We picked this up from our buddies over at the Fan District Hub. Richmonder Harry Kollatz, who loves Richmond well about as much as I do, but knows a lot more about Richmond history than I do just published a new book, True Richmond Stories, which also happens to cooly be available on line. Kollatz often writes about Richmond history for Richmond Magazine, and has published books before. If I’m not mistaken he wrote one about The Village Cafe (corner of Harrison and West Grace) where he and I used to hang, and where my husband and I met.
Anyway, Check out this awesome new book. And, if you didn’t know, the Richmond Metro visitor’s center has stopped offering daily tours of the city….Looks like he might be trying to fill in that spot with his GRTA Richmond Bus tour.

This very evening [Tuesday] I’ll be appearing (not in a nimbus of light, nor with thrones of angels singing my arrival) at Fountain Books, 1312 E. Cary St., at 6:30 p.m., and I’ll read some pieces and sign books and even act all author-like and stuff.

If you can’t catch me there, I’m next set to go on October 15 at Cafe Gutenberg, 1700 E. Main St., at 7 p.m. and a conceptual-type presentation will occur on October 26, 7:30 p.m. in conjunction with partner-in-art Amie Oliver’s exhibit Walk The Walk at Plant Zero Art Center, 0 E. 4th St. in Manchester (South Richmond), where books will also be available.

If so, join us at a Newcomers’ Conference Sat., Oct. 20, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at St. Giles, 5200 Grove Ave. An uplifting day of encouragement and fellowship for women going through the adjustment of moving. $8 in advance; $10 at the door. Contact Edith at 230-1153.

Tim Robbins is one of my favorite actors who’s moved from a role of acting into a role of producing with his theater performance of “1984″ based on the popular novel by George Orwell. The Times-Dispatch had the opportunity to interview Mr. Robbins.

“Big Brother was allowed to arrest you without charge . . . [and] torture you,” the actor says. He also observes that Oceania is locked in an epic military conflict with a rationale that is never defined.

It’s “quite an accurate read of a society that is bogged down in a perpetual war with an enemy who’s perpetually unseen,” Robbins says. When asked if he’s referring to controversial clauses in the Patriot Act, and to the Bush administration’s championing of a war against terrorism, he does not demur.

The Actors’ Gang will perform the show at University of Richmond’s Modlin Center Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30pm. Tickets are $16 to $31. Call 804-289-8980 for more info.

The University of Richmond will host a series of panel discussions about domestic violence during October. The month has been designated Domestic Violence Awareness month.

Co-sponsored by the University of Richmond School of Law, University Police and the Center for Civic Engagement, the discussions will be held on Tuesdays from 4 to 5 p.m., in the Brown-Alley Room, Weinstein Hall. They are free and open to the public. A light reception will follow each discussion.

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The Richmond College Dean’s Office, Department of History and Center for Civic Engagement will host a panel discussion, “Fifty Years Later: The Legacies of Little Rock,” at the University of Richmond’s Tyler Haynes Commons Nov.1 at 4:30 p.m. [via]

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Caitlin Sasser of the University of Richmond passed along this info:

The University of Richmond is hosting a free e-waste recycling event on Oct 11-13 from 9am to 3pm. Visit our website for details: http://is.richmond.edu/ewaste/

We’re hoping to help keep potentially hazardous electronic waste out of Virginia landfills. Thanks!

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Caitlin Sasser at 804-289-8467 or Wendy Burchard at 804-289-8785.

Style Weekly highlights Seymour and Audrey Topping, keynote speakers for the China-America Festival of Film & Culture.

Though both of the Toppings are well over the age of retirement — Seymour is 85, Audrey 79 — neither of them seems to be slowing down. Seymour, the author of historical novels set in China and Vietnam, is hard at work on a historical memoir. Audrey is the author of six books and regularly exhibits her photographs from the exotic locations she’s visited over the years.

Audrey and Seymour Topping will speak at the China-America Festival of Film and Culture Friday, Oct. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at The Oates Theater at Collegiate School. The festival runs through Oct. 7. The Full festival schedule is available at www.therosegroup.org.

SnagAJob.com Party Stops announced for spectators: Local roads to be affected

With 500 of the world’s top run-bike athletes coming to Richmond for the 2007 McDonald’s Duathlon Long Course World Championships on Sunday, October 21st, preparations are underway to create an exciting event for spectators and athletes alike.

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We have a lot happening at Munford! Please take time to look over the following announcements:

PLAYGROUND CLEAN UP DAY & EXTERIOR BEAUTIFICATION
Join us Saturday, October 6th from 8:00-noon for PLAYGROUND CLEAN UP DAY. If you’ve got an hour (or more) this Saturday morning, you can really help improve the school’s appearance for the remainder of the year. Please contact Robert and Katie Baughan at flyingsquirrel1@verizon.net if you have any questions.

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The YWCA of Richmond will observe the 12th annual Remember My Name Memorial at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25 at Monument Heights Baptist Church. This nondenominational service commemorates those in the Greater Richmond and surrounding areas, who have lost their lives due to domestic violence in the past year. During the ceremony, families, friends and community leaders will have the opportunity to speak on behalf of the victims or give testimonies about how domestic violence has affected their lives.

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