NMCA Newsletter Sept/Oct 2022

NMCA Local Business

Nominations for 2023 NMCA Board of Directors

In accordance with the by-laws, this is the first call for nominations for the 2023 NMCA Board of Directors.  All officers must reside within the geographical boundaries of the NMCA for the entire period they hold office, Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023.  All officers must be 18 years or older.  The President may serve 2 consecutive terms and may then run for any office other than the one currently held.  The Vice-President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary and Membership Secretary will be able to succeed her or himself as elected by the members.   Any member may nominate someone for office.  The nomination must be submitted no later than November 1.  You may email the nomination to northmaincomm@gmail.com or mail to PO Box 571, Greenville, SC  29602.  The person nominated must agree to serve if elected and a brief statement of their qualifications and past contributions would be helpful for those who may not know them.  Election ballots will be emailed to all members in late November, early December.

Please consider getting involved in the association or talk to someone you know who would be willing to serve.  It is not that time-consuming and we would love to get some new folks involved.  Thank you!

 

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City News

*** An Important Note from NMCA President Steve Mills: In 2022, I have been participating in the City of Greenville project to create a new Land Code Development and Use document.  This effort is being led by a consultant group who will make their first draft available in December of 2022.  This 300+ page document will contain new designations for all areas of the city and will replace all existing development and use codes.  In December, the city will have an open house to present the draft, and in January, there will be follow up meetings to obtain input.  The goal is to present the final document to the planning commission in March 2023 and then to the city council soon thereafter.

The NMCA will send out information to our members as soon as we have a date for the December 2022 open house.  In January 2023, the NMCA will establish 3 or 4 meetings to review the document thoroughly for any members or nonmembers who want to participate.

It is critically important that this review and our feedback by NMCA be completed by the end of January 2023 so that updates can be made before the review by the planning commission.  This document will be a “by right code” which means if the developer meets the requirements, then the development in question will be allowed and it will be very difficult for anyone to request changes.

All neighbors, whether members of NMCA or not, will be welcome to participate, and individuals can give feedback directly to the city through the processes the city will establish for that purpose.

Want to know more about what a development code is?  Click here.

 

  • Seven-year pavement plan created: Surveys have determined the condition of city streets and created a seven-year paving maintenance plan for roadways owned by the city.  Using street prioritization software, city staff and its partners created an optimized seven-year paving plan based on the level of maintenance each roadway needs and cost associated with those repairs.

The seven-year paving plan takes advantage of treatment types aimed at preservation, rehabilitation and reconstruction rather than simply working on the “worst first,” a method that would result in far more costly lifecycle costs.  The survey found 85.5% of the networks of streets were in good, satisfactory or fair condition. Over the course of the next seven years, approximately 33% of the existing city streets will be treated in the current plan.  The work on North Main is scheduled to start on 9/21 and be completed by the end of the month.  View List of Streets to be Paved 

  • “The City of Greenville provides bulk waste collections for items that do not fit in your trash or recycle cart. Please call the Solid Waste Division at 864-467-4345 by 4PM the day before your normal collection day to schedule a bulk pickup. Place items at the curb by 7 a.m. in an unobstructed area that is away from parked cars, tree limbs, overhead wires, and mailboxes.” More details at: https://greenvillesc.gov/1565/Bulk-Waste-Large-Items
  • The City of Greenville will hold the next Shredding & E-Waste Recycling Event on Saturday, November 12, from 10am to 1pm, at the Public Works campus, located at 475 Fairforest Way. At this free event, citizens can dispose of unwanted electronics and have their sensitive documents destroyed and recycled securely.
  • Youth Flag Football: Just a reminder that registration is open for youth flag football. The league is open to boys and girls ages 8 to 12 and the season will run from October 10 through December 10. Practices and games will be at Holmes Park. For more info and to register, visit Youth Flag Football | Greenville, SC – Official Website (greenvillesc.gov).

 

  • Playground Update for North Main Rotary Park: Removal of the old playground equipment and installation of the new equipment is scheduled to begin on September 26. But before that happens, they will be closing the existing playground beginning on Monday, September 19, to allow them to do some work on the site. Specifically, they will be air spading, which I just learned loosens soil, making it easier for tree roots to absorb water and air. Apparently, some roots from a tree have crept into the playground area so this will help maintain the overall health of the tree during playground installation.

