Stephanie Brummell, staff writer
Carbon Leaf
I neglected them for a while. Shame on me. When they travel to Richmond for the Friday Cheers show on the 16th, I'll be front and center.
Weddings and Engagements
Oh the joys of your 20-somethings – these babies are popping up all over the place. I'm just glad they're not real "babies"…yet.
One year past
This Friday, exactly one year ago, I graduated from James Madison University. Where my grandma was lost on the complete opposite side of campus just five minutes before the ceremony started, President Linwood Rose referenced the John Mayor song "Waiting on the World to Change" (weird) and I along with the rest of the 2007 "SMADuates" walked across the stage to get our diploma. I miss it – tear.
Monster Bees
We had one in our house the other night – sounded like a weed-wacker outside. That's just not normal.
Sidewalk Brunch
I think I've become addicted. Someone, call intervention and put a stop to the grotesque amount of large omelets and Blood Mary's I now consume every Sunday – all day long.
Dionne Waugh, news writer
Personal Property Tax
As a friend of mine recently pointed out, since I don't own my car yet (the bank does) shouldn't the bank be the one paying the tax?
Kickers
Watching Richmond's professional soccer team is just as much fun, if not more, than taking in a baseball game when the weather is nice, so why aren't there more games?
Festivals!
You know it's officially summer time once the festivals commence. Now hurry up Greek Festival!
Friday Cheers
There's no sweeter words other than "check out that mullet."
Sex and the City movie
It's officially less than a month away!
Karri Peifer, co-editor
Spring Food Festivals
They're here, they're finally here!
Indiana Jones
This is on my mind against my will. Apparently a new movie is coming out and apparently that's a big deal. And, apparently, Richmond.com will be giving away a handful of tickets for a sneak preview (be sure to check back on Monday for more details).
The Democratic Party Primary
Again, against my will this is on my mind. Why won't it stop already!
Sleep
It's been a crazy couple of week in RDC land … and I can't wait for the weekend.
April showers
Enough already, I don't have any flowers, in spite of the constant downpours. What I do have is grass that's five feet high, even though it's been mowed three times in a month.
Kent Jennings Brockwell, co-editor
Welcome Home, Andrew Rowan!
While we have all been griping about gas prices and the swelling costs of our morning latte everyday, my friend Andrew has been protecting our freedoms in Iraq. He gets back from his second tour next week. Thanks buddy. You done good! I'm glad you are home safe. Your first sand-free beer is on me.
NASCAR
If you haven't already stocked up on bologna, PBR, Skoal, white bread and Tony Stewart tank tops, I suggest doing it sooner than later. The unwashed masses are on their way. However, don't worry too much if you are headed to the store for Pinot Noir, toothpaste or deodorant. There will be plenty.
House Buying
I'm looking for an affordable house in a neighborhood that doesn't require a NRA membership or crystal meth addiction. Any ideas?
NASCAR, part two
I'll be covering the race all weekend long. Even though I am a few dozen pounds overweight, I'll still be the best looking person in the press box. Let's just say sports writers aren't typically regular gym goers. Imagine a room full of sweaty Chris Farley lookalikes with laptops and a deadline to meet.
Stimulated, economically
I'm still waiting for my economic stimulus payment so I too can help stimulate the economy by helping my favorite "dancer" make the mortgage payment on her trailer one dollar at a time.
Josh Katz, movie critic
Art House DVD Day
This week, the great "Diving Bell and the Butterfly" streeted on DVD, and next Tuesday we get Todd Haynes' brilliant "I'm Not There." These are two of the best flicks of last year, and I can't recommend picking them up too much. These two are challenging, to be sure, but they're totally worth the work.
"The Office" and "30 Rock" -- Back with a Vengeance!
"30 Rock" has Alec Baldwin's job threatened by the great Will Arnett, and "The Office" came back from the strike gloriously darker than any other comedy on television. It's times like this I'm glad to be an inveterate TV junkie.
IRON MAN!!!
Robert Downey Jr. is Iron Man, and The Dude is his arch-nemesis. These are two of the best comic-book movie casting choices ever made, and I am SO there Friday night. On a completely unrelated note: any reason this one wasn't screened for critics? That would'a been nice…
Flight of the Conchords on CD
The Conchords finally have a full-length album for sale. All is right in the world.
Ipanema Café
My new favorite restaurant. Out-of-the-way without being creepy, hip without being annoyingly hipster-trendy. This is such a cool joint and the vegitarian cuisine is aces. My one complaint? The sink is outside of the bathrooom. That's just unnerving...
Christie Newman, office manager
NASCAR
10 cases of beer, Denny Hamlin bejeweled attire, number 11 decals for the car……a day at the race….priceless!!
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
We got the premiere! Look for our costume contest to win tickets starting this Monday!!
A very formal event
All he has to do is get a tux, I have to find a dress and find one that fits. Now I must religiously go to the gym for the next month to prepare. Thanks to my Irish friend who said "Yes!"
Cinco de Mayo
Maybe I should take Corona to the races?
Rain
Will this be the 10th weekend in a row?
Ginger Warder, restaurant reviewer
Being Back in Virginia
I've dug out my ancient Virginia is For Lovers t-shirt, since I'm so happy to be back in my home state. It's nice to watch the national news and know that all those child molesters and other crackpots are in my former home, Florida.
Susan Komen Race for the Cure
My niece Susie, a one-year survivor, participated in her local race with her two sons, Joe (13) and Tyler (5). They had all planned to bike, but since Susie's husband is currently serving in Afghanistan; they forgot that there was nobody to put the bike rack on the car. It ended up that Tyler rode the one bike they could get in the car, and Susie and Joe walked, but just as Susie did during this past year, they succeeded in getting the job done.
Addicted to Direct TV
Okay … I'm a low-tech kind of girl. I had never experienced DVR until I moved here and got Direct TV. This is like crack for television addicts. You can watch something and record two other shows at the same time. And, I have a cool-looking satellite dish on the top of my house. I'm waiting for a message from outer space.
You Can't Get There From Here
What's up with Richmond's streets that stop on one side of the interstate and then start up in an entirely different place on the other side? You can see where you want to go, but you can't actually get there.
Reverend Wrongs
I'm pretty much over so-called "ministers" who think gay people caused Hurricane Katrina or that they can manipulate a presidential election in some way. These guys claim to believe in divine intervention, so if I were them, I would be watching the sky for a thunderbolt.
Read more of our Top Five lists
April 25: Things to do on a rainy day
April 18: Awareness months
April 11: Things heard at a gas pump
April 4: Things on our mind
March 28: Signs of spring
March 21: Things in our Easter Basket
March 14: Things at the end of a rainbow