Near West End

Adam Sachs, a first grader at Maybeury Elementary School, is unusual in that he can spell so well so young. He was the best in his school, and was selected to compete in the county-wide competition. Unfortunately, last night, he was eliminated in the first round, on the word blockade.
Kudos to Adam for trying to compete against kids so much older. Next year, I’m sure he’ll make it farther.

A part time employee at the Patterson Avenue Pleasants Hardware, William R. Hedgepeth, 20, was charged yesterday with manufacturing and possesing a fire bomb, in association with a series of mailbox explosions at the end of December.

Henrico County fire investigators aided by police and federal agents searched a western Henrico home yesterday for bomb components and explosives, arresting a 20-year-old man on multiple felony counts.

More than two dozen law-enforcement officers scoured the home in the 9300 block of South Mooreland Road in the heart of the Dorset Woods South subdivision.

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Saturday, in the Near West End, just west of St. Mary’s Hospital, a man broke into a house in the middle of the night while its occupants were asleep. Police say they aren’t sure if the door was locked.

Henrico County police have a reminder in the wake of a pre-dawn break-in that occurred while a family was at home: Check to make sure your doors are locked at night before you go to bed.

Henrico police say an unusual break-in occurred Saturday in the 6500 block of Dustin Drive, just west of St. Mary’s Hospital.

A woman at the house woke up at 2:20 a.m. and saw what appeared to be a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt and jeans inside the house. The woman screamed and woke up her husband.

The suspect ran away, and the husband checked the house and found the rear door ajar. Police said it was unclear whether the door was locked.

There were no signs of forced entry, and it appears nothing was taken.

Police remind you to nightly check not only your doors, but also the windows on the ground level and your alarm system to make sure everything is working properly.

Police also advise residents to use outdoor lighting, including motion-activated lights, as a deterrent.

Police offer free security surveys to residents at their homes or businesses

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Thanks to Tyler Snidow, the amazingly positive genius behind the Lost Art Sale, there is clearance sale for art collectors.

Lost Art will feature older pieces of art that might just need a new home, due to redecorating and contemporary pieces from local artists who have priced their works to sell.

There are over 1000 pieces of art work on display in 2 model homes off of Patterson Avenue in the West End. With the housing market slowing for high end homes such as these, it is a great way to get traffic into the new Westhampton Glen neighborhood and for people to see the new homes while they are looking at the art.

Great local, regional and national artist’s paintings, prints and photography will be sold at discounted prices. Of special interest are local artists John M. Holland and Leah Bradley, and Urbanna artist David Zuck. FULL DISCLOSURE: The talented John M. Holland is my husband.

The Times Dispatch also wrote about Lost Art in today’s real estate section.

When: Wednesday, January 30 – Sunday, February 3
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily
Where: Westhampton Glen Neighborhood (the new neighborhood located off of Patterson just 1 block West of Gaskins)
Pssst: Extra Lost Art Savings: artists offering below gallery prices, extra YELLOW STICKER discounts on many pieces on Super Sale Sunday – Sunday, Feb. 3.

I’ve been trying to write something about The Shops at 5807 for some time now. My friend, Mollie Storey, has a jewelry shop there called Gilt. Her mom, Anne Brasfield, and aunt, Leigh Dobbins, own and run the place. One of these days, I’ll get a one on one interview with her about how cool that place is. …
In the meantime, someone else beat me to it:

Yvonne Wilson opened the lime-green doors at 5807 Patterson Ave. and saw “that certain little bag” she had been trying to find.

The purse, covered with various colored ribbons, is slated for a birthday gift, said Wilson, who lives in Bon Air.

It was her first trip to the Shops at 5807, but it won’t be her last, she said.

“I had six friends tell me I had to come by here. This is a little treasure of unique gifts, which I love,” Wilson added.

The Shops at 5807, which opened in September 2006, includes 27 eclectic boutiques. The shops are housed in an old brick building on Patterson, near Libbie Avenue. The building, painted purple with yellow, blue, pink and orange flowers and bright green doors, once was home to a grocery store, a hardware store, and several other businesses before two sisters turned it into a sort of mall.

“We want people to screech to a halt when they see the building,” said Anne Brasfield, one of the sisters.

The unusual shopping establishment is an experience. It’s a place to find very European clothing, a baby’s burp cloth decorated with a green checked frog or a bib with sleeves. It’s also a place to find the perfect accent for your home, an unusual piece of jewelry, an incredible pair of jeans or satisfy a sweet tooth attack with a variety of cupcakes. Or just reserve the building for a private party.

The Shops at 5807 are open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Apparently, they have quite a fan club.

Robinson Hogan, 25, of Floyd Avenue will face new charges now that Luke Cockey, 23, of Skipwith Road in the Near West End has died.

