Mark your calendars and plan to attend our 2011 Spring Happy Hour Social and Membership Drive on
Thursday, April 28, from 5-8pm at the North Gate Soda Shop. Free beer and food…..live music….raffle to benefit the North Main Dogwood Tree Fund. (Funds raised will go towards helping to replace missing or diseased dogwoods in the median of North Main St.) We are challenging all members to bring one new member to the event! So come on down and say hi to your neighbors and old friends and get to know new ones! Join or renew your membership and find out more about what NMCA is all about and how you can get involved!
Thanks to this year’s event sponsors: PBR, RedHype, Darrohn Engineering, North Gate Soda Shop, The Drop In Store, Spinx, Moss Heating and Air, and Gary Hester Interiors.
Thanks to NMCA Members Who Gave Blood!
Iris Hood-Bell reports that the March 26 NMCA Blood Drive at the Soda Shop was a huge success. They collected 44 units on a goal of 18, far exceeding expectations! That made our hospitals very happy. Thanks to all who participated in saving lives!
Neighborhood Watch Update
You should have received an email or letter last week regarding recent break-ins in our area. We told you that according to Greenville Police Chief Terri Wilfong, a suspect in the recent break-ins on W. Earle St., Neal St., Atwood, and W. Park had been arrested. They were reportedly all single story homes and entry was forced through windows on two and one was a cut screen porch door and forced entry to a pad lock on the back door. Chief Wilfong also asked us to remind residents to PLEASE always lock your house, your garage and your car. You cannot be too careful! You can read what was sent out at our website.
Since that notice went out, we were informed that a break-in had also occurred during that same period on N. Main St. and a lawnmower was stolen from a yard on W. Hillcrest. We will keep you updated with any new information we receive.
New Additions to Rotary Park
Next time you’re at the North Main Rotary Park, take a look at all the spring plants now starting to bloom.
In addition, the city recently provided and planted several new shrubs along the basketball court, including beauty berry, itea and ‘Nellie Stevens’ hollies. You will also see flags where several new trees will be going in soon. These were purchased with funds provided by County Councilman Bob Taylor. We appreciate his support! In an ongoing effort to improve wildlife habitat we will be installing several new birdhouses which will hopefully welcome new feathered residents. There will be 2 bluebird houses, 2 wren/chickadee houses, 1 downy woodpecker house and one house for either red-bellied, red-headed or hairy woodpeckers. Plans also include the purchase and planting of blueberry bushes and other plants which will provide food and/or cover for wildlife. These efforts are just part of what your dues to NMCA help pay for. Our thanks to the City Parks and Recreation Department for their continuing support of our efforts to improve the park for the enjoyment of the North Main Community.
Naptime Over for the 13 Year Cicadas
This spring and early summer could be buzzing with the activities of the 13-year periodical cicadas in many upstate counties. The last emergence of the 13-year cicada was in 1998 and since that time, the nymphs have been happily feeding underground on plant roots with their piercing-sucking mouthparts. The nymphs emerge from the ground en masse typically during the nighttime and find a vertical place (often a tree trunk) to shed their skin for the last time. After emerging from the shed skin, the newly transformed, soft-winged adult will pump blood into the wing veins and hold on to the shed skin or tree until its wings and body have hardened. Once the morning comes, the cicadas will move higher up the tree so their bodies can completely harden. Once hardened, the males will begin to sing to attract females for mating. It may take up to 5 days after the nymphs have emerged from the ground before the male singing can be heard and mating occurs. This mass emergence is expected to occur in late April to May and can occur over a one to two week period. Under one tree, there can be as many as 20,000-30,000 emerging nymphs!
Unlike the green winged dog-day cicadas which we typically see statewide every year, the periodical cicadas are about 1 ½ inch long, have red eyes, and reddish-orange (or orange-yellow) wing veins and legs. The adults can live for three to four weeks and can feed on the branches of twigs with their piercing-sucking mouthparts. After mating, the female will use her egg-laying device (called an ovipositor) to make two rows of slits through the bark on small twigs; into these slits, she will lay eggs—up to 48 into each slit. Each female periodical cicada can lay up to 600 eggs in her lifetime. This type of egg laying often causes branch flagging: the leaves on the damaged branches will turn red to brown and often the damaged twig will drop to the ground. However, this branch flagging does not cause any long-term health issues for mature trees. There are over 75 species of shrubs and hardwood trees onto which the female may lay eggs. The preferred trees are oak, hickory, apple, and sweetgum and she may also lay eggs on dogwood, blueberry, and azaleas. After six to seven weeks, nymphs will hatch from the eggs, drop to the ground, and burrow down to the plant roots where they will remain until the 2024 emergence.
