Kaarunch!!! That's the sound of your car hitting another one of Richmond's epic potholes after the stunning snomg and snowpocalypse events. At Boulevardizen.com we've grown weary of the relentless attack of potholes on our tires, frontends and patience.

As city workers are fully occupied with the battle to keep snow off our streets we citizens must be proactive in avoiding these nerve racking and suspension jarring holes. To help you stay out of the hole we've launched PotholeCity.com where you can find a route that is free from potholes and other scary spots on the street.

Have you been truly offended by a pothole in the area? Add it to the pothole map (or even add a photo!)

For the next few weeks Boulevardizen.com will run a "Best Of" featuring some of the most spectacular potholes in our area.

NOTE - If you spot a pothole or any other dangerous feature Richmond's roads please notify the city immediately by calling 3-1-1 and then plot it on our map!

A sagging economy claimed another Carytown business this week as Raylene's Pennyrich announced the popular women's undergarment store would close its doors.

All merchandise and equipment in the store must go by February 13 says  an email from the store's owner. Among the items available for purchase:

• 4 Full Length Framed Mirrors
• 1 40x50 Gold Frame Mirror
• 1 Ornate Wall Framed Mirror 29wx36l
• 7 Ft Glass With Mirrored Slide Doors Lighted Jewelry Case New $700 Now $300
• Various Racks
• Grid Wall & Accessories 4ft 5ft
• 6ft And 1 8 Ft White Black Or Chrome $4 Each
• Leather Love Seat $100
• Assorted Jewelry Boxes 80 Pc All For $10
• Z Rack $10
• Double Rail Rack With Extentions $20
• 4 Ball Spiral Racks $15 Each
• 3 Single Garment Display Racks $5 Ea
• Hanging Rolling Shelf Rack $20
• 2 Hat Racks $5 Each
• Steamer $25
• Necklace Displayers 75 Cents Each
• 6 Tier Jewelry Display $5.
• 3 Tier Sq. Dump Bin $5.
• 2 Mannequins $50. Each

According to Just-Style.com support for the bra business dropped significantly during 2009:

There's no getting away from it - the global recession has affected the lingerie market just as every other retail sector and just-style estimates the US dollar impact last year will depress the lingerie market in 2009 from $29.8bn to $29bn, a drop of nearly 3%.

Specifically, 2009 bra sales were estimated to be down 23m to 1.54bn (-1.5%), while briefs sales are down 40m to 4.6bn (-0.9%).

Interesting fact from Just-Style.com:

On average, a woman in western Europe or the US will buy two bras and five pairs of briefs per year, while her wardrobe will contain between five and eight bras, as well as six to ten pairs of briefs. Real lingerie enthusiasts will have considerably more.

The wait is almost over for Richmond Flying Squirrels fans enthralled by the mystery of our future team's mascot. At 2 PM on Thursday the new minor league team will unveil their mascot and team uniforms at a special event at Carytown's Byrd Theatre.

"Our mascot is going to be very involved in the community and with our fans, and we're excited to introduce him to Richmond. We're equally as excited to show everyone what the Flying Squirrels will be wearing on the field and to feature the artists whose work will adorn The Diamond." says Flying Squirrels' VP and COO Todd "Parney" Parnell.

In an odd choice of modeling talent the Flying Squirrels will employ the services of local sports media personalities Chip Tarkenton of WRIC, Lane Casadonte of WTVR, Wes McElroy of Sports Radio 910, and Greg Burton of ESPN 950 as celebrity models for the uniform fashion show.

According to a release from the baseball team the press event will also feature a special performance of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" by the first grade students at Bon Air Elementary as well as award-winning, local singer and songwriter Susan Greenbaum performing the "Flight Song" inspired by the Flying Squirrels.

Learn More From The Flying Squirrels

Lovers of Greek food now have an all new restaurant to satisfy their Mediterranean tastes as Basili's of Carytown now welcomes greekophile diners to enjoy their menu of fresh Greek dishes. The restaurant at 3107 W Cary St opened at lunchtime today to offer both carry out and dine in lunch orders.

"All of our ingredients are fresh and everything is homemade," a confident Basili's employee assured me. The new restaurant features a sparkling stainless steel serving line with piping hot dishes and a large baked goods rack filled with everyone's favorite Greek deserts.

