Richmond Magazine reports on Pine Street neighbor:

In recognition of her focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, Varina Library (Henrico County Public Library) Assistant Manager Cristina Ramirez will be recognized with the Unsung Hero award from the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government & Public Affairs at VCU.

Excerpt:

As one of the area’s few Spanish-speaking librarians, she’s seen firsthand the hindrances that language barriers can create, along with the value of cultural representation. Latinos accounted for just under 10% of the nation’s librarians in 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“One of the big messages I’ve tried to let every system I’ve worked in know is we have great resources, but we need to also have more people that … the public can relate to,” Ramirez says.

Todd Woodson, Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association (OHNA) president, sent an email announcement last night that the March OHNA meeting is cancelled due to the pandemic/health crisis.

Laurel Street neighbor Heather Leigh Price has created a volunteer registry for the neighborhood. She is looking for more people who are healthy and want to volunteer to help the community during the pandemic. Also, Laurel Street neighbor Claire Tuite is actively organizing mutual aid efforts for families and people in need.

From Todd Woodson, OHNA President:

Dear Friends and Neighbors
As you may have been advised, due to taking due precaution in avoiding an outbreak of the Covid 19 virus, VCU and other local Universities have extended spring break and intend to use remote classroom technology. Other large events have been cancelled or rescheduled.
I have been contacted by some of you offering to volunteer to help others during this period of uncertainty. First and foremost, if you are able and willing, please contact any neighbors that are age advanced or are in compromised health situations and make sure they are taken care of and have a contact should they need either shopping done or errands run for them. We are also establishing a network of volunteers who will perform these services for those that are currently challenged in the Oregon Hill, Randolph and Carver neighborhoods. We urge other neighborhoods to reach out to their neighbors as well and establish service networks.
Please contact me at 804-783-8829 or at this email: candylandmusic at earthlink.net if you are willing to provide such volunteer services or if you know of someone in need of these services. It is important that we watch over and care for each other as a community so that no person is left in need.
Additionally, if you are away from your home in one of these neighborhoods and are unable to return, you may call the non emergency number of the Richmond Police Department at (804) 646-5100 and advise them you are away and a Richmond Peace Officer will periodically check on the security of your residence. Should the situation warrant that RPD need assistance in this regard, we are willing to expand the service to volunteers as well.
Please feel free to forward this info along. Thank you and God bless and keep us all.
Todd Woodson
Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association

Today VCU, University of Richmond, and many other universities and schools are extending spring breaks and canceling in-person classes amid concerns over the COVID-19, corona virus global pandemic. With more infections announced in state and around the world, it is becoming increasingly clear that this crisis cannot be ignored.

The Oregon Hill neighborhood is unique in that it was prominently featured in a dystopian sci-fi novel about a deadly global pandemic. The e-book “Harbor On The Hill” came out almost a decade ago and the neighborhood has changed a little bit since then, but most of the settings and even some of the archetypal characters should be recognizable. How much fiction will become reality?

In all seriousness though, stand by for more information on precautions and preparations on the neighborhood level.