April 2007
April 23, 2007
CONTACT: Valerie Liggins Law, Prevention Specialist,
Henrico Area Mental Health & Retardation Services
PHONE: 727-8555
Henrico Area Mental Health Prevention Services will honor several young people for their exemplary contributions to the community at the 11th annual Henrico Outstanding Youth Volunteer Awards ceremony, scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 25 at the University of Richmond's Jepson School of Leadership Studies. The ceremony also will recognize the efforts of two child advocates and the student body of a Henrico high school.
Youth award winners will receive a commemorative certificate and the opportunity to apply for a $500 grant to fund their continuing volunteer work. Sponsoring the event are the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, the Too Smart to Start Coalition and Henrico Area Mental Health Prevention Services. Receiving awards will be:
* Courtney Egan, Brookland Middle School; a volunteer with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Project Linus and the Children's Miracle Network;
* Julie Gu, Henrico High School; a volunteer with the Tuckahoe Area Library and member of the library's Teen Advisory Board, she helped run the library's Halloween fair and helped collect more than 450 books;
* Nashawn Harris, Varina High School; a volunteer and youth tutor;
* Katelyn Jordan, Hungary Creek Middle School; a volunteer for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and the Cougar Care Fund;
* Garrett Russell, Brookland Middle School; a Boy Scout, he has served as a volunteer for the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society and Lakeside Volunteer Rescue Squad;
* Mallory Short, Mills Godwin High School; a volunteer with U-Turn and a tutor for at-risk children;
* Courtney Strickland, Henrico High School; a member of the Too Smart to Start Youth Coalition since 2004, she also has served as a volunteer swim coach for Special Olympics and planned a clothing drive for the homeless;
* Jess Wade, Moody Middle School; a three-year volunteer with the Moody PTA, she also chairs events and teaches classes for the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts;
* Chris Ault, Henrico Child Advocate; a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2003, he has served as friend, mentor and coach to his little brother and has become a trusted confidante for the family;
* Portia Walters, Henrico Child Advocate; a longtime volunteer, she is known and respected in the community for her work with girls and her ongoing efforts to mentor, tutor and counsel young people.
* Douglas Freeman High School student body; students Matthew Brock and Elliot Call spearheaded an effort beginning in 2005 to raise funds and construct a Habitat for Humanity house; the fund-raising goal of $50,000 was reached in spring 2006 and the house was completed last month.
April 20, 2007
CONTACT: Mike Jennings, Traffic Engineer
PHONE: 501-4397
In preparation for the upcoming Circuit City 250 and Crown Royal Presents the Jim Stewart 400 NASCAR events at Richmond International Raceway (RIR), the Henrico County Department of Public Works will modify traffic patterns on major routes to the raceway on Friday, May 4 and Saturday, May 5. The temporary changes should help minimize traffic congestion during the races.
Motorists should expect extremely heavy traffic and delays all day Friday and Saturday in the raceway 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. WRVA 1140 AM and other Clear Channel stations will broadcast traffic reports.
Motorists not attending the race should turn on their headlights while driving in the vicinity of RIR during the afternoon and early evening Saturday, May 5. This step will help police maintain a smooth flow of traffic through the area.
The following traffic patterns will be in effect May 5 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 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, Laburnum Avenue between the raceway and North Avenue may have three lanes routed westbound and one lane eastbound.
* 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 at Pilots Lane and Austin Avenue. 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.
On-street parking on major routes to RIR is prohibited each day. Additional parking will be available May 5 at the Richmond Coliseum parking deck on North Seventh Street, at a cost of $6. 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 May 4-5:
* 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.
April 16, 2007
CONTACT: Mikki Knight, Executive Assistant, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4208
The next constituent meeting of Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton will feature a legislative update by the district's representatives in the U.S. House and General Assembly. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, April 23, at the Eastern Government Center multipurpose room, 3820 Nine Mile Road.
Officials will discuss current federal and state legislation and will join Thornton for a question-and-answer period as well. Members of the staff of U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, State Sen. Benjamin Lambert, and delegates John O'Bannon and Donald McEachin may attend.
Fairfield constituent meetings are open to the public. Call 501-4208 for more information.
April 9, 2007
CONTACT: Gary A. Hicks, Chief Judge, Henrico County Circuit Court
PHONE: 501-4711
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The Henrico County Circuit Court has appointed Henrico lawyer Edwin A. Bischoff as a substitute judge for the 14th Judicial Circuit. He was sworn in by Chief Judge Gary A. Hicks during ceremonies on Friday, April 6.
As a substitute judge, Bischoff will serve as needed on the bench for Henrico's General District and Juvenile and Domestic Relations courts. He is appointed for a six-year term.
Bischoff, who has practiced law for more than 30 years, currently operates his own firm specializing in general civil practice. A member of the board of governors for the Virginia State Bar Senior Lawyers Conference and the standing committee on Commissioners of Accounts for the Judicial Council of Virginia, he is a former president of the Henrico County Bar Association. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Richmond and earned his juris doctorate from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond.
April 9, 2007
CONTACT: Barry Lawrence, Clerk, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4318
The Henrico County Board of Supervisors will begin its regularly scheduled meeting one hour early, at 6 p.m., on Tuesday, April 10, for a public hearing regarding the Operating and Capital Annual Fiscal Plans for Fiscal Year 2007-08.
The board regularly meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are open to the public and are held in the Government Center Board Room, located at Parham and Hungary Spring roads. Call 501-4318 for more information.
April 4, 2007
CONTACT: Rod Gordon, Senior Management Specialist
PHONE: 501-4091
The Henrico County Department of Social Services is seeking candidates for the third annual Gene Akers Father of the Year award, honoring an outstanding father from the Henrico area. Social Services will accept nominations through Tuesday, April 24.
The award, a component of Henrico's Fatherhood Initiative, is part of the county's ongoing effort to highlight the importance of fathers, said Fatherhood Management Coordinator Phillip White. The award is named for its first recipient, an 81-year-old Henrico resident who is raising his step great-great grandson.
"Fathers play a critical role in the life of their families and the development of their children," White said. "This program and award are designed to help encourage men to step up and be a part of their children's lives."
Nominees should be Henrico residents, 18 or older and may be a biological father, step father or father figure. According to award criteria, candidates will have served as exemplary role models and will have demonstrated commitment and dedication toward developing and maintaining a healthy family relationship. The winner will be recognized at the Henrico Fatherhood Celebration in May.
Nomination forms are available at the Department of Social Services, Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, and the Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road; and by following the Fatherhood Initiative link on the Social Services Web site, www.co.henrico.va.us/dss/.
Call 501-4034 for more information.
April 2, 2007
CONTACT: Kim Edmonds, Extension Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
The Henrico County Extension Office will offer a free workshop to help residents understand and manage their personal finances on Wednesday, April 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and again on Thursday, April 19, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Both workshops will be held in the Human Services Building demonstration kitchen, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive (near the Government Center complex, off Parham Road).
Participants in "Tips to Keep You Financially Fit" will learn ways to improve their financial health, such as tracking expenses and creating and maintaining a budget. The Extension Office is holding the workshop in recognition of statewide Financial Literacy Month.
The workshop is open to the public; registration by Tuesday, April 17 is encouraged. Call 501-5160 to register or to obtain additional information.
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