Participants in the Richmond Adult Drug Treatment Court will be recognized in a graduation ceremony that will feature Major Odetta Johnson, of the city of Richmond Police Department, as the keynote speaker. The ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12, at the Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 West Graham Road. The graduation ceremony will mark the completion of an intensive 18-month outpatient program of drug treatment, probation supervision, judicial monitoring and community service for the 11 Adult Drug Court graduates.  As one of 29 drug courts in Virginia, the Richmond Adult Drug Treatment Court monitors non-violent drug-addicted offenders with pending cases in Richmond’s Circuit Court. Volunteer participants must meet all program requirements, which include maintaining gainful employment and abstinence from drugs, alcohol and crime, to successfully complete the program. They are also required to attend regular Circuit Court Adult Drug Court hearings...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones and the Mayor's Participation, Action, Communications Team (MPACT) will be holding community Richmond Government Budget Planning Session meetings to receive public input on budget priorities in creating the upcoming Fiscal Year 2014/2015 Richmond Government Budget, which will be established in May of 2013. These meetings are free and open to the public and all Richmond Residents are invited and highly encouraged to attend and participate. These Richmond Government Budget Planning Session meetings are very important in helping to identify which Richmond Government programs and services are important to Richmond residents for their neighborhoods, and the city as a whole. The meetings will include presentations, discussions and input in the following areas: Operation Service Priorities ·   Streets and sidewalks in your Neighborhood ·   Public Transportation ·   Recycling Opportunities Police and Safety Priorities ·  ...

~Goal is to fill two PODS with toys for Richmond families in need~ The 9th consecutive City of Richmond and Radio One Holiday Toy Drive culminates at the Walmart Supercenter at 2410 Sheila Lane for three consecutive days; Tuesday through Thursday, December 11 through 13. All Radio One stations will broadcast LIVE from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in front of Walmart to solicit donations of new unwrapped toys to fill two large PODS. Radio One Personalities from Kiss-FM, Ipower 92.1 and Praise 104.7 will be on hand to greet all who donate. Donations of new, unwrapped toys, books and clothing will be accepted, with the greatest need being items for children 10 and older. “I encourage all residents to take a moment to reflect on those that are less fortunate during this holiday season and donate a new unwrapped toy that will bring a smile to a child’s face this season,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. Donations will also be accepted through December 13 at any city fire station; City Hall,...

The City’s Department of Social Services is partnering with the Salvation Army to host the “Feed the Children” event today, November 7, 2012 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 3300 R Street.  Selected recipients have already been identified and will receive a food and personal products box containing; a 25 pound box of food items, a 15 pound box of assorted personal care items and a small box of assorted cosmetic items. In order to obtain the items, recipients must have transportation as this is a drive through, pick-up event, bring a picture ID, the voucher and notification letter, and arrive at the specified pick-up time as detailed by their last name:    By Last Name:       A – E  9 a.m. – 10 a.m.                                     F – J   10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.                       ...

The first cycle of the city’s annual Vacuum Leaf Collection Program is set to begin on Monday, November 12.  The schedule is as follows:  Worthington Farms                     November 12 - 16 Northside/Highland Park November 12 - 23 Bellevue/Ginter Park/Washington Park November 12 - 30 Bellemeade November 19 – 23  Westover Gardens  November 19 – 30  Newtowne/Carver/Jackson Ward November 26 – 30  Broad Rock/Brookbury November 26 – December 7 The Fan/Shaffer December 3 – 7   Westover Hills/Forest Hill/Woodland Heights December 3 – 14  Museum District December 10 - 14 Church Hill/Fulton December 10 - 21 Stony Point December 10 - 21 Windsor Farm/Univ. of Richmond/Far West End December 17 – January 4 Maymont/Byrd Park/Oregon Hill/Carillon December 24 – 28 Stratford Hills/Willow Oaks December 24 – Ja...

