Hear ye, hear ye!
Here is your
SHERWOOD FOREST CRIER
November 1, 2021

Halloween Hot Dog Haunting!
We think all in attendance would agree that the bash was a blast! Crazy costumes, happy kids, and good food and company! Thanks go to our hosts Lauren Bradley and Violet Beets, and to everyone else who contributed to make the event one to remember!

If you have photos, post them on Facebook with the tag #sfnahalloween2021

SFNA General Meeting
Wednesday, November 10, 6:30pm-8pm

The next general meeting of the Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association is scheduled for Wednesday, November 10 from 6:30pm-8pm at the Sherwood Forest Presbyterian Church on the corner of Wilmot Avenue and Beltline Boulevard. Join us at 6pm to meet and greet your neighbors!

Topics for discussion include having the speed limit changed neighborhood-wide to 25mph just as Shandon did, having speed bumps installed on Kalmia, neighborhood events, activities, and priorities for 2022.

The SFNA will elect our Board of Directors for 2 year terms. The officers are President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three Executive Committee Members. If you are interested in serving, contact Mark Hering at 803-360-9527‬ or markhering@aol.com.

Refreshments will be served.

Two for Twenty for Twenty-Two
Join the Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association now for the rest of ’21 and all of ’22 for only $20.

But wait! there’s more! Get 4 for only $20!

Join now for ’21 and ’22 and join for a new member neighbor at the same time for the same $20!

SFNA works to provide opportunities to create neighborhood unity, provide information of interest to our neighbors, and promote and enhance the Forest as a desirable location to live, work, and play!

The SFNA can speak with one voice to address issues affecting our neighborhood regarding City services, utility work, code violations, and other problems or opportunities.

Dues are used to provide refreshments at our events, support the Arboretum (in particular, the gardens at each entrance which SFNA had installed and maintains), install and maintain street sign toppers (which unfortunately is an ongoing task), for our online presence, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Pay your dues now online at sherwoodforestneighbors.org or mail a check to Henry Nechemias, 4 Robin Hood Ct., Columbia, SC 29205, and you will be paid up through 2022!

UofSC Belser Arboretum Open House
Sunday, November 21, 1-4pm

All are welcome to join us at Open House, always the 3rd Sunday of every month. Gates are open at Bloomwood Road and Wilmot Avenue.

Follow the Arboretum on Instagram and see Facebook for event info.

City of Columbia Municipal Elections
Tuesday, November 2

The City of Columbia municipal election for mayor and an at-large council seat will be held Tuesday, November 2.

More information at vote411.org…

To see a Sample Ballot and other voting information, visit SC Votes…

SFNA Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up Postponed

The clean up regularly scheduled for Saturday, November 13 is postponed to a date to be determined.

Bringing the Forest Back to the Forest!

Longleaf pines used to cover our neighborhood and much of the coastal plain, and we are lucky in the Forest to still have a few examples. Longleaf pines (Pinus pilustrus) are distinguished by their 9″ to 12″ dark green needles, large 6″ to 10″ cones, and their unique grass and bottle brush stages as they grow. There is a young stand near the Bloomwood gate in the Arboretum. Look up when you are on your walk to see if you can identify others in the neighborhood!

Neighbor Valerie Marcil is placing a seedling order to be received the week of November 8 and will share them with anyone in Sherwood Forest who would like to nurture one! They will require a little patience, a sunny spot and a bit of watering the first year or so, but once established they will be very hardy, withstand severe windstorms with long taproots, and perhaps provide habitat for the endangered red cockaded woodpecker.

Contact her at (803) 331-1138 or vallg29205@gmail.com.

More info on longleaf pine…

Crier emails
We are making an effort to send out these informational emails around the first of every month to keep neighbors up do date on neighborhood events, and other events and information of interest. It’s cheaper and better for the environment not to print and pass out fliers! But we could all probably use the exercise!

If you have information of interest to the neighborhood, please pass it along and we may include it in a future Crier.

Tell your friends and neighbors to subscribe. No membership required, but of course we would like everybody to join! New neighbor? Let us know and we’ll send out the welcome wagon.

To subscribe, email membership@sherwoodforestneighbors.org or subscribe online

Join the Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association
Become a member or renew your membership now for 2022!
Dues are only $20 and are due in January. Pay your dues now online. Or pay at the next general meeting or mail a check to Henry Nechemias, 4 Robin Hood Ct., Columbia, SC 29205 and you will be paid up for 2021!

Why should you join the SFNA? Benefits of the SFNA.

Hear ye, hear ye!
Here is your
SHERWOOD FOREST CRIER
October 1, 2021

Mark Your Calendar!
SFNA Annual Halloween Hot Dog Party
Sunday, October 31, 5:30-7pm

The Halloween Party is a favorite neighborhood event for the kids and the young at heart. Dress up your kids, pets or significant other and come out to be neighborly! We will provide hotdogs, chili and chips. Neighbors can bring sides or desserts. BYOB. Then the kids can trick or treat in Sherwood Forest!

The 400 and 500 blocks of Kalmia will be blocked off for the treats and tricking.

Contact Mark Hering at 803-360-9527 or markhering@aol.com for more into or to help out.

Facebook event…

Dominion Tree Trimming

Dominion is trimming vegetation along right of ways between Yale and Rosewood from Kalmia to Wilmot (4000 and 4100 blocks), Mimosa between Yale and Rosewood, Wilmot from Rosewood to Azalea (4300 block), and a short block of Azalea.

The is the only work scheduled at this time in the Forest. Only customers that received notification from Dominion on 7/26/2021 will be impacted.

