Plus, Christmas markets and dairy bars
 
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Know Your City: Ann Hardy Plaza

Know Your City: Ann Hardy Plaza Community Center
A mural featuring a rainbow, a young woman blowing bubbles, and the words "Dream Big"
This mural arrived at Ann Hardy Plaza in early 2022. | Photo by RICtoday
In the middle of North Highland Park, between Meadowbridge Road and the train tracks, Ann Hardy Plaza Community Center does a little of everything. The space includes a computer lab, a meeting room, a basketball court, a playground, a tennis court, a multi-purpose room, and restrooms. The more you’re looking to find, the more Ann Hardy Plaza has to offer.

Named for local activist Annie Hardy, the community center offers classes and programs in addition to its extensive outdoor space. There’s an after school fun club during the school year, plus day camps for kids over the summer. The center has sports leagues and dance classes, as well as classes in activities like sewing, music, and martial arts.

A mural saying Ann Hardy Community Center

The park and community center is named after local activist Annie M. Hardy.

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Photo by RICtoday

Pro tip: Get a full list of potential classes — and sign up for a few — by calling the community center directly.

The plaza really comes alive in the summertime, when neighborhood kids can enjoy not only playground but also a splash pad to cool off. The splash pad was fixed up in 2019, and the community center itself has been the subject of multiple rounds of renovations — in 2022, it received a new kitchen and bathroom, as well as some accessibility modifications.

The splash pad in question, not in use as the photo was taken in November

Though the splash pad lays dormant for the cold months, it’s one of Ann Hardy Plaza’s biggest draws in the summer.

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Photo by RICtoday

Next time you’re looking to learn a new skill, shoot some hoops, or take your family to a new playground, Ann Hardy Plaza may be just the place for you. Head to 3300 1st Ave. to see for yourself or sign up for a program.

This article is part of our “Know Your City” series, where we take a closer look at a hidden gem in Richmond. We’re always looking for more suggestions for hidden gems across the Richmond area — tell us your favorite.
Give us the scoop
 
Events
Wednesday, Nov. 29
  • 2023 Bizarre Market | Wednesday, Nov. 29 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Visual Arts Center of Richmond, 1812 W. Main St., Richmond | Free entry | Richmond’s much-loved handmade pop-up shop has gifts for everyone.
  • Hip Hop Nutcracker | Wednesday, Nov. 29 | 7 p.m. | Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel St., Richmond | $40-$70 | Experience a contemporary dance spectacle that’s a holiday mash-up for the whole family.
Thursday, Nov. 30
  • Music from the Strings of Mali | Thursday, Nov. 30 | 7 p.m. | Robinson Theater Community Arts Center, 2903 Q St., Richmond | $45 | South African musician Derek Gripper will perform classical guitar arrangements of West African Kora music.
Friday, Dec. 1
Saturday, Dec. 2
  • Stony Point Sip & Shop: Holiday Vendors Market | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Stony Point Fashion Park, 9200 Stony Point Pkwy., Richmond | Free entry | Peruse the offerings of local artisans and sip spiked hot chocolate at this weekend shopping event.
  • Annual Prince George County Christmas Parade | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 3 p.m. | Prince George County, 6600 Block of Courthouse Rd., Prince George | Free | Enjoy an exciting parade line-up of colorful floats, the Prince George High School Marching Band, and Santa himself.*
  • Legends on Grace: Both Sides Now | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 8-10 p.m. | Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace St., Richmond | $42-$52 | Both Sides Now is an intimate cabaret featuring Robbie Schaefer + Danielle Wertz that explores the lives of long-time friends and one-time lovers, Joni Mitchell & Leonard Cohen.*
Sunday, Dec. 3
  • Otis Holiday Sip & Shop | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 12-4 p.m. | Otis Apartments, 1661 Roseneath Rd., Richmond | Free entry | Shop from 20+ local artisans, plus enjoy live music by The Boss of me and drinks from Loquito Coquito.
Tuesday, Dec. 5
  • The Space Race | Tuesday, Dec. 5 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | Free | Enjoy a screening of “The Space Race,” which weaves together the stories of Black astronauts seeking to break the bonds of social injustice to reach for the stars, followed by a moderated Q&A.*
Events calendar here
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News Notes
Coming Soon
  • A parcel in Cosby Village Square has sold to Sweet Realty, LLC, which intends to build a stand-alone, drive-thru Kline’s Dairy Bar. This will be the first Richmond location for the Virginia-based frozen custard chain.
Community
  • RPS will dedicate the Huguenot High School gym this evening in honor of Coach Leroy Bo Jones, Sr. The ceremony will be at 6:45 pm, immediately prior to the boys varsity basketball team’s home opener against Manchester.
Development
  • The Corner Shops at Chesterfield Towne Center has sold for almost $5 million, purchased by a New York-registered LLC. The Midlothian shopping center has four tenants, including Sleep Number and CPR Cell Phone Repair. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Health
  • As RSV cases hits a multi-year high statewide and COVID and flu numbers rise, Virginia doctors are reminding people to get their vaccines. They also point out that prevention methods like regular hand washing help prevent illness from spreading. (VPM)
Outdoors
  • Richmond Grows Gardens is hosting a beautification day this Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Broad Street Pollinator Park community garden. Sign up online to help install plant identification signs, pick up trash, and remove weeds.
Edu
  • Community college enrollment in Virginia is on the rise, but it hasn’t yet returned to pre-pandemic numbers. Enrollment increased 3.36% from fall 2022 to fall 2023, but remains down 16% from 2018. (Virginia Mercury)
Finance
  • We aren’t given many 21-month grace periods. Oil checks, doctor appointments, Tax Day... time speeds by between them. But The Ascent found a credit card offering 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months — among the longest we’ve seen to avoid interest charges. Learn more.*
Shop
  • Which ugly Christmas sweater would you choose? We’re liking: the Santa hat-topped wine glass or the “Home Alone” print featuring Catherine O’Hara.*
 
Eat

You voted — here’s Richmond’s signature dish

Finding Richmond’s signature cuisine
a pie chart showing white house rolls with chicken salad has 38% of the vote, Sally Bell's boxed lunches 33%, and Duke's Mayonnaise 29%.
Ukrop’s White House Rolls with chicken salad took 38% of the vote, followed by Sally Bell’s boxed lunches with 33% and Duke’s Mayonnaise with 29%. | Graph by RICtoday
Over the last month, we’ve been asking our readers what they think Richmond’s signature cuisine is. After taking nominations and narrowing them to the three most popular picks, we set up a poll and waited for the votes to come pouring in.

Well, they did — lots of them.

This was a close race, but Ukrop’s White House Rolls with chicken salad won, taking 38% of the vote. The runner-up was Sally Bell’s boxed lunches with 33% and Duke’s Mayonnaise with 29%.

The numbers don’t lie, folks: Ukrop’s White House Rolls with chicken salad are Richmond’s (un)official signature cuisine.

What do you think? Is this a well-deserved title or a taste bud travesty? We know chicken salad tends to bring out strong opinions in foodies around the River City — that’s why we want your take.
The Buy

The Buy 11.29.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Anything off of this year’s Oprah’s Favorite Things list. We’re seeing: luxury flaky sea salt, all-weather boots, fleece robes, and a baked brie board.
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
David
From the editor
I had the pleasure of catching my all-time favorite artist, Bob Dylan, at the Altria on Monday night. He didn’t play “Murder Most Foul,” but I did leave with a really cool t-shirt, so I’m calling it a win for the night.
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