UDC Meeting This Thursday

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Scott

There are several items on the agenda pertinent to Oregon Hill for the upcoming City of Richmond Urban Design Committee meeting to be held next Thursday at 10:00am. These include curb extensions for Cumberland Avenue as well as new curb extensions at N. Laurel and W. Main Street as part of the Landmark Theatre renovations. UDC will be reviewing other items for the Landmark Theatre including lamposts, marquee, trees, etc. Perhaps of most interest is that Venture Richmond’s plan for what they call “Tredegar Green” is also on the agenda.

Monroe Park Happenings- Tonight, Bicycle Parade!

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Scott

Bicycle Parade info from FaceBook event page:

Come out for the monthly bicycle parade!
Every last Friday of the month!
6pm in Monroe Park

Bring a freaky bike or your everyday rider
Bring your own flags, costumes, music, etc!!
(BBQ Bikes get extra credit)

Riders of all sorts and skill levels welcome
Pace will be casual, set for the slowest rider
Marshals will help communicate and keep the ride safe from car traffic

UPDATE: -The first direction of the parade will be passing by the Federal Courthouse at 7th and Broad, where our friends are holding a rally and march against US military involvement in Syria.
We are changing the normal route and making a pass by the demonstration as a gesture of solidarity with those affected by the struggle in Syria, as well as to support the message against US involvement. So, we encourage folks to bring signs, flags, etc to show support.
The ride will only pass by, and continue on from there, but anyone is welcome to depart and join the demonstration.

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Speaking of Syria, there is a 9 am protest against war at Syria at Monroe Park on Saturday, part of the international morning of protests happening around the world. And , speaking of protests, although it is not happening in Monroe Park , there is the March on Richmond for Jobs and Freedom on Saturday as well:

People from across the Richmond region will march for fairness, social justice, and expanded business and employment opportunities. We will gather at Festival Park behind the Richmond Coliseum by 9:00 a.m. Marchers will depart at 10:00 a.m. and proceed to the Bell Tower on Capitol Square for an 11:00 a.m. rally. The March on Richmond commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

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At the same time, it is worth noting that VCU is still putting up obnoxious signage everywhere. VCU just installed banners on the northern side of Monroe Park on light poles situated on the sidewalk right of way. They even installed one in front of the Prestwould. Have these passed muster with the City’s Department of Public Works? Monroe Park is Richmond’s oldest and most historic municipal PUBLIC park, listed on both the state and the federal registers of historic places. Are these signs a measure foreshadowing a takeover of the park by VCU and the proposed lease with the Monroe Park Foundation?

Trash/Recycling Pickup Tomorrow

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Scott

This Wednesday is a red Wednesday, which means trash and recycling pickup. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup tomorrow night. They do not belong on the sidewalk after tomorrow night.

In recycling news, the Sierra Club Falls of the James group announces their second annual Recycling Breakthrough! contest. Last year, George Mason Elementary School won first prize ($1,000). For more information, email recyclingbreakthroughcontest@gmail.com.

Also, there is the first annual RVA Environmental Film Festival Local Documentary Contest-

http://rvaenvironmentalfilmfestival.com/contest/

Byrd House Market Tomorrow

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Scott

From email announcement:

Byrd House Market selected for Whole Foods 5% Day! Tues. Sep. 3, 2013

Happy 5th Anniversary Whole Foods Market!

So, make your loyal run to the market that Tuesday (just 2 weeks away), then take a little drive to Whole Foods Market at Short Pump, visit with some WBCH celebrities, and SHOP, SHOP, SHOP!!! Proceeds will benefit Byrd House Market and Byrd House Farmlet!!!

4pm and 5pm “What’s In a Ham?” Demo by Bill of Salt Pork

“the OTHER white meat” ” Find out what makes ham taste so good, especially when in the hands of someone who knows. Bill will share the wheres and whyfores of delicious ham making and eating. At the Salt Pork tent at 4pm and 5pm. Look for the Chairs and Balloons at his tent!
See the Facebook Event

RENEW Richmond – GMO Info Session #1 – 5:30-7:00 pm

Anti-GMO session at the William Byrd House Market, Tuesday Aug 20th and 27th from 5:30-7pm. Come learn about Genetically Modified Foods that you are eating right now. If you don’t know, you need to come find out. Renew Richmond’s John Lewis hosts panelists Daniel Barnes, Duron Chavis, Christopher N. Doval, Theodora Evande, Greg Riggs, and Patricia Stansbury will field questions concerning the GMO’s and their effects on health and the environment. For more info email renewrichmondva at gmail.com.

Richmond Food Coop

Jim Mead of Mt. Airy Studio is back!

