Posts by PageH:
Gas Leak Closed Forest Hill Ave Earlier Today
January 13th, 2010The RTD is reporting that a gas leak has diverted west bound traffic on Forest Hill this morning.
The westbound lanes of Forest Hill Avenue were blocked just west of Chippenham Parkway shortly after 6 a.m. …[and] diverted onto Chippenham Parkway or turned around just west of the parkway.
The leak was found directly in front of the fire station. You may want to choose an alternate route this morning.
Update: Both lanes back up as of 8:30 according to RTD.
Restaurant Review: Croaker’s Spot in Manchester
January 11th, 2010
[photo courtesy of flickr user swhwartzray]
A Saturday night is probably not the best night to try a new restaurant but our party of three decided to give the new Croaker’s Spot in Manchester a try and boy was the joint hopping! We bellied up to the bar for our 30 minute wait and goggled at just how slammed the servers and bartenders were. Every staff member we came into contact with was extremely friendly and they really rallied to help each other but could scarcely keep up with the crowd. We watched glass after glass of home made lemonade and limeade being laboriously hand-squeezed which probably slowed down service considerably but I’d kill to have one of those on a hot day.
And then the glorious plates of food went by. Read the rest of this entry “
J.R. Pope profiled in RTD
December 30th, 2009As head of the Richmond park system, J.R. Pope has been overseeing the revitalization of Forest Hill Park Lake. If you’ve ever gotten a chance to hear the excitement in his voice when he’s talking about our parks, you know that he’s in it for the right reasons. He was profiled in RTD today:
He has a big imagination. He sees the eventual restoration of the historic Pump House as a visitors interpretative center and community venue. He can envision a reflecting pond in front of the Carillon, where one was planned but never built decades ago. He wants to restore two silted ponds in Bryan Park.
Patrick Henry School Accepting Teacher Applications
December 29th, 2009From PHSSA:
The school is looking for dynamic, innovative, qualified teachers who will help fulfill the mission of Virginia’s first charter elementary school. Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts’ mission is to establish and maintain a kindergarten through fifth-grade school based on meaningful parental, educator, and community involvement. See more about the job description and apply here.
They have a pool of candidates for the principal position and are no longer accepting applications for it. They will continue to accept student applications through February 12. Read more and download an application here.
From DPW: On-Street Parking Hindering Snow Removal
December 22nd, 2009In a case of “which came first, the chicken or the egg” comes a press release sent by the City of Richmond:
December 22 – City residents are being asked to find alternate parking when possible to facilitate snow removal in neighborhoods and subdivisions. Snow plows are unable to adequately remove the snow when there is on-street parking. For more information on city services and schedules, please visit us online at www.RichmondGov.com
Update 3:55 p.m. – Some clarification arrived in my inbox (Richard talking now) from David Hathcock on behalf of Dexter White the Director of Public Works:
I want to update you on the current status of the on-going snow and ice removal. Currently all major bridges and thoroughfares are clear or passable. However the issue is no longer snow; instead it is ice, which our snowplows are not designed to remove. As such, DPW personnel and contractors are using motorgraders and front end loaders to break up and remove the ice. We are continuing to spread salt and sand on all secondary roads to provide greater traction for vehicle traffic within neighborhoods.
Our schedule is to remove ice from neighborhoods based on solid waste collection days. Should we completed ice removal in advance of the trash pick-up, we will move into the next area.
I apologize for any inconvenience. We are putting forth every effort making the roads safe for all city residents.
Sincerely,
Dexter C. White
Director, Department of Public Works
South of the James Winter Market Gets Shout Out
December 20th, 2009Local food blog, River City Food and Wine gave a shout out to local coffee roaster, Blanchard’s Coffee and Chocolates by Kelly, which they discovered while visiting the first, and so far only, South of the James Winter Market. Does anyone have confirmation that the market will be open December 26th in its winter home at 5047 Forest Hill Avenue?
Post Office at Hioaks and Jahnke NOT Closing
December 11th, 2009Having braved the holiday crowds at our nearest Post Office, I made a point of asking the clerk when the branch was closing, as it had been previously announced. You’ll be happy to learn, that they have been removed from the list of USPS branch closings! Actually, it appears that there aren’t any Richmond area post offices on the list. Huzzah!
