June 2011 RAD STUDIO STROLL

It is that time of year again... Saturday & Sunday June 11 & 12, 2011... 10am to 6pm... the River Arts District will be jamming... with a friday night party @ Pink Dog Creative to celebrate their official Grand Opening... new food includes The Junction & White Duck Taco Shop... new studios include 5 @ the Hatchery Studios @ 1 Roberts Street, 3 @ Northlight Studios (Wendy Whitson bought 357 Depot Street) & the 15 studios in Pink Dog.  Join in the fun or avoid the traffic... which ever suits you.

WC REID Center gets $4 million HUD grant

From ashevilleRAD.com: The W.C. Reid Center & The Asheville Housing Authority have been awarded a $4 million HUD Grant. These funds will be used to create a community education & green jobs training center. Special thanks go to David Nash of AHA, all the folks @ Green Opportunities & all the partners, for their hard work & vision in securing this grant.

WECAN May 2011 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting on Thursday May 5, 2011 at Merritt Park Meeting Room

Members present: Byron Ballard, Jeff Carnivale, Jessie Coleman, Joe Fioccola, .

Members not present were: Bret Frk, Tom Gibson, AnnaBeth Hardcastle, Mike Kenton, Yuri Koslen, Geraldine Melendez, Luke W. Perry, Jose Ruiz and Pattiy Torno.

Also present were:  Marsha Stickford and Officers Coward and Ward. 

Joe called the meeting to order at 6:42. The April minutes were approved as distributed with one correction: The date of the Curve Studios open house was April 22. 

Neighborhood Watch:  Marsha showed a map from the planning department identifying owner occupied and rental properties in WECAN.Joe will hold the map until the next meeting.

Crime Issues: Discussion of some homeless camps between the Silver Dollar and Clingman Lofts. Marsha explained the new protocol for handling these situations. First identify locations and report to Jackie Stepp or Marsha. Then AHOPE Day shelter will make outreach contact (with APD if it is unsafe.) They will explain what services are available. They will also explain the pathways to housing and give them a week to be cleared out. In a week the site will be cleared by community service workers or public works if it is on city park or right of way. She also noted that D.O.T. has also been cooperating with the protocol.  In the Silver Dollar case new issues arose concerning camping on private property. There are still life safety standards of running water, health and sanitation to be considered.  Marsha also reported that the Ice House owners were considering a marketing plan to develop the property. They will be facing a deadline to either secure the property or it may have to be taken down by the city with a lien placed against the property.       

Neighboring Neighborhoods: Some Hillcrest residents have been on the news protesting the placement of video cameras by the Housing Authority. Some complaints are that the cameras are looking into their bedroom windows. There has been increased police coverage. Joe read a letter from Angela Smith from 96 S. French Broad Avenue about the drainage problems there and also a letter from Jeff Staudinger, Community Development Director, that work should begin in the next two weeks. "As an FYI, Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation, while very helpful in the application stage, was not charged with the responsibility for completing the project. That responsibility rests with the City. McCray Coates will be in charge of the project.". 

    Events: Arbor Day: Saturday April 9, 2011 at Aston Park: Jeff reported that Donna Paxton and Val Kramer attended and a film crew was there to document planting native trees in fifty states.

    Stand Against Racism: Aston Gateway Community Board held their event on Saturday April 30 at Aston Park with an open house. They had 'tri-fold' boards set up for comments .They showed a video called "Free Indeed" about institutional racism and Pastor Roberto Guerrero was on hand to lead discussions. On Monday night at the YWCA the C.U.C. (Christians for a United Community had a good conversation led by Tyrone Greenlee on dismantling racism. Marsha wondered what kind of follow up there can be not focused so much on gentrification as on building relationships.

    Clingman Avenue Streetscape: Marsha, after consultation with legal has a new optimistic attitude towards the utilities. Cable should be moved in the next 30 days so the project can move forward.

    LED Streetlights: The city will begin Monday near the railroad tracks replacing streetlights and should be done by the end of the month. The Office of Sustainability has a Question and Answer section on the city website Marsha also noted that Progress Energy will check for coverage and also switch out streetlights on private property with the new energy efficient L.E.D. lights.  

    AARDC Between the Bridges : Marsha suggested that we invite Stephanie Monson to a future meeting talk to us about the plans and what her goals are for small area plans.

