NBC12 has a story on the $6 million in renovation/upgrade plans for Monroe Park, thanks to the hard work of the Monroe Park Advisory Council.

Monroe Park Plans

There will also be a story in Style Magazine published tomorrow.

First the info:

The City of Richmond has partnered with Earth Aid as part of its Green Richmond Initiative to help promote energy conservation and efficiency in our community, and to enable Richmond residents, our partners, and the community as a whole to track their energy and water usage online!

EarthAid.net/richmond is a free service that enables your household to track all of your actual electric, gas, and water utility usage in one place online, compare your usage to friends and neighbors, and find easy ways to save money. In addition, you earn Earth Aid Rewards Points based on how much energy and water you save at home—points you can redeem for discounts and offers at over 200 local, regional, and national participating businesses, including dozens right here in Richmond!

Second, the ask:

If you are an Oregon Hill resident, I invite you to join the Richmond Oregon Hill group by clicking here. Hopefully, more on this aspect later…

Third, the follow-up:

The local Sierra Club group is starting off its fall season on with meeting program entitled: Richmond Sustainability and Reducing your Utilities Usage! The meeting is on Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 7 pm at the Science Museum of Virginia. As with all of its general meetings, attendance is free and the public is invited to attend.

It will feature at least two speakers:

Alicia Zatcoff is the first Sustainability Manager for the City of Richmond. In this role, she provides strategic direction, development and daily oversight of a complex, city-wide Sustainability and Energy Management Program. Zatcoff has over twelve years of local government experience in areas including municipal law, governmental process, complex real estate transactions, community development, public safety and sustainability.

Tabitha Daniel is a Marketing and Public Relations Specialist for the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities, and is excited to promote the city’s partnership with Earth Aid, a union she describes as a “win-win for everyone, especially the environment.”

From City announcement:

Richmond, VA – Teens from the Mayor’s Youth Academy will present the Lifestages Showcase at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 20, 2010, at the Landmark Theatre, 6 North Laurel Street. The showcase will feature Mayor’s Youth Academy participants ages 14 through 15 in a variety of artistic performances to include song, dance, theatre, fashion and more. The public is strongly encouraged to attend this free event.

“It has been an exciting summer and I am pleased with all that the young people involved with the Mayor’s Youth Academy have accomplished over the past few months. I have a real vision for our youth in Richmond and I pledge the city’s continued investment in their future,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “I would like to thank the public, private and non-profit entities who have partnered with us in providing this tremendous service to our city’s youth.”

During recent months, more than 442 city youth participated in the Mayor’s Youth Academy program. Approximately 172 youth between the ages of 14 and 15 participated in the Life Stages program which consisted of leadership training and life skills enrichment opportunities, while 67 youth within the same age range participated in the Youth Urban Conservation Corps. This summer, 203 city youth between the ages of 16 through 19 were employed in public, private and non-profit organizations.

Mayor Jones launched the Mayor’s Youth Academy earlier this year to reduce teen crime, social deviant behavior and create a future emerging workforce. The program is constructed to provide development opportunities designed to promote leadership, career awareness, workforce skill development, community engagement, improve school attendance, heighten understanding of career and educational pathways, and increase the number of high school students graduating with post-secondary aspirations. The Mayor’s Youth Academy program has had a 98 percent retention rate with several youth being offered both full and part-time employment.

From the Urban Forestry Commission:

Richmond’s Young Trees Need Help Getting Through the Summer
RICHMOND, Virginia – July 29, 2010 Urban Forestry Commission
With this summer’s heat and drought taking hold, all Richmonders could use some relief, but none so much as our newly planted street trees. Richmond’s newly-formed Urban Forestry Commission is concerned about the condition of thousands of street and park trees planted in recent years to replace trees lost during and after Hurricane Isabel. Those trees are in jeopardy because Richmond has had long periods of no significant rainfall compounded by extreme heat.
Newly planted trees are particularly vulnerable to drought stress because their root systems have not had a chance to become fully established in the landscape. “They come from a comfortable nursery environment with good soil and irrigation. Most of their roots are chopped off in preparation for transplant and the trees must re-grow those roots in the new location.” says Karen Townsend, an Urban Forestry Commission member and City resident. Many of the City’s newly planted trees may die if left alone to contend with a continuing drought.
“Regular watering will make a tremendous difference to these young trees and we are asking City residents to take on this task where ever possible,” says Townsend. “Stretch a hose or carry a couple bucketfuls of water from your house to any nearby trees.” Trees should be watered once or twice a week if there is no rainfall. Water the entire rootball with about 5-10 gallons, pouring slowly enough so as to ensure that the water soaks into the soil rather than running off.
Treegator® slow-release watering bags are zipped around the trunks of some trees. These green bags release 20 gallons of water over a 5 to 9 hour period and should be refilled at least once a week. Use either a hose or watering can to pour water in the opening under the colored tag at the top of the bag. With the bag 1⁄4 full, lift up gently on the top handles to properly position the bottom of the bag over the rootball, and then fill to capacity.
Planting and caring for young trees is an investment that pays great dividends in the future. Richmond’s street trees make the City not only beautiful, but also more livable. As Townsend points out, “Given the option of two park benches on a 90-degree summer day…one in the open sun and one under the canopy of a mature tree…there no question where I’d be.”

