Ready to roll // Shy’Tia Henry, 5, takes off with the help of Corey “Cool” Brown of Petersburg as she tries out her new bike last Saturday at the Fairfield Court Community Day. She won one of several bicycles that were raffled off during the neighborhood event. Mr. Brown is a member of one of the motorcycle clubs that sponsored the bike giveaway. Location: 2300 block of North 25th Street.

Ribbon-cutting for seniors’ new home //It took an extra five months, but the Highland Park Senior Apartments are finally finished and all 77 units are filled. The completion of the $11.4 million project was celebrated Tuesday with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at the former elementary school building at 1221 E. Brookland Park Blvd. Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney and other dignitaries attended. From left, residents Richard Cheatham, Wilbert Curry and Jerome Hewlett watch the program from the balcony. “It’s like living in heaven,” Mr. Hewlett said of his new home. Mr. Hewlett and other residents were relocated from Fay Towers in Gilpin Court. Washington-based Community Preservation and Development Corp. undertook this redevelopment and is working on the next two phases to raze the aging towers.

Shelynda Burney-Brown, vice president for real estate development for CPDC, said Tuesday that CPDC has the financing and is now seeking federal approval to proceed with the next phases, a renovation of the former Baker School in Gilpin Court into 51 units for Fay Towers residents and the creation of a 194-unit, mixed-income apartment complex at Duval and 1st streets that is to include 72 units for Fay Towers residents. CPDC could face a stumbling block. It has requested that the city provide $1 million to pay for installation of utility lines and other infrastructure for the 1st and Duval project, but the city has responded that no money currently is available.

Finch on fence Downtown

Blessing the grounds // Hundreds of people gather at Capitol Square in Downtown last Saturday for the groundbreaking for the Native American monument. Speakers included Alan Michelson, a Mohawk, whose design, “Mantle,” was chosen for the monument, and Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills, below left, a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe.

Blessing the grounds //The ceremony included a blessing of the grounds with the Virginia Indian Dancers and the Turtle Clan Drummers. Dr. Denise Walters, left, of Henrico County, a member of the Nottoway Tribe, participates in the blessing, while other members of the tribe

Blessing the grounds // Rufus Kelly of Columbia, Md.

Meatless, but hardy // There is no meat, but everything is tasty at the Richmond Vegetarian Festival last Saturday at Bryan Park. The annual event showcases an array of vegan and vegetarian dishes by local vendors. Top left, Imani Seay, 4, plays in a box of corn rather than a traditional sandbox

Beverly McFarland of In the Raw with Soul hands vegan macaroni and cheese to a patron.

Pad Thai fries, also were on the menu

Tasting culture // LaTeese Moore of Richmond sips a refreshing fruity drink from Jem’s Catering at the RVA Street Food Festival last Saturday at Brown’s Island. The festival, which drew hundreds of people to the city’s waterfront, offered cuisine from a variety of cultures and countries in a unique, outdoor experience.

Art inspiring positivity // Melody C. Barnes, a Richmond native and former director of the Domestic Policy Council for the Obama administration, takes center stage at the TEDxRVA event, “Change,” last Friday at the Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Arts Center in Downtown. Ms. Barnes, co-founder of MB2 Solutions, a public affairs firm, was among nearly two dozen speakers at the event. She spoke about her passion for the arts and civic engagement and how people can take advantage of art as a catalyst for positive change.

Sacred Heart’s RVA Latino Festival // Virginia Garcia of Richmond makes pupusas, a traditional dish from her native El Salvador consisting of a thick tortilla stuffed with a savory filling.

Sisters Chynna and Krystle Harrell enjoy a tropical fruit cup with their cousin, Shakeema Edwards, at the festival.