“There’s a revolution happening,” said Chris Ludford, owner of Ludford Brothers Oyster Co., a boutique oyster grower in Virginia Beach. “In the last four to five years we’ve regained a foothold in a younger population of oyster eaters.”
Category Archives: Environment
“The small piece of plastic that likely contributed to the death of the whale in the Elizabeth River last week was part of a DVD case, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center said.”
This sharp piece of plastic was found in a stomach chamber during a necropsy of the 45-foot long female sei whale that died in the Elizabeth River last week. (Courtesy of the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center)
A whale.
Please, please, please never ever litter AND choose to pick up litter particularly plastic where ever you see it.
Bay provides means of livelihood for fishermen
This is the third of seven weekly narratives by Virginian-Pilot reporter Kathy Adams highlighting the beauty, the vibrancy and the struggles of the city’s Chesapeake Bay and Shore Drive communities.
Click here to read the article – http://hamptonroads.com/2014/08/bay-provides-means-livelihood-fishermen
Friends of Live Oaks (FOLO) Monday, Aug. 25th at 3:30 pm at Bayside Recreation Center
Minutes from last FOLO meeting:
Minutes – Friends of Live Oaks Meeting – Monday, July 21st, 2014 3:30
Penny has purchased the friendsofliveoaks.org domain name and has a contract for hosting our website. She will order business cards.
Penny has learned that the Beautification Committee of the North End Civic League plans to plant 4 live oaks along with other perennials in the median of Atlantic Ave. from 42nd to 89th Streets for a total of 118 trees.
Karen announced that 2 live oaks are being removed from a home on Lynnhaven Drive, and the owner would like us to find new homes for them. The owners will help transplant them.
We have registered to participate in the Lynnhaven River NOW Fall Festival on Oct. 11th at Rosemont Elementary School in Green Run.
Clay will talk with personnel from Little Creek to consider planting live oaks along Shore Drive.
Clay also discussed a grove of live oaks on Princess Anne Road adjacent to the Sportsplex. He suggested the possibility of partnering with Parks and Rec to preserve the grove, perhaps as a memorial garden. Also, Parks and Rec is developing a program to enhance Bayfront dunes and the area immediately behind them, promoting a maritime forest environment. This may be an opportunity to plant live oaks.2014 Live Oak Distribution –
This year’s distribution will be on Sat. Oct. 18th from 10am – 1 pm at Laskin Road Annex (the former Linkhorn Elementary School). Stephen suggested we give away 250 trees. People who request trees online will have preference; the remaining trees will be available on a first come/first service basis.The tree request form will include “4th Annual Live Oak Distribution”. It will also say something like: “We are reserving a tree for you and submission of this form confirms that you will pick up your tree on Oct. 18th.” It will only be available online this year, but there will be instructions for those who want to print the form and return it by snail mail.
Clay will work with the city to generate a press release, which will go to many outlets, including the Council of Civic Organizations.
The next meeting will be on Monday, Aug. 25th at 3:30 pm at Bayside Recreation Center.
Rescued Live Oak wood being milled for CBF’s Brock Center.
Miami and Virginia Beach are “are the top two areas of the country most at risk for residential…”
Miami and Virginia Beach are “are the top two areas of the country most at risk for residential…”.
Numbers like $39 billion do not seem to connect with most people in Virginia Beach, myself included. But, I can envision what a CAT2-3 hurricane could do to our community and my house. The thought of such losses can be daunting, but consider what you can do to limit the potential loss. And, that is what we are attempting to do at SDCC. We can’t give you a complete cure all package, but we can at least work to inform you how to limit the damages. We won’t pack your “go kit” for you, but we will tell you what you will need in it.
“Life Along the Bay”, Virginian-Pilot Series of Articles to focus on Bay and Shore Drive Communities
Check out the first of a seven article series entitled “Life along the bay” by the Virginian-Pilot
The articles will be weekly narratives highlighting the beauty, the vibrancy and the struggles of the city’s Chesapeake Bay and Shore Drive communities.
