News:
Elizabeth Community 22nd Annual 8K Road Race
Fourth Ward Community - History and 30th Anniversary Holiday Home Tour
Freedom Park
SouthEnd
Wilmore


Elizabeth Community Association

Road Race in Elizabeth on Saturday, March 29th, 2008 at 8:00 am. It is an 8K Road Race and 3 K Fun Run/ Walk.  Complete the Road Race form or register for the race online at www.elizabeth8k.com.

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Fourth Ward Community

Friends of Fourth Ward Celebrates

30th Anniversary of Holiday Home Tour

Three Decades of Yuletide Splendor

The Friends of Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour celebrates its 30th wonderful year with a three-day event showcasing the grand Victorians and luxury condominiums for which Fourth Ward is famous – all dressed in their holiday finery.  The public may tour these elegant homes on Friday, December 7th (5:00 pm – 9:00 pm), Saturday, December 8th (5:00 – 9:00 pm) and Sunday, December 9th (Noon – 4:00 pm). Tickets are $20 and may be purchased after November 20th at Reid’s Fine Foods (on 7th Street at the trolley tracks), Park Road Books (Park Road Shopping Center), all Dean and Deluca locations, FastFrame (1235 East Blvd. and Matthews Festival Shopping Center), The Bookmark at Founders Hall and all Mecklenburg-area Brixx Pizza locations (Uptown, Birkdale, Blakeney, Foxcroft and Dilworth).  During tour hours, ticket-holders must redeem their tickets for tour guidebooks at the tour ticket booth at the corner of 9th & Poplar Streets in Fourth Ward. The ticket booth also will be the only location for same day ticket purchases.

The tour includes admission to 10 private uptown homes, and, on Sunday only, the historic McNinch House restaurant. All tour stops are within walking distance of one another and free on-street parking is available throughout the neighborhood. Additional parking can be found at the Odell Building (9th & Tryon) parking garage, 7th Street Station/Reid’s Fine Foods and IJL/Stool Pigeon’s Restaurant (6th St. entrance).

Special Homes of Interest

There are two eye-catching signature homes featured, as well, on this year’s tour: The Bake Residence located at 400 N. Church and the Phillips Residence located at 315 W. 9th Street. These homes represent the juxtaposition unique to Fourth Ward residents between the historical neighborhood of single family homes and the new, modern condominium buildings making their mark on both FourthWard and Center City Charlotte.

Bake Residence: Owner Michael Bake has spent the past year renovating and customizing this two-story penthouse condominium to create an organic yet contemporary feel that will transcend time.Step ontothe newlyexpanded rooftop terrace with an incrediblebird's eye view of Center City Charlotte, and youwill beentranced by the beauty of the city. This condo embodies the swank and glamour ofurban living.

Phillips Residence: ThisVictorian, single family home is one of the few original Fourth Ward homes that has never been moved. Built in 1903, this shotgun style home originally consisted of four total rooms.It has now been expanded to feature three bedrooms, 2.5 baths.Original hardwood floors have been lovingly restored and the kitchen, master bath and guest bath have all been recently restored and updated to suit modern living needs.This home retainsits historical charm of the Victorian period, with modern amenities to suit homeowners of the 21st Century.

Something for Everyone

In addition to touring Historic Fourth Ward’s lovely homes, participants will be treated to a variety of seasonal entertainment. Throughout the weekend, tour-goers will enjoy holiday music from various handbell choirs and carolers, complimentary horse and carriage rides through the neighborhood, and seasonal beverages at various locations. A complete listing of performances, locations and times will be announced in the coming weeks.

History of the Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour

Founded in 1977 by neighbors who visited each other’s homes to feast, sing carols and enjoy holiday décor, the Friends of Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour has evolved substantially in 30 years.  In 1979, the event opened to the public and quickly became a successful fundraiser for the neighborhood.  To this day, all tour proceeds benefit important neighborhood projects such as neighborhood beautification, children’s programs; preservation of historic landmarks; public art; social and safety programs. The annual home tour is hosted by the Friends of Fourth Ward, a not-for-profit neighborhood organization.

In the mid-1830s, Charlotte was divided into four political wards. The northwest quadrant was called Fourth Ward – a prosperous area that was home to merchants, ministers, physicians and numerous churches, forming a strong center of social and religious influence.

By the early 1900s, the trolley had expanded beyond uptown Charlotte, making nearby “suburbs” such as Dilworth the neighborhoods of choice. Fourth Ward entered a period of decline that continued until 1976, when the Junior League undertook a restoration program that fired the imaginations of adventurous urban “pioneers”.

Today, Historic Fourth Ward is an active, charming community of grand Victorians, luxury condominiums, urban apartments, parks and businesses, as well as cultural, religious and educational activities – all within walking distance of Charlotte’s thriving uptown business center.
www.fofw.com

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Freedom Park Demonstration Garden

VISIT THE DEMONSTRATION GARDEN IN FREEDOM PARK

TO SEE THE A GREAT DISPLAY OF FALL COLOR

By Mike Cozza

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department

Even though autumn is not usually thought of as the most beautiful time to view ornamental gardens, Mecklenburg County’s Master Gardeners say there are wonderful opportunities in the fall to add colorful foliage around your house.

The Master Gardeners, who work through the NC Extension Service, invite you to visit their demonstration garden in Freedom Park anytime during the fall to see autumn opportunities. The garden demonstrates great ways to display various plants, flowers, shrubs, and small trees all year. The specimens were selected for their adaptive nature, availability, drought tolerance and low maintenance. Periodically new plants are introduced.

The demonstration garden is on the hill above the band shell in Freedom Park.  Parking is available in the nearby in the lot for Mahlon Adams Pavilion, 2435 Cumberland Avenue.

