Category Archives: calendar

Expect Police Presence For July 3rd Fireworks, Updated

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Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association leaders have been meeting with the police ahead of the July 3 riverfront fireworks show.
From email:

Just a note that there will be 4 police officers in the neighborhood on July 3rd, starting around 3 in the afternoon.

We met with Lt Beazley and Officer Green this afternoon and discussed traffic and illegal parking.

They may close some of the alleys to thru traffic. The Lee bridge will be shut down around 7:30 pm.

There will still be a traffic backup getting out of the neighborhood, but we are hoping things will run a little smoother.

If you see any problems, let me know. I will be following up with the police on things that need to be changed or improvements that could be made for the next year.

Thanks
Jennifer

Update: It sounds like police will also close off Holly Street, 2nd Street, and the Lee Bridge at times during the event.

National Park Service to present “Voices from the Storm: The 1864 Overland Campaign” at Historic Tredegar

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From the press release:

RICHMOND, Va.– On Sunday, June 29, 2014, as part of the nationwide Civil War sesquicentennial commemoration, the National Park Service will present Voices from the Storm: The 1864 Overland Campaign. This special outdoor multimedia program will begin at 8:30 p.m. at the Tredegar Iron Works (500 Tredegar Street in Richmond) and will feature images, voices, and music of the people who lived 150 years ago.

I found him in front of the altar… He had been shot through the chest, was breathing loud and in gasps, worn out for want of support… His words led several men near to draw their sleeves across their eyes; but they all knew he was dying… He reached toward the floor, and the man next handed up a daguerreotype case… I took it and opened it; found the picture of a young, handsome woman and held it and a candle so that he could see it. His tears fell on it, as he looked… “Is that your wife?” and he replied, “No! But she would have been.”

(Jane Swisshelm, hospital nurse)

This story is one of hundreds from churches turned to hospitals, from farm fields that became battlefields, and homes that would never again be seen by their sons, fathers, and brothers. These stories illustrate how the massive 1864 Overland Campaign reverberated throughout the nation that summer 150 years ago, and for years afterward.

The National Park Service will share some of these stories in Voices from the Storm: The 1864 Overland Campaign, presented by park rangers and volunteers from Richmond National Battlefield Park, Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park, and Petersburg National Battlefield. The free program is a partnership event cosponsored by the three parks and the American Civil War Museum. A reception will precede the program at 8:00 p.m.

The Overland Campaign

In five weeks of fighting between May and June 1864, tens of thousands of American soldiers were casualties of what became known as the Overland Campaign, a series of battles fought across a broad swath of central Virginia, from Fredericksburg to Richmond to Petersburg. That summer, the families and loved ones of almost 100,000 American servicemen received news that their husbands, sons, fathers, and friends were casualties of the fighting in Virginia—killed, wounded, or missing—captured or maybe one of the countless unidentified dead hastily buried on the battlefield. As the siege of Petersburg and Richmond began in June 1864, the outcome of the war was far from certain—for the future of the Union, the Confederacy, and four million enslaved African Americans. Since early May, thousands of visitors have followed in the footsteps of Union and Confederate armies as the three parks and partner sites throughout central Virginia have been commemorating the 1864 Overland Campaign.

Voices

St. Andrew’s School Reunion On Friday

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From St. Andrew’s School event page:

When
Friday June 20, 2014
Service at St. Andrew’s Church – 6:30PM
St. Andrew’s School Reunion – 7:30 to 8:30 PM

Where
St. Andrew’s School
227 S. Cherry Street
Richmond, VA 23220
(Service is next door at St. Andrew’s Church)

The inaugural St. Andrew’s School Reunion will reunite and celebrate current and former students, teachers, staff, volunteers and friends. Join us for refreshments, updates and a school tour. Guests are invited to attend the Grace Arents Commemorative service at St. Andrew’s Church, 6:30pm, prior to the Reunion.