Richmond police said Cockey was fatally injured when he fell after being struck during an argument with another man at West Main and Rowland streets about 3:30 a.m. It is unclear what the argument was about.

Cockey’s death is Richmond’s second homicide this year.

A funeral for Cockey will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Bliley Funeral Home, 3801 Augusta Ave.

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One of the favorite topics among my friends is WHEN will Trader Joe’s ever come to Richmond? People are tired of driving to Northern Virginia, Raleigh, Newport News or farther to get their favorite treats from Trader Joe’s.
Finally, there is news, that a deal is close to being signed that will bring a Trader Joe’s store to Short Pump Station, which recently opened with a Petco.

For those of you who don’t know, Trader Joe’s specializes in bringing great products with lower prices. I think of the products as being similar to the Newman’s Own brand. The ingredients steer clear of high fructose corn syrup, and artificial flavors and preservatives and are often organic, but now always. On a recent trip to NOVA, I’m ashamed to say that after a case of my favorite wine and my kids favorite cookies (Joe Joe’s, and Candy Cane Joe Joe’s…think Oreo) I spent almost $250.
They even have a Trader Joe’s Fan website, their following is so strong.

Personally, some of my favorite products are the Thai chili lime cashews, creamy tomato soup in a box, mini cranberry biscotti and 3 Buck Chuck –otherwise known as Charles Shaw Trader Joe’s brand wine) with Sauvingnon Blanc and Shiraz as being the standouts. Yes it is really $3 in many states. It is $1.99 in California and about $3.99 here. I know this is whole ‘nother story…but really, it is good wine!

But at the 28th Annual International Eastern Wine Competition, a $1.99 bottle of California Wine, the 2002 Charles Shaw Shiraz, beat out 2,300 wines to win a prestigious double gold medal.

So, now I can say, I am a very happy girl….and the sooner the better.
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Conner’s Hereos volunteers met at Mary Munford yesterday, to help make a difference for kids with cancer.

Now 6, Connor has been cancer-free for nearly two years. But that doesn’t mean he has put the ordeal behind him. He’s been helping his parents, Lisa and Steve, support other children fighting the disease.

The Goodwins organized Connor’s Heroes, named for their son, in May 2006. Their first project last January was to fill about 75 backpacks with games, craft supplies, books and toys for children just diagnosed with cancer at the VCU Medical Center.

This year, the Goodwins wanted to do more. And yesterday, they did. With help from about 40 volunteers, they assembled 80 backpacks for children and 80 tote bags for the parents of just-diagnosed children. That should be enough to last the year, Lisa Goodwin said.

…
In addition to the backpack project, Connor’s Heroes holds about 10 fundraisers a year, including the Anthem Quest for the Cure in Carytown, golf tournaments and an oyster roast in Ginter Park. Since forming, Connor’s Heroes has raised nearly $100,000 to support cancer research.

“I know I can help people,” Connor said. “I can help turn other families’ worlds right-side up instead of upside down. That makes me feel pretty good inside.”

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I guess I’ll be changing my daily commute…..

A traffic alert for drivers in the West End: parts of Patterson Avenue are now closed for a major utility project.

That work started Thursday. It stretches from Willow Lawn Drive to Three Chopt Road.

The west bound lanes will be closed in sections while construction is taking place. East bound traffic will not be affected.

The project is expected to take about five months.

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Henrico Superintendent Fred Morton IV, has proposed a 6.6 percent budget increase for next year, including a 4 percent pay increase for teachers.

Morton’s budget proposal released last night totals $508.8 million, an increase of $31.4 million over the current budget.

It includes more than $15 million in new money for salary increases, including a 4 percent raise for eligible teachers and support staff.

The plan calls for 120 new positions, including several new central-administration jobs. One is a full-time safety and security coordinator, who would monitor school safety audits, among other things.

Another is a full-time residency-compliance officer who would monitor schools for students who do not live in Henrico. Morton estimated that the number of students from outside Henrico illegally attending county schools could be as high as 500.

The board is scheduled to vote on the plan Feb. 28.

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Back in December, The 804 Blog challenged all of the neighborhood blogs to profile or link to non-profits in their neighborhood. Well, it may take us a while, but we are working on it.
First up, a profile of Safe Harbor, a charity near and dear to my heart. I am a team leader for TRIgirl Training, and last year the TRIgirls raised over $2,000 for Safe Harbor House. In fact, one of the employees at Safe Harbor was so moved by our effort to sponsor them, that she herself became a TRIgirl.

I asked her to write a short summary of what they do, who they are, and what they need…. Here it is:

Safe Harbor’s mission is to break the cycle of domestic violence. The agency was born through the efforts and dedication of a St. Mary’s Emergency Room nurse who was devastated by the number of domestic abuse victims she treated. As a result, the agency opened its doors in April 2000, to help women and children in need of shelter and support. In eight years Safe Harbor has grown from an emergency shelter to include the additional following critical domestic violence services: a 24-hour crisis hotline, community counseling program for adults and children, community support group, court advocacy for any domestic violence victim seeking a protective order in Henrico County, and customized community education and domestic violence prevention programs for organizations wishing to learn more about this topic. All of Safe Harbor’s services are confidential and free of charge.

