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>>> STAY TUNED FOR GREAT STUFF RIGHT HERE ON NORFOLK PERSPECTIVES. >>> WELCOME TO NORFOLK PERSPECTIVES.
I'M BOB BATCHER. YES, THE ZOO IS BUSTING OUT ALL OVER WITH
ATTENDANCE, WITH ANIMALS AND NEW EXHIBITS, AND I'VE GOT GREG BOCKHEIM WITH ME, THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THE VIRGINIA ZOO. HOW ARE YOU DOING?
>> GREAT. >> A NEW PERSON ON THE SOFA.
IT IS SO COOL. IT'S ALLISON ZOM.
DID YOU GET THAT RIGHT? >> UH-HUH.
>> AND YOUR POSITION WITH THE ZOO IS? >> I'M THE PROGRAM ANIMAL COORDINATOR.
I HAVE THE FUNNEST JOB AT THE ZOO. I GET TO PLAY WITH THE ANIMALS.
>> SO YOU TELL THE ANIMALS EXACTLY WHAT THEY NEED TO DO AND THEY DO IT?
>> I WISH. NO.
I GET TO WORK WITH THE ANIMALS THAT ARE AMBASSADORS. SO THEY'RE THE ONES THAT GO OUT TO SEE THE
KIDS AT SCHOOLS, AND I WORK WITH ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HANDLE THE ANIMALS.
>> SO THEY'RE THE ANIMAL VIP'S THEN? >> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> DID YOU BRING ANY ANIMALS WITH YOU TODAY? >> WE'VE GOT A FEW WITH YOU.
>> I'M HOPING THAT'S WHAT'S INSIDE THE ORANGE BAG.
I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN DYING, GREG, TO LET HIM OUT.
>> IT'S A HONDURAS MILK SNAKE, HIGHLY COLORFUL AMAZING ANIMAL FROM CENTRAL AMERICA.
>> THAT'S THE HEAD RIGHT THERE. >> YES.
>> WHY IS IT CALLED A MILK SNAKE? >> IN FOLKLORE, THEY USED TO THINK THAT THEY
USED TO BE ON FARMS TO ACTUALLY DRINK THE MILK OF THE CATTLE, BUT THEY WEREN'T ACTUALLY
THERE FOR THAT PURPOSE. THEY WERE THERE TO EAT THE RODENTS ATTRACTED
BY THE CATTLE AND CATTLE FEED. THAT'S HOW THEY GOT THE NAME MILK SNAKE.
>> THERE IS A SPECIAL WAY -- THAT'S THE HEAD THERE.
>> YEAH. >> I THOUGHT I WAS GRABBING THE OTHER END.
THERE IS A SPECIAL WAY TO HANDLE THESE ANIMALS. YOU DON'T JUST PICK THEM UP OUT OF A BAG.
>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT. YOU'VE GOT TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
NOT EVERYBODY CAN DANGLE A SNAKE ON THEIR WRIST, GREG.
>> THERE YOU GO. SUCH TALENT YOU HAVE.
WHEN I GO OVER TO THE ZOO, THOUGH, THERE IS THIS NATURAL HABITAT, AND THEN SIGNS SAYING
DON'T FEED THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE IN A TIGHTLY CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT, AND HERE YOU ARE HANDLING
A SNAKE. >> THERE ARE SOME ANIMALS THAT WE ACTUALLY
RAISE IN THE ZOO BUSINESS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT ARE REALLY MEANT TO BE HANDLED A LOT,
BE FAMILIAR WITH PEOPLE SO WE CAN BRING THEM INTO OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OR TO SHOW TO
YOU TODAY, AND THESE ANIMALS, REALLY, I WOULD SAY ARE AMBASSADORS THAT CEMENT A LINK BETWEEN
PEOPLE, CHILDREN AND ANIMALS AND NATURE SO THAT THERE IS A GREATER STEWARDSHIP, A GREATER
KNOWLEDGE GAINED. I THINK YOU ACTUALLY GET TO TOUCH, SEE, AND
SMELL AN ANIMAL THIS CLOSE. >> WHAT WOULD THE SNAKE BE NORMALLY DOING
IF IT WAS OUT IN THE WILD AND YOU CAME UP TO IT?
>> WELL, IT WOULD PROBABLY HIDE BEFORE YOU SEE IT BUT IT WOULD BE IN KIND OF A GRASSLAND
HABITAT AND EVEN FARMLAND IN CENTRAL AMERICA, BUT IT WOULD BE GOING ABOUT ITS BUSINESS LOOKING
FOR FOOD BY DAY. >> WHICH YOU ARE NOT ITS FOOD?
