The Wrap: Holiday cheer, high speed rail, classic films and more

Photo: Dave Parrish

The week in brief

We’ve made it through yet another workweek! Pat yourself on the back, make some hot cocoa (it’s going to be a cold one all weekend) and buckle up for a recap of some of the week’s headlines.

We’re a week into December and all of Richmond’s (in)famous Tacky Light Tour homes are highly illuminated. While many of the homes on the tour may be locally famous, one is about to be featured on national TV. The Thompson family’s home on Wendhurst Drive in Glen Allen will be on ABC’s “Great Christmas Light Fight” where families compete for a $50,000 grand prize. Here’s where you can check it out.

If you think you’re cold this weekend, just remember Garret Doll. In the spirit of giving, a local DJ for K95 is living in a scissor lift outside the Short Pump Target all weekend to encourage donations of new bikes for local kids who wouldn’t otherwise have one for the holidays.

Elsewhere in Short Pump, remember that crazy six-story Carvana car “vending machine” that was proposed? It looks like it’s off the table for now. Which is somewhat disappointing if for no other reason than I was incredibly curious to see how it all worked from a practical standpoint. Folks at locally-based competitor CarMax can breathe a sigh of relief–for now.

In a major win for Richmond, a state transportation authority has recommended Main Street Station and the Staples Mill Road passenger rail station both be incorporated into future plans for high speed rail in the area. Granted, plans are fairly preliminary at this point and construction may not take place for many years, but it’s a huge step in the right direction and means the proposed idea of a new bus station on the Boulevard might not come to pass after all.

What does Lee’s Chicken have to do with the Bus Rapid Transit project? You can watch construction of one of the Pulse stations at W. Broad Street and N. Allison Street–right in front of the chicken joint thanks to a new camera GRTC mounted on their roof. Now I just want some fried chicken.

It’s amazing how many people’s lives can be affected through the simple act of becoming an organ donor. Contributor Shawn Scornaienchi has a powerful story this week of a local mother’s journey through grief following the tragic loss of her son and how he impacted the lives of strangers the family had never met. Check out his feature here.

Virginia has an all-out opioid addiction crisis, according to state officials, and now Attorney General Mark Herring’s office is vowing to do more to increase prevention and help those seeking treatment (and their loved ones) get the help they need. Their first step in this goal was to launch a new website and documentary film that you can watch here.

Want to give your opinion on the Richmond Public Schools budgeting process for fiscal year 2018? You can do so online this week!

The Byrd Theatre is greatly expanding their lineup of classic and family-friendly movies following the success of their Family Classics series. You can get all the details on upcoming screenings right here.

Scott’s Addition is set to get yet another brewery, this one in the former SunTrust Bank branch facing W. Broad Street. Get the details on Statement Brewing Company and have your fill of Richmond area beer news with our RVA Beer Explorer.

The Nutcracker begins at Richmond Ballet this week… oh, wait, not that nutcracker. But this week’s RVA News In Brick headline from Richard Hayes will make your inner 12-year-old self giggle.

The owners of Dot’s Back Inn are opening a new location across MacArthur from their current restaurant, L’Opossum was named one of the 100 best restaurants in America, and several pop-up restaurants are taking place this weekend. Get the scoop in our Weekly Food News.

Looking to get in the holiday spirit this weekend? There’s no shortage of fun things to see and do! Check out the James River Parade of Lights, the CarMax Tacky Light Run, the Fan Holiday House Tour, and more in our Weekend Event Picks right here.

Five things you should know

1. The Robins Foundation doled out $1.2 million in grants to deserving organizations this week.
2. Chris Rock announced he is returning to Richmond for the first time in nine years.
3. You can get free biodegradable bags for all your leaves this weekend at Byrd Park.
4. Got a business idea? Find out if it will scalewith some help of SCORE Richmond.
5. RPS students will be caroling outside City Hall beginning Monday.