RTD is reporting that “The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Bon Air Presbyterian Church, 9201 W. Huguenot Road.

Organizers include Rabbi Ben Romer of Congregation Or Ami, Imad Damaj of the Virginia Muslim Coalition for Public Affairs, and Rev. R. Charles Grant of Bon Air Presbyterian.”

According to the RTD the Fuelperks program will cut savings from 10 cents a gallon to 5 cents a gallon. The program up to this point has saved consumers $5.1 million. Ukrop’s also stated, “the chain would not commit to extending the fuel-savings program beyond March 28.”

Hello all. John posted on the 7th that he wouldn’t be able to continue and asked for some help. I decided to pitch in and thought it would be nice to tell you a little about myself.

Name: Richard
Age: 40
Occupation: Currently unemployed previously with The Martin Agency as an Account Executive
Random Fact: Have lived in Yellowstone, Glacier, and Zion National Parks.

I have been living in Westover Hills for 6 years with my lovely wife and our 5 year old daughter. We moved down to Richmond from the DC area to escape the traffic and other big city issues. Over the relatively short time I have lived here I have been struck with what a wonderful neighborhood this is but also disheartened to see a good number of young families leave. I would never be called a “glass half full” kind of guy but I believe that the positive aspects of our little piece of Richmond outweigh the shortcomings. For me the mission of Hills and Heights is to bring people together to change negative and celebrate the positive so that maybe a few less of those young families decide to leave.

The RTD is reporting that the “Richmond City Council unanimously elected 4th District Councilwoman Kathy C. Graziano as its president during today’s annual organizational meeting.” Councilwoman Graziano is very active in the community and was crucial in the establishment of the South of the James Farmer’s Market.

For more information on Councilwoman Graziano please visit her website: Kathy Graziano, Richmond City Council, Fourth District

nbc12 is reporting that, beginning on Monday, Riverside Drive east of the Rockfalls Drive intersection will be closed until January 20th “for installation of a large pipe”.

Did you ever want to learn how to identify trees? Or how to properly prune a young tree to insure good development? Are you interested in taking care of the trees in our community? Richmond Tree Stewards training may be for you!

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We will be holding an informational meeting on Tuesday, Dec.30 at 7PM, for anyone interested in volunteering to post for River District News, Hills&Heights, or Carver&Jackson Ward News. Contact John Murden at murden@gmail.com to RSVP and for more info.

There was a house fire just after midnight in the 6600 block of Glyndon Lane. There were no injuries to the home’s residents. [via]

Update: NBC12 reports that two women and three cats were pulled from the fire by RFD crews.

Hey folks! I picked up this site for Bill a few weeks back hoping to be able to keep it going until someone local could be found to publish this thing. I’m quickly feeling crush of having over-extended myself. I think that Hills & Heights has worked well and still has even greater potential, but I’m not the person for this anymore. If someone from the area would like to pick up this site and make it their own, please comment below and I’ll get back to you.

Just a reminder that the Woodland Heights Annual Holiday Tour of Homes is tomorrow, Dec. 7, from 1-5PM. Seven classic Woodland Heights homes will be on tour, free parking is available at Woodland Heights Baptist Church (611 W. 31st Street), and all tour homes are within walking distance.

South of the James Farmer’s Market; 2008 Woodland Heights Annual Holiday Tour of Homes; Patrick Henry Initiative Meeting; Forrest Hill Neighborhood Association meeting; RPS application meeting for IB Middle Years Program; Westover Hills Library renovation/services public meeting; Westover Hills Neighborhood Association meeting (CANCELLED); Plaza Bowl’s First Annual Art for Autism Art Auction; MORE…

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Another show looking for some renovation stories:

We are searching for dynamic homeowners in your area who aren’t afraid to show their true personalities! The TV show is about the realities and drama of home renovation. We want to see the issues, the arguments and the real effects of taking on a project with a spouse, friend or neighbor. There is no host and no help - you are the star of this 30-minute show!

Via Craig’s List:

Lost female tabby kitten, 14wks. about 4 pounds. gold shoulders, white face and chest, tabby back, little M between her ears. escaped the house last night. near 43rd street gallery. Please call (804)513-0861 anytime. Needs to go get her rabies shot on dec. 23. Thanks

The December issue of the Westover Hills Neighborhood Association newsletter, The Westover Rag, is now available online (PDF). Includes info about the holiday decorating contest, the holiday market on Dec. at Forest Hill Park, write-ups from the most recent 4th District meeting and the fall picnic, WHNA contact information, and more… The next WHNA meeting will be Jan.8, at 7PM.

A representative from Fanning Howey Architectural/Engineering firm will be at the Westover Hills Library on Thursday, December 11th at 6:30PM to speak with members of the community with regards to what type of renovations and services they would like to see at their branch of the Richmond Public Library system.

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Democrats in the part of the area covered by the 70th District House of Delegates seat will hold a primary this Saturday from 1-4PM at 31st Street Baptist Church (823 North 31st Street) to select a candidate for the State Delegate position being vacated by Mayor-elect Dwight Jones. Two people have indicated that they will be on the ballot: 7th District Council Representative Delores McQuinn and Henrico lawyer Carlos Brown. Following the primary, a special election will be held on Jan.6.[via]

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The RTD is reporting that “Kathy C. Graziano, 4th District councilwoman, is likely to become the next president of Richmond City Council.”

Richmond Food Collective visited the next-to-last of the South of the James markets yesterday and enjoyed the slower pace that the colder weather has brought:

The market was quiet. I usually go to South of the James on Saturday mornings and the mad rush, and the sea of shoppers had this Saturday finally given way to small bands of dedicated market goers. [...] With time to chat with vendors, and mull over my choices I had a very nice time and walked out with everything I’d been hoping for.

South of the James Farmer’s Market; Patrick Henry Initiative Meeting; 2008 Woodland Heights Annual Holiday Tour of Homes; MORE…

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The Hills & Heights calendar is back up&running. Check it out to see what’s going on and please let us know about any events/meetings/etc that need to be listed.

Following yesterday’s map of Reedy Creek, we were pointed to 3 great maps from the Forest Hill Neighborhood Association site:

• Woodland Heights, Reedy Creek, Swansboro
• Forest Hill Neighborhood Association
• Westover Hills Civic Association

A map of the Reedy Creek Neighborhood, the neighborhood between Forest Hill Avenue and Midlothian Turnpike.

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Following an earlier rash of incidents in Westover Hills, nbc12 is reporting that “Richmond Police are warning residents in the Stratford Hills neighborhood to lock their doors since the area has been a recent target of thieves”. The same article also reports the arrest of a suspect who “had in his possession several GPS units as well as $53 in loose change in his jacket pocket”.

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South of the James Farmer’s Market; The Rats, Octane Saints, 12 Step Revenge; Patrick Henry Initiative Meeting; MORE…

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