Meet this week's guest editor, Ricky Parker! An accomplished educator, creative professional, and social impact advocate, Ricky is the Vice President at JPMorgan Chase. He leads community engagement efforts to foster relationships with local leaders and drive positive change. A co-founder of Shockoe Wine, Ricky understands the challenges small business owners face and champions continuous education and innovation. With extensive experience across educational and professional settings, he brings a unique perspective on the value of embracing diverse ideas.
In addition to his professional achievements, Ricky is the Founding Director of the Hip Hop Studies Program at Virginia Union University. An avid collector of fine art and rare Hip Hop memorabilia, he also enjoys hiking in his free time.
Take it away, Ricky ...
Celebratory Bubbles for New Year's Tasting
Raise a glass to the New Year at Echelon Wine Bar’s exclusive sparkling wine and champagne tasting! Enjoy six effervescent selections perfect for your year-end celebration. Take advantage of special pricing to stock up for your party, and toast to 2025 in style.
Celebrate the holidays in style with the Richmond Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi at RVA’s premier holiday party. Kappa Khristmas Kocktails ‘24 will feature great music, festive vibes, and holiday cheer at the iconic Main Street Station. Don’t miss this unforgettable night!
Vitals:
Kappa Khristmas Kocktails / Saturday, December 21, 7:00 - 11:00 pm / $55 per person / Main Street Station, 1500 East Main Street
Holiday Toy Drive
Spread joy this holiday season with the Dreamers Academy Foundation! Drop off a toy at Red Hibachi or Pig & Brew to help brighten a child’s Christmas. Together, let’s make the season magical for local families in need.
Vitals:
Holiday Toy Drive / Monday, December 23, 12:00 - 5:00 pm / Toy Donations / Drop off at Red Hibachi (1011 Hull Street) or Pig & Brew (1313 Hull Street)
Last Minute Holiday Shopping?
Shop Local.
MADE HERE.
This holiday season, surprise your loved ones with something truly special. The True Places RVA fine art print series depicts Richmond’s hidden outdoor spaces—destinations not found on maps or along well-worn paths. Shop limited-edition works by Ed Trask, Austin Miles, Steve Hedberg, Laura Goodman, and Melissa Burgess. Each locally made 14”x18” print is the perfect ready-to-frame size and available for immediate purchase, making it an ideal gift for local art lovers and those who seek to explore Richmond beyond the boundaries of a traditional map. On sale now at www.trueplacesrva.com.
Ricky serves as the Advisor for 1223 Potomac Gallery, a cutting-edge contemporary art space located in the heart of Georgetown, DC. Under his guidance, the gallery has become a key player in the local art scene, fostering emerging talent and promoting artistic innovation. Currently, the gallery’s artist-in-residence is Corey Ramon Gibson, a celebrated visual artist who was recently honored during Miami Art Week for his outstanding contributions to the DC art movement. Gibson’s work, which explores the intersection of cultural identity and contemporary expression, continues to captivate audiences and elevate the gallery’s reputation as a hub for transformative art.
Through Ricky's leadership, 1223 Potomac Gallery remains at the forefront of showcasing exceptional talent and supporting the creative community.
Meet this week's guest editor, Tim Barry! A Richmond native and self-taught musician, Tim is a pioneer of "Folk Rock," celebrated for his authentic and raw sound. Deeply connected to the city's community and natural landscapes, Tim draws inspiration from Richmond’s James River, which he considers an anchor in his life. Whether paddling, fishing, running, or exploring with his family, the river and its surrounding parks continually fuel his creativity and provide a sense of joy and respite.
Surprising to some, Tim is also an avid runner who finds peace and purpose in the rhythm of the trail. Despite his musical success, he cannot read sheet music—a detail that underscores the raw, unfiltered passion behind his craft.
For Tim, Richmond is more than just a home—it’s a close-knit community and a wellspring of inspiration, anchored by the enduring presence of the James River.
Take it away, Tim ...
November Fest: Concerts & Charity Drive at The Camel
November Fest concert tickets have already sold out, but there are other meaningful ways to get involved in the action! All weekend long at The Camel, we will be collecting food donations for Feed More and diaper donations for Little Hands Virginia. You'll find details about both charities in the "More About" section further down in this volume.
Vitals:
November Fest Charity Drive at The Camel / Friday, November 22 - Sunday, November 24 / Bring Donations / The Camel, 1621 West Broad Street
November Fest: James River Park Trail Work
I'm partnering with Keep Virginia Cozy, Friends of James River Park, and James River Park System staff to lead two days of cleanups and trail work during November Fest weekend. Join us in rebuilding a section of trail washed out by erosion. We'll be hauling rocks and filling dirt, so wear sturdy shoes, bring work gloves, and pack water! If you have a bucket or milk crate for carrying rocks, please bring it!