The service will be followed by a brief talk about the history of Grace Arents and her meaningful work in Richmond. Families and children who prefer not to remain for the speaker are welcome to play on the playground after the service ends and before the reunion begins in Baldwin Hall. We hope to see you!

Wednesday: The Defenders Present: Battle for Brooklyn (2011)

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There is a documentary screening this Wednesday evening at 6:30 at the William Byrd Community House. From the FaceBook event page:

The Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality are pleased to present the documentary “Battle for Brooklyn,” a 2011 film that tells the story of residents of the Prospect Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y., and their 8-year fight against the big developers and city politicians who attempted to seize 22 acres of land via eminent domain in order to build a basketball stadium surrounded by dense development.

You can see a trailer for the film here:

The film (1 hour, 56 minutes) will be preceded by a brief introduction by Ana Edwards, Chair of the Defenders’ Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project, on the parallels between the Brooklyn struggle and the Richmond community’s fight against a Shockoe stadium.

Light refreshments will be provided. Children are welcome. We are currently trying to arrange for childcare, but this is not certain yet. If you have accessibility concerns, please contact Kat.

While this event is free, donations are appreciated and will help us continue our all-volunteer work.

Note: This film is being made available free by the filmmakers as their contribution to the efforts to stop a Shockoe Stadium.

New Saturday Fun

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I already mentioned the Richmond Record Show, but there are lots of other fun and interesting events happening nearby Saturday.

The Main library is considered Oregon Hill’s nearest branch of the Richmond Public Library. One of the things happening there Saturday is the opening of the Celebration of the James film series. From Style magazine’s plug for it:

After the Lynchburg train wreck and fiery oil spill into the James River in April, Richmond’s beloved 343-mile-long source of wildlife, recreation and drinking water made national headlines. The Celebration of the James Film Series turns an appreciative focus on the state’s most vital natural resource Saturday, June 14, at the Richmond Public Library. The RVA Environmental Film Festival and the James River Association presents the series, which features screenings of “James River Sturgeon” (Melissa Lesh), “Belle Isle” (Briget Ganske), “Affair with the James” (Elli Morris), “Dumping Ground to Best River Town” (James River Association) and others.

Attendance is free and it starts at 2 pm.

Another free and inaugural event is the first public performance by the River City Magnolias, a local water ballet group. Its happening at 4 pm at the Randolph Pool, the closest City public pool to Oregon Hill which is opening its season on Saturday. It is free also.

Lastly, though it is further away from Oregon Hill, I know several neighbors who are taking part in the Community DIG RVA Conference, a new event that goes on all day Saturday at the Friends Meeting House in the West End. From the FaceBook event page:

Engage with others in sharing visions of how to build community. DIG into ideas of green building, creating diversity, group decision making, and dealing with conflict, as well as the contribution of local food, community gardens and permaculture to sustainability.

There is a $22 ticket cost.

Councilperson Agelasto’s Meeting/Sierra Club Tour Of VCU On Wednesday

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There are two events on Wednesday evening that may be of interest.

From City Council press release:

The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District will hold a district-wide meeting in the Richmond Central 5th Voter District. This is part of regular meetings Councilman Agelasto holds, which include information on his Richmond Central 5th Voter District goals and accomplishments; a thematic agenda of current interest; and, special guests. This meeting is free and open to the public and all Richmond Central 5th Voter District residents are invited and encouraged to attend. The planned agenda/discussion topics for the upcoming meeting include:

· “Richmond Grows Gardens Program” Presentation
Ms. Victoria Campbell, Community Garden Coordinator
Richmond Department of Parks Recreation and Community Facilities

· Richmond Government Procurement Presentation
Ms. Tillie Jackson, Deputy Director
Richmond Department of Procurement Services

· “Richmond Alley Blitz Program” Presentation
Mr. Bobby Vincent, Deputy Director of Operations
Richmond Department of Public Works

· New Richmond Public Utilities Bill Design and Water
Drainage/Standing Water Presentation
Mr. Robert Steidel, Director
Richmond Department of Public Utilities

· Updates from The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman,
Richmond City Council Richmond Central 5th Voter District

WHEN Wednesday, June 11, 2014
6:30-8:00 p.m.

