D_C

Trani may change his tune when VCU is drummed out of the CAA. It's already bad enough that there isn't a venue in this town that is sufficient to host a NCAA tournament and will soon be insufficient to host the CAA tournament. By 2009, all CAA schools will have football programs with the exception of VCU. What will happen if the Atlantic-10 schools pull their football programs, (which play temporarily in the CAA confrence to meet NCAA criteria ) from the CAA? They will be thrust into some second-rate league with no ability to recruit talented basketball prospects. But from what is being said of Trani's view on football, I doubt he would really care if the basketball program collapsed as well. VCU has an excellent coach right now, talented players with a lot of potential and momentum in the fan base. They should capitalize on this momentum and school spirit and "kickoff" with football. Maybe VCU could acquire a cash-strapped VUU and adopt its football program. They are already starting to envelop VUU's campus with their baseball team playing at the Diamond and VCU transportation facilities sprouting-up blocks from Union's campus.

Durham seems to have some pretty solid pitching. The Braves are due a little "get-back" though from that last pitiful series against Durham. This should be a good matchup. I hope to catch a few more games at the Diamond before the season ends. Other Richmond sports reports: Virginia Union University had a pretty decent crowd out last night as they beat Central State University. http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/sports/colle...09-09-0286.html In the 14 years I have been a VUU neighbor, this is about as good as their team has ever looked IMO. On a side note, when (if ever) will VCU ever have a football program?!? I saw the my first official ODU football shirt on Friday and couldn't help but wonder why VCU, as big as it is, doesn't have a football team. I have seen the t-shirts that read, "VCU Football" on the front and on the back it reads, "Still Undefeated".

Bigbie turns it up a notch in the playoffs and Timmons is the new "Charlie Hustle" IMO. Braves take a one game lead in the series last night. The radio broadcast made mention of some die-hard Braves fans that made the road trip up to PA for the game. GO BRAVES!!!!!

And don't forget, there are $2 beer stands that sling ice cold Pabst Blue Ribbon and Natural Lights until the end of the 5th inning. CHEAP BEER!!!! It helps get some folks into the stands. (guilty) GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why traffic circles are not always a good idea: As I was observing the steady flow of cars/trucks flying down Overbrook Rd. at speeds in excess of 40mph on Saturday, I had the opportunity to see that the 2 little traffic circles the city installed are totally useless! They were installed to slow traffic down and ease the flow of traffic. Well, guess what Mr. or Ms. city traffic planner? It does neither. Vehicles are travelling on Overbrook Rd. over 20mph above the posted speed limit, and no one in the area seems to have an understanding of what these circles are for or how to negotiate them. (Please see link below) how NOT to negotiate a traffic circle It is my opinion that the curb radii need to be enlarged at all 4 corners, and the circle enlarged with bigger landscaping which would cost a small fortune, or the city needs to remove the circles and install 4-way stops. I know these transportation engineering types will pull statistics out of their underdrawers to dispute the 4-way stop intersections, but take it from someone who drives the fan and west of the boulevard daily; the 4-way stop intersections are a Great Idea!! Statistics are crap! Anyone can put together a bunch of numbers to say whatever the heck they want them to say. The 4-way stops work well and it is a heck of a lot cheaper than anything else out there. Then there are those that will argue; "But you waste more gas stopping at every intersection." Bull crap!! You waste more gas sitting at an intersection like Sam Sausagehead waiting to get across, or waiting for a light to change. And of course you have the ones arguing about the whole concept of it taking longer to get through an area. Well DUH! That's the whole point. In a residential area, the time it takes to get through should be a moot point. If you are worried about time, then get your arse on an interstate and pay a toll!

