City to Hold Sept. 11 Day of Service and Remembrance

In conjunction with the City of Richmond’s Neighbor-To-Neighbor Initiative and HandsOn Greater Richmond, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will hold a Day of Service and Remembrance on Sunday, September 11, 2011 in recognition of the 10^th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In addition, residents are asked to give back to the community by volunteering for various projects throughout the City.

        Volunteers can sign up in advance to help with a project at http://www.richmondgov.com/NeighbortoNeighbor/VolunteerLocally, as well as at the remembrance ceremony, which will be held at the Carillon at 9 a.m. All volunteers will receive a free commemorative t-shirt and are invited to attend the ceremony prior to assisting with their chosen volunteer projects. The projects will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.The general public is invited to attend the ceremony.

       “I encourage City residents to come together and serve their community through volunteerism in honor of the brave men and women who lost their lives on 9/11,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones.

        Volunteer projects include: a cleanup at Cannon Creek that will help with the development of a new greenway and bicycle and walking trail, a cleanup of graffiti on Belle Isle, and a cleanup of the Dogwood Dell theater at the Carillon. Sturdy shoes and long sleeve shirts and pants are required for the cleanup of Cannon Creek and Belle Isle. All volunteers should bring work gloves and be able to work in a rugged environment. The cleanup of the theatre would be an excellent project for anyone who enjoys theater and the Dogwood Dell. 

       There are a wide variety of other 9/11 volunteer projects from which to choose. For the entire list of volunteer opportunities, please visit http://www.richmondgov.com/NeighborToNeighbor/911ServiceWeek.aspx. All volunteers should bring their own water and snacks. For more information, please call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities at 646-5733.

Public Pools, Some Community Centers Closed

All city parks and recreation swimming pools are closed today due to power outages and storm debris. Site inspections are currently underway, and pools will re-open once determined safe for public use. 

     In addition, the following community centers are closed today due to power outages: Westover, Ann Hardy, Hotchkiss, Battery Park, and Creighton Court.

Tonight's Movie in the Park Cancelled; Park Trails May be Closed

Due to impending inclement weather, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities has cancelled tonight’s Movie in the Park at Jefferson Park, “Dogs and Cats: Revenge of Kitty Galore.” the movie, which will concludes the department’s series of free family Movies in the Park, will be rescheduled at a future date.
       In addition, it is the department’s policy to close park trails for 24 hours for every inch of rain the City receives. In the event that this occurs, signs will be posted at the trailheads.

Department Extends Free Movies in the Park Series

Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities has added another free movie to its series of family films shown in parks around the city. “Cats and Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore” will be shown at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26, in Jefferson Park at 21^st and East Marshall streets.  

     In the animated family comedy, cats and dogs join forces for the first time in history to take down Kitty Galore, a former agent for the spy organization MEOWS, who has hatched a diabolical plan to make the world her own scratching post. The film features the voices of Chris O’Donnell and Jack McBrayer in the starring roles.
    This movie concludes the department’s series of free family Movies in the Parks, co-sponsored by 106.5 the Beat. The series kicked off on July 15 in Byrd Park and has featured a PG-rated film every Friday night in a variety of parks around the city.
     Families are encouraged to bring their blankets, popcorn and drinks to enjoy the movie.

City to Host First Friday Event Promoting Teen Arts

The City of Richmond in conjunction with First Friday’s will host RVA presents The Lounge at Center Stage (The Lounge).  This Teen Arts event will take place outside at Seventh and Broad streets on Aug. 5, 2011, from 6 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. The pilot project - coordinated by Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities; Richmond Police; CenterStage and SMG, with support from the business community and city youth - will showcase youth and their art, from musical acts, spoken word and poetry, to visual and participatory arts. Utilizing programs created by young people involved in the Police Department’s Youth Commission, The Lounge will offer youth 21 and younger a platform for freedom of expression and a place to meet and enjoy the art and entertainment of their peers.

     “It is our role to help teens further realize their potential, and we are excited about this new opportunity and public/private partnership,” said Norman C. Merrifield, Ed. D., director of Richmond Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities.

     More than seven acts will be featured this Friday, highlighting young adults offering their own form of artistic expression, and The Lounge will continue to provide teen programs on First Fridays throughout the year with promotional support from Radio One.

     “I can’t think of a better way to expand the reach of First Friday's than The Lounge, and CenterStage is thrilled to be a part of this innovative partnership with the City,” said CenterStage Executive Director Richard M. Parison Jr. “Visitors to CenterStage know how fortunate we are to have such a thriving performing arts community in Richmond, and the talented young people who will be featured at these events truly embody the spirit of this community.”

    “This is an opportunity for Richmond’s teens to demonstrate the positive interactions that we want to showcase within our city,” said Chief Norwood. “The Lounge is not intended to limit our youth’s ability to mingle with other art enthusiasts, but it encourages them to expand their experience downtown and offers an alternative positive means of doing this.”