2nd Grade Violin Debut

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From St. Andrew’s School blog:

All St. Andrew’s School students have been learning to play the violin this year. Today, the second grade class showcased their achievements in a small group recital where they performed for an audience that included the 5th grade class, parents, staff, and teachers.

Ms. Ellerbe, our Music teacher, has been teaching the children to play the violin in small groups (up to eight children) twice per week. For today’s recital, she lead each group as they performed, Pizzicato (named for a playing technique that involves plucking the strings of the violin ), Mary Had a Little Lamb, and Hot Cross Buns. Performances by each group were captured and are featured below.

After a very successful debut, the children are now looking forward to performing again at the Spring Concert. The concert will be held in Baldwin Hall on Monday, May 19, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. (it will begin after the Family Association Meeting and Dinner).

There’s also been otter sightings outside the school:

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From their Facebook page:

The Otter Closet will sell gently used clothing…but here’s the cool part: proceeds will be divided and half will support our school’s violin program while the other half is donated to Full Circle Grief Center. In addition, students will help run the shop, incorporating their economics lessons into this real-life effort. Everybody benefits!

OHHIC Press Release: The City of Richmond and Venture Richmond renege on promised Section 106 review of the future Tredegar Green amphitheater

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From press release earlier today:

The City of Richmond and Venture Richmond renege on promised Section 106 review of the future Tredegar Green amphitheater
Doubts raised that the city will follow through on promised Section 106 review for the proposed Baseball stadium

The Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council (OHHIC) has learned that just days after receiving a final approval of the Richmond Planning Commission, the city and Venture Richmond have withdrawn the amphitheater project from the promised state and federal Section 106 review. Venture Richmond repeatedly promised the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, the city’s Urban Design Committee, and the City Planning Commission that the amphitheater’s impact on the historic James River and Kanawha Canal would receive a thorough and impartial review by the Va. Dept. of Historic Resources and the Corps of Engineers through the Section 106 process. Alternatives to damaging historic resources are carefully assessed with community input through a Section 106 review.

The James River and Kanawha Canal was built in 1785 at a great cost in human lives lost.. George Washington was president of the James River Company that built the canal. It may be the first transportation canal built in the United States with locks. The future amphitheater will damage the 18th century structure by lowering and removing half of the original canal tow path. This may be the first time in the United States that a structure on the National Register of Historic Places is damaged because it might block a spectator’s view of a band stage.

OHHIC Director Todd Woodson said, “It is outrageous that Venture Richmond is breaking its repeated promises to submit the amphitheater plan to an impartial state and federal review through the Section 106 process. We have spent a year researching the canal, and we have documentation that the current tow path and and embankment are authentic and will be greatly damaged by the amphitheater plan. We call on the Mayor, who is President of Venture Richmond, to honor the repeated promises to submit the amphitheater plan for a state and federal Section 106 review.”

The city has also promised a “voluntary” Section 106 review of the potential future site of the Shockoe Stadium. The city’s broken promise to submit the amphitheater for a Section 106 review should be a cause for concern by all city residents. Said Woodson, “We certainly cannot trust the city to follow through on promised historical reviews.” The amphitheater is to be built on city and on Venture Richmond property. Venture Richmond receives $2.87 million in public funding annually.

Bidding For The Public Interest

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Kudos to Mo for putting in the bid! I could not make it to Council that night and, honestly, I was a bit nervous about what bidding would look like, but I think everyone in Richmond who cares about parks should appreciate what she has done.

Looked over the two bids for the Monroe Park lease that were received from the City Clerk. (The conservancy bid confirms that the Mayor is still on the conservancy board.)
I must say that Mo’s bid looks head and shoulders better than the Conservancy’s. All that they can say is that they are hiring a fundraiser!

