CURRENT EVENTS

We meet once a quarter (November, February, May, and August) at Carrow Baptist Church on the first Tuesday of the month, 7PM.

20070927

Level Green Gang Prevention Community Meeting-Your Invited

October 13 at 10 AM
Level Green Fellowship Church at 1305 Level Green Blvd.

COMMUNITY MEETING and TRAINING
YOU’RE INVITED TO COME AND PARTNER

THIS IS: An opportunity to gather more answers at a neighborhood level and explore how we as citizens can intervene with our youth.

THIS IS NOT: A replacement for the role of police and other agencies
Our Speaker: GXG has been working in Norfolk for nine years with a weekly evening outreach program, where they connect with the youth, and through them, their families. They have linked with 280 families in the last two years.

COMMUNITY MEETING and TRAINING
Highlighting a 90-Minute multi-media “ELECTRIC” presentation, which covers the project basics. This presentation will introduce a “KIT” that can be used to implement this program.

The Kit includes:
  • Materials to help identify funding needs and options.
  • Information on Gang Prevention and Intervention, Bully Prevention, Conflict Resolution, After School Programs, Youth Leadership Training, Job Training, and more.
  • Information specifically to help parents
  • Drug Awareness information

Sponsored by: NSU School of Social Work, Level Green Civic League, Level Green Homeowners Association, Revival Life Church, Va Gang Prevention Partnerships, Gods X Gangsters, and many others.

For more detailed information, please visit: www.gangprevention.org

20070919

Strange Activity

Last night, neighbors on Count Turf saw some unsettling activity going on. The first thing they saw was a blue and grey (prime pain) Honda Civic car parked in front of a white house caddy cornered to their home, which did not belong to the owners of that home. A little later, they saw what looked like some high school kids, maybe young adults, walking down the street and getting in the car, which they left in. They came from Gainsborough Rd.

The neighbors thought it strange that the individuals mentioned would park their car down the street and walk (hmm?...). Then, about 3 minutes later, they saw a red Cadillac with a white top go over and park behind the Honda Civic. The teenagers, or young adults, got out of that car and walked turning left on Gainsborough where the other people came from (hmm?).

To these neighbors, it seemed to them that there may be some drug activity going on, which makes all of their surrounding neighbors nervous.

Be on the lookout for these two vehicles and if you have any information to shed light on who these individuals are and what may have been going on, please let us know.

20070916

September 13 Civic League Meeting

The September 13, Thursday, meeting of the Carolanne Farms Civic League was held at Arrowhead Elementary School at 7pm. It was called to order by Brenda A. Colors were presented and the Pledge of Allegience was led by the Boy Scout Troop 499 under the leadership of Dave Alcorn. The attendance was approximately 50.

Topic: Welcome and Announcements

Brenda checked to see if all were receiving the CFCL mailings. She also encouraged them to sign up for email alerts on this blog site. Tesoro, a neighborhood business partner, was thanked for creating our new yellow signs, helping us get cell phones, and paying for the latest membership drive mailing. We appreciate all of their help!

Brenda also discussed the "Share Your Light Night," when we all light luminaries in our yard as a sign of neighborhood friendship and unity. It went over well last year and was indeed beautiful to see. This year it is trying to become city-wide, as all Virginia Beach neighborhoods and civic leagues are being invited to participate. The type of luminary stand and candle has been made safer and is reusable. The luminary night is December 16. However, NOW is the time to be ordering, so you can get the best price and receive them on time. This can be done by contacting Brenda A now and possibly at the next civic league meeting. We would like to have as many pledges or orders placed by October 1 as possible.

Topic: Jeff Jensen on Crime in our League Area

Jeff Jensen, a neighbor and VB Police Officer, gave an analysis of crime over the past three years in the Carolanne Farms Civic League area. Larceny in vehicles continues to be a problem area. This could be averted by simply locking our cars. The Carolanne Farms Park on Gainsborough continues to be an area for drugs, park destruction, and curfew violations by minors. There was an instance of a "Peeping Tom" on and near Susquehanna Drive. Be alert and call either 911 or the non-emergencey number, 385-5000.

Jeff also says he will come by your home and evaluate how safe it is and whether there are simple improvements you might want to make. If you are interested in this free service by VB Police, call Jeff at 385-1338.

Committee Formation: A committee was formed to look into ways to make the park less crime-ridden, more user friendly, and also perserve it's widelife conservation features. Marie K has agreed to chair the committee and would love to have any interested members participate. You can contact Brenda A and let her know you would like to help.

