Richmond is a great city to explore with a rich history and unique stores to browse through.  This Friday the First Fridays Art Walk returns. The event start at 6pm and lasts until 10pm. First Fridays if free and a great way to experience the artistic side of Richmond. The First Fridays Website describes the event as…

Downtown is also home of Richmond’s most popular arts and cultural program – First Fridays Art Walk – a monthly event showcasing over 30 diverse small businesses, working studios, and cultural organizations. This burgeoning arts and cultural district is located east of Belvidere Street and west of 7th Street, and between Monroe Ward to the south and Jackson Ward to the north. Home to diverse art galleries, unique boutiques, incredible dining, fine accommodations, cultural entities, and independent studios; Downtown has become the cultural destination for Richmond.

Enjoy a stroll downtown in the cool evening and view some of the great artists and stores in Richmond!

For more information contact:

Curated Culture
PO Box 25401
Richmond, VA 23260
804-304-1554
curatedculture@comcast.net
Christina E. Newton, Director

Contents Copyright © 2009 Richmond on the Cheap

Come out and support the 27th Annual Teddy Bear Run with the Blue Knights of Richmond.  This is a great opportunity to make a child happy and help raise money for the Children’s Hospital. Last year, about 1,000 motorcycles brought more than 1,000 teddy bears to the Children’s Hospital. They also raised more than $20,000 to help support the Children’s Hospital.

Registration  begins at 9:30 am at Colonial Harley-Davidson and the ride starts at 1 pm to the Children’s Hospital. Food, bands, and of course hundreds of motorcycles will be at the event! If you want to test your luck you can also enter the drawing to win a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle.

Colonial Harley-Davidson is located at 1701 Temple Parkway in Prince George, VA.

For more information please visit the Colonial Harley Davidson website.

Contents Copyright © 2009 Richmond on the Cheap

For all those who were lost in the attacks on 9/11 , just a few years ago, there will be a memorial held in Richmond in their honor.  If you lost someone or want to show continued support for those lost then please go out to the Carillon in Byrd Park.  The event is free and there will be light refreshments available.

The event will include a live vocalist and a benediction by Rev. Deborah D. Lynch. Guest speaker Reggie Gordon Executive Officer of the Richmond chapter of the American Red Cross will also be there.  So, please come out and pay your respects to those who lost their lives fighting to save others and those who were lost just going about their daily routine.

A little about the Carillon history…
This brief history about the Carillon comes from the City of Richmond Website.

Between 1924 and 1928, the Virginia General Assembly acted to create a World War Memorial Commission and build a lasting memorial to the heroic efforts of Virginia’s World War I servicemen and servicewomen.

The City donated a building site in Byrd Park. The War Memorial Carillon is 240 feet high and The Carillon instrument was built by John Taylor Bell Founders of England.

The Carillon Tower originally carried sixty-six bells, but played fifty-three notes – the top thirteen notes had duplicate bells in an unsuccessful effort to produce a louder sound. When the carillon was renovated in the early 1970’s, the thirty-four bells which played the highest twenty-one notes were recast into twenty-one new bells with thicker profiles than the originals, producing a better sound. Now there are fifty-three bells for fifty-three notes.

For more information about this event please call (804)-646-1031.  The event will be held Friday, September 11th from 11am-12pm

Carillon
1000 Blanton Ave
Richmond, Va

Contents Copyright © 2009 Richmond on the Cheap

Children grow up fast, so while they’re young take them out to play and enjoy every moment you spend with them. Willow Lawn is hosting an event called Mommy & Me and Daddies Too that is all about giving out quality family time.  The event occurs every second Wednesday of the month through December from 10  until 11:30 am. This month’s event is Cooking with Kids.

Cooking with the Kids

Radio Disney: Cooking is always more fun with music! Join Radio Disney for music, dancing and story time at 10:15am and 11:00am.

Richmond Parents Monthly Magazine: Every little chef needs a chef hat! Decorate your own with Richmond Parents Monthly Magazine.

Greater Richmond SCAN: Great Richmond SCAN is cookin’ up some fun! Bring a packaged snack* to benefit the SCAN snack drive.

Read Aloud Virginia**: Snow White is in the kitchen! Come meet her and share your favorite cooking stories by donating a gently used children’s book benefiting the Read Aloud Virginia Children’s Book Bank.

Children’s Museum of Richmond: Experience the art of cooking with CMOR!

Annabelle’s Angels: Float away with Annabelle’s balloons while learning about their mission.

CORE Kids Academy: Work off those extra calories with a fun fitness circuit from CORE Kids Academy.

Women’s Health Physical Therapy: It’s all fun and games over at Women’s Heath Physical Therapy. Have fun and get info too.

