Did you have a nice weekend? Your small-town friend over here went to the big city. Well, that is, if you consider Short Pump big—which, coming from a town with one stoplight, I do.
My husband (Kody), our son (Colton), and I spent the day shopping and exploring the Richmond suburb. It was pretty cool to get out and about and explore a way of Virginia life we don’t normally get to experience.
Tomorrow, we’re looking forward to another fun day. Kody turns 37! And for the next 10 days (until my birthday), I’ll constantly remind him that he’s five years older than me, and that he clearly robbed the cradle. Then, my bragging rights will end—but what won’t is that I’m so glad you’re here.
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By Amie Knowles
A recent survey found that 44% of Americans say a summer vacation feels out of reach this year because of rising costs. The good news? You don’t need a big budget to slow down and enjoy summer.
If you’re looking for affordable things to do in Virginia, this is your sign to pack a picnic. Now all you need is a great spot.
If you’re headed toward the coast, First Landing State Park is perfect for lunch with a waterfront view.
Closer to Richmond? Libby Hill Park is one of the best for a picnic overlooking the city, especially around sunset.
And if you’re craving mountain views, Peaks of Otter Picnic Area has creekside tables and gorgeous Blue Ridge scenery.
We’re highlighting some of Virginia’s best summer picnic spots in this article—and you can see the video at the link below.
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📣 Roundabout Richmond
A new online space for Richmond neighbors.
Looking for a community space without the noise and toxicity of other platforms? Roundabout Richmond is stewarded by real neighbors!
Folks can post events, trade recommendations, share local history, and help each other figure out what’s going on around town.
No algorithms or shouting matches. Join the community and contribute to local guides that capture the shared knowledge of our neighborhoods. (Plus: A free weekly newsletter rounding up what’s happening around the city.)
Whether you’re new to Richmond or a lifelong resident, join today and connect with neighbors.
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Are you hoping to get one more coastal adventure in before Labor Day? If so, there’s a chance to hear a unique dialect right here in Virginia, and that’s on Tangier Island.
The Chesapeake Bay island features a rare, isolated variety of English that traces back to 17th century settlers who arrived on the shores from a separate geographic region. But which one? That’s for you to guess.
Let’s make it fun. No Googling! Either you know it or you don’t. Write to me at amie@couriernewsroom.com to submit your answer, and be on the lookout for Friday’s newsletter where we’ll post the big reveal. Good luck, Virginia history buffs!
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By Ava Edwards
Widespread outrage has traveled across the country in response to new Flock cameras’ increased presence. In Virginia, there are already about 2,000 Flock cameras throughout the commonwealth.
✅ From Aug. 16-22, you can join DeFlock for their National Week of Action against automated license plate readers (ALPRs).
✅ Sometimes, you can’t always make a town hall meeting or a rally, but there are ways to activate your opinion directly from your phone—like signing petitions by Remove Flock Roanoke, Demand Flock out of Richmond, End Mass Surveillance in Chesterfield County and more.
✅ (If you want to see what local governments are discussing surrounding Flock cameras, alpr.watch tracks every mention of surveillance technology in local town halls and meetings.
If you want to record a new Flock camera in your area or track ones that are already erected, FlockHopper has an extensive map of just about every Flock camera in the United States.
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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Amie Knowles. Amie is a lifelong Virginia resident and mom to a fantastic 8-year-old who loves Pokémon. This edition includes a story from Ava Edwards. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.
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