HCCC News: March 31 – April 6, 2018
GOOD TO DO & KNOW!
Spring is a busy time for us – we’d appreciate anything you can do to help and participate! Thank you for doing your part in keeping Hampton Clean and Beautiful!
Kudos to Isaiah Timmons, a Hampton University sophomore in graphic design! He created a wonderful promotional piece for the upcoming Hampton Seafood Appreciation Tour. The details aren’t finalized yet, but here’s a sneak peek!
* * * * * * * * * *
Many thanks to the Adopt-A-Spot participants who turned in reports since March 23! We’re going to highlight those who turn their reports in each week, so you can see who makes clean happen in Hampton!
John Moyer, a former HCCC board member and a leader in the Hampton Citizens Police Academy Alumni Volunteers, reported 9 cleanups altogether in March, 4 on Thomas Street and 5 in the City Hall Block area. John and one other volunteer picked up 4.5 bags of trash and 1832 cigarette butts among all the cleanups. Those 1832 cigarette butts would have polluted nearly 4000 gallons of water had they escaped into the storm drains…
Jack Rezabek & Corlease Sills reported cleaning up Machen Elementary School on March 27. Together they picked up 8 bags of trash and 247 cigarette butts.
Jack also reported for Wesley United Methodist Church’s cleanup on March 24 – 3 volunteers filled 1 bag of trash and removed 143 cigarette butts.
Kristin Schultz reported that the Schultz Family picked 1 bag of trash and 200 cigarette butts on March 23 in their neighborhood (Westmoreland, Eastmoreland, Bellview Terrace, Sterling, Kingsway, and Trinity).
Idris Devone reported that TLR Motorcycle Club cleaned up Mercury Boulevard between Fox Hill and Andrews on March 24. The 9 volunteers picked up 8 bags of trash and about 125 cigarette butts.
Police Sgt. Scott Keller reported that Hampton Christian Academy cleaned up Armistead Avenue from Tide Mill to Hampton Roads Center Parkway on March 25. The 12 volunteers cleaned up 6 bags of trash and 900 cigarette butts.
John Pisano reported that the 733rd LRS out of Langley Air Force Base cleaned up part of Tide Mill Lane on March 26. The 4 volunteers picked up 1 bag of trash and 123 cigarette butts.
Michele Lee reported that 23 Langley Elementary School staff, students, and volunteers cleaned up 14 bags of trash and leaves at the school on March 29 and 30.
Keith Watterton reported that Hampton Facilities and other Public Works sections cleaned the Public Works Operations area on Fridays in March – 20 participants cleaned up 12 bags of trash and about 200 cigarette butts>
The volunteers and groups above picked up about 3770 cigarette butts – that’s over 7000 gallons of water pollution prevented. Think about that. Do wonder how many cigarette butts didn’t get picked up? Please ask your friends, family, and neighbors who smoke to properly dispose of their cigarettes? Thanks!
Adopt-A-Spot participants, send photos so we can spice up this weekly report!
* * * * * * * * * *
Kudos to Diane Peters, a Hampton Master Gardener! She is a liaison between HCCC and VCE’s Master Gardeners in the joint rain barrel project – she promotes HCCC programs, picks up rain barrel supplies, puts together rain barrel workshop kits, helps wash barrels, and helps with set up and take down after every workshop. Only two more rain barrel workshops left – April 14th afternoon 1-3 pm and May 12th morning 9-11am (just in time for Mother’s Day)! What better gift to give! Diane signed up to walk a section of East Little Back River Road for Walk Hampton Clean. She is always looking for ways to make Hampton better!
* * * * * * * * * *
Thanks also to Bethel Christian Academy! Last November they planted about a thousand daffodil bulbs in Honor Park at the Public Safety Building. This is what those bulbs are starting to look like…. They’re not at peak bloom yet, but they’re getting there!
COMING THIS WEEK OR NEXT!
DEADLINE MONDAY APRIL 2! LAST CHANCE TO COMMENT! Read Hampton’s draft TDML (Total Maximum Daily Load) plans for the Chesapeake Bay and Back River and COMMENT on them!
