3-16-09 DSRCO NEWSLETTER

DSRCO Community Calendar

Thursday, March 19th
DSRCO Neighborhood Leaders Meeting
7pm, Derita Presbyterian Church on West Sugar Creek Rd.

Working together to solve issues of concern to the Community. Sometimes even
the toughest dilemma can be resolved if you know where to go or who to talk with.
Lots of current information to share. Our meetings are always open to the public.
---- DSRCO 704 806-3813 Pls Leave Msg deritarep@aol.com
===========================================================

Friday & Saturday, March 20 & 21st
“Oklahoma!” Dinner / Dessert Theater
Northside Baptist Church, 333 Gethsemane Blvd.

The Fine Arts Department of Northside Christian Academy presents the musical
classic “Oklahoma!” by Rogers and Hammerstein on March 20 & 21. Join us for
either the dinner theater on March 20th, a dessert theater on March 21st or the
matinee at 2 pm on March 21st.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, Feb. 23, 2009. For ticket
information, please contact the high school office at 704.596.4074.
===========================================================

Saturday, March 28th
Neighborhood YARD SALE

7am - 2pm, Waterhaven Neighborhood off Rumple Rd.
Contact Info: 336.312.7854 angiedstarr@yahoo.com
==========================================================

Sunday, March 29th - Wednesday, April 1st
Reunion Jubilee R E V I V A L
Trinity United Methodist Church, 6230 Beatties Ford Road, 704-399-1684

Special music begins each evening at 6:30pm in the church sanctuary and the
service begins at 7pm. Pastor Kevin McCormac will be the guest speaker each
evening. The theme of the week will be "Reconnecting Jesus and the Church".
Childcare will be provided. We invite you to attend this powerful 4 day REVIVAL!!!=============================================

Thursday, April 2nd
Derita Area Business & Service Providers Meet
9am, Maria's Grill, West Sugar Creek Rd. Open to Everyone.

Find out about FREE Advertising, Cost-saving Cooperative Efforts, Local Networking
Opportunities. Together we are working to help local businesses grow despite the
tough economy.

How long is this going take? We'll be done in under 60 minutes, that's the rule.
Even if you have to duck out early, it will be worth your time.

"Our Goal is to Promote Local Businesses and Service Professionals Serving Our Area."
---- DSRCO 704 806-3813 Leave Msg deritarep@aol.com
============================================================

Saturday, April 4th
Sunday Morning, April 5th
“Absolute Praise” Concert
Northside Baptist Church, 333 Jeremiah Blvd.

Join us Saturday, April 4th at 7 pm and Sunday Morning, April 5th at 10:30 am
for a Powerful Praise & Worship featuring the Music Ministry Team of Northside
Baptist Church. An inspiring program that will draw you closer to the Lord and
encourage your spirit to worship God with your whole heart.

Come in great expectation of a life changing worship experience!
Come Experience “Absolute Praise” with the Northside Family!
For more information, contact the church music office at 704.596.4856, ext. 2291
=============================================================

Thursday, April 16th
BBQ Chicken Lunch
Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 6440 Old Statesville Road

The United Methodist Men’s Group are hosting a BBQ Chicken luncheon in lieu
of the usual Thursday Hot Dog Lunch, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. The plate will include
1/2 chicken, baked beans and slaw. The cost is $6.50 per plate. Tea and coffee
available for dine-in. Take-outs plates available.
==============================================================

Saturday, April 18th
4th Annual Share the Rock
Charlotte 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament.
Northside Baptist Church, 333 Jeremiah Blvd.

We will have teams from all over the area competing in two divisions for prizes. This
year we are going to have a family fun festival to go along with the tournament. There
will be bounce houses, baseball and football accuracy challenges, a 30 ft inflatable
obstacle course along with other activities for the entire family.

The Tournament and the Festival will be free of charge.

