September 2016 | Richmond Parents Monthly

Parents’ First Choice For 26 Years!

September 2016 • Priceless

Caston Studio

Portraits With Distinction Class of 2014 70 proofs or more 5 changes of clothes outdoor studio, many extras NO sitting fees!

Address: 9000 Quioccasin Rd Richmond, VA 23229 Phone: (804) 754-2800 E-mail: info@castonstudio.com Web: www.castonstudio.com

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Heartwood Grove School French and Spanish Immersion • kindergarten: half- and full-day options • elementary - middle grades

www.HCAVirginia.com • 804-320 DOCS

2◆

HeartwoodGrove.com

Welcoming students regardless of race, religion or origin

To Advertise here and on www.richmondparents.com call Mark Fetter 804.673.5215 WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016

www.HCAVirginia.com • 804-320 DOCS

To Advertise here and on www.richmondparents.com call Mark Fetter 804.673.5215 RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016 ◆ 3 WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

Caston Studio

Portraits With Distinction Class of 2014 70 proofs or more 5 changes of clothes outdoor studio, many extras NO sitting fees!

Address: 9000 Quioccasin Rd Richmond, VA 23229 Phone: (804) 754-2800 E-mail: info@castonstudio.com Web: www.castonstudio.com

Get Seen More

Get Seen More

Print & Web Advertisement

Print & Web Advertisement

A Link to Your Website

A Link to Your Website

Boost Internet Traffic to Your Website

Boost Internet Traffic to Your Website

Click on advertiser logo and link directly to their website at

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www.richmondparents.com

www.richmondparents.com

Heartwood Grove School French and Spanish Immersion • kindergarten: half- and full-day options • elementary - middle grades

www.HCAVirginia.com • 804-320 DOCS

2◆

HeartwoodGrove.com

Welcoming students regardless of race, religion or origin

To Advertise here and on www.richmondparents.com call Mark Fetter 804.673.5215 WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016

www.HCAVirginia.com • 804-320 DOCS

To Advertise here and on www.richmondparents.com call Mark Fetter 804.673.5215 RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016 ◆ 3 WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

Parents’ First Choice For 26 Years!

From the Editor

by Greg Weatherford

M

y son just started college. Just moved into his first dorm ever. Just took his first college classes ever. He’s going to a great school only an hour away from our home in Richmond. So that’s good.

He’s attending the school that was his first choice, and he worked hard to get there. So that’s great.

And yet ...

And yet I still think of him as a toddler, climbing on my back and swinging on my arm like a jungle gym.

I still think of him as a little boy, struggling to ride a bicycle and glowing with pride when he did.

I remember explaining gravity to him when he was 6, struggling to translate what little I knew about Einstein’s theories into something a 6-year-old could grasp.

I remember holding him as he cried, a little boy trying to understand why a beloved pet could die.

I remember teaching him how to cook scrambled eggs. (That’ll come in handy again in a few years, once he moves out of his dorm.)

I remember teaching him how to drive a standard-shift car because he thought it would be good to know how to do. (It is.)

I remember hugging him in the driveway as he got ready to leave for college.

“I’m proud of you,” I told him. “You worked hard for this.”

And I remember how broad he smiled at that.

Love you, kid.

contents SEPTEMBER 2016

6

Bigger, Stronger, Faster

8

Gardening

Peer Pressure: As present as ever, but not as bad. by Malia Jacobson

Divide and Conquer: how to divide your perennials this September. by Lela Martin

12

Growing Up Online

14

Calendar

17

Letter from The Publisher

Commonsenseforaugmentedreality.byCarolynJabs.

Events, activities, exhibits, cocerts, and more!

Partnering with Richmond Ballet with an invitation you don’t want to miss!

On the Cover: Main image pnoto credit (c): farabaleweekly. com. Insent of contributing writer: Malia Jacobson. Additional images (left to right): Image of Dahlia flower. Courtesy of Lela Martin, Photo credit (c): Computer keyboard. www.digitaltrends.com, Photo credit (c): Festival shot. www.virginia. org.

Volume 26, No. 9, SEPTEMBER 2016

Founder/Publisher: Mark E. Fetter mfetter@richmondpublishing.com Editor: Greg Weatherford rpmeditor@richmondpublishing.com Art Director: Jennifer Sutton jsutton@richmondpublishing.com Contributing Writers: Lela Martin, Carolyn Jabs, Greg Weatherford

4 ◆ RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016

WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

Editorial Mission: Richmond Parents Monthly is dedicated to providing parents and professionals with the best information and resources available to enhance all aspects of parenting and family life. It is also an avenue to facilitate a shared sense of community among parents by providing useful information, support and a forum for dialogue on issues that are important to all parents and families.

Richmond Parents Monthly is published 12 times a year and distributed free of charge. The advertising deadline is the 10th of each month for the upcoming issue. Richmond Parents Monthly welcomes reader comments and submissions; however, the publication is not responsible for unsolicited materials. All materials received become the property of the publisher and will not be returned. We reserve the right to edit any material used for publication. The entire content of Richmond Parents Monthly is ©2016. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means without the express written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed by writers and columnists do not necessarily represent those of Richmond

How to reach us Richmond Parents Monthly 8010 Ridge Rd, Suite F Henrico, VA 23229 PH: 804-673-5203 FX: 804-673-5308 mail@richmondpublishing.com

How to advertise with us Contact our Publisher mfetter@richmondpublishing.com

Every month, an average of 75,000 readers enjoy Richmond Parents Monthly which is distributed in over 425 locations throughout the metro area. These locations include all CVS stores, McDonald’s, Kroger stores, medical centers, retail outlets, museums, and bookstores as well as many public libraries.

Richmond Parents Monthly is regularly advertised on television. This creates a demand for the magazine and increases visibility and reader recall. Richmond

RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016 ◆ 5

Parents’ First Choice For 26 Years!

From the Editor

by Greg Weatherford

M

y son just started college. Just moved into his first dorm ever. Just took his first college classes ever. He’s going to a great school only an hour away from our home in Richmond. So that’s good.

He’s attending the school that was his first choice, and he worked hard to get there. So that’s great.

And yet ...

And yet I still think of him as a toddler, climbing on my back and swinging on my arm like a jungle gym.

I still think of him as a little boy, struggling to ride a bicycle and glowing with pride when he did.

I remember explaining gravity to him when he was 6, struggling to translate what little I knew about Einstein’s theories into something a 6-year-old could grasp.

I remember holding him as he cried, a little boy trying to understand why a beloved pet could die.

I remember teaching him how to cook scrambled eggs. (That’ll come in handy again in a few years, once he moves out of his dorm.)

I remember teaching him how to drive a standard-shift car because he thought it would be good to know how to do. (It is.)

I remember hugging him in the driveway as he got ready to leave for college.

“I’m proud of you,” I told him. “You worked hard for this.”

And I remember how broad he smiled at that.

Love you, kid.

contents SEPTEMBER 2016

6

Bigger, Stronger, Faster

8

Gardening

Peer Pressure: As present as ever, but not as bad. by Malia Jacobson

Divide and Conquer: how to divide your perennials this September. by Lela Martin

12

Growing Up Online

14

Calendar

17

Letter from The Publisher

Commonsenseforaugmentedreality.byCarolynJabs.

Events, activities, exhibits, cocerts, and more!

Partnering with Richmond Ballet with an invitation you don’t want to miss!

On the Cover: Main image pnoto credit (c): farabaleweekly. com. Insent of contributing writer: Malia Jacobson. Additional images (left to right): Image of Dahlia flower. Courtesy of Lela Martin, Photo credit (c): Computer keyboard. www.digitaltrends.com, Photo credit (c): Festival shot. www.virginia. org.

Volume 26, No. 9, SEPTEMBER 2016

Founder/Publisher: Mark E. Fetter mfetter@richmondpublishing.com Editor: Greg Weatherford rpmeditor@richmondpublishing.com Art Director: Jennifer Sutton jsutton@richmondpublishing.com Contributing Writers: Lela Martin, Carolyn Jabs, Greg Weatherford

4 ◆ RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016

WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

Editorial Mission: Richmond Parents Monthly is dedicated to providing parents and professionals with the best information and resources available to enhance all aspects of parenting and family life. It is also an avenue to facilitate a shared sense of community among parents by providing useful information, support and a forum for dialogue on issues that are important to all parents and families.

Richmond Parents Monthly is published 12 times a year and distributed free of charge. The advertising deadline is the 10th of each month for the upcoming issue. Richmond Parents Monthly welcomes reader comments and submissions; however, the publication is not responsible for unsolicited materials. All materials received become the property of the publisher and will not be returned. We reserve the right to edit any material used for publication. The entire content of Richmond Parents Monthly is ©2016. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means without the express written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed by writers and columnists do not necessarily represent those of Richmond

How to reach us Richmond Parents Monthly 8010 Ridge Rd, Suite F Henrico, VA 23229 PH: 804-673-5203 FX: 804-673-5308 mail@richmondpublishing.com

How to advertise with us Contact our Publisher mfetter@richmondpublishing.com

Every month, an average of 75,000 readers enjoy Richmond Parents Monthly which is distributed in over 425 locations throughout the metro area. These locations include all CVS stores, McDonald’s, Kroger stores, medical centers, retail outlets, museums, and bookstores as well as many public libraries.

Richmond Parents Monthly is regularly advertised on television. This creates a demand for the magazine and increases visibility and reader recall. Richmond

RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016 ◆ 5

Bigger, Stronger, Faster PEER PRESSURE: AS PRESENT AS EVER, BUT NOT ALWAYS BAD

by Malia Jacobson

M

other of three Mandie Neher didn’t expect her children to face complex group dynamics and outright peer pressure in elementary school. But that’s what happened. At the beginning of her daughter Emma’s third-grade year, one of her classmates brought Binaca breath spray to school, which isn’t allowed. This classmate and a few others went about coercing peers to break the rules by using the minty spray. “They said things like ‘Just try it,’ and ‘Come on, it’s not going to hurt you,’” says Neher. If someone refused, as Emma did, “they called names and [said] that nobody would be their friend.”

“We were floored,” says Neher.

“We never expected these types of situations or these conversations at such a young age.”

Parents anticipate peer pressure when their children are teenagers.

But in elementary school? Count on it. Research shows that peer pressure begins well before adolescence—a new study from the University of Maryland found that children recognize the value of group loyalty and feel social pressure as early as age nine.

The age-old problem of peer pressure has a few new wrinkles — besides starting earlier, it’s also happening at lightning speed and on an unprecedented scale, fueled by social media. And today’s children may be less equipped to resist peer pressure, thanks to overprotective “helicopter parents.”

But increasingly, experts say peer pressure may not deserve its bad rap. So-called “positive” peer pressure can actually help tweens and teens resist drinking, smoking, and other negative behaviors — the very same things that negative peer pressure can incite them to try. And your parenting practices can help determine whether peer pressure is your child’s friend or foe.

The “new” peer pressure Peer pressure is certainly alive and well among today’s teens: 90

percent of teens admit to being influenced or pressured by peers. Nearly three-quarters said that giving in to peer pressure had boosted their social standing. And peer pressure influences behavior at a younger age than previously thought. In a recent study, researchers at University of Southern California expected to find that pressure from peers to smoke cigarettes peaks in high school. Instead, they discovered that pressure to smoke is greater in middle school than high school.

