










Is summer almost over? I can’t believe it’s August! As we’re enjoying the last few weeks without a school schedule and maybe that last family vacation, we’re preparing for the new season ahead with kids, grandkids, and, yes, even our pets!
August means a lot to me because it is my birth month, and I always got excited about having friends and family members nearby for celebrations!
On the weekends, my dad’s grilled hamburgers with cheese on top and my mom’s fried okra and blackberry cobbler made me a happy camper. Those were the days when we would all unwind and relax together while our Irish Setter waited with intense delight for any morsel of food to drop to the floor!
Welcome to our Kids and Pets Issue! This one was a lot of fun putting together for you! From new emergency vet services and safe pest control to children’s cooking classes and local dogs in the limelight, we hope you’ll sit back and enjoy these last dog days of summer-pun intended!
Here’s to finishing the summer with more swimming, hiking, and biking, as well as seeing the latest movie in the air conditioning, going to museum exhibits, and enjoying the fireflies in the backyard as you grill YOUR family’s favorite foods and love on your chosen kids and pets!
All the best,
August 2023
PUBLISHER
Aaron Swart | aaron.swart@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Joanna Tannenbaum
joanna.tannenbaum@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGERS
Steven Casupanan steven.casupanan@citylifestyle.com
Ashley Sill | ashley.sill@citylifestyle.com
Jamie Aguilar | jamie.aguilar@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATORS
Naylor Taliaferro | lcrmediallc@gmail.com
Matt Polson | matt@thevideodepartmentrva.com
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein
CONTROLLER Gary Johnson
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Eva Tucker
AARON SWART, PUBLISHER @SHORTPUMPCITYLIFESTYLEWant to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @shortpumpcitylifestyle
Summer is in full swing and is the perfect time to enhance your natural glow! Dr. Gregory Lynam and his team at Richmond Surgical Arts have an excellent way to achieve a gorgeous luminous look with the Obagi Skintrinsiq facial. Founded on Obagi’s research and knowledge of the skin, the Skintrinsiq system delivers a soothing, spalike facial treatment with multipurpose benefits. The Obagi Skintrinsiq gently lifts the upper layers of the skin, opening channels and extracting impurities from within. Next, it infuses Obagi skin care products into the skin. Once the channels close, the
products are locked in and continue working their magic even after the facial is complete. From acne scars to age marks, Obagi facials are safe for all skin types and customizable for individual skincare needs. Patients can’t get enough of this luxurious treatment and see an immediate glow and an overall improvement in their skin health. Richmond Surgical Arts recommends incorporating the Obagi facial into your skincare routine every six to eight weeks for healthier skin that radiates beauty.
Real Estate has been a passion of mine for 23 years. I am experienced in working with buyers and sellers. Working with buyers to achieve their dream has been both rewarding and satisfying throughout my years in the business. I guide both experienced and first-time home buyers with ease. Sellers have always been pleased with my ability to market, stage and organize their house to get it sold fast!!
I was born in NC and have lived in VA since 2008 I have been married for 17 years and have a 12 year old daughter. I am also a mom to 2 fur babies a Golden Retriever and German Sheppard. I call Midlothian home but very much love serving clients in downtown RVA, Henrico, Hanover and surrounding counties. I adore the ocean and bea ch atmosphere
When I am not selling homes I am spending time on the coast and gardening
Phone: 804-833-7749
greerjones@srmfre.com
www.greerjonesproperties.com
With conditional approval from the Federal Highway Administration, Henrico County will soon begin improvements to ease traffic and improve safety along Interstate 64 in the Short Pump area. The upgrades include a new diamond-shaped I-64 interchange at North Gayton Road and modifications to the I-64 interchange at West Broad Street. With approval, construction will begin on the North Gayton interchange in about three years, followed by alterations to the Broad Street interchange.
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/ShortPump
round-up of exciting news from local businesses.