As Richmond Ballet, The State Ballet of Virginia, embarks on its 29 th Season, following a triumphant debut in London this past summer, the City of Richmond will recognize the Company with an Open House on Friday, September 7, 2012, at 6:30pm at their studios, 407 East Canal Street in Downtown Richmond. Richmond Ballet is part of the new Arts and Cultural District that will help create “the vibrant district that city officials envision.” The Open House, being held during the city’s monthly First Friday’s recognition, serves as the invitation for all residents to hear about the Company’s recent London debut, first international cover on Dance Magazine and the upcoming 2012-2013 Richmond Ballet Season. Attendees to the event will also have the opportunity to tour the Richmond Ballet studios and meet the Company dancers.  “It was a privilege to see Richmond Ballet, The State Ballet of Virginia, make its international debut in London,” states Dance Europe Magazine. “The Compan...

The City of Richmond advises that the RVA Shoppers’ Shuttle, the monthly grocery shuttle offering transportation for Richmond residents, will modify its schedule to accommodate the new Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits schedule. The Virginia Department of Social Services will now issue SNAP benefits on the first, fourth, seventh, and ninth days of the month. The day will be determined by the last digit of a recipient’s case number. The RVA Shoppers’ Shuttle will now operate on the second and ninth day of each month and the third Saturday of each month.  All pick-up locations will have a final destination at the Walmart SuperCenter at 2410 Sheila Lane. The Shuttle serves the communities of Hillside Court, Fay Tower, Creighton Court, Fairfield, Mosby, Whitcomb, and Fulton. The shuttle service grew out of preliminary recommendations of the Mayor’s Food Policy Task Force.  The pilot RVA Shoppers’ Shuttle program is focused on areas of the city dee...

Hurricane season is June 1 through November 30. Residents should prepare by stocking up on batteries, flashlights, generators, water, non-perishable food and other supplies that you may need during severe weather. Remember, the cell phone towers may go down, so have an out-of-town contact for everyone in your family to contact. Also, keep your medication and important paperwork in a safe place. Now is the time to get ready, before a storm hits!  Click here  for more information on preparing your family.  Click here to view the Office of Emergency Management's 'Emergency Preparedness 101' video. For more information and to download a copy of the Citizens' Emergency Preparedness Guide, please visit the Office of Emergency Management .

Mayor Dwight C. Jones has announced that the monthly grocery shuttle offering transportation for Richmond residents will be extended for another six months. The monthly food shuttle will continue to run free of charge on the second and fourth of each month. The courtesy shuttle is a pilot program that began in February as a transportation support system focused on areas deemed as food deserts – areas without easy access to healthy, nutritional, fresh food.  The areas focused on also have a high concentration of poverty and large populations without personal transportation. “Providing access to healthy and fresh food options ties right in with the City’s healthy lifestyle focus, and based on the feedback that we’ve gotten over the first few months of this pilot, additional time to track results and measure interest will help us to determine the best course of action for the future,” said Mayor Jones.  “There are several things we’d like to measure going forward,” said Deputy...

Richmond Ballet will make their international debut by traveling to London to perform at the Royal Opera House Linbury Studio Theatre in Covent Garden this month. The trip will mark the first time in its 54-year history that the company will perform overseas. Ballet lovers have the opportunity to preview the works that will be performed in London in a special program being held in Richmond, June 6-9, in the Richmond Ballet Studio Theatre. “The entire community is proud of the Richmond Ballet for all of their great contributions to the area, and we are especially proud that they will represent Richmond internationally,” said Mayor Jones. “I encourage Richmonders and visitors from the region to attend the special preview performances in a show of pride and support for the Richmond Ballet upcoming London debut.” Made in the U.S.A.: Traditions and Innovations features four ballets choreographed in America, including two works commissioned by the company as part of its ambitious,...

The week of May 25 - 31 is a Virginia's Sales Tax Holiday to encourage residents to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. During the seven-day period, purchases of items designated by the Department of Taxation as hurricane preparedness equipment will be exempt from the Virginia sales tax. Many of these items are of daily use, such as bottled water, flashlights, batteries, cell phone batteries, etc. Many Richmond retail outlets will carry these supplies and have information regarding this tax holiday, or  visit www.tax.virginia.gov for more information. You may also view a list of tax-exempt items below.

