Holiday Hours and Events

The department, its community centers and its cultural arts and community center at Pine Camp will be closed Friday, December 23; Monday, December 26; and Monday, January 2 for the holidays. All parks will remain open as usual from sunrise to sunset.

     The department’s Before and After School program is closed during Richmond Public School’s winter break and will resume when schools re-open on January 3, 2012. The programs provide children with a safe place before and after school at 20 Richmond elementary schools. In addition, children in the After School Program are introduced to cultural arts and sports. Registration is just $50 and decreases for each additional child per family. Scholarships are available so that no child is excluded from the program. For more information or to register, call 646-6034.

      The First Tee of Richmond will be closed Thursday, December 22, through Sunday, January 1, and will re-open on Monday, January 2. The golf practice facility is conveniently located downtown at 400 West School Street off of Brook Road just blocks from Belvedere and Broad. It includes a heated driving range, putting green, chipping green with sand traps, six-hole par-three course, and a clubhouse. Regular hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For more information, call 646-4074.

     The department’s indoor Swansboro swimming pool will be closed Friday, December 23 through Monday, December 26, and on Monday, January 2. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21, Thursday, December 22, and Tuesday, December 27 through Friday, December 30. 

      The department will hold a free Winter Solstice Celebration on Belle Isle on Thursday, December 22, at 4:30 p.m. at the Tredegar Street entrance. Join the James River Park staff and the Friends of James River Park around the bonfire to welcome the start of the winter season. For more information, call 646-8911.

    
The Richmond Community Nativity Pageant will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 23, at the Carillon, located at 1300 Blanton Avenue in Byrd Park. This live outdoor presentation is a Richmond tradition and was originally narrated by Douglas Southhall Freeman. It includes a cast and choir of approximately 200, some who have participated in the pageant for 30, 40 or 50 years or more. The pageant is produced by the non-profit Richmond Community Nativity Pageant organization with assistance from the department. It is a rain or shine event. For more information, call Paige Quilter at 804-358-8481.

     The department will hold Free Movies on Ice at 7 p.m. for those enjoying ice skating at RVA On Ice Saturday, December 24, Sunday, December 25, and Saturday, December 31. The 8,400 square-foot outdoor skating rink is located adjacent to Richmond CenterStage between Sixth and Seventh streets on East Broad. The movies scheduled are as follows:

            December 24 – “Shrek the Halls”

December 25 – “White Christmas”

December 31 – “It s a Wonderful Life”

For more information about the department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, call 646-5733. 

City to Present Free Holiday Performance at the Landmark

WHO: City and Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Officials

WHAT: A performance of “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” a one-act opera for the entire family, sung in English, telling the story of a mischievous shepherd boy named Amahl, his mother, the three kings who visit them, and the miracle that changed their lives forever.

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

WHERE: Landmark Theater, 6 North Laurel St.

BACKGROUND: This one-act family opera, composed by Gian Carlo Minotti, was commissioned by NBC and broadcast live for the debut of the Hallmark Hall of Fame on Dec. 24, 1951. This heartwarming holiday classic that will charm both children and adults, is thought by some to be the most frequently produced opera in the world. This year, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities presents its production featuring an all-volunteer cast, for the 50^th time as its holiday gift to the city. Admission is free, no reservations are required, and seating is based on a first-come, first-served basis.

Staged Reading Scheduled at Hickory Hill Community Center

The department, in partnership with My Creative Spirit, a new Northern Virginia theater company, will present a staged reading of “That ColorBlind Kind Of Love” at the Hickory Hill Community Center on Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

     The play, written by English teacher Rebekah Peirce, premiered at the Kennedy Center’s Page-to-Stage Festival in September. The drama tells the story of Sampson and his slave Twyla, kindred spirits who have loved and searched for one another for more than a century. The story tells of a forbidden love between master and slave, which they have been forced to abandon over the course of 150 years. By the end of the play, their souls are finally reconnected in the present. This drama asks if love is truly colorblind in this “so-called” post-race era.

     The reading is free to attend and a small reception will be held afterward.

     Hickory Hill Community Center is located at 3000 Belt Boulevard. For more information, call 646-7934.

Veterans Day Program Scheduled at Byrd Park Carillon

The city of Richmond will host a Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, November 11, at 4 p.m. at the World War I Memorial Carillon in Byrd Park. “The city of Richmond is proud to honor the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces, and we will never forget their courage and commitment to protecting our freedom and fighting for the rights of the oppressed,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones.

     

     Among the selections to be performed by the widely-praised Cantare Choir will be an Algonquin prayer written by Kenneth Swift Eagle Custalow of the Mattaponi Native American Tribe and A Prayer of Desmond Tutu by British Composer and Conductor James Whitbourn.

     For more information, call (804) 646-1031.

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The City’s department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities is organizing the event which will include an invocation from Reverend Angelyn Poe, a concert on the Carillon bells by City carillonneur Larry Robinson, vocal selections by the Cantare Choir of the Greater Richmond Children’s Choir, and the presentation of a memorial wreath in honor of the Nation’s veterans.

