From the Art180 blog:

This past fall, Sukenya Best and Mike Dulin led a printmaking program at St. Andrew’s School in Oregon Hill. Throughout the program, the young artists explored the theme of pressure in interesting ways. They experimented with new methods and new materials with some impressive results. This is a video taken last November of a drawing exercise where they reacted to music on paper.

A lot happened at this past week’s Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meeting.

A representative from Patrick Henry Charter School Initiative made a short presentation and answered questions.

VCU announced the opening of the controversial student recreational center at the corner of W. Cary and S. Cherry Streets. It was also announced that Oregon Hill residents who wished to buy monthly prorated membership to the new Student Recreational Center on W. Cary Street would pay a rate roughly equal to that of VCU alumni ($281.67 per year). VCU suggested that a monthly list of interested residents be kept by OHNA. (The attendance list from this past meeting was dutifully sent to VCU Community Development.) All eligible residents who purchase a membership will be required to got to the VCUCard office (located at 701 West Broad Street) to purchase a VCU Recreational Sports ID. All VCU Recreational Sports rules, policies, and guidelines apply.

Scott Burger, citing new responsibilities outside the neighborhood, voluntarily stepped down as President. Jennifer Hancock volunteered to serve as OHNA’s interim President for a few months until new leadership can be elected. She did note that she is already volunteering as the President of the Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council‘s Board of Directors. One possibility that was mentioned was for OHNA to change its bylaws to rule by an elected board.

Some other issues that were discussed included a new greenway grant by City, the light from the new Mead WestVaco building(I understand that company officials may have had the light turned down a bit since the meeting), and a proposed tree removal on Pine Street.

Excerpt from Times Dispatch article (with some links):

Several local high schools have been ranked among the nation’s best in a recent issue of U.S. News & World Report.
For the third consecutive year, Richmond’s Community and Open high schools have made the list with silver and bronze rankings, respectively.
Henrico County’s Deep Run and Godwin high schools also made the list for the second consecutive year, with both earning a silver ranking.
In 2008, Deep Run, Godwin and Community high schools earned a silver ranking from U.S. News & World Report, while Open earned bronze.
Standard & Poor’s School Evaluation Services conducts the rankings, which are based on student performance on state tests, disadvantaged student performance, and the opportunities provided to students for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses.
In Virginia, about 22,000 public high schools were analyzed. Nationwide, 561 schools received gold or silver rankings, and in Virginia, eight schools received such designations. There were 36 bronze recipients in Virginia and 1,750 nationwide. Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria received the highest ranking in the report, published Dec. 10.

Despite these accomplishments, Open High, at least in the Grace Arents school building, is still scheduled to be closed in the future, even though there is the Goldman plan.

From a neighbor:

Help raise money for

OPEN HIGH SCHOOL

by EATING PIZZA!! That’s right!

Here’s what you do:

Come to CiCi’s

7516 West Broad Street

on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10,

from 5-8 p.m.

and mention your school at the

register.(Tell your friends and family to do the same) Enjoy all the pizza you can eat!

CiCi’s will donate 15% of your net sales back to

your school. Raising money has never been easier!

So, bring a friend and enjoy all the pizza, pasta,

salad and dessert you want!