BELOW IS THE ENTIRE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR JAN 8 – HELD IN HISTORIC OLD TOWNE PETERSBURG – 6-10 pm

William R. McKenney Library
137 S. Sycamore St., (804) 733-2387, open Mon. & Wed., 9-9, and Tues. & Thurs.-Sat., 9:00-5:30
Opening Reception: Lower Level Meeting Room & Gallery: “Stop Motion Animation Meets Traditional Art,” by artist & jeweler Sheila Thomas, a 2002 graduate of VCU with Magna Cum Laude BRA in Art Education. 6:00-9:30 pm. She has displayed her work in numerous shows in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. She creates highly stylized representational paintings that reflect her love of music and pop culture, and jewelry that consists of hammered and/or stamped sterling silver and semi-precious stones. Her artwork is unusual and embodies her bold and colorful personality. Don’t miss!

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The Villages at Fort Lee welcomed the Adams Chase neighborhood to its family during a Grand Opening celebration on December 3rd. A multi-family duplex design with modern amenities, the Adams Chase neighborhood accommodates senior enlisted military members with a rank of E-7 or E-8.

Read the Fort Lee Traveller article HERE.

Know Your Community!

This workshop will provide a basic understanding of power and the ways in which unequal power relationships are related to many of the problems faced by our community. Participants will learn how to employ power analysis tools to develop plans for building a community’s power base, as well as effective strategies for implementing a successful issue campaign. Using the community analysis, participants will work through a power mapping exercise to gain a better understanding of building a strong community network within communities. This workshop will incorporate hands-on exercises involving the creation of initial power analysis that participants take with them to better understand the necessary work surrounding their own specific community issue. Additional time will be devoted to the identification of areas where further research could be implemented for a more in-depth understanding that includes key players, issues, constituencies, and opposing agendas.

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Friday for the Arts! is here again. The monthly event (2nd Fri of each month) occurs again Friday the 11th. The entire schedule is posted at pburgpn.net (at or near the top of postings). Most businesses have specials now thru the season, some free gift wrapping, and many have extended hours to better serve you! Find unique one-of-a-kind gifts at Old Towne boutiques, and get spa and restaurant gift certificates for that perfect present! Please contact your favorite businesses before you visit to be sure of open hours (if not listed below). There’s a DIRECTORY HERE.

NOTE that this may be the last “this week” email I have time to do for the year. You can also check the calendars at pburgpn.net, petersburgarea.org, progress-index.com later in the month for events. Below are sales and events coming up in Old Towne that I have heard of to date.

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Here’s the entire schedule for the Fri. Dec 11 Friday for the Arts! (Old Towne’s monthly art and entertainment fest) -

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**** PENNISTON’S ALLEY – OPEN every day through Christmas Eve!
PEARLS FOR CHRISTMAS! We offer the best selection of cultured pearls anywhere around. Our prices CAN’T be beat. Take 15% off through Christmas Eve. Shop early for the best HOT DEALS! We have a variety of colors, sizes and shapes. Also selected jewelry items are 50% off while supply lasts. Mon. through Friday 11 to 5pm Sat. 10 to 5pm Sun 1 to 4pm. 102 W Old St., 804.722.0135 / pennistonsalley.com.

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2009 Holiday Season

December 4 Lighting of Petersburg Open House, at the Union Train Station, Old Towne… music, festivities and Santa Claus.
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Information: 733-2400

December 5 Petersburg Christmas Parade,
3:00 pm, South Crater Road, beginning at Walnut Hill Marketplace (water tower), Information: 733-2394

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Verve 27, an exciting new venue for artists and collectors announces the debut of “Fauna, Facce and Finestre” a collection by Petersburg artist, Pam Roberts on Friday, December 4, 2009.

Pam lives and works in Petersburg though she was born in New York City.  After graduating with a fine arts degree from Northeastern University, she continued classes through the VFMA museum school and VCU graduate classes in painting.

Her work includes that which amuses or fascinates.  She loves vibrant color.  “I love to paint.  I can become totally lost in the moment but keep true to the story of each painting.”  In addition to her many personal portraits, are a new playful series of animals in historic or playful costumes and often put in the same frame with their nemesis.  Pam’s fabulous portraits are available by commission.

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Personal Care Preferred Group (PCPG) is holding a food drive at all seven of its locations through December 18. The donated food will be evenly distributed among the Tri-City and southern Virginia areas that PCPG serves, including the counties of Isle of Wight, Prince George, Sussex, Southampton, Surry, Brunswick, Greensville, Chesterfield and Dinwiddie, as well as the cities of Emporia, Petersburg, Hopewell and Franklin. Community members and employees are asked to donate non-perishable, non-breakable food items used in healthy meals, including canned fruits and vegetables, canned meats and fish, and pasta.

Due to current economic conditions, demand at local food banks has been far exceeding the supply, and more community donations are needed.

