Summer is shimmering with Mommy Matinee!
Premiere Website for families on the go in Kempsville, Greenbrier, and surrounding areas.
Streamlined Information
Weekly Updates!
Meet Mommy Matinee!
Welcome to Mommy Matinee, the premiere website and resource for busy families in the Kempsville, Greenbrier, and surrounding locations of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk!
Busy families need solutions for their busy schedules. Whether you are a busy family of six or a single mom, Mommy Matinee has helpful suggestions and hints for meal planning, house hold work, activities, and family and child friendly events.
Mommy Matinee is also a supporter of area small businesses, community and civic interests of the Kempsville and Greenbrier neighborhoods of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.
A wonderful solution for busy families is to support their local small businesses and communities. There is so much that the communities of Kempsville and Greenbrier offers and there is potential to offer more! Mommy Matinee researches the needs of area residences with the products and services of local small businesses to help support the needs of both.
Visit Mommy Matinee for quick, easy to find solutions for your busy family. Also, if you have any suggestions, we'd love to hear from you!
Happy Summer from Mommy Matinee!
Another summer is upon us. For many, this is a time for relaxing and rejuvenation.
Mommy Matinee is the site for the busy parents, and families, of Kempsville, Greenbrier, and the surroun
ding area.
Do you know of any family friendly activities or events happening in and around
the Kempsville area? Let us know by clicking here.
Services Provided by Mommy Matinee
|
Local Developments |
Local Events |
Family Life |
Annoucements from your Neighbors |
| Birthday Club | Crime in Kempsville | Local Events Calendar | Family Fun Centers | Affordable Childcare |
| Yard Sale Announcements | Proposed Uranium Mine | Community Events in and around Kempsville | Getting Children to Sleep | $20 Car Detailing |
| Small Business Profiles | ||||
| The Klumsey Moose-new! | ||||
| Essentials Hair and More |
Shop Kempsville Crossing
Shopkempsvillecrossing.com is the first shopping center based website launced by Mommy Matinee. Coming soon...Shop Woods Corner, Shop Orchard Square, Shop The Cascades, and Shop Plantation Woods! This is a fast and easy way to find out what products and services are near you, in the Kempsville and surrounding areas, that you may not know about.
Proposed Uranium Mine could affect local drinking water
Currently there are plans to build a Uranium Mine in Pittsylvania VA. Experts from other countries warn this could effect the drinking water of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake residents. For the article regarding the warning, click here. For the article regarding the panel to study the potential effects of the uranium mine, click here.
Update August 28, 2010: Groups criticize Members of Uranium Panel for who have ties Nuclear Industry ties.
To express how you feel about the plans for the Uranium Mine, click here: Click here to take survey.
Calendar
Events
The information on the Mommy Matinee Calendar is compiled from various sources (newspaper, event
calendars, etc.). The ones chosen are believed to be the most appealing to the families in Kempsville, Greenbrier, and surrounding areas.
Event Costs:
Events that do not have any $s by them are free*.
Events that have $ by them indicate a cost. The following scale indicates the approximate costs for a family of approximately 3-4 people:
- $-$5 or less
- $$- $6-$10
- $$$-$11 or more
*Note: Many of the events, even the free ones, have concessions, products, etc. that do have monetary cost.
If you know of any family or child oriented events or activities, particularly occurring within Kempsville, Greenbrier, and the surrounding areas, please send the information to: info@mommymatinee.com.
Special Note: The events listed may occur during times and dates in addition to what is shown here. Mommy Matinee has listed the dates and times we feel will be to the liking of busy parents of young children. To see event days and times in their entirety, visit the official website of each event, by clicking on the associated links provided.
Call for Affordable Childcare
Need affordable child care in the West Kempsville/Greenbrier area?
Contact Janete Cassell, janeteycassell@yahoo.com, 479-5406 (home), 769-6214 (cell), 1816 John Brown Lane
*Before and After School Care
*Full Day Care
*Snacks Provided
Do you, or anyone you know, provide affordable after school child care, and/or tutoring services in the West Kempsville/Greenbrier areas? If so, Mommy Matinee invites you to forward your information for a free posting. Please supply your information on the Contact Us page.
*Email addresses supplied by participants are only for the use of Mommy Matinee and are not shared with any third parties. For Mommy Matinee's Privacy Policy, click here.
Car Detailing for $20! Call 359-6936
The temperatures may be cooling but keep your car looking hot!
Quinton J. Simpson, Kempsville resident, will detail your car by appointment and on the
weekends for just $20 cash! That's a great price, especially with the holiday shopping season rapidly approaching. Look at these tires! Bill, owner of these gleaming tires said that they looked brand new and that Quinton did too much work for $20. Quinton can do the same for you. Just give him a
call!
Save on Shell Gas through Kroger
Great news if you are already a Kroger Shopper...or if you prefer Shell Gasoline. Even better if your preference is for both. The two have teamed up to help consumers save money on gas, while purchasing other necessities in the process. Click here to find out more, or visit Kempsville's Kroger Supermarket located in Providence Squaire (at the intersections of Providence Road and Kempsville Road).
