Shore Drive Community Coalition

Sign up for Lesner Bridge Design Charette

There is still seating available for the Lesner Bridge Design Charette.  If you are interested, please RSVP to 385-4131 by Oct 31st.

It’s November 7th Wednesday, from 8:30am-4:30pm.
If you are planning to go and would like to attend a pre-meeting gathering of other SDCC/Shore Drive residents, please [encode=todd@sdcc.ino?Subject=Lesner Bridge]email Todd[/encode] and he’ll notify you of the time and place for this meeting.

View public notice. [1pg pdf]

Notes from a meeting Marvin and Dorinda attended was one of those with Ms. Figg, the Architect and President of Figg (and Director of Bridge Art) and Daniel Taylor , Director of Bridge Engineering at Clark Nexsen:

Goals: Build a signature, Structural art bridge on schedule and in budget.
            Public involvement
            Strong local design team
  Topics for 11/07/07 Design Charette
              Bridge “theme”
              Select bridge “shapes”
              Determine “Vistas”
              Select railing
              Select lighting features
   
  Ideas for theme:
              Celebrating the water, bay, oceans, rivers
              A tribute to the military
              A historical, colonial coast tribute
              Honoring the nature that surrounds us

FIGG.com, company behind building the new Lesner Bridge.

Green Parrot Fund Raiser Nov 5th Monday - all ya can eat shrimp & happy hour

BAYFRONT“ALL-U-CAN-EAT” SHRIMP COOKOUT & PARTY!! (with Happy Hour Drink Prices)
Come on Down to the Chesapeake Bayfront for a great cause: Raising money to preserve and protect our community and its remaining beach and wetland resources. All donations and proceeds will go to the Shore Drive Community Coalition’s defense and protection fund in support of the Shore Drive-Chesapeake Bayfront Coastal Preservation campaign. 
NOV 5th- Monday Night from 6 to 9:00 pm
$20/advance - $25/door per person @ The Green Parrot Grille,
4494 Lookout Rd., Chicks Beach
For Tickets & Details: Contact Manager/Lori @ 460-4640 or Liz @ 425-2123 

Print the Whole Flyer & hand it out, hang it, mail it…..get the word out!
See the Whole Flyer [ 1pg PDF ]

Indepth article about the Sandler brothers

Speaking about Art Sandler the article goes on to state how[h]e can speak with a college president about how education drives the economy one day and hang out with laborers the next.

Could that mean that he could eventually see the more enlightened, forward thinking value of turning Pleasure House Point into a learning center for the community? [ Learn more. ] After all, according to the article, he had a different career plan after college, ...Art, a teacher. And, Art has a sleek home with eco-friendly features, including an energy-saving grass roof and a porous gravel driveway.

Read & comment on article at Pilotonline.com.

Photo of a portion of wetlands that are proposed to be destroyed.
Taken before walking on PHP was considered trespassing.
Please respect the owner’s property rights and do not trespass.

No Indigo Dunes fund raiser on the web

Thanks to ChicksBeach.com for promoting the fund raiser.

VB & Norfolk may ban smoking in restaurants tonight

Read entire article & take poll at Pilotonline.com [Smoking ban is winning right now in the poll.]

Lynnhaven catching a temporary break due to drought

Short of no rainfall, the solution is myriad - low-nutrient fertilizers, fewer lawn chemicals, more treatment of sewage, more buffer strips to catch farm pollution, no dumping of leaves and used oil down storm drains.
Read entire article at Pilotonline.com.

Please, Donate to the Joy Fund this Holiday Season

The Virginian-Pilot Joy Fund is a holiday charity that helps nearly 21 thousand children in Hampton Roads receive toys during the holiday season. In 1934, editor Tom Hanes wanted to find a way to help children in need, The Joy Fund was born and it is one of the area’s most respected andsignificant providers of holiday support for the needy. The Joy Fund works with public schools and social service agencies to identify children and families in need.  100% of every penny donated goes to purchase new toys.  The Virginian-Pilot pays for all administration costs. The Salvation Army helps to distribute toys to children who would otherwise do without.  Please help us bring joy to the children this holiday season.

Donations are accepted all year and are tax deductible.

To donate online.

Donations can be mailed to: 

The Joy Fund
PO Box 2136
Norfolk, VA 23510

Donations can be dropped off at one of these Virginian-Pilot offices:

150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk,
4565 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach,
5429 Greenwich Rd., Virginia Beach
921 N. Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake.

Checks can be made payable to The Joy Fund. Donations will be listed in The Virginian-Pilot beginning November 4, 2007.

Watch for Virginian-Pilot ads for upcoming Joy Fund events to help raise money.

