The Day We Met President Obama on Marilea Rd

(To view with captions, see Youtube video.)

On September 29, 2010 my neighbors and I enjoyed the rare thrill and honor of meeting President Barrack Obama only a few yards from our homes. The President was making a series of neighborhood visits to hear what everyday citizens' concerns were. In each of the visited cities, a host family was selected and in Richmond, that was the Perry family (Matt, Stephanie, Matthew and Lucy) across the street from us on Marilea Rd in the Stratford Hills neighborhood of Richmond. Thanks to the Perrys, many of the neighbors were invited to meet the President. Due to rain that day, it was moved indoors to the clubhouse at Southampton Recreation Association, a few doors down the street.

Our son, Paul, who had campaigned door-to-door for Obama (as had Lucretia and I) was spending that semester abroad in Madrid and was shocked to learn that the President was coming to HIS STREET! As a consolation, we offered Paul that, if we had the chance, we would ask HIS question of President Obama, which we did.

At the 17:19 mark in the video above, President Obama pointed to me and said "yes, sir?" At that moment, he had no idea what I might say or ask about, as there was NO SCREENING OF QUESTIONS and no selection of attendees by political affiliations. It was a genuine opportunity for spontaneous dialogue.

Meanwhile, sitting around a laptop computer in a Madrid kitchen with his host family, Paul got to hear President Obama answer his question.

For another perspective, our dialogue over Paul's question begins at the 6:50 mark on this C-SPAN video.


Both before and after the Q&A, President Obama met each person in the room, addressing each of us by name. His aura and charisma were amazing.



Last and definitely least, here is the "horror movie" (listen to that music!) produced by area Republicans about the President's invasion of our neighborhood. Included for some of the rain and unforgettable security images from that day (police, buses parked to provide sightline shields, etc) that even we at the meeting couldn't see.

Law For Change

Found an interesting introduction to an organization that connects pro bono legal services to social entrepreneurs. It's called LawForChange

They're tearing down the VCU Larrick Center!?

Larrick Center as it looks today in 2007

Although I can find few others with affection for it, I'm sorry to
learn that VCU is tearing down the Jonah Larrick Student Center
at the MCV campus in December, 2007.
Built originally as the Virginia Civil War Centennial Center
and opened in September, 1961, it has functioned for many
years as the student activities center for MCV campus
students at VCU. It was named for the former YMCA director
at MCV, Jonah Larrick.

Larrick Center as it looked in the early 1960s as
the Virginia Civil War Centennial Center

Sure, it's impractical, non-functional, and expensive to heat and cool.
Some would even say it's "funny looking", but therein lies its charm.
in fact, it always reminded me of Ream's Turtle.....

Ream's Turtle in Provo, Utah (now gone)

With the destruction of Ream's Turtle ( a skating rink converted
to grocery store) in Provo, Utah and now Larrick Center in
Richmond, it's been a tough year or two for weird building lovers.
Interesting Note:
Ream's Turtle collapsed of its own accord only minutes before its
demolition ceremony, according to the article linked above.
That somehow seems a more dignified way to go.