Church Hill Association of RVA Newsletter - August 2017 Issue by Church Hill Association of RVA

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Invasion of Church Hill Parks Church Hill Picnic Teaching Writing From Jail School Supplies Drive AskCAR Church Hill Newsletter | 1

About the

Church Hill Association August 2017

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CHA Board of Directors President: John Sieg

President@churchhill.org

Vice President: Gennie Sasnett vp@churchhill.org

In this Issue

Pg: 4

Pg: 13

Pg: 15

Secretary: Ali Schneider secretary@churchhill.org

Assistant Secretary: Pam Masters asstsecretary@churchhill.org

Treasurer: Trish Bernal

treasurer@churchhill.org

Assistant Treasurer: Pam Lipscombe assistanttreasurer@churchhill.org

Invasion of Church Hill Parks

Church Hill Picnic Photos

Pg.16 | School Supplies Drive

Teaching Writing From Jail Pg.23 | AskCAR

Meetings & Notices Historic Preservation and Land Use Committee Meeting Generally held on the Tuesday before the board meeting at the Patrick Henry Pub, 2300 E. Broad St. at 6:00pm Upcoming Meeting: August 1 Upcoming Meeting: September 5

CHA of RVA Board Meeting Generally held on the first Thursday of every month at Patrick Henry Pub, 2300 East Broad St. at 6:00pm Upcoming Meeting: August 3 Upcoming Meeting: September 7

Membership Meeting Generally held on the third Tuesday of every month in St.Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Parish Hall, 2401 East Broad St. at 7:00pm Upcoming Meeting: September 19

Summer Picnics are Back! Upcoming Picnic: August 15, 2617 East Franklin St.

Directors at Large Alli Alligood Christina Masteroianni

Past President: Bill Dinkin Historic Preservation and Land Use Chair: Robert Gordon rrgpc@mac.com

Volunteers Church Hill News letter: Layout & Graphics: CAO Group Isabelle, Ari, & Arthur Contact: (804)405-0969

Content Editor/Ad Sales Coordinator: Celeste Deal newsletter@churchhill.org Phone: (804)644-2862

Lead Newsletter Dristribution: South: Tom & Eileen Sanders Phone: (804)343-7157

North: Sandra Horton Phone: (804)780-1641

Membership Coordinator: Amy Beem membership@churchhill.org Phone: (804)344-7157

Church Hill Planters:

If any member wishes to attend any zoning or board meeting they are most welcome, but please check with John Sieg at president@churchhill.org for updated meeting times and dates.

What does Church Hill Look like to you? Send images to: newsletter@churchhill.org Photo of the Month | John Sieg

Karen Jones Colin Schlueter

Marion Macdonald Phone: (804)644-1347

For more information on joining the CHA, please see our website at: churchhill.org or fill our the application included in this publication

CHA Mission The purpose of this organization shall be to promote a sense of unity and common endeavor among all the residents of the St.Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CHurch, Church Hill North, and Chimborazo Old and Historic Districs, other residents of the East District, and other interested persons, in order to develop a stable, desirable urban neighborhood.

2 | August 2017

Letter from the

President John Sieg

Dear Church Hillians, It sure is hot outside! Aren’t we fortunate to have the option to find air conditioning or an electric fan to keep cool? We certainly live in blessed times when compared with those of past generations! My letter this month covers 7 topics that I hope you’ll find interesting.

Membership Picnic – On August 15th at 6:30 pm Genni Sasnett and Tom Wilds have generously agreed to host a CHA of RVA pool party/

picnic at their home located on 2617 Franklin Street. Attendance is free and open to everyone! School supplies and/or financial aid will be collected to benefit local schools. This picnic will be held in place of our August membership meeting. Attendees are asked to bring covered dishes as described in the picnic flyer. More details are available on our website: WWW.churchhill.org

Maggie Walker Community Land Trust Program – This program is designed to provide a pathway to lower the cost home ownership.

The way it works is that the Community Land Trust (CLT) purchases property, then sells the home while leasing the land underneath the home. This makes the home more affordable since the land lease to the homeowner is minimal. When the homeowner sells their house the get to keep 50% of the increase in equity. So, the homeowner benefits from lower up-front cost of their home and as well as retaining a portion of the profit when selling their home. The CLT can use any financial gain to set up additional offerings. The community benefits by having additional affordable housing and residents who are invested in our community. You can learn more about this offering by going to the website: WWW. maggiewalkerclt.org

Conquering Cancer – Amy’s Army held a bike riding fundraiser for the Massey Cancer Center earlier this year. They included Church Hill

in their bike course and were thoroughly impressed by what they saw and who they met. So, they are planning a repeat visit on Saturday, September 23, 2017. It will be called “Climb to Conquer Cancer” and will include a longer bike exploration to include climbs up Libby Hill that cyclists would “self-time”, an urban ride through Church Hill, an extended leisurely ride out to the Richmond Battlefield Park and beyond and an awards ceremony/celebration. Spectators can enjoy watching the Libby Hill climbs so a VIP Spectator Pass will be available for purchase to grant access to a premier viewing spot on Libby Hill, along with special food, drinks and other amenities. Stone Brewing has agreed to sponsor and defray the cost of beer. Shoe Crazy Wine and Belle Isle Moonshine are also sponsoring this event. Our association will benefit via another opportunity to show off Church Hill as the jewel of RVA as well as receiving $250 donation from this event. Our members will also receive a 10% discount for the ride tickets and/or VIP spectator passes. This is another win-win for our community and the fight against cancer!

