guest speakers was Gordon Hayward a nationally recognized garden writer, designer, and lecturer from Vermont. Arriving on Friday afternoon, Mr. Hayward had an opportunity to be shown around Greenville. Not surprising to those who live in the North Main area who were in attendance, Gordon was most impressed by the tree canopy both downtown and in the North Main Neighborhood. He even incorporated his impression of the ‘dogwood boulevard’ on North Main Street into his presentation, calling out the beauty of the trees and the design. It tied right in to his talk about Fine Painting as Inspiration for Garden Design.
We thought you should know because your dues help to maintain the ‘dogwood boulevard’. The NMCA recently contributed $1500 to the City for replacement trees. They will be planted soon. That’s what the flags in the North Main median indicate….where a new tree will go.
Also, that’s why we keep pushing for a residential tree ordinance…there currently is none! We are represented on the city’s infill task force by NMCA President Bob Bainbridge who is trying to keep tree canopy and impervious surfaces on the agenda. We will see if any progress is made when they present the draft ordinance at a public hearing TBD. Stay tuned!
City to Continue Tree Restoration and Replacement Downtown
On Monday, Feb 10, the City will continue its ongoing tree restoration and replacement program along Main Street between Beattie Place and East Court Street. The project will include corrective pruning of selected trees, tree restoration and root mitigation and removal and replacement of some declining maples… Also included in this year’s program is pruning the oaks along Main Street to perform general crown cleaning and removal of deadwood and mistletoe. The work will be performed by Schneider Tree Care, and is expected to be completed by mid-March. While closure of some sections of sidewalk may be necessary, access to downtown businesses will remain open and every effort will be made to minimize the impact of the tree work on merchants and their customers.
“Feline Fix” For Cat Owners in the 29609 Zip Code
Through this project, Greenville Animal Care Services (GCACS) hopes to significantly reduce the burgeoning feline population of the 29609 community and reduce the number of unwanted and stray cats living within these communities. How to Qualify and Sign Up to get a FREE cat spay or neuter: Surgeries are by appointment only. If you live in the 29609 zip code you are eligible. You may email us at petvet@greenvillecounty.org to make a request, on our online SPAY-NEUTER REQUEST FORM for an appointment, call our spay-neuter clinic (467-SPAY), or stop by and talk with our clinic receptionists about the “Feline Fix” grant. We will ask you to show and/or bring proof of residency in the 29609 zip code. “Proof of residency” can be a driver’s license, or a piece of mail showing your name and address. If you call in and make an appointment over the phone, proof of residency will be required at the time you drop off your cat to be spayed or neutered. (Made possible by a grant from PetSmart.)
GCACS is also celebrating World Spay Day with $5 male cat neuters during the month of February. More than 10,000 homeless cats are brought into the GCACS each year, especially during the summer months when many litters are born. To spay and neuter the cats in our community before the onset of warm weather will create the biggest impact for the reduction of unwanted cats that wander our neighborhoods.
World Spay Day is an international effort in partnership with Speak for Animals that is helping provide an affordable solution to cut down on the number of cat pregnancies. The operation for male cats is simple, and takes only minutes to perform. Recovery time is fast. Not only do you have a cat no longer able to impregnate the female, you also cut down on the urges to spray and to stray.
GCACS is counting on the community to do the responsible thing for cats, both owned and in feral colonies. Cat lovers are encouraged to call the shelter for a neutering appointment. You can schedule your cat by calling (864)467-SPAY. Those who manage feral colonies can bring their trapped cats in from 8am-noon on Monday-Thursday, and they will be fitted in for surgery that day.
February Gardening
As I write this, it’s a nice day to work outside …I actually did a little but really got the bug to start pruning. But it’s still a little early. On average, February is only a couple of degrees warmer than January, and as you know, this has been a crazy winter, weather-wise, so far. What we mentioned last month bears repeating…
Pruning – Winter is a good time to prune most trees and shrubs. However, do not prune azalea, dogwood, forsythia, redbud and rhododendron – they should be pruned after they bloom, since they set blooms in the fall on the previous season’s growth. If you prune now, you prune off the part that will bloom. Almost anything that blooms after June 1 (except oakleaf hydrangea and late-flowering azalea cultivars) can be pruned safely. We’ve had enough cold weather to satisfy the dormancy requirement of many plants and pruning now, along with a few warm days, would trigger new growth that will get killed with the next cold snap. See Pruning Trees and Pruning Shrubs for more information.
Tree Planting – The winter months when trees are dormant are excellent times to plant. See Planting Trees Correctly for information on the proper way to plant a tree.
