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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Richmond.

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Remington maker to close its New York gun factory

Politics & Policy

Aging America faces a senior care crisis

Health

An AI boost for developing new materials

Science

Solo diners "suffer" more than social ones

Muslim Americans in swing states launch anti-Biden campaign

Virginia sightings detailed in UFO hearings

The pilots reported the sighting but said there was no further investigation by the military.

News

Hot new restaurant openings in Richmond

Treat yourself to something new and freshen up your Insta feed.

Food and Drink

Year-round school experiment kicks off in Richmond

Students at Fairfield and Cardinal elementary schools returned to class Monday, 20 instructional days before their peers.

Education

The Valentine museum is hiring a city historian

It's the first official historian job for the Richmond history museum in its 125 years.

Who’s thinking about running for mayor in Richmond

So far, three current and former members of City Council are weighing runs or have announced campaigns.

Politics

The field of potential mayoral candidates is starting to take shape in Richmond.Why it matters: With the election less than a year away and Mayor Stoney term-limited and eyeing the Executive Mansion, the field is still wide open.

Illustration of a ballot box and question mark sticker.

Hanover County schools bans 75 more books, including "Wicked" and "The Handmaid's Tale"

A review panel of teachers, principals and librarians ruled the books "meet the School Board's criteria for being sexually explicit," said school district spokesman Chris Whitley.

Hanover County school administrators on Friday instructed teachers and librarians to remove a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="list of 75 books" data-vars-click-url="https://drive.google.com/file/d/17TokLcgyf1CFUXN52q5CrgDU4K9zPh2V/view?usp=sharing" data-vars-content-id="c33e25b7-3bae-4cf8-ad2f-75c7036d5dda" data-vars-headline="Hanover County schools bans 75 more books, including &quot;Wicked&quot; and &quot;The Handmaid&#x27;s Tale&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/17TokLcgyf1CFUXN52q5CrgDU4K9zPh2V/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">list of 75 books</a> from shelves, including an array of well-known titles.What&#x27;s happening: &quot;The Handmaid&#x27;s Tale,&quot; &quot;Slaughter House 5,&quot; and &quot;Wicked&quot; (yes, the one about the witch in the &quot;Wizard of Oz&quot;) are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="among the books" data-vars-click-url="https://drive.google.com/file/d/17TokLcgyf1CFUXN52q5CrgDU4K9zPh2V/view?usp=sharing" data-vars-content-id="c33e25b7-3bae-4cf8-ad2f-75c7036d5dda" data-vars-headline="Hanover County schools bans 75 more books, including &quot;Wicked&quot; and &quot;The Handmaid&#x27;s Tale&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/17TokLcgyf1CFUXN52q5CrgDU4K9zPh2V/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">among the books</a> the Hanover School Board flagged for removal.What they&#x27;re saying: A review panel of teachers, principals and librarians ruled the books &quot;meet the School Board&#x27;s criteria for being sexually explicit,&quot; said school district spokesman Chris Whitley.

Illustration of a hand reaching for a row of books that are falling like dominoes.

Charted: Number of Virginians who speak another language at home up sharply

7.4% of Virginians speak Spanish at home, up sharply from the 1.3% in 1980.

Newcomers

The share of Virginians who speak a language other than English at home has tripled compared with 40 years ago, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.What&#x27;s happening: Just over 16% of Virginians spoke a non-English language at home as of 2021.

Richmond now has its own Monopoly game

The Monopoly makers took emailed suggestions for about two weeks in the spring.

Culture

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Richmond edition of Monopoly" data-vars-click-url="https://toptrumps.us/products/richmond-edition-monopoly-board-game" data-vars-content-id="9197e526-8a64-404c-8583-739a4e092c6c" data-vars-headline="Richmond now has its own Monopoly game" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://toptrumps.us/products/richmond-edition-monopoly-board-game" target="_blank">Richmond edition of Monopoly</a> is here.What&#x27;s happening: The makers of the classic Monopoly board game unveiled a Richmond-specific version on Monday.

How common all-cash home sales are in the Richmond area

In metro Richmond, area code 23225 (Woodland Heights to Stratford Hills) saw some of the biggest share of cash sales — 44% last year, according to the Post using Redfin data.