The parade will kick-off at 10 a.m. at Kensington and the Boulevard and proceed south on Boulevard, ending at the Carillon.  The parade will provide the Richmond community an opportunity to support and thank our military and their families for honorable and dedicated service to our nation during the past decade. This event will have a major impact on vehicular traffic and parking along the parade route and immediate area from 5:30AM – 1:00PM on Saturday, May 19, 2012. Towing Enforcement for the parade route will commence at 5:30AM and these areas are clearly marked by posted Special “No Parking” signage. The Boulevard will be closed in all directions from Park Ave. to the Carillon from 8:00AM – 1:00PM.  Please make arrangements to avoid being towed by not being in violation of these special no parking restrictions during this event.  Please plan ahead if you must travel in this area during this event. 

WHO:   Richmond Clean City Commission, Richmond Department of Public Works, and Central Virginia Waste Management Authority WHAT:  Drop off for all household electronic items, such as computers, monitors, radios, fax machines, microwaves, camcorders, etc.  Fluorescent light bulbs and large appliances cannot be accepted.   WHEN:  Saturday, May 19, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. WHERE: 1710 Robin Hood Road (corner of Boulevard and Robin Hood Road) BACKGROUND:   The City of Richmond’s E-Cycle Day offers City residents an efficient and green option to recycle unwanted electronic products. There is a $7 recycling fee for televisions. All other household electronic items will be recycled free of charge. For more information on E-Cycle Day , visit www.RichmondGov.com http://www.richmondgov.com/ .

Learn more about opportunities for your business and how to become a vendor with the City of Richmond. Space is limited. Please register no later than May 22, 2012. What: Let's Do Business with the City Workshop When: Thursday, May 24, 2012, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Where: Richmond Police Training Academy              1202 West Graham Road, Richmond, VA 23220

Mayor Dwight C. Jones announced today that, for the second year in a row, there will be a free fireworks display on downtown Richmond’s historic riverfront on July 3, 2012. Dominion and MWV (MeadWestvaco) will sponsor the event as part of the City’s 4th of July celebration. The “RVA Fireworks on the James” ( www.fireworksonthejames.com ) event will take place on Brown’s Island in downtown Richmond beginning at 7:30 p.m. Dominion and MWV – Fortune 500 companies headquartered along the James River in downtown Richmond – are underwriting the costs of the event.  The City of Richmond and Venture Richmond will produce the July 3 festivities. “As we saw from the thousands of people who came to Brown’s Island last July 3rd, this is a very popular attraction,” said Mayor Jones. “RVA Fireworks on the James enhances the City’s 4th of July celebrations and highlights our unique riverfront. Our thanks go to Dominion and MWV – two strong corporate partners -- for hosting another s...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ Pedestrian, Bicycling, and Trails Commission invites the city of Richmond to participate in National Bike Month 2012 in May. The Mayor’s Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Trails Commission and the City’s Bicycle Coordinator Jakob Helmboldt are leading the city’s first Bicycle Commuter Challenge to introduce Richmonders to the benefits and pleasures of commuting by bicycle. Mayor Jones established the Commission in May of 2010 to give advice on ways to incorporate bicycling and walking as viable methods of transportation in the city. “The Bicycle Commuter Challenge is a great way to encourage our residents and local businesses to engage in healthy activities,” said Mayor Jones. “For those that are cyclist, National Bike Month presents an opportunity for Richmond to be a central resource displaying the benefits of physical activity to increase the health of our city.” Mayor Jones and the Pedestrian, Bicycling, and Trails Commission will celebrate National Bike M...

Join Mayor Dwight C. Jones on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center as he officially kicks off the Healthy Richmond Campaign with the ‘Get Healthy – Stay Healthy’ Health Expo and Chick-fil-A Cow Walk. The Healthy Richmond Campaign is a new initiative designed to promote active lifestyles, healthy nutrition, preventative health, sustainability and well being in the city of Richmond.  The day will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the Chick-fil-A Cow Walk at Festival Park, located between 6th Street Marketplace and the Richmond Coliseum, and ends at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Come walk or run and get a sneak peek of the new Chick-fil-A Charity Sports Challenge coming this fall. To register for the Chick-fil-A Cow Walk, please visit www.cfasportschallenge.com http://availmarketing.wufoo.com/forms/registration-form/ . There is no fee to register, and check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. The ‘Get Healthy – Stay Healthy’ Health Expo is from 10 a.m. to ...

