PleasureHousePoint.org is live.

Help us save 122 acres. Spread the word about Pleasure House Point.

Donate your Funds, Time, Art at:

WheresMyPoint.com
WhatsMyPoint.com

BAYFRONT_ADVISORY_COMMITTEE_CC_2_Report [5 pg PDF]

Environmental Assembly

Sept. 17-18

VB Convention Center

Clean Energy – Healthy Waters – Green Cities

Pre registration $30 (ends the 15th)

The event starts Friday evening with a tour of the LEED Gold certified convention center and reception.  On Saturday, Mayor Sessoms will speak and 4 lectures are scheduled:

10:00 a.m. Rising Seas: Myth or Menace – Skip Stiles, Wetlands Watch

10:00 a.m. City of Virginia Beach Uranium Mining Study and the Drinking Water Supply – Thomas Leahy, Director of Public Utilities

11:00 a.m. A New Era for Chesapeake Bay- Anthony Moore, Va. Assistant Sec. for Chesapeake Bay Restoration- Ann Jennings, Chesapeake Bay Foundation- Jeff Corbin, Environmental Protection Agency

1:00 p.m. Winds of Change: Coastal Energy in Virginia (Off Shore Wind Development) Al Pless, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement – George Hagerman, Va. Coastal Energy Consortium

In addition, many local conservation groups will be exhibitors at the event.  Breakfast and Lunch included in registration.

For more information or to register for the event, to to

http://vcn.citizen-networks.org/site/Calendar?id=100442&view=Detail

From Pilotonline.com:

“We’re going to design a character of road that you’re not going to want to go over 35 mph,” Hansen said.

The city also lowered the speed limit to 35 mph west of the Lesner Bridge after the recent pedestrian death. Beach leaders plan to evaluate the effectiveness of that change at the end of the year to determine whether it, too, will be a permanent fix, Hansen said.

From SavePHP.org:

Call Senators Warner and Webb, and Congressman Nye and thank them for their continued leadership on conservation funding for Virginia and express your hope…

For Immediate Release:                    Media Contacts:

September 10, 2010                   Helen W. Kuhns, Lynnhaven River NOW
                                      757-962-5398
                                     

Virginia Beach, VA

Lynnhaven River NOW is proud to announce it’s first Citizen Wetland Workshop, to be held Saturday, September 25, 2010, from 9 am – 3 pm at the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Building, 3769 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.  This workshop is for people living or working throughout the Lynnhaven watershed who wish to know more about the wetlands of the Lynnhaven River, or anyone that is interested in understanding more about the complex system of wetlands throughout the Tidewater area.  Participants will explore the function and value of wetlands as well as the regulations and controls that are in place to protect these natural areas.  Instruction will include a classroom portion and an exploration of a nearby wetland area.  Whether a waterfront property owner or simply a curious Virginia Beach resident, this class will help you to understand more about these valuable but misunderstood areas.

Registration is required for the workshop.  To register, contact Lynnhaven River NOW at office@lynnhaven2007.com or call 757-962-5398.  There is no charge for the workshop and lunch will be provided.  Space is limited!

Lynnhaven River NOW is a small grassroots environmental organization dedicated to improving water quality in the Lynnhaven River.  Through community partnerships and education, Lynnhaven River Now works to reduce pollutants in the legendary Lynnhaven River and restore critical habitat including oyster reefs and salt marsh areas.

From Pilotonline.com:

NOAA ranked the project 14th out of 42 applicants for about $25 million in proposed federal funding. Ranking in the top 10 would have significantly increased the city’s chances of getting its $3 million request, said Christy Everett, the local director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, which has partnered with the city to conserve the land….

The sale to the trust was supposed to be finalized by the end of this year. Everett said she expects the bank to extend the timeline.

“I don’t think we should give up or can give up,” Everett said.

From SavePHP.org:

Conservation partners are committed to continue to seek additional conservation funding sources to make the Pleasure House Point project a reality.

Croc’s Restaurant will feature Pleasure House Point as the beneficiary of their Green Drinks on September 16 from 6-9pm.  Croc’s is located at 620 19th Street at the Oceanfront.  The third Thursday of every month, people who work in the environmental field meet once a month for a drink at casual, yet informal sessions known as Green Drinks. It’s a lively mixture of people from NGOs, academia, government and business.  Just say, “Are you green?” and you will be introduced to whoever is there. It’s a great way of networking with others who care about the environment.

