Ed 325: Love is Blind DC, RVA Cat Tour, Camping Spots
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Hi!
If you caught the latest episode of The Chatter, you heard me gabbin’ about one of my favorite fall things — Cinderella pumpkins! They’re whimsical, they’re festive, and they’re practically overflowing at Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market right now. Don’t they look so pretty in that pic above?! I’d take them all home if I could.
But that’s not ALL I’m way loving this month. Considering that we’re headed into the most wonderful time of the year, you better believe we’re chock-FULL of recs for you, starting with a couple we jotted down for the month of September. I’ll leave you to it, before we really get this party started!
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including a benefit dinner, Folk Festival happenings, a new spot for affordable and thrifted clothes, and more.
THINGS WE’RE *WAY* LOVING THIS MONTH
Paige:
Contrast therapy at Purify RVA: If you follow along, you guys know I love my sauna sessions at Purify RVA. They recently introduced contrast therapy at their Short Pump location, and I have become obsessed! You alternate between the cold plunge and sauna for two to three cycles.
Kelsey:
Rivers Edge Coffee Co: This spot is an especially great one for all you folks living in the suburbs who still want your local-coffee fix. I stopped by for a cold brew with hazelnut cold foam and loved seeing the little corner of goodies (think: books and toys) RECC has available for its littlest customers. They just started serving their fall lattes, too — I’ll be back for the cinnamon swirl pancake with maple, white chocolate, and cinnamon ASAP!
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Rain likely; high of 80°, low of 65°
Thursday: Cloudy; high of 82°, low of 68°
Friday: Chance of rain; high of 79°, low of 69°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8:30 pm: PROFS & PINTS: HACKS FOR HUMAN CELLS
Thursday, 6 - 9 pm: UNHAPPY HOUR: POEDOWN
Friday, 6:30 - 10 pm: RICHMOND FOLK FESTIVAL, DAY 1
CITY GUIDES
2. 10 OF THE TOP CAMPING SPOTS WITHIN DRIVING DISTANCE OF RICHMOND
Image Source: New York Deli
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
The Original Sailor Sandwich: New York Deli claims the title of “birthplace of THE sailor sandwich.” Created at the Carytown staple in 1943, the delicacy features pastrami, Swiss cheese, and grilled knackwurst, served on toasted rye bread with a side of spicy mustard. Not for nothin’, the spot *also* claims “perhaps the best Reuben on the planet.” Made lunch plans, yet?
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Virginia Rep
Image Source: Parlay Bar & Lounge
Image Source: Uptown Cheapskate
Image Source: Byrd Theatre
SOCIAL NEWS
Get involved in the community *and* have a delish din: Embrace Matters of Richmond, a local podcast that covers issues and topics causing division in the Richmond area, is hosting an event to bring attention to the city’s housing crisis. The forum — Embrace Space — happens from 6 to 8 pm on Monday, October 14, at Parlay Bar & Lounge. Attendees can expect open discussions, idea-sharing, and solution exploration around the RVA’s housing. I.e., engage with other Richmonders about important issues in our community and enjoy Parlay’s menu while you’re at it. (Eventbrite)
Save and serve: Uptown Cheapskate Broad Street opens soon. The trendy resale clothing store for teens and young adults began franchising after successfully taking off in Utah, where the brother-and-sister team behind the small biz began with a dream of bringing affordable like-new fashions to people all over the country. An official opening date for the Richmond location still seems TBD, but look for the new spot at 315 W Broad St, and keep your eyes on social media @uptownbroadstreet for updates. (Instagram)
How to help Virginia Rep: Last Thursday, Virginia Repertory Theatre announced it would be closing its doors for good if it couldn’t quickly raise $600,000. Following a leadership change in 2023, the org has had a difficult time, financially, and needs support now more than ever. With the help of Venue and Whisk, the theater will host a benefit dinner today, September 25, featuring food and performances. Folks can purchase dinner tickets for $20, dinner-and-a-show tickets for $45, or stream the event online for $15. Currently, the company has raised $260,000+ and looks to meet its goal by September 30. If you can’t swing the benefit event, consider purchasing tickets to another show on the calendar to contribute, or read up on other ways to donate. (Virginia Rep)
Where to see lots of cats: On Saturday, November 9, neighbors throughout The Fan will host an RVA Cat Tour. The event’s proceeds benefit Tiny Paws RVA, and attendees will get to walk around the neighborhood and see cats at participating homes. Organizers of the event hoped to have 12 to 15 stops on the walking tour and recently noted they’ve booked enough interested parties. Tour-takers must purchase a ticket, and more info on purchasing tickets will be available in mid-October. (WRIC)
Listen up, fellas: Gameday Men’s Health opened its first location in Innsbrook. The clinic promotes better health for men by way of testosterone treatments and like services, marketing itself as “a destination for men who experience fatigue, muscle loss, mood swings, decreased libido, and other issues.” Offering flat-screen TVs, comfy seating, refreshments, and more, Gameday hopes to position itself as a comfortable option for men to check in about various (non-urgent) health aspects, compared to traditional medical offices. (Richmond BizSense)
We’re sat(ish): The Byrd Theatre got a ~cool~ update over the summer in the form of a refurbished AC system, and the changes for good continue. The foundation’s Board of Directors Chairman donated $315,000 for the theater to update its balcony seating, as part of the org’s ongoing Pull Up A Seat campaign. “This campaign includes replacing the balcony seats, replacing the seats on stage left and stage right of the auditorium, and constructing two additional ADA-accessible platforms for expanded accessibility.” Movie-goers can help raise the rest of the $160,000 funds needed to complete the project; Hocus Pocus, Night of the Living Dead, and The Ring are just some of the spooky ways you can support the cause in the upcoming weeks! (RVAHub)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🎸ICYMI, Folk Festival kicks off this Friday, September 27. Enjoy three days of free entertainment while performing groups representing a diverse array of cultural traditions do their thing(s) on six stages. Plus, there’s food, drink, and more! (Richmond Folk Festival)
👟Run Richmond 16.19 returns for its third annual iteration, honoring Richmond’s rich African-American history. (WWBT)
❤️️Did you know Love is Blind is coming to DC? We peeped the cast reveal earlier this week! (Instagram)
Image Source: Hardywood
Weekly Giveaway
Hardywood
We know it’s only, like, the third day of fall, but we’ve got quite a bucket list for you to check off this season, and we want to make sure you stay on task.
This week, we’re giving away 20 bucks toward your next Hardywood purchase! How many times do we have to fangirl over it? Get the Farmhouse Pumpkin already!
To enter, tell us: What TV show are you getting ready to binge all cozy szn long?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Lauren D., for winning the Home Team Grill giveaway!
Image Source: Sweetest Stitch
Member Perks
Sweetest Stitch
In the mood to zhuzh up your wardrobe with mock-neck sweaters and more before you head out to the apple orchard/pumpkin patch/fall parties galore? Peep Sweetest Stitch’s newest arrivals!
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 20% off every purchase. Use code RVAX20 when you check out!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 13 new members this week: Kennedy C., Cassidy P., Stephanie L., Maria P., Daniel S., Amalia M., Natalie P., Caroline A., Cara H., Chantel B., Mady B., Shelby S., and Maia D., 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 325 of The Weekly Insider.
Happy first week of fall!
- The Richmond Experience
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