Department Recognized for Tennis Programs

The department received the Community Outreach of the Year Award from the United States Tennis Association’s Virginia District at the organization’s annual meeting and awards luncheon held at the Country Club of Virginia on October 29.  Department Director Dr. Norman C. Merrifield and the department’s tennis program coordinator, Victor Rizzi, accepted the award on the behalf of the city and Mayor Dwight C. Jones.

     “We are extremely proud of this recognition,” said Dr. Merrifield. “Opening the doors for Richmond’s youth to play tennis is part of our mission to provide healthy, rewarding and even life-altering activities, and I would like to thank the Richmond Tennis Association for partnering with us to present these opportunities,” he said.

     In addition, the United States Tennis Association’s MidAtlantic Division has announced that it will present its Junior Tournament of the Year Award to Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities at its annual meeting and awards luncheon November 19 in Herndon, VA.

     Both awards recognize the department for hosting three low-cost junior tennis tournaments on the city’s tennis courts in Battery Park. The Battery Park Junior Open Tournaments were held in May, August and October as part of the USTA Virginia Grassroots Player Development program, specifically designed to make tournament opportunities available at low cost. Approximately 70 youth between the ages of 8 and 18 participated in each of the tournaments, which attracted many new tournament players and young players in the eight and under and ten and under age divisions.

     
To host the three tournaments, the department partnered with the Richmond Tennis Association, which provided volunteers to help staff the games as well as score cards and gifts for the players, which were funded by a MidAtlantic USTA grant. The tournaments were the first in many years to be hosted by the department at the Battery Park tennis courts, which were renovated by the department in 2008 following the destruction of Tropical Storm Gaston. 

Cheerleading Jamboree to Showcase 600+ Area Cheerleaders

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will hold its annual Cheerleading Jamboree on Thursday, November 10, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Landmark Theater, located at 6 N. Laurel St.  Approximately 600 cheerleaders from the department’s community centers and area high schools and colleges will perform during the event.

      Tickets for the event are $3 in advance for children 11 and younger and $6 for children 12 and older and adults. Tickets purchased the day of the event are $5 for 11 and younger and $8 for 12 and older and adults. They may be purchased at the Landmark Box Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., online at etix.com, or by phone at 1-800-514-3849.

     Seating is general admission and the doors will open at 5 p.m.

‘Let’s Pink’ Breast Cancer Event Set for Nov. 4

The department will hold a breast cancer awareness event and fundraiser called “Let’s Pink” at its Hickory Hill Community Center on Nov. 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  The event will include raffles, visual arts, vendors, food, music, entertainment and much more.

     The mission of Let’s Pink is to merge the vibrancy and artistic minds of Richmond’s youth and young adults with the knowledge and life experience of Richmond’s seasoned generation while raising awareness for breast cancer.

     Local artists and photographers will display interpretive works related to breast cancer at the event and have other works from their collections on sale as well. In addition, Lauren Parker from SLAM, Richmond’s youth poet team, will present pieces created especially for the event, and two guest speakers will discuss their personal journeys with breast cancer and how it has affected them.

     An information table will provide brochures and pamphlets to take home, and a variety of vendors representing health, fitness, beauty and fashion will also participate.

     Donations of $5 are encouraged to attend the event, and all proceeds will go to the Central Virginia Affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

     Although no registration is required, you can learn more about the event and sign up to attend, as well as donate, online by visiting LetsPink.EventBrite.com. You can also call 646-8874 or 245-6637 for more information.

      The Hickory Hill Community Center is located at 3000 E. Belt Boulevard. This program is in line with Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ Healthy Richmond Campaign to promote healthy lifestyles for all residents in the city of Richmond.

Kanawha Plaza Closed Today for Cleaning

Richmond, VA,  Oct. 31, 2011 - Kanawha Plaza Park is closed to the public today while the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities inspects and cleans the park.

Boot Camp for New Mothers to start Nov. 2

The department will offer six weeks of fitness training for new mothers and their babies that will help the moms lose weight, get back into shape, and regain their confidence, while they bond with their babies. It’s called “Mom and Me Boot Camp.”
     Classes will start on Nov. 2 and run through Dec. 14 and will be held at the department’s Humphrey Calder Community Center at 414 N. Thompson St. on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
     The instructor, Myra Robinson, is a personal trainer certified by the American Council on Exercise and a fitness instructor certified by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. As the owner of Mombshellfitness, she specializes in cardio and strength training for new mothers. “We turn new moms into bombshells!” she says.
     During the classes, moms work on high intensity cardio drills and strength training, often using their babies’ strollers, while the babies are entertained by the high energy music and constant movement. In addition, the class, which fosters new friendships, can help combat postpartum depression and the stress of caring for a baby.
     The cost of the boot camp is $120 for the entire six-week session, which amounts to just $5 per class, and there is no extra cost for a second child!

     The program is in line with Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ Healthy Richmond Campaign set to kick off in the spring to help promote healthy lifestyles in the city of Richmond.

     To register for the boot camp or for more information, call the community center at (804) 646-1780 or e-mail the instructor at myra@mombshellfitness.com. For more information on the Mayor’s Healthy Richmond Campaign, call 646-5823.

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.”

