State officials hope a new boating and driving trail along the James River will help increase interest in the Jamestown 2007 commemoration.

Two people were rescued this evening after the 15-foot sailboat they were on capsized near the first island on the south end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.

Press Release from the Coast Guard.

Hooray!

Yes, it’s true, the Bayside Library is finally open.

The school, is the first elementary school in the state to attain a voluntary environmental certification called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Read the entire article.

No doubt clueless dog owners who don’t pick up after their dogs drives you crazy.

The Virginia Beach SPCA has had a campaign to:

train pet owners to pick up after their pets using the same methods!

Mr. Roehrs noted that there is a slight difference in expectations between the public and the City.  Public Works was not there to promise sand; they want to dispose of sand.  He also noted that public distrust is a universal problem for all City departments.

Continue reading to view attendees and minutes of the meeting held October 31 at the Municpal Center.

I yearn for my quality of life to be more completely sucked away by traffic, noise, overpopulation, pollution and the annihilation of all things natural.

Preliminary Meeting Minutes submitted by Nils Bahringer (SDCC Secretary) – Thanks Nils
SDCC GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING OCTOBER 24, 2005.

Minutes:

1.    President Todd Solomon called the meeting to order at 7:20 pm.  Twenty-six members and guests were present.

2.    Todd introduced the speakers for tonight?s program.

3.    Mark Johnson (Public Works) discussed the status of the Shore Drive Beautification Program?s Demonstration Project.  It covers a portion (Phase I) of the Shore Drive area to be ?improved?.  Design has progressed with much input and involvement by residents of the adjacent neighborhoods.  Phase I design is complete and funded, and now in Construction Planning.  Contracting and Construction will proceed next year.

Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC)- General Meeting
Monday November 28, 2005
7: 30pm to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Fire & Rescue Hall

This month’s guest speaker will be Liz Dyer.  She will briefly discuss the topic SPCA poop boxes.  These $15 bag dispensers can be placed in each neighborhood and are an excellent way to clean up the community as well as the Lynnhaven River.  Following this presentation, the general topic of discussion will be the Bayfront Vision. 

Thanks to Nicole for emailing me the comprehensive website, PEDSAFE which is the Pedestrian Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection System engineered by the Federal Highway Administration.

She also sent me WalkingInfo.org, a data rich site with info to create more pedestrian/bicycle friendly communities.

If all goes as planned, the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia will be the first stop for the Magna Carta in a 10-city U.S. tour, according to a British firm organizing the event.

Some stories relevant to the Bayfront appeared in the Pilot today.

In Bayville Park, [w]hen Rick Jewell bought his home on Daton Road in Virginia Beach this past spring, the big plus was the water view. Read the entire Pilot Warrior article.

This was forwarded from Cape Story’s Neighborhood Watch.

Thought you’d want to know so you can help out. Cape Story by the Sea Civic League is collecting items to help out 2 families. One family was displaced from New Orleans by Katrina, the other is a local military family.

Please help out if you can.
[Note: Cape Story did not request I post this at SDCC.info. I thought it was appropriate though. – Tim]

The rabid raccoon/dog fight you might have heard about at WAVY.com was in the Kings Grant area.

According to a blurb under “Leasing” in The Pilot today, Hot Tuna is leasing an additional 950 sq ft that will add a private party area for up to 70 people.

Also, Don Julio’s has offered free Wi-Fi for several months now.

Dockside Inn sounds like it will be purchased, razed and replaced with condos. Should they be multi-use with restaurants or other shops on the first floor?

Anchor Inn, Surfrider and other businesses in Marina Shores aren’t having their leases renewed and are most likely closing too.

Rumor has it, condos are planned to be built several years from now.

The Bayfront area would have large public spaces for planned and unplanned gatherings that are located in areas safe for people to travel to whether it?s by foot, bicycle, car or other transportation like a Segway.

Hampton Roads was the 3rd wealthiest seafood/shellfish port last year with a monetary catch of over $100 million.

Mission Statement:

The Mission of the Bayfront Area Vision Group is to establish a cooperative effort among local residents, businesses, Shore Drive Advisory Committee and City Government that works toward maintaining and enhancing the unique character of the Bayfront Area.  This action shall be accomplished through modifications to ordinances in the Shore Drive Overlay District,  increased code enforcement, enhanced public safety, reduction in building density and establishment of preferred/prohibited project development types.

Vision:

The Vision for the Bayfront Area Vision Group[BAVG] is to improve and maintain a unique, safe, pedestrian oriented Bayfront community.  The primary goal for the area shall be to emphasize the strong neighborhood characteristics, highlight the area’s environmental aspects and major historic significance.  The secondary goal should be the focus of making the Shore Drive area a gateway to the City.