Saxon Shoes Stroller Stories- Short Pump Town Cent...

Recently, a visitor to the Short Pump Richmond site, posted this information as a Guest Post.  Sounds like fun events for the young ones!

Enjoy an entertaining storytime with your children as a celebrity reads their favorite storybook, appropriate for children ages 0-7.   Crafts, coloring, games, and giveaways accompany the reading to bring the story to life.
9am-10am
Saturday, June 13th  – NBC 12 newsanchor Sabrina Squire
Saturday, July 11th – Jonathan Austin, aka ”Jonathan the Juggler”
Saturday, August 8  – Susan Greenbaum and husband Chris Parker

Saxon Shoes Kids Department (downstairs) Short Pump Town Center
*Kids enter through the little door
Each child receives a coupon for a FREE lunch from Chick-fil-A

Visit www.saxonshoes.com or call Saxon Shoes at 804.285.3473 for details.
Please bring a gently used childrens book, appropriate for children ages 0-12, to donate to Read Aloud Virginia for distribution to deserving area children.

Sponsored by Lite 98, Q-94 and Read Aloud Virginia (readaloudva.org)

Henrico Redistricting Comment: The Power of the In...

I heard an interesting story over the weekend that I wanted to pass on to show how powerful the Internet is becoming as a community tool.  We all know about the massive success of Facebook and other sites, but the same social media and community technology also made a difference to a Short Pump neighborhood.

The neighborhoods on the other side of Nuckols Road (ones like Chappell Ridge and Wyndham Forest) currently are within the Deep Run High School district.  But changes to the maps that were put earlier this year had them going to the newer high school which was quite a bit further away (relatively speaking).

The families there were quite unhappy with that decision especially when they heard that the decision was made based on an assmption by a consultant to Henrico country that Nuckols Road was a major barrier line.  The consultant apparently never came out to see the area and based the decision from maps which showed Nuckols Road as a larger thoroughfare compared to the other streets.

Little did he or she understand that Nuckols Road was not a major “barrier” at all and in fact, several of the children in these neighborhoods still walked to Deep Run High School which is so close by.

In the latest round of comments, the neighbors in these communities organized through a Yahoo Group set up by them and it was through communicating through Yahoo Groups that they were able to organize enough to successfully present their positions and reasoning to the Henrico schoo redistricting communities.

Given all of our busy lives and inability to attend live meetings or even scheduled phone calls, the use of technology such as Yahoo Groups can be extremely effective to help neighbors organize and share their thoughts.

I thought this was a great example of how even busy communities like Short Pump can still find ways to gather a large support group to push forward important matters.

Short Pump Restaurant- Mexican Hole in the Wall...

My husband is an avid Mexican food fan and ever since we moved to Richmond, we have struggled with finding authentic Mexican food in or near the Short Pump area.

Well, a few months ago, he finally found a small restaurant with some really good and authentic Mexican food.

Now, it is not strategically located in the heart of Short Pump where all the nice and new nicely decorated restaurants are. In fact, it is located in a small strip mall off of Gayton road.  While I would not give the restaurant many stars for ambiance, it is clean inside.

However, if you are looking for real authentic Mexican food, you should try this place out.  We have been there over 5 times now and have tried most everything.  Their traditional fare of tacos (crunchy and soft), burritos and quesadillas have plenty of high quality meats and the freshest ingredients.

They also offer an array of other Mexican items- I really love the Gorditas which come in a variety of fillings. My favorite is the Picadillo con Papas ( ground beef with potatoes, onions and tomatoes).  The homemade guacamole is nothing short of amazing if you like guac!

The family that runs it is Mexican and they are all very hospitable and friendly. If you are like us and long for something a little more authentic than the Casa Grandes and Mexico Restaurants, try this one out.

Oh- I almost forgot the restaurant name. . . it is Los Primos Mexican Restaurant.  Located less than two miles away from the hear tof Short Pump.  12347 Gayton Road.

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.

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...