V Magazine for Women

What would your guess be?

2008-12-03T16:45:00.003-05:00

As my dining partner and I seated ourselves at the Midlothian Capital Ale House bar, we noticed two empty seats next to the two we were claiming. The seats were empty, but a half-full mixed beverage and a nearly full wine glass were on the bar.

Noticing our curious glances, the couple on the other side of the two empty seats spoke up.

"Don't mind them," the gentlemen said. "Those glasses were there when we sat down, and the people haven't been back."

"I've half a mind to drink the wine myself," the woman exclaimed.

"We don't know where they went," the man added, "but we figure they must have had a fight. Why else would you leave two perfectly good drinks?!"

I laughed and agreed.

Later, I realized so many other legitimate possible reasons.

If you could guess one thing, what would it be? Think about it, then read on.

As I realized one very possible reason - in a bar, man and woman, in haste to leave - I laughed and wondered: would young people jump to my latest conclusion, that they had better things to do, things that they couldn't do in public, while more age-advanced people would be less likely to consider that possibility?

I've done only one poll so far - our young V interns and slightly age-advanced admin assistant guessed emergencies as the reason. When I posed my latest possibility, even the young women agreed that nothing but a real emergency would stop them from finishing their drinks! So far, then, my hypothesis is incorrect.

What was your guess - and are you young, somewhat advanced, or crowned with maturity? Let us know!

The Handshake - What Do You Think?

2007-11-28T14:15:00.000-05:00

Is your handshake firm or flaccid? Which do you prefer to receive? Is one really better than the other?

In many cases, a handshake is someone's first impression of you, professionally or socially. Most often we hear that a firm handshake is a sign of strength and confidence, while a limp handshake communicates weakness. Certainly we want to convey an image of confidence in a professional setting.

But do we want to convey a different image in personal settings, say a holiday party or other social event?

Also, are the principles different for women than for men? If we grant that a firm handshake is preferable for a macho man, it okay for a woman to have a soft handshake?

What do YOU think?!

Motorists, Beware of Deer

2007-11-17T08:59:00.000-05:00

With the whitetail deer of Virginia entering the breeding season, motorists should be cautiously aware of their movement during this time of year.

From July 1st 2004 until June 30th 2005, Virginia ranked 7th in states with highest number of crashes involving deer. State Farm Insurance rank Virginia 12th in the likelihood of a collision with a deer.

“We want motorist to be aware of the potential of deer crashes during this time of year and provide them with the information that will aid them in the possible prevention of such a crash occurring” said Janet Brooking, Executive Director of Drive Smart Virginia.

These creatures, both male and female, are very unaware of vehicles on the roadways when their animal instincts come into play. Their movements increase and you should be on high alert during dusk and early evening and pre-dawn to mid-morning. Most deer stay within a one-mile radius, but they may venture further in search of members of the opposite sex, food or water. Also remember that deer roam in herds, so where you see one deer, others will be close by.

Here are tips that motorist should remember:

* Drivers should keep their headlights on high beam unless they are meeting another vehicle and keep an ever watchful eye on the edges of the woods and fields next to the highway.

* If a deer is seen entering your vehicle’s path, apply brakes without locking the brakes. You can lose traction and control if you lock-up or slide the tires. This is not a problem for some late model vehicles, which have anti-lock brakes.

* Be aware of posted deer crossings.

* DO NOT SWERVE TO MISS A DEER. You could lose control of your vehicle, strike a tree or ditch bank and overturn, or strike another vehicle. Fatal crashes or injuries during crashes are rare when just a deer is struck.

* Remember that deer often travel together, so if you see one, others may be nearby and ready to dash in front of you.

If you strike a deer, you should contact law enforcement as soon as possible, if the damage is over $1,000.00. A vehicle crash report is required to be submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles under these circumstances. The deer must be tagged and the driver may keep the deer if so desired. Contacting law enforcement also helps with the notification of the Department of Transportation for disposal of the deer.

ART, MUSIC AND THEATRE FOR HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS WEEK, November 11-17th

2007-11-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

In recognition of Homelessness Awareness Week, The Daily Planet invites local businesses, residents and community groups to attend the first annual event series of art, music and theater productions designed to promote greater awareness and understanding of issues surrounding homelessness. On November 15 at The Camel – Richmond’s New Social Oasis, 1621 W. Broad Street, will open its doors at 7:30 pm to host the entertaining and educational artistic series with Slash Coleman, author and playwright of the award winning shows will perform a "Matzo Ball Sampler" - monologues from his various shows including "The Neon Man and Me" and "Slash Coleman has Big Matzo Balls". At 9:30 pm, the VeKams, a Richmond based rock-pop creation, featuring Virgil Jones, Scott Gordon and Karen Shealy with drummer, Mackie Blaylock.

Friday, November 16, The Daily Planet will open its doors to the public, offering facility tours on the hour beginning at 11 am until 2 pm. Everyone is invited to experience the inner-workings of the Daily Planet’s health care, mental health, vision, and dental clinics. This community outreach initiative is designed to increase awareness of The Daily Planet’s holistic approach to serving the homeless, uninsured, and underserved of Greater Richmond.