While registration is NOT mandatory, it will help gauge the supplies we will need to provide. Please register here to help us prepare!
Vitals:
James River Park Trail Work / Saturday, November 23, 10:00 am / FREE / W. 22nd St Parking lot of the James River Park System (W. 22nd & Riverside)
November Fest: James River Park River Cleanup
I’m hosting a river clean up on Sunday, November 24 with the same collaborators as Saturday's event; in fact, Keep Virginia Cozy could achieve a mind blowing 1 million pounds of litter removed from our public spaces if we collect enough trash Sunday. So let’s go big! Plus, Hike Hopped Seltzer will be on site providing some cold beverages!
Please visit this link for details, and hit “yes” on the sign up if you are coming. Let’s get off the apps and get outside together!
Vitals:
James River Park - River Clean Up / Sunday, November 24, 11:00 am / FREE / W. 22nd St Parking lot of the James River Park System (W. 22nd & Riverside)
More About the
November Fest Charities
If you are attending any of Tim's Richmond shows this weekend at The Camel, or want to drop by the venue to help out, they'll be collecting food donations for Feed More and diaper donations for Little Hands Virginia. Donations can be dropped off at the door!
Feed More, based in Richmond, is a cornerstone organization in the fight against hunger, providing meals to individuals and families across Central Virginia through its comprehensive network of food banks, kitchens, and delivery programs.
Little Hands Virginia supports children in crisis by providing essential items such as diapers, clothing, and hygiene products.
These organizations create a safety net for vulnerable populations, ensuring children and families in Richmond have access to both nourishment and the essentials needed to thrive.
Meet this week's guest editor, Helen Rai! Helen’s story is one of resilience and community. Born in Nepal, she moved to Richmond, Virginia, in 2005, where her family found strength within the local community. Now, as Program Director at Circles RVA and Director of Client Engagement at ReEstablish Richmond, Helen works to foster shared responsibility and well-being throughout the community.
Passionate about her heritage, she serves on the boards of the Asian American Society of Central Virginia, the Nepali Community of Greater Richmond Virginia, and Kasama Collective, amplifying Asian American and Nepali voices.
Outside of work, Helen and her husband stay busy raising two toddlers and preparing for a month-long journey to Nepal next year.
Take it away, Helen ...
Circles RVA Homecoming & Family Reunion
Join us in celebrating a milestone! This month marks 7 years of Circles RVA, and we’re thrilled to invite you to our Homecoming event on November 16th. Together, we’ll reflect on the incredible work we’ve done, honor the inspiring achievements of our Leaders, and dream of a future where everyone in Richmond has enough money, meaning, and friends to thrive. This is a celebration of our past and a vision for the future, and we’d love for you to be part of it.
Uniting to Amplify Love: A Collective Meditation at The Well Collective
What if, for one hour, tens of thousands of people came together to create an unstoppable wave of love and healing? With special guest Marianne Williamson, hosted by Candace Blair and The Love Tower at Ashah, this isn’t just a meditation—it’s a global gathering, amplifying our collective intention. While this will be a live streamed event accessible around the world, Marianne Williamson and Candace Blair will be with us LIVE and in person at The Well Collective with a limited number of seats available to join!
Join wildlife specialists from the Alliance of Wild Animal Rehabilitators and Educators (AWARE) as they discuss their mission of rehabilitating, providing sanctuary and individualized care for Virginia's native wildlife with the intent to release. They will provide tips on what to do if you find wildlife in need of help.
Vitals:
Wildlife Rescue with AWARE / Saturday, November 16, 11:00 - 12:00 pm / FREE / Libbie Mill, 2100 Libbie Lake E St, Richmond
More About Circles RVA
In a time marked by division, Circles RVA brings people from diverse backgrounds and experiences together to tackle the complex issue of poverty. We believe in the transformative power of social capital—recognizing that who you know is as crucial as what you know in achieving economic stability and success.
Our approach centers around building social networks that empower individuals to not just survive but truly thrive. At the core of our organization is the "Circle Leader": a person striving to move from survival to stability. Each Circle Leader determines their own unique path, setting goals in areas like employment, asset building, debt reduction, credit improvement, homeownership, or entrepreneurship.
Through Circles RVA, we offer a structured foundation backed by proven research highlighting social capital as a key factor in reducing poverty. We are committed to creating opportunities and networks that foster growth, resilience, and long-term economic stability.
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