OFF-TOPIC (and Long): If you're visiting Richmond VA

It occurred to me that some of ya'll from DC might come down here on business, or as tourists (the Waw) or to see a local provider (or some combination).  I cannot give you ANY information about local providers:  I have a "not in my hometown" party policy (similar to a more colorful and vulgar expression with which one or two of you might be familiar), which I am willing to break at some point, but anyway, I am from Richmond and know it pretty well.

SO (the point, yes, yes, I'll eventually get there):  if you, providers included, are coming down here and want to know where to go out to eat, or where the Batteries + is and your hotel can't tell you, or need to know where a specialty store is, e-mail me and I'll be more than happy to help.  In addition, after you are done with whatever you're here to do, and want a margarita, PM me to see if I'm free, and we'll get one.

Basic stuff:  you risk jail in most places in VA if you're doing over 90--and that includes Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, Hanover, and Henrico Counties, all of which you have to pass through on I-95 to get to Richmond.  90 is the magic number that sends some judges over the edge.  So, however badly you need to get here, do it under that.  You usually won't be stopped until you're more than 10 over.

VA is also a very "law and order" state:  not a lot of cuddliness surrounds LE or the courts here for those accused.  You probably will NOT be released on a summons if you're caught with a little pot, for example.

You may find it less expensive to stay and/or eat in Henrico or Chesterfield Counties rather than Richmond itself--the City has a variety of local taxes, all of which seem to have gone up recently.

You can start to get most anywhere locally by taking Broad St. (E-W N of the River), Monument (E-W N of the River), or Midlothian (E-W S of the River).

You're here on a Saturday night and you're bored.  Go to the Byrd Theatre (in Carytown--$ 2.00 2nd run movies) and see the guy play the Wurlitzer organ which rises from underneath the theatre.  You don't want to do that every week, but it's a fun touristy-thing to do once, if you know about it.  Shows at 7:30 and 9:30 Saturdays.  They also have a midnight movie every Saturday.

Hooters:  For those of you with low tastes (guilty), the one on W. Broad N of the River is nicer than the ones on Southside.

Good restaurants:  E-mail me--we have tons, believe it or not.

Enough boring you w/trivia.  Honestly, feel free to PM me if you're coming and want a heads-up on things from a local.  Happy to have you.