To sign up for the 3 on 3 tournament you can visit www.northsidebaptistchurch.net
The tournament will be held at Northside Baptist Church Alvin Dark Sports Center
and the festival will be right outside of the gym in the parking lot. If you have any
questions you can email me at johnf@emailtreo.com
===============================================================

Easter Observances at Our Local Churches

Derita Presbyterian Church

Saturday, April 11th --- Easter Egg Hunt2 PM. Bring your Easter Egg Basket
Refreshments will be servedCall (704) 597-1122 with questions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oak Grove United Methodist

Weekly Wednesday Communion Services
At 5:30 PM. This service, led by Pastor Bob Symanski lasts only 30 minutes,
yet offers an opportunity on your way home from work or school to reconnect
and refresh your spirit weekly.

Sunday, April 5 --- Palm Sunday with special Service and music.

Monday, April 6--- Friday, April 10 --- Holy Week Services
(evenings 7:00-8:00 PM).

Saturday, April 11--- Annual Easter Egg Hunt
10:00 AM-12 Noon. Games, Prizes, Crafts, Fun, Refreshments, Decorated Egg
Contest (Bring your favorite decorated egg from home!)

Sunday, April 12 --- Easter Sunday
Sunrise Service (7:00 AM),
Breakfast (8:30 AM),
Sunday School (9:30 AM),
Easter Service (10:30 AM).
============================================================

University City United Methodist Church
3835 West WT Harris Blvd. (corner of WT Harris and Sugar Creek)
www.ucumc.org 704-369-8000

Easter Musical: Jesus Calls MeSunday, April 5, 4:00PM

Jesus Calls Me: a musical for Easter will be presented by the University City
United Methodist Church Celebration Choir, Drama Ministry, Dance Ministry,
King’s Herald Quartet, UCUMC Orchestra, Soloists, Spirit Singers, and
Technical Team. A Biblically-based original script has been written by UCUMC
members for this musical.

The presentation will be given on Palm Sunday, April 5th at 4pm. This is a
free concert and a love offering will be received. For childcare reservations,
please call 704-369-8027

Maundy Thursday Communion ServiceThursday, April 9, 7:00PM

Easter Worship Celebrations
April 12, 8:30, 9:45 and 11:00AM (no Sunday School that day)
========================================================

What your Neighbors are saying:

Re: Forest Pond Road Issues:
Thanks for your help on this and I think the meeting (with CDOT & NCDOT planners
on March 5th) went well. Anthony Foxx said it was the first time he has ever seen
that much cooperation between NCDOT and CDOT about neighborhood concerns.
---- Mehl Renner, Forest Pond HOA
=============================================================

Found Dog Emails

Thanks for sending the Lost Puppy emails you have sent out recently. I lost my
little dog some years ago and I know how terribly hopeless it can be if you have
nowhere to turn for help. Hope these latest lost puppies get reunited with their
owners. --- Judy P, Allen Hills resident

We were fortunate to have Crime Watch Email Lists in place for the
Allen Hills and Hunter Acres area that we could use. We encourage
others to send us an email and let us know which neighborhood they
live in. ( deritarep@aol.com )
-----------------------------------------------

Please don't call Animal Control until we exhaust all other options. Pit Bulls are
automatically euthanized at the Mecklenburg Animal Shelter. They don't even
get a chance at adoption. -- Animal Rescue volunteer
-----------------------------------------------

I hope you were able to find the owner of the puppy you found. I believe the animal
control may not take a dog that they feel may have Pit in them. If she hasn't found
her way back home, there are some pit rescue groups that I can send you as a
resource.

It is wonderful what you have done for her and that you went above and beyond to
find her family. Too many times have I seen stray dogs around Charlotte and no-one
seems to want to try and help. You've done a very good deed :o)
Let me know if you need any help. Thanks so much! --- Heather Jackson
==============================================================

Local News desired most

Printed in The Charlotte Observer --- re: Concord's Independent Tribune publishing
cutback: "a market study conducted last year by Belden Associates showed that
most people wanted the paper primarily for local news and wanted more focus on the
community." --- Well, duh!!!! Wonder if anyone at The Observer reads what they print
(and will get the point)?
==============================================================

Love that Derita History

Thanks for the story on Puckett's Farm Equipment last time. I hope you'll continue
to write more about the Derita Community back then. I'm fairly new here and it's cool
to know the story behind some of the businesses and street names and traditions
that we have found here. My son said to tell you he liked what you wrote about the
Indians that lived in Derita. --- Janet P. & my son Jeff.

