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Today’s Forecast

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

🚰 New month, new utility rates

New utility rates for Richmond residents go into effect Saturday, July 1
RICtoday_CanalWalk_DogGuide
Water customers using an average of 7.48 gallons will see a $1.55 monthly bill increase. | Photo by RICtoday
Your utility bill might look a little higher this month (we say this gently and with love).

July 2023 marks the first month that the higher utility rates Richmond City Council approved back in May will go into effect. According to the Department of Public Utilities, households can expect an average increase of $8.70 a month.

Here’s the average cost increase per utility (or, dig deeper into the new rates):

Natural Gas: ~$2.24 a month

Water: ~$1.55 a month

Wastewater: ~$4.40 a month

Stormwater: ~$0.51 a month for typical customers

Reminder: You can sign up for a flexible payment plan with PromisePay. You can also apply for financial assistance through programs like the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, the MetroCare Water Assistance Program, or the Senior Care Program.
Woodfin
 
Events
Monday, July 3
  • “200 Years, 200 Stories” | Monday, July 3-Wednesday, Sept. 13 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond | Free | Stop by the Can Can Café for lunch and check out the anniversary exhibition.
Tuesday, July 4
  • Free Fourth of July | Tuesday, July 4 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond | Free | Explore the gardens for free in honor of Independence Day.
  • Ashland July 4th Parade & Celebration | Tuesday, July 4 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Hanover Arts & Activities Center, 500 S. Center St., Ashland | Free | Enjoy a walking parade, lawn games, a Patriotic Pet Contest, and a concert by the Hanover Concert Band.
  • Red, White & Lights | Tuesday, July 4 | 4-10 p.m. | Crump Park, 3400 Mountain Rd., Glen Allen | Free | Celebrate Independence Day with music from the Richmond Symphony and a laser light show finale.
Wednesday, July 5
  • Flying Squirrels vs. Bowie Baysox | Wednesday, July 5 | 6:35 p.m. | The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | $10-$25 | Snag deals on wine and wine slushies and bring your pup to the pet-friendly seating sections.
Things to do in July
Click here to have your event featured.
News Notes
Eat
  • Free taco alert. The new Torchy’s Tacos location in Midlothian (1315 Huguenot Rd.) will have free tacos, queso, and beer today, July 3 from 5-8 p.m. The freebie event is a sneak preview ahead of Torchy’s official opening this Wednesday, July 5 at 10 a.m. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Concert
  • Plan ahead for “Take Me to the River” — a Saturday, Sept. 9 show at Brown’s Island. Three Sheets to the Wind, Tom Petty tribute band Full Moon Fever, and Talking Heads tribute band Fear of Music will play to support Friends of the James River Park. Grab tickets for $25.
Number
  • 2%. That’s the new fee on nightly rates in Richmond-area hotels, effective this past Saturday, July 1. Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, and Ashland approved the fee, which is projected to support Richmond Region Tourism with an additional $8 million annually. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Biz
  • Goodbye, Sandman Comedy Club — hello, Sandman Casino Bar. A downtown comedy club is being converted into a casino and set to open this August. The establishment will partner with local charities to host charitable gaming, as nonprofits can legally host poker and bingo tournaments in Virginia. (Richmond BizSense)
Transit
  • Take the GRTC’s Priorities Survey and help create the 10-year plan for bus service in the Richmond area. GRTC is looking for community feedback on desired improvements and preferences on future bus options — the survey should take 5-7 minutes.
Outdoors
  • Apply to become a Richmond Tree Steward and help the city’s tree population thrive through planting, maintenance, and community education. Applications for the next training course (taking place September-November) are open until Tuesday, Aug. 15.
Film
  • Know a talented local filmmaker? Submissions are open for the 2024 James River Short Film Showcase. Films 20 minutes or less will be screened at the VMFA, with up to $2,000 awarded in prizes.
Home
  • Summer storms can be unpredictable. Make sure you’re prepared for the unexpected and schedule a propane delivery for peace of mind during storm season without even having to leave the house.*
 
Biz

Food

Where has all the Sriracha gone?
Three shelves full of sriracaha bottles.
And to think we took this sight for granted last year. | Photo by Paul Narvaez via Wikimedia Commons
Last year, we heard word from Huy Fong Foods that a Sriracha shortage was on the horizon. Now, it seems we’re in for another Sriracha drought — quite literally.

Droughts in Mexico — where Huy Fong Foods sources its chilis — have affected supplies. In an interview with Food & Wine, the company recently revealed that the sauce shortage comes as a result of an “unexpected crop failure from the spring chili harvest.”

Since there’s no end to the shortage in sight, we’ve rounded up some of favorite local sauces the fill the Sriracha-sized hole in our stomachs.
What other local sauces do you love? Spill the tea (er, the sauce).
Answered

Last week, we asked you what the Commanders training camp should become. Here’s what you said:
RICtoday_WashingtonTrainingFacility_Outside

Read our story on why the football camp won’t be returning to River City.

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Photo by RICtoday

“Keep it an open green space to be used by community organizations for events, athletics, and concerts/festivals.” — @iamnormn

“Pickleball courts.” — @justjonnie

“Let the food trucks come serve food all day for the students in the trade school and the sports being played at the public athletic field.” — @hominy_kingkid

“Leave as a field for festivals or just a park for picnics… or turn into a community garden for RPS!” — @adrienne_804
Read about the training camp
 
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The Wrap
 
Sarah Leonhardt in a grey sweater

Today’s edition by:
Sarah Leonhardt
From the editor
Don’t forget — all trash collections will be bumped by a day this week as the Department of Public Works will be closed for Independence Day tomorrow, July 4.

Just trying to keep everyone from being that embarrassing house in the neighborhood whose trash is accidentally out 48 hours (read: me).
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