Yearly Archives: 2009

City Council Turns Back on CAR (But Supports River Park Conservation)

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I have been watching this case unfold in our neighbors’ lap up in Church Hill.

Without commenting specifically on the developer or the proposed development (because we have seen what can possibly happen if we do), I will say that it sadly reaffirms what Oregon Hill neighbors have long suspected- voting to put our neighborhood under the Commission for Architectural Review will not protect Oregon Hill’s historical assets as long as City Council continues to live by its undeclared ‘Leave No Developer Behind Act’. We always knew that VCU is exempted from City code, but evidently so are others. In other words, our own City Council does not live by CAR’s decisions, so why should we?

As King, I have already declared my own version of historic preservation protection. I swear to do my best to defend the neighborhood from disrespectful development and I continue to ask my neighbors to join me in doing so. Of course, the door is still open if my neighbors do eventually decide they do want to become a “City Historic District”.

By the way, even though I already annexed Belle Island, I will honor City Council’s decision to support the James River Conservation Easement.

‘Evandalism’ Philosopher Pete Rollins at St. Andrew’s

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Using a mix of parables, philosophy and provocative post-modern Christian theology, Irish writer/lecturer/philosopher Peter Rollins brings his “Lessons in Evandalism” tour to Richmond on Feb. 21-22. His visit is sponsored by St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond.

Rollins is currently visiting churches and universities across the U.S. to share his thoughts about an emerging, organic movement within the Christian faith. These “pockets of resistance,” as he calls them, are unafraid to buck tradition and proclaim the death of God, church and religion as we typically know them in preparation for their “resurrection” in a radically different form.

Rollins will hold a public lecture at Baptist Theological Seminary, 3400 Brook Road, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21. A reception and book signing will follow the lecture. At 10 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, Rollins will address the Adult Forum class in the chapel of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 240 South Laurel Street in Oregon Hill (at the corner of Idlewood Avenue). He also will deliver the sermon at the church’s 11 a.m. service before resuming his American tour.

Philospher/Theologian Pete Rollins will speak at St. Andrew's Church, Oregon Hill at 11 a.m., SUnday, February 22.

Philospher/Theologian Pete Rollins will speak at St. Andrew's Church, Oregon Hill at 11 a.m., SUnday, February 22.

“What are my options?” Financial Aid Workshop

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With the troubles our economy is facing, many families are beginning to
search for college affordability options so their children are able to
pursue a post secondary education. High school students & parents,
especially senior students, are invited to attend a FREE workshops:

“What are my options?” Financial Aid Workshop
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Richmond Public Main Library
101 East Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Representatives from SCHEV and GRASP will be on hand to discuss:
* Preparing for college
* College access
* Scholarship resources
* Applying for financial aid
* When and how to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal
Student Aid)

Free pizza & drinks! Door prizes, too!

For more information call the GRASP hotline at (804) 323-6996

Sponsored by the Richmond Public Library www.richmondpubliclibrary.org
and GRASP (The Greater Richmond Area Scholarship Program)
www.grasp4virginia.com.

Charlie Schmidt
Development Director
Richmond Public Library
101 E. Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23219
804.646.5511
Charles.Schmidt@RichmondGov.com
www.RichmondPublicLibrary.org
Our Mission: Inform, Enrich, Empower

SynerGeo Community Dinner with a Special Guest- Tonight

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5:30 pm tonight at SynerGeo, corner of Idlewood and Albemarle:

We will have a special guest at our community dinner Monday, Mr.
Kovit Boonjear. Boonjear is a social worker, community organizer, and
social activist who has worked and lived in Khon Kaen, Thailand for
the greater part of his life. Most of his work has revolved around
working with Khon Kaen’s urban poor communities and informal labor
sector, helping to organize and mobilize groups to address the social
and economic issues that they face, such as their rights to fair
labor, adequate housing and land, and protection and support from the
local and national governments. He has also worked with various
education communities, such as the local public school system and
with the CIEE program located at Khon Kaen University. His intention
in visiting and studying in the U.S. is that he will learn to speak
more fluent English and gain useful experience working with social
workers, activists, organizers, and NGOs who are working in a similar
field as he. Shayne Thomas is working in conjunction with Educational
Network for Global and Grassroots Exchange (ENGAGE) on an the
initiative to help our colleague and mentor, Mr. Kovit Boonjear,
embark on this extended study trip to the United States. Shayne
Thomas spent the fall 2007 semester studying globalization and
development in Khon Kaen, Thailand with the Council on International
Education Exchange (CIEE). There will be photographs from this
project, the images are the result of a collaboration with a
community that lives and works at the city landfill in Khon Kaen,
Thailand. Ban Kambon Noi has existed on the edge of Khon Kaen city
for over 30 years. It is located beside the municipal landfill;
families who scavenged there eventualy decided to settle, and now 60
families (approx. 235 individuals) have homes next to the waste. In
2002, 50 percent of the villagers residing in the landfill were born
there, and at least one person from each household makes their living
by scavenging. More than 70 people work among the garbage, earning up
to 150 baht per day. Khambon Noi villagers are entirely dependent on
the landfill for their income. They are aiding Thailans’s recycling
efforts, as well as providing a great service to the city- so far
they have extended the life of the landfill by 7 years. They took
these pictures to show others what they wanted them to see about
their lives.

Asking More of Dominion Power, Verizon, and City

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img_0024If you follow politics, you know one of the major subjects that is being discussed right now at federal and state levels is the need for more energy efficiency, including smart grid technology. This policy conversation is trickling all the way down to the neighborhood. For years, Oregon Hill has had, shall we say, an interesting relationship with Dominion Power. But what this post is about is the simple service of electric voltage. No doubt it is a challenge with all of the new heat pumps/air conditioning and explosion in computers and appliances in the midst of a historic, working class neighborhood. Yet, the time has come for Dominion Power to spend the money to upgrade the network in Oregon Hill and fulfill its obligations to citizens, as according to the State Corporation Commission. Too many neighbors have their lights flicker, too many neighbors have their hard drives fail, too many have to replace their heat pumps far too soon.

And its not just Dominion Power. Verizon has promised Richmond more choices and competition with its new FIOS service. Since many of the utility poles in Oregon Hill are in fact owned by Verizon (with the City managing many of the right-a-ways), if Dominion is adding transformers and additional service, so should Verizon. Ideally, we would have buried utility lines to add beauty and reliability for our historic neighborhood, but we have been told its too expensive (yet it does not seem to be a problem for VCU). This neighborhood is right next to downtown and has seen property rates and taxes go up considerably. Although it has prided itself on its independence and continues to push for more self-sufficiency (expect more on this soon), Oregon Hill demands and deserves better services. If our City representatives are worth a damn, they would be all over this.

VCU’s Projected Budget Shortfalls and Rec Center ‘Fly-Throughs’

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Here is a chance to see the inside of the controversial new VCU Recreational
center under construction at Cary and Cherry. As noted previously, Oregon Hill residents never questioned the students’ need for a recreational center, but always questioned the size and need to encroach into the neighborhood. That said, Oregon Hill residents were
given a promise of reduced rate access by VCU. So see you in the SAUNA!

Some load time required.

watch?v=fNF-D5igYmA&feature=related
watch?v=j0amHQO-GZM&feature=related

Of course, we will see how this turns out given VCU’s new budget shortfalls. Students are already paying extra fees.

Urban Forestry?

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pdr_2419logontrailer

Urban forestry?? that’s a mighty nice veneer log !

Seriously though…

Tree Steward Program Begins Spring Semester

WHO: Richmond residents interested in learning about proper tree care

WHAT: Tree Steward Program 2009

WHEN: Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., beginning February 9

WHERE: Round House in Byrd Park

BACKGROUND: The City of Richmond boasts one of the top urban forests in the country, and the Tree Steward Program is the perfect opportunity for residents to learn more about the trees in our community. Courses will cover a variety of topics, including tree biology, planting and pruning, and tree evaluation. Registration is $95 for City residents, and each participant is asked to commit to 20 hours of community service upon program completion. To download a registration form, log onto www.richmondgov.com or call 646-6785 for more information.

Also, coming up in April, Richmond Arbor Day!