My Community: Richmond
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“We the People, a Concert for the Constitution,” will be held Oct. 6 from 5-8 p.m. at Dogwood Dell. The event is free and open to the public, and the media is invited to attend.

A group of Richmond residents, driven by concern about the erosion of constitutional rights for everyday Americans, have combined resources to sponsor the event as an awareness initiative for the general public. The Bush Administration and Congress are making decisions everyday that restrict freedoms guaranteed to American citizens by the Constitution, and this event will offer attendees information, tools and strategies to protect their rights.

The high-energy roots reggae band Crucial Elements, politically-conscious hip-hop group Divine Profitz and the winning band from the Rockitz Battle of the Bands will provide live music.  Speakers will include David Swanson of AfterDowningStreet.org, Laura Flanders of The Nation magazine and Air America Radio, and Norman Solomon, filmmaker of “War Made Easy” and author of “Made Love Got War.”

For more information about the event, please contact Chris Dorsey at (804) 564-1491 or .  Information is also available at http://concertfortheconstitution.us.

About the Organizers:
This event is sponsored by Richmond citizens concerned with the erosion of our constitutional rights. A recent, local incident, involving Rain Burroughs, was a catalyst for this concert and is just one example of wrongful persecution.

On July 4th, Burroughs, a Richmond resident, and her seven-year old daughter were detained at Dogwood Dell by the Richmond City Police for displaying a banner calling for the impeachment of Vice President Dick Cheney. A quote from the City Parks Department printed in The Richmond Times-Dispatch stated the banner “disrupted the patriotic theme” of the occasion. 

Reducing Crime & Recidivism

Saturday October 20th, 2007
12 Noon to 4pm
Monroe Park
Richmond, Virginia 23220

Feed the Homeless Drive
Special Guest Speakers & Entertainment
Informational/Resource HELP Tables
Crime Deterrence Reading Play (Showtime 1pm)
Prisoner Art Work Display
Much More!

The Justice for All Coalition is currently accepting can food donations for the “feed the homeless” drive and/or new or used dictionary for “prisoner education drive”

Contact Telephone:  (804) 562-2123 - Website:  http://www.rihd.org

Contact Persons: 



RIHD is a nonprofit, public charity group dedicated towards reducing crime and recidivism through activities that help promote and bring about self-rehabilitation for at-risk youth, incarcerated persons, ex-offenders, their families/loved ones and through advocacy for “smart” laws.

Rain date:  Saturday, October 27

Tuesday, October 9th, 3-4PM
The Woman’s Club
203 East Franklin Street

Much is happening with your DNA! News about the funding through Venture Richmond, our upcoming street festival “Broad Appetit,”

our new website, the Fall Festival for downtown daycare centers, our new police representative, Lt. Lisa Drew and the status of downtown trash issues...all to be discussed.

Lots to talk about so we’ll start on time and be finished by 4pm.

Any questions, call Bill Harrison at 780-2256 or email

The next community meeting for the update to the Richmond Downtown Master Plan will be held on Thursday, September 27, 2007 from 6:30 - 9:00pm at The Renaissance Conference Center (located at 107 W. Broad Street at the corner of W. Broad and Adams Streets). Free parking for the event will be available to the rear of the conference center.

Foundations of the Richmond Downtown Master Plan

During the work-in-progress presentation on July 26, 2007 at Plant Zero, Dover, Kohl and Partners shared a list of six foundations of the Richmond Downtown Master Plan.  These foundations are reflective of items that were consistently mentioned by the community during the public participation events of the week of July 20-26. 

An initial list of thoughts and potential implementation measures associated with each of the foundations is outlined below.  Please consider your thoughts on these items over the coming weeks as we prepare to continue the discussion on the Richmond Downtown Master Plan on September 27, 2007.

