Ed 415: ParalLel Parking Challenge, Ugly Portraits, National Merry-Go-Round Day
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Image Source: The Richmond Experience
Hey there!
As many of you probably do, too, I’ve got a love-hate relationship with my social media alg. On one hand, it’s serving me videos that start with View Discretion Advised — before I use my discretion to most def scroll the hell away. And on the other hand, it’s reminding me of a Wirecutter roundup of the best ice cream sandwiches, which includes Nightingale.
In case you also missed it the first time around, Wirecutter’s Rachel Cericola had this to say about these locally-based confections:
“If you want a brownie sandwich: Nightingale’s The Classic is the ice cream sandwich that I dreamed about as a 7-year-old — huge and surrounded by brownies. The brownies are chewy and rich, due to bits of semisweet chocolate chips, which also give them a nice crunch. And the vanilla-bean-flecked ice cream layers are thick[…]For something not-so-classic, we thought Nightingale’s Banana Pudding tasted exactly like the name suggests: mellow banana ice cream without an artificial aftertaste and with chewy, buttery sugar cookies.”
I don’t see how I’m not smashing that Find Us Near You button before the week’s up. I guess… thank you, algorithm???
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including top dentists, WinterWorld, a speakeasy-style entrance, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Scattered thunderstorms; high of 84°, low of 67°
Thursday: Mostly cloudy; high of 79°, low of 64°
Friday: Mostly cloudy; high of 81°, low of 67°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8:30 pm: SOCIAL MEDIA TO SOCIAL RECKONING
Thursday, 6 - 7 am: COMMUNITY YOGA
Friday, 9 pm - 1: 30 am: BAD SANTA’S CHRISTMAS IN JULY
CITY GUIDES
1. 13 VEGAN, VEGETARIAN & GLUTEN-FREE RESTAURANTS TO TRY IN RVA
2. 10 RICHMOND BARS MIXING SOME OF THE CITY’S BEST COCKTAILS
Image Source: Ugly Portraits of Beautiful People
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Ugly Portraits of Beautiful People: Sam, the talent behind this pop-up art concept, puts a playful twist on your tradish illustrations, creating quick, quirky doodles that capture Richmonders in all their wonderfully imperfect glory. Catch her doing her thing at local coffee shops and elsewhere around town.
THE LATEST
Image Source: VITCO
Image Source: Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Image Source: Rachel Beanland
Image Source: River Run Dental
SOCIAL NEWS
For local author Rachel Beanland, Richmond isn't just home, it's the reason she became a writer. In a personal essay for Style Weekly, she reflected on how the city's literary community, from James River Writers and VCU to local libraries, bookstores, and fellow authors, helped shape her career and supported each of her novels — like her most recently published, The Half Life. Even though her husband has spent the last decade commuting two hours to Washington and Lee University, Rachel says Richmond's creative community and unwavering support for local writers are what continue to make the city worth staying in. (Style Weekly)
Warm up your vocal cords (again). Per city documents, Petersburg has at least four data center projects in various stages of development, signaling that the city could become a major player in the region’s growing data center industry. The proposed developments range from early planning to more advanced stages, with details outlining potential locations, infrastructure needs, and the scale of the projects. While not all of the proposals are guaranteed to move forward, the documents offer the clearest look yet at what could be coming to Petersburg as developers continue to pursue large-scale data center investments. (Richmond BizSense)
Here’s some toothsome info. Richmond magazine has released its 2026 Top Dentists list, recognizing dental professionals across dozens of specialties based on votes from their peers in an annual survey conducted this spring. The list highlights standout providers in areas ranging from general and pediatric dentistry to orthodontics, oral surgery, prosthodontics, and cosmetic dentistry, along with special honors for pro bono care and dental hygienists.
