ECA 4-15 by Elizabeth Community

Welcome to the winter edition of our ECA Newsletter! Much has changed in our community since our last edition and we hope to catch you up on all the changes, issues, and activities that have taken place and are scheduled to take place between now and the end of the year. Our annual meeting was held Sept. 21, and as always, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a terrific opportunity to reconnect with neighbors and participate in our community. The meeting was fast paced, fun, raucous at times, and informational. As part of the meeting, we voted on our new ECA officers, and I am pleased to introduce them to you. Some are familiar names, and some are new to the ECA. Jenna Opiela has agreed to serve as vice president. Jenna joined our board last year as the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social chair and was responsible for re-invigorating the Pumpkin Wall, Trunk or Treat and the Easter Egg Hunt activities. Jenna is also working to get the ECA Home Tour restarted for Fall 2016. We are thrilled at the energy she brings to the board and the individual projects that we always need help with. Ladd Van Devender has agreed to be our new treasurer. Ladd is new to the board, but has 2

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ECA Officers

ECA Board Members

Paul Shipley President 704 651 5897 Kenmore Avenue Paul.Shipley@community1.com

Jim Belvin Zoning & Real Estate Committee 704 334 2611 Lamar Avenue j.belvin@bluewaterdb.com

Jenna Opiela Vice President 614 746 9506 Greenway Avenue jennaopiela@gmail.com

ECA Business Liaison position vacant Beth Haenni Past President 704 562 5152 Greenway Avenue beth.haenni@gmail.com

Secretary position vacant Ladd Van Devender Treasurer 704 641 0480 Kenmore Avenue ladd.vandevender@gmail.com

Suzanne Henry Social Chair N. Dotger SuzkHenry@gmail.com

ECA Special Projects Eric Davis Past President 704 776 3013 Greenway Avenue ericadavis0123@yahoo.com Susan Green Newsletter Editorial Assistant and Proofreader 704 806 0568 East Fifth Street Susangreen8@gmail.com Janet Karner Membership Clement Avenue janetk@caro.net

Kristan Magas Park & Recreation Liaison 704 488 0051 E. 5th Street kdm2201@gmail.com John F. McBride Newsletter Editor 704 375 8977 East Eighth Street john.f.mcb@gmail.com Social Co-Chair #2 position vacant Claire M. Short Communications 813 326 3223 Greenway Avenue claire.m.short@gmail.com Ric Solow Beautification & Trees Co-Chair 704 906 1967 E. 5th Street ric@solowdesigngroup.com

Ken Magas Website 704 877 7151 E. 5th Street ken@kenmagas.com Officer Robert Sprague Neighborhood CMPD Liaison rsprague@cmpd.org Robert Zabel Elizabeth 8K Road Race Chair 917 873 8028 Pecan Avenue nycrcz@yahoo.com

Kris Solow Art Committee Co-Chair 704 806 4456 E. 5th Street ksolow@carolina.rr.com

is h t s n u r o Wh ay? w y n a e c pla t you! We the people... and we wan

cover photo by Nancy O. Albert with special fx by Little Shiva

Neighborhood notes from ECA President Paul by Paul Shipley

ECA events calendar f winter 2015 DECEMBER

3rd

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

7th

4th

ECA board meeting

ECA board meeting:

6:30 to 8 p.m. Studio K Gallery 2024 E. Seventh Street First Thursday of the month: everyone’s invited to attend.

5th

ECA holiday party

next newsletter deadline

6 to 10 p.m. at the home of Michelle and Eric Dagenhart on Greenway Avenue

Send content to john.f.mcb@gmail.com

10th

meeting on whether or not to extend Eighth Street

6:30 p.m. Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church The City of Charlotte is considering extending East Eighth Street through to Bascom Street near the intersection of Eighth and Laurel Avenue. The city says the extension will “provide enhanced connectivity and transportation choices for residents of the Elizabeth and Chantilly neighborhoods. Let’s talk about it!

31st

Elizabeth 8K early race registration deadline

What’s planned for Jackalope Jack’s? Because developer Faison has withdrawn and then resubmitted a rezoning petition for the properties at East Seventh Street and North Caswell Road, the rezoning process must start over. The ECA is working to confirm the dates of upcoming meetings and will update the community through the website as well as on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and of course via email.

The 2016 Elizabeth 8K race will be Saturday, March 19th at 8 a.m. Register by Dec. 31st and receive a 30% discount. www.facebook.com/Elizabeth8k THE PEOPLE PAGES

lived in Elizabeth for some time. His information technology and project management background make him ideally suited to handle a most critical job for our community. Claire Short has agreed to be our communications chair. Claire has the background, creative ideas and enthusiasm we clearly need in order to better serve and communicate with our community. We are thrilled she has agreed to assist us and join our board. You may have already noticed the uptick in activity over the past month, both on the website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. See her report elsewhere in this newsletter on how to connect to the ECA. John McBride has joined our board as the editor of our ECA Newsletter. John’s background in the publishing business will serve us well, and allow for a smooth transition. This is John’s first newsletter, and we are proud to have him join us.

I would be remiss not to include our returning board members: Jim Belvin, Beth Haenni, Kristan Magas, Suzanne Henry, Ric and Kris Solow, and the ever present Rob Zabel, who heads our wildly successful special project, the Elizabeth 8K Race. We have also added several new member/volunteers to Suzanne Henry’s social and children’s social committees that will allow us to continue to provide 4

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the holiday party, progressive dinner, neighbor’s night out and other events throughout the year. Please welcome Ashley Cummins, Lauren Briggs, Kim Ochal and Natalie May. We are so happy you have agreed to help! The old saying that “90 percent of the work is done by 10 percent of the people” does not do justice to the incredible work these volunteers do throughout the year in order to make Elizabeth a special place. Thanks to all of you.

We need your full involvement. Elizabeth’s Halloween traditions were on full display this year. Many thanks to Emily and Adam Reynolds, who hosted our annual Trunk or Treat event in lower Independence Park. The weather was perfect after the week of rain leading up to Halloween and a great time was had by all.