Traditional City
Pedestrians and transit riders thrive in traditional cities.  Downtown Richmond has the street network and much of the historic architecture in place to support a rebirth of traditional modes of transportation.  Encourage these alternative modes of transportation by restoring the two-way traffic pattern, re-introducing a trolley system, and reconsidering parking requirements for urban buildings.

River
The James River is Richmond’s “great, wet Central Park.” Allow residents and visitors to fully enjoy this unique natural feature by creating a series of clear connections to the riverfront.  Develop a comprehensive system of natural open space along the river and create green connections between city parks and the riverfront.  Promote recreational activity along the river, such as waterfront festivals and kayaking.  Preserve views to the river by limiting building heights and protecting important viewsheds.

Urban Architecture
We can learn many lessons from Richmond’s historic urban architecture.  Require all new construction within the Downtown to respect and reinforce its urban location, meeting the sidewalk and fronting the street with windows and primary entrances.  Promote ground-floor, street facing retail where appropriate, and ensure that parking garages are lined with street-front buildings.  Cater to the pedestrian, and create a lively, human-scale frontage that encourages walking.

Variety and Choice
Urban environments provide variety and choice.  Cities are naturally mixed-use, mixed-income, and multi-modal.  Promote Richmond’s competitive advantage by further diversifying land uses, building types and sizes, and providing a full range of transportation options.  Allow opportunities for those at all income levels, supporting programs for those of lesser means and education.

Green
Great parks and sustainable infrastructure make cities livable.  Attract new residents and visitors to Downtown with an integrated system of urban parks.  Celebrate Richmond’s existing park system, and increase public access to these parks by providing reliable maintenance.  Initiate an ambitious street tree campaign.  Incorporate sustainable design into all new buildings and infrastructure projects in order to create a fully “green” city.

History
Richmond’s past is one of its most valuable assets for the future.  Celebrate and promote Richmond’s history with an aggressive historic preservation program and a coordinated system of history trails, museums, and interpretive sites.  Focus not only “historic” events but also reveal the day-to-day story of the city, for example by exposing the cobblestones beneath Downtown’s asphalt streets.

For more information contact Brooke Hardin, City of Richmond
Telephone: (804) 646-6310 E-mail:

Army Reserve Pvt. Travis H. Mulford has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

He is the son of Preston Mulford of Wellington Ridge Road, Richmond, Va. Mulford is a 2006 graduate of Patrick Henry High School, Ashland, Va.

Richmond Balance is now accepting new members!  Richmond Balance is a newly renovated, fitness facility located in Shockoe Bottom.  We are a neighborhood gym with a local owner that offers a variety of services and a supportive environment. Come in and try out our dynamic aerobics classes, extensive cardio equipment, weight and resistance training.  For membership information please visit our website at http://www.richmondbalance.com. 

Location: 1806 East Main Street
Phone Number: 343-1234
Contact: Michelle Kahn Logan - , (804) 399-2386

EveryScape, a 3D maps start-up will officially launch this fall with San Fran, Boston, NYC, Chicago and Seattle but is seeking people’s votes in selecting the next five cities and an additional 15 towns for the “People’s Project to Build the 3D Web.” Considered a Google Earth/Microsoft StreetView rival, EveryScape not only covers exterior locations but lets users explore interiors of restaurants, hotels, retail stores, etc. In addition, EveryScape lets people upload their normal 2D images to the site, which then are stitched into the 3D world. Voting is now live to Richmond voters and the entire nation at http://www.everyscape.com.

See press release below.

EVERYSCAPE SEEKS THE COMMUNITY’S VOTE FOR “THE PEOPLE’S WORLD PROJECT” TO BUILD THE 3D WEB
The People’s Vote to Determine the Next 5 Cities and 15 Towns to be “Scaped” in 2007

WALTHAM, Mass. – EveryScape, Inc. wants to hear the people’s voice. It is seeking votes for “The People’s World Project” to build the 3D Web. By enlisting the contributions of consumers around the world, EveryScape is creating the first interactive eye-level experience that offers Web users a completely immersive, 3D world online. By the end of 2007, EveryScape plans to launch 10 metropolitan areas, five of which will be determined by the community’s vote. In addition, EveryScape plans to build 15 additional towns, which will also be determined by the people. You can cast your vote at http://www.everyscape.com. Voting opens today and closes August 31. The winning communities will be announced in early September.

