THE DIGEST: Paddle in the Park, library literary events and more.
Have an event or announcement you would like featured in THE DIGEST? It’s welcome! Please send an email to apitchon@gannett.com. Time sensitive announcements should be sent a week ahead of time.
Petersburg, we want your Prom photos!
We want your prom photos!
The Progress-Index is creating a gallery of photos showcasing Petersburg's 2024 senior prom. We'll be present on the big day to take photos of students arriving at the prom, but if we miss you or you'd like to share your favorite photos of the night with the community, please send them our way! We'd love to showcase your best photos online and in print.
Please email the photos to apitchon@gannett.com. We can't wait to share moments from your special night with our readers and the community.
The VDOT wants YOUR feedback on potential improvements in Petersburg
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) wants to hear from you.
VDOT is seeking feedback from Petersburg's residents on a transportation study looking into potential safety and operational improvements in the city. The survey is part of a study that began last year and focuses on identified area needs, including safety improvement, traffic relief, infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists and improved transit access. The study area includes: Wagner Road from S. Crater Road to Normandy Drive; S. Crater Road from Wagner Road to Rives Road; and Rives Road from S. Crater Road to Lakeshore Drive.
The online survey will be available from April 15 through April 29. The community input received through this survey will help the study team clarify and refine their recommendations for potential improvements in Petersburg and determine whether they will pursue future funding opportunities.
Inquires? Comments? Please contact District Transpotation Planning Manager Liz McAdory at liz.mcadory@vdot.virginia.gov, or call VDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623).
Tuesday: Petersburg Library will host critically acclaimed author S.A. Cosby for free literary event
Critically acclaimed crime fiction writer and Mathews County native S.A. Cosby will visit the Petersburg Public Library on Tuesday, April 23 for an evening of readings, discussions and book signings.
Cosby's popular 2021 novel, Razorblade Tears, debuted number 10 on the New York Times bestseller list and was featured on Barack Obama's reading list alongside his 2023 novel All the Sinners Bleed, which earned praise from Stephen King. Cosby's 2020 novel, Blacktop Wasteland, also won a landslide of awards, including a Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Anthony Awards. The book was also voted the best hardcover fiction novel of 2021 by The International Thriller Writers, was chosen as a 2020 New York Times Notable Book and was named a best book of the year by The Guardian, NPR, Library Journal and others.
The free literary event, which will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. at the library’s Conference and Event Center but can also be attended via live stream, is part of the Lena Whitt lecture series, hosted in collaboration with the library by VSU's Languages and Literature department. Petersburg's Resist Booksellers will be on site selling Cosby’s novels, including his latest critically acclaimed book, All the Sinners Bleed. In honor of Cosby’s passion for vintage automobiles, the event will include a display of classic American muscle cars before the lecture.
Questions? For more information, please reach out to the Petersburg Public Library at 804-733-2387 or contact the Lena Whitt Committee at VSU Languages and Literature at 804-524-6463.
Saturday: Hopewell Paddle in Your Park festival
Join the Hopewell Downtown Partnership on Saturday, April 27th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at City Park for the second annual "Paddle in Your Park" event for a day of family fun and water recreation. Outdoor recreation experts will be present at the event to offer a variety of free paddling experiences for all ages and skill levels. There will be kayaks, SUPS, & rafts for people to try out as well as a food truck, vendors, music and more.
You can pre-register and reserve a boat and time here. Walk-ups also welcome, and attendees can also bring their own water vessels. Attendees are encouraged to wear sunscreen, bring water, and wear clothes and shoes that can get wet.
Saturday: Colonial Heights Annual City Clean Up/Adopt-A-Roadway event
Colonial Height's Annual City Clean Up/Adopt-A-Roadway event will be taking place this Saturday, April 27th from 8 a.m. to noon. The event will kick-off at the local community center, located at 157 Roanoke Avenue. If you'd like to attend, you can register yourself or your group here.
Free breakfast items and a free t-shirt will be available for volunteers at the event. All necessary materials will be provided. Questions? Please call the Public Works Department at (804) 520-9372 or email dixonp@colonialheightsva.gov.
This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: THE DIGEST: Paddle in the Park, library literary events and more.
