12 Days til the Party in the Park!!

Only 12 days left til we Celebrate Old North Salisbury! Many of you, by now, should have received fliers in your doors or mailboxes. Our volunteers have been delivering these by hand over the last few weeks. We met and spoke with lots of friendly folks - several who were unaware there was a neighborhood association such as ours! This is why our celebration of friends and neighbors will be an important event to let us know one another! The more we know one another, the stronger we can be as a community.

So . . . Bring a dish to pass, a lawn chair, and sit back and relax - meet your neighbors - have a great time.

Saturday November 8th at the City Park pavilions (off Lake Road) ~ live music ~ rain or shine!

See you there!

Pumping Gas ~ How to get the most for your money:

With the price of Gas skyrocketing, the Old North Salisbury Association thought you may appreciate getting the following tips on how to effectively pump gas and save the precious commodities - money and Gas:

1) Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold.

Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground, the more dense the gasoline. When it gets warmer, gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening...your gallon is not exactly a gallon.

In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role. A 1-degree rise in temperature makes a big difference. The service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps as the distributors do. So make sure you only pump the gas when the temperature is low.

2) When you're filling up, do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode. If you look, you will see that the trigger has three (3) stages: low, middle, and high. In slow mode you would be pumping on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return system. If you are pumping on the fast rate, more of the liquid that goes into your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are sucked up and fed back into the underground storage tank, so you're getting less gas for your money.

3) One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL (or HALF EMPTY). The reason for this is, the more gas you have in your tank, the less air there will be occupying the tank's empty space. More air = more evaporation.

Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves to create zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so as to minimize the evaporation of the fuel.

4) Another reminder: If there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up--most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles to the bottom of the tank.

Hope this will help you save a little when you pump that precious gas!

Looking for the best gas prices in the Old North Salisbury area? Check out ONSA's gas price finder ~ scroll to the bottom right of this website!! Happy Hunting!

33rd Annual October Tour of Historic Homes!!!!

It's that time of year again! Salisbury's October Tour! The Historic Salisbury Foundation hold it's 33rd annual tour of some of Salisbury's finest preserved and restored architecture this weekend, October 11th and 12th. The tour not only includes some of our most beautiful historic homes but includes trolley rides, a Civil War enactment, musicians and artists! This is one of, if not THE, most celebrated weekends in Salisbury, North Carolina!!

This tour brings thousands to the streets of Salisbury. Remember friends and neighbors, this means that many will be coming right through our own North Salisbury area as they travel to the Tour sites. Although we do not (yet) have a home on the tour, we have a collection of Rowan County's most diverse historic architecture and a heritage to be proud of! Let's provide a welcoming gateway to our visitors!

The Historic Salisbury Foundation is a private non-profit organization that has saved over 100 properties through their neighborhood revitalization program. The proceeds from the October Tour will benefit the furthering of this work.

For October Tour ticket information, visit http://www.historicsalisbury.org/ or call 704.636.0103. We'll see you there!

It's Official!! "Celebrate Old North Salisbury" Saturday Nov 8th City Park!!!

"Celebrate Old North Salisbury"

The Old North Salisbury Association is hosting a neighborhood social gathering!!!

When: Saturday November 8th

Time: 2:00 PM ~ 6:00 PM

Where: City Park Outdoor Pavilions

What: A celebration of the Salisbury's North Main area friends and neighbors!

Live Music On The Lawn: The Tripp Edwards Trio / No. 9 Coal / Alan Wyrick & Friends

Please Bring: A Covered Dish to Pass ~ Lawn Chairs ~ Picnic Blankets

ONSA will supply non-alcoholic beverages, cups, plates, and utensils.

We will be announcing some of the 2008 activities of the Association & some of our ongoing plans. There will be entertainment featuring Salisbury's own No. 9 Coal's own brand of bluegrass/newgrass, The Tripp Edwards Trio, and Alan Wyrick & Friends ~ all performing live original music and old familiars! Enjoy an afternoon in the park with music and friends!

