UPDATED: Looking for volunteers to help with some VGCA projects this Spring

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Here are some projects we have identified that need to occur this Spring.  Connor and I will be focusing on getting the pool up and running so we will need some help from our amazing volunteers.  Give us a hand please beautifying Village Green!

  1. Address brick walls at entrance to Village Green

    • VOLUNTEER(S) NEEDED to pressure wash brick at entrance. Target completion date is March 31.
    • Brick and mortar work on brick at entrance — Joe O’Malley has volunteered to handle this.
    • TARGET DATE: By end of May.

  2. Fix/replace split rail fencing on access ways leading to the VGCA park

    • VOLUNTEER(S) NEEDED for this.
    • Peter Grimes has volunteered to do Prescott…we still have a couple of other areas that need to be addressed.
    • VGCA will provide materials as determined by volunteer(s).
    • TARGET DATE:  By end of May.

  3. Address cracked and raised concrete in the park.

      • VOLUNTEER(S) NEEDED to break up concrete with a jack hammer and relocate the debris.
      • Need 8 to 10 able-bodied individuals for this.
      • VGCA to provide rental of jack hammer.
      • Sidewalk leading to pool near the play equipment will be removed.
      • Two grills and concrete near the grills will be removed.
      • One grill will be relocated closer to the picnic shelter.  The other grill will be stored for future use if needed.
      • Bring a shovel, gloves, and/or a wheelbarrow.

    <li>WHEN:  Sat, April 13 11am-2pm

  4. Repair VGCA Clubhouse main waste line.

    • VOLUNTEER(S) NEEDED to break up concrete with a jack hammer and relocate the debris.
    • Need 4 to 6 able-bodied individuals for this.
    • We will rent a mini-excavator but there will still be a need for some manually digging and back filling.
    • We need to dig up about 45ft from side of clubhouse to the City’s cleanout.  Approximately 2.5ft down.
    • Bring a shovel, gloves, and/or a wheelbarrow.
    • WHEN:  Sat, May 4  9am-11am

I promise, no specialized skillset is needed to perform/lead these projects.  Just need some good old fashion time and energy.

Here are a few pics of what needs to be done.  Contact Donnie Woodruff for details if you are able to volunteer.

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Volunteers needed to help remove pool cover Sun, Apr 28 @ 445pm

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We will need about 15 strong individuals to help us remove the pool cover on Sunday, April 28 at 445pm.

Please be prompt as we will start right at 445pm and it only takes 15 mins to do.

Thank you in advance!

Annual Street Sweeping Begins April 1

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It’s officially spring, and that means it’s time for the city’s annual spring cleaning! The Street Maintenance Division of the Public Works Department will begin street sweeping operations on Monday, April 1, and will continue through mid-October, weather permitting. Village Green is in Section E from the map. Section E’s scheduled dates are: May 20-24; Aug 12-16; and Oct 14-18.

Street sweeping plays a crucial role in maintaining the cleanliness of our local waterways by removing accumulated debris and pollutants, such as sand, salt, metals, petroleum products, and bacteria, before they enter the storm drains. This season, the city is deploying ten mechanical street sweepers at regularly scheduled times to clear debris from city-maintained roads. In 2023 alone, 20,085 miles of curbs were swept and 6,558 dump truck loads of debris were removed from city streets.

Please be mindful of the bright orange signs posted on major streets leading into neighborhoods, indicating temporary parking restrictions for street sweeping. In the Southeast Community, where off-street parking is limited and one-way streets are common, permanent red and white signs specify a once-per-month period when parking is prohibited for street sweeping.

On street sweeping days, ensure that vehicles, basketball goals, and other bulk items are off the streets by 9 a.m.; parking may resume after 3 p.m. Private streets, mobile home parks, and privately owned apartment complex streets are not included in the street sweeping program.

For a detailed street sweeping schedule and more information about the program, please visit the Public Works Website or call 757-933-2311.

Neighborhood vehicle/pedestrian safety awareness

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One of the great aspects of our neighborhood is we look out for each other. There are times, however, where we may sometimes get complacent and forget, while we’re driving through the neighborhood, all the people who walk and bike in the same road we drive. The greatest thing we can do for our fellow neighbors is to keep our vigilance high while we’re driving through the neighborhood. How can we do that? We can follow the speed limit (25 MPH) for the neighborhood. We can, as we’re transitioning from one street to another (such as from a side street to the Village Green Parkway), think of those intersections as having an implicit yield sign. Take the time to look for other cars, families spending some time walking the neighborhood, neighbors walking their dog or opossum, or kids riding their bikes or skateboards and give them the right of way. This is especially important at night as there are many blind spots and not as well lit areas where one of your neighbors may be not visible or less visible until it is too late.

