Read more books 📚

• Richmond Public Library | Multiple locations | Sign up for a free library card and check out books, audiobooks, and streaming content — plus more benefits.
• The Book Bar | 1311 E. Main St. | Pick up your next favorite read or join the subscription service to get a quarterly box with a book by a BIPOC author and self-care items.
• Library of Virginia | 800 E. Broad St. | Stay consistent by joining a book club like the library’s Literary Virginia Book Group, which picks monthly reads with ties to the Commonwealth.
• Looking for your next read? Keep it local with our list of authors with ties to Richmond.

Meet new people 🎨

• River City Sports and Social Club | Multiple locations | Join a team and get in the game playing basketball, cornhole, kickball, skeeball, and more.
• Visual Arts Center of Richmond | 1812 W. Main St. | Learn a new creative skill and meet other artsy Richmonders at a VisArts class.

Photo by RICtoday

Drive less 🚌

• GRTC Pulse | Route from Willow Lawn to Rocketts Landing | Hop on the fare-free bus rapid transit line instead and say goodbye to parking struggles and traffic headaches. Bonus: All GRTC buses are free, so you can explore beyond BRT.
• Breakaway RVA | Meet-up locations vary | This local group has monthly, family-friendly meetings for biking enthusiasts that end with surprise activities.
• Bike Walk RVA | Multiple locations | Plan out your daily commute or a special ride with the group’s Richmond Bikeways Map.

Get involved in local policy 🏙

• City Council | 900 E. Broad St. | City Council typically meets at 6 p.m. on Mondays. Don’t be intimidated by the legalese — tune in with Microsoft Teams or dial in by phone, follow along on the online agenda, and get involved. Check out the City Clerk’s Citizen’s Guide for more information.
• Neighborhood Groups | Multiple locations | Find the neighborhood group or civic association for your residence and find out about advocacy, events, and more.

• Old Time Music Jam | Wednesday, Jan. 4, Wednesday, Feb. 1, Wednesday, Mar. 1 | 6-8 p.m. | Intermission Beer Company, 10089 Brook Rd., Unit A, Glen Allen | Free | Sit on the patio and enjoy the tunes or bring your instrument and an outdoor chair to join in.

• “Blood Simple” | Thursday, Jan. 5-Friday, Jan. 6 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $8 | See the first feature film from Joel and Ethan Coen on the big screen.

• Science After Dark: Honey, We Shrunk the Science | Friday, Jan. 6 | 5-8 p.m. | Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond | $10-$16 | Explore the world of nanoscience through hands-on activities for all ages like building and taking apart molecules.
• Merciful Zero, Harli and the House of Jupiter, Trapcry | Friday, Jan. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Richmond Music Hall, 623 E. Main St., Richmond | $10 | Get ready to jam at this showcase of local musicians.

• Richmond Weddings Winter Show | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Main Street Station, 1500 E. Main St., Richmond | $20 | Let the experts help you plan your dream wedding, no matter what stage you’re at in the process.

• 70º | Evening thunderstorms | 82% chance of rain

• Hot Chick closed at the end of 2022 after almost three years in business. The Shockoe Bottom restaurant announced the closure on its website. The fried chicken concept is set to return in some form inside the upcoming Scott’s Addition food hall from EAT Restaurant Partners. 🐓 (ABC8 News)

• Several new laws have taken effect in the Commonwealth as of January 1, including the elimination of a statewide 1.5% grocery tax and the increase of Virginia’s minimum wage to $12 an hour. The increase is the last boost mandated by a law passed in 2020. (The Washington Post)

• Rag & Bones Bicycle Co-op is moving to a storefront in Northside in the coming weeks. Sera Erickson and Aaron Linas, two leaders of the nonprofit, shared the opportunities they’re excited about at the new space — including hosting events and collaborating with Food Not Bombs and RVA Community Fridges. 🚲 (VPM)

• Richmond BizSense tracked the top 10 commercial real estate transactions from last year. See what properties had the highest price tag — the list totals $1.19 billion. 💸

• Shyndigz is officially closing its sit-down restaurant at 1903 W. Cary St. — but the local dessert spot says construction has started on a new market space just across the street. It should open this summer. 🍰
• Don’t just eat better — eat the best. Sunbasket’s meal kit service delivers delicious, healthy meals created by award-winning chefs straight to your front door. Bonus: RICtoday readers can get $100 off their first four deliveries and more when they sign up. *

Reels 🎥

• What’s on your Richmond bucket list? Our August feature story inspired a choose-your-own-adventure reel.
• We challenged ourselves to try a vanilla latte at 10 different local coffee shops back in April.
• Richmonders love a festival — and the return of the Street Art Festival in September was an exciting prospect.

Posts 📸

• An endangered pygmy hippo was born at The Metro Richmond Zoo in December.
• The local love was real in October when we asked where to get the best sushi in Richmond.
• Our followers couldn’t get enough of all things tacky lights — including this post we shared when we launched our revamped guide to all that glitters.