Ed 271: Free Bike Rides, Smashed Burgers, Award-Winning Crime Fiction
Powered by HOUSEpitality Family — get a taste of tropical paradise on the patio at Island Shrimp Co. Rocketts Landing (Bahama Mama and waterfront views included).
HELLO!
I’m on beach time, folks! As you read this, I’m en route to sunny California — or, like… really hoping the delayed flight takes off soon. Keep your fingers crossed for me. If you hadn’t heard, lost luggage IS showing signs of recovery after hitting a 10-year high. So… yay…? (Seriously, thoughts and prayers. Please.)
In the meantime, if you’re not on the way to the beach, let me recommend (one of) the next best thing(s): The Emerald Lounge! My husband and I finally checked it out over the weekend, and it’s as cute as they say. (“They” being us and just about everyone else.) I got the classic margarita, BUT for next time, my eyes are already on More Than Words — Mexican rum blend, mezcal, poblano pepper, apricot, vanilla, agave, lime, and grapefruit. I may just have to stop for that on our way back home to push off the post-vacation blues as long as possible.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including a roller rink, RVA BikeShare, the most beautiful campus, and more.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy; high of 83°, low of 67°
Thursday: Mostly cloudy; high of 85°, low of 69°
Friday: Partly cloudy; high of 93°, low of 71°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 9 pm: SOCIAL CLUB RVA X RVA YOGA HANG SUPPER AT STARR HILL BEER HALL & ROOFTOP
Thursday, 7 - 8 pm: SABAI TRIVIA IN THE JUNGLE
Friday, 6 - 8 pm: BREWING IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY: FROM AFRICAN ORIGINS TO CRAFT’S FUTURE
CITY GUIDES
1. 10 NEARBY FARMS WHERE YOU CAN PICK YOUR OWN PRODUCE
2. 5 STROLLER-FRIENDLY WAYS TO GET OUT & ABOUT WITH YOUR LITTLE ONE(S), PT. 2
3. SUMMER FUN: BEACH, LAKE & RIVER DESTINATIONS WITHIN 1.5 HOURS OF RICHMOND
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
SA Cosby: DYK this crime fiction writer lives in our neck of the woods? Well, like, about an hour to the right. The New York Times bestselling and LA Times Book Prize–winning author of My Darkest Prayer, Blacktop Wasteland, Razorblade Tears, and (most recently!) All the Sinners Bleed is from Southeastern Virginia and currently resides in Gloucester. His latest work tells the story of “the first Black sheriff in a small Southern town fac[ing] a questionable shooting, a Confederate pride march, and a serial killer” — say, if you need a good read to close out the summer.
THE LATEST:
SOCIAL NEWS
Look, ma!: RVA BikeShare returned this week. Bewegen Technologies formerly operated the program and halted its services in May, but a new company has stepped in, and the City of Richmond says the offering will be free to use for the rest of 2023. There are close to two dozen stations across the city (with plans for more), and bikers have to download the RVA BikeShare app and register to use the service and get free rides. (WRIC)
I love college: University of Richmond made the cut for The Best 389 Colleges by The Princeton Review. The pub made its selections based on academic offerings, and then student surveys sorted the sub-rankings. Most notably, U of R earned the top spot for Most Beautiful Campus, and here’s how else the Spiders made out:
#3 Best-Run College
#3 Best Classroom Experience
#5 Most Accessible Professors
#7 Best Science Lab Facilities
#7 Best Athletic Facilities
#9 Best Quality of Life
#10 Happiest Students
#10 Everyone Plays Intramural Sports
#11 Best Campus Food
#11 Best Career Services
#14 Best College Library
#15 Professors Get High Marks
#15 Best College Dorms
#16 Best Student Support and Counseling Services
#19 Students Study the Most
#24 Their Students Love These Colleges
AND! Virginia State University was selected for an HBCU Community Supported Agriculture Farmers Market program! (RVAHub, Instagram)
We could always use a little music: Block parties are on another level in Woodland Heights. Taking a page out of NPR’s book for Tiny Desk Concerts, the neighborhood brought about Tiny Porch Concerts during the pandemic, and the musical mingling began again this summer. They’re held once a month, and plans for September and October are in the works now. (NBC12)
Get ready for a meat ~ball~: Smashed RVA is (hooray! finally!) opening its storefront. Head to the burger spot next Wednesday, August 30, between 11 am and 9 pm for the grand opening (and then during that same window every Wednesday through Saturday from here on out). The locals are saying “this is a dream come true” and “anyone who sells a burger in this town need to watch they backs,” and we have to agree on both counts. See you in line. (Instagram)
Did you bring your rollerblades?: There’s a new roller rink — and mural — in town. All City Art Club, “a collaborative arts project focusing on the improvement of Richmond and beyond,” led by Silly Genius and Reclaiming the Monument, recently celebrated its unveiling at Hotchkiss Park (701 E Brookland Park Blvd) with some wheel-spinning and record-spinning, but if you didn’t make it, there’s more where that came from; the group plans to host a series of similar events in the near future. (Instagram)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🍻Blue Sky Fund and Väsen Brewing Company have a Blue Sky Kölsch brewing. (Instagram)
🏷And speaking of collabs: ICYMI, Paix and Rexco are opening a small cafe and roastery. (Instagram)
Image: Holy Chic + Co.
Weekly Giveaway
Holy Chic + Co.
The end(ish) of summer means it’s time to unwind and reset, and one of our favorite ways to do that is with a little self care. Throw on the latest ep of Only Murders in the Building (or whatev) and practice some meditation in the form of nail painting.
This week, we’re giving away a bottle of the ‘90s Supermodel nail lacquer! In Holy Chic + Co.’s words: “That classic red. There’s nothing more quintessentially ‘90s than a good, deep rouge. We’re sure Cindy, Naomi, and Claudia would agree.”
To enter, tell us: In what Northeast African civilization were red nails reserved for only the highest-ranking women?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Brittany K., for winning the Byrd Theatre giveaway!
Image: Bugle Call Coffee
Member Perks
Bugle Call Coffee
If you’re just not ready for the PSL of it all, we get it — and we’ve got some alternative suggestions for your next caffeine fix. Bugle Call Coffee makes sure every roast is crafted with a small-batch mindset to serve you a high quality, consistently delish cup of Joe.
Members of The Richmond Experience get 20% off your first order at buglecallcoffee.com. Use code RVAX to redeem!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
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Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome all our new members this week! 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 271 of The Weekly Insider.
Drink plenty of water!
- The Richmond Experience
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