The Board of Directors meets the first Wednesday evening of each month at 6:30 PM at various local venues – check the website for the location of the next meeting.
2011 NMCA Election Results
Congratulations to our newly elected NMCA Board Members for 2011. The names will look familiar as it’s the same board as 2010. That means we’ll be looking for some new blood….err….board members next year. We also amended the by-laws to improve the continuity of the board by allowing board members to run for other offices after their second term (i.e. the VP could run for President, which was formerly not allowed by the by-laws). In addition, the members voted to send election ballots out primarily by email in the future, saving time and money and allowing us to spend that money on park plantings, etc. Watch for more about what was discussed at the annual meeting in the next newsletter and in upcoming emails.
Stone Avenue Community Meeting
Don’t forget – the Plan Stone Avenue Community meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 14th from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Greenville County Main Library at Heritage Green. In the meantime, the draft Plan Stone Avenue report is available for public review.
For other information, go to the Plan Stone Avenue website.
Follow-up on Waffle House, Brookside and Quik Trip 
*
For those who haven’t driven by lately, the Brookside development is well under construction (see photo at right) and is now taking resident applications.We asked Courtney Palmer (City Police Dept.) about incidents at Waffle House since they are still in a probationary period. As of 11/04/10 there have only been two incidents where reports were taken. One was for malicious damage and the other for an intoxicated person who was arrested. Most of the other calls were mistaken 911 disconnects (person misdialed), traffic stops where the driver pulled into the parking lot, a traffic collision that the vehicles were moved into the parking lot to get out of the roadway and an alarm but no report taken. There has been nothing from the road officers about issues with that location. Courtney will keep us apprised of any new incidents.
Regarding Quik Trip, the proposed “convenience store” at 40 Rutherford Rd, the following was received in a Nov 23 email from Jean Pool, the City’s Planning & Development Manager: “Currently, Quik Trip has received a Special Exception to operate a convenience store. They are asking for multiple variances from the design guidelines for their site plan, and those will be heard at the special BZA hearing next month. As things stand now, staff is not in a position to support these variances. We are hoping that they will come back with revised plans that will substantially reduce or eliminate the need for variances. The public will be able to provide additional input at this time. The project will not get a CO until they have met the requirements of our non-residential design guidelines. We have not seen any plans for the design of the building; we have only seen site plans. They will have to meet these design guidelines. We will definitely keep Council and the neighborhood apprised as to where the project stands.” Also see November post on our website.
Note: The City of Greenville Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a Public Hearing to consider several applications on Thursday, December 16, at 4 PM in Council Chambers. One of these is the Special Exception granted 6.17.2010 to Waffle House. There will be a report from the Administrator reviewing the Applicant’s adherence to the terms of the Permit and the Greenville City Code. Another is the application of Quik Trip Corporation for Variances to Sections: 19-4.4.2 (D) (1), Location of Accessory Structures;19-5.1, Table of Dimensional Standards; and, 19-6.5.4 (A) ((6) (a), Parking Lot Location and Design, pursuant to Section 19-2.3.7, Variance Permit, of the Greenville City Code to allow the development of a Convenience Store that will not comply with: the dimensional requirements for principle and accessory structures; and, the location and design criteria for off-street parking. The property is located at 40 Rutherford Street. Documents for these and other agenda items are now available for review online.
THANK YOU to our Business Members !
As 2010 comes to a close, we’d like to say a special thank you to our NMCA Business Members/Partners for their support. Their names and phone numbers are listed below. You can also find out more by visiting our shop local page. Many of these businesses have supported our local events through donations of money and/or door prizes. If you deal with other local businesses, encourage them to join. Business membership is only $10 per calendar year.
Please show your appreciation by supporting our local businesses!