Sweet Little Hound Seeks a Good Home
November 30th, 2009Look into those eyes…
This sweet, shy girl was found in the fan but we just can’t resist helping her out here in the H&H. We’re big fans of those worried little eyebrows and the floppishness of her ears. Are you looking for a little extra love in your household? Read the rest of this entry “
Found: Orange and White Male Cat
November 28th, 2009
FOUND:: Orange & White cat, stumpy tail, very sweet, but I think may have some health problems–he is panting and looking upset. I’ve attached pictures, please email or call if he belongs to you: 314-2988
Found at 45th & Stonewall aves.
Huguenot Band Will Perform At 2009 Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta
November 27th, 2009Congratulations! The award-winning Huguenot High School Marching Falcons Band has been invited to play at the 2009 Chick-fil-A Bowl on Dec. 31 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Read the press release here.
Band members are currently raising funds to help pay for the trip. On November 24 from 5 to 8 p.m., Tropical Smoothie Café will donate 15 percent of its sales to the band. On Dec. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m., the band will hold a special spirit night at the Stratford Hills Chick-fil-A located at 7125 Forest Hill Ave. Chick-fil-A will donate 20 percent of that evening’s receipts to the band.
Patrick Henry Auction
November 25th, 2009
So far Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts‘ auction has raised $4,759. Please help with their fund-raising goals! Check out this BEAUTIFUL hand built victorian style doll house full of furniture! Bidding starts at only $125 perfect for collectors or children 7+. Read the rest of this entry “
Forest Hill/Westover Hills Car Break-ins
November 23rd, 2009From CrimeWatch Captain Noah Rogers:
There have been several reports of car break-ins occurring in the Westover Hills/Forest Hill area over the last couple of nights.
At least 3 of the break-ins have occurred on New Kent Road.
Please remember to lock your vehicle at all times – also refrain from leaving items of value in plain sight.
If someone can look inside your vehicle and see an item such as a GPS device your are at much greater risk to have your vehicle broken into.
New Web Banner and Such
November 12th, 2009After much feet-dragging on my part and a certain amount of badgering on Richard’s part, I finally designed a new web banner for H&H and tweaked a few colors and fonts. If the site looks wonky, try refreshing the page. If it’s still really goofy let us know in the comments.
Patrick Henry School Looking for Items to Auction
November 9th, 2009Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts (PHSSA) is seeking donations of goods & services for our Online Holiday Auction, Nov 18-Dec 9. The auction will feature everything from artwork to gift cards to trips at vacation spots. Please contact us at auction@patrickhenrycharter.org if you have something to contribute. All donations are tax deductible!
Repaving on Boulevard Bridge Reduces Traffic to One Lane
November 3rd, 2009The south side of the “Nickel” bridge is finally being repaved so keep an eye out for a flag man and be prepared to stop and wait. Hopefully this repaving will reduce that “I’m about to lose my life” feeling I’d get every time I headed for the bridge as the bumps and waves sent my car careening.
Mayor Jones Outlines School Building Plan
October 22nd, 2009The Richmond Times Dispatch reported on a plan Mayor Jones presented to the school board that included plans for a new Huguenot High School, which has long been suggested.
Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones unveiled an aggressive plan to build four schools in the city by 2014 and start construction on the first in a little over a year.
Jones identified replacing Huguenot High School as a priority during a meeting last night with the Richmond School Board.
…
Jones’ administration has made $150 million available for school construction during the next five years. In addition to the high school, the city identified two elementary schools and one middle school to be constructed by 2014; construction would start on the first elementary school by December 2010.
This is a subject that pops up regularly without much movement. Stop talking and start doing! I’d also like to her more about bringing the other schools into ADA compliance. I wonder what the status of the schools in our area is?
Friday Night’s Fun at the Richmond Folk Festival
October 10th, 2009
We hit the Folk Festival last night and joined several thousand folks flowing from one stage to the next picking up a cold beer and snacks on our way. It was a beautifully warm night for October and the crowd was upbeat, friendly and moving to the beats.
First we checked out Jeffery Broussard and the Creole Cowboys. I have a soft spot for zydeco and its specialized dance style and the band brought the temperature up fast in the Richmond Times-Dispatch Dance Pavilion.
