Plus, Chesterfield park will have cricket pitch
 
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49º | Sunny | 5% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. | Sunset 5:07 p.m.
 

💸 Memory Lab wins major money
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The Main Library is home to the only Memory Lab in Central Virginia. | Photo by RICtoday
The Richmond Public Library will soon have $900,000 to expand and modernize the Memory Lab at the Main Branch.

Main’s Memory Lab is part of the national Memory Lab Network, which began at the DC Public Library to increase community and personal archiving projects.

The $900,000 grant will be used over five years to build up the services and equipment available at the RPL Memory Lab. According to Library Board of Trustee Chris Peterson, it is the largest grant the library has ever received.

In addition to increasing access for the public, the money will help RPL digitize a large amount of city records and historic documents, including donated yearbooks, items from local clubs and civic organizations, and out of print periodicals.

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You can use the Memory Lab’s resources to digitize family documents, old photos, and more.

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Photo via Richmond Public Library

Right now at the lab, Richmonders can learn how to digitize materials, conduct oral histories, and preserve items — whether that’s a collection of family photographs, home movies on VHS, or a series of old letters.

Want to get started on a project now? The lab is located to the right of the welcome desk at Main Library. You can also book time in advance to use equipment and consult with a staff member.

The Mellon Foundation made headlines last year for its round of Richmond-based grants totaling more than $16 million. Recipients last year included the city, the JXN Project, and The Valentine. The Memory Lab grant comes from the foundation’s Public Knowledge program.
 
 
Events
 
Friday, Dec. 8
  • Emo Night Brooklyn | Friday, Dec. 8 | 7 p.m. | Richmond Music Hall, 623 E. Main St., Richmond | $18-$20 | Rock out to your favorite emo and pop-punk hits from the 2000s.
  • Historians on Tap: True Crime | Friday, Dec. 8 | 7-9 p.m. | Starr Hill Beer Hall, 3406 W. Leigh St., Richmond | Cost of purchase | Join historian Joe Rizzo, Alison Herring and Adrienne Robertson as they tell some bizarre and unusual crime stories from Virginia’s past.
Saturday, Dec. 9
  • Stony Point Sip & Shop: Holiday Vendors Market | Saturday, Dec. 9-Sunday, Dec. 10 | Times vary | Stony Point Fashion Park, 9200 Stony Point Pkwy., Richmond | Free entry | Peruse the offerings of local artisans and sip spiked hot chocolate at this weekend shopping event.
  • “Eyes Wide Shut” | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 11 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $8 | Stanley Kubrick’s erotic thriller stars Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise.
Sunday, Dec. 10
  • Mystic Market | Sunday, Dec. 10 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | River City Roll, 939 Myers St., Richmond | Free entry | Come out for vendors, bowling, live music, food, and drinks.
  • Winter Wander 2023 | Sunday, Dec. 10 | 12-4 p.m. | The Valentine, 1015 E. Clay St., Richmond | Free entry | Explore the Court End neighborhood and enjoy entertainment, refreshments, and crafts.
  • VCU Men’s Basketball vs. Alcorn State | Sunday, Dec. 10 | 2 p.m. | Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St., Richmond | $25-$30 | The Rams face Alcorn State at home.
Monday, Dec. 11
  • Susie’s Popup | Monday, Dec. 11 | 6 p.m. | Stanley’s, 2601 Park Ave, Richmond | Cost of purchase | Nosh on latkes while sipping tasty wines and maybe a special cocktail or two.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
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3 holiday gift picks for men (all 50% off)

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Harlestons has extended their 50% offer exclusively for our readers. | Photo by Harlestons
Harlestons has extended its 50% off sale just for our readers: Use the auto-applied code 6AM50 for 50% off everything online until Friday, Dec. 8 at midnight.

New to the high-quality menswear brand? Here are our top three gift picks:
  1. Sport Hoodie: This top-seller is almost sold out.
  2. The Anson performance polo: It’s rated five stars by 99% of customers.
  3. The Sully quarter zip: Many of these colors match up with The Anson colors for a coordinated, layered look.
 
News Notes
 
Coming Soon
  • The team behind the recently-closed Lalo’s Cocina has announced a new venture — Lalo’s Margaritas Mexican Grill. The restaurant will be located near the intersection of Patterson and Libbie Avenues. The announcement did not include an opening date.
Outdoors
  • Chesterfield’s newest park will include the region’s first regulation-sized cricket pitch, complete with a scoreboard and batting cage. The county plans to break ground on Beulah Park next week. (ABC 8News)
Stat
  • 18%. That’s the rate of chronic absenteeism at Richmond Public Schools, down from the pandemic-era high of 37%. The district said it has focused on building relationships with the community to support students. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Biz
  • Westchester Commons is getting a Marshalls. The department store will occupy a new building next to Joann Fabric and Crafts. There’s no opening date yet. (Richmond BizSense)
Plan Ahead
  • This year’s Capital City Kwanzaa Festival will take place on Saturday, Dec. 30 from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Get tickets to the event, which will include a keynote speech by historian and author Professor Kaba Kamene.
Cause
  • MAD RVA is looking for donations of disposable coffee cups, tea, and instant coffee for the Meadowbridge Community Market. You can also bring new or gently used hats, gloves, and scarves. Drop off items at the market on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Holiday
  • The Metro Richmond Zoo is hosting its live nativity pageant on December 20, 21, and 22 with three shows each evening. The free outdoor production features animals from the zoo, donuts and hot chocolate for sale, and a canned food drive for Chesterfield Food Bank.
Family
Featured Deal
  • University of Richmond Athletics is offering Spiders Kids Club featuring three membership levels and perks like: free tickets, giveaways, birthday parties + more. Snag the deal.*
Finance
  • Big box stores continue to lobby for the Credit Card Competition Act — a bill that could dismantle credit card rewards. If signed into law, corporations would benefit from lower fees by potentially sacrificing the security and benefits of cardholders. Learn more about the bill and ways to voice your stance.**
Wellness
  • As we age, our hormone levels decline, affecting bone density, sleep, libido, and more. Test + optimize your hormones with Wellcore’s At-Home Assessment Kit — only $79 with code NEWYOU.*
**This message is brought to you by The Points Guy.
 
 
Holiday
 

💡 It’s tacky light tour time
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Take the squad on the road to see all the brightest houses in the 804. | Photo via RVA Paddlesports
Want to take in some tacky lights? Check out these places which offer tours.

RVA Paddlesports
Groups of 8-40 people can take in the sights at multiple destinations and enjoy hot cocoa, holiday cookies, and festive playlists.

RVA in a Day
Take in the holiday lights with this new, green-energy powered tour company.

RVATukTuk
Gather your crew for a trip on these three-wheeled, 100% electric, open air vehicles.

RVA Brew Crew
Enjoy a 3-5 hour tacky light tour for up to 14 people. Groups can bring their own beverages.

WINN Transportation
WINN was first host for the Tacky Xmas Decoration Contest and Grand Highly Illuminated Lights Tour back in 1985.

Click the button below for even more options, plus our picks for can’t-miss houses and holiday light experiences.
 
The Buy
 
The cheeriest French press to bring some sunshine into your kitchen + make you a smooth, well-brewed cup of coffee.
 
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The Wrap
 
Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s edition by:
Robin
From the editor
My thanks to readers who have been sharing their tacky light memories with us. Gregory P. told us about “the look on the face of a friend from the Midwest when we turned onto Asbury Court and he saw the Phifers’ house.” Sounds like a great way to welcome someone to the 804.
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