SPADES: a book without a cover will offer one performance on Saturday, November 17th at 7:30 pm at the The Camel. Suggested donation is $10 with proceeds to benefit Daily Planet. SPADES is a co-authored dramatic work conceived and directed by Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, a national and international touring artist and is a collection of the life stories and journeys of the people who live on the streets and shelters of our community. SPADES uncovers the reality of how closely the lives of the homeless intersects with the lives we all live everyday. The Camel – Richmond’s New Social Oasis will host Saturday’s performance of SPADES, which will travel to Washington, D.C. to perform at the Kennedy Center for the National Alliance to End Homelessness Awards and Fundraising Gala on April 7, 2008.

Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates is a playwright, director, actor, poet, writer and teacher. She has appeared on Broadway and in both National and International Touring Companies. The play’s producing co-collaborator, Marc Taylor, MA, Ed.S, LPC, is a mental health clinician on the staff of Daily Planet.

V Is for the Birds

2007-11-09T09:02:00.000-05:00

Check out this great Web page examining why geese fly in a V formation - and what we can learn from these majestic birds!

Go to the "The Goose Story" to learn from the birds!

Celebrating for Her - But Envious, Too!

2007-11-06T08:05:00.000-05:00

Thirty-four-year old Paula Radcliffe won the New York City Marathon on Sunday, beating a very competitive field of women - ten months after the birth of her baby girl!

I celebrate the accomplishment of this British runner unreservedly. Yet when I saw the photo of her flat stomach merely 10 months later, and visualized my wrinkly tummy 22 years after the birth of my twins, I do feel a little envy! I'd never wish her flat stomach away, but would love to have one myself. Ah, well, they're my "love scars"!

I like to make a clear distinction between "envy" and "jealousy." With envy, you want something for yourself, but you wouldn't take it away from someone in order to get it. With jealousy, not only do you want it, but you don't want someone else to have it!

The green-eyed monster of jealousy is often nasty and mean. Envy, on the other hand, can be productive - you congratulate the victor, but work harder to achieve your own success!

In a Runner's World interview, British runner Paula Radcliffe said of her closest competitor in the race, Gete Wami, "I really respect Gete, and I knew that it was going to be tough and I would have to race really, really strong to beat her."

Now that's the spirit of sportsmanship that we can practice in all aspects of life - we race for our best and leave the nasty green-eyed monster behind!

To read more of the interview with Paula, click here.

It Hits the Streets Tomorrow, Nov. 2

2007-11-01T17:18:00.000-04:00

This month's issue of V celebrates the phoenix, women who have overcome life's obstacles and risen from the ashes. You'll read the stories of several women who have made lemonade out of their lemons. Sally Wetzler is a whitewater kayaker and kayak instructor to wounded vets - despite needing a wheelchair for the past 20 years. Susan Dunham's biggest fight wasn't just against blindness, but against the blows to her self-esteem from a verbally abusive father and husband. Inspired by the birth of her first daughter, Karen Horn overcame a major weight problem that had plagued her since childhood. Kim Dunham-Quigley's story is both a reminder of the importance of leaving abusive relationships and an inspiration that it can be done. And with the help of a concerned dentist, Mary Helen Baird overcame a nagging physical problem.

Even our Art department is a reminder of the beauty of the phoenix - Richmond Ballet instructor who refuses to let lupus stifle the dance in her life.

You'll also find a focus on women of the Virginia Film Festival; how to conquer headaches without medication; an experience at the National Association of Black Journalists convention; financial advice for women facing divorce; and more!

Be sure to check out our advertisers, too! Without their support, we couldn't support the women of Virginia.

May this month's issue of V empower, enlighten, and entertain you!
To discover where to get your latest issue of V Magazine for Women, go to www.vmagazineforwomen.com/find.html.

Film at VFF: African Grandmothers Fight AIDS

2007-10-30T08:00:00.001-04:00

This powerful film about the African Dogo can be seen this weekend at the Virginia Film Festival in Charlottesville. Click here to learn more about the film and see an excerpt.

More information on the Virginia Film Festival in the November issue of V Magazine for Women.

Voices of MammoSite: An Online Connection with Breast Cancer Survivors

2007-10-28T10:18:00.000-04:00

"You have breast cancer." The words hang in the air in the sterile coldness of an examination room. The first reaction is often disbelief; followed by, "Am I going to survive? What do I do now?"

Once a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, she usually has very little time to make a treatment decision. That's 14 days to cope with the news, research options, fit in doctor's appointments, and figure out who will take care of her family and job during treatment and recovery. Now there is a place where women with early-stage breast cancer can find a new level of support and open arms from those who've been through it before. Voices of MammoSite is a new program supported by a website, VoicesofMammoSite.com, devoted to connecting newly diagnosed women with a network of extraordinary survivors who have confronted the challenges of breast cancer, specifically those who have fought it successfully with MammoSite® 5-Day Targeted Radiation Therapy. (The procedure is a partial breast irradiation treatment available to patients with early-stage breast cancer that can be completed in less than a week. The program is sponsored by Cytyc Corporation.)