>> RIGHT, RIGHT. BECAUSE IT IS A PREDATOR AND A PREY SPECIES
FOR LARGER ANIMALS, IT'S ALWAYS AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND IT, SO IT WOULD PROBABLY BE
HIDING FROM YOU BEFORE YOU EVEN GOT VERY CLOSE TO IT.
>> WHERE I SAID YOU WERE BUSTING OUT ALL OVER, DON'T GO INTO SONG, THEY'RE GETTING A NEW
HABITAT, AREN'T THEY? THESE GUYS?
>> OUR ANIMAL AMBASSADORS, YES. WE JUST RENOVATED A NEW FACILITY ON THE OPPOSITE
OF THE ZOO FROM OUR ORIGINAL FACILITY, PART OF OUR WELLNESS CAMPUS, WHERE ALL OF THESE
ANIMALS WILL BE HOUSED. WE'VE RENOVATED THE INDOOR AREA AND ARE NOW
GOING TO CREATE THE OUTDOOR SPACES. EVENTUALLY YOU'LL BE ABLE TO TAKE OUR TRAIN
RIDE AND DRIVE BY AND SEE IT IS OUR ANIMAL HEADQUARTERS.
THERE WILL BE GRAPHICS THERE, AND WE WILL BE TRAINING SOME ANIMALS OUT FRONT.
VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE HOW WE GO ABOUT TRAINING SOME OF THE ANIMALS WE USE IN THESE
PROGRAMS. >> WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT TRAINING, WHAT IS HE
TALKING ABOUT? YOU'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT GETTING THIS GUY
TO DO TRICKS, ARE YOU? >> NO.
THEY'RE NOT DOING TRICKS. THEY'RE JUST DOING WHAT THEY NORMALLY DO IN
THE WILD. BUT WE WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEM CLIMB
A TREE. WE WANT THEM TO SEE A FOX DIG.
WE WANT THEM TO SEE A SNAKE CALM AND NOT RUNNING AWAY FROM THEM.
SO THESE ANIMALS NEED A LITTLE PRACTICE. >> MY NEXT QUESTION IS REALLY PERSONAL.
I HAVE A LOVING, WHINING, NEEDY EAGLE THAT I CAN'T GET TO GET OFF THE SOFA TO GET OUT.
SO HOW DO YOU GET A PORKY PINE TO CLIMB A TREE ON COMMAND?
>> WE USE AWARDS. PLUS SHE ALSO LOVES THE MYRTLE BLOSSOMS.
>> I'VE GOT A COUPLE. THIS IS KIND OF LIGHT.
WHAT IS IN THIS? >> OPEN IT UP.
THERE IS A HELP ERRED -- LEOPARD GECKO IN THERE.
>> IS THIS THE SAME GUY? >> YES.
HE WANTED TO COME BACK AND SEE YOU. YOU'LL HAVE TO PICK HIM UP FROM THE CENTER.
THEY ONLY EAT INSECTS, SO DON'T BE AFRAID. >> SO UNLESS HE MISTAKES MY -- YEAH.
>> AND THEY DON'T BITE VERY HARD AT ALL. >> DO I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BREAKING HIM?
HE'S SLIMY ON THE BOTTOM. ISN'T HE PRESSURE US?
PRECIOUS? HE REALLY IS PRECIOUS.
>> THEY'RE NOT REALLY SLIMY. THEY'RE DRY WITH GRANULE SCALES.
THEY HAVE A TOUGH OUTER COAT. >> I'VE GOT TO ASK YOU, DO THESE GUYS NORMALLY
-- SHOULD THEY SEE EACH OTHER? >> IN THE WILD, THEY WOULD NEVER RUN INTO
EACH OTHER. THEY'RE ON TOTALLY DIFFERENT CONTINENTS, BUT
A MILK SNAKE IS A LIZARD SPECIALIST. WE WON'T LET HER GET TOO CLOSE.
>> LEAVE MY GECKO ALONE. >> YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING UNDER THAT BLANKET,
TOO, RIGHT? WE MIGHT AS WELL GET ALL THREE OF THEM OUT
OF HERE, AND THEN WE WILL TRY TO STAY FOCUSED AND TALK.
THE NEW HABITAT FOR THESE GUYS IS NEXT TO A BRAND NEW BUILDING GOING UP, RIGHT?
>> THAT'S RIGHT. IT'S PART OF OUR ANIMAL WELLNESS CAMPUS, WHICH
IS A NEW VETERINARY HOSPITAL AND DIET KITCHEN THAT'S ALREADY BROKEN GROUND AND SHOULD BE
UP AND RUNNING ABOUT A YEAR FROM NOW. AND OUR VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY
LOOK INTO THE WINDOWS AND SEE DIETS BEING PREPARED, SEE INTO THE ANIMAL TREATMENT AND
SURGERY ROOMS AND ALL SORTS OF EXCITING STUFF LIKE THAT.