Thanks, I'd love to write more, if I can find the time. I post occasionally
at a variety of Facebook sites and until recently I did a Scout Blog
with photos every week that I shared by email with former Derita Scouts
and their families. I plan to resume that in a few weeks. To get on the
email list, write me deritarep@aol.com

Right now, I'm working on some on-line photo albums from the Derita
Reporter archives. There were 86 original DR issues and I plan to post
them at www.webshots.com where I have thousands of other pictures
searchable as "Derita Scouts"

We also invite you to check out our new feature "As I Recall." We are
inviting readers to send in their own memories to share.

=============================================

Note from Susan Burgess

Greetings to Derita Statesville Road Neighborhood folks,

Thanks for hosting the At Large members of the Charlotte City Council in February.
It was a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and information. I always welcome
community engagement. Let's make this an annual event apart from campaign time.

The Neighborhood Symposium 2009 will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center
on Saturday, May 16th. For budget reasons, we have scaled it back some this year,
but have planned a great event for neighborhoods leaders and for all those interested
in learning more about Charlotte. More information will follow very soon, but save the
date - May 16, 2009.

Happy St. Patricks Day!
I hope to see you at the parade uptown 11:00 AM this coming Saturday.

Susan BurgessMayor Pro TemCharlotte, NC
============================================================

The Derita Lions Club
meets the 2nd & 4th Monday of each month
Visitors & New Members Welcome
6:30 - 8 pm Maria’s Grill in Derita 2801 W. Sugar Creek Rd.

Worried that you are seeing spots or cobwebs?

"Floaters" are dark specks in the form of dots, circles, lines, or cobwebs that seem to
move across your field of vision. They are most noticeable when you are looking at a
light-colored background, such as a clear sky or a white wall or maybe when you try to
focus on a printed page.

Floaters come in many sizes and numbers, and they seem to move when you look in
different directions. Although floaters seem to be in front of you, they are actually floating
within the eyeball and the retina sees them as shadows. They sometimes occur because
your eye is irritated, and they can be annoying. But the mind eventually learns to ignore
them. This problem becomes more common as we age.
==============================================

Construction Starts 2011
STATESVILLE ROAD WIDENING --- Details.

50+ residents showed up last week at Statesville Rd. Baptist Church for the ONLY
public meeting for this $27 million dollar City Project to widen the road from Starita
Rd to Sunset Rd., from 2 existing lanes to 4, with add'l turn lanes at major intersect-
ions. 146 properties will be affected and 4 buildings will be demolished.

Land acquisition (letters go out this week) and it is expected to take 9-12 months to
acquire the parcels needed and give some businesses time to relocate. Utility line
relocation & tree removal may take 8-12 months, beginning Spring 2010. The bidding
process to find a contractor may take 4 months. CDOT Project Contact: Imad Hakhreddin
704 336-7926 ifakhreddin@ci.charlotte.nc.us

The whole project is expected to take 4 yrs. Construction: 2yrs, beginning Winter
2011. --- The Contractor will choose where to start. Plans are to widen one side
(Phase 1), which traffic will use while the other side is widened (Phase 2). In some
cases, the City will acquire an easement for the storage of construction equipment
& supplies or as a temporary lane for traffic --- but will not purchase an actual right-
of-way. The road plan includes a planted median, curb & gutter, bike lanes, side-
walks on both sides, and improved street lighting. Completion is expected by
Spring 2013.

============================================================

Mixed Income Housing Coalition seeks Change

Statement of Purpose:
The Mixed Income Housing Coalition (MIHC) is a grassroots coalition to gain support
for policies which create and sustain mixed-income communities throughout
Mecklenburg County. This is necessary because of the impact housing patterns
have on economic and workforce development, the environment, community health,
education and family. Without change, the quality of life of people in Charlotte and
Mecklenburg County will suffer from increased economic and social isolation,
higher crime rates, long commutes, increasing separation between home and work,
and unacceptable education achievement gap, lack of access to daily needs and a
persisting lack of community trust.

---------------------------------------------------------

Their goal would be that future development would be a combination of high,
medium and lower priced housing in EVERY part of the City, not pockets of
low-income in just certain areas, as we have now.

