In addition to Fisher’s Spring Fling and Lucille Brown’s Creative Writing Fest on Saturday, both John B. Cary and The Waldorf School are holding festivals this weekend too. This can be a nice way to check out schools you’re interested in sending your kids. Or it’s just a great way to support your schools by eating hotdogs and buying raffle tickets.

The Waldorf School May Faire

Saturday May 2
10am – 2pm
Bring your friends & family to celebrate the Season of Flowers!

* Maypole Dancing
* Children’s Crafts and Games
* Storytelling
* Flower Crowns
* Food
* Live Music

1000 Westover Hills Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23225
Phone: 804-377-8024

John B. Cary Carnival
(not on their website unless you download their PTA newsletter)

JBC’s annual carnival will take place Saturday, May 2nd from 10am-2pm. There will be food, music, games, raffles and a special performance from the Latin Ballet and SO MUCH MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

3021 Maplewood Ave.
Richmond, VA 23221
(804) 780-6252

From the Department of Utilities website:

The Department of Public Utilities is partnering with the Reedy Creek Coalition to monitor the creek’s water quality and flow, with a shared goal of returning the creek to its natural productivity.

The Department of Public Utilities encouraged the Reedy Creek Coalition to continue to dig leaves and tree stumps out of the creek, which change the flow and direction of the creek and its chemical balance. The two groups are working on setting up monitoring sites to test the water.

The only reason I know about this is the Sierra Club Fall of the James Group Blog.

If you would like to see your dog’s face in thousands of convenience stores throughout the state head on over to the Virginia State Lottery website submit a photo of your pooch and start bribing government officials that work work for the lottery.

There are a ton of dog owners in the Hills and Heights neighborhood the ones I can name off the top of my head are; Harold, Gracie, George, Max, Hippie, Sassy, Tiger, Wilbur and Lucky. Lucky might have a leg up on the competition since it is the Lucky Dog campaign.

Okay now for the real reason for this post. It gives me an opportunity to post this picture taken at the Easter Parade on Monument.

Kudos to Richmond Dog Blog for alerting me to the contest.

The moment that all the lovers of fresh produce and other locally grown and produced foods has finally come. The South of the James Farmers Market is open for business today. The market is at Forest Hill Ave & 42nd Street and runs from 8 to 1. Go here to see some of the vendors. We hope to have some pictures up later. Pictures from this morning.

The place was hopping at 8:30 and more were streaming in when we left an hour later.

More pictures.

Read more >

NBC 12 is reporting that a home in the 800 block was the target of a home invasion late Thursday night.

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) – Two masked men kicked down a family’s door, demanded money, then threatened to kill the family. It happened late Thursday night in the 800 block of Westover Hills Boulevard.

“It’s uncommon in that area. It’s not a high crime area but I don’t want people to be comfortable thinking I’m not in a high crime area, that I shouldn’t be more careful in my area,” said Richmond Police Department Commander Odetta Johnson.

Police say at this point the crime appears to be random. They offer this tip if you find yourself in a similar situation.

“If its a case where you cant leave or you’re trapped its best to follow what they say. The first thing you want to do is save your life,” said Johnson.

Holy crap!! Thanks to megan for alerting me to this news. If we hear more, we’ll share with you.

Some major changes in the police in our neighborhood. LT. Scott Booth who provided us with our monthly Sector Reports has been promoted to Night Watch Captain and Captain Will Smith takes over in the Third Precinct. These changes take effect immediately.

“There is always a temptation to stick with what has obviously been working well,” Chief Bryan T. Norwood said. “But I believe the fresh eyes and different skill sets that others bring to these positions can help move these individual units, and the Department as a whole, to even better results in the future.”

Hills and Heights congratulates Captain Booth on his new promotion and thanks him for all the hard work in our area.  The RTD article about the promotion is here and it points out that our Sector was tied for Sector of the Year in 2008 for having the largest crime reduction in the city.

We gave it the ol’ college try but we just couldn’t get to all the happenings in our little hood this weekend! Yesterday was the market amongst other things and today was Arts In the Park and then Vibe Fest.

We hit Arts in the Park at 11 am. The early light showers were easy to ignore, the downpour less so. Did we bring an umbrella? No. Ah well. We did buy an awesome stone bench from Joe Dumas of Yellow Dog Enterprises.  It also looked like a handful of exhibitors had left in advance of the wet weather. To whomever left a blue umbrella at the playground, thanks for letting us borrow it and it’s safe should you want it returned! I hope once the rain cleared, that the fest had a good turnout.

See pics of Vibe Fest when you

Read more >

David Hathcock mentioned it previously here but I wanted to call some more attention to this crime.

Contractors for the lake restoration project are already reporting some vandalism and the equipment has not even arrived yet.