“Ask CAR” – We often hear questions regarding regulations that are in force by the Commission of Architectural Review (CAR). CAR is the

City’s official historic preservation body that reviews any proposed alteration, rehabilitation, construction or demolition within designated City’s Old and Historic Districts. Christina Mastroianni recently started a column in our monthly community newsletter called “Ask CAR”. Her article covers CAR related questions from readers and posts answers. Please read her monthly article! By the way, if you aren’t sure if your home is within the City’s Old and Historic District, you can follow the link Christina posted in her column and look it up!

Potential Changes to CHA of RVA Bylaws – Our plan, as discussed during the membership meeting in May, was to collect and present recommended bylaws changes during our July membership meeting. However, a large number of suggestions were provide just before our July Board meeting so we decided to form a subcommittee to thoroughly review the input and make recommendations. Those recommendations will be submitted for discussion and a vote during our September membership meeting.

2018 Board Member Nominations – Our Vice President, Genni Sasnett, formed a committee to nominate candidates for the board

positions that will be open in 2018. Opportunities to nominate candidates from the floor will be available during upcoming membership meetings. That said, if you have interest in filling a board role then please contact Genni at VP@churchhill.org so her committee can include your name for consideration.

Repeat Request – You’ll remember that earlier this year we ran a survey to determine what, if any, changes to our association’s focus of

effort would be helpful to our community. Two topics surfaced; ‘Youth and Education’ and ‘Community Outreach’. While these are both noble topics for our attention we cannot form either committee without a chairperson. Please send a note to me at President@churchhill.org or to Secretary@churchhill.org if you are interested in chairing one of these committees!

Best regards to you and yours, John Sieg, President CHA 2017

Church Hill Newsletter | 3

INVASION OF CHURCH HILL PARKS BY THE TREE OF HEAVEN (AKA Ailanthus Altissima, Stinkweed Tree, Ghetto Palm)

Many of you may have seen the recent spate of posts on Church Hill People’s News about the Ailanthus Trees in Chimborazo Park. They had grown so thick and tall over the past few years that they were blocking the view. The City did send a contractor in to remove the trees from the park but the story can’t stop there. Libby Hill Park, Jefferson Park, Taylor’s Hill Park and Bellevue School are all being “invaded” by this noxious weed tree. Ailanthus or Tree of Heaven is a non-native invasive tree originally brought to the American Colonies in the 1740’s. It is an opportunistic plant that thrives in full sun and disturbed areas. It spreads aggressively both by seeds and vegetatively by root sprouts, re-sprouting rapidly after being cut. It often forms dense thickets in which few other tree species are present, largely due to the toxins it produces to prevent competition. In many urban areas, it has acquired the derisive nicknames of “ghetto palm”, “stink tree”, and “tree of Hell” Elimination of Ailanthus requires diligence. It is relatively easy to kill the above ground portion of ailanthus trees. However, you need to kill or seriously damage the root system to prevent or limit stump sprouting and root suckering. According to the National Park Service’s Alien Plant Workgroup, the most effective method of ailanthus control seems to be through the use of herbicides, which may be applied as a foliar (to the leaves), basal bark, cut stump, or hack and squirt treatment. Additionally, following up with either hand pulling or mowing seedlings in order to prevent new growth. Regardless of method selected, treated areas should be rechecked one or more times 4 | August 2017

a year and any new suckers or seedlings treated (cut, sprayed, or pulled) as soon as possible, especially before they are able to rebuild root reserves. Targeting large female trees for control will help reduce spread of ailanthus by seed. Establishing a thick cover of trees (non-invasive and preferably native) or grass sod will help shade out and discourage establishment of new ailanthus seedlings. Cutting alone is usually counter-productive because ailanthus responds by producing large numbers of stump sprouts and root suckers. However, for small infestations, repeated cutting of sprouts over time can exhaust the plants reserves and may be successful if continued for many years or where heavy shade exists. Other methods suggested are the removal of young seedlings which may be pulled or dug up, preferably when soil is moist. Care must be taken to remove the entire plant including all roots and fragments, as these will almost certainly regrow. The Church Hill Association’s Parks & Beautification Committee looking into to working with our district councilperson to address this issue and to work towards fully eliminating this threat to our parks. Submitted by: Trish Bernal, Richmond Tree Steward Partially excerpted from the following references: National Park Service - Plant Conservation Alliance’s Alien Plant Workgroup https://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/aial1.htm Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ailanthus_altissima

Libby Hill Park â&#x20AC;&#x201C; mature Ailanthus trees bordering east side of park; seeding the hill below.

Libby Hill Park â&#x20AC;&#x201C; small grove of Ailanthus trees below the Soldiers and Sailors Monument Church Hill Newsletter | 5

Taylor’s Hill Park new sprouts after trees were cut back for UCI now blocking view

Taylor’s Hill Park with partial removal of ailanthus at base of hill below ChildSavers (already re- sprouting)

Bellevue Elementary School –23rd Street side of grounds

Jefferson Park 1900 block of E. Marshall Streets

6 | August 2017

Jefferson Park stairs at Cedar and E. Marshall Streets

B oar d M e mb e r Nominat ions Ar e Open Have you thought about contributing to the Church Hill Community by placing yourself or someone else you think would be a good candidate into consideration for CHA of RVA board membership? Please send nominations to Genni Sasnett at vp@churchhill.org. Nominations should include:

1. Name and contact

information on the nominee

2. His or her membership status and

3. A short statement of why

you believe the nominee would be a good board member.

CHA of RVA has established a nominations committee to develop a slate of nominees for the 2018 board of directors. Available positions include: Vice President, Assistant Treasurer, Assistant Secretary and two (2) board member at large positions. Details on the roles and responsibilities of each of these positions are on the CHA of RVA website under “Participate”. Board of Director meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month. The meetings are managed very efficiently and generally are done within a 1 ½ to two-hour period. Our Association is only effective when our membership steps up and participates. We need your suggestions to develop a strong slate of new board members and officers. We look forward to your nominations!