The Extension Service’s Consumer Horticulture Agent, Scott Ewers, notes that fall is a great time to visit the demonstration garden because, “October and November are the preferred time to plant many ornamental shrubs and flowers to get them off to a good start. During fall months gardens avoid stressful heat and drought.” Master Gardener Linda Adams says autumn is also a time many plants offer surprising color in the demonstration garden. 

In mid-September, Adams says, the ‘Snow Fairy’ plant (Caryopteris divarcata) will be adorned with blue curls atop variegated foliage.  The pink Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida ‘September charm’) displays large double pink blooms and is an excellent flower for cutting. The golden smoke tree (Cotinus Coggygria ‘Golden spirit’) shows vivid coral, orange and red foliage.  ‘Salem’ (Rosmary officicinalis) produces pale blue flowers and smells lovely.  The Oakleaf Hydrangea (Quercifolia ‘Pee Wee’),  an excellent specimen for the small garden, is a late, white blooming shrub whose leaves often turn brilliant red, orange, yellow, and burgundy in fall.  The Blue Cardinal flower (Lobelia Syphilitica ‘Blue Select’) adds a touch of blue to fall landscapes. Assorted Asters and Chrysanthemums also bloom in fall.   

The demonstration garden, begun in 2006, displays plant varieties in three sections:  Pollinator’s Paradise, Herbs and Fragrance, and Native Plants. Both new and seasoned gardeners can see many plants that grow well in our area, including those perfect for neighborhoods like Dilworth. 

For more information about the demonstration garden, contact the Master Gardeners at 704-336-4011 or parkces@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

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SouthEnd

Trolley Back on the Tracks, as of April 20th

Photo thanks toTom Lingerfield of CATS

Ronald J. Tober to Join Charlotte Trolley, Inc. as Executive Director

Charlotte, NC – Charlotte Trolley, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Ronald J. Tober as Executive Director, effective February 4, 2008.  As Executive Director, Mr. Tober will be responsible for strategic, daily operational and community-related activities for the not-for-profit organization.

With more than 30 years of involvement with transportation, historic and community related activities, Tober recently retired as Chief Executive Officer of  the Charlotte Area Transportation System.  There, in addition to overall system responsibilities, he oversaw the development and successful launch of the City’s first light rail system. His previous positions include serving as executive director of light rail and trolley systems in Cleveland, OH; Portland, WA; and Boston, MA.

“Charlotte Trolley, Inc is excited to have Ron Tober join the organization as Executive Director,” said Ambrose Dittloff, President of Charlotte Trolley, Inc. “Ron has a strong connection to historic streetcars and trolleys from his previous positions and will be an advocate as well as a resource for educational and operational activities for both the Charlotte Trolley and the Charlotte Community.”

Tober brings to the position an in-depth knowledge of and contacts throughout the transportation industry along with experience working with federal and state government transportation entities, Dittloff noted. All of these assets will be of tremendous importance as Charlotte Trolley, Inc., moves into a new phase of operations with service scheduled to resume by March and a new Museum under construction. 

Charlotte Trolley, Inc is dedicated to educating Charlotte and its visitors about the role of trolleys in shaping the community’s past and the city’s future while preserving its history and its character and providing the public with a unique entertainment experience.  For more information, visit http://www.charlottetrolley.org.

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Wilmore's Continued Efforts in the Historic District Designation Process - Volunteers needed.

Wilmore Historic District

Some History

Wilmore began the application process for becoming a Historic District in ~2001. This application is still open, and many of us think that it is a still a great idea. 

Unfortunately, because absentee landlords and others with poor intentions spread false information about what it means to be a Historic District, there are many people who still do not understand the benefits of Historic District, or the facts about what it means you can or cannot do to your property. 

The Wilmore Neighborhood Association wants to make sure that you are informed:

How it works.

A Historic District is a zoning regulation, much like being zoned for business or residential, certain rules apply. Just like with any other zoning designation, permits must be applied for in certain circumstances. 

Yes, being a Historic District will result in you having to go through some extra hoops to make changes to the exterior (there are no rules for the interior) of your house, but importantly, it means that your neighbor will also have to go through these hoops. Think of Historic District as insurance that your neighbor will not build 4 story metallic condos

We love the look and feel of Wilmore. We are worried that it is going to change beyond recognition if we are not careful. Unfortunately, many investors are buying houses cheaply, doing strange jobs of expanding the house (look at Mint and Park Ave), and reselling. We think that being a Historic District will slow this process down.

Fast Facts. Before you make a decision, make sure you know all the facts.

• Being a Historic District does not mean that your property taxes will automatically increase.

•Historic District is designed to ensure that future changes that are made to buildings in the neighborhood are in keeping with the neighborhood’s physical character and history.

• You are not required to make any changes to your existing property if your neighborhood becomes a historic district.

• Being a historic district does not mean that you will be required to make museum-quality restorations to your house.  The Historic District Commission recognizes that these are living, vital neighborhoods, and does not want to inhibit that spirit in any way.

• There is no rule regarding what color you paint your house.

• As long as no material or design changes are made, then you can make any repair and replacement projects to your house without review by the commission.

• If Wilmore becomes a Historic District, someone from our neighborhood will sit on the commission and represent us in all decisions that are made.

• All Wilmore residents are encouraged to contact Missy Eppes (704 376-8912; meppes@uncc.edu) or the HDC directly (John Rogers Charlotte Historic District Commission600 East Fourth Street (8th Floor)Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 (704)-336-5994) if you have questions about what it means to be a Historic District.

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Check back soon for more information on Dilworth's neighboring neighborhoods.