RVANews

Goin’ Bananas closes up shop

Alison Brown — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 12:02:47 +0000

The fro-yo at Three Chopt and Patterson is no more - from a January Facebook post:

Its a New Year, and a new path for Goin' Bananas.. We regret that we have closed our store location and have decided to go mobile! Stay tuned for our donut truck locations in early spring! Gift Certificates not redeemed with be refunded. Please send your Gift Certificate with your mailing address to Goin' Bananas refund p.o. box 97 Manakin-Sabot Va. 23103. We want to thank you to all of our loyal customers. See ya in the spring!!!!!

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1st District meeting tonight

Alison Brown — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 18:21:24 +0000

From Jon Baliles:

The 1st District Town Hall meeting has been rescheduled for [tonight], Tuesday, February 3 from 6:00-7:15pm at Albert Hill Middle School (3400 Patterson Avenue). It was rescheduled due to the closing of school last week because of the snow "storm".
Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Dana Bedden will be our special guest and talk about the future direction of schools in our district and Citywide. We will also discuss a variety of District and City issues, as well as our regular updates from Police, Fire, and School Board representative Glen Sturtevant.
The meeting will be slightly shorter to accommodate a Schools' meeting on school day start times that will begin at 7:15pm. If you have any questions prior, please contact my office at 804-646-5349.

12 Days of Superstars Pizza

Alison Brown — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 18:44:00 +0000

Photo: Day 4's location was Yellow Umbrella

Superstars Pizza is hiding gift cards at local businesses through 12/24. Find daily clues on Facebook:

The Scavenger Hunt will run from Saturday 12/13 through Wednesday 12/24! Each day we will post clues about a local business and where you can find a SuperstarsPizza Gift Card! Find the Gift Card and Tweet, Instagram or post to Facebook a photo of your prize with the hashtag #12DaysofSuperstarsPizza

Pleasants moving flagship into the neighborhood

Alison Brown — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 13:57:35 +0000

To make room for the new Whole Foods, Pleasants Hardware announced plans to relocate its flagship store from 2024 W Broad to 4402 W Broad, a spot previously occupied by Motley's and next to Owen Suter's Fine Furniture.

"Pleasants moving mile and a half west, making room for Whole Foods" on Richmond Times-Dispatch

[President James T. Hatcher III] expects the new store could draw more shoppers from the area west of I-195 to Willow Lawn, in addition to its core customers in the Fan District, Museum District and Windsor Farms, Hatcher said.

The move will tentatively happen next fall; Pleasants has resided at its current address since 1976. The article doesn't address potential impacts on Pleasants current West End locations at 5815 Patterson Ave and 423 Ridge Road.

Duck Donuts now open at Willow Lawn

Alison Brown — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 14:44:57 +0000

Eagerly anticipated by its loyal OBX customers, Duck Donuts' first Richmond location opened this morning at Willow Lawn.

It hopes to attract even more fans with its "Warm, Delicious & Made to Order!" treats, facing off against other West End donut contenders including Krispy Kreme across the street, Westhampton Pastry Shop and Goin' Bananas on Patterson, and the recently opened Sugar Shack location on Parham.

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Saturday (6AM - 7PM)
Sunday (6AM - 5:30PM)

Photo credits: Trevor Dickerson

Kuba Kuba coming west

Alison Brown — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 13:42:35 +0000

Style Weekly's Brandon Fox reports that Kuba Kuba will open a second location, on Ridge Road in the space currently home to Flinn's Restaurant. March is the targeted opening date, and the new restaurant's larger kitchen will allow additions to the popular Cuban-style menu.

Kuba Kuba first opened at 1601 Park Avenue in 1998.

Yuletides at Agecroft Hall

Alison Brown — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 13:30:46 +0000

Yuletides at Agecroft: A Christmas Open House
Sunday, December 14, 2014
12:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Experience the Christmas season at Agecroft Hall from three different eras: England in 1640, London in 1860, and Richmond in 1942. Charles Dickens will do a lively reading from his classic A Christmas Carol. Father Christmas will be ready to hear your Christmas wishes. You'll meet characters from England during the time of Dickens, and help them put up decorations and join them for period parlor games. The Williamsburg Waites will gladden your heart with Victorian carols. Inside the house, you'll be introduced to the family and servants that lived at Agecroft in Elizabethan England as they prepare for a holiday feast. You'll see a Christmas party held in support of service men and women during World War II, and Pamela Bomboy will be telling stories of that period. Also back is Signora Bella performing her daring acrobatics with roaring good humor! And the Young Midlothian Singers will bring good cheer with traditional Christmas music. The More or Less Morris Dancers will perform, and craft activities are planned. It's outside and inside, so be sure to bundle up!
This event is our FREE Christmas gift to you.