If there are any questions impacted customers can contact the DESC call center at 1-800-251-7234 or email SCContactUs@DominionEnergySC.com. Your request will be entered into their database and tracked.

See an article by our neighbor Valerie Marcil on ways to minimize damage to your landscaping…

City of Columbia Police Report

Our CRT (Community Response Team) Officer David Gibb is the Sherwood Forest neighborhood contact at the Columbia Police Department.

He reported no significant events in the Forest, and advised neighors to “Stay safe, lock your cars, and be vigilant!”

Report a personal or property crime immediately to the City of Columbia Police by calling 911. To report suspicious activity, call 911 or the non-emergency number 803 252-2911 or our CRT (Crime Response Team) Officer David Gibb at david.gibb@columbiasc.gov. Then alert your neighbors!

Visit the Columbia Police Department for more information.

UofSC Belser Arboretum Open House
Sunday, October 17, 1-4pm

All are welcome to join us at Open House, always the 3rd Sunday of every month. Gates are open at Bloomwood Road and Wilmot Avenue.

Follow the Arboretum on Instagram and see Facebook for event info.

City of Columbia Municipal Elections
Tuesday, November 2

The City of Columbia municipal election for mayor and an at-large council seat will be held Tuesday, November 2.

Mayor of Columbia Candidates
Moe Baddourah
Tameika Isaac Devine
Sam Johnson
Daniel Rickenmann

City Council Seat At Large Candidates
Tyler Bailey
Heather Bauer
Aditi Bussells
John Crangle
Deitra S. Matthews
Aaron D. Smalls
John Tyler

South Carolina law requires you to register to vote at least 30 days before the election. To register or check your status, or for other information see the Richland County website…

To see a Sample Ballot and other voting information, visit SC Votes…

SFNA Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up
Saturday, November 13

Mark your calendars!

Please contact Dave Nelson at 803 447-4793 or appearance@sherwoodforestneighbors.org for information or any questions.

The Federation Center of the Blind Open House
Friday, October 15, Noon-2pm
119 S. Kilbourne Rd.

Our neighbors, the Federation Center of the Blind will be holding its 60th anniversary celebration with an open house on Friday, October 15 between noon and 2pm. See their renovated facility, technology, braille production, and get a history tour and see what they do!

No charge but donations (tax deductible) will be gratefully accepted.

Please RSVP by emailing David Houck at nfbsc@sc.rr.com or by calling 803 254-3777.

NFBSC website…

Crier emails
We are making an effort to send out these informational emails around the first of every month to keep neighbors up do date on neighborhood events, and other events and information of interest. It’s cheaper and better for the environment not to print and pass out fliers! But we could all probably use the exercise!

If you have information of interest to the neighborhood, please pass it along and we may include it in a future Crier.

Tell your friends and neighbors to subscribe. No membership required, but of course we would like everybody to join! New neighbor? Let us know and we’ll send out the welcome wagon.

To subscribe, email membership@sherwoodforestneighbors.org or subscribe online

Join the Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association
Become a member or renew your membership now for 2021!
Dues are only $20 and are due in January. Pay your dues now online. Or pay at the next general meeting or mail a check to Henry Nechemias, 4 Robin Hood Ct., Columbia, SC 29205 and you will be paid up for 2021!

Hear ye, hear ye!
Here is your
SHERWOOD FOREST CRIER
September 1, 2021

COVID-19 Rebound Response

COVID-19 daily cases in the state are currently running close to the highest numbers seen in the pandemic in January 2021.

Less that 50% of eligible SC residents have completed vaccination.

Following CDC guidance, DHEC recommends everyone regardless of vaccination status should wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission.

The City of Columbia declared facial coverings are required by all faculty, staff, children over the age of two (2), and visitors in all buildings at public and private schools.

So stay safe! Take reasonable precautions. Get vaccinated!

CDC COVID-19 info…

DHEC COVID-19 info…

SFNA General Meeting Review

The August general meeting was attended by about a dozen residents and a dozen political staffers and candidates.

The group was treated to a spaghetti dinner with tossed salad, Italian bread and three flavors of homemade ice cream prepared by Russ Harless, pastor of the Sherwood Forest ARP Church, and the ladies of the church. They received a resounding ovation from all in attendance. The board also decided to donate $100 to the church in appreciation for their long-time support.

CRT Officer David Gibb reported the neighborhood has seen very few incidents, but CPD had caught several local area robbery/break-in suspects recently. There was general discussion about the importance of reporting suspicious people and even minor incidents so that the CPD database can have more data for trends analysis. Call 911 or the non-emergency number 803-252-2911, and the same call center people will answer and enter your report into the database for immediate action and/or analysis.

Candidates for mayor Tameika Isaac Devine, Sam Johnson, and Daniel Rickenmann presented each candidate’s platform issues. Attendees raised questions and discussed mask and vaccination mandates, completing infrastructure improvements including Gills Creek greenway development, better coordination between City and County governments, improving the City’s tax base, and other topics.

The next scheduled SFNA general meeting is November 10. COVID-19 conditions will be evaluated to determine whether to meet in person.

Meet and greet with refreshments starting at 6pm.

If you have questions, answers, requests, offers or comments about the neighborhood, you can join the discussion in our SFNA private group on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/sherwoodforestna. Only your neighbors can see who’s in the group and what is posted.

Hurricane Season

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) called for 18 named storms, 8.5 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes this season. So far there are 3 hurricanes that have impacted the East and Gulf coasts – Elsa and Ida the Southeast, and Henri the Northeast. We are just halfway through hurricane season that runs from June through November.

