tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30628861015093382272024-03-13T19:59:14.983-04:00Home at BelvedereWe're moving to Belvedere, a new LEED-certified neighborhood in Charlottesville, VA, and having a new Earthcraft house built there. We talk about the home building process, and the connections to the natural world that make this project special.Bret Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07198855836802168132noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-41742352790526496962012-02-21T09:42:00.001-05:002012-02-21T09:43:56.952-05:00Belvedere Newsletter, the Latest News Feb '12From Kendra Dunn of Stonehaus<br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> 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<style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">2012 Greetings to all our Belvedere residents and a heart-felt “Welcome” to our newest home-owners. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">We appreciate that you have chosen to live in Charlottesville-Albemarle’s leading “green” neighborhood and anticipate exciting growth for Belvedere in 2012. In a slowly recovering real estate market, Belvedere Neighborhood finished 2011 with 42 new home sales, nearly doubling 2010’s 24 new home sales. Phase 1 is quickly approaching “Sold Out” status with less than 12 lots remaining unsold. Last year’s Blue Ridge Home Builders Association Parade of Homes event was another great success for Belvedere. With two (2) homes entered in the 2011 Parade, Belvedere saw well over 100 visitors each of the two parade weekends and, like 2010’s Parade, may of those visitors are active, interested home-buyers who have Belvedere at the top of their home-buying wish list. Belvedere currently has ten (10) homes under contract that are either under construction or expected to start shortly. The eleven (11) townhomes along the east side of the Village Green are all under contract and serve as an enticing visual “gateway” to Phase 2 of Belvedere. As we launch into 2012, there is much to <span style="color:#1F497D">b</span>e excited about throughout Belvedere. Here are some of the highlights:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Phase 1 completion</span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">As you’ve seen by now, Belvedere road patches and fixes are well underway and final paving of our main boulevard has begun. Belvedere Phase 1 final paving is a large project which should be completed before mid-year. In addition, final execution of the approved landscape plan and the conversion of some of the current storm water management areas to bio-filters should also be complete by mid-year.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">We continue installation of the mailbox “gangboxes” and expect installation of all Phase 1 mailboxes to be complete this spring.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Senior</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> Center</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> and “The Reserve at Belvedere”</span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The <b>Senior</b><b> Center</b> remains under-contract with a projected closing of late February. We have no doubt that the Senior Center will bring exciting new vibrancy to Belvedere and be a resource for diverse projects and activities for many, many years.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Reserve at Belvedere</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> has shown tremendous construction progress, particularly during the past 90 days and it is expected that the first renters will be moving in before Summer.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Belvedere Station</span></u></b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Our upcoming village center, <b>Belvedere Station</b>, has generated significant interest from local businesses and we have to-date completed dozens of presentations for prospective clients on our overall vision for this all-important section of Belvedere. Many thanks to those of you who were able to join us on a rather windy November day for the groundbreaking ceremony. We share your anticipation for this important “center” to the neighborhood and assure you that our priorities are to secure the types of businesses that will create energy, vitality and more great ways to “connect” with your neighbors and friends. While the townhome portion will begin construction this spring with expected home closings in the 4<sup>th</sup> quarter, we also expect to begin construction on the commercial and retail portions mid-year with businesses “open” by mid 2013.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Civic Core</span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">We expect 2012 to be an active time for the Civic Core.<b> SOCA</b> will soon have their section conveyed to them and their fundraising will then begin in earnest. They are eager to make Belvedere their home and, when they do, will add tremendous vitality. The middle portion of the Civic Core, adjacent to the future SOCA field house, is currently planned to be a park/playground to include an outdoor pavilion structure. We believe we’ll be successful in creating that valuable space as part of our efforts with Phase 2 of Belvedere. On the west side of the Civic Core between our property and the railroad, we have plans to create the <b>Community</b><b> Gardens</b> for Belvedere. We are waiting on Dominion Power to move an overhead power line and then we’ll move forward, hopefully in time for the spring “planting season”. Lastly, we remain committed to inclusion of a Montessori school in the Civic Core.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Village Green</span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">We have begun work with Albemarle County on a mutually agreeable approach to the final design of the Village Green and it is our hope that the northern end will remain a natural playground. Overall, the Village Green is a vital “center” to Belvedere that will generate many enriching outdoor experiences.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Belvedere Phase 2</span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Our current design plan for Phase 2 has been resubmitted to the County. While our overall Phase 2 plan includes over 120 lots, our first section will be comprised of approximately 50 lots on the west side of Belvedere Blvd. The current Phase 2 plan will be available for review at our model home at 724 Belvedere Blvd after next week. Feel free to stop by for a look.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Fairview</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt"></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">We continue our efforts to collaborate with Fairview pool on broad improvements to their facility. At this time, we have proposed a few opportunities for improvement and await a response. We will keep you updated as that work progresses.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Rio Road</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> traffic light</span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Lastly, installation of a traffic light at the Rio Road entrance to Belvedere is of great interest to all of us. We believe VDOT has begun a traffic study and are hopeful they will see the need as we know many of you do. Your active help will continue to make a difference so please call or email Albemarle County’s Board of Supervisors (Rodney Thomas) about the need for a traffic light. Representatives from Cathcart and Stonehaus have made their wishes clear to the County and VDOT but we believe that as constituents, you will have a more powerful voice to affect this change. Contact information is: Rodney Thomas 434-242-3322 or <a href="mailto:rthomas@albemarle.org">rthomas@albemarle.org</a> - Additional information can be found on the County’s website - <a href="http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=bos&relpage=3406">http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=bos&relpage=3406</a> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Our continued thanks and appreciation to you, our Belvedere residents, who act as our best “sales people” and passionate supporters of this great neighborhood. So much of our continued success is a result of your commitment and enthusiastic support!