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Dr. Keith T. Miller, a graduate of the University of Arizona, will take over VSU’s presidency from current president Eddie N. Moore, Jr. on July 10, 2010. Dr. Miller holds a bachelor’s, a master’s, and a PhD degree and is currently president of Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. He has a business background and prior to his academic career worked in sales for Procter & Gamble.

According to the Progress Index, the first win of the George White era is officially on the books at Virginia State. To view the story click here HERE.

The Music and Magic of the Holidays Comes to Old Towne Petersburg

Last year’s standing room only holiday concert, Deck The Halls, moves to the much larger Petersburg Regional Art Center (PRAC) this year as part of Friday for the Arts on December 11th at 7pm in Old Towne Petersburg. Full of music that ranges from the humorous to the sacred, the free concert features soloists and ensembles from the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology (ARGS). The annual reading of “Twas The Night Before Christmas” by well known actress Daphne Maxwell Reid will also take place.

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Petersburg Area Art League (PAAL) announces an upcoming weekend workshop in advanced pastels, to be held December 5-6, 2009.

If you already know the basics of working with pastels, come spend two fun and colorful days playing in PAALs beautiful studio space. Positive, encouraging instruction will be provided by the talented local artist Susan Singer. Give yourself the gift of time to draw in a supportive atmosphere with others who love working with pastels, and receive individualized instruction as desired. Materials to bring along include pastels, paper, and ideas for what to draw. Susan encourages you to visit her website in advance at www.susansinger.com to ask questions about the workshop and familiarize yourself with her work. You can also read her blog at www.susansingerart.blogspot.com to learn about her process, attitudes thoughts, etc. Susan says, “I love teaching and find it very exciting to watch students engage in the creative process, especially when they’re in the Zone! I feel so honored to have the chance to help students find their way there. It’s a great job.”

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Merchants, Restaurateurs, Small Business Owners, Artists, and others involved in the community around Petersburg are invited to attend an Open House hosted by Petersburg Old Towne Merchants Group. The meeting will take place Wednesday, November 18, 2009, from 6:00 to 7:30pm. at Old Towne Catering Company, 9 West Old Street in Petersburg.

The purpose of the open house is to bring together Downtown Petersburg business professionals and other stakeholders from around the community, and share ways to promote Petersburg in a business-friendly manner.

In addition to networking and social time, the group will be hosting a discussion based on “Turning Around Downtown: Twelve Steps to Revitalization”, a paper written by Christopher Leinberger of the Brookings Institute.

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PUBLIC NOTARY SERVICE is a 24 hour notary service! PNS is willing to travel to you! Catering to the needs of the legal, financial and real estate industry, we have changed the landscape of the Notary Service industry.  Our mobile signing agents come to you, at your convenience.  With no missed time from work, and the convenience of a mobile notary service, you’ll understand why more and more clients choose Public Notary Services for all their mobile notary service needs. Our licensed Notaries will travel to your location anywhere to assist you.
For more information about the PUBLIC NOTARY SERVICE please call Herbert Townes at (804) 312-3347.

Merchants, Restaurateurs, Small Business Owners, Artists, and others involved in the community around Petersburg are invited to attend an Open House hosted by Petersburg Old Towne Merchants Group. The meeting will take place Wednesday, November 18, 2009, from 6:00 to 7:30pm. at Old Towne Catering Company, 9 West Old Street in Petersburg.

The purpose of the open house is to bring together Downtown Petersburg business professionals and other stakeholders from around the community, and share ways to promote Petersburg in a business-friendly manner.

In addition to networking and social time, the group will be hosting a discussion based on “Turning Around Downtown: Twelve Steps to Revitalization”, a paper written by Christopher Leinberger of the Brookings Institute.

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Did you know that there is a special request hearing scheduled for Tues, Nov 17 regarding a special use permit for ANOTHER group home on Centre Hill Ct (by Centre Hill Mansion)? If you have an opinion on this issue or if you feel that this is not the best use for real estate in one of our historic neighborhoods, please attend the hearing at 7:30 p.m., at the Union Train Station, 103 River Street.

***BELOW IS AN EXCERPT FROM A LETTER FROM A RESIDENT TO THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL (with permission). ***

” In addition to declining property values, which I know that you are all aware of, I have great concerns about the request for a special use permit for 22 Centre Hill Ct.

• If even 6 beds are approved in the neighborhood, that will raise our small neighborhood population to 1/3 group home residents, as the current group home at 27 Centre Hill has 14 residents.

• Attached is the link to Virginia Department of Social Services inspections of 27 Centre Hill, owned by the same administrator requesting this special use permit. Over the past 3 years these records show a total of 60 violations, including residents being left alone without staff, not having documentation of administering client medication, & not being licensed from 11/08 thru the last inspection. Inspector has not returned a call to clarify if the house & administrator are yet to meet licensing requirements. The number of violations greatly exceeds the violations received by all other group homes in the city (except 1, owned by Irene Davis , although this house holds 31).