Having a personal emergency plan is absolutely essential for any South Carolina resident.

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD), which leads the state emergency management program, offers extensive information on preparing for and dealing with disasters in the state including hurricanes.

SCEMD website…

City of Columbia CRT Officer

Our CRT (Community Response Team) Officer David Gibb is the Sherwood Forest neighborhood contact at the Columbia Police Department.

Here is his report:

I would like to continue to remind residents to lock their vehicles and not to leave their cars running when they run into the gas station, store, anywhere. Stolen cars are used by criminals to commit other crimes like auto break-ins, burglaries, and other property offenses along with violent crime. If you see anything suspicious night or day don’t hesitate to call 911 or the non-emergency line (803-252-2911).

Calling as soon as you see something will get a police officer in your neighborhood shortly after you call and increase the likelihood of solving any potential criminal activity. Cameras also play a major part in solving property offenses and violent crimes city wide. If you are able and willing to install cameras on your property, they are definitely beneficial.

Also, I would implore anyone who is a gun owner to safely store your firearms at all times. Never leave a firearm in an unattended vehicle whether locked or unlocked. Stolen guns are used in lots of violent crime. Make sure you keep a log of the serial numbers on your firearms so that, in the event they are lost or stolen, they can be tracked. Finally, I would encourage anyone who owns firearms go get the training and education so that you know how to properly protect yourself and your firearm. A concealed weapons class is a great start.

Report a personal or property crime immediately to the City of Columbia Police by calling 911. To report suspicious activity, call 911 or the non-emergency number 803 252-2911 or our CRT (Crime Response Team) Officer David Gibb at david.gibb@columbiasc.gov. Then alert your neighbors!

Visit the Columbia Police Department for more information.

UofSC Belser Arboretum Open House
Sunday, September 19, 1-4pm

All are welcome to join us at Open House, always the 3rd Sunday of every month. Gates are open at Bloomwood Road and Wilmot Avenue.

Follow the Arboretum on Instagram and see Facebook for event info.

SFNA Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up
Saturday, November 13

Mark your calendars!

Please contact Dave Nelson at 803 447-4793 or appearance@sherwoodforestneighbors.org for information or any questions.

Crier emails
We are making an effort to send out these informational emails around the first of every month to keep neighbors up do date on neighborhood events, and other events and information of interest. It’s cheaper and better for the environment not to print and pass out fliers! But we could all probably use the exercise!

If you have information of interest to the neighborhood, please pass it along and we may include it in a future Crier.

Tell your friends and neighbors to subscribe. No membership required, but of course we would like everybody to join! New neighbor? Let us know and we’ll send out the welcome wagon.

To subscribe, email membership@sherwoodforestneighbors.org or subscribe online

Join the Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association
Become a member or renew your membership now for 2021!
Dues are only $20 and are due in January. Pay your dues now online. Or pay at the next general meeting or mail a check to Henry Nechemias, 4 Robin Hood Ct., Columbia, SC 29205 and you will be paid up for 2021!

Hear ye, hear ye!
Here is your
SHERWOOD FOREST CRIER
August 1, 2021

SFNA General Meeting
Wednesday, August 11, 6:30pm-8pm

The next scheduled SFNA general meeting is August 11. We plan to meet in person at the Sherwood Forest ARP Church on the corner of Wilmot and Beltline.

The three currently declared mayoral candidates (Tameika Isaac Devine, Sam Johnson, and Daniel Rickenmann) have agreed to speak starting at 7pm for 10 minutes and answer questions for 5 minutes each. The City of Columbia municipal election for mayor and an at-large council seat will be held Tuesday, November 2.

Meet and greet with refreshments starting at 6pm. The general meeting with a safety report will begin at 6:30. A meal will be provided by the church!

Tameika Isaac Devine campaign website…
Sam Johnson campaign website…
Daniel Rickenmann campaign website…

If you have questions, answers, requests, offers or comments about the neighborhood, you can join the discussion in our SFNA private group on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/sherwoodforestna. Only your neighbors can see who’s in the group and what is posted.

How Many Sherwood Forest Neighbors Do You Know?
Tuesday, August 3, 6pm-8pm

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes and enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. It is celebrated on the first Tuesday in August which is August 3 this year. Many neighborhoods host block parties and other community events. In the Forest, we are suggesting taking the opportunity to walk the neighborhood and get to know your neighbors!

National Night Out website…

Dominion Tree Trimming

We have been alerted that Dominion will be trimming trees in the utility rights of way in our neighborhood in the next few months. We are trying to get a more definite date range.

“Over the next few months, Gunnison Tree Specialists will do the tree-trimming and brush-cutting work along with cleanup of trimming debris in yards following the routine maintenance. The cleanup work may be scheduled after the initial trimming is complete. In some areas, another contractor will need to follow up with a herbicide treatment.”

Here is a map of the rights-of-way…

See an article by our neighbor Valerie Marcil on ways to minimize damage to your landscaping…

City of Columbia CRT Officer

Our CRT (Community Response Team) Officer! Officer David Gibb is the Sherwood Forest neighborhood contact at the Columbia Police Department. Come and meet him at our August 11 general meeting.

Here is his report:

“City of Columbia South East Region Community Response Team Officers arrested a 25-year-old man in connection with multiple property crimes to include burglary and car theft within the past several weeks.

