View the entire study at VBGov.com which includes data like:
Household Composition:
The aging baby boomer generation is reflected in the decline of the number of households with children. From 2005 to 2012, Virginia Beach homes with kids dropped from 39.4 percent to 33.9 percent. Though the number of households comprised of a single person has remained steady, the number of traditional married-couple family households has declined.
And . . .
Housing:
Age of Housing Stock (2010):
From NOAA Hurricane Center website:
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center says the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season will likely be below-normal, but that’s no reason to believe coastal areas will have it easy.
And:
“A below-normal season doesn’t mean we’re off the hook. As we’ve seen before, below-normal seasons can still produce catastrophic impacts to communities,” said NOAA Administrator Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D., referring to the 1992 season in which only seven named storms formed, yet the first was Andrew – a Category 5 Major Hurricane that devastated South Florida.
From an email:
Dear School, Community, and Media Partners,
Below is our official statewide Virginia State Parks press release for the June 6, 2015 Clean the Bay Day and National Trails Day events. However, I summarized our Hampton Roads programs and events for you. You can always find up to date event and program information, included guided hikes, guided kayak trips, crafts, fishing clinics, and more by visiting http://www.virginiastateparks.gov and clicking “What to Do”.
If you or any of your staff are interested in covering these programs for your media outlet, please feel free to contact me at staci.martin@dcr.virgnia.gov or 757-477-4046 so I can coordinate your visit. We sincerely appreciate your help in promoting these events to help keep our trails and waterways clean and healthy for outdoor recreation. (Please feel free to email me at staci.martin@dcr.virginia.gov to be removed from my event distribution list.)
First Landing State Park—VA Beach: 9 a.m. to 12noon Join volunteers all across Virginia in collecting trash and other debris in and around our local waterways. Volunteers will clean up areas around the Bald Cypress Swamps, Broad Bay, and of course the beach along the Chesapeake Bay. Meet at the Chesapeake Bay Center to register and pick up supplies.
False Cape State Park—VA Beach: Be a part of the Annual Clean the Bay & National Trails Day by getting outdoors and enjoying a day making a difference. Join park staff and volunteers in helping keep our beaches pristine by picking up shoreline debris or help spruce-up one of the many trails found within the park. Reservations are required. No charge. Call 757-426-7128 to reserve a spot.
Kiptopeke State Park—Eastern Shore: 9 a.m. – 12noon Come out and help us collect the items that the wind and waves have brought to Kiptopeke State Park. We will be picking up trash and marine debris on the beach, parking lots and trails. There is no entrance fee to the park and trash bags will be provided. Please tell the front gate staff that you are here for the clean up and they will direct you to the waterfront shed.
Chippokes Plantation State Park—Surry: Clean the Bay Day gets the public actively involved in improving the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay by removing trash and contaminants in the bay’s watershed. During 2014’s Clean the Bay Day, 6,000 volunteers picked up 110,000 pounds of trash along more than 450 miles of shoreline. Let’s do better! Chippokes will be offering the following programs to contribute to the event:
9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
Beach Cleanup
Leave your mark on the quality of the park and the bay! See the contact ranger inside the visitor center to get started!9:00a.m.-11:30a.m.
Let’s Go Fishing!-Children’s Fishing Tournament ($2/person $6/family)
See the types of animals that call the James River home! Meet at the footbridge on College Run Trail.York River State Park—Williamsburg: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (various programs) Celebrate the outdoors by hiking the miles of multi-purpose and hiking specific trails along Taskinas Creek and the York River. We have a full slate of ranger guided activities to enjoy. Help maintain the shoreline with our Clean The Bay Day event. The June Kid’s Fishing Tournament takes place on Woodstock Pond. Experience something new in the natural world with our Roaming Ranger. Hike along an estuarine marsh on the Taskinas Creek Trek. Take a trip thru the past with our Historic Wagon Ride. Or, take a self guided adventure alone or with a group. See individual event listings for more information http://tinyurl.com/monn927.
