I was walking by the new Ledo’s Pizza location at Willow Lawn the other day (next to the Dollar Store) and ran into one of the owners.  We’ve reported before that this store would open in 2009, and he confirmed for me that they will open later this month. I’m not a huge fan of chains, but this is a regional chain, and back when my husband and I were kids, it only had a few locations, and was family run.

The Ledo’s crispy thin crust, with a touch of sugar in it and signature square large pizzas are sure to bring back memories for us. I can’t wait.

Looks like it is going to be a great weekend for all the wonderful great outdoors activities going on. Actually there are so many great things going on, I just might have trouble deciding what to do.  The Seventh Street Christian Church is hosting Arts on the Grove on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Events include a juried art show, music, food, a moon bounce, childen’s activties,  trial rides on Segways and more.  On Sunday, The University of Richmond hosts Arts Around the Lake from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Arts Around the Lake features juried artists selling their art work in a beautiful setting, around Westhampton Lake.

Elsewhere in town: the Second Street Festival will attract crowds from all over the region to Jackson Ward.  Also of note is Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s annual Rose Fest, featuring 1,800 roses in bloom, tango on Saturday and free roses for the first 100 people on Sunday. In interest of full disclosure, I should mention, I also work at Lewis Ginter.

I’m very excited to announce that the Charlottesville-based Gearhearts Fine Chocolates is opening a branch in Richmond, near the corner of Libbie & Grove.  The 750-square-foot shop features a custom-built display counter, crafted by a Virginia cabinet-maker to houses the shop’s fine confections. And Gearhart features local products whenever possible, such as Virginia cream, maple syrup or peaches. Fresh chocolates will be delivered daily from the Charlottesville location, plus some seasonal items will be hand-dipped at the shop. Also look for chocolate workshops in the coming months.   I’m also happy to say that I’m going to get to preview the goodies later this week, so stay tuned for a full report.  Gearhearts features 16 core flavors,  including such exotics as Brown Butter Caramel, Earl Grey, Michigan Cherry, and the cocoa-dusted Maya Truffle. Specialty items also include Pistachio Toffee and Australian Crystallized Ginger.

Gearharts Fine Chocolates will be open Monday-Saturday

306 B Libbie Avenue

Richmond, VA 23226

(804) 282-1822

Post Updated Oct. 6, 2009

I’ve been holding out on you all. Not meaning to really, but just too busy to come clean. Richmond’s got a new arts organization and I’ve gone to 2 bloggers lunches now, trying to get the low down on what they are all about. I’m sort of new to the Richmond arts seen. Well by sort off,  I mean, I came to Richmond (and VCU) back in 1991 because of the arts community. I WAS an artist, and had a photography show of my work. I married an artist (well that was waaaaay back in 1995) and, well since then, I haven’t had alot to do with Richmond art. It must be something about having young kids, where only now are they starting to be the age where I could drag them downtown to a First Fridays. Or, the fact that I have way too many jobs and commitments and not enough time.

Anyway, as I’ve eased my way back into at least the politics the arts community, through these blogger lunches sponsored by John Bryan and Richmond’s new arts organization, CultureWorks, I’ve learn that there is a history of distrust between the arts community and institutions run for the arts by the non-arts community. And, well rightly so. I probably shouldn’t admit my ignorance of all the details, but I get the gist.  Wasting thousands of tax payers dollars and trying to  hide the truth about it could easily give anyone a good reason to be distrustful.

The good news, is that CultureWorks is a new organization. And CultureWorks president, John Bryan, seems like a good guy.  He’s been meeting with bloggers,  and so far he seems willing to listen, even if it takes a while for our comments to sink in. He knows mistakes have been made and if he just gets a tiny bit more centered toward the artists and alternative community, he might be able to build a good bridge between the political figures in this town who “care about” art and the true down and dirty artists in this town who really don’t give a hoot about politics. Bryan, after all, I was surprised to learn, is a bonafide artist himself. And despite his 3 piece suit and the fact that I’ve never actually seen any of his art, my inclination is to not judge him by his (non-artsy appearance). I mean, we’ve all been stereotyped before (and know how bad it sucks) so why not give the guy a chance?

What I’m looking for: I’m looking for a leader who balances the needs of Richmond’s artist with the desires of the business-professional-political-money community.  I’m hoping Bryan will flesh out his board of CultureWorks (which was a really a bit light on true artists) and fill it with people who dedicate their lives to making art.  October 6th, 10 a.m. at the press release at the Community Foundation will be the beginning of that test. Bryan will hold a press release to announce the new organization, the new leadership, who’s on the board and the new direction that CultureWorks hopes to take Richmond in.  He’ll introduce Brooks Smith, the new chair of the organization’s board of directors who seems like yet another guy dedicated to making things work.

I can’t make it to CultureWork’s press release on Tuesday, but I’ll continue to give you updates on anything I learn.  Harry Kollatz from Richmond Magazine, and John Sarvay from Buttermilk & Molasses have brief write ups on their take of the whole CultureWorks, blogger meetings. Might be worth a look if you are interested. OR if you are really interested in the future of Richmond art, then you should go to this thing.  A Q&A session will follow the announcement.