To help fulfill its vision of building out the world in 3D, EveryScape is also looking for local “Scape Artists” to join the movement. EveryScape’s highly scalable approach enables almost anyone to capture the photos needed to build any geographic location – with minimal training. These images are captured using standard digital single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras, and are then uploaded to EveryScape for processing. Scape Artists have the opportunity to share the places, things and experiences that are part of their communities, which when combined with the work of fellow Scape Artists, contribute to the building of the People’s World.

“We don’t presume that we can build the world on our own. The people have to build the ‘People’s World,’ just like it was the people who originally built the Web as we know it today,” said Jim Schoonmaker, CEO of EveryScape. “EveryScape’s job is to create the canvas; the people will add color and context. That’s what this initiative is all about. We want to hear from the people about what they want to see – and then give them the tools to help us bring it to life.”

EveryScape is bridging the gap between the physical world and the virtual one by allowing people to search, find and experience every aspect of a city or town in 3D. For example, while “walking” down a street users can window shop storefronts as well as tour the inside of those stores, see their offerings, and access published reviews and other information. Last month, EveryScape delivered a sneak peek of Union Square in San Francisco at http://www.everyscape.com. The full city of San Francisco will launch this fall, with Boston, Chicago, New York and Seattle to follow by the end of 2007, along with the five additional metropolitan areas and 25 towns, which will be determined by the community’s vote.

To cast a vote and to become a Scape Artist, visit http://www.everyscape.com. 

Contact:  Melinda Burnette (804) 398-1884 or (804) 649-6428

When:  Saturday, August 11, 2007

Where:  2800 block of Fendall Avenue (in front of the Trinity Baptist Church)

What:  Trinity Baptist Church is hosting a community block party.  Food, fun, games and numerous vendors will be just part of the activities taking place on the block and surrounding streets.  This event would provide great, visual material for stations to use on a slow Saturday afternoon.

Location:  Trinity Baptist Church is located at 2811 Fendall Avenue in Richmond’s north side.  For more information or if you are a vendor and would like to participate and reserve a spot, please call 321-2427.

The City of Richmond shuts down a Southside Historical Landmark!

The Cozy Corner on German School Road in Southside will close it’s doors for the very last time next Sunday. After 70 some years as a local gathering spot and the last existing original road house in the area, the Cozy Corner has been forced to close to expand German School Road into a four lane throughway between Jhank and Midlothian. Disrupting the residential feel of the neighborhood and paving the way for Apartment Buildings and Office Complexes.

The deal is done. There is no going back. Bobby Lloyd, the current owner, was notified recently that the State would take possession on the 3rd of August.

The Southside Richmond establishment has been a favorite spot for local Southsiders since the 1930’s. Currently you may find Nascar’s Junnie Dunlevy having a quiet lunch with his friends, Nashville recording artist, Bill Johnson, stopping in for a cold beer or Steve Kapella, the renown Richmond Sympathy Cellist, at the Sunday afternoon Pickers Corner acoustic jam sessions.

The Cozy Corner will be thoroughly missed by a wide variety of South Richmond residents and sadden by the loss of a Local Landmark. 

Richmond resident and 2007 Transylvania University graduate, Jessica Stone, has been recognized for her involvement in the Transylvania Senior Challenge.

As part of the Senior Challenge, members of the senior class contributed to fund a scholarship for an incoming Transylvania freshman. Sixty-nine percent of the senior class donated as part of the challenge and raised $19,438.

Stone, an art history major and studio art minor, is the daughter of Jan Stone of Richmond.

