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...