Please look over our list of board and special committee positions. We have many holes to fill and can use your help, either at the board level, on special committees or as a worker bee. Please contact me directly or any of the board members for more information. Linda and Hardin Minor were gracious to host “The Great Also in this issue, look for Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall” (and Kris Solow’s report on the big thanks Ken Magas for the new changes at our Rose Garden in name!) The Minors, as usual, put Independence Park. You can on a show and this event may also find a copy of the plan on have found a new home at the our website, and follow the link end of Clement Avenue. Look to the longer term plans for all for Hardin’s article in this issue. of Independence Park. Hardin dressed as a crying baby Jim Belvin has tough duty as the will be forever burnt into my mind’s eye! zoning and real estate chair. His report and a little history Last but not least, don’t forget on the rezoning at East Seventh our annual Holiday Party! I Street and North Caswell can look forward to seeing you at be found in this issue. Watch Michelle and Erik Dagenhart’s for information on when the Greenway Avenue home on Dec. next round of meetings for this 5 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. important project will be held. This rezoning will dramatically Thanks again, and enjoy reshape our neighborhood. the newsletter.

Elizabeth neighborhood zoning updates by Jim Belvin Seventh and Caswell: The proposed developer of the three parcels at East Seventh Street and North Caswell Road, Faison, withdrew its application for rezoning these properties on Sept. 15, but then re-filed the application Oct. 23. There are four buildings on the parcels, Hare of the Dog, the former Rusty Rabbit Jackalope Jack’s and the former barber shop.

Because Faison has withdrawn and then resubmitted the rezoning petition, the rezoning process must start over. We are working to confirm the dates of upcoming meetings and will update the community through the ECA website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and neighborhood email.

years and the new owner plans to demolish it in November. The owner said he will work with a landscape architect to landscape and screen the back part of the property and will add landscape screening at the perimeter of the parking area. Seventh and Caswell: A quick look back

Editor’s note: What’s going on at East Seventh Street and North Caswell Road? ECA zoning chair Jim Belvin’s report above gives the current status. Below we offer a quick history of the situation. The properties under consideration in Rezoning Petition 2016-015 were last rezoned in 1993. Developer David Krug worked

closely with the neighborhood to change the zoning to NS (CD) (neighborhood services, conditional development). This zoning outlines specific details about what can be done on the property, including building footprints, uses, drive locations, parking ratios, etc. Very little has changed since 1993 with respect to building footprints and uses. Krug Properties owned and managed the properties until 2007 when they were bought by Redan Boulevard East 7th Street LLC, a corporation whose managers included Chris Branch and Al Lindemann, III. According to the N.C. Secretary of State, this corporation was dissolved in 2014 due to its

Faison’s plan is to build a fourstory building containing 124 apartment units over street level retail and office space. 1825 E. Seventh Street:

This is the yellow house at the corner of Seventh Street and Clement Avenue that has most recently been used for a business called The Portal. The building was recently purchased by the owner of the Shine Salon with plans to use the property for additional parking. The building has suffered from a lack of maintenance for many THE PEOPLE PAGES

failure to file annual reports after 2010 with the Secretary of State. In March 2014, the corporation was reinstated with Branch and Lindemann as managers. In April 2014, new managers were named in the corporate filings with L. Watts Hamrick, III, Frederick W. Eubank, II and Scott B. Perper as managers. In April 2015, the Elizabeth Community Association was contacted by the attorney for Chris Branch (now with Faison) to set up a meeting to discuss Faison’s plans for the property. In meetings between Faison and members of the Elizabeth community between April and

September, Faison presented a number of proposed designs ranging from a six-story building to a four-story building. On June 5, FCD-Development LLC (Faison Capital Development LLC) filed a rezoning application to change the zoning to MUDD (CD). About MUDD, the Charlotte zoning ordinance says: “The Mixed Use Development District (MUDD) encourages mixed use development and its accompanying support commercial and office uses while maintaining a strong emphasis on pedestrian scale, urban development, and amenities…

“Urban development cannot always be evaluated based upon predetermined, specific standards stated in the Ordinance. Therefore, an applicant might elect to seek a conditional zoning district approval in two circumstances. One circumstance is when the applicant can meet the standards for MUDD, but the applicant wants to voluntarily have conditions imposed upon the rezoning approval that will benefit abutting properties. That would be for a MUDD (CD).” In July, Gov. Pat McCrory signed into law House Bill 201, which made it easier for developers to get rezoning approval from local governments. Before HB 201, neighbors within 100 feet of a proposed development had the right to file a protest petition against the development. Under a protest petition, rezoning approval required a super-majority of council: 75%. Under HB 201, the petition is eliminated and a simple majority is required. The law affects rezonings filed after Aug. 1, 2015. In September, the Faison development team members stated that they were planning to withdraw the rezoning petition because they wanted to eliminate the possibility of a protest petition. On Oct. 23, FCD-Development LLC re-filed its rezoning petition.

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Rose Garden to get major redesign, facelift by Kris and Ric Solow

New elements will include stone seat walls, new arbors and an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant sidewalk connecting the garden to Greenway Avenue. This sidewalk, framed with an artistic element, will also provide a stair-free access to the park for strollers and bicycles.

ADA accessibility and attracting community involvement. Quite an assignment!