BELOW LINK WILL DIRECT YOU TO THE INSPECTIONS of 27 Centre Hill, “Victory Assisted Living”:

http://www.dss.virginia.gov/printer/facility/search/alf.cgi?rm=Details;ID=32282;search_exact_fips=730

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Wow! What a couple of days of horrid weather! Shake off the rain and come out to enjoy the Friday for the Arts! celebration TOMORROW, Friday 11/13. Later in the weekend, there are several Open Houses at area shops, and the Arts & Crafts Show at the Train Station. Hard to believe, but it s time to think about Christmas shopping, and the Polish Pottery Shop (13 W Old St) has offered to gift wrap, pack, and mail your presents on your requested date to recipients. This service will be provided AT COST (the Pottery Shop s discounted UPS rate) during the weekend of 11/13, 14, 15. Items purchased from any shop in Old Towne, or the Arts & Crafts Show included.

And, business owners and interested parties – remember – the Old Towne Merchants Group OPEN HOUSE is Wed, Nov 18 from 6-7:30 pm at 9 W Old St (Old Towne Catering Co.). Come out and meet your fellow business owners, share ideas for marketing and promoting P’burg business, get reenergized for the economic turnaround!

Below are some upcoming specials and events.

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Get the entire schedule of events HERE. Friday for the Arts! is held the 2nd Friday of each month in historic Old Towne Petersburg.

The Petersburg City Council unanimously agreed to overturn the Planning Commission’s decision unanimously denying a request by The Franklin Development Group, LLC to have the historic building located at the corner of Hinton and Market Streets rezoned from M-1 (light industrial) to R-5 (multiple dwelling district).

There has been an ongoing debate between The Franklin Development Group, LLC and the Citizens for Responsible Development over whether or not the building currently known as Michael’s Textiles should be rezoned from M-1 to R-5. After numerous citizens voiced their opposition to the rezoning, The Franklin Development Group, LLC launched the website www.hintonstreetlofts.com in an effort to educate the citizens about the project. Shortly thereafter, the Citizens for Responsible Development launched their own site, www.NOhintonstreetrezoning.com, articulating their concerns and rationale for opposing the rezoning. But after weeks of sign posting, letter writing, and organizing the Petersburg City Council voted unanimously to approve the rezoning.

The Southside Virginia Council of the Arts (SVCA) is hosting an Arts Forum 2009 on Saturday, November 7, 2009, 11:00 AM at the Petersburg Regional Art Center (PRAC) located at 132 N. Sycamore Street in Petersburg.  Click HERE to view the flyer.

In its October meeting, The Cameron Foundation’s board approved $1,288,935 in new grants for 24 nonprofit organizations serving the Tri-Cities and Southside Virginia. This most recent cycle brings the Foundation’s cumulative giving to $5,303,410 this year. Since it began grant making in October 2004, the Foundation has awarded approximately $30.5 million to benefit residents of its service area, which includes the cities of Petersburg, Colonial Heights, and Hopewell, as well as the counties of Dinwiddie, Prince George, Sussex, and the portion of Chesterfield County lying south of U.S. Route 10.

Board Chair Ann C. Taylor reflected on the Foundation’s work in 2009 by emphasizing the value of a strong relationship with the nonprofit community. “This year, we’ve focused many of our efforts on helping to mitigate some of the economic strains that are being felt locally, particularly within the nonprofit sector,” she said, adding, “Along the way, we’ve consulted with individuals from many of these organizations so that we could best fulfill our role as a supporting partner of their critical work. We hope to build on what we’ve learned as we look ahead.”

Cleveland A. Wright, immediate past chair and current grants committee chair, noted, “The committee considers dozens of worthy requests each cycle, and it is always with reverence that we come to agreement around the grant recipients. The Foundation’s regular grant cycles serve as essential tools for us to help these organizations make a positive impact on the public.”

The October grantees include:

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One current and one former Petersburg City Council member predicted to the Petersburg People’s News that City Council will overturn a decision (5 to 2) by the Planning Commission unanimously denying a request by Thomas A. Wilkinson III, who represents the Franklin Development Group, LLC. The Frankliln Development Group requested to have the historic building located at the corner of Hinton and Market Streets rezoned from M-1 (light industrial) to R-5 (multiple dwelling district).

City Council is scheduled to meet tonight at 7PM to vote on the issue.

The Citizens for Responsible Development have launched NOhintonstreetrezoning.com in response to the site that Hinton Street Lofts unveiled earlier this week. NOhintonstreetrezoning.com lists ten reasons why 225 Hinton Street should not be rezoned from light industrial to a multiple dwelling district. The site also includes a ’signable’ petition and an Events page featuring a Meet With the Developer event. To visit this new site go to NOhintonstreetrezoning.com.

Hinton Street Lofts has established a website which offers information about the development group and the design concept, including a link to the site plan. There is a page describing the benefits that the lofts will offer the community and an email address for additional information or questions. Click HERE to view the website.