Archive for October, 2007
October 9, 2007
It’s a gas, Richmond
We’re halfway through Public Natural Gas Week here in the City of Richmond, and there’s a party going on downtown.
Actually, there’s no party. There is a public gas display at City Hall for the public to view, and an opportunity to register for a Department of Public Utilities prize pack. (We can’t even begin to imagine what the public utilities prize pack looks like!) The names of two winners will be drawn on Monday, October 15, and you can register at the public gas display through this Friday, October 12. Some facts for all of you gas-lovers out there:
As a member of the American Public Gas Association, the City of Richmond operates the country’s eighth largest municipally owned natural gas utility. The City joins with other APGA member utilities in this national observance.
The City’s natural gas utility serves 105,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the City of Richmond, Henrico County, and portions of Chesterfield and Hanover counties. “Natural gas is the cleanest burning and most efficient fossil fuel. It is environmentally friendly and reduces green house gas emissions by up to 29 percent. This week offers an ideal opportunity to remind current and potential natural gas customers of the benefits of natural gas,” says DPU Director Chris Beschler.
The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities is a premier provider of utility service. DPU provides natural gas, water and wastewater services to more than 500,000 residential and commercial customers in the metropolitan region. DPU also operates electric street lighting utility, which maintains more than 37,000 streetlights throughout the City. For more information, call DPU’s Customer Care Center at 644-3000 or visit DPU’s Web site.
October 9, 2007
Pumpkin pancakes + good cause = delicious altruism!
One of Lakeside’s more eclectic retailers, Feathernesters, is inviting you to indulge in an autumnal feast to support breast cancer research. On Saturday, October 20, from 8:00 am until 11:00 am, join Feathernesters for an all-you-can-eat Pumpkin Pancake Day at the store’s cafe. For $8 per person, you can enjoy all the cinnamon-spiced, pumpkin pancakes (along with butter, warm syrup and sausage) you can devour with all proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Reservations are accepted but not necessary. Find out more at www.feathernesters.com or by calling 262-7305. Feathernesters is at 6118 Lakeside Avenue (1 block south of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden).
October 9, 2007
Area seniors: Get weatherized!
The City of Richmond will host a free weatherization kit giveaway for area seniors at Pleasants Hardware at 2024 W. Broad Street next Friday, October 19, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.
Representatives from the Department of Public Utilities will be in the store with representatives from the Department of Social Services to assist senior citizens with winterization needs and applications for fuel assistance. To qualify, you must be 65 or older, and a Richmond resident. Each kit includes storm window kits, switch and outlet sealers, a fluorescent light bulb, and weather stripping. For more information, call 646-3937.
Know a senior who would benefit? Give them a ride to Pleasants and help them weatherize before cold weather arrives!
October 9, 2007
It’s time for bulk trash pick-up
Have large items — furniture or large quantities of yard debris — that need to be hauled away? The City of Richmond picks bulk items up on a four-week, rotating schedule based on zip code. Simply make sure your bulk items are beside your Supercan and out of the roadway, and call 646-0999 to schedule a pick-up during your assigned week.
The item needs to be put out at the start of the week and may not be picked up until the end of the week since there is no precise day when the collection truck is due to service any given block. Follow this link to view a map of collection zones.
Collection weeks:
October 9, 2007
If the leaves ever change, here’s the collection schedule
Fall leaf collection schedule for the City of Richmond is as follows:
The Leaf Hotline is 646-5323 if you have questions.
October 9, 2007
Bellevue residents: Get your vote on
It’s time for elections at the Bellevue Civic Association! The association will hold its next general meeting this Tuesday, October 16, at Holton Elementary School. Food will be served at 6:30 pm with the meeting beginning a 7:00. The focus of the meeting will be the annual election of officers for the Bellevue Civic Association.
Roy Reynolds, Janet Brown and Joellen Davis have agreed to stand for re-election in their same positions for next year. Actually, in Janet’s case, her term is two years. However, if there is anyone who would like to be considered for officer positions, they are welcome to “make their intentions known” to the Nominating Committee (email vicepresident@bellevueweb.org).
Also, the floor will be open at the General Meeting in October so that anyone who would like to be considered (i.e. voted on) for any of the positions may state so at that time. The only person who will not stand for re-election is Joy Payne. So the Nominating Committee is looking for candidates willing to be the secretary for next year for the BCA.
Visit the Bellevue Civic Association’s website for more info on the organization.
October 9, 2007
WWBT reports on progress in Battery Park
Reporter Sean Muserallo provides a first-hand update on work in Battery Park on the WWBT-12 website:
It’s been more than a year since Battery Park flooded, leaving homes under water and many people looking for another place to live. But after months of work, the city says it’s ahead of schedule, and things are looking up for the Richmond community.
