Museum Has African Art

Forgive the simplistic headline, but I did want to add a corollary or two to the earlier post about the 2BNB bus.
Yesterday morning I attended a media preview for an upcoming new exhibit at the Virginia Museum of FIne Arts on African art. While the Times Dispatch did a good preview of this new exhibit, I am looking forward to seeing what Harry writes about it.

Also coming up is the Picasso exhibit. I hope the new free bus service can be utilized by residents and students to visit these and other museum features.

I will dedicate this post to Professor H. McKim Steele.

News On Farmers’ Markets

Given the Byrd House Market is in Oregon Hill, this information from ConnectRichmond is important to relate:

The Virginia Department of Social Services has launched a statewide
program that allows SNAP participants (the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program–formerly, food stamps) to purchase local produce
at farmers markets. Individual markets and growers should apply by
February 25, 2011, to be part of this program. To download an
application or learn more about this program, visit:
http://bit.ly/hUQ6mq

Virginia DSS also has released a comprehensive list of free tax
assistance program sites in Virginia for low to middle income
Virginians who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. For more
information, visit http://www.vaeitc.org/

WHAT IF THERE WERE A NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE?

From announcement (sorry about the caps):

WHAT MIGHT YOU DO TO WIN THAT AWARD?
YOUR IDEAS ABOUT PEACEMAKING COULD WIN $100. THERE ARE OTHER CASH PRIZES, TOO.

YOUNG PEOPLE FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL CAN ENTER THIS YEAR’S RICHMOND PEACE EDUCATION CENTER ESSAY CONTEST. PRIZES ARE AWARDED IN FOUR DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS. THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS APRIL 18.

FOR INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.RPEC.ORG OR CALL THE PEACE CENTER AT 232-1002

Also, don’t forget-

Please join the Richmond Youth Peace Project this Friday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m., at the main branch of the Richmond Public Library, 101 E. Franklin St. for an Educoncert honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Inspirational music, dance, spoken word poetry by young Richmond area performers. Don’t miss it!

Main branch is Oregon Hill’s City library.

Gun Volleys In Hollywood This Sunday

From David Gilliam of Hollywood Cemetery:

Scott,
I hope this message finds you well.
I am writing to inform you that a memorial ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, February 6th at 3 p.m. at the J.E.B. Stuart’s grave site. There will be volleys fired as a part of the service.
Thank you for getting this message out to the surrounding neighbors.
Take care,
David

For more on General J.E.B. Stuart, click here.

I will also note that this Friday, University of Richmond President Edward Ayers, will be giving a talk called “Why Should You Care About the Civil War?”

Local Community Mental Health Group To Hold Benefit at the Flying Brick Library

From press release:

Richmond, VA—On Saturday, February 19, starting at 6 p.m., Mind(ful) Liberation Project will hold a speak out event and benefit dinner about mental health at the Flying Brick Library. There is a suggested donation of $8 for dinner. Raffle tickets are $1 each.

Since it’s inception five months ago, the Mind(ful) Liberation Project (MLP) has garnered interest from all walks of life, including local social workers, current and former psychology students, mental health professionals, and mental health consumers alike. Like all independently-run initiatives, the Project is raising its own funds. To help raise funds to support future events and self-publish a mental health speak out independent magazine, they’ve decided to hold a benefit dinner and speak out at the Flying Brick Library.

Everyone knows at least one person that experiences what society deems a “mental illness.” MLP seeks to break the stigma that comes with viewing and experiencing life differently from the supposed norm. The speak out event will include readings, artwork, and acoustic musical performances to celebrate psychological diversity. The theme of the night is speaking out about experiences existing in an institutionalized society of psychiatry and psychology. “In a world gone mad, no one is alone.”

Dinner will include vegan, vegetarian, and meat dishes labeled with ingredients used. Along with readers, artists, and other performers, Alison Self, Erin Kemmerer, Herschel Stratego, Jean-Baptiste Stowell, and Black Liquid will be gracing us with some acoustic songs. There will be a raffle for mental health and psychology-related books donated from Chop Suey Tuey Books. Raffle tickets will be $1 each.

Mind(ful) Liberation Project is Richmond’s Icarus Project chapter. The Icarus Project is an international network of people living with and/or affected by experiences that are commonly diagnosed and labeled as psychiatric conditions. By joining together as individuals and as a community, collaboration can inspire hope and transformation in an oppressive and damaged world. Participation in the Icarus Project helps members overcome societal alienation and build a community mental health support system. The Icarus vision is brought to reality through an Icarus national staff collective and a grassroots network of autonomous local support groups and Campus Icarus groups across the US and beyond.

The Flying Brick Library is a radical lending library, community space, and venue located in the historic neighborhood of Oregon Hill.

DATE & TIME: Saturday, February 19 · 6 – 9 p.m.
LOCATION: The Flying Brick Library
506 S. Pine Street Richmond, VA 23220

VCU Siren On Wednesday

From Richmond Times Dispatch article:

Virginia Commonwealth University will test its emergency communication systems, including 10 sirens throughout the Monroe Park and MCV campuses, at noon Wednesday.

The test will include the sirens as well as text messages, digital signs, e-mails, classroom alert devices and website information.

The sirens will be audible beyond the boundaries of the two campuses and will sound an up-and-down wail for three minutes. After a one-minute pause, a steady wail will signal the end of the test.