Quarterly Cleanup/International Coastal Cleanup

We had our big cleanup today around the Oaklette/Indian River Road Bridge today.   Ten hardy volunteers came out this morning picking up trash along the approaches to the bridge, collecting more trash from under the bridge, and also do a lot of weeding around the four gardens at the bridge corners.   A couple of volunteers ventured out on the river by canoe to collect trash.

Altogether we collected 17 bags of trash by noon.   We had lots of bottles and cans, food wrappers, wayward plastic bags, and of course, the abysmal cigarette butts.   We also removed fishing line, six pack rings, a deflated balloon, pieces of clothing, and even an arrow.   We owe our volunteers a big round of gratitude for coming out making our neighborhood more attractive and removing hazards that could injure wildlife and pollute our river.    But we could have used twenty more volunteers to fully sweep Indian River Road across the City of Chesapeake.

Some upcoming events:

- Next Saturday, September 20th is Chesapeake Recycles Day.  You can bring your old electronics, batteries, old clothing, household hazardous wastes (like paints), and regular recyclables to Southgate Plaza in South Norfolk. http://www.cityofchesapeake.net/Assets/documents/departments/public_works/recycle/Ches+Recycles+Day+Flyer+-+SoNo+2014.pdf

- On Wednesday, September 24th, you can catch a presentation on "Urban Parks and Backyard Habitats: Wildlife, Native Plants, and Why They Matter" by Rogard Ross (me) at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Supper Club meeting.  (Free, but registration required), see http://www.cbf.org/events/calendar?cgid=1&ceid=1194&cerid=0&cdt=9%2f24%2f2014 

- On Saturday, October 4th, we will be planting a native plant garden at Indian River Park.   Bring your gardening tools and give us a hand!

- And on Thursday, October 9th, is our next regular meeting.   We'll have Councilmember Suzy Kelly with us and we'll get to ask her questions about local economic development - and about the Indian River Shopping Center.

We hope you can participate in future events and help make our neighborhood a better place.