ginter gazette...issue number 1 february 2017 ginter gazette gpra board meeting tuesday, february 21...

Issue Number 1 February 2017

Ginter Gazette

GPRA Board MeetingTuesday, February 217:00 p.m.LGRA BuildingHawthorne and Walton

General Meeting and DinnerTuesday, February 286:30 p.m.LGRA BuildingHawthorne and Walton

Dates to Remember...

continued on page 11

February 28 Mardi GrasSpeaker Eric Rhoades, RPS

Our general meeting on Tuesday, February 28 will have a Mardi Gras theme with a prize for the best mask. For a festive atmosphere wear Mardi Gras beads or purple/gold/emerald green if you can.

While the GPRA provides the entrée, please bring something for the potluck that reminds you of New Orleans or a favorite winter food. Dinner will begin at 6:30 at the Lewis Ginter Recreation Association building, Hawthorne & Walton, with the program at 7:00.

The program will be a talk by the Director of Curriculum and Instruction from Richmond Public Schools, Eric Rhoades. He will talk about the distinct secondary schools that require special application. These include Franklin leadership middle school and military high school; the International Baccalaureate middle school program at Brown and high school program at Thomas Jefferson; the college prep middle school program at Binford; Open High School; Community High School for the gifted; Maggie Walker Governor’s regional high school for the gifted; and the Appomattox regional high school for the arts. He will also explain the application procedure and deadlines.

wear your mask

Ginter Park 2017 Home and Garden TourRestoration Renovation Renaissance

The GPRA Home and Garden Tour, scheduled for May 6, 2017, is just a few months away. The upcoming Home and Garden Tour theme will reflect some of the restoration, renovation, and preservation efforts in Ginter Park. The current list of homes includes several “first time” participants. After a one year hiatus, we are looking forward to the opportunity of showcasing the preserved charm, enchanting gardens, and architectural diversity of Ginter Park. It will be a great day for neighbors and visitors to celebrate our ‘hometown near downtown.”

This newsletter is produced by: Ginter Park Residents Association

P.O. Box 25374 Richmond, Virginia 23260-5374Published monthly except January and August

President Christina Shelor [email protected]

Vice President Norma Murdoch-Kitt [email protected]

Secretary Louise Wenzell [email protected]

Treasurer Amy Whelan treasurer@historicginter park.org

Past President Rebecca Dodson [email protected]

Public Safety Dick Stone Committee [email protected] Chair Rick Fox [email protected] Chair Norma Murdoch-Kitt [email protected] | 303-6770

Membership Dave Pohlmann [email protected] & Zoning Stephen Weisensale [email protected] Susie Burtch [email protected] Group Annette Foster 274-0175

District RepresentativesA Nicholas Smith [email protected] Richard Minter [email protected] Patrick Held [email protected] B Peter Goldin [email protected] Steve Skinner [email protected] Jonathan Murdoch-Kitt [email protected] vacant [email protected] Sidney Bland [email protected] Jay Johnson [email protected] large Meg LawrenceNewsletter Editor Anne Thorn 353-9363Advertising Robin Levey | [email protected]

Advertising and copy deadline is the second weekend of each month. Send comments, corrections and articles to:

Editorial Committee, P.O. Box 25374 Richmond, VA 23260©Copyright GPRA 2008

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Visit our website to view a detailed map of

the GPRA districts.

www.ginterpark.org

February 2017

HigHER AcHiEvEmEnt is an organization serving middle school students in Richmond and Henrico through a rigorous, year-round academic programming. They operate an Achievement Center out of Henderson Middle School with some done-in-a-day volunteer opportunities.

In their Guest Speaker series, speakers present a one hour program (6:30 to 7:30 p.m.) on a variety of topics. You could choose a career path, travel, hobbies, or a political or historical topic. You would present a talk, discussion or some activity to a small or large group of middle school youth.

To represent your organization or share your experiences, call 804-385-6598 or email [email protected].

Your Expertise Appreciated

649-7501

PLUMBING ELECTRICALHEATING COOLING GENERATORS

HEATING OIL

3February 2017

Uniquely HomeJoan Peaslee Real Estate

804.405.7726 www.joanpeaslee.comBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty

February 2017 4

•

The GPRA was fortunate to have the talents of Sharon Pohlmann as treasurer for several years. Sharon reorganized the financial records and kept the GPRA on budget, which she created with financial chair Rick Fox.

Stepping into her shoes is a new volunteer, Amy Whelan, from Moss Side Avenue. A West Coast native, Amy grew up in Seattle and the Portland area, and had a short stint in Texas before moving to Richmond and Ginter Park three years ago.

