OHHIC Comment On City’s Richmond Inspire Plan

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From submitted email:

Dear Director Frelke and the Richmond Inspire planning team,

Please find the attached comment from the Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council (OHHIC) regarding the draft Richmond Inspire plan.
We appreciate the work that the Parks Department is doing to improve the city’s parks. We are especially grateful for the excellent work of the very devoted Capital Projects Planner Ryan Rinn in directing the improvements for Oregon Hill’s Holly Street Playground with funding from the American Rescue Plan.
However, the Board of OHHIC strongly objects to the unfair and inequitable placement of most of the Oregon Hill Historic District in the “Lower Priority” [that is, the LOWEST priority] category of the Richmond Inspire Equity Investment Zone classifications in the Richmond Inspire plan.
As detailed in the attached comment, Oregon Hill was a redlined neighborhood with the lowest “Fourth Grade” security rating. As a result of this redlining, Oregon Hill suffered many decades of neglect and deferred maintenance of its park infrastructure. The Oregon Hill neighborhood, therefore, must be placed in the “Highest Priority” Equity Investment Zone category.
Thank you for your consideration of the recommendations of the Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council, which has successfully worked for over 30 years to improve the quality of life in the Oregon Hill neighborhood.

Sincerely,
Charles Pool
For the Board of the Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council

Click here for attached comment. Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council comment on Richmond Inspire parks plan March 2026

Trash/Recycling Pickup Tomorrow Morning

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Tomorrow is a “Red Wednesday”, which means trash and recycling pickup.

Please go over what can be recycled.

NOTE: CVWMA (Central Virginia Waste Management Authority) has announced that all curbside recycling must now be INSIDE the CVWMA containers with lid closed. Items beside the container or on top of it will not be collected. In fact, incorrect setouts may not be collected at all. This is new as of July 1 for all our curbside recyclers, with the exception of townhomes/condos still using small bins. (And yes, this also applies to flattened cardboard boxes.)

Ideally, rolling recycling containers are stored and deployed in the back alleys along with trash cans. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup tomorrow night. More CVWMA information can be found at this link:
https://cvwma.com/cvwma-locations/richmond/

In order to take your recycling to the next level, read this: 10 ways to improve your recycling.

In recycling news, Bed Times Magazine is reporting that “Mattress Recycling Legislation Advances in Virginia”!From article..

a mattress recycling bill (HB 86) supported by the International Sleep Products Association had a public hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 4, in the state House Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee’s Natural Resources Subcommittee.

ISPA attended the hearing in Richmond and testified in support of this legislation. Importantly, HB 86 follows the structure that has enabled the Mattress Recycling Council to operate effectively in other states, while allowing for the flexibility needed to make the program a success in the commonwealth.

The bill passed the subcommittee 9-1 and the full ACNR Committee 19-3 on Wednesday, Feb. 11. At press time, ISPA is hopeful that with the bipartisan, positive ACNR report that HB 86 will pass a floor vote in theVirginia House of Delegates and proceed to the State Senate.

According to the Virginia LIS website, the bill is in the Senate’s Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee.

Richmond Civic League Holds ‘Code Refresh’ Meeting On March 5th

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Of course, if you follow this site, you already know that Code Refresh is a scam. But it might be useful to attend this meeting and hear for yourself what Richmond neighbors are saying.

Holton Elementary 1600 W Laburnum Avenue, March 5, 6-8pm

According to the email for the meeting, there will be “a special announcement of a new initiative to be voted on by Council, for our community to completely re-evaluate Code Refresh with details to be revealed at the March 5 meeting.”

Learn more at www.richmondcivicleague.com/blog

RVA Environmental Film Festival Continues…

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The RVA Environmental Film Festival, which has a long history here, and has been mentioned here many times in the past, continues tonight at the Main Library, Oregon Hill’s branch.

Wednesday, February 25, 6:00 PM – “The Street Project”
Main Library – Richmond Public Library
“The Street Project” will be followed by a panel discussion with representatives from local organizations who seek to make the streets safer for anyone not in a car, including pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation users.

More upcoming…

Thursday, February 26, 6:00 PM “The Cigarette Surfboard”
University of Richmond, Jepson Hall, Room 118
Hosted by University of Richmond Office of Sustainability
There is a reception with the filmmaker, Ben Judkins, and a Q&A following the film!
Yes – it is about a surfboard made of discarded cigarettes and the activism around that.

Friday, February 27, 5:30 PM – “Common Ground”
ICA/ VCUarts hosted by VCUarts Cinema program.
This film highlights how regenerative farming practices can heal the soil, improve health, and stabilize the economy, while also addressing issues of racism in the food industry.

Saturday, February 28, 2:30 PM- “Teach Me to Be Wild”
The Robins Nature Center – Maymont
A beautiful and touching film about an animal sanctuary and a therapeutic program for ‘at-risk’ youth.
(Free – ticket to Robins Nature Center not required)

Tuesday, March 3, 5:30 PM- “The Little Things that Run the World”
@LaPrade Library hosted by Chesterfield County Public Library
Through striking visuals and authoritative voices, “The Little Things That Run the World” uncovers the essential role insects play in sustaining life on earth.

Stay tuned for the festival’s grand finale, March 7th! (See www.rvaeff.org)

In addition, the MountainFilm On Tour is a great little traveling film festival that is coming to the Ashland Theater this Saturday Night. And, though it is not free admission like the RVAEFF, it is also highly recommended.

Trash/Recycling Pickup Tomorrow Morning

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Tomorrow is a “Red Wednesday”, which means trash and recycling pickup.