Real Estate

Low inventory and bidding wars aren&#x27;t the only things making it harder to buy a house in the post-pandemic Richmond market.What&#x27;s happening: Just over a quarter of all home buys in the Richmond area were with cash last year, compared to 18.6% in 2019.

Virginia plans to move offices out of James Monroe Building in Richmond

"Our goal is to move state agencies out of the Monroe Building into modern, efficient work space."

The state is in the market for up to 170,000 square feet of downtown office space.What&#x27;s happening: Plans to vacate the aged and ugly James Monroe Building are inching forward.

Richmond Greyhound bus station could relocate from Scott's Addition

Twenty Lake Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Alden Global Capital,  paid $11.1 million for the 5-acre Richmond Greyhound property,

Business

The Greyhound bus station that has stood on Arthur Ashe Boulevard for more than 40 years likely won&#x27;t be there for much longer.<ul><li>The hedge fund best known for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ravaging of America&#x27;s newspapers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2021/10/18/1046952430/the-consequences-of-when-a-hedge-fund-buys-newspapers" data-vars-content-id="47488cbb-83a6-43df-9f56-a82b61edb61f" data-vars-headline="Richmond Greyhound bus station could relocate from Scott&#x27;s Addition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2021/10/18/1046952430/the-consequences-of-when-a-hedge-fund-buys-newspapers" target="_blank">ravaging of America&#x27;s newspapers</a> bought it late last year.</li></ul>Driving the news: Greyhound bus stations nationwide are closing and relocating after being acquired by Alden Global Capital, the investment firm that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rose to infamy for its acquisition and gutting of American newspapers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2021/10/18/1046952430/the-consequences-of-when-a-hedge-fund-buys-newspapers" data-vars-content-id="47488cbb-83a6-43df-9f56-a82b61edb61f" data-vars-headline="Richmond Greyhound bus station could relocate from Scott&#x27;s Addition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2021/10/18/1046952430/the-consequences-of-when-a-hedge-fund-buys-newspapers" target="_blank">rose to infamy for its acquisition and gutting of American newspapers</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Cleveland&#x27;s Sam Allard reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/18/greyhound-alden-bus-stations-close" data-vars-content-id="47488cbb-83a6-43df-9f56-a82b61edb61f" data-vars-headline="Richmond Greyhound bus station could relocate from Scott&#x27;s Addition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/18/greyhound-alden-bus-stations-close" target="_self">Axios Cleveland&#x27;s Sam Allard reports</a>.

Living in Richmond is cheaper than the national average

Richmond's comparatively low cost of living  can translate into real savings — more than $115,000 a year — compared to the national average,.

The cost of living in Richmond is cheaper than the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national average" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/09/lowest-highest-cost-of-living-cities-us-map" data-vars-content-id="7e83e190-f217-4d07-b5e7-80a739013574" data-vars-headline="Living in Richmond is cheaper than the national average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/09/lowest-highest-cost-of-living-cities-us-map" target="_self">national average</a>, per a new analysis.Why it matters: Richmond&#x27;s comparatively low cost of living can translate into real savings — more than $115,000 a year — compared to the national average, according <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to the Greater Richmond Partnership" data-vars-click-url="https://www.grpva.com/news/richmond-msa-cost-of-living-offers-115500-in-savings-vs-u-s-average/" data-vars-content-id="7e83e190-f217-4d07-b5e7-80a739013574" data-vars-headline="Living in Richmond is cheaper than the national average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.grpva.com/news/richmond-msa-cost-of-living-offers-115500-in-savings-vs-u-s-average/" target="_blank">to the Greater Richmond Partnership</a>, the metro area&#x27;s economic development agency.

Richmond-area holiday markets this year

These markets make shopping an event and allow folks to buy and support local artisans.

Things to Do

&#x27;Tis the season for holiday shopping.Why it matters: Local holiday markets, firing up all around town this weekend and beyond. These markets make shopping an event and allow folks to buy and support local artisans.

Illustration of a shop inside a snowglobe. 

Study: Medical marijuana is more expensive in Virginia

Marijuana flower sells in Virginia medical dispensaries for an average of $14 per gram.

