Good Morning, RVA: Wear a coat

Suddenly, it’s chilly, wonderful, coat weather.

October 20, 2014; 7:00 AM • by Ross Catrow

Photo by: BlueGoo Studios

Good morning, RVA! It’s 41 °F, and that sure feels awfully crisp. Things will warm up, to the high-60s, later this afternoon, but prepare for downright cold temperatures on your way to work today. Temperatures will continue to drop to truly fall-like levels as the week progresses.

Water cooler

Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o, of all people, has joined the fight against the Shockoe Stadium. On Sunday, she posted a photo of her (beautifully-penned) anti-stadium letter to Mayor Jones on Instagram, saying “We would be appalled if a casino was built over Gisozi in Rwanda, a mega mall was constructed over Robin Island in South Africa, or new condos were erected through the gates of Buchenwald in Germany. Let us therefore not have a baseball stadium sit atop the legacies of slavery at Shockoe Bottom.” Read the full letter on her Facebook.

Richmond.com’s Phil Riggan takes readers who’ve erroneously complained about cyclists to task today. My favorite is his response to someone who thinks sharing roads with cyclists is akin to “Communism light”: “Communism? Dude, its called equality. Twenty one percent of Richmond households do not own a car, selfish elitist.”

It’s officially Richmond Restaurant Week! All over town, a few dozen restaurants are offering prix-fixe menus with a portion of the sales headed to FeedMore. We’ve got each and every menu ready for your perusal should you wish to make a reservation.

Richmond police are reporting a double homicide and shooting on the city’s Southside early Sunday morning. The shooting survivor was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. These are the 35th and 36th 36th and 37th homicides of 2014.

Sports!

• Wahoos downed by Duke, 20-13.
• Washington improves to 2-5 with a much needed win over the Titans, 19-17.

This morning’s longread

Jackson Ward’s Lost Emperor

A look at Gilpin Court’s namesake–I had no idea!

Later in 1921, Gilpin became the first American black ever to be named one of the year’s ten most significant contributors to theater by the Drama League of New York. This announcement spurred significant protests and fears of retribution, but the Drama League refused to retract its invitation to Gilpin for the awards banquet. He bravely attended, and was the unequivocal darling of the evening.

Still later in 1921, he accepted President Warren G. Harding’s invitation to be honored in Washington. Gilpin’s incomprehensible rise from Jackson Ward to the White House was complete. It would prove to be the last major public recognition he’d ever receive.

This morning’s Instagram

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October 20, 2014 7:00 AM 0