August 2003

Area residents can learn about an important but often-overlooked part of estate planning -- the transfer of non-titled personal property -- at the Henrico County Extension Office workshop "Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate?" The two-day workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 10 and Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. both nights, in the Human Services Building Board Room, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive. "Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate?" will teach participants how to plan for the transfer of non-titled personal property -- jewelry, furniture, photos, books and similar sentimental items, as opposed to houses, stocks, bank accounts and other titled property -- and will discuss the need to include it in the estate-planning process. Because of the workshop's detailed subject matter, participants should plan to attend both nights.

Cost is $10 and includes a 95-page workbook and refreshments. The deadline to register is Monday, Sept. 8. Call 501-5160 to register or to obtain additional information.

The Henrico County Division of Police will hold a rabies clinic on Saturday, Aug. 30, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at gate four of the Richmond International Raceway. Shots cost $6, cash only, and include a rabies tag and certificate of inoculation. Dog licenses will not be sold at this clinic. Cats and dogs ages 4 months and older are required to be vaccinated for rabies. Contact Animal Protection at 652-3360 for more information.

In preparation for the upcoming Chevy Monte Carlo 400 NASCAR race, the Henrico County Department of Public Works will modify traffic patterns on major routes to the Richmond International Raceway (RIR) on Thursday, Sept. 4; Friday, Sept. 5; and Saturday, Sept. 6. The temporary changes should minimize traffic congestion during the races. Local motorists should expect heavy traffic and delays all day Friday and Saturday in the RIR area, especially from 11 a.m. to 8:35 p.m. before the races and from 10:15 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. after the races.

The Henrico Division of Police will have officers on duty to direct traffic around the area before and after the races.

Motorists not attending the race should turn on their headlights while driving in the vicinity of RIR during the afternoon and early evening Saturday, Sept. 6. This measure will help police maintain a smooth flow of traffic through the area.

The following traffic patterns will be in effect Sept. 6 during peak hours:

· Carolina Avenue between Laburnum and Azalea avenues will be one-way inbound before the race and one-way outbound after the race. Access to businesses along Carolina Avenue will be maintained from Laburnum Avenue.

· Meadowbridge Road between the Henrico/Hanover county line and Azalea Avenue will be one-way southbound beginning at approximately 11 a.m. and continuing until the race starts.

· Meadowbridge Road north of Azalea Avenue will close to northbound traffic; however, in Hanover County it will remain a two-way road at all times.

· Prior to the race, three lanes on Laburnum Avenue between Mechanicsville Turnpike and RIR may be routed westbound and one lane eastbound.

· Prior to the race, three lanes on Laburnum Avenue between Alma Avenue and RIR may be routed eastbound, one lane westbound.

· After the race, Laburnum Avenue between Carolina Avenue and Mechanicsville Turnpike will be one-way eastbound. Two-way traffic will be maintained westbound from Carolina Avenue.

· After the race, Meadowbridge Road north of Azalea Avenue will be one-way northbound between Azalea Avenue and Atlee Road, beginning at approximately 10 p.m. and continuing until race traffic is dispersed.

· After the race, three lanes on Azalea Avenue between Richmond-Henrico Turnpike and Henrico High School will be routed westbound and one lane eastbound. This change will require all median crossovers on Azalea Avenue between Richmond-Henrico Turnpike and Henrico High School to close at approximately 10 p.m. until race traffic is dispersed. Police will assist motorists turning from Azalea Avenue to Thrush Lane and Pony Farm Drive.

While these traffic patterns are in effect, median crossovers on Laburnum Avenue will be closed between North Avenue and Mechanicsville Turnpike, except for the intersections of Pilots Lane and Laburnum Avenue and Austin and Laburnum avenues. Only right turns will be permitted to and from Laburnum Avenue. Police will be positioned at these intersections before and after the race to assist motorists turning onto or crossing Laburnum Avenue.