If Venture Richmond and the Mayor are going to insist on this type of stupidity (with Monroe Park, with ‘Tredegar Green’, with the flawed Shockoe stadium), then one of the things that citizens can do in response is to root for ol’ fashioned competition and more alternatives.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Venture Richmond allows for $1,190,000 in (no-bid) grants for Venture Richmond. We have all seen the billboards, the double page advertisements and read about the petition drive for the Mayor’s Shockoe Bottom stadium undertaken by Venture Richmond.

The City pays Venture Richmond to administer the canal concession and then Venture Richmond charges $6/trip. (Venture Richmond doesn’t even bother to put boats in the upper Haxall beside Brown’s Island, where there is a vacant boat rental house.)
The City pays Venture Richmond to administer Friday Cheers and then Venture Richmond charges from $5 to $10/admission (depending on show).
The City rents Brown’s Island to Venture Richmond (for what I assume is a nominal fee) and then Venture Richmond rents out the venue for $4,500 per day.
It is noteworthy that Venture Richmond does not have to compete or bid for city grants for the Clean and Safe program, canal boat concession, Friday Cheers or Folk Festival. Venture Richmond pays its Director $242,000 annually as a result of this sweetheart arrangement.

Is there anything that City Council can do to put a stop to giving Venture Richmond these no-bid grants and to put these items, including the canal boat concession, Clean and Safe program, Friday Cheers and Folk Festival promotions, up for bid?

There’s Another Bid On Monroe Park

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From Times Dispatch article:

The city of Richmond’s plan to lease out Monroe Park was slowed down Monday night as a well-known activist submitted a competing bid that forced officials to take more time to weigh the two proposals.
Activist Mo Karnage, who has been involved with serving meals in the park for the homeless, submitted a bid that would put the park under control of a body called the Keep Monroe Park Open and Free Committee.

Renegade Winter

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From email announcement:

Well, Shoppers
maybe it will be the first wintry stormy event this spring, maybe the last. Winter in Virginia must be experienced to be believed. And on that note, so must the Offerings of our Renegade vendors:

Faith Farm Foods and Mugsy’s Dogtown Lounge will see you on the market grounds
3:30 to 6 pm

Byrd House Bash 2014 – Sat. May 3
Enjoy a night of good old southern hospitality and raise funds for WBCH Early Childhood Education and Children’s Services at this annual event. We count on each of you every year! FEATURING:
Silent and live auctions
Live music
BBQ from Deep Run Roadhouse
Tastings from local restaurants
Local craft beers from Hardywood and Strangeways
Wine tastings from Barboursville Vineyards

Tickets at: http://bit.ly/BYRDHOUSEBASH2014tickets

SAVE THE DATE: May 6th is Opening Day of 2014 Byrd House Market Season!

Want to be a BHM Vendor?
Byrd House Market is a great neighborhood market and you can be a part of it! What kind of vendors are we looking for? We serve families and people interested in great quality whole and wholesome foods. Our customers like to know that the spirit of healthy eating permeates the market products and the environment. Local, sustainably grown specialty produce and ingredients, organic – vegan – gluten free, are all welcome. SNAP eligible foods – from basic delicious to gourmet yummy, affordable and special. Visit our blog for more information and click here to apply. Have questions? Email the market manager, byrdhousemarket@gmail.com

_____________________

Ana Edwards, Manager of Byrd House Market
& Library Programs for Grace Arents Library & Education Center
William Byrd Community House www.wbch.org / 804.643.2717 ext. 306, 224 S. Cherry St. Richmond VA 23220
WBCH – Growing Richmond’s Kids: Smart, Strong, Self-confident. Ready for school. Ready for life.

OHNA Against The Shockoe Stadium Proposal

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The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association (OHNA), at its February meeting, voted to oppose the Shockoe stadium proposal, due to the questionable finances and the possible destruction of important Richmond history.

OHNA meets again tomorrow evening at 7 pm at the William Byrd Community House. At 8 pm the meeting will focus on planning for the Idlewood roundabout project.