Central Virginia Population Growth, Retail Cannabis Legislation, and the Memory Lab
Cheers RVA!
Today we’ll see some early rain showers with precipitation likely to taper off in the evening, with mild temperatures in the 50’s. There is a small chance of thunderstorms and strong wind gusts.
the juice:
CORRECTION: Yesterday’s newsletter incorrectly stated that the Richmond School Board meets every other week.
Beginning in 2025, the Board meets once a month on a Monday for a working meeting with administration that is closed to the public, and then on Tuesday in an open meeting with public comment, recognition, and voting on issues discussed in the previous day’s meeting.
Shout out to RVA Dirt for the correction and clarification!
the pulp:
Hundreds of protesters gathered at Capitol Square on Wednesday as part of a nationwide protest known as the 50501 movement, via Sarah Vogelsong at the Richmonder.
Chesterfield County was the fastest growing locality in Virginia between 2020 and 2024, adding more than 30k residents, with Henrico County the fourth fastest growing adding 18k residents in that period, via the RTD. In terms of rate of growth, New Kent and Goochland counties topped the list at 16.8% and 11.2% respectively. The City of Richmond’s population increased from roughly 227k to 233k residents in that same timeframe.
Both chambers in the General Assembly have passed identical bills that would create a regulated and taxed cannabis marketplace, according to Markus Schmidt at the Henrico Citizen. Governor Younkgin has indicated he would veto such a bill as he did a year ago with a similar proposal. In Virginia possession of one ounce or less of marijuana is currently legal for those 21 years of age or older, but it is illegal to distribute or sell.
the dive:
Style Weekly recently published a story about the expansion of the Richmond Public Libary’s Memory Lab, a place where people can come and digitize old photos and videos.
Created in 2019, the public service began as a way for those without expensive media transferring capabilities to create digital copies of their memories.
With only one workstation, the capacity was limited, but the Library recently received a $900k grant to expand the program.
Everyone has personal artifacts rotting in their basement or attic: old VHS tapes, Super 8 films, vacation slides, cassettes, crumbling documents. The Memory Lab is open six days a week, 9-5 p.m., with evening hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, to help capture and save these images and sounds …. for free.
Reservations are required to book the Memory Lab, and the staff is happy to help those who may be wary of the technology.
Read the full article here.
the vibe:
A view from a Church Hill sidewalk, 1970.
Have a memorable day RVA!
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