NMCA Newsletter (07/16)

Phyllis Gilreath Local Business

summer

 

*The Board of Directors now meets the first Tuesdays of most months at 6:30 PM at the Bobby Pearse Community Center.  Members are welcome to attend. Please email northmaincomm@gmail.com in case there is a location change and to insure we are meeting that month.

 

                               Welcome to Our Newest Business Members

“TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 8 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at
tdmore than 1,200 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth®, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. For more information about products and services offered by TD Bank, please contact your local Store Manager, Trey Gardner, at Trey.Gardner@td.com or 864.552.9025, or visit the Greenville Main location at 102 South Main Street.”

 

IdealMD is a new member represented by Bryce Kaspar.  “I am a proud Dad of my 10-year-old son, Wyatt, an Entrepreneur and lover of Greenville and the North Main Community.  We moved to Greenville in 2009.  We enjoyWyatt & Bryce (1)
everything outdoors, the local restaurants and just walking around downtown.  My passion in business is fixing our broken Primary Care health system through the company I co-founded, IdealMD.  IdealMD empowers the idealmddoctor-patient relationship by making access to your doctor easy and convenient. Our Direct Primary Care membership program eliminates the red tape of the insurance system and gives you and your doctor the time and freedom to protect and optimize your health.  For employers, we offer a simple program that can save double-digits on health benefits expenses while providing employees a unique benefit they will actually use and love!  Learn more about our positive revolution in health care by visiting www.idealmd.com or visit IdealMD on Facebook.”

 

Plant & Tree Solutions is a locally owned horticultural consulting and plant health care company. “We are not a tree removal company. We specialize in tree preservation, landscape pest and mosquito control, tree and shrub fertilization, diagnostics, tree ordinance compliance, and arboricultural/horticultural consulting. We are qualified and equipped to diagnose and treat woody plant problems. Andrew Long has over 17 years of arboriculture Plant and Treeand horticulture business experience. Andrew graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture from Clemson University. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and has worked in many facets of the green industry including organic gardening, greenhouse production, and urban tree care. A comprehensive list of services is located our website. You can also visit our Facebook page.” Contact information: Kristen Long kristen@PlantAndTreeSolutions.com or 864-601-5115.

 

curry

Development and Other City & Business News

  • For those who missed it, there was a great article about one of NMCAs business members, Greenco Beverage, in this week’s Upstate Business Journal. Read “A Century of Suds” on their website.
  • The NorthPointe zoning proposal passed first reading with City Council unanimously on June 27. The second reading is scheduled for July 11.
  • For those who have seen the activity going on at the corner of North Main and Rutherford, it looks like yet another tenant will be moving in. That building has housed everything from Jazzercize to an Ice Cream Parlor (MANY years ago). Rumor has it that what is proposed is a small office, possibly a builder.
  • North Main is losing one of its “eclectic landmarks”. Shinola is moving to Pendleton St.  We understand that there will be a variety of tenants who may move in.
  • There are continuing reports of crime in the area. Petty larceny was reported on RAIDS on Mountainview and Buist in June and a burglary on W. Avondale.  A resident also reported a burglary across the street from them on Northwood Avenue over the holiday weekend The thieves were brazen in that they pulled into the driveway and are believed to have stolen 3 televisions and a computer. Please alert your neighbors when you will be out of town!
  • We’ve often heard comments about parking issues on some North Main streets. Residents sometimes park too far from the curb. Parking is often an issue where there is construction going on.  Often workers, and sometimes residents, park too close to intersections, essentially closing the street to one lane.  This can be very dangerous. This is also the case on some narrow streets where residents park on both sides of the street.  If you have an issue with this close to you, be sure to contact Greenville Cares.  If no one knows about it, nothing will be done.
  • Share the Road! The Upstate is becoming more bicycle friendly, which is great!  We need to do even more to reduce tension between cyclists and drivers of other vehicles.  If you are a bicyclist, be sure to follow the same traffic rules as vehicular traffic. We’ve had residents complain that cyclists run red lights and ride more than two abreast, slowing traffic. Cyclists should remember that they are subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle. Most importantly, that means you must obey all traffic signals and signs. Stop signs and red lights are not discretionary!  And for motorists, there are rules you must follow, too.  This includes maintaining a safe operating distance from a bicycle.  Also, “it is unlawful to harass, taunt, or maliciously throw an object at or in the direction of any person riding a bicycle.”  For more information, check out Palmetto Cycling Coalition’s Website.

corley

Are You Watering Your Lawn and Trees Correctly?

