Fans of Libbie Market (formerly Joe’s Market) may be interested in this update that owner, Dave Taylor, sent to the Facebook Fans of the small Near West End neighborhood market:

Hello Libbie Market facebook fans. Here is a quick update on what’s happening at Libbie Market. We are beginning the process of re-merchandising our store and you will see a transformation over the next two weeks (please pardon our mess!). Our meat department is fully converted to “Certified Angus” and “Prime” beef. Beginning Monday March 1st we will have weekly meat specials. This week’s lead item is New York Strip Steaks for $6.99/Lb. As well, (drum roll)…donuts are back at Libbie Market. Krispy Kreme donuts are now available 7 days a week. Did I forget to tell you, we are also open Sundays, so be sure to come in and check-out our fabulous Sunday Brunch. More to come later, thanks for all of your support.

David.

I just learned on Twitter that 3Sports, my favorite local bike shop (and triathlon store), is moving from Forest Ave (near Tuckahoe Elementary School) to the River Road Shopping Center. This is great news, because they’ll be more conveniently located –but best of all they will be expanding their site to over 5,000 square feet.  Plus they’ll be positioned in a much better site for packet pickups, group rides & group runs.

One of the things I like best about 3Sports is that owners Ben & Jennifer Johnson and their mechanic Andrew Wolak always make you feel at home there.  More than once I’ve had Ben or Andrew show me what they were doing to my bike, and explain it so that if I wanted to fix it myself the next time (and if I was a quick study) I would have the knowledge.  It was Jennifer, in fact, who first taught me how to change a tube in my road bike when I got a flat, and it was Ben who finally made me feel confident that I could in fact fix things on my bike that were broken.  Plus, since “hanging out” has always been part of their company culture, with 2 dogs and living-room like setting in the bike shop, I’m hoping they’ll carry that concept over to the new store with more room.  I’ll keep you posted on the open date as I learn more.

So, congrats Ben and Jennifer. We love to see locally owned businesses doing so well. And you guys deserve it.

FYI, they also have a great website, and you can find them on Facebook as well.

It’s no secret that I love trees.  I work at a botanical garden after all.  And I also confess, I love things that are free. So this is why, each year, I  mention (and attend if at all possible) the Henricopolis SWCD tree-seedling giveaway this year it is on Friday March 19.

The Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will hold its annual spring tree-seedling giveaway for Henrico County residents on Friday, March 19 at the Hermitage High School parking lot, 8301 Hungary Spring Road. Trees will be distributed free of charge from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Henricopolis SWCD will offer several seedling specialty packs, including wildlife, pine, ornamental, shrub and wetland/stream bank. Information about individual species and planting guidelines are available online at www.co.henrico.va.us/swcd.

The seedling giveaway is part of the conservation district’s ongoing efforts to protect the James River watershed by reducing runoff and sediment flows into local streams. Call 501-5175 for more information.

Actually, I don’t think they’ve updated their website recently, because I coulnd’t find the species guide and planting info, but I will say that several years ago when I went I got several beautiful species including pink and white dogwoods.  I’ll see you there!

Richmond residents, fear not! I just found an event for you on April 3rd, also with a free tree givaway. Stay Cool with Trees, is a free Arbor Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Carillon in Richmond’s Byrd Park.  During the festivities, Richmond will receive Tree City USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation for the 19^th straight year.

Rain or shine, you will find both fun and information about the many ways trees make our lives better. You also will learn about the work of related community organizations and businesses.

Children can climb a tree, bounce in an inflatable castle, enjoy art activities supervised by the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, and meet the Richmond Flying Squirrels mascot “Nutzy.” And they can expect a visit by a city firefighting unit between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Adults will also have several fun events in which to participate:

* Six workshops on planting, identifying trees, pruning mature trees, why native plants are needed, assessing the extent of decay inside a trunk, and tips for using a professional arborist’s tools.

* Talking with experts about tree selection, tree care, protection during construction, horticulture and gardening.

* Shopping for everything from plants and artwork to composting bins and rain barrels.

* Getting a free bare-root tree, (while supplies last!).

The acoustic band Van Driver will perform while fans meet and greet representatives of WRIR 97.3 and of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, who will also have a drawing for a special prize. Nancy Ross Hugo, the essayist-landscaper and co-author of Remarkable Trees of Virginia, will be the keynote speaker. Richard Nunnally, Richmond Times-Dispatch garden columnist and WCVE gardening show host, will greet his fans and answer horticulture questions at the Times-Dispatch booth. Karl Pokorny, former Richmond city arborist, will offer information and answer questions about protecting trees during construction.

Other certified arborists and a wildlife biologist will present six workshops, from 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Then all but the native plant workshop will repeat from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

* A Professional Arborist’s Equipment – Mark Bennett, arborist, Davey Tree

* Assessing Strength Loss and Potential Hazards in Trees Using a Resistograph – Bill Poad, arborist, Bartlett Tree Experts

* Mature Tree Pruning – Billy Davis, arborist, Arborscapes

* How to Plant a Tree – Norman Brown, arborist, Richmond Urban Forestry

* Tree Identification – Michael Mather, arborist, Richmond Urban Forestry

* Reconnecting the Web: Why We Won’t Save Wildlife Without Native Plant Landscapes – Lou Verner, wildlife mapping coordinator, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

Event attendees will be able to purchase The Earth Machine compost bin at a discount through the Clean City Commission (cash or personal checks only).

