B ecause the successes of our Civic League happen through its membership and volunteerism, you can guarantee

that I will be continually seeking your involvement and participation.

The mission for the organization is set to enhance safety and security, awareness and respons iveness to issues, and quality of life in the community. These enhancements are a benefit to EVERY person in our neighborhood, and t o b e o p t i m a l l y successful, your help and support is needed.

All of this is not to discount the fact that we a r e s e e i n g n e w memberships, and folks are getting interested and involved. There were over fifty in attendance at the January meeting! That’s awesome! Over FIFTY!!!

Knowing that not everyone can make the meetings and events, the SACL does its best to keep all of our neighbors

2

Civic League Officers and Contacts January Meeting Minutes

3

Civic League and Community News

5 Neighborhood Watch Report

6 Suburban Acres Green

7 Announcements Word Search

8 Neighborhood Calendar Become a Member

Message from the PresidentMessage from the President

Please join us on Please join us on Monday, February 8 Monday, February 8 at Suburban Park at Suburban Park Elementary School.Elementary School.

Doors open at 6 pm. Doors open at 6 pm. Meeting at 6:30 pm.Meeting at 6:30 pm.

TheSuburbanTheSuburban www.suburban23505.com

Suburban Suburban Acres Acres Civic League Civic League

Feb 1, 2010Feb 1, 2010 Volume 7, IssueVolume 7, Issue 22

plugged in through this newsletter and the web-site. Thumbing through this edition of The Subur-ban, it’s evident that we have a thriving Civic League, which translates to some very talented and passionate members.

Your show of support through establishing SACL membership for your household is greatly ap-preciated. The form and mailing address are on page 8, and the cost is minimal...and very well worth it. In return you will be contributing to a louder voice for the citi-zens in this community and supporting this infor-mative publication, the website, several annual community events, and an organization of your neighbors who work tire-lessly to maintain and grow the allure of living in Suburban Acres.

Suburban Acres is cer-tainly worthy of the love, so please send us your Valentine’s Day member-ship and begin to get involved today! xoxoxo,

Timothy M. Fox

Inside this IssueInside this Issue

Transportation, budget are citizen concerns at town hall meeting

Page 3

A.J. Gators owners pro-vide information on move

Page 4

City web site allows search for specific prop-erty information by ad-dress

Page 4 AND...

A S C L

John Stewart of Lafayette Wetlands Partner-ship delivers a presentation at the January 11 Suburban Acres Civic League meeting

Feb. 8 SACL Meeting Guest Speaker John Deuel, Environmental Coordinator for Keep Nor-folk Beautiful, will be at the Feb 8th meeting to discuss “Sustainable Living.” John’s presentation qualifies SACL for 5 EARNN (Environmental Awards for Recy-cling in Norfolk Neighborhoods) points if 30 adults at-tend. Please attend and bring a neighbor!

Guest Speaker and

Door Prizes Door Prizes at Feb. 8th SACL

Meeting

A What is Sustainability? survey is inserted in this month’s newsletter. Please bring your completed survey checklist to

the meeting, with any questions you may have. EARNN points will be received for turned in surveys (30-50 checklists= 5

points, 50+ checklist=10 points. See Page 6 for more on the

EARNN program.

Word on the street is that Flora, the Suburban Acres mermaid, has completed rehab and will make her first 2010 ap-pearance in MARCH. Where will she show up? If you’d like to sug-gest a coming ashore point, email her at suburbanacres@gmail.com

2 The Suburban

Suburban Acres Civic LeagueSuburban Acres Civic League Meeting Minutes for January 11, 2010Meeting Minutes for January 11, 2010

