Mary Munford Elementary on Grove Avenue is one of ~45 Richmond Public Schools. | Photo by RICtoday
Last week, 185,000+ students kicked off a new school year in the greater Richmond area. Spanning 16 districts, there’s a whole lot to learn when it comes to our local + regional schools.
We’re giving you the 411 on enrollment, student-teacher ratio, tuition, and graduation rates for the area’s major districts. Don’t worry, there won’t be any homework (but we do have a pop quiz below).
Rum Basics: Taste of the Tropics | 6-8 p.m. | Gather + Hem | $30 | Coast through a tropical rum tasting + a flight of summer cocktails, and keep the recipe cards for your next dinner party.
UnHappy Hour: Wizard of Oz | 6-9 p.m. | The Poe Museum | $15, $5 for members | Head down the yellow brick road, where you’ll find live jazz music, food from 1115 Mobile Kitchen, and folks dressed in theme.
The Uptown Band | 8-10 p.m. | Chesterfield County Fairgrounds | Price of admission | The fair will continue all weekend long, but this Philadelphia band anticipates an evening crowd.
Friday, Aug. 29
Forest Trail Fridays | 12-1 p.m. | Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield | $7 park admission | A guided trek introduces you to the hidden magic found along everyday trails.
“Flights of Fantasy” | 7-8 p.m. | Saint Benedict Catholic Church | $25 | Notes of fantasy and melodious landscapes collide as the Richmond Chamber Players perform three works.
Night of Neo-Soul | 8-10 p.m. | The Tin Pan, Glen Allen | $40 | Angie Stone, Goapele, India Arie, and Floetry come together for a lineup of powerhouse vocals, smooth lyricism, and rooted storytelling.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Yoga on the Lawn | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Hidden Wit Brewing Co., Moseley | $15 | Curate a mindful morning of wellness, followed by an on-site farmers market.
Wildlife Assessment + Rescue Class | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Maymont | $25 | Become a hero to wild animals in need with this training workshop, which covers the basics of wildlife emergencies and safe rescues — open to adults + children 12-16.
What’s a Richmond summer without Friday Cheers? We’re going to find out. The concert series will pause in 2026 while construction begins on the $30 million Brown’s Island Improvement Plan (which we’ll be talking about tomorrow). Fortunately, Friday Cheers aims for a whole-hearted return in 2027.
Sports
T-minus two weeks until The Diamond rounds the bases of its last season, ushering in CarMax Park as its young prodigy. The stadium’s final farewell tour, packed with special games + giveaways, runs from Tuesday, Sept. 9, through Sunday, Sept. 14. We have another way to say goodbye — an open invitation to share your Diamond memories.
Listen
Want to know more about Mayo Park, Pipeline plans, and other James River initiatives? Local podcast “Sharp’s Island” plunges into the details with Josh Stutz, Executive Director of Friends of James River Park. Save the chat for your next drive, and tune in on YouTube.
Try This
Gather + Hem is teaming up with Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for an herby mixology class on Thursday, Sept. 25. The gin-forward evening pours the garden into your glass with botanical-infused drinks and a romantic atmosphere. Tickets are $55 per person or $100 per couple, and registration is open now.
Tech
Grocery deals are in; landfill contributions are out. Flashfood, a discount grocery app, partnered with 16 regional Kroger stores to offer discounts on surplus products and items nearing “best-by” dates. Match your grocery list to Flashfood’s discount offers, and help reduce food waste. Optional: Make a fun vlog video along the way.
The institutional firms that backed Uber and Venmo also invested in Pacaso, whose co-ownership tech revolutionizes the $1.3 trillion vacation home market. Pacaso has earned $110 million+ in gross profit to date. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO. Invest for $2.90/share before the opportunity ends Sept. 18.†‡*
Biz
Ready to launch ads in your pajamas? Our Self-Service Ad Portal gives you instant access to thousands of engaged readers — click, create, conquer. Got a real estate listing or a local event? Get it seen, stress-free.
Jobs of the Week
Looking for a side hobby or some additional income? Become an athletics coach at your local school district.
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.
Remember when we asked for your suggestions on Richmond’s $30 million Brown’s Island makeover? This riverside project has been years in the making, but it’s no longer just a wishful dreamscape.
‡‡Finance “investment method” disclaimer: This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the Nasdaq is subject to approvals. Comparisons to other companies are for informational purposes only and should not imply similar success. Under Regulation A+, a company has the ability to change its share price by up to 20%, without requalifying the offering with the SEC.
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