2010 in review: Q3

Despite the fact that Q3 fell right smack in the middle of one of the hottest Richmond summers I’ve ever experienced, we managed to talk about things other than the heat! That, my friends, is an accomplishment in itself.

December 30, 2010; 11:53 AM • by Valerie Catrow

(Q1 | Q2)

Despite the fact that Q3 fell right smack in the middle of one of the hottest Richmond summers I’ve ever experienced, we managed to talk about things other than the heat! That, my friends, is an accomplishment in itself.

2010: Q3 started off with a bang as House Bill 505 allowed concealed guns in restaurants and clubs. Bang, get it? Anyway, it’s an issue folks obviously felt strongly about and the comments on that post are an important read, I think.

John Murden over at Church Hill People’s News also showed off his researching and reporting skillz at the beginning of July with an interesting look at murder in Richmond from 1971 to 2010. Another important read.

Speaking of jaunts down memory lane, the Valentine Richmond History Center (Hi, Lesley!) helped us put together a great photo essay showcasing Independence Day in Richmond over the last few decades. Looking at it still makes me feel feelings.

Later that month, we got a chance to chat with The Man, The Myth, The Legend: Nate of Nate’s Taco Truck. (He’s actually not a myth. I’ve met him a couple times. He has a very nice smile and a very cute daughter.)

Other highlights from July: Balliceaux started charging covers for shows (WOMP), three Richmonders organized a benefit concert for The Gulf (SOB to the oil spill, YAY for coming together), Counting Crows stopped by Richmond (one of our most-read stories of the year), Raising Richmond talked about whether you’re happier before or after having kids (ohhhh the comments), we announced the RVA Class of 2010 Superlatives winners (my most favorite feature EVER), and there was a huge storm that just about killed us all (that’s a lie, but it was scary).

WHEW! Now, on to August, AKA the time when Richmond turns into firey yet soggy pits of hell and complainyness (I had to bring it up at some point, this is a Richmond-centric site).

Richmonders were already pretty “meh” about MARTIN’S to begin with, but, boy, when news got out that the scales were wonky? Folks went from “meh” to “WHAT IN THE DAMN HELL?” faster than you could say “Rainbow cookie.”

After the Byrd Theatre suffered a break-in, local creative services company J H I created a T-shirt to raise money. Some thought the T-shirt was clever, others found it offensive. I guess that’s how you know you’re doing something right?

In food news, The Border became Bellytimber Tavern. Opinions on the new place ranged from “best place ever!” to “I will never go there again!” I’d love to see how folks’ thoughts have changed a few months after the fact.

In sports, the Richmond Spiders opened up their training camp in preparation for their first season playing in the new stadium.

As far as business news, Justin French got in a whole heap of trouble, and local merchants started the “Don’t Big Box Carytown” movement in response to a Baltimore developer’s plan to turn the Verizon office building at Ellwood and Thompson into a more than 41,000-square-foot retail property.

Patrick Henry School also opened its doors to its first group of students in August. We took a look back at TWO YEARS of coverage to give you a bigger picture of what it took to get that school off the ground. (My fingers are still cramped from all of the archive searching I had to do with that one.)

On the Richmond festival circuit, we had the controversial Richmond Jazz Festival (over 100 comments on that one and they’re STILL coming in), the Watermelon Festival, and our first peek at who would be showing up at the Richmond Folk Festival come October.

Then Garden Wars ended, Supper Punch began, and Virginia won the first round of the Health Care Mandate Grudge Match.

Things calmed down a bit come September, and the city seemed hell-bent on ending the third quarter on a positive note. Money was raised for the Byrd, First Fridays quietly celebrated their 10th season, the City of Richmond extended their contract with the CAA, excitement about the Richmond Folk Festival started to build, 100% of Richmond City Schools were accredited, Historic Tredegar was unveiled as the Region’s official Gateway to the Civil War (in preparation for the 150th anniversary), and we found out that a Picasso exhibit was coming to the VMFA in February. Way to pull it together, RVA!

Next up: Q4. Because four comes after three, duh.

(Image by Erica Terrini, originally published in Nate’s Taco Truck serves up a local favorite)

As the editor of RVANews, Valerie Catrow spends most of her time wrangling people over email and muttering to herself about the content calendar. She also contributes to our parenting column while maintaining her own blog, Made in Richmond. It should be noted that she loves tots, both the potato and child varieties.

December 30, 2010 11:53 AM 1