A new festival experience is coming to Virginia with “¿Qué Pasa?”, which will bring Latin culture and passion to the historic Canal Walk in downtown Richmond’s Shockoe Design District on Cinco de Mayo. On Saturday, May 5th, Richmond’s Canal Walk will undergo a community-based transformation to resemble the famous Floating Gardens of Xochimilco for “¿Qué Pasa?,” beginning at 11:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. Richmond’s own Floating Garden boats will offer free boat rides throughout the festival. Bursts of live latin music and performances along the Canal Walk will energize the thousands expected to come to enjoy scrumptious Latin-flavored food, beverages and dazzling arts and crafts during the 150th anniversary of Cinco de Mayo celebrated in a “¿Qué Pasa?” style. The festival hopes to further economic and tourist development to Richmond’s riverfront by casting this one-of-a-kind aesthetic spotlight on the Canal Walk. “¿Qué Pasa?”, organized by the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Comme...

The city of Richmond’s Neighbor-to-Neighbor initiative and the YMCA of Greater Richmond are partnering again this year to join the millions of children, teens, and young adults across the world participating in Global Youth Service Day on Saturday, April 21. Global Youth Service Day is an annual campaign that celebrates children and youth who improve their communities through service. Volunteers from the Mayor’s Youth Academy and the YMCA will perform a variety of service projects throughout the city of Richmond. Service projects entities include; J.L. Francis School, Belle Isle Park, Gillies Park, and Chimborazo Elementary School. The day of service will kick off at the Northside Family YMCA (4207 Old Brook Road) with a pep rally at 9 a.m., and then volunteers will travel to their designated service project sites. Mayor Dwight C. Jones launched the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program to engage residents in volunteerism, and to promote a new era of collaborative service and voluntee...

On Monday, April 16, the East Richmond Road Convenience center operate on a revised schedule, opening from noon until 4:30.  In the morning hours, power will be cut off while Dominion Virginia Power performs maintenance in the area.   The Convenience Center will resume its regular schedule on Tuesday, April 17, which is 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.  For more information on City services and schedules, please visit www.RichmondGov.com . 

On Monday, April 23 motorists parking in the select areas of Richmond’s downtown Central Business District will no longer pay at individual parking meters.  Instead they will be required to use pay stations, which will be located mid-block along certain streets.  The parking meters currently in place will be removed.   The pay stations will accept credit cards, debit cards, cash and coins. The machines will dispense a receipt that must be placed on dashboard, but visible from the windshield, as verification that cars are parked legally. Signs will be in place notifying drivers of the pay stations.  In addition, parking enforcement officers will be available in the areas where the pay stations are located to assist those who need help or have questions.   The locations for the pay stations are:  800 block of East Marshall Street (south side) 400 block of North 9 th Street (east side) 500 block of North 9 th Street (west side) 1100 block ...

The city of Richmond is pleased to announce that La Plaza Latino Market will be opening in Broad Rock Park in South Richmond on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Through a partnership with the City’s Department of Economic and Community Development; the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities; and the Hispanic Liaison Office, the outside market will have a mix of produce, crafts, and food, along with cultural surprises every week. The Merchant’s Club of Virginia, a local Latino business owners association, will be operating the market each Saturday. Other organizations supporting La Plaza include the Sacred Heart Center, the Storefront for Community Design, SunTrust Bank, and the Enrichmond Foundation.   “A local market in Broad Rock Park has the potential to promote healthy, and active lifestyles, provide an economic outlet for local farmers, artisans and emerging businesses, while encouraging intercultural exchange,” says Mayor Dwight C. Jones. A “Friends of L...

~City residents encouraged to attend to provide input on Task Force recommendations~ All City residents are encouraged to attend the Mayor’s Food Policy Task Force community forum to discuss and prioritize recommendations concerning access to quality, affordable, healthy fresh foods in the city of Richmond. The community forum will be held on Wednesday, April 4, at the Carillon at Byrd Park, 1300 Blanton Avenue, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. Residents are encouraged to come and learn about the action recommendations being developed by the Mayor’s Food Policy Task Force and to discuss the impact that the lack of access to healthy foods has in the community. This forum will help shape the action plan to address identified needs to ensure that the city has a healthy and accessible environment for all. The Food Policy Task Force is part of Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ Healthy Richmond Campaign that was created to help improve the health of City residents by ad...