At the site, visitors can read and listen to personal stories of breast cancer survivors, find a survivor of similar age and background who is willing to share her own experiences with breast cancer treatment and personally connect with her within 48 hours.

Available mentors include Donna, a 66-year-old retired nurse from Kentucky; Linda, a 58-year-old financial planner from Illinois; Carmen, a 47-year-old accountant from Arizona; and dozens more. They're women of all ages and ethnicities, from all over the U.S., who have one thing in common - they all successfully battled early-stage breast cancer and have volunteered to share their experiences with other women.

For more information, visit VoicesofMammoSite.com.

View and Vote for a New Short Film

2007-10-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

The Science of Love premieres tonight on LOGO, MTV's LGBT channel. It was produced by Joyce Dragonsky, whom V readers may recognize from editor Annie Tobey's travel report on her RSVP Mediterranean cruise. To read about Joyce's last two films and find out how to see them both, click here!

Link to Financial Savvy

2007-10-23T08:59:00.000-04:00

Visit MsMoney.com for a wealth of financial guidance, including investing, banking and credit, debt reduction, career strategies, and more!

Tip for a Better Day

2007-10-22T16:26:00.001-04:00

"There's no day so horrid or so wonderful that it can't be improved by chocolate!"

The Wellness Village, for Alternative Health Services

2007-10-21T11:59:00.000-04:00

THE WELLNESS VILLAGE AT STARLING, located at 1404 Starling Drive adjacent to Regency Square Mall, celebrated its grand opening Saturday afternoon, October 13. The newly constructed “Village” is the first of its kind in Richmond, featuring an integrated, holistic approach to healthful living. Businesses at this unique facility represent multiple disciplines and services with experienced practitioners offering quality choices for healthy lifestyles, including therapeutic massage, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, energy therapies, mat pilates and reformer pilates classes, yoga, and offerings for birth and baby needs

The beautiful fall weather provided a perfect day for enjoying friendly conversation with the Village practitioners, and for strolling or sitting in the beautiful gardens with complimentary healthy snacks and relaxing live music on the patio. Other festivities included free gifts and hourly raffles for valuable prizes donated by area businesses and community professionals. Local artisans, artists, and vendors displayed and sold their crafts and products. Master photographer Carla Nelms provided photography services for the event. Village practitioners offered interactive demonstrations and informational discussions to educate the public about the many benefits of alternative and complementary healthcare.

Services include Therapeutic Wellness and Massage Center, Acupuncture, Birth and Baby Kneads, Core Pilates of Richmond, Yoga, A Change of Mind, Advanced Therapies in Hypnosis, and Good For You Energy Therapy!

If you missed out on this special event, please call 804-673-2936, or visit The Village for more information.

Sweet Virginia Breeze

2007-10-20T08:26:00.000-04:00

Woke up this morning the breeze blowin' cross my face
And I just had to look up above and thank somebody for this place,
Because he must've been thinkin' bout me
When he planted that very first dogwood tree
It's where I want to be
Livin' in the Sweet Virginia Breeze

Take me out to the country it feels mighty good out there
When I get back to the city of the monuments
It doesn't matter where I hang my hat it's home to me
The Blue Ridge Mountains tend to set me free
It's where I want to be
Livin' in the Sweet Virginia Breeze

Wakes me up in the mornin'
Rocks me to sleep at night
I've got a red bird singin' on my window sill
I know everything will be all right
Livin' in the Sweet Virginia Breeze

Just sittin on my back porch
I'm just watchin' the sun come up
Sweet sweet Virginia Breeze blowin' ripples 'cross my coffee cup
Because he must've been thinkin' bout me when he planted that very first dogwood tree
cause when that breeze comes blowin' through the trees
you know everything will be alright
Livin' in a Sweet Virginia Breeze
Sweet Virginia Breeze

Recorded by Robbin Thompson and Steve Bassett in 1978

Maya Angelou in Richmond

2007-10-19T08:54:00.000-04:00

Family Lifeline, a Richmond-based nonprofit that has a goal of changing the futures of at-risk families, announced today that it’s hosting “An Evening with Maya Angelou” as part of its 130th birthday celebration. The former poet laureate of the United States will speak at the Richmond Convention Center on November 1 in an event that is a fundraiser for Family Lifeline. The event is presented by Wachovia Securities and a group of other corporate sponsors, including Owens & Minor; Dominion Resources; Bon Secours, Richmond Health System and Philip Morris USA.

Maya Angelou is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature. As a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, she continues to travel the world making appearances, spreading her wisdom.

“Maya Angelou is an incredible role model for us all, and we’re thrilled to be hosting her for this event,” said Family Lifeline President Reed Henderson. “We hope that her appearance will be an inspiration to those in attendance on November 1st.”

