March Parkwood Press FINAL

MARCH 2020

The Parkwood Association Neighborhood Newsletter

FIRST SNOW OF THE SEASON!

Parkwood Community Garden

by Susan Costa

Hello from the Parkwood Community Garden! We (the PCG members
and most of the garden beds) have been taking a much-needed rest
over the past couple of months, but those buds and blooms we’ve
been seeing around town remind us that it’s time to get planting once
again!

Despite it being the coldest morning of the year, Feb 15th is our first
official workday of the 2020 season. By the time you read this, many
of the following will have been directly sown into some of our beds:
peas, lettuce, “dinosaur” kale, and several varieties of carrots. Also
being sown soon are spinach, cilantro, and possibly some more dill
and radishes. Volunteers are starting the following seeds in their
homes to be transplanted later: tomatoes, basil, and some flowers. If you have a green thumb and some empty space
under a grow light in your home, let us know – there's a good chance we'll still be in need of PCG foster plant parents!

Right now, we are harvesting radishes, some baby kale, and collards. Beets should be ready in another month or so,
depending on weather. There are scissors hanging on the signboard that you can use for snipping off herbs, of which
we have: a small amount of dill and parsley inside the fence; thyme, oregano, and marjoram in the barrels outside the
fence.

We hope to see you, our Parkwood neighbors, in the garden with us soon! We don’t have any large projects planned for
Spring, but we will be installing the drip irrigation system in the remainder of the beds, doing some light amending of the
existing beds, and spreading some mulch in the soggy pathways. But hey, it’s not all work….There are fun things, too!
We’ll be transplanting our home-grown baby veg, planting seeds for squash, beans and more, and -of course-
harvesting what we’ve raised. Did I hear some of you ask, “What about weeding?” This year we are trying out a “no till”
method of caring for the beds that incorporates layers of newspaper and compost which will hopefully eliminate the
need to weed (yay!), once we get past our post-winter weeding, that is...

We’d like to recognize and thank PCG members Chris Classen and Joe Costa, who spent a sunny Saturday in January
planting bulbs from Keep Durham Beautiful’ s Bulb Blitz program around the garden and community center building.

Until it gets hot outside, we meet at the garden from 10am to noon on Saturdays or Sundays, weather permitting. If it
turns out you are the first one there, there is a "to do" list inside the signboard by the garden gate. The Parkwood
Association sends out a workshop notice a few days ahead of time to those who have signed up in PPM. Contact us or
watch this space for upcoming events.

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: #parkwoodcg

Events Committee Open Letter to Parkwood Community

Dear neighbors,

The Events Committee is in need of your attention, and your assistance. Parkwood has a long history of amazing
community events. The Spring Egg Hunt is one example, with records of it going on in Parkwood almost as long as
Parkwood has existed. Generations of Parkwoodians have put forward thousands of hours of time planning activities,
calling vendors, driving across the county to pick up materials, and taking time away from their families to set up great
events for the community (and over the past decade, the city at large).

It is a commitment that asks a lot of its members, but that gives back in equal measure.

In its current state, the Events Committee can no longer sustain the level of events that Parkwood has been hosting for
the past several years.

It’s time for the Parkwood Community to decide what kind of events they want to have in the coming years, and what
level of participation they are willing to engage in.

Are you willing to contribute time and effort to planning an event?
Are you willing to spend a Saturday morning setting up tents, games, or popping popcorn?
Are you willing to get on social media channels, and get folks interested in what we’re doing?
Are you willing to stay up late stuffing easter eggs or painting signs?
Are you willing to engage with community sponsors?
Are you willing to chair a committee?

For there to be events in Parkwood, someone has to be willing.

We hope you’ll consider joining the events committee. Contact us at [email protected] to learn more.

