A reader at 26th and Broad has a question:

Has anyone else had any sewer back-ups recently, particularly Wednesday, January 18 or Thursday, January 19? We have had sewer back-ups in English basement areas at 26th and Broad, and so far the city says it is not their problem. However, they’ve had the 2500 block of East Grace Street torn up for sewer problems for three weeks now, and I am wondering if this is related, as it is in the 2500 block of East Broad. Has anyone else in the immediate vicinity had any problems – especially if you have an English basement apartment, or even just a drain in your basement? It might be a coincidence, but I’m curious to hear if anyone else has had problems in the last few days. Thanks!

We are interested in knowing if anyone in C.H. has gone through the process of closing part of an alley. We’ve observed that there are many unused secondary allies in C.H. that have been closed off. Would like to hear from anyone who has attempted this process with the City. We would appreciate any helpful tips that might be useful in our attempt to do the same. You may email us directly at cpandmg2@verizon.net. Thank you.

I am interested in finding a place in Church Hill where I can open a small shop that sells deli sandwiches, desserts along with coffee, tea and drinks. I am looking for about 800-1000 square feet of space.

I could consider more depending on the location. I need some traffic in order to consider more space. I am interested in opening a shop that makes homemade desserts and pastries as well as sells sandwiches-deli and panini.

The only area that comes to mind for me is the stretch of storefronts on 25th Street between Venable Street and R Street. Anybody else got any suggestions?

We are expecting our first baby in November. We are looking to hear about options that others have used in regards to childcare. We are inteterested in all options (in home, nanny share, and daycare). We would prefer a smaller, higher staff to child ratio, but of course money is a primary concern as well.

My boyfriend and I have an 11 month old Staffordshire and we are expecting a baby at the end of October. We are looking for a 2 or 3 bedroom house/apartment to accommodate our little family on a budget of $1000/month at maximum. I looooooove the Church Hill area and I’m determined to live there. We need to move by July 1st.

I’m not very picky. All I’m looking for is comfortable space for a bedroom, a man cave, and a nursery, although we can do without the man cave– a space big enough to accommodate a dog and a baby. We want to move somewhere that we can live for a long time, rather than move after one year. We are both 24 year-old full time employed social workers, responsible, tidy adults.

HVAC company recommendations wanted. Does anyone have a fairly long-term relationship with an HVAC business with whom they are happy? We need a repair and have an annual service agreement with a company that does not return phone calls. Very frustrating.

Teresa asks: “Can anyone tell me who/where to contact to complain about speeding down 25th between Venable and M street?”

Seeking house/petsitter—great house, lots of animals but well-behaved, wifi, FIOS. I’m a little obsessive about this stuff, so will want references, etc. Rate negotiable. If you’re interested, email kprehn1971@gmail.com.

My cousin is moving here with two friends. They want to live in Church Hill. Looking for a three bedroom in the $1,000 range. Does anyone know of such a space??

I don’t really know the rental market in the neighborhood… Is this realistic?

What’s the best way to find an English basement apt in the Church Hill area? Craigslist, CHPN classifieds, Civic Assoc?

It’s our first winter up here on the Hill and we are using our fireplaces a lot already. We have one recommendation from a neighbor for a wood source and our first load was good. Still, I’d like to have two or three options, just in case. Any suggestions?

Does anyone have coal in their basement? I need a small bin worth for a joke this Christmas and no one sells coal in Richmond anymore. Guess no one is naughty enough? Contact me at cadmerch@yahoo.com and I will pick it up. I will need the coal by next Tuesday.

I’m looking for a good place to give 4 used winter warm coats to. I’m taking a bunch of clothes to the thrift store, but would like to see the coats end up in the hands of someone that needs them for free. I’d prefer a local (Church Hill area) group.

Just curious if anyone knows about all the lights, camera, action! going on at Furman Park – trailers & “Crew Parking” signs all over, as well as signs for “UP” around city hall east. What’s up?

This has to be part of the Lifetime movie( “Unanswered Prayers”, based on a Garth Brooks song) thats been around the area, right? A conversation at Alamo today led to speculation as to how Church Hill would factor into a *Lifetime* movie: home of bad kid done good, maybe a wrong-side-of-the-tracks love interest, someone makes a bad decision and ends up down and out… Anyone?

I’m looking for a place to take unwanted clothes that will be given away, not sold. Know of a place in CH?

“recommendations on contractors who have either done extensive home renovations or built additions in our neighborhood. More particularly, I’m looking for contractors who fall outside ‘the usual suspects’ of Church Hill.”

I’m guessing the usual suspects would be RBVA and Jewels Inc?

In my post-World Cup withdrawal, I’ve been fancying myself a 30-year-old, out-of-shape Pele and wondering if Church Hill had a regular pick-up game of soccer?

I’m looking for someone to point the brick within my fireplace fireboxes (2 of them). Fairly small job so need someone willing to take on small jobs. Would require removing old mortar and potentially replacing a few bricks entirely.

I need names of reliable and friendly contractors who can rebuild my front porch with gingerbread trim, columns and spindle rails. I might not be using the technical terms. My current porch is horrid and was built hastily and it needs to go; it’s splintered and dangerous.

I’m trying to find out whether anyone in the Richmond area casts capitals. We’re rebuilding our front porch, for which all 11 capitals need to be replaced, and are having a hard time finding pre-made caps that are the right size.

Any one know of a good brick foundation repair contractor?

I live in Church Hill and I have called six pizza delivery places and all told me they don’t deliver to my neighborhood. I called the Domino’s at Belvidere near VCU, I called the Pizza Hut on Broad near the Science Museum, I called Channello’s in the east end and on the Boulevard, I called Assante’s and I called Papa John’s on Main near VCU.

