Fisher Parker [June 2010]

              Fisher Park Established 1902 —Listed on the National Register of Historic Places — www.fisherparknc.org
Page 1
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
Come out, chill out, and taste fruity flavors of Hawaiian Ice
during our neighborhood’s annual celebration of National
Night Out Against Crime, Tuesday, August 3, 6:30 p.m., at
the east Fisher Park playground. Fisher Park T-shirts are
for sale for $10 and Neighborhood Watch home window
decals are three for $1. You and your children will enjoy
meeting our district police officers and firefighters.
All who work or live in our neighborhood, which spans from Church
Street to Smith Street to Wharton Street to Wendover Avenue, are encouraged to
participate in all Fisher Park neighborhood events. And we appreciate everyone
who joins the Fisher Park e-mail listserv and posts issues of interest or concern,
so neighbors as well as police are alerted promptly to suspicious or criminal
activity. Turn on your porch lights, a National Night Out Against Crime habit
encouraged year-round!
SOUTHERN STATES DONATES PLANTS
Admiring the begonias and portulaca blooming in concrete planters adorning
entrances and walkways of Fisher Park? We have many people to thank.
Southern States at 6199 Lake Brandt Road (336-644-7610) donated 10 floral flats
and discounted additional flats, Stephen Dull of Fisher Park Circle and Sally
Atwood of Simpson Street coordinated the “Adopt a Planter” project, and over
15 neighbors filled planters to the brim with multi-color flowers and promise to
water them throughout summer.
Fisher Park is a City park, and public funds pay to mow, remove trash,
and provide mulch. Yet, for over two decades our neighborhood has committed
to a public-private partnership in which our Park Committee plans and neighbors
volunteer to accomplish planting, pruning, and vine-pulling. There’s always more
to do, so share thanks to all who go the extra distance to ensure one of
Greensboro’s older city parks remains among the best.
WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE
More than 36 neighbors have committed to water the NeighborWoods trees
planted in November 2009, assuring a healthy start. Thanks to prolific and
repeated autumn and springtime rains, Mother Nature’s relieved us from weekly
watering. Still, all watering volunteers should be on alert for the watering call of
Park Committee Co-Chairperson Sally Atwood. We anticipate Greensboro’s
traditionally dry summer ahead. NeighborWoods and Adopt-A-Planter projects
have raised more volunteers than we’ve seen in years, a reflection of mutual
appreciation of our core asset, Fisher Park itself.
FisherParker
serving residents of the Fisher Park Neighborhood
June 2010
the
CALENDAR
___________________
National Night Out
Tuesday, August 3, 6:30 p.m.
East Fisher Park Playground
336-209-5525
Park Summer Clean-Up
Saturday, June 26, 8:00 am
West Fisher Park
336-273-8286
Park Autumn Clean-Up
Saturday, October 16, 9:30 a.m.
East & West Fisher Park
336-273-8286
Children’s Halloween
Parade & Party
Sunday, October 31, 5:00 p.m.
Parade from intersection of
Fisher Park Circle and Carolina
Street to Temple Emanuel.
336-273-3365
Neighborhood
Annual Meeting
Sunday, November 21, 4:00 p.m.
Broome Hall, Holy Trinity Church
336-545-5543
Luminaria Orders Due
Sunday, December 5
to Block Captains or to Rob Pope
803 Simpson Street
336-638-7706
Luminaria Kit-Building Party
Wednesday, December 8, 6:00 p.m.
Rob Pope’s home
803 Simpson Street
336-638-7706
Luminaria Display &
Neighbor Open Houses
Sunday, December 12, dusk
(Rain date is December 19)
336-638-7706
Fisher Park Established 1902 —Listed on the National Register of Historic Places — www.fisherparknc.org
Page 2
YET NOT A DROP TO DRINK?
Carolina Street neighbor Dr. Debbie Leiner Fields encourages us to be aware of the source and
quality of our local drinking water. Prolific as water is this spring, summer droughts have
become common. In 20 years, more than half the world’s population is projected to face water
shortages, and about half our American population receives drinking water from increasingly
polluted lakes and streams.
