April 2015

Last year, on the first hundred-degree day of June, we loaded up our family of four, two dogs, two cats, and a few houseplants I was determined to save, and set out for a new life in RVA.  All of our belongings had started the journey two days earlier on…

Denise Gentz and her family versus breast cancer. Mom wins!    Panic shook 43-year-old Denise Gentz last year when she heard the words “you have breast cancer” from her doctor. “I thought, ‘Oh, it can’t be me. I’m only forty-three and I don’t have a strong family history of breast…

Still reeling from the power bill you got after this winter’s brutal temperatures? No doubt, a lot of Richmond area residents are re-thinking their home’s insulation, at the very least. I know I am. I’ve also learned that a lot of my house knowledge – gleaned when we bought our…

The fact that I’m still alive and that I have breasts. These are my risk factors for the cancer that nearly 41,000 women in Virginia were diagnosed with last year alone. When it comes to some of the other things that science says might influence whether a woman develops breast…

I remember when it was time for my daughter to get her driver’s license. Like any other parent, I was concerned for her safety. She learned to drive in my wife’s large Suburban, so when we wanted to find a car for her to drive regularly, our goal was a…

Last month, as you might recall, the interwebs came apart at the seams because of a dress. You know the one I’m talking about. The one that was either white and gold or blue and black. Everyone had an opinion, and there were as many explanations for the discrepancy as…

Ah-chooo! It must be April, complete with all the pollen our noses can hold. The deck table, windows, cars, and everything in between is covered in that lovely yellow film, but it’s worth it to know that it’s bringing all of the flowers that come with a beautiful Richmond spring.…

In 1916, the famous New York architect, John Russell Pope, designed one of the largest private residences ever built in Richmond. On Monument Avenue, the 27,000 square foot Tudor-Revival house was remarkable not only for its size, but for its purpose. Pope, whose firm had recently won the competition to design…

Take “art” out of Earth and what do you get? Eh! Here’s a creative way for kids to celebrate Earth Day this month! Make a spring-inspired masterpiece using recycled items from around the house. What you need: • Piece of paper • Tempera or acrylic paint • Paintbrush • Paper…

    Q: I have good reason to suspect an adult is mistreating my son’s friend. Who do I contact if I suspect child abuse? Will my report stay confidential? A: As parents, we are constantly concerned with the safety of our own children. However, there are times when we find ourselves…

Shayna Smith and her two sons, Trevor and Marcus, were very excited to move into their new apartment. The move meant that, for the first time in their lives, the boys would have a safe place to live and play. They had been living in subsidized housing and receiving SNAP…

Orthodontics can be for everyone, even celebrities like Faith Hill, who told fans she wished she had worn her retainer more often as a tween, or basketball superstar Dwyane Wade, who got his braces at the same time as his sons. In the past, braces were associated as closely with…

Jerk Chicken with Mango Salsa Prep time: 20 minutes   Cook time: 40 minutes For the salsa, combine: 2 mangoes, peeled and chopped; 2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro; ½  teaspoon oregano; ½ tablespoon chopped green onion; 2 tablespoons lime juice; 2 tablespoons orange juice;…

The only thing that is certain in life is change, so having flexible financial plans and products matters. Let’s look at two examples of how unsuspecting needs arose and how a greatly misunderstood financial product came to the rescue. A 34-year-old married man insured his life with a participating whole…

So you think you know cats? Let’s take a closer look at this often misunderstood creature. Myth #1: Cats are solitary animals that don’t need exercise or play time. Cats entertain themselves. Somehow the idea has gotten around that cats are aloof and solitary creatures. This probably comes from the…

You finally get a chance to relax at a nice restaurant and you can’t get past the screaming child at the next table. You hear the mother tell the server, “It’s his thing. He always gets upset when his food touches.” But he’s shrieking like he has been stuck with…