Nicholas Hayes is currently housed at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center (ASGDC) charged with second degree burglary, auto-breaking, grand larceny of a motor vehicle, petit larceny, and strong arm robbery. He was captured by CPD officers after a foot chase at Blossom and Maple Street on July 16.

Hayes is accused of breaking into a vehicle on Wilmot Avenue and stealing valuable electric tools, and stealing two vehicles from a Devine Street convenience store on separate occasions. He is also accused of breaking into a King Street home and stealing tools and valuable jewelry. Investigators continue to determine if Hayes is connected to other similar crimes in South Columbia.

*All persons arrested/charged are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.*”

Report a personal or property crime immediately to the City of Columbia Police by calling 911. To report suspicious activity, call 911 or the non-emergency number 252-2911 or our CRT (Crime Response Team) Officer David Gibb at david.gibb@columbiasc.gov. Then alert your neighbors!

Visit the Columbia Police Department for more information.

UofSC Belser Arboretum Open House
Sunday, August 18, 1-4pm

All are welcome to join us at Open House, always the 3rd Sunday of every month. Gates are open at Bloomwood Road and Wilmot Avenue.

Please note that trails are natural and hilly in sections. Restrooms are not available. Please leave pets at home. Visitors are asked not to park on the lawns of surrounding properties.

Follow the Arboretum on Instagram and see Facebook for event info.

Contact Gail Wojtowicz at 618 402-8736 or by email or see UofSC’s Department of Biological Sciences W. Gordon Belser Arboretum web page.

SFNA Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up
Saturday, August 21

Please contact Dave Nelson at 803 447-4793 or appearance@sherwoodforestneighbors.org for information or any questions.

Crier emails
We are making an effort to send out these informational emails around the first of every month to keep neighbors up do date on neighborhood events, and other events and information of interest. It’s cheaper and better for the environment not to print and pass out fliers! But we could all probably use the exercise!

If you have information of interest to the neighborhood, please pass it along and we may include it in a future Crier.

Tell your friends and neighbors to subscribe. No membership required, but of course we would like everybody to join! New neighbor? Let us know and we’ll send out the welcome wagon.

To subscribe, email membership@sherwoodforestneighbors.org or subscribe online

Join the Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association
Become a member or renew your membership now for 2021!
Dues are only $20 and are due in January. Pay your dues now online. Or pay at the next general meeting or mail a check to Henry Nechemias, 4 Robin Hood Ct., Columbia, SC 29205 and you will be paid up for 2021!

Hear ye, hear ye,
Here is your
SHERWOOD FOREST CRIER
July 1, 2021

Have a Safe and Sane July 4th Holiday!

We have reasons to celebrate this July! Fully-vaccinated folks have been advised they can resume normal activities around other fully-vaccinated folks, but it is also advisable to keep wearing masks and practicing social distancing in other settings and to avoid crowds!

Handle fireworks safely (or not at all!) and be considerate of your neighbors. Or attend one of the professionally managed fireworks shows around town.

Happy Holiday!

SFNA General Meeting
Wednesday, August 11, 6:30pm-8pm

The next scheduled SFNA general meeting is August 11. We plan to meet in person at the Sherwood Forest ARP Church on the corner of Wilmot and Beltline.

The City of Columbia municipal election for mayor and an at-large council seat will be held Tuesday, November 2. We are inviting the mayoral candidates to attend our general meeting, give a short presentation and answer questions.

If you have questions, answers, requests, offers or comments about the neighborhood, you can join the discussion in our SFNA private group on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/sherwoodforestna. Only your neighbors can see who’s in the group and what is posted.

Carolina Cookin’ Food Truck
Saturday, July 17, 5pm-7pm

I just wanted to let everyone know so you can put this on your summer calendar. The Carolina Cookin’ Food Truck will be in the parking lot of Sherwood Forest ARP Church on Saturday, July 17 from 5pm until 7pm. The Fellowship Hall of the church will be open so you can get your food from the truck and then come inside to sit and eat in the comfort of AC. We will have tables set up inside. Please come, and tell your friends and neighbors to come.

Russell Harless
Pastor

Carolina Cookin’ Food Truck website…

UofSC Belser Arboretum Open House
Sunday, July 18, 1-4pm

All are welcome to join us at Open House, always the 3rd Sunday of every month. Gates are open at Bloomwood Road and Wilmot Avenue.

Please note that trails are natural and hilly in sections. Restrooms are not available. Please leave pets at home. Visitors are asked not to park on the lawns of surrounding properties.

Follow the Arboretum on Instagram and see Facebook for event info.

Contact Gail Wojtowicz at 618 402-8736 or by email or see UofSC’s Department of Biological Sciences W. Gordon Belser Arboretum web page.

City of Columbia CRT Officer

Our CRT (Community Response Team) Officer! Officer David Gibb is the Sherwood Forest neighborhood contact at the Columbia Police Department. A CPD officer attends our quarterly general meetings.

South-East Community Response Team Officers working along side the Property Crimes Investigation Unit arrested an individual with outstanding warrants in multiple jurisdictions including South Region in reference to auto-breaking incidents.

Officers worked hard to safely locate David Rice who was wanted in connection with auto break-ins in the Devine St. and Garners Ferry corridor. Through swift investigatory work and excellent team work, Rice was located at an acquaintances residence and taken into custody where he was booked into Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center (ASGDC).

I will always encourage residents to be vigilant and help the police help you. Camera footage played a very important role in identifying a suspect in this case and I have seen may others where footage was crucial to identifying and catching suspects. I would encourage anyone who is willing, to install cameras to help protect you and your property.

As always, all persons arrested/charged are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law.