So far the problem has been limited to surveying stakes being removed and the security fencing ripped down.  Of course, this may be just nuisance, but it could also be an effort to wreck the project.  Please keep an eye out for people in the park at night, or people who don’t belong there. Please call police if you see vandalism occurring.

As far as we are concerned, this is a crime against the neighborhoods, a crime against an historic resource and a crime against the environment health of Reedy Creek, James River.

RTD is listing some changes to the Mayor’s budget.The article has zero details, just a list of increases and decreases. Although all the changes have an affect since we live in the city I pulled out some that I thought we’re more Hills and Heights specific. The article is here.

Increases
$100,000 – James River Park personnel
$60,000 – Maymont
$85,500 – Bon Air Library

Decreases
$10,000 – South Richmond Adult Day Care Services
$230,000 – police operations
$30,000 – parks and recreation contracts
$500,000 – tax relief for elderly and disabled

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch that covers a wide swath of Virginia — including the Richmond region — that remains in effect until 6 p.m.

The watch area extends from Roanoke in the west to the Eastern Shore and from the North Carolina line in the south to King and Queen County.

The watch does not mean a tornado is imminent but that conditions are favorable for the formation of one and that people should be aware of the possibility.

Westover Hills Neighborhood Association’s annual spring meeting and potluck supper is this Thursday, May 7. The potluck starts at 6 p.m., and the meeting is at 7 p.m.. It’s in the fellowship hall at Westover Hills United Methodist Church on the Boulevard.

Read more >

City Council President Kathy Graziano, and our 4th district representative, has been selected by the James River Advisory Council as the winner of its “Guardian of the River” Award. The award was presented April 23 at the organization’s quarterly meeting by President Ralph Hambrick.

The James River Advisory Council established the Stewards of the River Awards in 2006 to recognize outstanding community members who make measurable, positive impacts through their roles as leaders, community partners, guardians and spokespersons on behalf of the river.

Graziano was honored for her work, as council representative for the 4th district and president of the Richmond Coty Council, in support of the protection and appropriate use of the James River and her leadership in spearheading the effort to establish a conservation easement for the James River Park.

From the Woodland Heights Yahoo Group.

A friend and neighbor reports yet another robbery in a parking lot by
the James River on Saturday night. Apparently there has been a rash
of thefts from cars parked while folks put canoes in, when the
thieves can be sure the owners won’t be back for awhile, so they can
take their time.

Keep an eye out for a gold dodge minivan, bearing (stolen) plates
CHBC1, if you see this car, or anyone sitting in a car in the parking
lot without getting out to walk dogs, unload a kayak, or other
purpose, please let the police know. They’ve have been watching out
for these guys, and would dearly love to catch them.

This comes to us from the extremely active Woodland Heights Yahoo Group. If you live in the Woodland Heights neighborhood I highly recommend you join. The group is constantly posting news and neighborhood tidbits. It is well moderated and the discussions are nearly always civil and productive.

The Westover Hills United Methodist Church invites all in the neighborhood for a cookout on Wednesday, May 6, to celebrate the new fence around the playground at the corner of New Kent and the Boulevard. Gather at 6:15 p.m. beside the playground! Everyone is asked to bring their favorite covered dish, multiple copies of their recipe, and a folding lawn chair to sit on. The church will provide hotdogs, hamburgers, and beverages.

Read more >

Got a business you’d like to promote to the folks in the Westover Hills, Stratford Hills or Woodland Heights area?  Maybe you sell crafts on Etsy, maybe you are a restaurant running a special promotion and you’re looking to connect with the locals. This is your site! For a mere $50 you can have a graphic ad run on this site for a whole month! Holy targeted marketing, batman!

Read more >

Grab a blanket and a picnic and head to these outdoor music gatherings. Let the kids dance their brains out while you sit and enjoy the evenings as they cool down. The series is brought to you by the Forest Hill, Westover Hills,  and Woodland Heights Neighborhood Associations and the City of Richmond.

• May 10 (6-8 p.m.): Happy Lucky Combo, Mother’s Day music inspired by tango, klezmer, zydeco, oriental and the blues
• June 14 (6 to 8 p.m.): Brian Jones Quartet, traditional American jazz.
• July 19 (4 to 6 p.m.): Southern Blues, lots of blues of course
• August 9: (6 to 8 p.m.): Blue Line Highway, American folk rock.
• September 13 (5 to 7 p.m.): Great White Jenkins, alternative and country music.
• October 4 (5 to 7 p.m.): The Big Payback, funk, soul, and R & B.

All the groups playing have at last one member who lives in the neighborhood.

The City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and the Carillon Advisory Committee will host two concerts on the World War I Memorial Carillon bells during the month of May.

The first will be a concert in celebration of Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 10, at 3 p.m. Carillonneur Ryan Hebert will play appropriate selections, light refreshments will be served, and the building will be open for viewing.

