Ed 286: Chocolate Orange, Dungeons & Dragons Group Therapy, Affordable Childcare
Powered by Cirrus Vodka — pop over to Santa’s Cocktail Shop and try some of his *many* delish drinks, including one of our faves, the Cran-Rosemary Mule.
Hi, hello!
I know we just shared our most recent round-up of things we’re *WAY* loving, but I have more to add. Have you been to Spotty Dog to try the holiday flavors, yet? I was so into Peppy Bark and Chocolate Orange last year, and my love affair has continued. There are candy CHUNKS aplenty in every spoonful, and it’s legitimately difficult for me to decide which flavor is my favorite.
But I think it’s Chocolate Orange.
No, WAIT — Peppy Bark.
See?!
Look, we’ve included a gift card giveaway below, so you can go and decide for yourself. Feel free to wave when you see me there again, anytime between now and the end of the holiday season.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including a Grateful Dead-inspired bar, a spot for late-night drinks and snacks, River City superlatives, and more.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Mostly sunny; high of 54°, low of 28°
Thursday: Sunny; high of 47°, low of 26°
Friday: Sunny; high of 55°, low of 28°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 9 am - 1 pm: VOLUNTEER WITH RICHMOND COMMUNITY TOOLBANK
Thursday, 6 - 10 pm: DRAG BINGO AT HARDYWOOD RICHMOND
Friday, 5 - 9 pm: KITTEN CUDDLE & CHRISTMAS KARAOKE
CITY GUIDES
1. THE FAMILY CALENDAR: DECEMBER 2023
3. MUSIC ROUNDUP: CONCERTS & SHOWS HAPPENING IN RICHMOND, NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 31
Image Source: Ellie Mental Health (From left to right: Deb Wolff, LCSW; Nick Tomlinson, Supervisee in Social Work; Ariane Raines, LPC (Clinical Director); Derek Joyce, LPC; Vega Watts, Supervisee in Social Work; Sierra Rosenswog, Resident in Counseling (LPC)) (Not pictured: Bethany Masimula, Resident in Counseling (LPC))
RICHMONDER(S) TO KNOW
Ellie Mental Health: When you hear the word “therapy,” do you think: inviting, authentic, fun, and irreverent? You just might when you work with the clinical team at Ellie Mental Health. The org in Glen Allen, VA, is working toward making therapy all that — and more. Since their clinic opened over the summer, Ellie Mental Health has focused on making access to mental health services more attainable while customizing them to each person that walks through the door. In addition to that and accepting most insurance plans, the office will also begin offering group therapy sessions in 2024, and the first group will be thematically based on Dungeons & Dragons. Derek Joyce, LPC, will lead the group with support from Vega Watts and Nick Tomlinson (both supervisees in social work) and will incorporate creativity, problem-solving, communication skills, coping skills, and more through storytelling in a safe environment.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: @gatherforgrace
Image Source: @rappahannockrva
Image Source: @lewisginter
Image Source: @rubyscoopsic
SOCIAL NEWS
Here’s the in-cider scoop: Ruby Scoops has absorbed Suzy Sno to operate as one business. Owner Rabia Kamara wanted to bring both concepts under one roof, and the merger of sorts will have the biz expanding into 3,700 square feet at its new location early next year. In the meantime, Bryant’s Hard Cider Tap Room & Market has moved its operations into Ruby’s old digs in Carytown and (soft) opened a few days ago. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
This update is *chef’s kiss*: Chef Jessica Wilson is bringing her food concept, GRACE, to Hatch Local Food Hall. Here’s a bit of what the team over there had to say about the innovative and sustainable farmhouse cookery:
“GRACE at Hatch Food Hall promises a unique, conscious dining experience, embodying freshness and heart by blending old farmhouse traditions with innovation. The counter service showcases a vegetable-forward menu, offering patrons insight into Chef Wilson's vision before GRACE's brick-and-mortar opening. The residency presents a variety of offerings, including small bites, tin fish happy hour, Monday roast dinner, natural wine pairings, daily specials, monthly workshops, and Tuesday Supper Events.” (Press Release)
How to put the “dinner” in your “dinner and a show” date plans: Rappahannock opened a new, low-key spot next door: Session. The late-night bar and cocktail lounge is targeting folks looking for a pre-show or post-show dinner when they’ve got tickets to something at the Dominion Energy Center or The National. The menu is simple and offers affordable drinks (hello, $8 old-fashioned) to pair with delish snacks (and hello to you, too, blue fish dip). (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
For the little Virginians: Governor Glenn Youngkin offered a new proposal for affordable childcare and early learning opportunities for Virginia’s kiddos. Building Blocks for Virginia Families is meant to “preserve access to childcare for low-income families, provide greater choice for parents and cut red tape for providers. And it calls for a $25 million fund to eliminate childcare deserts by renovating unused space at Virginia colleges to create new early learning centers.” More details are on the horizon, with the unveiling of his spending plan, come December 20. (WDBJ)
If your cup is full, may it be again: Ripple Ray’s is taking over Town Hall’s old space in Carytown. The spot will have a retractable stage to host local musicians and a menu of Southern-style, upscale bar food. Drink offerings are also in the works, says the owner, who named the bar after a Grateful Dead song and her late father. She plans to debut the bar in the spring. (Richmond BizSense)
Welcome to the River City: Richmond made Essence Magazine’s list for The Best Culinary Destinations For Culinary Travel In 2024. Our city’s fine dining, affinity for food truck culture, and creative rep were all reasons for the selection, and Richmond made the line-up alongside the likes of Paris and Barcelona. (RVAHub)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
✨USA Today put the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden GardenFest of Lights at the top of its list of 10 best botanical garden holiday lights. (USA Today)
🥂Gold Lion Community Cafe started serving drinks at its very own Duke’s Den. (Instagram)
Image Source: Spotty Dog
Weekly Giveaway
Spotty Dog
It’s chilly out there, but we’re never not in the mood for ice cream — especially when Spotty Dog’s holiday flavors are back on the menu. Stop by the parlor ASAP for a scoop of Cannoli, Chocolate Orange, Peppy Bark, and/or Eggnog Cookie.
This week, we’re giving away a $10 gift card to Spotty Dog! We’re not your boss or anything, but you really do just gotta go with the Chocolate Orange.
To enter, tell us: What was the original purpose of marshmallows before they became a popular confection?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Trevor M., for winning the Hardywood Family Tree Beer Club giveaway!
Image Source: Virginia Governor’s Cup
Member Perks
Virginia Governor’s Cup
The 2024 Virginia Governor's Cup happens on Thursday, March 7, at Main Street Station. This one-of-a-kind evening offers a unique chance to taste the top Virginia wines produced across the Commonwealth in one evening. Attendees will also enjoy fares crafted by distinguished local chefs while witnessing the unveiling of the 2024 Governor’s Cup Case, Cup, and Best in Show cider winners. Cheers to that!
Members of The Richmond Experience can use code RVAX for $10 off tickets.
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Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 24 new members this week: Erin G., Erica K., Laura C., Allison W., Shawn M., Samantha S., Chelsea S., Salena L., Temel C., Chelcie C., Diane A., Jessica W., Victoria C., Melissa M., Nikoo C., Natasha G., Nicole R., Aimee W., Hannah H., Alex S., Gretchen F., Karen A., Debbie B., and Arielle B., 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 286 of The Weekly Insider.
See ya!
- The Richmond Experience
Thank you to Cirrus Vodka for powering this edition of The Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
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