May 2012
The Greater Raleigh Court Civic League
www.grccl.org
R a l e i g h C o u r t — A H i s t o r I C A L N E I G H B O R H OO D L OO K I N G F O R WA R D
How Does Your Garden Grow?
by Parke Loesel
Growing fruits and vegetables is hard but rewarding work. Our two speakers for the May 10, 7 pm meeting at the Raleigh Court Child Development Center have lots of “homegrown” experiences. Betty Bailey, a seller of many kinds of fresh, seasonal farm produce at the Grandin Village Community Market and owner of Catawba Meadow Farm along with her husband, will talk about her “hands-on” methods on the farm and at the market. Jim Loesel, a local landscape architect and member of GRCCL, will share his backyard urban growing challenges.
Raised on a farm… Betty was raised in a farming family in Catawba going back several generations. When
Inside This Issue
President’s Message.................................................. 3 Busy Spring in the Neighborhood............................. 4 Don’t Miss it... Grandin Village Block Party............. 5 Cutting the Trash with Recycling.............................. 6 How Does Your Garden Grow (cont)........................ 7 Creativity: Intorducing Scott Noel “Toobz”..........8-10 Preserving “A Little Fairyland” ........................12-13 Photos Continued from pages 8-10......................... 14
she and her husband moved back to the area three years ago, they continued the traditions begun by her father, grandfather and a “long line of family farmers.” Today, they grow many varieties of fruit, different greens and lettuces, over 21 types of vegetables, several types of herbs, and flowers. They also sell wreaths and dried greenery. Betty said that she really enjoys the festive Saturday morning atmosphere of the Grandin Village Community Market and it gives her a chance to exchange cooking and growing tips with members of the public she meets. She and her husband, a retired clinical psychologist, also sell at the Catawba Community Farmers Market, during May through October from 3:30-7 pm. In her previous ... continued on page 7
Meeting Announcement Spring has sprung! Just in time, our next meeting will be Thursday, May 10 and will feature Betty Bailey, a farmer who sells at the Community Market in Grandin Village. She’ll talk about the joy of local farming. In addition, Jim Loesel will speak on the benefits of backyard gardening; how it is integrated into the landscape and growing in three seasons. Great topic! Great speakers! See you at 7 pm at the Raleigh Court Child Development Center.
Greater Raleigh Court Civic League Officers 2011-2012 OFFICERS President: Chad Braby chadbraby12@gmail.com 798-2576
Parke Loesel JKPLoesel@aol.com Ellen Brown mynewestchapter@verizon.net
Vice-President: Jake Gilmer jake.gilmer@gmail.com
Mary Dykstra mvdrltr@aol.com
Treasurer: Ruth Dickerson ruthD@colecpas.com
Immediate Past President:
Recording Secretary: Cassandra Van Hyning cvanhyning@spectrumpc.com Corresponding Secretary: Vacant
Directors at Large: Matt Pritts pritts@woodsrogers.com Martha Graves mgraves@wdbj7.com
Susan Koch s.koch@verizon.net
COMMITTEE CHAIRS: Membership: Martha Graves Adopt-a-Highway: Derek & Stacy Lam lam324fam@gmail.com Neighborhood Affairs Committee: Vacant Program: Parke Loesel JKPLoesel@aol.com
Project2
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Newsletter: Ellen Brown mynewestchapter@verizon.net Special Projects: Tony Stavola astavola@carilion.com Greenways: Mike Urbanski mike_urbanski@cox.net Building Management: Chad Braby Grandin Road Merchants Liaison: Jenny Prickitt antiquesbuyjenny@aol.com Web & Social Media: Jake Gilmer The Court Reporter is published by the Greater Raleigh Court Civic League five times a year on or about the first week of September, November, January, March, May. 8/3/11 10:18 AM and Page 1
From the President Like any all-volunteer outfit, our group has occasional struggles. But we also excel at a number of things, including kicking out the President every two years. Since our inception in 1978, it has been an important tradition to require new leadership and new energy, thus avoiding the pitfalls of entrenched points of view. That said, my time is up. I’m outta’ here. Well, not really. Another organizational tradition is that the Past President sticks around for another two years to offer support and words of wisdom. Our previous President, Susan Koch, has been consistently helpful to me, for which I am extremely grateful. I hope to provide the same level of support to our incoming President, Jake Gilmer. In these bimonthly columns and in our organization’s general effort, I’ve tried to be candid and open. This hasn’t always been easy for me, due to…well…me. The people that do the personality pigeon-holing like to categorize me as classic I-S-T-J and tell me I should engage in a career in engineering and project management. This is comforting, as that is indeed where my bread is buttered.
