Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

Justin Timberlake would be so thrilled. All month, it’s gonna be May. Over the next few weeks, I’m looking forward to a lake day or two, working on the backyard playground project we started last fall, and that blissful seasonal transition when you don’t really need the heat or A/C (and the electric bill reflects that). 

I hope this month is filled with joy, curiosity, and adventure for you. We’ll be sure to bring the fun—and share the news—as usual. I’m so glad you’re here. 

Here’s what you need to know: Great food is one thing, but a meal with a view takes the dining experience to another level. Across Virginia, restaurants offer stunning backdrops—whether it’s waterfront scenery, city skylines, or mountain vistas.

Our top picks:

• Perched atop The Virginian Hotel, Skyline offers one of the best rooftop dining experiences in downtown Lynchburg. With stunning city views, cozy fire pits, and an intimate atmosphere, it’s the perfect setting for a special occasion or a casual night out. 

• On a hillside overlooking the Potomac River, The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm offers stunning views from its glass-walled conservatory. This organic, farm-to-table restaurant embraces sustainability, crafting seasonal menus that highlight its own harvest and local producers.

• Nestled along the water in the heart of Great Bridge, Lockside Bar & Grill offers a unique setting to enjoy fresh, locally sourced cuisine.With over 30 years of combined culinary experience, the chefs craft seasonal seafood dishes, prime land fare, and vibrant garden salads, all inspired by the bounty of local fishermen and farmers.

Worked up your appetite? We didn’t have to look far to find 11 scenic restaurants worthy of a place on our list.

Question of the Week: What’s your favorite restaurant with a view—and what do you order when you dine there? Be sure to write to me at amie@couriernewsroom.com to weigh in.

As Virginia public schools struggle with a statewide teacher shortage, educators like Lisa Lee of Virginia Beach are being asked to pile more onto their plates. 

“My job has changed so much,” said Lee, who has worked as an elementary school counselor for Trantwood Elementary in Virginia Beach since 2006. “We’re in it for the kids, but to retain quality teachers, it’s just not sustainable.”

On top of working with hundreds of elementary students each year to foster their emotional and behavioral development, from individual and small group counseling to crisis management, Lee said she’s been increasingly asked to shoulder additional responsibilities that take her out of the classroom and away from students.

“We are the back-up admin…we are constantly on call. That takes away from my ability to be in classrooms or do groups,” said Lee, who used to run a variety of programming for students, like the school’s theatre program and a peer tutoring program in previous years.

Unable to provide enriching activities that excite students about learning, and buried under miscellaneous administrative duties, Lee said she and other staff at her school are burned out. 

• Private equity firms now own 20% of Richmond’s apartments, totaling 18,460 units. The growing role of private equity in the housing market has been linked to rising rents, decreased affordability, and increased eviction rates in the area (READ MORE HERE).

• What do Norfolk school closures, canceled flood grants, and Chesapeake city council drama have in common? They’re all part of this week’s cup of Virginia Tea, a new series featuring Dogwood’s social marketing strategist, Ki Hearn (WATCH HERE).

• Thomas Gottwald, a major donor to and ally of Gov. Glenn Youngkin, is stepping in as interim board president at the Virginia Military Institute. He will serve through June—but says he won’t continue after that (READ MORE HERE).

You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our mailing address is:
Courier Newsroom
611 Pennsylvania Ave SE
Washington, DC 20003-4303