City

Local landowners protect public access to Buttermilk Trail

The Buttermilk Trail is named for a cool spring on the trail where deliverymen would stockpile cans of dairy. Photo via Capital Region Land Conservancy

Richmonders will be able to hike, bike, and enjoy the Buttermilk Trail for generations to come thanks to a gift from landowners Josh and Carrie Belt Rogers.

The couple donated 3.46 acres of their Westover Hills property — which includes portions of the popular trail — to the Capital Region Land Conservancy (CRLC). The land will be transferred to the City of Richmond to become part of the James River Park System, adding to the ~600 acres of JRPS.

The conservation was also made possible by a $25,000 grant from Friends of James River Park to CRLC to facilitate the transaction.

The Buttermilk Trail is a popular spot for hikers, dog walkers, and bikers. It also has a unique history. The name comes from the Buttermilk Spring, a cool waterway where workers would store cans of dairy while organizing downtown deliveries.

In recent years, portions of the trail have been at risk of closure due to the liability of having a large number of people on sections of private property.

Expanding JRPS is in line with the park system’s Master Plan, published in 2019. That document names acquiring privately-owned parcels along the river as a key strategy for expansion, along with creating new riverside public spaces and incorporating publicly-owned parcels.

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Today

Midweek Matinees: “Midway” | Wednesday, Nov. 2 | 2-5 p.m. | RPL West End Branch, 5420 Patterson Ave., Richmond | Free | Snacks will be provided at this screening of the World War II film.
Old Time Music Jam | Wednesday, Nov. 2 | 7-9 p.m. | Intermission Beer Company, 10089 Brook Rd., Unit A, Glen Allen | Free | Sit on the patio + enjoy the tunes or bring your instrument and an outdoor chair to join in.

Thursday, Nov. 3

Author Talk: Melinda Dart | Thursday, Nov. 3 | 12-1 p.m. | Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond | Free | RSVP to hear the author discuss “A Glimpse of Greatness: The Memoir of Irineo Esperancilla.”

Friday, Nov. 4

First Friday: Portrait Studio with Naima Green | Friday, Nov. 4 | 4-7 p.m. | Institute for Contemporary Art, 601 W. Broad St., Richmond | Free | Head to the museum for RVA First Friday for a portrait studio led in collaboration with photographer Naima Green and VCUarts.
Hot Fuss: 2000’s Indie Rock Dance Party | Friday, Nov. 4 | 9 p.m. | The Canal Club, 1545 E. Cary St., Richmond | $10-$15 | Come out of your cage and rage to the alt-rock hits from favorites like The Killers and Vampire Weekend.

Saturday, Nov. 5

Genworth Lights Up! Youth Series | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Perkinson Center for the Arts & Education, Richmond | Free | Inspire the young artist in your life with this free visual and performing arts workshop presented by the Richmond Performing Arts Alliance.*
Woodland Heights Makers Day | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Woodland Heights Baptist Church, 611 W. 31st St., Richmond | Free | 50+ local artisans will sell handcrafted goods at this market to benefit the church’s food closet.

Sunday, Nov. 6

Giving Garden Yoga Class | Sunday, Nov. 6 | 2 p.m. | The Garden, 3316 rear, Hanover Ave., Richmond | Free | A suggested $20 donation will go towards the American Nurses Foundation Wellness Initiative.

We have a monthly 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.

100+ MORE EVENTS

America’s Friendliest Marathon is happening on Sat., Nov. 12 👟

Whether you run, cheer, or volunteer, there’s still time to get involved in this fun event. | Photo provided by Sports Backers

Calling all runners, walkers, and joggers: The 45th Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon takes place Sat., Nov. 12, along with the CarMax Richmond Half Marathon + VCU Health Richmond 8K. Unrivaled course support, great swag, beautiful scenery, and VIP treatment combine to make it America’s Friendliest Marathon. 🏃

Registration for all races ($45+) is now open. Pro tip: Virtual options are also available for each race. Sign us up.*

