Category Archives: community

Photos From Friday’s March

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While Dominion’s RiverRock festival is still raging on the riverfront, here are some photos from Friday’s poignant environmental justice march, which ended with a rally at the Overlook. The official title was “End Environmental Racism Now: March With Union Hill, and it brought people of many faiths and ideologies (including Green Party) together to protest gas pipeline construction in Virginia. WRIC, Channel 8 news, did a good job of not only supplying video of the event, but informing people of the bigger picture (click here for story). While a few neighbors expressed some nervousness regarding this political happening outside their doors, they were gratified that the march organizers did a good job of making sure the area was clean afterwards.

NOTICE: VHDA Board Meeting

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From the Virginia Housing Development Authority website:

A meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Virginia Housing Development Authority will be held at 1:00 p.m. on May 21, 2019, in the Board Room on the First Floor of its offices located at 601 South Belvidere Street, Richmond, Virginia. The Board may also meet during meals before or after the meeting on May 21, 2019. No time period has been scheduled during the meeting for public comment.

‘Terminate The Lease’ Rally On Friday

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From email announcement:

Dear Friends

This Friday, May 17th at 4PM there will be a peaceful rally asking to TERMINATE THE LEASE on Monroe Park held by the Monroe Park Conservancy. This will occur at Monroe Park across from the big tent. We will gather on Main st.

All members of the community are invited. The Monroe Park Conservancy holds a 30 year lease (since 2014) on the City’s oldest and most historic municipal park, purchased in 1851 by the City. The Park was reopened last Autumn after a 22 month renovation overseen by the City and the Monroe Park Conservancy. During that “renovation”, a substantial portion of the historic tree canopy was destroyed, ALL public restrooms were removed, the WWII Memorial was desecrated by a large electrical box and poorly planned and executed pathways were installed that wash gravel dust into the sewer system whenever it rains. Its time for the City to terminate this lease and start fresh on a new plan to fix all the things that went wrong under the Monroe Park Conservancy. Additionally, a recent City audit found that $345,000.00 used in the botched “renovation” was billed to the City’s School Building Fund. We ask that City officials work in partnership with the stake holding community to achieve positive changes in the Park.

Thank you,
Todd Woodson, director
Fans of Monroe Park

(Editor’s note: The Sierra Club Falls Of The James has previously called for ending the lease.)

Bee Swarm Not From ‘Our Bees’

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Last week some neighbors discovered a “wild” swarm of bees in Oregon Hill. Local bee experts have confirmed that those bees were NOT part of the hive installed recently by Open High students in Linear Park behind the 600 block of S. Pine St. From their statement:

During the inspection yesterday we found the
—queen,
—newly laid eggs,
—larvae, and
—pupating new bees.
Our hive showed no swarm queen cells.
Our bees are happy and busy building new comb on our widens frames, storing up lots of nectar and pollen and doing what bees do.
Next week the students will install the second nucleus hive. Hosting and caring for two hives will double the odds we have bees next spring.

There will BEE more information soon as well as announcements for a couple of public bee workshops later in 2019. In the meantime, if there are questions, please contact Pine Street neighbor Stephenie Harrington. Her telephone number is 804-551-0603.

Richmond Solar and EV Charger Co-op

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Solar United Neighbors is launching another Richmond co-op.

We’re bringing homeowners and small businesses interested in installing solar and/or electric vehicle chargers together in a group, or co-op. Homeowners join the group at no obligation to receive discounted pricing and unbiased, installer-neutral support throughout the process. Our experienced team ensures you understand the basics of installing solar and EV charging as well as receive a competitive proposal from a qualified installer.

The co-op is accepting new sign ups through October 31. But they are holding an info session this Tuesday at 6 pm at the Main branch of the Richmond Public Library. Be sure to RSVP.

The Greatest Generation Speaks: The Voices of WWII At Va. War Memorial Tomorrow

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From the Virginia War Memorial event page:

Saturday, April 27, 2019 – 11:00am to 1:00pm
Free Event
Patriotic Events
Learn about World War II from those who have experienced it first-hand. A panel of veterans, several of whom have been features in our critically acclaimed Virginians at War documentary film series, will be on-site to share their stories and answer questions. A light reception to follow.

‘Party For The Planet’ At Tredegar Saturday

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‘Party For The Planet’, a new, FREE, non-profit hosted, family-friendly festival dedicated to environmentally-friendly living and sustainability, will take place at historic Tredegar this Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm.

Highlights include: Earth Day 5K Race Without a Trace; live music and entertainment including bands YARN, FREE UNION and LOBO MARINO; craft beer, wine, and local food trucks; kid-friendly activities; local community organizations, non-profits, artists and vendors; educational demos and activities to build interest in sustainability, health, and the environment; well-behaved, leashed dogs welcome!

Its main sponsor and host is Viridiant, local non-profit committed to advancing sustainable construction.

So far, it looks like Friday rain will clear out and there will good weather for this new festival.

‘The Big Event’ Brings VCU Volunteers

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Today was the day for ‘The Big Event’ and residents were very thankful for all the VCU student volunteers. They offered and coordinated private property work where homeowners allowed volunteers to work in their yards. Community members Stephenie Harrington, Matthew Petrie and Jimmy Blackford were great liaisons for the event.