It’s not just smoking, either: Pressure from peers motivates nearly every type of negative behavior, from unsafe driving to sex to bullying. Nearly half of teens admit they drive more responsibly without the influence of friends in the car, according to a study by Allstate. Researchers from Temple University found that teens run 40 percent more yellow lights and have 60 percent more accidents when friends are passengers. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that one-third of teenage boys, and nearly a quarter of girls, feel pressured to have sex. Peer pressure may play a major role in bullying behavior, too. A study by Parent Further found that half of teens said they’d picked on someone after seeing a peer do the same.

But experts say the biggest factor in modern peer pressure is social networking via websites like Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr used by some 90 percent of American teens, according to Common Sense Media. A recent national study by The Prevention and Research Center of Michigan found that teens’ alcohol and drug use is influenced by what they see in their Facebook news feed: the more alcohol-related photos and posts teens saw from friends on social networking sites, the more often they drank alcohol themselves.

This “virtual peer pressure” is new peer pressure, says Orly Katz, Ph.D., youth empowerment and life skills expert and author of “Peer Pressure vs. True Friendship: Surviving Junior High.” On Facebook, chil-

dren can reject and blacklist others, encourage hate groups, and ostracize others, instantly, she says. “If in the past only your child’s class knew if he was ostracized, today, with Facebook, everyone knows, everyone can see it and everyone reads it, right now!”

In the churning, frothy Facebook world, numbers are power, says Katz. Children collect friends and “likes” to demonstrate their popularity and influence — which can be used to pressure peers with a few keystrokes. Behind a screen, a bully has power, particularly a bully with lots of Facebook friends.

The worst way social media peer pressures tweens and teens is that it normalizes “bad” behavior, says Rosalind Wiseman, parenting educator and author of “Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and the New Realities of Girl World,” the basis for the movie “Mean Girls.”

“It makes it seem like everyone is doing it, whatever “it” happens to be.”

Hover craft Many of today’s kids are close to their parents—sometimes in constant contact, thanks to the ubiquity of cell phones. As of 2013, 78 percent of teens own a cell phone, and nearly half of parents use a mobile phone to track their teen’s location. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 70 percent of teens report talking on the phone to their parents daily. Parents are communicating with their kids and keeping tabs on them. So why does peer pressure still have a stronghold?

A trend toward overprotective “helicopter parenting” may be partly to blame, says Katz. Though helicopter parenting statistics are difficult to come by, one study presented at the Association of Psychological Science Convention in Boston found that 10 percent of parents qualify for the title; multiple studies show that educated parents are spending more and more time actively parenting — in other words, hovering over — their

children.

Katz believes that children of helicopter parents cope less effectively with peer pressure than other children. Helicopter parents “hover” and do almost everything for their offspring, says Katz. “They have difficulty setting limits for their children, which in turn makes it hard for these children to set limits for their friends.”

The second challenge: kids aren’t the only ones dealing with peer pressure, says Wiseman. Parents feel pressure from their peers, too, and when kids witness their parents “keeping up with the Joneses,” it glorifies following the crowd.

“Adults don’t like to admit to anyone, including themselves, that they aren’t above being pressured by their peers. If our kids see us in relationships of unequal power and influence they’re going to believe our actions more than our words.”

Combined, these reasons makes it pretty easy for young people to disregard any well-meaning advice we’re giving them about peer pressure, Wiseman concludes.

Positively pressured Peer pressure isn’t all bad, though. According to Tina Rosenberg, author of “Join the Club: How Peer Pressure Can Transform the World,” peer pressure can motivate positive personal changes—like meeting a weight loss goal—along with large-scale, sweeping social movements like civil rights and gender equality. Research from Middlesex University London found that positive peer pressure prevented binge drinking in 14- and 15-yearolds; another UK study found that a grass-roots anti-smoking campaign employing positive peer pressure curbed teen smoking more effectively than typical fear-based appeals.

Today’s youth are known for being more environmentally and civically minded, says clinical psychologist Michelle P. Maidenberg, Ph.D., of Harrison, New York.

Summer calls for new adventures. So, head for the two parks where thrill rides and waterslides lead to moments you never expected.

A WHOLE OTHER WORLD AWAITS

BEST OFFERS ONLINE

BUSCHGARDENS.COM/VA

Restrictions apply. ©2016 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

(cont.topage11) 6 ◆ RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016

WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016 ◆ 7

Bigger, Stronger, Faster PEER PRESSURE: AS PRESENT AS EVER, BUT NOT ALWAYS BAD

by Malia Jacobson

M

other of three Mandie Neher didn’t expect her children to face complex group dynamics and outright peer pressure in elementary school. But that’s what happened. At the beginning of her daughter Emma’s third-grade year, one of her classmates brought Binaca breath spray to school, which isn’t allowed. This classmate and a few others went about coercing peers to break the rules by using the minty spray. “They said things like ‘Just try it,’ and ‘Come on, it’s not going to hurt you,’” says Neher. If someone refused, as Emma did, “they called names and [said] that nobody would be their friend.”

“We were floored,” says Neher.

“We never expected these types of situations or these conversations at such a young age.”

Parents anticipate peer pressure when their children are teenagers.

But in elementary school? Count on it. Research shows that peer pressure begins well before adolescence—a new study from the University of Maryland found that children recognize the value of group loyalty and feel social pressure as early as age nine.

The age-old problem of peer pressure has a few new wrinkles — besides starting earlier, it’s also happening at lightning speed and on an unprecedented scale, fueled by social media. And today’s children may be less equipped to resist peer pressure, thanks to overprotective “helicopter parents.”

But increasingly, experts say peer pressure may not deserve its bad rap. So-called “positive” peer pressure can actually help tweens and teens resist drinking, smoking, and other negative behaviors — the very same things that negative peer pressure can incite them to try. And your parenting practices can help determine whether peer pressure is your child’s friend or foe.

The “new” peer pressure Peer pressure is certainly alive and well among today’s teens: 90

percent of teens admit to being influenced or pressured by peers. Nearly three-quarters said that giving in to peer pressure had boosted their social standing. And peer pressure influences behavior at a younger age than previously thought. In a recent study, researchers at University of Southern California expected to find that pressure from peers to smoke cigarettes peaks in high school. Instead, they discovered that pressure to smoke is greater in middle school than high school.

It’s not just smoking, either: Pressure from peers motivates nearly every type of negative behavior, from unsafe driving to sex to bullying. Nearly half of teens admit they drive more responsibly without the influence of friends in the car, according to a study by Allstate. Researchers from Temple University found that teens run 40 percent more yellow lights and have 60 percent more accidents when friends are passengers. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that one-third of teenage boys, and nearly a quarter of girls, feel pressured to have sex. Peer pressure may play a major role in bullying behavior, too. A study by Parent Further found that half of teens said they’d picked on someone after seeing a peer do the same.

But experts say the biggest factor in modern peer pressure is social networking via websites like Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr used by some 90 percent of American teens, according to Common Sense Media. A recent national study by The Prevention and Research Center of Michigan found that teens’ alcohol and drug use is influenced by what they see in their Facebook news feed: the more alcohol-related photos and posts teens saw from friends on social networking sites, the more often they drank alcohol themselves.

This “virtual peer pressure” is new peer pressure, says Orly Katz, Ph.D., youth empowerment and life skills expert and author of “Peer Pressure vs. True Friendship: Surviving Junior High.” On Facebook, chil-

dren can reject and blacklist others, encourage hate groups, and ostracize others, instantly, she says. “If in the past only your child’s class knew if he was ostracized, today, with Facebook, everyone knows, everyone can see it and everyone reads it, right now!”

In the churning, frothy Facebook world, numbers are power, says Katz. Children collect friends and “likes” to demonstrate their popularity and influence — which can be used to pressure peers with a few keystrokes. Behind a screen, a bully has power, particularly a bully with lots of Facebook friends.

The worst way social media peer pressures tweens and teens is that it normalizes “bad” behavior, says Rosalind Wiseman, parenting educator and author of “Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and the New Realities of Girl World,” the basis for the movie “Mean Girls.”

“It makes it seem like everyone is doing it, whatever “it” happens to be.”

Hover craft Many of today’s kids are close to their parents—sometimes in constant contact, thanks to the ubiquity of cell phones. As of 2013, 78 percent of teens own a cell phone, and nearly half of parents use a mobile phone to track their teen’s location. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 70 percent of teens report talking on the phone to their parents daily. Parents are communicating with their kids and keeping tabs on them. So why does peer pressure still have a stronghold?

A trend toward overprotective “helicopter parenting” may be partly to blame, says Katz. Though helicopter parenting statistics are difficult to come by, one study presented at the Association of Psychological Science Convention in Boston found that 10 percent of parents qualify for the title; multiple studies show that educated parents are spending more and more time actively parenting — in other words, hovering over — their

children.

Katz believes that children of helicopter parents cope less effectively with peer pressure than other children. Helicopter parents “hover” and do almost everything for their offspring, says Katz. “They have difficulty setting limits for their children, which in turn makes it hard for these children to set limits for their friends.”

The second challenge: kids aren’t the only ones dealing with peer pressure, says Wiseman. Parents feel pressure from their peers, too, and when kids witness their parents “keeping up with the Joneses,” it glorifies following the crowd.

“Adults don’t like to admit to anyone, including themselves, that they aren’t above being pressured by their peers. If our kids see us in relationships of unequal power and influence they’re going to believe our actions more than our words.”

Combined, these reasons makes it pretty easy for young people to disregard any well-meaning advice we’re giving them about peer pressure, Wiseman concludes.

Positively pressured Peer pressure isn’t all bad, though. According to Tina Rosenberg, author of “Join the Club: How Peer Pressure Can Transform the World,” peer pressure can motivate positive personal changes—like meeting a weight loss goal—along with large-scale, sweeping social movements like civil rights and gender equality. Research from Middlesex University London found that positive peer pressure prevented binge drinking in 14- and 15-yearolds; another UK study found that a grass-roots anti-smoking campaign employing positive peer pressure curbed teen smoking more effectively than typical fear-based appeals.

Today’s youth are known for being more environmentally and civically minded, says clinical psychologist Michelle P. Maidenberg, Ph.D., of Harrison, New York.

Summer calls for new adventures. So, head for the two parks where thrill rides and waterslides lead to moments you never expected.

A WHOLE OTHER WORLD AWAITS

BEST OFFERS ONLINE

BUSCHGARDENS.COM/VA

Restrictions apply. ©2016 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

(cont.topage11) 6 ◆ RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016

WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016 ◆ 7

Divide and Conquer DIVIDING PERENNIALS IN SEPTEMBER

by Lela Martin

MT. GILEAD

Image of Dahlia flower. Courtesy of Lela Martin.

Changing Lives with the Word of God

• FREE computerized electrical test • FREE diagnostic with repairs • Oil/Filter change • A/C service

• Brakes, shock & Struts • Wheel Alignments • Wheel Balance • State Inspections

In-Home Home Personal Care Services CALL NOW (804) 545 545-1974 www.blakeeducationalcenter.com

D

ividing your perennials in September is necessary every three to five years. Read on to learn the specifics on keeping your perennials in tip-top shape.

