The Jamestown Equestrian Center property at 1903, 1905 and 1915 Guilford College Road will not be annexed or rezoned for a multi-family development after the applicant abruptly withdrew the request just prior to the Jamestown Town Council vote June 25 to continue the public hearing until July.
Seventeen people from the standing-room-only audience had voiced their strong opposition to the rezoning during the public comment section of the public hearing, many of whom had voiced their same opinions at the two Planning Board meetings earlier this year.
Their comments appeared to have an impact on the Town Council as councilmembers discussed the matter following the public comments. Councilmember Martha Wolfe remarked that the proposed 99-unit project was not a low number as the developer asserted and does not match the criteria set out by the Town in the Land Development Ordinance. Several councilmembers remarked that the Planning Board had requested several changes at its March 11 meeting but the new plan submitted at the April 8 meeting only changed the entrance from Chadwick Drive to Guilford College Road. This lack of sufficient changes led the Planning Board to deny the rezoning request in April.
The plan submitted to the Town Council in June removed the Guilford College Road entrance and indicated two entrances on Chadwick Drive. The builder said the quality of building materials also had been improved, but was not mentioned earlier.
The builder, represented by Brad Yoder asked for a continuance because, as he said, “We feel like we still have a little work to do. You’re going to need some time to absorb this. We’re going to need some time to work through some things.”
“You had two months to make changes,” noted Wolfe, “[which show] meaningful changes to accommodate what’s in the plan.”
Council approves budget with 3-1 vote
By CaROL BROOKs
FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com
Rezoning and annexation were not the only things on the Jamestown Town Council’s agenda on June 25. Since there had been an unprecedented four budget retreats this year to discuss what should be in the fiscal year 2024-25 budget, there was little discussion at the Council meeting about the final result – a recommended budget of $17,370,048 for all Town operations, capital improvements, transfers and debt service. The Council had requested that existing assets be taken care of before new projects. Existing assets are employees, infrastructure, buildings and spaces.
The new tax rate is $0.625 per $100 valuation for the 2024-25 fiscal year, 4 cents higher than the previous fiscal year. The Town should realize approximately $3,562,977 from sales and use tax revenues along with tax
and tag motor vehicle taxes.
“In the Water & Sewer Fund, the budget proposes to increase the water rate by approximately 14 percent, essentially passing along the increases in the rates from Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority, the City of Greensboro and the City of High Point, all of whom the Town may purchase water from,” said Town Manager Matthew Johnson. “These rate increases also take into account pending capital projects that are slated to come due in the next fiscal year and subsequent years.
“Investing in our infrastructure to ensure quality water and sewer utilities are available for all citizens is vital to Jamestown’s future. Water and sewer usage fees are projected to bring in approximately $4,600,000 in revenues, while additional revenue sources, such as connection fees, late fees, and investment income are projected at approximately $281,000 for the fiscal year.
“The Town has experienced a favorable return on investments over the past year, with increased interest rates,” Johnson continued. “However, forecasts are calling for a flattening trend in interest income as interest rates adjust downward. We are conservatively projecting interest income of approximately $415,000 for all funds for 2024-2025.”
Personnel expenditures account for approximately 26.7 percent of the total budget. The new budget contains provisions to allow for a 3 percent cost of living increase and a 0-3 percent merit increase for employees.
Contractual services accounts for approximately 25.6 percent of the total budget and includes attorney fees, property and liability insurance, cleaning, security system maintenance, other building service contracts, and other miscellaneous services.
see BUdgeT, PAGe 2
Pool at Adams Farm reopens
By nORMa B. dennIs
FreeLANCe WrIter ndworddesign@gmail.com
The sound of fun can once more be heard at the swimming pool in Adams Farm, located at 1903 Adams Farm Parkway, Greensboro.
Closed since 2019, Raleigh businessman Rao Achanta purchased the facility in early May and has already invested at least $2.2 million in renovations, which include replacing the 30,000 square-foot deck, making structural repairs, painting and adding new furniture.
The upgrades also are accompanied by a new name — Rao’s Pool Pickle Party.
“Rao loves pickleball,” said Sep Navab, the pool’s new general manager. “He saw an opportunity to include that in the facilities. Construction of the pickleball courts is underway and should be finished in a month or two. Some of them will be covered, which will allow them to
sep navab’s 12-year-old daughter abby and her friend Reagan contracted with navab to design a logo representing the pool’s new name, Rao’s Pool Pickle Party. a party theme is captured with the “pickle’s” fun activities.
be used all year.”