Transplanting – This is also a good time to move plants that have overgrown a site or that don’t fit the microclimate of that site (sun, shade, etc.) Plants are dormant and will undergo less stress if transplanted now. Be sure to plant at a similar depth from where they came and get as much of the root ball as possible. http://www.clemson.edu/extension/county/laurens/yard_garden/01_january.html
A few other things to consider: Your gardening tools probably need a little TLC. Now is a good time to clean and sharpen them in preparation for spring. Check gutters for one last cleaning before the spring and summer rain hits. Once winter is over, look for branches injured or weakened and prune correctly. It’s a good time to spread mulch, before those weed seeds start germinating. Don’t worry…spring is just around the corner.
Spring Cleaning
As you start your spring cleaning, remember that there will be a yard sale at the Soda Shop this spring (Date TBA). Consider saving items to sell there. What doesn’t sell is donated to Safe Harbor.
“Don’t own so much clutter that you will be relieved to see your house catch fire. (Author Wendell Berry)
Weather Tidbits
According to climate data, the average maximum temperature for Greenville in February is 54.7°F, the average low is 33.1°F and the average precipitation (rainfall) is 4.02”. The average snowfall is 1.6” with the record being 12.3” in 1979. The record maximum temperature for the period 1962-2006 was 81°F on February 27, 1996. The record minimum for the month was 8°F on February 25, 1967. http://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/index.php .
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, “winter will be colder and drier than normal, but with above-normal snowfall in much of the region. The coldest periods will be in early and late December, early to mid-January, and early February. The snowiest periods will be in early to mid-February and in late February. April and May will be a bit warmer than normal, with near-normal rainfall.”
The graph below shows the range of average monthly temperatures for February for each year compared to the overall average of 44.1°F (the flat line through the middle) from 1901 to 2000. Each dot on the graph is the average for February of that year. It’s interesting how much the temperatures fluctuate from year to year. It makes it even clearer that global warming is not something that can even be measured in a century or on a local basis…it’s a long term phenomena on a global scale. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cag/
This Month’s Trivia
The Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel was started in 1856 by a railroad company and is bored for more than a mile into the granite heart of fabled Stumphouse Mountain. The coming of the Civil War in 1859 ended the work on the project. Some years ago, Clemson University made Blue Mold Cheese in the tunnel successfully for the first time in the South.
Electronics Recycling Day
Mark your calendars for March 15. It’s getting harder to dispose of electronics properly, so take advantage of the City’s bi-annual free event. See calendar below for more details.
Missing Packages
A North Main resident informed us that a package delivered by the postal service was stolen from her front porch at Swanson Court on Monday afternoon. The postal service is aware and will try to leave packages not in obvious view. Those who are gone during the day should be alert to this possibility and make arrangements for the postal service, Fedex, UPS, etc. to leave packages on a side porch or somewhere less visible and less tempting to thieves.
Flash from the Past
From last month:
The Wilkins House. Constructed in 1876, the house at 1004 Augusta St. was built for William T. Wilkins, a merchant who made his fortune in New York before coming to Greenville, according to local historian Judith Bainbridge. He had the mansion built by local contractor Jacob Cagle as a testament to his wealth, Bainbridge said. Kelly Odom, who sits on the preservation commission, said plans also are in motion to restore the Wilkins House to its original state, down to the little balcony that was once off the third-story tower. Because of significant additions, the house was never placed on the National Register of Historic Places, making it vulnerable to demolition. Now an interested patron has emerged, potentially saving the 138-year-old home with help from local preservationists. Neil Wilson of RealityLink said he is doing his due diligence to determine if it’s economically viable to move the home to another site. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-The-Wilkins-Mansion/595983443788703
Major Rudolf Anderson, Jr., USAF (September 15, 1927 – October 27, 1962), was a pilot and commissioned officer in the United States Air Force and the first recipient of the Air Force Cross, the U.S. Air Force’s second-highest award for heroism. The only person killed by enemy fire during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Anderson died when his U-2 spy aircraft was shot down over Cuba. After the Cuban Missile Crisis ended, Anderson’s body was returned to the United States and interred in Greenville on November 6, 1962 at Woodlawn Memorial Park. A memorial to Anderson was erected in 1963 at Cleveland Park in Greenville. No surplus U-2 aircraft were available at the time, so an F-86 Sabre like the ones he flew in Korea was installed instead. In October 2012, Greenville city leaders unveiled plans for a redesign of the memorial. It was rededicated on the 50th anniversary of Anderson’s death, October 27, 2012. A memorial service is held in his honor each late October. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Anderson
Do you recognize these landmarks from SC?
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 February 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 other events in this area bookmark Go-greenevents for a listing of various events with registration, etc., handled online to save needless waste of paper.