We operate a confidential shelter in Henrico County and have an office where we provide community based services in the near west end. Our 24-hour hotline is 287-7877 and our community office’s number is 249-9470. Please visit us on the web at www.safeharborshelter.com for more information and a list of current needs.

Looks like Henrico County Schools will be starting a search to replace Superintendent Fred Morton IV, who will retire in June of 2009. Hopefully, they will find someone great, who realizes the continued inportance of technology in education and who can excel managing a large and diverse school population.

The Henrico County School Board is extending the contract of county schools Superintendent Fred Morton IV for one year — after which he will retire. The board made the announcement of the extension and Morton’s retirement today after a three-hour closed session.

Morton’s contract now lasts through June 30, 2009.

Morton, who was on hand for the announcement, said that when he started the Henrico job on Sept. 1, 2004, his goal was to retire as the county’s superintendent of schools and the contract extension allows him to do that.

The county’s former school board took no action last year to extend the contract and, by law, couldn’t make any changes to it after the November elections.

The current five-member board has four newly elected members

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Three houses in nearby Tuckahoe Elementary and Maybeury school districts have neighbors on the lookout after cameras, computers, jewelry and other goods were stolen.

The most recent break-in occurred last Wednesday at Barbara Mitchell’s house on Cedarbrooke Lane.

Mitchell said the thieves tried a door to the utility room first, but only broke the glass, not the lock. They then moved on to the door to the den, Mitchell said, which didn’t stand a chance.

“If they really want to get in your house, they’ll get in,” Mitchell said.

The thieves broke in through that door and ransacked the house, Mitchell said, stealing a computer, digital cameras, and jewelry.

Police say this break-in is cause for concern because it was the third to happen within a one-and-a-half mile radius of Henrico County over two days last week. The other break-ins were reported on Turnbull Avenue and Timken Drive.

Neighbors like Sandra and Stephen Peterson say they are helping to alert other residents through a newsletter and e-mails.

“Well, I think we’ve got a really close-knit community here and people generally watch out for one another,” Stephen Peterson said. So when people do get that information, people do get on high alert.”

While police say it’s still unclear if the three crimes are related, they all share some similarities. The break-ins occurred during the day and the criminals always broke in through a back door. Twice, the thieves made off with computers

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The University of Richmond football saga continues….

Highland Springs High School football coach Scott Burton has resigned to take a position as an assistant to newly hired coach Mike London at the University of Richmond.

Burton has been the Springers’ coach for nine years.

A 1995 graduate of UR, Burton was a four-year letterman at safety and ranks second behind Jeff Nixon on the school’s career interception list with 16.

The Springers compiled a 72-26 record during Burton’s tenure. They qualified for the Central Region playoffs the past seven seasons. Highland Springs was region runner-up in 2001 and 2006.

Burton’s departure means four Henrico County high schools are looking for head football coaches. Gary Chilcoat (Varina), Jesse Chavis III (Henrico) and Chris Didlake (J.R. Tucker) also have resigned.

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Orchard House is hosting a Symposium on Leadership for girls on March 4th.
The all day event feature numerous well known speakers….Of particular interest is the seminar by Dr. JoAnnDeak, “How Girls Thrive.”

This year at Orchard House School, we’re celebrating our tenth anniversary. We could think of no better way to honor and celebrate this milestone than to share our commitment to future leadership with the broader Richmond Community. In March of 2008 Orchard House will host a symposium drawing together three cutting-edge writers and consultants to speak on issues of leadership, power, intellect, and intimacy - issues of great importance to us, our daughters, and girls everywhere.

Join us as we explore strategies for strengthening the connections between personal authenticity and contemporary leadership for girls.

Dr. Margaret J. Wheatley is a renowned authority on issues of organizational leadership and community building amid chaotic times.

Dr. JoAnn Deak’s pioneering work connecting the effect of gender with positive social, emotional, and intellectual development has helped countless girls thrive throughout the world.

Deborah Roffman’s provocative work on intimacy and authenticity is recognized nationally as an elemental approach to honest personal development and healthy relationships.

One of our readers, Norm Brown, wanted us to pass along this information.