Vice-President Sylvia Cannon represented DSRCO at the meeting last week.
She writes:

"I see this working for apartments, but I still have concerns this would work in
neighborhoods. Mainly, how can you be assured that the builders will follow through
and if they do, how do you maintain the percentages of the mix as families move
in and out of the neighborhood?

"This group will continue to meet and try to get enough support to go to City
Council and the County Commission to see if this can be made mandatory.There are two apartment complexes along the South Rail line that are currently
mixed. Charlotte Housing says that it is working well."
The DSRCO Board will discuss this further this coming Thursday.

===============================================================

HOT DOGS EVERY THURSDAY
Oak Grove United Methodist Church
6440 Old Statesville Road, 11am - 2pm

Fix'em the way you like'em, Eat In or Take Out

Not a Hot Dog fan?
Skip the dogs, choose the Homemade Soup & muffin
or Pinto Beans and cornbread (ketchup & onions available)

Warm friendly atmosphere. Wonderful conversation readily available

===============================================================

Thousands for Art Work?
The UNCC-North East Lynx Line may cost over $1 Billion

Public Meeting ---
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church
101 West Sugar Creek Road
Fellowship Hall, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Even as taxpayers gear up for a LYNX Blue Line Extension light rail construction
project that could easily cost them more than $1 Billion over the next decade, a
Public Meeting is being held to determine how to spend thousands of dollars for
art -- at stations, on over street trestles, along the line.

Conventional wisdom should be saying, let's put a "freeze" on spending for art.
If we truly want this light rail line, we need to direct those dollars toward construction
now and let the future generations choose & pay for their own art.

We think about the many thousands spent on art outside the former Coliseum. . .
a planted median and several large bushes --- and many times that amount to be
spent on potential art for each station and the surrounding area.

Remember the lessons of rising materials and building costs learned on the South
Rail. The longer we delay actual construction, the greater the cost. Art can wait.

Officials may say that ART is mandated, but hasn't local government initiated a
hiring freeze and cut services. Certainly they can delay the purchase of public art
until a more logical time.
==================================================================

CMPD Recruitment Open House

Ever wonder how to go from citizen to officer?
Do you know someone who would make a good Police officer?
Come to the Minority and Women Open House on Saturday, March 21, 12 – 4 pm, at
the Police & Fire Training Academy, 1770 Shopton Road.

Learn about the requirements to become a Police officer, Police cadet, Police Explorer,
Police volunteer, Police chaplain, Citizen on Patrol, Communications Dispatcher and
Animal Care and Control Officer.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

On The Beat --- New CMPD Newsletter

Lots of folks are talking about the new monthly newsletter from North Division's
Sgt. Jim Wilson. The 6-page pdf gives recent crime stats, has a full color map with
neighborhoods by name (zoom feature), contact info, community officer bio's, and
crime prevention tips. Newsletters are being published by each Response Area. To
join the email list, send a request to:
jmcgraw@cmpd.org --- University City Division
jwilson1@cmpd.org --- North Division
kschul@cmpd.org --- North Tryon Division

===============================================================

Need Extra Tables & Chairs for Family Gatherings & Yard Sales?
Contact Bernie Samonds (704 806-3813 deritarep@aol.com). 8ft. folding tables,
$5 available to rent. Folding metal chairs, 50 cents each. Call now to reserve them.
Liberal pickup and return availability.

===============================================================

Philmont Scout Ranch needs Outstanding Teens
for Summer Staff

Philmont Scout Ranch, an amazing 137,000 acre High Adventure facility run by the
Boy Scouts of America in northern New Mexico. Each summer Philmont hires about
1000 young people (minimum age: 18) to provide leadership for the 22,000 people
who will use Philmont this summer.

To be a great Philmont staffer, a young person must have a positive attitude of
service, a willingness to learn and share new skills, the ability to work hard, and
an interest in meeting people from across America who share the values of the
Boy Scouts of America.

To find out more about the Philmont staff experience, please check out this YouTube
video, which was itself prepared by members of the seasonal staff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_X5SdjcJCU

If you know of a young person who might be interested, or if you are interested
yourself, please email me and I'll make sure you get an application.
--- warren.smith@thecharlotteworld.com

==================================================================

Local Memories from Our Readers
As I Recall . . . .

