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| RIVER CITY SAUNTER |
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PSG's River City Saunter
is around the corner! Buy your ticket today as space is limited. Sunday, September 21st
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.: Smart Growth Bus Tour led by Rachel Flynn, Brooke Hardin, & Daniel Moore beginning and ending at Legend Brewing Company. 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.: Smart Growth Celebration with locally grown heavy hors d'oeuvres, 3 tastings of locally brewed Legend beer, and the eclectic roots rock of Richmond's own MOOSSA.
We are thrilled to unveil a Fiddle II 50 scooter donated by Scoot Richmond as our raffle drive, and to showcase a silent auction on transportation alternatives such as transit-passes, bike gear, adventure excursions as well as local food products! Join us as we celebrate a growing coalition of organizations, individuals, and businesses banding together for Smarter Growth.
You'll park and ride...and walk...and learn...and eat locally...and think regionally...and rediscover Richmond!
Can't make it but still want to invest in the future of our community and quality of life?
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| SAVE OUR FARMS |
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Virginia Farm Bureau recently announced their Save Our Food Campaign, designed by Virginia Farm Bureau to educate consumers about the foods they eat and encourage everyone to seek out and enjoy all of the delicious locally grown foods available. It's the first, and most important, step anyone can take toward supporting Virginia agriculture and helping to ensure that Americans will never become dependent on foreign sources of food.
PSG is happy to announce VFB's Save Our Food Campaign as a sponsor for our River City Saunter. Their commitment provides funding to purchase local food from vendors to the create mouth-watering hors d'oeuvres we'll be serving. Check out the menu and don't forget to buy your ticket today! |
| SAVE OUR CITIES |
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Photo: Don Ryan/Associated Press |
At least 40 cities are exploring streetcar plans to spur economic development, ease traffic congestion and draw young professionals and empty-nest baby boomers back from the suburbs, according to the Community Streetcar Coalition, which includes city officials, transit authorities and engineers who advocate streetcar construction. Read the New York Times article Downtowns Across the U.S. See Streetcars in their Future.
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| EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES |
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The Grassroots is Always Greener: Smart Growth Advocacy Training Program
Hot button issue in your locality? Not sure how to leverage your constituency power? Want to learn more about smart growth applications on the local level? Learn from the experts, with Glen Besa of the Sierra Club, Martha Wingfield of Coalition for Hanover's Future, and Trip Pollard of Southern Environmental Law Center. Meet other concerned and active citizens from across the region, and take what you learn directly to your community.
Sponsored by PSG and Back Porch Initaitives. Saturday, October 4th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at Centenary United Methodist Church in Richmond. More info. Register .
COVES 2008
Meeting the Climate Change Challenge by showcasing the iniatives to reduce energy use while keeping the economy and our communities strong. September 17-19. Greater Richmond Convention Center. Register.
VCN's Virginia Environmental Assembly
Virginia Conservation Network's annual meeting is the state's premiere gathering of citizens, conservation groups, elected officials, and environmental policy experts.
VCU's urban campus in downtown Richmond is the perfect backdrop for the smart-growth case study, featuring Scenic Virginia's Leighton Powell, Director of Community Development Rachel Flynn, and PSG Coordinator Sheila Sheppard. Participants will enjoy a tour of VCU's Rice Center for Environmental Life Sciences complete with 343 wooded acres and the state's first LEED Platinum building. September 27, 9 -4. More info.
VRPS Annual Conference with the Governor's Conference on Greenways, Blueways and Trails and BikeWalk Virginia
Virginia Recreation and Park Society's Conference will equip participants with the tools to activate communities with trails, parks, recreation, and tourism. October 4-7. Greater Richmond Convention Center. Register.
Green Infrastructure Planning: Regional to Local (and back again) with speaker Karen Firehock
The Green Infrastructure Center (GIC) is a nonprofit organizaion located in Charlottesville formed in 2006 to help communities develop strategies for protecting and conserving their ecological and cultural assets through environmentally-sensitive decisions, lifestyles, and planning. The Falls of the James Group - Sierra Club is proud to present Karen Firehock, Executive Director, as a featured speaker. Monday, October 13, 7 p.m. Science Museum of Virginina. Free and open to the public. |
| 10% NIGHT AT QUE PASA A SUCCESS |
Smart growthers discuss Church Hill's revitalization over tostones & paella.