Our local drinking water is primarily rain collected in Lake Higgins then Lake Brandt
after which it’s processed and flows to our homes for drinking. Water in the tiny stream through Fisher Park
collects from rains and storm drains and flows into Latham Park’s North Buffalo Creek, then flows northeast into
the Haw River, then to Jordan Lake, and eventually into the Cape Fear River to the Atlantic Ocean south of
Wilmington, NC.
We can all improve our water supply quality (reduce use of fertilizers and don’t pour contaminants into
drains) and reduce our water use (install low-flow shower/faucet aerators, repair leaky faucets, run dishwashers
and washing machines only when full, and choose plants and grasses that thrive with natural rainfall). We can
even learn more about our food choices ... a pound of beef requires over 1,700 gallons of water from field to table!
To learn where local water comes from and goes to, see a map of the Cape Fear River Basin at
http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/public/ecoaddress/riverbasins/riverbasinmapinteractive.htm.
FATS, OILS, & GREASE
The City of Greensboro Water Resources Department aims to prevent excessive introduction of fats, oil and
grease into local sanitary sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants. Accumulation of grease increases sewer
blockage and overflows, and eventually reaches lakes and streams. You can help! Properly dispose of cooking
grease by placing it in sealed containers and discard in the garbage, reducing the amount of fats, oils and grease
that enter the local sewer system and our water supply.
LEAD-SAFE PRACTICES
Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by
disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children. To protect against this risk, on April 22,
2008, the U.S. EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices aimed at preventing lead poisoning.
Contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care
facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified by the EPA and follow specific work practices to prevent
lead contamination. Three simple procedures are most important: (1) Contain the work area, (2) minimize dust,
and (3) clean up thoroughly. “Much of it is common sense techniques like sealing off rooms where lead dust is
being generated , wet sanding, and collecting and disposing of lead paint chips,” says Mike Cowhig, a Fisher Park
Magnolia Street neighbor and Community Planner of City Housing and Community Development Historic
District staff. For details visit http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm or
http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/lead/lhmp.html.
CITY AND UNCG LAUNCH LANDLORD-TENANT DISPUTE RESOLUTION
The 2000 U.S. Census indicated that parts of Fisher Park and Aycock neighborhoods are almost 46 percent
non-owner occupied. Landlords and tenants alike may be interested to know that the City’s
Human Relations Department and UNCG’s Conflict Studies and Dispute Resolution
Program recently launched a program aimed at resolving landlord/tenant disputes, reducing
communication barriers and working together to solve problems.
Issues that can be mediated include damaged property, noise complaints, repairs,
financial problems, etc. Participation is voluntary and both parties must agree to discuss
issues before a mediator, skilled in assisting landlords and tenants to: (1) define and clarify issues, (2) reduce
obstacles to communication, (3) explore possible solutions, and (4) reach a mutually satisfactory agreement. The
City and UNCG schedule mediation sessions. For information about this partnership, contact the City’s Human
Relations Department, 336-373-2038.
Fisher Park Established 1902 —Listed on the National Register of Historic Places — www.fisherparknc.org
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ROCKS OF AGES
New World Vision International Christian Center (formerly Anderson Grove Baptist Church) at 200 Florence
Street recently applied for and received a Historic District (HD) Certificate of Appropriateness (CoA) to rebuild a
toppled stone wall. The craftsmen replicated the wall’s former appearance and also ensured that the failing wall’s
footing, backing, and drainage were corrected in the process.
The wall on the Green Street side of the property remains in-tact. This wall is made of “rusticated
concrete blocks,” inexpensive hollow blocks made to mimic expensive rough hewn stones, popular from the mid-
1800s through the late 1920s. One early 1900s castle-like house (now an apartment house) on Summit Avenue is
built entirely of “rusticated concrete block.” Manufacturers are producing these again today in response to
contemporary architectural trends. What was old, is new, and ready for another century’s use.
