Happy Holidays For 2011

It's the holiday season once again. Also called "The Most Wonderful Time of The Year", it's also the time to make extra efforts to ensure the safety and security of ourselves and our homes.

Remember to be vigilant when shopping. Look for suspicious individuals when going to or from the stores. Put your purchases and other valuables
in the trunk of your car. Make sure your home is secure against break-ins or invasion.

This is also a wonderful time of year for scam artists of all types.
Beware of people who claim they are collecting for reputable charities.
Also, online scammers really ramp up their efforts during the holidays.
When ordering online check the URL in the address bar on the web page for https:// rather than just http://. The "s" means you are on a secure webpage.

Here are links to more info on holiday scams:

Holiday shopping online: How to avoid the '12 cyber scams of Christmas'

Avoid In-Store and Online Holiday Shopping Scams

Online Holiday Shopping Scams – FBI Warns of Online Holiday Scams


If you are looking for holiday entertainment for family or friends, the
City of Norfolk has many events scheduled from now thru January.

Here are just a few:

MACARTHUR ON ICE: Outdoor Ice Skating In Downtown Norfolk

PHOTOS WITH SANTA: The MacArthur Center

GARDEN OF LIGHTS: Norfolk Botanical Garden

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS MUSIC: Chrysler Hall

THE ATTUCKS NUTCRACER: Attucks Theatre

KWANZAA CEREMONY: Suwabi African Ballet

and many more!

Go to (Norfolk's Holiday Events Page)for a listing of all Norfolk holiday festivities. You will also find links to the Ice Skating Rink Webcam, holiday safety tips for pets(very informative),tree recycling, sending a letter to Santa, Norfolk's Holiday Events Calendar, and more.

Also, let's not forget those who are less fortunate than we may be. You can help by donating cash, toys, and clothing to the appropriate agency. And don't forget our elderly citizens, visit them or invite them to dinner, or to attend one of the above events with you. They will appreciate getting out and about and doing something different.

Above all else, don't forget to give thanks for all you have been allowed
to have.

Happy Holidays To All,

Edward L. West Sr.

Halloween Fun In Stonebridge Crossing

SBC Residents,

You don't have to go trick or treating in Norfolk
to enjoy Halloween. There are many other events being held this
weekend for good,safe fun for the young and more experienced.
Go here: Halloween Events for a list of events and info on each.

For those who chose to go trick or treating with your young ones,
please observe the city's guidelines and ordinance regarding this activity.

Halloween Safety Tips For Trick Or Treaters

Carry a flashlight.
Walk, don't run.
Stay on Sidewalks.
Obey traffic signals.
Stay in familiar neighborhoods.
Don't cut across yards or driveways.
Wear a watch you can read in the dark.
Make sure costumes don't drag on the ground.
Shoes should fit (even if they don't go with your costume).
Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house.
Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.
(If no sidewalk) walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.
Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape.
Approach only houses that are lit.
Stay away from and don't pet animals you don't know.

Halloween Safety Tips For Parents

Have your child eat dinner before setting out.
Children should carry quarters so they can call home.
Young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult.
To trick or treat in Norfolk, children must be 12 years of age or younger and must be off the streets by 8 p.m.
If you buy a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material.
You should know where they're going.
Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the candy home to be inspected before consuming anything.
Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks suspect.
Thoroughly examine fresh produce.

Halloween Safety Tips For Homeowners

Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip the young ones.

Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them out of sight of trick or treaters to protect them from cars or inadvertently biting a trick-or-treater.

Battery powered jack o'lantern candles are preferable to a real flame.
If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.

Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won't be blown into a flaming candle.

Healthy food alternatives for trick-or-treaters include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later.

Non-food treats: plastic rings, pencils, stickers, erasers, coins.

Have a safe and happy Halloween

Edward L. West Sr.

City Council Attendance Cancelled For 9/27/2011

Greetings Stonebridge Crossing residents!
Please be advised that the planned SBC civic league's City Council attendance for 9/27/2011 has been cancelled. Please notify fellow residents.

