Category Archives: News

Belle Isle Shooter Sketch Released

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From RPD announcement:

Richmond Police detectives need the public’s help to identify the man in the attached sketch who is suspected of shooting a man on Belle Isle.

Shortly after midnight on Tuesday, two men were approached on the south side of the island by two white males. One of the suspects demanded money, and in the following moments, one male suspect shot and severely wounded one of the victims. Both male suspects then ran away down the bike path that leads to the BMX park.

The victim remains in critical condition.

A sketch of the male shooting suspect is below. He is described as a white male, 18 to 25 years old, approximately 6’0” feet tall with a skinny build and shaved hair. He was last seen wearing a clean white t-shirt over top of blue jeans. He was in the company of an older white male in his 40’s, approximately 6’1” tall, with a skinny but muscular build. The older male was last seen wearing a dark blue, long-sleeved cotton t-shirt, faded blue jeans and a plain blue baseball cap. These men should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with any information about these men or this crime is asked to call Major Crimes Det. Ed Aeschlimann at (804) 646-3351 or the Richmond Police Department Tip Line at (804) 514-TIPS (8477). Citizens may also call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

195 Traffic Alert

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From City’s Department of Public Works:

Lane Closure – I-195 at the 9th Street overpass

WHO: City of Richmond Department of Public Works

WHAT: Lane Closure

WHEN: Sunday, July 1 through Wednesday, August 8

WHERE: I-195 at the 9th Street overpass

BACKGROUND: One eastbound and one westbound lane of I-195 will be closed during ongoing structural rehabilitation of the 9th Street Bridge, RMA Plaza Bridge and the Kanawha Plaza Bridge.

Universities Vs. Historic Neighborhoods

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From email:

Hey! I’m from Knoxville TN. Recent news in Knoxville is that the University of Tennessee is planning to further encroach on the adjacent historic Fort Sanders Neighborhood. Anyone with experience in the Oregon Hill effort to maintain boundaries with V.C.U? I’m planning to blog and and hoping to gather some hope though any stories of creative approach to the issue in your neighborhood. Thanks! Jennifer

Jennifer,

Thanks for writing. I will try to send you some other information, but here is an update on the situation with VCU:

VCU still refuses to put in place any longterm, binding agreement to protect the neighborhood.

https://www.oregonhill.net/2008/10/24/ohna-president-asks-vcu-to-take-positive-step-for-true-community-partnership/

https://www.oregonhill.net/2011/06/27/issue-1-still-no-positive-step-from-vcu/

The last we heard, anything new would come forward in community sessions for VCU’s next Master Plan.

The problem is that VCU can make adjustments to their Master Plan at any time in support of their encroachment, and in fact did so the last time we had an issue.

To paraphrase a neighbor’s published column:

In 2004, the VCU 2020 Master Plan, page 88, marked a dotted-line boundary between VCU and Oregon Hill. We believed VCU would honor this boundary. That belief proved to be false.

In 2007 — despite opposition from multiple neighborhoods — the VCU Executive Board, desiring more property within the Oregon Hill Historic District than their previous Master Plan allowed, chose to breach the boundary of good faith by amending the border to facilitate the acquisition and demolition of a livery stable built to service the landmark City Auditorium.

The property in question, 911 Green Alley, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register as a contributing element to the Oregon Hill Historic District. A Times-Dispatch article from November 12, 2006, extolled this stable’s amazing renovation and adaptive reuse. The sister stable at 917 Green Alley, listed on the historic registers as well was slated for demolition. VCU also destroyed Green Alley on this block. Green Alley was part of the historic streetscape established circa 1817. We are unaware of any other Virginia agency ever acquiring a fully renovated property listed on these registers with the intent to demolish. Implications loom large for other historic communities.

In other words, Master Plans CANNOT be trusted.

So right now, this state of mistrust still exists between the neighborhood and VCU and so far VCU has done nothing to alleviate it.

I wish I had better news. Sadly, citizens and neighborhoods have a tough time in disputes with large institutions and corporations. The difference in available resources is one thing, but now its hard to even find any rule of law. I will send you some other stuff via email and, of course, my best wishes.

Thanks,

Scott

Flying Brick Fundraiser for Wayside on Wednesday

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From the Flying Brick blog:

Day: Wednesday, June 27th, 2012
Time: 7pm

Want to learn more about Wayside, the Commons and all the wonderful ways you can support and become involved? Come out to our first ever Ice Cream Social Fundraiser! We are bringing in the first day of summer with a fun-filled evening of music-sharing, spoken word, and any other creative ways of expression. All are welcome and donations will be accepted.

