Lauren Boothe of Chesterfield is a cellist and a junior at the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology in Petersburg. When area schools initially transitioned to online learning in March, Lauren and many of her classmates felt depressed and anxious. “Everyone was saying how much they missed…

We could call 2020 a lot of things, but many of them aren’t fit to print. For the sake of more sensitive readers, let’s just go with The Year of the Board Game! Those dusty boxes stacked high up in closets, purchased some odd years ago as incentive to slow…

As lead contact tracer for the Virginia Department of Health, Delaney Savedge is squarely focused on finding the most efficient way to interview people with COVID-19 in an effort to reach others who may have been exposed to the virus. Savedge, who recently graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a…

If you’ve been pregnant, the concept of using your baby bump as a shelf might be familiar. For baby number one, the bigger I got, the better I got at finding practical uses for this convenient surface. Depending on the time, day, and trimester, there might have been a cup…

To say these are uncertain times is probably the most overused, but understated, way to describe our current situation. After facing a summer with fewer options for kids due to the pandemic, many families are now heading into the fall with the major challenge of managing kids who are learning…

Those penny loafers in the back of my closet are plenty old, but the wise and weary eyes gazing out from their penny keepers are even older. Many years ago – before the house, the family, the endless yard work – a girlfriend did a jaunty, cheeky thing. One night…

We’re rounding the corner toward the last quarter of this most interesting of years (good riddance, 2020!), and as strange as this one will be, the start of another school year is upon us. No matter where you live, the ages of your kids, or whether you’re a public or…

In 1890, Virginia Randolph Ellett opened a small school out of her home on Grace Street in downtown Richmond. Her students, many of whom came from the families of Richmond’s influential leaders, always referred to her as “Miss Jennie.” Beginning with about a dozen girls and four boys, enrollment steadily…

The pandemic has created an environment of stress for us all and especially for our children. With schools closed, recreational activities postponed, and social isolation requiring virtual play dates, it’s been disorienting to say the least, and at times, frightening for children. With so many unprecedented factors in motion, it’s…

These days, many families are seeking childcare alternatives related to COVID-19 concerns. Employing a nanny and sharing nanny services with another family are popular choices. Finding someone to spend hours with your children and take part in their upbringing is a serious endeavor.  Here are some tips for hiring a…

Over the past several months, as most of us have spent more time at home, it has become more important than ever to make our homes a place of comfort and sanctuary. We families have also spent more prolonged periods of time together, and for many busy parents, it can…

Congratulations, Richmond – we’ve made it this far! As we precariously peek around the corner of the final quarter of 2020 – the year which has seen an unprecedented use of the word ”unprecedented” – it’s fair to acknowledge that we’ve been through a lot. Together, we’ve encountered a novel…

I’ll be dropping off my 3-year-old at a childcare center for the first time this month, and I’m extremely nervous. Do you have any tips for parents? What if there are separation issues?   It’s hard to move into this season, even if you know it’s right for them and necessary for…

The life of a teenage girl can be scary and confusing. Now, add to that being part of a society that isn’t built for you to succeed while trying to understand yourself and live in your truth and purpose authentically. Things grow even more complicated for young girls whose circumstances…

When you think of common health concerns among women sixty-five and older, what comes to mind? Osteoporosis, breast cancer, diabetes, and hypertension are common challenges faced by older women, but there is so much more than that.  Many women assume that once they enter menopause and their baby-making days are…

During these challenging times, the traditional educational model has been turned on its head, and many parents are thinking about what they can do to supplement their child’s education. Whether that education is virtual, in person, or a mix of both, scientific literacy and STEM skills should be at the…

Dr. Norman Oliver, state health commissioner, on COVID-19 myths, important public health resources, and how families can move forward Some of the recent coronavirus searches on Google asked how long an infected person is contagious, if nausea and sore throat are COVID symptoms, if dogs can get COVID-19, and when…

Beet Hummus  1 large or 2 small beets, roasted and peeled 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 2 tablespoons tahini 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice 3 tablespoons olive oil ½ teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon salt Add beets to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.…

Christopher Piper, commissioner of the Department of Elections, on legislative changes, election security, and exercising your right to vote With the spread of COVID-19, conducting elections has become more challenging than ever. The mission of the Virginia Department of Elections is to promote and support accurate, fair, open, and secure…