If you live between Lafayette Street and 17th Street and between Jackson Street and the Southern Railway tracks to the east - you are in the Old North Salisbury neighborhood. Please come and participate in this wonderful opportunity to meet others in this community. We share a common bond here & we're looking forward to sharing it with YOU!!!

See you on November 8th in City Park

Join the Old North Salisbury Association ~ Volunteers Needed!!

Hello Friends & Neighbors!

Did you know that the Old North Salisbury Association has an elected Board of Directors made up of people right here in the neighborhood. When you see these people, say hello!

Sue McHugh / President (& interim Secretary) · Sean Meyers / Vice President · Rebecca Hayes /Treasurer · Tim Klaus · Andrew Waters · Laurie Klaus · Pat Sylvester · Barbara Waggoner · Edward Clement · Tracy Thornton · Susan Hurt · Norma Staley · Ruby Beeker · Steve Gilbert
The Board of Directors is joined by a growing group of members in the North Main Street area (Lafayette St. north to 17th St. ~ the railroad tracks to the east to Jackson St. to the west.) The membership roster continues to expand. As we build our membership base, we really need your support ~ the support of as many community residents and property owners as we can round up! We have a wish-list of projects and accomplishments we are aiming for. These include, but are not limited to, neighborhood event planning, restoration assistance projects, greenscaping, the newsletter, and many others. Some of you have expressed interest in these and other topics. We had a great idea come in through our newsletter membership application! Animal Care and Pet Vaccination Clinics! What a great idea!

We need your help! Please volunteer and become an active member of this strong community. The Board of Directors is currently VERY BUSY putting together the neighborhood social event, to be broadcast very soon! We need help to distribute party flyers in the neighborhood, and to help with organization, maybe even help with set-up and/or clean-up. Care to join us? We sure could use your help!

We could also use help with folks who are willing to go to City Council to add "strength in numbers" to important issues for our community. Any time you have a topic you would like addressed at City Council, please tell us. We can do the speaking, if you like, but your presence in numbers often drives the point home! We have an "urban forest" at the corner of Railroad St. and E. Steele St. This wooded lot often needs upkeep. If you have a scouting troop that wants to earn a community service badge, this is an ideal project for them. Get them involved! If your church would like to participate in some neighborhood function ~ have them give us a call or drop an email to oldnorthsalisbury@gmail.com.
The Old North Salisbury Association Board of Directors meets every other month at a predetermined place - usually on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00PM. Members are invited to join us and share ideas and opinions ~ these are not exclusive meetings! The Board Meeting is listed on the ONSA calendar at the bottom of these web-postings (scroll down to view).
The Old North Salisbury Association welcomes and encourages your participation!

• "Citizen service is the very American idea that we meet our challenges not as isolated individuals but as members of a true community, with all of us working together. Our mission is nothing less than to spark a renewed sense of obligation, a new sense of duty, a new season of service. Though government has an important role to play in meeting the many challenges that remain before us, we are coming to understand that no organization, including government, will fully succeed without the active participation of each of us. Volunteers are vital to enabling this country to live up to the true promise of its heritage."

Bill Clinton

• "Every problem that the country faces is being solved in some community by some group or some individual. The question is how to get connected so that the whole nation can solve problems. A volunteer is a person who can see what others cannot see; who can feel what most do not feel. Often, such gifted persons do not think of themselves as volunteers, but as citizens - citizens in the fullest sense: partners in civilization.

George H. W. Bush

• "Snowflakes melt alone - but together they can be traffic stoppers!
  Teamwork allows common people to attain uncommon results.
  Some people want it to happen, some wish it to happen, others make it happen.
  Volunteers aren't paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless."

Anonymous

Take the Bus!!!

Hello Friends & Neighbors!!

The Salisbury Transit System is your city bus system. The system has three routes. Route #1 is S. Main / Spencer / Rowan Community College; Route #2 is Westside / Salisbury Mall / Eastside /Innes St Market; Route #3 is East Spencer / VA Medical Center. Each of these routes arrives and departs "the Transfer Site", which is located on Depot Street. Any bus you board can take you to the Transfer Site on the inbound part of the route. Any member of the general public may ride the Salisbury Transit bus. Salisbury Transit does not operate on Sundays and some holidays. The regular fare, one-way, is only $1.00!!! How does that compare to your gasoline prices today! And the fare is half that, 50 cents, for senior citizens or for handicap fare. There are also passes for up to 40 rides at discounted prices. There is a map of the bus routes on the City of Salisbury website.

