April 21 23, 2016 issue

Richmond Free Press

VOL. 25 NO. 17

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RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

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It’s all about the ‘Tubmans’

April 21-23, 2016

Frustration growing Saving Armstrong High priority for hundreds

By Joey Matthews

Joey Matthews/Richmond Free Press

Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden addresses a rally last week packed with more than 500 people to save Armstrong High School and other schools from closure. Location: Mt. Olivet Church in the East End.

City Council offers amendments to add millions of dollars to RPS while School Board approves cost-cutting measures

By Joey Matthews

Community members are becoming increasingly angry and concerned about the future of Richmond Public Schools, especially after the Richmond School Board voted Monday to cut costs by shutting down two North Side buildings and implementing a new bus transportation system in the fall of 2016 that will make it more difficult for some students to get to their schools.

The plan will require middle school and high school students to go to the nearest elementary school each morning to catch a bus to their schools.

The board also voted to close the Norrell and Norrell Annex buildings in North Side where school administrators work and to demolish the former Elkhardt Middle School in South Side. The administrators would be moved to the Richmond Alternative School building in Jackson Ward.

The School Board is still considering closing Armstrong High School and four elementary schools,

along with potentially consolidating three specialty schools into one.

The board’s vote came during a stretch of meetings, work sessions and news conferences by school officials, community members, the Richmond City Council and Mayor Dwight C. Jones aimed at grappling with a $18 million funding gap in next year’s school budget.

While Mayor Jones continues to hold the line against increasing spending for Richmond Public Schools, City Council indicated earlier Monday that it wants to provide at least an additional $4.97 million for teacher pay raises beginning in July.

It did so at a work session where council members discussed their individual and co-sponsored proposed amendments to the mayor’s general fund and capital budget plans.

Meanwhile, the School Board took action on the cost-cutting measures that the administration estimated would save about $1.1 million annually.

Prior to the vote, board member Tichi Pinkney Eppes,

9th District, asked her colleagues to add an amendment that would eliminate the cost-cutting proposal to close Armstrong High School and the elementary schools and to consolidate the three specialty schools.

“In reality, I don’t think we’re going to close any schools, and I think we need to stop playing these games,” she said.

Board member Mamie Taylor, 5th District, joined Ms. Pinkney Eppes in voting for the amendment. But their efforts failed as the board’s seven other members said they preferred to keep the closings on the table as budget negotiations continue.

The possible closings have galvanized the community, with more than 20 people speaking against it at Monday’s board meeting.

“Why would you want to close the only black high school in the East End?” Michael Alexander, a 1969 Armstrong High graduate, asked board members.

“Do not put a lock on that school on Cool Lane!”

Dorothea Hobson Winfree and Daionese Johnson Bradley attentively sat in the front pew at Mt. Olivet Church in the East End at last week’s community rally to help save their alma mater, Armstrong High School, and other city schools from closing.

The longtime friends attended Armstrong for three years before moving in 1942 to Maggie L. Walker High School, where they were part of the new high school’s first graduating class.

They joined a standingroom-only audience of about 500 people Thursday, April 14, to speak out against the plan that school leaders introduced two weeks ago to close Armstrong and four elementary schools and to consolidate three alternative schools.

The plan is to help trim an $18 million budget gap if Richmond City Council does not provide substantial additional funding in Please turn to A4

Please turn to A4

Faith-based group out to change world for homeless students

Dr. Natalie May, left, holds an impromptu meeting with three Change the World RVA students.

From left, they are Marshé Turner, Leo Reyes and Vincente Johnson. Location: Huguenot High School in South Side.

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

More than 1,600 students in Richmond Public Schools are considered homeless because they lack a traditional place to live.

They live in shelters with their families, bunk with relatives or on the couches of friends or find space in group homes or motels.

It’s an unstable life of constant moves — filled with worry about having a place to sleep and having enough to eat while struggling to keep up with homework. Disappointment and broken promises are all too common in their lives.

One lifeline for homeless teens trying to finish high school or go on to college is a small, faith-based organization of volunteers called Change the World RVA. Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Please turn to A4

WNBA overlooks VUU champ

By Fred Jeter

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Dare you to laugh Sibirah Kenyatta manages to keep a straight face in a stare down with Paul Nordvig, center, in “The No Laugh Race” last Saturday at the Main Library in Downtown as onlooker Martin Erb judges. The youngster held firm and did not smile, beating her competition in a day of family-friendly fun that also featured a performance by the Greater Richmond Children’s Intermediate Concert Choir titled “Lyrics, Laughter and Learning.” The event is part of the Gellman Room Presents series.

