Bopst Distance Dedication

It's Monday again and that means another version of the Bopst Show on RVANews.com.

If you ever thought Casey Kasem really meant all that gunk about Long Distance Dedications, then you are in for a shock. If you thought they were sappy crap even as an eleven year old, then you are in for a real treat.

Much like last week's Barry White tirade, this week's American Top 40 host blowup is a keeper (and also not for the boss or kids to hear).

Where does he get this stuff?

Other gems are the Enron Voicemail Options (5:30 mark) once the stock went down the tubes, as well a flashback to the old Barney Miller theme (48 minute mark), one of the better shows on TV that should still be in syndication.

Man, I am old.
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RVANews and Bopst Team Up

Richmond's new media is continually pushing the boundaries and not afraid to try new things and is making its impact felt. Last week it was John Murden of Church Hill People's News and the clean up of an environmental and hazardous problem in Church Hill.

This week it is word that RVANews.com has teamed up with radio free agent Chris Bopst, who was kicked to the curb last month by his AM boss. Never fear, the new media is here.

You can now catch Chris' weekly podcast on RVANews.com.

Be sure to check it out, unless the usual stale radio format is your thing.

FYI - The Barry White promotional event taping at the 9-minute mark is freaking hysterical - Mr. Smooth gets flustered with the script. Don't turn it up too loud at work or around kids, though, it does contain some language.
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Dot's Back Inn Debuts Tonight on Food Network

If you like Guy Fieri's show called Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, tonight is the night to tune in and catch Northside landmark Dot's Back Inn as it will be featured at 10pm.

A friend of the owner sent me an email and it as also been posted on North Richmond News.

I was slow to warm up to the show but it is pretty good. Guy is pretty funny and loves to eat as much as he does finding places that do it right. Some of the spots he visits are real gems - just like Dot's.

(The link also shows when it will re-air if you can't watch tonight).
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The End of Whining About Richmond's Music Scene

For years, people loved to moan about how great musical acts never came to Richmond. All the good shows bypassed us for D.C. or Norfolk, or somewhere else.

This week officially marks the end of such whining because in the almost nine years of doing the weeklyrant.com calendar, I have rarely seen a week like this one.

I once remarked that if half the people that complained about the music scene start showing up to the shows at the new venues, then it will thrive and we will be better off for it.

Tonight, Toots and the Maytals - the legendary inventor of reggae, play Toad's Place.

Tomorrow, the hot and hip Greyboy All Stars visit the Toad, while Pat Benetar, who used to sing in a band in River City while living here in the early 1970's before hitting it big, returns to the National.

Wednesday is a case for split personalities. Gov't Mule and Tea Leaf Green kick off Innsbrook After Hours for the jam band set, while indie favortie Iron and Wine visit the National, and the New Pornographers (featuring Neko Case) reunite at Toad's Place.

Thursday night you can catch ex-Spin Doctor Chris Barron at the Capital Ale House Music Hall, get rough and rowdy with Monotonix at Gallery 5, or relax and listen to Lucy Kaplansky at Ashland Coffee & Tea.

Friday you can see Mechanicsville native Jason Mraz at The National, take in the bluegrass sounds of Montana Skies at Ashland Coffee & Tea, or check out locals Horsehead as they unveil their new CD at Capital Ale House (along with Prabir and the Substitutes new CD and David Schultz as well - a better line up of local talent will be hard to find).

The rest of the weekend includes the Temptations Saturday at the National and Streetlight Manifesto Sunday at Toad's. You can't get much more packed than that with something for everyone from just about every genre, except maybe bubble gum pop girls in and out of rehab.

Take advantage of it and see you at the show.

Whiners need not apply.
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Ukrop's Closing Grace St. Store

A letter was mailed this weekend around the neighborhood of VCU that announces Ukrop's has decided to close the store at Harrison & Grace Sts. May 10.

It says they tried to make it work but just could not continue to operate the store for economic reasons.

It is unclear what will happen to the property - and its valuable parking lot - at this time. Ukrop's does not own the land but is working with the landlord to find a suitable tenant.

I wonder if VCU has ever thought about the grocery business?
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Did You See The Slaughter? & The Introduction of "Gnarlicide"

A new festival has taken hold in River City and it is the antithesis of the Easter Parade, Watermelon Festival, and all the other taditional events. This is one that would make the country club set cringe, the blue bloods boil, and some others just scratch their heads.

This is old news by now, but no one else has posted on it that I have seen. Slaughterama took place on Belle Isle almost two weeks ago and dazzled and amazed and even brought forth a new word sure to be in Webster's Dictionary before long.

Slaughterama is - well, it is hard to describe. It is part bike festival, part mosh pit, and part stunt show. The sum of its parts has to be seen to be believed and last year I attended and shot some video that must be viewed to gauge the fun.

