Plus, VisArts' chili cookoff is back for the tenth year
 
09.04.2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

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Today’s Forecast

79º | 5% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:42 a.m. | Sunset 7:33 p.m.

 

Richmond, meet Autio

Meet Autio: A collection of location-based stories perfect for your road trip
The ConnectRVA 2045 plan includes improvements to interstate highways. | Photo courtesy formulanone
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
I spy an answer
 
Events
Wednesday, Sept. 4
  • 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.
More local happenings
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Drink

🥃 Add to cal: A festival to lift your spirits

A row of spirits bottles at the Virginia Distilled festival.
Your ticket includes a tasting glass, access to the tasting tent, and after-hours museum entry. | Photo provided by Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Sip, savor, and celebrate Virginia Spirits Month at Virginia Distilled, happening at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Starting at 6 p.m., enjoy:
Bonus: You can help crown Virginia’s 2024 Cocktail of the Year.
Cheers, Richmond
News Notes
Cause
  • 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)
Sports
Wellness
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
Sunset over Pony Pasture
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.

Dogwood Dell
  • Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
  • Length: 1 mile
  • Wheelchair accessible: No
  • Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
This Byrd Park hiking trail is open for foot traffic only.

Ancarrow’s Landing
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Length: 2.5 mile loop
  • Wheelchair accessible: No
  • Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
Pro tip: Be careful after rainy days, as it is typically one of the last trails to dry.

Pony Pasture
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Length: 3 miles
  • Wheelchair accessible: Yes
  • Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
Take a nature walk and try to identify the native plants you see during your travels.
13 more local trails
The Buy
Bring on all the cozy fall vibes. Here are five seasonal must-haves that scream luxury (without the hefty price tag):

🍁 A pair of fleece-lined memory foam slippers for less than $25.
🍁 This textured, oversized pullover that’s perfect for layering.
🍁 An ultra soft blanket available in 35+ different colors and patterns.
🍁 These sleek, water resistant men’s joggers made for all things outdoors (or just lounging).
🍁 A portable mug warmer so you can enjoy your favorite cozy beverages all day long.
More worth The Buy
Answered

Last week, we asked if you remembered when Country Style Donuts opened its doors.

A half dozen of our readers’ favorite donuts in Richmond
A hand holds a donut with a bite taken out of it in front of a sign reading "country style donuts"
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.
What you knead to know
 
The Wrap
 
David Lefkowitz.png

Today’s edition by:
David
From the editor
“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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