February 16th we will be voting on the Proposed FY2012-2013 Superintendent’s Budget. Presently we have to make decisions on balancing a $23.8 million dollar funding gap. Please email dcoleman2@richmond.k12.va.us your priorities or any other suggestions on what YOU THINK should be done. We will be voting on the budget Thursday, February 16.

Secondly, rezoning is probably one of the most important undertakings that will happen in the Richmond Public School system over the next few years, other than the building of new schools. The announcement below of an upcoming community meeting is extremely important! Again, our input is needed!!

The Rezoning Committee for Richmond Public Schools will hold a community meeting to give a progress report on rezoning considerations to date and also to seek community input on the options it will be presenting for each elementary, middle and high school level.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Thompson Middle School
7824 Forest Hill Ave * Richmond, VA 23225
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The agenda for the Monday, February 13 City Council meeting contains the following:

Ord. No. 2012-7 (Patron: Mayor Jones, By Request) – To conditionally rezone *** 1904 and 1905 Cedar Street from the R-53 Multifamily Residential Zoning District to the R-63 Multifamily Urban Residential Zoning District (Conditional) ***.

Res. No. 2012-R4 (Patron: Ms. Newbille) – To approve *** $1,500.00 from the Council Districts Funds for the Seventh District to make a donation to the East District Family Resource Center for *** parenting events ***.

Hi! Would you be so kind as to post this picture of a sweet spayed female pastel tortishell cat that was found last week in Church Hill? She was wearing a sparkly black collar with a little bell on it at the time she was found. She was brought into Church Hill Animal Hospital, where she is currently residing until we can find her previous owners or we may have to adopt her out.

Thanks!

Katie
office manager of Church Hill Animal Hospital

This little house facing Salem Street in Fulton (behind 1536 Williamsburg Road) has always fascinated me. Word has it that the house was demolished earlier this year – can anyone confirm or know the story?

Hobie is a Sergeant-At-Arms for the Virginia Senate. As a fourth generation Virginian, he wants to move his family to the historic area of Church Hill, one of the first neighborhoods in Richmond where his ancestors once walked. But his pregnant wife Melissa thinks a home from that era will mean way too much work, so she wants something more suburban and family friendly. Can they find a place to satisfy both their tastes without breaking their 275K budget?

February 09, 2012
10:00 PM e/p

February 09, 2012
1:00 AM e/p

VIA Hills and Heights neighborhood to be featured on House Hunters

@Megh2984: anyone know a jamia a cox? This was in front of my house on 27th street. http://twitpic.com/8ghmb0<
/blockquote>

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2012/02/06/do-you-know-jamia-a-cox_21396/feed/ 5 http://chpn.net/news/2012/02/06/have-you-seen-this-poodle_21393/ http://chpn.net/news/2012/02/06/have-you-seen-this-poodle_21393/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:10:47 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=21393

Lost golden brown miniature poodle (Church hill)

Lost saturday, February 4th in the am…name is bear…no collar.

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2012/02/06/have-you-seen-this-poodle_21393/feed/ 4 http://chpn.net/news/2012/02/06/foreclosure-on-broad-street_21391/ http://chpn.net/news/2012/02/06/foreclosure-on-broad-street_21391/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:02:23 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=21391 A Richmond BizSense look at recent foreclosures in the region lists 20 in Richmond and 1 in the area.

2813 E. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23223
Execution of a certain deed of trust-original principal amount: $223,600
Foreclosure date: February 9, 2012 at 2:15 p.m.
Trustee: ALG Trustee

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2012/02/06/foreclosure-on-broad-street_21391/feed/ 0 http://chpn.net/news/2012/02/05/nrc-offering-junior-artists-program_21388/ http://chpn.net/news/2012/02/05/nrc-offering-junior-artists-program_21388/#comments Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:47:42 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=21388

[Fulton's Neighborhood Resource Center] is now offering a junior artists program on Wednesdays from 5:00 to 6:30pm for youth ages 10+. The class will focus on drawing and painting from canvas preparation to a final exhibition and everything in between! The class is starting now and ends in May. Our first project will be 2′x2′ self portrait! Please contact Penny Ferris at the NRC (804-864-5797) if you are interested in registering. $5-$10 suggested donation ALL supplies included.

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2012/02/05/nrc-offering-junior-artists-program_21388/feed/ 0 http://chpn.net/news/2012/02/05/alamo-bbq-will-be-closed-this-week_21386/ http://chpn.net/news/2012/02/05/alamo-bbq-will-be-closed-this-week_21386/#comments Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:21:53 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=21386

@Alamo BBQ: Hey #RVA! We’ll be closed starting tomorrow, Feb. 6, for a week so that we can renovate the restaurant. We’re sorry for any inconvenience!

Things for sale in the area RIGHT NOW:

The next DTLR Book Club for Boys at the East End Library will discuss Running for My Life: My Journey in the Game of Football and Beyond by Warrick Dunn. Free books, free pizza, free conversation. Girls are welcome.

