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.

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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.

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

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

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.

“The Princess and the Frog” in Forest Hill Park will be shown Friday the 27th starting at 7:30. Free popcorn & cotton candy. Kids are encouraged to dress like the movie characters. “The Princess and the Frog” uses the older style of animation, in which it is all hand drawn as opposed to computer generated. The movie is very reminiscent of the Disney classics of yore and does have some scary bits. From Common Sense Media review, which reviews media with kids in mind;

But while the movie is kid-friendly on the whole, the villain and his shadowy spirit henchmen can be quite scary, and one important character does die, which makes it a little too intense for the youngest viewers.

Picture posted on RTD. Cooper Sallade is the brave soul.

But on this day, there was nothing small about Reedy. It raged, swollen and brown. Rain continued to fall, and those little trickles and rivulets were now whitewater. It was an amazing sight.

As we rounded a corner, I looked upstream and saw something even more amazing. Three guys were preparing to run Reedy Creek in kayaks. I couldn’t believe it, but there they went, one after another – the runs short and precipitous. The boaters navigated what seemed to me – a canoeist more comfortable on flatwater – like giant drops, pinpoint turns into tight notches and hair-raising exits from frothy pools.

I was astounded. I couldn’t believe I was watching this in a stream usually not deep enough for my dogs to swim in.

The engineer told the crane operator “One more inch.”  The steel bridge section slipped gently to the east one inch and dropped into place.  At 11:14, August 3rd, 2010, the first section of the Forest Hill Park Bridge touched ground, marking the beginning of the end of the project six years in the making. When the bridge and its approach sections are finished by the end of the month, the almost $2 million Forest Hill Lake and Park restoration project will be complete.

Images and writing thanks to David Hathcock.

Cynthia Mashburn sent in the following photos showing the results of last night’s storm. Thanks for sharing Cynthia.

Stormwater over the dam.

Swollen Reedy Creek

Downed tree just above wooden bridge

Some good news crime wise. From the RPD press release;

After an in-depth investigation by Richmond Police, Henrico Police and the FBI, two men have been arrested and charged with vandalism in connection with the spraying of anti-Semitic and racist graffiti in Forest Hill Park, Bryan Park and the Bellevue area last year.

Jonathan Edward Feldman, of Richmond , is charged with felony destruction of property. Andrew Bryant Souser, 22, of the 1700 block of Elmsmere Avenue , is charged with two felony counts of destruction of property and 17 misdemeanor counts of destruction of property.

“Investigators worked hard on this case following up on leads that led us to these men,” Special Events Division Commander Michael Shamus said. “If it weren’t for the partnerships between Richmond , Henrico and the FBI as well as community tips and a thorough follow-up, the case would not have had such a positive outcome.”

Similar charges are also pending against both men in Henrico County .

The Richmond Democrats Picnic has been POSTPONED

The picnic was scheduled for Sunday, July 25, but due to the severe heat and thunderstorms forecast for that evening it has been postponed.

Please save the date of Sunday, September 26 for the picnic.

From Friends of Forest Hill Park;

has been engaged in developing a master plan for the park that will guide future plantings, etc. The environmental engineer developing the plan will be here this Saturday, July 24, at 9:00 a.m. at the Stone House for a walk through of certain areas of the park. Anyone interested in learning more about the plan, plants in the park, or just curious is invited to come!

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Sunday in the Park With Friends is this Sunday, July 18th from 12-4pm.

This is a free event featuring fun activites for children (of all ages!) including a moon bounce, foot races, and numerous exhibits.

There will be bottled water, watermelon, and ice cream. Representatives from the leading environmental organizations in the area, the police department, fire department  and others participate. Our very own Stacey Rogers (bike patrolman with the RPD) is organizing a bike rodeo!

Bands performing this year include Tin Foil Militia, Cy Taggart and Cashmere Jungle Lords.

A few more volunteers are still needed for the event.  All volunteers receive a free T-shirt.  If you have some time to spare for this very worthwhile event, please contact Rob Jones robleyj@aol.com

Have you heard about the lake renovations at Forest Hill Park, and wanted to visit?

You haven’t been because the walk up and down to the lake is just too long and steep.

On July 18th, there will be a unique, one time opportunity to ride down to the lake in a golf cart, visit the gazebo and see information about the restoration project. There will a shuttle running, and riders can either stay aboard the golf cart for a circuit around the lake or get off at the gazebo and catch a later shuttle.

