CONTACT: Mike Jennings, Traffic Engineer
PHONE: 501-4397
Henrico Public Works advises motorists to plan for heavy traffic Sept. 11-12 for NASCAR
In preparation for the upcoming Virginia 529 College Savings 250 and Chevy Rock & Roll 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, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12. 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. Police encourage race fans and other motorists to consult message boards on interstate highways and roadways approaching RIR for traffic information. WRVA 1140 AM will broadcast traffic reports as well.
The following traffic patterns will be in effect Sept. 12 during peak hours:
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 Sept. 12 for $6 at the Richmond Coliseum parking deck on North Seventh Street. Free shuttle bus service to and from RIR will be provided beginning at 1 p.m. Parking also will be available at the Showplace on Mechanicsville Turnpike beginning at 11 a.m., $5 per car and $25 per recreational vehicle; free shuttle bus service to RIR will be provided.
The Henrico Division of Police has recommended the following routes for traffic approaching the raceway Sept. 11-12:
August 26, 2009
CONTACT: Teddy Martin, Extension Technician
PHONE: 501-5160
Free Henrico Extension lawn care seminars set for Sept. 8-10
The Henrico County Extension Office will conclude its free, year-round seminar series Sept. 8-10 with a program on fall and winter lawn care. The seminars are scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. each night at the following locations (each seminar will feature the same program): Tuesday, Sept. 8, Sandston Branch Library, 23 E. Williamsburg Road; Wednesday, Sept. 9, Tuckahoe Area Library, 1901 Starling Drive; and Thursday, Sept. 10, Twin Hickory Area Library, 5001 Twin Hickory Road.
"Winterizing Your Lawn" will explain steps that can be taken in the fall to help lawns survive the winter and get ready for a healthy spring. Participants will learn about aerating, seeding, applying lime and other topics. In addition, participants can bring samples for identification and discussion.
"Winterizing Your Lawn" is open to the public. Each seminar will be led by an Extension staff member or a Henrico Master Gardener. Pre-registration is encouraged. Call 501-5160 to register or to obtain additional information.
August 14, 2009
CONTACT: Paul N. Proto, Director, General Services
PHONE: 501-4957
Henrico expands outreach programs for SWAM businesses
Henrico County's ongoing efforts to enhance opportunities for small, women- and minority-owned (SWAM) companies to do business with the county's general government and public schools agencies yielded significant results during the 2009 fiscal year, which ended June 30.
Henrico's business with SWAM firms totaled $114.5 million in FY 09, a record amount. That represented 36 percent of the competitive contracts for goods, services and construction for all county agencies, including schools.
The county's third annual SWAM business fair, Henrico County Connections, nearly tripled in size. Held in April at an off-site location for the first time to accommodate the increased interest, the event was designed to inform and guide SWAM firms wanting to become county vendors. This year, representatives of more than 400 companies from seven states and Washington, D.C. attended. In addition to 16 participating county agencies, the event included more than a dozen state agencies and business resource organizations as well as four other metropolitan-area localities. The region's largest SWAM business event, Henrico County Connections received a 2009 Achievement Award for regional collaboration from the Virginia Association of Counties.
The event was organized by the county's first supplier relations coordinator, a position added to Henrico's staff in November to facilitate the comprehensive SWAM program. The supplier relations coordinator has served as a key resource for SWAM firms, providing training on how to conduct business with the county and enhancing their access to the competitive procurement process.
For more information about Henrico's SWAM program, contact Supplier Relations Coordinator Marvis Marshall at 501-5689.
August 12, 2009
CONTACT: Lisa Sanderson, Extension Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
Henrico Extension 'green' fall lawn care seminars set for Aug. 18-20
The Henrico County Extension Office will introduce its new seminar series, "Living Greener in Henrico County," Aug. 18-20 with a program on techniques for environmentally sound lawn and garden care in the fall. The free seminars are scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. each night at the following locations (each program will feature the same information): Tuesday, Aug. 18, Dumbarton Area Library, 6800 Staples Mill Road; Wednesday, Aug. 19, Varina Branch Library, 2001 Library Road; and Thursday, Aug. 20, Tuckahoe Area Library, 1901 Starling Drive.
"Fall Cleanup -- Fall 'Green' Up" will cover a variety of topics including methods for conserving water in the garden; proper installation and maintenance of plants in the fall; cool-season lawn care; and reducing use of garden chemicals. The program also will provide information on Extension's free pesticide disposal program, set for Aug. 28.
The seminars are open to the public; pre-registration is encouraged. Call 501-5160 to register or to obtain additional information.