How else can we help each other? The intersections at Village Green Parkway and Baxter as well as Village Green Parkway by the Marquee/Park have seen an increase in drivers treating the STOP as more of a SLOW. Just recently someone in the neighborhood played chicken with a police officer (driving their personal vehicle at the time) at one of the intersections. Remember back to those driver training courses when you first got your license. The STOP sign is intended to allow you to have the time to determine who else may be in your direct path of motion and allow each of you navigate the intersection and get to your destination safely.

Please share this message with your friends, family, and neighbors. Let’s help keep this neighborhood the safe community it is.

VGCA: Candy donation & Easter Egg Hunt

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Hello Spring…..maybe;) We are taking Candy donations to the tote on porch of 657 VGP.
Please join us March 17th at 1pm We will have sections for multiple age groups to hunt some easter eggs. We want to make this event safe for everyone. Please parents and grands as usual attend this event with your child or grandchild for some family fun. The BUNNY will hop up to the park for lots of high fives, hugs and pictures! We do re use our eggs so before leaving the park we ask that you empty your eggs and put them back in the tote provided…THANK YOU! Mark your calendar, drop off candy and bring a basket ready to fill to the top!

VGCA Events 2024

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Please join me as we look forward to many events this year! Membership season is upon us. Here are just some of the events you will get to be a part of. Please consider signing your family up!

March- Easter egg hunt- come meet the BUNNY!!
April- Flowers for the park
May- First Movie Night of the season!
Cleanup the park Day
June- Summer Kick off Party!
Movie Night
July- Parade
Adult pool party
Movie Night
August- End of summer party
Movie Night
September- Movie Night
Oktober fest
October- Halloween event
Movie Night
November- Movie Night
December- Decorate the park & cookie exchange.
Presents with Santa
Christmas Decor contest

Plan Now for Two Multi-day James River Bridge Closures

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The contractor for the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) James River Bridge Wire Ropes Replacement Project has announced their approved schedule to implement two extended roadway and maritime closures in January and February 2024 at the Route 17 James River Bridge between Newport News and Isle of Wight County. As part of the project to replace the bridge’s 80 counterweight wire ropes that are necessary to lift the bridge span for marine traffic, the contractor must implement two separate, 100-hour full operational closures at the bridge for maritime traffic that require bridge openings and all vehicular traffic.

Scheduled Closure Dates:

  • 1 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 12 through 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16
  • 1 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 2 through 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6

Backup Closure Dates:

In the event the scheduled closures cannot be implemented, VDOT will provide advance notice to the public for the following approved backup dates:

  • 1 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 19 through 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23
  • 1 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8 through 5 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 12

During the full closures, all traffic will be detoured to the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel as one of the primary alternate travel routes. Additional alternate routes include the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry and Route 460.

For maritime travel during the closures, marine vessels that do not require a bridge opening can continue to use the navigational channel under the bridge throughout the project’s duration. However, during these timeframes, no bridge openings can be performed for marine vessels that require a bridge lift. Maritime travel impacts may extend up to an additional 24 hours to ensure the bridge span is aligned and operating properly after a series of test lifts; however, VDOT will provide updates should this extension occur.

To receive updates about the JRB Wire Rope Replacement Project and other transportation developments, sign up for VDOT notifications by taking any of the following steps:

For additional information and answers to project-related questions, please review the Frequently Asked Questions provided on the VDOT project website.

Ambassador Pass Gives City Employees, Residents Free Admission to Attractions

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New to the neighborhood/Newport News and/or looking for something to do in the new year, check out the Newport News Ambassador Pass program. The Newport News Ambassador Pass program, now in its 24th year, encourages Newport News residents and current City of Newport News employees to be “visitors” in their hometown by providing passes for free one-time admission to nine attractions throughout the city. Valid for two adults and two children, this year’s pass includes a round of disc golf at Newport News Park, the Lee Hall Mansion, Virginia War Museum, and more.

