vol. 272 / CozyExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 272 / COZY
Sit back and get cozy—this week’s guest editor is Jenny Kacani. Jenny is the Volunteer Lead for Keep Virginia Cozy, a Richmond-based nonprofit on a mission to protect wilderness and inspire all Virginians to care for our wild places in the River City and beyond.
Since 2017, the dedicated volunteers at Keep Virginia Cozy have removed over 600 tons of litter from public lands, preserving our natural legacy for current and future generations. Through zero-waste, community-driven efforts, they show that even small actions can lead to meaningful environmental impact.
In addition to keeping Richmond cozy, Jenny is a painter, glass artist (check out Odd Bird for flameworked glass objects), and works in publishing. A Richmond native who has always loved being outdoors, you can most often find Jenny kayaking, hiking, or climbing.
The events Jenny is highlighting this week celebrate what makes Richmond special—a community of people who love to come together to make things, make a difference, and make our city a better place.
Take it away, Jenny...
Reduce, Reuse, Risograph!
This event combines two of my favorite things: art and sustainability. Studio Two Three is offering a Risograph class that teaches you how to reuse materials to make prints. Risograph printing is an approachable medium that invites experimentation and creativity. Best of all, it’s a one-evening class, perfect if your schedule doesn’t allow for longer time commitments! Studio Two Three’s classes are always a wonderful experience—with uber-talented instructors and a warm, welcoming space.
Join Keep Virginia Cozy for our final cleanup before we host the 5th Annual Cozy Ol' Brewgrass Festival We’ll meet at the picnic shelter in Forest Hill Park and pick up litter around the park—including the picnic area, trails, lake, and playground. Stick around afterward for PRIDE on Forest Hill, and come back the next day for the South of the James Farmers Market—which, in my opinion, is the best in town! No sign-up needed. We’ll provide gloves and bags.
Vitals:
June 14, 11 am-12:30 pm / Forest Hill Park / 4021 Forest Hill Avenue
5th Annual Cozy Ol' Brewgrass Festival
The 5th Annual Cozy Ol' Brewgrass Festival will be the biggest and best yet! Join us down by the river to celebrate summer with all your local favorites: food from 1115 Mobile Kitchen, Goatocado, Vegan Action, and ArrozRVA; drinks from Väsen Brewing, HIKE Hopped Seltzer, and Ninja Kombucha; music from Andrew Alli & Josh Small. There will also be a fair for local artists and makers. Best of all, by coming out, you're helping keep our parks, trails, and beloved James River cleaner and cozier for all!
The event is sold out, but ticketholders can find more info here. And if you didn't score a ticket this year, follow along here for details about other events and ways to get involved!
I joined Keep Virginia Cozy to get more involved in the community and give back to the parks where I spend so much of my time. Our community cleanups are always a great experience—we get the friendliest people in attendance, and together we've picked up over one million pounds of trash!
What many people don’t know is that we also offer private community cleanups—a great way for businesses to connect with their local community. They pick the day, and we organize a cleanup for their team. It’s a chance to get out of the office, enjoy some time outdoors, and give back.
We weigh all the trash at the end, and seeing that final number really makes you feel good about what you’ve accomplished. I love leading these events because I get to meet so many new people—and it’s always fantastic when corporate cleanup participants return for our public community cleanups!
vol. 271 / Why RichmondExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 271 / WHY RICHMOND
This week, we're honored to welcome Jennifer Wakefield, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Richmond Partnership (GRP), as guest editor. In her role at GRP, Jennifer helps answer the question — Why Richmond?
At the helm of the region’s lead economic development organization—serving the City of Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico—Jennifer spends her days recruiting companies from around the globe to bring employment opportunities and taxable capital investment to our local communities. Her goal is to make Greater Richmond the top mid-sized region in the U.S. for business investment.
In her 20+ year career, she has built an impressive reputation in strategic planning, marketing and communications, operations, and organizational leadership—and is recognized as a national thought leader in economic development strategy.
She’s also a self-professed Star Wars nerd who can often be found exploring Greater Richmond with her husband, son, and miniature poodle. She’s here this week to share a few recommendations for making the most of the start of summer in the place we all love to call home.
