by Charles Hendricks | Sep 23, 2024 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, Office Culture
On Friday, October 4th from 5:00pm-7:00pm, we are thrilled to host a First Fridays Gallery Opening at The Depot featuring artist Deryl Kennel! Join us to welcome Deryl and view his photography exhibition “Southeast Asia Collection”, and to enjoy refreshments and community. Get to know him more in his biography below and RSVP for this event on Facebook here!
*Accessibility Note: This building was previously restored from a fire. The elevator shaft is currently not functioning and there is an absence of ramps in the space. Because the show is on the 2nd floor, this may pose an issue for those who have mobility needs. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.
Bio:
Deryl is a semi-retired consultant in pharmaceutical quality and regulatory compliance after a career with Merck. He is a long-time hobbyist photographer, even having a home dark room in the early days of his interest in photography. He lives in Harrisonburg with his wife Mim. He enjoys golf and gardening.
Artist Statement:
With today’s technology anyone can be a reasonably good photographer. One no longer has to carry expensive and heavy equipment with them, with various lenses to fit the photo. Everyone with a smart phone carries a good camera in their purse or pocket. Also, digital photography allows taking multiple shots and discarding all but the best one, without the expense and trouble of changing film.
Great photos are coming together around us all the time. To capture an extraordinary shot, you just have to be at the right place at the right time and recognize a great photo is happening.
Lighting sets the mood
Color adds energy
Symmetry draws the viewer in
This show is a collection of photographs taken while living and working in Southeast Asia. Most were taken with a Fuji S7000 or Canon EOS 30D.
“Southeast Asia Collection” Sneak Peek
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This event is free and open to everyone. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there!
Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show anytime and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!
by Charles Hendricks | Aug 28, 2024 | aging in place, community
Assemble a Falls Prevention Team and Put Your Best Foot Forward
Falling is so common among older adults that many people think it is a normal part of aging and can only be avoided by staying at home. Fortunately, both are myths. With some preparation, we can stay safely on our feet as we age, living active and independent lives in the communities we love.
More than one in four older adults fall each year, but it is not an inevitable part of aging and can be prevented. For older adults beginning to feel vulnerable, that can seem like an overwhelming task. It’s important to remember that it’s not a one-person job. Falls prevention is best approached as a team sport. Doctors can monitor health to ensure safe movement. Occupational therapists can adjust assistive devices for best fit. And pharmacists can explain medication side effects that can impair movement.
Easy Home Modifications
(Above) Grab bars in the bathroom of Keezletown Farmhouse beside the toilet and in the roll-in shower.
Some of the most important aspects of falls prevention, however, can take place right in our homes with the support of friends and family. Here are five easy home modifications to consider making right now:
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- Secure the bathrooms – Buy a shower seat, install grab bars, and switch to adjustable height, handheld shower heads.
- Let there be light – When bulbs burn out, replace them with bright, non-glare bulbs.
- Clear the clutter – Don’t put items on stairs. Remove clutter and throw rugs that can slip.
- Organize the go-to’s – Place frequently used items between waist and shoulder height.
- Put a bell on Buckley – Consider putting a small bell on dog or cat collars if pets are frequently underfoot. They can be a trip hazard so knowing where they are is helpful.
- Control the cords – If possible, keep cords out of the way by running them along a wall or behind furniture. If that’s not possible, tape the entire cord to the floor.
- Repair any loose brick or pavement on outdoor walkways and steps.
Upcoming Best Foot Forward Falls Prevention Open Houses
In addition to health care providers and family, community experts in aging are trained to help prevent falls. Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS) is offering Best Foot Forward Falls Prevention Open Houses in September for older adults and caregivers.
In Harrisonburg, Best Foot Forward will be held on Wednesday Sept. 25 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Simms Center Auditorium. Bring along a friend or family member for personalized falls risk assessments, Tai Chi and assistive technology demonstrations, door prizes, refreshments and more.
In Waynesboro, join the Best Foot Forward Fair on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Waynesboro Senior Services. There will be personalized fall risks assessments, gait testing, refreshments, demos, and door prizes. The Augusta Health Mobile Clinic will be on site from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
For more information about falls prevention open houses, visit vpas.info/education, or call 1-800-868-VPAS.
Contributed by: Leigh-Anne Lees, VPAS Community Relations Director
by Charles Hendricks | Aug 22, 2024 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, Office Culture
On September 6th from 5:00pm-7:00pm, we are thrilled to host a First Fridays Gallery Opening at The Depot featuring artist Charlotte Shristi (she/her)! Join us to welcome Charlotte and view her gallery entitled “The Elephant in the Room”, and to enjoy refreshments and community. RSVP for this event on Facebook here and get to know Charlotte more in her biography below!
*Accessibility Note: This building was previously restored from a fire. The elevator shaft is currently not functioning and there is an absence of ramps in the space. Because the show is on the 2nd floor, this may pose an issue for those who have mobility needs. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.
