Author Archives: Scott

Valentine Museum Photo of Riverside Houses

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While he has certainly generously contributed before, neighbor Charles Pool has agreed to help focus on Oregon Hill history with the help of old photographs, maps, and other material every Thursday on a regular basis (aka “Throwback Thursday”). Here is a first post under this arrangement:

In 1924, the city expanded Oregon Hill’s Riverside Park between the gazebo and Hollywood Cemetery. Prominent businessman Moses Nunnally saved four houses from demolition by moving them from the land newly condemned by the city for the park to 810-816 Riverside Park. Ethyl Corporation later demolished 812 Riverside Park and the City of Richmond demolished 816 Riverside Park, while 810 Riverside Park and 814 Riverside Park have survived. This 1956 photograph in the collection of the Richmond History Center (formerly known as the Valentine Museum) shows the four houses 32 years after they were moved.

Riverside Park, 1956, Richmond History Center
Photo credit: 1956, Richmond History Center

Hollywood Cannon and Belle Island Tour

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There will be cannon fire as part of the annual Jefferson Davis birthday ceremony in Hollywood Cemetery on Saturday, June 6th, from 9:00 am to about 11:00 am. The ceremony will include a keynote speaker, Rev. Herman White, Chaplain of the North Carolina Division, SCV, as well as a bag pipe band, rifle squad, artillery salute and wreath laying. The event is free and open to the public. The cannon fire will happen towards the end of the event.

And if you want to know more about that Belle Isle prison camp, there’s a Sensory History Tour of Belle Isle Prison Camp on Saturday, June 6, noon to 2 p.m. This conversational walking tour is sponsored by the Tredegar Society of the American Civil War Museum in partnership with RVA Archaeology. Tickets cost $10. www.tredegar.org/ts.aspx or Sean Kane: skane@acwm.org or 804 649 1861, x123.

Belle Island ‘Drunkfest’

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The Times Dispatch has been publishing Letters to the Editor that raise concerns about drinking and littering on Belle Island, part of the City’s James River Park system.

From a Letter to Editor in today’s paper:

“We took pictures and talked to several park employees who said they simply did not have the manpower to keep up with the litter problem. Occasionally volunteer groups come out to help clean up. Only one police officer is usually on patrol to help with security. Apparently, many Richmond citizens feel entitled to enjoy all the benefits of our river but don’t care at all about keeping it clean for others to enjoy. It shows a total lack of respect for all, Richmond citizens, tourists, wildlife and the James River.”

My only dispute with that statement is that a lot of the offenders are not City residents, but are from the surrounding counties. This also speaks to questions about the “Tredegar Green” amphitheater and the need for more (and better!) public trash/recycling receptacles.

June 2 @ Byrd House Market

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From email announcement:
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Our shoppers consistently rate Byrd House Market their favorite in the city!
Grab two friends and come taste why!

Welcome Taylor Brownell, SNAP Ed intern from Virginia Cooperative Extension. She’ll be doing cooking and nutrition demos this summer. Every week a new recipe, a new lesson, and new sample to try!

This week: Kale and Tomato Sauce
Kale is plentiful and it’s never too early to plan for an abundance of tomatoes!

More about the Virginia SNAP-ED program here.

ENJOY LIVE MUSIC
by The Rich Harman Express
2 guitars, a keyboard and a voice… come see how good
food makes for good music!

Looking for Organic Produce?
BHM has 2 USDA Certified Organic Growers: Amy’s Garden and The Byrd Farm

How about our other grower/producers? Each of our growers strives to use the quality, sustainable, natural growing practices to ensure you are getting the best local produce available. Ask them! They’re proud of their products and love sharing what they do and why.

New vendor this season:
Ninja Kombucha
– by the glass or in bottles to go this truly refreshing and delicious fermented tea is often flavored with fresh ingredients from Byrd House Market vendors and other local producers.

It goes great with EVERYTHING!

Did you know your SNAP EBT will buy FOOD PLANTS?
It’s a SMART way to stretch those fresh food dollars! Create a kitchen container garden someplace with full sun. Plant herb and cherry tomato plants for fresh flavors and high nutrition all summer long. First time gardener? Ask at the Market Info tent or any of our farmer vendors!

“Ask About Our $10 Deal”For students, faculty and staff of VCU and area colleges. Participating Vendors are Agriberry, The Byrd Farm, Two & A Half Irishmen, Origins Farm, Tomten Farm, and Deer Run Farm.

This week’s nonprofit: Project Yoga Richmond
Visit the tent and chat about their pop up yoga classes!

How do YOU get a free market tote bag?
Come to the BHM info tent and say Bicycle Y’All and we’ll hand you a free Back-to-the-Market, lightweight canvas tote bag decorated with elegant line drawings of a selection of vegetables.

Start your Farm Fresh Pledge Card today!
Spend $10, we’ll punch your card. After 14 punches your card gets entered into monthly USDA raffles! All BHM shoppers who turn in completed cards will be entered into an end of the year market drawing – good for great prizes! Maybe a week’s share from one of our fabulous farmers. Maybe a basket of local RVA products. Winners announced during our Market’s End Pot Luck Supper (October 27).

Become a Regular!
Know your budget and get Byrd House Market on your weekly path! Visit byrdhousemarket.org and sign up to stay up to date!

Volunteers Needed!
We need shopper-counters! And flyer-passer-outers! And handy-persons! And heavy-lifters! Contact the manager: byrdhousemarket@gmail.com or at the market info tent.

And learn more about William Byrd Community House
at www.WBCH.org

OREGON HILL ALLEY CLEANUP (PROJECT CLEAN & GREEN MOVE) Next Saturday

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Cherry Street neighbor Jimmy Blackford is recruiting volunteers for next Saturday’s Oregon Hill Alley Cleanup, which is part of VCU’s Project Clean & Green Move. From the MeetUp.com event page:

Saturday, June 6, 2015
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Corner of S. Laurel St. & Albemarle St. (Pleasants Park)
401 S. Laurel St., Richmond, VA

We’re getting all the big stuff that people have set out in the alleys. We’ll go thru with a city trash truck to collect discarded furniture & large refuse. But if you can help by just getting the small litter, please join. Bring work gloves if you can. Even half an hour of your time would be great. Meeting at Pleasants Park 8am & going thru Oregon Hill alleys.