Elise Steele.jpg

Elise Steele

Newsletter Editor

Elise moved to Richmond on a whim after graduating from college in 2021, and she’s loved the city ever since. When she’s not crafting the next RICtoday newsletter, she’s probably spending time outside, shopping local thrift stores, reading (as a proud library book borrower), or making a trip to Lamplighter for a Thai Coffee + Slayer Bagel.

Support Good Local News
Three people, in a restaurant kitchen, wearing matching white button-ups and hats with "Pizzeria Delores" decals; A person in the foreground takes a photo on a phone.
Food
Hot ‘n ready: Zorch eyes upgrades + Pizzeria Delores plants roots
Two local pizza businesses announced big plans this week.
November 6, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Two photos; Left photo is a pink fridge with "Free Food" painted on it; Next to the pink frigde is a green panty cupboard with clear windowed doors; Both stand in front of a colorul geometric mural on a brick wall; Right photo is a community fridge shelved with fresh produce.
City
RVA Community Fridges launches Thanksgiving Meal Drive
Find out how to help stock a community fridge this holiday season.
November 6, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RICtoday_BigMarket_FarmersMarket
Live
Farmers markets in and around Richmond
See where to stock up on seasonal produce around the city, from year-round shopping to in-season markets.
November 6, 2025
 · 
Robin Schwartzkopf
A close-up photo of Scoop RVA's apple pie.
Food
Pre-order Thanksgiving dinner (and dessert) at these local restaurants
A cornucopia of local restaurants where you can fill out your holiday feast.
November 4, 2025
 · 
Robin Schwartzkopf
A worker installing solar panels.
How to save on your winter energy bills in NOVA
Follow these tips to help save money + energy on water, landscaping, electricity, and AC.
November 4, 2025
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
Seven people stand, smiling, in front of one of Richmond's harm-reduction vending machines; the machine is primarily blue and features items on each shelf behind a clear window.
City
Project status update: Richmond’s harm reduction vending machines
How has the project progressed so far, and what’s next?
November 3, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A pig near a pumpkin.
City
From porch to pig pen: How your old pumpkins can feed happy hogs
Instead of throwing your fall pumpkins away, consider donating them to local farms through Pumpkins for Pigs.
October 30, 2025
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
Two people hold shovels, digging into a pile of dirt; the photo is taken from an upper angle on a green, grassy hillside; people in the background stand near other soil tree-planting sites.
Events
Richmond Tree Week to host 30+ free community events
Mark your calendars and grab your gardening gloves — Richmond Tree Week takes root Saturday, Nov. 1.
October 29, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RIC_halloween_parade_OCT
Events
Halloween happenings in Richmond, VA
Whether you’re looking for terrors or treats, there’s a whole lot to do this Halloween.
October 29, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RIC_richmond_chronicle_yearbook_OCT
Culture
RVA Class of 2025: Have your portrait taken for a community yearbook
The Richmond Chronicle is calling all creatives to get free portraits + submit work for a community yearbook, out for print next year.
October 28, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
a tent in a grassy campsite
Travel and Outdoors
Go camping within an hour of Richmond
Enjoy the beauty of the Richmond region from the comfort of a tent, cabin, or yurt.
October 27, 2025
 · 
David Lefkowitz
A graphic that says "Their perfect gift is on this list. Our holiday gift guide just dropped." surrounded by images of gift tags.
Small Business
RICtoday’s 2025 holiday gift guide: 90+ finds for everyone you love
Including gifts for significant others, retirees, holiday parties, young people, and gifts that ship fast.
October 24, 2025
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
RIC_james_river_JRA_OCT
Travel and Outdoors
See the 2025 State of the James report
The James River Association unveiled the biennial State of the James report, scoring 18 individual features of Virginia’s grand river.
October 23, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RICtoday_Maymont_Overhead_Mansion_Trees
Events
Plan Ahead: 25+ November events in Richmond
Bookmark this page to your favorites tab so you can quickly return and find the top events happening each month in Richmond.
October 22, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RICtoday_RichmondHighSchoolArts_ConstructionKamras
City
Keep up with the crane: Ongoing development projects in Richmond
There’s a lot to look forward to in Richmond over the next few years. See what new developments are in store and when construction is expected to wrap up
