Short Pump Sports- UPWARD Basketball in the West E...

Well, my kids finished their basketball season today.  This year we joined the UPWARD basketball program.  It is run out of the Second Baptist Church on the corner of River Road and Gaskins.

While some of my neighbors think that the River Road area (on the other side of Patterson) is a little too far for Short Pump residents, it takes less than 15 minutes driving from around the Short Pump Mall area.

My husband and I were thrilled with this league.  Not only did the kids really learn solid basketball skills, but the league is based on simultaneously teaching sportsmanship, encouragement, and team skills.  I saw great improvements in every child- not just from a skills perspective.  They each learned about team spirit.  By the end of the season, even the youngest league of 1st and 2d graders were encouraging their teammates and congratulating them with high fives when they scored a basket.

Now UPWARD is not for everyone. It is a christian and religious based program so the children do listen to a bible story or learn about a religious based person during the games and at practice.  Also, the games start with a prayer every time.  When you are used to the YMCA, these additions did take a few weeks to get used to, but in the end, we enjoyed having your kids learn a little about the bible and a lot about learning to be better and loyal people as well as becoming more aware of the well being of others and of God.

Overall, I recommend the UPWARD league for sports.  I think it is a unique athletic program that really provides a lot of value to families in Short Pump and Richmond generally.

A Bad Case of the Flu Hits Short Pump Residents...

In the past two weeks, the flu has hit many short pump residents and families.  There is an increasing number of children absent from our schools and unable to go to work.

The interesting thing is that this strain is causing the average person to have a high fever (103-104) sometimes lasting as long as a week.  A week is a long time to have a temperature and be on fever reducing medication.  It is also highly contagious.  So some families are experiencing 3 and 4 week long episodes as the flu passes from one family member to another. I have even heard that his strain was supposed to be covered by the flu shots given earlier this year!

So, it is important that kids not go to school and adults not go to work if they are experiencing fevers.  Everyone should take extra pre-cautions when it comes to personal hygiene and preventing the spread. Hopefully, as we enter the warmer months, the flu will slow down, but it is interesting to see a virus spread so fast among a community.

Short Pump Breakfast- Boychik’s Deli...

Boychik’s is actually in Innsbrook which is one neighborhood away from the Short Pump area but this place really has a great breakfast menu and given my inability to find a diner style breakfast joint directly in Short Pump thus far- I had to give this place a thumbs up.

If you want something closer to home made and less processed than the franchise places like IHOP, Silver Diner and Cracker Barrel, you have to check this place out.

They have every kind of breakfast food from straight egg dishes to omeletes. . . pancakes, waffles and french toast to all the breakfast meats you may want.  They even have a FAT BUSTERS meal where there are low fat and lower calorie options.

The atmosphere is pure diner down to the small but comfy booths and the lively (and busy) but down to business waitresses who make sure your glass is always filled and your food comes fast. Another really neat thing is that their walls are covered with advertisements from local small businesses in Richmond. I saw sign shops, real estate agents, title companies, car shops, even CPA firms.

Their prices are also very attractive. I ordered the waffles with 2 eggs for less than $6.  Everything was tasty.  My friends ordered the French toast, omelets, and home fries- all very good!  I recommend Boychiks Deli in Innsbrook for breakfast any day of the week.

Short Pump Kids Activity List & More...

I was searching the Internet looking to find what kid activities or events are available in Short Pump or the West End of Richmond and I came across the RichmondMom site.

First, I was able to find their wonderful list of kid activity options in the area. You can find it by going to the site and clicking on Fun For Kids. There were definitely some options on there that I did not know about even after living here for almost 8 years now.

As I perused the site deeper, I found that it is an excellent site that us not only operated by local moms, but it provides excellent resources and for local Moms. Even better, the site features local Richmond businesses and devotes 10% of their profits to Richmond Charities. Check out their Savvy Savers Card for savings while you patron local businesses.

Thanks Kate for launching http://www.Richmondmom.com- it is a great portal for local area moms!

Short Pump Layoffs Lead to Local Entrepreneurship...

Richmond has traditionally been a stable town when it came to employment. While it has its fair share of small business and entrepreneurs, the major companies like Capital One, Circuit City, Phillip Morris, Genworth, S&K and others traditionally have provided employment for many Short Pump residents.

Now, with the implosion of many of our large employers, there has never been a time like this when so many of our neighbors and friends are out of jobs.  I can honestly say in my entire adult career life I have never known so many people who were laid off at the same time.  I know of at least four families in town where both the husband and wife have been laid off.

It is quite upsetting to see this happening, but I must say that I am seeing some positives.  Many ex-employees are taking this opportunity to take more control of their lives by starting their own businesses.

Some are leveraging their expertise by starting up consulting businesses and reaching out to their network.  Others are finding contractor opportunities and setting up companies to handle this new kind of business. I have a friend who decided she would start a wedding planning business she has wanted to do for over ten years!  And another is launching an online business.

While the general economy is tough and with capital markets at a standstill, you might think entrepreneurship is not possible.  But many great businesses today started off in trouble times.

