Civic League Speaker. Roy Dudley, a member of the VB 2007 committee, will tell us about all the wonderful things that are planned by the City of Virginia Beach for the 400th anniversary of English settlers in the new world. This great committee is responsible for coordinating the events that will take place -- including a possible visit by Jamestown's three ships and a reenactment of Cape Henry Landing. Don't miss out, come to the meeting to hear all about it.

We will have a short program, break for a cup of coffee, have a short business meeting and then anyone who wants may stay around to socialize or get home early to put the kids to bed.

When you moved into your home, did someone reach out to say "Hi, new neighbor?" Whether it was an "official" Civic League welcome or just a friendly "howdy" from someone who lives nearby, it felt good, didn't it, to be warmly acknowledged? 

Our Civic League Welcome Committee is making an effort to greet each family or individual that moves into the subdivision. But, it is obvious that we cannot welcome a new neighbor unless someone tells us that there IS , in fact, a new neighbor!! In the case of renters for instance, there is often no sign outside to let us know the property is changing hands. As a community, we have so much to offer -- the Civic League, the Newsletter, the Pool, Pot Luck, Halloween Parade, Ferry Plantation, Pet Lost and Found, etc,  -- will you help us let them know about these things? The committee members are counting on you to alert us to residences with new neighbors. We need the help of people like you. 

As soon as we hear of a house that has changed hands, we will send a welcome card, followed up with a short welcome visit to each new resident in the Meadows, Shores and Townhomes. Ideally, this should happen within the first few weeks the new owners or renters move in. So, if you see old neighbors move out or new neighbors, please call me. Even if you do not know their names, just the address will do for the initial contact. Let's reach out and let our newest residents know what a great place this is to live.

Give one of us a call. We will really appreciate the "heads up." And don't presume someone else has already called -- it's OK if we hear from more than one person ...we won't mind at all.

The Social Committee would like to thank everyone who attended the Annual Pot Luck Dinner. We had such a great time, and the brave souls who sang Karokee rocked! For those who had thought of coming, but didn't: We had thoughts of wishing for your arrival! The members of the social committee attest to full bellies and meeting lots of new faces. Once again congrats to the families who won door prizes at the meeting. Sid Seward won the raffle -- a handpainted mailbox donated by Clera Hall.

Remember it is against the law to post unauthorized signs on city right-of-ways. Our community is particularly concerned about signs posted on our "signature" entranceway and median strip along Pembroke Boulevard.

All residents should be aware of the 17 deed restrictions (covenants) which apply to ALL of our lots here in the Meadows and Shores. These restrictions (which "attach" to every deed) are listed in our Community Directory.  If you did not receive a copy, contact Robert Westmont at 473-1024.  Click here to view the Deed Restrictions

Some changes in our neighborhood banks will occur later this year. Most significantly, a new bank, Liberty Capital Bank, is planned for construction on the vacant lots near our entranceway at Whitechapel and Pembroke Boulevard. Our neighborhood is obviously interested in that proposal and our Civic League is in touch with their President/CEO and agent who have been very receptive to our concerns.  The bank will be a "community" bank and plan to include a large meeting room which will be available to our Civic League. When their architectural and site plans are finalized, we expect to invite their executives to present them at a future Civic League meeting.  Sun Trust Banks, Inc. is merging with National Commerce Financial Corp., but have not heard of any change in our Pembroke Meadows Shopping Center branch.

Mrs. Angela (Angle) Willenbrink has been selected recently as the Hampton Road Ombudsman Chairman?the coordinator for all area Navy command ombudsmen (these are volunteers from every Navy command who assist families/dependents in their commands).

I would like to mention the generous donation King Hua sent from their Pembroke Meadows Chinese restaurant. We had not been seeking donations the past few years, but who am I to turn down a great offer like theirs. Their two huge pans of great food was eaten, but I brought most of my Spanish meatballs dish home (go figure). The managers, Chen, Choy, Wu and Leon, went the extra mile and loaded down one tray with General Tso's Chicken and another with Fried Crab Meat cream cheese wantons. Most of us had seen the General Tso's Chicken before (S27 on their menu), but the wantons were new to most of us and I had to go back and ask what they had . sent. The wantons are listed # 13 on their to menu. Since King Hua opened 10 years  ago, I have had the opportunity to bring large trays of their donated food to each dual Pot Luck dinner. The next time you are at the King Hua, thank Leon and Choy for their many years of support to the civic league.

Many thanks to the ladies of the Pembroke Garden Club for the lovely flowers on the tables at the Pot Luck Dinner. The garden club meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Call 497-0700 or 473-8258 for more information about the meetings.

Neighborhood Watch Program

Source: Virginia Beach Crime Prevention Chronicle

Crime Prevention goes beneath the surface symptoms of crime, addressing underlying factors and their effect on crime. Problems such as illegal drug use and trafficking, illiteracy, unemployment, lack of education, and the community's physical appearance and condition must be considered and treated in the pursuit of crime prevention. 

