Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023

Chesterfield's Trunk or Treat Event

is Today at County Fairgrounds

One of Chesterfield's most popular annual events returns today!

Chesterfield Parks and Recreation and event sponsor Virginia Credit Union will host a free Trunk or Treat from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road.

There will be candy, music and food vendors on site. Parking will be available in school lots adjacent to the fairgrounds.

Show off your Halloween costume at this family-friendly event and go trick or treating from trunk to trunk.

In case of inclement weather, the rain date is Wednesday, Oct. 25.

For more information, visit chesterfield.gov/parks.

Cornelius Mimms Exhibit Will Be Unveiled Saturday at Chesterfield County Museum

Visitors and residents are invited to the unveiling ceremony of the Cornelius Mimms permanent exhibit in the Chesterfield County Museum this Saturday, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m.

The ceremony will be held in the Public Meeting Room at the Chesterfield County Government Center Complex,10100 Iron Bridge Road. Afterwards, guests will take a short walk through the nearby Historic Courthouse Green to the Chesterfield County Museum, where the exhibit board will be unveiled.

Light refreshments will be served and conversations with Mimms’ descendants will take place shortly after the unveiling.

Mimms was selected as the first permanent African American exhibit in the Chesterfield County Museum. Representing the Midlothian District, he served two terms as the county’s first Black member of the Board of Supervisors from 1881 to 1883 and 1887 to 1889, post-Reconstruction after the Civil War. 

Mimms died on July 3, 1932. On Dec. 17, 2002, county officials dedicated Mimms Drive and Mimms Loop at the government complex in his honor. 

Chesterfield Has Chosen Site for

New Western Area High School

Following a thorough evaluation of several other parcels and guided by data on projected population growth, Chesterfield has decided to construct its new western area high school on county-owned property along Duval Road.

The selected site is located south of Horsepen Creek, about 1,600 feet west of the intersection of Duval and Otterdale roads.

Among the many advantages of the approximately 120-acre property, Chesterfield will save time and money by not having to negotiate a private land acquisition, positioning Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) to open the new high school by August 2027.

That’s important because the 2,400-seat school, which was approved by voters as part of the 2022 bond referendum, will bring much-needed relief to Cosby High School.

Cosby is operating above 100% of its design capacity. It opened in 2006 and is the county’s most recently constructed new high school. (A replacement for Clover Hill High opened at its current location in 2010).

At its monthly meeting this Wednesday, Oct. 25, the Board of Supervisors will initiate a process to permit locating a school on the Duval Road property, which is currently zoned residential. It will include community meetings, a traffic study and public hearings before both the board and planning commission.    

Five Public Libraries Are Now Open

as Satellite Early Voting Locations

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 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday through Nov. 4, as well as from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 4.

Voters also can continue to cast their ballots early in-person at the General Registrar’s office, 9848 Lori Road, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday through Nov. 4, as well as 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28 and 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 PromoteThe VoteCfield.org. 

Board of Supervisors to Meet Wednesday

The Chesterfield Board of Supervisors will meet this Wednesday, Oct. 25, 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 will begin 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 on tourism and the CVTA as well as the introduction of the county’s new transportation director.

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. 

On the latest episode of Chesterfield Behind the Mic, which drops tomorrow, we talk to Chesterfield’s own Tameka Stephens about her exciting journey to not only try to be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune but how she got there, what it was like to play and win, and how’s it made such an impression on her life.

Cauldrons and Curses: Perkinson Center Hosting Halloween Movie Extravaganza on Friday

Join Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education this Friday, Oct. 27 for "Cauldrons and Curses: a Halloween Movie Extravaganza Featuring Hocus Pocus."

The movie, which is rated PG, will start at 7 p.m.

Afterward, there will be a costume contest. Dress to impress in your most spellbinding and spooktacular attire! Whether you're channeling your inner Sanderson sister or conjuring up a unique Halloween look, our costume contest is your chance to shine. Perkinson Center goblins will be on site haunting the crowd looking for the best costumes to celebrate.

Indoor trick or treating also will be available with a ticket purchase. Tickets are $10 apiece plus fees for adults and $5 plus fees for children (17-and-under).

FRIDAY

Cosby at L.C. Bird, 7

Monacan at James River, 7

Dinwiddie at Meadowbrook, 7

Richmond City School of the Arts at Manchester, 7

Hopewell at Thomas Dale, 7

Midlothian at Huguenot, 7

Matoaca at Prince George, 7

Clover Hill at Powhatan, 7

Dispose of Unused or Expired Medications

at Take-Back Event This Saturday

The Chesterfield County Police Department, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office, Substance Abuse Free Environment (SAFE), Chesterfield Emergency Response Team (CERT), Chippenham and Johnston-Willis hospitals and Kroger Health, will help community members safely dispose of expired and unneeded medications this Saturday, Oct. 28.