The price of weed is too damn high.What&#x27;s happening: That&#x27;s the conclusion reached by a state-ordered study of Virginia&#x27;s medical marijuana market <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="released this week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cca.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/Agenda_Minutes/BoardMeetingAgendaReport11.28.23.pdf" data-vars-content-id="4063c3ec-e2f9-4f8d-80a9-2d00bfd4d5d6" data-vars-headline="Study: Medical marijuana is more expensive in Virginia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cca.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/Agenda_Minutes/BoardMeetingAgendaReport11.28.23.pdf" target="_blank">released this week</a>.

Illustration of a cannabis leaf made of money.

Richmond's most streamed songs on Spotify

Taylor Swift is Richmond's most-streamed artist on Spotify this year, followed by Drake, Morgan Wallen, Made and Arthur Ash.

Holidays

What&#x27;s up, Richmond Swifties? Your Taylor love is showing.What&#x27;s happening: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Taylor Swift" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/artist/06HL4z0CvFAxyc27GXpf02?si=skBgAYeHRQGpkWZpnh7j_A" data-vars-content-id="9d01bed8-c347-4b68-8c69-f9fc28bbae6e" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s most streamed songs on Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/06HL4z0CvFAxyc27GXpf02?si=skBgAYeHRQGpkWZpnh7j_A" target="_blank">Taylor Swift</a> is Richmond&#x27;s most-streamed artist on Spotify this year, followed by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Drake" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/artist/3TVXtAsR1Inumwj472S9r4?si=I5ldKwaMSrqwd5WlFIlVlQ" data-vars-content-id="9d01bed8-c347-4b68-8c69-f9fc28bbae6e" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s most streamed songs on Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/3TVXtAsR1Inumwj472S9r4?si=I5ldKwaMSrqwd5WlFIlVlQ" target="_blank">Drake</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Morgan Wallen" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oUHIQIBe0LHzYfvXNW4QM?si=pUaSJ2mWQUK05r_IiwwMIA" data-vars-content-id="9d01bed8-c347-4b68-8c69-f9fc28bbae6e" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s most streamed songs on Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oUHIQIBe0LHzYfvXNW4QM?si=pUaSJ2mWQUK05r_IiwwMIA" target="_blank">Morgan Wallen</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Made" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/artist/0DKYIjP7Wschwb9SP0dkUc" data-vars-content-id="9d01bed8-c347-4b68-8c69-f9fc28bbae6e" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s most streamed songs on Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/0DKYIjP7Wschwb9SP0dkUc" target="_blank">Made</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arthur Ash" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/artist/7wwPDLJA7KzSNcUhzZLXNA" data-vars-content-id="9d01bed8-c347-4b68-8c69-f9fc28bbae6e" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s most streamed songs on Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/7wwPDLJA7KzSNcUhzZLXNA" target="_blank">Arthur Ash</a>.

Try this Richmond holiday cocktail

We tried three drinks from their holiday cocktail list: Reindeer Games, a spiced cider and rum drink served with whipped butter; Five Golden Rings, a bourbon, lemon, honey and fig drink; and frozen eggnog.

Karri here. On deck to drink all of the holiday cocktails.What&#x27;s happening: Ned and I stopped by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Evergreen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.birdiesva.com/" data-vars-content-id="3b741d18-f942-427b-9d98-0d413a64cee0" data-vars-headline="Try this Richmond holiday cocktail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.birdiesva.com/" target="_blank">Evergreen</a>, Birdie&#x27;s holiday pop-up and the first to open in town this season.

Virginia's public school enrollment is still lagging

The state and local trends mirror what's playing out across the country, which is students fleeing public schools in favor of private, charter and home school options.

Virginia&#x27;s public school enrollment is still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels.Driving the news: 1,261,962 students were enrolled in Virginia public schools for the 2023-24 school year, according to the latest data from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Virginia Department of Education" data-vars-click-url="https://www.doe.virginia.gov/data-policy-funding/data-reports/statistics-reports/enrollment-demographics" data-vars-content-id="179de1f8-92bb-45c6-8c10-444a37bccbcd" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s public school enrollment is still lagging" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.doe.virginia.gov/data-policy-funding/data-reports/statistics-reports/enrollment-demographics" target="_blank">Virginia Department of Education</a>.

Illustration of a school bus with a downward pointing arrow in place of the stop sign

Richmond will probably see snow this winter

Richmond should see 6 to 14 inches of snow this winter, including "one storm that produces more than 4 inches."

