Posted on June 28, 2011 by christina | No Comments
Get ready to get active..in your community! 9th District Councilman Doug Conner is hosting a Civic Association Workshop on Saturday, July 9 from 10:00am-2:00pm as a way to help encourage more Richmond residents to get active in their local neighborhoods. So whether you’re already helping to run a civic association or want to learn more about getting involved in your area, plan to attend this important upcoming meeting.
Civic Association Workshop
Saturday, July 9, 2011
10:00am – 2:00pm
Southside Services Center, 4100 Hull Street Rd
Free parking available next to the building
RSVP by Friday, July 1 to: 804.646.8325 or 804.869.0215
Please see the city’s website for more information on current City of Richmond Civic Associations.
“To establish and enhance associations in our communities that are board-driven, all-volunteer, member supported organizations whose goals are to promote and sustain vital, livable neighborhoods. Help us to help you!”
Posted on June 28, 2011 by christina | No Comments
If you haven’t heard, the City of Richmond and partners Venture Richmond, MWV (MeadWestVaCo), and Dominion Power have partnered to present the first ever fireworks display along the James River for the 4th of July. The new event will take place on Browns Island in Downtown Richmond, but the display will certainly be seen from our side of the river. Don’t head out on July 4th though, as this special event is actually happening on Sunday, July 3rd.
“Fireworks on the James”
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Brown’s Island in Downtown Richmond
Brown’s Island Opens at 6:00 PM
Entertainment Begins at 7:30 PM
Fireworks to begin at approximately 9:30 PM
Make your holiday plans by reading the story in Richmond.com or go to the event website for complete details.
From the “Fireworks on the James” website:
RVA Fireworks on the James is a FREE “Patriotic Family Fun” event that will feature performances by SPARC (School of Performing Arts in the Richmond Community), the Richmond Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Richmond Ballet’s “Minds in Motion.” Food Vendors will be on Brown’s Island and the public is invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy music during the evening and see the state’s largest fireworks display provided by Grucci, the “Top Name in Fireworks in the World.”
Posted on June 28, 2011 by christina | No Comments
Councilman Doug Conner invites the community to attend the June 28, 2011 9th District Community Meeting.
Meetings begin at 5:00pm with a local crime report from the Richmond Police Department and regular business uusually begins at 5:30pm.
Meeting Agenda:
5:00pm-5:30pm – 9th District Police Report
5:30-6:30pm – Updates on new city jail, community gardens, civic association workshop pre-introduction
6:30pm – Community Dinner provided
Meeting Location:
Southside Baptist Christian School – Community Center
5515 Bryce Lane
Richmond, VA 23224
(Bryce Lane is located off 5600 block of Hull Street Road)
Posted on April 27, 2011 by christina | No Comments
Sad news this morning that 9 people are displaced after a house fire last night on Broad Rock Road.
WWBT-12 has the story here
The fire happened at 1:30 am this morning, Wednesday, April 27, 2011 in the 100 block of East Broad Rock Road and Lawson Street, just off of Hull Street Road. The family is currently staying at a local hotel and receiving support from the Red Cross. Richmond Fire Department says that there were few flames so the fire was thankfully put out quickly. The smoke detectors were not working it seems, which gives us a good reminder to check ours!
Posted on April 25, 2011 by christina | No Comments
Congratulations go out to Richmond’s young swimmers!
The City’s Parks & Recs Department recently announced some great news for Richmond youth…
Richmond Swim Team Wins Championship
Richmond, VA – The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ competitive youth swim team, the Richmond Racers, won the Virginia Community Swim League Championship (VCSL) in the Saturday, March 26 competition at the department’s Swansboro Pool.
Approximately 143 swimmers on teams from Hampton, Norfolk, Poquoson and Richmond competed in the event in front of a packed house.
In the end, the Richmond Racers scored a total of 705 points to win the championship title. The Hampton Sharks scored 585 points to place second, with the Norfolk Silver Dolphins taking third and the Poquoson Riptides placing fourth.
The Richmond Racers have dominated the VCSL Championships every year since it was founded in 1992. During this time, the team has never placed less than second.