Greenville County Museum of Art – The Museum is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm and on Sundays 1 – 5 pm. As always, admission is free. The Greenville Collection is now the largest and the most complete collection of Andrew Wyeth’s watercolors owned by any public museum in the world.
Interested in volunteering with the Puppies & Kittens or Adult Dogs at the Humane Society? Please visit their Volunteer page for details and requirements.
►Limited Number of Spots Available per Orientation
►Registration is Required
►To register for Puppy Patrol Orientation, please contact Tori Firth: puppypatrol@greenvillehumane.com
►To register for Dog Walking Orientation, please contact Alysha Harvey: dogwalking@greenvillehumane.com
Jan 13 – March 3 – Yoga at the Bobby Pearse Center. Whether you are a new or experienced student, you’ll enjoy this class. Come to one, some or all classes. Instructor Brooke Kleinfelter can work with you to modify poses to suit your body or your experience. Come join the fun and start each week feeling good that you’ve done something for yourself!
Downtown Line Dance. 6:15 – 8pm. Greenville DOWNTOWN Line Dance is offered every Tuesday from 6:15 to 8 pm. at Sears Rec Center in McPherson Park (100 E Park Ave, Greenville). Dances are taught in a fun and easy way with great music – Hip Hop, R&B, Rock & Roll, Latin, Country, Shag, Swing. Social dances include Electric Slide, Cupid Shuffle, Bikers Shuffle, Cha Cha Slide, Good Time, God Blessed Texas, R&B Boogie and more. No partner or dance knowledge required. Two left feet are fine. Bring your friends and have some fun. Cost – $4 for Greenville city residents, $5 for others. Telephone: 864-467-4326. Admission: $5 (Greenville city residents – $4)
Feb 10 – Distracted Driving Ordinance goes before City Council for final vote. 5:30 in City Hall Council Chambers, 10th Floor.
Feb 12 – Greenville Dog Parks meeting. 6:00pm. Hughes Main Library. The City’s Parks & Recreation Department will host a public meeting to discuss a new dog park that is currently under development. In addition to sharing plans for the new dog park, City staff will also present information on usage of the Cleveland Park dog park. Following the presentation by City staff, attendees will have an opportunity to view the plans, ask questions and provide input.
Feb 13 – Creating an Ornamental Edible Garden. 6:15 – 8pm. Swamp Rabbit Café and Grocery upstairs. 205 Cedar Lane. This course will cover edible plants that look beautiful in the landscape as well as ornamental plants that benefit a food garden. Find out which fruits and vegetables have great form, evergreen leaves, amazing fall color, and more! All the plants featured grow well in the upstate of South Carolina.
$15 each with a limit of 24 people per class. If you take 4, you get $10 off the total price.
Feb 13 – Hillcrest Garden Club Meeting. Program: “How to Grow Your Own Willows/Decorative Willows and Florals. Guest Speaker: Happy Berry Farm owners. For info call Mary Roberts at 458-7735.
Feb 14 – 17 – Great Backyard Bird Count. The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds. Last year a total of 3,512,432 individual birds were counted.
Feb 15 – Silver Screen Café Dinner and a Movie. 6:30 pm. Check their website for menu and cost.
Feb 15 –Greenville Spring Series 9am – 5:15pm. Conestee Park, 840 Mauldin Rd., Cycling Criterium.
Feb 17 – President’s Day Camp. 9am – 5pm. Children’s Museum of the Upstate. It’s cold outside but we are heating up the fun at TCMU for President’s Day with camp options for children 5 and up. Come explore the wild world of animals with our newest traveling exhibit, Robot Zoo. Parents, if you are busy at work, don’t fret. TCMU Day Camps include a day of exploration, art, and play! President’s Day Camp is from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm for Kindergarten kids (5-6 year olds) or 9:00 am to 5:00 pm for Big Kids (students in grades 1st through 5th). Tickets are $25 for Kindergarten or $50 for Big Kids per child per day, members receive 10% off. Space is limited so reserve your spot today by calling 864-233-7755. Check out more programs at their website.
Feb 18 – Upstate Native Plant Society Meeting. Wild Orchids of Newfoundland. 7pm – 9pm. J. Verne Smith Resource Auditorium. Greenville Tech Campus, South Pleasantburg Drive.
Feb 20 – Backyard Chicken Basics. 6:15 – 8pm. Swamp Rabbit Café and Grocery. Come learn the basics in chicken housing, care, breeds, health, sources, and local laws with Appalachian Feet. We’ll talk about starting with chicks or adults. This course is geared towards beginners and will cover everything you need to know to get started with backyard chickens… and even a little bit on ducks, too! Location: Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery, Price: $15 (bundle 4 classes and get $10 off total price)
Feb 21 – Trivia night at the Soda Shop. Prize for the winning team. Come test your knowledge!! Also, Karaoke…show off that hidden talent! Mark your calendars for the March 28 Chili Cookoff. Prizes and judges (TBD). More info later.
