Exclusive RPL merch designs were created by Richmond-based artist Ash Rudolph. | Designs courtesy of Ash Rudolph + Richmond Public Library
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and Richmond Public Library (RPL) is coming in hot with incentives — the announcement of an online merch store, a poll for the first product design, and a chance to win an exclusive T-shirt for yourself.
Head to your local library branch to sign up for a card now through Tuesday, Sept. 30. After joining the library leagues, your name will be entered into a raffle for the chance to win a new RPL T-shirt.
The contest will wrap at the end of the month, and 10 winners will be announced at the beginning of October. The online store will launch soon after. First, the library needs help picking the design.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Werq The World Tour | 7:30 p.m. | Altria Theater | $53+ | A star-studded cast of drag queens take the main stage, channeling iconic music personalities like Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, and Mariah Carey.
Wednesday, Sept. 3
Mini Concert: Live at the Branch | 6-7:15 p.m. | The Branch Museum of Design | $35 | Songwriter and guitarist John Emil will enchant the museum halls with blends of country blues, folk, and bluegrass.
Friday, Sept. 5
Chesterfield Towne Center Carnival | Friday, Sept. 5-Sunday, Sept. 14 | Times vary | Chesterfield Towne Center | Free Monday-Thurday, $5 Friday-Sunday | From last week’s county fair to this week’s carnival, Chesterfield is keeping the festivities rolling.
Oktoberfest Beer Dinner | Hanover Tavern, Hanover | $50 | Order the Swienbraten roast pork with dark beer gravy and the apple pastry twists for dinner + dessert, paired with beer sourced from one of the world’s oldest breweries.
LEGO’s newest ideas set was designed by Portland, Oregon teenager Alex Sahli, depicting daily life in Italy’s coastal villages. This is our official pitch for Richmond’s new LEGO store to have a model for Ukrop’s or the Lombardy Kroger.
Biz
Cracker Barrel’s “Old Timer” is here to stay after all. After receiving feedback on its rebranding from its patrons, the country store and restaurant has announced it will stick with its original logo. Speaking of old timers, take a walk down memory lane with Richmond’s oldest family-owned businesses.
Number
60. That’s how many haunted houses are in Virginia, according to The Scare Factor, though that number may climb if more haunts make their presence known. You can explore the directory to find one near you, but only if you’re brave enough.
Active
Have you heard of chair yoga? The mind-body practice, which swaps a mat for a chair, has risen in popularity thanks to its easily accessible and inclusive nature. Try a few poses at home, or roll out your mat at one of Richmond’s yoga studios.
State
I scream, you scream, we all scream for Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, aka the most popular ice cream brand in Virginia. While we’d never pass up a pint of Brambleberry Crisp, RVA’s local ice cream shops serve our favorite scoops.
Tech
Google has launched Preferred Sources in the US, a feature that allows your favorite sources to appear more frequently in search results. This is great news if you love RICtoday — you can follow Google’s instructions to see even more of our hyperlocal content.
Feel Good
A Hot Wheels Car Library has popped up in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia after a father and his son built it together, allowing other kiddos to take a car or leave a car. Sound familiar? This system is also how local Little Free Libraries work — grab or trade a book.
The Buy
It’s finally September — that means it’s basically fall, right? Treat yourself in honor of a brand new autumn season with top-rated decor that’s all $30 or less.
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.
With a new LEGO store on the way in Short Pump, I’ve been putting quite a bit of thought into Richmond’s quintessential LEGO set. Ukrop’s and the Lombardy Kroger were rather unserious examples, but it does get the wheels turning.
What do you think Richmond’s personal LEGO set should be? Silly or serious — share your ideas.
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