I could not attend this year but Mark Holmberg did and he has a great short video.

He interviewed a few people and asked them what the event was. One guy answered "Gnarlicide," which not only proves that brevity is the soul of wit, but is worthy of a trademark and copyright protection.

Not genocide, like the terror in Sudan. Not homicide, like the violent taking of another's life. Gnarlicide - the cross-pollination of lots of fun, craziness, the bizarre, and different.

That is absolutely classic - and spot on.
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A Little Older and A Little Slower

I could blame it on the rain (but everyone else ran it it, too), I could blame it on less than disciplined training (my fault), or I could have been weighed down by too many carbs.

Whatever the reason, my 10K time was 49:11, 17 seconds slower than last year. Considering on race day I was 366 days older (remember leap year) than 2007, that means I am only slowing down by about .045 seconds a day, which I think I can live with and is the excuse of record.

JON BALILES
37
Overall - 2104
Age Place - 233
Gender Place - 1704
Time - 49:11
Pace - 7:54.9/mile
5kTime - 24:40

I am pretty pleased that my pace remained sub-8 minute miles and that the second half of the race was, just like last year, about 10 seconds faster than the first half (even thought the first half seemed like it was a hell of a lot harder).

The iPod playlist yet again worked its magic and was an essential part of keeping the pace. That and the cheering spectators and the other runners really push you to run like you can't ever simulate on your own or even in a training group.

One of the best things about the race, by which I am consistently amazed, is how well the event is run (pun!). Sportsbackers deserves an enormous amount of credit for how smoothly everything is managed and how just a little later that afternoon, there was hardly any sign on the streets that the race had taken place.

I am already looking forward to next year - but have no plans on slipping any further - in what has become a signature event for Richmond as much as the Civil War or Monument Ave. itself.
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Dissing the Local Blogging Scene Yet Again

John Murden sums up the state of a certain community media outlet that consistently ignores and snubs the plethora of local blogs and bloggers who are providing coverage on a wide array of topics for people living right here in River City.

It is not like Roanoke where that city's community outlet embraces local blogs and incorporates them. Here, it's like the Capulets and the Montague's.

Why this outlet goes elsewhere to cover other bloggers in other cities and how they are doing amazing things befuddles me, especially because we have so much local talent here.

In this story's example, it's food blogs. Check out Brandon Eats, River City Food and Wine, Veronica's Kitchen, among many worthy others.

Maybe it is easier to pull a story off the AP wire and pay for it than have a reporter go out and ask a few questions of the locals. Maybe the "community" outlet is not so community after all.

The blinders are indeed blinding.
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10K iPod Playlist

Last year I blew away my previous 10K time with the help of two things: eating carbs for three days beforehand and my 10K ipod playlist, which I bought just after the previous 10K.

There has been much debate on wearing headphones at Richmond.com after the editor's comments suggesting that you not wear them. It seems as if he was referring to those in groups led by a trainer and that it was rude to ignore the advice given.

I ran all the time when I was a kid and back then and even now I don't enjoy running in groups or chatting along the way. Even just in daily running, I prefer to do so alone; but this race is a whole different ball game.

To me this is your chance to be measured against yourself, against last year's time, and against others in your age group. There are 31,000 runners and 31,000 different reasons for running tomorrow, but my reason is to better last year's time.

Last spring I found a bunch of great songs that helped me keep the pace and I ended up beating the previous time by more than 2 minutes. I have no illusions I will shave 2 minutes this year, but for me I know the ipod helps drive the pace and actually focus more on the race and the pace.

I know, as was mentioned on Richmond.com, that there are 30 bands along the course, but to me the bands and people (especially those with early morning cocktails in their hand) are distractions and only disrupt my focus.

This year, the ipod playlist has changed, but only slightly. I have found a few songs that drive a furious pace that I have added to the end and I hope will see me hit the tape somewhere below last year. If it rains, I'll have that little iPod in a ziploc, but it is coming with me no matter what.

Start:1. Mrs. Potter's Lullaby - Counting Crows - Good long, upbeat song to start the crowded first mile
2. Over 'Fore It Started - The Caesars - fun, upbeat try and keep the pace rolling

Mid-Race:
3. The Caves of Altimira - Steely Dan - settle into the pace - this is an unusual selection because Steely Dan usually involves drinks and hedonism both in lyrics and listening, but this song is the absolute perfect pace.
4. Closest - Matt Pond PA - also a great pacesetter by one of the best indie bands out there.
5. Punkrocker - Teddybears w/Iggy Pop
6. The Adventure - Angels & Airwaves - This may get skipped, but it is energetic.
7. Cool For One Night - Hot Rod Circuit - see #6.
8. Loving Cup - Rolling Stones - Charlie Watts is so the man at keeping time, he should start his own watch company. Good pick up song as the fatigue starts to hit.

