RVANews

If you’re having trouble finding your local news site try these links

Richard Hayes — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 13:18:40 +0000

As mentioned much earlier RVANews is gone and our new site is RVA Hub. The new URLs will be transferring to the Hub soon but you might need to change a bookmark or two until that happens. You can either go to RVAHub.com or if you prefer to go straight to a specific neighborhood here are those links: Hills and Heights, Downtown (formerly Shockoe and Greater Jackson Ward), Fan of the Fan, North Richmond, West of the Boulevard, and West End.

Ho there, reader of RSS feeds! Do you ever want to support RVANews in a real and tangible way? Or at least pay a small penance for reading ad-free content? If so, support us on Patreon for a couple bucks a month!

Neil Diamond tribute band at Forest Hill Park on Sunday

Richard Hayes — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 13:00:40 +0000

If you need a little more Neil Diamond in your life, which everyone does, stroll over to Forest Hill Park on Sunday. Diamond Heist will be playing Sunday, August 7, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Here's the rest of the Music in the Park schedule.

Image: Diamond Heist Facebook

Accident has Forest Hill Avenue Blocked

Richard Hayes — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:56:13 +0000

X marks the spot of the accident. Green lines show your alternate routes.

From RPD:

Car downed pole - closed Forest Hill Ave near Powhite Pkwy for next several hours. Use Chippenham & Jahnke

Old Liberty Valance Spot Turning into Something Not Nearly as Cool

Richard Hayes — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:54:55 +0000

Liberty Valance was a smoke filled western themed oasis of seasoned drunks that would come alive for karaoke and drinks in glass cowboy boots. It had a covered wagon entrance, stagecoach, jail, and more western tchotchkes than your crazy uncle's estate sale. They fought the smoking ban in restaurants but to no avail. The times changed and despite an effort to spruce up the front of the building including removal of the covered wagon, Liberty rode off into the sunset in the summer of 2011.

Image from 2011 RTD article on the closing.

In my heart I wanted to see it re-born. Perhaps that spot was magical and another themed restaurant would spring up. Pirates or knights serving me questionable steak and shrimp that never saw an ocean. Alas that dream is crushed as well. As you can see from the building permit a Game Stop is moving in. Game Stop sells and buys video games. Pirates and knights will be in the building but of the virtual variety and not the serving me a beer variety.

One would assume that spells the doom for the Game Stop in the Martin's/Target Shopping center directly behind the Liberty Valance building. Which means one more empty store front in what is becoming a ghost town of a strip mall.

Image: RTD

Diversity Richmond hosting an All Americans Summer Block Party

Richard Hayes — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 18:54:25 +0000

Lately there has been more than a little disharmony in the world and our nation. The fear mongering and finger pointing are reaching critical mass on the pressure cooker of life. It's time to let off a little steam with a party.

Luckily the good folks at Diversity Richmond are here to help us out with their All Americans Summer Block Party.

From Gay RVA:

“This one is a celebration of American diversity, the diversity within our own community, the diversity in the United States,” said Bill Harrison, Executive Director of Diversity Richmond.
All are welcome to attend the inclusive block party, and proceeds from sales will go to benefit the community programs of Diversity Richmond.
“The more money we make with events like this, the more money we can put back in the community,” Harrison said. “Last year we didn’t do grants because our building needed so much work…but this year we’re back and we hope to make this the biggest year that we’ve given out grants thus far.”

There will be all sorts of fun to be had including food trucks, the SO FUN Richmond PhotoBooth craft Beer, wine, gelato and perhaps most importantly karaoke with DJ Amanda Rogers. I say "perhaps most importantly" on the karaoke because everyone that is brave enough to get up and sing will be entered in to win a $500 Mongrel Gift Card. Mongrel is a sponsor and is celebrating 25 years in Carytown, so what better way to celebrate than give away 500 bucks.

Getting back to the fear mongering and finger pointing I mentioned above. There will be a voter registration table so make sure your voice is heard come election time and you're registered to vote.