Virginia Union University’s Kiana Johnson impressed just about everyone during basketball season — everyone, that is, but the WNBA scouts.

Despite being the named the NCAA Division II National Player of the Year, the Chicago native was not selected in last week’s WNBA draft held at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut.

It was a three-round draft, with the 12 WNBA teams selecting a total of 36 athletes from U.S. colleges and other countries.

Johnson was hopeful of getting picked, based on her sensational senior season under first-year VUU Coach AnnMarie Gilbert.

Courtesy of Virginia Union University Athletic Department

Gov. Terry McAuliffe, center, welcomes the Virginia Union University Lady Panthers basketball team to the Governor’s Mansion on Tuesday. Flanking him are VUU head Coach AnnMarie Gilbert and Athletic Director Joe Taylor. Division II Player of the Year Kiana Johnson (wearing eyeglasses) is behind Coach Gilbert.

The 5-foot-6 dynamo led the nation in scoring (29.2 points per game) and was second nationally in assists (8.6 assists per game).

She nailed 41 percent of her 3-pointers, shot 82 percent from the foul line and defensively made 4.1 steals per contest.

Rarely rested, she averaged

38.3 minutes per 40-minute game.

Johnson led the VUU PanPlease turn to A4

Richmond Free Press

A2 April 21-23, 2016

Local News

Maggie Walker statue project almost ready to roll

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

It’s official.

No tree will overshadow the future Downtown statue of Richmond civic and business leader Maggie L. Walker.

The Richmond Planning Commission this week ended the debate over the rare live oak tree that now stands at Broad and Adams streets and Brook Road.

The tree is to be eliminated, along with the triangular, dirtfilled base where the tree now stands — making way for the bronze statue of Mrs. Walker, the commission decided Monday in following recommendations from two advisory teams.

In a 7-0 vote Monday, the commission gave a thumbs-up to a conceptual plan by Maryland-based sculptor Antonio T. “Toby” Mendez for a statue of Mrs. Walker that will stand 9- to 10-feet tall and be placed on a 3-foot-4 pedestal in a new plaza at the intersection.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

U.S. Postal Service employee Louis Hatcher D.C. Emancipation Day holiday commemoratdirects traffic at the Main Post Office on Brook ing President Abraham Lincoln’s signing of a Road as last-minute filers arrive Monday to law on April 16, 1862, abolishing slavery in drop off their federal income tax documents Slices of life and scenes the nation’s capital. Although the holiday is before the deadline. The goal: To have their recognized only in the District of Columbia, in Richmond letters and envelopes postmarked April 18 to the IRS recognizes the day as a legal holiday avoid penalties for late filing. The deadline is usually April 15, and extends tax filing until the next business day when it falls but it was extended this year because of Washington’s annual on a Friday or during a weekend.

Cityscape

Metro Richmond air quality improves Courtesy Richmond Public Art Commission

A design team rendering of the statue, plaza and landscaping at Adams and Broad streets in Downtown.

The commission, which has sole discretion on approving statues in public spaces, followed the guidance of the Site Selection Committee of the city’s Public Art Commission and the Urban Design Committee, an advisory arm of the Planning Commission, both of which endorsed removing the tree.

Mr. Mendez, who received a $300,000 commission to produce the bronze statue of Mrs. Walker, initially proposed a 13-foot-tall statue on a 5-foot base, but acquiesced to a smaller figure and pedestal for the late advocate for black empowerment who is best known as the first African-American woman to found and head a bank in the United States.

Mrs. Walker founded the bank as part of her work as the leader of the Independent Order of St. Luke, a fraternal civic, social and mutual insurance organization that she led from the late 1890s until her death in 1934.

The Planning Commission’s decision also clears the way to close a portion of Brook Road, one of Richmond’s earliest streets, between Broad and Adams streets, creating room for the new plaza in which the statue will stand.

However, the commission is still reviewing the design of the proposed plaza that Boston-based VHB, a landscape architecture firm, is creating with Mr. Mendez and a city design team.

A majority of commission members are urging changes in the proposed lighting, memorial wall, plantings and other details in the conceptual design.

The Planning Commission will continue its review of the proposed plaza design at its Monday, May 16, meeting. The commission must approve the conceptual plan before Mr. Mendez and VHB can move forward.