    Pedestrian Bridge: No clean up planned yet. D.O.T. has been repairing and replacing fences. Tentative plans to have a "Re-connection" celebration in mid-June. 

    General Membership Meeting: It is time to begin thinking about our semi annual meeting. A suggested date was set for Saturday June 4th in the afternoon or later. Food? Party? Owens Bell Park?

    Living Treasure Celebration: Our own 'living treasure' Jessie Coleman will be among the first group to be honored at 1 p.m. on Sunday May 22, 2011 at First Baptist Church 5 Oak Street. Her oral history has already been recorded and will be archived.

    Announcements: Jeff reported for the Aston Gateway Community Board that the additional fencing for the basketball court had been approved and bid and should begin installation this week. Tai-Chi classes led by Liz Ridley on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 were very popular. They are looking for a Yoga instructor to have classes on another day or evening and also a meditation group. The final equipment containers are in. The grant is about to be completed and will be celebrated with an Open House on Saturday May 21 from 2-6 p.m. and with a distribution of water bottles that say "We belong in Aston Park." Overall, he said it was a good process; He learned a lot about building relationships and community with the 6 or 7 core group members. They are being studied and documented as a model for other communities The Historic marker will not be changed before the open house. A draft revised text is under construction and will be posted for input before any permanent changes are made. Contact will also be made with local historians Henry Robinson, John Woods and Sarah Judson.

    Jessie related that she and her great granddaughter went to the park last week with a plastic candy-filled egg. They had a great time hiding the one little egg and watching people find it. It shows that it doesn't matter what things you have but what's in your imagination that makes life fun and beautiful.

    Byron reported contact with Susan Roderick about a Community Garden and she suggested talking to the people at ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) about a garden near the Fairway Sign next to the Boy Scouts Building. ASAP's office is just down the block in the Felmet Building.

    Officers Coward and Ward reported that the homeless camp next to the Silver Dollar was gone. That bike patrols of Aston Park would continue and would adjust if needed more in mornings or afternoons.

    Marsha Reported that the sidewalk at Dave Steel was given back to the city. Legal researched the agreement from the 1930's and found the city gave the sidewalk in return for a retaining wall.  

Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola.

WECAN April 2011 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting on Thursday April 7, 2011 at Merritt Park Meeting Room

Members present: Jessie Coleman, Joe Fioccola, AnnaBeth Hardcastle, and Pattiy Torno.

Members not present were: Byron Ballard, Jeff Carnivale, Bret Frk, Tom Gibson, Yuri Koslen, Geraldine Melendez, Luke W. Perry and Jose Ruiz.

Also present were: Mike Kenton, Marsha Stickford and Officer Billy Brittain. 

Pattiy called the meeting to order at 6:33. The March minutes were approved as distributed.

Board Vacancy: Pattiy moved and Jessie seconded to Appoint Mike Kenton as an At-large member of the WECAN Board.  Motion passed and his term shall be until the Annual General Membership meeting in the Fall when he can be nominated as a resident Board member.

Neighborhood Watch:  We were expecting a map from Yuri. Marsha will bring a large map with property owners and addresses to the May meeting. It will take more work to divide blocks and develop Captains. Mike volunteered to be a block captain in his area. Once identified the block captains should meet to learn best practices about making contacts and who to report to.

Succession: Pattiy is looking for someone to  maintain the email and address list when she rotates of the board in 2012.

Crime Issues: 411 W Haywood St was broken into. A scooter taken from Jefferson Dr was recovered. Thanks to Zac who reported seeing it and Officer Coward for recovering it. On 3/14 the Silver Dollar was broken into.   Unknown whether any of these can be related to the opening of the pedestrian walkway to Hillcrest. Homeless campsites have been appearing with the warmer weather in the wooded ravine east of Clingman Ave. The City has a protocol working with service providers to advise people that setting up campsites is not legal or healthy and what options are available. Let Jackie Stepp or Marsha know if you see any.

Arbor Day:  Pattiy received an email from Susan Roderick announcing Asheville’s Arbor day Celebration on Saturday April 9,2011 at Aston Park. 1:00 Asheville’s 31^st Tree City USA Presentation. 12:00 Dig holes and plant 11 Shade Trees at Aston Park. 1:00 refreshments, enjoy the beautiful park and “There will be prizes and fun for the whole family.”

For more information call Asheville Greenworks at 254-1776 or visit www.ashevillegreenworks.org.

