Ed 420: River City Roller Derby, LDW Plans, Free Literary Festival
Powered by Nine Roses — on September 24, from 6 to 8 pm, bring your ring back to Nine Roses for an evening of wine, bites, and beautiful ring portraits. More deets here!
Image Source: Kellie Shannon via Unsplash
Happy back-to-school week!
If you’re a parent of school-age kids, a teacher, or just a person who’s been trying to get through traffic now that Richmond’s back in business this week, you’re likely feeling wiped out like I am. But as much as I’d love to just lie down until, I dunno, 2027, I’m already looking forward to the potential for some fun on the horizon.
River City Roller Derby popped up on a Reddit thread recently, which made me think, “Oh, yeah, River City Roller Derby!” Catching a ~bout~ has been on my bucket list ever since I realized there were bouts to catch, and now that I’ve been reminded of that fact, it seems like September 5 could be my day.
The team’s having an Itty Bitty Battle that Saturday at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. In their own words, “Tiny tournament, big fun! Six, mixed-level teams go head to head (more like butt to butt) to win the title of itty bitty battle champion!” It looks like such a good time, and you know I’ve already got my eyes on that merch. Maybe bump into you there?
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including thick pizza crust, a smart pillow, woolly mammoths, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Partly cloudy; high of 88°, low of 68°
Thursday: Afternoon thunderstorms; high of 86°, low of 69°
Friday: Afternoon thunderstorms; high of 87°, low of 69°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 7 - 9 pm: MUSIC BINGO NIGHT
Thursday, 5 - 8 pm: CHILLIN’ AT THE CREEK
Friday, 5 - 8 pm: ASHLAND FOURTH FRIDAYS
CITY GUIDES
1. YOUR GUIDE TO LABOR DAY WEEKEND IN RICHMOND
2. WHICH RICHMOND BREWERY TO VISIT, BASED ON YOUR ZODIAC SIGN
3. 11 LOCAL MAKERS YOU’LL WANT TO ADD TO YOUR JEWELRY COLLECTION
Image Source: Hechizo
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Hali Armstrong: Thanks to our team of contributing writers, even we’re always learning about must-know faces and places in town. Most recently, the jewelry stylings of Hechizo came across our desk by way of our local makers city guide. Hechizo is home to some seriously fun, unique pieces — like their Bunny Fable Hoops — made from a mix of clay, metals, textiles, and gemstones. Owner Hali Armstrong is inspired by themes of femininity, motherhood, and nature, which you can see throughout her designs.
THE LATEST
Image Source: Pizza Delores
Image Source: Metro Richmond Zoo
Image Source: Hotel Greene
Image Source: River Light Reads
SOCIAL NEWS
Richmond magazine has officially published its 2026 Best & Worst list in print and online. As you’ll probs recall, the roundup celebrates the region’s favorite local businesses, restaurants, entertainment, services, and more. Now in its 39th year, the annual list features 192 categories spanning everything from food and drink to shopping and recreation, plus notable Richmond personalities, trends, and ideas. Whether you’re looking for a new place to eat, shop, or play, this year’s winners offer plenty of local gems to explore. (Richmond magazine)
As for places that may very well make the Best column next year, Pizzeria Delores is now open in Scott’s Addition, serving Sicilian-inspired square pizzas in a retro, nostalgia-filled space. The restaurant comes from longtime friends Max Sayer and Jacky Welch, who spent nearly a decade dreaming up the concept and eventually honed their thick, crisp-edged crust through pop-ups and pizza road trips. The menu features signature pies like the House Pie #1, D-Lo Special, and Double Pepp, along with cocktails, beer, and old-school Fat Boy ice cream sandwiches. The counter-service spot is open Thursday through Sunday from 5 to 10 pm.(Richmond magazine)
Love to read it. River Light Reads is celebrating its first anniversary with the inaugural Richmond Book Affair, a free literary festival happening this Saturday, August 29, at Quirk Hotel. The event will bring together Virginia authors across genres including romance, fantasy, mystery, thrillers, and contemporary fiction, along with local vendors, book signings, and panel discussions. Fountain Bookstore will serve as the official bookseller, with books from participating authors available for purchase throughout the afternoon. Created to be welcoming to both avid readers and those simply looking to discover their next great book, the festival aims to highlight Richmond’s growing literary community and Virginia’s diverse voices. Looking for more? The org is also hosting its Reader’s Retreat in Staunton from September 18 through 20. (Style Weekly)