These plans address the maximum amount of pollutants that a body of water can receive while still meeting government water quality standards. Although there are separate Total Maximum Daily Load plans covering different bodies of water – the Chesapeake Bay and Back River – there is some overlap, and the city seeks separate comments for each one. Add your voice and opinion!
How to Comment: The City accepts comments by hand-delivery, e-mail, fax, postal mail, and online. All comments and requests must be in writing and be received by the City during the comment period. Submittals must include the names, mailing addresses and telephone numbers of the commenter/requester and all persons represented by the commenter/requester. The online comment form is https://hamptonmarketing.wufoo.com/forms/zt15ecg190avyq/
The Contact for Public Comments, Document Requests and Additional Information for both plans is Dr. Sharon Surita, City of Hampton, Public Works Department, 22 Lincoln Street, 4th Floor, Hampton VA 23369; E-mail: sharon.surita@hampton.gov; Fax: 757-727-6123.
The public may review the Back River Bacteria TMDL Action Plan at the Public Works Department by appointment or may request copies of the documents from the Dr. Surita. They're also linked below.
Please make sure you comment on them separately so your comments will be clear and counted.
Back River: http://hampton.gov/DocumentCenter/View/20870
Chesapeake Bay: http://hampton.gov/DocumentCenter/View/20869
Comment Online: https://hamptonmarketing.wufoo.com/forms/zt15ecg190avyq/
* * * * * * * * * *
Visit a Hampton Waterways Restoration Project Oyster Gardening Demonstration at one or both of two local marinas! The schedule is designed to make it easy for you to come whenever you can! Register for a tour or to help oyster garden at causink@hampton.gov. Small groups are welcome!
Schedule for Dandy Haven, 374 Dandy Haven Rd:
Sunday, April 1, 8:30am (yes, the volunteers know it’s Easter Sunday, they wanted to go ahead with the gardening.) Looking Ahead: April 14, same time
Schedule for Sunset Creek, 4337 Kecoughtan Rd:
Thursday, April 5, 5pm
Looking ahead: April 28, 11am
* * * * * * * * * *
Last Call for Tour de Trash, April 6, 9am – 3:30pm
Join HCCC and the Tour de Trash Hosts on a fascinating tour of trash – where it goes, what happens to it, how you can help. We’ll be visiting Bethel Landfill, the VPPSA Composting Facility, the Hampton/NASA Steam Plant, Branscome Construction, VersAbility Resources, and TFC Recycling. Minimum age 8 years old, must be able to board a school bus and walk a short distance at a leisurely pace.
Register at hccc@hampton.gov or call 727-1130.
* * * * * * * * * *
YARDS Judges Training, April 9, Hampton Clean City Commission Office, 1296 Thomas Street, 10am – 3pm, lunch provided. This volunteer opportunity is a monthly commitment May through September, second Monday of each month, 8:30am; information at hccc@hampton.gov. Sign up today!
* * * * * * * * * *
Hampton Clean City Commission Meeting, Tuesday, April 10: Hampton Clean City Commission Office, 1296 Thomas Street, 3:30pm, information at hccc@hampton.gov
* * * * * * * * * *
Rain Barrel Workshop! Saturday, April 14, 1pm, HCCC Office, 1296 Thomas Street. Learn how and why to make a rain barrel, take yours home, and then make some more! $50 registration fee covers barrel and fittings. Register at https://va-hampton2.civicplus.com/FormCenter/Hampton-Boards-Commissions-Committees-5/Rain-Barrel-Workshop-Registration-127.
LAST DATE: May 12th 9-11am
* * * * * * * * * *
Mercury/LaSalle Interchange Cleanup, Saturday, April 14, 9am – 10:30am. Thanks to volunteer cleanup leader Janet Tucker we are cleaning up the LaSalle & Mercury Interchange! What a mess it is! We need lots of adult volunteers to clean up the ramps and sections of Mercury and LaSalle leading to the ramps. Invite your friends, family, coworkers, and others to join in. You must sign up to participate! Sign up at hccc@hampton.gov by April 12.
* * * * * * * * * *
Water Conservation in the Garden, Saturday, April 14, Buckroe Community Garden, 710 Buckroe Ave, Hampton, Virginia 23663, 9am – 10am. Learn to be water wise in your garden through planning and utilizing conservation methods. This class is inside the Buckroe Community Garden. Register to attend at http://hampton.gov/FormCenter/Hampton-Boards-Commissions-Committees-5/Community-Garden-Event-Registration-Form-132! Kid-Friendly!