Mayor Dwight C. Jones has been hoping to have the statue in place prior to the end of his term in December.

However, that may not be possible. Mr. Mendez has indicated it would take him 90 to 120 days to create the clay model. After that, he has said it could take six to seven months for the foundry he has chosen to create the metal version and to complete the final detail work on the statue.

Based on that timetable, a new mayor already will be installed before the statue and the plaza would be ready for public viewing.

Thousands of adults and children in the Richmond metropolitan area are breathing easier because the air is cleaner, although still far from pristine, according to the American Lung Association.

The area improved to its best values on key measures of air pollution, the ALA reported in its annual national “State of the Air” report released Wednesday.

It is the 17th report the group has produced on the two most prevalent forms of pollution — ground-level ozone, also known as smog, and fine particulates, or man-made dust.

The area’s cleaner air is good news for the 3,500 children and 15,150 adults in the city diagnosed with asthma and the 10,400 residents with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. The better air quality reduces the risk of lung damage to the most vulnerable populations, children and the elderly.

According to the ALA, cleaner cars and trucks and the reduction in coal-fired power

plants are helping to improve air quality nationally and in the Richmond area.

The Richmond area now ranks 115th among 228 metro areas on the ALA’s clean air report card. In the 2015 report, Richmond ranked 160th among the 229 metro areas measured.

The report states that this area continues to stand out on the daily measure of fine particles in the air. For the fourth year in a row, the area received an “A” on that pollution measure — putting Metro Richmond on the list of the cleanest urban areas in the United States for that lung irritant.

The report also found that the Richmond area reduced fine air particulate pollution year-round, based on measurements from January 2012 through December 2014.

The ALA based its finding on results from state government monitoring sites in Chesterfield, Charles City and Henrico counties. The ALA did not report results specific to the city of Richmond, which does not have a measurement reporting

site, despite the city population’s high levels of asthma.

The ALA also found smog, largely produced by vehicle exhausts in this area, to be less of a problem. The report noted the region got a lift from improvements in Henrico, whose ozone levels rose to a “D” grade from an “F” last year, despite having to meet more stringent standards.

Still, the area has a ways to go to gain clean air, according to Deborah Brown, president and CEO of the ALA’s MidAtlantic Division.

The 2016 report finds that there are still too many days when unhealthy levels of ozone occur throughout the Richmond metro area, Ms. Brown stated in a release on the report.

The report found that Henrico improved from 4.2 days of high ozone to 3.2 days.

Charles City County remained at 3.8 days per year of high ozone, the same as in the 2015 report. The ALA graded that result an “F”. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

HOME wins settlement for disabled

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Landlords cannot turn away prospective tenants because their income is from government disability payments, according to the fair housing watchdog agency Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia.

Richmond-based HOME brought attention to that restriction attempt after bringing change to a Chesterfield County apartment complex.

In a settlement announced Monday, the owner of Meadowbrook Apartments in North Chesterfield has agreed to pay $40,000 and improve its housing relationships with the disabled.

In 2014, HOME began investigating the actions of the staff of W.S. Carnes Inc., owner of Meadowbrook Apartments

after a Hopewell woman complained that she was turned away from renting in the complex because her sole income is from Social Security Disability Insurance.

HOME confirmed the problem with its own tests and then filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2015.

The complaint alleged that W.S. Carnes was discriminating against the disabled in violation of the Fair Housing Act with its bar to accepting SSDI as income. HOME noted that 100 percent of SSDI recipients are disabled and are a protected class.

HUD and W.S. Carnes agreed to a settlement that satisfied HOME. Under the terms, HOME is to receive $20,000 as compensation for its expenses.

W.S. Carnes agreed to put another $20,000 into a fund to build ramps, widen doorways and make other modifications to its apartments to make them more accessible for the disabled.

W.S. Carnes also agreed to retrain its staff and promote its apartments and the modifications to groups serving the disabled.

HOME President Heather Crislip praised W.S. Carnes for agreeing to be more welcoming to the disabled.

Paul Carnes, president of W.S. Carnes, Inc., said that the apartment complex changed its policy about accepting SSDI as legitimate income before HOME filed its complaint.

He added that his company worked with HOME to find a “prompt and amicable resolution.”

Protesters seek year-round city-run homeless shelter

By Joey Matthews

About 30 members of the city’s homeless community, advocates for homeless people and other concerned residents gathered behind the city’s old Public Safety Building early last Friday evening for a rally and sleep-in protest at the entrance of the emergency overflow shelter.

