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

The Richmond Police Department is asking for help identifying two males involved in a domestic-related sexual assault that occurred about 9AM on Sunday, February 14th in the 4000 block of Midlothian Turnpike. The female victim reported two men forced their way into her apartment where one man beat her and the other sexually assaulted her. Anyone with information about this incident should call Crime Stoppers at (804)780-1000.

Reva, as those who know her refer to her, and citizens from the 8th District of Richmond will be gathering tonight at 6 pm at the Satellite Diner on Jefferson Davis Hwy. to talk about issues that are important to the district.

As many of you may already know, Capt. Steve Drew will not be attending as he has moved on. However, the charm of the Satellite Diner is not to be missed!

Here’s a little note from our friends at the Richmond Police Department:

Chief Bryan T. Norwood and members of his Command Staff will conduct a community walk through tonight in the Somerset Glen Apartments on the Southside.

The walk-through starts 6 p.m. in the parking lot of George Wythe High School, 4314 Crutchfield Street. Groups will fan out through the complex and speak with residents and citizens they encounter about their concerns.

Why not add a little sunshine to your day and get to know your police chief and neighborhood by taking a little stroll this gloomy afternoon?

I received this important letter today from our friend Christina Newton, bet known for creating and organizing First Friday’s Art Walk here in Richmond.

Dear Arts Supporter,

If you haven’t heard yet, the House Appropriations Committee decided Sunday to make drastic budget cuts to the Virginia Commission for the Arts, specifically to cut funding to our Commonwealth’s arts and cultural organizations by 50% in the 2011 fiscal year, and more unbelievably to eliminate the Commission entirely in the 2012 fiscal year.

It is imperative that everyone who cares about arts and culture contact their House Delegate TODAY and express support for not only maintaining but increasing funding for the VCA. Arts and cultural initiatives improve our lives daily, whether it’s through improving education, to building communities and creating jobs, to enhancing our quality of life. The arts are a necessity for a healthy society, but unfortunately it’s all too often one of the first things targeted by government when budgets are tight. This is a process that needs to change, and you can help stop it!

I’ve spoken to Ms. Trish Poupore, Director of Virginians for the Arts – the primary advocacy organization for our state’s arts and culture – to extend our help at the next First Fridays Art Walk, but she confirmed that we must work to reach people by THURSDAY when the House and Senate will vote on the proposals at hand; further community outreach will be decided thereafter.

So we must ACT TODAY! Make a call, send an email, write a letter, make an appointment to meet with your Delegate, or attend the Rally that the Virginians for the Arts is organizing on Thursday, February 24. Trish is also looking for volunteers to hand out information and buttons to delegates on Thursday morning if you can help in that capacity too.

Simply put, eliminating funding to the VCA, eliminates funding to cultural organizations and artists who work across the state to improve our lives every day.
Help support the arts today by visiting: http://www.vaforarts.org/

Thanks,
Christina Newton
Director
Curated Culture

The following was taken from a flier from the VEA’s website:

The General Assembly is preparing to cut $1.8 billion from education funding. That means 34,000 education employees or 1 in 6 educators will lose their jobs and it will destroy public education as we know it!
Our Senators and Delegates claim that their constituents want those cuts. Do you agree?

February 27, 2010
11:00 am – Noon
Capitol Square Grounds in Richmond
February 27, 2010
11:00 am – Noon
Capitol Square Grounds in Richmond
STAND UP FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.
DON’T SIT QUIETLY WHILE IT HAPPENS.
MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD!
EVERYONE IS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND!!
Family – Friends – Neighbors – Colleagues