Meeting Commenced at 6:37 PM Attendance: 53 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PACE REPORT: Officer Curtis gave us the stats for the November 11, through January 11, 2010 and entertained questions. NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH: Committee Chair, Robert Lain spoke about how important it is for the community to work together for safety and safety awareness. This simple action would improve not only our community, but also our lives. A meeting will be held for Neighborhood Watch Volunteers and all interested parties on January 26 at the Community Mediation Center. Neighbor-hood Decals are still available for sale. GUEST SPEAKER - JOHN STEWART: Mr. Stewart is with the Lafayette River Wetlands Preser-vation. He prepared a presentation about our watershed and the problems along our banks of the Lafayette. If there are any questions concerning the preservation of the river, please contact John Stewart at jdstewart@cox.net or give him a call at 623-8127. INTRODUCTION OF THE 2010 SACL BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Tim Fox, President, Jo Dee Cook, Vice-President, Lester Cavagnaro, Treasurer, Eric Heard,Secretary and Board Members Steve Collins, Jeb Clarke, Rob Lain and Kevin Janney. Kevin Janney has been appointed to the Board by our President for the vacated seat of Audrey Renn. MISSION STATEMENT OF THE SACL: President Timothy Fox, read the mission statement that the Board of Directors will be working from for the year 2010. The 2010 statement puts the board to task to build relationships with residents, to engage our neighbors in matters that impact our neighborhood, to assist in the education of our community in security, safety, and preparedness, and to develop a plan to involve our youth in programs to heighten their awareness of civic responsibilities. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS Communications: Kevin Janney is the Chair of this committee and the editor of our great newslet-ter. Timothy Fox designed and maintains our website. Lester Cavagnaro and Charles Wasserman are responsible for advertising in the league newsletter. Meetings/Events: Jo Dee Cook and Jeb Clarke are the Chairpersons of this committee. This committee sets up the meetings, speakers and events, YARD OF THE MONTH, and refresh-ments. Membership: Steve Collins is chair. He and JoDee work with new members, recognition of members and statistics of membership. Community Liaison: Robert Lain is Chair. This committee works with the different agencies and organizations in the city. Through this committee we are part of the Wards Corner Partnership and Norfolk Federation of Civic Leagues. TREASURERS REPORT: Beginning Balance: $1302,41 Revenue: $70.00 Expenses: $ 368.17 Ending Balance: $1004.24 Jo Dee Cook spoke about EARNN. EARNN gives civic leagues points for different completed projects that relate to community, youth involvement and serious recycling. There is a list of activities that civic leagues can plan that allow the leagues to earn points that result in money for the treasury. OLD BUSINESS: The board of directors voted unanimously to purchase a 5 year web domain renewal for $95.00. The Suburban Angels Program was discussed. This program would people in our community to assist elders or disabled people with rides to appointments, buying groceries and etc. There is an interest of some sort but needs to be discussed again at a further date. NEW BUSINESS: Board suggests the $5 and $10 membership fee to remain the same for the 2010 year. President Fox made members of league aware that there will be an Audit Committee created to audit the financials of the league. AJ Gators owner Jeff Sharer spoke to the membership about his move from his present location to the Wherehouse Music location across the street. The membership had insightful dialog with Mr. Sharer on how the new location could be a better neighbor for the community. Some previous issues were addressed but owners have promised cooperation. The 2010 Goals and Strategies, Events Schedule and Budget will be discussed at the February meeting, which will be held Monday Feb. 8th at Suburban Park Elementary School.

Eric Heard, Secretary

Suburban Acres Civic League Officers Tim Fox, President 338-0439 saclpresident@gmail.com JoDee Cook, Vice President 587-7918 Eric Heard, Secretary 963-6996 saclsecretary@gmail.com Lester Cavagnaro, Treasurer 963-6996 lester7521@aol.com

Board of Directors Jeb Clarke 626-0076 Steve Collins 416-6158 Robert Lain 469-3685 Kevin Janney 587-1616

Newsletter/Communications Kevin Janney jkjanney@verizon.net 587-1616

Newsletter Advertising Charles Wasserman claretuser@verizon.net 588-5987

Newsletter Distribution Mary Verykoukis 587-1221

PACE Officer Officer Curtis Jackson curtis.jackson@norfolk.gov 831-3484

Police (Non Emergency) 441-5610 Code Enforcement 664-6532 Norfolk Cares 664-6510

Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Rob Lain 469-3685

Visit our website at www.suburban23505.com

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www.suburban23505.com 3

Senator Ralph S. Northam (D, 6th Senate District) and Delegate J. Paula Miller (D, 87th House District) held a joint town hall meeting Monday evening January 4th at the Pretlow Anchor Branch library in Ocean View, with more than ninety in atten-dance. The joint town hall was held in advance of the upcoming long (two and a half month) regular General Assembly session, which began on January 13th.

