by Charles Hendricks | Sep 29, 2016 | artwork, community, First Friday, Local Leaders, Office Culture
Gallery Opening on First Friday “Architecture of Life in Watercolors”
You are INVITED!
Each month we host a new artist in our Depot building gallery in the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). This month we are hosting “Architecture of Life in Watercolors” by W A Berkshire. The artwork will remain on exhibit through October and is for sale. Come view the show and get a tour of the newly renovated space! We will have light refreshments available!
October 7, 2016 from 5pm – 8pm.
First Friday Downtown is a great event with businesses all over downtown becoming art galleries for this night. First Fridays Downtown is a free celebration of culture and community held in downtown Harrisonburg. During the first Friday of the month, the downtown venues host art exhibition openings, local music performers, and various arts related events.
This past month we hosted a Harrisonburg Rockingham Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting as part of our Gallery Opening. We even had the big scissors! Ray and Carla joined our Harrisonburg staff from the Charlottesville office. We had around 175 people attend through the 5pm – 8pm event.
by Charles Hendricks | Jun 28, 2016 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community, Harrisonburg Architect, Leadership, Local Leaders, Office Culture, Rotary
Thinking about the future, I see hope.
As I return to blogging, I am going to take a less technical approach to my writings. I will still include projects we are working on, technical posts, but also just thoughts from an architect trying to figure out life.
I have been thinking a lot about the state of our nation as we move into the next election cycle. I have asked questions about gun control, prayed about gay rights, wondered what my girls will face and what they will be called as strong-willed confident women, and examined my own motives for decision-making. I admit that I don’t have most of the answers, but I can see how broken we are as a nation.
On the other hand, I can see hope all around us. It is local, it is happening, and it is going to make a difference.
That hope rests in those working to respect others. I see it in students working to convert a modular classroom into a zero energy science lab for future students. I see it in
Climate Action Alliance of the Valley working for a better future for generations to come. I see it in
Meg Carpenter as she volunteers time to raise awareness about affordable housing. I see it at
Rotary Club of Rockingham County meetings each week from a room full of people serving their community. I see it in
Matt Findley who gives and gives to kids in our community through
Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby. I see it in
Eastern Mennonite Elementary School allowing students to learn through play, singing, praying, and service. I see hope all around us through people respecting others as equal humans sharing this one planet.
We need to respect others even if they are young, tattooed, wearing a hoodie, a different color, different social class, different in any way. If we respect each other, we will not do things that hurt, cause pain, or tear down others. This is the hope that I am praying for everyday.
I see hope in this video on a better way to help the next generation by letting them help themselves. Might work for marriages as well.
by Charles Hendricks | Jan 28, 2016 | Construction Specifications Institute, Office Culture, team
Take the Construction Documents Technology (CDT) exam to better serve your clients.
I have written about the importance of the Construction Documents Technology exam many times in the past. I cannot stress enough the importance of knowing how a project should happen if the project goes perfect. I say this because I have never had a perfect project, something always happens, but knowing how to get it back to where it should be is critical for success (happy clients). The Construction Documents Technology (CDT) exam study process teaches you how the construction process should happen and helps you avoid problems.
When asked why she wanted to sit for the Construction Documents Technology (CDT) exam, Meg Carpenter in our Charlottesville office said “I want to become a Construction Document Technologist (CDT) because it will not only strengthen my knowledge and abilities as a career professional in my own field, but it will also help strengthen my relationship amongst all other parties involved in the project delivery process. I will be a more efficient architect for my clients and a clearer communicative partner for contractors and engineers, which will result in smoother project delivery and better professional relationships. I believe that becoming a CDT certificate holder will not only benefit me personally, but positively impact my field, related parties and all future facilities. “
In the construction industry it is easy to put your head down and try to avoid problems by showing up on time, doing what is expected, and performing to the best of your ability. The problem is, as I have heard it so many times – “CONSTRUCTION HAPPENS!” What do you do when just doing what you ‘thought’ was expected is not what was actually expected? What do you do when your interpretation of the documents is not the owner’s interpretation? How do you show potential clients that you understand how the process works and that you are a leader in the industry that deserves the opportunity? One good way is earning a CDT Certificate through the Construction Specifications Institute.