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>KateRCSThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184852242962377261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-1614855178419179012011-09-27T10:24:00.003-04:002011-09-27T10:31:28.906-04:00When Dreams Come TrueThis Saturday,<a href="http://www.livingearthva.com"> The Living Earth School</a> is beginning the Red Arrow Boys Program in Belvedere. Nature awareness educators Hub Knott, Joshua Levine and Taylor, all the most awesome men ever, are bringing together boys from all over for a day of earth skills, followed by an overnight in November and more skills in December. It is a once a month program. Hub also wants to offer his homeschool program once a week in Belvedere. <br /><br />We are also offering a <a href="http://www.belvederearts.com">Wild Food Talk and Walk</a> in Belvedere on Sunday with the most awesome woman, Rain, from Shannon Farm. Getting folks outside connecting with nature and each other in Belvedere. <br /><br />These nature awareness offerings are a dream come true. Really, all of Belvedere is a dream come true, a neighborhood of people really wanting to connect with each other and the more-than-human world. As with all dreams, I temper my expectations. I learned long ago that dreams can manifest and not be exactly what you expect. In some ways, Belvedere is more urban than I expected. I miss the forest being all around me, but that is just me. I can always go down into the forest around Belvedere and Dunlora and I do, quite often. <br /><br />I am going to encourage these nature pieces to grow. I know Bob Hauser is encouraging them. It was his vision to get the kids off the couch to recreate the childhoods of decades ago when kids played outside. We're doing it in Belvedere!KateRCSThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184852242962377261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-70155879635690748702011-09-27T10:22:00.001-04:002011-09-27T10:24:10.953-04:00Wild Food Talk and Walk in Belvedere<!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> 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style=";font-family:";font-size:56pt;" >Wild Food Talk & Walk </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:24pt;" >Learn what you can harvest and eat right in your own backyard!</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:56pt;" ></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><br /><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:18pt;color:green;" ></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:18pt;color:green;" >Sunday,<span style=""> </span>October 2, 2011</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:18pt;color:green;" >Belvedere Neighborhood</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:18pt;color:green;" >2 pm – 5 pm</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:18pt;color:green;" >$15 per adult, $5 per child if with adult</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:18pt;color:green;" >To Register and Directions:</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:18pt;color:green;" >Belvederearts.com </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><a href="mailto:katercst@gmail.com"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;color:green;" >katercst@gmail.com</span></b></a><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;color:green;" > 434-996-2002 <u>preregistration required</u></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:24pt;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:15pt;" >Gathering from the wild is a traditional skills practiced by people all around the world.<span style=""> </span>This is an abundance of nutritious edibles all around us.<span style=""> </span>This three-hour class will take us on a wander to rediscover and collect these foods.<span style=""> </span>Get to know your place! Have Fun with other families!<span style=""> </span>Connect with self, others, nature!<span style=""> </span>Come on out and meet and inspiring leader, Rain, class instructor.</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:15pt;" ></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" >For the past 14 years, Rain has been weaving traditional lifeways. She currently lives in the Blue Ridge on an intentional community with her man and their six children where she has been re-claiming her Wild-Wombyn Self while Re-Membering the Ancient Skills of Wombyn-hood. Her current threads are hunting, gathering, midwifery, plant medicine, wild foods and tribal culture.</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" ></span></p>KateRCSThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184852242962377261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-20143673733823569522011-09-25T16:50:00.002-04:002011-09-25T17:10:57.218-04:00Community Updates: Annual HOA meetingBelvedere is doing awesome! We now have 70 homes sold, with more under contract, several spec homes being built and only 15 spots left in Phase One! Our annual HOA meeting was just a few days ago and we are still thinking over all the information. The community voted a member onto the Board (a big deal, since we often have issues that need addressing and did not have any Board presence until now per the HOA agreement). The meeting was full of excellent and interesting news.<br /><br />The big downer is the money situation. Banks are picky and strange about lending money as those out there in the development world know. Phase One still has unfinished business that Bob Hauser says he has a hard time finding money for, but the commercial part of Belvedere, the Station as it is being called, is a positive for lending meaning that ground is going to be broken there starting this fall. However, the county is finishing parts of Phase One because of bank note issues between the developer and the county. I can't quote everything because it seems quite technical but it seems that this is rare in the development world. Hauser said he wished he could finish it. It does sound like a strange world for developers these days. But Belvedere remains one of the most successful new developments in the county. Hard to believe we have sold so many houses since November 2010; we have nearly doubled in size and Hauser hopes to close on up to 44 more houses this year. <br /><br />A wonderful new addition to the project is the Senior Center now slotted for the first commercial land lot as you enter the development. This multi-generational space looks awesome. A representative from the Senior Center came and gave us a slide show about the new facility. They are busting at the seems over in their current facility on Pepsi Place. It looks fantastic and open to the public. I couldn't imagine a better place to hang out if I was over 50! Exercise, social events, clubs, cafes, cookouts, classes of all kinds. It is a great addition to the project. <br /><br />Now that we have so many people, we know that the HOA has lots of money and we want to know where it is going and what we are doing with it. Community members picked apart the budget. Much of the money is spent on Connexion and landscaping. Community members want the vacant lots better taken care of and more accountability and transparency from a busy skeleton Stonehaus crew. And rightly so!<br /><br />Excited to be a member still and trying to breath life into the "get the kids off the couch" idea, <a href="http://www.livingearthva.com">Hub Knott from the Living Earth School</a> is going to run a boys program here, and a homeschool nature based program. I invited the most awesome Rain from Shannon Farm to do a Wild Foods Talk and Walk October 2 here in Belvedere from 2 - 5 pm. You can see more on my website, <a href="http://belvederearts.com">belvederearts.com.</a> Hauser is also supporting the community garden idea. <br /><br />With the county soon finishing the paving, tree planting and other promised list items and the fuller complement of houses it feels like are beyond the tipping point into success. And more, Hauser reports our homes are increasing in value! All this is such good news during these times, as well as the mini baby boom here in Belvedere. I think we have at least 5 babies born or due this fall and winter. That means lots of meals made and taken over to families. I volunteer to hold the babies! <br /><br />I often meet new people who say this blog really helped them learn more about Belvedere, so Bret and I will continue to write and post. Thanks for reading!KateRCSThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184852242962377261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-59093679202099052722011-06-09T21:35:00.002-04:002011-06-09T21:36:51.145-04:00Dominion Power Energy Use Report<div>Always nice to see this:</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kpqMF5sKBJw/TfF1ENvsklI/AAAAAAAAAMw/SDMqqI7eb5I/s1600/dominion_energy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kpqMF5sKBJw/TfF1ENvsklI/AAAAAAAAAMw/SDMqqI7eb5I/s400/dominion_energy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616398925577359954" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Bret Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07198855836802168132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-60109115782906570862011-04-16T16:58:00.006-04:002011-04-16T17:33:03.540-04:00Got mud? Got tracks!Had a great time in the back of the neighborhood Saturday - joined a class in animal tracks taught by Hub Knott of the <a href="http://www.livingearthva.com/">Living Earth School</a>. He was appreciative of the great tracking places we have here.