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Florenz Sterling stepped in again to help edit the April issue of the Newsletter. That issue includes:
- What's Up? (Vice-Prez Sez)
- Calendar
- News on the Web Pages
- Neighborhood Watch News
- Library News
- News from Holton School
- Traffic Calming?
- Plant Swap
- Cookbook
- Garden Walk
- Neighborhood Cleanup
- Help Wanted
Surely it can’t be true! Summer is gone, a new school year has started,
and the grass never burned out this year! Must be a good year so far in
Bellevue!
The efforts of so many volunteers on our various committees make this
beautiful neighborhood a better place to live, but we can be certain
that more challenges are always heading our way. Safety and security
remain a principal focus, along with socializing and beautification.
Our committees have accomplished much already this year, and our hats
are off to all those people who are contributing so much to those
efforts.
Experience is also teaching us that zoning and land use changes are
issues that we are least organized for, yet likely to encounter on a
regular basis. We encourage you to keep a regular eye on the Bellevue
website (members.tripod.com/johnrbutcher) so you can stay aware and
informed in a timely manner because we have some exciting issues very
close on the horizon. They include:
Crisis Pregnancy Center ? CPC is a non-denominational social service
agency currently based in Carytown. The medical/dental complex at the
corner of Brook and Amherst (right behind CVS) has been donated to CPC,
and their executive director met with the Bellevue board to let us know
they are planning to request a special use permit from the City of
Richmond to provide prenatal diagnostic medical exams and birthing
classes for expectant mothers at the Bellevue site. No paperwork for
the special use permit has been filed by Crisis Pregnancy with the City
.. . . yet. We will adopt a position we will share with the Board of
Zoning Appeals, but we need to hear from you in order to represent you.
Bellevue Avenue traffic calming ? The City’s Traffic Engineering staff
has developed proposals and estimated the costs of several measures to
“calm” traffic (that’s a buzzword for “slow it down, reduce accidents,
and make it safer for everyone, including pedestrians and bicyclists”).
The most likely improvements (from a cost standpoint) involve small
median islands that could be placed in the center of Bellevue Avenue
east of the Hermitage intersection at Fauquier Ave., and from Lamont to
Brook (in front of the storefronts).
Many thanks to Nancy Reynolds for spearheading our communication with
the City -- please share your reactions to the proposals with her
(264-8536) so we get a solution with which we are happy. Then we’ll
move on to other areas of Bellevue, so stay in touch.
Responsible Landlords ? As you may have read in Style Weekly and the
Times-Dispatch, efforts are underway by the City and neighborhood
associations to ensure that landlords responsibly maintain safe
properties ? a situation we know is not the case nearby us and is likely
causing many of the problems in our neighborhood. A toolkit of landlord
education, tighter leases, and nuisance suits seem to be the best
remedy. Our Bellevue bulldog, John Butcher, is hot on the trail, and we
would like your input and assistance.
Historic district designation ? Talk has resurfaced via email about the
pros and cons of seeking state and federal historic district designation
for Bellevue. This would allow homeowners making substantial
rehabilitations to potentially qualify for state income tax credits
equal to 25% of the rehab expenses (commercial properties, including
rental residential, could potentially qualify for the state credit plus
a 20% federal credit). It would not involve local design review of
paint colors, materials, architectural details, etc. The latter would
only come with designation by the City of Richmond as a local historic
district. In the state/federal scenario, only those owners seeking the
tax credits would have to meet design guidelines. Let us know what you
think!
There’s plenty going on -- there always is! Hopefully everyone in
Bellevue can spend an hour or two each
month to get involved. Here are some suggestions:
Check the Bellevue hotline (257-9705) and website regularly -- being
informed is better than the alternative!
Join us for updates on these and other topics at the September 26
general meeting at Christ Ascension Church.
Volunteer to spend an hour a month on the security patrol.
Make telephone tree calls for your block’s neighborhood watch, or be a
block captain ? a great way to meet and stay in touch with neighbors who
will watch out for you.
Call any of the committees to offer whatever help you can ? sometimes
one simple task is a huge help!
Experience the thrill of riding a city trash truck during our
Neighborhood Cleanup on October 28!
Best wishes for a healthy and colorful Fall!Tim Pfohl, Vice President/Acting President
Bellevue Civic Association General Meeting
Tuesday, September 26, 6:30 p.m.
Christ Ascension Episcopal Church
Corner of Hermitage & Laburnum
Plant Swap
October 21, Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Sidewalk Across from Nuttall’s on MacArthur Avenue
Rain Date: October 22
Bellevue Security Patrol New Member Training
Thursday, September 28, 7:00 p.m.
