Category Archives: community

Chicken Controversy Continues

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I received this bit of political activism from Laurel Street neighbor Tommy Birchett:

Honorable Charles R. Samuels Councilman,

My name is Tommy Birchett and I spoke last night at City Council
during the public comments. I have been enrolled in courses on
backyard chickens at the William Byrd Community House. I initially
became interested in raising chickens when I was visiting a former
neighbor who moved to Charlottesville. He told me moving there allowed
him to raise chickens legally. He lives downtown near the train
station where city lots are similar in size to Richmond city lots.

The reason I’m writing to you specifically is to request your
assistance regarding some recent bad news for backyard chicken
advocates. Richard Hammack, a VCU Math professor and his family were
recently cited for keeping chickens in their backyard. They had the
chickens for a long time before a neighbor complained. He has not yet
removed them, but plans to follow the law and do so within the
allotted time frame. The underground backyard chicken movement is
growing. As Mr. Hammack says in the following article on NBC 12 news,
“There are lots of chickens throughout the city. You just don’t know
they are there.”

http://www.nbc12.com/story/17586022/neighbors-divided-over-chickens-as-pets-in-urban-areas

In light of the recent recommendations from the Mayor’s recent Food
Security Task Force I think Mr. Hammack should be allowed to keep his
chickens for now. Furthermore, I have never met or spoken to Mr.
Hammack, but I support backyard chickens and feel that it’s time for a
change and this is a good place to start.

Thank you for your time. You reply is appreciated.

As stated elsewhere, it looks like chickens will be a major upcoming political topic for City Council.

When he did attend a recent Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meeting, Oregon Hill’s City Councilperson, Marty Jewell, did speak favorably towards changing the code regarding chickens.

St. Andrew’s School Name The Otters Contest

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From the St. Andrew’s School website:

Why Choose The River Otter As The St. Andrew’s School Mascot?

River otters are smart, friendly, playful and energetic. They are curious and constantly learning. They are warm and take care of each other. Plus they are amazing swimmers and athletic. Since the school is near the James River, the mascot says a little bit about our location, as they do live in the James. Because they like clean water, they are also a sign of a very healthy environment.

Do you have any name suggestions for our new school mascot?

Click here to enter the contest.

Shiny Arts & Crafts Market Sunday

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From Ana Edwards, Byrd Market Manager:

Hey all – we’re doing an event to benefit the market and programs at William Byrd Community House and need 2-3 volunteers to help us manage the afternoon: Shiny Arts & Crafts Market on Sunday April 22 from 1-5pm – This is a showcase of local artisan hand-crafted fine, decorative and utilitarian arts. Little to no heavy lifting is required – simply help us be on duty and help keep things running smoothly for our vendors and shoppers. As a bonus you can shop before everyone else! And maybe sample the baked goods??? Email shinyartsandcrafts at gmail.com. See Shiny Arts & Crafts Market event on facebook too! http://www.facebook.com/events/338652722865049/

Estate and Yard Sales This Weekend

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Received this message:

Joe Mitchell asked me to pass along that the estate sale at 409 1/2 S. Laurel will be going on again this coming Saturday from 9:00 – 4:00.

There is still a lot of really good stuff available for good prices, so please come by!

and this:

Sunday April 22, 2012 – Saturday April 28, 2012

Hello! Moving Sale: 605 D Spring st Oregon Hill Right off of N. Belvidere St Past the 7-11 but before the bridge IMMEDIATE left turn before the first street into the Parson’s Row complex Second house from the end Items for sale: -Furniture: bed frame, headboard, couches, table and chairs, desks, tables, shelves, arm chair -Women’s clothes & shoes ranging in sizes -Purses -Pet Supplies -Books -VHS -Television -Computer Monitor -Knick Knacks, tins, storage boxes -Dishes and kitchen supplies -School Supplies -House Decorations Thank you! Hope to see you!