East End Library
1200 North 25th Street
Tuesday March 6 @ 4:30PM
(804)646-4474

The ERS’s Food Desert Locator attempts to illustrate which communities have the least access to healthy food:

In a 2009 report to Congress, Access to Affordable and Nutritious Food: Measuring and Understanding Food Deserts and Their Consequences, ERS outlined a number of ways to measure how many people have limited access to food and how many live in low-income areas with limited access. The report used 1-kilometer (km) square grids as the base geographic unit of analysis, measuring distance from the nearest source of healthy foods. Grids outside of a specified distance from a food source were designated as low access areas (separate markers for low access were used for rural and urban areas). Grids with high concentrations of low-income individuals received particular attention.

Supermarkets and large grocery stores were used as proxies for sources of healthy and affordable foods. Based upon these data sources and measures, the report described characteristics of people and households residing in areas with limited access to healthy and affordable food such as the number of poor people, the number of children or older persons, and the number of households without vehicles.

The definitions and methods used in the 2009 ERS report provide accurate and credible estimates of the extent of limited access to healthy food in the U.S. population across a large and geographically diverse country. Use of the 1-km square grid increased precision in measuring where people are and how far they are from sources of healthy food; the 1-km square grid measure also provided consistency in defining geographic areas across the country. However, the 1-km square grids are not widely used geographic units; organizations and communities applying for HFFI funding are unlikely to be familiar with them; and there is no standardized way to identify a specific grid (unlike counties, zip codes, or census tracts which can be identified).

Because of unfamiliarity with these grids, the HFFI working group decided to use census tracts as the geographic units of analysis. Census tracts are more commonly used geographic measures and have a standardized numbering system. (The 1 kilometer-square grids are still used to measure distance as explained in Definition of a Food Desert). A census tract is a small, relatively permanent subdivision of a county that generally contains between 1,000 to 8,000 people, with an optimum size of 4,000 people.

[VIA]

Decayed Richmond has set up a Kickstarter page to raise money to finish their documentary:

Our city; Richmond, Virginia is changing. Old buildings are being renovated or torn down and turned into apartments and parking lots. We do not want the art, culture, and history inside these buildings to be forgotten. This documentary encompasses the experience of urban exploration, urban decay and abandonment.

Our project began on the foundation of DIY, but as the film developed, our personal resources have been depleted. We need help to bring this documentary to life.

We sit here at a turning point in the project. As students, we have put as much monetarily we could into the project from our own pockets. We have currently taken the term broke college students to a new level. Hours upon hours every week are spent exploring, seeking out other explorers in the community, shooting, and editing.

To get this project finished and up to our standards, we need $3000 to purchase mounting/stabilization equipment, sound equipment, and to finish shooting the film. Any pledge amount will help us as we pursue our vision of finishing this project and every pledge amount receives a reward.

New Vision Civic League

Sat Feb 4 10:00 am
Every 1st Saturday at the East End Library. Contact Mary Thompson at (804)648-7915 for more info.

Yard Sale to benefit The Low Branches

Sat Feb 4 9:00 am
Visit 100 N. 28th Street for a fabulous yard sale to help one of RVA’s favorite post-americana/folk bands “The Low Branches” raise money to continue progress on their new full-length record. You will find many unique treasures for the home as well as fine art pieces, The Low Branches EP “Sinking, Rising” and posters from past shows. *Free hot coffee all day* Check out the Facebook Event for more info. https://www.facebook.com/events/234264339986878/

Chimborazo Model School Task Force

Mon Feb 6 6:00 pm
1st Tuesdays at 7pm at the school (3000 E. Marshall). Come join in the grass roots neighborhood effort to bring the International Baccalaureate to Chimborazo E.S.

RPS School Board

Mon Feb 6 4:30 pm
The RPS School Board meets at 4:30PM and 6PM on the first Monday of each month in Council Chamber Room on the 2nd floor of City Hall, located at 301 North Ninth Street; and at 6PM on the third Monday of each month at selected schools.

FREE Adult ZUMBA classes

Tue Feb 7 6:00 pm
Partnering with 7th District\’s Health and Wellness Initiative, Robinson Theater will host FREE Zumba classes for the community. Get ready to move to a great Latin beat and start 2012 feeling energized and healthy! Class offered Tuesdays & Thursdays. Ages 16 & up.

Friends of Libby Hill Park

Tue Feb 7 7:00 pm
Every 1st Tues, location varies – Contact Marion Macdonald at MacMarion@aol.com or (804)644-1347 for more info.

Open Mic @ Poe\’s

Tue Feb 7 8:30 pm
All musicians welcome! Support local business and local music talent. Music open Mic is every Tuesday at Poe’s. Hosted by local CH resident, Jim Daab. Sign-up is at 8:30 pm. Bring your own instruments and tell your friends. Jim has instruments and congas that you can use as well.

Adult Computer Class

Wed Feb 8 10:00 am
A series of classes for very beginners. The series is usually 4 weeks, and you need to call and sign up. Contact Sarah O’Neill at the East End Branch Library at (804) 646-4474 or
sarah.oneill@richmondgov.com

MPACT/CAPS Meeting

Wed Feb 8 6:00 pm
Combined MPACT and CAPS meeting, at Main Street Station, every 2nd Wednesday, from 6PM – 7:30PM.

