Derita/Statesville Rd. Comm. Org.

10-01-08 DSRCO Email Newsletter

Oct 01, 2008

10-01-08 Derita-Statesville Road Community Org. Newsletter

DSRCO PO Box 26382 CHARLOTTE, NC 28221
Your Voluntary Annual Membership ($10 for families; $20 for businesses, groups, neighborhoods)
helps make our work possible.
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DSRCO Community Calendar
http://hometown.aol.com/deritadsrco/myhomepage/diary.html

Tuesday, September 30th ------>
Learn How Local Government Works
7pm StoneBridge Church at 3700 Prosperity Ch Rd

Could you name your City Councilman?
Do you know the difference between the County Commission and the City Council?

Stonebridge Church will host a "A Primer in Charlotte Politics".
Four sessions will cover the City Council, County Commission, School Board and
North Carolina state government --- who they are, what they do and the issues
relating to the University City area. So, join us for an informative, but fun civic
lesson on local government and its impact on our community.

For more info, 704.549.8272. A different topic will be covered each Tuesday ---
Starting with City Council Sept 30th, County Commission Oct. 7th, School Board
Oct 14th and State Oct. 21st. bryholladay@gmail.com
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Thursday, October 2nd
District 4 Town Hall Meeting
6:30 ?– 8:30 pm, Vance High School Auditorium, 7600 IBM Drive


Michael Barnes, Charlotte City Council District 4 representative, will host a town hall
meeting that includes such topics as the City?’s budget and direction of development
in the district, CMS operations, and public safety.

To provide citizens of District 4 with an opportunity to meet and confer with the
City Manager, the CMS Superintendent, and the Police Chief on the topics of
discussion. More Info? 704-336-2180 kpbrown1@ci.charlotte.nc.us
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Saturday, Oct. 4th
Highland Creek Community Yard Sale
8am - Noon, Highland Creek Elementary, 7242 Highland Creek Parkway
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Saturday, Oct. 4th
"Making Connections" Festival
12 Noon - 3pm, Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church, 101 W. Sugar Creek Rd.
Music, Dance, Exhibits, Videos, Children's Activities, Story Telling, Food, More
Free!
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Thursday, Oct. 9th
Annual Barbecue
11am-8pm, Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 6440 Old Statesville Rd.
$8.00 per plate -- w/slaw, beans, BBQ sauce
$8.00 3 Sandwiches -- w/slaw, chips, BBQ sauce
$3.00 Sandwich Homemade Desserts
Eat In - Carryout - Drive Through
Business Delivery, Call 704-596-4084 (10 order minimum)
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Saturday, October 11th
Charlotte KidzFest
2 pm ?– 7 pm at University City United Methodist Church.
FREE family fun for everyone! Inflatables and games followed by
a free concert by GoFish at 4 pm. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and plenty of
friends! 3835 West WT Harris Blvd. (corner of WT Harris and Sugar Creek Rd.)
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Thursday, Oct. 16th
Derita Business & Service Provider's Brunch
9am, Maria's Grill (formerly Maddie's) in Derita. Open to Everyone.

Each meeting is a little different, but we will always find time to exchange business
cards and introduce ourselves and our businesses. You'll get an overview of what's
happening in the Community? How it affects business? Prospects for the months
ahead? And maybe answers to some of the questions you would like to ask.

How long is this going take? We'll be done in under 60 minutes, that's the rule.
Even if you have to duck out early, it will be worth your time.

"Our Goal is to Promote Local Businesses and Service Professionals Serving Our Area."
---- DSRCO 704 806-3813 Leave Msg deritarep@aol.com
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Thursday, Octt. 16th
DSRCO Neighborhood Leaders Meeting
7pm, Derita Presbyterian Church on West Sugar Creek Rd.
Working together to solves Issues of concern to the Community. Sometimes even
the toughest dilemma can be resolved if you know where to go or who to talk with.
Lots of current information to share. Our meetings are always open to the public.

http://hometown.aol.com/deritadsrco/myhomepage/pact.html Recent Newsletters
http://hometown.aol.com/deritadsrco/myhomepage/diary.html Community Calendar
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Saturday, October 18th
Holiday Craft Bazaar
9 am ?– 3 pm at University City United Methodist Church.
Enjoy browsing a wide variety of handmade crafts and Holiday decorations.
Breakfast, Lunch and Bake Sale!
3835 West WT Harris Blvd. (corner of WT Harris and Sugar Creek Rd.
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Saturday, Oct. 18th
Farmington Yard Sale
7am-until. Located just off Hubbard Rd.
Farmington, (Oakcrest and Oak Knoll) will be having a community yard sale
(rain date Oct. 25).
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Y?’all come! It?’s time for the
Annual Holy Covenant Homecoming Event!
Holy Covenant United Church of Christ

