August News
No FHNA Monthly Meeting in August
We will resume our normal schedule (third Tuesday of each month) on September 16 (7-8 PM, Forest Hill Presbyterian Church).
Music in the Park This Sunday -- New Time (3-5 PM)
We're excited to welcome Carmen Ann & the Lowdown Gamblers to Forest Hill Park this Sunday. Please note the time change -- each of our three remaining shows will be held from 3-5:00 PM.
National Night Out 2025 (August 5, 5-7 PM)
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Westover Hills is hosting a local event next Tuesday from 5-7:00 PM at Westover Hills United Methodist Church. Get to know some of the officers who serve our community while enjoying live folk rock music and FREE Gelati Celesti ice cream. (Hot dogs for sale.) Please consider bringing a contribution for the Belmont Food Pantry.
River Safety Day (August 23, Pony Pasture, 12-3 PM)
Hosted by the James River Park System, River Safety Day is an opportunity to learn how to swim safely in the James River. Participants will learn about common river hazards and have the opportunity to swim through a small rapid. It's free and open to the public. Food will be provided!
43rd Street Festival of the Arts (September 13, 10 AM - 4 PM)
Richmond's coolest annual art festival (and fundraiser for CARITAS) returns to our neighborhood on Saturday, September 13. Limited to 75 artisans, it is a juried show of fine crafts and art featuring local and regional artisans. Free and open to the public, this popular neighborhood festival also offers food trucks and live music: Tin Can Fish Band (11 AM), The Grateful Dads (1 PM), and Haze and Dacey (3 PM).
Code Refresh Updates & 4th District Feedback Session
Our District's City Councilmember, Sarah Abubaker, shared this information in her recent weekly email:
As many of you know, the City, led by the Department of Planning Development and Review, is engaging in a major process to update our Zoning Code. I have previously shared opportunities for you all to attend open houses and provide feedback on the draft updated zoning maps - and those maps are now here!
There are two key resources I would like for you to review:
The Zoning Map is interactive and will allow you to see the current projected zoning designation for every parcel in the City. While portions of this draft map may change, it gives helpful insight into the Planning Department's vision for the updated Zoning Code.
During a meeting with the Planning Director and Deputy Director this week, they expressed a desire to gather additional feedback from the 4th District, particularly from the western portion of the district. Therefore, I am partnering with them on an event that will allow them to present the updated drafts to you, answer any questions, and receive any feedback directly. That event will be on Wednesday, August 20 from 6-7:30 p.m.
The location is TBD, so please mark your calendars for now and I will share further updates closer to the event.
Additionally, there is an upcoming Zoning Advisory Council meeting that you can attend to learn more and provide feedback (though please still come to our 4th District Feedback Session!). That event is on Wednesday, August 13 from 4-6:30 p.m. at City Hall (in the 5th Floor Conference Room).
Councilmember Abubaker is also hosting two other District meetings in the coming weeks:
Dialogue with DPW: Cherokee Road Improvements and Traffic Safety on/around Chippenham
Date: Monday, August 25
Time: 5:30-7 p.m.
Location: Southampton Elementary School Cafeteria
This meeting will be split into two "halves" - DPW and Richmond Police will first discuss traffic safety on/around Chippenham Parkway, followed by updates and Q&A on plans to improve Cherokee Road.
4th District Meeting: "Back to School" with Councilmember Abubaker and School Board Member Wesley Hedgepeth
Date: Wednesday, September 17
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.
Location: Huguenot High School Cafeteria
Abubaker and School Board Member Hedgepeth will engage in a facilitated dialogue on "all things schools." They will discuss how Council and the School Board can collaborate, align priorities, and improve the budget process for Fiscal Year 2027. Refreshments will be provided by The Treat Shop!
Upcoming Events
September 7 - Music in the Park: Hot Seats (3-5 PM)
September 13 - 43rd Street Festival of the Arts (10 AM - 4 PM)
September 16 - FHNA Meeting (7 PM, Forest Hill Presbyterian Church)
South of the James Market
Sundays 10AM-1PM
Follow them on Facebook for updates and vendor lists for each week. https://www.facebook.com/SOJmarket