The Force Awakens at Abner Clay Park

Richard Hayes — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 16:18:51 +0000

Movies in the Park offers free screenings of family-friendly films at a different Richmond City Park each week. Seating opens 8:00 PM, and movies begin at 8:30 PM (or when it gets dark). Bring your blankets, chairs, snacks, and enjoy! This Friday, July 29th, they're at Abner Clay Park located at Leigh & 200 W. Clay Street.

You can check out the remaining films below if you want to do a little movie watching park hopping, only three left.

Pony Pasture Turtle

Richard Hayes — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 15:57:21 +0000

Spotted this morning at Pony Pasture.

Common Name: Eastern Box Turtle
Scientific Name: Terrapene carolina carolina
Genus: Terrapene is derived from Native Americans (Algonquin) which means "turtle".
Average Length: 4.5 - 6 in. (11.5 - 15.2 cm)
Virginia Record Length: 6.1 in. (15.6 cm)
Record length: 7.8 in. (19.8 cm)

REPRODUCTION: In Virginia, box turtles usually have one clutch of 2-7 eggs per year In the wild, mating has been observed in April-October, while nesting usually occurs May through July. Some delayed fertilization has been noted. Smallest male and female at maturity was 110 mm CL. They take about 10-20 years to mature. Nests are excavated with hind limbs and can be in any soil type. Nest is usually 6-8 cm deep. Eggs approximately averaged 35.4 x 21.3 mm and weighed 7.8-13.0 grams. Incubation in lab was 56-75 days. Reports from the wild are 69-136 days. Overwintering in the nest may occur.

BEHAVIOR: Quite secretive, this species is diurnal, but active in late spring, early summer. They become very active and easily captured after summer rainstorms. They are omnivores and have been known to be a good source of seed dispersal. They will eat earthworms, mushrooms, berries, insects, amphibians and carrion. The young are primarily carnivorous. They are active about early May to October but they may be active earlier and later. They overwinter buried in leaves and soil. They seek damp mud or pools when temperatures get too high. They are found in most open forested habitats with lots of cover.

Turtles facts courtesy of Virginia Herpetological Society.

Food Truck Friday Hope Springs Eternal

Richard Hayes — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 13:29:26 +0000

Neighbors & Friends--
This Friday’s weather forecast is for a high below 90 (okay, 89) with a low chance of thunder showers (less than 25%)—and the Food Truck leader tells me “everyone is good to go”…so it should be a great evening of food, friends, and fusion takos, fixins & “Q”, and fantastic paninis at the Woodland Heights Baptist Church parking lot (611 W. 31st St.) from 5:30-8:30.
The scheduled (and confirmed!) trucks are:
Boka Tako Truck — Asian-Mexican-American fusion takos with French technique and seasonal menus.
Smokie Joe’s BBQ — Pork, beef, chicken, and all the fixin’s.
Sammich — Paninis, various sides, and house-made ice cream
…and for dessert, a new vendor…
Espresso-A-Go-Go — Gourmet coffees, pastries, and more http://www.espressoagogo.net/
Just two more weeks until August 12 and the Woodland Heights Artists in Residence Arts & Crafts Show & Sale running alongside the Food Trucks from 6:00-8:00 in the parking lot. At this point, we have 19 vendors registered, so it should be a great time to see some great handmade and free trade items from your neighbors. Let me know if you have questions.
More info about this new event to come, but I hope to see you this Friday.
--Robert Johns

Are you ready for some football with little plastic football guys?

Richard Hayes — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 17:51:00 +0000

This weekend the Electric Football World Championships are in town. The action's all taking place from July 29-31 at the Four Points by Sheraton (4700 South Laburnum Avenue). You can get tickets and more information online.

One thing I truly loved about RVANews was our willingness to cover the non-mainstream. The perfect example is electronic football. There are two article in the archives and pretty much all your questions can be answered.

First off there is Electric Football: This convention’s gonna be a ball by Hayley DeRoche that looks at last year's convention and the attraction of the sport.

McGhee feels the convention is a place for a real kaleidoscope of people. “It’s a really good hobby. If you’re an artist type, we’ve got things for artists; if you’re a collector, we’ve got things for collectors. If you like competition,” he added with a chuckle. “We’ve got a lot of competition.”

