2nd District Councilman Charles Samuels today released a statement on the Virginia House of Delegates rejection of the judicial nomination of the gay prosecutor Tracy Thorne-Begland (a deputy commonwealth attorney in Richmond):

“While it is rare that I comment about the decisions of other duly elected bodies, the decision to vote down Mr. Thorne-Begland’s sponsorship as judge in the General District Court for the City of Richmond surprises, disappoints and frustrates me.

Mr. Thorne-Begland has worked tirelessly for the benefit of all Richmonders and to suggest that his sexual orientation would in some way negatively affect his ability to perform the duties of a judge is ridiculous.

In my dealings with him, both as a defense attorney and as a city councilman, Mr. Thorne-Begland has always displayed an excellent judicial temperament. He weighs the facts and the law before making any decision. This is the kind of person we want as a judge.

I would like to thank the Richmond Delegation of the Virginia General Assembly and the other delegates who voted in support of Mr. Thorne-Begland.

The Bench’s loss is both the Bar’s and the Commonwealth Attorneys Office’s gain.”

Linden Street has been reopened and drivers on Linden will be able to turn left onto Floyd, but not right. Street parking on Harrison Street between Floyd and the alley next to the Music Center will also be closed during this time.

Friday, May 18th, is National Bike to Work Day. There are six group rides that are leaving from around the city, all converging on Monroe Park where the Deputy Secretary of Transportation David Tyeryar will speak. The group will then ride down Franklin Street towards the Capital.

The meet-up locations for 2012 are:

Tricycle Gardens
Michael Gilbert, Captain
Meet 6:30; Depart 6:45

Manchester – Plant Zero
Tom Bowden, Captain
Meet 6:30; Depart 6:45

Ellwood Thompson’s
Jennifer Wampler, Captain
Meet: 6:30; Depart 6:45

Laurel Park Shopping Center
Sheryl Finucane, Captain
Meet: 6:20; Depart 6:30

Bryan Park
Bud Vye, Captain
Meeting 6:20; Depart 6:30

Forest Hill Park – Stone Shelter
Alan Cooper, Captain
Meet 6:30; Depart 6:45

2012 Strawberry Street Festival

Sat May 12 12:00 pm
The 2012 Strawberry Street Festival will be held on May 12th, from noon to 4:30pm. “We will have games, rides, great food, exciting music, fabulous prizes, terrific art, and as always the super delicious strawberries!”

http://fanofthefan.com/tag/strawberry-street-festival/

Monument Market

Sat May 12 3:30 pm
A weekly Farmer’s Market at the corner of Monument Avenue & North Robinson Street. Saturdays, 8AM-noon. May through August.

Mother’s Day House & Garden Tour

Sun May 13 1:00 pm
Mark your calendars and bring mom along for the 18th Annual Mother’s Day House & Garden Tour on Sunday, May 13, 2012, from 1-6PM. The tour will once again showcase beautiful homes and gardens throughout the Museum District, “celebrating the architecture, sense of community and the history that makes us proud to call this district our home.”

http://wotbn.net/mothers-day-house-garden-tour-celebrates-the-museum-district/

The Ghost Light After Party

Sun May 13 8:00 pm
The Ghost Light After Party is an open-mic celebration of Broadway show tunes inspired by the vibrant cabaret scene that thrives today in the West Village of Manhattan.  Any & all lovers of musical theatre are invited to take the stage and croon a classic, belt out a tune of today or simply sit back, have a cocktail and enjoy!  Hosted by Matt Shofner & Maggie Roop on select Sunday evenings at the Richmond Triangle Players Theatre, The Ghost Light After Party provides a fun and social environment for Richmond theatre artists and enthusiasts to come together and unwind after the curtains have closed.  No audition–no rehearsal–just fly by the seat of your pants and have a ball!  For more information, special guest announcements and drink specials, check out www.facebook.com/ghostlightparty.

City Council Formal Meeting

Mon May 14 6:00 pm
Every 2nd and 4th Mon – Responsible for deciding official Council action, which includes discussing, adopting, rejecting, and amending laws and approving the budget. Formal meetings include a time for pubic comment and are televised live on the local PBS station and are replayed in Richmond on Government Access Channel 17, beginning at Noon and 7:00 p.m. daily.

