If you want more perspective and history, click here for an online lesson on James River geology.
Quiet Mornings
This photo was actually taken on the 600 block of S. Pine Street yesterday morning- only people on the streets were one or two people walking dogs and a Richmond utility worker doing maintenance on one of the manhole areas. Which is good- with the pandemic outbreak, hopefully neighbors are taking calls to socially distant themselves seriously. Notice the little, red, dog toy rubber ball in the corner of the yard- looks like some of the artist renderings of coronavirus.
These are early days of this, and hopefully people are finding ways to keep themselves entertained. Chalk paintings on sidewalk on 400 block of S. Laurel-
Many people have seen the ‘contagion’ movies in which perfect hygiene is attempted with hazmat suits worn on the outside and structures sealed. That’s very difficult with pet dogs and old houses. In Oregon Hill, many neighbors’ porches are less than 6 feet apart- not that we are busy interacting, but we do live in a dense, city area. Hope that current measures are enough…
Oregon Hill Taking Precautions
From Todd Woodson, OHNA President:
Dear Friends and Neighbors
As you may have been advised, due to taking due precaution in avoiding an outbreak of the Covid 19 virus, VCU and other local Universities have extended spring break and intend to use remote classroom technology. Other large events have been cancelled or rescheduled.
I have been contacted by some of you offering to volunteer to help others during this period of uncertainty. First and foremost, if you are able and willing, please contact any neighbors that are age advanced or are in compromised health situations and make sure they are taken care of and have a contact should they need either shopping done or errands run for them. We are also establishing a network of volunteers who will perform these services for those that are currently challenged in the Oregon Hill, Randolph and Carver neighborhoods. We urge other neighborhoods to reach out to their neighbors as well and establish service networks.
Please contact me at 804-783-8829 or at this email: candylandmusic at earthlink.net if you are willing to provide such volunteer services or if you know of someone in need of these services. It is important that we watch over and care for each other as a community so that no person is left in need.
Additionally, if you are away from your home in one of these neighborhoods and are unable to return, you may call the non emergency number of the Richmond Police Department at (804) 646-5100 and advise them you are away and a Richmond Peace Officer will periodically check on the security of your residence. Should the situation warrant that RPD need assistance in this regard, we are willing to expand the service to volunteers as well.
Please feel free to forward this info along. Thank you and God bless and keep us all.
Todd Woodson
Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association
Graffiti Vandals Arrested
NBC12 shared the welcome news:
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Two people have been arrested for spray painting graffiti in Richmond.
Police said various properties in the Oregon Hill neighborhood were tagged with the words “Chevy” and “Bum.”
They were arrested for several counts of destruction of property.
Thanks and congratulations to the police, and special appreciation to the neighbors who supplied camera photos and footage to the police!
Pandemic Concerns and “Harbor On The Hill”
Today VCU, University of Richmond, and many other universities and schools are extending spring breaks and canceling in-person classes amid concerns over the COVID-19, corona virus global pandemic. With more infections announced in state and around the world, it is becoming increasingly clear that this crisis cannot be ignored.
The Oregon Hill neighborhood is unique in that it was prominently featured in a dystopian sci-fi novel about a deadly global pandemic. The e-book “Harbor On The Hill” came out almost a decade ago and the neighborhood has changed a little bit since then, but most of the settings and even some of the archetypal characters should be recognizable. How much fiction will become reality?
In all seriousness though, stand by for more information on precautions and preparations on the neighborhood level.
Punk Show At Mojo’s Tonight
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.
Instead of pulling out, as the county had threatened last year because of rising costs, the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors voted instead to approve an increase in the yearly fee households pay for CVWMA’s curbside service.
Pizza Flyers
While Oregon Hill residents are no strangers to a ‘flyer war’, this warm, early March has brought out a flurry of pizza menu/coupon flyers. And while most people do like a deal, there comes a point where they stand out as waste- particularly when they litter sidewalks.
(Editor’s note: Admittedly, it may not be as effective as door flyers, but this website does offer an alternative in the form of advertising. We can do a direct trade – gift cards for an ad, or we can do more formalized bartering through Tradebank.com.)
Nice Day For A Ride
WNRN’s Hear Together: St. Andrews School
As part of their public affairs programming, they recently featured a profile on St. Andrews School:
Celebrating its 125th Anniversary this year, St. Andrew’s School was established in 1894 by Grace Arents, the niece of Lewis Ginter. Known as the “silent philanthropist,” Arents founded the institution to provide tuition-free education for the working class families that lived in the Oregon Hill neighborhood of Richmond.
Today, St. Andrew’s enrolls 96 children in kindergarten through 5th grade. Their “whole child” approach to learning doesn’t just include a focus on academics, but incorporates nutrition and wellness, a social/emotional program, and even a graduate support system that assists with middle school placement.