Something Worth Barking AboutExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 306 / Something Worth Barking About
Meet this week’s guest editor, Tamsen Kingry. Tamsen is the CEO of the Richmond SPCA, a nonprofit, no-kill humane society that saves the lives of 4,000 homeless animals each year. The organization also delivers a wide range of safety-net programs — including a pet pantry, behavior helpline, high-volume spay and neuter services, crisis boarding, low-cost and full-service veterinary care, youth education, and training — reaching tens of thousands of pets and the people who love them across the region.
If you had told Tamsen during her senior year at VCU that her internship would turn into a 24-year career, she might have asked what you were feeding the animals. But that’s exactly what happened. In 2002, thanks to some serendipitous timing (and a departing communications manager), she stepped into her first full-time role at the Richmond SPCA.
Over the last two decades, she has had a front-row seat to the organization’s evolution and growth, working in communications, development, and operations before becoming CEO in 2019. Along the way, she has adopted three dogs and two cats, fostered many others, and happily played matchmaker for countless friends looking for a new companion. Outside Richmond, she serves on Best Friends Animal Society’s Network Strategy Council, collaborating with shelter and rescue leaders across the country to strengthen the future of animal welfare.
Tamsen has called Richmond home since 1999 and shares her home with her husband, daughter, and adopted dog and cat. When she’s not at the humane center, you can find Tamsen — often joined by her dog Bart — at some of her favorite spots in the Fan, including Jardin, Susie’s, Celladora, and Blanchard’s. She’s also a frequent flier at the Broad Street Lowe’s, where she never misses the chance to say hello to the one-and-only Francine.
Take it away, Tamsen …
Bark in the Park
Bart isn’t the only one in my family angling for a game of fetch. When we’re not at my daughter’s softball games, we enjoy cheering on our local baseball team, the Richmond Flying Squirrels. I was fortunate to get a sneak peek of CarMax Park (a neighbor of the Richmond SPCA) before it opened and cannot wait to catch up with Nutsy and Nutasha at the first dog-friendly game the team hosts this season.
The Flying Squirrels return home against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies on Tuesday, May 19. Bark in the Park takes place every Wednesday home game from now through September 9, so grab your furry friend and head to the ballpark. During Bark in the Park games, presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, a portion of proceeds from the Squirrel Chaser specialty cocktail will be donated to the Richmond SPCA.
Vitals: Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Tuesday, May 19 / Bark in the Park, every Wednesday home game through September 9 / CarMax Park, 1771 Encore Avenue
Sharp's Island
Now I’m letting you in on a well-kept secret. There’s a private island full of fascinating history near the Mayo Bridge called Sharp’s Island. The only way to access it is by kayak or canoe, which is part of the charm and adventure — and very Richmond. It’s an excellent place to access the James River and camp, offering the only legal camping within Richmond city limits.
Hollywood Cemetery is a great place to walk while taking in breathtaking views of downtown Richmond and the James River. Not many cities give you high-rises, train crossings, bridges, and rapids all in a single glance. It’s one of the things that makes Richmond unique, and I like to take advantage of that whenever possible.
I also recommend joining a History Hounds tour, a partnership between the Richmond SPCA and The Valentine Museum. You can explore the history of some of Richmond’s most iconic neighborhoods, including Church Hill and the Museum District, with your dog at your side. You’ll even get to meet a dog available for adoption.
Want to take your exploration of Richmond to the next level? Join the Richmond SPCA for our Amazing Tails Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, May 30.
Think you have what it takes to race, solve, and strategize like a pro? Inspired by The Amazing Race, this interactive scavenger hunt is your chance to compete for a cause. Gather a team and hit the streets of Carytown, tackling clues and connecting with local businesses along the way. Every step supports the lifesaving work of the Richmond SPCA — and your team could take home a prize.
Registration closes on May 20, and only 20 teams can compete, so secure your spot now. Keep tabs on all upcoming events, classes, and more at the Richmond SPCA!
Always RevolutionaryExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 305 / Always Revolutionary
It’s National Travel and Tourism Week, and there’s no better time to welcome Katherine O’Donnell, President & CEO of Richmond Region Tourism, as our guest editor. For more than 20 years, she has helped the region shine, turning tourism into a force for community impact. At her core, she’s a builder who believes tourism can make the Richmond Region stronger, more connected, and more vibrant.
A graduate of University of Richmond, Katherine came for school and stayed for the community. She started out creating maps and visitor guides and worked her way up to leading the organization, where she now sets the strategic vision, priorities, and long-term sustainability of Richmond Region Tourism while aligning its work with the region’s economic prosperity and quality-of-life goals. Along the way, she has championed initiatives that celebrate and support the region, including OutRVA, BLK RVA, and the launch of Virginia’s first Tourism Improvement District.
Outside of work, Katherine and her husband, Darby, are raising their two children, Norah and Henry, who are growing up immersed in the region’s tourism scene — from NASCAR and Kings Dominion to the Virginia Derby, Richmond Flying Squirrels games, and GalaxyCon Richmond.
On the weekends, when she’s not attending a local event or cheering on her kids at sports games, you’ll likely find Katherine walking her dog, Ginger, around the lake at the University of Richmond. She’s an avid reader, loves to travel, and appreciates a good spicy margarita.
We’re honored to have Katherine join us this week as she shares her tips for exploring and celebrating this place we all love to call home.
Take it away, Katherine…
India's Great Mughals: Art, Power, and Opulence
I can’t wait to check out India’s Great Mughals: Art, Power, and Opulence at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, which opened last week. The exhibition brings together more than 200 stunning works — from jeweled objects to textiles and manuscripts — and offers a glimpse into the richness and global influence of the Mughal Empire. It’s exactly the kind of world-class experience that makes the Richmond Region so special.