Read more >

Have a knack for getting the word out? A talent for crafting a compelling story for the public? Looking for a way to help the Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts? This volunteer position may be just the thing for you.

VP of PR and Community Engagement:

• To lead the PR committee, which is charged as follows:
• To craft, coordinate and disseminate message of Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts
• This is a Volunteer position that includes:
• acting as one of the official press contacts
• overseeing the content of public materials (brochures etc)
• crafting newsletter/updates
• giving input on web content, revisions and language
• Coordinating with community and other committees to have events that draw in newcomers and intensify the involvement of volunteers
• Coordinating with fundraising committee and communications committee.

If you are interested or know someone who is, please contact Krista Simmerman via e mail or phone 402-7287.  Thanks!

Here I am with a date night staring me in the face and no plans and what should I stumble across? Maymont’s Cocktail Classic! Oh honey……. 

Cocktail Classic
Presented by Maymont’s Dooley Noted Society

Fri, 8 May, 2009 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Swing, shake and stir under the stars at the Dooley Noted Society’s annual Cocktail Classic! Savor signature cocktails and beverages from some of Richmond’s most popular local hot spots while heating up the dance floor with hot Latin music and dancing. Must be 21 years or older. For registration information, call 804-358-7166 ext. 310 or Register Online!
Location: Nature Center
Fees: $15 per person (available through May 6)/$20 at the door. Dooley Noted Society members receive a $5 discount.
Contact: 804-358-7166, ext. 310

 

If you’re interested in digging in and see what amendments were proposed and accepted to the city’s master plan, download the pdf version here.One change you may have already heard about:

Where property lies within a designated 100 year floodplain, the height recommendations (i.e. number of stories for the character Area should be calculated from the top of the floodplain, not from the actual ground level…

which will allow for taller buildings along the river. Other changes address stormwater management, a serious hot topic when it comes to development in Shockoe Bottom.

The City should continue its efforts to improve the stomr water management throughout Shockoe Bottom and in the upper watershed by encouraging innovative private and public solutions…that complement the work already done by the City.

I gotta be honest, I know this is kind of long-term and the 1,000 foot view is necessary but it’s a little hard to grasp in all it’s far-off abstraction. Are there folks out there who could explain a little more the ways we’ll feel this plan in a more immediate way? Or is it just a “guiding principle” type of doc?

I lost my mom to breast cancer 12 years ago, and when I hear about the changes that have happened to the treatment of the disease in that time, I’m encouraged but still so much more needs to be done! Run, walk, or just donate, in the Race for the Cure this Saturday and let’s help fund the important research necessary!

Read more >

Since all one of you seemed to enjoy our little musical roundup, we thought we’d throw ya another.

Friday

Offering – 7:30 p.m
Positive Vibe Cafe
2825 Hathaway Road, Richmond VA 23225, p.804.560.9622

Blue Line Highway – 8 p.m.
Legend Brewing (If the weather breaks, sitting on the deck with a cold brew and live music is pretty hard to beat!
321 West 7th Street Richmond, VA
Pub phone 804-232-3446

Saturday

Botox Party, Microjoy, The Drunken Banshees,
Blinding Eye Dog, Excess Population – 8 p.m.
Plaza Bowl 521 E. Southside Plaza, 233-8799

Sunday

Whiskey Rebellion – 6:30 PM
Legend Brewing
321 West 7th Street Richmond, VA
Pub phone 804-232-3446

Big thanks to All Things Richmond for posting these go to the site for full details. Including some non RiverRocks volunteer opportunities that will find their way into their own posts.

From James River Outdoor Coalition (JROC):

* Friday 6 pm – 8 pm. (Stay for the Rusted Root free concert afterwards.)
* Saturday 9 am – 4 pm. That’s the bulk of the hours and during most of the games.

From Friends of the James River Park System (FOJRP):

* FOJRP will be manning a booth at Dominion Riverrock–a new celebration of river life on Brown’s Island Friday May 15 and Sat. May 16

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports:

The National Weather Service says the James crested this morning at 10.66 feet at the river’s Westham Gauge, just west of the Huguenot Bridge. Flood stage at that point is 12 feet.

Join Maymont this month (individual memberships are $45, family ones $60) and get great discounts at a bunch of local merchants including chic-fil-a, Baskin Robbins, World of Mirth and more! See all the discounts here. And why not go in with another family so you can save even more. Buy one membership buy a second for 1/2 price!

May is Membership Month at Maymont! In addition to the year-round benefits listed below, if you renew your membership in May, you can purchase a gift membership of equal or lesser value for 1/2 price (call 804-358-7166, ext. 313 for details), receive a free guide booklet of your choice showcasing History, Habitats or Horticulture, and receive Chick-Fil-A coupons.

Plus, throughout the month of May, ALL members receive great discounts and special offers from participating local merchants (see list below) when you show your membership card at the place of business.