Hot, dry summer months are some of the most stressful times for plants in the landscape. One of the most common problems seen is improper watering.  Without adequate moisture, plants cannot function normally and can become predisposed to other stresses in the environment, such as winter injury or diseases. Particularly susceptible to drought damage are plants that have developed shallow root systems due to improper watering practices.

How to Identify a Thirsty Lawn: If you choose to irrigate your lawn during drought periods, do so efficiently. Water when the lawn shows signs of “thirst,” applying an appropriate amount at the right time of day.

Footprinting: Walk across your lawn. If your footprints remain in the grass very long, the lawn is dry.footprint

Color test: When a lawn is dry a long time, it will have a bluish-gray cast. Watering brings back the color.

Check leaves: Dry grass responds by wilting, rolling or folding the leaves.

Screwdriver test: If the soil is very dry, it will be hard to insert a screwdriver into the lawn.

 

Once you have determined that your lawn is dry, apply about an inch of water per week. Usually this can be done by watering twice and applying at least 0.5 inches each time.  This amount should moisten the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Early morning is the best time to water when there is less evaporation. (And check your system often as power ‘blips’ in the summer can wreak havoc on timers.)  There is a popular misconception that landscapes should be watered daily – after all, plants use water every day. This idea completely ignores the fact that soils hold water.  Stretch the interval between each watering to encourage development of deep, extensive roots. If we need one inch of water per week and we irrigate daily, we will in effect be applying 1/7 inch (0.14 inches) of water each day, wetting the soil to a depth of less than one inch.  While this promotes growth of weeds, it encourages shallow rooting and water will never reach the roots of shrubs or trees unless their roots are very close to the surface, in which case you may see the grass suffer.  That is why a good rain always seems to help everything look better.

treeTrees & Shrubs:  Drought symptoms can be confusing and can vary with different types of plants. Woody plants under drought stress can have many symptoms including, yellowing, wilting leaves that develop early fall color and burning or scorching on the edges of leaves. Plants may drop some or all of their leaves and appear to be dead.  Generally, most woody plants will usually recover when watered. Plants that appear to be dead might recover when watered, or may lose upper leaves as in the photo at right and suffer long term damage. Always check closely first to see if a plant is dead before removal. Scrape the outer layer of a twig or the bark, or cut it to see if a green layer exists indicating that it is still alive.  When watering trees and shrubs, make sure you are watering the root system, much of which is out near the drip line (the outer edge of the canopy) of the tree, and not at the base of the tree.  The drip line is where most of the feeder roots are.

Evergreen plants respond a little differently than deciduous trees. The new growth on evergreen plants often wilts when plants are under water stress. The leaves or needles can remain green up to several weeks after an evergreen plant has died.  http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/other/irrigation/hgic1805.html

Also, don’t forget to ‘water your birds’.  During dry periods, it’s even more important to provide fresh water for birds and other wildlife and pets.

Chop Cancer

chop cancerWant a fun and unique way to help all those touched by cancer?  It’s happening on Friday, August 26 at the TD Convention Center – the second annual CHOP! Cancer culinary event. This amateur cooking competition, benefitting the Cancer Survivors Park Alliance, will feature 18 local celebrities and Upstate community leaders battling away in the kitchen.  Their culinary creations – featuring cancer-fighting ingredients – will be judged by professional chefs and well-known faces – and you get a say in who wins through online voting!  Go to the website to see who the chefs are and vote for your favorite. Buy a ticket and enjoy dinner and cocktails while being entertained by the battles in the kitchen. Proceeds support of the Cancer Survivors Park Alliance (CSPA) and the Cancer Survivors Park (CSP).