* * * * * * * * * *
COMING THIS MONTH
STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS! Volunteers Needed to Distribute Know Your Zone Stickers to Hampton Households! Are you part of a group that could help distribute large numbers of stickers on trash days starting in April? Public Works would very much appreciate your help! We want to make sure everyone knows which zone they live in so they will be better equipped to respond to emergency messages. Sign up at hccc@hampton.gov.
* * * * * * * * * *
Water Quality Monitoring, April 16, 1pm, Back River and Elizabeth Lake. Contact Cris at causink@hampton.gov or 727-5811, or Claire Neubert at dcneubert@hotmail.com.
* * * * * * * * * *
Clean & Green Workplaces Committee Meeting, April 17, Goodwill Employment Center, Room 235, 1911 Saville Row, 3:30pm, information at hccc@hampton.gov
* * * * * * * * * *
Nettles Lane Community Cleanup, April 20, 3pm! This beautiful Hampton road gets littered a lot because it’s less populated. Please come out to help us on Friday, April 20, 3pm. Sign up at hccc@hampton.gov.
* * * * * * * * * *
Walk Hampton Clean, April 21 - 28! Pick a site, pick a date, pick a time, and pick up your supplies! Let’s make Hampton sparkling clean in celebration of Earth Day AND keep a LOT of trash out of our waterways!!
Sign up at https://hamptonmarketing.wufoo.com/forms/z1o5pr4p10cibga/.
Contact Cris Ausink for information at causink@hampton.gov.
Need walkers for WALK HAMPTON CLEAN EARTH WEEK!
This week’s feature is KING STREET.
• King Street from Gate to Little Back River Road
• King Street from Little Back River Road to Mercury Blvd.
• King Street from Mercury to Quash Rd.
• King Street from Quash to Lincoln
• King Street from Lincoln to the water!
Any takers?
* * * * * * * * * *
STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS! International Children’s Festival, Mill Point Park and Downtown Hampton, 10am – 5pm! We need volunteers to provide litter-free event cleanup throughout the festival. Email hccc@hampton.gov if you’d like to help!
* * * * * * * * * *
Community Collection Day April 28, Goodwill Center, 1911 Saville Row, 9am - Noon! SAVE THE DATE! Electronics, household goods, non-perishable food and monetary donations for the Peninsula Foodbank, plastic bags, and more will be collected! Watch for additional news! We’ll need volunteers to help with the collections, too, so email hccc@hampton.gov if you’d like to help! Partners are Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula, Goodwill of Virginia, and the Phenix School Green Team.
* * * * * * * * * *
Cleanup volunteers: The list of extremely littered spots is growing! We really need your help! We’ll be adding some additional community cleanups, but we would welcome your willingness to plan a cleanup at one of these sites:
- Aberdeen Rd Turnaround at Wendy’s on
- Big Bethel Road
- Carver Street
- Freeman Drive (would you believe it needs to be cleaned AGAIN?)
- Guy Street
- Hall Rd ditches
- Hampton Roads Center Parkway at Big Bethel Road
- Hampton Roads Center Parkway at Armstead Avenue
- Harris Creek Rd ditches
- Mercury Blvd at LaSalle Avenue
- Old Buckroe Rd ditches
- Pine Ave
- Quash Street
- River St Park shoreline rocks
- Tucker-Capps wooded area
- Tyler/Settler’s Landing/I-64 at HU Intersection
- Victoria Blvd HRT parking lot on houses side
- Village Drive
If you’re willing to help out: hccc@hampton.gov or 727-1130
* * * * * * * * * *
NEED VOLUNTEERS! Organizations that would like to join in the Creation Care Day are welcome to contact Jan Spencer at mspencer 11@cox.net! If you would like to attend, save the date in your calendar! Also, HCCC will be there with a display – would you like to help with the display? Contact hccc@hampton.gov.
* * * * * * * * * *
Our friends at Virginia Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Program are looking for an adult female volunteer to take to 4-H camp the week of July 23rd - 27th. If interested or if you know of someone, please contact Mrs. Baker at kllucas@vt.edu or call VCE-Hampton office at 757-727-1401. The camp is held at our Jamestown 4-H Educational Center in Williamsburg.