Subject to Change Citrus Collard with Raisins

by Mary Lacombe Ingredients
1 1/2 lb. collard greens, tough stems trimmed
After enjoying New Year’s Eve together in Parkwood, a 1 Tbs. olive oil
group of us decided to try making some vegan foods and 2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
having a once a month dinner. We all watched the 2/3 cup raisins1/2 tsp. salt
documentary Forks Over Knives on Netflix that really got 1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
us motivated. Most of us decided to be a vegan
homestead which means we try to keep our vegan meals Preparation
at home which we prepare ourselves and share recipes 1.Stack several collard leaves atop one another, and
with each other. We don’t want to make it difficult to be
sociable with friends and family. We called ourselves roll into tight cylinder. Slice crosswise into strips.
Forks because the abbreviation for Folks Over Knives was 2.Cook greens in large pot of boiling, salted water 8
Fok and sounded like the other f word. Our first meal was
a success. We had a beet dip which was delicious (I to 10 minutes, or until softened. Drain, and plunge
know, how can a beet dip be that good but it was) black into large bowl of cold water to stop cooking.
bean spaghetti and lentil meatballs with tomato sauce, 3.Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add
collards with orange juice and raisins prepared so well that garlic, and sauté 1 minute. Add drained collards,
even though I have said I don’t like collards, I asked for a raisins, and salt, and sauté 3 minutes. Stir in
second and then a third helping. Another dish was Quick orange juice, and cook 15 seconds more. Season
Chickpea Bolognese and was equally good. We brought with salt and pepper, if desired.
an apple dessert with cranberries, nuts , ginger and
raisins. After 3 weeks of eating vegan, I do notice my
arthritis is better most of the time. But I can’t claim any
amazing health results…yet. To be continued next month.



Free Income Tax Preparation

Free Income Tax Preparation and Filing of Federal and North Carolina State income taxes will be available
through the Durham Tax Aide program, sponsored by the AARP Foundation and the IRS, from Monday,

February 3nd to Monday, April 13th, 2020 at:

Stanford Warren Library
1201 Fayetteville Street

Durham, 27707
Mondays and Thursdays, 10AM - 4:00PM (last sign in at 3:00)

This site is walk-in (no appointments are made in advance). Most personal returns are within the scope of our
trained and certified volunteers with some exceptions requiring the attention of a paid preparer. The site services
taxpayers of all ages, with a special emphasis on seniors in the lower and middle income brackets. Please bring:

Any tax forms and other information received from the IRS.
Last year's tax return.
Wage and earning statements, forms W-2, W-2G, 1099R
Photo identification for taxpayer and spouse
Social Security cards for taxpayer, spouse and dependents
Birth dates for taxpayer, spouse and dependents
Childcare provider information
Interest, dividens, tuition and mortgage forms
Blank check from checking account for direct deposit (if applicable)

Stay in the Know
Join the Parkwood

Google Group

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/parkwoodnc

A sound bite is a tiny clip from a speech. These posts are designed to
be quick ideas (“bites”) about how we busy people can practically
integrate wellness into our daily lives. How do you eat an elephant?

One bite at a time. How do you accomplish something overwhelming?
Start with a manageable crumb.

By: Teresa Gallis

Are you stuck in the winter doldrums? When life marches back into its normal routine after the excitement of the holiday
season, part of me is relieved to resume my schedule, but the other part of me feels crestfallen. After such anticipation of
seasonal traditions and time off and feasting with family and friends, it’s a letdown to crash back into the reality of
deadlines and diets and the darker days of wintery cold and rain. I’ve found that a gratitude practice helps me cling to the
hope of brighter days when I’m shivering.

To start your gratitude practice, find a notebook and a pen, and record five things every day that you’re grateful for. Many
people find it helpful to create their list just before they go to bed. Ruminating on what went well that day often helps our
brains relax into sleep. A strange fact of life is that what we notice increases: as we begin to look for things to appreciate,
we notice more of what is going well. Scan every aspect of your life: What was a “win” today at work? How did someone
lighten your load or brighten your day? What good news did you receive? Did you navigate traffic safely? Is your heater
working? What did you eat today?

Bonus: apply your gratitude practice to your friends and family. Notice what you’re grateful for, and tell them (or record
your observations in notes that they can treasure for years to come)! My husband and I have started a tradition of telling
each other five things each day that we appreciate about each other. We’re strengthening our creativity muscles by looking
for new things to comment on each day. What a gift both to give and to receive these nuggets of encouragement!

