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49º | Sunny | 5% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. | Sunset 5:07 p.m.

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Your Mayo Island musings

What do you want for the future of Mayo Island?

RICtoday_MayoIsland_Manchester_MayoBridge

Mayo Island, seen from a floodwall overlook. | Photo by RICtoday

Last week, we told readers about the city’s plan to buy Mayo Island using matching funds from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Here’s what you had to say about the future public green space.

Before we jump in, some context: Since we aren’t island experts, we aren’t sure how technically feasible all these ideas are. But we do believe in dreaming big.

Most respondents were excited about the opportunities more green space would provide. There were several notes about what kinds of events might bring the community together.

“I would love to see a huge public pool and a big playground,” Reader Darryl D. said, pointing out a similar development in Austin called Barton Springs.

Other ideas were for a rock climbing wall, yoga area, fire pits, trails, skate park, and farmers market space.

Reader Norman N. said the island’s reputation as a spot for fishermen should be preserved, suggesting that part of the bridge be saved specifically for fishing.

Some wanted to lean towards the more natural, like reader Thomas C.

“Let it be a natural habitat for birds and other animals native to Virginia,” Thomas wrote. “Researchers could document how the island is naturally transformed when left alone by humans.”

Keep sending us your suggestions and mark your calendar for City Council’s public hearing on the ordinances on Monday, April 24 at 6 p.m.

Events

Monday, April 17

Monday Mini Market | Monday, Apr. 17, Monday, May. 22, Monday, Jun. 12 | 6-9 p.m. | Crafted RVA, 4900 Libbie Mill E. Blvd., Richmond | Free | Shop from local artisans selling art, jewelry, and apparel.

Tuesday, April 18

Profs & Pints: Consciousness Beyond Death? | Tuesday, Apr. 18 | 6 p.m. | Triple Crossing Brewing Co. Fulton, 5203 Hatcher St., Richmond | $15 | UVA professor J. Kim Penberthy will discuss her research in psychiatry and neurobehavioral sciences.

Wednesday, April 19

RVA Yoga Hang | Wednesday, Apr. 19 | 6:15 p.m. | Point 5, 3435 W. Cary St., Richmond | $20 | Your ticket includes an hour-long yoga class, samples of non-alcoholic wines and spirits, and 10% off any purchase.
Richmond Film Network Short Film Series | Wednesday, Apr. 19 | 7 p.m. | Movieland at Boulevard Square, 1301 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | $12-$15 | See a selection of independent short films and hear from creatives in a filmmaker Q+A after the screenings.

Thursday, April 20

The Great Richmond Trivia Bee | Thursday, Apr. 20 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Dewey Gottwald Center, 2301 W. Leigh St., Richmond | $20-$500 | Test your local knowledge or watch the competition and raise money to support The READ Center.

Friday, April 21

“The Mummy” | Friday, Apr. 21 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $8 | Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz star in this late-90s action staple.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Wellness

🌱 Spring into health this year

Athletic Greens replaces multiple supplements with one packet. | Photo by Athletic Greens

Spring cleaning? Here’s a storage solution: Replace nine supplement bottles with one product.

AG1 by Athletic Greens contains 75 vitamins, minerals and whole-food sourced nutrients, replacing nine other products like your probiotic, multivitamin, daily supplement and more. Hint: It’s the best thing you could do to improve your gut health.

Bonus: Receive a free one year supply of vitamin D and five free travel packs with your first purchase.*

Snag some AG1 this spring

News Notes

Civic

Richmond has a new city attorney. Laura K. Drewry, the first woman to fill the role, was appointed last week to serve as the chief legal adviser. Her tenure in Richmond goes back to 2006. (VPM)

Biz

Pickleball is coming to Regency. Performance Pickleball RVA will fill the former Macy’s with 18 courts, a pro shop, and a restaurant. The investors want to open in December. It could be the largest venue of its kind in Virginia. (Richmond BizSense)

Arts

The ICA is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a party on Friday, April 21 from 5:30-10 p.m. Explore the galleries, enjoy music and performances, discover new works, and enter a raffle. Register for the free event.
Richmond Ballet will revive one ballet and perform a world premiere of another for its Studio Four performances May 9-14. “Ershter Vals” was choreographed first in 2009 and uses folk influences to tell a story of redemption. The new ballet will come from Resident Choreographer Nicolo Fonte. Get tickets.

Festival

Mark your calendar for the Spring Fling Festival at Libbie Mill on Saturday, April 29 from 12-5 p.m. The event will have food from La Cocinita, Auntie Ning’s, and jiji Frozen Custard, plus live music, a petting zoo, face painting, and local vendors.

Outdoors

Live near Woodland Heights? The Friends of Fonticello Park are considering adding a dog park to the space. Share your thoughts in an email to the board or attend the community meeting on Tuesday, April 18 at 6 p.m. at the four square courts.

Eat

RVA Brunch Weekend will return the weekend of September 9-10. The sixth annual event will support Richmond SPCA. We’ll keep an eye out for when the participating restaurants are announced.

Opening

Check out Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU’s new home for inpatient, emergency and trauma care, opening April 30 (and see how it’s unlike any other).*

Finance

Now may be a good time to transfer your balance. This leading balance transfer card offers 0% intro APR for 21 months and no annual fee. Eliminating interest payments? A no-brainer.*

Drink

Ditch the hangover without having to ditch your favorite cocktail with Ritual Zero Proof Spirits. The award-winning brand makes non-alcoholic rum, tequila, gin, and whiskey so you can enjoy the ritual of having a drink without feeling icky the following day. Psst — check out Ritual’s collection of cocktail recipes.

Cause

Want to give back?

50+ volunteering opportunities in Richmond

Two volunteers with Friends of East End kneel over brush in a forested area, smiling toward the camera and wearing gloves, hats, pants, and long sleeves.

Fight hunger in our region with Feed More. | Photo by Feed More

No matter what skills or interests you have, find a nearby volunteer opportunity with our guide.

Feed More | Individuals or groups can deliver or package meals for the thousands of families across Central VA.

Better Housing Coalition | BHC offers in-person and virtual projects like community beautification, food and clothing drives for seniors, and health services.

United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg | Prepare literacy kits for local youth, install and restock Little Free Libraries, or access free resources to support community members in need.

Diversity Richmond | Help at events, become a docent at the Iridian Gallery, or stock shelves at the thrift store.

ReEstablish Richmond | Volunteer to share your skills or knowledge and help support refugees and immigrants in our community.

Friends of the James River Park | Plant trees and native species, remove litter, help maintain trails, and stop invasive species growth.

Click the button to explore more opportunities.

Help out in Richmond

The Wrap

Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s edition by:
Robin

From the editor

If you know a local group in need of volunteers, let me know. Our volunteer guide is always growing.

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