Not to be confused with the YWCA Service project spreading mulch and cleaning playground equipment at Aston Park on April 16 from 9:00 to Noon. (Contact Lindsey Simerly at 280-3333 or Lindsey@HeathShuler.com.

Stand Against Racism: YWCA’s event will be on Friday April 29 at the Glen Rock Depot more information at www.ywcaofasheville.org Aston Gateway Community Board will hold their event on Saturday April 30 at Aston Park documenting stories about Aston Park.

Networking with other neighborhoods: Luke emailed Pattiy that no progress on Hillcrest connection, but thanks for the sidewalk repairs, lighting still needed.  DOT has not vetoed any uses of the area under the Smokey Park Bridges and may consider recommendations to city council from the AARDC concerning DOT rights of way. There is better fencing but Officer Britain reported anecdotally that some people are still crossing the interstate. Marsha reported the problems encountered in getting lighting and cameras placed at Hillcrest. Council wants a twilight walkthrough after all the lights are installed.

COA East of Riverway: Pattiy was advised that raw data from the door to door survey will be made available to us. 140 surveys were received from WECAN, S French Broad, Livingston and Hillcrest neighborhoods. 49 came from WECAN alone 12 of which were received on-line.  

Clingman Avenue Streetscape: Pattiy talked to Greg Shuler who is “disappointed with our utility partners.” Still waiting on AT&T and Cablevision to move their lines so the old utility poles can be removed and the project completed. Still shooting for a completion date for a parade from Hilliard to Roberts possibly on June 9^th.

LED Streetlights: The city will begin placing and replacing 500 led streetlights in the WECAN area but not on any state roads(i.e. Clingman Ave or Patton Ave.) Pattiy suggested creative ways of celebrating the energy saving lights such as decorating the poles with recycled paper decorations.

AARDC Between the Bridges : Some idea drawings were made to help property owners see potential development ideas for properties such as the Stockyards, the Ice House and the Buncombe County School Maintenance areas. They can be viewed at the Asheville Design Center Office on College at 14 College St. There are no immediate plan for the Dave Steel property and perhaps environmental unknowns.

Joe attended the Community Land Trust meeting at the ADC. This came out of a desire from the Burton Street Community to preserve community gardens and affordable housing. There are no current mechanisms or entities to create a land trust. And some problems  in keeping housing affordable and avoiding gentrification with open green spaces. More meetings will follow.

Announcements: two new restaurants opening soon: The Taco Shop at the Hatchery Building will open as soon as they get a C.O. with 45 seats inside and 45 outside in the fenced area. The Junction will also open in the Pink Dog Creative Building on Depot St.   

Curve Studios will have an open house on Friday April 27 from 5-8 p.m.

Jessie Nell Coleman was nominated and selected to be honored this month as one of the first group of Asheville’s Living Treasures. Congratulations! Thanks and well done, Jessie.

Meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola.

NeXT WECAN monthly Board Meeting

This Thursday April 7, 2011 @ 6:30pm @ 64 Clingman Avenue, MHO's first floor Conference Room!! BE THERE!

Grow 4-1-11 @ MMS Direct w/ Asheville Greenworks

"Grow 4-1-11"... an event hosted by MMS Direct to benefit Asheville Greenworks... also an open house on Friday, April 1, 2011 from 1 to 5pm @ 88 Roberts Street in the Asheville RAD.  MMS Direct started as a mailing facility for bulk mail, marketing pieces, etc.  They have become a multi media platform for all of any businesses needs from mailing to printing to social media & web.  

The same day AGW is sponsoring a clean up in the River Arts District & MMS Direct is hosting the after party. All contributions made to Asheville Greenworks in the form of donations for Wedge & Craggie Beer that will be served @ the party that runs from 5:30 to 7pm will be matched by MMS.  Please volunteer for the clean up and RSVP for the after party at the links above.

here are the after party photos!!

WECAN Garden Club in OBP

March 12, 2011 started off pretty darn chilly but that did not stop Joe Fioccola, Pattiy Torno, Tom Robertson & Byron Ballard from coming out to re mulch the trails, dead head the Sunny Cultural Garden, plant day lilies & iris as well as remove the invasive english ivy off some the trees near Miss Louise's house.  We will talk about more garden space on the other side of the bus stop at our next WECAN board meeting, Thursday April 7, 2011.