May 20, 2010
CONTACT: Kendra Young, Extension Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
Henrico Extension still accepting applications for Junior 4-H Camp
The Henrico County Extension Office continues to accept 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 not limited to Henrico residents; all boys and girls ages 9 to 13 as of Sept. 30, 2010, are welcome to apply. 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.
May 18, 2010
CONTACT: Dick McClure, Coordinator
PHONE: 266-6808
Lakeside Memorial Day parade scheduled for Saturday
The third annual Memorial Day Parade in Lakeside, featuring more than 50 participating units, is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 22.
The parade's two-mile route will begin at Hatcher Memorial Baptist Church, 2300 Dumbarton Road, and will travel along Lakeside Avenue, Hilliard Road and Cottage Street before ending by approximately 11:30 a.m. at Lakeside Elementary School, 6700 Cedar Croft St. Henrico Police will be on hand to direct traffic through the area.
Parade participants include the Langley Air Force Base Color Guard, Hermitage High School Marching Band and the Acca Temple Shriners of Richmond. Food and refreshment vendors will be available at Hatcher Memorial Baptist Church and Lakeside Elementary School.
Call 266-6808 for more information.
May 17, 2010
CONTACT: Barb Strohman, Education/Administrative Coordinator, Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District
PHONE: 501-5175
Water conservation district to offer rain barrel workshops
Area residents can learn to build and use a rain barrel at workshops offered by the Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9 and Thursday, July 29 at the Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive.
The SWCD workshops will provide materials and hands-on instruction to help participants construct their barrels, which can help homeowners conserve water by maintaining a supply of fresh water for outdoor use. Built from recycled food-grade plastic, the rain barrels also divert runoff from storm drains, protecting the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.
The workshops cost $45, including materials. Pre-registration is required. To register or for more information, contact Henricopolis SWCD at 501-5175.
May 17, 2010
CONTACT: Lisa Sanderson, Extension Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
Henrico Extension joins pilot program to recycle garden plastics
The Henrico County Extension Office is partnering with Strange's Garden Center in a pilot program designed to boost recycling of nursery plastics -- those pots, trays and containers of varying sizes familiar to every gardener.
Garden pots with resin codes 2, 5 and 6 (the number printed on the bottom of the pot) can be recycled at the two locations of Strange's Garden Center, 12111 W. Broad St. and 3313 Mechanicsville Turnpike. The local effort is the beginning of a statewide initiative to redirect nursery containers from landfills to the recycling centers that will receive them.
Extension Agent Lisa Sanderson said that most metropolitan area recyclers do not accept nursery plastics.
"But much of this plastic can be recycled into new garden pots and nursery containers," she said. "We just need to collect it."
Sanderson noted that plastic collected at the garden centers will be sent to a recycler that will use it to make new nursery products.
Residents participating in the recycling effort are encouraged to remove loose dirt and metal wire from garden pots before arranging them according to their resin code.
For more information, contact the Henrico Extension Office at 501-5160 or log on to www.bse.vt.edu/green/Plastics/overview.htm.
May 14, 2010
CONTACT: Daniel Rigsby, Program Manager, Mental Health & Developmental Services
PHONE: 727-8424
'The Art of Recovery' exhibit to visit Henrico's Walkerton Tavern May 26-29
The original artwork of area residents with mental illness will be on display at the sixth annual "The Art of Recovery" exhibit, set for May 26-29 at Henrico's Walkerton Tavern, 2892 Mountain Road. The exhibit is coordinated by the Henrico Area and Rappahannock Area Mental Health & Developmental Services boards.
"The Art of Recovery" will feature the original drawings, paintings, sculpture, textiles and mixed-media work of several adults from the Henrico and Rappahannock areas who have experienced severe and persistent mental illness. The traveling show, which celebrates the individual's path to recovery through artistic expression, is held in conjunction with National Mental Health Month.
The free exhibit can be viewed from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. For more information, contact Walkerton Tavern at 261-6898.
May 12, 2010
CONTACT: Karen Carter, County Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
Henrico Extension's 'Tree Smarts' seminar series concludes May 17-19
The Henrico County Extension Office and Henrico County Master Gardeners will offer the final installment of the "Tree Smarts" seminar series May 17-19 with a program on elder-tree care. The seminar is scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. each night at the following locations (each session will feature the same information): Monday, May 17, Twin Hickory Area Library, 5001 Twin Hickory Road; Tuesday, May 18, Sandston Branch Library, 23 E. Williamsburg Road; and Wednesday, May 19, Tuckahoe Area Library, 1901 Starling Drive.
