> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.richmonder.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # July 21 Newsletter: Rethinking emergency alerts - URL: https://www.richmonder.org/july-21-newsletter-rethinking-emergency-alerts/ - Published: 2025-07-21T10:00:13.000Z - Updated: 2025-07-21T10:00:12.000Z - Description: Plus, an invitation to meet us for coffee! Also today, a stone table invites community and connection in the Fan, the VMFA is closing some galleries ahead of its upcoming renovation, and the latest installment of our 25 in '25 series. - Author: Michael Phillips - Tags: Newsletter **Weather:** A cool start to the week with the high reaching just 81. **On this date** in 2020, a dump truck is set on fire during one of the most destructive nights of the Black Lives Matter protests in Richmond. Mayor Levar Stoney says the next day that the violence was spearheaded by white supremacists, who were seen at the march. ([more](https://virginiamercury.com/2020/07/30/did-white-supremacists-really-orchestrate-riots-in-richmond-its-complicated)) --- [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2025/07/Richmonder_Politics_Final_102924-3.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/city-pledges-to-use-cell-phone-alert-system-in-future-crisis-situations/) ### City pledges to use cell phone alert system in future crisis situations During the two water crises, the city did not use a technology called Wireless Emergency Access, which allows it to send alerts to any cell phone located in a geographic area. - Starting with the next major city emergency, that will change. The city will continue to use its Richmond Ready Alerts system, as it did last week when severe weather approached, but will also incorporate the new system to reach more people when needed. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/city-pledges-to-use-cell-phone-alert-system-in-future-crisis-situations/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2025/07/IMG_2011-1.jpeg)](https://www.richmonder.org/pull-up-a-chair-wendy-martins-stone-table-invites-connection-in-the-fan/) ### Pull up a chair: Wendy Martin’s stone table invites connection in the Fan In the front lawn of a cream colored house on the corner of North Mulberry and Grove sits a big cement table with a sign: “Fridays at the Table: All welcome, noon-ish / byo lunch.” The table is the passion project of Fan resident Wendy Martin, who was inspired after watching future mayor Danny Avula’s 2014 TEDxRVA talk. “My lived experience is that the true joy in life is found in connection,” she said. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/pull-up-a-chair-wendy-martins-stone-table-invites-connection-in-the-fan/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2025/07/CPT5HR-1.jpg)](http://richmonder.org/vmfa-closes-some-galleries-ahead-of-expansion-work/) ### VMFA closes some galleries ahead of expansion work The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is closing some of its galleries to prepare for upcoming renovation and expansion work. The new wing is scheduled to open in 2028, and will cost an estimated $261 million. [**Read more here.**](http://richmonder.org/vmfa-closes-some-galleries-ahead-of-expansion-work/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2025/07/25in25logo--2--1--1--2.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-presents-25-in-25/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2025/07/IMG_9417-1-1-2.jpeg)](https://www.richmonder.org/25-in-25-jo-white-and-her-mission-to-save-the-youth-of-richmond/) The 25 in '25 series honors the unsung heroes who make us proud to be Richmonders, and culminates in a gala event on Sept. 19. ### Jo White and her mission to save the youth of Richmond White started a nonprofit whose mission is to help young people make smart choices when it comes to time spent outside of school, and to get the tools necessary for after graduation, whether that's college or a trade job. She's led nearly 200 students through the program. [**Read more on the inspiration here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/25-in-25-jo-white-and-her-mission-to-save-the-youth-of-richmond/) --- ### In other news - [**Virginia public media stations brace for impact of federal funding cuts**](https://www.vpm.org/news/2025-07-17/cpb-rescission-public-media-funding-vpm-swain-whro-schmidt-wvtf-duvall) (VPM) - [**Meet Richmond's favorite shop dogs**](https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/07/18/richmond-shop-dogs) (Axios) - [**State agencies leaving Monroe Building will scatter across Richmond**](https://richmond.com/news/local/government-politics/article%5F5e771f00-bf6c-4523-9607-c8ca49487749.html) (Times-Dispatch) --- ### The audience director's desk Want to have a cup of coffee with our founding editor? Michael Phillips will be at Libbie Market on Friday, August 1 at 8:30 a.m. ready to connect. It's not an event. Let's call it a hang. We'll be moving him around the region, so if Libbie Market isn't convenient, he'll be coming to a coffee shop near you one day soon. Hope to see you there! *Beth Weisbrod, Director of Audience and Community Engagement* *bweisbrod@richmonder.org* --- Sent this by a friend? [**Sign up for our free thrice-weekly newsletter here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/sign-up-for-the-richmonders-free-newsletter/) Want to support The Richmonder? [**Become a donor for $9.99 a month**](https://donate.stripe.com/aEU8xm7EWefggx29AP) and keep quality local journalism in the community.