Follow that up with a wonderful in depth look at the art of the sport I've pulled this old story Bzzzzzz: an Electric Football art show by Nathan Cushing for you to browse.

Way before ESPN, Madden video games, and even the Super Bowl itself, millions huddled around a small-scale football field they’d pump with electricity and watch as teams of plastic men vibrated and jostled to either their charged failure or electric glory.

Westhampton Theater project approved by city council

Richard Hayes — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 13:33:56 +0000

Back in January the last curtain call for Westhampton Theater was announced. Concerns were raised and alternative plans proposed. On Monday the City Council approved plans on the project. During the meeting 11 spoke against the project and 8 in favor.

Richmond BizSense has the summation of the changes and in the full article quotes from those opposed.

The plans approved Monday are a scaled-back version of what Guillot and Cametas initially proposed after buying the theater building in 2014. They tweaked the design from four stories to three; dropped the height from 60 feet to below 40 feet; decreased the total size from 85,000 square feet to 49,800 square feet; and switched from nine condos to 12 apartments. Restaurant chains Taste Unlimited and Tazza Kitchen will be tenants, as well as Mango Salon and Long & Foster.

Image: RichmondBizSense.com

Instagram: Winter is coming

Richard Hayes — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 14:52:59 +0000

#snowy morning in #rva ?❄️ #richmondsnow
A photo posted by maggierva (@maggierva) on Feb 15, 2016 at 5:55am PST

Some hot tips on the heat

Richard Hayes — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 14:43:26 +0000

The weather is going to continue to be nasty hot. Please hold off on yard work and check in on neighbors. If needed the city has opened two cooling stations today to assist residents with the forecasted high temperatures. City cooling stations are opened when the temperature and/or heat index is expected to reach or exceed 95 degrees.

The City will open a cooling station today, Monday, July 25 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Department of Social Services, 900 East Marshall Street.
The City will open a cooling station today, Monday, July 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Southside Community Services Center, 4100 Hull Street Road.

Intersections with non-working lights should be treated as a 4-way stop

Richard Hayes — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 14:58:16 +0000

I plan to post this after every major power outage. Just because you're driving on the more "major" street doesn't mean you get to spend along. Stop and take turns, share the intersection y'all.

RVA Beer Explorer: Piggy, Pretty, New Sedona, Pass the Bottle

Richard Hayes — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 15:41:05 +0000

bottled up

A big step in any brewery is getting their beers into cans and bottles. This Saturday at noon, Garden Grove will be taking that step and hosting their First Ever Bottle Release. The beer they've chosen to bottle is ominously called "DEATH". Will you be cheating death if you buy it or will you need to steal a friend's to truly cheat death?

“DEATH” is a 10% ABV unfiltered Belgian Style Ale made with VA-grown red wine grapes from the 2014 harvest, and aged over one year in red wine barrels. This extremely limited brew began fermentation before the taproom opened it’s doors in February 2015. The wine grapes used were grown by Head Brewer Michael Brandt using organic methods.
The brew’s name was inspired by Albrecht Dürer’s 1513 engraving “Knight, Death, and the Devil” and features a high quality reproduction of the work on it’s label.

Sedona double

Occasionally you find yourselves in the wilds of Henrico county and are craving a beer and not sure where to turn. Soon you'll have an option in Sedona Taphouse. Richmond BizSense.com announced that Sedona will be going up in the NuckolsPlace Shopping Center at 5400 Wyndham Forest Way. This will be the second location in the Richmond area, fourth in Virginia and the seventh in the country. Cheers Henrico.

This little piggy went to the Cask

The Cask Cafe has great beer and a limited menu. To offset that limitation they occasionally have a pop-up event feature local food all stars. On Wednesday the 27th you won't be able to park in their parking lot but you'll be able to dine on delicious pork. Mike Braune and Adam Hall will be smoking a whole pig and some sides to go along with. Not only that there will be special Ardent beers to wash it down. Details on the book of faces.

