April 8, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

74º | 6% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:43 a.m. | Sunset 7:39 p.m.

River City orgs win it all

Drone shot over the James River facing the Manchester-Richmond Bridge

Richmond organizations won over $11,000 from the CCOA this year. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons, olekinderhook

All three of this year’s top winners of the Commonwealth Council on Aging’s Best Practices Awards are Richmond-based organizations. Between the three of them, local causes won a total of $11,500.

The Opening Minds through Art (OMA) Center at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen in Henrico County won first place, receiving $5,500 for their program. The OMA Center matches “elder artists” with trained volunteers for art projects. The evidence-based program was developed by researchers at the Scripp’s Gerontology Center at Miami University to encourage self-expression and foster inter-generational connections.

Cultural Arts Center President K. Alferio expressed her pleasure with the news, calling art a “powerful tool that transforms lives and communities.”

In second place, Richmond Aging and Engaging’s Art, Leisure and Recreation program won $3,500. The program engages older adults living in low-income housing through arts, leisure, and recreation. Richmond Aging and Engaging has an OMA program too, as well as physical activities, games, and a Rollator Repair Program.

Taking third prize, Virginia Voice, Inc. received $2,500 for the Audio Accessibility and Inclusion program. Through volunteer-led readings and live audio descriptions of local events, Virginia Voice serves those with blindness and low vision.

In addition to these three local charities, several other programs around the state received honorable mentions. For a full list, as well as more information on the hometown winners, head to the CCOA’s website.

Poll

How often do you volunteer with local organizations?

A. Weekly
B. Monthly
C. A few times a year
D. Never, but I’d like to start

Volunteer your thoughts

Events

Monday, April 8

UR Wind Ensemble | Monday, April 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Modlin Center for the Arts Camp Concert Hall, 453 Westhampton Way, Richmond | Free | Register to attend this free performance inspired by the movements of dance with music by Copland, Chance, Boysen, and Barton.
Golden Girls - The Laughs Continue | Monday, April 8-Tuesday, April 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Carpenter Theatre at Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace St., Richmond | $43 | Relive the heartfelt hilarity of Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia at this 18+ comedy show.

Tuesday, April 9

VCUarts Lecture Series | Tuesday, April 9 | 5-6 p.m. | Institute for Contemporary Art, 601 W Broad St, Richmond | Free | Paul Rucker, assistant professor and curator for creative collaboration at VCUarts, will lecture on his work examining the intersections of human rights issues, historical research, and human emotion.
Junior Recital | Tuesday, April 9 | 7-8:30 p.m. | James W. Black Music Center,
1015 Grove Ave., Richmond | Trombonist Layne Hopkins and bass trombonist Isaac Murrell will perform their Junior recitals.

Wednesday, April 10

Literary Virginia Book Group | Wednesday, April 10 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | This month, the group will discuss “All the Ruined Men: Stories by Bill Glose.”

Thursday, April 11

Bubbles & Blooms | Thursday, April 11 | 5-8 p.m. | Agecroft Hall, 4305 Sulgrave Rd., Richmond | $0-$15 | Visit Agecroft for a beautiful evening of food, drinks, and glorious strolls through the gardens on the banks of the James River.

Friday, April 12

Richmond Poetry Fest | Friday, April 12-Saturday, April 13 | Times vary | Visual Arts Center of Richmond, 1812 W. Main St., Richmond | Free | Enjoy free classes, workshops, and a special event honoring Richmond’s first Poet Laureate, Roscoe Burnems, plus an introduction to the new poet in the position.

100+ more events

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Family

This interactive event brings play to life

A group of kids sit at a desk engaged in arts and crafts activities, surrounded by various art supplies.

I See Me Play at RVA! is a free event open to families with children up to 12 years old. | Photo by Shannon McGowan Photography

Looking for a day of family fun that won’t break the bank? Enter: I See Me Play in RVA!, happening Sunday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City Stadium.

Hosted by the Children’s Museum of Richmond, this free annual event is all about making play more accessible to everyone in the community — and bringing the magic of the museum right into your neighborhood.

At I See Me Play in RVA!, you can:

Try hands-on activities in five zones: Create, Grow, Build, Read, and Me
Watch demos from community professionals in exciting careers
Grab a bite from food trucks + enjoy entertainment from School of Rock

Pro tip: In case of inclement weather, mark your calendars for the rain date — Monday, April 29 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Children’s Museum of Richmond’s downtown location.

Snag your spot

News Notes

Development

Work is underway on a $300 million revitalization of Creighton Court. Crews broke ground on Thursday, April 4 to begin transforming the first 68 units. By the project’s completion, it aims to replace all 504 units with ~700 mixed-income homes. (Richmond BizSense)

Kids

Chesterfield’s inaugural Outdoor Fest at the county fair grounds will feature running races, BMX stunts, a kids zone, and an outdoor sustainability showcase — not to mention a visit from the Metro Richmond Zoo. Gates open for the free event at 10 a.m. this Saturday, April 13.

Cause

Free books for Virginia kids — featuring Dolly Parton. Legislation to expand the reach of the country legend’s nonprofit Imagination Library has now been signed into Virginia law. The organization already operated in Richmond and several surrounding counties, but with state funding it can now expand statewide. (VPM)

Civic

Manchester Alliance’s meetings are shifting to Wednesdays for April and May to accommodate their host, Golden Lion Community Cafe. All Manchester residents are welcome to attend the neighborhood association’s meetings from 6 to 7 p.m. at 1012 Hull St.

Eat

In celebration of Fillipino Food Month, the Filipino American Association of Central Virginia is holding a membership drive this Saturday, April 13. Head to Main Line Brewery from 12-6 p.m. for Filipino food trucks including Atos Sisig & Grill, Tambayan Grill, Auntie Ning’s, and EJ’s Pinoy Kitchen.

Correction

In Friday’s newsletter, we reported that the Flying Squirrels’ sold-out opening night was on April 5. This was a typo — opening night is tomorrow, April 9. Clearly, we can’t wait for Squirrel season.

Home

Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

Now that spring has arrived and the sun has (mostly) come back out, I’ve been working on leash training my cat Poncho. He’s doing a great job, but I didn’t think he was quite ready for Pups at the Pitch night at City Stadium.

a small cat in a red paisley harness walking on a leash. — City Editor David’s cat, Poncho, unsure how to handle this whole “grass” thing.
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Photo by RICtoday

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