Church Hill Newsletter | 7

Church Hill Real Estate Market Report “Does Price per Square Foot Matter?”

This is something we’re asked all the time by buyers and sellers. In case you’re unsure, the price per square foot of a property is its sale price divided by its square footage. If you are looking at a 2,000 sq ft home on Clay Street that is listed at $400,000, the price per square foot is $200. Say another house listed on Grace Street is 1,500 sq ft, and is listed at $300,000, which also makes it $200/sq ft. Which is a better buy? Don’t worry, you don’t have to answer - that’s a trick question. The answer to the question is not as cut-and-dry and you would think. Honestly, using the price per square foot method to determine value works best when working with a house in a subdivision in the suburbs. Streets are similar, lot sizes are generally the same, and homes are constructed around the same time with same same materials. In Church Hill (or any other historic neighborhood, for

that matter), it’s less wise to base the purchase or sale of your home on price per square foot, since each house is so unique. In the city, it all depends on what is contained in each square foot… not to mention location (street and even block), which can greatly affect price. That house on Franklin overlooking Libby Hill will have a higher price per square foot than a similar home on Marshall, for example. Additionally, homes with smaller square footage tend to sell at a higher price per square foot. In the city, houses vary in size significantly, which makes it difficult to use the price per square foot method. That doesn’t mean price per square foot is entirely useless in the city. It can be used to determine trends for a neighborhood. If you compare the average price per square foot over a specified period of time, you can determine whether values are rising or falling. With that said, we did geek out a little bit going over the trends for some of Richmond’s more popular neighborhoods. We found the average price per square foot in 2012 and compared it to the last 12 months’ sales. Here is what we came up with (in order of growth): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Church Hill Westover Hills area Museum District Near West End Bellevue area The Fan -

change: $54 (75%) change: $36 (30.5%) change: $49 (30.25%) change: $34 (19.32%) change: $23 (17.29%) change: $27 (15.61%) *Data obtained from CVR MLS

Prepared by Licensed Real Estate Broker and Church Hill resident, Amy Tesauro

8 | August 2017

Amy Tesauro & Catherine Gilmer linchpin@linchpinrealestate.com linchpinrealestate.com 804.292.0852

2401 E. Broad St. Richmond, Va. 23223 649-7938 www.saintjohnsrichmond.org The Rev. Amelie Wilmer, Priest-in-Charge

Come, Li� Your Spirit! Summer Sundays at St. John’s Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend 9:00 a.m. Choir Practice, Choir Room 10:00 a.m. Holy Communion Children’s Chapel, Keeper’s Cottage 11:00 a.m. Coffee Hour, Parish Hall Nursery available 10:45 to 11:15 a.m.

Sing for the Summer

We are a caring, spiritual community joyfully embracing and nurturing all, serving God, each other, and the community.

Meet in the church at 9:00 a.m. any summer Sunday to rehearse the offertory anthem. We’d Like to Get to Know You Better

National Night Out Ice Cream Social

Tuesday, August 1 6:00-8:00 p.m. at E. Broad & 24th Sts. The ice cream’s on us, and everyone’s welcome.

St. John’s Church Foundation Tours: Mon. – Sat. 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Sunday 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Last tour at 3:30 p.m. daily Summer Sunday Liberty or Death reenactments

Each Sunday through September 3, 2017 All shows: 1:00 p.m.—doors open 1:30 p.m.— music begins 1:45 p.m.—show begins

“I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” —Patrick Henry

All shows free with suggested donation Or, you may purchase advanced seating tickets $5 at www.brownpapertickets.com Visitor Center: 804-648-5015 www.historicstjohnschurch.org

Church Hill Newsletter | 9

The Money Rub

by Matt Crane, Richmond Cycling Corps.

ooner or later, money has to get involved. When attempting to perpetuate a mission or a good idea, eventually it lands on the table. In the non-profit world, this is all too apparent. The relationship to money is built right into the industry’s title, after all! When I started working for Richmond Cycling Corps, I was fairly new to the civilian world, having recently ended my professional cycling career. I came on board as the assistant coach for the nation’s first competitive cycling program designed for youth in public housing. That program was, and still is, the Armstrong High School cycling team, operated by Richmond Cycling Corps. Soon enough, I fell in love with the youth I was lucky enough to be working with, and then I became entrenched in the specific problems of this city’s concentration of poverty.

Bicycles, race entry fees, vehicle maintenance, rent, salary to pay staff who devote their every waking hour (and interrupted non-waking ones) to helping these youth gain better opportunities and behaviors; well, it all costs money. And in the case of those bikes ($2000 Kona hardtail mountain bikes), it starts to cost a lot of money. And so, I soon found myself most useful to the youth I serve in the capacity of fundraising. Goodbye lycra bike shorts and trying to keep up on the mountain bike! Fundraising can be truly incredible. The people I have met, especially those who support the efforts of RCC with finances, time, or services, have inspired me with their devotion, attention, and community spirit. I began to see that the act of raising funds serves as a bridge; a bridge between those in the community who want to make it stronger, and those who are on the 10 | August 2017

ground level working to accomplish that. The funding makes it all possible. And the generosity I have found throughout Richmond, the passion of people who want to help and give what they can to effect change, began to open my eyes to new ways that money, and its relationship to a non-profit’s mission, can make the world a better place. I saw some other things too. I also noticed that the non-profit sector has a rub. The rub between an organization’s mission, and their need for funding. Some shops handle it beautifully, and there is total congruence between their work and how they raise money. And, I’m going to go ahead and say it, there are some cases where this just isn’t true. There is a little bit of a game out there. There is a way of pulling the right levers to ensure the money comes. I’m not opposed to that per se, but it sticks in the craw, especially in the case of organizations purporting to tackle societal ills, when the funding is released less from breaking new ground in the mission and more from checking the right boxes on the grant application. I might call that a situation where the tail of fundraising is wagging the dog, so to speak. And this started to interest me. A lot. Because, see, a 501(c)3 is not much different from any other business, except in its relationship to the IRS. There are still bills to pay. And that becomes a problem when the money doesn’t come off a tree, but rather from the pockets of the community’s individuals, foundations, and corporations. How does a non-profit vie for the operating capital it requires? It sells a product. The product is a message. A message of...hope? Change? Efficacy? For sure, all those things and more.