Taking the bus to Spencer to visit the wonderful Green Goat Gallery (for instance to their anniversary party this Saturday), the Transportation Museum, and then have a yummy bite to eat at Pinnochio's restaurant may be a fun way to spend an Fall afternoon!
In addition to the Salisbury Transit System buses, the Trolley also operated to and from Spencer during our Friday Nights Out On The Town. You'll not only get the transportation but you get a great tour of the beautiful historic homes along N. Main St. Salisbury and S. Salisbury St. Spencer!

You can check out more information on the Salisbury Transit System at http://www.salisburync.gov/transit/info.htm

You're Invited!Anniversary Party at the Green Goat Saturday Night

The Green Goat Gallery, right up the road from our Main St. (516 S. Salisbury Avenue) in Spencer, is celebrating its first year in business with a party this Saturday night Sept. 27th from 6-8:30 p.m. and you're invited! Please drop in for a special night featuring the art of Leslie Hamlin. Leslie is a multi-talented artist from Davie County whose fabulous paintings on glass have been one of the Green Goat Gallery's most popular sellers (and a steal at $75-$125), but she also makes wonderful garden art, jewelry, and much more.

Did you know that the Green Goat Gallery also houses Blue Ewe Yoga Studios? They have classes for adults and children alike!

Why would the Old North Salisbury Association be involved in inviting you to the Green Goat Gallery and Blue Ewe Yoga Studio? Because both are owned and operated by our very own neighbors here in the North Main area ~ Anne & Andrew Waters! Stop in, say hello, and meet your neighbors!

This celebration will feature the fabulous cuisine of Spencer's greatest chef, Joseph Cataldo. See you at the party!

New Walking Program Coming!

Friends ~ Neighbors ~

You've heard the talk about the North Main Area Improvement Plan and the expected new crosswalks and sidewalks. You'll recall that the City was awarded the funds to do this work through a competitive grant program, the Fit Community Grant Program. In order to get the physical and structural improvements, we also had to come up with a fitness program that accompanied this improvement. Well what better fitness program would accompany new sidewalks that take our North Main area residents over to our parks than a walking program! A survey was sent (see blog post dated August 23 - '08) and it showed that a walking program is the right direction (pun intended!) A draft of the program is in the works. It is called Striders 4 Life, structured out of the City Parks & Recreation Center in City Park, and will be broken into four phases: Walk for Self, Walk for Health, Walk for Light, & Walk for Life. This is intended to be a self-motivated health initiative - no structured classes to attend! - with a walking "passport" to log your achievements! Very cool!

Participant’s will be issued activity logs to track mileage walked. Phase maps will be kept at City Park to view where participants are according to their mileage. Through the Rowan County Health Department, participants will be able to have an initial health assessment completed detailing Body Mass Index, helpful nutritional guidelines, etc. Monthly education sessions will be established to focus on food/nutrition and alternate health and exercise activities.

Representatives from the City of Salisbury and the Fit Community Program met recently to chart progress towards the overall improvement plan, the fitness plan, and they even walked the proposed fitness path through the N. Main area, down Miller St. to the Parks and around to the Salisbury Greenspace off Mahaley. Overall, the grant coordinators were impressed with our efforts and our City representatives felt they learned a lot from our survey responses.

Thank you to all who took the time to participate.

As for the physical structural improvements, last we heard was that this was in engineering. One of the issues is the utility pole in the little landscape "island" in the middle of the Miller St./Jackson St. intersection. That will have to be moved as the street is narrowed to accommodate the newly planned sidewalk on the south side of Miller.
We'll keep you posted as we learn more!

Unwanted Trouble in the Neighborhood?