<div><br /></div><div>So inspired, I have been going out more often and here are some things I have seen:</div><div><br /></div><div> This one was actually found by Kate as we went for an evening walk. It's a first for us:</div><div><br /><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g39Zqp3a4W0/TaoEOt-RKCI/AAAAAAAAAL8/sjaqBvJQ45o/s400/turtletracks2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596290137866709026" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 294px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AWtEopoXNzk/TaoEOq_HMtI/AAAAAAAAAL0/LHivoE3Hgbg/s400/turtletracks.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596290137064944338" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We guessed turtle, and are pretty sure after we consulted our tracking resources. I can reallypicture a turtle's feet in these tracks, especially the back ones as they claw in semi-sideways.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Out back is a place where the dirt from excavations is put - this has many smooth sections that make for perfect tracks, especially after a rain. Here's what I saw there recently:</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rlFmpQsO2-o/TaoJ7sIBoDI/AAAAAAAAAME/PYCXUfhrI3U/s400/chevron.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596296408023015474" /></div><div><br /></div><div>This was great because it so clearly shows the distinctive "chevron" found in Red Fox tracks. Hair is also clearly visible.</div><div><br /></div><div>And nearby:</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 323px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cpbZ9zkxsgo/TaoKYGkysQI/AAAAAAAAAMM/ukE6FmYwHoQ/s400/opossum1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596296896159330562" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 354px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0vOBTWHSAQ0/TaoKYVRNbEI/AAAAAAAAAMU/YyDtAM1_XQg/s400/opossum2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596296900103728194" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Sure looks like opossum to me - because of the way the thumb points almost behind.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kate and I hope top start an informal tracking walk once or twice a month because it's always fun with other people.</div>Bret Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07198855836802168132noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-43458365625594715572011-04-16T16:11:00.002-04:002011-04-16T16:18:35.895-04:00Sesame StreetThe other day the weather was nice and children and their parents were on the playground, on the sidewalks, and in the alleys, laughing, chatting and generally having fun.<div><br /></div><div>I felt a familiar feeling and searched for what it was and realized that this neighborhood, on these days, reminds me of Sesame Street. And for me, that's a good feeling.</div>Bret Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07198855836802168132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-62208025618313169232011-03-21T19:42:00.002-04:002011-03-21T19:50:38.108-04:00Stalked by a DeerOkay. As long as I have been walking about in nature, sitting in secret spots, spying on animals, sneaking up on them, never, to my knowledge, have I been stalked by a white tail deer. Once I came across a young family and the male deer challenged me to fight. I just stamped my feet the way he did and the family fled. This time, I just stood still and waited. I pretended to be a tree.<br /><br />But the deer knew I was not a tree. That I was a threat. At first, he stomped, then he shook his tail, then he reared and bucked and snorted. I did nothing. I had gone over to the containment ponds where I sit with the geese who are nesting. They come every year. This year I hope to protect their nest from fox. I stood watching the two geese couples, one in each pond. Then I noticed this young buck. Near him were three other smaller deer. I stood and went into an energetic stance we called "primary respiration" in the field of craniosacral therapy. It is a connection to power of the natural world of which we are a part. I just stood. The deer stomped and stomped and got closer and stomped some more. It was all I could do to not laugh out loud. Eventually, all the deer ran away (but we found them later, sitting and resting though). <br /><br />I loved this experience. As I was standing in primary respiration, feeling the bravery of this young deer, I heard tree frogs calling, birds singing, woodpeckers doing their mating call, and the geese? They woke up and went into the smaller pond for a dip. All this just yards from my house! Pretty fantastic.KateRCSThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184852242962377261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-67217739417093177902011-03-21T19:38:00.003-04:002011-03-21T19:41:56.545-04:00Kick Ball on the Village GreenWe chanced an evening walk before the sun went down. All four of us headed up the streets of Belvedere, counting the new houses, listening to the peepers. My daughter scooted around on her scooter. My son collected sticks and pretended to spear any possible enemies. Then it happened. We came across some Dunlorans playing kickball on the Village Green! Our pour Village Green, lumpy and rough, and there they were! Can we play?!?! We asked. Sure was the answer. Ahhhh. Childhood. This was perfect. Come back, we pleaded, come back and play! Belvedere is committed to "geting kids off the couch" and reliving the childhoods we had. Thank you Dunlorans. Come on up any time!KateRCSThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184852242962377261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-88584637702581592662011-03-13T09:00:00.002-04:002011-03-13T09:11:05.181-04:00Belvedere and Nature ConnectionOkay, I am gearing up now. I think I had given up for a while, trying to live into, lean into, love into Belvedere's potential. Belvedere has the potential for being a shining beacon here in the US for sustainable community development. What attracted me to it was the message that it will be designed to "get kids of the couch" and out into the natural world, and that it is designed with the more-than-human world in mind. <br /><br />In my talks with developer Bob Hauser, he has asked, what exactly is my responsibility as a developer to fulfill this potential?, and he has a good point. As a builder, how can he "get kids of the couch?" At best, it is building the trails, cleaning up the land, making the play space. We invited landscape designer Robin Moore in to have a look, make some suggestions. It was awesome . . . only I could not get Bob to follow up. Call the landscape architect Robin suggested, I said. No response. I believe shining star Chris Counts has moved on. Frank Stoner of Stonehaus has moved on, too. Sniff. Anyway . . . .<br /><br />I do intend to help Bob Hauser, if he will let me. There are other residents of of Belvedere who want to live the idea of it, of people and nature connection. Perhaps I should create a checklist for us to look at. My first intervention has been around the idea of Festivals. We had our first Fall Festival on the village green in October. Now we are planning a Spring Fling, or spring festival. I would like to create a way to welcome folks, all these new families, wow! Peter Primiani of the HOA (home owner's association) has told me we a now 50 families! And those houses keep going up.