Things To Do In Chester

Pretty Muddy's founders designed their 5K obstacle course with a simple goal: to provide a stress-free opportunity for women to cut loose and have a blast in the mud with their friends. Women run or walk at their own pace, encountering low-pressure architectural obstacles along the way that are devoid of hay, splintering plywood, and axe-wielding trolls. The finishers sport post-race looks ranging from mud-drenched to only lightly splattered, depending on their course strategies.

Though the course architects designed obstacles to be fun, Pretty Muddy team members are stationed at each one to provide assistance, and obliging signs point out alternative routes for those who’d rather keep walking. The team often reminds participants that it isn’t about how many obstacles they surmount, but about sucking every drop of fun out of the experience.

At least two aid stations are present on every Pretty Muddy course to keep everyone well hydrated. After they finish, muddy ladies can compete for costume prizes, grab a drink and listen to the music, or free themselves of icky attire at onsite rinsing and changing stations.

Piano keys float through the air on a mural on the wall of Chez Vin Wine Lounge, a Chester wine bar with subdued lighting and a relaxed ambience. Jazz melodies drift through the air as bartenders fill glasses with beer and local wines. As patrons chat with friends or engage in staring contests with strangers, chefs flavor blue crab claws with Old Bay seasoning, wrap scallops with bacon, and prepare other tapas.

There's no rushing creativity, which is why the instructors at Art Adventures present students with the fundamental techniques, and then allow them create a truly individual piece at their own pace. The center's classes are open to students of all skill levels, including adults as well as children as young as 4, and they explore mediums such as sketching, painting, photography, and clay sculpting. By keeping class attendance small, the instructors are capable of providing more personalized feedback while helping students find the confidence that they need to express themselves through artwork. The classes may use a reference photograph as a source of inspiration; however, it is up to students to use that inspiration as they see fit and exercise their own imagination. At the end of every year, Art Adventures hosts its own gallery show where students are encouraged to display their pieces and debate the differences between the shades of eggshell and ivory.

On January 25 and 26 at the Meadow Event Park, the Virginia Home & Garden Show treats homeowners to countless home-improvement tips, remodeling ideas, and projects for all parts of the household and yard. Expos from more than 140 different companies demonstrate ideas for saving money with solar panels and energy-efficient windows, renovating kitchens with marble and granite countertops, or turning backyards into playgrounds with swimming pools and new decks.

Created specifically for women, Curves offers a complete fitness and nutrition solution. The Curves 30 minute workout is fun and fast, yet it exercises every major muscle group and burns up to 500 calories through a proven program of strength training, cardio and stretching. Also, many women forge lasting new friendships!

Reservations/Appointments: Required

Established: 1970

Staff Size: 25?50 people

Parking: Parking lot

Recommended Age Group: Kids

Richmond Olympiad trains winners, whether they've swept competitions or not. The facility is known for being Richmond's USA Junior Olympic Training Program, but every student who comes here as a preschooler, starter, or advanced gymnast gets the same kind of tools to succeed. Younger students gain confidence during Kindercise and Parent & Tot classes that introduce kids to gymnastic physicality with swinging and climbing. Then as kids progress, they can advance to introductory and Medalist classes, or Advanced Medalist classes if they wish to learn about gymnastics and producing steel alloys. Students may go on to enter competitions up to the professional level or take gymnastics classes for the pure enjoyment and sense of self that the sport and trainers here encourage.