A grand opening of the pool was held Father’s Day weekend with 400 guests talking advantage of the free event each day.
For Navab, being general manger of the newly renovated pool is more than just a job. It is a commitment to the community he has been part of for the past 16 years.
“My triplets learned to swim here and participated on the swim team,” Navab said. “I know what the community wants because I know what I want.
“The pool was amazing when it was running. It was the largest individual pool in Greensboro featuring 310 thousand gallons of water and the longest slide.”
Navab had been part of a couple groups that had sought to reopen the pool since it closed due to a decline in membership and loss of interest. He met Achanta in May shortly after he purchased the pool.
“I let him know I was active on a Facebook group
see POOL, PAGe 4
Clarification
$100,000 clarification
Prior to presenting the budget message, Town Manager Johnson responded to the comment by Robert Frederick at the May 21 Town Council meeting regarding discovering $100,000 in unpaid taxes.
“That’s incorrect,” Johnson said. “Upon a thorough investigation by the Guilford County Tax Office, it was discovered that eight parcels that were owned by D.R. Horton were, in fact, billed incorrectly due to a software error. That was resolved. D.R. Horton has paid the additional money owed. As they had already paid a portion of the tax bill, they had approximately $56,000 was collected. The Town owes Pinecroft-Sedgefield Fire Department about $19,000 and a portion will allocated to the Capital Reserve fund. That leaves around $35,000 or less in additional revenue for fiscal year 2023-2024, less than the resident claimed. Staff recommends not expending the $35,000 before June 30, so it would move to Fund Balance. Due to 2010 state law changes on builder exemptions, the previously forecasted revenue for the eight parcels will be much lower in fiscal year 2024-2025. Staff does not recommend changing the proposed budget based on this.”
Council: the rest of the agenda
By CaROL BROOKs FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com
After nearly two hours discussing rezoning, annexation and budgeting, the Town Council turned their sights to several other pieces of business. The first was an update to the Strategic Plan, first adopted June 15, 2021.
“This plan serves as a ‘roadmap’ for the staff to implement the policies that the Council have identified as priorities. It is one of the key plans used in the creation of the annual budget and staff have agreed to update it annually with the adoption of the new fiscal year budget,” said Town Manager Matthew Johnson in his introduction. He added that progress reports on the plan would be presented at the first budget retreat of the 2025-26 fiscal year in January.
The Plan focuses on five areas: staff excellence, outreach and involvement, infrastructure and facilities, public safety, and planning and development. Many of the original goals have been achieved.
The Strategic Plan can be found within the June 25, 2024 Town Council packet available at https:// www.jamestown-nc.gov/ my-government/meetingminutes-and-schedules.
Rebecca Ashby, grants administrator, reported that the Town received two bids, both under budget, to replace shelters at Jamestown Park.
Ashby also announced that the golden LEAF Foundation awarded the Town a grant of $769,000 for Flood Mitigation work for the Forestdale East neighborhood. Several roads experience frequent flooding due to undersized culverts and infrastructure. In his manager’s report, Johnson said a bid package for Main Street waterline replacement would be announced by the end of June.
Right of way and easements are still being acquired for sidewalks along Oakdale Road.
The crosswalk at the Guilford Road and East Main Street has been repainted and stamped.
Graphic courtesy Guilford County Maps
The Jamestown equestrian Center at 1905, 1915 and 1903 guilford College Road.
The orange blocks on the right side are new Pulte townhomes.
Photo by Norma B. Dennis sep navab, general manager of Rao’s Pool Pickle Party in adams Farm, is pleased to have the pool open once more in his community.
Town Clerk / Assistant Town Manager Katie Weiner kweiner@jamestown-nc.gov (336) 454-1138
Town Manager Matthew Johnson mjohnson@jamestown-nc.gov (336) 454-1138
USPS-457-850 - ISSN 1074-5122 The Community's
From The Front
BU dge T
MaIL
“This is not in keeping with the area,” said Councilmember Rebecca Rayborn.
“Did you consider the surrounding homes?” asked Councilmember Pam Burgess. Yoder, said, “Absolutely. We are conforming to what’s in the area.” His comment elicited groans from the audience. He admitted there had been discussions with town staff that were not public and the changes were made based on those talks. He welcomed the opportunity to work on this plan with the Town Council.
“Every development since I moved here in 2008 has been multi-family,” said Councilmember Sarah Glanville, a former chair of the Planning Board. “We need affordable single-family homes.”
