September 2013
The Greater Raleigh Court Civic League
www.grccl.org
Celebrating 35 Years of Service to Our Neighborhood
GRCCL Turns
The September 12 potluck supper and meeting kicks off the 35th anniversary of the Greater Raleigh Court Civic League’s founding in 1978. Through next May, we will be celebrating this milestone and the people who have made your league one of the strongest and most active in the city.
The Greater Raleigh Court Civic was organized in 1978 after two residents, Kitty Roche and Anne Glenn, rallied neighbors together to protest a zoning variance. From that knot of concerned citizens has grown the neighborhood organization that exists today to preserve the character of our community and promote the welfare of our citizens. Representing Raleigh Court, Center Hill, Ghent, Lakewood, Lee-Hy Court, Rosalind Hills, Virginia
Heights, and Westhampton, the GRCCL encourages understanding of and participation in our city government and has a strong voice in city affairs.
Since its beginning, the league has been involved in numerous issues of concern to neighborhood residents. The league has been successful in keeping halfway houses out of the neighborhood, rezoning approximately 1,200 properties to lower density residential use to prevent the conversion of single-family houses to multifamily use, supporting the revival of a 1930s vintage movie house, developing a greenway through the neighborhood, building a soccer field, influencing design of a nursing home and a new RiteAid drug store, replacing street trees, solving parking (...continued page 4)
How to Deal With Problem Neighbors Barking dogs, overgrown lawns, loud music, cars parked in yards, unresponsive absentee landlords, late-night parties. Who hasn’t experienced one or another of these annoyances of urban living? Even neighborhoods like Greater Raleigh Court experience their share of “problems with the neighbors.” Usually the best first step is to approach the offending neighbor directly but politely. However, if a request for resolution falls on deaf ears or is met with hostility, where do you go? The Greater Raleigh Court Civic League addresses the issue of troublesome neighbors at the September
12 meeting. Barry Stacy and Kim Asbury of the city’s code enforcement office and Bob Clement, the city’s neighborhood services coordinator, will be on hand to offer answers. This is one meeting you won’t want to miss. The September meeting at Christ Lutheran Church is the annual potluck dinner and starts at 6:30 p.m. instead of the usual 7 p.m. The league will provide barbecued chicken and soft drinks. Members, please bring a vegetable or dessert dish to share and bring a potential new GRCCL member.
Inside This Issue President’s Message..................................................... 3 2013-14 Events......................................................... 4 14th Annual Potter’s Guild Show............................... 5 Gas Company Project Almost Complete....................... 6
No More Hopping the Curb....................................... 6 Potentially Chic Opens on Westover............................. 8 Comings and Goings in the Village............................. 9 From The Editor...................................................... 11
Your Civic League Officers and Committee Chairs 2013-14 OFFICERS President: Jake Gilmer jake.gilmer@gmail.com Vice-President: Vacant Treasurer: Chad Braby chadbraby12@gmail.com Recording Secretary: Vacant DIRECTORS AT LARGE Parke Loesel JKPLoesel@aol.com Matt Pritts pritts@woodsrogers.com Jenny Prickitt antiquesbuyjenny@aol.com Brenda McDaniel bmcdaniel19@cox.net Louella Clement fusia622013@yahoo.com IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: Chad Braby chadbraby12@gmail.com COMMITTEE CHAIRS Membership: Martha Graves mgraves@wdbj7.com Adopt-a-Highway: Stacey Lam
Program: Parke Loesel JKPLoesel@aol.com Newsletter Editor: Brenda McDaniel bmcdaniel19@cox.net Newsletter Advertising: Jake Gilmer jake.gilmer@gmail.com
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, and May.