Formerly an IT project manager, she now works in digital marketing for Swedish Match .

Amy and her fiancé Brian Hurd are planning a spring wedding. Brian is an account manager for EMC/Dell. Along with their Australian Shephard, Jasper, they can regularly be seen walking around the neighborhood. Brian is trying to sell Amy on car racing (she can’t ignore revving NASCAR motors twice a year). Other hobbies are traveling and the common Ginter Park activity of remodeling.

New GPRA Treasurer

Long & Foster is the #1 Brokerage for Sales and Listings in Ginter Park

Strawberry Street Sales 409 Strawberry Street Richmond, VA 23220

StrawberryStreetSales.com 804-340-0840

Bellevue Cleaners1201 Bellevue Avenue • 264-8010

ClassIC TOuCH CleanInG

classictouchcleaning.com1229 Bellevue Avenue • 262-6979

DOT’s BaCk Inn

dotsbackrichmond.com4030 MacArthur • 266-3167

la PeTITe BOuTIQue

4025 MacArthur Avenue • 787-4242

lewIs GInTer BOTanICal GarDen

lewisginter.org1800 Lakeside Avenue • 262-9887

lITTle HOuse Green GrOCery

littlehousegreengrocery.com1227 Bellevue Avenue • 262-7474

lIsa ZaMOra MassaGe THeraPy


luCky GInGer sTuDIOluckygingerstudio.com • 683-6173

nICOla FlOra

nicolaflora.com1219 Bellevue Avenue • 261-1060

OnCe uPOn a vIne

onceuponavine.us4009 MacArthur Avenue • 726-9463

sTIr CraZy CaFé rvastircrazyrva.com


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1311 Palmyra Avenue • 358-1200

ZOuZOu’s BaseMenTzouzousbasement.com • 928-6130

If you’d like to notify us of new neighbors to welcome, please send an e-mail containing their name and address

to: [email protected].

sends a HUGE Thank You to the following local merchants who have generously contributed to our new neighbor welcome bags.

The Ginter Park Welcome Committee

Amy Whelan

5February 2017

In December, residents of five assisted living facilities—four of them located in Ginter Park — received a variety of one-of-a-kind, handmade crochet and knit items made especially for them as a special holiday surprise.

At the beginning of 2016, thru the Nextdoor North Richmond neighborhood blog, word of mouth, and friendships, a small group of interested stitchers was formed. Our initial goal was to make and donate 100 crochet and knit items to the Madison House Assisted Living facility in Ginter Park by December 1. Throughout 2016, we made and collected a variety of knit and crochet hats, scarves, cowls, fingerless gloves, and mittens. Working together, our small group of stitchers actually made and donated 208 items (not 100) to 5 facilities (not just 1) far exceeding our initial goal. A holiday celebration indeed!

Assisted Living Gifts by Sheila Weisensale

Thru this outreach project, our small group of stitchers helped ensure that many of the adult residents of the assisted living facilities in our community — many of which are mentally-impaired, without family, and disadvantaged—had smiles on their faces during the holiday season while sporting their new, fun cold weather apparel. The homes included Humphrey’s Retirement Home, O’Brien Home for the Elderly, Chamberlayne Assisted Living, Madison House and Winthrop Manor.

Do you need an outlet for your knit or crochet addiction? Do you want to use up all those extra balls, hanks, and skeins of yarn lying around your house? If so, please consider joining our small group of stitchers in 2017 or consider donating yarn for our group to transform.

Contact Sheila Weisensale at (804) 553-1596 or [email protected] for more information.

Proven sales record since 2001I have expertise in Market Valuations, Negotiations, Advertising, Home Staging, Inspections, Appraisals, Investing & Mortgage Financing.

Chris Hollister REALTOR®Hollister Properties5407 Patterson Ave., Suite 101Richmond, VA 23226

[email protected]

www.HollisterSales.com

Thinking about selling your home in Ginter Park?

Contact me for a FREE market analysis.

6 February 2017

MEET YouR CoMMuNiTY ANd GET iNvoLvEd!Join the GPRANOW is the time to meet new neighbors, participate in shared activities, and get involved with the community. GPRA membership dues are only $35 per year. You can pay via PayPal through the GPRA website Ginterpark.org. Click on “Join GPRA”. Or send a check with the coupon on page 10 to GPRA, P.O. Box 25374, Richmond, VA 25374. Act now!

Activities for All members• The general meetings in 2016 were very informative and addressed issues in the Ginter Park community. The year’s general meetings included a casserole/chili cook-off, and a visit by Richmond’s newly elected mayor, Levar Stoney.

