For several decades Kirby David Carmichael spun the plat- ters at Richmond radio stations, first at WANT-AM and then at WRVQ-FM, ran Sunday night skate parties that were safe havens for area youths, held holiday turkey and toy drives and promoted events, festivals and other beneficial activities.

Monday night, the legendary 6-foot-6 DJ known as the “tall man of soul” and “the rockin’ jock” received special recognition from City Council for his contributions to community better- ment – one of three people who were honored.

The council voted 8-0 to authorize an honorary brown street sign bearing Mr. Carmichael’s name at 1100 Front Street in Highland Park, close to the former location of long gone WANT.

Before the vote, Mr. Carmichael, 76, who in recent years has streamed a Sunday afternoon jazz show over the internet, received a bevy of verbal tributes from council members and admirers, including two other well-known Richmond broadcast personali- ties, Bill Blevins and James “Chocolate Chip” Johnston.

The council also honored late volunteer coach William “Bo” Jiggetts by voting to rename the baseball field at the Calhoun Center in Gilpin Court for him.

The vote was a belated tribute to the Jackson Ward resident who coached and mentored young athletes for 37 years in the public housing community.

The ordinance that passed cited Mr. Jiggett’s dedication “to the children of the community, not only as a coach but also as a provider of supplies, shoes, clothes, rides, and sound advice.” Two men he coached as youths, Jermaine O’Neil and Rodney Taylor, and a fellow volunteer coach, George Johnson, spoke glowingly about the support that Mr. Jiggetts provided to so many.

In a separate action, the council also unanimously approved expanding an Oregon Hill park named for abolitionist Samuel Pleasants Parsons, a Quaker who served as the first superintendent of the state prison while also aiding escaping slaves as a conductor on the underground railroad.