Near West End

Near West End
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CALENDAR - THIS WEEK
Book Babies Story Time @ West End Library
Thu Jul 2 10:00 am
Book Babies:(0-18 months with an adult) Create a special bond with your baby through rhymes, songs and stories. 5420 P...
Storytime - Infant to PreK at Barnes & Noble, Libbie Place
Thu Jul 2 10:00 am
Year-round. 282-0781. FREE.
Toddler Time @ The West End Library
Thu Jul 2 11:00 am
Toddler Time: (18-36 months with an adult) Engage in fun stories, music, rhymes and more to develop early literacy skill...
Richmond City Town Hall Meeting
Sat Jul 4 9:00 am
Mayor L. Douglas Wilder will address citizens' questions from 9 to 10 a.m. starting Saturday, Sept. 1 in the first of a ...
Storytime - Infant to PreK at Barnes & Noble, Libbie Place
Mon Jul 6 10:00 am
Year-round. 282-0781. FREE.
Computer Basics for Seniors
Tue Jul 7 10:30 am
Richmond Public Library West End (4240 Patterson Ave.) Register for a hands-on introduction to PCs and the Internet. ...

CLASSIFIEDS
Kids Layne, Children's Boutique Consignment & Designer Overstock Sale Castles & Crowns, Coco BonBons, Florence Eiseman,Lily Pulitzer &more Sizes 0-12 Willow Lawn Mall July 31-August 2 Portion of proceeds to Children's Hospital www.kidslayne.com
We are investors looking to buy houses. www.Sell-In-Richmond.com. Cash offers, Quick close!
TWO SISTERS PAINTING - Looking for a professional and top quality job for your painting project? We offer Interior, Exterior & Faux Finish Painting. Visit our webpage @ http://home.comcast.net/~twosisterspainting/ Call for a FREE ESTIMATE! 503-0515
Hand Lettered Signs & Art...Coat of arms, police badges, military seals, trucks, windows, wooden and metal, murals, logo design and cartoons...Any font, any color, any size...Over 35 years experience...Excellent references...804.231.5807
Does you child need reinforcement in math or reading? I'm a newly retired teacher with 18 years of experience and will help your child gain confidence and success. Summer hours available. Please contact me WestEndTutor@comcast.net. Thank you.
Cool Dogs Petsitting, LLC. Petsitting in your home for all pets. 10+ years experience serving local rescue groups. Bathing and brushing. www.cooldogspetsitting.com for details and references. Licensed and insured.
~Custom Concrete Services~ 762-4990 Licensed & Insured with over 20 years experience. Free on-site consultations, visit our website: superiorconcreteconstruction-va.com
RichmondMommies.com is having their 4th birthday party and we want you to be there! When: July 18, 2009 3pm Where: R. Garland Dodd Park at Point of Rocks 201 Enon Church Road, Chester, VA Music and entertainment will be provided by Silly Bus!
SUMMER JAZZ CAMP '09 unique/intensive music camp for youth 10-18 Students learn the ins and outs of jazz and improvisation July 6-August 21 Call Richmond Youth Jazz Guild 819-0253 www.musecreativeworkspace.com REGISTER NOW!



July 2, 2009

Black Dog, RIP July 2, 2009

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RIP Black Dog

RIP Black Dog

I just got an unconfirmed report that  legendary Black Dog who has roamed the Near West End for years was struck and killed by a car this morning near the intersection of Cary Street Road and Maxwell, just a few blocks west of Mary Munford Elementary.

I am very sad, as I enjoyed hearing all the stories about Black Dog,  and his adventurous life, evading animal control officers, and anyone else who tried to capture him. Black Dog was friendly and a free spirit. He could be described as both aloof  and illusive.  He had such a kind spirit. I never saw him run from anyone, only just disappear.

I’ve been known to drive down the alleys with my kids trying to get a good glimpse of Black Dog as I tell my children the stories of his legendary status. I will miss that. But I’m sure there are many in the Near West End who knew him better and will miss him more.

How many dogs can say they had no owner — but had a fan club on Facebook?

Update, WTVR now confirms, Black Dog is dead.


June 29, 2009

Barkesdale Theatre Hosts Driving Miss Daisy

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Willow Lawn’s  Barkesdale Theatre is showing Driving Miss Daisy, which got a pretty good  review in today’s Times  Dispatch.

Present this gem with an ideal cast and a simple production and you have a winner. That’s what Barksdale Theatre did last summer at Hanover Tavern. This summer, it’s reprising the show at Barksdale’s Willow Lawn location, with all the quality intact.

The Barkesdale website has ticketing info. The show runs through August 2nd.


June 25, 2009

Willow Lawn Area Hotel to be Torn Down to make way for Residential & Retail Project

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I’ve been trying to track down what’s happening at the old Inn of Richmond building on West Broad Street for some time.  Richmond Biz Sense has the scoop.  The building will be torn down to make way for a mixed use residential facility for adults with autism and other developmental delays combined with retail space. The Faison School of Autism is located behind the hotel. The project is unique in its mixed use of space, but also that a portionof the residences will be available to rent on the open market as well. Richmond Biz Sense reports:

The former Executive Motor Hotel, built on the corner of Broad Street and Willow Lawn at what was then the suburban edge of the city, sits empty, surrounded by a chain link fence. All the rooms’ doors are open, and, from the sidewalk, it appears they have been stripped bare in preparation for the wrecking crane.