James River Park Programs Scheduled

The department has scheduled three programs to be held in its James River Park System.       
     On Friday, July 29, children and their families are invited to come to the park’s headquarters at Reedy Creek, 4001 Riverside Drive, for a program called “Insects at Night.” This program offers a hands-on investigation of insects caught in light traps and is co-sponsored by the James River Park System and VCU. No fee or advance registration is required for the program, which will take place from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

     On Saturday, July 30, back by popular demand, the department will offer a guided Torch-Lit Walk on the Slave Trail. The walk, which will cost $5 per person, will start at 8:30 p.m. from Ancarrow’s Landing, located at 1308 Bander St. No advance registration is required, and return transportation to the parking lot following the walk will be provided.

     On Friday, Aug. 12, the department will offer a “Moonlight Paddle and Picnic for Wounded Warriors.” This free program is co-sponsored by the James River Park System, the James River Outdoor Coalition and McGuire Veterans Hospital, and all veterans, “wounded warriors,” handicapped individuals, and the general public are invited to participate. The event will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Huguenot Flatwater, located at 8200 Riverside Drive. Advance registration by Wednesday, Aug. 10, is required by calling (804) 646-8911. There is no fee to participate.

 

Grant Helps City Provide Free Summer Meals for Children

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will be able to expand and enhance its free summer meals program for children and its child and adult care food programs with a funding boost from Walmart and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The department was among 30 agencies chosen nationwide to benefit from a $2.1 million grant from the Walmart Foundation and will receive $40,000.         The funding is part of Walmart’s Summer Giving Campaign, a broad $25 million initiative aimed at filling the gaps in food service created when schools close for summer. The initiative is expected to impact more than 110,000 U.S. middle and high school students throughout the summer months.
        “Kids should have every opportunity to grow into successful adults and we’re doing our part to make sure that’s the case this summer,” said Walmart Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs Leslie Dach. “From helping thousands of kids stay active and learn, to supporting summer job programs and providing nutritious meals, we’re committed to making a difference.”
        “Helping children and families in Richmond is a key objective of our department,” said department director, Dr. Norman C. Merrifield. “We are thrilled to be a part of NRPA’s national effort to combat hunger, particularly in these difficult economic times. With this generous support from the Walmart Foundation, we hope to provide an additional 50,000 healthy meals and snacks through our food service programs for free.”
        The department has provided food services since 1983 and will use its share of the funding to hire additional staff to help serve food, to buy additional tables and chairs to enhance service, and to market its food programs. The meals and snacks used by the department are provided through U.S. Department of Agriculture feeding programs and served for free at department community centers and other sites throughout Richmond and the surrounding area. No advance registration is required to walk in and receive a free meal or snack, and any agency or organization that provides programs for youth ages one up to 18 can participate as a food service site in the department’s programs.
        “Park and recreation agencies are on the frontline in the fight to build and maintain healthy communities,” said Barbara Tulipane, CEO of NRPA. “This generous gift from the Walmart Foundation will help our local champions provide nutritious meals for millions of children and support the development of a healthy, connected and active generation of Americans.”
Kids Eat Free meal locations:

About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support initiatives that are helping people live better around the globe. In May 2010, Walmart and its Foundation made a historic pledge of $2 billion through 2015 to fight hunger in the U.S. The Walmart Foundation also supports education, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness initiatives. For additional information on how Walmart is bringing its commitment to hunger relief to life this summer, visit http://www.walmart.com/fightinghunger/.

About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 20,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives, and conservation of natural and cultural resources.
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities for the City of Richmond strives to provide exceptional recreation programs and park facilities to enhance the quality of life for its citizens and visitors to the city and to preserve and protect the city’s natural areas of unique or exceptional scenic, cultural, archaeological or historic significance for future generations to enjoy and embrace. For more information on NRPA’s food service programs, contact Jimmy O’Connor, senior manager of corporate grants, at joconnor@nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrec-magazine.org.

About the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities

Department Kicks Off Free Outdoor Movie Series

The department will kick off its third year of free movies in the park on Friday, July 15, at 8 p.m. with the showing of "Megamind” in Byrd Park beside Fountain Lake. The animated film features Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill and Tina Fey in a sci-fi comedy that finally gives the underdog a chance to save the world.
“Megamind” will be followed by six more free family movie nights in Richmond’s parks. The schedule is as follows:

· Friday, July 22
“Despicable Me”
Battery Park
2803 Dupont Circle

· Friday, July 29
“Alpha and Omega”
Hotchkiss Community Center
701 E. Brookland Park Blvd.

· Friday, August 5
“Shrek Forever After”
Mary Munford Playground
211 Westmoreland St.

· Thursday, August 11
“Justin Bieber: Never Say Never”
Bryan Park
4308 Hermitage Road

· Friday, August 12
“Sister Act II”
Byrd Park’s Dogwood Dell
1100 Blanton Ave.

· Friday, August 19
“Tangled”
Forest Hill Park
4021 Forest Hill Ave.

All movies will begin at 8 p.m. and are rated PG. The department's movie night series is co-sponsored by 106.5 the Beat.

Fireworks Rescheduled for Tonight!