Other periodical cicada facts: Cicadas do not bite or sting and they are not toxic or poisonous; there is nothing to be worried about if one lands on you or if your dog or cat eats them. They will vibrate their wings and buzz loudly if they are handled by you or a pet. Only the males sing and this only occurs during the day. If you hear singing at night, it is probably crickets, katydids, or frogs.
State foresters would like to hear about your sightings of the 13-year periodical cicadas! Please send an email to the state entomologist. In the email please include:
• your location (city and county)
• the date that you first (or last) heard or saw the cicadas
• any egg-laying damage you’ve seen
• and any other information you’d like to include
First Annual URBAN FARM TOUR of Greenville
The Greenville Organic Foods Organization (GOFO) invites you to tour the city’s urban farms on Saturday, May 7, 2011! Greenville’s first annual Urban Farm Tour will feature fantastic examples of how city residents are growing their own food in the urban setting and practicing sustainable living by implementing energy efficiency solutions in their homes or offices. This event is a self-guided tour of urban sites that use sustainable farming techniques for healthy living and natural resources for energy efficiency. The tour will showcase vegetable and herb gardens, water catchment, backyard chickens, beekeeping, compost, alternative energy, container and rooftop gardens, vermi-composting (worms), orchards, recycling systems and community gardens—all located within an 8 to 10 mile radius of downtown Greenville.
Local urban farmers are weaving rural elements in to their lives with such things as laying hens in the backyard, bee hives, landscaping with edible vegetables, herbs and flowers and implementing energy efficiency techniques that make living more sustainable. The urban farm movement is exploding across the nation as consumers choose to grow their own produce and buy locally as a way of ensuring healthier food and endorsing higher environmental standards.
Interested in participating? Visit the GOFO headquarters on 1040 West Washington Street on Saturday, May 7. Tours begin at 9:00 am and run continuously until 5:00 pm. Upon registering for the tour you will be given a ticket and tour map. You will select your own route, tour duration, start time, and end time. You may visit as few or as many of the sites as you wish. Don’t forget to take advantage of complimentary workshops designed to jumpstart your very own urban farm! Workshops include such topics as: building raised beds 101, edible landscape, organic gardening, cooking demonstrations and energy efficiency 101. See you on the tour!
Cost of the Event: Adults $7.00 and children under 12 years of age are free! Carpooling is recommended as groups of 5 or more may enjoy the reduced ticket price of only $4.00 per person! Tickets will be sold at the GOFO headquarters in Crescent Studios (1040 West Washington St) on the day of the event. The event is rain or shine! So, bring a raincoat, umbrella, or poncho in the event of rain! Pets are not allowed in tour sites. Participants must not enter the private residences of tour site owners unless invited to do so by the owner. There will be signs identifying tour sites and volunteers at each site to assist in any way they can. We suggest you bring a cooler and/or reusable bags with you as some sites may have fresh eggs, veggies, seedlings or even chicks to sell!
Reminder – New Local Hurling Club Looking for Members
Hurling is mostly the Irish equivalent of field hockey, but with an option to strike the ball in the air. Picture a cross between rugby, soccer, and lacrosse. Fifteen players per team, all carrying a stick called a hurley, each playing with skill, speed, and bravery—it’s bound to be a hit. The Greenville Gaels, our local club, is now forming to play both hurling and Gaelic football. Adventurous men and women are welcome. Facebook Greenville Gaels to find out more about their practices and soon-to-be-launched website.
Weather Tidbits
According to climate data, the average maximum temperature for Greenville in April is 72.3°F, the average
low is 48°F and the average precipitation (rainfall) is 3.71”. The record maximum temperature was 94° F on April 19, 1917. More recently, we hit 93°F on April 27, 1986. The record minimum was 22°F on April 14, 1907. In more recent history we dropped to 25°F on April 11, 1989. In 1987, Greenville recorded 0.3” of snow on April 3. April of 2007 saw a cold wave move across the Southeast and Greenville set a new record monthly low of 24° F on April 8. That year resulted in over 80% loss to the SC peach crop.
April 30, 1924: The highest tornado death toll in South Carolina’s history occurred on this date when two tornadoes struck. The paths of both were unusually long; each over 100 miles. Together they killed 77 persons, injured 778, destroyed 465 homes and many other buildings resulting in millions of dollars of damage. One tornado remained on the ground from Anderson County to York County; the other, which has been named “The Horrell Hill Tornado”, was the more destructive of the two. Its path was 135 miles from Aiken County to Florence County. http://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/index.php http://www.erh.noaa.gov/gsp/climate/APRGSPtempsprecip.htm
What is GOAT??
