Shop top brands + best-sellers for the lowest prices of the year. | Graphic by 6AM City
Amazon’s pre-holiday sales just went live today. Shop The Buy team’s top picks and get this year’s best deals before Prime Big Deal Days ends tomorrow, October 8.
Bonsai for Beginners | 6-8 p.m. | Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden | $50, $42 for members
Saturday, Oct. 11
Central Virginia Heart Walk | 8-11 a.m. | Innsbrook North Shore Commons Lawn, Glen Allen | Donation-based, RSVP
Saturday, Oct. 18
Nascar Day Festival | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | Commerce Square Park, Randleman, NC | Free | Celebrate racing with the First Family of NASCAR, The Pettys, with delicious food, craft vendors, racing memorabilia, cars (of course), and three stages of live entertainment.*
This touring exhibition will be on display from Oct. 4 to April 19, 2026. | Photos provided by the Science Museum of Virginia and the American Museum of Natural History, New York (amnh.org).
From witches’ brews in classic films to Basilisk venom in “Harry Potter,” poison is as fascinating as it is feared.Ever wondered how something so deadly can also save lives? Find out at The Power of Poison, now open at the Science Museum of Virginia.
Step inside Colombia’s Chocó Forest, leaf through a virtual book of toxic plants, and get hands-on with interactive stations that reveal how poison shapes nature, legend, and human health. From deadly wonders, mesmerizing displays, and immersive hands-on experiences, you’ll be shocked at poison’s extraordinary ability to harm, heal, and amaze.
Along the way, you’ll come face-to-face with zombie-making creatures, venomous villains, and magical legends brought to life through stunning dioramas.
Take your curiosity further by:
Solving forensic mysteries
Building a 3D mushroom in the Art Lab
Exploring facts about Virginia’s venomous snakes
Seeing how plants’ protective compounds can transform into the flavors we love
Psst… Side effects of this exhibition may include awe, excitement, and a newfound curiosity.
What’s the fate of the historic Second Baptist Church on West Franklin Street? A few years ago, it was eyed for demolition, but now, local organization Historic Hotels of Richmond is getting started on a multimillion-dollar interior revitalization, including a banquet hall with a commercial kitchen. (CBS 6)
Business
It’s a burger restaurant, beer garden, an event venue, potentially a holiday ice skating rink… and it’s constructed primarily out of shipping containers. Meet Conex RVA, set to open in Carver, off Interstate 95. Developed from a previously vacant property, this art-focused establishment aims to open later this month. (Richmond BizSense)
Mailbag
A special thank you to everyone who’s submitted suggestions for my birthday dinner. Here are a few reader recommendations: Baccus, Demi’s Mediterranean Kitchen, Heritage, Metzger’s Bar + Butchery, The Roosevelt, and Stella’s. I have an important decision ahead, but the floor is still open for more suggestions.
Outdoors
Which James River Parks (JRP) project are you most curious about? Last weekend, the City of Richmond, Venture Richmond, and Friends of JRP met on Sharpe’s Island to discuss developing projects, including Mayo Island, Belle Isle, and Pipeline Trail. Stay tuned as we uncover more details on the Texas Beach bridge construction. (The Richmonder)
Eat
Proper Pie announced the return of its Pumpkin + Salted Caramel Pie, a fan-fave seasonal offering. Plus, the team is prepping for Thanksgiving; pre-orders go live today, Oct. 7, at 10 a.m. on Proper Pie’s website.
Seasonal
Stocking up for trick-or-treaters? In Virginia, you can’t go wrong with Hershey’s Milk Chocolate — it’s the most popular candy in the state, according to a new Instacart study. Like Proper Pie’s new pumpkin drop, a little sugar rush pairs perfectly with October’s nonstop festivities.
Active
Limited spots remain for the VCU Health Richmond 8k on Saturday, Nov. 15. Register now to be part of all the excitement of Allianz Richmond Marathon weekend and run along a scenic, fall foliage-lined course.*
Editor’s Pick
Welcome home, Francine
By the time Francine was found, Lowe’s + the Francine task force had implemented the use of thermal drones, video surveillance, and expert trackers. | Photo via Lowe’s Home Improvement
Francine the missing “Lowe’s cat” has been found as of yesterday morning, Oct. 6.
According to Lowe’s, “At 4 a.m., two Lowe’s associates made the drive to reunite with her, and when Francine jumped into their arms, she let out one big meow, as if to say, ‘What took you so long?’”
The @wheresfrancine task force requests that people refrain from intentionally visiting Francine for the time being to grant her space to rest and decompress.
The good news keeps coming. Keep reading for today’s celebratory adoption fee waivers + the announcement for the official Francine Fest.
🐈 In 2023, Francine the “Lowe’s Cat” was immortalized in what Richmond-edition game?
Easy-peasy. 57.4% of our readers got this one correct. Francine was included in Monopoly: Richmond Edition via a Community Chest card — “Visit Francine the Lowe’s Cat, collect 20 [Monopoly dollars].”
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Guess what movie I saw at The Byrd Theatre last weekend. This might be a tough one, but I’m rooting for our scary movie fans.
Using the photo below (and your knowledge of October at The Byrd), email in your movie title guess. The first person to submit the correct answer will get a shoutout in tomorrow’s newsletter.
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