August 27, 2004
CONTACT: George T. Drumwright, Jr. Deputy County Manager
PHONE: 501-4515
Gov. Mark R. Warner has appointed Henrico County officials Deborah Burcham and Jane Crawley to positions on two state boards.
Burcham, the director of community support services for Henrico Area Mental Health and Retardation Services, serves on the Virginia Public Guardian and Conservator Advisory Board. The 15-member board provides advice on public guardianship to the commissioner of the state Department for the Aging and helps coordinate and manage local public guardianship programs. Burcham has worked for Henrico County since 1983.
Crawley, the assistant director of Social Services and a county staff member since 1993, has joined the Virginia State Child Fatality Review Team. Headed by the chief medical examiner, the 16-member team analyzes child deaths to determine if they were preventable, makes recommendations and provides technical assistance to local review teams.
Burcham and Crawley will each serve a three-year term, expiring in summer 2007.
August 24, 2004
CONTACT: Karen Carter County Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
The Henrico County Extension Office will continue its SMART Lawns program with free seminars about fall and winter lawn care on Tuesday, Sept. 14 at North Park Library, 8505 Franconia Road; and Thursday, Sept. 16 at Gayton Library, 10600 Gayton Road. The seminars are scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. both nights.
Participants in "Winterizing Your Lawn" will learn simple lawn-care practices to maintain a healthy, attractive lawn this fall, an especially critical time for lawns in central Virginia. The seminars will include a question-and-answer period as well.
" Winterizing Your Lawn" seminars are open to the public; however, participants should pre-register. Enrollment in the SMART Lawns program is not required to attend. Call 501-5160 for more information.
SMART (Soil test, Measure, Aerate, Right fertilizer, Trouble-free maintenance) Lawns is a seasonal, research-based program that teaches a step-by-step approach to building healthy lawns. Contact the Extension Office for more information.
August 23, 2004
CONTACT: Tim Foster Traffic Engineer
PHONE: 501-4397
In preparation for the upcoming Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR event at Richmond International Raceway (RIR), the Henrico County Department of Public Works will modify traffic patterns on major routes to the raceway on Thursday, Sept. 9; Friday, Sept. 10; and Saturday, Sept. 11. 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 8 a.m. to 7:30 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. 11. This measure will help police maintain a smooth flow of traffic through the area.
The following traffic patterns will be in effect Sept. 11 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 9 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.
WRXL 102.1 FM will broadcast traffic reports before the race. On-street parking on major routes to RIR is prohibited each day. Additional parking will be available Sept. 11 at the Richmond Coliseum parking deck on North Seventh Street, at a cost of $5. Free shuttle bus service to and from RIR will be provided beginning at 1 p.m.
The Henrico Division of Police has recommended the following routes for traffic approaching the raceway Sept. 9-11:
· 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 Mechanicsville Turnpike (Exit 37B). Follow Mechanicsville Turnpike to Laburnum Avenue. Turn right 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.
August 11, 2004
CONTACT: Barry Lawrence Clerk, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4318
The Henrico County Board of Supervisors will not hold a second meeting in August. The board will reconvene on Tuesday, Sept. 14.
The Henrico County Board of Supervisors regularly meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the Government Center Board Room, 4301 E. Parham Road. Call 501-4318 for more information.
August 6, 2004
CONTACT: John Marlles Director Community Revitalization
PHONE: 501-7640
State officials have approved the expansion of the Henrico Enterprise Zone (HEZ), a key economic development program for the county's older commercial corridors.
First designated in April 2003, the HEZ initially encompassed portions of West Broad Street and Nine Mile Road. With the amended boundaries, the zone doubles in size. It now extends to commercial and industrial properties in the following business corridors:
· Brook Road, from Richmond city limits to Maryland Avenue;
· Lakeside Avenue, from Richmond city limits to Hilliard Road;
· Staples Mill Road, from West Broad Street to north of Glenside/Hilliard roads; and
· Hilliard Road, from Staples Mill Road to Brook Road.
Henrico's Board of Supervisors proposed to extend the zone at its May 25 meeting. The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development approved the board's proposal late last month. Henrico's new Department of Community Revitalization administers the HEZ program.
" The Henrico Enterprise Zone program increases our ability to attract new business and to help our existing businesses thrive," said Board Chairman Patricia S. O'Bannon. "The growth of the program reflects our commitment to our older commercial areas and the residential communities they serve."