And that’s where the rub occurs. The mission’s message – again, to varying degrees, and I speak only conceptually here and not specifically of any institution – has to align to some degree with the need for raising funds to ensure payroll is met, the lights are on, and the following year’s planning and budget aren’t rendered moot. And that’s a real problem if we are also asking these non-profit groups to be change agents. How do we take risks, grow, and challenge conventions (the very conventions which likely have a hand in creating the problems we exist to combat), when we are afraid of compromising the message that ensures our fundraising potential? Try it out for size. I’ll even use Richmond Cycling Corps as an example. The situation in the east end of Richmond is dire. Some of the latest (potent, in depth) reporting by Ned Oliver at the Richmond Times Dispatch will abundantly confirm this. Scores of youth in this city are involved in a sub-culture of guns, petty beefs, shootings. The public schools are overwhelmed and under-supported. Ready and abundant institutionalized solutions? Hardly. In their stead, RCC exists to provide these youth with a comprehensive system of mentoring, tough love, self-worth, and persistent attention, in order to effect a paradigm shift of behavior and outlook. And yet, we find ourselves struggling to meet demands for tidy solutions and neatly packaged narratives. As both a fundraiser and a donor, I am taking a stand here and saying we need to ask better questions before dictating where the money and power goes. Are you being sold a cute solution? Does it feel good? Fine. Are the same problems these solutions are purporting to address also cute? I cannot speak for other causes, but in the case of the ancient and profound societal question of poverty, I cry for more. Stop asking us to have all the answers. We don’t. The problem is too pervasive and complex to be solved with field trips and pizza parties (or merely racing mountain bikes, for that matter). The smiling photographs? Very good. But is that the mission you are receiving in that message, or is it the fundraising? Let’s look for courage, change, and depth. Dismiss the easy A. If the problem is worth our attention, then the proposed solution is worth our scrutiny beneath the glossy veneer. Yes, Richmond Cycling Corps conducts messaging aimed at fundraising. But we are crystal clear on where the rub occurs against our mission, and we have not let friction there fray the thing we came here to do.

I support a lot of organizations with what I can spare each month. And I hope you feel moved to as well. And I hope that you believe, as I do, that those causes are making the world a better place. Better yet, I hope you gain the rightful satisfaction that your support helps make that so. The point of all this is we must not forget the role money plays in the non-profit sector. The work we do requires it. And through no ill intention, the need for it can negatively shift how we, as organizations, interact with the world we are here to help. Why take that risk if it could leave us exposed? Why tell the truth about this situation, if it will only make our cause seem hopeless? Why dive deeper when we can stay at this level? What does Richmond Cycling Corps do about this? Part of it is this article. We try to speak up. We ask that you give us enough leash to fail. We ask that you not ask too often for the “wins.” We ask that you recognize that by virtue of how hard we are pushing this thing to the edge, it isn’t always going to be pretty or easy to recognize. We also believe in 100% trust and transparency. What we can’t give you in metrics, we can show you abundantly anytime you wish to speak with us. We aren’t just trying to show these youth a good time; we’re diving deep to learn everything about their world so we can bring it to the surface and say “this is what we are here to solve.” Last, we run two earned income operations. One of which is Richmond Bicycle Studio, a full service, expertise driven bike shop in Scott’s Addition. I oversee it myself, and can confirm that not only is it one of the finest shops in town, but that every penny of net revenue finds its way to our youth. We also run The Kickstand, a bike rental service on the Virginia Capital Trail, which is staffed by our youth. They learn job skills and interact with tons of people while providing muscle behind an endeavor that, just like Richmond Bicycle Studio, invests all proceeds in their success. Both of these operations generate unrestricted funding that allows us to create unrestricted solutions for our youth. Above all, we rely on you! Thank you for having the vision to take the plunge with us, to say that you are willing to stand by us as we pursue our mission. In return, we promise to be fearless and daring stewards of your support while pursuing what is best for the youth we have promised to empower. Church Hill Newsletter | 11

322 N. 25th St.

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We treat Dogs & Cats

Thank you for letting us care for your pets! 12 | August 2017

Church Hill June 2017 Picnic

Church Hill Newsletter | 13

Church Hill, Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never easy to start a revolution.

