Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023

Beginning Wednesday, Both County Convenience Centers Will Be Open for Seven-Day Operations

As part of its multifaceted approach to expanding access and reducing the cost of recycling, Chesterfield will commence seven-day operations at both of its convenience centers this Wednesday, Nov. 1.

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.

Early Voting Ends This Saturday;

Election Day is Next Tuesday

Chesterfield has opened satellite sites at five public libraries for in-person, early voting for the November general election:

North Courthouse Road Library, 325 Courthouse Rd.

LaPrade Library, 9000 Hull Street Rd.

Meadowdale Library, 4301 Meadowdale Blvd.

Ettrick-Matoaca Library, 4501 River Rd.

Clover Hill Library, 6701 Deer Run Dr.

Each satellite site is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. this week, as well as from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 4.

Voters also can continue to cast their ballots early in-person at the General Registrar’s office, 9848 Lori Road, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 4. 

All in-person, early voting ends Saturday, Nov. 4 at 5 p.m.

Once the voter arrives at an early voting location, they must provide their name and address and show an acceptable form of ID. To view a complete list of acceptable IDs, please visit the state Department of Election’s Voting In-Person page.

Completed absentee ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 7 if being mailed. For the ballot to be counted, voters must include the last four digits of their Social Security number and their birth year on the absentee ballot return envelope.

Voters can drop off their completed absentee by-mail ballots at all early voting satellite locations while the polls are open. Completed absentee ballots are also accepted at the General Registrar’s office on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Curbside voting is available during the early voting period for people 65+ years old and for those with a disability. 

For more information regarding the general election, visit PromoteTheVoteCfield.org. 

Henricus Hosting Hops in the Park on Saturday

The Henricus Foundation is presenting the ninth annual Hops in the Park, a national award-winning hops and harvest festival celebrating the long and rich history of brewing in Virginia, this Saturday, Nov. 4 from noon to 6 p.m.

Hops in the Park will feature dozens of Virginia craft beers, brewing demos, a farmers market, music, food, and – of course – Virginia history.

Admission is free, but beverages and food are purchased separately. Beer tickets must be purchased only by electronic payment, so be sure to bring your credit and/or debit card.

All proceeds from Hops in the Park will support the Henricus Foundation’s Children’s Education Fund.

Additional information can be found at the event website.

Chessa Walker Named Chesterfield's

New Transportation Director

Chessa Walker, a licensed professional engineer with more than two decades of experience delivering transportation projects from concept to construction, has been promoted to director of the Chesterfield Department of Transportation (CDOT).

Walker has served as CDOT’s assistant director since September 2020. She joined Chesterfield as a senior engineer in April 2016 following nearly 15 years in the private sector with Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc.

Walker’s expertise has helped Chesterfield successfully navigate the competitive process for obtaining state and federal transportation funding, doubling it from $350 million to $700 million over the past four years.

Walker manages development of Chesterfield’s transportation project pipeline, which includes $2 million in ongoing planning studies, working effectively with County Administration and the Board of Supervisors to achieve consensus-based solutions and identify strategies to fund them.

Join Bermuda District Supervisor Jim Ingle

for Community Conversations in November

Bermuda District Supervisor Jim Ingle will host a series of community conversations with residents next month. Citizens will have the opportunity to ask questions, share thoughts about topics or issues in the community, and discuss solutions.

The meetings will be held on the following dates:

Thursday, Nov. 9, Chester Library, 2-3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 14, Thomas Dale High School Main Campus Library, 6:30-8 p.m.

To learn more and to sign up for one of the discussions, please visit the county's website.

FRIDAY

Manchester at Cosby, 7

L.C. Bird at Midlothian, 7

James River at Clover Hill, 7

Dinwiddie at Matoaca, 7

Huguenot at Monacan, 7

Thomas Dale at Petersburg, 7

Learn About Provincetown Drive Sidewalk

Project at Community Meeting Wednesday

Join the Chesterfield Department of Transportation this Wednesday, Nov. 1 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at A.M. Davis Elementary School for a community information meeting regarding the Provincetown Dr. Sidewalk Project.

This is an informal open-house, in-person public meeting so please come anytime between 6 and 7:30 p.m. Chesterfield staff will be on site to review and discuss the proposed project plans and schedule. No formal presentation will be given.

To learn more about this project, visit the county's website.

Attend Online Author Talk Wednesday

with 'Full House' Star John Stamos

Join Chesterfield County Public Library (CCPL) for an intimate conversation with "Full House" star John Stamos, as he leads us through his incredibly moving and vulnerable memoir, If You Would Have Told Me, this Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. via digital livestream.

A universal story about friendship, love, loss, and the courage to embrace love once more, John Stamos’s memoir is filled with some of the most memorable names in Hollywood, both old and new. Funny, deeply poignant, and brutally honest, If You Would Have Told Me is a portrait of a boy who went from believing in Disney magic to a man who learns that we have to create our own magical moments in life.

Register and view more of CCPL's Author Talks by visiting the event website.