Future renovations that have been mentioned for the entire park are a safer pedestrian crossThanks to the hard work of a ing at Park Drive and Hawthorne group of Elizabeth residents Lane, new lighting, benches and and Mecklenburg County Park trash cans, stonework repair on and Recreation staff, historic The ongoing work of the walls and sidewalks, recoating Independence Park is getting hand rails damaged by skate a facelift that will start with the Elizabeth neighborhood sub-committee, organized by boards, a need for bike racks, Rose Garden. Kristan Magas and Park and Rec, more plantings of trees and The Elizabeth group, led by emphasizes safety, attractiveplants in void areas and a renoPark and Rec’s Tim Turton, has ness, well-planned entrances, vated Recreation Center. Bird been working to define the Rose fitting the local community and bat boxes, tribute gardens, Garden phase of the renovation, and guests’ needs, addressing landscape boulders, historical which will be implemented maintenance and replacement markers and stone accents are beginning this fall/winter. concerns, introducing art and also on the wish list for history elements, improving Charlotte’s original public park. After several subcommittee meetings, Elizabeth resident Ric Solow of Solow Design Group presented a conceptual plan to Park and Rec for approval. On October 21, the plan was enthusiastically approved by more than 30 people at a neighborhood meeting at the Mecklenburg County Cooperative Extension Building (“the Armory”) at 1418 Armory Drive. The renovation of the Rose Garden is based on a respect for its history and integrity. The plan allows for a slightly larger event area including an open and more generous planting area. A newly imagined grand stone staircase will be the focal point at the upper end of the park. The original maze will be realigned as a circular path through the garden.

Ric Solow (left) and Tim Turton unveil the Rose Garden redesign on Oct. 21. THE PEOPLE PAGES

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Phases of improvement outlined for 2016 include a renovated fountain design, stone repair, entrance improvements and pollinator gardens. Then looking forward to 2017, considerations are new trashcans, benches, lighting as well as a botanical garden on the shaded slope area below the recreation center parking lot. Farther in the future would be a redesign of the recreation center to serve the surrounding neighborhoods. All these items are contingent on getting proper funding.

mecklenburgcountync.gov.

And last but not least is “The Eyesore.” Areas behind and adjacent to the Armory--a maintenance compound, gravel road and athletic facilities—are not camouflaged in any way. The careful design process evaluating the entirety of the park quickly drew attention to these unattractive areas lacking the park’s familiar naturally wooded atmosphere. Remedial plans anticipate planting trees in the narrow strip along the service road behind the baseball fence and painting a mural on the Armory maintenance facility wall. Trees will also be planted along East Fifth Street near Charlottetowne Avenue, adjacent to the circular path behind Elizabeth Traditional Elementary School and along the sidewalk close to the basketball courts there.

If you’ve attended an ECA Holiday Party in the last 10 years, you have no doubt run across the smiling face of Tanya Hicks. As longtime ECA party hostess, Tanya makes everyone feel comfortable and keeps the festivities running smoothly. But how well do you know Tanya? We asked her a few questions. Here are her replies:

If you have any concerns or suggestions for improvements to the park, please email Tim Turton at timothy.turton@

Opened in 1924, Independence Park was designed by John Nolen, a Harvard landscape architecture student who later designed the Myers Park neighborhood and enjoyed a long career in urban planning. Meet Tanya Hicks, longtime holiday hostess ECA interview

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am 47 years young, a single mom to Hunter Hiroshi Hicks, who turned 10 on Nov. 4. For the last ten years I’ve been a manager with Something Classic Catering. I am also a part-time assistant with the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections. Where do you live?

I have lived in Sharon South Townhomes for 20-plus years. I was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, and moved to Matthews when I was 12. How do you spend

your spare time?

I am PTA President and on the School Leadership Team at Sterling Elementary where my son goes. If I am not working, then I am with my son and his friends doing something fun-Eagle Tae Kwon Do, Webelos Cub Scouts (I am a den leader), Carowinds, U.S. National Whitewater Center, Harris YMCA, soccer, bike riding. Since I broke my ankle and leg rollerblading a few years ago, I just sit and watch them! We love day trips to the NC mountains, Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Waterfalls, Lake Lure Beach. How would your friends describe you?

Always there with a helping hand, always good for a laugh and a tad bit crazy! What does a perfect day for Tanya look like?

A perfect day for me is sleeping past 5:30 a.m., and Hunter doing what needs to be done without asking. What do you appreciate most about your life?

I appreciate my son most in life and the smiles and hellos I get from all 750 students at Sterling Elementary. What is your favorite book/ movie/TV show?

My favorite author is Stephen King, but now I mostly read what my son reads. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” for example. Cat person or dog person and why? THE PEOPLE PAGES

Hunter and Tanya

How did you come to work with the ECA?

A dear friend of 25 years who I worked with at Something Classic Catering: Beth Holland. How many ECA Holiday Parties have you hosted?

I would say maybe 8 to 9 now — too many to go into detail. One thing I have grown to love is that I get to see everyone again. And word of mouth has led to many other hostings. I also love that not once has anyone gotten out of control and been asked to leave. What goes on behind the scenes at the ECA Holiday Party?

The ladies do a wonderful job setting up all day and dropping off supplies. Behind the scenes is the mess you do not see at the party! What is the biggest challenge for you on the night of the party?

Assuring the hosts of the house that they will still have a house after the party.

At this point let’s just say I’m an animal lover. My son has a dog, two cats, a fish, a hermit crab, a hamster, a corn snake and two rats. He wants a bird and another dog but will have to wait eight more years. Morning person or night owl and why?

Twenty-five years ago, night owl all day long! Nowadays I am a 10

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morning person. What makes you laugh?

Everything my son does and says.

Any tips for partygoers to make your job easier?

Have your name on the bottom of a dish or platter to ensure it gets back home. Any tips for hosts/hostesses for throwing a perfect party?

If money were no object, Email me a list of do’s and don’ts what would you do with your or have them written down. If time? you do not want leftovers, make

Probably help out at the school 24/7 or work with the ASPCA more often.

sure to have lots of storage bags or to-go boxes for guests to take. Have extra tongs and spoons.