FREE Adult ZUMBA classes

Thu Feb 9 6:00 pm
Partnering with 7th District\’s Health and Wellness Initiative, Robinson Theater will host FREE Zumba classes for the community. Get ready to move to a great Latin beat and start 2012 feeling energized and healthy! Class offered Tuesdays & Thursdays. Ages 16 & up.

RVA Hoop Lovers in Chimborazo Park

Thu Feb 9

http://chpn.net/news/2011/07/26/rva-hoop-lovers-every-thurs-in-chimbo_18713/

The RVA Hoop Lovers are in Chimborazo Park each Thursday night from 7pm-Sunset at the large gazebo. The RVA Hoop Lovers bring piles of hoops, music, and loads of energy to share with everyone that would like to join in on the fun, and learn more about Hoop Dance. We’ve been having a BLAST

Tricycle Gardens’ Farmstand

Thu Feb 9 4:00 pm
at 2107 Jefferson Avenue

Unity Civic League

Thu Feb 9 7:30 pm
@ St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
22nd and X Street
Call 643-9353 or willieand@aol.com for more information.

Family Movie Night @ Robinson Theater

Fri Feb 10 7:00 pm
Family Movie Night only 25 CENTS!
Snack Bar open with freshly popped popcorn, candy, drinks and more ($1 or less)
Bring the whole family and enjoy a movie on the big screen.

There was a mugging in libby hill park today, around 3:45 or so. Two kids took a guy’s phone. Luckily he wasn’t hurt badly. Broad daylight and about 10 people nearby.

Just a heads up, my wife was confronted on a recent run by a black male who exposed himself while masturbating  along the tree line near the playground/gardens. It was about 8 am. People should keep and eye out. We would have called the police, but recent experience has yielded little effort on their part, but we wanted to let the community know.

Students from Church Hill Activities and Tutoring (CHAT) have created some great logo designs!! And one of these will be used for our t-shirts! We need your help to determine which one.

Visit the photo album and click the link below each photo to vote for your favorite designs.

810 Jessamine Street via Adolph B. Rice Studio Collection

BURGLARY
2/1/12 5:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
1900 block of P Street
An unknown person(s) broke into the residence and stole a video game system and groceries.

Richmond Fire & EMS Lt. Robbie Hagaman said the fire was reported just before 3 a.m. by a Richmond police officer who noticed smoke coming from a two-story house in the 500 block of North 31st Street.

Magical Moving Chair by God You’re Handsome

Unless you drive to the base of Chimborazo Park to use the dog park there, you may not know that there is a fresh water spring in a grotto built in 1895. Today 2 Church Hillians decided they would go tidy up the spring, scrub off the algae, do a little weeding and sweeping.

It was a significant time to perform this small community service as it is February 1 and St Bridgit’s Day. Bridget has a very strong association with springs and wells in Ireland and cleaning such spaces on this day is still done in her land.

Here is what is really significant for Church Hill: within 45 minutes more people and several dogs were helping. One man came up and started doing some of the harder work. Then a family – grandfather, father and son with tools in the back of their truck – drove up and joined in. “We saw you all working and thought we would help.”

This wasn’t planned. No one knew each other but the work went quicker, stories were shared and the spring looks a lot better now.

Sent in by Jan Thomas

The agenda for the February 6 meeting of the City of Richmond Planning Commission (PDF) includes a few items of local interest:

Ord. No 2012-7: To conditionally rezone the properties known as 1904 and 1905 Cedar Street from the R-53 Multifamily Residential Zoning District to the R-63 Multifamily Urban Residential Zoning District (Conditional), upon certain proffered conditions.

Resolution: To adopt amendments to the City’s 2000-2020 Master Plan for the Nine Mile Road corridor.

A Richmond man’s estate is suing the GRTC Transit System for $1.35 million, charging that a bus driver hit him in the face and threw him into a bench after an argument about the bus fare. [...] A police report confirms an altercation on a bus that afternoon in the 1300 block of North 22nd Street.

Longtime local activist and Church Hill resident Rick Tatnall is the first candidate to announce that he’ll run for Richmond mayor. Tatnall, 54, says he felt compelled to run for office because the city urgently needs to overcome its inertia and develop a long-term plan. “We can’t allow four more years of what’s going on in Richmond,” he says.

Rick Tatnall

this bike was parked outside GlobeHopper Richmond for a day and a night. It was not locked up. It has 2 flat tires. We brought it inside to keep it safe. Let us know if this belongs to you! 804.523.8083 or just stop in.

FYI: Patrick Henry Pub has the Hopslam.

I’ve heard that there will be a short VCU Insights documentary on Evergreen Cemetery aired tonight on WCVW 57 (Comcast ch.24) at 7PM. The schedule doesn’t show it, but @wcve says that it is likely showing.

ROBBERY
1/28/12 2:24 a.m.
300 block of North 29th Street
A male reported he and his business, Str8 out of Philly, were robbed at gunpoint by two unknown males.

