October 2020

Executive producers of America’s Got Talent are used to dealing with death-defying acts. But a pandemic? Not so much.  This season has been anything but ordinary for the television industry. But America’s Got Talent is one show that has worked within all government regulations and safety guidelines and carried on…

Twice a week, our daughter dons her white gi – the classic loose-fitting pants and jacket – and heads to taekwondo class to practice her kicking, breaking, and form as she works toward her third-degree black belt. That’s right. She’s thirteen and has two black belts, well, under her belt.…

During a team-building activity in high school, the coach asked the group of athletes to share something that caused each of them anxiety. One by one, the courageous teenagers listed their things. When it was my daughter’s turn, she said “climate change.” I don’t know what the other athletes said,…

What do you want to do when you grow up? It’s a question asked of children from an early age. For many children, college may be part of the plan. As a parent, I’ve experienced the decision-making process around college with my own children, and I have also worked at…

My first Halloween as a parent was spent in the air. My wife Kat and I were returning from showing off our first baby to friends and family in Colorado. Traveling home on October 31, we dressed our ten-month old in a little knit pumpkin-top hat and orange onesie, making…

Happy has become sort of a relative term these days, hasn’t it? Happy enough may be the more fitting way to say it this year. Not-nearly-as-happy-as-last-October-but-it-could-always-be-worse is even more appropriate – but a little long-winded. It’s been nice to see some of the normal October things appearing – pumpkins for…

In 1970, in order to satisfy a federal mandate to desegregate Richmond Public Schools, Judge Robert Merhige Jr. ordered the implementation of a busing program that would attempt to achieve racial balance in the school system. At the time of the order, enrollment in the Richmond Public School System was…

Circumcision is a centuries-old procedure and continues to be performed for a variety of reasons, including medical, cultural, and religious. In the United States, most male infants are circumcised for non-religious reasons. Today, 80 percent of males ages fourteen to fifty-nine are circumcised. We are an anomaly among developed countries in…

Most parents know – or with any luck, remember – that deep breath you take when you get to sit alone after the non-stop pace of parenting a toddler. Or that calm sigh you exhale when your grade-schooler goes off for a play date that is scheduled to last all…

With apps making it easier and cheaper to participate in financial trading, more time at home for many of us, and a few high-flying stocks enticing people into the stock market, it’s easy to see why more people are starting to day trade. Day trading is when people buy individual…

Painting is one of the best ways a homeowner can bring new life to a home’s interior. This is especially true for a space that might be overlooked, such as a garage, unfinished basement, or screened porch.  If you’re selling your home or looking for an easy refresh, paint a…

Congratulations, Richmond – we’ve made it to fall, the season that is typically full of family traditions. This year, we’re surviving a pandemic, experiencing unimaginable economic instability, and grappling with issues of social justice. In light of all that’s been happening, you may have missed some of the recent changes…

The decision is final, and we are getting a divorce. My partner and I are working with our lawyers and a counselor to figure out our custody arrangement. Our kids are nine and eleven. Should we involve them in this process? When you’re navigating rough waters, it’s important to have…

Have you noticed your dog being a little needy lately? Has he taken issue when you left the house to run out for errands? Perhaps he’s acting out when you are away from home? While many of us have enjoyed the extra time at home with our furry pals over…

More than fifty years ago, Daily Planet opened its doors with a mission of helping Richmond teens and young adults who were dropping out of school and society. At the time, this population represented a disenfranchised group of young adults who needed support. And by providing shelter, meals, health clinics,…

Chadwick Boseman’s death from colorectal cancer at age forty-three was a shock for everyone familiar with the vibrant movie star. His physical and demanding performances in recent films belied the fact that he was undergoing intense treatments for the disease since his diagnosis of stage 3 colon cancer in 2016.…

Healthy Apple Crisp with Oatmeal Pecan Topping  About 6 medium apples, peeled and thinly sliced (recommend a mix of sweet and tart apples) ¼ cup pure maple syrup 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder (or cornstarch) 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon sea salt…