July 1, 2009
July 1 = New laws go into effect
New state laws go into effect today! So make sure you are aware of the biggest ones that can effect your wallet and your social life.
- Smoking is prohibited in most restaurants and bars in Virginia. The law goes into effect today but won’t be implemented until December 1, to allow businesses to prepare for it. So enjoy that cigarette with your beer now because come December it will be a thing of the past.
- $1.4 billion in stimulus money went to balance the budget because of the massive shortage.
- Put those cell phones and PDAs away. Texting and emailing while driving is banned. It can carry up to a $50 dollar fine. The good news is you can only be ticketed for it if you’re being pulled over for something else. “No officer it wasn’t the texting that made me swerve while speeding, you can check my last outgoing message time (which I just deleted as you were walking to my car.)”
July 1, 2009
Holiday Closures
Just a little reminder, the Neighborhood Resource Center will be closed Friday, July 3rd in observance of the July 4th holiday. Have a safe and happy fourth of July weekend!
June 26, 2009
A little reminder: Richmond Police has a FREE vacation watch program
I always remember they have one right before I go away. So, thank you Richmond Times Dispatch for reminding me early!
Richmond police are reminding residents and businesses in the city that officers will keep an eye on their property while they are away on vacation.
Through the House and Business Watch Program, people can fill out a watch request form and submit it to their neighborhood precinct before vacation. Each request covers up to a three-week period, during which police will periodically check the perimeter of the property.Watch request forms are available at the department’s Web site, http://www.richmondgov.com/police, where users can click on the “Vacation Watch Request Form” link. If users are unsure which precinct they are in, they can call the department’s customer service line at (804) 646-6842.
June 25, 2009
Friday is the last day to drop off items for the yard sale at the NRC!
The Neighborhood Resource Center is having a yard sale this Saturday, June 27th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 1519 Williamsburg Rd. Anyone who wants to volunteer to help set up or operate it would be more than welcome. Also, please ask you neighbors, friends, family members, co-workers, even strangers if they have any items they could contribute. We would like to stay away from clothing (except children’s clothing). Please drop off your items at the NRC the week leading up to the yard sale. All proceeds will go to the Neighborhood Resource Center.
June 25, 2009
Round 4 training session for Run to the River this Saturday!
Run to the River Training Walk: Saturday, June 27th
Join the Run to the River crew for our third training walk this Saturday morning, June 27th.
We’ll meet at the NRC at 1519 Williamsburg Road at 7:15 a.m. and leave at 7:30 a.m. The training will run rain or shine. Bring your own water bottle and sunscreen. Depending on the desire of the group, we will walk the 10K or the 5K route. Once back at the Center, we will have coffee, juice, and Country Style donuts in the NRC garden.
June 24, 2009
RPD nabs thieves in Fulton and near J.Sargeant Reynolds
Recent operations by the Richmond Police Department resulted in the arrests of two men and one juvenile for stealing items from motor vehicles. The juvenile, a 15-year-old male, was arrested in the Fulton Hill area and charged with three counts of grand larceny, one count of petit larceny, trespassing, obstruction of justice and tampering with an automobile.
June 23, 2009
Yard Sale at the NRC this Saturday!
The Neighborhood Resource Center is having a yard sale this Saturday, June 27th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 1519 Williamsburg Rd. Anyone who wants to volunteer to help set up or operate it would be more than welcome. Also, please ask you neighbors, friends, family members, co-workers, even strangers if they have any items they could contribute. We would like to stay away from clothing (except children’s clothing). Please drop off your items at the NRC the week leading up to the yard sale. All proceeds will go to the Neighborhood Resource Center.
June 19, 2009
City restores NRC Preschool Funding
We are happy to report that the City of Richmond has restored funding to the NRC Preschool. Below is an email sent out by the Neighborhood Resource Center announcing the restoration of funding!
Hello everyone,
The families of sixteen preschool children, join NRC staff and board members in thanking everyone who took time to email, write, or call their City Council representative and/or the Mayor to advocate for the restoration of city funds to the NRC’s preschool. 7th District City Councilwoman Betty Squire did a wonderful job convincing her peers to fully fund the NRC’s sliding-scale Montessori Preschool. We extend our sincere thanks to each and every member of Council and to Mayor Jones for acknowledging and honoring community support for the preschool. City funds represent one fourth of the total preschool budget. Preschool parents understood the math. They left work early and overcame their fear of media. One after another, preschool parents lined up to tell TV reporters about the difference “that little school” is making in their child’s life. We are proud of them and grateful for a city government that listens and acts on behalf of its constituency.
Yours in community,
Mary Lou Decossaux
Annette Cousins
Co-Directors
June 18, 2009
Neighborhood Resource Center seeking Café Manager/Chef
Just saw this in the classifieds and thought that this might help more widely spread the word:
The NRC (a grassroots educational and cultural center) is seeking a part-time Café Manager/Chef to oversee its non-profit, whole foods teaching kitchen/café. Please email marylou@nrccafe.org for a full job description.
June 18, 2009
The new Stormwater fee courtesy of the City of Richmond
Has everyone gotten their “This is not a bill” bill from the City of Richmond for the new stormwater fee? Enclosed is a handy brochure, entitled “Stormwater: What you need to know.” The brochure covers things like why Richmond needs this fee, what is stormwater runoff, and more importantly who pays for this?
In accordance with Richmond City Ordinance 2009-60, property owners of developed property within the city shall pay a stormwater utility fee based upon the stormwater class and the amount of impervious surface area. An impervious surface is one that prevents precipitation from rain or snow from soaking into the ground. Impervious surfaces include, but are not limited to rooftops, streets, parking areas, and any concrete, asphalt or compacted gravel surface.
To learn more about this go to The City of Richmond’s Stormwater Utility site. There you can find an FAQ section, information on how to build a rain barrel and the Stormwater Fee Appeals form.