Belle Isle State Park—Lancaster: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Shoreline Clean-Up – Camp Store – Help keep the marshes of Belle Isle State Park clean. We will take a hayride down Neck Fields Trail and clean up trash and debris, keeping the marshes and shorelines healthy and looking good. Wear sturdy boots or waders, we will get muddy! Remember to bring plenty of water. It is also a good idea to bring some sturdy work gloves. Registration is required.*
2 p.m. That’s No Stick in the Mud – Picnic Area – If you like to hike, then you need a good hiking stick. And the best hiking sticks are decorated to showcase your style and personality! These also make a great souvenir! We’ve got everything you need to make your hiking stick truly unique. We even supply the stick! $2
4 p.m. Survival Bracelets – Picnic Area -You may have seen them in the store or on T.V., you may even own one, but would you know how to use a paracord survival bracelet? We will discuss some of the many uses of these versatile and fashionable accessories. Then, make your own paracord survival bracelet! Registration is recommended.* $5 per bracelet.
*To register, call the park office at (804) 462-5030 or stop by the camp store.
Contact: Jim Meisner Jr., DCR Public Relations Specialist, (804) 786-8442, jim.meisner@dcr.virginia.gov
Current news release is located at http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/pr_relz_detail.shtml?id=2015-05-29-14-50-47-928503-d3e
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 29, 2015Celebrate National Trails Day and Clean the Bay Day
in a Virginia State Park, June 6(RICHMOND) – With more than 500 miles of trails, there’s no better place in Virginia to celebrate National Trails Day on June 6 than Virginia State Parks.
Whether hiking, biking, paddling or horseback riding, all state parks will offer special events or activities geared towards trails. State parks in the Chesapeake Bay watershed will also mark the 27th annual Clean the Bay Day with special activities.
National Trails Day is sponsored by the American Hiking Society.
Activities across Virginia include:
High Bridge Trail State Park in Farmville offers the annual 5K, “Run for Your Life.” Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane has a special horseback ride planned for riders who bring their own horse. Also at Sky Meadows, cyclists looking for a new challenge can join Element Sports of Winchester for a ride on the multi-use trails at the base of the Blue Ridge backcountry.
Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield is offering three different hikes throughout the day. Grayson Highlands in Mouth of Wilson will offer different experiences, including a 9-mile trek on the Appalachian Trail to Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia, and trail maintenance on the Cabin Creek Trail.
Natural Tunnel in Duffield offers a canoe trip on the Clinch River, a historic hike, a wild cave tour and a night hike to demonstrate different trail experiences. New River Trail State Park partners with Mike McMillion, owner and head Bike Mechanic of Pulaski Bikes LLC, for a demonstration of basic road and trail side maintenance.
State parks will also offer opportunities to help maintain trails and improve the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay. At Staunton River Battlefield, in Randolph, there will be work on the initial layout and construction of a new trail around Mulberry Hill Pond. At James River State Park in Gladstone, float along the James River to Treasure Island. Visitors can earn a free wagon ride by collecting 15 pieces of trash. At First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, volunteers will clear debris from Bald Cypress swamps, Broad Bay and the beach along the Chesapeake Bay.
Read the details of these and other programs here: http://bit.ly/2015NTD. Some activities require advance registration.
Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
For more information about state park activities and amenities, or to make cabin or camping reservations, call the Virginia State Parks Customer Service Center at 800-933-7275 or visit http://www.virginiastateparks.gov.
# # #
Photo Credit: The New Tidewater Flashback Group in Facebook
Thanks to Traycee for allowing us to share these!
Let us know in comments below if you’d like to see more flashback photos of the Shore Drive community.
Big thank you to Bill House for maintaining the flags on Shore Drive. Bill is always looking for volunteers to help with the flag service. If you interested, please email me at todd@sdcc.info for more information.