Free Local Solar & More Home Tour

in association with the American Solar Energy Society’s National Tour

& organized by the Hampton Roads Green Building Council’s Homes Committee

Saturday and Sunday, September 25 &26, 10-4

View Flyer at http://capehenryshores.org/cabsolartourflyer2docx.pdf

or go directly to the tour site for in depth info at http://www.hrsolartour.com

or visit the ASES site at http://www.nationalsolartour.org

Here in the Shore Drive Corridor of Virginia Beach, we live in an area with abundant sunshine and persistent wind.  Like me, maybe you’ve wondered if solar panels or a wind turbine might fatten your wallet or otherwise improve your life and property.  If so, here’s your chance to see solar and other innovative and sustainable technologies up close and personally.  Homeowners and other facilities will open their doors to the public to view and answer questions about the systems they operate.

Over the course of two days, you can venture far and wide within Hampton Roads to visit 22 sites on the tour.  If you want to stay close to home, 3 sites are within easy reach of the Shore Drive Corridor.

1 – The Renaissance Academy near Town Center was designed to a take advantage of passive solar heating/cooling and day lighting.  Among other innovations, it also has a green living roof which reduces runoff.  A catcment system captures and stores the filtered water until it is needed for toilet flushing. 

2 – Just off Shore Drive on Little Creek Road, one residence frequently produces more electricity than it needs and sells the power back to Dominion.  In addition, the sun heats their hot water and they have incorporated rain barrels into their garden to reduce runoff and the need for city water for irrigation.  The attic is also insulated with a bio based blown foam.

3 – Further down Shore Drive on Ocean View Avenue you can see two types of wind turbine in action:  The traditional horizontal axis model and a vertical axis model.  They’ve been up and spinning for the last several months.  Wouldn’t you like to know what kind of energy they’re producing?

Although tours have been annual events all over this country for many years, last year was the first year a local tour has been organized in well over a decade.  If you would like to participate, you need to register for a ticket. For more info or to register and download a brochure with descriptions of and directions to all the sites, go to http://www.hrsolartour.com.  Please note that tour times vary at some locations.

From Pilotonline.com:

The Trust for Public Land, which is leading the partnership in the purchase of the property for conservation, is aware of the lawsuit, said Kent Whitehead, the Chesapeake project director for the organization.

“It may cause a slight delay, but we remain confident that the conservation of this property will eventually come to fruition,” Whitehead said in an e-mail.

From Pilotonline.com:

The exit ramp will end at London Bridge Road, and motorists can turn right toward Oceana Naval Air Station or left to Great Neck Road. The on-ramp takes motorists under the interstate roughly parallel to existing railroad tracks before looping onto I-264.

From PR from Public Works:

Friday, Sept. 3, Trash and Recycling Collection Postponed

Due to anticipated storm conditions, there will be no trash or recycling service in Virginia Beach on Friday, Sept. 3. Trash and recycling collection regularly scheduled for Friday, Sept. 3, will be collected on Saturday, Sept. 4. 

Residents are advised NOT to place trash or recycling at their curbs prior to Friday evening, Sept. 3, for Saturday collection. Additionally, residents are encouraged to make sure yard debris or other items are not placed in drainage ways such as ditches or street curb and gutter. Yard debris placed in drainage ways can cause flooding.

The City Landfill is scheduled to be open on Friday, Sept. 3; however, pending storm conditions, it may close at any time until conditions become safer for residents. The City Landfill, located at 1989 Jake Sears Road off Centerville Turnpike, is typically open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for Virginia Beach residents. For more information on Waste Management services, visit http://www.VBgov.com/wastemgt.

Dave has shared his report, CASPER,, produced by his company Safety Net Consulting.

He felt it was important to share the 24 page report since Earl was on its way.

Download 24 page PDF.

An excerpt:

The material presented in this document reflects multiple accredited sources and the accumulated best practices of those involved in emergency planning and disaster recovery. Your timely planning is critical for a successful outcome. Many emergency agencies have found that only 10-15% of those who live in areas affected by coastal storms will have a plan and prepare before a potential disaster. Timely planning is critical to the safety of your family. Any person using this document must use reasonable common sense and prudent judgment to prevent personal injury and limit property loss.

Questions?

Latest about Earl at NOAA.

From an email, unedited, posted with permission from the author:

Dear Sirs,
I just wanted to thank you for stepping up on the purchase of Pleasure House Point. Your leadership on this issue has made it possible and directly affects the quality of life for the Shore Drive corridor. We hope there will be walking/biking trails around the perimeter of the parcel.

I also want to thank you for listening to the Shore Drive community regarding the speed limit change. I know you have taken a lot of heat for this decision from commuters, but as a resident who has to access Shore Drive every day, I can assure you your decision will save lives and not because of pedestrians.

Entering the road from a full stop with cars routinely traveling at 55-60 mph is like entering a highway with no ramp. In many places, visibility down the road is not adequate for those speeds as well. From direct experience I can tell you it was only a matter of time before a disaster happened. I believe a new bride was killed trying to enter the roadway after her wedding at Baylake Church sometime ago. A highway through the middle of a residential area is what we had.

