This Wednesday evening, 7 pm at the Science Museum of Virginia, the Sierra Club Falls of the James will be holding one of its regular monthly meetings. Its free and open to the public. This month’s meeting features a presentation called “My Journey of Discovery on the James River”, by Kaleigh Remaldo, an Open High student.

From the SCFOJ newsletter:

Kaleigh Remaldo, a student at Open High in Richmond, along with 20 other high schoolers in 2011, won a $50,000 Dominion Power grant to take a 28 day canoe trip from Covington to the Ches Bay, her “Journey of Discovery on the James River”. On their trip, they were to measure and map the relationship between land uses and water quality, keep journals, and record their experiences. This should be a unique presentation. Also, Glen Besa, our Virginia State Chapter Director, will provide our annual briefing on the General Assembly. Learn about the good, bad, and ugly legislation in the 2012 General Assembly.

The letter:

February 1, 2012
Honorable Dwight C. Jones Office of the Mayor
900 East Broad Street, Suite 201 Richmond, Virginia 23219
Re: Opposition to Proposed 2nd Street Connector

The Sierra Club Falls of the James group would like to express our many concerns regarding the recent proposed riverfront development just west of downtown. In particular, we see several issues with the proposed “2nd Street connector road.”

Lack of Amenities for Bicyclists and Pedestrians
First, we share the concerns expressed by neighborhood and bicycle groups about the lack of bicycle lanes and pedestrian features in plans for this development. It is absolutely hypocritical for the City to declare itself “bicycle-friendly” while creating a new roadway in its downtown riverfront without these measures. This sends all the wrong signals as the 2015 World Road Cycling Championship approaches.

Disrespect for Historic Context
Secondly, we are very interested in protecting the historic features of the Kanawah Canal that this proposed roadway will bisect. The canal, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is of great historical significance to the City of Richmond. It was first development of the city. Samuel Pleasants Parsons, a noted abolitionist, whose home (built in 1819) survives at 601 Spring Street, was the Superintendent of the Canal in 1840 when the Canal was expanded westward to Lynchburg. From about 1850 to 1875, John Messler ran a canal boat building enterprise in the Penitentiary Basin. Messler had a short walk from his home the Jacob House (which survives at 619 W. Cary Street) to the canal basin. Based on these facts alone, we believe that any construction in the area should be preceded by careful archeological investigation. All of the historic images of Richmond’s Kanawha Canal emphasize how important this area is to the City’s identity, and it deserves better than the typical corporate campus driveway treatment.

Environmental Degradation and Canal Boat Impasse
Thirdly, in addition to the history of the canal, its natural aspects also bring up important environmental concerns. Putting a paved road over the canal and so close to the river will have a significant effect on stormwater runoff in the area. With the James River Park so close by, any development of this area will have an adverse effect on the environment. We understand that the land above the canal area is ready for development, but the canal area itself is not. While much of the land for this proposed road may be on private property now, for the City to accept its donation under these circumstances is not proper environmental stewardship.
Moreover, we are listening to Jack Pearsall, who has served with the Historic Richmond Foundation and City planning committees and who has championed the canal as a transportation alternative. He has raised red flags with regard to how this proposed road will meet the historic canal. He has estimated that the culvert would be about 12 feet high with only about 6 feet of clearance if water flow were restored. That means typical canal boats would not be able to pass.
In a recent Richmond Times Dispatch article, Mr. Pearsall was quoted as saying, “The purpose of the canal is to float boats. If we’re going to float boats on this canal, they’ve got to be able to pass this constriction.”

Disregard for Possible Alternative Future Uses
We also note public support for this restored canal concept. There was support for it twenty years ago, and support for it was again expressed at the recent public riverfront planning meetings. Planning for the canal might be a question of whether the chicken or the egg comes first. At first the canal might be seem to be mostly for tourist boats up to Maymont and an extension of the history tour on the canal downstream; but some day the larger culture may see the benefit of and begin to use “water taxi” for transporting commuters downtown or to the slip, and eventually it may be functionally necessary again for commercial forms of traffic moving up the river. Navigable water is wisely being mapped with an eye on the future value to the state and municipalities as real estate. The movement to open and protect blue-ways is focused especially on keeping a cap on the scale of expansion or commercialization. Re-opening the canal must also be designed within the context of supporting conservation easements to prevent sale of any segments of James River Park.
We might say to ourselves that that little canal would have to be expanded to carry significant traffic once again, yet we must also look at the canal as it is: an existing option that we protect with foresight now while we have the chance, in preparation for the time it might need to be pressed into service because of a lack of resources for the kinds of massive infrastructure projects that we in our time are temporarily fortunate enough to consider ordinary.

