“Neighborhood Vignettes for Unusual Times” published by young Laurel Street neighbor Lucia.
Click here to see the whole issue.
Premier Issue of the Oregon Hill Quaran-Times Dispatch
Reply
Irises in James River and Kanawha Canal
Thankfully Venture Richmond has ceased spraying herbicide in the Jame River and Kanawha Canal at the request of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association. As a result the canal is teaming with amphibians.
The Tredegar raceway
It is tragic that the James River and Kanawha Canal was recently backfilled beside the Tredegar Iron Works. The water from the canal provided all of the power for the Tredegar Iron Works. The underground raceway for the water remains on the site.
Easter At Home
With the pandemic at a peak here in Virginia, large Easter gatherings have been cancelled.
But neighborhood churches are still recognizing the holiday-
St. Andrews Episcopal Church is holding Easter service online. Click here for details.
And Pine Street Baptist Church has a very poignant sermon in its April monthly Beacon newsletter called “Waiting for Who Knows What”. Here’s an excerpt:
Even as we wait for Easter, even as we wonder if we will worship together on Easter, Easter still shapes us and informs us of who we are. We are an Easter people regardless of what day we find ourselves in. Easter is not a day but a way of life as a follower of Jesus. Easter is what shapes us and forms us and tells us who we are. We wait not in despair but in hope.
The Tredegar Store
There were many residents of Oregon Hill who worked at the Tredegar Iron Works. Beside the canal, the Tredegar company store, built just after the Civil War, survives where many Oregon Hill residents doubtless shopped for many of their household needs. Some of the shelves that held the goods are still visible inside the building. According to the interpretive plaque, Tredegar did not provide script like some companies, instead workers who shopped at the store had the bill deducted from their wages.
Neighbor Wins ‘Unsung Hero’ Award
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.
“Do You Know Who Touches This Every Day?”
Some quick coronavirus news tidbits:
Vets are advising cat owners to keep their pets indoors if at all possible. It’s important to note that the animals themselves are not catching the disease.
And in what cannot be good news for RVA (Is that Dominion Chesterfield coal plant shut down yet?) “an increase of only [a TINY particle of pollution] in the air was associated with a 15% increase in the Covid-19 death rate”
And, perhaps not related to coronavirus…
A couple from out of state were charged with illegally discharging a gun near the James River Park yesterday. Some neighbors heard the gunfire on this side of the river.
Mojo’s T-Shirt Design Contest
Trash/Recycling Pickup Tomorrow
This Wednesday is a “Red Wednesday”, which means trash and recycling pickup. Please go over what can be recycled. 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.
Yard Sale/Fundraiser On China Street
820 China Street.
