Pollen Counting, Amazon, and an Arts Stroll
Cheers RVA!
Today will be mostly cloudy with some sunshine in the afternoon, with a high of 84 and a low of 67. There is a low chance of a scattered shower or thunderstorm.
the juice:
Amazon will build a giant robotics fulfillment center in Goochland county, according to a press release from Governor Youngkin.
The facility is expected to create more than 1k jobs and will be located on 107 acres at 2022 Ashland Road.
The company has already built three robotics fulfillment centers in Virginia, with the most recent facility opening in Henrico in 2024.
the pulp:
A local clinic that provides “exceptional health services to those who are sometimes forgotten, in a caring and non-judgmental environment” has lost $850k in federal funding and is at risk to lose more, according to WRIC. Health Brigade has operated for 55 years and is the state’s oldest free and charitable clinic.
Officials are warning about dangerous water levels as we approach the Riverrock festival this weekend, via WTVR. The James is expected to peak at 15 feet today around noon, a flood stage considered moderate. (Redditor slizerskates illustrated just how fast the river can change in three hours with these photos from the river livecam.) The outdoor sports and music festival begins Friday and runs all weekend offering a large selection of free and paid events and activities.
The Fan Arts Stroll takes place today and tomorrow from 4:00 - 8:00 pm, via RVAHub. The event features local art, live music, and refreshments along Hanover and Grove Avenues in the Fan.
the dive:
An new pollen counting station run by the Chidren Hospital of Richmond at VCU has opened, via VCU Health.
Richmond is ranked the eighth worse city in the country for seasonal allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergies Foundation of America.
Jessica Hess, a CPNP on the hospital’s allergy and immunology team, notes how sampling local pollen can be useful:
Each pollen season you have different types of pollen, so that’s something I can view and identify under a microscope. They do look different. It’s the most accurate count you can obtain. Some of our patients may have just one pollen type they are allergic to so it’s helpful to know when it’s actually here in our airstream so we can align their treatment.
With over 80 designated pollen counting stations across the country, the previous closest one was in Washington, DC.
Current levels of tree pollen (the green stuff) are low and tapering off, but grass pollen levels remain very high.
Learn more here.
the vibe:
Have a sunnier day RVA!
Thanks for reading. If you enjoy this newsletter, tell a friend, or donate.