Greater Richmond Grid #9

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DOMINION RIVERROCK RETURNS!

TRICK KAYAKS, FLYING DOGS, MUSIC AND MORE!

ACTiVE RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY

GENE COX Ponders

Pigs, People

& Prepositions

CONNECTING LIVE + WORK + PLAY

BLOGS BOOKS FAMILY BIZ SAVVY COMMUNITY INNOVATORS RESTAURANTS SOCIAL MEDIA

FREE | ISSUE #9 | MAY/JUNE 2011

rid G R E AT E R R I C H M O N D

ALSO ON THE GRID:

WARM WEATHER:

HOT TRENDS! FRESH IDEAS FOR FOOD, FASHION & FUN!

DELICIOUS DATE NIGHT:

POPKIN TAVERNʼS COCKTAIL 'LONG NIGHT OUT' HAS A SURGE OF BASIL THAT IS SURPRISINGLY DELECTABLE

GRIDʼS FASHIONISTA KYRA OLIVER TALKS SHOP WITH DESIGNER AMY SMILOVIC AT RVA FASHION WEEK.

HISTORYMAKING

MARKERS

MAYOR DWIGHT JONES & CITY COUNCIL UNVEIL A DIFFERENT KIND OF

MONUMENT

DESIGN FORWARD: DOWNTOWN CREATIVESPACE PROJECTS EARN TOP HONORS

YACHT ROCK:

THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND DECONSTRUCTS

EASY‑LISTENING MUSIC



Greater Richmond

Grid

JANUARY, MARCH, MAY, JULY, SEPTEMBER & NOVEMBER

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Querying Quora

Greater Richmond Grid

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Executive Publisher Ted Randler 804‑355‑1236

Hot Tweets Richmond Tweeple

Ted@RichmondGrid.com

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ACTiVE

Whiz Kids & Bacon Waffle Cones: GREATER RICHMOND GRID Goes to SXSW

RVA’S RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY

Executive Publisher David Smitherman 804‑355‑1035

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Dave@RichmondGrid.com

COMMUNITY NEXUS Making Significant Strides

Go to

Richmond Grid.com for a complete listing of

The timeline of commemorative sites offers a path to explore U.S. slavery history.

the magazine’s distribution locations throughout the Greater Richmond Region. Also online, connect with Grid’s writers and photographers.

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T0 ADVERTISE CALL

DESIGN FORWARD Challenges of Creative Spaces

804-355-1035

Ingenuity and innovation earn three very different Downtown projects praise at the Greater Richmond Association for Commercial Real Estate Awards.

General comments, story suggestions and letters to the editor for publication consideration should be directed to Ted Randler at Ted@RichmondGrid.com.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Opinions, views, treatments, diet regi‑ mens and business recommendations or resources represented in any aspect of this publication are those of the authors or advertisers and are not an endorse‑ ment by Palari Publishing LLP.

Social Media Key

INDICATES MEMBERSHIP TO

twitter.com www.myspace.com www.facebook.com www.youtube.com www.linkedin.com

RICHMONDMOM.COM MAGAZINE

Staycation RVA: Strolling City Streets BY TED RANDLER

W

e talk a lot about cre‑ ativity in business, arts and technology in this publication. Though just as inven‑ tive are the regional events and en‑ tertainment that come with the warm weather. The most obvious is Domin‑ ion Riverrock [see page 32] now in its third year, the extreme sport and outdoor festival in the heart of Downtown continues to evolve with spectacles and music. For those who are intrigued by the regionʼs history, the recent unveiling of 17 Slave Trail Markers [page 8] offers experiential en‑ lightenment through a walking tour of significant city sites that had a role in slave trade participa‑ tion and emancipation. Then on May 21st, you can ex‑ pand your research by 400 years as you participate in Anthemʼs Stride Through Time [page 40]. Also a walk‑ ing tour, the event takes to the city streets with guides in historical garb Ted Randler

who bring Richmondʼs past to life. When strolling these events why not experience a meal at one of a trio of eateries on Broad Street that have become de rigueur of a fabulous night on the town? Sharing the creative, yet curi‑ ous, characteristic that many desti‑ nations have in RVA of adopting aspects of the previous business in the buildingʼs new incarnation, Pop‑ kin Tavern, Tarrantʼs Café and Bistro Twenty Seven offer an in‑ triguing blend of turn‑of‑the‑century ambience with contemporary cui‑ sine and entertainment in the neighborhood once known as “Furniture Row” [page 50]. Who knew that a simple city walk would offer so much to see and do? Aspiring to lifeʼs finer offerings, our Glitz & Glam department has Kyra Oliver chatting with fashion designer Amy Smilovic backstage at RVA Fashion Week and Chris Coxʼs favorite warm‑weather salad. David Smitherman

A Working Mom ’s Internal Struggl e

Weighing the Positive s

& Negatives: Not AllneQuestio May/Ju 2011ns•Have Volume Concret 1 • eIssue Answer 4 •s #4

Three Babies In Three We eks?

Yes, I did it. Help me.

W

hen the doctor esti‑ mated the due date as early April, I winced. “Are you sure you canʼt take her a little early, say end of March?” I pleaded .

Kate Hall, publisher next several

years when ...we begin birth‑ days are the end‑all‑be‑all for small kids. planning the biggest mon th (read:Each April we plan parties “Sorry, Kate, of the year in fiascos) go shoppin you know the g (read: drill, only a few drain the bank account days before our househo ) and rock the due date and out (read: barely weʼll schedul ld, parties make it to said e your c‑section.” because the the one in excitement level house is so which Hasbro high) inat this damn Well of course three birthda I knew the y parties drill. This was for three kids kindly vomits my third baby within three in exactly five weeks. years, and appar‑ playthings all ently the third with a birthday in April. The magic of over our livin Christmas has no sooner faded g than we begin room floor, Within three planning the weeks of her biggest month brothers. of the year in our household, cakes are the one in which Hasbro kindly vom‑ I was a goner. its playthings devoured all over our living room floor, cakes are devoured crumb‑by‑ As if it wasnʼt crumb‑by‑crumb bad enough one after an‑ that my boys other, and the crumb one‑ were born five U.S. Postal service days apart̶our middle is overwhelmed child was ac‑ by Hall family after another. tually born on .. invitations and thank‑you notes. his big brother ʼs original

: PAIGE STEVENS

PO Box 9288 Richmond VA 23227

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PHOTO | KATE H ALL HEADSHOT

ACTiVE RVA’s Recreation & Wellness Community & ACTiVERVA.com © 2011 by Palari Publishing LLP

On the Grid

SOCIAL MEDIA Heroes, Mobile Apps, and Good Deeds

is published in the months of

Greater Richmond Grid & RichmondGrid.com

LIVE

LIVE CONTENTS

due date̶now our third child would be slated right in the magical, spring‑l ike (sometimes) month of April.

It was then that I realized I was fated to a life of each April, probabl exhaustion y for the rest of my life, but certainly for the

Who Are You What Hav You Done Witand h the Real Me?e Mother hood can bring out

I

the very best in you

This year, itʼs sleepovers. Or as we like to call them, UNsleep ‑ overs. If you see me this month, please give me a hug (read: cock‑ tail). Iʼm gonna need it.

In This Issue Summer Camp Registration Has Begun!

Check out these listings of 2011 Richmond summer activities for kids of all ages.

SKINNY JEANS? I’LL SETTLE FOR THE NONMOM VERSIO N, THANKS. Please don’t judge a mom by her jeans.

and the very worst.

once heard someone say BY REBECCA that Mac raising children A. MUMINOVIC, truck hits you was like being M.D. full on only pecked to death back up and to life stress. by chickens, although that and then continuerun over you again and could be true, Sleep deprivat on its way. at times I really think it ion, car pool, Motherhood is more like basking music lessons, can bring out the glow of a in very best soccer practice the homewo sunny day, eyes in you and the , rk, colic, trips closed Some and relaxing very worst. to the ER (yes while the wind days it may I have boys), even seem that gently the housework, and blows across person you once your face, just let us not forget the before a lost were has been duties of a life amongst the partner or spouse. chaos of everyday Ladies I donʼt know about you, Continued on

next page.

RICHMONDMOM .COM

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Three Babies in Three Weeks? Translated that means three birthday parties full of mirth and mayhem for three kids within three weeks.

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Skinny Jeans? I’ll Settle For The Non-Mom Version, Thanks.

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WORK CONTENTS

Heroes, Mobile Apps, and Good Deeds

BIZ SAVVY Regional Business News

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Legal Brief: ‘Entreporn’ The Panacea Myth of V.C. Cash page 18

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Open for Business: Amazing Tales of Entrepreneurship After evaluating a host of options, Dave and Susan Carlton selected Great Clips̶an affordable hair salon.

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Just Ask Peter: ‘Moving On Up’ Is it time to get serious about your office printer? page 20

COMPANIES & CAREERS Local Business Leaders Share Insight, Forecast Brighter Future page 22

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Marketing Greater Richmond to Israel Over the past few years, several Israeli companies have brought their technology innovations to Greater Richmond for business success. Why Greater Richmond? Why Israel?

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Querying Quora

INNOVATION Channel Surfing Thanks to West Cary Group, founded in 2007 by Moses Foster, Blair Keeley and Camille Blanchard, we have the RVA Generator.

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Making Media Mobile Studio 108ʼs expansive shooting space allows for large‑scale productions, with multiple suites for editing, compositing, motion graphics, color grading and 3D animation.

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hen it came time to cel‑ ebrate 100 years of busi‑ ness just last year, the law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen flipped the tables. Instead of baking itself a birthday cake and patting each other on the back, the personal injury firm thanked the community theyʼve served for the last century. “Hometown Heroes,” Allen and Allenʼs community outreach effort that coincided with its cen‑ tennial anniversary, was launched in 2010 as part of a series of events designed to feature 100 everyday citizens doing good things throughout Virginia. A call for nom‑ inations on the firmʼs website quickly generated a list of heroes worthy of celebrating. Heroes included the likes of a young man who sprang from the rocks of the James River to rescue a drowning stranger, the founder of Richmond Friends of the Home‑ less, Casey Quinlan for inspiring millions battling cancer, and more. The winning heroes were then honored at a series of Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball games, as well as Fridays After Five in Char‑ lottesville and the Heritage Festival in Fredericksburg. Fresh off of the success of its inaugural Hometown Heroes cam‑ paign, Allen & Allen is ramping up for a new Heroes initiative that builds upon the concept of giving

BY PAUL SPICER

A

popular online knowl‑ edge market, Quora is a social platform that relies on the community to create, edit, and ultimately accumulate knowledge. “The first time I saw Quora, it reminded me of Yahoo! Answers,” explains Anna Lucas, Experience Manager at Richmondʼs Feedback Agency and ace of all things digi‑ tal. “Quora and Yahoo! Answers both encourage people to ask, an‑ swer and search questions, as well as rate answers. What sets Quora apart is that they turned the idea

BY SAM KIRBY

in 2011. Starting this spring, Allen and Allen will again accept nomi‑ nations for a new class of Home‑ town Heroes to be honored throughout the summer, but this time with a focus on the small, random acts of kindness per‑ formed by others. This year the firm has added a new twist that will see Allen and Allen not only celebrate heroes̶ but also measure their impact through the collection of simple, everyday deeds occurring in the re‑ gion. Pegged as the “Allen & Allen Good Deeds Tracker,” the firm is both collecting nominations for he‑ roes on its website as well as ask‑ ing the community to submit good deeds that they witness oc‑ curring around them or have per‑ sonally performed. By visiting the firmʼs website, Richmonders and those throughout Virginia, can submit a name of someone they think deserves the “Hometown Hero” award, as well as enter small positive actions (deeds) and watch them grow as the firm tracks and displays deeds in real‑ time on its site. Proving that theyʼre no strangers to campaigns that both blend online and offline fun, Allen and Allenʼs Hometown Heroes ini‑ tiative promises to share and track stories of good deeds and then cel‑ ebrate those actions at an event planned at Innsbrook After Hours,

as well as cele‑ brations in Char‑ lottesville and other localities. Allen and Allen is also adding their own good deed to the growing list by providing a Sober Ride Home (half off the price of a cab ride) from Innsbrook After Hours events in 2011. Buzz about the Hometown Heroes campaign comes on the heels of another initiative, a free My Lawyer mobile app, solidifying the firmʼs commitment to growing its services through online platforms that have real‑world impact. The My Lawyer mobile app provides step‑by‑step information about what to do in the unfortunate event that you are involved in a car accident. By providing free virtual tools and info, Allen and Allen hopes to arm others with virtual info and checklists that document important evidence, property dam‑ age, witnesses, and more. Look for the My Lawyer mo‑ bile app, the Hometown Heroes nomination application, and “Allen & Allen Good Deeds Tracker” at the firmʼs website (www.allenandallen.com).

into a social network seeded with actual thought leaders.” Launched to the public in June 2010, Richmonders have gravitated toward the site to both ask questions and help grow the database of answers. As an exam‑ ple of peer‑to‑peer collaboration, Quora (founded by former Face‑ book CTO, Adam DʼAngelo along with Charlie Cheever) can be ed‑ ited by anyone with the hankering to shape the emerging platform into a high quality resource. Quora users can “follow” topics that inter‑ est them or topics they know something about, allowing for tar‑ geted and organized content con‑ sumption and creation.

Lucas explains, “It makes sense for business professionals to be on Quora, if for no other reason than to monitor industry related questions people are asking and answering. If you're also an indus‑ try expert, answering relevant questions can make you a thought‑leader within Quora.” “Quora seems to be connect‑ ing with a more experienced audi‑ ence which is important in a hyper‑changing environment,” says Adam Cunningham, a Rich‑ mond‑based branding and busi‑ ness development consultant with expertise in the digital arena. Read more on Quora @ RICHMONDGRID.COM

Greater Richmond Gridʼs Emerging Media Editor Paul Spicer is a marketing consultant who has led small, medium, and large‑sized businesses to prestigious awards and appearances on NPR, CNN, New York Times, and Fortune Magazine. He serves as a partner at Etre Communications, a boutique marketing and public relations firm, where he works on accounts such as Health Diagnostic Laboratory. Prior to Etre, Paul co‑ founded Compleo, a digital agency responsible for applications on interactive platforms. Paul is a former

Style Weekly Top 40 Under 40 recipient, and VMFA Muse Award winner.

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Paul Spicer

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“Ooh can I take a picture of that?” ̶ is never a comforting thing to hear from your doctor, but I let her snap away... 12 Apr

I donʼt have enough to comment on today, so Iʼm going to tweet some things Iʼve been saving up from before Twitter was actually invented. 11 Apr

Over the past few weeks, I am now an expert on reading between the lines of Craigslist apartment posts. How can I get paid to do this? 7 Apr

I need to pencil in my nervous breakdown for about 15 minutes between 3:45 and 4:00 pm. 16 Apr

Just got a catalog in the mail with $250 T‑shirts. Clearly they have me confused with Ivana Trump. 15 Apr

Itʼs hard to defend the fact that Muskrat Love was my first album. 23 Mar

ARE YOU HAPPY NOW, FARMERS? #daylightsavingstime 14 Mar

See extended Tweet Talk on RichmondGrid.com

@AmieMcLain

RICHMOND TWEEPLE COMPILED BY PAUL SPICER

PLAY CONTENTS ACTIVE: RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY

Following: 283+ | Followers: 875+ | Listed: 71+ AMIE MCLAIN Web: www.wric.com Bio: Morning Anchor @8News in Richmond, VA. New Orleans native, Saints fanatic, Howard grad, child of God. I love good people & good food :) My opinions are my own.

Social Media

28 Mar

Hot Tweets

LIVE

Loves saying the name Shaka Smart on TV! It makes me want to dance (to the song “BOOM Shaka Laka Shaka Laka Shaka Laka...”)

ACTiVE

RVAʼS RECRE ATION

& WELLNESS COMMUNITY VOLU ME 1 • ISSUE 2 • MAY | JUN E 2011 • #2

“[Tweeting] gives me something fun to do during commercial breaks while anchoring our morning shows @8News. I love taking Twitpics too. Iʼve been surprised by how certain Twitpics generate some buzz: any pic of my cat, Kitty Jolie, gets a few re‑ sponses, especially when I put her in Saints para‑ phernalia, or pics of what I eat for breakfast at work. I plan to tweet more during the day (I usually only tweet in the morning during work hours) and reach out to more followers. I try to post one daily tweet of inspiration, what I call a Faith Note.”

DOMINION RIVERROCK RETURNS!

USA Climbing SCS National Champion SASHA DIGIULIAN will compete in the Blue Ridge Mountain Sports Boulder Bash.

FEATURING

also:

FLYING CANINES, KAYAK TRICKS, MUSIC, MUD RUNS , MOUNTAIN BIKES

BRING ON THE

BEACH‑READY BODIES

NEW THIS YEAR, +BOUL

A COURSE MAP FOR

ANTHEM STRIDE THROUGH TIME

DERING & STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING!

YWCA OF RICHMO

NDʼS ANNUAL OUTSTANDIN WOMEN AWARDS G

A C T i V E RVAʼS RECRE ATION & WE LLNESS COM MUNITY

@heyitsphil Following: 443+ | Followers: 882+ | Listed: 45+ PHIL WILLIAMS Web: philhasablog.com Bio: advertising dude based in richmond, va. for fans of: music, the inter‑ net, the civil war, big gulps, dance parties. “I was bored at work one day and started my own hashtag once ̶ #complimentfriday. People could use the hashtag and Iʼd respond specifically with a compliment about them. It totally took off and I spent an afternoon complimenting 100+ people on the in‑ ternet. It was a lot of fun. One of my friends made a Twitter account for my cat and started tweeting really funny things to me and all my friends. It took me weeks to figure out who was actually behind it. [There are] too many platforms! I love Tumblr, In‑ stagram, and a bunch more. I also use Facebook, but I hate it. Haaaaate it.”