The area still turns into a fishbowl anytime there’s a good rain in Battery Park, but the city has been working on a permanent solution. On Tuesday, Mayor Doug Wilder and reporters got a look at what that solution will be.
We were taken 80 feet below the surface, where the new sewer line is being built. This hole in the wall is actually a long tunnel that makes up the new line. It will be lined with piping to eventually carry tons of household waste and rainwater out of North Richmond.
Back on the ground, the mayor got a firsthand look at what causes the flooding in Battery Park. A giant sinkhole marks where the earth caved in and collapsed onto the original sewer line.
It blocks the original sewer line during rainstorms. It’s also the site of an old city landfill that contains biohazardous waste.
The city convinced federal officials to build around this site to protect residents from future health risks.
After the tour ended, the mayor said he was pleased with what he saw.
“This is a win-win,” he said. “This is not a patchwork situation. There is a permanent solution associated with these improvements.”
Wilder says North Richmond residents stand to gain better sanitary service from the city, as well as better flood protection. The new sewer line is built to prevent what we saw during Tropical Storm Ernesto.
City officials say Battery Park will be free and clear of water and debris, which they hope improves the quality of life for those residents who’ve lived through what they hope is the worst.
October 9, 2007
Creating safe passage at Brook and Parham
The Times-Dispatch reports on efforts by Henrico County to make Brook Road near Parham Road safer for the disabled residents of St. Joseph’s Villa:
The $1.7 million project, partly funded by the state, will add a third southbound lane to Brook Road, from Parham Road to Villa Park Drive. The project also will bring a sidewalk and drainage improvements to the western side of Brook Road, adjacent to Hollybrook.
Officials with Henrico and the Virginia Department of Transportation could not say late last week how many pedestrian accidents have occurred in the area in recent years. But Montgomery said a resident of Hollybrook died in 1993 after being struck by a car as he attempted to cross Brook Road.
Pedestrian access and safety have been improved through a series of projects over the years, including the construction of a sidewalk on the eastern side of Brook Road and the installation of crosswalks. For about two years, county and state officials have been discussing the latest plan for improvements but only recently were able to secure sufficient funding.
“It’s been a sort of one-step-at-a-time thing,” said Todd Eure of Henrico’s department of public works.
To coincide with the Brook Road improvements, the county is looking to install street lights in the area.
October 10, 2007
Spike in crime hits North Richmond
If you’ve been following the news, you already know about the high-profile shooting involving a Richmond Public Schools bus in September. Today’s Times-Dispatch reports on a recent spate of gun violence across the city:
In other recent violence in Richmond:
- On Monday morning, Aarin A. Lambert, 17, was shot dead in the 900 block of West Ladies Mile Road.
- On Sunday, four blocks away from yesterday’s shooting, ice-cream vendor Dan Teodorescu, 31, of Romania was wounded at a parking lot on E.S.H. Greene Elementary School. A gunshot to his shoulder passed through his neck and vocal chords. He was listed in serious condition yesterday after surgery Sunday.
- On Friday, Devon Dionté Whiters, a 17-year-old George Wythe High School student, was shot outside an apartment in the Mosby Court public-housing complex. Rasin said he was in critical condition last night.
- On Sept. 23, two people were killed, including a bystander, after shots were fired at a car on Tifton Court.
Ikia Goodman, 25, was fatally shot outside her apartment in the 1600 block of Tifton Court, where she lived with her mother and sister.
Tyeron Vondell Massenburg, 22, an occupant of the car that was being fired upon, was found wounded a few blocks away in the car in the 4100 block of Hull Street. He died later at VCU Medical Center.
Police have made an arrest in the Goodman and Massenburg slayings.
- On Sept. 17, a city school bus carrying elementary students was struck by a bullet when it was caught in a gunfight near East Ladies Mile Road and Hazelhurst Avenue.
“This is an unfortunate spike in crime that is not in line with the significant reduction in crime that we already have seen this year,” Richmond Police Chief Rodney D. Monroe said in a statement released last night.
October 12, 2007
North Richmond apartment building condemned
Residents of North Court apartments on Chamberlayne near Laburnum have been displaced after their building was condemned. From Channel 8 News:
The North Court apartment building’s tenants were only given hours notice before being evicted at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
City officials say eight inches of sewage had built up on the floor of the building’s basement, forcing them to condemn the building. Officials expect the clean-up to take days.
The news was given to the building’s 30 residents at 10 a.m. Tuesday. The City is paying for tenants to stay in hotels while the sewage is cleaned. Officials say the displaced residents can move back in after clean-up is complete.
Many residents told 8News that if they can find alternate housing, they will not be moving back into their condemned building.
