March 29, 2010
CONTACT: Karen Carter County Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
Henrico Extension to continue 'Tree Smarts' seminar series April 6-8
March 23, 2010
CONTACT: Nicole Gore, Prevention Coordinator, Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services
PHONE: 222-8194, ext. 3006
Henrico program sets town hall meetings for spring underage drinking campaign
Henrico Area Mental Health Prevention Services and the Too Smart 2 Start Coalition will hold "Think! Don't Drink" town hall meetings to address teenage drinking on Tuesday, March 30, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Deep Run High School, 4801 Twin Hickory Road; and Tuesday, April 20, from 7-8:30 p.m. at L. Douglas Wilder Middle School, 6900 Wilkinson Road.
The town hall meetings, which are part of the Too Smart 2 Start Coalition's "Parents Who Host Lose the Most" underage-drinking prevention campaign, will focus on teen alcohol consumption during traditional spring activities such as spring break, prom season and beach week.
"Think! Don't Drink" will offer separate sessions for adults and youth led by representatives of the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services' Community Outreach program. Participants will receive information on laws regarding adults and underage drinking as well as tips for hosting and overseeing parties for teenagers. Dinner will be provided, free of charge, and there will be door prizes as well. The town halls are open to the public; families are encouraged to attend together.
The Too Smart 2 Start Coalition is a partnership between county and private agencies, businesses, school resources, law enforcement, community leaders, parents, youth and others. For more information, log on to www.toosmart2start.com or call 222-8194.
March 17, 2010
CONTACT: Linda Leigh, Executive Assistant, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4208
Legislative update, 2011 commemoration topics for next Fairfield constituent meeting
The next constituent meeting of Henrico County Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman and Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton will feature a review of the 2010 session of the Virginia General Assembly and also will provide an update on preparations for Henrico's 400th anniversary celebration next year. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 24 at Belmont Recreation Center, 1600 Hilliard Road.
State Sen. Donald McEachin, Del. Jennifer McClellan and Del. Joseph Morrissey will be on hand to discuss the impact of the 2010-12 budget and new legislation produced during the recently completed General Assembly session. A representative from the office of U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott will attend as well. The officials will join Thornton for a question-and-answer period.
In addition, Deputy County Manager Angela Harper will discuss the work of the 2011 Commemoration Advisory Commission and its preparations for Henrico's quadricentennial celebration.
Fairfield constituent meetings are open to the public. Call 501-4208 for more information.
March 16, 2010
CONTACT: Lisa Sanderson, Extension Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
Henrico Extension accepting applications for Fairfield community garden
The Henrico County Extension Office is now accepting applications for Gardens Growing Families, the community garden program for qualifying county residents. For a nominal fee, families can grow their own vegetables in a plot maintained at the Fairfield District community garden, located at the intersection of Vale Street and Michael Avenue, near Lakeside Avenue.
Gardens Growing Families is designed to help families reduce their grocery bills by learning to grow, harvest, prepare and store fresh vegetables. The program offers free classes and workshops on organic insect and disease control, composting, food preparation, canning and other topics. Henrico master gardeners will be on site regularly to demonstrate gardening techniques and offer advice; tools and water are provided. Participants follow organic gardening practices, contribute time to community garden projects and must meet other requirements.
Participants can choose garden plots approximately 10 feet by 15 feet or 10 feet by 20 feet. Registration fees are based on a sliding scale, ranging from $5 to $65 annually, depending on household income. Fees will be refunded for cancellations prior to June 30.
Residents must apply to participate in Gardens Growing Families. The program is open to any Henrico family; however, Fairfield District residents will receive priority consideration for plots in the Fairfield community garden.
Applications are available online at www.co.henrico.va.us/extension and at the Extension Office, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive. Call 501-5160 for more information.
March 15, 2010
CONTACT: Barbara Herzog, Executive Director, Henrico CASA
PHONE: 501-1671
Henrico and Chesterfield CASA to hold first 'Superhero Run' April 10
The Henrico County and Chesterfield County Court Appointed Special Advocates programs (CASA) are joining forces to host the metro region's first Superhero Run on Saturday, April 10 to raise awareness and support for local victims of child abuse.
The event will feature a 5K race, kids' mile and post-race family fair at St. Joseph's Villa, 8000 Brook Road. Participants of all ages are encouraged to dress and run in the costumes of their favorite superhero characters, said Barbara Herzog, executive director of Henrico CASA.