The protest was held on the day the city’s homeless overflow shelter was closing for the season. The shelter, located inside the former Downtown office building, provides a warm space for people who have nowhere else to go on the coldest nights of the year.

At the rally, they called on city officials to keep the shelter open year-round, for improved conditions at the building at 501 N. 9th St. and for a new city-run shelter to be built.

The protest was organized

by ASWAN, a group of homeless community organizers.

The name stands for A Society Without A Name.

“The situation is worsening for poor people and for homeless people. The city needs to step up and offer a year-round shelter,” organizer Sababu Sanyika stated in a news release.

Privately run shelters “do not have nearly enough beds for citizens without homes.”

As the rally began, 63-yearold W.B. Braxton Bantu, aka

Timothy Quarles joined others at the predominately youthled rally that called on city leaders to keep the shelter on a year-round basis and to improve the conditions there.

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

W.B. Braxton Bantu, aka “Scout Leader Bat,” one of the rally organizers, stands at the entrance to the emergency overflow shelter last Friday night.

“Scout Leader Bat,” who is a well-known member of the homeless community, spoke and called the city’s treatment of homeless people “cruel and unusual punishment.”

He told the Free Press that he and other homeless people often slept at Kanawha Plaza in Downtown until the city closed it for a $3 million renovation in July 2015.

With that space off limits, he said some homeless people then went to Festival Park next to the Richmond Coliseum.

Others find shelter in vacant buildings and homes, underneath bridges and in wooded areas.

Timmy Quarles said he has slept off and on at the overflow shelter and now “sleeps in

the basement of an apartment building.

“They don’t know I’m down there,” he said.

He said he became homeless after suffering an injury to his hand and being taken to and later released from a psychiatric ward.

“I do have some anger issues,” he said.

Darek Jones, 33, said he has slept at the overflow shelter and under bridges in the city after a small bus he relied on for transportation broke down in Henrico County. He said city police have charged him with vagrancy since he became homeless.

“I’m a criminal because I don’t have a place to go,” he

said, shaking his head.

He said it’s critical that the city provide a year-round shelter for the downtrodden “because people need somewhere to sleep whether it’s freezing outside or not.”

Anthony Watson, 34, said he lives off the Social Security disability check he receives each month and is on a waiting list to get into a high-rise property in the city.

He described the conditions at the overflow shelter as “not bad. At least you get a thin mat to sleep on and it’s a roof over your head.”

Mr. Bantu said the lighting is dim in the overflow shelter and that as armed security guards patrol the facility, some people in the shelter feel as though “they are living in a concentration camp.”

City Council “seems to be indifferent” to the plight of the homeless, Mr. Bantu said.

The only city official at the rally was City Councilwoman Ellen Robertson, whose 6th District contains the overflow shelter. She said she came at the invitation of rally organizers and was there to listen to their concerns and answer some of their questions.

The rally was marred briefly at its start when police were called about a young man at the rally who had removed his shirt and threatened to fight people attending the protest.

Richmond Free Press

April 21-23, 2016

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Richmond Free Press

A4 April 21-23, 2016

News

Comments cause temperatures to rise at city School Board meeting

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The Richmond School Board, like many public bodies in Virginia, has long barred speakers during its public comment period from engaging in “personal attacks of any individual” or expressing criticism of an administrator, a staff member, a principal or a teacher by name.

But such rules are not constitutional, according to the state’s top legal officer, Attorney General Mark Herring.

In his view, such rules represent governmental action that “violates the free speech rights of speakers” under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, While not legally binding, official opinions are considered influential legal guidance for policymakers and public bodies in Virginia and are frequently relied on by courts, according to the attorney general’s office.

In Richmond, a former city councilman is citing the new opinion as he considers a legal challenge to the Richmond School Board’s speaking policies after he was cut off while criticizing Mayor Dwight C. Jones for failing to include more funding for schools in the proposed budget.

“I called out the mayor for his callous disregard for our schoolchildren and poorly funding our school system” during the public comment period of Monday’s School Board meeting, E. Martin “Marty” Jewell said in a statement to the Free Press.

That led to a verbal confrontation with Mayor Jones’ son, Dr. Derik E. Jones, who represents the 8th District on the Richmond School Board.

As a Free Press reporter attending the Mr. Jewell meeting later recounted, Dr. Jones took offense when Mr. Jewell said, “Rev. Jones, I hate to speak about your daddy, but I think he done lost it” in failing to propose an increase in funding for public education in the budget amendments he sent to City Council. He also hurled other criticisms at the mayor.

