City's Free 'Eggstravaganza' Happening Saturday

The department will host the City's annual free spring “Eggstravaganza” on Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, located at 4901 Old Brook Road. The event was originally postponed due to rain.
The annual free event includes a total of 20,000 candy and prize-filled eggs to be found in three separate egg hunts for children of different ages between 4 and 12. In addition, there will be a “Bunny Town” for children 3 years old and younger.
This free family event promises to be fun for all and will feature music by DJ Mili, hula hoop demonstrations, balloon artists, a caricature artist, arts and crafts, face painters, child fingerprinting, basketball, and the opportunity for children to have their picture taken with Mr. Bunny. Food vendors also will be on hand throughout the day.
Children who want to participate in the egg hunts need to bring their own basket and register for a color-coded wrist band that will allow them to participate in the hunt for their age group.
In addition to finding the prize eggs, games and activities with prizes will go on throughout the day.
The event is co-sponsored by the City and Radio One, and free parking will be available at John Marshall High School and Henderson Middle School.

Girls Invited to Learn Lacrosse for Free

The department will hold a free lacrosse clinic for girls ages 8 through 14 on Saturday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Westover Community Center, located at 1301 Jahnke Road. The clinic is co-sponsored by the department and Nick Costas, whose daughter plays lacrosse at St. Catherine’s School. The Costas are eager to share their love of the sport with Richmond girls and want to introduce the game to as many girls in the city as possible.
Girls do not need to have prior experience playing the game, but should arrive ready to learn and play. All equipment needed for the clinic will be provided, and several volunteer coaches will be on hand to teach the game and assist the girls.
The clinic is free to attend, however advance registration is recommended by calling 804-232-1982 or e-mailing wyatt.kingston@richmondgov.com.

Eggstravaganza Postponed Due to Weather Forecast

Due to Saturday’s weather forecasts, the department will now host its “Eggstravganza” on Saturday, April 30, at Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, located at 4901 Old Brook Road, from 10am-2pm. All aspects of the event will remain the same as planned for the original event. The event is free and will feature a total of 20,000 candy and prize-filled eggs. There will be three separate egg hunts for children ages 4 to 6, ages 7 to 9, and ages 10 to 12. Activities include a special “Bunny Town” for children 3 and younger, music by DJ Mili, hula hoop demonstrations, balloon artists, caricature artist, arts and crafts, face painters, child fingerprinting, basketball, $5 haircuts for boys, the opportunity to have a picture taken with Mr. Bunny and more. Food vendors will also be on hand throughout the day. Children who want to participate in the egg hunts need to bring their own basket. Parking for the event will be at John Marshall High School. Radio One is the department’s co-sponsor for the event.

View the Night Sky in Bryan Park

The department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, the Friends of Bryan Park and the Richmond Astronomical Society present a night of gazing at the stars in Bryan Park tonight, Thursday, April 14, at 8 p.m. This is a free family event, featuring an expert who will be on hand to explain the view. High-powered telescopes will be set up, and Virgo, Ursa Major, the double stars in Leo, and the big cluster in Cancer, recognized in ancient times and known today as the Beehive or M44, should be visible. In addition, the moon, Saturn and the Big Dipper should be visible to the naked eye. This is a weather permitting event. No pets are allowed due to the delicate nature of the equipment used. Follow the sings to Shelter #3 for parking. The viewing will be acroos the street on the soccer field.

Department's Swim Team Wins Championship

The department's competitive youth swim team, the Richmond Racers, won the Virginia Community Swim League Championship (VCSL) held in March at the department’s Swansboro Pool. Approximately 143 swimmers on teams from Hampton, Norfolk, Poquoson and Richmond competed in the event in front of a packed house. In the end, the Richmond Racers scored a total of 705 points to win the championship title. The Hampton Sharks scored 585 points to place second, with the Norfolk Silver Dolphins taking third and the Poquoson Riptides placing fourth. The Richmond Racers have dominated the VCSL Championship every year since it was founded in 1992. During this time, the team has never placed less than second.

These Seniors Really Got Talent!

