Karri Peifer, arts and entertainment writer

Gangsta Rap
The days are longer and warmer, so apparently that means its time to roll down the car windows and crank the radio up to a decibel just shy of dog-only sound. Extra loud at stop lights, of course.

The assault on greenery begins again
As mentioned in previous Top 5s, the maintenance crew at Richmond.com headquarters has a dedication to lawn care that borders on obsession. It's been spring for a week and in that time the 10 by 10 patch of landscaping outside of Richmond.com has been mowed twice and watered, pruned, mulched, replanted, edged, raked and leaf blown. Daily.

Packed patios
Securing a table is a competitive sport in Richmond -- and one of my favorites.

The smell of grilling meat
Ain't it grand?

Fashion talk
I was content all winter to exist on a wardrobe of jeans and sweaters, but now that spring is here, I'm in a panic. Which fashions are in? Which ones are out? And which ones (gulp) am I too old to wear?

Dionne Waugh, news writer

Cute toesies
Associate editor Kent Brockwell begins wearing his barely-there, faded-to-within-a-sliver-of-rubber flipflops. Oh wait. That's every day. Including winter.

Open road song
You know it's starting to get nice outside when you can drive down the road with the windows open, singing "We Built This City" at the top of your lungs and you don't care how dorky you look.

Festival time!
Up until now, it's been rather dull on the weekends, even for Richmond. But the festivals have begun, signaling months of amusing outdoor enjoyment to be had.

Low gas bills
Anyone else who pays for their city utilities must also notice the drop in their recent bill. I'm thrilled to be paying less than $160 a month for gas and water.

Open windows and doors
You almost feel like you're outside when you can hear the birds, the sirens and the VCU student boom cars drive by. Aside from the occasional squirrel inside the building, it's nice. 

David Hylton, editor

Un-tan bellies
It always happens about this time of year. Guys take their shirts off to mow the yard, drivers get blinded and next thing you know there’s a rear-end collision.

"Sick" days
This is a two-fold response. People use "sick" days to play golf; some people use "sick" days when it's really allergies. It's called Claritin people. Take a pill or two, and you'll be fine.

Unnecessary AC
Companies and homeowners alike flip the switch from heat to AC for no reason. Open up some windows and enjoy the nice weather for a change.

Crazy meteorologists
It hasn't happened yet, but it's free entertainment every spring afternoon when thunderstorms pop up. It's called a thunderstorm, and yes, wind, rain and occasionally hail are involved.

Easter
It's already come and gone, so there's no better sign that it's spring than that.