 

  • The Greenville County Historical Society invites you to attend their upcoming Membership Meeting featuring a workshop called “Researching & Preserving Historic Properties” featuring a panel of experts that will teach and guide residents living in historic properties and neighborhoods to find out more about their investments. Every day at the Society, we receive inquiries about how to find out more information on their properties, businesses, etc. and they struggle with where to begin. This workshop is for them!  I have included here the workshop information along with a link to register. We believe it will be very valuable to anyone living in a historic neighborhood.  Thursday, October 13, 2022, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Upcountry History Museum, 540 Buncombe Street.

Members attend FREE

Non-Members $15 per person until October 12

Non-Members $20 at the door October 13

Purchase Tickets Here

  • North Main is a very walkable community. We’d like to politely encourage walkers to use the sidewalk when possible and when not, please keep to the side of the road.  We’ve heard complaints from motorists of walkers in the middle of the road (especially dangerous on curves).  A little politeness goes a long way.

  • We’d also like to remind our dog-walkers that leaf and grass piles are NOT the place to toss filled poop bags. We know most of you do not do this, but we still see it way too often.

 

 

 

 

When is the Best Time to See Fall Foliage this Year?

 

The problem is that leaf color varies year to year, elevation to elevation and even by the direction the mountain side is facing.  To complicate matters even more, the intensity of the color is determined by a number of very complex factors including:  The type of plant, amount of rainfall, and temperatures.

Here is the 2022 Fall Color Forecast for the Blue Ridge Mountains, by week, starting in late September:

Keep in mind that Greenville is about 980 feet in elevation.

September 25 – October 2:  At the highest elevations, at and above 6,000 feet, spotty and muted color will begin to appear.  The views from these locations will be mostly green at this time, due to the areas viewed from here are at lower elevations.  Areas that turn early in this date and elevation range include primarily Graveyard Fields and Rough Ridge, both located off The Blue Ridge Parkway.

October 2 – 9:  Peak time for areas above 5,000 feet.  This would include: Clingmans Dome, Grandfather Mountain, Mount Mitchell, Waterrock Knob and Graveyard fields (the first location on the Parkway to turn).  Also included are the higher elevations of The Blue Ridge Parkway (between Asheville NC and Cherokee) and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

October 9 – 16:  Peak time for elevations from 4,000 – 5,000 feet.   This would include almost all Blue Ridge Parkway locations and the majority of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well.  Included in this elevation are the Boone NC and Blowing Rock NC areas.

October 16 – 23:  Peak time for lower elevations, from 3,000 – 4,000 feet.  This would include places like: Pisgah National Forest which includes Sliding Rock and Looking Glass Falls, Dill Falls, Wildcat Falls, and many other waterfalls.  Other areas include Linville Gorge, Nantahala Gorge, Maggie Valley, and Cataloochee Valley.  Also included is the upper elevations of Skyline Drive in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains.

October 23 – 30:  Peak time for elevations from 2,000 feet – 3,000 feet.  This would include: The cities of Asheville NC, Brevard NC, Waynesville NC, Cherokee, and many others.  Places of interest include Dupont State Forest and Biltmore Estate, and Cades Cove.  Also, areas surrounding Helen GA are included in this date range, like the beautiful Russell Brasstown Scenic Byway.

October 30 – November 6:  Peak time for remaining elevations, including Gatlinburg, TN, Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Lure NC, Helen GA and other remaining lower elevation mountains.

Please note, these timeframes are estimates based on prior years and current weather and soil conditions.   Actual peak times may vary some from this forecast.  https://rove.me/to/south-carolina/fall-foliage

 

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Fall in Your Yard

 

October is a great time for planting pansies and purchasing spring bulbs to plant in late October or November.  Limit pruning of shrubs to snipping stray branches and removing dead or damaged stems.  Be sure your plants don’t get stressed, especially shallow rooted plants like camellias and azaleas that are getting ready for winter and spring bloom, and everything in containers.  In our area the risk of frost is from October 28 through April 12 with the average date being October 30.  And leave those dried flower seed heads.  They are a source of food for birds.  It’s a good time to aerate and seed cool season lawns.   DON’T fertilize warm-season grass lawns late in the fall!

Remember…  grass clippings and leaves should NOT be in the same pile as shrub and tree prunings.  They are picked up separately and may get left if they are in one pile.  The city does not have a list of lawn maintenance companies, so it’s up to those who hire companies to insure they know the rules.

