Elizabeth holiday party

Maya Packard writes:

Save the date: Saturday, Dec. 11, for the Elizabeth holiday party, 7-11 p.m. at the home of Kim and Harris Lineberger, 2125 Greenway Ave. More details to follow. 

Rev. Clodfelter in the house!

The highlight of the ECA Annual Dinner was an impassioned "sermon" by Elizabeth's own Rep. Dan Clodfelter on the importance of the Elizabeth Area Plan. I wish I had recorded it! The message was clear: If you think the details of the Area Plan are unimportant or if you think the details can be easily worked out -- or if you think the quality of our neighborhood is not in jeopardy -- you are mistaken.  If and when an Elizabeth Area Plan is approved, it will have a profound affect on just about every parcel in the 'hood. We can't afford to settle for anything less than the best. Brother Dan was inspiring.

In other business, Monte Ritchey was elected ECA president and Beth Haenni was elected vice-president. Oh, and the food was pretty good too.

Josephine Hicks writes:

Dear Elizabeth Neighbors,

I want to invite you to a special new fundraiser called Spell the End to Cancer.  Please save the evening of Sat., Nov. 6 to join us for an evening of Scrabble, other word games, good company and good food to benefit Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C). This event was conceived when we lost our neighbor and friend Ann Brewster Jones to pancreatic cancer this February, and a group of us decided to take action – to honor her memory, and to make a real contribution to groundbreaking research that will help end this terrible disease as quickly as possible.

SU2C supports a new model for funding research into all types of cancer. Their unique funding model encourages innovation by funding multi-institutional, collaborative groups of scientists working together instead of in competition.

We’ll have both social and competitive Scrabble, other games, and prizes – some for winning a game, and some as part of a door prize drawing. The cost is $25 per person, which will go directly to Stand Up to Cancer. Donate now directly to our team or pay at the door.

Please respond to spelltheendofcancer@gmail.com to let us know if you plan to attend. In your e-mail, let us know how many are in your party, and whether you plan to play competitive Scrabble, social Scrabble, other games or just hang out. You are welcome to adjust your plans once you arrive.

What's wrong with this picture?

 

Find out tomorrow when Andy Misiaveg gives an update on the Elizabeth Area Plan at the ECA Annual Dinner at 6:30 p.m. in Broach Hall at St. John’s Baptist Church.

Meet and eat

Maya Packard (she sure is busy!) writes:

Please plan to join your neighbors for the annual meeting of the Elizabeth Community Association Oct 25 at 6:30 p.m. at St. John's Baptist Church. Please bring something to share for the Potluck Dinner.

• Learn what's been going on in the neighborhood
• Meet local politicians
• Hear from our neighborhood's police officers
• Get involved with upcoming projects
  Join the ECA
• Vote for ECA leadership positions (If you'd like to be on the ballot, or to find out what openings are available, please contact current president Matt Nurkin at mnurkin@gmail.com.)

Nab those worms

Maya Packard writes:

Thanks to the Elizabeth Community Association, tree banding kits are available to ECA residents at a fraction of what they would cost at a hardware store. The cost for supplies through the ECA is $1 per foot. The price includes roofing paper, batting, Tanglefoot and wrapping supplies. This year, The ECA tree banding materials will be sold on Oct. 30 at 2217 E. 5th St. Cash and checks will be accepted. Please make checks out to the ECA.

If you cannot pick up your supplies on this date or if you miss the deadline, email  trees4elizabeth@Gmail.com.

To find out more about the cankerworm and to get detailed instructions on how to properly band a tree please visit: http://www.elizabethcommunity.com/cankerworm.htm or email trees4elizabeth@gmail.com.

Big donation to Freedom School Partners

If you see Mary Nell McPherson walking her dog in the 'hood, check to see if she has an extra bounce in her step. Her group, Freedom School Partners, is getting a well-deserved $200,000 donation from Bank of America. According to the Charlotte Observer:

Freedom School Partners said the bank foundation's money represents one of the largest gifts it has received. The organization was launched in 2004 as a summer literacy program for children in the area of the now-demolished Piedmont Courts public housing complex. This summer, it grew to 10 sites and helped 600 at-risk children, officials said.
Its plan next summer is to serve 1,000 children at up to 16 sites, and the bank donation will help by strengthening the organization's ability to grow, McPherson said.

 We've got lots of good eggs in Elizabeth. Mary Nell is among the goodest. You can donate to Freedom School Partners too.

Wall o' pumpkin

Yes, it shall rise again. The Woodpeckers will begin construction on the Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall soon. How soon? I don't know. Stop by Starbucks some Saturday morning and they'll be there and you can ask them yourself. What I do know is that carving starts Oct. 24 at the corner of Clement Avenue and East 8th Street. The lighting ceremony will be Oct. 29 at dusk. Sharpen your knives and your wit and come on down.