Videos Of Stonebridge Crossing During Hurricane Irene

These videos are also on our YouTube channel

Norfolk's Low Lying Areas and Storm Surge Pictures For Stonebridge Crossing

2011 Essential Guide to Hurricane Survival, Safety, and Preparedness: Practical Emergency Plans and Protective Measures, Plus Complete Information on Hurricanes and Tropical Storms

Neighborhoods in low-lying or flood prone areas

Spartan Village
Willoughby Spit
East Ocean View
Edgewater
Larchmont
Mowbray Arch area of Ghent
Freemason
Downtown Waterfront
Colonial Place: West of Gosnold Avenue & North of Massachusetts Avenue
Willow Terrace Condos in Colonial Place
Riverpoint
Belvedere

Neighborhoods partially prone to flooding that are close to the Elizabeth River, Lafayette River, tributaries and drains, ditches, or pipes to these rivers [NOTE: This may not be an all-inclusive list]

Berkley
Lock Haven
Ghent
Bayview
Crown Point
Northside
Camellia Gardens
North Camellia Acres
Riverview
Holly Avenue
Roosevelt Gardens
Larrymore Acres
Roosevelt Shores
Heutte Farms
Forest Park
Brookfield Park
Merrimac Park
Granby Shores
Commodore Park
Pamlico
Willoughby Terrace
River Forest Shores
Elizabeth Park
Grandy Park
Poplar Halls
Crownpoint
River Oaks
Tipperton Place
Ingleside
Ventosa

Storm surge maps for Stonebridge Crossing

The areas shown are projections of the degree of flooding.
The purple areas indicate the extent of flooding resulting from
a Cat 2 hurricane.

The green areas indicate the extent of flooding resulting from
a Cat 3 hurricane. Note the gray areas of non-flooding. Also part
of I-264 in bottom right of the 1st picture.

Hurricane Irene Threatens Stonebridge Crossing and Surrounding Area

The first hurricane to threaten our community in eight years
will probably make landfall this weekend. Hurricane Irene is,
at this writing,currently tracking toward the Bahamas and the
U.S. Southeast coast. Go to: Live Global Hurricane Tracker to view current position of Irene.

This is the time to prepare for this event. Get batteries, bottled water,
canned food and a mechanical can opener, and other suplies now. Waiting until Friday will be too late as stores will be swamped with people and needed items will be sold out. Remember the saying, "It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it".
Go to: Disaster Supply Kit 4 Steps for a list of what you should have.

For more information see my earlier post: Hurricane Preparedness Info.

If the storm does come,at least it will put out the Dismal Swamp Fire. Which means no more smoke. Start preparing now! And good luck to us all.

Edward L. West Sr.

Job Fair at Norfolk State University's New Student Center on Tuesday, August

Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott announced that a Job Fair will be held at Norfolk State University's New Student Center on Tuesday, August 9, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
For more information, view the news release at:
http://www.bobbyscott.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=672%3Ascott-to-host-job-fair-in-norfolk&catid=3%3A2011-press-releases&Itemid=62 or contact Congressman Scott's Newport News District Office at (757) 380-1000.

Above is courtesy of Mr. Absolon Kent Stonebridge News

Assessing Your Property Taxes and A Link to 108 Stores with Senior Discounts

Reference books related to this topic

How to Reduce Your Property Tax - A comprehensive guide for residential property taxes in America and Canada [VHS]

Challenge Your Taxes: Homeowner's Guide to Reducing Property Taxes

Are You Getting Screwed On Your Property Taxes?: How To Find Out and How To Fix It!

The following information was taken from the July issue of the State Farm Insurance Newsletter

Assessing Your Property Taxes

Since housing prices have dropped in so many markets, it may be worthwhile to check if your property assessment is in line with current valuations in your area—and perhaps initiate an appeal. Here’s what you need to know.