The annual Upstate Native Plant Society Fall sale will be held from October 1st through October 22nd at the Upstate Native Nursery. It will once again be set up following the model we used for four prior sales during the COVID pandemic. The plant list will be posted on the SCNPS website approximately a week before the sale. Orders can be submitted via email on the same link we’ve used before on the website or they can be sent directly to Kathy Harrington at pharmkat1965@gmail.com  Click here for more info.

“Those of you ‘blessed’ with part to full shade in your yard know already the challenges of gardening under darkness. Jenny Rose Carey’s 300-odd page book includes hundreds of color plates featuring scores of plants organized by soil types, degrees of shade, moisture and seasonal interest to help with designing your space; including dozens of our native plants!” – Doug Lockard  Please visit the online SCNPS STORE by following this link:  http://www.compleatnaturalist.com.

Planting in the fall effectively provides new plants two seasons to get established before the demands of summer when heat, humidity, and inconsistent rainfall combine with the stress of producing blooms and fruits.  And, of course, the onslaught of hungry insects and pathogens.  Fall potted plant purchases are often a better value than in spring simply because they’re more mature.  If you unpot a nursery plant in the fall, you’ll generally find substantially more root and foliage growth than you’d likely see in the spring. (Upstate Native Plant Society Newsletter)

And don’t forget the birds.  You’ve likely seen more activity at feeders recently.  As fall arrives our backyard birds are going through even greater changes in their lives than we are. They may change the foods they eat, their social arrangements, plumage and even where they live. Most of our backyard birds have been eating protein rich insects in summer and feeding them to their young. In fall, they may change to feeding on the ripening seeds and berries, partly because of the abundance but also because insects are becoming scarce as winter approaches.

In general, most hummingbirds will begin their migration in late August or early September. However, if the weather is still warm, some hummingbirds may linger until October.  It’s best to leave your hummingbird feeders up for 2 weeks after the last sighting.  I even had to provide food all winter for one a few years ago who missed the “boat”.  For more on Fall Migration in the Mountains and Piedmont, check out this Audubon website.

 

 

 

For our 4-Legged Companions

 

Did you know that “Greenville County Animal Care (GCAC) is the largest open-admission animal facility in South Carolina with a care capacity of approximately 400 dogs and cats. Through the implementation of many life-saving and targeted spay/neuter programs, we have seen a decrease in animal intake of more than 50% in just 5 years.  We operate the largest state-of-the-art spay/neuter clinic in SC, capable of performing up to 10,000 high quality spay/neuter surgeries each year. 90% of the surgeries our veterinarians perform are done at no cost to our community thanks to targeted grants and because of donors like you.”  See more statistics at GCAC’s website.

Upcoming Events for you and your canine companion this fall:

The Ultimutt Race:   Oct 1 at Homestead at Hartness in Greenville.  10% of proceeds and all donations benefit GCAC.

Barktober Fest at Universal Joint:  October 29, 12 – 4 pm @ Universal Joint.  This event helps to raise much needed funds for GCAC in aiding with the animals’ medical expenses, spaying & neutering fees, food, and to continue assisting in their efforts to remain a no-kill shelter. Bring your family and your fur babies and enjoy a fun day for a great cause!

Howl-o-ween Fest presented by Fairway Subaru:  Join us for a Howl-o-ween Fest presented by Fairway Subaru on Saturday, October 29 from 11:00am – 2:00pm at the Greenville Humane Society! You’ll enjoy trick-or-treating (bring your kiddos, and pups, in costume!), food trucks, bounce houses, live music, vendors, a pet costume contest, and more! This is one pawty you won’t want to miss!

 

Helpful Info

  • Did you know there’s a Facebook group for moms in the North Main area?  Click here to join and connect with “North Main Moms” to discuss all things kid and parent related. (Thanks to Becca Fowler)
  •  How to dispose of an old US flag? When a flag gets old, torn or faded, you should dispose of it respectfully.  Ideally, you should burn it, but some flag material could emit toxic fumes, so maybe not the best idea.  Burying it in a small box is also an option.  According to Greenville Fire Chief Brian Horton:  ”We do not collect used flags. However, most local American Legion Posts have a drop box. They usually have an old mail box that is painted in front of their post that is mark for used flags.”

