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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An opened box with three Sub Rosa pastries sitting on a red table.
Food
Sub Rosa Bakery reopening Dec. 16, one year after building fire
Just over one year after a fire caused the beloved local bakery to close, Sub Rosa is ready to open its doors once again.
December 15, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RICtoday_TackyLight_OregonHill
Culture
The ultimate guide to holiday lights in Richmond
Read our list and check it twice to see how to get the most out of holiday illuminations in RVA.
December 11, 2025
 · 
Robin Schwartzkopf
A close-up shot of a DJ spinning a record, wearing a blue jersey-style shirt with red striped and the number "10;" A partially transparent image of a disco ball is overlaid on the photo.
Events
10 New Year’s Eve events to ring in 2026
Usher in the new year, from noon to midnight, with these parties around Richmond.
December 10, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RICtoday_UR_VCU_A10_WBB_Overhead
Sports
4 Tha Culture: VCU + UR to join milestone hoops showcase in Henrico
In its debut year, the 4 Tha Culture Holiday Classic invites six Division 1 women’s basketball teams to celebrate culture and talent.
December 9, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A gray fox photographed on a trail camera, mid-walk through leaves in a wooded area.
Travel and Outdoors
The Virginia Gray Fox Project collects trail-cam photos for wildlife research
Organizations throughout Virginia have contributed thousands of photos to the Virginia Gray Fox Project, and we picked our top 10 trail-cam moments.
December 8, 2025
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
The interior of CobbleStore, which features a clothes rack with hanging clothes, a wall shelf above lined with sneakers, and an overhead lineup of T-shirts on hangers against the wall.
Play
Happy hauling: Thrift shops, flea markets, vintage + resale stores in RVA
See where you can shop secondhand for clothes, household items, and personalized gifts at thrift shops and resale markets around the 804.
December 8, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A moving gif with the text "2025 Wrapped"; moving componenets include a star shape in the top left corner, three location pins in the top right corner, a sun shape in the bottom right corner, and a mobile phone with a smiley face in the left bottom corner.
Culture
RICtoday Wrapped: Revisiting 2025’s top hits
It’s that time of year again — Spotify Wrapped is out, and so is ours. Ready to see how our year stacked up?
December 3, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Aerial Shot of Main Street Station Amtrak
City
How to ride Amtrak in Richmond, VA
Taking the train isn’t just for commuters — it’s also a method of leisure travel that’s growing in popularity.
December 2, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
The outside of an Amtrak train at Alexandria Station.
Airports and Transportation
Your guide to the Amtrak in Northern Virginia and DC
Traveling soon, but not feeling the hassle of flying? Check out this guide to Amtrak routes in and around Northern Virginia.
December 2, 2025
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
Two deer photographed from a trail camera, facing in the direction of each other; the deer are in a wooded area; the smaller deer on the left has one spots; the bigger deer on the right has no noticeable spots.
Travel and Outdoors
Virginia Gray Fox Project documents thousands of trail-cam cuties
As the Virginia Gray Fox Project prepares to enter its final field season, we picked our top 10 trail-cam moments.
December 1, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
The inside of The Smoky Mug's new location, populated by customers and workers; Wicker light shades hand from the cieling and a colorful mural covers one of the back walls.
Business
Our RICtoday Small Business Saturday shopping picks
The 16th annual edition of Small Business Saturday falls on November 29 — the perfect time to help you add some local flair to your holiday shopping.
November 25, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RIC_NOVA_smithfield_ham_sign_NOV
Weird Virginia laws you might not know about
Have you committed one of these strangely specific crimes? Take a browse through some Virginia laws you might not have known were on the books.
November 20, 2025
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
RIC_NOVA_greetings_from_virginia_NOV
City
Weird Virginia laws you might not know about
Have you committed one of these strangely specific crimes? Take a look at some weird Virginia laws you might not have known were on the books.
November 20, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A student stands in front of a piece of art by Kehinde Wiley, a portrait of Alicia Keys.
Culture
Alicia Keys + Swizz Beatz join local students for “Giants” pep rally
The VMFA hosted 15 Richmond-area schools (and two very special guests) for the premiere of the new “Giants” collection.
November 19, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A vendor table at Studio Two Three's Winter Market with pottery placed on shelves.
Culture
Holiday markets, bazaars, and craft shows in Richmond
Here’s your guide to stocking up on seasonal goods from local artisans and traveling markets.
November 18, 2025
 · 
Robin Schwartzkopf
Renderings of solar panels in the middle of a meadow area with colorful wildflowers.
City
From landfill to meadow: City of Richmond seeks feedback on solar farm project
Share your feedback on the the East End Solar Meadow Project at three upcoming community meetings.
November 13, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A mural on the sides of a multi-level parking garage depicting a bicyclist in orange, red, and light blue/green colors.
City
Richmonders share their beginner-friendly bike advice
From trails and safety tips to bike shops and accessories — RVA locals tell you what’s good.
November 12, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RICtoday_PostcardShow_Gif
Events
Vintage Postcard + Paper Show returns to Richmond this weekend
The Old Dominion Postcard Club is hosting its 47th annual show at Keystone Truck + Tractor Museum, Nov 14-15.
November 10, 2025
 · 
Robin Schwartzkopf
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
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