Want to get more involved with your community in the new year? It’s okay to take it one step at a time. Coming up this week, here are three opportunities to join civic conversations in the River City:
Share five-minute feedback
Complete two online surveys asking for public input on potential intersection safety projects in Richmond.
Attend or live-stream a meeting
Zoning Advisory Council Meeting | Wednesday, Jan. 14 | 4-6:30 p.m. | City Hall | Hear directly from city planners as they address the city’s evolving zoning ordinance.
Urban Design Committee Meeting | Thursday, Jan. 15 | 10 a.m. | City Hall | Catch up on developing plans to replace Mayo Bridge.
Don’t forget: If you can’t attend a meeting, you can fill in the gaps with agendas, post-meeting reports, and public video recordings.
Richmond Spiders vs. VCU Rams | 12-2 p.m. | Robins Center | $8 | Operation: Code Red is on. Spider women’s basketball faces VCU at the Robins Center on CBS Sports Network. Wear red, be loud, and support the Spiders in the season’s biggest home matchup.*
Thank a Teacher started in 2016 with one goal: to thank as many K-12 public school teachers in Virginia as possible during National Teacher Appreciation Week in May. | Photo provided by Virginia Lottery
It’s time to put pencil to paper for a great cause.
The Virginia Lottery and The Supply Room are launching the 9th annual Thank a Teacher Art Contest for K-12 public school students.
Students are invited to submit original artwork now through February 2, 2026. One student from each grade level — elementary, middle, and high school — will receive a $200 Visa gift card, and their school will earn a $2,000 credit from The Supply Room.
Winning art will be featured on thank-you notes distributed statewide during National Teacher Appreciation Week in May 2026. PTAs and school groups can preorder notes through March 27, 2026.
Since the campaign began, more than 700,000 thank-you notes have been sent, with participating teachers eligible to win $2,500 in supplies and $2,500 in cash.
Make room in the kitchen pantry (or freezer if that’s your style). Girl Scout Cookie season is upon us — and our local council, the Girl Scouts Commonwealth Council of Virginia, is getting ready to start slinging shortbread around town next month. Find your nearest booth.
Trending
Reading is on the rise, with online searches for “good books” recently hitting an all time high. If you’re trying to turn more pages in 2026, dive into some classic literature, or find out what this fictional hockey romance thing is all about, Richmond’s indie bookstores are the perfect places to start.
Ranked
No. 25. That’s where Richmond ranked on WalletHub’s new list of best cities for job-seekers in the US. Openings per applicant, starting salaries, and employment growth were all considered in the rankings. If you’re looking for a fresh start in your career, our jobs board has 240,000+ US listings.
Mansion Monday
A museum that looks like the Death Star, Africa’s tallest building, and the end of a 144-year project. Those are three architectural marvels on the radar heading into 2026. Closer to home, in Powhatan, we’re intrigued by the more earthy architecture of this recently listed estate. (CNN)
Sports
The first round of the NFL playoffs took place last weekend, with six Wild Card games. Whoever you’re rooting for, local sports bars like Home Team Grill and Wood + Iron are the best places to soak in the atmosphere and see who makes it one step closer to Super Bowl LX.
Fun Fact
How long can a Twinkie last? Back in 1976, a Maine high school science teacher set out to answer that question, and the sweet treat remains unblemished in its glass case 50 years later. We’ve got that beat in RVA — some of our city’s oldest businesses have been around for much longer. (Bangor Daily News)
On This Day
On Jan. 12, 1966, the first-ever TV episode of “Batman” aired. Since then, Bruce Wayne’s adventures have become commonplace in popular media. Inspired to scour the bins for some comic classics? Try Alpha Comics + Games in Southside.
Jobs
Kick off 2026 by growing your team the smart way. Whether you’re a small business ready to expand or a large company filling a critical role, our Job Board connects you with engaged, qualified local talent ready to work. Post your open roles for free and start the new year with strong applications rolling in.
The Buy
Our favorite car accessory: a portable air pump and power bank. Never worry about low tire pressure again with this lightweight device that inflates tires while providing a real-time pressure display. Plus, it features a flashlight + flashing SOS mode for added peace of mind during a breakdown or emergency.
💌 How many cards have been distributed through Henrico’s “Spread the Love” campaign?
We tallied your guesses (and Henrico County tallied the cards); 49% of you were correct, just short of the majority margin. Since 2020, approximately 25,000 Valentine’s Day cards have been distributed throughout Henrico, according to county officials.
Did you know? When you send a message to RICtoday’s email, you’re messaging me directly. If you have questions, recommendations, or just want to share your thoughts on a recent newsletter, I’ll be the one to see them. Always feel free to say hi.
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