<br /><br />I believe we are also building bird houses this spring. Right Bob? Maybe we can do that at the Spring Festival. And we are working with Bob on the landscaping. <br /><br />I would like to create a nature study group in Belvedere using a journaling and sit in nature method called <a href="http://www.kamana.org">Kamana</a>. Also, I would like to create an afterschool club that is all about play in nature. Please do this with me Belvedere! Let's fill in the blanks around what is possible for people in this modern age!KateRCSThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184852242962377261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-13370156418717502492011-02-06T13:38:00.002-05:002011-02-06T13:41:16.933-05:0015 SOLD Signs, Go Belvedere!Wow! Driving around today Eleanor and I counted 15 SOLD signs, three lots staked out for beginning construction, 3 houses in the middle of construction. Go Belvedere! What a big difference from last and most especially the year before that. Three years ago almost to the day we moved to Charlottesville and Belvedere was a road to flat red dirt. Amazing. Catch the Belvedere excitement and come to the Love Belvedere party on February 17. All the models will be offering drinks and food in the evening. See http://www.belvedereneighborhood.com.KateRCSThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184852242962377261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-37637223081613932332011-01-19T17:49:00.002-05:002011-01-19T17:54:07.077-05:00Realtor UpdateEnjoy this Blog Post by Piedmont Realtor Greg Slater:<br /><br /><p>I have been involved with <a href="http://www.belvedereneighborhood.com/" target="_blank">Belvedere</a> since working from a tent on Rio Road prior to the roads being paved or any homes being started. I’ve been a huge fan of the overall concept from the beginning. New urbanist concepts and a commitment to green building practices are very interesting to me and relevant to the market. I was impressed immediately in 2008 by the number of people I met who thought the concept was great, but weren’t in a position to move. I knew all along and have shared many times that I think Belvedere’s success is only matter of time. Here’s why:</p> <ol><li><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Location</span>. Its in the urban ring. Right now, there are really no new home communities as centrally located to all things Albemarle and Charlottesville as Belvedere. The people I am meeting interested in Belvedere now are making a lifestyle decision to give up the larger, rural lot in favor of a location that saves them time and fits their current lifestyle and the quicker pace we all seem to be living these days.</li><li><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Smaller lots and higher density</span>. Its true, many visit Belvedere and are immediately discouraged by the size of the lots. Its definitely not for everyone. However, many are looking for less maintenance in their lives and maybe, more importantly, community. I’ve learned that the deisgn of a community has a direct impact on the relationships that are formed among the residents. People are choosing Belvedere because they want to know their neighbors and want to interact with them. I’ve never seen a community of new homeowners come together faster than what I have seen at Belvedere.</li><li><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Energy Efficiency</span>. The green building trends we hear so much about are more than just trends. Its a shift in building science that is here to stay. Better practices in home building are leading to better indoor air quality, lower utility expenses, and more comfortable homes. Every home at Belvedere is Earthcraft certified. Stonehaus Development should be commended for this. </li><li><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Home Design</span>. Another side effect of the economic downtown is a shift in consumer demand. Huge houses are out, and smaller, better designed homes are in. Add in zoning that allows homeowners to earn income with legal residences or businesses over their garage, and you have a recipe for success.</li><li><a href="http://gregslater.posterous.com/the-trail-system-of-belvedere" target="_blank">Walking Trails</a>. People still want to get outside and exercise. This is an exceptional component, not to mention the future with SOCA and more recreational space.</li></ol> <p>Watching what has occurred in 2010 at Belvedere, I’m starting to get the feeling the time for Belvedere has arrived. With 31 homes put under contract in 2010, the answer may be obvious. The last 60 days of 2010 saw 12 contracts and the activity hasn’t slowed since. There are now just 33 available detached home sites in Phase 1 remaining. The new apartment complex (The Reserve at Belvedere) is set to break ground next month. The conversation regarding the town center makes it seem like its time may really be here as well, with unofficial estimates for a late 2011 ground breaking.</p> <p>There are now 5 builders actively marketing and selling homes in Belvedere:</p> <ol><li>Piedmont Realty and Construction</li><li>Stonehaus Residential</li><li>Gibson Homes</li><li>Southern Development Homes</li><li>Eagle Construction of Virginia</li></ol> <p>Home prices start in the $200′s and there is a variety of home styles and types available. There are currently 7 detached “spec” homes for sale. Later this spring, Piedmont will be offering 11 newly developed townhome sites on the Village Green. If you are in the market for a towhome in 2011 and appreciate the concept of Belvedere, these may be the best opportunity of the year.</p> <p>If you are interested in Belvedere and the prospect of building a new home, I would welcome the opportunity to share my experience and insight to your process to determine if Belvedere is right for you, and if so, how to choose the right builder fit for your budget, timeline, and needs.</p><p><br /></p>See more about Greg <a href="http://www.gregslateragent.com/an-update-on-belvedere/">here:</a>KateRCSThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184852242962377261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-63742282992838766872010-09-21T12:44:00.001-04:002010-09-21T12:47:15.611-04:00Another Belvedere Blogger: Enjoy!<h3 class="post-title entry-title">Read Another Belvederean's Blog about her life and love in Belvedere.<br /></h3><a href="http://edgecona.blogspot.com/2010/09/cario-sacral-therapy-with-kate-whie.html">Cranio Sacral Therapy with Kate White</a><h3 class="post-title entry-title"> </h3> <div class="post-header"> </div> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0R64DMuKfB0/TITnHZNpkwI/AAAAAAAAAng/ByixvKAyMkQ/s1600/IMG_3239.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 331px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0R64DMuKfB0/TITnHZNpkwI/AAAAAAAAAng/ByixvKAyMkQ/s400/IMG_3239.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513785958021567234" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0R64DMuKfB0/TITnHMc2LXI/AAAAAAAAAnY/eVo20ON20Pg/s1600/IMG_3238.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0R64DMuKfB0/TITnHMc2LXI/AAAAAAAAAnY/eVo20ON20Pg/s400/IMG_3238.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513785954595646834" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0R64DMuKfB0/TITnG06cpkI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/yw7QE5YPiVk/s1600/IMG_3236.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0R64DMuKfB0/TITnG06cpkI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/yw7QE5YPiVk/s400/IMG_3236.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513785948277352002" border="0" /></a><br />Here is Jacob getting cranio sacral therapy from Kate White of Belvedere Integrated Healing Arts.<br /><br />Jacob started having a strange clicking when nursing at 7 weeks. At about the same time he changed from being our amazingly calm baby to crying for about 2 hours every night. As with may things about Jacob you could almost set a clock to these crying spells. I assumed he would outgrow the crying and didn't really worry about it. I was, however, worried about the clicking, pulling away, frustration and discomfort Jacob was displaying during nursing. I had already consulted with numerous lactation consultants in his first weeks who helped us successfully address a variety of problems. When the clicking started I worked and worked on correcting the latch, but to no avail. I was actually considering quitting breastfeeding when I mentioned my troubles to Kate, our next door neighbor.<br /><br />Kate kindly offered to observe us and see if she could make any recommendations. It took only a few minutes before Kate noticed that Jacob's head was slightly deformed. I had noticed that he always slept with his head cocked to one side, but didn't realize that he was getting a flat spot there. Kate worked with Jacob a few times. The evening after the first cranio sacral session Jacob id not go on his usual crying jag. For us, that was like a miracle. I now believe that the same discomfort that was causing the nursing issues was also causing him to cry so much.<br /><br />Next, Kate recommended that we consult with Dr. Karen Steele, an osteopath in Lewisburg, WV. It was a 2 hour drive each way, but we made the trip. Since then we have continued to work the Kate and Dr. Steele together and after just 2 visits with Dr. Steele Jacob's plagiocephaly is noticeably diminishing.