WHAT: A newly formed organization that will serve as the collaborative and collective voice of Richmond’s arts and cultural community will be formally introduced during this media conference. This organization will facilitate and coordinate the Richmond Region Cultural Action Plan and serve as the overall champion for the region’s arts and culture. This announcement is a major next step for the advancement of arts and culture in the Richmond community.

*A Q&A session will follow the announcement.

WHERE: The Community Foundation

7501 Boulder View Drive

Richmond, Va. 23225

*On back patio.

WHEN: 10 a.m., Tuesday, October 6, 2009

WHO: The organization will be formally launched by its president, John Bryan, who will provide information on the organization’s missions, goals and plans.

Brooks Smith, chair of the new organization’s board of directors, will introduce the board and provide background on how the organization came to fruition.

Susan Davis, a member of the task force that developed the Richmond Region Cultural Action Plan, will discuss the support of the Richmond community and discuss the vision for the new organization moving forward.
Tyrone Davis, a board member of the new organization, will discuss the organization’s planned task groups and provide details of what the organization has accomplished already.

Update: Here is a list of the new CultureWorks board of directors, as announced at today’s press conference.  As for me — I’m still waiting to see more folks who make a living as artists added to the list!

CultureWorks is governed by a board composed of persons who: understand and are advocates for CultureWorks’ constituents; command high levels of influence and respect; are able to generate philanthropic support; are personally engaged in the region’s arts and culture; and commit priority energies to their involvement as board members.

Steve Allred (provost and vice president for academic affairs, University of Richmond) came to Richmond in 2008 after 22 years at UNC Chapel Hill where he took a special interest in leadership work with a collective of corporate and municipal leaders to strengthen the city’s arts and culture.

Jack Berry (president and CEO, Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau) makes it his business to know about the region’s arts and culture and provides leadership in many areas, such including chairing the board of Virginia Civil War Trails.

Dave Campbell (president, Data Network Services Inc.) has a specialized expertise in arts and culture through the information technology lens via his company’s work serving more than 1,000 customers, including those in the arts and culture community.

Rejena Carreras (president, Carreras Ltd.) received her formal education in art, was a longtime art teacher and has become one of the region’s foremost advocates and workers for the arts.

Michael Chapman (vice president and group planning director, The Martin Agency) gives his energetic involvement to arts and culture as evidenced by his board involvement with Art 180 and membership involvement with the Children’s Museum, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and Maymont’s Dooley Society.

Dave Christian (CEO, Dominion Generation) is a pianist, guitarist, art collector and supporter of the arts as evidenced by his involvement with the Visual Arts Center of Richmond.

Dave Fairchild (CEO, First Market Bank) has been involved in community arts and its impact on community development as evidenced by his board involvement with the ArtsFund.

Mike Falzone (partner, Hirschler Fleischer) is a longtime advocate for the region’s arts as evidenced by his leadership involvement with the Arts Council, the ArtsFund, and the Richmond Region Cultural Action Plan.

Gordon Fruetel (vice president, corporate audit, Altria Client Services, representing Altria Group, Inc) appreciates the significant impact that arts and culture have on the economic vitality of our region and the role that CultureWorks will play to help implement the Regional Cultural Action Plan.

Lenita Gilreath (president, Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce) understands the vital importance of the arts and culture to communities as evidenced by her personal and professional attention to the Chesterfield Center for the Arts project, and by her track record that includes a similar center that was initiated in her service area when she headed a Chamber of Commerce outside of Raleigh.

Tammy Hawley (press secretary to the mayor, City of Richmond) brings a national perspective from her work with the federal government on Capitol Hill and is a former chair of the board of the Zora Neal Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to preserving black literature.

Scott Horchler (retail line of business, SunTrust) shares his enthusiasm for all of the arts with his daughter who attends the school of the Richmond Ballet; and also participates in a variety of volunteer activities, including children’s theatre.

Adele Johnson (community volunteer), a 29-year member of the Richmond Jazz Society and a collector of contemporary works by Virginia artists, sings with ONE VOICE CHORUS, a group that sets the region’s standard for the celebration of diversity.

May-Lily Lee (host and senior producer, Virginia Currents for the Community Idea Stations) is a professional performer and has two decades of up close and personal knowledge of arts and culture, people and places throughout the region.

Charlotte Minor holds an undergraduate degree in art history, worked for 10 years at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, was co-owner and director of Reynolds/Minor Gallery, is a former president of the VMFA Board of Trustees and is currently vice president of the VMFA Foundation Board.

Tyrone Nelson (pastor, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church) is a board member of Elegba Folklore Society and pastors a church that features music, dance, theatre, visual arts and mime presented by its members.

Joan Oates (founder, Partners In The Arts) has taught dance at VCU and Collegiate, and founded Partners in the Arts which has trained more than 1,000 K-12 teachers in the Richmond region in how to use the arts to enhance student learning of core subjects.