Westhampton Santa Breakfast and Carriage Rides

Alison Brown — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 17:39:33 +0000

Westhampton Merchants holds their annual holiday event this Saturday, December 6, featuring breakfast with Santa at Westwood Diner from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and free carriage rides from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Barrel Thief thief steals butt

Alison Brown — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 19:40:23 +0000

Barrel Thief's caption: "buttlock"

The Barrel Thief Wine Shop & Cafe had a 10lb pork butt stolen from its smoker last Saturday. It has taken measures to prevent another theft.

St. Catherine’s Holiday House Tour coming up

Alison Brown — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 19:18:38 +0000

St. Catherine's School annual holiday house tour will be held in Windsor Farms on December 7, 2014, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; tickets are $30.

‘Tis the season when the owners of some of Richmond's most beautiful homes open their doors and welcome you inside. To further the holiday spirit, a portion of the proceeds benefits the St. Catherine's School Scholarship Fund.
The tour is hosted by the Richmond Chapter of the St. Catherine’s Alumnae Board. The Richmond Chapter works to connect St. Catherine’s to the greater Richmond community through activities, service, and fundraising to support the School.
All reserved Tour Passes will be available for pick-up at the check-in table of any tour homes on the day of the tour.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a “rain or shine” event. No refunds will be given. Because the tour involves a significant amount of walking, we recommend low comfortable shoes.

Mini Greek Festival underway

Alison Brown — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 16:06:49 +0000

Through Saturday, November 15, you can grab your Greek food at the Mini Greek Festival going on at 30 Malvern Ave. Hours are 11am to 8pm each day. Scope the menu here.

Marathon road closings and GAWS clothing drop spot

Alison Brown — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 17:21:25 +0000

The Anthem Richmond Marathon returns this Saturday morning; road closures in the Near West End include:

Grove Avenue Water Stop (around mile marker 5) will have a bin out for runners to drop off excess layers and return to pick up later. Items of clothing left longer than a week will be donated.

New tenant for Phil’s space

Alison Brown — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 01:16:24 +0000

Richmond.com reports that Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint will be filling the Libbie & Grove space recently vacated by Phil's Continental Lounge. Jack Brown's has three other Virginia locations and one in Alabama. Target opening is early 2015.

Spooky Saturday at Mary Munford

Alison Brown — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 15:04:03 +0000

The 22nd Annual Spooky Saturday Fall Festival & Craft Fair will be held on Saturday, October 25th from 2-6pm on Mary Munford Elementary School's grounds.
There will be food and fun for ALL ages, including some brand new games this year: Grab-A-Ghost, Haystack Search and back by popular demand, the mechanical bull! If you would like to know more about this exciting festival that will benefit the Mary Munford PTA, please email rupamurthy3@gmail.com.
We will be hosting a craft fair--stop by and do some holiday shopping!

UMFS announces improvements

Alison Brown — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 12:50:50 +0000

From Richmond Biz Sense:

"United Methodist Family Services announced yesterday plans to renovate its 33-acre campus at 3900 W. Broad St., just west of Scott’s Addition near Interstate 195.
UMFS President and CEO Greg Peters said the organization’s plans include doubling the size of its 25,000-square-foot school and demolishing and replacing seven of its campus’ 16 buildings" over the next ten or fifteen years.

It may also lease its West Broad Street frontage to developers as a source of funds.

Libbie playground fenced

Alison Brown — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 12:32:59 +0000

Parents of "runners" rejoice: The Libbie playground relocated from behind Westhampton School recently had surrounding fencing installed, separating it from Libbie and Granite Avenues and neighboring homes.

Trick or Treat Street at UR

Alison Brown — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 15:52:45 +0000

Halloween is just around the corner, but there’s no reason to be spooked. Bring your tiny ghosts and ghouls to the University of Richmond’s 16th annual “Trick or Treat Street.” This community-wide service event will be held Oct. 26 from 12:30-4:30 p.m. on Westhampton Green on Keller Road, which is off of College Road. Parking will be available on Crenshaw Way, outside the Jepson Alumni Center. Local families will be able to enjoy food, magicians, games and contests presented by costume-clad University of Richmond students.
Halloween is one of the most dangerous nights of the year. Children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween night as compared to other nights of the year, according to Safe Kids Worldwide.
“‘Trick or Treat Street’ offers children ages 10 and under the thrill of trick-or-treating in a safe, kid-friendly environment,” Lily Mawby, a UR student and President of Trick or Treat Street said.
About 1,000 children attend each year to race through straw mazes, decorate pumpkins, have their faces painted and participate in other themed activities. Radio station Lite 98 will host its annual costume contest for both children and pets. Student organizations, including The Sirens and the Improv Club, will perform.
Admission is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or make a monetary donation to FeedMore, a local Richmond food bank.

