Richmond On McDonnell Verdict

Neighbor John Richmond got a mention in the Washington Post yesterday:

John Richmond, 44, a public school math teacher, was riding his bike by the Capitol not long after the verdict was announced. He said he was less than shocked.

“These guys, they’re just as corrupt as people in any other state are. It’s just the corruption is legal,” he said, referring to ethics laws that, before the McDonnell trial, allowed officeholders to accept unlimited personal gifts as long as any worth more than $50 were disclosed.

City Council Matters

From Councilperson Agelasto’s FaceBook page:

City Council will meet on Monday, September 8, at 6:00 pm. The agenda can be found on the City Clerk’s website. Please be mindful that any ordinance or resolution could be continued during the docket review at City Council’s informal meeting at 4:00 pm.
The agenda currently includes 47 items, many of which are of interest to the public and have received significant media attention. These include:
Ordinance No. 2014-94 – Special Use Permit for The Camel at 1619/1621 W. Broad Street.
Ordinance No. 2014-121 – Special Use Permit for a historic property located at 1650 Overbrook Road. An application for historic tax credits is currently under review by the Department of Historic Resources as there is information that may prohibit the project from proceeding as submitted.
Ordinance No. 2014-125 – To appropriate new revenue to the city as a result of expiring rehabilitation tax abatement to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund up to $1,000,000 annually.
Ordinance No. 2014-152 – To establish the MetroCare Water Assistance and Conservation Program to provide financial assistance to certain qualified customers for plumbing repairs and the replacement of water-inefficient appliances.
Ordinance No. 2014-153 – Special Use Permit for the Leigh Street Armory (122 W. Leigh Street) to be used as a museum for the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.
Ordinance No. 2014-155 – To received funds in the amount of $417,418 from VDOT to pay for the construction of the Floyd Avenue Bike Boulevard. This is the primary vote that City Council will take to approve or deny this project.
Resolution No. 2014-R157 – To assess exist policies and budget resources to support anti-litter initiatives and to establish a campaign to be called “Keep RVA Beautiful” that could be supported regionally.
Resolution No. 2014-R158 – To develop a Rental Inspection Program and submit proposals to City Council for further consideration. [This resolution simply seeks more information on specifics for a program that could be implemented in Richmond. Details such as budget implications, possible footprint of districts, rollout of communication to property owners are all necessary. We are looking at making the development of the proposal an inclusive process. We are not seeking to rush this. We are waiting for Code Enforcement staff to inform City Council of a reasonable timeline for developing the program details and guidelines and will amend the resolution as necessary. This will likely result in a continuation of the resolution until the October meeting of City Council.]
Resolution No. 2014-R161 – To approve a budget for the Economic Development Authority. [Not sure what the funds will be used for as there has been no presentation to City Council on this request. I will ask that it be sent to Committee for further review.]
Ordinance No. 2014-71 and No. 2014-78 – Special Use Permit for 2801 E. Main Street (aka Pear Street). The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported this morning that Councilwoman Cynthia Newbille does not support the current proposal. This may or may not be voted on by City Council.
Ordinance No. 2014-148 – To reinstate the Career Development program for Fire and Police and to amend the budget to equal the number of pay periods each department will receive.

Also, notice was recently sent out about City Council’s planned retreat. From press release:

On Monday, September 29, 2014, Richmond City Council will hold its annual planning meeting/retreat, beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Virginia War Memorial, 621 South Belvidere Street, Richmond, Virginia. The morning session will include a bus tour of Richmond Voter Districts.

While many citizens will remain focused on the hot button issues (the Camel’s SUP, Pear St., Shockoe stadium proposal), there are other ones worth following also…

In regard to Ordinance No. 2014-152, Better Government Richmond has some questions (Ed.’s disclosure: I serve on BGR’s board and have helped lead earlier utility reform efforts).

Shooting Near Clark Springs Elementary

From WTVR.com:

RICHMOND, Va. — Two men shot Monday night on Randolph Street were expected to recover from their wounds.

Police responded to the shooting at about 9:30 p.m.

Police have not released information about suspects or a motive in the shooting.

The shooting happened near Clark Springs Elementary School in Richmond’s Oregon Hill neighborhood.

Anyone with information was asked to call Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.

(Ed.’s note: Technically, the location is in Randolph neighborhood, not Oregon Hill, but its pretty damn close and alarming nonetheless.)

Trash/Recycling Pickup Thursday

This Wednesday is a red Wednesday, which normally means trash and recycling pickup, but due to the Monday holiday, pickup will happen on Thursday morning. Again, because of the Labor Day holiday, collection will be Thursday instead of Wednesday. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup Thursday night. They do not belong on the sidewalk after Thursday night.

In order to take your recycling to the next level, read this: 10 ways to improve your recycling.

So we have mentioned plastics and aluminum cans, what next? How about glass? From the EPA:

Americans generated 11.6 million tons of glass in the municipal solid waste (MSW) stream in 2012.
About 28 percent of the glass was recovered for recycling.
Glass recycling increased from 750,000 tons in 1980 to more than three million tons in 2012.
Food, soft drink, beer, food, wine, and liquor containers represent the largest source of glass generated and recycled.
Glass in durable goods, such as furniture and appliances, round out the sources of postconsumer glass.

Unfortunately, there are still many questions about recycling glass in Virginia…even in Arlington

But CVWMA says about glass in City of Richmond:

Glass bottles and jars (no lids please). Recycle through City of Richmond’s curbside recycling collection program or at one of the drop-off recycling collection sites. No other glass items accepted for recycling.

