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Monday: Free Colonial Heights preschool program
Join the Colonial Heights Recreation & Parks Department this Monday, Dec. 9 from 11 a.m. to noon for Tadpole Time, a free recurring library preschool program for ages three to five that teaches children about nature through books, crafts, games and other activities. This Monday’s Tadpole Time will focus on winter critters (polar bears, penguins and more) and include a story time, themed crafting and sensory bin playtime.
The program will take place at the meeting room of the Colonial Heights Library, located at 1000 Yacht Basin Dr. Parent participation is required. All equipment and materials will be provided. Children of all abilities are welcomed. Registration is not required to attend.
Tuesday: Free Senior Wills Clinic in Petersburg
There will be a free Senior Wills Clinic from 1 to 4 p.m. this Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the Petersburg Public Library, located at 201 West Washington St. To be eligible for the free assistance, individuals must be Virginia residents, 60 years old or older and/or income qualified for legal aid.
Eligible individuals can receive free legal life planning documents, including a simple will, durable power of attorney and an advance medical directive. All documents will be prepared by volunteer attorneys on the day of the clinic.
Pre-screening and scheduling is required. To confirm eligibility and sign up, interested individuals should call Dawn Trenbath at (804) 665-2674 or begin an intake at tfaforms.com/5108299. Appointments are limited and are filled on a first come, first served basis.
Wills cannot be provided for business owners. This free service does not include business, tax, estate planning or general advice. Representation is limited to preparing the life planning documents.
Thursday: Next family engagement session at PCPS
Petersburg City Public Schools (PCPS) is hosting its next family engagement university session this Thursday, Dec 12 at 6 p.m. at Pleasants Lane Elementary, located at 100 Pleasants Ln.
This family engagement university session will include a class for parents and guardians on social-emotional learning (SEL) and PCPS’s SEL curriculum. In addition to the class, which will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., dinner will also be served at 6 p.m. Child care and transportation will also be available to those who need it. Register online through PCPS’ website to attend the family engagement university session.
Friday: $5-$10 Arctic Adventures children’s holiday program in Hopewell
Join the Hopewell Recreation and Parks Department this Friday, Dec. 13 from 5:30-7 p.m. for Arctic Adventures, a children’s holiday program at the Hopewell Community Center.
The program costs $5 for Hopewell residents and $10 for non-residents. It will include an evening of sensory friendly activities such as bobbing for snowballs, driving a kiddie snow plow, reindeer bells “seek and find” and more. There will also be hot chocolate available.
Registration by Dec. 11 is required to attend this program. Register online through the department’s website or via phone at 804-541-2353. The program is recommended for ages 3-7. Adult guardians are required for ages 3-4.
Friday: Family ornament making night in Colonial Heights
Join the Colonial Heights Recreation & Parks Department this Friday, Dec. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. for an evening of free-flowing holiday crafts. Take inspiration from an ornament book that will be available at the event or create you own unique ornament designs with your loved ones. Enjoy a hot cocoa bar and holiday movies that will be playing in the background.
The price to attend the event is $5 per child. Registration is required by Thursday, Dec. 12 to attend. Register online through the department’s website or via phone at (804) 520-9390. The event will take place in the community eoom of the Colonial Heights Community Center, located at 157 Roanoke Ave. It is recommended for ages 3 and older of all abilities. All equipment will be provided. Parent participation is required.
Saturday: Lending Helping Hands 4th annual toy giveaway in Petersburg
Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with Lending Helping Hands. The local non-profit will host its 4th annual toy giveaway for Petersburg’s children on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Club 17, located at 118 1/2 Mars St in Petersburg. There will be free gifts, coats, food, music, a photographer and even a special surprise guest. No pre-registration is required, but children must be present inside the building to receive the free items. Questions? Contact (804) 293-0606 or handslendinghelp@gmail.com.
Saturday: Brunch with Santa at Petersburg’s Dogwood Trace Gold Course
Mark your calendars! Petersburg’s Dogwood Trace Golf Course, located at 3108 Homestead Dr, is hosting a fun family-friendly brunch with Santa this Saturday, Dec. 14. The brunch will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and include a family-friendly brunch menu to order from. Bring your camera or phone to take free pictures with Santa. There will also be a mailbox available for children to send their letters to Santa. Questions? Contact the golf course at (804) 732-5573 or info@dogwoodtracegolf.com.
Friday, Saturday & Sunday: Colonial Christmas dinner at Violet Bank Museum
Head to Colonial Heights’ Violet Bank Museum this weekend to go back in time and experience what a Christmas dinner may have looked like during the American Revolutionary War.
The museum is located at 303 Virginia Ave. The dinners, which cost $30 per person, will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Seating will begin at 6:30 p.m. on all three days. The evening’s menu will include ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, dessert cobbler, tea and water.
