Wondering how to convince your kids to give up all that Halloween candy? Here is a perfect idea! Donate it to soldiers in Iraq!

The Echo Lake Elementary School PTA and SCA are joining together on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, to ask students to gather up their extra, unopened Halloween candy or new bags of candy for soldiers overseas.

The “Candy For Our Soldiers” project asks students to drop off their sugary donations on the way to the school’s annual Veterans Day assembly at 8:30 a.m.; Superintendent Fred S. Morton IV will serve as the featured speaker.

The SCA will help to package the candy in snack-size baggies, and every classroom will design a card to send to a soldier.

“The students feel a sense of pride as they show their appreciation to the men and woman serving here and abroad,” says Principal Jodie Brinkmann. “We are so grateful for all we have, and it’s nice to be able to share our treats with others.”

Hubby was voting today at our polling place, Crestview Elementary School — #303.  Some unfortunate person was in such a hurry after standing in line for over 45 minutes that they left their voting machine before confirming their vote.

Result: they could not track the person down, and that vote was not counted.  SO….if you are going to go vote, at least stick around to make it count.  Make sure you are done before you leave!

Go Vote Dammit!  Earn some free stuff. And play awesome jokes on your friends!

My friends Phaedra and Monica have older kids.  Older as in, they are already thinking about high school, and thinking about what will be the best fit for their kids. Both of them live in the City of Richmond, which makes things slightly more complicated. But most importantly, they are considering all thier options.  And, they made a blog about their journey – so you could be in the loop too! Check it out and pass the word along if you know of anyone who is already thinking about high school options for their child.

Also, if you have any  info or feedback about these schools that you’d like to pass along, I’m sure they would welcome that as well.

The outside terrace of Magnolia’s wine bar and bistro. (Ivori Zvorsky/The Collegian)

Magnolias, a new wine bar and bistro opening soon in the Village Shopping Center, will provide an atmosphere for people to learn about wine while enjoying good, simple food.

The new 45-to-60-seat bistro is the sister restaurant to Village Fine Wine and Cigar. It will be opening as soon as possible, chef Chris Savage said, adding that it could open as soon as next week.

Open for lunch, Sunday brunch and dinner, the bistro will have room for 20 at the bar, 25 to 26 inside and 20 on the outside patio, Savage said. Diners will still be able to sit outdoors even on the coldest days because of space heaters.

Magnolias is based off of good food, Savage said, but the focus is on the wine. There will be 70 bottles served by the glass.

Customers will have the option of sampling three wines at a time, called a flight. Because the wine is served in smaller glasses, a diner would be able to try lighter and fuller varieties together.

Because the wine is served by the glass, Savage said, diners will be able to sample a $70 bottle of wine that they wouldn’t have usually committed to buying, for around $10 a glass. Then, if they liked it, the same wine would be for sale next door.

The staff will be beginning classes to people who want to learn about the wines Magnolias serves, Savage said. After taking the class, a person will know the wine’s characteristics, the region it came from and the culture of the region.

Magnolias is teaming up with Carytown Teas to offer tea pairings for those who aren’t 21 or aren’t interested in wine. Tea is similar to wine in the way it has different notes and aromas that go with different foods.

The menu was created by Savage and includes a Spanish tapas-inspired tasting menu with smaller portions—and lower prices—of dishes such as seafood paella or a five spice-scented grilled duck breast with blood orange port reduction. The menu also notes a suggestion for a wine to pair with these dishes. The idea is for diners to be able to mix-and-match tastes.

Also, Magnolias serves a selection of salads, main courses and desserts. Try the wild mushroom and crab parpardelle for $16 or Dr. B’s burger for $16.

“I ate this burger as a kid,” Savage said. “Dr. B had two doctorates but took more pride in his burger than anything else.”

The desserts will typically come with a dessert wine or port, Savage said. Desserts include a classic strawberry shortcake and a walnut-encrusted chocolate pâté.

The restaurant has a tiny freezer, Savage said, so Magnolias will get food shipments every day or so, as opposed to once a week like larger restaurants. He will also be using Cavalier Produce, a company that focuses on local, in-season fruits and vegetables.

“He keeps it simple,” said Bruce Bogad, manager of Fine Wine and Cigar, about Steve Dopp, the owner, and Savage’s method of approaching the restaurant.

Remember last year’s great Lost Art Sale, where you could buy great art bargains? It was sort of a weird but ingenious set up. New and old art, out of a new model home . Last year they had free wine & chocolate,  cheap(er) art, and lots of it, without the whole gallery setting.

Well, it’s coming back, but with a new name — One SmART Gallery–  right here to the Near West End – to Grayson Hill in 3 show homes .  Art diva, Tyler Snidow explains in an email to artists:

Over the past 2 years, that nature of the sale has evolved away from a focus on home consignment (or Lost) art -  towards a focus almost exclusively on the sale of discounted work from regional artists clearing out their studios for whatever reason.  Here are some of the reasons past artists have showed with us:  testing a new style, exposure in a new market or for an emerging artist, practice work, demo sale, moving sale, student work, unframed work or studio clearance or whatever.

So…..artist, sort throught that stuff that’s not selling and pull it aside for the One SmART Gallery sale….or even better donate it to the Mary Munford Auction that is coming up in March at the Jewish Community Center.

