The Westover Hills Library is celebrating 50 years. Our community library moved to its permanent home on Westover Hills Boulevard in July 1959. To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Westover Hills Library the Westover Hills Library Advisory Group has put together a trio of events.

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Just read over on the Westover Hills Neighborhood website that the city is going to start enforcing the “use only supercans” rule. We have some beat up metal old school cans that we use for branches and such. The city emptied them out for us last week but we’ll see how long that lasts. Below is a copy of the code.

Municipal Code Chapter 31 Waste Management Sec. 31- 30, “Receptacles generally,” states:

1. All refuse to be collected by the City shall be limited to containers approved by the Director of Public Works or to bulk or brush items.
2. Refuse receptacles must be City – Provided ninety (90) or (95) gallon mobile containers which weigh no more than one hundred eighty (180) pounds when filled and placed for collection. Bagged refuse and boxes will be collected as part of the weekly collection.

Yes I know another review of Paradise Diner, hopefully this will not start the same firestorm as last time I mentioned the Diner. The review is for the most part positive and can be found here.

On weekends, the low hum quickly crescendoed to queues of brunchers on the sidewalk outside. Once seated, the hungry ordered from a menu of $3 breakfast specials, which topped-out at $8.95 for salt herring and corn cakes. The migration to Paradise continued, recognizable devotees included city council members, judges, TV anchors (Paradise Diner earned the “Channel 12 Restaurant Hall of Fame Award” for its cleanliness), and local restaurant owners. Westover and Forest Hill families became regulars, and at the end of 2008, Paradise Diner bowed to a constant request: “I wish you were open for dinner.”

One tidbit I found very interesting.

And, expect al fresco dining soon, as this goes to print, a contractor is taking measurements for a patio. Paradise really should be outside.

Where would they put a patio? Speaking of patios wasn’t O’Toole’s going to have outdoor seating?

From the RTD. It also mentions the audit program which will allow folks to have their property evaluated from a conservation standpoint and point out areas to improve.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will award a $390,000 grant to The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay to support a new program for reducing polluted runoff and sedimentation in the Reedy Creek basin. The program coincides with a $1.7 million project by Richmond to restore the historic lake in Forest Hill Park, which had been choked by sedimentation from Reedy Creek on its way to the James River.

From RTD:

A portion of Jahnke Road in South Richmond was closed this morning after 23 units were damaged in a fire shortly before dawn at a self-storage facility.

Richmond fire Lt. Shawn L. Jones said crews responded at 4:55 a.m. to Space Mart Self Storage in the 6200 block of Jahnke and found several units on fire.

By the time the fire was declared under control at 5:39, six units had been damaged by fire and 17 others were damaged by smoke, water or both, Jones said.

I am assuming that the road is back open but expect a slowdown as people check it out.

The Forest Hill Neighborhood Association is having their yard sale this Saturday, June 6th from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Good Shepherd Episcopal School (4207 Forest Hill Avenue) will be participating in the yard sale (selling children’s clothes and toys, furniture, along with some old school furniture, other yard sale items) in the rear of the church/school parking lot. In addition they will have coffee, water and Kripspy Kreme donuts which will be picked up fresh that morning (fifty cents each or a dozen for $6.00). Stop on by for some donuts and coffee while you are yard sale-ing!

We had great luck at the neighborhood yard sale last year. Check it out on your way to the Farmer’s Market.

Calling All Bookworms

If you’re an avid reader, you won’t want to miss the book sale on June 6 to raise money for Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts’ library. The book sale, which will coincide with the Forest Hill Neighborhood Association’ s annual yard sale, is from 8 a.m. to noon at 1202 W. 46th St.

And if you’re an avid reader who has some books to spare, please donate them to our cause by June 5. Books can be dropped off at 1202 W. 46th St. (there’s a box on the front porch) or at the Patrick Henry booth at the South of the James Market on Saturdays in Forest Hill Park.

Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts is a public charter school that will open in July 2010 in the old Patrick Henry Elementary School building on Semmes Avenue. The PHSSA mission is to establish and maintain a kindergarten through fifth-grade school based on meaningful parent, educator, and community involvement. The school will provide children of our diverse community with an academically rigorous science- and arts-based curriculum that emphasizes environmental awareness and social responsibility.

I have warned you before that we will stray across our Hills and Heights zone due to soccer. This looks like it could be a great family event that is both cheap and entertaining. The paragraph below came from the Kicker’s website, the added emphasis is all me.

Celebrate the end of the school year and kick off the summer fun at the Richmond Kickers School’s Out Festival on Saturday, June 6th.  Beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium (just off the Downtown Expressway), the School’s Out Festival will feature live music, food, activities for kids and fun for the whole family.  The pro soccer game highlights the event as the Kickers host the Harrisburg City Islanders at 7:00 p.m.  Bring the whole family before 6:00 p.m. and purchase a $5.00 ticket that allows admission for the whole group. Parking is free.  Richmond Kickers regular priced admission ($12/adults, $7/youth) will apply after 6:00 p.m.

Full list of activities and vendors here. There really are going to be a bunch.

The Kicker’s are coming off a victory at home last Saturday and hopefully can ride that momentum. Previously the Kicker’s haven’t been able to win at home only draw.

June 6th the South of the James Market will partner with Richmond Animal Control to have a pet adoption event. The event will run the usual 8-12 hours, and be to the right just as you enter the market, under the trees, so there is some shade for the animals. This event will be held the first Saturday of every month at the market. The adoption fee will also cover vaccinations and spay/neuter fee.

Free music! From the RPS website: 

Huguenot High School will present an evening of instrumental and vocal music June 4 as the school holds its annual spring concert, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The concert, free and open to the public, will feature performances by the Huguenot concert band, choir, guitar ensemble, orchestra and jazz band. For more information, contact Chris Moseley at 320-7967. Huguenot High School is located at 7945 Forest Hill Ave.