Hadad’s Lake, the large recreation center and waterpark in the Varina area, is going up for sale with a listing price of $975,000. The entire property is about 36 acres, split into two lots. Lot 1, located at 1140 Mill Road, covers most of the property, with 29.56 acres. Lot 2 is 6.53 acres, located at 7900 Osborne Turnpike. Both lots can be sold together or separately.
Henrico’s Board of Supervisors recently approved a plan establishing a home-buying assistance program for qualified county employees. As part of the program, eligible government employees, schools, and county constitutional officers could receive up to $25,000 to purchase a home in Henrico County. Households must make less than 120% of the area’s median income to qualify for the program.
Grab the kids, pack your bags and hit the town for some end of summer fun. Use our list for some family-friendly adventures that will do everything from raising your heart rate, excite the little ones, and create lasting memories together.
HARDYWOOD PARK CRAFT BREWERY: Enjoy a refreshing beer outdoors at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, and bring the kids and dogs for company. 4009 Hanover Avenue, Richmond
METRO RICHMOND ZOO: Visit the adorable animals or try ziplining with the kids at the Metro Richmond Zoo. 8300 Beaver Bridge Road, Moseley
HADAD'S LAKE: Enjoy a fun-filled day with the kids experiencing rope swings, a floating trampoline, a launch tower, horseshoes, volleyball, paddleboats, and miniature golf at Hadad's Lake. 7900 Osborne Turnpike, Richmond
BOWLERO: Cool off indoors and go bowling with the kids or visit the arcade at Bowlero. 6540 West Broad Street , Richmond
LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN: Stroll through Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with your dog at Fidos After 5! Enjoy beautiful flowers, beverages, music, dining, and shopping. 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond
for more photos and the full list.
MEET THIS MONTH’S CURATOR
Joanna TannenbaumJoanna Tannenbaum has a Master’s Degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University and a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Professional Writing from the New York Institute of Technology. She currently works as the editor for Midlothian Lifestyle and Short Pump City Lifestyle magazines. She was born and raised on Long Island, NY, and relocated to Chesterfield County eleven years ago with her husband Brian. They have two daughters, Avery and Addison, and two beagles, Molly and Finn. Joanna enjoys reading, writing, kickboxing, listening to music, watching movies, and spending time with her family and friends.
Chef Ann Butler of 21 Spoons, a Midlothian restaurant recently crowned “Best Locally Owned Restaurant in Virginia” by Southern Living Magazine, is more than a local chef cooking up fresh and tasty food. She is also the proud owner of Edible Education, a culinary program designed to get kids excited about preparing real food through classes, enrichment programs, camps, birthday parties, and events. With Edible Education locations in Midlothian and Stony Point Fashion Park and two officially authorized locations in Atlanta as a test run for franchises, Ann hopes to reach and inspire children with fresh food, cooking techniques, and nutrition.
As a former Culinary Arts teacher, Ann was disappointed in the poor food choices her teenage students often made. She realized schools should educate kids much earlier than high school about food and nutrition. Starting in her garage, Ann launched Edible Education, working with local farmers to bring seasonal fresh foods to schools. In addition to supplying select
schools with top-quality lunches, Ann founded the Kitchen a la Cart, a portable teaching kitchen business to utilize in schools. “Kids in forty-five states are getting excited about real food,” says Ann. “Most days, it is amazing. We get to cook with kids all day, and that is an enjoyable mission!”
Ann believes every child under age twelve should learn to prepare at least eighteen recipes. “We treat all our students like they are going to be chefs one day. They are either going to ‘chef’ for their families, in a part-time job, or a future career,” Ann explains. “This drives professionalism home, and if a child doesn’t like a particular food, we ask them to try it to expand their palates so they might know how to make it different for their guests.” Edible Education prides itself on never doing for a child what they know how to do for themselves.
