Richmond, VA

• Dogwood Dell (Byrd Park)
• The Diamond (after the Squirrels game)
• Chesterfield County Fairgrounds
• Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park (sensory friendly)

Hopefully the weather doesn’t mess up anyone’s plans tonight.

Does anyone in or around Richmond use GloFiber for their internet? I've seen them building out their lines in my area and it looks like they offer higher speeds for less than what Comcast charges.

Soon the lush streets of Woodland Heights will come alive with the sounds of strings, beats, horns and songs this summer. Meet the Tiny Porch concert series, which brings neighbors out for what organizer Emily McMillen describes as “magical.” The once best-kept musical secret had its cover blown; it’s one of the most engaging musical events in RVA.

What started as a grassroots venture has blossomed into a spectacular, highly anticipated event. When the world shut down during the pandemic, two Woodland Heights neighbors had an idea to stitch things together in the community. McMillen leaned in and goodness ensued.

“We’re all in our houses. We said, ‘Let’s build community and redefine what gathering looks like. Let’s build on our love for the neighborhood. Let’s do porch concerts,” says McMillen, adding that it was organic at the time. “Everything was just shared via social media and word of mouth.”

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A decade-plus effort to provide new signage for the entrance to Carytown has reached the finish line.

City approval is expected this week for a new gateway sign in the 3500 block of Cary Street that would mark the start of the nine-block shopping district for drivers and pedestrians traveling east on the one-way road.

The two-sided, Art Deco-style sign with neon tubing and LED lights would be suspended above the road via steel wires attached to two 25-foot steel poles, creating an arch-like entrance that cars would pass under just before Cary’s intersection with Nansemond Street. The green- and white-colored sign with gold accents reads “Carytown” with “Richmond VA” below it and “Est 1938” above.

In the works since 2011, the sign will replace a decades-old wooden sign that had stood beside Cary across from Thompson Street. That sign, which had replaced an older one from the 1990s, fell down last year, providing further motivation for a replacement.

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GRTC riders are in line for another year of free rides, thanks to some $3.6 million from the state.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board‘s new Six-Year Improvement Plan draft includes that money to help cover the free fare program’s costs for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

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Sixteen years after its first phase was built, a Manchester development is heading into its final leg.

Lynx Ventures is planning to build a 127-unit apartment building at 1021 E. 4th St. that would be the sixth and final section of New Manchester Flats.

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The City of Petersburg has chosen The Cordish Companies as to operate a proposed casino project.

The City Council voted to select Cordish from a field of at least five companies after a closed session meeting Wednesday evening.

Lawmakers gave Petersburg the “all clear” last week to host a referendum in November for voters to approve a casino coming to the city.

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Alternate coverage from CBS 6 News | Archive.org | Archive.today

There’s a changing of the guard in the works at a downtown sub shop. Fat Kid Sandwiches is preparing to take over longtime lunch spot Sub Central at 1110 E. Main St. in the central business district.

Fat Kid Sandwiches will operate with counter service and seating for around 25. Fat Kid is planning to be open only on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., offering breakfast sandwiches and other brunch options in the morning before opening up its menu to its usual fare later on. Martin and Clifford said they also plan to have a case of prepared sandwiches and food for the grab-and-go crowd.

Read the full article | Archive.today | Archive.org

Smoke & Barrel recently opened for business at 2329 W. Main St., which has hosted a handful of establishments over the years, including The White Dog and, most recently, Lady N’awlins Cajun Café.

Owned by Kevin Sheffield, Jordan Noble and Joe Hadad, Smoke & Barrel hopes to be an approachable, neighborhood spot, offering Southern-inspired cuisine and cocktails. The concept is a change of course from what was initially planned for the building after Lady N’Awlins ended its 12-year run in September 2022.

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A wave of new development is in the works for one of the Fan’s main thoroughfares that’ll bring dozens of new townhomes, duplexes, apartments and more to the neighborhood.

[Some] developments... are rising on lots once owned by the Eck family, whose late patriarch Edgar Eck Jr. redeveloped much of West Main and Cary streets near VCU throughout the 1980s. The Ecks got out of the real estate business in 2022 when they sold their 158-property portfolio for nearly $50 million.

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• Ukrop’s Monument Ave. 10k - begins at 8:30 AM at West Broad and North Harrison streets. Free to spectate or $25-65 to participate | sportsbackers.org
• Chelsea Handler at Altria - show starts at 7 PM. $45-$95 | altriatheater.com
• Broadberry 10th Anniversary Block Party featuring the Infamous Stringdusters and RVA-based bands like No BS! Brass Band, Prabir Trio, and the Mitras - music starts at 4:30 PM, indoor after-party at 10. $20-$40 | thebroadberry.com
• Samurai at VMFA - Apr 20 thru Aug 4, open during museum hours. $15 | VMFA.museum
• Ode to Bluegrass at Hardywood West Creek - music starts at 2 PM. Free | hardywood.com

Read the full article | Archive.ph | Archive.org

Four months after pitching in $1 million to keep the Diamond District ballpark project on track, Richmond’s Economic Development Authority is stepping back up to the plate with more funding for the stadium’s design.

In a special meeting Tuesday, the EDA board authorized staff to put another $1.5 million toward design and development of the new ballpark, via an amendment to its contract with the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ ownership group that provided the initial $1 million in December.

Read the full article | Archive.ph | Archive.org

He has actually lost a lot of weight. Maybe he can live with Francine?

It will be interesting to see how they fit this into the park system.

If you have never tested your home for Radon you may want to try. One in four homes in Virginia has high radon which can lead to lung cancer.

Virginia Dept of Health has a limited supply for $3.

So what panic item do you think they will run out of first? Batteries? Toilet paper?

My guess is lotto tickets.

You can join the Cone Parade at noon. Meet at the Aquarium Bookshop.
(12 S. THOMPSON STREET). A great silly way to usher in the New Year.

Still time to sign up for the Richmond Run Club's New Years Day 5k.

Henrico County will accept Christmas trees for recycling into mulch from Tuesday, Dec. 26 through Tuesday, Jan. 9.

The free service is available to Henrico residents only. But they don't check IDs.

Trees will be accepted at the following locations:

• Henrico County Government Center, 4301 E. Parham Road, in the lower parking lot;

• Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road, in the front parking lot;

• Springfield Road Public Use Area, 10600 Fords Country Lane, near Nuckols Road and Interstate 295; and

• Charles City Road Public Use Area, 2075 Charles City Road.

Trees can be dropped off anytime at the Henrico Government Center and Eastern Government Center and from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Take your impact to the next level by stepping up to co-lead a new grassroots group. Swing Left is launching a new program in Richmond called Team Up to pair you up with other new local leaders and give you training and support to build a new grassroots group. Apply to join Team Up by August 6. The program will kickoff August 19.

My handle gives it away, but I enjoy running. Richmond is beautiful and I have a few places to run that I really enjoy.

Top spot is the Fan. I love the architecture, friendly cars, and people watching.

James River park system is also a favorite. There’s a challenging loop around Forest Hill park that gets me going and then you can head for a quick dip in the river to cool off.

What are your top spots?