SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS

As I couldn't experience the other neighborhoods festive sights, I CAN'T WAIT to see the photographs. I am eager. If you are reading this entry and have digital photos on your camera, do me a favor and upload them now and email them to me at shareyourlightnight@yahoo.com. Don't forget to include your name, address, phone number, neighborhood where you live, and the neighborhood where the photographs were taken. With your entry, I want to thank you and share my appreciation in helping create and capture the essence of the holidays. I wish you luck.

The weather was great. It was warmer, the misty rain held off until after the event, and the full-moon was covered somewhat by the clouds. Although a pitch-black evening would have been ideal to make the luminaries shine brighter, I am very happy with the turnout in my neighborhood. We were so lucky to have such great weather this weekend, compared to the previous week. I hope everyone had a wonderful time with your neighbors. I can't wait to hear stories and see photographs.

In CAFCL, there were at least three groups, just two or so blocks from one another, handing out warm cider, cocoa, tea and cookies. It was fantastic. The community churches had live nativity scenes, which was exciting for many passer-bys. They also offered cocoa, cider and snacks.

Most especially, I was excited to see all the people out visiting neighbors and taking photographs. There were flashes going off periodically which could be seen from streets away, several large groups of people walking here and there moving in and out of the neighborhoods, and a general feeling of electricity in the air. I hope this excited you about what the future can bring.

This is a unique opportunity for average citizens to visibly make a mark in our region’s history and create wonderful lifelong memories for all. This tradition of displaying luminaries (typically paper bags with a light source within) is treasured by many throughout our country, for not only the beauty it offers, but by how it brings neighbors together. This event will highlight the warm hospitality we Virginians offer our neighbors.

This night will not be just about Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa; it will be about connecting with your neighbors, empowering citizens, and creating unity and friendships. All civic groups and houses of worship are welcomed to help organize these events for their neighbors; whether it is for a community gathering during the holidays or to raise funds for charitable causes.

Our region will unite in friendship and forever be interconnected. For at least one day, we will live simply as if our area is but one large neighborhood with a small town feeling. By painting this picture, I believe it is in line with the vision of making Virginia Beach…

“A Community For A Lifetime”.

MANY LUMINARIES STILL AVAILABLE

Offering SAFE luminaries for neighbors during SYLNight

$2 per luminary.

One luminary = one of each item above.

Are you known for uniting people? Feel like creating lifelong memories?

ILLUMINATE UNITY - SHARE THE BEAUTY

• We are looking for an inspired neighbor. Simply volunteer to be the Point of Contact for your community to be the pick up and distribution point for your neighbors.

IT'S EASY TO DO

• There's no accounting responsibility. It would simply be sharing the order forms by email or delivery, picking up the luminaries and inviting your neighbors over. You could even offer luminaries to your neighbors as gifts this first year.

Email or call us for more information.
shareyourlightnight@yahoo.com or 328-9588

The Share Your Light Night is a not-for-profit venture.

THANK YOU EVENT SUPPORTERS

We have many groups uniting to make this event possible. Please share our appreciation by letting our supporters listed below know you have been touched by their efforts.

Some of our supporters are:

• Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations
• First Atlantic Restoration
• Ankney Law
• Mike Livingston-CPA
• LumaBase
• Illuminate A Cause

There are also many others working behind the scenes. We would like to sincerely thank all those working together to make it a better world to live... THANK YOU

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

We will unite the city of
Virginia Beach

by having all of our neighbors come outside

for the lighting of luminarias

DECEMBER 16th, Sunday at 7PM

DECEMBER 22nd, Saturday or

December 23rd, Sunday.

STATEWIDE BURNING BAN

NEWSFLASH UPDATE 11/19/2007:

BURNING BAN LIFTED as of 11-15-2007, but Forestry officials continue to stress

that lifting the ban does not mean the threat of wildfire is gone. Please be careful if using an open flame. Battery operated or chemical (glow sticks) illumination are the safest, therefore still the most recommended luminary option.

ONLY USE ShareYourLightNight

approved luminaries as shown below.

(battery operated tea lights).

Be sure to inform all of your residents and neighbors of the following message.

Updated Oct. 29, 2007 — Governor Kaine Issues Statewide Burning Ban*

* NOTE: the burn ban will be in effect until further notice

Under the FAQ page, this question is posed: Can LUMINARIES be used for holiday decorations? The answer: No.

LUMINARIES are a traditional holiday decoration in many homes and neighborhoods where a votive- type candle flame is set within a sand weighted paper bag and placed outdoors to light a walkway or other decoration. Candle LUMINARIES are considered an open flame – fire, and therefore not allowed if these candles are within 300 feet of grass, leaves, woods or other flammable material that is capable of igniting a fire. It would be a violation of the ban on open burning. A highly recommended alternative would be to use electric or battery-operated lights or chemical glow sticks instead of candles.

Governor Timothy M. Kaine declared a statewide emergency and enacted a ban on open fires beginning Friday, October 19. The statewide burning ban is the result of drought conditions that have created a serious risk of widespread and dangerous forest fires in every region of the Commonwealth.

“We have looked at all the current data and reviewed the projections for the fall fire season, and everything points to a significant threat to public safety,” said Governor Kaine. “I have declared a state of emergency to exist within the Commonwealth to try to minimize the risk of forest fires that could threaten lives and property.”

The burn ban will remain in effect until existing weather conditions improve with significant rain or snow. Violation of the law is a Class 3 misdemeanor with a fine of not more than $500.