Saturday, October 18th
3:oo pm ?– 6:oo pm
Reception ?– ?“Build your own Sundae?”
with guided tours of construction areas

Sunday, October 19th
Church School: 9:45 am
Worship: 10:55 am
Covered Dish Meal: Following Worship
Bring a dish to share
(foods requiring no additional heating or refrigeration, please)

Guest Preacher
Dr. J. Randall Mishoe
(former pastor)
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Sunday, Oct. 19th
NorthEast Coalition Meets
Guest Speaker at 3 pm at University City Regional Public Library, 301 E. W.T.
Harris Blvd. All are welcome!
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Saturday, Nov. 1st
FALL FEST
2-5 pm, Derita Presbyterian Church, 2230 Sugar Creek Rd., W.
Lots of fun activities ?… hay rides to the pumpkin patch, games & food for all.
All proceeds go to the Mission Trip Fund

We will prepare a program for the event and are looking for businesses to
sponsor ads in the program booklet, which will be given out to each person attending.
Please call church office 704-597-1122 for more details or to place ad.
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At-Large Council member Anthony Foxx Hosts
Public Roundtable Series on the "Future of Charlotte"

7 pm, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center

These conversations will bring some of the most knowledgeable experts to share
ideas about how to make our city an even better place to live. Each meeting
will last no more than 90 minutes and questions from attendees will be entertained
as time allows. I hope you and others in your neighborhood will plan on joining
us for all or some of these meetings:

September 29, 7:00 pm Growth and Infrastructure Challenges:
Strategies for A Rapidly Changing City
Panelists: Rep. Becky Carney (Member, N.C. Senate and Member, 21st Century
Commission on Transportation), Debra Campbell (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning
Director), Peter Gorman (Superintendent, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools),
Pat Mumford (Vice-Chair, Joint Chamber-City-County Committee of 21), and
Keith Parker (CEO, CATS)

September 30, 7:00 pm Perspectives on Criminal Justice:
Improving Efficiency and Effectiveness
Panelists: N.C. Sen. Dan Clodfelter (Member, N.C. Senate and Vice-Chair,
N.C. Senate Committee on Appropriations on Justice and Public Safety),
Judge Shirley Fulton (Former N.C. Superior Court Judge), Chief Rodney Monroe
(Police Chief, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department), Ralph Walker
(Administrative Office of the N.C. Courts) and Thomas Walker (Attorney, Alston
& Bird and former Mecklenburg County District Attorney)

October 1, 7:00 pm The Charlotte Economy:
Regional Strength As An Economic Growth Strategy
Panelists: Kenny McDonald (Charlotte Regional Partnership), Mayor Richard
Boyce (Belmont, NC), Dr. Phil Dubois (UNC-Charlotte) & Mayor Robert Misenheimer
(Kannapolis, NC/Vice-Chair Centrolina Council of Governments)

October 2, 6:45 pm Housing In Charlotte:
Strategies to Create and Maintain Affordable Housing
Panelists: Darren Ashe (WISH Program), Collin Brown (K&L Gates), Liz Clasen
(Urban Ministry), Mary Klenz (Mixed Income Housing Coalition), and Charles
Woodyard (Charlotte Housing Authority),
More Info: 704-336-3123 or wbraswell@ci.charlotte.nc.us
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What your Neighbors are saying:

Re: Dangerous Hole -- She gets the City Run-around
Last week a crew of Utility workers dug a hole about 200 feet from Mallard Creek
Road on Hubbard. The hole is still there and has not been refilled. I called 311
and was passed to the water department. They said that they did not dig there .
Then I was passed to the street department. They told me it is a NCDOT road.
Do you know anything about this and to whom I should address my concern.
The hole is dangerous and needs filled. ---- Ginny Travitzky, Kelsey Glen

Thanks for working to improve your neighborhood. We were happy to
put you in touch with Doreen Symnaski at CDOT. Hubbard Road is
maintained by the City. A supervisor was able to checkout the problem
and the hole was filled.
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Re: Friday Morning Funny Mail
Last Friday's email was the funniest ever! I so look forward to my funnies.......
you folks "are" a treasure! --- Mary, Crater Park

Thanks for the pat on the back. Our contributors DO send in some
real belly laughs. Great funny pictures, cartoons and jokes. To join
our FREE mail list, email us deritarep@aol.com
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Share this email Newsletter with your neighbors
Thanks for the time and energy that you folks put into preparing this Newsletter
each month. There's a lot of good information here. Imagine how much more
effective DSRCO could be, if everyone who receives it would just print out an
extra copy for their next door neighbors. At the very least, it would not cost
them anything to forward it to other families on their block.
-- Les Lemley, Kelsey Glen
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Foreclosure Aid
Could you post/distribute/deliver this information about free foreclosure counseling
in your next neighborhood newsletter? Tell your neighbors NOT to pay for counseling.
The dollars to provide this service were appropriated by Congress last December.