Will and Mary Ragsdale own the property and the Equestrian Center and plan to move it because a current development by Pulte Homes near the back part of the property brings safety concerns where the riding ring is located.
The Ragsdales were mentioned in the plans submitted to the Town but neither spoke at the Planning Board.
Surprises
There was an unexpected participant at the Council meeting who spoke in favor of the annexation and rezoning — Yoder was not identified as working for D.R. Horton, the company developing the Johnson Farm property. Nowhere in the application was D.R. Horton mentioned as the builder. The following morning, Jamestown Town Manager Matthew Johnson confirmed Yoder was a D.R. Horton employee after there were postings on social media about Yoder’s employer.
However, the builder was not the issue before the Council, it was annexation and rezoning, D.R. Horton’s name was not mentioned at either of the Planning Board meetings nor at this Town Council meeting. Two different people represented the applicant at the Planning
Board meetings. Yoder was grilled by councilmembers, often about the lack of changes requested by the Planning Board.
Apparently as the builder, not the applicant, Yoder had the authority to withdraw the application, which he did immediately after Rayborn asked for a vote for continuance and before the Council had the opportunity to vote.
“The applicant has asked to withdraw their annexation application. They have that right to do that up until the time of the vote,” said the town manager. “They can preserve their right to bring back a different request at a future time. They are also withdrawing the rezoning request.”
Public comments
The majority of the speakers lived on either Chadwick Drive or Hickory Hollow Road on either side of the proposed development. The audience applauded every speaker who was against the development and attempted to comment several times. Mayor Lynn Montgomery cautioned the audience to be quiet several times.
James Bowman said the project was too dense and non-conforming. He pointed out that with the grass median on Guilford College Road, residents have to make U-turns to go back toward Jamestown or, if coming from Hilltop Road, they must U-turn to get back onto their property. He suggested waiting until the Johnson Farm development is built out and then assess the traffic before approving a new development only one third of a mile away.
“I’ve always heard Jamestown was a community that always did everything first class,” said Marion Boling. “When [my wife and I] moved here Guilford College Road was a twolane rural road and the horse farm added to that character. It is our wish that the horse farm would always be there but if its time has come, I ask you to continue to do everything first class, following the plan you have already adopted. Give us something else that would be an enhancement and preserve the beauty and character and reputation from the past.
Janet Hebard remarked that the plans did not satisfy the Town’s Guiding Principles. The development was targeted to “empty nesters” but the buildings were two stories, which would be a problem for many older residents.
Keith Wagner said that Guilford College Road is the gateway to Jamestown for many motorists and didn’t want this development to be what people saw.
Young James Messer’s mother Rebecca, held him up to the microphone so he could say, “Leave the trees alone.” Rebecca remarked that the children like to see the trees and the horses. Jamestown doesn’t look like Greensboro or High Point and that the Council should follow the Land Development Ordinance to
keep the town different.
Sal Taro said the development would drop the property value of his home in the Grove, just north of the site. He suggested keeping the small town charm.
Charles Hensley can understand both sides but said the project is a “sophisticated form of gentrification. The Council should think about what the residents want and weigh that against what the developer wants.
Jane Wagner noted that the entrance was changed from Chadwick Drive to Guilford College Road, then back to Chadwick Drive, even though residents believe there would be much more traffic on their quiet street. She pointed out that there were no substantial changes to the plan and reminded the Council that the developer said he wouldn’t want it next to his home.
Tarey Cullen echoed Wagner’s comments, believing there would be a minimum of 150 extra vehicles on the short Chadwick Drive, which is only one-quarter mile long. He wanted more information on the quality of construction and said there was a lack of information about the stormwater situation.
Eric James reminded the Council of the potential of accidents with the increased traffic and that “empty nesters” may not be physically able to make the U-turns.
When Maxine Fisher and her husband built their home it was with the understanding the single-family, low-density zoning would not change. This is opposite to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan 2020, which said, “this area should be suburban single family.” She also pointed to the fact that the entrance to the Equestrian Center is on Guilford College Road, not Chadwick.
“These are the same arguments that the Planning Board heard and rejected,” said Charles Hebard.
Ricky Lewis believes this plan is an attack on the Envision Jamestown Plan put forth by the Town of Jamestown. “It does not maintain the character of the community.”