"Henrico and Chesterfield CASA are thrilled to announce the first CASA Superhero Run and help increase awareness of the special needs of abused and neglected children in our community," Herzog said. "Abused children really need superheroes -- people in our community who make extraordinary efforts to serve their best interests."
Inspired by The Superhero Foundation, an Austin, Texas-based organization working to prevent child abuse, the CASA event is just the third Superhero Run to be held nationwide. The race will be held in conjunction with national Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Activities begin at 8:30 a.m. with the kids' mile; the 5K race will follow at 9 a.m. Cost is $30 for adults and $15 for children ages 5 and older. Prizes will be awarded by age group for best costumes and top finishers. Registration forms and additional information are available at www.henricocasa.org.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Henrico and Chesterfield CASA, which are private, nonprofit organizations that work closely with their counties' Juvenile and Domestic Relations courts. The programs train community volunteers to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system. Last year, CASA volunteers served 484 children in Henrico and Chesterfield-Colonial Heights, donating 17,761 hours to their cases.
For more information, e-mail superhero@henricocasa.org or call 501-1671.
March 10, 2010
CONTACT: Karen Carter, County Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
Henrico set to introduce 'Tree Smarts' seminar series March 23-25
The Henrico County Extension Office and Henrico County Master Gardeners are launching "Tree Smarts," a free four-part seminar series designed to increase understanding of trees, the role they play in the community's landscape and how homeowners and others can better care for them.
The series will get under way March 23-25 with the first installment, "Getting to Know Trees," which will provide an overview of tree biology and will discuss the dollar value trees add to landscapes and how proactive maintenance makes good fiscal sense for homeowners and businesses. The program is scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. each night at the following locations (each session will feature the same information): Tuesday, March 23, Sandston Branch Library, 23 E. Williamsburg Road; Wednesday, March 24, Tuckahoe Area Library, 1901 Starling Drive; and Thursday, March 25, Twin Hickory Area Library, 5001 Twin Hickory Road.
County Agent Karen Carter said trees provide an array of benefits but often are taken for granted and poorly maintained.
"For example, research shows that half of the trees going into our landscapes are planted improperly, which greatly decreases their survival rates," Carter said. "Ultimately, we want our trees to outlive us and provide a legacy for the generations to come."
Tree Smarts seminars are led by Henrico County Master Gardeners. Seminars are open to the public; pre-registration is encouraged. Call 501-5160 to register or to obtain additional information.
March 9, 2010
CONTACT: Barb Strohman, Education/Administrative Coordinator, Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District
PHONE: 501-5175
Henricopolis SWCD sets tree-seedling giveaway for March 19
The Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will hold its annual spring tree-seedling giveaway for Henrico County residents on Friday, March 19 at the Hermitage High School parking lot, 8301 Hungary Spring Road. Trees will be distributed free of charge from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Henricopolis SWCD will offer several seedling specialty packs, including wildlife, pine, ornamental, shrub and wetland/streambank. Information about individual species and planting guidelines are available online at www.co.henrico.va.us/swcd.
The seedling giveaway is part of the conservation district's ongoing efforts to protect the James River watershed by reducing runoff and sediment flows into local streams. Call 501-5175 for more information.
March 8, 2010
Henrico County Economic Development Authority
Contact: Gary McLaren
Phone: 804 501-7654
Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation
Contact: Mike Mullin
Phone: (314) 656-5846
Website: www.smurfit.com
Henrico County Announces 150 Jobs Saved
~Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation to establish state-of-the-art facility to better serve its customers~
Henrico County today announced that Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, one of the industry's leading integrated containerboard and corrugated packaging producers, will consolidate two Henrico County facilities into one state-of-the-art, highly efficient manufacturing facility. The new consolidated facility will be one of several state-of-the-art corrugated plants for Smurfit-Stone based on its best-in-class equipment and proximity to suppliers and customers. The project saves 150 jobs.
Smurfit-Stone's new facility will produce high quality corrugated packaging for its customers in Virginia and throughout the region and is expected to begin operations by the end of 2010
Henrico County Board of Supervisors' Chair, Patricia S. O'Bannon, said, "Henrico County is very pleased to retain Smurfit-Stone as one of our corporate citizens. Winning a consolidation project in this economy is important to help maintain jobs and investment in Henrico, and we look forward to continuing our strong relationship with Smurfit-Stone as they position this as one of their key plants for the future."
