Starting August 2, the RVA Shoppers’ Shuttle schedule and fare rate will be adjusted. The shuttle service will now include a nominal fee of $4 per round trip. This minor adjustment will help ensure that this valuable community resource continues to be available to residents. The RVA Shoppers’ Shuttle was a recommendation of the Mayor’s Food Policy Task Force and has been serving residents in neighborhoods classified as food deserts gain access to healthy, nutritional, fresh food. The shuttle was put in place, as a pilot program, in February of 2012. The shuttle has five routes that run on the second and ninth day of each month and the third Saturday of each month. The RVA Shoppers’ Shuttle serves the areas of Hillside Court, Fay Tower, Creighton Court, Fairfield Court, Mosby Court, Whitcomb Court, and Fulton. All pick-up locations have a final destination of the Walmart SuperCenter at 2410 Sheila Lane. Click here to view a full schedule of the RVA Shoppers’ Shuttle.

The Metro-Richmond area’s response to last week’s call for training camp Ambassadors has been tremendous. More than 800 individuals have applied to the Ambassador program after the City of Richmond’s Neighbor-To-Neighbor initiative and the Washington Redskins requested a core group of 100 volunteers to be Richmond Training Camp Ambassadors. As a result of the strong response and anticipated attendance, the Redskins are doubling opportunities to participate in the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Camp by modifying their original plan of 35 volunteers per shift to 70 volunteers a shift. As a result, the application process will be extended to 5 p.m. tomorrow, June 28. To register or to obtain a complete list of details about this fantastic volunteer opportunity, please visit www.richmondgov.com/NeighborToNeighbor . Selected individuals will serve as Ambassadors for one of two time slots per day, either 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from noon to 6 p.m., throughout the four week traini...

The City of Richmond’s Neighbor-To-Neighbor initiative and the Washington Redskins are looking for a core group of 100 volunteers to be Richmond Training Camp Ambassadors. Ambassadors will volunteer for one of two time slots per day, either 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from noon to 6 p.m., throughout the four week training camp period. The training camp will begin on July 25 and conclude on August 16. The Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center is located at 2401 West Leigh Street. “Richmond Training Camp Ambassadors will help put the best face on our city and its many amenities as they assist visitors and showcase the very best the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Camp has to offer,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. When Richmond Training Camp Ambassadors work a certain benchmark number of shifts, they will be rewarded based on the following scale: Three shifts worked receive a Washington Redskins Pin; Five shifts worked receive a 2nd Washington Redskins Pin; Seve...

The City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PRCF) is again partnering with the USDA’s Summer Meals for Kids Program. This free program provides children and teens (up to 18 years old) with nutritious breakfasts, lunches and dinners during the summer months. Even if your child does not participate in one of the City’s PRCF summer camps, your child can still participate in the USDA Summer Meals for Kids Program. Walk-ins during meal times are always welcome. For a list of locations, please click here .  Currently, we have 119 sites registered for the 2013 Summer Meals for Kids Program. New locations are welcomed and those interested should call (804) 646-5698 for more information.

Bring your refreshments, blankets and chairs and enjoy a movie in a city park this summer. The City’s Department of Park, Recreation and Community Facilities will again present Movies in the Park every Friday evening this summer. This year’s flicks include Madagascar 3, Rise of the Guardians, Paranorman, Hotel Transylvania, The Amazing Spiderman, Brave, Cirque Du Soleil, Jack the Giant Slayer, and Oz the Great and Powerful. Please click here for a full listing and I look forward to seeing you in a city park this summer.

Mayor Dwight C. Jones and the City of Richmond Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities proudly present the 57th Festival of Arts at Dogwood Dell 2013. For more information, please visit www.richmondgov.com/parks .

PUBLIC HEARING City of Richmond FY 2013-15 Three Year Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice Thursday, June 20, 2013 6:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Main St. Station City of Richmond Department of Economic and Community Development 3rd Floor Large Conference 1500 E. Main St., Suite 400, Richmond, VA 23219 The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) requires that all entitlement communities develop a Three or Five Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice Action Plan.  This document combines the planning, application and reporting requirements for four HUD entitlement programs for which the City of Richmond receives funds: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). In order to prepare this plan, the City must have input from the citizens of Richmond, particularly low and moderate income residents, on needs in the are...