Per the RTD, a dispute over rims leads to gunfire and two in the hospital.

The Petersburg High School (PHS) Summer School Commencement Exercises will be held Thursday, July 31 at 9 a.m. in the PHS Auditorium. This ceremony is open to the general public.

PetersburgTV has posted a segment from last night’s Ward 5 meeting wherein the City Manager sheds light on the subject of Petersburg’s city-owned property: Click here to check the video.

The details are in the RTD.

1) For informational purposes: the dress code for Petersburg High School and Vernon Johns Junior High School.

2) Physicals for Petersburg High School (PHS) student athletes will be offered at PHS on Saturday, July 19, from 8 a.m. to noon, in the PHS Gymnasium.
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From the office of Gov. Kaine: Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced a telework initiative for gubernatorial appointees, which includes about 120 employees in the Cabinet and Governor’s Office. Governor Kaine also announced an improved State Telework Policy – published late last week – directing all state agencies to consider ways to improve and expand agency telework and alternate work schedule programs. “Rising fuel prices, the escalating cost of commuting to work, worsening traffic congestion and reduced air quality compel a change in the business culture of state agencies,” Governor Kaine said. “Telework reduces energy consumption, both in the amount of gasoline used for daily commuting and in office building energy costs. This policy provides a timely opportunity to create a culture of conservation within the state workforce, which can serve as an example for Virginia businesses in the private sector.”
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The Tennessee Williams favorite A Streetcar Named Desire opens Friday, July 18 at 8pm at Sycamore Rouge, complete with a champagne reception with the cast and crew after the show.
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From The Cordial Cricket: I have always heard and have certainly found it to be true…that our customers are our best form of advertising. The word of mouth advertising and referrals that we get from our loyal, satisfied customer base has always proven to be our best source of new business. So why not have our great customers help us advertise our new store location and all we have to offer! We would like to reward our customers with a contest to win a $50 gift certificate to shop for anything they would like at our new larger store in Chester. To be entered in a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to The Cordial Cricket in Chester, all you need to do is email us a testimonial statement regarding your shopping experience in our store or even on our website. All comments will be welcomed and appreciated, all we ask is that you allow us permission to use your testimonial comments in advertising material for our new store.
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Petersburg Bureau of Police and Allusions Barber Shop will host a Benefit Basketball Game on Saturday July 19, 2008, 5:00 PM at Petersburg High School Gym. Proceeds from the game and auction will help fund the Police Summer Enrichment Camp which will start its second session on July 21, 2008. For more information, call 732-4222. Click here to read the flyer.

The Petersburg City Public Schools will hold a worksession Wednesday, July 16 at 6 p.m. The agenda will be available Tuesday afternoon at the Petersburg Public Libraries. Major items for discussion will include Policy Revisions to Section G (Personnel), an MOU update, and updates to the Secondary Reconfiguration Timeline as well as regarding the progress of construction in the district.

Click here to read the agenda.

As part of their effort to promote literacy and alternative transportation, the folks at Books On Wheels are bringing the MoBooksMoBikesMobile to Pathways (1200 W. Washington St.) Friday, July 18, from 10am to noon. They will offer free books and free bike repair to the community. They will also accept donations of books and/or bikes/bike parts.
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Hey folks, a few no-no’s are worth mentioning, given a few recent comments (some of which have not gone live): posting as someone else in town, posting totally anonymously (using a pseudoname and also giving a fake email address). Anonymity is a privilege — don’t abuse it. ‘Nuf said.

AAU youth football registration is still being held for 8 & under and 12 & under. Sign up on Sunday’s after 8am worship service and after 11am worship service in the Church lobby or come to the Spirits practice field at the Flank Rd. Athletic Field.
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1) See the Stars Up Close at the Grant’s Headquarters Unit of Petersburg National Battlefield
2) “Hard Liquor and Women” – How Off-Duty Soldiers Amused Themselves During the Siege of Petersburg
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Friday for the Arts is tonight! Click here to check out the full line-up. And don’t forget: STELLA! calling contest at Sycamore Rouge at 8pm, and Narissa Bond will be performing at Minerva Books as of 8pm.

We had a first meeting with Mr. Muse of the Planning Dept. this morning, a summary of which can be found at the Petersburg Dog Park Yahoo group, here. Chuck and I will be driving around to look at/take photos of several sites that were discussed this weekend. Does anyone want to join us? We will also need to survey the community to get a sense of potential demand (how many people might use a dog park, how often, with how many dogs), so that we can figure out likely parking and dog-pen size requirements. If you are interested in helping, please go to the Yahoo group to discuss.

Summer in Petersburg brings a special tradition – one that has often received applicants from as far away as Amelia and Charles City counties. That tradition is the three-day Summer Challenges program for Gifted and Talented Students, sponsored by the Petersburg City Public Schools (PCPS) and hosted at the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School (ARGS).
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Come and witness history being unearthed at Historic Battersea in Petersburg, VA! City officials, Battersea Inc. representatives, and Chief Archaeologist Josh Duncan from Cultural Resources Inc. will be on hand to showcase Battersea’s first complete Phase I Archaeological Survey on Wednesday, July 16, from 12:00pm to 3:00pm at Battersea, 1289 Upper Appomattox St., Petersburg, VA 23803. This event is free to the public. For more info, contact Richard Baugham (804)732-9882.

Yesterday, our neighbors Christine and Christopher Shorr of Poplar Lawn left for new adventures North of the Mason Dixon line. As a friend, I will miss their overwhelming sense of generosity and kindness, their creativity, and their incomprable entertaining. As a member of this fair city, I feel their loss in the myriad projects they have put into place, the connections they have made between people, and the organizations they have served, even founded.
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In reverse chrono order…

423 S. Sycamore St — the empty lot:

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The Friend House Gallery & Studios announces its upcoming July 2008 exhibit. The 1st floor Gallery presents ”THE HEAT IS ON”, a ½ price sale by established regional painters: Ann Sylvest, Ann Piland, Susan Singer, Maggie Chalifoux, Carol Meese and Kitty Hedgepeth. “THE HEAT IS ON “ opens with a reception Friday, July 11th, 7 to 9 PM. It is free and open to the public. The exhibit will remain on display through August 6th.
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The Gallery at Enteros Design presents “Recluse,” a series of works from Joshua Burton that peruse themes such as reflection, pacification, and social distancing using a combination of silver gelatin prints, wire, paper, wood, and acrylic paint. He ponders that as there are more and more people on this planet, we continue to find ways to escape that very fact.
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During its most recent meeting in June, The Cameron Foundation’s board approved $2,745,482 in new grant funding for 25 nonprofits throughout the Tri-Cities and Southside Virginia. This is the Foundation’s second of three grant cycles in 2008, with the third to conclude in October.
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The school board will hold a public hearing in relation to policy revisions relating to Section G, Personnel, on July 9, 6-7pm, at the School Board offices, 255 E. South Blvd. The revisions relate to: Virginia Retirement System, professional staff sick leave bank/Support sick leave bank, military leave and benefits, etc. Click here for a copy of the agenda.