Richmond VA from Powhatan Hill Park by kurtcweishaar

2218 M ST STRUCTURE FIRE, HOUSE FIRE 11:14 PM POWER WENT OUT…SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOUSE…UPSTAIRS BEDROOM…POSSIBLY ELECTRICAL RELATED

@heywren Exotic bird found in Church Hill this morning. twitpic.com/8da5hd

A Richmond Times-Dispatch article today connecting the dots between working in the state’s least-affluent schools and principal turn-over lists the “25 Least-affluent schools in Central Virginia”.

Five of the 25 poorest in Central Virginia are in the East End of Richmond (#2 Fairfield Court ES, #3 George Mason ES, #4 Woodville ES, #10 MLK MS, #15 Chimborazo ES). Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School is the least-affluent middle school in the state of Virginia. The only neighborhood elementary school not making the list is Bellevue ES.

At Chimborazo, 88 percent of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch — a leading national indicator of poverty — making the school the 15th poorest of the 276 public schools in the 20 localities in central Virginia.

The Richmond Public Schools site has a short history of the Robert Fulton School building at 1000 Carlisle Avenue.

The intro to the RPS history pages says that “much of the history of the Richmond Public Schools was recorded in the context of a segregated society, and the reader should readily discern between pre- and post-desegregation observations. The terms “black,” “colored,” “Negro,” and “white” in this booklet should not be considered offensive as they have been used according to the custom of the particular period. Since 1962, the division has omitted such racial designations from its reports and publications.”

From the RPS history on the Robert Fulton School:

Named for the community in which it was located and for the American inventor, Robert Fulton. The community is believed to have derived its name from the Fulton family which at one time was prominent in the area.

Robert Fulton opened January 1917, with kindergarten-grade 7, and seating for 1,083 pupils. This building replaced the older school (Nicholson) which was located in the flat area of Fulton near the James River. The selection of the site on the hill terminated a considerable controversy which divided the community at a time when the spread of the colored population could not be foreseen. One historian wrote that the school “stands on an eminence like a temple, overlooking the community in which it serves.”

For a number of years, the principal of Robert Fulton had supervision over the Indian School and Webster Davis School. Mechanical improvements (heating) were made in 1955. The enrollment declined at Robert Fulton as col ored families moved into the area between the hill and the river. When the last white school on Church Hill was closed in January 1969, the pupils were transferred to Fulton.

Fulton closed in June 1979; it was declared surplus to the City, August 1, 1980. The building was subsequently purchased by a citizen (Russell Garber) who converted it into an arts center.

I originally posted this on the now all-but-defuct Greater Fulton News in November 2007. It caught some great comments over a few years, which I’ve pasted below for posterity.

29 Responses to “a history of the Robert Fulton School”

posted by Tammy Brooks at February 19, 2008 1:58 pm :
I attended Robert Fulton Elementary School from kindergarten to 5th grade (1971 – 1976). I often wonder what happened to some of my classmates. One bully in particular, that in this day & time would be in juvenile detention center for extreme harrassment and assault on several students including myself. We frequently had a substitute teacher in English, who effected me greatly with her wisdom, fairness and would not put up with unruly students. I wish I could remember her name. As I get older, I look back at my school days at Robert Fulton. I can remember the May Day Festivities on the front lawn and recess time on the playground as if it were yesterday. The cafetaria had the best peanut butter cookies ever. The math education was not very good. When I was in 5th grade and my dad realized that I could not tell time and had to count on my fingers to do math (which I still do), he put me in a private school. I had to take a test to get into that school and the only thing that saved me was my reading ability. I have always loved to read. Being curious, I googled Robert Fulton and this little bit of history came up.

posted by Chuck Morton at September 17, 2008 3:41 pm :
I attended Robert Fulton from K to 5th grade (1964-1970). I remember the fun fairs, easter egg hunts on the front lawn, playing on the large playground, the Christmas play, going down into the basement for music class, and I loved those huge collumns in the front. I only lived three doors down so I could go there in the evenings and play. I used to love watching the bats circle the top of the building in the late evening. I even still have my school class picture from 1970. A lot of memory I’m glad it’s still standing.

posted by Tara at September 21, 2008 12:22 pm :
Heard of some type of reunion

posted by HENRY E. LEONHARDT at September 25, 2008 1:23 pm :
I attended school in 1942. We lived with the Henry Garbers, Lily Hill and Tilly Gill ?? at 5102 Montebello circle. My father was stationed at the Air Force Base……We built tree houses, fished brickyard lake…I may have my old report cards…..
I’m glad the school is still there!!!!!!.

posted by Tara at September 27, 2008 1:50 pm :
I heard of an open house next Sat. maybe for past students? Any info?

posted by LInda Cosner at October 5, 2008 4:18 pm :
I missed the open house but would still love to walk through the school just for old times sake. Anyone out there who can tell me if that is possible, please let me know

posted by john_m at October 5, 2008 4:46 pm :
Fulton Hill Properties owns & manages the school and has their offices there. You may want to contact them and see if they’ll let you see the space.

