Gathering The Wood…

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Oregon Hill residents, knowing what time of year it is, have started gathering branches and wood scraps for this year’s neighborhood Wickerman.

The Beltain festivities’ location will be in Parsons Linear Park along the 600 block of S.Belvidere (across from the Virginia War Memorial).

Valerie, the current neighborhood association president, says the Wicker Man’s construction will be undertaken by a subcommittee of the Friends Of Oregon Hill Parks, and questions should be submitted to that group. Faidra, one of the main members, has already volunteered that they are in the midst of deciding on a selection of local produce, unruly dogs, and either a first year student from either VCU or the Virginia Theological Seminary.

“We were asked about babies, but we are drawing the line on them, at least for this year”, she added.

Click here to see footage from previous years’ Wicker Man in Richmond Sister City, Summerisle, in southwestern Scotland.

‘Richmond300’ Committee Expresses Concerns About Neighborhood and City’s Alignment

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Reeling from accusations that new ‘pattern books’ contain multiple serious errors with growing neighborhood concerns, the City’s ‘Richmond300 Committee has declared that grave misalignments must be identified and corrected.

New development on W.Cary Street in the Fan.

In order to dispel the acridity and seek more harmony, the Planning Commission has called on Maria Peach, a globally recognized teacher, speaker, healer, and writer, who known for her work on the chakra system and its connection to human psychology and spiritual growth.
Her fees were not available at press time, but City planners have expressed great confidence in this expert’s ability to properly diagnose and channel the root lines and ultimately help the City discover, decode, and harness its life force.

“We believe that by addressing the subtle energy matrix, we can open a powerful path for sustainable healing,” stated a member of the City’s Code Refresh Task Force. “We are putting all of our crystals on the table and going back to the maps so that we can solve blockages and imbalances. We want to clear the negativity for not just Oregon Hill, but all neighborhoods and residents.”

For their part, Oregon Hill neighbors have signaled that they are willing to do the meditation, breathing exercises, and shadow work necessary to realign and eventually come to an understanding.

“There is no direct mention of the chakras in the City Code. While this might seem like a cause for concern, it is important to note that viruses, hormones, ultraviolet rays, or even “the Trinity” cannot be found in the City Code either!” explained one enlightened neighbor.

First Annual ‘Bola-Hoop’ Postponed

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Photo by Gene Gallin on Unsplash

Due to expected rainy weather and scheduling issues, Richmond’s first annual ‘Bola-Hoop’ has been postponed to later this month.

The event, which was originally scheduled for this Saturday in Monroe Park, would have featured bola throwing and hoop dancing
While most people around the world are familiar with hoops, many Americans are just now becoming re-acquainted with bolas.

Just earlier this month, the Richmond Police Department issued this press release:
* * *

The Richmond Police Department has trained and equipped officers to use a new device that allows for brief control of non-compliant individuals.

The BolaWrap 150 Remote Restraint Device (pictured) is a handheld tool designed to be used as a method to control from a distance a non-compliant individual in instances when the officer would be justified in handcuffing the subject but doing so could escalate into a struggle which could cause harm to the subject or the officer.

The device deploys a Kevlar cord with weighted anchors designed to wrap around a subject’s body to temporarily limit their mobility and ability to cause harm to themselves or another. Officers will immediately apply handcuffs to the subject and remove the cord and anchors, when possible.

“This technology will allow for the safe control of a subject without a use of force,” said Chief Rick Edwards. “This reduces the likelihood that officers would need to escalate their response to higher levels of force to control a situation. It allows for safer outcomes for all.”

When practical, the officer will loudly announce “Bola, Bola, Bola” before deploying the device. The deployment produces a loud bang sound as the cord and anchors wrap around the subject – but is designed not to cause injury.

A video of Chief Edwards and Major Ronnie Armstead being wrapped by deployment of the device:


* * *

It was unclear who was going to sponsor the event, although it seems likely that the City Parks & Rec Department and the Richmond Police Department would have been involved, and then perhaps VCU criminal justice program.

Word is that ‘Bola-Hoop’ may make an appearance at the Monument Avenue Easter Parade.

Although the ‘Bola-Hoop’ will not take place this Saturday, there is a mass protest march planned for Saturday at historic Monroe Park.

TV/Movie Productions Return To Oregon Hill

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Oregon Hill is no stranger to the filmmaking and entertainment industries.

In 2011, Spielberg’s Lincoln movie was shot in Richmond, and Oregon Hill is featured in some deleted scenes that are on the DVD release.

