Category Archives: community

Tuesday’s Byrd House Market

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From email announcement:

A Cool 96 Degrees…
byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com – Market Map and Product Search under “For Market Goers” tab…

Visit the Farmlet
– a learning laboratory and “we feed our community” project! a greenhouse under construction! a scarecrow guarding the gourds! a second childhood paradise!

Raffles & Massage????
Byrd Farm Raffle for the market and is this week’s featured vendor for Masseuse Robin Raver’s weekly special offer: For every $10 you spend you get 1 minute of chair massage! Different vendor every week! Support them all!

First Tuesday Films: Urban Roots
Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/events/152005824935523/ – Outdoor film/discussion/potluck salad series after Byrd House Market. Richmond City Community Gardens and Richmond Behavioral Health Authority reps Duron Chavis and John Lewis discuss the alignment of self-sufficiency, urban gardening & farming in Richmond following this noted documentary on the reclaiming urban lands for food movement of Detroit. 7:30 – 10pm (in the cooling of the evening…). Trailer at www.urbanrootsamerica.com

Cooking Class Returns
Visit EatGoodGrowGreat.blogspot.com to register by July 18! Honduran Tamales con Pollo and Something Cool to drink from the Farmlet!

This Week and Every Week ! with You !
Facepainting, Storytelling, Great Food, Great Shade, Great Nutrition, Great People!

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_____________________

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

Universities Vs. Historic Neighborhoods

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From email:

Hey! I’m from Knoxville TN. Recent news in Knoxville is that the University of Tennessee is planning to further encroach on the adjacent historic Fort Sanders Neighborhood. Anyone with experience in the Oregon Hill effort to maintain boundaries with V.C.U? I’m planning to blog and and hoping to gather some hope though any stories of creative approach to the issue in your neighborhood. Thanks! Jennifer

Jennifer,

Thanks for writing. I will try to send you some other information, but here is an update on the situation with VCU:

VCU still refuses to put in place any longterm, binding agreement to protect the neighborhood.

https://www.oregonhill.net/2008/10/24/ohna-president-asks-vcu-to-take-positive-step-for-true-community-partnership/

https://www.oregonhill.net/2011/06/27/issue-1-still-no-positive-step-from-vcu/

The last we heard, anything new would come forward in community sessions for VCU’s next Master Plan.

The problem is that VCU can make adjustments to their Master Plan at any time in support of their encroachment, and in fact did so the last time we had an issue.

To paraphrase a neighbor’s published column:

In 2004, the VCU 2020 Master Plan, page 88, marked a dotted-line boundary between VCU and Oregon Hill. We believed VCU would honor this boundary. That belief proved to be false.

In 2007 — despite opposition from multiple neighborhoods — the VCU Executive Board, desiring more property within the Oregon Hill Historic District than their previous Master Plan allowed, chose to breach the boundary of good faith by amending the border to facilitate the acquisition and demolition of a livery stable built to service the landmark City Auditorium.

The property in question, 911 Green Alley, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register as a contributing element to the Oregon Hill Historic District. A Times-Dispatch article from November 12, 2006, extolled this stable’s amazing renovation and adaptive reuse. The sister stable at 917 Green Alley, listed on the historic registers as well was slated for demolition. VCU also destroyed Green Alley on this block. Green Alley was part of the historic streetscape established circa 1817. We are unaware of any other Virginia agency ever acquiring a fully renovated property listed on these registers with the intent to demolish. Implications loom large for other historic communities.

In other words, Master Plans CANNOT be trusted.

So right now, this state of mistrust still exists between the neighborhood and VCU and so far VCU has done nothing to alleviate it.

I wish I had better news. Sadly, citizens and neighborhoods have a tough time in disputes with large institutions and corporations. The difference in available resources is one thing, but now its hard to even find any rule of law. I will send you some other stuff via email and, of course, my best wishes.

Thanks,

Scott

Flying Brick Fundraiser for Wayside on Wednesday

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From the Flying Brick blog:

Day: Wednesday, June 27th, 2012
Time: 7pm

Want to learn more about Wayside, the Commons and all the wonderful ways you can support and become involved? Come out to our first ever Ice Cream Social Fundraiser! We are bringing in the first day of summer with a fun-filled evening of music-sharing, spoken word, and any other creative ways of expression. All are welcome and donations will be accepted.

