Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How one Richmonder keeps James River Park thriving year-round

And on the Richmond Patch calendar - Burlesque Bingo

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Thursday December 25th Patch AM
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Hello Richmond! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How one Richmonder keeps James River Park thriving year-round
  • Which Richmond streets could shrink lanes and gain bike and bus space?
  • Meet the Richmond Dillard’s worker who becomes Santa after hours

Also on today's calendar: Burlesque Bingo and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Richmondfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Richmondfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: An a.m. shower; mostly cloudy, with a high of 63 and low of 32 degrees.
  • Friday: Cloudy and cooler, temps: high: 43, low: 39.
  • Saturday: More clouds than sun, with a high of 52 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Personality: Andrew Alli (richmondfreepress.com) — Richmond’s James River Park System superintendent Andrew Alli shares how a love of the outdoors led him from VCU to overseeing one of the city’s signature public spaces. He explains how his team maintains trails, protects sensitive habitats, and keeps visitors safe along the river year-round. Alli also talks about his hopes for cleaner parks and more equitable access to green space across Richmond.
   

2. Richmond investing in road diets to improve traffic safety in 2026 (nbc12.com) — Richmond is planning major “road diet” projects in 2026 that will add hardened bike lanes, more bus-only lanes, and improved sidewalks to calm traffic and boost safety. City engineers say these Vision Zero upgrades, including possible transit lanes on Route 1 over the James, depend partly on residents completing current online surveys to guide where funding goes next.
   

3. ‘The most rewarding thing': Richmond's real-life Santa (wric.com) — A familiar Dillard’s employee at Stony Point Fashion Center in Richmond spends his off-hours donning the red suit to bring Santa-style joy across Central Virginia. David Craig started portraying Santa during the pandemic and now visits private events, schools, retirement communities, and families, building deep relationships and comforting people even through their hardest moments.
   

4. New Ashland Emergency Center opens, expanding 24/7 care, imaging access (wric.com) — A new Bon Secours Ashland Emergency Center has opened, becoming the fifth freestanding emergency department serving the greater Richmond area and easing pressure on Memorial Regional Medical Center. The 10-bed facility offers 24/7 emergency care plus MRI, CT, X-ray, and ultrasound, giving Ashland and Hanover residents closer access to critical services. A ribbon-cutting celebration will be rescheduled after weather delays.
   

5. She faced hunger as a child. Now, she feeds others on Christmas morning. (wtvr.com) — On Christmas morning in Richmond, volunteers with the Love and Kindness Krew are serving a full hot breakfast and providing clothing to residents staying at the Salvation Army shelter, aiming to make sure no one wakes up hungry or forgotten. Founder Samantha Coles, who once faced hunger and homelessness herself, now organizes monthly feedings and school support efforts, and is inviting locals to join future give-back events.
   

📸 Around Richmond

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Richmond

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

📣 Richmond Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Friday December 26
  • Holiday Music Time
    Twin Hickory Area Library , TW Children's Program Room , Tuckahoe
    10:30 am
  • Trap Karaoke
    The National , 708 E Broad St , Richmond
    7:00 pm
  • Friday Group Meditation – Richmond, VA
    Heartfulness Meditation Center , 2230 E Parham Rd , Richmond
    7:00 pm
    • Saturday December 27
  • RVA Winter Puppetfest
    Artspace , 2833-A Hathaway Rd , Richmond
    10:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Richmond Film Network Concludes Season 2 of RFN Indie Fest —Lisa Mayers Read on Patch
  • Being creative has always been a really good stress reliever for me.
    I'm not particularly crafty with a glue gun or anything, but I do like to create little things on the computer in my PaintShop Pro program. I haven't… (Nextdoor Highland Springs)
  • Scary to hear of all the burglaries going on.
    Now they block security systems on Wi Fi. Happy to say that my Doberman is not on Wi Fi! She is an amazing security system. She works on love and… (Nextdoor Beverly Hills)
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate in Richmond. Apply here.
  • Office Pride posted a job opening for Cleaning Technician / Full Time Day in Richmond. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Richmond here.

Ok Richmond! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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