Exacerbated Traffic Problems
Finally, we share concerns expressed by neighborhood groups with regard to traffic and further riverfront development. We recall our opposition, along with that of over a dozen other neighborhood and environmental groups, to Dominion Power’s Special Use Permit for its headquarters building on the riverfront. At the time, traffic was brought up as a chief concern, and Dominion assured City Council that existing roadways could serve the additional traffic created by its development. Now ten years later, Dominion is insisting on this new road while at the same time saying it has no plans for new development “at this time.” Oregon Hill neighborhood residents have made it clear there already are problems with additional traffic coming from the 195 expressway onto Idlewood Avenue that would be exacerbated by the 2nd Street connector. The City Department of Planning has not delineated the necessity of this road for emergency access.
In summary, the Sierra Club Falls of the James Group does not see the purpose of this road, and more pointedly, we are opposed to its current planning for the reasons set out above. We are not totally opposed to development in the area, but what has been suggested so far in regard to the Kanawha Canal and the 2nd Street Connector is not acceptable. We welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter with you.

Sincerely,
Adele MacLean, Co-Chair

Cc: City Council, Planning Commission

Youth EduConcert honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Friday, February 3, 7 p.m., Richmond Public Library, 101E. Franklin–FREE!
Saturday, February 4, 2 p.m., Science Museum of VA, 2500 W. Broad St.–Free with Museum Admission
View a video clip from 2010
Download a Flier

Then, Thursday night, the Richmond Anarchist Black Cross is hosting an event at the Flying Brick Library. Click here for the Facebook event page.

This presentation will discuss the current and ongoing repression of environmental/animal rights activists and liberators by efforts of U.S. government agencies and private sector groups; in particular the “terrorist”/”eco-terrorist” designation.
We will examine the history, goals and tactics of earth/animal defense groups, and focus more intensely on the increasing legislative/legal backlash – what has become punishable or consequential, how that has developed, and what those consequences are – and what this means for these folks as well as the broader spectrum of activists.

This may or may not be a good precursor to the RVA Environmental Festival, which is happening this weekend at the Byrd Theater, hosted by the Falls of the James group of the Sierra Club and the James River Film Society.

I’m looking for some small metal containers (16oz maximum, preferably less) for a student art project. Any condition.
F-style, round topped, pour cans. Anything. But it has to be small.

Free Movies Start Again At The Grace Street Theater

Belle Island Bicycle Skill Course A Go

How about dinner for a great cause? Join us at Perly’s Restaurant (111 East Grace Street – Richmond) on February 16, 2012 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm for a great spaghetti dinner and at the same time support William Byrd Community House. Eat-in or takeout options available.

Tickets are $15.00 per person and are available for advanced sales only. If you are not able to attend, maybe you would consider a donation so that a child from one of our programs could have great meal. Checks are to be made payable to William Byrd Community House.

After a fight that attracted the attention of six police cars on Jan. 20 in the IHOP Express at Laurel and Grace Place, Dining Services’ recent decision to check student IDs might make more sense to students.
In last Tuesday’s TelegRAM, VCU announced that the IHOP Express will be increasing security on Friday, Saturday and Sunday after 1 a.m, when they stop taking swipes.
VCU students will be asked to show their ID in order to access the dining facility. They are allowed to have a maximum of three guests.

The eatery was opened this past year as part of new Grace Street parking deck construction.

In more positive news, students can use the Cabell library more as open hours have increased, and there is a student petition that asks the VCU administration to focus more on student needs and less on construction and expansion of the Monroe campus. (ed.- No surprise here).

Also, don’t forget street cleaning continues, with China Street and other side streets scheduled for cleaning on Thursday.

It should be an interesting meeting. There is sort of a delayed holiday party (attendees are asked to bring finger food) and delayed election of officers. The buyer of the Victory Rug building has said he will attend as well as Councilperson Marty Jewell. And then there may also be more parking permit discussion…..

