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...

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

Short Pump Shools Dominate the Governor’s Aw...

Congratulations to Gayton Elementary, Nuckols Farm Elementary, Shady Grove Elementary, Short Pump Elementary, Twin Hickory Elementary, and Pocahontas and Short Pump middle schools.  All these schools were honored with the Governor’s award for educational excellence!

It is no secret that many choose to make their home here because of our excellent Short Pump schools.  I have moved three times in the past 6 years – all in the Short Pump area and each time I had to sell a house, all the potential buyers wanted to move here primarily for their school aged children.

I went to private school so when it came time to send my first born to kindergarten, we were actively looking for a private school and attended orientations at Steward, Collegiate, and Saint Catherines.  All of those schools were excellent and quite impressive.

However, when we visited with our local elementary public school and met with the principal, teachers and other staff, we also realized the great opportunities and potential of our neighborhood school.  So, we decided against the +$15,000/year tuition of private schools.  The administration and the teachers at our school are top rate and even more important, they are dedicated to truly teaching our children and challenging their potential.

While we are still early on in our educational journey with the Henrico public schools, I cannot be more pleased with the progress of my children.  I am happy that our school was one that won the award because I know how hard the staff and teachers work to help our kids each and every day!

Henrico County Redistricting Update- Some are Up i...

Well- the talk of the bus stop is all about the redistricting plans for Henrico country schools.  The initial redistricting meetings took place earlier this week and it generated traffic and crowds.  Many parents are quite troubled about the proposed changes under the different plans.

Many concerns really relate to “change” as change always brings about resistance and uncertainty.  But, with a community like Short Pump and its growth, change is inevitable.  For example, one of the big concerns relates to the move of some neighborhoods from Pocahontas Middle School to Short Pump Middle School. Both schools are excellent in every regard but the thought of friends splitting up when they would not under the current structure just troubles some.

Short Pump Movie Mania Provides Exception to Our E...

Yesterday I thought I would treat my kids to a movie by going to see Marley & Me.  They were so excited to go -I am one who hates getting to the movies at the last minute so we left early enough to get to the Short Pump Regal Cinemas at least 30 minutes before the movie time.

As we turned into the parking lot, I could not believe what I saw.  The line to buy movie tickets was unbelievable.  The entire front area of the theaters was filled with a sprawling line that went back and forth. . . but then the line extends even further and did not end until it was close the new Johnny Rockets restaurant.

I should have cut my losses then but we found a a parking spot and walked up only to hear from people in line that the next two movie times for Marley & Me were sold out.  This was shocking to me. . . not because this does not happen in many cities but because this is not something we are used to in Short Pump Richmond.

One of the best things about our community is that doing things and getting places for the most part is EASY.  While it takes the average mom over 3 hours to go to the shopping store to buy what is needed for one night’s dinner, the average Short Pump mom can do this in only 1.5 hours or less.  This has to do with the many choices of grocery stores in reach of our neighborhoods, the relatively less traffic and multiple roads leading to the same places, and just the smaller number of shoppers compared to larger and busier communities.

So while we were disappointed that Marley & Me would have to wait for another day, the experience of the “exception” to the Short Pump Ease of Life just made us more grateful for it.  Because after the holidays end and life goes back to normal, the lines at movies and for restaurants will again become more reasonable.

Short Pump- The Walmart Lesson...

I have always thought that the Short Pump Community was an interesting combination of small town life with bigger community aspects.  Not too long ago, Short Pump was nothing more than a single road with a few small gas stations and houses.

I guess it all started when Walmart decided to build their store here.  Since then, it has been a wild ride of unbelievable development and growth. So, it was interesting to hear about that horrible story where a Walmart employee somewhere died as a result of the mad Black Friday rush of aggressive shoppers.

I read that story and felt like there was a lesson behind it.

Overall, I think the rampant growth in Short Pump has been good because it has brought a whole new element to Richmond which, before Short Pump, was quite a conservative and sleepy town.

Many residents of Short Pump are transplants from other cities and towns which brings a lot more diversity and growth to our social community.  The recent retail explosion is also quite interesting.  While I still struggle to understand how it can be sustained, I do like having access to the latest stores that are usually only found in larger metro city areas.

But, one thing that is happening in Short Pump as well as the rest of the world is that people are finding themselves always in a rush and with too many things that need to get done. With all the movement in Short Pump, it is so hard to believe that not too long ago, there was just quiet, peace and trees in our area.

One thing I hope for our community is that we will always retain a small community feel when it comes to caring for the Short Pump area, places and people. While this can be difficult with life happening at the pace it is, the history of Short Pump will always be a part of our community.

One thing I find neat about Short Pump is that in the midst of all this activity and rush, people here still find time to slow down, enjoy time with friends and family and live more in the present.  This was not the case in the last big city I lived in. . . and its makes such a big difference when assessing quality of life on a day to day basis.

So while Short Pump on its face will always have the signs of a fast paced growing community, I hope it will never lose its roots of a quiet town and that we who actually live here will never forget the real things that create a high quality of life.