Attend the first-ever 4 Tha Culture Holiday Classic, a debut showcase aiming to set a standard for excellence on the court and in the community. | Photo by Logan Whitton via Spider Athletics
“This event is more than basketball — it’s about pride, culture, and giving women’s athletics the platform it deserves.”
That’s what showcase co-creator John Tate said about the inaugural 4 Tha Culture Holiday Classic, a premier women’s basketball event bringing fierce competition to the Richmond area Friday, Dec. 19-Sunday, Dec. 21.
Richmond’s VCU Rams and UR Spiders will join four other Division 1 teams at the Henrico Sports + Event Center. Visiting teams include Alabama A&M, Coppin State, Penn State, and Georgia.
“Attendees can expect community-focused programming and curated cultural experiences that celebrate and uplift Black voices in sports, entrepreneurship, and leadership,” according to showcase organizers.
VCU + UR games
Georgia vs. VCU | Friday, Dec. 19 | 7 p.m.
Alabama A&M vs. UR | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 1 p.m.
Penn State vs. VCU | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 3:30 p.m.
The Library of Virginia is up for a 112,749-sqft renovation anchored on five key upgrades. The two-and-a-half-year construction plan is anticipated to begin in 2028 with “a focus on maintaining continuity in public services.” Here’s a first look at the designs. (WRIC)
Plan Ahead
Proper Pie’s holiday pre-orders are live. Schedule your sweet-tooth fixes with nine options, three of which are vegan. We’re eyeing the Chocolate Chess, Cranberry Eggnog Streusel, and Blackberry Apple Streusel (vegan).
Weather
How much snow did we get this week? According to Richmond International Airport, 3.5 inches, which brings our current snow total to 5.5 inches. Fun fact: Monday’s snowfall wasn’t far off from the daily record in Richmond. The last record-high snowfall on Dec. 8 occurred in 1989, at 3.9 inches. (CBS 6)
Small Business
New identity in progress. Southside wine shop Oxford Cellars is about to have a new name and address. Freshly re-branded, Sip Societe aims to open next week in Sauer’s Gardens. To keep up with the opening, follow the biz on Instagram. (Richmond BizSense)
Fun Fact
Coalition Theater will host an ASL Improv Showcase on Saturday, Dec. 13. Comedy recruits will riff impromptu skits in American Sign Language, paired with voice interpretations by Mosaic, an educational interpretation service founded in RVA.
Transit
A construction project finished before the deadline? It’s not just a fairytale. Chesterfield’s $35 million Nash Road extension is complete, six months ahead of schedule. Read more about the project goals to alleviate traffic and promote safety. (CBS 6)
Seasonal
Happy almost New Year’s. We’re celebrating the countdown to 2026 with 26% off all Newsletter Text Ads and Email Banner Ads on our advertising portal. Use code COUNTDOWNTO2026 at checkout — no long-term contract required.
Particle Face Cream was engineered for men to tackle skin issues in one simple step — reducing eye bags, diminishing wrinkles, brightening dark spots, hydrating, soothing after shaving, and nourishing deeply with Dead Sea minerals. Use code CITY20 for 20% off today.*
Local photographer Lindsay Biggs Taylor has shared numerous photos with us to help beautify our articles. Today, we’re putting the spotlight on her keen eye for a snow-day scene, taken atop Libby Hill Park in Church Hill.
Deal scouting: As if you needed another excuse to head to Babes of Carytown — free hot dogs on Sundays, Sundays, Sundays. Pair a beverage with a priceless dawg, while supplies last, from 4-9 p.m., each week.
What local deal inspires you to become a restaurant regular? Sharing is caring.
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