Latest news with #Richmonders
Axios
6 hours ago
- General
- Axios
Maymont wants your stories for its 100th anniversary in Richmond
Maymont is gearing up for its 100th anniversary next year. Why it matters: They're looking for photos, written stories and/or videos from anyone who's visited the public park in the last 99 years. Driving the news: Maymont's Historic Resources department is gathering " Maymont Moments" from locals for the next few months as part of its centennial preparation. Staffers want to create an "oral history" of Maymont written by the people who know it best. That includes the generations of Richmonders who've walked its gardens, fed its goats, rolled down its hills or skipped across its pond.
Axios
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Axios
You can name a new baby porcupine at Maymont for $25
Richmond is now home to two porcupettes — the real name for baby porcupines — and Maymont wants you to name one of them. Why it matters: If there's one thing Richmonders love, it's coming out of the woodworks to name cute baby animals. Driving the news: Maymont announced the contest on Monday, when they hard-launched the recent arrival of the two-month-old porcupines. One of them is already named Sandy because of a Maymont donor, per the release, but the other lady porcupette's name is still up for grabs. How it works: Anyone who makes a $25 donation through Aug. 17 gets to suggest what to call her. Out of those submissions, four will be put to a public vote from Aug. 22-28. Maymont will reveal which name won on Sept. 6. Fun fact: These porcupines are part of major upgrades underway at the park, which include an outdoor habitat just for them. What's next: You don't have to wait until the habitat is done next year to see them. The two lady porcupettes, born in Michigan in May, will make their public debut on Friday at The Robins Nature Center. Tickets are $10 for adults. And starting Aug. 1, Maymont will allow groups of six to take photos with them for $85 — but you can't touch them.
Axios
2 days ago
- Health
- Axios
E. coli spikes at Richmond river spots
Half of the eight Richmond river stations the James River Association monitors were showing elevated levels of E. coli as of Friday. Why it matters: If you're planning to take a dip in the James during this rare dry and sunny week, you may want to wait — and then double-check river conditions before you go. State of play: The James River Association collects river samples weekly in Richmond in summer and updates their map every Friday, the nonprofit's riverkeeper Tom Dunlap tells Axios. Their latest batch of data shows high to extremely high levels of E. coli in the James from around Belle Isle through Rocketts Landing and Osborne Landing. The stats from the previous week showed elevated E. coli readings at all of their Richmond stations. The big picture: The recent rain and Richmond's 19th-century sewer system are to blame. The city's sewer system combines stormwater with sewage, and filters it through Richmond's wastewater treatment plant. But when it rains heavily — as it seems to have every other day this month — the treatment plant can become overwhelmed and the excess gets dumped into the James. What comes out is 90% stormwater and around 10% wastewater, which includes whatever was flushed down your toilet. Reality check: Due to wildlife near the river, some amount of E. coli is always in the James, Dunlap says. Zoom in: According to a review of the city's combined sewer overflow monitors, 11 of its 25 "outfall" stations had at least one overflow last week, some as recently as Sunday. Those overflows can push water quality levels beyond what the Virginia Department of Health considers safe for swimming. That's why Virginia health officials "advise the public to avoid swimming in natural waterways for three days following rain events," a VDH spokesperson tells Axios. By the numbers: 235 (CFU/100mL) or below is the magic number for E. coli readings, Dunlap says. It's also what all the monitoring stations from Reedy Creek east to Huguenot Flatwater were showing, as of Friday. At the latest reading, the rest of the monitored spots showed: Belle Isle and the Rope Swing at Tredegar: 270 14th Street: 328 Chapel Island: 501 Rocketts Landing: 2,420 Which means: Swimming is OK from Huguenot Flatwater to Reedy Creek, as of the last reading. But Richmonders shouldn't be swimming at the rest, Dunlap says. Though, it's likely OK for kayaking or canoeing or recreation where one isn't submerged in the water. What we're watching: The rain over the weekend means those numbers will likely change and could make more parts of the river unsafe for swimming, Dunlap says. Pro tip: Dunlap's organization only has funding to do weekly monitoring for now, but he recommends checking the city's combined sewer overflow monitors.
Axios
15-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
Why people, including TikTok influencers, are moving to Richmond
The TikTok influencers are moving to Richmond. Why it matters: We're a city that sees outsiders as a threat to housing prices and identity, but it's never been more in our face than now — and everyone has an opinion. State of play: The Richmond region's rapid growth, spurred in the largest numbers by people from pricey California and NoVa, is all over our screens. People are documenting their move from trendy L.A. or NYC. Other newcomers are posting about curated neighborhood tours or organizing meetups. Yes, but: If the comments are any indication, Richmonders are split. Many are welcoming and offering recommendations. Others have commented"Why are so many of y'all moving here..." One person called the trend a recession indicator. The big picture: As Richmond grows, so do the stakes of who gets to thrive here. Housing prices are being pushed beyond what many locals can afford. More cookie-cutter apartments are cropping up like the ones in Charlotte and other fast-changing cities. Plus, the demographics of a once majority-Black city with prominent Black history shifting toward being significantly whiter has sparked fears of displacement. The intrigue: When we asked readers why they moved here from bigger cities, the answers weren't as simple as seeking a cheaper cost of living. Of the dozens of readers who replied, nearly all noted some previous connection to Richmond or Virginia. Some are moving back. Others found a job here. And even a few of the many TikTok influencers say they wanted to be closer to family. Zoom in: Sylvia Dominguez, for example, was born and raised in L.A. and recently moved to Henrico to be closer to her daughter, who moved here almost 20 years ago, got married and has stayed ever since. Larry Eason moved from L.A. nearly four years to be closer to his wife's family, instead of driving cross-country in a Prius multiple times a year, and now lives in Westover Hills. Then there's Greg Jenkins, who moved to the Fan in March from the San Francisco Bay Area, and went to the University of Richmond and VCU in the 1980s. His first job was at the Virginia Press Association. "I just love Richmond and really wanted to get back," he told us. What they're saying: Michael Ivey from the Greater Richmond Region Partnership, the metro's economic development agency, tells Axios that people are also wanting to "escape the rat race that you maybe started your career out in."
Axios
15-07-2025
- General
- Axios
How to be a true Richmonder when you've just moved here
Moving here is the first step, but it doesn't make you a Richmonder just yet. Why it matters: Richmonders like to insist you notch certain experiences in this city before claiming it, and that takes time. Zoom in: Here's a cheat sheet to get you started. ⏰ Take the time to learn the city's complicated past, the people who've long been here and how both have shaped the present. 🤬 Get pissed at the city and maybe tweet about it. You'll find like-minded people and about five more issues to be annoyed about within the hour. 💀 Be funny in a crisis. Nothing bonds us more than collectively meme'ing our way through not having running water for three days. 💅🏼 Casually drop "That's so Richmond" in a conversation. No one ever asks follow-ups. They'll just nod because there's a 99% chance whatever you're referring to really is "so Richmond." 🚗 Get towed by Siebert's, and try (and fail) to talk them into not towing you. 🌉 Cross the bridge (all of them). 🔥 Roast Scott's Addition, even if you live there. 🍗 Find a chicken bone on the sidewalk. 💪🏼 Go to Black Rabbit for a flash tattoo so you can then stop anyone you see who looks like they got their tattoo done by the same person. ⚠️ Learn to drive down the small two-way side streets without panicking that both cars won't fit.