Posted on April 25, 2011 by christina | No Comments
WWBT-12 reports that a shooting occurred today, April 25 around 4:40pm at one of the shopping strips near East Belt Boulevard. One person was shot in the leg but without serious injury. The incident seems to have been caused by an argument.
http://www.nbc12.com/story/14510455/police-investigate-shooting-on-belt-boulevard
Posted on April 25, 2011 by christina | No Comments
The community is invited to the April 9th District Community Meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Meetings are held at Southside Baptist Christian School, located at 5515 Bryce Lane off Hull Street Road.
Agenda:
Richmond Police Department Monthly Report 5:00-5:30pm
Meeting 5:30-6:30pm
Community Dinner 6:30-7:00pm
Posted on March 30, 2011 by christina | No Comments
Well, the rumors are official. Chef Andy Howell, of Avenue 805 and more recently Cafe Rustica fame, is leaving to head across the river to Manchester. Expected to open in the late summer, Howell promises to open an Asian inspired noodle bar restaurant. With the long awaited opening of Parkside Restaurant on Forest Hill Avenue, us Southsiders are happy to have more dining options on our side of town.
Read more at Richmond.com
Posted on March 21, 2011 by christina | No Comments
The community is encouraged to attend the 9th District Community Meetings, which are held monthly at Southside Baptist Christian School, which is located just off Hull Street Road at 5515 Bryce Lane Richmond, VA 23224. Meetings are held in the auditorium/community center and there’s plenty parking.
The March Community Meeting will be held March 22, 2011
5:00pm-6:30pm
Meeting Agenda:
Victoria Oakley on Career and Technical Education
Karen Imes on Foreclosure Prevention
Paula Sherman on HOME
6:30PM—7:00PM 9th District Community Dinner
For More Information, please call Councilman Doug Conner at 804-363-3443
Posted on March 21, 2011 by christina | No Comments
9th District Councilman Doug Conner presided over the February 15, 2011 9th District Community Meeting at Southside Baptist Christian School, which covered the following issues in the community:
-RPD monthly report given by Lt. Angela Greene. One important issue noted is that the curfew for children under 18 is 11:00pm
-Representative Benjamin Lambert unexpectedly appeared and spoke briefly, commending Councilman Conner on the work he’s done in the 9th District.
-John Lewis, Reid Elementary, spoke on Reid Greenhouse Garden project
-Representative, Maritz Feliz-Reyes, from Public Works gave a presentation on Traffic Calming Projects planned for the 9th District.
-Alicia Zatcoff and Dr. Carolyn N. Graham, of City Human Services, gave a presentation on Richmond’s proposed ordinance and plans for community gardens.
Traffic Calming Projects are described as: speed cushions, traffic circles, splitters, chokers and raised crosswalks, and can be found installed around the district. Residential traffic circles have been installed at Boroughbidge Rd and Reedy Ave and and Bassett Ave. Splitters have been installed at Westbook Ave while Chokers – curb extensions that are found all over the Fan and Carytown – are now at Bainbridge sT and 27 St and at Perry St and 29th St. Raised crosswalks have been installed at 10th Street in Manchester. Projects to come include the areas of: Clearfield St between Orcutt Lane and Bryce Lane, Orcutt Lane between Hull St Rd and Booke Rd, and White Oak Dr. Construction expected to be completed in April 2011.
Reid Garden Greenhouse Project is the only greenhouse and community garden on Southside, and has the mission to bring awareness and education about agriculture to children of Reid Elementary and George Wythe High School to assist with crime prevention and encourage a healthy lifestyle. This community-wide project includes support from Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia State University, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, Communities in Schools, City Parks and Rec, Access in Food, Inc, Richmond Public Schools, and Reid Elementary.
The public is encouraged to support this effort through volunteering or financial support, plus are invited to attend the following events:
March 26 – “Reid Planting Party” – students, parents, partners and community will participate in a gardening activity at Reid Elementary by helping to clean and restore the greenhouse and garden while planting spring crops and flowers.
April 18-22 – “Reid Earth Celebration” – Reid Elementary will be recognizing Earth Day during the week of April 18 by maintaing the greenhouse and garden, hosting Green educational speakers and participating in fun conservation and environmental activities.