Speaking of writing, did you know that cold and flu viruses can be passed from person to person simply by sharing pens?
Of course, it’s much more common to become sick by breathing air-borne viruses. We can minimize that risk by staying
away from crowded areas and ill people when possible, washing our hands often, and avoiding touching our face.
However, another way to prevent the spread of illness is by carrying (and using!) our own pen to sign receipts.

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu virus can exist for up to 48 hours on hard
surfaces (see rebrand.ly/pen-power). This means that if someone who is infected with the flu touches the pen at the
restaurant or at the office, the virus might now be alive on the pen . . . and when you sign your name with a flourish, you
unwittingly invite the virus to jump onto your skin. Using our own pen seems like a simple way to minimize the spread of
illness. What would it take for you to use your own pen while you’re out and about this winter?

Let me know how you’re staying mentally and physically healthy this winter: “[email protected]”.

This is a paid advertisement

If the City of Durham finds you in violation, Si la ciudad de Durham lo encuentra en
fines are $250+. violacion, las multas son $250+.

Summary of Minutes of Februay 13 Board Meeting

Welcome Guests INTERNAL COMMITTEE PASSED MOTION: To make an

John Grant (NCDOT), Leslie Tracey (City of Durham), John Sandor annual deposit to the reserve account in June, using May’s

(NC DOT) financial report to assess 2020 dues receipts.

Guest Reports HOA office/community center refinance Info from bank re interest
Leslie Tracey reports that NCDOT and the City of Durham have and loan refinance options?
been receiving many complaints concerning speeding on Sedwick
Road (state road). They are attending the meeting to discuss E. Mitchell to reach out to bank about interest and loan
solutions for this issue, allowing Sedwick to be a part of a grant refinance options
Have new loan terms by March FC meeting

funded pilot project for traffic calming. John Sandor states that the Events Committee - I. Bowditch
community support of this project is important to NCDOT. A speed
Events committee met virtually
study was completed on Sedwick (between Grandale and Revere
No scheduled events
Road), and the findings were that the 85th percentile of drivers
Letter to Parkwood Community - Call for Volunteers for Future
speeding were going between 25 and 37mph. Preliminary plans for Events
the project will be given to HOA prior to the implementation of the

project. The deadline for the grant application is March 1st. Parks, Lawns, Ball Field (PL&B) - L. Hutchison

New Business Meeting Dates Reminder: First Monday of the Month: PL & BF
will plan to meet at 7:00 p.m. for the following dates in
PASSED MOTION: To request a copy of the draft proposal from Spring/Summer 2020: 2/3; 3/2; 4/6; 5/4; 6/1; 7/6; 8/3
NCDOT and Leslie Tracy with the city of Durham to review the Special Infrastructure Projects:
project details. The board will review the draft proposal to
participate in a pilot program for traffic calming on Sedwick Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Report (S. Berkowitz) Draft
Road. EAP for the dam was received and is being reviewed and
discussed with the engineers.

Note: Sedwick is a state owned road. There is not currently city or
county funding for this type of project, but a grant is available that
could provide funding for this pilot.

Unfinished Business Parkwood Board
Question about dumping on Parkwood land. Tamarea is currently
tracking and attending to this concern. Summer Anderson, President, Dist. 8

Committee Reports Irene Hui-Bowditch, VP, Dist. 4
Executive Committee (EC)- S. Anderson
*Did not meet* Committee members met with and/or coordinated Jenny Edwards, Secretary, At-large
with various individuals and groups (e.g. the office administrator/ball
field coordinator, a member of the Parkland Planning Committee Elizabeth Mitchell, Treasurer, Dist. 3
(PPC) committee, a member of Parks Lawn & Ballfield (PL&B), and
representatives from the various leagues that utilize the community Leigh Hutchison, Dist. 1 Don Bryson, Dist. 5
ball field), via phone and face-to-face meetings, to support HOA
operations, communication, and transition to new ball field Hannah Gardner, Dist. 1 Olga Rodriguez, Dist. 5
coordinator.
Chris Classen, Dist. 2 Dawn Dampier, Dist. 6
Finance Committee (FC) - E. Mitchell
January Financial Report Bobetta Clark-Jones, Dist. 2 Marsha Brooks, Dist. 7
Need to update 2020 budget annual assessment amount to
show increase in dues ($250) $430 extra in income vs. Craig Golden, Dist. 3 Marie Dean, Dist. 8
expenses. Tamarea Parker, Office Admin.
INTERNAL COMMITTEE PASSED MOTION: Assign $430 of
excess income to expense line item “00574-00 Reserve - Open At-Large positions available.
Capital”
Other Business Please call or email office if interested.
Annual vs. monthly deposit to reserve account Claire said
most other communities do annual deposits. We are a little Parkwood Office
different because our funds don’t come in all at once, Phone: (919) 544-2161
typically by May. Email: [email protected]