Bellamy Plantation's "Grand Illumination"

Bellamy Plantation has sold over 1100 luminaries in the community and still selling. In a community of around 280 homes, we have 65 homes participating and the numbers are growing. Most of Grey Friars Chase and many surrounding streets have a large concentration of homes that will be lining their curbsides to create a wonderful ribbon of light - uniting the community and creating a magical look.

The Grand Illumination will take place at sunset on Saturday 15 December. The community will be walking about - meeting neighbors and enjoying the luminaries as well as the decorated homes. At 7PM, the homes will be judged as part of Bellamy Plantations Holiday Lights Competition.

We're very excited about being a part of the city-wide effort to make our holidays special!!

CITY LEADERS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE

Last night, city leaders were cordially invited to participate in this first year's "SHARE YOUR LIGHT NIGHT" as citizens and neighbors in our community. The idea was warmly received and I am very excited to have this event touch the hearts of every individual thoughout our City. We shall unite with pride.

Neighborhoods are uniting

Currently, we have the following neighborhoods pledging participation in the "Share Your Light Night" being held December 16th, 2007, with alternative dates of December 22nd and 23rd. An asterisk (*) depicts a new neighborhood coming on board:

• Arrowhead
• Baycliff (Dec 16th)
• Bellamy Plantation (Dec 15th)
• Bellwood Estates
• Bellwood Meadows
• Carolanne Farms
• Carolanne Point
• Chesopeian Colony*
• Fairfield*
• Green Run Homes Association
• Homestead (Dec 16th)
• Huntington
• Huntington Estates
• Linkhorn Cove*
• Plantation Cove
• Wolfsnare Plantation*
• Woodstock

There are many other leagues distributing direct order forms so their neighbors will have the opportunity to participate as well.

If you do not have representation in your neighborhood, pledge your order online today and I will let you know where you can go to pick up your luminaries when they are delivered late November or early December.

This is the first year and is an announcement of what is to come. As I mentioned, last year my area of town had neighbors out front roasting marshmallows in their fire pits, handing out warm cider and cocoa, playing holiday music, organizing carolling events, and socializing with neighbors.

Please write in and tell us what you are planning for the holiday display December 16th. I can't wait to hear about what memories will be made by our united citizens.

One battery tea light, base and bag = one luminary = $2

• If you do not have a civic organization in your neighborhood or your league would like to participate, it's not too late
• Every citizen is warmly encouraged to participate
• To get involved, fill out the form below or email us at shareyourlightnight@yahoo.com and we'll cooridinate your order
• Get them while we have them, don't miss out!
• These are safe and reusable products - these battery operated tea lights are rated for 25 hours - they can be used for any party, event or social gathering

Share Your Light Night
Let’s join together and start a wonderful tradition.

This is an opportunity to come together year after year during the month of December where it’s not just about Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa. It’s about neighborhood unity and friendship. Virginia Beach residents would come outside their homes to line their streets, driveways, sidewalks, or balconies with luminaries on the same date and time. Many will gather to roast marshmallows, share warm cider and brownies, sand meet new friends. This event will be a tradition and treasured by all. Now is the time to discuss the SHARE YOUR LIGHT NIGHT luminary display with every person you know in Virginia Beach, as well as all businesses.

It would also help with tourism during the winter months and increase revenue for businesses and restaurants during the holidays in coming years. The benefit we, our city's civic organizations, will reap from starting this tradition will be evident immediately. The excitement to connect is not only alluring, it's needed this day and time. WE, average people, will come together and unite the entire city - and maybe even beyond!

I am looking for individuals to come aboard to help brainstorm and work through the final stages of the event planning and continue the forward progress. This is a wonderful cause and hope there are others that will come aboard the “Luminary” committee.

***You do not have to be a member of a civic league or have a civic league in your neighborhood to help organize or participate in the event. This is open to all. If you do not have a civic league, we will let you know where to get the mentioned safe and reusable luminaries. Just drop us an email.***

We have pulled together to order in bulk so that you can...

• secure the safest and most durable products at the lowest price available
• to insure everyone will have available to them fire-resistant safe products at a minimal cost where every community could afford to participate
• keep the price for the products so low that it will provide an opportunity to raise funds for league projects and local or national charities
• we can insure stock availability

Why is this so exciting?

• By having a centralized ordering point, this will lead to the success of the event because the product choice made will in effect establish this tradition because the non-paper products are reusable. a single bundle will consist of one sturdy white bag, reusable plastic base which owners will fill with water or sand to weigh down the bag, and a non-flame tea light which is rated for 25 hours (several lightings).
• Leagues will sell these items in whatever quantity they feel appropriate.
• Your civic leagues will have the freedom to manage your own event in deciding whether to use the event to raise funds and for what organization, or simply use the event as a way to unite with neighbors and neighboring civic leagues.

I think it would be a wonderful signature for the city. All neighborhoods would forever become interconnected as if the City was just one large neighborhood with a “small town feeling”. I believe it has many other useful benefits. It would definitely create a “Community for a Lifetime” and imprint a memory that would forever live in the minds of each and every resident, adult and child. I believe, from what I’ve read thus far, it would turn out to be a big draw. I believe the benefits are immeasurable. The limits would be few. Thank you for your time and good works.

Warmly and sincerely,

Brenda, CCO Luminary

Event Committee Chairperson

Phone: (757) 328-9588

This site was formally known as.....

www.lightthenightvb.blogspot.com