Ed 418: Cigarettes, Restaurant Map, AI IN SchoolS
Image Source: The Richmond Experience
Hi, readers!
Lately, I’ve been having a major craving for chili season — though this recent humidity helps nip that in the bud almost immediately. So instead of making my go-to recipe (here (I truly cannot get enough, October through January)), I’ve just been daydreaming about the not-so-far-off chilly chili days we have in our future, and according to my research, the Bamboo Chili from Bamboo Cafe is a must-have. One Redditor says about it, “No frills, just tasty thick beef and bean chili. They’ll add cheese, sour cream, or jalapeños, plus it comes with many types of crackers.” Count me in… like, as soon as the forecast isn’t pairing the day’s temp with things like, “Caution advised if doing strenuous activities outside.”
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including Virginia’s millions of visitors, Thomas Jefferson High School TLC, city street improvements, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Partly cloudy; high of 89°, low of 71°
Thursday: Partly cloudy; high of 94°, low of 75°
Friday: Scattered thunderstorms; high of 89°, low of 71°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 7 - 8:30 pm: NEW MOON SPELL JARS WITH MACKENZIE
Thursday, 7 - 9 pm: TRIVIA NIGHT
Friday, 4 - 7 pm: CRYSTALS + COCKTAILS
CITY GUIDES
1. 14 RICHMOND SPOTS TO WORK REMOTELY WHEN YOU’RE OVER YOUR HOME OFFICE
2. STAY COOL IN A RICHMOND HEAT WAVE WITH THESE 7 INDOOR ESCAPES
Image Source: Colin & Caroline
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Colin & Caroline: This married singer-songwriter duo went to high school together, reconnected years later through music, and began writing and performing with each other. Since then, they’ve been blending heartfelt lyrics and acoustic-folk harmonies into a sound that’s earned them fans far beyond the River City — including a recent opp to sing the theme song for Resident Evil Requiem. Pre-save their new song, Cigarettes, dropping this Thursday, August 13!
THE LATEST
Image Source: East Coast Provisions
Image Source: Hardywood
Image Source: St Catherine’s
Image Source: Venture Richmond
SOCIAL NEWS
Where to? A reader recently got us hip to RVA Eats, an handy virtual restaurant map designed to help folks discover local places to eat. You can browse restaurants by status — open, closed, or coming soon — or filter by things like cuisine and features such as outdoor seating. The site also includes fun tools like Restaurant Roulette, an A-Z Challenge, Insiders’ Picks, and a group Dinner Squad Roulette for when your crew can’t decide where to eat. (RVA Eats)
The historic Thomas Jefferson High School is getting some TLC ahead of its 100th birthday in 2030, with the Tee Jay Vikings Fund kicking off the first of three planned phases to restore and clean up the building’s Art Deco facade. The nonprofit is currently raising $63,000 for the first phase, which includes power washing, repairing exterior damage, and sealing the building, with later phases expected to cost more. Beyond giving the school a refresh, the project aims to boost morale for students and staff while preserving a building of architectural significance to Richmond. (Richmond BizSense)
Not that we’re surprised, but Virginia tourism had a record-breaking year in 2025, with 117.1 million visitors spending $36.2 billion across the state, a 3.1% increase from 2024. The visitor economy supported one in every 13 jobs in Virginia and generated $2.6 billion in direct state and local tax revenue, or $3.4 billion when indirect revenue is included. And according to the Virginia Tourism Corporation, 2026 is currently on track to be an even stronger year for tourism. (WRIC)
As you may recall, The Mayor Meats has closed its Carytown storefront after rising costs and challenging economic conditions made the brick-and-mortar model difficult to sustain. Owner Kyle Morse is instead pivoting to wholesale, recently signing a deal with Kroger to distribute The Mayor Meats products in 34 stores from Richmond to Virginia Beach, while continuing to sell at farmers markets. The move comes as other local food and beverage businesses navigate shrinking margins and changing consumer habits, with InUnison reporting that 39% of food and beverage businesses surveyed have seen margins worsen as of late. (Style Weekly)
The AI of it all. Richmond-area private schools are taking very different approaches to artificial intelligence, from embracing it as a tool for learning to limiting its use to protect students’ critical-thinking skills. The Steward School, for example, allows certain AI tools and is developing guidelines for responsible use, while Richmond Waldorf School has chosen not to ban AI but is cautious about increasing students’ reliance on technology. As AI becomes more common among students and educators, local schools are working to balance its potential benefits with concerns about cheating, privacy and the possibility of outsourcing too much of the learning process to technology. (Richmond magazine)
Smoothing things over. Richmond is planning more than 700 “quick-build safety improvements” on city streets, with work at 350 intersections expected to begin this fall and another 350 projects planned for 2027. The improvements include high-visibility crosswalks, new pavement markings, modular curbs and measures designed to reduce dangerous left turns, with a focus on areas where the city sees the most traffic-related injuries. The city has launched an online map showing the planned projects, which are part of Richmond’s broader Vision Zero effort to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries. (The Richmonder)
For your end-of-summer watchlist. Richmond food writer and podcaster Debra Freeman is bringing to a wider audience a new documentary about Virginia culinary icon Edna Lewis. Finding Edna Lewis explores Edna’s life and legacy through interviews with chefs, historians, and family members, highlighting her influence on Southern and seasonal cooking. The film has earned an Emmy recognition and a James Beard Award nomination and is now streaming on PBS Food’s YouTube channel and PBS platforms. (WTVR)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🏁 NASCAR Weekend returns this Friday and Saturday, August 14 and 15, at Richmond Raceway. (Richmond Raceway)
🎃 Farmhouse Pumpkin — an RVAx seasonal fave, remember! — just dropped at both Hardywood locations. (Instagram)
🎨 ICYMI, Richmond has a postcard mural to swoon over again. (Instagram)
Image Source: Brandery Richmond
Weekly Giveaway
Brandery Richmond
When your work schedj is in need of a revamp, the city’s got lots of ways you can switch things up. Say, if you’re a creative, Brandery was built with you in mind. It welcomes artists, freelancers, content creators, and the like to enjoy its open workspace, private offices, and production studio.
This week, we’re giving away a day pass to Brandery! BTW, it’s located right above the Smoky Mug, so you’re just steps away from coffee and food, too.
To enter, tell us: What’s a completely ordinary thing you’re weirdly passionate about?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Maddie C, for winning the Uliveto giveaway!
Image Source: EFM Waxing
Member Perks
EFM Waxing
Summer might be winding down, but that doesn’t mean you can’t plan for a smooth landing into fall. EFM Waxing is your premier destination for top-notch waxing services in Richmond, providing exceptional hair removal solutions and a commitment to quality.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 50% off of your first wax (excluding a full leg wax) when you mention The Richmond Experience at booking!
What’s trending from RVAx
👇
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 10 new members this week: Grace C, Marika M, Rima B, Joshua V, Bryce A, Alexis E, Thaddeus R, Matt N, Mitch B, and Jay J, 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 418 of The Weekly Insider.
Bye, readers 👋
- The Richmond Experience
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