Want to donate ahead of time? Check out the link below: http://www.waysidecenter.org/donate.php

Wayside Commons Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/events/252544244849499/

Byrd Market This Tuesday

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From announcement:

THIS Tuesday At the Market …
will truly be an oasis in the week’s rising temperatures which will cap at an official One HUNDRED and TWO on Friday.
But, for us, it will be just warm enough to enjoy iced drinks and cool desserts; to safely carry home those lovely cheeses, chocolates, chutneys and eggs; to relish the next morning’s breakfasts with berries, peaches, granolas and homemade muffins and smoothies; to make salads and light suppers with the simplest of seasonal veggies and herbs (what you don’t eat today you can roast tomorrow); to stock up on flavorful grass fed cuts of beef, pork, toxin-free chickens and finely seasoned sausages; to deserve gluten-free cupcakes and lush cookie bars and tea cakes… and that’s just the eating part… Set a spell under the umbrellas and enjoy a leisurely lunch, ready to eat, with Sustenance, Cafe 2100 and Almadina.

Our weekly raffle continues to be generously sponsored by Byrd Farm & Rural Virginia Market! $1 ticket gets you a chance at a week’s share of goodies from Byrd Farm – value $33.83. Win this week, pick up your share next week. And help us get a misting tent or produce scale!!! (hint. hint. wish list. wish list.) And we get to see your pretty face and you take your loot home in a shiny new Virginia Grown re-usable sack. Not too shabby! We’ve had 8 very happy winners!

Under the Mulberry Tree
Facepainting by Nadine (have you seen her frogs, aliens and butterflies??? pretty groovy)
Storytelling, 4 – 5 pm with Caroline
Make musical instruments withGirls Rock! RVA, “a newly formed organization in Richmond, Virginia with one year of success under our belt! Our mission is to facilitate a space in Richmond that empowers girls to collaborate creatively in an environment of mutual respect and positive self-expression. To this effect, we have started an all-girls pop/rock/hip-hop/punk/etc. summer music camp here in Richmond.” Check out more at http://girlsrockrva.wordpress.com.

All this good stuff under the Mulberry Tree in the Grace Arents Community Garden. We could not ask for better weather for these kind of activities.

What are you eating this summer?
Got a YUMMY story? Write a little paragraph and send us a photo – we’ll post it on our blog!

try this dressing…Orange Vinaigrette
1/2 cup good extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup champagne or white wine vinager
3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
2 teaspoons grated orange rind
– Whisk ingredients together, enough to dress four individual salads

Back in the 60’s and 70’s in Southern California, my grandmother used to make a really simple version of this dressing for a salad serving 4-6 people:
3 Tablespoons Vegetable oil + 3 Tablespoons Orange juice + salt & pepper to taste – measured and poured right over the salad of lettuce and avocado chunks, tossed and served immediately. sometimes she added jicama for a mild sweet crunch. altogether refreshing and yummmmy, of course.

July’s First Tuesday Film: Urban Roots
Discussion will be led by Duron Chavis from the city’s community garden department and John Lewis with RBHA and others. Pot-luck salad – bring a salad, an ingredient, a dressing and join us on Tuesday July 3rd, 7:30-9:30 pm. See a trailer and learn more at www.urbanrootsamerica.org – presented by Victory Farm, Shalom Farm and William Byrd Community House. Like to help set-up and take-down. Contact me at byrdhousemarket@gmail.com

Cooking as a 2nd Language Returns!
Saturday, 21st of July welcomes back Elicet Von Der Lippe who will teach us the greatest food upper body building dish ever: Tamales con Pollo. Register at EatGoodGrowGreat.blogspot.com. $10 per person. Soon to hit the schedule… Ethiopian, English, Czech, Indian, Soul, American, French – its local to local and local to global – Roots to Roots Good Food.

there’s even more doings at
william byrd community house www.wbch.org
eat good grow great via byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com

Yard Sale This Saturday

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From Craiglist:

Yard sale on Saturday 23rd on Idlewood@Laurel from 9-1230ish
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Records– pUNK, soul, r&b
4-track
furniture/ shelves/side tables/ 4tier metal racks
clothing, some womens vintage clothing sz M/L
housewares. pots and pans,
set of 4 vintage chairs
and much more.
come and check it out!