• Two walking tours of historic blocks in Ginter Park with our guide Charlie Brock provided details of the families who built the homes in the 3600 block of Hawthorne and the 3400 block of Noble.

• Board members of the GPRA judged houses in the Scene from the Street contest and voted for the most beautiful landscapes and gardens of the four GPRA districts. Association members whose houses are voted as best receive a gift certificate to Azalea Gardens, and the grand winner receives a stone plaque commemorating his/her win.

• On National Night out in August, GPRA members invited neighbors over for a “night out” with food, drink, and conversation at various locations.

• Once again, Stephanie Berv outdid herself and organized another progressive dinner, the sixth year she has done so. This year’s theme was Parisian fare, and produced a fabulous evening. What a great way to meet neighbors — over appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts, all in different homes of your Ginter Park neighbors. By joining the GPRA, you can also choose to participate and host your own course.

• Once again, the Holiday Gala, held at the Ginter Park Recreation Association, was a rousing success, with great food, music, and dancing.

Achievements of the Board• Kept the concerns of the neighbors in play as the Seminary advanced its plans for the Westwood Tract. The Ginter Park/Sherwood Park Task Group continued to engage the Seminary as well as its neighbors with regard to this proposed

development. Currently, the committee is working with the City of Richmond (Council and planning staff) and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development on the developer’s request for loan insurance, an effort which also includes the Historic Richmond Foundation and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Over the past several years, task group members have expended more than four hundred volunteer hours in this effort.

• Heard proposals for, and recommended action regarding several zoning changes and Special Use Permits. The City planning staff encourages those planning to re-purpose Ginter Park properties to discuss such proposals with the GPRA Board before advancing their project through planning review.

We approved conversion of a former travel home on the 3200 block of Chamberlayne into office space and the installation of a custom residential solar panel array at 3407 Chamberlayne. We also worked with the Battery Park Association and the Virginia Treatment Center for Children to address the neighbors’ concerns over placement of expanded parking on the Center’s site and other issues related to this project.

• Met with the new owners of a large complex of apartment buildings on Chamberlayne Ave north of the Fire Station, and brought the developer to a GPRA general meeting to explain their plans for the project.

• Brought candidates for Mayor, City Council and School Board to Northside for speeches and Q&A.

• Heard from representatives of the neighborhood private schools.

• Pursued reconstruction of the demolished Chamberlayne and Walton stele.

• Spread news of public safety concerns through the Yahoo group.

Here’s What the GPRA Did for You in 2016 . . . .

7February 2017

. . . ANd YouR 2017 oPPoRTuNiTiEs

SAVE THESE DATES: ★ FEBRuARy 28, tuEsdAy — A Mardi Gras theme for dress and dinner will be followed by a discussion

of the special middle and high school opportunities offered by the Richmond Public Schools.

★ mARcH 28, tuEsdAy — Our representatives to the General Assembly will outline the major implications of legislation from the just completed session. We will also hear about an initiative of the Richmond Health Department called Northside Strong.

★ ApRil 25, tuEsdAy — Mayor Levar Stoney will describe his hopes for innovation, engagement and opportunity in Richmond. We also hope to have Council Members Grey and Hilbert present

★ mAy 6, sAtuRdAy — The Ginter Park House and Garden Tour. Please plan to attend and encourage your friends and relatives to join you. This is the GPRA’s primary fund-raising event. Over the years it has funded our historic markers, our expanded historic districting, and the replacing of diseased and damaged street trees, in addition to making charitable awards.

★ JunE 27, tuEsdAy — An expert will discuss the process of getting historic tax credits to help fund major renovations to a house in Ginter Park. We also hope to have a gardening expert advise us on coping with the impact of very hot weather on our lawns and gardens.

★ July 25, tuEsdAy — We hope to have a pool party.

★ August 1, tuEsdAy — National Night Out against crime. We encourage each block to plan a gathering to become better acquainted.

★ sEptEmBER 26, tuEsdAy — A Candidates Forum will give you the chance to hear and question those in contested races for the House of Delegates and city-wide offices.

★ OctOBER 21, sAtuRdAy — The annual Progressive Dinner for GPRA members will start at one home for appetizers, split into small groups for the salad course, enjoy entrees at another house, and all come together at one home for dessert at the end of the evening.

★ nOvEmBER 28, tuEsdAy — Our general meeting will include a cook-off with prizes, an election of officers for 2018, the awarding of the “Gracie” prize for contribution to the community and prizes for the “Scene from the Street” garden contest.

★ dEcEmBER 9, sAtuRdAy — The Holiday Gala for GPRA members.

The GPRA Board is planning 11 informative and/or social events for the upcoming year. These are also occasions for you to see your old friends and make new ones. Please save these dates but look for more details in later newsletters.

