Speaking Truth To Power: Solar for Disaster Recovery

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While many Richmond residents are still without power after Hurricane Irene this past weekend, a few residents have access to their own produced energy (without noisy generators) due to their previous investments in solar arrays. This should come as no surprise, for after Hurricane Katrina, pre-existing solar arrays were the only power sources for a period of time in New Orleans after the fossil fuel supplies ran out.

I understand that President Obama may come to the area and meet with Governor McDonnell today, in part to survey the damages left by the storm. If I could meet with those two leaders in person, I would strongly suggest to them that distributed, scalable solar (in addition to conservation, of course), is the best way to make the country and Commonwealth stronger- economically, environmentally, and in case of disaster.
Not only that, but despite what people like Duke Energy CEO Rogers say, solar is proving safer and more cost-efficient.

Look for a press release from the Virginia Solar Energy Association on this very subject later today.

(and come back when I have more time to supply some even better informational links for this post).

St. Andrew’s School Fundraiser with Shaka Smart Wednesday

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From announcement:

Shaka Smart, VCU men’s basketball coach will be making an appearance as a “celebrity bartender” on behalf of St. Andrew’s School at Mosaic Café on Wednesday, August 31 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

From 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. that evening, Mosaic Café, will donate 13% of food sales made from those who mention they are there to support St. Andrew’s School and 100% of tips made by the “celebrity bartender.”

Please come by and bring family and friends to celebrate the beginning of the new school year with us and Shaka Smart!
This event is up on our facebook page so please check it out, let us know if you will be attending, share it or pass on this e-mail.

The Byrd House Farmers’ Market Wins

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From Byrd House Market announcement:

Byrd House Market will be open
for business Tuesday, August 30, 2011
3:30-7:00 pm

REGARDING IMPACTS FROM HURRICANE IRENE:
Visit the www.Richmondgov.com for announcements about city services.
If you need help with food, utilities or shelter, call the Red Cross, 804-780-2250
Stay in touch with friends, loved ones and neighbors who may be in need.
———————————–

Congratulations to our WBCH Shutter Bug kids for taking and submitting the most photos for a single market in the Va Grown photo contest! Not only were they prolific, the kids’ photos were beautiful! The links to the 83 photos from all over the state, including the 10 from our market alone, is below. Enjoy!

August 25, 2011
WINNERS IN THE VIRGINIA FARMERS’ MARKETS WEEK PHOTO CONTEST REPRESENT NORTHERN VIRGINIA, THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY AND THE MIDDLE PENINSULA
Contact: Elaine Lidholm, 804.786.7686

For Virginia Farmers’ Market Week August 7 – 13, 2011, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) sponsored a photo contest. VDACS invited individuals to submit photos that showcased the beauty and abundance of Virginia agricultural products found in the state’s farmers’ markets. There were separate categories for children 12 and under, youth 13 to 18 and adults 20 and over, and the market receiving the most entries received a special prize, as well. [see these 3 winning photos]
Judges for the contest included Mark Fagerburg, Manager, Photo and Digital Imaging Services, Library of Virginia, Richmond; Stephen Katz, Staff Photographer, The Virginian Pilot, Norfolk; Sonda Anderson Pappan, Art Director, Virginia Living Magazine, Richmond; and Charles Green, Director of VDACS’ Division of Marketing.

The individual winners each will receive a Virginia Grown/Virginia’s Finest gift basket filled with locally-grown and produced items. The Byrd House Farmers’ Market of William Byrd Community House in Richmond won for the most entries for a single market with ten photos submitted.

All entries are posted on a Flickr site at http://www.flickr.com/photos/vdacs/sets/72157627108997493/.

“These photos capture the vibrancy, diversity and appeal of Virginia’s farmers’ markets,” said Matthew J. Lohr, VDACS Commissioner. “I hope they inspire consumers all over the state to visit their community farmers’ market to find local, Virginia grown farm products.” Lohr noted that the season doesn’t end at Labor Day, but in most parts of the state continues into October or even November or December, and many markets are open all year long. He added that Virginia is home to nearly 200 farmers’ markets, and he encourages consumer to go to www.virginiagrown.com to locate a nearby market.

http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/news/releases-b/082511photocontest.shtml

St. Andrew’s School Job Postings

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From St. Andrew’s School announcement:

The school will be providing nutricious hot lunches for students Monday through Thursday this year and a cook is needed to plan and prepare those meals. Also, an afternoon receptionist is needed in the school office Monday through Thursday from 3:30-6:00pm. A pianist is needed for a half-hour school chapel on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30am. Jane Page Watson, Assistant Head for the school, is the contact for all of these positions: 648-4545 or jpwatson@st-andrews-school.org.

Oregon Hill Recovers From Irene

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For the most part, it looks like the neighborhood survived Irene intact, perhaps better than previous hurricane Isabel.

Canal/Cumberland Street at the 7-11 was blocked by a big tree this morning, but that should be cleared pretty quickly if it has not been already.

From what I can tell, there is only one or two blocks or so that are without power, 800 block of Riverside Parkway and the 600 block of S. Cherry/Laurel, and they are expected to be repaired this evening.

It was great to see neighbors out and about, checking on things and cleaning their sidewalks.

Please feel free to send more pictures and tales of survival to info@oregonhill.net

Scooter Stolen

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From neighbor’s report:

My 49cc Yamaha Vino scooter was stolen from my backyard at 408 S. Laurel St. This happened sometime between Wed morning and 10 minutes ago. It was locked with a giant chain, gate locked, everything.

If you see it, please call 911. It’s all black with chrome handlebars and 2-3 white scratches on the right side below the seat.

Lock your stuff up!