The City of Richmond has rescheduled its Festival of the Arts’ Fourth of July program at Dogwood Dell for 7 p.m. tonight, July 5. The program, originally scheduled for last night, was postponed due to inclement weather.
The program this evening will begin with a performance of patriotic music by the Richmond Concert Band, and will be followed by fireworks starting at approximately 8:30 p.m. The fireworks display is contingent on the weather and approval by the fire marshal. A rain delay until 10 p.m. is allowable, however if the fireworks cannot be started by 10 p.m. they will be cancelled for the year.
Parking will be available at City Stadium with shuttle service to and from the Dell starting at 5:30 p.m. Parking at the stadium is strongly advised as parking will not be allowed on grassy areas, medians, bridges or on many of the neighborhood streets and parking regulations will be strictly enforced. Violators will be ticketed and towed at their own expense.
The following traffic pattern changes and detours also will be in effect:

*The Boulevard will be closed to southbound traffic at Cary Street beginning at 7 p.m.
*Westover Hills Boulevard will be closed at Forest Hill Avenue to northbound traffic beginning at 7 p.m. The detour is west on Forest Hill Avenue to the Powhite Parkway or east on Forest Hill Avenue to the Lee Bridge.
*Douglasdale Road between McCloy Street and Blanton Avenue will be closed to traffic from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. as the roadway will be used for shuttle buses only.
*After the fireworks, all northbound traffic on the Boulevard will be detoured eastbound onto Interstate 195. If you are traveling east on Interstate 195 there is a .70-cent toll. The Boulevard northbound will reopen 30 minutes after the fireworks have ended.

City to Cut Ribbon on New Basketball Court

WHO: Richmond Chief Administrative Officer Byron Marshall
CarMax President and CEO Tom Folliard
CarMax Foundation President Lynn Mussatt
Richmond Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities Dr. Norman C. Merrifield
Other City and CarMax Officials and Youth Basketball Teams

WHAT: A ribbon-cutting ceremony to open a new basketball court and recognize the CarMax Foundation for its
donation of a $155,000 grant to support youth basketball in the City of Richmond.

WHEN: Thursday, June 30, 2011
4 p.m.

WHERE: Pine Camp Arts & Community Center
4901 Old Brook Road
Richmond, VA 23227

BACKGROUND:
The CarMax Foundation has awarded a grant of $155,000 to the Enrichmond Foundation for use by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities to build a new basketball court, restore an existing building for use as a concession facility, and expand league play to include more Richmond youth and a new wheelchair league. This is the fifth year that CarMax has supported youth basketball in the city. Since 2007, the CarMax Foundation has given more than $500,000 to restore and expand the department’s basketball courts at Pine Camp and fund league play for hundreds of Richmond youth between the ages of 10 and 17.

Children Encouraged to Join Guinness World Record Attempt

City children between the ages of one and 14 are invited to join the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and other children at sites around the world to help set a Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™.
All children need to do for a chance at becoming a world record holder is come to the department’s Swansboro Pool at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 14, and participate in the swimming lesson which will take place at 11 a.m. (3 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time) simultaneously around the world. The Swansboro Pool is an indoor pool located at 3160 Midlothian Turnpike.
Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities is participating in the global event to help spread the message that swimming lessons can save lives. Drowning is the second largest cause of accidental death among children ages 1 to 14. In addition, research shows that if children don’t learn to swim before the third grade, it is likely that they never will.
“The importance of learning to swim is a message that is critical to us,” said Richmond’s Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Dr. Norman C. Merrifield. “With the James River serving as a major attraction in Richmond and the department operating 10 swimming pools, it’s extremely important to us that we teach children how to swim as well as provide lessons in water safety.”
Richmond’s fire chief concurs. “Our water rescue teams are involved in numerous rescues every year,” said Chief Robert A. Creecy. “I would encourage every parent to make sure that their children learn to swim and know about water safety.”
The World's Largest Swimming Lesson™ is an event designed by a coalition of the nation’s leading water safety and training organizations to build awareness for and draw attention to the vital importance of teaching children to swim to help prevent drowning. The inaugural event held in 2010 established the Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson ever and included almost 4,000 participants in 34 states, five countries and three continents. Tragically, the threat of childhood drowning is even greater around the globe.
Thousands worldwide will be participating simultaneously this year in the same 45-minute swimming lesson in the attempt to set a new Guinness World Record. The lesson, developed by a team of leading water safety and swim instruction professionals, will be an easy-to-follow beginner lesson to allow for the broadest participation possible.
Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will follow up by offering two “Learn to Swim” camps for children this summer. In addition, the department provides swimming lessons year-round on Tuesday and Thursday nights at its indoor Swansboro Pool. For more information or to register for the summer camps, call 646-1126 or 646-1441. To register for lessons at the Swansboro Pool, call 646-8088.
To learn more about the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™, visit www.wlsl.org. To learn more about the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities aquatics programs, visit www.RichmondGov.com/parks.