But while we’re talking teeth, a growing shortage of dental hygienists in Virginia is fueling debate over two new state laws that took effect this month, with dentists calling them a necessary step to improve access to care and hygienists warning they could lower the quality of treatment. One law expands the duties certified dental assistants can perform, while the other allows certain foreign-trained dentists to become licensed as hygienists. (Richmond magazine, Richmond magazine)
Get a handle on this. A former Estes trucking office in Manchester has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind mixed-use destination that pairs a boutique hotel and event venue with the headquarters of custom motorcycle company Classified Moto. Owner John Ryland preserved the building's midcentury industrial character while adding modern touches like a rooftop balcony overlooking the city skyline, a hidden speakeasy-style entrance, and five uniquely designed guest rooms. What started as a motorcycle garage ultimately became a $2.1 million reno that embraces Manchester's industrial roots while giving the historic building a new life. (Richmond magazine)
Back-to-school szn is (somehow) upon us, and Richmond could receive an early distribution of short-term rental tax revenue that Mayor Danny Avula hopes to direct toward helping Richmond Public Schools close its $8.9 million budget gap before the new school year begins. The funding comes from taxes collected on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, though the exact amount the city will receive has not yet been determined because the Greater Richmond Convention Center Authority distributes those funds. City Council would still need to approve sending the money to RPS, with the proposal expected to be considered at its July 27 meeting. (The Richmonder)
Apparently this concept can’t be contained. Virginia Transit Company (VITCO) has officially opened near the Diamond District, bringing a new outdoor bar, restaurant, and entertainment space built from colorful shipping containers. Inspired by its sister concept in DC, the venue plans to add a restored Richmond streetcar that will serve as a stage and DJ booth, alongside future expansions like additional bars, covered cabanas, and more event space. In the meantime, guests can grab Southern California-style Mexican food from El Camino, enjoy a full bar, and catch the game on a massive LED screen. (Axios Richmond)
National Merry-Go-Round Day is coming around on July 25, and if you're feeling nostalgic, there are still a few places around Richmond where you can take a spin. Kings Dominion is home to a beautifully restored 109-year-old wooden carousel that dates back to 1917, while the Children's Museum of Richmond and the Metro Richmond Zoo offer kid-friendly rides featuring everything from classic horses to jungle animals. If you'd rather admire carousel history than ride it, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture also has two historic carousel horses on display, including one that once stood in Forest Hill Park. (Richmond magazine)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
💚 The duo behind Vera House is hosting the first-ever Richmond Parallel Parking Challenge today, July 22, lolll. (Instagram)
🪧 A street sign honoring The Valentine’s Bill Martin has gone up at the corner of 10th and Clay Streets. (Instagram)
☃️ ICYMI, CarMax is bringing WinterWorld to the holiday landscape this year. (Instagram)
Image Source: Fat Rabbit
Weekly Giveaway
Fat Rabbit
This bakery is one of the best things to happen to Church Hill — especially because of its delish Hoptarts, but the spot has lots more to drool over. Owner Ellyn Hopper is one of many small biz owners taking a hit in these trying economical times, and when we saw her note on Insta explaining the sitch, we were ready to hop to helpin’.
This week, we’re giving away a $25 gift card to Fat Rabbit! Grab a Hoptart, or two, and a cup of coffee as soon as you can.
To enter, tell us: What other small business do you want to see us shout out here in the coming weeks?
Image Source: Discover Richmond Tours
Member Perks
Discover Richmond Tours
If your plans are starting to get a little stale this summer, Discover Richmond Tours can snap you out of it. The org helps everyone get to know Richmond’s restaurants, breweries, historical sites, and more, so shake things up and snag a tour ticket yourself.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 10% off public tours and scavenger hunts! Use code RVAxMEMBER when you book.
What’s trending from RVAx
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SAVE THE DATE
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Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 7 new members this week: Ashley Z, Nicole H, Amy M, Anna M, Jesse M, Jessica I, and Ashley 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 415 of The Weekly Insider.
Love ya! Bye!
- The Richmond Experience
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