LOCATION
Richmond Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street

Frequency
Typically the second and fourth Monday of each month; 6:00-8:30 p.m. (With the exception of August, when no Formal meetings are held, and holidays)

Flight Night @ Secco

Mon May 14 7:00 pm
Trying new things is like hitting the refresh button on our existence: it delivers us from complacency, engages our senses and forces us to question our tastes, values and, in turn, our very nature. Yet, more often than not, most of us will opt for the familiar over the unknown. Every Monday.

http://www.seccowinebar.com/2011/11/flight-night-every-monday-and-tuesday-swb/

Byrd Market (Oregon Hill)

Tue May 15 3:30 pm
William Byrd Community House, 224 South Cherry Street
May 1 through October
Every Tuesday

Free movie at Grace Street Theater

Tue May 15 7:00 pm
The Mill And The Cross (2011)
by Lech Majewski – May 15, 2012 – 7pm
Area: Art House / World Cinema

http://fanofthefan.com/2012/01/free-movies-at-grace-street-theater/

Museum District Woman’s Club

Wed May 16 7:30 pm
The Museum District Woman’s Club of Richmond, Virgina exists to encourage friendship within our neighborhood, provide civic and social welfare to the community, and elevate the cultural and intellectual pursuits of members in the interest of a higher standard of citizenship. We meet each month on the third Wednesday at 7:30 (with the exception of December 2011 – second Wednesday instead). http://mdwc.wordpress.com

Tango after work @VMFA

Fri May 18 6:00 pm
Join in the fun and exotic beauty of the tango with Richmond’s tango community, while enjoying the food and social atmosphere in Best Café. You can also take advantage of half-price beverages as part of Friday Art & Wine. EVERY 3rd FRI

http://www.vmfa.state.va.us/Calendar_and_Events/Evening_Events/Tango_After_Work.aspx

An Artist’s Story: Civil War Drawings by Edwin Forbes

Sun May 20 7:00 pm
In 1862, twenty-three-year-old Edwin Forbes joined a corps of artists sent to Virginia to capture scenes of the war that would illustrate the pages of Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper. Forbes and his colleagues did much to shape public perceptions—then and now—of the American Civil War. This exhibition features 156 original pen-and-ink drawings that Forbes produced from wartime sketches to illustrate his book, Thirty Years After: An Artist’s Story of the Great War. Opens May 20, 2012 at Virginia Historical Society

Recently stumbled across this amazing drawing of The Village by Sungkyung “Bible” Park.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ENTIRE DRAWING!

804RVA is celebrating the launch of the RVA Street Art app with an all-day fest. Be a part of the launch by contributing to the app at 804RVA by adding additional data and researching the artists.

Acclaimed local artist Ed Trask will be spending the day painting the 804RVA Urban Suburban, Arts in the Alley will make a visit and the 804RVA space will be open to the public for a free day of coworking (known as a “Jelly Day”) for non-members.

804RVA
1657 W. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23220
May 31, 2012 9AM-5PM

@danielfarrell Hey #rva, I’ve been working to revive the old Richmond Crime site. We’ll call this beta: rvacrime.herokuapp.com (temp url)

A few years back, RVA Crime was one of the first Google map mashups in the Richmond area. For a mix of reasons, the site faded… It was a neat way to see what’s going on around the city, it’s very cool to see Daniel working to bring it back. Filter by address to get a search close to a specific area, or by neighborhood or crime-type.

As always, a full-featured event is being planned including hors d’oeuvres with beer and wine after the meeting, the annual awards, and voting in of the newest slate of officers will take place as well. You must have up-to-date dues in order to be able to vote. Follow the link to pay online.

Street Food @ The Pod drops weekly every Wednesday and Thursday from 5-9PM at 1825 West Broad Street. COme by and check out Boka Truck, Crossroads, Habanero, THai Cabin, Dressed & Pressed, Rooster Cart, and RVA Vegan.

Lt.Erlan E. Marshall’s Sector 313 April report (PDF) is now available for all points between Harrison and Boulevard: “Property crime once again continues to be the driving force in Sector 313.”

Citizens need to be aware of their surroundings and provide a hardened target. Do not allow yourself to become a victim. Within the past 28 days Sector 313 had twelve (12) Thefts from motor vehicles. Items were left in plain view. All of those occurred in the Fan (see the map above). Please remove your valuables from your vehicles. Do not allow this to happen to you.

Nine (9) residential burglaries were reported. Seven (7) burglaries occurred in the Fan area, and two (2) in the Randolph area.

Richmond BizSense is reporting that “Phil Roper of Whittle-Roper Realtors and architect Walter Parks want to turn a block of stores at the intersection of Shafer and Grace streets into a 10-story, 155,000-square-foot student apartment tower.”

After five amazing years Rumors is moving. New store will be on broad. A yogurt franchise will go where the old store was located.

Inspired by Cameron Holmes’ mapping of of historic photos of the streets of old Fulton, I’ve put together a page for mapping historic photos Richmond as a whole.

This is a very rough working draft. I’ve added a few photos, and am opening this up for use and feedback.

