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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A boardwalk leads over the wetlands of Tuckahoe Creek.
Parks and Recreation
Henrico proposes Tuckahoe Creek Park expansion
Following a land donation of 20+ acres, Henrico County introduced plans for a new boardwalk + more at Tuckahoe Creek Park.
April 15, 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.
April 14, 2025
 · 
Robin Schwartzkopf
Two people work together with a printed art project.
Culture
Experience VCUarts’ latest exhibition
Encounter the obscure + challenge the mundane at this boundary-pushing exhibit.
April 11, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RIC-record_store_APRIL
Business
8 record stores in Richmond
Find your next favorite band or album at a local shop.
April 10, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A group of people walk past a colorful mural, directed by a guide wearing a microphone headset.
City
Seasonal tours are back in session with The Valentine
Stroll through Richmond’s rich history with The Valentine’s guided tours.
April 9, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
This photo shows four plates featuring sandwiches and slow-cooked eats from Brazen. Two full glasses sit behind the plates -- one with clear liquid and one with dark.
Food
New foodie faves in RVA
Check out these new Richmond restaurants that opened last month + get the scoop on what’s coming soon.
April 7, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RIC_frida_VMFA_APRIL
Culture
VMFA unveils Frida Kahlo exhibit in Richmond
Richmond becomes one of only two US cities to host “Frida: Beyond the Myth.”
April 6, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A person with a grey shirt and brown cap holds up a large yellow paper with handwritten plans for a "Title Tot Lot Community Fridge." The paper also includes, "Description: revamp existing playground and place community fridge + little free libraries (kids focus)", "Cost: $10,000", and "Impact: Create safe space to promote collective community responsibility"
City
Vote for the Richmond People’s Budget project
Get the 101 on this community-driven funding project + how you can vote on the allocation of $3 million.
April 2, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
The top half of the photo features a clear, dark blue night sky. The bottom half shows the Flying Squirrels baseball field with players positioned on the field.
Events
⚾ 10 Flying Squirrels games we’re excited for
There’s something about a hot dog, a sunset + an RVA baseball game that makes life worth livin’.
April 1, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Trees, developing spring leaves, populate the spaces between and above neighborhood houses.
Weather
Surviving pollen season in Richmond, VA
Does pollen season have you wiping your nose and windshield? Learn how to handle the pollen as allergy season kicks into high gear.
March 31, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
An angel statue with outstretched wings holds out a sash beneath a blooming Magnolia tree.
Travel and Outdoors
Spring blooms in Hollywood Cemetery
Get a first-hand look at the colorful blooms gracing Richmond’s historic Hollywood Cemetery.
March 28, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A girl and a partially transluscent creature wearing a mask sit next to each other on a train with water in the background of the windows.
Events
Studio Ghibli Fest at The Byrd Theatre
Watch an animated masterpiece at one of Richmond’s most historic theaters.
March 26, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Two photos sit side by side -- one of Dot in black and white and one of Cookie in color. Dot sits on a chair with one leg propped up, a striped dress on, and short, curly dark hair. In the second photo, Cookie stands in a light pink button-up blouse and white shorts in front of the original facade of Dot's Back Inn, which is white brick with a striped dark green awning. Cookie has dark hair cut just above her shoulders. She's smiling.
History
Dot’s Back Inn: a love letter to “the quintessential Richmond server”
Learn about the headstrong women who inspired, founded, and shaped Bellevue’s Dot’s Back Inn.
March 25, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
The image shows the interior of a home with white walls and grey + white checkerboard floors. A tree stands in a circle of stones in the middle of the floor. A spiral staircase can be seen to the right. There are a couple of framed art pieces on the walls and decorations near the floors. Behind the tree, an open doorway leads to a black piano in a separate room.
Art meets functionality at this unique Pembroke home
Take a peek at this jaw-dropping, custom home, then send it to your artsiest friend for their reaction.
March 21, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
maymont - rodney martin
Food
10 easy picnic ideas in Richmond
Embrace the start of spring and dig into all the local food Richmond has to offer
March 19, 2025
 · 
Robin Schwartzkopf
A green courtyard is framed with trees and flora. A brick path leading to the center of the courtyard displays an ornate, stone flower vase with orange/red blooms. At the back of the courtyard is a stone fountain and a brick building with no doors, but three arches. The bust of Edgar Allen Poe is inside. At the far right, a grey/black cat walks along the brick path siding the courtyard.
Culture
Literature and Her: Women’s History at Poe’s Garden
Peruse the courtyard + the intricate works of women writers at this easy-going meeting of minds.
March 18, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A VCU basketball player reaches for the net, basketball in hand, as an opposing team member reaches up in an attempt to block.
Sports
🏀 VCU Rams + UR Spiders join the NCAA Tournament
Root for these RVA teams heading to the “Big Dance.”
March 17, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
An brown and white patterned Osprey flies, wings spread, in a clear, blue sky.
Travel and Outdoors
Return of the RVA Osprey Cam
Don’t let this news fly over your head. Get an inside look at the dramatic, awe-inspiring + occasionally silly lives of our local ospreys.
March 14, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
The image displays a rusty, red colored moon as a part of the blood moon and lunar eclipse celestial event.
Richmond’s “blood worm moon” + lunar eclipse
Don’t get thrown off by the worm reference — this celestial event will leave Richmonders starry-eyed and moonstruck.
March 12, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Two Irish flags on flagpoles hang from front porches along a row of red-brick houses.
Events
St. Patrick’s Day festivities in RVA
We may not dye the James green, but we have a full agenda of festivities to help celebrate this Irish holiday.
March 11, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Six people stand in line, smiling, at 2024's Mobile Soul Sunday.
Culture
Your guide to RBRE week
Celebrate culinary initiatives and uplift Black-owned restaurants during this fun + food-filled week.
March 5, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A wall of white shelves display colorful yarn in the local craft store SCRAP RVA.
Small Business
Shop local craft stores in RVA
JOANN closed its doors last week, but what about the Richmonders half-way through crochet projects?
March 3, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RIC_ren_faire_JULY
Events
Thou art welcome: Richmond Renaissance Faire launches with fundraiser event
The world of fantasy and mythology is vast, and guess what? Richmond is now within the realm.
February 26, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
ILYSM owner, Mariela Gavino, leans against a red workshop table. In front of her, a soft-pink sign props against the table's leg and reads, "I Love You So Much" and "Pre-Loved Books" in handwritten, red lettering.
Small Business
ILYSM Books opens storefront in Richmond, VA
Originally a pop-up book vendor, ILYSM celebrates its first week as a Brookland Park resident.
February 24, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Chop Suey Books in Richmond
Culture
Find your next read at these Richmond bookstores
Get out on the town, and go browsing for your next read at these local independent bookstores.
February 5, 2025
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
RICtoday_Kickers_CityStadium
Sports
⚽ Six Kickers home games we’re excited for in 2025
“Up the Roos” from under the bright lights of City Stadium.
March 11, 2024
 · 
David Lefkowitz
RICtoday_PizzaGuide_Pupatella
Live
A guide to Richmond’s pizza scene
Here’s where to grab a slice at 25+ pizza restaurants around the River City
February 7, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
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