There was a recent report about some trouble in our neighborhood.  This is one of the very very important reasons for a neighborhood association such as the Old North Salisbury Association.  Not only is our aim to preserve the architecture in this community but to preserve the community and the culture of the community.  The neighborhood association is a way to unite, to get to know one another, see each other, and feel comfortable with one another.  Being vigilant for ourselves and each other pays off ~ the only way to be successful is to be involved.  

If you ever need the support of the police department, you can always contact:

Officer Ann M. Cooper
Community Services Officer
Salisbury Police Department
130 E. Liberty St.
Salisbury, NC 28144
(704) 638-4463 Office
(704) 202-4295 Cell Phone

Historic Home Plaques

Hello All!

Our Neighbors & Friends are asking: How can I get a Historic Plaque for my house?

The Old North Salisbury Association (ONSA) is committed to increasing awareness of the importance of preserving our North Main Street Neighborhood's heritage and its historic buildings and landmarks. We are always searching for new and innovative ways to enhance the historical awareness of members of our community. Historic buildings in our neighborhood are a lasting reminder of this rich history and of the people who lived here.

Some of the benefits of a Historic House Plaque program include:

• Education: Marking a substantial number of buildings in a given district or a neighborhood provides a graphic image of the history of that area. As such, the Old North Salisbury Association may be better able to bring history directly to those it was previously unable to reach - uninvolved residents, visitors, or tourists.
• Preservation and Rehabilitation: Although a plaque program itself does not necessarily imply the recognition of buildings as historic sites, the program may serve to encourage building owners to rehabilitate and maintain their historic structures.
• A plaque program of this sort can be used as a basis for a walking tour. This may tie in very nicely with the City's Fitness Program and our new sidewalks!

ONSA is in the process of developing a Historic House Plaque program to allow homeowners to show pride in owning their historic houses. The plaques will identify the original owner of the house and the date of construction. Our neighborhood has many many structures that were built over 75 years ago. The Historic House Plaque program can provide one of the most effective and least expensive ways of bringing history "to the streets."
To raise more awareness of the history of our neighborhood and the potential for this program, ONSA will embark on a direct mail campaign to homeowners that have houses which were built over 75 years ago. The material will include the historical importance of the house and the proposed Historic House Plaque appearance. Homeowners receiving the material can acknowledge the historical value of their house by requesting a handcrafted plaque from the Old North Salisbury Association. There will be a fee, yet to be determined, which will cover the costs of the plaque. In addition, we are considering raffling off one Historic House Plaque at our annual meeting and social. Under the proposed program, your home does not have to be listed on a historic registry. And, if you do not know your home's history, we can assist in obtaining that information.

If you would like to know more about this, respond to this blog entry below, or email us at oldnorthsalisbury@gmail.com for more information or to offer suggestions!

North Main Area Fitness Needs Survey

Hey Friends & Neighbors!

As part of the improvements coming to our area that include the crosswalks and sidewalks connecting our North Main Neighborhood to City Park, the City is expected to provide a Fitness Program. After all, the grant money that is being used for this purpose comes from the Fit Community Program. Check it out at www.fitcommunitync.org. The City is calling this initiative the "North Main Street Neighborhood… Enjoying the Journey" , which aims to increase routine physical activity among our neighborhood's residents by providing a safe 1.5-mile extension of the Salisbury Greenway linking us to nearby parks and healthcare facilities.

A survey was sent to each household in our North Main Street Neighborhood that is specifically trying to address our fitness needs as a community so that the City can create a program or programs best suited for US!! If you have not had the chance to fill in your survey, please try to get it out ~ the City even provided postage-paid envelopes for us! Just fill it in & drop it in the mail!

If you did not get a survey, please phone 704-638-5230 to request one. Multiple surveys can be filled out for your household ~ anyone who is 16 years old or older should fill it out. Or email the Old North Salisbury Association at oldnorthsalisbury@gmail.com and we'll email you an electronic copy (but no postage paid envelope ~ sorry!)

Thanks for showing you care about the North Main Neighborhood!

