Use a map of Little Free Libraries to find reading material together. | Photo by RICtoday
Move date night to the daytime with these five date ideas perfect for an afternoon in the River City.
📚 Learn
Go on a scavenger hunt for new reading material at the nearest RPL branch. Richmond’s neighborhood streets are also lined with Little Free Libraries — go for a walk, find two books, and have a literary picnic.
Pro tip: Don’t forgetto bring a book to drop off if you’re shopping Little Free Libraries.
🎨 Create
Combine a nature walk + art project by making cyanotype prints. Pick up the materials from Plaza Art, then take a stroll through a local park to gather leaves, flowers, and sprouts to produce handmade prints.
Make sure it’s sunny when you attempt this craft — the light is a key ingredient.
🌱 Explore
For an outdoorsy outing, explore the trailsnear the floodwall in Manchester. Cross the T. PottBridge and make your way to the fresh paint along the Canal Walk, courtesy of the RVA Street Art Festival.
🍽 Eat
Divide your date into drinks, snack, entrees + dessert, then draw straws to see who gets to pick which local restaurant to go to for each section.
Danny Kensy Duo | Fri., Sept. 23 | 7-10 p.m. | Main Line Brewery, 1603 Ownby Ln. | Free entry | Cheers to the weekend with this country artist. 🍺
“Nope” | Fri., Sept. 23 | 9:30 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre | $8 | Catch the latest from director Jordan Peele on the big screen. 🐴
Saturday
RVA East End Festival | Sat., Sept. 24 | 12-9 p.m. | Henry L. Marsh III Elementary School, 813 N. 28th St. | Free entry | Support music + arts programs at RPS at this family-friendly fest. 🎤
Dale & the ZDubs | Sat., Sept. 24 | 7 p.m. | The Camel, 1621 W. Broad St. | $10 | The band will play with Space Koi + Dan & the Fam. 🎶
RPL Local Authors: Rita Miller | Sat., Sept. 24 | 1-3 p.m. | RPL Main Branch, 101 E. Franklin St. | Free | Stop by to chat with the author about her memoir, “Determined Destination.” 📚
Sunday
Fall Artisan Market & Craft Fair | Sun., Sept. 25 | 12-6 p.m. | Hardywood Richmond, 2410 Ownby Ln. | Free entry | Get your holiday gifts early this year + support local makers. 🛍
Seven Voices Sings Patsy Cline | Sun., Sept. 25 | 7 p.m. | The Tin Pan, 8982 Quioccasin Rd. | $25 | Carly Harvey joins Daryl Davis, Jess Eliot Myhre, Nicole Saphos, Maureen Andary, Ele Rubenstein, and Dave Chappell to pay tribute to the legendary singer.
Tuesday
Profs & Pints: Monumental Controversies | Tue., Sept. 27 | 6 p.m. | Triple Crossing Beer – Fulton, 5203 Hatcher St. | $12+ | Professor + art historian Fred Bohrer will discuss the history and controversy of monuments across the country.
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
Most robotic automation is complex and expensive, but Ally Robotics programming-free robots represent a step forward for affordable automation. | GIF provided by Ally Robotics
Did you know? Your next order at your favorite fast food restaurant could be cooked by an AI-powered robot.
That’s because Ally Robotics created a programming-free robot that learns by watching humans to solve the $300 billion fast food industry’s biggest problem:the labor shortage.
Now, they’re inviting Richmonders to invest in the growing business as these bots expand to other industries (think: construction and agriculture).