>> I'M GOING TO SHOW THAT AND ASK A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.
ON THE TRAINING THING -- NOW I'M DISTRACTED COMPLETELY.
TELL US WHAT THAT IS. WHAT IS HE DOING IN YOUR POCKET?
>> LOOKING. >> LOOKING FOR CREDIT CARDS.
>> THIS IS VIGO, AND HE'S A THREE BANDED ARMADILLO. THIS COMES FROM SOUTH AMERICA AND WOULD LIVE
IN THE WOODLANDS AND IS A VAN AS -- SAVANNAHS IN SOUTH AMERICA.
>> IS HE IN THE ULTIMATE DEFENSIVE MODE. >> YES.
HE CAN ACTUALLY CURL ALL THE WAY UP INTO A BALL.
>> CAN YOU GET HIM TO OPEN UP OR IS THAT SOMETHING DIFFICULT TO DO?
>> I GUESS MAYBE HE'S NERVOUS ON TV. >> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE.
ME INCLUDED. WE'LL SET HIM DOWN AND SEE IF HE OPENS UP
IN A LITTLE BIT. WHEN HE DOES, HE MOVES QUICKLY.
>> SO BE CAREFUL. >> WHAT HE WANTS TO DO IS DIG AROUND.
HE LOVES BUGS AND HE CAN TEAR APART ROTTEN LOGS.
HE CAN DIG TUNNELS FASTER THAN YOU CAN BELIEVE. >> HE'S STARTING TO OPEN UP.
HE LOOKS LIKE A BOWLING BALL. THESE GUYS NORMALLY IN THE WILD WILL JUST
GO FIND WHAT THEY CAN FIND, AND YET YOU'RE SETTING UP A DIETARY KITCHEN.
THERE IS STILL A NATURAL HABITAT BUT HEALTHY EATING?
>> THAT'S RIGHT. WE TRY TO BUILD LARGE ANIMAL EXHIBITS FOR
OUR ANIMALS OUT IN THE BIG EXHIBITS SO THAT THEY WILL BE MOVING AROUND IN A NATURAL WAY,
AND THEY DO GET A GOOD DEAL OF TRAINING THEMSELVES, IKE OUR -- LIKE OUR TIGERS, LIONS, TRAINED
TO SHOW THEIR TEETH, FEET, ALL KINDS OF BODY PARTS TO THE ANIMAL KEEPERS SO WE CAN EXAM
THEM. >> ARE THEY HELP SOMETHING.
>> RIGHT. OUR ELEPHANTS, WE DO HAVE A 10,000-POUND RESIDENT
AT THE ZOO THAT HAS LEARNED HOW TO BREAK DOWN TREES AND POLES, AND SO WE ARE REINFORCING
OUR ELEPHANT EXHIBIT WITH STEEL. >> THE NEIGHBORS APPRECIATE THAT.
>> BECAUSE SHE HAS LEARNED HOW TO BREAK THOSE 14-FOOT TALL PYLONS THAT ARE 20 INCHES IN
DIAMETER. IT'S KIND OF BECOME A GAME FOR HER, SO THAT
SHOULD BE FINISHED WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH. >> I'VE NOTICED YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF EVENTS
GOING ON, BUT I HAVE A SENSE THERE IS A NEED FOR A POTTY BREAK, AND WE'RE GETTING TO CLOSE
OUT ON THE SEGMENT. THERE ARE A LOT OF ACTIVITIES GOING ON, AND
YOU'VE GOT TO WEBSITE. >> THAT'S RIGHT.
THAT'S VIRGINIA ZOO DOT ORG, AND YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT OUR CONCERT AND MOVIE SERIES HAPPENING
LATER THIS SUMMER. >> LOTS OF GREAT STUFF.
A LOT OF EVENTS COMING UP. ZOO GROOVES COMING UP SOON?
>> AUGUST 25th. >> I FEEL A POTTY BREAK COMING ON.
GREG AND ALLISON, THANKS FOR COMING ON AGAIN WITH SOME OF YOUR BEST FRIENDS.
>> THANK YOU. >> OUR PLEASURE.
>> WHEN WE COME BACK, WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT HOW WE CAN PREPARE FOR FLOODING, BECAUSE YES,
THEY WILL COME. STAY TUNED.
>>> I AM FOLDING THE PANTS. THE PANTS ARE LONG.