Special Projects: Tony Stavola astavola@carilion.com Building Management: Carl Cress carl.cress@edwardjones.com Grandin Road Merchants Liaison: Jenny Prickitt antiquesbuyjenny@aol.com Website: Jake Gilmer jake.gilmer@gmail.com
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From the President By Jake Gilmer
Happy Anniversary! This year the Greater Raleigh Court Civic Leagues marks 35 years of service to our neighborhood. Over those years the Civic League has held a vigilant role in protecting and improving our neighborhood and village. In this issue, and during the upcoming year, you will hear much more about our accomplishments through the decades. But today, I would like focus on a recent way that your Civic League is working on your behalf to keep our neighborhood the best place to live, eat, and shop. Many of you have probably heard about the challenges that our beloved Grandin Village has experienced. Over the past couple of years there has been a growing number of young people hanging out in the Village for extended periods of time. Many observers initially saw this as yet another example of the success of the village and neighborhood. It is a friendly, safe place to be and be seen, so why wouldn’t young people want to be there just like everyone else? Over time however, it became apparent that many of the young people were not there for the same reason that many come to the Village. They didn’t eat at the great restaurants, buy food at the Co-op, or purchase cool things from the shops. Initially, this was fine with the Village business owners, but then some of the young people started harassing their customers. We began to hear accounts of foul language, lewd comments, and dangerous near misses with skateboards. Finally, last year, the businesses decided that they could not take anymore and hired an off-duty police officer to encourage better behavior. They also encouraged concerned citizens to spend time in the Village, sit on the benches, and bring a positive attitude to the space. The businesses did not question the right of the young people to be in the Village, they just asked that they not offend or scare their customers. This went on throughout 2012. The colder months were better, but in the warmer season, with schools out in the afternoon or during summer break, the challenges resumed.
most critical days and times, as well as more frequent updates to the community. The Business Association is looking into additional steps it can take to improve the conditions in the Village. The Civic League has agreed to partner with both parties to explore the possibility of a neighborhood watch. On National Night Out in August, we handed out over 50 brochures in the Village about forming a neighborhood watch and had several people signed up to get involved. We all love going to the Grandin Village and certainly understand why so many people of all ages spend time there every day. I encourage everyone to come to the Village and relax on one of the convenient park benches and help us maintain the positive atmosphere that we all love. Also, if you would like to get involved in the formation of a neighborhood watch please contact Marilyn Moody at marilena79@cox.net.
Then came the summer of 2013. The issues began to spillover into the night and a decidedly older group of adults seemed now to be involved. Several incidents occurred that involved neighborhood children and youth, and there were unconfirmed reports of illegal drug sales in the Village. Teenagers sitting on benches are one thing, but the possibility of drugs and the suspicious presence of older adults really got our attention. On behalf of the Civic League, I agreed to meet with the Business Association and the City of Roanoke Police Chief to discuss the situation. The police could not confirm all of the alleged activities, but committed to implement an enhanced presence in the Village during the Page 3
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Serving Grandin Village for 10 Years
2013-14 GRCCL Events Mark your calendar now for all five of the 2013-14 meetings of the Greater Raleigh Court Civic League. All are held at Christ Lutheran Church at the intersection of Grandin and Brandon. Lots of free parking.
September 12 (potluck) 6:30 p.m. November 14
7 p.m.
January 9
7 p.m.
March 13
7 p.m.
May 8
7 p.m.
The Civic League Board of Directors held its annual retreat this summer and planned a multitude of great events for this year. First is our annual potluck on September 12, which features great food and conversation for all of our membership. Also in September and October we are cohosting the Grandin Chillage in partnership with the Grandin Village Business Association. In November we will team up with the Association again to hold the valley’s first holiday parade on November 23rd, the Grandin Children’s Holiday Parade. Our 2014 gatherings will include an update from the city on the long-awaited renovation and expansion plans for the Raleigh Court Library. Then in March we will host our bi-annual City Council Candidate debate, which is always the first in the city and a very lively, well attended event. We are pleased to have WSLS News Anchor John Carlin moderating the debate. The Civic League will close out the season with its annual Grandin Village Block Party in May. (...continued from 1)
problems, slowing speeders, and stopping crimes. The league won a Neighborhood of the Year Award from Neighborhoods USA in 1992 for a project that helped catch a thief and stop a series of home burglaries.
supports the summertime Grandin Chillage and with the Grandin Village Business Association co-sponsors the Grandin Road Children’s Holiday Parade in November.
