archive for July, 2007
July 2, 2007
Call for nonprofits: City Soul, July 14
The Phoenix Project Nonprofit Leadership Program (NLP) invites you to attend the second annual City Soul event on July 14th at the Tabernacle Baptist Church [map]Community Life Center from 2pm to 5pm.† The purpose of City Soul is to facilitate communication between Petersburg nonprofits and the community.† This event will give you the opportunity to showcase your services and converse with the residents of Petersburg in a fun and relaxed environment. In addition to nonprofit representation, City Soul features musical performers, free food, and fun activities.†
July 2, 2007
11-year-old enterpreneur Meghan Nunnally featured in Richmond Magazine
Richmond Magazine’s July 2007 article Sweet Treats “gives the scoop” on Nunnally’s success managing M&M Ice Cream Parlor [map], which Nunnally has owned and run since she was 7. Check out the article in the ‘South of the James’ section of the magazine (and note the 40+ flavors of ice cream!)
July 2, 2007
Rhythm at Rouge
Drummer Robert JospÈ leads Virginia-based Inner Rhythm playing contemporary jazz highlighting percussion and world rhythms at the Sycamore Rouge, July 14.
July 3, 2007
Petersburg going green
The P-I covers the 9 new energy efficient, easy-to-board buses that have rolled into town. Per the article, these buses are fuel efficient, they make use of a low sulfur diesel fuel (environmentally friendly), they have low floors (passengers step onto the bus, not up and onto the bus, which is more friendly to the elderly and the disabled), and they are shorter (they have a tighter turning radius, which facilitates navigating tight places). Kudos to our leadership for being forward-thinking.
July 3, 2007
Seen on Sycamore St: bike patrol!
Bicycle police units are gaining popularity, as bikes offer police greater mobility and increased community contact of the positive variety, since members of the community are more likely to approach officers on bikes than those in cars. Our local PD has apparently added such practices to its program.
July 3, 2007
Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Summer Variety Show
This weekend the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus is coming to Petersburg, at the Sycamore Rouge. There is an adult (17 and under must be accompanied by an adult) version Friday and Saturday at 8pm, and there is a children-friendly verison Saturday at 2pm. “The Other Greatest Show on Earth” –Troy Register
July 5, 2007
City to break ground on multimodal transit center in Sept.
After lengthy negotiations, and Council’s approving a measure last month to use eminent domain if need be, the property owner and City were finally able to agree to a price and as a result the City has acquired the last piece of property needed to commence with the new multimodal transit center. The P-I reports that groundbreaking is set for Sept.
July 6, 2007
RTD: Boom time for Petersburg
The article begins with “More than half a billion dollars of investment is pouring into the region’s newest development hot spot. It’s Petersburg.” The article ticks off a number of developments, many in process before the Fort Lee expansion was announced, and many outside the downtown area that is the subject of revitalization attention.
July 6, 2007
More copper gutters yanked
As I was just told, this time from both a house and a church (!) in Walnut Hill. a) Anyone know what area metal scrap yards are accepting copper gutters? If they don’t pay for stolen gutters, the gutters won’t get stolen. The scrap guys probably would say that they get the name, tel, etc. of scrap sellers; if so, apparently that isn’t enough to disincentivize gutter theft. Another idea: require that if scrap yards do accept gutters, they also take a photo of the scrap and the scrapper? You know, something to help the police link missing gutters to both gutters ‘retrieved’ by the scrap yard and the perps that walked in with the loot?
July 8, 2007
“Petersburg 11″
“Petersburg 11,” an exhibition of paintings by Petersburg’s Margaret Bucher, Diane Emory, Ellen Ende, Rod Givens, Katheryn Hedgepeth, Sheryl Jordan, Renee King, Annette Norman, Joyce Proctor, Michelle Winegardner, and Bob Zemp, is on display at the Friend House Gallery through July 28. Read more >
July 9, 2007
Petersburg counts three homicides in one week
Yesterday, there was a homicide/fire on the 200 block of Elm St. (near Central State Hospital). [via] Last Wednesday, there were 2 shootings, one on the 1000 block of Johnson and the other on the 600 block of Washington. [via] The homicide count is now 5 for the year.
