Author Archives: Scott

‘Teen Sex’ Explained

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No, this does not have anything to do with the VCU Sex Club.

When ‘Teen Sex’ appeared, most neighbors figured it was idiocy that usually ends with arrests. However there are unconfirmed reports today that this may actually be part of ‘urban street advertising’ strategy by a controversial white power group. ‘Aryan Babies Now’ is a shadowy Canadian group that promotes the idea of Caucasians having sex early and often.

Jennifer Hancock, President of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, had this to say: “Neighbors had asked the City to please remove what they had thought was graffiti, and they thought they saw some work being done, but then the cleanup crew left. So maybe it is because it is supposedly an ad that they had to stop. Regardless, “this ad” (ed. note: making the bunny ear, air quotes hand sign) is totally unacceptable. This is not what this neighborhood is about and it is not what we are about. We find it appalling and we want it removed immediately.”

Looking at the City’s SeeClickFix site and messages from neighbors, most had indeed thought it was graffiti and had hoped that the City would have removed it more quickly due to the proximity to the St. Andrew’s School. They thought for sure that it would have been cleaned up by now, if not for them, then for the suburban visitors for the Monument Avenue 10K that took place yesterday.

Nothing has been heard from property owners and there has been no connection made between “this ad” and the City’s secret deal over the illegal billboard on Mayo Island.

Neighbor To Appear on “Doomsday Preppers” TV Show

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A resident neighbor of Albemarle Street, who will only give his name as “John”, is appearing on the National Geographic cable channel show ‘Doomsday Preppers”. From the show description:

“Doomsday Preppers explores the lives of otherwise ordinary Americans who are preparing for the end of the world as we know it. Unique in their beliefs, motivations, and strategies, preppers will go to whatever lengths they can to make sure they are prepared for any of life’s uncertainties. And with our expert’s assessment, they will find out their chances of survival if their worst fears become a reality.”

Although “John” says he does not want to give away more information beyond what the show reveals for security reasons, he started ‘prepping’ after George W. Bush was appointed President by the Supreme Court in 2000. Due to his renewed concerns about a nuclear accident, “John” has created a bunker within his large basement. In addition to food, water, anti-radiation suits, and guns, he has added at least one comfort snack- many, many bags of pork rinds, bought one bag at a time from local convenience stores. “John” is currently single, though he is searching for a like-minded mate on the dating site, Survivalist Singles. There is no confirmed date when “John”‘s episode will be aired, though he suspects his neighbors will be be asking him more questions when it does. He said he received an “excellent” rating from the show’s experts on his preparations. In the meantime, he may start doing some writing for SurvivalBlog.com.

Mr. Priddy’s house fire, 1865

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From The Daily Dispatch: March 29, 1865:

Fire

–About 4 o’clock yesterday morning a fire broke out in Mr. William Priddy’s dwelling- house, on Oregon Hill, which resulted in its entire destruction, together with nearly all the furniture therein. It is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. Considering the unseasonable hour at which the fire occurred, and the great distance from the engine-houses in the city, the firemen arrived on the ground in an incredible short time. Though they were unable to save Mr. Priddy’s property, yet much other property adjoining was preserved from destruction by their exertions.

Note from one of our neighborhood historians:

I’m fairly certain this is an ancestor of William (Bill) Priddy, City of Richmond Chief Plumbing Inspector that lived on the 300 block of S Pine St. In 1876 (map) W Priddy is living in a house about where the Walker’s live on Pine St.

Monument 10K Road Closures

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Monument Avenue 10k road closures and travel tips for Saturday, March 31, 2012:

ROAD CLOSINGS

The exit ramp from westbound downtown expressway to Belvidere will be closed from 6 AM to 3 PM on event day to allow shuttles to load and unload on Canal St.

Broad Street will be closed between Belvidere Street and Lombardy Street from 4 AM to Noon. The recommended detour for westbound traffic is right on Belvidere Street to 95 North. The recommended detour for eastbound traffic is left on Allen Avenue, right on Leigh Street, right on Belvidere. Motorists are encouraged to use I-95 as an alternate.

Park Avenue will close from Shafer Court to Lombardy Street/Stuart Circle from 6 AM to 9 AM.

Laurel Street will be closed between Main and Broad Street from 4 AM to 3 PM.

Franklin Street will be closed between Belvidere and Laurel from 5 PM Friday, March 30 until 3 PM March 31.

Franklin Street will be closed between Laurel and Stuart Circle from 4 AM to 3 PM.

Harrison Street will be closed from Park Avenue to Marshall from 4 AM to 2 PM.

Cathedral Place will close from Laurel to Shafer Court from 4 AM to 3 PM.

Lombardy Street will be closed between Broad Street and Hanover Avenue from 7 AM to 2:30 PM.

Hanover Avenue from Plum to Lombardy will be closed from 7 AM to 9 AM.

