Community Craft Night Tonight

From FaceBook event page:

Join us for Oregon Hill’s Community’s Craft Night. A monthly gathering of crafting and conversation among neighbors and friends. Bring your own creativity, crafts, as we share together in community. The informal gathering is a great way to meet your neighbor. All ages welcome. Bring a snack to share if you like. Enter the Pine Street building at the side door on Albermarle Street.

Events In And Around The Neighborhood

Editor’s note: I have had some computer difficulties lately so its been hard to post lately, but thankfully the neighborhood association has been stepping up with keeping track of events…

• Community Garden Hang – This Saturday and every Saturday through fall, 9:00AM – 12:00PM. Come check out the garden with a neighbor!
• Open Garden Day – Saturday, May 16, 10:00AM – 2:00PM (details below!)
• Potluck Picnic at the new Community Garden – Saturday, May 16, 6:00PM – 8:00PM
• RiverRock outdoors festival – Friday-Sunday, May 15-17, see schedule at riverrockrva.com
• Craft night at Pine St Baptist Church – Thursday, May 21, 6:00PM – 8:30PM
• OHNA Meeting (in person!) at Pine St Baptist Church – Tuesday, May 26, 7:00PM – 9:00PM
• End-of-school gathering at Holly Street Playground – Friday, May 29, 4:00PM – 6:00PM
• Movie night brought to us by Pine St Baptist in Pleasant’s Park – Friday, May 29, 7:30PM (movie to be announced, look for posters!)
Want to add an event to the June update email? Email the Events Committee at
ohna-events@googlegroups.com
Want to get the emails? Join for free at ohnarva.org

Park Workday This Saturday In Linear Park

From Friends Of Oregon Hill Parks:
Linear Park cleanup is this Saturday at 10am near 600 block of Holly Street. Hope you can make it out! Come see the beautiful new meal that our neighbors painted, with guidance from Emily Herr! (See portion in photo above)

Join us to spread mulch, clear two overgrown planting beds, and free the peach/apricot tree! Bring water, and gloves and loppers if you have them! We will also have tools on site. All abilities are welcome.

Tour The Digger Bees Of Belle Island

Since 1986, the Virginia Natural Heritage Program has worked to conserve Virginia’s biodiversity through science-based inventory, protection, and stewardship. Our biologists collect, organize, and share essential information used to safeguard rare plants and animals, cave and karst features, and natural communities.

From discovering species new to science and building digital tools that make conservation data widely accessible, to establishing and managing a statewide system of Natural Area Preserves that protects critical habitats, our work expands knowledge of Virginia’s natural treasures and enhances the Commonwealth’s environment and quality of life.

As part of their 40th Anniversary, DCR Natural Heritage program is hosting a series of events, including this one…

https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/eventsdetail-diggerbee

Tour a large colony of digger bees on Belle Isle in Richmond, Virginia as you learn that bees are more than just honeybees. Field Zoologist Ellison Orcutt is at forefront of documenting Virginia’s native bee diversity and distribution. You will learn about the more than 450 native bee species found in Virginia and get up close looks at a few native species.

Meet under the railroad tracks at the Belle Isle Parking lot by 10am. Arrive a few minutes early in case you have to park further away. The lot is at the corner of Browns Island Way and Tredegar St. Overflow parking may be available on 2nd St or Oregon Hill Pkwy.

There is no rain date. If heavy rain is likely the walk will be canceled. Contact Ellison.Orcutt@dcr.virginia.gov with questions

Other Details
Registration required: Register here
Date: May 9, 2026. 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 2 hours
Location: Belle Isle, Richmond, Virginia, meet here: 37.53467, -77.44736
Maximum capacity: None
Age: Best for adults and children 5 and older. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Pets: No
Clothing: Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy and comfortable shoes.
Amenities: Port-o-john available at the parking lot.
Supplies: Bring water, sunscreen.

Participants should be able to:
Expect to walk at least 1.2 miles roundtrip with an option to extend to a 2.2 mile walk.
Understand and follow directions to avoid/manage risks.
Tolerate the elements including temperature for the duration.
Traverse unpaved and uneven trails.

OHNA Meeting Tuesday Night

From email announcement:

OHNA’s Monthly Meeting will be held Tuesday, April 28 at 7pm, via Zoom. Agenda attached and below. Minutes from the March meeting are attached.

COMMUNITY GARDEN HANGS
SATURDAYS, Linear Park, 614 Holly Street, 9-11am

OREGON HILL TREE PLANTING PROJECT
The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association is working on a project to plant new trees in over 50 empty tree wells in our neighborhood.
We have received grants, funding, and other commitments to accomplish this. Volunteers are needed!
Learn more and volunteer:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1JcKqPbzon9CpeBbGIH51FwdUZ8Nq0iC_tcaTjaLzRag/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawRVvF9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFyclpJMXZLbDJpbzhMQWsyc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhNrGEyocf-NtxOTSt9jTA5zuEeB77BxJl8RlnxQrkQAWjT9TiPBs_9kgTm6_aem_YEbm9iJBXmJObgOm2tJ3zw&edit_requested=true

OTHER NEWS___________

Public Comment: RVA consolidated plan
Monday, April 27, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., at 1500 E. Main Street on the 1st floor of Main Street Station in “The Square.”
Share feedback on RVA’s Program Year 2026 Annual Action Plan and draft plans for the city’s 2026 – 2030 Consolidated Plan
City Council will host a final public hearing on Monday, May 11 in City Council Chambers (900 E. Broad St., Second Floor).

