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Spotlight: Preston Lloyd, Membership Chair
What’s been your most memorable experience? It has been exciting to see the number of social, leadership, and volunteer events offered by the organization multiply over the past three years. Likewise, the membership has grown and really deepened its engagement in the community. What have you gained from your time with the organization? My circle of contacts downtown has expanded dramatically, resulting in new friendships and business relationships, both of which have been tremendously valuable. Plus, it got me out of the office for events that wouldn’t have been on my radar otherwise. I feel much more connected to the Downtown community. What drew you to the position as Membership Chair? The DT100 has a very heterogeneous membership, reflecting the diverse nature of our Downtown, but everyone has the common interest of making it a more exciting place to live, work or play. I was drawn to the challenge of helping to reengage current members, while also using that new energy to rustle up new folks with new talents and ideas. What insight would you offer to new members? Make an effort to attend events organized by other committees. It’s a great way to break out of your smaller circle and meet new folks. What do you see as the future of DT100? As a real estate attorney, I think that this is a critically important time for urban core cities. Market data shows that the “young professional” demographic overwhelmingly prefers denser, mixed-use communities to sprawled suburbs. Given our mission, the DT100 is the perfect organization to capitalize on that momentum and to take a leading role in shaping the future development of this community.
Thank you, Preston, and best of luck on your new path!
Meet & Greet with Karen Barefoot Head Women's Basketball Coach Old Dominion University Tuesday, October 25 6:00PM Social to Follow Location to be Announced Cost: $10
Invitation with more details to follow. Short Sales Checking out some real estate downtown? Thinking a short sale or foreclosure might be a good option? Here’s a little background information on the pros and cons of those short sales. Yes, both can be a good way to find a bargain, but they are NOT easy. In a short sale, the seller’s bank has agreed to release the mortgage for less than is owed when sold. This can occur because the seller is having difficulties paying their mortgage and wants to sell before they default or they are ‘upside down’ on their home (they owe more than the homes current value). According to the Virginian Pilot, “A quarter of all homes with mortgages in Hampton Roads are worth less than what is owed on the loans.” Therefore, just because it is a short sale, does not mean it is a deal. The short sale may just bring it in line with the current market value. When trying to buy a short sale, put on your patience pants and be ready to wait awhile. Few short sales are closed within 30 days, with some taking 4-6 months or longer. At this point the owners still actually owns the home and your contract is with them, but it needs approval from the bank. You may have a ratified contract with the current owner, but the bank may then counter or reject your offer completely. The most important thing is to use a real estate agent familiar with dealing in short sales and can help guide you through the muddy waters. Happy hunting! Contributed by Jeff Bennett Here are some ways to get involved in the local community this month! Pour drinks at the Festevents Brew Fest drink tent for the UpCenter. 10/7 - shifts are 4:30 - 7:30pm or 7:15 - 9:45pm. All tips plus a portion of the proceeds benefits the UpCenter, bringing mentoring programs and more to over 10,000 children. Contact Projects Committee chair Kandis Burnworth. Hope House Foundation needs volunteers the entire weekend of the Stockley Gardens Arts Festival. Friday, 10/14 (set up 1:00 – 7:00pm), Saturday, 10/15 (set up 7:00 - 10:00am, artist relief 10:00am – 5:00pm) and Sunday 10/16 (artist relief 10:00am – 5:00pm, and breakdown 6:00-9:00pm). Contact DT 100 member Anne Knox, aknox@hope-house.org or 625-6161 to help out. Be a Recycling Ambassador! Join a growing team of recycling educators and help ensure items get recycled at the upcoming Wine Festival (10/15 and 10/16, Town Point Park). Shifts vary. Contact the KNB Volunteer Coordinator to volunteer. If you know of any upcoming volunteer opportunities that you think DT100 members would be interested in, please send them to Kelly Stefanko at kstefanko@hotmail.com.
Contributed by Kelly Stefanko
Trash for Cash! Pledge to recycle and you could win $100! As we approach the holiday season, it’s a good time to remind ourselves to make an effort to watch out for our waste. Each year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, households produce 25% more trash as a result of all that gifting and celebrating. There are ways to reduce that impact, and recycling is a big one.
This month, you and other Norfolk residents are invited to enter the annual Trash for Cash contest. Those who enter pledge to recycle at home or work, encourage their families and friends to recycle, and even to purchase recycled items. Winning entries are chosen at random and visited on their recycling day the first two weeks in November (1st-4th, 8th-11th). If the house selected has its recycling cart out, the winner receives $100. Sixteen lucky people will be rewarded, just for recycling! Pledges can be made online through October 28th - 5pm. Good luck!
Contributed by Holly Christopher
Click here for more upcoming Downtown events.
Attention: Do you have any DT100 Member news, great photos taken of members at some of our events or just being around Downtown? Send them to Holly Christopher at holly.christopher@norfolk.gov. Member News
Member Birthdays
Newsletter Staff Committee Members:
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A member since 2008, Preston Lloyd joined DT100 as a way to jumpstart his civic engagement after joining a downtown law firm. He’s been involved in a variety of activities since then, most recently as Membership Chair, during which time membership has expanded nearly to capacity. Lloyd is leaving DT100 as a result of a move to Richmond within Williams Mullen. We thought it appropriate to interview him and see what words of wisdom Lloyd can pass on to current and new members.
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