Ed 388: Open Water Training, Used Book Sale, Tuk-Tuk Dealership
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Happy New Year, members!
I hope the first full week back after the holiday season has been easy on you. I’m coping by snacking on what’s left of our red and green M&M stash, but I’ve also got a fresh tub of cottage cheese chillin’ in the fridge, so I’ll be energizing my system with some real nutrition any minute now.
Per usual, January’s a little sleepy around Richmond, but we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming, which means you’ll be getting plenty of recs for what to eat, drink, see, and do as we start getting to know 2026 a little better. And while we do, please feel very free to drop me a line about anything and everything you’d like to see our team research, write, or review for you. We’re here for it — literally!
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including a physical therapy clinic featuring coffee, a creative workshop space, 100 years of history in 100 minutes, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Mostly sunny; high of 69°, low of 35°
Thursday: Mostly sunny; high of 61°, low of 43°
Friday: Cloudy; high of 68°, low of 57°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 10 am - 5 pm: USED BOOK SALE
Thursday, 8:30 - 10:30 am: HYPE: CUPS OF CONNECTIONS
Friday, 10 - 11 pm: JUST US
CITY GUIDES
1. THE FAMILY CALENDAR: JANUARY 2026
Image Source: @deannagiulietti
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Deanna Giulietti: You know we love some positive energy, and the ~CEO of the OO-TA-DAH~ brings *a lot* of it. Deanna is an actress and fun follow on social media, as evidenced by her 1.8m+ followers on TikTok, 470k+ followers on YouTube, and 459k+ followers on Instagram. Personally, we were originally tickled by her signature sign-off: “Love you — say it back.” Consider this our fan-girlie way of doing just that, Deanna!
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Second Arrow
Image Source: Walk for Peace
Image Source: The Valentine
Image Source: Pedal Pub
SOCIAL NEWS
Integrating physical therapy, yoga, and community with a warm coffee bar, Second Arrow officially opened its space earlier this week. At its core (lol), the wellness clinic helps people recover from injuries and move more independently through direct-access PT — without needing a doctor’s referral but with personalized evaluation and treatment plans focused on education and movement. Once clients’ goals are met, they’re transitioned into yoga practice as a way to maintain strength, balance, and mobility. All the while, the spot’s self-serve caffeination station lets folks connect before or after sessions, creating a welcoming environment for physical and social well-being. Pop by the next time you’re in Church Hill. (Instagram, Second Arrow)
Following the sudden passing of its beloved long-time director, Bill Martin, the Valentine has expressed gratitude for the outpouring of community support, saying the messages, memories, and stories shared about his grace, curiosity, and friendship have been a meaningful source of comfort for staff during this difficult time. The museum is planning a quieter January as far as public programming goes, having rescheduled many events to allow time for collective grieving and reflection, though the Valentine itself will remain open. In addition, the Life, Liberty & Happiness lecture, which was particularly meaningful to Bill, will still take place on Religious Freedom Day, January 16, at the Library of Virginia. An open house in the director’s honor will happen at the museum on Saturday, February 7, giving Richmonders a chance to gather, share memories, and reflect on Bill’s life and work. (Instagram)
Tuk around and find out. Pedal Pub RVA owners Matt Benoist and Adam Seale are opening an electric tuk-tuk dealership under the eTuk USA brand in Scott’s Addition, operating out of their existing Pedal Pub space on Mactavish Ave. Having launched Pedal Pub RVA in 2023, the pair began assembling electric, three-wheeled e-tuks at the site early last year using parts from eTuk Factory’s Thailand facility. Matt, who invested in eTuk Factory’s manufacturing ops in Portugal and Thailand and later acquired its American arm, said the dealership will sell and lease multiple e-tuk models nationwide, including passenger, cargo, and vending versions, with prices starting in the upper $20,000s and with financing options available. While most sales are expected to be web-based, the planned dealership will allow customers to see and test vehicles locally, support continued assembly work in Richmond, and potentially lead to future franchised dealership locations elsewhere in the US. (Richmond BizSense)
ICYMI, Les Sardines Studio is a whimsical creative workshop space that opened in November on Strawberry St, transforming the former Wild Wander location into a colorful, 1,000-square-foot hub for art and connection. The studio encourages imagination and hands-on creativity for all ages through craft events that feel part art class, part party, hosting papier-mâché projects, wreath-making, tween nights with pizza and dancing, and adult craft therapy evenings. Owner Dominga Gardner emphasizes curiosity over perfection and plans to expand signature workshops this year, with classes for kiddos held Tuesday through Thursday and sessions for tweens and adults on weekends. (Richmond magazine)
Whether or not you’re into history, this sounds like a fun night out. Professor Greg Jackson, creator of the History That Doesn’t Suck podcast, is bringing American history in the form of his live stage show to The Broadberry on January 11. As a tenured professor at Utah Valley University, Greg rejects dry, fictionalized history in favor of fact-based storytelling centered on people, an approach that helped his podcast grow far beyond the reach of a traditional classroom. Motivated by a desire to bring people together after the pandemic and to remind audiences of the nation’s resilience, the educator developed a live experience separate from the podcast called The Unlikely Union, which tells the first 100 years of US history in 100 minutes. The show combines narrative, humor, music, video, and historical documents to trace the country’s struggle from independence through the Civil War, emphasizing unity over division and presenting history as engaging entertainment that is accessible even to those who aren’t history buffs. (Style Weekly)
If you’ve resolved to spend more time on the James this year, the SwimRVA Hammerheads open water training program happens again this winter in a buoyed course set up in the org’s all-deep, 50-meter pool to simulate open water conditions. The training is designed to improve open water skills, endurance, and technique and is led by coaches familiar with triathlon and open water requirements, helping participants prepare for events in varied water conditions. You can find schedule and pricing details, program info, and FAQs on SwimRVA’s site. (SwimRVA)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
❤️ After leaning on the philosophies of Kwanzaa during his 30 years in prison, a local was finally able to celebrate the holiday as a free man at Ricmond’s recent Kwanzaa Fest. (CBS 6)
☮️ The Walk for Peace is expected to stroll through the River City at the start of next month. (Instagram)
Image Source: Hotel Greene
Weekly Giveaway
Hotel Greene
Def visit this place when you’re looking to get your highfalutin’ mini golfing on, BUT ALSO, especially if you’re, say, trying to take it easy on the booze this year, make plans to order from the tasty non-alcoholic menu while you’re putt-putting away, too. They’ve got things like the Dizzy Fizzy (cranberry, cinnamon, lemon, seltzer) for your sipping pleasure.
This week, we’re giving away a $25 gift card to Hotel Greene! Don’t forget about the $55 Date Night Special on Thursday evenings, too.
To enter, tell us: What’s your New Year’s resolution? We love to hear them!
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Jill M., for winning the Lafayette Tavern giveaway!
Image Source: Advertising Club of Richmond
Member Perks
Advertising Club of Richmond
As a member of the Advertising Club of Richmond, you’ll be part of a network that opens doors to new opportunities, relationships, and experiences through events, job boards, and more.
*And*, as a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 15% off the Annual Professional Plan! Use code RVAX at checkout.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 14 new members this week: Cameron C., Devyn K., Merilyn B., Aastha S., Kimberly E., Aimee M., Kayla K., Paul M., Kendall H., Parents M., Caroline M., Chaney W., Michelle R., and Emily B., 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 388 of The Weekly Insider.
~Extra~ warmly,
The Richmond Experience
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