@ericaorloff Following: 158+ | Followers: 123+ | Listed: 10 ERICA ORLOFF Web: www.ericaorloff.blogspot.com Bio: Center of Chaos. Author of Illuminated and (as Erica Kirov) Magickeep‑ ers. Mother of four, including a naked Pirate Boy. Plate spinner extraordinaire. “[I tweet] To keep my sanity. As a novelist, I have a commute from my bed to my desk. I don't get to talk to other grownups. Itʼs me, the two dogs, the cat, the assorted other pets, and my three kids who live at home̶plus my par‑ ents moved in with me. So yes, there are people to talk to, but no co‑workers, no water cooler. Twitter is my virtual water cooler with (mostly) other writers.”

@bpfox Following: 882+ | Followers: 1,535+ | Listed: 132+ BRANDON FOX Web: www.brandoneats.com Bio: My name is Brandon, and Iʼm female, despite the name. I also write a blog called Brandon Eats, although my secret identity is as an editor. VCU alumnus. “Donʼt we all need at least a half a dozen different medi‑ ums to communicate? I once tweeted that I was at‑ tempting to leave D.C. during rush hour traffic, and everyone on Twitter felt obligated to tell me how stu‑ pid I was. For the record, I had taken a wrong turn. I would say [I tweet] three or four times a day, but Tweet‑ deck inexplicably says my average is 9.4 times̶ which seems excessive for anybody. Iʼd like to blog more, tweet less and only accept friends on Facebook that I know in real life. Weʼll see how that goes.

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SONGFEST RVA VIBE Anika Imajo talks to Uisce Beatha and Three Sheets to the Wind, two bands that cover ʻstandardsʼ in very different ways.

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FOOD DATE NIGHT On Broad: Dinner and a Show Within a casual stroll to The National and Theatre IV, three neighborhood eateries offer unique options for a night on the town.

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GLITZ & GLAM What’s Kyra Wearing? Richmond shared the spotlight with one of the fashion industryʼs hottest designers, Amy Smilovic, founder and designer of womenʼs label Tibi.

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Spring Cleaning Your Palette The Easy and Elegant Life Salade Niçoise

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Fashion Design Protection: Does It Exist? page 53

PAGE VIEWS ‘Six Pigs in a Tub’ Correcting someoneʼs grammar is dangerous. Itʼs almost as bad as challenging someoneʼs politics or religion.

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Helping Small Businesses Evolve Local Power Couple Parlay Research Findings into New Book

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SOCIAL MEDIA

Netizens jammed the Austin Convention Center, and surrounding venues, to participate in approximately 40 simultaneous sessions in most time slots that featured industry luminaries and social media celebrities.

Johnny Hugel created a “Richmond at SXSW” group using the GroupMe application to keep the large crowd of Richmonders informed of events and meet‑ups during the festival.

WHIZ KIDS & BACON WAFFLE CONES: Greater Richmond Grid Goes to SXSW

G

rid likes a good party̶ especially when it in‑ volves bacon, brew, and social media. With priorities in check, we searched our closets for flannel shirts with pearl buttons, rolled up our sleeves, and went to work at South By Southwest (SXSW) 2011 in Austin, Texas. Hatched in 1987, SXSW takes place every spring in wonderfully weird and wired Austin, home of the biggest interactive, film, and music shenanigans on the planet. While the festival offered fun for all, Grid opted to focus atten‑ tion on the Interactive portion of the event, along with 19,364 other netizens who descended upon the Lone Star State in hopes of catch‑ ing some of the 1,648 social media speakers doing their thing over a five‑day stretch.

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RVA Represents While bacon waffle cones, taco trucks, and celebrities were aplenty, it was the strong RVA rep‑ resentation in Austin that was most notable from where we sat. Some of Richmondʼs finest were in attendance̶Doug Meacham, of CrossView and founder of Social Media Club Richmond; Kira Sid‑ dall, Siddall, Inc.; Lori Waran and Tonie Stevens, Style Weekly; Dave Perry, Free Agents Marketing; Johnny Hugel, Media General; Kendall Morris and Tabitha Geary, Fahrenheit Emerging Media; Scott Warren, Ironworks Consulting; Scott Childs, Capital One; and more. Best of all, Richmond had its very own Chris Busse, of Fahren‑ heit Emerging Media, selected to deliver one of the most insightful presentations (Beyond Word‑ C O M

Richmondʼs Chris Busse presents “Beyond Wordclouds: Using APIs to Identify Trends” to a packed house at SXSW. BY PAUL SPICER

clouds: Analyzing Trends with So‑ cial Media APIs) to a jammed‑ packed house.

move from social media “cam‑ paigns” to conversations that ac‑ tually gain trust.

Richmond, however, wasnʼt the only city to send its brightest whiz kids, as SXSW Interactive 2011 enjoyed nearly a 36‑percent spike in participation this year. With approximately 40‑sessions an hour happening each day, there was plenty of industry buzz to soak in. Lucky for you, weʼve condensed some of the high‑ lights below:

2. Agencies Should Think Like Software Companies: Thatʼs right, in a brave new world where code and content are equally valu‑ able̶we all need to acquire a hy‑ brid mindset, even our beloved Richmond agencies. “Innovation happens at the intersection of dis‑ ciplines, not within them,” ex‑ plained panelist Ben Malbon, Director of Strategy at Google Cre‑ ative Lab. Panelist Rick Webb, co‑ founder of Barbarian Group, pointed out that “brand” is the platform and “campaign” is the software.

1. Beyond ROI: C.C. Chapman and Ann Handley (authors of Content Rules) traded tidbits in an infor‑ mal Q&A that urged audience members to stop thinking only in terms of return on investment, and most importantly to stop being so vanilla. By creating your own unique brand voice, we can

3. Old Spice Guy is NOT Good So‑ cial Media: In a stirring, profanity‑ laced pep rally, the video blogger/author Gary Vaynerchuk


LIVE

Proudly geeking it out, bar patrons built battling robots at the Google Party.

Social Media

SXSW participants play video games displayed on the sides of vehicles parked along 6th Street in Austin.

Richmond represents at SXSW 2011 [Left to Right] Scott Warren, Lori Waran, Tabitha Geary, Scott Childs, Chris Busse, Johnny Hugel, Kendall Morris, Paul Spicer

Big Boi plays the Seaholm Power Plant thanks to Foursquare and Pepsi Max.

discussed what not to do in social media, pointing to Old Spiceʼs re‑ cent viral video campaign. “Itʼs all push and no feel. I think the Old Spice campaign is the perfect ex‑ ample of what not to do in social media,” explained a pumped “Gary Vee.” Although the Old Spice cam‑ paign had industry abuzz, Vayner‑ chuk argued that Old Spice made no effort to create personal con‑ nections with fans. 4. Geo Is Still King: “People are willing to share their location when they get something of value,” explained Alistair Good‑ man, CEO of Placecast. Wherever you turned in the Austin Conven‑ tion Center, and the surrounding venues, there was a good chance youʼd stumble into a session about geo‑location based something or other. Far surpassing Facebookʼs version of the check‑in (Facebook

Places), panels at SXSW insisted that people are increasingly open to mobile marketing thatʼs rele‑ vant and useful, such as Gowalla, Foursquare, and SCVNGR. 5. GroupMe is the App to Watch: New apps were everywhere you looked, sometimes peddled by scantly‑clad girls in red tights and super nerds in bandannas. Bel‑ uga, HeyTell, Eight‑ Bit, Ditto, Hurricane Party, and a variety of photo sharing apps, just to name a few. GroupMe, a free group messaging service, was quite possibly the winner. Try it now. Richmonders in

Austin̶thanks to Johnny Hugel̶used this handy dandy app (with chat, location sharing, photo sharing, and more) to locate each other at panels, share tips, and to arrange impromptu meet‑ups throughout the week‑long social media fest.

People are increasingly open to mobile marketing that’s relevant and useful.

6. Get Your Game On: The games people like to play may change Richmond̶and the world̶for the better. Founder of SCVNGR, Seth Priebatsch, advocated for the game layer that we are all creating right now. The next evolution of the social game layer can encourage not only brand loy‑ alty, but also team building and problem solving.

7. Facebook Ainʼt the Only Game in Town: Despite over‑500 million users, the behemoth was men‑ tioned but only a handful of times during the course of five days of indepth social media discussions, except when referenced in pre‑ sentations like “Who Wants to ʻLikeʼ a Hemorrhoid Cream.” Keynote speaker Chris Poole, founder of 4Chan, known as a breeding ground for creative thought, advocated for online anonymity and chided Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook. “Zuckerberg is totally wrong on anonymity being total cowardice. Anonymity is authenticity. It al‑ lows you to share in a completely unvarnished, raw way,” opined Poole. Whether it was Poole or other talented visionaries, SXSW 2011 proved what we all knew to be the case̶Facebook surely ainʼt the only game in town.

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COMMUNITY NEXUS Partners in the Slave Trail Markers project include: Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission, Richmond Department of Economic Development, Venture Richmond, The Future of Richmondʼs Past, Vir‑ ginia Legislative Black Caucus, City of Richmond Departments, and the Virginia Department of Historic Re‑ sources. To learn more about the projects of the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission go to: www.richmondgov.com/ CommissionSlaveTrail

[center of photograph] Governor McDonnell, Mayor Dwight Jones join City Council and Slave Trail Commission members in the April 10th commemoration event.

Making Significant Strides THE

TIMELINE OF COMMEMORATIVE SITES OFFERS A PATH TO EXPLORE U.S. SLAVERY HISTORY AND PROVIDES A NEW RESOURCE FOR FUTURE GENERA‑ TIONS TO EMBRACE THE HERITAGE OF EMANCIPATION.

O

n April 10th, the Lumpkinʼs Slave Jail archeological site (1500 E. Franklin Street) was the stage for the historic un‑ veiling of 17 Richmond Slave Trail Markers. Virginia Gover‑ SCAN nor Robert F. McDonnell, Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones, QR CODE members of Richmond City Council as well as members of the Rich‑ TO VIEW THE SITE. mond City Council Slave Trail Commission attended the public event, “An Emancipa‑ tion Celebration & Un‑ veiling of the Richmond Slave Trail Markers.” The location of one of the markers, Lumpkinʼs Slave Jail, was the largest slave‑ holding facility in op‑ eration in Richmond from 1840 until the end of the U.S. Civil War in 1865. The walking trail is the first phase of a three‑part plan to de‑ velop a $100‑150 million heritage com‑ The Richmond Slave Trail Brochure is available at the commisionʼs website. plex in Shockoe Bot‑

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tom that comprises a slavery museum, an African‑American genealogical center and a glass‑ enclosed site of Lumpkinʼs Jail. Nearby, north of Broad Street, an African‑American burial ground is also being restored as part of the complex. “The unveiling of these markers and the honoring of our ancestors, is so very im‑ portant to our ability to move forward as a country,” Mayor Jones said regarding the event. “I hope the nation wonʼt miss what we are doing here in Richmond, Virginia. I hope the nation will grow to cher‑ ish the rich history that we are preserving here and what the Richmond Slave Trail can represent for our countryʼs reconciliation.” The development of the Richmond Slave Trail Marker program, signage and com‑ memorative site̶Lumpkinʼs Slave Jail̶is the result of the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commissionʼs ongoing ef‑ forts to help document and highlight the history of slavery in Richmond. Established by the City of


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Richmond in 1998, the council includes 17 members that are appointed by the City Council to serve for three‑year terms. “I commend the Rich‑ mond City Council Slave Trail

The sites help tell the historic journey, human impact, and the role Richmond played in the tragic history of slavery. Commission for its work in preserving the history of slav‑ ery in Richmond and for the development of the Richmond Slave Trail Marker Program. I offer many thanks to Delegate Delores McQuinn for her lead‑ ership and dedication to this effort as Chairperson of the Slave Trail Commission,” Mayor Jones said. The Richmond Slave Trail Markers are located through‑

A detail of the Lumpkinʼs Jail Slave Trail marker.

out the Shockoe Bottom area of Richmond and designate sites that help tell the historic journey, human impact, and the role Richmond played in the tragic history of slavery. Designed as an experien‑ tial walking tour, the trail starts at Manchester Docks, a major port in the massive downriver Slave Trade that made Richmond the largest source of enslaved Africans on the east coast of America from 1830 to 1860.

The trail then follows a route through the slave mar‑ kets of Richmond, beside the Reconciliation Statue, com‑ memorating the international triangular slave trade̶an‑ other Slave Trail Commission project erected in 2007 at 15th and E. Main Streets. Continuing on to Lump‑ kinʼs Slave Jail, the trail ends at the Negro Burial Ground to First African Baptist Church, a center of African‑American life in pre‑Civil War Richmond.

The Mayor explained the future plans for the Lump‑ kinʼs site and Slave Trail ini‑ tiative: “The asphalt will be removed [from the slave bur‑ ial ground] and in July, the city will receive that prop‑ erty. We will work to beautify the burial ground, to improve the overall Slave Trail, to en‑ hance the streetscape, the road bed and the aesthetics over the passage.” The trail and heritage com‑ plex, according to the Mayor, offer citizens and visitors oppor‑ tunities to gain new historical perspective as well as providing a dynamic genealogical re‑ source for future generations. “Let the Richmond Slave Trail, and its commemorative nature, be part of the solu‑ tion that helps this country close the chapter on slavery and that helps this country fully embrace what our founding fathers declared; that ʻall men are created equal,ʼ” he noted. “All of us must live with the legacy of slavery, but we donʼt have to be enslaved to the consequences of bitterness.”

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DESIGN FORWARD GRACREʼs primary mission is to be an advocate for commercial prop‑ erty owners, developers, and re‑ lated professionals. THE 10TH ANNUAL GRACRE REAL ESTATE AWARDS were held on March 30th at the Richmond Mar‑ riott. Awards were made for the most outstanding examples of de‑ sign and implementation within Richmond's real estate market dur‑ ing 2010.

PHOTOS FOR ALL PROJECTS COURTESY OF GRACRE.

To see a complete list of winners visit www.gracre.com:

SCAN QR CODE TO VIEW THE SITE.

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Challenges of Creative Spaces INGENUITY AND INNOVATION EARN THREE VERY DIF‑ FERENT DOWNTOWN PROJECTS PRAISE AT THE GREATER RICHMOND ASSOCIATION FOR COMMER‑ CIAL REAL ESTATE (GRACRE) AWARDS. BY TED RANDLER

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hen Kristi Lane, owner of interior design firm Visible Proof (1623 West Broad Street), heard The Martin Agencyʼs creative department was gearing up for a re‑ design of their second‑floor space, she campaigned for the opportu‑ nity. “It was a grassroots effort,” Lane explains. “We called everyone we knew who worked at the agency to make a connection.” All projects have unique specifications that require creative problem solving, but imagine the daunting task of developing in‑ novative thinking space for perhaps the nationʼs top advertising company known for cutting‑edge ideas. Fortunately for Lane, The Martin Agencyʼs Chief Creative Officer John Norman had very specific ideas as to how the new space should impact agency operations.

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“He had a very distinct and clear vision,” she says of Nor‑ manʼs concept. “He wanted to move away from the traditional advertising agency model of iso‑ lating an art director and copy‑ writer in an office with their work only reviewed once they were finished.” So the 30,000 s.f., six‑month project initially entailed removing the high walls, partitions, and private of‑ fices that had divided the teams and their concepts for the past twelve years. Transparency and commu‑ nity involvement in idea devel‑ opment became key elements that Lane derived from Visible Proofʼs ongoing meetings with the agency staff. “We met with all stakeholders, everyone from


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[Above]: With an effort towards transparency, glass walls were used for creative departmentʼs meeting spaces that required walls. [Top Right and Bottom]: The Williams Mullen Center offers classic aesthetics with contemporary engineering and amenities.

IT people to creatives and strived to generate a canvas space where ideas could be re‑ viewed as they were being de‑ veloped and newer employees could learn from the process.” Open, informal meeting spaces were created to promote impromptu interaction. A large library was defined using a 9ʼ x 40ʼ wall of bookshelves, creat‑ ing a place for print and litera‑ ture to be shared by everyone. If a room needed enclosure, glass walls were used to prevent any‑ one from concealing ideas or work̶visibility of work in progress was a main priority. “We greatly reduced the num‑ ber of private offices, focusing on the team rather than the in‑ dividual,” Lane notes.

Magnetic marker board walls, 50ʼ long, flow through‑ out the space for staff to draw and display work in progress. A large center gallery space was installed to showcase explo‑ rative art from around the world, to bring ever‑changing and new ideas to the group. The center space also acts as a multipurpose area for free‑ flowing meetings or large client interactions. “We played with high‑end and low‑end design elements,” Lane points out. Lyrical, curvi‑ linear chairs, swooping light fix‑ tures and leather upholstered sofas more appropriate to con‑ temporary loft living are juxta‑ posed against industrial surfaces of polished concrete

and exposed duct work. Thereʼs also a kitchen space. “You may start a meeting in one area and later you may move throughout the day to different environments that might work better,” Lane ex‑ plains. Many of the spaces are permeable, with large interac‑ tive curtains and moveable platforms that can be opened or closed, creating a variety of different scenes. The Martin Agency Cre‑ ative Departmentʼs inventive blend of space and purpose earned the 2011 GRACRE “Best Interior Project” award.

