In Another Oregon Hill…

From a recent news article in North Carolina:

Rockingham County officials are fighting with local residents in court over zoning for a kennel.

The Rockingham County Board of Commissioners revealed at its meeting Monday that it is battling a lawsuit filed by neighbors living in Oregon Hill, just south of Eden.

The lawsuit alleges the county used spot zoning to allow a kennel to open in that area.

“You say you’re for property rights, but what about my property rights?” asked Ashley Wyatt, who said she dreads hearing dozens of barking dogs from the kennel in Oregon Hill, which backs up to her property.

Public Square On Segregation This Thursday

The Times Dispatch Public Square events are sometimes good and sometimes very weak, depending on how topics are presented and moderated. But this one sounds like it it could be a better one (and maybe of particular interest to Oregon Hill, which is often described as a “traditionally white neighborhood”):

Public Square 56: Why is Richmond still segregated? Thursday, April 23, 12-1:30 p.m., Richmond Times-Dispatch 1st Floor Auditorium (300 E. Franklin Street)
At the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s next Public Square, we’ll explore the issue of segregation in the region. We’ll include presentations from Heather Mullins Crislip, president and CEO of Richmond’s Housing Opportunities Made Equal, and John V. Moeser, senior fellow in the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement at the University of Richmond and professor emeritus of urban studies and planning at Virginia Commonwealth University. We’ll also hear from Victor K. Branch, Richmond market president for Bank of America and a HOME board member, and longtime Times-Dispatch columnist Michael Paul Williams. As always, the audience will be invited to ask questions and make comments.

Also:

Richmond Public Schools (RPS) State of the Schools Address Tuesday, April 28, 6 p.m., 1500 N. Lombardy St., RVA 23220
Come join the members of RPS and the Richmond community to discuss the current state and future of the schools in Richmond. The event will be held at the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center (on the campus of Virginia Union University).

Richmond Peace Education News

From email announcement:

Tomorrow! The U.S. in the Middle East: Community forum featuring Raed Jarrar and Larry Syverson. Thursday, April 16 at 1000 Floyd Ave., 7:30pm. Free. All are welcome. Facebook page here: More info here.

Youth Opportunities
Peace Essay Contest deadline April 20th! Write about “what inspires you.” Cash prizes for winning essays. Download the submission form here. The contest is open to students grades K through 12.

Youth Peace Summit is April 25. The theme this year is “Working for Racial Justice in Richmond.” Teens are encouraged to register today!

VCU’s “Relay for Life” Saturday

There is an all-day annual event that VCU is hosting this Saturday. It’s called ‘Relay for Life’, and it’s a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

It is open to the community and interested persons can sign up or donate by clicking on this link.

The event goes from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Cary St. Field.

Organizers have been working to ensure that the sound projects toward Cary St. and not the neighborhood. That said, we know that sounds can and will bounce off buildings. Should the volume become problematic residents can call VCU PD’s non-emergency number at 828-1196.

VWM 5K This Saturday

The Virginia War Memorial 5K Run/Walk To Remember will be Saturday, April 18th. The race kicks off at the Memorial @ 8:30 a.m. and will be travelling through Oregon Hill between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Organizers are expecting 500+ participants and over 600 military running in formation. There will be Course Marshals and Fort Lee soldiers along the route and at each corner. Richmond City Police will be involved with the race too. Only 2nd street and Belvidere from Byrd Street to the Lee Bridge entrance ramp will be closed, but due to the number of participants there might be a few delays on the streets involved.

This race is a wonderful opportunity for the public to honor and remember veterans.

VWM 5K Flyer FINAL 4-18-15

Birds Bring Economic Vitality to Cities, New Study Finds

Many Oregon Hill residents love having birds in the neighborhood and recognize how lucky we are that we get a lot bird traffic due to nearby James River Park and Hollywood Cemetery, which serve as havens for wildlife and important stops for bird migrations.

A new study published last month in the journal Urban Ecosystems tries to determine what economic value residents in two comparable cities place on having birds in their backyards and parks.

From an article on the study:

“This paper shows that our interactions with birds actually have a pretty high economic return to the community where you live,” said John Marzluff, a University of Washington professor of environmental and forest sciences and the paper’s co-author. “We know that having a livable, green community that attracts birds also increases the value of homes in that area. This paper shows there’s an economic service birds are providing.”

It’s something to consider as development pressures and increased riverfront activity come to bear. There is a lot at stake.

Renegade Market Tomorrow

From Byrd House Market’s blog:

byrd_market_760wide_V2

2015 is shaping up to be a great market season

WELCOME TO OUR NEW AND RETURNING VENDORS, MUSICIANS, NONPROFITS, STORYTELLERS, FRIENDS, SHOPPERS AND VOLUNTEERS!
I am looking forward to the bounties of spring like everyone else. Eggs with clear whites and golden yolks, Asparagus tender and tall, Salad greens and sprouts tossed with the lightest of vinaigrettes, Strawberries and herbs, flowers and soft yet hearty warm breads, mushrooms bursting with savory good tones sauteed in whole butter or olive oil with chopped garlic, a dash of salt and sprinkled with chives… and make one more stew, a big one-pot treasure of the farmer’s best crops and high quality meat or poultry that feeds four for 3 meals. It is all about the food, isn’t it.

MAY 5 = OPENING DAY!

AND EVERY RENEGADE MARKET DAY TIL THEN IS THE BEST KIND OF PREVIEW!

Please Don’t Forget, Vendor Applicants!!
Please accept this quick, firm reminder that your application is not complete unless the Application Fee has been received. Make your check payable to “WBCH” then Mail or Deliver it to

WBCH
224 S. Cherry St.
Richmond, VA 23220
ATTN: BHM App