Dr. Angelou will speak for approximately one hour, covering topics related to her fascinating life. The evening will start at 6 p.m. when the doors of the convention center open. Ms. Angelou will begin speaking at 7 p.m.

Tickets are on sale for the event, with prices starting at $50. Corporate sponsorships are also available. For more information, visit www.familylifeline.org or call 804-282-4255.

Changing futures for families in the Richmond area since 1877, Family Lifeline is one of city’s oldest and largest private community-based organizations. Family Lifeline’s mission is to strengthen families where they live, work, and learn. For more information, visit www.familylifeline.org or call 804-282-4255.

Composure

2007-10-18T07:55:00.000-04:00

"If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, it's just possible you haven't grasped the situation." Jean Kerr

Handbag Heaven

2007-10-17T14:36:00.000-04:00

Do you love a great handbag, but hesitate to spend the money on expensive designer bags? Thanks to Bag Borrow or Steal, you can carry all the great bags you want, and still have money left to carry around!

Like a Netflix for handbags, Bag, Borrow or Steal charges a low monthly membership plus nominal fees, but never a late fee, and you keep the bag for as long as you want. You can create a wish list of your favorite bags, so you'll know what to order next. You also have the option to buy a bag you fall in love with.

Fees vary according to the level of handbag you choose: Couture (like Gucci & Rosiblu), Diva (such as Louis Vuitton and Charriol), Princess (Betsey Johnson and Pianegonda), or Trendsetter (Dooney & Bourke and Lori Bonn).

For details on the program, the fees, and the huge assortment of handbags, go to www.bagborroworsteal.com.

Have Fun for a Good Cause This Weekend!

2007-10-16T10:01:00.000-04:00

Bon Secours Presents Faison’s Amazin’ Pumpkin Palooza
To Benefit The Faison School for Autism
Celebrate the fall season and the art of pumpkin carving. Preview party on Fri., Oct. 19 (cost) where guests will see carving teams in action while enjoying dinner and live music. Sat., Oct. 20, is free and open to the public, with amazing carved giant pumpkins, festivities for children and adults including arts and crafts, pumpkin painting, jewelry making, entertainment, and costume contests. 11am-9 pm at The Carillon at Byrd Park. For Fri. tickets or more information, call 804-827-3801.

15th Annual Art Affair to Benefit
Child Savers and VCU Art Scholarships
Fine artwork by 120 artists from Central Virginia and seven states is being exhibited for sale. Paintings in oil, watercolor, acrylic and pastels, sculpture, drawing, photography and carefully selected fine craft. Also features artwork by local high school students, competing for awards. Sat., Oct. 20 (10am-5pm) and Sun., Oct. 21 (noon-5pm) at Stony Point Fashion Park in the parking area across from Saks. Free to the public. Hosted by the Bon Air Artist Association. 804-379-8980 or jillchafinstudio@verizon.net.

Short Pump Ruritan Club, 18th Annual Craft Show
A variety of merchandise, including handmade jewelry, beaded watches, furniture and accessories, floral arrangements, wreaths and many other unique items. Over 90 crafters. No admission charge and food will be served. Sat., Oct. 20, 9am-3pm, at Short Pump Middle School, 4701 Pouncey Tract Rd. 804-360-2371.

Yard & Bake Sale to Benefit
Huguenot United Methodist Church Preschool
Shop for great bargains and enjoy delicious food. Donations accepted beforehand, so it’s also a chance to empty out closets. All to benefit young minds. Oct. 20, 6am-2pm, 10661 Duryea Dr. 804-272-1704 or humcpreschool.com.

26th Annual Midlothian Village Day Festival
To Benefit Local Charities and Scholarship
Parade, craft booths, community booths, entertainment, food, carnival games, moonwalks, silent auction. Sponsored by the Midlothian Junior Women’s Club. Sat., Oct. 20, 10am-3pm, Midlothian Middle School. 804-379-3420 or midlothianfestival.net.

The 6th Annual Power of Hope Prison Ministry Conference
This educational conference features national and regional speakers and panel discussions to raise awareness and funds to help women transition from prison and rebuild their lives. Sponsored by Helping Hands Women’s Outreach Ministries. Sat., Oct. 20, from 10am2pm at First Presbyterian Church, 4602 Cary St. 804-276-3139 or hhwom.org.

Enjoy Bach to Benefit the Free Clinic of Goochland
The Goochland Rotary Club sponsors Richmond Symphony’s Tribute to Bach Series, Bach-lor Party, to benefit the Free Clinic of Goochland. Oct. 20, 7pm, at Goochland High School, 3250 River Rd. West, Goochland.

For more events - benefits, fun, or arts - check out the October issue of V or go to our Web site, www.vmagazineforwomen.com!

The Member of the Wedding

2007-10-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

"It happened that green and crazy summer when Frankie was twelve years old." Thus opens Carson McCuller's insightful novel, The Member of the Wedding.