Today the civic league is still involved in zoning, the issue that gave it birth in 1978, and reviews all requests for rezoning in the neighborhood. The league also is working closely with the Grandin Village Business Association to keep the commercial section of our neighborhood vibrant, attractive and safe. The league holds five membership meetings per year, publishes an award-winning newsletter, sponsors a neighborhood block party, a pot-luck dinner every September,
Without the league’s leadership and actions to enhance and preserve quality of life and serve as a watch dog for destructive forces, Greater Raleigh Court might be a very different neighborhood today. If you are not a member of the GRCCL, please join now at the incredibly low annual fee of $10 for a family or $15 for a business or $100 for a lifetime membership. If you are a member, thank you and please continue to support your league by participating in or volunteering to help out with neighborhood activities. Happy Anniversary, GRCCL!
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Patrick Henry to Host 14th Annual Potters Guild Show and Sale Oct. 18-20 The Blue Ridge Potters Guild will hold its 14th Annual Show and Sale October 18, 19 and 20 at Patrick Henry High School. The show and sale is the largest all-pottery show in Virginia and features functional and decorative works of art. This year, more than 70 potters will display and sell their unique works. Organizers anticipate an attendance of 2,000 to 3,000.
clay and to learn how pottery is shaped and formed. “This activity brings children and clay together in exciting ways while parents can enjoy looking at pottery knowing their children are having fun too,” says Nan Fooks, Kids Korner co-chair.
The Show and Sale opens on Friday, October 18, at 6 p.m. Customers enjoy refreshments as they wander through the potters’ booths looking for the “perfect” piece of pottery to purchase or just admire. The show and sale continues Saturday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, October 20, from noon to 5 p.m. Demonstrations of pottery techniques such as hand-thrown, hand-built and sculpted clay art will be held throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday. The show and sale celebrates the beauty, art and function of pottery. “Pottery has been hand-made and used for centuries, and each piece is unique,” says Gwynne Myers, chair of this year’s show. Kids Korner! Children love making things, and the Kids Korner offers a hands-on activity for children to experience working with
The show and sale will include a special gallery dedicated to this year’s theme, “Earth, Fire & Art.” Potters will exhibit work that interprets the theme. An invited juror will judge the entries and award certificates of merit to select potters based on the quality of the work as it relates to various aspects of the theme. Some of the pieces displayed in the gallery will also be for sale. The Blue Ridge Potters Guild is a non-profit organization for potters located throughout Southwest Virginia and beyond. Based in Roanoke, the Blue Ridge Potters Guild’s mission is to promote community awareness, understanding and appreciation of pottery. The Guild encourages artistic and professional growth among its members and promotes the craft of pottery to the public through programs, shows and exhibits. Several members live in Greater Raleigh Court, including Barbara Wise, Robin Barnhill, Maya Bohler, Nan Fooks, and Brenda Goad. To learn more about the Blue Ridge Potters Guild and for membership information, the website is blueridgepotters.com.
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Gas Company Project Almost Complete Road Closed! Steel Plates Ahead. Cones, backhoes, beeping trucks, workers in hard hats and reflective vests, yellow flags, port-o-potties, and paving patches are things Greater Raleigh Court has lived with all summer as Roanoke Gas Company has worked on a system renewal project to replace a portion of its natural gas distribution lines in the Grandin Road area. This project is necessary to replace older cast iron and bare steel piping in the
A familiar sight in our neighborhood this summer as Roanoke Gas has worked to replace old service lines.
area. The project is due to be completed by mid-September and once it is, approximately 2.3 miles of distribution main line and 240 service lines will have been replaced with polyethylene (PE) plastic pipe specifically designed for natural gas. If you are currently not a Roanoke Gas customer, the company says now would be a good time to add gas service. If you are interested in adding gas service, please call Brett Bennett at (540) 777-3971.
No More Hopping the Curb By Jake Gilmer
The Greater Raleigh Court Civic League has owned the building that is home to Pop’s for many years. Unfortunately, the building has had challenges with flooding in the basement. We have invested in a variety of remedies over the years to improve the situation, but could never completely eliminate the problem. In 2012, the Grandin Village Business Association approached us about partnering to improve the water situation near Pop’s on Memorial Avenue. In front of Pop’s and Spikes there were two curb cuts that once allowed vehicles alley access, but now were acting as a convenient route for stormwater to hop the curb and run along the sidewalk into the buildings. The Business Association submitted a Neighborhood Development Grant to improve the curbs and the civic league agreed to administer the funds and coordinate the project.
