For the 17th consecutive year, The Jefferson Hotel has won AAA’s prestigious Five Diamond Award, the travel group’s top rating for hotels and restaurants.

Economic indicators might be pointing in the wrong direction and 401(k)s might be lighter than a year ago, but forgetting mom on Mother’s Day tomorrow could really make things difficult for some. Fortunately, businesses and restaurants around the Richmond area say business is strong, as many try to stay out of the doghouse. “It’s been as good as I expected,“ said Steve Papoulakos, president of Vogue Flowers & Gifts.

Charlotte M. Minor, the 2008 Richmond Christmas Mother, led a procession down the grand staircase at The Jefferson Hotel’s annual tree lighting last night amid nearly 1,000 attendees. Escorted by her husband, G. Gilmer “Gil” Minor III, Minor’s introduction to the crowd filling the ornate lobby coincides with the official start of her work this week to help brighten the holidays for thousands of struggling families.