 

Weather Tidbits

According to climate data from 1884 to the present, the average maximum temperature for Greenville in July is 90°F, and the average low is 69°F.  The average rainfall for the month is 3.8”. The maximum high was 107 on July 1, 2012. The maximum low temperature was 80 on July 12 and 14, 1937 and 1932.  The minimum high temperature was 64 on July 12, 1999 and July 27, 1888.  The minimum low was 53 on July 2, 1899 and July 26, 1911.  Maximum precipitation (rain) in a 24-hour period was 4.89” on July 7, 1898. The wettest July was in 1902 with 14.45” and the driest was 2007 with only 0.58”.  http://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/index.php .   The weather this summer seems headed to rival the most destructive and unbearable summers in U.S. history. Those years include 1934 and 1936, which were in the middle of the Dust Bowl era, as well as 1954 and 1988, which was the year that Yellowstone National Park burned and NASA scientist James Hansen first warned the U.S. Senate about the consequences of manmade global warming.  So far, it is likely that 2016 will top 2015 as the warmest year on record. If a La Nina forms by fall, as expected, that could depress global temperatures slightly.  NOAA compared the top 10 warmest months globally as of November 2013 to the current list. As of last month, all but one of the 10 warmest months on recorded occurred in 2016 and 2015.  According to NOAA, above-normal temperatures are likely to persist across the southern tier of the country during the summer and late fall and winter, with the chances for below-median precipitation expected to expand across this same region.         

 

This Month’s Trivia – The History of M&Ms 

M&MsMany amazing discoveries and inventions are spawned from war, but did you know M&M candies are one such innovation? Forrest Mars Sr. moved to England, where in 1932 he began manufacturing the Mars bar for troops in the United Kingdom. It was during the Spanish Civil War that Mars purportedly encountered soldiers eating small chocolate beads encased in a hard sugar shell as part of their rations. He returned to the United States and, shortly thereafter, approached Bruce Murrie, the son of Hershey executive William Murrie, to join him in his new business venture. Anticipating a shortage of chocolate and sugar as World War II raged on in Europe, Mars sought a partnership that would ensure a steady supply of resources to produce his new candy. In return, Murrie was given a 20 percent stake in the M&M product, which was named to represent ‘Mars’ and ‘Murrie.’In March of 1941, Mars was granted a patent for his manufacturing process and production began in Newark, New Jersey. Originally sold in cardboard tubes, M&M’s were covered with bright coatings. After the U.S. entered the war, the candies were exclusively sold to the military, enabling the heat-resistant and easy-to-transport chocolate to be included in American soldiers’ rations. By the time the war was over and GIs returned home, they were hooked.Shortly after, wartime quotas ended and the candies were made available to the public.  Upon request by the crew aboard NASA’s first space shuttle, Columbia, M&M’s were the first candy to rocket into space in 1981. Three years later, they were advertised as the Official Snack of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Today, the crowd-pleasing and satisfying candies continue to sweeten a soldier’s day as a welcome part of their individual Meal, Ready to Eat (MRE) field ration.  http://www.history.com/news/hungry-history/the-wartime-origins-of-the-mm

And for Our Furry Friends

Community Cat Program – Animal Care Services (ACS) has initiated a community cat program to reduce the number of unwanted cats and kittens and work towards making Greenville County a no-kill community. A community cat is a cat that lives outdoors and does not have a particular home or owner. They may be friendly, or they often are not socialized with people (often termed feral).  They depend on humans for food, whether it is a catneighborhood caretaker, dumpster or other source. Whether you love or loathe community cats, TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) is the most effective, humane way to control feral cat populations.  Cats are trapped, neutered, ear-tipped (the universal symbol of a sterilized cat), and returned to their outdoor home.  If you simply remove them, other cats will move into the area and produce more kittens, starting the cycle all over again. If you find kittens, check out their brochure on what to do.

