Readers of this blog may recall the very personal editorial I wrote about Howard Scott, one of the three people involved in the murder of Tyler Binstead at Byrd Park in March of 2008. Recently, I was contacted by Linda O’Brien, the mother of Tyler’s girlfriend, who was there when Tyler was killed and lucky to have survived that tragic event. Ms. O’Brien has been ostensibly moved by the tragedy to write a “community dialogue theater piece” and she is seeking collaboration from anyone who lives in Richmond and has been affected by numerous difficult and painful issues. To assist in her efforts, I am reprinting here the email I received and I hope you will join her efforts to create and grow from the pains many of us have suffered in one form or another in order to create “a better world.”

Hello friends, I live in Blacksburg but my daughter, a VCU student, survived a violent crime in Richmond almost 2 years ago. I’m doing a community dialogue theater piece on the event and all the discussion it provoked, to try and bring understanding to matters of crime, violence, history, discrimination, trauma, race, youth, drugs and guns. I also want to include all the vitality of Richmond community life. I need some friendly collaborators from the Richmond area to help out. I want a better world. Anyone interested please contact me. Lmobrientribe@yahoo.com

Open House February 4: Apply for Student Enrollment by February 12th

Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts will be hosting an open house at 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 4th to distribute copies of the student application, discuss the school’s curriculum and answer parents’ questions. This will be the last open house where student applications will be accepted. All student applications must be turned in at the school during open house events or postmarked by February 12, 2010. Stop by February 4th to pick up an application and hear more about our curriculum at the PHSSA building, 3411 Semmes Avenue at 8 p.m.  Paper copies of the student applications are also available at Richmond Public Libraries and Richmond Park and Recreation Centers.

Prospective parents and students should keep in mind that this is a charter school that is open to enrollment for all citizens in Richmond and the students enrolled will be selected by a random lottery.

For more information, check out the website at: http://www.patrickhenrycharter.org

The January 28, 2010, issue of the Richmond Free Press has word of the recent death of Earl Michael Pappy:

Earl Michael Pappy, a popular former principal for George Wythe High School on South Side, has died. The 51-year-old educator suffered a fatal heart attack on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010, at the residence of his fiancée, Janice E. Fisher.

The Bronx, N.Y., native led George Wythe for four years, leaving in 2006. In the final year of his tenure at Wythe, the school achieved state accreditation after several years of being on probation and academic warning. Before going to Wythe, he had served for two years as principal of Boushall Middle School, also on the South Side.

Earl Pappy was known for his take charge attitude and his constant reminders to students and faculty to “get your business straight.” A former teacher for Geroge Wythe wrote, “I’ll never forget the first time I heard him over the school intercom saying “you best get your hind parts in class or I’ll put a foot in it!”"

Councilman Conner will be hosting his monthly district meeting at 5515 Bryce Lane on Tuesday from 5 – 6:30 pm.

These district meetings are an excellent opportunity to inform the officials you elected to city council about topics of concern to the district.

Though the 9th District is often over looked in city discussions, we are part of a thriving and growing community. It’s our duty to ensure that our voices are not lost in the community by being an active part of the discussion!

Hope to see you there!

The Richmond Police Department are looking for Joseph Michael Rodriguez, Jr. He was indicted on January 5, 2010 for the murder of Michael Mitchell on December 23, 2009 in the 100 block of Wyck Street.

Read more >

The Richmond Police Department is conducting a homicide investigation after Richmond officers discovered the bodies of a man and woman inside a vehicle in the 1900 block of Hopkins Road yesterday afternoon.

Read more >

Rap, lies, and videotape identifies the victim in the shooting last night:

Police are still withholding the name of local rapper killed in a recording studio last night. But sources say the victim was known as “Mike Ezie,” a member of a collective of emcees known at the “Young Richmond Outcasts.” Their songs include “Weirdo Stank,” “Let the Cops Everything,” and “My Buddy and Me.” The group, which consists of ChiChi the Kid, Heir Borne, Jwrek, Jaesen K, Jay Dash, Real and Mike Ezie, incorporated the logo and spelling from the Atlanta rap duo, “Outkast.”

Meet with 9th District Richmond City Councilman Doug Conner and business leaders in the community. The purpose of these meetings is to share information with business owners, the public, and community officials. It’s a great opportunity to share concerns related to businesses and city officials. This is not an exclusive meeting, so go down there and be heard, or at least seen.

Where? Why the 2nd Police Precinct at 177 Belt Blvd. at 3pm this Wednesday (tomorrow). Meet the ever popular Cpt. Steve Drew and his excellent team of officers as well as great people like Mr. Conner who has been helping develop the Rails and Trails initiative as well as cleaning up the district, championing career and technical education and many other issues.

There seems to be something about the area east of the overpass where Midlothian Turnpike meets Belt Blvd. / Westover Hills Blvd. Multiple, serious, auto accidents have plagued the area over the last few months. Twice, telephone poles have been knocked down by the impact. Seeing as how students are often near the area, one begins to wonder how long it will be before these young folk will be mowed down by a speeder or reckless driver.

