From LRNow:

Excess nutrient run-off is a serious water quality problem in the Lynnhaven River.  It leads to excess algae which clouds the water and eventually leads to decreased levels of oxygen and possible toxins from algal blooms.  We experienced these algal blooms in all of our local rivers, including the Lynnhaven, this summer.

A variety of methods can be used to slow and reduce run off from properties. A rain barrel is one way to reduce the amount of water entering the river through the storm water system.  Lynnhaven River NOW and Mike?s Rain Barrels are offering a Rain Barrel Workshop on February 23rd from 10:30-12:00 at the Maintenance Office of the Bayville Golf Course, 4137 First Court Road, Virginia Beach. The cost of this workshop is $45 (includes materials for one rain barrel) and the class is limited to 15 people.

State officials this week set aside 90 acres for future oyster-restoration efforts in the Lynnhaven River, and also created the only permanent public oystering ground in the river, to be located in Broad Bay.
Read & comment at Pilotonline.com.

SDCC General Meeting – Monday Jan 28, 2008
7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

Program:
Mr. Peter Doherty, an expert in the field of ornithology (birds), will be the guest speaker at the SDCC general meeting. Mr. Doherty will be explaining his recent field ornithology activities in our area.  He has been working for BioDiversity Research Institute, capturing, banding and bleeding marsh birds, including rail, snipe, sparrows, warblers and wrens, as part of a federal court order arising out of past mercury discharges in the lower Penobscot River and upper Penobscot Bay.

VBTA will share info about the “Homestead Exemption” Bill working its way through the State Legislature.
Press Release for Conference this coming Saturday. [1pg pdf]
Dr. James Koch, previous President of ODU, will present his “State of the Region” too.

Thanks to Cherie for forwarding this scam!

Here’s how it works:

This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want.

Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it. This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you’ll be better prepared to protect yourself.

These are not minutes, nor complete….just an FYI kinda thing to give you an update from Thursday evening’s very well attended Bayfront Advisory Committee Meeting.

Here goes:

~55 people attended. A terrific turn out in spite of the weather!

+ According to Vice Mayor Jones, the current leasing process of the City Marina is being stopped when City Council gets together and it’s on the agenda. It’ll be sent back to the beginning to get community input this time. Should be heard at one of the next two City Council Meetings.

+ 1,200 of you so far have completed the Shore Drive Pedestrian Survey Form which far exceeded expectations! Keep ‘em coming in.

Note: people are seen walking/riding over the Lesner Bridge every day.

Please keep those Shore Drive Pedestrian Survey Forms coming!

Please mark your calendars for the Virginia Beach Police Department’s Crime Prevention Steering Committee’s Town Meeting to be held Wednesday, Feb. 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Princess Anne High School.

The guest speaker for this meeting is Attorney General Robert McDonnell. He will be providing an update on the current General Assembly, and issues regarding crime prevention.  Seating is limited; however you will be receiving an invitation and additional information in the next week or so.

If you have any questions, please don’t’ hesitate to contact me.

Barb

Barbara A. Morrison
Media and Communications Coordinator
City of Virginia Beach

City Manager’s Office – Media and Communications Group
2401 Courthouse Drive, #320
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Direct: 757.385.4075 Cell:  757.572.2053
Fax:  757.385.5665
[encode=bmorriso@vbgov.com]Email[/encode]

Remember the idea to add open space and/or park land to the Bayfront area that included Osprey Point Nature Park?

Learn more about Osprey Point Nature Park .

Which idea do you think would add more value to the Bayfront area, this one, or this one.

Check out the engineering drawings of proposed new path.

In case you’re keeping track, documents show:

1. Boat trailer traffic will have the right of way at the Boat ramp.
2. Smaller private vessels will have the right of way over the barge traffic in the Lynnhaven.
3. The Mayor has written that the Lesner Bridge will not be used for the dump trucks.
4. And more….

The original Bayfront Advisory Committee agenda has changed.

BAC Agenda, Revised [2 pg PDF]

Plan on attending!

It’s at Cox High School, this Thursday evening, January 17th from 7:30pm – 9:30pm.

This is to advise that the Bayfront Advisory Committee?s Design Subcommittee Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 15 at 8:00 AM at the First Landing State Park Trail Center has been cancelled.  The next meeting will be scheduled for February at a time and place that will be announced and a public notice will be released accordingly.

From Clay.

From Cape Story Neighborhood Watch:

This morning (Sunday, Jan 13) at approx 8:15, a resident from Wake Forest St. got bitten by a dog in First Landing Park. The owner of the dog refused to give any information about herself or her dog except that the dog had a rabies shot. 

The resident went to the ER, had stitches, and will now have to undergo a series of rabies shots due to not being able to verify that the dog has been vaccinated. 

The woman with the dogs is described as white, blond, approx. 5″8”, 35-40 years old and approx. 140 lbs. 

The dogs are (1) white fluffy type, 50-60 lbs, (2) the one that bit is an older black pit bull/lab mix.  She told the victim that this dog has bitten before.  The resident has filed reports with the police, animal control and the Park Ranger.  If anyone knows who this woman is, please call Rebecca Lowe, 227-5642 or Ranger John Elliott, First Landing State Park at 412-2333.

From Cape Story’s Neighborhood Watch:

The following was received from Officer Jim Price of the Va.Bch Police Dept.  Note that if these boats are not moved, they will be picked up by the police.

The police department received a complaint regarding three boats in the 2700 block of Ocean Shore Avenue; these boats were actually parked in the dune area.  Additionally, there are several other boats parked in the dune area bordering your community.

Continue on to read the City Code.

Ever wondered how often the City needs to correct the navigational markers for the channel leaving the Boat Ramp?

Public Works/Operations Crab Creek Navigation Aid Work Orders. [11pg pdf]
Correspondence with Coast Guard about channel markers. [10pg pdf]

In the last year, repairs/adjustments were made 8 times, 1/4/07, 3/7/07, 5/15/07, 8/30/07, 10/2/07, 11/21/07, 12/4/07 & 1/8/08.

Agenda for January 17th evening meeting. [2 pg pdf] Note: format of document changed when pdf created.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine called for a statewide ban Monday on smoking in restaurants and bars, framing his second effort for the legislation as a common sense New Year?s resolution needed to improve health.

Flanked by lawmakers who said they will sponsor smoking-ban bills this year, Kaine made the announcement at Hot Tuna Bar & Grill, a smoke-free restaurant on Shore Drive.
Read article & comment at Pilotonline.com.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is scheduled to be at Hot Tuna Bar and Grill Monday to announce proposed legislation to ban smoking in restaurants.
He’ll be there about 10:30am.

Article at Pilotonline.com.

January 2008 Newsletter. [1pg PDF].

According to the Pilotonline.com article.

My Delegate POC information is:

The Honorable Joseph F. Bouchard
House of Delegates, 83rd District

Legislative Assistant: Ashley Jones

Richmond:

General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Office number: 414

Office phone: (804) 698-1083
Fax: (804) 698-6783

Constituent Viewpoint: (800)-889-0229

[encode=deljbouchard@house.state.va.us]deljbouchard@house.state.va.us[/encode]

District:
P.O. Box 68726
Virginia Beach, VA 23471

Office phone: (757) 333-2527 (Operational on January 2nd)
Fax (757) 425-8896

[encode=deljbouchard@house.state.va.us]deljbouchard@house.state.va.us[/encode]

http://www.delegatebouchard.com (Operational on January 7th)

Thanks,
Joe