Bio:
Charlotte grew up in rural Iowa and studied at Goshen College, IN, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Art and a B.A. in Psychology in 2000. In addition to her studio work as a visual artist, she has taught as an elementary and private art instructor and served as director of a nonprofit arts organization. She explored using art-making as a healing process in different settings, including with unhoused people in D.C. and with survivors of war and other trauma in Colombia and Nepal where she worked in the peacebuilding field for a number of years. Currently, Charlotte lives in the Shenandoah Valley with her husband and two children, working out of her home art studio. Since 2018 she has also worked as a practitioner and teacher of a traditional Native American hot stone massage method called Stone Medicine. Her private practice is called Wild Poppy Healing Arts.
Artist Statement:
Charlotte grew up in rural Iowa and studied at Goshen College, IN, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Art and a B.A. in Psychology in 2000. In addition to her studio work as a visual artist, she has taught as an elementary and private art instructor and served as director of a nonprofit arts organization. She explored using art-making as a healing process in different settings, including with unhoused people in D.C. and with survivors of war and other trauma in Colombia and Nepal where she worked in the peacebuilding field for a number of years. Currently, Charlotte lives in the Shenandoah Valley with her husband and two children, working out of her home art studio. Since 2018 she has also worked as a practitioner and teacher of a traditional Native American hot stone massage method called Stone Medicine. Her private practice is called Wild Poppy Healing Arts.
Brief Description of Work:
My art-making involves various forms of layering. I layer acrylic paint, collage materials and mark-making, using graphite, charcoal, marker, etc. I sometimes sketch onto a painted surface or let marks bleed through the paint from below. The spontaneous marks of children inspire me, and I sometimes incorporate the marks of my own children in my work. I also love to layer abstract brushstrokes with realistic or representational imagery. Inspiration from the natural world includes birds, animals, trees, stones and bones, as well as the human form and face. For me, artistic creation has always been a way to process the world. It’s healing, play, prayer and storytelling. Sometimes I know the story I want to tell, but often the story chooses me, revealing itself in the making or after the work is complete. Much of my work has come out of my struggle to understand our place as humans on this blue planet.
“The Elephant in the Room” Sneak Peek
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This event is free and open to everyone. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there!
Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show anytime and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!
by Charles Hendricks | Aug 8, 2024 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community
The Shenandoah Valley Partnership brings together local government, education, and business to increase economic development activity. Jay Langston and his team have done a fantastic job figuring out new ways to promote our valley in an ever-increasing competitive economic landscape. The result is amazing success at adding new jobs to our valley, growing existing businesses, and attracting new businesses.
“SVP is an awesome collection of businesses that understand the importance of supporting each other, combined with local government and education partners. This organization understands that a rising tide raises all ships.” Board Chairman Charles Hendricks continues, “it takes innovative leadership in our world to attract new business and to support existing business growth, and we have that at SVP.” From a local cooking show to a podcast series, Jay and his team are reaching a large radius of site locators in an authentic way. The message of collaboration among local business leaders resonates with how business wants to be done and these outreach efforts highlight that approach.
We need your help. If you want to be involved in SVP, reach out to Charles or Jay, learn more about investing in the partnership HERE.
by Charles Hendricks | Aug 5, 2024 | community, resources
Over the years, we have been grateful to learn more about dementia and dementia-friendly design through our clients, personal experiences, and dementia-friendly business trainings with Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS) – we would highly recommend their Dementia Friends Training! Through this training, we are proud to have received the certification of “Dementia Friendly Business.” We are motivated to create a business that is dementia-friendly, continue learning, and integrate these important design considerations into our projects.
If you or your loved ones are interested in learning more about dementia-friendly design, don’t hesitate to reach out to us and we would love to talk with you.
Below, check out the Dementia Friendly Design Guide that we have developed (resource design by Annie Frazier). Download this guide for free at the button below.
Further explanation from VPAS’s Dementia Education Page:
“There is a national movement underway to ensure that people living with dementia have the resources and support they need to live independently and well for as long as possible.
VPAS offers many educational opportunities regarding dementia, and those who participate, help their localities achieve the official designation of a Dementia Friendly Community.
We also offer activities for persons with dementia and those that care for them.”
by Charles Hendricks | Aug 1, 2024 | architecture, Charlottesville, community
Our Charlottesville office has moved back downtown and we celebrated with a ribbon cutting. This Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce event was a great way to introduce our new space to our clients and celebrate moving back downtown. Our company was founded 35+ years ago in Albemarle County and soon moved to the downtown to better serve our clients. Getting back to the downtown neighborhood was a goal for us as we love being in the heart of the business district.
This space allows us easy access to meet our clients and friends on the downtown mall for lunch and to support other locally owned businesses. The little blue house has a great location at 910 E. High St and our sign along the road is already getting a lot of attention.
Our new space features a first floor accessible conference room.
It also has private office space and an open studio.
Ray brought in a vintage bookcase that fits perfectly in the space and has some beautiful details.
If you missed the ribbon cutting, please stop by to see us. While we will not have food out for every visit you can always check to fridge to see if James packed his lunch – just tell him Charles said it was ok for you to eat it. I am sure he will not mind.