Certainly the overpass could use some love. I have personally crossed it on a bicycle and its lack of a sidewalk or bicycle lane could have been the death of me. I don’t see how pedestrians can stand walking in the ditch. Then there is the matter of the merging traffic heading east on Midlothian, which requires a driver coming onto Midlothian to rely heavily on her mirrors or crane her neck to a breaking point to watch for people flying across the overpass at speeds exceeding 50mph.

Even more surprising is the amount of people driving over 25mph when the school zone lights are flashing regardless of the effort of traffic police to slow these impatient folks down. In some states the laws require people to drive at speeds as low as 15mph and breaking the law comes with hefty fines, often exceeding $200.

Christmas is coming, I hope to see you there, so slow down!

Southside Richmond Community and Business Leader’s Meeting with Councilman Doug Conner, 9th District Representative to organize and discuss community organization, to make Southside a better place to better place to live, work, learn, play, visit, and raise a family.

Invited attendees include representatives and leaders from: Beaufont Hills Civic Association, Broad Rock Merchant’s Association, Midlothian Business Association, Chesterfield Square Tenants Association, Endicott Community Association, Take-A-Stand Association, Fawnbrook Neighborhood Association, Hollendale Subdivision Civic Association, McGuire Manor Civic Association, South Central Roundtable, Swansboro Business Association, Swanson Woods Association, Town & Country Seniors Association, Warwick Road Neighborhood Watch, Westover South and Woods, Worthington Farms Civic Association.

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 3:00PM – 4:30PM at the Richmond Police Second Precinct 177 E. Belt Blvd Richmond, VA 23224

For more information, please contact

Doug Conner at 804-363-3443 or email eli.wong@richmondgov.com

The City of Richmond will host the 5th annual “Imagine Festival” at Broad Rock Park on Saturday, October 24, from noon to 5 p.m. Admission to this community and family event is free.

The Imagine Festival is an exciting event offering free food, dance performances, arts, crafts, vendors, and fun activities for the entire family. A unique component of this year’s festival is a softball tournament including participation from the Richmond Police Department and area community organizations.

Read more >

Dirty neighborhood? Clean it up! Meet your neighbors and help improve your community by joining Richmond’s own 9th District Councilman Doug Conner this Saturday for a community cleanup.

The South Richmond Community Cleanup is a volunteer event. All individuals, community groups, businesses, families, friends, neighbors, and organizations are invited to come out and help.

Community volunteers and participants include: Southside Baptist Christian School, Richmond Outreach Center, and Virginia Commonwealth University.

WHEN             SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2009
8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
WHERE          Meet-up at Southside Baptist Christian School
5515 Bryce Lane, Richmond, Virginia 23224

More information: Eli Wong at 804.233.8288 or eli.wong@richmondgov.com

Check out these images from previous cleanups:

With two high profile dog fighting cases pending in our local area, the time could never be better for an event which educates the public and honors these unjustly maligned animals.

National Pit Bull Awareness Day is a concept created by a Tennessee pit bull rescue in 2007 with the intent of creating a national day on which pit bulls are celebrated versus demonized. In stark contrast to the daily abuse and victimization of these dogs, this day is intended to be a day to cherish these animals. The event has grown in support since it’s inception with 2008 being marked by 150 celebrations across the United States and even events as far away as Canada and Russia.

In celebration of National Pit Bull Awareness Day on October 24, 2009, Ring Dog Rescue is hosting a series of activities surrounding that date to celebrate these dogs. The centerpiece event of the celebration is a public event intended to provide insight, education and a place to network for animal welfare advocates:

NAME: “In Defense of Dogs – An Evening on Animal Welfare”

WHEN: Friday, October 23, 2009 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm (doors open at 5:30pm)

WHERE: Plant Zero, 0 East 4^th Street, Richmond, VA 23224

WHO: Any member of the public with a valid admission ticket (Tickets are $20 and can be purchased via the Ring Dog Rescue website or at a number of locations listed on the website. TICKETS MUST BE ORDERED IN ADVANCE AND WILL NOT BE SOLD AT THE DOOR AND ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT RING DOG RESCUE)

Read more >

The Greater Jefferson Davis Area Civic Association in partnership with the Richmond Crusade for Voters is sponsoring a meet and greet with all local candidates for the upcoming election on October 6, 2009 at 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Southside Community Service Center in Southside Plaza 4100 Hull Street Road.

Don’t miss this important, informative meeting!

For more information:

Contact President Carrie Cox at 804-743-1636

George Wythe High will have its annual Back to School Night event on September 23, at 5:30p.m. (4314 Crutchfield Street) The focus of this event is to develop community involvement with the school and inform parents and other community stakeholders about activities, event, mission, and goals of the school and the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA).

The event will include music, singing, ice cream, and a chat session with the following dignitaries who are attending: 5th District Councilman Marty Jewell, Under-sheriff Alonzo Pruitt, 5th District School Board member Betsy Carr, Richmond Police 2nd Precinct Capt. Steve Drew, and non-profit agencies such as Families Are Magic, as well as others.