Whether camp, classes, after-school curriculums, or parties, Edible Education has a program for every child. Their chefs travel to schools throughout the school year to instruct kids enrolled in after-school activities. For children looking to come to Edible Education, courses start for those as young as three. Additionally, when school closes for breaks and holidays, Edible Education is open! Camp C.H.E.F. is available for ages 6-14 and operates Monday through Friday during the summer. Children can also host a fun and memorable birthday party at the Stony Point Fashion Park location, choosing from four different themes for up to ten guests.
Ann says, “Our most popular camp is So You Want to Open a Bakery.” The camp consists of three sessions, and the classes range from breakfast pastries to master mix cookies and triple-tiered cakes. At the end of each session, the families come to their child’s “bakery,” where their child can show off their uniquely-named bakery, selected colors, fake money, and invitations. Edible Education offers So You Want to Open a Restaurant for the more serious kids. Each day is
“As a former high school culinary arts teacher, I saw many teens think junk food was an appropriate breakfast. After reading a CDC study that stated that if kids under age 12 receive just 50 hours of nutrition education, it can change how they think about food, I knew I had to reach a younger crowd, so I started Edible Education!” - Ann Butler
a competition, and the winning team gets to run their dish as a special at 21 Spoons. Ann says this is a truly empowering and well-deserved experience for the kids.
From teaching culinary classes with two of her high school students to teaching summer classes and training new teachers around the United States due to the successful Kitchen a la Cart, Ann has continued to grow Edible Education into a fun, hands-on, and genuinely enlightening program for children. “We truly never do for a child, what we know they can do for themselves,” Ann explains. “We never intended this to happen, but Edible Education has four Food Network child stars! All kids can cook, truly.”
To learn and have fun with culinary experts, schedule an educational class or check out birthday party themes for your child at edibleedu.com.
LOCATIONS:
Waterford Place
13566 Waterford Place
Midlothian VA 23112
Stony Point Fashion Park
9200 Stony Point Parkway
Richmond, VA 23235
804.218.7903
info@edibleedu.com
“Edible Education has fostered my child’s love for cooking and given him confidence in the kitchen. As a parent, I appreciate them instilling the fundamentals of nutrition, healthy eating, and the importance of preparing foods from whole, fresh ingredients.”
- Kati Sundt
PESTMASTER OF RICHMOND REMOVES PESTS WITH ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Our families, children, and pets are the most precious things in life. We do our best to protect them from everything, even those unwanted house guests. From bed bugs and pesky rodents to termites and mosquitoes, numerous pests can make everyday life more challenging, and Pestmaster of Richmond is the best choice to help rid your property of them! With safety and customer satisfaction as top priorities, Pestmaster’s mission is to provide sustainable solutions that do not put you, your family, your furry friends, or the environment at risk.
Pestmaster has been serving Richmond area customers for 40 years with high-quality products, modern technology, and, most importantly, environmentally safe services. Using plant-based and reduced-risk pesticides registered with the Environmental Protection Agency, Pestmaster professionals carefully rid pests from your property without damaging the ecosystem. In addition to being safe and effective, Pestmaster services are tailored to each household since pest problems vary from property to property. When hiring Pestmaster, you can rest easy knowing they promise and guarantee to eliminate pests from your home.
Request a quote from Pestmaster of Richmond today by visiting pestmaster.com or calling (804) 587-8482.
Ruby Scoops is located in Northside Richmond and creates handcrafted ice cream and non dairy frozen desserts, owned by Food Network’s “Clash of the Cones” winner Rabia Kamara
Using locally sourced ingredients for the finest, richest ice creams, sorbets, sherbets, and baked goods.
It's often said that "dogs are a man's best friend," and we can all agree that truer words have never been spoken. If you've had the pleasure of gaining such a companion, then you know exactly what this means. Dogs are the most loyal, loving friends you'll ever have, from simple walks and much-needed cuddles to being present for significant milestones. In celebration of Midlothian Lifestyle and Short Pump City Lifestyle' s Kids and Pets issue, staff, partners, and readers have submitted photos of their dogs for a chance to show off their beloved furry friends.