A DIFFERENT ANGLE Recently built on an impossi‑ bly‑tight corner lot at Canal

and 10th streets, the Williams Mullen Center developed by Armada‑Hoffler and designed by HBA Architecture won GRACREʼs “Best Office Building”and “Project of the Year” awards. The 210,000 s.f., 16‑story building also required innova‑ tive problem solving as the proj‑ ect presented several easement challenges. The design of the building is angular rather than square, because it couldnʼt block the view to the James River from the James Center̶the landʼs original owner. While the interior reflects classic attorney offices with clustered administrative sta‑ tions in the center of the 21,000 s.f. floors, innovation can be found in the amenities. With an

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DESIGN FORWARD:Challenges of Creative Spaces

[Left]: The Martin Agencyʼs creative department library.


DESIGN FORWARD

eye toward active/green living, on the 6th floor there are rest‑ rooms with locker rooms, show‑ ers and bike racks are located in the garage. Also located on the 6th floor, an IT data center sup‑ ports 1,100 computers firm‑ wide. The 15th and 16th floors offer conference rooms and fea‑ ture granite tables from the Williams Mullenʼs previous building. The meeting rooms offer the capability for more video conferencing, resulting in less travel. As the anchor tenant, Williams Mullen is leasing ap‑ proximately 140,000 s.f. The building includes 5,100 s.f. of retail space on the ground floor.

BALANCING ACT Located within the Jackson Ward Historic District, Blileyʼs Garage combined two buildings (408 and 412 N. 3rd Street) into 15 residential apartments and an enclosed parking facility. The project tasked Gammino Realty & Development with

creating contemporary residen‑ tial apartments within the his‑ toric warehouse interior while meeting both National Park Service Historic Guidelines and U.S. Green Building Councilʼs LEED criteria. Earning GRACREʼs “Best Multi‑Family Project” award, the apartments feature locally fabricated kitchens in either walnut, bamboo, or a high‑gloss laminate with honed, black granite counters and shelves. Throughout the buildingʼs common areas and apart‑ ments, re‑claimed heart‑pine wood was re‑milled to create wood‑framed window walls, as well as custom‑fabricated steel and wood staircases. In apart‑ ment baths, ceramic‑tiled floors are heated and each has fully tiled wet walls and cus‑ tom vanity. The two‑story warehouse required extensive interior re‑ configuration to create apart‑ ment units that are open, inviting and light‑filled.

[Top]: Blileyʼs Garage combined two industrial buildings into 15 residential apartments. [Middle]: The interior design utilizes the higher‑than‑normal ceiling heights. [Right]: Re‑claimed heart‑pine wood was re‑milled to create custom fab‑ ricated steel and wood staircases.


A Working Mom’s Internal Struggle Weighing the Positives & Negatives: Not All Questions Concrete Answers May/June 2011 •Have Volume 1 • Issue 4 • #4

Three Babies In Three Weeks? Yes, I did it. Help me.

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hen the doctor esti‑ mated the due date as early April, I winced. “Are you sure you canʼt take her a little early, say end of March?” I pleaded. “Sorry, Kate, you know the drill, only a few days before the due date and weʼll schedule your c‑section.” Well, of course I knew the drill. This was my third baby in exactly five years, and appar‑ ently the third with a birthday in April.

PHOTO | KATE HALL HEADSHOT: PAIGE STEVENS

Within three weeks of her brothers. I was a goner. As if it wasnʼt bad enough that my boys were born five days apart̶our middle child was ac‑ tually born on his big brotherʼs original due date̶now our third child would be slated right in the magical, spring‑like (sometimes) month of April.

...we begin planning the biggest month of the year in our household, the one in which Hasbro kindly vomits playthings all over our living room floor, cakes are devoured crumb‑by‑ crumb, one after another... It was then that I realized I was fated to a life of exhaustion each April, probably for the rest of my life, but certainly for the

Kate Hall, publisher next several years when birth‑ days are the end‑all‑be‑all for small kids. Each April we plan parties (read: fiascos), go shopping (read: drain the bank account), and rock out (read: barely make it to said parties because the ex‑ citement level in this house is so damn high) at three birthday parties for three kids within three weeks. The magic of Christmas has no sooner faded than we begin planning the biggest month of the year in our household, the one in which Hasbro kindly vom‑ its playthings all over our living room floor, cakes are devoured crumb‑by‑crumb, one after an‑ other, and the U.S. Postal Service is overwhelmed by Hall family invitations and thank‑you notes. This year, itʼs sleepovers. Or as we like to call them, UNsleep‑ overs. If you see me this month, please give me a hug (read: cock‑ tail). Iʼm gonna need it.

In This Issue Summer Camp Registration Has Begun!

Check out these listings of 2011 Richmond summer activities for kids of all ages.

SKINNY JEANS? I’LL SETTLE FOR THE NONMOM VERSION, THANKS. Please don’t judge a mom by her jeans.

Who Are You and What Have You Done With the Real Me? Motherhood can bring out the very best in you and the very worst.

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once heard someone say that raising children was like being pecked to death by chickens, and although that could be true at times, I really think it is more like basking in the glow of a sunny day, eyes closed and relaxing while the wind gently blows across your face, just before a

Mac truck hits you full‑on only to back up and run over you again and then continue on its way. Motherhood can bring out the very best in you and the very worst. Some days it may even seem that the person you once were has been lost amongst the chaos of everyday

BY

REBECCA A. MUMINOVIC, M.D.

life stress. Sleep deprivation, car pool, music lessons, soccer practice, homework, colic, trips to the ER (yes I have boys), housework, and let us not forget the duties of a life partner or spouse. Ladies, I donʼt know about you, Continued on next page.

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“Who are You...” Continued from page 13

but I know that after a long day at work that started with packing lunches for school and watching Playhouse Disney at 5:30 a.m., I am not so in the mood to break out the stripper pole and party all night with my husband when the kids are finally in bed. Let me shout it from the rooftop, being a woman, a wife, and a mother in todayʼs world is hard and your body will pay the price for the constant on‑ slaught of stress unless you learn how to do two important things. Take care of yourself first and foremost, and be sure that you see your doctor regularly to ensure your health is on the right track. First, ask yourself an impor‑ tant question. Do you know what works for you to relieve stress? This answer may be different for everyone, but the one physiologic way to relieve stress in every per‑ son is exercise. Exercise releases your bodyʼs own natural morphine‑like sub‑ stances to make you feel good and there is no way around the fact in that. At first it is often overwhelm‑

CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE: Walk instead of drive, take the stairs not the elevator, ride bikes with your children̶ the possibilities are endless. ing to imagine fitting something else into your day, but think out‑ side the box. How can you incorporate more activity into your existing schedule? Walk instead of drive, take the stairs not the elevator, ride bikes with your children̶the possibilities are end‑ less. Also remember that children learn what they live. If they see you exercising, they will exercise. You are giving them a gift when they realize that exercise is an integral component of daily life and they will carry that into their adulthood. A recent study asked college

students in a gym what was the reason they exercised. Any guesses as to what the number one answer was? Drumroll please̶”because my parents do.” I rest my case. So, if your health is not enough reason to exercise, then do it for your childrenʼs well‑being. JUST DO IT! In addition, soak in the tub, get together with girlfriends for lunch, garden, laugh, and love. Make time for anything that brings you joy and rejuvenates your spirit!

Ben Franklin said it best, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It is so true. Please be sure that you are taking time to see your doctor for all of your preventative care. For all of you ladies who are busy childbearing, that does NOT mean that your trip to your OBGYN counts as your yearly checkup. You need to re‑ member that you are more than just your uterus! Be sure that you see your pri‑ mary care physician, dentist, and any specialist you have for other health issues. Heart disease is the number one killer of US women today and the damage does not start magi‑ cally at 50, it starts in our 20ʼs when we arenʼt even thinking about it. Be sure you are making smart lifestyle choices early on. When you take care of your‑ self, you are teaching your children to do the same. Live, laugh, love, and kick some butt doing it, ladies!

REBECCA A. MUMINOVIC, M.D. IS A COOL RICHMOND MOM AND ONE OF THE GREAT DOCTORS AT HCA.

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SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION HAS BEGUN!

Check out these listings of 2011 Richmond summer activities for kids of all ages. COMPILED BY

Camp Friendship Registration is OPEN. Camps run from June 19 – August 20. Camp Hanover Registration is OPEN. Camps run from June 19 – August 20. Camp Motorsport Registration is OPEN. Camps run from July 3 – August 5. Collegiate School Summer Quest Registration is OPEN. Camps run from June 13 – August 5. CORE Kids Academy Registration is open for 3 ‑13 year olds. Camps run from June 7 through September 1. HATTheatre Registration is OPEN. Camps run June 20 – August 11. Kindermusik Registration is open for 0‑6 year‑ olds in a variety of music camps running weekly from July 5‑August 19.

KATE SEMP

Pamunkey Ridge Girl Scout Camp Registration is OPEN (for mem‑ bers). Camps run from June 21 – August 5. Passages Adventure Camp Registration is OPEN. Camps run June 6 – August 26. Richmond Fencing Club Registration is OPEN. Camps run June 20 – August 5. Richmond SPCA Summer Programs Registration is OPEN. Weekly themed camps run from June 20 to August 26. Richmond Waldorf School Summer Adventures Registration is OPEN. Camps run weekly June 6 – August 12, 2011.

Little Scholars Registration is OPEN. Programs run from June 6 – September 9.

Richmond Olympiad (area locations Chesterfield Air‑ port, Hanover, Innsbrook and Trade Road) – Registration is OPEN. Camps run June 20 – Au‑ gust 20. Summer Schedule July 5 – August 29, 2011. Sessions and times may vary by location.

Luther Memorial Summer Programs Registration is OPEN. Camps run from June 13 – August 12.

Riverside Outfitters Camps Registration is OPEN. Camps run from June 14 – September 3. Dates vary by program.

Mathnasium, The Math Learning Center Registration is OPEN. Camps run from June 1 – September 3.

Romp nʼ Roll Registration begins February 21, 2011. Camps run weekly beginning Tuesday, June 7 – September 1.

Martial Arts World (locations in Chester, Chesterfield, Powhatan, West End, Hanover and Midlothian) Registration is OPEN. Maymont Registration is OPEN. Camps run from May 31 – August 19. Dates vary by program. Millwood School Registration is OPEN. Programs run from mid‑June until the end of July. Minnieland (area locations Hanover, Welles‑ ley/Short Pump, Skipwith Acad‑ emy, Pebble Creek, Huguenot and Woodlake) Registration is OPEN. Programs vary by location. Music Thatʼs Mine Registration is OPEN. Camps run July 11 – July 29.

SCAN QR CODE TO VIEW UPDATES

Treasure Hunt Camp Registration is OPEN. Camps run July 18‑22, July 25‑29 , Aug 1‑5 The Latin Ballet of Virginia “Be Proud of Yourself” Day Camp – Registration is OPEN. Two week camps July 5 – August 12. The Little Gym of Mechanicsville Registration is OPEN. Tuckaway (area locations Varina, West, Barony, Innsbrook, Harbor and Ell‑ wood House) Registration is OPEN. Camps vary by location. Virginia Fishing Adventures Camps Registration is OPEN. Camps run from June 20 – September 2. Check out our article on our expe‑ rience at Virginia Fishing Adven‑ tures for more detailed info.

Virginia Outside Mountain Biking Registration is OPEN. Camps run from August 1 – August 26. (June week is full.) Visual Arts Center Registration is OPEN. Camps run from June 6 – August 26. Cllick here for more info on Artventures 2011 at the Visual Arts Center. West End Academy of Dance Registration is OPEN. Camps/In‑ tensives run June 20 – August 20. Windy Hill Golf and Sports Complex Young Chefʼs Academy Registra‑ tion is OPEN. Camps run June 7 – August 25. YWCA Passport to Adventure Registration is OPEN. 12 available weeks.

Sabot at Stony Point, A Sabot Summer Registration is OPEN. Ages 4 to 14‑year olds. Programs run in June and July. Science Museum of Virginia Mad Science Camps Registration in OPEN. Camps run weekly June 20 – September 2. Swift Creek Academy of the Performing Arts Registration is OPEN. Camps run June 27 – August 12. The Greater Richmond School of Music Registration is OPEN. Dates vary by program. (Camps include ROCK CAMP, Piano Camp, Cham‑ ber Music Workshop, and the St. Cecilia Summer Music Festival.)

The Museum offers dynamic exhibits, events and breathtaking IMAX® films on the largest screen in Virginia. Inspiring Virginians to enrich their lives through science.

2500 West Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220 804.864.1400 www.smv.org

KATE SEMP IS A SAHM OF 5 WITH A PASSION FOR TRAVELLING, COOKING, TECHNOLOGY AND LIVING LIFE BIG. AFTER GRADUATING FROM WILLIAM & MARY SHE DID A STINT IN WEST AFRICA WITH THE PEACE CORPS AND TEACH‑ ING HIGH SCHOOL BIOLOGY. TRADING IN HER PASSPORT FOR A WEDDING RING KATE MOVED TO RICHMOND IN 2001.

RICHMONDMOM.COM

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Skinny Jeans? I’ll Settle For The Non-Mom Version, Thanks. Please don’t judge a mom by her jeans.

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ne of my favorite Saturday Night Live skits is the one fea‑ turing “Mom Jeans”̶you know, the ones with the elastic waistbands, ample room for a chubby belly, baggy rear end, and shapeless legs. Itʼs what was readily avail‑ able in the skimpy clothing se‑ lection found in the former world of mommies who were lost in their children and forever lost to the world of good, sound fashion. This happened for good reason. Lack of sleep, confu‑ sion due to loud noises, and the con‑ stant shuttling of children to places full of like‑minded, loud crumbsnatchers are contributors to the decline of the motherʼs wardrobe. This doesnʼt even account for the fact that many momsʼ idea of a “balanced diet” includes extra goldfish and PBJ crusts left on their childrensʼ plates or a bag of popcorn eaten at their desk. These factors have led to the transformation of the former svelte‑ish young body into a, well, mama‑like shell of a woman. Out go the tailored dresses, in come the mom jeans. A lot has changed not only in fashion but in the priorities todayʼs moms share, thank goodness. These days, moms take time out to work out: our

BY KATE HALL

Momʼs Treehouse 2011 Monu‑ ment Avenue 10k team had 90 moms on it! Moms are realizing that when they take time out to make themselves look good, they feel good. One of our readers, Angela Wright, is on the warpath to lose fifty pounds. through Richmondʼs Seal Training Program, and is throwing her mom jeans away. Another reader, Sally Nystrom, is getting her body back through Rachel Pustilnikʼs fitness program designed just for moms, named appropri‑ ately: Body Back. And jeans now have elastic in them. That you canʼt see. This is a body‑shaping, wonderful, glori‑ ous invention and Iʼd like to take a moment to thank the intellect who wove this miraculous fabric into modern‑ day jean selections everywhere. So if you see a mom in those SNL‑like mom jeans, donʼt judge. She just hasnʼt had the time to start taking care of herself again, or she may not believe that she could ever slip into the skinny jeans she just wore, and thatʼs okay. Because being a mom is a rite of pas‑ sage, a badge of courage, and an eternal hall pass to the world that declares: I donʼt have to have a perfect body, but I do deserve to look and feel good, in clothes that fit my body, no matter what the size. ʻCause when mamaʼs happy, everybodyʼs happy.

Join RichmondMom.com for

Wine Down Wednesdays

These fun events are a great chance to mingle with other Richmonders while supporting a different charity each month. $5 at the door goes directly to the non-profit that month. Raffle tickets are available for $1 every month we give away hundreds of dollars in prizes. First Wednesday of every month at The Wine Loft (4035 Whittall Way, Glen Allen) from 6:30-9:30pm.

Show your appreciation by sending flowers from Strange’s. It’s the perfect gift for new business or a job well done. It’s a smart business decision because, when you order online, you save with no wire services fees (up to a $14.99 value) for flowers sent anywhere in the US and Canada. A smile is just a click away online at www.stranges.com.

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Northeast 321-2200 3313 Mechanicsville Pk., near Laburnum Ave.

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Hull Street 321-0470 6710 Hull Street at Chippenham

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BIZ SAVVY

Legal Brief

BY CHRIS GATEWOOD

ʻENTREPORNʼ: THE PANACEA MYTH OF V.C. CASH A naturally skeptical entrepreneur I know says that startup companies in breathless pursuit of venture capital investment have fallen vic‑ tim to the lure of “entreporn.” It is easy to do. Just up the road, Washington, DC‑based Living Social recently got a $400 million investment infusion for their very young company. Online game company Zynga (Words With Friends, Farmville) also closed an impressive round of financing. These deals make headlines, and entrepreneurs salivate. But make no mistake: Private invest‑ ments from angels or venture capitalists are a mixed bag. For every story of the angel investor who came along with the right assistance at the right time, there is a story of a deal that left everyone disap‑ pointed. Before you put a “For Sale” sign on up to half of your busi‑ ness, with all of the strings that will be at‑ tached, think about the when, the who and the why. Every company and every deal is dif‑ ferent. Here are some of the key things to think about if you are considering chasing investment dollars.

