April 2018

What Can One Family Do? As a prelude to the fiftieth anniversary of the first Earth Day, there is an international effort to educate people about the devastating effects of plastic on the planet. Do you ever wonder about the amount of plastic that’s used every day? If you’re like…

Most mornings, before the sun even comes up, 15-year-old Atesh Camurdan wakes up and heads out the door to the pool at NOVA of Virginia, an aquatics facility in western Henrico County. Why? “There’s a sense of community among swimmers that makes me want to wake up at four in…

Looking out the jet window at the island below, Thomas Irving had no idea what to expect when the plane finally landed in storm-ravaged Puerto Rico. Irving, a Dominion Energy operations manager for Virginia Beach and Norfolk, was part of the advance crew headed to the island in mid-January to…

Having come of age during the Title IX era, I was a proud participant in the early movement that helped transform every field, court, and sandlot into blank slates on which girls could write all their stories of sports glory. Or at least try. Softball, basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, gymnastics, track-and-field.…

Four years ago, my spiritual journey began when I made the decision to stop drinking and start meditating. Examining what I call my inner landscape led to a compassionate understanding of my authentic self. This soulful encounter transformed my relationship with my children, as I began to weave meditation into…

Three years ago, I drove to North Carolina, met a stranger through Craigslist, and brought home a Boston terrier puppy. That was the breed of our dog years ago, so obviously, another one would be perfect for two wild boys. My wife Dawn and I did what so many people…

I’ve made up my mind, the day we set the clocks ahead each spring is officially my favorite day of the year (and I am not one to take losing an hour’s sleep lightly). It really hit me this year just how sharp the contrast is between the fun-filled evenings…

This craft celebrates spring with flowers made right from the recycling bin! No need to feel guilty about the water bottles you had to buy for the game last weekend. Plus, there are a lot of spring holidays coming up, right? Everyone enjoys a homemade gift! What you need: •…

Being the parent of an 18-year-old is exciting. There’s the planning, helping with school and job applications, and the excitement about college, going to work, or whatever the next stage of life brings. So much changes when kids turn eighteen. You’ve loved them, nurtured them, provided for them, and you’ve…

In August 2017, three tiny kittens arrived at Richmond Animal League (RAL) from a partnering municipal shelter. These kittens, like many of the more than 500 who were cared for by RAL in 2017, were neglected, underweight, and had goopy eyes and digestive challenges. Placed in a foster home, the…

As a veteran ob-gyn, I hold many moments close to my heart. One is especially dear. I was soaking up the joy and magic of another newborn safely delivered into the arms of one of my patients. Photos were taken, hugs exchanged, and I was preparing to slip away from…

Lots of us have special go-to family recipes and meals. The right ingredients and food choices can turn any meal into a healthy one – even those multi-generational family favorites. For instance, while many recipes include meat, vegetarian chili is a delicious way to add vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to…

As the most common sleep disorder in America, insomnia affects about two out of every ten Americans. If you have insomnia, most nights you might have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. The sleep you get is often broken and falls short of the recommended seven to eight hours.…

The original 1737 layout of Richmond placed the heart of the city in a verdant valley.  This valley was named after the creek that formed it. The Powhatans called the creek Shacahocan – meaning stone – for the rocky outcropping at the mouth where it met the James River. Downtown, this…

Many of you are grandparents – and some of you are raising grandchildren at a time you thought your child-rearing duties would be over. Or, perhaps you are an aunt or uncle who has stepped in during a family crisis to take on the responsibility of raising nieces or nephews…