Category Archives: calendar

OHNA Meeting Notice

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From email announcement announcement:

Please join us at Pine Street Baptist Church for an in-person monthly meeting and pasta supper provided by the church (vegan option available). We will meet early, at 6pm, so we can get our dinner and get settled and start a little early. In exchange for feeding us, the church will be asking for our thoughts on how the church can meet the changing needs of the community. Agenda below and attached.

Neighborhood Traffic Safety Walk: Tuesday April 22 at 5:30 pm
JOIN The Oregon Hill Stop Sign Safety Workgroup and City of Richmond Traffic Engineer Andy Boenau for a walk through OH’s dangerous intersections. Meet at Pine Street Baptist, Albemarle Street side, at 5:30.

Public Feedback: Brown’s Island Design Pop-up: Tuesday, April 22·3:30 – 7:00pm
Oregon Hill residents are encouraged to attend this public design feedback session for Brown’s Island. They say it’s a casual drop-in event, so ok even if you only have 10 minutes to stop by Brown’s Island to share your thoughts on proposed plans for the future of this beloved public space! Haxall Bridge Entrance near Potterfield Bridge. Learn more: https://venturerichmond.com/our-services/browns-island-improvement-plan/

Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan: Tuesday, May 6th at 6:00pm.
Review the final draft of the Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan. It will be presented to the RVA Planning Commission for a vote Tuesday, May 6th in the 5th floor conference room of City Hall (900 E Broad St) at 6:00pm. Public comments may be no more than two minutes. Written comments may be sent to Alyson Oliver (alyson.oliver@rva.gov) prior to the meeting time.

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Agenda: OHNA Monthly Meeting April 2025
Join Zoom Meeting (Editor’s note: Zoom meeting info redacted, please join or contact OHNA in order to receive it)

Welcome

Approval of Minutes (Scott Racette)

Community and local Officials Updates:

Police, VCU, Commonwealth’s Attorney, City Council, Allianz Amphitheater

Committee updates:

Zoning, FoOHP, RvaPB, (Bylaws and Stop Sign Safety ctes will present during “Discussions” and “Continued Business” portions of the meeting

Updates and Continued Business
May Open Gardens Day: May 17, 10:00 – 2:00. (Phaedra Hise)

Stop Sign Safety Workgroup: presentation, discussion, and vote (Amanda Bradley)

Discussions
Bylaws Committee: amended bylaws presentation and discussion (no vote)
Note: “By-Laws may be amended at any duly constituted meeting of the Association by a two-thirds vote of those members present and voting, provided that the amendment was submitted and read at the previous meeting of the Association.” (Phaedra Hise & John Bolecek)

Pine Street Baptist Church: Discuss ideas for reimagining the space to meet the needs of our community. (Philip Turner)

New Business:
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Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association
Valerie L’Herrou, President
Bryan Clark Green, Co-Vice President
Jennifer Hancock, Co-Vice President
Susan Hill, Co-Vice President
Harrison Moenich, Co-Vice-President
David Shannon, Co-Vice President
Scott Racette, Secretary
John Bolecek, Treasurer

OHNA on the Web: follow our calendar of events: https://ohnarva.org/
JOIN OHNA: https://forms.gle/joCpHqcPrShu8qf86

Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt on April 20th

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From Rev. Turner:

Join us for our Easter Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt in Pleasants Park on Easter Sunday, April 20, at 9:45 am. The Brunch will be inside Pine Street (Baptist Church), followed by the Egg Hunt in Pleasant Park. Register your children for the Egg Hunt using the link below. Feel free to stay for our 11:00 am worship afterward, but do not feel obligated if you come to the brunch and egg hunt.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5eCH5H8IPzkKfB8OJO0DbSfJkK7-SMHRKVSomTR8h5pzUfw/viewform?usp=header

Gathering The Wood…

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Oregon Hill residents, knowing what time of year it is, have started gathering branches and wood scraps for this year’s neighborhood Wickerman.

