Soaring over Maymont 

Maymont is celebrating the completion of its newest animal habitat, the Robert M. Freeman Bald Eagle Habitat & Raptor Valley. The open-air exhibit is home to two bald eagles and includes six smaller aviaries for hawks, owls, vultures and other birds of prey.

Bring your family on Saturday, September 13, to the grand opening celebration. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 11 a.m., followed by an afternoon of raptor programs, hands-on displays and activities presented by Maymont’s environmental educators including Native American storyteller Red Hawk, who promises to delight audiences with tales and legends.

Admission to the grand opening is free. Call Maymont at 358-7166, ext. 310, for more information or visit their website, maymont.org.

Other Maymont Programs feature the new raptor habitat such as Behind the Scenes at Raptor Valley Fascinating Facts about Birds of Prey. Register at the Raptor Valley concession stand on the day of the program. $4-5. Dates: Sunday, Sept. 14 and Saturday Sept. 20 at 1, 2, 3 & 4 p.m. and Sundays, Sept. 21, 28 at 2 p.m.

Animal Encounters: Raptors. Take a close-up look at these awesome predators of the sky. Ages 5+, with an adult. Register at the Raptor Valley concession stand on the day of the program. $3-4. Dates: Sunday, Sept. 14 and Saturday Sept. 20 at 1, 2, 3 & 4 p.m.

The Strength of Motherhood

     As a new mom, you might find yourself getting a great intellectual workout –trying to remember appointments, feeding schedules and grandma’s well-intended advice on only a few hours of sleep. But are you also taking time to get good physical exercise?
     Rachel Pustilnik, owner of Stroller Strides of Richmond, wants to make it easier for you to strengthen your body and clear your mind, “so that you can be the best mom possible.” Stroller Strides is a fitness program that moms can do with their babies. An instructor leads moms through intervals of walking/jogging and strength training for a total body workout, while entertaining baby with songs and movement.
     Take a free Stroller Strides fitness class at the Fall Into Fitness event at Crump Park in Glen Allen on Saturday, September 13 at 9:00 a.m. Fall into Fitness will feature activities, giveaways and a book signing by Stroller Strides founder Lisa Druxman.
     For more information call Rachel Pustilnik at 888-232-2450 or visit strollerstrides.net/richmond.

The Virginia Center for the Book and Virginia‘s First Lady, Anne Holton, want you to grab your library card and join The Big Read.
     The Big Read is an effort to address the decline in reading for pleasure among American adults. In an effort to get people reading and talking about great books, the Virginia Center for the Book promotes one book each year for the entire state to read and share.
     Virginians will soon be turning the pages of Zora Neale Hurston’s book, “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” Opportunities for discussion will take place at libraries, around the water cooler, in book stores and among friends. Teachers’ guides, readers’ guides and other resources can be found at the Virginia Center for the Book, virginiafoundation.org/bookcenter.
     Also this year, the Center will promote a Big Read for the very young, featuring Virginia author Mary E. Lyons’ picture book, “Roy Makes a Car.” Other books which have been part of The Big Read in years past are listed at neabigread.org/books.php.

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