October 21, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A biking group rides down Robinson Street in the Fan.
City
Share your advice for beginner bicyclists in Richmond
The more local intel shared, the better off beginner bicyclists will be while navigating Richmond.
October 20, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RIC_doodle_booth_OCT
Culture
Destiny’s Doodles: Meet Richmond’s new pop-up sketch artist
Two months ago, local artist Destiny Chew set up a spontaneous “doodle booth” in Carytown; now she’s booking events + connecting with strangers across the city.
October 16, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RIC_GRTC_bus_OCT
City
GRTC rolls out TAP Into Transit Week
Celebrate zero-fare public transit in Richmond, and see how you can help keep GRTC rides free for locals.
October 14, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A wall of shelves at Shelf Life Books; A window is in between the shelves, letting in sunlight; Books are lined and stacked on the windowsill.
Culture
Independent bookstores in the Richmond area
Whether you’re searching for your next read, a sentimental gift, or a coffee-table book to make you look cool, do it at your local independent bookstores.
October 13, 2025
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
A person wearing a bright-yellow/green vest stands by severall potted trees, holding a shovel and smiling.
October volunteer opportunities based on personality types
Plant a tree, help restore history, or pick up a DIY project with these three local volunteer opportunities.
October 9, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A white restaurant facade with top-lining blue and red stripes; a white, yellow, and red sign with an illustration of a person's face and shoulders; The sign reads "Auntie Ning's Filipino Food."
Food
Restaurant roundup: New and coming-soon to Richmond
Try out these new places and see what to look forward to in the River City’s restaurant scene.
October 8, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A hand holding two voting stickers; One oval sticker, smaller, says "I Voted" with an American flag; The other, larger + circular, depicts an oppossum writing on a ballot with the text, "RVA Votes;" The background depicts a blurred outdoor setting.
City
Your guide to Virginia’s 2025 general election
Get all the essential information about the upcoming general election in Virginia, including key dates, how to vote, what’s on your ballot, and where to watch the gubernatorial debate.
October 7, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Two hands meet while passing a paper bag labeled "Baltik's Bagel;" Both hands hold two white and red packets outside of the bag.
Food
Baltik’s Bagel to celebrate birthday with Free Bagel Day
Stop by Baltik’s on Tuesday, Oct. 14 for a free bagel, and congratulate the team on one milestone-marking year of business.
October 7, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Two people are in frame, one holding Francine the "Lowe's cat" near the bottom of the frame; Both individuals where red and blue Lowe's vests.
Culture
RVA’s missing “Lowe’s cat” Francine found safe; Francine Fest to follow
Weeks after wandering onto a North-Carolina-bound distribution truck, Richmond’s beloved “Lowe’s cat” Francine returns home, and a celebration is underway.
October 6, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A sign to show people where to vote.
City
Your guide to Virginia’s general election
Get all the essential information about the upcoming general election in Virginia, including key dates, how to vote, what’s on your ballot, and where to watch the gubernatorial debate.
October 6, 2025
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
RIC_cat_Tour_OCT
Culture
Neighborhood cat tour returns to Richmond in November
A locally organized tour will spotlight the Museum District’s cherished residential cats.
October 2, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
An open pizza box with a full pizza and two to-go containers of a white sauce.
Live
A guide to Richmond’s pizza scene
Here’s where to grab a slice at 25+ pizza restaurants around the River City
October 1, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
RICtoday_fallleaves_road
City
Richmond leaf collection program starts soon
Curbside leaf pickups begin October 6.
September 30, 2025
 · 
David Lefkowitz
A free-form mosaic design on the back of a skate ramp at Texas Beach Skate Park; a central mosaic says "Riverview Park"
Culture
Volunteers add mosaic art to neighborhood skate ramps
Maymont Community Garden hosted a volunteer-based Mosaic Day to help beautify the backsides of ramps at Texas Beach Skate Park.
September 25, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Aeriel perspective of a trail leading through the woods of Powhatan State Park.
Travel and Outdoors
Celebrate National Public Lands Day in Virginia
Lend a hand outdoors at these regional volunteer events.
September 23, 2025
 · 
Staff
Load More