Youth Life Foundation: Cook up a tasty treat with Youth Life Foundation.

AAA Mid-Atlantic: Cooking with your kids has never been more fun and easy. AAA Mid-Atlantic has kid-friendly recipes to make it a piece of cake.

Padow’s Hams & Deli: Sample what’s cookin’ in Padow’s kitchen.

Chick-fil-A: Try your luck with a FREE spin of the Chick-fil-A prize wheel.

Qdoba Mexican Grill: Learn about cooking south of the border with Qdoba.

Domino’s Pizza: Try some yummy pizza from Domino’s.

H&R Block: Learn about saving money with H&R Block.

Hair Cuttery: Enjoy coloring and more from Hair Cuttery.

*Sample Snacks: Granola bars, fruit snacks, Cheezits, Ritz Bitz, Chex Mix, Mini Cereal Boxes, Animal Crackers, PopTarts, Chips, Pretzles, Cookies, Drink Boxes (real juice),Capri Sun, Sodas, Water (8 oz. bottles), etc…

**Bring a gently used children’s book for the children’s book drive with Read Aloud Virginia.

Visit the Willow Lawn website to learn more about this exciting family event as well as register to participate in cooking with kids and a calendar of what’s happening next month!

Directions

Willow Lawn is located at 1601 Willow Lawn Drive in Richmond, about 10 minutes from the historic downtown area, just off I-64W near the intersection of Broad Street and Staples Mill Road.

From Broad Street:
On Broad Street, U.S. Route 250, 0.2 miles west of Staples Mill Road, U.S. Route 33.

From Monument Avenue:
Drive oneblock west of the intersection of Staples Mill Road and Monument Avenue. Theentrance to Willow Lawn is located on the right.

From the Interstate:
On Broad Street, approximately 1.2 miles south of interchange of I-64 & Staples Mill Road.

Contents Copyright © 2009 Richmond on the Cheap

No matter how old you are you’re never to old for the zoo. It’s also a cheaper way to enjoy the summer with the family.  The Metro Richmond Zoo houses many animals from giraffes, penguins, and Kangaroos! There are also rides at the zoo including the Safari Sky Ride which is a 15 minute ride above the zoo so you can rest your feet from a long day of walking. There’s no roller coasters, but it’s much cheaper than an amusement park plus parking is free!

Admission is $10.75 for adults, $9.75 for seniors, children (2-11) get in for $8.75, and children under 2 are free.

Metro Richmond Zoo hours:
Monday-Saturday   9:30am-5pm
Sunday   Closed

Location:
Metro Richmond Zoo
8300 Beaver Bridge Rd
Moseley, Va 23120

Telephone : (804)- 739- 5666

Contents Copyright © 2009 Richmond on the Cheap

August is always a hard month to get through. It’s the last month before the kids go back to school and there as energized as ever from not being stuck behind a desk all day. Then to add to everything else it seems to be the hottest month of the summer! How do you get through the heat and your kids need to run free?

Try taking them and yourself to a public pool in Richmond near you! There are many public pools that are open daily and don’t require an  expensive membership to be part of.

Locations

Bellemeade Pool (Southside)
1800 Lynhaven Ave.
(804) 646-8849

Blackwell Pool (Southside)
238 East 14th Street
(804) 646-8718

Swansboro Indoor Pool (Southside)
3160 Midlothian Turnpike
(804) 646-8088
Battery Park Pool (Northside)
2917 Dupont Circle
(804) 646-0127

Calhoun Pool (Northside)
436 Calhoun Street
(804) 646-4751

Fairmount Pool (Eastend)
2000 U Street
(804) 646-3831

Hotchkiss Pool (Northside)
701 East Brookland Park Blvd.
(804) 646-3762

Powhatan Pool (Eastend)
5051 Northhampton Street
(804) 646-3595

Randolph Pool (Westend)
1401 Grayland Ave. (804) 646-1329

Woodville Pool (Eastend)
2305 Fairfield Avenue
(804) 646-3834

Hours
Monday – Friday, 1 – 4:30 & 5 – 8 pm
Saturday, 12 – 5 pm
Sunday, 1 – 5 pm and
Holidays, 1 – 5 pm

The pools are open now through Labor Day. Go out and take a dip in cool and refreshing pool at the nearest location near you!

Contents Copyright © 2009 Richmond on the Cheap

Ever wanted to go to Italy and ride in a gondola? Well, if you can’t afford that trip of a lifetime just yet why not check out the River District Canal Cruises in Richmond? The cruise goes along the canal walk for forty minutes. While it might not be as romantic as Italy, it is something new and different to do in Richmond that is fun for couples and the family.