What’s Exempt:
During both periods, purchases of certain supplies and equipment needed for hurricane preparedness will be exempt from sales tax. Retailers may also choose to absorb the tax on other items during the holiday period, but they are responsible for paying the tax on those items to the Department of Taxation.
For more information, see the attached list of tax holiday items and the frequently asked questions at Hurricane Preparedness Equipment Holiday FAQs Virginia.gov.
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS SALES TAX HOLIDAY
APPENDIX — LIST OF QUALIFYING ITEMS
May 25 – May 31
Sales Price of $60 or less
The following hurricane preparedness items may be purchased exempt of the Retail Sales and Use Tax during the “Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday,” provided that such items have a selling price of $60 or less per item.
• Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs and reusable ice
• Batteries (excluding automobile or boat batteries), including
o AAA cell
o AA cell
o C cell
o D cell
o 6 volt
o 9 volt
o Cell phone batteries
• Any portable self-powered light sources including
o Flashlights
o Lanterns
o Glow sticks
• Tarpaulins, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible waterproof sheeting
• Bungee cords, rope
• Ground anchor systems or tie down kits
• Ratchet straps
• Duct tape
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Smoke detectors
• Fire extinguishers
• Gas or diesel fuel tanks or containers
• Water storage containers
• Nonelectric food storage coolers
• Bottled water
• Manual can openers
• Portable self-powered radios (including self-powered radios with electrical power capability)
• Two-way radios
• Weather band radios and NOAA weather radios
• Storm shutter devices
• Cell phone chargers
• First Aid Kits
Sales Price of $1,000 or less
The following hurricane preparedness items may be purchased exempt of the Retail Sales and Use Tax during the “Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday,” provided that such items have a selling price of $1000 or less per item.
• Portable generators and generator power cords
• Inverters and inverter power cables
Chain saws
For the 2014 Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday period and all subsequent periods, gas-powered chain saws with a selling price of $350 or less and chain saw accessories with a sales price of $60 or less may be purchased exempt of the Retail Sales and Use Tax. The following is an all-inclusive list of the items that are deemed “chain saw accessories”:
• Chains
• Chain saw bar and nose lubricants
• Two-cycle motor oil
• Chain sharpeners and files
• Bars
• Wrenches
• Carrying cases and scabbards
• Safety apparel, including chaps, gloves, hearing protectors, helmets, and protective glasses
• Repair parts
Thanks for the info about this Empsy!
Photo Credit: The New Tidewater Flashback Group in Facebook
Thanks to Traycee for allowing us to share these!
Let us know in comments below if you’d like to see more flashback photos of the Shore Drive community.
May 19th 2015 update:
Friends and Fans of the Lesner Bridge Project:
The heat and beach weather have finally arrived, so you can officially put snow plows and ice and sand and salt out of your mind. Progress on the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project is moving onward, and we continue to receive a number of requests for information and updates – to which we gladly respond.
Below is the latest collection of facts and figures and other details – – updated for your reading pleasure – from Chris Wojtowicz, poster boy and mayor of “Wojo’s World.” Please give this a look when you have the time, and feel free to let Chris or me know if you have any questions or need more information.
As a reminder, we are regularly updating information on our WEB page at: http://www.vbgov.com/lesner-bridge. You can also follow us on Twitter at: @lesnerbridge.
If you know of someone who would like to be added to our update list, please have them get in touch with me at this e-mail address and I will be glad to add them.
Please feel free to pass this along to others. Thanks again for all of your patience throughout this project.
Enjoy the summer weather. . . AND STAY SAFE!
Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beachdlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353The bridge contractor has completed the erection of the temporary steel falsework between Pier #1 and Abutment A (this is near 3556 On The Bay condominiums) and has installed the support towers that the gantry trusses will rest on. The large yellow girders for this gantry crane will begin to be assembled on the beach next week. Once assembled, they will be moved to the temporary steel falsework to complete the assembly of the gantry crane.