There is no money to catch up payments, but there is money for counseling to
assist in re-negotiating the mortgage.
Jackie Edwards Walton
United Family Services
601 East Fifth Street
(704) 367-2749 jwalton@ufsclt.org
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Cankerworm Banding Grants
City Arborist says, "Let's Band Together"

There will be no aerial spraying this Fall.
The Neighborhood Matching Grants Program for tree banding projects may be
available for your neighborhood, if it is located in the cankerworm infestation problem
area.
Organizations interested in the funding, need to have a representative at one the
four grant request-writing workshops this month. Questions should be directed
to Tracy Greene at 704-336-3955. Details at http://neighborhoods.charmeck.org

Wednesday, Oct. 1 --- Independence Library,6015 Conference Dr 6:30pm-8pm
Saturday, Oct 4 --- Old City Hall, 600 E. Trade St. 9:30am-11am
Tuesday, Oct 7 --- Freedom Regional Library, 1230 Alleghany St 6:30pm-8pm
Monday, Oct 13 --- Hickory Grove Rec Ctr, 6709 Pence Rd 6:30pm-8pm
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Position Immediately Available
Holy Covenant United Church of Christ is seeking a part time Administrative
Assistant. Position immediately available; 30 hours per week, $13 per hour.
Application deadline is October 20, 2008. Resumes must be sent to
hcuccoffice@aol.com to be considered. Information about the church can be
found at www.hc-ucc.org.

Holy Covenant United Church of Christ
3501 West W.T. Harris Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28211
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Your Quick Link To The
Derita Businesses & Service Providers Directory
Local folks in the Derita-Statesville Road Community who can provide prompt,
economical attention to your needs. Why travel across the County to shop or
Pay "Travel Time" for a service provider that leaves half a city away?

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/563126808wAUQLY
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?“ASK?” After School Kare
An Outreach Ministry of Derita Presbyterian Church
2230 West Sugar Creek Road

We offer . . . Weekly Rates:
Pre ?– K thru 12 years old $45 for 1 child
Monday- Friday, 2-6 pm $76 for 2 children
Structured environment $98 for 3 children
Experienced, loving staff
Low staff to child ratio Free Registration
Open on Teacher Workdays
Homework Assistance For more information, call:
Afternoon Snacks Susanne Farrar, Interim Director
Inside & Outside activities 704-307-1530 ask@deritapres.org
Bus drop- off from most area schools
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Need Extra Tables & Chairs for Yard Sale, Gatherings?
Contact Bernie Samonds (704 806-3813 deritarep@aol.com). 8ft. folding tables,
$5 available to rent. Folding metal chairs, 50 cents each. Call now to reserve them.
Liberal pickup and return availability.
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CATS Wants Your Input On The Next Budget

CATS is in the process of establishing its budget for the next two years and we
want your input. Please join us to learn more about the budget process and to
share transit service ideas for the community.

The same information will be shared at each meeting. The next meeting near
the LYNX Purple Line study area is:

October 9
North Charlotte
6:00-8:00 pm, Sugar Creek Library, 4045 N. Tryon Street

For additional information and a complete list of meetings being held, please
visit www.ridetransit.org or call 704.336.RIDE.
--- Eshe Glover, CATS Public and Community Relations

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Bargains Galore
We encourage you to take advantage of this FREE SERVICE and share the
news with your friends and neighbors. It costs NOTHING to advertise your stuff
here and you can list up to eight items per week. Be sure to provide your
Contact Info & item pricing.

Let the Buyer Beware. Inspect items before purchasing.
We are NOT responsible for any misrepresentations by others.

To get on the Mailing List, or to list your items by email,
simply send us an email: deritarep@aol.com
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Your Questions and Some Answers

Q. I read the news article in University Neighbors and your notes in several
recent Newsletters. Did they get enough players and support people for Derita
Athletics Association to field a team this year?

Yes, they did. George Griffin and Ron Conroyer
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Q. Any thoughts on the recent reorganization within CMPD and what
about the Community Coordinators who work with our Neighborhood
Crime Watch?

Good News and Bad News. The Good News is that our Community Coordinators
are still here. A "Response Area Commander" (a Police Sgt.) has been added to
each "Police Beat" to better monitor and address specific issues and problems
occurring there while the Division Commanders (Captains) concentrate on running
all teams in their area. Good News, too, because the RAC's will be a third person
on the Team working with your Neighborhood, not just "riding a desk."

