Category Archives: community

Team Shoebaru

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Neighbor Joe Pyrek wrote in about his Shoebaru project, which adds background to this previously posted picture:

Over the past few months, I’ve been building up two Subaru Foresters to look like a pair of Chuck Taylors. Many Oregon Hill residents have stopped by and asked what we were doing and have kept up with our progress and everything. Perhaps you too have seen the shoe cars at the corner of Laurel and Idlewood.

Once we are doing “shoe-ing” the cars, we are shipping them to the UK and will then be driving from southern England to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. We are doing this under the team name “Shoebaru” and are raising money for Awassa Children’s Project, an orphanage located in Ethiopia that houses, educates, and cares for children who were primarly orphaned from parents that had AIDS.

Richmond Magazine featured one of the cars in its most recent issue and Joe will be on the Elliot in the Morning radio show tomorrow morning to talk about the trip.

Here’s a link to the project’s website: http://shoebaru.com/

Get Your Carriage To The Museum!

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As the new Sweet Frog emerges on Cary Street, please join me in a voyage back in time…

Courtesy of neighbor Charles Pool:

The historic district report lists the construction date for 815 W. Cary as the 1890s. According to the city directory records, this was a residential address until 1893, so either a residential building was torn down at that location and replaced with what we see today or else a residential building was changed into a storefront.

According to the City Directories 815 W. Cary was utilized as a grocery and confectionery from 1893 until 1940. In 1942 the Royal Cafe was at this address. Harvey Hardware is first listed at this address in 1948.

1893 – 1915 W. M. Rankin – grocer
1921-1922 Lee M. Ellis – grocer (home – 2239 W. Grace)
1926 Edward H. Palmer – grocer
1936-1939 David Lieberman – confectionery (home – 2720 W. Grace, Apt. 6)
1942 Royal Cafe
1948 — until recently Harvey Hardware

Of the occupants at this address before it was a storefront, it is interesting to note that in 1888 and 1883 it was an integrated dwelling with both black and white occupants living in the same dwelling. (The early directories indicated black residents with an asterisk) . Also it is interesting that in 1885 a harnessmaker lived in the building; I would guess that he may have worked in one of the two livery stables that were on Green Alley on the 900 block behind the city auditorium. The following are the residents listed as occupants of this address:

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Memorial Day Weekend Is Almost Here

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Of course there will be somber ceremonies to remember our fallen at the Virginia War Memorial, culminating with this:

The public is invited to celebrate and remember our nation’s heroes at the annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial. The ceremony is co-hosted by the American Legion 11th District, and Governor McDonnell will be on hand to deliver the keynote address.

Monday May 28th • 10 am
Virginia War Memorial, 621 S. Belvedere Street
FREE

At Hollyowood Cemetery:

History of Memorial Day at Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour

Learn about the history of Memorial Day from local scholar Jim DuPriest while taking a stroll through one of the most historic cemeteries in America. Be sure you don’t forget the walking shoes!

Sunday May 27th • 2pm – 4 pm
S. Cherry & Albemarle streets
$10 per person

On a more festive note, there is the 1st Annual Oregon Hill Invitational Soccer Tournament (click here for details).

Also, tonight, Captain America!

And if you act fast, you might be able to pick up a sweet foosball table after going to this Craigslist ad (click here).

TD Profile for Neighbor Ryan Corrigan

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The Times Dispatch published a ‘Decision Maker’ profile of Pine Street neighbor Ryan Corrigan last month.

Excerpt:

Best career move: “Without a doubt, best career move has been taking the position with the James River Association. A clean and healthy James River has always been important to me, so I’m excited to work with an organization committed to protecting Virginia’s greatest natural resource. To be able to combine a career with a personal passion — that’s what it’s all about.”

Career goals: “I’ve had the same goals since sixth grade. Give more than I take, and do good things. Thanks, Mom and Dad.”

The best advice he ever received: “The best advice I ever received was not to take myself too seriously. Still working on that one.”

The most difficult situation faced on the job: “I find that fundraising is a lot like fishing. Or maybe that fundraisers are a lot like fishermen. Either way — it’s the ones that get away that we tend to talk about and focus on the most. In this field, we will hear the word “no” a lot. When you’re young it can even cause you to hesitate in making the ask.”

Career tip for students: “Don’t hesitate, and don’t quit.”

What motivates him? “Knowing that I at least tried to make a difference.”

Byrd House Market News

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From announcement:

Byrd House Market: Tuesday May 22
Tour the Byrd House Farmlet with Matthew our Farmlet Project Coordinator, and learn more about the Allegheny Mountain School. Come by and enjoy the shady environs and some of the perks for shopping our fine, fine farmers and food producers…

Byrd House Bash This Thursday, May 24
If you haven’t got your tickets yet, get them now! Sponsored by the Associate Board of Governors of William Byrd Community House. Enjoy a night of good old southern hospitality including a silent auction featuring gift packages from local vendors, food from local restaurants, bourbon tastings and live music. 6:30 – 9:30 pm at Historic Tredegar, 500 Tredegar Street. $30 ticket includes: open bar (beer/wine), bourbon tastings, food from local restaurants and a live band. Silent auctions and food donors include: Peter Blair, VMFA, Comfort, Riverside Outfiters, Juleps New Southern Cuisine, Bikram Yoga Richmond, Six Burner, Olio, and more! Purchase tickets at http://byrdhousebash.eventbrite.com/. All proceeds benefit William Byrd Community House.