Discount Theme Park Tickets Available

The department of is selling discount tickets to Kings Dominion, Water Country USA and Busch Gardens at prices that range from $31 to $54.
Kings Dominion Good Any Day tickets are on sale for $42 for adults and $32 for youth and senior citizens. In addition, discount tickets for admission on Park and Recreation Days, July 1 through Aug. 5, are available for $32 for all ages.
Water Country discount tickets valid through Sept. 5 are on sale for $31 for visitors ages 3 to 9 and $37 for visitors age 10 and older.
Busch Gardens Discount Days tickets, good through Sept. 5, are on sale for $38 for ages 3 to 9 and $48 for ages 10 and older. Tickets good any day from Sept. 6 through Oct. 30 are $44 for ages 3 to 9 and $54 for ages 10 and older.
Tickets must be purchased with either a cashier’s check or money order in Room 308 of the Landmark Theater at 6 North Laurel Street, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon or 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.. Cash, personal checks and credit cards will not be accepted, and one day’s advance notice is required for ticket purchases of 25 or more.
For more information, call (804) 646-6934 or (804) 646-6067 or e-mail Linda.Clark@RichmondGov.com.
The department is a member of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society, which makes the discount tickets available.

City to Kickoff 55th Annual Festival of the Arts June 10

Mayor Dwight C. Jones and the City of Richmond will kick off the 55th annual Festival of the Arts on Friday, June 10, at 8 p.m. on the Dogwood Dell stage with the Upper East Side Big Band. The festival features 30 evenings of outdoor family entertainment at Dogwood Dell throughout out the summer that are free to attend.
Highlighting the annual festival will be the city’s Fourth of July Celebration at the Dell. This year, beginning at 4 p.m., it will feature local hip hop group Kids in Da Biz, jazz by Sharon North, a concert on the Carillon bells, and rousing patriotic music by the Richmond Concert Band concluding with a fireworks extravaganza.
Other highlights of the annual summer festival include a Gospel Music Fest on Sunday, July 10, from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., a Latin Jazz and Salsa Festival on Saturday, July 23, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., and a special tribute to local musician Page Wilson on Sunday, July 17, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. that will feature Terry Garland and Lil’ Ronnie, Wilson’s band Reckless Abandon, and the Janet Martin Band performing rock, blues and Americana music.
In addition to the wide variety of musical entertainment, the festival brings dance, movies, and theater to the Dell, as well as an entire lineup of morning and afternoon entertainment especially for young audiences on the Ha’Penny Stage, which is adjacent to the Dell.
Families are encouraged to bring picnics and blankets to performances, however no alcohol or pets are allowed. The outdoor amphitheatre is located in Byrd Park at 1300 Blanton Avenue, just north of the Boulevard Bridge.
The Festival of the Arts is produced by the Cultural Arts Division of Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. The complete schedule of programs can be downloaded from the main page of the city’s website at www.richmondgov.com.

Free Family Fishing Fair set for June 4

The department will hold a Family Fishing Fair on Saturday, June 4, from 9 a.m. to noon at Shield’s Lake in Byrd Park. The event will be free and open to anyone five years old and older. No fishing license is required because it’s Virginia’s annual Free Fishing Weekend.
Local fishing experts will be on hand to teach basic freshwater catch-and-release fishing.
If you plan to attend, the department recommends that you bring water to drink and a folding chair. Also bring your own fishing poles and tackle if you have them. The department will have some poles and tackle available for use, but these will be limited to two per family.
Co-sponsoring the event with the department are Region 3 Bassmasters, Trout Unlimited, Virginia Fishing Adventures, Green Top Hunting & Fishing, Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries, and Chesterfield County.

Have Lunch Served on a Frisbee!

The Landing, the concession at Byrd Park, will open for business at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 28. It's located at Byrd Park’s Fountain Lake and offers pedal boat rides and food service throughout the summer months. It will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. until dusk.
Pedal boat rides will cost $12 for 30 minutes, and food service will include hot dogs, hamburgers, barbeque, a wide variety of sandwiches, cold plates, sides, ice cream, and beverages - including Polar Shock Frozen Drinks! In addition, you can have your box lunch served in a box - or on Frisbee at no additional charge!
Visit www.petesgreatfood.com for the complete menu or to order in advance. Ordering online in advance will have your order ready for pick up and can save time if you are on a limited lunch hour or on your way to a Festival of the Arts performance at Dogwood Dell. You can also contact Pete's for group rates.
The Festival of the Arts kicks off at Dogwood Dell on Friday, June 10 at 8 p.m. with big band and swing music by the Upper East Side Big Band. Watch for a copy of the complete Dogwood Dell schedule to be published on this website or call 804-646-DELL for program updates.

City to Hold Memorial Day Program at Carillon

The City of Richmond will hold its annual Memorial Day Program at 4 p.m. on Monday, May 30, at the Carillon in Byrd Park, 1300 Blanton Avenue.
This event is free to the public and open to all who wish to honor those who have served Virginia and the nation. The program will include a selection of patriotic music, presentation of a memorial wreath, and a concert on the Carillon bells by city Carillonneur Larry Robinson.
Retired veteran Dr. Dean Decker of the Richmond Memorial Rifle Squad will be the featured guest speaker, and he will present a program on the history of Memorial Day.
The 240-foot Carillon was built as a permanent memorial to the heroic efforts of Virginia’s World War I servicemen and servicewomen following the enactment of a World War Memorial Commission by the Virginia General Assembly in 1928.