Presenting Patrick Henry Square 313 North 24th Street Richmond VA 23223

17 Apartments 6500 square feet of Commercial Space 2 Bedroom\2bathroom Live work Now leasing for August 2016 Occupancy Contact Joshua Bilder for more information 804.306.3089 Mobile 804-359-5018 Office (Website under construction) www.patrickhenrysquare.com Another quality Sterling Bilder LLC Development 14 | August 2017

Teaching Writing from Jail By Mary Miley Theobald

Every Monday, I go to jail. No, I’m not on work release; I volunteer at the Richmond City Jail, teaching writing to inmates. A friend who developed the jail’s REAL program (Recovering from Everyday Addictive Lifestyles) asked if I would be interested in helping selected prisoners develop some of the life skills they need to stay out of jail after their release. “Would you rather have them come out better criminals or better citizens?”she asked. Easy answer. The truth is, I believe we incarcerate too many people for too long, to no purpose. Fewer people locked up means more tax dollars for schools and parks and roads. So, although I was a little skeptical, I gave it a try. Two years later, I’m hooked. Nothing I do resembles normal teaching. In the same class, I have students who didn’t finish 7th grade with some who have been to college. One week, two men show up; the next week, eighteen. Some are writing poetry or raps; others are working on memoirs or urban fiction; one is writing a screenplay. Some write reasonably well; others are functionally illiterate; a few have real talent. My goal is simple: each man will leave a better writer than when he came in. At first, the inmates were a bit suspicious--Why is this old, white woman who writes mysteries spending her time volunteering in the jail? Some people ask if I’m picking up plot ideas or crime details for my next book. I’m afraid not, since my mysteries are set in an entirely different era of violent crime—the Roaring Twenties, the Prohibition world when bootleggers and gangsters flourished. Crime was different back then; so were jails. One thing hasn’t changed: you don’t want to be locked up in one. Mary Miley Theobald is a local author oftwelve nonfiction books, four podcasts, and 200 magazine articles as well as several historical mysteries, published as Mary Miley. Find her at marymileytheobald.com

Church Hill Newsletter | 15

16 | August 2017

AUGUST IS DONATION MONTH FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES! August is again the month for donating school supplies. The Greater Church Hill community responded most generously last year (see photographs) and CHA hopes you will consider donating school supplies for the 201718 School Year for Bellevue and Chimborazo Schools and, possibly a third elementary school (depending on contributions). Donations will benefit children in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, as well as teachers. All August you can drop off supplies at: Sub Rosa Bakery, Union Market, and WPA Bakery. Many thanks go to these great local businesses for supporting the drive this year and last. You can also bring supplies (or make a monetary donation --cash, check, credit card) to the Church Hill Association Picnic at Tom Wilds home at 2617 East Franklin Street on August 15th. You can also drop them off at Tom’s home (call beforehand: 202-271-5216) anytime in August. Drive Contact person is Barbara Cotter. Call 804-648-0826 or email cotterbarbara@hotmail.com .

Supplies Needed: Bags and Organizers

Other Paper

Arts & Projects

Notebooks & Folders

• Backpacks, from pre-k to 5th grade • Book bags • Pencil boxes • Zippered Pencil Pouches (no box)

• Glue sticks • Elmer’s glue (bottles) • Crayons (boxes of Crayola, 24 count) • Markers (boxes of Broad line) • Washable Magic Markers (boxes, 8 count, assorted colors) • Colored pencils (boxes, 2 count)

Writing & Reading

• Pink pearl erasers (Packs) • No. 2 pencils (Packs: 12 & 24 counts – no mechanical) • Low odor Dry Erase Markers with Eraser (Packs: 4 ct) • Highlighters-yellow (Packs)

• Packs loose leaf paper (wide-ruled) • Packs of 3x5 Index Cards (ruled, white & other) • Reams of copy paper (colored or white) • Packs of construction paper

• Double pocket folders (plastic) • Elementary writing journal • Primary handwriting Sketchbook • Composition Notebooks (wide-ruled, not spiralbound) • Spiral-bound wide-ruled Notebooks • Spiral/ Black &White Composition Books • 1- Subject Spiral Notebooks • 5- Subject Spiral Notebooks • 3 ring binder (1 ½ ” wide) PLEASE --NO TRAPPER KEEPERS BINDERS

Church Hill Newsletter | 17

General

• Paper towels (rolls) • Large boxes of tissues • Hand sanitizer (large bottles) • Ziploc Bags of different sizes: Gallon, Quart, Sandwich, snack • Plastic Wipes (containers)

Tools

• Ruler (standard/metric 12 inch) • Sets of Flash cards: Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction & Division • Pair of Scissors (blunt, Fiskars) • Pair of Headphones (no earbuds) • Clear protractor • Four-function calculator

Parent Teachers Association

• Monetary donation for operation and projects

18 | August 2017

Big Tent has Big Impact By: Amy Atticks

Editor’s Note: Amy Atticks is a Church Hill resident and the volunteer webmaster for CHA of RVA's website, churchhill.org. She works full-time to raise funds to support the Symphony's artistic, education, and community programs and to help make collaborations like the RVA East End Festival possible.

This May, thousands of residents gathered in Chimborazo Park for a free community festival featuring live music, food trucks, a beer garden, kid's zone, and arts exhibit--all anchored by the Richmond Symphony's Big Tent! The RVA East End Festival: The Gift of Arts and Music 2017 was the neighborhood's second annual community celebration and fundraiser to support music and arts programming in the public schools of Richmond's East End. Through bucket collection, corporate and foundation sponsorship, and individual donations, the inaugural festival in 2016 enabled the East End public schools to transform their collectionsfrom seven violins in total to full classroom sets of string instruments in each school. Hundreds of new students now have the opportunity to learn and grow together each year as they experience the power of music. Schools supported included Bellevue Elementary, Chimborazo Elementary, Fairfield Court Elementary, George Mason Elementary, Woodville Elementary, Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, Armstrong High School and Franklin Military Academy. The 2017 festival continued this momentum, raising funds to further integrate arts and music education into the fabric of the East End. Governor Terry McAuliffe and First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe served as Honorary Chairs of the RVA East Festival 2017, organized in partnership by the City of Richmond, The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, The Honorable Nadine Marsh-Carter, Richmond Public Schools, Bon Secours Richmond Health System, Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation, the Richmond Symphony, Church Hill Association and many other local community partners, businesses and civic organizations. “It’s been proven time and time again that music education is essential for developing a well-rounded education," said Richmond Symphony's Executive Director, David Fisk. "The Richmond Symphony works closely with schools to see where the gaps are and what we can do to help fill them. Sometimes it’s with what we do, sometimes it’s with what we help facilitate. The RVA East End Festival has been a great example of both, and we are most grateful for all the partners, including the Church Hill Association, who made it possible." Church Hill Newsletter | 19

