Quick Weekend Reminders

Get ready for VCU’s Project Clean Move. In addition to trash cleanups, volunteers will load reusable items to give to nonprofits this Saturday, May 31, from 8 a.m – 12 p.m. Separate your trash and reusable items and leave them out before 8 a.m. The Randolph/Oregon Hill truck will likely handle Randolph from 8-10 and Oregon Hill from 10-12. Speaking of which, we need volunteers in Oregon Hill. Please get in touch ASAP if you can help out tomorrow.

The Tredegar American Civil War Center has a full weekend of events, including gunfire exhibitions and actors portraying figures from Tredegar’s history.

Expect some gunfire sounds from Hollywood Cemetery at some point tomorrow afternoon/evening. The cemetery is hosting a ceremony in the Soldiers Section at the speakers stand, with rifle fire. The ceremony should begin about 3PM and last about 2 hours.

Hollywood Cemetery is also hosting a special Civil War Walking Tour tomorrow from 2 to 4 pm.

From the Pyramid to the gravesite of Jefferson Davis, high above the James River, Hollywood Cemetery is the final resting place for thousands of Confederates. Come visit the graves of such notables as J.E.B. Stuart, George Pickett, Fitzhugh Lee, Jefferson Davis and many others whose stories continue to capture our imagination 150 years after the Civil War began. Meet at the cemetery entrance at Cherry and Albemarle streets. $15 per person $5 for History Center Members and children under 12 Walk-ups welcome. Cash or check, or purchase online at richmondhistorytours.com. On-street parking. This tour is presented as part of the Richmond History Tours program, a service of the Valentine Richmond History Center.

Sierra Club Asks For Monroe Park Pledge

The Sierra Club Falls of the James Executive Committee sent this public request today (Disclosure: I am a member of the SCFOJ Executive Committee and actually wrote the following):

The Sierra Club Falls of the James Executive Committee, recognizing VCU’s representation on the Monroe Park Conservancy board, respectfully asks for a public pledge to keep, at the very least, the same amount of mature trees and natural shade canopy as what is currently in Monroe Park. Given some past Monroe Park proposals, we believe this public pledge is necessary. We also request a careful inventory of the current mature trees, and ask to be notified before any are removed. While it is understandable that dead and dying trees may need removal and replacement, it is vital that Richmond retain valuable urban green resources. City trees, and groups of trees, are extremely important to offsetting downtown’s heat island effect, creating a habitat for birds, supplying a calming presence on human beings, and offsetting climate change caused by global warming.

We also note that Monroe Park has been a historic place of public gathering and political protest, and we request that the Monroe Park Conservancy continue to allow these important civic activities. The ACLU of Virginia recently sent a letter that raises questions on these points in regard to the City’s Monroe Park lease.

Lastly, it is also worth noting City Councilperson Parker Agelasto’s resolution, adopted by City Council, to work with the Conservancy to expand the board, and consider requesting an increase in the membership of the board to include a.) the Director of the city Parks Dept.; b.) a representative from the city’s Urban Forestry Division; c.) a representative of the Falls of the James Sierra Club; d.) representatives of the neighborhoods near the park that rely on the park as a fundamental community resource.

Wire Work

There has been a lot of rumors about some of the telecommunications wire work going on in the neighborhood.

I received this from a neighbor (posted with permission):

So, I spoke to the technicians working in the neighborhood and they confirmed that we are indeed getting residential fiber (Verison calls it FIOS) installed to our houses. Obviously, this is voluntary. They’re just building out the capacity to provide the service if you want it, because their franchise agreement with the city requires them to do so, and they’ve fallen behind.

FYI- If you switch to FIOS from your old copper phone line, and begin purchasing phone service over the FIOS line, they may try to remove your old copper lines. This is to prevent you from going back to copper, or to use any other service provider.

In reality, they are required by law to reinstall your copper lines (at no charge to you) if they remove them.

Just keep in mind that Verizon may try to get you to bundle all your services into some plan that is delivered via FIOS, remove your copper lines, and then make it difficult for you to get out of that arrangement.

This is interesting, given some of the past appeals and speculation.

Byrd Market/Council/OHNA This Afternoon/Evening

Byrd House Market this afternoon at Idelwood and Linden. Visit http://www.byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com for more info.

While many people will paying attention to the stadium debate and large docket of issues at Richmond City Council, there is also an Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association (OHNA) meeting this evening at 7 pm at the William Byrd Community House.

Part of OHNA’s agenda will include a development proposal for a small lot on the 400 block of S.Cherry Street.

Trash/Recycling Pickup Thursday/Project Clean Move Saturday

Normally, this Wednesday is a red Wednesday, which means trash and recycling pickup. But because of the Memorial Day holiday, pickup has been pushed back a day to Thursday. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup. They do not belong on the sidewalk after Thursday night.

Also, get ready for VCU’s Project Clean Move. In addition to trash cleanups, volunteers will load reusable items to give to nonprofits this Saturday, May 31, from 8 a.m – 12 p.m. Separate your trash and reusable items and leave them out before 8 a.m. The Randolph/Oregon Hill truck will likely handle Randolph from 8-10 and Oregon Hill from 10-12.

Another Community Movie On Sunday…

From a neighbor:

Richmond Cohousing is sponsoring a documentary film in Pleasants Park at the corner of Laurel and Albemarle behind the Pine Street Baptist Church. If it rains the Pine Street Baptists have kindly offered us the use of their facilities.

“Within Reach ” is about sustainable communities. A couple take a tour across United States by bike to visit a wide variety of different types of green communities looking for their forever home.

More info and a trailer can be found here:

http://www.withinreachmovie.com/

It starts at dark (8 ish) but feel free to come anytime after 7pm to set up your blankets, lawn chairs, and grab some free popcorn and lemonade.

Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony On Monday

From the Virginia War Memorial website:

Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony* 5/26/2014 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Co-hosted with the American Legion 11th District – Virginia’s official commemoration of the national holiday to honor and remember valiant men and women who gave their lives in service to America will be held in the Heilman Amphitheater (rain or shine). This is an inspirational tribute dedicated to the proposition that Freedom is Never Free and includes a guest speaker, patriotic music, wreath laying and the playing of TAPS. Extended open hours.
Virginia War Memorial

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Evening Tour/Movie Tomorrow Night

Hollywood Cemetery is happy to announce a new evening tour for tomorrow night at 6 pm! You can purchase tickets through the Valentine Richmond History Center or by clicking here.

Across the river, The James River Outdoor Coalition (JROC) presents the premiere of the movie DamNation on Thursday, May 22, at 9 pm at the Manchester Floodwall Park, 3 Hull Street, Richmond 23224. “This powerful film odyssey across America explores the sea change in our national attitude from pride in big dams as engineering wonders to the growing awareness that our own future is bound to the life and health of our rivers.” Suggested donation is $5. It’s a fabulous place to watch a film!