Transylvania, founded in 1780, is the nation’s sixteenth oldest institution of higher learning and is consistently ranked in national publications as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

Garrett Lee of Richmond has been named to the Dean’s List at Florida Institute of Technology. A junior, Lee is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

To be included on the Dean’s List, a student must complete 12 or more graded credits in a semester with a semester grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.4.

Florida Institute of Technology was founded in 1958 to train professionals working in the space program at what is now Kennedy Space Center. It is the only independent, technological university in the Southeast. Florida Tech was named A Barron’s Best Buy in College Education, is listed among America’s best colleges in U.S. News & World Report and was named one of the nation’s top 14 engineering institutions in the Fiske Guide to Colleges. 

Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder and CarMax CEO Tom Folliard announced a new partnership to give 330 children in Richmond the opportunity to play basketball this summer.

With more than $100,000 in support from CarMax, Inc. and the CarMax Foundation, the City has renovated two public basketball courts at its Pine Camp Arts and Community Center and will kick off a new summer youth basketball league with 33 teams, including four all-girl teams.

“We are extremely pleased to have CarMax join us in reaching out to Richmond’s youth and families with this program,” said Mayor Wilder. “As mayor, it is one of my goals to create a safe and positive environment with opportunities that can lead to success for all Richmond citizens. This program takes the City forward another step toward reaching that goal.”

“Like the City of Richmond, CarMax supports programs that help young people build character and develop leadership skills,” said Tom Folliard, CarMax CEO and president.  “The summer basketball league will be a great way for Richmond’s young people to learn about teamwork while having fun.”

The renovated courts include new surfaces, new goal posts and nets, and the addition of new bleachers and players’ benches. They are free and open for the public to use, except during the season Monday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. when the league and its teams of children ranging in age from 10 to 17 will use the courts.

“We’ve worked hard to organize these teams, and we hope to see families and kids there rooting for their favorites,” said J. R. Pope, director of the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. Part of the department’s mission is to provide exceptional recreation programs that enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Richmond.

As part of the partnership, Tim Weathers, a graduate of the University of Richmond who played ball there, will serve as the league’s director. CarMax will provide jerseys for the children and equipment, and Richmond off-duty police officers will provide security. In addition to the recreation department teams, the league includes a Police Athletic League team, a team from the Richmond Outreach Center, and three teams organized by Weathers.

The season will run through mid-August, concluding with championship playoffs and trophies. 

Two New Kent High School students are the recipients of the Board Chair Award in honor of J. Roy Geiger, Superintendent of New Kent County Public Schools and past board chair at Bon Secours HealthSource.  Bon Secours HealthSource, a subsidiary of Bon Secours Richmond Health System, presented the two $3,000 scholarships at its May board meeting.

This year’s recipients of the Bon Secours HealthSource Board Chair Award are DeShaunda Hilliard and William B. Morris, III. 

Hilliard is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Big Buddy Program, BETA Club and French Club.  Hilliard will be attending Hood College, in Frederick, Md., this fall and said she plans to study pre-med.

Morris will be attending the College of William & Mary.  In addition to volunteer work, Morris has earned numerous awards and honors including the American Legions Good Citizenship Award and the United States Minority Leadership Award.  He said he plans to pursue the fields of science and medicine.

“DeShaunda Hilliard and William Morris are two impressive young people who exemplify the principles of community service and commitment to education that Dr. Geiger has demonstrated to Bon Secours HealthSource in all of his years of service to our organization,” Barr said.  “We are honored to present them each with this award and in so doing honor Roy Geiger for his leadership.”

This scholarship award was established to honor the outgoing chairman of the Bon Secours HealthSource Board of Directors for his years of uncompensated service through the funding of a scholarship.  This scholarship award is for people who plan to do their undergraduate studies in the health care field and will be disbursed annually in the amount of $3,000 for each recipient.  A committee of the board composed of the outgoing chairman, current chairman, controller, vice president of mission and ethics and the executive vice president selects recipients.

