Category Archives: community

Richmond’s Young Trees Need Help Getting Through the Summer

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From the Urban Forestry Commission:

Richmond’s Young Trees Need Help Getting Through the Summer
RICHMOND, Virginia – July 29, 2010 Urban Forestry Commission
With this summer’s heat and drought taking hold, all Richmonders could use some relief, but none so much as our newly planted street trees. Richmond’s newly-formed Urban Forestry Commission is concerned about the condition of thousands of street and park trees planted in recent years to replace trees lost during and after Hurricane Isabel. Those trees are in jeopardy because Richmond has had long periods of no significant rainfall compounded by extreme heat.
Newly planted trees are particularly vulnerable to drought stress because their root systems have not had a chance to become fully established in the landscape. “They come from a comfortable nursery environment with good soil and irrigation. Most of their roots are chopped off in preparation for transplant and the trees must re-grow those roots in the new location.” says Karen Townsend, an Urban Forestry Commission member and City resident. Many of the City’s newly planted trees may die if left alone to contend with a continuing drought.
“Regular watering will make a tremendous difference to these young trees and we are asking City residents to take on this task where ever possible,” says Townsend. “Stretch a hose or carry a couple bucketfuls of water from your house to any nearby trees.” Trees should be watered once or twice a week if there is no rainfall. Water the entire rootball with about 5-10 gallons, pouring slowly enough so as to ensure that the water soaks into the soil rather than running off.
Treegator® slow-release watering bags are zipped around the trunks of some trees. These green bags release 20 gallons of water over a 5 to 9 hour period and should be refilled at least once a week. Use either a hose or watering can to pour water in the opening under the colored tag at the top of the bag. With the bag 1⁄4 full, lift up gently on the top handles to properly position the bottom of the bag over the rootball, and then fill to capacity.
Planting and caring for young trees is an investment that pays great dividends in the future. Richmond’s street trees make the City not only beautiful, but also more livable. As Townsend points out, “Given the option of two park benches on a 90-degree summer day…one in the open sun and one under the canopy of a mature tree…there no question where I’d be.”

Contacts:
Tarisa Moran, Secretary to the Urban Forestry Commission 804-646-6308 tarisa.moran at richmondgov.com
Karen Townsend, Urban Forestry Commission Member Telephone: 804-357-4292 ktownsend at enrichmond.org

OHNA Meeting and Traumatic Brain Injury Tomorrow Night

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From announcement:

Hello everyone

Just a reminder that the monthly OHNA (Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association) meeting is Tuesday, July 27th, at 7 PM at the WBCH.

Dr. Merchant will be visiting to give a presentation on his traumatic brain injury study (see below for the details).

Thanks
Jennifer Hancock
President (Interim), OHNA

VCU Department of Emergency Medicine Public Disclosure

Progesterone for the Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury

Learn about a traumatic brain injury study that may affect you or someone you know

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is sudden damage to the brain caused by an outside force to the head – such as a car crash, a fall, or from something hitting the head. Did you know that every 15 seconds someone in the US suffers a major TBI, and every 5 minutes someone is forever disabled as a result of TBI? Are you aware that TBI is the leading cause of death and disability in children and adults under 45 years of age?

TBI can affect a person’s ability to think and remember things. It can also cause problems with balance and coordination. TBI can prevent a person from returning to work or functioning independently. TBI can cause permanent brain damage or even death.

ProTECT III is a research study designed to see if progesterone, a hormone normally found in our bodies, can reduce the amount of brain damage caused from a TBI. Previous studies suggest that progesterone, given immediately after a TBI, may help treat brain injuries by reducing brain swelling and damage.

There is no specific drug treatment for traumatic brain injury. The reason for doing this study is to find out if progesterone is safe and if it works better than standard medical care alone in reducing the brain damage caused from a TBI. If progesterone helps brain injury patients get better, it will mean a big improvement in TBI treatment!

Normally, researchers get permission (consent) before a person can be included in a study. A person with a traumatic brain injury will not be able to give consent at the time of injury. Since TBI must be treated quickly, there might not be enough time to locate and talk to the person’s legal guardian about the study, so it’s possible that a person might be enrolled in the study without his/her legal guardian’s consent. This is called “Exception from Informed Consent” (EFIC). Once the legal guardian is located, they will be asked to give their permission for you to continue in the study.

The purpose of this handout is to notify our community about this trial, to provide contact information and resources where you can learn more, including an option to decline participation.

Local ProTECT III Contact Information
Phone: 804-828-1456
E-mail: protect@vcu.edu
www.protectiii.com

Byrd House Market presents 4th Tuesday Wine Down and at Grace’s Mulberry Tree Cafe

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From Byrd House Market announcement:

Byrd House Market presents Wine Down Tuesday and Chef MaMusu at Grace’s Mulberry Tree Cafe – July 27
Celebrate the culinary offerings of Chef MaMusu and Nate Gutierrez as you sip Grayhaven and James River Cellar (from 6-8pm) while sitting in the cool of William Byrd Community House’s most respected natural resource: The Mulberry Tree in Grace Arents Community Garden – MUCH more 3:30-7pm at the Market…

Cooking as a 2nd Language #5 – Like a Big Family Reunion! See photos on Byrd House Market Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=194674&id=102635361385&ref=mf

Visit our Vendor Product List for 7/27 at byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com – Along with the Fresh, Gorgeous & Seasonal Fruits Veggies and Cut Flowers, we have Potted Evergreens & Perennials, Sweet and Savory Pies, Pastries, Chocolates, Teas, Coffees, Beaded and Recycled Materials Jewelry, Farm Fed Beef/Pork/Chicken, Eggs, Cheese, Focaccia & Baguettes…anyway you get the picture!!!

So, where will you be between 3:30 and 7pm for shopping, and between 6 and 8 pm for sippin’ & suppin’ …?

Canal Bridge Plans

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A summary of the current status for a new canal bridge from City of Richmond’s Parks & Recreation Department:

The plans for the Northbank Trail Bridge have been approved by the Planning Commission and CAR. Work, after final approval by VDOT to proceed (which is a requirement) is hoped to commence later this summer.

However, before we can begin we will have to solve an issue with ADA accessibility. The bridge itself is accessible. However, most of the trails leading to and from it are not.

We have met with VDOT and DPW and are working to correct this. Once we get final approval on this from VDOT, we will bid the work out and begin construction.

Regarding questions that have posed about the funding, we are not in any danger of losing it. We have been assured by VDOT of this. In fact, we have been encouraged to seek additional funding for the downside portion of the trail to Tredegar Street by VDOT. This yet to be determined, but informally they are supportive of this work.

Chefs 4 Kids

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Richmond.com has a recent story on the William Byrd Community House’s Chefs 4 Kids program.

Chefs R 4 Kids, a cooking class for young children and their families, is a partnership between the William Byrd Community Class and Women Chefs and Restaurateurs aimed at empowering kids to cook and encouraging families to make healthy choices.

“It’s easier to talk about nutrition in a relaxed setting, with food, rather than a lecture,” Ellie Basch, head chef at Savor Café in Manchester, said.

During the class, the kitchen atmosphere was kinetic as mother and child pairs chopped basil, garlic and potatoes, while Schmidt supervised. Basch manned a station at the stove with Raquel, a participant with culinary aspirations.

“I like when we make the food; it smells good!” Raquel said. “I want to learn more recipes, hopefully I’ll get to do them one day when I’m a chef.”