WHERE Maymont Park – Maymont Stone Barn
1700 Hampton Street; Richmond, Virginia

WHO The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman
Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District

CONTACT For more information, please contact The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District, at 804.646.6050 (tel), or parker.agelasto@richmondgov.com (email)

Councilman Agelasto’s Upcoming Richmond Central 5th Voter District Meetings ___

Wednesday, August 13, 2014; 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Randolph Community Center; 1425 Grayland Avenue; Richmond, VA

Wednesday, October 8, 2014; 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Richmond Public Schools – Swansboro Elementary School
3160 Midlothian Turnpike; Richmond, Virginia

Wednesday, December 10, 2014; 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Virginia War Memorial; 621 South Belvidere Street; Richmond, Virginia

And then from the Sierra Club Falls of the James:

Walking Tour of VCU’s Green Initiatives (click here for link)

Wednesday, June 11, 2014
7:00 PM

Shafer Court Dining Hall (VCU)
810 Cathedral Place, Richmond, VA

Steve Heinitz, with VCU’s Office of Sustainability, will lead us on a tour of several of VCU’s greening initiatives on campus: a green roof, a roof-mounted wind turbine, solar collectors integrated into the design of a parking deck, and more! Wear comfortable shoes and bring your water bottle. Parking on street or the Laurel St. parking deck at the corner of Laurel and W. Grace Streets.

Jefferson Davis Birthday Memorial Saturday Will Have Lots of Cannon Fire

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From Hollywood Cemetery’s FaceBook page:

There will be a memorial for Jefferson Davis this Saturday at 9am. The memorial service is a family event complete with music, poems, and keynote speaker. There will also be a marching bagpipe band, honor guard and musket salute.

The event is free and open to the public.

I have been also informed that there will be cannon fire, lots. It will all be over by 11:00 am.

Upcoming Weekend Events at the Richmond Public Library’s Main Branch

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Upcoming weekend events at the Richmond Public Library’s Main branch:

Friday, June 6
7-9pm
9th Annual Poetry Slam
Local poets compete for cash prizes on a first come, first serve basis. The Friends event is hosted by Tom Sanchez Prunier of SlamRichmond.

Saturday, June 7
10am-12noon
Master Gardener’s Help Desk/Seed Catalog
Master Gardeners can answer all your questions. Saturdays in June.

10:30am-12noon
Fun with Storytelling Workshop
Join local theatre artist Tyra Robinson in learning how to make reading fun for you and your child. Certification points available. Call 646-4768 to register. For parents, teachers, and child care providers.

11am-1pm
Poetry in the Park
Casual outdoor readings featuring local and regional poets Christine Stoddard and Burt Ritchie.

3-5pm
Vicarious Travelers
Richmond welcomes the 2014 Cabot Community Tour of the East Coast Greenway: A Celebration of Communities and Good. Sponsored by the Richmond Hostel.Refreshments.

T. Tyler Potterfield Day of Service On July 19

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From new FaceBook event page:

The City of Richmond was chartered on July 19, 1782. It’s
fitting that she shares a birthday with our dear colleague,
T. Tyler Potterfield, who was once heard to profess her “the greatest city in the world”.

This year we’d like to celebrate Tyler and his beloved City of Richmond by volunteering on their birthday, July 19. We’ll be working to help clean up and improve a section of the Riverfront, a place in the city Tyler treasured, at the Pipeline Walk and Overlook. We’ll also plan to have lunch together and a chance to celebrate Tyler’s legacy through conviviality, not just service. More details will be forthcoming as plans are finalized (and we’ll share them here).