At their last meeting, the Henrico County Planning Commission recommended approval of a proposal to demolish the hotel to make way for up to 45 residential units and up to 10,000 square feet of office and retail space.


June 22, 2009

Munford Teacher, Erin Flanagan, Win’s Richmond VA’s Top Teacher Title

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erin_flanagan_thumb

Congratulations to Erin Flanagan, 2nd grade teacher at Mary Munford Elementary School, who won the Richmond VA’s Top Teacher contest sponsored by Richmondmom.com.

In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that Ms. Flanagan was my daughter’s teacher this year and I nominated her. Still, the honor is well deserved! Ms. Flanagan is incredibly dedicated to her students, and I felt  especially lucky to have a bright female scientist role model to inspire my daughter, who also wants to be a scientist. Each of us had an extremely limited space in which to nominate our teachers, here is my short nomination:

Ms. Flanagan, my daughter’s 2nd grade teacher, is really wonderful. In my daughter, she has inspired a love of science & thinking outside the box. She truly appreciates the uniqueness of each individual in her class. Ms. Flanagan is a scientist herself, & leads by example, always encouraging the kids to ask hard questions, & find out the answers.

If you are lucky enough to have a child at Mary Munford, then you know that there are many teachers at Munford  that give the gift of inspiration and learning to our children each day.  In fact, Richmond Public Schools has many gifted teachers, and Erin Flanagan is just one Richmond Public Schools teacher, who represents the love, dedication and hard work it takes to guide our children not only in their learning but also in  developing their character and the individuals they will become.


June 17, 2009

Don’t Miss James River Park Day (and the Slave Trail Walk)June 27th

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We all know the River doesn’t just belong to one neighborhood. Everybody goes to the River.   June 27th is James River Park Day.

Actually, that is sort of a misnomer — because the best activity of all on James River Park Day is actually the one that takes place at night.  So many people who live in Richmond don’t know its slave history and have never done the Slave Trail walk. Traditionally it is done each year shortly after the Juneteenth celebration as a very moving torch-lit walk.  Even without torches, it is incredibly moving to walk that hallowed trail at night, as the slaves did, to avoid being seen in the light of day, in their wretched state.  It’s no secret how I feel about the Slave Trail, Lumpkins Jail and Richmond’s slave history. I simply wish more people would leave their comfort zone and challenge themselves to do something like the Slave Trail walk at night. No other city has history like this and hides it so well.

Don’t miss these special activities:

9 a.m. – Man & Nature Tour of Belle Isle (Meet at Tredegar Parking Lot.)

10 a.m. – River Exploration for Kids (Requires advance registration. Call 646-8911.)

2 p.m. – River Exploration for Adults (Meet at Reedy Creek entrance.)

8:30 p.m. – Night Walk on the Slave Trail (Meet at Ancarrow’s Landing.)

For more information, call 646-8911.


June 16, 2009

Did you Know that Richmond has Free City Swimming Pools? All pools open June 17th

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I think it is pretty cool that the City runs swimming pools free of charge to residents. When I was in college, living in the Fan, I spent many a hot day with my roommates at the Randolph pool that we could walk to. How many cities can claim that their kids and poor college students can swim for free all summer long?

For the Near West End the closest pool is Randolph Pool (Westend) I should note here that they are calling Randolph the “Westend” not me.  Randolph is just south of the Fan, between the River and 195.

1401 Grayland Ave. (804) 646-1329

Summer Pool Schedule
Outdoor pools are open from June 17th through Labor Day.

Open/free swim & adult/family swim hours:
Monday – Friday, 1 – 4:30 & 5 – 8 pm
Saturday, 12 – 5 pm
Sunday, 1 – 5 pm and
Holidays, 1 – 5 pm


June 16, 2009

Richmond, Food for Thought Reviews Italian Kitchen

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For a walk down memory lane, visit Richmond, Food for Thought for a nostalgic review of the Italian Kitchen at 8115 West Broad Street. Personally, I was happy to read the review for two reasons. One, I’d never eaten there, and two, apparently they have great pizza and a family atmosphere. I’d rather spend my money almost any day at a locally owned business rather than a chain, so this is good news.

This is arguably the best pizza in Richmond and is definitely in the top three and it amazes me how many people in the near West End have no idea that such fabulous pizza is a short drive away. Very thin crust, amble sauce to the edge, great toppings and some of the best mozzarella around make for a great pie. Reheated in a hot, dry skillet it did not suffer from it’s short time in the refrigerator.


June 15, 2009

Man Arrested for Attempted Abduction of 4-year-old

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William Scott Baker, 46, of the 3000 block of Dunwick Road, near Staples Mill and I-64, in the Near West End, was charged with attempted abduction of a 4-year-old girl, The Times-Dispatch reports.

Police said the incident shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday at the Innsbrook Shoppes apparently began when a man attempted to abduct the child as she was getting into a car with two adults.

Police said there is no known relationship between Baker and the child.


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