DO THEY GO ON MY HEAD? DO THEY?
DO THE PANTS GO ON MY HEAD? NO.
>> EVERY DAY MOMENTS CAN BECOME TEACHING MOMENTS, BECAUSE LEARNING STARTS LONG BEFORE SCHOOL
DOES. GIVE YOUR CHILD THE START THEY NEED AT 4 LEARNING
DOT ORG. >>> WELCOME BACK TO NORFOLK PERSPECTIVES.
YES, WE ARE FLOODING, RIGHT? >> FLETA JACKSON, YOU'RE A PR SPECIALIST.
YOU KNOW HOW TO TELL ME THIS. IS NORFOLK REALLY FLOODING?
>> NORFOLK DOES EXPERIENCE FLOODING OCCASIONALLY, AND WE DO HAVE THE SITUATIONS THAT KIND OF
PROMOTE THAT ENVIRONMENT, BEING A COASTAL CITY, BEING SURROUNDED BY SO MUCH WATER.
WATER IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE CELEBRATE AROUND HERE, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ARE SO MUCH
FUN ABOUT LIVING IN NORFOLK, BUT IT ALSO OCCASIONALLY CAN INFRINGE UPON YOUR PROPERTY LINES.
>> LET'S FACE IT, WE GET A BIG HEAVY DOWNPOUR, ONE OF THOSE ONES THAT ALWAYS COME IN DURING
RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, BIG HEAVY DOWNPOUR, MONTICELLO AVENUE FLOODS, AND PEOPLE CALL IN AND SAY,
DO YOU KNOW MONTICELLO AVENUE IS FLOODING, AND WHEN WE TELL THEM TO WAIT 20 MINUTES,
THEY GET UPSET. WHY IS IT 20 MINUTES LATER IT'S GONE?
>> FOREFOLK IS FAIRLY FLAT. WE'RE A COASTAL COMMUNITY, COASTAL CITY.
THERE IS NOT A LOT OF ELEVATION IN THE CITY. SO THE WATER DOESN'T HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF
A LOT OF GRAVITY AND FLOAT TO MOVE IT FAST. WHEN WE HAVE THOSE SUMMER DOWNPOURS, THOSE
AFTERNOON SHOWERS AFTER IT'S BEEN 110 DEGREES IN THE SHADE, IT DOES TAKE A WHILE FOR THE
STORM WATER SYSTEM TO ALLOW THE WATER TO RECEDE, AND IT DOES.
IT JUST TAKES A WHILE FOR THE SYSTEM TO GET THE WATER BACK OUT.
>> THIS IS A VERY TECHNICAL DEMONSTRATION, BUT WE'RE HIGH BUDGET TV HERE.
YOU'VE GOT LAND HERE, WATER HERE. WHEN IT RAINS, WHERE DOES THE WATER GO?
>> IT HAS TO GO OVERBOARD, IT HAS TO GO INTO THE CLOSEST BODY OF WATER.
>> SO HOW DO WE GET IT THERE? >> THROUGH A SERIES OF PIPES AND CATCH BASINS,
SOMETIMES PUMP STATIONS. WE HAVE A LARGE PUMP STATION IN DOWNTOWN NORFOLK
THAT HELPS DISTRIBUTE THE WATER OVERBOARD WHEN DOWNTOWN NORFOLK EXPERIENCES LARGE VOLUMES
OF RAIN. >> SO THAT'S RAIN.
YES. >> NOW.
WE'VE GOT LAND HERE. WATER WAS HERE.
>> RIGHT. >> WATER -- THIS IS HIGH-TECH GUYS.
IS IT REALLY DOES THIS? >> TIDES.
YES. WE ARE DEFINITELY TIDEALLY INFLUENCED.
SO ON HIGH TIDES, THE STORM WATER SYSTEM, THE PIPES UNDERGROUND CAN ACTUALLY CONTAIN
TIDAL WATERS, WHICH ALSO WOULD LESSEN THE CAPACITY OF THE PIPE.
>> SO WHEN IT'S DOING THIS, WHERE DOES THE WATER GO FROM HERE?
>> WELL, IT DOES STILL HAVE TO GO THE SAME ROUTE.
IT EITHER JUMPS OVERBOARD FROM THE STREET OR HAS TO GO THROUGH A PIPE SYSTEM AND JUMP
OVERBOARD. DO YOU SEE THOSE LARGE PIPES AT OCEAN VIEW
ON THE BEACH? THOSE ARE THE OUTFALLS.
STORM WATER IS NOT TREATED, SO IT'S DUMPED IN.
>> WHICH IS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO THE RIGHT THINGS IN BETWEEN STORMS OR TIDALS.