<br /><br />I feel so lucky to have been neighbors with Kate. Jacob and I are cruising ahead with the nursing, clicking eliminated! Since not every new mother will be moving next door to her I want to spread the word far and wide about her gift working with babies. For more information on her work go to <a href="http://belvederearts.com/">http://belvederearts.com/</a>. Please share this with new parents you know!KateRCSThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184852242962377261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-65467487299955813842010-08-01T08:06:00.003-04:002010-08-01T09:17:19.219-04:00Coming Up on the 2 Year MarkThis August will make two years since we moved into Belvedere. It is hard to believe. Two years ago, we were sitting in the lawyer's office with eyes as big as the proverbial deer-in-the-headlight with the lawyer telling us we had 19 liens on the property, the most ever he had every seen in Cville or Albemarle County. I remember feeling scared and staring at <a href="http://www.realcentralva.com/">Jim Duncan,</a> who tried his best to calm the nerves of this intense real estate deal. I remember when we first heard about Belvedere, the "green" community, with sidewalks and people and health at its root. That latter bit is what drew me. Health. Connection, especially the connection between nature and people and people and people. Then, the economy tanked and everything slowed down. Now, we have<a href="http://www.belvedereneighborhood.com/homesales.php"> 47 homes inhabited, sold or underconstruction</a>, and spec homes going up everywhere. There are 5 builders in Belvedere, and Bob Hauser's "street of dreams" for the parade of homes is going up quickly. Still, Belvedere feels a little amorphous. Several pioneers are moving on. Yes, we are still here!<br /><br />Sometimes, I get nostalgic for that first year when it was just three inhabited homes, including us. It was quiet. I would often just sit in the center of the neighborhood and gaze at the mountains. It was fun being at the beginning of something and watching it grow. I focused on learning permaculture for my yard and building my business. <a href="http://belvederearts.com/">Belvedere Integrated Healing Arts </a>has been open a year and half now, and I am slowing building partnerships and seeking ways to connect with Charlottesville. Folks have a hard time finding me though. We still aren't on google maps.<br /><br />And yes, I am still tracking and still having adventures out on the land. Why just the other day I snuck up on a groundhog thinking I would slap it on the butt (they just look so oblivious), but once I got right next to it, I was afraid it would bite me, so I just whispered to it! I still see magnificent wonderful things: fox dens, mating turtles, lunar moths, bald eagles, bobcat tracks. And Stonehaus cleaned up parts of the land! It has just been hard to get to the blog, running a business and supporting my family. Here is the 2nd year update from my perspective:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Homes: </span>There is now an amazing array of homes here in Belvedere. I want to have one of each. We are all in love with the new red house next to the Village Green. In fact, we all want more colorful houses in general. Too many green houses in the green neighborhood! I have enjoyed watching every one of the homes go up. The builders are Gibson, Southern Development, Stonehaus, Piedmont and Eagle. The downside is that buyers now have so many choices, it gets confusing. I suggest buyers come around to some of our gatherings and ask questions. That might help you sort out what you want. I am getting ideas all the time for what might be the start of dream house design in my head. Gone are the days when we had to pick from a production development line. Hear ye! Hear ye! You can get anything you want here at Belvedere (so it seems). The ARB has gotten more relaxed than those strict early days. I can't wait to see the three story carriage house (and to have that family move in! Hurry Up!)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Parks and Design</span>: I am all about the nature connection piece but this is part of the amorphous milieu I alluded to before. Progress was made on the Bowling Cemetery, but only because the County required it before construction around it could begin. The Village Green needs redesign, and we want to have an unusual and attractive playground. We have started with just a playset and play at your own risk, and residents want to work with the nature connection piece. It has been super to have a community supportive of children's play. We invited and supported <a href="http://www.naturalearning.org/">landscape architect and educator Robin Moore and the Natural Learning Initiative</a> who toured Belvedere, the trails, and the proposed greenway. His excitement about our design is reflected in his desire to offer to help with design pro bono. I contacted his recommendation <a href="http://www.chriscountsstudio.com/">Chris Counts</a>, award winning landscape architect here in Cville for help, too. Belvedere's potential to support the nature connection piece is exciting, and how wonderful it would be to start a pattern of New Urban design with Nature Connection and Play with <a href="http://www.livingearthva.com/home.html">Mentoring for Nature Connection</a>. My teacher, <a href="http://jonyoung.org/">Jon Young</a>, used to say his goal was a nature mentor in every neighborhood.<br /><br />STILL, Stonehaus remains slippery regarding the redesign of the Village Green. Once upon a time, it was supposed to be done this past spring, now it is this fall. At first, Albemarle County needed the redesign done as soon as possible, now not so much. Again, that amorphous theme emerges: things change all time and this resident wonders, what is the truth? The bottom line is all about how much money the development company has. Still, the median was planted with trees and native grasses. My current understanding is that the initial landscaping for the Village Green redesign and the Town Center will take place this Fall, but of course, that might change. Sigh. This is not to mention the need for work on the Pocket Parks, the Storm Water Park, the Dog Park. I wish things were further along.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Living in a Construction Zone:</span> Yes, we are living in a construction zone. Yes, it is fatiguing. Yes, it is also exciting. New things are happening all the time. There are corners of the neighborhood more affected by others, and it is troubling to hear how yards are churned up, sometimes damage is done. It is hard when the cement truck washes out its cement in plain view.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fiber Optic</span>: This is the biggest source of unseen contention ever. I don't have the latest on the matter since I don't watch television, but the neighbors seem better with the service offered by Connexion. Telephone goes up and down. Internet, too. I don't understand all the hardware involved. Maybe another resident can write up something here.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Amenities:</span> The trail system still rocks, and while we don't have the Organic Farm (that is still slated only very expensive) or other programed pieces, we do have a ton of community spirit. We often have gatherings, happy hours, and alley parties. We are enjoying belonging to <a href="http://fairview.avenue.org/">Fairview Swim Club</a>. The Swim Team is the best in the area, and the tennis clinics are awesome and free with your membership. The other day, the club ran a race through the neighborhood and I loved watching the folks run around our houses and parks. It is a good healthy vibe. The Town Center is still slated to go in, only different now that Stonehaus wants businesses to buy the land and build. Since there is a lot of retail already in Cville, this is a hard selling point. I look forward to seeing how it unfolds.