The 2008 Membership Campaign is well underway and we need you to make it a success.  By paying the $50 annual dues, you help keep Farmington one of the best neighborhoods in all of Hampton Roads.  Without your dues, we cannot do any of the following important items of support:

Median Maintenance – The majority of FCA funds support maintenance and beautification of our median along Farmington Blvd. Last year, this included regular grass cutting, edging, sign upkeep and the new banners that are displayed quarterly. Also, based on input from FCA members, we are working with a Landscape Architect to craft a plan for further improvement. This will require a significant investment but is something that can be enjoyed by all residents of Farmington and our visitors.

Farmington Newsletter – Many Farmington residents remark over the wealth of information that is given in the periodic newsletters. Last year, the newsletter was invaluable at informing residents of their rights related to property Assessments, new school construction and new home construction in or near Farmington. We will continue to use advertisers to defray some of the costs but the information in the newsletters is invaluable.

Farmington Picnic – This is our annual social event that allows residents to fellowship with one another over food and fun. The picnic has been paid for by a grant for two consecutive years but we need to be prepared to coordinate the event and cover the cost of the meeting space. By uniting as a community we will be stronger for years to come.

Other Items – In addition to the benefits above, please know that the FCA actively solicits grants to make our money go further. For example, we received mulch for the front median and financial donations for the youth scholarships. Even with grants, we have to be prepared for unexpected events like the damage to the front median by an uninsured motorist. The list of FCA benefits goes on and on but I hope this is enough to obtain your continued support for 2008.

As a prelude to this year’s activities, we will focus on improving the median, providing new landscaping and better communication to the residents. This is all in addition to the ongoing work with City Council, Neighborhood Watch and Hampton City Schools. By joining the FCA and attending the General Meetings, you can ensure that these goals come to fruition and don’t die as merely good ideas. WE NEED YOU TODAY!  Please Click Here for instructions on how to pay your dues.

A SAFER COMMUNITY

Your home is your castle and it's important that you and your family feel safe there. Being aware of your surroundings and paying attention to what happens in your neighborhood is an important part of neighborhood safety. The police can't monitor your home 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but your neighbors can and that is where Neighborhood Watch plays a vital role.

Neighborhood Watch is a joint effort between the Hampton Police Division and the community designed to instill a greater sense of security and reduce the fear of crime by putting the neighbor back into neighborhoods.

As an added component to the Neighborhood Watch Program, Hampton's Community Relations Unit has started a new project called "Project Stay Informed." Essentially crimes are plotted on a map and areas that have multiple crimes will receive a Neighborhood Watch Alert that is sent by the Police Division to the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator. This project is another way to assist us all with keeping Hampton the most livable city. For more information on this program call 727-6639 or e-mail nadkins@hampton.gov.

George Jackson
Neighborhood Watch Coordinator

FARMINGTON GARDEN CLUB CELEBRATES 40 YEARS

This has been an exciting year for the members of the Farmington Garden Club as we have planned a celebration of our 40th Anniversary. Our historian, Teresa Dorsey, is pulled together all scrapbooks and pertinent information regarding the many activities and accomplishments that we have enjoyed over the years. The celebration will took place Tuesday, November 6, 2007 with a dinner at the Embassy Suites Restaurant and included Past Presidents, Charter members, and those former members who still reside in our community. Judy Townsend, a past president as well as one of the longest members of the club, spoke to us on “Farmington Garden Club Through the Years”.

Our December meeting will be our annual Christmas celebration. Some of the activities scheduled beginning in January 2008 will be:

· Wreath making (Jan)
· Care of Houseplants (Feb)
· American Theater Production (Mar)
· Countryside Garden Visit & Lecture (Apr)
· Installation of Officers (May)

We would love to have other ladies in our community to join the Garden Club. We meet the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:30. Please contact Jean Cherry at 827-5329 if you are interested in joining. At that time, you will be given answers to questions that you might have. Have a great Thanksgiving.

Jean Cherry
Garden Club President

LANDSCAPING

In response to comments about the median, the FCA Board has worked to collect information and ideas on beautifying the greenery along Farmington Blvd. We also solicited estimates from contractors and worked with the Landscape Architect for the City of Hampton. As a result of this work, we are preparing a recommendation for landscaping improvement and maintenance. This recommendation will include the medians along Farmington Blvd as well as the intersection of Farmington Blvd and Whetstone. We hope to finalize the plan by the end of the year.

Due to the high costs of landscaping and maintenance, we will need more participation from Farmington residents in the form of membership dues. To supplement our funds, we are in the process of applying for a Neighborhood Improvement grant from the City of Hampton. If approved, we will use it to leverage our funds as much as possible. The results of these activities will be presented to the FCA at the General Meeting in January. Please make plans to attend so that you can add your comments and participate in this project.