Living in the Neighborhood

OktoberFest Party Coordinator Named

OktoberFest Lives! Melissa Graham has agreed to chair the 2009 OktoberFest Party in New Neighborhood. Many will recall the outstanding job that Adria and Woody Appleby did as chairpersons in 2008. We can celebrate the willingness of Melissa to continue with this fine neighborhood tradition.
For those residents new to the neighborhood, previous socials were usually held in late-May or early-June. At the suggestion of a number of neighbors, last year’s party was held in October and it was a big success. This is a fun event for the whole family and is a wonderful opportunity to meet and spend time with neighbors.

Due to conflicts with most Saturdays in October this year, the date has been set for Sunday, October 25 on North Faulkner Square. Planning is just underway, but the format is expected to be similar to last year. The Association will provide hamburgers and hot dogs and residents will bring the remainder of the food in the form of a pot-luck dinner. Further details will be included in the October newsletter and in a flyer reminding each street of what to bring. This flyer will be distributed closer to the party.
Melissa Graham is the event coordinator, but many more volunteers are needed to make this activity happen. Volunteer opportunities include people to help with children’s activities, grillers, greeters, someone to act as photographer, clean-up people, and a person to help with purchase of food and fixings. Your comments and ideas are welcome. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Melissa (phone: 704.896.8872).

Yard-of-the-Month Winners for August and September

The Landscape & Grounds Committee congratulates Julie Yencer of 262 Conroy Avenue as the August 2009 winner of the “Yard-of-the-Month.” This is the first appearance for the Star of Excellence on Conroy Avenue. This classic home seems to a perfect fit for the corner lot. The yard is a lush green and shrubs are well maintained and trimmed. A gorgeous crepe myrtle highlights the front corner. There is plenty of summer color on either side of the front steps and potted plants complete the effect. It is obvious that this winner did not come without hard work. The porch has a welcome appearance with double columns, long shutters, and double side doors. The porch includes both wicker and wood furniture and invites one to a cool afternoon provided by ceiling fans. Do not miss this winning yard as you travel down the Conroy hill from Caldwell Lane to Faulkner Square.

Yencer home

Congratulations to Julie Yencer!

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The Landscape & Grounds Committee congratulates Heather & JD Densmore and their two children, Ryan & Will, of 277 Harper Lee Street as the September 2009 winners of the “Yard-of-the-Month.” 2009 is a year for firsts because, as with the August winner, this is a first appearance for the Star of Excellence on Harper Lee Street.

The Densmores have lived in the neighborhood since early construction of the development and landscaping for their home has been a planned feature from the beginning. The well kept yard is cornered by two lovely crepe myrtles. There are two dogwoods planted in the area between sidewalk and street. These two trees will accent the setting as they grow. Shrubs and plantings include well kept pampas grass at the porch corners and summer color from red petunias across the front. Color continues with potted plants up the wide stairway and ends with begonias and palm trees in planters on either side of the front door. Hanging baskets adorn the porch and horizontal planters are kept along the porch railings. Even the area next to the house along the driveway to the garage has been landscaped and well kept.

This home is a showcase along a street that many residents in New Neighborhood never visit. Take the long way home during September and see this winner!

Densmore home

The American Flag hangs proudly from the porch at 277 Harper Lee Street. This house invites you to come visit!

Congratulations to the Densmore Family!

Each month from May through October, a yard will be selected among single-family homes. In July of this year, the selection committee focus was on back yards. Please call Judy McLean at 704.895.0940 if you have questions or suggestions regarding this plan.

The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.

— Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (Moliere), 1622-1673   

Stairway Posts Replaced on O. Henry Avenue Townhomes

Residents in O. Henry Avenue townhomes have likely noticed a great deal of repair work done to stairways during the month of August. Rotting stair posts had been reported by several residents in these townhomes. The original stair post material was a composite wood product not suited for use where it comes in contact with moisture or the ground. Several of these posts were so rotten that stair supports were wobbly. In the interest of safety and appearance, the Association decided to immediately replace all stairway support posts in these townhomes with a non-wood product. Other components (slats, and horizontal 2 X 4’s) that were in need of repair were also replaced. The slats are made of a non-wood product and the horizontal supports are made from treated lumber. After completion of the repairs, all posts will be repainted. Copper caps will be left as they are currently and will not be painted.
Residents were contacted if available. However, without an August newsletter, communication did not reach all of these neighbors. Again, this was regarded as a potential safety issue that could not wait until the repair schedule next year. Apologies are extended for any inconvenience during the construction. O. Henry townhomes will all be repainted in 2010 as Phase VI of the painting project. Stairways will receive another coat of paint at that time.