Weather

70º | Mostly cloudy | 7% chance of rain

Coming Soon

Mama J’s is expanding into a market space in the former Salt & Forge location at 312 N. Second St. The market will be for grab-and-go orders, a model the restaurant has been growing through word-of-mouth. It should be open before Thanksgiving. 🍽 (Richmond BizSense)

Closed

Virginia Center Commons is officially closed after telling tenants in August to vacate by the end of October. The Glen Allen mall has already been partially demolished. It opened in 1991. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Arts

Public registration for VisArts holiday art classes opens today at 9 a.m. The center is offering 40+ mini classes Dec. 5-18. Learn how to make glass ornaments, get the basics of woodworking, or try a watercolor workshop. There are adult and kid-friendly courses. 🎨
A new art show opens at the Weinstein JCC (5403 Monument Ave.) tomorrow. “Paper Jewels” is a series of mixed-material collages by artist Julia Malakoff. Attend the opening reception tomorrow at 7 p.m. or catch the show through Dec. 30. 🖼

Kids

Swing by Art Works in Manchester to see work by RPS young artists. The Fine Arts Department has acquired a studio space to feature student artwork. The gallery is open Tuesdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Number

$22.8 million. That’s how much Virginia has received to support abandoned mine land reclamation projects, like the ongoing preservation work at Mid-Lothian Mines in Chesterfield. The federal money comes from the infrastructure law passed in 2021. 💸 (VPM)

Holiday

If you’re looking to get rid of some gourds now that Halloween is over, consider composting them. Richmond’s composting initiative has drop-off points all over the city where you can leave your carved pumpkins, instead of throwing them in the trash. 🎃

Asked

We’re egg-cited to reveal our ultimate brunch guide, but we need your help. Tell us where in Richmond you’re making reservations — whether it’s at the place with the best pastries, vegetarian options, or bottomless mimosas. 🍳

DYK

Did you know you can share your Black Friday deals with our RICtoday readers? Promote your business with us by submitting a deal to be included in our Fri., Nov. 25 newsletter. Pricing varies by market + must be submitted by Wed., Nov. 16.

Shop

The holiday season is just around the corner and we have the perfect wine chiller to keep your bottle of sparkly cool when hosting guests. Not only is it stainless steel and vacuum insulated, but its three different styles — teakwood, black marble, and calacatta gold — are sure to pop against your holiday decor. 🍾*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Back to hoops 🏀

Your Richmond-area college basketball preview

The Peppas will light up the Siegel Center again this season. | Photo via VCU Athletics

College basketball is back. Whether you root for the Rams, Spiders, or Panthers, here are the home openers Richmonders should be aware of.

VCU 🐏

WBB vs. Lafayette | Mon., Nov. 7 | 11 a.m. | Tickets | Watch on MASN/ESPN+
MBB vs. Manhattan | Mon., Nov. 7 | 7 p.m. | Tickets | Watch on ESPN+

UR 🕷

MBB vs. VMI | Mon., Nov. 7 | 7 p.m. | Tickets | Watch on MASN2/ESPN+
WBB vs. Mount St. Mary’s | Thurs., Nov. 10 | 6 p.m. | Tickets

VUU 🐾

WBB vs. Shepherd University | Sun., Nov. 27 | 2 p.m. | Tickets | See the team in action at the VSU Conference Challenge Nov. 18-19 in Petersburg.
MBB vs. Augusta | Sat., Dec. 3 | 2 p.m. | Tickets | The team will also play in the PSAC/CIAA Conference Challenge Nov. 11-12 in Petersburg.

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THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Robin.

Editor’s pick: I saw the reminder to compost old jack-o'-lanterns on The Science Museum’s Instagram originally. 254 million+ tons of pumpkin waste goes into landfills each year after Halloween. 🎃

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Tell us what you’re thankful for.

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Editorial: Robin Schwartzkopf, Katie Potter, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Rachel Sklenar | Advertise with us.

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