The Board of Directors meets the first Wednesday of most months at 6:30 PM at the Northgate Soda Shop or other local venues …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.
We’re Still Waiting…..
We’re still waiting on many of our members to renew their membership for 2011 and pay their dues for 2012. Remember….dues are for a calendar year…Jan 1 to Dec 31. A big THANK YOU to those of you who have sent in your checks, especially to those who have paid for both 2011 and 2012! We appreciate you! We would like to think you appreciate what NMCA does for you…. Your dues help us continue improvements to the North Main Rotary Park with plants, mulch, irrigation, etc. And we have big plans for 2012….watch for details. Your dues help us maintain our website and P.O. Box so we can get the word out to you about important events. They help us reunite lost cats and dogs with their loving owners. They help us pay for social gatherings for our neighborhood. They help us get the word out about crime issues that affect you and your neighbors. So, please support your neighborhood! Tell your friends and neighbors! If you aren’t sure you’ve renewed, just email pglreath@aol.com and we’ll let you know.
New Businesses on Stone Avenue
Watch for the new business opening at Stone’s Point (next to Community Tap, B&C Cleaners, and Dapper Ink). ‘Even a Sparrow’ is a lifestyle boutique that features handcrafted jewelry, original artwork, organic soaps and lotions, home decor and accessories, boutique brand clothing at discount prices, handbags and accessories. “We believe in providing our customers with an inspirational, hospitable and fresh shopping environment that’s lots of fun. We also feature adorable, affordable gifts, so don’t forget to stop by for something special for someone special.” Their grand opening is Thursday, November 10, from 5 – 8PM.
Another new business which will be opening soon is ‘We Took to The Woods’, a gift shop at 106 E. Stone Avenue, carrying everything from maple syrup, to decanters, to artwork. They will also sell floral arrangements and bouquets, as well as live wreaths for the holidays. ( Several years ago, the family had a store in Haywood Mall called ‘The Woods’….some of you may remember it.) The shop will open on November 17 and, at least for now, they’ll be open Thursday-Saturday and other days “by chance”. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be Tuesday, November 22, at 2:30 pm. Come on out and join the fun and support our local businesses!
The hope is that new businesses such as these will succeed and be the start of our vision for what we want for Stone Avenue. Also, the City will soon begin cleaning up Stone Avenue…fixing or removing broken infrastructure such as broken light poles, etc., as well as cleaning up debris.
North Main Paving
In response to questions we have received about the current paving on North Main, here is information provided by Amy Ryberg-Doyle: “SCDOT has begun repaving North Main Street from Academy Street to Ashley Avenue. The City’s goal is to continue the design of downtown streetscaping to Stone Avenue. The streetscaping for the portion of North Main — from Stone to Academy — will include streetscaping similar to downtown. The “cut outs” visible on the side of the street are reserved for future landscaped beds — much like downtown in front of the municipal court. The portion of North Main Street from Stone Avenue to Ashley Avenue will be repaved and restriped.”
According to the DOT engineer, the resurfacing starting roughly at Academy Street and ending just shy of Ashley Street should be completed by the end of this week. They will return to place the permanent markings after a week or so once the asphalt has aged enough to allow the marking material to adhere properly. While the roadway markings are being placed under DOT contract, it is the City that redesigned them to include bike paths.
“Looking ahead, the portion of North Main Street from Ashley to Rutherford is a constant issue of discussion. The current design allows for unsafe speeds and terrible accidents have occurred in the past five years. DOT and the City’s traffic engineering department believe the city needs to look at redesigning the street to impose safer speeds and to allow for bike and pedestrian connectivity. This is NOT part of this repaving project 2011 currently underway, but a future project. And, a project I am committed to finishing.”
Other Community News
Thanks to Amy Ryberg-Doyle for the following updates:
North Main Medians The City Parks and Recreation Department is overseeding and restoring turf in the North Main medians. They will also be planting dogwoods in the medians this winter in place of missing or dead trees. They ask that residents along North Main PLEASE continue to refrain from putting any leaves or yard trash in the medians. If you see your neighbors doing this (and perhaps they are not members so didn’t get the word) please inform them. They appreciate your cooperation.
