Article On Shop Switchover

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Writer Nick Michon has an article on the website Richmond2Day.com about the changes on the corner of Laurel Street and Albemarle Street- here are the opening paragraphs:

Death has paid Oregon Hill a visit. Gone are the frilly flowers that once graced the now defunct Bunnyhop Bike Shop on the corner of Albemarle in exchange for the towering scythe wielded by the Reaper himself. The entire building has transformed to black, and Justin Torone and Alaina Gearhart are to blame.

While the new mural in progress by Sure Hand Signs may paint a grim scene, Torone and Gearhart’s business Rest In Pieces is taking on a newfound life of its own. The couple entered the world of oddities through Gearhart’s preexisting love for strange artifacts like skulls and preserved creatures.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Pipeline Protest Tomorrow

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And, by the way, the RVA Environmental Film Festival (FREE ADMISSION) will be cranking this weekend. The Virginia film contest winner is Trouble Water: Voices From Bath, will be screened Sunday afternoon. It’s about Virginians facing Dominion Energy’s proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

It’s important to remember that Dominion officials themselves say they could make money from renewables like solar and wind. Why don’t they? Because they insist on using their regulated monopoly to make just a bit more profit from dirty fossil fuel. They don’t care about the risks to our water and our planet.

Organ Concert At Grace and Holy Trinity Saturday

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From announcement:

Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis, Director of Music at Grace and Holy Trinity Church, and Cheryl Van Ornam, Director of Music at Redeemer Lutheran Church, will perform a fun and entertaining program of organ duets, including John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” and Henry Mancini’s “Pink Panther” for pedal duet, organ solos and works for organ and brass ensemble, including the famous “Toccata” by Charles-Marie Widor, featuring the James River Brass. Please invite family and friends to this exciting concert of glorious music! There is no charge for this concert.

Grace and Holy Trinity Church is located at 8 North Laurel Street next to the Altria Theater. Parking is available in the lot behind the church (enter off Floyd Avenue), on the streets, and in the VCU Cary Street deck at Cary and Harrison Streets

The concert is free and it starts at 4 pm.

An-Afternoon-of-Organ-Music-Feb.-11-2017

Radio Show Open Source RVA Shares Call For Monroe Park

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From WRIR radio show Open Source RVA:

Open Source RVA has been following the progress of the Monroe Park renovation for more than three years, and our next episode will explore breaking news on the controversial dealings of the private Monroe Park Conservancy, which has been given control of the park. Here is former Monroe Park Advisory Council member, and Sierra Club Green Giant award-winner, Todd Woodson on a hastily-scheduled meeting that is happening next week that would apparently (no pun intended) cover up the destruction of healthy trees in the park. He also has a call-to-action:

“As you’ve probably noticed, the historic tree canopy in Monroe Park has recently been decimated by the removal of mature healthy trees. Last December, 14 beautiful trees were destroyed illegally- 7 without the requisite variances and 7 after being declared dead, although photographic evidence refutes that claim.
Now, in typical Richmond form, there is an application before the Richmond Urban Design Committee (UDC) this Thursday, February 9, 2017 seeking approval of a component in the updated Monroe Park Plan called “Tree Removal Plan” – this “plan” seeks to legitimize this tragic removal of tree canopy, even though the trees were destroyed over a month ago without public notice. We’ve seen the tree damage Richmond is capable of – the Redskins Training Park as well as Kanawha Plaza and the Maggie Walker Memorial live oak.

I urge you to read the following paragraph and if you agree, please sign and forward to the UDC at Kathleen.Onufer@Richmondgov.com

‘Dear members of the Urban Design Committee
I am opposed to the component in the updated Monroe Park Plan seeking approval this Thursday, February 9, 2017 entitled “Tree Removal Plan”. Mature healthy trees were removed in December 2016 with no public notice or requisite variance. I support a full investigation into this loss which is not only aesthetic and ecological, but constitutes a financial loss to the taxpayers of Richmond as well. I also support holding those accountable for the replacement of these trees. Thank you,'”

Part Of Oregon Hill Votes Tomorrow In Special Election

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There is a special election for the 71st District Virginia House of Delegates tomorrow, February 7.

It looks like Oregon Hill voters who reside north of the Expressway are part of the 71st District and can vote in the election tomorrow. This boundary is confusing and aggravating.

There are three candidates running to replace Jennifer McClellan (recently elected to VA Senate):

John Barclay – Libertarian candidate, public school teacher at Franklin Military.

Jeff Bourne – Democrat, 3rd District School Board Representative, Deputy Attorney General at Virginia Office of the Attorney General.

Regie Ford – Independent, Air Force veteran, past President of the Richmond Crusade for Voters.

“On Valentine’s Day, Bring the Love Out into the Street… Cumberland St That Is.”

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From unstoppable Cherry Street neighbor Jimmy Blackford:

How ’bout helping us clean litter late morning on Valentine’s Day? Meet at Fine Foods Market parking lot 11am. We’ll collect litter along a manageable stretch of Cumberland St. & Idlewood Ave. We will supply equipment (grabbers, bags & gloves). Enjoy being under healthy clear skies. Plus help to beautify our land in time for the onset of springtime. Remember: on Valentine’s Day, even trash deserves a little attention.

Here’s the Meet Up link.