The Richmond Times Dispatch reports:

A Richmond city councilman’s nephew is being held without bond today in the malicious wounding of a Virginia Union University student early Sunday.

Jamir Lee Jewell, whose uncle is Councilman E. Martin Jewell, was arrested Sunday about 1:15 a.m. — minutes after a student was shot in front of Newman Hall, an all-female dormitory on the northern edge of campus near Brook and Graham roads. Jamir Jewell is not a VUU student.

University police confirmed yesterday that the shooting occurred as they tried to deal with a crowd that had grown to as many as three dozen people.

“I really have to hand the credit to our people for the way they reacted,” VUU Police Chief David Horace said, noting that one officer stationed in a guard shack about 30 yards from Newman Hall called for reinforcements as the crowd grew more unruly. “It could have been much worse,” the chief said.

At least a half-dozen students have been shot or stabbed on or near the VUU campus in the past decade, according to news reports. The school has sought for years to control access to the campus, especially from nearby neighborhoods with histories of violence. A fence encircling the campus is under construction.

Campuswide alerts were not sent to the university community until nearly an hour after the shooting.

Two of the three school officers responding to the crowd are not authorized to carry weapons, Horace said.

Jewell, 21, could receive up to 23 years in prison if convicted on a malicious-wounding charge and an accompanying firearms charge. He made a brief appearance yesterday in Richmond General District Court and said he will retain his own attorney. A hearing was set for Sept. 11.

VUU officials declined to release the identity of the student who suffered three gunshot wounds to his left leg. He was expected to be released from the hospital shortly.

Martin Jewell said the news of the arrest of his sister’s son was a shock to him, but he declined any further comment. His nephew lives in the 800 block of West Lancaster Road, a few blocks from the university.

Although the shooting did not take place in the 5th district, it is worth noting that since Marty Jewell took office in 2004, the number of reported crimes in his district has gone down by approximately 30% in 2008.  An additional decrease in crime is projected for 2009.  Using the RPD Crime Incident Info Center, the stats show a gradual increase during Jewell’s first few years in office before 2008′s drop-off.  We are awaiting comment from his office about the councilman’s approach to public safety.    

There will be a James River Park Graffiti Clean-Up on Saturday, September 12, from 9-10:30AM. Meet at the North Bank, Texas Avenue.

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Found in wtvr’s Video Vault, here is a May’79 story about the draining of the lake and fish that were left behind.

The handbill above (click to enlarge) is for the 3rd Annual Guerilla Art Show on Sun., Sept. 13, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. It will happen around the Ha’Penny Stage behind the Carillon in Byrd Park.

Artists interested in participating are encouraged to do so. Bring out your art and sell it. No fee to participate; artists keep what they taken in. Bring what you need to display your work. If you have questions, get in touch (ftrea9@yahoo.com).

On Saturday, September 12th from 7:30-12.00, the 2100 block of Rosewood Avenue will be hosting a multi-family yard sale.  As many as 9-10 households have signed on to participate.  Neighbors are welcome to join in and help spread the word. The huge sale which will include many household items (large and small appliances, such as refrigerator and gas range), clothing and shoes (mens, womens, kids, maternity), books/magazines/cookbooks, curtains, home decor, lamps, glassware, entertaining items, kids items, a Wurlitzer Organ, and much more! Come check it out!!

UPDATE: The weather forecast is for clear skies. No rain Friday night or Saturday.

A letter by the outgoing Byrd Park Civic League president, posted below, calls for an influx of participation and new membership to resuscitate the organization after a recent hiatus. At the October 10th BPCL meeting, officers need to be elected to continue the organization’s mission of  “addressing issues affecting our unique and special neighborhood in the Byrd Park neighborhood located in and surrounding William Byrd Park.”

Dear Byrd Park neighbors:

Last April I had a serious heart attack and informed my fellow officers I needed to take a hiatus from the duties of League president.  I did not intend this to mean a shutdown of all League activities.  Since then there have been no newsletters, and the two previously scheduled meetings did not take place.  The next meeting of the Civic League is scheduled for Saturday, October 10 at 10 am at the Roundhouse.  The sole purpose of the meeting will be the election of new officers.  I will not be running for re-election.  I worked hard for the six months I served as president and deeply regret seeing that
come to nothing.