There&#x27;s a good chance that Richmond will see at least one decent snow storm this winter.Driving the news: Due to El Niño, jet streams, ocean temperatures and other science things, the forecast is shaping up for the region to see snow accumulation — and at least one school-closing-level of snow — for winter 2024, Times-Dispatch meteorologist Sean Sublette writes in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="his winter outlook" data-vars-click-url="https://richmond.com/news/local/weather/richmond-va-vawx-virginia-winter-outllook-2023-24/article_4812d092-88b5-11ee-848a-b3d6b59c92a1.html" data-vars-content-id="32fa59a2-0b13-4915-990a-e78dc186e248" data-vars-headline="Richmond will probably see snow this winter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmond.com/news/local/weather/richmond-va-vawx-virginia-winter-outllook-2023-24/article_4812d092-88b5-11ee-848a-b3d6b59c92a1.html" target="_blank">his winter outlook</a>.Why it matters: Richmond saw basically zero snow last year, despite an aggressively frigid Christmas, so we deserve at least one sledding opportunity this season.Zoom in: Richmond should see 6 to 14 inches of snow this winter, including &quot;one storm that produces more than 4 inches,&quot; per Sublette.<ul><li>Those accumulation events are most likely to hit sometime around mid-January to mid-February, so plan your gear shopping accordingly.</li></ul>Worth noting: Richmond&#x27;s average winter snow accumulation for the past 30 years is 9 inches.<ul><li>Yes, but: The area hasn&#x27;t seen that much snow since 2019, when the average <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="snowfall was 13 inches" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/SeanSublette/status/1729177618367623614" data-vars-content-id="32fa59a2-0b13-4915-990a-e78dc186e248" data-vars-headline="Richmond will probably see snow this winter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/SeanSublette/status/1729177618367623614" target="_blank">snowfall was 13 inches</a>.</li></ul>

Illustration of snowfall accumulating and being shoveled off the screen.

Rocky start to Richmond's first union negotiations

"We have presented a full contract to them and really have just been waiting for them to give responses or counterproposals to our contract."

The city&#x27;s first negotiations with its newly unionized employees are off to a rocky start.What&#x27;s happening: SEIU Virginia 512 blasted city officials Tuesday for &quot;throwing up endless delays and roadblocks.&quot;

Illustration of Richmond City Hall with lines radiating from it.

Sidewalks top Richmond's transportation wishlist

Richmond released a draft of its two-years-in-the-making transportation action plan.

The people have spoken, and they want more sidewalks.What&#x27;s happening: Richmond released a draft of its two-years-in-the-making <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transportation action plan" data-vars-click-url="https://rvaconnects.com/near-term-action-plan/" data-vars-content-id="1aef691d-4688-4b0a-83de-77f30ae500df" data-vars-headline="Sidewalks top Richmond&#x27;s transportation wishlist" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rvaconnects.com/near-term-action-plan/" target="_blank">transportation action plan</a>, Richmond Connects.

Illustration of a pedestrian crosswalk sign showing a dull icon of a hand indicating "stop" and a lit up and glowing icon of a handshake.

A growing number of Richmond homes are multigenerational

Chesterfield has the highest share in the metro area at just over 7%.

Multigenerational households — three or more generations under one roof — are on the rise in the U.S.By the numbers: Just over 17,000 Richmond-area households are multigenerational, according to U.S.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Census Bureau data" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/33352428.57/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2Vuc3VzLmdvdi9saWJyYXJ5L3N0b3JpZXMvMjAyMy8wNi9zZXZlcmFsLWdlbmVyYXRpb25zLXVuZGVyLW9uZS1yb29mLmh0bWw_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892B518ca871" data-vars-content-id="e42fe50d-7785-45b9-90a1-e760c377149b" data-vars-headline="A growing number of Richmond homes are multigenerational" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/33352428.57/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2Vuc3VzLmdvdi9saWJyYXJ5L3N0b3JpZXMvMjAyMy8wNi9zZXZlcmFsLWdlbmVyYXRpb25zLXVuZGVyLW9uZS1yb29mLmh0bWw_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892B518ca871" target="_blank"> Census Bureau data</a>.

