April 6, 2007
If Tim Kaine was a Virginian and had attended Virginia’s public schools, then he would have gotten a good dose of Virginia history since it is taught (at least when I was coming along) in 4th grade, 7th grade and then once more in 11th grade. Much like his fellow Minnesotan, Hubert Humphrey, who always had a solution for a problem we didn’t have, Kaine’s recent attempted mandate to ban smoking in restuarants just shows his disconnection with Virginia and especially Richmond.
Just look at some of the great institutions of this town (i.e., Medical College, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, T.C. Williams School of Law, etc.) and you will find a largesse based on tobacco. Is there any doubt why Philip Morris chose Richmond for its corporate headquarters? Tim, there’s a reason why there’s a middle school and a major artery in Henrico named John Rolfe. And Tim, get a clue, Varina wasn’t named for Jefferson Davis’ wife.
January 12, 2007
Know this Hanover landmark? You should, since its owner was Hanover’s favorite son. Now for the trivia question. What is it about this landmark that always makes me think of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre?
Think you know the answer? Be the first to post the correct answer and either a Blockbuster or Starbucks gift card will be sent to you.
December 1, 2006
Think you know this corner? Do you know this building? Hint – it’s in the very tony West End of the City. Now the real question; do you know what business this building once housed that was so out of character for the surrounding area. Be the first to identify the location, name the business, and type of business and either a Starbucks or Blockbuster card will be on the way to you.
November 17, 2006
This historic marker says:
"Major General James Ewell Brown Stuart, C.S.A., Commander of the cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia, died here on May 12, 1864, in the home of his brother-in-law, Dr. Charles Brewer. Cause of his death was a wound received the previous day in defense of Richmond at the Battle of Yellow Tavern. Dr. Brewer’s house was demolished in 1893."
Be the first to post where the marker can be found and I’ll send you a Blockbuster or Starbucks gift card.
October 13, 2006
Know this western Henrico landmark soon to be replaced with generic office condos? If your home was built in the 80′s or early 90′s this spot played a part in its construction. Identify this place (it’s original name), give its location and explain why it may have played a part in the construction of homes in the West End.
Be the first to correctly answer and your choice of a Starbucks or Blockbuster gift card is on its way to you!
September 7, 2006
With this weekend being the Chevy Rock & Roll 400, I can’t help not recirculating this old post.
So you’re thinkin’ about movin’ down South, huh? Here’s a word of advice. We’re serious about that NASCAR. While y’all think it’s just a bunch of guys makin’ left turns all afternoon, we see it as the epic struggle of brave and chivalrous knights in the joust of life. Don’t you ever never say nothin’ bad about NASCAR.
I am not saying you have to follow it, like it, just don’t badmouth it. Look, that ice hockey stuff y’all think is so great; we think it’s like watchin’ paint dry. Ice is for keeping beer “ice” cold, not for slidin’ around on. If it was, we’d have a NASCAR race for that.
Look, you go along to git along. Just learn a little lingo and you’ll be fine. You don’t even need to know what it means. If someone asks you who your favorite driver is, you don’t even need a name. You can say stuff like the “24 car”, “20 car”, “8 car” and they’ll know what you mean. Just make sure the “number” you put before the word “car” actually races on Sunday. And if you don’t ever want to be asked anything about NASCAR ever again, you can just say something like ‘I just don’t follow it since Dale.’ That answer might even bring tears to the eye of your questioner.
Just remember we’ve got 2 Winston Cup (don’t refer to it as Nextel, no self respectin’ Southerner does) races in Richmond every year. One in May and the other in September. The Monday after those weekends, don’t be goin’ into work and complainin’ about RV traffic or askin’ why there were so many ostrich feathered cowboy hat wearin’ folks in town over the weekend. It’s just disrespectful of the King and we ain’t talkin’ about Elvis.
September 1, 2006
Know where this Richmond landmark is? Identify it, give its location, and name the child star forever linked with this Richmonder? Post the correct answer first and I’ll send you either a Starbucks or Blockbuster gift card.
August 29, 2006
Whatever I did in a past life, it must have been bad. Really bad. For 9 months a year, I must begin every workday morning enduring the carpool line at the middle school for Collegiate. This is NASCAR pit stop gone bad. Instead of being surrounded by highly skilled drivers who can stop and place their vehicle on a dime, I am cast into a sea of SUVs piloted by Moms chattering on cell phones.
This ordeal would not be so bad if the other parents used the entire circle in front of the middle school and Hershey Center. Unfortunately, they don’t and what happens is 3 lines of traffic attempt to merge into 1/2 of the circle. Pure disaster. Of course, Muffy, Buffy and Jodie couldn’t possibly be expected to walk an additional 50 yards to school.
Not only is this a stressful time for me, it is particularly stressful for my thirteen year old daughter who knows 50 year old plus father will say whatever is on his mind. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. Fortunately, I only have 2 more years of this sentence and only 3 until she can drive herself to school. Now that’s a truly scary propostion.
August 25, 2006
TGIF, so it’s Friday Trivia. Name this Richmond landmark, the date of its most significant event, and a few of the participants that day. Be the first to correctly post and I’ll send you either a Blockbuster or Starbucks gift card.
August 18, 2006
Been to the Canal Walk? So what does the James River Canal, a president of the U.S. and certain Virginia school once known as Augusta Academy have in common?
Be the first to post the correct answer and I’ll send you either a Blockbuster or Starbucks gift card.