>> EXACTLY. >> ONE MORE THING.
WE'VE GOT WATER DOING THIS, THIS IS THE LAND. IS IT REALLY DOING THIS?
>> OCCASIONALLY. >> SINKING.
>> YES. WE DO HAVE SOME THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH AS
A CITY, ALL THE COASTAL CITIES UP AND DOWN THE COAST LINES.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S TOTALLY UNIQUE TO NORFOLK.
NORFOLK IS BEING VERY PROACTIVE AND LOOKING AT IT AND TRYING TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS
TO MITIGATE THE LAND SUBSIDE ENSOR LAND SINKING AND THE TIDES THAT ARE RISING OR OCCASIONALLY
GET HIGHER THAN WE WOULD LIKE THEM TO BE SO THAT THE CITY CAN CONTINUE TO THRIVE DESPITE
THE FACT THAT WE GET WET SOMETIMES. >> THERE WAS A COMMERCIAL, A REAL POPULAR
COMMERCIAL FOR BUTTER WHEN I WAS GROWING UP THAT SAYS, YOU DON'T MESS WITH MOTHER NATURE.
SO HOW DO YOU GO AHEAD AND INTERRUPT THIS PROCESS?
>> WELL, WE CAN -- WE'VE GOT A LOT OF EXPERTS ON BOARD TO COME UP WITH SOME STUDIES AND
SOME SOLUTIONS. THE EXPERTS ACTUALLY HALE FROM THE NETHERLANDS.
>> IF ANYONE KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT FLOODING. >> THEY WOULD KNOW.
THEY'VE BEEN DEALING WITH IT FOR A LONG TIME AND HAVE A THRIVING ECONOMY DESPITE THE FACT
THAT OCCASIONALLY WATER DOES COME OVER THE SHORELINES.
SO IT'S TIMES AN ENGINEERING SOLUTION THAT IS A WAY TO GET AROUND THE RISING TIDES.
SOMETIMES IT CAN BE SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS LANDSCAPING TECHNIQUES THAT A HOMEOWNER CAN
USE. >> YOU KNOW, I'M GETTING TO LEARN A LOT MORE
ABOUT IT KIND OF ACCIDENTALLY. I WAS IN A COMMUNITY MEETING LAST WEEK WHERE
WE HAD PEOPLE FROM STORM WATER AND FROM THE COMMUNITY AND REALTORS AND THAT ABOUT REDOING
AN BETTER SECTION -- INTERSECTION, AND IT JUST SEEMED LIKE A REALLY SIMPLE PROCESS,
BUT THEY TALKED ABOUT ELEVATION, FUTURE PROJECTS WITH OVERFLOW.
EVEN NOW, A PROJECT THAT MIGHT OCCUR IN 10, 15 YEARS, THEY'VE ALREADY GOT IN MIND WHERE
IT SHOULD BE TODAY, DOING THE WORK, PLANNING IT ALL TOGETHER.
IT'S A STRATEGIC APPROACH. >> VERY STRATEGIC.
WE ARE LOOKING TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF FUNDS THAT ARE AVAILABLE, RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.
>> AND WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT CHEAP PROJECTS. >> THEY'RE NOT.
THEY'RE NOT. BUT THEY'RE WORTHWHILE PROJECTS, AND WE WANT
TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE DONE CORRECTLY AND THOUGHTFULLY. I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU WERE EXPERIENCING
IN THAT MEETING WITH JOHN WHITE AND THE OTHER CITY OFFICIALS THAT WERE THERE, TO MAKE SURE
THAT THE WORK WE DO TODAY HAS A LONGEVITY AND FITS WITH THE MASTER PLAN AND THE STRATEGY.
>> NOW, YOU KIND OF HINTED THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE CAN DO TO, A, KEEP OUR WATERWAYS
CLEAN AND SAFE, BUT B, GET READY FOR AND BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.
IS THERE A PLACE YOU CAN GO TO GET MORE INFORMATION? >> THERE CERTAINLY IS.
WE JUST LAUNCHED A NEW FLOODING WEBSITE WITH THE CITY OF NORFOLK, SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT
THAT. IT WAS A LONG PROCESS, NOT TOO LONG, BUT SEVERAL
MONTHS WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS AND FOCUS GROUPS, A PANEL THAT WE EVEN ASKED AREA EXPERTS.
WE ASKED CITY EMPLOYEES IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THIS WEBSITE.
SO IT WAS DESIGNED WITH THE RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, VISITORS, ANYONE THAT MIGHT NEED INFORMATION
ON FLOOD AWARENESS AND MITIGATION AND WHAT THE CITY IS DOING.
IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO FIND OUT FEMA INFORMATION ABOUT FLOOD INSURANCE, WHICH IS SOMETHING
THAT RESIDENTS OF THIS AREA NEED TO BE CONCERNED WITH AND THINK ABOUT.
IT SHOWS THE LATEST MAPS AND FLOOD PRONE AREAS. YOU CAN GO ON THERE AND FIND OUT IF YOUR HOME
IS IN A FLOOD ZONE, AND IF YOU NEED QUESTIONS ANSWERED OR HELP, WE HAVE A QUESTION AND ANSWER
SECTION. WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW QUESTIONS, SO
I'D LOVE TO HAVE ANY INPUT FROM RESIDENTS OR BUSINESSES OR EVEN VISITORS THAT COME TO
THE AREA. >> SUPER.
I KNOW PART OF THE OLD THINKING WAS TO PUT UP A HARD SEA WALL.
NOW THERE IS TALK ABOUT PUTTING IN GRASSES AND DO MORE OF A NATURAL CONNECTOR BETWEEN
THE LAND AND WATER, TOO. SO WILL THIS GIVE YOU INFORMATION IF YOU'RE
A LANDOWNER BY WATER, WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAINTAIN THOSE AREAS?
>> THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO. THAT WOULD BE PLANTINGS AND LANDSCAPING.
THIS SITE PROBABLY WILL NOT GIVE YOU THOSE KIND OF HARD AND FAST DETAILS, BUT IT DOES
LINK YOU TO OTHER SITES TO FIND THAT INFORMATION OUT.
THE CITY STORM WATER SITE ALSO HAS A FEW OF THOSE OPTIONS BECAUSE STORM WATER -- NOT ONLY
DO WE DEAL WITH THE ISSUE OF FLOODING WITHIN THE CITY.
WE ALSO DEAL WITH WATER QUALITY. SO WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A WIN-WIN WITH
SOLUTIONS THAT WILL IMPROVE THE FLOODING SITUATION, BUT ALSO IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY SITUATION
OF ALL OF OUR RIVERS. >> I'VE GOT TO ASK YOU A PERSONAL QUESTION,
BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED THEM. YOU DO A LOT OF COMMUNITY -- IN FACT, IF SOMEONE
WANTS TO HAVE YOU ALL COME OUT AND DO A PRESENTATION, YOU WILL DO THAT.
>> I'D LOVE TO DO THAT. >> SO HOW DO THEY GET AHOLD OF YOU?
>> THEY CAN GET AHOLD OF ME THROUGH THE CITY. MY DIRECT PHONE NUMBER IS 82340007.
IT GOES DIRECTLY TO MY DESK. 823-4007.
I CAN COORDINATE WHATEVER TOPICS YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT.
I DO WORK WITH PUBLIC WORKS. THERE ARE ABOUT 11 OR 12 DEPARTMENTS IN PUBLIC
WORKS, SO WE DO A LOT OF KEEPING THE CITY RUNNING IN THAT DEPARTMENT.
>> HERE IS A PERSONAL QUESTION. >> YES.
>> YOU HAD A REALLY SPECIAL GUY SITTING NEXT TO YOU THE LAST TIME YOU WERE ON.
HOW IS STORMY DOING? >> STORMY IS DOING REALLY WELL.
HE WAS JUST AT TITUS TOWN WRECK CENTER WITH SOME 5 TO 8-YEAR-OLDS LEARNING ABOUT WATER
POLLUTION. WE HAD A GREAT TIME.
WE MADE PAPER PLATE FISH OUT OF RECYCLED MATERIAL. >> THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF FUN.
>> IT WAS. >>> FLETA THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING.
SAY HELLO TO STORMY FOR ME AND THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING TO BRING GOOD INFORMATION
TO THE COMMUNITY BUT ALSO ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDING GOOD INFORMATION BACK.
>> RIGHT. THANK YOU.
>> WHEN WE COME BACK, WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT THE REC CENTERS AND HOW YOU CAN GET ENGAGED
AND HOW THEY ARE ENGAGED IN YOU. STAY TUNED.
>>> MOMMA, COME ON. >> JUST TWO SECONDS.
STAND STILL. STAND STILL.
>> MOM. >> MOM.
>> GO, GO, GO. >> NO.
BOYS, HANG ON. BOYS.
>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT TO BE A PERFECT PARENT.
THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE WHO WILL TAKE YOU JUST AS YOU ARE.
>>> WELCOME BACK TO NORFOLK PERSPECTIVES. A LOT GOING ON IN NORFOLK.
