The Wrap: Explore the world, find a job, and have some everclear

Click here to get The Wrap delivered to your inbox every Friday afternoon!

Photo: @kaieason on Instagram

THE WEEK IN BRIEF

Hey y’all. I don’t know how your week’s been, but man it’s been a long one over here. I’m about ready for a drink. Say, how about some 151 proof Everclear? You could soon find spirits of that potency on Virginia ABC Store shelves if a bill passes in this year’s General Assembly session. Reporter Amy Lee, writing for the Capital News Service, has details on the bill.

In legislation that’s a bit more scary, another bill would keep fracking companies’ chemical lists secret and out of the scrutiny of public review. Why? Worries over trade secrets, apparently. Doesn’t sound shady at all. Nope, nothing to see here. Move along now! It’s been amended to give first responders along with the Department of Environmental Quality access to the chemical lists, but that doesn’t really make me feel much better. What about you?

In other General Assembly news, the senate rejected two pro-choice bills this week and tabled a bill that would have made it illegal to chain any companion animal up outside. Also, discussions regarding redistricting and gerrymandering (and a video from Jerry Mandering himself).

One thing, however, brought all of the Commonwealth’s lawmakers together–basketball! Both sides of the aisle faced off for the Capitol Classic at the Siegel Center earlier this week, and we’ve got lots of photos of the action!

Mayor Stoney, speaking at the Richmond Police Department’s 113th police academy graduation at the VMFA yesterday, took the opportunity to reaffirm Richmond’s stance as an opening and welcoming city to all. The mayor said we need to build more bridges–not walls–and reminded the newly-minted police officers that they serve a diverse city with folks from all different backgrounds. “We need to protect our children and our families so they can learn and grow and prosper,” he said. “That means protecting and welcoming all of our residents, regardless of their color, their ethnicity, their bank accounts, their ZIP codes, how they worship, or who they love.”

A VCU study that came out this week showed that local teachers’ morale could use some improvement (they’re up against a lot–can you blame them?) and made some recommendations regarding actionable things to improve it. You can read the full study here. By the way–know an awesome teacher in Henrico going above and beyond? Nominate them for an REB Award for Teaching Excellence here!

Speaking of VCU, one of the most ornate buildings on campus isn’t even owned by the university. In this week’s Must See RVA feature, we take an in-depth look at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

Photo: Venture Richmond

1. Dominion Riverrock, an annual outdoor sports festival on Brown’s Island each May, has announced the official music lineup (yeah, free concerts!) and it’s pretty rad.
2. Lisa Sims, who has been with Venture Richmond since 2006 (and the organization’s Interim Executive Director since Jack Berry left to pursue a mayoral campaign), has had her position made permanent. Why search externally when you’ve got a great leader already on your team? Smart move, Venture!
3. Need a summer job? Kings Dominion is hiring more than 4,000 people at upcoming hiring events. Get the details here.
4. Something in the Parks & Rec department more your style? Henrico County needs you!
5. Want to explore the world but lack the funds? HI Richmond Hostel has you covered and is giving out a handful of $2,000 scholarships!

EATING & DRINKING

File photo/Big Spoon Agency

Champion Brewing’s new Downtown taproom just opened its doors and is ready for you to try a pint (or five- once again, this week, man!) in the old Aurora space. Blue Bee Cider picked up a national award. And tomorrow, Ardent Craft Ales will release a gluten-reduced lawnmower beer. What’s a gluten reduced beer, you ask? An almost gluten free beer that can’t officially be called such because it’s made using the same brewing equipment as beers with gluten in them, basically. We live in a world of technicalities, don’t we? Anyway, Richard Hayes has all the news that’s fit to drink in our RVA Beer Explorer right here.

Gelati Celesti finally announced an opening datefor their Scott’s Addition location on The Boulevard. Also, tonight, The Halligan Bar & Grill in Short Pump will be featured on Food Network’s “Ginormous Foods” show, showing off their three-pound monster of a sandwich “The Flatliner.” Get deets on this and everything else in the world of #rvadine–like info on a couple closures and two new restaurants opening or already open (it depends when you’re reading this, TBH) right here in our Weekly Food News.

THE WEEKEND

Photo: Broadway.org

Wondering where to go and what to do this weekend? Look no further than our Weekend Event Picks. The Richmond Symphony is hosting its kid-friendly “Lollipops” event featuring the music of Disney, the Visual Arts Center is hosting a fun and boozy art event for the young and young at heart, you can freeze your baguettes off in the mighty James for a really good cause, and more. Check out our picks here!

Until next time,

Trevor Dickerson
Editor, RVAHub

Click here to get The Wrap delivered to your inbox every Friday afternoon!