Category Archives: community

Party Problems

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From WTVR news:

Richmond police broke up a graduation party of over 150 people Saturday night, after neighbors say the party was getting out of control.
No one was arrested and no damage was reported, but as graduation week approaches for several local colleges and universities, some police departments are focused on keeping parties orderly.
VCU Police Chief John Venuti told CBS 6 his force increases the number of officers on-duty at certain points in the year, including the weeks close to graduation.
“I think if you’re throwing a party, it’s got to be your responsibility to keep people in check,” said Isaiah, who lives in Oregon Hill where the graduation party was held. “That’s just the way it is and sometimes people lose sight of that.”

Neighbors Working On Pleasants Park

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Several neighbors took time yesterday to do some badly needed volunteer yard work on Pleasants Park.

Why is it called Pleasants Park?

From the Richmond Friends website (click here for link):

Robert Pleasants, who was born at Curles in Henrico County, Virginia in 1723 and died in 1801, was one Virginia’s most noted Quaker abolitionists. As one of the founders of the Virginia Abolition Society in 1790, he served as president. In 1782 he successfully lobbied for the Manumission Act, which, within one decade, was responsible for freeing over ten thousand slaves in Virginia. In 1792 Mr. Pleasants submitted a petition to the U.S. Congress from the Virginia Abolition Society calling for the end of the slave trade. Mr. Pleasants went to court repeatedly to free hundreds of slaves. He wrote to Virginia leaders such as George Washington and Patrick Henry, asking that slavery be abolished.
Several of these documents are contained on this website.

In 1784, two years after manumitting his slaves, Mr. Pleasants founded the Gravelly Hill School, the first school for free blacks in Virginia, and set aside 350 acres of land to maintain the schools. Henrico Parks and Recreation will dedicate a historic maker on the Gravelly Hill Site in 2003.

The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association successfully petitioned the Richmond City Council in 2003 to name Pleasants Park at 401 South Laurel Street for Robert Pleasants.

This is history that is not part of the new Liberty Trail.

Final Renegade Market Today!

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From email announcement:

Todays hours: 3pm to 6pm
This will be your last chance to feel the Renegade Market spirit – winter market vendors vending at will on our lovely village-like grounds. You should bow down before the grace of Byrd Farm, Faith Farm and Dogtown Lounge for bearing all kinds of winter weather to bring you the good meats, cheeses, noodles, honey, jams, and doggie/kittie treats EVERY Tuesday from last November through today. You should wring your hands with joy that they were joined by Deer Run and Epic Gardens, by Agriberry and Old Church Creamery, by a masseuse!!! (Robin Raver) and last week, a coffee maker (Alchemy). Woof! we’ve got good people.

Next Week: Byrd House Market Opening Day!!
A roster of new and returning vendors coupled with a beautiful, long awaited spring will make for a great market season. SNAP EBT welcome again! Beautiful improvements to the grounds by scads of volunteers and our farmlet manager. Come on out and welcome back the crowd, be one of multitudes to enjoy the launch of a great new season of fresh, locally grown and produced foods. Special guests and new volunteers and great deals will be announced. College students prepare for the return of the $10 Student Box! Details can be found at byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com. (also, please see the note about parking changes below)

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Message from the VCU Living Wage Campaign

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From email announcement:

The VCU Living Wage Campaign is holding a May Day rally, Wednesday May 1st in the VCU Commons Plaza. The living wage campaign wants students, workers, and educators to be more involved in the Universities allocation of the budget. We do not believe that any university employee (Service workers, Contracted workers, Adjunct professors) should not be paid a living wage.

In the recent Richmond Anti-poverty commission, the committee urged the cities three universities to pay their employees a living wage. We as students are here to see that through. As tuition paying students we allow this University to run, and each year we are paying more. We believe that we should have a say in where our money goes, and demand that it is used in what we believe are ethical ways. VCU Living Wage released a video last semester featuring an interview with Aramark regional manager Michael Martin. Due to Mr. Martin admitting to unacceptable working conditions on camera, Aramark and VCU has bullied and threatened the VCU Living Wage Campaign into taking it down.

We are asking students to show their support by joining us on campus and listen to African drums, spoken word, and speeches about the importance of a living wage in our university community. At the end of the rally we will personally deliver a list of demands to President Rao;s office and Aramark’s campus headquarters. Thank you for your time.