North Main Newsletter

In July, the Old North Salisbury Association sent out our first newsletter. This is something we would like to distribute on a routine basis, probably quarterly, so watch your mailboxes! We still do not know all the neighbors, residents, and homeowners in the community. We used a list of folks provided by the City of Salisbury's property tax info to try to get the news letter to your address. If you did NOT receive the letter ~ please let us know (oldnorthsalisbury@gmail.com) ! As time goes on we will be able to build an accurate list of members of our community...YOU, your friends, your neighbors, and the businesses in our area. This is important to YOU so that you can know what is happening in the community you live and work in. Copies of the letter can be found at Spenzanelli's Coffee Shop at the corner of Kerr St. and North Main St. if you missed out on getting one in your mailbox.

Our additional challenge is in seeing to it that both renters and landlords receive the news, as well as the homeowner-resident. If you rent at your residence, you are no less positioned to be a positive contributor to the community and we need your voice! As a landlords, you need to be aware of any changes in the community that may effect either your tenants or your property. So please, please make sure you are connected to the Old North Salisbury Association!

Another great avenue for receiving this local news update is, of course, the Internet. In the interest of going green, we can email the newsletter to you at a greatly reduced time and cost frame. Email us at oldnorthsalisbury@gmail.com, provide your contact information and email address. The more folks we can get tuned in the stronger we are as a community.

Strength in Numbers, My Friends & Neighbors!!!

Check Out the Changes at City Park!

Happy Summer, All!
Have you been by our Salisbury City Park in the last week or so? The tennis courts at City Park are undergoing some changes. Well, in fact they are gone!! The nets were removed a few weeks ago in preparation for building new courts, and the work has begun on tearing out the old surfaces. How nice for us! This should be really wonderful when the project is completed. Our new City Park tennis courts should be ready within about 90 days.
Old North Salisbury is a beautiful place to be! Thank you, Salisbury!

Old North Salisbury Membership Cards!

Hello Friends & Neighbors!

Be Cool ~ Go North!
As a member of the North Main St. community in Salisbury and a member of the Old North Salisbury Association, you are entitled to one of our new membership cards! We will be welcoming long-time members and gathering new members at our upcoming Social Event (coming soon to City Park ~ Salisbury! Keep listening!). Paid dues members will receive the wallet-sized card to keep with you. This card may have some future benefits in addition to your voting voice within the Old North Salisbury Association. We'll tell you more real soon!

We will have a membership table at the party so keep a look-out, bring your $10.00 and we'll mail you the card!

We can't wait to say "Hello" to you all in person!

The Fit Community Grant & Our Neighborhood!

Hello All! You've heard by now that the City of Salisbury was awarded the Fit Community Grant that is the first step towards the improvements we outlined in the North Main Small Area Improvement Plan. This grant will help us get crosswalks on Main St. and sidewalks to the parks. The grant comes hand in hand with a fitness program, as you may imagine from its title. The City is creating a survey that will be sent specifically to the North Main residents! In order to effectively create a fitness program springing from the City Park Recreation Center that will be most beneficial to the North Main community, the City would like to get our opinions.

Be on the lookout for the survey ~ coming from the Old North Salisbury Association ~ that we will give to the City to help them develop these programs, whether they be walking, running, bike riding programs ~ you can make the difference! If you do not get a survey, (because we are still trying to establish a comprehensive contact list for the neighborhood)and you want to provide your input ~ please send an email to the Old North Salisbury Association at oldnorthsalisbury@gmail.com and we will send you an electronic copy of the survey. We really appreciate your feedback and this wonderful opportunity to work with the City towards the improvements here we all envision. Thank you in advance for taking the time to give us your input! You're the best!

Just a Note!

Hey Neighbors! Have you noticed the beautiful crepe myrtles up and down the avenues in our neighborhood? The Old North Salisbury Association, you & your neighborhood association, provided these wonderful green . . . and colorful . . . enhancements to our neighborhood several years ago. If you are ever wondering where your dues go or what your "Dues Can Do" . . . just take a walk in the neighborhood and take it all in! The City of Salisbury planted the trees for us, but your input got them there! Wow!

We're Planning a Neighborhood Social Event!