GOAT (Great Outdoor Adventure Trips) is a non-profit ministry for Greenville area students (middle and high school aged). We provide outdoor, physical, Bible and leadership training through outdoor adventure trips – whitewater rafting, rock climbing and backpacking. Our 10 week summer program offers a wide variety of trips from single day adventures to week-long adventure camps. Find out more at their website (from NMCA member Ryan McCrary, Executive Director, GOAT)
Calendar
City Council Formal Meeting and Work Session schedules
Note: At the April 14 meeting of the Planning Commission (4pm at City Hall) one of the items on the agenda is F. Z 10-2011. Application of the City of Greenville to approve the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan’.
Now – April 15 – ASPCA $100 K Challenge. Vote online to help Greenville County Animal Care Services win the 2011 ASPCA $100K Challenge. Competing against 49 other shelters, their goal will be to save at least 300 more animals than the same period in 2010. Not only will it save these precious lives, they’ll also be eligible to win a $100,000 grant from the ASPCA. The grant will be used to aggressively promote homeless pets for adoption and offer low cost spay-neuter and veterinary care for pet owners in our community that will in turn further reduce the number of animals that have to be surrendered to the shelter. Vote any time from 9:00 AM, Eastern Time, on April 4 through midnight on April 15. Anyone age 18 and older who has a valid email address can vote, subject to the one vote per person per day limit.
April 15 – 16 –Greenville’s Kaleidoscope of Gardens. 10am – 5pm. Tour will cover Frontus St., Capers, E. Tallulah and Woodvale off of Augusta Rd. as well as E. Seven Oaks Dr. and Dominick Ct. in Chanticleer, plus the Kilgore-Lewis House (KLH). Lunch will be offered at the KLH for an additional charge. Tickets are $12 until March 29 and $15 after that date. They may be purchased at the KLH M-F from 10am-2pm. Proceeds benefit the KLH. For additional information, contact Mary Roberts at megil@infionline.net
April 16 North Gate Soda Shop/Other Side Golf Tournament. 10 am at Summersett Golf Course. The tournament will benefit Pendleton Place, a shelter for abused and neglected children. The total cost is $60.00 which includes golf, 2 mulligans, lunch, beer cart and charity. Prizes will be awarded for 1st and 2nd place teams; longest drive – men & women; and closest to pin – men & women. Deadline for entering is Monday, April 4. Questions? Contact Judy at 420-6636 or email mcbearty123333@bellsouth.net
April 16 – Greater Greenville Master Gardener Plant Sale. 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Location: parking lot behind McAlister Square Mall located at 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive in Greenville. The sale will include more than 1,000 plants all grown in the Upstate climate, and an ‘Ask A Master Gardener’ table will be staffed to answer questions about plant selection and care. Please bring a vehicle large enough to contain your purchases, and leave all furry friends at home.
April 16 – 2011 Harbor Run presented by Bon Secours St. Francis Health System. Courses will again weave through downtown Greenville, and 5k team categories are expanded to include husband & wife, mother & daughter, mother & son, father & daughter and father & son…with prizes for all winners. Bring the whole family…all proceeds benefit Safe Harbor, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing the effects of domestic violence in our community.
April 19 SC Native Plant Society Upstate Chapter Meeting. “Creating a Native Woodland Garden”, presented by Lisa Wagner of the South Carolina Botanical Garden. 7 PM. Greenville Tec @ McAlister Square, 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville.
April 19 – Greenville Humane Society Volunteer Orientation. 6 PM in HS lobby on Furman Hall Rd.
April 22 – Earth Day in South Carolina – come together for a cleaner, safer environment.
April 28 – NMCA Spring Social and Membership Drive. North Gate Soda Shop. 5pm – 8pm. Free beer and food…. Live music….Raffle to benefit the North Main Dogwood Tree Fund. Bring a new member!!
April 28 – National Walk @ Lunch Day. 11am – 2pm. Falls Park. 601 South Main Street. Wellness fair for business professionals that work downtown. There will be vendors along the walking route offering health screenings and chair massages, plus a variety of giveaways. For more information, check out their facebook page.
April 28 – 4th Annual Sips for Snips. Zen. 924 S. Main St. 6-9 pm. Mark your calendars now for this fundraiser for the Greenville Humane Society. Tickets: $40. Watch for more information on the Humane Society website.
April 29 – May 1 – Santee Bird and Nature Festival – a fun-filled weekend of activities and field trips throughout central South Carolina To register or for additional information visit their website.
