Meadow Park (at Meadow and Park, appropriately enough) will host a series of summer concerts, beginning Thursday July 23rd, from 6-8 PM when B2B Band Acoustic Duo will perform beach music covers.
Thursday, August 27th also from 6-8 PM is Sacttered, Smoothered, Covered, an acoustic roots band.
Sunday, September 20th, form 5-7 PM is Susan Greenbaum.
Ice cream treats will be available for each show.
Reviews are starting to come in for Plaza Mexico–the spot at Allen and W. Main St. that opened this past week. No alcohol yet, but early reviews are good.
I had lunch there on Tuesday: Nachos Nuevos. I was pleased. It was fresh and spicy and filling, although I’m no Mexican junkie.
A more detailed review comes from RVAFoodie who orderes the chilaquiles sin pollo:
The dish before me had a nice sauce (maybe part enchilada red sauce and part white cheese dip. Tasty. Wish there was more. The tortillas were plain old chips, but some of them were soaked through and very satisfying (supposed to be al dente, if authentic). After putting in my time at the trough, I turn to Karen. She’s throwing in the towel, totally sated after just one of the three tacos and a few bites of her refried beans. How the heck am I supposed to be a good vegetarian with that kind of temptation?
The RTD has a great opinion from John Moeser (senior fellow in the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement at the University of Richmond and professor emeritus of urban studies and planning at Virginia Commonwealth University) on the topic of regionalism. It’s not necessarily Fan specific, but certainly includes thoughts that bear on the Fan as well as the Richmond region’s future as a whole.
A sample:
The status quo has built up enormous inertia over the decades, particularly since the early 1950s when cars, highways, the Federal Housing Administration, and public housing tore our cities asunder, splitting wealth from poverty, black from white, public school from private school, and job demand from labor supply.
Virginia’s metropolitan areas are beset with localism that jealously guards assets and walls off deficits. This small-scale nationalism blocks any measure deemed controversial. What will it take to get us unstuck?
Part of the solution:
Whenever citizens press for change, they often prevail. The old maxim is true: When the people lead, the leaders will follow.
Former VCU men’s basketball standout point guard, Eric Maynor was selected 20th by the Utah Jazz last night in the NBA’s draft. In a ‘down draft’–according to experts–Maynor was the seventh point guard (or nine total) drafted in the first round.
Utah is a great fit for Maynor, mainly because they’re a good team. (They made the playoffs this year, losing in the first-round to the eventual champion LA Lakers in the first round). Sure they already have a solid point guard, Deron Williams, but this means that Maynor can develop slowly as a pro player and work on areas of deficit (notably his jump shot). Plus, Utah’s got a great coach (Jerry Sloan–the longest tenured NBA coach) and Maynor will be winning games (unlike some of the players drafted earlier in the round.)
Richmond BizSense reports that Cuppa Tea has closed after 2 years in business near the corner of Main and Morris. With the economy the way it is, not many people are looking for the luxury items they sell. Especially VCU students. The article explains how many businesses in the VCU area are struggling especially now that it’s summertime. Who will go to these stores if students don’t? There seems to be a certain stigma for those outside of the VCU area when it comes to “that part of town”. About a year ago my husband and I went to a show at Empire Theatre (home of Theatre IV) with a couple who lived in another part of town. We were both struck by other theater-goers comments regarding the “bad” part of town in which the theatre is located. It didn’t seem so bad to us. How are local businesses going to survive without the support of the locals?
I realize I am a part of the problem. I’ll gladly drive to Panera for a sandwich instead of the multiple sandwich shops blocks from my home. I actually kept thinking I needed to visit Cuppa Tea because I love all things tea. But, now I’m too late. That makes me think of something I saw on my favorite local store’s website. The 3/50 project. In an effort to save local businesses and boost local economy they suggest thinking of three local businesses you would hate to live without and spending $50 a month in those businesses.
If half the employed population spent $50 a month in locally owned independent businesses it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community.
The whole “local” thing is pretty hip right now and I can’t even count the number of times I used it in this article, but even hip things can be pretty good, right?
Next Sunday, June 28th, from 6-8 PM, Tricycle Gardens holds its debut ‘That Potluck’ in the Fan at Scuffletown Park. Thereafter, the potluck will be held the last Sunday of each month (future locations TBA).
Here’s the scoop from Tricycle:
OK, it’s hot! Summer is steaming in that Richmond kinda way. Your gardens are heaving with veggies that you need to share. What else are you going to do with all those zukes and cukes? Here’s your chance to show ‘em off.
Celebrate the magnificence that is homegrown food, and the magnificence of the growing community of urban gardeners. Please bring a dish to share, and plates and utensils if you can haul that much. Donations of extra silverware will be collected for future gatherings. YUM!
Photo from Murden
Famelia’s Deli at Cary and Addison should be open by July 1. It will offer Mediterranean and American Food: Falafel, gyro, hummus, baklava, etc. Lunch hours Mon-Sat, delivery 11:30AM-2PM. (804)716-2421
If you are the holder of the 2009 Fan Decal it will expire on June 30, 2009. You have 2 options:
1. Mail in the application with the associated information required to City Hall, they have promised 2-day turnaround processing, or
2. Go to City Hall room 102 and renew in person (go to the rear desk to have your application approved, prior to going to the clerk to pay) You will need you completed application, your property number of a tax bill and your driver license.
Renewal notices were not sent to many current residents who have a Fan restricted parking permit that expires this June 30, 2009. This was an error by the City. Our Councilman Charles Samuels is investigating this lapse.
Next Wednesday evening, June 24th, there will be an informational meeting about City Old and Historic Districts. The meeting will be at The Firehouse Theatre (at 1609 W. Broad St.) from 6:30-8:30 and is open to the public. Portions of the Fan fall within the Old and Historic District (namely Boulevard, Monument Ave, and West Grace St.).
THE COMMISSION OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW AND
CITY STAFF WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!• Why do we have Old & Historic Districts?
• Why have we chosen to live in them?
• Why do we think they are important? `
• What does the public want from them?
• How can the CAR, City and the residents be better custodians to O&HD’s?
• How can we strengthen the alliance between the CAR, City and residents?
The park itself is not for sale, but lots of other cool stuff will be.
This Saturday morning, from 8:30-2, friends and neighbors of Paradise Park (an alley Park in the Fan between Floyd and Grove and Allen and Vine) will hold a ‘park sale’ with a portion of all sales going to support the renovation of the Park. Come on out to find ‘deals and steals’ and to see this gem of a modernist park design.
Or if you are interested in cleaning out your closets or basements, it’s not too late to reserve a spot at the sale. Contact Donna Joyce (donnajoyce@verizon.net) if interested.