Want to donate ahead of time? Check out the link below: http://www.waysidecenter.org/donate.php

Wayside Commons Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/events/252544244849499/

Recycling/Trash 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. Fun recycling fact: Auto manufacturer Honda Motors Co. Ltd., Tokyo, has announced plans to start reusing the rare earth metals that can be extracted from used nickel-metal hydride batteries by the end of 2012.

Shooting On Belle Island

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The Richmond Times Dispatch is reporting a violent crime from last night:

Richmond police Capt. Yvonne Crowder said the victim was taken to VCU Medical Center and underwent surgery for life-threatening injuries after being shot twice in the chest at 12:07 a.m. at the municipal park, which closes at sundown.

Crowder said the shooting occurred while the 25-year-old victim and a friend were fishing in the area of the old power plant near the southeast corner of the island in the middle of the James River.

Crowder said the men were confronted by two other men, one in his 40s and the other in his mid 20s and one of whom had a handgun. When the robbers tried to rob the fishermen, a struggle ensued and the victim was struck twice in the chest.

Detailed suspect descriptions were not available.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at (804) 780-1000.

Byrd Market This Tuesday

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From announcement:

THIS Tuesday At the Market …
will truly be an oasis in the week’s rising temperatures which will cap at an official One HUNDRED and TWO on Friday.
But, for us, it will be just warm enough to enjoy iced drinks and cool desserts; to safely carry home those lovely cheeses, chocolates, chutneys and eggs; to relish the next morning’s breakfasts with berries, peaches, granolas and homemade muffins and smoothies; to make salads and light suppers with the simplest of seasonal veggies and herbs (what you don’t eat today you can roast tomorrow); to stock up on flavorful grass fed cuts of beef, pork, toxin-free chickens and finely seasoned sausages; to deserve gluten-free cupcakes and lush cookie bars and tea cakes… and that’s just the eating part… Set a spell under the umbrellas and enjoy a leisurely lunch, ready to eat, with Sustenance, Cafe 2100 and Almadina.

Our weekly raffle continues to be generously sponsored by Byrd Farm & Rural Virginia Market! $1 ticket gets you a chance at a week’s share of goodies from Byrd Farm – value $33.83. Win this week, pick up your share next week. And help us get a misting tent or produce scale!!! (hint. hint. wish list. wish list.) And we get to see your pretty face and you take your loot home in a shiny new Virginia Grown re-usable sack. Not too shabby! We’ve had 8 very happy winners!

Under the Mulberry Tree
Facepainting by Nadine (have you seen her frogs, aliens and butterflies??? pretty groovy)
Storytelling, 4 – 5 pm with Caroline
Make musical instruments withGirls Rock! RVA, “a newly formed organization in Richmond, Virginia with one year of success under our belt! Our mission is to facilitate a space in Richmond that empowers girls to collaborate creatively in an environment of mutual respect and positive self-expression. To this effect, we have started an all-girls pop/rock/hip-hop/punk/etc. summer music camp here in Richmond.” Check out more at http://girlsrockrva.wordpress.com.

All this good stuff under the Mulberry Tree in the Grace Arents Community Garden. We could not ask for better weather for these kind of activities.

What are you eating this summer?
Got a YUMMY story? Write a little paragraph and send us a photo – we’ll post it on our blog!

try this dressing…Orange Vinaigrette
1/2 cup good extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup champagne or white wine vinager
3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
2 teaspoons grated orange rind
– Whisk ingredients together, enough to dress four individual salads

Back in the 60’s and 70’s in Southern California, my grandmother used to make a really simple version of this dressing for a salad serving 4-6 people:
3 Tablespoons Vegetable oil + 3 Tablespoons Orange juice + salt & pepper to taste – measured and poured right over the salad of lettuce and avocado chunks, tossed and served immediately. sometimes she added jicama for a mild sweet crunch. altogether refreshing and yummmmy, of course.

July’s First Tuesday Film: Urban Roots
Discussion will be led by Duron Chavis from the city’s community garden department and John Lewis with RBHA and others. Pot-luck salad – bring a salad, an ingredient, a dressing and join us on Tuesday July 3rd, 7:30-9:30 pm. See a trailer and learn more at www.urbanrootsamerica.org – presented by Victory Farm, Shalom Farm and William Byrd Community House. Like to help set-up and take-down. Contact me at byrdhousemarket@gmail.com

Cooking as a 2nd Language Returns!
Saturday, 21st of July welcomes back Elicet Von Der Lippe who will teach us the greatest food upper body building dish ever: Tamales con Pollo. Register at EatGoodGrowGreat.blogspot.com. $10 per person. Soon to hit the schedule… Ethiopian, English, Czech, Indian, Soul, American, French – its local to local and local to global – Roots to Roots Good Food.

there’s even more doings at
william byrd community house www.wbch.org
eat good grow great via byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com