When to consider an appeal

According to Tim Miscovich, who reviews tax assessments for various properties as a managing partner of Hospitality Asset Advisors in Clarkston, Michigan, certain situations may warrant an appeal:

•If there is at least a 20 percent difference between your property’s assessment and your estimation of its value.
•If your assessor has based the figure on incorrect information about your property.
•If your assessment is not in line with the per-square-foot assessments of your neighbors’ homes.

Where to start

Visit your local assessor’s office and take a copy of your real estate tax bill or assessment. Review a copy of your property record card or assessor’s data sheet, which tells you how the assessor calculated the property’s value.

How to check if your assessment is fair

“First verify the accuracy of the assessor’s information,” says Miscovich. “In many cases, factual errors produce an incorrect assessment.”

Be sure that your home’s square footage is accurate, but also double-check other information—from the number of rooms and the type of construction to whether the basement is indeed finished.

Ask your assessor to provide information on comparable home sales in the neighborhood. Be sure to get square footage for each property.

“Find 10 or 15 good sales in your area over the last three years,” Miscovich says. “Lay it out on a grid and calculate the average price per square foot.”

Dos and don’ts

According to Miscovich, if you have concerns about your assessment, you should…

•Start looking into the problem early—well in advance of tax appeal deadlines—and leave time for appeals.
•Band together. Some assessors will provide an assessment overview to groups of concerned taxpayers.
•Be consistent. Review your home’s assessed value on an annual basis.

But you shouldn’t…

•Use a distressed sale to determine a value for your own property.
•Rush to hire help. Hire a tax abatement specialist only after an assessor rebuffs your request for an appeal.
•Be antagonistic or confrontational. It rarely works.
Learn more about property taxes in various states at the Tax Foundation. Find information about local assessor’s offices at the Property Assessment Directory.

A List of 108 Stores with Senior Discounts
Site will open in a new window.

Hurricane Preparedness Info

This is the season for strong thunder storms and hurricanes.
The Tidewater area is the second lowest coastal area in the
United States after New Orleans,Lousiana, therefore our area
is prone to flooding as a result of heavy rains and storm surge.

The Stonebridge Crossing community is about one mile from
the Elizabeth River which is behind Grandy Park, and about
two miles from Broad Creek which flows under the bridge on
Va Beach Blvd. just pass the Norfolk Fire Dept and the
Armory.There are also numerous creeks and streams in the
area, one of which feeds into the storm water retention
pond in the front of our community.

This makes our area prone to flooding from a category two
or higher hurricaine. Flooding may not require evacuating
your home. Sheltering in place, or staying at home, may be
a better option. But what ever you do, be prepared for the
course you take.

Before a storm occurs(now), you should make a disaster
preparedness kit consisting of bottled water, canned foods,
medicines,batteries,flashlights,and a first aid kit.Please
avoid the use of candles.It isimportant to have these items
on hand now because the store shelves will empty very quickly
if a storm is impending. You may even consider buying plywood
cut to your windows' specs and storing it in your shed,garage,
or attic.

For more information on a making a disaster prep kit go here:
disaster supply kit 4 steps

Check your homeowner's insurance policy for adequate coverage,
and consult with your agent about purchasing federal flood
insurance coverage. Most homeowner's insurance does NOT cover
flood damage. Make a plan for family members who have a
disability, or special needs. Plan for the care of your pets,
they will not be allowed in a public shelter. Put all of your
important papers in a water-proof container.Put loose outdoor
items in the garage or secure them.

If a storm is imminent, fill containers with extra drinking
water. Fill your bathtubs with water for sanitary purposes
such as hand washing.Use a silicone sealant on the drain to
prevent the water from seeping out. It can easily be removed.
Fill the gas tanks of your vehicles. A power outtage may affect
the availability of fuel.

Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and
place plastic bottles and bags of water in available space.
This will keep foods cold longer if there is an extended power
outtage. Also,you will have an extra source of drinking water.
Know the location of your utility cut-offs for water,gas,and
electricity. Decide which interior room will be usedas a "safe"
room which will offer protection from breaking glass and wind
driven objects.

