ECA 2-07

Jean Galloway

Maya Packard

Nancy Albert

Kara Gooding

Ruffin Pearce

Russell Crandall

Matthew Ipsan

J.T. Petersen

Michelle Dagenhart

Terry Lett

Todd Rubenson

Dianna Desaulniers

Tony Miller

Melanie Sizemore

Babak Emadi

Linda Nash

Peter Tart

beautification/trees 704 719 1255 jalbert@carolina.rr.com newsletter 704 719 1255 noalbert@carolina.rr.com traffic/block captain 704 894 2283 rucrandall@davidson.edu social 704 335 0280 mdagenhart@carolina.rr.com membership 704 236 4286 print_it@bellsouth.net HENF/zoning 704 334 1648 babak@urbana-architecture.com

ECA treasurer 704 377 3936 jgalloway@firsttrustinc.com cankerworm/trees 704 604 5660 Kara_gooding2hotmail.com communications 704 728 6364 matthewiipsan@yahoo.com social 704 377 0052 terrylett@bellsouth.net zoning 704 377 8500 tonymiller@millerarchitecture.com HENF/block captain 704 332 9808 nashfamily1@bellsouth.net

social 704 334 2196 mpackard@carolina.rr.com zoning 704 331 4989 rpearce@wcsr.com advertising/block captain 704 340 2529 naturesponds@bellsouth.net secretary 704 386 4401 todd.rubenson@bankofamerica.com ECA president 704 335 0909 msizemore@realindex.com zoning 704 372 4147 petart@carolina.rr.com Roxie Towns

kudos: A website created and designed by

the ECA newsletter’s graphic designer was recently chosen by Charlotte Magazine for a BOB Award (Best of the Best).. You may have also noticed a new magazine she designed, published by Scott Lindsley, called Banktown U$A (www.banktownusa.com). best alternative culture website www.weirdcharlotte.com Brainchild of legendary ‘zinestress Little Shiva, this site does more than just list arts events –

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zoning/beautification 704 342 1000

it attempts to transform the city we live in. You can find film showings, gallery openings, and dance concerts on its calendar, but also the latest happenings for roller derby and the local fetish scene.

Profiles of local personalities – some wearing tuxedos, devil horns, or King Tut headgear – show a side of Charlotte that is usually invisible. (Charlotte Magazine)

The Krispy Kreme at the corner of Hawthorne Lane and Independence Blvd. was a victim of the Independence Blvd. Freeway Project. Cover photo: Byron Baldwin

John Albert

The Elizabeth Small Area Plan

by By Andrew and Becca Nesbitt

small area plan adopted in Charlotte. Today, area plans seem common, but in 1980 it was a new concept that was As new residents of Elizabeth a response to the city’s rapid and lifelong residents of growth. Due to the unified Charlotte, we appreciate what efforts of all those involved, sets Elizabeth apart from the a written document was rest of the City of Charlotte and created that would provide other historic neighborhoods. guidance for Elizabeth as it With its diverse mix of renters approached an uncertain and home owners, treefuture. Today, we have reached lined streets, inviting front a similar point in time and porches and the pedestrian the Elizabeth Small Area Plan accessibility to area amenities needs to be updated. In fact, such as Independence Park, there is no reference to the unique shops and restaurants, Elizabeth Neighborhood Plan Elizabeth is a special place that on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg is attractive to residents and Planning Department website non-residents alike. nor is a copy available in the Recently, we’ve been invited department’s office. (www. to participate in a project to charmeck.org/Departments/ update the Elizabeth Urban Planning). While the spirit of Design Plan and Transportation the original plan continues Study (also known as the because of the involvement Elizabeth Small Area Plan), of individuals familiar with its which was originally completed vision, there exists no officially in September 1985 and recognized document to guide adopted by the Charlotte development and provide a City Council November 18, framework for evaluating and 1985. As a result of our providing input to the constant engagement in this project, changes that face Elizabeth. we’ve learned that many of The original Elizabeth Small the things we love about Area Plan articulated three Elizabeth were not accidental, main purposes: (1) to indicate but instead were the result a process for specific actions; of cooperation, dedication (2) to develop a common and extensive planning on understanding of neighborhood behalf of the residents and growth goals; and 3. to provide institutional, business, church recommendations and design and neighborhood leaders who guidelines for particular completed the original plan. projects. In addition, five The original Elizabeth Small major themes were identified Area Plan, which took five to focus attention on the years to complete, was the first critical features of livability,

deadline for fall 07:

August 15th editorial content:

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land use and imageability. The themes were (1) Movement and Neighborhood Identity, (2) Park Focus and Historic District, (3) Traffic, (4) Hospital Campus, and (5) Retail and Residential.

