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July 17 Newsletter: Seeing the sky

Weather: High of 94. Air quality has been deemed "unsafe for sensitive groups."

On this date in 1994, Brazil defeats Italy in the first World Cup to be held in the United States. It is also the first title to be decided on penalty kicks.

Come say hi tomorrow morning at the St. Stephen's Farmers Market in the West End.

Amateur astronomer donates telescopes to inspire rural communities around Richmond

Amateur astronomer John Sokol remembers the first time he saw Jupiter through a 10-inch telescope in 1969. The gas giant’s prowess felt in reach, and the sight struck him. Ever since, it’s been his life’s mission to give everyone a chance to share that same experience. 

Thanks to Sokol’s donation and with help from the Richmond Astronomical Society, the Powhatan County Library will launch its telescope program on July 21. If successful, the society hopes to bring the program to other communities around Richmond. Read more here.

World-famous AI artist unveils video installation at CoStar grand opening

Dubbed Foundry Park, the $460 million project is anchored by a 21-story office building. Its distinctive LED screen facing the river is programmed by Refik Anadol, an AI artist who helped program the Las Vegas Sphere.

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"He's pioneered a new art form. He paints with data and dreams with machines," CoStar CEO Andy Florance said in introducing Anadol.

Anadol explained that the screen draws from CoStar's library of millions of photos to generate visuals inspired by buildings, neighborhoods and the built environment, with a new result every time. Read more here.

‘Turn this ballpark into Christmastown’: Squirrels unveil plan for 39-day WinterWorld attraction at CarMax Park

Richmond Flying Squirrels owner Lou DiBella said the offseason event will cost more than $3 million to produce and will feature more than a million lights, a 12,500 square foot ice rink for skating, a six-lane ice slide, a tree maze, a Ferris wheel and what organizers promise will be the tallest live Christmas tree in Richmond.

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But no city government officials spoke at Wednesday’s event, and there remains tension over plans to do construction work outside the ballpark’s main entrance once the baseball season ends in September.

“For years, when this park was in discussion, all I heard was we need to generate income all year round,” DiBella said, adding he has “a hard time believing anyone would close down our front entrance.” Read more here.

‘Dark to light’: City unveils plans for infamous Lumpkin’s Slave Jail site

The $18 million project will construct a pavilion around the site known as the “Devil’s Half-Acre,” and offer witness accounts of the brutal treatment that occurred there. 

Jeannie Welliver, the city manager for the Shockoe Project, called the uncovering of Lumpkin’s Slave Jail “likely the most important archaeological find in the United States over the past 50 years.”

Its location, however, has made preservation of the site unusually difficult. Read more here.

Avula tweaks financial transparency plan, but after months of discussion, Council’s stance remains unclear

Mayor Danny Avula has proposed a series of tweaks to his proposal to resume publication of a narrower financial database showing how City Hall is spending taxpayer dollars.

But they have not been officially incorporated into the plan, which will likely take until at least September after several City Council hearings that have yet to produce a substantive vote.

Wednesday's debate included a discussion on whether purchases made with credit cards, known as p-cards, should have full descriptions included. Read more here.

In other news

The editor's desk

Not sure who I'm rooting for in the World Cup final, but I know that Cape Verde held both teams to a 90-minute draw, making them my champs.

Michael Phillips, founder
mphillips@richmonder.org

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