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.
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?!?
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!