Great news arrived that the City of Roanoke had approved the grant; however then came the challenge of getting the job done. We received contractor estimates for completion of the work, but prices had increased dramatically since our original estimates. That is when we decided to approach the City Public Works Department about partnering to complete the projects. They actually had their own contractors doing work in the vicinity and were able to complete the work using payment from our grant. As of this summer, there are two new curb sections in front of Pop’s and not only does it look much better, we no longer have stormwater hopping the curb. We thank the Business Association and the City of Roanoke for making this project possible.
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Potentially Chic Opens on Westover By Susan Koch
This summer Grandin Village welcomed a charming new shop run by two enthusiastic women. The shop is appropriately named “Potentially Chic” since it specializes in furniture and other items that have been restyled and turned from shabby to chic. Owners Gloria Fox and Lisa Fuller bubble with excitement. The two met when they both rented space at The Mercantile on Apperson. When the owner decided to close this eclectic used furniture mall, Gloria and Lisa decided to go into business together. They combined the name of Lisa’s shop—“Shabby Chic” with that of Gloria’s “Potentially Beautiful” shop to name their new store. They looked around for space and jumped when they found the cozy Grandin Village space around the corner from Rockfish. Just like their merchandise, they’ve re-purposed the former gold store into a charming space. They’ve repainted the outside and stenciled the floors inside. Showcasing their creativity, they custom mixed the “duck’s egg blue” paint for the walls from left over paint. Most of the merchandise in the store is found items that Gloria and Lisa have re-styled. They offer a selection of furniture, lamps and other items for the home. On a recent sunny afternoon, Gloria was outside painting a chair in a stunning blue. She was using the C. C. Caldwell chalk and clay paint that Potentially Chic sells. It’s a natural product with no volatile organic compounds. Potentially Chic also sells products from two other local women—bibs made by a stay-at-home mom and Velvet Peony jewelry made by a local artisan.
Gloria Fox (left) and Lisa Fuller in front of their new shop, Potentially Chic, on Westover Avenue.(Photo by Jim Huizenga)
Have Paintbrush. . . Will Travel Confounded by a decorating conundrum? A large part of Gloria and Lisa’s business is sharing their creativity with others. If you have a piece of furniture in the basement and don’t know what to do with it, Gloria or Lisa will come to your house to help you turn it into something unique and personal. They frequently visit a customer’s house to re-paint furniture, change hardware or do whatever it takes to bring life back into something old. They also help homeowners with staging their houses for sale. The pair loves being in Grandin Village, and the Village merchants have been welcoming. Both Urban Gypsy and New to Me have some of their merchandise. The Grandin Theatre and CUPs donated food and drink for their grand opening in June. And they appreciate the “walking community” of Raleigh Court, which means a steady stream of customers popping in. Lisa and Gloria are clearly having fun. Both say owning their new shop is nothing like having a job. Like many small business owners, says Gloria, they’re happy to work 80 hours a week to avoid having to work 40 hours at a desk job. Potentially Chic | 1920 C Westover facebook.com/potentially chic www.potentiallychic.com Tues- Fri 10 - 5 | Sat 9 - 5
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Comings and Goings in the Village By Susan Koch
There’s been a lot of activity in Grandin Village over the past several months, with some exciting new merchants arriving and old friends leaving. In addition to Potentially Chic, profiled in this edition, here are some of the changes:
Cherie Love, a longtime employee of the Co-op, has branched out at Mon Cherie’s Salon. Opened late last year in a renovated house on Grandin, the salon welcomes walkins. 1419 Grandin, 904-2400
COMINGS
F. Geoffrey, Limited, that great source for gifts, estate and fine jewelry, is now open by appointment. 1919 Westover; for an appointment: 345-8881 or info@fgeoffreyltd.com
Starlight Bicycles has opened next to Too Many Books. Not only do they sell and rent bikes, they also offer all kinds or riding gear and advice. 1502 Grandin, Mon - Fri 10:00 6:00, Sat 10:00 – 2:00
GOINGS
Harwood Paint and Hardware has re-opened after the death of manager Jeff Franco this spring. The store carries the high quality Benjamin Moore paint line, as well as many handy tools, garden and lawn implements. 1418 Grandin, Mon - Fri 8:00 - 6:00 Sat 9:00 - 2:00 Black Dog Salvage has made the big time with its own national TV series. Called Salvage Dawgs, the local crew appears on DIY Network and sometimes on HGTV. Who knew there’s so much drama in architectural salvage? Watching the program is almost as much fun as visiting this amazing warehouse and marketplace right across Memorial Bridge. 902 13th Street, Mon - Fri 10:00 - 6:00, blackdogsalvage.com
Harvey’s Cleaners on Memorial has closed, and for the first time in more than three decades, our neighborhood is without a dry cleaner. Also closing was the Japanese restaurant that for a brief time replaced Norberto’s on Memorial. Surf ‘n Turf on Grandin is closed, but there are plans for a new restaurant in this space. Stay tuned.