All general membership meetings start with a potluck supper at 6:30 p.m. and have a program from 7:00-8:30. The association provides the main course and beverages and asks members to bring appetizers, vegetables, salads or deserts. The meal is free to paid members but $5 to residents who are not yet members.

8 February 2017

The Richmond SPCA has scheduled its 15th Annual Dog Jog and 5K Run for Saturday, March 25, bringing together thousands of animal lovers with a goal of raising $154,000 for the organization and the Robins-Starr Humane Center at 2519 Hermitage Road.

2017 sPCA doG RuNSaturday, March 25th

Lease negotiations between Union Seminary and Shalom farms have almost been finalized for a 5 acre urban farm in the center of the Westwood tract. Shalom Farms anticipates having the formal agreement finalized by the end of January.

Shalom Farms intends to spend the much of the spring getting additional community feedback and sharing ideas with neighbors and the community at large.

Basic site prep will begin no sooner than summer of 2017, with farm operations to begin in earnest in Spring of 2018.

We look forward to working with Ginter Park residents to develop a community farm we can all be proud of!

2017 shalom Farms update

The day begins with a competitive, chip-timed 5K (3.1 mile) run/walk for humans-only, followed by a dog and stroller-friendly, leisurely, one-mile Dog Jog. Throughout the morning, supporters will enjoy the pet-friendly vendor fair at the humane center, featuring a Kids Fun Zone.

An awards ceremony concludes with prizes for the top runners and fund-raisers. In 2016 Ginter Park resident Sarah Robb was honored for her service as the event

committee chair for four years and her passionate commitment to the Richmond SPCA.

In its most recent fiscal year, the Richmond SPCA cared for 4,305 dogs and cats, transferring thousands of animals in need from public shelters across Virginia to its humane center. For more information about the Richmond SPCA and the Dog Jog and 5K Run, visit richmondspca.org.

GPRA MEMBERSHIP

duEsYou can pay via PayPal

Visit the GPRA website Ginterpark.org.

Click on “Join GPRA”

seminary Avenue Trees Final ReportBy Robin Levey

November was the final stretch of the management of the storm damaged trees on Seminary Avenue. It has been an epic saga working with the city to try to manage the trees as opposed to removing them.

When we began back in June, the City’s arborist had condemned 42 trees between the 3800 and 3900 blocks. By year’s end we have worked diligently to minimize the removals and now have only 11 trees being removed due to significant damage or disease.

This has been a learning experience for me, but I also have found that many of my neighbors and city officials have grown and learned through this process. My true hope from this is that the city will find better ways to manage their budgets for pruning, so that we do not have such a bad experience as we did in these two blocks.

If these trees had been pruned properly over the years, the storm damage would not have cost the city so much to clean up, we may not have been without power for so long, and we would not have had so much damage to our homes.

Never pruning trees leaves them susceptible to high winds. The arborist described this phenomenon as a boat sail catching the wind. This should also be a lesson for all of us that have trees on our personal, not just city, property. We need to manage them over time so that we don’t end up having them damage our homes.

Another lesson learned during this process was that if a neighbor’s tree lands on my home, it is my insurance that takes care of this, not the neighbor’s.

9February 2017

Bellevue looking south 2006

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Finally, I hope to work with our new mayor to open discussions about how to better manage the urban forest. I wish him all the best and look forward to helping with this process in any way possible.

10 February 2017

GPRA 2017 Dues Coupon

Ginter Park Residents Association • P.O. Box 25374 • Richmond, VA 23260

Name _______________________________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________________________

Zip Code _________________ Phone ____________________________________________

Email Address ________________________________________________________________

Check# __________________ date _______________________________________________

❏ Household member ❏ Other (e.g. church, business, etc.)

Dues for the 2017 calendar year are $35. Checks should be written to the Ginter Park Residents Association and mailed with this form to the above address. Thank you very much.

✁FiNANCE ANd MEMBERsHiP CHAiRs NEEdEd

FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR This position oversees the Membership Chair, the Newsletter Advertising Manager and the Treasurer. The duties include:• Reviewing monthly financial statements by the

Treasurer and monitoring alignment to budget and anticipated needs

• Working closely with the Treasurer to draft the annual operating budget

• At Board meetings, helping the President to address financial questions or issues raised

• As needed, take on special projects to enhance the areas of finance, advertising or membership

• The finance chair functions as a coordinator and needs both solid communication skills and a strong knowledge of finances. Time commitment may vary but averages less than a half day a week.