Family Fun Centers
Looking for a place to take the whole family, that is child friendly? Want some "adventure" in which you can bring the entire family along, without traveling far? Want a place that caters to your interests, health, and safety in a fun atmosphere?
Such places are right under your nose!
Your local YMCA or Recreation Center. Kempsville has one of each!
If you are not a member, and find yourself wondering where to take the family on those weekday mornings when your kids are bored, stir crazy, or brimming with energy, it is worth considering a membership. If a membership is not in the budget right now, read on. There are other ways a family can benefit from these centers for free, on occasion; or for very little money.
If you are like many people, you will want to "try out" using these facilities before purchasing a membership.
Each organization will require a picture ID to sign up for membership, or to use the facilities as a visitor. The Virginia Beach Recreation Centers require proof of address, in addition to a picture ID, such as a voter registration card, car registration, utility bill, bank statement, lease, tax return, or personal property tax statement.
Both centers have a local guest or visitor's policy. It makes sense to take advantage of these before joining.
Guest Policies & Visitor Passes
YMCA Local Guest Policy
1st Visit-Compliemtary
2nd Visit-$5 per family member
3rd Visit-$10 per family member
After the third visit, one must pay a regular membership fee in order to use the facilities.
Virginia Beach Recreation Center Visitors' Passes
Youth (ages 3-17) $5/day
Adult (ages 18 and up) $7/day
Membership
Membership fees vary based on the organization, type of plan, and age(s) of individuals.
YMCA costs only $86/month for an entire family or just $61/month for an individual.
The VBRC has memberships, for Virginia Beach residents, that range from $26/year for children ages 3-8, to $72/year for adults ages 18-59. There are also discounted rates for senior citizens, as well as $5 discounts on Virginia Musical Theater Tickets.
If a membership seems too expensive or if your schedule is too hectic to get the best value, get creative. The YMCA has month to month memberships! A family, or individual, can try it out for one month; or perhaps for the summer months only, when the kids are out of school. Or, maybe your family is the opposite, and you have plenty to do during the summer months, but need something on those autumn and winter weekend afternoons.
One can join the recreation center for six months, instead of a year.
YMCA vs. the Virginia Beach Recreation Center
Which one is the best to join? It depends on several factors.
Both offer a wide range of services, activities, and classes.
Something as simple as location and setting may be the determining factor. Or something as important as cost and savings may determine where a family wants to partake in these family recreational activities.
Hands down, the Recreation Center is more economical to join for a year, than the YMCA. But for a family of four that can partake in a membership for only two months out of the year, it would be more economical for that family to join the YMCA.
If one wants to workout, and needs someone to watch their children (ages six weeks to 8 years), the YMCA has the Child Watch program, which is free for members.
The YMCA also has a program, for members, called Parents Night Out. It occurs one Friday night a month, from 6:30pm-10pm. For a fee of $6 per child, parents can leave their children in a safe environment. The children can blow off energy, and parents can spend some time together. The program at the Indian River YMCA, in Kempsville, is for potty trained children, between the ages of 4-12.
For more information about the YMCA membership and fees, and to join online, click here.
For more information about the Virginia Beach Recreation Center membership and fees, click here
Crime in Kempsville
With the holiday season approaching, there will likely be an increase in certain types of crime. Here are some basic tips, to help discourage some incidents of crime:
If you see a car that is unfamiliar to you, take note of the license plate and any occupants. The information may come in handy later.
It does not hurt to anonymously call the police if you feel unsettled by an out of place car or individual(s). The fact that the police happen to drive by, or check things out, is enough to deter many would be incidences of criminal activity. It lets potential perpetraitors know people are watching and are vigilant.
Talk to your neighbors. A simple "How are you today" will do, particularly if you like to keep to yourself. Become a familiar face, and your neighbors are likely to look out for you, and yours if something seems amiss: An unfamiliar person hanging around your home, odd activity when you are at work, but your kids are home from school, and the like.
To get crime statistic and reports for Alexandria, visit VBEPRO .
Small Business Profiles
The Klumsy Moose
A dream come true for those of us with small children, especially now that school has started and temperatures are falling. Located in Orchard Square (1400 Kempsville Road), the Klumsy Moose is charming, tidy, and convenient. Clothes range from infant sizes to 6X and are made of quality material, yet are reasonably priced. Keep the Klumsy Moose in mind for any upcoming baby showers and birthday parties for young children, because they have gifts too! Drop in one day when you are in, or around,Orchard Square. Contact them if you are looking for something in particular: 312-0970, theklumsymoose@yahoo.com.
Tony Decena, The Mailbox Store
Need to rent a truck? Need to purchase a small gift and card as a tokken of your appreciation? Need packaging materials? Or maybe you need a P.O. Box. If you need to make copies or to ship a package to anywhere from the next town to overseas, stop by the Mailbox Store in Orchard Square Shopping Center (Greenbrier), off of Kempsville Road.
Tony Decena is co-owner, along with Jun Voces, of the establishment that opened on December 1, 2008. I met Tony one Saturday when I needed to make copies. Tony is very friendly and customer service oriented. He was in the middle of providing help, and an extremely high level of customer service, to two other patrons. He then provided me with that same level of service. Tony ended up making my copies for me, and precisely cut them, as I ran other errands!