Nate Woody pointed out an area on the certificate of sufficiency for the annexation, which states the property is contiguous to Jamestown. It is not. The plan does not meet the requirements of the Land Development Ordinance. “If the Planning Board is not willing to back it, how can [the council] make an educated decision. The plan itself is not consistent with state board rules” and “the preliminary plan is in violation of state board rules for certification.”
“Small towns make for good communities,” said Gideon Messer. “Follow the plan you spent so much time and money on.”
John Capes was an alternate on the Planning Board earlier this year and heard the first two rezoning discussions and, ultimately, denied the rezoning. The continuance then did not change the design. He opposed the continuance of the current meeting.
Capital outlay accounts for approximately 22.9 percent of the total budget and includes vehicles and equipment valued greater than $5,000, buildings and improvements valued at greater than $20,000, and infrastructure valued at greater than $50,000. The recommended capital outlay in the 2024-25 budget includes a new service vehicle, recreation/golf equipment, repairs to existing infrastructure, as well as water and sewer improvements. Various capital expenditures are also accounted for in Capital Project Ordinance funds, multi-year funds that exist for the life of the projects. The current Capital Project Ordinance funds that the Town has open are sidewalk projects and several recreational projects.
Other items make up the balance of the budget.
“About 40 percent of our current tax rate of 58.5 cents is used toward public safety,” Johnson said. “Only 35.78 cents of our current tax rate is used to provide the rest of the services we provide to the town.”
Those services include full-time law enforcement and fire protection, weekly solid waste/recycling/yard waste collection, monthly bulk solid waste collection, leaf collection, a Parks and Recreation department with open spaces, sidewalks and parks, and a professional staff to serve citizens.
Many of the costs for goods and services, labor, construction have risen and will continue to rise. Duke Energy, for one, is up 24 percent with announced additional rate increases over upcoming years. These must be accounted for in a budget.
The Town Council saw a proposed budget in May but removed some of the items in the June 13 budget retreat.
With the 4 cents increase in property tax, the average property tax value of a home in Jamestown would be $96 more per year.
On the positive side, over $4.5 million in grant funds have been secured in the past year and a half, thereby lessening the cost to the Town.
No one in the audience spoke during the public comment section of the meeting.
The vote
But even with all the previous budget retreats to iron out the needs, the vote was not unanimous, with first-term Councilmember Pam Burgess being the sole negative vote.
Burgess agreed the Councilmembers have worked hard with the staff but could not support the budget.
“This is not based on the staff but primarily the recent tax increases that we have been incurred with,” she said.
The remaining councilmembers all hoped to get the tax increase down to 3 cents but can live with the 4-cent increase. All voted in favor or the budget.
“It seems we are really out of line with what other municipalities around here are doing with the same inflationary pressures,” said the other first-term councilmember Sarah Glanville. “Maybe next year I can better educate myself as to what those towns have coming to them that we don’t that is requiring us to be so different. We’re experiencing about a 27 percent tax increase over two years.
“We did achieve what we were trying to achieve. We have to continue to keep the town moving forward, taking care of our assets,” said Councilmember Martha Wolfe.
“I appreciated everybody was willing to put some on the table,” said Councilmember Rebecca Rayborn.
“There were things I wish could have remained or been increased. “We were really trying to hit that lower number [instead of a 3¢ tax increase].”
The Capital Improvement Plan update passed unanimously.
Both the budget and CIP went into effect July 1.
In his budget message, Johnson quoted the mission of the Town is to “Create an exceptional quality of life for all citizens by providing superior services.”
“To help the Town realize its long-term vision and to continue to meet this mission statement systematically and incrementally, the Mayor and Town Council adopted a Strategic Plan in June 2021,” Johnson said. “Each year, the Town Council receives updates on the progress of the goals outlined in this plan in roughly six-month intervals. And, the Town Council adopts the annual update of the Strategic Plan during the budget adoption process. The Strategic Plan allows for continuity as staff and elected officials change and affords the citizens transparency related to the goals, which helps determine allocation of resources during the annual budget process.”
There are five areas of focus in the Strategic Plan: staff excellence, community outreach and involvement, infrastructure and facilities, public safety, and planning and development. These areas had to be taken into account when planning the new budget.
Several goals for the upcoming budget year include updating the Town’s website to expand functionality and ease of use, updating the purchasing policy for town staff, evaluating and planning for overflow parking at the Charles Turner Athletic Complex, and reviewing the historic assets and create plans to preserve and protect them.
The full budget message and figures may be found in the June 25, 2024 Town Council agenda at https:// www.jamestown-nc.gov/my-government/meetingminutes-and-schedules.