Pumpkins, carvers conquer Clement by Hardin Minor

Jeffery Dalzell, the Woodpeckers created what is now known as the ECA Pumpkin Wall. The wall was conceived as a possible giant text board and featured political messages and garnered national attention. The last few years When ECA President Paul Shipley put out the call for a spot have featured less political and to place the Pumpkin wall during more philosophical text. the ECA potluck dinner recently, Folks, this was no “spit and tissue my wife Linda and I said, “How paper” project! The visual charm about our lot?” of a fully lit wall of pumpkins Turns out, things couldn’t have belies the substantial amount of lumber and detail in making worked more perfectly for the 2015 ECA Pumpkin Wall at 721 this unique structure. When fully secured and anchored, it Clement Ave. This is the kind becomes a veritable fortress! of thing we love to do for the neighborhood. With the new generation of kids animating the ‘hood, it couldn’t have been more exciting, fun and worthwhile.

The edifice is 32 feet wide and 12 feet high. There are seven 8-foot sections of shelves that, if fully occupied, could

accommodate 250 pumpkins, depending on size. We managed about 150 pumpkins this year. The pumpkin carving adventure – which was thwarted for three days by rain – finally happened on the Thursday before Halloween. The gravel driveway beside our lot with the convenient streetlight gave us the ideal location to set up a canopy with lights and four tables that at the height of the carving frenzy were simultaneously occupied on both sides by as many as six carvers or carving teams. Everyone got involved! Families, kids on their own, multigenerational couples. One trio of female amigos became so

photo: Kris Solow

The Saturday-morning-priorto-Halloween gathering of “seven guys with drills” made for a record set up time of 2.5 hours. It was an Amish barnraising style event complete with friends, spouses, children, dogs and assorted by-standers and passers-by. I could not have managed without the great guidance and logistical support from Shipley, the Opielas (who hosted last year’s wall) and of course Byron Baldwin and his truck. For those who want to know, a little Pumpkin Wall history: In 2004 Baldwin was part of a cadre of men with power tools who christened themselves the Woodpeckers. With the design assistance of architect THE PEOPLE PAGES

four different TV stations. The “treats” were greatly enhanced by neighbor Mike Watson’s generous contribution of 100 burgers and 100 hotdogs hot off his big grill. I will never forget the pint-sized Batman without mask sauntering up our sidewalk munching a dog with no bun. Thanks, Magic Mike!

In today’s world of all iPad/ iPhone/iEverything, this kind of community gathering for an Meanwhile, I was having the time experientially based real time of my life with a reciprocating activity for all ages to produce electric saw! That’s right – it a collaborative “aesthetic was the Clement Avenue statement” is so important to Reciprocating Saw Pumpkin Linda and me. Massacre! To speed the carving A final footnote of thanks goes to process, I used the saw to open Walter Clark of Lincolnton who the top of each pumpkin. After came on Sunday after Halloween this circular cut, the fun was and picked up almost all the having each kid come up and pumpkins to take to the Grateful “pop the top” to reveal the Growers Farm for their hogs. “innards” into which we would happily thrust our hands to pull The ECA “Pumpkins to Pigs” out the first mess of gooey seeds program! and guts. Delightfully gross! Will the Minors host again It was nonstop action from 4 to next year? We can’t wait! Three 9 p.m. that included visits from cheers for the ECA P-Wall Team!

Editor’s note: Now it’s my turn by John McBride When I tell folks who live elsewhere why I live where I do, of course I mention the walkability of Elizabeth, its lovely old homes, its amenities and its trees. Then I go on about the people. I love the people who live here. There’s something about Elizabethans. I can’t say they’re a cut above everyone else (although I won’t rule that out!), but urban living seems to attract a different set. Over the nearly 30 years I’ve lived here, I’ve come to believe that difference means, among other things, that more people feel a deep connection to where they live. And from that sense of belonging comes a need to help shape the neighborhood as it grows. Folks here – and elsewhere of course – want to be part of the left to right: Reese Williams, Logan Williams, Graham Bryant, Noah Depalma, & Gabriel Bryant at Trunk or Treat

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TrunkTreat photo: Kris Solow

intent on their design that they decided to take their work-inprogress home to finish. One duo had bought their own “ugly” pumpkins to add to the 100 that ECA had purchased for the event. Your wonderful neighborhood association also purchased a generous assortment of carving tools, strands of lights to illuminate the always amazing assortment of designs and drinks for adults and kids during the event.

and wonderful folks stepped up. The ECA has no Secretary, no Business Liaison and only one Social Co-Chair. In one sense, Elizabeth is at a disadvantage: You have to be here to be here. This neighborhood is your physical one, and it refuses to become unstuck in time or space.

benches photo: Nancy O. Albert

We need more of us who live here to be here. Welcome to the first of what I hope will be many ECA Newsletters edited by yours truly. I inhabit as many real and virtual neighborhoods as the next person, I suppose. Heck, I’m even writing this on an airplane conversations about where they in multiple neighborhoods. live. Just by participating they In a flash we create them, update because my physical presence make the neighborhood better. them, follow them – make them is required at one of my other If they also pitch in to do some better. Whip out the smartphone neighborhoods. heavy lifting, well so much at Earl’s Grocery and instantly As I mentioned, I’ve been an the better. leave the hip Elizabeth eatery Elizabethan for some time, to share in a nephew’s special yet for most of that time I’ve You know the folks I mean. moment in California or see sat on the sidelines, watching. There are many. I’m not going what your college roommate Watching in rapt admiration as to name names. (Except one: is doing. other dedicated souls invented Nancy Albert, the woman I You don’t even need to be there the awesome Elizabeth Area replace today as editor of this anymore. Plan, stopped Blockbuster newsletter. Thank you, Nancy, (remember them?) from creating for making this publication and But that also means you don’t a garish, boxy eyesore and stood our neighborhood better.) need to be here either. up to the NC Department of At the same time, people You could be anywhere. Transportation who to this day everywhere help to inhabit other would rather Seventh Street be Here in Elizabeth, the ECA communities, too: professional four fat lanes of fast and furious. struggles to find volunteers for groups, alumni associations, religious congregations, politics, committees, event planning and Now it’s my turn. All I can hope to do is show up, pay attention sports, families and friends. We board members. For the first rightly want to be involved in the time, the Home Tour is on hold and be part of the conversations. conversations that shape those until enough folks jump in to do the work. The Pumpkin Wall With the caliber of folks who live associations as well. and Trunk or Treat were nearly in this neighborhood, I bet it will Now it’s easier than ever to live cancelled before a few brave be enough. THE PEOPLE PAGES

