Big Apologies to Chantel Ray

I owe a big apology to Chantel Ray and her team of realtors. Her ad in the September-October issue was gravely out of sorts and I haven't the foggiest excuse for how it got past the proofread.

Without further ado, I ask for Chantel Ray's forgiveness and have posted the link to the her ad here as well as placed a picture of it above.

Office Max Opens; Bicycling Around; A Global Perspective

Office Max Now Open

Office Max opened their doors this week. No big fanfare, just opened their doors. There were a few sale items, but nothing more than what was available in their sale paper. But I am still glad they are here. It's a lot closer on my bicycle.

Bicycle, Bicycle, Bicycle

I find that riding my bicycle is a relaxing thing. Sure the gas prices spurred me to ride my bike around the neighborhood more; especially running errands to the shopping center. But Gwen and I look forward to riding down the bike path to Back Bay at Lago Mar in the evening. It's a pleasant 3 mile 'chat session'. But now that gas prices have come down significantly, I still like riding my bike. It's a liberating feeling, somewhat. It's also one of constant caution. Drivers using their cell phones are the ones to watch for most; especially when you are coming from their left side, like when you are at an intersection. We, as drivers, tend not to look to the left first. I have begun to change that. But also, I see other bicyclists, and cyclists, not sharing the road in the neighborhood; especially the kids. Last words on this: We must ALL share the roads in Red Mill Farm. Tell your children, please.

"Shift Happens"

To the right of this blog is a slide presentation about global population and how our society is shifting. What is amazing are the facts that are in it. Some may surprise you, others you may have heard. But the overall feeling can be overwhelming when you think about it. I ask you to read it, because I think that this slide show can be a catalyst for more dialogue. I would like to hear from you about what you think of this presentation. It's called "Shift Happens".

The newsletter is due out right after Labor Day. See you in your mailbox.

ciao for now!

National Night Out Photos Now Online

I have posted the photos for 2008 National Night Out for all to see;
click here. For the photos of the 2007 National Night Out, click here.

National Night Out was a big success, AGAIN!

Every year it gets better and better. We still had more than 400 people show up. Additionally, Virginia Beach Police Chief Alfred Jaycocks came by as did several other police officers and Police Elements; Crime Solvers, and the K9 Unit. The Fire Department sent not only a fire engine from but sent an ambulance as well. Virginia Beach Public Library set up a table and got several library cards issued, too.

City Council members Barbara Henley (our Princess Anne District Councilperson) came and stayed, as did Rosemary Wilson and Bill DeSteph. In fact Bill help with the tear down and storage of the bounce houses. Thanks, Bill!

Support our community is what many merchants do everyday in the providing the goods and services that they do. But it truly a sign of community spirit when they come to our community events and participate in our activities.

Thanks to Rita's Italian Ice for coming out and giving us Italian Ices, Sonics provided the ice and drinks, Panera sent us some bagels (mmmmm Asiago Cheese bagel!)

But the biggest thanks goes to the two churches, New Hope Church and Beacon Baptist Church, for their outreach to the community and providing us with the hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones and the bounce houses.

On the Soap Box

Once again it is through coming together like this that make our community and neighborhoods safer and friendlier. But that event didn't happen by magic. Through the coordination with the City and the National Night Out organization, MaryBeth Ruger and her husband Bob did an outstanding job even while juggling their hectic schedules and jobs. The rest of the Red Mill Farm Civic Association Board Members helped make this event happen, too. And it was no magic that accomplished such a great event. It was caring and commitment for this community. It was Steve Swisher's leadership and guidance as President of the civic league to help us focus. It was people like Trish Toney, Barbara Charalambous, Maria Pladz, Leslie Waddell, and Gwen Rosales not only setting up the event but accomplishing the mission of the event; fostering a sense of community pride and fellowship among neighbors.

We should be thankful for these board members' commitment to our community and reach out to them let them all know how much they are appreciated.

Even better. All of us as neighbors should join the civic league and be a true part of what makes this community a great place to be and live; not just pay our mortgages/rents and mow our lawns. Look in your newsletters, fill out the form and send your $20 dues check. And not only fill out the form, but tell them what you would like to do to help in YOUR community.

National Night Out 2008 was a SUCCESS!!!

Once again, the success of National Night Out at Red Mill Park was better than the year before!
We had about 400 people again, plus four members of City Council visited us, as well as the Chief of Police, the Fire Department, Virginia Beach Police K-9 Unit, Crime Solvers and all the neighbors!
I am just posting this quickly, because I have pictures to post so all can see them.
I will post more on Friday morning, including pictures.

Thanks to everybody for making this event even more successful that last year.

gotta scoot!

Buffalo Wild Wings Coming, Super Suppers Moving and more

I ran in to Eric Anderson at Panera's Friday morning. He tells me that Buffalo Wild Wings is coming to Red Mill Commons. It will sit in the corner building where Eternity Happens use to be.

Also, Super Suppers is moving out of their spot in Red Mill Commons and moving to a bigger spot in Red Mill Walk, close to Target. The bigger spot will enable them to do more things like expand their couples night, put up monitors and have more preparation areas.

Office Max is opening the first week in August.

There is a new home theater store moving into Red Mill Walk, right next to Simply Gifts.

National Night Out plans are coming together. It's not looking good for the inflatable water slide, but I'm not counting it out yet. We have all the stuff ready for hot dogs, popcorn, cold drinks. Rita's will be handing out Italian Ices and Panera will bring some sliced bagels. It's going to be fun, fun, fun!!!
More info to follow. I have a scheduled phone call with Steve Green. He's in charge of the management of the shopping center. As soon as I know, you'll know. I won't wait until next Friday to post.

ciao, brown cow!