According to their websites, Domino’s, Pizza Hut and Papa John’s don’t deliver to my neighborhood.

Has anyone had better luck?

[...] I know about Bottom’s Up and don’t care to pay their exorbitant prices when most other pizza restaurants charge less for the same pie.

Monday of last week (2/1), my wife’s car will not start. We get it towed to Duke’s, and that afternoon Doug calls to tell me he thinks he knows the issue & will get back to me in the morning. We did not hear back on Tuesday, but figured give him the benefit of the doubt. Called & left a message Wednesday, then again on Friday, none of which gets a response. I called again yesterday, Monday 2/8 only to find it rings off the hook & the answering machine no longer picks up. Called again this afternoon – same thing.

I just tried to call & see if they were open and the phone rang and rang. Anybody have a more direct contact or info?

I was wondering if you have any familiarity with the city’s codes regarding chicken coops in residential areas. I’ve heard/seen them in the neighbhorhood before, as well as in the Fan and Oregon Hill, but I can’t find any info on the city website. Thanks!

The code of the City of Richmond says that you can’t have chickens unless you have A Very Big Yard, but doesn’t say what happens if you get caught.

Sec. 10-88. Keeping and running at large of hogs, pigs and fowl.

(a) No hog or pig shall be kept on any premises or allowed to go at large within the city, provided that hogs and pigs may be kept at the Maymont Park as educational exhibitions.

(b) No person shall keep, place or maintain fowl on any parcel of real property in the city which contains less than 50,000 square feet in area.

(c) All fowl shall be kept in securely and suitably fenced areas, and no fenced area or pen for fowl shall be permitted closer than 500 feet to any house or other building used for residential purposes by anyone other than the person maintaining such fowl or such person’s immediate family.

(d) Every person maintaining any area for keeping fowl shall keep it clean, sanitary and free from refuse. All feed or other material intended for consumption by birds shall be kept in containers impenetrable by rats or other rodents, and such containers shall be equipped with tightly fitting caps or lids. The presence of rats in an area used for the keeping of fowl shall be prima facie evidence that such area is maintained in violation of this section.

(Code 1993, § 4-34)

State Law References: Running at large, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.94:1.

What happens if you get caught? Is the city at all aggressive about policing this? Is there interest in seeing the laws change?

The RTD is reporting that three manhole covers blew on the 300 block of East Franklin but puts at about 2AM.

A reader writes in with a good observation (and a photo!):

Why are plow trucks driving all around the city with their plows up?!?! They drove by our house 7-10 times last night, each time doing no actual plowing. While going to Lowe’s, we’ve seen several other city plows, again, plows up off the ground. Also, interestingly, Broad St. through the Fan is slushy & snow covered, but the second you cross Boulevard going west, it’s plowed and clear!

What did you think of your CSA farm share? What farm did you purchase from, what veggies did you get, and what other things such as eggs, goat cheese, flowers, or other things? Where did you pick up, or did they deliver to your home, at what cost, and what was your over all view of it all?

We have those tiny early-1900s fireplaces and would love to put in something efficient for burning wood or pellets (or maybe even coal?) to heat a small space. Has anyone had any experience finding something small to fit in or just in front of a tiny fireplace? Ours is only 22 inches wide and 15 inches deep.

Anyone know how to go about getting a memorial bench put up in the Chimborazo dog park in Church Hill?

Is anyone else in the Historic District of Church Hill have issues with USPS mail mis-deliveries? I’m constantly having my mail mis-delivered after vociferous complaints to the local office and the national office.

I was wondering if you’d be willing to post asking for recommendations for a reliable, honest gutter company to do half-rounds. After last week’s snow, we need new gutters. And apparently another row of snow guards on the roof. Ouch.

Editor of The Times-Dispatch:
Sir, -Please answer in your query column what per cent. of grade are the hills in and about Richmond, and oblige,
B.W.

The kid across the street has a gun. I saw him and a friend shoot off 2 rounds behind the vacant next door and then take off. I think that he’s 14 or 15 and that the adults that he lives with, well, they’re not exactly parents of the year and are kind of scary themselves… I don’t want this coming back on me but I feel like I should do something.

I am taking a ton of stuff to the dump this weekend, and I really don’t know anything about it. [...] What is their deal on dropping off old paint? What about an old axle? For some reason the previous owner left an old axle in my shed.

The East Richmond Road Landfill & Convenience Center, aka the dump, is one of two locations where Richmond residents may dispose of household and bulk items, yard waste, and items to be recycled for free. They will accept “residential, household waste (no commercial or contractor items), yard waste, household waste, tires (up to four with no rims only), appliances, large items.”

The East Richmond Road Landfill has a special place for receiving paint. Be prepared to empty the paint into a 55 gallon drum. This can get messy.

I’m not sure about the axle. When we were discarding lengths of chain link fence from our house, we had to cut the poles down to a certain length. I’ve never had a problem dropping off anything that fit inside of a pickup truck.

East Richmond Road Landfill & Convenience Center
3800 East Richmond Road
(804)646-4706
Hours: Monday-Friday 7AM-4:30PM; Saturdays 9AM-2PM

Richmond Southside Transfer Station
3506 Hopkins Road

Do you know of a company in town that would trap a family of groundhogs who are now living under our toolshed in the fenced-in back yard? Supposedly pretty hefty adults (our dog size) and some babies – we’ll be home for 2 weeks in August and have to get them out before we get there since our dogs will go after them and it won’t be pretty!!

[what to do when the] next door neighbor invites low life in the neighborhood, has loud late night parties and invites low-life strangers to their house 24/7, takes up all street parking, dumps trash all over, and then your tires get slashed after you complain? I have notified the owner several times, filed a police complaint, called the cops, consulted my neighbors…