Doug Orleski, the Richmond-based artist known as ‘RVA Coffee Stain,’ has been selected for an opportunity to win $2,500 on Saturday, March 28, as the Dash for the Cash participant at the 2020 Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger. In the Dash for the Cash, one participant is selected to get a head start on the course and race against the rest of the field in hopes of being the first to cross the finish line. If the contestant can outrun the fastest elite runner, the Dash for the Cash prize is theirs for the taking.

Orleski’s head start will be based on his estimated predicted time on his race entry form, previous running experiences, and estimated times of elite runners in the field. His goal is to attempt to cross the finish line before any of the other athletes running in the full 10k (6.2 miles). If he does outpace the rest of the field to the finish line, he will win the $2,500 cash prize.

The 2020 Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k will be Orleski’s first-ever race after taking up running several years ago as part of a commitment to improving his health through active living. He began exercising and running on a regular basis and in the process lost 60 pounds on his journey to a healthier, more active lifestyle.

Through his cartoon and sketch work as RVA Coffee Stain, Orleski says he’s able to celebrate Richmond through art, and his work helped him become part of the community after he moved to the area in 2012. Taking part in the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k is a natural extension of that community involvement and another great way to celebrate Richmond’s love for active living and big events.

“I was surprised and excited to be approached with the opportunity to take part in the Dash for the Cash,” Orleski said. “I was looking forward to the experience already since this will be my first actual race, and now I am anticipating race day on March 28 even more.”

Though he acknowledges that he still has plenty of work left to do to prepare before race day, Orleski already has plans for the $2,500 if he does cross the finish line first: he’ll donate the winnings to the VCU Massey Cancer Center, one of the official charity partners of the 10k, to help aid in their fight against cancer and support the lifesaving research being done here in Richmond.

In addition to the training he’s already done, Orleski plans to utilize the help of the Richmond Road Runners Club Advanced 10k Training Team, particularly to build speed. Orleski joked that after learning he’d been selected, “I texted my wife and said it looks like it’s time to start training so I don’t look like a fool out there,” but he knows this is a rare opportunity and a unique way to engage with the 10k, and he says he’s looking forward to the experience: “I’ll plan to do some fun stuff on RVA Coffee Stain social media leading up the race…. this will be really cool.”

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VCU (17-9,7-6 Atlantic): 61
Dayton (24-2,13-0 Atlantic): 66

Box Score

Official VCU Game Summary

The short story: Freshman guard Bones Hyland led three VCU players in double figures with 18 points, but fifth-ranked Dayton slipped past the Rams Tuesday night at the Siegel Center.

OPENING TIP

• Hyland finished 7-of-14 from the floor, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc for the Black and Gold. He scored 13 of his points in the first half to bolster the VCU offense. The Rams trailed 36-29 at the break
• Junior forward Marcus Santos-Silva registered his ninth double-double of the season with 12 points and 17 rebounds for the Rams
• VCU sophomore forward Vince Williams provided his best statistical game of the season for the Rams. The 6-foot-6 Toledo, Ohio native tied a career-high with 13 points and corralled six rebounds
• Dayton guard Jalen Crutcher scored 18 points for the Flyers and knocked down all eight of his attempts from the charity stripe. Forwards Obi Toppin and Trey Landers added 12 and 11 points, respectively

THE DIFFERENCE

• Dayton led by as many as nine points in the second half, but VCU closed to within 52-50 on a traditional three-point play by Williams with 6:19 remaining. But the well dried up for VCU over the next two minutes as Dayton hit 6-of-8 free throws to extend its lead to 58-51 with 4:18 on the clock
• VCU would make one final push when a Williams’ tip-in trimmed the deficit to 62-59 with 26 seconds showing. But VCU could get no closer. The Rams missed their final two field goal attempts, while Dayton converted four straight free throws to clinch the win
• Dayton jumped out to an early 6-0 lead after connecting on back-to-back threes from Obi Toppin and Ryan Mikesell, but the Rams responded with a 7-0 run capped off with a driving layup by Hyland at the 15:38 mark
•  The Flyers hit 5-of-9 first-half 3 pointers and took a 36-29 lead into the locker room
• VCU shot 36 percent from the field (21-of-57) and 28 percent from 3-point range (6-of-21), while Dayton shot 45 percent (19-of-42) in the contest and 71 percent (22-of-31) from the free-throw line

NOTABLE

• VCU is the first team this season to hold Dayton under 70 points in a game; The Rams limited the Flyers to 6-of-18 shooting from the floor in the second half
• The Rams outrebounded the Flyers 41-31, and collected 16 offensive boards on the night
• VCU leads the all-time series against Dayton 11-7
• Tuesday’s marked the 150^th consecutive sellout at the Stuart C. Siegel Center

NEXT UP
VCU will travel to Chaifetz Arena on Friday, Feb. 21 to face the Saint Louis Billikens. The game is slated for a 9 p.m. (EST) tip and will be broadcast on ESPN2

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Snow has been lacking in the Commonwealth this winter but a trip to the Science Museum on Friday will allow you to enjoy winter without the soggy socks and cold nose.

Calling all magical snow queens, quirky and courageous princesses and reindeer-loving outdoorsmen: the Science Museum of Virginia is inviting guests to come in out of the cold and warm up to a flurry of ice and snow-themed activities at the February Science After Dark.

The Frozen Science event on February 21 will feature swimming pools full of a snow-like sensory polymer, paper snowflake making, Super Cool liquid nitrogen demos, a soap cloud activity, snowball catapult making, winter character crafts and a live planetarium show in the Dome at 7:00 p.m.

Because of the popularity of the feature film with younger guests, the Museum will show “Frozen” (PG) on the Dome’s 76-foot screen twice during the event, at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to dress like their favorite character from the film.

The Museum’s four floors of exhibits and labs will be open during the event, including the touring exhibition “Giant Insects,” featuring enormous robotic insects, numerous interactive stations and terrariums with live bugs.

Weather permitting, the Richmond Astronomical Society will be on the front lawn with telescopes letting guests stargaze after the sun goes down.

When:
Friday, Feb. 21, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Who:
Guests of all ages are invited to attend. Guests named Elsa, Anna, Kristoff or Olaf get free admission! (Some sort documentation to verify the name with the same spelling as the character is required and must be shown in-person when tickets are purchased.)

How:
Science After Dark admission is $10 online prior to the day of the event. Tickets purchased on the day of the event are $15.50 for adults; $13.50 for youth (ages 6 – 12) and seniors (ages 60 and older) and $10 for preschool-aged children (ages 3 – 5). Science After Dark admission is free for Museum members, children under 2, educators, military and college students with a valid ID.

Admission includes exhibits and event programming. Guests can add “Frozen” for $5; members may use a Dome pass if they wish. Dome feature film tickets are available for purchase only at Guest Services the night of the event. The Dome seats 250 guests.

Where:
Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220

Food and drinks, including craft beer, are available for purchase during Science After Dark in The Periodic Table café.

 

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