Who qualifies as a Community Cat?  Unwanted or abandoned cats living outdoors full-time in Greenville County.  Kittens must weigh at least 2 lbs for surgery.  The best place for kittens younger than 8 weeks old is with their mother, if at all possible.  You can borrow a humane cat trap at ACS with a refundable deposit. The surgery is free. No appointment is needed when bringing in community cats. Instead, drop-off time is between 10AM – 4PM Mondays through Thursdays (No Friday drop offs). If you arrive after 12PM the cat may not be spayed or neutered until the following day.  Then you simply return the cat to its original location. Call their community cat info line for more information: (864) 467-3981.

ACS is always looking for good foster homes for sick or animals too young to spay/neuter.  And the adoption fee for all animals is only $35.  Find your best friend today!

And don’t forget about Greenville Humane Society’s Mutt Strut next month.  Let your dog chase someone else’s tail for a change.  All proceeds go to GHS.   Free food, live music and live, doggie entertainment.

MUTT-STRUT-WEBSITE-HEADER-2016

 

Where the Wild Things Go

You may have read in a recent Greenville Journal article about wildlife in the city.  We’ve had reports of foxes and coyotes in the North Main area, as well as a lost goat and some lost chickens in the last couple of weeks. According to a Greer animal control company, three animals have moved here in the last 15 – 20 years…the coyote, the groundhog and the striped skunk.  You are probably seeing more wild animals out and about during the daytime groundhogrecently.  And if you feed stray cats, that’s likely not all you’re feeding. But keep in mind that the city’s increase in construction is taking away vital habitat, so they have to adapt to being closer to humans.  And right now, many have babies to feed, making it more likely they are out in the daytime, looking for food for those hungry mouths.  There are patches of wooded areas near downtown, and wildlife are getting trapped there with nowhere to go.  That’s why it’s so important that we leave the few green spaces we have.  But…we as humans also need to adapt. Be smart about things like securely fastening garbage can lids and keeping pets indoors at night.  And remember that not all animals carry rabies.  Foxes rarely have rabies. The same goes for possums who are basically harmless and eat things like ticks and slugs.  They are like nature’s garbage can.  If you do see wild animals, especially if they are injured or acting strange, keep your distance and call Animal Control at 864.467.7595.  They will either respond or connect you with the proper authority.  (Excerpted from article by Melinda Young, Greenville Journal, July 8, 2016.)

Many times you can handle the situation yourself if you are educated.  I love the fact that I can look out and occasionally see a wild critter in my backyard.  The Greenville area has Wildlife Rehab. Centers, two of which you may have heard of:  Wildlife Rehab of Greenville and Izzie’s Pond.  They are non-profit organizations which rely on donations and volunteers, and which do an amazing job of rescuing and rehabilitating all types of wildlife.  Remember…we all have to learn to live together.

And, yes, for those of you who wish to bring a little country to the city, it is legal to have chickens within the city limits.   According to the Animal Code Ordinance, “Sec. 4-7. – Keeping domestic fowl; no disturbance of chickensothers.  “No person shall keep on premises located in the city, any chickens, turkeys, ducks, guineas, geese, pheasants, pigeons or other domestic fowl, in quantities or in a manner as to unreasonably disrupt or disturb the peace and quiet of any person, or to interfere with the reasonable use of property or enjoyment of life by any person, or unreasonably to cause damage, destruction, detriment or impairment to public or private property or to the property’s value, or to cause unreasonable annoyance or disturbance to any other person or to unreasonably cause offense to another person by reason of noise, odor, filth, vermin or other causes.”

You can also keep bees providing they have an adequate water supply and receive proper care.  Click here to find out more about animal control ordinances and what you can and cannot do in the city.

jason Elliot ad

Buy Local

grow your community

 

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 to be members.  They only need to provide services to North Main residents.

