More followup to the impetus. But why is it in the TD’s ‘Entertainment’ section?

A task force of Virginia Commonwealth University professors and administrators is recommending a new corporate research review committee to implement updated guidelines on business-sponsored research at the school.

SynerGeo is looking for artists to participate in neighborhood art show next month.

Lieutenant Drew’s monthly report from September (PDF) for the Richmond Police Departments Sector 413 is now available:

Oregon Hill crime was up 50% from 2007 – 4 to 6 crimes. 3 of the 6 crimes occurred in the 200 block of S. Cherry Street (A car, a bike and some plants were stolen.) Residents (in that block especially) should report any suspicious activity. There was one other bike, wheels from a car and license plates stolen in your neighborhood.

I was delighted when all three candidates for the 5th District City Council seat attended last week’s neighborhood association meeting.

Meanwhile, rvanews.com is doing a valiant job of collecting responses to questions:

If you support the proposed Downtown Master Plan and if you are elected, what specifically will you do to ensure the plan is implemented? If you oppose the proposed Downtown Master Plan and if you are elected, what steps will you take to correct, change, or modify the plan?

Mark Brandon: (2/4)

I have been involved in this master plan process from the beginning. As a civic association president in the West Main/ Cary/ Parkwood Ave area we lead the rezoning’s in the area using many of the same principals now at play in the Downtown Master Plan. Working closely with VCU dept of Urban Studies and Planning we passed at city council the West Main Street Corridor Plan in 1998. In 1996 I took a lead role with the West Cary Street Revitalization Plan, which has changed the face of Cary Street, from Meadow toward VCU. Still using those same urban design principals, I was a founding member of this local chapter of the Sierra Club’s Restore The Core Committee. My nine years in New York City as a business operator and mass transit patron I understand “the new urbanism” principals that should shape master plans in all areas of our city.

The downtown plan needs no more changing and needs to be passed NOW ! Richmond no longer needs to accommodate the needs of a few would be developers. Our Downtown is hot and on the move; let’s pass this plan and get back to work on the rest of our town.

Marty Jewell (incumbent): (0/4)
NO RESPONSE

Lee Shewmake: (2/4)

I support the Downtown Master Plan. Implementing the plan will involve a great deal of marketing to developers to ensure we get the projects we want. Richmond has historically fallen short in the marketing of itself and this must change. I would also support a streamlined approval process for development at a location that matches the Master Plan goal for that location. I would also ensure that any proposed changes or deviations from the plan were well advertised to the public and meetings held for the public’s input and approval. The Master Plan is only useful if the city government approves projects that match closely to the plan. Unfortunately in the past, projects not fitting with or remotely similar to the previous Master Plan have been permitted, which to me defeats the purpose of expending significant time, effort and money to develop a plan. Arbitrary set asides to encourage development for development’s sake is in stark contrast to the purpose of developing a plan, which is about deciding ahead of time generally what you want and where you want it. As most agree, our existing old and historic neighborhoods, whether they possess an actual designation or not, are one of Richmond’s greatest assets. One of the few that distinguishes the city from surrounding localities. The impact to these areas and the people and businesses currently there must be the priority when considering altering or deviating from the Master Plan.

The 2nd Annual St. Andrew’s Community Fair in Oregon Hill; Sun., Oct. 19; noon to 3:00 p.m.; Oregon Hill at the Byrd House Market/Grace Arents Community Garden location; food, fun, activities, homemade foods and crafts; plus live music featuring The Thistle & Shamrock Dance Troupe; The Shalom Singers, a Kenyan vocal quintet singing traditional music; and Hoggify, an all-purpose rock and roll cover band. Sponsored by St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Admission free. 804-648-7980.

The Flying Brick Library, Richmond’s Oregon Hill-based radical lending library, has announced plans to reopen in early 2009.

in front of 121 S. Cherry

on 300 block of S. Laurel

More candidate questions from RVAnews.com.

Here are 5th District Council candidate responses (Jewell is still a self-admitted “dinosaur” when it comes to computers):

Mark Brandon: (3/5)

Assets : Its location on the James, it’s diverse neighborhoods and its history.
Liability : Its history

Marty Jewell (incumbent): (0/5)
NO RESPONSE

Lee Shewmake: (3/5)

Richmond’s greatest assets are history, architecture and neighborhoods. The three are so often interconnected and serve to define Richmond as unique in the tri cities area.

Richmond’s greatest liability is the infrastructure, which is very old and was severely neglected for so many decades. Improvements/replacements of these will be huge undertakings and the school structures are but one category.

William Byrd Community House is pleased to announce the next lecture in its Hans S. Falck Lectureship on Social Responsibility, Civil Rights and Race Relations in Virginia Public Education: A Case Study in Social Change, for Thursday, October 23, 2008 from 7-9PM at St. Andrew’s School Auditorium (236 S Laurel St., Richmond, VA 23220). For additional information and directions call: 804-643-2717 or visit the WBCH website at: http://wbch.org.

Read more >

Community Movie Night:
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
October 17 at 7:00 P.M.

Grilled hotdogs, chips, served
(last movie until Spring)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
MONDAY OCTOBER 20TH AT 6PM, SynerGeo is hosting the O. Hill community
dinner of the month. Please join us to share a meal together and meet
some new neighbors or talk to someone you’ve been meaning to for days.
We do ask that you please bring a dish or dessert to share with
everyone! We also ask that you please stay and sit and engage in
conversation. It is meant as a community builder!!

We are located at 349 S. Laurel street on the corner of S. Laurel &
Albemarle streets. Please come and also help us spread the word!!!
If you have questions or want more info. on the dinner or about
SynerGeo, you can email me at
cowleskatie@yahoo.com
or visit www.synergeo.org

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Friends-

Im happy to announce that on Sunday, October 26th at 4 PM in
Monroe Park, The World Famous Bread and Puppet theatre will perform
for your pleasure. This company did a wonderful performance in the
same park last year and was a delight for young and old. The puppet
spectacle mixed with relevant social commentary made for a most
entertaining afternoon. There is no admission but donations are
gratefully accepted. Please mark your calendar and tell your friends.

Also, on Halloween (which is of course October 31), Lily
Lamberta’s All The Saints Theatre company will stage a wonderful
Halloween parade starting at 7 PM in Monroe Park and proceeding down
Laurel into Oregon Hill, coming back up Pine Street. This is also a
tradition not to be missed!

Todd.