Temporary Falsework Tower Support at Pier #1
Pre-casting of the bridge segments at Atlantic Metrocast in Portsmouth, VA is now on a regular production schedule. 40 of the 177 bridge segments have been cast. In other words, we now have enough segments to complete 2 of the 10 spans in the westbound bridge and will likely have the third span complete by Memorial Day. As soon as the gantry crane is assembled, the contractor will begin delivering the segments to the project site.
The foundation work on the westbound bridge continues. All of the drilled shafts for Pier #4 have been installed and the Contractor is anticipating the completion of the drilled shafts at Pier #5 by 5/21/2015. There are 9 piers per bridge, therefore the Contractor is already past the halfway mark in the drilled shaft installation.
Drilled Shaft Installation at Pier #5 (Temporary Trestle being assembled in background as preparation for foundation construction at Pier #7)
Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will;
Ø Mobilize the utility barges and drilling equipment to Pier #7 (east side of the Federal Channel in the Lynnhaven Inlet);
Ø Mobilize cranes to Abutment B (next to the former Duck Inn site) to prepare for driving piles for the abutment foundation and temporary retaining wall;
Ø Continue work on the temporary overhead crane installation at the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Site;
Ø Dewater the cofferdam at Pier #3 and begin construction of the concrete cap at this pier location;
Please note, that when the Contractor begins installing the temporary retaining wall on the east side of Lesner Bridge next to Shore Drive he will have to temporarily close the outside lane of WB Shore Drive between Page Avenue and the bridge. All this work will be performed at night between the hours of 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM.
Through these project updates we’ve discussed a lot about the construction of the new bridges. Now as the project moves along we will be providing some information on the aesthetics of the new bridge – how the new bridge will look once complete. The new bridge will have a coating (TexCote® 300 Bridge Cote® ) Palomino Beige in color that will give the bridge a “finished” look as well as a protective layer to help protect the concrete from the elements as well as graffiti. The first application of this coating will be applied to the MSE wall near 3556 On the Bay Condominiums and Abutment A also located in this area.
Bridge Coating – TexCote® 300 Bridge Cote® (Palomino Beige shown in upper left panel)
One last bit of information. We have posted a 3D animation of the bridge construction sequence on our website at http://www.vbgov.com/lesner-bridge The link is posted on the right side of the page under ADDITIONAL INFORMATION and is titled “Lesner Bridge Construction Sequence Animation”. This animation has been prepared using the expected sequence of construction to be used by the Contractor and shows – in scale – the relative size of the new bridges compared to the old bridges and how the traffic patterns will change over time as we move through the 5 phases of construction (we are in Phase 2 right now). We are also preparing a presentation that we will present periodically to the general public on the weekend. Dates and location have not yet been determined, but once we have the schedule we will post to the City’s website as well as send via this email update. This schedule and presentation will also be made available to the Bayfront Advisory Committee.
Drive Safely!
-Chris
Christopher J. Wojtowicz, P.E.
Project Manager
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Public Works
Municipal Center-Bldg 2
2405 Court House Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9031
Phone: (757) 385-5785
Fax: (757) 385-5668
email: cwojtowi@vbgov.com
From Cape Henry Shores Neighborhood Watch email:
A biker was hit at Bayberry St. and the bike trail on Monday 5/18 at
around 4:30 p.m. The driver of the car stopped to check on him but
then left. The person was an older lady with shoulder length gray
hair. She was driving a late model gray sedan—that now has a dent in
the front. The police were called and are seeking witnesses as well
as the person who hit him. If anyone has any information on this
driver, please call 385-5000.
Photo Credit: The New Tidewater Flashback Group in Facebook
Photo Credit from The New Tidewater Flashback in Facebook.
Thanks to Traycee for allowing us to share these!
Let us know in comments below if you’d like to see more flashback photos of the Shore Drive community.
“It would have been catastrophic, so those fire crews, they did a bang-up job,” she said. “We were blessed. We didn’t lose occupants, we didn’t lose pets. Property can be replaced.”
Email posted unedited.