Children Donate to Help Build Playgrounds

Children in the department's After School Program revealed yesterday that they raised $1,125 to help build playgrounds for children in Haiti and Afghanistan. The children made the announcement after sliding down a sliding board at the George Mason Elementary School Playground.
Each year, children in the program select a charity to support that helps other children and their families somewhere in the world. This year, the children decided to raise funds by selling coupon books for the International Childhood Enrichment Program (ICEP). ICEP notes that while the situations in Haiti and Afghanistan differ vastly, children in both countries have not had the opportunity to experience the spontaneous joy of playing. Building playgrounds gives these young people the opportunity to reclaim their childhood.
Richmond’s Chief Service Officer Paul Manning recognized the children for their donation as well as the After School Program for the values it teaches. “The program not only provides a safe place for children after school; it is grooming future residents and leaders to help Build a Better Richmond and a better world,” he said.
Dr. David B. Jones, a board member of ICEP and a professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies at the University of Maine, was on hand to also recognize the children and accept the donation.
The department’s licensed After School Program currently serves 500 children at 20 elementary schools. In previous years, children in the program have raised funds to help build a merry-go-round that pumps water in an African village, purchase honey bees and bee hives for needy families to increase their agricultural yields and income, and provide solar cookers for women living in refugee camps in Chad so that they can feed their families and the orphaned children they adopt.
For more information on ICEP or to donate to help build playgrounds, visit
www.icepkidsplay.org.

Children to Reveal Donation to Help Build Playgrounds

WHO: Paul Manning, Chief Service Officer, City of Richmond
David B. Jones, Board Member, International Childhood Enrichment Program, and Associate Professor in Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Southern Maine
Charles Hester, After School Program Coordinator; Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities, City of Richmond
Children in the Richmond Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities’ After School Program

WHAT: A “Reveal” – After sliding down the sliding board on the school’s
playground, children in the Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’
After School Program will reveal the amount of money they have raised to donate to the International Childhood Enrichment Program to help build safe playgrounds for children in Afghanistan and Haiti.The public is invited to attend.

WHEN: 4 p.m., Thursday, May 19, 2011

WHERE: George Mason Elementary School Playground
813 North 28th Street
(Rain location will be the school cafeteria)

BACKGROUND:
Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities operates an After School Program at 20 elementary schools and a Before School Program at three elementary schools. Each year, children in these programs raise money to donate to a charity that helps other children around the world.
For more information, contact Christy Everson at 804-646-5944 or Tesha Davis at 804-646-3998.

Help Send Richmond's Children to Summer Camp

On Thursday, May 12, you can help send a Richmond child to summer camp, as well as hear some of your favorite music, by contributing to the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ annual Send-a-Kid-to-Camp Radiothon. Residents are asked to call (804) 521-8400 any time between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on May 12 to make a donation to the Send-a-Kid-to-Camp Campaign, and for any donation of $20 or more, the caller can have their favorite song played on KISS 105.7/ 99.3 FM or 92.1 FM. In addition, anyone who makes a donation for the full summer camp fee of $225 will receive two free tickets to the June 4th Stone Soul Music and Food Festival on Brown's Island.
All donations are tax deductable and will help pay for city children to have an exciting and educational summer camp experience. In return, callers will have the satisfaction of knowing that they have made a difference in the life of a Richmond child.
“These funds help us reach children in the city who often have few options for summer activities and need someone in their lives to steer them in the right direction,” said Dr. Carolyn Graham, deputy chief administrative officer for human services. “By donating to the radiothon, you are joining in the city’s efforts to help shape the future for these children and build a better city for all of us,” she said.
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ summer camp program offers nine weeks of structured activities for children ages 6 – 12 on Monday through Friday beginning June 27 and continuing through Aug. 26. Children enrolled in the camp are immersed in fun activities each day that include art and cultural enrichment, health and physical education, science and environmental education, and personal and social development as well as field trips. The camp is offered at 15 department community centers throughout the city and costs $225 per child for city residents; however, donations from the annual radiothon are used to provide scholarships for those who need them. It is part of the department’s promise to make the camp available to and affordable for all children in the city of Richmond.
Contributions to the Send-a-Kid-to-Camp Campaign also can be made on the Enrichmond website at www.enrichmond.org, and checks made payable to Enrichmond/Send-A-Kid-to-Camp can be mailed to 900 E. Broad St., Suite 407, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
The annual radiothon is co-sponsored by the department, Radio One and Enrichmond, a non-profit foundation that partners with community groups to maintain, restore, preserve and improve Richmond’s public recreational resources.
For more information on the annual radiothon, call (804) 646-5733.

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.

City to Celebrate Tennis

The department in partnership with the Richmond Tennis Association will hold a Tennis Night in America celebration on Thursday, March 24, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Arthur Ashe Center.
Tennis Night in American is a national program of the United States Tennis Association to register youth for tennis classes with park and recreation departments and community centers throughout the month of March. It also introduces the new QuickStart Tennis program to the public.
QuickStart Tennis focuses on children age 10 and younger and uses smaller courts, larger rackets and bigger tennis balls so that children can quickly learn and enjoy the sport.
The Richmond event will include the opportunity for parents to register their children age 10 and younger for tennis classes, as well as games, clinics, prizes, free snacks, information on coaching and team management and fun for all. It is free to attend.