posted by Rick Colgin at November 18, 2008 2:45 pm :
I started Robert Fulton in 1960. I’ll always remember the annual Christmas Nativity Pagent, the May Day Celebration, the “end of school year” picnic at Powhatan playground, and of course the “Hut”. I’ll also remember those wonderful teachers; Mrs Bowles, Mrs Jennings, Mrs Redford, Mrs Parrish, and Mrs Bevil to name a few as well as the principal, Mrs Wright, Mr “Willie” Williams, the school custodian, and lastly Marie and Coreen who worked in the kitchen. Some of my teachers had even taught my parents years ealier. I was greatly relieved to hear that that great old building had been given a second chance as an art center.

posted by Jan Cooley (Huddleston) at December 14, 2008 8:18 pm :
I knew that Robert Fulton was being used as some sort of art center, because my sister, Rae, and I attending an open house there a number of years ago. I attended Robert Fulton 1959-1966. Thanks to Ricky Colgin for reminding me of some of the the staff and teachers’ names. Hey, Ricky; remember me? What was the school guard’s name?

posted by Heather Byington at January 20, 2009 11:33 pm :
I attended Robert Fulton for one year prior to its closing. From there I attended St. Patricks elementary. I was always curious as to why the school closed. I had always wished that I had finished out my elementary school years there. It amazes me how only spending my kindergarten year there had left an everlasting impact on my life.

posted by valibra at February 10, 2009 12:35 pm :
I missed the reunion last October and was wondering if anyone took pictures.. I would love to see them if I can…email me, lindastanley928@hotmail.com
Many many thanks…

posted by Elizabeth Chisenhall -Porter at February 25, 2009 2:14 pm :
I found this website today and couldn’t belive my eyes. I attended Fulton from 1972-77,I didn’t finish there.I went to St. Patricks for 5th grade. I would have loved to go to a reunion. After all these years I remember that school and fellow students more than the people I went to High School with.I started remembering teachers names I hadn’t thought of in years,Mrs. Ranchbaren, Ms. Thompson, Mr.Johnson. Kids I knew back then. Going to the fire house after school and getting pop. It was great thinking of those times. I would love to stay in touch.

posted by Lo Terrell at March 12, 2009 2:16 am :
well, i attended webster davis in the bottom…there were a few of my black friends whom i remember attended fulton school..
we considered them lucky, i never knew how they managed to attend there.(62-67)
but i do remember the cobbled stone streets at the bottom of the hill.
and going to the top where the front of the fulton school was an adventure for us in the bottom.
posted by Lo Terrell at March 12, 2009 2:18 am :
i remember strawberry..cat who loved baseball.

posted by LaVerne Burke at October 7, 2009 3:35 pm :
I attended Robert Fulton 55?-63?and can still remember all my teachers, Mrs. Chawnan, Miss Kay Fouts, Mrs Talmam, Mrs Cosby, Miss Dewberry, Mrs Snell, Mrs Pence and who could for get Annie Brame:)Also good willie caught myself and a couple other guys smoking when we were in 6th grade, didn’t turn us in, but did keep the smokes:(

posted by Linda Harding Ely at December 2, 2009 2:36 pm :
Memories from the past! I remember those teachers and also others – Mrs. Cosby, Miss Blackwell. I remember a milk truck running over a girl’s foot one day. Walking to and from school, going to the Hut, the playground. Hadn’t thought of all this in years. I attended in the mid 50s.

posted by Rae Levy at January 6, 2010 10:17 am :
I attended Robert Fulton from first grade through seventh I believe (ok, getting old so the memory is going!). I see my sister, Jan, has posted here as well. I can vividly remember the teachers’ names mentioned. I remember on rainy days having to go down in the basement (the dungeon)…I remember walking past heating equipment, etc – which was scary to me! I DO remember a few bullies as well, but my best memories are of the cafeteria. Mrs. Blackwell was my first grade teacher, I remember the principal (oh, forgot her name – but can see her face) playing “You’re too Dangerous, Cheree” on her stereo..buying mild in the little carton, spaghetti always seems to be served with green peas….such wonderful memories!

posted by Liz Cummings at January 23, 2010 9:57 am :
I was a student a Robert Fulton during my elementary school years. The year I completed 5th grade, which was as far as the grades went when I attended, the school closed.
posted by Liz Chisenhall-Porter at February 11, 2010 7:01 pm :
I recall when you drove down Broad St.through Church Hill and you could look over and see Fulton school sitting there,nothing else around it.

posted by David Nelson at April 9, 2010 12:51 pm :
Robert Fulton has a place in my heart as well! My parents, Lucille Hutchison Nelson and Kenneth D. Nelson attended, as well as my brothers Doug and Steve, and sister Nancy. I went 1st thru 7th grades. Some teachers also taught my parents, like Ms. Chorning (sp.?), Ms. Snell and Ms. Parrish. My teachers in order were Helen Redford, Ms. Taulman, Ms. Cosby, Ms. Dewberry, Ms. Beville, Ms. Crocker and Ms. Pence. I did go to an open house several years ago, and the school seemed to have ‘shrunk inside’- LOL. A couple of the aforementioned teachers were present, as well as “Fulton Hiller’s” I had not seen in years. I am so glad the beautiful building is still there, and the neighborhood is on its way back up!