www.parkwoodnc.org
Office Hours

Mon, Tue, Wed & Fri: 8am-2pm
Thursday & Sunday: Closed
Sat: 11am-2pm

Emergency Watershed Project (EWP) (L. Hutchison) New Business:
https://durhamnc.gov/3936/ in order to monitor major Fire ant activity has already been noticed. RLC will treat the
milestones; will also be alerted for future key dates, per playgrounds and ball field for fire ants this month using the
Allison Molleson, Senior Engineer. contact poison that provides annual coverage. The cost of
Rescue Lawn Care (RLC) Projects: The committee agreed to the treatment is already included in the RLC contract.
continue evaluating having routine trail maintenance included in C. Classen finalizing azalea plantings; RLC to use the
the parkland maintenance contract and will ask RLC to submit a remaining few for the Emerald pond area.
cost proposal for maintaining the following Parkwood trails C. Classen continuing to research alternative landscape
Hidden Park companies for focused landscaping of flower beds in
Ball Field to Forebay entrance areas.
Revere to Newhall RLC finished removal of junipers at Custer Circle area and
After receiving the cost proposal from RLC, the committee will discussing alternative plantings.
decide if they want to continue with the evaluation. The PL & BF members have renewed the schedule for quarterly
Committee agreed that the RLC plans to finish landscaping the meetings with RLC.
old Juniper beds at Custer Circle and area where crab apples
were removed, as well as the overgrown beds at Emerald pond Garden Committee - C. Classen
would be very attractive, but low maintenance upgrades to those *No Committee Report Submitted*
landscaped areas at a minimal cost.
Communications -
PASSED MOTION: To approve the RLC proposal for Parkwood Press Subcommittee - O. Rodriguez
landscaping additions to Custer Circle Juniper beds $1,630.00 The February issue of the Parkwood Press went out. The
deadline for the March issue is February 15th and this edition will
FAILED MOTION: To approve the RLC proposal for addition of be delivered to all Parkwood residents.
park bench area at Custer Circle $1,125
Parkland Planning Committee (PPC) - M. Brooks
PASSED MOTION: To approve the RLC proposal for Emerald Sedwick Park Pathway Next steps
pond plant bed: $750. Contract signed, advance payment received by Native
Trails, construction schedule pending.
Ball Field Update: Two of the ball field 1500 watt lights are not Committee discussed Board motion from Jan. 9, 2020
working which presents a safety hazard to users of the ball field. meeting. Response to Board motion (which is in itself a
The committee voted to accept the proposal from Tommy reaction to recent misinformation/objections from a
Lawrence to repair the lights at a cost not to exceed $1,000. few community members):
Committee members will research requirements and
PASSED MOTION - Authorize Tommy Lawrence Electric to prepare documentation if and as needed for possible
repair two 1500 watt MH lights that are not working at the permitting, and further discuss with contractor his
baseball field at a cost not to exceed $1,000. experience with permitting regulations for similar small-
scale trail projects: S. Berkowitz will discuss
*note: this expense will be covered by ballfield maintenance line requirements with the State of NC’s Dam Safety
item program, and M. Brooks will continue information-
Playgrounds Update: (J. Beidler) site meeting w/ Barr’s gathering with the City-County Planning Department.
Recreation to install the equipment within in a month and add S. Berkowitz and M. Brooks will visit Umstead State Park
mulch at Tot Lot. Contractor was to remove the equipment from to inspect Native Trails’ trail construction project.
Ball field playground; should have been completed. J. Beidler The PPC will arrange an on-site meeting with the
removed graffiti from the picnic table in Hidden Park. Committee contractor to further discuss the requirements for permits,
discussed adding additional mulch around play equipment at maintenance expectations and contractor’s warranty.
Hidden Park. The PPC will continue to discuss new and existing trail
Tree Removal: $2,600 was spent on tree removal in January maintenance with the PL&B
2020. After the committee meeting, several dangerous and fallen
tree situations were reported to the PA office. PASSED MOTION: That the PPC provides an update on the
last remaining items before the March Board meeting.

