Solar Patriotism At VCU This Friday

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This community news site has run many editorials and posts in favor of more solar energy.

This Friday there will be a talk and book signing by Erik Curren, author of The Solar Patriot: A Citizen’s Guide to Helping America Win Clean Energy Independence.

From book description:

In the spirit of 1776, The Solar Patriot aims to recruit ordinary citizens as champions for homegrown, all-American clean energy. If you think that solar power should become America’s top energy source, and you’d like to help make it happen, then this is the book you’ve been waiting for. Even if you don’t have solar panels on your own roof, The Solar Patriot will give you ideas to join the revolution to free America from the tyranny of fossil fuels and make our nation cleaner, safer and more prosperous.

After Erik’s talk, he will join panelists Katharine Bond of Dominion Energy and Aaron Sutch of Solar United Neighbors of Virginia for a discussion of what it will take to get more solar power in Virginia.

The event will take place at 3 pm in the VCU Commons Theater (907 Floyd Ave) and it is free and open to the public.

The New #5

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While I remain concerned about the overall economic sustainability, the GRTC plan for a revamped, better mass transit system is exciting.

From RVA Rapid Transit:

Exciting news! GRTC has released their new 2018 system map (PDF) which shows the Pulse and the newly redesigned routes—all of which will launch later this year. A couple things to note: The Pulse is bright green, routes with 15-minute frequency are red, 30-minute frequency routes are blue, and 60-minute frequency routes are teal. Make sure you check out the map’s legend for some information on how the system changes at night and on Sundays, and then look at just how much more straightforward downtown’s map looks compared to the current spaghetti state of affairs.

If you’re anything like me, you can’t stop thinking about what’s accessible via our impending new transit network. For example, 65% of all spots with an ABC license are accessible by just the Pulse or the new #5 route! That #5—which runs from the East End, straight through downtown, all the way to Carytown—is a game changer.

Trash/Recycling Pickup Tomorrow

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This Wednesday is a “Red Wednesday”, which means trash and recycling pickup. Ideally, rolling recycling containers are stored and deployed in the back alleys along with trash cans. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup tomorrow night.

If you have not done so already, don’t forget to sign up for your Recycling Perks.
In order to take your recycling to the next level, read this: 10 ways to improve your recycling.

In recycling news, a lot of Virginia recyclers are still figuring out what current Chinese import policies mean for them.

Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality has advised that local governments keep up with information coming from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Local operations such as TFC Recycling and Butler Paper Recycling have previously reported a significant reduction in market value, and an ongoing issue with “wishful recycling,” as reported by The Virginian-Pilot. TFC recently told the Richmond Free Press that it’s having trouble meeting new quality standards because 15-20% of the residential material it receives is contaminated. Though the company is still finding markets for fiber in Vietnam, South Korea, India and domestically.

Recently, van der Linde Recycling announced plans to close its mixed waste processing operation in the Zion Crossroads area, due in part to low commodity prices. The MRF has been taken over by County Waste and will essentially be used as a transfer station to send material to another facility in Chester, as reported by The Daily Progress. This has had ripple effects in Albemarle County and as far away as Harrisonburg, where the city was temporarily landfilling material.

Update On Monroe Park

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From Cherry Street neighbor Todd Woodson:

The Urban Design Committee discussed the character, extent and location of the signage proposal by the Monroe Park “Conservancy” and recommended approval with 3 conditions: First that they consider an alternate form and location for the “donor” sign and not attach it to the Checkers House and that the impact on the Checkers House be minimized. Second that they change the typeface on the secondary and tertiary signs to match the logo “old typeface” font and third that “less is more” and that they minimize the quantity and size of the signs in the park. All great suggestions but keep in mind they had previously requested the “Conservancy” seek alternatives to destroying the beautiful Magnolia and Maple near the Checkers House. They destroyed them anyway. If you would like to hear the UDC discussion, here is the link to the audio:

http://richmondva.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1293

A recent email from Julie Langan, Director of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, confirms that the work the “Conservancy” is doing to the Checkers House does not appear to meet Secretary of the Interior standards which would exclude them from getting Federal and State tax credits. Meanwhile, the “Conservancy” announced at the UDC meeting that the end of June opening date for the park is no longer viable and no completion date has been given. Remember that Councilperson Kimberly Gray and Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s chief of staff Lincoln Saunders are sitting Board members for the Monroe Park Conservancy.

It’s also worth considering that citizens and Sierra Club have already asked that the Conservancy’s lease on Monroe Park be terminated.

Utility Area Cleanup

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This morning a group of volunteers worked to clean invasive plants, brush, debris, and litter from a ‘utility area’ behind Holly Street Playground.

The group consisted of neighbors Stephenie Harrington, Jimmy Blackford, Chris Milk, and some VCU students organized by coordinator Nicole Patterson.

Afterwords, they enjoyed a delicious lunch from Peddler on Pine.

They found hundreds of bottles and cans going back 20 years+ by the labels. They also found a Viewfinder, toy trucks, school chair seats, and a tire.