The police department will host a Medication Take-Back from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kroger store located at 14101 Midlothian Turnpike. Chesterfield Police officers, Chesterfield Sheriff's deputies and volunteers will be on hand to collect unused or expired prescription, over the counter and veterinary medications. Residents should leave medications in their original containers. Needles, syringes and other "sharps" will not be accepted.

Turning in expired and unused medications helps prevent medication abuse and protects the environment. 

Learn About Ongoing and Planned Transportation Improvements Across Chesterfield

Chessa Walker, interim director for the Chesterfield Department of Transportation (CDOT), recently gave an extensive presentation to the Board of Supervisors about transportation infrastructure improvements that are either ongoing or in various stages of planning across the county.

Adrienne Torres, chief of staff for Greater Richmond Transit Co., then concluded the presentation with updates about microtransit and bus service enhancements planned in Chesterfield.

You can watch the entire 84-minute presentation by clicking on the video above.

By visiting the Chesterfield On Point blog, you can find time stamps for each of the different projects discussed if there’s something you’re particularly interested in learning more about.

Attend Online Author Talk

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, next 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 paranormal activities that have been documented in the county.

The Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia works closely with a group called RTL Paranormal, which has conducted paranormal investigations at several historic county buildings: Magnolia Grange, Castlewood, the 1892 Jail and Trinity Church.

Back when Magnolia Grange used to host weddings, multiple attendees remarked about how they enjoyed having a staff member in period attire to enhance the authenticity of the ceremony. Only one problem with that … there weren’t any staff in costume at those weddings.

“If it happened once, we might blow it off as a bizarre occurrence," said Bryan Truzzie, historic sites and programs manager for the county’s Parks and Recreation Department. "When it happens two or three times, documented by members of the public, I think there’s some credibility to spirits of family members who have lingered there and have a connection to the site.”

Beginning Nov. 1, 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 next 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).

To ensure that one of the facilities is accessible every day during the ramp up to Nov. 1, Chesterfield will open the Southern Area Convenience Center this Wednesday, Oct. 25, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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.

Save the Date: Henricus Hosting

Hops in the Park on Nov. 4

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, on 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.

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 on 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. 

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.

Say hi to Star!

This boy must have wished upon a shooting star because his luck sure did change for the better! He came to us emaciated and in very poor health. Over the past 2 months, he has gained over 20 lbs. He was sullen and subdued initially, but boy he sure isn't now!

Star is only about a year old and still pretty puppy-like. He loves to play with other dogs and run zoomies. Star is currently around 50 lbs. and is a Pittie mix.

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.

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.

She’s a James Changer

Congratulations to Janine D’Elia for winning a James Changer Award from the James River Association in recognition of her exceptional efforts to protect the James River and connect people to it.

As the secondary science specialist for Chesterfield County Public Schools, D’Elia supports environmental education through classroom lessons, coordinating paddle trips for high schools and overseeing a grant that covers watershed education for three middle schools.

Young entrepreneurs

Congratulations to five students in the Meadowbrook Academy for Developing Entrepreneurs for being the only high schoolers accepted into round 2 of the fall Shelfie Program at VCU’s da Vinci Center for Innovation and Shift Retail Lab. Other participants are college undergraduates or graduate students.

Meet these young Chesterfield County Public Schools entrepreneurs (left to right):

•  Reese W. of the Precious Bead Co.
•  Maya T. of Defined Roots Hair Care
•  Anne S. of Glass Memories (participating for the second time)
•  Melissa A. of Defined Roots Hair Care
•  Kileya J. of KMilan Creations

As part of the Shelfie Program, the students will set up interactive displays at Shift Retail Lab, attend Shelfie boot camp, practice their business pitches and earn micro-credentials in business. 

Nov. 3 is deadline for School Health Advisory Board openings

Advisory committees established by the Chesterfield County School Board are one way community members connect with their local schools. Advisory committee members are appointed from each of the county’s five magisterial districts and include parents, teachers, staff members, students and others interested in helping Chesterfield County Public

Schools achieve its vision of creating a better tomorrow. Advisory committee

members who are appointed by the School Board must reside in the district they

represent.

Click the application button to apply by next Friday, Nov. 3 if you are eligible and interested in these openings on the School Health Advisory Board:

• Bermuda District (partial term ending June 30, 2024)
• Clover Hill District (partial term ending June 30, 2024)
• Midlothian District (partial term ending June 30, 2024)

Who’s being especially awesome?

Everyone is invited to nominate Chesterfield County Public Schools teachers and employees for recognition:

• Team Chesterfield members are continuously going above and beyond to connect with students, build stronger relationships, provide engaging learning opportunities and help families. Nominate a Game Changer by filling out this simple form.

• You’re also encouraged to nominate Team Chesterfield members as Someone You Should Know.

• Click here to see the full playlist of Someone You Should Know videos.