The Beltain festivities’ location will be in Parsons Linear Park along the 600 block of S.Belvidere (across from the Virginia War Memorial).

Valerie, the current neighborhood association president, says the Wicker Man’s construction will be undertaken by a subcommittee of the Friends Of Oregon Hill Parks, and questions should be submitted to that group. Faidra, one of the main members, has already volunteered that they are in the midst of deciding on a selection of local produce, unruly dogs, and either a first year student from either VCU or the Virginia Theological Seminary.

“We were asked about babies, but we are drawing the line on them, at least for this year”, she added.

Click here to see footage from previous years’ Wicker Man in Richmond Sister City, Summerisle, in southwestern Scotland.

First Annual ‘Bola-Hoop’ Postponed

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Photo by Gene Gallin on Unsplash

Due to expected rainy weather and scheduling issues, Richmond’s first annual ‘Bola-Hoop’ has been postponed to later this month.

The event, which was originally scheduled for this Saturday in Monroe Park, would have featured bola throwing and hoop dancing
While most people around the world are familiar with hoops, many Americans are just now becoming re-acquainted with bolas.

Just earlier this month, the Richmond Police Department issued this press release:
* * *

The Richmond Police Department has trained and equipped officers to use a new device that allows for brief control of non-compliant individuals.

The BolaWrap 150 Remote Restraint Device (pictured) is a handheld tool designed to be used as a method to control from a distance a non-compliant individual in instances when the officer would be justified in handcuffing the subject but doing so could escalate into a struggle which could cause harm to the subject or the officer.

The device deploys a Kevlar cord with weighted anchors designed to wrap around a subject’s body to temporarily limit their mobility and ability to cause harm to themselves or another. Officers will immediately apply handcuffs to the subject and remove the cord and anchors, when possible.

“This technology will allow for the safe control of a subject without a use of force,” said Chief Rick Edwards. “This reduces the likelihood that officers would need to escalate their response to higher levels of force to control a situation. It allows for safer outcomes for all.”

When practical, the officer will loudly announce “Bola, Bola, Bola” before deploying the device. The deployment produces a loud bang sound as the cord and anchors wrap around the subject – but is designed not to cause injury.

A video of Chief Edwards and Major Ronnie Armstead being wrapped by deployment of the device:


* * *

It was unclear who was going to sponsor the event, although it seems likely that the City Parks & Rec Department and the Richmond Police Department would have been involved, and then perhaps VCU criminal justice program.

Word is that ‘Bola-Hoop’ may make an appearance at the Monument Avenue Easter Parade.

Although the ‘Bola-Hoop’ will not take place this Saturday, there is a mass protest march planned for Saturday at historic Monroe Park.

OHNA Meeting Tomorrow Night

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From email announcement:

MONTHLY MEETING:
Tuesday, March 25 at 7pm. Agenda and link to join attached and below.
Join Zoom Meeting (Editor’s note: Zoom link redacted. Please contact ohnarva@gmail.com)

A G E N D A

Welcome

Community and local Officials Updates: Police, VCU, RVA, City Council
Committee updates: Zoning, FoOHP, RvaPB, Stop Sign Safety (Bylaws cte will present during “Discussions” portion of the meeting
Announcements:

April OHNA meeting to be in person, 6pm at Pine Street Baptist; supper, presentation from PSB.

April “Big Event” neighborhood clean up day with VCU student volunteers

Discussions
Bylaws Committee presentation and discussion (no vote)
New Business:
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O T H E R N E W S:
Save the Date: April OHNA meeting and Pasta Supper!

April’s OHNA meeting will be in person Tuesday April 22 at Pine Street Baptist Church! Our hosts will provide a pasta supper, make a presentation about updates at PSB, and surveying neighbors about what role they would like the church to have in the community. We will begin early: 6pm. Hope to see you there!

