Reports by the Richmond City Department of Public Health Environmental Health Division show that Sumo San has 10 critical violations from their previous 5 inspections over the past year, with 1 critical and a whopping 11 non-critical violations served up most recent on January 27, 2010.

The Virginia ABC Board made the decision on Thursday to revoke Club Velvet’s liquor license based on evidence that Moore allowed underage drinking, public nudity, drug use, consumption of alcohol in unauthorized areas of the club and allowed sexual acts to be performed on club customers.

Moore has 30 days to appeal the decision with the ABC and can continue to serve alcohol during that time. The transcript of the ABC hearing is available here (warning: graphic).

Baristas Erin Helland and Kimberly Certa of Shockoe Bottom’s GlobeHopper Coffeehouse & Lounge prepare to sling coffee with the best in Atlanta at the Southeast Regional Barista Competition. In similar fashion to a cook-off, barista competitions provide an opportunity for coffee professionals to prove the art of a real espresso requires much more skill than a push of a button.

GlobeHopper Coffeehouse & Lounge is participating in the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s Southeast Regional Barista Competition in Atlanta February 19-21st in celebration of its upcoming second anniversary. Read more >

Shamrock the Block 2010, Richmond’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day bash, is set for March 13 from noon-6PM at the 17th Street Farmer’s Market: bands, food, crafts, fun for the kids and of course, beers.

Rachel DePompa broke the story via twitter last night:

Shockoe Strip Club Owner Sam Moore accused of threatening a Richmond Police Officer over the phone.

She later followed up with more details at NBC12.com stating that Moore allegedly threatened violence against a police officer, who had contacted Moore on behalf of a Club Velvet employee about a work dispute. The misdemeanor phone threat charge can lead to up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. The ABC Board is ruling this week in a separate matter to determine if Club Velvet will lose their liquor license.

Ronnie Ortiz-Magro from MTV reality TV show “Jersey Shore” (and possibly other cast members) will be a Tiki Bob’s Cantina tonight. [via]

The 5th Annual Chocoholic is this Thursday, February 4, from 6-9PM at the Virginia Holocaust Museum (2000 E. Cary Street):

Join us for Children’s Health Involving Parents’ 5th Annual CHOCOHOLIC!

The ultimate sensory experience…and a lot of chocolate! You will enjoy great conversation, laughs and networking opportunities. Get your taste buds ready for:

• Fountains flowing full of chocolate, cheese and other delicacies.
• Specialty confections from local chocolatiers, restaurants, bakeries and ice cream shops.
• Wines from area vineyards.
• Chocolate martinis…back by popular demand!
• Beer tastings. (New this year!)
• Cast your vote in the Best Chocolate Cake Contest. (Also new this year!)

Read more >

Virginia Blood Services will be holding a blood drive at Baskervill on Tuesday from 8:30AM-12:30PM (101 South 15th Street) to help make up for drives canceled due to snow.

The opening of the much talked about Urban Farmhouse Market and Cafe is scheduled for February 3. The cafe will feature fresh, local, and seasonal foods. View their Winter Menu.

Cafe Gutenberg just announced that they will be open 7 days a week for lunch. [via]

We are breaking ground on our first Urban Mini Farm (yet to be named) at the corner of 9th St. & Bainbridge St., in old Manchester. We are setting up a vermiculture operation, hoop houses for cold weather growing, a living fence of raspberries, blackberries and blueberries (YUM!), and gardens for intensive growing. Thanks to the generosity of Robin Miller and Dan Gecker of Monroe Properties, we are ready to get the first model of high yield urban farming up and running on 1/2 an acre of under utilized urban land. The ultimate goal is job creation, as we implement urban farms throughout Richmond. Jobs, healthy food access, bio-diversity, ecological restoration, and more….Stay tuned for volunteer work days!

President Obama announced today that USDOT is awarding $8 billion to states to invest in high speed rail. Of that, Virginia will share $620,000,000 with North Carolina to develop high speed rail between Charlotte-Raleigh-Richmond-Washington, D.C.. In the current plan Richmond is listed as having “projects laying foundation for high-speed passenger rail.”

View the plan here.

Congratulations to the Martin Agency for being named National Agency of the Year by Adweek!

The Shockoe Slip advertising firm was named the top U.S. ad agency of 2009 by industry publication Adweek. The designation is one of the top honors in the industry — and the first time Martin has received the honor… Adweek cited Martin’s aggressive growth last year, particularly in a difficult economy. [via]

CHAD ANDREWS A Quick Visit to Anytowne, U.S.A.

February 5 – March 20, 2010

Opening reception to be held Friday, February 5, 5 – 9 PM at Frame Nation.

Read more >