Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023

Thanks to Everyone Who Attended

Saturday's Veterans Day Ceremony

Chesterfield County and the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia held the county’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony last Saturday, Nov. 11 in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Building at the county fairgrounds.

Several hundred attendees, including many veterans of our nation’s armed forces, were on hand to honor those who have served the United States both at home and abroad.

With panels on one wall memorializing Chesterfield’s fallen soldiers, those in attendance heard patriotic music from the Gill Grove Baptist School and Bonefire Trombone Ensemble, as well as keynote remarks from U.S. Army Brigadier General Patricia Wallace.

Having previously been tabbed as the first woman and person of color to serve as the Commanding General of the Army’s 91st Training Division, last December she became the first female Commanding General of the 80th Training Command (The Army School System).

“Our veterans heard a call to serve, to lead, to follow, and they said without reservation and without knowing the risk: ‘Here I am, send me’,” Wallace told the crowd. “For 50 years, we have had a voluntary force who have said ‘Send me.’ On Veterans Day, we celebrate and honor them because they said ‘Send me.’”

See photos from the ceremony by visiting the Chesterfield On Point blog.

Board of Supervisors Meets Wednesday

The Chesterfield Board of Supervisors will meet on Wednesday, Nov. 15, starting with a work session at 2 p.m. in Room 502 of the County Administration Building, 9901 Lori Road, and then an evening session that begins at 6 p.m. in the Public Meeting Room, 10001 Iron Bridge Road.

An online comment form is available for citizens to submit comments ahead of time.

Meeting agenda highlights include updates from the Human Resources and Sports, Visitation and Entertainment departments. 

The entire meeting, excluding the closed session, will be available for viewing on Comcast Channel 98 and Verizon Channel 28, and live streamed on chesterfield.gov and the county’s YouTube channel. 

Join CVWMA on Wednesday to Celebrate

America Recycles Day

In celebration of America Recycles Day, the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA) will partner with Hardywood Park Craft Brewery for a fun and informational event on Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Hardywood West Creek, 820 Sanctuary Trail Drive.

Come for games, recycled schwag and an opportunity to learn about Hardywood’s plan to switch all its products to easy-to-recycle aluminum cans.

CVWMA coordinates recycling programs for 13 member jurisdictions. It’s cans and bottles and much more. Programs range from curbside and drop-off recycling to special programs for electronics, tires, household hazardous waste and more.

The goal is to create a circular journey for waste and lighten the load on landfills.

FRIDAY

Group 6A semifinals

Manchester at Thomas Dale, 7

Group 5C semifinals

Mills Godwin at Matoaca, 7

Chesterfield Cultural Arts Foundation

Hosting Fundraiser on Saturday

You are invited to Bourbon Brisket & Brushes, a fundraising event hosted by the Chesterfield Cultural Arts Foundation, this Saturday, Nov. 18 at the Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education, 11810 Centre Street.

From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., indulge your senses and immerse yourself in an evening filled with the joys of bourbon, delectable brisket, live painting and enchanting music, as well as a silent auction. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Perkinson Center's Ready… Set… Create! program.

For tickets and additional information, visit the event website. Please note that ticket sales close Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 11:59 p.m.

In a new article posted to the Chesterfield On Point blog, you can learn more about the Leonard family and its more than 40 years of service to the Chesterfield community.

Karl and Karen Leonard, who both grew up in military families, met in 1990 while both were serving in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves during Operation Desert Storm. They married, settled in Chesterfield and raised a family while carving out rewarding careers in public service.

Each of their five daughters also pursued professions oriented around the notion of helping others. The oldest three – Ashley Knoell, Megan Henderson and Alexandra Coglio -- all are employed in the medical field. Then there are the identical twins, Conor Clark and Lauren Leonard, who currently work for Chesterfield as a sheriff’s deputy and emergency communications officer, respectively.

“We were intentional about not trying to direct them one way or the other. We wanted them to find out what they loved and follow that,” Karl said. “But we might have guided them down this path just by example.”

