Trip to museum offered countless treasures to see

EMILY WALLS RAY

Contributing Columnist

“Look how big that bird is! It’s a turkey vulture,” said my 12-yearold grandson. I was surprised to see a vulture on Shepherd Street, just outside the Virginia Museum of Fine Art. Overhead, we spotted three more, circling ever closer to the object of their attention: a freshly killed squirrel on the road. I had visions of Hitchcock’s “The Birds” movie, with Tippi Hedren running, her carefully coiffed French twist falling in tendrils down her elegant neck. I whipped out my iPhone and took a photo to preserve the moment. We were having an adventure!

Visiting the VMFA has been one of our fun places to explore from the time my grandsons were about four years old. First, one sees the out- door sculpture of Chloe, the enigmatic deceptively one-dimensional looking lady, then the Roman God of the Sea near the reflecting pool with Chihuly blown glass “flowers,” sculptures that catch the eye with hues of bright red. Gigantic lime green flower pots bear brightly colored blooms, and colorful bistro tables and chairs are sprinkled across the lawn for visitors to sit beneath big umbrellas. Dog walkers prance by with various hounds of all breeds and sizes. There are a pair of purple dogs who visit from time to time; I don’t recall whether their “person” has matching hair color.

On this particular trip, my grandson and I stepped into the lobby and had a snack in the Best Cafe of cookies and drinks, then took them to sit on the deck of the reflecting pool, which has recently been restored.

We noticed the native Virginia water plants and grasses bordering the pool, which looks out on the expansive lawn described earlier. The Confederate Memorial chapel, pristine white with green shutters, occupies the corner of the lawn by Grove Avenue. Once we took sketchbooks and drew the chapel. My grandson had recently checked out a copy of the Dorling Kindersley book on ancient Greek culture, so we decided to visit the section with Greek pottery and jewelry. We saw a ram’s head jug that looked just like the one in the text. The Greek vases with their scenes from mythology did not disappoint. From there we visited the Egyptian artifacts, including the sarcophagus. It was interesting to see what clues the museum researchers gained from technology to research the mummy. They were able to create an image of the face and colorful painting that would have been on the inside of the mummy mask. We like to focus on just a few things each time we visit VMFA rather than try to see everything. Having noticed the native plants outside the reflecting pool, we decided to learn more about Virginia flora. The gift shop offered a guide to wildflowers of the Southeast. We expressed an interest learning more and were directed to the Museum library. There we met a very helpful person at the desk, Ms. Wetton, who, along with the librarian, helped us find books to read about Virginia plants. Ms. Wetton explained her own interest in plants, and even offered where to find some good seeds to sow.

The fact that admission to VMFA is free makes us grateful to the donors who make this possible. One can read their names on various parts of the Museum. We enjoyed a respite in the Louise and J Harlan Cochrane lounge, where we admired stained glass windows and also the view of Boulevard on a beautiful day. Having satisfied our quest for antiquities from ancient cultures, enjoyed yummy cookies, and had a “National Geographic” view of wildlife right in urban Richmond, we chalked up another successful visit to VMFA. My grandson and I are looking forward to our next time exploring one of our favorite attractions. For a calendar of VMFA events, visit https://vmfa. museum/. be involved in the day-to-day running of the school, the allocation of resources, the hiring and firing of teachers, librarians and superintendents. Ask them if they know what their relationship is with the Board of Supervisors and what their duty is to parents and students and other citizens. Then register and vote in this fall’s election. And when it’s over we will all accept those results and move on and disagree civilly because that is what it means to live in a healthy democratic republic.

The museum is located at 200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard in Richmond.

Jenifer Strozier Goochland

You pull into the driveway and notice your wife’s car is gone. She’s probably at Food Lion picking up dinner. You walk up to the front door and notice it’s slightly open. That’s odd. The dog should be going crazy to see you. You start to feel a little uneasy. You push open the door and step inside. All is quiet. Did she take the dog with her to the store? Unlikely.

Entering the foyer you look down and notice red drops on the floor. Unease turns into apprehension. Your heart races and your breathing becomes rapid. You turn the corner and enter the living room. Panic sets in. Fear takes over. Your dog is lying on her side in a pool of blood. Your wife is face down on the carpet. A butcher’s knife in her back. You fumble for your phone. You are successful in dialing 911 on the third try. You try to remember your address. The dispatcher walks you through the haze you are in until rescue and law enforcement arrive.

down in an instant. You answer law-enforcement’s questions. When did you leave for work? Did you talk with your wife during the day? Is anything else missing? Did she have any enemies? You accept the consoling looks of rescue personnel. You realize she’s gone. Your wife’s body is moved from the house to be transported to the medical examiner’s office. What do you do next? What happens next?

You can’t stay at your house. You go to a hotel.

the confidence, expertise, and ability of the Commonwealth’s Attorney and his staff are acquired only through years of experience. You take comfort in the patient and considerate manner in which the law and procedures are explained. While the anger remains, its intensity is no longer directed at the “system” but at the individuals responsible for the heinous atrocities. A relationship of trust develops. Experience is essential.

the most demanding judge. Experience is essential.

Dear Editor,

It’s been a long day at work.

Your wife is dead. Brutally murdered. Her car is stolen. Your life has been turned upside

At some point you summon the courage to go home. You find a business card in your pocket. A card that an officer gave you. The business card is for the Victim and Witness Director with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. You call the number. Your journey with the justice system begins. You become aware that the Commonwealth’s Attorney ensures that the investigation of your wife’s death is conducted in a complete, detailed, and effective manner. Your feelings of anger, despair, and helplessness are embraced and respected. You realize that

An arrest is made. Now things become even more complicated. Bond hearing. Preliminary hearing. Motion to suppress. Discovery. Continuances. Grand jury. Trial. Conviction. Sentencing. The Commonwealth’s Attorney must be with you every step of the way. Keeping you advised, keeping you informed. Preparing you. Making sure law enforcement is doing everything necessary to ensure the investigation can withstand even the most withering attacks from highly-skilled and experienced defense counsel. Making sure the evidence can withstand even

An effective Commonwealth’s Attorney is hardened and battle-tested only through experience and knowledge; experience associated with years of handling complex and serious criminal cases and a knowledge of the community served by his office. There is no substitute for experience. There is no substitute for knowing your community. When a highly evolved and effective organization such as the Virginia Department of State Police are left adrift without an inexperienced Commonwealth’s Attorney to guide them, what is the fate of your case if the investigation is handled by a relatively inexperienced local law enforcement agency and a Commonwealth’s Attorney with absolutely no prosecution experience? If it’s your wife who has been murdered who do you want to oversee the investigation and handle the prosecution? The choice is easy, re-elect Mike Caudill. Experience is essential.

Ann A. James Goochland