Here are some links which offer hurricane and disaster
preparedness information.

City of Norfolk Emergency Preparedness & Disaster Services

Live global storm tracker

NOAA's National Weather Service

Hampton Roads.com Hurricanes and Storms

If you have never experienced a hurricane, or your only experience
is the Category 1 Hurricane Isabelle of seven years ago, do not
underestimate the power of a hurricane and the damage it can cause
and the terror one can evoke. BE PREPARED!


Edward L. West Sr.

Summer Camps in the City of Norfolk 2011

Civic League Meeting Notice

The Stonebridge Crossing Civic League will hold it's monthly
meeting on Monday, June 13th, 2011. The meeting will begin at
6:30 p.m. and will be held at Second Calvary Baptist Church.

The agenda for the evening will include:

*Information from an HRT representative.

*Neighborhood incidental and criminal activity will be reported.

*City Councilmen Paul Riddick and Anthony Burfoot will be present.
(Discussion of the building of a Seven-Eleven store at the corner
of Va. Beach Blvd and Ballentine Blvd.)

*Election for the office of Secretary Treasurer
(Dues must be current to participate)

*NPD Officer Mavell of the Neighborhood Watch program will be present.

Please plan to attend.

Support your neighborhood and get involved! Make Stonebridge Crossinga model community within our city.

Loose Dogs, Tornado Signs, New meeting Date

Hello Fellow Residents.

Spring is upon us once again and we will be planting flowers and sprucing
up our properties. Many residents, and non-residents as well, enjoy viewing
the fruits of our labors while taking a leisurely stroll, or a cardio-enhancing
jog through our neighborhood.

In order to prevent any unpleasant incidents to pedestrians, please abide by Norfolk's leash law and do not allow your dogs to roam free. They must be kept
in your home, or fenced area of your property, or held by a leash when you walk them. Remember, this is a city ordinance.

Spring and summer also spawn strong storms and tornadoes. Know the basic signs
a tornado is forming or approaching. These are:

1. Strong,persistent rotation in the base of a cloud.

2. Whirling dust or debris on the ground under a cloud base - tornadoes don't
always have a visible funnel.

3. Hail or heavy rain followed by a dead calm, or a fast, intense wind shift.
Many tornadoes, especially in Virginia, are wrapped in heavy precipitation
and can't be seen.

4. Loud, continuous roar or rumble, which doesn't fade in a few seconds like
thunder does.

5. At night, look for small, bright blue-green to white flashes at ground
level ( as opposed to silvery lightning up in the clouds ). These lights
are power lines being snapped by very strong wind, maybe a tornado.

6. Persistent lowering of the cloud base.

Being alert for these signs may give you a few extra seconds to seek shelter.

Lastly, our civic league meeting date has been changed from the third Monday
of the month TO THE SECOND MONDAY of the Month. Please note this on your calendar.
Nominations for civic league treasurer will be held in May.

Edward L. West Sr.

Attention Stonebridge Residents!!!!

Attention Stonebridge residents!!!!

Be alert for a white female and, or a black male who knocks on your door asking for help. Apparently this is a ruse to gain entry to your home. Call the police if they become rude or aggressive. This alert is from John James, SBC Civic League President.

The Latest Visa / MasterCard FRAUD

This alert is courtesy of Rufus Jackson, President of The Booker T Washington Class of 1968.

Just a heads up for everyone regarding the latest in Visa fraud.
Royal Bank received this communication about the newest scam. This is
happening in southern Alberta right now and moving to the US.

This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the
information, except the one piece they want...

Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have
it.

This information is worth reading By understanding how the VISA &
MasterCard telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to
protect yourself. One of our employees was called on Wednesday from 'VISA',
and I was called on Thursday from 'MasterCard'.

