Category Archives: News

Today at Byrd House Market

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From email announcement:

Today:

Sister city delegates from Segou MALI visit market to chat with farmers about wind and solar-powered irrigation. Led by the mayor of Segou, Ousmane SIMAGA, the Segou directors procurement, energy, partnerships and sister city commission, and their version of the folk festival – Festival sur le Niger, the delegation is interested in agriculture, youth and sports (soccer, mostly), sanitation, urban lighting, early childhood and university level education, and of course, the festival. NOTE: our festival is on the James river, theirs is on the Niger river, hence the name — and “sur le” means “on the” – so there you go.)

St. Andrew’s Church canceled their Harvest Fair and so have lots of goodies for sale and so will be at the market this week and next.

ONE (nonprofit) will tent with us today as well. one.org for more information

And so much more!!!

Oct. 19: Carnival!

William Byrd Community House will host its annual neighborhood Carnival! on Friday, October 19 from 4pm to 7pm. More info at wbch.org – Come out, Have fun, Bring Kids and Alumni. Sponsored by Capital One.

Oct. 24: Food day

For the national details visit FoodDay.org. For the local scoop visit SlowFoodRVA.org. For the super local poop visit ByrdHouseMarket.blogspot.com and see the attached flier (Ed. note: click here for flier) for the Byrd House Market / VCU partnership for the week’s activities. Here at the market, it’s going to be grand, tasty, informative and good for you!!!

Oct. 30: Last day of BHM

Cider pressing returns!!! Rebecca Sings!!! Harry Plays!!! The Food will be fabulous!! The farewells a little weepy but full of SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

Robert heads to ChildSavers

L. Robert Bolling, our executive director of 4 years will assume the role of CEO of ChildSavers on October 15, leaving a fine legacy of carrying forward WBCH’s mission to transform lives and build self-sufficiency. But we still expect him to drop by as a shopper at BHM, don’t we?? Thanks Robert for your support of WBCH’s outdoor and library nutrition education programs!
…
____________________

Ana Edwards, Manager
Byrd House Market & Library Programs
Grace Arents Library & Education Center
William Byrd Community House
www.wbch.org / 804.643.2717 ext.306

Recent Criminal Activity Near W. Cary Street

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Fan of the Fan community news site reports that:

The VCU text alert system reported an armed robbery on the 900 block of Franklin tonight at 7:47PM. Less than an hour later (8:39PM), the same system reported another armed robbery near Laurel and Cary Street.

Times Dispatch also reported on the crimes and had some additional information:

In addition, three attempted robberies were reported – one at 8 p.m. at Grace and Foushee streets; the second at 8:30 p.m. at Laurel and Cary streets, and the third also at about 8:30 at Cary and Belvidere streets, VCU police said.

During the same time frame, a report of a man brandishing a firearm was reported at 8 p.m. at First and Grace streets.

Police said the victims were approached by an armed black male who demanded money.

The suspect was described as black, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and wearing a gray hoodie and baseball cap with his face covered. He was also wearing pajama pants with chili peppers on them, police said.

VCU police said the same suspect may have been involved in all of the incidents.

Also from the article:

(VCU President)

Rao said he was scheduled to meet later today with Richmond Police Chief Bryan Norwood and Wednesday with Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones to discuss the string of crimes that occurred Monday night on or adjacent to the Monroe Park campus.

“I will emphasize my concern for the continued need for a strong partnership between VCU and the city to prevent crime and protect the more than 50,000 students, faculty and staff who live and work on and near our campuses,” Rao said.

Also, an earlier Richmond police crime report listed the following from last week:

4th Precinct
THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE
10/5/12 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
South Cherry and West Cary streets
An unknown person(s) entered the vehicle and stole several items.

Amphitheater Topography

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While Venture Richmond turns on the PR machine in advance of this weekend’s folk festival, Oregon Hill neighbors received a copy of the topography of the planned 2nd Street Connector which is adjacent to the proposed amphitheater. This topography drawing shows that there are good sight lines for an amphitheater without damaging the canal. Will Venture Richmond, which say it represents ‘downtown’, respect neighbors’ wishes to protect the historic canal?

Plan for Paint the Town Green This Saturday

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This Saturday from 8:30 am to 1 pm is VCU’s Paint the Town Green event. More information from Richmond.com calendar listing:

We will meet up at Monroe Park at 8:30AM on 10/13/12 for a free breakfast. This event will satisfy any community service hours needed as long as you sign in. We will group up and head to the pick up sites at 9AM and should finish at 1PM where we will return to Monroe park for a party.

We plan to clean up Jackson Ward, The Fan, Oregon Hill, Randolph, Carver, and maybe Mosby Court

Please wear a green shirt. Children are welcome if they are accompanied by a parent.

Contact:

Paintthetowngreenvcu at gmail.com

This is something that Oregon Hill neighbors have joined in the past and will do so again for the benefit of the whole neighborhood. Please consider doing this and then, perhaps, enjoying the Richmond Folk Festival.