* * * * * * * * * *
HCCC History! June 28, 2018 will be HCCC’s 40th anniversary, and we’re highlighting volunteers and achievements from the past to the best of our ability. If YOU have photos, stories, experiences, or mementos that you would like to share with us, we’d love them! In the regard to the mementos, please send photos of them. J The following are stories we posted this week, with a little extra information:
HCCC History! HCCC was featured at a Council Spotlight on March 27, 2013: Councilman Donnie Tuck, Elaine and Sam Endicott, John Moyer, Melanie Paul and Molly, Shenelle Jones, Marilyn Burney, Laura Luth, Shirley Boyd, Councilman Will Moffett, Pat Parker, Loye Spencer, Debbie Blanton, John Golden, Mayor George Wallace, among others
HCCC History! Rain Barrel Workshop, March 27, 2010: Master Gardener Grady Wesson and HCCC Staff Cris Ausink helped participants build their rain barrels.
HCCC History! Hampton Alumnae, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Adopt-A-Spot Cleanup volunteers, Armistead Avenue, March 27, 2004
HCCC History! USS Enterprise Cleanup at YH Thomas Community Center, March 27, 2009.
HCCC History! Chi Eta Phi Sorority Adopt-A-Spot participants on Woodland Road, March 26, 2004
HCCC History! Langley Air Force Base DGS Adopt-A-Spot Cleanup participants on Magruder Boulevard, March 26, 2004
* * * * * * * * * *
The Trex Plastic Bag/Film Challenge is coming to an end! April 15th is the day schools report in their final collection weights. Now is the time to help them by offering plastic bags for their collection. Call to ask if they want them! If they don’t, take them to a grocery store or other retailer
Hampton schools participating in the Trex Plastic Bag Challenge are:
- Aberdeen Elementary School - (757) 825-4624
- Asbury Elementary School - (757) 850-5075
- Burbank Elementary School - (757) 825-4642
- Forrest Elementary School - (757) 825-4627
- Hampton Christian Academy Lower School – (757) 838-7427
- Langley Elementary School - (757) 850-5105
- Phenix PreK – 8 School - (757) 268-3500
- Spratley Gifted Center - (757) 850-5032
Call them and ask if they want your plastic bags and case wrapping!! Here’s a list of acceptable bags and wraps:
LDPE / HDPE Films * Newspaper Sleeves * Bread Bags * Product Wrap * Cereal Liners * Food Storage Bags * Ice Bags * Pellet Bags * Produce Bags * Dry Cleaning Bags * Grocery Bags * Case Overwrap * Packaging Air Pillows * Salt Bags
If you’re concerned that Farm Fresh stores closing will interrupt your plastic bag recycling efforts – don’t be. You can take your bags to the local Food Lion stores as well!
* * * * * * * * * *
Share information about our upcoming events!
GOOD TO REMEMBER!
Recycle all your plastic food, beverage, and household containers!! Yay TFC Recycling for including all plastic household containers in their list of recyclables! Take advantage of the opportunity! Yogurt cups – check! Applesauce cups – check! Syrup bottles - check!! Just remember – NO foamed plastic (“styrofoam”)! If you’d like some guidance, visit the Round Robin episode on recycling plastics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbsuPXIFBiQ&list=PL3761D4B106784B15&index=7.
* * * * * * * * * *
Drop-off Recycling Information – if you live in an apartment or condominium and don’t have recycling provided by your management, or if you have a lot of extra recyclables for some reason, you can use one of Hampton’s three drop-off containers! They’re located at:
- Hampton Yard Waste Site, 100 North Park Lane (just off Big Bethel Rd)
- Briarfield Park, 1540 Briarfield Road
- Gosnold’s Hope Park, 900 Little Back River Road
All these sites accept the same materials that are accepted in the curbside recycling program! Including the cartons and plastics!