Grace Street will be closed between Belvidere Street and Allen Avenue from 7 AM to 12 PM.

Monument Avenue will be closed between Staples Mill Road and Stuart Circle (Lombardy Street) from 7 AM to 2:00 PM. The recommended detour for eastbound traffic is left on Staples Mill Road, right on Broad Street, left on Allen Avenue, right on Leigh Street, right on Belvidere Street. The recommended detour for westbound traffic is right on Belvidere Street, left on Leigh Street, left on Allen Avenue, right on Broad Street.

Chantilly Street will be closed from Monumental Street to Monument Avenue from 5 AM to 1 PM.

The Boulevard will be closed at Monument Avenue from 8:30 AM to 12 PM. The recommended detour for northbound traffic is left on Park Avenue, right on Thompson Street to 195. The recommended detour for southbound traffic is right on Grace Street, right on Thompson Street, left on Broad Street, left on Hamilton Street to 195.

Kent Road will be closed from Wythe to Monument Avenue from 4 AM to 2 PM.

Canal Street will be closed from 2nd Street to Belvidere from 5 AM until 3 PM.

By Request, Stormwater Education on Cigarette Butts

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A faithful reader pointed me to the Rivanna Regional Stormwater Education Partnership website and specifically asked me to post information about cigarette butts.

From the site:

Many smokers discard their cigarette butts by the roadside or on the ground when they are driving or walking around out doors. Perhaps the prevailing view is that cigarette litter is too small to have a significant effect on water quality. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Cigarette litter is often carried into storm drains when it rains, where it is deposited in local streams and rivers. Nationwide, smokers litter about 4.5 trillion cigarette butts annually. About 95% of cigarette filters are composed of cellulose acetate, a plastic that persists in the environment for years and even decades. Cigarette filters concentrate a number of very toxic substances, which are released into our waterways when they are washed off roads and sidewalks into storm drains.

Rowe On Richmond Baseball

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Richmond Times Dispatch has a local baseball history story. Here is an excerpt:

Over the years, pro teams played all around the city: at a ballfield at what is now Monroe Park, at a couple of parks on Broad Street, at several locations in the Fan District, and even City Stadium.

“A lot of people don’t realize there was a ballpark there” at City Stadium, said Russell Rowe, 89, a standout semipro infielder who enjoyed a long association with the game. “It was probably the best ballpark in town. It was excellent. It had a grass infield. Never got a bad hop.”

Rowe grew up on Oregon Hill and as a kid used to walk with his brothers to Colts games at Tate Field on Mayo Island, an intriguing little park that was used for nearly 50 years but, as you might expect from its location in the James River, had a recurring problem with flooding. But water wasn’t the problem on one of Rowe’s most memorable visits to Tate Field; fire was, consuming the grandstands, concession areas and dugouts. When word spread of the fire, Rowe rode to the park with his girlfriend and her father to watch it burn. Tate Field is gone, but Rowe’s girlfriend, Audrey, is still his wife. They’ve been married more than 65 years.

The fire pushed Colts owner Eddie Mooers over the edge. The former player and manager, who made his money running a car dealership, decided to leave Mayo Island and build his own park, Mooers Field.

It was a business move, as so many of them are in the world of professional sports. Mayer said fans often pine for the days of yesterday when baseball “was only a game,” but in pro ball, those days never really existed. He recalled a legal battle in the late 1890s between two Richmond trolley companies, each wanting a stake in the local team. The reason? A new Broad Street ballpark was on one trolley line, but the old ballpark, on Main Street, was on the other company’s line. Baseball meant more riders, so each wanted to dictate which ballpark was used.

Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tours

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From the Valentine Richmond History Center:

April 2 Highlights of Hollywood Cemetery (10-11:30am) WALKING TOURS
Monday – Saturday, April 2 – October 31
Learn about the cemetery’s history, artwork, symbolism and famous residents, including two U.S. Presidents, writer Ellen Glasgow, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Generals George Pickett and J.E.B. Stuart. Meet at the rear of the stone structure on the left at the cemetery entrance, Cherry and Albemarle streets.

April 8 Hollywood Cemetery (2-4pm) WALKING TOUR
An extension of the daily “Highlights” tour, this version covers in more detail the cemetery’s unique history, landscape design, architecture, symbols and residents. Meet at the cemetery entrance at Cherry and Albemarle streets.

Mayor’s Budget Discussion at the Va. War Memorial On Wednesday

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Paraphrasing City announcement:

The only MPACT sponsored Community Conversation with Mayor Jones regarding the City Budget is scheduled to take place at the Virginia War Memorial on Wednesday, March 28th at 6:30PM.

Let your voices be heard regarding the City Budget, Capitol Improvements, and other projects and issues that concern Precinct 4. Feel free to contact Hope Cousin, ETRP/MPACT Coordinator for the City of Richmond/Dept. of Public Works (Hope.Cousin at Richmondgov.com) if you have any questions.