One experience I always recommend is seeing a reenactment at St. John's Church. It’s a powerful way to step right into the moment of Patrick Henry’s famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech. It’s also part of the new Always Revolutionary digital trail, which highlights the people and places across the Richmond Region that helped shape our nation’s story. With events, exhibitions, and experiences happening through 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary, it’s a great way to explore the region’s history in a meaningful, immersive way.
Vitals: St. John's Church / Summer Sundays — May 24 through Sept. 6 / 2401 East Broad Street
Discover Richmond Tours
If you have friends or family in town, or are simply looking for an adventure in your own backyard, Discover Richmond Tours offers fun walking food tours, brewery tours, and scavenger hunts that reveal the neighborhoods, flavors, and stories of RVA. With tours focused on pizza, ice cream, offbeat history, and more, there’s something for everyone.
Vitals:
Tours take place throughout the week – pre-registration is required / Discover Richmond’s website includes a calendar with locations
More About Richmond Richmond Tourism.
At Richmond Region Tourism, we get to tell the story of this place we all love, inviting visitors who support the businesses and experiences that make our community so special. We represent seven localities across the Richmond Region, and we see every day how tourism strengthens our economy, supports small businesses, and builds pride in where we live. It truly is a force for good.
With National Travel and Tourism Week taking place May 3–9, it’s a great moment to recognize the impact of travel here at home. The Richmond Region continues to outperform state and national trends, and in 2025 alone, we welcomed 19.1 million visitors.
If you’re curious to learn more, our free I Am Tourism workshops offer a fun, behind-the-scenes look at how it all comes together and why the Richmond Region is such a vibrant, can’t-miss destination. Our next session is May 20 at Richmond Raceway.
Richmond, Go Wild 🐾Exploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 304 / Go Wild
Meet this week’s guest editor, Krista Weatherford, Maymont’s Director of Programming and Curator of Natural Resources. Krista exudes a lifelong passion for wildlife and natural resources and shares it enthusiastically with everyone she meets. As a leader of both education programs and animal care at Maymont, she infuses everything she does with a sense of fun and a deep respect for people and animals.
In addition to planning educational programs for more than 18,000 students who visit Maymont each year, as well as summer camps, night hikes, citizen science programs, and more, Krista supervises a dedicated team of animal care specialists who care for more than 300 animals at Maymont — from tiny seahorses to North America’s largest land animal, the bison.
Even when she’s not at Maymont, Krista is an advocate for the environment as a facilitator in Project WET, Project WILD, and Project Learning Tree. She is a Virginia Master Naturalist with the Pocahontas Chapter and a Certified Interpretive Guide. Her hobbies also reflect her love of the natural world, as she enjoys kayaking, hiking, and observing wildlife.
Krista has been with Maymont for 11 years and in the field of environmental education for a total of 25 years, including teaching and managing several programs in Virginia State Parks and at Georgia Southern University’s Center for Wildlife Education. She took time out of her busy schedule this week to offer her tips for exploring and celebrating this place we all love to call home.
Take it away, Krista ...
Virginia Wildlife Trail Grrrrand Reopening at Maymont
After two years of major enhancements, celebrate the reopening of Maymont’s beloved Virginia Wildlife Trail, a forever home for rescued and rehabilitated native wildlife nestled in the heart of Richmond. On May 2, from 10 am to 4 pm, enjoy free entertainment, games, and activities while you explore the new and remodeled habitats, with more accessible pathways, new interpretive signs, and more ways to view our wildlife residents — including old friends Big Bear and Little Bear, and our newest residents: two porcupines and a coyote!
Learn about the importance of pollinators in the environment, planting native plants, and how to care for beehives, presented by the Rockwood Park Backyard Beekeepers Association and the Bumblebee Jamboree at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds. From 10 am to 3 pm, enjoy live music by the Bee Flats, plus children’s activities, local honey and beekeeping supplies for sale, bee-friendly plants, educational talks, face painting, food trucks, and more.
Vitals: 15th annual Chesterfield Bee Festival / Saturday, May 2, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. / Free, children welcome / Chesterfield County Fair Grounds, 10300 Courthouse Road
Clean the Bay Day at Pocohontas State Park
Each year, Virginia State Parks participates in the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Clean the Bay Day, an event dedicated to protecting and preserving the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Park visitors are invited to join a clean-up to help remove litter, debris, and pollution from rivers, streams, and shorelines that feed into the Bay, contributing to the health of the Bay’s ecosystem and ensuring cleaner water and safer habitats for wildlife. Volunteers will work alongside park staff to keep our natural areas beautiful for everyone to enjoy. This event is a great opportunity for individuals, families, scout groups, and community organizations to give back while spending time outdoors. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather. Bring water, sunscreen, and work gloves; trash bags and additional supplies will be provided.
Vitals: Clean the Bay Day / Saturday, May 2, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. / Free, children welcome / Advance reservations required / Pocahontas State Park, CCC Field, 10301 State Park Rd., Chesterfield
More from Krista.
The newly enhanced Virginia Wildlife Trail is included in Maymont’s free general admission, open from 10 am to 7 pm during daylight saving time and from 10 am to 5 pm when days are shorter. Additional guided experiences and up-close programs with some of Maymont’s wildlife are available for advance reservation at Maymont.org/tours. All program fees help support the operations of the nonprofit Maymont Foundation, which cares for the historic collections, gardens, and animals, and provides educational programs.
Don’t miss the visiting wildlife that stop in at Maymont as part of the James River wildlife corridor. Wildlife photographer Bill Draper frequently documents some of the deer, foxes, groundhogs, birds, and butterflies that use Maymont as a temporary or permanent home.
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