ASC/city neighborhood public art project update by Nancy O. Albert Many of you may be wondering about the status of the Neighborhoods in Creative pARTnership public art project that the Elizabeth neighborhood was awarded in 2014. Twenty-two city neighborhoods applied for public art projects to be funded by the city and the Arts and Science Council (ASC). We were fortunate to be one of only six selected. Our neighborhood was paired with Charlotte artist Amy Bagwell, and over the course of the year several public meetings were held as the design evolved. As part of the project, Amy Bagwell composed a poem, “Now is Fireworks,” segments of which will appear on installations throughout Elizabeth. In September the roundabout area on East Eighth Street was cleared of vegetation and debris in preparation for the construction of one of the project’s components. Kris Solow and I have been in regular contact with Bagwell and her assistant Graham Carew; here is a summary of our conversations. In September it was determined that there was not enough light to support the solar lighting installation at the roundabout. Instead the project will incorporate a secret garden with 14

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Graham and Palmer more plants and perhaps roses that will be visible under and above the 3-foot metal structure and peek through its cutout letters.

installation,” said Bagwell. “The footers will go in soon. For our project a CPCC professor leads a new construction group at Goodwill employing craftsmen who have come through difficult “We honestly think this will be circumstances and are looking higher impact and lovelier, more to build careers in construction. related to the neighborhood, I’m excited to add this layer of because of that rose garden we community involvement and always hearken back to that benefit to the project.” was destroyed to make way for Independence,” Bagwell said. Because of these changes, the Artist and rose enthusiast Tom wet weather, and additional Thoune and landscape architect layers of complication, Bagwell Ric Solow, both of the Elizabeth met with ASC representatives neighborhood, will be assisting and was granted an official with plant selection. extension on installation through Dec. 15, though they Fabrication of the metal expect to have it done sooner structure itself is nearly than that. complete, and the panels will be welded shortly. Since the “All is well with ASC and we creative team is working with CPCC welding classes, they have continue to have their full support. As you know, they’ve had to be flexible time-wise. completed installation on just “The great news is that three one of these six neighborhood students in particular are getting projects, and ours is next up for amazing experience, which completion. Several still remain will ultimately include on-site in the planning stages.”

Another component of the project is “word-houses” which will be hung on trees throughout the neighborhood. Collages of a sort, each word-house will include a segment of the poem composed by Bagwell. Progress on them is moving along, although slowed a bit by the loss of the artists’ uptown studio space. She and her assistant are currently working at three separate sites. “Graham and I are just trying to work hard and work well and make beautiful, complete things we’re proud of.” When people expressed the desire to see the entire poem somewhere in the neighborhood, Bagwell, who is founder and director of Wall Poems of Charlotte, met with Kate Vasseur, owner of Studio K on East Seventh Street, and discussed the idea of having the poem painted on the side wall of the gallery. Because the ASC/City funding would not cover the cost of the wall painting, a fundraiser was organized by the ECA art committee, co-chaired by Kris Solow and myself. The fundraiser was a success, and now the painting of the mural on the side of the Studio K building is planned for the conclusion of the installation. Weather conditions will undoubtedly play a role in the work schedule.

Now Is Fireworks

Look at me. Now is fireworks, gathered first like Queen Anne’s lace into fists called just before, then bursting absolutely. After, are you hawk or songbird? Or climbing rose, with colors that unfold as slow as fondness? What I mean to ask is where are you going on a night like this, the water so still you could walk on top of it if you whispered? You remember your grandparents like they just left the room, but you forget so much. And does your suitcase, when you’ve arrived and told it now, pop its mousetrap latch and burst into a brown motelroom with a brown couch you lie on to watch stars that are not fireworks through a halfcurtained window? Sing your answer, your voice a warfield for sleep and strain. Or, from your granddad’s records (more ghostly with each listen, like everything), play the perfect lady singer’s lamentation like a hand grabbing for the falling, like the buried and forgotten, like a train’s long, wavering horn. Or, because all the sorry eyes in the world won’t get you back to this water, take me there with you. I’ll ride quiet. At the latch’s snap, my cue, I’ll leap from that travelbag like happiness from a cake done in none of nature’s colors— except those pale pink sugar roses over my wish for you, under your name. — Amy Bagwell

For further updates, email Kris Solow at ksolow@carolina.rr.com. THE PEOPLE PAGES

Educational collaboration in public art by Amy Bagwell For Elizabeth’s Neighborhoods in Creative pARTnership project awarded by Arts and Science Council, the centerpiece is a metal sculpture going into the roundabout at 8th and Lamar. Fabrication on this piece has been ongoing since summer with CPCC’s Welding Technology Program, led by Palmer Bradshaw, student (and near graduate).

Palmer understood the design from the beginning and created the blueprint basis for material orders, cutting, welding, and installation. Guided by experienced welder and instructor Johnny Johnson, fellow students Markus Bogans and Kirk Watts have assisted on the piece under Palmer’s leadership, earning credit in their required Fabrication 16

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Johnny Johnson and Palmer (above) and Palmer welding (below)

photos: Amy Bagwell

Because I teach at CPCC, I look for ways to bring students into projects, highlighting their talent and the school’s programs. Steve Gore, Program Chair for Welding, recommended Palmer, whose background includes a BFA from Appalachian State University in Sculpture. We were impressed with his own art portfolio and with him as a person. We were excited to work with someone for whom art and welding would already make perfect sense.

course, which meets all day every Saturday (starting at 7am!). In his Gas Tungsten Arc Welding and Certification Practices class, Palmer is working with Wall Poems art director Graham Carew on finalizing the cutting of the letters and images from the steel and on-site installation.

forward to that first beer after we’re done? I’m really excited about watching people walk by and seeing their reactions. Has working on this project provided you with anything you didn’t expect going in?