Department to Present Pine Camp Plan for Comment

The department has developed a campus plan for its Pine Camp Arts and Community Center grounds which it will present to the public for comment on Wednesday, March 30. The plan is based on the two public meetings the department held in January and March to discuss ideas to guide the long-term development of the property.
The meeting will be held at the Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, located at 4901 Old Brook Road, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Spotlight Gallery to Feature Local Seniors in Exhibition

Local art lovers will have an opportunity to view artwork created by area seniors at Richmond’s Spotlight Gallery in an exhibit hosted by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. The exhibit, titled “Continuing to Create! A Senior Group Art Exhibition,” will open with a reception from 6 - 8 p.m. on April 1 at the gallery, located at the department’s Pine Camp Arts and Community Center at 4901 Old Brook Rd.
Gallery visitors will be able to meet the artists at the reception and purchase artwork done in a wide array of media. “Senior citizens in our community are displaying a lifetime of experiences in their beautiful creations,” said Shaunn Casselle, a recreation instructor for the department and co-curator of the show.
The exhibit will be on display beginning April 1 through April 29. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The reception is free to attend and open to the public.

Remove Flowers and Vases for Cemetery Cleanup

Owners of lots and gravesites in City-owned and operated cemeteries are reminded that according to City Code all flowers, decorations and vases placed on the ground must be removed by March.1. This is to allow the Cemeteries Division of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities to conduct its annual spring cleanup.
City-owned cemeteries include Shockoe Hill, Oakwood, St. John’s Church, Riverview, Maury and Mount Olivet; however only Oakwood, Riverview, Maury and Mount Olivet are active.
As authorized by the City Code, any items left on the ground will be collected and disposed of by cemetery staff beginning Monday, March 7. Floral arrangements on monuments or memorials, or in vases that are on monuments or memorials, do not need to be removed for the cleanup.
New flower arrangements may be placed on gravesites and lots beginning Tuesday, March 21.
Owners of lots and gravesites who have questions about the spring cleanup can call (804) 646-1401 or (804) 646-1402, Mondays through Fridays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Department to Host Panel Discussion on Race

The department will present a panel discussion for Black History Month called, “Outside the Lines: Race in the 21st Century.” It will be held on Thursday, Feb. 24, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the department’s Hickory Hill Community Center, 3000 E. Belt Boulevard.
Serving on the panel will be the president of the Virginia Chapter of the NAACP, Rev. Dr. J. Rayfield Vines Jr.; pastor of Garland Avenue Baptist Church, Rev. Clifford B. Chambliss; iPower 92.1 FM radio personality, TT Torrez; Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter Michael Martz; Patrick Henry Charter School board member Antione Green; and Boaz and Ruth AmeriCorps Director Megan Rollins.
The discussion will be moderated by “Miss Community” Clovia Lawrence of Radio One. The program is open to the public and free to attend.

Learn to Lead Formal Meetings

Does your board or organization need to know the ins and outs of how to run a formal business meeting? If so, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, in partnership with the M. Stanley Ryan Unit of Parliamentarians and the Parliamentary Law Club of Richmond, is offering a one-day workshop on March 5 to teach parliamentary procedures to both adults and youth.

The workshop will be held at the Pine Camp Arts and Community Center located at 4901 Old Brook Rd. It will begin with a joint session at 8:30 a.m. and then divide into two sessions, one for adults and one for youth ages11 through 17. Each group will learn the duties of officers and how to preside at meetings, followed by mock meetings. The two groups will join for a session during lunch, and the workshop will conclude at 2:30 p.m. after a graduation ceremony.
Registration is $8 for youth and $20 for adults until Feb. 25. After Feb. 25 a $2 late registration fee will be required.
For a registration form or more information, call 804-646-3677 or 804-646-3679.

Take a Valentine's Date to see Richmond's Heron Rookery

The department invites you to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a tour of the Heron Rookery in the James River Park.
“The courtship behavior of the Great Blue Herons can be eerily similar to that of humans,” says Ralph White, the park’s manager.
The guided tour will take place Saturday, Feb. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants are advised to dress for the weather, and although some spotting scopes will be available, bring binoculars if they have them. Cameras can also be used.
The cost of the tour is $5 for adults and $1 for children 12 and younger. Special parking for this event is available in the Whitewater Boater’s Lot next to the Floodwall on the northeast side of the 14th Street Bridge where the group will meet. It is a short walk to the Heron Rookery and you will need to be able to climb a ladder to get there.
This tour is co-sponsored by Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and the Richmond Audubon Society. For more information, call 804-646-8911.
This tour will be offered again on Saturday, Feb. 26, at the same time.

City offers Slave Trail Walk to Commemorate Black History Month

The department is offering two opportunities this month to take an interpretive walk on Richmond’s Slave Trail in recognition of Black History Month.
These programs offer the opportunity to walk along the same route through what is now the James River Park System that so many enslaved Americans were forced to take in the first half of the 19th century before being placed on the auction block. You will also see the many signs of slave labor that are still visible in Richmond today.
The walks are scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, and Saturday, Feb. 26, and last until approximately 5 p.m. The fee is $5 per person. No pre-registration is necessary.
Walk participants should meet their guide at Ancarrow’s Landing Park, located at the end of Maury Street. The walk is approximately 2 miles one way, but can be shortened if the group prefers to drive part of the way.
These programs are co-sponsored by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and the Friends of the James River Park. For more information, call 804-646-8911.