“Marty, don’t do that,” Dr. Jones responded. “Get a grip.”

When Mr. Jewell said he wasn’t finished speaking, Dr. Jones made it clear that he wanted to hear no more.

“I hope you are finished. You’re not going to disrespect Mayor Dwight C. Jones speaks at a news conference last Friday at City Hall backed by, left to right, Budget Director Jay Brown, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Lenora Reid, Chief Administrative Officer Selena Cuffee-Glenn, Police Chief Alfred Durham and Fire and Emergency Services Chief Robert Creecy.

Joey Matthews/Richmond Free Press

Frustration growing Continued from A1

he said, his voice rising.

City Council sought Monday to address some of the community’s concerns over what they see as a dispassionate response by city leaders to the schools problems. All nine council members submitted amendments that would provide anywhere from the $4.97 million for the teacher pay raises up to the full $18 million that would allow RPS to fully implement its academic improvement plan.

However, no council members have said yet where the money would come from.

At one point during the discussion, Councilman Parker Agelasto, 5th District, suggested the possibility of applying a service charge on real estate owned by nonprofit organizations and city-connected agencies such as the Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority to increase revenues.

“I’m open to looking for what actually is needed to provide for every child’s education, welfare and well-being,” said Cynthia

I. Newbille, 7th District, who was one of the six council members to propose the amendment to provide $4.97 million in additional funding. “This is important to us all.”

The $4.9 million would provide an average salary increase of 4 percent each year over the next two fiscal years for the school system’s 2,300 instructional staff members, Ralph Westbay, the district’s assistant superintendent for financial services, told the Free Press.

However, after council members listened to public safety officials, school leaders and others express concerns about the impacts that any budget alterations would have on their ability to deliver services, they adjourned the meeting after two and a half hours without voting on the amendment to raise teacher pay or any other amendments.

“We’re right back where we started,” Council President Michelle R. Mosby said, before closing the meeting.

They agreed to meet again at noon Monday, April 25, to consider budget amendments.

The flurry of budgetary maneuverings by City Council and the School Board came after Mayor Jones reiterated his intent last Friday at a City Hall news conference not to seek any additional funds for RPS in the $709 million spending plan he presented to council last month.

“There’s no mention of where the money would come from. And that is a problem,” the mayor said, as city Budget Director Jay Brown, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Lenora Reid, Chief Administrative Officer Selena Cuffee-Glenn, Police Chief Alfred Durham and Fire and Emergency Services Chief Robert Creecy stood behind him.

“We all want schools to have more money. No doubt about that. We just need to be clear about the impact where the money is shifted from,” Mayor Jones said.

Mayor Jones also criticized council members for not providing their proposed amendments to his administration earlier.

City Council is required to approve a new schools budget by May 15, but could do so earlier.

Group out to change world for homeless students Continued from A1

“We really try to provide meaningful support,” said Natalie May, founder and president of the group’s 13-member board.

The organization works with up to 20 young people, most in high school but some in college or building a career.

The Richmond-based CWRVA provides bus passes and cell phones to enable the students to get to school, jobs and services, said Dr. May, a Richmond resident and full-time researcher and writer on the impact of optimism and positive thinking on various fields, including medicine.

The group also makes sure the students have food and clothing. They also pair students with host families who provide students with a place to live if the young adults have no place to go, she said. On Mondays, there’s an after-school program where students get homework help and are taken on field trips.

Participants also receive help with college applications or finding jobs.

Such effort is now receiving state recognition. CWRVA this week was named

the winner of the Governor’s 2016 Volunteerism and Community Service Award for a community organization.

The group was cited “as the only organization in Central Virginia specifically addressing the needs of high school and college students who face homelessness.

Teams of caring adults provide help to these students with housing, school supplies, transportation, positive encouragement and more.

“These adults and young people have become a strong family unit, supporting one another, having fun together and planning their lives together. Students receive assistance beyond high school into their college careers — a time when they need stability and support even more.”

The group got its start in December 2011, when Alia Butler Adlich, a Richmond Public Schools social worker, approached Bon Air United Methodist Church and Westover Hills United Methodist Church about providing gifts for homeless students and their families.

Still with RPS, Ms. Adlich serves on the CWRVA board and continues to work closely with the group. Through her role

WNBA overlooks VUU champ Continued from A1

thers to a 28-3 record that featured CIAA and NCAA Atlantic Region championships. It was VUU’s first CIAA title since 1983.