Don't you look pretty

I've always thought Center of the Universe had a pretty nice setup. I have no learned that I have a pretty low bar for nice. They good folks in Ashland have stepped up the swank level to oh-la-la. A redesigned tasting room and a corporate space look great as you can see above. There will be an open house on for everyone to check it out. No idea if a red velvet rope will be in place, I tend to think not since they're always so damn welcoming.

beeragram

https://instagram.com/p/BH_-cSwA__A/

Instagram: Look up for a sign

Richard Hayes — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 15:10:18 +0000

#RVA #rvanews
A photo posted by @rwhgeek on Jul 11, 2016 at 11:22am PDT

Henrico Police seek Woodman Road robbery suspect

Trevor Dickerson — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 14:57:58 +0000

From Henrico Police:

On Monday, June 18, 2016, at 9:25 AM, Henrico Police responded to the 9500 block of Woodman Road for a commercial robbery. The victim reported that a black male entered the business, approached the pharmacy counter, and jumped over into the pharmacy area. The suspect then demanded prescription medication from the victim. The victim complied and the suspect exited the business on foot. The suspect is described as a black male, between 30 and 35 years of age, and approximately 5’5” to 5’7” in height, and weighed between 145 and 165 pounds. The suspect was wearing a black t-shirt, long black cargo shorts, brown boots, and a black Kangol hat.
Henrico County Police Division is seeking the public's assistance in identifying and locating the subject responsible for this crime. Anyone with information regarding this offense is asked to contact Henrico Police at (804) 501-5000 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by their tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Faced with budget cuts Richmond Animal Care and Control turn to the public for help

Richard Hayes — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 16:23:19 +0000

Budget cuts by the city are starting to have a direct impact in the services that we expect from our city. Richmond Animal Care and Control is cutting straight to the chase. They're letting people know how much they and asking for donations.

From RACC Facebook:

Each department in the City of Richmond was subject to a budget reduction this year in an effort to help fund city schools. For a small department like RACC, this reduction is detrimental to the service we provide and the animals we love. RACC lost $43,020 in these cuts, the bulk of the funding being pulled from vet care. We are reaching out to our FB family to help us recover those funds in private donations. If each of our FB friends gives just $4.30 we will be set for the year! Please share this post-send an email to your contacts and spread the word far and wide. RACC is the only government shelter in Richmond that provides medical care to abused, abandoned and stray animals. Funds raised through our Richmond Animal Welfare Foundation supports the cost of medical care for animals like Cooper (pictured). Our goal is to raise $43,020 in 1 week-think we can do it? I DO! Click below to give and share, share, share!!
http://www.richmondgov.com/AnimalControl/Donate.aspx

Henrico Police seek Staples Mill Road commercial robbery suspect

Trevor Dickerson — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:14:49 +0000

From Henrico Police:

On Friday, July 15, 2016, at approximately 4:00 M, Henrico Police responded to the 2400 block of Staples Mill Road for a commercial robbery. The victim reported that a white male entered the business, approached the counter, and demanded currency. The victim complied and the suspect exited the business on foot. The suspect is described as a white male, between 50 and 60 years of age, and approximately 5’ 8” to 6’ in height. The suspect was wearing a gray shirt, gray hat and sun glasses. Photographs of the suspect can be seen below.
Henrico County Police Division is seeking the public's assistance in identifying and locating the subject responsible for this crime. Anyone with information regarding this offense is asked to contact Henrico Police at (804) 501-5000 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by their tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Breakfast Cabaret is happening on Friday

Richard Hayes — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 18:53:45 +0000

This is happening at Crossroads the coffee shop not the crossroads of your life but it might be both you never know.

Reggae on the Hoff

Richard Hayes — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 15:24:37 +0000

I have decidedly mixed feelings about calling the Hoffheimer building The Hoff. I'm a child of the 80's the surreal coolness of David Hasselhoff can't be denied in my soul. A building can't capture the awesome of the one and only Hoff but I'm trying to let that go. One thing that help is all the cool events that are going down up on top of the Hoffheimer Building (2818 W Broad St).