W hy Divide Planting a perennial is intrinsically satisfying; you plant it once and can then enjoy its return annually in perpetuity. You may even consider perennials to be plant-and-forget plants. However, your perennials

5709 S. Laburnum Ave. Richmond, VA 23231

may need a little tough love. There are several reasons that you might need to divide and conquer your perennials this fall. An older plant may need rejuvenation; it could have grown out of control; it might even be something you want to plant elsewhere in your yard or share with neighbors and friends. As a rule of thumb, perennials should be divided every three to five years. Plants growing in sunny locations in ideal conditions grow faster and may

8 ◆ RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016

need to be divided more often. As a perennial clump grows larger, the individual stems may grow smaller and weaker. Typically, this leads to a reduction in the size or number of flowers, yellowing leaves, and/or an empty hollow inside the clump.

These are signs that the roots and stems are crowded and the plant should be divided. Some perennials such as red hot poker (Kniphofia) do not need division for their own health; however, they can be divid-

ed for plant increase as desired. Other perennials are just too aggressive and may need dividing to be controlled.

When to Divide Fall is the optimal season to divide many spring- and summer-blooming perennials. They will have plenty of time to establish strong root systems before their bloom time next season. However, fall-blooming perennials should (cont.topage10) WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

    

NOW OFFERING:

Home Health Services in Central Virginia Personal Care Attendant Certificate Classes Job Placement First Aid CPR AED Certification Classes Blood borne Pathogens Certification

10% off ANY Certification Class or FREE In In-Home Assessment Use code: BEC2016

WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016 ◆ 9

Divide and Conquer DIVIDING PERENNIALS IN SEPTEMBER

by Lela Martin

MT. GILEAD

Image of Dahlia flower. Courtesy of Lela Martin.

Changing Lives with the Word of God

• FREE computerized electrical test • FREE diagnostic with repairs • Oil/Filter change • A/C service

• Brakes, shock & Struts • Wheel Alignments • Wheel Balance • State Inspections

In-Home Home Personal Care Services CALL NOW (804) 545 545-1974 www.blakeeducationalcenter.com

D

ividing your perennials in September is necessary every three to five years. Read on to learn the specifics on keeping your perennials in tip-top shape.

W hy Divide Planting a perennial is intrinsically satisfying; you plant it once and can then enjoy its return annually in perpetuity. You may even consider perennials to be plant-and-forget plants. However, your perennials

5709 S. Laburnum Ave. Richmond, VA 23231

may need a little tough love. There are several reasons that you might need to divide and conquer your perennials this fall. An older plant may need rejuvenation; it could have grown out of control; it might even be something you want to plant elsewhere in your yard or share with neighbors and friends. As a rule of thumb, perennials should be divided every three to five years. Plants growing in sunny locations in ideal conditions grow faster and may

8 ◆ RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016

need to be divided more often. As a perennial clump grows larger, the individual stems may grow smaller and weaker. Typically, this leads to a reduction in the size or number of flowers, yellowing leaves, and/or an empty hollow inside the clump.

These are signs that the roots and stems are crowded and the plant should be divided. Some perennials such as red hot poker (Kniphofia) do not need division for their own health; however, they can be divid-

ed for plant increase as desired. Other perennials are just too aggressive and may need dividing to be controlled.

When to Divide Fall is the optimal season to divide many spring- and summer-blooming perennials. They will have plenty of time to establish strong root systems before their bloom time next season. However, fall-blooming perennials should (cont.topage10) WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

    

NOW OFFERING:

Home Health Services in Central Virginia Personal Care Attendant Certificate Classes Job Placement First Aid CPR AED Certification Classes Blood borne Pathogens Certification

10% off ANY Certification Class or FREE In In-Home Assessment Use code: BEC2016

WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016 ◆ 9

“MasterGardeners”continuedfrompage8 be divided in April as soon as new growth is detected. Additionally, many ornamental grasses do not tolerate fall division and need to be divided in the spring.

For spring- and summer-blooming perennials, the best time to divide is on a day when the weather is cool and wet – Richmonders usually recognize this as the time of the State Fair! To reduce desiccation (i.e., drying out) of the roots, a cloudy day is ideal and the morning is preferable.

How to Divide Prepare the new garden bed for the transplants before you make the division. Test the soil and add any necessary amendments. (Soil should be tested every 2-3 years.)

Dig the new hole twice as wide as the expected root ball and about the same depth. You may add a fertilizer low in nitrogen (such as 0-10-10) to the hole. (Nitrogen promotes top growth and, for transplants, you want to focus on the roots.) The day before you make the division, water the plant to be divided. On the day you divide, cut back the plant’s foliage so you can see the crown and the size of the plant. By cutting the top growth back to about 6 inches, you will also reduce the amount of water lost through the plant’s leaves. Dig down with a sharp pointed shovel or spading fork on all four sides of the plant about 4-6 inches away from it.

Pry underneath the entire plant with your tool to lift the whole clump to be divided. Carefully to keep the root ball intact, shake off loose soil and remove dead leaves so you can see what you’re doing. Be careful with the small root hairs – they are the most active parts of the roots.

The actual division technique and tools depends of the plant’s root system.

Perennials with spreading (or matted) root systems spread outward from an original crown. These plants are often shallow-rooted with a wide fibrous root system. Each new shoot is separate from the original crown with a separate root system. These plants can often be pulled apart by hand. For stubborn roots, use two garden forks back to back to pry them apart. Insert the forks in the center of the crown with the tines interlaced and facing outward.

Perennials with spreading root systems include bee balm (Monarda),

cranesbill (Geranium), lambs ear (Stachys byzantine), garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), purple coneflower (Echinacea), tickseed (Coreopsis), and yarrow (Achillea).

Clumping root systems are more compact. The root system is fleshy and thick, growing down more than out. New shoots arise from buds attached to the original crowns. To divide perennials with clumping root systems, cut the crown into pieces with a spade. Include a few buds and their attached roots in each piece. Examples are astilbe, daylily (Hemerocallis), and hosta.

Rhizomes are thick fleshy horizontal underground stems. In plant such as bearded iris, they spread outward from the original plant like a spreading root system. Divide with a sharp knife to cut the rhizomes into individual fans with a few buds on each. Cut the fan of leaves associated with a rhizome to about 5-8 inches high. Throw away any dead or diseased sections.

Tuberous root systems, such as those of a dahlia, are divided by cutting through the tuber using a sharp knife. Each tuber must have a small piece of the original stem and a growth bud. In zone 7, tubers can be replanted or stored for planting in the following spring.

Some perennials do not tolerate division. Do not divide baby’s breath (Gypsophilia), bleeding heart (Dicentra), butterfly weed (Asclepias), clematis, columbine (Aquilegia), false indigo (Baptisia), Lenten rose (Hellebores), peony (Paeonia), and spurge (Euphorbia). Woody shrubs, which are often thought of as perennials, cannot be divided. These include the herbs lavender and rosemary as well as candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) and woody artemisias.

Once you dig a clump, plant the transplant and put the original back into the ground

“Bigger, Stronger, Faster” continued from page 6 promptly. Leave the soil on the root ball and place it in the hole, backfilling with soil until the crown sites at or slightly above the previous soil line. Pack in the soil; air spaces can kill the roots. Water well. Alternatively, you can put the transplant in a pot to share with a fellow gardener. (If a clump must be out of the ground for any length of time, wrap the root ball in wet burlap or cover with moistened mulch and keep it in a shaded location, because roots dry quickly when exposed to air.) Continue to water for a couple of weeks.

Apply a thick layer of mulch such as pine straw/needles or shredded leaves to protect plant roots as the temperatures drop.

This fall, assess your garden and take photos or mark where you’ve transplanted. For those plants that aren’t evergreen, it will be important to know where they are when you add new plants in the spring.

Come spring and summer, you will once again enjoy the satisfaction of perennial gardening. As W. E. Johns remarks in The Passing Show, “One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides.”

Web Resources “Dividing Perennials”

byEricdeLong,CornellCooperative Extension:http://chemung.cce.cornell.edu/resources/dividing-perennials

“Dividing Perennials“

byKarenRussandBobPolonski, ClemsonCooperativeExtension,HGIC 1150:http://www.clemson.edu/ extension/hgic/plants/landscape/ flowers/hgic1150.html

“FallisforPlantingandDividing Perennials”

byKarenNeill,NCCooperativeExtension:https://guilford.ces.ncsu. edu/2012/08/fall-is-for-planting-and-dividing-perennials/

Lela Martin is a Master Gardener with theChesterfieldCountyofficeoftheVirginia Cooperative Extension.

Image of False Indigo. Courtesy of Lela Martin.

10 ◆ RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016

WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

“Peers can positively influence other peers to volunteer, work toward becoming more ‘green,’ stay away from drugs and alcohol, and thrive in their academics and goals. “ Positive peer pressure helps maintain self-confidence and a sense of belonging and meaning, says Katz. “And more importantly – it’s more fun for your child to have good friends with similar values.”

Depressurizing our kids So how can parents help children resist negative peer pressure?

First, look for signs that peer pressure is becoming a problem, says Maidenberg: changes in attitude, withdrawal from parents and family activities, sudden materialism, or intense interest in “taboo” behaviors or possessions.

In other words, if your eightyear-old begins begging for a cell phone or a trendier backpack as soon as school resumes in the fall, it’s probably not a coincidence or a passing phase — she’s responding to social influences and a desire to fit in, the precursors of peer pressure.

“Virtual” peer pressure on social networks can be trickier to fight, simply because parents may not see it.

A major educational campaign is in order to educate children and teens about resisting online peer pressure and wielding electronic influence wisely, says Katz. But there’s something parents can do today to protect their children online: connect to their child’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr accounts—immediately. The key is not waiting until we sense danger or exposure to abuse, says Katz. “Don’t remain passive, because passivity will come back to haunt you when it comes to virtual peer pressure.”

It seems oversimplified, but a strong parental presence has a protective effect against peer pressure.

In study published in Developmental Psychology, middle-school aged children without adult supervision were more swayed by peer pressure to engage in anti-social behavior. “In general, when children are appropriately supervised by adults and adults are actively involved in their lives, both at a physical and emotional level, they are less susceptible to peer pressure,” says Maidenberg.

Mandie Neher took swift action when she noticed peer-related WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

changes in Emma’s behavior last year. “She consistently had a bad attitude after hanging out at certain friends’ homes—I couldn’t take the talking back, disrespect, and ‘know it all’ attitude,” says Neher. She started limiting playdates with those friends and encouraging friendships with different children, ones who didn’t seem to have the same negative influence on Emma. “We’re now much more critical of her friends— and their parents!”

MaliaJacobsonisanationallypublished parentingjournalistandmomofthree.

Spanish Immersion mmersion mmersion French Immersion Kindergarten Now Enrolling Full- and Half-day options Mornings, Afternoons or Both

eartwood Grove School Elementary - Middle School Full Curriculum

Standing Up To Peer Pressure

4301 Patterson Avenue www.HeartwoodGrove.com

Help your child resist peer pressure 1. Watch for signs that peer pressure is becoming a problem: withdrawal from family activities, sudden materialism, disrespect toward parents, and backtalk.

2. Encourage and develop leadership qualities. Talk with your child about the importance of making your own decisions instead of being led by others.

3. Resist adult peer pressure or the pressure to “keep up the Joneses.”

4. Connect to your child’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and other social networking accounts, and monitor the websites regularly.

5. Research shows that some children are more susceptible to peer pressure: latchkey kids with minimal adult supervision, those with low self-esteem, and those on the Autism spectrum.