"Smurfit-Stone is proud of its long-standing presence in Virginia and equally proud of our more than 1,000 employees who live and work in the Commonwealth and who each day produce quality products for our customers," said Steve Klinger, Smurfit-Stone's President and Chief Operating Officer. "We appreciate the community's support of the company's Virginia employees and operations. This commitment to maintaining our operations in Virginia underscores why it is such a great place to do business."
Henrico County worked with The Virginia Economic Development Partnership to help secure the project for Virginia. A $300,000 performance-based grant was approved from the Virginia Investment Partnership program, an incentive available to existing Virginia companies. The company is eligible to receive rail access funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. The company is also eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, because it is locating in a Virginia Enterprise Zone. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide re-training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
March 8, 2010
CONTACT: Veta Herbaugh, Executive Assistant, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4208
Varina town meeting to discuss recreation programs for older adults
The next town meeting of Varina District Supervisor Jim Donati will highlight recreation opportunities available for Henrico's seniors and retired residents. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, March 15 at the Henrico Theatre, 305 E. Nine Mile Road.
"Exciting Opportunities for the Active Older Adult" will feature information about recreation programs available to seniors through the YMCA and Henrico's Division of Recreation and Parks, including the YMCA's new Senior Hot Spot program. Celia Givens, executive director of the Chickahominy Family YMCA, and representatives of Henrico Recreation and Parks will be on hand to discuss their programs. They will join Donati for a question-and-answer period as well.
Varina town meetings are open to the public. Call 501-4208 for more information.
March 4, 2010
CONTACT: Barb Strohman, Education/Administrative Coordinator, Henricopolis SWCD
PHONE: 501-5175
Henrico students can apply for Youth Conservation Camp by April 15
The Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is seeking applicants for the 34th annual Youth Conservation Camp, set for July 18-24 on the campus of Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg. The deadline to apply is Thursday, April 15.
Henricopolis SWCD will select two students to represent Henrico County; they will attend the camp free of charge. Applicants must be Henrico residents and students currently enrolled in grades nine-12. Students can obtain applications and additional information online at www.co.henrico.va.us/swcd/camp. A $75 refundable deposit is required with each application.
Camp participants will learn about Virginia's natural resources from conservation professionals and Virginia Tech faculty in hands-on, outdoor settings. Topics include wildlife, geology, forestry, agriculture, natural resources and water quality. Highlights include a canoe trip on the New River, a hike to Cascades waterfall, a visit to Claytor Lake State Park and a scavenger hunt using GIS technology.
Youth Conservation Camp is sponsored by the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Call 501-5175 for more information.
March 2, 2010
CONTACT: Kendra Young, Extension Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
Henrico Extension now accepting applications for Junior 4-H Camp
The Henrico County Extension Office is accepting applications for the 2010 Henrico Junior 4-H Camp, scheduled for July 5-9 at the Jamestown 4-H Education Center in Williamsburg.
Located along the James River, the 16-acre Jamestown 4-H Center is accredited by the American Camp Association and features air-conditioned lodges and cabins; basketball courts, athletic fields and a ropes course; and a medical clinic. Camp activities include swimming (beach and pool), canoeing, archery, shooting sports, marine science, forestry and crafts. Adult and teen counselors provide instruction and supervision; camp staff members include lifeguards, recreation leaders and waterfront directors.
The camp is open to all boys and girls ages 9 to 13, as of Sept. 30, 2010. Space is limited; applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The $220 fee covers lodging, meals, transportation, programs, class materials and a 4-H backpack.
Registration forms are available online at www.co.henrico.va.us/extension. Contact the Extension Office at 501-5160 for more information.
March 1, 2010
CONTACT: Kim Edmonds, Extension Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
Henrico Extension to hold consumer-rights workshops March 10-11
The Henrico County Extension Office will offer a free workshop about recent changes to credit card laws and other consumer-rights topics on Wednesday, March 10, from 6 to 8 p.m., and again on Thursday, March 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Human Services Building Board Room, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive.
"Dollars & Sense: Rated A for All Ages" will give participants information and advice on several key consumer topics, such as understanding the impact of recently implemented consumer-protection provisions of the Credit CARD (Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure) Act; controlling personal credit during a difficult economy; and understanding financial institutions and transactions. Participants also will learn about free resources designed to help them manage money and debt, avoid identity theft and understand mortgages.
The Extension Office is holding the workshop in conjunction with National Consumer Protection Week, set for March 7-13.
"Dollars & Sense" is open to the public. Space is limited, however, and registration is required. Call 501-5160 to register or to obtain additional information.