Please go over what can be recycled.

NOTE: CVWMA (Central Virginia Waste Management Authority) has announced that all curbside recycling must now be INSIDE the CVWMA containers with lid closed. Items beside the container or on top of it will not be collected. In fact, incorrect setouts may not be collected at all. This is new as of July 1 for all our curbside recyclers, with the exception of townhomes/condos still using small bins. (And yes, this also applies to flattened cardboard boxes.)

Ideally, rolling recycling containers are stored and deployed in the back alleys along with trash cans. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup tomorrow night. More CVWMA information can be found at this link:
https://cvwma.com/cvwma-locations/richmond/

In order to take your recycling to the next level, read this: 10 ways to improve your recycling.

OHNA And Upcoming Neighborhood Events

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From email:

Dear Oregon Hill Community:

The next OHNA meeting will be February 24 at 7pm.
Agenda and Zoom link will be sent prior to the meeting.

Neighborhood events in February:

Sunday, February 15th at 5:00pm:
Storytelling Gathering at Pine Street Church
(see attached flyer)
This month’s theme: When I Fell in Love
Come tell a short story about how you fell in love – with a person, a place, a hobby, a passion, a calling, or anything that awakened joy and meaning in you. Stories can be funny, tender, surprising, or all of the above, and you’re welcome to come just to listen. Cupcakes and coffee and other beverages served.

Thursday, February 19th at 6:00pm – 8:30pm:
Community Craft Night at Pine Street Church
Bring a craft, a snack, and yourself! Even if you aren’t crafting, come hang out with community and enjoy some productive art making and socializing! Mark your calendar for the next event on March 26th.

Sunday, February 22nd at 9:00am:
Friends of Oregon Hill Parks
Committee meeting at Holly Street Playground, followed by a cleanup at Holly Street Playground from 10:00am – 12:00pm.

RVA News & Events:_______________________________

Code Refresh:
The City of Richmond has extended the comment period on draft two of the Code Refresh maps and use regulations. The comment period, which was originally scheduled to close on Sunday, February 15, has been moved two weeks to Sunday, March 1 at 11:59 p.m. Visit the interactive tools available at rva.gov/coderefresh and leave comments.

‘So, What’s Next?’ RVA Community Dinner:
– When: Thursday, February 19th, 5:30-7:30 PM
– Where: LabRVA Event Center, 1001 N. 25th St
RSVP by February 12 by clicking here: Please let us know if you would like us to invite others. Info: Email kristine.lalonde@gmail.com

Utility and Water Bill Assistance
METROCARE GAS- Assistance from Department of Public Utilities to help pay heating bills from December 15th thru April 30th. Customers must be at least 30 days past due.
METROCARE WATER- Assistance with water bills. Customers’ bills must be at least 30 days past due. MetroCare may pay one bill payment of last resort, up to $500 per heating season. FYI: Funds are for current charges only. Applicant can only receive MetroCare assistance only once in heating season or once per 12 months. Funds cannot be used for unpaid balances from last heating season or older.
ENERGYSHARE – Dominion Virginia Power helps pay customers’ utility bills.
Energyshare is a 12-month program. The program assists with heating and cooling bills. If approved, customer can receive up to $300 for cooling. June 1st thru September 30th and up to $600 for heating bills October 1st thru May 31st.
Please note: Program may end sooner depending on availability of funds.
For more information: CAPUP 804-788-0050.

—
Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association
Valerie L’Herrou, President
John Bolecek, Treasurer
Amanda Bradley, Co-Vice-President
Bryan Clark Green, Co-Vice President
Jennifer Hancock, Co-Vice President
Susan Hill, Co-Vice President
Phaedra Hise, Co-Vice President
Scott Racette, Secretary

JOIN OHNA: https://forms.gle/joCpHqcPrShu8qf86
For events and more: https://ohnarva.org/

Trash/Recycling Pickup Tomorrow Morning

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Tomorrow is a “Red Wednesday”, which means trash and recycling pickup.

The Central Virginia Waste Management Authority has this Service Alert on their website:

February 3, 2026
5:45 p.m.
As road conditions allow, service will resume on Wednesday, Feb. 4, with Wednesday trash collection in Hopewell and Colonial Heights, and Red Wednesday recycling routes throughout the region.

The City of Richmond has lifted its state of emergency following the last winter storm, and supposedly trash collections will be on schedule.

Please go over what can be recycled.

NOTE: CVWMA (Central Virginia Waste Management Authority) has announced that all curbside recycling must now be INSIDE the CVWMA containers with lid closed. Items beside the container or on top of it will not be collected. In fact, incorrect setouts may not be collected at all. This is new as of July 1 for all our curbside recyclers, with the exception of townhomes/condos still using small bins. (And yes, this also applies to flattened cardboard boxes.)

Ideally, rolling recycling containers are stored and deployed in the back alleys along with trash cans. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup tomorrow night. More CVWMA information can be found at this link:
https://cvwma.com/cvwma-locations/richmond/

In order to take your recycling to the next level, read this: 10 ways to improve your recycling.

Second Storytelling Event: When I Fell In Love

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From FaceBook event page:

Join us for our Second Storytelling Event!
You’re invited to “When I Fell in Love”, a storytelling event where we’ll share true stories about the moments that captured our hearts and changed our lives. Come tell a short story about how you fell in love-with a person, a place, a hobby, a passion, a calling, or anything that awakened joy and meaning in you. Stories can be funny, tender, surprising, or all of the above, and you’re welcome to come just to listen.
Cupcakes, coffee, and other beverages served

This is the mushy sequel to the previous event.