The original Elizabeth Small Area Plan was quite remarkable when looked at in hindsight.

It contains numerous recommendations and development plans that focused the growth and development of Elizabeth, many of which we take for granted. Without the original Elizabeth Small Area Plan, the neighborhood may not have had a say in the widening of Independence Boulevard, which resulted in pedestrian friendly crosswalks at Hawthorne and Pecan.

Also, the original Elizabeth Small Area Plan assisted in guiding the development of Seventh Street, including the decision not to further widen Seventh Street, which would have destroyed many historic houses and businesses, but instead to use three lanes with an adjustable middle lane. This sort of creative traffic flow was the first of its kind in the state.

A good portion of the original Elizabeth Small Area Plan focused on the development of Independence Park. The plan identified the park as an integral part of the neighborhood and solidified this by making it a continuous park from Memorial Stadium to Pecan Avenue and by

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connecting recreational portions with historic portions.

In addition, the original Elizabeth Small Area Plan included an outline for the support of future development, including hospital development and Elizabeth Avenue development.

Today, we feel the presence of development all around us, whether by the hospitals, new residences, CPCC or the Elizabeth Avenue business district. Elizabeth has an identity and will continue to have one, but that identity should be determined and developed by those who care for Elizabeth, not those who see Elizabeth as a place on a map or place to make a profit.

The updating of the Elizabeth Small Area Plan will not be a quick and easy project, but will be an important one.

In the weeks and months to come, there will be numerous ways to get involved and offer your input. Necessarily, this project must include input from residents and businesses, hospitals, schools and churches.

If you are any one of these, you understand that Elizabeth is a special place and its future is undetermined, but if we work together we can help direct its future in such a way that continues to allow Elizabeth to thrive. As the original Elizabeth Small Area Plan states: “The future of Elizabeth is one filled with opportunity to fulfill the desire to live and work conveniently within

an urban context. The continued vitality of existing institutions and commercial trades is virtually assured by their location and accessibility. The values of Elizabeth residents are quite different from those filling up the roads, subdivisions and apartment building near Pineville, Matthews or UNCC. The reason people live in Elizabeth is because the ability to live and work in proximity to each other and in an environment which is culturally and socially alive is important. Most residents accept that this means roads and cars will be present and their neighbors may be different from them, and it may be noisy at times.

But the neighborhood sense is strong.

There is vitality.�

We’re looking for volunteers to assist with the planning process! Please contact any one of the following members of the Board for the Historic Elizabeth Neighborhood Foundation to learn more about the updating of the Elizabeth Small Area Plan.

Andrew Nesbitt 704- 344-9725 Elizabeth Bevan 704-334-3684 Ken Lambla 704-376-7512 Cliff Settlemyer 704-375-7766 HISTORIC ELIZABETH NEIGHBORHOOD FOUNDATION, INC. is incorporated under the laws of the State of North Carolina as a non-profit corporation for the purpose of improving, preserving and restoring sites and buildings of historical or archaeological interest and related activities in and around the area known as Elizabeth in the City of Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Historic Elizabeth Neighborhood Foundation is an exempt organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and contributions are tax deductible.

Upon receipt of donations to HISTORIC ELIZABETH NEIGHBORHOOD FOUNDATION, INC. of $250 or more, a written acknowledgement will be send to each contributor for the year the donation was received.

Contribution can be mailed to: Historic Elizabeth Neighborhood Foundation P.O Box 35068 Charlotte, NC 28235-5068

photo courtesy The Charlotte Folk Society

The Charlotte Folk Society

by Wanda Hubicki The Charlotte Folk Society this year marks 25 years of enriching our community’s cultural life. An ASC associate and a non-profit, the organization lives out its mission to promote the enjoyment and preservation of traditional and contemporary folk music, dance, crafts, and lore of the Piedmont Carolinas. Having no paid staff, the group achieves its goals through contributions of time and talent by its member volunteers. Annual memberships offer great value and are very affordable: $25 for individuals and $35 for families, with discounts for students and seniors.

June, in the Bryant Recital Hall of CPCC‘s Sloan-Morgan Building, 1220 Elizabeth Avenue – in easy proximity to the Elizabeth Neighborhood.

