nbc12 is reporting a dead man on the 5600 block of Hull Street Road:

This all started just before 10pm in the 800 block of Bramwell Road, which is a mile away. Police say a violent attempted robbery at that location led to gunfire and multiple victims were hurt.

Police are still piecing together the rest of this puzzle, but say somehow a car from the scene of that crime would up in this grocery store parking lot–and a dead man was discovered inside

The RTD has more of a timeline and says that the dead man was “possibly one of the robbers” involved in a home invasion and street robbery.

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Thanks goes out to Marni from Sneak Attack Media, Ruth from L.A., and Chris the badest manager on tour, for coordinating an interview with rising star Mike NOTAR, who will be opening and performing with Augustana and the Counting Crows this Sunday at the Snagajob (Innsbrook) Pavillion.

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Thanks goes to India Lipton for the following contribution:

Ever wondered what Marmaduke, Scooby Doo, and other Great Danes would be like in person?  Now you can find out at 10AM on the Second Sunday of every month (weather permitting).  RuffHouse Dog Park in Rockwood Park and the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League are hosting Dane Day at the Park!  Come learn about the breed and play with some Danes.

Riding on the wave of Marmaduke fans I was inspired to create a monthly event where people can meet with Great Danes. Ruff House Dog Park and the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (MAGDRL) are hosting Dane Day at the Park in hopes of introducing people to the breed and the newly improved dog park.

Hopefully this will give people an opportunity to see what Great Danes are like in person as well as give other Dane owners a chance to play and share stories about their “Gentle Giants’.  MAGDRL will be there with information on available Danes and of course I will be there with Carlton our 10 month old blue Great Dane puppy.  Who knows, you may just fall in love with these regal yet goofy creatures!

We welcome members of the media, press and local photographers.

Ruff House Dog Park in Rockwood Park
3401 Courthouse Road,
Richmond, VA 23236
http://ruffhousedogpark.com/ http://www.magdrl.org/ http://www.meetup.com/Dane-MAGDRLvolunteer/calendar/14004269/

Contact:CharltonDane@comcast.net

See the flyer below for more information about Dane Day at the Park.

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Perhaps everyone is shocked and amazed at the apparent incompetence of Alvin Matthews and Irene Jenkins, bus monitor and substitute driver respectively, who left a five-year old autistic and asthmatic student on board a bus at the school district’s bus depot. Certainly, I find this report rather alarming, but not shocking. We can remember the 13 month-old child who died in the back of a day care van and the young man who was responsible served six months of home confinement. According to the Richmond-Times Dispatch report “Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Mary E. Langer said warrants were filed yesterday charging the bus driver and bus monitor with one count each of felony child neglect. The charge carries a maximum of five years in prison upon conviction.” Given the court’s leniency in the former case, can we really expect that these two should face anything more than a serious fine, if that? I’m near willing to say that the loss of their jobs and the social stigma they are now facing is punishment enough.

The endangerment of children by those we permit to care for our children seems horrendous, but I doubt that there are many parents who have not at some point in their lives carelessly endangered their own children through some moment of “neglect.” I do not mean to excuse anyone for neglect, but I think it is important that we consider the context of the situation. I’d really like to know why two adults who are responsible for handicapped children would not take the five seconds it takes to walk to the back of the bus and check the seats. I’d like to also know how these two will manage to maintain their lives if they are convicted of a felony.

If my perspective offends you, please bare in mind that I am only interested in developing a sense of compassion for those who have erred so foolishly before the public and the media forever abandon and condemn these two people for something that many members of the public may also be guilty of sans public castigation.

If you find yourself looking for good ideas on how to relax this Sunday and celebrate the end of this nearly unbearable heatwave, come hang out with me and thousands of your neighbors at the Counting Crows concert on July 11 at the Snagajob (Innsbrook) Pavillion.

If you’re a fan of Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, and like music ranging from Nirvana to Bruce Springsteen, you’ll love the Counting Crows. This is their second year rockin’ out with “The Traveling Circus and Medicine Show,” which includes Augustana and fusion rap artist NOTAR. Although I wasn’t familiar with Augustana or Notar, after checking out songs from their sites, I have to say these guys are gonna bring down the house! They’re certainly different than the Crows and musical diversity makes for a great concert.

Check back here after the show for pictures from the event and an exclusive interview with the band!!!

The weatherman predicts low 90s and sunshine with temps dropping to upper 60s, so as long as they know what they’re talking about, we can expect it to be a good night for a show. Tickets can be purchased here. Although it means taking a trip across the river, it’s bound to be one you won’t forget! Here’s a little map to the place in case Glen Allen sounds like a foreign country.

