GRTC’s Richmond Public Schools Ridership Program

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More good news, from RVA Rapid Transit:

The unlimited bus pass program for RPS high school students begins on October 1st! If you’re a parent or guardian of an RPS high school student, and want them to have unlimited bus access to all our City has to offer (at no cost to you!), you’ll need to fill out this permission slip (PDF) and return it to your school’s liaison. If you have any questions about how the program works, you should read this handy FAQ, and if you’ve still got questions, shoot an email to Pass Program Administrator Kendra Norrell (kendra.norrell@ridegrtc.com).

That said, don’t forget the big picture.

Solar Schools For Richmond

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Some good news- announcement from District 1 School Board representative, Liz Doerr, on Medium.com:

Richmond, Va. — As the new school year begins, Richmond Public Schools is making moves toward a bright year and an even brighter future thanks to a generous grant from the Community Foundation and a partnership with innovative clean energy company Secure Futures Solar. RVA Solar Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond, recently committed the $100,000 award to support a new Sustainability Associate position for RPS, as well as the purchase and installation of energy monitoring systems at selected school sites.

Go to the article for more information.

RVA Hardcore Punk 2003-2008 – Photo Show Opening Saturday

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Vinyl Conflict is hosting a show for hardcore punk band photos by Chris Boarts Larson It focuses on bands from RVA and beyond that played in Richmond between 2003-2008.
The opening party is Saturday September 8th from 12-4pm. The exhibit will be up for all of September during regular store hours. Prints will be available for purchase.

Some of us oldsters know Larson’s zine Slug & Lettuce and remember it primarily from the NYC’s ABC-No Rio space, back in the day.

‘Ethyl Is Lethal To It’s Neighbors’

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A recent article in the The Nation magazine opened with this provocative statement- ‘Today, thanks in part to the efforts of a single Virginia family, as many as 97 percent of Americans have toxic flame retardants in their blood.” While it goes on to look at the insidious chemical industry and in particular Richmond’s Gottwald family and what was the Ethyl Corporation, it prompted some old Oregon Hill memories to resurface.

Besides its questionable international trade practices, the Ethyl Corporation bought a large swath of Oregon Hill overlooking the river and tore down many of the old houses.

While there are many important aspects to the history- here’s one to remember:

Around this time pubic radio station WCVE broadcasted a national environmental issues show called ‘Living On Earth‘. Worried about offending their main corporate sponsors, local NPR WCVE balked at broadcasting a show that was critical of Ethyl. When Chris Maxwell (an Oregon Hill resident at that time) complained to their board about it, one of them obnoxiously told him to go ahead and start his own radio station then. So Maxwell started Radio Free Richmond Project which eventually lead to WRIR 97.3 fm Richmond Independent Radio. And that is the true story about how WRIR got started- but don’t expect the local corporate media to repeat it. This is an important lesson for Richmond to remember- do NOT always trust large entities to tell the true stories and nonprofits should NOT become dependent on large corporate entities.

5th District Newsletter and Master Plans

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Councilperson Parker Agelasto’s office has distributed a new 5th District newsletter. You may see a copy by clicking here. As usual, it is chock full of information.

Some things to highlight are the master plan sessions for both VCU and the City. Given past issues, it is totally understandable that Oregon Hill residents throw their hands up whenever ‘master plan’ is mentioned anywhere. The more recent controversies with Monroe Park and W. Cary underscore that. The not-so-funny joke is that the City’s ‘Richmond 300 Master Plan‘ is more about helping developers get the City to 300,000 in population than anything else, citizens be damned. VCU, in particular needs to acknowledge and understand what the neighborhood has repeatedly stated about building a better relationship.

From the Councilperson’s newsletter:

Attend an upcoming open house to preview a draft of the ONE VCU Master Plan.

Monday, September 17 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Kontos Medical Science Building, Rooms 104 and 105

Monday, September 17 from 5 – 7 p.m., University Student Commons, 1st floor Floyd Avenue Lobby (Parking in the West Main Street deck can be validated)

Tuesday, September 18 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., University Student Commons, Richmond Salons III and IV

From the City of Richmond press release:

RICHMOND, VA – Beginning September 20, Richmonders will have an opportunity to share their vision for Richmond’s future at upcoming open houses held throughout the city.

“The Richmond 300 Master Plan impacts housing, zoning, transportation and recreational assets,” said Mayor Levar M. Stoney. “Providing a vision for the Master Plan update is an important first step. These open house events will help ensure every Richmonder has a say in how the city grows, and I encourage everyone to make an effort to attend.”

Richmond 300 Open House details are as follows:
East End: Thurs. Sept. 20, 6 – 8:30 p.m., MLK Middle School, 1000 Mosby St.
Downtown: Fri. Sept. 21, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., City Hall Lobby, 900 E. Broad St.
South Side: Sat. Sept. 22, 9:30 a.m. – noon, South Side Community Service Center, 4100 Hull St. Rd.
Bellemeade: Tues. Sept. 25, 6 – 8:30 p.m., Bellemeade Community Center, 1800 Lynhaven Ave.
North Side: Wed. Sept. 26, 6 – 8:30 p.m., Hotchkiss Community Center, 701 E. Brookland Park Blvd.
Huguenot: Thurs. Sept. 27, 6 – 8:30 p.m., Huguenot High School, 7945 Forest Hill Ave.
West End: Sat. Sept 29, 9:30 a.m. – noon, Thomas Jefferson High, 4100 W. Grace St.
Citizens are able to attend any location. Additionally, Richmonders can provide input online beginning September 17 by visiting the Richmond 300 website. Children are welcome to attend the open houses. Spanish-language translators will be available. If participants have a disability and require accommodation in order to fully participate in the open house, email richmond300@richmondgov.com by September 14 to arrange accommodations. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters can be provided upon request.

To prepare for the Richmond 300 Open Houses, please read the Insights Report. Also, explore the newly-developed interactive maps which provide context and data on Richmond’s current conditions.

For more information about the Master Plan update, please visit Richmond300.com.

James River Cleanup Approaches

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Oregon Hill is a riverfront neighborhood.

From RichmondOutside.com:

The biggest James River cleanup of the year is almost upon us, and there’s still time to lend a hand. The James River Regional Cleanup, sponsored by the James River Advisory Council, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Volunteers can select from 18 different cleanup sites throughout the James River watershed. Visit www.jrac-va.org to sign up.

Now in its 19th year, the cleanup is a tremendous regional effort. Each year, volunteers remove hundreds of bags of trash and recyclable materials from the James and its tributaries. The cleanup also serves as the kickoff for James River Week, which features more than a dozen activities celebrating the river.

The cleanup is open to individuals, families, groups, boaters and paddlers. Bring water and gloves, and wear closed-toe shoes. For more information, call 804-748-1567 or email info@jrac-va.org.

3rd Annual Doggie Dive-In At Randolph Pool Scheduled

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From FaceBook event page:

Join PRCF and Richmond Animal Care and Control for the final swim of the summer…except for the dogs! Treat your pup to entertaining canine activities.

Owners must be present with dogs at all times.
-Registration is limited to 50 dogs (25 Large dogs and 25 small dogs).
-All dogs should be socialable.
-Vaccination records will need to be provided during check in at the event.
-Dogs should be vaccinated for Bordetella (Kennel Cough), Rabies, Distemper, and Parvo.

Please call (804) 646-5733 for more information and to register. Pre-registration is suggested.