LRNOW Candidate Forum – Tues. Oct. 1st 7-9pm at Cape Henry Collegiate

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One of the easiest ways to be a good citizen is to VOTE.  In order to make an educated choice, the more you can learn about each candidate the better.  In an effort to provide the community with the most information possible, Lynnhaven River Now has coordinated this upcoming forum.  Even though some of the districts are uncontested and you may not live in others, you can still learn about all the candidates.  No matter who is elected, you can still help influence the eventual winners to make good decisions once they are elected.

Click here for a printable version of the flyer below

2013 LRNOW Canidate Forum Flyer

List of candidates and districts attending:

District 21

Susan Hippen

Ron Villanueva

District 81

Barry Knight

District 82

Bill Fleming

Bill DeSteph

District 83

Chris Stolle

District 84

Glenn Davis

Brent McKenzie

District 85

Bill Dale

Scott Taylor (unconfirmed as of 9.27.13)

3 people injured in crash on Shore Drive in Va. Beach – Thurs. Sept. 26th at 8:30pm

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The Virginian-Pilot is reporting that 3 people were injured in a crash tonight.  To read the article, please click here

SDCC General Meeting and 82nd District Candidates Forum (DeSteph & Fleming) – Monday Sept 30th

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda SDCC Agenda SEP2013

 

SDCC General Meeting 

Monday, 30 SEPT – 7:30-8:30 pm 

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd.)

 

 Call to order

Meeting Topic:

 Hear the Assembly Candidates

82nd District Candidates Bill DeSteph & Bill Fleming

Discuss the Assembly and Governing Process

  Questions & Answers

                         

 

Officers’ Reports:

                                    President’s Report              David Williams

                                    Vice President’s report      Rick Mercadante

                                    Secretary’s Report             Todd Solomon –Aug Minutes

                                    Treasurer’s Report             Ann Williams (acting treas.)

 

Old Business

New Business          

Adjourn

 

Next SDCC- Monday OCT 28, 2013

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center 

Speaker- Councilman Jim Wood speaking about

Storm Water Capital Improvement Project

 

Please check www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events

Barbara Duke to Speak at Friends of Live Oaks Meeting Monday Sep. 23rd

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Friends of Live Oaks meeting

Monday, Sep. 23rd

at the Bayside Rec Center on
First Court Road.

 

Barbara Duke, Senior Planner with the Department of Parks and Recreation,

will talk to us about the city’s new Urban Forest Management Plan. 

There will be an opportunity for questions.
For more information contact Karen at tomandkarenmurphy@gmail.com

What’s happening to Live Oaks re: Bridge Construction?

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From the project manager in response to an email:

Thank you for your attached letter regarding the Lesner Bridge. We are very excited about this project and eager to begin the work next spring.

As you noted in your letter, there are going to be some impacts to the live oaks associated with this project. We do have to remove approximately 12 live oaks to accommodate the new bridge. We have already removed some of these trees with the gas line that was bored under the Lynnhaven Inlet (on the north side of the existing bridges). This work was completed several weeks ago. The remaining trees will be removed when construction begins next spring.

We do recognize that the live oaks are an important natural resource in this area. This point was made clear during the public meetings that were held for this project. In order to mitigate the loss of these trees, we are currently planning to install 25 new live oaks with the project—this equates to a 2:1 replacement ratio. These trees have been incorporated with the overall landscaping plan to ensure that they have the best opportunity for survival in this harsh environment.

With regards to relocating or transplanting the existing trees, I did speak with our Operations staff at Parks & Recreation. They take care of the landscaping maintenance throughout the City. Their experience with transplanting live oaks has not be very positive in this area. Specifically, they noted the following issues:

1. The soil is too sandy for live oaks

2. The live oak root systems are not compact, which makes transplanting difficult

3. The salt environment is harsh on trees in this area

Since our Parks & Recreation staff maintain the landscaping in this area, they do have a lot of firsthand knowledge regarding the survival rate for certain species. We try to incorporate this real world information into our landscaping designs so we can provide the best planting plan for each project. Based on this information, we are not planning to relocate any existing live oaks at this time.