Bribery or Reward --- Arnold Jenkins of Derita Presbyterian Church recalls a
Sunday Morning ritual as he would shake hands with folks departing after the worship
service. Young Ben Atwell would always seek him out to receive a shiny new
quarter that would be waiting for him.

I think every Church has someone like that. . . At Cole Memorial, it was John Myers,
a grandfatherly gentleman and frequent Usher who wished folks a good week as they
exited the Church. The kids always wanted to shake his hand because they knew he
would reach in his suit pocket for a stick of Juicy Fruit or Doublemint Gum to slip us
along with the handshake. . . I have to laugh when I think about. Mom would always
ask me where I got that gum? And not too surprising, there would be a parent or
two reach out Mr. John and ask, "Where's my gum?"

----------------------------------------------------------------

Michelle Blount, who lives in Greensboro now, recalls: "My dad (J.V. Blount)
started Allen Hills Swim Club. I remember the opening when they brought in water
from big tanker trucks thru the kindness of Jim Holt. When that didn't fill the pool,
the Derita Volunteer Fire Dept let us use their hoses to run water from the creek.
It was a very big undertaking . . . and so-o-o many memories."

----------------------------------------------------------------

I remember going to Griffin's Fish Camp, set far back in the woods off West Sugar
Creek Rd. down a long gravel road behind Cheshire Field. If you didn't know it was
there you'd miss it. But all of us local folks knew, and boy did we. Looked like a big
hunting lodge from the outside with it slab board siding. But you could smell the
hot grease and fried fish wafting through the dimly lit parking lot as soon as you got
out of your car.

The interior was done in early American plywood, from the walls to the cushion-less
long booths that could sit 5 or more persons on a side, more if you weren't that big.
Music was usually blaring and the waitresses would be rushing about with huge
trays of freshly fried fish, straight from the deep fryer and still steaming. Across the
way. a table was calling for a fresh pitcher and the folks would be chomping down
on a tray of hot hushpuppies as Mrs. Griffin or Mrs. Stephenson took their dinner
order.

I'd be checking out the music listed, turning page after page in the boothside console.
Tunes were 3 for 25 cents, and the newest records were probably only listed on the
juke box hear the cash register. It was set to play loud, but even that wasn't always
loud enough to be heard over all the people talking, laughing, and partying on. This
was the fun place to be, even if the fish hadn't been the best we'd ever eaten.

My Mom, Dad & I used to go there for dinner often. It was about the only place open
nearby by the time we closed the grocery store at night. Mom & Dad would enjoy a
cold beer with their meal, followed by some hot coffee (to settle the grease). I'd get
a soda or sweet iced tea (and I mean really sweet). Then Dad would walk up to the
cash register to get some quarters. Even though Mr. Griffin and his son were working
away at the fryers, he would let out a big belly laugh and take a short break because
he knew what was about to follow. Dad would feed a couple of quarters into the juke
box and push a few buttons. Maybe a current hit to give Dad time to get back to the
booth, but then it played. . . Shall We Gather at the River . . .Onward Christian
Soldiers! . . . Oh, I don't remember them all, but there were about 4 or 5 songs that
were always found on the jukebox at Griffin's. The Party Crowd would go bananas!
"Who played that?" "Somebody shut that thing off!" My Dad and Mr. Griffin would
be rolling in the aisles.

Sad day when we heard the place burned down. Grease fire, electrical wiring started
it, they said. But you know, even to this day, I still have folks asking me if I had ever
been to a Fish Camp out in Derita somewhere and if it's still there? . . . I have and it
was the best.

----------------------------------------------------------------

I do some posting time to time on Facebook I am a Native Charlottean. Most of
the folks there are lots younger than I am. They'll write about watching Fred Kirby on
TV and how they saw someone the other day and slipped them the Little Rascal Club
Hi-Sign (fingers flapped under your chin). Older ones will mention having seen Fred
& his horse Calico in the Carrousel Thanksgiving Parade.