FROM THE FRONT
When to step down
My father had been president of Davidson College for almost 10 years when at age 58 he learned that he was afflicted with earlyonset Alzheimer’s disease.
He was popular with students, who often tossed frisbees with them as he walked across campus from his office to the president’s home. He was friendly, likable, and beloved by staff and townspeople.
By d.g. MaRTIn ONe ON ONe
Davidson’s campus escaped most of the turmoil that disrupted some other campuses. My father hired Lefty Driesell and Homer Smith who brought successful football and basketball teams to the campus.
The college continued to gain recognition as a premier liberal arts college.
There were problems, of course, but most people at Davidson looked forward to his service continuing for many years. The college’s trustees respected and supported him.
Some few noticed his forgetfulness about minor matters and a waning of his enthusiasm for new projects and new thinking. But he was widely popular and most assumed that they would not need a new president anytime soon.
But my mother noticed and insisted that he seek medical attention. At first, my father’s confidence in his own strengths kept him from believing he was compromised. But the doctors recognized early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
My mother pushed him to bring his illness to the attention of the chair of the college trustees who quickly and sensitively worked out my father’s retirement. Without her recognition of the seriousness of my father’s illness and her
acceptance of her and my father’s duty to the college, my father’s departure would have been a serious problem for the Davidson. Ultimately, my father understood, accepted the necessity of his withdrawal, and enjoyed his friendship with the new president, Sam Spencer.
What does my family’s and Davidson’s situation with my compromised father have to do with President Joe Biden?
Of course, they are different situations.
My father, with prodding from my mother, accepted the need to step aside.
The Bidens resist any talk of change, notwithstanding the president’s poor showing in the June 27 debate with Donald Trump.
The Economist, a respected British magazine, commented, “The mission for Joe Biden in the presidential debate held in Atlanta on June 27th was clear: to prove his critics wrong, by showing that he was mentally fit and thereby reverse the polling deficit that makes Donald Trump the favourite to win the American election in 2024.
“Unfortunately, his performance was an unmitigated disaster — perhaps the worst of any presidential candidate in modern history. The president, who is 81 (and would be 86 by the end of a second term in office), stammered indecipherably, struggled to complete his lines of attack and proved his doubters completely correct.
“Although Mr Trump was in his typical form — meandering, mendacious, vindictive — he somehow appeared the more coherent and lucid of the pair. Mr Biden’s decision to seek re-elec-
4 Wednesday, July 3, 2024 | Jamestown News
24-SP-599 NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE’S FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY
UNDER AND BY VIRTUE of the power and authority contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed and delivered by Patrick T. Woods and Adrienne M. Woods dated September 9, 2016 and recorded on October 3, 2016, in Book R 7861 at page 981, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Guilford County, North Carolina; and because of default in the payment of the indebtedness secured thereby and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the Note secured by said Deed of Trust, the undersigned Goddard & Peterson, PLLC (Substitute Trustee) will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on July 11, 2024 at 2:00 PM and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Guilford, North Carolina and being more particularly described in the above referenced Deed of Trust, together with all improvements located thereon:
Address of Property: 199 Country Club Drive, Greensboro, NC 27408
Tax Parcel ID: 12858
Present Record Owner: Patrick T. Woods and
tion rather than standing aside for a younger standard-bearer now looks like a reckless endangerment of the democracy he claims to want to protect.
“Merely quoting Mr Biden’s rhetorical bumblings does not do them justice, but they do give a sense of the shambles.
“Consider one of his lines at the very start of the debate, the first indicator that the president was in poor form: ‘Making sure that we continue to strengthen our health-care system, making sure that we’re able to make every single, solitary person eligible for what I’ve been able to do with the…uh, Covid…excuse me, dealing with everyone we had to do with… look, if we finally beat Medicare...’
“The moderator interrupted before further damage could be done, one of several coups de grâce graciously administered.”
Like my father, Joe Biden has served well. He should be recognized and remembered for what he accomplished for our country. He can serve best now by stepping aside and helping find and elect someone who can win and serve as president beginning January 20, 2025
D.G. Martin, a retired lawyer, served as UNC-System’s vice president for public affairs and hosted PBS-NC’s North Carolina Bookwatch.
and also had contacts with contractors and could show him examples of other pools. He hired me as a project manager and later suggested I be general manager. We want to add as many amenities as we can in the space we have.”