James River Association Hosts Belle Island Cleanup Friday

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From email announcement:

JRA is hosting a trash clean-up on Friday, April 20, from 1-3 p.m. Participants will meet at the gravel parking lot under the train trusses on Tredegar Street in Richmond. Please wear sturdy shoes or boots and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Gloves, grabbers, and trash bags will be provided. Pre-registration is required, by noon on Thursday April 19th. To register, please contact Amber Ellis at 804-788-8811 ext 205 or volunteer at jrava.org.

4th Precinct MPACT Meeting – This THURSDAY

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From announcement:

MPACT MONTHLY MEETING
on
THURSDAY, April 19, 2012 @ 6PM
at
Linwood Holton Elementary School (1600 West Laburnum Ave.)

Please join MPACT on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 6PM as our Department of Planning and Development Review will be present to discuss major corridor revitalizations projects that will be taking place in your community.

NOTE: CAPS and the Richmond Police Department will ‘kick-off’ the meeting!

Zane Robinson
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer

Volunteers Earn Gratitude For Their Efforts

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Echoing Debbie’s comment, thanks to the VCU Paint the Town Green initiative for yesterday’s neighborhood cleaning. Here’s a photo of the trash collected:

Some of the student volunteers, along with soldier volunteers from Ft. Lee, deserve extra credit for helping pick up bottles and litter that were thrown off the Overlook after already working their way down Pine Street.

Paint the Town Green to beautify neighborhoods around VCU

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From Fan of the Fan’s post:

VCU students and neighbors will work together to beautify the neighborhoods around the college during Paint the Town Green this Saturday, April 14. Meet at in Monroe Park at 8:30AM for breakfast, community service projects begin at 9AM. Participating neighborhoods include Jackson Ward, The Fan, Oregon Hill, Randolph, and Carver.

All of the volunteers assembled at Monroe Park before breaking up into teams to work in neighborhoods surrounding campus. Photo by John Venuti. (Paint the Town Green 2011)

“We hope to have close to 500 volunteers this time,” said program director and Community Coordinator, Ron Brown. “This year we have partnered with more neighborhoods [including Jackson Ward] and the City of Richmond’s Love My Block initiative,” said Brown. This year’s Paint the Town Green Event will include both the Monroe Park and Medical campus. To register for the event or for more information, email neighbors@vcu.edu.

Paint the Town Green, a community service and partnership initiative, is held tentatively on the second Saturday of every April and October. Paint the Town Green is sponsored by the VCU Council for Community Engagement, the neighboring VCU communities, the Monroe Park and MCV Student Government Associations and The Alumni Association.

Submitted by Jose Menjivar

Times Dispatch Story on Carter’s Dry Goods

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It’s been weeks since the fire, and the Times Dispatch’s Bill Lohmann has a good report on the aftermath:

An excerpt:

“A lot of happy days in this store,” said Jean Carter, as we stepped around piles of charred debris with the help of a portable lamp.

Carter’s family owned and operated the small store on Idlewood Avenue in Oregon Hill for almost 70 years until they closed it in 1993, advancing age and a drop-off in business leaving them little choice. Since then, the family has used the building for storage.

On the night of March 6, Carter, who lives in the house, as she always has, at the other end of the backyard from the store, heard sirens that sounded ominously close. She raised the shade on her kitchen window and saw flames shooting from the back of the store and into the top of a nearby tree.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it apparently started in a shed in the next yard and spread to the store. The fire became so hot it melted the siding on a house across the alley. No one was injured, but the store was damaged beyond repair, so it will have to come down, said Carter and Jim Poe, a longtime family friend and contractor who will oversee the demolition.

“It was like home,” said Carter, who was a baby when her parents opened the store in 1926 and who worked there as a child and off and on through the years. “People in the neighborhood would come in and buy … and sit and talk. It was just a friendly place.

“I’ve tried to keep going,” she said, her voice breaking, “but it’s my life.”

Though the store hasn’t been open for almost 20 years, those of a certain age in Oregon Hill remember it fondly and can scarcely imagine the corrugated metal building gone from Idlewood.