Plus, a new park in Henrico
 
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Today’s Forecast

72º | 4% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:23 a.m. | Sunset 7:16 p.m.

 

Cicada super brood: What you need to know
Dozens of cicadas sit on the branch of a tree
Cicadas prefer oaks, willows, maples, and ash trees. | Photo via Gene Kritsky
Are you ready for swarms of cicadas to take over a 16-state area?

It’s rare, but occasionally two broods emerge at the same time. Brood XIII (comprising cicadas that emerge every 17 years) and Brood XIX (13-year cicadas) will both reproduce this spring.

Did you know? The last time Broods XIII and XIX emerged simultaneously was 1803.

Enter: The super brood

Does this mean the two broods can reproduce with each other? Will that result in even more cicadas during their next emergences?

We spoke to Dr. Gene Kritsky, a cicada expert at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, to find out. He let us know that since “the broods do not have a wide area of overlap” it is unlikely that they will reproduce with each other. However, he noted, “If there was an overlap, it could satiate the predators more quickly, resulting in generally more offspring from each brood.”

A gif showing the difference between one cicada brood emerging in the south and both emerging in the south and through Illinois and Wisconsin.

Brood XIII (aka Northern Illinois Brood) joins Brood XIX (the Great Southern Brood).

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Map via Gene Kritsky, gif created with Knight Labs

What this means

The good news? There is no overlap of broods in Richmond, so we are unlikely to see many more cicadas due to the super brood. But it’s possible.

However, Brood XIX is coming. Cicadas usually emerge when the soil hits 64 degrees — we’re at ~54 degrees now.

In other words, we’re close to the event these cicadas have been waiting over a decade for.

The Cicada Safari map shows 2 sightings in Richmond, VA

And so it begins.

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Screenshot via Cicada Safari courtesy of Gene Kritsky

How you can help

Cicada Safari needs you to track cicada spottings. Mapping cicadas helps experts understand when broods may emerge. Per Dr. Kritsky, it also led to a discovery “that some 17-year cicadas can emerge four years early and may form a new brood.”

Download the free app to track cicada spottings and submit your own photos.

Look for cicadas where there are trees, full sun, and low vegetation. Think: Hollywood Cemetery or the fields at Bryan Park.
 
Quiz
 

How often do cicadas emerge to mate?
A. Every 221 years
B. Every 17 years
C. Every 13 years
D. It depends on the brood
 
Events
 
Wednesday, March 13
  • On the Air Radio Players – Broadcasting Live | Wednesday, March 13 | 7:30-9 p.m. | The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Rd., Glen Allen | Free | Be a part of the studio audience for this taping featuring live music and sound effects.
Thursday, March 14
  • Celtic Woman: 20th Anniversary Tour | Thursday, March 14 | 7 p.m. | Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel St., Richmond | $45 | The ensemble will perform a selection of Irish classics, contemporary songs, classical favorites, and stirring originals.
  • Yarn | Thursday, March 14 | 7 p.m. | The Broadberry, 2729 W. Broad St., Richmond | $20 | The Americana band will play with Jimmy Fitch.
  • Hourglass Sessions Fundraiser | Thursday, March 14 | 7-11 p.m. | Gallery5, 200 W. Marshall St., Richmond | $12-$15 | Three bands will join forces to celebrate the latest music video creation with tunes and a live raffle.
Friday, March 15
  • Anthony Gomes: High Voltage Blues | Friday, March 15 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Ember Music Hall, 309 E. Broad St., Richmond | $20-$35 | Get tickets for this night of blues-infused rock.
  • VCU Women’s Soccer vs. Georgetown | Friday, March 15 | 7-9 p.m. | Sports Backers Stadium, 100 Avenue of Champions, Richmond | $7-$10 | The Rams battle Georgetown at home.
Saturday, March 16
  • “Of Many” Exhibition | Saturday, March 16-Saturday, March 23 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Maymont, 1700 Hampton St., Richmond | Free | See work from several ceramic artists at this contemporary exhibition in conjunction with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts.
Friday, March 22
  • Pretend Again: A Grown-Up Night at the Museum | Friday, March 22 | 7-10 p.m. | Children’s Museum of Richmond, 2626 West Broad St., Richmond | $125 | Enjoy a dazzling evening featuring some of RVA’s finest food, beverages, and live music — plus, something for the inner child, like dazzling diamonds, a bourbon bonanza, games, prizes + more.*
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
 
Coming Soon
  • Two Guys Pizza will soon become The Mantu Express. The owner of the Carytown Afghan restaurant The Mantu announced that he is taking over the storefront, which is located right next to Regal Short Pump.
Outdoors
  • Some access to Reedy Creek in Forest Hill Park will be blocked off for the next two months or so. Richmond Parks and Recreation is working to remove sediment deposits from the creek.
Community
  • Henrico will open a new park in Sandston this summer. The county broke ground on Taylor Farm Park in Feb. 2023. Its 99 acres will include a skate park, nature playground, water play area, multi-use trail, and memorial garden.
Civic
  • The Dept. of Public Utilities is switching to a new payment platform called MyHQ. The service is free and can be used for automatic or manual payments. For city residents who were using MyCheckFree, you’ll have to sign up for the new platform.
Development
  • 50 income-based apartments could be coming to the Windsor area of Southside. Surber Development and Consulting is partnering with YWCA Richmond for the project. The undeveloped site is currently owned by the city, which has agreed to donate the lot to the YWCA. (Richmond BizSense)
Sports
  • Chris Mooney of UR men’s basketball was named Atlantic 10 coach of the year yesterday. Mooney has led the 23-8 Spiders to the top of the standings heading into the conference championship, which began yesterday. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Richmonder
  • VCU student Nyla Harris saved the life of a woman in cardiac arrest at Eggs Up Grill in Chesterfield last week. Harris told local news that she hopes the incident will inspire others to learn CPR. (12 On Your Side)
Edu
Plan Ahead
History
  • Ever wanted to explore the rich narratives behind African American history? At the International African American Museum in downtown Charleston, you can deep dive into a wealth of experiences you won’t find in textbooks. March is Member Month, with 10% off memberships with code IAAM24. Learn more about membership.*
 
 
Transit
 

✏️ Planning for future plans
RICtoday_BikeLane_FranklinStreet
The project would extend bike lane infrastructure west on Franklin Street. | Photo by RICtoday
The Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization wants your feedback so it can get better at, well, getting feedback.

The group — which coordinates transportation plans and policies across nine jurisdictions in the Richmond region — released a Public Engagment Plan draft. A public comment period is open through Friday, March 15.

RRTPO wants all Richmond region residents to be able to provide input on things like future bike lanes, highway improvement projects, and transit initiatives. The plan sets goals for the group to improve its efforts at public engagement through a variety of means.

For example, in order to create robust ways for traditionally underserved communities to participate in things like public meetings, the plan suggests guaranteeing interpretive services, partnering with civic organizations, and considering offering compensation to people who attend events.

Other goals include leveling up media engagement, evaluating progress by tracking metrics, and developing strategies that are specific to each project.
 
The Buy
 
The perfect spring shoe for women, featuring a block heel that won’t get stuck in grassy areas. We love colors “Skyward Suede” and “Gold Leather” for special occassions.
 
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The Wrap
 
Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s edition by:
Robin
From the editor
This warmer weather has definitely put a spring in my step. If you want to see the River City in a new light, check out our guide to tours in Richmond.
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