Please join us on Tuesday, January 24 at noon for “Computers and the Eyes”
presented by Dr. Juan Orellana, Associate Professor, VCU Dept. of
Ophthalmology. This program will cover how to work comfortably with
computers, and address other causes of eyestrain and headaches. Space is
limited and registration is required. Light refreshments will be provided.
For more information or to register, please contact Sarah or Dana at
828-2432, or email seamick@vcu.edu.

The Community Health Education Center is located in the VCU Medical Center
Gateway Building, Ground Floor, 1200 East Marshall Street, Richmond, VA
23298.
For more information about CHEC and our programs, please visit our website
at http://www.vcuhealth.org/chec/ and our Connect Richmond profile at
http://www.connectrichmond.org/default.aspx?tabid=130&orgid=3297.
We also have a facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/VCU-Health-System-Community-Health-Education-Center/148511228543952

>>You’re a Renegade Shopper, right? So Shop the Renegade Market, William Byrd Community House’s market with a mission to bring you fresh, delicious, locally grown and produced foodstuffs year-round: Faith Farm, Byrd Farm, Bonnyclabber Farm, Epic Gardens, so much good food in one afternoon – Tuesday, 3pm til Sunset. Weather will be windy and mild… come on over…

>>Chicken 101 Kick-Off Lecture, Thurs., Jan. 19, 7-9pm; details at http://chiknegg.eventbrite.com/ get your certificate in urban chicken farm raising…eh!

>>Polish Cuisine for Cooking as a 2nd Language – this Sat., Jan. 21 9:30-Noon, register at eatgoodgrowgreat.blogspot.com, $10/person, Make Pierogis and Rejoice!

>>Roots to Roots – Monthly Genealogy Program: Food Roots with Evrim Dogu – family food traditions reveal clues to family histories – take a different approach to your genealogy, Sat. Jan. 21, 1-3pm in the Library. RSVP to byrdhousemarket@gmail.com OR leave message at 643.2717 ext 306.

Excerpt from her obituary:

MITCHELL, Elsie Mae Moore, 89, of Richmond, went peacefully to be with Jesus, January 8, 2012. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Wylie Mitchell; her beloved daughter, Emily “Boo” Glenn, four sisters and two brothers. She is survived by one son, Joseph W. Mitchell (Scarlett); four grandchildren, Karen Jarrell, Kenneth Glenn Jr., David Glenn and Charlotte Miller; seven great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren, four nieces, one nephew and a host of family and friends. She attended Pine Street Baptist Church all her life and was an active member for many years. Elsie retired from Famous Foods of Virginia (FFV) after 35 years of service. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sibling and friend who would always be there for her family and friends. She was an excellent cook and prepared Sunday dinner 30 years for her family who enjoyed visiting with her and each other.

Tree Steward Classes
Register or get more information richmondtreestewards.wordpress.com
Classes start January 10, 2012
Learn about tree care, tree ID, and the problems that urban trees face.
Volunteer with us after training to help care for and teach the community about trees.

Phal’s lovely spring rolls will return with the greens of spring. Rona’s in hibernation this week (wouldn’t you???). Byrd Farm and Faith Farm will certainly be there. A little rain, a little winter visiting before the New Year breaks. Stock up. Keep warm… with SOUP! We had butternut squash and apple soup, cream of fresh mushroom soup and beef vegetable soup – each with broth to “die” for – so soothing. Recipes and ideas needed? just ask!

Xmas Eve and Xmas Day have gone, but Hannuka (Sunset, December 20 to Sunset, December 28) and Kwanzaa (December 26 to January 1) continue. December also holds the Winter Solstice, Saint Nicholas Day (in Europe) and Los Posadas (in Mexico). Ah, all that we don’t know could fill another universe or two.

So, to take solace, why don’t we just meet up at the Renegade market this afternoon from 3pm til Sunset and celebrate the gifts yet given and the goodies yet to be enjoyed. New Year’s Eve and Day approach and we all have a lot of work to do! Let’s enjoy, share and empower each other at every opportunity.

I’m looking forward. How about you?

–
Byrd House Market
William Byrd Community House
224 South Cherry St. Richmond, VA 23220
ByrdHouseMarket@gmail.com
(804) 643-2717

http://byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com/

Here’s an excerpt from a recent Treehugger.com post about this exciting bike trail development:

If you think highways and flight paths are the only ways to travel long distances in the United States, check out the East Coast Greenway. The network of bike trails and bikeable roads stretches nearly 3,000 miles down the eastern seaboard, from Maine’s border with Canada to Key West, Florida.