A good way to contact them is by email. That way, your message is there when
the officers report for duty and they have a written reminder that you need to talk
with them. Be sure to include your email address and phone number.

For emergencies, don't hesitate. Always Call 9 1 1

North Division Beat #3 (Derita, Allen Hills, Nevin, Crater Park, etc.)
Coordinators will continue to be Tom Ferguson tferguson@cmpd.org
and Mike Travis mtravis@cmpd.org
The new RAC is Sgt. Jim Wilson jwilson1@cmpd.org
The Captain is Andy Leonard gleonard@cmpd.org



University City District Response Area #1 (Mallard Creek - Hubbard Rd. etc.)
Community Officers will remain Jeff Miller jmiller2@cmpd.org
and Dave Johnson. djohnson1@cmpd.org
The new RAC is Sgt. Joy Mcgraw jmcgraw@cmpd.org
The Captain is Freda Lester llester@cmpd.org


North Tryon Division Response Area #3 (Royal Oaks)
Officer Bynoe was moved to the new Mission Focused unit.
Officer Price tprice@cmpd.org is still Community Coordinator.
Officer Rene Quiles rquiles@cmpd.org is her new partner.
The new RAC is Sgt. Ken Schul kschul@cmpd.org.

The Bad News is that the International Unit (Spanish & Asian language speaking
officers) was disbanded. This group was especially helpful for Neighborhoods in
transition, where Neighborhood Leaders need to be able to communicate with
the residents.
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Q. Do you know if there are plans to move the old log house on Nevin Rd
(near the RibbonWalk entrance) to Latta Plantation Park before the vandals
ruin it?

Not sure what Park & Rec is planning to do, or if moving the structure is within their
current budget. We know that some neighbors are unhappy having it at the current
location (and historically, it would be a better fit at Latta -- as the early homes in
Derita were typically wood frame houses).

Paul Eich, Ribbonwalk Executive Director when the Conservancy ceased
management at Nevin Park writes:
"I was not on the Ribbonwalk board at the time the house was moved from the
Wilson Road area. My understanding is that Crescent Resources, the developer,
gave Ribbonwalk the grant to pay for moving the log house. Other donations to
Ribbonwalk paid for the foundation on which to to sit the house and the roof and
beams (not part of the original house) added over the log structure.

"There was some rot and decay from its previous location, and in our last visit
to Charlotte it appeared to me to have additional damage from neglect. There were
some extra beams removed for the move across town, which were in the edge of
the woods north of the log house.

"I was not aware of any restrictions on the house from any funding, and in fact
when I was active with the Board as Executive Director, Ribbonwalk tried to arrange
to donate the house to Latta Plantation, but they were going through some leader-
ship changes and never really responded. It was noted that the log house at
Ribbonwalk was in better shape at that time than a log cabin at Latta.

"Maybe with DSRCO involvement something can happen.

"Barbara Moeller had hoped to make it a historic center for Ribbonwalk visitors,
but the costs were prohibitive and not good stewardship of funds. The old estimates
were over $ 100,000 to make the place weatherproof and handicap accessible for
a visitor center. Many comments from neighbors indicated unhappiness over its
unsightliness and that it did not belong in the neighborhood. It was also not in
keeping with our emphasis on the forest."

Although Ribbonwalk has relinquished management of the trails and forest, the
property has been recognized as a "Nature Preserve." Park & Rec and several
volunteer groups have worked to maintain the miles of gravel and natural walking
trails. The forest has a wide range of wildlife, some rare plants, two lakes and
a huge picnic area. . . The trails that were built by the Ribbonwalk Conservancy
are especially important because Park & Rec could not add new trails at Nevin
Park because the ADA (American Disabilities Act) required substantial paved
walkways for each foot of gravel walkway. ---- Bernie.
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Today's Funny: (From our FREE Friday Funny E-Mail
Send us an email if you'd like to receive it.
Subject:
The Poker Game

Six retired Floridians were playing poker in the condo clubhouse when Swartz
loses $500 on a single hand, clutches his chest and drops dead at the table.
Showing respect for their fallen comrade, the other five continued playing
standing up.

Finkelstein looks around and asks, "So, who is going to tell his wife?"

They draw straws. Goldberg picks the short one.

They tell him to use good judgment, be discreet and be gentle.
Don't make a bad situation any worse.

"Discreet?" he asked. "I'll be the most discreet person you will ever meet.
Discretion is my middle name. Just leave it to me."

So, Goldberg goes over to the Swartz apartment and knocks on the door.

The wife answers and asks what he wants. Goldberg declares,
"Your husband just lost $500 and is afraid to come home."

"Tell him to drop dead!" she yells.

"I'll go tell him," says Goldberg.

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