Richmonders can catch the onstage version of The Member of the Wedding at Barksdale through October 28. Frankie Addams, a precocious tomboy in a small southern town, yearns to grow up, and she fantasizes elaborate plans for her part in her brother’s upcoming wedding. Awarded the New York Drama Critics' Prize for the Best American Play of 1950 when it premiered on Broadway, The Member of the Wedding is part of Barksdale’s Women’s Theatre Project, as we celebrate the moving work of famed novelist and playwright Carson McCullers.

For more information, visit the Barksdale Web site.

Interests

2007-10-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

"One thing life taught me: If you are interested, you never have to look for new interests." Eleanor Roosevelt

Life is full of stimulating, challenging, gratifying, and fun things to do! Enjoy!

Going Shoe-Shopping this Weekend?

2007-10-13T07:00:00.000-04:00

Women and shoes, women and shoes - they go together like a horse and carriage! So what's the big deal? Check out these fellow shoe-lovers on YouTube, putting words to this shared passion.

[If you're out at Saxon Shoes, note that through Oct. 31, for each Brighton bracelet, necklace, or earrings purchased, Brighton will donate $5 to support breast cancer research and awareness!)

Southeast Premiere of The Breast Cancer Diaries

2007-10-12T00:01:00.000-04:00

The Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center will host free film screenings for the Southeast Premiere of The Breast Cancer Diaries, a critically acclaimed documentary of one woman’s cancer journey, on Saturday, October 13 at the Science Museum of Virginia.

The “Screening for a Screening” event will take place at 10am, noon, and 2pm at the museum’s Eureka Theatre. Massey’s breast health experts and other community partners will host a health fair in the foyer between screenings, giving community members an opportunity to learn about the latest in breast cancer research, treatment and support services.

In addition, the film’s producer and subject will be on hand following the 10 and noon showings to answer questions.

“There’s no better way to generate awareness than to offer people an intimate, armchair journey of breast cancer’s effect on a family,” said Harry D. Bear, MD, PhD, director of Massey’s Breast Health Center. “This film is a gift to our community. It’s unscripted, unfiltered and features a woman that so many of us can relate to – a wife, mother, sister, daughter and colleague,” said Bear.

Breast Cancer Diaries Producer Linda Pattillo is a former producer for WTVR (Channel 6) in Richmond, whose career took her to ABC News and CNN, where she has covered wars across the globe. In The Breast Cancer Diaries, she chronicles the poignant and uplifting journey of 38-year-old Anne Murray-Paige, a broadcast journalist-turned-stay-at-home mom, from the week before Murray-Paige’s double mastectomy through her chemo and radiation.

Rather than write in a diary, Murray-Paige keeps a video camera in her bedroom, recording her thoughts on the many challenges she faces. In addition, Pattillo’s camera follows Murray-Paige throughout the nine-month ordeal, giving insight to the fears, joys and love that she and her family experience.

The film has won rave reviews and awards at national and international film festivals. To preview the film, click here. [Editor’s Note: This film is recommended for teenagers and adults and is not suitable for younger children.]

Also premiering is The Richmond Diaries, a 10-minute short film produced by Massey featuring a mosaic of Richmond-area cancer survivors and caretakers who have had a similar journey. The Richmond Diaries will precede the 70-minute documentary.

The VCU Massey Cancer Center is one of 63 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions that leads and shapes America’s cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, the Center conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers more clinical trials than any other institution in Virginia, serving patients in Richmond and in four satellite locations. Its 1,100 researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and, ultimately, to cure cancer. Visit Massey online at www.massey.vcu.edu or call 1-877-4-MASSEY.

For information about the event, call 804-827-9486.

Ready to Take Your Business Results to the Next Level?

2007-10-10T00:01:00.000-04:00

If you're like most working professionals these days, your plate is overloaded and shows no signs of clearing up. The transactional part of our jobs never stops - we have to consciously make time to think strategically about our performance and our jobs, or it will never happen.

Whether you’re a manager or employee, sole proprietor or senior executive, taking time out to think strategically may seem like a luxury you can't afford. Or you're simply too tired from putting out fires to think about anything but the immediate. But looking beyond the day-to-day, thinking about the future and the implications of present events, has been shown over and over to make the difference between success and failure.

But if we don't take time to look at the big picture, what will happen when…

…Knowledge walks out the door with experienced people who retire?
…A company has no people ready to promote?
…Qualified employees are not interested in moving up?
…Top talent is not maximized or focused on important issues?

These and so many other people issues require new thinking and new strategies. One of the world's greatest thinkers and innovators, Albert Einstein, said, “The significant problems we face can not be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.”

To help us move up to the next level of performance and results, we can:
1) Get out of our own job rat-race long enough to think about our future.
2) Read a book on a subject that will make us think about what we can contribute to our organization to strengthen future results.
3) Ask ourselves, “How can I take my own performance to the next level?” And then do something about it!
4) Go to a customer, client, or coworker and ask them, “Thinking about the future, what would be most valuable that I could provide for you?” And then ask for their support in helping us make those changes now.
5) Attend a workshop on a strategic topic that will challenge our thinking by having us interact with others. Come away with 2 new ideas to implement for positive change.
Here are some suggestions for October workshops in Richmond:

October 23 – Leading Change in Difficult Situation, www.ChangeManagementSeminar.com.
October 24 – Strategic Planning for HR Issues, www.StrategicHRPlanning.com.
October 25 - Thinking Like Your CEO, www.ThinkingLikeYourCEO.com.