Hello Friends & Neighbors! The ONSA Board is in the process of planning a Neighborhood Social Event for this coming Fall - probably October or November. Stay tuned for more details! There will be food and drink - entertainment - and we can bring everyone up to speed on the many and varied topics the Board has been mulling over. You will also get to hear more about the Fit Community Grant and what that means to our neighborhood.

We'll get the Social Event details out to you very soon! Keep your eyes and ears open!

See you soon!

Hello North Main Neighbors & Friends!

We attended the Salisbury City Council Meeting last Tuesday June 17th. The City announced that we have been honored with being selected to receive a Fit Community Grant! What does this mean to Old North Salisbury? The funds will be utilized to create a new crosswalk at N. Main St. and Miller St. that will lead to a proposed new sidewalk on Miller St. that will lead to City Park and beyond to Hurley Park! A new walking program will be instituted at the City Park Recreation Center in conjunction with these improvements! The whole project will connect to the Salisbury Greenway and then, if you are ambitious, back to North Main. This is a huge step towards the area improvement plan initially approved by the City last summer.

We made our pitch for ordinance enforcement and think it was well received. We learned that the City is undergoing some restructuring in their ordinance enforcement department and that more funds will be aligned in that direction. We look forward to getting some support in our neighborhoods!

The Old North Salisbury Assoc. Board of Directors meets this coming Tuesday June 24th. The agenda includes a variety of topics: Neighborhood events such as a neighborhood meeting and/or social event, a historic house plaque program, a neighborhood flag program, perhaps even a neighborhood garage sale or block party! We will talk about the relatively large size of the neighborhood and the possibility of dividing it into mini-neighborhoods with block captains who can more clearly focus on the particular needs of YOUR neighborhood, which may be unique to your immediate area. Your input is always welcome!

We'll see you soon!

Salisbury City Council Meeting June 17th 2008

The Old North Salisbury Association plans to attend the next City Council meeting on Tuesday June 17th. After the normal agenda, there is an open forum where we plan to make a pitch for stronger ordinance enforcement for our North Main Neighborhood. We believe that stronger ordinances create the foundation for protecting our historic properties - protecting the properties can provide the spark and focus for economic development here.

So if you can join us, we will invite members of the Community to stand to show our strong level of support in the Neighborhood. City records will reflect that you were there! Please join us!

The Council meeting starts at 4:00 PM at City Hall, S. Main St., Salisbury.

See you there!

New Parking Guidelines in the City of Salisbury

As of January 1, 2008, the City adopted the new Land Development Ordinance, which takes action dealing with parking concerns that have often been cited as a problem by our residents . The new ordinance (Chapter 10.2) states the following regarding front yard parking for Single-Family residences and Duplex Developments: "Vehicle parking in the front yard shall be located on a prepared surface, and shall not exceed 25% of the front yard width. This provision shall not apply to front yard circulation drives." Parking in front yards has been a common complaint because it affects the general appearance of our homes in the North Main Neighborhood. Up until now there was no regulation regarding the problem. The City’s Development Services Division (704-638-5210) has the responsibility for enforcement of front yard parking complaints. To avoid enforcement, park your automobiles in designated driveways, not in the front lawn. If you do not have a driveway, establish a prepared parking area to the side or back of your residence. Encourage landlords to assist if necessary. Tell your landlord about the new ordinance. Show folks that you care about the appearance of your residence and the neighborhood!

Welcome Friends & Neighbors!

The Old North Salisbury Association (ONSA) welcomes one & all to the North Main St. neighborhood of Salisbury North Carolina. ONSA's Board of Directors has been meeting regularly for the last several months. The wheels are definitely in motion!

We've begun this website ~ a good place to check for updates and news!
We are working on a monthly (or bi-monthly) newsletter!
Exciting times ahead for the North Main St. Community!

Lots of stuff is in the works! We're talking about a historic plaque program for our beautiful homes in the area ~ more to come on that later! We are starting to plan a social event for the Fall. . . a great way to get to know your neighbors and be a part of the community!

Stay tuned for more, friends!