Battery Park Christian Church
Corner of Bellevue & Brook (parking lot entrance)
Building Better Communities" the Statewide Neighborhoods Conference
October 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Midtown Holiday Inn on West Broad Street
$10 registration (The Bellevue Civic Association has the forms, or call
540-345-8250 for information.)
Fall Clean-Up Saturday, October 28, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
SAFETY COMMITTEE NEIGHBORHOOD ISSUES UPDATE
John Butcher, Safety Committee Chairman and Web Master for the Bellevue Civic Association Internet page, has provided the following updates to issues of concern and other news about the Bellevue neighborhood:
The City has sent a notice to the owners of the notorious Redwood Apartments to provide the predicate of a prosecution under Va. Code § 18.2-258. The Times-Dispatch did a story on the notice. Earlier, Style Magazine also did a story on the problems at the Redwood . . .Our neighbor Sudie Pasco had been trying to get the School Board to abate the nuisance caused by the noise and intrusive lights at the back of Holton School. They mostly ignored her until she circulated a petition and appeared at the School Board meeting on August 7 . . .
We have correspondence with HUD about the use of Section 8 housing subsidies to support landlords on Chamberlayne Avenue who are allowing unacceptable crime and disorder on the property to threaten their tenants and the neighborhood . . .
Capt. Kiniry in the Third Precinct, now called, Customer Service Zone West, reported a major drug bust in Highland Park.
Elizabeth Kambourian has put her research on central Virginia history on the Web . . .
We have a recent note from Dan Lawrence of Ginter Park about the City's habit of planting trees in the spring and then watching them die in the summer heat . . .
There is also a note from Joy Payne in memory of her husband Bill Gadway . . .
Our Vice President has painful experience on what to do if your wallet is lost or stolen . . .
The City looks to be getting its act together on Code Enforcement . . .
Preliminary Good News about Princeton Creek: This summer it does not smell of sewage for the first time in years.
The Bellevue Civic Association Internet address is https://members.tripod.com/johnrbutcher. Visit the site for more information and pictures of activities in Bellevue.
NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE GINTER PARK BRANCH LIBRARY
Celebrate Banned Book/Banned Idea Week from September 23-30. A picture-filled presentation of Galileo's theory of the universe and the censorship he encountered will be presented for youth on Wednesday, September 27 at 6:30 pm. Afterwards, kids and their families may look through telescopes and receive mini binoculars. A list of banned books and a survey to test your science knowledge will be made available during the week.
Our September Artist-in-Residence is Kristen Donaldson. Ms. Donaldson exhibits hand-painted step stools, coathooks, and other decorative items.
Visit our new Family Resource Center! Family Resource Centers were funded by grants from the Richmond Department of Social Services and the Richmond Department of Public Health as a cooperative effort of the Richmond Public Library and the Department of Health. The Family Resource Centers provide opportunities for parents and caregivers to access information on children's developmental needs by centralizing community resources and materials. As a result, the library has new toys, furniture, parent resource books and videos, and books for preschool teachers!
Make a craft any time during library hours. Crafts will change biweekly. Play the Library Trivia Game any time during library hours and win a prize.
The Book Club continues to meet on the fourth Monday of the month from 6:30-8:00 PM. The Book Club will discuss Jill Ker Conway's The Road from Coorain on September 25. Visit the Book Club's site at http://www.cydom.com/ginterparklibrary/bookclub.
If you ever thought of replacing a well-loved book at the library or
just retiring an outdated one, you can! Just take that book to the
library and give it to the friendly people behind the front desk. If
it's already in the system, they will tag it. If not, they send it
downtown to be processed accordingly.
For the most recent news and events, visit the Ginter Park Branch Library website at http://www.cydom.com/ginterparklibrary or stop by the library and pick up the monthly branch bookmark.
The new Marie Martinelli Children's Fund - honoring the neighborhood's beloved librarian - supports children's programs and materials. Money raised will be used only at the Ginter Park Branch Library. Gifts of any amount are greatly appreciated, and you will receive a letter for tax purposes. Stop by the Ginter Park Branch Library to contribute to the fund or mail your check to RPL Foundation - Martinelli Children's Fund, 1200 Westbrook Ave, Richmond VA 23227. For more information, call 646-1236 or visit the library’s website at http://www.cydom.com/ginterparklibrary.
Our local branch library has some special activities planned for the coming year. Watch for more new programs, classes, exhibits, and book club meetings as the Ginter Park Branch Library works hard to meet the needs of the community. All programs are free and open to the public. If you would like to be a part of the group of volunteers making good things happen at our library, please contact Marie Martinelli, Librarian, at 646-1236 or mariemartinelli@yahoo.com.FESTIVITIES AT THE GINTER PARK BRANCH LIBRARY
The Ginter Park Library Advisory Council and the Ginter Park Youth
Advisory Council will sponsor a Halloween Party on Monday, October 30, at 6:30 pm. There has been a great volunteer response from the Youth Advisory Committee for Banned Book/Banned Idea Week and the Halloween Party. If you would like to help with the festivities, please call Marie Martinelli at 646-1236.
