Red Alert(s)!

The leaves on my Maple tree are turning red - autumn's here in the VEHA.

It happened even before the first official day of autumn - the leaves on the Maple tree in my backyard began to turn red, signaling the arrival of fall in the VEHA, no matter what the calendar (at the time) said.

But, like I've often written, every season in the VEHA is something to savor. The rich colors that will soon be lining each of our streets, as the leaves turn, will give us all an "up north" experience just by stepping out our doors and strolling along the sidewalk.

We had a wonderful summer. A little warm some days, but even when I had to resort to turning on the air conditioner for up to a week at a time, I kept reminding myself, "... you don't have to shovel heat!" Most of our "signature" VEHA events are behind us for the year - the annual VEHA Yard/Garage Sale was a little soggy, keeping traffic down, and attendance at the summer picnic suffered a little from the heat; but nonetheless the VEHA neighborhood spirit came through.

Ahead, in December, is our annual Luminary Night - Christmas Eve - when we, as Norma Regenold says, "Light up our corner of the world" and spread some holiday cheer. There will be news of that in a printed newsletter, and an update here, very soon. Before we light up our corner of the world with luminaries, however, we'll be lighting up our corner of the world with jack-o-lanterns on Hallowe'en. The VEHA is a wonderful place for trick-or-treaters and I always enjoy the visits with neighbors as we stand outside that evening handing out treats.

Another 'Red' alert

Many of you recall the filming of the movie "Red Dawn" right here in the VEHA in the late spring of 2009. It was especially exciting for those of us on Vinsetta, where a big chase scene was filmed. Check out the VEHA Memo archive and read the Winter 2009 edition for the full story.

Well, here's an update. More than two years after filming was finished, it seems we may be close to the film being released. The Emagine Theater, right here in Royal Oak, had a promo on its website a week ago announcing a September 23 premier. That date has come and gone, however, and the film in not yet showing. Check back at the Emagine website regularly and see if there's any hint of a new release date. Wouldn't it be great to have a "premier party" at the theater for VEHA neighbors to celebrate the "celebrity" status of our neighborhood in the film? Here's the link to the Emagine Royal Oak theater:
http://www.emagine-entertainment.com/showtimes/visshowtimes.aspx?cinemaid=1006

The stars and crew of the film "Red Dawn" prepare for a take of the chase scene on Vinsetta in 2009

 Watch for a winter 2011 VEHA Memo update soon; and keep reading, posting and enjoying!

Dan Saad, VEHA Memo Editor
daniel.saad@djscomm.com