The City of Richmond has released the following statement:

All African American Seniors (90+) who grew up in or around Richmond in the early 1900’s are invited to have their personal stories filmed for Richmond African American Oral History Project

Includes all African-Americans born and raised in Richmond and the surrounding areas

(Richmond, Virginia) – The Virginia Commonwealth University Department of African American Studies, in collaboration with the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission, is inviting all African Americans, 90-years of age and above, who were born and raised in Richmond and/or the surrounding area, to participate in a Richmond African American Oral History Project.

For this project, the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of African American Studies will videotape each participant so that future generations will have access to the wealth of knowledge and information contained in their personal stories and experiences.

For the convenience of participants, the filming will be done in the homes of persons interested in participating.  All African Americans, 90-years of age and above, who were born and raised in Richmond and/or the surrounding area, are invited and encouraged to participate in this important history project and to share their story with the world for future generations.

All citizens are invited to tell their family members, neighbors and friends about this project and encourage and assist with their participation.

CONTACT     For More information, please contact Dr. Shawn O. Utsey, Ph.D., Chairman, Virginia Commonwealth University Department of African American Studies, Director, Institute for African American Mental Health Research and Training Editor, Journal of Black Psychology, Associate Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Psychology, at: 804.828.4150 (tel); or soutsey@vcu.edu (email)

From the City of Richmond:

Proposal for a Richmond City Jail to be built at the Philip Morris Operations Center site at Bells and Commerce Roads to be discussed

Councilwoman Reva M. Trammell, Southside 8th District, Richmond City Council will hold a meeting in the Southside 8th District. This meeting will include a presentation and discussion regarding a proposal for a Richmond City Jail to be built at the Philip Morris Operations Center site at Bells and Commerce Roads. Councilwoman Trammel personally holds individual monthly meetings that include information on her goals and accomplishments, a thematic agenda, and special guests. The meetings are free and all of Richmond’s Southside 8th District citizens are invited and encouraged to attend. The agenda for this meeting will include:

Proposal for a Richmond City Jail to be built at the Philip Morris Operations Center site at Bells and Commerce Roads
Capt. Scott Booth, Commander, Richmond Police Department 2nd Precinct

WHEN             Thursday, 17 June 2010   6:00-8:00 p.m.

WHERE            Satellite Restaurant & Lounge/Crab House

4000 Jefferson-Davis Highway

Richmond, Virginia

WHO               The Honorable Reva M. Trammell, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Southside 8th District

CONTACT      For more information, please contact Councilwoman Trammell, at 804-240-5050 (mobile); or, 233-7382 (home), or via email, at reva.trammell@richmondgov.com

JOIN US FOR THE DEDICATION CEREMONY OF ART 180′S INTERCULTURAL MURAL, TOMORROW (JUNE 12) AT 12 NOON
The mural was created by young people from Huguenot and George Wythe high schools, under the leadership of artist Curtis Gutierrez and coordinator Rachel Mehl. Join us at the mural site at the corner of Hull Street and Cowardin Avenue (23224). Refreshments provided. Please come out and help us celebrate the young artists and this new work of public art bringing people together in Southside Richmond! Limited parking is available in the alley behind the mural building and on surrounding streets.

Thanks to Jerome Jackson and the Upsilon Nu Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. in cooperation with the Black History Museum for the following image and report from the official reception of Diluted Loss:

Members of the Upsilon Nu Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc, and the Upsilon Nu Scholarship and Social Action Foundation, Inc. hosted the official opening reception in recognition of the artistic exhibit, “An Officer and A Gentlemen – Selections From the Colonel Charles Young Collection.”  Held at the Black History Museum in downtown Richmond (Jackson Ward), the exhibit features important pictures, a computer information kiosk, and other important artifacts that pay tribute to this great war hero and fellow member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

The Charles Young collection is part of an overall artistic tribute entitled “Diluted Loss” by artist Keith Ramsey.  The overall exhibit details the untold stories of World War II African American soldiers.

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If you haven’t noticed the mural that has been in progress at the corner of US 1  (Jefferson Davis / Cowardin) and Hull St. you were probably trying to avoid getting in an accident. This mural project is the brainchild of muralist Curtis Gutierrez, formerly of Los Angeles, Art 180 and some support from the City of Richmond. Dan Duckleman, the owner of what used to be Clay’s Books has graciously donated the space. Check out this video on El Arbol de la Vida.

