From headquarters:
Standings at the end of Sat. so far…
remainder of schedule for Sunday’s tournament:
12:30 Choclate Leg vs. Select FC
1:30 Richmond 1742 vs. Oregonhill Ball Kickers
2:30 Pine St. Barbers vs. Select FC
3:30 Oregonhill Ball Kickers vs. Choclate LegFINALS: 4:30
Bring food for the grill, Drinks, and cash/check for donations! G’luck everyone and PLAY ON!
The previous canal bridge made from utility poles is now gone.
It is great to see people using the new canal bridge. (Though some jerk did dump a bucket of silver paint on it that had to be pressure washed off it). The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association may eventually throw a party to celebrate the new bridge. After all, its important to remember that it was that organization that secured the funding for it.
At the same time, one wonders how this plays into other riverfront planning. Evidently there are some high level meetings happening regarding Richmond 2015, the organizing committee charged with putting on the UCI Road World Championships.
Richmond 2015 has already come up with a course but will not disclose what it is for now. Officials say they want to work out contingencies before approaching affected communities.
The races will be disruptive to some residents because of road closings and the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to descend on the city.
But honestly, what is happening with the proposed ‘2nd Street Connector’? According to sources, C. Wayne Taylor’s questions are STILL waiting on answers from the City’s Economic Development Department.
Of course there will be somber ceremonies to remember our fallen at the Virginia War Memorial, culminating with this:
The public is invited to celebrate and remember our nation’s heroes at the annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial. The ceremony is co-hosted by the American Legion 11th District, and Governor McDonnell will be on hand to deliver the keynote address.
Monday May 28th • 10 am
Virginia War Memorial, 621 S. Belvedere Street
FREE
At Hollyowood Cemetery:
History of Memorial Day at Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour
Learn about the history of Memorial Day from local scholar Jim DuPriest while taking a stroll through one of the most historic cemeteries in America. Be sure you don’t forget the walking shoes!
Sunday May 27th • 2pm – 4 pm
S. Cherry & Albemarle streets
$10 per person
On a more festive note, there is the 1st Annual Oregon Hill Invitational Soccer Tournament (click here for details).
Also, tonight, Captain America!
And if you act fast, you might be able to pick up a sweet foosball table after going to this Craigslist ad (click here).
I thought the message had already been sent, but I guess not. Hello Anti-Poverty Commission.
Excerpt from today’s Times Dispatch:
On an annual basis, Richmond’s minimum charge for water really puts a dent in the budget of a low-income resident. While in Norfolk the minimum annual cost per consumer for water/sewer service is only $12, in Henrico annually it is $195.24, and in Richmond annually it is a whopping $564.36!
This is a conservation issue: There is little incentive to conserve water in Richmond because the city finances the lion’s share of its water works through the minimum service charge. The cost per CCF of water is kept artificially low so you don’t feel much of a pinch when you use more water. It would encourage conservation if Richmond slashed the minimum service charge while raising the cost for each CCF of the resource.
This is a social justice issue: Richmond’s outrageous minimum water/sewer service charge shifts the burden of financing the city’s water supply disproportionally onto those who use the least water, and often unto those who can least afford it. For a senior citizen on fixed income, the water bill will often be the largest bill of the month, even if minimal water is used. It is unjust to require low-income residents of Richmond to pay a whopping $564.36 in minimum service fees annually just to be connected to the water supply. Water is a necessity that no one can do without.
Here is a revenue-neutral proposal. Let’s revamp Richmond’s water rates by lowering the minimum monthly charge for water and sewer service to $15 per month, while raising the cost per CCF of water in line with the neighboring counties. As sure as the spring showers, the summer droughts will follow. Richmond should have a price structure in place that encourages conservation of this important resource while giving those on fixed income a fair deal.
(Sorry if you are tired of editorials on this site this week. I did not have any control on when the TD piece would come out.)
Community Movie Night
Friday, May 25 at 8:30 pm
Pleasants Park (behind Pine Street Baptist Church)
Refreshments served: grilled hot dogs, chips, and beverage
Congratulations to Mamma ‘Zu and Pescados China Street for their recognitions in the latest Style magazine for Best Italian Restaurant and Best Fresh Seafood Restaurant, respectively.
Combined with previous honors (and that includes 821 Cafe!), Oregon Hill is known as a dining destination.
It would be nice if the Hill had picked up other awards as well, but it is not always easy for the smaller neighborhoods to register in these reader polls. The only mention in the Richmond Times Dispatch’s recent Discover Richmond magazine was at the end under Dog Parks, where there was a snide remark about how “the old days of Oregon Hill mutts run amok have given way to a more courteous approach to sharing our spaces with four-footed friends”.
But hey, perhaps its just as well to leave the rest of Richmond to its self-accolades, and just go get a bite to eat, while being happy where you are at. Maybe I will grab a sandwich at Mojo’s, maybe I will share part of it with my dogs.
The Victory Rug saga continues (more background here, here, here, and here), and several folks have requested that this City comment on the proposed Special Use Permit be made available on this site.
From announcement:
Here is the work that Northern Virginia MTA has done:
Resolutions on overturning Citizens United v. FEC and combating the undue influence of money in politics passed Saturday at the Virginia 8th and 11th Congressional District Democratic Conventions. The resolutions call for the Constitution to be amended to establish that: (1) Corporations should not be entitled to the same Constitutional rights in our elections as people and should have only the powers and rights granted to them in state and federal law; and (2) Money is not speech so federal and state governments have the power to fairly regulate, without infringing the freedom of the press, any political contribution or spending. NOVA MTA helped prepare the resolutions and strongly advocated their passage.
The resolutions will help build support for passing a similar resolution at the State Democratic Convention on June 2, 2012, which in turn will help build support for passing MTA resolutions in municipalities in northern Virginia and elsewhere across the Commonwealth.
The Move To Amend movement may start small here, but it has potential to join other states’ efforts and become a reckoning force in the next few election cycles.
The Times Dispatch published a ‘Decision Maker’ profile of Pine Street neighbor Ryan Corrigan last month.
Excerpt:
Best career move: “Without a doubt, best career move has been taking the position with the James River Association. A clean and healthy James River has always been important to me, so I’m excited to work with an organization committed to protecting Virginia’s greatest natural resource. To be able to combine a career with a personal passion — that’s what it’s all about.”
Career goals: “I’ve had the same goals since sixth grade. Give more than I take, and do good things. Thanks, Mom and Dad.”
The best advice he ever received: “The best advice I ever received was not to take myself too seriously. Still working on that one.”
The most difficult situation faced on the job: “I find that fundraising is a lot like fishing. Or maybe that fundraisers are a lot like fishermen. Either way — it’s the ones that get away that we tend to talk about and focus on the most. In this field, we will hear the word “no” a lot. When you’re young it can even cause you to hesitate in making the ask.”
Career tip for students: “Don’t hesitate, and don’t quit.”
What motivates him? “Knowing that I at least tried to make a difference.”