Feb 22 – Slow Cheese at Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery, 8:30am – 12 noon. Join us for a morning to explore making your own raw milk cheeses at home, it is simple and delicious, and the only way to have freshly made raw milk cheese in the entire USA. Did you know that South Carolina is the ONLY state in the entire Southeastern USA that permits the sale of raw milk from the farm to you? CELEBRATE living in South Carolina!
Feb 22 – C.Dan Joyner Memorial 5K Walk and Run. 8am – 10am. First Baptist Greenville, 847 Cleveland Street. 5K race/walk and 1 mile walk to raise money to feed elementary school age children at Duncan Chapel.
Feb 25 – Lecture Series: Committed to Conservation. 7pm – 8:30 pm. Watkins Room, Trone Student Center, Furman University. February 25, Partnerships for Amphibian, Reptile & Habitat Conservation presented by Partners in Amphibian & Reptile Conservation; Thursday, March 27, Puma Ecology & Management, presented by The Furman Cougar Project; Tuesday, April 22, Red Ape Conservation, presented by Orangutan Foundation International; Tuesday, May 13, Conservation in the Far East, presented by Amur Leopard & Tiger Alliance. Admission: Free.
Feb 28 – TD Bank Reedy River Run (Kids Events). 5pm – 8pm. S. Main ST. Mile run and Fun run for kids.
March 1 – TD Reedy River Run 5K and 10K. 8:30am – 12:30pm. 104 S. Main Street. The finish is on Main Street Bridge, and the post-race party is on the Main Street Bridge.
March 4 – Spring Art Adventures. The Children’s Museum of the Upstate. 4pm – 5:30pm. Practice traditional art techniques while learning about environmental science. Children will participate in purposeful creativity as they get connected to nature through drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art media. Program continues through April 29. Admission: $80.
March 8 – St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 12pm – 1pm. Spring St to Coffee to Main St. to Broad St. Free.
March 15 – Free Shredding and Electronics Recycling. 9am-12noon. TD Convention Center. Bi-annual shredding and electronics recycling event, from 9am-Noon at TD Convention Center in the Eisenhower Parking Lot. Businesses and individuals are welcome. All paper must be bagged or boxed and each person is limited to three trash bags or three small boxes of paper. Accepted electronics: computer monitors, keyboards, mice, CPUs, etc. (all things that plug into a computer), televisions. Note: the city is no longer accepting fluorescent bulbs for recycling.
March 15 – St. Patty’s Day Dash and Bask 5K and 10K. 8am – 10am. Fluor Field. 947 S. Main St. A run/walk to raise awareness and funds for Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Carolina, Camp Spearhead and Let There Be Mom. Registration begins at 6:30am at Fluor Field and 10K run/walk starts at 8:00am and 5K run/walk starts begins at 8:15am. The start line begins at South Main and Augusta Street.
For other community events, check the Greenville City calendar
Winter 2013 Programs at Greenville Community Centers
To view the winter/spring calendar for the Bobby Pearse Center and/or the Sears Shelter, go to the Parks and Rec website You will be able to view program information and pay directly online.
….Or pick up a program brochure at your local community center.
Program Instructors Needed
The City of Greenville Parks and Recreation Department is seeking instructors to offer fun and exciting recreational and educational classes to our community. Our department offers a wide variety of recreational programs to citizens of all ages. These programs take place in city parks, community centers and other locations. For a full listing of programs visit http://www.greenvillesc.gov/ParksRec/RecPrograms.aspx
Community Center Rental
Both the Bobby Pearse Center and the Sears Shelter are available for rent. For information about renting the Bobby Pearse Center, email Jonathan Jones or call 467-4331.
Planning a special event like a wedding reception, birthday, anniversary or family reunion? Why not have your events at the Sears Recreation Center? It is conveniently located in McPherson Park at the corner of North Main Street and E. Park Avenue (100 E. Park Avenue). Contact Jan Cox or call 864-467-4326.
Some of the Community Center features are:
¬Kitchen ¬Restrooms ¬Handicapped accessible ¬Piano ¬Banquet ¬tables & chairs
¬Plenty of parking ¬Sound system
Contact Jan Cox at 864-467-4326 or jbcox@greenvillesc.gov for more information and availability.
The use of trade names or advertisements in this publication does not constitute endorsement or discrimination by the North Main Community Association.