From the Richmond Police Department:

The Richmond Police Department needs the public’s assistance in identifying the victims of a fatal one-car accident today.

At approximately 2:30 a.m., a 1987 red Toyota pickup truck was westbound in the 5000 block of Warwick Avenue near Alaska Drive.
Three Hispanic males were occupying the vehicle. One died at the scene and the other two were taken to VCU Medical Center with injuries that are considered life threatening.
Little identification was found at the scene so the Department needs the public’s help in identifying the victims so next of kin can be notified.

Anyone with information on the truck or the occupants is asked to call the Hispanic Tip Line at 239-4209 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Diluted Loss, a mixed media art exhibit, by Keith Ramsey will be open to the public from June 4 to September 18, 2010 at The Black History Museum, 3 West Clay Street Richmond, Virginia.  Artist Talk will take place on June 19 at the museum.

Diluted Loss illustrates the racism and discrimination that was directed toward African American troops in World War II, both from the United States military as well as Japanese and European troops. The series is mixed media, and was created using organic materials, acrylic and oil paint, snips of news articles and letters from soldiers, and other charred symbols of American liberty.

Ramsey describes the series as “not a pretty picture I painted, but an important one.”  Ramsey considers himself to be a documentarian charged to present the overlooked, historical accounts of African American soldiers through art.

Keith M. Ramsey grew up in Williamsburg, Virginia. The son of an artist, he developed an early affinity for the works of Edward Hopper. Since receiving his degree in Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1998, he has been steadily working toward his artistic vision of images created from influences of experience, introspective thought, and political perspective. His work has been exhibited throughout the Richmond area.  To learn more about Keith M. Ramsey, visit Ramsey’s website: www.kmrfinearts.com or
www.facebook.com/dilutedloss.

For more information, CONTACT: Tracy Baylor, Principal Consultant
804.908.1210 or info@clarkeartconsulting.com, or
The Black History Museum of Virginia, www.blackhistorymuseum.org

Clarke Art Consulting is committed to generating resources that support artists’ creative endeavors, assist with the process of art collecting and promote art appreciation within the minority community and the community at large.

I have no idea what happened to Part 1, but I have been trying to assist and promote Re/New Richmond and their effort to rebuild the greenhouse at Reid Elementary for sometime!

Go to Reid Elementary this Saturday at 9am – 11:30am and help make a difference!

Located at 1301 Whitehead Road, the greenhouse was donated a few years ago by Capital One, if I am not mistaken, and unfortunately was left behind for a few years. Now, thanks to the efforts of Jared Karnes of Re/New Richmond and his partners and partnership with the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority ala John Lewis, the greenhouse is making a comeback.

When I first saw the original photos of the site, the place was covered in weeds and tarps. Now, after several months of hard labor, the place has come back to life and soon will be serving the school and its community again.

So head on down and help plant, get some refreshments, learn about the garden, volunteer, eat fresh organic vegetables and make a difference in your community!

For more information, contact John Lewis

Email: lewisjohn at rbha.org

Phone: (804) 819-4075

Fax: (804) 819-8783

Are you missing Zora? If so, I have received the following information:

She was found on Dundee Ave near Forest Hill.  She has a tag with a number but its disconnected.

She will most likely be in the pond by now as the person who found her is unable to keep the dog.

Please contact me if you need help recovering your dog.

Thanks to our friend Dionne Waugh from the Richmond Police Department for the following update on road & parking closures this Saturday:

The Richmond Police Department would like for drivers and citizens to be alert and prepared for the following no parking areas and street closings for this Saturday’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K.

The following streets will be closed on Saturday during the listed time period:

*South 5^th Street between East Byrd and Tredegar streets will be closed from 3 a.m. to 12 p.m.

*Tredegar Street between South 5^th and South 7^th streets will be closed from 3 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Parking will not be allowed on Saturday during the listed time period:

*South 5^th Street between East Byrd and Tredegar streets from 3 a.m. to 12 p.m.

*Tredegar Street between South 5^th and South 7^th streets from 3 a.m. to 12 p.m.

*South. 5^th Street on the west side between Tredegar and East Cary streets from 3 a.m. to 12 p.m.

*South 2^nd Street on the east side between the Lee Bridge and East Cary Street from 3 a.m. to 12 p.m.

*East Cary Street on the south side between South 1^st and South 5^th streets from 3 a.m. to 12 p.m.

*Both sides of Canal Street South 2^nd to South 6^th streets.

Get out there and support this Race for the Cure!