October Public Safety Update

Alison Brown — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 13:56:41 +0000

Jon Baliles has a helpful Public Safety Update, regarding shed break-ins and other recent crimes in the Near West End.

[The graph] shows between August 1 - October 5, most of the crimes committed in our District occurred around midnight on weekends, between 7:30 and 9:30am on Thursday and Friday, and around lunch time mid-week, and some in the late afternoon/early evening hours toward the end of the week.

Willow Lawn’s #FoodSelfieContest

Alison Brown — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 13:43:24 +0000

From The Shops at Willow Lawn:

Want to win prizes for taking pictures of your food? HERE'S THE SCOOP:
1. Take a selfie of yourself with a delish meal that you purchased at a Willow Lawn restaurant.
2. Submit your entry via the [Facebook] entry form - only one submission per day per person. Submission period ends December 31.
3. Winners will be selected on the first day of each month, selected at random. Final selections will be on January 2, 2015.
We love helping people, so for every photo submission, $1 will be donated to the Richmond Food Bank (up to $2500)
MONTHLY PRIZES:
1st Prize: $100 Gift Card to Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
2nd Prize: $75 Gift Card to Zoë's Kitchen
3rd Prize: $50 Gift Card to American Tap Room

Oyster Roast at The Grill

Alison Brown — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 12:15:36 +0000

From The Grill at Patterson and Libbie:

We're having a party and everyone is invited! Join us this Saturday, 09/27, from 2pm-7pm to sample a generous selection of our menu and a patio oyster roast, Free! We'll also be offering $2 drafts, house liquor and wine. Enter to win our $1 raffle to win a 3 course dinner for 2! You can't beat that! It's our way to thank our fabulous patrons and welcome some new ones. Bring your friends and your appetite!

Party on the Avenues this Sunday

Alison Brown — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 11:35:48 +0000

This Sunday, September 28, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., The Avenues will be partying on Libbie, with live music, kids activities, and beer, wine, and food for sale. Admission is free, and proceeds benefit Art180.

(Traffic note: Libbie between Patterson and Guthrie will be closed at this time)

Third Precinct Problem-Solving and NWEN neighbors on NextDoor

Alison Brown — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 21:46:54 +0000

From Jon Baliles newsletter:

The Richmond Police Department's Third Precinct Sector will host a Problem-Solving Workshop on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Mary Munford Elementary School from 9:00am until 3:00pm.
Come meet your precinct captain and sector lieutenants and share any concerns you may have. The workshop is YOUR chance to tell the Police directly what the problems are on your street and neighborhood and work with us to identify and decide the best ways to address them.
Included in this workshop will be a discussion about the social platform NextDoor (see next story - it's not like Facebook) that Richmond Police are using to better connect neighbors directly with police to share data and information that can lead to suspects and arrests.
Please share this information with your neighbors! If you have prior questions or want to confirm your attendance, please email Capt. Emmett Williams at Emmett.Williams@richmondgov.com or call 646-1412.

If you have not already done so, you might consider joining the neighborhood social network called NextDoor. It is a great way to connect with your neighbors to meet, talk online, and share information that can make your neighborhood better and safer.
Many people are using Nextdoor to spread word about suspicious activity or break-ins, organize a neighborhood watch group, find a trustworthy babysitter or handyman, requesting help in looking for missing pets, and find nearby neighbors!
Nextdoor's mission is to "use the power of technology to build stronger and safer neighborhoods" and it is a great resource.
You can join from your laptop or download the app and stay connected with neighbors through your phone or iPad.
There are already eight neighborhoods in the 1st District that have established a presence on NextDoor: Colonial Place, Eldersile Place, Henry Place, Malvern Gardens, the Museum District, Sauer's Gardens, Willow Lawn, and Windsor Farms.
If you have questions about NextDoor, you may contact Joseph Porcelli at 857-222-4420 or Joseph@Nextdoor.com.

Susan Greenbaum at Jammin’ on the James

Alison Brown — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 12:07:16 +0000

Susan Greenbaum performs at Wilton House Museum's Jammin' on the James this Saturday, August 9th, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Join us this summer for free concerts on the grounds of Wilton. Bring a picnic dinner and your favorite lawn chair for family-friendly music on our scenic terrace overlooking the James River. Enjoy complimentary evening tours of Wilton as well as face-painting, games, and crafts for kids.
Free admission. All concerts are rain or shine. Donations appreciated.