NEWS AND NOTES FROM HOLTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Congratulations to Elizabeth Lafoon who was awarded PTA President of the Year by the Richmond City Council of PTAs for exemplary service, dedication, and leadership. She was nominated by the school Principal, Ms. Ann M. Jenkins, and chosen out of 54 other local units!
Holton Elementary School needs reading mentors or tutors for their Roaring Readers program. The free training session to help get volunteers started will be Wednesday, October 4, at 6:00 pm in the Media Center. No pay, but great benefits!
The Auction Committee needs volunteers to work on the Children's Art projects for the Auction on November 4 at 7:00 p.m. Please call Judy Cohen at 266-4140 or Theresa McMullin at 254-8373 to volunteer.
Exciting News: City Proposes to Calm Traffic
Over the past few months, members of the Bellevue Civic Association have
been working with officials from the Traffic Engineering Office of the
City of Richmond to make our neighborhood streets a safer place. The
number one issue seems to be speed, and the number one problem area is
Bellevue Avenue.
With this in mind, Mike Sawyer, traffic engineer with the City of
Richmond, has devised a solution to the speed issues on Bellevue Avenue.
Mr. Sawyer’s proposal will require major structural changes along
Bellevue, with landscaped medians constructed near the intersections of
Bellevue and Hermitage and Bellevue and Brook. There’s also a provision
for two small center medians at the intersection of Fauquier and
Bellevue. Bill Johnson has promised to shake the bushes for the
$50,000+ needed to fund the project.
Mike Sawyer will be at the September 26 meeting to present his proposal
to the membership and to answer any questions. Currently, Nancy
Reynolds has a copy of the proposed plan. Nancy will bring the drawings
to the meeting, and an effort will be made to put them on the website.
If anyone would like to view the drawings before the meeting, call Nancy
at 264-8536.
These modifications are being considered at the request of the
neighborhood, and will go forward only with the support of the Bellevue
Civic Association and Bellevue Avenue residents and merchants. Plan on
attending the September 26 meeting and taking part in this exciting
project.
THIRD PLANT SWAP ON OCTOBER 21' FROM NOON TO 1:00 PM
Bellevue residents will again have the opportunity to “swap” or buy
perennials cheaply at prime gardening time. Fall is a wonderful time to
transplant your plants, thin them out, share with your neighbors, and
find new plants for your yard. If you are looking for a little fall
gardening motivation, consider joining us again for the Plant Swap on
October 21. More information follows.
WHERE: Sidewalk across from Nuttall’s on MacArthur Avenue.
TIME: Noon to 1:00 p.m.
HOW DOES IT WORK: Bring your labeled plants in disposable containers
to the Plant Swap a little before noon. The Swap will begin right at
noon. You will receive one token for each container brought to the
Plant Swap (regardless of the type), and you can “purchase” another
plant with your token.
Plants can also be bought for $1 each. You do not have to bring a plant
to participate.
WHO BENEFITS: Besides those residents who benefit from acquiring new
plants and finding a home
for unwanted plants, any monetary proceeds will be donated to the
Bellevue Civic Association, and any
remaining plants will be offered to a neighborhood project.
RAIN DATE: October 22, noon to 1:00 p.m. at the same location
QUESTIONS: Call Kath at 262-6835 or Jan at 262-5469
As noted, this will be the third plant swap. The first swap was October
23, 1999. It was a successful first venture. Proceeds covered the
cost, and the remaining plants were all placed in the median on the
first block of Fauquier entering from Laburnum. Sandy Kreiser, Diana
Presson, Jan Brown, and Kath Sadler helped plant the “leftovers,” and
Bellevue neighbors enjoyed iris, forsythia, black-eyed susans, and
daylilies, among others, blooming this year in what was previously an
empty bed. The second swap was May 6, 2000. This time, we gained the
help of three volunteers (Sharon Stroble, Margaret Hutchison, and Jill
Brown), swapped 100 plants, generated $61 for the Bellevue Civic
Association, and donated six flats of plants to Holton School.
Come, join us on October 21 to make the third swap even more successful
for the neighborhood and your own yard!
Bellevue residents want to produce a cookbook as a fundraiser for the
Bellevue Civic Association. If you would like to join a brainstorming
session, call Irene Jennings at 264-8638.
Thank you, thank you, thank you residents of Bellevue for the great team
effort put forth for the Neighborhood Watch! The police say that we
have one of the best-organized groups in Richmond. However, we still
need block captains. If you are not receiving information via
telephone, please volunteer
to be a block captain. It’s easy.