(Personally, as with plastics, I put all glass in the bin in the hope that there will be more improvements made.)

UDC Meets Thursday

Reminder from City Councilperson Parker Agelasto:

The Urban Design Committee will meet on September 4 at 10:00 am in the 5th Floor Conference Room at City Hall. On the agenda is the Conceptual Location, Character and Extent Review of the proposed roundabout along Idlewood Avenue between S. Cherry and S. Harrison Streets (UDC No. 2014-30, as well as the same review of the proposed Floyd Avenue Bike Boulevard (UDC No. 2014-31). The Carytown Gateway Sign (UDC No. 2014-12) will receive its Final Location, Character and Extent Review.

Additional:

Kimley-Horn Associates has completed the design for the proposed roundabout on Idlewood Avenue between S. Cherry and S. Harrison Streets. Residents from Randolph and Oregon Hill are invited to walk the site with the engineers on Wednesday, September 3, at 9:00 am. The Urban Design Committee will then review the proposal at its meeting on September 4 at 10:00 am in the 5th Floor Conference Room at City Hall.

Beneath the Pavement: A Public Talk on Richmond’s Archaeology This Saturday

From FaceBook event page:

The public is invited to join RVA Archaeology for an introduction to archaeology, with an emphasis on the special nature of cities. Beneath Richmond’s Pavement will be presented by Taft Kiser, former researcher at the VCU Archaeology Research Center (VCU-ARC). During Taft’s years at the VCU-ARC, from 1988 to 1998, the Center carried out hundreds of projects throughout Virginia. He will describe six excavations performed in the City of Richmond, including evidence of the British occupation of Rocketts Landing and dissected human bones found in a well at VCU.

WHEN: Saturday, August 30, 2014

TIME
10 am: Business meeting to discuss organizational goals (for RVA Archaeology members & people interested in becoming members)
11:30 to12:30 p.m. Public Talk

WHERE: Richmond Public Library (Main),101 E. Franklin St., Richmond, VA 23219

CONTACT: RichmondArchaeology@gmail.com

Byrd House Market Today

From email announcement:

6548a350-5fb4-4534-ac61-e93e3276c6d3

Byrd House Market is a nutrition education program of
William Byrd Community House – Growing Richmond’s Kids – Smart, Strong, Self-confident! Ready for School. Ready for Life.
National Dog Day Cherry Popsicle Day
Banana Lovers Day Women’s Equality Day
Cherry Chia Pops for you and Puppy Pops for your pooch. Whole meat jerky treats for doggies. Wandering Cow Farm and Serene Suds will make you a nice deal if you mention National Women’s Equality Day at their stalls. UN-local bananas paired with local… raspberries in a smoothie… peach chunks in yogurt… a chocolate croissant… goat cheese and creamy egg custard… Green beans, eggplant, tomatoes, peppers galore, mushrooms, melons…But do you need an excuse, really?
Byrd House Market is a village of small and powerful delights, afford-ably, thoughtfully made for you, for friends, for family, for the 4 legged or just because. Birthdays, Thank-Youz and Gifties (how ’bout a small sac’o’tokens, yeah!)

d30b8f31-512e-4580-8899-87cede1d67dd

The Tasty
NEED SALSA?
So good with grilled goodies – veggie, vegan or carni. Make your own from our farmers’ best or buy it made and ready to scoop!

ea028e25-63c8-4b84-8c08-96528222c6d2

GOT SOMETHING IN MIND?
USE OUR PRODUCT SEARCH
GOT A FAVORITE VENDOR?
CHECK THE MARKET MAP

8eaefbca-3c3f-41ac-824b-e730aa1d668e

The True
We Open 3:30 (not 3)
There’s some confusion because of our policy to allow restaurants and chefs to shop at 3 pm, but vendors do need the time to complete their set-up, as does the Market Info tent with the credit/debit/snap machine. So please restrain your passion for our good foods until 3:30! Thank you.

3404a048-a693-42a8-9d5e-423677557cf3

Good Work
Open Door Resource Center
ODRC serves “those who have served our country in the armed forces, those currently serving, and their families. We assist our clients by providing services to the homeless, assisting clients with healthcare, education, Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, and promoting self-sufficiency.”
Virginia Chapter Sierra Club
Sharing information about The People’s Climate March in New York City on September 21. “The People’s Climate March–held just days before the United Nations Climate Summit–is an unparalleled opportunity to let our world leaders know how urgently the public is calling for solutions to climate disruption, and how we need to move quickly from dirty fuels to clean energy.”
Good Practice
Please Park on the Soccer Field
It’s on the street, along Idlewood Avenue, certainly, but there’s MUCH MORE parking available on the Soccer Field. The walk is short and partly shady. AND at the end of S. Linden St. there is an area designated for handicapped shoppers and quick pick-ups.
You can make this!
Savory saute and sear!

e1d53754-780d-49f1-b514-7be30a4be63f

SNAP @ THE MARKET
Use Your Credit, Debit or SNAP EBT Cards!

f33b154c-733b-4081-ad5d-74f43f02f62f

The $10 Student Deal is now for
Faculty and Staff, too!
Show your University ID to a participating vendor (Agriberry, Origins Farm, The Byrd Farm, Epic Gardens, Tomten Farm) and ask about their deal of the day!
Visit byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com
for directions and more.