* * * * * * * * * *
2018 Community Cleanups Schedule
- April 20, 3pm – Nettles Lane
- May 18, 3pm – Big Bethel Road (W Park Lane – Isaac Lane)
- June 15, 3pm – Milford Avenue/Bright Street/Westwood Ave/Shell Road
- July 20, 9am – Lee Street (Armistead to South Armistead)
- August 17, 9am – Darling Stadium
- September 21, 9am – Shell Road (Algonquin to Colonial)
- October 19, 3pm – Shell Road (Pine Ave to Childs Ave)
- November 16, 3pm – Aberdeen Road (Briarfield to Wingfield, including Wingfield)
* * * * * * * * * *
Nominate a Clean & Green Workplace for an award!
If you know of a business that fulfills many of the following criteria, nominate them for a Clean & Green Workplaces Award by contacting hccc@hampton.gov:
- Litter-free efforts apparent
- Attractive premises
- Contributions to community, community partnerships, donations, sponsorships
- Recycling and/or waste – reduction efforts
- Urban forestry
- Sustainable landscaped areas that are attractive and beneficial to local wildlife
- Energy conservation practices
- Water conservation practices
- Overall impression of workplace
- Heritage preservation
* * * * * * * * * *
If you have some sheets and blankets that are too good to throw away or recycle, but not really good enough to give to a charity, the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter is the perfect place for them! Drop them at 5843 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, 8am-5pm 7 days a week, or call 757-933-8900 for information.
ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Looking for Recycling Feedback: What do you need to know to be the best recycler you can be? Email hccc@hampton.gov
* * * * * * * * * *
Looking for NEWSLETTER Feedback: What do we need to do to give you a newsletter you can use? Email hccc@hampton.gov
* * * * * * * * * *
Looking for nominations for:
PLAN AHEAD FOR MEETINGS!
All HCCC meetings are open to the public, and we welcome your participation!
* * * * * * * * * *
April 9: YARDS Judges Training (Beautification Committee), Hampton Clean City Commission Office, 1296 Thomas Street, 10am – 3pm, information at hccc@hampton.gov
* * * * * * * * * *
April 10: Commission Meeting, Hampton Clean City Commission Office, 1296 Thomas Street, 3:30pm, information at hccc@hampton.gov
* * * * * * * * * *
April 12: Hampton Waterways Restoration Project Meeting, Fort Monroe Community Center, 100 Stilwell Drive, 6:30pm, information at causink@hampton.gov
* * * * * * * * * *
April 17: Clean & Green Workplaces Committee Meeting, Goodwill Community Employment Center, 1911 Saville Row, 3:30pm, information at hccc@hampton.gov
* * * * * * * * * *
May 3: Litter & Recycling Awareness Committee Meeting, Mama Rosa’s Restaurant, 617 E Mercury Blvd, 11:30am, information at hccc@hampton.gov
* * * * * * * * * *
May 16: School Pride In Action Committee Meeting, Panera Restaurant, 2170 Coliseum Dr h, 4:30pm, information at hccc@hampton.gov
LOOKING FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS!
Hampton Clean City Commission Board – oversees the programs and projects of the Hampton Clean City Commission and focuses on recognizing volunteers, board members are appointed by City Council. Contact hccc@hampton.gov for more information. Fill out a Board Bank application at https://hampton.granicus.com/boards/forms/239/apply/623877?code=34def5d9-e341-4ae1-9448-a571250065f4.
* * * * * * * * * *
Beautification Committee – works on a variety of projects including the YARDS Contest, tree tours, beautification projects, and education. Contact hccc@hampton.gov
* * * * * * * * * *
Clean & Green Workplaces Committee – works on the quarterly Clean & Green Business Awards, the Virginia Peninsula Clean Business Awards breakfast, and other workplace related projects. Contact hccc@hampton.gov
* * * * * * * * * *
Hampton Waterways Restoration Project – works on a variety of clean waterway projects, including shoreline cleanups, water monitoring, and education. Contact causink@hampton.gov
* * * * * * * * * *
Litter & Recycling Awareness Committee – works on cleaning up Hampton through special cleanups and the Adopt-A-Spot program, as well as encouraging litter-free events, solid waste education efforts, and trash tours. Contact hccc@hampton.gov
* * * * * * * * * *
School Pride In Action Committee – educators (formal and informal) who encourage environmental lessons and activities in the classroom and on the school grounds, as well as emphasizing teacher education. Contact hccc@hampton.gov