MEMBERSHIP CHAIRThis position keeps an up-to-date record of all paid members, coordinating with the Treasurer on all payments received. The list of paid members is sent to the printer for each newsletter mailing and used to check eligibility for awards and participation in the Progressive Dinner and Holiday Gala, among others.

Was one of your New Year’s resolutions to volunteer more? The GPRA can use your help in two positions, formerly held by Rick Fox and

Dave Pohlmann. Contact President Christina Shelor at [email protected].

C u r r e n t l y S e r v i n g y o u r A r e A

InterIor & exterIor PaIntIngPower washIng and More!804-218-6560 | 804-247-4410

www.isaacspainting.com

Competitive priCing!We now take Master Card and Visa

Isaac’s PaIntIng

PROOF

$15.00 for maximum of 25 words. clip the coupon below and send with your completed ad and check or money order. or contact Ad manager: [email protected]. GPRA reserves the right to edit for space constraints. no personal ads.

Place your classified ad here! ClASSifiEdS

Send To: Ad Manager c/o Ginter Park Residents Association P.O. Box 25374 Richmond, VA 23260

Name __________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________

Phone ___________________ Email ________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

✁

✁

11February 2017

continued from page 1

*5% **10% Discount applied to multiple month commitments

Ad RAtEs And sizEsAd copy and ad payment should be submitted to the Advertising Chair ([email protected])

by the 15th of each month to ensure placement in the following month’s newsletter.

typE OF Ad 1 mo 3 mos* 10 mos** sizEs

Classified $ 15.00 $ 45.00 $ 135.00

Business Card $ 40.00 $ 115.00 $ 360.00

Quarter Page $ 90.00 $ 255.00 $ 815.00

Half Page $ 180.00 $ 515.00 $ 1,625.00

Full Page $ 350.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 3,150.00

3.5 W x 2 H — Horizontal2 W x 3.5 H — Vertical

3.62 W x 4.75 H — Rectangle7.5 W x 2.25 H — Horizontal 2.25 W x 7.5 H — Vertical

7.5 W x 5 H

7.5 W x 10 H

Additional information at www.historicginterpark.com › download the media kit from the newsletter tab

Dering's Cleaning Service, LLC has openings for new cleaning clients. Contact Leslie Dering, who grew up in Ginter Park at [email protected] or call 804-239-5865

A large part of the success of this event relies on interest and volunteerism. We are currently seeking House Captains and Docents, as well as volunteers for the day of the event. Please contact Patrick Held at [email protected] for more information if you are interested. This is an exciting event that brings our community closer

together, raises monies for a worthy cause, and allows us to share our gardens and homes with neighbors and visitors from surrounding neighborhoods.

Home and Garden Tour

CONTACT Patrick Held at [email protected]

Cottage for rent on Chincoteague island in quiet neighborhood. 3 bedrooms, 1&1/2 baths, all amenties. $800/ week, $110/day plus cleaning fee. Call 804-543-9460 or email [email protected].

Ginter Park Residents AssociationP.O. Box 25374Richmond, Virginia 23260

NoN-Profit org.U.S.Postage

PAidRichmond, VA

PeRmit numbeR 3022

In This IssueFebruary 2017

see inside for details

February General MeetingMardi Gras Theme page 1

Home and Garden Tour page 1

Higher Achievement page 2

New GPRA Treasurer page 4

Assisted Living Gifts page 5

Get Involved page 6

Save the Dates page 7

2017 SPCA Dog Run page 8

Shalom Farms Update page 8

Seminary Ave Trees page 9

Committee Chairs Needed page 10

“The Hermitage is a treasure hidden in beautiful historic Richmond” — D.H.

A Distinguished Past - A Vibrant Future

For more information, contact us at:(804) 474-1816

www.hermitage-vumh.comCome visit the monthly Country Store at The Hermitage — you’ll find vintage and antique treasures donated by our residents and neighbors, including men’s and women’s clothing, furniture, jewelry and more. Everyone is welcome!

4th Friday of Every Month 10:30 -2:30 • 1600 Westwood Avenue

1600 Westwood AvenueRichmond, VA 23227

At The Hermitage, our residents enjoy the rich Ginter Park lifestyle,

with classic surroundings, restaurant-quality meals, interesting

activities and plentiful outings. See for yourself the treasures waiting at the only Richmond continuing care community

without an entrance fee.

We Offer:• Independent Living

• Assisted Living • Nursing Care

• Two Secure Memory Care Neighborhoods

• Speech, Physical, and Occupational Rehab Services

Who Knows What Treasures You’ll Find at The Hermitage’s COUNTRY STORE!

ginter gazette...issue number 1 february 2017 ginter gazette gpra board meeting tuesday, february 21...

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