June 11 – “Reid Greenhouse Open House” – Students, parents, partners and the community are invited to celebrate the reopening of the newly refurbished Reid Greenhouse and Garden. Participants will help to honor the students that helped coordinate this effort as well as community partners who have helped. Healthy foods and produce will be served.
City of Richmond Community Gardens are on their way to becoming a reality as described by Ms. Alicia Zatcoff in a recent presentation of “Richmond Grows Gardens” which is part of the Mayor’s “Green Richmond Initiative”. As part of the Mayor’s plans to encourage healthy lifestyles, an ordinance will go before City Council on March 28, 2011 designating the creation of official community gardens in the city. Many will be located in the city’s low to mod income areas where few grocery stores are located, but unfortunately no plots were selected in the 9th District during this first round. After research by the City on which empty city lots that have been underutilized, it agrees to give these plots to organizations to manage either as one large plot or to be divided up and rented to many gardeners. There will be permit process including a nominal fee of $50 for the first year and $25 thereafter, and that the managing organization (nonprofit, community association, church, etc) must obtain insurance. While no sites have been chosen in the 9th District, the community is encouraged to recommend potential plots for future consideration.
Information can be obtained at: RichmondGrowsGardens@RichmondGov.com
The March Community Meeting for the 9th District is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 5:00pm
Southside Baptish Christian School
5515 Bryce Lane (just off the 5500 block of Hull Street Road)
Richmond, VA 23224
Posted on March 21, 2011 by christina | No Comments
Sunday night, March 20, 2011 witnessed an unfortunate shooting incident at a club located at Old Hopkins Road and Walmsley Boulevard in South Richmond. One person was found beaten and another shot in the ankle, but thankfully neither person suffered life-threatneing injuries. The incident was reported in the Richmond Times Dispatch as follows:
The incidents occurred at an establishment that has changed names several times in recent years and is currently known as the Dream Club, located at Old Hopkins Road and Walmsley Boulevard.
Richmond police Capt. Paul Kiniry said officers were called to the club twice Sunday night for fight calls, the first of which involved a report of shots fired. Police did not find any gunshot victims but saw a 19-year-old man with dental injuries and head lacerations.
He ran from officers but later was driven by a friend to VCU Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.
Police responded to the club a second time and found a 22-year-old man who said he was in the parking lot when he heard shots fired and discovered he had been shot in one ankle. He also was taken to VCU Medical Center for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening.
Both incidents remain under investigation. Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.
Posted on March 16, 2011 by christina | No Comments
Sad news hit social media air waves tonight that the City’s Planning Director, Rachel Flynn, and her top Deputy, Brooke Hardin, have resigned from the City of Richmond’s Department of Community Planning. This is sad news for the community as both have worked hard on creative, smart growth development for the city, such as planning and implementing the most recent Downtown Master Plan. Both will surely be missed.
The Richmond Times Dispatch has an initial report here.
Posted on March 16, 2011 by christina | No Comments
William E. Strickland, Jr. to share his vision on Career and Technical Education with City of Richmond
WHEN: Thursday, March 17, 2011 from 1:00pm – 3:00pm
WHERE Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor
900 E. Broad Street, 3rd Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219
This meeting is free and open to the public and all members of the Greater-Richmond community are invited and encouraged to attend.
WHAT: The Richmond City Council Career and Technical Education Commission will host William E. (Bill) Strickland, Jr., Founder, President and CEO of the Manchester Bidwell Corporation, for a discussion on career and technical education. Considered to be an expert in the field of career and technical education, Mr. Strickland was recently selected by U. S. President Barack H. Obama to serve on the White House Council for Community Solutions and the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts. Mr. Strickland is a MacArthur Fellowship Genus Award winner and the three-time subject of Harvard Business School case studies.
WHO The Honorable Doug Conner, Councilman, Richmond City Council, South Central 9th District; and Chairman, Richmond City Council Career and Technical Education Commission. For more information, please contact The Honorable Doug Conner, Councilman, Richmond City Council, South Central 9th District, at 804.233.8288, or doug.conner@richmondgov.com.
Background on William E. Strickland, Jr.
