Volunteers band together at East End Cemetery to help remove trash and obscuring foliage from the historic 1897 site. | Photo by Friends of East End
Whether you have some extra time on your hands, or you’re just in the giving spirit, there are more than enough great causes in Richmond to dedicate your time. So many that maybe some have gone under your radar. See if you’ve heard of these local volunteer organizations:
Richmond ToolBank operates a 2,000 sqft space, which is available for nonprofits and community groups to rent by the hour. | Photo by Richmond Community ToolBank
Share the (literal) tools to succeed. Richmond Community ToolBank | Help out this tool-lending nonprofit by pulling and restocking orders, cleaning and sharpening hardware, and taking inventory.
Landscape and restore history. Friends of East End Cemetery | Clear vegetation, remove trash, and help recover + document hidden grave markers at this historic African American burial ground.
Foster a welcoming community. ReEstablish Richmond | Volunteer to share your skills or knowledge and help support refugees and immigrants in the area.
Give back to local markets. RVAg | Help set up, organize, or pack up at local farmers markets.
You might not recognize the name RVAg, but you might’ve shopped at their farmers markets in Manakin, Goochland, and Powhatan.
Flowers After Five | 5-8 p.m. | Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden | $20 | Enjoy live music among the trees near the garden’s historic Bloemendaal House — food + drink available for purchase.
Friday, July 18
Harrisburg Senators vs. Richmond Flying Squirrels | Friday, July 18-Sunday, July 20 | Times vary | The Diamond | $13+ | It’s time for Richmond 34 Legacy Weekend and Yacht Rock Night at The Diamond.
Gaga Night | 8 p.m. | The Broadberry | $25+ | “Paws up,” monsters — it’s Mother’s Day (Gaga Night) at this music venue, and you can request your fave hit on Broadberry’s website.
Saturday, July 19
Aquatic Plant Care Basics | 9-10:30 a.m. | Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden | $30, $25 for members | Dip into water gardening with guided teachings, hosted both indoors and outdoors at Lewis Ginter’s lush water displays.
Edgar’s Enchanted Garden: Family Movie Night | 6-8 p.m. | The Poe Museum | Free for families with children under 18, RSVP | Show up early for crafting + Italian ice, then find your spot for a screening of “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.”
I Love The 80’s Music Fest | 8 p.m. | The National | $46+ | A Flock of Seagulls, Bow Wow Wow, Annabella, and Animotion beckon the 1980s to the stage.
Paranormal Investigation | 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. | Hanover Tavern | $50 | Accompanied by a practiced investigator, small groups will explore the paranormal veil of four haunting locations.
Sunday, July 20
Shalom Farms Open House | 1-4 p.m. | Shalom Farms | Free | Meet with staff, connect with partner organizations, and learn how you can get involved with this local farm.
Don’t let your upcoming event get lost in oversaturated summer calendars. Amplify it to RICtoday’s 41,000+ engaged subscribers through our self-service ad portal.
Two eye-catching options include:
Newsletter promo: Up to 75 words, three links, and an image promoting your event — custom-crafted by our team.
Email header: A media rich, visual ad at the top of our newsletter. Your event will be the first thing readers see.
Richmond’s Office of Opioid and Substance Use Response is installing three harm-reduction vending machines throughout the city. The machines “provide free, 24/7 access to life-saving resources such as naloxone (Narcan), fentanyl test strips, and personal hygiene items,” according to the city’s news release.
Traffic
The Belle Isle parking lot on Tredegar Street will close on select dates this month, “as part of a temporary lease agreement to support staging and staffing needs for Allianz Amphitheater events.” Remaining July closures include today, July 17, as well as Saturday, July 19, Thursday, July 24, and Saturday, July 26.
Plan Ahead
The Purrfect Bean, Richmond’s new cat café, has announced an opening date — Friday, Aug. 15. Speaking of cats in the workplace, did you know the Belmont Public Library is hosting a work-from-home cat party + adoption event tomorrow, July 18? Something to tide you over til August.
Announced
American singer and songwriter Jeff Tweedy will join Lewis Ginter’s Groovin’ in the Garden Concert Series on Saturday, October 25. You can plan ahead and reserve your spot on the lawn as early as tomorrow, July 18, at 10 a.m.
Trending
Last summer, it was all about Charli XCX’s Brat green. Now, it’s about matcha green, and we have the perfect matcha and booklover outing for you. Mobile drink cart The Exit Plan is joining ILYSM Books for a two-day matcha popup in Brookland Park. Stop by this weekend, starting Saturday, July 19.
Today Is
National Tattoo Day. A perfect day to reminisce on our 2010 ranking as the No. 3 city with the highest number of tattoo parlors. Richmond was already on the tattooed map back then, but did the nationally recognized article help push our tattoo culture to where it is today? Share your thoughts. (RVA Mag)
Seasonal
This back-to-school season, don’t forget to stop by your nearest Goodwill for affordable clothes and supplies. With thousands of new items added every week, you never know what gems you’ll find. Here’s a sneak peek.*
Shaped to arouse the whole you, this FDA-registered vibrating ring adjusts to your unique shape to support arousal, natural lubrication, and overall intimate wellness. (For the 77% of our readers who are women, consider this part of your self-care toolkit.) Bonus:Save 30%.*
Home
Imagine stepping into a sleek, modern shower and not tripping over a peeling tub. HomeBuddy can match you with a local pro for a spa-worthy remodel — get a free estimate.*
Save hundreds when you shop Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale for top deals on apparel, home, beauty, and more. We’re adding these five to our cart before they sell out:
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.
We want you to have the perfect Hot Tomato Summer. That’s why we put together our guide to local restaurants boasting the best Duke’s to-mayo specials over the next 10 days.
Duke’s is helping you prepare with your perfect BLT zodiac pairing. I’m a Libra, which means my BLT essence is “salty and sweet,” “balanced,” and “not afraid to make a mess.” I’ll take that.
It also includes “makes it look effortless,” but I can assure you this newsletter was not effortless. Does your BLT zodiac pairing feel toma-true to you? Give me the dish.
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