posted by Christina Tulisiak at June 15, 2010 10:56 pm :
I too attended Robert Fulton Elem. It was the first school I ever attended and I was so excited that first day. The campus was so beautiful. Ms. Jennings was my K and first grade teacher. I probably started in 1967 and was there when Webster Davis and Robert Fulton were desegregated K through 3rd stayed at Robert Fulton and 4 – 6th went to Webster Davis. Robert Fulton had great fairs. One year Sailor Bob was there, remember him, and my sister and I had a picture taken with him. Remember the monkey bars that were shaped like a rocket. One year I fell off of them and had to have three stitches in my chin. I still have the scar but it is one of those scars that brings back wonderful memories. We would walk home from Robert Fulton and stop at the Fire Station. They had a place where you could buy candy. Then I had to go to Webster Davis and I remember the coolest little candy store across the street. We could buy 25 pieces of candy with a quarter. They also sold guppies and boy could they produce. We would buy two and then have to increase our aquarium size to accommodate the population. I realize it was a time of great debate among our parents because they did not like the idea of “mixing us kids up” but for me it was a wonderful experience and I have great memories from it. They just don’t make schools like that anymore with so much style and history!

posted by Dorothy Welcher Filkins at August 12, 2010 11:56 pm :
I went to Robert Fulton 49-54. Mrs. Blackwell was my kindergarden and 1st grade teacher (altho back then it was called Jr. Primary and Primary then on to 2nd grade). I remember dressing up for our May Day celebration. I believe Mrs. Cosby was my 2nd grade teacher and Miss Crumpler was my 4th grade teacher. I remember she went to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth (don’t know how she managed the invite). Back then, down from the school was all red clay and was known as Clay Hill. There was also stories of it being Indian territory and I believe human bones had been found. I remember going to the Quanset ‘Hut’ and learned tap dancing and acrobats.
Sometime during the early 80?s I went back to Richmond and wanted to see the school. It was closed down then with weeds growing up all around it. It was a big disappointment. Would love to find some of my old classmates from there.

posted by Dorothy Welcher Filkins at August 27, 2010 11:18 pm :
To add to my previous post of 8/12/10 .. does anyone remember the following names? We all went to Robert Fulton in the early 50s.. June Padgett (lived on Garber St), Dorothy Tyree (lived on Denny St), Linda Lou Bowles (Garber St)or Elsie Allen Fulton St)?

posted by Milt Woody at September 2, 2010 4:11 pm :
Hi Dorothy. I remember you. we were in the same grades together. Talking about the red clay hills; I remember the old house that used to set atop the red clay hill (no lnger there) just across from the school. At recess we played games on that hill running through the roots that judded out from the hillside. My mom had to wash my pants every day. We also played a lot of kich ball on the asphalt out back. And when it rained, we were stuck in the basement for recess. The teachers I remember was of course Mrs. Blackwell, Crumpler, Bevell. But my favorite was Miss Painter. She told the greatest stories ever. I still recall Stanley Dalton, Donald Carver, Alice Taylor, Roger Miller, Dorothy Tyree, June Padgett,Kirby Getman, Linda Bowles, Elsie Allen, Robert Mayer, Alvin Miller and of course, you! I cherish those days. I still have dreams at times walking through the school and going up and down both stairways at each end. I have chosen not to go back because I want to remember the place just like it was; especially the auditorium where we paid a dime after school to watch a movie and had our plays and finally our graduation. And the front lawn…..for our May Day celebrations. I remember all and all of you so well. I am retired now and have a 6 year old son. I hope he has the experiences great times with his first friends as I did. Thank all of you for the memories.

posted by Debbie (Booth) Drumwright at October 19, 2010 3:46 pm :
I started at Robert Fulton in 1960 in Junior Primary 1 (that’s what they called kindergarten back then). I went through the 5th grade and then I moved to Chesterfield County. I have fond memories of Mrs. Jennings, Mrs. Redford, Mrs. Parrish and Mrs. Snell, who also taught my aunt. I also remember the ‘end of the school year’ picnics on Powhatan Hill and the Christmas pagents. It was at Robert Fulton that my family and I attended the clinic to receive the polio vaccine. I would love to take a tour before I get too old to climb all those stairs!

posted by John Hardy at December 21, 2010 11:33 am :
I started at Robert Fulton in 1957 and went throuh the fifth grade, those were good days. My brothers Tom, Ron and Bruce also went there as did my mother Ann. I remember so well the teachers, Jennings, Redford, Parrish, Snell and Willie, we grew up a few doors down from Mrs Parrish on Apperson Street, so we were not far from the playground, the hut and the school. Great Days!

posted by Linda Stanley at July 22, 2011 11:00 pm :
Just for friends and family of Fulton Hill….lots of past residents and pictures of Robert Fulton school classes…years past…
check us out!!