Wade Hampton Boulevard We recognize the need for public improvements to generate private investment. The City has been working on streetscape improvements on Wade Hampton Boulevard. The landscape medians from Pleasantburg Drive to White Oak Drive were the first phase of planted medians. In addition, a recent grant from the South Carolina Forestry Commission paid for a landscaping and tree planting plan on either side of boulevard. In partnership with Duke Energy, the City will begin a 3 phase project to replace the street lights and do tree planting along the boulevard. The first phase will include light replacements from Cary to Wellington Streets.
Weather the Storm The City will pay for up to $1,500 to have Duke Energy bury the power from service pole to your home. Over 450 homes have been completed throughout the City. The first step is to apply by sending an email request to the City. More information: http://www.greenvillesc.gov/WeathertheStorm/default.aspx
Guidelines for Events on Public Property
There was some confusion at Halloween regarding the permits, etc. that are needed for holding neighborhood events, especially when those events will be utilizing city streets or property. According to the city’s website, “Individuals, organizations and agencies wishing to conduct public gatherings on City of Greenville property are required to obtain a permit. Examples of permitted events include block parties, concerts, parades, carnivals, park events, races, road closings, performances, filming, ceremonies and festivals. A special event permit application must be filled out and returned 30 – 60 business days prior to the start of the event.” The cost of the permit is $50. If your event is an annual event, please get your permits in early! If you want to close the road for the hours of the event, you can also do this. Police are $30 per hour with a minimum of 3 hours. You will be invoiced by the city’s event coordinator after the event for the police’s actual time. If you have questions please contact special events and permit coordinator Beth Rusch at brusch@greenvillesc.gov or (864) 467-4485. You can also check out their website at http://www.greenvillesc.gov/PublicInfo_Events/SpecialEventsAdmin.aspx
Fifty Ponytails and Counting!
Thanks to all those who came out to help with the haircuts for cancer at Stone Academy last month. They have cut over 50 ponytails to date and are still getting people coming in from the community. Created in partnership with the American Cancer Society, Pantene Beautiful Lengths is the first campaign that encourages individuals to grow, cut and donate their healthy hair to make free wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment. Teachers impacted by cancer were the initial ponytail cutters followed by Stylist(s) from He & Me Hair Designs, 314 W. Stone Ave, donating their time to professionally cut the ones who have made the sacrifice. By giving so selflessly of themselves, these individuals joined thousands of people across the country who have already made the kindest cut of all.
They plan to do another event next year, so ladies (and men?) start growing that hair! Another local salon and NMCA business member, To Dye For, is also planning a similar event to benefit “Locks of Love”. Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. I donated 13 inches two years ago for this cause and hope to do so again in the future. Watch for more details about these events in upcoming newsletters!
Weather Tidbits/ Climate Forecast
According to climate data, the average maximum temperature for Greenville in November is 62.4°F, the average low is 40.5°F and the average precipitation (rainfall) is 3.65”. The record maximum temperature for the period 1962-2006 was 86°F on November 2, 1974. The record minimum was 12°F on November 25, 1970. Over that same period, 1992 was the wettest November with 7.85” and the driest was 1973 with 1.34”. The average snowfall in November is 0.06” with the record snowfall in recent years coming in the 1968-69 season when we saw 1.9” that November. http://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/index.php . The date of the earliest killing frost is around October 15 with the average being November 5….so anytime now.
What’s in the long range forecast? According to the Farmer’s Almanac, winter temperatures will be near or slightly above normal, with below-normal precipitation and near-normal snowfall. The coldest periods will be in mid-December and early and mid-February. The snowiest periods will be in mid-December and early February. April and May will be cooler than normal, especially in the west, with much-above-normal rainfall in the southeast and near-normal rainfall elsewhere. Summer will be much cooler than normal, with above-normal rainfall. The hottest temperatures will be in mid- to late July and mid-August. September and October will be much cooler and drier than normal, despite a hurricane threat in early to mid-September. http://www.almanac.com/weather/longrange/SC/Greenville
Please Help Keep our Park Clean
If you’re one of the many residents who walk dog(s) in the North Main Park, please ‘scoop the poop’ and remind other walkers to do the same. There are stations with bags located at both ends of the park. Please do your part to help make the park a better place for all! Thank you!
