From the Westover Hills Straywatch;

“Swizzle,” a 4-year-old male, medium-sized steel gray hair, green-eyed Tabby cat, went missing on the night of August 31 from his home on the 5100 block of Evelyn Byrd. He’s sweet-tempered and had surgery recently. If you see him or know of his whereabouts, please call Janice at 901-3395. (I expect to get a picture eventually. Ed.)

On another note, someone asked us to remind dog owners of their neighborly and legal obligation (there really are laws about this) to clean up after their dogs when they walk them. The privilege of dog ownership also carries the responsibility of cleaning up after them – especially if they leave presents along sidewalks, alleys, or in other people’s yards. The little yellow bags in which the RTD is delivered work well for picking up the stuff, and gallon milk jugs work even better to catch it before it ever touches the ground. Seriously – try it!

From the press release;
Council President Kathy Graziano to serve as key-note speaker for first meeting of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church‘s 2010 Eyes on Richmond lunchtime forum season

Celebrating 13th Season: Cost $8 – Reservations required

WHAT: The Honorable Kathy Graziano, President of Richmond City Council, Councilwoman, Southwest 4th District will serve as the key-note speaker for the first St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 2010 Eyes on Richmond lunchtime forum event of the season. This year’s theme is “Richmond Changing: What’s Next for Our City?”.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church’s Eyes on Richmond lunchtime forum is held in the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Parish House (downtown) from 12:30-1:30 p.m. each Friday in the fall (September 17-November 19, 2010). This downtown forum is a series of individual presentations given by key leaders on topics important to the Greater-Richmond community.

The title of President Graziano’s presentation will be “Learning from Our Past, Hope for the Future”. Ms. Graziano will be the first of 10 planned luncheon speakers to take part in the 13th Season of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church’s 2010 Eyes on Richmond lunchtime forum season. Read more >

RunRideRace.com has worked with the Department of Parks and Recreation to bring what is more or less (I say that because the course will run slightly afoul of a traditional cyclocross course) a cyclocross series to Forest Hill Park September 8, 15, and 22nd before the Virginia Cyclocross series returns in earnest for the year with stops at other parks in the city (Bryant and Chimborazo respectively). As an offshoot of traditional road racing expect to see competitive riders with a slightly more relaxed demeanor than pro road racers, tackling courses through the park on these Wednesday nights starting at 5:45pm. Cyclocross has been referred to as “An hour in Hell” for both the time races generally last for and the conditions riders must endure. Read more >

Rain Barrel Workshop
Monday, September 13, 2010 6:30pm – 7:30pm
The Alliance and Clean VA Waterways are providing a Rain Barrel Workshop at Forest Hill Park in Richmond, VA. Come learn about the benefits of rain barrels and how to install and maintain them. Each participant will go home with a rain barrel. Cost: $65 (which includes a pre-assembled rain barrel) This workshop is held at the Stone House in Forest Hill Park, which is near the intersection of Forest Hill Ave. and 41 St. Richmond, VA. Space is limited. To sign-up, contact the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay at djennings@acb-online.org.

Message from Shannon Taylor
Forest Hill Neighborhood Watch Coordinator
www.ForestHillNeighborhood.com

1. Neighbors are still reporting suspicious vehicles to the police. The following vehicles have been observed lurking about the area. If you see these cars, please report it to the police at 646-5100.

• Near Dunston & 46th Street Alley – large van with license plate KMP-5190
• Near Dunston & 45 & 46 Streets – a beat up black chevy, regular cab pick up, missing its front bumper. VA Tags JGW-9243, and was drive by a dark black male about 35-40 yoa.

Please call anytime you see a suspicious looking truck, van, car or person/people. If you see a non-commercial vehicle riding around with multiple lawnmowers and other items, this is a huge clue that the person is up to no good! Only together are we going to drive these people from our neighborhood.

2. If you are the victim of graffiti (REBAR” or “CAJEN”), please see the notice below and contact the Richmond Police Department.

3. I have requested additional Neighborhood Watch reflective vests. If you are interested in wearing a vest on your walks/jogs/strolls through the neighborhood, please let me know!!

Kendensky is a tabby that is brown, and black stripes as in photo. Very friendly, He does not have a collar on because he has never left our yard and God willing -a collar will be added. He is over weight fellow. Very nice coat. Age 11. We miss him- he has been missing since yesterday afternoon (8/30). We live on Northrop Street. Contact 231-3118 if you happen to spot the missing Kendensky.