Thanks to David Hathcock for providing the updated pictures. The first batches of photos are here and here.

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The picture above is of the students (K-5) of the Good Shepherd School. While some classes spend their field day going to a water park or the zoo these students donated their field day to work at Forest Hill Park. The students spread mulch, picked up litter, and helped with a general spruce up of the park. From all the residents that use the park we would like to say, thank you.

Now that the confusion over the city sending tax bills seems to be over. Here is a bit of information for those of you that pay your city tax bills yourself rather than using escrow with your mortgage company. By calling the city at 646-6452 you can arrange to pay taxes on a monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual basis. The program is called the Real Estate Tax Escrow program and is run through the Richmond Department of Finance.

I am very happy to announce a new feature on Hills and Heights, “Photo of the Week”. Once a week local resident Thomas Scott will send us a photo taken in the neighborhood. More of his stunning photographs are on the blog Punch Photo and he has an online portfolio Thomas Scott Photography. Click on the images to see them full size.

© Thomas Scott

© Thomas Scott

If you were going to Friday Cheers to see bluegrass player Jerry Douglas it has been canceled. No word on re-scheduling.

If you were heading to Fridays at Sunset to see KEM, that event has been moved to the Landmark Theater.

What would be better than a giant neighborhood yard sale? A map to said mammoth yard sale! Go, shoppers GO! Sale is Saturday, June 6, 8am – noon.

Map to Forest Hill Neighborhood Yard Sale

Music starts at 8pm at the Plaza Bowl

Duchess of York
Octane Saints
The Flying Eyes
The Thunders

The 2009 Virginia Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service begins at noon today. Area departments are observing the occasion with flags at half-staff, a moment of silence, and many will be sounding their sirens to mark the beginning of the service.
If you hear the wail of a Federal Q while you’re walking home from yard-sale-ing, please take a moment to appreciate those in our state who have given their lives to protect the public.

From Craig’s List:

Trac is a male, neutered, pit bull mix, around 8 months old, who has gone missing in the Forest Hill Park area as of around 7am this morning! He is very friendly and is wearing a full set of tags. Apparently, he dug out of a back yard. If you see him in this area, please contact 804-641-0960 or 804-307-4102

Photo by Page.H

Are you looking for ways to keep your kids entertained this summer? Kelly of Chocolates by Kelly, is offering up a slew of candy classes for kids 6 and up.

So I know what you’re thinking. “What am I going to do with the kids this summer????” Well FEAR NOT, I’ve got just the thing. Have your little ones join me every Wednesday for the Summer Kids Confectionary Program, beginning June 17th and continuing through August 12th.  Ages 12 and older  meet at 12:30 – 1:30. Ages 6-11 meet at 2pm.

Sign up for the summer or pick and choose your favorite class subjects.

June 17th – SALTWATER TAFFY
June 24th – CHOCOLATE DIPPING CLASS
July 1st – ROCK CANDY
July 8th – CHOCOLATE LEAVES, CURLS, SPRINKLES, & DECORATIONS
July 15th – FROZEN COOKIE SANDWICHES
July 22nd – ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE MILK MIX
July 29th – MOLDED CHOCOLATES – FUN SHAPES AND COLORS
August 5th – CARAMEL APPLES
August 12th – MIX YOUR OWN ICE CREAM DAY!!!!

All classes include stuff to take home for the family! Woo hoo.

HOW MUCH: Classes are $20 each or save $45 and sign up for the whole summer for $135.

For more information, or to sign up, give me a call!   Please sign up ahead of time, so I know how many to plan for.

See you soon!     Kelly 804-814-5496

RTD is reporting that City Council is meeting today to consider forming a commission regarding the removal and planting of trees. Living in a part of the city with so many aging trees, this could be a valuable group of people.

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From RTD:

One boy was rescued with the help of kayaker using a rope thrown from shore. A second boy was rescued by rope from shore and the other two had to be brought off a rock by boat.

Sixteen fire rescue personnel were on hand, in addition to Richmond police and city school system truancy officers.

Several thoughts come to mind. First of all how many people need to get pulled out of the river before people read and follow all the warning signs? Second I hope those rescued are forced to pay for all the rescue personnel and police that had to be taken from doing other tasks to perform this rescue. Lastly it is a bad day when you almost drown and are greeted by a truancy officer on the bank of the river.

Free music right across the river at Dogwood Dell. First up are teachers from the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, “The Faculty Lounge Lizards.” RTD ran an article a few days ago that gives some more detail.

All events are free. For details, call (804) 646-1437 or call the Dell hot line at (804) 646-DELL.

Dell Main Stage

June 11: Faculty Lounge Lizards, 8 p.m.

June 12: Susan Greenbaum, 8 p.m.

June 13: KOS, rock, swing and Motown, 8 p.m.

June 14: The Virginians barbershop harmonies, 7 p.m.

Continue for the rest of the schedule.

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Richmond City Sherrif and the Democratic Nominee for Governor and Lt. Governor are up for grabs.  Vote at your usual polling spots turn out is expected to be light, so you should be able to get in and out very quickly. RVA News has some coverage here and RTD some coverage here.

Without any provocation or warning a tree on the 5000 block of King William unleashed it’s fury on two cars by dropping a large branch. The attack totaled (to my unprofessional eye) one car and severely damaged another. All requests for comments from the tree were met with silence. It is suspected that this might be in retaliation to the ongoing City of Richmond work to remove sickly and dead trees throughout the city.

City Workers Cleaning Up the Mess

More images after the break but be warned some are very graphic and might not be appropriate for younger cars or car lovers.

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