<br /><br />That is my update for now. Belvedere is better than ever, just slower to develop than originally thought. So, stay tuned for more. I hope to get back to writing about my adventures in the forest, and to detail the beginning of Belvedere Nature Awareness program. I think about it all the time.KateRCSThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184852242962377261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-30393375843422945192010-06-14T03:25:00.002-04:002010-06-14T03:43:34.361-04:00The Promise of BelvedereWe are hitting bumps in the road. Our community is fed by a fiber-optic system for the internet and television. It apparently is an optimal way to receive digital information. I am not really sure how to describe it since I don't watch television regularly. I do, however, use the internet and have left the hardware parts up to my savvy husband (that guy is amazing.). Anyway, the television system has been inconsistent. It keeps going down. The residents are frustrated and everyone is meeting this week to work it out. There are several pieces of it that aren't communicating well with other pieces of it. We hope to work it out this week. <br /><br />One of the letters that was posted on our community internet board really touched me. The resident said that the promise of Belvedere was (maybe is!) is that it offered a high tech community with connection to people and nature. That comment kind of stunned me for awhile. I am trained to connect children to nature. I have offered programs for years and most people who have participated or who are drawn to nature have opinions about technology. Some of them are downright negative, on how technology, especially television and computers are evil, but most folks have tried hard to put firm boundaries on this kind of media so that it doesn't dominate the lives of the children. Here is a development company trying to offer a package with both nature and technology.<br /><br />Regardless of the snafu with the television, which I am sure will get worked out because the residents won't put up with anything less, I do think it is hard to offer both at the same time. In the past, in the communities I have circled around in (nature-based, alternative education), these two are like pushing magnets together that naturally repel. So I sit back on my heels a second and wonder, is the company who designed this aware that these can be opposites? And, we are going to do this, this combination of technology and nature-connection, and isn't that cool?<br /><br />And it's hard.<br /><br />For a long time, we have lived very separate from nature as a culture. In fact, nature was something the dominate and subdue. So, our adventure continues. We now have 30 homes and are about to redesign the parks. I hope I can stay with this process.KateRCSThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184852242962377261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-45414735118159146072010-05-17T19:33:00.005-04:002010-05-17T20:02:32.330-04:00Tomahawks!<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X47N6DYyq7E/S_HUq5owPwI/AAAAAAAAAK0/oCviEOMDnDI/s320/tomahawks2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472388855723212546" />Inspired by crafts seen at the annual Monocan Powwow I was asked by my son to help make him a tomahawk. So on Sunday Kate and I took him, his best friend and his brother, and Eleanor down to the river to find materials. We found suitable sticks along the way (with frogs, toads, ticks and a cool Gar in the river) and rocks by the river's edge. One of the boys decided on a spear so we looked for spear fixin's also.<div><br /></div><div>Then we trooped back to see what we could do about turning these raw materials into tomahawks. A little sawing, fitting, artificial sinew and decorations and the kids had something to really show off!</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X47N6DYyq7E/S_HUvr4KFYI/AAAAAAAAAK8/58xm0dO5KFg/s320/tomahawks1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472388937929069954" /></div>Bret Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07198855836802168132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-86964169617998438162010-04-27T22:42:00.010-04:002010-04-27T23:27:19.383-04:00Designing for Health: Creativity and TensionIn the workshop on Designing Natural Play Spaces for Healthy Children and Planet, a few Belvedere folks and I redesigned the village green. It is the oval green-filled shape in the middle of the Belvedere base plan seen below.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E-7FsIeJ5oE/S9egs4i27yI/AAAAAAAAAHs/HUVZJW4TgkA/s1600/belvedere1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E-7FsIeJ5oE/S9egs4i27yI/AAAAAAAAAHs/HUVZJW4TgkA/s320/belvedere1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465013365790666530" border="0" /></a><br />We saw several presentations about play spaces and what they mean. Robin Moore gave a complete overview with lists of what is possible. You can see a presentation about designing for health planet, healthy children at NLI's website, <a href="http://www.naturalearning.org/docs/RobinMoore2007.pdf">a powerpoint Robin gave at the 2007 Design Institute.</a><br /><br />Then we had to identify the users for our parks. For Belvedere, they are not just families, but all kinds of people: families with small children, what Robin called "middle age children" from 6 years old to 9 or 10. Then Tweens and Teens. We also have an active adult population, single folks, dog walkers, and then older people who are empty nesters, retired people. So you can see, we have a lot of different populations. The list is on the purple stickies.<br /><br />Then we identified the kinds of activities we wanted in the parks: sitting, picnicking, walking, jogging, playing, exploring, etc. Those were the yellow stickies in this picture.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-7FsIeJ5oE/S9ehb33EW_I/AAAAAAAAAH0/3FJ00vRX2nE/s1600/charette.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-7FsIeJ5oE/S9ehb33EW_I/AAAAAAAAAH0/3FJ00vRX2nE/s320/charette.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465014173060848626" border="0" /></a><br />Then, we had to identify settings for these activities: sitting settings, hide-n-seek settings, watching and picnicking settings, play settings, etc. That list is in the pink. From there, we launched into a design that started with a water setting (fountain) in blue on the map below, then a fire ring for gatherings. We thought this design might be more formal to fit with the neighborhood construction, then a ball playing field. After that, a gazebo in the middle of the village green (in orange), then an area of play and chase, with bushes, hillocks, trees, and a sand/dirt pit. One of our group, a maverick named William who is a new naturopath to our area (Quadranthealth.com) added a great rope climbing structure here. On the far end of the Village Green, we are trying to keep the rocks and pipe in the hill, leveling out the rest of the current spiral a bit (not all) and putting a smallish play structure there. There are paths that connect each section. It was harder than I thought it would be. You can see about the process in this video made by NLI and posted on their website: <a href="http://www.naturalearning.org/video/DesignPracticum.mov">Design Practice</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E-7FsIeJ5oE/S9eiB37yvWI/AAAAAAAAAH8/liRx4_nStMM/s1600/green_design.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E-7FsIeJ5oE/S9eiB37yvWI/AAAAAAAAAH8/liRx4_nStMM/s320/green_design.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465014825915694434" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Frank Stoner says this design is about $500,000.<br /><br />Buzz kill.<br /><br />Robin Moore cautioned not to get too caught up in how much things cost. But that really kills creativity and ideas.<br /><br />I hope that our community can continue to work on the design of our parks together now that some of us know the process. Robin says <span style="font-weight: bold;">it is critical that the landscape architect work with the residents and not just think they know what is best.</span> Involve the residents. Ask the residents. We have such a great opportunity to design these parks together.<br /><br />More later.KateRCSThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184852242962377261noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-48674665675328463112010-03-28T15:05:00.002-04:002010-03-28T15:10:04.816-04:00<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Belvedere to Help Co-sponsor Workshop and Public Talk: “Design for Health” With Nature and Play</span><br /><br /><blockquote>Is it important for children to play unsupervised in nature?<br /><br />Can we design play spaces that encourage freedom to roam in residential neighborhoods, community parks, schools, and childcare centers?<br /><br />What are the child health and developmental costs of not doing this?<br /><br />How can nature play contribute to learning, community identity, and growth of social capital?</blockquote><br /><br />Come find out at a<span style="font-weight: bold;"> public talk and workshop</span> by <span style="font-weight: bold;">landscape architect and nature-based educator Robin Moore</span> and other staff of the <a href="http://www.naturalearning.org">Natural Learning Initiative</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Designing Natural Play Spaces for Healthy Children and Planet</span>, Saturday, April 24, 2010</span> will teach about approaches to better children’s health through designing natural play spaces.