3D Land Surveying, Inc. (864.272.0274)
A Child’s Haven (864.298.0025)
Allen Tate Realtors (864.386.3180)
Briles Company (864.236.0800)
Bullmoose Tree Company (864.444.4409)
Carlton Landscaping (864.346.8909)
Catherine Christophillis Attorney (864.242.2060)
Childcare Network (864.232.8674)
Coffee Underground (864.298.0494)
Dahlia a Florist (864.232.0112)
Darrohn Engineering, LLC (864.346.2170)
Gary Hester Interiors (864.232.4975)
Global View Investment Advisors, LLC. (864.272.0818)
He and Me Hair Designs (864.235.7550)
Holmes Law Firm (864.271.2381)
Jazzercise on North Main (800.FIT.IS.IT)
Jordon Wholesale Lumber Co., Inc. (864.232.9686)
King Searls Designs (864.386.9804)
LakeHouse 411 (864.247.2426)
Law Office of Christine Howard (864.282.8575)
M33 Integrated Solutions (864.672.2862)
McDunn Studio & Art Gallery (864.242.0311)
Moss Heating and Air (864.241.0108)
Northgate Soda Shop (864.235.6770)
Palmetto Drum Co. (864.232.1726)
Parkersway Food (864.271.8183)
Pope, Smith, Brown & King (864.242.0656)
Precision Automotive, Inc. (864.232.5460)
Redhype (864.232.2000)
Royal Engineering, Inc. (864.235-4425)
Spinx
Stone Plaza Pharmacy (864.233.7940)
The Marchant Company (864.527.4514)
To Dye For Hair Salon (864.271.7557)
Waffle House, Inc.
2010 Association Activities Summary
Here’s what NMCA has been up to this past year:
A 100% increase in membership….more than double what it was in 2009.
An increase in business memberships from 8 to 35, up over 400% from last year.
A re-vamped and expanded website. From January through August of 2010, we had over 1800 visitors with a total of over 12,000 page views. When you do a Google search now using just the words ‘North Main’, we are on the first page, often near the top, which is very good for a new site. This shows that we are getting hits on pertinent topics that people are searching for.
We publish a monthly newsletter with articles of interest to residents, updates on local issues, and a calendar of events. The newsletter is emailed to most members, posted on our website and mailed to a few who do not have internet access.
Our Neighborhood Watch efforts have expanded with numerous notifications sent to members via email regarding potential crime issues. We are increasing partnerships with Police officials to stay on top of issues that affect our community and the safety of our residents.
We hosted 2 community events this year, May’s Membership Drive at the Northgate Soda Shop and October’s Neighborhood Night Out at the Rotary Park. Over 300 people attended these 2 events and we received many positive comments.
Our emphasis on the North Main Rotary Park has continued this year with a total of 6 park work days, 2 focusing on weeding the creek bank, clearing kudzu, etc. and 2 where we spread over 200 bales of pine straw. We also spread 2 loads of pine bark mulch from the City and planted trees and shrubs earlier in the year. We’ve had many positive comments about the improvements in the appearance of the park. In addition, a micro-irrigation system was installed by members on the hill around the amphitheater for establishment of new plants.
We are in the process of working with the City to begin replanting approximately 20 trees of assorted species to replace lost trees and to continue improving wildlife habitat, an additional focus this year. Additionally, 2 City Parks & Recreation employees (including one horticulturist) have been designated to work with us in the North Main Rotary Park to help improve communications.
The board applied for and received a $500 grant from the Greenville Master Gardener Association to begin labeling plants at the park as an educational tool for all users. This is being done with the assistance of students from Clemson University as a special project for them.
We have been involved in numerous development issues in and around our neighborhood, monitoring planning/zoning committee and other agendas for issues we should be involved in, raising awareness and notifying residents of important meetings where we need representation, maintaining contact with our City Council representatives and holding them more accountable for their statements, positions, and zoning board appointments, and attending and speaking at meetings and hearings to present our concerns and questions. These issues include:
o The Stone Avenue Planning Process
o Waffle House
o Brookside Development
o Quik Trip “Convenience Store” on Rutherford Rd.
The Board would like to thank all our members for their support this year. We hope that 2011 will be a successful year and we look forward to increasing our membership and improving our service to you. We hope you will contact us with suggestions, comments or other ways we can help you.
Thank you!
According to climate data, the average maximum temperature for Greenville in December is 53°F, the average low is 34 °F and the average precipitation is 3.86”. The record maximum temperature was 86°F in 1909 and the record minimum was 3°F in 1917. The average snowfall in December is 1.7” and the record snowfall was 18.8” back in the 1945-46 season….just a little before my time.
