There are probably some parents who are a little upset and concerned about some recent events near Maggie Walker Governor’s School. Here’s what Councilman Charles Samuels has to say about it:
“Recent events this week in the vicinity of Maggie Walker Governor’s School are of great concern to me. These events include: a suspicious package being found (empty tool box) in the school parking lot; a fire at a homeless encampment near School Street that the Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services extinguished promptly; and, the discovery of a body in a ravine in the 1000 block of Lombardy Avenue.
The body has been identified by the Richmond Police Department as Joseph C. McCray, 54, of no fixed address, and is being investigated as a homicide due to death by blunt force trauma.
Each of these events is sufficient to cause great concern for those who attend Maggie Walker Governor’s School and the neighbors in the Newtowne West Community. Should neighbors, families or community organizations wish to come together for solace and understanding of these events, I will support them in any way that I can.
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. McCray and ask that anyone with any information regarding this incomprehensible act to call Richmond Crime Stoppers, at 804.780.1000.
Samuels also shares some resources in Richmond that help the homeless population:
· Richmond Police Department Homeless Outreach Partnership Enforcement (HOPE) patrol (804.646.4395 tel)
· Richmond Department of Social Services (804.646.7212 tel)
Provides child, family, adult, employment and financial assistance services.
· Freedom House (804.233.4064 tel)
· Community Shelter (804.232.1949 tel)
Providing a stable environment for residents to begin to address issues that led to their homelessness and set goals for a better future.
· The Conrad Center – Conrad Center (804.225.1853 tel)
Serving breakfast and dinner to Richmond ‘s homeless and working-class poor.
· Daily Planet (804.783.0678 tel)
Operates free standing health care center in the area providing primary health care to the homeless, uninsured and underinsured regardless of their ability to pay. Additionally, Daily Planet provides a 12-week job training and placement program to the unemployed homeless and offers at no charge to those in need: eye care, dental care, mental health and psychiatric care, laundry and shower facilities, case management, mail and substance abuse services.”
The RTD is reporting that the body of a homeless man was found yesterday morning:
Richmond police say they are investigating the discovery of the body of a homeless male this morning under Interstate 95. Police said the body was discovered shortly before 9 a.m. under an elevated section of the interstate just off Lombardy Street, between Virginia Union and Maggie Walker’s Governor School.
The RTD is reporting that Richmond area developer and Fan maven, Charlie Diradour (most recently of Baseball on the Boulevard/Friends of Richmond Baseball ’fame’), will announce on Tuesday (the 15th) his intentions to challenge Republican incumbent Eric Cantor for the 7th District US House of Representatives Seat. The seat is up in a November 2010 election.
Diradour, a graduate of Trinity Episcopal School and Virginia Commonwealth University, plans to issue a formal statement tomorrow morning entering the race in the Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.
Start salivating now. Richmond Restaurant Week is coming Monday, October 26 through Sunday, November 1. And it’s just about perfect for those of us in the Fan because (by my count) a full 7 of the participating restaurants are in the Fan:
Acacia, Bacchus, deLux, Helen’s, Rowland Fine Dining, Six Burner, Verbena
That means one restaurant per night for a week. Sure, it’ll set you back $175.63 (plus drinks and tip), but it will mean $14.63 for the Central Virginia Food Bank (assuming my math’s right). And you’ll get sample some of the best restaurants Richmond has to offer.
Of course, when you see the full restaurant list, you might be tempted to venture outside of the Fan, too. I won’t hold it against you.
In case you’re unfamiliar with Restaurant Week, here’s the deal:
3 course prix fixe meal for $25.09. For every meal, the restaurant donates $2.09 to the Central Virginia Food Bank. It’s in its eighth year and it’s organized by the folks at Acacia Midtown–Dale and Aline Reitzer.
And if you’re having trouble deciding where to eat, check out RVANewsEats–the definitive guide to Richmond’s food scene. It’ll make your decision just a little bit easier.
The Umpteenth Annual Alley Sale on Saturday, September 12, from 8 am-1 pm in the alley between Monument Avenue and West Grace Street and Strawberry and Allison (aka the 2200 Block).8+ Families, lots of stuff.
Questions? Email Vicki Beatty, vbeatty@verizon.net or call 804-359-1089.
From the Richmond PD:
Robbery on Sunday night at 8:45 at 2582 W. Broad St. A female reported she was robbed by an unknown male. Continuing the trend of Fan crime earlier in the night.
Richmond has a curfew – I didn’t know that, did you? This is from the police’s news release:
“Article 8 of the City Code states that no one under 18 is allowed in public places between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. the following day unless they meet one of the following criteria:
- Accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
- Engaged in an employment activity
- Engaged in a government, civic or religious activity
- Involved in an emergency situation, or
- Are within 25 feet of the minor’s residence.
The purpose of the juvenile curfew restrictions is to protect minors from the dangers of crime that may occur after nightfall and to ensure parental controls are in place.”
One part of the statement that struck me is: “protect minors from the dangers of crime that may occur after nightfall”. There are many crimes happening “after nightfall” but way before 11pm. Things are happening at 9pm, that’s right after nightfall. What happens when daylight savings time ends? Or what about the robberies that occur at 5:09am? I guess what I’m getting at is my sudden anxiety from the rash of robberies and assaults occurring so close to my house and at such “reasonable” hours. Whatever happened to criminals only working between the hours of midnight and 4am? Can I go out at night until a normal time (i.e. 10pm or so) and walk back to my house from my parking spot without worrying?
I really hope my mom doesn’t read this…
