Maple Green – 5 new homes, 3 newly renovated homes coming soon to the Near West End on Maple Avenue between Patterson and Grove. Where will they fit them all in?

Style Weekly reports today that the University of Richmond will open a family law clinic downtown in a joint venture with VCU. 

The University of Richmond is reaching out of its secluded West End campus to set up shop downtown.

In partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University’s social work and psychology programs, UR is making its first major commitment to downtown in the fall. UR’s family law clinic will pair law students with Richmond attorneys who are representing low-income families pro bono. In a separate program, undergraduate and graduate students at UR and VCU will work with city-based organizations that provide services pro bono to low-income families.

The satellite campus will take over about 4,200 square feet at 626 E. Broad St., former headquarters of Franklin Federal Savings & Loan, which is across the street from the new federal courthouse. It’s expected to open to students in time for the fall semester, says Adrienne Volenik, acting director for UR’s National Center for Family Law. The Wilton Cos. donated the space for the campus, she says.

Back in May, the United States Postal Service sent a survey out to folks who live in Henrico, but still use Richmond as their postal address, asking them if they’d like to change their mailing address to Henrico.  The majority said yes, so for the Near West End that means that starting at then end of this year ”Henrico” will be the preferred address for those in the 23229 zip code. Because the 23226 zip includes portions of both Henrico and Richmond, the 23226 city zip will we remain “Richmond”.

But, the bottom line is you can still use Richmond, and your mail will get to you.  Either Henrico or Richmond remain acceptable.

Click here for the full press release.

The Greek Festival starts tomorrow (and runs through Sunday) it will feature wine, music, dance, church tours and of course wonderful Greek Food.

Gyros, pastries, loukomades, calamari & shrimp all return this year with theit own stands click here for the layout. And, fear not if you didn’t have a chance to swing by the ATM — Checks, MasterCard, and Visa credit cards are accepted.

Actually, the culinary offerings are so many, that for someone like me, it helps to have a menu with descriptions. Luckily, they’ve provided that too!

Here are the hours:

Thursday May 29 - 11:00 am to 9:30 pm
Friday May 30 - 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Saturday May 31 - 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Sunday June 1 - 12:00 am to 7:00 pm

Questions: 358-5996

In addition to the food, they’ve got plenty else going on. Here’s a bit from the website:

Music and Dancing:
Did you know there are over 200 dances from Greece? Each one represents different regions, villages, and islands. As always, Achilleas provides the live music and the Byzantio Hellenic Dance Troupe demonstrates a few of these unique dances.
Cathedral Tours: During the Greek Festival, tours of the sanctuary will be given on the half hour. Guides will provide special lecture tours about the history of the Eastern Orthodox Church, which traces its origin to the day of Pentecost. Thursday and Friday: 2 p.m.-7 p.m. Saturday: Noon - 8 p.m. Sunday: Noon - 5 p.m. Shopping at the Agora: At each Greek Festival, there is a wide selection of vendors that come to set up a market, or “Agora”. Greek jewelry, leather, nick-knacks, videos, music, embroideries and rugs, t-shirts and other clothing, folk art, and icons are available for purchase. Win a Trip to Greece: If you purchase a raffle ticket, you can enter a drawing to win either $1500 OR two round trip tickets (coach class) to Athens, Greece. Tickets are 1 / $2 or 6 / $10. The drawing will be held on Sunday June 1st. You do not have to be present to win. And yes, restrictions apply. Find out more information when you make a purchase

 Cafe Caturra Coffee & Wine is coming to the former Luna Grove location at Grove and Maple Avenue near Saint Catherine’s School. It is scheduled to open this summer. Currently Cafe Caturra has two other locations at Alverser Plaza and Midlothian Village Square.

Cafe Caturra roasts its own coffee, serves wine and other tasty goodies.