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.

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Outside of the Flying Squirrels stadium.
Culture
Share your Diamond memories
Reminisce with us as The Diamond wraps up its final stadium season after 40 years.
September 8, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Two people hold a framed "Designation" sign and smile.
Culture
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden becomes designated Autism Friendly Community
Lewis Ginter is now an accredited Autism Friendly Community, a title provided by the Autism Society of Central Virginia.
September 4, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RICtoday_RVAFolkFestival_Stage
Events
Your ultimate guide to Richmond festivals
See when the biggest River City parties are going down.
September 2, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Two design options for the Richmond Public Library merchandise design contest; Left design: features a black background, colorful stars, spirals, and a moon and sun; A character with green-colored skin and a red outfit is on an open book with boosting flames at the back; the character reaches for a white rectangle. Right design: An open book designed with yellow and green colors; a green hand holds a Richmond Public Library card atop the book; The background depicts water, a castle, a spaceship, flowers, pets, and other various things.
Culture
Richmond Public Library announces online store + community vote for merch designs
RPL is celebrating Library Card Sign-Up Month in style.
August 29, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
An aeriel rendering of Brown's Island according to the Brown's Island Improvement Plan.
Development
Brown’s Island $30 million makeover: reader suggestions vs. reality
We compare your 2024 Brown’s Island improvement suggestions to this year’s $30 million approved project plans.
August 28, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
KCtoday_Archives
History
August in the Archives
Step into the Augusts of Kansas City’s past with archived photos from the 1920s to the 1960s.
August 28, 2025
 · 
Madison McMillen
Richmond skline from Belle Isle pedestrial bridge; A train passes over the river, in front of the skyline.
City
A guide to city departments in Richmond
We’re here to connect you with the right Richmond city departments to address your needs.
August 26, 2025
 · 
Nicholas Caballero
RICtoday_FestivalofArts_DogwoodDell_CosbyJr
Events
Plan Ahead: 30+ September 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.
August 25, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A North American porcupine in a fence, on top of a piece of the exhibit.
City
Help name Maymont’s new porcupette
Maymont launched a public vote to help name one of its new “porcupettes” — a baby North American porcupine.
August 21, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A row of people sit at barstool chairs, facing away from the camera. A person, facing the camera, leans over the bar in front of the row of seated people.
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.
August 20, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
a pond on a sunny day
Travel and Outdoors
Know Your City: Dorey Park
Go for a run, a bike ride, a fish, a trip to the playground, and a picnic — all in the same Henrico park
August 19, 2025
 · 
David Lefkowitz
postcard, front and back with handwritten note
Culture
Richmond’s restaurant postcard revival
Immortalize your meal or write a spur-of-the-moment love note — restaurant postcards are trending, and Richmonders love getting nostalgic.
August 18, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
FTW_cathedral_ceilings
Real Estate
Three unique properties for sale in and around Fort Worth, TX
See what’s on the market, from a Tudor-style mansion to a house with a tiki-style cabana.
August 14, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Richmond Raceway during a NASCAR race; sky depicts a sunset with orange hues.
Sports
How to have fun at NASCAR (without knowing anything about racing)
NASCAR isn’t just for racing fans, and we’ve cracked the code on how you and your friends can turn the racetrack into your favorite summer venture.
August 12, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A wooden postboard with decorative garland, a red vase of flowers, a green sign titled "Phone of the Wind," and a white wall-attached telephone.
Culture
Anonymous neighbor builds ‘wind phone’ for Fonticello Food Forest
Fonticello Forest unveils a new installation, which invites people to connect with lost loved ones and process grief.
August 7, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
An up-close shot of a beer with "The Answer" written on it (that's the name of the brewery). The amber liquid is in a clear pint glass on a wooden bar surface, with more glassware visible in the background blurry behind the bar.
Play
Weekly trivia nights in Richmond
Assemble the dream team and test your trivia wits at these bars, breweries, and restaurants.
August 6, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A hand reaching for a glass of matcha; Drink is in clear glass cup with ice, green tea matcha, and two Pandan leaves
City
Find the best matcha in Richmond
We rounded up six locally approved matcha picks so you can get your green fix.
August 4, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A row of motorcycles in a hall of The Branch Museum of Design
Culture
Motorcycles at the museum: The Branch revs up for change
We visited The Branch Museum of Design to preview its new exhibits and talk to Executive Director Kristen Cavallo about her vision for change.
July 31, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Three people wearing Renaissance Faire costumers pose like they are in battle; Taken in the grass in front of Agecroft Hall and Gardens.
Events
Richmond Renaissance Faire returns Aug. 2
Sharpen thy swords for Warriors in Bloom, a one-day festival spotlighting the unapologetic vigor of “viragos.”
July 24, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Black and white photograph of William McCoy, age 12, jumping Double Dutch rope in the street; two girls hold each end of two jump ropes; other kids stand by and watch; adults and children hang out outside apartment buildings in background.
Culture
July in the archives: Richmond, VA
Step into the Julys of Richmond’s past with archival photos from 1975 to 1989.
July 22, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A scenic view over Shenandoah National Park
Travel and Outdoors
Plan a road trip to Shenandoah National Park
Take a scenic drive, frolic through a meadow, and chase waterfalls at Shenandoah National Park; Plus, stay energized with food and cozy campsites.
July 21, 2025
 · 
Staff
A look over the fountain of Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
Culture
The best places to read in Richmond
From flowery gardens to libraries and wine bars, try one of these River City spots the next time you dive into a book.
July 17, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A red bagel with dough shaped to look like a tomato sprout at the top.
Food
Duke’s Hot Tomato Summer returns to Richmond
It’s the Duke’s Mayo collab of the summer, featuring hundreds of restaurants across seven cities competing for the Golden Tomato Award.
July 15, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Rendering of concete building facade with verticle spaces for windows and several multi-story-size windows; paths with garden space leading to a common area in front of the building
City
Sink your teeth into VCU’s future School of Dentistry
Bite down on the details of VCU’s $5.2 million School of Dentistry, slated for construction in 2027.
July 10, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Stone and grassy areas disperse in the middle of Pony Pasture's river scene.
History
Remembering Richmond’s hottest day on record
City’s hottest day on record was Aug. 6, 1918, when RVA hit 107°.
July 9, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A welcome mat in an oval shape; Five stripes -- blue, dark green, light green, pink, and red -- outline the mat; An assortment of cut, blooming flowers arranged in a rainbow-colored arch on the top half of the mat.
Culture
Get your garden on with these local plant shops
Test out your green thumb with Richmond’s plant shops and garden centers.
July 8, 2025
 · 
Robin Schwartzkopf
three heavily-adorned hot dogs and a coors banquet beer
Food
The best hot dogs you can only get in Richmond
We asked you where to find the best frank in the city.
July 3, 2025
 · 
David Lefkowitz
A pool with people swimming and a surrounding patio with umbrella-covered tables and chairs.
City
Rent a private pool around Richmond
Take time for a refreshing getaway, whether you’re hosting a gathering or just enjoying some solo relaxation.
June 30, 2025
 · 
Travis Meier
A worker installing solar panels.
How to save on your summer energy bills in NOVA
Follow these tips to help save money + energy on water, landscaping, electricity, and AC.
June 26, 2025
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
Someone wearing yellow gloves, a yellow helmet, and long sleves reaches out with a tool in-hand, leaning over solar panels.
Home Services
How to save on your summer energy bills
Follow these tips to help save money and conserve energy on water, landscaping, electricity, and AC.
June 24, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
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