Homestretch -
9. City of Lakes - Matt Mays & El Torpedo - a great pace song with the grungeness of Neil Young (Matt is even from Canada).
10. Suicide Will Make You Happy - Mazarin - This song has been in my collection for years and is actually an anti-suicide song (buzz off, Tipper Gore) and comes with its own engine to keep you moving.
11. Honestly - Zwan - The best - and maybe only decent - song from Billy Corgan's post Smashing Pumpkins days is like turning on the nitrous oxide at the drag strip. This song makes you want to push as hard as you can as the line comes into view. This gets turned on at Stuart Circle.

Cool Down while wandering through Monroe Park looking for fruit and protein bars:
12. Do It All Over Again - Spiritualized
13. The Cosmic Game - Thievery Corporation

And if I need an excuse because I come in behind last year's time, I may add Milli Vanilli and "Blame it on the Rain."

Just kidding. That crap will blow up an ipod.
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Enough Carbs to Make Dr. Atkins Puke

The 10K is this Saturday and the carb loading has begun. I don't believe in storing energy the night or two before because I will need more than that to better last year's time at the line.

My carb diet is surely causing Dr. Atkins to turn over in his grave as I am doing my best to impersonate an Italian (and enjoying it - except for the lack of wine).

Tuesday dinner: Arianna's Pasta with bacon, onions, and spicy marinara sauce (also had it for lunch today - still spicy).

Wednesday dinner: A small deep dish Sicilian pizza from Mary Angela's (my second lunch today).

Tonight: stopping at Joe's Inn en route home for a heaping plate of Spaghetti a la Joe that will not only be dinner tonight, but also lunch and dinner tomorrow.

And since breakfast is the most important part of the day, I am starting them with Frosted Mini-Wheats (a whopping 48 grams of carbs per bowl) as well as grits and toast.

It is quite possible I will turn into a walking, breathing carbohydrate before the race Saturday morning, but strongly believe that most of the stored up energy will be used. (I am getting the protein down as well with some Beef Brisket from Belmont Butchery and tuna from Yellow Umbrella Seafood).

The overload seemed to work last year with eye-popping results in that I did not run out of energy, and the first half of my race was only 10 seconds faster than the second half.

Between the carbs and the updated Ipod 10K play list (coming tomorrow), that should at least get me to the tape around the same time. If not, at least my stomach has had a good time trying.
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Mark Holmberg Takes A Boat Under Church Hill

The legendary story of the Ghost Train that lies buried under Church Hill has always been a source of fascination. Who better to explore it than Mark Holmberg?

He wrote two years ago (in a now dead T-D link):

It is, without question, one of Richmond's most fascinating deep-down legends and mysteries -- one that must be investigated with the greatest of care.

The ¾-mile Church Hill tunnel has been like a deadly snake lurking beneath the capital city for 134 years. It struck and killed wantonly in its youth, in one case gobbling a whole house, a workman and a shipload of earth in a single hissing bite.

He also did an interview with NPR about the mystique of Engine 231 that is still worthy of a listen for the background.

Check out this amazing five minute video he did recently when he took a 2x4 to row a small boat as far as he could underneath Church Hill. Wait until the neighborhood association gets wind of that!

See the rails still buried under the water, learn how the drilling and lowering of video cameras into the tunnel created negative pressure and sent the water pouring out one end, and see pictures of parts of the original brick-lined tunnel.

Homberg postulates that someday, sooner or later, someone will come along with the bucks to unravel all the mystery and legend. Until then, it will remain a great part of our lore.
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Byrd Market April Fool's Treat

Last year one of the coolest new spots in town was not a hip restaurant or club, where people line up to see and be seen. The Byrd House Market became the latest addition to the growing list of Farmer's Markets with an amazing list of goodies, from food to crafts and everything in between.

While the regular weekly series does not begin until May 6, the April Fool's version will be open Tuesday, April 1 from 3:30-7pm to offer a taste of what to expect.

The email sent over the weekend reveals more:

"Come and get back into the habit of shopping weekly at the BHM, pick up some fresh and local seasonal produce, farm fresh eggs, grass-fed meats, free-range chickens along with all the yummy baked goods. Come and see what are crafters have been creating over the winter!"

Click here for more info.
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On Tap

The Weekend is upon us and while the weather is supposed to cool off the list of things to do most definitely will not.

Handful of Brains has the goods on an interview and video with the adopted sons of Richmond, the Drive By Truckers, who hit the stage at the National tonight.