Chesterfield Behind the Mic is an audio and video podcast focusing on the people, stories and happenings of #Cfield. You can watch and listen to all of the episodes at

http://www.Chesterfield.gov/Podcast.

On the latest episode of Chesterfield Behind the Mic, which drops tomorrow, we share some information on how to help provide Thanksgiving meals for those who need them this year, then talk to the 2023 Chesterfield Colonial Heights Christmas Mother Kathy Fox about her background with the organization, how she came to be chosen this year, and what people need to know about how to make Christmas brighter for families in need. 

County Hotline Available for Reporting

Fraud, Waste and Abuse Allegations

In recognition of International Fraud Awareness Week, which continues through Saturday, Nov. 18, Chesterfield is bringing awareness to its Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline (804-318-8000) and encouraging county residents and employees to report wrongdoing involving fraud, waste, and abuse of Chesterfield government and school assets or resources.

Tips are consistently the most common way to detect fraud. In fact, according to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), organizational fraud is more likely to be detected through hotline tips than any other method because employees and citizens have an anonymous way to report concerns. 

The hotline can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and callers can remain anonymous as caller ID and call back features have been disabled to maintain confidentiality.

U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo Holding

Digital Author Talk on Thursday

Join Chesterfield County Public Library this Thursday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. for a chat with Joy Harjo, internationally renowned performer, writer, and poet of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, as she discusses her recent memoir, Catching the Light, via digital livestream.

Harjo was appointed the 23rd United States Poet Laureate in 2019, the first Native American to hold the position and only the second person to serve three terms in the role.

In Catching the Light, Harjo examines the power of words and how poetry summons us toward justice and healing, while reflecting on significant points of illumination, experience, and questioning from her 50 years as a poet. Comprised of intimate vignettes that take us through the author’s life journey as a youth in the late 1960s, a single mother, and a champion of Native nations, this book offers a fresh understanding of how poetry functions as an expression of purpose, spirit, community, and memory.

Register today by visiting the CCPL website.

Support Backpacks for the Homeless RVA

by Dropping Off Items at Perkinson Center

Did you know that the Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education is a drop off location for Backpacks for the Homeless RVA?

Throughout November and December, the Perkinson Center will be collecting items during scheduled performances and our gallery hours.

Suggested items are: gloves/hats/scarves/socks; soft granola bars; crackers; bottled water; blankets; travel size lotions/deodorants/tissues/body wash; hand and feet warmers (Hot Hands); shelf stable tuna and chicken packs; toothbrushes/travel size toothpaste; feminine pads and tampons; chap sticks/lip balms; band aids; single-use wet wipes and backpacks.

Saturday, Nov. 25th is Backpacks for the Homeless RVA's community packing event. Please considering joining us for this event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Explore Early Virginia's Thanksgiving Food

and Drink Traditions Nov. 25 at Henricus

If you enjoy the smell of wood fires, iron-pot cooking over hot coals and clay oven bread baking, come to Henricus Historical Park next Saturday, Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for "Ye Corne Beer and Rosted Deer": Thanksgiving Food and Drink Traditions of Early Virginia.

This annual autumn event demonstrates the old and new traditions of how English people mixed giving thanks for a successful harvest with what bounty Virginia offered the people arriving here, while exploring how the English were influenced by other cultures and places – Asia, Africa, and the Americas – in their foods and feasts.

Staff will especially examine how the interactions with the Powhatan Indians wove a new diet into their experiences in the New World. Pottages, roasts, loaves of bread, desserts, and drinks common to feasting in early Virginia and what forms of thanks were given on those occasions will be demonstrated. 

Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for children ages 5-12 and free for Henricus members. For more information, visit the Henricus website.

Northern and Southern Convenience Centers Now Open for 7-Day Operations

As part of its multifaceted approach to expanding access and reducing the cost of recycling, Chesterfield has commenced seven-day operations at both of its convenience centers.

Recyclable materials can be dropped off free of charge during regular operating hours at both the Northern Area Convenience Center (3200 Warbro Road) and the Southern Area Convenience Center (6700 Landfill Drive).