worth pausing to look back at our progress. Consider, in the past several years, we: • Started a new grant program to award funds to Roanoke City Public Schools classrooms. Neighbors generally consider the health of local schools a top priority. With our grant program and regular communication with the RCPS Superintendent and Board Chair, we strengthened our ties with the schools. • Constructed a new and expanded website that includes the ability to pay annual dues online. Laid the groundwork to expand our online presence with a blog and social media. • Expanded our award-winning newsletter from 12 pages to 16 pages per issue. • Steered our building at 1916 Memorial Ave. through some challenging maintenance issues. We also extended the lease of our satisfied tenant, Pop’s Ice Cream and Soda Bar, helping keep their beloved shop in the village until at least 2013, and hopefully beyond. • Strengthened our financial position, including maintaining a rainy-day fund for our 90-year-old building.
The “I” part of the personality type means I’m an introvert. “But,” a neighbor recently pointed out, “you can’t be an ‘I’. You’re President of the neighborhood association.” Trust me. That irony has not been lost on me. The “S-T-J” part of the alphabet soup means, like most engineers, I see a glass with 50% water and lots of room for improvement. When I turn my magnifying glass on the Greater Raleigh Court Civic League, I can always spot a blemish or two. Spots where we can improve. Places we can become more engaged. Initiatives we weren’t able to get off the ground. But sometimes this approach is not constructive. We are, after all, a volunteer organization. Everything we accomplish is done through the effort of energetic folks with busy lives, who choose to donate their time to help build community here in Raleigh Court. Sometimes, it’s
• Instituted policy changes regarding annual membership that will streamline the renewal process and preserve volunteer capital. • Executed grant projects like purchasing a permanent Big Dog statue at Fire Station #7. The installation was recently voted the top public art display in Roanoke by City Magazine. • Continued organizing and supporting long-standing community events like the Candidates Forum, Spring Block Party, and Summer Grandin Theatre Cartoons. • Communicated and partnered with Roanoke City staff on various City initiatives that impact the neighborhood. All told, it’s been a productive couple of years. I’m grateful to our dedicated Board and volunteers, who made all the above happen. They’re a fantastic bunch. Their names are listed to the left of this column, so when you see them on the sidewalk, give them a handshake and a word of thanks for their effort at building community. See you around the neighborhood.
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Busy Spring Season in the Neighborhood Candidates’ Forum, Earth Day and Marginal Arts
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Don’t miss it...
Come join your friends and neighbors for the official kick off of summer at the Annual Raleigh Court Block Party. It’s Sunday, May 20 from 2:00 to 4:30 in Grandin Village. Co-sponsored by the Greater Raleigh Court Civic League and the Grandin Village Business Association, the Block Party is a great way to enjoy our unique neighborhood. For kids, there will be the Jimmy Sardine’s Moon Bounce and face painting by Grandin Village artist Katherine Devine. The kids can climb on a real fire truck from Fire Station #7, create their own sidewalk art and twist ‘n shout with a Hula Hoop. And a juggler and magician will keep them entertained. Kids are encouraged to decorate and ride their bikes. They can display them in the alleyway next to the Co-op. There will be plenty of music for everyone to enjoy. And of course, Civic League volunteers will fire up the grills, and we’ll have FREE
Valleydale hot dogs. The chefs will even char them to order if you want. And there’ll be cake made by the Raleigh Court Health and Rehabilitation Center bakers and homemade cookies for those with a sweet tooth. Everything is FREE, thanks to the Grandin Village merchants and the Civic League. And the block party is pet friendly, so it’s a great place for your dog to meet and greet. If you’d like to volunteer for an hour, please contact Parke Loesel at JKPLoesel@aol.com. See you in the Village! page 5
