As Richmond Ballet, The State Ballet of Virginia, embarks on its 29 th Season, following a triumphant debut in London this past summer, the City of Richmond will recognize the Company with an Open House on Friday, September 7, 2012, at 6:30pm at their studios, 407 East Canal Street in Downtown Richmond. Richmond Ballet is part of the new Arts and Cultural District that will help create “the vibrant district that city officials envision.” The Open House, being held during the city’s monthly First Friday’s recognition, serves as the invitation for all residents to hear about the Company’s recent London debut, first international cover on Dance Magazine and the upcoming 2012-2013 Richmond Ballet Season. Attendees to the event will also have the opportunity to tour the Richmond Ballet studios and meet the Company dancers.  “It was a privilege to see Richmond Ballet, The State Ballet of Virginia, make its international debut in London,” states Dance Europe Magazine. “The Compan...

The City of Richmond advises that the RVA Shoppers’ Shuttle, the monthly grocery shuttle offering transportation for Richmond residents, will modify its schedule to accommodate the new Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits schedule. The Virginia Department of Social Services will now issue SNAP benefits on the first, fourth, seventh, and ninth days of the month. The day will be determined by the last digit of a recipient’s case number. The RVA Shoppers’ Shuttle will now operate on the second and ninth day of each month and the third Saturday of each month.  All pick-up locations will have a final destination at the Walmart SuperCenter at 2410 Sheila Lane. The Shuttle serves the communities of Hillside Court, Fay Tower, Creighton Court, Fairfield, Mosby, Whitcomb, and Fulton. The shuttle service grew out of preliminary recommendations of the Mayor’s Food Policy Task Force.  The pilot RVA Shoppers’ Shuttle program is focused on areas of the city dee...

Hurricane season is June 1 through November 30. Residents should prepare by stocking up on batteries, flashlights, generators, water, non-perishable food and other supplies that you may need during severe weather. Remember, the cell phone towers may go down, so have an out-of-town contact for everyone in your family to contact. Also, keep your medication and important paperwork in a safe place. Now is the time to get ready, before a storm hits!  Click here  for more information on preparing your family.  Click here to view the Office of Emergency Management's 'Emergency Preparedness 101' video. For more information and to download a copy of the Citizens' Emergency Preparedness Guide, please visit the Office of Emergency Management .

Mayor Dwight C. Jones has announced that the monthly grocery shuttle offering transportation for Richmond residents will be extended for another six months. The monthly food shuttle will continue to run free of charge on the second and fourth of each month. The courtesy shuttle is a pilot program that began in February as a transportation support system focused on areas deemed as food deserts – areas without easy access to healthy, nutritional, fresh food.  The areas focused on also have a high concentration of poverty and large populations without personal transportation. “Providing access to healthy and fresh food options ties right in with the City’s healthy lifestyle focus, and based on the feedback that we’ve gotten over the first few months of this pilot, additional time to track results and measure interest will help us to determine the best course of action for the future,” said Mayor Jones.  “There are several things we’d like to measure going forward,” said Deputy...

Richmond Ballet will make their international debut by traveling to London to perform at the Royal Opera House Linbury Studio Theatre in Covent Garden this month. The trip will mark the first time in its 54-year history that the company will perform overseas. Ballet lovers have the opportunity to preview the works that will be performed in London in a special program being held in Richmond, June 6-9, in the Richmond Ballet Studio Theatre. “The entire community is proud of the Richmond Ballet for all of their great contributions to the area, and we are especially proud that they will represent Richmond internationally,” said Mayor Jones. “I encourage Richmonders and visitors from the region to attend the special preview performances in a show of pride and support for the Richmond Ballet upcoming London debut.” Made in the U.S.A.: Traditions and Innovations features four ballets choreographed in America, including two works commissioned by the company as part of its ambitious,...

The week of May 25 - 31 is a Virginia's Sales Tax Holiday to encourage residents to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. During the seven-day period, purchases of items designated by the Department of Taxation as hurricane preparedness equipment will be exempt from the Virginia sales tax. Many of these items are of daily use, such as bottled water, flashlights, batteries, cell phone batteries, etc. Many Richmond retail outlets will carry these supplies and have information regarding this tax holiday, or  visit www.tax.virginia.gov for more information. You may also view a list of tax-exempt items below.

The parade will kick-off at 10 a.m. at Kensington and the Boulevard and proceed south on Boulevard, ending at the Carillon.  The parade will provide the Richmond community an opportunity to support and thank our military and their families for honorable and dedicated service to our nation during the past decade. This event will have a major impact on vehicular traffic and parking along the parade route and immediate area from 5:30AM – 1:00PM on Saturday, May 19, 2012. Towing Enforcement for the parade route will commence at 5:30AM and these areas are clearly marked by posted Special “No Parking” signage. The Boulevard will be closed in all directions from Park Ave. to the Carillon from 8:00AM – 1:00PM.  Please make arrangements to avoid being towed by not being in violation of these special no parking restrictions during this event.  Please plan ahead if you must travel in this area during this event.