April 30 & May 1 – Spirits of Springwood Cemetery Tours. Experience a walking tour through one of Greenville’s oldest places of final rest. These hour-long tours begin at the Springwood Cemetery at 6:00 PM & 8:00 PM. Reservations required.
April 30th: Springwood Cemetery’s Furman Connection with Dr. AV Huff and Ms. Martha Johns – UHM and FOSC return to Springwood to explore the legacy of Furman University within the cemetery gates. Tours led by Professor Emeritus of History Dr. AV Huff and Ms. Martha Johns’
May 1st: General Springwood Tour with Historian Debbie Spear- Each grave tells a story. Learn about the stories of the Cemetery and its residents of note with local historian Debbie Spear.
Cost: $10 for Supporting Members of the Upcountry History Museum. $15 for Friends of Springwood Cemetery and Basic UHM Members. $20 General Admission
April 29, 30 & May 1 – Friends of the Library Used Book Sale. Thousands of books, 80% donated, 80% hardcover! Friday 3:00p-8:00p • Friends Only* Saturday 10:00a-5:00p • Open to the public Sunday 1:00p-5:00p • Open to the public *Memberships available at the door Call 527-9291 for more information.
April 30 – Hands on Greenville (H.O.G.) Day. Service projects for HOG Day will take place at approximately 90 sites throughout Greenville County, including emergency shelters, public schools, group homes, playgrounds, parks, food banks and soup kitchens. For more information on forming a team, making a donation, or becoming a sponsor, please call 864-242-4224 or email info@handsongreenville.org Registration will take place at each project site from 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Projects will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by a thank-you celebration and lunch held at Fluor Field in downtown Greenville.
May 6 – Third Annual GHS Swamp Rabbit 5K. 6:30 pm. Rain or Shine. $6 entry fee through April 28. Free Tshirt for online registration. Visit their facebook page.
May 7 – First Annual Urban Farm Tour. Greenville. Self-guided tour. 9am – 5pm.
May 7 –Electronics and Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Day. 10am – 2pm. Sponsored by the City of Greenville Solid Waste Division and Greater Greenville Sanitation Commission, the collection center will be located at 360 S. Hudson Street. Free to City residents and businesses, the following items will be accepted: computer monitors, keyboards, mice, CPUs, etc. (all things that plug into a computer), fluorescent bulbs, tubes, ballasts, etc. Items may be brought to 360 S. Hudson Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information, call 864-467-8300.
May 7, 14, 21, & 28 – Saturday Market – Over 50 vendors. Opens at 8 am.
Upcoming Programs (Spring 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 or email Pam Davis at 864-467-4331 or pdavis@greenvillesc.gov .
Program Name: Outdoor Movie @ N. Main Rotary Park
Dates/ Time: Sunday, April 10 @ 8:30pm
Fee: FREE
Description: Come join us in the outfield of N. Main Rotary Park (the baseball field behind the Bobby Pearse Community Center) on Sunday, April 10 @ 8:30pm for the showing of the movie “The Sandlot”! Bring your friends, family, blankets and a picnic! (No alcohol and no pets, please!)
Program Name: Yoga
Dates/ Time: Mondays, now through April 25, 6:30-7:45pm
Fee: $5 per class
Registration: Fee may be paid upon arrival.
Description: This beginner yoga class will run on Mondays through the end of April. The instructor, Brooke Kleinfelter, teaches the class at a beginner level; however, it will tailored to the participants, so all levels are welcome to join.
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.
In partnership with the Emrys Foundation, we will be offering the following writing workshops:
Program Name: Nature Writing: Capture the Magic of the Outdoors on the Page
Dates/ Time: Saturday, April 9, 2-5pm
Fee: $25; $20 Emrys members
Registration: on-line
Description: Whether it’s fiction, creative nonfiction or essay, the natural world offers the writer many options for moving plot forward, revealing character and more. In this workshop, we’ll look at some writers who use the natural world well in a variety of ways, spend some time outside together learning to read the natural landscape, and do some writing of our own.
Program Name: Monthly Writing Workshops: Out of your Head and onto the Pages
Dates/ Time: The second Sunday of the month: April 10 & May 8, 2-4pm
Fee: $5 per class
Registration: Register online or the fee may be paid upon arrival to the class.
Description: These writing workshops, led by various members of the Writing Room faculty, are designed to stimulate creativity and generate ideas for fiction and nonfiction. We’ll use a series of short in-class writing exercises to inspire 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.
Look for more information about our Summer Programs in the May newsletter!
We will be offering:
• Dog Obedience
• Karate (for children)
• Yoga
• Writing Workshops
The use of trade names or advertisements in this publication does not constitute endorsement or discrimination by the North Main Community Association.
