The Wrap: Sandwich secrets, pit bulls, education milestones and more

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Photo: Chuck R.

The week in brief

It’s the last full week before Thanksgiving, believe it or not. Where has the month gone? The year? I put my Christmas tree up this week because I’m impatient after the year we’ve all had, we need a little Christmas, right this very minute. The holiday tunes are playing at my house already, and I’m not even a little bit sorry.

By the way, if you’re starting your online holiday shopping, the Richmond Police Department has some good tips to follow so that you don’t fall victim to package theft from your front porch (a year-round problem!) and some pointers on hiding purchases from brick-and-mortar stores in your car. TL;DR: Don’t let ’em see that junk in your trunk.

Need some help putting up those lights? Having a home repair issue? Just need your place cleaned before family rolls into town? Amazon has you covered with their new Home Services platform, which just launched in RVA this week.

If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit a little early yourself (I do not recommend celebrating by rolling a deer carcass into your local Walmart like two dudes in Short Pump did), you’re in luck this weekend! Not only is Hardywood releasing their Bourbon Barrel Gingerbread Stout tomorrow, but the Illuminate Light Show & Santa’s Village opens at The Meadow Event Park, a zany take on A Christmas Carol, Scrooge in Rouge, is underway at Richmond Triangle Players in Scott’s Addition, and GardenFest of Lights gets underway at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden next week. VisArts is also hosting a holiday craft show where you can get a jump start on your shopping, and do it locally! Get details on this, along with Fire, Flour & Fork events (tickets are still available to some of the scheduled demos and dinners!), Souper Bowl at Max’s Positive Vibe Café, and more in our Weekend Event Picks.

Also this weekend, the Richmond Pit Bull Project is launching a special coffee table book featuring 101 local pits from around the area in a mission to educate the public about what the organization calls a misunderstood breed. It takes place Sunday at The Veil Brewing Co. in Scott’s Addition. Get the details here.

This week it was announced that several local restaurants are closing their doors, but a few new ones are on the horizon, too. Get your fill with our Weekly Food News right here. In other food news, Richard Hayes checked out Secret Sandwich Society on Grace Street downtown last Friday, and man does it look delicious. Check out his initial thoughts and some photos of the grub you’ll find in store here. While you’re at it, take a sip of beer news with his RVA Beer Explorer.

Congratulations to Richmond Montessori School, which is celebrating its golden anniversary in the West End; here’s a look into the school and what makes its approach unique. Did you know the private institution has students from over 40 countries? Pretty cool. Also in Henrico, eight HCPS teachers were honored at the annual REB awards and received enrichment grants for their work.

Five things you should know

1. A new study found a 75% increase in poverty in the Richmond area over 15 years
2. The controversial plans to restore the Reedy Creek corridor are being put on hold
3. The Richmond Kickers are planning a $20 million restoration of City Stadium
4. You can see some bright young minds share their vision for the future tomorrow at TEDxRVA@Youth at The Collegiate School
5. Virginia Union University’s tower was originally built for the World’s Fair in New York and later gifted to the school. You can read about its fascinating history right here.

Make the most of the weekend. Hope you have a happy and safe one!

Until next time,

Trevor Dickerson
Editor, RVAHub

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