Eighty-eight-year-old Pauline Wheeler charmed the judges at the department's Seniors Got Talent Showcase held at the Westover Community Center in March. She earned the first place prize in the Spoken Word category for her recitation of the poem, “Heaven’s Grocery Store.” The poem was relevant to her own life story, since she and her husband, Sgt. Shelvie Wheeler, owned and operated a community grocery store for approximately 30 years. Other winners in the competition were Cornelia Walker and Sara Archer, who took second and third place respectively in the Spoken Word category. Michael Brown won first place in the Vocal/Musical category for his rendition of a gospel piece, while Marjorie Wharton and Rufus Bowman took second and third place respectively in the Vocal/Musical category. The showcase, which was organized by Lynette Wilkins, the department’s supervisor at Westover, was judged by Linda Tunes of the Cooperative Extension Service; Loretta Anderson, a Department of Social Services retiree; Lashaun Casselle, a department recreation instructor; and Martha Jones-Carter, a department recreation program specialist.

Department to Hold Free Eggstravaganza

The department will hold a free spring “Eggstravaganza” for children age 12 and younger on Saturday, April 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, located at 4901 Old Brook Road. The event will feature a total of 20,000 candy and prize-filled eggs. There will be three separate egg hunts for children ages 4 to 6, ages 7 to 9, and ages 10 to 12. The fun event will also feature a special “Bunny Town” for children 3 and younger, music by DJ Mili, hula hoop demonstrations, balloon artists, caricature artist, arts and crafts, face painters, child fingerprinting, basketball, $5 haircuts for boys, the opportunity to have a picture taken with Mr. Bunny and more. Food vendors will also be on hand throughout the day. Children who want to participate in the egg hunts will need to bring their own basket. Parking for the event will be at John Marshall High School. Radio One is the department’s co-sponsor for the event.

April 16 Arbor Day Festival Offers Fun for the Entire Family

Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will co-sponsor Stay Co2ol With Trees, Richmond’s third annual Arbor Day celebration with fun and information for everyone in the family. Come out and enjoy the activities at the Carillon in Byrd Park on Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It's free to attend and will be held rain or shine. At the event, children can climb trees, hunt “treasure,” create art or make a pinecone bird feeder. They will meet PBS KIDS’ Clifford the Big Red Dog and Nutzy, the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ mascot, as well as members of the Richmond Police Department’s Mounted Patrol and the Richmond Fire Department. The Sharon Rae North Trio, a jazz combo, will entertain; tree care professionals will be on hand to offer expert advice; and woodcarvers will demonstrate their skill. Plants, landscaping services, pruning tools and more will be exhibited and on sale, and a “Wow! Tree Walk” will be held throughout the event. What's a “Wow! Tree Walk?” It’s “Wow! I didn’t know bad mulching could kill a tree! Wow! I didn't know that trees can reduce street maintenance costs . . . raise property values . . . reduce summer and winter energy costs!” Wow, it's free park walks led by experts who will answer all your questions about trees. Also on the program, from 11 a.m. to noon, Lou Verner, wildlife-mapping coordinator of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, will explain “Why We Won’t Save Wildlife Without Native Plant Landscapes.” In addition, gardening expert Richard Nunnally will be on hand to talk with fans and help solve plant problems. The festival will conclude with a ceremonial tree planting presented by the American Legion Post 84 with their Color Guard and Memorial Rifles. Arbor Day sponsors include the Richmond Tree Stewards, Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, and Richmond’s Urban Forestry Division of the Department of Public Works. Gold corporate sponsors include Dominion, the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Community Idea Stations Public Broadcasting. Silver Sponsors include Cisneros Roofing, Colesville Nursery, Davey Tree Expert Co., Glen Allen Nursery, Riverside Outfitters and Virginia Department of Forestry. Bronze Sponsors include Arborscapes LLC, Circle Safety & Health Consultants LLC, Ginter Park Residents Association, Hudgins Landscaping, James River Grounds Management, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Richmond International Raceway, Truetimber Tree Service Inc., Vermeer Mid Atlantic, and Westover Hills Neighborhood Association. The Richmond Tree Stewards are trained volunteers who help the arborists of Urban Forestry care for trees along city streets and in parks. In 2010, they volunteered more than 1,500 hours of service to the city. You too can be a Tree Steward. Learn more at http://richmondtreestewards.wordpress.com or visit with them at the festival.