The latest is cool events is Rooftop Reggae at The Hof: A benefit for the Makindu Children's Program. The sweet sound are happening tomorrow, Friday 7/15 starting at 7 PM. Tickets will run you $10 and you can buy them online. If you want to go buy your tickets because the very nature of a rooftop is that it's limiting.

Join us for an amazing night of Reggae on the Rooftop at The Hof to benefit The Makindu Children’s Program. Mighty Joshua & The Zion #5 play the rooftop while RVA legendary Mikekemtic keeps you moving and grooving in the gallery.
Arrive early to enjoy the beautiful sunset that The Hof has to offer, get in on the silent auction w/ items from some of RVA’s best businesses, and enjoy food from your favorite Ethiopian restaurant, Nile! Proceeds from this event goes towards the Makindu Children’s Program, an amazing orphanage in Kenya E. Africa that Mighty Joshua will visit this coming August before embarking on a 150+ mile Proper Walk. For more information visit makindu.org. If you are unable to attend, but would still like to donate to the cause you can visit
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/mightyjoshua/proper-walk

The one true Hoff. There can only be one.

Style Weekly dines at Citizen

Richard Hayes — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 14:47:04 +0000

From the Style Weekly review:

More bounty from the sea arrives with a barbecued shrimp po’ boy ($10) worthy of a round of applause for its spicy cabbage and sun-dried tomato salad topping, a veritable party in your mouth. Lunch regulars will recognize the pulled pork torta that deftly marries a jolt of cabbage relish with long-cooked pig and accompanied by spicy Spanish potatoes and appealingly dressed greens rounding out the real estate on the plate.

Citizen (1203 E Main Street)

Breakfast & Lunch
Monday - Friday
7:00 am - 3:00 pm
View Menu

Dinner
Thursday - Saturday
5:30 - 10:00 pm
View Menu

Image: Citizen

VCU Broad Street Mile looking for vendors

Richard Hayes — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 16:28:36 +0000

The VCU Broad Street Mile is a combo run and street festival that takes place on September 24th. When folks aren't running they're checking vendors of the food and non-food variety. It's a little known fact but vendors don't grow on trees. Vendors are actually people and businesses that you know and more than a few that you don't know. Heck you might even be vendor.

Now's your chance to be a part of the fun.

Application can be found online anywhere from $100 to $250 depending on what you plan to sale. All vendor applications and payments are due by August 24th.

RPD Community Walk tonight starting at Somerset Glen Apartments

Richard Hayes — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 15:31:20 +0000

WHAT: Richmond Police Department Community Walk
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Today, July 12, 2016
WHERE: Somerset Glen Apartments; 400 Westover Hills Boulevard
BACKGROUND: The Command Staff will lead the officers of the Richmond Police Department on a walk at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12 through the Somerset Glen apartments in the Westover Hills neighborhood. During the walk, officers will speak with community members about safety concerns they may have and what they would like to see from the Richmond Police Department.
Sector 312 Lieutenant Harold Giles said the residents of the apartment complex have experienced incidents of property crime including burglaries and theft from motor vehicles in recent months.
“There are many ways that citizens can protect themselves against property crime,” said Lt. Harold Giles. “We’ll be sharing information and tips with residents in hopes they will adopt simple measures to reduce the opportunity for this type of crime while getting their feedback about the Department’s efforts in the area.”

Show your Pokémon Go allegiance with RVA themed shirt

Richard Hayes — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 15:07:59 +0000

I couldn't figure out whether this belonged in all the neighborhood sites or none of them. I was swayed this morning upon opening Facebook and Twitter and being inundated with Pokémon Go posts/tweets. For the two of you that don't know, Pokémon Go is an augmented reality game in which you capture little critters with a virtual Pokeball on your phone. You can then battle, train, and trade virtual Pokémon. What makes this particular game unique is that the critters are out in the real world so you have to take your phone and wonder about outside.

Once you reach a certain level you can join a team. There are three teams: Valor, Mystic, and Instinct. I haven't succumb to Poke fever but spotted these shirts on RVA Reddit and thought they were worth sharing. Kudos to newsomjk for being quick to get a shirt out.

