Archives for June 2017
A Wonderful Day at the Shore Made Music Festival
Scattered showers, wind, some thunder and bouts of humidity was not enough to dissuade the staff, musicians and crowd that came together to make the 2017 Shore Made Music Festival a wonderful success.
The day did begin with a soggy start, with rains forcing headliner Angelica Garcia into the Historic Onancock School for an unplugged session. For Garcia and her fans, this was an opportune bit of misfortune. Angelica thrives in an intimate setting, where she can truly connect with her audience. Poet, musician, and storyteller, Garcia captivated the school room with a breathless set of original music from earlier work and her new Album “Medicine for Birds”. Garcia is a special artist, and for those of us that live on Shore, we feel blessed and thankful she has landed here.
While some say the Garcia performance drove off the rain (this is only partly true), the sky did calm, and with only spit and spurts of rain, a good bit the show did go on.
Jessica West has been pleasing Shore audiences for many years now, and it was a delight to once again see her on stage. Known for her intriguing and genuine originals, West did not disappoint. Her voice, as always was pitch perfect, always in harmony with very solid guitar work.
Speaking of intricate guitar work, Emily Guemple wowed with a rocking country acoustic flavor. With vocals that soared over her finger work, Guemple provided the crowd with a fresh, sassy set of favorites.
Shore favorite Austin Riopel brought his own brand of classic, tasteful and intelligent Americana to a raucous and receptive crowd. One of our best flat top guitar players, Riopel applies a unique wit and charm to his music–even the most well-worn pieces seem original and new. Riopel is always a joy to watch, and it seems with each show, each performance he hones his craft to an ever finer granularity. He is one young artist who seems ready to break through to the next level.
Dee Irvin is one of those artists that you just want to celebrate. There is such clarity and purity to her music. Her voice, there is an exactness and precision, yet there is also a humbleness and reverence that makes her eclectic arrangements so powerful. When her sets are over, it just never seems like enough. It’s easy to see Irvin going on to very big things. We love her. [Read more…]
Gossip: A moment of Kindness and Grace
This story was sent to the Mirror about my good friend Lisa Lunger. This was a rare moment of beauty, kindness and grace that we wanted to share.
Yesterday, I tried to save this little man who we believe got hit by a car. Unfortunately, he had a severed spinal cord and had to be put down. But I snuggled him the whole time and made sure he knew what it felt like to be loved. Please, please be careful out there. And if you hit something, have the decency to stop. Thank you to my friend for finding him and thank you to the compassionate staff at ESAH (Eastern Shore Animal Hospital) who helped him pass on.
Are Basketball Courts Coming Back to Cape Charles?
The Cape Charles Town Council met in special session to determine the fate of the skateboard park that currently resides at the corner of Plum and Madison. While the park has fallen into a minor disrepair, the biggest issue is the location. It was discovered several months ago that the footprint of the park actually extends 7 feet over into the adjacent property. Given the existing easement, the park could lose up to 30% of its area.
The skateboard park was envisioned and brought to life by local resident Jim Mahaffey. After several meetings, some donated materials by Dave Fauber, Cape Charles finally had place where skaters could work out legally.
However, as was noted by Town Manager Brent Manuel, that block is in transition. Three houses are slated for construction at that location. Given the turnover, council is looking for alternatives to the present spot, or if it even wants to have a skateboard park at all.
The consensus was that the current location was not suitable, and that the park would have to come down. Councilman Bannon thought keeping the skate park was a good idea, and offered that it should go in Central Park. Councilwoman Natali vehemently disagreed, noting that skaters would take advantage and use the sidewalks as well. Natali added that the open space area near the Keck wells might be a good location. [Read more…]
Gossip: The Kindness of Strangers
This note was forwarded to the Cape Charles Mirror by our friend and neighbor Jennifer Ingram. This was a short, small note, but it spoke to where live in a very big way:
$265…Just now at Foodlion. the gentleman behind me bought the groceries for the woman in front of me. When she went to pay, she found that her card had been cancelled…he just paid for it. She thanked him and hugged him. Kindness and gratitude, humanity.
IT WAS ALL I COULD DO NOT LOOSE IT AND START CRYING. I mean I was teary eyed cuz hello it’s me and I’m emotional anyway, but who wouldn’t be?
Wetlands Board Submits Year-End Report
The Code of Virginia requires that the Wetlands Board submits a report of its activities to Town Council at least once each year.
According the report, the board added Bill Prickett for a term expiring November 12, 2021. It was a relatively busy year for permit applications.
Applications for 184 linear feet of revetment stone and beach access steps at a residential property located at 3 Bay Vistas Way, construction of five floating finger piers and ten moorings on a commercial property located at 1011 Bayshore Road (lot 83A3-A-19). And an application for the construction of a stormwater outfall pipe extension and approximately 300 square-feet of riprap on for Town-owned property at the beachfront corner of Bay and Mason Avenues were approved.