NEW COLUMBARIUM APPROVED AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
First Presbyterian Church requested and received a Historic District Certificate of Appropriateness (CoA) to build
a new columbarium providing over 400 new cremation burial spaces near their campus’ northern “front yard”.
Arborists and the City Urban Forester provided the Church with detailed instructions intent on preserving two
large adjacent magnolia trees. Construction may begin this autumn.
Also, in May, Church representatives agreed to cease parking on one Elm Street parcel which never
received a CoA for parking, and placed orange cones to stop parking in that lot until a CoA is obtained.
Neighbors appreciate when all homes, businesses, and organizations within the local Historic District follow city
Guidelines, available at http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/Departments/hcd/historic/hdprogram/.
DOWNTOWN GREENWAY ALONG FISHER AVENUE
The Downtown Greenway will create a four-mile linear park around downtown Greensboro and will feature a
paved, multi-use path for bicycles and pedestrians. It will connect more than a dozen neighborhoods and provide
connections to several City parks and popular destinations. Fisher Park neighbors Dabney Sanders and John
McLendon are active participants in Greenway planning.
Phase 2 of the Greenway will enter our neighborhood coming up Murrow Blvd., continuing along the
north side of Fisher Avenue to Eugene Street, and then turning south toward Smith Street. GDOT, the
Greenway Committee, and transportation engineers are preparing detailed designs. Portions of the Greenway
along Fisher Avenue will be within the Historic District and will be reviewed by the City of Greensboro Historic
Preservation Commission in 2011. A temporary detour route for the Downtown Greenway currently follows Bike
Route 9 and sidewalks along North Greene Street, Fisher Park Circle, and Parkway Street to the Latham Park
Greenway. For more information, visit www.downtowngreenway.org.
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION ASKS CITY TO REDUCE SPEED LIMITS
Traffic speed is an ongoing concern throughout our neighborhood, especially on through
streets that have a 35 MPH posted speed limit. We continue to see and hear frequent
accidents, especially at intersections, and speed contributes to many of these. Pedestrian
safety is a serious concern. Although the downtown business district enjoys a 20 MPH
speed limit, that limit increases to 35 MHP as vehicles enter our neighborhood at Smith
Street. Several years ago, neighbors lobbied, and the speed limit on North Eugene Street
and Bessemer Avenue was reduced slightly to 30 MPH.
Recently the FPNA Board of Directors voted to request that GDOT review and
reduce speed limits to not more than 30 MPH on all through streets in and along the
edge of the neighborhood including Church Street, Elm Street, Greene Street, Smith Street, and Fisher Avenue.
For better visibility and to emphasize the importance of the speed limit on all of these streets, the request
also asks that the reduced limits be posted with orange bars on the top and bottom like the signs now posted on
Eugene and Bessemer. Please share your traffic concerns and ideas with our neighborhood Streets & Sidewalks
volunteer Sarah Jordan (336-574-3680) and neighborhood President John McLendon (336-545-5543).
Fisher Park Established 1902 —Listed on the National Register of Historic Places — www.fisherparknc.org
Page 4
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS AT 910 MAGNOLIA STREET
The unkempt exterior at 910 Magnolia Street has been a concern of
neighbors for years. Now it presents a rare opportunity for purchase and
updating. Built between 1915 and 1920, the earliest known occupant was
J. T. Penn, a vice president of Southern Atlantic Lumber Company.
Neglected for many years, on January 30, 2010 the house was placed under
a City demolition order because of non-repair of several building code
violations. Because this house is in the Fisher Park Historic District, it has
a 365-day “stay of execution.”
Building inspectors, Historic District staff, and Preservation
Greensboro staff have all visited the house and consistently report that exterior cosmetics aside, the house is in
excellent structural shape. It features extraordinary Craftsman details, including post-on-brick-pier porch
supports, multiple-pane upper window sashes, unusual exposed stick-work in the dormer gable, exposed rafter
tails, and the original kitchen and baths.