 The American Legion Post 3 at 430 North Main has a mailbox for old flags on the office side of their building.  Their museum is also open Saturday 10-4 and Sunday 1-4 for visitors.

  •  The General Election is Nov 8. Click here for a sample ballot of state and federal offices based on your address.  Click here for more information about local offices, polling locations, etc. 
  • DST Ends November 6. Daylight-saving time is a killer according to some reports.   Every year on the Monday after the switch in the spring, hospitals report a 24% spike in heart-attack visits around the US. Just a coincidence? Probably not. Doctors see an opposite trend each fall: The day after we turn back the clocks, heart attack visits drop 21% as many people enjoy a little extra pillow time. “That’s how fragile and susceptible your body is to even just one hour of lost sleep,” sleep expert Matthew Walker, author of “How We Sleep,” previously told Insider.
  • Two Upstate cities had some of the most significant rent increases in the country from 2021 to 2022, according to new rankings from Dwellsy. According to the ranking, Greenville, SC, was sixth in the US with an 85.7% increase in rent prices, and Anderson, SC, was third with a 117.8% increase. (Fox Carolina)


Weather Tidbits

According to climate data from 1991-2020, the average maximum temperature for Greenville in October is 73.1°F, and the average low is 50.4°F. Average rainfall is 3.59”.  From 1884 to 2021, the maximum high was 98 on Oct 3, 2019. The maximum low temperature was 72 on the 4th in 1941. The minimum high temperature was 41 on Oct 26, 1926. The minimum low was 25 on Oct 29th, 30th, and 31st in 1976, 1910 and 1893, respectively.   Maximum precipitation (rain) was 7.24” on Oct 16, 1932.  The wettest Oct on record was 1932 with 12.68”.   The driest was in 2000 when we got no rain at all!  We did get a trace of snow on Oct 20, 1913, and Oct 26, 1926.  http://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/index.php

The Oct-Nov-Dec (OND) 2022 temperature outlook favors above normal temperatures for the southern two-thirds of the Contiguous United States (CONUS) and the eastern third of the CONUS. The OND 2022 precipitation outlook depicts enhanced probabilities of below normal precipitation amounts across the Southern Tier of the CONUS.

A top-10 warm August capped off a distinctly hot summer, as the U.S. saw its third-hottest meteorological summer on record. Last month was also marked by several extreme rainfall events across the nation that resulted in historic flooding, according to NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information.  For meteorological summer (June 1 through August 31), the average temperature for the contiguous U.S. was 73.9 degrees F, 2.5 degrees above average, ranking as the third-hottest summer in 128 years.

The Palmetto state has a seismic past and will, no doubt, tremble again as quakes shake the ground beneath our feet. Earthquakes are not an uncommon occurrence in South Carolina.  The swarm of earthquakes this year seem to have been centralized in central SC.  The worst earthquake occurred in Charleston in 1886, with 60 fatalities. It had an estimated magnitude of 6.9 to 7.3. Take a look at this figure to see where the fault lines are in SC.

 

Things to do in Greenville

Octoberfest 2022.  Noma Square.  Sept 30 – Oct 1.  Don your lederhosen or dirndl and come for delicious German food featuring grilled bratwurst, pretzels with beer cheese & mustard, Sauerbraten and more!  A selection of brews from Paulaner such as: Paulaner’s Münchner Lager, Hefe-Weizen, Oktoberfest Märzen & Grapefruit Radlers.
Live entertainment every night!

Fall for Greenville.  October 13 – 16.  Discover a world of tempting tastes, tunes, and taps, as mouthwatering aromas carry you along Greenville’s Main Street.

For more events, check out the city calendar.

You can also find local events on the visit Greenville website

It’s pumpkin time and Kidding Around Greenville has all the details on where to get your perfect pumpkin in a local pumpkin patch.   We’ll be putting together a list of things to do on Halloween soon.

We do know that Boo on Buist will be held Saturday, October 29 from 2 – 5pm.

Earle Street Baptist Church’s Fall Carnival will be held Friday, October 28 from 5:30 – 7:30pm.

Please let us know of other events in the community!  Thanks!

Shop Local

 

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

 

 

The North Main Community Association does not give, sell, or otherwise distribute your email or other information to third parties.

 

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

NMCA Newsletter Sept/Oct 2022
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