The Teen Committee is still actively looking for community minded students to join the group. You will assist with special projects, holiday events and provide an important voice to your Civic League and community. The current Committee chairman and members are: 

Steve Green (Chairman) 
Aimee Savage
Bryan Little

LAWN & GROUNDS CARE

Residential Waste and Recycling Services:

Keeping Virginia Beach clean is a monumental task. Waste Collection crews travel over one million miles, making over six million pickups, and collecting approximately 200,000 tons of waste each year! The website and contact information below provides information for transfer of Bulky items, Garbage and Household waste and Yard waste. I have brochures available if you need one.

Waste Management Division
Phone: 430-2450
TDD: 427-4305
EMAIL: wastemgt@VBGOV.com
WEB: www.VBGOV.com/pw
Landstown Transfer Station:
Phone: 468-3382
(1825 Concert Drive)
Landfill II: Phone: 366-4560
(1989 Jake Sears Road, near Regent)

Hundreds of volunteers over the life of this neighborhood have kept the median area of Pembroke Blvd clean. Several signed up at February's potluck supper. One called me to sign up and I have misplaced that family's name; please call back. Also any others who would like to sign up for a two week timeframe of median strip duty, you're welcome to contact me (Jim) at: 499-5115 or jdprice@cox.net or Travis at littlhom@yahoo.com.

The winter's cold has given way to way too much rain for my taste. It seems like human nature to tire of too much of anything. With this in mind, it's only a matter of time until we grow tired of the coming summer's heat. Here's the antidote to that growing weariness: a membership to the pool.

You have probably heard or read the warnings about the deadly bird flu virus which may reach pandemic proportions worldwide. Of particular concern to our neighborhood would be a recent newspaper report headlined "Waterfowl play a pivotal role in the spread of bird flu."

This article noted that ducks and other waterfowl are "particularly dangerous in the spread of the deadly virus."

Considering the many ducks and geese in our neighborhood, we all should be very aware and concerned about the large quantities of their fecal droppings which litter our lawns and playgrounds (e.g. our own Pembroke Meadows Wayside Park). Take care where your children play, and please don't encourage proliferation of excessive ducks and geese by feeding them regularly.

When there is a job to be done, ask a busy person. That is not 100% true, of course, but in the case of our present civic league board and committee members, it certainly is true.

How many people does it take to change a light bulb? ONE. How many people does it take to coordinate and maintain a great civic league organization? At least SIXTY SEVEN and still counting! I do not have all the names yet, but all of you are needed to make a whole and successful civic league for serving our community.

We all appreciate and extend thanks to:

Jim Willenbrink for once again stepping up to the bat as President for our C. L. (however, temporarily).
Travis Little for not only accepting the multi responsibilities of 2nd VP, but for his creative initiative in organizing and coordinating a Teen Program (see details in newsletter.)
Hubert Pancho for the monumental task of Director of the Recreation Center.
Jana Sias for volunteering to coordinate very important duties of Membership Chairman.
Danielle Kreassig for being responsible for correspondence, condolences and letters of commendation (be sure to let her know what happens on your street).
Clera Hall for resuming the vital task of Newsletter Editor (the newsletter is the heart of our C. L.).

Vvian Vance - Social Chairman (look for exciting new activities planned).
Loretta Watkins - Publicity (Bulletin Board) and Welcoming Committee
Caron and Jim Sanson - Program Chairpersons
Terri Hawley - Social Committee
Norma Peters - Block Security and Social Committee
Pat Cook and Ray Marian - Welcoming Committee Chairpersons
Elizabeth Hayes - Welcoming Committee
Mary Trosein - Welcoming Committee
Carol Guirioli - Welcoming Committee
Steve Green - Teen Committee Chairman
Elaine Kane - Newsletter Distributor/Coordinator
Ginger Avoli and Teri Mikulka - Newsletter Distributors

Jamie Travis, Tim Willenbrink, Tony & Bridget South, Tim and Donna Price, Rita Horvatic, Jana Sias, Paula Keys, Jimmy Eddings (standing in for Dan
Santivasci), Paige Slayton, Gerri Richter, Jake Froelich, Brenda Harris, Debbie McHattie, Linda White, Brian Niehart Hubert Poncho, David Long, Loretta Watkins, Phylis Kurewski, Belinda Nash, John Shaedel, Susan Barnes, Eileen Byman, Pat Cook and last but not least, Ginger Avoli.

Take at look at "Shop & Swap", a new section of the Pembroke Meadows Civic League web site. 

Classified Ads listed in the Newsletter, such as items For Sale, Garage & Yard Sale notices, Bazaar schedules and any ad for non-commercial  products or events will be posted on the web site for 30 days.  Inclusion is subject to space limitations and suitability.