I am a “Construction Document Technologist.” This is the first step in the CSI certification ladder. In the competitive economy that we face, I find that you have to prove yourself time and again that you understand the construction process. CSI’s professional qualifications do just that for you. CDT is the “foundation you need to gain the competitive advantage” you need in today’s economy.
I encourage you to take the step and register for the CDT exam today. I can tell you it has benefited my career growth, allowed me to solve problems before they became big problems, and has saved my clients money repeatedly.
Learn more at http://csinet.org/certification
by Charles Hendricks | Jun 12, 2015 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community, Harrisonburg Architect, Leadership, Local Leaders, Office Culture, Rotary
The 10th annual Harrisonburg All-American Soap Box Derby is this Saturday, June 13th, 2015. Please come out and cheer these racers on as they chase their dreams down East Washington Street. The Harrisonburg All-American Soap Box Derby is sponsored by Rockingham Rotary Club and brings science, technology, and math lessons to young racers ranging in ages from 7 – 21.
The Soap Box Derby is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through collaboration and fair and honest competition. The core values learned from this event include – leadership, family engagement, honesty, integrity, perseverance, innovation, entrepreneurship, teamwork, collaboration, and sportsmanship.
There are three classes of racers – stock, super stock, and masters. The winners of each division from Harrisonburg will have the opportunity to move on to Akron, Ohio. Soap Box Derby champions from around the world come together in Akron each year to compete in the First Energy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship at the world-famous Derby Downs Track.
by Charles Hendricks | Mar 20, 2015 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community, Harrisonburg Architect, Leadership, Local Leaders, Office Culture, Rotary
Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby Car Build Clinic
There are many new activities coming to the SVBA Home and Garden Show this year. One of the most unique is a build clinic to help kids get their skills down for the upcoming Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby. Matt Findley will lead the clinic and he is a great leader and teacher. The kids participating in the event will have a great time for sure.
The Soap Box Derby is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through collaboration and fair and honest competition. The build clinic will be April 11th at the Rockingham County Fair Grounds from 10 am – noon.
The Core Values of the Soap Box Derby are:
• Youth Education and Leadership Development
• Family Engagement and Enrichment
• Honesty, Integrity and Perseverance
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Mentoring
• Volunteerism
• Commitment to Community
This year the Rockingham Rotary Club is also hosting a movie about the Soap Box Derby that is free for kids to attend. On April 19 starting at 2pm the movie, 25 Hill, will play at Court Square Theater. 25 Hill stars Corbin Bernsen telling the story of a child who lost his dad in the war in Afghanistan, a man who lost his son in the 9/11 attacks, and how they both found personal redemption while building and racing a Soap Box Derby Car.
by Charles Hendricks | Jul 4, 2014 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community, Harrisonburg Architect, Leadership, Local Leaders, Office Culture, Rotary
Valley Business Keynote
The Second Annual Valley Business Keynote event will take place on Thursday, July 24, 2014, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at James Madison University’s Festival Conference Center. The Valley Business Keynote is open to the public and is a cooperative initiative of the area Rotary clubs, The Association of Young Professionals and the HR Chamber of Commerce. Lunch will be provided at no charge to members and guests of the sponsoring organizations.
July 24 | 11am-1pm
JMU Festival Center Ballroom
1301 Carrier Drive | Harrisonburg
This year’s Valley Business Keynote will feature Mark Fernandes, the Chief Leadership Officer with Luck Companies in Goochland, Virginia. Mark is a dynamic speaker who has spoken to business leaders around the world, and was recently named as a “Top 100 Thought Leader in Trustworthy Business” for 2014.
For more information and to RSVP, visit: http://www.valleybusinesskeynote.com.
This year’s Valley Business Keynote will feature Mark Fernandes, the Chief Leadership Officer with Luck Companies in Goochland, Virginia. Mark is a dynamic speaker who has spoken to business leaders around the world, and was recently named as a “Top 100 Thought Leader in Trustworthy Business” for 2014.