The house made the front cover of Preservation Greensboro’s Landmarks News magazine in the summer
of 2009 as a Treasured Places Watch List property. Recently, Preservation Greensboro Inc. (PGI) has entered
into an agreement with the property’s owner (recently inherited) to seek a buyer. Through PGI’s Development
Fund, a buyer would repair the structure in accordance with the Secretary of Interiors Standards. PGI can
shepherd the sale and explain historic preservation tax credits available to the buyer. Neighbors on Magnolia
Street look forward to this house being rejuvenated and once again becoming a neighborhood asset. Contact
Benjamin Briggs at PGI (336-272-5003).
GATHERING OUR HISTORY WHILE WE CAN
A Friend of Green Hill Cemetery volunteer, Luke Glascock, grew up at 905 Magnolia Street and offers to share
his many fond remembrances of the houses and families in that part of our neighborhood from over 50 years ago.
Interested in hosting a gathering to hear Luke’s recollections? Contact lukeglascock@gmail.com and arrange a
time and place. You’ll be enriched by Luke’s joyful recollections of Fisher Park past. Please invite your newsletter
editors, too, as we’d enjoy capturing and sharing his stories for posterity.
Newsletter editor Ann Stringfield has begun to compile a unique resource; Fisher Park Neighborhood
Archives. If you have archive-processing or grant-writing skills, please contact Ann and offer assistance. This will
be a multi-year project, yet the sooner we begin the more complete our collection will be. If you’ve documented
your home’s history, we’d appreciate hearing about that, too! Contact infocrofters@triad.rr.com.
DOWNTOWN AREA PLANNING UPDATE – COMMENT BY JUNE 24
Two planning efforts are currently underway for the downtown area – a Downtown Area Consolidated Plan
and a proposed Downtown Design Manual. The City of Greensboro Planning Department coordinates both
efforts with support from Action Greensboro and Downtown Greensboro, Inc. Fisher Park neighbors need to
become familiar with these plans because the plans overlap six southern-most blocks of our neighborhood
between Smith Street and Fisher Avenue. These six blocks are mostly outside the Historic District, not subject to
the Historic District design guidelines, so new development there would be effected by these plans and design
manual.
Public updates on the Downtown Area Consolidated Plan and Downtown Design Manual have been
frequent, and final comments are encouraged through June 24. Priorities include completion of the Downtown
Greenway, streetscape improvements to improve connectivity for pedestrians and bicyclists, mixed-use
development, promoting rehabilitation of historic buildings, and encouraging designs compatible with our
residential neighborhood. Future development would follow a process similar to, but less rigorous than, the
Historic District review process. Compliance with specific guidelines may be voluntary yet in certain situations
may also involve a Property Owners Review Team and City Council.
Fisher Park Established 1902 —Listed on the National Register of Historic Places — www.fisherparknc.org
Page 5
If you live in or near – or if you are interested in – this area, please become familiar with and share your
comments with John McLendon (336-545-5543) and City Urban Planner Mike Kirkman (336-373-4649) before
June 24. Resources include the Manual at http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/Planning/urbandesign/
manual/ and the Plan at http://www.greensboro nc.gov/departments/Planning/
DowntownAreaConsolidatedPlan.htm.
YOUNG AGAIN
In 2000, the U.S. Census recorded only a few dozen youngsters in our neighborhood. Babies were a rarity on any
block and the median age of residents was about 46 – solidly middle aged. We expect the 2010 U.S. Census to show
dramatic changes in the number of babies and youth. The northern blocks of Wharton Street and Eugene Street are
especially prolific, now with 20 youngsters under the age of ten. There are probably more lurking under cabbage
patches!
Please ensure you are counted in the 2010 U.S. Census, which not only helps determine equitable
distribution of public services, but also helps us quantify changes in our neighborhood. Parents of young children,
please note on the back page that two neighbors volunteer to organize children’s activities. Rachel Cannon-Percival
and Comer Wear coordinate “Kids Events,” and Comer Wear coordinates “Youngsters Play Group.” Children
raised with a strong sense of neighborhood will cherish those relationships
throughout life, and neighbors of all ages are better for it.