Virginia Grown
Resource for all things grown in Virginia. www.virginiagrown.org

3 Weeks! 3 Winners!
Support your Byrd House Market. Our weekly raffle is 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 we get to see your pretty face. Not too shabby!

Storytelling at the Market
Bring the kids, your inner kid, and enjoy the afternoon under the Mulberry Tree.

Our Wish List!
Every now and then we find we need to reach out and let you know we need your help! Our farmlet is in its 3rd year of growing and providing a learning space for the children and families served by William Byrd Community House. One of our goals is not only to make the community garden, farmlet and market look better, but to make each of them work better every year. This year you can help us keep that forward momentum going by
professional produce scale (value: $100-200) – to weigh the harvest so we know how much is grown and packaged for distribution through our food pantry to neighbors in need.
refrigerator (value: $100-300) – to store the harvest before distribution through our food pantry
market umbrellas (value: $35-50 each) – to shade you as you enjoy the fruits of your market day (7.5-8′ diameter, colors: rainbow, bright blue or yellow)

Visit us at byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com!

Dinner at Pescados-China Street to Support St. Andrew’s School

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From Facebook event page:

Please come out for dinner from 5:00 until closing, on Monday, May 21 and Pescados-China Street will donate a portion of the entire day’s take to St. Andrew’s School!

Pescados is right in our own eclectic Oregon Hill neighborhood and features a vibrant mix of Caribbean and Latin flavors using local, organic, and wild caught ingredients.

Tomorrow Is National Bike to Work Day!

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From announcement:

Just a quick reminder that tomorrow is National Bike to Work Day and we will be recognizing this with the Mayor’s Bike Ride here in Richmond. There will be six (6) commuter bike convoys starting at various locations around the city converging on Monroe Park.

Elwood Thompson
Jennifer Wampler, Captain
Meet: 6:30, Depart 6:45

Bryan Park
Bud Vye, Captain
Meeting 6:20
Depart 6:30

Forest Hill Park – Stone House
Alan Cooper, Captain
Meet 6:30
Depart 6:45

Tricycle Gardens (Church Hill)
Michael Gilbert, Captain
Meet 6:30
Depart 6:45

Manchester – Plant Zero
Tom Bowden Captain
Meet 6:30
Depart 6:45

Laurel Park Shopping Center
Sheryl Finucane, Captain
Meet 6:20
Depart 6:30

The Deputy Secretary of Transportation David Tyeryar will deliver the Governor’s Proclamation, and then Mayor Dwight Jones will give a Welcome Address. At 7:30, we will depart from Monroe Park en masse for City Hall. I hope you will leave your car at home and join us for this fun event!

Jan Hatcher
Executive Director
Partnership for Smarter Growth

BHM: Tuesday 5/15, 3:30-7pm

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From announcement:

Byrd House Market: Tuesday May 15
Well All, we’re two weeks in to the market season and the weather remains fine. A little sun, a little rain, the crops are rising and the scenery is lush. If you haven’t taken advantage of our landmark (in our opinion) Mulberry tree’s berry dropping you might want to jump on it. Tour the Byrd House Farmlet with Matthew our Farmlet Project Coordinator, and learn more about the Allegheny Mountain School. Come by and enjoy the shady environs and some of the perks for shopping our fine, fine farmers and food producers…

2 Weeks! 2 Winners!
Support your Byrd House Market. Our weekly raffle is 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 we get to see your pretty face. Not too shabby!

3rd Tuesday Jam at BHM
Today you can jam with other acoustic musicians under the Mulberry Tree. Coordinated by longtime vendor, Patricia Stansbury of Epic Gardens, this monthly session brings local and visiting string musicians together to practice and share synergistically melodic and rhymthic good sounds. Beginners welcome!

Storytelling at the Market – Caroline and Beth are Back!
Caroline was in the “house” last week. Today, 4:30-5:30 pm, Beth joins us from the Richmond Public Library Main Branch. Bring the kids, your inner kid, and enjoy the afternoon under the Mulberry Tree.

Byrd House Bash
Thursday, May 24th, sponsored by the Associate Board of Governors of William Byrd Community House. Enjoy a night of good old southern hospitality including a silent auction featuring gift packages from local vendors, food from local restaurants, bourbon tastings and live music. 6:30 – 9:30 pm at Historic Tredegar, 500 Tredegar Street. $30 ticket includes: open bar (beer/wine), bourbon tastings, food from local restaurants and a live band. Silent auctions and food donors include: Peter Blair, VMFA, Comfort, Riverside Outfiters, Juleps New Southern Cuisine, Bikram Yoga Richmond, Six Burner, Olio, and more! Purchase tickets at http://byrdhousebash.eventbrite.com/. All proceeds benefit William Byrd Community House.

Saving Celery in your Fridge
Celery limp and turning brown? “A celery bunch can be stored in the fridge by putting the root end in a wide-mouthed jar with an inch of water and tent the top with a plastic bag.” And what about molding lemons? Cilantro sliming over? Sour cream becoming decorative? This usually happens because beyond the recipe we bought these ingredients for, we don’t know what to do with them! Check this piece for tips on saving and using these commonly wasted good foods: http://grist.org/food/four-foods-you-probably-waste-and-how-to-stop/

Farmers Markets Become Key Weapon in Combating Food Deserts
http://grist.org/locavore/thousands-more-farmers-markets-soon-to-be-open-to-food-stamp-users/

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Ana Edwards, Manager
Byrd House Market & Library Programs
Grace Arents Library & Education Center