ECA 1-12 by Elizabeth Community

Ken Magas Website 704 877 7151 ken@kenmagas.com

Diana Watson Social Co-Chair 704 996 9776 dianawatson3@gmail.com

Russell Crandall Traffic Czar & Tree Committee Chair 704 894 2283 russellcrandall@yahoo.com

Kristan Magas Park & Recreation Liaison 704 488 0051 kdm2201@gmail.com

Andrew Woodruff Zoning & Real Estate Committee 704 953 5994 rawoodruff@carolina.rr.com

Eric Davis Zoning Committee 704 776 3013 ericadavis0123@yahoo.com

Ruffin Pearce Legal Chair & Zoning Committee 704 905 0505 wrpearcejr@gmail.com

- - - vacant - - Home Tour Chair

Beth Haenni Vice President 704 332 7992 beth.haenni@gmail.com

Julian T. Peterson Business Liaison 704 340 2529 Julian@advancedhomescapes.com

Suzanne Henry Social Committee 614 746 9506 foleysuzanne@hotmail.com

Monte Ritchey President 980 722 0922 monteritchey@gmail.com

Jenny Holman Secretary & Membership Chair 704 906 3334 jennyholman@mac.com

Paul Shipley Treasurer 704 651 5897 shipley_paul@msn.com

Dana Inge Crime Czarina kayak1010@hotmail.com

Melanie Sizemore Zoning & Real Estate Committee 704 375 3244 msizemore@realindex.com

Chip Jetton Social Co-Chair 704 608 1661 cjetton@cchrealtors.com Janet Karner Membership janetk@caro.net Amanda Loftus Elizabeth 8k Chair 704 608 9089 aemloftus@yahoo.com 2

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Kris Solow Beautification 704 806 4456 ksolow@carolina.rr.com Ric Solow Beautification 704 334 2986 ric@solowdesigngroup.com

J O I N THE E C A I alternate between feeling sympathetic toward humanity and being a misanthrope. When I’m sympathetic, it usually means I haven’t been around people in awhile. – John R. Lindensmith

✤ You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do. – Eleanor Roosevelt

front and back covers plus photo this page: Nancy O. Albert

Nancy O. Albert Editor/Newsletter Chair 704 779 0932 noalbert@carolina.rr.com

333 Hawthorne Lane by the ECA Board 150 Elizabeth residents and stakeholders met in January to hear about a proposed permanent supportive housing project for the homeless to be located at the former Peak nursing home property. The building abuts Elizabeth Traditional Elementary School, Independence Park and Caldwell Memorial Church. The Affordable Housing Group and Supportive Housing Communities (formerly St. Peters Homes, Inc.) are proposing an approximately 100-unit residence to house the chronically homeless and/ or disabled composed of 75% single men and single women and 25% families. Rezoning does not appear to be required for this project. The developer is presently pursuing funding for the project from a wide range of sources: city,

county, state, federal housing monies, and private donations. The first residents are slated to move in late 2012/early 2013. The ECA heard from a passionate yet civil group of neighbors at the January community meeting. Supporters view Elizabeth as having a moral imperative to help solve the problem of chronic homelessness in Charlotte and welcome diversity in the neighborhood. The opposition questions the location next to an elementary school and the park, as well as the homeless population density already there (alongside Caldwell Memorial’s and St. John’s Baptist’s two existing homeless shelters). Residents want clear answers to their questions, as they do with any development proposed for Elizabeth.

deadline summer 2012:

May 15th

editorial content:

noalbert@carolina.rr.com advertising:

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At time of publication, the Elizabeth Community Association is compiling relevant questions for the developer. Once the developer’s responses are in hand, the written Q&A will be posted on the ECA website, www.elizabethcommunity.com.

