Bubbles, bubbles everywhere Solomon and Sabrena Burison surround their 8-month-old son, Jacion, with a bevy of bubbles during the grand reopening of Maymont Farm last Sunday. The youngster carefully eyes the floating orbs. Please see more photos, B2.

Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney cuts the ribbon celebrating the completion of the $5 million renovation of the William Byrd Senior Apartments, a former hotel at 2501 W. Broad St. that now provides 104 rental units for the elderly and disabled.

With him at the March 22 ceremony are Byrd resident Kate Anthony and Lee Householder, chief executive officer for project:HOMES, the nonprofit that owns and operates the 11-story building that has been a city landmark since 1925. The city contributed a grant from its Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support the 18-month renovation project undertaken while the building remained occupied.

The Great Debaters // Jerry Ruffin and Riqia Taylor strategize before presenting their argument during “The Great Debate” sponsored by The Gloucester Institute Board of Directors and its president, Kay Coles James. Teams of college students who are part of the institute’s Emerging Leaders program debated the question of immigration over two days.

The final event was held Sunday in a Richmond courtroom at the John Marshall Courts Building Downtown. Judges included Carlos Clanton, president of the National Urban League Young Professionals, Richmond radio personality Clovia Lawrence and Chika Anyadike, legislative assistant to Petersburg Delegate Lashrecse D. Aird. Mr. Ruffin and Ms. Taylor won the debate and each received $500.

Tulips in the East End

Family fun at Baymont Farm // Children feed and pet a goat at the newly renovated Maymont Farm. Thousands of families turned out Sunday for the grand reopening of the farm, which was closed for the last 10 months for a $3 million renovation.

New farm features include a renovated barn, allowing visitors easier access to feed and pet animals, and a hand-washing station for use afterward. Maymont also has two new retired racehorses in residence and five black faced sheep.