Our favorite tweets about Sen. Kaine's onion dish

Kaine posted a picture of one of his T-Day dishes: creamed onions, a circa 17th century English side consisting of boiled pearl onions in a white cream sauce and "a Kaine speciality," per the midwestern native.

ICYMI, Sen. Tim Kaine on Thanksgiving joined a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="small" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2023/11/22/keisha-lance-bottoms-macaroni-and-cheese" data-vars-content-id="d73afdc2-06a7-4b4e-8853-225c6ef584d3" data-vars-headline="Our favorite tweets about Sen. Kaine&#x27;s onion dish" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2023/11/22/keisha-lance-bottoms-macaroni-and-cheese" target="_self">small</a>, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="distinguished" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/voraciously/wp/2020/04/22/the-jokes-on-us-thanks-to-mark-warners-viral-tuna-melt-video-its-just-a-psa-in-disguise/" data-vars-content-id="d73afdc2-06a7-4b4e-8853-225c6ef584d3" data-vars-headline="Our favorite tweets about Sen. Kaine&#x27;s onion dish" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/voraciously/wp/2020/04/22/the-jokes-on-us-thanks-to-mark-warners-viral-tuna-melt-video-its-just-a-psa-in-disguise/" target="_blank">distinguished</a> group of American politicians traumatizing the populace with their home cooking.What&#x27;s happening: Kaine posted a picture of one of his T-Day dishes: creamed onions, a circa 17th century English side consisting of boiled pearl onions in a white cream sauce and &quot;a Kaine speciality,&quot; per the midwestern native.

Richmond's big holiday weekend is here

RVA Illuminates and the Christmas Parade are this weekend.

Lock and load, holiday lovers, because it&#x27;s time for the city&#x27;s big deal Christmas events.What&#x27;s happening: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="RVA Illuminates" data-vars-click-url="https://venturerichmond.com/our-events/featured-events/rva-illuminates-at-kanawha-plaza/" data-vars-content-id="cfbf4958-b6df-4775-82a8-b7153caaebd0" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s big holiday weekend is here" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://venturerichmond.com/our-events/featured-events/rva-illuminates-at-kanawha-plaza/" target="_blank">RVA Illuminates</a> and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christmas Parade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.richmondparade.org/?fbclid=IwAR1XHQIgIQ-MS6QeixnZEXJ1Ya0HRIGEd0LHZSVpaweh31nyPL18I7CJW3U" data-vars-content-id="cfbf4958-b6df-4775-82a8-b7153caaebd0" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s big holiday weekend is here" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.richmondparade.org/?fbclid=IwAR1XHQIgIQ-MS6QeixnZEXJ1Ya0HRIGEd0LHZSVpaweh31nyPL18I7CJW3U" target="_blank">Christmas Parade</a> are this weekend.

Things to do in Richmond this holiday season

It's almost Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa-time in RVA — and that means our favorite seasonal events are coming in hot.

It&#x27;s T-minus one major meal until the holiday season officially begins.Driving the news: It&#x27;s almost Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa-time in RVA — and that means our favorite seasonal events are coming in hot.

Illustration of the Axios logo as an ornament on a Christmas tree

Richmond's tacky lights are the best in the state

Travel and Leisure magazine rounded up the best Christmas displays, and of course we won.

Richmond&#x27;s dazzling tacky lights are the absolute best Christmas light displays in all of Virginia.Driving the news: Travel and Leisure magazine rounded up the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="best Christmas displays in every state" data-vars-click-url="https://www.travelandleisure.com/holiday-travel/best-christmas-lights-in-every-state" data-vars-content-id="9aceef82-fea1-466a-ba38-5b79416dcfa3" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s tacky lights are the best in the state" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/holiday-travel/best-christmas-lights-in-every-state" target="_blank">best Christmas displays in every state</a> and, of course, our tacky lights, and the accompanying Tacky Light Tours, came out on top.

Behold, the British fish and chips at Thai Won On

This impeccable plate of fish and chips is served up by a Thai restaurant in Henrico.