National Night Out Plans in Full Swing; Neighbor's First Comments!

National Night Out plans are in full swing! 

National Night Out will be held at the Red Mill Park on Upton Dr. & Red Mill Blvd. again, on 5 August starting at 7 p.m. until dusk. Rita's Italian Ice and Panera will be there with free stuff. New Hope Church is giving away hot dogs and the civic league is supplying lemonade and kool-aid in cups and ice supplied by Sonics. AND....wait for it....there's going to be bounce-castles, too!!!

Right now, we're waiting to see if the inflatable water slide can be repaired in time for all the kiddies. Stayed glued here to find out. Also, in the works is whether My Gym will be setting up their kids obstacle course this year. We are waiting to see what kind of cool chase car the Virginia State Troopers will bring this year.

It's going to be another fun year for all.

Neighbor and newly licensed realtor, Tracy Broadhead writes:

"Hi Mario. Just wanted to say thanks for the info on the blog. Thought you might like to share some more - Sherwood Lakes is hoping to have their models completed and open by August. They are ranging in price so far from $369 to $509. They are single family condos and will have a different set up - the agent told me that they will have "alley" streets, i.e. you pull up to the back of your house. also, not sure if you are aware that Ashville Park will host this year's Home-a-Rama in October. 

Just posted you first comment. I'll check back again in awhile to see if you have anything new. Would you prefer to have info like the above emailed to you so that you can write an article or would you prefer it to be in the comments?"

Thanks, Tracy. If you want to - and this goes for everybody - please post them in the comments section. Or if you really want it mentioned in the next posting then just email me and say so. 

Also, I read in the Virginian Pilot that this is year's Home-A-Rama will have the fewest homes ever this year. Hmm...I guess this is that market correction we have been waiting for. Too bad it took a serious mortgage crisis/credit crunch to initiate it. I know, I threw that grenade out there. But seriously, the developers just had to know that they were playing with dynamite when they bought into Ashville Park and Heritage Park; really! And the mortgage lenders and the homeowners who went for all those crazy (nee financially creative) schemes to buy those outrageously-priced homes. I'm just saying, is all. And I won't say anymore on it. Let the corrections begin.

General Meeting of the Civic Association will be @ 7 p.m., 14 October at the Princess Anne Branch Library.

Stay tuned to this blog. I have some plans in the works for publishing all the pictures the civic league has had over the years. 

I'm out, sauerkraut!

New Happenings in the New Shopping Center

Thanks for a great start.
This being the second post, we already have a couple of responses. I am thankful for the suggestions. Though they didn't post to the blog, they did email me with the suggestions. One was to post more store openings in the shopping centers; which I think that is where this blog will be the most useful. The other one, suggested some things to do to the newsletter. One was to add color to the newsletter. It would be nice to be able to do that. But we aren't there yet in terms of readership and affordability. but rest assured that when we get to that point, we will be in full color. The other suggestions they had were to put in cartoons and have regular columns. I like those ideas, too. How about suggestions for both? What kind of cartoons should I put in and what kind of columns would you all like to see in the newsletter?

Cafe Fresh Under Construction in Red Mill Walk.
There is yet a new place starting in the Red Mill Walk shopping center, next to the Teacher and Parents Store (TAPS). It's called Cafe Fresh, and is part of the Juice Zone franchise (www.juicezone.com). According to the Juice Zone website, Cafe Fresh will serve "nutritious and delicious quick foods". From the look of their menu online, they may be the competitor of Tropical Smoothie. A couple of notables about Cafe Fresh, are their 'Fresh-squeezed juices' and their "Big-time Smoothies". Their juices are apple, orange and carrot and combinations of apple-carrot and orange-carrot. Additionally, they make juices called 'Supreme Squeezes' with healthy names like Cold Fighter, Detox, Cholesteral Reducer, Energy Blast, Body Cleanser and - I dare you to try this one - the 'Digestive Cocktail'. Their smoothies can be 'zonified' with supplements to fortify the body and improve health. The come in healthy blends like Energy, Brain, Fiber, Bone, Whey Protein, Soy Protein, Sniffles, Slim & Trim, and here's an odd one: Multi-Vitamin.
Besides drinks and smoothies, they have a selection of wraps, paninis, and soups. They also have 'healthy choice menus for the kids; grilled cheese, PB&J, deli meat and a chicken wrap.
I'll keep you all posted on when they are going to open up - OR - if someone has the scoop, post a reply to this post and let us all know.

Office Max now hiring.
Office Max is getting ready for a 1 August opening - just in time or school supplies - and has posted a "now hiring" sign. Contact them through their OfficeMax.com website and reference their Upton Drive store.

Rage N Car Audio is open and ready for business.
Rage N Car Audio has been open since May. I took my son's truck over there to have the speakers updated. It's quite the little place. The owner/operator was very knowledgable about his products, had reasonable prices, installation took about a half hour, but what really impressed me was his knowledge of my son's truck. He went right in there, looked around and in less than a minute, found the factory holes in the cab where additional speakers could be installed. This guy took some measurements and then went back in to the store and we looked at the speakers that would fit in the truck. Reasonable prices, quick and expert service, and my son is satisfied with the sound. I wonder what he can do with upgrading a factory BMW installation?

Does anyone else have some things to say about the new businesses? How 'bout those crunchy tacos at Pollo Loco? You can't eat just one!