Living in the Neighborhood

Lots of Fun — OktoberFest Party 2010

For the over 100 neighbors (not counting the many kids) who came to the third annual OktoberFest on October 24 on Faulkner Square, there was plenty of good food, great fellowship, and loads of fun and prizes. The weather was perfect for the fall season.

As with any successful event, there are always dedicated volunteers and neighbors willing to help. Thanks to all! Hopefully our list will not forget someone!

Rodney Graham, Chairperson
Rodney worked tirelessly (and cooked) to make this year a success. Rodney’s wife Melissa was last year’s chairperson, so this year was a “back-to-back” for the Graham household! Without Rodney, we may not have had a fall party this year.

Lesley Swartz, Chairperson
For Lesley and husband Gregg, this was not a first year volunteer activity. This was truly a family event for the Swartz clan. Children Michael and Caroline Swartz helped draw all the chalk squares and run the chalk games and added help to the pumpkin patch. This was Lesley’s committee and they put in many hours.

Bernie Witter, Chairperson
Although new to the neighborhood, Bernie jumped right in and took care of so many details and was just about the last person to leave. His wife Liz “womaned” the welcome table during the entire event.

Paul Sanchez was a repeat volunteer. He helped with the church BBQ on Saturday and was able to bring the church cooker for the chicken, adult beverages, and the rented tractor and wagon for hay rides for the kids. A donation will be made on behalf of the Association to St. Alban’s Church for the many ways they help throughout the year!

Jake Gambaccini and Brenda Tangney, recently moved from Philadelphia, handled the chalk competition sign-ups and did the judging. Jeff Mueller ran the relay race and, to fit the part, showed up in costume as a referee. Beth Bledsoe and Erika Chapin also helped with games.

Several neighbors pitched in with supplies to help stay within budget. Thanks go to Jeff & Leigh Ann Mueller, Tom & Shirley Fischer, Alfred & Karen Geiger, Debbie Lauder, and Lyn Palmer. Nancy Lingle was a big help with the storage of tables and chairs.

Many neighbors helped with clean-up and a special thanks goes to Tootsie O’Hara for her help when the party was over.

Thank you Dan Mahoney for allowing us to use the sound system. This is always a key component when having a party on the very long Faulkner Square. Dave Smith handled printing and delivery of flyers.
Speaking of staying within budget! . . . Thanks go to the organizing committee for making this happen, but special recognition is also due for two of our neighborhood families, Betty & Russell McWilliams (North Faulkner Way) and Heather & James Densmore (Harper Lee Street). These generous folks donated their cash prizes (total of $150) won at the Membership Meeting in September to OktoberFest.
The neighborhood parties, four years as SPINN (Spring Part in New Neighborhood) and three years as OktoberFest, have always relied on the generous support of local merchants for sponsorships and door prizes. Thank these special folks when you visit their shops and places of business:

Ben & Jerry’s Main Street, Davidson
Campania Restaurant South Main Street, Davidson
Caribbean Breeze Tanning Resort 239 Griffith Street, Davidson
Custom Cleaners 267 Griffith Street, Davidson
Ace Hardware North Main Street, Cornelius
Davidson Fire Department Jackson Street
[That big red truck is always a hit with the kids.]
Davidson Public Works Department
[These folks mowed the park on Friday and provided barricades and trash cans.]
Davidson Nail Spa 227 Griffith Street, Davidson
Farm Fresh Produce Catawba Avenue near Jetton Village
[Where did those pumpkins come from?]
Fitness Together 610 Jetton Street, Davidson
Harris Teeter Davidson
Jaynes Village Tack Shop South Main Street, Davidson
Main Street Books Main Street, Davidson
Ming’s Bistro 624 Jetton Street, Davidson
Monkee’s Main Street, Davidson
Davidson Commons, Davidson
PostNet Davidson Commons, Davidson
[Special Thanks to Ken Rhodes who handled and donated the Thank You banner.]
The Soda Shop Main Street, Davidson
Summit Coffee Main Street, Davidson
Toast Main Street, Davidson
YogaVibes
Neighbor, Meredith Johnston (Conroy)
Wooden Stone South Main Street, Davidson
Davidson College Athletics
[Special thanks to Jamie Hendricks who donated several tickets to Davidson basketball games.]
. . . And finally, no party would be complete without your food and your participation!