Not to mention all the Good Music, Friends, Shade, and Great Food!

http://byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com/

_____________________

Ana Edwards, Manager
Byrd House Market & Library Programs
Grace Arents Library & Education Center
William Byrd Community House
www.wbch.org / 804.643.2717 ext.306

WBCH News

Posted on August 17, 2013 by Scott

From email announcement:

Employment Opportunity
William Byrd Community House is accepting applications for the position of DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES ROLE
The role of the Director of Children’s Services is to ensure the administration and operation of both the Early Childhood and After School Programs in a manner that will promote the best possible experience for each child enrolled in our programs; providing information and serving as a resource to others; and achieving defined objectives by planning, evaluating, developing, implementing and maintaining services in compliance with established guidelines.

Volunteers Needed!
for WBCH’s CARNIVAL 2013
Are you age 16 or older? Have you got a few hours to spare next Friday, August 23, 2013, from 4 – 8pm? Would you like to get in some volunteer hours at one of WBCH’s most fun annual events? Please email byrdhousemarket at gmail.com (or call 643-2717 ext. 306) and provide your name, phone number, email, and times you can work. Orientation provided. Please respond no later than Tuesday 7pm, Aug. 21.

5th District Meeting Tomorrow/ No CAPS Meeting This Thursday

Posted on August 13, 2013 by Scott

From email:

Dear 5th District Resident,

The purpose of this email is to notify you of our 5th District meeting on tomorrow, August 14 at 6:30 pm at the Randolph Community Center (1415 Grayland Avenue). Agenda items include a Richmond Public Schools update from school board representative Ms. Mamie Taylor, a programming update from Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, a special presentation from GRTC regarding route updates, an update on City Stadium and a Richmond City Council legislative update.

We’d also like to remind you that we will host a community clean-up this Saturday, August 17th in the Carytown and Stadium neighborhoods. We will be meeting at 9:00 a.m. at the City Stadium parking lot (600 McCloy St.). If you are interested in volunteering please contact our office at 804-646-5724.

Sincerely,

Parker C. Agelasto
Richmond City Council, 5th District

Also, from email:

Good afternoon, all!

This is a reminder that there will be no 4th precinct CAPS meeting for this month, in keeping with our summer break tradition. (We also don’t meet in December).

Our next meeting will be September 19th, at 6 pm at Linwood Holton Elementary, as usual.

As always feel free to get in touch with me with questions, comments, or concerns.

Thanks as always,
Matt Toner
MPACT
(804) 646-1062- desk
(804) 357-6969- mobile
matthew.toner (at) richmondgov.com

JRA Volunteer Opportunities

Posted on August 7, 2013 by Scott

From email:

There are several volunteer opportunities across the watershed to come out and help the James River. If you are interested in any of the events below, just let me know.

August 17: The Tire-Less James
Volunteers are needed to remove tires — and only tires — from the James River between Lynchburg and Richmond during the first Tire-less James Event. We recommend that you wear work gloves and closed toe shoes. Canoe or john boats are best. We are encouraging as many groups as possible to choose James River State Park (Dixon Landing) to Wingina (5.5 miles), there will be multiple historic James River batteaux on site to help carry out tires from this section. Groups can look at available sections and register online. http://www.jrava.org/get-involved/volunteer/tire-less-james

September 14, 9am-1pm: JRAC Cleanup
Join hundreds of volunteers across the James River watershed to clean up trash. Select from 15 different sites from Lynchburg to Newport News. Look at available sites and register online. Help with recycling is needed at the Reedy Creek site that JRA sponsors. http://www.jrac-va.org/events/cleanup/

September 21, 9:30 am – Noon: Rain Garden Maintenance and Cleanup
Help with weeding, planting, and mulching of several rain gardens. All tools will be provided. Please wear sturdy shoes and clothes that can get dirty. Meet in the parking lot behind Advance Auto, 6300 W Broad Street, Richmond. Pre-registration is required. To register, please contact Amber Ellis at 804-788-8811 ext 205 or volunteer(at)jrava.org.

September 22, Richmond Splash & Dash
The James River Splash & Dash is a competitive tube race which takes place near Richmond’s Belle Isle. After the race, JRA hosts an after party that includes a live music and food. Volunteers are needed for various tasks that day including registration, race marshals, and set up. http://www.jrava.org/splash-and-dash/richmond/index

Amber Ellis
Watershed Restoration Associate
James River Association
9 South 12th Street, 4th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
Tel: (804) 788.8811 ext.205
Email: aellis(at)jrava.org
www.jrava.org

Tire-less James River Volunteer Opportunity

Posted on July 28, 2013 by Scott

Volunteers are needed to remove tires from the James River between Lynchburg and Richmond during the first Tire-less James Event. Sign up today at http://www.jamesriverassociation.org/get-involved/volunteer/tire-less-james

JRA is partnering with Virginia Canals & Navigations Society and the Heart of Virginia Council, Boy Scouts of America in The Tire-less James project on August 17.