2013 RALEIGH COURT BLOCK PARTY
Thanks to the following sponsors who made the May 20 event a great success!
Grandin Village Business Association Greater Raleigh Court Civic League
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Thanks to generous sponsors and dedicated, hard-working volunteers, the May 20 block party in the Village was a huge success, as this young man would attest. (Photo by Jim Loesel)
Raleigh Court photographer Rebecca Talbot talks about her work as potter Barbara Wise looks on. Both were part of an artists panel featured at the May GRCCL meeting. Other participants were Jerry Huber who does house, people and pet portraits, and multi-media artist Katherine Devine. Douglas Jackson, former chair of the Roanoke Arts Commission, moderated the panel discussion. (Photo by Jim Loesel)
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From the Editor By Brenda McDaniel
I’m baaaaack! After a nine-year hiatus from active duty in the Greater Raleigh Court Civic League, I am back for a second round as editor of the league’s newsletter. If you are saying Brenda Who? Good. That means you are a relatively new GRCCL member and we need that new blood. New blood is what has kept the GRCCL strong and effective as a neighborhood advocate and watch dog for the past 35 years. Although I was loosely involved in those fledgling days in 1978 when we were fighting (successfully) to prevent a zoning change that would have allowed the convenience store at Brandon and Carter from selling gasoline and staying open all night, I didn’t get really involved until I moved back to Roanoke in 1993 after a three-month “visit” to Charlotte. My job at Dominion Bankshares had been gobbled up by First Union and I was given a perfectly lovely job in the Queen City. But the Queen City was a poor substitute for the Star City in my book. After three months in Charlotte and a job offer from Hollins College, I hightailed it back to Roanoke. Tony Stavola, president, and Mike Urbanski, vice president, hit me up for service when I was at my most vulnerable. I guess they noticed I was kissing the ground, so happy was I to be back in Roanoke and Raleigh Court. They asked me to do the newsletter, which I did for two years followed by two years as vice president and two years as president. During the time I was editor, the Court Reporter won the newsletter award from the Roanoke Neighborhood Partnership. It would be nice to win another such award, but to me the greatest payback of all would be an increase in membership. We need that new blood. It is our neighborhood’s lifeblood.
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If you love this neighborhood as I have for the past 35 years, please do whatever you can to support it whether that means simply paying your dues or stepping up as an event volunteer or board member. It’s a neighborhood thing and everybody is important. If you have ideas about what the civic league or the newsletter ought to be doing, drop me a line at bmcdaniel19@cox.net.
Vote November 5 Don’t forget to vote in the upcoming November 5 election with local races for sheriff, commissioner of revenue, commonwealth’s attorney and treasurer, and statewide races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and House of Delegates. If you aren’t registered, deadline for registration is October 15. Deadline for absentee voting is October 29 by mail and November 2 at 5 p.m. in person. City residents can register to vote at any voter registrar’s office in Virginia, the DMV office, any post office, any public library or any state agency. Page 11
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Greater Raleigh Court Civic League P.O. Box 3092 Roanoke, VA 24015
Membership Form
q new member q renewing member
New members are welcome to join the Civic League at any time. You may pay your dues at the next membership meeting. Multiyear or life memberships are welcome! The Greater Raleigh Court 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
City
State
Home Phone
Business Phone
Amount Enclosed I’d like to help out with:
ZIP
Donation q in memory of q in honor of