The Town Council directed the Board to research beach sand and dune management practices and make recommendations based on that research. This directive resulted from the addition of over 120,00 cubic yards of sand deposited on the town beach by the US Army Corps of Engineers as part of to the Federal Harbor and Channel dredging project. The Board finalized those recommendations and presented them to Town Council at the Council’s regular monthly meeting on September 16, 2016.
New Homes Coming to Cape Charles Historic District
While new housing starts have been down across the country, Cape Charles continues to see a robust upturn in this category. According to Code Enforcement Official Jeb Brady, “From June 1, 2016 through today seven new homes have been permitted, including three in Bay Creek/Marina Village and four in the Historic District. There are several more that are in for Historic Review or are going to be sent to Historic Review in the next couple of months. Also a major commercial renovation project in Peach Street Books that was permitted in that time.”
This week, Applications for Certificates of Appropriateness for new construction were approved by the Historic District Review Board for 640 Washington Avenue and 401 Madison Avenue.
640 Washington
From Staff Report: The proposed building is a single-family home, built on a conforming size lot. The building footprint meets the setback\prevailing standard requirements of the zoning ordinance. This is a modular home and will have vinyl siding. [Read more…]
Cape Charles Police Statistics for May 2017
Monthly Statistics for the Cape Charles Police Department – May 2017
-Calls for service in Cape Charles: 48
-Calls for service outside of Cape Charles: 19
-Felony arrests: 1
-Misdemeanor Arrests: 4
-Traffic Summons: 45 (see page 2.)
– Traffic Warnings: 33 (written& verbal):
– Parking tickets: 3
– Building Checks: 35
– Assisted Northampton County Sheriff’s Office: 18
– Assisted Virginia State Police: 1
– Assisted Federal Agencies: 0
– Assisted Fire& Rescue: 0
– Foot Patrol Hours: 33
– Bay creek patrol hours: 28 [Read more…]
Mutiny on the Historic District Review Board
“Synthetic sidings such as vinyl, aluminum and synthetic stucco-like finishes are not historic cladding material in the District and their use should be avoided. I would suggest changing the “should be avoided” to will not be allowed.” -Joe Fehrer, Chair Historic District Review Board on the prohibition of using vinyl siding on historic homes in Cape Charles.
Fehrer made the above statement last month during discussions about an application to use vinyl siding on the historic home at 564 Randolph. At the time, the consensus of the board fell in line with Fehrer’s comments. However, since the applicant was traveling abroad at the time, the board agreed to table the application and allow the applicant to address the board formally before rejecting the claim outright.
At this month’s Regular Meeting of the Historic District Review Board, Chairman Fehrer was not present, so Vice Chairman John Caton was in charge of running the meeting. Even though Fehrer was not present, he sent in written comments noting his continued disapproval of vinyl siding being used in the Historic District when there was a way to repair and retain the original materials.
As far as applications to the HDRB, apparently one month can make all the difference.
With Vice Chairman Caton at the reigns, the applicant of 546 Randolph made her case to the board, showing the type of siding and colors she wanted to use. Board member David Gay once again noted that he has worked on older houses before, and this case seemed more than salvageable. The applicant stated that she understood “where the board was coming from”, yet countered that she was worried about some rot on the structure, and that she didn’t want to have to paint it every few years.
For the moment, it appeared that the decision, affirming Chairman Fehrer’s disdain for vinyl, would be the same as last month–to deny the application. Then, something strange occurred. David Gay, who went to great pains last month, and this one to explain why covering the original structure with vinyl was a bad idea, suddenly decided to abstain from voting on the measure. He also did not offer a reason why such a radical move was required. [Read more…]
Cape Charles Harbor for the Arts Summer Concert Festival
Residents, summer visitors will have their music soul unleashed and satisfied this summer in Cape Charles, Virginia. Citizens for Central Park, Arts Enter Cape Charles and the Town of Cape Charles have teamed up to offer an amazing collection of talent throughout the summer.
The Festival is not just a one weekend event, but rather an offering of one or more concerts over most weekends from July 1st to September 9th (excluding July 14-15) “The concerts will go on rain or shine, as we have the option of moving the concert inside the Historic Palace Theatre if we have inclement weather.” shares Hank Mayer, Festival Chair. So, whether you are a resident of Virginia’s Eastern Shore or planning to visit Cape Charles this concert series is a can’t miss itinerary for the summer.
Mayer also shares, “This is the only FREE multiple concert program on the Virginia Eastern Shore, and it includes musical groups that will be attractive to all age groups and cultures.” Concerts in the Park have evolved over the last three years with this year’s offerings being the most comprehensive since its inception. Kicking of the Summer Festival schedule are the bands Raw Beets and Little Country who have a unique style of music that are labeled as the must see/hear bands of the summer. [Read more…]
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