Seniors Got Talent?

Are you a senior citizen with talent? If so, then join the Senior Talent Showcase sponsored by the department at its Westover Community Center on March 25. The center is located at 1301 Jahnke Rd., and the fun will begin at 11 a.m.
You must have talent and be at least 55 years old to compete in the Showcase competition. Prizes will be awarded along with the opportunity to add “Talent Star” to your resume.
For more information, call (804) 646-8995.

Public Input Wanted on Campus Plan for Pine Camp

The department will hold a second public meeting to receive suggestions, ideas and comments for the development of a campus plan for its Pine Camp Arts and Community Center property on Wednesday February 9 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, which is located at 4901 Old Brook Road.
Over the years, the department has received various suggestions and ideas for the improvement and use of this city parks and recreation property that currently contains a community center, playground, walking trail, and basketball courts. The property also serves as the site of the city’s cultural arts center.
The purpose of this meeting is to engage the public in dialogue regarding any future improvements to the property that could occur based on the desires of city residents and visitors.

Spotlight Gallery to Feature Local African-American Artists

In celebration of Black History Month, the city's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will host an art exhibit featuring the works of five local African-American artists: Maurice Beane, John Greene, Emmett Johnson Jafari, Jay Sharpe and Richard Ward. The exhibit, titled “Five Men: African-American Works in 3D,” will open with a reception from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on February 4 at the Spotlight Gallery, which is located within the department’s Pine Camp Arts and Community Center at 4901 Old Brook Rd.
In addition, several of the artists will discuss their work on Friday, February 4,from 6 p.m. to 7p.m. at Pine Camp prior to the opening. Both events are open and free to the public.
This annual Black History Month exhibit will trace the artistic influence of African-Americans from the rich imprint of Africa to current trends in contemporary art. “Their works will amaze you,” said Dr. Carolyn Graham, the department’s interim director.
The exhibit will be on display through March 11 in Pine Camp’s Spotlight Gallery. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Volunteers Needed to Help 'Tree the Track'

Do you enjoy Byrd Park? Have you ever used the Byrd Park vita course? Are you looking for a way to help make our city a better place to live? Then join the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and the Friends of Byrd Park on Saturday, January 22, from 9 a.m. to noon, in a Neighbor-to-Neighbor project that will help beautify the park.
Volunteers are needed to help plant 30 new trees around the Byrd Park vita course. The holes will be dug in advance, and volunteers are needed to mulch, water and shovel dirt around the new plantings. This project is a great activity for families to enjoy together, and all ages can help.
Neighbor-to-Neighbor is an initiative of Mayor Dwight C. Jones to encourage the residents of Richmond to get involved and become active architects in “Building a Better Richmond.”
For more information and to volunteer to help Tree the Track, call 355-2639 or 342-9005 or visit www.Richmondgov.com/Mayor and click on the Neighbor-to-Neighbor link.

Day of Service Project Scheduled in Bryan Park

Please join the Friends of Bryan Park and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities in celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and the National Day of Service by volunteering for a Bryan Park environmental cleanup project. The work will take place on January 17 from 9:30 a.m. to noon in Bryan Park. This ’Day On, Not A Day Off’ project is endorsed by Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ Neighbor-to-Neighbor initiative, which encourages Richmond residents to get involved to help “Build a Better Richmond.”
Volunteers are needed to help cleanup the park’s floodplains and remove trash and debris from areas along the park’s creek beds and lake. This is an opportunity to give something back to the city, as well as to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and would be a great activity for individuals, service groups or teens.
All volunteers should wear heavy shoes or work boots, bring their own work gloves if possible, and meet at the park’s Shelter #1 at 9:30 a.m. to receive trash bags, assignments and instructions.
Bryan Park is located at 4308 Hermitage Road. The entrance to the park is just north of the I-95 entrance ramp. Park signs will provide directions to Shelter #1.
For more information and to register, call (804) 646-5454, visit http://www.richmondgov.com/ and click on the ‘Day On, Not A Day Off’ link, or e-mail Carla.Childs@RichmondGov.com.

Brain Games Coming Soon

The department will offer two days of brain aerobics for adults 55 and older who want to keep their minds young and fit.
The fun games and mental exercises designed especially for adults will begin at 11 a.m. on Jan. 14 and Jan. 28 at the department’s Westover Community Center, located at 1301 Jahnke Rd. It’s free to participate.
For more information, call 646-8995.

Public Input Wanted for Pine Camp Campus Plan

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, January 12, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to receive suggestions, ideas and comments for the development of a campus plan for its Pine Camp Arts and Community Center property. The meeting will be held at the Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, which is located at 4901 Old Brook Road.
Through the years, the department has received various suggestions and ideas for the improvement and use of this city parks and recreation property that currently is home to a community center, playground, walking trail, and basketball courts. The property also serves as the site of the city’s cultural arts center.
The purpose of the meeting is to engage the public in a dialogue regarding any future improvements to the property that could occur based on the desires of the citizens.