The scam works like this:

Person calling says - 'This is (name), and I'm calling from the
Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460, Your card
has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify.
This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you
purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a marketing company
based in Arizona ?'

When you say 'No', the caller continues
with, 'Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company
we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under
the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement,
the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?' You
say 'yes'.

The caller continues - 'I will be starting a
Fraud Investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800
number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security.
You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6
digit number. 'Do you need me to read it again?'

Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam
works - The caller then says, 'I need to verify you are in possession of
your card'. He'll ask you to 'turn your card over and look for some
numbers'. There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the
last 3 are the Security Numbers that verify you are the possessor of the
card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to
prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the last 3 numbers
to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, 'That is
correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen,
and that you still have your card Do you have any other questions?'

After you say no, the caller then thanks you
and states, 'Don't hesitate to call back if you do', and hangs up. You
actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the card
number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back. Within 20
minutes to ask a question. Are we were glad we did! The REAL VISA Security
Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase
of $497.99 was charged to our card. We made a real fraud report and closed
the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number.. What the scammers
want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to
them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master Card directly for
verification of their conversation..

The real VISA told us that they will never
ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they
issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think
you're receiving a credit; however, by the time you get your statement
you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost
too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.

What makes this more remarkable is that on
Thursday, I got a call from a 'Jason Richardson of MasterCard' with a
word-for-word repeat of the VISA Scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I
hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said
they are taking several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell
everybody we know that this scam is happening. I dealt with a similar
situation this morning, with the caller telling me that $3,097 had been
charged to my account for plane tickets to Spain , and so on through the
above routine..
(They get you all upset and worried about
the charges you did not make) Then while you are preoccupied, they start
their spiel and get you off guard so they can ask one final question..Your
Security Code....
It appears that this Is a very active scam,
and evidently quite successful. Verified by Snopes:
http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp

Japan Disaster Relief Information and Donation Info

Hello Fellow Residents,
I am sure we all share deepest heartfelt sympathy for the victims of
the horrible events in Japan. Times of tradjedy such as this inspires
people to want to help in some way. It also brings out the scammers
looking to make a buck.

Be wary of people seeking donations for any cause. Don't give to strangers
who contact you by e-mail or on the phone. If you've never heard of a charity,
check to see if it is listed on Charity Navigator, which evaluates the financial health and efficiency of more than 5,500 organizations.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the FBI reported that 4,000 scamming
charity sites were created to take advantage of generous donors. If you have received a suspicious e-mail, or have been contacted by someone claiming
to be a victim of a disaster and you are skeptical, the FBI suggests that you contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov.

Also, you should be especially cautious of appeals seeking personal information
such as PIN and account numbers, and contribute only to well-established organizations such as the American Red Cross.

A charitable organization can be checked out through online resources, such
as GuideStar and the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance.

Here is a link to an article that explains why you should use texting to make your donations:
Groups use texts, social media for Japan donations. It is very informatiive.

Finally, To make donations, below is a list of organizations contributing to the relief effort.

Japan Relief Donations
Save the Children: Emergency Relief for Japan Quake
www.savethechildren.org/japanquake
Toll free: 800-728-3843
Text JAPAN or 20222 to donate.

The American Red Cross: Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief
www.redcross.org
Text REDCROSS or 90999 to make $10 donation by text message.

Salvation Army
donate.salvationarmyusa.org
Toll free: 800-SAL-ARMY
Text QUAKE or 80888 to donate $10

International Medical Corps
www.internationalmedicalcorps.org
Text MED or 80888 to donate $10

Doctors Without Borders
www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Global Giving
www.globalgiving.org
Text JAPAN or 50555 to donate $10

World Vision
www.worldvision.org
Toll Free: 888-56-CHILD Text 4JAPAN to 20222 to donate $10

Additionally, Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, Comcast, Cox, and Dish Network are offering
free calls and texting to Japan for a limited time. You can also text a donation
using Verizon and AT&T.

Be Thankful For All You Have

Edward L. West Sr.