Take it away, Jennifer…
From Carytown to The Fan
This is the first full week of summer for the kiddos, so I’d encourage everyone to go outside and spend time in the sunshine and hit the pools (as a native Floridian, I still can’t believe pools aren’t open 365)! My favorite place to take out-of-towners is Carytown and the Fan. It’s such a vibe and unlike anything else in the region. My personal fave is Can Can Brasserie (recently named one of the Richmond's best restaurants) for a meal; For the Love of Chocolate for sugary treats (like candy cigarettes!) and their new gift boxes; and then Lou Lou Boutiques for accessories and local Richmond artisan jewelry. Then stroll down the avenue to shop some more, check out the art welcome walls and unique architecture before driving down Arthur Ashe Boulevard to show off the VMFA, which is currently hosting its After 5 Fridays series with a dynamic rotation of categories: First Friday, Taste of Art, and Dance After Work, as well as Summer Breeze.
Draftcade and Summer Music at Short Pump Town Center
And speaking of shopping, I spend more time than I should at Short Pump Town Center, which is just down the road from my house. Lots of great shops, restaurants, and the Draftcade, where I hold the high score on Galaga—my favorite Atari game from the ’80s. The Summer Concert Series kicks off June 12 (Love Story: The Unofficial Taylor Swift Tribute), followed by June 26 (The Deloreans), and July 24 (Dalton Dover). Along with live bands, there will be exciting giveaways and a Wine Garden, with tickets directly benefiting Henrico CASA.
As for a favorite place to take a client: the LEGO Visitor Center! A great example of collaboration and Greater Richmond’s can-do attitude is the LEGO Group’s $1 billion manufacturing facility. While we’re eagerly awaiting the 1.7 million-square-foot facility to open, the Danish manufacturer has installed a visitor center in the shape of one of its bricks. Inside, you’ll find a model of the upcoming factory and playful videos about the company’s history. It’s open to the public and located at 1140 Meadowville Technology Pkwy, Chester.
Vitals:
LEGO Group / 1140 Meadowville Technology Pkwy, Chester
More about Greater Richmond Partnership.
The Greater Richmond Partnership is the lead economic development organization for the City of Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico. The public-private nonprofit provides four key activities toward economic prosperity: business attraction, regional marketing, research and analysis, as well as global competitiveness. The 30-year-old organization recently released its five-year strategic plan with a focus on growing Greater Richmond’s vision of being the top mid-sized region in the U.S. for companies to invest.
vol. 270 / PORTALExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 270 / PORTAL
Elise Kindya is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who runs PORTAL Therapy from her Museum District office, operating on the belief that the only way out is through. She's passionate about helping clients reclaim their lives from trauma by holding safe therapeutic spaces. When she's not in session, you can find her snuggling her dogs on the couch, walking through Byrd Park checking out baby geese and turtles, or taking a well-deserved self-care day.
Her therapeutic approach blends EMDR, IFS, mindfulness, and her Master Reiki Practitioner training with sound baths in experiential sessions. Holistic healing has transformed her own life—seeing herself as part of nature has been deeply healing, which she brings into her work at PORTAL's healing groups and classes. You can also find her on Instagram @elisekindya and hosting her podcast "Returning Home." Her husband Daniel owns Crewel & Unusual, where he embroiders cute and quirky original art on wearable items.
Take it away, Elise ...
Sacred Candlelit Fridays: BREATH
Unwind from the week and reset your nervous system at Sacred Candlelit Fridays: BREATH—an intimate, trauma-informed breathwork session at PORTAL. Guided through somatic practices in a cozy, sober space (max 8 participants), you'll reconnect with your body and breath, cultivating presence, balance, and self-compassion. Whether you're new or experienced, this is a powerful way to come home to yourself.
Tell your story through collage and creativity at SoulCollage® with Cheryl Groce-Wright at The Innerwork Center. This reflective, intuitive process invites you to cut, glue, and arrange images into personal art cards that hold deep meaning. It’s accessible to everyone—no experience needed—and offers a profound way to tap into your inner wisdom. Think: tarot meets art therapy. I took this class years ago and still reflect on what I made.
Slow down and restore your nervous system at The Art of Restoring Us—a sliding scale class at TAOU Studio. This gentle, trauma-informed practice is designed to help you reconnect with your body, calm your mind, and replenish energy in a welcoming, intentional space. I’m a huge fan of slower yoga. The pace allows for deeper self-connection, and TAOU always delivers—beautiful vibes, supportive people, and unmatched energy.
PORTAL Therapy is a trauma-focused mental health practice where we believe that the only way out is through. Our team of experienced, trauma-informed therapists creates a safe space for healing and self-discovery using an integrative approach tailored to each individual's unique needs.
We work with people of all backgrounds, offering culturally sensitive care for trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Our practice is built on collaboration, empathy, integrity, holistic healing, and safety—creating a "portal" for clients to move toward personal empowerment and fulfillment.
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