Timing

that canʼt be un‑made when your pitch matures. Prior to someone willing to buy a substantial interest in your business for a substantial amount of money, that investor will need to see the proof of concept. Be prepared to show the de‑ tails, give a product or service demo, and explain who will pay for it, how much they will pay, and why they will pay.

Match Your job as an entrepreneur is to build a product or service that fills a market need, line up the customers/au‑ dience, and get paid. An angel in‑ vestor or venture capitalist has a differ‑ ent job. They need to place their money where it can create the most growth, and then capitalize through a successful exit strategy. They are not necessarily in it for the long haul, and often start looking for the profitable exit as soon as they get in.

Before you put a “For Sale” sign on up to half of your business, with all of the strings that will be attached, think about the when, the who and the why.

Before you scramble to contact every 2nd‑ and 3rd‑degree con‑ nection who might have some‑ thing to do with private investing, think about whether it is time yet. Entrepreneurs are always ready for a cash infusion. If it is too soon, you may not yet have proof of concept, a pitch that anticipates the important questions, or that first paying customer. A premature pitch runs the risk of making a bad impression

Why Investment?

Do you really need in‑ vestors? A nice pile of cash is never a bad thing. But consider whether you truly need the dollar infu‑ sion and the owner‑ ship and control compromises that come with it. If you have something to sell, you may be better off just selling it. In some cases there is a barrier that can only be overcome with outside money. In that case, private equity is a good way to fill that need and get you to market. In other cases, where your of‑ fering is market‑ready, slower growth with 100% ownership re‑ tained can be a beautiful thing.

Providing outside general counsel services to companies with or without a legal department, Chris Gatewood is an attor‑ Chris Gatewood ney & founder of Threshold Counsel, PC, (www.thresholdcounsel.com)

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Lead by Example: Greater Richmond Chamber Launches ‘i.e.’ Over the course of discussions ment for the Greater Rich‑ with various community and mond Chamber. business leaders̶including The first project will kick Andy Stefanovich with Prophet, off on June 23rd with i.e.ʼs all‑ Richmond Times‑Dispatch day, interactive, launch event publisher Tom Silvestri, the similar to the TED conference Creative Change i.e. (innovative that will feature as Centerʼs executive many as 36 local in‑ excellence) director Chrystal focuses on ideas novators who will Wake, John Sarvay and ingenuity be invited to talk of Floricane and found in RVA. briefly about their West Cary Group projects. With plans partner Moses Foster̶the to be held in Downtown ware‑ Chamber has set the ground‑ house space, the event will work to promote RVAʼs cre‑ offer a unique networking ative community. luncheon, to be followed by af‑ The initiative called i.e. ternoon breakout sessions. (innovative excellence) will According to Philips by focus on ideas and ingenuity “highlighting current sources of found in the regionʼs arts, new thinking, i.e. hopes to en‑ business, bio science and courage new innovation, help higher education sectors. speed the pace and exponen‑ By celebrating Rich‑ tially grow new thinking.” mondʼs unique abilities, i.e. Beginning June 1st, one wants to “create a local culture new featured presenter for the supportive of uncommon i.e. launch will be announced thinking which will drive suc‑ daily on www.ie‑rva.org. Ticket cessive innovation,” according sales and a lottery for free tick‑ to Stephanie Phillips, Director ets will launch soon on the of Member Value and Engage‑ same site.

SnagAJob.com Secures $27 Million Private-Equity Funding SnagAJob.com, the nationʼs largest online community of hourly workers and the leading provider of hourly workforce management solutions, an‑ nounced March 10th that it has secured $27 million in Series C funding led by August Capital, a Silicon Valley‑based venture capital firm whose partners have been founding investors in companies such as Microsoft, Sun Microsystems, and Skype. Moving forward, SnagAJob largely will use the new invest‑ ment to expand its product portfolio, intensify marketing efforts and increase the size of its sales team.

“SnagAJob is working on a number of large‑scale initiatives to make it easier for employers to both source great talent and to manage their hourly work‑ force in a more efficient man‑ ner, and we couldnʼt be more excited to partner with August Capital to help us do that,” said Shawn Boyer, founder and CEO of SnagAJob.com. “August Cap‑ ital consistently has invested in companies with solid business models and major growth plans to address a market need, and we are looking for‑ ward to working with them to address the largely under‑ served hourly marketplace.”


Mid-Atlantic Convenience Stores Opens Richmond Headquarters

GE’s New Security/Tech Center to Add 200 Jobs in Henrico County GE announced in April plans for the advanced technology, services and finance company to open an Information Secu‑ rity Technology Center in Henrico County. Employment for the Center is expected to create approxi‑ mately 200 new high‑tech jobs focused on cyber security, as well as network design, archi‑ tecture, data management, and application development over the next few years. The Greater Richmond Partnership Inc. (GRP) part‑ nered with the Virginia Eco‑ nomic Development Partnership (VEDP) to assist with the re‑ cruiting of GEʼs new cyber secu‑ rity center. “GE was on a fast‑track for this project. We were able to quickly present GE all the re‑ gional elements to demonstrate that Greater Richmond has the talent for them to ramp up fast and be successful,” explained Greg Wingfield, President and CEO of GRP. According to Wingfield, tal‑

ent was a key concern among GEʼs deciding factors. GRP and VEDP presented three major points to GE: • Greater Richmond has a solid base in our community of IT professionals who have the cyber security skill set. • Colleges and universities in the region have the willing‑ ness and ability to expand their curriculum to educate and train new talent. • Greater Richmond is a great community, making it eas‑ ier for businesses to recruit new talent to relocate and live here. “We also explained that the six Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Greater Rich‑ mond as well as businesses throughout the region have suc‑ cessfully recruited talent for years. This made it evident to GE the potential for success if they chose our region for their Information Security Technol‑ ogy Center,” Wingfield noted. “And we look forward to contin‑ uing to work with GE on their recruiting efforts.”

AMAZING TALES OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP Dave Carlton had contemplated business ownership and franchising on and off for a number of years be‑ fore he called me. He had had a successful career in the financial sales industry, specifi‑ cally leasing. But he was tired of someone else always calling the shots...and changing the rules. Territories changed, commis‑ sion structures changed. All things he couldnʼt control but that had a significant impact on him and his ability to make the kind of living and have the kind of flexibility that he wanted. He and his wife, Susan, realized that they werenʼt ready for either one of them to leave their jobs to start a business. They really wanted something they could grow while, at least ini‑ tially, maintaining their income. Dave was interested in franchising because he liked the idea of having a system to follow. He wanted something that they could poten‑ tially grow to be quite large over time so that Dave might one day be Robin Smith

able to leave his job. He also wanted something that would ultimately have re‑sale value. And like most people in todayʼs economy, both Dave and Susan were interested in businesses that were recession resistant. After evaluating a host of op‑ tions, Dave and Susan selected Great Clips. Great Clips is an affordable hair salon. They are a large franchise with over 2500 locations nationwide. This translates into a robust system for owners, which Dave and Susan really appreciated. The business model is also semi‑absentee, which allows Dave and Susan to maintain their jobs. Hereʼs what they have to say about business ownership: “We have been very pleased with the support we have received from Great Clips. They are very thorough in their training, and orientation process. We look forward to having our first location opened this summer.” Be on the lookout for their new location, opening this summer near SouthPark Mall.

Robin Smith is the owner of The Entrepreneurʼs Source. www.e‑sourceva.com.

804‑515‑5700

COBB Technologies Cobb Technologies is a Rich‑ mond‑based, Family‑owned office technology dealer, headquartered in Richmond. 20 years serving Richmond businesses with digital copiers, printers, scanners, and fax solutions. You've heard the radio ads with Freddy Cobb; we invite you to talk to Peter Larsen at Cobb Technologies and learn the rest of the story!

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Biz Savvy

president and COO of MACS. “We are incredibly pleased with the support we have re‑ ceived from the areaʼs thriv‑ ing business community.” MACSʼ decision to relo‑ cate the $1 billion company and consolidate four former headquarters locations to one business support center in the city creates a single hub for a network of approxi‑ mately 300 company‑owned and dealer locations, in addi‑ tion to its wholesale fuel dis‑ tribution network.

BY ROBIN SMITH

WORK

In March, more than 120 com‑ munity leaders attended Mid‑ Atlantic Convenience Storesʼ (MACS)̶the largest Exxon‑ Mobil fuel distributor in the U.S.̶official grand open‑ ing of its new Business Sup‑ port Center at Boulders Spring Drive. “Our company is com‑ mitted to aggressive expan‑ sion, and we believe Richmond is the perfect epi‑ center for us as we grow throughout Virginia and Maryland,” said Jim Summers,

Open for Business


BIZ SAVVY

RVA: ‘Best Small City of the Future’ The City of Richmond has been named the Best Small American City of the Future by Foreign Di‑ rect Investment (fDi) magazine. Richmond was also ranked as the third Top Small Cities FDI Strategy, and ďŹ fth overall for Small Cities Business Friendli‑ ness. According to the judging panel, the City of Richmond and Huntsville (Alabama) had the best FDI strategy amongst the small cities. The rankings are based on each cityĘźs popu‑ lation range, with that of small cities being from 100,000 to 250,000 residents. Criteria for the evaluation included six categories: eco‑ nomic potential, human re‑ sources, cost eectiveness, quality of life, infrastructure and business friendliness.

Just Ask Peter “How do you know when itĘźs a good decision to upgrade from a store‑bought MFP to some‑ thing bigger?â€? WhatĘźs an “MFPâ€? anyway? Well, it stands for “Multi‑Function Printerâ€? and itĘźs THE buzzword around the oďŹƒce. So you head into OďŹƒce Max, Staples or OďŹƒce Depot and buy that $200 super duper copier that prints and scans and sometimes even faxes. You set it up in your small oďŹƒce. YouĘźre printing in no time and copying like a pro. Scan‑ ning? Well, that takes a little more work but you ďŹ gure it out. Faxing? Many people still use it, so youĘźre dialed into that too. YouĘźre all ready to get some ink on paper! Business is booming. YouĘźre printing all those reports and pro‑ posals. YouĘźre copying on the atbed glass of the MFP (thereĘźs that cool term again). YouĘźre even using the atbed glass as a scan‑ Peter Larsen

ĘťMOVING ON UPĘź ner. YouĘźre buying copy paper by the ream and thereĘźs no end to this joy. But then something strange happens. You ďŹ nd your‑ self going back to OďŹƒce Max, Sta‑ ples or OďŹƒce Depot to buy more printer ink. You just went two weeks ago. Gosh, youĘźre out of ink and have to head out again! What is going on? Why does this thing eat ink like a great white shark de‑ vours chum in the water? Your business continues to grow. Deadlines get tighter for all those reports, proposals and let‑ ters that need to be printed. YouĘźre pushed for time. Man, this store‑ bought MFP is all of a sudden re‑ ally slow. And yes, itĘźs time to head out for some more printer ink. Sound familiar? So when is it time to move up to a console MFP? When you ďŹ nd yourself spending over $150 a month on ink, itĘźs time to think about upgrad‑

BY PETER LARSEN

ing. Why? Truth is, the oor models donĘźt use ink, they use toner. Toner is 55% less expensive than ink and still produces great color. You can lease a pretty fast floor model MFP for about $150 a month. Sometimes you can get the oor model MFP for less than $200 a month, including a large number of images (prints, copies) per month and all the toner you need! You even get unlimited onsite service from the copier company at no charge. One last beneďŹ tĚśitĘźs faster than your desktop MFP. Upgrading to a oor‑model MFP could save you money and it will certainly save you time.

Peter Larsen is with Cobb Technologies and has been in the document management in‑ dustry for 13 years. Prior to Cobb, he worked for Xerox Corporation & IKON OďŹƒce Solutions.

ÂĄ ÂĄ ¢ Ç‹ #Ç? -0 .1 ½ Â&#x; -1dž $0 -0Ç? ½  0- >- Ç?0 1 ½ ¢ Ç‹ #Ç? -0 .1 ½ Â&#x; -1dž $0 -0Ç? ½  0- >- Ç?0 1 ½

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BIZ SAVVY

Local Business Leaders Share Insight, Forecast Brighter Future BY SARA DUNNIGAN

Sara Dunnigan is Senior Vice President with the Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc.

WHEN TIMES GET TOUGH, SMART BUSINESSES FOCUS ON THEIR EXISTING CUSTOMERS. ESTABLISHING A STRONG RELATIONSHIP BASED ON A SHARED UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR CLIENTSʼ BUSINESS OBJECTIVES MAKES GOOD SENSE. WHEN THERE ISN ʼT A LOT OF NEW BUSINESS TO WIN, CUSTOMER RETENTION IS KEY AND FINDING OUT HOW TO DELIVER EVEN MORE VALUE DURING THESE TIMES GOES A LONG WAY.

T

hatʼs the thinking be‑ hind Business First Greater Richmond, a regional business assistance program. Over the past 10 months, county and city staff, training volunteers and re‑ source partners have inter‑ viewed more than 375 business leaders.

In fact,

Itʼs important work that has revealed some inter‑ esting trends and insight into the regional business climate and the chal‑ lenges faced by compa‑ nies in our community.

80% of business owners anticipate an increase in sales.

So, we stop to look at the conversations and brush off our crystal ball and re‑ port these 3 noted trends.

Half

SALES FORECAST IS BRIGHT If these 365 businesses are any indication, we expect to see much stronger busi‑ ness activity in the coming year. In fact, 80% of busi‑ ness owners anticipate an increase in sales. Half of those firms are expecting double‑digit sales growth. The number of companies in this High Growth category is higher than itʼs been in the past three years.

toll. Providing assistance to these high growth potential companies is a primary goal of the program.

High‑growth companies face special challenges. Staffing, ac‑ cess to capital, physical space and growing into the need for a more sophisticated manage‑ ment structure can all take their

NEED ROOM TO GROW No surprise, but growing com‑ panies need room to grow. Space utilization has reached its highest point in two years̶a strong indicator and positive

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news for the com‑ mercial real estate market in the region.

of those firms are expecting double-digit sales growth.

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Of interviewed busi‑ nesses, 80% are using in excess of 75% of their total space and 180 busi‑ nesses report they are pushing the limits of their existing facility. Twenty‑two firms report they have plans to expand and canʼt do so at their current location. We expect that to result in some movement as area firms find their future home and take advantage of the favorable real estate environ‑ ment for lessors and investors.

STRONG TALENT FORCE Richmond has a quality work‑ force with the quantity to sup‑

port businesses. The majority of respondents graded the re‑ gion an A or B in this vitally im‑ portant category. And thatʼs good news for the 100 firms who report they will be adding staff in the coming year. Thatʼs 27% of respondents and up slightly from last year. These are all good signs that the job‑weak recovery may be be‑ hind us. The Business First initiative is a regional effort led by the Greater Richmond Partner‑ ship, Inc., and the economic development offices in Chesterfield County, Hanover County, Henrico County and the City of Richmond. Business First Greater Richmond would love to learn more about your business. You can request a visit and learn more about the resources available at businessfirstrichmond.com

Scan the Q.R. code to visit the site.

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Marketing Greater Richmond to Israel

BY JENNIFER YEAGER

I

30 interviewed in Tel Aviv, Is‑ rael in January by the Dominion Resources GreenTech Commer‑ cialization team. Being handpicked gives these businesses access to re‑ sources that would take longer to reach without the support of the Commercialization Pro‑ gram. Over the course of three days, the hosted companies participated in a series of meetings with Dominion Re‑ sources technical and business experts as well as potential in‑ vestors to help get them to US market quickly.

its size. It noted that Dominion is in the business to serve clients. They do not develop products and are keen to learn and invest in new, innovative technologies being developed, especially as the issue of alter‑ native energy becomes increas‑ ingly critical. The reporter wrote that Israeli companies should see this as an opportunity. Ralph Robbins, Executive Director of the Virginia Israel Advisory Board, was quoted ex‑ plaining the importance of the relationship between Virginia and Israel. Virginia is the only

Virginia BioTechnology Re‑ search Park and the relocation of Sabra Dipping Co. from New York to Chesterfield County. Such success opens new doors for the Greater Richmond region. The Greater Richmond Partnership is now aggressively marketing the region world‑ wide to attract supply chain businesses. These are compa‑ nies that support Greater Rich‑ mondʼs new and existing businesses by providing goods and services. For example, the Partnership is now working to attract several suppliers to [below]: The article about RVA in Maariv, one of Israelʼs largest newspapers.

At the Dominion Resource GreenTech Incubator in Ashland an Israeli businessman made a pitch to potential investors during Clean Tech Gateway USA Program in March.

GRPʼs Senior Vice President of Business Gene Winter [left], and a contingent of RVA marketers, visited Israel in January.

An Israeli reporter from the Maariv, one of Israelʼs largest newspapers, was also visiting Greater Richmond at the invita‑ tion of the Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc. (GRP). The goal was to demonstrate the regionʼs connections to Israel, the exist‑ ing Jewish culture, and that Greater Richmond has a genuine interest in doing business with Israeli companies. The Maariv article spoke about Dominion Resources and

Jennifer Yeager is a Marketing Communications Consultant for the Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc.

state that has an organization within the Governor's office solely dedicated to Israel and signed into law. The opportunity for Greater Richmond and Virginia to be spotlighted in a high‑pro‑ file article in Israel helps to cre‑ ate further opportunities for business attraction. Over the past few years, about 500 jobs have been created in the Rich‑ mond region by Israeli compa‑ nies, including the nine at the

Sabra Dipping Co. This strategy takes advan‑ tage of existing business rela‑ tionships and is a win‑win scenario for all involved. Israeli companies are able to access the vast US market from cen‑ trally located Greater Rich‑ mond while the region gains new jobs and capital invest‑ ment. Israeli businesses operat‑ ing in the Greater Richmond marketplace is a beautiful part‑ nership, indeed.