The meeting was dominated by discussion relating to transpor-tation and the state budget, both by the lawmaker’s comments and questions and feedback from attendees.

Concerning the upcoming session Northam said, “Of the two most important issues, number one would be the budget.” Senator Northam’s opening comments also highlighted trans-portation as a key issue in the commonwealth, and particularly for Hampton Roads. Northam said, “aside from the budget…there is no other issue more important to us as a common-wealth, and to us especially in Hampton Roads.”

Senator Northam said the most important issue on the national level is health care.

Northam said, “Until we get down to raising a new source of revenue we’re not going anywhere.” Northam says the trans-portation plan presented by Governor-elect McDonald does not contain any immediate sources of revenue. Senator Northam says many constituents approach him with comments support-ing a gas tax as the easiest way to raise transportation revenue. Northam said he is “on the record voting for a gas tax”.

Miller says that by the close of the current bi-annual budget in June of 2010 more than 3000 state positions will have been eliminated since 2008, including another 700 positions cut by the Virginia Department of Transportation. Transportation and education account for 1,651 layoffs, but as a percentage of total employees Health and Human Services was the hardest hit. The major issue going into this legislative session, according to Miller, is “How are we going to face $ 3.6 billion in cuts that have to be made…where are the cuts going to be made…everyone has different priorities.” Miller says, “We are hearing for the first time in a long time that K through 12 (education) will be experi-encing some cuts.”

Senator Northam highlighted his work in recent years on the clean air act, protecting restaurant patrons and employees from second hand smoke. Northam said, “I have always been of the premise that the less government in our lives, the better. But the government also has the responsibility to protect its constitu-ents.” Senator Northam presented the bill banning smoking in restaurants in 2008 where it passed in the senate but failed in the House of Delegates. Northam credited a bipartisan effort for the bill’s success in 2009.

Senator Northam is co-patron of a bill designed to implement a non-partisan redistricting process to prevent gerrymandering. According to Northam out of 140 senate and delegate races when he ran two years ago only 17 were competitive. The same bill passed unanimously last year in the senate but failed to pass in the House of Delegates.

For more on the town meeting, go to our web site at www.suburban23505.com

Civic League and Community NewsCivic League and Community News For more news and events visit our website at For more news and events visit our website at www.suburban23505.comwww.suburban23505.com A S C

L

Transportation, budget are citizen concerns at town hall meeting By Kevin Janney

Delegate J. Paula Miller (Left) and State Senator Ralph S. Northam address constituent questions during Jan. 4 town hall meeting in Norfolk. Photo courtesy of Emily Zak

4 The Suburban

Civic League and Community NewsCivic League and Community News For more news and events visit our website at For more news and events visit our website at www.suburban23505.comwww.suburban23505.com

A. J. Gators owners provide information on move A.J. Gators co-owners Jeff Sharer and Al Zuhars spoke at the January 11th Suburban Acres Civic League Meeting to provide information on the planned move of their restaurant across Granby Street to the former Wherehouse Music store on the Southeast corner of Ward’s Corner. The partners said Gators has been in business since 1996 and both the Wards Corner and downtown locations generate approximately $ 95 thousand each in tax revenue for the city annually. Zuhars said that Gators “strives to provide reasonably priced food, good food, a clean establishment, and sports.” Additional stores are located in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Isle of Wight. “Norfolk has been very good to us”, said Zuhars. The partners said that the Wherehouse Music store is a better facility, and that they have parking and landlord issues at the current location.

The project is on the docket for Norfolk city plans review consideration January 28th. The partners initial lease for the new facility is for five years, with an option for a five year renewal.

Civic league member comments centered on safety, noise, and appearance. In response to specific questions Sharer said food sales is approximately 50% of overall sales, and the chain purchases in excess of $ 3 million in food per year. The company provides group medical insurance to all employees.