There were some change to the last Music in the Park performer, updated schedule below.

Since I had two requests for another one and I aim to please, where in the Hills and Heights area was this captured?

Richmond Public Schools will operate a Back-to-School Hotline Sept. 1–10
to assist parents, students and others with any questions they might have
regarding the opening of the 2010-2011 school year. Citizens may call the
Richmond Public Schools Back-to-School Call Center at 254-6188 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. [via]

Jay who lives on the 800 block of West 49th Street sent this in;

This morning (Monday, 8/30) a stray dog approached me as I was leaving for work. She is a Jack Russell looking dog, white with brown spots on her back and a brown head. She must have been lost for quite a while now, as she is pretty skinny, very dirty, and smells pretty bad. Luckily she was friendly enough to let me pick her up, and is currently hanging out in my fenced in yard. I can hold on to her for a day or two, but I have a couple dogs of my own already. If she is your dog, or have if you any leads, please call 804-938-1619. Another picture after the break Read more >

Hills and Heights is excited to have a new author. Please welcome Ashley. Ashley lives in the area and is the cook behind the blog, pantry2plate. We are hoping to make this a weekly feature, which will include what she purchased at the Farmer’s Market and how she is using the goodies. On non-market weekends, it will switch to a more general Southbank food topic. If you like what you see here please checkout her blog at the link above.

Saturday’s Basket

We found this weekend that the coming of fall is palpable.  What it means for our kitchen is scooping up the last of our favorite summer treats and transitioning into a new fall lineup.  I started to think ahead to how I can preserve the flavors of summer and enjoy them for a few months longer.  So in this week’s ‘Saturday’s Basket’, greens abound!  Our trip to the South of James Farmer’s Market always starts with a large coffee from Blanchard’s to help get the creative juices flowing and help us sort through what tastes we want for the week.  After we started to wake up, we picked up arugula & green beans from Victory Farms and a squash and basil bunch from Pleitez Produce.  The arugula and basil blended together make a healthy portion of pesto and pesto makes for a great freezer food. Once blended, portion the sauce into ice trays and freeze.  Pop out individual cubes whenever you are craving that summer sweetness.  This weekend, however, fresh-made pesto paired with spaghetti squash was on plate for a great homemade Sunday dinner.  It’s an easy side dish and makes a great pasta substitute for those curbing the carbs.  Here’s the fix: Read more >

Forest Hill resident, artist and all around good guy Steve Hedberg has a show opening this Friday, from 6-9 p.m. at the Glave Kocen Gallery. Steve traveled along Route 1 and captured bits of America that are off the breakneck beaten path of the Interstate Highways. The video below does a much better job describing the work and showing off the art than I ever could, so please check it out.

If anyone were to buy me this piece it would be greatly appreciated and I promise to work your name into every post for the next year.

I was doing some random searches on YouTube and came across this video by user KeithAshley78.

If you have any property damaged with either of the tags below please call 646-5100 and file a report. Officer W. Hawkins Kuper, Community Ofc. – Environmental Ofc. – Graffiti Det. of the 3rd Precinct is building a case against two individuals recently arrested. The more examples of damage the better the case.  Media Release PDF with arrest details and more pictures.

From the Westover Hills Neighborhood Watch;

A resident in the 5600 Block of New Kent Rd. (Westover Hills West) reports that someone entered his unlocked car in front of his house the night of August 24 around 10:00 p.m. The suspect was in the driver’s seat, with the door open, and light on.

They banged on a house window, the suspect ran away, the police were called, and a report was filed.

Please remember to always LOCK your car doors and remove or conceal any valuables.

At the scene of the crime was an expensive Giant bicycle. Resident believes it might have been stolen and used by suspect. Please contact Richmond Police if you are missing a bicycle.

From Facebook;

Our 2nd Quarterly Sale for 2010!!

Everything in all 3 stores will be 25% off. At Forrest Hill, The Book Exchange area (1 of the 4 stores across) will include extra savings! Paperbacks at $1.00, larger paperbacks at $2.00 and hardbacks at $3.00.