A LOT OF IT IS RIGHT IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY AT THE REC CENTERS.
I'VE GOT NICOLE OWEN, DIVISION HEAD OF RECREATION AND LEISURE.
>> HI. HOW ARE YOU?
>> I HAD THE PLEASURE OF GOING TO COMMUNITY REC CENTERS FOR COMMUNITY MEETINGS, AND I'VE
BEEN AMAZED FROM LITTLE GUYS TO OLD PEOPLE, THE REC CENTERS ARE BUSY.
>> THEY ARE BUSY. ALMOST ALL OF OUR CENTERS AVERAGE ABOUT 100
KIDS A DAY THIS SUMMER, WHICH IS AWESOME, BETWEEN 8:30 IN THE MORNING AND 5:30 IN THE
EVENING. SO IT'S BEEN GREAT.
>> SO YOU'RE KIND OF GLAD TO BE A NICE QUIET TV STUDIO.
>> YES, I AM. >> HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN CALM?
>> HE -- YOU REALLY DON'T. WE WANT THE KIDS TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.
THERE IS A PROGRAM FOR STRUCTURE. THEY DIVIDE UP IN AGE GROUPS.
A LOT OF TIMES YOU CAN WALK IN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY AND NOT EVEN TELL THERE IS A SUMMER
PROGRAM GOING ON, BUT THE KIDS ARE HAVING A GREAT TIME.
>> THE OTHER DAY I WAS OVER AT ONE, AND THE KIDS WERE HAVING A BLAST GETTING WET.
>> THAT'S ONE OF OUR BUSIEST CENTERS. WE JUST OPENED UP A SPLASH PAD THERE, SO PEOPLE
FROM ALL OVER THE CITY ARE COMING TO COOL OFF.
>> YEAH. I'M IN A COMMUNITY MEETING WITH A COAT AND
TIE ON AND THERE ARE KIDS OUT THERE GETTING WET.
THAT'S NOT FAIR. >> YOU SHOULD HAVE JOINED.
>> DO ME A FAVOR. LET'S REEL IT BACK MAYBE 8 YEARS AGO.
WHAT WAS AT THAT REC CENTER? >> I'M NOT SURE.
I WASN'T HERE THEN. BUT THE THAT ONE WAS BROUGHT ABOUT THREE YEARS
AGO. THAT'S ONE OF OUR LARGEST, FOCUSING ON TEENS.
A TEEN WING IS THERE AND ACTUALLY A REALLY NEAT CAMP GOING ON THERE THIS SUMMER, DIGITAL
CONNECTORS FOR TEENAGERS, TEACHING THEM ABOUT COMPUTERS.
>> SO IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT BASKETBALL? >> NO, NONE OF OUR REC CENTERS ARE JUST ABOUT
BASKETBALL. THERE ARE EDUCATIONAL CLASSES GO ON, ARTS
AND CRAFTS, FITNESS ROOMS, PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH, SENIORS, ADULTS AND TEENS.
IT'S AMAZING. >> I ALMOST MADE THE COMMENT THAT NORVIEW
REC CENTER KIND OF MODELS FOR WHERE THE PROGRAM IS GOING, BUT THAT'S NOT REALLY TRUE EITHER
BECAUSE WE'VE GOT CROSSROADS COMING IN. >> RIGHT.
THAT'S A TOTALLY NEW THING. CROSSROADS IS AN INITIATIVE WHERE WE HAVE
THE REC CENTER CONNECTED TO AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHICH IS AWESOME, BECAUSE WE HAVE
OUR AUDIENCE BUILT IN. >> YEAH.
>> WHERE IS CROSSROADS? >> CROSSROADS IS GOING TO BE WHERE THE OLD
CROSSROADS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WAS ON OCEAN VIEW ROAD.
>> KIND OF IN GENERAL, BEHIND ARBY'S? >> YES.
>> I KNOW. I'M GOING TO HEAR ABOUT THAT ONE LATER.
>> YES. WE'RE VERY EXCITED, BECAUSE OUR NEW CENTER
WILL BE OPENED SEPTEMBER 4th, THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.
SO IT'S PERFECT, RIGHT IN TIME FOR OUR BEFORE AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM.
>> DIFFERENT THAN OTHER PLACES. THAT ONE WAS DESIGNED UP AS A COMBINED FACILITY,
RIGHT? >> YES, IT IS.
BECAUSE OF THE BEFORE AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM AT THAT FACILITY, IT WORKED OUT PERFECTLY.
THE KIDS WILL LEAVE THE REC CENTER AND WALK RIGHT OVER TO THE SCHOOL.