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Marketing Greater Richmond to Israel

tʼs a perfect match really. Israel is known as a global innovation center. Greater Richmond has the resources to get an innovative business to market quickly and the support for it to grow successfully. Israeli biotechnology and clean tech innovations are of particular interest for business attraction. Consider the poten‑ tial given that the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park and utility giant Dominion Re‑ sources are headquartered right here in Richmond. “The experience we have had with Israeli life science com‑ panies over the past four and one‑half years has been exciting and mutually rewarding,” said Robert T. Skunda, President and CEO of the Virginia BioTechnol‑ ogy Research Park and Chair‑ man of the Dominion Resources GreenTech Incubator (DRGI). “We hope to replicate that into a robust, sustaining relationship with companies, research cen‑ ters and governmental organiza‑ tions in Israel involved in the alternative energy and green technology sectors.” DRGI developed a program patterned after the successful Virginia Israel BioScience Com‑ mercialization Center at the Vir‑ ginia BioTechnology Research Park, which has grown into a fully integrated business devel‑ opment center that includes a fund of $11 million. Virginia Life Science Investments is cur‑ rently working with and/or in‑ vested in nine Israeli companies. Over a three‑day period in March, the DRGI Commercial‑ ization Program hosted five Is‑ raeli companies as part of the Clean Tech Gateway USA Pro‑ gram. These five businesses were selected from a group of

WORK

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, SEVERAL ISRAELI COMPANIES HAVE BROUGHT THEIR TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS TO GREATER RICHMOND FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS. WHY GREATER RICHMOND? WHY ISRAEL?


INNOVATORS

Channel Surfing

B

y now youʼve seen them on a social platform or two̶those snazzy little RVA stencils that folks are using to support our talented city by the river. Thanks to West Cary Group, founded in 2007 by Moses Foster, Blair Keeley and Camille Blanchard, we have the RVA Generator̶a web app that allows Richmonders to up‑ load their own pictures into an RVA stencil or brand̶to give a shout out to what they feel makes Richmond so darn uniquely creative. Focused on seamless inte‑ gration of multiple communica‑ tions channels, itʼs no wonder the West Cary crew was re‑ cently asked to join some of the Richmond greats̶such as VCU

Brandcenter, The Martin Agency, J H I̶to help inspire this new social identity for Virginiaʼs Capital̶the Capital of Creativity. As a result, West Cary Group cranked out the RVA Creates website (www.rvacreates.com) and the RVA Generator stencils. “What elevates West Cary Groupʼs services above ordinary agencies is our foundational be‑ lief that diversity of thought produces consistently superior results,” says WCGʼs web devel‑ oper Fletcher Padgett. “What differentiates us from our com‑ petitors is our obsession with channels and the impact they can have when creating unique customer experiences for our clients. Todayʼs society con‑

Making Media Mobile

I

tʼs fitting that Studio 108 relocated to Manchester, Richmondʼs creative fron‑ tier. While other media com‑ panyʼs might opt for strictly‑ business corridors around RVA, Studio 108 has taken its film and video production opera‑ tions to the south bank of the James River, an up‑and‑coming arts district that has yet to un‑ dergo major urban rehabilitation. The decade‑old production company recently relocated to New Manchester Flats, a mixed‑use green development that was formerly a factory complex. With the whistle of a distant train in the background harkening to the industrial age, the spaces now are dedicated to the creative class of artists, res‑ idents, and entrepreneurs. “Although [we are] now lo‑ cated in the New Manchester Flats factory, in the heart of the art and design district, our phi‑ losophy is decidedly un‑factory like,” explains Jack Hartmann,

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BY PAUL SPICER

BY PAUL SPICER

director and owner of Studio 108. “Our vision has always been to give each and every client the total attention of every member of the company.” When a client brings a proj‑ ect to Studio 108, says Hart‑ mann, they donʼt get the impression that theirs is just an‑ other job being hustled through production, post, audio and composition. “They know that everyone involved is devoting all of their creativity and efforts solely to the client,” he notes. The studio offers boutique‑style attention to detail with the resources of a major production facility. The shopʼs expansive shooting space allows for large‑ scale productions, with multiple suites for editing, compositing, motion graphics, color grading and 3D animation. Boasting audio facilities that are second to none, Studio 108 also offers a contemporary loft ambience (18‑foot ceilings, var‑

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sumes information in ways it never has before. We have to make sure that information is formatted, packaged and inter‑ preted for the channel̶or channels̶of their choice.” West Cary Group, an award‑winning marketing com‑ munications and advertising agency firm, has amassed an im‑ pressive roster in recent years, while boasting over 20 full‑time personnel and a rock‑solid list of clientele. Quickly becoming the go‑to firm for integrated high‑ performance marketing; West Cary Group caters to far more than just digital channels.

The companyʼs expertise in the digital arena has led to re‑ cent gigs with MeadWestvaco (“Careers” recruitment web page) and Progressive Insur‑ ance (mobile advertising and customer retention tools). Padgett says that techno‑ logical advances in web, social media, and mobile have made information available at the speed of a tweet. “Communica‑ tion now occurs in real‑time, which translates into real‑time feedback and real‑time results. We can use that information to create better user experiences,” he notes.

Studio 108ʼs new space offers 18‑foot ceilings and multiple production suites.

nished concrete floors, exposed steel beams, granite countertops in the kitchen) throughout its rambling production space, changing room and area for makeup. The result̶Studio 108 routinely cranks out national, regional and local commercials, music videos, cor‑ porate communications, short films and features. “One of the most exciting things happening right now in‑ volves web content, social media and application develop‑ ment for mobile applications for iPhones, iPads and anything else,” explains Tyler Snidow, di‑ rector of business development and production. “There's been a tough issue facing production compa‑ nies in recent years. Scores of clients have need for produc‑ tion for web content or for use in social media or viral videos. The problem has been that

even though those productions require the same resources as a typical commercial production, the budgets are often half of what a television spot would be,” says Snidow. Studio 108 has developed a formula for handling these types of projects that involves key strategic partners. “These projects can be completed in a fashion that doesn't sacrifice production value, heightens creativity, and utilizes highly skilled and nimble crews to execute them,” she explains. Look for Studio 108, and their ever‑evolving mind for media, at 15 East 4th Street, Suite 108, or at www.studio108.com.


ACTiVE RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 2 • MAY | JUNE 2011 • #2

DOMINION RIVERROCK RETURNS!

USA Climbing SCS Nationals champion SASHA DIGIULIAN will compete in the Blue Ridge Mountain Sports Boulder Bash.

also: BRING ON THE

FEATURING FLYING CANINES, KAYAK TRICKS, MORE MUSIC, MUD RUNS, MOUNTAIN BIKES

& NEW THIS YEAR,

BOULDERING!

BEACH‑READY BODIES A COURSE MAP FOR

ANTHEM STRIDE THROUGH TIME YWCA OF RICHMONDʼS

ANNUAL OUTSTANDING WOMEN AWARDS

A C T i V E RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY

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ACTiVE RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 2 • MAY | JUNE 2011 • #2

JUMPSTART ............................................................................ 28 Sports Backers Earns Top Honors: Named Best Sports Commission; River City Ranks High in Healthy Living; Aquatics Center to Open in 2012

28 BODYSMART ............................................................................29 Bring on the Beach‑Ready Bodies; Train Smarter, Run Safer: Increasing step rate (strides per minute) decreases pounding on your joints according to a study in the journal; Journaling for Weight Control: a physicianʼs warn‑ ing inspires a lifestyle change.

29

Making a Splash: Dominion Riverrock ....................................32 The festivalʼs spectacles, sports and songfest return to Downtown with favorite events plus new competitions to entertain all ages.

New at Dominion Riverrock, Bouldering ................................36

32

Challenging gravity, climbers in the Blue Ridge Mountain Sports Boulder Bash will scale a cave made from metal, wood and fiberglass.

Trailblazing ............................................................................38 Are you tired of running the same route every morning? Seeing the same houses and passing the same coffee shops? If youʼre looking for something

36

to mix up your routine, trail running might just be the ticket.

Stretch Your Legs and Get Your History On! ............................40 This yearʼs Anthem Stride Through Time event has an all new course for 2011.

38

Supersized Office Party Shines Spotlight on Employee Wellness ............................................................42 Networking at the Connects Federal Credit Union Corporate 4‑miler.

Marathon Runner Gives Back Through Coaching ....................44 If you want to keep up that running momentum from the Ukropʼs

40

Monument Avenue 10k, maybe you should consider the SunTrust Richmond Marathon in November.

The Care Corner ......................................................................45 Bridge to Home Program Eases Recovery Process: Transitioning from an

42

inpatient facility to a home environment is not something people usually think about until it happens to them.

Another Year, Another Impressive List of Outstanding Women Honored ............................................46 YWCA of Richmondʼs Annual Outstanding Women Awards Luncheon.

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J U M P S T A R T

A C T i V E MAY|JUNE 2011

Sports Backers Earns Top Honors: Named Best Sports Commission The Metropolitan Richmond Sports Backers have again been recognized as a leader in its in‑ dustry, receiving the National Association of Sports Commis‑ sions' (NASC) 2011 Member of the Year award as well as the award for Outstanding Commu‑ nication/Advertising plan for the Ukropʼs Monument Avenue 10k. They are the first sports commission to win the Member of the Year award three times, having also earned the honor in 2006 and 2009. “To be the first three‑time win‑ ner of this award is a testament to just how high this organiza‑ tion has set the bar," said Sports Backers president Bobby Ukrop. “Over the years, weʼve been able to build an in‑ credible staff that is committed to excel and improve the per‑ formance of everything we do as an organization. Itʼs especially gratifying to win the award as the organization celebrates its twentieth year of existence.” The award recognizes the most outstanding impact on the local community through sporting events, community events and/or economic impact based

on the following criteria:

• Quality of the sporting events brought to the community based on community interest, size of event in relation to com‑ munity size, and the impact the event had on the community.

• Events from which the commu‑ nity as a whole or significant number of area residents re‑ ceived benefit.

• Evidence that these activities benefited community organiza‑ tions financially or otherwise.

River City Ranks High in Healthy Living The Center for Disease Control (CDC) routinely ranks U.S. Metro‑ politan Statistical Areas (MSA) based on the number of adults who identify themselves as par‑ ticipating in 30‑plus minutes of moderate physical activity five or more days per week, or vigorous physical activity for 20‑plus min‑ utes three or more days per week. The goal is to show that when a population has an increase in physical activity, there is a direct correlation in the decrease of health issues.

“Itʼs always difficult to judge the Member of the Year award be‑ cause so many cities produce such high quality events,” said Don Schumacher executive di‑ rector of the National Associa‑ tion of Sports Commissions, “but the Sports Backers continue to distinguish themselves by their list of accomplishments. They are clearly a national leader in the sports tourism industry.” A

So what did the stats show about the Greater Richmond area?

• Out of 180 MSAʼs, Richmond ranked #24 based on the per‑ centage of the population that is physically active. • For MSAʼs with a population over 1 million, Richmond jumped up to #4 (behind San Diego, Salt Lake City and Austin).

• Previous data shows that there has been significant growth from 2001‑2009 (45%‑56%) in Richmond. The significant growth in the last decade and the high rank‑ ing has been directly attributed to the increase in physical events, both spectator‑based and participatory. Participatory events such as an‑ nual runs like a 10k or marathon help boost the activity level be‑ cause once someone partici‑ pates, they are likely to continue to maintain and often even in‑ crease that fitness level in antici‑ pation of future events. But even spectator events that showcase physical activity have been shown to foster an envi‑ ronment of healthy, active living. An active, fit community means greater health benefits and lower disease statistics. A

Aquatics Center to Open in 2012 The Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership merges some of the areaʼs finest education and sports organizations including Colle‑ giate School, Trinity Episcopal School, Poseidon Swimming, Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club and Sports Backers to es‑ tablish a new Aquatics Center at Ukrop Park to offer accessible programs for area youth while promoting health and wellness among all area residents. At over 50,000 s.f., the Aquatics Center will feature three pools including the pool used at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in

28

Omaha, NE where some of the countryʼs best swimmers set many national records. This 50‑ meter, eight‑lane competition pool with moveable bulkheads will be the cornerstone of the center. Aquatics Center patrons will also have access to a ther‑ apy pool and a 25‑yard, warm‑ water pool available for lessons and other water sports. A vast 7,000 square foot mezzanine grandstand will seat up to 700 spectators. The facility is expected to open in early 2012 and will boast a community room, an indoor fit‑

ness facility, ample parking, locker rooms and plenty of stor‑ age space. In the future, it will offer a 5,000 square foot space for physical therapy and rehabil‑ itation services. The Aquatics Center will be located in Ukrop

A C T i V E RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY

Park, near the intersection of Chippenham Parkway and Route 10. A For more information visit www.greaterrichmond aquaticspartnership.org


B O D Y S M A R T BRING ON THE BEACH‑READY BODIES BY STEPHEN P. SOWULEWSKI, M.A

Those dog days of summer are approaching and many of us will be donning our swimsuits with dread and discontent. Perhaps we will look a little more like the Pillsbury Doughboy and less like that guy or gal gracing the cover of a health and fitness maga‑ zine. Fear not and forge ahead with this trifecta approach: eat clean, exercise smart, and save your skin. Summerʼs official ETA is June 21st and your mission is to shed some of that winter weight, over‑ haul your diet, and ready your skin for the onslaught of the sunʼs rays. With regard to exercise, keep in mind the frequency, intensity, time, and type of activity (FITT Principle) that you will engage in. Plan to not only consume smaller meals this summer, but keep your menu light and fresh. While you are at the store, donʼt forget to purchase some sunscreen. Aerobic activity keeps you lean so up the ante by walking, cycling, running, or swimming most days of the week. Thirty minutes three days per week may be enough for general fitness or to perhaps maintain a given weight, but it wonʼt necessarily make you svelte. Beat the heat and take to the water. Aquatic exercise will increase your flexibility, muscular strength, and endurance without stressing your joints. The physical properties of water seem para‑ doxical when it comes to getting an intense workout. The gravity of land‑based exercise feels much different from the buoyancy felt in the water. However, buoyancy and resistance actually turn a water workout into an intense fit‑ ness experience. Donʼt forget to employ some strength training. Lift lighter and better̶you can ac‑ complish more if you squeeze out the reps and execute perfect form. By doing more reps with lesser weight, you will begin to carve out that physique. Donʼt

EAT CLEAN, EXERCISE SMART, AND SAVE YOUR SKIN. forget about the overload princi‑ ple, which states that you must perform physical activity in greater than normal amounts to gain improvements. Exercising is only one part of the equation when it comes to the beach‑ready body. Plan to stock your pantry with un‑ processed foods. Go green with plenty of sal‑ ads, but donʼt forget to add some lean protein such as salmon, shrimp or chicken. Add some mandarin oranges or strawber‑ ries and some walnuts along with low‑fat vinaigrette and you have a cool and satiating meal. Fresh fruits such as watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple and kiwi are a great respite from heavy meals especially on those sultry summer days. Chill and grill. Nothing says “summer” like firing up the grill for your backyard barbeque. Sautee some chicken with Italian dressing and throw on some kabobs for good measure. Snack on raw veggies between meals or a handful of nuts or blend a

fruit smoothie with skim milk, frozen yogurt and some berries. Stay hydrated with plenty of water and donʼt allow yourself to get thirsty as hunger is often mis‑ taken for thirst. Donʼt get heated. Refrain from exercising between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM when the sun is at its strongest. Moreover, when you factor humidity into that time frame, you have a recipe for heat related illness. Instead, exercise indoors, early in the morning or later in the evening. Note to self, humans are not meant to be nocturnal. The sun is our primary source of vitamin D, which helps us absorb calcium̶ most experts agree that 20 min‑ utes worth is certainly sufficient. However, one must exercise cau‑ tion and determine the proper sun protection factor (SPF). Determine how many min‑ utes your bare skin can be ex‑ posed to the sun before it burns.

Divide that number of minutes into the total number of minutes you want to remain in the sun. The result is the SPF you should look for in a sunscreen. Donʼt be afraid to peel off that shirt this summer. Eat well, exercise often and protect your skin from the elements. Make the most of your summer fun and revel in the moment when you unveil that beach‑ready body! A

SOWULEWSKI

Stephen P. Sowulewski, M.A. is an Associate Professor and Department Chair of Health & Physical Education at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and an American Council on Exercise (ACE) group exercise certified instructor at American Family Fitness teaching indoor cycling.

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B O D Y S M A R T TRAIN SMARTER, RUN SAFER

BY TERESA STADLER, MD, FACSM

Increasing step rate (strides per minute) decreases pounding on your joints according to a study in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, February 2011.

able training pace, count every time your right foot hits the ground for 30 seconds.

Shorter strides with quicker turn over, while maintaining the same speed, decreases the vertical velocity of a runner dur‑ ing landing.

This number is your stride rate in 30 seconds. Then try to main‑ tain the same speed while in‑ creasing your stride rate by 10%.

This leads to less energy ab‑ sorption (pounding) at the ankle, hip, and especially the knee. Run Coaches have preached the principle of faster turn over, shorter strides for years. Now we have several studies showing that this may be the

Run Coaches have preached the principle of faster turn over, shorter strides for years. best way to keep running while reducing risk of injury or facilitat‑ ing recovery of an existing injury.