 

Calendar

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 July calendar.
  • The Children’s Museum has summer camps and other great programs for kids. Check them out on their website.
  • Check out the current exhibits and other programs at the Upstate History Museum.
  • Don’t forget about a great local resource for family activities. Macaroni Kid lists all kinds of local activities for kids and families.
  • And check out Kidding around Greenville, a great site for fun things to do in Greenville.

Every Tuesday – Line Dancing at the Sears Shelter at McPhearson Park from 6 – 8pm.  Swing Dance – McPherson Log Cabin each Tuesday evening. Lessons begin at 7pm. $4 for City residents! No partner or dance knowledge required. Two left feet are fine. Bring your friends and have some fun.

Also, if anyone is interested in a beginner knitting class please contact Jan Cox, 467-4326

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

July – Check out the classes at the Swamp Rabbit Café

July 11 –  – Summer Yoga Session Begins.  Monday evenings from 6:30 – 7:15. Bobby Pearse Community Center on Townes St. (North Main Rotary Park).  Only $6 per class (Greenville City Residents $5).  You can register for the entire session or just come as you can to single sessions and see what it’s all about.  It can’t hurt to try.  Come start the week out feeling great!

Every 2nd Thursday of the month, March–October – Yappy Hour.  6-8pm. Due to the new expansion construction, the July thru October Yappy Hours will be held at Brewery 85 at 6 Whitlee Ct. in Greenville. For $10, you and your friends can unwind with cold brews and live music from local artists. Meanwhile, your dog (neutered and vaccinated) can run off leash in our canine courtyard and take a dip in our “doggie pools”.  For more details or in case of inclement weather: consult our Facebook page or event calendar.

July 23 – Extra Mile Hunger Run. Timmons Arena at Furman University.  7:30am. In the Upstate of South Carolina, over 21,000 children go to bed hungry every night. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Harvest Hope Food Bank is hosting the 4th Annual Extra Mile Hunger Run at Furman University in Greenville, SC. The event will include a 5K Run (8:30 am) and a 1-Mile Family Fun Walk (9:00 am). **T-shirt included

July 24 – You Go Girl Triathlon.  Swim/Bike/Run Event. 7am – 11am. Greenville Hospital Center’s Life Center. Greenville’s only women’s only event, the PuroClean You Go Girl Triathlon is a perfect way to celebrate life, fitness and accomplishment.

August 6 – Run2Overcome.  7 – 9:30am.  Cleveland Park. The mission is to provide awareness and support for the children, families, and teachers whom meet the daily challenges, and celebrate the joys, of supporting our special needs community.

August 6 – First Annual Cruise-In at The Bridge.  1 – 5:30pm.  The Bridge Community Club.  This summer heats up with the newest regional car show at The Bridge of Greenville. Come enjoy live music, food, prizes, local vendors and a beautiful array of cars in every category, and stay for an evening concert! Spend a great afternoon with car enthusiasts, live entertainment, local refreshments…and a chance to win a Range Rover! Portion of the proceeds will benefit the Upstate Warrior Solution, a veteran support service of Upstate SC.

August 13 – Salsa at Sunset (formerly Salsa Under the Stars) returns for its second summer series: 2nd Saturdays. In its first year in 2015, over 1,000 people enjoyed live music, dancing, cash bar, and outdoors celebration in beautiful downtown Greenville. Salsa at Sunset is held in the Graham Plaza on the corner of Main Street and Broad Street in front of the Peace Center fountains.  The event is free and open to the public! Family-friendly and all are welcome!

August 13 – Superhero 5K.  8am – 11am.  Kroc Center. Families are invited to run, walk, or anything in between, through Downtown Greenville dressed as your favorite superhero! Hosted by The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club, the Superhero 5K is a fun way to support youth in Greenville!

August 16 – First day of school. See the 2016-2017 school calendar here.

August 26 – Chop Cancer Culinary Event.  See more details above in newsletter body.

 

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

 

       fbLike us on Facebook

 


twitter      Follow us on Twitter

NMCA Newsletter (07/16)
Tagged on: