Stoney's Conference, Code Refresh, and Toddler Tablet Time
Cheers RVA!
Today will be mostly sunny with a high of 88. Stay hydrated.
the juice:
Mayer Stoney held a press conference yesterday, Samuel Parker from the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports.
Stoney started off the conference by literally saying, “I’m tired of people shit-talking my city.”
The Mayor addressed multiple ongoing issues, acknowledging some finance department employees had been fired, and standing behind the City’s credit card program noting 99% of the 336 employees with p-cards were in good standing.
Regarding the meals tax issue, Stoney said:
120 of the involved restaurants have had their cases closed, 125 have become inactive, 200 were ruled ineligible for relief and 279 qualify for “some relief” and have been contacted by officials.
Graham Moomaw, who has moved on from the Virginia Mercury to the Richmonder, a new local news site set to begin September 9, attended the conference, and posted this juiciness on X:
I asked Stoney if he’s planning to endorse anyone for mayor/has anyone sought his endorsement. He said Richmonders “don’t have a clue” who should succeed him because candidates aren’t offering clear vision. “I don’t have a clue either.”
the pulp:
The city’s Economic Development Authority and the Flying Squirrels have come to terms on a lease and stadium agreement, the last major hurdle before construction can begin.
Scott from the Oregon Hill posted a reminder for Richmond 300: Code Refresh open houses tonight and Saturday. The opportunity to learn about the zoning code update will be at the Main Branch library today from 4-7 pm and Saturday at 10:00 am at Studio Two Three.
Four people were hospitalized with serious injuries after a head-on car crash on Buford Rd. in Chesterfield Wednesday evening.
the tangent:
A recent study by Caroline Fitzpatrick, a professor at the University of Sherbrooke in Quebec, was published by Jama Pediatrics, suggesting a potential link between tablet use and outbursts of anger for 3.5 to 5.5 year olds.
Fitzpatrick, who researches child development, completely understands the common parenting situation: a toddler begins to throw a tantrum, and the parent hands the child a tablet.
Why? Because it works. The child calms down.
The analysis of 315 parents of preschool-aged children from Nova Scotia, Canada, showed a correlation between tablet usage at the age of 3.5, and more expressions of anger and frustration at 4.5, and then association with more tablet usage at age 5.5.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a maximum of one hour/day of high quality programming, viewed with a parent, for children aged 2-5.
A summary in Mashable dives into the topic and offers suggestions for how to wean toddlers off tablets.
Dr. Kathryn Keough, a psychologist with the Child Mind Institute's Anxiety Disorders Center, said the study's results, in addition to similar research on tablet use among young children, make a compelling case for parents to reconsider when and how they provide the device to their kids. "The big thing is to transition away from tablets as much as possible for preschool-age children and younger, given the research that's come out," Keough said. She noted that even educational apps are unlikely to have as positive an impact on a young child as playing with a parent or sibling, or exploring their surroundings, like a backyard.
Read the full article here.
the vibe:
Here’s a 2017 map of Richmond Urban Design Typology.
Don’t s***-talk our city and have a great day RVA!
Thanks for reading. Feel free to leave a comment. If you like this newsletter, forward it to a friend!