posted by Linda Stanley at July 22, 2011 11:01 pm :
fultonhillonlinecommunity/facebook.com

posted by Dorothy Welcher Filkins at September 24, 2011 2:14 pm :
To Milton Woody,
Hi Milton, I remember u, too. So glad someone remembers me… lol… I do remember u guys playing in the clay at recess. And I most definately remember those stairs at each end of the hall. Mrs. Blackwell’s room was right by the stairs. One of the girls and I were racing back to the room after going to the bathroom, as we approached the door, she pushed me to get in first and I fell down the stairs and busted open my head. She went in and sat down .. Mrs. Blackwell asked her where I was and she calmly told her I had fallen down the stairs. I remember her coming down, picking me up and carrying me to the principals office. I came across Stanly Dalton’s sister on Classmates.com, but haven’t found anyone else from the school. But from a msg I had posted on one of the Fulton’s websites I got a response form Dorothy Tyree’s daughter. Unfortunately Dorothy died about 30 yrs ago from breast cancer. Dorothy and Elsie had been my best friends. By the way, are u on FB? Would love to b ur frind on there.

THe next CHA Membership Meeting will be Tuesday, February 21st, at 7PM at St. John’s Church.

This past week’s RVA Open Source talks about weed, the Dillon Rule, and taking on blight in Richmond:

After that, Jesse Richardson, an associate professor of Urban Affairs and Planning at Virginia Tech, gives listeners an overview of the Dillon Rule and how it effects local governments and regional planning. [...] Finally we hear from Lane Pearson of the Better Housing Coalition. He talks about the issue of blight in Richmond and potential new tools the city government might have to deal with vacant and tax-delinquent properties.

The 4th Annual Union Hill Brunswick Stew & Feast

Sun Jan 29 1:00 pm
The 4th Annual Union Hill Brunswick Stew & Feast is this Sunday, January 29th from 1PM. Come to the green space at the intersection of 23rd and Jessamine Streets. BRING: your game face for CORN HOLE!, a side dish, and well wishes for a Happy New Year to share (side dish optional). Free to all

RECYCLING WEEK

Mon Jan 30 4:00 pm

Mayor Jones presents State of the City

Tue Jan 31 6:30 pm
Thomas Jefferson High School
4100 West Grace

http://wotbn.net/mayor-jones-presents-state-of-the-city-on-january-31/

Open Mic @ Poe’s

Tue Jan 31 8:30 pm
All musicians welcome! Support local business and local music talent. Music open Mic is every Tuesday at Poe’s. Hosted by local CH resident, Jim Daab. Sign-up is at 8:30 pm. Bring your own instruments and tell your friends. Jim has instruments and congas that you can use as well.

Adult Computer Class

Wed Feb 1 10:00 am
A series of classes for very beginners. The series is usually 4 weeks, and you need to call and sign up. Contact Sarah O’Neill at the East End Branch Library at (804) 646-4474 or
sarah.oneill@richmondgov.com

Amazing Grace Lecture and Reception with Kevin Powell

Thu Feb 2 6:00 pm
The Peter Paul Development Center, located in Church Hill, is celebrating 32 years of educational leadership in Richmond’s East End at its third annual Amazing Grace event. The 2012 event will feature political activist, poet, journalist, entrepreneur and candidate for US Congress Kevin Powell. Kevin is also the author of ten books including The Black Male Handbook: A Blueprint for Life and Open Letters to America. The event, held at Univ. of Richmond Jepson Alumni Center, is $75/person and all proceeds benefit the Peter Paul Development Center. To reserve your tickets, email dlripperton@peterpauldevcenter.org. For event updates, “Like” us on Facebook and visit our website, peterpauldevcenter.org.

RVA Hoop Lovers in Chimborazo Park

Thu Feb 2

http://chpn.net/news/2011/07/26/rva-hoop-lovers-every-thurs-in-chimbo_18713/

The RVA Hoop Lovers are in Chimborazo Park each Thursday night from 7pm-Sunset at the large gazebo. The RVA Hoop Lovers bring piles of hoops, music, and loads of energy to share with everyone that would like to join in on the fun, and learn more about Hoop Dance. We’ve been having a BLAST

Tricycle Gardens’ Farmstand

Thu Feb 2 4:00 pm
at 2107 Jefferson Avenue

New Vision Civic League

Sat Feb 4 10:00 am
Every 1st Saturday at the East End Library. Contact Mary Thompson at (804)648-7915 for more info.

Yard Sale to benefit The Low Branches

Sat Feb 4 9:00 am
Visit 100 N. 28th Street for a fabulous yard sale to help one of RVA’s favorite post-americana/folk bands “The Low Branches” raise money to continue progress on their new full-length record. You will find many unique treasures for the home as well as fine art pieces, The Low Branches EP “Sinking, Rising” and posters from past shows. *Free hot coffee all day* Check out the Facebook Event for more info. https://www.facebook.com/events/234264339986878/

Police Capt. Yvonne Crowder said the victim was a 25-year-old man who was stopped in the 600 block of North 33rd Street by a man wearing a mask and displaying a weapon.

You will find many unique treasures for the home as well as fine art pieces, The Low Branches EP “Sinking, Rising” and posters from past shows. *Free hot coffee all day*

Download The Low Branches 1st ep Sinking, Rising or check out their September 2009 set at Live at Ipanema to see what kind of local talent you’re supporting!

Looking east towards the Jefferson Townhomes, before the construction of the MLK Bridge.

Click photo below to view much larger.

This is flooded Fulton from 1969. I’m guessing from Hurricane Camille?

[VIEW LARGER]

@tracytraffic: S St is closed from 30th to 31st in Church Hill for a gas leak. Use R St. This is a residental area & not causing any traffic tie-ups.

There was a packed house at EDI last night for Cynthia Newbille’s 7th District meeting.

The evening began with recaps from the area’s 2 House of Delegates representatives. To ensure that I had enough recording time to get a little of everyone, I stopped the video during McClellan’s Q&A and so missed the moment of the night – an impassioned and sharp defense of voting rights that ended with the room spontaneously erupting in applause.

Jennifer McClellan (VA House of Delegates 71st District)

Delores McQuinn (VA House of Delegates 70th District)

Donald Coleman (7th District School Board)

Lt.Victor Greene (Sector 111)

Cynthia Newbille (7th District City Council)

The long-vacant property at 2230 Venable Street (which burned back in August) is for sale. If you’re interested, call Jim at (804)933-0558.

Interested in volunteering some time? Do you enjoy drama and working with youth? The NRC is currently looking for a Volunteer Drama Teacher February- May, to a once-a-week class for 90 min on Wednesday afternoons. The class meets from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Please email Penny Ferris- penny@nrccafe.org – or call the NRC (804) 864-5797, if you are interested in this opportunity.

We hope you will join us and celebrate the coming year with your neighbors in Union Hill. This year we’re doubling the gumbo in response to demand!! There’ll be vegeterian options again this year!

Contact Jesse Kell or Matt Conrad with any questions: kelljesse@gmail.com and matthewconrad@gmail.com

River City goes in search of RVA’s best spicy dishes, local favorites Alamo BBQ get the cover.

Three days later, according to witnesses, Tillar accosted Cobb in the Fairfield Court public housing complex in the city’s East End and said something like, “What was that stuff you said on Facebook to my girl?” Ultimately, Tillar shot Cobb in the back, fatally wounding him. [...] It took a Richmond Circuit Court jury about 20 minutes on Monday to find Tillar, 21, guilty of second-degree murder and a related firearm charge in Cobb’s death.

Harold Messler sent in an amazing photo:

You did a story a few years ago about a store that was destroyed by fire at 600 North 28th Street.

I thought that you would like to see what the store looked like when I lived there. My parents had this store from the 1940’s until 1968. I lived over top of the store for seventeen years and I worked for my parents.

Some of the old timers might remember us.

Councilwoman Cynthia I. Newbille will host a meeting in the East End 7th District at EDI on 25th Street this Wednesday, January 25, 2012 from 6:30-8PM.

Topics and Invited Guests:

Virginia General Assembly Legislative Updates
- Jennifer L. McClellan, Delegate (VA House of Delegates 71st District)
- Delores L. McQuinn, Delegate (VA House of Delegates 70th District)

Richmond East End 7th District – Public Safety Report
- Captain Sybil D. El-Amin, Commander (RPD 1st Police Precinct)

Richmond East End 7th District Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Projects and Updates

For more information, please contact The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, East End 7th District, at 804.646.3012; or cynthia.newbille@richmondgov.com.

The East End is the 7th District (along with most of Shockoe Slip and Tobacco Row). Most everything west of Mechanicsville Turnpike is in the 6th District.

MAYOR

Four years ago, Dwight Jones garnered 39% of the city-wide vote in a split 5 person race to see who would follow Doug Wilder as mayor of Richmond. Bill Pantele rolled up 2nd with 33%, trailed by Robert Grey at 21%. Paul Goldman, Lawrence Williams, and Write-in split the remaining 7% of the vote.

In 2008, Jones grabbed 57% of the 7th District vote in the mayoral contest. Grey brought up 2nd place with 19%.

Mayor Jones has not announced that he will be seeking re-election in 2012, but he has a lot of money on hand and is acting like he will be in the running. No other candidates have yet surfaced.

7TH DISTRICT

Council Representative Delores McQuinn held her office in 2008 by taking 79% of the vote. Betty Squire was appointed on February 9, 2009, by City Council to fill the Seventh District seat following the resignation of Delores L. McQuinn after being elected to serve in the Virginia House of Delegates. Cynthia Newbille won election to the City Council seat in November 2009 with 52% of the vote in a 6-person race.

Donald Coleman took 66% of the vote in a 3-way race for the School Board seat.

6TH DISTRICT

Council Representative Ellen Robertson ran unopposed in 2008. Chandra Smith took 58% of the vote in the contest with Art Burton for the School Board seat. Chandra Smith might not be running in 2012.

The Richmond Police Department has identified the victim in the South Side homicide that occurred late yesterday afternoon.

At 4:20 p.m. officers responded to a shooting in the 3000 block of Columbia Street. When officers arrived, they found Adl Musa Johnson, 22, lying on a sidewalk with an apparent gunshot wound. Johnson, who lived in the 1900 block of Raven Street, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers caught and detained a possible suspect several blocks away from the homicide and he is being held for questioning. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who has information to help in this homicide investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both methods are anonymous.