Residents stated their concern for trash, especially beer and liquor bottles. Regarding trash, Zuhars said, “I would say yes, we’re part of the problem,” but explained other tenants in the current location also have a responsibility for upkeep. Zurhars says that since the new site is a free standing building Gators will be entirely responsible for trash pickup, and will most likely use a landscaping service as they do at their other freestanding locations.

The two said the better lighting and a bigger parking lot at the new site should alleviate many security and parking issues, and divert much of the on street parking that occurs now. They promised to provide a security guard if crowd size causes the parking lot to overflow into the shopping center’s rear lot. The current restaurant is permitted for a maximum occupancy of 175; they are seeking an occupancy of 300 at the new location.

City web site allows search for specific property information by address The City of Norfolk’s web site has a new feature that allows for easy access to information, maps and aerial photography for any address in the city. The website displays data on over 150 items such as property assessments, property sales, municipal services, active and historical code enforcement cases, lot dimensions, and other information. The service is called “Norfolk AIR”, or Address Information Resource. The feature can be found at http://www.norfolk.gov/Assessor/, then under the “Norfolk AIR” tab click on Norfolk Address Information Resource.

New monthly crime prevention tool on the web The Norfolk Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit began a new feature in December called the Norfolk Crime Prevention Connection. Maria Ebong, the department’s outreach coordinator said the goal of the monthly web-based, newsletter-style feature is to help keep Norfolk residents safer. The January 2010 newsletter that is available on the web site now features strategies for educating young people about dangers, a home security inspection checklist, and more crime prevention information. The December 2009 and January 2010 newsletters can be found at http://www.crimepreventionconnection.com.

Plastic newspaper bags go green with some carriers Many dog owners use the plastic bags that the daily newspaper comes in on rainy days for cleaning up after the dog during walks. Dogless households can recycle the bags by returning them to the paper carrier. According to the Virginian Pilot, the bags used to cover home delivery newspapers are purchased by individual carriers. Carriers are independent contractors and they determine whether or not to take back used plastic bags from customers. If you don’t know your carrier, you can call the Virginian Pilot Service Center at 446-9000 and let the customer service representative know your billing phone number and street address, and they will pass the information on to the carrier so he or she can contact you. Besides the environmental benefits, this practice could save the carrier money. Bags must be clean and dry.

More COMMUNITY NEWS on our web site www.suburban23505.com -Ward 1, Ward 5 council candidates stacking up

-Roland Park Civic League opposes plans for luxury apart-ments

-LETTERS FROM OUR NEIGHBORS column

-Recap of December SACL EARNN Wetlands Presentation by John Stewart

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www.suburban23505.com 5

Traffic Alerts

Neighborhood Watch Update By Rob Lain The Suburban Acres Neighborhood Watch conducted its 2010 kick-off meet-ing on the evening of 26 January at the Community Mediation Center. While at-tendance was light, the meeting was pro-ductive and yielded a clear set of priorities for the Watch to work on this year. There were fourteen separately recorded incidents in Suburban Acres reported to the Norfolk Police De-partment from 23 December 2009 to 22 January 2009, accord-ing to our neighborhood’s crime data. Larceny/thefts involving automobiles accounted for over half of these, with vandalism accounting for four of the remaining reported incidents. The table summarizes what has been reported during the period.

Based on our kick-off meeting, the Neighborhood Watch’s top 3 priorities for 2010 will be: 1. Recruiting and educating Block Captains and Block Watch-

ers for uncovered portions of the neighborhood. 2. Improving communications with our neighbors to encourage

greater involvement. 3. Working with the Civic League to improve and broaden our

ties to the Norfolk Police and City of Norfolk as a whole. Achieving these will go a long way toward helping us fulfill our purpose of enhancing neighborhood security. Our first priority is critical: please help us keep our community safe, through your help and participation in the Neighborhood Watch as a Block Captain or Block Watcher. Regardless of whether you are able to attend scheduled meetings, your willingness to communicate and be the eyes and ears of the community will make an enor-mous difference for all of us.

