Program to Feature Richmond in the 1900s

The department will give the public the opportunity to meet the great granddaughter of Harris Stilson and see Richmond as never before through the photos he took as a street car driver in the early 1900s.
     This Afternoon of History and Remembrance will take place on Friday, November 15, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the department’s Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, located at 4901 Old Brook Road on Richmond’s Northside. Kitty Snow, Stilson’s great granddaughter and author of the recently published book, “From a Richmond Streetcar: Life through the lens of Harris Stilson,” will tell the story of Mr. Stilson and show a collection of his photos. Following the presentation, Ms. Snow will open the session for questions and answers.  
     If you are interested in seeing Richmond as it was in the early 1900s, this is an event you won’t want to miss. It’s free to attend and no registration is required.
     The department will hold a second event featuring Ms. Snow on February 14 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Pine Camp. While her first program at Pine Camp will have a wide focus on the City of Richmond, during her second presentation, she will focus primarily on Jackson Ward in the early 1900s.

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Ceremony to Celebrate Completion of Great Shiplock Park Trailhead

 Virginia Capital Trail Reaches Another Milestone —

Great Shiplock Park Trailhead Completed

 

Ceremony Also Highlights Revitalization of Chapel Island and Advancement of Riverfront Plan

WHAT:           Ribbon cutting ceremony for the Virginia Capital Trail western trailhead at Great Shiplock Park and revitalization of Chapel Island

 

WHO:             Mayor Dwight C. Jones, City of Richmond

                        Cynthia Newbille, Richmond City Council, 7^th District
                        Charles Donato, Board of Directors Chairman, Virginia Capital Trail Foundation
                        Dr. Norman Merrifield, Director, Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities

WHEN:          Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at 2 p.m.

                       
WHERE:        Great Shiplock Park
                        2603 Dock Street
                        Richmond, VA 23223

BACKGROUND:

The Virginia Capital Trail Foundation and the City of Richmond jointly announce a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Virginia Capital Trail western trailhead at Great Shiplock Park. The ceremony will also highlight the revitalization of Chapel Island, to include the addition of a non-motorized boat launch, a half-mile trail, and significantly-enhanced access to the 5.6 acres of riverfront parkland. Tours of both Great Shiplock Park and Chapel Island will be available after the ceremony.

Parking will not be available at Great Shiplock Park. Parking is available along both sides of Pear Street, and at the parking lots for the River Lofts at Tobacco Row along Dock Street.

Contacts:

Beth Weisbrod                                              Jay Ell Vaughn

Executive Director                                         Marketing and Public Relations Specialist        
Virginia Capital Trail Foundation                   City of Richmond
beth@virginiacapitaltrail.org                          jayell.vaughn@richmondgov.com
804-788-6455                                                804-646-4642
           

Barbara Jacocks

Principal Planner
Richmond Regional Planning District Commission
bjacocks@richmondregional.org
804-323-2033

 

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Singers of All Ages Wanted for Holiday Performance

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will hold auditions for its 52^nd  production of the holiday operetta “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” The production is scheduled for December 8 at the Landmark Theatre. Director George Macklin Jr. and Musical Director Diana Covington Greer are looking for singers of all vocal ranges for the shepherds’ chorus.
     Auditions will be held on Monday, October 14, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the department’s Pine Camp Arts and Community Center located at 4901 Old Brook Road. To audition, please prepare 12 bars of a song that best showcases your ability. Accompanist will be provided.
     Rehearsals for the holiday performance will begin immediately after casting. No performers will be paid. 
     For more information, call (804) 646-1031.

