The Wrap: State Fair and other fall festivals, free trees, and Dirt Woman

Photo: @ant_boogie_

The week in brief

Good Friday afternoon, Wrappers! Fall is finally in the air, and just in time for some great events this weekend, most of which are outdoors. There is more live music taking place this weekend than you can shake a tambourine at, and a couple of great outdoor festivals taking place. The State Fair of Virginia kicks off today, too, and the old local saying that the fair always brings with it rain and other gross weather is not proving to be true–so far–with tonight’s opening. More details in our Weekend Event Picks below.

Now that it’s a little cooler (and because it’s Friday), here’s a cool new fall cocktail from the folks at Nota Bene Restaurant & Bar you can try for yourself at home this weekend. I sampled one last night–it was pretty tasty. Speaking of booze, here’s where to go and what to do when it comes to Richmond’s ever-growing beer scene this weekend–events, releases, and more–in our RVA Beer Explorer Weekly Picks. Is it Food News you’re looking for? We gotcha covered there, too.

Richmond pop culture icon Donnie “Dirt Woman” Corker passed away peacefully this past week after a slow decline in health over the past year. A colorful, well-known individual who had a checkered past in the City of Richmond, Corker was part of the fabric that makes our town the unique place it is. Here’s a more in-depth look.

Speaking of colorful things, The Diamond is a lot more colorful than it was a week ago thanks to the efforts of the artists who took part in the RVA Street Art Festival. Here are some of our own Richard Hayes’ photos.

Basketball season is fast approaching, and all week long, the Washington Wizards have been holding a training camp at VCU’s Siegel Center. Tonight, the team will hold their only open practice. Here’s how you can go watch.

Tomorrow, West End dental practice River Run Dentistry will hold a free clinic for anyone in the community, ages five and older, who needs teeth cleaning, an extraction, or a filling. There’s no advance signup, and it’s first come, first served. No insurance or other documentation is needed. If you’re in need of dental work, here’s what you need to know.

In other medical news, the city is hosting two free flu shot clinics in South Richmond next week. Flu season is fast approaching and the time to get a shot is now. Here’s where you can do just that.

Five things to know

1. Henrico County Public Schools is in immediate need for school nutrition workers, nurses, and bus drivers–even after holding a job fair earlier this month–so they’re holding two more next week.
2. You can pick up a free tree for your yard in the coming weeks from the Tree Stewards program.
3. The VMFA is expanding their “Dig It!” educational program, and it looks pretty cool.
4. Henrico Police are holding a diversity in law enforcement meeting next week and seeks new officers from all backgrounds–here’s what you need to know.
5. A writer from travel guide Lonely Planet spent 36 hours in Scott’s Addition recently, profiling these cool establishments during their stay.

Giveaways

Powhatan’s Festival of the Grape returns next Saturday, October 7th on the grounds of the historic Powhatan County Courthouse. There will be over 20 wineries represented, along with live entertainment, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, and more. Wanna go? We’ve got a pair of tickets to give away! Just email me here with the subject line “Powhatan Grape” and I’ll randomly select a winner later this afternoon. Good luck!

Until next time,

Trevor Dickerson, Editor
RVAHub