But I guess you have to go back a little farther to remember Fred & Uncle Jim
Patterson doing the Coca-Cola Saturday Morning filmfests at the old Carolina Theater.
Five of the soft drink bottle caps would get you in at the door for a morning filled with
cartoons, the latest chapter of an action serial, maybe an Our Gang short, and a round
of songs by our favorite Cowboy --- a round that invariably included his national big hit
record "Atomic Power."

Sometimes Fred would have special guests. CocaCola sponsored the Kit Carson Show
on WBTV, and somehow they got the star William Katt to include Charlotte on one of
the show's promotional tours. I think I still have the special cowboy neckerchief with his
picture & the CocaCola log somewhere. Another time Clayton Moore (TV's Lone Ranger)
showed up, courtesy of the Merita Bakery.

What many of them don't remember was that early on Fred would do individual birthday
parties, visit children in local hospitals, appear in store openings, and had become a
staple at nearly every small town parade in the WBTV viewing area. . . And why not?
He was the kids' all-time TV star.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Got a memory you'd like to share? Doesn't have to be a whole long story.
Folks enjoy reading about Derita, Local Folks, and The Way It Was Back
Then. Send your thoughts to deritarep@aol.com

================================================================

WE NEED YOUR HELP

We are currently working to revise our Neighborhood Leaders' List which will
deliver important updates between our regular Newsletters . . . Information that
you might otherwise miss or receive too late to respond. deritarep@aol.com

===============================================================

Your Questions and Some Answers

Q.. Any more info on the abandoned building sites and "inventory homes"
in the Ridgeview & Waterhaven neighborhoods mentioned last newsletter?

Code Enforcement officers did visit the site (the photos they took are on-line at
http://community.webshots.com/album/570535684AhWewg ). Code Enforcement
Director Stanley Watkins sent follow-up emails to DSRCO, Susan Burgess &
Neighborhood Leaders saying that everything is "within Code" or covered by
"a current building permit." Until the permits expire or the properties begin to
deteriorate, the City has no regulations to enforce. It is a problem seen more often
as local housing projects faulter in the current economy.

Not good news for Ridgeview Neighbors Brian & Kathy Koss. They are looking at
bare pipes sticking up in a concrete pad where a house was to be built by C.P.
Morgan Homes --- none of it fenced to keep out neighborhood kids children.at play.
Once wooded vacant lots stand nearby with a thin layer of grass or a scattered bit
of hay to keep red mud from washing into the street or into a neighbor's yard. They
wonder what will happen as weeds take over?

Next street over, Waterhaven HOA leader Angie Starr worries about C.P. Morgan's
"Inventory Homes" which stand vacant. Will these empty houses draw vagrants or
be used for "Teen Drinking Parties"? Who will be responsible for upkeep and repairs
until the houses or properties are sold?

Milhaven Lane residents know that problem well. Newly-built starter homes stood
vacant for years while ownership made its way through the bankruptcy courts. Grass
grew into shoulder-height weeds from the curb up the hill, and some Good Samaritan
neighbors who offered to cut it were warned to STAY OFF the property or be charged
with Trespassing. Bankruptcy rules also prevented the City from stepping in.

Code Enforcement can have grass cut and refuse hauled away from private property
and the property owner billed, in most cases. But the property owner must be
notified first and given the opportunity to do the work. Bankruptcy and some properties
financed by lenders can create major delays, as in the Milhaven case. Koss & Starr
were hoping to get the City involved before the trail of ownership & responsibility grows
cold.

For more, read Kirsten Valle's article in the Sunday Observer (Pg D1 - Moneywise).
We appreciate her help in breaking the original "C.P. Morgan Closing" story and
following up the situation in both Ridgeview & Waterhaven here in Derita. We also
appreciate the work done by Mayor Pro Tem Burgess in getting City Staff involved
===============================================================

Q. Saturday night, about 11:50 pm, I was driving home from work on
West Sugar Creek Rd. As I passed the school in Derita, there was a huge
crowd pouring out of the nightclub across the street, overflowing into the
parking lot, music blaring, and the place was all lit up. Parked cars were
filling up vacant spots all along the street.