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Moore’s public talk, <span style="font-style: italic;">Free Range Nature Play: Designing for Healthy Development of Children and Planet</span></span> is scheduled for Friday, April 23, 2010. Both events are being held at the Mountaintop Montessori School, 305 Rolkin Rd., Charlottesville, VA 29911.<br /><br />Play and learning in natural settings stimulates all aspects and stages of child development. Moore’s research shows that play in nature:<br /><br />· encourages imagination and creativity,<br /><br />· fosters language and collaborative skills,<br /><br />· reduces or eliminates bullying,<br /><br />· stimulates social interaction between children, and<br /><br />· children who play in nature have more positive feelings about each other.<br /><br />Study after study about the impact of play in nature show significant increases in:<br /><br />· problem-solving, science and math skills,<br /><br />· standardized test scores and ecological awareness,<br /><br />· self-esteem and motivation,<br /><br />· concentration, delay in gratification and more.<br /><br />Moore’s approach is interdisciplinary and multi-dimensional, inviting people of all ages to be in nature, especially children. His 40 years of experience has benefited childcare centers, schools, residential neighborhoods, and community facilities such as parks, museums, zoos and botanical gardens.<br /><br />Families, community members, teachers, landscape and garden designers, developers and administrators of health and educational programs of all kinds should attend these events. Inspiring presentations in the morning will show activities and designs for children of different ages in different settings. Afternoon activities will teach design principles and their application in a hands-on activity. Several participants are bringing actual park plans to improve their community and schoolyards.<br /><br />Fees are $10 for the public talk, and $25 for the workshop if you preregister (includes lunch). Call Ryan DeRose for more information, 434-960-4082, or go to http://www.mountaintopseedproject.org. You can also become a sponsor and have a display about your school, business or program. Rates are reasonable!Bret Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07198855836802168132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-82742055064029443042010-03-20T08:27:00.005-04:002010-03-20T09:40:45.327-04:00Belvedere Developer's ReportWe recently had a gathering at the Hauser model home where the developers gave residents a round-up of where things stand, and upcoming activities. Here are the highlights:<br /><br />1) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Multi-family Development</span><br /><br />The land slated for apartments (the second patch of bare ground as you come into Belvedere on the main drive) will be developed starting later this year. There will be an apartment community built by the Cathcart Group consisting of 294 1-2 bedroom (with some 3-bedroom units) nicely arranged around a central parking area with strip parks. The design looked very nice, with the apartments built to look somewhat like the townhomes in Belvedere - with varying elevations even within the same main building. The apartments will have their own clubhouse and pool, with trails around the development open to the public. <br /><br />This is big news on its own, but it also makes possible the development of...<br /><br />2) <span style="font-weight:bold;">The Belvedere Town Center</span><br /><br />This will occupy the top slice of the land next to the apartments, generally directly in front of you if you come across the Free State Bridge. The developers plan on having the infrastructure ready by the end of the year, and are taking a flexible approach to exactly what will go there. The idea is that there will be individual pads which can be built up (within the architectural guidelines, of course) by the individual builders into 1-2 story retail units, at an affordable price per square foot. Stonehaus is also hoping to attract a "destination restaurant" for somewhere in the Town Center.<br /><br />What this means is we will have shops (mmmm - coffeeshop anyone?) and hopefully a restaurant within walking distance, supported by the residents of Belvedere proper and the apartment center, as well as the communities near by, like Dunlora.<br /><br />The Town Center design also includes some townhouse units, and a park. The new location I think is better all around, and I can see it being a meeting place for our community, as well as an opportunity for residents who have small businesses to locate them there.<br /><br />3) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Signage</span><br /><br />There will be signs posted in Belvedere soon - "Children at play", etc. These, as well as the general growing density will help keep traffic problems to a minimum. There will also be clearer indicators at the traffic circle to help direct traffic the right way around the circle. <br /><br />4) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Village Green</span> <br /><br />The Village Green is going to be re-done, with the large berms at either end graded down. These were a nice idea, but the effect was to visually isolate the Green from the rest of the community. The final design of the Green is open and residents were encouraged to provide ideas as to what <span style="font-style:italic;">they</span> would like it to look like.<br /><br />5) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Organic Farm</span><br /><br />This has been set back by the economic situation, as grants the farm needed to prepare the land are not available at this time. The location of the Farm on the floodplain, although very good from a soil perspective also presents challenges with access, which translates into somewhat higher startup costs.<br /><br />6) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Community Garden</span><br /><br />Stonehaus is supportive of creating a community garden if there is enough interest among the residents. This would be located down near the erosion control ponds so that if it were to get a bit messy (as gardens can be) it would not be something everyone had to see up front and center.<br /><br />In the meantime we talked about getting an organic farmer to come into the neighborhood on a weekly basis.<br /><br />7) <span style="font-weight:bold;">SOCA</span> (Soccer Association of Charlottesville Albemarle)<br /><br />SOCA has presented a design for their indoor facility just off the Village Green. Although large, it will present a fairly small elevation at street level, as the land slopes away downhill. The land has been transferred to SOCA, with the stipulation that they need to build within 5 years or it reverts to Belvedere.<br /><br />The entire final SOCA plan consists of the indoor fields and SOCA offices (to be developed first), a lighted outdoor turf field, which will be open to residents, and a set of fields on the floodplain.<br /><br />8) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Community Building</span><br /><br />This will be located next to the SOCA indoor facility. This would house the HOA office and Stonehaus is also hoping to attract a preschool (Montessori?) to anchor the building, and they are committed to building a general-purpose community room that could be used for events like Cub Scout meetings, parties, etc.<br /><br />9) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Landscaping</span><br /><br />Stonehaus reiterated its commitment to fulfilling the landscaping outlined in the initial plans. As the community develops and cash flow improves (the banks are still very reserved about lending to developers) the various elements will be done as money and the surrounding areas permit - for instance they cannot finalize the water drainage area near the railroad tracks until the erosion control ponds are filled, and that cannot happen until the plots around them are developed to the point of not needing erosion control...<br /><br />There were various other issues discussed, and a sales report which I was unable to stay for. But overall, Kate and I are encouraged by the progress and plans - we always know that Belvedere was too good an idea and location to not be finished to some extent, but it was heartening to have these plans presented, and hear the commitment on the part of the developers.Bret Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07198855836802168132noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-41871941401670418812010-03-20T08:26:00.000-04:002010-03-20T08:27:05.542-04:00It must be spring...The hot-air balloons are back!Bret Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07198855836802168132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-1645693883850705512009-12-30T08:12:00.001-05:002009-12-30T08:15:16.849-05:00Community Feeling, from a commenterFrom a supportive commenter! This is too good not to share!