The county also plans to construct express lanes at both convenience centers next spring, allowing citizens who are there solely to drop off recyclables to bypass the payment queue and directly access the recycling area.

Say hello to Bustelo!

Bustelo is a small Hound mix weighing in at just under 30 lbs. He is around 3 years old and absolutely loves food (I mean, who doesn't!?).

If you can't tell from his photos, he is quite the lap dog. That's all he wants -- lots and lots of cuddles. He met other dogs here at the shelter and seemed to do just fine with them. If you are looking for a super sweet, happy pup, Bustelo is your guy!

If you are interested in meeting this pet, please contact Chesterfield County Animal Services at 804-748-1683, option "2," to schedule an appointment. Office staff are available by phone 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Our shelter is located at 9300 Public Works Road.

Real Estate Tax Exemption Available

for Investing in Your Older Property

Did you know that Chesterfield allows a partial real estate tax exemption for the rehabilitation, renovation, or replacement of older residential structures?

The goal of this program is to help protect and preserve our aging neighborhoods. Upon approval, the partial tax exemption will be in effect for 15 years and transfers with the real estate. The amount of the exemption is based solely on increased assessment value, not the amount spent on the improvement project. There is no application fee.

Find out more and apply online today by visiting the county's website.

Adopt-A-Spot Provides Opportunities

to Keep Chesterfield Beautiful

Did you know your group or organization can request a speaker from the #Cfield Speakers Bureau? The Speakers Bureau features a variety of topics on current and timely subjects from county leaders who are eager to talk to your group or organization.

Our subject-matter experts want to be your best resource for getting answers to important questions about Chesterfield. Topics include:

✅ District update – Request your board member to speak

✅ Preparing for an emergency - Emergency Management

✅ Senior resources in Chesterfield - Office of Aging and Disability Services

✅ Chesterfield Cooperative Extension - Master Gardeners

✅ So much more.

Making schools safe, healthy

and ready for learning

The Virginia Association of School Nurses recently recognized Chesterfield County Public Schools for keeping students safe, healthy and ready to learn in two ways:

• Hosting the association’s 2022 and 2023 conferences, providing a space for education, networking and collaboration among Virginia’s school nurses

• Staffing every Chesterfield County school with a registered school nurse

Angela Moore, nurse specialist in the CCPS Special Education Department and president of the Virginia Association of School Nurses, presented the award to School Board Vice Chair Kathryn Haines and Heather Snyder, coordinator of the CCPS Office of Student Health Services.

Kindness is their superpower

Jacobs Road Elementary kindergarteners are working to become superheroes of kindness. As part of the Promote Respect bullying prevention program in Chesterfield County Public Schools, students learned how heroes treat others, then completed three missions demonstrating their knowledge of how they can be good friends, respectful students and positive members of their community. See more images of kindergarteners whose superpower is kindness.

Nov. 18: Career and Technical Center open houses

Both campuses of the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center invite families to attend open houses on Saturday, Nov. 18 to learn about the 30+ programs available to high school students. November is College and Career Readiness Month, so it’s a great time to see how career and technical education can help students jump-start their careers. Families can learn more at the school website and by dropping in during the open houses:

Career and Technical Center @ Courthouse (10101 Courthouse Road) will have an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for these 19 courses: Auto body tech, Auto tech, Baking and pastry arts, Carpentry, Computer networking, Cosmetology, Dental careers, Early childhood education, Electrician, HVAC, Medical administration, Medical assistant, Nurse aide, Pharmacy technician, Plant systems, Precision machining, Radiologic tech, Teachers for Tomorrow, Veterinary science

Career and Technical Center @ Hull (13900 Hull Street Road) will have an open house from noon-2 p.m. for these 12 courses: Advanced biotechnology, Advanced engineering, Commercial photography, Cosmetology, Criminal justice, Culinary arts, Digital arts, Emergency medical tech, Mechatronics and robotics, Nail technician, Physical therapy, Veterinary science