The HEZ encourages business and industry investment in older commercial corridors. Qualifying businesses located within the zone--whether new and seeking a place to operate or existing and considering expansion--are eligible for a variety of state and county incentives, ranging from tax credits and real estate tax exemptions to accelerated development processing, rehabilitation grants, fee waivers and architectural assistance.
"This program is a powerful tool to boost business investment, redevelopment and revitalization in these older commercial corridors," said Community Revitalization Director John Marlles.
" The corridors serve as the front door to the residential neighborhoods in these areas. Enhancing and maintaining the corridors encourages healthy, vibrant neighborhoods as well," he said.
The HEZ program remains in effect until Dec. 31, 2014. Businesses interested in participating can apply at any time during that period.
For more information, contact Community Revitalization at 501-7640 or log on to www.henrico.va.us/planning/.
August 6, 2004
CONTACT: Karen Carter County Agent Extension Office
PHONE: 501-5160
The Henrico County Extension Office will offer expert lawn care advice and hands-on demonstrations of lawn products and equipment at the free SMART Lawn Care Field Day on Saturday, Aug. 21, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive.
The event will feature a variety of activities, including:
· Free soil testing, 8:30-9:30 a.m.;
· Lawn care seminar by County Agent Karen Carter, 9:30 a.m.-noon;
· Lawn consultations by Master Gardener volunteers; and
· Demonstrations of lawn products and equipment by area retailers.
SMART Lawn Care Field Day is open to the public. Call 501-5160 to register. The first 50 people to register will receive a rain gauge and a voucher for a free soil test.
SMART (Soil test, Measure, Aerate, Right fertilizer, Trouble-free maintenance) Lawns is a seasonal, research-based program that teaches a step-by-step approach to building healthy lawns. Contact the Extension Office for more information.
August 4, 2004
CONTACT: Tim Torrez Engineer Public Utilities/Solid Waste Division
PHONE: 261-8774
To increase efficiency, the Henrico County Department of Public Utilities is updating its refuse collection routes effective Monday, Aug. 16. The new routes will change the collection day for more than 19,000 of the county's refuse customers.
Henrico's refuse collection service--provided on a subscription basis to residents in certain areas of the county--currently has nearly 30,000 customers. The service areas have grown at different rates, requiring the revision of collection routes, said Engineer Tim Torrez.
"We collect from 5,300 customers on some days, while on others, we have more than 7,100 customers," Torrez said. "We need to change our routes to balance the workload."
Public Utilities has mailed information detailing the changes and the affected service areas to all of its refuse customers.
Customers can access maps and additional information explaining the new collection routes at www.henricodpu.org. and can ask questions by sending an e-mail to solidwaste@co.henrico.va.usor by calling 261-8770.
August 4, 2004
CONTACT: Barbara Herzog Director, Henrico CASA
PHONE: 501-5256
Henrico Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is seeking applicants for an upcoming training program that will prepare volunteers to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children in Henrico's court system.
Henrico CASA volunteers serve as the voice of an abused or neglected child in the court system. Volunteers learn how to conduct interviews; to provide written reports to Juvenile Court judges; and to assist the case attorney.
The six-week training program will be held from 6-9 p.m. each Monday and Wednesday beginning Monday, Sept. 13, at the Henrico CASA office in the Court Annex, 4120 E. Parham Road. Individuals will undergo interviews and background and reference checks as part of the application process. Henrico CASA will provide training free of charge to those selected. To apply, call Susan Hill at 501-5873 or e-mail susanhillcasa@hotmail.com by Friday, Aug. 27.
Henrico CASA is a private, nonprofit organization that works closely with the county's Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
August 2, 2004
CONTACT: Kim Edmonds Extension Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
The Henrico County Extension Office is offering two free workshops to help residents understand and manage their personal finances.
· "Know Your Score" is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 19, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Human Services Building Board Room, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive. Designed to help participants better understand the makeup and significance of their credit score, the workshop will detail the information contained in a credit report, the way a credit score is determined and how it can affect an individual's ability to obtain credit.
· "Budget Basics" is set for Wednesday, Aug. 25, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the Fairfield
Area Library, 1001 N. Laburnum Ave. Participants will learn important skills for improving their money-management habits, such as tracking expenses and creating and maintaining a budget.
Both workshops are open to the public; pre-registration is encouraged. Call 501-5160 to register or to obtain additional information.
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