Contacts:
Tarisa Moran, Secretary to the Urban Forestry Commission 804-646-6308 tarisa.moran at richmondgov.com
Karen Townsend, Urban Forestry Commission Member Telephone: 804-357-4292 ktownsend at enrichmond.org

A summary of the current status for a new canal bridge from City of Richmond’s Parks & Recreation Department:

The plans for the Northbank Trail Bridge have been approved by the Planning Commission and CAR. Work, after final approval by VDOT to proceed (which is a requirement) is hoped to commence later this summer.

However, before we can begin we will have to solve an issue with ADA accessibility. The bridge itself is accessible. However, most of the trails leading to and from it are not.

We have met with VDOT and DPW and are working to correct this. Once we get final approval on this from VDOT, we will bid the work out and begin construction.

Regarding questions that have posed about the funding, we are not in any danger of losing it. We have been assured by VDOT of this. In fact, we have been encouraged to seek additional funding for the downside portion of the trail to Tredegar Street by VDOT. This yet to be determined, but informally they are supportive of this work.

Still dreaming those dreams.
Keep in mind that the high speed rail now being bandied about would skip downtown Richmond altogether. Former City Council member Bill Pantele noticed.

Here’s a recent announcement:

Dear Supporters,

The Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor Tier 2 DEIS for the portion from Richmond to Raleigh has been released and 8 public hearings have been scheduled along the corridor. To find our joint talking points, go to www.VHSR.com/SEHSRT2EIS

The full study can be found at, http://www.sehsr.org/deis/deis.html, along with a link to submit electronic public comments. All public comments are due by August 30th. The dates and locations of the public hearings are copied below, and all hearings begin at 7:00 pm with a public viewing beginning at 5:00 pm.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Greater Richmond, VA
Virginia DMV Cafeteria
2300 W. Broad Street, 1st floor
Richmond, VA 23269

It must have been hot work, but Belvidere Street was repaved earlier today.

Hopefully this means safer and smoother driving.

Carver and Jackson Ward News has the story a la NBC 12…

Belvidere Repaving Project Begins This Week

Although traffic may be crazy during the work on Belvidere, there is one good thing: no parking restrictions since you can’t park on the road anyway.
“If you have road rage, I would avoid this area at all costs,” exclaims Kimberly.

This Richmond City website (click here) states that Richmond’s outdoor pools are open from mid-June to Labor day.

Randolph pool and all others will open beginning June 23rd. The pools are free and open daily all summer.

Summer Pool Schedule

Outdoor pools are open from mid-June through Labor Day.

Open/free swim & adult/family swim hours:

Monday – Friday, 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Holidays, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

From announcement:

William Byrd Community House/Byrd House Market is pleased to host Todd Haymore, Virginia’s Secretary of Agriculture & Forestry
“….Haymore is responsible for two of the state’s most well known agencies, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF). He is also responsible for the Virginia Agricultural Council.” Time and other logistical details will be posted at byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com

Aside from our full contingent of market vendors, BHM welcomes The Clockworks, a new family collective that will be selling art/crafts and providing art activities for children visiting the market. Krissy Dorwin will Paint Faces and the SPCA will be bringing their annual Fur Ball info to fur-ball-fans who shop the market.

Green Taxi – Veggie Oil Fuel smells like fries are cookin’… yummmm

3rd Tuesday Acoustic Jam, 5:00 – 7 p.m.
The first one this year will be on June 15th. Music Players are invited to a 3rd Tuesday Acoustic Jam at the Byrd House Market, 5:00 – 7 p.m. Come early and bring your totebags to shop at the Byrd House Market. Come anytime to play, even (especially!) after work. The genre is determined by the players, so don’t be shy about choosing a song to sing, a rock to roll or a groove to play. It’s all wide open! Folk, Ol’ time, Bluegrass, Blues, Gospel, Jazz, Rock, Celtic, Children’s Songs, anything you can play on an acoustic instrument!

Byrd House Market is located in historic Oregon Hill neighborhood, behind William Byrd Community House on the corner of South Linden and Idlewood.
That’s at the Belvidere Exit from the downtown expressway I-195. You can’t miss it. For more directions and a market update, visit http://byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com or call 804-643-2717.