National Geographic reality tv show “Doomsday Preppers” supposedly also came to the neighborhood, though the appearance was never broadcast, despite the series continuing till 2014.

Oregon Hill was also part of The Walking Dead Universe, and was featured in 2022 in AMC’s Walking Dead World Beyond. The Belvidere (Lee) Bridge area represented Omaha.

Now, according to various unnamed sources, a revived production of “Parking Wars” will be coming to Oregon Hill this summer. The original A&E tv series let viewers get behind-the-scenes on-the-street perspective, as employees of Philadelphia Parking Authority went on their daily rounds, frequently dealing with irate locals as the workers issued citations, booted vehicles and towed cars. The series also followed the ticket-writers and booters of Detroit’s Municipal Parking Department.

With the new amphitheater and other riverfront events adding to existing VCU and downtown parking pressure in Oregon Hill, the show will take advantage of growing Richmond tourism interest and capture any parking contention in this neighborhood on camera.

Additionally, there are unconfirmed rumors that the new hit Discovery tv show “Filthy Fortunes” may be visiting a site in the neighborhood.

This reality series, which has been airing on Sunday nights at 10 pm and is also available for streaming, features treasure hunter Matt Paxton as he searches cluttered homes across America for valuable items. He cleans properties and sells rare finds for profit.Some memorable episodes include a hoard of collectible marbles and a stash of rare dirt bikes. Although it goes all over the country , the production includes some local Richmond connections and co-stars. According to sources, because the rumored Oregon Hill site is a unidentified smaller house, it may be just portion of an episode rather than a full one.

Neighborhood Restaurant ‘Round Robin’ Planned

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Photo by Arjan Stalpers on Unsplash

Now that Spring as arrived, Oregon Hill restaurant owners are getting ready to announce a promotional event, when, for two days, patrons can visit every restaurant in the neighborhood and enjoy at least one item in exchange for showing one master ticket. The idea is that people can walk from restaurant to restaurant and sample pre-designated fare, some which may be made special for the event.

It’s based on the traditional ‘progressive dinner party’, which involves a group of friends planning a meal with each course served at a different person’s home, making the party progress from house to house. Instead of eating an entire meal at one location, the group moves from one location to the next, with each location serving a different course.

The event will be called ‘The Oregon Hill Round Robin’ and will most likely take place early June, as more preparations and advertising are needed before official launch. It will undoubtedly happen during the week so it does not interfere with the weekend crowds. The names of the restaurants have not officially been listed (though at least 5 have committed), but they have all been described as within Oregon Hill’s ‘historic boundaries’ (which technically go to Broad Street and stretch into what is considered VCU’s academic campus) ‘or adjacent’.

West Cary Street looking westward from S. Pine

The ticket price for the Oregon Hill Round Robin has not been settled on yet either, though the figure of $100 has been bandied about.

Local foodies are all in a flutter, wondering and imagining how the menu will transpire. Many of them are thinking of breakfast food along W.Cary Street, while others are looking forward to a new Asian creation from the Grace Street or Belvidere Street area.

Pine Street ‘Heights’

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This photo is of the eastern side of the 100 block of S.Pine Street. You can see on the northern end where a row house was sacrificed for an apartment building’s parking lot, but the remaining historic houses have been beautifully renovated.

Sadly, this block was separated from the rest of “the Hill” by the construction of 195, but it is still considered part of Oregon Hill neighborhood. Some wryly refer to the area north of the expressway as “the Oregon Hill Heights”.

What’s even sadder is the the City’s own Planning Commission has recently drawn its new ‘pattern book’ for the neighborhood without including “the Heights”, challenging the neighborhood’s defined borders and angering many residents.

This is seen as part of a long campaign to do away with this historic neighborhood, even if it means gradually chipping away, decade after decade. It’s the long battle of preservation.

Neighborhood Threatened By Re-Zoning – Comments Due This Weekend

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New development on W.Cary Street in the Fan.

This is very similar to what was warned about previously in a mock up from 5-years ago.

But, here we are. Oregon Hill residents have spoken up from the very beginning of the discussion, from the first ‘charrettes’ of the ‘Richmond300’ to the latest on ‘Code Refresh’ from the Planning Department. Every single step of the way, Oregon Hill residents and neighborhood association have reiterated support for protecting our historic streetscapes and keeping the R-7 zoning with its height limit. There have been heartfelt editorials and letters to the editor. There have been pleas to elected officials. There’s also pre-history on this, from street protests against demolition to smaller meetings with City officials about supposed overlays that turned out to be nothing but hot air.

