Ed 207: Truckle Cheesemongers Storefront, New Local Pool, Riverrock
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Hi there, readers! 👋
Kinda feelin’ like we’ve been working through another one of those weeks (and then some) of rough news out there. Life is particularly heavy right now, and we do our best to keep it light for you at The Richmond Experience. One of our fave ways to do that (see: fave ways to feel less of a need to bask in the glow of our salt lamps at night) is by looking for — and telling you about — the good we can do in our community.
So, we’re gonna start there with a few ideas:
If you can and want to help with the baby formula shortage, DM @RVA_formula_finder or learn how to donate through Little Hands Virginia here.
Feed the Streets RVA recently set up its first hygiene pantry. Click here to learn where it is, how to keep it stocked, and where to make a monetary donation.
And don’t forget to mix in some self-care while you’re doing all this others-care. RVA Girls Who Walk gets together regularly in the name of mental health and meeting friends, and as Elle Woods taught us: “Endorphins make you happy.” Keep an eye on the group’s Instagram page for the next meet-up’s deets.
Okay. Deep breath, refill your water glass, throw on this always-good Taylor Swift jam (or dealer’s choice), and add these other things to your Richmond to-dos:
WEATHER
Wednesday: Mostly sunny; high of 81°, low of 66°
Thursday: Mostly cloudy; high of 90°, low of 66°
Friday: Partly cloudy; high of 96°, low of 72°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 5 - 9 pm: Wednesdays Alfresco
Thursday, 6:30 - 8 pm: Jellyfish Terrarium Workshop
Friday, 4 - 8 pm: Fan Arts Stroll 2022
CITY GUIDES
1. EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT ISLAND SHRIMP CO. AT ROCKETTS LANDING
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Debra Freeman: She’s a food anthropologist, podcaster, and writer, focusing on the intersection of race, culture, and food. Listen to her podcast, Setting the Table, and keep up with some of her current written takes in Southern Grit Magazine.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including where to get a pizza and a cheesesteak in one spot, which beloved Mexican restaurant’s owner is opening a comic store, all the Riverrock info you need to know, and more.
THE LATEST:
MUST-EATS
421 Strawberry Heat: Blue Habanero opened in the Fan last week. This colorful new spot is the place to be when you’ve got a hankering for street tacos and tequila (so, always for us), but don’t sleep on the menu of starters. Street corn, five kinds of queso, tuna ceviche, and fresh jalapeño stuffed with queso fresco and wrapped in applewood smoked bacon? Uh, yes – we’ll take it all. (Instagram)
Eat that steak and that Tim’s Pizza: Eat That Steak 1985 and Tim’s Pizza are teaming up for their first pop-up collab this Thursday, May 19, at Pop’s Market on Grace. Check out the whole drool-worthy menu (hi, the Too Much Pepperoni pizza and the Classic Cheesesteak) and reserve a collab pack here. (Instagram)
Praise Cheeses: Truckle Cheesemongers has plans to launch its retail shop, bar, and café – Truckle Cheesemonger Cheese Bar – this September in the Devil’s Triangle at 714 N. Sheppard St. The Blue Bee Cider resident cheese-slicer-and-server will continue doing her thing at the urban cidery through the end of the year, before fully focusing on her new space’s “gooey, intriguing goodness” and “salami from small producers, different crackers and crusty breads, and nontraditional accouterments, such as roasted fava beans.” (Richmond magazine)
MUST-DOS
Fan out and stretch your legs: Head out to the Fan for the (now annual, not biannual) Fan Arts Stroll this Thursday and Friday (May 19 and 20), from 4 to 8 pm each day. We’re talkin’ 12 blocks of more than 100 artists, musicians, and vendors, selling must-haves like this colorful eyecatcher, these wooden spoons, this beachy themed tray, and this use-it-in-everything cooking paste. (Instagram)
Paint a picture for us Richmonders: The RVA Street Art Festival is happening September 16 - 18 and is currently accepting muralist applications to participate. “The festival will not only celebrate the growth of street art in Richmond over the last decade but also highlight the growth of the culinary, brewing, and arts communities in RVA. More specific programming, events, and volunteer opportunities will be announced later this summer.” (Instagram)
A man of many talents: Later this month, Don’t Look Back co-owner Hamooda Shami is debuting his own comic book shop, Paper Tiger, near Bon Air – next to the former home of Don’t Look Back South. Hamooda plans to emphasize “collectible and vintage comics and trading cards” in the 2,600-square-foot store, which “will also carry limited selections of vintage and new toys, new comics, board games, and more.” (Richmond BizSense)
Water you doing on May 28? If the answer is, “Looking for a pool,” we’ve got a blurb for that. SwimRVA – a nonprofit org that’s working to elevate aquatics across the Richmond region – is opening its North location on Saturday, May 28, in the former home to the Chickahominy Aquatics Association on N. Wilkinson Rd. Keep cool and kick off summer over Memorial Day Weekend with a splash into this newly renovated pool. (Instagram)
You’re gonna wanna see this: The Richmond International Film Festival is just under three weeks away – happening from June 7 - 12. If you’re looking to make a whole week of it for yourself and some out-of-towners, RIFF has you covered with its Local Area Guide. And in the meantime, we spotted this giveaway through Visit Richmond for all you movie buffs – a special prize package, including a pair of free all-access VIP passes to the festival, a $100 gas card, a gift card for dinner at one of RVA’s amazing restaurants, and a free two-night say at the Richmond Downtown Hilton. (Richmond International Film Festival)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
📸Local artists Jada and David Parrish won second place at the Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards 2022 in London, England, last weekend. (Jada and David)
🌮Cocodrilo is now serving breakfast. (Instagram)
🚣Riverrock is happening this weekend! Check out the schedule, parking info, and more before you head over. (Sports Backers)
Weekly Giveaway
Richmond Flying Squirrels
Summer officially starts in about a month, but we’re already loving all-outdoor-everything. One of our favorite summery things? A baseball game (and a hot dog and beer, of course) at The Diamond.
This week, we’re giving away a pair of tickets to the game against the Reading Fightin’ Phils on Monday, July 4 (post-game Super Blast fireworks included).
To enter to win: Tell us your favorite way to top a hot dog!
Last week: Congratulations to last week’s winner, Adam W., for winning our AMR Detailing giveaway!
Member Perks
Virginia Credit Union LIVE! & The National
We’re headed into the thick of concert-and-shows season, and now’s the time to plan the soundtrack of your summer.
Members of The Richmond Experience get special access to free and discounted concert tickets at Virginia Credit Union LIVE! and The National.
Tickets listed as “All-In” offers are all-inclusive of any online service fees. Free ticket offers are subject to a small processing fee at checkout, which will cover up to four tickets. All offers end at 10 pm EST the day before the event date, so don’t wait!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 18 new members this week: Annmarie G., Alicia C., Barlclay S., Catherine N., Kellie L., Christine P., Daniel H., Mariah D., Justin W., Rosie P., Matthew M., Kenedi R., Heather B., Isabel M., John H., Albree R., Lisa O., and Donna E., 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 207 of The Weekly Insider.
Have a great week!
- The Richmond Experience
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