October 12, 2007
Police report for Sector 412
The Richmond Police Department’s Sector 412 includes the communities of Carver, Newtowne West, Scott’s Addition, Museum, Northern Barton Heights, Brookland Park, Edgewood, Ginter Park, Washington Park, John Marshall, Sherwood Park, Bellevue, Laburnum Park, Rosedale, Chamberlayne Industrial Center and Virginia Union (click for a map). Each month, the sector releases a community newsletter with details on significant arrests and criminal activity. For the month of September, the report noted:
- Officers Kaneka McQueen and Amira Sleem of Midnight Shift, while investigating a traffic offense in the 2900 block of Chamberlayne Avenue, spotted drugs and a handgun inside the stopped vehicle, resulting in narcotics and weapons arrests.
- Officer Ben Toderico of Midnight Shift was able to follow up on information provided by area residents on possible drug activity at 1603 Claremont Avenue. His investigation led to marijuana, cocaine and weapons arrests at that address.
- Officer Matt McHugh of Day Shift keeps a close tab on prostitution activity in the Chamberlayne Avenue corridor. His knowledge and alertness paid off and resulted in the arrest of Tiacia D. Chapman-Veney for violation of the City’s Target Enforcement Zone ordinance.
- Officers Ken Payne and Jason Leslie of Midnight Shift responded to a citizen’s call about a man carrying a gun in the area of Chamberlayne Avenue and Brookland Park Boulevard. Because of the citizen’s good description, the officers were able to quickly locate the subject. After a brief foot pursuit, they arrested the individual and recovered the weapon.
The report also noted that auto thefts were down:
At the end of September 2007, motor vehicle thefts were down 29% in Sector 412. Residential burglaries were down 34%, burglaries to sheds and outbuildings were down 44% and thefts from motor vehicles were down 10%. We still have plenty of “Clubs” to give away. Call us at 4th Precinct (646-4105) to arrange to come by and pick up yours. You’ll need to bring your registration.
October 12, 2007
Copper thefts continue in the area
Several emails are circulating in the North Richmond community about an increase in the theft of copper and aluminum (downspouts, drains, valves, etc.) from businesses and residences. The Walgreens at Azalea and Brook, as well as a dentist office and bank on the 5000 block of Brook, reported that their sprinkler and water systems were hit.
Richmond police ask that residents report any suspicious activity.
October 15, 2007
City starts planning for Diamond area
Mayor L. Douglas Wilder said yesterday that the city has chosen The Staubach Co. as a real estate consultant to recommend the best options for developing the properties and then issuing a proposal to developers to make it happen.
The Texas-based company is led by Roger Staubach, former star quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, who is the firm’s executive chairman. The company conducted the search that led Volkswagen of America to announce last month that it is moving its headquarters from Auburn Hills, Mich., to a site near Dulles International Airport in Northern Virginia.
The consultant’s selection is the first step of a long-delayed process to redevelop almost 60 acres that Richmond owns around The Diamond between North Boulevard, Hermitage Road and Interstate 95.
The city and its regional partners in The Diamond also are talking to the Atlanta Braves about a new or renovated stadium on the property for the club’s AAA affiliate. The stadium is owned by the Richmond Metropolitan Authority.
The process has been stalled by the search for a real estate consultant as well as concerns over the estimated $30 million cost of moving the massive Parker Field Maintenance Facility that the city operates on about 30 acres next to The Diamond.
Staubach’s job will be to give Richmond a detailed analysis within 90 days on how to develop the property, as well as the historic Blues Armory building on East Marshall Street that has housed part of 6th Street Marketplace for two decades.
October 18, 2007
St. Thomas’ Oystoberfest on Saturday Looks Hot
Richmond.com has plenty of details about this weekend’s rendition of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church’s Oystoberfest, a fundraiser for cancer research and a full day of entertainment:
Richmond’s own restaurant businessman Johnny Giavos is responsible for bringing these delicacies of the sea from Cowart Seafood to Richmond this weekend, and will be offering almost every variety of oyster cuisine you can think of from cold and raw, hot and fried, even paired with some vodka and squeezed into a shooter.
And for those of you who may have taste and texture issues with this salty, meaty mollusk, traditional barbecue and fries will be available for purchase. An array of beer from Loveland Distributing will be available, as will non-alcoholic beverages.
New to the event this year is the increasingly popular Hokies vs. Hoos fundraising competition between the two Richmond alumni groups. As their third event of the year, the groups will be competing against each other for people, rather than money.
“Instead of having them raise money, they’re challenging each other to see who can get the most people to sign up for the National Bone Marrow Donor Program,” Lisa said. “We’re kicking this off at Oystoberfest, but there will be various events that the Hokies vs. Hoos club will put together, ending with the football game between the schools at UVA on November 24th.”