This impeccable plate of fish and chips is served up by a Thai restaurant in Henrico.What&#x27;s happening: Short Pump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thai Won On" data-vars-click-url="https://thaiwonon.com/" data-vars-content-id="c9678a21-d8d6-4614-bc1f-eb7b1695c551" data-vars-headline="Behold, the British fish and chips at Thai Won On" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thaiwonon.com/" target="_blank">Thai Won On</a> started offering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a secret British menu" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/10/28/secret-menu-items-richmond" data-vars-content-id="c9678a21-d8d6-4614-bc1f-eb7b1695c551" data-vars-headline="Behold, the British fish and chips at Thai Won On" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/10/28/secret-menu-items-richmond" target="_self">a secret British menu</a> earlier this year as a way to drive lunch traffic.

What to do in Richmond this weekend

A craft show, Barbie at the Byrd and more — all this weekend in RVA.

Here&#x27;s our roundup of what&#x27;s happening in Richmond this weekend:

Illustration of a cherry pie with "weekend" cut out of the crust. 

Inside Richmond's new speakeasy and basement theater

The venue will host plays, plus live music, art openings, burlesque shows and more.

Richmond has a new underground space for drinking and local art, in all its forms.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Basement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/thebasementrichmond/" data-vars-content-id="f43039be-afdb-4003-99f4-ad80af189415" data-vars-headline="Inside Richmond&#x27;s new speakeasy and basement theater" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/thebasementrichmond/" target="_blank">The Basement</a> — a nonprofit performance venue, art gallery and speakeasy — opened this month in the former TheatreLab at 300 E. Broad St. in the Arts District.

Barrio restaurant in the Fan has been sold

The group, one of the largest local restaurant groups in town, ran a restaurant out of the space on the corners of Main and Addison for 16 years.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Barrio restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://barriorva.com/" data-vars-content-id="cde49353-abb4-4a39-8b07-b6d79977b974" data-vars-headline="Barrio restaurant in the Fan has been sold" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://barriorva.com/" target="_blank">Barrio restaurant</a> in the Fan District is under new ownership.Driving the news: The Richmond Restaurant Group sold the restaurant at 2229 W. Main St. to Ramy Yacoub, owner of nearby <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="3 Monkeys restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://3monkeysfan.com/?fbclid=IwAR06TxySarTyUywyixvnpkkzN7yB3CD-qVCxkUXdUeM2Re8NPDsl_1izQIE" data-vars-content-id="cde49353-abb4-4a39-8b07-b6d79977b974" data-vars-headline="Barrio restaurant in the Fan has been sold" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://3monkeysfan.com/?fbclid=IwAR06TxySarTyUywyixvnpkkzN7yB3CD-qVCxkUXdUeM2Re8NPDsl_1izQIE" target="_blank">3 Monkeys restaurant</a>, co-owner Michelle Williams tells Axios.

A new brewery for Richmond and more dining news

Hidden Wit Brewing Co. and its in-house restaurant opened last week in deep Chesterfield (in Moseley) at 21110 Hull Street Road.

We hope you had a nice Thanksgiving break, but while you were napping off your turkey, Richmond&#x27;s dining scene was still going strong.What&#x27;s happening: Restaurant news. Lots of it from the last few days.

Mini Richmond restaurant review: Dumpling & Noodle Cart

This is a dream Carytown restaurant experience.

Ned here, excited for this excuse to gorge myself on dumplings.What&#x27;s happening: Dumpling &amp; Noodle Cart, a staple of VCU&#x27;s Monroe Park campus, opened a brick-and-mortar location in Carytown.

How to drink in an igloo in Richmond and other fun holiday bar activities

Just when you thought Richmond couldn&#x27;t get more festive, now even more local restaurants are getting in on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="holiday-themed bar action" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/11/14/richmonds-holiday-themed-bars-2023" data-vars-content-id="3f395b7a-aad5-4dc6-8931-89096f7e8a36" data-vars-headline="How to drink in an igloo in Richmond and other fun holiday bar activities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/11/14/richmonds-holiday-themed-bars-2023" target="_self">holiday-themed bar action</a> — and yes, the igloos are back.

5 new restaurants for Richmond

Here's the latest dish about dining happenings in town.

Here&#x27;s the latest dish about dining happenings in town.

Richmond's holiday-themed bars 2023

Ready or not, the holiday season has arrived in Richmond.What&#x27;s happening: Richmond&#x27;s Christmas-themed bars start popping up this week — as does access to limited reservations from the folks who offer them.

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