William E. (Bill) Strickland, Jr. is the Founder, President and CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corporation and its subsidiaries, Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild (MCG) and Bidwell Training Center (BTC), founded in 1968 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Strickland was recently selected by U. S. President Barack H. Obama to serve on the White House Council for Community Solutions and the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts. Mr. Strickland is a MacArthur Fellowship Genus Award winner and the three-time subject of Harvard Business School case studies. Mr. Strickland has completed the development of a new 40,000 sq. ft. production greenhouse, created for the development of Phalaenopsis orchids and hydroponics vegetables; a 70,000 sq. ft. medical technology complex, which has exceeded eight million dollars in value; and a 62,000 sq. ft. facility as a mortgage free asset for both MCG and BTC. The facilities include a 350-seat music/lecture hall, library, arts studios and labs, dining and meeting rooms, state-of-the-art award winning audio and video recording studios, serve as a demonstration site for Hewlett Packard and Steelcase equipment and are home to 25,000 Phalaenopsis orchids that are cultivated for wholesale distribution.
Please find the following video of Mr. Strickland at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_lSduJYbLo&feature=player_embedded
Background on the Richmond City Council Career and Technical Education Commission
Established by Richmond City Council on December 14, 2009 by Council Resolution number 2009-R166-194, the Richmond City Council Career and Technical Education Commission was born out of a Career and Technical Education Task Force organized in 2007 by Councilman Doug Conner. On November 28, 2007, Richmond City Council held a Richmond Regional Forum on Career and Technical Education that included presentations and discussions on model schools from around the country. Since that time the members of the Task Force and Commission have been holding regular organizational and planning meetings.
The goal of the Commission is to explore the development of career and technical education options for K-12th grade students, young adults, displaced workers and those reentering the workforce and to identify and review various existing career and technical education providers to determine which are employing “best practices” educational and training techniques and which might be the best model for Richmond. The Commission is to provide Richmond Public Schools with its final recommendations concerning the provision of career and technical education within 12 months of the final member being appointed to the Commission. Members of the Commission are still being appointed.
The Richmond City Council Career and Technical Education Commission includes the following 21 members:
- A Member of the Richmond City Council Health, Human Services and Education Standing Committee, who shall serve as Chairman;
- A member of the Richmond Public Schools Board of Trustees;
- A representative from the Richmond Public Schools Administration;
- A representative from the Richmond Public Schools Richmond Technical Center Advisory Board
- A representative from the Richmond Department of Economic Development
- A representative from the Greater Richmond Partnership;
- A representative from the Richmond Capital Regional Workforce Investment Board;
- A representative from the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), a federation of international labor unions.
- A representative from the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce;
- Ten at-large members who shall either be Richmond residents or operated businesses in the city; and
- Two members appointed by the Mayor by letter to the Richmond City Council Office of the City Clerk.
Richmond City Council has previously appropriated $75,000 to assist a study on the ways to enhance vocational and technical education options within the city of Richmond.
*This information has been provided by Councilman Doug Conner.
Posted on March 7, 2011 by christina | No Comments
You’re Invited! March 2011 - Midlothian Neighborhood Association Community Meeting
Tuesday, March 8th 2010
6:00pm—7:30pm
Southside Plaza Services Center
4100 Hull Street Road
Richmond, VA 23224
Special Guests: Michelle Virts, Department of Public Utilities
For more information, please contact Alma Moore at (804) 231-0018
Posted on February 25, 2011 by christina | 2 Comments
Popular DIY design blog, Young House Love, which is based in Richmond but read world wide, has picked a number of Southside locations as “Top 5″ experiences in River City. From Pony Pasture and the Boathouse at Rockets Landing, to Caravati’s and Love of Jesus Thrift Store on Midlothian Turnpike, there’s a great selection of one-of-a-kind experiences recognized. Read the article here.
We often get asked for recommendations for what to see, where to shop, and what to eat when in Richmond. So we’re taking this 5th anniversary occasion to share five “Top 5? lists about some of our favorite things in RVA. Are you sensing a “five” theme here? Here’s what we’ve covered:
- 5 Favorite Places to Chow Down
- 5 Favorite Tourist-y Things To Do
- 5 Favorite Ways to Enjoy a Gorgeous Day
- 5 Favorite Places to Score Home Deals
- 5 Favorite Swanky & Inspiring Home Stores
keep looking »
