Dec. 22 Newsletter: Neon moon
Weather: The only cold day of the week. High of 42, but it'll get better tomorrow.
On this date in 1981, Richmond’s Planning Commission rejects a proposed downtown Hilton hotel because it would compete with a city-subsidized Marriott hotel being built at 6th and Broad.
Today's newsletter sponsored by Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU: A stronger future starts with healthier kids. Together, we can ensure that Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU is ready to meet the challenges of today, and tomorrow. Donate Today and help give kids the unstoppable care they deserve.
Neon Moon: The story of Richmond’s own neon sign
Recognize that lettering? We counted it in 26 store windows locally. And it's all ours.
- Joe Parker created his distinctive open sign in the late ’80s.
“It was easy to do, and I could make one pretty fast,” he said. Three national neon experts said they haven’t seen a sign like it anywhere else.
What was once a thriving art form now has just one practitioner in Richmond. Meet her, and read more, here.
Richmond’s ‘Operation Vaporize’ cracks down on illegal vape shop activity
The Richmond Police Department estimates there are now more than 90 vape shops operating throughout Richmond, in both poorer and wealthier parts of the city, many of which are essentially acting as fronts for thriving drug operations.
"It is easier for our kids to walk into one of these shops and buy marijuana than it is for them to go to a traditional convenience store and buy beer,” the police chief said.
Read more, including why it's difficult to keep them closed, here.
Amtrak cuts two morning routes to D.C. in response to Key Bridge construction
Amtrak has released its modified train schedule, which will be implemented starting Jan. 12 in response to a major construction project on the D.C.-Virginia border.
Southbound trains from D.C. that normally leave Union Station at 8:41 and 11:12 a.m. will also be canceled, potentially until 2030.
Read more, including why construction can't take place at night, here.
Celebrating 10 years, local puppet group wants to make the art form mainstream
From December 27 to January 3, Puppets Off Broad Street will hold its eighth annual RVA Winter Puppetfest. There will be 10 family-friendly puppet performances, each around 45 minutes long, performed at ArtSpace in the Stratford Hills Shopping Center.
“Puppetry seems to grab people and they become obsessed,” one organizer said.
Another said there are limited opportunities for the art form, so it's important to find places for puppeteers to gather. Read more here.
Today's sponsor:
For the last 105 years, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU has been providing the families of Virginia and the world with expert pediatric care. Considered a top 50 children's hospital by U.S. News and World Report in 8 of 11 ranked subspecialities, as well as a top 10 children’s hospital in the Mid-Atlantic region, CHoR is dedicated to providing unstoppable care for kids in every possible way.
A stronger future starts with healthier kids. Together, we can ensure that Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU is ready to meet the challenges of today, and tomorrow. Donate Today and help give kids the unstoppable care they deserve.
In other news
- Virginia ABC grants Roseshire gambling parlor limited liquor license (VPM)
- Virginia Union's Curtis Allen named nation's top D-II football player (Andscape)
- High school basketball: Steward girls bounce back for win over John Marshall
- Style's Top 40 Under 40, Introducing The Class Of 2025 (Style Weekly)
The editor's desk
The holidays begin! Beginning Wednesday we'll introduce a series titled "Catching up," where we update you on some of the biggest stories from the past year. And if news happens, we'll stay on top of it.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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