Please note: the tables consist of six place settings. You will be seated with other people. Tickets can only be purchased in advance through the Colonial Heights Recreation and Parks Department at 804-520-9390, in person at 901 Meridian Ave (Colonial Heights) or online. No tickets will be sold at the door.
Next Monday: $5 Colonial Heights candle making artistic adventures for middle schoolers
The Colonial Heights Recreation & Parks Department will host a candle-making arts and crafts event for children in grades 6 to 8 next Monday, Dec. 16. The event, which will cost $5 per participant, will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Colonial Heights Senior Center, located at 157 Roanoke Ave.
Register online through the department’s website or by phone at (804) 520-9390 by Dec. 15 to attend the event. (You can also register in person at the Recreation and Parks Office Shepherd Stadium, located at 901 Meridian Avenue.) All equipment and materials will be provided.
Does your child attend public school in Petersburg? Fill out this survey today!
Does your child attend one of Petersburg’s public schools? Your voice matters!
Petersburg City Public Schools is asking for your feedback on school and family engagement. Share your thoughts today via their Family Engagement Survey. The brief survey is multiple choice and only takes a few minutes to complete.
Did you know that Petersburg was once again ranked dead last for life expectancy in Virginia?
Check out some free or affordable local healthcare and healthy living resources here, including free blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, free breast cancer screenings and more.
The Petersburg library market, River Street Market
The Petersburg Public Library has its very own market, where you can buy fresh food and produce. It’s open every Monday-Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. on the main floor of the library. Not only are SNAP and EBT accepted at the market (in addition to cash and credit), but all fruits and vegetables are half off with SNAP.
The library market is run by Petersburg non-profit organization River Street Market, also known as River Street Education. The non-profit aims to enhance the overall wellbeing of Petersburg’s residents by providing affordable healthy food options through a year-round farmers market in Petersburg that supports local farmers, as well as hosting free educational events and initiatives for community members of all ages.
The farmers market occurs weekly from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays at 30 River Street. All SNAP dollars are doubled at River Street Market with Virginia Fresh Match. Visit the market (or their website) for more information and to get your SNAP tokens for all eligible foods plus tokens for free fruits and vegetables.
One of River Street Market’s community initiatives includes the Pop Club, a weekly Saturday program where every child at the farmers market is able to participate in an educational program through which they can learn more about the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables and are given $10 each to buy fresh produce.
Free blood pressure screenings Tuesdays at the Petersburg Public Library
The American Heart Association and the Petersburg Public Library are collaborating with Central Virginia Health Services to bring Petersburg’s residents free blood pressure screenings.
A community health worker with Central Virginia Health Services will be at the Petersburg library every Tuesday from 1 to 6 p.m. offering completely free blood pressure screenings. No library card or proof of residence is required to get your free screening. There is no limit to how many screenings you can get.
There is also a new loan program in place that allows any library member to “check out” blood pressure monitors for free just like you would a regular book. Interested? Learn more about why you should stop by for a free blood pressure screening here.
Free fitness classes in Colonial Heights
The city of Colonial Heights has partnered with Sports Backers to bring residents free, recurring fitness classes on Monday and Thursday evenings at the Colonial Heights Community Center, located at 157 Roanoke Avenue.
Mondays: Overflow with Ebo
Overflow with Ebo, 6-7 p.m. Meant for ages 13 and older, this class is a beginner friendly mix of cardio, Pilates and Yoga. “We move to the beat all while improving muscle strength, balance and flexibility.” Register here by Sunday at midnight to attend. Located in the Community Room.
Thursdays:
Juju’s Fit Fix, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Meant for ages 13 and older, this class is a 60 minute “light and fun” cardio class “to get the heart rate going and the body moving to some great music.” Register here by Wednesday night to attend. Located in the Multipurpose Room.
Free health and fitness classes at the Petersburg Public Library
The Petersburg Public Library has recurring health and wellness classes for community members! Why not drop by to check some of them out? Read more about some of the offerings below:
Tuesdays and Thursdays: Free Yoga Series at the Petersburg Library
Did you know that the Petersburg Public Library offers free yoga classes? The classes, led by instructor Belinda Washington-Todd, are held every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 4:45 p.m. in the Wellness Activity Center on the second floor of the library. All are welcome. Questions? Please contact 804-733-2387, ext. 0.
Wednesday: Free Fitness Classes at the Petersburg Library
Looking for something to do with your Wednesday evenings? Why not drop by the Petersburg Public Library and take a free fitness class? Toning With Toya takes place every Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Wellness Activity Center on the second floor of the library. The class is open to all ages and fitness levels. Check out a sample of what Toya’s classes look like here. Questions? Please contact 804-733-2387, ext. 0.
This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Find out what’s happening this week in the Tri-Cities: THE DIGEST.