Ed 369: Back-to-School Prep, Bus Back to Richmond, Coffee Passport
Oh, hi!
If you’re even a kind-of regular reader here, you’d have to know that all I can think about this week is the TS12 announcement. Now, if you’re not a Taylor Swift fan… fine, *but* one of my greatest contributions to our city guide library is this one, so the album update technically does relate back to Richmond still. We’ll need some more info, but right now, I’m thinking Révéler would have to be the local-bar representative for this Showgirl era, yes? Let me know if you have other ideas, and in the meantime, enjoy the many other brands getting in on the fun so far.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including tofu tacos, boat drinks, Virginia Capital Trail anniversary happenings, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Cloudy; high of 87°, low of 72°
Thursday: Partly cloudy; high of 91°, low of 72°
Friday: Partly cloudy; high of 90°, low of 72°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 9 am - 12 pm: RICHMOND COMMUNITY TOOLBANK VOLUNTEER OPP
Thursday, 5 - 7 pm: FREE IN-STORE WINE TASTING AT DINNER PARTY
Friday, 7:30 - 9:30 pm: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES REGULAR-SEASON FINALE
CITY GUIDES
1. HIT THE GROUND RUNNING (OR WALKING) WITH THESE RICHMOND RUN CLUBS
2. 8 LOCAL SANDWICH SHOPS TO STEP INTO WHEN THAT CRAVING HITS
Image Source: Tisha Erby
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Tisha Erby: Style Weekly recently finished taking noms for its 2025 Top 40 Under 40, which had us going back in the archives to read up on last year’s class of folks making a difference in Richmond. Fittingly for back-to-school season, enter: Tisha Erby. The lifelong South Side resident and graduate of George Wythe High School (now Richmond High School for the Arts) is widely regarded as one of the school’s most dedicated advocates. A mother of six, she’s served on multiple PTAs, created graphics, and shared vital community information on everything from city services to athletics. Tisha began advocating for public school students as soon as her own children enrolled, focusing on equity and being a dependable presence for kids whose parents can’t always attend school events.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: The Smoky Mug
Image Source: Virago Spirits
Image Source: @lucydacus
Image Source: Kings Dominion
SOCIAL NEWS
Everywhere else we go feels like we’re visiting, too: Last week, Lucy Dacus released some new tunes, including Bus Back To Richmond. Per a social media post from the Richmond native herself, the track was among the first songs written for her latest alb, Forever Is A Feeling, which was meant to explore the experience of falling in and out of love without ever using the word “love.” This song managed to follow that rule, unlike a few others, but it didn’t make the final tracklist. Still, lucky for most music fans, artists these days always seem to have bonus tracks or deluxe somethin’s up their sleeves, so now Richmonders all over are streaming the song that Lucy also noted was one she asked fans not to film when she’s performed it live in the past — making this a particularly special added gem if you ask us. To boot, her post about the song(s) included photos from a recent trip to Richmond, along with artwork by @nicolejaclynsmith and a photo by @genderless_gap_ad. (Instagram)
Who doesn’t love a power hour? The Smoky Mug has officially soft-opened a larger and more versatile location in the North Side, with full hours having begun this week. Known for its craft barbecue and Tex-Mex-inspired dishes like brisket, carnitas tacos, and breakfast burritos, the spot is keeping much of its original menu while introducing some exciting updates, including the return of the smoked half-chicken, a new breakfast burrito bowl option, and expanded vegetarian offerings like tofu tacos. Plus, The Smoky Mug’s bagel output will be scaled back in favor of house-made biscuits, and its bar will serve creative cocktails — crafted by Beth Dixon of Salt and Acid — like an horchata-espresso martini, guava lavender margarita, and a strawberry-pistachio-coconut refresher. Coffee fans will love the daily Coffee Power Hour, too, happening from 3 to 4 pm with special discounts. When you head over to dine, work, or hang out, take your pick of seats in the larger dining room and lounge, on the dog-friendly patio, or at the 10-seat bar. There’s something for everyone. (Style Weekly)