Gentlemen,
I wanted to let you know that the large, damaged Live Oak that we spoke about at the corner of Shore Dr. and Kleen St. was removed today. A Miss Utility ticket has gone in for both stumps to be ground, and we hope to be able to take care of removing them next week. I’m very sorry that this tree had to be removed due to extensive decay and structural issues, but I’m glad that removal was carried out without causing damage or harm. We’ll be planting a replacement live oak this fall, however it won’t be at this same site due to the proximity to the roadway at this intersection.
Best wishes,
Susan
Susan French
City Arborist, Landscape Management Division
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation
ISA Certified Arborist #MA-4747ALandscape Management | 4141 Dam Neck Road | Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone 757-385-4076 | Fax 757-427-1895 | sfrench@vbgov.com | VBgov.com/parksConnect with Parks & Rec!
Find us on Facebook: Facebook.com/VBParksRec
Sign up for our email newsletters: VBgov.com/eNewsVirginia Beach Parks and Recreation is accredited by CAPRA,
the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association
We appreciate the work that went into trying to save this live oak.
Susan loves meeting people in the field to chat about live oaks, The City Tree, and any other tree for that matter!
Some photos of recent pruning of live oaks at beloved Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility.
Planned is some cabling, a fence around both to strongly discourage climbing, which could lead to them being cut down for public safety reasons, plus signage with information about these live oaks.
Join us at our meeting this Monday where we will be discussing:
Proposed City Tree Task Force – SDCC is working with City Staff/Arborist to create a task force to discuss ways to help protect the City’s official tree (Live Oak) and maintain residential property rights. Roadway encroachment lead to the planned removal of trees (200+ years old) at Shore Drive & Kleen St.
Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 5.18.15 SDCC Agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday May 18, 2015 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)
Program/Presentation – No presentation planned.
Officer’s Reports Secretary – David Williams; Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon
Old Business–
Bishard Development Update – City Council’s May 5th review meeting was deferred. New date is expected to be June 2nd. Baylake Pines Civic League is meeting with Mr. Bishard to discuss changes/proffers. City Traffic Engineers informed that sidewalk will be installed along Shore Drive, a turn lane will be installed at the existing median cut across from gas station to allow westbound cars to “U-turn” to head eastbound, stacking should not be a problem.
Lesner Bridge Replacement– New animated construction video posted on www.sdcc.info. Walkway protection to be added to east side of bridge to prevent restaurant parking from blocking sidewalk.
New Business –
Proposed City Tree Task Force – SDCC is working with City Staff/Arborist to create a task force to discuss ways to help protect the City’s official tree (Live Oak) and maintain residential property rights. Roadway encroachment lead to the planned removal of trees (200+ years old) at Shore Drive & Kleen St.
Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?
Citywide Civic Engagement Opportunities –
NEXT SDCC Meeting – Monday June 29th at 7:30pm
Ya know the terrific south side multi use path heading over the Lesner?
You might have noticed it got blocked again this past weekend on east side by parked vehicles.
No date on when the extra love will show up but there’ll be temporary fencing installed to keep it open.
Hooray!
Tragic.
More at WAVY.com.
Photo Credit: The New Tidewater Flashback Group in Facebook
Photo Credit from The New Tidewater Flashback in Facebook.
Thanks to Traycee for allowing us to share these!
Let us know in comments below if you’d like to see more flashback photos of the Shore Drive community.
…removed because of its impaired health & close proximity to Shore Drive.
Sad but true.
This is the remaining live oak at Kleen Street & Shore Drive.
Upset as much as everyone else is that this must happen!?
There are a few simple things you can do right now.
Subscribe to our emailed newsletter The Advocate
Contact Landscape Management Services of VB if you have concerns
Why?
The COVB has a great group of people including Susan French, City Arborist & her team yet they need help from us – the caring public – to ensure we all do our best to keep & increase our precious urban tree canopy.
Susan is very approachable and loves meeting people & chatting about trees. Call 757-385-4461 to reach her.
Stay tuned for future news about how you can help.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 