Future plans for the facility include the addition of a splash pad, a small putting range and a restaurant for casual dining. Navab has already met with an architect about installing the restaurant, which would include a dining area and access to pick up orders through the circle drive in front of the building.
“I told him what I wanted and he is going to tell me how or if we can make it work,” Navab said smiling. “It is still in the planning stage.”
There is the possibility of adding tennis and basketball courts as well.
Navab sees the additional amenities as a major draw to membership.
“We will offer water park amenities with a community atmosphere,” he said. “There will be different levels of membership for swimming, pickleball and the restaurant. Of course, there will also be a package deal.”
The children’s pool will not reopen until next year. The pool also will start having swim teams and competitions then through a
LEGAL NOTICES
Adrienne M. Woods
Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Said property is sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.
A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.
The real property described above is being offered for sale ‘‘AS IS, WHERE IS’’ and will be sold subject to all superior liens, unpaid taxes, and special assessments and any liens or encumbrances that would not be extinguished by non-judicial foreclosure.
Neither the Substitute Trustee nor the holder of the Note secured by the Deed of Trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representatives of either the Substitute Trustee or the holder of the Note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed.
The sale will be held open for ten (10) days
for upset bids as required by law. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, and any Land Transfer Tax as required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).
Third party, must pay the full bid amount, less any deposit that has been paid to the Substitute Trustee, immediately upon demand after the conclusion of the final upset bid period. Failure of the bidder to comply with the bid shall result in the resale of the property, with the defaulting bidder remaining liable upon their bid under the provisions of N.C.G.S. §45-21-30. If the Trustee or Substitute Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit.
Reasons of such inability to convey title include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the sale and reinstatement of the loan without knowledge of the Substitute Trustee(s). If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Substitute Trustee(s), in its/their sole discretion, if it/they believe(s) the challenge to have merit, may declare the sale to be void and return the deposit.
The purchaser will have no further remedy.
Additional Notice where the Real Property is Residential with less than 15 Rental Units:
An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of
partnership with Umbrella Aquatics Group, which is also handling maintenance of the pool.
This summer the main focus, however, is simply water fun. In addition to the opportunity to enjoy the water and soak up the sun, swim classes are available at a cost of $150 for members and $180 for non-members for private lessons and $70 for members and $90 for non-members for group lessons. These include six 30-minute sessions.
An aquatic fitness program provides a way to stay fit with a fun, low-impact approach. The cost is $10 per session for members and $13 for non-members with a minimum purchase of five sessions.
Classes are offered each weekday at 8, 9 and 10 a.m.
Since the pool was late in opening, membership fees have been prorated ranging in price from $350 for a single membership to $600 for a family. Day passes are available. There is no initiation fee to join this summer, but starting next season new members will have to pay a joining fee as well as their membership fee.
To learn more about Rao’s Pool Pickle Party see raospoolpickleparty. com or call 336-291-8430.
the County in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or/ after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the Notice that is at least ten (10) days, but no more than ninety (90) days, after the sale date contained in the Notice of Sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the Notice of Termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of such termination. This is a communication from a debt collector. The purpose of this Communication is to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection. If you are under the protection of the bankruptcy court or have been discharged as a result of a bankruptcy proceeding, this notice is given to you pursuant to statutory requirement and for informational purposes and is not intended as an attempt to collect a debt or as an act to collect,
david grier Martin
Coffee Break
Salome’s Stars
WEEK OF JULY 8, 2024
ARIES (March 21 to April 19)
Your Arian leadership qualities can help bring order out of confusion, whether it’s on the job or at home. But be careful to guide, not goad, others into following you.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)
Applying a more personal view to a job-linked issue could help provide better insight into persistent problems. Use your keen Taurean logic to cut through the double talk.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20)
Taking some time off could be the best way to get through a seemingly endless round of demands. You’ll return refreshed and ready to tackle things from a new perspective.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22)
Restoring a sagging professional relationship takes a lot of effort. By all means, state your position. But also make sure that you pay close attention to the other person’s point of view.
LEO (July 23 to August 22)
A hot prospect intrigues the Big
By deMI TaVeRas
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (R) — Thirty years after Beverly Hills Cop III hit theaters for the first time, the fourth installment of the franchise hits streaming on July 3! Having gone through multiple directors and screenwriters over the years, it took a while for the fourth film to come to fruition, with its development tracking all the way back to the mid-1990s. But they were able to get back on track in 2022, and Eddie Murphy, who also serves as a producer on the film, reprises his role as the titular character Axel Foley. Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Pinocchio) and Kevin Bacon
Cat, who is always on the prowl for a promising investment. But be careful that this “promise” has a chance of being kept. Check it out more carefully.
VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A friend could use some of your compassion and concern. If they don’t ask for help, be sure that you step up and make the first move. Also, check out a new career possibility.
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You might have difficulty getting your opinions heard because of all the noise being made by the other side. But hang in there. Others should line up with you once they learn the facts.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Offering to help a colleague is commendable. But before you commit your time and effort, check to see if this person’s situation is all that they have led you to believe it is.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) You should soon be seeing positive results from your recent efforts on behalf
of a family member. On another matter, check that you have all the facts regarding a job assignment.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Your aspects favor closer family relationships this week. Take time for visits, whether in person, by phone, by mail or in cyberspace. Let them know how important they are to you.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) A missed opportunity isn’t always a negative. Maybe your instincts are telling you not to rush into something you “thought” was worthwhile. Make time for family this weekend.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Your sense of humor helps you get through a tricky situation. But some stick-in-themuds might not be so willing to make the changes that you and others agree are necessary.
BORN THIS WEEK: You have a gift for making everyone you know — or even just met — feel important and welcome in your life.
(Leave the World Behind) join the cast, while Judge Reinhold also reprises his role as Billy Rosewood. Get ready for lots of laughs, thanks to Murphy’s signature humor. (Netflix)
Land of Women (TVMA) — Based on the best-
selling novel by Sandra Barneda, this series is billed as a “comedy-drama thriller.” Led and produced by Eva Longoria (Only Murders in the Building), the series follows Gala (Longoria), a woman whose life suddenly falls apart at the seams when she finds out
her husband is in debt for $15 million. Since he’s unable to pay the loan back, he begs her to leave town to avoid the ruthless loan sharks, so Gala decides to take her mother and daughter on a “girls’ trip” to Spain. Once there, their travels are anything but an
easy-breezy vacation, but Gala ends up learning much about herself and what the significance of family truly means to her. The first two episodes are out now, with subsequent episodes released every Wednesday. (Apple TV+)
Space Cadet (PG-13)
— There’s always one title featured that’s considered the weakest release of the week, and without a doubt, this week’s is a film starring Emma Roberts (Madame Web). Roberts plays a party girl in Florida named Rex who’s grown weary of her drunken routine. Since she often reflects on her hidden aspiration to become an astro-
naut, Rex decides that now is the time to finally pursue her dream. With the help of her best friend Nadine (Poppy Liu), who fibs just about everything on Rex’s resume, Rex surprisingly gets selected to participate in astronaut training. But when she arrives at Johnson Space Center in Houston, she can’t help but stick out like a sore thumb. Notable names in the cast include Gabrielle Union (The Perfect Find), Colombian pop artist Sebastian Yatra, and Desi Lydic ( The Daily Show), but not even they can save this movie. Out on July 4. (Amazon Prime Video)
Strange But True
By LUCIe WInBORne
• In October 1969, in a forest in the Palloneva region of Finland, farmer Heino Seppi split an aspen log and discovered its middle was rotten, forming a hollow that contained a dry fish around 1.3 feet long. No one knows how the fish got there.
• Christopher Columbus’ first transatlantic voyage traveled at a rate of around 2.8 miles per hour.
• Several of Aristotle’s writings have survived thanks to the men of a Roman army who invaded Asia Minor around 80 B.C., found a number of his manuscripts in a pit, and took the papers to their general, Sulla. It turned out that no other copies of many of them existed, and Sulla had them taken to Rome and recopied.
• Queen Berengaria of England, the wife of Richard the Lionheart, was the only English queen who never actually set foot on English soil.
• Allergy sufferers will not be surprised (nor like) to hear that pollen is one of the few natural substances that does not deteriorate.
• British Rail’s engineering division applied for and received a patent for a flying saucer capable of carrying 22 passengers in 1972, but apparently lost faith in the feasibility of the project just four years later, and allowed the patent to lapse.
• Although “Shoeless Joe” Jackson was barred from baseball’s Hall of Fame for his alleged role in the 1919 Black Sox Scandal (he pleaded innocent), his spiked, black leather shoes can still be found there.
Thought for the Day: “Don’t count the days, make the days count.” — Muhammad Ali
• The Eiffel Tower in Paris, the City of Light’s best-known monument, was saved from demolition in 1909 only because there was an antenna of great importance to French radio telegraphy mounted at the top of it.