Primarily, it led to my getting I asked Palmer three questions: a full-time welding job, which I started about three months ago. Why did you decide to study By demonstrating to Mr. Gore and become a welder? that I could do this community I’m an artist first, and I didn’t art project and see it through, I want to try to make art into proved I was job-ready, and he my living. I didn’t want to let it recommended me for a position being my career ruin it for me. with a great company just north Welding appealed because I was of town. I love it. a sculptor who already worked with metal and because it offers Amy Bagwell is the lead artist for Wall Poems of Charlotte. great jobs with good pay and benefits. Each of the disciplines makes the other stronger. What Our newest I learn in welding makes my children’s art stronger, and my artistic Little Free practice makes me a better Library welder. by Nancy Cooke

I got curious and Googled Little Free Library. I learned that Todd Bol created the first little library in 2009 in his Madison, Wisconsin, front yard in honor of his mother, a schoolteacher. This idea of book-sharing spread. By 2010 the LFL non-profit organization was formalized with a mission: This is a Little Free Library on Kenmore street.

LFL photo: Nancy O. Albert

What’s been the biggest surprise for you in studying welding?

You may have noticed that the Elizabeth neighborhood has a There are always unforeseen new Little Free Library (LFL) just obstacles. But an obstacle is for children in Independence something that you can enjoy— Park near the playground. it can be an opportunity to be more creative. People can easily LFLs have been popping up all overlook the inherent creativity over Charlotte, with at least two in welding. Even more than that, others in our neighborhood and more than 25,000 registered they overlook the constant, across the globe. real-world, on-the-fly problem solving that’s involved. It can be I first became interested in LFLs difficult, but it’s also exciting. after seeing the artistic wooden What are you most looking boxes in our neighborhood forward to when this housing books and a sign to Elizabeth piece is installed? “Take one. Return one.” What a Is it okay to say that I’m looking terrific idea!

“To promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide and to build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations.” I thought about installing one for children in Charlotte after learning that during the summer some of the students I tutored THE PEOPLE PAGES

signs removed, books taken. At one point some books were burned, and finally the library was completely knocked down. After consulting Park and Rec, we removed it.

from the Belmont Neighborhood had little or no access to books at home. The local public library branch nearby had closed. Step one was to secure permission. Little People’s Park in Belmont seemed an ideal location, since children would see the library when they came to play. I met with the Belmont Neighborhood Association to ask for support and help in spreading the word. Next I contacted Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation for permission and help with the installation.

Our supplies cost about $100, including plywood, post, picture frame, latch, hardware, caulk and multiple cans of spray paint. We originally had weather stripping around the door. The tension created from the stripping made it hard for the children to use the latch, so we removed it.

I am happy to report that so far there have been no signs of vandalism. I continue to monitor the books and add more as needed.

I learned that in a public location like this there may be more borrowing than returning. In Great start, but I needed books the first couple of weeks in Independence Park, I supplied beyond what I could supply more than 100 books. I continue on my own. I heard about to restock it, but I have also found Promising Pages, a non-profit that collects and distributes new other books are showing up. and gently used children’s books to children who might not have This is a great sign because it shows neighbors are involved ready access. They were very generous in allowing me initially in supporting it with their own to fill and then refill the library. book donations. Everything was going well. A friend volunteered to build it. We had a grand opening for our So stop by, take a book, return We located plans on the LFL a book and add your own book library in late June. Afterward I website and found other ideas donations! stopped by a few times a week online. We used a wooden to check on the books and meet picture frame for a door. Instead Belmont neighbors. For inspiration, practical advice, of glass, we substituted Plexiglas and to join this effort, visit for the window. Since children’s Unfortunately the LFL suffered LittleFreeLibrary.org. To learn books can be large, we chose not repeated vandalism. The door more about Promising Pages, to add a shelf. was ripped off, paint scratched, visit PromisingPages.com. 18

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LFL photo: Nancy Cooke

left to right: Lauren Hamlin, Khloe Smith, Grey Tugwell and M’Kya Delts

LFLs are best placed in busy, highly visible places, with lots of neighborhood support. Independence Park seemed ideal. It could be installed near a busy playground. Elizabeth Traditional School nearby was very supportive. Park and Recreation agreed that it would be a better location.

Hoodstock 2015 rocks Clement avenue by Kris Solow It was a misty, rainy day and evening, but that didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop a good-sized crowd from attending the first Hoodstock 2015 block party in the 700 block of Clement Avenue on Sept. 26. Matt and Kelly Martino and their close-knit neighbors often gather in the cul- de-sac to have adult conversation and watch their children play. The idea for the party came when Matt noted that all they needed was some good music and a beer in hand to complete the experience.

Hoodstock photos: Kris Solow

They enlisted neighbors as sponsors and booked Lucinda Lucas, Clement Avenueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own singer/songwriter, and Flat Tire Trio, an improvisational bluegrass band, to perform.

left: Kelly and Matt Martino at Hoodstock THE PEOPLE PAGES

They then sent an email to the Elizabeth Families email group for neighbors to reserve a $7 plate of either mouth-watering ribs or finger-lickin’ chicken. Hot dogs for kids were free. In addition to the music and food, there was an entertaining and informative wine supplier who happily set up a table for wine tastings at no charge. Tents and chairs were set up. Children had a ball dancing, skateboarding, cycling and playing in two bounce houses that beckoned to them. If you missed it, make note to attend in 2016. Everyone had a stellar time. Hope to see you next year!

Protect your trees from cankerworm curse by Kris Solow

to exert extra energy leafing out after each feed, weakening the tree’s defenses.

