Chesterfield and the Lure of Millennials

With its shopping sprawl, vast rural stretches and sleepy suburbs with no sidewalks, Chesterfield County will never be mistaken for a dense, urban area. But county leaders are hoping that their recent proposed changes to zoning and planning will produce a close enough approximation to lure millennials. 

My Richmond Magazine feature on the changing face of Chesterfield -- and how the sleepy, conservative county is trying to attract more millennial-aged residents -- is now online. The in-depth feature shows a region in flux, as  it moves away from 70s and ’80s style of planning and development where the automobile was the de facto mode for transportation. Today's millennials want to settle down in walkable, linkable communities that have special mixed-use areas where one can run or bike -- and they crave amenities like breweries, coffee shops and live entertainment. 

It all starts with new sidewalks. Read "Because They're Young" by going right here. 

(Photo from Midlothian Mines Park: Richmond Magazine)

The Eyes Have It

Don't wait for symptoms, the experts say: When you reach the age of 40, get a comprehensive eye exam.  

When I was approached about writing a piece on getting your eyes examined, I thought my Richmond Magazine editor needed his head examined. But then I realized that my own eyes were getting a bit, uh, squinty, and that this was information that I needed to know. And if I needed to know it, so did others.

It turns out that the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends an exam by an ophthalmologist every two to four years for people age 40 to 54 with no risk factors, and every one to three years for those aged 55-64 who have no risk factors. And there are many reasons why. 

Hopefully, you can read the article just find. See "The Eyes Have It" right here.

(Illustration: Invincible_bulldog via GettyImages)

The Future of Carytown

Carytown is where you’ll find some of Richmond’s longest-running, and iconic, local businesses, starting with the historic Byrd Theatre, a restored grand movie palace built in 1928. The centerpiece of the district is Cary Court Shopping Center, the first strip mall in Richmond, which officially opened in 1938 as Cary Street Park and Shop Center. 

Bordered by Thompson Street to the west and Arthur Ashe Boulevard to the east, Carytown is traditionally known for its bustling activity and its cascade of shoppers, diners, buskers and people watchers.

My Richmond Magazine overview of this celebrated "Mile of Style" has been rendered somewhat moot by the COVID-19 crisis. But I think that this expanded feature article still offers up a vivid snapshot of a place that was already undergoing changes and experiencing growing pains before the coronavirus struck. Richmond Magazine has provided a link in the piece to an updated piece on the area. 

Click here to read "Onward Along the Mile of Style." 

(Photo of Tom Roukous, owner of Coppola’s Deli by the mighty Jay Paul)

Virginia Golf: A Good Walk Improved

Virginia has many of the country’s best, most beautiful, most demanding golf courses and, even with challenges relating to changing demographics, high maintenance costs and marketing, they are ready for their closeup. 

From the rustic charm of The Olde Farm in Bristol to the novelty tees at Meadows Farms in Orange County, where one hole is designed like a baseball diamond and another is Guinness World Records-certified as the world’s longest, the strength of Virginia golf is its diversity.

My Virginia Business feature on the state of Virginia golf is now online and ready for tee time.  This sampling of prestigious fairways includes the Golden Horseshoe at Colonial Williamsburg, Kinloch Golf Club in Goochland County, the Omni Homestead's Cascades in Hot Springs, The Highlands course at Primlands in Patrick County, and Roanoke's Ballyhack Golf Club. 

Read "A Good Walk Improved" by clicking right here.

(Photo of Ian Sikes of Ballyhack by Don Petersen.)