Ed 319: Fidos After 5, Jewish-Mediterranean Eats, August Moon Way
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Hi, RVAx mems!
We’ve closed out yet another month in the ever-fleeting 2024, but August is just getting started, which means we’re due to catch you up on all the things we’re WAY loving rn. I’m going to kick things off up top here with the Olympics-themed part of my two cents, because my Explore page is jam-packed with gems. Here are just some of my favorites:
The moment Navy DT Chreign LaFond found out his sister, Thea LaFond, won gold in the Triple Jump
A hyper-local Olympic meme featuring Queen Katie Ledecky
More on Katie Ledecky’s greatness
Some Michael Phelps encouragement that could easily be applied to all remaining events, now that swimming events are over (sadly)
What the women of USA Rugby love about this year’s medals
The love Zac Efron and GOAT Simone Biles have for each other
Sister love at its finest for Suni Lee
Sha’Carri Richardson giving us all the self-love reminder we need
That universal feeling we're experiencing when we're watching the Olympics any time ever
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including a Japanese grocery and convenience store, nifty gifties, a coffee drive-thru, and more.
PODCAST
THINGS WE’RE *WAY* LOVING THIS MONTH
Paige:
Odd Bird: I stopped by Odd Bird to attend a pop-up, and I was ~obsessed~ and wanted one of everything they had to offer! I snagged a cool decanter, tomato stirrer, and an olive candle. Stop by this quirky shop in Jackson Ward to check it out for yourself!
Tomato-tini: They say the tomato-tini is in this summer, and you can taste this must-try martini at Virago, where they make it with modern gin, salted tomato, fino sherry, basil, and chili oil. Think: spicy, fresh, savory, salty, and oh-so-good!
Kelsey:
The Chatter on Instagram: ICYMI, we got The Chatter its very own Instagram page, @thechatterinrva! Follow us over there for *even more* recs on recs AND supercuts of all the, like, authentic stuff we love to say and ~things like that~.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Scattered thunderstorms; high of 83°, low of 73°
Thursday: Rain; high of 79°, low of 72°
Friday: Rain; high of 81°, low of 72°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 8 - 10:30 pm: FUNK + SOUL PARTY!
Thursday, 5 - 8 pm: FIDOS AFTER 5
Friday, 5 - 10 pm: BOARD GAME NIGHT
CITY GUIDES
1. THE TRENDSPOTTER: AUGUST 2024
2. THE FAMILY CALENDAR: AUGUST 2024
3. WHICH RICHMOND FITNESS SPOT TO VISIT, BASED ON (SOME OF) YOUR FAVORITE SUMMER OLYMPICS SPORTS
Image Source: Little Hands Virginia
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Little Hands Virginia: Recently, we’ve been taking your recs for nonprofits we should have in our donation rotation, and every single one you’ve sent in has made us choke up and think, “MAN, we love Richmond” — like Little Hands Virginia. This org is the only one in Central Virginia solely dedicated to providing essentials to economically disadvantaged young children in the first years of their lives. Donate here, learn other ways to help here, and get much more info on Little Hands in general here.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Tokyo Market
Image Source: Crunch On! Snacks
Image Source: 7 Brew
Image Source: Friends of the James River Park System
SOCIAL NEWS
OMG, the slay of the century: Earlier this year, we noted that Susie’s opened a brick-and-mortar cafe and deli in the Fan, but things have changed recently for the pop-up spot with a cult following. Now Susie’s is getting set to offer its delish Jewish-Mediterranean eats to its many hungry fans at 1600 West Cary St. Yes, sadly, that means you’ll no longer be able to stop by Hop Craft Pizza & Beer for a slice and a sip (you CAN find the spot’s pizza in stores, tho!), but, to otherwise echo one commenter on the Insta announcement, “omg the slay of the century so excited!!!” Keep an eye on social media for updates as opening day approaches this fall. (Instagram)
Tokyo Market opened its doors late last week: The local Japanese grocery and convenience store offers ramen, cooking supplies, and other fun snacks, and you can find all that and more at 3030 W Cary St. (Instagram)
One thing about us at RVAx is we love a local snack: So, we put Crunch On! Snacks on our grocery lists the moment we saw info about it hit the press. The freeze-dried goodies include Strawberries, Charleston Chews, and much more, and personally, we’re extremely intrigued by this Unicorn Poop situation. Richmond mag’s Eileen Mellon seems to think the Pineapple option is something to write home about, too. Now you’ve got multiple starting points when you check out the full website of choices. (Richmond magazine)
Right on August Moon Way: Richmond unveiled an honorary street sign on the Hull St corridor to honor the late father of JXN’s co-founders, Enjoli Moon and Dr. Sesha Joi Moon, August Moon, a local entertainer and social justice activist. Reports WRIC, “Sidell L. Brittin, daughter of August Moon, said some of his accomplishments included helping to stop violence in the community and creating a music track that was sampled 48 times by major music artists.” (WRIC)
Coffee fix incoming: 7 Brew is officially open! The “elevated coffee drive-thru experience” has brought its first local outpost to the Chesterfield area and is hoping to bring four other locations to Greater Richmond soon. The java spot offers hot and iced coffee, smoothies, teas, milkshakes, muffins, and in-house energy drink 7 Energy. (7 Brew)
RVA 100 Series: Richmond Times-Dispatch recently started its RVA 100 series, which explores RVA’s hidden histories — “100 people, places, things that you should know about Richmond,” to be exact. The pub is deep-diving into Belle Isle this week, and here’s just a bit of what it has to say about the iconic landmark: “The island was acquired by William Byrd I in 1676 and remained in the Byrd family for a century. Open every day from sunrise to sunset, Belle Isle has over the years been home to a granite quarry, a nail factory and an infamous Civil War POW camp.” (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
💌We *kent* wait for Maven Theory to officially set up shop, but in the meantime, they’re giving us more info about what kind of nifty gifties we can expect when we stop by ASAP. (Instagram)
🍸The Virginia Cocktail Games are underway, featuring a few Richmonders, and from now until this Sunday, August 11, you can vote for your favorite cocktails from one or more of the five regions. (Instagram)
💩ICYMI, the James River is on the up-and-up. (X)
Image Source: mit Kids Press
Weekly Giveaway
Your Pets' Secret Lives
Author Eleanor Spicer Rice and illustrator Rob Wilson will be stopping by bbgb this month to celebrate their new book, Your Pets' Secret Lives. The local book shop is hosting a fun family-friendly shindig, which will include highlights from the book, pet drawing demos, book signings, goody bags, door prizes, and more!
This week, we’re teaming up with Eleanor and Rob’s team to give away a copy of Your Pets’ Secret Lives! The winner gets some other pet-themed goodies, too.
To enter, tell us: What’s your hottest hot take?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Kara W., for winning the Emily Warden Designs giveaway!
Image Source: Bugle Call Coffee
Member Perks
Bugle Call Coffee
We’ve got a little more than a month of summer left, which means you probably need a little support in the caffeine department to keep up with all the upcoming happenings before fall gets here. 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.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 20% off your first order at buglecallcoffee.com. Use code RVAX to redeem!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 17 new members this week: Sarah T., Trey S., Katherine C., Nicole S., Taylor B., Sharif G., Danielle G., Jade O.., Isabel F., Mark M., Angela D., Dawn P., Josh A., Erin L., Robert G., Nancy G., and Donna S., 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 319 of The Weekly Insider.
Buh-bye!
- The Richmond Experience
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