Gatherings begin at 7:30 pm with hour-long concerts by regional performers from a variety of roots traditions.

Refreshments, jam sessions, and a song circle follow each concert. Gatherings are free, although donations are appreciated.

Visit www.folksociety.org for the 2007-2008 lineup and to request a complimentary copy of the twelve-page monthly newsletter.

Sunday, July 8th, the Folk Society and the Charlotte Museum of History (3500 Shamrock Drive) will jointly host a free Ice Cream Social

and Jam, 1:30-4:30 pm.

The Folk Society celebrates a quarter-century on Saturday, October 13th, with free workshops at the Levine Museum of the New South during the day and a ticketed concert at the Halton Theater (CPCC) in the evening. See www.folksociety.org for details.

Or ask your neighbor Susan Green, an enthusiastic Folk Society supporter and board member.

Progressive Dinner table talk

by Beth Haenni Quoted as “the neighborhood’s premier event,” a fantastic crowd of 170 Elizabethans joined us at this year’s Progressive Dinner.

Ebert and Roeper would

Monthly Folk Society gatherings take place on second Fridays, August through the people pages

have given it “two thumbs up!” Guests progressed from appetizers at the Wainscotts’ Greenway Ave. home, to 19 different dinner houses, then back to the Towns’ 8th St. home for desserts. Special thanks to the skies for gorgeous weather; to our tireless event committee; and to our business neighbors who made the evening a smashing success. John Tosco played acoustic guitar; Amorette Mayr of Goodness Gracious Gatherings provided decor; Starbucks donated coffee; and Common Market provided wine and beer at cost.

Please join us next year!

A spring walk through Elizabeth

by Frances L. D’Amato I live on Laurel and have been in the neighborhood almost ten years. I like to awaken early and listen to the birds singing outside my office window. They seem to be calling me to join them in the great outdoors. I accept the call and venture out to Greenway. It’s my favorite street because of the way it curves and because I love the diversity of housing.

There are still a few of the original cottages with their manicured lawns and pots of geraniums or hibiscus to welcome you at the entrance.

Many duplexes have children’s toys lying in wait for use in the front yards. On the corner of Ridgeway men are working on the transformation of one

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of the old bungalows into a gigantic home that almost fills the whole lot.

photo by Nancy Albert

As I move on I reach Caswell and notice that Presbyterian Hospital has a presence on both sides of the roadway.

To my left I see the empty children’s playground and to my right the Senior Care Center. A grey-haired woman leaves the front door and walks to her car. No one else is around at this hour so I press on and climb down the steps to the rose garden. I pass under the trellis and see purple and lilac clematis climbing up the poles. Their broad petals seem to say welcome and I wander through the gardens attracted by the few rose bushes that are in full bloom. The hedges surrounding the roses prevent me from being able to take in the individual fragrance. I stand in awe of the roses in all stages of growth.

I continue on the path hearing the sound of lawnmowers and edge cutters, a gardening crew busy at work. The aroma of fresh cut grass fills my nostrils and brings with it a flood of memories of my childhood days on Saturday mornings when all the dads cut their lawns early while the dew was still on the blades of grass. I stop at the pineapple water fountain but there’s no water so I move on to a gazebo and rest, taking in the image of the whole park. I feel refreshed and at peace and head home to begin my work

day, refreshed by nature, a jewel in Charlotte’s Crown.

Courting Whole Foods

by Beth Haenni Elizabeth and surrounding neighborhoods have been courting Whole Foods to join the Elizabeth Ave. project the old-fashioned way: by sending love letters. Following recent news that Whole Foods had chosen SouthPark for its first location instead of Elizabeth, hundreds of your neighbors have joined a recent email campaign to convince the grocer to shift its focus back to Elizabeth. Sources say Whole Foods is moved by our letters and may now have its eye back to the Elizabeth location at the corners of Elizabeth Ave., Hawthorne Ave. and 4th St. To join the email campaign, send your letters to: john.mackey@wholefoods.com (CEO) scott.allshouse@wholefoods.com norah.smith@wholefoods.com

Suggested text for the letter can be found at www. elizabethcommunity.com A sign of things to come?

by Matthew Ipsan One of the best qualities of living in Elizabeth is the constant motion of its residents. From dog walking to walking over to Starbucks to kids riding their tricycles up and down the sidewalk, only in

the dead of night do the streets seem deserted. And even that silence is often broken up by some of the younger residents coming home late after a night socializing.