Vote for Fox Elementary to win a $50,000 school beautification grant. Voting ends on Monday, May 7th!

What better way to celebrate Fox’s centennial year than with a beautification grant! The money from this grant would be used to upgrade plantings in front of the school, replace an antiquated outdoor water fountain, as well as purchase mulch and grass seed for the playground and soccer field.

via Fan District Association

SOMETHING MISSING? ADD IT TO THE CALENDAR!

Arts in the Park

Sat May 5 11:00 am
The Carillon Civic Association Announces its 41st annual Arts in the Park show and sale at the Carillon in Byrd Park on May 5th, 11-6 p.m. and May 6th, 11-5 p.m., 2012. More than 450 artists from around the U.S. will gather in Byrd Park to display everything from fine art paintings to jewelry and weavings. Arts in the Park is recognized as one of the top art shows in the country and is an event people around the entire state of Virginia look forward to each year.

Arts in the Park has FREE Parking and FREE Shuttles available at the City Stadium parking lot. No pets.

http://wotbn.net/arts-in-the-park-this-saturday-sunday/

Go! Discover Richmond

Sat May 5
The Times-Dispatch Go! Discover Richmond 10k and 3.6-mile walking courses in and around some of the city’s greatest treasures including historic sites and landmarks, restaurants, and boutiques.

http://wotbn.net/go-discover-richmond-walking-tour-is-saturday/

Monument Market

Sat May 5 8:00 am
First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Avenue
May-August / Saturdays

VMFA Shop Book and Poster Sale

Sat May 5 9:00 am
Three Days! May 4, 5, and 6 | 9 am– 4 pm in the VMFA Sculpture Garden. Books $1–$10, framed posters $30 –$50. No further discounts, all sales final

http://wotbn.net/come-out-for-the-vmfa-framed-poster-and-book-sale/

Walking tour of Hollywood Cemetery

Sat May 5 10:00 am
Walking tour of Hollywood Cemetery. This is our daily “Highlights” tour that is offered Mon.-Sat. Learn about the cemetery’s history, artwork, symbolism and famous residents. Meet at the stone structure on the left at the cemetery entrance at Cherry and Albemarle streets. Visit www.richmondhistorycenter.com/calendar/highlights-of-hollywood-walking-tour for details or call 804.649.0711 x301 to make a reservation

Yard sale on Grace Street

Sat May 5 8:00 am
We are having a pre-move “Yard” Sale
2037 West Grace Street
between Allison & Meadow

http://richmond.craigslist.org/gms/2995488176.html

Arts in the Park

Sun May 6 11:00 am
The Carillon Civic Association Announces its 41st annual Arts in the Park show and sale at the Carillon in Byrd Park on May 5th, 11-6 p.m. and May 6th, 11-5 p.m., 2012. More than 450 artists from around the U.S. will gather in Byrd Park to display everything from fine art paintings to jewelry and weavings. Arts in the Park is recognized as one of the top art shows in the country and is an event people around the entire state of Virginia look forward to each year.

Arts in the Park has FREE Parking and FREE Shuttles available at the City Stadium parking lot. No pets.

http://wotbn.net/arts-in-the-park-this-saturday-sunday/

FWC Kitchen and Garden Tour 2012

Sun May 6 1:00 pm
The Fan Woman’s Club (FWC) 2012 Kitchen & Garden Tour is proud to offer a stunning selection of historic Fan homes.

Advance tickets $20. Available online at http://www.FanWomansClub.org. Pick up at the Hospitality Center (1925 Grove Ave.) on tour day. Bring receipt as proof of purchase.

Tickets also available at: Strawberry Street Vineyard, Compleat Gourmet, Tweed, Williams & Sherrill Interiors and Shades of Light. Only cash/check made out to Fan Woman’s Club are accepted at these locations. Tour day tickets are $25, only available at the Hospitality Center or Strawberry Street Vineyard. Cash/check only.

The Hospitality Center will have limited parking, restroom facilities, light refreshments and a shuttle running between tour homes. Please check the map on your ticket or www.FanWomansClub.org for shuttle stop information.

VMFA Shop Book and Poster Sale

Sun May 6 9:00 am
Three Days! May 4, 5, and 6 | 9 am– 4 pm in the VMFA Sculpture Garden. Books $1–$10, framed posters $30 –$50. No further discounts, all sales final

http://wotbn.net/come-out-for-the-vmfa-framed-poster-and-book-sale/

Flight Night @ Secco

Mon May 7 8:00 pm
Trying new things is like hitting the refresh button on our existence: it delivers us from complacency, engages our senses and forces us to question our tastes, values and, in turn, our very nature. Yet, more often than not, most of us will opt for the familiar over the unknown. Every Monday.

http://www.seccowinebar.com/2011/11/flight-night-every-monday-and-tuesday-swb/

RPS School Board

Mon May 7 4:30 pm
The RPS School Board meets at 4:30PM and 6PM on the first Monday of each month in Council Chamber Room on the 2nd floor of City Hall, located at 301 North Ninth Street; and at 6PM on the third Monday of each month at selected schools.