Try this simple drill to calculate and then increase your stride rate: While running a comfort‑

So if your initial number is 40 per 30 seconds, attempt to reach 44 in 30 seconds. Most elite runners have a stride rate of at least 50 per 30 seconds. A Teresa Stadler, MD FACSM is mom of 3 little runners; marathoner; Ironman Finisher; and Medical Director of Commonwealth Sports Medicine.

STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE YMCA OF GREATER RICHMOND www.ymcarichmond.org

Join the Y and become a member of a community that’s committed every day to helping you and your family learn, grow and thrive. Visit our website to learn about membership features, calculate your rate and join. Financial assistance is available.

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A C T i V E R V A ʼ S R E C R E A T I O N & AW ECL L TN Ei S SV CEO M R VMAUʼ N S I RT EY C R E A T I O N & W E L L N E S S C O M M U N I T Y

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JOURNALING FOR WEIGHT CONTROL

BY JJ MCMOON

To stick with this program, I posted pictures of my gut onto Facebook every day with my current weight. When I went to the doctor at the end of last year, he told me some news that wasnʼt pleasant: For the first time in my life, I was over‑ weight. And not just a little. “Ten pounds shy of obese,” he said. The message was even more blunt when he tried to be encour‑ aging. “Youʼre not too bad off,” he said. “Over 60% of Americans are obese.” Ouch. The motivation to change, however, came from a good friend of mine on New Yearʼs Eve. Just before midnight, he cracked a joke about how I wear “shirts that are too tight.” Me? Really? I had always been the skinny kid who could eat or drink whatever I wanted. But since I became a father two years ago, I had started eating more and working out less. They say that any results, good or bad, come from consistent action, rather than one or two big moves. My life needed a change, or else I was going to get the big “O” on my 2011 physical. Iʼve spent over ten years giv‑ ing seminars, many on self‑help topics. One theme that youʼll find in any program̶whether itʼs weight loss, quitting smoking, etc.̶is that you cannot quit some‑ thing without starting something else. Not in the long term, anyway.

So when I sat down on New Yearʼs Day, I decided first of all that I would start an exercise program. For my diet, I decided that I would not eat or drink ANYTHING (except for water) after 6pm. The body tends to metabolize food thatʼs in your stomach into fat when you sleep, but also, this would help me with my second and third rules: No alcohol, and no sweets. My sweet tooth didnʼt start until after dinner, so if I could just hold off for that short time of the day, Iʼd be OK. To stick with this program, I posted pictures of my gut onto Facebook every day with my cur‑ rent weight, as well as a confession of what Iʼd eaten the day before. Most of the comments were harsh at first, but after a while, people started writing me to let me know how much I was inspir‑ ing them to lose weight (though no one said they would join me in posting pics lol!). This provided more than enough motivation to reach my first goal, which was to go from 216 lbs (my weight on January 1st) to 190 lbs by April 1st. I reached this goal on March 9th. My goal now is to keep that weight off, and to develop a “washboard stomach.” I invite you to join me on this journey at www.facebook.com/jjmcmoon. A

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Judged on the difficulty and precision of their tricks, kayakers competing in the Red Bull Canal Crashers return to Brownʼs Island.

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A C T i V E RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY


PHOTOS: OPPOSITE PAGE: NICK GHOBASH; TOP OF THIS PAGE DAVE PARRISH; [RIGHT] JOSH NORRIS; [BOTTOM PHOTO] DAVE PARRISH

The series of unique obstacles and mud pits of the MGD 64 Filthy 5k Mud Run is designed for runners ages 8 and older.

MAKING A SPLASH:

DOMINION RIVERROCK THE FESTIVALʼS SPECTACLES, SPORTS AND SONGFEST RETURN TO DOWNTOWN WITH FAVORITE EVENTS PLUS NEW COMPETITIONS TO ENTERTAIN ALL AGES.

n its third year, Dominion Riverrock has grown to become the East Coast's pre‑ mier outdoor lifestyle festival by bring‑ ing world‑class athletes, thousands of spectators, eclectic musicians, and even atten‑ tion‑hungry dogs to Brownʼs Island for an un‑ precedented two‑day festival against the backdrop of Richmondʼs downtown riverfront.

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Continued on next page.

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The Urban Assault mountain bike race is a popular participant event at the festival, taking riders on downtown Richmondʼs world‑class trail system.

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A C T i V E RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY


Eukanuba Ultimate Air Dogs is comprised of three canine competitions featuring long distance jumping and object catching.

Brownʼs Island. “The success of Dominion Riverrock blew away our expectations. Dominion Riverrock is now one of the largest outdoor sports festivals in the country,” said Sports Backers executive director Jon Lugbill. “Rich‑ HE monders are proud FESTIVAL of their riverfront and are thrilled to HELPS celebrate riverlife at GROW Dominion Riverrock.”

Friday, May 13 means music, mud, and mayhem with performances by Big Gigantic and Perpetual Groove, a 5k mud run, and acrobatic kayak and freestyle bike competitions.

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On Saturday, things kick into high gear with adrenaline‑pump‑ ing activities both in and around the river̶like the THE REGION S And itʼs not just James River Scram‑ REPUTATION fun and games. The ble 10k trail run, mountain biking, AS AN ACTIVE festival (produced by bouldering, stand AND HEALTHY Venture Richmond, Sports Backers, and up paddle board‑ PLACE various sponsors) ing, kayaking, Ulti‑ provides health ben‑ mate Air Dogs and TO LIVE efits to participants, much more. The festival culminates with a per‑ and helps contribute to the re‑ formance by Yonder Mountain gionʼs growing reputation as an active and healthy place to live. String Band. “One of the reasons we have Last yearʼs event drew over such a variety of events is to 3,000 participants and an over‑ demonstrate the versatility of whelming 25,000 spectators to our parks,” adds Lugbill. A

DOMINION RIVERROCK MUSIC Friday May 13, 2011 6 p.m. Josati

PHOTOS: OPPOSITE PAGE: TOMMY LYNCH; TOP OF THIS PAGE [LEFT] GREG GARNER; [RIGHT] HENRY STERN; [BOTTOM PHOTO] GAYLE GARNETT

ʼ

7:15 p.m. Big Gigantic 9 p.m. Perpetual Groove

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Saturday May 14, 2011 1 p.m. The Bush League

2:30 p.m. Psychobilly Cadillac

4 p.m. William Walter & Tucker Rogers

5:30 p.m. Peopleʼs Blues of Richmond

7 p.m. Jonathan Vassar & The Speckled Bird

9 p.m. Yonder Mountain String Band

A C T i V E RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY

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New at Dominion Riverrock, Bouldering CHALLENGING GRAVITY, CLIMBERS IN THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN SPORTS BOULDER BASH WILL SCALE A CAVE MADE FROM METAL, WOOD AND FIBERGLASS.

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ne of the new events this year is bouldering, which enticed top‑ranked climbers to sign up for a chance to demonstrate their skills. The one‑of‑a‑ kind climbing structure was assembled by Ashland‑based T&B Equipment Company under the guidance of Brent Quesenberry of Peak Experiences.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAGNUS MIDTBOE

ACTiVE caught up with USA Climbing SCS Nationals champion Sasha DiGiulian to find out more about the challenges of the event. How long youʼve been climbing and how did you get interested? I have been climbing since I was 7 years old, so for 11 years. I first started after my brother's birthday party. I currently reside in Alexandria, VA, but I will be traveling throughout Europe and Asia this upcoming year to compete internationally and climb outside. I am currently a senior in high school!

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A C T i V E RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY

What are your goals for the Dominion River‑ rock bouldering event? Put forth my best effort, try hard, donʼt get injured, have FUN! I love competing in spec‑ tator events when the crowd is involved and encouraging. Are you participating in a lot of events this year? Yes. I will compete in a series of the World Cup competitions for sport climbing and I will compete in two bouldering World Cups coming up as well. Do you have advice for novice climbers? Stick with it, and remember why you love climbing. A


Dominion Riverrock BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN SPORTS BOULDER BASH Instead of a traditional climbing wall, The Blue Ridge Mountain Sports Boulder Bash bouldering competition features top pro ath‑ letes ascending a man‑made, 20‑foot high bouldering cave. There will be 10 women and men competing on 2 routes on Friday evening. The top eight competitors move on to the semifinal round for one route Saturday afternoon. The top 6 move on to the finals on Saturday night for one last route. Competitors will have 5 minutes to complete each route. A C T i V E RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY

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ARE YOU TIRED OF RUNNING THE SAME ROUTE EVERY MORNING? SEEING THE SAME HOUSES AND PASSING THE SAME COFFEE SHOPS? IF YOUʼRE LOOKING FOR SOME‑ THING TO MIX UP YOUR ROUTINE, TRAIL RUNNING MIGHT JUST BE THE TICKET. J H BY ACKIE

he North Bank, Butter‑ milk, and Forest Hill trail loops provide the perfect backdrop for a mid‑ morning jog or even for com‑ petitive events. On May 13th and 14th, portions of these trails will become the courses for the MGD 64 Filthy 5k Mud Run and James River Scramble 10k Trail Run at the Dominion Riverrock festival. “I donʼt think people real‑ ize that we have more than 10 miles of connected trails right here in Richmond,” says long‑ time trail runner Mark Guzzi. “And, theyʼre easily accessible.” Accessible, they are. A true characteristic of the “park

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and play” lifestyle, runners can park their cars at Dogwood Dell, Reedy Creek, Tredegar or anywhere in between and hop right on the trails. “Itʼs surprising how good these trails are for being in an urban area,” says John Cassilly, another off‑road enthusiast. Guzzi agrees: “I just think if people get out there and run them, theyʼll get hooked.” Trail running is very dif‑ ferent from road running. Some would argue that run‑ ning trails is softer on your joints than pounding the pave‑ ment. Cassilly admits he has heard people complain of being sorer after running a

marathon than they are after doing a 50k trail run because of the repetitive foot strike as‑ sociated with road running. Some would also argue that trail running is more en‑ gaging than road running̶as the ever‑changing terrain keeps runners alert. “Youʼre running on the road and the surface under your feet doesnʼt change. Itʼs asphalt, asphalt, as‑ phalt,” explains Guzzi. “Then you get off road and youʼre running on rocks and over roots and in mud or sand or youʼre climbing or descending. Every step is different.” Some would even argue that competitive trail running

A C T i V E RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY

OLT

is much less structured than competitive road races. Cassilly describes the start line at a road race as a much more seri‑ ous environment than the start line for a trail race. “There are still competitive people there, but [it seems as if] trail runners are much looser.” That relaxed mindset may be due to the fact that trail run‑ ners are less worried about splits and pace. “The terrain is continually changing, so you really donʼt worry about pace. Marathoners do their PR for a given course because the course is certified at 26.2 miles, but you canʼt really cer‑ tify trail run courses. Any given


“Youʼre running on rocks and over roots and in mud or sand or youʼre climbing or descending. Every step is different.” course is that much different,” explains Guzzi, who determines whether or not he had a suc‑ cessful run by comparing the time from the same event the year before. All the differences be‑ tween trails versus roads arenʼt necessarily positive. “If you do trail running all the time, I found that I actually got slower. I didnʼt have that quick turnover,” says Cassilly, who chose to train for and run the SunTrust Richmond Marathon in November 2010 to get his speed back on track. “If I did all trail running I could run forever, but I could‑ nʼt run fast. Thatʼs why I in‑

corporated the road running back into my training.” Guzzi agrees, saying, “You canʼt develop the speed and leg turnover you need to be a fast racer without doing the road work, so I do my hill repeats, speed work and tempo runs on the road. Thatʼs a valuable component to running.” Even though Cassilly and Guzzi continue using the road to train from time to time, both compete mainly in long‑dis‑ tance trail running events̶ul‑ tras and other endurance runs. “I run roads and itʼs not that I donʼt like it,” Guzzi explains. “But, if you have to compare the two, hands down [I prefer]

trail running.” If you have yet to try trail running, it is worth a shot. Ac‑ cording to Guzzi, you can “jump in with your road shoes and go.” Although, “the more technical the course, the more reason to have [a trail running specific shoe],” adds Cassilly. New shoes or not, both Mark Guzzi and John Cassilly would encourage you to try something new. Cassilly phrases it as, “Donʼt be locked in a box.” “Roads arenʼt going to take you to the places that trails take you,” says Guzzi. “Roads are not going to give you the beautiful overlooks at

the tops of ridges. You wonʼt see wildflowers and meadows and stream crossings if you confine yourself to roads.” If you are interested in participating in an upcoming trail running event, consider the May 13th MGD 64 Filthy 5k Mud Run or the May 14th James River Scramble 10k Trail Run at Dominion River‑ rock in Richmond. Both are great events for beginner and experienced trail runners. A More information can be found at www.dominionriverrock.com.

A C T i V E RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY

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Stretch Your Legs and Get Your History On! THIS YEARʼS ANTHEM STRIDE THROUGH TIME EVENT HAS AN ALL NEW COURSE FOR 2011.

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alkers get to experience The Fan like never before on May 21st. The 6.2 mile course be‑

gins at the Virginia Historical Society on the Boulevard and winds through the historic neigh‑ borhood, past numerous museums and monu‑ ments, over cobblestone and brick. Antique cars, historical figures and authentic architecture will bring 400 years of history to life, all while walk‑ ers enjoy a fantastic workout. Many sites along the route will be open for free during the walk and live music will keep folks motivated and en‑ tertained. Sign up at www.sportsbackers.org. A

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A C T i V E RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY


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Supersized Office Party Shines Spotlight on Employee Wellness NETWORKING AT THE CONNECTS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION CORPORATE 4‑MILER. hen you think about the tradi‑ tional office setting, you may think about socializing, but prob‑ ably not health and wellness. All of that might change thanks to the popular Con‑ nects Federal Credit Union Corporate 4‑ miler that winds its way through the Innsbrook Office Park. Itʼs specifically designed to allow office workers and their employers to

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promote the message of employee health and wellness. It takes place on Thursday evening, June 9th at 7:00 pm so that you and your co‑workers can hang out after business hours in a fun, healthy atmosphere. Then, after the run, the Innsbrook Of‑ fice Park will be transformed into the biggest office party in Richmond. This gives participants a unique chance to network

A C T i V E RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY

with employees from other companies in and around Richmond while in an informal, casual setting. Lots of employees and companies hear about wellness in the workplace, but arenʼt necessarily sure how to best incorporate those practices in a fun way. The Connects FCU Corporate 4‑miler is a real opportunity for employers to showcase their commitment to fitness in


the workplace. There will be no individual timing in this event, so runners and walkers alike are encour‑ aged to sign up for some after‑hours fun. Companies can register an unlimited number of partic‑ ipants, and spouses and friends of participants are in‑

vited to partake in the festivi‑ ties as well. To add to the social aspect of the event, employers can rent tents to serve as a company head‑ quarters where employees can

gather before and after the run. With the continuous growth of the active commu‑ nity in Richmond, this event is specifically designed to help build camaraderie and

strengthen the existing bonds between employees. You will find that everyone in the office will be raving about how much fun the event was for many, many weeks. A

A C T i V E RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY

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Marathon Runner Gives Back Through Coaching THOUSANDS OF YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TOOK THE CHALLENGE AND RAN OR WALKED IN THE UKROPʼS MONUMENT AVENUE 10K IN APRIL. AND FOR MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE NEW TO RUNNING, THEY ARE WONDERING WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS? HOW CAN THEY CONTINUE BUILDING ON THE 10K EXPERIENCE? IF YOU WANT TO KEEP UP THAT MOMENTUM CONSIDER PARTICIPATING IN THE SUNTRUST RICHMOND MARATHON OR THE MCDONALDʼS HALF MARATHON IN NOVEMBER. Here is what some of last

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PHOTO COURTESY OF SPORTS BACKERS HALF MARATHON TRAINING TEAM

hink 26.2 miles is too much? Thatʼs ok. Maybe you want to try the half‑marathon. In fact, thatʼs often a natural progression. Runners try out a 10k and they love it, so they move on to a half‑marathon and then a full. Bill Nawrocki is a perfect example of a guy who wasnʼt a runner, but after he took part in the Sports Backers Half Marathon Training Team (HMTT) he was on his way. He went from the half to the full and has come full‑circle to coaching this yearʼs training team. How did you train for the half? What was the experience like? I was never on a track team in school or par‑ ticipated in any organ‑ ized running groups or teams before I signed up for the 2009 HMTT. I wasnʼt sure what to expect, but after a few Saturday team runs I was sold. The HMTT was well organized with a 14‑week train‑ ing program, but the coaches made all the difference. Why did you decide to do the full the next year? What did you do differently (from half ) to prepare? I really enjoyed the HMTT and did well in the half‑marathon. I was 40 years old and in the best

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shape of my life due to the ex‑ tensive conditioning and mileage commitment to the HMTT and thought if I wanted to do a marathon that this was the time. Iʼm not sure if it was a “bucket list” thing, but complet‑

program with the longest run of 20 miles and max of 40 miles a week. The MTT was “game on” in my book and it made me focus much more on proper nu‑ trition, running gear and form, mental preparation and also re‑ alize that not every run will be great. In addition, I gave up my golf membership and hired the high school kid down the street to start cutting my grass. I quickly realized that Sundayʼs were indeed a day for rest! Plus, I didnʼt do any ice baths during HMTT.

yearʼs participants had to say about the training program: “IT WAS SO GREAT! I FELT MOTIVATED EVERY DAY TO GET OUT, RUN, AND IMPROVE!”