The shuttle is part of Sunday in the Park with Friends, an annual event sponsored by City Council President Kathy Graziano and the Friends of Forest Hill Park. The event starts at noon and runs through 4 pm. There will be food, children’s games and activities, environmental displays, and music. All activities are free including the shuttle rides, and all the neighborhoods around the park are invited.

For additional information: David Hathcock 320-2454 or Dena Fultz 301-8303

Do you want to be more environmentally friendly?

Now is your chance. Stop by the Friends of Forest Hill Park‘s table at the South of the James Market on Saturday, July 11 and buy a raffle ticket ($1.00 or 6/$5.00) to win a Solarcone composter. This composter is an easy-to-use tool which helps dispose of household food waste in an environmentally responsible way.

“The primary function of the Green Cone System is to accelerate the natural decomposition process by raising temperatures, maintaining aerobic conditions, and encouraging the growth of micro-organisms. The system takes all household food waste, including vegetable scraps, raw and cooked meat or fish, bones, dairy products and other organic food waste such as bread and pasta. Because of its state-of-the-art design, The Green Cone System does this while:

• Containing food waste to prevent dispersion and eliminate odors.
• Creating a secure barrier to human, farm animal, wild animal, pet and bird
  activity.
• Preventing surface and top soil contamination.
• Meeting all relevant health, safety and environmental legislation.”

For more information about the Solarcone visit this website:

http://solarcone.net/system/in_depth.php

The Solarcone composter was donated by Central Virginia Waste Management and proceeds will help the Friends of Forest Hill Park sponsor activities such as improved landscaping and other special events.

From Jamie on the Woodland Heights Yahoo Group;
“I just got a call from a gentleman who is in forest hill park now and has found 2 small dogs which are obviously someone’s pets (one’s “fixed” and another a chihuahua type).

If this sounds like your animals- please call 439-3887. He is going to call animal control if he cannot find the owners.”
The message was posted at 12:58. I did not receive the call so I have no further information.

The Friends of Forest Hill Park will have a meeting on Tuesday, June 29 at 7:00 p.m. at the Stone House. We will discuss ongoing landscaping projects, introduce opportunities for volunteering, meet the new Junior Board, and hear all about Sunday in the Park.

Visiting the SOTJ is to risk sensory overload. Thanks to all who lend an ankle or leg or arm or shoulder or back or chest to make this week’s feature a success.

Article and photos provided by David Hathcock.

This year’s Sunday in the Park with Friends will be on July 18th from noon to 4. There will be music, activities for children, watermelon, ice cream and much more. This is always a great day for the area and we will have more details soon including the list of musicians and the awesome poster. These events are dependent on volunteers so if you can please volunteer for a one hour shift. It doesn’t feel like work at all and you’ll be surprised at all the folks you meet. Please email Robley Jones at robleyj@aol.com or call him at 233-3748 if you can help.

The second Music in the Park goes down this Sunday at 6 p.m. and will wrap up by 8 p.m. The band Skydog will be rocking the Allman Brothers tunes at the Stone House.

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is holding a workshop on building a rain barrel on Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. The workshop will be at The Old Stone House in Forest Hill Park and cost $65.

Why Rain Barrels?
Rain Barrels can be attached to down spouts to capture roof runoff. The water stored in the rain barrel can be used to water gardens or lawn. Rain barrels can also help control stormwater runoff, which causes erosion and degrades our streams.

How do I sign up?
Contact the Alliance for the Chesapeake at djennings@acb-online.org to register.

Overcast, and a little cooler…raspberries are in, and baby summer squash. A few pictures from the vendor’s viewpoint, thanks to Amy Hicks and the sticky bun lady. It was an early day for me; most people don’t realize how hard these vendors, especially the produce, bakers, coffee makers have to work…starting well before dawn, often driving through the darkness to start setting up at 6:30…Often a nine hour day before noon. Don’t forget the park staff who are out checking trash cans, fire lanes, getting the market ready.

Thanks to all who make this market important to so many.

Thanks to David Hathcock for the photos and commentary.

We need about 10-12 volunteers to help out at the Forest Hill Regatta on the afternoon of May 22nd. Duties could include directing paddlers to the start, taking registrations, etc. This will be a fun event, a great opportunity to meet new neighbors and old friends alike. Please contact Rob Jones if you can help: robleyj@verizon.net

I only know what I saw on the Friends of Forest Hill Park Facebook page which let us know the yard sale is this Saturday at the Forest Hill Presbyterian Church from 8 a.m.-noon.