International News: D.C. Embassy Under Siege

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I have not seen any local coverage of the D.C. embassy siege, so a quick post here-

Activists were invited in and have stayed at the Venezuelan embassy in Washington D.C. since about three weeks ago as the situation in Venezuela has deteriorated. With the C.I.A.-sponsored coup in Venezuela this past week, tensions have escalated around it this weekend, with opposition forces surrounding and actually breaking into the embassy. However, the American activists have prevailed so far. Again, this is happening just up the road in D.C.

The U.S. mainstream media has mostly ignored the situation or suggested that the activists are to blame for the unrest. At the same time, while ignoring the D.C. embassy situation, even the Times Dispatch editorial page has come out against more U.S. intervention.

Editor’s note: no, this is not neighborhood news in the least, so this is marked as editorial- Oregon Hill, and Richmond and the country in general, need better news coverage of important events like this.

Wildlife Sounds In The Canal

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frogsincanal from Scott Burger on Vimeo.

This movie was taken about a month ago from the bridge over the Kanawha Canal on the Brown’s Island Way/Second Street Connector. The camera faced west towards the Lee Bridge but you can hear on the audio all of the wildlife noises. If you listen carefully, you can also hear a rock cover band playing a song at a private function at Tredegar.

Oregon Hill neighbors recently learned that New Market corporation has quietly submitted (with Venture Richmond’s support) an application to fill the canal just east of this site, adjacent to Tredegar Iron Works. More on this later and in the meantime you can read about past struggles between those who went to destroy and those who want to protect the canal (including the “Fences Of Contention“), but for right now listen to the nighttime nature sounds while you still can.

Bee Swarm Not From ‘Our Bees’

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Last week some neighbors discovered a “wild” swarm of bees in Oregon Hill. Local bee experts have confirmed that those bees were NOT part of the hive installed recently by Open High students in Linear Park behind the 600 block of S. Pine St. From their statement:

During the inspection yesterday we found the
—queen,
—newly laid eggs,
—larvae, and
—pupating new bees.
Our hive showed no swarm queen cells.
Our bees are happy and busy building new comb on our widens frames, storing up lots of nectar and pollen and doing what bees do.
Next week the students will install the second nucleus hive. Hosting and caring for two hives will double the odds we have bees next spring.

There will BEE more information soon as well as announcements for a couple of public bee workshops later in 2019. In the meantime, if there are questions, please contact Pine Street neighbor Stephenie Harrington. Her telephone number is 804-551-0603.

West Cary Street Closed Saturday

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From the City:

Street Closure – West Cary Street
WHO: City of Richmond Department of Public Works
WHAT: Street Closure
WHEN: Saturday, May 4 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: West Cary Street between South Harrison and South Linden streets (located in the 5th Council District)
BACKGROUND: The area will be closed to use a crane to perform HVAC work at 1000 West Cary Street. Motorists are urged to use caution and follow the detour signs.

Friday Cheers, Civil War Museum Opening, and Hollywood Cemetery Picnic This Weekend

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As with Party For The Planet this past weekend, the Richmond riverfront around Oregon Hill should be pretty busy this coming weekend.

This Friday, public/private partnership, Venture Richmond starts back up their Friday Cheers concert series on Brown’s Island. They are claiming its their 35th season (though it seems like that would have to include time when there were not events on this part of the riverfront). This Friday, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real with Landon Elliott will be playing. Their photos are above. Tickets cost $10.

On Saturday, the American Civil War Museum at Tredegar will be holding a celebration in honor of its new building. The Times Dispatch recently had a sneak peak of this $25 million, 29,000-square-foot new museum, which is the result of the merger of two museums: the Museum of the Confederacy and the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar. The grand opening will include special guided tours of “A People’s Contest: Struggles for Nation and Freedom in Civil War America” exhibit, walking tours, and artifact encounters with curators. Event also features the hosts of BackStory, eight emerging scholars, and Triple Crossing Brewery, and food trucks.

Schedule highlights:
– 9 a.m.: Ribbon cutting
– 10 a.m., 2 p.m., & 4 p.m.: Cannon firing demonstration by Museum staff
– 10:30 a.m.: Live panel program with the hosts of the podcast, BackStory. (90 minutes)
– 12-4 p.m.: Emerging Scholars lightning talks, sponsored by The Civil War Monitor, also in collaboration with Emerging Civil War. (30 minutes each, beginning every 30 minutes at noon)
– 12-4 p.m.: Beer garden, by Triple Crossing Beer. Food trucks also onsite (TBA).

Cost: Free with Museum admission. Free for members.

And then on Sunday, the Annual Sunday Picnic at Hollywood Cemetery will take place from 1:00pm to 3:30pm. Pack a picnic basket, bring a blanket or chair, and join in for an annual tradition that dates back to the 1800s! Live music will be provided by the Oak Lane Band and UNCOMMON, a contemporary acapella band. An ice cream truck and hotdogs will be on site. Trolley tours will also be provided. The picnic is free to attend, but they do ask for RSVP in advance. Please email nrowe@hollywoodcemetery.org or call (804) 648-8501 to make reservations.

Hopefully, rains will hold off for these events, but the forecast is looking iffy.

Meditation Class This Saturday At Main Library

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Heartfullness Richmond, a local non-profit, is sponsoring a FREE meditation class this Saturday at 11 am at the Main branch of the Richmond Public Library.

From the FaceBook event page:

Have you wondered how to get started on a meditation practice? That too on something that ennobles you and brings the best of you out and let go of that is not aiding you on your journey. Join us for Heartfulness Meditation class as we navigate the calm and turbulent states of our Heart Mind field/existence/consciousness.

We will start off with guided relaxation that helps relax the body and ease the mind into a Heart (seat of purity & love) Centric Meditation the experience of which is something .. you just have to experience!

Questions e-shout to Richmond.VA@Heartfulness.Org

If you plan to attend, you are asked to get tickets through Eventbrite.

Richmond Solar and EV Charger Co-op

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Solar United Neighbors is launching another Richmond co-op.

We’re bringing homeowners and small businesses interested in installing solar and/or electric vehicle chargers together in a group, or co-op. Homeowners join the group at no obligation to receive discounted pricing and unbiased, installer-neutral support throughout the process. Our experienced team ensures you understand the basics of installing solar and EV charging as well as receive a competitive proposal from a qualified installer.

The co-op is accepting new sign ups through October 31. But they are holding an info session this Tuesday at 6 pm at the Main branch of the Richmond Public Library. Be sure to RSVP.

The Greatest Generation Speaks: The Voices of WWII At Va. War Memorial Tomorrow

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From the Virginia War Memorial event page:

Saturday, April 27, 2019 – 11:00am to 1:00pm
Free Event
Patriotic Events
Learn about World War II from those who have experienced it first-hand. A panel of veterans, several of whom have been features in our critically acclaimed Virginians at War documentary film series, will be on-site to share their stories and answer questions. A light reception to follow.