Johnson was CIAA and Atlantic Region Player of the Year before being National Player of the Year.

Despite all that, draft history was not on Johnson’s side.

Since the inception of the WNBA draft in 2008, only one Division II player has ever been picked for the women’s league. That was British native Johanna Leedham, who played at Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire.

Leedham was selected by the Connecticut Sun in the third round of the 2010 draft, but ultimately did not make the team.

No player from a historically black college or university has ever been picked in the WNBA draft.

Johnson, however, falls into a distinct category because she was a three-year starter at Michigan State University before transferring to VUU. One of Johnson’s former teammates at Michigan State, Aerial Powers, was the WNBA’s fifth overall pick this year by the Dallas Wings.

Panthers Coach Gilbert told the Free Press that she was contacted by one WNBA team and a chance remains that Johnson could sign as a free agent.

“They told Kiana to ‘be ready and to keep her bags packed,’ ” Coach Gilbert said. As the Free Press went to print on Wednesday, there had been no further contact.

Johnson has a “representative,” according to Coach Gilbert, and has received numerous opportunities to display her skills overseas.

WNBA training camps open Sunday, April 24. The regular season starts May 14.

as a McKinney-Vento Act social worker, a special federal program that provides funds to aid homeless students, she refers students and also reaches out to CWRVA when students face emergency situations, Dr. May said.

Dr. May said the two churches later united to host a graduation party for homeless seniors from three city high schools, Armstrong, Huguenot and George Wythe.

Building on that success, she said she worked with others in the churches to organize a summer course to help eight of the students get ready for college.

Reaching out to a dozen other churches, Dr. May said volunteers came together to develop CWRVA to provide each participating student with a network of caring adults, help in obtaining stable housing and weekly after-school programs.

The group covers the expense of driver education, remembers the participants’ birthdays and “sticks with our students even after they turn 18 and graduate,” Dr. May said.

CWRVA now works with others in the field, such as Advocates for Richmond Youth, Art 180, Great Expectations, the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, Richard Bland College and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, to provide support and motivation.

The organization always seems to find the help it needs. For example, when CWRVA was looking for space for its after-school program, the group found it at Boulevard United Methodist Church in the city.

The organization operates on a shoestring budget of $50,000 to $60,000 a year, with small grants from participating churches and community groups, individual donations and by staging fundraisers, such as a sale of new and gently used purses and jewelry and the sale of cookies. On Sunday, April 24, the Virginia Benefit Chorale will sing at 7 p.m. at Bon Air United Methodist Church to benefit CWRVA. To Dr. Day, “the program works because we are flexible and responsive to student needs as they arise. We care deeply for our students as individuals. They are never a case number or a file in a drawer.

“The key has been fostering relationships between the students and our volunteer adults,” she continued. “That’s what we teach our students — to constantly form relationships with people who will be positive and supportive.”

my family. If you’re going to disrespect my family, get out of here,” Dr. Jones said angrily.

When Dr. Jones then rose from his seat to face Mr. Jewell, School Board Chairman Jeff Bourne, 3rd District, asked Dr. Jones if he needed to take a walk to cool off. Mr. Bourne then called a quick recess when a school security guard approached Mr. Jewell.

The meeting resumed a few minutes later.

Dr. Jones Mr. Jewell returned to the line of speakers, but wasn’t allowed to address the board again.

Mr. Jewell told the Free Press the denial was unfair.

“I was denied my right to return to complete my allotted time to comment. (The board’s) policy barring calling one’s name was bogus. Now we see it is indeed unconstitutional.”

Mr. Herring’s opinion was issued Friday, April 15. In it, Mr. Herring wrote that “blanket prohibitions … may not be constitutionally applied so as to bar speakers from discussing specific … employees or officials during open meetings.”

In addition, he wrote that it “is not constitutionally permissible” for a governmental body to put in place a rule that prohibits all “personal attacks.”

Mr. Herring pointed to several federal court cases involving Virginia localities to bolster the opinion, which he issued in response to a question from Delegate Richard L. Morris, R-Isle of Wight, about whether the Franklin City School Board could lawfully ban criticism or personal attacks during the public comment period.

Saving Armstrong High priority for hundreds Continued from A1

its overall budget for the district for fiscal year 2017.

“We’re here to attempt to preserve the name Armstrong because of the love and admiration we have for the school,” Ms. Winfree told the Free Press.

