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. 

WHO:   Richmond Clean City Commission, Richmond Department of Public Works, and Central Virginia Waste Management Authority WHAT:  Drop off for all household electronic items, such as computers, monitors, radios, fax machines, microwaves, camcorders, etc.  Fluorescent light bulbs and large appliances cannot be accepted.   WHEN:  Saturday, May 19, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. WHERE: 1710 Robin Hood Road (corner of Boulevard and Robin Hood Road) BACKGROUND:   The City of Richmond’s E-Cycle Day offers City residents an efficient and green option to recycle unwanted electronic products. There is a $7 recycling fee for televisions. All other household electronic items will be recycled free of charge. For more information on E-Cycle Day , visit www.RichmondGov.com http://www.richmondgov.com/ .

Learn more about opportunities for your business and how to become a vendor with the City of Richmond. Space is limited. Please register no later than May 22, 2012. What: Let's Do Business with the City Workshop When: Thursday, May 24, 2012, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Where: Richmond Police Training Academy              1202 West Graham Road, Richmond, VA 23220