Bicycle Fundraiser by Amy Williams

On May 7th, Amy’s Army of Cancer Warriors hosted Pedal through Petals, a fundraiser for Massey Cancer Center that included a casual bike ride throughout Church Hill. Participants met with Patrick Henry at St. John’s Church yard, visited St. John’s Mews, the oldest community garden in RVA, visited Tricycle Garden’s Jefferson Community Garden, another historic garden, toured the gardens at Richmond Hill, admiring the view from the Child Saver’s Lawn, and stopped in private gardens on 29rd Street and at Libby Hill Park. After the tour, cyclists wrapped up with a party in front of the Valentine downtown. The event was a huge success, raising over $18,000 for cancer research happening right here in RVA! You can read more at www.AmysArmyRVA.com. Riders loved touring Church Hill so much, they have decided to come again. On Saturday, September 23rd, Amy’s Army of Cancer Warriors will host another fundraiser for Massey Cancer Center. This one, “Climb to Conquer Cancer” will be a longer bike exploration, and will feature climbs up Libby Hill. Red polka dot jerseys, reminiscent of those awarded in the Tour de France, will go to the “King of the Mountain” and “Queen of the Mountain.” Before the climb, all cyclists will take an urban bike ride through Church Hill. They also will enjoy a leisurely ride out to the Richmond Battlefield Park and beyond or, for those on mountain bikes, a tour of some of Richmond’s gorgeous trails. A VIP Spectator Pass is available for purchase, which will grant access to a premier viewing spot on Libby Hill, along with special food and drinks and other amenities. Sponsors include local companies Stone Brewing, Shoe Crazy Wine and Belle Isle Moonshine. All members of Church Hill Association in good standing may use the discount code “CHA” for 10% off the Ride Tickets and/or VIP Spectator Passes. In appreciation of the neighborhood’s hosting of this event, Amy’s Army of Cancer Warriors also has agreed to contribute $250 to Church Hill Association, to be used in the discretion of the association. Tickets to Climb to Conquer Cancer can be obtained at https://www.bikereg.com/climb-to-conquer-cancer Photos by: Shoeless RVA Photography

20 | August 2017

Church Hill Newsletter | 21

Casual & family-friendly dining located at the heart of Church Hill in the Historic East End Theatre Building

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Mon-Wed: 11am-10pm Thurs-Fri: 11am-11pm Sat: 9am-11pm Sun: 9am-10pm

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804.225.8275 • www.thelibertyrva.com • 418a N. 25th Street 22 | August 2017

Dear AskCAR, Can I add a plain screen door to the front of my house? Thanks, ScreendIn

AskCAR

Hi ScreendIn Like storm windows and doors, CAR staff can administratively approve the installation of screen doors. Unless based on the design of a historic screen door at the property, the screen door should be simple in design, and any divisions should match those of the primary door as to not obscure the primary door. Additionally, the wood frame of the screen door should be painted the same color as the primary door. If you are interested in installing a screen door, please submit an application (found here: http://www.richmondgov. com/CommissionArchitecturalReview/forms/CAR_SubmissionApplication.pdf) and a description of the proposed door to CAR staff in person or by email at DCDHISTORICPRESERVATION@RICHMONDGOV.COM Hope this helps! AskCAR

Are you a new or existing homeowner in a Designated Old and Historic District in the area? Do you have a question about a renovation or rehabilitation project on your property? Are you planning a demolition or new construction project? If so, send us your question to Secretary@ChurchHill.org with AskCAR in the subject line. In an effort to provide a resource to the community, I’ve started this "ASK CAR" column. If you don’t know already, CAR or the Commission on Architectural Review is the City’s official historic preservation body and helps to preserve the unique qualities of these designated districts. Since there are four of these districts in this area (St. John’s, Chimborazo, Union Hill, Church Hill North) chances are that if you are a homeowner you will have or have had some interaction with CAR. This column is aimed at providing clarity and understanding of a process that at times may seem daunting or frustrating. Marianne Pitts, Secretary of the Planning and Preservation Department in the City of Richmond Department of Planning and Development Review has kindly agreed to assist me in answering the questions that I receive from the readership

Church Hill Newsletter | 23

Transportation Committee Update By: Tom Wilds The Committee has not met lately but it should convene in August or September to begin to have input into the Church Hill Bike Walk Project.

The CH Bike Walk Project The Bike Walk Project is the City’s Church Hill link to the overall network of Bike Walk streets throughout the City. Over a year ago the City applied for federal matching dollars to design and implement a section from Nine Mile Road area to Libby Park. The City Attorney’s office recently informed Jakob Helmboldt Pedestrian, Bicycle and Trails Coordinator that the standard city/state agreement which allows the city to accept funding has been signed. This now goes back to VDOT and in approximately one month they should give the green light to commence with community engagement and design concepts. Church Hill offered a White paper with the committee’s recommendations over a year ago. Jian Xu at DPW will be the project manager so Jake working with her to begin that engagement once she gets the go-ahead from VDOT, so likely initial planning and outreach will commence in mid-August to kick things off.

