Favorites

Lately I have been entertaining the idea of leaving Richmond, largely for career-related reasons. Actually, it’s a thought I’ve had off and on for the past four years since I’ve been here. The longer I live in this town/city, the more I dig my heels in and want to stay. I feel at home — Richmond’s an easy place to love.

In that vein, I asked everyone at Emily’s backyard Fan potluck tonight to name at least one of their favorite things about Richmond. We’ve all lived here for varying lengths of time, but have a common excitement and affinity for the place.


Clockwise from top — me, Noel, Evan, Christie, James, Chris, Chase and Veronica


Sir James Hill

Shared around a circle and documented via iPhone, here is our {list}.

James Hill
1. Scuffletown Park
2. Proximity to beach/mountain/lake within two hours

Emily Jones
3. Backyard Fan parties
4. Personalities at Shields Market
5. Shows at Balliceaux
6. Richmond’s Marathon Training Team
7. McSorley’s on tap at Bogart’s

Chris Holmes
8. China Panda
9. New York Deli’s multicade and photo booth

Chase Goitia
10. Houses with place names (“The Dallas”)
11. Eight places to get coffee in any given area
12. Restaurants with proper outdoor spaces
13. Quantity of trees in the city

Veronica Park
14. $2 movies at The Byrd Theatre
15. Free stuff in alleys

Kristen Ziegler (me)
16. Local art and music scene

Noel Ives-Rublee
17. James River (we all say, “Ohhhh yeah. Duh!”)
18. Retro-ness via Plaza Bowl, dodgeball leagues and rollergirl teams

Evan MacKenzie
19. Adult soccer scene via CVSA, SCOR and RISE
20. Beer culture at bars compared to other cities
21. Bicycling culture and local shops

Christie Thompson
22. Vegetarian/vegan friendly dining options
23. Awesome dance parties

24. And the obvious one — our friends! (Cheesy, but I had to.)

Photo credits to the always awesome Miss Emily Jones.