Ed 330: Lana Del Rey, Funfetti Croissants, Personal Training Gym
Oh, hi!
If you can even believe it, we’re less than a week away from Election Day. Truly, how is it almost November? How has it been four years since the last presidential election?? How are we going to get through these next few days without stress-eating all the fun-size Butterfingers???
Don’t worry — we have before, and we can now, and we definitely (probably) will do just fine!
I, personally, like to make an event of the big day: Start with an emotional support coffee in the morning, if that’s when I’m going to cast my vote, or treat myself to a li’l scoop of ice cream post-ballot-box, if I’m taking the evening approach. Either way, romanticize what you can when you can. Yes, voting is your civic duty, and yes, the political landscape is… bleak these days, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work in a little self-care after you earn your I Voted sticker!
Whatever you decide to do to treat yourself on Tuesday, just make sure you’re taking a deep breath along with it. We’ll see you on the other side 🫡
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including the Flying Squirrels 2025 schedule, grocery shopping inspo, your next must-visit museum, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Sunny; high of 78°, low of 52°
Thursday: Sunny; high of 79°, low of 58°
Friday: Cloudy; high of 75°, low of 56°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 5 - 10 pm: DUKE’S MAYO X COBRA BURGER COLLAB FOR RICHMOND COMMUNITY FRIDGES
Thursday, 5 - 9 pm: HALLOWEEN ON HANOVER AVE
Friday, 5 - 8 pm: FIRST FRIDAYS AT VMHC
CITY GUIDES
1. RVA RESOURCES TO HELP CARE FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
2. WHICH RICHMOND COFFEE SPOT TO VISIT, BASED ON YOUR FAVORITE LANA DEL REY ALBUM
Image Source: @kelseyheintzistyping
RICHMONDER(S) TO KNOW
Master Gardeners: Fall is a popular time to plant, and whether you’re just getting started or you have a particularly green thumb, The Richmond Public Library has resources to help you sow your seeds. Richmond Master Gardeners — as part of the wider network of Virginia Extension Master Gardeners — “provide vital public education related to creating and managing home landscapes, vegetable gardening, turf management, and more.” Submit questions to the help desk, browse answers to others’ questions, attend upcoming events, and then some, all from the comfort of your yard — or wherever you stop to look something up on your phone.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Richmond Flying Squirrels
Image Source: Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia
Image Source: B-Side Bakehouse
Image Source: Little House Green Grocery
SOCIAL NEWS
Loaf to see it: A Hatch Kitchen resident and Paix sweet-treats supplier is setting up a shop to call its own; B-Side Bakehouse is coming to the Museum District in November. Expect coffee, rotating specials, and customer favorites like Funfetti Croissants, Nutella Twist Cruffin, and more. In the meantime, you can continue to catch the spot’s baked goodness at RVA Big Market and Dorey Park Farmers Market. (RVAHub)
Some (up)lifting news: ROI Strength & Conditioning has moved to its new, more spacious digs, and will celebrate the grand opening next month. The Chesterfield-based gym is run by husband-and-wife team, Jordan Smuts and Stephanie Sfara, and is now twice as large as its original location, offering kettlebells, dumbbells, squat racks, rowers and stationary bikes, and the like. The biz is set up for personal training, and its clients (often busy, working professionals or folks who need extra care for past injuries) can sign on for one-on-one or small group workout sessions. (Richmond BizSense)
Your sign to visit BHMVA ASAP: The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia (BHMVA) has been added to the UNESCO’s Network of Places of History and Memory. It's one of only 22 places in the network and one of only four places in the US on the list. The network — United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization — allows members to share their good practices in conservation, promotion, and education, and BHMVA is, of course, a staple in sharing, interpreting, preserving, exhibiting, and commemorating African American culture throughout Virginia and elsewhere. (RVAHub)
Fresh-pasta program loading: Little House Green Grocery recently went under new ownership. The couple behind the scenes now is Hannah Russell and Andrew Manning, and they’re looking forward to keeping the market mostly as is but changing up a few things here and there. Andrew, who’s also the brains behind Nokoribi, says the duo would like to introduce a fresh pasta program and a cheese program, expand the vegetarian and meat selections, offer grab-and-go and dinner options, zhuzh up the beer and wine offerings, and introduce a compost program. (Richmond magazine)
Reconstructing the construction plans: In response to community pushback on plans to demo the old Richmond Community Hospital building, Virginia Union University now says it will preserve the entire century-old structure. The space once housed the first black hospital in the city, and the university had plans to include it in its project to build hundreds of new apartments for students and the general public alike. Instead, the university will seek grants and public funding to cover the cost of renovating the building. (Richmond BizSense)
ICYMI: Paige made a pitstop at both Bar Muertos *and* La Cueva after book club last week. The weeks-long pop-ups at The Jasper and The Emerald Lounge, respectively, are celebrating Día de Muertos, now through this Sunday, November 3. Stop by for Mexican food, drinks, and general merriment, and support a good cause while you’re at it — The Jasper will donate a portion of sales to Immigrant Families Together, which is dedicated to reuniting and supporting families separated at the US-Mexico border. (Instagram, Instagram)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
⚾The Richmond Flying Squirrels released the schedule for next season starting on April 4, 2025, but you can look forward to 69 home games starting now. (RVAHub)
🤭The Richmonder, a new online news outlet, did a write-up on our ownership update. (The Richmonder)
Image Source: PAINT Nail Bar Midlothian
Weekly Giveaway
PAINT Nail Bar Midlothian
PAINT Nail Bar Midlothian opened over the weekend, and whether you’re looking for a little self-care opp or just want to start collecting goodies for this year’s stocking stuffers, they’ve got just the thing.
This week, we’re teaming up with Paint Nail Bar Midlothian to give away a full-size Paint Primer of your choice and an Up-Down Mani or Pedi!
To enter, tell us: What is the best Halloween candy?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Claire G., for winning the Supper Club Market giveaway!
Image Source: Altria Theater
Member Perks
Shucked at Altria Theater
Broadway’s corniest hit is stalkin’ America, and ~the shuck~ stops here THIS WEEK.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get free tix to Shucked at Altria Theater today, Wednesday, October 30, at 7:30 pm!
Snag yours here ASAP; quantities are limited.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 19 new members this week: Kevin E., Amala N., Chuck T., Aaron B., Angela G., Laurie B., Clarice G., Cate F., Sarah H., Kelly M., Ashleigh G., Kuniko M., Six L., Michael P., Carly S., Robby B., Alyssa M., Brent D., and Sadhwika G., 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 330 of The Weekly Insider.
Vote!
- The Richmond Experience
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