I will not attempt to resuscitate the lapsed newsletter.  This email, limited as it is, and another to follow shortly before the event, will be the only notification of this meeting other than word of mouth, so please spread the word to interested neighbors who may not be on this email list.

I’m sending this email out now, so that those who might be interested in providing leadership for whatever future the League may have, will have time to weigh their options.

Sincerely,

Dennis Danvers
President, Byrd Park Civic League

Fall Prune & Groom Event

Saturday – 19 Sept 09

9am – 11:30am

Help clean-up the area around the Byrd Park tennis courts.

Bring gloves, garden shears, pruners, rakes, etc.

*Meet @ the tennis courts on the corner facing the Christopher Columbus statue.*

From Rhonda Bledsoe of Friends of William Byrd Park:

With Fall in the air, it is the perfect time to get out and enjoy the park.  We are having the Fall Prune and Groom event next Saturday the 19th.  The focus for this effort will be the area around the tennis courts on Boulevard.  With the high traffic in this area, it should be a good means to make a big impact and introduce folks in the park to our organization.

Hope to see you all Saturday!
Thanks,
Rhonda Bledsoe
804-539-5716  . . .  rhondabledsoe@gmail.com

Do you need a new tree in front of your house? You can Adopt-A-Tree from the City of Richmond, and they will subsidize 75% of the cost (It will cost you $50). You need to act now because the deadline for adoption is October 1st!

How do you adopt your tree? Here are some details from the folks over at Hills & Heights:

The process is simple. Go to this website and fill out the application. Watch the city plant the tree for you and set up the gator bag for your young tree. Next you have to water the tree for at least a couple of years so that it can become established. The last step is to sit back and enjoy the shade, oxygen and critters the tree gives back. If you have some more questions check out this FAQ.

If you don’t need a tree, but still want to help beautify our neighborhood, how about getting one planted in one of our many empty tree boxes?

Do you have a baby?  Maybe you know a Byrd Parker who has a baby?  For the past few months a handful of new parents in Byrd Park have been getting their tots together to socialize (both children and adults alike). Although the group started small, most involved would like to see more activities, more meeting times/places, and more people involved from the neighborhood.  Please help us share the invitaiion. There’s little doubt that a Byrd Park baby boom is afoot.  It’s a perfect excuse for new parents to get to know each other see their babies interact.  Moms-to-be are welcome as well.

Next Byrd Park Babies play-date:

Sunday, Sept. 27th at 3pm

At the Carillon Totlot (behind the Carillon)

Questions? Suggestions? Email Karen at darlingoctopus(at)gmail.com to find out about future events and get on the email list.

PS: We are definitely looking for parents to host play-dates, suggest themes/activities, and generally share the organizing effort.  Our kids will thank us, wear themselves out, and probably sleep more soundly.

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

A reposted announcement for an upcoming meeting:

Dear Friends and Neighbors of William Byrd Park,

This coming Thursday, October 1st, will be our Annual Meeting at the
Roundhouse from 7-8:30PM.  At this meeting we will be electing a new
President and Secretary.

Due to both business and personal reasons, I will not be seeking another
term as President of the Friends of William Byrd Park.  During the past two
years, I have enjoyed serving as your President and working with many of you
to continue to  improve and promote our wonderful park as the best park in
Richmond!  (I know those of you who love your local parks might disagree
with me on that point!!)  We have several exciting projects to continue in
the coming years, and I hope you will consider volunteering your support to
make them a success.  Notably, our newest project is to revitalize the Vita
Course through the replanting of trees.  This will be a multi-year project
and we need as many hands as possible to help with fundraising, educating
the public, and the actual planting of the trees every year.

Please plan to attend our meeting on Thursday and hear the details about
restoring the shade and canopy of trees around the Vita Course.  Of course,
we will also update you on all our other projects that we have been working
on during the past year.

Thank you for the last two years, and I look forward to continuing to work
with all of you in the future as a member.

Judy Howlett

President, FOWBP

friendsofwmbyrdpark@gmail.com