If you have not already seen it, I urge my fellow citizens to check out Councilperson Stephanie Lynch’s 5th District May 2020 newsletter- it’s chock full of good, timely public information – pandemic response, taxes, volunteer organizing, neighborhood resources, you name it.
Neighbors: If you’re seeking diversion, conversation, connection, join in a new series of community Zooms offered by VCU Libraries. Topics range from Preservation Week to factchecking Convid-19 info, from how to enjoy the libraries’ online the libraries new website to what is everyone reading. We’ll help you hook up to Zoom if it’s new to you. A series of brief virtual events designed for the VCU Libraries community, highlighting timely subjects, celebrating achievements, practicing creativity and more.
Sessions are held Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. and last approximately a half hour to 45 minutes each. Some sessions will be good for high schoolers studying at home. The lineup: https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2019-20/community-zooms.html
“Neighborhood Vignettes for Unusual Times” published by young Laurel Street neighbor Lucia.
Click here to see the whole issue.
Richmond Magazine reports on Pine Street neighbor:
In recognition of her focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, Varina Library (Henrico County Public Library) Assistant Manager Cristina Ramirez will be recognized with the Unsung Hero award from the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government & Public Affairs at VCU.
Excerpt:
As one of the area’s few Spanish-speaking librarians, she’s seen firsthand the hindrances that language barriers can create, along with the value of cultural representation. Latinos accounted for just under 10% of the nation’s librarians in 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“One of the big messages I’ve tried to let every system I’ve worked in know is we have great resources, but we need to also have more people that … the public can relate to,” Ramirez says.
From Venture Richmond’s webpage:
Friday Cheers fans are devoted and unwavering, but in these times we must all be mindful that the COVID-19 virus has dramatically changed our daily social interactions and we must all follow the directives of Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s stay-at-home executive order through June 10.
The governor’s order prohibits all public and private in-person gatherings of more than 10 individuals.
With these guidelines, and for the safety of both our patrons and staff, we have made the following changes to the May Friday Cheers schedule:
Jade Bird with Sweet Potatoes that was previously scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2020 is cancelled.
Billy Strings with Andrew Alli and Josh Small is rescheduled for Wednesday, August 26, 2020.
RVA Music Night – Palm Palm is rescheduled for Friday, May 21, 2021.
Jay Som with Angelica Garcia – We are working to reschedule this show for Friday Cheers 2021 and will provide details when finalized.
Venture Richmond Events staff is working to reschedule Friday Cheers’ early June artist performances, and remain cautiously optimistic about performances later in June.
From the Riverrock Festival’s webpage:
In conjunction with Governor Northam’s recently-issued statewide Stay At Home Order, Sports Backers and Venture Richmond are very disappointed to announce that the 2020 Dominion Energy Riverrock festival planned for May 15-17 at Brown’s Island and Historic Tredegar is cancelled.
From City press release:
The City of Richmond Office of Aging and Disability Services has opened a hotline to answer questions seniors or those with disabilities in the city may have, as well as direct them to vital resources available through partners.
Hotline number: 804-646-1082
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through FridayThe city also reminds residents that Senior Connections, the capital area agency on aging also offers information and referral services at 804-343-3000. They are currently seeking volunteers to deliver food to seniors, who are being cautioned to isolate in their homes.
If you are interested in volunteering, call Senior Connections at 804-343-3000.
Todd Woodson, Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association (OHNA) president, sent an email announcement last night that the March OHNA meeting is cancelled due to the pandemic/health crisis.
Laurel Street neighbor Heather Leigh Price has created a volunteer registry for the neighborhood. She is looking for more people who are healthy and want to volunteer to help the community during the pandemic. Also, Laurel Street neighbor Claire Tuite is actively organizing mutual aid efforts for families and people in need.
From Todd Woodson, OHNA President:
Dear Friends and Neighbors
As you may have been advised, due to taking due precaution in avoiding an outbreak of the Covid 19 virus, VCU and other local Universities have extended spring break and intend to use remote classroom technology. Other large events have been cancelled or rescheduled.
I have been contacted by some of you offering to volunteer to help others during this period of uncertainty. First and foremost, if you are able and willing, please contact any neighbors that are age advanced or are in compromised health situations and make sure they are taken care of and have a contact should they need either shopping done or errands run for them. We are also establishing a network of volunteers who will perform these services for those that are currently challenged in the Oregon Hill, Randolph and Carver neighborhoods. We urge other neighborhoods to reach out to their neighbors as well and establish service networks.
Please contact me at 804-783-8829 or at this email: candylandmusic at earthlink.net if you are willing to provide such volunteer services or if you know of someone in need of these services. It is important that we watch over and care for each other as a community so that no person is left in need.
Additionally, if you are away from your home in one of these neighborhoods and are unable to return, you may call the non emergency number of the Richmond Police Department at (804) 646-5100 and advise them you are away and a Richmond Peace Officer will periodically check on the security of your residence. Should the situation warrant that RPD need assistance in this regard, we are willing to expand the service to volunteers as well.
Please feel free to forward this info along. Thank you and God bless and keep us all.
Todd Woodson
Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association
NBC12 shared the welcome news:
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Two people have been arrested for spray painting graffiti in Richmond.
Police said various properties in the Oregon Hill neighborhood were tagged with the words “Chevy” and “Bum.”
They were arrested for several counts of destruction of property.
Thanks and congratulations to the police, and special appreciation to the neighbors who supplied camera photos and footage to the police!
Today VCU, University of Richmond, and many other universities and schools are extending spring breaks and canceling in-person classes amid concerns over the COVID-19, corona virus global pandemic. With more infections announced in state and around the world, it is becoming increasingly clear that this crisis cannot be ignored.
The Oregon Hill neighborhood is unique in that it was prominently featured in a dystopian sci-fi novel about a deadly global pandemic. The e-book “Harbor On The Hill” came out almost a decade ago and the neighborhood has changed a little bit since then, but most of the settings and even some of the archetypal characters should be recognizable. How much fiction will become reality?
In all seriousness though, stand by for more information on precautions and preparations on the neighborhood level.