Did you ever want to learn how to identify trees? Or how to properly prune a young tree to insure good development? Interested in taking care of the trees in our community? Tree Steward Classes will be held on Mondays from 6:30-8:30PM at the Byrd Park Roundhouse on Feb.4, 11, 18, & 25 and March 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31. Contact Norm Brown at (804) 646-6785 for more information.
Class topics include Tree Identification, Tree Biology, Selecting Planting Sites, Selecting Trees, Planting and Care, Health and Maintenance, and Proper Pruning Methods. Classes will be taught by area professionals in the tree care industry.
Registration is $95. Each participant is also asked to commit to 20hrs of community service upon completion of the program.
Also, on Saturday, April 5th, volunteers will be offered training to drive the City Watering Truck. The Class will be held from 8:30AM to 12 noon at the Byrd Park Roundhouse. Pre-registration is required. Volunteers do not have to take the Tree Stewards class.
The deadline for registration by mail has been moved to Jan 25th,
registration will also be available at the door.
The cost of the program covers the pruning tools that the Stewards will receive at the end of the program. The tools are 1 pruning saw, 1 sheath, 1 hand pruner and a safety vest. A certificate of Completion will be awarded at the end of the service hour commitment. All remaining funds will be used toward Tree Steward Projects. Steward Classes are sponsored by Dept.of Public Works

For an application go to:
http://groups.google.com/group/richmondtreestewards?lnk=srg

We also came across this excellent commentary, courtesy of P Keip’s Hype, concerning University of Richmond’s new football coach, Mike London.  Keip mentions everything from London’s background in hailing from Hampton, Virginia to his years as a defensive back at UR to the upcoming new stadium and how London will use his NFL experience to put the Spiders ahead of their competitors.

Mike London wasn’t going to stay at the University of Virginia forever. In fact, his second stint in Charlottesville was more like a nice addition to a resume University of Richmond Athletic Director Jim Miller wanted to get his hands on (again)

We came across an entry on the Sierra Club Falls of the James (SCFOJ) blog that highlights University of Richmond President Edward L. Ayers commitment to sharply reduce and eventually eliminate  all of the university’s global and warming emissions. 

Under the agreement, the university will create a comprehensive institutional action plan to move toward climate neutrality. Ayers noted a number of new and ongoing efforts on campus to build on the university’s commitment to sustainability, including the installation last summer of laundry equipment in residence halls that will save a million gallons of water a year, use of biodiesel in campus transportation equipment and a plan to switch to a more efficient heating system in student apartments.

We are so lucky in the Near West End — the University of Richmond constantly bring fabulous performances here that would othewise skip Richmond. Arlo Guthrie, Ira Glass, from NPR’s This American Life, Bobby McFerrin and D.J. Spooky are all coming this spring to the Modlin Center.
Look here for upcoming reviews of these performances. In the meantime, check out the Modlin Center’s calendar. They are constantly adding additional show times as ticket sell out.
These are the kind of performances that you can pretty much pick any one, maybe even someone you’ve never heard of and go and as your are leaving them say, “that was amazing! How did I not know about that performer?”
One such performer is D.J. Spooky and his Rebirth of a Nation. [via]

“Where other DJs remix songs, adding beats and blending melodies, Miller remixes culture in his style—blending music and as a writer, producer, critic, philosopher and multimedia artist.” —Philadelphia Daily News

After a two-year world tour, conceptual artist, writer and musician DJ Spooky will bring his acclaimed multimedia performance piece Rebirth of a Nation to the Modlin Center. An audio and visual re-imagining of D.W. Griffith’s groundbreaking and polarizing 1915 classic, The Birth of a Nation, the work combines DJ Spooky’s celebrated skills as a club DJ, multimedia storyteller and social critic to transform the silent era epic into a mesmerizing commentary on political corruption and racism. Rebirth of a Nation has drawn acclaim around the world, from the Herod Atticus Theater at the base of the Acropolis in Greece to the London IMAX, Europe’s largest movie screen.

Plus, the Modlin Center has its own blog! How cool is that? Complete with a link to audience reviews and comments.

I remember way back in the early 90’s when I worked for Style Weekly, my editor, Sue Robinson-Sain, asked me to cover a short story on how UR’s Modlin Center had just hired Kathy Panoff as its new director. I covered it but never really understood what a boon to UR and Richmond it would be until now. She has really done so much to improve the quality of performances here in Richmond.

The University of Richmond announced today the hiring of UR graduate and former UR coach Mike London as their new football coach.

London, 47, has spent six of the past seven seasons molding one of the nation’s top defenses at the University of Virginia. He returned to Charlottesville in 2006 after spending the previous season as the defensive line coach with the NFL’s Houston Texans. London was a member of Al Groh’s original staff at UVa from 2001-04, coaching the defensive line. He was also the program’s recruiting coordinator from 2002-04.
We are thrilled to have Mike lead our football program,” said Miller. “He has proven himself as a talented football coach and great recruiter, while experiencing football at its highest level. Having played, graduated and coached at Richmond, we are confident that Mike is a perfect fit for the University and will continue to attract student-athletes that reflect his same qualities.”

From UR press release.