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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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_halloween_parade_OCT
Events
Plan Ahead: October events + Halloween happenings 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 15, 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
A boardwalk trail with black railings, presented as part of Fall Line Trail's northern section in Hanover County.
Travel and Outdoors
Fall Line Trail reaches new construction milestone
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will commemorate the first major section of the Fall Line Trail to open.
September 23, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RIC_fall_activities_SEPT
Culture
RVA fall activity guide
There’s a whole lot to love about spending the fall season in Richmond, from pumpkin + apple picking to scare-worthy haunts + classic movie screenings.
September 22, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A swings ride in motion at the State Fair of Virginia
Events
Know before you go: State Fair of Virginia
Dust off your cowboy boots and work up an appetite — the state fair returns Sept. 26-Oct. 5.
September 18, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A swings ride in motion at the State Fair of Virginia
Know before you go: Your guide to the State Fair of Virginia
From thrilling rides and farm animals to deep-fried treats, live music, and giant pumpkin contests, here’s your complete guide to making the most of the 2025 State Fair of Virginia.
September 18, 2025
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
The interior of a Shockoe Slip property livinig room and dining area; a black and grey floating staircase; black leather furniture; an art statue leaning against the left wall; an orange dining table set up in the back of the room; colorful art prints on the walls.
Real Estate
The roots of luxury: A glimpse at penthouse life in historic RVA
A Manhattan-style penthouse is up for sale in Shockoe Slip, remixing a historically charged relic with high-end modernity.
September 16, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
The photo is taken of a physical photograph with corder frames and a white textured background; A Wonder Bread semi-truck releases balloons in the outfield of The Diamond.
Sports
Farewell Diamond: A brief history + our readers’ stadium memories
In honor of The Diamond’s last week in action, we asked our readers to share nostalgic stories that take them back to the stands.
September 11, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A person carries an old television in front of two stacks of donated electronics, sitting atop wooden pallets in a gravel and dirt lot.
Events
Recycle your electronics on Richmond E-Cycle Day
The City of Richmond will host a drive-through E-Cycle Day to collect residents’ recyclable electronics and hazardous waste.
September 9, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
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
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
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