Bridgett, a regular patron, and mom of two young boys stated, "Tony goes above and beyond to service his customers. He is very friendly and knows many of his customers by name. Plus, you can't beat the convenience of coming here instead of the other larger copy and print companies. The prices here are very economical in comparison. "
Like many other small business merchants, Tony believes in giving back to the community. The Mailbox store has made donations to two local churches: St Mark in Chesapeake, and Pleasant Grove Baptist in Virginia Beach. The Mailbox Store has also offered their services to these churches, for their charitable and fundraising events.
In addition to packing, shipping, and printing, The Mailbox Store also provides notary services, laminations, passport photos, business cards orders, invitations and announcement orders, and more!
JW Tejchman, 45 Degrees Martini Lounge
The 45 Degrees Martini Lounge, located in Orchard Square Shopping Center, is something quite different for this area.
Mommy Matinee is a website dedicated to families, particularly the parents of young children. 45 Degrees Martini Lounge may be the the place to just relax for an hour or so, on a Friday, right after work, once the kids are settled in with a relative or a sitter. The Lounge seems like it may be more appealing to the younger, more club oriented types later in the evening.
Resident Mixologist, JW Tejchman, stated, "This is the ideal place for people, in the Greenbrier and Kempsville area, who don't want to travel out to Grandby Street, Town Center, and the Oceanfront for a nice dinner and drinks." The lounge provides a tapas menu, which is based off what is in season. The ingredients used in the menu items come from local farms and markets. Everything there is fresh. 45 Degrees Martini is a full service adult beverage establishment which specializes in martinis. But they also have a full wine list, cocktails, and limited select beers. The dress is causual to business casual. It is a non smoking establishment.
I met JW the afternoon of their grand opening, June 27. The establishment was in the process of preparing for the grand opening, later that evening, when I dropped in to visit. JW was very excited and I can see why. The place is extraordinarily decorated, with seven 42 inch flat screen TV's (the eigth one will be installed soon), a DJ both and dance/band floor, two VIP booths, with full VIP service, that will seat up to 6-8 people. Their sound system is amazing...one can hook up their iPod to the sound system there and DJ for a while....from his or her playlist! Talk about cool.
Cheryl Restaurant (a review)
This restaurant, located in the Woods Corner Shopping Center of kemspville, has warmth and great tasting food.
It is a wonderful alternative to going out to chain type restaurants, and enduring a long wait.
I treated the family to Cheryl Restaurant on a recent Saturday night. Right away, the place felt friendly. Crisp black linen table cloths covered the tables, as two fish tanks immediately grabbed the attention of my two children. The hostess, probably a teenage child of one of the owners, provided coloring menus and crayons for my two and four year olds.
That staff was quite friendly, as one young man, likely another one of the owner's children, took our order. Because I am currently dieting, I had the Fried Shrimp Appetizer and a bowl of Slow Cooked Vegetable Soup. The shrimp was yummy, battered in a light breading. The soup was quite filling, and really tasty. My two year old especially liked the taste and insisted on eating a good portion of "my soup". My husband had Thai Chicken and Noodles-quite spicy, yet very tasty. Following in the fashion of my daughter, I ate a good portion of my husband's dish, despite being on a diet. A good thing spicy food...it makes you drink more water, which is good for you. The staff stated that the spiciness of the dish can be turned down for those with less tolerance.
The children had a plate of Chicken Strips with Fries, and Mac and Cheese. Each dish was split between the two of them, and they ate every bit. The Mac and Cheese appeared especially fluffy and a little extra shredded cheese was sprinkled on top, for the added flair and taste.
Upon coming home, the family was satisfied and relaxed because there were no crowds to navigate and an extremely short drive going to and coming from the restaurant. We all went out without that sometimes exhausting feeling of coming home from a restaurant.
Cheryl Restaurant is family owned and a nice touch to the Kempsville community, with its family appeal. I found the prices quite reasonable.
Samaritan House. There are so many ways to support the Samaritan House. You can donate just about anything or volunteer.
If you are short on items to donate and don't have the time, use www.goodsearch.com and in the "I'm Supporting" box, type Samaritan House-Virginia Beach. This will work like other Internet search engine but it earns money for various charities. This is a very creative and simple way to help out, especially if you are on the Internet anyway.
Becoome a Girl Scout Leader in the Hampton Roads area. Please contact: Mila Rose, Membership Specialist. Email: milagrosr@gsccc.org. Address: 912 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322-7002.
Birthday Club
This is for parents, who are planning a birthday event for children turning between the ages of 1 and 9, and wish to invite more children, and their parents, to the event.
This is ideal for:
- New families in the area who don't know many people, let alone children, who are same age as their birthday boy or girl.
Yard Sale Announcements (free)
Planning a yard sale in the West Kempsville/Greenbrier area? Mommy Matinee offers to post your information for free. Simply click here and provide the following regarding the yard sale:
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Date
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Start Time-End Time
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Address
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General description of some of the general items or more specific description of big/popular items
Check in with us weekly for new events and updates!