Thank you for reading,
MPO Gibb

Report a personal or property crime immediately to the City of Columbia Police by calling 911. To report suspicious activity, call 911 or the non-emergency number 252-2911 or our CRT (Crime Response Team) Officer David Gibb at david.gibb@columbiasc.gov. Then alert your neighbors!

Visit the Columbia Police Department for more information.

Where Do All These Pesky Mosquitoes Come From?

According to DHEC, at least 61 different species of mosquitoes exist in South Carolina. Mosquitoes are a pest, but they can also spread diseases such as West Nile, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, La Crosse encephalitis, Saint Louis encephalitis virus, and dog/cat heartworm although the occurrence of mosquito-born diseases in SC is relatively low in part thanks to control programs managed at the local community level.

As a homeowner the most effective action you can take to reduce mosquito numbers in your yard and the neighborhood is to eliminate standing water! Some types of mosquitos only need a tablespoon of water to develop in. About the size of a bottle cap!

Mosquitoes breed in artificial containers and natural areas such as rain gutters, bird baths, flower pots and trays, tires, tarps, cans, tree holes, drainage areas and debris piles. Anywhere water may stand for 2 or 3 days which is the time it takes for mosquitoes to complete their life cycle from egg to wriggler to tumbler to flying, biting adult! So check your yard after a rain and eliminate those breeding opportunities.

To enjoy your yard, use a personal repellent and wear light colored long pants and shirt. Citronella candles or a strong fan in the area can be moderately effective.

Before deciding to spray your yard or hire a service, consider that you are only killing mosquitos that are in your yard at the time of spraying with a toxic pesticide. Mosquitos will quickly re-populate your yard from the surrounding area. You are more likely to kill butterflies, bees, ladybugs and fireflies in your yard than the mosquitoes you’re trying to get rid of!

See the DHEC website for comprehensive information on mosquitoes!

More information from the Clemson Home and Garden Information Center.

SFNA Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up
Saturday, August 21

Please contact Dave Nelson at 803 447-4793 or appearance@sherwoodforestneighbors.org for information or any questions.

Crier emails
We are making an effort to send out these informational emails around the first of every month to keep neighbors up do date on neighborhood events, and other events and information of interest. It’s cheaper and better for the environment not to print and pass out fliers! But we could all probably use the exercise!

If you have information of interest to the neighborhood, please pass it along and we may include it in a future Crier.

Tell your friends and neighbors to subscribe. No membership required, but of course we would like everybody to join! New neighbor? Let us know and we’ll send out the welcome wagon.

To subscribe, email membership@sherwoodforestneighbors.org or subscribe online

Join the Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association
Become a member or renew your membership now for 2021!
Dues are only $20 and are due in January. Pay your dues now online. Or pay at the next general meeting or mail a check to Henry Nechemias, 4 Robin Hood Ct., Columbia, SC 29205 and you will be paid up for 2021!

Hear ye, hear ye!
Here is your
SHERWOOD FOREST CRIER
June 1, 2021

SFNA General Meeting
Wednesday, August 11, 6:30pm-8pm

The next scheduled SFNA general meeting is August 11. If the pandemic trend keeps going down and vaccination keeps going up, we plan to meet in person at the Sherwood Forest ARP Church on the corner of Wilmot and Beltline.

Our meeting days will change to Wednesday to accommodate our host church’s schedule.

If you have questions, answers, requests, offers or comments about the neighborhood, you can join the discussion in our SFNA private group on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/sherwoodforestna.

Only your neighbors can see who’s in the group and what is posted.

UofSC Belser Arboretum Open House
Sunday, June 20, 1-4pm

All are welcome to join us at Open House, always the 3rd Sunday of every month. Gates are open at Bloomwood Road and Wilmot Avenue.

Please note that trails are natural and hilly in sections. Restrooms are not available. Please leave pets at home. Visitors are asked not to park on the lawns of surrounding properties.

Follow the Arboretum on Instagram and see Facebook for event info,

Contact Gail Wojtowicz at 618 402-8736 or by email or see UofSC’s Department of Biological Sciences W. Gordon Belser Arboretum web page.

City of Columbia CRT Officer

We have a new CRT (Community Response Team) Officer! Officer David Gibb is the Sherwood Forest neighborhood contact at the Columbia Police Department. A CPD officer attends our quarterly general meetings.

Report a personal or property crime immediately to the City of Columbia Police by calling 911. To report suspicious activity, call 911 or the non-emergency number 252-2911 or our CRT (Crime Response Team) Officer David Gibb at (803) 260-4000 or david.gibb@columbiasc.gov. Then alert your neighbors!

Visit the Columbia Police Department for more information.

Yard Waste Pickup

The City of Columbia yard waste pickup regularly scheduled for Fridays has been running late and will be picked up each week as the crews work through the backlog!

As a reminder, yard trash can be a combination of grass clippings, leaves, and sticks. Bulk items (i.e. furniture, clothing, rigid plastics) and building refuse must be separated from compostable material.

Compost
The City of Columbia composting operation receives nearly 25 percent of the City’s total trash tonnage. The compost is available to citizens and can be picked up at the facility located on Humane Lane off Shop Road.

Members Only Arboretum Tour
Thursday, June 17

A limited number of members of the Gills Creek Watershed Association will enjoy a tour of the Belser Arboretum on Thursday, June 17. Native plants and how the Arboretum manages neighborhood stormwater will be the focus of the staff-led tour. For more information, to register, and to join the GCWA if not already a member, go to the Gills Creek Watershed Association website.