Thank you for your patience!

Fairview Lane Safety — A Growing Issue!

Over the past year, reports of “Near Misses” on Fairview Lane have been voiced by numerous residents. This street is a primary entrance into our neighborhood as well as a common “short cut” for residents of McConnell subdivision. The hill creates an acceleration effect for many drivers. Although there are two three-way stops along the route, this seems to have little effect on traffic “calming” (a term frequently used around the Town of Davidson).

This problem is compounded by an ever growing number of children among households along Fairview Lane. Older children love the effect of bicycle speed down the hill, but with helmets on, it is often impossible for these children to hear an approaching vehicle. Unfortunately, the streets have become a playground for many kids. The problem is not resolved by confining bikes and skate boards to the sidewalks. Parents with smaller children see this also as a safety issue.

The solution is not simple. Traffic humps have been discussed, but they have their own set of problems and safety issues, not least of which is the ability of first responders to answer emergencies quickly. Street signs are already in place, but are not heeded. [See newsletter article in the June 2009 newsletter.]

Markings on the street may help, but generally are ignored with time. The COS plans to contact the Davidson Police Department for help with answers. Patrols will likely improve vehicle speeds and observance of STOP signs, but there remains concern regarding children playing in the road.
An obvious need is for all parents throughout our neighborhood, especially on Fairview Lane, to educate their children and to emphasize the danger in this area. The Association is not trying to eliminate the ability for kids to ride bikes safely on our streets, nor do we want to create an “unfriendly” child environment. However, when residents repeatedly report cases where small children and bikers suddenly dart into the road without looking, and frequently in front of unsuspecting drivers, it is cause for concern and time for action.

Our neighborhood is extremely fortunate to have a total of seven parks owned by the Town of Davidson, four parks and natural areas owned by the Association, and a Nature Preserve area that is underutilized. Certainly any one of these areas could provide a safer area for play than the middle of the street.

Please help all of us avoid a tragedy. Cooperation is required by all concerned – parents, drivers, residents, and children.

Let’s keep our neighborhood safe!

Candidates Forum: Thursday, October 22

The Candidates Forum held in New Neighborhood around election time has become a very popular event. This year it will be co-sponsored by St. Alban’s Square Neighborhood Discussion Group and DavidsonNews.net (David Boraks, editor). Key races include the Mecklenburg County School Board seat for District 1 and the Mayoral and Town Board seats in the Town of Davidson. There are three candidates running for the District 1 School Board seat. Current Mayor, John Woods, runs unopposed for a second term. In the race for Davidson Town Board, however, there are nine candidates for a total of five seats. Candidates include three incumbents and six challengers.

Major issues in the Davidson Town Board race include rapid development & its impact on economic growth, the future of the local cable system, tax incentives & commercial development, and numerous environmental issues. Your choice of candidate in the District 1 School Board race may have a lasting impact on local students and a growing number of issues in a very complex school system.

Please join this Candidates Forum on Thursday, October 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary at St. Alban’s Church. The meeting will be open to other neighborhoods and the Town community and, with the added publicity in DavidsonNews.net, we expect a large turnout.

As with past candidate forums, the format will include a brief three minute opening by each candidate followed by a moderated question and answer session, including questions from the floor. Candidates for the School Board race will be recognized first, followed by a brief statement by Mayor John Woods and presentations by the Davidson Town Board candidates. If you have advance questions of general interest, please forward these to Dave Smith at 704.987.1472 (davidbsmith@bellsouth.net) or Bill McCoy at 704.987.1877 (wjmccoy@uncc.edu).

Special thanks go to Bill McCoy and Sherman Kahn of the neighborhood and to David Boraks of DavidsonNews.net for their efforts in making this happen.

Newsletter Delivery Volunteers

Thanks go to all of our delivery volunteers! Our July team included Harold & Paula Bell, Barbara Dillman, Tom Fischer, Anne Jerands, Sherman & Nancy Kahn, Norman Richards, Dave Smith, and Adria & Woody Appleby. New Volunteers are always welcome! Brisk fall delivery months are just around the corner.

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

NOTE:

The Council of Stewards meets regularly on the fourth Wednesday of every other month in St. Alban’s Church classroom (lower level) at 7:00 p.m. Special meetings are called as needed. Meetings are open to residents. The next regular COS meeting is scheduled on June 24, 2009.

If an owner or resident wishes to address the COS at a regular meeting, please call a COS member about 5 days in advance of the meeting and the issue will be added to the “Homeowner Concerns” part of the agenda near the beginning of the meeting.
St. Albans Square Neighborhood Associationfountain