Old oak trees in our neighborhood are most vulnerable, as are stressed Now is the time to band your trees, such as those damaged trees for the fall cankerworm or surrounded by construction. (Alsophila pometaria), an insect Favorite trees for the worms to native to North America. Its attack are oaks, maples, elms, natural range is from Georgia to birches and fruit trees. Nova Scotia and west to Texas. The wind will blow the worms Why band? By banding, a from tree to tree, so they sticky barrier is put in place to intercept and trap the wingless dangle on silky threads from adult female cankerworm moths the canopy. as they emerge from the ground after the first hard freeze and migrate up to the treetops to lay their eggs.

After they are done feeding, they drop to the ground and hibernate in the soil through the summer until they emerge again the next fall as adult moths and If the females lay their eggs, they will hatch in spring and the start the cycle all over again. hungry young worms will feast There are two types of bands on the newly sprouted, tender you can apply. One is called leaves, defoliating the trees. the BugBarrier, which is an all Repeated defoliation forces trees in one band with a clear plastic adhesive strip. The other type involves a three-step process: 1. Insulation batting is wrapped around the tree at about chest height making sure deep crevices are filled. 2. Plastic wrap is put on top of the batting. You can also staple roofing tarpaper over the batting but avoid stapling young, small or thin barked trees. Instead, use electrical tape to hold it in place. Do not use nails on any trees. 3. Using disposable gloves and a disposable plastic putty knife, a 1/16” film of Tanglefoot (glue) is applied directly on the band.

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cankerworm photo found at http://citybugs.tamu.edu/2015/04/06/cankerworm-caterpillars-hit-texas-trees

For food the obvious choice was Clement Avenue’s own Magic Mike’s BBQ.

hear from the EMTs, it sounded like I wouldn’t be riding for a while. A bike commuter for nearly 18 months, I was not only laid up for a month, but left without a bike, out of work and with lots of anxiety. What I wanted most after the accident was visits. A church friend helped me get through the first few weeks. Colleagues from Park Road Montessori brought us meals and raised enough money to get us through the month. Bike friends got me out to relieve cabin fever. I healed, physically and emotionally, through the support of my friends. Six weeks ago Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church, where I am a member, approached me about organizing a Blessing of the Cyclists, something the church wanted to do to support cyclists in our community. It was

photo: Kris Solow

Wait until most of the leaves Blessing of have fallen to apply Tanglefoot the Cyclists, so that the bands do not get my personal covered with leaves thus making journey them ineffective. If this happens, by Bethanie Johnson stir the Tanglefoot around to make the surface sticky again, or On July 24 I was struck by a car apply more Tanglefoot. while riding my bike home from my summer job at the White Any tree service can help you Water Center, something I’ve band your trees, or you can done many times over the past get supplies from a hardware few years without a problem. But store or garden center to do it on the day before I was supposed yourself. The City of Charlotte will band oak street trees 2-feet to ride in “24 Hours of Booty,” a car making a left turn in front of in diameter or larger. me didn’t see me. If you have any further I never felt as alone as when the questions about banding, ambulance doors closed and I call the City of Charlotte’s found myself with two strangers. Landscape Management I’m a single mom, and I thought Division at 704-336-4262, about my daughter who was the NC Cooperative Extension Service at 704-336-2561, or go going to wonder what happened to me. I thought about my bike online or call a garden center, shop friends waiting on me to home improvement store, tree drop off my bike. I hadn’t looked maintenance service company at my leg, but, from what I could or hardware store.

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photos: Kris Solow

Blessing of the Cyclists with Pastor Thomas Steagald and Pastor Sarah Watkins Davis

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right after a gentle old cyclist named Al Gorman was hit and killed at Parkwood Avenue and Hawthorne Lane. Our community was devastated by his death because he was just a man on a bike riding to do his laundry. At first I wondered if my cyclist friends who have different faiths and beliefs would be interested in attending a service, but I invited them anyway. I feel that when you’re afraid your motto should be “Go anyway. Do it anyway.” I also talked to our pastors about how best to welcome and be respectful of the wonderful diversity of our cycling community.

Keep up with a wonderfully appropriate blessthe ECA with ing for all and providing snacks these social and drinks. I am also so thankful media tools for my cycling friends. If you see any of them out there on the by Claire M. Short road, make sure to give them a wide berth. Social media is a great way to share information, and the Elizabeth Community Just before 3 p.m. on Oct. 25, I Association, which strives bicycled to the church and was to keep you up-to-date with overwhelmed with joy to see Heroes relevant neighborhood news, more than 40 cyclists gathered Pop Swap has multiple ways you can for the blessing! We shared interact with the board and your by Rico Renzi camaraderie, encouraging words neighbors. Below are the social and expressions of compassion. media networks where the ECA The Fourth Annual Heroes has an active presence. Check In a world that can feel like an Pop Swap on Oct. 24 was a out all of them or choose the one overwhelming mess that can blast! Held at the comic shop that best fits how you prefer to never be fixed, I felt in this Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find receive your information. gesture of awareness and caring on East Seventh Street, the a small shift. Sometimes the Facebook change that is most needed is to pop culture swap meet had facebook.com/ just show up. That’s exactly what more than 25 tables filled with ElizabethCommunity interesting items. Personal we did. We stood in silence for collections on display ranged Type of information: This is those who died or were badly from vintage collectible toys a great source for all-around injured this year riding a bike. and comic books to handmade information on events, We prayed before receiving jewelry and plush items. WCCB’s neighborhood news, pictures blessings for our bikes or Street Team was on hand giving and connecting with your ourselves from Pastors Thomas away t-shirts, posters, sunglasses neighbors. Steagald, Carrie Wright and and more. The Pop Swap is Sarah Watkins Davis. always a good testing ground for How to join: sign up for an account at Facebook.com, or Halloween costumes, and this I am thankful to my church for download the Facebook app recognizing the need, preparing year was no exception. THE PEOPLE PAGES