I have never written anyone in the city before, but these two decisions moved me to write you to acknowledge your actions on these two issues. I commend you.

Sincerely,
Mike Taylor
Ocean Park

Thank for allowing us to post your email Mike.

Have your own “letter to the editor”?

Editor’s note: We’ll set up a do it yourself space at SDCC.info and you can post your opinion anytime.
Please let us know if you’d like us to set that up.

SDCC has received the following email from Mike Shahsiah of the VB Traffic Engineering Division:

Operations of the pedestrian warning signs with flashing lights (between Kendall St to Lesner Bridge) have been extended to start flashing at 12:00 noon until 2:30 a.m. every day. 

I need your assistance to provide feedback on the operations of these lights.  If you happen to drive this section of Shore drive after 12:00 noon, please look for these lights and send me an email at your convenience & let me know if they were working as programmed.
Thanks a lot.
Mike

Please address your comments to:

Mike Shahsiah, P.E.
Senior Traffic Engineer

mshahsia@vbgov.com

SDCC General Meeting – Monday, August 30, 7:30pm to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of Shore Drive and E. Stratford Rd.)

Call to Order

Present and adopt agenda

Presentation:  Kal Kassir, Chairman, Bayfront Advisory Committee:  An overview of the BAC mission

          Questions and Answers

Officers’ Reports

          President’s Report:  Grace Moran
          Vice President’s Report:  Dave Williams
          Secretary’s Report:  Todd Solomon
          Treasurer’s Report:  Steve Kohler

Update on issues:
          Shore Drive Safety Initiatives
          Pleasure House Point (see below)

Old Business

New Business

Adjourn formal session in order to open informal briefing re: Pleasure House Point.  A working group
has been formed to attempt to raise the $4M which the Trust for Public Land plans to sell a 5-10 acre
tract along Shore Drive. Two meetings have been held to date.  Reports of work in progress.

Dates to remember:

Saturday, September 18, 2010.  eCycling. The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science
Center, in partnership with TFC Recycling, is offering its third e-cycling event from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Virginia Aquarium east parking lot. Acceptable personal electronic recyclable items will include personal computers and laptops; telephones, cell phones and PDA’s; printers; circuit boards and components; monitors and flat screens; televisions smaller than 32”; and stereo equipment and game systems.

Saturday, September 11:  11th Annual Community Gardening Festival   The Agricultural Research Station, Diamond Springs Road, north of the intersection of Diamond Springs Road and Northampton Blvd.

Tuesday, September 14:   Bayfront Advisory Subcommittee meetings 3 p.m. at First Landing
State Park (Bayside)  Public Safety, Transit, Transportation and Access and Communications

Thusday, September 16:  Bayfront Advisory Committee 3:30 p.m. at First Landing State Park (Bayside)

Next SDCC Meeting:  7:30 p.m. September 27, 2010.
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Station
Please check http://www.sdcc.info for details as they become available.

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation is accepting your tax deductible donations to help preserve 100% of Pleasure House Point.

What’s the harm with a small commercial development on this property? The answer is simple. There is no do-over.

And:

Top Reasons to Donate:

1. Save the largest undeveloped parcel of land on the Lynnhaven River for generations to come.
2. Preserve your City’s Green Space and the opportunity to experience shoreline habitat, wetlands, and maritime forest.
3. Protect the natural habitat of birds and marine life.
4. Produce healthy lifestyle opportunities by having trails in close proximity to residences in one of the highest density areas in the City. *
5. Raise property values and prevent added congestion in this area. **
6. Be part of a legacy purchase; we will not have this opportunity again.

Learn more at the Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation Pleasure House Point Fundraiser page.

Like a high school student at Cape Henry Collegiate once said about the importance of preserving PHP:

  “I don’t feel like this is an adult issue. It’s our future. It’s our Virginia Beach.”

Please be generous in sharing this link, and in donating.

Any amount will help. Thank you.

PHP is your unknown backyard. Click to view larger.

The city’s Department of Public Health on Wednesday issued swimming and wading advisories along areas of the Chesapeake Bay and the Oceanfront.  Recent testing by the health department showed bacteria levels in the water exceeded the state water-quality standards at five locations in the Chesapeake Bay from the Virginia Beach city line east to Fort Story and at locations between 8th and 22nd streets at the Oceanfront.  The advisories will be lifted when the tests show the bacteria are within state limits.  Northeast winds, rain and high tides have pushed the water higher onto the beaches than usual, exposing it to bacteria, said Erin Sutton, environmental health manager for the health department. Bacteria called Enterococci, found in human and animal waste, showed up in the tests.
Update Note:  Restrictions lifted August 26.