Festival of India

One of Richmond’s many entertaining festivals is coming up in October. It is the Festival of India. If you love food, music, dance, and a fun culture, please mark your calendars for this event. You have two days- October 24 and 25 and the hours are from 11AM- 9PM each day. It will be held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

The Festival of India began in 1981 as a small gathering of around 1,000 people. Last year more than 20,000 people attended. Admission is free, and you will have the opportunity to purchase lots of delicious Indian food and Indian items. Proceeds for the festival go to the Hindu Center, Doctors without Borders, and Richmond Children’s Hospital.

The food is delicious so come with an empty belly. Some of the Indian foods you can dine on are tandoori chicken, dosa, samosas, and kachori. In addition to the food, some of the items which are on sale are music, clothing, movies, jewelry and a host of other choices. Activities are also available for festival attendees. They include face painting, henna, and fortune telling. If you like Indian music and dancing, you are in luck! East- West fusion music and dance will strike your fancy as well as modern and classical Indian performances. A high light of the event is the cultural program competition. Anyone may participate to show off their stuff with Bollywood and Bhangra dances being very popular.

What a great way to experience India. You have two days to take in as much as you can, without even leaving Richmond. Extra Attic celebrates the many cultures here in Richmond. Come get your taste at the Festival of India!

Historic Jackson Ward

Jackson Ward has a long, storied history in Richmond. It is now going through quite a bit of revitalization, but at the turn of the 19th century into the 20th, this place was hopping. Often referred to as “Harlem of the South” Jackson Ward was a city within a city. Segregation brought African-Americans together in Jackson Ward, along with some Irish, Germans and Jews. It became listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Many of the original buildings remain and the architecture is magnificent. Just think about the stories these buildings could tell. The Hippodrome was a nationally acclaimed theater, attracting talent like Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Churches were numerous, old, and beautiful. Some other buildings still around from the 1800’s include Steamer Company Number 5, Booker T. Washington School (oldest public school building still standing in Richmond) and the First Battalion Virginia Volunteers Army (believed to be the oldest armory in the US and maybe the only armory built for African- American troops). These are just a few of the many historic 1800’s buildings standing in Jackson Ward.

Jackson Ward is also known for its famous residents. Bill “Bojangles” Robinson lived here. He was a tap dancer and actor and was one of the most popular entertainers in America in the early 1900’s. Maggie Walker was also from Jackson Ward. She was the first African-American female bank president. Her bank, which opened in 1902, remained active until recently.

Today, Jackson Ward is changing again. Many of the old buildings are being renovated and opened as businesses. Some of the many restaurants to try are: The Rogue Gentleman, Lucy’s Restaurant, Mama J’s Kitchen or Saison. There are also many cultural arts centers and other novelty shops.

Extra Attic loves tradition and history. Jackson Ward is filled with both. Take a stroll through this area with one of the available tours. Your mind will wander off to “days gone by!”

Fun Times on the Water

The end of summer is in sight, but there is still lots of time to get on the water. We have all done our share of swimming, but have you tried all those fun water sports which are now so accessible and affordable? Kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, and at the beach- surfing.

All of the above water sports are fabulous, but paddle boarding is the newest and maybe the fastest growing of the water sports. A paddleboard is just a big surf board with a paddle. It can be used on flat water, rapids, or even waves. All of which are super fun, depending on your skill level. The rapids and flat water options are available here in Richmond. Obviously, the rapids are more dangerous and take much more practice, but offer a ton of excitement, too!

 Paddleboards are also a great way to get your body into shape. Forcing yourself to balance while paddling, strengthens the core, and endurance is increased from just staying on the board. Another form of exercise on the paddle boards is yoga. Imagine yoga on a sturdy surface, then put water under you. Sounds hard! A workout regimen can be done on the boards, too. Just think of how strong you can get while enjoying the water.

Paddle boarding is easy to learn. Then it’s up to you to practice and master all the neat techniques to enhance your fun and fitness. Lessons are available to get started. Another opportunity to have fun with paddle boards is racing them. This gets you in shape while some competitive juices flow.

One of the local paddle board experts is East Coast Board Sports. Their website http://eastcoastboardsports.com will show you all your options and costs. My guess is that you will get all fired up to get on a paddle board. I know there is one Extra Attic team member who is chomping at the bit to master the paddle board!

 

Cricket

The West End of Richmond has become such a diverse community. The beauty of differing cultures coming together as neighbors is learning new ways of living, new foods, new looks, new sports, and so much more. An addition that I have enjoyed learning about is the sport of cricket. I see games being played on the school playgrounds and on TV. Internationally, cricket is a very popular sport. Now we get to experience it here in Richmond.

Cricket dates back to the early 1500s in England. As England expanded its empire, cricket became a popular sport in many countries around the world. Some of these countries include Australia, South Africa and the subcontinent of India. The International Cricket Council oversees the Laws of Cricket and the world tournament was held in Australia/New Zealand this year. I believe it is the second most popular sport in the world with over 120 million players.

Cricket has some similarities to American baseball, but the lingo is very different. You will hear words like overs, wicket, stump, bowler, bails and crease. Similarities to baseball include using a bat and ball, scoring runs, and playing innings. There are 11 players on each team and all come to bat each inning. Games last one to two innings and the field is usually oval.

One of the premier cricket tournaments this year is held in India called IPL 8. 60 matches will be held all over India and will include 2 qualifiers, 1 eliminator and then the finals. The tourney begins April 8^th, 2015 and ends May 24^th, 2015. There are 8 teams participating and each team will play the other teams twice.

