Nominate your James River heroes to be rewarded at The Boathouse

The Friends of the James River Park are partnering with The Boathouse at Rockett’s Landing to promote a new contest aimed at celebrating individuals, organizations, and community groups that make the James in Richmond a better place for us all.

Nominations will be accepted during the month of February. A simple nomination form will be available on the FOJRP web site and The Boathouse’s site starting Feb. 1.

Winners will be announced on Earth Day. They will receive gift certificates to The Boathouse, a raft trip for two from Riverside Outfitters, and free membership to FOJRP. No employees of The Boathouse or FOJRP board members are eligible and Friends board members will be the judges.

Who will you nominate? Here’s a great opportunity for river-lovers to show some love to those who’ve made the James River such a wonderful treasure for our region. If you aren’t a member of the Friend of the James River Park, this is your chance to join and make a difference.

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If stone flies are good measure, James water quality is improving

The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing and Friends of the James River Park  christened “Deepwater Sponger” at its new James Riverside home Thursday evening and heard an update on water quality issues.

Speeches on the importance of water quality and conservation from Charles Ponticello, the creator of the sculpture, and Anne Wright, Assistant Professor of Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University.

In an interview the following day, Wright said the event had a great turnout.  “I figured it as a pretty literate group on the topic of water quality,” Wright said of the gathering, which she estimated was about 80 people, including many members of the FOJRP (she is on the group’s board) and many members of the art community, there in support of Ponticello.

“There is a high quality community of bugs in the Falls of the James River,” Wright said, referring to research conducted by VCU.  “You can tell a lot about the quality of water with insects.

“I’m an aquatic insect geek,” she said. Aquatic insects are in their larval stage in the water and “that’s what fish eat…it’s a good measuring stick for the health of the water.” It indicates that the water quality is improving and that there is more food available to animals that depend on the river.

During the evening, she said that James River Park manager Ralph White noticed stone flies on the windows of The Boathouse.  That particular insect hatches in the dead of winter, Wright said. “Water quality has to be high to support an insect like stone flies,” and for whatever reason, the water temperature is cold enough in Richmond to support that population.

Wright mentioned that she and others are hoping to organize a lecture series for the Richmond area to further discuss environmental issues pertaining to the James River.

Water quality & “Deepwater Sponger” talk of The Boathouse

The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing and Friends of the James River Park will welcome “Deepwater Sponger” with program featuring VCU professor Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. See the release: 

Background: A six-foot-tall, one-ton cast-iron sculpture called “Deepwater Sponger” was recently installed on the banks of the James River at Rocketts Landing. In order to officially welcome the piece to Richmond, Rocketts Landing and the Friends of the James River Park are hosting a reception and program at The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing that focuses on water quality and conservation.

What: Official christening of Deepwater Sponger at its new James Riverside home, along with an update on water quality issues during the reception. Speeches on the importance of water quality and conservation from Charles Ponticello, the creator of the sculpture, and Anne Wright, Assistant Professor of Biology at VCU, who will speak to the strides that have been made on water quality and conservation and what still needs to be done.

Where: The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing, 4708 East Old Main Street.

Reception at The Boathouse to discuss water quality, conservation

From the Friends of James River Park:

Thursday, Jan. 20, from 4-6 pm, we’ll be at The Boathouse at Rockett’s Landing to hear our own Anne Wright say a few words about water quality and conservation as we take part in a reception that welcomes the new sculpture by the river there. See the invitation. RSVP is required.

The Boathouse at Rockett’s continues to donate to the Friends of James River Park from the sales of the Watershed Special featured on their menu. The special changes mid January so take a look at the latest Watershed Special. The Boathouse donates 20% of sales of those specials to the FoJRP — over $4,000 to date. Thank you for your partnership!

‘Deepwater Sponger’ holding things down at The Boathouse

There is a new sculpture in Richmond at Rocketts Landing. “Deepwater Sponger” was lowered into place Thursday. The cast iron figure is a short and stout sort, toting two weights and rests on a bed of concrete that is in the shape of machinery cogs.

The statue is part of a series calling attention to the global threat to the world’s fresh water. It is scheduled to be in Richmond for at least two years.  See more photos and information on the statue at Richmond on the James.

James River wine tasting at The Boathouse

Announcement from the Friends of the James River Park:

Come out to The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing to meet up with your Friends of the James River Park for a night of wine tasting and views of our beautiful river city Wednesday, November 10, 6:00—8:00 p.m.

• Enjoy a free wine tasting of a variety of wines from Argentina, Australia, New Zealand & California.
• 20% of every Watershed Oyster appetizer is donated back to the Friends.
• Receive half off specials on select glasses or bottles of wine.
• All Friends License Plate Applicants get a free glass of wine!

Learn more about how to be a Friend of the James River Park: www.jamesriverpark.org

Eating at The Boathouse can help James River Park

Do you love going to The Boathouse at Rockett’s Landing? The view of the city skyline is quite unique and watching the sunset from the deck or dinning area is a treat. You can help the non-profit Friends of the James River Park just by eating:

The Boathouse at Rockett’s Landing has donated a second check of over $1,000 to the Friends of James River Park from the sales of the Watershed Special featured on their menu. This season’s selection is the Virginia Home Grown Sampler: House made Pickled Veggies, Surryano Ham, Old Bay Crackers, Crab Deviled Egg, Caromont Goat Cheese Spread, and Local County Pate.

If you haven’t visited The Boathouse at Rockett’s Landing, be sure to make plans to enjoy a sumptuous meal with views of the James River. It’s an easy way to support James River Park! For more information, go to The Boathouse at Rockett’s Landing website. Be sure to tell them you are a proud member of FOJRP and thank them for their generous support!

Another note about The Boathouse. They are proud of their waterless uninals, which they estimate “will save 40,000 gallons of drinking water each year.” No downside to that effort!