About the route from the River District Canal Cruises website:

Join Richmond Canal Cruises for an informative 40-minute historically narrated tour or private charter of the James River and Kanawha Canal along Richmond’s Historic Canal Walk in one of our covered boats, which accommodates up to 38 passengers and departs on the hour from the Turning Basin, between 14thand Dock streets on Virginia Street. Richmond’s canal system first started in 1789 after George Washington lobbied the General Assembly to proceed with his vision of a canal and turnpike system that would connect the harbors of the east to the trade and market opportunities west, all the way to the Rocky Mountains.

The canal rides are only $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and children 5-12, and children under 4 get the tour for free. From June 10th until August 31st the hours for tours are Wednesday thru Saturday noon to 7pm and Sunday noon until 5pm. Take a ride on the Canal and feel the breeze of the water.

For more information on the canal walk, tours, and directions visit the River District Canal Cruises website.

Contents Copyright © 2009 Richmond on the Cheap

Photo Credit: István Benedek

If you’re anything like me, the extent of your toilet troubleshooting skills is something along the lines of, “Honey, there’s something wrong with the toilet!”

Our guest bathroom toilet has a hair trigger when it comes to clogging (as in, you use one sheet of toilet paper and you’re done for), and the plunger isn’t getting the job done anymore. After fighting with it for days, I remembered something I saw my mom do when I was a kid, an almost failsafe solution for restoring your potty to proper working order.

If your can is clogged with, shall we say, normal potty products (as opposed to fifteen plastic Army men or a tennis ball or something), it will generally drain very slowly even though it won’t flush. Once the water is completely out or close to it, fill a large bucket with water from the tub and tip it into the toilet. Don’t just pour it in as a trickle; you want a nice, solid flow that will power down your pipes and release whatever’s binding them up.

Most of the time, this works on the first try. If not, alternate plunging and pouring until you clear the clog. Be careful not to overflow the toilet in your DIY zeal. Allow the water to drain once it gets full to avoid an unpleasant mess.

Do you have any tricks for combatting an uncooperative commode on the cheap? Leave a comment!

Contents Copyright © 2009 Richmond on the Cheap

Are you looking to get away? Virgin America is offering two cheap flights from Dulles International Airport (Washington, D.C.) to Los Angeles or San Francisco.

Destinations from Dulles Airport            Sample Fairs
Los Angeles                                                                       $119
San Francisco                                                                   $119

In order to get this great deal, you have to book your flight  by August 11 and at least 3 days before you plan to fly.

Contents Copyright © 2009 Richmond on the Cheap

It’s about time! Barnes & Noble announced today that they’re now offering free wi-fi:

With complimentary wi-fi service in all stores, Barnes & Noble is like a home away from home. Stop by. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a light meal in the cafe. And be sure to bring your laptop or smartphone so you can check your e-mail and browse eBooks in our new online eBookstore!

Earlier this month, B&N also launched a free eBook reader for PC, Mac, iPhone/iPod Touch, and BlackBerry. When you download it, they give you six free books. Unfortunately, you don’t get to pick the books, so that part of it may not be as fun as it initially sounds. The free titles are:

• The Last of the Mohicans
• Sense and Sensibility
• Dracula
• Pride and Prejudice
• Little Women
• Merriam-Webster’s Pocket Dictionary

Richmond-area Barnes & Noble Locations:

Libbie Place

5501 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23230
804-282-0781

Store Hours
Sun 9:00AM-9:00PM | Mon-Thu 9:00AM-10:00PM | Fri-Sat 9:00AM-11:00PM

Creeks @ VA Ctr.

9850 Brook Road
Glen Allen, VA 23059
804-264-6850

Store Hours
Sun 10:00AM-9:00PM | Mon-Thu 10:00AM-10:00PM | Fri-Sat 9:00AM-11:00PM

Chesterfield Town Center/Relo

Chesterfield Town Center
11500 Midlothian Tnpk Space 440
Richmond, VA 23235
804-794-6640

Store Hours
Sun 10:00AM-9:00PM | Mon-Thu 9:00AM-10:00PM | Fri-Sat 9:00AM-11:00PM

Short Pump

11640 W. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23233
804-360-0103

Store Hours
Sun 9:00AM-9:00PM | Mon-Thu 9:00AM-10:00PM | Fri-Sat 9:00AM-11:00PM

Commonwealth Centre

4600 Commonwealth Center Parkway
Midlothian, VA 23112
804-744-5483
Store Hours

Sun 9:00AM-9:00PM | Mon-Thu 9:00AM-10:00PM | Fri-Sat 9:00AM-11:00PM