by Charles Hendricks | Sep 29, 2016 | artwork, community, First Friday, Local Leaders, Office Culture
Gallery Opening on First Friday “Architecture of Life in Watercolors”
You are INVITED!
Each month we host a new artist in our Depot building gallery in the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). This month we are hosting “Architecture of Life in Watercolors” by W A Berkshire. The artwork will remain on exhibit through October and is for sale. Come view the show and get a tour of the newly renovated space! We will have light refreshments available!
October 7, 2016 from 5pm – 8pm.
First Friday Downtown is a great event with businesses all over downtown becoming art galleries for this night. First Fridays Downtown is a free celebration of culture and community held in downtown Harrisonburg. During the first Friday of the month, the downtown venues host art exhibition openings, local music performers, and various arts related events.
This past month we hosted a Harrisonburg Rockingham Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting as part of our Gallery Opening. We even had the big scissors! Ray and Carla joined our Harrisonburg staff from the Charlottesville office. We had around 175 people attend through the 5pm – 8pm event.
by Charles Hendricks | Jun 28, 2016 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community, Harrisonburg Architect, Leadership, Local Leaders, Office Culture, Rotary
Thinking about the future, I see hope.
As I return to blogging, I am going to take a less technical approach to my writings. I will still include projects we are working on, technical posts, but also just thoughts from an architect trying to figure out life.
I have been thinking a lot about the state of our nation as we move into the next election cycle. I have asked questions about gun control, prayed about gay rights, wondered what my girls will face and what they will be called as strong-willed confident women, and examined my own motives for decision-making. I admit that I don’t have most of the answers, but I can see how broken we are as a nation.
On the other hand, I can see hope all around us. It is local, it is happening, and it is going to make a difference.
That hope rests in those working to respect others. I see it in students working to convert a modular classroom into a zero energy science lab for future students. I see it in
Climate Action Alliance of the Valley working for a better future for generations to come. I see it in
Meg Carpenter as she volunteers time to raise awareness about affordable housing. I see it at
Rotary Club of Rockingham County meetings each week from a room full of people serving their community. I see it in
Matt Findley who gives and gives to kids in our community through
Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby. I see it in
Eastern Mennonite Elementary School allowing students to learn through play, singing, praying, and service. I see hope all around us through people respecting others as equal humans sharing this one planet.
We need to respect others even if they are young, tattooed, wearing a hoodie, a different color, different social class, different in any way. If we respect each other, we will not do things that hurt, cause pain, or tear down others. This is the hope that I am praying for everyday.
I see hope in this video on a better way to help the next generation by letting them help themselves. Might work for marriages as well.
by Charles Hendricks | Apr 30, 2016 | citizen architect, community, Harrisonburg Architect, In Review, Local Leaders
SVBA Home and Garden Show in Review
The 2016 Home and Garden Show is in the books. This year’s event had the most attendance since we have been part of the event. Our booth space featured my “new” 60+ year old drafting desk. The desk was Ray’s Grandfather’s drafting desk. We are going to use it in the new Depot office space.
As the SVBA Home and Garden Show continues to evolve into a larger community event each year. This year Canstruction, the Harrisonburg Homesteading Festival (although weather impacted this event), the non-profit showcase, SPCA Adoption, MTC Auction, and the WHSV Yard Sale all at the same venue.
MTC pavilion at sunrise
WHSV Yard Sale
Some of the SVBA building members were banner sponsors this year.
There is always a wide variety of vendors at the show.
The Friday night VIP party continues to be a huge success.
MTC is a huge part of this event and the auction is a source of funds for scholarships. The school uses this event to showcase their student’s skills. You would be amazed to see how many programs and how excellent these students are in their field of study.
With 5,000 people attending the event this year, the event certainly was popular. However, the SVBA Home and Garden Show committee continues to look for ways to improve. If you have ideas of what the show could evolve into over the coming year, please let me know.
by Charles Hendricks | Mar 3, 2016 | architecture, citizen architect, community, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders
SVBA Home and Garden Show
The SVBA Home and Garden Show returns to the Rockingham County Fair Grounds this April 9-10 and this year ADMISSION IS FREE. The annual event that attracts exhibitors from cabinets suppliers and landscapers to contractors and architects is your one stop shop for all things construction. If you are thinking about renovating a kitchen, adding a Master Suite, or building a custom home, this show has it all. It is a great time to see many of those you will want on your construction project all in one place – plumber, hvac, builder, architect, cabinet supplier, plumbing and lighting vendor, and of course architect. You can see the latest innovations in the industry, talk with all the experts, and gather the research you need to make a wise decision. It is a must attend event.