“We’re here to help save Armstrong High School because that’s an historic old school,” Ms. Bradley added. “It was the only black school we had for years until they built Maggie Walker High School” in 1938, Ms. Winfree said.

A few yards away, Armstrong High junior Taylah Daniels, a member of the school’s leadership program, volunteered at a table with rally information that included a cake decorated with the message, “Saving Armstrong.”

“Armstrong is so important to me,” she said. “Both of my older siblings graduated from here. People who look at it from the outside might not realize how good of a school it is and probably don’t recognize how many people care about Armstrong.

I’ve never seen so many people care about Armstrong,” in light of the school closing proposal, she said.

The rally was organized by J.J. Minor, a community activist and 1993 Armstrong graduate. His intent, he told the audience, is to start a “You Will Not Close Our Schools” campaign.

“We will not let you do what you did to (former city schools) John Kennedy and Maggie Walker” in closing them, Mr. Minor said. “We will not let you erase our history. And we want to save other schools (proposed for closure). That’s what Wildcats do,” he said referencing Armstrong’s sports mascot.

Among those listening in the audience were RPS Superintendent Dana T. Bedden, School Board Chairman Jeffrey M. Bourne, Richmond City Council President Michelle R. Mosby and other city leaders. He told the audience to be respectful to Dr. Bedden, Mr. Bourne and others to speak at the rally.

Mr. Minor emphasized that city leaders alone should not have to shoulder the blame for the long-festering and wide array of problems that the school system faces.

“Turn to your neighbor and ask them, ‘Where have you been?’’’ Mr. Minor said, calling on all community members to get involved in efforts to improve the education of children in the city.

Rally participant Judith Collins said, “Education is a basic human right guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. All children deserve a first class, blue-ribbon education regardless of where they live.”

But the great challenge is the $18 million budget gap, Dr. Bedden told the audience.

“No decision has been made to shut anything down,” he assured them, stressing that any imminent school closures would be based on the funding that City Council provides in the budget it is scheduled to approve on or before May 15.

Mr. Minor asked schools officials a series of questions, including, “Why was Armstrong chosen?”

Assistant Superintendent Tommy Kranz said there are about 2,000 empty seats in schools located north of the James River. And a school facilities taskforce report estimates a huge growth in student population “south of the James River,” with a recommendation that RPS build a new high school in South Side, preferably at the site where George Wythe High School currently sits.

He also called some of the conditions at the aging Armstrong “a disgrace.” The football team plays on a field that resembles a “sandlot” and the track team can’t run on the school’s track because of “breaks in its rubber surface,” Mr. Kranz said.

The audience laughed and applauded when Pastor Michael Jones of Village of Faith Ministries in Henrico County offered a solution to the scruffy athletic fields at Armstrong.

“You want to know how to put grass on it? … let the Redskins play on it,” he said, referencing how the city and state pumped millions of dollars into building the Washington professional team’s training camp facility behind the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond.

City Council member Jonathan T. Baliles, 1st District, told the audience that he and others on council had asked city officials to let RPS football teams play some of their games at the training camp, and they said, “Forget it.”

School leaders also have warned of possible clashes between students if Armstrong is closed and its students are moved to rival schools.

Latoya Percer-Turner, a 2000 Armstrong graduate who lives in South Side, had an even more dire prediction if Armstrong students are moved to other schools.

“If you think there are a lot of killings now in the city,” she said, “what you would see then is going to be a war zone.”

As the meeting wound down, Mr. Minor introduced a plan of action to fight the school closure plan.

He and others circulated a petition for audience members to sign. He also encouraged residents to attend the next School Board meeting Monday, May 18, along with the City Council meeting 6 p.m. Monday, April 25, at City Hall.

The meeting concluded with audience members joining a circle and singing the Armstrong High School alma mater.

Richmond Free Press

April 21-23, 2016

Local News

THE ALL-NEW OUTPATIENT CHILDREN’S PAVILION

STARS WELCOME

VCU health system 6x21

And cowboys. And astronauts. Here, kids can still be kids.

With specialists in every care category, the new outpatient Children’s Pavilion is equipped to do what it takes to keep kids out of the hospital. With extensive amenities and ample parking, parents will have a truly remarkable experience as well.

Take a virtual tour of the Children’s Pavilion at chrichmond.org/pavilion

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Richmond Free Press

A6 April 21-23, 2016

News

Criminal charges filed in Michigan water crisis Associated Press

FLINT, Mich.

