Lights, camera, film fest 🎥

RVA Environmental Film Festival returns March 10-21

Several screenings take place at The Byrd Theatre. | Photo by RICtoday

A free film festival returns to venues around Richmond starting Friday, March 10. The RVA Environmental Film Festival is back this year with an all in-person format and 20+ screenings.

All the films have something to say about environmental issues — whether that’s telling the story of a master falconer building a bird sanctuary or following an investigative filmmaker in her quest to uncover harms caused by the fashion industry.

Attending is easy. All screenings are free and open to the public.

RICtoday_EnvironmentalFilmFest_Wildcat — The first screening is Friday, March 10. | Still from “Wildcat” by Trevor Frost

Here’s the what, where, and when for this year’s fest. Check out the full schedule here.

March 10

RVA EFF begins with a screening of “Wildcat” at the Science Museum’s Dome theater at 7:30 p.m. The documentary follows a young veteran caring for a baby ocelot and a woman running a wildlife rescue center in Peru.

March 11-12

For the first weekend of the festival, all screenings are at The Byrd Theatre. The film lineup includes the 1972 version of “The Lorax,” the PBS documentary “My Garden of a Thousand Bees,” and the climate change refugee story “Newtok.”

On Sunday, March 12 at 5:15 p.m., attend a special screening of the winner of the Virginia Environmental Film Contest, “Coal Blooded.” The short film explores the impacts of a 200-acre coal pile in Newport News on a nearby neighborhood.

March 13-21

For the remainder of the festival, venues vary. There is generally one event each evening, and screenings typically include a panel, group discussion, or Q+A. There will be screenings around the city, from library branches to churches to the Robins Nature Center at Maymont.

If you’d like to support RVA EFF, contact them to make a donation.

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Monday, March 6

Citywide Book Read Panel Discussion | Monday, Mar. 6 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Richmond’s First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Ave., Richmond | Free | Discuss “Black Fortunes” with the author, Shomari Wills.

Tuesday, March 7

Citizen Science: FrogWatch Workshop | Tuesday, Mar. 7, Thursday, Mar. 9 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Maymont Robins Nature Center, 2201 Shields Lake Dr., Richmond | Free, RSVP | Train to contribute to one of the largest citizen science projects in the nation — FrogWatch USA, helping to stop amphibian population decline.
Quatres Femmes on Shockoe Sessions Live! | Tuesday, Mar. 7 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | In Your Ear Studios, 1813 E. Broad St., Richmond | $0-$15 | Get tickets to see this female singer-songwriter showcase in person, or tune in to listen virtually.

Wednesday, March 8

Sunny War w/ Will Overman | Wednesday, Mar. 8 | 7 p.m. | Richmond Music Hall, 623 E. Main St., Richmond | $12 | Catch the folk-punk musician’s show.

Thursday, March 9

Jeni’s Ice Cream Grand Opening | Thursday, Mar. 9 | 12-11 p.m. | Carytown Exchange, 3500 W. Cary St., #C150, Richmond | Free | The national chain is offering free scoops starting at 7 p.m.

We have a calendar filled with events and 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

How Georgetown can prep your high school student for college ✏️

Georgetown University's Healy Clocktower

If your child is intrigued by a certain subject and would like to explore it in-depth before college, here is their chance. | Photo provided by Georgetown University

Calling all parents of high school-age students: The Georgetown University Pre-College Online Program is a great way to determine if your child’s passions could lead to a college major or a future career. Georgetown University offers online courses for high school students ages 13+ to explore exciting subjects, like:

Entrepreneurship
International Law
Investing
Journalism and Media
Medicine
And more*

STUDY WITH GEORGETOWN THIS SUMMER

Weather

67º | Partly cloudy | 6% chance of rain

Community

A new playground named in honor of Markiya Dickson is opening next month at Fonticello Park. Parks and Recreation and Friends of Fonticello Park will host a ribbon cutting and community celebration on Saturday, April 1 from 12-2 p.m.

Number

$1 million. That’s how much Henrico County will invest in an environmental project to reduce pollution after settling a lawsuit over sewage spills into the James. The county will also have to change how it lets the public know about spills and improve its sewage treatment plant. (VPM)

Arts

Know an eco-conscious artist? Art Works gallery is accepting submissions to its March All Media Show. The theme is recycled materials — works can be in any medium, as long as they include something recycled. Submit by Monday, March 13 at 12 p.m. The show opens Friday, March 24.

Cause

The 10th annual Diaper Drive in Chesterfield and Colonial Heights has kicked off. Anyone can donate new, unopened diapers — particularly sizes 5-7 — as well as Pull-Ups and baby wipes through the end of March. Drop off donations at the MHSS Rogers Building, the Chesterfield Infant Program, or any Chesterfield County Public Library branch.

Biz

Have a great business idea? Apply to join the fall cohort of Lighthouse Labs’ accelerator program. Participants can access mentors, investment opportunities, programming, and $20,000 in equity-free funding. Applications are due by Monday, June 5 at 12 p.m. 💡

Finance

Don’t let your credit cards go to waste. Kudos helps you get the most rewards and benefits every time you shop online. It’s simple to use and completely free. Try Kudos now and start saving on the money you’re already spending. 💸 *

Travel

What’s your vacation vibe — cozy, luxurious, or chic? For a cozy stay, look no further than this snug and cheerful getaway on beachy St. Simons Island, Georgia. For luxury, book this lush Hawaiian resort on the island of Kaua’i. And for the chicest of stays, peep this renovated house in downtown Charleston.*

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Big book news 📚

Two local bookstores announce changes

RICtoday_ShelfLife_ChopSuey_Carytown_Bookstore

New Shelf Life signage is up in Carytown. | Photo by RICtoday

Two local bookstores announced significant changes last week — including a new name for a Carytown staple and a move west for a longtime shop.

What was once Chop Suey is now Shelf Life Books. The store announced the rebrand on Instagram. New signage, merch, and a revamped website launched on Friday, March 3.

Meanwhile, Book People is moving from its 40-year home on Granite Avenue to a bigger location in Henrico. The new store will be in the Gleneagles Shopping Center on Ridgefield Parkway. Head to the grand reopening on Saturday, April 1 to check it out.

Heads up: Online ordering from Book People is on pause until the new space opens.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Robin.

Editor’s pick: I’m glad I got to write about bookstore news because I’ll use any excuse to share our guide to books by local authors. Go ahead, find your next read. 📚

Missed our last newsletter? Here are 30+ activities for kids in Richmond.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Robin Schwartzkopf, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Peter Baldassare | Advertise with us.

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