By Mr. Edward West, Sr.

It’s the holiday season once again. Also called “The Most Wonderful Time of The Year”, it’s also the time to make extra efforts to ensure the safety and security of ourselves and our homes. 

     Visit http://stonebridgecrossing.blogspot.com/2011/12/happy-holidays-for-2011.html to view the entire post.

By Absolon Kent

The City of Norfolk held a community development strategy meeting with approximately 100 Norfolk residents, Norfolk State officials and City employees, at Norfolk State University on October 17. Hosted by Bob Bathcher, Norfolk’s communications and public information office director,  the meeting is one eight meetings hosted by the City of Norfolk, designed to gather information as city officials prepare to develop the next strategic plan. Delegate Yvonne Miller, Norfolk’s Chief of Police Sharon Chamberlin, and City Manager Marcus Jones were all participants in the meeting.

Participants gathered in 10 small groups for discussions regarding their vision of Norfolk in five years and what they could contribute to make that vision a reality. Specific focus areas identified by the groups included lowering the city’s crime rate, developing a community heritage, having opportunities for teens, developing job training programs and fostering better ommunity connectivity between the city, Norfolk State University, and residents. City officials promised to email a progress report to people who attended the meeting.

By Edward West, Sr.

You don’t have to go trick or treating in Norfolk to enjoy Halloween. There are many other events being held this weekend for good,safe fun for the young and more experienced.  Go to the Halloween Events page for a list of events and info on each.

For those who chose to go trick or treating with your young ones, please observe the city’s guidelines and ordinance regarding this activity. 

Halloween Safety Tips For Trick Or Treaters

• Carry a flashlight. 
• Walk, don’t run. 
• Stay on Sidewalks. 
• Obey traffic signals. 
• Stay in familiar neighborhoods. 
• Don’t cut across yards or driveways. 
• Wear a watch you can read in the dark. 
• Make sure costumes don’t drag on the ground. 
• Shoes should fit (even if they don’t go with your costume). 
• Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house. 
• Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props. 
• (If no sidewalk) walk on the left side of the road facing traffic. 
• Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape. 
• Approach only houses that are lit. 
• Stay away from and don’t pet animals you don’t know. 

Halloween Safety Tips For Parents

• Have your child eat dinner before setting out. 
• Children should carry quarters so they can call home. 
• Young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult. 
• To trick or treat in Norfolk, children must be 12 years of age or younger and must be off the streets by 8 p.m. 
• If you buy a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material. 
• You should know where they’re going. 
• Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the candy home to be inspected before consuming anything. 
• Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks suspect. 
• Thoroughly examine fresh produce. 

Halloween Safety Tips For Homeowners

• Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip the young ones. 
• Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them out of sight of trick or treaters to protect them from cars or inadvertently biting a trick-or-treater. 
• Battery powered jack o’lantern candles are preferable to a real flame. 
• If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing. 
• Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won’t be blown into a flaming candle. 
• Healthy food alternatives for trick-or-treaters include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later. 
• Non-food treats: plastic rings, pencils, stickers, erasers, coins.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

This post originally appeared at the Stonebridge Crossing Civic League’s Blog at stonebridgecrossing.blogspot.com.

The City of Norfolk is inviting residents to participate in upcoming community meetings and weigh-in on where they’d like the city to be and how to get there. For more information and for meeting dates and location visit http://www.norfolk.gov/News/Press/prdetails.asp?PressID=2344#. 

Source: City of Norfolk Press Release

The Norfolk pubilc library has announced a one-time, two-week amnesty period for the return of overdue books and library materials. From from September 16 – 30, 2011 all overdue library items may be returned without paying a fine. All materials must be returned to the library in good condition. 

Source: City of Norfolk Press Release

The Norfolk State University Spartans will play the Virginia State University Trojans on Saturday, Sept 3 at Dick Price Stadium on the campus of Norfolk State University in the 2011 Labor Day Classic game. Kick-off begins at 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.nsuspartans.com. 

The City of Norfolk is hosting an all-day Healing and Remembrance Ceremony on Sept 11 to mark the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in the United States. For the complete schedule of events visit Norfolk.gov.

Source: City of Norfolk Press Release

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is opening a consumer protection hotline  at 1-800-552-9963 for consumers to lodge complaints related to Hurricane Irene, including price gouging, scheme related to home repair or tree removal.  In an interview with WVEC.com, Commissioner Matthew Lohr says there are warning sign of possible fraud. He advises to be especially wary when strangers show up at your door offering to do repairs and watch out when they claim to have materials left over from another job and will do your job for half the price. Also, always get a written estimate and references and never give up money up front.

The City of Norfolk will waive permit fees for building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical repairs related to Hurricane Irene through the close of business Friday, September 30, 2011.

Source: City of Norfolk Press Release

The City of Norfolk’s E-waste facility, located at 1175 Pineridge Road in Norfolk Industrial Park, is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Source: City of Norfolk Press Release