So let's dispense with the formality of an introduction and get right to this week's "Why Richmond, Why?!?" questions and answers.

As a Richmonder of seven years I'm ashamed to admit I had never set foot in the Byrd Theater until [the other] weekend when I went to see “Iron Man” with some friends. The theater is breathtaking but man, those seats could really use an upgrade.

According to my friends they've been collecting donations in the lobby for just such an upgrade for a while now. Any idea when they will begin the project? Have they been able to secure donations from [Virginia Commonwealth University] and organizers/participants of the French Film Festival or local Richmond corporations? It seems like with such a treasure in our midst, it wouldn't be that hard to raise the money needed for new seats.

-- Byrd Fan

Todd Schall-Vess, general manager for the Byrd Theatre, answers:

The Byrd Theatre Foundation just acquired the Byrd in May 2007, and we are still learning how to seek the support needed. Almost all of the donations that have been received so far (with the exception of specific gifts for our new roof and immediate organ repairs) have gone to make payments for the building.

Our daily profits from operations keeps us insured and open but because this money must be split with film distributors and pay for overhead; we need donations to achieve our goals. More funding is needed before serious work on the seats or anything else can be done. We are starting to approach individuals, corporations and organizations, but right now, the generous donors who paid for our desperately needed roof and organ repairs are our biggest success stories. We want our Gala on October 18, 2008 to be the start of a larger success story; one that tells how the people of our community came together and made certain this 80-year-old icon was here for another 80 years to come.

If you want to help us write that story, email us at byrdtheatre1@comcast.net.

How do you choose what questions you are going to answer? It seems that the only questions that get answered somehow involve a farmer's market, stoplights, grocery stores or restaurants. How about mixing it up some and responding to other comments?

-- Joe

It’s a great question, Joe (not to mention a pretty astute observation). The short answer is that I print the answers to questions for which I get a response.

Here's the long answer: in the six months that I’ve been writing “Why Richmond, Why?!?” I have submitted every question that's been asked to the appropriate local business, national corporation and/or city /country government. (With the exception of one question about Food Lion’s credit card machine, as I was unable to find any contact information and two others about vacant stores for which I also could not find contact info.)

Then I await a reply. After a week or two if I don’t get a response, I usually try to track down an alternative contact. After several weeks with no response, I send a follow up email to anyone and everyone I can think of who is associated with said question. Then I rinse and repeat.

I want to note, though, that I always welcome it when readers follow up with me. Often it gives me a perfect excuse to follow up (again) with the appropriate local business, national corporation and/ or city / country government. Plus, I hope it encourages one of the above to get back with me sooner.

Again, great question Joe. I've been wanting to find a way to insert my frustration with the lack of response from local businesses, national corporations and/ or city / country governments into the column. 

So what do you want to know, Richmond? Send questions to: karri.peifer@corp.richmond.com with "Why Richmond, Why?!?" in the subject line or leave your question in the comments sections below. And if you want to read all the old "Why Richmond, Why?!?" columns, just click this link to read the "Why Richmond, Why?!?" archives.