2012 in review: Q3

There’s no slowing down as we recap 2012. In this installment, we’ll take a closer look at what happened between July and September. There was a bit of controversy, the Best Town Ever award, and we got to know more about the “Filthy” side to Richmond…plus a whole lot more.

December 28, 2012; 6:00 AM • by Nathan Cushing

We started July by taking a look at new laws in Virginia, which ran the gamut from abortion to beer. We also featured some of the best fireworks seen around town during the 4th of July weekend. Speaking of fireworks, we gave our thoughts on seeing Channing Tatum take off his clothes in Magic Mike (who would’ve thought, it wasn’t so bad!).

The month also had a bit of controversy when tourism signs were taken down after only 48 hours. Our friend Marc Cheatham highlighted a get-together of friends, who, you know, just so happen to be some of RVA’s youngest and most talented people. No big!

Speaking of talented people, local photographer and VCU instructor Gordon Stettinius received national attention for a photo project that made him look absolutely ridiculous…on purpose!

The talent of VCU Men’s Basketball team made getting tickets for the upcoming season all the more difficult. And speaking of sports, we made sure to keep track of Virginia athletes that participated in the London Olympics.

August began with some discouraging news, as the To the Bottom and Back bus service announced they would suspend service for a weekend because of a dearth of funding. On a happier note, however, a local filmmaker produced Beasts of the Southern Wild, earning one of our most flattering film reviews of the year.

With school starting up again, we showcased this Q/A with VCU’s new athletic director, Ed McLaughlin ahead of learning the upcoming Men’s Basketball schedule. While many were optimistic about the season, spirits were crushed when one of RVA’s most loved restaurants, The Belvidere, called it quits. Also on the chopping block was the RVA Music Fest, which cancelled this year’s event.

In more positive news, we looked at a new brewery, and The Checkout Girl began her “On the Run” series, documenting her training for her first marathon. We also examined the history and evolution of Carytown, which was super fascinating. Also, two Richmonders created a cool event to foster RVA’s video game design scene, because, you know, this city is awesome.

To close out August, we documented where we saw RVA stickers around town, and we paid a visit to Rappahannock River Oysters where we learned a thing or two (or three) about running a successful business.

September started out with a bang because RVA was named Best Town Ever by Outside magazine. Woohoo! In food news, Fresh Market opened in Carytown, while Bill’s BBQ bid adieu, and food cart owners got together to iron out some issues.

Plans for a Bridge Park got RVA’s imagination going, and the city also hosted it’s first ever SlutWalk.

For the sports fans (and mothers) out there, a popular Raising Richmond article discussed how rooting for the Hokies became a huge part of her life. In not-so-popular sports news, the University of Richmond announced it would discontinue its men’s track and men’s soccer programs, while adding men’s lacrosse.

To close out the month, we took a look at the local man behind the Jocelyn Plums character on Twitter (@FilthyRichmond), Dave Brockie talking about GWAR on a 1989 tour, the first trailer to the (then upcoming) Steven Spielberg movie, Lincoln, premiered, and we celebrated Mekong being named the first “Great American Beer Bar” by voters.

Feeling unfulfilled? We still have one more quarter to look back on (October through December), so we’ll see you back here on Monday as we review 2012.

Photo by: chairmanbrando