The Commonwealth of Virginia Art and Architectectural Review Board met yesterday and approved VCU’s plans for demolishing the historic stables. VCU adjunct faculty member McDowell made the motion to demolish 917 Green Alley.

Not one member bothered to respond when an Oregon Hill neighborhood representative questioned how the a 270′ façade on Cherry Street can be compatible with the scale and massing of the small 20′ structures in the historic district, or why VCU did not consider the vacant parking lots on Broad and Grace as alternative sites.

This past Wedensday Oregon Hill celebrated Halloween. One aspect that is quickly becoming a tradition is the All Saints’ Halloween Parade. It went down Laurel Street complete with brass band, banners, bike puppets, and more. All Saints’ Theater Company had the help of the Bread and Puppet Theater this year.

Lots of trick or treaters and some splendid jack o’ lanterns (especially on Pine Street) also helped make this year’s Halloween memorable.

Internationally acclaimed baritone James C. Martin will give a free concert at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Sunday November 18th, at 6:00 pm. Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Martin has performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and recently he was the featured soloist at the consecration of Bishop Shannon Johnston at the National Cathedral. Located at the corner of S. Laurel St. and Idlewood Ave. in the historic Oregon Hill neighborhood, St. Andrew’s is offering this free concert to the Richmond Community as the centerpiece of its “Music with Grace” 2007-2008 concert series. For more information call 648-7980 or visit www.standrewsec.org. St. Andrew’s welcomes you to come along with neighbors, family and friends!

Lieutenant Lisa Drew reports “another great month for Sector 413 and thanks to the cooperation of our community - crime is continuing to go down! Violent Crime was down 50% this month. We are still continuing to have a problem with property crimes (mainly thefts from autos) but even property crime was down 6%. Thank you to everyone for your continued support from everyone here at 4th Precinct!” Check out the Sector 413 report for October. (PDF)

A message from Karen Atkinson, Market Manager of the Byrd House Market:

Remember tomorrow after you perform your Civic duty - voting - stop by the “Renegade” Byrd House Market on Idlewood Street from 3:30 until 6PM. And remember that we have extended the market season to have markets on 11/13/07, 11/20/07, 11/27/07 and 12/11/07 from 3:30 until 6PM.

Today was Election Day. Voting was very light for a number of reasons - it rained, the polling station moved without much fanfare from William Byrd Community House to the Landmark Theater, and the ballot was very short. Delegate McLellan was unopposed for her seat, and Donald McEachin won the State Senate seat.

Read more >

The November Near West / Downtown Community Assisted Public Safety (CAPS) meeting is scheduled Wednesday, November 14, 2007 @ 6PM @ Dominion Place, 1025 W Grace St. Ukrops has granted us permission to park in the first row of parking spaces, facing W. Grace St. If you have any questions about CAPS, please call 646-CAPS (2277).

As a follow-up to a meeting on April 7, 2007, City staff has completed a draft parking study for the West Cary Street area between Cherry Street and Belvidere Street and is in the process of drafting guidelines for a potential new Zoning District that could be applied in this area. An informal meeting on these topics has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 13 at 6:30 pm at the Randolph Community Center, located at 1415 Grayland Avenue.

Read more >

Check out this great photo of Hollywood Cemetery by *wanderlust*.

A message from Karen Atkinson, Market Manager of the Byrd House Market:

Hello ByrdHouse Market Supporter! Looking forward to seeing you at the Market on Tuesday, November 13, 2007. There are four (4) other “pick-up” only markets currently scheduled for November 13th, 20th, 27th, and December 11th from 3:30 until 6 PM.

Read more >

In checking out the artists’ sites for the show Side Streets opening tonight at the new Glave Kocen Gallery, I found these great location paintings by Melissa Burgess.

Seems like it.

At University of Richmond, President Edward L. Ayers signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. Contrast that with this from VCU’s Commonwealth Times: VCU receives ‘D-’ for energy efficiency - Sustainable practices barely passing at VCU. One of the planned buildings that Ohlinger alludes to in the CT article is the proposed rec center.

Despite attrition, the neighborhood is regarded as a survivor. New houses stand among the historic, old ones, and the character, though always changing, remains. But residents are well aware that staying on top of the Hill carries risk and requires vigilance, whether it be from eminent domain, corrupt developers, or sudden, natural or man-made disaster.

Read more >

nbc12.com has short piece about the “nearly a dozen cars” that were towed away from South Pine Street this morning prior to leaf collection.

Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meeting, next-to-last “Renegade” Byrd House Market, Story Time In the Library…

Read more >

Due to a water main break, the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meeting was cancelled last night. A new date will be announced soon.

(Also, the previous post had date of the scheduled meeting as Monday, when in fact it was supposed to be last night, Tuesday).

A resident was robbed at gunpoint by two individuals around 12:30AM on November 29th while entering residence. She literally had about an 8 foot walk from her car parked on the street to the side door of the house. While putting her key in the door two men came up behind her and demanded money. They got all the cash on her (three dollars), as well as an old cell phone and her ID. She was not physically hurt in any way. This occured at the corner of Laurel and Idlewood.

The muggers were described as 2 black males. One was about 5′8, the other unknown. Both had dark hoodies and jeans. They had no facial hair and both had semi-automatic pistols. It all happened in about 30 seconds-1 minute or so. They took off around the corner down Laurel St. towards the river.

The police were called and reports were filed.