Spring events: calling all volunteers! by Diana Watson

The early daffodils are already blossoming and the trees are starting to bud; spring is just around the corner and two of Elizabeth’s Annual Events are in the ‘budding’ stages as well! Volunteers are needed for the Do you have comments, annual Easter Egg Hunt at questions or concerns? Independence Park and the E-mail the ECA at progressive dinner on May 5th. bringing a course of the meal, 333hawthorne@gmail.com. Elizabeth hosts the city’s BEST then off to a dessert house for Urban Little Sugar more socializing, sweets and Easter Egg Hunt, just ask Creek Greenway our neighbors in Midwood, drinks. The committee could by Nancy O. Albert Dilworth, Chantilly and use some volunteers to help Eastover. The Egg Hunt is with the planning, recipes, and Work on the Little Sugar scheduled for Saturday, March securing dinner hosts. Chip Creek Greenway between the 24th at Independence Park Jetton at cjetton@cchrealtors. Metropolitan complex and and welcomes toddlers through com and Diana Watson at 7th Street is heading toward elementary ages to help gather dianawatson3@gmail.com would completion. up the hidden eggs. Volunteers love to hear from anyone who An event opening celebrating are needed to help with stuffing would like to help plan this fun the completion and grand the eggs, setting up the park, event. opening of the Urban Little helping secure the petting Home Tour 2012 Sugar Creek Greenway is zoo and face painting. Jessica planned for Friday, April 20. Valentine will be organizing the We need you! The committees are just starting to form for Festivities are scheduled event and would love to hear to begin at 9:30 a.m. with from you. Her email is jlroan@ the 2012 Elizabeth Home Tour in the fall. The Home a ceremony at 10. This will yahoo.com. Tour is our neighborhood’s take place on the corner of The Progressive Dinner is my biggest fundraiser and most South Kings Drive and 4th favorite Elizabeth activity: it’s attended event. The tour is Street. After the ceremony, the best way to get to know held in October and highlights refreshments will be served. your neighbors and feast on homes, gardens and businesses. Plan to stop by to try the great food and conversations. The 2012 Tour is in the swinging benches or spray The dinner is scheduled for planning stages and volunteers ground. A jazz band will play May 5th this year and will have spots are available for Chair, and there will be large poster a Mexican theme in honor of Sponsorships, Volunteer boards that display pictures of Cinco de Mayo. The evening organization, Graphics/ the progression of the greenway begins over drinks/appetizers from start to finish. This event while socializing in a neighbor’s communications – something for all talents. Don’t miss out on is free and open to the public. yard, then dinner at a hosts the fun! Contact Diana Watson home with each of the guests at dianawatson3@gmail.com. 4

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Countdown to the 2012 Elizabeth 8K by Amanda Loftus

photo by Amanda Loftus

replenishment of trees, and this lend to the festive atmosphere of the morning. In addition, is one of our neighborhood’s this year’s post-race activities largest annual fundraisers. will include live music, massage We’re counting on strong The 2012 Elizabeth 8K by John Matthews Massage participation from our Elizabeth Presented by Presbyterian Therapy and beer (for the neighbors to make this year Orthopaedic Hospital and adults, of course!) a success. The event has Hawthorne’s Pizza will hit the To register for the race, please something for everyone: an 8K streets on Saturday, April 21. visit elizabeth8k.com. In-person timed race for the competitive We are very proud to host registration is available on sorts, a 1.5 mile untimed run/ Charlotte’s oldest 8K road race, Thursday, April 19 and Friday, walk for the casual participants, and this year marks its 26th April 20 from noon to 6:30 p.m. and the Liz Kids’ Fun Run for edition. Runners and walkers at Charlotte Running Company little ones who don’t want to are delighted year after year on East Boulevard and on race miss out on the action. with the scenic course through the Elizabeth neighborhood as The fun begins at 8 a.m. at the day from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. (cash or check only, please.) well as the hospitality of our Hawthorne Recreation Center community. Proceeds from the at 345 Hawthorne Lane. Post- If running or walking isn’t your race benefit the beautification race refreshments, awards, and thing, please come out and stand along the course route Elizabeth’s own Elvis will all of our common areas and the

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Orphanage and dates from 1892. Originally known as the Memorial Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin, it stands between Thompson Park 3rd and 4th Street near by Nancy O. Albert Kings Drive. The small brick Thompson Park, located just on church, which is surrounded the edge of our neighborhood, by large water oaks, is the oldest remaining building of is a small urban oasis. Nestled Thompson Orphanage and under its trees are gardens, a gazebo, Mecklenburg County’s Training Institution. The orphanage was founded in Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial 1887and is the third oldest The race is grateful to and St. Mary’s Chapel. The orphanage in North Carolina. presenting sponsor nearly complete Little Sugar Presbyterian Orthopaedic Creek Greenway lies at one According to the CharlotteHospital and Hawthorne’s Pizza edge of the park. Mecklenburg Historic and core sponsors Kickstand Landmarks Commission, the St. Mary’s Chapel was part and Loco Lime. of the campus of Thompson Chapel was built in 1892 and

