This is very cool! LR Now has received grants to offer free courses to Landscapers to help improve their understanding of various ways they can improve the health of the Lynnhaven.

Topics include: Election of officers for the coming year, Review draft Committee policies and procedures for how it conducts its business, Finalize recommendations on community signs, Finalize recommendations on how to address encroachments along Shore Drive in accordance with the Shore Drive Safety Task Force report, Receive updates from City staff on several ongoing projects and issues.
More at VBGov.com.

The second right-turn lane off southbound Great Neck Road onto Virginia Beach Boulevard will ? at long last ? become a reality. According to the Pilot Warrior. Yeah!

With a nod to the failing eyesight of aging drivers, state officials hope new typefaces on signs and broader highway markings will help make driving a little easier….The idea is that with improved signs and wider pavement markings, the traveling experience will be safer, especially for drivers whose eyesight is not as keen as it once was.

Read entire article at Pilotonline.com.

Hundreds of residents along the Shore Drive corridor have signed petitions and sent e-mails to city officials in favor of and in opposition to the request.
Read entire article & comment at Pilotonline.com.
Recently at SDCC.info.

The SDCC has NOT taken an official position regarding the VBRHCC’s CUP for outdoor entertainment.  To date, the SDCC has not been asked nor has it taken an official vote on the subject CUP.

Click for larger version to use as screen saver.

Yes, that’s PHP that appears to be darn close to under water like the other wetlands just to the left in the Lynnhaven.

City Council tonight approved roughly $6M for site acquisition for the new Chicks Beach Fire Company plus long overdue, much needed Shore Drive infrastructure safety improvements.

This was about 100% of what our Vice Mayor Jones, Councilman Wood & other Councilpersons recommended using a portion of the ‘extra’ funds from FY2006.

Thank you!

The word from Mr. Rick Scarper, city staffer responsible to the Chesapeake Bay Area Preservation Board, is that staff will recommend Indigo Dunes to be deferred indefinitely.

Recent photo of viable oysters in tidal pond that is proposed to be filled in.

Construction took forever, many trees were ripped down, residents had to put up with loud construction workers and all kinds of noise and disturbance…

Read the questions DEQ has about Indigo Dunes mentioned in article in todays paper.

The Resort Conference Center is going before the Planning Commission on Wed Jan 10 at 12:00pm in City Council Chambers.  The SDCC has not taken an official position on the request.  Individuals and Civic Groups are encouraged to contact the Planning Commission and Staff directly and express their support or opposition.  Send comments to [encode=KLasley@vbgov.com?From SDCC.info-RCC]Karen Lasley[/encode].

The following information may be helpful in making your decision.

The Design Subcommittee of the Bayfront Advisory Committee will meet at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, at the Great Neck Community Recreation Center.

They’ll also be reviewing its final recommendations regarding new community signs for the Bayfront.

More at VBGov.com.

A Virginia Land Planner with an environmental organization with a local office weighs in on Indigo Dunes after analyzing their most recent JPA.

DEQ is concerned that the total wetland impact isn’t accurately defined in the plan and that Sandler isn’t offering any compensation for filling in the canals and ponds. The agency also questioned the suitability of 11-story condominiums so close to a marshy area.

Great Blue Heron on PHP.

Check out the article to also view a photo of a cormorant on PHP.
And, did you see the photo of a Bald Eagle near PHP in Mary Reid Barrow’s column last week?

Take Poll at SDCC.info about Indigo Dunes financial projections.

Meeting for volunteers, Saturday, January 20th at 3pm.

Check out the flyer for details: Volunteer for 2007 Activities in First Landing State Park [1pg PDF]

Howard Weinberg, new Prez of Ocean Park Civic League, had his poem about Indigo Dunes published in today’s Beacon.

Check it out!

On Shore Drive, Walk, Bike and Drive Like Your Life Depends On It is the main article.
Check out the 1 page PDF version if you missed it in the mail.

Two police officers pulled a man from Little Creek Reservoir about 100 yards from Shore Drive on Thursday morning.
Read entire article in Pilotonline.com.

As requested at the BAC meeting on December 21, this is to inform you that the City Council is tentatively scheduled to vote on how to appropriate the FY 2005-2006 budget year end balance at its meeting on January 9.