Pack plenty of water + find a shady spot on the river to keep cool on hot summer days. | Photo by RICtoday
There’s no getting around it: It’shot in Richmond.
Summer is greeting us with heat waves galore, so we’re staying inside and looking back at the headlines and reports for the hottest day we’ve had here in the River City.
The day the heat set records
Richmond’s hottest day on record was Aug. 6, 1918, when temperatures hit a shattering 107°. Anyone who understands Richmond humidity knows that’s a low-ball number compared to how it probably really felt.
The closest we’ve come to that temperature recently was when temps reached 102° on June 24, and even that was unbearable.
What the headlines said
The Richmond Times-Dispatch covered the intense weather at the time, saying “in the city’s Capitol Square, a thermometer climbed to 116 degrees and then abruptly stopped working.
Richmond’s official thermometer, at the time located at the city’s tallest point, Chimborazo Hill, ticked up to 107 degrees.”
What else was going on in Richmond on the hottest day on record? Quite a lot...
The Shadow of a Petal | Tuesday, July 15-Saturday, July 19 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Branch Museum of Design | $10 | Photographs and first-hand accounts explore the emotional + creative impact of a flower arranging course at Chesterfield County Jail — all proceeds benefit HARP RVA Recovery Program.
Wednesday, July 16
International Drag Day Celebration | 2-3:30 p.m. | Ginter Park Public Library | Free | Learn about the history of drag and make some fun, sparkly accessories while you’re there.
All-Abilities Fun at Park365 | 3:30-6:30 p.m. | PARK365 | Free | Nonprofit Soar365 invites people of all abilities to join together for a day of adaptive sports + mobility games, face painting, music, and food.
Tell-Tale Talks: Chris Semtner | 6-7 p.m. | The Poe Museum | $10, free for members | Join the curator of the Edgar Allen Poe Museum as he discusses his most recent research novel about Poe’s melancholic history.
Thursday, July 17
Richmond Shakespeare Festival: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” | Thursday, July 17-Sunday, July 20| 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Agecroft Hall | $25+ | Find a spot on the lawn for this Shakespearean classic exploring the moral balance between the mortals and fairies.
Richmond’s Planning Commission meets today, July 15 at 6 p.m. to discuss a range of issues, including conservation easements on Mayo’s Island and a potential ban on new vape shops. The public meeting will be held at City Hall (301 N. 9th St.) in the fifth-floor conference room. (VPM)
Today Is
The MLB All-Star Game. Richmond may not have a team of our own, but according to this map, RVA is a Nationals town (surrounded by a sea of Orioles fans). Check out the full rosters, featuring stars from both teams, and tune in to FOX or ESPN 2 starting at 8 p.m.
Talk
Calling all history and architecture buffs. The Art Deco Society of Virginia is hosting a free expert talk on historic building preservation this Thursday, July 17, at 6 p.m. at the public library’s main branch. (WRIC)
Family
Fans of “Ms. Rachel” know — Jules is a big deal. The children’s music star stops in South Richmond on Saturday, July 26 as part of “The Big Jam” presented by Liberty Public House. Tickets start at $15.
Ranked
1090. That’s where Richmond ranks nationally for bikeability according to People for Bikes, and the statewide number of 37 isn’t much more impressive. The good news? The River City’s score has improved slightly since ratings began, inching up from 20.99 in 2018 to 25.28 this year. Even non-cyclists can get in on the action.
Eat
Would you hike a mountain just for pizza? Rappahannock Pizza Kitchen in Sperryville (two hours from downtown) is apparently so good, that’s exactly what Southern Living says people are doing. Or, you could stay close to home with our RVA pizza guide. (Southern Living)
Film
That’s a wrap. After a two-day sprint, completed works from the Richmond 48 Hour Film Project will screen Sunday, July 20 at The Park RVA (1407 Cummings Dr.), showing in three blocks. Advance tickets start at $15. The Best-Of Screening will happen Sunday, July 27.
Festival
The annual Black Pride RVA celebrations kick off Thursday, July 17 and run through Sunday, July 20. The eighth-annual series includes the Root Awards, Day of Purpose Festival, Blacktopia Ball, and more. Costs vary, and some events are free.
Asked
“Before artfully designed tote bags and graphic tees marked a boom in restaurant swag, there were postcards.” And now restaurant postcards are trending again. That’s got us wondering — what Richmond restaurants have you seen getting in on the action? Let us know. (TASTE)
Try This
Back-to-school shopping can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Shop smart (and sustainably) at your local Goodwill. Plus, with Virginia’s Tax-Free Weekend coming up Aug. 1-3, you can save even more on already low prices. See how easy it is to save.*
Read
“I appreciate that you generally leave conclusions for the reader to make for themselves” = Feedback on The Signal, the non-partisan, current affairs newsletter. Subscribe for free.*
The Buy
The award-winning Olay Super Serum. It’s lauded for improving skin hydration, smoothness, brightness, firmness, and texture.
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.
July is birthday season in my household, with my wife’s birthday today and my daughter’s coming up quickly.
That’s got me wondering — where’s your favorite place to celebrate a birthday in Richmond? I always take off work and turn it into an all-day affair, so I welcome ideas that extend beyond dinner spots. Let us know your preferred places to mark a special occasion.
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