We’re fond of wandering around, with or without the dog, and admiring someone’s landscaping, or their front porch, or the trees in their yard, or the way they’ve put a new coat of paint on which really makes their house pop. We’ll stop out front of someone’s house, and while not trying to be rude, we’ll gesture and steal ideas on how to make our house more inviting or charming or like home. While enjoying some of the great homes from the sidewalk, we’ve been asked into the house and been introduced to the owners.

There’s always plenty to read, from the poems hung from power poles to yard sale signs to signs posted by contractors, letting everyone know they’re on the job of making home improvement.

Whether written, from body language or their home and yard’s appearance, there are always plenty of messages around E-town.

A message we didn’t expect to see, ever, sprouted up a couple of weeks ago. While walking just before dusk a couple of weeks ago, we looked up at a neighbor’s house and saw a “No Trespassing” sign. Stunned, we both stopped, and before we the people pages

10 am – 5 pm and Sunday October14th 1pm – 5 pm.

This is such a fun event and one of our largest fundraisers. Neighbors, we need Now, no one is ever going to your assistance as volunteers mistake any neighborhood in in the homes during tour Charlotte for Celebration!, the weekend. Business owners, we Disney prototype Florida town, need your help as sponsors where the concept of “New for the tour. All Elizabeth Urbanism” was first realized and homeowners and businesses where houses are painted one interested in volunteering of five pastel colors and nary a to open your doors to your negative word is spoke. homes/businesses for this fall event, please contact me at No, there are many of us 704.877.1509 or via email: who drive too fast through terrylett@bellsouth.net neighborhood streets, who treat stop signs much more like Elizabeth book club yield signs. And once in a while,

by Frances L. D’Amato someone who obviously needs change breaks into an unlocked The Elizabeth Book Club has car and takes some coins. been meeting for the last two years. We’re a diverse group That’s reality. And I would of neighbors who love to read. propose that we’re pretty lucky The books we read let us in to have that kind of reality in a on other cultures within our top 30 city (by population). own country and those beyond We’re hoping no trespassing our borders as well. They’ve isn’t a sign of things to come. included such works as The Kite Runner, To See and See Again, and Night. We meet once Homes tour thanks

by Terry Lett a month, on Monday evenings at 7 in member’s homes. We use To all our residents and the Library Book Club kits that businesses on behalf of include ten copies of the same The Elizabeth Homes Tour book. Please call 704-379Committee… THANK YOU!!!

7923 for more information.

Our 2006 Elizabeth Homes Tour was again a great success 8K a great success and it wouldn’t have been

by Michelle Dagenhart possible without our neighbors.

The 21st Annual Elizabeth “Big And once again, it’s time to E” 8K was held on Saturday, gear up for this year’s annual March 24, 2007. Our very own fund-raiser. The tour date is Russell Crandall (a.k.a. Crime set for Saturday October 13th

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Dawg) won the race with a time of 28 minutes, 14 seconds. We continue to grow this event each year with record runners and funds raised. Over $9,000 was raised to replenish the tree canopy in Elizabeth. 350 registered racers participated in either the 8K or 3K. The amount of funds raised is due in large part to our sponsors for this event. Please support our sponsors with your thanks for their participation and your future business! A very special thanks go to our generous sponsors listed below: Grubb Properties, Co-Title Sponsor Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital, Co-Title Sponsor Starbucks Coffee, Hawthorne’s Pizza, Heartwood Tree,Emily Zarbatany, HM Properties, JHG Financial, Philosopher’s Stone, Carpe Diem, Cooking Uptown, Conformity Corp, Ortho Carolina, Crown Athletic Club, Commonwealth Animal Hospital, Copley Internet, Jackelope Jack’s, Showmars Restaurant, Jane & Roxie Towns, Dickens Mitchener, Visulite Theatre, Nature’s Ponds, Elizabeth Place Condominiums, NoFoLiz, New Directions Screen Printing, Diamond Springs, Brueggers Bagels, Harris Teeter, Penguin Restaurant, Richard S. Poe, Attorney at Law,Tull Mortgage, Common Market, Fitness Together, The Fig Tree, Snoop’s Grill, Anntony’s Caribbean Café.