Be particularly watchful if your child meets any of these criteria.

welcoming students regardless of race, religion or ethnic origin.

Anytime is

Learning Time!

All summer long PBS KIDS® and the Community Idea Stations’ Ready To Learn® program encourages kids and families to explore and learn together with our PBS KIDS® SUMMER LEARNING PROJECT. Beginning in June follow us on Facebook at “RTLCentralVa” for weekly posts: • Educational activities and events • Easy, low-cost ideas to help build and maintain literacy and STEM skills • PBS KIDS® games and activities • PBS® program highlights For parent resources go to: ideastations.org/summerlearn

Source: Clinical psychologist Michelle P. Maidenberg, Ph.D.

RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016 ◆ 11

“MasterGardeners”continuedfrompage8 be divided in April as soon as new growth is detected. Additionally, many ornamental grasses do not tolerate fall division and need to be divided in the spring.

For spring- and summer-blooming perennials, the best time to divide is on a day when the weather is cool and wet – Richmonders usually recognize this as the time of the State Fair! To reduce desiccation (i.e., drying out) of the roots, a cloudy day is ideal and the morning is preferable.

How to Divide Prepare the new garden bed for the transplants before you make the division. Test the soil and add any necessary amendments. (Soil should be tested every 2-3 years.)

Dig the new hole twice as wide as the expected root ball and about the same depth. You may add a fertilizer low in nitrogen (such as 0-10-10) to the hole. (Nitrogen promotes top growth and, for transplants, you want to focus on the roots.) The day before you make the division, water the plant to be divided. On the day you divide, cut back the plant’s foliage so you can see the crown and the size of the plant. By cutting the top growth back to about 6 inches, you will also reduce the amount of water lost through the plant’s leaves. Dig down with a sharp pointed shovel or spading fork on all four sides of the plant about 4-6 inches away from it.

Pry underneath the entire plant with your tool to lift the whole clump to be divided. Carefully to keep the root ball intact, shake off loose soil and remove dead leaves so you can see what you’re doing. Be careful with the small root hairs – they are the most active parts of the roots.

The actual division technique and tools depends of the plant’s root system.

Perennials with spreading (or matted) root systems spread outward from an original crown. These plants are often shallow-rooted with a wide fibrous root system. Each new shoot is separate from the original crown with a separate root system. These plants can often be pulled apart by hand. For stubborn roots, use two garden forks back to back to pry them apart. Insert the forks in the center of the crown with the tines interlaced and facing outward.

Perennials with spreading root systems include bee balm (Monarda),

cranesbill (Geranium), lambs ear (Stachys byzantine), garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), purple coneflower (Echinacea), tickseed (Coreopsis), and yarrow (Achillea).

Clumping root systems are more compact. The root system is fleshy and thick, growing down more than out. New shoots arise from buds attached to the original crowns. To divide perennials with clumping root systems, cut the crown into pieces with a spade. Include a few buds and their attached roots in each piece. Examples are astilbe, daylily (Hemerocallis), and hosta.

Rhizomes are thick fleshy horizontal underground stems. In plant such as bearded iris, they spread outward from the original plant like a spreading root system. Divide with a sharp knife to cut the rhizomes into individual fans with a few buds on each. Cut the fan of leaves associated with a rhizome to about 5-8 inches high. Throw away any dead or diseased sections.

Tuberous root systems, such as those of a dahlia, are divided by cutting through the tuber using a sharp knife. Each tuber must have a small piece of the original stem and a growth bud. In zone 7, tubers can be replanted or stored for planting in the following spring.

Some perennials do not tolerate division. Do not divide baby’s breath (Gypsophilia), bleeding heart (Dicentra), butterfly weed (Asclepias), clematis, columbine (Aquilegia), false indigo (Baptisia), Lenten rose (Hellebores), peony (Paeonia), and spurge (Euphorbia). Woody shrubs, which are often thought of as perennials, cannot be divided. These include the herbs lavender and rosemary as well as candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) and woody artemisias.

Once you dig a clump, plant the transplant and put the original back into the ground

“Bigger, Stronger, Faster” continued from page 6 promptly. Leave the soil on the root ball and place it in the hole, backfilling with soil until the crown sites at or slightly above the previous soil line. Pack in the soil; air spaces can kill the roots. Water well. Alternatively, you can put the transplant in a pot to share with a fellow gardener. (If a clump must be out of the ground for any length of time, wrap the root ball in wet burlap or cover with moistened mulch and keep it in a shaded location, because roots dry quickly when exposed to air.) Continue to water for a couple of weeks.

Apply a thick layer of mulch such as pine straw/needles or shredded leaves to protect plant roots as the temperatures drop.

This fall, assess your garden and take photos or mark where you’ve transplanted. For those plants that aren’t evergreen, it will be important to know where they are when you add new plants in the spring.

Come spring and summer, you will once again enjoy the satisfaction of perennial gardening. As W. E. Johns remarks in The Passing Show, “One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides.”

Web Resources “Dividing Perennials”

byEricdeLong,CornellCooperative Extension:http://chemung.cce.cornell.edu/resources/dividing-perennials

“Dividing Perennials“

byKarenRussandBobPolonski, ClemsonCooperativeExtension,HGIC 1150:http://www.clemson.edu/ extension/hgic/plants/landscape/ flowers/hgic1150.html

“FallisforPlantingandDividing Perennials”

byKarenNeill,NCCooperativeExtension:https://guilford.ces.ncsu. edu/2012/08/fall-is-for-planting-and-dividing-perennials/

Lela Martin is a Master Gardener with theChesterfieldCountyofficeoftheVirginia Cooperative Extension.

Image of False Indigo. Courtesy of Lela Martin.

10 ◆ RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016

WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

“Peers can positively influence other peers to volunteer, work toward becoming more ‘green,’ stay away from drugs and alcohol, and thrive in their academics and goals. “ Positive peer pressure helps maintain self-confidence and a sense of belonging and meaning, says Katz. “And more importantly – it’s more fun for your child to have good friends with similar values.”

Depressurizing our kids So how can parents help children resist negative peer pressure?

First, look for signs that peer pressure is becoming a problem, says Maidenberg: changes in attitude, withdrawal from parents and family activities, sudden materialism, or intense interest in “taboo” behaviors or possessions.

In other words, if your eightyear-old begins begging for a cell phone or a trendier backpack as soon as school resumes in the fall, it’s probably not a coincidence or a passing phase — she’s responding to social influences and a desire to fit in, the precursors of peer pressure.

“Virtual” peer pressure on social networks can be trickier to fight, simply because parents may not see it.

A major educational campaign is in order to educate children and teens about resisting online peer pressure and wielding electronic influence wisely, says Katz. But there’s something parents can do today to protect their children online: connect to their child’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr accounts—immediately. The key is not waiting until we sense danger or exposure to abuse, says Katz. “Don’t remain passive, because passivity will come back to haunt you when it comes to virtual peer pressure.”

It seems oversimplified, but a strong parental presence has a protective effect against peer pressure.

In study published in Developmental Psychology, middle-school aged children without adult supervision were more swayed by peer pressure to engage in anti-social behavior. “In general, when children are appropriately supervised by adults and adults are actively involved in their lives, both at a physical and emotional level, they are less susceptible to peer pressure,” says Maidenberg.

Mandie Neher took swift action when she noticed peer-related WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

changes in Emma’s behavior last year. “She consistently had a bad attitude after hanging out at certain friends’ homes—I couldn’t take the talking back, disrespect, and ‘know it all’ attitude,” says Neher. She started limiting playdates with those friends and encouraging friendships with different children, ones who didn’t seem to have the same negative influence on Emma. “We’re now much more critical of her friends— and their parents!”

MaliaJacobsonisanationallypublished parentingjournalistandmomofthree.

Spanish Immersion mmersion mmersion French Immersion Kindergarten Now Enrolling Full- and Half-day options Mornings, Afternoons or Both

eartwood Grove School Elementary - Middle School Full Curriculum

Standing Up To Peer Pressure

4301 Patterson Avenue www.HeartwoodGrove.com

Help your child resist peer pressure 1. Watch for signs that peer pressure is becoming a problem: withdrawal from family activities, sudden materialism, disrespect toward parents, and backtalk.

2. Encourage and develop leadership qualities. Talk with your child about the importance of making your own decisions instead of being led by others.

3. Resist adult peer pressure or the pressure to “keep up the Joneses.”

4. Connect to your child’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and other social networking accounts, and monitor the websites regularly.

5. Research shows that some children are more susceptible to peer pressure: latchkey kids with minimal adult supervision, those with low self-esteem, and those on the Autism spectrum.

Be particularly watchful if your child meets any of these criteria.

welcoming students regardless of race, religion or ethnic origin.

Anytime is

Learning Time!

All summer long PBS KIDS® and the Community Idea Stations’ Ready To Learn® program encourages kids and families to explore and learn together with our PBS KIDS® SUMMER LEARNING PROJECT. Beginning in June follow us on Facebook at “RTLCentralVa” for weekly posts: • Educational activities and events • Easy, low-cost ideas to help build and maintain literacy and STEM skills • PBS KIDS® games and activities • PBS® program highlights For parent resources go to: ideastations.org/summerlearn

Source: Clinical psychologist Michelle P. Maidenberg, Ph.D.

RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016 ◆ 11

Growing Up Online COMMON SENSE RULES FOR AUGMENTED REALITY

by Carolyn Jabs

Photo credit (c): www.digitaltrends.com

P

okemon GO may be the first breakthrough game to use augmented reality (AR), but it certainly won’t be the last. The boundaries between virtual and tangible worlds have been blurring for a long time, and new games fuse the two into one irresistible package.

As everyone knows by now, Pokemon GO makes tiny monsters appear everywhere from museums and malls to backyards and kitchens.

Entire families have cheerfully headed out into their neighborhoods and beyond to collect as many monsters as they can. So far so good. But augmented reality also creates risks.

Thinking through the pros and cons of Pokemon GO gives parents a good platform for making common sense rules about the many AR games that are likely to follow. As you develop family guidelines, keep these 4 P’s in mind.

Permissions Children under 13 can’t sign up for games unless they have permission from parents. That’s a reminder that younger children need augmented supervision in augmented reality. Play together if you can. Or ask your child to walk you (literally!) through the game so you can see and comment on what’s fun and what’s

risky.

AR apps also ask for permissions when they are installed, and parents should get in the habit of reviewing every request. Obviously, smart phones hold lots of information—who a child knows, where she hangs out, what photos he’s taken, what social media she uses. This information may seem trivial, but it’s catnip to marketers. Even if the company that makes the app promises to use the information responsibly, tech companies often change hands.

The best policy is to give each app as little permission as possible.

Pokemon Go, for example, needs access to the phone’s camera but not contact information. To revise your choices after installation, find the Settings icon on the phone. Look for the Apps folder. Find the relevant app and uncheck as many boxes as possible.

Place AR games encourage children to explore the world. That’s terrific!

But kids still need boundaries. For kids mature enough to play without direct supervision, be very clear about where they are allowed to go.

In the case of Pokemon GO, monsters may very well show up outside the approved play zone. Talk in advance about how you want your child to

12 ◆ RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016

handle this situation. (To confirm that the rules are being followed, click the Pokeball button at the bottom of the screen. You’ll see a list of captured Pokemon and details about where they were caught.)