Charles Piper (principal, BCWH Architects), is a longtime musician and an avid performing arts enthusiast as evidenced by his active role on SPARC’s board and his support of his daughter’s membership in the Richmond Symphony’s Youth Concert Orchestra.

Evelia Gonzalez Porto has been an energetic champion for the arts and culture with many organizations, including the Latin Ballet of Virginia, the Virginia Historical Society and the Petersburg Area Art League.

Jim Rothrock (commissioner, Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services) is an expert on disability and accessibility issues and served on the board of Very Special Arts-Virginia, an advocacy organization for arts within the community of persons with disabilities.

Kim Scheeler (president and CEO, Greater Richmond Chamber) understands the value of the arts knowing that world class arts programs are the difference between a good community and a great community, and that the arts are the heart and soul of the region and the fabric that ties the people together. It’s also one of the quality of life issues that employers care about and want when looking at locations for their businesses.

Geoff Sisk (managing director-investments, Mosman & Sisk Investment Group, Wells Fargo Advisors) provides support and interest for the arts and culture via his three school-age children and other involvement, including his work on the Board of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Foundation.

Brooks Smith (partner, Hunton & Williams LLP) publicly premiered his new book, The Songlines of Richmond: A Celebration of Performing Arts, Artists and Songs, at Richmond CenterStage’s inaugural open house.

Brock Vaughn (senior vice president, Bank of America) has an avid first-hand interest in the performing arts as evidenced by his board involvement with Richmond Shakespeare and through his active support of his adult daughter, an aspiring actress.

NOTE: Additional board members will be added during the coming months.

My friend Kevin Clay over at GayRVA has been trying to make Richmond a better place to be out. He’s hosting a town meeting at the University of Richmond next week, here are the details:

To acknowledge National Coming Out Week, GayRVA & the University of Richmond’s Student Alliance for Sexual Diversity host a panel discussion on Coming Out in Richmond. Panelists from ROSMY and PFLAG share their stories and ideas on making Richmond a more open place to be out. A transcript and Podcast of the discussion will be posted on GayRVA.com on Monday, October 12. Read the transcript from our first Town Hall.

St. Catherine’s School, right here in the Near West End is holding an open house this week for Kindergarten students who which to enroll next fall. Also, an open house for middle and upper schools is Nov. 3rd. Registration is required.

• Kindergarten Open House – Tuesday October 13th, Registration 9:15 a.m. – Program 9:30 a.m.
• Admissions Open House for Middle and Upper Schools – Tuesday November 3rd, Registration 9:15 a.m. – Program 9:30 a.m.

Open Houses will meet in McCue Hall.

Also this week at St. Catherine’s is a vintage clothing and costume sale fundraiser for the Ampersand Theatre program.
October 15th, 4-8 p.m.
October 16th, 4-9 p.m.
October 17th, 4-9 p.m.

Some of the items for sale are:

Vintage clothing items, almost all women’s, ranging from the 1880’s to present day, some in very good to perfect condition.

Specific examples include Victorian bodices, blouses and outer wraps; bias cut tea dresses from the 1920’s and 1930’s; formal and day dresses from the 1940’s to the present with an excellent selection of items worthy of the “Mad Men” TV show.

Some accessories including handbags (beaded evening purses), jewelry (Bakalite), and hats (major designer labels including Richmond’s Sara Sue).

Costume items for the Halloween shopper are also included.

I mentioned last week that Gearharts Chocolate recently opened.  You’ll be hearing a lot about them in the coming weeks from other media — but  you heard it hear first. This place is incredible and is taking Richmond by storm.  The just opened a very small store on Libbie Avenue, roughly behind the Starbucks there.  This place is all about the chocolate.  At the opening party, we sampled pinapple dipped in chocolate with macadamia nuts, fig and almond/dates dipped in chocolate, but the most memorable tastes of the evening where the boxed chocolates, including the  Maya truffle (orange oil, cinnamon, ancho chili and cocoa) and the pistachio toffee (in photo).

I found my self back at the store, less than 24 hours later buying gifts for friends, oh and a little treat for myself as well.  There is just something so special about these chocolates. The are so wonderful, you’ll want to share them with friends. They have a legendary status in Charlottesville, and I can tell it won’t be long before Richmond claims them as our own.

On a side note, I also learned that Sticks Kabob Shop, near Willow Lawn, also shares an owning partner with Gearharts.  I found this out when inquiring about the food Gearharts had  provided for the opening. The lemon-garlic shrimp kabobs and hummus are good enough for me to put it on my list of places to go when I just don’t feel like cooking. It’s considered fast food, but certainly didn’t taste like it to me. If you look at the menu, you can see relatively healthy food and affordable prices.

The Grill at Patterson & Libbie

I drove by the old site of Freckles on Patterson Avenue today and snapped a quick photo. As you can see they are renovating the spot to make a  patio eatery called The Grill at Patterson & Libbie. Looks like it’ll be a nice spot. Well any place with an open patio rises way up my list of places to go hang out. I’ll keep you posted on details as I find them, so far, I have no news regarding an opening date, or any other details.