Other news: we are working hard to get Neighborhood Watch signs on the
streets without them. Phone trees were turned in to the Third Precinct
last March as required?we are still waiting. It seems the sign
department is very slow. Please be patient.
For information or to volunteer, call Libby Clark 266-6753.
12th ANNUAL BELLEVUE GARDEN WALK ? A SUCCESS!
On June 18, 2000, the gardens of Bellevue were in full splendor.
Sixteen spectacular gardens were open for all to see. The gardeners
welcomed visitors with the fruits of their labors, and the cold
beverages were an added delight considering the soaring temperature. We
were able to avoid the summer rain at least once this season. Many of
the walk participants were seen frolicking through area sprinklers!
The evening was put to rest in a neighborhood gathering at the Azalea
Mall Garden Center. Mike and
Mary Ann McLaughlin need to fill in the last names graciously hosted the
post-garden walk party for all of Bellevue. This year’s even made it to
print?we were featured in the July issue of Northside Magazine!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the many volunteers who
helped to make the walk a success. The Garden Walk Committee members, -
Lisa Clemmer, Sally Fisher, Kath Sadler, and Marie Tripton ? did a great
job to make this event a date to remember. We also accomplished a big
task this year by counting every house in Bellevue. According to our
count, there are 1,267 houses in the neighborhood, which leaves 1,251
new gardens to explore in future years.
The committee members, and additional volunteers, delivered the garden
descriptions to every household in Bellevue. The volunteers are Della
Anderson, Sudie and Jesse Pasco, Jack, Joe Robertson, Charlotte Chapman,
Tara Arthur, Jim and Marie Martinelli, Chris Miller, Sandy Kreiser,
Carol Hazard, Bailey Teal, Chris Powers, and Miss Roxie.
Westminster Canterbury, in addition to displaying its gardens, supported
the cost of printing the garden descriptions; Ben Franklin Crafts at
Willow Lawn prepared the balloons to mark the gardens; Azalea Mall
Garden center welcomed the neighborhood for a delightful dinner buffet
and provided continuous support and enthusiasm for this annual event.
The gardeners participating this year were: Dan and Bailey Seale, Della
Anderson, Jesse Kong and Paul Hansen, Pamela Strump, Curt Howard, Jamie
Doyle, Judd Proctor and Brian Burns, Westminster Canterbury, Lisa and
Chris Pitzer, Donna Pinnix, Sandy Kreiser, Sam Holt, Charlotte Chapman,
Bill Cooper, Betty Lewis Smith, and David McCarthy.
It is almost time to put the gardens to rest for the season and plan for
the possibilities awaiting us next spring. It’s not too early to think
about participating the 13th Annual Garden Walk in 2001. Call the
Garden Walk Co-Chairs, Michelle Banalett at 264-8276, or Florenz
Sterling at 264-8704, and let us know if you are interested in
displaying your garden, volunteering on the committee, or delivering the
garden descriptions.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Michelle Banalett and Florenz Sterling
Co-Chairs, Bellevue Garden Walk Committee
For those of you who didn’t get the word, the last Bellevue Neighborhood
Spring Cleanup did not go according to plan. It was a beautiful
morning, and a record number of volunteers arrived eager to roll up
their sleeves and get to work; but lo and behold, we were greeted with
only one of the five trash trucks we requested from the city. With only
one truck, we concentrated our efforts on cleaning up the commercial
areas on Bellevue and MacArthur Avenues, and on selected “hot spots” in
the neighborhood.
Our good friends at the Richmond Department of Public Works apologized
profusely and promised to send out extra crews the following week to
pick up items remaining. All indications are that they were good for
their word. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Undaunted, the Bellevue Civic Association has scheduled its annual Fall
Cleanup for Saturday, October 28, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. We’ve been
promised five trucks and look forward to another strong turnout of
neighborhood volunteers. Details of the cleanup will be included in a
flyer to be distributed a couple of weeks before the October event, but
if you have questions now or want to sign up in
advance, call John Fisher at 262-0469 or Joe Robertson at 262-2121.
Ad Manager
Bellevue Civic Association Newsletter
The Bellevue Civic Association Newsletter seeks a creative and energetic
volunteer ad manager to solicit and manage its advertisements.
Qualifications for the job are a willingness to solicit and manage the
ads. The perks of the job are an opportunity to help make the Bellevue
Civic Association and its newsletter a success and to meet some of the
special people who live and work in Bellevue. If you are interested,
call Florenz Sterling at 264-8704, or email her at
fsterling@mindspring.com.
Last updated 02/24/02
Please send questions or comments to John Butcher