Massanutten Technical Center
In addition, the show is a fundraiser for the Massanutten Technical Center. This school is training students to have real world skills upon graduating high school. They have exhibits through the day on Saturday. You can see the Mason’s laying brick, the nursing students do health screenings, and the architectural students show off their designs. Join them to bid on silent auction items or the live auction to help fund their future educations. This event is one of the major sources of funding for the school each year. Show your support and attend the show.
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank also has a food drive at the event with a twist of course.
“Canstruction Harrisonburg is an annual event intent on raising awareness of issues related to hunger in the region and on collecting canned food for those confronting a real struggle to find enough food on a day-to-day basis!”
Canstruction Harrisonburg is celebrating its second year and the competition is fierce. Teams will design and then build structures out of cans of food. The winners of the competition qualify to move on to the international Canstruction event. We are thrilled to have A&J Excavation, Nielsen Builders, and The Gaines Group as sponsors again this year. The event has grown from 2 teams to 9 teams this year. While we raised 2,478 pounds of food and 2,065 meals last year, we are looking for a lot more GOOD to happen this year.
Blue Ridge Architects Canstruction
Valley Engineering Canstruction
Classic Car Cruise-in
The annual Classic Car Cruise-In is returning again this year. Bring your classic ride and cruise into the home and garden show in style. This annual event attracts over 100 of the coolest classic cars in the valley and is a highlight of the show. There is never a charge to the show when you cruise-in. Enjoy the music, fun, and friendships.
Homesteading Festival
New this year is the Homesteading Festival. Join us to learn about canning, local plants, gardening, backyard chickens, aging-in-place, rainwater harvesting, and how to make living off the land a little easier. This event will take place at the Home and Garden show next to the MTC pavilion.
Food Court
The SVBA Food Court is back with all the great treats. Mama’s Caboose, Sweet Treats, Mashita, and Vova’s Kettle Corn all have spaces reserved. Come to the show and enjoy some of the best food in the Valley.
Kid Zone
The kid zone sponsored by VBS Mortgage is back again this year. The kids love the bouncy house each year and the girl scouts of the valley will be there with face painting and crafts.
Support local business and get fresh flowers at the show. Randy’s Hardware returns to decorate the entrance gate and to bring loads and loads of fresh flowers. Come and brighten up your landscape.
The SVBA Home and Garden show is a great way to kick off your spring. You can gather information, purchase a few items, enjoy some great food, let the kids burn off some energy bouncing, and support Massanutten Technical Center. Mark your calendar and plan to attend!
by Charles Hendricks | Jun 12, 2015 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community, Harrisonburg Architect, Leadership, Local Leaders, Office Culture, Rotary
The 10th annual Harrisonburg All-American Soap Box Derby is this Saturday, June 13th, 2015. Please come out and cheer these racers on as they chase their dreams down East Washington Street. The Harrisonburg All-American Soap Box Derby is sponsored by Rockingham Rotary Club and brings science, technology, and math lessons to young racers ranging in ages from 7 – 21.
The Soap Box Derby is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through collaboration and fair and honest competition. The core values learned from this event include – leadership, family engagement, honesty, integrity, perseverance, innovation, entrepreneurship, teamwork, collaboration, and sportsmanship.
There are three classes of racers – stock, super stock, and masters. The winners of each division from Harrisonburg will have the opportunity to move on to Akron, Ohio. Soap Box Derby champions from around the world come together in Akron each year to compete in the First Energy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship at the world-famous Derby Downs Track.
by Charles Hendricks | Apr 15, 2015 | architecture, citizen architect, community, Harrisonburg Architect, In Review, Local Leaders
Harrisonburg SVBA Home and Garden Show in Review
Randy’s Hardware Plant Sale
Wow, what a weekend! The weather was perfect and the success of the show could be seen on the faces of all those in attendance. Here are some image from the three day event. Thanks everyone for making it so much fun!
Canstruction Judges
Blue Ridge Architects Canstruction
Valley Engineering Canstruction
Mast Landscape
Climate Action Alliance of the Valley
VBS Mortgage
Classic Kitchen and Bath
AltEnergy
Monger’s
Binkley and Hurst
Design Concrete Builders
Massanutten Technical Center
Mama’s Caboose
