November 2018

If there’s one takeaway Virginia Indians want you to glean from this article, it is this: We are here. To this day, I have people say to me that they didn’t know there were Indian tribes in Virginia or reservations,” says Chief Mark Custalow of the Mattaponi. “We haven’t gone…

Six years ago, as they anticipated the birth of their first child, Kelley and her husband did more than just furnish the nursery – they got serious about saving. Even though Kelley had a good job in the government sector – one that provided insurance coverage for the family –…

When my youngest daughter turned eighteen last month, my mother asked me if I was going to “drag her to the polls” in November. She remembers when I turned eighteen a long time ago and voting was not exactly top of mind. Back then, the legal drinking age was also eighteen,…

About three years ago, I started helping with a class for expectant dads. Taught by veteran dads, the format allows men to ask all the questions they have on their minds in a comfortable setting. In preparing for the parenting class, I learned that there are classes for couples, for…

It seems we’ve come here to see her dance a hundred times before. The girls get older, the routines get smoother, and, well, a dad can’t help but notice that the little girl who once had all the grace and balance of an hours-old colt is now someone different –…

This month, most of us will continue the tradition started way back in 1621 when the colonial Pilgrims first gathered for a harvest feast to give thanks for their blessings. As a mom, a friend, and a professional, I’m kind of obsessed with the idea of being thankful. I actually…

All over the world, people use masks for different purposes: for ceremonial or religious gatherings, on stage to entertain, or to hide an identity. In the Congo Basin of Africa, masks serve all of these purposes and more and are a central part of the Congo culture. The Congolese used…

It's incredible to see a child's self-esteem grow, just because a trusting adult told them, ‘I believe in you.’” That's the ultimate power of mentoring, according to Laura Leporati, a mentoring program coordinator for AMP! Metro Richmond. “It is important to invest in mentoring for young people because there are…

Spinach and Cheddar Cornbread Bites 1 package (8.5 ounces) cornbread/muffin mix 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder 2 eggs 1/3 cup milk 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1/4 cup butter, melted 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 1/2 cup finely chopped…

This month, we caught up with singer, actor, dancer, wife, and mother (that makes her a quadruple threat, right?) Desirée Roots. A bright light on regional stages and beyond, she got her start in professional theatre at thirteen and is going strong thirty-five years later. Born and raised in Richmond’s Church…

Meghan Kleppinger has a standing date every Friday night with a group of furry friends. After work, she heads over to the Richmond SPCA where she reads to cats that need to hear a friendly voice. Living in a shelter can be overwhelming for any animal. The shelter environment is…

It’s frightening, really. One day, you wake up and your child seems like a different child. He’s scared to be left alone, refuses to eat foods he used to love, talks about death and other strange things, and blinks sixty times a minute. Off you go to the pediatrician who…

If your children are anything like mine, they’re asking to bring out the Halloween bins in August and the Christmas decorations in October. Though our children’s enthusiasm can be contagious, not everyone enjoys decorating or wants to make it a priority in their busy lives. Between the holiday concerts, cookie…

November means it is time to vote. This year, Election Day is Tuesday, November 6. Sometimes as adults, we are embarrassed to admit we do not know something that we think we ought to. Rather than say we are unsure of who is on the ballot or where to vote,…

The holidays are here (well, almost!), and we all know that means kids are working on wish lists for Santa, and parents are looking for solid suggestions. We asked an expert from one of our favorite places for families, the Science Museum of Virginia, for some gift ideas. Gyroscopes and…