AND THEN AT 6 O'CLOCK, ONCE OUR BEFORE AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM IS OVER, IT'S OPEN FOR
TEENS AND ADULTS, AND IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY GREAT, BECAUSE THE NEW CROSSROADS WILL HAVE
A COMPUTER LAB, TEEN LOUNGE AND A GYM, SOMETHING THE OLD ONE DIDN'T HAVE.
>> OKAY. I'M GOING TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT.
WE FIRST MET IN PUTTING TOGETHER -- I GUESS WE MET BEFORE THAT IN PUTTING TOGETHER COMMUNITY
CONVERSATION FOR THE REC CENTER, AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE COMMUNITY ARNOLD DOMINION.
ONE OF THE POINTS THAT YOU MADE WAS IT'S NOT JUST THE BRICK AND MORTAR BUT THE RELATIONSHIPS
THAT ARE BUILT. >> DEFINITELY.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON IS THE STAFF GETTING TO KNOW THE PARTNERS AROUND
THEIR COMMUNITY, NOT ONLY THE CITIZENS THAT LIVE THERE, THE BUSINESSES, THE SCHOOLS.
WE REALLY BELIEVE IN BUILDING COMMUNITY AND GETTING TO KNOW THOSE AROUND US.
>> SO IT'S NOT A MATTER OF JUST OFFERING PROGRAMS. >> NO, IT'S NOT.
WE ARE OPEN FOR ANYONE TO COME IN AND DO THINGS. YOU WILL SEE THERE ARE PROGRAMS BEING OFFERED
BY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, COMING IN TO DO MEETINGS.
THERE ARE SCHOOLS THAT COME IN. THERE ARE PTA MEETINGS, ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS.
WE ARE DEFINITELY THERE FOR EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> I THINK SOME WILL SAY MANY YEARS AGO THE MIDNIGHT BASKETBALL THING, JUST KEEP THEM
BUSY, BUT YOU'RE REALLY USING AND RELYING ON PARTNERS, AREN'T YOU?
>> WE DO. WE KNOW HE CAN'T DO IT ALL OURSELVES.
>> WAIT A MINUTE. WANT TO SAY THAT AGAIN.
>> WE DEFINITELY CANNOT DO THAT ALL OUR SERVICE. >> THIS IS GOVERNMENT TV.
>> BUT WE RELY ON OUR PARTNERS. OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY AND NORFOLK STATE
HAVE BEEN A TREMENDOUS AS SET -- ASSET TO US IN OUR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS.
THEY PROVIDE TUTORS THAT COME IN EVERY DAY TO HELP KIDS WITH HOPE WORK.
NOT ONLY ARE THEY HELPING INCREASE THEIR GRADES, BUT THEY'RE BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND BECOMING
MENTORS TO OUR KIDS. THEY'RE ALSO SHOWING KIDS, YOU CAN GO TO COLLEGE.
I'M JUST LIKE YOU, CAME FROM THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD YOU CAME FROM, AND I WENT TO COLLEGE.
IT'S AWESOME. >> COOL.
ONE OF THE REC CENTERS, WE HAD A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON HEALTH, AND I THINK ABOUT
SIX PEOPLE SHOWED UP WHO USED THE EQUIPMENT, AND THEY WERE VERY EXCITED.
THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BUILT BETWEEN THE PEOPLE USING THE EQUIPMENT AND
HELPING EACH OTHER. >> IT'S AWESOME.
NOT ONLY DO OUR STAFF COME IN -- THAT'S REALLY WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT WHEN THEY COME TO
A FACILITY. THEY BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.
OUR STAFF IS VERY GOOD ABOUT GETTING TO KNOW EVERYONE WHO WALKS IN, AND PEOPLE WHO COME
IN AND USE THE FITNESS EQUIPMENT GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER AND WORK OUT TOGETHER.
>> I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY PEOPLE FROM PARKS AND REC HAVE BEEN SITTING ON THE SOFA TRYING
TO GET ME OUT OF THIS CHAIR. I CAN GO OVER THERE AND JUST TALK?
>> YOU CAN. >> YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE THE EQUIPMENT?
>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO, BUT SOMEONE IS GOING TO COAX YOU INTO IT.
>> ON THAT NOTE, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING TO REALLY BRING THE COMMUNITY TO THE
REC CENTER BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER AT THE REC CENTER.
>> AT THE. >> APPRECIATE IT.
>>> WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE ON TV 48.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHAT'S GOING ON IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?
GIVE US A HOLLER AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO CELEBRATE.
>>> AS USUAL, IT'S A WONDERFUL TIME TO BE IN NORFOLK, JUST BECAUSE OF YOU.
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