For additional information call Linda Hollingsworth, Marketing Specialist, Community Relations and Joy Fund coordinator - 757-446-2445 or email [encode=linda.hollingsworth@pilotonline.com?Subject=From SDCC.info]Linda[/encode].

SDCC General Meeting, Monday, October 29th 2007 at 7:30pm at OPVRS

This month’s presentation will be on the Virginia Pilot’s Joy Fund.  Ms. Linda C. Hollingsworth will give a brief presentation and explain how the Joy Fund and SDCC can potentially work together.  She will have a question and answer session after the presentation.

Note: There will be no update on the proposed Marina Shores development this month.  Mr. R.J. Nutter informed me that the developer will not be ready to present until January 2008 at the earliest.  The current plan is to build 5 and 7 story office and restaurant spaces instead of 232 condos.  A copy of the proposed plan will be present for viewing.

The general agenda for the evening will be:  ·     

  Program -    20 Minutes

·        Officer’s Reports - Brief Reports

o     Secretary –  Review last months minutes.

o       Treasurer’s Report   - Leslie

o     Vice President & President -  Daphne & Todd

Old Business-

·  Indigo Dunes Project – Art Sandler has been in contact with the OPCL President.  He offered to meet with the OPCL Board and provide updates to the project.  The SDCC has in turn contacted Mr. Nutter and requested any presentation be made at an SDCC general meeting in lieu of smaller board meetings.  We are currently waiting for a response.  SDCC special projects account has been established to handle donations.  SDCC contacted the Virginia Beach Foundation to see if we can use them as a tax deductible clearing house.  The Foundation stated that using funds to support attorneys fees or pay for open space would not be considered a charitable cause for the Foundation.  SDCC is asking that each member organization pledge $500 or $1000.  This would allow payment requests to be issued in $100 increments for attorney retainers.  Please ask your boards/membership to pledge an amount.

·  232 apartments are being planned for Marina Shores Marina.  Design has changed from 232 condos to two office & restaurant buildings.  Buildings will be 5 and 7 stories tall.  A 5 story tall parking garage is also planned adjacent to Long Creek Cove residents.  Developer is willing to attend SDCC January meeting to give a presentation.     

·  Cape Henry Beach Sand Replenishment Task Force –  SDCC met with City Attorney Les Lilley on Oct. 17th.  City is meeting with associations that are reviewing proposed easement agreements.  Plans our to finish up meeting and move ahead by Dec 1, 2007 to support 2008/2009 dredge cycle.

· Lesner Bridge Design Forum -  Bridge Design Charette scheduled for Wednesday Nov. 7th from 8:30am to 4:30pm at VB Convention Center.  Contact Deborah Kravchak at dkravchak@clarknexen.com for available seating.

· RFQ of City Owned Marina next to Chick’s -  Private ownership will require rezoning from P-1 to B-4.  Is this a good thing?  Or will it be possible to build condo on the property after rezoning?

· Update on Resort Conference Hotel CUP -  Proposed expansion going before City Council.  Also requesting approval for outdoor activities (beach chair rental, kayak rental, jet ski rentals.
 

New Business      

·  Vision Planning for Pleasure House Point -  Should SDCC create a committee to create a vision for pleasure house point?  The committee would consist of the President and SDCC rep from each member organization.  Topics would include expanding on proposed funding method for purchase of property, what type of development would be acceptable to community, no build solution, research facility, etc.

·  No Indigo Dunes Oyster Roast -  A fund raiser is being planned for Monday November 5th from 6 to 9pm at the Green Parrot in Chesapeake Beach.  Cost will be $20 advance and $25 at the door for all you can each shrimp.  Happy hour drinks all night.  Tickets can be purchased from Liz Dyer 425-2123 or manager at GP 460-4640.  The SDCC’s job will be to spread the word, attend and have a good time.  Watch the website http://www.noindigodunes.com ,your email and street signs for more information.

One more item to add under New Business
November Elections for SDCC officers
The existing officers have agreed stick around for one more year and to run for 2008.  If anyone else is interested in running for an office, please send me an email and I will add you to the list to present at the general meeting.
President - Todd Solomon
Vice President - Daphne Atkins
Secretary - Tim Solanic
Treasurer - Leslie Cornwell

November 5th Fund Raiser at Green Parrot preliminary scoop

Nov. 5, Monday,  6-9 p.m. at the Green Parrot, 4494 Look Out Road, Chicks Beach

All you can eat shrimp
Happy Hour prices all night
Tickets: $25 at door   $20 in advance
(Liz Dyer 425-2123 or Manager at GP 460-4640)
Come support our Great Shore Drive neighborhood
Proceeds to benefit : Shore Drive Community Coalition’s Account to Oppose Indigo Dunes

Green Parrot on the web!