Before turning a child loose with AR, remind them about tangible concerns. Exercise special caution near water and never cross safety barricades. Don’t trespass on private property and don’t play the game in inappropriate places like cemeteries and churches. Use sunscreen and stay hydrated.

Traffic is another obvious risk.

People staring at phones have bumped into things and stepped in front of cars. Some parents insist that kids set the phone to vibrate when a Pokemon is nearby so they can walk without distraction. To its credit, Pokemon GO reminds players to turn the game off while driving.

The same rule should apply to other forms of transportation—bikes, scooters, skateboards.

People The best games are often social, and AR is no exception. Chatting with others who are playing in the same vicinity seems natural, and some objectives require teamwork.

Most of the people your child encounters will be fellow enthusiasts.

But the Pokemon GO game includes devices that draw Pokemon—and their hunters—to specific locations, and that creates opportunities for predators.

Remind your child that all the usual rules about talking to or going anywhere with strangers apply.

Encourage kids to play with friends and reiterate the fact that, even with friends, they shouldn’t go into isolated places like dark alleys or abandoned buildings. As an extra layer of protection, consider keeping track of your child’s phone with a service like Find my Friends (Apple) or Google+ (Android)

seem to be free. Still, the people who develop these things need to be paid, so something is always for sale. In the case of Pokemon GO, players can purchase Pokeballs, Pokecoins and lures that will make it easier to catch rare specimens. For parents, this is a teachable moment. Consider giving your child an in-game allowance or encouraging her to earn money for game items by doing chores. Make it crystal clear that your child needs to get approval before spending real money on virtual goods.

AR games are also likely to have other costs. Because Pokemon GO depends on GPS tracking, it consumes lots of data. Show older kids how to monitor usage so they don’t incur extra charges by exceeding the family limit.

Privilege Playing any game is a privilege that can be revoked if kids don’t follow household rules. In the case of a craze like Pokemon GO, you may want to be flexible at first to see how the game fits into family life. When is it OK to play? When do you expect phones to be powered down?

Are there things your child can do to earn extra time? What behaviors will result in suspending privileges?

The answers to these questions won’t be the same for every family, and they may need to be hammered out in family meetings. Still, it’s always up to parents to be sure that the allure of AR is tempered with the real world common sense.

Carolyn Jabs, M.A., has been writing GrowingUpOnlineformorethanadecade. She is also the author of CooperativeWisdom:BringingPeopleTogether WhenThingsFallApart,availableonAmazonandat cooperativewisdom.org.@ Copyright,2016,CarolynJabs.Allrights reserved.

Price Apps are seductive because they WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016 ◆ 13

Growing Up Online COMMON SENSE RULES FOR AUGMENTED REALITY

by Carolyn Jabs

Photo credit (c): www.digitaltrends.com

P

okemon GO may be the first breakthrough game to use augmented reality (AR), but it certainly won’t be the last. The boundaries between virtual and tangible worlds have been blurring for a long time, and new games fuse the two into one irresistible package.

As everyone knows by now, Pokemon GO makes tiny monsters appear everywhere from museums and malls to backyards and kitchens.

Entire families have cheerfully headed out into their neighborhoods and beyond to collect as many monsters as they can. So far so good. But augmented reality also creates risks.

Thinking through the pros and cons of Pokemon GO gives parents a good platform for making common sense rules about the many AR games that are likely to follow. As you develop family guidelines, keep these 4 P’s in mind.

Permissions Children under 13 can’t sign up for games unless they have permission from parents. That’s a reminder that younger children need augmented supervision in augmented reality. Play together if you can. Or ask your child to walk you (literally!) through the game so you can see and comment on what’s fun and what’s

risky.

AR apps also ask for permissions when they are installed, and parents should get in the habit of reviewing every request. Obviously, smart phones hold lots of information—who a child knows, where she hangs out, what photos he’s taken, what social media she uses. This information may seem trivial, but it’s catnip to marketers. Even if the company that makes the app promises to use the information responsibly, tech companies often change hands.

The best policy is to give each app as little permission as possible.

Pokemon Go, for example, needs access to the phone’s camera but not contact information. To revise your choices after installation, find the Settings icon on the phone. Look for the Apps folder. Find the relevant app and uncheck as many boxes as possible.

Place AR games encourage children to explore the world. That’s terrific!

But kids still need boundaries. For kids mature enough to play without direct supervision, be very clear about where they are allowed to go.

In the case of Pokemon GO, monsters may very well show up outside the approved play zone. Talk in advance about how you want your child to

12 ◆ RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016

handle this situation. (To confirm that the rules are being followed, click the Pokeball button at the bottom of the screen. You’ll see a list of captured Pokemon and details about where they were caught.)

Before turning a child loose with AR, remind them about tangible concerns. Exercise special caution near water and never cross safety barricades. Don’t trespass on private property and don’t play the game in inappropriate places like cemeteries and churches. Use sunscreen and stay hydrated.

Traffic is another obvious risk.

People staring at phones have bumped into things and stepped in front of cars. Some parents insist that kids set the phone to vibrate when a Pokemon is nearby so they can walk without distraction. To its credit, Pokemon GO reminds players to turn the game off while driving.

The same rule should apply to other forms of transportation—bikes, scooters, skateboards.

People The best games are often social, and AR is no exception. Chatting with others who are playing in the same vicinity seems natural, and some objectives require teamwork.

Most of the people your child encounters will be fellow enthusiasts.

But the Pokemon GO game includes devices that draw Pokemon—and their hunters—to specific locations, and that creates opportunities for predators.

Remind your child that all the usual rules about talking to or going anywhere with strangers apply.

Encourage kids to play with friends and reiterate the fact that, even with friends, they shouldn’t go into isolated places like dark alleys or abandoned buildings. As an extra layer of protection, consider keeping track of your child’s phone with a service like Find my Friends (Apple) or Google+ (Android)

seem to be free. Still, the people who develop these things need to be paid, so something is always for sale. In the case of Pokemon GO, players can purchase Pokeballs, Pokecoins and lures that will make it easier to catch rare specimens. For parents, this is a teachable moment. Consider giving your child an in-game allowance or encouraging her to earn money for game items by doing chores. Make it crystal clear that your child needs to get approval before spending real money on virtual goods.

AR games are also likely to have other costs. Because Pokemon GO depends on GPS tracking, it consumes lots of data. Show older kids how to monitor usage so they don’t incur extra charges by exceeding the family limit.

Privilege Playing any game is a privilege that can be revoked if kids don’t follow household rules. In the case of a craze like Pokemon GO, you may want to be flexible at first to see how the game fits into family life. When is it OK to play? When do you expect phones to be powered down?

Are there things your child can do to earn extra time? What behaviors will result in suspending privileges?

The answers to these questions won’t be the same for every family, and they may need to be hammered out in family meetings. Still, it’s always up to parents to be sure that the allure of AR is tempered with the real world common sense.

Carolyn Jabs, M.A., has been writing GrowingUpOnlineformorethanadecade. She is also the author of CooperativeWisdom:BringingPeopleTogether WhenThingsFallApart,availableonAmazonandat cooperativewisdom.org.@ Copyright,2016,CarolynJabs.Allrights reserved.

Price Apps are seductive because they WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016 ◆ 13

September2016 Calendar UPCOMING Annual World War One Airshow MILITARY AVIATION MUSEUM

The Military Aviation Museum’s Biplanes and Triplanes World War One Airshow will be held Oct. 1-2, in Pungo, Va., taking guests back to the days of The Great War for a weekend of flying, colorful World War One aircraft, live performances, elaborate reenactor encampments, and much more. Event begins at 9a.m. For more information about the Biplanes & Triplanes Air Show, call the Military Aviation Museum at (757) 721-7767 or go online to www.VBairshow.com.

2016 DPU Citizen’s Academy

This 4 week experience that takes place each Tuesday in October from 4 – 6 p.m. Participants benefit from an inside look at all of the interworkings of their utility provider – everything from billing to stormwater! There are presentations from industry professionals, equipment demonstrations, facility tours and project site tours. Food provided. Location information to come in October’s issue.

CONTINUING Explore God Sermon Series and Discussion Group RICHMOND’S FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Sermons: Sundays, September 11, 2016 – October 23, 2016. Cost: FREE. We all have questions about God, faith, and purpose. Maybe you’ve seen Explore God billboards around town, or you’ve heard an ad on the radio. Maybe you wondered what it’s all about. Starting in September, churches across Christian denominations around Richmond will explore 7 big questions through sermon series and discussion groups.

Address: Richmond’s First Baptist Church, at 2709 Monument Avenue. fbcrichmond.org/explore

Human/Ties 2016 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

Dates: Sept. 14 (9am-9:30pm) / Sept. 15 (9am10pm) / Sept. 16 (9am-8pm) / Sept. 17 (10am2pm). National Endowment for the Humanities will commemorate its 50th anniversary at Human/Ties, an open forum hosted by the University of Virginia that will explore the tremendous impact of the humanities on our modern world.

Human/Ties will explore questions of race, war, the environment, globalization, and democracy.

Featured speakers: Author Sir Salman Rushdie; Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates; David Simon, writer/producer of HBO’s “The Wire”; Author Junot Díaz; and chef, activist, and author Alice Waters.

(202) 471-4228, ext. 113 laurena@keybridge.biz

Lunch Break Science

SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA

Sept. 7 & 28, 12:00-1:00p.m. Pack a lunch and join us. Museum scientists and others share easy to understand information on a wide range of science topics. Lunch Break Science is presented by Bon Secours Richmond Health System.

Address: 2500 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220.

(804) 864-1400

THURSDAY, SEPT. 1 Outdoor Movie Night: The Lego Movie LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN

Help us celebrate Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks and the end of summer with a special presentation of “The Lego Movie” in the Rose Garden on Thursday, September 1 (only) from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. during Flowers After 5.

The Garden is open until 10 p.m. during Flowers After 5 on this night only. Find a spot on the terrace lawn in front of the Rose Garden to enjoy the movie. Blankets and chairs welcome!

Limited blankets available for the lawn on first come first served basis. If it rains the movie will be shown in the Kelly Education Center Auditorium. Preview movies will feature stop motion animation LEGO brick creations from our summer camp students! Snacks will be available for purchase through Meriwether Godsey until 9 p.m. on the terrace lawn. Outside food and beverages are strictly prohibited. Arrive early to view the Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks exhibit (included with admission). Address: 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA 23228.

(804) 262-9887

FRIDAY, SEPT.2 Life on the Plantation MAGNOLIA GRANGE

(Homeschool Program) Tour Magnolia Grange

14 ◆ RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016

house and grounds while learning about daily plantation life, including the role of the herb garden and the importance of herbs for flavor, medicine, fragrance and pest control. Make an herbal sachet to take home. This session includes crafts and games. Time: 10am-NOON. Address: Magnolia Grange, 10020 Iron Bridge Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832. Cost: $5/child ages 6 and older. No fee for Adults. Reservations for these programs can be made by visiting the Chesterfield Historical Society website at www.chesterfieldhistory.com and using PayPal. (804)796-7121 chesterfieldhistory.com

SATURDAY, SEPT. 3 Hanover Food Truck Carnival RICHMOND-HARLEY DAVIDSON

Join us for the Hanover Food Truck Carnival to Saturday, September 3 (12:00p.m.-6:00p.m.) at Richmond-Harley Davidson 12200 Harley Club Drive Ashland. Admission: FREE. Enjoy 20 Richmond area food trucks, live music, and Virginia craft beers will be on site for this great event!