We also want to thank all the volunteers who came out early to help at race headquarters or as race monitors on their street. We could not have done it without you! Thanks

photo by Nancy Albert

had a chance to discuss it, we saw not one but two more “No Trespassing” signs. In the few years we’ve lived in Elizabeth, we’d never seen that.

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Our annual Mad Hatter Egg Hunt followed the 8k, with approximately 150 children of all ages and their families hunting eggs, riding ponies and enjoying a petting zoo. Much thanks to Shelley Misiaveg and her team for organizing.

Hold the Date!

Our race is already scheduled for next year on Saturday, March 29! We’re already thinking about some ideas for next year to encourage more neighborhood and family participation.

J.T. Peterson has agreed to co-chair the event and most of the committee has signed on again for next year but we still could use more committee members and a cochair. Please e-mail J.T at info@ naturespondsllc.com if you have interest. It’s a great way to get involved and help with a great cause for our neighborhood.

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What a fun job!

by Allison Taylor Share in the excitement at The Mint Museums by becoming a Mint Museum docent. By conducting tours of the museums for student and adult groups, these volunteer museum educators contribute to the community, continue their own education and appreciation of art, meet new people and form lasting friendships.

An enthusiasm for art, a friendly attitude and an ability to communicate with groups will qualify you to become a museum docent. Art experience is not necessary. Daytime docent training will be offered Monday mornings starting in late August.

To find out more information about volunteering as a docent, contact Allison Taylor, Adult Programs Coordinator, at allison.taylor @themintmuseums.org or 704/337-2032, or visit the volunteer section of the museum website, www.themintmuseums.org The question of cats

by Beverly DeRuby The most responsible thing to do for the cat population is to trap-neuterrelease.

Animal Control adopts far less than they euthanize.

Kittens are often saved, while adults rarely have a chance, especially if they’re turned in as a stray.

Cats aren’t the problem: it’s irresponsible pet owners not spaying/neutering and leaving their cats behind when they move. How can they sleep?

I’ve trapped/neutered/released over 30 cats and placed over ten in homes. The most humane action to take is to let them live.

cat photo by Little Shiva, photo of Michael Simmons by Mrs. Victory’s shadow

also go to Parks & Rec., D.O.T., C.M.P.D. and Mother Nature, for providing an absolutely perfect race day. Last but not least, please thank our fun and tireless committee members: J.T. Peterson, Judson Gee, Emily Zarbatany, Cheryl Brinkerhoff, Amanda Loftus, Melanie Sizemore and me!

Here’s an excerpt from a Creative Loafing article, “Charlotte’s Throw-Away Pets” written by Tara Servatius Animal population is a big problem in Mecklenburg County. Every additional puppy and kitten born or purchased from breeders takes a potential home from an animal at our county’s animal shelter. Every year, CharlotteMecklenburg Animal Control officers are forced to euthanize thousands of animals because there are no homes for them. The solution – adoption, and most importantly the spaying and neutering of pets. dogs and cats 2005 incoming: 17,376 adopted: 2,997 euthanized: 12,104 dogs and cats 2006 incoming: 18,268 adopted: 3,364 euthanized: 12,457 dogs and cats 2007 (so far) incoming: 1,305 adopted: 383 euthanized: 753 HOW TO STOP THE KILLING Free Spay and Neuter Clinic Where: Animal Shelter, 8315 Bynum Drive Dates: June 9 and 23, July 14 and 28 Check-in: 7 – 8 am

Outside the black box

by Mrs. Victory’s shadow Michael Simmons wants to get real. As managing artistic director of CAST (Carolina Actors Studio Theatre), he’s passionate about experiential theater, extending dramatic text and the confines of

theatre space in ways that provide the audience with a total immersion experience.

For a production of the controversial Viet Nam era play Tracers by JohnDiFusco, Simmons greeted his audience with an Army truck, a 1968 Volkswagen festooned with hippie-era flower regalia, and an array of protesters picketing the performance. Inside the front doors stood the local National Guard Color Guard, a sandbagged box office, and a 50-caliber machine gun – all this before one even set foot into the theatre proper.

Simmons explains, “This is what I mean by experiential theatre – thinking outside the black box.”

CAST’s actors have also found themselves thrust into sudden, unanticipated “experiential” rehearsals. At the start of a rehearsal of Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, all the ‘inmates’ were transported by the ‘hospital staff’, unannounced and in full costume, to a Charlotte bowling alley, where everyone had to remain in character throughout the evening.