rose garden photo: Nancy O. Albert

download the Twitter app on your phone or tablet. Once Introducing you’ve set up an account, CMPD’s Lt. you can “follow” the ECA’s Brian Hofert “Twitter handle,” which is @ ElizabethCLT. Whenever the ECA sends out a tweet, you’ll see Editor’s Note: The following is it in your feed. from Lt. Brian Hofert, the new head of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Instagram Department’s Providence Division instagram.com/ElizabethCLT Response Area 1. That area includes Elizabeth as well as South Dilworth, Type of information: Instagram Dilworth, Freedom Park, Myers is all pictures, with space for Park, Poplar Gables, Club Colony, a few lines of text or hashtags Eastover, Cherry, Crescent (searchable terms that are and Chantilly. indicated by a “#” at the I wanted to take a moment to beginning of the word, like #Elizabeth or #PumpkinWall). introduce myself. My name is Brian Hofert, and I have replaced This is mostly a way to share Lt. Tom Barry as the lieutenant pictures of what’s happening in the neighborhood, with only for Response Area 1. I have been on your phone or tablet. Once with CMPD for 15 years and in limited capability of sharing you’ve set up an account, you that time I have worked Uptown, news or other details. can “like” the ECA page at the the Steele Creek Area and the link above, and all the posts from How to join: Instagram is University Area. best experienced through the the ECA will show up in your Instagram app (again, available I’m excited to begin this new Facebook News Feed. phase in my career and partner in all mobile app stores). You Twitter with some amazing communities can also create an account at twitter.com/ElizabethCLT and organizations. Instagram.com. Once you sign in, follow the ECA, also at @ Type of information: Twitter is I know that many of you have ElizabethCLT. You’ll see all of most useful for breaking news great relationships with Officers and quickly sharing short bits of the ECA’s available pictures. [Robert] Sprague and [Jim] information (there is a limit of Gilliland, and I look forward to Google email groups 140 characters on all messages) fostering those relationships elizabethcommunity.com or Internet links to articles or and working with you to combat posts with more information. crime and other issues that And finally, there are the email The ECA most often sends out come up in our community. pictures from the neighborhood, Google Groups, which include Elizabeth Families (formerly As a department, we are relevant area news stories called “Elizabeth Moms”) and committed to addressing crime or links to more information the official ECA email list. You trends that we see as they on official ECA events or can sign up for these on the ECA develop, but we also ask that neighborhood business. website (click on “Community” you share with us what your and then “Email Groups”) or go concerns and issues are, too. How to join: sign up for an to http://bit.ly/1PkxKDI. account at Twitter.com, or What we see and what you see 26

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as a matter of concern might not be the same. We want this relationship to be a two-way street.

long-term concerns that we can address and work on together, please reach out to me or Officer Sprague or Officer Gilliland and make those concerns known. Quality of life is important to us, Together we will make this and we want to make Charlotte community an even greater an even greater place to live. place to live and work. Reducing crime is one way of doing that but addressing your Thank you for your continued partnership with us. specific community needs is equally important. Sincerely, Lt. Brian Hofert bhofert@cmpd.org

Holiday safety tips from CMPD by CMPD

• Have a neighbor or family member pick up deliveries, newspapers and mail every day. • Lock all doors and windows. • Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway while you’re away. • Leave a phone number with a neighbor, so you can be contacted in case of an emergency. When you head out to a store to do some shopping, remember these tips: • If you’re visiting multiple stores, store your bags in the trunk of your car. If you must store them in the passenger compartment, make every effort to keep them out of sight.

The holiday season is upon us.

• Be aware of loiterers near While this is an exciting and fun- your vehicle or elsewhere in the parking lot. If you have any filled time of year, we have to keep in mind that there are some wariness, return to the store will look to take advantage of the and ask to be escorted by store security or an employee. season. Before heading out of town, please remember these tips: I look forward to working with many of you and hope that those of you who read this will be encouraged to get involved in our community if you are not currently involved. We need your help to keep our community safe. If you see something suspicious, please don’t ever hesitate to call 911. You are the eyes and ears in the community. If you have

• Please take advantage of the free zone check service the police department offers. Call or email our community coordinator (Officer Robert Sprague, rsprague@cmpd.org) or call 311 to request a zone check of your home. Provide your address, dates you’ll be gone and how you can be reached. • Put lights and a radio on timers.

• Consider using a credit or debit card rather than cash when shopping. Thieves are on the lookout for people holding large amounts of money. • Don’t leave your purse, cell phone, iPad, or other electronic devices unattended at any time. And at home and at work always keep your car locked and temptation-free. Empty! Nothing should be in sight for thieves to observe in a quick glance that leads to a smash-and-grab situation. THE PEOPLE PAGES

Then she turned it over and saw that it was addressed to Mr. S.N. Found in DC: Nash, Presbyterian Hospital, a postcard lost Charlotte NC. by John McBride “Sure hope you are getting along If you’re in Washington DC and need a break from monuments and museums, the Eastern Market is a fun excursion just off North Carolina Avenue. The market itself is in an historic 19th century brick building and has a bewildering array of fresh meats, seafood and other comestibles.

The one-cent stamp was postmarked July 18, 1951 at 4:30 p.m. in Bar Harbor, Me.

If you know of Hope or of Mr. S.N. Nash, please email me: fine by now,” the correspondent john.f.mcb@gmail.com. wrote. “This place sure is pretty. Perhaps the postcard can find Will see you the first of the week. its way home. Hope”

On a crisp autumn day, however, the place to be is outside. Luckily the Eastern Market also offers a rich assortment of vendors in tents selling everything from vintage clothing to artwork of all descriptions.

During almost all of Anne’s 19 summers our family would spend a week or two on Mount Desert Island, hiking, swimming and enjoying one of America’s greatest treasures, Acadia National Park. So it’s not unusual that a postcard from Maine caught her eye. 28

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postcard courtesy of John McBride

During a recent visit, my daughter Anne spied this postcard tucked away in a bin. The front of the card says, “Great Head, Highest Headland on the Atlantic Coast, Bar Harbor, Mt. Desert Island, Me.”

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