Links to purchase are below.

Team Valor

(seen above)

Team Mystic

Team Instinct

Have you seen Brook the black and white lab mix?

Trevor Dickerson — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 15:48:49 +0000

From Reddit:

A friend's dog (named Brook) got out last night in the Museum District. Please keep an eye out!
They live in Georgetown Apartments near the Museum District. This is what she posted: She is a black and white lab mix. About 30 pounds. She is very timid and shy. If you see her please call 917-617-0475 or 804-356-5638. Please do not run towards her or shout at her as she will become scared. The best way to get her is to call her name and run away from her like you are trying to play with her.

Mayor and Police Chief release statement in wake of Dallas shooting

Richard Hayes — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 14:52:27 +0000

Facebook and Twitter are awash with emotions right now. I'm at a lost on how to explain what's going on my young daughter. I'll do my best and hope that someday she'll live in a country where racial and economic divides don't result in senseless carnage.

The full statement from Mayor Dwight C. Jones and Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham:

We should all be deeply troubled by the shocking events of the last few days, to include the questionable killings of two black men by police officers and the subsequent killings of five police officers in Dallas, Texas.
The community and police grieve together this morning. We offer our condolences to all of the families and communities and to law enforcement professionals that have been impacted by these tragic events.
There is simply no excuse and no justification for what we’ve all seen transpire. And it is up to all of us to speak up and to come together to make sure events like these do not occur in any community.
Everyone, including police, has a right to feel valued and respected. Community protest in the face of injustice is understandable. But police should not be the target. Rather, we must target bad policing where it exists and work to bring about change in that regard.
We are grateful in Richmond to have strong community and police relations. We can and do care about both Black lives and the lives of our police officers. Indeed, we care about all lives. At the end of the day, everyone has a right to expect to go home safely and no one should be fearing for their lives.
We stand united today to say that we will work against these events generating any kind of divisiveness in our community. We stand united today to say that we will be vigilant in working together for strong communities.

Music in the Park this Sunday

Richard Hayes — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 15:36:27 +0000

RVA News in Brick: The tomfoolery must stop

Richard Hayes — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 13:00:39 +0000

Richmond Police cracking down on tomfoolery at Texas Beach - ABC8 6/30/16

Older RVA News in Brick Headlines

RVA Beer Explorer: Travels, Seeing Red, Hopping

Richard Hayes — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 12:34:23 +0000

hop to it

IPAs illicit one of two responses. A broad smile and evil glint of the eye or a scrunched up nose and I just ate a juniper tree expression. It's the mighty hop plant, the cilantro of the brewing world, that makes an IPA so divisive. Well those hops have to come from somewhere and for some local brews that somewhere is local. RVA BizSense.com has a profile of Piedmont Hops.

Goode said that given the size of his harvest, the field should yield about 250 pounds of hops a year. However, since some of the plants have not reached full maturity, Piedmont Hops’ 400 plants will probably yield about 200 pounds of hops this year.

seeing red

When I'm not regaling you with stories and stunning you with typos you'll often find me in the stands at Richmond Kickers games with the local supporters group Red Army. Last Wednesday the Red Army were invited down to Trapezium Brewing to check out the facility and get the scoop on a new beer brewed specifically for the Red Army.

The Kickers already have their own beer Kick it Honey by Wild Wolf but Trapezium reached out and wanted to do beer specifically for the rowdy fans in the corner. The Army had a great time meeting with head brewer James Frazier and his passion for his craft was readily apparent.

The beer they came up with is Red Army Red IPA, 6.3% ABV, 74 IBU, “An American IPA brewed with a strong malt Backbone, and a blend of resinous, dank and citrus hops.” It will only be available at the Kicker's game against Swansea City on July 16th so if you want to try it you'll need to be at the game.

You ain't from around these parts

It's a sin for a site focused on local to go astray but I can't help myself. This past weekend I was in Charleston, SC. I love that town for the same reasons I love Richmond. Great food, friendly folks, and awesome beer. During previous trips we had hit up Holy City Brewing, Revelry, and Palmetto. All great spots.

