Wednesday, November 1, 2017

November Newsletter

Fall is in the air and the nights are getting downright chilly.  November is when we invite a member of the City Council to be the guest speaker at our monthly meeting.  So Council Member Roland Davis will be at our meeting on the 16th and we'll be discussing Aqua Virginia, the planned canoe/kayak launch, and other local issues.  Also this month's volunteer need will be to support a cleanup along Indian River Road on the 18th.

And mark your calendars .... Thursday, December 21st is our big Annual Holiday Party. This is our end of year celebration to recognize volunteers and accomplishments, and socialize. Please bring a desert to share and join the festivities. We'll have a silent auction, so you can finish some Christmas shopping too.

Sincerely,
Rogard Ross
Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator



Election Day

Date: Tuesday, November 7, 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

Time to go vote for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Delegate, City Clerk of the Court, and other local officers. For more information on the election and who is on the ballot, visit https://www.elections.virginia.gov/voter-outreach/upcoming-elections.html


Monthly Meeting - Guest City Council Member Roland Davis

Date: Thursday, November 16th, 7 pm
Location: Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Dr.

Our guest this evening will be City Council Member Roland Davis.   This meeting with City Council Members is a great way to learn about how our city functions and ask questions about items of concern.

Please also consider bringing a donation of non-perishable food items for the Oaklette United Methodist Church food pantry to the meeting this evening.

There will be light refreshments and door prizes after the meeting.


Adopt-A-Road Cleanup along Indian River Road /Community Cleanup

Date: Saturday, November 18th, 9:30 am to 11:30 am
Starting Location: Irwin's, 4300 Indian River Road

We need your help for our quarterly cleanup.   Join us for a few hours to clean up the mile of Indian River Road from the city limits at Wingfield Avenue all the way to MacDonald Road. We are also asking all business owners along Indian River Road - and everywhere really - to make sure they sweep up in front of their storefronts as part of the effort.   And if you can't make it out for our organized cleanup please take 15 minutes and cleanup the street and ditches in front of your home; pass the word to your neighbors!

For our main cleanup on Indian River Road, the city will provide garbage bags and orange safety vests. We'll have water and snacks available. Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves and other items that may be useful. Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.


Catch the King Tide

Date: Sunday, November 5th
Starting Location: Indian River Park, 2001 Rokeby Ave.

The King Tide is one of the highest astronomical tides (not counting weather affects) of the year and folks will be out to map the high tide mark on that day and collect data related to flooding events using a downloaded phone app.  The main registration for helping with the King Tide has past, but if you want more information or still want to help out, respond back to this e-mail.  


Other News
  • Our Adopt-A-Park work day brought out 13 energetic volunteers 13 volunteers to prune, weed, and mulch the entrance area and native plant garden at Indian River Park.  There efforts are greatly appreciated and the entrance area is looking great.  Stop by and visit the garden and the park; the trailhead is at 2001 Rokeby Avenue. 
  • From the Norfolk Highlands Civic League, the latest news was that Aqua Virginia was reviewing the city's proposed service contract. This would enable a connection between the City and Aqua for the City to provide water for emergencies and for flushing of the Aqua water pipes. The City would also be able to provide water to the Indian River Shopping Center for fire suppression which would enable redevelopment at the site. Aqua would install fire hydrants across the western side of their service area and then upgrade the piping in the eastern side over the next several years.   
  • Clean Water Alert: Scoop That Dog Poop!  Even in your backyard.  We had a status meeting on the Eastern Branch Restoration efforts and the Indian River is still getting a failing grade on its water quality due to excessive nitrogen and phosphorous (from fertilizer) and high bacteria levels. The Elizabeth River Project and Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) have been doing studies to identify the sources of the bacteria and 85% to 90% of the samples indicate they are from dogs.  Dog owners, if you want Clean Water, we need you to do your part. Take the Scoop the Poop Pledge: http://askhrgreen.org/scoop-the-poop-pledge/
  • You can now also become a member of the Friends of Indian River, renew your membership, or make a donation online at http://www.friendsofindianriver.org/p/membership.html

Striving to improve the quality of life for all the residents of the Indian River neighborhoods of Chesapeake, Virginia, by promoting and preserving a healthy and clean river, shorelines, parks, and green spaces connected to the surrounding community.

Website: http://friendsofindianriver.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofIndianRiver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/indianriverpage

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