As Neighborhood Directory chairperson, I once again would like to update you on the status of our Directory modernization project. 

The recent campaign to collect resident information via mail-in forms yielded 157 replies to date.  Thank you to everyone who took the time to fill these out and mail back.

Our Committee has successfully lined up the volunteers needed to collect outstanding residence information in an attempt to make our new directory as complete as possible.   Thank you in advance to our Neighborhood security block captains, our Newsletter delivery team, and certain key individuals for stepping up.  The canvassing of the neighborhood will begin in the next few weeks and consists of our volunteers personally visiting each home that has not replied with the mail-in form delivered with the February Newsletter.  Our goal is to have this information collected by the end of April.

Please try to give the canvassers a few minutes of your time as they are working to assist you in completing the form and selecting which avenue you would like your information listed (Web, Booklet, both or none).  In the event you are not home, the canvassers will leave the form and pre-addressed envelope in your door.  Please return this as soon as possible so we can begin the publication phase of this project – we wouldn’t want to miss your information.

As for distribution, the traditional booklet is being planned, although an advertisement sub-committee has not been established.  We will be creating a Virtual Directory where the electronic version of our directory would be placed on the Civic League’s Website.  Only those granting approval will be placed on the website behind an appropriate security screen.

Thank you again for your continued support of this project,

• Easter Egg Hunt April 15th 1:30pm
• Civic League Mtg April 20th 7pm
• Spring Fling April 22nd, 9:00 am
• Ladies’ Luncheon April 26th 12 noon
• Queen’s Tea- May 6th
• Outback Steak Night, May 25th

Set aside a few hours on Saturday, April 22nd, beginning at 9 a.m.  Neighbors and friends will meet near the park and parcel out work projects.  There is the park, the median strip, green areas along Pembroke Boulevard, the dam path and pool grounds to spruce up.  Some litter in Lake Meadows will be collected for disposal.  There are plenty of chores to be done but many hands make light work.  Your hands will be appreciated.  After a morning of improving the real estate at the end of Pembroke Boulevard, a delicious lunch will be served in the park for all those who helped.

What can be more exciting and fun than to labor and then break bread with neighbors and friends.  Please join us.  (Bring elbow grease, yard tools and an appetite.)

You can do these on your own or we could put together a weekly group for tea and chatter while we work our yarn and needles.  There is so little one can do for parents who face this tragedy, but bereavement counselors tell us over and over how much these parents appreciate this gift of love and sympathy. 

Call for information-  Loretta Watkins  497-2130.

May 31st will be the first swim practice for the Marlins Swim Team.  Each summer, swimmers from age 5 to 18 enjoy the excitement of competition and the camaraderie of team participation.  Competitive swimming is great exercise.

This summer, the Marlins will again be in the Dolphin (top) Division of the Virginia Beach Swim League.  There are five dual regular season meets; this season, Pembroke Meadows Pool will host two home meets.

Although pool membership is not a requisite for swim team participation, it is encouraged.  The swim team membership fee is discounted if the swimmer’s family is also a pool member.  Additionally, due to a high number of female swimmers, ages 9 through 12, unless also a pool member or previously a Marlin, swim team membership is closed for that group through May 1st.  Otherwise, swim team information can be found by accessing the Civic League’s website or by contacting Donna or Jim Price at 499-5115 or donnaprice@cox.net or contacting Vicki or Joe Vaughan at 318-9498 or jovic.Vaughan@verizon.net.

In the intervening years our area has seen a wild, unpredictable market that is now being reigned in by reality, reality being when the supply meets or exceeds the demand.  But the wild, unpredictable market drove up prices (values?) that Virginia law requires the assessors to consider when assigning value for taxation.  Hence, our recent tax assessment jumps.

According to the Virginia Beach web site (www.vbgov.com/dept/realestate), the mean assessed value for the 514 single family homes in Pembroke Meadows/Shores rose 24.69% to $253,886 and for the 90 townhomes 26.95% to $125,460.  A review of individual assessments provides interesting land data.  For Pembroke Meadows/Shores interior lot assessments rose $29,000, or 44% for single family homes and $22,000, or 77% for the townhomes.  Waterfront lot assessments increased $40,000 across the board, from 42-53% or prior value.

In 2005 fourteen properties sold on the open market.  Sales prices on the 11 non-waterfront single family homes ranged from $223,500 to $331,000 for an average sale price of $269,900.

Although many Tidewater areas and price ranges are seeing longer market times in 2006, the houses and townhomes of our neighborhood are still selling quickly.

Submitted by:

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

Pembroke Meadows, Pembroke Shores and Pembroke Shores Townhomes Civic League members may post up to three classified ads per year 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. 

To sign up for median strip duty, email Travis Little @ littlhom@yahoo.com or Jim Price at 499-5115 or e-mail at jdprice@Cox.net. Thanks for your support!

Special upcoming events, we hope, will help us meet this goal. 

QUEEN’S  TEA
May 6th    1-4 p.m.
Reservations for tea-call 473-5182 a.s.a.p
Enjoy outdoor activities, visit with Queen Elizabeth, Barbeque & beverages will be sold outside. 
If you choose, you may arrive via Wagon ride –from Food Lion parking lot & Pembroke Blvd. to Ferry Plantation House.  $4.00 fee for optional Wagon Ride –No parking at house!

CONCERT  ON THE  GREEN 
May 13th   1:30 –5:30 p.m.
Concert by Coyote Run, the internationally acclaimed Celtic Music Group
Wine tasting by Cooper Winery included in
Ticket price---$25.00 admission
                       $20.00 for Members of FOFPH
                       $20.00 for Pembroke community residents
                                  with this newsletter.
Contact Gerry Richter for tickets— 497-5243

Make it a point to join us and help us replace the lovely porches on our legacy.  If you are unable to come, we would welcome a donation towards our goal.

ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE !!!!!

Sign up early.  You can also go to www.peacetreecamps.com to sign up.  Want to know more?  Come tour the house on Tuesdays and Thursdays  10:00am-4:00pm. 

Bring the whole family!  Kids up to age 12 may participate in the egg hunt (divided by age groups).  Volunteers are needed. Please call Vivian Hance if you can assist or if you have any questions- 477-3273.  It should be fun for everyone!

Call: Cindy Cooper at 473-0850 or  Vicki Vaughan at 318-9498

Note: PMRC Board and Members have raised over  $9,943.55 since last summer, in an effort to update the recreation center and keep members cost low.