Increasing in size this year is the children’s area, which will feature an inflatable moon bounce and slide; arts and crafts; face painting; a soccer area; and pony rides.
Keeping guests entertained are six local bands ready to rock the St. Thomas Episcopal parking lot with a variety of classic and modern rock, country, blues, and even some Irish American pub music. The bands Crossbones, Marna and Macy, Rockfish Willie, Uisce Beatha, The Bart Chucker Band and The Silverbacks will be on hand.
The second annual Oystoberfest will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ginter Park. Tickets for food and beverages can be purchased the day of the event. The event is free, but a suggested $2 is appreciated. All proceeds go to benefit Connor’s Heroes to fight childhood cancer and St. Thomas Episcopal Church. For more information, call Connor’s Heroes at (804) 221-8991 or visit oystoberfest.com.
October 18, 2007
Zed’s still cooking in Lakeside
Richmond.com’s Michele Stuchell has a review of Lakeside Avenue’s Zed Cafe, and finds an energy she likes.
October 19, 2007
Man fatally stabbed near Brookland Park
Richmond police responding to 911 calls of a man down shortly before midnight Thursday found an apparently homeless man who had been fatally stabbed near a North Side intersection.
The man was non-responsive when officers arrived at the corner of North Avenue and Essex Street, about a block south of Brookland Park Boulevard, police spokeswoman Cynthia Price said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Price described the victim only as a black male, apparently homeless. Anyone with information about the stabbing should call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.
October 19, 2007
Man rescued from apartment fire on Chamberlayne
From today’s Times-Dispatch:
Firefighters rescued a man during an overnight apartment fire in Richmond.
A fire broke out in the kitchen area of one unit at an apartment complex in the 3900 block of Chamberlayne Avenue around 2 a.m. today.
Firefighters had to walk through the flames to get the resident out. He was reportedly disoriented and was taken to VCU Medical Center for examination.
No other apartments were affected by the fire and the cause is under investigation.
October 19, 2007
Residents of North Richmond neighborhood updated on gangs
WWBT-12 has details on a meeting between city officials and residents of the Providence Park community (located east of Chamberlayne and Laburnum in Highland Park). Police report that there are some 650 members of 50 different gangs in Richmond, and some of those gangs may have played a role in at least two violent incidents that made headlines recently. From the news report:
Dozens of neighbors from Richmond’s Providence Park neighborhood got a frightening lesson on the gang activity that’s taking place right in their own backyards.
At a public meeting yesterday, Richmond police said there are 50 gangs in the metro area, with no fewer than 650 members total. The meeting comes in the wake of two violent incidents in the Northside neighborhood.
Police told parents it was up to them to keep their children from joining a gang.
Richmond police increased their patrols in the city last week - a move they say has decreased crime in Providence Park.
Officers at the meeting encouraged neighbors to be their eyes and ears and to committed to reporting suspicious activity to the proper authorities.
October 19, 2007
Water restrictions announced for Richmond
Today’s showers did nothing to raise the water table in the area, and the City of Richmond has announced mandatory water restrictions. From the Times-Dispatch:
Richmond today imposed mandatory water restrictions.
The city’s action affects water use in the city, and Mayor L. Douglas Wilder said Henrico, Hanover and Chesterfield counties, which buy much of their water from the city, will also have to impose restrictions.
“This is a critical time for everyone to do their part to conserve water,” Wilder said.
The city’s website has specific details on the restrictions:
Mandatory conservation measures include:
Established landscaping and gardens: No watering on Mondays.
Odd property addresses: Water only on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Even property addresses: Water only on Wednesday, Friday and Sun.
(Odd/even designation is determined by the last digit of address number.)
Bucket watering (five gallons maximum) is permitted at all times.
New landscaping: Unrestricted watering allowed for the first 10 days after planting, then limited to the “Established Landscaping and Gardens” measures.
Vegetable gardens: Watering is limited to any two days per week and between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. on any day. Bucket watering is unrestricted.
Washing paved areas, such as streets, driveways, patios, walkways, etc.: Washing is limited to two days per week. Unrestricted washing is allowed for immediate health and safety concerns.
Vehicle washing (commercial businesses are exempt): Vehicle washing is limited to two days per week.
October 19, 2007
Councilman Hilbert’s October meeting set for Wednesday
Councilman Chris Hilbert will hold his monthly Northside 3rd District meeting this Wednesday, October 24, from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm at the Richmond Police Academy, 1202 W. Graham Road, room 245 (1 Block west of Brook Road – Near Virginia Union University).
All members of the Third District are invited and encouraged to attend. Key topics for this District meeting will include:
For more information, please call 804.646.5400.






