Meet Autio: A collection of location-based stories perfect for your road trip
Get a dose of local history next time you hit the road. | Photo by RICtoday
Boy, do we have a story for you — 11,000+ of them, actually — all conveniently located within one app that can serve as your new travel buddy. And just like your favorite local newsletter, each story comes in at ~five minutes + will leave you more informed about the cities you travel through.
Meet Autio, a location-based storytelling app. Let’s say you were taking a trip across along the Appalachian Mountains. With Autio, you could listen to the tale of Academy Award-winning actor (and Autio co-founder) Kevin Costner’s “Civil War Gramps” while driving through Somerset, KY, and later hear about the giants that once roamed West Virginia while traveling in the state.
Here’s how it works: Boot up the app, connect to Bluetooth, and hit the road. If you allow the app to know your location, it will automatically play stories based on where you are.
Take a look at five episodes you might hear while road tripping from Richmond (PS, five is the number of free stories you get when you make an account, so you can decide if an Autio subscription is for you.)
Queue up history
“Birthplace of NASCAR” | North Wilkesboro, NC | It was in the backwoods of Appalachia that this sport had its “thrilling and illicit conception.”
“Tightsqueeze” | Chatham, VA | Familiarize yourself with the narrow passage between buildings that forced buggy and wagon drivers to slow to a walking pace just to squeeze through.
“He Invented An Entire Language” | Birchwood, TN | Learn about the man who invented an entire language to preserve history.
“The Bell Witch” | Adams, TN | Dive into a tale that’s been passed down for more than 200 years in Tennessee.
“The Sacred Cod” | Boston, MA | Learn why a nearly 5-ft-long wooden fish hangs over the House of Representatives in the Massachusetts State House.
Interested in going beyond five episodes? Check out Autio’s membership options.
Asked
How do you fill the time on a road trip?
A. Audiobooks B. Music C. Podcasts D. Road trip games
Band of Horses + City and Colour | Wednesday, Sept. 4 | 5:30-10 p.m. | Maymont | $40-$68 | The Music at Maymont series continues with these two folk-rock groups.
“The Lighthouse” | Wednesday, Sept. 4 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre | $9 | Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson star in this Robert Eggers tale.
Thursday, Sept. 5
Belle Isle Habitat Restoration | Thursday, Sept. 5 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Belle Isle Bike Skills Area | Free | Volunteer with Richmond Tree Stewards and do your part to keep Belle Isle healthy by removing invasive non-native plants and replacing them with native ones.
The Coming of War in Europe | Thursday, Sept. 5 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Virginia War Memorial Director of Education Jim Triesler will discuss the events surrounding the beginning of World War II in Europe.
Friday, Sept. 6
Flying Squirrels vs. Akron RubberDucks | Friday, Sept. 6 | 6:35 p.m. | The Diamond | $10-$25 | Kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with las Ardillas Voladoras and enjoy $2 drinks during happy hour.
Saturday, Sept. 7
Little Raven Reading Hour | Saturday, Sept. 7 | 10:30-11 a.m. | The Poe Museum | $10 | Students grades 1-5 are invited to the Poe Museum’s Enchanted Garden for a a morning of story time and crafts.
Sunday, Sept. 8
Bridgerton: A Fete! | Sunday, Sept. 8 | 3-7 p.m. | Hanover Tavern | $100 | Stroll the gardens in your Regency best, enjoy lawn games, and ride in a carriage at this event that’ll be the talk of the Ton.
Your ticket includes a tasting glass, access to the tasting tent, and after-hours museum entry. | Photo provided by Virginia Museum of History & Culture
ChildSavers, a local nonprofit dedicated to improving access to pediatric mental and physical healthcare, is turning 100. The charity was founded in the aftermath of the influenza pandemic of the late 1910s. (VPM)
Arts
VisArts’ 10th Annual Chili Throwdown is back on Friday, Oct. 4. Each ticket comes with a handmade ceramic bowl, a serving of chili, and drink tickets. Snag yours now — they’re $30 for members and $35 for the general public.
Closed
The Burger Bach in West Broad Village has officially closed. The burger joint had been in operating in that location for 11 years. Fear not — Burger Bach loyalists can still get their fix in Carytown and Midlothian. (Richmond BizSense)
Plan Ahead
Advance tickets are on sale now for the State Fair of Virginia. The fair will kick off in Doswell on Friday, Sept. 27 and run through Sunday, Oct. 6 — tickets start at $10.50.
Weather
Though the North Atlantic has spent the summer with temps at record highs, things are beginning to cool off. The cooldown is part of a phenomenon called Atlantic Niña, which tends to reduce hurricane risks. Nonetheless, it pays to be prepared — hurricane season lasts until Nov. 30. (Virginia Mercury)
Summer’s nearly over, butsun damage sticks around. Start repairing your skin sooner rather than later with Sofwave — a noninvasive treatment that replenishes your natural collagen for a smoother, tighter appearance. See the treatment in action.*
Finance
It’s almost fall — that chill you feel should be from the air, not your credit card bill. Experts recommend these four cards with 0% APR for up to 18 months (almost two years) on qualifying balance transfers.*
Outdoors
🥾 Hit the trails before you punch the clock
Hit the trails with our hiking guide for Richmond
Pony Pasture offers great sunrise and sunset views. | Photo by RICtoday
Do the cooler morning temps have you ready to hit the trails for an early morning stroll? We’ve got some hikes quick and accessible enough that you can sneak in a lap or two before work.
Note: While parks and trails may be listed as open, we recommend checking park websites before visiting for further info.
Last week, we asked if you remembered when Country Style Donuts opened its doors.
A half dozen of our readers’ favorite donuts in Richmond
Our readers gave us the lowdown on their favorite local donuts. | Photo by RICtoday
29.5% of respondents correctly said that the East End icon first came on the scene in 1968. Country Style’s second location on West Broad Street opened in 2014.
“The Lighthouse” is definitely one of the weirder movies I’ve seen, but I can’t say I’m not tempted to catch it again on the big screen tonight. Mostly, though, I’m looking forward to seeing Robert Eggers’ take on “Nosferatu” this Christmas.
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