Service was very fast during my lunchtime visit and the staff was both friendly and eager to explain the variety of dishes offered. Prices at the restaurant were very reasonable both for the quality and speed with which the food was prepared and delivered. I enjoyed a gyro loaded with well cooked meat and fresh herbs for around $5.

Boulevardizen.com encourages all readers to visit Basili's Greek Restaurant of Carytown and spread the word about our area's latest treat.

FULL DISCLOSURE: The friendly staff provided a sample of deserts at no charge and while these extra treats were very delicious they did not influence my positive review of the establishment.

Basili's Greek Restaurant 3107 W. Cary St Richmond, Va 23221 804-257-2010

A woman was found dead around 6 a.m. this morning at the Greyhound bus terminal on North Boulevard according to Richmond Police. The woman, one of nearly a hundred stranded passengers appears to have died due to medical causes and police do not suspect foul play.

Says the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Paul Lamie, who is traveling to Marion, said because there were many people sleeping on the terminal floor it was difficult to tell that the woman was in need of assistance.

Another passenger, Bob Cronk, said those stranded were told to leave the terminal and piled onto buses until investigators finished at the scene.

Frustrations mounted for the stranded passengers as they awaited word about when they might be able to continue their journeys. Many have been stranded at the terminal since Friday.

Read more on this tragic incident at the Times-Dispatch

VMFA $150 Million Grand Opening
Fan District Hub covers the exciting changes at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the May 1st grand opening.

Healing from the Tyler Binstead Murder
ByrdPark.net shares the story of a dialogue theater piece about the tragic event designed to foster understanding on matters of crime, violence, history, discrimination, trauma, race, youth, drugs and guns.

I Heart Tree 5k Route
Hills and Heights reports on next weekend's I Heart Tree 5k through Forest Hill Park. This could be a very interesting race with another weekend snowstorm on the way!

"Dude, where's my car?" that is the question you could be asking your friends if you park on the south side of West Cary Street through the Carytown area. The popular parking zone is designated as a towing enforced snow emergency route when officials declare a crisis exists.

Additional snow emergency routes in the city are:
1) Broad Street (both sides), between Belvidere Street and 2nd Street
2) Broad Street (south side), between 8th Street and 14th Street
3) Broad Street (north side), between 12th Street and 8th Street
4) 8th Street (west side), between Leigh Street and Cary Street
5) 8th Street (east side), between Broad Street and Main Street
6) 7th Street (east side), between Canal Street and Marshall Street
7) 7th Street (west side), between Canal Street and Broad Street
8) Franklin Street (south side), between Stuart Circle and 9th Street
9) Franklin Street (north side), between Adams Street and 6th Street
10) Main Street (south side), between 25th Street and Belvidere Street
11) Main Street (north side), between 21st Street and Belvidere Street
12) Cary Street (south side), between Laurel Street and 10th Street
13) Cary Street (south side), between 13th Street and 14th Street
14) Cary Street (south side), between Thompson Street and Boulevard
15) Marshall Street (south side), between Belvidere Street and 5th Street
16) Semmes Avenue (both sides), between 19th Street and Forest Hill Avenue
17) Mechanicsville Turnpike (both sides), between Fairfield Avenue and Cool Lane
18) Chamberlayne Avenue (both sides), between Westminster Avenue and Azalea Avenue

Snow and ice have shutdown the Boulevard Bridge in both directions according to city officials. Plan on an alternative route or enjoy your Saturday indoors.

**DEVELOPING**

Fantastic Mr. Fox  Rated PG
Nightly at 7:15pm & Sunday at 4:30pm

The Men Who Stare At Goats  Rated R
Nightly at 9:30pm

12th Annual Tri-City Gospel Step Show
Saturday, February 6, 2010  1:00pm
Presented by Stephan's Promotions
Tickets: $12.00

The Boulevardizen time machine takes us to 1918 when architects proposed an ornate four story brick hospital for the intersection of Grove Ave and Mulberry Street. The proposed Retreat for the Sick was eventually constructed and then given the friendlier name of Retreat Hospital.

Photo from the archives of Carneal & Johnston