HISTORIC HOOTENANNY
A vibrant crowd attended our Saturday, June 5 “Historic District Hootenanny”
on the grounds of Temple Emanuel, hosted by the Fisher Park Neighborhood
Association with Aycock and College Hill neighborhoods all invited. Nicole
Crews of Magnolia Street received cheers for orchestrating this pot-luck event,
especially snaring an incredible bluegrass musical group, Dismal Stills.
Nicole also thanks David Craft for taking care of the garbage,
Ann Stringfield for handling the recycling, Maria’s Gourmet for supplying the ice, Chip Calloway for fresh pastel
pink and blue hydrangeas, Sarah Jordan for water canteens, David Williams and Robert Kantlehner and Alex
Clegg for their brawn, Angie Smits for her skills with a lemon, Rachel Cannon-Percival for conceiving of the idea
last year, Amy Thompson for her patience and good humor and Dismal Stills for foot stompin’ bluegrass
entertainment. AGTWHBY=A good time was had by all! (Note: Planned after the March Fisher Parker
newsletter and before this June issue, invitations were via our neighborhood e-mail list and word of mouth. If you
didn’t get wind of it, that’s another reason to join the Fisher Park Neighborhood e-mail listserv, the only
mechanism to alert neighbors to events between newsletter issues.)
JOIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD E-MAIL LIST
If you’re not on our neighborhood e-mail list, you miss out on many neighborhood activities. Those on the list
help wandering cats and dogs return home, recommend the best house painters, roofers, water-proofers,
plumbers, electricians, share pass-along plants, and are alerted to suspicious characters, break-ins, and announce
upcoming neighborhood events that can’t be covered in our quarterly Fisher Parker newsletter. Join the e-mail list
via www.fisherparknc.org/communicate.html which directs you to Yahoo. You make up a username and
password. Consider joining the Aycock and College Hill e-mail lists, too, through which we share
mutual interests, events, and opportunities.
WANTED: YET ANOTHER MOUNTAIN DULCIMER PLAYER
Do you play, or would you like to learn to play the mountain dulcimer? One or more neighborhood
mountain dulcimer players are invited to join a Fisher Park dulcimer trio/quartet. You must have, or
agree to purchase, a three or four-string Mountain dulcimer with a 6+ fret, and have the ability to
read standard music notation. Experience playing a mountain dulcimer is not necessary. “Learning to
play is easy if you have the motivation,” says Wharton Street neighbor Charles Van deZande. Contact Chuck at
cvandy26@gmail.com. When they hit the charts, you’ll recall they got their start in Fisher Park!
Fisher Park Established 1902 —Listed on the National Register of Historic Places — www.fisherparknc.org
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Fisher Park Neighborhood Association   P. O. Box 2004   Greensboro, NC 27402
Board of Directors
Position (term ends) Name Address Phone
President (ex officio) McLendon, John 2 Magnolia Court 336-545-5543
Vice President Kantlehner, Robert 306 Parkway Street 336-706-0428
Secretary (2010) Sherry Rogowski 227 North Park Drive 336-275-2174
Treasurer (2010) Angie Smits 706 Magnolia Street 336-574-1879
Board (2010) Craft, David 605 North Church St. 336-274-3420
Board (2010) Jackson, Jane 115 North Park Drive 336-271-6705
Board (2010) Lowe, Sonya 710 Magnolia Street 336-209-5525
Board (2010) Usry, Connie 908 Magnolia Street 336-279-8383
Board (2011) Atwood, Sally 802 Simpson Street 336-273-8286
Board (2011) Crews, Nicole 605 Magnolia Street 336-373-1051
Board (2011) Rogowski, Sherry 227 North Park Drive 336-275-2174
Board (2011) Vacant. Call John McLendon to volunteer!
