I’ve never needed a weekend to recover from a weekend so badly in my life—how about you? Long story short, we’ve known for a while that we need to upgrade our HVAC, and with that comes upgrading to 200 amps. We’d hoped to wait until October; last week, our 116-year-old house showed us that it had other plans. Hence, there went our weekend.
The past seven or eight days are a blur of a cycle I wish I could skip through until stuff’s repaired. But that’s not how growth happens, is it? If I could fast forward through the uncomfortable parts, would I truly be able to appreciate the comfort that came after? I could enjoy it, sure. But appreciate it? That comes with experience, friends—and our home is giving us plenty of that.
So, no, this weekend won’t be a relaxing one, either. It’ll be categorized as GSD (Get Stuff Done). If yours is more laid back—and I hope it is—then you might just be on the lookout for a bar or two with a unique vibe. We’ve got recommendations for you in today’s lead story because I’m so glad you’re here.
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Ask the Fuzzy Cactus for a beer and shot combo. (Courtesy of Fuzzy Cactus)
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By Aila Boyd
Here’s what you need to know: With eclectic décor and a sense of familiarity, many prefer dive bars over glitzy new cocktail and mocktail lounges and hipster breweries.
Our top picks:
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Fuzzy Cactus in Richmond is known for its music venue, which supports the local music community and touring musicians, as well as its reasonably priced beverages. You can’t beat its beer-and-shot combo. Go for the “Over the Top,” which comes with PBR and Fireball.
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The White Oak Lodge in Hampton has been a community mainstay since 1935. The rustic lodge, decorated with nautical and vintage touches, feels like a home away from home for many regulars. With more than 150 liquors, seasonal cocktails, and plenty of beer and wine options, it’s the perfect place to wet your whistle.
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Roanoke residents know where to go for a good time, and that’s Good Times Tavern. Kick back and enjoy the candied bacon that comes in a pint glass while knocking back a brew or two after a long day at work. The tavern regularly hosts musicians and karaoke.
Need help finding the perfect place? The weekend is calling, and our list is ready.
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By Amie Knowles
Today, we pause to remember the 2,977 lives lost on September 11, 2001—and the thousands injured.
Remembrance observations were held at:
❤️ The Wall of Names in Pennsylvania
🤍 The 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York
💙 The Pentagon in Arlington
Remembrances are also taking place throughout the commonwealth, both in small towns and big cities.
This morning, Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Chatham rang the church bell at 8:46, 9:03, 9:37, and 10:02 a.m., while the University of Richmond Memorial Walk invited participants to walk laps at Gumenick Quadrangle beginning at 8:30 a.m. to honor each victim lost.
There’s also an opportunity to observe the day from home, through the Virginia War Memorial. The nonprofit is asking for Virginians to share their stories of 9/11 as part of an oral history program.
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Boy, oh boy. I expected a few responses when I asked how you felt about Flock cameras popping up across Virginia. I didn’t expect 65 of them.
Suffice it to say, the overwhelming majority of folks found Flock cameras to be an invasion of privacy. Only three people said they weren’t concerned—and one of those respondents (looking at you, Kenneth C.), provided the reason that he lives in Scotland.
A newsletter reader, Leo T., noted being “absolutely livid” at the installation of more and more Flock cameras. The reader expressed concern about the ability to spy on people, coupled with the lack of guardrails surrounding the technology. “It’s so creepy and reminiscent of dystopian novels,” he wrote.
Nadia H. also shared concerns. She wrote, “I am against them! It feels especially unsafe as a minority to be essentially profiled (myself and my child) by technology—and used for purposes beyond what is likely legal.”
I have a feeling this is just the start of a larger conversation. If you’d like to share your thoughts, my inbox is open to you.
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Elon Musk departs after a welcome ceremony with President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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By Michael O’Connor
Some of the richest people in the country are lining up to help Republican US Rep. Jen Kiggans defend her seat in Virginia’s competitive 2nd Congressional District.
An Elon Musk super PAC is spending thousands of dollars to help Kiggans win her reelection campaign. Super PACs are a type of political action committee that can receive unlimited financial contributions from individuals, companies, labor unions, and other PACs, and they can spend unlimited amounts of money to support or oppose political candidates.
Musk’s America PAC spent $5,000 in support of Kiggans’ reelection campaign and $4,500 to oppose her opponent, Democrat Elaine Luria, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Luria represented the 2nd District from January 2019 to January 2023 and is hoping to win back the ever-competitive seat.
Musk’s support for Kiggans is part of his larger push to shape this year’s midterm elections and comes after his role in the Trump administration leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
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Does Dominion Energy have too much influence on Virginia politics? State Sen. Danica Roem (D-Manassas) thinks so. She said at a recent Loudoun County event that Virginia’s campaign finance laws need to be reformed. Roem opposes Dominion’s proposed merger with NextEra Energy. (Watch here)
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Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden workers went on strike on Sept. 2 in their push to get better wages. Aaron “Bobby” Bobb, who works in the butterfly exhibit at the garden, told Dogwood he has to work other jobs to supplement his pay at Lewis Ginter. (Watch here)
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A new poll from Courier and Reckoning Action found that accountability over the Epstein Files is a top issue for voters heading into the midterms. (Watch here)
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Would you share this newsletter with a friend?
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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 stories from Aila Boyd and Michael O’Connor. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.
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