RVA Annual Neighborhood Clean-Up Program
Saturday, May 9⋅8:00 – noon
Free Bulk Item Disposal
[PUT OUT ITEMS FRIDAY NIGHT]
DPW crews will visit each of the 15 neighborhood zones offering residents an opportunity to safely dispose bulk items at no cost.
This program is in addition to the city’s biweekly bulk and brush program.

OHNA April Meeting Agenda

(Editor’s note: meeting info redacted. Please contact OHNA if needed)

Welcome

Approval of Minutes: Scott Racette

Community and local Officials Updates: Del. Carr, RPD, VCU, CA McEachin, City liaison, Councilmember Lynch/Amy Robins

Announcements:

Committee updates:

Zoning, FoOHP, Traffic and Safety, Bylaws, Amphitheater, Events

Continued Business:
Tree well planting: John Bolocek

New Business:
Zoning: SUP approval
“National Night Out” participation? – Ashley Graves

Presentation:
What is OHHIC? – Jennifer Hancock


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/

OHNA News

The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association (OHNA) recently emailed this newsletter:

OHNA NEWS_____________

OHNA MONTHLY MEETING
APRIL 28, 7pm on Zoom. Agenda to follow

COMMUNITY GARDEN HANG
Linear Park, 614 Holly Street, 9-11am

OREGON HILL TREE PLANTING PROJECT
The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association is working on a project to plant new trees in over 50 empty tree wells in our neighborhood.
We have received grants, funding, and other commitments to accomplish this. Volunteers are needed!
Learn more and volunteer:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1JcKqPbzon9CpeBbGIH51FwdUZ8Nq0iC_tcaTjaLzRag/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawRVvF9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFyclpJMXZLbDJpbzhMQWsyc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhNrGEyocf-NtxOTSt9jTA5zuEeB77BxJl8RlnxQrkQAWjT9TiPBs_9kgTm6_aem_YEbm9iJBXmJObgOm2tJ3zw&edit_requested=true

OTHER NEWS___________

Public Comment: RVA consolidated plan
Monday, April 27, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., at 1500 E. Main Street on the 1st floor of Main Street Station in “The Square.”
Share feedback on RVA’s Program Year 2026 Annual Action Plan and draft plans for the city’s 2026 – 2030 Consolidated Plan
City Council will host a final public hearing on Monday, May 11 in City Council Chambers (900 E. Broad St., Second Floor).

RVA Annual Neighborhood Clean-Up Program
Saturday, May 9⋅8:00 – noon
Free Bulk Item Disposal
[PUT OUT ITEMS FRIDAY NIGHT]
DPW crews will visit each of the 15 neighborhood zones offering residents an opportunity to safely dispose bulk items at no cost.
This program is in addition to the city’s biweekly bulk and brush program.


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/

Oregon Home Improvement Council Announces Meeting, Membership Registration

Oregon Hill residents may have received or seen this flyer:

OHHIC annual meeting 2026 flyer draft 4 8.5 x14

From the flyer:

The Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council, Inc. (OHHIC) is a neighborhood non-
profit organization founded in 1976 [not to be confused with the neighborhood civic
association, the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, OHNA]. OHHIC has renovated
over 20 historic houses in Oregon Hill, selling them to first-time homeowners and
placing preservation easements on the homes. Also, OHHIC sensitively built 17 quality
new homes on vacant lots that are compatible with the Oregon Hill Historic District.
OHHIC owns the historic Jacob House at 619 West Cary St. that was built in 1817.
All neighborhood residents (18 years of age or older) who have resided in Oregon Hill
for at least a year are eligible and encouraged to be members of OHHIC and to vote to
elect the OHHIC Board. Nominations for Board members will be taken from the floor.
A meeting will be held May 31, 2026 at 7:00 pm at the Pine St.
Baptist Church, 400 South Pine Street, for the OHHIC Board
election. You must register by May 20 th to vote in this election.
To become an OHHIC member and to vote in the election for Board members on
Sunday, May 31, 2026, neighborhood residents (at least 18 years of age) must register
no later than May 20, 2026 by filling out the form below and mailing it to the OHHIC
office at the Jacob House, 619 West Cary Street, Richmond VA 23220 or register by
sending the required information by e-mail to: info@ohhic.org
A list of the registered OHHIC members will be posted at the Jacob House at 619 West
Cary Street, Richmond VA for inspection after May 20, 2026.Thank you!

Mia Zabelka + ELKA BONG At Richmond Public Library Saturday At 2 pm

Violinist, sound artist, and composer Mia Zabelka is visiting from Austria:

Saturday, April 18 starting at 2pm:
– Downtown Richmond Public Library: Performing with Elka Bong and CillaVee at 2:00 PM as part of their 2026 Spring Tour.
doors 1:30p music 2:00p
2:00p Mia Zabelka, CillaVee
2:20p Al Margolis, Walter Wright
2:40p Mia Zabelka, Al Margolis, Walter Wright, Cilla Vee

From announcement:

Mia Zabelka will be joined by duo ELKA BONG for an immersive afternoon of experimental sound art!

Saturday’s show is led by Austrian violinist, vocalist, and composer Mia Zabelka, whose radically open practice operates at the intersection of improvisation, composition, performance, and electroacoustic sound art. For this special tour date, Zabelka is joined by the U.S.-based experimental sound art duo ELKA BONG (Al Margolis and Walter Wright), whose deep listening-based approach complements and expands her gestural, embodied sonic language.

Working with acoustic and electric violin, voice, electronics, found objects, and noise-based materials, Zabelka’s method of automatic playing bypasses conscious control, allowing sound to emerge from reflex, memory, and physical impulse. In dialogue with ELKA BONG’s attention to texture, space, silence, and sonic micro-events, the performance unfolds as a constantly shifting environment in which composed structures and open-ended improvisation coexist.