We stopped briefly by the Indian Slide Guitarist, Debashish Bhattacharya. His music seemed very deep and contemplative but we were more in a toe-tapping mood so we moved along to check out Swamp Dogg’s brand of R & B. His 83 year old mother, a professional singer and pianist, opened the show, prepping the crowd for Swamp Dogg’s lime-green-suited entrance. His voice is an amazing instrument and got the crowd jamming.
To wrap up the evening we headed back to the Dance Pavilion to see Samba Mapangala & Orchestre Virunga. This East African group had me dancing up a storm. Think Ladysmith Black Mambazo with light, trilling reverbed guitar and african/caribbean beats that got the crowd hopping. Mr Mapangala seemed to really enjoy the enthusiastic crowds response to his band, smiling through an encore that the crowd had chanted into being performed.
The food choices are amazing again this year – Indian, Thai, Cajun, Croaker’s Spot, and other delicious choices along with a few festival favorites for those less adventurous eaters.
My only complaint would be that the volume of the performances could be turned a bit louder. In its setting, there aren’t many residents to complain about noise so be a little bolder, and turn it up!
The skies this morning are overcast and damp but a little drizzle shouldn’t prevent you from heading to Brown’s Island as many of the stages have large tents to sit/dance under.
Payback Gets Forest Hill Park Jumping
October 5th, 2009It was a beautiful, cool evening Sunday night when a large crowd headed to the park to watch Payback, a James Brown tribute band. The kids started dancing early but by the end there was a rare crowd of adults dancing with abandon.It’s hard NOT to shake your groove thang with such great music.
Westover Hills Library Circa 1959
October 4th, 2009
Amazing what a few decades will do! The trees that are on this lot now cast the library in almost constant shadow but they weren’t even planted when this pic was taken August 19, 1959 by the Adolph B. Rice Studio. I found this image on Flickr in the collection of The Library of Virginia. The Westover Hills Library had just opened in July of that year, previously having been at one point in the basement of the Stone House at Forest Hill Park. The library is slated for renovations next year to update some of the original fixtures.
Real Small Art
October 4th, 2009Having a five year old means we end up spending a great deal of time at what is locally known as “Triangle Park” but is more formally known as the Westover Hills United Methodist Church playground. Yesterday there were the requisite childish shrieks and motherly admonishments and there, tucked up under the roof of the bulletin board was this little surprise. Read the rest of this entry “
Music at Plaza Bowl Tonight
October 3rd, 2009Is it too late to tell you that tonight, Sat Oct 03 at 08:00 PM, these bands are playing at Plaza Bowl.
• HEX MACHINE
• Dysrhythmia
• The Wayward
You can now follow them on twitter!
HillsAndHeights Selected for CBS 6’s “Best of the Blogs”
September 30th, 2009
Richard is a a little bashful about tooting his own horn, but I’m not! Our very own little Hills and Heights was selected as CBS 6’s very first “Best of the Blogs”! Congrats, Richard, I know how hard you work to find great content for the readers. And thanks to you, the readers, for your support!
Music In The Park 9/14
September 13th, 2009Tonight from 5-7 pm at the Stone House in Forest Hill Park, the band Great White Jenkins will bring their alternative country for the fifth in a series of Music In the Park events. These concerts bring out lots of picnicking families and with the cooler weather should be a lot of fun. So grab a cooler and a blanket and join in! This program is sponsored by the neighborhood associations of Forest Hill, Westover Hills and Woodland Heights and by the City of Richmond Parks and Recreation. There’s only one more show after this one on October 4th when The Big Payback brings Funk, Soul and R&B to the park.
Forest Hill Park Lake Restoration In RTD
September 5th, 2009We’ve been following the progress of the Forest Hill Lake restoration project here on H&H. And now the RTD is reporting that the project may finish up ahead of schedule, despite the sometimes heavy rain and sporadic vandalism. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports:
About one week’s worth of excavation remains to be done, once the Ohio-based dredging crew returns to work next week after the Labor Day holiday. The work then will focus on restoring many of the historic features that have been lost for years under accumulating mud and marshland.
CBS6 Covers Forest Hill’s Suspicious Solicitors
September 4th, 2009WTVR ran a story about the suspicious solicitors we reported on recently. Thanks to CSB for providing the link!