Rain Garden Installation Assistance

Do you have runoff from rains in your yard? Would you like to capture it in a low-maintenance garden AND help prevent flooding? Try a rain garden!

Valerie Marcil is a Master Rain Gardener in our neighborhood and is happy to provide a free consultation on whether a rain garden might work in your yard, and how to get one started. Contact her via email if interested.

SFNA Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up
Saturday, August 21

Please contact Dave Nelson at 803 447-4793 or appearance@sherwoodforestneighbors.org for information or any questions.

City and County News

The City of Columbia sends out two informational emails: City Briefing and City News. City Briefing is an e-newsletter sent weekly on Fridays that includes a review of news and information released during the week. City eNews is a monthly newsletter sent at the beginning of the month that includes photos from recent events, news from the previous and upcoming months, what’s going on in City Parks, Council meeting dates, At-Large meeting announcements and more.
Subscribe to City Briefing or City News…

The Richland County newsletter, The Richland Weekly Review, is emailed each Friday and features news, coming events, photographs and the Pet of the Week, a special dog or cat available for adoption.
Subscribe to The Richland Weekly Review…

Crier emails
We are making an effort to send out these informational emails around the first of every month to keep neighbors up do date on neighborhood events, and other events and information of interest. It’s cheaper and better for the environment not to print and pass out fliers! But we could all probably use the exercise!

If you have information of interest to the neighborhood, please pass it along and we may include it in a future Crier.

Tell your friends and neighbors to subscribe. No membership required, but of course we would like everybody to join! New neighbor? Let us know and we’ll send out the welcome wagon.

To subscribe, email membership@sherwoodforestneighbors.org or subscribe online

Join the Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association
Become a member or renew your membership now for 2021!
Dues are only $20 and are due in January. Pay your dues now online. Or pay at the next general meeting or mail a check to Henry Nechemias, 4 Robin Hood Ct., Columbia, SC 29205 and you will be paid up for 2021!

Neighborhood Yard Sale
Saturday, May 15, 8am-12pm

You can either host a sale at your home and put a balloon on the mailbox or you can set up to have a table at the Sherwood Forest Presbyterian Church. Please let Mark Hering know if you will be doing a yard sale and if you are requesting a table at the church via email or call him with questions at 803 360-9527.

The City does require a permit for a garage sale at your house the cost is $5.50. Call the City of Columbia Business License Division at 803-545-3345 or visit the City’s website for more information.

SFNA General Meeting
Tuesday, May 11, 6:30pm-8pm
This general meeting is canceled..

The next scheduled SFNA general meeting is August 10. If the pandemic trend keeps going down and vaccination keeps going up, we plan to meet in person at the Sherwood Forest ARP Church on the corner of Wilmot and Beltline.

The day of the meeting may change depending on activities scheduled at the church.

If you have questions, answers, requests, offers or comments about the neighborhood, you can join the discussion in our SFNA private group on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/sherwoodforestna.

Only your neighbors can see who’s in the group and what is posted.

UofSC Belser Arboretum Open House
Sunday, May 16, 1-4pm

All are welcome to join us at Open House, always the 3rd Sunday of every month. Gates are open at Bloomwood Road and Wilmot Avenue.

Please note that trails are natural and hilly in sections. Restrooms are not available. Please leave pets at home. Visitors are asked not to park on the lawns of surrounding properties.

Follow the Arboretum on Instagram and see Facebook for event info,

Contact Gail Wojtowicz at 618 402-8736 or by email or see UofSC’s Department of Biological Sciences W. Gordon Belser Arboretum web page.

Sherwood Forest Real Estate Snapshot

In the past month, four homes in the neighborhood have closed including 4104 Blossom for $875,000! Three homes are pending sale and four homes are actively for sale. Two homes have been listed since last month’s Crier: 4225 Mimosa was just listed for $419,000 and 608 LaBruce was listed early last month for $799,000. With low-interest rates, pandemic relocations, and the first round of millennials buying homes we continue to be in a very strong seller’s market.

Chances are you have been getting postcards, letters, phone calls and text messages with We Buy Houses for Cash offers.

Real estate investors that offer to buy homes quickly for cash usually offer around 65%–94% of a home’s value. Right now it’s a seller’s market, and homes are often going for 10% or more over listing prices so you risk leaving a pile of cash on the table. They may also offer no hassle transactions. This may mean that standard seller protections are not included in the contract. Also be aware that in addition to flipping a property to make quick cash, investors may convert properties into rentals, which is often bad for the quality of life in our neighborhood. Some may even be out-and-out scams!

I suggest contacting a qualified real estate seller’s agent to handle the sale of your property for peace of mind and to maximize the value!

Mark Hering

Orangey Brown Water?

All of our neighbors have probably turned on the tap to find orangey brown cloudy water coming out!

Chances are good that it’s the result of City of Columbia maintenance or repair to the system somewhere before the water gets to our neighborhood. The City will dispatch someone to drain the system through a fire hydrant once the repair has been finished.

If you see the system has been flushed or if several hours have passed, you can run the water for a few minutes to see if it starts to run clear.

To avoid filling your home’s water pipes with sediment-bearing water, test the water on an outlet (sink or outdoor faucet) that is closest to your water supply intake. That should be near to your water meter usually at the front of your home close to the street.

By the way, your water meter may have a shut off valve to cut the water off to your home in case of a plumbing incident! There should also be a shut off valve located inside the house near the street or near a waterheater. It’s good to know where they are if you have a leak in the middle of the night! Here’s one website with shut off valve locations information.

