Daily Archives: February 12, 2014

City Opens Emergency Shelters as Winter Storm Approaches

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From email announcement:

City Opens Emergency Shelters as Winter Storm Approaches

Richmond, VA – The City of Richmond has opened two emergency shelters to assist City residents in the event power outages occur as a result of the winter storm. Residents who reside in areas where power outages are frequent during storms are advised to seek shelter now before traveling conditions deteriorate. The City’s Emergency Shelter locations are:

Linwood Holton Elementary School
1600 West Laburnum Avenue

James Blackwell Elementary School
1600 Everett Street

Residents should bring any medication, personal items and supplies that they may need. The City will provide meals and snacks to shelter attendees. Residents may also charge their medical equipment batteries and cell phones at the City shelter in the event they lose power at home. Weapons are not allowed in the City shelters. Pets are not allowed within the City shelter with the exception of service animals. Richmond Animal Care and Control (RAC&C) will staff both City shelters to accept the pets of residents attending the shelter. RAC&C advises residents that pets should be brought indoors, and if they do need to be outside, they should have adequate shelter that protects them from exposure to winter weather. Residents should call (804) 646-5123 if they need RAC&C to pick-up their pet from their residence.

“With the potential of power outages and roads possibly being blocked because of heavy snow, I urge residents who believe they have a potential to lose power to travel to a City shelter now,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones.

The City’s Cold Weather Overflow Shelter will open tonight, February 12 and Thursday, February 13 as overnight temperatures are forecasted to remain at or below 40 degrees during this time period. The overflow shelter is located in the City’s Public Safety Building, 501 North 9th Street. The shelter entrance is the second entrance on the 9th Street side of the building closest to Leigh Street. The shelter opens at 7 p.m. and closes the following morning at 6 a.m. Shelter registration will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Food will not be provided and pets are not allowed.

The Cold Weather Day Warming site will open tomorrow, Thursday, February 13 as daytime temperatures are forecasted to remain at or below 40 degrees during this time period. The warming site is open each day from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. Commonwealth Catholic Charities operates the day warming site at 511 West Grace Street.

Residents in need of overnight shelter are asked to report to Commonwealth Catholic Charities Homeless Point of Entry by 5 p.m. each day for a comprehensive intake and referral to the appropriate shelter. Commonwealth Catholic Charities Homeless Point of Entry is located at 511 West Grace Street. A referral to the Cold Weather Overflow Shelter will be provided to individuals who are not eligible for an existing shelter or if all available beds have been filled. Individuals seeking access to the Overflow Shelter must have a referral.

The City’s Department of Social Services will accept Crisis Assistance applications now through March 15 at 900 East Marshall Street, Monday through Friday; from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can also call the Fuel Line at (804) 646-7046. The department also provides emergency assistance with gas and electric disconnection notices for residents who qualify.

Elderly or residents with disabilities may also contact Senior Connections for assistance at (804) 343-3000, Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For up-to-date information and additional instructions from the City of Richmond during this weather event, please visit www.Richmondgov.com, follow the City on Twitter @CityRichmondVA, and stay tuned to local radio and television stations.

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Who Wears The Kerosene Hat?

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Some neighbors were discussing emergency heating measures and someone mentioned kerosene which reminded me of the band Cracker-

From Wikipedia:

Kerosene Hat is Cracker’s second album, released on August 24, 1993. It reached #1 on Billboard’s Top Heatseekerschart, and #59 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The well-known hit single from this album, “Low”, helped Cracker gain widespread notice.
According to frontman David Lowery, the album’s title comes from the band’s early days in Richmond, Virginia. Lowery lived with Cracker guitarist Johnny Hickman in an old dilapidated house whose only source of heat came from two kerosene heaters. To buy more kerosene meant a cold walk to a nearby gas station, so before he left the house, Lowery would bundle up and put on an old wool hunting cap – hence the “kerosene hat”. “To this day,” says Lowery, “the smell of kerosene reminds me of the poverty and the wistful hope we had for our music.”[2]

As I have mentioned before, David Lowery lived at 239 S. Laurel Street.

As for heating without electric heat pumps, many Hill houses still rely on City natural gas for heating. Many have old fashioned and new fashioned wood stoves. There are also wood pellet stoves.

I keep hoping we will eventually see affordable, efficient, residential hydrogen fuel cells that can easily create electricity with natural gas and store it and solar power for emergency situations.

Tonight’s Meetings Cancelled Due to Impending Snowstorm

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From Councilperson Parker Agelasto’s office:

Dear Neighbors:

Due to the predicted weather forecast for tonight our 5th District meeting will be CANCELLED tonight. It is rescheduled for Thursday, February 20th at 6:30 p.m. at Byrd Park Roundhouse. The meeting will serve as an update on several ongoing projects within the 5th district including: an update on Richmond Public Schools from Mamie Taylor, a city stadium update, a Monroe Park discussion and an open discussion on the Shockoe Bottom Revitalization Plan. Please join us to discuss these very important issues.

Also, the MPACT meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 13th will be rescheduled for Wednesday, February 19th at 6:00 p.m. at Byrd Park Roundhouse. The Mayor’s Participation Action Communication Team (MPACT) will be meeting with representatives from code enforcement to discuss resident responsibilities in maintaining your property and alleys. They will also be sharing information on the city right of ways and easements. The Department of Public Works will also be in attendance to discuss alleyway maintenance and paving schedules. If you have any questions regarding the MPACT meetings please call Zane Robinson at 804-646-0275.

Across much of Central Virginia, total snow accumulations of 6-12 inches are most likely, while some mixed precipitation will keep amounts lower toward the east. Winds on Thursday will become 10-20 mph during the day. Additional light snow will be possible later Friday into Saturday and again on Sunday. This heavy, wet snow could knock trees and limbs into power lines and create outages. Plans and preparations are underway with the City of Richmond and Dominion Virginia Power crews are ready to respond. Please stay away from fallen wires and debris. Treat all fallen wires and anything touching them as though they are energized.

Dominion customers can use a computer or any mobile device to report power outages via the company’s website, www.dom.com. Customers also can call toll free 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357) to report outages or downed lines.

Sincerely,

Ida Jones
5th District Liaison