David Lino Micheli Jr., a student at St. Christopher’s School has been selected to attend the 2007 Congessional Student Leadership Conference, sponsored by LeadAmerica, at Franklin W. Olin College in Boston, MA. The CSLC is a college-accredited invitational leadership program for academically talented and promising young leaders from across the United States and internationally. Exceptional high school students with a record of academic achievement and extracurricular or community involvement are invited to participate.

Effective July 1st, 2007, Barbara W. Fleming will step down as Executive Director of Children’s Health Involving Parents to explore alternative pursuits.  For over 15 years, Fleming has graciously led the Richmond based site since its establishment as an extension of the Richmond Community Action Program (RCAP) in 1992.  Her decision to resign marks the first ever change in executive leadership for the site.

In 1997, Fleming had a major role in expanding the program into an independent agency with a staff of three and a $75,000 operating budget to over 25 employees and a $1.5 million budget.  She is to be succeeded by Amy L. Strite, currently serving as the Clinical Services and Education Director for the Richmond site.

About CHIP of Greater Richmond
Children’s Health Involving Parents (CHIP) is a voluntary and free program that provides case management, home visitation services and mental health evaluations to low income parents and children.  An independent agency since 1997, CHIP’s mission has been to deliver services while working in partnership with parents to improve the health and well-being of their children.

City Singers and Neighborhood Singers Community Children’s Choirs are currently seeking talented young singers in grades 2 and above who would like to audition to join us for the 2007-2008 choir season.

We are delighted to announce that Dr. David McCormick will once again be directing City Singers, and Ms. Karen Harris will be directing Neighborhood Singers and serving as accompanist for City Singers.

City Singers is an auditioned treble choir for boys and girls in grades 4 and above. Neighborhood Singers is our training choir for singers in grades 2 and above. Our past performances have included Bruton Parish Church - Candlelight Concert Series in Williamsburg, the Festival of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Sing Out for Freedom, Pray for Peace Interfaith Choir Concert sponsored by Living the Dream and Congregation Beth Ahabah, Wilton House Museum - Holiday Family Open House, and singing The National Anthem at the Richmond Braves Game.

In honor of the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown Settlement, the theme for the first half of our 2007-2008 choir season will be Happy Birthday to America!

Our repertoire will include late 16th to early 17th century English music, possibly an arrangement of Yankee Doodle (which started its life in England), and a metrical psalm or two which we will borrow from the New England settlers. Then we will come closer to our own time with a Civil War tune, a Native American melody and some spirituals. We will also be learning several pieces of music from other parts of the world, mainly folk tunes with some sung in native languages.

Prerequisites for acceptance into City Singers and Neighborhood Singers are the ability to carry a tune and a desire to contribute to the excellence of the group, which performs at community events and in its own concerts. Current or recent repertoire includes compositions by noted composers and engaging arrangements of folk materials in Czech, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Russian, Samoan and Spanish, as well as English.

Auditions are fun and easy, designed to give us an idea of your vocal range and abilities. To learn more about City Singers and Neighborhood Singers Community Children’s Choirs, please visit our website at http://www.neighborhoodschool.org/citysingers.htm or contact David McCormick at 321-4811 to schedule your audition.

Registration for Summer Camp is underway at the North Richmond YMCA Community Center. Camp begins on Monday, June 18th and runs in week long sessions for ten weeks! Kids can participate in archery, swimming, arts and crafts, field trips, and much much more! YMCA Summer camp is open to all families in our community and is a safe and fun place for kids to spend their summer while mom and dad are at work. Snacks and lunch are provided everyday. Financial assistance is easily available to make the program affordable to everyone! For more information call (804) 239-9622 or come visit the branch, see our facility and register at 4207 Old Brook Rd. right next to John Marshall High School.