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One More Movie in the Park

The department will give the public one more chance to enjoy a free movie in the park before fall finally hits. On Friday, Oct. 4, the department will show “Wreck-It Ralph” in Byrd Park.
     The animated Disney movie features the loveable Ralph, a video game villain, who after 30 years is tired of always being the bad guy and longs to be the hero for a change. He sets out to fulfill his dream, but in his quest he brings havoc to the whole arcade in which he lives. This PG-rated film is sure to entertain the entire family.
     The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. beside Fountain Lake in Byrd Park. Free sodas and popcorn will be available to the first 500 people. Refreshments will be on sale also, and movie-goers are encouraged to bring a blanket or their own chairs.
     This program is co-sponsored by Pepsi, 106.5 the Beat, The CW Richmond, Bounce Richmond and the Friends of William Byrd Park. 

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Youth Football Takes Over Redskins Park

The City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will be the first local agency to benefit from the construction of the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center. On Saturday, September 28, about 270 young children will take to the fields to play youth football.
     “Many of these kids will be playing in the footsteps of their heroes, and I’m sure their parents will be just as excited as they are,” said Dr. Norman C. Merrifield, director of Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. “Our young cheerleaders also will be there to cheer them on.”
     The department offers football and cheerleading for youth age 5 to 14. Each team represents one of the department’s community centers throughout the city.
     The games will begin at 10 a.m. and are free for the public to attend. Using two fields, one for flag football and one for tackle, the schedule is as follows:
    
      Flag Football (for children age 5 through 7)
              10 a.m.            Blackwell vs. Hotchkiss 1
              11:15 a.m.       T.B. Smith vs. Hotchkiss 2
              12:30 p.m.       Bellemeade vs. Battery Park 1
               1:45 p.m.        Reid vs. Westover

      Tackle Football

               10 a.m.            Randolph Juniors vs. Westover Juniors (children age 13 and 14)
               11:45 a.m.       Hickory Hill Midgets vs. Westover Midgets (children age 11 and 12)
                 1:30 p.m.       Randolph PeeWees vs. Westover PeeWees (children age 8 – 10)

     The public is invited to attend, but please note that no smoking, personal food or drinks are allowed at the facility; however vendors will sell food, sodas and water in the concession area. Parking is available on West Leigh Street, and spectators will need to bring their own seating.

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Introductory Ballet Classes Offered at Westover Community Center

The department is offering introductory ballet classes for children ages 5 through 12 at its Westover Community Center, located at 1301 Jahnke Road. The introductory classes will be taught by members of the Richmond Ballet and provide a variety of activities that include learning the basics of ballet steps, poses and much more.
     The first class will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. starting September 30 and continuing until November 20. It is for children 8 to 10 years old, and the fee is $60 for city residents and $80 for non-residents.
     The second class will be for children age 5 through 7. It will begin on October 1 and be held on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. through November 11. The cost for this class will be $40 for residents and $60 for non-residents.
     For more information or to register call (804) 646-8995 or e-mail Shanna.Battle@RichmondGov.com.

 

Register Your Child for Dance Classes Now

Do you have a child who loves to dance? If so, now is the time to channel that young energy into a professional dance class with City Dance.
     For the past 18 years, the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ City Dance Program has provided complete training for aspiring dancers of all ages. It also trains the City Dance Theatre, a youth dance company that has been nationally recognized by the DanceAmerica organization and won numerous regional and national awards.
      City Dance is now accepting new students through October 12. The program offers highly affordable classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and a variety of other dance styles for children age 3 and older.
     Adult classes are also available in Pilates, Zumba, African Dance and Belly Dancing.
     For more information on classes and registration, call 646-3673, or download the department’s Program Guide from www.RichmondGov.com/parks. You can also pick up copies of the Program Guide at City Hall, all City libraries and community centers, and at the following Kroger and Martin’s grocery stores:
 
·         Kroger 3507 West Cary Street, Richmond, 23221
·         Kroger 1601 Willow Lawn Drive, Richmond, 23230
·         Kroger 901 North Lombardy Street, Richmond, 23219
·         Martin’s 7035 Three Chopt Road, Richmond, 23226
·         Martin’s 3522 West Cary Street, Richmond, 23221

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