Board (2012) Sarah Jordan 836 Olive Street 336-574-3680
Board (2012) Robert Kantlehner 306 Parkway Street 336-706-0428
Board (2012) Judy Morton 102 Fisher Park Circle 336-387-8351
Board (2012) Angie Smits 706 Magnolia Street 336-574-1879
Other Contacts in the Neighborhood and Beyond
Kids Event
Coordinators
Rachel Cannon-Percival & Comer Wear 336-273-3365
678-429-5250
purplepercival@yahoo.com
cwear@centuryfurniture.com
Events Coordinator Crews, Nicole 336-373-1051 ncrews2@triad.rr.com
Greeter Coordinator Rachel Cannon-Percival 336-273-3365 purplepercival@yahoo.com
Southeast Greeter Janet Craft 336-274-3420 JWolfeCraft@gmail.com
Southwest Greeter Rebecca Woell 336-404-0898 woelljr@earthlink.net
Northwest Greeter Todd McCain 336-333-2299 stmccain@aol.com
Northeast Greeter Jane Jackson 336-271-6705 jjackson1@triad.rr.com
Neighborhood Watch Sonya Lowe 336-209-5525 lowesonya@gmail.com
Newsletter Editors Ann Stringfield & Liz Urquhart 336-370-0457
336-373-1250
infocrofters@triad.rr.com
liz.urquhart@ugcorp.com
Park Committee Carl Myatt & Sally Atwood 336-274-3554 336-273-8286 cmyatt3363@aol.com skda1@aol.com
Youngsters Playgroup Comer Wear 678-429-5250 cwear@centuryfurniture.com
Streets & Sidewalks Sarah Jordan 336-574-3680 sarahtjordan@yahoo.com
Webmaster Ann Stringfield 336-370-0457 infocrofters@triad.rr.com
Block Captain Coordinators
Southern Area Cheryl Poole 336-275-0333 cherylpoole@triad.rr.com
Northern Area Jim Willis 336-275-5092 NA
Civic Representatives of the Fisher Park Neighborhood
City Council Zack Matheny, District 3 Councilman 336-272-0523 zack.matheny@greensboro-nc.gov
County Commissioner Kay Cashion, District 6 Commissioner 336-274-6272 bwillia1@co.guilford.nc.us
Board Meeting
Schedule
Board meetings 6:30 p.m. in the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church education building, Haywood Duke Room.
2010 Board meetings are Jan 25, Feb 22, Mar 29, Apr 26, May 24, Jun 28, Jul 26, Aug 23, Sept 27, Oct 25, and Dec 6.
(Nov/Dec meetings are combined due to holidays.)
The Neighborhood-wide Annual Meeting is Sunday, Nov 21 at 4 p.m in Broome Hall of Holy Trinity Church.
Fisher Park Neighborhood Association Mission
To preserve the historic and residential character of the Fisher Park neighborhood,
and to work with the City of Greensboro to help maintain the scenic park for the benefit of the general public.
Department/Company Other Helpful Contacts Phone
City Customer Contact Center Directs citizen calls to appropriate City departments. 373-2489 (373-CITY)
City Historic District Staff Historic district guidelines, application for certificate
of appropriateness, plus free design review advice.
336-373-2349
Zoning Enforcement Parking in front yards, historic district guidelines enforcement. 336-373-2630
Ordinance Enforcement Housing inspections, abandoned vehicles, lot cleanup. 336-373-2111
Duke Power Streetlight outage. 1-800-POWERON (1-800-769-3766)
Police Central Division Help for emergencies and non-emergencies. Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: 336-373-2222
Police Central Division–Community
Resource Officer
Officer Melanie Daniel 336-373-4645
melanie.daniel@ greensboro-nc.gov
Fisher Park E-mail Listserv Visit www.fisherparknc.org/communicate.html and follow
directions. YOU make up your Yahoo username & password.
After joining the e-mail listserv, you may send
e-mails to fisherpark@yahoogroups.com