July 10, 2007
Friday for the Arts!: the July line-up
This month’s Friday for the Arts! will be July 13 from 6-10 pm, except longer where noted. For a listing of all 31 flavors, read below: Read more >
July 11, 2007
The game of telephone turned visual: Lineage
Thirteen artists were given the following task: in one week, develop a piece that is a variation of the prior - and only the prior - piece. The result? A visual exhibit akin to the game telephone. The exhibit opens July 13 at Petersburg’s Sol Cooper Gallery, 306 N. Sycamore St. To read more about the exhibit and its origin, check out the article in Style Weekly.
July 11, 2007
Successful downtown revitalization case study: Asheville NC
Today’s RTD writes on Asheville NC’s downtown revitalization success. Richmond blog Urban Richmond? extends the analysis, adding both commentary and photos to further make the point. Many in Petersburg are focusing on marketing the local history to tourists. That is fantastic, as the region is rich in history. But for the downtown area to hop with vitality day in and day out, it’s going to take more than tourists: gotta offer the young folk stimulating destinations and activities that are grounded in the present. How about a funky bookstore a la Cafe Gutenberg that hosts poetry slams? How about a weekly drum/dance event in Poplar Lawn or Halifax Triangle? How about public art, designed and installed by local youth? Feel free to post ideas that would give our local high school and college students a way to have fun.
July 11, 2007
The Phoenix Project invites the community to 2nd annual City Soul
The Phoenix Project invites the community to the second annual City Soul, a free event featuring performers, free food, and fun activities, on Saturday, July 14 from 2-5pm at the Tabernacle Baptist Church Community Life Center. City Soul brings local nonprofits and residents together in a fun and relaxed environment to encourage conversation about Petersburg’s many opportunities and community resources. Read more >
July 12, 2007
Petersburg loft on HGTV’s “What you get for the money”
HGTV compares what $300K can get you in six markets, one of which is “the up-and-coming city of Petersburg, VA.” The episode will air July 15 at 11:30pm and July 16 at 3:30am. Read more >
July 12, 2007
Petersburg real estate assessments
The new assessments effective July 1 are now available online, here.
July 12, 2007
Pamplin Historical Park purchases manuscript copy of 13th Amendment
…as well as four other significant Civil War artifacts. Copies of the Thirteenth Amendment (which abolished slavery) were signed by all members of Congress and the Vice President and then sold to raise funds to support the North’s troops. Read more >
July 14, 2007
Petersburg business owners to be on cover of Fifty Plus magazine
Bev Rivers (River’s Edge), Bonnie Kirby (Pink Scottie), and Patricia Dilliard (Patricia Dillard’s Antiques and Oddities) will be featured in the cover story of Fifty Plus magazine’s August issue. The story will cover what attracted these successful entrepreneurs to Petersburg. Copies will be available, among other places, in Ukrops, CVS, and bookstores.
July 15, 2007
Nice summary on changes coming on/around Fort Lee
Today’s RTD provides more detailed numbers and discussion than previous articles regarding specific changes that will take place on and around Fort Lee surrounding the Base Realignment and Closure recommendations.
July 16, 2007
Agenda, July 17 City Council meeting
Click here.
July 16, 2007
Minutes, July 3 City Council meeting
Click here.
July 16, 2007
Petersburg Police’s “McGruff Speaks,” summer 2007
Click here to read the most recent issue of McGruff Speaks. Highlights: information about National Night Out (Aug 7), the next Citizens on Patrol training (Aug 13-17), and the annual banquet of the Intra-City Regional Advisory Council (a coalition of neighborhood watch groups) (Oct 26).
July 17, 2007
What do you want to see at the new bookstore?
Petersburg will soon have an independent bookstore/cafe/gathering place type of destination called Minerva Books. (woo-hoo!) The owner of this venue is asking folks to share their reading preferences and their thoughts about what they’d like to see in a local bookstore. To share your wish list - how often do you get to do that? -, click here to download the survey (.doc), fill it out, and then email it back to her. Copies of the survey are also presently available at Polish Pottery and the Dixie Diner.
July 18, 2007
RTD on Petersburg assessments
The RTD writes that Petersburg assessments on real property rose an average of 7% (this figure is rounded up per the City’s prior statements), to Richmond’s 11.6%, Chesterfield’s 16.6%, and Prince George’s 10.5%; the prior year’s increase is reported to have also been around 7%, and homes in historic districts saw increases of 10+%. Assessments on land, however, rose an average 30%, with some undeveloped parcels rising 100%. Note that, at present, assessed values are generally a good shake lower than market values.
