Ed 323: Financial Independence, Doug Funnie, Best Happy Hour
Hi there!
Happy September! I’m headed OOO at the end of this week to soak up the last little bit of summer vacation before I officially turn into a pumpkin and report back to your inbox on Wednesday, September 18.
In the meantime, I’ve got some other travel inspo for you to enjoy. RVAx member Suzy Spadafora recently reached out to tell us about her part in the active FI community — that is, the “financial independence” community. Suzy got involved in the movement because she wanted to save money on traveling the world, and she recently joined Henrico local Brad Barrett on his podcast, ChooseFI, to talk about intermediate travel rewards. Listen to the ep here, and if you want more where that came from, Suzy also talks on an episode of the Point Me to First Class podcast to discuss topics around hotel, airline, and travel credit cards. Take all her helpful deets to the bank and start planning those upcoming holiday vacations ASAP!
I’ll leave you to it. Catch you in two weeks!
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including a Pump House makeover, Richmond GOATs and WOATs, strawberry lemonade gelato, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Cloudy; high of 79°, low of 62°
Thursday: Cloudy; high of 79°, low of 65°
Friday: Showers; high of 79°, low of 66°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8 pm: DOMINION ENERGY JAZZ CAFÉ
Thursday, 5 - 9 pm: EXTENDED HAPPY HOUR
Friday, 9 am - 9 pm: RVA BRUNCH WEEKEND KICK-OFF
CITY GUIDES
1. THE BEST PLACES TO CATCH A GAME
Image Source: Village Green RVA
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Katie Kenyon: She’s the executive director at Village Green RVA, a local nonprofit housed in a newly renovated church and focused on harnessing community resources and generosity to help families thrive. Katie dedicates her role to promoting healthy food accessibility and providing comprehensive wrap-around support for Richmond individuals and families in need. Want to support Village Green RVA’s amazing work? Learn how to donate or volunteer here, and snag a ticket to the org’s upcoming Emerald City Gala happening on Saturday, September 14, at The Workshop by T&D in Scott’s Addition! (Katie gave us code RSVGTIX to share with RVAx members 💚)
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Davvero Gelato
Image Source: The Jasper
Image Source: Diversity Thrift
Image Source: VMHC
SOCIAL NEWS
Are you Pharrell?: Diversity Thrift recently received a donation of some ~far out~ threads from a movie being filmed in RVA. The staff is sworn to secrecy about who, exactly, the haul was from, but the comments section on the org’s Instagram page is ablaze with guesses. In related news (we think), Pharrell Williams and crew have been spotted in and nearby to Richmond, working on the movie he’s basing on his own life. (Instagram)
Good to the last bite: Local celeb chef Brittanny Anderson (Metzger Bar & Butchery, Brenner Pass, Black Lodge, Pink Room) is starring in a new Food Network show, set to debut on Tuesday, September 24. Here’s how the network sets the scene for Last Bite Hotel: “[...E]ight chefs have been invited to a remote hotel for a game of resourcefulness and creativity. Tasked by the hotel manager to meet the culinary demands of the hotel’s VIP guests, each chef may only bring 13 ingredients for their entire stay. Cooking skills won’t be enough to get them to the finish line, as ingenuity and calculated risks are needed to survive and cook another day.” Tituss Burgess hosts, and the series plays out over six episodes. (Instagram, Food Network)
The GOATs and WOATs: Richmond magazine published its 37th annual Best & Worst issue, and in case you didn’t snag it from a newsstand originally, it’s now available online. Here’s just some of the what’s what around town:
Best Restaurant: Stella’s
Best Happy Hour: The Jasper
Best Day-Trip Destination from Richmond: Charlottesville
Best Spa: Scents of Serenity Organic Spa
Also, S/O to the other girlies in our category, Most Useful Local Social Media Account — @miss_elaine_neous and @thewestendmom!(Richmond magazine)
A sweet treat: Davvero Gelato Shop officially opens in Lakeside this Saturday, September 7! The spot boasts an all-vegan menu, including flavors like chai, strawberry lemonade, and ube butter with salted coco jam, and features hot and cold drinks, nut spreads, and pup cups, too. Owner Layne Montgomery is bringing much of her inspiration from international travels, the location’s old-school roots, and general nostalgia to the shop. (Richmond magazine)
Pump House has a makeover in its future: Friends of Pump House announced the kickoff of a Centennial Celebration, starting with the iconic building’s refresh before its eventual reopening. The National Park Service’s Saving America’s Treasures program is backing the project, and Friends of Pump House will host some celebratory events throughout the fall for the public to enjoy as restoration is underway. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
👯We’re loving the unofficial VMHC x Chappell Roan collab we caught on Insta recently. (Instagram)
🦸DYK Doug Funnie was inspired by Richmond? Related: @rarerichmond is one of our new fave social media accounts to follow. (Instagram)
Image Source: Virginia Distilled
Weekly Giveaway
Virginia Distilled
Get spirited at Virginia Distilled! The event, presented by Virginia Spirits, happens at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture on Saturday, September 14, and offers an evening full of ways to celebrate Virginia Spirits Month and the more than 80 craft distilleries across the Commonwealth!
This week, we’re teaming up with the folks behind Virginia Distilled to give away two tickets to the event! Sample local craft spirits, enjoy live music and food trucks, taste and vote on cocktail creations from the final five contestants of the 2024 Virginia Cocktail Games and help crown Virginia’s 2024 Cocktail of the Year, participate in educational sessions, and more.
To enter, tell us: What brand of Tennessee whiskey is produced in a dry county, and therefore, cannot be sold where it is made?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Delis B., for winning the Maven Theory giveaway!
Image Source: AMR Detailing
Member Perks
AMR Detailing
Give your ride a little extra TLC before the next season of hustle and bustle.
Members of The Richmond Experience get 10% any service. Just mention code RVAX10 when you book!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 21 new members this week: Karen G., Ashley D., Jo O., Hope K., Lauren B., Meredith W., Suzanne S., Clare R., Rob B., Anna W., Eilidh T., Carly J., Kaylee R., Chelsea F., Allison W., Paige M., Tea S., Blake L., Steven H., Sarah S., and Christi F., 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 323 of The Weekly Insider.
See you here again on September 18!
- The Richmond Experience
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