The first article “Along river, nature is preserved for wildlife, people” by Kathy Adams can be found here http://hamptonroads.com/2014/07/along-river-nature-preserved-wildlife-people
Our next FOLO meeting is scheduled for Mon., July 21st at 3:30 pm at Bayside Rec Center.
We will discuss:
Website and new email address – Penny Moulis
Live Oaks along the median of Atlantic Ave. – Penny Moulis
Live Oaks on Lynnhaven Drive
Lynnhaven River NOW fall festival – Oct. 11th – Karen
New Member Orientation – Karen
2014 Live Oak Distribution – StephenNext Meeting: I will be out of town on Aug. 18th – will the 25th work?
Hope to see you there,
Karen
Friends of Live Oaks at VBGov.com.
Friends of Live Oaks in Facebook.
Shore Drive Area Storm Preparations for Arthur
As Virginia Beach seems to be in the sites of Arthur, consider what precautions that you should take. Storm forecasting is still an art and not totally a science. It is possible to be told that it will be “mostly a rain event” with tropical storm winds of gale force, but storms and their tracks change quickly. Sometimes the last minute shift in course or intensity is to our advantage, sometimes not so. Consider the following preparations:
1. Do not leave your car in an area that floods easily. You can relocate your car to North Great Neck Road to one of the school parking lots. The Great Neck area is high enough so it should not flood.
2. Put some water in containers in your freezer in case power is lost. It helps keep things cold if power should be lost, and will also serve as drinking water if needed.
3. Check your flashlights and battery supply. The new LED type flashlights are 4 times brighter and the batteries last 10 times longer. Great source for light. Know where your flashlights are located.
4. Look at the areas around your house which could flood and make sure nothing valuable or potentially hazardous could get wet (lawn fertilizer, pool chemicals, tools etc.). And don’t forget to bring in all the lawn furniture.
5. If a room floods and the wall board gets wet, the wet wall board should be removed quickly so it will not damage more wall board. If the insulation gets wet remove it also, BUT wear gloves as this stuff itches. If you have to remove a lot of insulation, wear a face mask to prevent breathing the insulation fibers.
6. PERSONAL SAFETY. Don’t drive in water that comes to the bottom of your car’s doors (8 or more inches). You can’t plow through it and the water will come up over your hood. If you get water in your engine (sucked into engine intake), you may have to buy a new engine. When you don’t know how deep the water, go around or go back. Don’t use a BBQ grill in the garage or house as the the carbon-monoxide fumes can kill you and your pets. CO fumes are heavier than CO2, so CO fumes will sink and collect in the lower parts of your house. BE careful. Keep a fire extinguisher handy. If there are down power lines, consider them HOT and LETHAL. Tree branches CAN conduct electricity, as can metal fences, so don’t touch them if your neighborhood has a power outage.
7. Watch out for one another. BE GOOD Neighbors and don’t create wakes on your road. These wakes can do damage to adjacent homes. If you are going away from the area, let your neighbor know in case of damage to your house.
Let us all hope for the best. Our lawns need some rain, but let’s hope the winds are mild and the rains are only refreshing.
Birds shot with blow darts in Shore Drive area
This is sick and the people doing this will surely get caught and prosecuted.
Gipson said Virginia Beach Animal Control is aware of the problem, but there have been no witnesses to the bird shootings — which are federal crimes. Gipson said every bird that’s been found injured has been federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Radiographs of a gull with a yellow-tip dart piercing it’s lung. (Photo provided by Barbara Gipson for WAVY)
“So give a graduation or Father’s Day card, not a balloon.”
Photo Credit: Mary Reid Barrow article on balloon litter that kills.
Read Mary Reid’s entire article:
How would your graduate or father like to know that balloons in his honor contributed to balloon litter on beaches around Hampton Roads?
Even worse, how would they like to know that their special balloons may have caused the death of a sea turtle or other animal that ate one or got tangled in its streamers.
So give a graduation or Father’s Day card, not a balloon.
” Police and Animal Control had the bear contained to a tree on Dolphin Road, as of 3:45 p.m. Borman said the State Biologist was headed to the scene. “
Coverage at Pilotonline.com including more photos.