Main Street Improvements between Rocketts and Willamsburg Rd. Adel Edward is the project manager from the Richmond Department of Public Works for this current project under construction.. In a recent email requesting information, he reports that "Phase 1 of my project which is opening E. Main street to two way traffic will be constructed by 09/01/17". "Phase II of my project which is relocated Dock Street and construction of the roundabout above the 100 year flood plain as well as improvements along Nicholson Street is scheduled for completion by Mid-January 2018". See illustration above for the projected improvements.

"As of E.Main Street and Williamsburg Project it is still currently in design, won’t construct for another year or so." -Adel Edward, Department of Public Works

24 | August 2017

Church Hill Newsletter | 25

Richmond’s 2017 Plein Air Competition Another Success on Church Hill By Barbara Cotter

Plein Air Richmond is an outdoor painting event and competition presented and hosted annually by the Brazier Gallery of 1616 West Main Street. The Richmond SPCA was again the local charity benefitting from the week-long “Paint Out” which took place from June 18-25, 2017. Close to 90 Plein Air artists submitted their work for appraisal and 30 of them, including three from the Richmond area, were invited to enter the Richmond Plein Air competition. What followed was an intensive and amazing week of painting the City’s external treasures: from Tuckahoe Plantation to Carytown, the Fan, James River locations, Ginter Botanical Garden and more. Church Hill was a featured location on Tuesday, and many artists could be seen painting Libby Hill Park, city landscapes, the overlooks and various points of interest in our neighborhood.

Following the pattern of previous years, one-third of the artists were hosted by Church Hill families, who were all rewarded with a personal painting by their artist - a wonderful memory of friends made a wonderful week for all concerned. Church Hill hosts and their artist guests were: Ginny Campbell hosting Olena Babak of Hartland, Maine Karen Jones hosting Robine Wright of Birmingham, Alabama John & Bénédicte Whitworth hosting K. T. Morse & Paul George of Ipswich, MA Howard & Eugenia Anderson-Ellis hosting Jason Sacran of Fort Smith, Arkansas Diane Worthington hosting Beth Bathe of Lancaster, Pennsylvania Chris Haney hosting Jill Banks of Fairfax, Virginia Robbie & Bette Dillahey hosting Neil Hughes of Moorestown, New Jersey Paul & Gail Candido hosting Tom Lynch of Chicago, Illinois Larry & Pam Masters hosting Ray Ewing of Swan Point, Maryland On Tuesday, June 20th, the Church Hill Association hosted their fourth annual dinner for the artists and their family members, along with representatives from the Brazier Gallery. Last year this event was held for the first time in a Church Hill home (Eugenia Anderson-Ellis’). It was such a success that this year John and Bénédicte Whitworth opened their home and hosted dinner for 40 guests. Again, all artists (predominantly from East Coast and Midwest States) enjoyed a pleasant evening mingling and catching up with friends. A great team effort by Karen Jones as lead chef, Barbara Cotter, Pam Masters and John made this happen. The Brazier Gallery thanked the Association for this event. Loryn Brazier wrote: “We are always thrilled with your support of Plein Air Richmond. It feels like Church Hill is a partner of the event. The artists so appreciate the trouble you take to hold a dinner for them. Your wonderful chefs create delightful meals and your Church Hill homes are so different and elegant to most of the artists. It’s such a loving and generous thing to do and I hope you know how thankful we are.” This week allowed us to showcase our neighborhood, its many vistas, wonderful homes, and introduce the renowned Church Hill “welcome” to these accomplished artists who live and paint across the United States and other countries. This year the artists sold over 80 paintings! The Brazier Gallery will be sponsoring the 2018 event, again in collaboration with the Richmond SPCA, so we look forward to welcoming our friends once again next year. 26 | August 2017

For more information, go to www.pleinairrichmond.com. If anyone would like to offer their home next year, please contact jbwhitworth@comcast.net. Church Hill Newsletter | 27

Liz McCormick Your Church Hill Real Estate Expert Call Liz today for a complimentary value analysis of your home

804-432-8899 liz.riverteamrealty@gmail.com www.riverteamrealty.com

28 | August 2017

We are a team of creative stylists dedicated to producing incredible hair every time.

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Who are you? Luminary Hair Co. is the rebranding of Blackbird Salon in Church Hill! Rest assured, we have the same location and staff (with the addition of our newest amazing stylist, Adri)!! The previous manager, aka tall blonde girl, Carly Moenich bought this location of Blackbird and we have changed the name as part of building a new identity in the community! We guarantee to continue to provide the same stellar service every time.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s changed? Not much! One aspect of our pricing has changed to be more gender inclusive and non-binary. We now book our cut appointments according to length of hair versus by gender. This is to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for our clients and our community. Our color pricing has stayed the same. Visit our website for more details on pricing!

www.luminaryhairco.com New clients are always welcome! We would love to meet you. Check out our stylist bios on our website to find the perfect stylist for you. Love, Carly, Adri, Blake, and Kristen Follow us on Instagram @luminaryhairco Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/luminaryhairco Call us at 804.344.7072

Church Hill Newsletter | 29

Church Hill Contacts Police and Safety Emergencies: 911 Non-Emergency Police: (804)646-5100 1st Precinct Station front desk, staffed most hours: (804)646-3602 Fire Station #1: (804)646-4229 Church Hill Crime Watch: (804)343-3628 Commonwealth’s Attorney/Sector Prosecutor: Colette McEachin: (804)646-4845 Lt.Minton: (804)646-0574, cell (804)240-9158 Daniel.Minton@richmondgov.com Lt Jeremy Sayles: cell (804)283-0856 Sector Lieutenant: Lt McRoy: (804)646-0574, cell (804)283-0856