Friends of Oregon Hill Parks news:

Holly Street Playground upgrade: The next FOOHP HSP upgrade event, an engagement and feedback session, will be April 24 at 5:30 pm at Pine Street Baptist Church
Holly Street Playground cleanup day: Sunday Apr 13, Holly St. Playground

Oregon Hill Easter Egg Hunt, Holly Street Playground, Sunday April 13 at 3pm

Oregon Hill Open Garden Day: May 17.
Add your garden to the tour! Email: Friendsoforegonhillparks@gmail.com

Historic Richmond is hosting a free community lecture, “Preservation is Planning,” Thursday, March 27th at 6 – 8pm, at Monumental Church (1224 E Broad St) https://historicrichmond.com/detail/preservation-as-planning-2/

Zoning “Code Refresh:”

Learn more about this project, review neighborhood “Pattern Books” and provide your opinion: https://www.rva.gov/planning-development-review/code-refresh [rva.gov]

Online survey ends March 31: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MYVYQCF [surveymonkey.com]

SIGN UP to receive updates from our City Council Member, Stephanie Lynch: http://bit.ly/4bUbRJy

People’s Budget (Participatory Budgeting)
It’s almost time to vote for the projects submitted, including an OH Dog Park. CLICK HERE to learn everything you need to know! You can vote:
Online – Vote from anywhere, anytime between April 1-15
In-Person – Visit a voting location on select dates in April

V O L U N T E E R:

VCU “Big Event” OH neighborhood Cleanup
Students will volunteer to help us in a neighborhood clean up, meeting at Pleasants Park on Sat April 5 at 9:30 am.
Volunteer for your street! Email: OHNArva@gmail.com

Joint OHNA / VCU Community-Student Problem-Solving Workgroup

Frustrated by students throwing loud parties and littering? Volunteer to meet with VCU police and students affairs staff to develop plans to integrate students into the neighborhood and reduce problem behavior. Email: OHNArva@gmail.com

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Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association
Valerie L’Herrou, President
Bryan Clark Green, Co-Vice President
Jennifer Hancock, Co-Vice President
Susan Hill, Co-Vice President
Harrison Moenich, Co-Vice-President
David Shannon, Co-Vice President
Scott Racette, Secretary
John Bolecek, Treasurer
JOIN OHNA: https://forms.gle/joCpHqcPrShu8qf86

Valentine-sponsored Walking Tours in April

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The Valentine museum will be offering two Oregon Hill walking tours in April to explore the history of the neighborhood. They would love to have residents join us, share their stories, and learn some history! Tour tickets are $20 ($10 for Valentine members) and are now on sale via the museum website:
– April 13th at 10am — History Hounds Explore Oregon Hill Walking Tour – The Valentine Museum (dog-friendly tour in collaboration with the SPCA)
– April 19th at 10am — History of Oregon Hill Walking Tour – The Valentine Museum
All tours will begin at St. Andrews Episcopal Church.

5th District Meeting Tonight

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Councilperson Lynch an the Byrd Park Civic League are hosting a 5th District meeting tonight..

We are excited to be hosting a 5th District Town Hall at Lois Harrison-Jones Elementary School (formerly John B. Cary ES) on Thursday, March 20 at 6pm.
Agenda
• Water Crisis / DPU Updates – Director Scott Morris (confirmed)
• Budget Update
• 5th District Updates
• Q&A
We look forward to seeing you there!

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper At Pine Street Baptist Church

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From Facebook event page:

Join us for our Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, March 4, at 6:00 p.m. All proceeds benefit the church benevolence fund, which allows us to help people financially throughout the year.
The cost for the dinner, which includes pancakes, sausage, baked apples, and beverages, is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 12-5, $25 family max.
This year we are happy to announce that singer and performer Joycelyn Oldlam Von Klein will be our musical guest.
https://www.jocelynoldham.com/about
If you are interested in attending, then please reserve your spot by emailing your reservation to info@pinestbaptist.com
We would love to see you at this community fellowship.