‘Loose Cannons’ Fundraiser at Tredegar On Friday

From announcement:

The Tredegar Society Presents . . .
LOOSE CANNONS
Featuring Three Sheets to the Wind

On Friday, April 20th, the Tredegar Society will host LOOSE CANNONS at the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar, an evening featuring Three Sheets to the Wind, America’s #1 Tribute to Yacht Rock.

Your $25 ticket includes beer, wine, and four hours of yacht rock at a beautiful historic venue by the James River! All proceeds raised will benefit the American Civil War Center, which seeks to tell the whole story of the conflict that still shapes our nation.

Beer and wine will start flowing at 6pm in the Blue Stone Courtyard. At 7pm, Three Sheets to the Wind, named “Best Band” by Richmond Magazine, and “Best Cover Band” by STYLE Weekly in 2011, will take the stage to kick off an evening of Yacht Rock classics from the ‘70s & ‘80s. Revelers will also have the opportunity to explore the Historic site where Iron Works Era buildings still stand. More exciting details to come…

Doors open at 6pm. Music starts at 7pm.

Buy tickets in advanced for $25 here.

Tickets will be $30 at the door.
+$10 for VIP (Maker’s Mark bourbon tasting and access to the exclusive VIP area)

Paper tickets will not be issued. All advance purchases will be at Will Call.

Trash/Recycling Tomorrow

This Wednesday is a red Wednesday, which means trash and recycling pickup. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup tomorrow night. They do not belong on the sidewalk after tomorrow night.

Fun recycling fact:

Used aluminum beverage cans are the most recycled item in the U.S., but other types of aluminum, such as siding, gutters, car components, storm window frames, and lawn furniture can also be recycled.

Volunteers Earn Gratitude For Their Efforts

Echoing Debbie’s comment, thanks to the VCU Paint the Town Green initiative for yesterday’s neighborhood cleaning. Here’s a photo of the trash collected:

Some of the student volunteers, along with soldier volunteers from Ft. Lee, deserve extra credit for helping pick up bottles and litter that were thrown off the Overlook after already working their way down Pine Street.

Allison Krauss & Union Station at Landmark on Sunday

Blurb from Style:

In 1985 Alison Krauss made her recording debut at 14. Since then she’s sold more than 12 million albums and won 26 Grammy awards, the most for any female recording artist in Grammy history. She and her band Union Station helped bring bluegrass to a pop audience in the ’90s, and her platinum-selling 1995 compilation, “Now That I’ve Found You,” catapulted her into mainstream star status. Krauss has worked with some of the biggest names in popular music, including James Taylor, Phish, Dolly Parton, Yo Yo Ma and Bonnie Raitt. Krauss’ latest, 2011’s “Paper Airplane” — her first since 2007’s Grammy-winning collaboration with Robert Plant — debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums and Bluegrass Albums charts and hit No. 3 on the Top Album chart. Alison Krauss and Union Station will perform at the Landmark Theater on Sunday, April 15, at 7:30 p.m. $51-$61. 800-514-3849.

For Landmark Theater info, click here.

‘Watchdog’ C. Wayne Taylor Holds His Bite On 2nd Street Connector

I have written before about how C. Wayne Taylor has taken on City Hall on the 2nd Street Connector and Special Use Permit Issues. Here’s the latest:

April 12, 2012

The Honorable City Council
City of Richmond
900 E. Broad St., Suite 200
Richmond, VA 23219 USA

Re: 2nd Street Connector Information

Dear Honorable Members of Council,

On March 15th 2012 I requested certain information from Councilor Tyler regarding the proposed 2nd Street connector. He said he would give me a response by the end of the week. On April 2nd I send an email to Councilor Tyler advising him that I had not received anything. As of this evening, I still have not received any of the information I requested.

The citizens of Richmond are being denied a meaningful voice in the political process if you do not give them the relevant information. Will you please take the appropriate action to obtain and make public the information I requested.

Sincerely yours,

C. Wayne Taylor
www.CityHallReview.com

Attachments: Copies of the emails are included below.