(804) 931-6894 hanoverfoodtruckcarnival.com

SUNDAY, SEPT. 4 Family Sundays at Gadsby’s Tavern GADSBY’S TAVERN

Special family tours, led by Junior Docents (grades 4-7),and hands-on activities in the ballroom will be offered every Sunday from June 26 through September 4 from 2-5pm at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum. Thanks to stationed guides, families will be able to start a tour as soon as they arrive and move through the museum at their own pace. Children will be able to connect with the museum through their peer tour guides. End your visit with activities in the ballroom exploring the science behind Gadsby’s historic ice well, including making (and tasting) ice cream! Price Information: $5/adults($4 AAA), $3/ages 5-12, 4 and under/free; Alexandria City Public School families and Blue Star families/free. Coupons accepted, including Key to the City. Time: 2:005:00p.m. Address: 134 N. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.

(703) 746-4242

THURSDAY, SEPT. 8

Essay Contest HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS & SENIORS

“Why Should We Care About The Elderly?”

Henricus Home School Day – Early Colonial Virginia Program CITIE OF HENRICUS

Designed to help meet curriculum goals in a fun, interactive environment at the Citie of Henricus, students will be divided by age level. The students will work on a variety of activities and curriculum as the Citie’s colonists sets up a militia, farms, tobacco economy. Additionally, students will receive hands-on experience with mapping skills and environmental activities deeply rooted in Virginia Indian and Colonial history. Admission: $12 per student and $8 for accompanying adult. Henricus patrons: $10 per student and accompanying adults are free. Please note, registration is required for this event, so please call 804318-8797 by September 2 to reserve a spot today. henricus.org

FRIDAY, SEPT. 9 Discovering Chesterfield’s Past CHESTERFIELD MUSEUM

(Homeschool Program) This program addresses what life was like in rural Chesterfield long ago.

Visit a replica of an early 20th century general store and imagine life in a bygone era. Take a tour of the historic Courthouse Green, walk in the footsteps of the Continental soldiers and learn about the fight for religious freedom during the Colonial period. Time: 10 a.m.-NOON. Address: Chesterfield Museum, 6813 Mimms Loop, Chesterfield, VA 23832. Cost: $5/child ages 6 and older. No fee for Adults. Reservations for these programs can be made by visiting the Chesterfield Historical Society website at www.chesterfieldhistory.com and using PayPal. (804)796-7121 chesterfieldhistory.com

SATURDAY, SEPT. 10 Boy Scout American Heritage Badge Workshop

Lawrence E. Gelber, M.D.

Robert S. Call, M.D.

William T. Hark, M.D.

Beth Sholom Lifecare Community invites Juniors and Seniors to write an original essay themed “WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT THE ELDERLY?” Prizes: $1000 for 1st place, $750 for 2nd place, $500 for 3rd place, $250 for 4th place, and more.

Guidelines: Using standard MLA guidelines, the essay has a maximum of 1000 words and must be the original work of one student.

SEND TWO COPIES. Deadline: 12noon, Friday, October 14, 2016 Mail entries to: Elder Abuse Program, Beth Sholom Lifecare Community, P.O. Box 29331, Richmond, VA 23242.

NO EMAIL SUBMISSION PLEASE. Judging Criteria: Interpretation, Creativity, and Technique.

Anytime. Anywhere.

Hundreds of your favorite PBS shows available for free. TV members get extended access through WCVE/WHTJ Passport. Stream online or download the PBS Video app to your mobile device or your smart TV using Roku, AppleTV, Chromecast and many more.

This essay contest is sponsored by Beth Sholom Lifecare Community’s Prevent Elder Abuse Program which is supported by an Impact Grant from the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond.

Award presentations and the reading of the winning essay will take place at the BSLCC Health Fair on Thursday, November 10, 2016 For information, go to bslcc.org or contact Deirdre Arnowitz or Sue Berinato at stopabuse@bslcc.org

HISTORIC TRINITY CHURCH

The Boy Scout American Heritage Badge Workshop will be held on Saturday, September 10, from 10 a.m. to noon at Historic Trinity Church, 10111 Iron Bridge Road, Chesterfield 23832. This workshop fulfills merit badge requirements concerning history and cultural heritage. Cost is $10 and registration is through the CHSV website at www.chesterfieldhistory.com. Prerequisites are WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

WCVE/WHTJ Beth Sholom Lifecare Community 70 Years of Caring for Seniors Visit us at bslcc.org WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

ideastations.org/ondemand RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016 ◆ 15

September2016 Calendar UPCOMING Annual World War One Airshow MILITARY AVIATION MUSEUM

The Military Aviation Museum’s Biplanes and Triplanes World War One Airshow will be held Oct. 1-2, in Pungo, Va., taking guests back to the days of The Great War for a weekend of flying, colorful World War One aircraft, live performances, elaborate reenactor encampments, and much more. Event begins at 9a.m. For more information about the Biplanes & Triplanes Air Show, call the Military Aviation Museum at (757) 721-7767 or go online to www.VBairshow.com.

2016 DPU Citizen’s Academy

This 4 week experience that takes place each Tuesday in October from 4 – 6 p.m. Participants benefit from an inside look at all of the interworkings of their utility provider – everything from billing to stormwater! There are presentations from industry professionals, equipment demonstrations, facility tours and project site tours. Food provided. Location information to come in October’s issue.

CONTINUING Explore God Sermon Series and Discussion Group RICHMOND’S FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Sermons: Sundays, September 11, 2016 – October 23, 2016. Cost: FREE. We all have questions about God, faith, and purpose. Maybe you’ve seen Explore God billboards around town, or you’ve heard an ad on the radio. Maybe you wondered what it’s all about. Starting in September, churches across Christian denominations around Richmond will explore 7 big questions through sermon series and discussion groups.

Address: Richmond’s First Baptist Church, at 2709 Monument Avenue. fbcrichmond.org/explore

Human/Ties 2016 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

Dates: Sept. 14 (9am-9:30pm) / Sept. 15 (9am10pm) / Sept. 16 (9am-8pm) / Sept. 17 (10am2pm). National Endowment for the Humanities will commemorate its 50th anniversary at Human/Ties, an open forum hosted by the University of Virginia that will explore the tremendous impact of the humanities on our modern world.

Human/Ties will explore questions of race, war, the environment, globalization, and democracy.

Featured speakers: Author Sir Salman Rushdie; Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates; David Simon, writer/producer of HBO’s “The Wire”; Author Junot Díaz; and chef, activist, and author Alice Waters.

(202) 471-4228, ext. 113 laurena@keybridge.biz

Lunch Break Science

SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA

Sept. 7 & 28, 12:00-1:00p.m. Pack a lunch and join us. Museum scientists and others share easy to understand information on a wide range of science topics. Lunch Break Science is presented by Bon Secours Richmond Health System.

Address: 2500 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220.

(804) 864-1400

THURSDAY, SEPT. 1 Outdoor Movie Night: The Lego Movie LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN

Help us celebrate Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks and the end of summer with a special presentation of “The Lego Movie” in the Rose Garden on Thursday, September 1 (only) from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. during Flowers After 5.

The Garden is open until 10 p.m. during Flowers After 5 on this night only. Find a spot on the terrace lawn in front of the Rose Garden to enjoy the movie. Blankets and chairs welcome!

Limited blankets available for the lawn on first come first served basis. If it rains the movie will be shown in the Kelly Education Center Auditorium. Preview movies will feature stop motion animation LEGO brick creations from our summer camp students! Snacks will be available for purchase through Meriwether Godsey until 9 p.m. on the terrace lawn. Outside food and beverages are strictly prohibited. Arrive early to view the Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks exhibit (included with admission). Address: 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA 23228.

(804) 262-9887

FRIDAY, SEPT.2 Life on the Plantation MAGNOLIA GRANGE

(Homeschool Program) Tour Magnolia Grange

14 ◆ RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016

house and grounds while learning about daily plantation life, including the role of the herb garden and the importance of herbs for flavor, medicine, fragrance and pest control. Make an herbal sachet to take home. This session includes crafts and games. Time: 10am-NOON. Address: Magnolia Grange, 10020 Iron Bridge Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832. Cost: $5/child ages 6 and older. No fee for Adults. Reservations for these programs can be made by visiting the Chesterfield Historical Society website at www.chesterfieldhistory.com and using PayPal. (804)796-7121 chesterfieldhistory.com

SATURDAY, SEPT. 3 Hanover Food Truck Carnival RICHMOND-HARLEY DAVIDSON

Join us for the Hanover Food Truck Carnival to Saturday, September 3 (12:00p.m.-6:00p.m.) at Richmond-Harley Davidson 12200 Harley Club Drive Ashland. Admission: FREE. Enjoy 20 Richmond area food trucks, live music, and Virginia craft beers will be on site for this great event!

(804) 931-6894 hanoverfoodtruckcarnival.com

SUNDAY, SEPT. 4 Family Sundays at Gadsby’s Tavern GADSBY’S TAVERN

Special family tours, led by Junior Docents (grades 4-7),and hands-on activities in the ballroom will be offered every Sunday from June 26 through September 4 from 2-5pm at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum. Thanks to stationed guides, families will be able to start a tour as soon as they arrive and move through the museum at their own pace. Children will be able to connect with the museum through their peer tour guides. End your visit with activities in the ballroom exploring the science behind Gadsby’s historic ice well, including making (and tasting) ice cream! Price Information: $5/adults($4 AAA), $3/ages 5-12, 4 and under/free; Alexandria City Public School families and Blue Star families/free. Coupons accepted, including Key to the City. Time: 2:005:00p.m. Address: 134 N. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.

(703) 746-4242

THURSDAY, SEPT. 8

Essay Contest HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS & SENIORS

“Why Should We Care About The Elderly?”

Henricus Home School Day – Early Colonial Virginia Program CITIE OF HENRICUS

Designed to help meet curriculum goals in a fun, interactive environment at the Citie of Henricus, students will be divided by age level. The students will work on a variety of activities and curriculum as the Citie’s colonists sets up a militia, farms, tobacco economy. Additionally, students will receive hands-on experience with mapping skills and environmental activities deeply rooted in Virginia Indian and Colonial history. Admission: $12 per student and $8 for accompanying adult. Henricus patrons: $10 per student and accompanying adults are free. Please note, registration is required for this event, so please call 804318-8797 by September 2 to reserve a spot today. henricus.org

FRIDAY, SEPT. 9 Discovering Chesterfield’s Past CHESTERFIELD MUSEUM

(Homeschool Program) This program addresses what life was like in rural Chesterfield long ago.

Visit a replica of an early 20th century general store and imagine life in a bygone era. Take a tour of the historic Courthouse Green, walk in the footsteps of the Continental soldiers and learn about the fight for religious freedom during the Colonial period. Time: 10 a.m.-NOON. Address: Chesterfield Museum, 6813 Mimms Loop, Chesterfield, VA 23832. Cost: $5/child ages 6 and older. No fee for Adults. Reservations for these programs can be made by visiting the Chesterfield Historical Society website at www.chesterfieldhistory.com and using PayPal. (804)796-7121 chesterfieldhistory.com

SATURDAY, SEPT. 10 Boy Scout American Heritage Badge Workshop

Lawrence E. Gelber, M.D.

