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VCU SGA’s “The Big Event” Coming Up Next Month
VCU’s Student Government Association is sponsoring “The Big Event” on April 20th.
The Big Event at VCU is a one-day, student-run service project where Rams come together to say “Thank You” to the residents of Richmond. VCU Student Government Association is excited to provide leadership and vision for a new tradition that shows our appreciation to the surrounding community, completing service projects such as yard work, window washing and painting for residents of the community. We share in the mission of similar programs throughout the nation – “One Big Help, One Big Thanks.”
Do you know of a project requiring attention in Oregon Hill? Does an elderly neighbor need yard work done? Any graffiti that needs covering up? Need something heavy taken to Goodwill? VCU students can help with that! Submit your request online at https://thebigevent.vcu.edu/residents/
304 S. Laurel Street “Sweet Shop”
Another throwback Thursday history photo, this one depicts a small storefront that used to exist at 304 S. Laurel. People recall that it used be where Harry Witt’s barbershop was located and some suggest that it was a polling place in earlier days. In the 1970’s, it was the “Sweet Shop” owned by Mr. Moore where, among other things, breakfast was available. Unfortunately, the building was torn down about a decade ago and a small house built in its place.
The photo may belong to the Rice collection at the Library of Virginia. Click here to go to the photo on their Flickr site.
There was also a story on this in the VCU Commonwealth Times way back in 1976. Click here for link to it.
Trash/Recycling Pickup Tomorrow
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, Gillette has announced plans to launch the first national program to fully recycle used razors.
The razor brand is launching the campaign alongside TerraCycle, an international recycling company that specializes in hard-to-recycle materials.
Gillette’s campaign will accept all razor blades and cartridges, regardless of brand. Those who wish to participate in the program can sign up online, and ship materials from their home. Businesses, organizations and schools can also sign up to become a recycling location.
Participation is only offered to U.S. customers at this time, but Gillette says they are already working on rolling the campaign out in other countries.
More Monroe Park Woes
Neighbor and OHNA President Todd Woodson reports…
The audit of the 2019-2020 Budget and Strategic Planning- Capital Improvement Plan was released yesterday and $350,000.00 in Monroe Park renovation expenses were misclassified by the Finance Department as being School Construction funding. That means the Monroe Park “renovation” actually cost at least $350K more than we thought. WAY over $7,000,000.00 was spent for an environmental disaster…
Editorial: Will other local media report on this? Doubtful, since they have done such a horrible job already. Citizens continue to ask City Council when the Monroe Park Conservancy’s lease will be terminated and the park returned to the public.
OHNA Meeting Tomorrow Night
From announcement:
Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association agenda for next week (3-26-19/Tuesday/7pm/St. Andrew’s Church)
“-7PM Meeting brought to order
-Updates from VCU Liaison, RPD, VCU police
-Update on our Open High Bee initiative.
-Guy Blundon of Victory Rug Apartments will discuss SUP proposal to change some things as the apartments are eligible to become privately owned dwellings.
-Discussion of crime reduction measures such as neighborhood watch, etc.”
Hope to see you all there!
Another Shooting Increases Neighbors’ Concerns
While police and neighbors are still following up on a recent shoot-out at the Overlook, a drive-by shooting last night on the northern end of the neighborhood has renewed concerns.
A WTVR news report has a few details:
“Richmond Police and VCU Police received the report of a shooting at West Cary and North Laurel Streets,” the university sent students in a Monday morning alert. “Upon arrival, officers located a male that had been shot. Witnesses reported that a black four-door sedan had driven by and an occupant of that vehicle shot the victim. Police have increased patrols in the area.”
VCU confirmed the shooting victim was not a student. The victim’s wounds were considered non-life threatening, according to investigators.
Police provided a vague description of the suspect as a black male wearing a white shirt.
Richmond Police are leading the investigation.
East Coast Greenway and ‘ATP Trail Study’
I am not exactly sure why local planners and media do not bring it up (are they worried about it taking attention away from the ‘Cap-To-Cap’ Trail?, does it go against corporate rulers’ schemes?, are they worried about provoking Agenda 21 conspiracy theorists?) but the Times Dispatch has an article on the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) preparing to build a 40-mile bike trail from Ashland to Petersburg, one that still does not even mention the East Coast Greenway (www.greenway.org) effort.
Of course, this ‘ATP Trail Study’ fits in with the East Coast Greenway planning. Why not report on it in those terms?
This community news site has been bringing it up for over a decade now. Originally, neighborhood leaders were interested in having the East Coast Greenway connect with the Belvidere greenway, which connects the Parsons Linear Park with the Riverside Park and the James River Park. That fits in with the Belle Island trail already being designated part of the East Coast Greenway.
From Belle Island, today:
Unfortunately, VCU and other bad development have stymied those thoughts, even though it would have been really cool to have a trail connect Monroe Park and Carver via a trail along Belvidere. Since then, many citizens hope that the East Coast Greenway will utilize the Cannon Creek Greenway, and then have the trail go west to connect with Belle Island. This could really be a boon for Barton Heights and other Northside neighborhoods that need more economic development.
It’s important that everyone understands how important this is for Richmond’s future. Having the East Coast Greenway intersect with the Virginia Capital Trail will be amazing. Imagine bicycle tourists traveling down from DC, coming into Richmond, staying and enjoying the area before making to the choice to fork or not. Pretending this is just a regional thing is just ridiculous.
VDOT will hold a public information meeting on Tuesday, March 26, from 5-7 p.m. at the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, 1000 North Lombardy Street, Richmond, VA 23220.
Spring
Daffodils up.
Tenderizer
Found in Riverside Park:
By the way, Tenderizer was also the name of a 1990’s Richmond 7-inch record label. ‘Tenderette’ was the cassette arm of Tenderizer.