The Wrap: Halloween fun, new jobs, a hometown hero, and more

The Week In Brief

Good afternoon!

Halloween weekend is upon us, and since the 31st falls awkwardly on a Monday, most Richmonders are celebrating–and most events take place–Saturday night. From family friendly events like the Innsbrook Great Pumpkin Palooza to a Scott’s Addition “Booz” Crawl, there’s something for everyone. Check out our top picks in our Weekend Event Picks roundup. Looking for something really unique? Take the family on an Eerie Canal Cruise downtown.

There was lots of business news this week. Henrico-based Genworth Financial was snapped up by a Chinese firm for a whopping $2.7 billion–an all-cash deal that will take the company, which provides long-term care insurance among other things, private. Washington, D.C.-based CoStar Group, the largest provider of “big data” and analytics for commercial real estate entities, is opening a research facility in Downtown Richmond, in the WestRock building. The move will bring 730 new jobs to the city and make the company one of the city’s largest employers.

In nonprofit news, Richmond’s first veterinary radiation cancer treatment center opened its doors this week in the Near West End. The closest facility of its kind is about 100 miles away and will offer new options for owners of ill pets in Central Virginia. It comes with some impressive new technology, too. Richmond youth theatre program SPARC finally has a facility of its own. The organization dedicated its new building to John Robert Powell, grandfather of alumnus Jason Mraz. He was in attendance to perform a song as part of the celebration.

Craig Dodson, one of Richmond’s true hometown heroes, is up for a major award. Dodson, owner of Richmond Cycling Corps, was named one of 10 nationwide CNN Heroes and is up for a $100,000 prize. Dodson helps at-risk, inner-city youth attain new opportunities through an after school and weekend bike program. Vote for him and his program to receive the top award here.

VCU became the first college in the nation to roll out a sexual assault program that puts the power in the hands of victims. Under the new program, victims of alleged crimes can provide as little or as much information as they feel comfortable sharing and are assured they will be believed and not judged for coming forward (arguably a major issue with some schools and other entities) and can choose among several options when it comes to the depth of the investigation.

The Belmont Library celebrated 60 years of service to the community this past week.

Get caught up on all the week’s college football action with contributor Reid Kidwell’s Virginia Sports Quick Hits here.

Several food carts/pop ups you’ve seen around town at various events are upping their games with brick and mortar spots. Goatocado opened a new restaurant on Main Street in The Fan earlier this week. And fans of ZZQ’s (unbelievably amazing, melt-in-your-mouth awesome) beef brisket will be thrilled to know the business is getting its own spot right next to Ardent Craft Ales in Scott’s Addition. The new location will allow them to expand the menu and benefit from a continued relationship with and foot traffic from Ardent next door. Speaking of Ardent, the brewery got a nice shout out from Men’s Journal as Vice Presidential hopeful Tim Kaine’s favorite spot to grab a brewski. Down the street, BizSense has details on the forthcoming Vasen Brewing Co., which will specialize in sour beers. Speaking of beer, check out Richard Hayes’ RVA Beer Explorer for the rest of the week’s brew news.

Sally Bell’s Kitchen reopened this week as well. After an insane 92-year run at its former home on West Grace Street, the new spot is serving up all its tried and true favorites like chicken and egg salad, deviled eggs, and more a little further west on Broad Street, near the Science Museum of Virginia. Hungry for more food news? Get your fill right here with our Weekly Food News.

Godwin High School is renaming its specialty center for a beloved teacher killed in a car accident back in June. Also in Short Pump, work is expected to begin soon on a new $4 million firehouse the Henrico County Board of Supervisors approved this week. It will be located along Kain Road and help shorten service times.

As the election season wraps up, Richmond Montessori School is teaching students about how our democracy works by letting them choose a new mascot. Once the election DOES finally wrap, Beau Cribbs and RVA Tonight have you covered with an Election Night Special. Join Cribbs for a live panel discussion as local, state, and national election results roll in and we “extinguish this dumpster fire together.” I couldn’t have said it better myself, Beau.

Happy Halloween everyone–make it a great weekend!

Until next time,

Trevor Dickerson
Editor, RVAHub