Robert S. Call, M.D.

William T. Hark, M.D.

Beth Sholom Lifecare Community invites Juniors and Seniors to write an original essay themed “WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT THE ELDERLY?” Prizes: $1000 for 1st place, $750 for 2nd place, $500 for 3rd place, $250 for 4th place, and more.

Guidelines: Using standard MLA guidelines, the essay has a maximum of 1000 words and must be the original work of one student.

SEND TWO COPIES. Deadline: 12noon, Friday, October 14, 2016 Mail entries to: Elder Abuse Program, Beth Sholom Lifecare Community, P.O. Box 29331, Richmond, VA 23242.

NO EMAIL SUBMISSION PLEASE. Judging Criteria: Interpretation, Creativity, and Technique.

Anytime. Anywhere.

Hundreds of your favorite PBS shows available for free. TV members get extended access through WCVE/WHTJ Passport. Stream online or download the PBS Video app to your mobile device or your smart TV using Roku, AppleTV, Chromecast and many more.

This essay contest is sponsored by Beth Sholom Lifecare Community’s Prevent Elder Abuse Program which is supported by an Impact Grant from the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond.

Award presentations and the reading of the winning essay will take place at the BSLCC Health Fair on Thursday, November 10, 2016 For information, go to bslcc.org or contact Deirdre Arnowitz or Sue Berinato at stopabuse@bslcc.org

HISTORIC TRINITY CHURCH

The Boy Scout American Heritage Badge Workshop will be held on Saturday, September 10, from 10 a.m. to noon at Historic Trinity Church, 10111 Iron Bridge Road, Chesterfield 23832. This workshop fulfills merit badge requirements concerning history and cultural heritage. Cost is $10 and registration is through the CHSV website at www.chesterfieldhistory.com. Prerequisites are WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

WCVE/WHTJ Beth Sholom Lifecare Community 70 Years of Caring for Seniors Visit us at bslcc.org WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

ideastations.org/ondemand RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016 ◆ 15

Let’s Go Gospelfest 2016

REJOICE CHRISTIAN CENTER

Talent Showcase featuring: vocalists, poetry, praise dance, drama, musicians, comedy, free food, door prizes, face painting, balloon animals, ice cream cordials, school supplies. For details or more information, please call (804) 226-4146 or visit us on Facebook at Rejoice Christian Center Richmond, VA. Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Address: 1841 Darbytown Road, Henrico VA 23231 - Parking Lot of Rejoice Christian Center.

5th Annual Richmond NF Walk

The Richmond NF Walk will bring members of the community together with friends and family for a fun-filled day that will include a raffle, food, mascots, balloon artists, kid’s crafts and fun run, car show and more! We’re more than just a walk in the park! This awesome event celebrates the brave NF Heroes who live with neurofibromatosis, and raises funds for critical NF research. NF Walks are community-based events organized by local volunteers to raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending neurofibromatosis (NF) through research. WHO: Individuals, friends and families. On-leash dogs are welcome, too! Address: Deep Run Park – Shelters 4 & 5, 9900 Ridgefield Parkway, Richmond, VA 23233.

Registration/Check-In 9:30 AM. Fun Run 10:15 AM. Walk 10:30 AM. Announcements 11:30 AM Food, Raffle, Cars, and Fun 12:00 PM. REGISTRATION: To register for the event please go to www.nfwalk.org/Richmond.

12th Annual RVA Peace Festival ST. STEPHEN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The mission of the 12th Annual RVA Peace Festival is to celebrate peace and the beautiful diversity of Richmond, VA and beyond. The Festival is a free, family-friendly event that will feature performances by Ezibu Muntu African Dancers, the Latin Ballet of Virginia, the Richmond Boys Choir, and many more! Children will be able to take part in Art180’s Chalk for Peace exhibit and participate in fun, cooperative games. There will also be a huge meditation labyrinth, the Mini Memoir exhibit, the Healing Our Water exhibit, and many other exciting vendors and exhibitors to see and learn more about! Time: 11:00am5pm. Location: St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 6000 Grove Avenue, Richmond, VA 23226. Admission: Free. rvapeacefestival.org

Christ Church Block Party CHRIST CHURCH

Bring the family to the Christ Church Block Party! Enjoy your favorite food trucks and music by East of Afton. Free (food available for purchase).

Rain or Shine. Fun for the whole family! Time: 4:00-6:00p.m. Address: Christ Church, 5000 Pouncey Tracy Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23059.

(804) 364-0394 christchurchrichmond.com

TUESDAY, SEPT. 13 Going Native: Selecting Native Plants MIDLOTHIAN LIBRARY

With a little planning and careful selection of plants, anyone can have a native plant landscape that works in harmony with the environment, provides a haven for native wildlife, and is attractive in the most urban of settings Time: 6:00p.m.

Address: Midlothian Library, 521 Coalfield Road, Midlothian, VA. Space is limited, call the Extension Office at 751-4401 or email vce@chesterfield.gov to register for this seminar.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 17 43rd Street Festival of the Arts 43RD STREET & FOREST HILL AVENUE

The 25th annual 43rd Street Festival of the Arts is a fine art and craft show held in Richmond, VA. Limited to 75 artisans, it is a juried show featuring local and regional artisans. A unique selection of contemporary art, fantastic local musicians, great food and a loyal crowd round out this event. Fund raiser for CARITAS. Music: Rachel Leyco, Blue Line Highway, Janet Martin, Bluz Catz, and Elana Lisa & The Hot Mess Time: 10:00a.m.- 5:00p.m.

(804) 233-1758

TUESDAY, SEPT. 20 Open House/Interest Meeting: Chesterfield County Master Gardener MEADOWDALE LIBRARY

Dear RPM Readers, Our team here at Richmond Parents Monthly is partnering with Richmond Ballet to offer our readers a special chance to take advantage of all downtown Richmond has to offer.

On behalf of Richmond Parents Monthly and Richmond Ballet, I wanted to personally extend an invite to you, your family, friends, and community members to come join me at three special events Richmond Ballet will be hosting throughout its 2016-2017 season.

Their Studio Series Mid-Week Museum Package includes a private tour of the Edgar Allen Poe Museum that morning at 10am, which boasts the world’s finest collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s manuscripts, letters, first editions, memorabilia and personal belongings, plus a catered lunch at Bistro 27 following the tour, and finally, a 2:00PM performance at Richmond Ballet’s Studio Theatre located at 407 East Canal Street.

Night Skys

Dinner

National Parks are becoming a refuge for people from city light pollution. Join amateur astronomers as they present a provocative presentation on controlling light pollution as you gaze at the heavenly stars through telescopes. Held select Fridays at the Big Meadows Area (mile 51, inside the Rapidan Camp Gate). Free to all park visitors.

A blanket, chair, and flashlight are recommended. Presentation is cancelled if there is inclement weather. Call 540-999-2222 the day of the event to check on its status. Time: 7:00-9:30p.m. Address: mile 51 on Skyline Drive, Luray, VA 22835.

The Concert Ballet of Virginia, the state’s oldest continually operating ballet company, enters its 41st season with entertaining performances of works from its repertory of more than 260 dance pieces. Performances of The Concert Ballet are staged throughout the greater Richmond metro area and the state. Time: 6 pm. Address: Wilton House Museum, 215 South Wilton Road, Richmond; free. Reservations required.

(804) 798-0945

SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK

SATURDAY, SEPT. 24

WILTON HOUSE MUSEUM

Smithsonian Museum Day Live!

PARTICIPATING MUSEUMS

In the spirit of the Smithsonian Museums, which offer free admission every day, Museum Day Live! is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums across the

country open their doors to anyone presenting a Museum Day Live! ticket…for free. Beginning August 1st, tickets will be available for download on the Museum Day Live! website where you can also search for participating museums in your area. Each ticket provides free admission for two people. Location: Taking place at participating museums including The John Marshall House and The Valentine with more museums signing up every day. Last year the Edgar Allen Poe Museum, The Whitehouse & the Museum of the Confederacy, and more took part in Museum Day Live! www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/museum-day-live-2016/

TMBA Monthly Bluegrass Concert CHESAPEAKE, VA

The Tidewater Bluegrass Music Association

monthly concert is sure to please! Held at the Hickory Ruritan Club, it features some of the best in local and regional bluegrass talent. Donations are accepted at the door to cover the cost of the bands and rental. Bands and dates subject to change. Please check website for current information. Price Information: Time: 7:00p.m. Address: 2752 South Battlefield Blvd. Chesapeake, VA 23322.

(757) 382-6411

CALENDAR ENTRIES Entries are subject to change; call to confirm dates and times. Entries for the September calendar are due August 9; send items to: calendar@richmondpublishing.com.

Wed, Sept. 21st | Wed, March 15th | Wed, April 5th $46.00* per person for groups of 10 or more. *Includes the tour, lunch and performance. All dates are sold separately.

For more information or to make a reservation, please call Richmond Ballet’s Box Office team at 804-344-0906 ext. 224. Feel free to check out the event flyer attached to see what other dates and performances are available throughout the season. I hope you can join me for the first In-Studio event on September 21st!

Studio One World Premiere by Melissa Barak The Moor’s Pavane (José Limón) Richmond Ballet Studio Theatre Wednesday, September 21, 2016 Studio Two World Premiere by Katarzyna Skarpetowska A Tribute (Burn) Richmond Ballet Studio Theatre Wednesday, March 15, 2017 2:00pm Studio Three World Premiere by Matthew Frain Notturno (Aiello) Tarantella (Balanchine) Richmond Ballet Studio Theatre Wednesday, April 5, 2017 2:00pm and compression hose fitting. We will be offering free osteoporosis screenings and cholesterol screenings for a reduced price of 25.00. Walkins are welcome. Time: 9am-1pm. Address: 2024 Staples Mill Road.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 21

FRIDAY, SEPT. 23

Bremo Pharmacy’s Healthy Leg Day

Chesterfield Coal

If you are experiencing tired, achy, swollen feet or ankles, then call 804-288-8361 Ext. 132 to schedule an appointment for a free evaluation

(Homeschool Program) Tour the site of the first commercial coal mines in North America while learning of the impact this industry had on the

16 ◆ RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016

September 2016

Concert Ballet of VA Season Kick-Off

Mark Fetter Publisher

If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener, be sure to attend our Open House on Tuesday, September 20th from 2:30-6:30 pm.

This event is specifically for persons interested in becoming Chesterfield County Master Gardeners. Online application can be found at http:// bit.ly/MG2017 (804) 751-4401 moultona@chesterfield.gov

2024 STAPLES MILL ROAD

FROM THE PUBLISHER

required for this workshop.

(804) 751-4946

SUNDAY, SEPT. 11

Let’s Go

September 2016

MIDLOTHIAN MINES PARK

region. Learn about rock types, conduct scale hardness tests and learn about the impact of coal mining to the region. This activity addresses geology and coal mining. Time: 10am-NOON. Address: Midlothian Mines Park, 13301 North Woolridge Road, Midlothian, VA 23114. Cost: $5/child ages 6 and older. No fee for Adults. Reservations for these programs can be made by visiting the Chesterfield Historical Society website at www. chesterfieldhistory.com and using PayPal. (804)796-7121 chesterfieldhistory.com

WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016 ◆ 17

Let’s Go Gospelfest 2016

REJOICE CHRISTIAN CENTER

Talent Showcase featuring: vocalists, poetry, praise dance, drama, musicians, comedy, free food, door prizes, face painting, balloon animals, ice cream cordials, school supplies. For details or more information, please call (804) 226-4146 or visit us on Facebook at Rejoice Christian Center Richmond, VA. Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Address: 1841 Darbytown Road, Henrico VA 23231 - Parking Lot of Rejoice Christian Center.