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Mark your calendars for April 21, and come be a part of our 26th anniversary race!

photo by Nancy O. Albert

to cheer on your neighbors and show the participants Elizabeth’s true community spirit. The course map can be found on the event website. We also need many volunteers on race day. Please e-mail Cheryl Brown at cbrinker_7@hotmail. com or use the volunteer signup form link found on the Volunteer page of elizabeth8k. com if you can assist.

consecrated the following year. A large congregation witnessed the ceremonies of consecration and the confirmation of six girls and five boys, “inmates of the Institution.” The structure is in excellent condition both internally and externally. There is evidence that the bricks for the chapel were made from clay at the site and fired there. Black marks visible on the bricks are due to the drying process used at that time. A large number of bricks were used in the building; the foundations are very thick and the bricks are somewhat oversized. The chapel seats approximately 125 people and

may be rented for weddings and other special events. St. Mary’s Chapel is open to the public to visit each Friday afternoon from noon to 4. For more information and rental prices, go to www. stmaryschapel.com. Also within the park is the Mecklenburg County Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial. This location was chosen to provide a beautiful setting and adequate parking near major streets. Architects Little and Associates designed a memorial that starts at ground level and gently rises to a height of seven feet following the slope of the land. The 270-foot granite arc is placed among huge oak trees, landscaping and benches. The memorial panels include a timeline from 1959 to 1975 with an historical narrative of the war, designation of the US president serving at the time and a map of Southeast Asia. The names of the 107 Mecklenburg County servicemen who died in Vietnam are listed on panels in order of date of death. No government funds were used to build the memorial. Ground was broken on Memorial Day 1989 and it was dedicated on Veterans Day that year. General William C. Westmoreland, commander of American forces in Vietnam from 1964 to 1968 attended the dedication. The memorial has been the site of numerous public observances and ceremonies. Today it offers a place of quiet reflection,

honor and education in the heart of the city. When the greenway is complete the memorial will be accessible via a sweeping set of stairs. Special educational information is planned for visitors. More information can be found at www.charlottevietnammemorial.org. Creating space by Kay Minor After decades of dusting my accumulated “stuff,” the time has come to give some of it away. In Feng Shui, an attic represents your highest aspirations. Clutter up there is a no-no. So bit by bit, report cards from the fifth grade, ill fitted clothing, and useless knick knacks go bye-bye. The process is surprisingly easy, so I decide to tackle what I call the bowels of my garden as well. In the attic of my garden kingdom, hidden from view, clutter reigns. Long and narrow, like a galley kitchen, both sides are filled with “stuff.” Carefully maneuvering around tools, buckets, and bags of fertilizer, I head for a leaning tower of recycled wooden shelves. Resting shoulder height sit three cast iron oriental lanterns. A wren has abandoned her nest in one – I hesitate for a moment, then reach upward. Being über-protective of my rotator cuff (I swim for the muscle between my ears), I decide it’s too heavy, at my age now, to move. Fetching a ladder, I go for the lightweight, the people pages

Street & Hawthorne Lane) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

BLEEPING squirrels are coming from? Why there’s a hundred in the front yard alone!” A few In the late 1990’s, I sold more rips and bleeps later, we dozens of these animal-friendly slowly make our way through traps while working at Myers a maze of narrow, cluttered Park Hardware. My personal isles to the front register. testimonial of catching a dozen Retail transaction completed, critters in one week was enough pleasantries exchanged, we to convince even the most continue to commiserate over skeptical buyer. What’s to be the squirrel dilemma while done with a captive squirrel? loading her two Hav-a-hart A quick ride to the creek-lined traps in the car. “By the way,” park at the Mint Museum I casually asked, “where do you and release. Assuming entire live?” “On Museum Drive,” families of squirrels were being she said. captured, I liked to use the While editing our stuff can same release spot. be paralyzing or freeing, Around the time of my own oftentimes both, memories remain. Helping to keep the bumper crop of furry friends, fabric of life from unraveling, I encountered a customer our stories propel us forward. at work whom I did not A little lighter and hopefully, recognize. Silver-haired and a little wiser. sensibly shoed, she finds me in the garden center weighing individual brown bags of grass Pet Palooza by Megan O’Hara seed. The special shade blend formulated just for the locals The Humane Society of who shared the hardware’s zip Charlotte’s largest annual code. Closing a hinged Plexiglas fundraiser, Pet Palooza, cover on the plywood seed bin, will take place rain or shine I smile and say hello. Her face on Saturday, May 5th 2012 has “pinched” look. “Would at Independence Park (E. 7th you please tell me where all the 8