Note: east side of Lesner Bridge is NOT, we repeat NOT Chicks Beach as stated in WAVY coverage!!!
“Bayville Farms Park Located at 4132 First Court Road, this is the City’s first dog park to offer separate fenced areas for small and large dogs.”
Learn more about all dog parks in VB.
Thanks for your feedback last year on the design of a dog park at Bayville Farms Park (located at 4132 First Court Road). With your input, the park was designed to accommodate seperate areas for both large and small dogs. We are happy to report that construction of the new dog park has been completed and it is now open to the public.
Lynnhaven River to get $22.8 million for rehabilitation
After years of studies and waiting, a federal plan to help rehabilitate the Lynnhaven River is moving forward.
The Senate passed a bill Thursday authorizing a $12 billion package of water projects across the country, including $22.8 million for work in Virginia Beach’s largest waterway.
Swimming Advisory Lifted for the Chesapeake Bay from Wake Forest Street to Kendall Street
The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health has lifted a swimming and wading advisory that was issued for the Chesapeake Bay between Wake Forest Street and Kendall Street, and including the First Landing State Park coastline along the bay. Lab results showed bacteria levels in the water meet the State Water Quality Standards.
Signs have been removed that previously alerted the public of the advisory.
****TUESDAY – TUESDAY – TUESDAY**** May 27th – SDCC General Meeting
Click here for a printable agenda SDCC Agenda March2014
TUESDAY 27 MAY 2014
PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN DATE TO TUESDAY DUE TO MEMORIAL DAY
Shore Drive Community Coalition
SDCC General Meeting
7:30-8:30 pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd.)
Call to order:
Meeting topic: Lynnhaven River Now speaker TRISTA IMRICH will discuss the environmental impact and our future costs of Storm Water Runoff pollution into the LYNNHAVEN Estuary
Officers’ Reports: President’s Report David Williams
Vice President’s report Rick Mercadante
Secretary’s Report Todd Solomon –APR Minutes
Treasurer’s Report Paulette Hruska
Old Business
New Business
Adjourn
Next SDCC- Monday JUNE 30, 2014 Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center
Please check www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events
Swimming Advisory Issued for Cape Story and First Landing State Park
The city’s health department has issued a swimming and wading advisory for the Chesapeake Bay between Wake Forest and Kendall streets because of bacteria levels in the water.
The advisory includes the First Landing State Park coastline along the bay. It does not affect the Oceanfront.
Recent tests by the health department found bacteria levels exceeded State Water Quality Standards, according to a news release.
Signs will be posted on the beach.
” The Virginia Beach City Council will meet Tuesday, April 29, at 3 p.m. to review the proposed budget and to hear a briefing on Shore Drive drainage.”
At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council will hear budget presentations from several city departments. The Public Works Department also will brief the council on proposed solutions to chronic flooding in the eastern Shore Drive area.
GO!
“Public works will hold an informal open house on the flood gates tonight. Construction is scheduled to begin this fall and wrap up within a year, Mundy said. The gates are planned on Cape Henry Trail at the intersections of West Great Neck Road, North Great Neck Road and First Landing Lane.”
Read & comment at Pilotonline.com.
Graphic from Virginian-Pilot
Thursday April 24th – City Flood Improvement Project Meeting at John B Dey
Last minute reminder
Project engineers from the City will host a public open house to discuss Flood Improvement Projects for Cape Henry, Cape Story and Lynnhaven Colony neighborhoods
The meeting will be held from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at John B Day elementary school.
Please, please, please contact Tidewater Beekeepers before spraying bees nest!
Thank you!
Visit the TidewaterBeekeepers.net to learn more.
Tidewater Master Naturalist’s Protecting our Honey Bees [2pg PDF]
Honeybee Swarms: Please help us save the bees. (TBA) Tidewater Beekeepers Association respectfully requests our friends and neighbors in the Tidewater area call the TBA Swarm Coordinator at (757) 285-4509 if you identify a Honeybee swarm on your property. Swarming is a natural behavior for honeybees and a cluster of bee’s can appear almost anywhere spring to fall. TBA members offer FREE honeybee swarm collecting as a public service.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 