Wine & Whiskers at Willow Lawn

Alison Brown — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 12:04:18 +0000

Bring your four-legged friend to the 3rd Annual Wine and Whiskers at Willow Lawn. The event features several regional wineries, food sampling, pet-friendly activities and live music by 80’s cover band, Party McFly.
WHEN: August 15, 2014 from 6-9pm.
WHERE: The Willow Lawn Plaza
COST: Free and open to the public. Wine tasting is available for $10 to those over 21, and includes a souvenir wine glass. Tickets on sale soon!
Proceeds will benefit local animal non-profit, FETCH a Cure. Event is weather permitting. Be sure to check our Facebook page for updates. Dogs welcome, but no cats, meow, meow.

GAWS gets festive

Alison Brown — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 11:22:04 +0000

From Grove Avenue Water Stop:

The good folks from SportsBackers came out to GAWS [yesterday] morning to spread some holiday cheer and promote the Tacky Light Tour this December. They were rockin' the holiday tunes with dancin' Santa and passing out race discount codes to all the good girls and boys who ran by this morning. An elf left a code at the waterstop to pass out the masses.... don't miss out on a $5 savings during Christmas in July.... promo code $30inJuly

The Carmax Tacky Light Run will be held in Midlothian on December 13.

Goodwill donation box at Libbie Market

Alison Brown — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 11:10:54 +0000

FYI: If staffed Goodwill donation drop-off locations aren't convenient, take advantage of the self-service bin near the entrance of Libbie Market (400 Libbie Ave). You can even scan the QR code on the front for a digital receipt!

Southern Season opens July 31st

Alison Brown — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 11:14:33 +0000

Gourmet grocer Southern Season will open its Richmond location in the Libbie Mill development on Staples Mill on Thursday, July 31, 2014. Expect to find extensive wine, coffee, chocolate, and cheese options, as well as cooking classes and tastings.

Few cities define what it is to be Southern like Richmond. With a history dating back to the early years of the country, Virginia’s capital has deep roots. Much of that rich heritage is reflected in its culinary traditions, which is why Richmond made the perfect choice as the location of Southern Season’s new store.
Enthusiasm for great food, passion for the art of entertaining and a belief in Southern hospitality take center stage at Southern Season. Our knowledgeable, friendly staff are ready to guide you through our unrivaled collection of the finest gourmet food and gifts from local purveyors and international favorites – more than 500 hot sauces, 380 cheeses, 2050 wines and 430 chocolate bars, to name a few.
Featured in Travel + Leisure, Southern Living and the Food Network, Southern Season offers world-class wine selection, expansive assortment of artisan candies and chocolates, exquisite housewares and a Coffee and Tea Bar stocked with some the world’s rarest brews.
But Southern Season is so much more than just a store. Southerly Restaurant, located adjacent to the store and featuring an open-air patio, will be one of the hottest spots in Richmond’s vibrant restaurant scene. Want to sharpen your cooking skills with instruction from a top chef? Take one of Southern Season’s famous cooking classes. Or maybe you are just interested in one of our many fun and often informative tasting events. Check out our bustling schedule and see what makes Southern Season a true culinary mecca.
A food lover’s paradise, come experience all things delicious in one amazing destination and discover why Southern Season is a must-visit on every trip to Richmond.

2250 Staples Mill Road
Richmond, VA 23230

Hours
Monday - Saturday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

1st District Town Hall Meeting July 22

Alison Brown — Sat, 19 Jul 2014 11:20:55 +0000

From Jon Baliles:

Please join us for our 1st District Town Hall meeting Tuesday, July 22 from 6:00-7:30 pm at Albert Hill Middle School (3400 Patterson Avenue).
We will discuss a variety of District and City issues, including a recap of the Floyd Avenue Bike-Walk Street meeting, the special use permit proposed for Belmont Food Shop, as well as our regular updates from Police, Fire, and School Board representative Glen Sturtevant. If you have any questions prior, please contact my office at 804-646-5349.

Fleet Feet Sports grand opening this weekend

Alison Brown — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 21:28:48 +0000

Fleet Feet Sports (5600 Patterson Ave) is holding grand opening festivities this Friday through Sunday - schedule of events

Save the date! You are cordially invited to our Grand Opening Celebration on July 18th-20th at Fleet Feet Sports Richmond. It will be a three-day extravaganza filled with fun runs, workout activities, food, and fabulous in-store deals

Boyer’s avenue switch imminent

Alison Brown — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 17:02:12 +0000

From Boyer's Ice Cream & Coffee:

We are very happy to announce that the move to 5808 Grove Avenue is very soon! Our current location (5720 Patterson Avenue) will close this upcoming Monday, July 21st. We do not have a specific grand opening date for our new location; however we will let you know in the very near future! Thank you all for your patience and support as we go through this move, and we look forward to serving you all in the new location!