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Last year’s event helped us raise $110,000 to continue our mission, which is improving the lives of companion animals through adoption, spay/neuter and community education. Help us make Pet Palooza a success by signing up as an individual, or forming a fundraising team for the Kennelly 5K Run or 1K Dog Walk – it’s easy and superfun! Just $25 to run or $15 to walk. Raise at least $50 and you get a free Pet Palooza 2012 t-shirt! You can register to run/walk at http:// humanecharlotte.donorpages.com/ PetPalooza2012. Spring cleaning time is here! by Frances D’Amato The groundhog saw his shadow on February 2, so we’re in for six more weeks of winter. If the weather keeps giving us warm days, few of us will be complaining. For me, warm weather signals Spring cleaning. It’s amazing how much stuff we accumulate

photo by Nancy O. Albert

rusty Hav-a-Hart traps on a top shelf.

The event attracts over 2,000 participants who enjoy the Kennelly 5K run, a 1K dog walk, refreshments, entertainment, and a vendor fair. The annual fido fashion show is always a huge hit, with HSC “alumni” pets strutting their stuff on the runway.

yet never use. I’ve been keeping a list of the things I do use so when Charlotte Rescue calls I can pack all the appliances, sweaters, towels, books etc. and put them at my door to be cleared away. I usually begin my Spring cleaning in the kitchen. Recently, I’ve put a date label on each item I buy. So I now have a way of knowing which item is the oldest and thus gets used first. I also go to my pantry before I go to the market so I don’t buy duplicates. This makes clearing out the pantry much easier. Dishes and glasses are harder to part with. However, I only have so much room so every new item replaces an old one that goes into the donation box. I time myself and work in one area for one hour. Then I reward myself with a cup of tea. The next day I tackle my office. I’m learning to rely on the computer more and not to print anything I can read from the computer screen. That makes filing much easier as the computer keeps all the files in alphabetical order so they’re easier to find when I need them. Papers, mail and magazines still need to be sorted and given or thrown away. I’ve found that doctor’s offices are good places to give news magazines, and the pool is great for Southern Living and other home-focused magazines. So I prepare those bags for when I go out.

I go through the in-box and make sure all bills are put on automatic payment plans. In this way the paper bills are replaced with email notifications that the bill has been paid. I jot down the payment date and amount in my Quicken program so taxes become easier. Once more, I stop when the timer goes off telling me an hour has gone by.

electric toothbrush, water pick back and make sure all other items are stored in the drawers. I’ve left the closets for another session since my hour is up.

For the closets, I give myself 90 minutes. I move the heavier wool items to the storage closet, being careful to put those items I haven’t worn this season into the donation box. Then I switch the clothes from the storage closet and group them by color Now I’m ready to tackle my and type before I put them into bedroom. For some reason the closet. So when I finish, my nightstand keeps getting cluttered with flyers for future my pants, skirts, blouses and events, books half read, teacup, dresses are easily accessible etc. I seem to like reading about and color-coordinated. 3 books at a time and all three I saved the living room for last end up on the night table. So because it’s the easiest. I clear the deck, putting the I water the plants and take off books on the bookshelf, the any dying leaves, change the teacup in the dishwasher, and water in the flower vases, all the flyers, I arrange in date tabletops cleared and furniture order and put them up on my polished. The Chinese rug goes magnetic bulletin board in the to the cleaners and the floors hallway. One surface neat, I go are done. All is reassembled to my dressing table and take and I wish I could keep all the everything off before dusting rooms this neat all the time. and polishing all the surfaces. My housekeeper washes all the Then I carefully group my windows, scrubs the tile floors, makeup in the drawer, where I find a kitchen organizer works vacuums the rugs and the job is complete. The house smells very well for keeping things fresh and clean and I know in view. I do leave perfume where everything is located. bottles, a flower vase and a Now my task is to remember light on top. I remind myself what I learned in Kindergarten: to put makeup back in the When you take something out drawer. My bathroom is next. put it back! I straighten the towels in the cupboard, putting a few in the I hope you have fun clearing donation box. I replace toilet out your clutter too. Remember, and face tissue on the shelf. if you throw it away now you Then clear off the vanity, wash won’t need to look at all that clutter next Spring! down the granite, put the the people pages