In an article posted to the Chesterfield On Point blog, you can learn more about Cornelius Mimms, the first African American elected to serve on the Board of Supervisors.

Born into slavery in the shadow of the capital of the Confederacy, Mimms overcame countless obstacles to leave a towering legacy of public service. He represented Midlothian on the board from 1881-83 and from 1887-89.

Last Saturday, the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia’s African American History Committee unveiled the county museum’s first permanent African American exhibit, titled “Cornelius Mimms – A Trailblazer.”  

Several of Mimms’ descendants attended the unveiling ceremony. 

On the latest episode of Chesterfield Behind the Mic, which drops tomorrow, we welcome Chesterfield recording artist Carrie Brockwell back to the show to get an update on how the last year has gone in her career, what’s it like to transition back to being a high school student while also playing gigs, and where she sees things heading in the coming months.

Police, Fire and EMS Square Off

Nov. 6 in Public Safety Bowl

It's that time of year again! You don't want to miss Chesterfield's Public Safety Bowl next Monday, Nov. 6 at Monacan High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Representatives of the Chesterfield Police Department will face their counterparts from Chesterfield Fire and EMS in a flag football game that has become an annual tradition.

And what's the cost of admission to this sizzling showdown of boots and badges? It's free with the donation of a canned food item — because we believe in supporting our community as much as we believe in good-natured rivalry.

So, bring your laughter and your canned goods, and let's set this event ablaze (metaphorically speaking, of course)!

Chesterfield's Annual Veterans Day

Ceremony Will Take Place Nov. 11

Chesterfield County and the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia will host the annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m.

It will be held in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Building at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Rd.

Please join us as we honor our veterans and recognize their service to the country.

Chesterfield Hosting Caregiver Cafe

at Stonebridge Recreation Center

Are you a family caregiver? Chesterfield County and the Council on Aging are hosting a Caregiver Café next Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

There will be mini presentations and table conversations from experts on various topics such as Caregiver Wellness, Medicaid/Medicare 101, Brain Health, Elder Law, and more. There will also be a vendor fair. Refreshments will be provided.

This event will take place at the Stonebridge Recreation Center, 230 Karl Linn Dr. Feel free to come by anytime between 4 and 7.

Reach out to Aging Resources to register at AgingResources@chesterfield.gov or by calling (804) 717-6592. 

Prospective Grant Applicants Can

Attend Nov. 14 Information Session

Chesterfield's Department of Community Enhancement is accepting applications for the Community Development Block Grant (CBDG)/Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) grant programs for fiscal year 2025, which begins July 1, 2024.

An information session with Community Enhancement staff will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023 at 11 a.m., in-person and via Microsoft Teams. The session will provide an overview of the CDBG and HOME grant programs, eligibility criteria, general submittal requirements and instructions for submission. To participate in the information session, register by 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023.



All applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the information session. First-time applicants are required to attend the information session.

Organizations may submit their application online. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.

For more information, email Community Enhancement at CEgrants@chesterfield.gov.

This guy is smiley Scooby!

Scooby has the cutest shark teeth! Too bad there is no such thing as doggy braces!

Scooby is very calm, walks well on a leash, and really enjoys treats. He has a unique personality that keeps us laughing. He does the most random things. He just ambles about ... sniffs over here, plops down over there.

Other dogs? No problem. Scooby gets along well with everyone. He is around 7 years old and weighs 50 lbs.

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.

College and career fair for grades 6-12

Here’s something new: The annual Chesterfield County Public Schools college fair is now a college and career fair. Families with students in grades 6-12 are invited to register here for the free event that will take place Thursday, Nov. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Manchester High School, 12601 Bailey Bridge Road.

Attendees can connect with colleges (100+ will be represented), explore work-based learning and access community resources ready to support students as they plan for successful futures. This flyer offers details.

Exploring potential paths to college and career is part of goal 1 of the school system’s strategic plan: All students and staff will embody an infinite learner mindset.

Teachers of the Year honored at Gold Star Gala

Chesterfield County Public Schools celebrated Teachers of the Year from every school during a Gold Star Gala. Watch this video to get to know our top Teacher of the Year: Kate Doctor of Monacan High.

Here’s a digital version of the program for the Gold Star Gala, so you can see each school’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. (Chesterfield schools will soon be selecting Teachers of the Year for 2024.)

Nominate outstanding principals by Nov. 2 for R.E.B. Award

In partnership with the R.E.B. Foundation, the Community Foundation invites nominations for the R.E.B. Awards for Distinguished Educational Leadership. This annual initiative recognizes principals who go beyond the day-to-day demands of their position to create an

exceptional educational environment.

Parents, students, teachers, volunteers and community members are encouraged to nominate outstanding principals before Thursday, Nov. 2 at 5 p.m.. Details and the nomination form are here.

The awards will recognize one principal each from Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and

Richmond. Each winner will receive $30,000: a $20,000 grant for school-based initiatives and a $10,000 unrestricted grant.