Check out the international cricket schedule at http://schedule.cricket.com.pk/. If you get the chance, watch a cricket match on TV or if you get lucky and see one happening at a local field, stop by to enjoy the action. Extra Attic loves the many new activities, like cricket, that diversity brings to our communities.

Clutter Control

We have lots of stuff! It's all over the place. I would love to get it out of my way, but how? Fortunately, there are many clutter control ideas available because of so many struggles.

 Let's make a plan to attack the clutter. If we do this a little at a time, we will win the battle. First we have to take a step back and identify the areas which have the most junk. You know what I mean- places in our house or on our property that create immediate stress when we see them. It may be the garage with years of accumulated stuff. It may be the kitchen with all the current mail, magazines, lists, and hot deals. My nemesis is the spare bedroom, where you can close the door- out of sight out of mind. Unfortunately, that is only a temporary solution – very temporary!

Once the sore spot has been selected, start chucking stuff. So much of the clutter is useless, with little monetary value. Look over the space and ask yourself when you used each item last and its real worth. Take a close look, too. Usually, if things are old, they will show wear which makes the item less attractive to keep. If you are honest with this step, a lot will get unloaded. 

Don't let the task overwhelm you. Pick your spots to begin and don't set an unrealistic timetable to finish. Just work at a comfortable pace with no pressure and chip away. You'll be surprised at the progress you make. Another important piece to your success is concentration. Put away the phone and all other distractions. Stay on task. That may seem difficult, but remember, each session doesn't have to be long – just keep coming back. Also, how about getting help from a spouse or kids? But only if they don't get in the way, I know!

 Now that you are steadily decreasing the clutter, what do you do with the remaining things that you do want? One idea is to find unused room, which is not in your way, and another is to find unused space such as walls, doors and even ceilings to hang things.

Once it's straight, don't slip back into a mess. Give new clutter away. One person's junk is another person's treasure! Put it away, throw it away, even have regular yard sales. Whatever you do – don't stuff it and turn it into clutter, again. Between you and me, throwing away and giving away and putting away are tough, so the perfect solution for me is to rent a storage unit from Extra Attic. That would remedy the whole clutter issue – easy. See you soon.

                      

Richmond Flying Squirrels

Who is ready for spring? What better sign than opening day of baseball season? We are so lucky to have a professional baseball team here in Richmond – the Richmond Flying Squirrels. The baseball is high level and going to the games is loaded with fun!

Opening Day is April 9^th at 6:35 P.M. vs. Bowie. Each time you go to see the Flying Squirrels, so much fun is packed into it – and that's not counting the game. There are between-inning contests, giveaways for fans, appearances by Nutsy and his friends, and between-inning entertainment.

In addition to all the activities, the Richmond Flying Squirrels have tons of game-day promotions. There are 21 fireworks games, 11 free T-shirt Fridays, World Series replica ring night, 11 Kids' Club Sundays, and so much more. Tickets are also very affordable (prices range between $8 and $13) and the prices include the game and all these promotions and fun! See their website for the schedule, promotions and ticket prices: http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t3410

If you like baseball, the Flying Squirrels have lots of talent, too. You never know when you will be watching a future Major Leaguer and maybe even a World Series performer. The parent club of the Flying Squirrels is the San Francisco Giants and they have won the World Series three out of the past five years. Some of the Giants from last year's team who played in Richmond are Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford, Joe Panic and Hunter Strickland. Some big names!

Opening day, April 9^th is almost here and that means spring is right around the corner. Take the family to a game. Relax, enjoy the baseball and have lots of fun. It's very affordable and well worth it. Extra Attic loves the Flying Squirrels!

Intercept – Lasting Positive Impact

Do you know a family who is struggling in its home, school, or community? Intercept has so many ways to help! It was started in 1996 as a group home where children in the community were made to feel at home. Then a plan was put in place to teach children pro-social behaviors by behavior interventions, therapeutic intervention, and staff modeling. Since 1996, Intercept has grown from one group home to becoming a full service provider throughout Virginia.    

    

Currently, Intercept offers over ten different services, from residential homes to school and community-based assistance. Many community resources partner with Intercept, with vital clinical oversight provided by a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. This is a powerful combination of support for the youth and families of our community.      

Intercept is not a one-size-fits-all service provider. It has developed the "Lifebridge Continuum of Care," which ensures a fluid and flexible continuum among all treatment provided. The goal of Intercept is to form and change services and treatments based on the needs of the individual child, adolescent, adult or family.

One of the services provided through "Lifebridge Continuum of Care" is called 360 Transition Solutions. This helps youth, ages 5-21, with re-entry into the community by teaching daily living skills, and assisting with communication and social-emotional needs. Transitional specialists and Life Coaches set goals with the individual to prepare them for self- sufficiency and improve their skills.

Another service is BabySteps, which is a unique community home designed to support pregnant teens and young mothers (ages 13-19). The goal is achieved with mental health treatment, community connections and parenting skills. Some of these services include "Labor Watch," "Mom's Night Out," "Dad and Me," and "Operation Mommy." Check out their website to see what these programs offer, along with everything else you want to know about Intercept. http://www.interceptyouth.com

Need a helping hand? These are just a few of the many family issues that are handled by Intercept. We never know when bad luck will come our way. Extra Attic is thankful for agencies like Intercept who step in to help.