Taking our results to the next level starts the minute we stop and ask ourselves:
"What would the next level of performance be for me?"

Charlyne Meinhard at Next Level Consulting, LLC: Charlyne@NextLevelForYou.com.

Live Like Your Nail Color?

2007-10-09T09:53:00.000-04:00

What the heck does that mean?

Bodacious Mary Foley wants to show you how!

Click here to hear Mary's Vibrant Update!

Gift Giving Tip by Erma Bombeck

2007-10-08T00:01:00.000-04:00

"Women are never what they seem to be. There is the woman you see and the woman who is hidden. Buy the gift for the woman who is hidden."

Liberty or Death?

2007-10-07T09:34:00.000-04:00

Richmonders have the opportunity to see re-enactments of the Second Virginia Convention of March 1775, including Patrick's Henry's famous speech, where he declared "Give me liberty or give me death." This moving production takes place Sunday afternoons during the summertime at the historic St. John's Church. (For more information, call 804-648-5015 e-mail programs@saintjohns.cc, or visit www.historicstjohnschurch.org.)

The performance is a reminder of how America came to be the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Our search for liberty did not end after we achieved our independence against Britain. Not all of those who deserved freedom in the 1700s and 1800s had their freedom. Less than 100 years later, Harriet Tubman said, "I had reasoned this out in my mind: There was two things I had a right to, liberty and death. If I could not have one, I would have the other, for no man should take me alive."

Thanks to the convictions of people like her, this freedom, too, became a reality.

Maintaining freedom and individual rights - both politically and personally - demands ongoing diligence.

A Life Without Contradiction

2007-10-06T00:01:00.000-04:00

"There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do." Freya Stark.

Do you act according to the things you believe? Are your beliefs consistent with the facts of reality - can your beliefs be followed consistently?

If you answer no to any of these questions, what do you need to be changed? What can you do to live without contradiction?

Live consistently. Live a life of fulfillment!

Peaceful Surroundings

2007-10-05T09:36:00.000-04:00

Because 85% of the average person's time is spent indoors, how that space is arranged is important. Does the space - its decor, organization, colors, and arrangement - have a positive effect or a negative effect? Does it encourage feelings of peace and serenity or tension and stress?

By surrounding yourself with things you use and love, you are creating a nurturing environment. By learning and applying little tips and tricks of what encourages a peaceful environment - including the principles of feng shui - you can increase your enjoyment of everyday living.

Another key to creating a peaceful space is effective organization. The average person spends 55 minutes a day looking for things! By implementing an organizational system that works for you, you can eliminate that wasted time. What's more, you can eliminate the inner stress that outer clutter causes.

Most people know life flows better when things have a home and are put away. However, either they have never learned how to organize or to use the principles of feng shui, or they are so busy with family, jobs, and other responsibilities that they need some assistance. This is where a professional can help. Their knowledgeable and objective assistance can lay the foundation for the years ahead - a neat, peaceful, and nurturing environment.

[This information thanks to professional organizer and certified feng shui practitioner Laura Magnussen of Organomix. For more information on Laura's services, visit Organomix.com.]

Local Event to Highlight Domestic Abuse, & Journeys toward Healing

2007-10-04T00:01:00.001-04:00

by Julie Buchanan

Victims of domestic and sexual abuse come from every part of our society. They can be black, white, Asian or Latino; wealthy or poor; gay or straight; female or male.

On October 4, a series of monologues at the Swift Creek Mill Theatre will illustrate this fact. The Heart of the Matter: A Journey toward Healing is based on the real experiences of a diverse set of victims from Central Virginia. Their stories were adapted for the stage by Patricia Jones-Turner, coordinator of the Chesterfield County Domestic and Sexual Violence Resource Center.

The production is presented by the center, the Chesterfield Domestic Violence Task Force and the YWCA of Richmond to raise awareness about the issues of domestic and sexual abuse. Victims who are portrayed come from various backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses. Some of the victims are men.

“It gives a well-rounded perspective on domestic and sexual violence and how widespread it is,” said Patricia Jones-Turner, who has spent decades working with victims. “And because the performances are going to be intense, I think the public will take it seriously.”

Cast members for the monologues, directed by Craig Suiter, were selected after a call for auditions.

“It’s something important that the community needs to know about,” said Nikki Walsh, 21, a student at Longwood University who portrays a young victim of Russian descent. “A lot of people don’t think it will ever happen to them.”

Theresa Jones, 33, is an understudy for one of the roles. A survivor of sexual violence herself, she can identify with what her character is going through.
“I think it’ll have a big impact on the audience,” she said.