5th Annual Richmond NF Walk

The Richmond NF Walk will bring members of the community together with friends and family for a fun-filled day that will include a raffle, food, mascots, balloon artists, kid’s crafts and fun run, car show and more! We’re more than just a walk in the park! This awesome event celebrates the brave NF Heroes who live with neurofibromatosis, and raises funds for critical NF research. NF Walks are community-based events organized by local volunteers to raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending neurofibromatosis (NF) through research. WHO: Individuals, friends and families. On-leash dogs are welcome, too! Address: Deep Run Park – Shelters 4 & 5, 9900 Ridgefield Parkway, Richmond, VA 23233.

Registration/Check-In 9:30 AM. Fun Run 10:15 AM. Walk 10:30 AM. Announcements 11:30 AM Food, Raffle, Cars, and Fun 12:00 PM. REGISTRATION: To register for the event please go to www.nfwalk.org/Richmond.

12th Annual RVA Peace Festival ST. STEPHEN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The mission of the 12th Annual RVA Peace Festival is to celebrate peace and the beautiful diversity of Richmond, VA and beyond. The Festival is a free, family-friendly event that will feature performances by Ezibu Muntu African Dancers, the Latin Ballet of Virginia, the Richmond Boys Choir, and many more! Children will be able to take part in Art180’s Chalk for Peace exhibit and participate in fun, cooperative games. There will also be a huge meditation labyrinth, the Mini Memoir exhibit, the Healing Our Water exhibit, and many other exciting vendors and exhibitors to see and learn more about! Time: 11:00am5pm. Location: St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 6000 Grove Avenue, Richmond, VA 23226. Admission: Free. rvapeacefestival.org

Christ Church Block Party CHRIST CHURCH

Bring the family to the Christ Church Block Party! Enjoy your favorite food trucks and music by East of Afton. Free (food available for purchase).

Rain or Shine. Fun for the whole family! Time: 4:00-6:00p.m. Address: Christ Church, 5000 Pouncey Tracy Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23059.

(804) 364-0394 christchurchrichmond.com

TUESDAY, SEPT. 13 Going Native: Selecting Native Plants MIDLOTHIAN LIBRARY

With a little planning and careful selection of plants, anyone can have a native plant landscape that works in harmony with the environment, provides a haven for native wildlife, and is attractive in the most urban of settings Time: 6:00p.m.

Address: Midlothian Library, 521 Coalfield Road, Midlothian, VA. Space is limited, call the Extension Office at 751-4401 or email vce@chesterfield.gov to register for this seminar.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 17 43rd Street Festival of the Arts 43RD STREET & FOREST HILL AVENUE

The 25th annual 43rd Street Festival of the Arts is a fine art and craft show held in Richmond, VA. Limited to 75 artisans, it is a juried show featuring local and regional artisans. A unique selection of contemporary art, fantastic local musicians, great food and a loyal crowd round out this event. Fund raiser for CARITAS. Music: Rachel Leyco, Blue Line Highway, Janet Martin, Bluz Catz, and Elana Lisa & The Hot Mess Time: 10:00a.m.- 5:00p.m.

(804) 233-1758

TUESDAY, SEPT. 20 Open House/Interest Meeting: Chesterfield County Master Gardener MEADOWDALE LIBRARY

Dear RPM Readers, Our team here at Richmond Parents Monthly is partnering with Richmond Ballet to offer our readers a special chance to take advantage of all downtown Richmond has to offer.

On behalf of Richmond Parents Monthly and Richmond Ballet, I wanted to personally extend an invite to you, your family, friends, and community members to come join me at three special events Richmond Ballet will be hosting throughout its 2016-2017 season.

Their Studio Series Mid-Week Museum Package includes a private tour of the Edgar Allen Poe Museum that morning at 10am, which boasts the world’s finest collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s manuscripts, letters, first editions, memorabilia and personal belongings, plus a catered lunch at Bistro 27 following the tour, and finally, a 2:00PM performance at Richmond Ballet’s Studio Theatre located at 407 East Canal Street.

Night Skys

Dinner

National Parks are becoming a refuge for people from city light pollution. Join amateur astronomers as they present a provocative presentation on controlling light pollution as you gaze at the heavenly stars through telescopes. Held select Fridays at the Big Meadows Area (mile 51, inside the Rapidan Camp Gate). Free to all park visitors.

A blanket, chair, and flashlight are recommended. Presentation is cancelled if there is inclement weather. Call 540-999-2222 the day of the event to check on its status. Time: 7:00-9:30p.m. Address: mile 51 on Skyline Drive, Luray, VA 22835.

The Concert Ballet of Virginia, the state’s oldest continually operating ballet company, enters its 41st season with entertaining performances of works from its repertory of more than 260 dance pieces. Performances of The Concert Ballet are staged throughout the greater Richmond metro area and the state. Time: 6 pm. Address: Wilton House Museum, 215 South Wilton Road, Richmond; free. Reservations required.

(804) 798-0945

SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK

SATURDAY, SEPT. 24

WILTON HOUSE MUSEUM

Smithsonian Museum Day Live!

PARTICIPATING MUSEUMS

In the spirit of the Smithsonian Museums, which offer free admission every day, Museum Day Live! is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums across the

country open their doors to anyone presenting a Museum Day Live! ticket…for free. Beginning August 1st, tickets will be available for download on the Museum Day Live! website where you can also search for participating museums in your area. Each ticket provides free admission for two people. Location: Taking place at participating museums including The John Marshall House and The Valentine with more museums signing up every day. Last year the Edgar Allen Poe Museum, The Whitehouse & the Museum of the Confederacy, and more took part in Museum Day Live! www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/museum-day-live-2016/

TMBA Monthly Bluegrass Concert CHESAPEAKE, VA

The Tidewater Bluegrass Music Association

monthly concert is sure to please! Held at the Hickory Ruritan Club, it features some of the best in local and regional bluegrass talent. Donations are accepted at the door to cover the cost of the bands and rental. Bands and dates subject to change. Please check website for current information. Price Information: Time: 7:00p.m. Address: 2752 South Battlefield Blvd. Chesapeake, VA 23322.

(757) 382-6411

CALENDAR ENTRIES Entries are subject to change; call to confirm dates and times. Entries for the September calendar are due August 9; send items to: calendar@richmondpublishing.com.

Wed, Sept. 21st | Wed, March 15th | Wed, April 5th $46.00* per person for groups of 10 or more. *Includes the tour, lunch and performance. All dates are sold separately.

For more information or to make a reservation, please call Richmond Ballet’s Box Office team at 804-344-0906 ext. 224. Feel free to check out the event flyer attached to see what other dates and performances are available throughout the season. I hope you can join me for the first In-Studio event on September 21st!

Studio One World Premiere by Melissa Barak The Moor’s Pavane (José Limón) Richmond Ballet Studio Theatre Wednesday, September 21, 2016 Studio Two World Premiere by Katarzyna Skarpetowska A Tribute (Burn) Richmond Ballet Studio Theatre Wednesday, March 15, 2017 2:00pm Studio Three World Premiere by Matthew Frain Notturno (Aiello) Tarantella (Balanchine) Richmond Ballet Studio Theatre Wednesday, April 5, 2017 2:00pm and compression hose fitting. We will be offering free osteoporosis screenings and cholesterol screenings for a reduced price of 25.00. Walkins are welcome. Time: 9am-1pm. Address: 2024 Staples Mill Road.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 21

FRIDAY, SEPT. 23

Bremo Pharmacy’s Healthy Leg Day

Chesterfield Coal

If you are experiencing tired, achy, swollen feet or ankles, then call 804-288-8361 Ext. 132 to schedule an appointment for a free evaluation

(Homeschool Program) Tour the site of the first commercial coal mines in North America while learning of the impact this industry had on the

16 ◆ RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016

September 2016

Concert Ballet of VA Season Kick-Off

Mark Fetter Publisher

If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener, be sure to attend our Open House on Tuesday, September 20th from 2:30-6:30 pm.

This event is specifically for persons interested in becoming Chesterfield County Master Gardeners. Online application can be found at http:// bit.ly/MG2017 (804) 751-4401 moultona@chesterfield.gov

2024 STAPLES MILL ROAD

FROM THE PUBLISHER

required for this workshop.

(804) 751-4946

SUNDAY, SEPT. 11

Let’s Go

September 2016

MIDLOTHIAN MINES PARK

region. Learn about rock types, conduct scale hardness tests and learn about the impact of coal mining to the region. This activity addresses geology and coal mining. Time: 10am-NOON. Address: Midlothian Mines Park, 13301 North Woolridge Road, Midlothian, VA 23114. Cost: $5/child ages 6 and older. No fee for Adults. Reservations for these programs can be made by visiting the Chesterfield Historical Society website at www. chesterfieldhistory.com and using PayPal. (804)796-7121 chesterfieldhistory.com

WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

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RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016 ◆ 17

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18 ◆ RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016

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RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016 ◆ 19

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Richmond's Original Parent’s Calendar and Website

Just A Click Away RichmondParents.com

ONLY

$2500

per year

FOR YOUR HOME DELIVERY

Is BACK PAIN getting in the way of your life?

We accurately diagnose painful disorders of the spine and pelvis to definitively treat them, reduce medications, and improve your level of function and quality of life.

Custom Homes • Additions Renovations • Remodeling

Degenerated, Bulging or Herniated Discs Stenosis • Sciatica • Whiplash • Spinal & Pelvic Fractures • Joint Arthritis

Voted “Top Doc” by Richmond Magazine 2008, 2011 and 2012

Michael J. DePalma, MD

Send payment, Name & Address to: Richmond Parents Subscription

8010 Ridge Road, Suite F Henrico, VA 23229

For more information

call 673-5203

Come in for a Tour AlphaDogClub.com

9020 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 140 • (804)330-0303 • www.vaispine.com

WANT TO BE IN OUR MAGAZINE? VISIT WWW.RICHMONDPUBLISHING.COM

GOING ON VACATION? Stop by to get your Travel Vaccinations.  Typhoid & Meningitis  Polio, Rabies, & Yellow Fever  Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B  Japanese Encephalitis

MEDICARE PART D Every month, an average of 75,000 readers enjoy Richmond Parents Monthly which is distributed in over 425 locations throughout the metro area. These locations include all McDonald’s, Kroger supermarkets, medical centers, retail outlets, museums, and bookstores as well as many public libraries.

Rx copays as low as $0 on select Part D plans.

MEDICARE PART B Diabetes testing supplies available at every pharmacy!

18 ◆ RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016

804-651-4078 WWW.RICHMONDPARENTS.COM

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RICHMOND PARENTS MONTHLY ◆ SEPTEMBER 2016 ◆ 19

Now Enrolling for Regular Classes too!

Martial Arts gives Children the Tools Needed for Success!

tigercho.com