Category Archives: community

Sierra Club Calls For Ending The MPC And Awards Neighbor For Activism

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This past week, the Sierra Club Falls of the James, the area’s oldest environmental organization, sent an open letter to City government concerning the deliberate cutting of trees in Monroe Park and the appearance of impropriety. In the letter, the Sierra Club suggested, among other actions, that the City’s lease with the Monroe Park Conservancy be terminated. The Shockoe Examiner posted the entire letter, minus some of the maps and photos. It is noteworthy that so far there has not been more media coverage of this detailed call for accountability and transparency from the new Mayoral administration.

Furthermore, today the Sierra Club Falls of the James announced that Oregon Hill neighbor Todd Woodson would be one of the recipients of the prestigious Green Giant awards. The award is being given in recognition of Woodson’s previous and current advocacy for Monroe Park and urban trees (including his previous service on City Council’s Monroe Parks Advisory Commission), as well as his promotion of animal welfare with the Richmond Animal Advocacy Alliance.

In the announcement, the SCOFOJ stated that City Parks worker Wyndham Price would also be receiving a Green Giant award posthumously. Price was an ardent environmentalist who helped with a variety of projects within and outside the park system. He was a familiar face around Oregon Hill and he will be missed.

The next SCFOJ monthly membership meeting, to be held Tuesday, February 14th (yes, Valentine’s Day) at 7 pm at the Science Museum of Virginia, will include a brief award ceremony for our Green Giants. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Richmond Trail Forum On Wednesday

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From FaceBook Event page:

Come join your fellow Trail Users for an open discussion about the Richmond Trail System. Hosted by the City of Richmond & James River Park Trail Crew this moderated forum will touch on…
1) The History, ownership, and roles of the park system
2) Diversity of users, their needs, and park volume
3) Sustainability and trail design

A Q&A session will allow the public to voice their ideas & concerns. Please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GY27L7D to submit.

Wednesday at 7 PM – 8:30 PM
Byrd Park Roundhouse
700 S Davis Ave, Richmond, Virginia 23220

‘Critical Mass’ Bicycle Ride On Friday

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From the FaceBook event page:

Meet at 6, ride at 6:30.

Rain, fascism, or shine.

Our usual meeting spot in Monroe Park has been fenced off for renovations for the next year or more… For now we will meet at the same intersection, just across the street on the sidewalk in front of Altria Theater, to avoid too much confusion. A different meeting place may be chosen in future months, so keep an eye on the location!

What is this event?!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Mass_%28cycling%29

Last Friday evening of every month! Come out on your bikes and ride en masse through the city, for any number of reasons: just for fun, to celebrate bicycles as an alternative to cars, to spread awareness that bicycles share the road, or as a form of political protest. Wear costumes, bring music, noisemakers, flags, ribbons, etc. Ride a skateboard, roller blades, unicycle or some other human-powered bike alternative. Make it a parade!

Many interesting routes (and stops) are planned in advance, but some are unplanned and can simply be determined spontaneously by whoever is riding in the front. Ride SLOWLY so we can all stay together, enjoy the ride, talk along the way, and encourage people to join us.

This Saturday- Shiver In The River and Richmond Democrats’ Fifth District Meeting

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This Saturday is Shiver In The River, a benefit riverfront event for the Keep Virginia Beautiful organization. There is a clean up, a 5K, and yes, a ‘polar bear plunge’ in the James River.

Click here for more details.

Also, the Richmond Democrats are holding a strategy meeting to discuss how they will organize neighborhoods for the upcoming 2017 elections. They are asking everyone to invite neighbors.
Saturday at 10 AM – 11:30 AM at Tower of Deliverance Church (118 Cowardin Ave, Richmond, Virginia 23224)

(Editor’s note: I am happy to post meeting notices from other political groups as well)

New Transit Plan Meeting Tomorrow At Main Library And DMV

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The planners working on the Richmond Transit Network Plan have released their Draft Recommended Network. This is your first look at what the future of Richmond’s public transportation system will look like.
Public meetings will be held throughout the second half of January. Each meeting will begin with a presentation followed by a question answer period and open house.
January 18th, 12:00–2:00 PM, Main Public Library (101 E. Franklin Street)
January 18th, 6:00–8:00 PM, DMV Central Office (2300 W. Broad Street)

Click here for planner’s website: http://www.richmondtransitnetwork.com
After studying the proposals, you can provide feedback and comments on the Recommended Network by taking their survey.

There’s also a quick review on the RVA Rapid Transit group’s website:
https://www.rvarapidtransit.org/blog/first-look-the-richmond-transit-network-plan

Times Dispatch: “Dogs are not banned on Potterfield Bridge, but some injuries reported”

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The Times Dispatch has an article about concerns for dogs walking on the newly-opened T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge.

It does a good job of exploring the concerns and the responses. In conclusion, the City does not disallow dogs on the new bridge, but there are reasons for dog owners to be careful.

This might be a good time to remind everyone of the meeting next week on riverfront development.

(Ed. note: my own personal experience is that when I walked my dogs on the bridge, I did not see any evident injury, but did notice their apprehension. I will certainly be more careful in the future and may not take the dogs on the bridge again.)

Two Missing Men

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From the Richmond Police Dept.:

The Richmond Police Department is asking for the public’s help to locate two individuals who’ve each been missing for approximately a year.

“The families of these individuals have been anxiously waiting for information on the whereabouts of their loved ones for the past year,” said Major Crimes Detective William Thompson. “We are working with our law enforcement partners across the state and the region to bring these men home. We’re hoping someone may have seen them and can help us put their families’ minds at ease.”

William K. Dean Jr.
Dean, 52, was last seen on December 18, 2015 leaving Richmond Community Hospital. Known to be a drifter, he frequents Rudd’s Trailer Park in the 2900 block of Jefferson Davis Highway and areas in Richmond’s east end.

He is described as a white male, 5’6” tall, with blue eyes and brown hair, weighing approximately 175 pounds. He has scars on his right cheek and a tattoo of the name “Brenda” on his right arm.

Lander S. Freeman
Freeman, 73, was last seen on June 6, 2016 in the 1500 block of Silver Avenue after leaving his home to walk to Kings Market. His walking stick was found on the porch of a friend’s home in the 1400 block of Silver Avenue.

He is described as a black male, 6’1” tall, with a medium complexion, weighing approximately 200 pounds. He has an injury to one eye. He was last seen wearing a coat with fur around the hood and “Obama” written on the back, green pants and a black fedora-type hat.

Anyone who sees any of these men or has information on their whereabouts is asked to call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.