Did you ever want to learn how to identify trees? Or how to properly prune a young tree to insure good development? Are you interested in taking care of the trees in our community? Richmond Tree Stewards training may be for you!

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Construction on the Belvidere Street Gateway (between the I-95 bridge and Clay Street) will begin on Monday and continue through December. This project is intended to “improve pedestrian safety in the area and further enhance the appearance of the Belvidere corridor”, and will also “compliment the adjoining VCU campus improvements”. Expect traffic delays, alternate routes are highly recommended.

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A broken water main has closed Leigh Street between Adams and Judah Streets this morning.

Today at noon VCU will conduct their once-a-month emergency siren test on both the Monroe Park and MCV Campuses to ensure that the sirens are in proper working order. Unlike the test near the beginning of each semester which is a two-minute wail, the monthly tests consist of a short, 15-second burst.
On Wednesday, September 3, VCU will conduct the longer test, which consists of the two-minute wail, a pause, and a one-minute “all clear” even tone, to the end of the test.

Lieutenant Lisa Drew reports “we had a 25% decrease in property crime but we had an increase in violent crime, 10 violent crimes in July 2007 and 11 in July 2008″, and Carver is still having problems with people stealing stuff out of cars. Check out the Sector 412 report (Carver, Northside) and the Sector 413 (JWard, Oregon Hill, Monroe Ward) report from July. (PDF)

Richmond’s Neighborhood Gardens & Parks: “It’s a Community Thing” in this week’s Urban Views Weekly looks at community gardens across Richmond and has good words about and a photo from the Carver Gardens on Leigh Street.

Meet Tyron Bey, candidate for the 2nd District City Council seat, at a casual reception @ Baja Bean Company in the Fan on Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 4PM to 7PM. RSVP to (804)591.5390 or tyronbey@yahoo.com.

A vacant house in the 1000 block of Kinney Street burned this morning. cbs6 has a set of photos by Freddie Clark.

All of the 5 mayoral candidates are scheduled to participate in a public forum organized by the Richmond branch of the NAACP tomorrow night at Club 533 @ 7:30PM.

One hundred or more people turned out for a standing-room-only public mayoral forum sponsored by the NAACP at Club 533 on 3rd Street. The candidates pulled few punches in a civilized but sometimes blunt back and forth on the issues.

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In what would be great as the first in a series, this week’s Urban Views Weekly has a bio on Maggie Lena Walker in Early Black Entrepreneurs in Richmond:

After the Civil War, Virginia had the largest African slave population and the largest population of free blacks in the U.S., setting the stage for pioneering black entrepreneurs to prosper in “the Ward.” By the early 20th century, black-owned banks, insurance companies, newspapers and entertainment venues flourished in Jackson Ward alongside entrepreneurial African American merchants, barbers, beauticians, and restaurateurs.

Sponsored by the Elegba Folklore Society and promising music, a drum workshop, exhibits, food, and activities for children, the 18th Annual Down Home Family Reunion hits Abner Clay Park tomorrow from 4-10PM. J.Ron Fleming will emcee the event; Ban Caribe, Chkn Greas, Soul Logistics, Kingdom Vibes, and The Persuaders will provide the sounds.

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