ERTrail Update

Click on the pictures above for a larger version.

The Elizabeth River Trail, an eventual walking and biking path throughout Norfolk, was approved at the League's meeting December 1st. Once completed, the trail will allow us to bike downtown on a designated route that affords some roadside safety for cyclists and walkers alike.

The trail will enter Lochhaven at North Shore Road and continue to Cloncurry and proceed towards Hampton Blvd. The path will be marked with signs on existing poles.

Our city council representative Barclay Wynn chairs the ERTrail Committee.

Letter To City Manager

Click on the letter above for a larger version.

FYI - Here's a copy of the letter that was sent by the Meadowbrook Civic league to Norfolk City Manager Regina Williams regarding the outcome of the School for International Studies building (near Little Creek & Hampton Blvd.). The school will relocate in 2010 and the property reverts to the city. The Lochhaven Civic league has joined the Meadowbrook Civic League in requesting updates on any actions or plans the city has for the building.

Some observations.

This is an old building and probably in some need of repair. That the city is facing an economic squeeze at this time, they most likely won't have the funds to develop the structure into anything for the foreseeable future. Rather than mothball the building, they may choose to tear it down. This is speculation, but you can clearly see why the neighborhoods surrounding the property want a transparent and updated progress report from the city manager. We will not tolerate an abandoned building that becomes a nuisance to the area.

I will keep you posted on the updates.

Get the Spirit of Christmas

Click on the announcement card above for a larger version.

Jennifer Sanford and Ken Danser have made preparations for our annual event. Do plan to attend this Lochhaven tradition Christmas Eve.

A Chilly Dip

A jogger called Norfolk police Sunday morning at 6am reporting this event in the loch.

I was on my way back into the neighborhood from an early morning run to Bottom Dollar and spied the sight I had never seen in Lochhaven before. My trusty Flip videocam caught the scene before it vanished 35 minutes later.

A mystery in so many ways.

Civic League Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Norfolk Yacht & Country Club
40 Attendees

6:00pm - Call to order.

Attendees welcomed and introduction of the newly elected civic league officers.

Tom Cherry, Sheriff, introduces Lt. Bill MacKenzie of the Norfolk Police and Sentry Security to address Lochhaven security and measures to prevent crime.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Mary Crawford, Civic Representative, updated us on street signage requests and her conversations with John Stevenson of the city traffic dept.
A. Change YIELD sign at NIT truck exit to a STOP sign.
B. Install STOP sign at Milson and Cloncurry.
C. Possible alteration of STOP sign at Daniel and Argyle.
D. Possible 4-way STOP sign at Cloncurry and North Shore.

2. Neighborhood Directory - This is back on track and we are in the process of gathering correct addresses, etc. We will print after the first of the year and distribute free to civic league members. Will also be available to non-members for a fee.

3. Treasurer's Update by Ken Danser.

4. City Sign at Little Creek to be replaced with correct spelling of neighborhood.
“Lochaven” (how embarrassing!)


NEW BUSINESS

1. Announcement of the blog site that will contain updates on current events of particular note to the neighborhood, minutes from the meeting, etc.

2. Announcement that the neighborhood will be part of the Elizabeth River Trail, a biking and walking route throughout Norfolk.

3. Announcement that our school district will not be changing from Maury to Granby (rumor).

4. Announcement that there will be a joint civic league meeting with Meadowbrook Monday, January 4 at 7 p.m. at Church of the Good Shepherd. Our state rep Del. Lynwood Lewis will devote the meeting to the new 2010 state budget and process.

5. Announcement that the Lochhaven civic league has joined with both the Meadowbrook and Edgewater/Larchmont civic leagues requesting Norfolk City Manager Regina Williams include us in the conversations, developments and decisions regarding the current site of the School of International Studies (which is closing).

6. A request from the city for additional street lighting on Glen Eagles/Muirfield. Process to begin and an update to follow.

8. A reminder of the Christmas Lighting at 6pm December 24 at Cloncurry & N. Shore (Jennifer Sanford and Ken Danser are graciously organizing).

9. Announcement of our next league meeting. Tuesday, March 23, 2010.

Respectfully submitted,
Bill Owen

November Nor'easter

I went out this morning at 6 to catch some video of the storm, specifically the flooding. The first segment was on the dark side of things, but when I returned about an hour later daylight improved the picture.

I may go out later today when high tide returns at 4:45pm if things look exciting.

Bill Owen.

Civic league Meeting

Click on the announcement card above for a larger version.

A reminder that we will have a Lochhaven Civic League meeting for residents at our new venue, the Norfolk Yacht & Country Club at 5:30pm on Tuesday, December 1.

We hope to see you there.