April 15, 2024

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

85º | 69% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:34 a.m. | Sunset 7:46 p.m.

🌱 Grow big without growing home

Uptown Community Garden is on Parkwood, overlooking I-195. | Photo by RICtoday

Now that spring has sprung, we’re here to herb your enthusiasm with a roundup of community gardens to cultivate your green thumb.

Humphrey Calder Community Garden, 3621 Kensington Ave.
There are 32 plots at this community center off Patterson Avenue.

Get involved: Get in touch to volunteer or make a donation.

Chimborazo Playground Community Garden, East Grace and North 31st Streets
With 30 plots, two children’s gardens, and a butterfly berm, the Chimborazo Playground Community Garden has been growing food for community members for over a decade.

Get involved: Add your name to the waiting list for a plot by contacting the garden steward.

A lush garden — The Chimbarazo Playground Community Garden has been growing for over a decade.
|
Photo by RICtoday

Charles S. Gilpin Garden Farm, 1420 St. Peter St.
A community greenspace, the Gilpin Community Farm is part of the Food Justice Corridor, a stretch of four local community gardens in areas with limited access to fresh food. Volunteer crews work on the space every Tuesday afternoon.

Get involved: Contact Kinfolk Community RVA for information on how you can help.

Fonticello Food Forest, 2715 Bainbridge St.
Located in Carter Jones Park, Fonticello also hosts free farmstands.

Get involved: Reach out to Laney Sullivan.

a map of richmond with several icons of vegetables — The city has a map of local gardens and their points of contact.
|
Image via the City of Richmond

The city has an interactive map with information on all of these, as well as several more. If you want to start your own community garden, head to Richmond Grows Gardens. There are several garden sites waiting for go-getting growers. You can also search for gardens we didn’t mention this time around.

Ready to get your hands dirty? Search the Community Foundation page for garden activities, or read our conversation with local master gardener Don Moore to learn how to start a garden of your own.

Add to our list by letting us know the community gardens where you volunteer.

8 more local picks

Events

Monday, April 15

Now He Belongs to the Ages: The Death of Abraham Lincoln | Monday, April 15 | 10-11 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Join Virginia War Memorial Director of Education Jim Triesler as he explores the life and death of Abraham Lincoln on the 159th anniversary of his death.
Junior Recital | Monday, April 15 | 4 p.m. | James W. Black Music Center, 1015 Grove Ave., Richmond | Free | See Amelia Rose Sheppard on the bassoon.

Tuesday, April 16

‘Liberty or Death’ Church tours | Saturday, April 16 | 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | St. John’s Church, 2401 E. Broad St., Richmond | $12 | Hear the fascinating story of Patrick Henry and his “Liberty or Death” speech in the church where it took place 250 years ago.
Job Fair Expo | Tuesday, April 16 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. 3rd St., Richmond | Free | Explore career possibilities with the City of Richmond at this expo featuring dress closets, resume reviews, headshots, and on-the-spot interviews and hiring.
Rebirth Brass Band | Tuesday, April 16 | 7 p.m. | Richmond Music Hall, 623 E. Main St., Richmond | $25 | See the Grammy-winning group on the same bill as local players Pay Rent Brass Band.

Wednesday, April 17

University Symphony Orchestra | Wednesday, April 17 | 7:30 p.m. | Modlin Center for the Arts Camp Concert Hall, 453 Westhampton Way, Richmond | Free | Register to hear the University’s largest ensemble perform a varied program of classical repertoire.

Thursday, April 18

Book Talk with John Hopkins | Thursday, April 18 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Learn about the 1913 Gettysburg Reunion, a story of 53,000 old comrades and former foes reunited.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Coming Soon

Richmond Olive Oil Co. is coming to the building at 3545 W. Cary St. next to Montana Gold Bakery. The business is opening in the former Wright Insurance space after three years at local farmers markets.

Outdoors

The James River Park System is hosting an open house for its Belle Isle Improvement Plan. Head to the Reedy Creek Nature Center between 3 and 7 p.m. this Thursday, April 18 to learn about plans for Belle Isle and offer some suggestions of your own.

Active

The Monument Avenue 10k isn’t the only pavement-pounding event coming up in Richmond. Adults over 55 and under 100 are encouraged to sign up for the Bon Secours Just Keep Moving Senior 2k Walk, which is coming to West Leigh Street on Thursday, May 16. Registration starts at $10.

Edu

RPS celebrated the official renaming and dedication of Lois Harrison-Jones Elementary School — formerly John B. Cary Elementary — on Friday. Harrison-Jones, who was elected as the first Black Superintendent of Richmond Public Schools in 1985, spoke at the event. (ABC 8News)

Drink

Due to severe weather threats, Agecroft Hall has postponed its Bubbles and Blooms event to this Wednesday, April 17. All of the original sponsors have signed on for the new date — limited tickets are still available.

Biz

Economic conditions are improving for local business owners, according to a recent survey of local owners. 4% more local businesses operated in the black last year, and 68% say they’re feeling “neutral or somewhat optimistic” about regional trends — a large jump from 2022. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Active

Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k hits the ground running Saturday, April 20 for its 25th anniversary. Register before midnight tonight to skip the price hike.*

Civic

🗳️ Vote on this year’s election day swag

RVA Votes says 15,000 Richmonders have voted early. | Photo by @ginter.park

The polls are open to decide Richmond’s next “I Voted” sticker. After soliciting designs from VCU students, the Office of Elections will be accepting votes from the public for the winning sticker.

Voting will be open until Tuesday, April 30. The sticker with the most votes out of the four finalists, will be announced on Friday, May 3.

The student who creates the winning design will receive a $1,000 Amazon gift card, a feature in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and the pride of seeing their design sported by civic-minded Richmonders this November. Second, third, and fourth place will all also receive Amazon gift cards and features in the paper.

Head to the Richmond Times-Dispatch website to make your voice heard.

The Buy

Seaav workout gear. Try out these trendy pieces from a brand who donates 1% of profits towards the We The Reef Foundation.

Answered

Last week, we asked how frequently you volunteer with local organizations.

Local volunteers getting to work as part of the Greening RPL initiative. | Photo via James River Association

Turns out our readers are generous with their time. Around 48% of respondents said they volunteer at least once a week, and less than 15% said they rarely do at all. If you’re looking to spend more time giving back — and if community gardens aren’t really your thing — we’ve got a full guide to local organizations offering volunteer opportunities.

35+ local organizations

Share RICtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_22}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

I caught the Pay Rent Brass Band at Ipanema Cafe a few weeks ago, and they were fantastic — their tuba player especially blew my mind.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Feedback on Today's Newsletter

Did you like today’s newsletter?

😍 Loved it 🙂 Solid effort 😞 Changes needed

* This content is paid advertising, or contains links to our Six & Main marketplace, or affiliate partners which we may receive a commission from. ^ This content is created by our content studio.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | SHOP