The 25% discount applies to DVDs, T-Shirts, Action Figures/Toys, Graphic Novels, Anime, Manga, All Comics and Magazines, Supplies, etc.
…
Friday August 27th – Sunday August 29th
…
5067 Forest Hil Ave 10-7 Fri, 10-6 Sat, 12-6 Sun

Just got back and scored 5 paperbacks and 4 comics (admittedly not in good shape) for only $9. If you need some books head on over this weekend.

Richmond Magazine.com has a lengthy profile of City Council President Kathy Graziano. The profile takes a look at both her supporters and detractors. Overall though the article seems to fall into the positive category.

Then in 2008 Graziano used her discretionary fund to launch what is now the South of the James Market, according to Karen Atkinson, who manages the operation. Since then, it has become highly successful, arguably the most popular outdoor market in the city.

Graziano and Hathcock worked with the Parks and Recreation Department to restore the silt- and vegetation-clogged lake in Forest Hill Park. After four years of negotiating, they also managed to get a conservation easement for the James River Park System approved. In 2009, state and city officials agreed to forever preserve 288 acres of the park in its natural state.

Falls of the James Group which is the local chapter of the Sierra Club unveiled it’s first E-newsletter – The Fall Line. Previous versions of the The Fall Line had been printed and a limited number will continue to be printed as the group transitions over to the more environmentally friendly electronic version. The big news in the newsletter is a change in the Executive Committee leadership.

In June, long-time FOJG Executive Committee member Barbara Williamson, citing the press of other demands, resigned from the Ex Com effective immediately. Barbara indicated she still intends to serve on the Legislative/Political Committee, which she currently chairs. The Ex Com accepted Barbara’s resignation with thanks for her continuing commitment to the group and her active participation over the years.

In July, the Ex Com welcomed David Medici as its newest member. David will fill the remainder of Barbara Williamson’s unexpired term through December 2010. David is a people-oriented science teacher, trainer, group leader, and outdoorsman with broad hands-on experience in the natural sciences. He is passionate about both learning and teaching and has agreed to become the group’s official Outings Chair as soon as he completes the Sierra Club certification process.

Head to the newsletter for more info including upcoming meetings, many of which will end up on our own calendar.

From UtilityBuddy Twitter;
Water main break on Cherokee between Chellowe and Meridale. We’re on the scene. No water 7500-7600 Cherokee, Westham, Berwick, Vespar.

Richmond Multicultural Day Festival is this Saturday August 28 from 2:00 to 8:00 pm, on the front lawn of the Forest Hill Presbyterian Church (Forest Hill Ave and 44th St.). Performers from Virginia and Maryland representing five regions of the world, including the United States. There will be events for the kids including balloons, clowns, face Painting, moon bounce and food. Last year we caught the last band and they were awesome. Some pictures from last year. The event is sponsored by the Africa Warmth Corporation, a non-profit, and is a festival of arts and cultures as part of the mission of promoting appreciation for cultural diversity.

From Craigslist;

On August 24th we went out for just a little bit and we returned to find our cat missing. She is a female kitten about 7 months old with a red collar and a tag that said her name and my phone number, but it may have come off. She has yellow and greenish eyes, orange/grey/white calico/tabby striped fur. She would have been in front of our house at 605 West 21st Street. I have posted photos below. Please call or email us if you happen to see her or know where she is.

Thanks,
Pauline
804-615-6412

From the RPD daily crime report;
3rd Precinct
ROBBERY
8/24/10 6:21 p.m.
1208 Westover Hills Blvd.
Clerks reported two unknown males robbed the Shoe Warehouse at gunpoint.

City workers started clean up this morning.

As a result of an agreement brokered by Council President Graziano, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will take over maintenance of about half the lot. In exchange the department will be able to use part of the lot for badly needed parking for the Westover Community Facility.

Owners of the property have committed to keeping the other half mowed as well.

 Forest Hill’s resident arborist, Luke McCall, was recently featured on WTVR-6 for his efforts to save a beehive in a fallen tree in Byrd Park. I hope those bees and local gardeners are drafting a nice thank you letter to Luke.

City contractors are beginning work on a traffic calming project on Boroughbridge Road at the corner with Bassett Avenue. The project will consist of a landscaped raised circle in the middle of the street, to slow the traffic that uses Boroughbridge as a cut-through from Midlothian Turnpike to Jahnke Road. The project is overseen by the Department of Public Works
Traffic Engineering Department. (Image and story submitted by David H.)