Starting Dec 20, residents and city employees can pick up an “Ambassador Pass” through Feb. 4, 2024, at three locations throughout the city:

  • Newport News Tourism Office (closest), 702 Town Center Drive (Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F but closed Dec. 22-26 and Jan. 1).
  • Newport News Visitor Center, 13560 Jefferson Ave., at the entrance to Newport News Park (Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily but closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1).
  • Newport News Communications Office, 6th Floor, City Hall, 2400 Washington Ave (Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F but closed Dec. 22-26 and Jan. 1).

City Holiday Closings, Collections Schedules

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The upcoming holidays will impact Newport News city operating hours and services. Here’s a look at how city offices, facilities, and services will be affected:

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY

City Offices, Libraries, Recovery Operations Center

Closed Friday, Dec. 22 – Tuesday, Dec. 26

Recreation Centers

Brittingham-Midtown and Denbigh Community Centers will be open Friday, Dec. 22, and Saturday, Dec. 23, until 1 p.m. All other recreation facilities will be closed.

Garbage, Recycling & Bulk Waste Collections

No collections on Monday, Dec. 25. All collections for the week are delayed by one day. Village Green will be have garbage, recycling & bulk waste collected Tuesday, Dec 26.

Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter

  • Sunday, Dec. 24, both the Adoption Center and Animal Reclaim/Surrender Lobby close at 4 p.m.
  • Mon., Dec. 25, the Animal Reclaim/Surrender Lobby will close at 1 p.m. Open Tues., Dec. 26, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
  • Monday, Dec. 25 – Tuesday, Dec. 26, the Adoption Center will be closed. Open Wed., Dec. 27, for adoptions noon-5 p.m.

NEW YEAR HOLIDAY

City Offices, Libraries, Recreation Centers

Closed Monday, Jan. 1

Recovery Operations Center

Closed Saturday, Dec. 30 – Monday, Jan. 1

Garbage, Recycling & Bulk Waste Collections

No collections on Monday, Jan. 1. All collections for the week are delayed by one day. Village Green will be have garbage collected Tuesday, Jan 2.

Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter

  • Monday, Jan. 1, the Animal Reclaim/Surrender Lobby will close at 1 p.m. Open Tuesday, Jan. 2, 8 a.m. -5 p.m.
  • Mon., Jan. 1 – Tuesday, Jan. 2, the Adoption Center is closed. Open Wednesday, Jan. 3, for adoptions, noon – 5 p.m.

Take some time to enjoy all of the holiday happenings throughout the city in the NlightN Holiday Event Series. Experience the sights and sounds of the season with FREE nightly light shows at Lights at the Fountain at City Center! And don’t forget about Celebration in Lights at Newport News Park, where you can see two miles of dazzling holiday light displays from the comfort of your car (tickets are $15-18 per car).

Recycle, Repurpose Household Items After Holidays

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Before putting any items out with the trash after the holidays, consider whether your seasonal decorations and other household items are reusable, recyclable, or if they might come in handy for someone else. Here are some ideas on how to safely dispose or repurpose holiday trimmings and other household items:

  • Naturally-grown Christmas trees and fresh greenery – On Dec. 26, Newport News will collect and chip Christmas trees into mulch or compost that are used to beautify city and county public spaces. Remove all tinsel, ornaments, lights and stands or tree will not be accepted. You can also drop off Monday through Saturday 8 am to 4 pm (except for city observed holidays) at the Recovery Operations Center located at 520 Atkinson Way. Another option is to place the tree in a quiet corner of the yard, where it can provide a haven for birds and other wildlife.
  • Holiday cards, mail, packaging, wrapping – As long as holiday cards and envelopes do not have glitter or have metallic accents, these stationary items can go in the recycling container. This goes for non-coated, plain wrapping paper and plain gift bags too—without glitter or foil. Cardboard boxes are also recyclable.
  • Plastic bags – These should never go in the recycling container, but you can take plastic bags to most chain grocery stores for recycling (such as Target, Kroger, or Food Lion). Resolve to have reusable tote bags on hand when shopping in the future (if you don’t do this already).
  • Retired electronics – If a new PC, laptop, printer, or phone made your holiday bright, set aside the retired versions for donation or special collection. Some thrift stores accept electronics and resell them to support charitable causes. Best Buy will accept most older electronics for recycling. Batteries+ will accept most non-alkaline batteries for recycling.
  • Clothing and items for re-gifting – For gifts received that you would not or could not use, consider re-gifting these to someone who would!

For more guidelines and tips for keeping Hampton Roads clean and green, visit askHRgreen.org.