PASSED MOTION - Authorize spending $3,800 to have Donald TABLED MOTION: When the points noted in the Board’s
Allen cut down and remove the two fallen trees that fell from motion above have been addressed, the PPC will be
parkland onto 104 Jennings Lane and the 9 trees that are either approved to proceed with the Sedwick Park Trail
dead, dying or leaning towards sheds and houses that will
damage structures on the following properties when they fall: Begin developing a 10-year improvement plan: tabled until later
112 Lattimore Lane, 104 and 106 Jennings Lane and 4615 and in the year.
4619 Blanchard Rd. Next Meeting: Tues., Feb. 18, 2020.

Excerpts from Letter to Board, From Steven Berkowitz

This is in response to some expressed concerns pertaining to the new Sedwick Trail, and associated issues related to Parkwood
Dam. Some of the concerns raised are based on inaccurate information or have been presented out of context. I have been
intimately involved with Board-authorized projects associated with the Dam and Spillway for the past 15+ years, including the with
three major projects completed in 2005 and 2007. I am currently working with Hazen and Sawyer consultants whom we are under
contract with to complete the newly required Emergency Action Plan for the Dam, which is near completion. For the Board’s
information, I am a licensed Professional Engineer in North Carolina, a Parkwood homeowner since 1983, and have been
responsible for overseeing most of the drainage projects in Parkwood as a volunteer over the past 30+ years. I have also served in
the past as Parks and Lawn Committee Chair and as a long-time Board member, and remain an active member of the Parks, Lawn
and Ballfield, and Parkland Planning Committees.

1.High Hazard Dam Classification: After 50+ years being classified as a “Medium-Hazard” dam, the State during its inspection in
May 2019 reclassified the Parkwood Dam as “High-Hazard.” This change was apparently based solely upon the traffic count on
Sedwick Road, which could potentially by impacted by a dam failure. The only significant immediate consequence of the revised
classification is the requirement to prepare the Emergency Action Plan. We will also likely now be inspected by State Dam Safety
personnel annually (instead of every 3 or more years as we have been in the past). Note that the Hazard Classification of a Dam
is only relates to potential damages downstream and not to the current condition of the dam.

2.Status of Emergency Action Plan (EAP): Hazen and Sawyer recently completed the draft of the Plan. We have provided review
comments and the requested additional information to the consultants and await its completion for submittal to the State for
approval. Failure scenarios evaluated during EAP preparation are extremely unlikely occurrences, but their projected
consequences are still required to be considered. These include: i)”Breach Failure” if the dam were to fail during a “design storm”
(for our dam, a 15.56-inch rainfall over a 24-hour period, projected to have less than a once in 1000 year recurrence probability);
ii)Flooding that would occur during a “design storm” that doesn’t result in dam failure; and iii)Sunny day failure, that results in
downstream flooding not associated with a rain event (for example, if a beaver dug a hole through the dam or if an earthquake or
sabotage caused the dam to fail). Based on preliminary modeling relayed to us by Hazen and Sawyer, the lake’s capacity is
projected to be capable of retaining the “design storm” without overtopping (that’s a good thing!) Once submitted to the State,
Hazen and Sawyer is committed to making revisions the State may require, prior to completing their contracted work for us. We
are required by the State to update the EAP annually on the anniversary of its approval date.

3.Outstanding Dam/Spillway Maintenance Needs: Problems with the dam and spillway identified in the Board minutes in the early
2000’s were fully addressed by three projects I helped plan and supervise in 2005 and 2007, with Association expenditures for
these projects exceeding $36,000. Instead of installing willow trees on the face of the dam, which was once suggested, we chose
the preferred option of placing riprap at the upslope edge of the dam where wave action could cause erosion. This was
implemented during the 2007 dam face regrading project, curtailing the previously identified erosion problem. The installation of
the concrete apron around the drop inlets below the emergency spillway and the grass watershed to capture excessive overflow
that occurs during “normal” high rainfall events have also thus far successfully eliminated chronic gullying occurring in this area
over a number of prior years.