Here's a special "thank you" to everyone who contributed photos, especially Midlothian Lifestyle and Short Pump City Lifestyle partners: Dog Training Elite Richmond, Ashton Creek, Greer Jones, ameriCARE of Richmond, RVA Design Group, InnoVitamin Solutions, Paragon Construction, Richmond Surgical Arts, and DRIPBaR Richmond. And, of course, a heartfelt "thank you" to all the dogs that fill the following pages. Your camaraderie, devotion, and adoration are immeasurable, and we are forever grateful to you for showing us the genuine meaning of friendship.
To find your forever furry friend and open your home to a pet in need, please consider visiting ral.org (Richmond Animal League), raccfoundation.org (Richmond Animal Care and Control), richmondspca. org (Richmond SPCA), henricohumane.org , (Henrico Humane Society), and chesterfield.gov (Chesterfield County Animal Services).
When moving to a new city, most people plan to meet people at everyday places like bars, gyms, and local coffee shops. But for Natalie Moore, who moved to Richmond during a pandemic that forced most of these spaces to close, she formed friendships over a glass of wine at her apartment’s outdoor dog park. “It was such an easy way to connect with people,” Natalie says.
“I knew dog park bar concepts existed in other cities, and yet couldn’t believe there wasn’t one in Richmond. Inspired by meeting some of my now closest friends, I decided to open Ruff and create a space that dog owners all over the city could enjoy.”
Ruff Canine Club is a private membership dog park and bar dedicated to building community, promoting positive canine ownership, and providing members with excellent activities and services. The club offers a variety of
locally made dog treats and provides several birthday party options for dog members and non-members. Dog parents have the perks of Wi-Fi access, an extensive food and beverage menu, and attending monthly events. Dogs must be at least four months old, provide proof of required vaccines, and have a pet profile to become a member at Ruff.
“One of the best things about Ruff is it can be whatever you need it to be,” Natalie says. “We have some dogs that visit once or twice a month and others that visit daily.” Natalie’s two goldendoodles, Fitzgerald and Poppy, love coming to work with her and hanging out with the other pups. Natalie and the rest of the Ruff members can relax and kick back, knowing their beloved dogs are safe and having fun!
To create a pet profile and explore membership options at Ruff Canine Club, go to: ruffcanineclub.com
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RUFF CANINE CLUB ARTICLE BY JOANNA TANNENBAUMSuzy Sno is an homage to New Orleans style snowballs. Unlike a snow cone, the ice of a snowball is fine and fluffy like freshly fallen snow. All of our snowballs are made in-house with organic sugar and come in over 60 flavors!
While in the waiting room of an urgent care facility for himself, veterinarian Dr. Jim Dobies realized that animals also require immediate care when an injury or illness is not severe enough for the emergency room but profound enough that they shouldn’t wait for regular veterinary hours. Soon after, Dr. Dobies created UrgentVet in his home of Charlotte, North Carolina, and it became the first dedicated urgent care clinic for pets. Since then, UrgentVet has opened forty-four locations across the United States, and in late spring, Virginia was lucky enough to land two locations in Midlothian and Short Pump.
In the past, when a primary vet has been closed, pet parents had no other option but to take their dog or cat to a vet emergency room, often left to pay an expensive bill. But with UrgentVet, pet parents can rest easy knowing affordable and compassionate services are available 365 days a year, even nights, weekends, and holidays. UrgentVet bridges the gap between general practices and 24-hour emergency vets with more reasonable rates than the costs associated with an emergency vet. With all its clinics, UrgentVet strives to develop strong connections with neighboring primary care veterinarians, keeping them involved in their patient's care. Approximately 90% of pets seen at UrgentVet are treated on-site and referred to their regular vet with a detailed letter and records for follow-up care.