Recognition for Officer Nathanson

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Although there were no crimes in Oregon Hill on today’s Richmond Police report, there was recognition and congratulations for Officer Jonathon Nathanson, who has done a lot of work in the Fourth Precinct and Oregon Hill in particular.

Kudos to Officer Jonathan Nathanson who was named Fourth Precinct’s Officer of the Month for May! Officer Nathanson is still racking up the arrests – 42 for the month–and taking the calls – responding to 48! He’s also initiated more than 70 encounters just from his own observation while patrolling his assigned area. Officer Nathanson also seized two firearms and illegal narcotics last month; wrote 55 incident-based reports, conducted 16 field interviews and did more than 60 hours of bike patrol!

He was also selected to conduct DUI selective enforcement, resulting in numerous DUI arrests. Somehow, he still manages to find time to mentor a recruit from the 107th class and work with the Homeless Outreach Program with the Daily Planet and Richmond Behavioral Health Authority. Officer Nathanson is an all-around great officer and that’s why he’s been a frequent flier for Fourth Precinct’s Officer of the Month honors. Congratulations!

R.I.P. John Campbell Crouch

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A neighbor sent this in:

Oregon Hill lost a great friend in the passing of John Crouch, a descendant of John Jacob, the first known occupant of the house for whom the Jacob House at 619 W. Cary Street is named. Mr. Crouch worked tirelessly for the preservation of the house when VCU made plans to demolish the structure. Thanks to Mr. Crouch we became aware that the Jacob House was older than was previously known. The house would not have survived if not for Mr. Crouch’s hard work and advocacy. He will be missed.

Obituary, as printed in the Times Dispatch:

CROUCH, John Campbell, 93, of Richmond passed away June 16, 2012 in Front Royal, Va. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Evelyn Post Crouch; son, Robert J. Crouch of Front Royal; daughter, Mary C. MacKercher (Brian) of Warrenton; four grandchildren, Mark D. MacKercher of Washington, D.C., Brian C., Benjamin B. and Mary Elizabeth MacKercher all of Warrenton. He was preceded in death by his parents, William J. and Mary Jacob Crouch; a sister, Mary Crouch Condrey and a son, William Campbell Crouch. He graduated from John Marshall High School and the University of Richmond. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army as a Cryptographer in Company A, 3217th Signal Service Battallion assigned to the Supreme Allied Headquarters in London. He worked with the Enigma Coding Machines and decoded the surrender message from Heinrich Himmler. He was an accountant with Dupont, Inc. for 42 years at the Spruance Fiber Division. He was active in politics and historical preservation. He was an advocate in the preservation of Pelham Chapel, The Conferderate Section of Oakwood Cemetery and the Jacob House on Cary Street. (He was the great-grandson of John Jacob). He was the former Vice Chairman of the Richmond City Democratic Committee, Treasurer of the Virginia Conservative party, President of the Richmond Society of the Son’s of the American Revolution and Commander of the Lee-Jackson Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans. He ws a member of the American Legion, the Navy League and The Virginia Historical Society. He was a proud Virginian and an avid genealogist. The family will receive friends 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Blileys-Central, 3801 Augusta Ave. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at All Saints Episcopal Church, 8787 River Rd. A private graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friends of Forest Hill Park, 951 E. Byrd St., Richmond, Va. 23225

2012 Girls of Summer Tonight At The Public Library

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The Main Street branch of the Richmond Public Library holds Girls of Summer 2012 at 7pm. A literary girls night out at the library – a special conversation with friends Gigi Amateau, Meg Medina, and Wendy Shang, author of “The Great Wall of Lucy Wu.” It makes one perfect evening – library park, books, authors, friends and ice cream!

From the Richmond Public Library event page:

Local Richmond children’s authors Meg Medina and Gigi Amateau present their annual annotated reading list of 18 handpicked titles that celebrate strong girls in a fun-filled night for book-loving girls of every age.

This year’s live launch event at the Main Library will feature:
• Outdoor refreshments in the library park
• An intimate conversation with award-winning, middle grade Wendy Shang, author of The Great Wall of Lucy Wu
• Readers’ theater
• and book giveaways
• Plus, one lucky winner will win an entire collection of the 2012 Girls of Summer reading list.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012
7 – 9 pm
Richmond Public Main Library
Library Park area (bring a lawn chair)

The full list of reviews and author interviews will be available online at
www.girlsofsummerlist.wordpress.com beginning June 20, 2012.