Rob can be reached at 469-3685 or robertjlain@cox.net

Tidewater Drive-Southbound Southbound traffic on Tidewater Drive in now detoured near Lindenwood Avenue for the third phase of work on the railroad underpass in the area. Closure of Southbound Tidewater Drive is expected to last through mid-April. The street’s northbound lanes have been reopened. Hampton Blvd-NIT & Naval Station A project is underway to build an underpass on Hampton Boule-vard near Norfolk International Terminals and gate 6 at Norfolk Naval Station. A temporary six-lane road will be constructed to divert traffic from Hampton Boulevard while the underpass and new bridges are being constructed. The new design is expected to reduce congestion on the roadway and allow more trains to access the terminals.

6 The Suburban

February is for Lovers! In addition to Valentine’s Day, February is heart month, a reminder to take care of our hearts. Valentine’s Day makes us think of our lovers and heart month makes us think about our elders, but let’s also think about the kids we love.

In 2005, Richard Louv wrote the groundbreaking book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Since then, the nationwide movement “No Child Left Inside” has sprung up to get children outside, rather than just at the computer or TV screen. No doubt many of us adults in Suburban Acres grew up spending a lot of time outside. Can we say that about

our children (especially girls) today?

For most of history, humans had a close connection to the outdoors – for our livelihoods and food. Research shows we still need that close relationship to thrive. Examples?

Children with attention deficit disorder are calmer after spending time outside, pat ients need fewer painkillers after surgery if their bed has a view of the outside, prisoners who tend ga r dens s ho w less

violence, and women with breast cancer do better when they participate in gardening.

So let’s get our kids outside! The weather will start warming up in March. We are lucky to have many natural areas within Norfolk and close by. We have the beaches, the Lafayette Park and Virginia Zoo, Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Weyanoke Nature Preserve, Back Bay and Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuges, First Landing State Park, Northwest River City Park, to name a few, and playgrounds and neighborhood parks. Many groups sponsor canoe and birding trips and hikes. We have lots of lakes to fish in, and of course, the Chesapeake Bay is all around.

You don’t have to drive somewhere to get kids outside. The Children & Nature Network (www.childrenandnature.org) is a great website for ideas and more information. They suggest simple ideas such as counting bugs around your porch light on a summer night, digging up earthworms after a rain, or growing a cherry tomato plant in a pot by your door. Marigold flowers are simple to grow from seed and are a great way to show kids how plants grow. And what about spending time outside in our beautiful neighborhood with its trees and large yards?

Let’s connect the kids we love with nature – it’s a heritage they deserve to enjoy.

You can reach Karen by e-mail at KarenLMayne@aol.com or by phone at 587-1287

.

SS U B U R B A NU B U R B A N A A C R EC R E SS

GREEN By Karen Mayne

“A meaningful human relationship with nature, shaped in children’s formative years, is crucial to our society’s practice of stewardship, its sense of community, and the strength of family bonds. We also believe that natural play will increasingly be recognized as a key element in any successful effort to turn the tide on child obe-sity.”

—Richard Louv, January 2009

THANK YOU Bruce Larson (Thole Street) and Steve Collins (Granby Park)

for posting our Recycling and Street Sweeping reminder signs within the

neighborhood !

EARNN (Environmental Awards for Recycling in Norfolk Neighborhoods) Update John Deuel, Environmental Coordinator for Keep Norfolk Beauti-ful, will be at the Feb 8th meeting to discuss “Sustainable Living.” Sustainability helps you to reduce your impact on the environ-ment and save money, without compromising your lifestyle. Doing smart things…like switching off the lights, walking to er-rands, and i n s t a l l i n g i n s u l a t i o n s a v e s money, im-proves fit-ness and protects our environment.

If at least 30 adults attend the Feb 8th meeting to hear John’s presentation, an additional 5 points will add toward S A C L ’ s E A R N N cash.

THANK YOU t o t h e n e i g h b o r s who attended J a n u a r y ’ s meeting; 5 EARNN points were received (30-plus people heard John Stewart’s presentation on the Lafayette Wetland Preserva-tion project.

