Tag Archives: Richmond

New job! Bike & ped planner for the Richmond region

My new job with the Richmond Regional Planning District CommissionFor those who know me best, I have finally taken the long-awaited next big step in my career, one that will take me away from media and into urban planning.

I’ve accepted a position as a planner for the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission‘s Urban Transportation Planning Division. My primary focus will be biking and pedestrian planning, but I will be able to participate in many different areas of transportation planning for the Richmond region, which is exactly what I have been searching for. I could not be more fortunate and so grateful for this new opportunity. Continue reading

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Filed under My life, Urban Planning

Sharing the benefits of bike commuting in Richmond

Christopher Long and Ross Kimball (orange)In my latest column for the Richmond Times-Dispatch I wrote about bike commuting to work, something that I’ve personally committed to in 2016. I’m saving money, but more than anything, it just makes me happy!

I wrote about three cyclists in Richmond who have replaced many car trips with a bicycle. My daily commute is approximately 18 miles round trip, which takes about 30-35 minutes, compared to 20-25 minutes by car (often taking very similar routes). Continue reading

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‘RVA Snapshot:’ A shared vision for the Richmond region

deleteI attended the recent community update from the Capital Region Collaborative entitled “RVA Snapshot: A shared vision for the region.” It left me even more committed to helping make Richmond a better place for us all to live.

The report was as well-presented as the event was well-attended — the meeting room at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College’s Workforce Development and Conference Center on East Parham Road was packed. It was also filled with hundreds of the Richmond region’s most influential and forward-thinking business leaders, politicians, planners, nonprofit organizations and community leaders.

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‘Richmond’s Unhealed History’ reveals unsavory side of Byrd, Godwin

Harry F. Byrd statue at the Virginia Capitol Square

Harry F. Byrd statue at the Virginia Capitol Square

I’ve been reading Richmond’s Unhealed History by the Rev. Benjamin Campbell. It is a fascinating look back through the more gruesome and dirty details in the history of the settlement and development of Virginia and Richmond.

This is the kind of history you didn’t read in your grade school textbooks and I highly recommend the book.

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Help dig up more unfortunately named locations in the Richmond area

A new Instagram site called @sadtopographies is noting the world’s “grimmest-sounding places” and posting them to social media through captured images with mapping tools. Sounds like a fun game to play! Continue reading

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Benefiting from ridding the world of cigarette butt waste, one filter at a time

Cigarette butts gathered at Belle IsleI’ve fought many battles over cigarette butts in my lifetime. As a kid, I used to hound my father when he’d toss his into the yard when he’d finished. I’d gather them and bring them by the handful. He didn’t like it and I don’t think I ever changed his behavior much. My dislike for cigarette butt litter has not wavered over the years — in fact, I think it has gotten worse.

My passion for removing cigarette butts has lead me to many cleanups where I’ve gathered them by the hundreds in places like the James River Park, Bryan Park, at traffic stops (drivers are the worst) and even along Virginia Dare (N.C. Route 12) in the Outer Banks. I’ve been known to tweet the license plate number of an automobile when I see a driver toss a cigarette butt out the window.  Continue reading

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Grateful to HandsOn for ToolBank’s ‘Turning Tools Blue’ volunteer event

Turn Tools Blue

Volunteers with Richmond Community ToolBank, Oct. 18, 2014

I am on the board of directors for the Richmond Community ToolBank. We’ve been working for nearly three years to prepare the Richmond affiliate of ToolBank USA. Continue reading

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