I heard at least three shots fired as I drove past and the partygoers were
ducking and scrambling in all directions. Many jumped into their cars
and sped away. Among the people running out of the building were
some scantily-clad women in provocative outfits. I drove up the street to
a lighted parking lot where I could safely call 911.

CMPD was called out on Saturday night and found no one was injured from the
shots being fired. There were 3 calls for service and they were all entered in as
one call at 12:05 and three Officers arrived at 12:14.

Mark Griffin (Code Enforcement) has been notified about the incidents Saturday
and we will see what we can do to get this problem resolved. Please remind
everyone to call in any loud noise complaints from this address or any other
suspected illegal activity. If we continue to build a history on this business it
will help us get this problem resolved. --- Officers Mike Travis & Amanda Giannini
North Division Community Coordinators

UPDATE:
CMPD spoke to the owner of the property and starting April 1st there will be a new
renter at the 2311 W Sugar Creek address. He was not aware of some of the issues
out there at the property until he was advised by someone at the barber shop. The
owner says that if anything like this happens again that he would evict the renter.
CMPD will follow up with the new tenant to advise him what the PD expects and
what the community expects.

You may have noticed the business has already changed its name. There are
supposed to be absolutely NO parties at this business. If you hear loud music and
see a lot of people there that looks like a party please report it. Call 911 Hopefully
this will resolve the issue. The owner is more than willing to work with us.
-- Officer Mike Travis
==================================================================

Q. Any Word When Allen Hills Pool will start signing up new members?

Sad News --- It is unlikely that Allen Hills Pool will open again this summer. Low
Membership vs.Operating Expenses has always been a problem in recent years as
the Neighborhood population has grown older, the kids grew up and moved away,
and new families here struggling to meet the mortgages haven't joined.

There was talk of selling the land to a developer a couple of seasons back, but folks
rallied and found new members outside our area. Unfortunately, some of the newer
HOA's did the same to keep their pools open. Last summer, folks worked hard to
get Allen Hills Pool ready to open, but were unable to fill the pool because of the
mandatory drought restrictions.

Issues with sustaining membership have affected even some of the HOA Pools in
our area and this summer may be a rough one, with the current economy.
==================================================================

Today's Funny: (From our FREE Friday Funny E-Mail
Send us an email if you'd like to receive it.


THINGS I LEARNED IN NORTH CAROLINA..

1) A possum is a flat animal that sleeps in the middle of the road.

2) There are 5,000 types of snakes and 4,998 of them live in NC.

3) There are 10,000 types of spiders, and all 10,000 of them live in NC.

4) If it grows, it'll stick ya. If it crawls, it'll bite cha.

5) "Onced" and "Twiced" are words.

6) It is not a shopping cart, it's a buggy.

7) "Jaw-P?" means, "Did y'all go to the bathroom?"

8) People actually grow and eat okra.

9) "Fixinto" is one word.

10) There is no such thing as lunch. There is only dinner and
then there is supper..

11) Iced tea is appropriate for all meals, and you start drinking it
when you're two. We do like a little tea with our sugar.

12) Backwards and forwards means, "I know everythin' about you."

13) The word "jeet" is actually a phrase meaning, "Did you eat?"

14) You don't have to wear a watch, because it doesn't matter what time it is.
You work until you're done or it's too dark to see.

15) You don't PUSH buttons, you MASH em.

16) You measure distance in minutes.

17) You switch from heat to A/C in the same day.

18) All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable,
grain, insect or animal.

19) You know what a "Dawg" is.

20) You carry jumper cables in your car - for your own car.

21) You only own five spices: salt, pepper, Texas Pete , Tabasco
and ketchup.

22) The local papers cover national and international news on one page,
but require 6 pages for local gossip and high school football.

23) You think that the first day of deer season is a national holiday.

24) You find 100 degrees "a bit warm."

25) You know all four seasons: Almost summer, summer, still summer,
and Christmas.

26) Going to Walmart is a favorite past time known as "goin' Walmartin"
or "off to Wally World."

27) You describe the first cool snap (below 70 degrees) as good hog killin'
weather.

28) Fried catfish is the other white meat.

29) We don't need no dang Driver's Ed... If our mama says we can drive,
we can drive, dag-nabbit.
--- submitted by Louise Novy
=================================================================