“A Salute To Virginia” is the title of special concert celebrating the 400th anniversary of Virginia on Sunday June 10, 2007 at the historic Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church located at 14 W. Duval Street in the Jackson Ward District of Richmond.  The concert features the One Voice Chorus singing sacred, spiritual and patriotic songs.  Concert is free, however, a $10 donation is encouraged.  Call 804-240-3559 for details.

The death of Jonathan “Jonny Z” Zanin affected many people that never knew him.  He died at a familiar place to many Richmonders, including myself: the north end of the Boulevard Bridge. I got a chance to go for a bike ride yesterday, and while crossing the bridge, I noticed a memorial to Zanin on the spot on the bridge above the train tracks where his body was found. Mementos from good friends, family and well-wishers are left at the site.

The circumstances of his death weighed on my mind as I continued my ride, and mostly I thought about my kids and how hard it must be for the parents and family members of Zanin, knowing what a good person he seemed to be, and that he was gone from their lives too soon. At least he took his chance to make an impression on people while he was here.

As of May 10, Richmond police investigating the death of Zanin believe he died beneath the Boulevard Bridge early Sunday May 6 by accident—not as a result of foul play or suicide. Zanin’s bike was found on the pedestrian walkway of the span 43 feet above, along with his sneakers.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch coverage:

Richmond native Lauren Manns will embark this month on a 16-day concert tour of Europe, performing with the Peace College Chamber Singers throughout Spain, France and Italy. 

Manns, a junior at the four-year baccalaureate college located in downtown Raleigh, will join fellow members of the college’s premier vocal ensemble as well as Peace staff, faculty and friends of the college on an excursion to such European cities as Barcelona, Spain, the French Riviera’s Côte d’Azur as well as Florence and Rome, Italy.

Manns performs as a soprano with the 19-member student ensemble directed by Peace College Associate Professor of Music James Smith. Pursuing a communication major with a concentration in mass communication, she joined the choir in August 2005 and is the daughter of M. Lisa Payne and Robert Manns of Richmond.

The group departs Raleigh on May 21. The singers’ first stop is in Barcelona, Spain, where they will perform a full concert at the city’s Gothic Cathedral. Other performance venues include the Basilica in Montserrat, Spain, Notre-Dame des Tables in Montpelier, France, as well as Notre-Dame des Port in Nice, France.

Two highlights of the tour include performances in Italy, first in the revered Duomo in Florence and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

“We are thrilled to have received such an auspicious invitation,” said Smith. “This will be a fitting conclusion to our trip, and no doubt it will be an occasion that the students will never forget.”

The singers will present a selection of songs ranging from Gregorian chants to 20th Century spirituals. The group also will sing in numerous languages such as French, Spanish, Italian, German and Latin.

Peace College’s music department sponsors a European tour every three years so that student singers have an opportunity to travel abroad once in their Peace careers. Students receive monetary support for their travel from the college’s Ragland Travel Fund.

Peace College is a four-year baccalaureate arts and sciences college that offers a challenging program of study that provides women strong intellectual and personal foundations upon which to build successful and meaningful professional and academic careers. Peace’s educational program consistently earns the college rankings in the top 10 percent in several categories of the National Survey of Student Engagement.

For more information about Peace College, visit http://www.peace.edu. 

Richmond’s Run for Darfur is a 5k race on Memorial Day, May 28th, 2007. There will be a 1k children’s race at 9am followed by the 5k at 9:15 or 9:30. The Jewish Community Center will open its facilities to the public and there will be a movie screening and other indoor activities. This event is being planned by Michael Wilson and Peyton Thompson, both juniors in college who have a great interest in bringing an end to the genocide in Darfur. They are working alongside the Richmond Roadrunner Association. All the proceeds from this run will go directly to Save Darfur.

Additional information can be found at runriderace.com and http://geistweg.wordpress.com.

I found out about the run on the Savedarfur.org website. I have encouraged my kids and a few co-workers to run as well.

- Andrea Loewy