BAC Meeting today at OPVRS at 3:30pm

Includes:
STAFF REPORTS
    Lesner Bridge Charrette Overview - David Jarman, Public Works
    Shore Drive Corridor Improvement Projects Update - Heather Ham, Public Works
    Zoning Enforcement Update - Randy Wallace, Planning

Meeting Agenda [2pg PDF]

VCAN requests a prescriptive easement be reopened on Pleasure House Point

Virginia Coastal Access Now (VCAN) believes the public has long held a prescriptive easement prior to the Sandler’s acquisition of the property and that public access is now being illegally denied.  Our non-profit respectfully requests that the City require the Sandlers remove sections of fencing and the City erect public access signs.
Read entire letter at VCANACCESS.com.
View part of their inspiration for pursuing this.

Bayfront Advisory Committee’s Design Subcommittee To Meet October 15

The Design Subcommittee of the Bayfront Advisory Committee will meet at 8 a.m., Monday, October 15, at the First Landing State Park Trail Center Conference Room.  The Conference Room is located at the end of the park road leading south from the Shore Drive park entrance where parking is located to access the nature trails.

The Subcommittee will be continuing its discussions about pursuing recommendations for revisions to the Shore Drive Corridor Plan and related documents.

The meeting will be open for the public to observe; however, there will not be an opportunity for the public to participate in the Subcommittee’s deliberations.

For additional information prior to the meeting, call Clay Bernick in the Planning Department at (757) 385-4621.
Since the public can’t participate, can anyone attend this meeting and take notes to provide an update for our Oct 29th SDCC meeting?

Historical wade fishing under the Lesner Bridge may be endangered

According to Virginia Coastal Access Now:

VCAN does not agree with the City’s interpretation on and/or random enforcement of this City code. The issuance of tickets for wade fishing at Lynnhaven Inlet and/or the requirement to leave the water is unacceptable.

On November 6th, you can speak at the City Council Hearing about this subject, or email the City Clerk if it’s impossible to attend.

Learn more at Virginia Coastal Access Now.

Have a Freedom Lawn

Save the bay, the Lynnhaven & have more free time, buy less lawn chemicals….have a Freedom Lawn!

Read entire article at HamptonRoads.com.
Visit LynnhavenRiverNow.org to learn more about their rain barrels, rain garden workshops, & more ways to protect the Lynnhaven.

Tips for lost & found pets

The 2 yellow labs have been reunited with their family.

Here’s some tips on what to do if you find a missing pet:

+ put a sign in front of their house that says “DOGS FOUND”.  The owners are often driving around looking for them, and that’s the only way they’ll know that someone has the dogs inside their home or in their backyard.

+ contact the Virginia Beach SPCA.

+ [encode=tim@sdcc.info?Subject=Pet Finder]email SDCC[/encode] to post info. We’ll also get the info to other Bayfront websites.

+ post info at the local craigslist.org.

+ try using PetFinder.com.

2 Yellow Labs found cruising around Great Neck Road

Found:
Two yellow labs, both male, no collars or tags, walking on Great Neck Road across from John B. Dey Elementary School on Friday morning, 10/12. 
Call 757-481-0987.
[encode=tim@sdcc.info?Subject=Yellow Labs]Email Tim to help.[/encode]

BAC writes letter re: proposed Dredge Spoils Facility for Lynnhaven Boat Ramp

Read entire letter. [2pg PDF]

LRNow Fall Fest Oyster Roast at Bubba’s & Shellfish Company

Fall Fest !! on Friday, October 26, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

A Portion of the Proceeds benefit Lynnhaven River Now!

Read on to learn more….

Shellfish Company, Bubba’s Marina and Lynnhaven River Now invite you to celebrate the Fall Season.

Come together with friends for this festive occasion on the deck overlooking the Lynnhaven River.

Live entertainment, door prizes, roasted oyster, steamed shrimp, Carolina BBQ, beer and more.

Tickets on sale at Bubba’s & Shellfish Company
3323 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach
481-7512 or 481-3513

$30 in advance or $40 at the door.

Second test

Here’s the second post to finally continue the path to change to EE.

Rain Garden Workshop - A Beautiful Way to Help the River

Wednesday, October 24TH 9:00-Noon at the Virginia Agriculture Research and Extension Center 1444 Diamond Springs Road.

Find out how landscaping can help water quality in the Lynnhaven River.

Learn how to design and build a rain garden in your yard.

Take home design plans and plant lists.

Tour the new rain garden and buffer gardens at the Center.

For more information or to register, contact Lynnhaven River NOW at 757-962-5298 or hkuhns@lynnhaven2007.com.

The health of our waters is the principal measure of how we live on the land.

Luna Leopold

Presented by Lynnhaven River Now, VT, UVA & VCE.