If you have any further questions or need more information, please let me know. Thank you for your time and interest in this project.

Sincerely,

David S. Jarman, P.E.

Transportation Project Management Supervisor

Department of Public Works

City of Virgina Beach

757-385-4144 (direct)

757-385-4131 (main)

Public Meeting on Stormwater Management Program and Floodplain Ordinance Set for Sept. 26

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More at VBGOV.com:

The meeting agenda will include the following:

· The Floodplain Ordinance is being changed to meet the most recent FEMA requirements. An overview of the changes will be presented by city staff.

· Stormwater Management Program changes, including a revised ordinance and technical design criteria, are required by state law.

Swimming Advisory Issued for Two Locations on the Chesapeake Bay

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Swimming Advisory Issued for Two Locations on the Chesapeake Bay  

The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health has issued a swimming and wading advisory for two locations on the Chesapeake Bay: between Ocean View Avenue (5000 block) and Mortons Road, and between Rockbridge Road and Starfish Road. Recent testing conducted by the Health Department showed that bacteria levels in the water exceeded the State Water Quality Standards. The advisory does not affect the Virginia Beach oceanfront or resort area.

For more information click here to read the City’s notice  http://www.vbgov.com/news/Pages/selected.aspx?release=1630

Areas in RED are under a swimming Advisory

 

Swiming Advisory Locations

PHP clean up Saturday

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From Ocean Park Civic League:

As a Civic League, we have undertaken the task of providing cleanup services at this wonderful resource right in our back yard. We hope to do this 3-4 times a year. Our next opportunity is this Saturday. Remember, many hands make for light work. Please come help.Details are below.

Join us for another Clean Up at Pleasure House Point(PHP)
Saturday, September 21
9-12 AM
Check-in will be at the first Marlin Bay entrance coming from Shore Drive
Bags and plastic gloves will be provided

Please contact Susie Walston, susieandmac@gmail.com, if you have questions.

“OF ALL THE places to get to know the Lynnhaven River, Pleasure House Point, the city’s beautiful new natural area off Shore Drive, has been the greatest meeting ground.”

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Read Mary Reid’s article & view photos at Pilotonline.com.

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“Staff will continue to brainstorm ideas with the stakeholders and the contractor (once determined) in order to try to find a resolution to this issue.” Phase 3 construction of Lesner Bridge.

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The following information has been received from the city about bicycle and pedestrian access on the Lesner during construction: “Public Works staff has been coordinating with Mr. Wayne Wilcox, who is the City’s liaison to the BTAC. Although several options have been explored to provide temporary pedestrian and bicycle access across the bridge, during Phase 3 of construction, staff has not found a safe, buildable and economically-feasible solution. Phase 3 is the critical phase because the entire width of the bridge is needed to handle the four lanes of traffic, and there is no additional space for a sidewalk or a bike lane. Staff will continue to brainstorm ideas with the stakeholders and the contractor (once determined) in order to try to find a resolution to this issue.”

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Latest news about construction at SDCC.info.

Man exposes himself to 2 girls on bike path.

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From Cape Story Neighborhood Watch:

The following received from a resident on Beech St.

On Tuesday, at approximately 2:30pm, two teenage girls disembarked from the school bus.

They stopped to talk before parting ways at the bike path.

A white male in his mid-40’s walked past them on the bike path with his private parts exposed.

When my daughter started walking down the bike path toward home, he turned around and followed her.

She ran back to her friend and they ran to the friend’s home where an adult was waiting.

Police were called and a report was filed.

The man was wearing black athletic shorts, a gray t-shirt, white walking shoes and knee socks. He had no facial hair.

