I started with a wonderful brioche and cheese “sandwich” appetizer with apples and walnuts. This dish was absolutely sublime. It was so good, in fact, I could have eaten a mountain of it. The textures and the flavor of butter, apple, an apple-spirit, and the cheese all came together in an interplay of texture, savory flavor and luxurious sweetness. I at once could forgive my dining partner for choosing the appetizer I wanted first, a marinated mozzarella salad with garlicky dressing. This was better.

My appetizer was good, but not superb. I ordered the crab cakes which were served amid a basil butter. Between the two broken cakes were cheesy grits (they were good).

A prime example of the issue occurred at Richmond City Council’s meeting Monday night. There were three cases involving installing all-way stop signs in three different city districts. This time, despite the city’s reservations, council did what their constituents wanted.

Councilman Chris Hilbert (3rd) had requested all-way stops be installed at the intersection of Rennie and Noble avenues in the Northside, but will likely withdraw his request after talking to the Department of Public Works, which worked with the neighbors to determine that speed humps were more appropriate and satisfied the neighbors.

While located within the city limits of Richmond, the Ginter Park neighborhood has the feel of an old-fashioned Southern town, with its wide, shady streets and spacious houses enjoyed by generations of families. This pleasant neighborhood will be highlighted on the April 23 tour, co-sponsored by Historic Richmond Foundation and The Garden Club of Virginia. The area was conceived and planned in the late-19th century by wealthy industrialist and entrepreneur Major Lewis W. Ginter and was one of Richmond’s first planned communities. The April 23 event takes visitors on a leisurely walking tour along Seminary Avenue in the heart of the neighborhood, which has retained most of its ambiance of the turn of the last century with its old trees, large lawns and a wealth of architecturally diverse homes, renewed for 21st century living. While in the area, be sure to visit the wonderful Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, inspired by Major Ginter and his niece Grace Arents.

West, an honored professor of Princeton University, will lecture at Union-PSCE on April 23 in Watts Chapel. Seating is limited, and overflow seating is being planned for Lingle Hall.

All those who attend will need a ticket. To reserve yours, please call Peninnah Ziegler at (804) 278-4223.

One of America’s most gifted, provocative, and important public intellectuals, Dr. Cornel West, is known for writing, speaking, and teaching that weaves together the American traditions of the Black Baptist Church, progressive politics, and jazz.

The lecture will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2008.

Union-PSCE, located at 3401 Brook Road, is co-sponsoring the event with partners at Virginia Commonwealth University, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, the School of Theology at Virginia Union University, the University of Richmond, Randolph-Macon College, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, and other institutions in the Richmond area.

Got a tree near your house? Does it have a bright green “gator” bag like this one attached to it? If so, please fill it once a week — and maybe even talk with your neighbors about helping you. (The fill-up slot is underneath the label at the top of the bag.) These bags are important to the survival of the small trees — over 50% of new trees fail because of lack of water, and rainfall is short this winter.

Construction at LGBG is expected to be completed by early summer 2008. Dedication of the Rose Garden will take place in mid-fall of 2008 allowing the rose plants to establish and mature for a stunning grand opening.

Lewis Ginter’s Groovin’ in the Garden series, hosted by Haymaker Productions, is on hiatus for 2008 during the construction and “settling in” of the new Rose Garden and Belvedere. We are very excited about the return of the series on Thursdays in May and June of 2009, the Garden’s Silver Anniversary Year. Concertgoers will find the performances staged in a greatly expanded and even more beautiful rose garden, with double the hardscape, 1800 new rose plants and a terraced and sodded lawn for the audience. As always, the music will be exceptional, picking up where we left off last year with remarkable acts and record attendance.

The Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities announce the opening of “Creative Juice,” an exhibit featuring adult art students and instructors from Pine Camp Arts & Community Center. The opening will be held in The Spotlight Gallery on Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. until noon. Painting, pottery, weaving, jewelry, and photography will be on display. The exhibit will continue through May 30.

This event will be held in conjunction with the art program’s Customer Appreciation Day. Current students will be treated to free open studios, children can participate in art make-and-take activities, and newcomers are invited to view the art show, observe students working in the studios, and register for spring classes. Participants can sign up to win a free adult or children’s art class, and enjoy coffee, pastries and juice. Spring classes begin April 14.

Shoppers were interviewed at The Hub, 7-11, Roy’s Big Burger, Feathernesters, Consignment Connection, and Rite Aid over a period of two weeks in September 2007.

Nearly 60% of those surveyed shop on Lakeside Avenue either weekly or monthly. Just over a third of the respondents (35%) said they seldom shop on Lakeside Avenue. Most participants rated shopping in the district as either good or average, (31% and 32%, respectively); very few respondents rated the shopping as poor (5%). However, a majority of those surveyed expressed lukewarm feelings
about specific retail characteristics of the corridor.

Participants had several opportunities to answer open-ended questions regarding their likes and dislikes of the corridor. Many of the shoppers expressed concern that there is simply nothing to do for entertainment. Some respondents went into detail, explaining the need for clusters of restaurants and other forms of entertainment. Expounding on this theme, many participants considered the restaurants (or lack thereof) as one of the weakest aspects of the corridor.

Richmond’s 3rd district now has another option when it comes to treating a stomach growl.

With the help of the city’s Commercial Area Revitalization Effort (CARE) rebate program, Chef Gordon and Cheryl Russell were able to open the Welcome Table Northside Restaurant and Catering.

The Russell’s are pleased with the city’s contribution.

“The city gave us a big handout. This is much, but we’ve enjoyed doing it and we’re about catering and feeding the community. When we feed you physically, we can pray with you spiritually,” Russell stated.

Councilman Chris Hilbert met Russell at a past groundbreaking where he shared with Hilbert his dream of owning a restaurant in Richmond.

“We’re excited about the whole concept of Brookland Park Blvd coming back. We’ve cut at least half dozen ribbons for businesses since I’ve been on council and I am looking forward to doing more of that,” Hilbert stated.

First held in 1895, the charter run was known as “Deep Run Hunt Cup,” and was held on Broad Street Road. Subsequent runs were held at Ginter Park and later, on the grounds of today’s Country Club of Virginia.

During World War I, the Cup went on hiatus and resumed in 1927. It was also suspended during World War II. Today, thousands eagerly watch the races to see who comes away with part of the purses totaling nearly $70,000.

The races are named after the farm, Strawberry Hill, where the races were held on Laburnum Avenue from the 70s to the late 90s. The Strawberry Hill Races moved to Colonial Downs in New Kent County in 2000 which features grandstand seating and two fancy cocktail lounges: the Jockey Club and the Turf Club.