Your Winter Garden
With the weather often too cold to get out and garden in the winter, give some thought to how you can make next year’s “winter garden” more ‘bird friendly’. One way to bring lots of color to the winter landscape is to use plants that bear fruit. Examples include pyracantha, viburnum, beautyberry, hollies and others. Hollies and other evergreens not only provide food for wildlife but also provide great habitat and protection from wind and predators when deciduous trees have lost their leaves. Don’t forget about food and water. A bird can use up to 10% of its body weight during one cold winter night. Prolonged cold snaps are even harder. Consider putting out high fat seed mixes or hanging suet cakes to provide birds with high energy sources. In the winter, water will often bring birds to your yard faster than food; but make sure it’s thawed and fresh during freezing temperatures.
‘Weather The Storm’ Underground Powerline Update
According to Nancy Sue, Utility Program Manager, the ‘Weather the Storm’ program received most of the 300 petitions in July but did not officially start until the first week in Sept. Their goal is to complete assessing 300 by the end of the year, so some of you who signed up are likely just now being contacted. (I was not contacted until almost Thanksgiving.) Duke is grouping those that are close in proximity to one another for efficiency; so they are doing those that are closest to one another then moving to the next group of homes. For those who did not request participation in the program this year, they are still taking petitions but it will be early next year before they can be assessed for next year’s program. You must submit a written request by either emailing Nancy Sue at nsue@greenvillesc.gov or mail to Nancy Sue, PO Box 2207, 206 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29602. For additional information, see the NMCA post.
Keeping the Merry in Christmas
Although there is increased visibility in commercial areas (such as parking lots/malls), criminals still target residents in and away from home during the holiday season. Let’s make this holiday more festive by taking steps to deter crime and watch out for one another at home and at our places of business. Cameras in the Downtown and at the Haywood Mall (just two examples) have served to both deter crime and help solve crimes. But, it takes a community working together to reduce crime numbers and keep the criminals from ruining the holidays.
Use common sense when shopping, sending or receiving packages, visibility of gifts under the tree at home and even discarding boxes after Christmas. A good list of crime prevention tips can be found at this Greenville Police website.
Calendar
City Council Formal Meeting and Work Session schedules can be found at the City Website.
Now until December 17 The City is doing a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Blanket Drive until December 17, and Bobby Pearse Community Center is a collection site. They are asking for blankets that are new or in good condition. There will be a designated box out for them at the center. Please consider donating blankets so that others may stay warm this winter.
December 14 – Plan Stone Avenue Community Meeting. Greenville County Main Library. 5:30-7:30 pm
December 16 – Board of Zoning Appeals Public Hearing. 4:00 PM in the 10th floor Council Chambers at City Hall. Two of the agenda items are a report on Waffle House adherence to Permit terms and the special exception sought by the proposed Quik Trip ‘Convenience Store’ on Rutherford Rd.
Friday, Dec. 17, 12:00 p.m. – Lunchtime Greenway Bicycle Ride, Greenville Zoo Entrance. Join Brian Graham and Ty Houck for a bicycle ride along the Swamp Rabbit Trail. This is a great opportunity to get out of the office, enjoy some fresh air and get some exercise on a Friday afternoon. All level of bicyclists are encouraged to attend – the pace will be easy and no one will be left behind. They typically ride for about 30 minutes, but a longer ride may be available for those who don’t need to make it back to the office in such a timely manner. All participants are encouraged to wear a helmet. All rides are rain or shine, heat & humidity or temperatures near freezing, so please dress accordingly.
December 21 – Volunteer Orientation, Greenville Humane Society. 6 pm in the lobby, 328 Furman Hall Road.
January 1, 2011 – North Greenville Christmas Bird Count – The count is the compilation of data from field parties as well as from short jaunt and backyard or feeder surveys. Each group’s Christmas Bird Count takes place within a fixed circle with a diameter of 15 miles. The Greenville County Bird Club’s count circle is centered at the intersection of SC Hwy 253 and Fews Bridge Rd in northern Greenville County and includes Lake Cunningham, Lake Robinson, Berry’s Millpond, and Paris Mountain State Park. For complete details about the Christmas Bird Count’s history and annual results from across North America, visit the Audubon Society’s CBC website Contact either JB Hines or Donnie Coody if you would like to participate.
Upcoming Programs for 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: Baby & Me
Dates/ Time: January 21 – May 20; Fridays, 10-11am
Fee: $2 per class
Registration: Participants do need to register in advance for this class but fee may be paid upon arrival.
