Gone but not forgotten: Little Europa
by b1bob
Restaurant Name: Little Europa (closed: summer, 2005)
Little Europa was the only Russian restaurant in Richmond. It was located in the Gayton Crossing shopping centre in the West End. Despite being located in a shopping centre, you felt like you were in Russia from the moment you entered the door. The menu offered authentic Russian fare, even including the beverages. On the far wall was a mural of what must be a view from a dacha on the Crimean Peninsula. Russian music is played over the loudspeakers and there is live entertainment at the weekend. The service was so attentive, it was almost like Lee and I were the only ones there. In fact, that was the problem. We were almost the only ones there one Tuesday night in March, 2005 and it closed several months later.
Favourite Dish: The native Russian waitress was especially impressed that I ordered the kvas, a traditional Russian drink made with lemons and (sometimes stale) rye bread. That was an intriguing combination. It was so good I ordered a refill. For an appetizer, my friend and I shared beef piroghkis which are hot puff pastries stuffed with this and several other things. For the entree, I had golubsy which is minced beef, rice, onions and cilantro rolled in a cabbage leaf. I loved everything from beginning to end. The food was great and I felt like I was in Russia.
en español, em português
James River
by b1bob
The James River neatly bisects the City and its suburbs. This river is deep enough to accommodate seagoing ships and make Richmond a seaport. It is a beautiful river to watch as some of Richmond's most exclusive neighbourhoods such as Windsor Farms are located right on its banks. When the river runs low, you can find young people sunning themselves on the rocks. When the river runs high, you will find kayakers and other people willing to brave the rapids out on the river. Beware: these rapids can be deadly. The city of Richmond and the counties of Henrico and Chesterfield have signs posted against going into the river under certain conditions. There is talk, if it isn't already in force, of forcing all live rescues of people disregarding posted signs to reimburse the city or county for the cost of their rescue. This photo was taken from a railroad bridge (from the safety of a car of the southbound Carolinian bound for Charlotte). As of late March, 2004, the river was running a bit dry.
Slavery or cotton trade?
by matcrazy1
As I already stated I was told different opinions and views on the Civil War.
One of my basic questions was: why did southern states secede from the Union? Was slavery the reason?
Official history books usually cite slavery as the cause for the secession and war. President Abraham Lincoln was chosen in November 1860 and he wanted to ban slavery wheras the southern states wanted to keep it.
I was told in the South that slavery was a factor in the War Between the States, but it was a secondary factor. Slavery was getting to be cost prohibitive. The advent of the cotton gin made picking cotton more efficient without having to pay for the upkeep of the slaves. Even if the slaves didn't earn money, plantation owners had to pay to keep them in working order. Even if the South won the war, slavery would have probably disappeared before 1900.
The real reason of the secession was really the cotton trade. Because of soil and climate, cotton would only grow in the South. Because many of the congressmen were from the North, they made U.S. trade policy with other countries (as it relates to cotton exports) that put the cotton farmers at a distinct disadvantage. The South took that for a number of years and decided in 1861 they were not going to take it anymore so, one by one, the Southern states began to secede from the Union. Slavery was used as the rallying cry up North because most Americans, both up North and down South, were illiterate in the 1860s. Whereas most couldn't get their arms around the finer points of the cotton trade, they could understand slavery. It's just an opinion, but one that makes sense when you set aside the emotion of the debate.
Read the speeches to Georgia legislature of:
- Alexander H. Stephens, future Confederate Vice-President here
- Robert Toombs, future Confederate Secretary of State here.
NASCAR in Richmond
by gipper84
Going to the races at RIR is a feat that many so called rednecks venture to twice a year. Now as a fellow redneck I include myself in that holy journey to Richmond's redneck momument. NASCAR in Richmond is like cricket is to Britain except alot more invigorating than wacking a little ball around for hours. At RIR you get the most loyal of fans traveling from all over God's green U.S.A. to witness a weekend of good ole racing at its finest. RIR is the third smallest track on the NASAR circuit, at about 3/4 of a mile long, but it is one of the most favorite sites for NASCAR, and its loyal fans. RIR is the place to be on the second weekend of May, and the second weekend of September and is a real treat to all those who attend. The raceway is extremely large and tends to stay packed all weekend. Some people even do the famous American tailgating all weekend just so they don't have to worry about coming and going. The race itself is always exciting with lots of wrecks, and good ole stock trading for first place. Every year my dad gets free tickets to the race and I thoroughly enjoy the experience everytime. If you wait outside the RV area where the drivers stay you will run into a few every now and then. I have had the pleasure of meeting Virginia's finest Ward Burton, Nascar legend Richard Petty, and Chad Little. I naturally love NASCAR, and for those of you who have never experienced it, you are in for a real treat. You will get to see an inside look into the habits of the American redneck while getting an adrenaline rush off of high speed stock car racing. It is an experience you won't forget, especially if you share it with me and B1Bob, we are the redneck extraordinaires when it comes to Richmond. None except an ear plug if you don't like loud noise, and maybe a headset which you can purchase there to listen to the pit crews and the drivers actually on the air.
Rocks along the James. Right...
by thunderbox
Rocks along the James. Right accross from the Hollywood cemetery and along the nice part of the James, there are rocks where you can lay out, read or just admire the view of the River with cemetery high on the hill in front of you.
Sign in with Facebook
steak, eggs and grits
American Civil War Center
Museum of the Confederacy
European Deli