Neighborhood Maintenance Citizen’s Assistance: (804)646-7000 Citizen’s Request Service Online: http://eservices.ci.richmond.va.us/applications/ citizensrequest/frmNewEntryType.asp# City of Richmond Public Utilities: (804)646-3000 Code Violations related to historic preservation: Marianne Pitts: (804)646-7550 marianne.pitts@richmondgov.com Commission of Architectural Review: (804)646-7550 Zoning Administration: (804)646-6340 Housing Code Enforcement: (804)646-6419 Environmental Control: (804)646-7448 Graffiti Hotline: (804)646-1406 Truancy Hotline: (804)646-ABCD Northeast District Parks Maintenance: (804)646-3216

State and Local Government Governor Terry McCauliffe Virginia State Capitol, 3rd Floor (804)786-221 Senator Rosalyn R. Dance Virginia Senate DIstrict 16 Capitol Office (804)698-7516 district16@senate.virginia.gov Delegate Delores L. McQuinn Virginia House of Delegates 70th District General Assembly Building (804)698-1070 Senator Jennifer L. McClellan Virginia Senate (804)698-7509 deljmcclellan@house.state.va.us Delegate Jeffrey Bourne Virginia House of Delegates (804)698-1071

30 | August 2017

Mayor Levar Stoney City of Richmond 900 E.Broad St.,2nd Floor (804)646-7970 7th District Richmond City Council Member Cynthia Newbille (804)646-3012 cynthia.newbille@richmondgov.com 7th District Richmond City School Board Member Nadine Marsh Carter (804)929-6894 ncarter@rvaschool.net Richmond City School Board (804)780-7716

East District Agencies East District Families First: (804)646-4508 EDI-W.I.C: (804)646-0775 Health Center: (804)780-0840 Social Services: (804)646-7212 VA. Cooperative Extension: (804)786-4150

Richmond Resources Animal Control: (804)646-5573 after hours: (804)646-0546 Better Housing Coalition: (804)644-0546 Black History Museum: (804)780-9093 Richmond CenterStage: (804)225-9000 Children’s Museum of Richmond: (804)474-7000 Edgar Allan Poe Museum: (804)648-5523 Historic Richmond Foundation: (804)643-7407 James River Association: (804)788-8811 Library of Virginia: (804)692-3500 Museum of the Confederacy: (804)649-1866 Richmond Ballet: (804)344-0906 Richmond Coliseum: (804)262-8100 Richmond National Battlefield Park: (804)771-2148 Richmond Symphony: (804)788-1212 Science Museum of Virginia: (804)367-6552 St. John’s Church Visitor Center: (804)648-5015 Valentine Richmond History Center: (804)649-0711 Venture Richmond: (804)788-6466 Virginia Historical Society: (804)358-4901 Virginia Museum of Fine Arts: (804)340-1400 Virginia Opera: (804)643-600 Virginia War Memorial (804)786-2060

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Church Hill Newsletter | 31

PLEASE JOIN AND BE A 2017 MEMBER OF THE CHURCH HILL ASSOCIATION! CHA of RVA Members receive one-time discounts at local businesses plus 5% all year at Alexander’s Cleaners:

Restaurants & Other Eateries 23rd & Main Taproom 15% 2302 E Main St – (804)788.7077 Alamo Barbecue 10% 2202 Jefferson Ave – (804)592.3138 Dutch & Company 15% (excluding alcohol and prix fixe menu) 400 N 27th St – (804)643.8824 Liberty Public House 15% 418A North 25th St – (804)225.8275 Millie’s Diner 15% 2603 E Main St – (804)643.5512 Nota Bene restaurant and lounge 15% 2110 E Main St – (804)477.3355 Patrick Henry’s Pub & Grille 15% 2300 E Broad St – (804)644.4242

Poe’s Pub 15% 2706 E Main St – (804)648.2120 Proper Pie 10% 2505 E Broad St – (804)343.7437 Stroops Heroic Dogs (free Stroopwafel with purchased hot dog) 2709 E Marshall St – (804)644.3647 Sub Rosa Bakery 10% 620 N 25th St – (804)788.7672 The Hill Café 15% 2800 E Broad St – (804)648.0360 Union Market 15% (prepared food/meals, excludes groceries) 2306 Jefferson Ave – (804)716.7233 WPA Bakery 10% 2707 E Marshall St – (804)716.9797

Other Businesses Blackbird Salon $5 off service/treatment 402 N 25th St – (804)344.7072 C. Alexander’s Cleaners 5% off ALL Cleaning orders 2007 Venable St – (804)592.3138 Eric Schindler Gallery 10% off one art work 2305 E Broad St – (804)644.5005 Mowhawks 15% off landscaping (garden, tree service, grass) 2312 M St – 1(855)mowhawks/1.855.669.4295

Pets at Play 5% 319 N 25th St – (804)286.4665 Richmond Balance 20% off first month 1806 E Main St – (804)225.7130 Seven Hills Studio 20% discount to new clients 501 N 25th – (804)344.0620

Get your membership card and start enjoying! Sign up through the website, email, or in person at CHA meetings: 1. For the website, go to: http://www.churchhill.org/cha/join/ 2. Mail the form below to PO Box 8031 Richmond, VA 23223 or 3. Bring the form to the next membership meeting or CHA event. NOTE: CHA of RVA is a 501(c)(3) organization. Your membership is tax deductible to the full extent of the law as no goods or services are received in exchange for your contribution.

Church Hill Association (CHA) Membership Form Membership is valid one year from date of joining.

New Member

Date:

Renewing Member

Membership is Individual, not by household. Email is used only for communicating information to members.

Member Name #1

Email:

Member Name #2

Email:

Address, street, city, zip: Member #1 Phone: Cash:

Member #2 Phone:

Check:

(Make check payable to the CHA)

$30 per person x For office use: Membership card 32 | August 2017

Members = $ Bag