But, again, here we are. Take a look at the proposed zoning changes. Even the RA-A designation would raise the height limit to 40′, incentivizing developers to demolish more houses and ruin the streetscapes of this nationally-recognized, historic neighborhood. It would undue decades of hard, preservation work by citizens who have stuck with this City for decades, through good and bad times.

In short, this is betrayal. It also speaks volumes on why citizens look askance at ‘focus meetings’ and ‘providing input’ – what do these things matter if the City government is going to always put developers over citizens?

Yet, one more chance to try to change minds-

From the City of Richmond Planning Department, Re: 300 Plan.

Proposed New Zoning Districts Survey
If you were unable to make it to the open houses, you can view the boards on the City’s webpage, and take our survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MYVYQCF) by March 31st to tell us your thoughts on the proposed new zoning districts.

OHNA Meeting Tomorrow Night

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From email announcement:

MONTHLY MEETING:
Tuesday, March 25 at 7pm. Agenda and link to join attached and below.
Join Zoom Meeting (Editor’s note: Zoom link redacted. Please contact ohnarva@gmail.com)

A G E N D A

Welcome

Community and local Officials Updates: Police, VCU, RVA, City Council
Committee updates: Zoning, FoOHP, RvaPB, Stop Sign Safety (Bylaws cte will present during “Discussions” portion of the meeting
Announcements:

April OHNA meeting to be in person, 6pm at Pine Street Baptist; supper, presentation from PSB.

April “Big Event” neighborhood clean up day with VCU student volunteers

Discussions
Bylaws Committee presentation and discussion (no vote)
New Business:
______________________________________________________________________

O T H E R N E W S:
Save the Date: April OHNA meeting and Pasta Supper!

April’s OHNA meeting will be in person Tuesday April 22 at Pine Street Baptist Church! Our hosts will provide a pasta supper, make a presentation about updates at PSB, and surveying neighbors about what role they would like the church to have in the community. We will begin early: 6pm. Hope to see you there!

Friends of Oregon Hill Parks news:

Holly Street Playground upgrade: The next FOOHP HSP upgrade event, an engagement and feedback session, will be April 24 at 5:30 pm at Pine Street Baptist Church
Holly Street Playground cleanup day: Sunday Apr 13, Holly St. Playground

Oregon Hill Easter Egg Hunt, Holly Street Playground, Sunday April 13 at 3pm

Oregon Hill Open Garden Day: May 17.
Add your garden to the tour! Email: Friendsoforegonhillparks@gmail.com

Historic Richmond is hosting a free community lecture, “Preservation is Planning,” Thursday, March 27th at 6 – 8pm, at Monumental Church (1224 E Broad St) https://historicrichmond.com/detail/preservation-as-planning-2/

Zoning “Code Refresh:”

Learn more about this project, review neighborhood “Pattern Books” and provide your opinion: https://www.rva.gov/planning-development-review/code-refresh [rva.gov]

Online survey ends March 31: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MYVYQCF [surveymonkey.com]

SIGN UP to receive updates from our City Council Member, Stephanie Lynch: http://bit.ly/4bUbRJy

People’s Budget (Participatory Budgeting)
It’s almost time to vote for the projects submitted, including an OH Dog Park. CLICK HERE to learn everything you need to know! You can vote:
Online – Vote from anywhere, anytime between April 1-15
In-Person – Visit a voting location on select dates in April

V O L U N T E E R:

VCU “Big Event” OH neighborhood Cleanup
Students will volunteer to help us in a neighborhood clean up, meeting at Pleasants Park on Sat April 5 at 9:30 am.
Volunteer for your street! Email: OHNArva@gmail.com

Joint OHNA / VCU Community-Student Problem-Solving Workgroup

Frustrated by students throwing loud parties and littering? Volunteer to meet with VCU police and students affairs staff to develop plans to integrate students into the neighborhood and reduce problem behavior. Email: OHNArva@gmail.com

—
Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association
Valerie L’Herrou, President
Bryan Clark Green, Co-Vice President
Jennifer Hancock, Co-Vice President
Susan Hill, Co-Vice President
Harrison Moenich, Co-Vice-President
David Shannon, Co-Vice President
Scott Racette, Secretary
John Bolecek, Treasurer
JOIN OHNA: https://forms.gle/joCpHqcPrShu8qf86