It’s full-on get outside time in RVA, when the pollen is gone, and the humidity hasn’t kicked into high gear just yet. Our fair city is here for it, too, with so many festivals, outdoor concerts, charity events, and even an awesome new water play area for the kids over at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden to keep your family entertained in the great outdoors all summer long. Check out the RFM calendar, beginning on page 60 (with even more events on our online calendar), for all those fun things to do, plus many more. We love gathering up all this great information and giving area families a quick and easy (and free!) place to see it all, so circle, dog-ear, and highlight this issue to your heart’s desire (and grab another issue to share with your favorite friend or neighbor!). Here’s where to pick up your free RFM!
In addition to our fabulous calendar, this issue is packed full of such a wonderful variety of RVA people, places, and useful tips and information from area experts that will make your lives better (if I do say so myself).
On the health front, there’s interesting news out of VCU in the world of Alzheimer’s research, beginning on page 20. And on page 34, one of the docs at VPFW answers your questions about the HPV vaccine. Reading this article really put my mind at ease about this important vaccine for my boys and dispelled the myths I’ve heard about it over the years.
Our amazing and talented cover mom is none other than Richmond’s own Desirée Roots, and I loved learning more about her in Joan Tupponce’s feature, beginning on page 28. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen Desirée as Ella Fitzgerald, and I enjoyed reading the lovely things her “Frank” had to say about her.
Former Hollywood stylist and now RVA-based virtual stylist and mom Jammie Baker joins us in this issue with tips on mom styling. New-to-RFM writer Christine Winder chatted with Jammie (pronounced Jay-Me) and compiled some great tips to help us busy moms revamp our look and our closet, beginning on page 46.
We were inspired by Jammie’s tips and think you will be, too, so we’re teaming up with her for a fun giveaway! She is going to give one lucky RFM reader a three-month membership to her program, The Style Society. The membership includes shoppable style guides, resources, and coaching, so you can live your life styled. Head over to the Giveaways tab on our website to enter!
Also in this issue, our Real Mom gives us ideas to help your family keep snail mail alive (page 24). I love getting cards and notes in the mail, and I’m always pestering my kids to write thank you notes when they receive gifts, especially from their grandparents and other older relatives. It’s such a dying art, and it’s so appreciated by those who receive them (me included!), so thanks to our Real Mom Christen McKey for helping keep the written word alive and well.
Enjoy this issue and this splendid time of year!