Dr. Dobies genuinely enjoys building close relationships with pets and pet parents. Wishing to bring that same vibe to UrgentVet, Dr. Dobies strongly emphasizes a welcoming environment with compassion at the forefront. Going to the vet can be a stressful experience for both pets and parents. Dr. Dobies ensures that UrgentVet is a comfortable place for all, allowing pets and pet parents to remain together the entire exam. Other luxuries include non-slip flooring, soft lighting, soothing colors, gentle music, and quiet exam lift tables. Even more, Midlothian and Short Pump staff members are Fear-Free certified professionals, ready to care for pets' physical and emotional needs.
Parents can register their pet online and quickly schedule a visit with the bonus of staying home until UrgentVet professionals alert them via text message twenty minutes before the appointment. There are also convenient check-in kiosks in each facility's lobbies to expedite the check-in process. Like all UrgentVet locations, the Midlothian and Short Pump clinics include in-house laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment, including digital radiography and ultrasound technology.
With Midlothian to the south and Short Pump to the north, the two centers provide easy access for Richmond's western suburbs, including Glen Allen, Tuckahoe, Bon Air, and others throughout Henrico and Chesterfield Counties. "Every new clinic is exciting, but opening our doors for the first time in a new state is always a little extra special," says Dr. Dobies. "The Richmond community has been very welcoming, nothing short of spectacular, and we can't wait to show our new neighbors the level of care and commitment we can provide to pets in need." This July, Dr. Dobies opened another location in the Carytown area of Richmond.
“UrgentVet was drawn to the Richmond market due to its size and pet-loving communities. We immediately knew it fit our practice model perfectly.” - Dr. Jim Dobies
Enjoy
HAKU LYCHEE MARTINI
• 2 oz. HAKU® Japanese Craft Vodka
• 1 oz. house made lychee simple syrup
1. Combine ingredients
2. Shake vigorously over ice
3. Strain and serve up in a chilled martini glass
4. Garnish with a lychee
AUGUST 1ST
REGAL SHORT PUMP | 1:30 PM
Join Regal Cinemas every Tuesday and Wednesday during the summer for Regal Summer Movie Express. During the first show of the day, enjoy $2 tickets. Dolittle is playing on August 1st and 2nd. regmovies.com
AUGUST 3RD
SHORT PUMP TOWN
CENTER | 5:00 PM
Join Short Pump Town Center in the Main Plaza for its Annual Summer Concert Series. Wine Tasting tickets are available for purchase onsite, and the proceeds go directly to Henrico CASA. facebook.com
AUGUST 5TH
SHORT PUMP TOWN CENTER MALL | 9:30 AM
Spend the day sipping and relaxing at Phi Beta Sigma's annual Ultimate Wine Tasting Experience. Attendees will be chauffeured to three different vineyards and enjoy tastings at each location. The price per ticket is $125. All attendees must be 21 years old or older. Till 7:00 p.m. eventbrite.com
AUGUST 6TH
Soulful Sundays Libbie Mill
LIBBIE MILL LAKE PIER | 10:00 AM
This family-friendly and “pay what you can” class is offered monthly by Guiding Tree Yoga on the first Sunday until October. Please check social media for any weather-related cancellations. guidingtreeyoga.com
AUGUST 7TH
VIRGINIA CLIFFE INN | 5:30 PM
Join Guiding Tree Yoga for an accessible outdoor yoga class led by Laura. This class will be offered weekly on Monday evenings until October on the front lawn of the Virginia Cliffe Inn. If inclement weather occurs, the practice will move indoors, where spots will become limited and be honored on a firstcome, first-serve basis.
guidingtreeyoga.com
AUGUST 13TH
Marine Corps League
Patriots 5K Walk/Run
ROBIOUS LANDING PARK |
8:30 AM
Participate in this run organized by the Marine Corps League Richmond for the benefit of Virginia-based Veterans Organizations. Till 11:30 a.m. Register online at runsignup.com.
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/ShortPump