The RTD has a look at the near-complete conversion of the 3 buildings of the Lucky Strike complex.

Sunday Vintage Market; Back Porch tonight @ GlobeHopper; Elli Morris and Cooling the South: The Block Ice Era 1875 - 1975; open mic @ Poe’s Pub; James River Writers meet&greet; Mini Flicks & Stories; Thursday Fresh Market; Fridays at Sunset; River District Canal Cruises (Friday-Sunday); 6th District Town Meeting; Canal Boats And Cobblestones walking tour; Bikes in the Bottom; MORE…

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Having been following the process since the beginning, John Sarvay over at Buttermilk&Molasses has a timely update and recap on the Richmond Downtown Master Plan. The City of Richmond Planning Commission will hold a public hearing Monday, July 7 @6:30PM on the June 2008 Revised Draft Downtown Master Plan @ the 5th floor conference room in city hall.

ncb12 is reporting that a body was recovered from the James River this afternoon near Tredegar Ironworks after being spotted by a Dominion Virginia Power security guard.

The Richmond Voice has published another racist and poorly written piece on gentrification (previously), this time looking at Manchester:

Faison says she went to the library to investigate the history and found out the neighborhood was predominantly white. The high-dollar homes could be a clear indication that the neighborhood eventually will become what it was. Faison explains they are seeing high-dollar renovations on surrounding homes and $200,000 condos for sale. She adds, at those rates and prices the area will become too expensive for Blacks to reside in. [...] Although this plan is supposed to include everyone one question remains will Blacks be able to afford it?

Here are 12 key words from in vino veritas’ take on a recent visit to Morton’s: 1) disappeared, 2) clownish, 3) superb, 4) flavourless, 5) forgot, 6) unevenly, 7) overdone, 8) delectable, 9) confused, 10) hacked, 11) disappointed, 12) prices.

The RTD is reporting 13 protestors were arrested outside of Dominion Virginia Power’s offices on Tredegar Street at around 7AM this morning. According to the RTD, “four people interlocked their arms and buried their hands in a 55-gallon drum of hardened cement and were sitting on the footbridge from Tredgar to Belle Isle. [...] A fifth person was suspended from a rope attached to that drum of cement, and he was hanging off the bridge.” They were protesting Dominion Virginia Power’s plans to build a new coal-fueled power plant in Wise County.

Academy Award nominee Morgan Spurlock, famous for his documentary Super Size Me, has launched a new television series called 30 Days which explores the various life-changing experiences that are possible in a 30-day period. From working in a coal mine to eating only fast food, Spurlock takes us to the extremes of life in America, investigating some of the most pressing issues within our modern society. Following the screening we will explore some of the issues associated with our modern world, and will also discuss ways in which we can work to create healthy and sustainable communities within the city of Richmond as well as in the nation at large.

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Sunday Vintage Market; Back Porch @ Globehopper: American Lifestyles; Haunted Battlefields: Virginia’s Civil War Ghosts; open mic @ Poe’s Pub; Mini Flicks & Stories; Thursday Fresh Market; MORE…

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I’ve made some behind-the-scenes updates. Please let me know if you notice anything broken or acting weird (on this site…).

Calling all Culinary Masters in Shockoe Valley from the Slip to the Bottom and beyond: So, you think you have what it takes to compete for title of Top Chef in Richmond’s River District? This event will pit the Savory-savvy Gurus from Shockoe Slip against the Flavor-chic Experts of Shockoe Bottom, with some local homegrown culinary talent thrown into the pot to spice things up a bit! [via]

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World Market Day: Come down to the Farmer’s Market tomorrow from 9AM-3PM and “experience a cultural infusion of foods and wares from across the globe.”

It’s Fourth Friday and Manchester is ready. Check out new work by Myrah Brown Green, Marti Fann, Daniel Rettinger, Janet Visser, Nathaniel Hester, Catherine Johnson, Mary Anne Hensley, AND MORE.

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Where is there free wi-fi in the area? (&props to wotbn for the good question)

Club Velvet owner Samuel Moore was sentenced to 60 days for having sex with a minor and filming sex with an adult. He could be released in as soon as 30 days with time off for good behavior. [via]

“I deeply regret my lack of good judgment,” Moore said today before he was sentenced in Richmond Circuit Court. “I apologize to the commonwealth and the two young ladies involved. I hope in the future I’ll have the strength and wisdom to make proper changes in my life.”

The new FEMA Flood Map for the City of Richmond will be the subject of a public meeting Tuesday, July 1, from 7–9 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall. FEMA has redrawn all of the floodplains within the city of Richmond and City officials will be on hand to answer questions and assist citizens in the appeals process. The new designation would affect approximately 2681 properties. More info and maps.

Spam Allstars (w/ Farm Vegas) tomorrow at Friday Cheers:

(w/ Farm Vegas)
DJ Le Spam & the Spam Allstars blend improvisational electronic elements and turntables with Latin, funk, hip hop and dub to create a sound that is unique – an electronic descarga.

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Looking for a good lunch? Daniel Neman at the RTD says try Zuppa, you’ll like it:

The Thai Chicken Noodle ($3 a cup, $5 a bowl) is a hearty blend redolent of lemongrass and, one assumes, fish sauce and maybe galangal, a Thai relative of ginger. It is the perfect accompaniment to any cool or cold day — that is, any day that isn’t in the summer, when they offer gazpacho.

Style Weekly’s restaurant roundup Short Order gives an update on Cafe Gutenberg. With new front-of-house manager Gershom Wynn (Karsen’s, Escabar and Metro) joining executive chef/general manager Jen Mindel and chef Garrett Berry, the restaurant continues to serve up simple fine dining that is “local, seasonable, lively and affordable”.

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Manchester merchants, galleries and eateries are uniting to provide an evening of art, food and fun south of the river, on the 4th Friday/June 27th. From 5-7PM enjoy live Brazilian jazz and food at Manchester’s newest café SAVOR. Crittenden Studio, next door to SAVOR, will be open. From 7-9PM see new art exhibits and meet the artists at Art Works, Artspace and 12 12 Gallery. From 9-11PM Scoot Richmond @217 West 7th Street will be hosing a drive-in movie (Big Wee’s Big Adventure). Bring your scooter, lawn chair or blanket.