THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 18, 1996 TAG: 9605170416
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GINGER ADAMS, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
LENGTH: Long : 117 lines
Few people can say that where they live is a matter of life and death. But for Lou Von, that's just what it was.
``Early one morning, I had a massive heart attack. My husband found me and we got in his truck and drove to Sentara Leigh Hospital, not five minutes from here. He didn't even have to call 911 and wait for someone to come,'' because the hospital was so close, she says thankfully.
Von lives in a secluded neighborhood in Norfolk called Hollywood. Not so flashy as its namesake, Hollywood lies on the north side of Virginia Beach Boulevard near the Virginia Beach border and feels like it could be anywhere but where it is.
Driving in on George Street, the boulevard car dealerships are left behind and towering trees loom overhead, protectively enfolding the charming two- and three-bedroom traditional homes.
``I get up early in the morning and I like to listen to the birds chirping and the squirrels running,'' Von says. ``I put peanuts on my windowsills and watch them come up to eat them. It's like being in the country but only in the city.''
The nearby hospital is not the only thing that has saved her family. ``My (elderly) mother was living with us, and she had Alzheimer's disease,'' Von says. ``She kept getting lost and other people would bring her back home. The neighbors knew her. If she looked bewildered, they would take her arm and say, `Let's go to Lou.' ''
The residents of Hollywood love the tranquillity their alcove allows them. With only two entrances to the neighborhood, very little traffic travels through and the trees and birds take center stage.
Hollywood is enclosed by Virginia Beach Boulevard to the south, Newtown Road to the east and Kempsville Road to the west. The only access roads are from the boulevard on George Street and from Kempsville Road by the elementary school.
Most of the homes in this established neighborhood were built in the post-World War II era, but a pocket are around 10 years old.
Robert and Jeanie Johnson bought a Hollywood homes nine years ago when they were transferred here with the Navy. ``We fell in love with it. It sits on a corner and we really only have neighbors on one side,'' Jeanie describes. She also counts the rural atmosphere and good schools as important.
The Johnsons' three-bedroom, two-bath ranch-style home was custom built and has a number of upgrades. Not only does the kitchen boast a bay window, but skylights, an improved fireplace and a brick courtyard out back set this house apart.
The yards in Hollywood are well taken care of and some residents have added extras like in-ground pools.
Ten-year-old Christy Johnson likes her peaceful neighborhood as well. ``At the end of my street there is a circle. I like rollerskating down to the circle and around the block because I don't really have to worry about cars.''
Christy also likes to play on the swings in her backyard and at the neighborhood church. ``I'm going to miss it, definitely,'' she says. Her father has retired from the Navy and plans to move to California.
Another feature that distinguishes Hollywood is its ethnic diversity. ``It's a multicultural neighborhood. And it's a big military neighborhood. But it's very friendly and the neighbors are caring,'' says Lisa Parker, a seventh-grade teacher and Hollywood resident.
Parker moved here with her family in 1989 when her husband, now the superintendent of grounds and landscaping for the city of Virginia Beach, was transferred here.
Parker said she had preconceived ideas about military neighbors when she moved to the area, that they could be ``clique-ish.'' But what she discovered in Hollywood is that the residents band together and become sort of a surrogate family for those far from home.
``There are a lot of retirees, some young people who just bought their first home - there's a good mix of people, different nationalities'' says Von.
``I think there is more acceptance of differences'' in such a diverse area, Parker says.
The bustle of traffic may drone out on the boulevard, but one block away you would never realize it. So close to everything, Hollywood is a private haven tucked away by itself.
And it is a neighborhood a lot of people, birds, and squirrels are proud to call home. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
GARY C. KNAPP
Jeanie Johnson and daughter Christy have lived in the neighborhood
for nine years. They're a Navy family.
John and Lou Von were glad Hollywood is near Leigh Sentara
Hospital.[sic]
Graphic
Map
VP
AT A GLANCE
ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Schools: Fairlawn Elementary, Lake Taylor Middle, and Lake Taylor
High schools. Virginia Wesleyan College is nearby.
Shopping: Military Circle Mall, Janaf Shopping Center and Pembroke
Mall are an easy drive away.
Recreation: A new recreation center is being built this summer at
Fairlawn Elementary School. Restaurants and other activities can be
found on Military Highway, Virginia Beach Boulevard and Independence
Boulevard.
FOR SALE
At 1120 George St., a three-bedroom, one-bath traditional home built
in 1952 was listed for $69,000.
At 6612 Adair Ave., a two-bedroom, one-bath bungalow built in 1953
was listed for $50,000.
At 1149 George St., a three-bedroom, two-bath ranch built in 1986
was listed for $89,000.
At 6339 Adair Ave., a three-bedroom, two-bath ranch built in 1987
was listed for $102,900.
by CNB