Most recently we hit Frothy Beard, Coast, and Westbrook. Each spot is well worth your time to visit. If I could only go to two when visiting I'd hit Frothy Beard and Holy City but I'd make sure and pick up some Coast at a local bottle shop like the Beer Cellar. Be sure to talk up the staff, they'll point you to the latest and greatest, with honest opinions.

Brews & Burlesque

The name tells you pretty much all you need to know. Here's the missing info., six dancers will entertain and titillate at Strangeways, Friday at 9 PM. If you're the kind of person that needs every last detail check out the Facebook event.

beeragram

About 4.5 years ago, I volunteered at @hardywood's grand opening and @rivercityband played all night long. It's so surreal to host them here at @steambellbeer tonight. #isthisreallife #rvabeer
A photo posted by Steam Bell Beer Works (@steambellbeer) on Jul 2, 2016 at 4:57pm PDT

VCU School of Nursing get $800,000 grant for nurses in community-based clinics

Richard Hayes — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 16:02:46 +0000

VCU Press Release:

A roughly $800,000 grant will allow the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing to implement a program to increase the number of nurses in community-based clinical sites that provide care to underserved populations.
The two-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration will increase nursing students’ clinical experience in primary care and community-based settings with the goal of encouraging them to seek community-based positions when they graduate.
Tamara Zurakowski, Ph.D., clinical associate professor in the VCU Department of Adult Health and Nursing Systems, received the grant for her project “Primary care Options to Maximize Opportunities to Transform Education in Nursing (PrOMOTE-Nursing).” The project aims to address the lack of community-based nurses who are prepared to meet the health care needs of the underserved.
“Nearly one-third of nurses working in a community-based setting do not have a bachelor's degree,” Zurakowski said. “There is a tremendous need for more highly qualified nurses in these locations.”
PROMOTE-Nursing expands on the VCU School of Nursing’s current service-learning model that requires students to complete four hours per week of clinical service during their senior community health clinical course. Through partnerships with innovative community-based primary care settings and population-focused programs, the project will provide an additional eight hours per week of clinical experience for students interested in community-based care.
“I am looking forward to getting students excited about community health, as well as giving them solid skills to ensure they’re comfortable working in these settings,” said Zurakowski, who has worked in community health nursing for more than 38 years. The project also aims to improve students’ knowledge of culturally competent health care as well.
At least five students per semester will be involved during the project’s first year and at least 10 students per semester during the second year. The project also involves recruiting highly skilled and experienced nurses in the clinical setting to act as preceptors to ensure students meet learning objectives.
Each student will be assigned two clinical agencies — one focused on wellness and population health and the other focused on primary care. Partner sites include the Richmond Health and Wellness Program, the Ambulatory Care Center at VCU Health, the Richmond City Health District and CrossOver Healthcare Ministry. The sites were selected because they provide health care to underserved populations.
The project also includes plans to establish an advisory board comprising community health nurses and individuals in the community to help identify the most significant health problems in Richmond, Zurakowski said.
She noted that Richmond’s prevention quality indicator rate, a measure of preventable hospitalizations, is higher than Virginia as a whole and is more than double the state’s average for certain diseases such as diabetes.
“Richmond has a need for more services to keep people healthy and out of the hospital,” Zurakowski said.
Zurakowski is joined on the study by several School of Nursing faculty, including project co-director Mary Kay Goldschmidt, DNP, a clinical assistant professor, who will serve as the project’s full-time community health nurse. Other team members are Candace Johnson, Ph.D., assistant professor; Lorraine Anderson, Ph.D., clinical associate professor; Kimberly Davis, a clinical instructor; Pam Parsons, Ph.D., clinical associate professor and director for practice and community engagement; Leigh Small, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Adult Health and Nursing Systems; Marianne Baernholdt, Ph.D., professor and director of the Langston Center for Quality, Safety and Innovation; Beth Hopkins, DNP, clinical assistant professor; and Leroy Thacker, Ph.D., a biostatistician.

Image: VCU School of Nursing