"Caring for an Older Tree" will highlight the importance of maintaining a stable environment around mature trees -- which typically do not respond well to stresses -- to ensure their health. Older trees have greater demands on their energy supply than younger trees and need balance with their surroundings to remain healthy, noted County Agent Karen Carter.
The Tree Smarts seminar series is designed to increase understanding of trees, the role they play in the community's landscape and how homeowners and others can enhance their care of them. The sessions are free and open to the public.
Participants can pre-register by calling Henrico Extension at 501-5160. Additional information is available online at www.co.henrico.va.us/extension.
May 11, 2010
CONTACT: Linda Leigh, Executive Assistant, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4208
Fairfield constituent meeting will examine Henrico economy
The next constituent meeting of Henrico County Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman and Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton will take a look at Henrico's economic stability. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 20 at the Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road.
County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. and Finance Director John Vithoulkas will join Thornton to examine Henrico's fiscal health and discuss economic conditions in the county. There will be a question-and-answer period as well.
Fairfield constituent meetings are open to the public. Call 501-4208 for more information.
May 10, 2010
CONTACT: Maj. James B. Fitzgerald, Assistant Chief of Police
PHONE: 501-4820
Henrico Crisis Intervention Team sets community meeting for June 7
The Henrico Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) -- an innovative, multi-agency program working to help Public Safety personnel respond effectively to individuals experiencing psychiatric crisis -- will hold a community meeting on Monday, June 7, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the University of Richmond's Modlin Center for the Arts. Acclaimed journalist and author Pete Earley will serve as keynote speaker at the event, which is open to the public.
Henrico CIT brings together staff from the county's divisions of Police and Fire, the Sheriff's Office and Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services for a comprehensive training program designed to reduce the number of arrests and incarcerations for non-violent offenses by residents suffering from mental illness. Participants undergo a 40-hour training program that includes lectures, experiential exercises, role playing and firsthand accounts from family members and individuals recovering from mental illness. More than 150 Henrico first responders have completed the program since its inception in October 2008.
The community meeting will include training and networking opportunities; a reception will follow. The meeting is free, but pre-registration is required. To register, call 727-8560 or e-mail lov04@co.henrico.va.us by June 1.
May 5, 2010
CONTACT: Lt. Shawn Sears, Animal Protection Supervisor
PHONE: 727-8800
Henrico rabies clinic set for May 15
The Henrico County Division of Police will hold a rabies clinic on Saturday, May 15, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at gate four of Richmond International Raceway.
Shots cost $8, cash only, and include a rabies tag and certificate of inoculation. Dog owners may purchase a 2010 license for $10 with proof of rabies inoculation.
Lt. Shawn Sears, supervisor of Henrico Police's Animal Protection unit, encourages residents to vaccinate their pets.
"(Vaccination) will ensure the safety of our residents' pets and will help protect the community as well," Sears said.
Cats and dogs ages 4 months and older are required to be vaccinated for rabies. Contact Animal Protection at 727-8800 for more information.
May 4, 2010
CONTACT: John A. Vithoulkas, Director, Finance
PHONE: 501-4266
Henrico bond sale saves $5 million for residents
A sale Monday of Henrico County bonds netted more than $5 million in savings for Henrico County residents and taxpayers.
Henrico sold $119.7 million of general obligation public improvement bonds to refinance existing debt. The county received an interest rate of 3.08 percent in the sale, producing debt-service savings of nearly $5.1 million for Henrico taxpayers. The county will realize the savings during fiscal years 2011-2013.
County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. noted that no new debt was issued in the sale, and the number of years financed in the transaction was not extended.
"These are real, sustainable savings for county residents," said County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. "Henrico will continue to seek opportunities to save the hard-earned dollars of our taxpayers."
Henrico's general obligation bonds are designated AAA -- the highest rating available for a governmental entity -- by Standard & Poor's, Fitch and Moody's, the nation's leading bond-rating services. Henrico is one of only 21 counties, out of 3,068 nationwide, to receive the triple-AAA rating.