Help Us Get the Word Out
Know of events that may be of interest to our neighbors? Community get-togethers, block parties, new business openings, charity events, etc. Just send the information to pgilreath@aol.com and we’ll include dates and events in upcoming newsletters. Help us keep our neighborhood informed and in touch!
Flash from the Past: This month we thought we’d do something a little different and focus on some neighborhood history.
Who was Bobby Pearse?If you live in the North Main area, you’ve likely heard reference to the Bobby Pearse Center. How many of you have actually been there or even know who Bobby Pearse was? Kingsley Robert (Bobby) Pearse was a staff sergeant in the 100th infantry division of the US Army and the first fatality from Greenville in WWII. He resided on West Hillcrest Drive here in our neighborhood. A member of the class of 1946 at the Citadel, he was killed in action in France on November 14, 1944, at the age of 19. A portrait of Bobby Pearse is located over the fire place in the Bobby Pearse Community Center. He is buried at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Epinal, France. This cemetery, 48.6 acres in extent, is sited on a plateau 100 feet above the Moselle River in the foothills of the Vosges Mountains. It contains the graves of 5,255 of our military dead, most of whom lost their lives in the campaigns across northeastern France to the Rhine and beyond into Germany. The cemetery was established in October 1944 by the 46th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company of the U.S. Seventh Army as it drove northward from southern France through the Rhone Valley into Germany. The cemetery became the repository for the fatalities in the bitter fighting through the Heasbourg Gap during the winter of 1944-45.
During World War II, among the nation’s colleges and universities, The Citadel had the distinction of providing to the armed forces the highest percentage of its students to enter military service with the single exception of the national service academies. Of 2,976 living graduates in 1946, 1,927 had served their country (66%), with the same estimated percentage of alumni (non-graduates) having served as well. Indeed, only two members from the famous class of 1944 actually graduated as the entire class was called to arms, or enlisted in military service. By the end of the war nearly 200 alumni were recorded as having given their lives in or near the battlefield as a result of hostile action, accidental friendly fire, or illness, and of those 200, 37 are still listed as missing-in-action/presumed dead (MIA).
Fall Crime Prevention Tips
In the fall, temperatures drop and the sun sets earlier each day. While you may be busy enjoying the weather, it is important to remember that this time of year is the perfect cover for petty criminals. Here are a few simple tips that will help to keep you from being a victim of theft.
Put on those lights! Criminals don’t like bright lights. A carefully placed floodlight on a motion sensor is an economical way to prevent people from lurking in the shadows.
Lock those doors! Most vehicle thefts are spontaneous events. If a thief is confronted with a locked door, it is likely that he or she will move on.
Keep your valuables in the house! You would not believe how many people will leave valuable electronics like laptops and GPS units in an unlocked car.
Lock your car at all times, even when parked in your own driveway. Don’t assume crime only happens to other people.
Where are your serial numbers? When the police department solves a burglary, a priority is returning property to the rightful owner. That’s why it is important to keep serial numbers listed for easy reference.
Work with your neighbors and friends to be an “extra set” of eyes on criminals!
Don’t be afraid to call! You know what is normal for your neighborhood and what is out of the ordinary. If you see any suspicious activities- don’t hesitate to contact the police department. For urgent situations, call 9-1-1. For non-emergencies, call 271-5333. (Greenville Police Department)
Follow-up on Discount Drug Card Program
There seems to be some confusion regarding just how to obtain the new drug card. You can pick up a card at the Bobby Pearse Center or at City Hall. Or, below is a link to the page on the city’s site where you can get more information.