<br /><br /><blockquote>I live in the city, but the time is maybe, possibly near for a move to a more residential location. When I think about moving, I worry about finding the amazing neighbors I have here and I have to admit that reading your blog has me thinking the community feeling I have in my little neighborhood can be found elsewhere.<br /><br />I've been following your story from the start and will continue to do so. Thanks for sharing so much of your experience at Belvedere.</blockquote>KateRCSThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184852242962377261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-31248276455861817892009-12-28T07:23:00.002-05:002009-12-28T07:27:02.850-05:00Belvedere Tracking ClubI am looking for a group of people interested in learning animal track and sign and applying their skills to Belvedere and Dunlora. Our areas of interest include the forest, Rivanna Trail, the flood plain and the riverside. I would love a committed group of 5 people ideally between the ages of 9 and 99. The work is very detail oriented and we hike although the physical activity is not rigorous with regard to difficulty or distance. You may have to spend time on the ground however, so knees are important.<br /><br />I am currently interested in the red fox activity on our land here. Please email me of you are interested, katercst@gmail.com.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>KateRCSThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184852242962377261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-62333507790889685412009-12-19T12:54:00.003-05:002009-12-19T12:59:58.567-05:00The Big Snow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X47N6DYyq7E/Sy0TbxKFVeI/AAAAAAAAAKo/XGIihvsJ-nc/s1600-h/belvedere_snow_2009.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X47N6DYyq7E/Sy0TbxKFVeI/AAAAAAAAAKo/XGIihvsJ-nc/s320/belvedere_snow_2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417007294569600482" /></a><br /><br />Belvedere (and all Charlottesville) got hit with a huge snowstorm just the weekend before Christmas. We were out last night cheering on the show and having a block-long snowball battle. This morning we all shoveled, and decided it was actually too deep for sledding. So it's inside to bake cookies and watch a few movies, then hopefully later we can try to build a huge snow fort.<br /><br />Snow is nice when you feel like you're the only living human for miles, but it's also hugely fun with neighbors!<br /><br />Here are some more photos on Flickr:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39558772@N00/sets/72157623031017002/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/39558772@N00/sets/72157623031017002/</a>Bret Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07198855836802168132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-11863955364059521422009-12-19T10:20:00.006-05:002009-12-19T11:24:28.235-05:00Making The Jewel Called BelvedereI am sitting at my desk remembering the feelings of the early days of Belvedere. The design phase was extremely exciting and I became very committed to the project, every corner, every brick, every facet. Then came the execution phase, or rather the "doing," and the recession hit the new building sector as hard as it had been hit since the Great Depression. As we turned into that part of the story, I began to called the developer Jumping Mouse.<br /><br />Do you all know that story? A small mouse hears a noise. It is the sound of the river that he has never seen and gathers courage to go and see it. While he is there he meets a magical frog who encourages him to have a vision and follow it. Against all pressures to stay the same and in the same place, the small mouse, now renamed Jumping Mouse, follows his vision. As he jumped, he saw the mountains in the distance and vowed to go there. But first he must cross the plain where he is vulnerable to predators. Along the way, he meets creatures that protect him only after he has made a sacrifice. In the end, he reaps the benefits of his sacrifice and gains new heights of experience and life goals.<br /><br />I love this story and joked with Frank Stoner that Stonehaus was a Jumping Mouse. The developer and the builders had a vision, one that is different from the surrounding developments. Pelted by reporters, critics, naysayers, and holier-than-thous, Belvedere got started and then work stopped as the elegant builder Church Hill was folded into Eagle, and the banks halted work by Hauser Homes. Jumping Mouse, I said, you are in the plains, vulnerable to predators. Surely, there is a lot I don't know about the allies the developer found along the way. I am aware of the sacrifices as I watched Stonehaus let go employees and whittle itself down to a skeleton crew. I know that Church Hill and Hauser subcontractors also suffered. <a href="http://homeatbelvedere.blogspot.com/2009/03/when-going-gets-tough.html"> I listened to Bob Hauser passionately talk about his life as a builder at a meeting of Belvedere residents.</a> I got tired of listening to and reading the critics of everything Belvedere, and am still hoping that one reporter will have the courage to write about the project for its innovation and its commitment to sustainability and community.<br /><br />Yes, I am still here. Yes, I still think the project is going to pan out. Yes, I still believe in it. I think the project changed and is changing, adapting to the sacrifices that had to happen for the development to survive.<br /><br />I have a new metaphor for you Frank Stoner and Bob Hauser, and everyone who is still here, still working, still believing, and emodying the vision. I have heard people say that Belvedere is a jewel among development projects. Yes, I agree. It is a beauty. I love the small city homes, elegant and small. They are like the old homes of the cities I travel in when I work. I see the same patterns. I love the bigger homes as well and look forward to really seeing the empty spaces fill in. Belvedere is truly not like any neighborhood I have been in anywhere. It is a beauty, at least to my eyes. It doesn't have lots of big yards that Americans are used to. But it does have sweet homes, community, green space, nature, and other amenities that really make it a home. A home is more than a house. A home is an experience.<br /><br />Real jewels are a long time in the making, especially diamonds. It takes a lot of pressure to make a precious stone. And different ingredients. In the jewel metaphor, I would say that this phase of Belvedere is the pressure phase. The making of a diamond involved melting, chemistry and pressure. I think all that is here for Belvedere. The chemistry is the combination of the design and those of us that inhabit it. Committed Belvedereans put up their own playground while waiting for the design and building of the new playground. We are working on being a community with and for each other. Stonehaus and the various builders are working on new home designs that are affordable and beautiful. The original design still stands.<br /><br />So, Stonehaus, keep going. I can see the outline of the jewel as it is being formed. Soon, there will be the mining phase, and critics, I know what you are going to say, and this is what I say to you: Any business owner is in business to make a living. That is, in part, what is happening here for those who are designing, building and selling. But Belvedere is more than houses, more than builders. It is a gutsy design with human development in mind, and includes a more-than-human world. I will hold Stonehaus to that if I can. I urge critics to think Big Picture. I would love to see what your creative minds can see and comment on, if you move beyond the tendancy to take apart and complain.<br /><br />I pledge to write more and record more about Belvedere in 2010. AND, I need to get back to tracking!<br /><br />Stay tuned!<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>KateRCSThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184852242962377261noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3062886101509338227.post-15384591453616979882009-11-09T12:03:00.001-05:002009-11-09T12:04:38.654-05:00The Only Place in TownI have had many visitors lately, and they all say, "This is the only place in town that seems prosperous!" or "This is the only place in town I see new houses being built!" Yup. That's us. Belvedere. There only place in town!<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>KateRCSThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184852242962377261noreply@blogger.com1