OHNA Expresses Strong Opposition To Victory Rug SUP

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From email:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FROM: Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association

RE: Proposed Victory Apartment Special Use Permit application

DATE: October 6, 2012

RICHMOND: The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association (OHNA) has voted to strongly oppose the excessive density and lack of off-street parking for the proposed Victory Apartments at
407 S. Cherry Street. The current proposal is a 29 bedroom development in 18 apartments and one townhouse, with only 8 off-street parking spaces. This far exceeds that 6 units that
would be permitted under the current zoning.

“This proposal is a non-starter,” said OHNA President Jennifer Hancock. “Oregon Hill already has a tight parking situation because of our proximity to VCU, and the excessive density and lack of off-street parking of this development would exacerbate an already serious problem.”

The developer has rejected OHNA’s proposal for elderly housing in the old Victory Rug building that would need only half the off-street parking. The developer has also rejected OHNA’s proposal for a neighborhood-friendly business use of the building. “The developer has rejected every reasonable suggestion of the neighborhood association,” said Hancock.

OHNA has expressed particular concern over the city planning department’s misapplication of Riverfront District zoning regulations to the project to allow on-street parking to be used to meet the off-street parking requirements. Oregon Hill is not in the Riverfront District, and residents claim that they have been denied due process by the city.

The neighborhood expects the Special Use Permit to be soon brought to vote by the City Planning Commission. Over 113 of the nearby Oregon Hill residents have written letters of opposition to the proposed Victory Apartments SUP.

Contacts:
Jennifer Hancock, OHNA President
bookzen at comcast.net

Todd Woodson, OHNA Treasurer
candylandmusic at earthlink.net

For more background on this issue, please click here.

Hollywood Cemetery, Oregon Hill, and Civil War Tours

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From the Valentine Richmond History Center:

Oct. 14 Hollywood Cemetery (2-4pm) WALKING TOUR
An extension of the daily “Highlights” tour, this version covers in more detail the cemetery’s unique history, landscape design, architecture, symbols and residents. Meet at the cemetery entrance at Cherry and Albemarle streets.

Oct. 21 Oregon Hill (2-4pm) WALKING TOUR
Settled by Irish and Welsh ironworkers in the 1840’s, Oregon Hill is one of the oldest intact neighborhoods in Richmond and continues to thrive as a tight-knit, working class neighborhood. Includes a visit to St. Andrew’s Church and School. Meet at Laurel and Idlewood streets.

Oct. 27 NEW! Hollywood Cemetery: The Civil War (2-4pm) WALKING TOUR
From the Pyramid to the gravesite of Jefferson Davis, high above the James River, Hollywood Cemetery is the final resting place for thousands of Confederates. Come visit the graves of such notables as J. E. B. Stuart, George Pickett, Fitzhugh Lee, Jefferson Davis and many others whose stories continue to capture our imagination 150 years after the Civil War began. Meet at the cemetery entrance at Cherry and Albemarle streets.

Reminder: Harvest On The Hill Sunday with Blessing of the Animals

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From email:

For this year’s Harvest on the Hill, we are bringing back the Blessing of the Animals Booth! Bring your beloved pets for a special blessing and treats anytime between 3:30 to 4:30 pm at the Vigil table (ask any of the volunteers to point you in the right direction).

Take care,
Abbott

WEATHER UPDATE: Join us at Harvest on the Hill rain or shine! The leadership team is making arrangements to make us comfortable in the event of inclement weather with extra tents and umbrellas. Please dress warmly and bring an umbrella for intermittent showers should they blow through. When’s the last time you played in the rain? It’s fun! :-) Of course, we are still counting on a beautiful fall day!

“Renovation Station” Tomorrow

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From email announcement:

Tomorrow Saturday October 6 from 2:00 until 5:00 pm William Byrd Community House (224 South Cherry Street) will host Richmond Women in Design’s First Annual Community Outreach “Renovation Station” with Storefront for Community Design.
At “Renovation Station” RWiD will be offering free design consultation to the communities of Oregon Hill, Randolph and Lake View and for that matter anyone in the Richmond area. Richmond Women in Design is a group of women architects, interior designers, engineers, landscape architects and graphic designers. And this is our way of giving back to the community in what we do best.
So if you are in need of some design help or have questions concerning your house or small business come by and we will help get you started. Bring your photo’s, plans if you have them.

Trash/Recycling Pickup Tomorrow

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This Wednesday is a red Wednesday, which means trash and recycling pickup. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup tomorrow night. They do not belong on the sidewalk after tomorrow night.

In recycling news, the Federal Trade Commission released updated ‘Green Guide’ standards, which will hopefully lead to more truth in marketing.

Also, I suspect that the Sierra Club Falls of the James’ Recycling Breakthrough Contest has had its entry deadline extended and the Richmond Folk Festival’s Green Team could use more volunteers.