http://www.greenvillesc.gov/CommDev/RxDrugDiscount.aspx This site also includes a link to a page where you can either clip out the card or print it . Just go to http://www.rxprintacard.biz/nlc/web-cards/nlc.aspx?pid=AC87D646-9879-4307-A515-0BAD76014F69
Calendar
City Council Formal Meeting and Work Session schedules can be found at http://www.greenvillesc.gov/city_government/meet.asp
November 12 – Caine Halter Lungs for Life 5K Run/Walk. Caine Halter YMCA, 721 Cleveland Street. For registration information, visit http://lungs4life5k.com/
November 12 – Greenville Badminton Tournament. The Pavilion. The 2012 Greenville Badminton Tournament is set for Saturday, November 12 at the Pavilion. This insanely fun event is open to players of all skill levels, and the GE Volunteers program will even buy your lunch. Also, you’ll be supporting a great cause, because 100% of donations will benefit the MathCounts Piedmont Chapter and their work to promote math education. Register at http://greenvillebadmintonclub.com/2011GreenvilleTourney.asp
November 17: Turkey Trot. 10:30am – Furman University. It’s Turkey Trot time! Adults ages 50 and up are invited to lace up their sneakers for a brisk walk around the beautiful Furman campus. Refreshments will be served, and prizes will be awarded. Meet us at the statue in front of Paladin Stadium. http://greenvillerec.com/2011/10/31/nov-17-turkey-trot-furman/
Nov 19 and Dec 17– Earth Markets Greenville Holiday Markets – Michael McDunn Gallery, 741 Rutherford Rd. @ N. Main. 2-6 pm. Adding new producers each month, and fresh produce in season comes in as ready! Contact janettewwesley@yahoo.com for any questions or visit www.slowfoodupstate.com
November 24-25 – City Offices Closed.
December 3 – Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell 5k run and 1 mile fun run/walk. 9AM – 12 noon. CU-ICAR. 5 Research Drive, Greenville. Admission: Each participant is asked to raise $100. http://upstatejinglebellrun.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=478232
December 3 – Christmas Parade. 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM. Main Street (from Augusta to North St.) http://www.greenvillesc.gov/PublicInfo_Events/ChristmasParade.aspx
December 10 – A State of Disunion: Clemson v. Carolina. 11AM. Upcountry History Museum. Join recently published author Larry Williams as he introduces his book, Classic Clashes of the Carolina-Clemson Football Rivalry: A State of Disunion. Williams will look at some of the most compelling examples of this epic rivalry, dating back to 1896. Larry Williams is a former journalist for the Charleston Post and Courier and currently writes for TigersIllustrated.com. Free with Museum Admission or Membership. Space is limited, reservations suggested. Call 467-3100. http://www.upcountryhistory.org/changing-exhibits/changing-gallery/mud-sweat-and-cheers/mud-sweat-and-cheers-second-saturday-tours/
For other community events, check the Greenville City calendar at http://www.greenvillesc.gov/calendar/Calendar.aspx?tID=0<
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Nov/Dec 2011 Programs at 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 Jonathan Jones at 864-467-4331.
Writing Workshops:
In partnership with the Emrys Foundation, the City of Greenville Parks and Recreation Department is offering writing workshops this fall at the Bobby Pearse Community Center!
2nd Sunday Writing Workshops
Date: Sundays; November 13, December 11
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost: $5 per class
Contact: Jonathan Jones, 467-4331
Registration: Register at http://www.emrys.org/workshops-seminars/ or the fee may be paid upon arrival to the class.
These writing workshops are led by various members of the Writing Room faculty. They are designed to stimulate creativity and generate ideas for fiction and nonfiction. We’ll use a series of short in-class writing exercises to inspire new work and deepen your writing. Come prepared to write in class, to share your exercises without fear or self-judgment, and above all, have some fun. All levels are welcome!
Holiday Camp
Location: Bobby Pearse Community Center
Date: December 19 – 22
Time: 7:30am – 6:00pm
Cost: $32 for city resident and $40 for non-city resident
Contact: Jonathan Jones, 467-4331
Registration: www.greenvillesc.gov/ParksRec/CommunityCenter or call 467-4331
Need to finish up that holiday shopping? Send your children to Bobby Pearse Holiday Camp for a whole lot of Holiday Fun! The 4-day camp will run December 19 – 22 from 7:30am – 6pm. The participants will enjoy recreational games and activities, Holiday arts & crafts, movies and more! The children will be provided an afternoon snack but we do ask that parents pack a lunch for their child each day.
City of Greenville Chess Club
Location: Bobby Pearse Community Center
Date: Thursdays (on-going)
Time: 7:00pm
Cost: FREE
Contact: Jonathan Jones, 467-4331
Do you enjoy playing chess? The City of Greenville’s Chess Club meets each Thursday at 7:00pm at the Bobby Pearse Community Center. Both rated and informal games are played, and everyone is welcome to join!
Coming in January…Dog Obedience, Inner Strength, Let’s Move Kids Fitness, Yoga, Writing Workshops, Girls on the Run and MORE!!!
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