Cut The Trash With Recycling As you probably know—because Raleigh Court is one of the best neighborhoods at recycling—Roanoke alternates recycling of paper one week with bottles and cans the next. What you may not know is that the city can now recycle a greatly expanded list of items, particularly plastics. These can be included in your BOTTLES AND CANS recycling bin: • Fizzy drink bottles, oven-ready meal trays and water bottles. • Milk bottles, detergent bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs and cereal box liners. • Cling film (plastic food wrap), vegetable oil bottles, loose-leaf binders and construction products such as plastic pipes • Dry cleaning bags, produce bags, trash can liners, bread bags, frozen food bags and squeezable bottles, such as mustard and honey • Ketchup bottles, medicine bottles, aerosol caps and drinking straws • Compact disc jackets, grocery store meat trays, egg cartons, aspirin bottles, foam packaging peanuts and plastic tableware • Three- and five-gallon reusable water bottles, certain kinds of food containers and Tupperware And you can also recycle aluminum and steel cans, as well as clear and colored glass. Rinsing is appreciated, but you don’t need to sort the recycling. Just put it in your green bin and haul it out on the curb with your trash. You’ll find recycling lightens your trashcan and greatly reduces what the city has to pay to dump your trash in the landfill. * If you don’t have recycling bins, you can request two by calling 853-2000 and pressing option #1 or use the online service request form. They’re free. page 6
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occupation as director of a non-profit, RAFI-USA, based in North Carolina, Betty “learned about and led many initiatives to produce healthful food” and supported various farming policies.
On backyard gardening… Jim will give practical advice and describe the life of an urban backyard grower who finds satisfaction harvesting delicious, nourishing vegetables despite dealing with the occasional plant disease or garden pest. He believes anyone can acquire a “green thumb” with a little luck, know-how and patience. Planting and growing crops three seasons is possible with fertilizer, sunshine, and ability to terminate the weeds. Jim also adds landscaping plants in with his garden plantings. During his early childhood, Jim spent many working hours on his uncle’s farm in Michigan, which led to a life-long interest in the great out-of-doors and farming. In his early travels and studies, he acquired knowledge of African farming, but continues to enjoy backyard gardening and produces delicious soups and harvest for the freezer. In full disclosure, as his wife, I greatly enjoy the variety of fresh flavorful soups and vegetables.
1322 Grandin Rd 982-2022
City’s Leadership College: Binding our Neighborhoods Together ... a little editorial By Ellen A. Brown I took advantage of a special opportunity this spring and went go back to “college”…Roanoke’s Leadership College, to be exact. What have we learned? We’ve been hearing from scores of city officials and learning how all the pieces of this big city government machine fit together. And, we’ve had a chance to get acquainted with a remarkable cross section of Roanoke residents, from nearly every neighborhood. Bob Clement, who has been running these classes for seven years, deserves tremendous praise and recognition for creating this opportunity for dialogue and interaction. With my interest in creative writing, it has been especially nice to make friends with Mary Simpson-Hubbart and find out about the delightful book she just published, called Little Lawrence. It is a charming tale about a guardian angel, and an inspiration for me and my various writing projects. Her book, by the way, is available on Amazon.com… To find out more about future classes of the Leadership College, look for information on the City website. page 7
Creativity: Introducing Scott Noel “Toobz” I doubt if many people have had any trouble recognizing James Tarpley and Pearl Fu…subjects of our neighborhood’s new mural (on the wall near the 7-Eleven parking lot). Kara Duffus tracked down the artist, Scott Noel “Toobz,” and asked him to tell us about his art. This mural, sponsored by the Marginal Arts Festival committee, has generated comments (positive and negative) from passers-by. Scott explained that his style is linked to experiences from his childhood, and especially to the fact that his father suffered from calcium deficiency and underwent multiple surgeries. Because his father’s body was distorted, Scott developed a unique, distorted view of the world. Kara visited his studio and saw further examples of his craft, capturing on film several other examples of his fertile imagination and unusual technique. If you would like to see more samples of his work, have a look at his website… (http://www.enoughmouthtomill.com). He plans to teach art to young people, paint other murals, and help launch other cooperative art activities (art battles???) that could be incorporated into other neighborhood festivities.