You can go anywhere you want to eat, but I still like the produce from my side-yard best! http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup...C/of=50,590,442 but seeing as how this is a dining out thread, I will comment on one of my favorite lunch spots in the city: J & K Mobile Munchies. It is a food vending cart, usually located on the north side of West Main Street just west of Shafer Street (student commons) from 11am - 3pm. They have been in operation at the same location since 1994 and have a variety of sauces from very hot to thai peanut that can be applied to mesquite grilled chicken, an interesting chicken salad, hummus, beans, veggies basmati rice and/or any combination. The fresh hand-squeezed lime-aids are the best though. I have always liked a good lime-aid from the drug store counter and thieir's is very close. (Anyone remember the People's drug at Blvd & Broad?) The prices are a little high for a sidewalk vendor, but when I want something healthy and tasty, I will go there. They don't use any oils, salts, or other unhealthy ingredients and yet maintain excellent, robust flavor. Sidewalk vendors usually scare me but I have to say that these guys have got their wrap together! http://home.comcast.net/~munchies/wsb/html...home.html-.html

Now the trick is to get some of these "new hires" and "transferees" to relocate within the city limits. I would say that the city is on the right path with reduced numbers of violent crimes, renewed focus on the city schools and greater attention to governmental spending as is evident on this board. The clone apartments in the west end and chesterfield will always be an easy lure. Hopefully, people coming to the area will give greater consideration to living in "the city". "Come to Richmond where we have sidewalks, bike lanes and pedestrian plans. Ditch the car for awhile and take a walk in relative safety. Heck, even ride a bus or two."

I don't know whether this is a sign or just an ironic photo, but the two criss-crossed cranes in the skyline look like a big red 'X' in front of the MCV West Hospital. Is this some kind of message? Kind of spooky.

If/when Bass Pro Shops opens up in that area with a Dick's down the street and the Gander Mountain, it won't be long before you can kiss Green Top goodbye. Some may argue that Green Top will survive but most people that I know are not happy with the level of courtesy and higher than normal prices. Personally, I would be happier that a pig in crap to not have to go into Green Top ever again.

I didn't know that Bass Pro Shops was intending on building there. It suprises me that they would consider that location seeing as how the Gander Mountain store is just about near completion at the Atlee-Elmont exit.

In reply to the "GREAT PIZZA QUEST" I would like to add one of my favorites. Mamma Zu has an excellent white pizza that I usually order with my wine as I wait for a table. I almost want to leave work right now and go and fetch one.

"as long as you have a Top Prospect in the Minors on your Team you will be doing fine" True, but from what I have seen, the Richmond Braves are treated like what they are; a farm team. Every year, after the all-star break, the parent club in Atlanta will call-up most, if not all, of the good talent on the Richmond ballclub. Who can argue? After all, that's what they are there for. The Yankees rarely ever called-up players, leaving a healthy, robust farm club that was usually in first place. "A new stadium is a necessity, we can all agree to that. " I don't know. I think I would have to disagree with that statement. I go to the diamond quite a bit and I don't think it is uncomfortable at all. The field has been in immaculate shape since the Bob Dylan/Willie Nelson concert, and the facility itself is solid. Concessions are another story alltogether. It appears that some of the concessions are run by local groups and are slow as death. The only concession stand I like is the blonde (usually braided) girl at the beer stand behind home plate. She always keeps the good beers cold and is very quick. "...the general NIMBYness of Church Hill residents" I guess I am the opposite of NIMBY. I must be a WIIMBY (want it in my back yard). As far as I know, there is little to no opposition to the ballpark in our neighborhood. It is quite the opposite. We are all very receptive to their presence and a good number of us do attend the games regularly. I don't think that there are many northsiders that want to see the Braves leave the Diamond.

All this talk about "downtown stadiums" and why the Braves don't have better attendance. Let's get down to brass tacks here. The real reason that the Braves attendance isn't going anywhere is because people don't want to get ganked for parking if they are buying a ticket, overpriced food, beer and ice cream. Bottom line. If the Braves want to see an increase in attendance, just make the parking FREE. Does the revenue from the parking even pay for the salaries of the lot attendants? Just do away with the lot attendants, open the darn gates and let the people in! What's the big deal? I would bet dollars to doughnuts that attendance would jump 50%.