A reader from RainTree, near Goodwin High School wants to know if anyone recommends any local tree service/pruning companies.  Can you help?

[We] have a 20 foot Crepe Mrytle that needs pruning.  Do you have any suggestions for someone who will do it for a reasonable price?  Thank you

Looking for something to do tomorrow night? Crossroads Art Center is having a free indoor artwalk and open house Friday night from 6 to 9 pm.  Also enjoy live music by Darryl Ellyson of the River City Blues Society, a cash bar benefiting the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation. Plus a benefit — the Bustin out for Breast Cancer Silent Auction.

Featured artists will be Rhonda Henry (Rhen), Frances Wessells, ….as well as artists participating in Nimrod Hall Artist Show and the Bustin’ Out For Breast Cancer Silent Auction. Of course, we will also have local artists participating in March’s “All Media Show” and the Crossroads “Members Only” Show.

Show Dates: March 19th – May 12th

On top of that we will also be featuring The Haiti Relief Effort by partnering with AT Home Care and Physicians for Peace to Collect Donations and Therapy Equipment

the night of the art opening!! Presentation at 7:30pm by: David A. Lawrence, MSPT, ATC, Walking Free co-founder & AT Home Care, Amputee Specialist

The Near West End community is encouraged to attend a meeting tomorrow morning, March 20th, at 9: 30 am, regarding the future use and development of the former site of Richmond  Community High School located at 5800 Patterson Avenue in Richmond  — now known as the Westhampton School site.  The meeting will be held at Mary Munford Elementary School (211 Westmoreland Street (Between Cary Street and Grove Avenue.)  Sorry for the late notice guys — I JUST got this email at 3:32 pm today — Friday, March 19th – so they haven’t given us much notice!

Vacant and not functioning as a school as of the 2009/10 school year, the property was transferred to the City of Richmond by Richmond Public Schools.  The site, including the former Colonial Revival style school building, is 6.6 acres. The original school building was built around 1917.

The community is invited and encouraged to attend and refreshments will be provided

Hosted by:  Bruce W. Tyler, Councilman

West End 1^st District, Richmond City Council

CONTACT For more information, please contact Councilman Bruce Tyler, at 804.357.6007; or bruce.tyler@richmondgov.com; or, Jennifer Walle, at 363.3442/jennifer.walle@richmondgov.com.

Saturday, May 1 will be opening day for the St. Stephen’s Farmers Market. It will run each Saturday rain or shine, through the last Saturday in October. Market hours are 8 a.m.-noon.

The Market is located in St. Stephen’s parking lot, 6000 Grove Avenue. Free parking is available.

The Farmers Market at St. Stephen’s focuses on local producers. A large variety of seasonal vegetables, fruit, herbs, eggs, poultry, bison, beef, pork, flowers, bread, cheese, pasta and other foods are available each week. In addition, the market features the work of local artisans, locally roasted coffee, and much more.

The market’s inaugural season in 2009 was a tremendous success, attracting more than 50 vendors including Frog Bottom Farm, Polyface Farm and Warsaw Plants, as well as regular customers from the surrounding neighborhood and beyond.

Don’t forget this weekend’s road closings– and get caught in traffic! This Saturday is the Monument Avenue 10K with a record 37,000+ participants.  Many streets in the Fan and the Near West End will be closed, and many more will be  filled with cars looking for parking.  Here’s the lowdown so you can avoid it (or embrace it if you are racing!). Near West End streets are in BOLD.

ROAD CLOSINGS:

· Broad Street will be closed between Belvidere Street and Lombardy Street from 4 AM to Noon. The recommended detour for westbound traffic is right on Belvidere Street to 95 North. The recommended detour for eastbound traffic is left on Allen Avenue, right on Leigh Street, right on Belvidere. Motorists are encouraged to use I-95 as an alternate.

· Laurel Street will be closed between Main and Grace Street from 4 AM to 3 PM.

· Franklin Street will be closed between Shafer Street and Belvidere Street from 4 AM to 2:30 PM.

· Cathedral Place will close from Laurel to Shafer Court from 4 AM to 3 PM.

· Park Avenue will close from Shafer Court to Lombardy Street/Stuart Circle from 6 AM to 9 AM.

· Lombardy Street will be closed between Broad Street and Franklin Street (Stuart Circle) from 7 AM to 2:30 PM.

· Lombardy Street will be closed between Stuart Circle and Park Avenue from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM.

· Franklin Street will be closed between Lombardy Street and Shafer Street from 7 AM to 2:30 PM.

· Grace Street will be closed between Belvidere Street and Allen Avenue from 7 AM to 11 AM.

· Monument Avenue / Franklin Street will be closed between Staples Mill Road and Stuart Circle (Lombardy Street) from 7 AM to 2:30 PM. The recommended detour for eastbound traffic is left on Staples Mill Road, right on Broad Street, left on Allen Avenue, right on Leigh Street, right on Belvidere Street. The recommended detour for westbound traffic is right on Belvidere Street, left on Leigh Street, left on Allen Avenue, right on Broad Street.

· The Boulevard will be closed at Monument Avenue from 8:30 AM to 1 PM. The recommended detour for northbound traffic is left on Park Avenue, right on Thompson Street to 195. The recommended detour for southbound traffic is right on Grace Street, right on Thompson Street, left on Broad Street, left on Hamilton Street to 195.

· There will also be numerous street closings for all north and south streets intersecting Monument Avenue/Franklin Street between Staples Mill Road and Belvidere Street.