– Kate Moore

“I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT IT̶ MEETING THE NEW PEOPLE, GETTING GREAT TIPS, AND AN OVERALL AWESOME TIME!”

– Virginia Moncure

“THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I WAS INVOLVED WITH THE PROGRAM AND I ENJOYED EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF IT!”

– Maria‑Jose Bordera‑Mowry

[left] Bart Leahey and Bill Nawrocki

ing the half gave me the confi‑ dence to think I could run a marathon. Plus, I really wanted that 26.2 sticker on my car! In retrospect, training for the half was a piece of cake compared to the full. How did running the half and full compare? The HMTT was a 14‑week pro‑ gram with the longest run of 12 miles & a max of 24 miles in a week. The MTT was a 23‑week

What are benefits of the train‑ ing team? Iʼm a “Type A” personality and Are runners more successful love structure so the formal using the training team instead training team was a fit for me. of on their own? The coaches make the team, but I personally canʼt imagine doing running with others who are try‑ a 20‑mile run alone, but people ing to achieve the same goal was do it. I have met people on the great! (We were in the same HMTT & MTT that have trained boat together.) I loved meeting for marathons & halfs alone and the team every Saturday morn‑ did well, but they all say running ing for our long runs and then with a team is the way to go. going to Starbucks after to talk Plus, it felt pretty darn good hav‑ about our runs. I have made so ing so much support from fellow many friends from HMTT & team members & coaches in the MTT and we have continued to last few miles of the half and full. run year round together. Itʼs truly an amazing group of Have you participated in other healthy, positive, goal‑oriented marathons? folks and Iʼm truly blessed to be The 2010 SunTrust Richmond part of it. In addition, having a Marathon is my only marathon, network of folks outside your but Iʼm currently in the lot‑ family, friends and co‑workers is tery for the NYC Marathon. I great. Fellow runners under‑ grew up in Brooklyn and used stand what were going through to watch the marathon run and “get it” while many others past my house as a child and just think we are crazy. We never thought I would be able to do 26.2! A might be, but itʼs a good crazy. Find out more and sign up at www.sportsbackers.org.

A C T i V E RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY


THE CARE CORNER

Bridge to Home Program Eases Recovery Process TRANSITIONING FROM AN INPATIENT FACILITY TO A HOME ENVIRONMENT IS NOT SOME‑ THING PEOPLE USUALLY THINK ABOUT UNTIL IT HAPPENS TO THEM. FORTUNATELY ALL ABOUT CARE HAS ALREADY THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND HAS COME UP WITH A NEW PROGRAM TO MAKE IT AS EASY AND STRESS‑FREE AS POSSIBLE.

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ccording to program administrator and RN Barbara Retone, “Over the years, we at All About Care (a division of Care Advantage) have learned that many patients that are being discharged from inpa‑ tient facilities find the transition home to be very difficult.” Retone notes, some patients go from receiving 24/7 care to being home alone, or at best, having minimal care from a spouse, neighbor or one of their adult children. “These patients are still in the recovery process and many still require extra assistance with daily activities, especially during the transition process,” she says. So what types of professionals are available for patients once they get home? According to Re‑ tone, All About Care can provide just about any type of skilled home health professional needed and they will visit on a part‑time, intermittent basis.

Creating Continuity of Care One of the main reasons for de‑ veloping the program is because a large number of these patients canʼt afford private‑duty care and donʼt qualify for Medicaid. This new program supports continuity of care with the goal of lowering hospital re‑admis‑ sions and easing the patientsʼ transition back to independent home living. Best of all, patients still re‑ ceive the professional skilled nursing and therapy services that All About Care is known to provide. In addition, The Bridge to Home Program offer patients the additional support they need

This new program supports continuity of care with the goal of lowering hospital re-admissions and easing the patients’ transition back to independent home living. to make a safe and smooth tran‑ sition home designed to assist with healthier outcomes and en‑ hance the patient experience. All About Careʼs Bridge to Home Program can provide up to 7 Home Health Aide Visits to assist with: • Personal hygiene • Home “safety” adjustments

program? “Itʼs simple, just make a referral for skilled home health as you normally would and sim‑ ply mention or include The Bridge to Home Program when you call or fax your request,” Re‑ tone explains.

Services include: Skilled Nursing

All About Care patient PATRICIA ROBISON says, “I chose to recieve care from the company with a heart because the staff is reliable, very nice, professional, car‑ ing, and pleasant. I am very satisfied with the services

Physical Therapy

• Preparing meals • Light house cleaning • Laundry and more • Phillips LifeLine home response unit for up to 60 days • Monthly check in calls

Occupational Therapy

from All About Care.”

Speech Therapy Medical Social Worker Home Health Aide

• All About Care will be notified to an incident in progress • Third party notification faxes agency or other providers the post incident report, including hospital transports

Help With Choices So how can you or someone you know find out more about the

“Choices about the care of a par‑ ent or spouse should be a relief, not a hassle; we have a proven track record in a highly compet‑ itive health care market and have offered both personal care and skilled nursing care to Cen‑ tral Virginia for over 22 years,” says Retone. A

To find out more: Call: (804) 560-5430 Visit: careadvantageinc.com

A C T i V E RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY

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Another Year, Another Impressive List of Outstanding Women Honored NINE ACCOMPLISHED LOCAL WOMEN HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS THE YWCA OF RICHMONDʼS 2011 OUTSTANDING WOMEN AWARDS HONOREES.

DEBORAH JOHNSTON (Care Advantage, Inc.) Health & Science award

he winners were se‑ lected based on their impact on the Greater Richmond Community, their leadership skills, a high level of personal and professional achievement, and commitment to the YWCA of Richmondʼs mis‑ sion to empower women and el‑ evate children. “I'm honored and humbled to be recognized for doing what I love. To know that my writing

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STACY HAWKINS ADAMS (Prevent Child Abuse Virginia) Communications award

The class of 2011 joins 300 previous winners who represent every community sector ranging from business and education to volunteerism and the arts. and speaking and advocacy work inspires others is reward‑ ing,” said recipient Stacy Hawkins Adams.

Debbie Johnston expressed similar sentiments. “I am deeply humbled, honored and grateful for this most prestigious Rich‑

A C T i V E RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY

mond award. Last year I at‑ tended the award luncheon and left thinking Richmond has some awesome woman doing


ALICE GOODWIN (The Virginia Home) Volunteerism award

COLLEEN MAREA QUINN (Locke, Partin, DeBoer & Quinn) Law & Government award

KATHERINE BUSSER (Capital One) Business award

LORETTA K. FOLEY (Hanover Arts & Activities Center) Arts award

YVONNE BRANDON, ED.D. (Richmond Public Schools) Education award

KATHLEEN BURKE BARRETT (St. Josephʼs Villa) Nonprofit Management award

some great things for this com‑ munity. In fact I remember thinking I donʼt do enough for our community I need to step it up. I was so very touched to have been chosen as the YWCA 2011 Healthcare Extraordinary Woman and I thank everyone who has helped me on my path and believed enough in me to get here.” All of the honorees were formally recognized and cele‑

brated at the YWCA of Richmondʼs A n nual Out‑ standing Wo m e n Awards Lunch‑ eon, presented by Bon Secours. “The Outstanding Women Awards plays an important role in bringing exceptional women together. The accomplishments of these women have resulted in remarkable progress for women

SHAWNEE WEITZEL HANSEN (Richmond Friends of the Homeless) Human Relations & Faith in Action award

and children in this community. The class of 2011 joins 300 individuals who have been pre‑ viously recognized for leadership excel‑ lence. They represent every community sector ranging from business and education to volunteerism and the arts,” said Cassandra Emery, Execu‑ tive Director and CEO of the

YWCA of Richmond. In addition to providing comprehensive crisis services to families, the YWCA is dedi‑ cated to protecting the vulner‑ able, reaching out to those in need, honoring personal courage, celebrating womenʼs successes, and embracing di‑ versity and equality. Our hon‑ orees exemplify this vision through their professional and volunteer achievements. A

A C T i V E RVAʼS RECREATION & WELLNESS COMMUNITY

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From Deborah J. Johnston

May 6th through the 12th is the National Week of the Nurse! I want to honor all of my wonderful, dedicated nurses throughout Care Advantage for their hard work and excellent care that they give everyday. They are the true heartbeat of our company!

Every year my company awards nursing scholarships to our outstanding employees. This year’s winners were: RN Scholarship: Aaliyha Anders, LPN LPN Scholarships: Wendy Dodson, CAN Anita Thomas, PCA Nursing Assistant Scholarships: Euchita Smith, PCA Carolsue Johnson Jeanette Dooley, Comp. State Certification Scholarships: Courtney Wyche, PCA Deborah Pierce, PCA Adell Wiggins, PCA

Join me on my journey as a nurse and read my book, written from one nurse to another another “The School of Heart Knocks” Available at www.heartknocks.net Please extend your appreciation to any nurses you know during this honorable week.


RVA VIBE BY GRID MUSIC EDITOR ANIKA IMAJO

matter what people thought of the stage attire, we were going to take the music very seriously.” Hop on board for the pleasure cruise on May 27, when Three Sheets to the Wind will play along with No BS! Brass Band and Long Arms at Friday Cheers. A

Danny Marnier: drums; Sonny Pockett: bass; Walter Ego: key‑ boards; Topper Dandy: guitar & Rhodes piano; Captain Max Power: lead vocals and guitar; Bobby Bravado (frequent guest): percussion; The Rounding Cape Horns (occasional guests): horns.

Uisce Beatha isce Beatha (ish keh ba ha), loosely derived from a Gaelic term for whiskey, reflects the natural rapport be‑ tween Irish pub music and a com‑ plementary indulgence favored by many who listen to and perform it. “Whiskey is simply an angli‑ cized version of the correct term, which also means Water of Life,” Uisce Beatha manager Tom Lawrence explains. “That proper translation alone probably inspires many bands to adopt the name and imbibe a fair amount of the

same for its life‑giving powers. We also call it ʻtuning.ʼ” As accessible and sympa‑ thetic as the neighborhood bar, Uisce Beathaʼs repertoire of tradi‑ tional Irish songs gives melodic ex‑ pression to universal human themes. “The Irish music we play falls into some simple categories: rebel songs, love songs, war songs, memorial songs, and famine/hard‑ ship songs,” says Lawrence. “The strife of the people comes out and is remembered in these stories.” Noting that Uisce Beatha limits its

hree Sheets to the Wind takes the shame out of lov‑ ing the easy‑listening hits of the 1970s̶no static at all. Under cover of humor, satire, and irony, Richmondʼs premier yacht rock band seduces crowds with the blissful grooves of such icons as Toto, Steely Dan, and anybody who ever collaborated with Michael McDonald. Evoking that bygone era of ca‑ sual romance, piña coladas, and eternal leisure, yacht rock has en‑

Max Power puts it, “closet rock,” the band pays tribute̶and superb justice̶to a technically sophisti‑ cated genre. “Weʼre playing music that is known to be difficult to play,” says Power, who points out that the artists who first popular‑ ized these tunes are still playing large venues today. Beneath the sailing garb, shaggy ʻstaches, and disturbingly smooth stage personae are talented musi‑ cians who skillfully arrange

PHOTO : COURTESY OF UISCE BEATHA

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Jim Guy: vocals, guitar, whistle, bodhran (an Irish hoop drum), blues harp, banjo; Judy Guy: vo‑ cals, recorder; Ed Tatum: vocals, acoustic & electric guitar; Sajji Hussain: bass; Dan Guy: vocals, guitar, bodhran; Tom Lawrence: sound mix, general manager.

PHOTO: DANNY TIET

Three Sheets to the Wind joyed a widespread resurgence in popularity among both those for whom the music has nostalgic ap‑ peal and those who werenʼt born until after The Love Boat graced its final port of call. “The whole yacht rock Inter‑ net show did a lot to re‑ignite the fire,” explains guitarist Topper Dandy, “Plus, ʻBaby Come Backʼ is now a Swiffer commercial, and Swiffers are really popular with the younger set.” Specializing in guilty pleas‑ ures or, as lead vocalist Captain

and perform songs that, after all, are too cherished and widely recognized to be relegated to sub‑standard covers. “Although we weren't approaching this project as a way to gain any kind of re‑ spect, some of our favorite musicians in town actually appreciate what we do. We do get that validation and respect from them,” Dandy notes. “One thing that's never changed is that, no

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RVA Vibe

Uisce Beatha.” In the coming months, Uisce Beatha will make appearances at O'Toole's Pub and Restaurant and Rosie Connolly's Pub, in addition to playing their usual Thursday night gigs at Rare Olde Times. "We play at the pleasure of pub owners and the community, which usually in‑ volves substantial ʻpint com‑ merce,ʼ” notes Lawrence. Available for public and pri‑ vate bookings, Uisce Beatha will also play this fall at the Highland Games and Celtic Festival. A

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playlist to lyrical Irish music, he points out that when it comes to Irish music, “All forms pull at the heartstrings or put a fire in your belly.” Uisce Beatha per‑ forms at many large events, including the Church Hill Irish Festival and the Fort Lee Celtic Festival, and has for the past five years played on WCVE. However, their performance style lends itself particularly well to the intimate and interactive atmos‑ phere of pubs, where the fellow‑ ship they foster is most apparent. “Our strongest core fans call themselves the Ba‑Heads,” Lawrence says. “A band without an audience isnʼt much of any‑ thing at all. The past, present, and future Ba‑Heads are the soul of


DATE NIGHT

[This photo & left]: The former home of the Tarrant Drug Company, Tarrantʼs Café is a veritable jewel box of architectural detail and a favorite stop for the First Friday's Artwalk crowd.

On Broad: Dinner and a Show WITHIN A CASUAL STROLL TO THE NATIONAL AND THEATRE IV, THREE NEIGHBORHOOD EATERIES OFFER UNIQUE OPTIONS FOR A NIGHT ON THE TOWN. BY LAUREN RINKER | PHOTOS: CHRIS OWENS

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hen Ted Santarella opened Tarrantʼs Café in 2006, his goal was simple, to make people happy through hearty, approachable food. From the grilled cheese sand‑ wich and BBQ baby back ribs to lasagna and pork tenderloin, Tar‑ rantʼs offers a large menu of diverse food to satisfy any craving. Fresh seafood is the caféʼs specialty item, and itʼs all over the menu in dishes like the Tilapia

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Reuben sandwich and the Seafood Combo (a medley of tilapia, crab cake, shrimp, and scallops with rice and vegetables). Pizza is a popular item among the younger crowd that frequents the restaurant, and is a great item for a couple to share. Located at 1 W. Broad Street, the former home of the Tarrant Drug Company̶a pharmacy that closed in 1987, Tarrantʼs Café has a wide variety of “Prescriptions” for those who are of legal age. Sixteen

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taps, a vast selection of red and white wines, and a slew of specialty cocktails (like the sweet, citrus One West) offer patrons several ways to cure their thirst. And when you grab a seat at the bar for Happy Hour between 4 and 7 p.m., half‑price appetizers and daily drink specials are sure to keep you around to enjoy the evening entertainment, including live jazz on Thursdays, a different DJ every Friday, and live blues on Saturdays. While keeping the food and drink menus and entertainment schedules fresh, Tarrantʼs preserves many of the aesthetic qualities of the former pharmacy. A stained glass window reads “Tarrantʼs” and the original drugstore logo is prominently display under a neon martini glass. Scuffs mark up the original hardwood floors that have not undergone restoration. An amalgamation of different colored woods that line the walls, bar, and booths show off the venueʼs shabby‑chic style. And modern light fixtures mixed with old‑time crystal chandeliers continue the theme of classic with a modern twist. Itʼs this warm, inviting atmos‑ phere that defines Tarrantʼs, and attracts the restaurantʼs diverse clientele. Whether enjoying a meal after exploring Richmondʼs First Friday art scene, or having a

few drinks before a sold‑out show at The National, Tarrantʼs makes visitors young and old, professional and casual, feel wel‑ come with its small‑town, neigh‑ borhood ambience. “The staff is friendly, the menu is gi‑ normous and itʼs consistently ex‑ cellent.” ̶Holly Lucas, patron Housed in the renovated Popkin furniture showroom, Popkin Tavern (121 W. Broad Street) cou‑ ples a fun, comfortable dining at‑ mosphere with bustling city energy. Owner Steve Soble boasts pride in creating Richmondʼs first gastropub, a bar‑restaurant hybrid that caters to seasoned beer and wine drinkers as well as foodies. So whether youʼre thirsty for one of their 12 beers on tap, 22 wines, or exciting cocktails (the Long Night Out has a surge of basil that is sur‑ prisingly delectable), or if your stomach is rumbling for some Popkinʼs Fries tossed in asiago cheese and garlic butter, youʼre guaranteed a traditional dining experience with a Popkinʼs twist. A relaxed, yet chic, ambi‑ ence fills the air of Popkinʼs spa‑ cious, multi‑level establishment. Solid light maplewood floors are complemented by a dark maple‑ wood bar and matching furni‑ ture, and red accents on light fixtures and booth seats create


an elegantly casual vibe with flair. Tables line the 12‑foot‑high win‑ dows that wrap around the cor‑ ner of the building and provide sidewalk views of Broad Street. The bar stretches far down the center of the restaurant and of‑ fers house specialities like the Dirty‑Dirty martini̶a Popkinʼs citrus twist on the original. Manager Brian Lawrence knows how to use Popkinʼs great space to enhance the traditional dining experience with evening entertainment. Three pool tables (two up‑

Owner/Chef Carlos Silva and General Manager/Partner Robert Hyatt brought international flair to Richmond when they opened Bistro Twenty Seven at 27 West Broad Street (known simply as “Twenty Seven” to locals) in No‑ stairs and one downstairs) provide vember 2005. a place to socialize and compete Located on the corner of with fellow pool sharks. During the First Fridays Artwalk along Broad, Broad and Adams Streets in the Popkinʼs has a live band so that art‑ heart of historic “furniture row,” Twenty Seven prides itself on walkers can continue their fun in‑ providing “a taste of Europe in doors over food and drinks. your own neighborhood”. Every first Saturday of the Sales/Events Man‑ month a DJ spins ager William Wright de‑ until close at 2:00 scribes the bistroʼs a.m., and parties culinary offerings as celebrating polit‑ “a trip around the ical gatherings, Mediterranean coast holidays or spe‑ with a little Richmond cial occasions and Brazil thrown in for like Cinco de good measure.” Chef Silva mas‑ tered his study of French and Italian cuisines in his native Brazil, and he often leaves traces of his heritage in the dishes he creates (some are Bistro Twenty Seven recipes passed down by offers contemporary European fare in an his motherʼs family). elegant turn‑of‑the‑ Start out in France century dining room. with Escargots as an ap‑ petizer, enjoy the taste of Italy with a Caprese Salad, and bring it home with a cheeseburger made with Kobe beef and Italian Fontina cheese for a worldly taste. Pasta is also a fa‑ vorite among patrons, including the popular

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Date Night

Remnants of the “Furniture Row” legacy are found in Popkin Tavernʼs bright and airy main floor [this photo] and the store‑ room gates of its wine room [left].