Homecoming celebrations started early this year. On Wednesday last week, more than 1,000 residents, including alumni, students, officials, and community members, gathered to celebrate the reopening of William Fox Elementary. A devastating fire severely damaged the 114-year-old school in 2022, prompting a $30 mil reno project funded by the city, state, and tax credits. The restored building maintains much of its original character, preserving elements like wooden doors and chalkboards, while also featuring modern additions like colorful walls, a reading nook, and a soundproof “gymatorium.” The celebratory event highlighted themes of resilience, community, and the need for broader investment in aging school infrastructure, with local leaders using the moment to urge more funding for similarly aging schools across the district. (The Richmonder)
Drink in the history of it all. Virago Spirits and the Virginia Museum of History & Culture have joined forces to launch a compelling quarterly cocktail series that seamlessly blends history with mixology. Each installment in the series will correspond with current VMHC exhibitions, with custom-crafted drinks inspired by historical figures and their eras, offering a refreshingly engaging take on history lessons. The series kicks off this Thursday, August 14, with an event honoring Clementina Rind, colonial Virginia’s pioneering female printer who continued to publish the Virginia Gazette and oversaw the printing of Thomas Jefferson’s A Summary View of the Rights of British America. The initiative not only revives lesser-known historical narratives but also transforms them into immersive, sensory experiences. This week’s sold out quickly, so def stay tuned for more upcoming events of the like. (Richmond magazine)
Here’s something anchoring our fall: After recently announcing plans to close Brenner Pass (as we know it) and switch things up, chef and restaurateur Brittanny Anderson has confirmed her plans to launch a new restaurant called Bar Buoy in its place. The space is set to open later this year and draws inspo from Brittanny’s roots in the Northern Neck, featuring a casual, Chesapeake Bay-inspired menu focused on seafood staples like fried fish plates, shellfish, and Southern-style snacks and sandwiches. The beverage menu will include playful “boat drinks” such as buttered popcorn rum and Cokes, creative crushes, and non-alcoholic sodas. As far as the atmosphere goes, guests can look forward to an interior that brings about a sense of nostalgia, partly inspired by the chef’s great-grandmother’s old gas station in rural Virginia. (WTVR)
On October 3rd, when he asks what day it is, tell him: The Virginia Capital Trail is celebrating its 10th anni with two evening events hosted by the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation. On the third of October, Billsburg Brewery in Williamsburg will offer guests a BBQ dinner with sides, two complimentary drinks, and a commemorative pint glass, along with guest speakers reflecting on the trail’s history, impact, and future. Then, on the fourth, Triple Crossing Beer, at its Fulton location, will feature wood-fired pizza and appetizers, two drinks, the same pint glass, and speaker presentations. Is there a better way to commemorate, in Executive Director Cat Anthony’s words, a valuable asset for commuting, recreation, and economic growth? We think not. (12 On Your Side)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🎢This Sunday, August 17, is Kings Dominion’s last regularly operational week of the summer season. Check the site for weekend park hours as we head toward Halloween Haunt, starting September 21. (Kings Dominion)
✈️Maptacular has plans in the works for an RVA Coffee Passport, including coupons for about 20 indie coffee shops in and around our area. The creator hopes to launch pre-sales this month. (Instagram)
Image Source: Little Nomad
Weekly Giveaway
Little Nomad
We HATE to start kissing summer good-bye, but the first day back for Richmond Public Schools is Monday, August 18. If you’re still wrapping up a few to-dos before the weekend comes and goes, let us help with that.
This week, we’re giving away a $25 gift card to Little Nomad! Check any last-minute threads off your kiddo’s BTS fit list.
To enter, tell us: What fall festival are you most looking forward to?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Gabriel M., for winning the Pizza Bones giveaway!
Image Source: Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids
Member Perks
Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids
Speaking of back-to-school to-dos, at Sharkey’s, your crew is treated to fun styling chairs, Bluey eps (or their show of choice), video games, the option for a “mini-cure,” and plenty more.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 20% off any service! Use code The Richmond Experience when you book.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 12 new members this week: Bria L., Renae P., Johann I., Christopher L., Debbie T., Will B., Emily M., Kenneth P., Christie V., Craig C., Wendy N., and Heidi L., 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 369 of The Weekly Insider.
❤️🔥
- The Richmond Experience
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