Category Archives: News

Richmond Times Dispatch: Stimulus money to help make schools energy efficient

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From article cum press release:

Virginia is offering $119 million in federal stimulus money to help localities make school buildings more energy efficient.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said today that localities will compete for the money, made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act adopted by Congress this year to stimulate the ailing economy.

“Today’s announcement will advance two of the Commonwealth’s top priorities–education and energy efficiency,” Kaine said in a statement today. “When school divisions lower their energy consumption, they can lower their energy costs and direct more resources to the classroom, all while reducing their environmental impact.’

School divisions and local governments can submit project applications through November 11, 2009 using an application now available on the Department of Education website. Project proposals will be evaluated and selected by a team of experts from the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, Department of Education, and Department of Treasury. Project announcements are expected by mid-December.

What will this mean for Open High and other Richmond public school buildings?

Will we see solar schools like in NJ and other states?

And how does this intersect with the latest Goldman plan?

Celebrate Grace Arents This Friday

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From poster:

St. Andrew’s School, Williams Byrd Community House, and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church would like to invite you to attend the unveiling of the Grace Arents historical marker.

Please join us Friday, October 16th at 5:30 pm at St. Andrew’s School, 227 South Cherry St., Richmond, VA 23220. Free, guided historical walking tours and a children’s fall festival immediately following at 6:00 pm. The children’s saints walk will be held in the church at 6:30 pm.

Please RSVP for the unveiling at development@st-andrews-school.org or call 648-4952.

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River Petition + Sierra Club Hosts VCU Recycling This Wednesday

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Many citizens are concerned about protecting neighborhoods’ historic views of the James River from inappropriate development. An event on Wednesday unveils a petition on the subject.

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Later that evening, the Sierra Club Falls of the James group holds its October membership monthly meeting at the Science Museum of Virginia. Recycling at VCU will be the main program. This may also be of particular interest to Oregon Hill residents.

7:00 pm
Program: Recycling and Sustainability. And a Pre-Elections Political Update!
Speakers: Jacek Ghosh, Director of Sustainability at VCU, and Steve Heinitz, Recycling and Reuse Coordinator at VCU.

Jacek Ghosh has been leading VCU’s campus effort to meet the requirements of the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) and is directing the development of VCU’s Sustainability Master Plan, due in May 2010.

Mr Ghosh has worked for community-based non-profit organizations for over thirty years. Previously, he was the Economic Development Director for the Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation (FRDC) from 1997 to 2006. Many of you may have already met Mr. Ghosh, working with the JRGBC, Richmond’s Better Housing Coalition, and the Richmond Cool Cities group.

Steve Heinitz has worked at VCU since the 1990s, managing its recycling and reuse program, a major effort handling confidential documents destruction, cardboard, electronics, light bulbs, mixed paper, scrap metal, wood and waste products. He has been a FoJG member since the mid-1990s, and is active with the group.

Come discover how our FoJG Recycling initiative is progressing, and how you can play your part!

Monroe Park Planning Article

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From the City’s Department of Community Development October Update:

Monroe Park Master Plan Moving Ahead

Richmond acquired the original 11 acres for Monroe Park in 1851 when the park still lay outside city limits. It was envisioned as a place that would provide opportunities to partake of “invigorating air” and to participate in the “interchange of social affections.”

It has been the home to the State Fair, served as a training ground for Civil War troops, and played host to a Bruce Springsteen concert in the late 1960s, and its history, location and character have made it one of the City’s landmark public spaces.

The Monroe Park Master Plan was begun in 2006 and adopted last year to serve as a guide to reinvigorate the park and integrate historic preservation with
modern recreation needs.

Over time, it plans for the restoration of the Checkers Building, improvements to park entrances and lighting, uniform tree plantings with a variety of species, and other improvements.

The plan is expected to be presented to the Urban Design Committee in October.

You can review the Monroe Park Master Plan here (a large 66MB file – may take a moment to open).

Click here to view some vintage postcards of Monroe Park from the VCU Library.

Robbery Near Monroe Park

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From Richmond Police:

ROBBERY
10/09/09 12:30 a.m.
700 block of W. Franklin St.
Two males reported they were robbed by two unknown males with a gun.

The Times Dispatch account has a little more information.

Two young men told Richmond police they were sitting on a wall in the 700 block of West Franklin Street, opposite the north side of Monroe Park, when they were confronted at 12:30 a.m. by two unknown males who first asked for a light. One of the suspects then pulled a handgun and demanded money.

The two victims surrendered their wallets and cell phones, and the suspects ran.

This continues a rash of robberies that have been plaguing the whole area.

Fourth Precinct CAPS Meeting Scheduled

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Fourth Precinct Community Assisted Public Safety (CAPS) meeting will be held:

. Date: Thursday, October 15, 2009

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Place: Linwood Holton Elementary School

1600 W Laburnum Avenue

Please bring your concerns, comments and suggestions to this meeting in order that we may address them properly.

Thank you

Jacki Page

Sr. Customer Services Representative

804-646-4150

Schoooooooooooooooooools

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I got a request to post this with the calendar list I did a few days ago. I did not have time then, so I am giving it a whole post now. I would love to hear more about plans/events for Open High, Patrick Henry, Clark Springs, and the other schools. Feel free to get in touch.

Upcoming Event
at Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts
3411 Semmes Avenue, Richmond VA

Facilities 101
Join us at the PHSSA building on Thursday, October 1 at 8 p.m. for an overview of our recent assessment of the building and information about scheduled renovations. Take a tour of the building and check out the classrooms that our students will use starting in July 2010.

Patrick Henry School will accept student applications beginning January 1, 2010 through February 12, 2010. Students will be able to apply for grades
K-5, with a start date of July 2010. Please visit www.patrickhenrycharter.org for more information.