Every time I’ve been to the new TaZa/Chocolates By Kelly/Farm to Family location it’s bustling with people. So far besides the usual coffee and sweet treats we’ve also purchased two complete dinners at Farm to Family. RichmondBizSense.com talks with Farm to Family co-owner Suzi Miles-Lilly about the new venture.

“It’s near the South of the James Market, so people are already used to going that way to pick up great produce,” Miles-Lilly said. “We’re open seven days a week, but we’ll eventually expand our hours to accommodate our customers even more.”

The outpost will sell seasonal fruits and vegetables, dairy, eggs and a few personal products.

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Click the image or here to check out this deal.

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From RTD.

The Riverfront Plan, a roughly 180-page document that represents nearly a year’s worth of meetings, public-input sessions and nearly $500,000 of work by a city-hired consultant, had been held up because of language that owners of two key properties said could inhibit development.

“It cannot be done without commercial development as well. I think this plan accommodates both concerns,” said 5 th District Councilman E. Martin Jewell, who had asked for a delay to review the plan’s designations for Mayo Island and the 5-acre USP property, formerly owned by Tarmac, near Rocketts Landing. Both parcels are privately owned.

The council approved the plan with little discussion, opting to pass the document and revisit any necessary amendments at a later date.

Original article http://gd.is/QpWTcO

Dear 4^th District Neighbors,

My name is Kristen Larson and I am your newly elected School Board Representative, 4^th District.  I will be sworn into office in January 2013 for a 4-year term.  I will be working with our city council representative Kathy Graziano to keep you updated via meetings and written communication in a way best reaches the 4^th District community.  I will also be reaching out to the neighborhood groups and school PTAs in our district so that I can be kept abreast of the events and needs of our district schools.  In the meantime, please call me at 804-592-1838 or knyelarson@gmail.com.  You can also stay updated via facebook.com/KristenNLarson.

Upon taking office, one of my most immediate items of action will be the budget for the 2013-14 school year.  The superintendent will present a draft budget to the Board in mid-January.  I will hold a budget town hall meeting to get input from residents on this budget.  Please check my facebook page, email or call me to stay updated on the forthcoming meeting.  I look forward to representing you and our district in a way that most benefits our children and city.

–

Kristen Nye Larson
School Board Elect, 4th District

Original article http://gd.is/BnK7Iy

Richmond BizSense.com takes a bigger look at the whole RVA phenomenon but our very own Blanchard’s Coffee gets some press and talks about how easy it is to use.

A Manchester coffee supplier also found a way to integrate the logo into its inventory. Blanchard’s Coffee Company collaborated with RVANews to create an RVA exclusive coffee blend.

Blanchard’s has sold about 30 five-pound cases to local markets like Ellwood Thompson’s, Farm to Family and both Libbie Market locations. It’s also available by the pound online.

Blanchard’s marketing director Stephen Robertson said he was surprised by how easy it was use the RVA emblem. He made a quick call to the Venture Richmond office and found out it would be free to use the logo on the coffee’s packaging.

“Working with Venture Richmond was a really streamlined process,” Robertson said. “It’s obvious they want the logo out there. They want people to use it.”

I have my own theory on how all those stickers are getting on cars.

Original article http://gd.is/TbP6KQ

The 4th District is a crowded race for school board. The Times-Dispatch invited candidates for Richmond City Council and School Board to tell us why they’re running. They will publish their statements – in no particular order – on the Op/Ed page between now and Election Day. Candidate Kristen Larson has an editorial up on today’s paper.

As a member of the Richmond School Board, I pledge to listen to the community. I will work to provide better options to the children and to reverse the trend of declining enrollment by attracting new families to our district. I welcome schools and programs like International Baccalaureate, comprehensive vocational-technical schools, charters and lab schools that have proven successful all over the country in improving educational outcomes. Quality education must be available for all Richmond students.

Middle schools are among my top priorities. Richmond’s 2011 middle school SOL scores were among the lowest in the state. The district must dramatically change what it is doing.

Original article http://gd.is/GAmWkw

Westover Hills United Methodist Church MOPS is proud to announce Liz Reese, a local professional photographer, will be shooting fall photos of children and families October 12, from 12 pm – 2 pm, and October 15, from 5 pm – 6:30 pm, in the Westover Hills UMC pumpkin patch. Photo packages are $40 for 15 minutes sessions, and three digital photos. A percentage of the each photo package will benefit the Westover Hills UMC MOPS group. This event is open to the public. Reservations are required and can be made online at http://tiny.cc/mopsfallphotos

Event and portrait photographer, Liz Reese is know for her candid and journalistic style. She prefers to focus on the relaxed movement between loved ones that speak more than words alone. Prior to becoming a full time freelance photographer, Reese was a staff photographer for newspapers in both New York and Michigan.

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers ) at Westover Hills UMC is for every mom with children from birth through kindergarten. Our day program meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, September through May, from 10:00-11:30 am, at Westover Hills UMC. MOPPETS Childcare is provided at all meetings. Our night program meets on the fourth Wednesday night of each month, from 7:00-8:30 pm; at this time childcare is not provided for this meeting. At our meetings, we offer refreshments, fellowship, informative speakers, small-group discussion, crafts, service projects and a whole lot of fun! Outside of our regular meetings, we offer Mom’s Night Out, Mom’s Morning Out, Mops/Pops socials, play dates, and various volunteer opportunities. Meetings are held in the fellowship hall at Westover Hills UMC located at 1705 Westover Hills Blvd.

Please visit Liz Reese’s beautiful website, http://www.lizreese.com, for more information and contact info.

Please visit Westover Hills United Method Church’s MOPS page, http://westoverhillsumc.org/ children-and-youth/mops.html, for more information about MOPS.

Original article http://gd.is/ZsLFHL

From RTD;

Police believe the same person may have been responsible for two armed robberies in South Richmond in less than 20 minutes Thursday night. At least one shot was fired in one of the robberies, but no one was injured.

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From O’Toole’s Facebook;

Who wants to go to RIR this week for 2 sitting in the sky box fully catered? Get a raffle ticket at the restaurant for $5 for chance to enter the drawing! 2nd place: $50 3rd Place: $25 Get your tickets before the drawing on Thursday, 9/6!! Proceeds will benefit the U14 FC Richmond Girls Soccer Team Mystx! Good luck!!

Original Article

The 187-unit Link apartment located at Ninth and 10th streets and Semmes Avenue is trying something new. No smoking will be enforced on the property including the pool and garage. More from RTD;

“It fits with our overall strategy and theme for the Link brand, which is urban, healthy living with a big emphasis on recycling,” said David Klepser of Grubb Properties, the Charlotte, N.C.-based developer of the Link.

Klepser said the smoke-free concept has been well-received by prospective tenants. However, “a couple of folks who are smokers were told they need to look elsewhere.”

Residents at the Link will be fined for violating the smoke-free policy and likely will be asked to move out after two or three violations, Klepser said. A policy is still being formulated, he said.

Original Article