What’s more interesting than the morning paper or the evening news? Answer: John McBride’s Elizabeth blog. Blog skeptics, change your ways: this one proves a worthwhile visit. Did you know Elizabeth has a revolutionary war-era graveyard? Did you know “dinner and a movie” could be an Elizabeth date soon?

Did you know the city put the street car on hold?

Get your cogs turning and your fingers blogging at: Under the Water Tower

www.eliza-blog. blogspot.com Got linx? Please mail the full web address to Nancy Albert, noalbert@ carolina.rr.com.

----------------------------ECA website

www.elizabeth community.com historic Elizabeth

www.landmarkscommission .org/educationhistlist elizabeth.htm CharMeck

www.charmeck.org NC government

www.nc.gov the people pages

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Some of the notable and award-winning plays that CAST has produced over the years are Steambath (Bruce Jay Friedman), Orphans (Lyle Kessler), Glengarry Glenn Ross, Oleanna and Speed the Plow (David Mamet), Kiss of the Spider Woman (Manuel Puig), I’m Not Rappaport (Herb Gardner), The Late Henry Moss (Sam Shepard), On the Verge (Eric Overmyer), Omnium Gatherum (Theresa Rebeck and Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros).

CAST has garnered numerous MTA and Creative Loafing theater awards over the years in all categories including acting, directing, set design, light design, sound design, choreography, special effects (make-up). Michael Simmons was recently honored by Creative Loafing as Theatre Person of the Year 20062007.

David Mamet’s American Buffalo returns to Charlotte 12

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from June 28 – July 28. Three losers are planning a robbery, and it isn’t worth a nickel.

“There’s business and there’s friendship” – two worlds which will be combined, torn apart and reassembled before the evening is over.

Autobahn by Neil LaBute runs from August 23 – September 22. Buckle your seat belts for this multimedia of clandestine couplings, arguments, shelters, and ultimately be transported into our world of the automobile – the most authentic of American spaces.

Park, Dilworth and Eastover.

These tree canopies and housing prices are inextricably linked. In a recent housing survey, respondents indicated that they were willing to pay 3-7% more for property with ample trees. The U.S. Forest Service estimates that mature trees can increase home values around 5-10%. So, if the average home sale for single family homes in Elizabeth over the past 6 months was

Tickets can be purchased online at www.nccast.com, at the box office or by calling 704-455-8542.

Topics on trees

by Kara Gooding Hello. My name is Kara Gooding, I’ve lived in Elizabeth for five years and am passionate about the trees in our community. The following is the first of what I hope to be a regular column about trees, how they enrich our lives, and how you can get involved to help us preserve one of the major things that make Elizabeth so great!

Trees and your wallet

One of the reasons we’ve seen our property values in Elizabeth rocket up in the past couple of years is our mature tree canopy, the likes of which can only be found in neighborhoods such as Myers

$445,000, around $22,500$44,500 of that value could have been attributed to the trees around that house.

And did you know that new construction is beginning to catch on to this fact? Some developers of new home communities are paying as much as $25,000 per tree, to relocate and nurture mature trees in their new housing developments and masterplanned communities.

photos by Nancy Albert

The original CAST was founded by playwright, director, and premier acting instructor Ed Gilweit in 1992. In 1996 he collaborated with Michael Simmons to form Victory Pictures, Inc. After Ed’s sudden death in 2002, Michael revived CAST at its present location in Plaza-Midwood. The theatre complex has two performance spaces – a conventional thrust theatre and a more intimate arena theatre complete with rotating floor.

In terms of commercial real estate, trees also have a beneficial impact. Retail and commercial districts with tree-lined streets and avenues report that people shop more frequently, longer and are willing to spend up to 12% more on goods and services than in those areas where there are few or no trees. People even rated the quality of products bought on a tree-lined sidewalk 30% higher than those products bought on non-shaded streets!

Finally, The National Arbor Day Foundation states that commercial retail areas with mature landscaping and trees are more attractive not only to shoppers but also tenants, who tend to stay longer and are willing to pay more rent in greener areas. (Are you listening Whole Foods?)

So even if you aren’t inherently a tree-hugger, you can appreciate how the trees in Elizabeth are benefiting us all where it counts-in our pockets!

If you’d like to get involved in neighborhood beautification, the tree planting effort or the fight against canker worms, please email me at karagooding@hotmail.com or John Albert at jalbert@ carolina.rr.com. We need dedicated volunteers to help band, organize and keep Elizabeth beautiful!

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