Photo: Sheila Sheppard / PSG |
On August 14th, Church Hill residents and West End Henricans alike joined PSG in Richmond's oldest neighborhood at its newest renovation: Que Pasa Restaurant, 623 North 25th Street. PSG benefited from ten percent of the night's proceeds, which will cover the facilities cost for our training program in October! Thank you to Que Pasa Restaurant, owner John Sanchez, and the Smart Growthers who came out to learn more about PSG, the Downtown Master Plan, Church Hill, and our role for a more vibrant Richmond. See more pictures.
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| Issue #7 |
August / September 2008 |
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Thank you for subscribing to Partnership for Smarter Growth's Enewsletter, the Regional Scoop. Between ensuring the passage of the Downtown Master Plan in Richmond, to focusing on citizen participation in Henrico's Comprehensive Plan, PSG is in the trenches with you working toward a more sustainable Richmond region.
Opportunities abound this fall for smart growth education and advocacy. To start, join us for the River City Saunter on September 21st for a Smart Growth Bus Tour and Celebration, and on October 4th for a Smart Growth Advocacy Training Program: The Grassroots is Always Greener. Reserve your space today!
Now is the time to support our mission for citizen engagement in shaping the future of our communities.
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| Locality Highlights: Richmond, Henrico, Powhatan, Goochland, Chesterfield, Petersburg |
RICHMOND:
Downtown Master Plan: Land Use Public Hearing
Please come and urge City Council to adopt the Downtown Master Plan at the Land Use, Housing, and Transportation Standing Committee Special Meeting on Tuesday, September 23rd, at 3:00 p.m. Let's build on the momentum we gained when we witnessed the Planning Commission pass the plan on July 21st, and see this community vision adopted before 2009! If you would like to join Envision Richmond, a citizen group dedicated to urban revitalization efforts, please email psg@psgrichmond.org. Over 1,200 have signed the petition in support of the Downtown Master Plan - join us to help us reach our goal of 1,500!
Richmond Decision '08 Mayoral Candidate Forums
 Partnership for Smarter Growth is proud to participate as a supporting organization in Richmond Decision '08, a mayoral candidate forum series.
The forums are sponsored by Style Weekly and League of Women Voters-RMA, together with the Virginia Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Coalition for a Greater Richmond and the Virginia Conference United Methodist Board of Church and Society, and supported by a number of organizations including PSG.
Forum I: The Future of Downtown Richmond
Sept. 23. The Renaissance Conference Center, 107 West Broad Street. Development, Revitalization, City Services, and the Master Plan.
Forum II: Arts, Culture and Education
Oct. 14. The Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St. Arts and Culture, Tourism, and the Richmond Public Schools
Forum III: Living and Working in Richmond
Oct. 28. Virginia Historical Society, 428 N. Boulevard. Growth, Safety, Housing, Environmentalism, Health Care Work Force
This election season, ensure that candidates know where smart growthers stand on growth-related issues, from balancing development and conservation along the riverfront to prioritizing revitalization and infill development - and of course, the Downtown Master Plan. More info. Email your questions for the candidates to psg@psgrichmond.org.
HENRICO:
Hands-On Working Group Discussion on the 2026 Comprehensive Plan
Can you envision what Varina will look like in 5 years...10 years...20 years? Join Supervisor Jim Donati, Henrico County staff, and a special guest presenter for a hands-on working group discussion on the future of Eastern Henrico. Monday, September 15, 2008 7:00 p.m. Henrico Theatre, 305 East Nine Mile Road, Highland Springs.
Earlier this summer, concerned citizens met with Supervisor Donati and presented a petition of over 80 signatures expressing a desire for better public process in the Henrico County Comprehensive Plan. The result is this Town Hall Meeting, supported by Partnership for Smarter Growth, Envision Henrico, and Varina Beautification Committee. Please view and circulate the flyer, and join us to demonstrate to Henrico that citizens care.
All committed to a sustainable future for Henrico are welcome to join us at Envision Henrico's 4th Mondays meetings. The next is on Monday, September 22nd, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., at the fellowship hall at Sandston Presbyterian Church, 13 North Confederate Avenue. For insight into a development trends in Henrico, see Despite Concerns, Wyndham Expansion Improved.
