St. Andrew’s Grace Arents Commemoration on June 20

From email announcement:

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church is hosting Picnic and Prayers commemorating the life and legacy of Grace Eveyln Arents. Pack a picnic basket and bring a blanket, and we will provide drinks and dessert. At sunset we will have a candlelight prayer service in memory of Miss Grace. Saturday June 20, 2015, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm at the gravesite of Lewis Ginter and Grace Arents, Hollywood Cemetery, 412 South Laurel Street, Richmond Virginia. Contact Barbara Ambrose 804-648-7980

Belle Island ‘Drunkfest’

The Times Dispatch has been publishing Letters to the Editor that raise concerns about drinking and littering on Belle Island, part of the City’s James River Park system.

From a Letter to Editor in today’s paper:

“We took pictures and talked to several park employees who said they simply did not have the manpower to keep up with the litter problem. Occasionally volunteer groups come out to help clean up. Only one police officer is usually on patrol to help with security. Apparently, many Richmond citizens feel entitled to enjoy all the benefits of our river but don’t care at all about keeping it clean for others to enjoy. It shows a total lack of respect for all, Richmond citizens, tourists, wildlife and the James River.”

My only dispute with that statement is that a lot of the offenders are not City residents, but are from the surrounding counties. This also speaks to questions about the “Tredegar Green” amphitheater and the need for more (and better!) public trash/recycling receptacles.

June 2 @ Byrd House Market

From email announcement:
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Our shoppers consistently rate Byrd House Market their favorite in the city!
Grab two friends and come taste why!

Welcome Taylor Brownell, SNAP Ed intern from Virginia Cooperative Extension. She’ll be doing cooking and nutrition demos this summer. Every week a new recipe, a new lesson, and new sample to try!

This week: Kale and Tomato Sauce
Kale is plentiful and it’s never too early to plan for an abundance of tomatoes!

More about the Virginia SNAP-ED program here.

ENJOY LIVE MUSIC
by The Rich Harman Express
2 guitars, a keyboard and a voice… come see how good
food makes for good music!

Looking for Organic Produce?
BHM has 2 USDA Certified Organic Growers: Amy’s Garden and The Byrd Farm

How about our other grower/producers? Each of our growers strives to use the quality, sustainable, natural growing practices to ensure you are getting the best local produce available. Ask them! They’re proud of their products and love sharing what they do and why.

New vendor this season:
Ninja Kombucha
– by the glass or in bottles to go this truly refreshing and delicious fermented tea is often flavored with fresh ingredients from Byrd House Market vendors and other local producers.

It goes great with EVERYTHING!

Did you know your SNAP EBT will buy FOOD PLANTS?
It’s a SMART way to stretch those fresh food dollars! Create a kitchen container garden someplace with full sun. Plant herb and cherry tomato plants for fresh flavors and high nutrition all summer long. First time gardener? Ask at the Market Info tent or any of our farmer vendors!

“Ask About Our $10 Deal”For students, faculty and staff of VCU and area colleges. Participating Vendors are Agriberry, The Byrd Farm, Two & A Half Irishmen, Origins Farm, Tomten Farm, and Deer Run Farm.

This week’s nonprofit: Project Yoga Richmond
Visit the tent and chat about their pop up yoga classes!

How do YOU get a free market tote bag?
Come to the BHM info tent and say Bicycle Y’All and we’ll hand you a free Back-to-the-Market, lightweight canvas tote bag decorated with elegant line drawings of a selection of vegetables.

Start your Farm Fresh Pledge Card today!
Spend $10, we’ll punch your card. After 14 punches your card gets entered into monthly USDA raffles! All BHM shoppers who turn in completed cards will be entered into an end of the year market drawing – good for great prizes! Maybe a week’s share from one of our fabulous farmers. Maybe a basket of local RVA products. Winners announced during our Market’s End Pot Luck Supper (October 27).

Become a Regular!
Know your budget and get Byrd House Market on your weekly path! Visit byrdhousemarket.org and sign up to stay up to date!

Volunteers Needed!
We need shopper-counters! And flyer-passer-outers! And handy-persons! And heavy-lifters! Contact the manager: byrdhousemarket@gmail.com or at the market info tent.

And learn more about William Byrd Community House
at www.WBCH.org

OREGON HILL ALLEY CLEANUP (PROJECT CLEAN & GREEN MOVE) Next Saturday

Cherry Street neighbor Jimmy Blackford is recruiting volunteers for next Saturday’s Oregon Hill Alley Cleanup, which is part of VCU’s Project Clean & Green Move. From the MeetUp.com event page:

Saturday, June 6, 2015
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Corner of S. Laurel St. & Albemarle St. (Pleasants Park)
401 S. Laurel St., Richmond, VA

We’re getting all the big stuff that people have set out in the alleys. We’ll go thru with a city trash truck to collect discarded furniture & large refuse. But if you can help by just getting the small litter, please join. Bring work gloves if you can. Even half an hour of your time would be great. Meeting at Pleasants Park 8am & going thru Oregon Hill alleys.

HI-Richmond Hostel Benefit At Va. War Memorial On Saturday

This Saturday the Richmond Youth Hostel will be holding a benefit event at the Virginia War Memorial from 6 to 10 pm.

We’re putting the finishing touches on the Richmond hostel and need your support to help push us over the top! Join us in making local culture and travel accessible to the next generation of active global citizens in a fundraiser featuring:
Heavy Hors D’oeuvres by DeFazio’s Catering
Beer & Wine provided by Ardent Craft Ales & Triple Crossing Brewery
Music from The Meadow Street Band
and a Silent & Live Auction

Monroe Park Fountain Work

Several volunteers, including Oregon Hill neighbors Todd Woodson, Charles Pool, and VCU’s Tito Luna, Turk Sties, Elinor Kuhn, and City’s Paul Manning worked yesterday afternoon to give the fountain in Monroe Park a fresh new look. The water should be turned on in the next few days, which will make it pop even more.

Special thanks to Todd Woodson for spearheading the effort and securing a Love Your Block grant. Paul Manning, the City’s Chief Service Officer, provided the funding as well as volunteering. A few people in the park who identified themselves as homeless saw what they were doing and pitched in as well.

Photos provided by Tito Luna.
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OHNA Meeting Tonight

From email reminder:

Hello all

Your reminder that OHNA will be holding its monthly meeting tonight, Tuesday, May 26th at 7 pm at WBCH.

I’ve had a couple of people express interest in being on the agenda, but no confirmations. It will be a surprise!

I met with Michael Buck of Acorn Signs to discuss historic house plaques. I will have some samples of different materials to pass around.

Thanks
Jennifer
OHNA

Silent Memorial Day Run

From the Richmond.com article:

For the third year, the Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department will host a silent run in honor of Memorial Day put on by veteran and officer Stephen Adt.
The 5K from the Stuart C. Siegel Center to the Virginia War Memorial serves as a somber reminder that the holiday is more than the beginning of summer or an opportunity for discounts at the mall.

“This is my way of kind of changing that,” Adt said.
The first year attracted more than 200 runners and Adt said he hopes the idea will gain traction in other cities to remember military men and women killed in war. Each year, a combat veteran leads the run carrying the American flag.

What: The third annual 5K run in silence to memorialize military men and women killed in war. Runners are asked to wear white shirts.
When: Monday, May 25 rain or shine; 10 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. guest speakers and light stretching, noon run, short ceremony and flag presentation after the run.
Where: Starts at VCU Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St. and ends at Virginia War Memorial, 621 S. Belvidere St.
Cost: Free
For more information, search “Never Forget Memorial Run” on Facebook.