July 2018

My daughter took dance lessons for the first time last year. At three years old, Delaney adjusted well to the routine of class, her new ballet slippers, and interacting with her classmates. She especially adored her dance instructor, Ms. Tara. After months of driving her to dance class, purchasing her…

Goldendoodle Elsa is a rock star at VCU Medical Center, even though there’s no red carpet underneath her paws. The calm-natured, 55-pound sandy blonde fluffball strolls alongside her handler, Margaret Popik, down the halls of the pediatric inpatient unit at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Along the way, doctors…

Over the years, Cleveland, Ohio, has become an underdog city, and that’s putting it politely. With the burning river, brutal winters, and often-frustrating sports teams, the city has been burdened with the harsh nickname Mistake on the Lake. You know how everyone loves seeing Richmond on those top ten and…

My introduction into the world of teaching teens to drive was purely fateful. I first attended a driver improvement class with my then-17-year-old son. He had a heavy foot at first, until reality set in, and the high cost of fines and ticketing hit home. At that time, when a…

It’s been almost ten years since I woke up in this house and looked out the window at the humble landscape I planned to turn into the yard of my dreams. Here we were, freshly minted homeowners, and my mind was already running wild with visions of the multi-hued paradise…

As I pen this note in early June, we’re coming off of the wettest May on record in Richmond, and this first weekend of June is showing no signs of change (although in typical RVA fashion, we’ll probably be in a drought by the time this issue hits stands). My…

By the end of the Civil War, the James River and its tributaries were too polluted with industrial waste for swimming. Desperate for relief during the summer, Richmonders headed for park fountains to cool off. The fountain in Monroe Park had become a popular, yet unofficial, wading pool by the turn of…

Talking about suicide saves lives. Comprehensive studies by the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health have been conducted addressing that point alone. The results are irrefutable and worth repeating: Thoughtful conversation about suicide saves lives. Although it’s a topic that makes most people uncomfortable, it’s important…

On Thursday, June 7 – several months later than scheduled – Governor Ralph Northam signed the budget bills that dictate how state dollars will be spent in Virginia for the next two years. The delay was caused by the prolonged controversy over whether Virginia should expand Medicaid coverage to adults…

We want our kids to be financially literate, but it can be hard when adults can’t quite find the right words to explain some financial topics. Let’s face it, the industry is somewhat known for its abbreviations (IRA, HSA, TUWs) and references to obscure IRS tax code (401(k), 403(b), etc.).…

Raise your hand if dessert is the favorite part of the meal at your house, too. These sweet dishes taste fantastic, and Eating Bird Food’s recipes are simple to make and healthy, too. If you’ve been trying to coax your kids into the kitchen, here’s an inside parenting tip: Let…

The first reports of allergies go back to before 3,300 B.C., when it was noted that King Menes of Egypt died of a wasp sting. In the grand scheme of things, however, allergies are considered a newer problem and one our ancient ancestors did not face. Though allergies have existed…

I started my studio in 2003 with a CD player and some dance shoes,” says Eleanor Robertson about Rigby’s Jig Ballroom Dance Studio in Richmond. “I was amazed by how quickly that business grew and how many people came through the doors and got completely hooked on dancing.” Fast forward ten…

There’s so much to do in RVA, and Richmonders don’t let the season’s heat and humidity slow us down. From the many outdoor festivals to a stroll around Carytown or by the James River, we’re out and about, enjoying our city – and who better to join us playing outdoors…

I read some texts on my 11-year-old son’s phone and I’m horrified. His friends (boys and girls) are into way more than they should be at this age – or at least it appears like that is the case. There are some references to sexual acts and talk about other…

Story Topics and Themes for Your Cube • Summer vacation cube: Use different squares for different parts of the adventure, such as places, people, weather, and activities. • Patriotic cube: Draw the flag, fireworks, an eagle, the Statue of Liberty, and other symbols of patriotism in each of the squares.…