The state of unemployment is a wake up call that even government jobs are not secure anymore.  I have another close friend who is still employed but has started a part-time business to create a secondary income flow in the event she loses her job.

Virginia Business Formation.com, a popular incorporation and LLC formation services provider based in Richmond, is forming more businesses for local budding entrepreneurs than ever in its history.  I see this as a sign that we do not give up in troubled times.

We should also help out our local short pump business owners. . . buying a gift from a local gift store owner v. Target or Kohls or patronizing a locally owned and operated restaurant v. a corporate owned restaurant makes such a difference to that business and to our community.

Short Pump Fitness Options- Snap Fitness Over YMCA...

The effects of the economy and the current employment climate in Richmond just cannot be escaped in Short Pump.  Just in the last month, I know of at least 5 people in the area who have lost their jobs.

With the demise of Circuit City and the bankruptcy of S&K, our area is really being hit by the down economy.  Times like these really force families to think through what they spend money on and on what is important.

One area where I have seen some activity is in the fitness center options in Short Pump.  I probably drive through the Short Pump Crossing strip mall daily and lately I have seen more and more people working out at Snap Fitness.

This brings a smile to my face because I am always happy to see small businesses in Short Pump getting traction.  A neighbor of mine also just joined and he professes that a small gym like this provides everything he needs to remain in shape. .  . and the ease to get in and out plus the hours has really helped.

While the huge American Family complex will always attract anyone contemplating a fitness center, the pricing and long term commitments just do not make sense for most right now.  While the YMCA was traditionally an affordable alternative, the comparison to a Snap Fitness membership is quite substantial.

I believe there are other smaller fitness centers like Snap Fitness in the area.  Keeping in shape is important and these gyms provide an extremely affordable alternative, plus they help our local small business owners.

Short Pump Schools- Henrico County Redistricting U...

Well, the new redistricting maps for proposed Henrico County school districts have already been posted on the Henrico county website and there seems to be some significant changes from the original alternatives.

Apparently, these updated maps take into account “feeder” patterns which I believe has to do with keeping as many kids together as they go from elementary to middle to high school.  There is also a grandfathering plan which gives options for certain current students who may be affected by changes.

Many short pump neighborhoods are affected. Here are some key links

http://www.henrico.k12.va.us/boundaries/redistricting.html

Feeder pattern tables:

http://www.henrico.k12.va.us/boundaries/RedistrictingFiles/HighSchool2010/FebruaryPairing%201%20and%202%20Feeder%20Pattern%20Analysis%20Tables%20090212.pdf

There seem to be two maps being considered at this juncture: pairing 1 and pairing 2 http://www.henrico.k12.va.us/boundaries/RedistrictingFiles/HighSchool2010/February/Pairings%201%20and%202%2011%20X%2017%20Overlay%20090211.pdf

I know that the two options make a big difference for certain neighborhoods such as the Twin Hickory neighborhoods that are east of Nuckols.  Those may be removed from Deep Run under one option.

Another interesting change is the Colonies neighborhood which traditionally goes to Pocohantas.  Under both plans, those children will go to Short Pump Middle but the high school is still up in the air with one plan having them going to Godwin and the other Deep Run.

It is important you review these and provide comments on the two options if you have helpful thoughts and opinions.Comments can be sent to chairs of each committee:

Elementary – J. LEE HIGGINBOTHAM, JR. jlhigginbotham@henrico.k12.va.us

Middle School – DIANNE B. SEARGENTdbseargent@henrico.k12.va.us

High School – Jeff Franz  jfranz@henrico.k12.va.us

Bust Bowl 2009 at Short Pump Bowl America...

HERE IS A GUEST POST ABOUT A VERY IMPORTANT SHORT PUMP EVENT:

The Breast Cancer 3 Day is a is a 60 mile walk over three days benefitting Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.  It is a 501 (c) (3) charity.  In 2007 a local team was formed and raised $14,000.  In 2008 team America the Boobiful raised almost $60,000.  Our goal for 2009 is to raise $75,000.  Every person on the team is required to raise $2,300 and many weekends you will see us training all over ten miles or more.  Past fundraisers have included The Bust Bowl, Bust for Bogey’s, Blues for Boobs, raffles, and partnerships with several local restaurants.  We will be walking in October, 2009.

Our team has made quite a name for itself in the local community and in the larger 3 Day family.  We have been mentioned in many publications including the Richmond Times Dispatch, The Henrico Citizen, VA Jewish Life magazine and a center spread layout in Short Pump Life magazine.

Out of 700+ teams, America the Boobiful came in 4th overall for fundraising dollars  and number of teammates.

The interesting part about our team is that it is made up of many cancer survivors, mother / daughter combos, walkers, crew and women and men ranging in age from the 20s – 60s.  We are an inclusive team and won’t turn away anyone that wants to participate.  Our biggest goal is to work as a team and share the wealth as we meet our financial requirement.

Come join us as a walker or crew.  We are having a big Fundraiser, The Bust Bowl 2009 at the Short Pump Bowl America Feb 28th.  Check us out at www.americatheboobiful.com for info.