Links: http://cityhallreview.com/tag/2nd-street-connector/

Copy: Liaisons, Planning Commission via Secretary, Press, Interested Citizens

—– Forwarded Message —–
From: C WAYNE TAYLOR
To: Bruce Tyler
Cc: C WAYNE TAYLOR
Sent: Monday, April 2, 2012 4:41 AM
Subject: Tyler – 2nd Street Connector Information

Dear Mr. Tyler,

I have not received the information.

C. Wayne Taylor

—– Forwarded Message —–
From: “Tyler, Bruce W. – Council Member”
To: C WAYNE TAYLOR
Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2012 1:26 PM
Subject: RE: Tyler – 2nd Street Connector Information

Mr. Taylor:

I will give you a response this week.

Bruce W. Tyler

1st District Councilman
City of Richmond

City Council
900 E. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219

cell: 804.357.6007
fax: 804.343.0909

From: C WAYNE TAYLOR [mailto:cwaynetaylor@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thu 3/15/2012 4:16 PM
To: Tyler, Bruce W. – Council Member
Cc: C WAYNE TAYLOR
Subject: Tyler – 2nd Street Connector Information

March 15, 2012

VIA EMAIL TO: Bruce.Tyler@Richmondgov.com
The Honorable Bruce Tyler
City Council
City of Richmond
900 E. Broad St., Suite 200
Richmond, VA 23219 USA

Re: 2nd Street Connector Information

Dear Honorable Council Member,

The proposed 2nd Street connector would cause a major change in the character of the area. I think it is very important to fully understand the proposal and the various factors involved.

As you know, the administration has not been transparent in this matter. Economic Development even tried to charge me for copies of the documents discuss with city council.

Therefore, I request that you help insure that citizens have all the facts. Will you please provide or obtain answers to the following for the public and me:

1. Has an elevation rendering of the proposed crossing of the historic canal been presented to council?

2. Has a perspective rendering of the proposed connector been presented to council?

3. What is the acreage of the land that is proposed to be conveyed to the city west of the connector?

4. Why does the Planning Commission letter state that the area on both sides of the connector will be privately owned?

5. Why is there a proposed parcel boundary down the middle of the historic canal?

6. What is the acreage of the land that the city is providing for stormwater detention.

7. Does the stormwater detention facility essentially block access of city land to Tredegar Street?

8. Does the parking area connect to Tredegar Street or the connector?

9. How many parking spaces are gained or lost?

10. Does the city have the right to require that the connector be put on the Tredegar Ironworks parcel under alternative B-3 of the 1995 agreement?

11. Does alternative B-3 provide better topography to cross the historic canal and provide more clearance for boats.

12. Why was the connector project assigned to Development rather than Planning?

13. Has Planning been prohibited from commenting to citizens about the connector?

14. Has the planning director issued an analysis of the pros and cons of a connector?

15. Has the city traffic engineer issued a report on the connector?

16. Who prepared the traffic analysis report?

17. Has part of the traffic analysis report been redacted?

18. Is it correct that the connector is not shown on the Downtown Master Plan?

19. What elements of the connector are not consistent with the Downtown Plan and UDC Guidelines.

20. Why were the trees cut down after the Planning Commission reviewed the connector concept plan?

21. What happens if the city requires clearance over the historic canal and refuses to pay the cost?

I believe the following is correct:

22. Road construction grading will cut into the profile of the historic canal.

23. The stormwater detention facility will cut into the profile of the historic canal.

24. Water flowed in the historic canal until about 1970.

25. Slave labor was used to construct the historic canal.

26. An 1880 bridge was built over the unused canal in a traditional arched style.

27. The historic canal is on the National Register of Historic Places.

28. The top executive at Dominion Resources received total compensation of $16.9 million in 2010.

I have attached copies of the documents that the Jones Administration attempted to charge me to have.

Thank you for your attention,

C. Wayne Taylor
www.CityHallReview.com

Copy: Council, Liaisons, Press