4.Potential Impact of the Trail on the Dam: I contacted the Regional and Central offices of the State’s Dam Safety Program, in the
Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources, and have discussed the proposed trail installation. Their only initially expressed
concern was whether the trail would increase the potential for infiltration of water into the dam. The compaction that will occur with
the trail surface preparation, the elimination of low spots currently present, and the expected hardening of the surface (though not
rendered completely impermeable) to occur with the compacted crushed concrete material recommended by our contractor,
should actually result in less infiltration potential. A Certificate of Approval to proceed was issued on February 13 by George Eller,
PE, Dam Safety Engineer, giving us the green light from the State to proceed.

5.Potential Maintenance Concerns: Our contractor, based upon his previous experience, has relayed his belief that maintenance
needs should be minimal, especially since the trail sections are relatively flat and not likely to be subject to erosion due to
drainage. He did state that it takes about a year for a trail to fully stabilize, and our contract includes a 12-month warranty and the
expectation that he will address any issues that may develop during this time.
I also called to discuss maintenance issues/concerns Hoyt Cole, Cary Public Works Department, whom is responsible for
maintaining a 5-mile section of the American Tobacco Trail, and Scott Letchworth, Superintendent of Umstead State Park, where
our Contractor, Native Trails, has completed in the past year a 3000-foot section of trail (Cedar Ridge) using identical material as
he has proposed to use for our trail. Both relayed that maintenance needs have been minimal, other than keeping leaves and
fallen limbs off and periodically (once or twice a year) checking for any surface adjustment needs. Washouts are only a concern
where surface water may flow over the trail, which hasn’t yet been a significant issue with either trail. Superintendent Letchworth
stated that they are quite happy with the new Cedar Ridge trail’s surface and expect it to be much less problematic than the
surface of other trails in Umstead Park which were constructed using crushed granite.

Excerpts from Letter to Board, From Steven Berkowitz (cont.) "Our mission is to provide quality food
at quality prices in a quality environment."
6. City Permitting Issue: At the Board’s request, we’ve had
preliminary discussions with the Durham City/County Planning Hours of Operation:
Department, whom have initially indicated that a City Permit may Monday-Sunday 11am-8pm
be needed. This is a surprise to our contractor, who tells us he’s
never been required to have a permit for trails previously 5114 Revere Road
completed, which includes the Umstead Park trail, trails at Solite 919-251-9366
and Campus Hills Durham parks, and multiple trails constructed in www.medigrillandgrocery.com
Raleigh/Wake County. My reading of State Statue and Durham’s
Development Code is that “unpaved trails” are explicitly exempt for
being considered to be “Built-Upon” Areas and thus should not be
required adhere to Stormwater Regulations. However, we are
following through with the contacts made in the Planning
Department and shall make certain we comply with any expressed
requirements prior to proceeding.

Steven Berkowitz (919-423-1622)
[email protected]

To read the full board meeting
minutes please visit:
www.parkwoodnc.org

and click BOD Minutes

Contact the Committees & Board

All Board Members: [email protected] Communications Committee: [email protected]
President & Officers: [email protected] Meets 1st Monday, 7pm
District Reps: [email protected]
(be sure to use your district number) Events Committee: [email protected]
Report Standards Violations: [email protected] Meetings vary

Did you know? Finance Committee: [email protected]
Garden Committee: [email protected]
You can host your own
neighborhood or private event, too! Meets Sundays at 10am, Garden
Parkland Planning Committee: [email protected]
It's FREE to host a community event (must be open and free to the
public) and only $5 for residents to rent out the Community Center for Meets 3rd Tuesday, 7pm
private events! Contact the HOA office to add your next event to our Parks, Lawn & Ballfield: [email protected]

calendar. Meets Monday before Board meeting, 7pm

SAVE THE DATE
Parkwood Community Yard Sale 5/2