Category Archives: News

History Tourism

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While the City is supposedly working on its tourism plan, the Valentine Richmond History Center is refining and announcing theirs. Here are a few of the Oregon Hill/Hollywood Cemetery ones:

April 1
Highlights of Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour (10-11:30am)
Monday – Saturday, April 1-October 31
Learn about the cemetery’s history, artwork, symbolism and famous residents, including two U.S. Presidents, writer Ellen Glasgow, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Generals George Pickett and J.E.B. Stuart. Meet at the rear of the stone structure on the left at the cemetery entrance, Cherry and Albemarle streets.

April 6
Civil War Sampler Bus Tour (1-5pm)
A comprehensive look at the unique role Richmond played as the Capital of the Confederacy. Includes Church Hill, Shockoe Bottom, Court End, the canal area, Hollywood Cemetery, Monument Avenue and the battlefields at Gaines’ Mill and Cold Harbor. Reservations: (804) 649-0711 x301. Meet at the History Center.

April 14
Hollywood Cemetery Specialty Walking Tour* (2-4pm)
An extension of the daily “Highlights” tour, this version covers in more detail the cemetery’s unique history, landscape design, architecture, symbols and residents. Meet at the cemetery entrance at Cherry and Albemarle streets.

April 27
History Hounds Explore Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour (10am-12pm)
Dogs are invited to join their owners for this walking tour of Hollywood Cemetery, in partnership with the Richmond SPCA. Dogs must have current shots, mix well with others and remain on a leash. Owners are responsible for water and cleaning up after their dogs. Space is limited. Reservations: (804) 649-0711 x301. Meet outside the cemetery gates at Cherry and Albemarle streets.

There are even more in May. Check out the schedule by clicking here.

New Start Up: RVA Water Services

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Oregon Hill resident Nolen Blackwood has started a new venture called RVA Water Services.

RVA Water Services is a water based energy efficiency company focused on providing a water and sewer usage reduction program for multi-family properties by analyzing current usage and installing effective and efficient fixtures. These fixtures will be installed at no cost to the current owners with water and sewer charge savings split between owner and RVA Water Services over a fixed term. This model allows the owner to see positive cash flow from the beginning of the project and not requiring any capital outlay. Current technology allows for efficient fixtures to greatly outperform older products.
RVA Water Services is a member of Energy Star Portfolio Manager Program.

One of the catalysts is the proposal by the Mayor for Richmond’s water utility to switch to a conservation rate structure.

Blackwood has also asked neighborhood residents to help RVA Water Works win the 2013 i.e.* Start-Up Competition. Voting began yesterday and people can vote once per day for the next two days. RVA Water Works is listed under the Energy and Green Tech or you can follow the link to vote:

http://www.ie-rva.org/contest/start-up-competition-2013/rva-water-services/

School Board Proposes To Close Clark Springs Elementary

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From WTVR news:

The Richmond School Board has been considering closing two schools, as part of recent budget cuts.
Tonight, in a special meeting, board members put forth a proposal to close Clark Springs Elementary School and the Adult Career Development Center.
The plan calls for students from Clark Springs to be moved to John B. Cary elementary school.
A public hearing will be held at a later date.

From a neighbor:

I see that the School Board has decided to close Clark Springs Elementary School. This is the school near to Oregon Hill where we voted last election. Any thoughts on how this could affect our neighborhood? They still must have a public hearing. Could this cause a chilling factor on families with children moving to the neighborhood?

Peace Essay Contest Deadline for Entries is April 22

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From email announcement:

The deadline for entering the Richmond Peace Education Center’s 2013 Peace Essay contest is April 22, 2013. The theme for this year’s contest is “Learning to live in peace.” The writing prompt asks students to think and write about the roles their families or other care-givers play in teaching them about peace. They are further asked to write about how this teaching affects their actions in the community and the world; and to support their ideas with examples from their personal lives and from history and current events.

The contest is open to any elementary, middle, or high school student in Virginia. It offers a top prize of $100 in each of four grade divisions: K-3, 4-5, middle, and high school. Seven additional cash prizes are also awarded in each division.

Entry forms, along with contest rules and a conplete description of the writing prompt are available at www.rpec.org, or by emailing rpec@rpec.org.

KaBOOM! Playground Effort for William Byrd Community House

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William Byrd Community House is applying for a project from the non-profit KaBOOM! and are asking for residents to stop in and sign their petition (WBCH will have a copy at their front desk for people to sign). If WBCH is approved, there will be a design day around the beginning of April.

The local community is invited to participate. There will be a one hour youth session where children are encouraged to design the playground of their dreams. Then a 2-3 hour adult session. They are requesting about 15 parents or other non-staff community members to be involved. They will also be asking for volunteers for various teams (recruitment, fundraising, food, music, safety, logistics, construction, green, and youth involvement).

The Build Day would be June 7th. The playground would be open to the community. No details have been settled on, but WBCH is requesting a playground suitable for 5 – 12 year olds. To learn more about KaBOOM! or see photos of the existing playground, check out this link.

Pine Street Estate Sale

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From Craigslist ad:

Estate Liquidation: Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24, from 9 am to 3 pm each day. Includes a large number of items in the 100 year old home and the old “Carters Dry Goods” store which is in the back yard and fronts on Idlewood Avenue. Actual address is 300 S. Pine St., Richmond, VA 23230. Large assortment of family antiques and jewelry including but not limited to those listed below:
Large collection of Mid-Century jewelry (rhinestones, pearls, brooches, earrings) by Lisner, Weiss, Coro, Monet, Trifari, Sarah Coventry and more, Scarab bracelets,
Antique gold cameo brooch and earrings
John Marshall High School yearbooks 1935 and 1936
Large collection of Christmas ornaments including Waterford, Gorham, Wedgwood, Baldwin Christmas Ornaments, several boxes of vintage ornaments
Collection of music boxes and clowns
Large train set by Gilbert American Flyer ca. 1957
Bavarian hand painted porcelain including cake plates, bowls, etc.
Vintage Fosteria juice pitcher and matching six petit juice glasses
Antique Sterling silver and silver plate
Service for 8 silver flatware
Norman Rockwell collectible plates with COA
Half dozen oriental rugs of various sizes and patterns
Almost new Janome sewing machine and large lot of sewing accessories
Antique oak wash stand
Beautiful student sized antique oak desk
Solid cherry step back cupboard by Statton
Ethan Allen 2 piece cupboard
Biggs drop side dining room table
Several antique rocking chairs
Large gold mirror above fireplace
Upholstered gentleman’s chair and matching ottoman with storage
Single bed with one year old mattress
Stereo components in cabinet, collection of albums
Too much to list it all!
We will take cash and debit/credit cards with photo identification

Letter in The Times Dispatch

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From today’s Times Dispatch editorial page:

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Dominion Virginia Power has a distasteful presence on the north side of the James River, near Oregon Hill. Two of the ugliest buildings in the city and a parking deck completely obliterate one of the most beautiful riverscapes on the James.
Visitors to the river are denied a spectacular view of the rapids and boulders located in the area. Residents of Oregon Hill, bikers, walkers and hikers on the trail as well as tourists and visitors in Hollywood Cemetery would have difficulty respecting Richmond’s new name, River City.
Why is Dominion Power even there? And if it must have this location, perhaps its executives could come up with a plan that would not disfigure our lovely river and riverbank in this way.

Mary Virginia Beane. Richmond.