Recent numbers shed light on the effects of domestic and sexual violence locally.
The Virginia Department of Health reported in July that nearly one-third of all the state’s homicides in 2005 were family or intimate partner related. Almost 14 percent of all homicide victims were killed by an intimate partner.

Chesterfield County police responded to 1,663 calls for domestic violence in 2006. That same year, the county served 267 victims of sexual assault, most of whom were children. Since 2000, 20 adults and 15 children in the county have lost their lives as a result of domestic violence.

With the monologues, organizers hope to put a human face on such grim statistics. Donations for area programs that help victims also will be collected during both performances.

“It’s not going to be a feel-good thing,” said Becky Lee, chief program officer for the YWCA of Richmond. “But it’s absolutely educational and it’s to help. Without putting on the real faces of the victims, it’s about giving a voice to their stories. And I really believe it’s giving people something to connect to. Some people may come to see it who are victims but never said anything to anyone. In some ways, it may give them a voice, too.”

The Heart of the Matter: A Journey Toward Healing will be presented on October 4 at 8pm. Tickets are $22 and include a buffet before the show. Swift Creek Mill Theatre is at 17401 Jefferson Davis Highway, Colonial Heights. Tickets can be purchased by calling 804-748-5203.

For more information, call Patricia Jones-Turner at 804-706-1272.

15 Uses for Aluminum Foil

2007-10-03T00:01:00.000-04:00

It's even more useful than I knew! Thank you, Reynolds!

Check out a list of 15 hints for making use of this versatile product at DIY Life online.

A Kiss Is Still a Kiss - Or Is It?

2007-10-02T00:01:00.001-04:00

The Psychobiology of Romantic Kissing:
UAlbany study suggests that men and women's views diverge widely
on the significance of the kiss

Albany , N.Y. (September 13, 2007) - Research by the University at Albany shows that information conveyed by a kiss can have profound consequences for romantic relationships, and can even be a major factor in ending one. In results published in the August 2007 issue of the online journal Evolutionary Psychology [Volume 5(3) 2007], Susan M. Hughes, Marissa A. Harrison, and Gordon G. Gallup, Jr. reveal that many college students have found themselves attracted to someone, only to discover after they kissed them for the first time that they were no longer interested. “In other words,” said Gallup, an evolutionary psychologist, “While many forces lead two people to connect romantically, the kiss, particularly the first kiss, can be a deal breaker.”

The UAlbany study also found sex differences in the importance and type of kissing. Males tended to kiss as a means to an end—to gain sexual favors or to reconcile. In contrast, females kiss to establish and monitor the status of their relationship, and to assess and periodically update the level of commitment on the part of a partner.

In a sample of 1,041 college students, researchers found only five who had never experienced romantic kissing and more than 200 who estimated having kissed more than 20 partners.

According to the study, kissing between sexual or romantic partners occurs in more than 90 percent of human cultures. Some non-human animals, such as common chimpanzees and bonobos, appear to engage in kissing-like behaviors as well. Although kissing is a widespread practice among humans, few scientists have attempted to assess the adaptive significance of kissing behavior.

According to the researchers, not only do females place more emphasis on kissing, but most would never engage in sex without kissing. Females were more likely than males to insist on kissing before a sexual encounter, and more likely to emphasize the importance of kissing during and after sexual encounters as well. By comparison, males said they would be happy to have sex without kissing, and far more males than females expressed a willingness to have sex with someone who was not a “good” kisser.

The authors conclude that the study provides evidence that romantic kissing evolved as an adaptive courtship strategy that functions as a mate-assessment technique, a means of initiating sexual arousal and receptivity, and a way of maintaining a bonded relationship.

For the full study, visit http://www.epjournal.net/filestore/EP05612631.pdf.

The Beauty of Women - Vibrant Update #1

2007-10-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Vibrant Updates, a diVersity of tidbits for the diVersity of women!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. But it’s also the time for harvest, sweaters and chilly fall evenings, and Halloween. Our October Vibrant Updates will reflect all of these—and more. And first, V presents...

The Beauty of Women

View the Women in Art video.

What feature do these beautiful women share? A smile!

A Tribute to Breasts

2007-09-06T21:09:00.000-04:00

Welcome to our Vibrant Updates. They're always new, sometimes funny, and sometimes challenging. We hope they make your life better in some way, whether through opening doors, cracking smiles, or shaking away the cobwebs.

Our first V Update is a tribute to the miracle of breast-feeding. I remember the rush I felt each time my breasts produced new food for my hungry babies! Opinions vary as to the proper time and place for these feedings, but every mother knows the joy of providing what her baby needs - in whatever manner and place those provisions are made. This video pays tribute to that great miracle of motherhood!

Check out A Tribute to Breasts for yourself.

David and Two Goliaths

2007-09-05T21:06:00.000-04:00

For nearly three years, V has been able to grow at our own pace, concerned about our readers and our advertisers, but striving only to better ourselves each month. Such an simple ride was bound to end in a society as complex and competitive as 21st century America! Not only has Style introduced a women’s bimonthly magazine, Belle, but Media General / Richmond Times-Dispatch is introducing Skirt into the area this fall.