Anything for a smoother travel day. Richmond International Airport is moving forward with plans to connect its Rental Car Center to the main terminal through a new walkway. The estimated $25 million project would also include a small pocket park with seating, landscaping, interactive displays, and space for a future food truck. Rental car agencies would move their kiosks from the center of the terminal to the area near the rental car garage, making the rental process more convenient for travelers. Construction is expected to take about two years once funding is secured. (The Richmonder)
Maximizing zzz time. Richmond entrepreneur Brian Schwartz has launched NoctIQ, a startup offering a smart pillow designed to detect and reduce snoring. The pillow uses sensors and airbags to gently reposition a sleeper’s head when snoring is detected, while a companion app tracks snoring duration, frequency, and intensity. Brian, who previously spent more than two decades at Henrico-based Hamilton Beach and worked for anti-snoring startup Smart Nora, is initially focusing on the US market. NoctIQ is currently taking preorders for about $550, with the first products expected to ship in late September. (Richmond BizSense)
The Metro Richmond Zoo is going back in time with Ice Age Invasion, a limited-time exhibit featuring life-size animatronic woolly mammoths, saber-toothed cats, giant ground sloths, and other prehistoric creatures. With realistic movement and sound, the exhibit will give visitors a chance to learn about these extinct animals and the Ice Age world they once inhabited. The exhibit is included with regular zoo admission, debuting this weekend and running through October 31 in the forested area near the lemurs. (Metro Richmond Zoo)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
👯♀️ We’re inside a month to the Back to Girlhood camp kickoff, happening September 25 through 27. Saved your spot, yet? (Back to Girlhood)
🪽 Buzzy Belle Burden is coming to the area for an October book talk hosted by Fountain Bookstore and The Tuckahoe Woman’s Club. (Instagram)
🩺 designVA took a historical trip down memory lane to Discount Medical Supply’s roots. (Instagram)
Image Source: River City Roller Derby
Weekly Giveaway
River City Roller Derby
Like we mentioned in the intro, catching an RCRD bout has rolled right up to the top of our bucket list, so we figured while we were scoping out tickets for ourselves, we may as well snag you some, too.
This week, we’re giving away two tickets to the Itty Bitty Battle on September 5! First-come-first-served bleachers and seats available, or you can bring your own chair if you'd like.
To enter, tell us: What’s something good that’s happened to you over the last few days?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Richard T, for winning The Schoolhouse Scout giveaway!
Image Source: Henry Homes
Member Perks
Henry Homes
Henry Homes helps homeowners tackle their never-ending maintenance to-do lists without contracts or trip fees. Simply purchase hours, schedule a visit, and share your list, and the team handles it from there — including picking up needed materials at cost, with no markup.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get two free hours of handyman service when you book here!
What’s trending from RVAx
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SAVE THE DATE
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Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 30 new members this week: Emily S, John C, Landon H, Gabby D, Maedhbh C, Elizabeth N, Brian C, Chris L, Erin M, Rita H, Josephine P, Jennifer C, Kathryn S, Ashlee D, Kelly B, Charis G, Jon S, John G, Theresa A, Ian J, Melissa M, Gretchen H, Sarah C, Katherine B, Kyl O, Molly S, Janelle R, Ami S, Caroline B, and Meg 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 420 of The Weekly Insider.
Only two more sleeps ‘til Friday! 🥳
- The Richmond Experience
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