Unpacking the 2010 Census

Mon May 7 6:00 pm
Unpacking the 2010 Census: New Realities of Race, Class, and Jurisdiction, a presentation and workshop facilitated by Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities and Hope In The Cities, will be at William Fox Elementary School on Monday, May 7 from 6-8PM.

http://fanofthefan.com/2012/04/unpacking-the-2010-census/

Byrd Market (Oregon Hill)

Tue May 8 3:30 pm
William Byrd Community House, 224 South Cherry Street
May 1 through October
Every Tuesday

Free movie at Grace Street Theater

Tue May 8 7:00 pm
Helas Pour Moi (1994)
by Jean-Luc Godard – May 8, 2012 – 7pm
Area: The Masters

http://fanofthefan.com/2012/01/free-movies-at-grace-street-theater/

FDA Annual Meeting

Wed May 9 7:00 pm
The Fan District Association’s Annual Meeting will be held on May 9th at 7 PM at the Virginia Historical Society.

#HI5RVA (WORLD RECORD HI-5 Fundraiser for Positive Vibe Cafe)

Thu May 10 6:00 pm
Join us at the Diamond, for a fun-filled Fundraiser for Positive Vibe Cafe, as #RVA breaks the Guinness World Record for Most Simultaneous Hi 5s! Proceeds from Hi5RVA – T-shirt sales and pre-sale tickets – benefit PVC’s remarkable training program for people with disabilities. SEE YOU THERE! 

Ticket prices vary and can be purchased at Positive Vibe Café, located at 2825 Hathaway Rd. or online at http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t3410

David Rees at Chop Suey

Thu May 10 7:00 pm
Thurs, May 10, 7 pm: Author and cartoonist David Rees, creator of Get Your War On and founder of the Artisanal Pencil Sharpening movement, reads from his new book, How to Sharpen Pencils.

2012 Strawberry Street Festival

Sat May 12 12:00 pm
The 2012 Strawberry Street Festival will be held on May 12th, from noon to 4:30pm. “We will have games, rides, great food, exciting music, fabulous prizes, terrific art, and as always the super delicious strawberries!”

http://fanofthefan.com/tag/strawberry-street-festival/

Mother’s Day House & Garden Tour

Sun May 13 1:00 pm
Mark your calendars and bring mom along for the 18th Annual Mother’s Day House & Garden Tour on Sunday, May 13, 2012, from 1-6PM. The tour will once again showcase beautiful homes and gardens throughout the Museum District, “celebrating the architecture, sense of community and the history that makes us proud to call this district our home.”

http://wotbn.net/mothers-day-house-garden-tour-celebrates-the-museum-district/

The Ghost Light After Party

Sun May 13 8:00 pm
The Ghost Light After Party is an open-mic celebration of Broadway show tunes inspired by the vibrant cabaret scene that thrives today in the West Village of Manhattan.  Any & all lovers of musical theatre are invited to take the stage and croon a classic, belt out a tune of today or simply sit back, have a cocktail and enjoy!  Hosted by Matt Shofner & Maggie Roop on select Sunday evenings at the Richmond Triangle Players Theatre, The Ghost Light After Party provides a fun and social environment for Richmond theatre artists and enthusiasts to come together and unwind after the curtains have closed.  No audition–no rehearsal–just fly by the seat of your pants and have a ball!  For more information, special guest announcements and drink specials, check out www.facebook.com/ghostlightparty.

With all of the security associated with President Obama’s visit to the Siegel Center tomorrow, Velocity Comics might get royally SCREWED.

For those that don’t know, Saturday is “Free Comic Book Day” across the country. It’s typically one of Velocity Comics‘ best days for business. All of the added security and lack of parking will make doing business WAY harder this year for the indie comic shop, and they stand to lose a lot of much-needed support.

They’re going to open super early at 9am on Saturday and give away A LOT of free comics. There will also be a 25% store-wide sale and select boxes of 50% off merchandise.

Velocity Comics is a great store, and they could REALLY use your help tomorrow. While other areas of Broad Street will be closed off, the store itself will be accessible via foot traffic at 819 W. Broad. Parking may be a bit of a pain, but they would GREATLY appreciate your time and patience…which they will reward with some great comics!

Velocity Comics
819 West Broad Street