Also avoid using hot water until the water runs clear, since a hot water heater is usually a big water tank. Sediment builds up in the tank and reduces capacity and efficiency and can cause failure.

Avoid flushing the toilet to avoid sediment build up in that tank too!

For more information visit the City of Columbia Water Service website.

SFNA Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up
Saturday, May 15
The clean up is tentative. Feel free to freelance in the meantime!

Here’s another reminder that dog poop bags should not be left on yard waste piles, but should only be placed bagged in the green rollcarts!

Please contact Dave Nelson at 803 447-4793 or appearance@sherwoodforestneighbors.org for information or any questions.

Crier emails
We are making an effort to send out these informational emails around the first of every month to keep neighbors up do date on neighborhood events, and other events and information of interest. It’s cheaper and better for the environment not to print and pass out fliers! But we could all probably use the exercise!

If you have information of interest to the neighborhood, please pass it along and we may include it in a future Crier.

Tell your friends and neighbors to subscribe. No membership required, but of course we would like everybody to join! New neighbor? Let us know and we’ll send out the welcome wagon.

To subscribe, email membership@sherwoodforestneighbors.org or subscribe online

Join the Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association
Become a member or renew your membership now for 2021!
Dues are only $20 and are due in January. Pay your dues now online. Or pay at the next general meeting or mail a check to Henry Nechemias, 4 Robin Hood Ct., Columbia, SC 29205 and you will be paid up for 2021!

Hear ye, hear ye!
Here is your
SHERWOOD FOREST CRIER
April 1, 2021

Pollen Daze in the Forest!

Sherwood Forest will hold our First Annual Pollen Daze Festival today!

Pollen levels for the Forest have been medium high to high for most of March and continue to color our world yellow! Our oaks and pines are providing the most pollen right now.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America lists Columbia as 23rd in the 2021 Allergy Capitals list! We think that’s something to celebrate! Rosewood can keep their mudbugs! This year we’ll be celebrating by wearing our masks and staying inside!

2021 Allergy Capitals list…

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

All South Carolinians aged 16 and older are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine! The CDC still recommends prevention measures including wearing a mask, social distancing and avoiding large gatherings even for fully vaccinated individuals.

CDC Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People…

Find a vaccination location at SC DHEC’s Vaccine Locator…

UofSC Belser Arboretum Open House
Sunday, April 18, 1-4pm

All are welcome to join us at Open House, always the 3rd Sunday of every month. Gates are open at Bloomwood Road and Wilmot Avenue.

Please note that trails are natural and hilly in sections. Restrooms are not available. Please leave pets at home. Visitors are asked not to park on the lawns of surrounding properties.

New Volunteer Sessions:
Get close the Arboretum and help us maintain the gardens and grounds. Meet at Bloomwood gate Wednesdays and Saturdays 10am-1pm, and Thursdays 5-7pm.

Check event specifics and sign up for the newsletter on Facebook.

Contact Gail Wojtowicz at 618 402-8736 or by email or see UofSC’s Department of Biological Sciences W. Gordon Belser Arboretum web page.

Gills Creek Watershed Association Webinar Video
What does the USC Belser Arboretum have to do with stormwater?

This was a very informative webinar hosted by Gills Creek Watershed Association and presented by our neighbor Valerie Marcil. It includes presentations by Trey Frankin, Director of the Arboretum, and neighbor Warren Hankinson, City of Columbia Watershed Coordinator.

Here is the recording of the webinar…

Neighborhood Safety

Our CRT (Community Response Team) Officer Mason L. Frier is the Sherwood Forest neighborhood contact at the Columbia Police Department. In normal times, he attends our quarterly general meetings. Here is his current update:

We’ve made an arrest in reference to burglaries in the area, and are continuing to actively investigate the other incidents hopefully that will lead to further arrests.

Report a personal or property crime immediately to the City of Columbia Police by calling 911. To report suspicious activity, call 911 or the non-emergency number 252-2911 or our CRT (Crime Response Team) Officer Mason L. Frier at (803) 391-6203 or mlfrier@columbiasc.net. Then alert your neighbors!

Sherwood Forest Real Estate Snapshot

This has been an interesting year in a multitude of aspects! Real Estate was no exception to the tumultuous times. I pulled up some information about our neighborhood and how we fared in the past 12 months. I eliminated all the homes that were withdrawn/expired as their data is incomplete. There were about 30 homes that went on the market and 20 have sold (or are in the process). Leaving 10 currently for sale, but half of those are part of the new Azalea Place Town Homes.

The average sold price was 304k with the highest being 4104 Blossom at $925k (still pending). Most homes sold for at or above the asking price. Ten of the homes sold in less than 10 days! As the pandemic has worn on it has created a shortage of homes for sale and resulted in higher prices and very quick sales – even in Sherwood Forest.

Next month I will share some demographic information for our neighborhood and answer any questions that might arise out of this snapshot. Enjoy our neighborhood!

Mark Hering

SFNA General Meeting
Tuesday, May 11, 6:30pm-8pm
This general meeting is tentative.

The SFNA general meetings are held quarterly on the second Tuesday of the second month of the quarter.

If you have questions, answers, requests, offers or comments about the neighborhood, you can join the discussion in our SFNA private group on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/sherwoodforestna.

Only your neighbors can see who’s in the group and what is posted.

SFNA Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up
Saturday, May 15
The clean up is tentative. Feel free to freelance in the meantime!

Here’s another reminder that dog poop bags should not be left on yard waste piles, but should only be placed bagged in the green rollcarts!

