From a neighbor:
Learn To Swing Dance At The Library This Wednesday
As the event appears on ConnectVA:
Event Description Learn to dance (individual or group classes) and have a fun aerobic workout! Every Wednesday in August.
Event Date 8/20/14
Event Time 6:00 PM – 8:15 PM
Event Address 101 E. Franklin Street Richmond, VA
Event Directions / Parking
Event Price FREE
Event Phone 804-646-7223
Event Email
Event Website
Open to the Public Yes
Locality Richmond
Posting Organization Richmond Public Library
Part of An Uglier Past
The recent racial conflict in Ferguson, Missouri is a reminder of some of the darker periods of racism in Oregon Hill about 30 years ago (see clipping of article below from The Richmond Afro-American Planet newspaper). Thankfully, in this aspect, the neighborhood has changed since then. This ugly past contrasts with more heroic history.
Richmond “We Stand With Ferguson” March In Monroe Park Today
Local activists are organizing in response to events in Ferguson, Missouri. There is a protest march planned this afternoon in Monroe Park at 4:30 pm. According to the FaceBook event page, ‘Operation:Injustice’ will go from Monroe Park (between West Franklin, Belvidere, West Main, and Laurel Streets) to the John Marshall Courts Building (400 North 9th Street). A rally with speakers will take place at the courts building.
Local poets Sudan Aunu, Bryant Munford, and others will be speaking.
In the background of this event are concerns about the future of Monroe Park under its new Conservancy.
Destruction of Private Property
From RaidsOnline.com:
DESTRUCTION PROPERTY/PRIVATE PROPERTY
1XX S PINE ST
Aug 15, 2014 at 12:01 pmData provided by Richmond Police Department
Girls Rock!
Missed the 4th Annual Girls Rock! RVA Showcase at the Richmond Public Library this afternoon, but thankfully other neighbors did not. Thanks to neighbor Greta for the pic.
1930’s Oregon Hill
This is a photo that I ordered from the Library of Va. and had them crop the photo to show Oregon Hill. (I have the high-resolution print.)
The photo was taken in the 1930s when they were planning the Lee Bridge, which was built in 1934. (You will notice that Lee Bridge is not in the photo.) At this time Belvidere was no wider than the other north-south streets in O.H. Every building south of Holly has been demolished except for the gazebo and two surviving buildings on Riverside Park. Grace Arents School is visible on the left of the photo. The canal is shown with the walk-bridge that allowed many O.H. residents to walk to jobs at Tredegar.
Joe’s Fence
A few weeks ago, there was a car accident at S.Laurel and Idlewood that took out neighbor Joe Pyrek’s metal front fence. He gave permission to post this account, since several neighbors have asked what happened.
…wanted to give you a little bit of follow up to the incident that occurred at the Laurel/Idlewood intersection in the early morning hours of 7/25. Apparently there was a vehicle with about 3-4 individuals driving at high speed around the neighborhood around 2:15 in the morning. They were circling blocks and were coming eastbound on Idlewood and made a right hand turn onto Laurel but overshot the turn and took out my fire hydrant and several sections of my fence. My neighbors across the street were awoken by the noise and looked outside and called the police. They witnessed the individuals get out of the vehicle and push it off of my property back onto the road and they proceeded to drive off before the police arrived. However, they didn’t made it very far as about ½ way down the block on Laurel headed towards Albemarle, they crashed into two parked cars. According to the police report, two cars were towed and the driver was arrested. He had been drinking and was 19 or 20. Luckily for me, the individual’s parents had insurance on the vehicle, so my property will be taken care of. I notified the city of the fire hydrant on 7/26, however, no work has been done to get that replaced. I’ve called the city a few times about it as it worries me in regards to fire safety.
That’s really all I know on the situation, but just thought you might like to know!
Idlewood Roundabout Plan Update
One of the topics covered at Councilperson Parker Agelasto’s meeting on Wednesday night was an update on the Idlewood roundabout project.
City Transportation Engineer Tom Flynn gave a quick background and overview, and then presented the “first, final draft” from engineering/design firm Kimley Horn. Due to some unforeseen costs, the plan right now is to NOT remove the stretch of Grayland at the time of roundabout construction, but leave it with a dead end. Expect this and other points to be covered at a future community meeting.
Reminder: Neighborhood Yard Sales This Weekend
Several households in Oregon Hill will be holding yard sales this Saturday, including 500 block of S. Pine, 500 block of S.Cherry, and 600 block of S. Laurel. Click here for the FaceBook event page.