POWHATAN:
Powhatan Agri-Entrepreneurship Public Forum and Self-Guided Powhatan Farm Tour
The Powhatan Agri-Entrepreneurship Forum is today, Wednesday, September 10th, 7-9 p.m., Powhatan Village Building Auditorium. More info. The self-guided Powhatan Farm Tour is Saturday, September 13th, 10-3 p.m. More info. Sponsors for the public forum and tour are the Powhatan County Farm Bureau, Powhatan Chamber of Commerce, Office of Economic Development and Powhatan Tomorrow.
Getting Around Powhatan: Transportation Challenges and the Land Use Connection Forum
The Powhatan County Transportation Study Group and Powhatan Tomorrow are pleased to announce a forum focusing on transportation issues, on Wednesday, October 22, 2008, 7-9, at Powhatan Village Building Auditorium, featuring transportation experts from state government as well as private organizations. Speakers include Pierce Homer, Sec. of Transportation; Ted McCormack, Virginia Association of Counties; Trip Pollard, Southern Environmental Law Center. More info.
GOOCHLAND:
Autumn Harvest Tasting and Seed Swap: Sustaining Rural Culture
Taste the Bounty of Goochland's Local Harvest and Buy/Sell/Trade Seeds for Next Year! Thursday, October 2nd, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Grace Church Parish House. $12 at the door. Or, save $2 by pre-registering online.
CHESTERFIELD:
PETERSBURG:
Leaders in regionalism and river access
The Petersburg non-profit Friends of the Lower Appomattox River is working with localities to develop a 22-mile series of walking and water trails from Lake Chesdin to Hopewell. PSG Steering Committee member Richard Taylor highlights : "We're showing folks of the area that a regional project can be accomplished." See Projects improve access to river. |
| Regional Highlights |
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Capital Region Collaborative; Regional Transportation Authority
Richmond's report card by James Crupi opened many eyes: we have all the pieces, but we need to fit them together. The answer is the Capital Region Collaborative, the group formed by the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission (RRPDC) and the Greater Richmond Chamber to enact the recommendations of the Crupi Report. This is your opportunity to be part of this region-wide collaborative effort to strengthen our communities. Sign up to ensure that you can help shape this region! Correction: July's Enewsletter did not recognize the RRPDC in its role as a key member of this collaborative partnership. Our apologies.
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| PSG Highlights: PSG in Style Weekly |
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Volunteers/Commute/Quote of the Month
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Volunteers of the Month
PSG would like to thank Daniel Moore, Chesapeake Bay Principle Planner, Department of Conservation and Recreation, for his guidance and expertise in creating the River City Saunter bus tour route illustrating the past, present, and future of Richmond's urban fabric.
PSG also extends our appreciation to Steering Committee member Lynn Wilson for her tenacity and creativity in assembling a truly innovative silent auction on transportation alternatives and local food products for the River City Saunter. Look forward to tree climbing and kayaking with Riverside Outfitters, experiencing the River City's streets with Segway Richmond, a backpackers back pack from Blue Ridge Mountain Sports, a pleine-air oil painting of the view from Legend Brewing Company by Clelia Sheppard, and additional features from Agee's Bicycles, Rowlett's Bicycles, Bev's Ice Cream, Mongrel Giftshop, Rostov's Coffee and Tea, Appomatox River Outfitters, GRTC, and more. Learn more.
Thank you Daniel and Lynn!
Creative Commute of the Month
 PSG is delighted to unveil a thrilling raffle at the River City Saunter on September 21st: a Fiddle II 50 moped generously donated by Chelsea Lahmers, owner of Scoot Richmond. Tickets will be selling for only $5.00 each. A special guest will draw the lucky winning ticket in early 2009. This gorgeous model, produced by SYM, is known for its style, economy, and environmental-friendliness. Visit Scoot Richmond, Central Virginia's only full service scooter and moped shop and showroom, to explore the possibilities. See Carloads of Coping to learn more about the growing appeal of scooters and mopeds.
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The grassroots movement for smarter growth starts with you. Thank you for staying connected and taking action. See you at the River City Saunter - don't forget to buy your ticket today!
Sincerely,
Sheila J. Sheppard
Coordinator, Partnership for Smarter Growth
p: 804-225-1902
f: 804-225-1904
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