Pleasant Living Magazine

The Bay School Community Art Center located at 279 Main Street in Mathews, is inviting the public to attend the 7th annual Family Art Day on Saturday, February 11 from 9am-2pm.  This event includes 12 different art activities for children of all ages.  The gallery space will be filled with art activities such as string painting, paper bag scrapbook, friendship bracelets, Sumi-E painting, Valentine heart wreaths, paper clip bookmarks, stamping, sewing, modeling, egg shell mosaics and sand art.  Bay School volunteers will be on hand to help the children with these activities.  Snacks will be available.

This event is held to encourage children to try different types of art.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.  There is no fee, just bring your imagination!  For more information, call the Bay School at 804-725-1278 or go online to http://www.bayschool-arts.com/

During the month of January, The Bay School Community Arts Center will exhibit extensive works from a local artist, Wade Brooks.  Wade is an artist and craftsman in every sense.  He is a master blacksmith, an accomplished wood carver, an electrical engineer and a glass artist.

Wade is president and co-owner, with his wife Susan, of Garden Creek Woodworks  in Mathews.  He has published several articles in magazines such as Glass Craftsman.  He uses metal, glass, pottery, stone and wood in creating his functional and decorative art.

Wade also teaches classes at his studio in glass blowing, mig welding, oxyfuel gas welding and brazing.  You can register for one of his classes by calling the Bay School at 804-725-1278 or go online to http://www.bayschool-arts.com/ Wade's works will be on exhibit at the Bay School from 1/5 through 1/31.

The Bay School is located at 279 Main Street in Mathews, VA.  The Bay School is a non-profit arts organization providing visual arts to all people partially founded by Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Edowment for the Arts.

Join us to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Virginia Bike Tour!  Some of the most spectacular country Virginia and West Virginia have to offer will play host to this milestone event.  Don't miss it!  The 2012 Bike Virginia Tour will be one for the history books!

Early registration opens 12/01/2011!  Hurry to get your discounted rate!

Register at http://bikevirginia.org/ to receive the early bird registration discount and view the latest updates on the ride.  The website will be periodically updated until the even, so check back frequently!  Questions or inquiries?  Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 757-645-1861.

Presented by Bikewalk Virginia.  http://bikewalkvirginia.org/

The local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity is seeking local residents interested in becoming partner homeowners. Current applications on file are now being reviewed by the selection committee of the Richmond and Westmoreland Counties Habitat for Humanity and new applicants are welcomed to apply for the next home to be completed.

Contrary to some misconceptions, Habitat helps low-income families and individuals build and subsequently purchase a home and does not give it away for free. Homeowners (or their families and friends) contribute a minimum of 225 hours of sweat equity towards building the home and they also make low-cost mortgage payments once they possess the home. Complete details about the application process and homeowner requirements can be found by calling our Montross office (493-1500) or going to http://www.habitatrwc.org/ .

Current homeowners of Habitat houses in both Richmond and Westmoreland counties include single mothers with multiple children, married couples and single older adults and there are few limitations past financial status to limit who should apply.

The current home, which will be the 13 for the RWC affiliate, will be located in Glebe Harbor subdivision on property donated by a local family and applicants from both Richmond and Westmoreland Counties are being sought to complete their paperwork by January 31.