Thank you one and all for a huge success.

picture taker

The neighborhood always likes to document events in pictures. Lyn Palmer took digital photos of OktoberFest 2010 and has posted several to the New Neighborhood Facebook group. The group is called “St. Albans Neighborhood in Davidson, NC.” You can visit the site:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid= 134745106535671

If other participants took digital pictures, please let Dave Smith know and we will try to get these posted on either Facebook or the neighborhood website.

What is “Suspicious”?

Note: Chief Jeanne Miller of the Davidson Police Department has agreed to develop a series of articles for neighborhood newsletters. These topics will be informative and help to promote safety and community awareness. Thank you Chief Miller!

The Davidson Police Department regularly asks citizens to call if they see anything “suspicious.” Since we cannot be everywhere at all times, we need your involvement and cooperation in assisting us with crime fighting. Many crimes would never be committed if more citizens would be alert to suspicious activity and then take it upon themselves to contact the police.

When should I call the police?

When you observe suspicious activity, always call the police, even though you may not be the only observer. Never rely on the next person to make that call. We would rather receive multiple calls concerning the same incident than none at all.

Sometimes citizens fail to call because they are not sure if what they are observing is suspicious activity. A good rule to follow is: When in doubt, call the police immediately! Don’t wait to discuss the events with friends or family first. Valuable police response time is lost this way.
A few things to keep in mind when making that call:

Don’t be concerned about “bothering” the police.
Don’t dwell on possible embarrassment if your suspicions prove unfounded.
Think of what could happen if you fail to act.
Remember: Next time it could happen to you!

What is “suspicious?”

Here are several examples of what to watch for and when to call for police assistance:

A stranger entering your neighbor’s home while your neighbor is away.
A moving truck or van pulling up to a neighbor’s house while they are away.
A stranger walking around your neighbor’s home and/or across the yard.
Someone carrying certain types of property, i.e., a TV, stereo, especially when those items are not wrapped as if just purchased.
The sound of breaking glass – this could indicate a possible burglary or vandalism.
Anyone observed peering into vehicles as they walk down the street.
Someone removing a license plate, gasoline or accessories from a vehicle.
Someone attempting to enter a vehicle using a coat hanger or other device.
An improperly parked or abandoned vehicle.
Someone leaving one vehicle and driving away in another vehicle.
Anyone being forced into a vehicle could indicate a possible abduction.
Persons loitering around schools, parks, secluded areas, or in the neighborhood.
Apparent business transactions conducted from a vehicle, especially around schools or parks and if juveniles are involved.
A constant flow of strangers to and from a particular residence on a regular basis, especially at late or unusual hours.

[Note: Both of the previous two examples are signs of possible drug sales or a stolen property (fencing) operation.]

Offers of merchandise or repair work at unusually low prices could indicate stolen property or some form of fraudulent scheme.
Persons involved in a fight.
Any loud explosions or screams.
Door-to-door solicitors. [Remember: No door-to-door solicitation is allowed in Davidson!]

When in doubt, call the police!

To report any suspicious activity, call the Davidson Police Department. In any emergency, dial 9-1-1. If it is not an emergency, you can call 704 892-5131. During business hours, the person answering the call will assist you. During non-business hours, the taped message will give you the information you need to talk to an officer.

While your contact information will be requested, you can remain anonymous if you wish. Your telephone number is requested so that if the responding officer needs more information, someone can call you. If you do not wish personal contact with the responding officer, you need to let the dispatcher know.

Remember: When the tail lights of our police cruiser leave your neighborhood, you are our eyes and ears. Please call us!

