January 6, 2009
Delores McQuinn elected to House of Delegates
Delores McQuinn was officially elected to the House of Delegates today. She will represent the 70th district in the seat vacated by Mayor Dwight Jones. [via]
January 6, 2009
officers indicted after fight at shockoe bottom bar last year
The RTD has the details:
A Richmond grand jury today indicted three city police officers on one count each of obstruction of justice. Richmond prosecutors have said that officer Ian McCloskey assaulted another man while off duty at a bar in Shockoe Bottom nearly a year ago, then threatened a witness. The two other officers, Floyd T. Campbell II and William A. House, are accused of trying to cover up the incident.
January 4, 2009
Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-energize America @ GlobeHopper
The folks at the Back Porch Energy Initiative will be kicking off the new year tomorrow night:
This Monday, January 5 we will be watching clips from the award-winning film Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-Energize America. Filmaker Jeff Barrie offers tangible solutions to one of America’s most pressing environmental challenges: energy. In light of the New Year, Back Porch wants to start the new year off on a positive note and discuss how to move forward in ‘09 towards a more sustainable Richmond. Join us as we learn from the film and each other about how one person can really make a difference.
January 4, 2009
this week’s RDN calendar
Sunday Vintage Market; Mini Flicks & Stories; Thursday Fresh Market; 6th District Town Meeting; Bikes in the Bottom; MORE…
January 3, 2009
shockoe restaurants make “best in ‘08″
The RTD has named two of Shockoe Bottom’s restaurants as the “Best in ‘08″:
LuLu’s 21 N. 17th St. (804) 343-9771 http://www.lu-lusrichmond.com
Sure, Steve Jurina, the man who made the words “Millie’s” and “brunch” one and the same, opened LuLu’s in late 2007, but it wasn’t until early last year that its popularity exploded. His kitschy, industrial-meets-sleek Farmers’ Market eatery has become a no-fail outlet for gussied-up comfort food and laid-back barside lounging. LuLu’s has a hip serenity to it, which is further defined by its genuinely awesome wait and bar staff.
The Halligan Bar & Grill 3 N. 17th St. (804) 447-7981 http://www.thehalliganbar.com
What goes better with a hefty pile of briny, tomato-kissed pulled pork and hand-cut fries than a fireman-themed wonderland complete with 1973 Seagrave fire engine with working lights and siren? I know, I can’t think of anything either. Since opening day, Halligan has been not only mecca for finger-licking barbecue fans but also a community gathering spot for some of Richmond’s finest men and women in uniform.
January 2, 2009
celebrate Edgar Allen Poe’s 200th birthday
CHPN.net has the details:
Celebrate Edgar Allen Poe’s 200th birthday on Monday, January 19th, 2009 with a Mournful Walk and a few Warming Hours at the Poe Museum. The Mournful Walk begins at 6:45PM at the grave of Eliza Poe in St. John’s Cemetery, and then goes to the Elmira Shelton House, down the hill for a view and history of the tragedy at the Monumental Church, past the Craig House, and ends at the Poe Museum at 8PM.
January 1, 2009
new year, new restaurants
As previously mentioned, the River District expects two new restaurants in 2009. Style Weekly has the story:
The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing: It could be summer or fall for the first restaurant in the neighborhood east of downtown. Wood-fired pizzas, drinks on the deck, river views from two levels and tented event space on the James will juice things up, and owner Kevin Healy is ready to build a successful run in Brandermill with a similar formula.
Croaker’s Spot South: Manchester will eat this up: fresh fish and southern sides, major experience and a hot urban sibling. The project in the residential Old Manchester Plaza Building heads toward a winter opening.
December 30, 2008
mixed use at 21st and Main
RichmondBizSense has the story on a development for 21st and Main:
A group of local developers plans to turn the block into a mixed-use development with more than 200 residential units, 12,000 square feet of retail space and a restaurant.
December 28, 2008
meet-up to get involved
We will be holding an informational meeting on Tuesday, Dec.30 at 7PM, for anyone interested in volunteering to post for River District News, Hills&Heights, or Carver&Jackson Ward News. Contact John Murden at murden@gmail.com to RSVP and for more info.
December 28, 2008
this week’s RDN calendar
Sunday Vintage Market; volunteer meet-up; Galactic Superstars; Mini Flicks & Stories; Thursday Fresh Market; MORE…
December 16, 2008
Historic remains of infamous Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Discovered
A major project of the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission, the archaeological excavation of the infamous Lumpkin’s Slave Jail, located in Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom area, has uncovered the remains of the former compound and period artifacts. The discovery includes the brick foundation, cobblestone courtyard and kitchen area.
December 7, 2008
the end of the experiment
I started this site just over a year ago to see if a community news blog could take for the area. I think that it has worked very well and still has even greater potential, but I’m not the person for this anymore. If someone from the area would like to pick up this site and make it their own, please comment below and I’ll get back to you.
December 7, 2008
You are parking your car in a lot that was built over a historic cemetery.
From a flyer being left on cars in the VCU parking lot. For more info, check out the Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project.
December 7, 2008
Terraces @ Rocketts Landing

The Rocketts Landing blog has some some details about what’s next:
… the next phase of construction at Rocketts will bring a handful of upscale townhomes to the banks of the James River. I’d very much like to say they’re a stones-throw from the water. I’m confident I can easily throw a stone from where construction will begin into the water of the James. But enough about stones. [...] The homes will range in size between 3,240 square feet to almost 5,000 square feet. Prices range from $1 million to $1.6 million.
December 6, 2008
this week’s RDN calendar
Saturday Growers; Bohemian Market; Sunday Vintage Market; James River Writers meet&greet; Mini Flicks & Stories; Thursday Fresh Market; 6th District Town Meeting; Bikes in the Bottom; MORE…
December 5, 2008
Grand Illumination and Holiday Market photos
December 5, 2008
Shockoe, Boulevard development presentation now available
The folks down at city hall have made available a copy of the presentation by Highwoods Properties (3.7MB PDF) from Tuesday’s CHA meeting about the proposed development for Shockoe and the Boulevard.
December 4, 2008
Art Karma tonight @ Plant Zero
Art Karma, an annual fundraiser and “good karma” party to benefit ART 180 is tonight from 7-10PM @ Plant Zero (0 East 4th St). The event includes an extensive silent auction and lots of entertaining elements to round out the experience.
December 3, 2008
James Center’s Grand Illumination and more this weekend
Last year for the Grand Illumination we walked from 18th Street over to the Illumination and back and marveled how, on nights like this with so many people out and about on foot, Richmond feels like a different and larger city. Come on down Friday night for the 10th Annual Holiday Market @ 17th Street Farmers Market, check out the Canal Boat Rides at the Turning Basin, the Main Street Station Holiday Open House, the Capitol Square Tree Lighting, and the James Center’s Grand Illumination. There isn’t another night like it.
December 2, 2008
Main Street Station Holiday Open House on Friday
Come in from the cold during the downtown Grand Illumination activities to enjoy cookies and hot cocoa, kiddie train rides, crafts, and holiday music at the 6th Annual Main Street Station Holiday Open House. This year’s event will focus on youth literacy; books will be given to the first 300 children in attendance. Sgt. Santa will also be on hand, and professional storytellers will read to children by the fireplace. Friday, Dec.5 5-9PM