Invest by Thurs., Sept. 29 to get a piece of the (automated) pie.*
Tomorrow is Pridefest. The free party goes from 12-8 p.m. on Brown’s Island with 10 food trucks, a full bar, and two stages with performances all day. Headlining acts include Big Freedia — aka the Queen of Bounce — Leikeli47 + Rosé from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” 🏳️🌈
Sports
That’s a wrap on Squirrels baseball for the year. The team fell to the Erie SeaWolves in Game 2 of the division playoff seriesat the Diamond, 6-2. Check out the 2023 game schedule if you’re already counting down to Opening Day on Fri., April 7. ⚾️
Transit
GRTC has announced a partnership with National Express Transit that will improve paratransit + call center services locally. National Express Transit has a fleet of 96 vehicles and specializes in complete mobility solutions. 🚌
Development
The owners of the Wytestone Plaza building(801 E. Main St.) want to convert the 17-story office building into apartments. The building dates back to the 1960s + is now eligible for historic tax credits. The conversion could be completed by sometime next year. 🏙 (Richmond BizSense)
Edu
The RPS Lit Limo is ready to roll again after a bus depot fire damaged the original free mobile library. The new schedule will be announced soon. To re-stock the shelves by donating books, email Judy Deichman. 🚌
State
State lawmakers will not move into the new General Assembly Building in time for the 2023 session in January. Supply chain issues have delayed the move, which was scheduled to take place in mid-October. Developers say the building should be fully functional by mid-2023. (Virginia Mercury)
Number
$332,000. That’s how much grant money six organizationsaddressing health disparities will receive from the Health Equity Fund. The organizations are Daily Planet Health Service, OAR of Richmond, Waymakers, Birth in Color, Healthy Heart Plus + Urban Baby Beginnings. 💸
Active
The 2022 Richmond Heart Walk is less than a month away. Register for free + start fundraising individually or with a team. The 5K walk will take place at Libbie Mill Midtown (4901 Libbie Mill E. Blvd) on Sat., Oct. 22 at 9 a.m. ❤️
If you’ve gotten a whiffle of the trending sport pickleball, sign up for a clinic with Parks and Recreation. The department is hosting several classes for active adults(ages 50+) to learn the rules of the game and fundamentals.
Shop
In honor of National Public Lands Day on Sat., Sept. 24, consider pre-ordering the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s new license plate. This is the only license plate in the commonwealth with proceeds dedicated to trail improvements, overlook clearing, historical preservation + more — oh, and it’s pretty, too. 🌳 *
Time to feel the fall breeze + enjoy the autumn leaves with the Fall For Your City Sale happening now on Six & Main, RICtoday’s online shop. Take 20% off the entire Fall For Your City Collection now through Sun., Sept. 25.
Community
Show your support for local journalism by joining the RICtoday membership program. Membership has some awesome perks like exclusive birthday deals, discounts from our online shop, Six & Main + more. Plus, 100% of membership funds help support our local editors — that’s us, Katie + Robin.Learn more + sign up. 💻
Wellness
There’s nothing worse than tossing and turning because you can’t fall asleep — especially when you have a big day coming up that you won’t be well-rested for. If you’re looking for a natural solution to help you fall asleep faster, sleep deeply + wake up refreshed, this supplement can help. Use code 6AM for 20% off.*
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
Eat, drink, and dance at Maymont’s Bier-Garden festival. | Photo by Aarron Saldivar
If you missed out on St. Benedict Oktoberfest last weekend — or want to keep the party going — no worries.
The Oktoberfest-ivities continue.
Bier-Garden | Fri., Sept. 23-Sat., Sept. 24 | 6-10 p.m. | Maymont | $10+ | Toast the arrival of fall at this inaugural event.
Benchtop Oktoberfest | Sat., Sept. 24 | 12-10 p.m. | Benchtop Brewing, 434 Hull St. | Free entry | Get 10% off lagers all day + feast on a special food menu.
Oktoberfest at Strangeways | Sat., Sept. 24-Sun., Sept. 25 | 12-6 p.m. | Strangeways Brewing, 2277A Dabney Rd. | Free entry | Shop from 20+ local vendors and try the Gourd of Thunder Pumpkin Porter.
Sedona Taphouse Oktoberfest | Sun., Sept. 25 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Westchester Commons, 15825 WC Main St. | Free entry | Bring the family for live music + yard games.
If you’re still filling your weekend planner, check out our events calendar.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Robin.
Editor’s pick: Since NBC12’s Andrew Freidan said yesterday may have been the last 90° day of the year, I’m now unpacking my sweaters. My roommate and I are also on a hunt for apple cider tea — if you see any on the shelves, let me know. 🍎
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