November Newsletter and Events

In this month's issue, we have:
- Indian River Park Guided Hike - Saturday, 11/2
- Monthly Meeting with Guest Speaker Council Member Stephen Best, Thursday, 11/21
- Adopt-A-Road Cleanup along Indian River Road, Saturday, 11/23
- Other News
    - Election Day, Tuesday, 11/5
    - Norfolk Highlands Civic League, Thursday, 11/7
    - Rokeby Garden Club, Wednesay, 11/20
    - and more ....

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Indian River Park Guided Hike
Date: Saturday, November 2
8:30 am to 10:30 am
Meet at the park entrance at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. (2001 Rokeby Ave.)

Join us for a hike along the nature trail and through the park. Learn about the history of the park, the native trees and plants in this century old forest on the Indian River flood plain, and its value to maintaining the health of local butterfly, bird, and wildlife populations.  Note: the forest trail has uneven surfaces and minor elevation changes.

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Monthly Meeting - Guest Speaker Council Member Stephen Best
Date: Thursday, November 21, 7 pm
Location: Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive, Chesapeake, VA

Our guest will be City Council Member Stephen Best to speak to use about affairs of the city.

Please also consider bringing a donation of non-perishable food items for the Oaklette United Methodist Church food pantry to the meeting this evening. 

There will be light refreshments and door prizes after the meeting.

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Adopt-A-Road Cleanup along Indian River Road /Community Cleanup
Date: Saturday, November 23, 9 am to 11 am
Location: Post Office side parking lot at 3810 Indian River Rd

We need your help for our quarterly cleanup.   Join us for a few hours to clean up the mile of Indian River Road from the city limits at Wingfield Avenue all the way to MacDonald Road. We are also asking all business owners along Indian River Road - and everywhere really - to make sure they sweep up in front of their storefronts as part of the effort.   And if you can't make it out for our organized cleanup please take 15 minutes and clean up the street and ditches in front of your home; pass the word to your neighbors!

For our main cleanup on Indian River Road, the city will provide garbage bags and orange safety vests. We'll have water and snacks available. We also always encourage folks to bring their own water in reusable bottles to minimize use of plastic bottles.  Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves and other items that may be useful. Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.

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Election Day is on Tuesday, November 5 from 6 am to 7 pm.  We're voting for Virginia State Delegate, Senator, Clerk of the Court, and the local Soil and Water Conservation District Directors    For more information and sample ballots (locally, most of us will be voting using Ballot Style 5), visit http://www.cityofchesapeake.net/government/city-departments/departments/Voter-Registrar/election-info/sample-ballot.htm

Norfolk Highlands Civic League will meet on Thursday, November 7, 7 pm at the Indian River Baptist Church.  Key topic will be a review of the updated bylaws. 

Rokeby Garden Club, is meets on Wednesday, November 20 from 1 pm to 3 pm at the Rokeby Center. This month's topic is Fall and Winter Container Plants.  Parks, Recreation and Tourism will also present this quarter's Volunteer Award to Sharon Komenda for her efforts on the continued beautification and maintenance of the Robeby Gardens.  No registration is required to attend; for residents "55 and better" who love plants and gardening. For more information call or visit the Rokeby Center at 757-822-6259.  
https://www.facebook.com/events/2444151535871640/

Thank you to the 9 volunteers who came to Indian River Park earlier in October to help us cleanup, weed, and mulch around the trailhead. We weeded, pruned, and moved about 10 cubic yards of mulch over 3 hours.

See some great photos from our owl talk at the October monthly meeting at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofIndianRiver/posts/2646239105441424

Now is a great time to become a member or renew your membership, or just make a donation online at http://www.friendsofindianriver.org/p/membership.html