Ed 147: St. Paddy’s Day, Spring Equinox, March Madness
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Hey there! Alicia here 👋
I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but it seems that there’s this weird stretch of time between Valentine’s Day and early March where it feels like nothing is going on. Temperatures are low, days are short, and things feel pretty gloomy.
And then BOOM.
Here comes Daylight Saving Time. And St. Patrick’s Day. And March Madness. And the first day of Spring. Suddenly, the days are longer and brighter, things are starting to bloom, and we’re headed into one of the best times of the year in Richmond!
Between this edition of The Weekly Insider, our new Friday email series The Weekender, our library of City Guides, and our curated calendar of local events, we should have you covered on all of the best ways to take advantage of the start of springtime in RVA.
Let’s explore, shall we?
THE LATEST:
Image: @studiotwothree
Image: @stacig24
Image: @belleisleshine
Image: @hotelgreene
SOCIAL NEWS
Puppy hugs and vaccine help. The awesome folks at Studio Two Three will be hosting open hours at their space in Scott's Addition (3300 W Clay St) to assist Richmonders with vaccine enrollment this Wednesday through Friday, 11 am - 5 pm. No sign-up required; just show up to this safely distanced event in their large studio space (masks are required, and they'll have extras if needed).
They'll provide computers and walk you through the enrollment process and make sure you have what you need in the system before you leave. There will also be free coffee and snacks, and the studio pup Frankie will be providing free chubby puppy hugs to all those interested!
The faux-tel returns. Hotel Greene, aka a faux hotel and the home of "high falutin' mini golf" in downtown Richmond, just announced plans to reopen to the public this Thursday, March 18. You can find their new safety policies here.
To celebrate this reopening, Hotel Greene is offering a new golf and meal deal called "Ambassador Hour" from 5 - 7 pm, wherein you can enjoy a round of golf and an appetizer sampler platter for $20. Alternatively, you can enjoy their "Date Night" option for $50 which includes two drinks, savory or sweet treats, and a round of golf together. Either way, you can book here.
All lavender everything. As a lavender-loving lunatic, I was thrilled to see that Belle Isle Moonshine just released their brand new Lemon Lavender Moonshine and that only a few days after, Lamplighter Coffee announced the return of their delightfully zenergizing (that’s “zen” plus “energizing”) Lavender Lattes.
What other lavender-inspired treats lie ahead for us? Plenty, I hope — but these two certainly hit the spot for now! Just expect to see me with violet-hued drinks in hand for the foreseeable future. I’m happy to taste test ‘em all, y’all.
You know what goes well with Girl Scout cookies? Wine. Now through this Sunday, March 21, you can reserve a wine and cookie flight at James River Cellars Winery. Each flight includes four different Girl Scout cookies paired with four hand-picked wines to complement their flavor profiles.
When you make a Girl Scout Cookies® purchase like this, you’re helping the next generation of girl entrepreneurs get an important taste of what it takes to be successful! Not to mention, it’s time to figure out which wine pairs best with Thin Mints, once and for all — you know you’ve been wondering.
Let’s take a cruise. If you’re ready to get back out on the water, then you’re in luck, because Riverfront Canal Cruises will officially kick off their 2021 season on Friday, April 2.
These charters are yet another fun way to explore Richmond, this time from beyond the shoreline. These private one-hour (or more) tours are available for groups of all kinds, whether it’s a company outing, family reunion, birthday party, engagement, or any other type of gathering or celebration.
You can choose whether you'd like your tour to be historically narrated, since these tours of the James River and Kanawha Canal review centuries of Richmond history — or you can forgo the historic narration and take in the sights while listening to your own playlist over a provided speaker. Learn more or book here.
Spring, is that you? Speaking of season kick-offs, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden's spring season celebration will officially kick off this Monday, March 22 with M&T Bank Restore: The Healing Power of Nature. Thousands of flowering cherries, daffodils, tulips, and other springtime favorites await — in fact, the Garden has planted more than 33,000 spring bulbs this year! Advanced tickets are required for your visit whether you’re a Garden member or not; details here.
Top o’ the mornin’ to ya. There are so many events happening on St. Paddy’s Day itself (today, if you’re reading the Weekly Insider in real time) and this coming weekend. We’ve outlined all of them in this handy City Guide so you can start celebrating!
SPRING EQUINOX CELEBRATIONS
New season, who dis? This year, spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere will take place at 5:37 am ET on Saturday, March 20! Here are two local events happening to celebrate:
SPRING EQUINOX AT THE FARM - Saturday, 12 - 6 pm - Taking place at the Courthouse Creek Cider farm in Maidens, VA about 25 minutes from downtown RVA, this celebration will feature live music, tarot readings, a flower stem bar, pet portraits, sunflower paintings for kids, and gourmet grilled cheeses, along with hard cider, gluten-free beer, wine, and cider cocktails
SPRING EQUINOX ARTISTS’ MARKET - Saturday & Sunday, 12 - 6 pm - Start the new Spring season by supporting local vendors along with AlterNatives Boutique at their two-day market in Carytown, and shop at their outdoor craft show full of local Richmond makers and artisans
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Weekly Giveaway
Splatter RVA
In case you missed our Instagram Reel, we got the chance to visit Splatter RVA last month — where making a mess is totally encouraged.
Each splatter paint session includes 25 minutes in a private paint room where you can throw, spray, and splash fluorescent paint on walls, doors, and floors (and at each other!), as well as your own 8x10” canvas, which you’ll get to bring home with you afterward in a convenient mess-free box.
Ponchos, safety glasses, and shoe covers are provided, but I’d wear something you don’t mind getting paint on — you’d be surprised how far you can fling colors at one another when there’s a black light involved to add extra fun to the experience!
This week, we’re giving away eight splatter paint sessions (one session to eight lucky RVAx members) so you can join in on the fun!
To enter to win: Tell me your favorite color! Mine’s purple.
Last week: Congratulations to Amber K. for winning our Mad Kitchen giveaway!
Image: EmmiClaire Photography
Member Perks
EmmiClaire Photography
Are YOU ready for your close-up?
Whether they’ve booked a photoshoot for an engagement, a professional or personal brand, a family, pets, a wedding, newborns, or anything else — a lot of people worry that their photos will look overly posed or that they won’t feel confident in front of the camera.
But when you work with local photographer Emily at EmmiClaire Photography, you’ll see how her innovative process brings out the best in your true self!
Her intentional process will exceed expectations, creating timeless photographs that are vibrant, authentic, and full of life.
Save 15% on your session when you mention that you’re an RVAx member — learn more at emmiclaire.com now!
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Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 56 new members this week: Caroline M., Beth A., Brandon K., Sharon S., Mary Margaret J., Nan V., Elizabeth C., Haven S., Krystie W., Chloe P., K P., Amber F., Jeremy F., Laura E., Maya M., Holly W., Heather D., Abigail W., Rhonda T., Aaron W., Faith C., Erica N., Linda W., Kristina W., Jonathan L., Alex K., Jeffrey S., Cara S., Kaylee F., Masco B., Melissa S., Mila C., Alex S., Tina P., Ali G., Rose T., Nikki B., Taylor M., Bronte P., Madison W., Lori B., Sam S., Jill M., Kendra H., Kristin Z., Jake H., Kara L., Kate B., Danielle C., Lauren S., Maddie L., Michelle J., Jalen R., Shannon M., Allyson C., and Katherin L., we're so glad you're here!
It takes a village, so let us know if you have any questions, thoughts, feedback, tips, or recs! Thanks for reading edition 147 of the Weekly Insider.
Stay well friends,
Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
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