The monthly service schedule for RVA Shoppers’ Shuttle has been modified again based upon feedback from participants. The free courtesy shuttle will continue to operate on the second and fourth days of each month; however several pick-up times have changed to allow additional pick-up locations and to change all final destinations to the Walmart SuperCenter at 2410 Sheila Lane. Additional pick-up locations are North 23 rd Street and Selden Street; Sussex Street and Whitcomb Street; and Accommodation Street and Gay Street. A full schedule of the RVA Shoppers’ Shuttle is available at www.Richmondgov.com . The pilot RVA Shoppers’ Shuttle program is focused on areas of the city where residents are without access to healthy, nutritional, fresh food. As the free courtesy service is a six-month pilot project, the City will continue to work with participants to help shape the best scenarios for the shuttle. Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ Food Policy Task Force is currently working on recom...

Join Mayor Jones on Saturday, April 28, 2012 as he officially kicks off the Healthy Richmond Campaign at the ‘Get Healthy – Stay Healthy’ Health Expo and Chick-fil-A Cow Walk. The Healthy Richmond Campaign is a new initiative designed to promote active lifestyles, healthy nutrition, preventative health, sustainability and well being in the city of Richmond. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the Chick-fil-a Cow Walk at Festival Park between 6th Street Marketplace and Richmond Coliseum and ends at the health expo at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Exhibit Hall A. “The city of Richmond is a city of opportunity and innovation, and I am excited about our city moving forward in implementing this campaign. We are engaging the community and encouraging the public to proactively embrace the Healthy Richmond concept to improve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.” For more information, please visit www.RichmondGov.com/CampaignH...

The City’s second Workforce Development community share site opened today at the East District Family Resource Center. Mayor Dwight C. Jones, City Councilwoman Cynthia Newbille, and Director of Economic and Community Development Lee Downey opened the site with a brief ribbon cutting ceremony. The share site is the second joint Workforce Development Center in the city of Richmond and will offer services and resources to city residents to better prepare and search for jobs. The first share site at Fifth Street Baptist Church opened in October 2011. The center will partner with RESOURCE, the Capital Region Workforce Investment Board, to teach classes on résumé writing, interviewing and networking skills. Trained volunteers will staff the center and serve as career agents and job coaches for interested residents looking for work. “We recognize that many of our residents with the greatest needs cannot easily reach these services,” said Mayor Jones. “Share sites serve our communities w...

The City of Richmond’s Office of Minority Business Development is seeking small business owners interested in participating in a new Business Development Mentorship program. The Business Development Mentorship Program will be introduced during an informational session at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 1, at the Carillon at Byrd Park, 1300 Blanton Avenue. The program is designed to help develop the capacity of minority and emerging small businesses. A participating business can expect the following from the mentorship program: A 12 to 18 month relationship commitment with an associate who takes active interest in their business success Consultation in a specific, needed area of expertise Business development suggestions A sounding board O ne-on-one interaction (by phone or in person) for at least one hour per month A meaningful business relationship with a qualified mentor A match based on an initial assessment of mentee needs and mentor skills Support and monitoring from the Supplier Divers...

City residents are encouraged to attend the Cannon Creek Greenway Bicycle & Pedestrian Trail - Phase II project presentation on Thursday, March 1, 2012. The presentation and Dove Street Redevelopment Master Plan Update will he held at Overby Sheppard Elementary School auditorium (2300 1st Avenue) from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Presenters include: Whitman, Requardt and Associates (Cannon Creek Trail Project Consultants) City of Richmond Department of Public Works Engineering Division City of Richmond Department of Economic and Community Development Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority Richmond Raiders representative The project presentation will review the conceptual design of the Phase II Cannon Creek Trail that will extend from Dove Street north along the east side of the Richmond - Henrico Turnpike to the intersection of East Brookland Park Boulevard. Presenters will also discuss the increase in low income rental units during Dove Street Redevelopment Phase I and the City lease agr...