Please remember to call 911 if you see a crime in action and call 385-5000, option 1, to report crimes after they have occurred or to report any suspicious activity. Also, please call or email the NW Coordinator so crime reports and suspicious activities can be shared with all of our residents.

More details posted 9.11.13 @ 646p:

The man is described as overweight, height about 5′ 7″ and had a receding hairline so the victims couldn’t distinguish his hair color. If anyone has any information about this man, please call the police at 385-5000.

VB Parks & Rec wins award for PHP

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Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation is pleased to have received three awards on Monday, September 9, 2013 at the 2013 Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS) Conference in James City County, Virginia.

The Best New Environmental Sustainability Award was presented in recognition of the preservation of Pleasure House Point Natural Area.

This natural area was acquired and preserved in July 2012 by the City of Virginia Beach through a forward-thinking partnership with the Trust for Public Land (TPSL, in collaboration with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). This 118-acre legacy acquisition contains a mile of shoreline on the Lynnhaven River and Pleasure House Creek.

With the assistance of TPF, CBF and the grassroots efforts of the community, the City of Virginia Beach succeeded in preserving one of the last undeveloped parcels of land on the Lynnhaven River.

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” 911 Call Center Working Virginia Beach 9-1-1 lines are functioning on a backup system. This system does not provide your location or telephone number information, so if you dial 9-1-1 please remain on the line and speak with the 9-1-1 call taker.​ “

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View VBgov.com.

Friends of Live Oaks (FOLO) will be giving away about 150 live oak trees on Saturday October 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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FOLO

Friends of Live Oaks (FOLO) will be giving away about 150 live oak trees on Saturday October 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Linkhorn Annex (the former Linkhorn Elementary School) at 1413 Linkhorn Road. Live Oaks are the official tree of the City of Virginia Beach, and FOLO members want to assure their survival for future generations to enjoy.

Since its founding three years ago, FOLO has given away about 500 live oaks (approximately 7 feet tall). If you would like to have a live oak for your yard, request forms are available at Virginia Beach public libraries and recreation centers and online at vbgov.com/liveoaks.

Although there is no charge for the trees to be given away on October 12, recipients of the trees ( and those who admire live oaks and want to ensure their presence here for future generations) are encouraged to purchase a yearly membership in Friends of Live Oaks, for only $10.

You can view the flyer here.

The tree is one of the most distinctive and recognizable plants in the city and immediately brings to mind our coastal areas and maritime ecosystem. They resist salt spray and storm surges, having survived Hurricane Katrina in areas where everything else was reduced to rubble.

Save a tree and request your live oak tree at this link at VBGov.com.

Prossible New Changes to the once dead SB926

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SB926 at SDCC.info previously.

Newest info follows below

Line 98 proposed changes:

Line 98: 10. Governmental activity in wetlands owned or leased or within an easement held by the Commonwealth or a subdivision thereof or in wetlands subject to a local government approved neighborhood navigation dredging project within a special services district adopted by the local governing body in accordance with 15.2-2400, et seq., of the Code of Virginia (“SSD Neighborhood Dredging Project”). Notwithstanding any provision in this chapter to the contrary, any such special service district neighborhood dredging project SSD Neighborhood Dredging Project shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission rather than the local wetlands board, if any. In exercising its jurisdiction over neighborhood dredging projects, the Commission shall process permit applications in accordance with the provisions of the this chapter and the applicable wetlands zoning ordinance, if any, and shall provide an opportunity for public comment.

 

Previous 2013 Virginia Beach Legislative Agenda Wording

 

Link to Previous 2013 version of SB926 as Introduced

SENATE BILL NO. 926
Offered January 9, 2013
Prefiled January 7, 2013
13100867D
A BILL to amend and reenact § 28.2-1302 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the jurisdiction of local wetlands boards.
–––––––––– Patron––McWaters
––––––––––
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
––––––––––

2013 SB  926 Wetlands; governmental activity.

01/31/13  Senate: Stricken at request of Patron in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (10-Y )

YEAS–Hanger, Watkins, Puckett, Ruff, McEachin, Petersen, Northam, Marsden, Black, Miller–10.

