Terri [Tatum] opened the shop February 12 on Lakeside Avenue after running the same business on Route 301 in Hanover County…

“We just focus on home decor, unusual items, accessories, jewelry, anything but clothing really,” Terri says… “This is eighty-five percent consignment, but we also showcase the work of local crafters. Our goal is to give people a venue for coming in to find unusual things and hooking up for people — some of the crafters — that might meet the needs of what they would like to have customized.”

You’ve asked for evening hours and we’ve listened! On Thursdays, the Garden is open til 9 p.m.; the Garden Cafe and Garden Shop are open til 7 p.m.; and the Tea House has its last seating at 8 p.m. On the second Thursdays of the month (April 10, May 8 & June 12) leashed pets are allowed in the Garden.

Learn more about A Million Blooms including the Children’s Garden Spring Fling (April 20); Garden Week activities (wine-tasting and live music on April 22, 23 & 24); and Spring Plant Sale (May 1, 2 & 3).

HOW DOES IT WORK? Bring your labeled yard plants in disposable containers to the swap by 11:30. You will receive one token for each yard plant brought to the Swap (regardless of type). Plants can be purchased for one token or for $1.00.

WHO ELSE BENEFITS BESIDES YOU AND YOUR GARDEN? Any cash proceeds will be donated to the Bellevue Civic Association.

RAIN DATE? The rain date is May 4 from 11:30 to 1:00 pm.

QUESTIONS? Call Kath at 262-6835 or Jan at 262-5469.

Each unit, at a cost of $142,500 is 500 square feet and perfectly appointed. The entire building has been gutted and redone. A new roof [has been] put on, new windows, new plumbing, new wiring and extremely efficient 13-seer heat pump systems in each condominium unit.

Living rooms and bedrooms sport high-grade carpeting and the kitchens and bathrooms are tiled. Each kitchen is equipped with a washer and dryer, a dishwasher, refrigerator and gas stove. Countertops are granite and the hickory cabinets have raised panels.

Some North Richmond neighbors say they’re tired of hearing big rigs drive down Overbrook Road. They say it’s more than a nuisance, its dangerous.

“This is a small resident zone and someone is going to get hurt,” says Fanno Williams.

Trucks over 7,500 pounds are not allowed to go northbound on Brook Road unless they’re making deliveries. The problem is many truckers are turning left at this intersection and ignoring the sign that says “no thru traffic.”

And while doing our story during lunch hours, we found several truck drivers breaking the law going down the residential street pass a school, and at high speeds. Richmond Police say it responded to six accidents on Overbrook between Hermitage Avenue and Brook Road last year.

Construction of the Allen and Jeannette Early Center for Christian Education and Worship has moved into its closing weeks.

As a visible sign of progress, workers last week dismantled the construction fence that has surrounded the project since the fall of 2006. They also removed a portion of the fence students had colorfully painted with quotes from the Old and New Testaments written in ancient Hebrew and Greek.

The project represents an extreme makeover of the 1897 former library. The building is being given new life as an academic and worship center at the seminary.

A Memorial Day Parade is scheduled for Monday, May 26. The event will kick off at the Hatcher Memorial Church at 2 pm, turn left on Dumbarton, and proceed the wrong way on the southbound lane of Lakeside Avenue. The parade will continue to Hilliard Road where it will turn left again and proceed to Cottage Street. It will end at Lakeside Elementary School.

“We are really excited about this parade and the great support we are getting from the county,” remarked coordinator Dick McClure, a local Lakesider with much experience in the parade production arena.

I did want to mention a fun local art event on Thursday night. Please join us and bring a friend to the 5th Annual Art In Bloom at Stir Crazy. This show will include a few of my plein air paintings of the Richmond area, plus lots of other great art from over a dozen local artists. Proceeds from art sales support Children’s Miracle Network-Richmond. It is always a great time and it is for a good cause.

Drop by for a few minutes after work or make an evening of it; the event will run from 6 - 9 p.m this Thursday evening.

When: Thursday, April 10, 6:00PM
Location: Stir Crazy Cafe, 4015 MacArthur Avenue, Richmond, VA 23227

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.

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.