Topic: Treasury Report and NEW RECORD!!

Wayne T gave the Treasurer's report with all expenses and earnings recorded. The current balance in the treasury is $2845.38 as of August 31, 2007. The new record was set in membership when the total was recorded as 97 as of this meeting! This is the highest number of recorded members! We all know we can do better! It's easy to join and we all should have a say in what happens in our neighborhoods. Please plan to join at the next meeting. We'd love to have you!

Topic: Brenda B things to come

Brenda B would like to see us develop a small 4th of July (or Memorial Day) neighborhood parade. Children, pets, bikes, wagons, and refreshments would be major components. Also, she would like to develop a directory of services special to our area and it's members. Items like local lawnmower repair, babysitters, cake decorators, catering, crafters, etc. and their phone numbers or emails. Anyone who thinks they can help with either of these, please contact Brenda B.

Topic: Two Committees and Members to Help on them Needed! Come one, Come all!!

Ginny P, who regularly reports on Gang Activity in our area, also heads the Neighborhood Watch Committee. She has been giving up her Sundays for months, collecting signatures in the various Zones of our neighborhood district. These signatures will earn your section a Neighborhood Watch sign from the Virginia Beach Police for free. Research shows that areas with these signs have less crime. These signs tell theives that we look out for one another and will report strange or unusual people or activity. Ginny desperately needs more volunteers. If you cannot meet on Sundays to canvas areas, perhaps you could agree to gather signatures on your street or your street plus the street beside it. Even that much would help immensely.

Finally, new officers will need to be voted on and installed in January of the new year, 2008. We need a 3 member nominating team who will gather names and organize voting for available candidates. The officer positions and the jobs for each will be posted on this blog for you to see. If you think you can help with this committee, please see an officer at the next CFCL meeting or contact our president, Brenda A.

Topic: Arrowhead School and Mrs. Garrett

The meeting ended with a huge thank-you to Mrs. Garrett, the staff, and custodians at Arrowhead Elementary School. They have been so cordial and helpful to us. ALL of our yearly meetings will be held at Arrowhead Elementary School this year. Ways that we could help the school would be to save soup can labels, box tops, and Farm Fresh receipts to give to the school. The secretary at the school can tell you exactly what kinds to save. Also, Mrs. Garrett says she occasionally needs extra hands to help with some weed pulling in the front of the school at various times of the year. This would take no more than 30 minutes. If you can help with any of these we would all be very grateful.

The CFCL meetings will be held on the second Thursday of each month at Arrowhead. Look for the new and attractive yellow signs to remind you that a meeting is coming!

Respectfully submitted by Carole B, CFCL Secretary

20070912

NAMING THE LUMINARY EVENT CONTEST


As the proud Virginia Beach citizen who was touched so much by what our first luminary event did in our neighborhood, I personally felt compelled to spread this event city-wide. Understandably, it is receiving a warm welcome.

I am proud to announce that the citizens of Virginia Beach voted tonight. There now is an official title for this luminary event which will ring out year after year.

The event title chosen by majority vote is...(drum roll please)...


"Share Your Light Night"

20070908

Please join us in this FLY THE FLAG campaign ON 9/11

THE PROGRAM IS THIS: On Tuesday, September 11th, 2007, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States.

Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this anniversary of our country's worst tragedy. We do this in honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms. In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood
shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism.

Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds.

Action Plan: So, here's what we need you to do...
(1) Take a moment to think back to how you felt on 9/11 and let those sentiments guide you.
(2) Fly an American flag of any size on 9/11.

Honestly, Americans should fly the flag year-round, but if you don't, then at least make it a priority on this day. Thank you for your participation. God Bless You and God Bless America.

20070901

Membership Drive Flyer

You may have received a membership drive flyer mailed and found it does not list the 2008 membership dues amount. The membership dues amount per household is $20.

Perhaps you wonder if this was intentional to persuade people to log on to the website or to encourage communication between the league and its neighbors. Although these are positive effects, we admit this oversight was simply that we, the Board of Directors, were too close to the subject to see the obvious.

We appreciate your understanding and support. With optimism, we hope to have the grace to chuckle at our own human faults and shortcomings. Also we have learned the lesson that we really need others to help in the small way of proofing and/or editing outgoing correspondence. Can you help?

See you at our open meeting September 13th, 7PM at Arrowhead Elementary.

VOLUNTEER TODAY

Carolanne Farm Civic League Volunteer Form