Jeanne A. Miller, Chief of Police
Town of Davidson Police Department

Increase in 2011 Assessments

As announced in the notification letter for the September Membership Meeting and in further discussion at that budget ratification meeting on September 28, monthly assessments for single-family homeowners will increase by $2.00 per month ($12 per year paid semi-annually) and for townhome owners by $8 per month ($96 per year paid monthly) starting January 1, 2011. The fees are split between Common operating expenses ($2.00) and townhome (Peer Group) Reserves ($6.00). The need for an increase in Common expenses is the result of increased landscaping fees and additional expenses taken on by the Association as the result of reduced budget funding of parks by the Town of Davidson. The increase in townhome Reserve Funds is the result of recommendations made from the 2009 Reserve Fund Study. This increase is part of an annual increase that is required to boost the percent funded in the Reserves and to begin planning for large expenditures around 2022 for roof replacement. Another Reserve Study will be completed in 2014/15 to validate the current plan. This is the first Reserve Fund increase since the neighborhood was developed. There is no increase in assessments for townhome maintenance.

Owners who currently have automatic bank draft set-up for monthly payment of assessments will not need to do anything. The increase will automatically be reflected in the January draft. If you are paying by coupon book, you should receive a new book with the increased fees sometime in December. For owners who pay by other means or on something other than a monthly schedule, please contact Abbott Enterprises to confirm what is needed to cover the increase. Owners are reminded that failure to receive a coupon book does not excuse payment of dues by the first of each month. However, if you do not receive a new book by the first of January, please contact Abbott as soon as possible.

Note: If you did not receive a coupon book or other correspondence from Abbott, verify that they have a correct P.O. Box number in your personal data.

Winter Holiday Decorations Contest

The Landscape and Grounds Committee invites all residents (single-family and townhomes) to participate in the New Neighborhood Fifth Annual Winter Holiday Decorating Contest. The contest will be judged in two separate categories:

Best Overall for Single-Family Homes
Best Overall for Townhomes

The Yard-of-the-Month Committee will judge all entries. Judging will take place at night between 6:00 and 8:00 P.M. on December 13 and 14. Entries will be evaluated on creativity, originality, thematic elements and overall design quality and not just on quantity of lights. Winners will be awarded a blue ribbon and photographed for the newsletter and website.

All participants will be asked to remove decorations no later than the third Sunday in January, 2011.

Begin planning now. Everyone is invited to participate and we encourage all to get in the spirit!!

Judy McLean and her committee have done another outstanding job in 2010! Call Judy at 704.895.0940 if you have questions or suggestions about the contest.

Dogs Must Be Kept on Leash

There are obviously many pet owners in our neighborhood. For the most part, owners have followed Town of Davidson ordinances regarding control of animals, pick-up of waste, and use of the off-leash dog park. However, since being developed, New Neighborhood has experienced several unintentional, but unfortunate, incidents as the result of dogs not being properly controlled and kept on a leash when off owner property. These incidents have resulted in personal injury and injury or death to other pets.

The Town of Davidson municipal codes have adopted the Mecklenburg County Animal Control Ordinance. This ordinance and town code both include a leash clause:

Sec. 10-8 (a). Restraint of animals.

It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having possession, charge, custody or control of any animal, excluding cats, to keep such animal upon his own premises or off the premises unless such animal is under sufficient physical restraint such as a leash, cage, bridle, or similar effective device which restrains and controls the animal, or within a vehicle or adequately contained by a fence on the premises or other secure enclosure.

Please keep pets restrained or on a leash for the protection of other adults, children, and pets. Even “gentle” dogs may be triggered to commit violent acts when around other pets or under unusual circumstances.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Newsletter Delivery Volunteers

Thanks go to all of our delivery volunteers! The October team, which was light in numbers and strong on foot, included Paula & Harold Bell, Shirley & Tom Fischer, Anne Jerands, Nancy & Sherman Kahn, and Dave Smith.

If you wish to volunteer, please call Dave Smith at 704.987.1472 (e-mail davidbsmith@bellsouth.net).