Category Archives: News

Another Dog Station, Time for Park Plans

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This past week, again with Stomp Stomp Dave’s help, I installed another dog station on behalf of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association. This one is near the intersection of Idlewood and Belvidere.

As for more park stuff, I need to circle back with the City’s Parks and Rec Dept. to see about the water fountain and new canal bridge for the Belvidere Greenway.

At the same time, I need to supply some direction on the future of Holly Street Playground. Right now, the Holly Street playground continues to be shared by groups of toddlers, parents, and children, and, on the other end of the spectrum, older kids and college students. We have tried doing surveys with the neighborhood association newsletter with only some success.

I think one thing that can be done with some consensus is to get rid of some of the dilapidated support sheds in the Holly Street Playground.

Oregon Hill Annexes Belle Island

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As King, I announce the extension of Oregon Hill’s border southward to include Belle Island and its smaller islands.

There was time not so long ago when it looked as if the neighborhood would be cut off from the James River, despite its historic and natural connections to it. Ethyl Corporation had bought much of the land south of Holly Street and demolished the historical houses there. Dominion Power had bought James River Paper company and was annexing much of Tredegar Street.

Fortunately citizen ‘guerrilla engineer’ volunteers took it upon themselves to quietly build the wooden railroad tie steps from Overlook area down underneath the entrance ramp for the Lee Bridge to the old canal bed. Dominion Power volunteers then built the utility pole bridge across the canal to enable easier access to the river bank. The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association won two significant grants to help fund the greenway connection. These funds will be used soon to replace the current bridge with a more permanent one. It is clear that Oregon Hill will not give up its connection to the James River.

With so many residents enjoying Hollywood Rapids and other river amenities, it makes sense to go ahead and secure our own official claim on the island territories in the river. This annexation will guarantee access and as well as bestow more responsibility upon Oregon Hill residents for protecting said resources.

However, because James River Park Manager Ralph White and other City employees and volunteers have worked so hard to improve the environmental and recreational features of the river, I have decided to allow my fellow Aries, ‘Saint Ralph’ White, to continue to administer Oregon Hill’s newest territory on behalf of the City and all of its citizens. This arrangement will remain in effect unless there is a failure to protect the Park in the future.

I strongly encourage all my subjects to do their part for the James River .

Edict: National Hanging Out Day

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As King, I hereby recognize tomorrow as National Hanging Out Day and ask all Oregon Hill residents to participate.

“Every year, on April 19th, Project Laundry List joins together with hundreds of organizations from around the country to educate communities about energy consumption. National Hanging Out Day was created to demonstrate how it is possible to save money and energy by using a clothesline.”

I also plan to attend tomorrow’s Richmond Earth Day celebration in Manchester as part of my diplomatic outreach.

“Renegade Market” tomorrow and Festival on April 12th

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Yes, it’s another April showers day! And our “Renegade Market” vendors will be selling their goods and wares. We know these showers will soon bring happy produce and May flowers! Tuesday 3:30-7 p.m. We love that you spend your Tuesday afternoons with us.

Come and celebrate our BHM Appalachia Spring Family Festival on Saturday, April 12.
Our new spring festival brings both familiar and unexplored opportunities for family fun in honor of a new season, the Byrd House Market hosts the Appalachian Spring Family Festival, a care-free and inspired day of getting outside to celebrate the creative opportunities blossoming all around. This Saturday, April 12.

Nearly two dozen vendors, farmers, artists, food vendors and craftsmen will showcase the best of Virginia’s bounty and celebrate the return of long days and sunny skies. An event for the young and old alike, the festival has something for everyone to enjoy. Shop for fresh produce, explore local traditions, or bring an instrument and join the live music. You can even decorate a bird house to take home.

Highlighting the state’s diverse cultural history, the Center for African American Genealogical Research will provide opportunities to trace your family heritage, and folk artist Anndrena Belcher will share traditional Appalachian storytelling, music, art and dance.

“Anndrena is one of our secret national treasures. More than ever is her gift as a storyteller needed today. We may have lost our tribal memory, at least for the moment. It is an artist like Anndrena Belcher who can help us recapture it.”
~ Studs Terkel

The Appalachian Spring Family Festival is Saturday, April 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Byrd House Market, located directly behind the William Byrd Community House, at 224 South Cherry Street in Oregon Hill. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 804-643-2717, visit http://byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com or email byrdhousemarket@gmail.com.

—
Patty Parks
224 S. Cherry Street
Richmond, Virginia 23220
804-643-2717
laptoplibrarian@gmail.com
BHM Farmers Market Librarian

I Declare Myself ‘King of the Hill’

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I have been President or Co-President or Acting President of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association (OHNA) for over four years now. No one has offered to take over that leading position, or that of moderator of this neighborhood blog, or that of owner of the neighborhood email discussion group. OHNA elections have been postponed or delayed for months, much to my disliking. Therefore, at the risk of a street beating by old-timers and taunting by college students, I, Scott Burger, hereby renounce all titles other than that of King of Oregon Hill. I declare my intention to rule by fiat as supreme leader of the neighborhood until I decide otherwise.

I recognize the potential concern that this assumption of power will create, and I assure my neighbors that I will continue my benevolent reign, with mind to fairness and order for all. In return, I do demand fealty, obedience, and respect, and, perhaps at some point in the future, tithe and tribute. At this time I am considering the appointments of royal advisors. For now I will hold my court at the same time and place as that of the regular OHNA meetings, 7pm of fourth Tuesdays at the William Byrd Community House.

I already formulated several royal decrees, and those will appear on this website in short order. Until notified otherwise, residents and visitors should still follow and respect the laws of the City of Richmond, Commonwealth of Virginia, and the United States of America.

Scott Burger

New Dog Station Along Riverside

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Stomp Stomp Dave helped me dig the hole for the post, and I took advantage of the beautiful weather on Saturday to install yet another dog station. This makes no. 4. Number 1 was put into Pleasants Park, Number 2 was put on the linear Parsons Park greenway near Holly St., and Number 3 was put in the linear Parsons Park greenway behind the 200 block of Pine (and promptly, sadly, destroyed by vandalism). I hope this new one will serve Overlook condo dog owners as well as the many visitors to Oregon Hill Riverside Park.

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