Call for entry for artists to submit their art to The Lost Art/One SmART Gallery Sale is Dec. 1-Dec. 20th.  The Sale is February 27-March 7th (10a.m.-3p.m.) 

The Mary Munford Auction is March 21st, 2009.

Shoppers: both events are open to the public, and there will be updates on both events right here on the Near West End News, so stay tuned….

An article in today’s Richmond Times Dispatch points out that when it comes to real estate, the Near West End is holding its own. I sort of feel like I was smart and bought a Toyota.

Location also is important, he said.

“Some corridors sell quicker than others and at a higher price,” White said. “The near West End of the city, for example, has moved a little faster with less inventory than other areas of the market.”

I don’t have an exact date for you, but Richmond’s very own Silver Diner should be opening soon in the Innsbrook area.  We are covering it here because if you live in the Near West End, sooner or later, you’ll want to check it out.  Originally we had posted a Summer 2008 opening date, now it looks like it will open in November.  They’ve held several job fairs in September, so my best guess is any day now.

I’ll keep you posted when I learn of a more specific opening date. If you are looking for a job, apparently they are still hiring.  Or, if you are more curious about their menu, you can check that out too! 

Silver Diner is very popular in Northern Virginia and is know for the consistancy, family atmostphere, and friendly service.

The community is invited to an open house and tour of the Tuckahoe Recue Squad on Nov. 9th after the completion of a $300,000 renovation.  In addition, it looks like they have lots of other activities and fall treats, including a Brunswick Stew sale.

Tuckahoe Volunteer Rescue Squad
Open House & Brunswick Stew

Sunday, November 9, 2008 · 12 PM - 4 PM
1101 Horsepen Road (Station 1)

“Thanks for all your support. Come see what we are all about.”

Ambulance & Equipment Displays Station Tours Vehicle Extrication Demonstration Henrico County Fire Apparatus Kid’s Safety Smokehouse

Blood Pressure Checks Cholesterol Screenings Donate Blood (Virginia Blood Services Mobile) Jonathan Austin Door Prizes

It has been said that in times of economic depression and uncertainty, people seek comfort in the familiar goodness.  They seek comfort in  traditions in which they might not otherwise indulge.  For example, Krispy Kreme doughnuts. I mean how much nostalgia  and comfort can one hot little gooey sticky doughnut hold? Apparently alot.

Our friend Val, over at RVA News just announced, happy news for the Near West End, and  for all of Richmond actually — doughnut delivery.  All you have to do is order 3 dozen.   No word on whether Krispy Kreme Express will deliver as far as downtown Richmond’s financial markets.   My guess? ….it will depend on how big the order is.

What’s next?  Twitter updates on the HOT ONES sign. Actually, not a bad idea!

By Alexandra Varipapa  guest blogger & writer for The Collegian

Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited play Chimurenga music, a musical style that was born out of the struggle to gain independence faced by the people of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).

Mapfumo founded and popularized the musical style, which he performs with the Blacks Unlimited.
Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited are coming to Camp Concert Hall in the Modlin Center at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25.

Chimurenga is a mix of traditional African instruments — such as the mbira (a thumb piano), drums and gourd rattles — with Western styles and instruments, like the electric guitar, to produce a rhythmic and trance-like sound.

“Chimurenga means struggle,” Mapfumo said, “and music was born out of struggle. My music played a very big role during the struggle [in Zimbabwe]. It inspired a lot of youngsters to get out of the country and to get their friends to fight for liberty.”

Chimurenga, the Shona word for struggle, was first known as the name for the guerrilla forces that fought against the British regime in Zimbabwe.

Thomas Mapfumo is known as “The Lion of Zimbabwe” because of his politically charged songs that stand up for the rights of his people, the Shona, of Zimbabwe.

“My music is about freedom,” Mapfumo said.

Mapfumo was put in jail for three months in 1979 because of his song “Hokoyo,” which means “Watch Out.” The song in particular called for war and the overthrow of the government in Zimbabwe.

“I went to detention — I was detained — for three months because of my music,” Mapfumo said. “I don’t regret any of it because I was fighting for my people’s freedom.”

Mapfumo’s records were banned from the radio in Zimbabwe but people still listened to them.
“The people inspire the music,” Mapfumo said.

“With everything going on with Zimbabwe and in politics recently it seemed very timely for us to have Mapfumo here to perform,” said Samantha Sawyer, the marketing director for the Modlin Center.

Those who enjoy world music would likely be interested in Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited, Sawyer said.

“The music has a political component, it’s not just a performance,” said Katelin French, a senior and music major who will be attending the show by Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited. “It will be interesting to see if the political message comes through in the show and what language Mapfumo will be singing in. If he sings in English the audience will understand, but it will be less connected to his culture.”

Mapfumo has been living and touring in self-exile in the United States since 2005. He still sings about the problems in Zimbabwe and elsewhere.

Mapfumo, born in 1945 in Rhodesia, started his musical career at a very young age, he said. Many types of music inspired him, including jazz and soul, Western styles he eventually mixed with his native instruments.

Mapfumo’s music, sung in the Shona language, called for the overthrow of the white minority government. Because it was sung in Shona, it was difficult for white people to understand his message and it took a while for the government to realize how radical his music was.

Tickets for the show are for sale online at http://modlin.richmond.edu/ or at the box office in the Modlin Center or by phone, (804) 289-8980.

Contact staff writer Alexandra Varipapa at alexandra.varipapa@richmond.edu