Oregon Hill Guidebook

One of the benefits of living next to the largest state university in Virginia is that we often receive feedback from its students on the neighborhood. We see a lot of art projects, historical interpretations, musical dedications, and social essays. And while it’s true some of it can be burdensome, most is appreciated.

Here’s one of the latest finds ‘on the internets’, an OH guidebook by Kelsey de Sostoa.

spread2

In Praise of Small Houses

2434266427_a1b5d11aff1

It is sad that City Council continues to put the wishes of developers and corporations over that of residents and historic neighborhoods. Council members have sometimes justified their decisions by claiming that people no longer want to live in small houses. Some of the counties even use such prejudices as an excuse to spurn affordable housing.

The fact of the matter is they are wrong. A global movement continues to grow that recognizes small houses for their desirability and sustainability. As more and more McMansions go up for foreclosure and energy conservation becomes more and more important, small, affordable houses are due for a serious comeback in the Richmond area.

Patrick Henry Charter School Planning

I wish Richmond Public Schools would hold one of these sessions and let us know when Open High and Fox Elementary will get their elevators and solar panels.

Name: Kelly Bulbulkaya
Email: kelly.bulbulkaya@patrickhenrycharter.org
Phone: 804 233-2848
Comments:
We are trying to get this information to everyone in the city. We hold these informational meetings the first Thursday of every month. It is an open house of sorts to answer questions and share information/updates about Richmond’s first charter school!
Would you please post for your readers?
Many Thanks—

Kelly Bulbulkaya
Director of Curriculum Resources
Patrick Henry School of Science & Arts
PatrickHenryCharter.org
***********************************************************************
Come One and All to the
Patrick Henry Elementary School of Science and Arts
Community Update Meeting
THURSDAY, MARCH 5th 8:00 p.m.
3411 Semmes Ave.
Richmond, VA 23225

When are you opening?
How do I apply?
What is a “progressive quarterly calendar”?
What is an “outdoor classroom”?
A healthy cafeteria?
Why is PHSSA different from other Richmond Public Schools?
Find out the answers to all of your burning questions!

February’s Really Really Free Market This Saturday

The February Really Really Free Market will be on Saturday February 28th from noon until sunset-ish.

The Really Really Free Market takes place on the last Saturday of every month in Monroe Park, at the corner of Main and Laurel Streets in Richmond, Virginia.

The RVA Really Really Free Markets provide people with a chance to share the excess that they possess, to prevent the landfills from filling with stuff that will never decompose and is nowhere near the end of its usefulness, and to offer the community a chance to come together for a day of free fun in the sun! (or rain!)

So the last Saturday of every month, bring your music, your skills, your stuff, your food, and your friends and family, and help us prove that there is enough stuff in the world for everybody!

City Council Turns Back on CAR (But Supports River Park Conservation)

I have been watching this case unfold in our neighbors’ lap up in Church Hill.

Without commenting specifically on the developer or the proposed development (because we have seen what can possibly happen if we do), I will say that it sadly reaffirms what Oregon Hill neighbors have long suspected- voting to put our neighborhood under the Commission for Architectural Review will not protect Oregon Hill’s historical assets as long as City Council continues to live by its undeclared ‘Leave No Developer Behind Act’. We always knew that VCU is exempted from City code, but evidently so are others. In other words, our own City Council does not live by CAR’s decisions, so why should we?

As King, I have already declared my own version of historic preservation protection. I swear to do my best to defend the neighborhood from disrespectful development and I continue to ask my neighbors to join me in doing so. Of course, the door is still open if my neighbors do eventually decide they do want to become a “City Historic District”.

By the way, even though I already annexed Belle Island, I will honor City Council’s decision to support the James River Conservation Easement.

“What are my options?” Financial Aid Workshop

With the troubles our economy is facing, many families are beginning to
search for college affordability options so their children are able to
pursue a post secondary education. High school students & parents,
especially senior students, are invited to attend a FREE workshops:

“What are my options?” Financial Aid Workshop
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Richmond Public Main Library
101 East Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Representatives from SCHEV and GRASP will be on hand to discuss:
* Preparing for college
* College access
* Scholarship resources
* Applying for financial aid
* When and how to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal
Student Aid)

Free pizza & drinks! Door prizes, too!

For more information call the GRASP hotline at (804) 323-6996

Sponsored by the Richmond Public Library www.richmondpubliclibrary.org
and GRASP (The Greater Richmond Area Scholarship Program)
www.grasp4virginia.com.

Charlie Schmidt
Development Director
Richmond Public Library
101 E. Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23219
804.646.5511
Charles.Schmidt@RichmondGov.com
www.RichmondPublicLibrary.org
Our Mission: Inform, Enrich, Empower

SynerGeo Community Dinner with a Special Guest- Tonight

5:30 pm tonight at SynerGeo, corner of Idlewood and Albemarle:

We will have a special guest at our community dinner Monday, Mr.
Kovit Boonjear. Boonjear is a social worker, community organizer, and
social activist who has worked and lived in Khon Kaen, Thailand for
the greater part of his life. Most of his work has revolved around
working with Khon Kaen’s urban poor communities and informal labor
sector, helping to organize and mobilize groups to address the social
and economic issues that they face, such as their rights to fair
labor, adequate housing and land, and protection and support from the
local and national governments. He has also worked with various
education communities, such as the local public school system and
with the CIEE program located at Khon Kaen University. His intention
in visiting and studying in the U.S. is that he will learn to speak
more fluent English and gain useful experience working with social
workers, activists, organizers, and NGOs who are working in a similar
field as he. Shayne Thomas is working in conjunction with Educational
Network for Global and Grassroots Exchange (ENGAGE) on an the
initiative to help our colleague and mentor, Mr. Kovit Boonjear,
embark on this extended study trip to the United States. Shayne
Thomas spent the fall 2007 semester studying globalization and
development in Khon Kaen, Thailand with the Council on International
Education Exchange (CIEE). There will be photographs from this
project, the images are the result of a collaboration with a
community that lives and works at the city landfill in Khon Kaen,
Thailand. Ban Kambon Noi has existed on the edge of Khon Kaen city
for over 30 years. It is located beside the municipal landfill;
families who scavenged there eventualy decided to settle, and now 60
families (approx. 235 individuals) have homes next to the waste. In
2002, 50 percent of the villagers residing in the landfill were born
there, and at least one person from each household makes their living
by scavenging. More than 70 people work among the garbage, earning up
to 150 baht per day. Khambon Noi villagers are entirely dependent on
the landfill for their income. They are aiding Thailans’s recycling
efforts, as well as providing a great service to the city- so far
they have extended the life of the landfill by 7 years. They took
these pictures to show others what they wanted them to see about
their lives.