Black Ink Taglianini and Fettuccine di Mare. The wide array of red and white wines are also a journey around the world, with bottles from France, Italy, Spain, Africa, and even Virginia. The food at Twenty Seven is so exquisite, youʼll find yourself stealing bites from your dateʼs plate. The building, which was home to the successful Korman Furniture Store, is 100 years old. Characteristics of the showroom are still evident in the dining room details. Soaring to heights of 20 feet, the ceiling and the large glass pan‑ els that wrap around the corner of the bistro make the room feel open and airy. Youʼll find yourself en‑ tranced by the street views as the understated elegance of the inte‑ rior contrasts with the city bustle. Marble and walnut touches trim the bar to the left of the main entrance complementing the sea of white, cloth‑covered tables to the right. Hardwood floors add the perfect turn‑of‑the‑century‑ Richmond touch to the venue. Twenty Seven is not only min‑ utes away from The National and Theater IV but itʼs convient to many office and government build‑ ings̶so youʼll find everyone from lobbyists conducting business at dinner to a group of young women enjoying drinks at the bar. A truly authentic Downtown experience, Bistro Twenty Sevenʼs ambience and internationally in‑ spired cuisine truly is nothing like youʼll find elsewhere the region. “ Itʼs so nice and romantic.” ̶Nikki Driskill and David Walton, patrons on a date.

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Mayo are a regular occurrence. Popkinʼs location in the center of it all on Broad Street attracts many types of patrons̶from college stu‑ dents to professionals̶looking for a great place to wind down after work. And with The National and Theater IV just blocks away, itʼs the perfect culinary complement to a special night out. “It has a convenient location with good happy‑hour prices.” ̶Jason Cosby, patron


What’s Kyra Wearing? BY KYRA OLIVER

Oliver and Smilovic

certainly arenʼt going to walk into a room and see 10 others wearing a repeating leopard pattern top.

SHOPTALK

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2 ichmond shared the spotlight with one of the fashion industryʼs hottest designers, Amy Smilovic, founder and designer of womenʼs label Tibi on April 8, 2011. Amy began her career in the fashion industry shortly after moving to Hong Kong in 1997; today Tibi is one of the largest contemporary lines, found in over 600 specialty stores and up‑ scale department stores world‑ wide. We were honored with her presence at the Nellieʼs Catwalk for Kids (NC4K) during RVA Fash‑ ion Week, held at Rockettʼs Land‑ ing and highlighting the wonderful Tibi collection.

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FASHION SHOW PHOTOS: OLIVER CREATIVE | KYRA IN BONE‑COLORED MINI PHOTO: CHRIS OWENS

Spring Cleaning Your Palette

A CAUSE TO CELEBRATE NC4K is a growing non‑profit or‑ ganization helping raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer through fun and fashion. Over the

last five years NC4K has raised over $50,000 from various events, and those proceeds have gone towards funding research for pediatric can‑ cer and helping improve cancer pa‑ tientʼs overall quality of life. Dozens of celebrities have partnered with and donated their time to the or‑ ganization, helping make hand‑ bags (with young cancer patients) that are auctioned to raise funds.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED I had taken some time to check out her spring 2011 collection and no‑ ticed that instead of incorporating the typical animal print, she de‑ signed a print of the whole animal; so the entire bird, in this case̶well, lots of them are cover‑ ing the garment. Itʼs so unex‑ pected, yet classic; thatʼs what I love about it. You might see a fair amount of animal prints, but you

Kyra Oliver is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and a runner who is passionate about her environment, from what she is wearing to where she is wearing it.

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I snagged a minute to talk with the designer before the start of the BY CHRIS COX show. Amy explained how she his elegant salad is a perfect loves to use florals and unexpected meal to have al fresco, for prints combined with bold solids in lunch or dinner. Why order her collection. Her cuts are often out when something so easy to make flowing, gently adorning the body, is so beautiful to serve? or geometrically inspired cutouts and layers. The Easy and Elegant Life Salade Niçoise: Start with fresh tuna, if you I asked how she manages two boys can. I get mine locally at The Yellow and the creation of such an amaz‑ Umbrella and it makes all the differ‑ ing collection. She finds inspiration ence in the world. in her children and family. As evi‑ Serve with a dry Rosé (Tavel or denced by her appearance in Rich‑ any one of a number of inexpensive mond, Amy also finds joy and and delicious Spanish rosés) and fulfillment in supporting non‑prof‑ crusty bread. its and charitable causes. For the Dressing: Olive Oil Red Wine Vinegar, 1 TIBI TIME: teaspoon Dijon Mustard, dash of THE GARMENTS OF CHOICE Herbes de Provence, salt and pepper, As those fashionistas who fre‑ 1 clove of garlic, pressed or minced 1 quent runway shows will tell For the salad: you, itʼs customary to wear a piece 2 hard boiled eggs, handful of from the featured designerʼs label green beans; 1 can of white (Can‑ when attending. I wore a classic nellini) beans; 4 fillets of anchovies; bone colored sleeveless mini, by handful of black olives; pitted 4 boiled Tibi, in cotton fabric lined with rich new potatoes; quartered with skins camel colored leather piping ($347 on; 1 can of albacore tuna in olive oil Saks, Stony Point Fashion Park). or 1 tuna steak, seared rare with salt and pepper; 2 Roma tomatoes, seeds The model on stage is wear‑ removed if you want, and quartered; 2 ing an adorable citrus yel‑ 1/2 a red or Vidaylia onion, sliced low cotton mini dress with a full thinly;1 small jar of marinated arti‑ skirt and short sleeves, featuring choke hearts; Dash of fresh lemon a cutout floral pattern perfect for juice; 1 cucumber, chopped or cut in the season ($770, Saks, Stony thin rounds; Lettuce of your choice, (I Point Fashion Park). like Green Leaf or Romaine). 1. Prepare the dressing by whisk‑ WANT MORE TIBI? ing together in a large bowl the oil, Amy has a fabulous blog that not vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper, herbes only describes what sheʼs thinking de provence and pressed garlic. about at the moment, but provides 2. Boil eggs. Bring the cold water gorgeous illustrations and photos to a boil with the eggs already in the of her designs and projects. pot. Turn off the heat and let it sit, (http://www.tibi.com/blog/) covered for 9 minutes or so. When cool, quarter and salt them. Amy volunteered her time and 3. Boil potatoes, drain, quarter name to make Richmondʼs Catwalk and salt them. for Kids a glamorous treat for those 4. Add remaining vegetables in attendance and a true success and combine with the marinated ar‑ for those involved and the patients tichoke hearts (oil and all). in need. I canʼt wait to see what 5. Flake tuna from the can, add next yearʼs fashion week has in to the bowl with the oil. Toss in a dash store! of lemon juice to offset the extra oil. If using fresh tuna, sear rare. Cool and And remember: dress well, always. cut into strips.

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Chris Coxʼs blog is devoted to ʻthe search for everyday elegance and a study of the art of living well.ʼ

SALAD PHOTO: ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/GRAPEGEEK

GLITZ & GLAM

Notes from an EasyandElegantLife.com


Fashion Design Protection: Does It Exist? F

What can designers do? The good news is designers can pro‑ tect the artwork that they create and include in the design imprints on the fabric through current copyright law. The copyright will apply only to the artwork, not the design of the dress. A copyright is the least ex‑ pensive of intellectual property protection. Forms can be obtained at the U.S. Copyright Office (uscopy‑ right.gov). The same requirements apply as would for any work of visual art. It must be your origi‑ nal artistic expression in a tangi‑ ble medium. Finally, another form of intellec‑ tual property is very important to de‑ signers. Trademark protection

becomes important when designs are released to the public. Fashion designers often apply for trademark protection of their brand names so consumers can eas‑ ily identify their designs. Think about these famous marks that the fashion‑conscious can easily identify; Gucci, Kate Spade, Lily Pulitzer and the list goes on. New de‑ signers should start using their trade‑ mark name immediately and seek registration as soon as possible. Joan Davis lives in Richmond and is an attorney with Schroder Fidlow, PLC. In addition to her legal articles, she is also an author of fiction.

Fashion

meets these requirements, the next step is to prepare and submit draw‑ ings or photographs in a patent ap‑ plication to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The examination time can be lengthy and attorney fees associated with the application can be expen‑ sive. If the USPTO approves the ap‑ plication, a design patent is granted. The design is not protected while the patent is pending and once is‑ sued the patent protection of the design will be limited to specific de‑ sign elements that are new only against fashion designs that are vi‑ sually similar. It is for these reasons that many fashion designers do not pursue design patents.

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ashion designers have been fighting for years to convince lawmakers to provide fashion designs the same protections that are afforded other articles of intellec‑ tual property, such as books, music and movies. The Innovative Design Protec‑ tion and Piracy Prevention Act (IDPPPA) introduced on August 5, 2010 may offer some protection if passed. Under the IDPPPA, a copy of a design would infringe if it is found to be “substantially identical” to the original work with little or no changes to set the design apart. A “fashion design” under IDPPPA would be defined as an en‑ tire article of apparel including its embellishment and elements of the original apparel that are the creative work of the original designer that are unique. Unfortunately, until this act or another design bill is passed, there are no bright line rules to protect fashion designers from infringe‑ ment. One avenue of protection is a design patent. Under design patent law, an or‑ namental design may be protected if it is new and non‑obvious. If a design

BY JOAN DAVIS

The “Coffee with an Art Lawyer” program allows artists, fashion designers, authors, musicians and other artsy types the opportunity to consult with a lawyer over coffee for 30 minutes FREE OF CHARGE! The program is conducted at coffee shops once per month in Richmond and Fredericksburg.

Joan Davis

Email Joan at jdavis@schroderfidlow.com or call 804-225-0505 for location and available time slots.

Schroder Fidlow, PLC 1901 East Franklin Street, Suite 107 Richmond, VA 23223 Richmond 804.225.0505 Fredericksburg, VA 804.834.3657

www.schroderfidlow.com Appointments are made on a first-come-first-served basis.

jdavis@schroderfidlow.com Lawyer Material R I C H M O N D r i dAdvertising . C O M 53


PAGE VIEWS

‘Six Pigs in a Tub’ Correcting M someone’s ost anybody can write a book. Selling the book is another matter. Al‑ though Six Pigs in a Tub has so far avoided the best‑seller list, there are some readers who find it useful. One dear soul purchased 30 copies. I think she sends them anonymously to friends whose speech grates on her nerves. People who understand cor‑ rect grammar demand it. Those who donʼt, assume itʼs unneces‑ sary. So I turned to humor to con‑ vey the message. The most often asked ques‑ tion is about the title, Six Pigs in a Tub. I usually respond by saying, you have to buy the book to find out. But my little quip has not

BY GENE COX

lons of water in the tub. Six gallons is a singular meas‑ urement of something̶in this case, the water. If you look in the tub, you will see that there ARE six pigs in it, but there IS six gallons of water̶a singular measurement. Correcting some‑ oneʼs grammar is dangerous. Itʼs al‑ most as bad as challenging someoneʼs politics or religion. But with a little help from my

grammar is dangerous. It’s almost as bad as challenging someone’s politics or religion. worked well so I will explain. Pigs are individual things and are therefore numbered. There ARE six pigs in a tub. But there IS six gal‑

pigs, I have taken on a matter that most people donʼt care about. Someone who knows how to properly use the verbs lie and lay may feel tempted to go about using them correctly just to mess with people. For example, come up with a sentence that requires the use of lain and then use it in conversation. Listeners may jump to the conclu‑ sion that the speaker is really smart, or at least someone to pay atten‑ tion to. There, Iʼve ended a sentence with a preposition. You can do that if you know what youʼre doing.

Gene Cox is co‑anchor of NBC12 News at 5 and NBC12 News at 6 . He is the author of fiction, nonfiction and maintains a blog at www.genecox.net.

Helping Small Businesses Evolve K

LOCAL POWER COUPLE PARLAY RESEARCH FINDINGS INTO NEW BOOK

nown as “The Small Business Experts,” local husband‑and‑wife entre‑ preneur team Doug and Polly White decided to turn their exten‑ sive research findings on running small businesses into a new book called Let Go to Grow. “We did some research and could not find any books that focus on the changing role of the princi‑ pal in a growing organization,” said Doug White. After completing the exten‑ sive research with companies of various sizes, the Whites realized that the results were so useful, that they needed to be shared. “Most popular business books tell the reader about the qualities, behav‑ iors, practices that make for a suc‑ cessful company,” said Polly White. “We take it to the next step.” The interviews they con‑ ducted gave the Whites unprece‑ dented insight into the challenges business owners experience, espe‑ cially in relation to how to grow their company in the most efficient way. They also heard some shock‑ ing stories. “Probably 25% of all the owners with whom we spoke told us stories about employee misconduct or theft̶and, we didnʼt ask that question,” said Polly. “Obviously, small business owners need help in hiring and process management.”

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And she should know. Before starting Whitestone Partners with Doug, Polly led her own consulting firm, Pro HR Services. Prior to that, she managed the human resources departments of three mid‑sized companies in Richmond. Doug said, “Delegating seems to one of the biggest challenges for

ple rules to help make sure we are considerate of each other,” Polly said. “For instance, if one of us is talking on the phone and another line rings, the second person takes the phone out of the office.” Doug said the partnership made perfect sense. “Our skill sets are very complementary. Polly fo‑

Doug & Polly White

the owners of growing compa‑ nies.” Doug has 25 years of experi‑ ence helping companies improve their bottom line. He has held exec‑ utive positions at company such as Capital One and has an MBA from Harvard Business School.

A Few Simple Rules So as the owners of Whitestone Partners, the couple also had to make sure they would make a great business team. “We have a few sim‑

rid.

C O M

cuses on human resources and people management. I focus on strategy, operations and finance. So, together we bring a very com‑ plete package to our clients. The only downside is that business never seems to stop.” With Let Go to Grow making its debut, their workload is not likely to slow down any time soon. In preparation for the bookʼs release, they have been making presentations to various profes‑

BY DAVID SMITHERMAN

sional groups throughout the re‑ gion. The book makes its national debut in the fall, but the Whites are going to have the book avail‑ able locally starting in May be‑ cause Richmond is where it all started for them. So what do they hope readers get from the book? “As a business grows, the owner must let go of certain tasks,” Doug emphasized. “When going from a micro to small business structure, the principal will need to let go of doing the primary work of the business.” “At the same time,” Polly added, “the owner must change his or her skill set. When moving from a micro to small business structure, the principal will need to learn to hire and manage workers.” As these Small Business Ex‑ perts embark on more speaking engagements and book signings to spread the word about how to Let Go to Grow, they will certainly put into practice some of the valuable lessons they learned. “If you are not willing to give up some or all of the primary work of the business, you become the constraint to growth in your own business,” Doug said. “There is no getting around it.” Check out Let Go to Grow at www.whitestonepartnersinc.com.


Launching your career in Greater Richmond just got a little easier.


Historic 17th Street Farmers’ Market 2011 SEASON GRAND OPENING SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011

GROWERS’ MARKET Saturdays 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

VINTAGE & GROWERS’ MARKET Sundays 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

MASSEY ALLIANCE FREE COMMUNITY EXERCISE CLASSES

Saturdays 10:00 AM, May 6 - September 10

PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE RICHMOND METROPOLITAN CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

Free and open to the public. Presented by Richmond Balance Shockoe Bottom’s neighborhood gym. Classes include Cardio Circuit, Boot Camp, Yogilates,CORE, Body Strength and more! Class type announced every Thursday on the Massey Alliance Facebook page.

MASSEY ALLIANCE CANCER PREVENTION EDUCATION TABLES First Saturday of the Month 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Learn how nutrition and healthy eating helps prevent cancer. For more information, to learn about the Festivals and Special Events and to join our mailing list, please visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com or call 804.646.0477.

Mayor Dwight C. Jones


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