Martha Jefferson Starr Hill Center Kicks off Baby Basics Moms Club
On Tuesday evening, Martha Jefferson’s Starr Hill Center filled with the spicy scent of kabobs from Vinegar Hill Cafe and the sounds of chatter and laughter as moms-to-be and other community members attended the center’s kickoff for Baby Basics Moms’ Club. Martha Jefferson’s Starr Hill Center is part of the Jefferson School City Center.
“This program targets women who wouldn’t traditionally go to a childbirth education class. It’s a very informal drop-in club that gives them all of the information they need to know,” explained Jackie Martin, Director of Community Benefit for Martha Jefferson. “It’s not meant to replace prenatal care or childbirth classes, but we do talk about things like nutrition and preterm labor and we partner that with really fun topics, like packing for the hospital.”
Tuesday’s kickoff served as an informative session, with childbirth educators and staff on hand to answer questions and talk about the curriculum of the club. Club meetings will be held on first and third Tuesdays, starting in February, from 6:00-7:30pm and on the second and fourth Wednesdays, from 9:30-11:00am. The meetings are free and will be held at the Starr Hill Center. Free cab rides and limited babysitting services are also available for moms-to-be, if needed.
Martin stresses the importance of the club for new mothers who may not typically seek out prenatal or childbirth classes. “What we have found in our community is that many women are not accessing prenatal care and there is a huge disparity in infant mortality rates in African American women,” said Martin, adding that she hopes women use the club as supplemental to such care. The club meetings will begin with some informal conversation, followed by a presentation on a specific topic and a chance for women to talk to each other and ask questions of the childbirth educator facilitating the session. There will be snacks and free giveaways, such as diapers, at each session as well.
The Baby Basics Club is being launched in partnership with UVa Children’s Hospital Women’s Health Services. For more information call Martha Jefferson Health Connection at 434-654-7009 or visit marthajefferson.org.
Common Ground Offers Mid-Winter Yoga Immersion Series
Starting Friday, February 7, Common Ground Healing Arts will offer a four-week yoga series, with each week focusing on a different aspect of yoga. Beate Rose, M. Ed., an instructor trained in Vini-Yoga and Mindfulness Yoga, will lead the course. She also specializes in yoga for mood regulation and yoga for stress management.
The class meets every Friday through March 7, 2014 from noon to 1:00pm at Common Ground. The cost is $45.00 for the entire series or $13.00 to drop in to an individual session. Week one will focus on breath awareness; week two on soothing visualizations; week three on pranayama techniques; and week four on energizing through sound and mudras.
Heritage of America Band Performs at Carver Rec February 11
Carver Recreation Center will be hosting the United states Air Force (USAF) Heritage of America Band for a free concert on February 11 from 7:00-8:30pm. The band was one of the original Army Air Corps bands, created during World War II. Based out of Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA, it performs live concerts throughout the mid-Atlantic and on television. The USAF Heritage of America Band has earned a variety of honors including eight Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, five Air Force Organizational Excellence Awards, and many other state and municipal proclamations. The concert is free and open to the public.
Jefferson School City Center is a voice of the nine nonprofits located at Charlottesville’s intergenerational community center, the restored Jefferson School. We are a legacy preserved . . . a soul reborn . . . in the heart of Cville!