Please continue placing your blue bins out for biweekly recy-cling. As our quarterly participation rate increases, SACL EARNNs additional points towards cash.

-JoDee Cook

DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY

$700

$550

$500

$450

$400

$350

$300

$250

$200

$ 0

GOAL

100 EARNN Points = $700

in May!

$200 Achieved! (56 points as of

Feb. 1)

SACL EARNN Point Tally

www.suburban23505.com 7

FFEBRUARYEBRUARY W WORDORD S SEARCHEARCH

S T H O U F A R R O W G

A C U P I D L R E K I L

Y A G A M O S O N F F O

U R E D N L E S W M C V

H E A R T D C E B E A E

W I N E K I R B Y E R P

I U S E C M E E T T D S

G H A P P Y T M A R A Y

I C C O L D K I S S T O

V A L E N T I N E A E U

E R O M E O N E F N I R

R L C H O C O L A T E S

Please Support our Advertisers

Advertisers in The Suburban help defray the cost of pro-duction and printing of our newsletter, and support other

civic league activities and projects.

Please make an effort to support these community-minded local businesses by shopping with them when you can, and providing

referrals to your friends.

If you're not currently receiving email updates from Suburban Acres Civic League, send us a brief email to let us know you'd like to be added to our d i s t r i b u t i o n l i s t !

Birthdays? Anniversaries? Lost & found? Let us know!

Happy Birthday Mama & Cecilia! Love, Sebastian

Well ain’t it nifty…Ron turned FIFTY!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the tragedy in Haiti.

Thank you to our American servicemen and women and to their families who sacrifice so much every day. The next Norfolk Youth Police Academy will be held at Willoughby Elementary School. The 5-week program meets every Monday from 6 to 7 pm Feb. 15 through Mar. 15. City residents aged K through 5th grade are eligible for the program, designed to provide young people with an understanding of the police role in modern society. Contact Officer M. Warren at 348-8301 or 390-0386. Deadline to apply is Feb. 8, space is limited.

High school seniors can apply for Tidewater Builders Association scholarships through April 16. Awards are based on academic performance, community service, and financial need. Last year, ten students were awarded scholarships of $7,500 each. Applications are available from high school guidance counselors, and can be downloaded at www.tbaonline.org, or by calling the TBA at (757)305-9018.

AnnouncementsAnnouncements Send your announcement to Send your announcement to suburbanacres@gmail.comsuburbanacres@gmail.com

ARROW CUPID KISS BE MINE DATE LOVE CARD FLOWERS POEM CARE HEART RED CHOCOLATE HUG ROMEO ROSE WINE VALENTINE SECRET YOURS

8 The Suburban

Calendar Notes... Norfolk City offices closed February 15.

Street Sweeping Friday Feb. 5 and March 5

Recycling Pick Up (Blue Bins) Feb. 4 & 18, March 4 & 18

Feb. 8 Suburban Acres Civic League Refreshments at 6 pm, meeting at 6:30 pm Suburban Acres Elementary

Feb. 11 Mayor’s Ward’s Cor-ner Taskforce, 8:30 am, Norfolk Fitness & Wellness Center, 7300 Newport Ave.

Feb. 11 Norfolk Federation of Civic Leagues, 7:30 pm, Lake Taylor Hospital cafeteria, 1309 Kempsville Rd.

Feb. 25 Greater Wards Corner Partnership, 7 pm, Workforce Development Center, 201 East Little Creek Rd. (next to Kroger)

March 12 Greening of Ghent 6-10 pm, benefits Hope House Foundation

March 13 Ocean View St. Patrick’s Day Parade 10 am, party to follow

March 27 Great American Cleanup Archer’s Green Wet-lands Enhancement, time and details to follow in March.

Being an active member of your community has never been as important as it is today. We need your involvement in the Suburban Acres Civic League. The larger our mem-bership, the louder our voice will be heard! Don’t wait, join today! Individual Membership is $5 and Family Membership is $10. Make checks payable to “Suburban Acres Civic League”.

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