This weekend you can also check out the French Film Festival, The Nighthawks at Capital Ale House, Art openings in Manchester, stage openings for Richmond Shakespeare, Hanover Tavern, and Chamberlayne Actors, VCU Dance NOW, the Irish Festival in Church Hill, the Experiencing Villa Lobos Festival at VCU, Virginia Arts & Letters Live, the BoDeans at Toad's Place........the list goes on and on.

Why am I repeating it here?

You can find it all at Richmond's Event Source - www.weeklyrant.com.
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How Freakin' Cool Is This?

Google Street View has the view of River City and it so cool it is frozen.

Haduken spotted the Google Street View geeks rolling around town last summer and now reports the Google Street view map is operational.

It is a feature of Google Maps, which already has satellite photos, traffic info, terrain maps, etc.

Street View lets you take a virtual walk (in a couple dozen cities), explore landmarks, and find businesses.

You should take this 90 second tutorial. They point out how to use it and that you can even zoom in on street signs to see parking regulations or other cool spots and can send links of what you find to your friends.

As if we needed another distraction on the Net to keep us entertained at work. This one is great for revisitng places you've been or check out places you want to go.

Google Street View Richmond.
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Sticking It To Clear Channel

I have long waxed on and waxed off about the dreadful state of Richmond radio and the few saviors that have brought variety to the airwaves. Beyond the freebies of WNRN and WRIR (and occasionally WDCE), and - until recently - the Bopst Show, there was not much out there as far as edgy music or real variety.

But there was also the XM or Sirius subscription satellite radio. I had an XM subscription for a while after discovering it a few years ago and loved it and for some reason let it go.

But now that the XM and Sirius merger is on its way to approval, it might be worth another look. But better than that, the merger is forging ahead after Clear Channel dropped a laundry list of requests to try and prevent the merger from happening - which had included applying "decency rules" to the satellite stations.

Stephen Green sums it up about as good as it gets:

One of the reasons I haven’t listened to the radio since 1992 is that Clear Channel isn’t just lousy, it’s omnipresent. And thanks to Apple’s iPod, I don’t have to subscribe to XM or Sirius, either. But imagine if CBS sued the government to get HBO to clean up “The Wire,” or force Showtime to put clothes back on all the ladies of “The L Word.”

Unlike your lousy “local” Clear Channel stations, XM and Sirius* are subscription services. If you don’t like what they broadcast, don’t subscribe. Same as pay TV channels. If Clear Channel wants to compete, they should first try not sucking.

Amen.
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More Rarely Seen Richmond

Richmond has as much history as almost any other city in the country.

Richmondesque takes us on a stroll down memory lane with some great old postcards of days gone by and images of Richmond from our early 20th Century History.

They are definitely worth a look, especially the Marshall St. Viaduct that used to exist over Shockoe Valley.

These images and others like them can also be found via Rarely Seen Richmond online at VCU (originial hat tip to Slantblog from 2006).

But these are for viewing purposes only and to remember our past and learn from it while we move ahead. They are not for pining about the good ol' days and stewing over the way things used to be.

Any attempts by the few hangers-on that want Richmond to go back to those times are strictly prohibited.
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Downtown Dining Dilemma

As I was walking down Broad St. to Comfort for lunch last week, I was stopped by three men at the corner of 7th & Broad who asked me where they could eat for lunch nearby.

Talk about having to think fast on your feet, I did a mental equivalent of Carl Lewis in figuring out my options.

It was 11:30 am and I asked them when there meeting was (1pm) and where (the Governor's Office Building at 12th & Broad Sts).

I briefly considered sending them in my direction towards Comfort but thought better of it as it is not the most impressive streatch of Broad, not to mention it was in the complete opposite direction of their appointment.

Croaker's Spot was likewise in the wrong direction. Penny Lane's English fare did not seem like a fit for these guys so that was nixed. The new restaurant at the National is still under construction.

LuLu's and the Farmer's Market area were too far. I thought about some of the little sandwich shops around 7th and 8th Sts. but that seemed too ordinary for these gents. I mumbled that the Hospital was mostly cafeteria/fast food and the Valentine Cafe just slipped my mind.

So I directed them toward the Patrick Henry building and had to direct them straight down Governor's St. to Shockoe Slip. There I told them there was Italian (La Grotta) Chinese (Peking), Japanese (Kobe), Sine (Irish), Sam Miller's and Tobacco Co., among others. And it was a short (if somewhat steep) walk back to their appointment.

It reminded me of the dearth of diverse and hip eating establishments in the heart of Broad area for regulars and visitors alike, and believe me, I have tried just about all of them lately.

Hopefully when the Courthouse is done, the National is complete, and some other projects come to fruition we will see more options spring up and flourish.

Until then, I'll keep the track shoes on just in case I get stopped by people looking for a bite.
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