Please contact Dave Nelson at 803 447-4793 or appearance@sherwoodforestneighbors.org for information or any questions.

Crier emails
We are making an effort to send out these informational emails around the first of every month to keep neighbors up do date on neighborhood events, and other events and information of interest. It’s cheaper and better for the environment not to print and pass out fliers! But we could all probably use the exercise!

If you have information of interest to the neighborhood, please pass it along and we may include it in a future Crier.

Tell your friends and neighbors to subscribe. No membership required, but of course we would like everybody to join! New neighbor? Let us know and we’ll send out the welcome wagon.

To subscribe, email membership@sherwoodforestneighbors.org or subscribe online

Join the Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association
Become a member or renew your membership now for 2021!
Dues are only $20 and are due in January. Pay your dues now online. Or pay at the next general meeting or mail a check to Henry Nechemias, 4 Robin Hood Ct., Columbia, SC 29205 and you will be paid up for 2021!

Hear ye, hear ye!
Here is your
SHERWOOD FOREST CRIER
March 1, 2021

Springtime in the Forest

Everyone is looking forward to Spring! The COVID-19 case and death numbers are going down, and vaccination is becoming more widely available. But now is not the time to relax prevention measures including wearing a mask, social distancing and avoiding large gatherings!

Find a vaccination location at SC DHEC’s Vaccine Locator…

Home Improvement Time?

The news reports that the pandemic’s causing more time at home has in turn caused folks to find things around the home that need improvement! Keep in mind that planning is key to a succesful project. If you are going to undertake the project yourself, make an honest evaluation of the skills needed and the skills you possess.

In addition to additions and renovations, many projects such as fences, roofing, sheds and even interior projects involving electrical, HVAC or plumbing work may require permits and building inspections! City of Columbia permitting info…

Depending on the project, you may need a Zoning Permit

If you are building a driveway, fence or retaining wall close to a SCDOT roadway (most of our streets are actually DOT roads), you may need an encroachment permit. The DOT right-of-way is often 25′ from the centerline of the road to each side. SCDOT permitting…

If you’re moving any dirt, get the utilities located by calling South Carolina 811 at 811.

Don’t want to do all this legwork? A contractor should take care of all permitting tasks. When hiring a contractor, make sure they are licensed to work in the City of Columbia, and bonded and insured. Check for references and ask your friends and neighbors for referrals. Here is one contractor checklist…

If work will be done in your home, make sure your workers or contractors agree to wear masks and observe pandemic safety recommendations.

We want to keep the forest in Sherwood Forest! But if you need to removed suspected diseased or dying trees, contract with a certified arborist who is licensed and bonded to avoid problems. If the tree in question is near the street, it may be in the City’s right-of-way in which case a permit from the City’s Forestry and Beautification is required.

Looking for recommendations or have a contractor to recommend? You can ask in the SFNA Facebook private group…

Dominion Energy Right-Of-Way Maintenance

Our Sherwood Forest neighbor Valerie Marcil has put together some suggestions to minimize damage from power line right-of-way maintenance. Approximately every four years, the power company – formerly SCE&G, now Dominion Energy – trims trees and other plants growing too close to the power lines in our area. Check out suggestions for suitable plants, maintenance strategies, and signage to warn workers.

Read more…

Sherwood Forest is on the schedule for 2021 according to the City of Columbia Forestry Department (). SFNA will try to alert the neighborhood before the next round of tree trimming!

UofSC Belser Arboretum Open House
Sunday, March 21, 1-4pm

All are welcome to join us at Open House, always the 3rd Sunday of every month. Gates are open at Bloomwood Rd and Wilmot Dr.

Please note that trails are natural and hilly in sections. Restrooms are not available. Please leave pets at home.

Gates are open on most Wednesdays 9:30am-1pm.

Check event specifics and sign up for the newsletter on Facebook.

Contact Gail Wojtowicz at 618 402-8736 or by email or see UofSC’s Department of Biological Sciences W. Gordon Belser Arboretum web page.

Gills Creek Watershed Association Webinar

The USC Belsert Arboretum will be featured in a free webinar on Wednesday March 10, 12-1pm titled What does the USC Belser Arboretum have to do with storm water?!?

Eventbrite link…

Neighborhood Safety

Report a personal or property crime immediately to the City of Columbia Police by calling 911. To report suspicious activity, call 911 or the non-emergency number 252-2911 or our CRT (Crime Response Team) Officer Mason L. Frier at (803) 391-6203 or mlfrier@columbiasc.net. Then alert your neighbors!

If you wish to see police reports in our neighborhood consider subscribing to the the LexisNexis Community Crime Map and associated email notifications. Click the Sign Up for Crime Alerts button at the top of the webpage to get email notifications from local law enforcement.

Crier emails
We are making an effort to send out these informational emails around the first of every month to keep neighbors up do date on neighborhood events, and other events and information of interest. It’s cheaper and better for the environment not to print and pass out fliers! But we could all probably use the exercise!

If you have information of interest to the neighborhood, please pass it along and we may include it in a future Crier.

Tell your friends and neighbors to subscribe. No membership required, but of course we would like everybody to join! New neighbor? Let us know and we’ll send out the welcome wagon.

To subscribe, email membership@sherwoodforestneighbors.org or subscribe online

Join the Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association
Become a member or renew your membership now for 2021!
Dues are only $20 and are due in January. Pay your dues now online. Or pay at the next general meeting or mail a check to Henry Nechemias, 4 Robin Hood Ct., Columbia, SC 29205 and you will be paid up for 2021!