Investing in solar energy requires significant startup costs, but the payoff boomerangs to the sun and back. | Photo by Los Muertos Crew via Pexels
Summer is rolling in hot, hot, hot, but your monthly bills shouldn’t have to melt under the pressure.
From installing solar panels to closing the blinds while you’re away, there are plenty of ways to keep your bills environmentally + financially friendly.
Air conditioning
This summer is expected to be one of the hottest summers in Virginia yet. Here are some general tips to help reduce AC costs:
Raise your thermostat to 78 degrees + opt for fan usage as a more energy-efficient route.
Keep window blinds closed, at least when you’re out of the house.
Make sure your air filters are clean.
Unplug electronic equipment when not in use.
Editor experiment: Currently writing the newsletter from home + following every step listed above... minus one blind left open for my cat to watch the birds. I don’t feel uncomfortable or overly hot, and my bill will surely reap the reward if I keep it up.
Creek Crawl | 2-3 p.m. | Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield | $7, park admission | If you’re needing a nature fix during the heat wave, here’s an option with plenty of tree shade and water access — park staff recommend bringing your own ice water and cooling towels.
Eat, Talk, Connect: A Jamaican Culinary Experience | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Irie Ting Jamaican Grill | $50 | Meet new folks and taste-test items like saltfish fritters, carrot + ginger juice, and rum cake — trivia and live music are also on the table.
Thursday, June 26
Barrels & Bottles: Bourbon vs. Whiskey | 6-8 p.m. | Gather & Hem | $30 | Quit your Google searching and learn the real difference between bourbon and whiskey via expert demonstrations and generous samplings.
UnHappy Hour: Pride | 6-9 p.m. | The Poe Museum | $15 | Socialize, sip, and throw tips for a star-studded drag performance, all while ringing in the summer solstice.
Friday, June 27
“A Strange Loop” | Friday, June 27-Saturday, June 28 | 8 p.m. | Robert B. Moss Theatre | $55 | Winner of every “Best Musical” award on Broadway, this production is a musical within a musical within a musical — a strange loop, if you will.
Richmond is under an extreme heat advisory now through 8 p.m. this evening. When it comes to pet care, Virginia law deems tethering pets outside during a heat advisory unsafe and unlawful. Need some advice for keeping your pup cooled down for bathroom breaks? Read more. (CBS 6)
Closing
After eight years of business, Brenner Pass in Scott’s Addition is slated to close on Saturday, Aug. 30. It’s not the end of the line for owner + Top Chef alum Brittanny Anderson through. Anderson and her team plan to reopen the space with a fresh concept. We’ll be on the lookout as more details unfold. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Announced
Stella’s Grocery + Virginia Museum of History is the collab we didn’t know we needed. On Monday, the museum announced a revamped menu for its café, featuring dozens of Stella’s items. Now you can pair your next remote work session with coffee, a turkey + pepperjack baguette, and carrot cake for dessert. (Richmond BizSense)
Plan Ahead
The Fab Four — a Beatles tribute band — is scheduled to perform at Dominion Energy Center on Friday, April 3, 2026. We know that’s far in the future, but tickets go on sale this Friday, June 27, at 10 a.m., so you can reserve your spot ahead of time.
Community
Local construction workers react to this week’s extreme heat claiming, “we’re out here just trying to make it at the end of the day.” Good neighbor moment: Consider bringing a pack of water or electrolyte drinks in your car to pass out to construction workers you pass along your drive. (CBS 6)
Sports
Celebrate Fan Appreciation Night with Richmond Ivy as they take on Virginia Beach United FC tomorrow, June 26 at City Stadium. The fun kicks off at 7 p.m. with raffles, exciting giveaways, and more. Psst... This will be the final match of the season. Snag tix.*
Try This
POV: You’re in a bind trying to fill an important role for your local biz. We can help. Post your job on RICtoday Job Board and get connected to top local talent. Psst — it’s completely free.
Post of the Day
No baaad news here. Maymont has a new playground set for its goats. The wooden structure was designed by staff + a group of volunteers known as “Thursday Guys,” which includes a retired material science expert and a retired mechanical engineer.
Printer ink that’s shipped to your house when you’re running low (yes, it’s a thing). HP Instant Ink makes printing worry-free by delivering ink before you run out automatically. Save up to 50% compared to buying cartridges the old-fashioned way.*
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
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