Five Divine Young Artists Just a block away, close to the Grandin Theatre, you may have noticed another display of art this spring, a delightful oversized white rabbit, who lounges at the entrance to Katherine Devine’s studio. Kara and I ventured up the long flight of stairs one afternoon and watched in delight as five 8 year old girls learned “art.” They are learning art, to be sure, but also dabbling in acting, set design, film making, sewing, and creative writing. As Katherine explains, these young girls are learning to appreciate art, but also developing a close relationship with their teacher. Perhaps they’ll keep coming back for art instruction, and Katherine’s gentle guidance, when they reach middle school.
If there are any Beastie Boys fans out there, you might look for Toobz’ art to appear on their next album cover.
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•Aeration •Mowing •Mulching • Tr i m m i n g S h r u b s • Tr e e W o r k
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Preserving ‘A Little Fairyland’ For a fleeting week every spring, a tunnel of happy, fluffy white blossoms fills the eye as you look down Grandin Road. It’s the Bradford pear trees, one of the pleasures of living in Raleigh Court.
So when one pear tree was cut down this February, Hila Jahsmann was dismayed by the gap. Rather than just Pear tree trapped between the trailer and cab of the Albert’s Organics truck. Source: Danabout Henry, Roanoke City Urban Forrester feel sad the missing tree, Hila decided that the gap had to be filled. Hila was in her apartment on Grandin looking out as an ambulance went past on the way to the Raleigh Court Rehab Center. A large Albert’s Organics truck, fresh from a delivery at the Co-op, pulled into the bike lane to give the ambulance room. Unfortunately, it ran into a pear tree and a very large branch lodged between the truck’s cab and trailer. Police and city workers arrived to
help free the tree from the truck. When the large branch broke off, it was clear that the tree would not survive, and the city workers cut it down. In the 17 years that Hila has lived in her apartment, she’s seen numerous neighboring trees come down. She recalls that the pear tree was so large that it filled the whole view from her window when it bloomed. She wanted another tree. And Hila is a very determined woman. She called Roanoke’s Urban Forester Dan Henry to get a replacement. She found that the city’s tree planting budget had been axed as part of recent cost savings so she set out to raise the money for a new tree. That meant finding $500. The Co-op was the first to step up to the plate with a large contribution. She also contacted Albert’s Organics, a Los Angeles based company that distributes organic produce and perishables nationally. A regional manager
suggested that a group of Albert’s employees could make a donation, but they would need a non-profit organization to receive the funds. That’s when Hila Damage to the tree’s trunk.
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approached the Civic League. President Chad Braby was happy to supply all the paperwork Albert’s required, and the Civic League’s board of directors approved a donation. Dan Henry offered the City’s help in planting the Cleveland Select pear tree. The city now plants these instead of regular Bradford pears because they’re more stable. Dan’s assistance helped cut the cost of the tree. Hila, who works at Roanoke’s general aviation terminal, loves living in Raleigh Court. The vitality of Grandin Village reminds her of the neighborhood where she lived in St. Louis. The Bradford pears are “a signature of this neighborhood,” she says. In the spring, “they’re like a little fairyland.” She adds that they remind her of a Jain temple in India, “off the charts ornate and white.” And, she concludes, that sometimes you just can’t wait for others to take responsibility. Sometimes if you want something done, you just have to act yourself. Her commitment is infectious as the Co-op, the Civic League, Albert’s and Dan Henry have all jumped in to help.
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Greater Raleigh Court Civic League P.O. Box 3092 Roanoke, VA 24015 Address Service Requested
Membership Form
q new member q renewing member
New members are welcome to join the Civic League at any time. Your mailing label shows when it’s time to renew your membership. You may pay your dues at the next membership meeting. Multiyear or life memberships are welcome! The Civic League is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Donations may be claimed as charitable deductions for tax purposes. Please mail your membership dues ($10 family, $15 business, or $100 life membership) or gifts to: GRCCL, P.O. Box 3092, Roanoke, VA 24015 Or go to www.grccl.org and click on “JOIN US” to fill out a membership application online. Name Address
E-mail Address
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