Belle has the financial backing and history not only of Style, but of Landmark Communications, Inc., a diversified holding company whose flagship subsidiary is The Weather Channel Companies. Skirt, of course, has its own history and the support of Media General. We’re not so fortunate—but we have our own strengths, and our own hopes.

Our hope is that Central Virginia is big enough for all of us. After all, there’s the RT-D, and Style; and Style and Brick; and MIX 103.7 and Light 98; and NBC12, CBS6, Channel 8, Fox, and PBS.

I appreciated a recent quote in the RT-D recently. Responding to increased grocer competition in the area, Robert Ukrop said, “We’re just going to stick to our knitting.”

Well, V is going to do the same. We’ve found a formula that a huge number of local women have embraced. We’ve filled a need—a different need and approach than most other women’s magazines. We have our mission, to celebrate and support the best in local women. We believe in our mission, and we hope to keep pursuing it.

In fact, our response is a lot like last month’s issue of V: “Life’s Good, Make It Better!” Our magazine’s good, and it can be better. Our recent survey revealed that self-improvement was readers’ number one topic of interest, which demonstrates that our readership wants to grow, to learn, to improve. V does, too. We want to keep hearing what readers like and don’t like, to fine tune what’s successful and improve or discard the duds. We deserve your support only if we continue to earn it.

Competition is healthy. It reminds us how important it is to focus and to be at the top of our game. We're searching for what we can do better, what we can begin. We won't try to beat others at their game, but to be the best in ours.

No one can serve their customers quite like Ukrop’s. Kroger’s, Food Lion, and Wal-Mart will continue to capture a share of the market, but Ukrop’s will undoubtedly hold onto their niche. I hope the same can be said for V. I hope that we can get the loyal local fans that our local friendly grocer has. I hope that our readers keep supporting us and our advertisers (our life blood). I hope that our advertisers recognize that we are part of a smart overall marketing plan, one of Richmond’s many great advertising options—and a worthwhile option at that.

I wish the best for the new magazines, that they find their own niche. I hope that David and both Goliaths can coexist peaceably.

We’re young and we’re small, but we’re learning and we’re listening. We’re big enough to make a difference, but small enough to hear your voice.

Annie Tobey, Editor

To give us your input on this or any other issue, please e-mail us at TalkToUs@VMagazineForWomen.com.

V on WZEZ 100.5

2007-07-02T14:03:00.000-04:00

So, this morning Alexa and I participated in an interview with Mark of "Mark in the Morning" at our partner radio station WZEZ 100.5. What an adventure! Neither of us had ever done a radio interview, so we thank the staff for helping us get comfortable. I'm still chuckling at the thought of Bette Anne Steele's one-liners that helped put us at ease.

Our interview highlighted this month's focus in V Magazine for Women - self-improvement! Kudos to our editor, Annie, for her decision to highlight such a wide variety of areas that help enrich our lives. Whether it's taking a new approach to physical fitness, improving the look and feel of your home, building on parenting skills, or learning how money affects our happiness, Alexa and I had plenty to talk about. At one point, though, Mark stumped us when he asked how Virginia women differ from other women around the country. My reaction? None of us at V are experts on women - that's why we are always asking for your ideas, opinions, and feedback! We try never to make assumptions about who you are or what you want. Our readers are the driving force behind what we do! It was a tough question, but we're glad he asked! It certainly got us thinking.

Thanks again to Bette Anne Steele for helping to arrange our interview today. Be sure to tune in to her 2-minute segment entitled "Senior Moment with Bette Anne" that airs 5 times daily Monday through Friday, where you'll hear about everything from advice about weight loss or navigating the healthcare system to encouraging seniors to keep a gratitude journal and venture into the world of computers!

A Favorite Quote

2007-06-29T20:52:00.000-04:00

"Action is the antidote to despair." Joan Baez.

When you feel hopeless, do something positive to begin combating the problem that looms before you. Be positive, but not passively so. Take realistic steps. You will feel better, and make a difference.

This is one of my all-time favorite quotes, and applying it has helped me escape despair on several occasions!

Annie

Why we do what we do at V Magazine!

2007-06-27T15:43:00.000-04:00

I came across this and thought it was worth sharing:

To love what you do and feel that it matters - how could anything be more fun?
~Katherine Graham~
If you have any inspiring quotes that you think women would appreciate, please send them our way!

A V cafe, of sorts...

2007-06-27T14:28:00.000-04:00

There's nothing better than catching up with friends at a local cafe. Delicious food, local artwork & music, cozy furniture, spirited locals chatting all around...We're offering this blog as a casual way of talking to our readers in between issues. V Magazine for Women is a free monthly publication that supports and celebrates Virginia women. We hope this blog will be a way of communicating the little things we see every day that don't always make it into the magazine.

We hope you'll share your stories about the great things you see happening with the women in your area. Let this be a collaborative effort!