NAYS–0.

ABSTENTIONS–0.

Pleasure House Point Plant Walk & Children’s Night Hike

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Pleasure House Point Plant Walk

Wednesday, September 18, 5:30-7:00 PMBeautyberry
Join us for a nature walk through Pleasure House Point with Vicki Shufer, naturalist, author, and local plant expert.  Hear stories about how these plants were used hundreds of years ago and which ones are good to eat.  Enjoy the beautiful  sunset along the Lynnhaven River as we wrap up the tour at dusk.
Free, but you must register ahead.  Email or call 757-962-5398 to register.

 

Children’s Night Hike

First Landing State Park
Friday, September 20, 7:30-9:30 PM

Photo by Kevin DuBois Bring your children for a exciting night hike in First Landing State Park on the banks of the Lynnhaven River.  Search for night creatures, listen to the sounds of the forest at night and look for glowing owl eyes hiding in the trees. 

For more information or to register, contact LRNow at 757-962-5398 or Trista@LRNow.org. 

“Four lanes of traffic will remain open throughout construction, although there will be a 15-month period during which pedestrians and cyclists will not be able to cross the bridge, Jarman said. The city is looking into options, including busing, to assist pedestrians across Lynnhaven Inlet.”

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…there will be a 15-month period during which pedestrians and cyclists will not be able to cross the bridge…

Read the entire article at Pilotonline.com.

After the Lesner Bridge project, Jarman said, the city may consider keeping the bulkhead at Crab Creek permanently and request a permit modification from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

During the first phase of construction, the pedestrian walkway on the westbound span of the existing bridge will be removed. The new westbound span will be built just north of the current bridge, and all traffic will remain open on the old bridge. That could take about 15 months, wrapping up by summer 2015, Jarman said.

Photo Credit: Share Shore Drive Day July 11 2009

Photo Credit: Share Shore Drive Day July 11 2009

Night kayaker or swimmer?

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Have you experienced this yet?

The bioluminscence has been world class off our beach all week long. A species of dinoflaggelate (microscopic plankton) that makes a blue/green flash when disturbed under the right conditions is blooming in the lower Bay. Neon blue kayak bow wave. Ball of blue green light with each paddle stroke. Thousands of tiny light specks when you wave your hand through the water.

I highly recommend people go for a night kayak / swim in the Bay over the next several days in hopes that conditions are right and they get to experience the magic. I find that it’s best on moonless nights, generally 50 feet or more from shore and when the water is calm. Currents or conditions change daily, so it may be around for a week, or gone tonight. It’s really neat with or without a mask on.

Maybe you could email this information out because it’s really worth experiencing if it’s still around.

Captain Octopus (Bob)

Be safe if you check it out!

VB Audubon Bird Walk at PHP – Sat Sept. 14th @ 8am

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The Virginia Beach Audubon Society will have a bird walk on Saturday, September 14th, at 8:00 am at Pleasure House Point.

 It is open to the public. We will walk the Preserve for roughly two hours looking, identifying and photographing birds as well as other wildlife in the area.  

The trip will be led my Master Birder Steve Coari and will include about 15 Audubon members.

“The Bayfront Advisory Committee will meet Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Resort and Conference Center, 2800 Shore Drive, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.”

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Visit VBGov.com to learn more.

Subcommittees will meet from 2 to 3:15 p.m. at the Resort and Conference Center. The subcommittees will continue their deliberations regarding recommendations for commercial design standards and safety issues along the Shore Drive corridor. The subcommittee meetings will be open for the public to observe, but there will not be an opportunity for the public to participate in the subcommittee’s deliberations.

Photo Credit: Steve Coari at Pleasure House Point

Photo Credit: Steve Coari at Pleasure House Point