August 10, 2009
CONTACT: Patricia Hill, Ph.D., Prevention Manager, Henrico Area Mental Health and Retardation Services
PHONE: 222-2607
The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control will award a 2009 Community Coalitions Grant to Henrico Area Mental Health Prevention Services and the Too Smart 2 Start Coalition during a ceremony 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11 at the Henrico Area Mental Health and Retardation Services East Center office, 4825 S. Laburnum Ave.
The Too Smart 2 Start Coalition will use the grant to expand its community-level work to prevent underage drinking in Henrico by implementing the nationally recognized program, "Parents Who Host Lose the Most." The coalition is a partnership between several county agencies, private agencies, businesses, school resources, law enforcement, community leaders, parents, youth and others.
Call 222-2607 for more information.
August 7, 2009
CONTACT: Susan Hill, Case Manager, Henrico CASA
PHONE: 501-1670
Henrico CASA seeks volunteers for child advocacy program
The Henrico Court Appointed Special Advocates program (CASA) is seeking volunteers to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children in Henrico's court system.
Henrico CASA will conduct a free, six-week training program for volunteers from 6-9 p.m. each Monday and Wednesday beginning Monday, Sept. 21 at its office in the Hungary Spring Office Park, 3001 Hungary Spring Road. Applicants will undergo interviews, background and reference checks.
To apply or to obtain additional information, contact Susan Hill at 501-1670, e-mail hil29@co.henrico.va.us or log on to www.henricocasa.org by Friday, Sept. 4.
CASA volunteers represent the best interests of a victimized child in the court system. They come from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds; legal experience is not required. Qualifying participants will learn to conduct interviews, research and investigate cases, provide written reports for judges and assist child welfare professionals and case attorneys.
Last year, volunteers served as advocates for 258 children, donating some 8,575 hours to their cases.
Henrico CASA is a private, nonprofit organization that works closely with the county's Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. For more information, log on to the CASA Web site.
August 3, 2009
CONTACT: Barry Lawrence, Clerk, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4318
Henrico programs win awards from statewide association
Henrico County has received two Achievement awards from the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo), honoring innovative programs recently implemented by the county. The awards will be presented at the 2009 VACo annual conference in November.
The VACo Achievement Awards program recognizes model local government initiatives in categories ranging from criminal justice and public safety to information technology and community development. The association received 72 entries for the 2009 contest, naming 15 winners. VACo represents local governments at the state and federal levels and provides a resource network for planning and implementing new ideas and technologies.
Henrico programs received awards in the following categories:
"Electronic Waste Recycling," environmental; Henrico partnered with Central Virginia Waste Management Authority and Ukrop's Supermarkets to lower costs and increase participation at special events designed to recycle televisions, computers, fax machines and other electronic devices. Since beginning in 2007, the program has recycled more than 200,000 pounds of electronic materials; attendance at events has increased 400 percent while costs have decreased.
"Regional Supplier Conference (SWAM)," regional collaboration; as part of an outreach effort to small, women and minority businesses, the county held its first SWAM supplier conference, Henrico County Connections, in 2007. The event has expanded to include other localities from the metropolitan region. Representatives from more than 400 SWAM suppliers attended this year's one-day event, meeting with officials from dozens of agencies, making contacts and learning about doing business with Henrico and other local governments.
August 3, 2009
CONTACT: Karen Carter, County Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
Free pesticide disposal available Aug. 28 at Henrico's Springfield Landfill
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and the Henrico County Extension Office will offer a free pesticide disposal program from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28 at the Springfield Road Landfill, 10600 Fords Country Lane. Homeowners, agricultural producers, pesticide dealers, golf courses, pest control companies and others can bring their unwanted, outdated or banned pesticides for safe disposal.
"This is one of the very few opportunities homeowners have to get rid of their unused pesticides for free," said Henrico County Agent Karen Carter. "Pesticide disposal is prohibitively expensive if you contract for the service individually."
Carter encouraged residents and businesses to take advantage of the VDACS program -- it will not be offered in the region again until 2014. Similar disposal events are scheduled for Aug. 25 in Petersburg and Aug. 27 in New Kent County.
The disposal program will accept agriculture, commercial and homeowner pesticides; weed and feeds; pesticide rinsates; and pesticide dilutions. It will not accept pesticide-contaminated materials, motor oil, paint, fuel, fertilizer, biological or medical waste or other chemicals.
Participants should submit a registration form before delivering pesticides to the collection site. Forms are available at Henrico libraries and on the VDACS Web site at www.vdacs.virginia.gov.
For more information, contact Henrico Extension at 501-5160.
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