In the works since 1991, the route is officially complete, but still very much a work in progress. The goal of the East Coast Greenway Alliance (ECGA) is to have it run entirely on dedicated traffic-free trails, but at this point, nearly three quarters is on regular, if calm, roads.

The ECGA does not create the trails itself, but rather works with local organizations and agencies in the fifteen states it traverses to bring route sections together and to ensure that they all meet the proper criteria. If you live on the East Coast or pass through for a visit, the ECGA provides maps and information for each state’s route.

While circuitous routes off-road trails are preferred to direct on-road ones, the Greenway remains an urban trail system. It is more concerned with transportation than recreation, and connects 25 major cities, including New York, Washington, D.C., Richmond, Raleigh, Charleston and Miami.

William Byrd Community House to Host: Chickens and YOU Training Series – Workshop 1

Chickens and YOU Training Series – Workshop 1
Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Chickens and YOU Training Series Leading to the

Master Chicken Keeper Certification

Chickens are mascots of the local foods movement. Chickens have skill sets that can be gainfully employed in backyard gardens. This series of courses explores in detail with hand-on, real-life information and discussions that give you practical and effective cutting-edge ways to integrate chickens in with your yard and garden that benefit you, your neighborhood and your community. They can empower urban agriculture, and serve as clucking civic workers to help save BIG TIME local tax-payer dollars. Benefits of using a “Chicken Have-More Plan” are explored. It’s time to “think outside the coop and inside your garden” and these courses show you how.
• Laying Hens 101
• Gardening with Chickens
• Brooding Baby Chicks from Scratch
• Way of the Hen: Using Broody Hens to Incubate and Hatch Eggs Naturally
• Composting with Chicken Helpers
• How to be a Chicken Whisperer
• Eggs-trordinary Eggs! The Chemistry and Science behind Cooking with Eggs
• Coop Construction
• Chicken Tractor Construction
• Processing Birds for Meat
• Roosters 101
• Showing Poultry
• How to Get Chickens Legalized In Your City: Strategies from Across North America
Sponsored by The Gossamer Foundation and Good Earth Publications, Inc.,
and hosted by ChiknEGG Productions, LLC.

At the same time, neighbors are becoming increasingly concerned about what type of redevelopment will take place. There is hope that a low impact business, non-profit, or art gallery may find residence in the building. Many are concerned that if the building is retrofitted for a dozen or so VCU student apartments, it will be detrimental for the neighborhood. Some plan to attend the auction itself to make sure that developers understand their concerns.

Exacerbating these fears is the news that developers are already contacting property owners on Albemarle Street with an interest in purchasing property adjacent to Victory Rug. The assumption is that the developers are interested in demolishing these properties for parking for apartments in the Victory Rug building. A parking lot is not a permitted use of property in the R-7 zoning. This could really devastate the 800 block of Albemarle Street and the historic fabric of the neighborhood.

From Richmond.com

From Richmond Magazine

From HillsandHeights.org

One tidbit I received from a City employee who was there was that the new canal bridge is tentatively scheduled for installation for January 2.

Winter hours: Tuesdays, 3pm til Sunset for the friendliest farmers market in Richmond.

Visit ByrdHouseMarket.blogspot.com for this week’s news on the market, vendors, classes, events, recipes, community garden and farmlet and related issues in fresh, local foods, nutrition and transformative, sustainable living practices…
Byrd Farm / Rural Va Market – winter produce, honey, preserves, eggs, pork, chicken
CityGarden – holiday greenery, crocheted wire jewelry
Epic Gardens – young, tender ginger root
Faith Farm – herd shares, beef, chicken, eggs, Amish butter
Mugsey’s Dogtown Lounge – tastiest raw meat and poultry treats for dogs and cats
Sub Rosa Breads (our own cover boy in Style Weekly)
And, you never know who else might be there…
INDOORS:
We’ve had two of the most delicious CSL classes recently, so mark your Jan and Feb 2012 calendar for the 3rd Saturdays of the month: Polish Cuisine (parts 1 and 2) starts the year off right!
Urban Chicken Farming 2-part Workshop: Jan 19 and 28 – details to come soon

–
Byrd House Market
William Byrd Community House
224 South Cherry St. Richmond, VA 23220
ByrdHouseMarket@gmail.com
(804) 643-2717
byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com

“This adorable sweetie just showed up on my neighbors’ porch in Oregon Hill. She is totally tame and obviously a pet.”