Description: This class will be geared to parents/ caregivers and their babies (6 months to 24 months old) who would like to engage in social and play opportunities with other caregivers and babies. This class will incorporate music, cooking, art, games and other activities geared to this age. We will utilize the Bobby Pearse facility as well as the playground in our park.
Program Name: CPR for Adults, Children & Infants
Dates/ Time: Monday, January 24 & Tuesday, January 25; 6-8:30pm
Fee: $60
Registration: on-line
Description: The American Red Cross of Upstate South Carolina will be instructing a 2-day CPR course at the Bobby Pearse Community Center that will focus on teaching CPR for adults, children and infants. The course will train participants to act in emergency situations and to recognize and care for life-threatening respiratory or cardiac emergencies in adults, children and infants.
Program Name: Dog Obedience: Basic Manners Class
Dates/ Time: January 19 – February 23; Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30pm
Fee: $75
Registration: on-line
Description: This six week class for dogs 5 months and older will meet for 1 hour each week. The first class is an Orientation without dogs. During orientation, we will talk about the training process and have a Q&A period so participants can ask any training questions. In this class, the dogs will learn to sit, lie down, stay, come when called and settle on a mat. Participants will learn how to effectively teach their dog these commands and more. Class instructor Sue Conklin is a Greenville area dog trainer known as The Puppy Nanny. She has been training dogs and teaching their owners for over 12 years. Sue knows that the best training methods use positive reinforcement for both dogs and people. She focuses on teaching dogs what they should do and teaching owners how to get the best behavior from their dogs.
Program Name: Homeschool Fitness
Dates/ Time: January 19 – April 27; Wednesdays; 9:45am – 10:45am for 6-12 year olds & 11am – Noon for 13-18 year olds
Fee: 1 Child = $35; 2 Children = $60; 3 Children or more = $75
Registration: on-line
Description: This program will provide fitness classes for homeschooled children on Wednesday mornings. The classes will incorporate physical fitness and nutrition education as the priority. We will also focus on stretching, running, sports and games that encourage physical activity.
Yoga
Dates/ Time: January 10 – February 14; Mondays, 6:30-7:45pm
Fee: $5 per class or $25 for 6-week session paid in full
Registration: Participants do need to register in advance for this class but may pay upon arrival
Description: This is a 6-week beginner yoga class that will be on Monday evenings. The instructor, Brooke Kleinfelter, will teach the class at a beginner level; however, it will be tailored to the participants, so all levels are welcome to join. (From a participant’s viewpoint, I can tell you that it’s a fun class with ALL levels of expertise and fitness, so come and join us! You’ll feel great!)
Program Name: Girls on the Run & Girls on Track
Preparing Girls for a Lifetime of Self-Respect & Healthy Living
Dates/ Time: Girls on the Run: February 7 – May 5, Mondays & Thursdays 5:15-6:30pm. Girls on Track: February 8 – May 5, Tuesday & Thursdays 5:15-6:30pm
Fee: $250 (full and partial scholarships available)
Registration: This program is offered in conjunction with Greenville Hospital System (GHS). Register with GHS.
Description: Girls on the Run is an afterschool program that uses the power of running to help girls become strong, content, self-confident young women. Girls on the Run is a life-changing, experiential learning programs for girls age eight to fifteen years old. The programs combine training for a 3.1 mile running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts. The goals of the programs are to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development. Girls on the Run will be for girls 8-11 yrs. old. Girls on Track will be for girls ages 12-15 yrs. old.
Program Name: Monthly Writing Workshops: Out of your Head and onto the Pages
Dates/ Time: The second Sunday of the month: January 9 & February 13, 2-4pm
Fee: $5 per class
Registration: Participants do need to register in advance for this class but the fee may be paid upon arrival.
Description: The City of Greenville Parks and Recreation have partnered with the Emrys Foundation to offer The Writing Room at the Bobby Pearse Community Center. 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.
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.
Don’t forget to renew your NMCA membership. Only $10 annually. You can renew easily via PayPal or download, complete and mail the form found at the NMCA membership page. Membership runs on a calendar year from Jan 1 to Dec 31. If you are not sure if you are current in your dues, please let us check for you. Just email pgilreath@aol.com and we’ll let you know. We need your participation!! Tell your neighbors,too. Thank you!!
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