Third Henrico Redistricting Option To Be Considered

And then there were . . . three? The number of Henrico school redistricting options grew by one April 23, when the county’s School Board April 23 directed school system planning officials to devise a third option by combining portions of two existing plans that were created during a six-month period by a 70-member volunteer committee. Read more

Verde: Fresh Food To Go

Verde opened their doors for business in the Summit of West Broad shopping center about a month ago. They are tucked around the side of the building, opposite Panera and just across the entrance road from Chipotle. Looking for something a little different, we gave the promise of fresh food a chance. Verde feels a little bit like a city deli (in a good way), with it’s glass food cases and drink cases, but it also has a touch of lounge thrown in. They have a swanky lounge area and some additional seating, so even though their tag line is ” Fresh Food To Go,” you don’t have to eat in the car if you have no where “to go”. Read more

New Discount Store Taking Place Of Former CompUSA

A new retailer will finally fill the void in the Colonnades West shopping center at West Broad & Cox, left vacant by now defunct electronics retailer CompUSA. Discount department store chain Ross Stores, Inc. has inked a lease agreement for the space. Ross, founded in 1957 and headquartered in Pleasanton, California, operates over 900 locations across the United States and features an assortment of items for 20-60% off traditional department store prices. Read more

Healthy Living: Hidden Obesity

We all have that friend who says they never work out and can eat anything they want and still maintain their so-called “perfect” body. And then there are the people at the gym who spend countless hours on the treadmill and seem to have the lean look so many people are aiming to achieve. What if I told you that a number of your perfect friends and cardio-aholics may be overweight or even obese? Even though they do not appear to be on the outside, a simple body composition test may determine that they in fact have a high percent of body fat which is the ultimate determinant of obesity.

Body composition is the proportions of lean body mass (bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and organs) and fat which determines a person’s leanness. Despite what the media and several of today’s diet books will tell you, weight and size is not everything. Having the appropriate percent of fat to lean mass is what makes a person healthy. The American Council on Exercise has categorized ranges of body fat percentages as follows:

Without exercise or with incorrect forms of exercise, it is very difficult for your body to maintain the appropriate amount of muscle which leads to a lower percent of lean body mass. Inactivity causes muscle atrophy, or weakening, simple because of lack of use. High amounts of cardio can actually lead to muscle loss due to the energy requirements. If your body does not have the proper nutrients, it will not have the energy to sustain long term cardio and more importantly, may not be able to utilize fat as energy so it will use muscle to fuel itself.

If you are trying to achieve a lean, slim body, keep in mind that the more lean body mass you have, the more fat your will burn naturally. In almost all cases, resistance training is a must for any exercise program. A common misconception that causes many people, particularly women, not to lift weights is that resistance training will cause you to bulk up or look big. For males, this can be true if they are eating properly and lifting in a way that will cause hypertrophy, or muscle increase. For females, it is very difficult to create a bulky, muscular look because of their hormonal make-up. If you are still concerned, keep the weights lighter and the repetitions higher (about 12-20 repetitions per set).

As you evaluate your fitness routine, keep in mind that large is not always correlated with being fat and skinny does not always mean lean. Being healthy and feeling good is far more important than fitting into the jeans you worn in college. Incorporate a balanced mix of cardiovascular exercise and resistance training to stay lean and healthy.

Local LandAmerica Office To Auction Off Corporate Jet

After flying high on the mortgage boom, LandAmerica, who operates a headquarters building in Innsbrook, took a nosedive when the title company filed for bankruptcy last year. With the company grounded, it apparently no longer has a need for the corporate jet, a 1999 Hawker Beechcraft 400A. The jet, owned by LandAmerica subsidiary Beech Fly LLC, will be auctioned by Martin Air via conference call May 6. Read more

Two New Local Restaurants Close Their Doors

Two new restaurants in Short Pump have closed their doors over the past week. The first, “That’s BS: Burgers & Sports,” a new restaurant that opened just a few months ago in the old Ham’s location at the intersection of Broad & Springfield, couldn’t survive the recession. A sign posted on the front door this past weekend says it all. Read more

Mimi’s Cafe: Affordable, Eclectic Food In A Unique & Inviting Atmosphere

With all the hype surrounding the addition of Mimi’s Cafe to West Broad Village, I decided to check the place out for myself with my family. The first thing you’ll notice about Mimi’s is the almost out-of-place bungalow-style building with a muted, rustic look, with the exception of the bold neon purple awnings over the windows. The Flats at West Broad Village apartments-over-retail buildings tower over Mimi’s and make it seem quite small, but only from the outside. Read more

New West End Farmers Market Brings Out Hundreds On First Weekend

Folks in Short Pump area finally have a place to buy produce and artisan products locally. The new West End Farmers Market made its debut on Saturday to much fanfare. The new market, comprised of open space in front of the Ollie’s store at Ridgefield Parkway and Gayton Road, has space for about 40 vendors, most of which were filled. Read more

7-Year-Old Nearly Drowns In Apartment Complex Pool

A 7-year-old boy was found at the bottom of a gated, fenced-in pool Friday evening. Police and rescue teams were called to the Springfield Commons apartments in the 9400 block of Brightway Drive, near Gaskins & Springfield Roads, around 6:40 p.m. A police lieutenant who happened to be in the area at the time was the first on scene and jumped the fence to rescue the boy. Read more

Mimi’s Cafe Opens At West Broad Village

Mimi’s Cafe opened their location at West Broad Village earlier this week. The chain, a subsidiary of the Bob Evans Restaurants, Inc., is based in Tustin, California and known for their delightfully funky restaurants, reminiscent of a European bungalow with New Orleans flair. Mimi’s Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and located just in front of the new Dave & Buster’s. Read more

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