King Features
King Features Synd., Inc.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
From left, John ashton, eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold star in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.
celebrate independence day with a classic Blueberry cherry Buckle
By PaTTI dIaMOnd
DIVAS ON A DIMe
This week we have the perfect summer dessert for Independence Day. Picture this: a bowl of warm, freshly baked Blueberry Cherry Buckle. Each spoonful blends tart and sweet, vanilla and butter, perfectly complemented by a scoop of cool, creamy vanilla ice cream melting into the warm dessert. It’s a slice of nostalgia, evoking memories of simpler times and Grandma’s kitchen.
A buckle is a traditional American dessert with a cake-like batter and fruit, usually berries, baked until the batter rises and the fruit “buckles,” or sinks, creating a rustic appearance. The name “buckle” comes from this effect.
This delightful buckle brings together the patriotic colors of red, white and blue, making it a perfect dessert for Independence Day.
Historically, buckles were a practical way to use up fresh, seasonal fruit, making them a beloved part of home-baking traditions. They are similar to other fruit desserts like cobblers and crisps, but the key difference is the cake-like batter that envelops the fruit, creating a moist, tender crumb that pairs perfectly with the juicy fruit. This delightful dessert is cherished for its simplicity, versatility and the comforting, homey feel it brings to the table. Here’s how to make this easy yet impressive dessert:
BLUEBERRY CHERRY BUCKLE
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Total Time: 55 minutes
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
By JOann deRsOn
•
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 cup fresh or frozen cherries
Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Preheat your oven to 375 F and position a rack in the center. Place the butter in a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan and put the pan in the oven. Once the butter has melted, take the pan out of the oven.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Add the milk and vanilla, stirring to combine. It’s OK if the batter is a bit lumpy. Pour the batter into the pan with the melted butter and gently stir with a spoon. Make sure to leave some visible streaks of melted butter, as these will create delicious, buttery, caramelized edges. Evenly distribute the blueberries and cherries over the batter. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the top is golden brown. Be sure not to remove it too early, as the buckle may collapse in the center. Wait until it’s golden and set in the middle. Let the buckle cool on a rack for 10 minutes before serving warm with a scoop of ice cream.
Make It Your Own
The beauty of a buckle lies in its versatility. While blueberries and cherries create a wonderful patriotic theme, you can substitute other fruits as long as they total 2 full
Photo courtesy of www.JasonCoblentz.com Indulge in the patriotic colors and summer flavors with Blueberry Cherry Buckle.
cups. Here are some delicious alternatives:
— Peaches and Raspberries: For a juicy, fragrant combination.
— Strawberries and Blackberries: Offering a lovely balance of sweetness and tartness.
— Just Blueberries: The classic buckle, simple and delicious.
— Rhubarb Strawberry Buckle: Mixed chopped rhubarb with sliced strawberries offer another perfect balance of tart and sweet.
— Blackberry Peach Buckle: Pair slightly tart blackberries with juicy sliced peaches to create a lovely summertime flavor combination.
No matter which fruits you choose, this old-fashioned dessert is sure to bring a touch of nostalgia and a whole lot of joy to your Independence Day celebrations. So, gather your loved ones and enjoy the warm, comforting flavors of this homemade treat as you watch the fireworks light up the sky. Happy Fourth of July!
get a new one. The kids love to hear the sizzle, their feet won’t get burned on hot sparklers underfoot, and there will be no stray sparklers in the grass hidden for later. (Thanks, J.C.!)
• Keep in your living room or family room a globe or world map and a dictionary. This way, you can look up the meaning or spelling of a word if you hear it on television, and you’ll be able to reference the map for places mentioned. I consult mine often.
• “I use the large pails of kitty litter. They have a lid that can be removed completely but also has a pour spout. I save my empties to collect rainwater. I remove the lid and set them out to catch water when it rains, then put the lid on so that the water does not attract mosquitoes. I use it to water my flowers between storms.” — via email
• “Purchase a variety of wood frames from secondhand stores or tag sales, and paint them all one color. It makes a statement when you hang them all close together on a wall. We created a nice large display this way, and it was very inexpensive to do.” — E.M. in Arizona
• Create your own charging station: Find a wooden box large enough to hold a multistrip power connection and pretty enough to sit on the counter. Drill one hole in the side to fit the plug. In the top of the box, create holes through which you can fit your electronics connectors (cellphones, iPad, camera, etc.). All the cords will be stored in the box, out of sight.
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