First United Methodist Church events by Brooks Shelley We’re in the process of confirming a Wednesday evening in March/April when First United Methodist Church is teaming with CMPD to host an information session on Stranger and Not-SoStranger Danger for parents, teachers and care-givers on how to recognize danger signs from potential predators and be proactive in educating our kids and ourselves about this type of danger. Please visit our website for further information on this timely and informative session. fumccharlotte.org (704) 3339081. We’re located at 501 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202 Ash Wednesday

service at 7 p.m. April 5, Holy Thursday

service at 7 p.m. Easter Sunday

service at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Hawthorne Lane Methodist Church coming events by Brenda Soltys All are welcome to all events! See church website for info: www.hlumc.org. Parent’s Night Out

Saturday, March 24 5-10 p.m. Youth, parents and a nurse or two care for your children 10

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while you enjoy an evening out. Donations go to Youth Summer Mission. For more information, send e-mail to parentsnightout. hlumc@gmail.com to request a registration form. Registration deadline is March 19th.

performances and more. Open to the public with many free events, the event highlights the best in literature, music, visual arts, history culture and culinary arts.

The 2012 event calendar includes a series of lectures by April 1 – Palm Sunday Russell Goings, author of the Palm Sunday celebration and “The Children of the Children procession of palms at 11a.m. Keep Coming.” A personal in Sanctuary friend of Charlotte artist Easter egg hunt on the grounds Romare Bearden, Sensoria will at 4 p.m. feature a special exhibition of Bearden works from Mr. Going’s April 5 – Holy Thursday Holy Communion with special private collection. Sensoria is also partnering with the music at 7 p.m. Bechtler Museum of Modern April 7– Blessing of the Animals Art for a unique concert that in front yard of church at 11a.m. will pair music with art. April 8 – Easter Sunday A companion exhibit of works Easter Sunrise Service in the from the Bechtler will be on church Memorial Garden (on display at CPCC’s R the 8th St. side of the church) will incorporate Elizabeth’s at 7 a.m. followed by breakfast three galleries; Studio K, Red in the fellowship hall. Sky and MONA, and showcase the work of many local artists. Easter Celebration Service in the church sanctuary at 11 a.m. “The New Southern-Latino Table” with Sandra Gutierrez promises a culinary experience Youth plant sale for all who attend. Saturday, April 22 in the church gym and parking lot. There will be film screenings, poetry readings, dance, music, Sensoria Returns to theatre and much more. A full CPCC April 13-21, 2012 listing of each day’s events by Robin Reinbold is available on the Sensoria CPCC’s annual celebration webpage at sensoria.cpcc.edu. of the arts returns to the or by calling 704-330-6534. college this April. Sensoria Don’t miss this opportunity brings together art enthusiasts to heighten your senses when from across the region for a Sensoria returns to CPCC. week of cultural engagement featuring speakers, exhibits, Holy Week

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Barber Shop on the corner of 7th and Pecan, 1935-2011. Photo by Byron Baldwin, taken on the day the shop closed. 12

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More changes along Elizabeth Avenue by Nancy O. Albert If you have walked or driven down Elizabeth Avenue lately you will have seen another area of construction on a street that seems to be constantly changing. CPCC’s Van Every building is being demolished to make room for a new four-story, 100,000 square foot classroom facility. The mid-century modern style that was used in many of the campus’ early buildings in being supplanted by a more traditional red brick design. The new structure will echo many of the college’s other buildings, such as the nearby Overcash and Sloan Morgan. Directly across from the street, the old Taylor Hall is also being renovated and will feature a brick façade. Although, sadly, some large trees were lost in the demolition project, the college’s plans call for new trees and landscaping as part of the final design. Interestingly, once the new building is complete, it will no longer be called the Van Every building, as that name will be retired with the demolished structure. Upon completion, it will simply be called a classroom building. Artist’s rendering (lower left) and information for this article provided by CPCC’s Community Relations & Marketing Services. Demolition photos by Nancy O. Albert, montage by Little Shiva. 14

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