WRVA-AM 1140 radio and Metro Traffic will broadcast traffic reports before and after the race.

On-street parking on major routes to RIR is prohibited both days. Additional parking will be available Saturday, Sept. 6 at two satellite lots:

· The VaPark parking lot, near the Richmond Coliseum between 4th and 5th streets, and East Jackson and East Leigh streets in downtown Richmond.

· The Coliseum parking deck, between 7th and 8th streets and at the Azalea Flea Market at Azalea Avenue and Richmond-Henrico Turnpike.

The cost of parking in satellite lots is $5. Free shuttle bus service to and from RIR will be provided.

The Henrico Division of Police has recommended the following routes for traffic approaching the raceway Sept. 4-6:

· From the east (Hampton Roads area) - Follow Interstate 64 west to Interstate 295 north (Exit 200). Follow Interstate 295 north and exit onto Mechanicsville Turnpike west (Exit 37B). Follow Mechanicsville Turnpike to Laburnum Avenue. Turn right and proceed to the raceway.

· From the east (Route 360) - Approach Richmond on Route 360 west (Mechanicsville Turnpike), cross Interstate 295, and continue west to Laburnum Avenue. Turn right and proceed to the raceway.

· From the east (local traffic) - Follow Interstate 64 west and take the Laburnum Avenue exit (Exit 195). Turn right and proceed to the raceway.

· From the north - Follow Interstate 95 south to the Interstate 295 east interchange (marked "To Norfolk - Williamsburg"). Follow Interstate 295 east and exit onto Meadowbridge Road west (Exit 38B). Follow Meadowbridge Road (Richmond-Henrico Turnpike) and proceed to the raceway.

· From the north (local traffic) - Use Route 1 (Brook Road) to Azalea Avenue. Turn left onto Azalea Avenue and proceed to the raceway.

· From the west - Follow Interstate 64 east to the Interstate 295 south interchange (Exit 177). Follow Interstate 295 south and exit onto Meadowbridge Road west (Exit 38B). Follow Meadowbridge Road (Richmond-Henrico Turnpike) and proceed to the raceway.

· From the west (local traffic) - Follow Interstate 64 east to the Powhite Parkway/Laburnum Avenue exit. Take the Laburnum Avenue exit, turn left and proceed to the raceway.

· From the south - Follow Interstate 95 north to the interchange with Interstate 295 south of Petersburg. Follow Interstate 295 north and exit onto Meadowbridge Road west (Exit 38B). Follow Meadowbridge Road (Richmond-Henrico Turnpike) and proceed to the raceway.

· From the south (local traffic) - Follow Interstate 95 north to the Interstate 64 east interchange (Exit 75). Follow Interstate 64 to Route 360 east (Mechanicsville Turnpike). Follow Route 360 east to Laburnum Avenue. Turn left and proceed to the raceway.

With a record number of foster children in its care, Henrico's Department of Social Services (DSS) is turning to county residents for help. A training program for residents interested in becoming foster parents begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, in the Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive. Anyone planning to attend should call 501-4060 by Monday, Sept. 8. The training program is a key part of a special effort by DSS to increase its number of foster parents. The county currently has 160 children in its care, ranging from infants to teenagers.

"Henrico has a significant need for more foster parents," said Foster Care Supervisor Barbara Burton. "We now have the largest foster child population we've ever had, and we also need a wider base of families to choose from."

Foster parents are "professional parents," available around the clock to bring children into their homes and provide temporary and potentially long-term care in a safe, stable environment. They must be at least 21 years old, have their own source of income and sufficient living space in their house or apartment to care for a child. They can be single or married, with or without children of their own, male or female, and from all backgrounds, races and nationalities.

The eight-week training program will teach prospective parents how to meet the special emotional and behavioral needs of foster children; how to work with a variety of public agencies, including DSS, courts and schools; and how to work with the biological families of foster children. For more information about the training program or Henrico's foster care program, call 501-4060 or log on to /dss/foster-parenting/.

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