The Flint water crisis became a criminal case Wednesday when two state regulators and a city employee were charged with official misconduct, evidence tampering and other offenses over the lead contamination that alarmed the country and brought cries of racism.

“This is a road back to restoring faith and confidence in all Michigan families in their government,” state Attorney General Bill Schuette said in announcing the first charges to come out of the disaster, blamed on a series of bad decisions by bureaucrats and political leaders.

He warned there will be more charges — “That I can guarantee” — and added: “No one is off the table.”

For nearly 18 months, the poor, majorityblack city of 100,000 used the Flint River for tap water as a way to save money — a decision made by a state-appointed emergency manager — while a new pipeline was under construction.

But the water wasn’t treated to control corrosion. The result: Lead was released from aging pipes and fixtures as water flowed into homes and businesses.

Gov. Rick Snyder didn’t acknowledge the problem until last fall, when tests revealed high levels of lead in children, in whom the heavy metal can cause low IQs and behavioral problems.

Michael Prysby, a former district engineer with the state Department of Environmental Quality, and Stephen Busch, a supervisor in the department’s drinking water office, were charged with misconduct, conspiracy, tampering with test results and misdemeanor violations of clean-water law. The felonies carry maximum penalties of four to five years in prison.

Among other things, they were accused of failing to order anticorrosion chemicals added to the water to coat the pipes and prevent them from releasing lead.

Flint utilities administrator Michael Glasgow, who oversaw day-to-day operations at the city’s water plant at the time, also was charged

Michigan Attorney General William “Bill” Schuette

Wednesday with tampering with evidence for allegedly falsifying test results and with willful neglect of duty.

Mr. Busch and Mr. Prysby pleaded not guilty and were released on bail. Both were suspended without pay. Their attorneys did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Mr. Glasgow was also placed on leave and awaited a court appearance. A telephone number for him could not be found, and it wasn’t known whether he had a lawyer.

The crisis — and the state’s slow and dismissive response to complaints about the water from experts and residents — led to allegations of environmental racism, became an issue in the presidential race during Michigan’s Democratic primary in March, and sent other U.S. cities rushing to test their water, particularly in older neighborhoods with lead pipes.

Dominick Reuter/REUTERS

“They failed Michigan families. Indeed, they failed us all,” Mr. Schuette said of the men charged. “I don’t care where you live.”

Essentially, all three were accused of failing to do their duty to provide safe drinking water.

“This is rare,” said Neil Rockind, a Detroitarea defense attorney and former prosecutor. “It’s very hard to find a similar case where people are charged for just being personally bad or neglectful at their job. Usually there’s some personal corrupt intent involved.”

He said outrage over the Flint water mess has created a mood “where someone has to pay.”

For months, people in Flint have been relying on filters and bottled water. Some still do not trust what comes out of their faucets, even though the city rejoined the Detroit-area water system last fall and anticorrosive phosphates are being added.

The governor filled a few jugs of filtered Flint tap water this week and pledged to drink it for 30 days to show it’s safe.

“It’s a good first step, but it’s a small step," Flint resident Melissa Mays said of the criminal charges. “These are lowerlevel people, and I want to know who was instructing them to do what they did. I think it’s important that we can see some form of accountability being laid out, but at the end of the day we still can’t drink or bathe in our water safely.”

Outside experts have also suggested a link between the river and a deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreak. During a 17-month period, there were at least 91 cases, including 12 deaths, across Genesee County, which includes Flint.

That’s a fivefold increase over what the county averaged before.

After the crisis broke open, DEQ Director Dan Wyant and his spokesman resigned. The chief of the department’s drinking water office was fired. And the director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Chicago-based Midwest office stepped down.

The Flint debacle exposed a problem that extends well beyond the one-time industrial powerhouse.

An Associated Press analysis of EPA data found that nearly 1,400 water systems serving 3.6 million Americans exceeded the federal lead standard at least once between the start of 2013 and last September.

Most U.S. cities stopped installing lead pipes in the 1930s to carry water from main lines under the streets and into homes. But a survey by the American Water Works Association found that 6.5 million of these pipes are still in use.

Some researchers question whether chemical treatment and routine testing for lead in the water are enough, arguing that the only way to remove the threat is to replace the plumbing.

The cost, though, could be huge.

Michigan lawmakers are considering legislation to give Flint an emergency $25 million to replace thousands of lead pipes.

General Assembly backs plan It’s all about allowing anonymity for suppliers the ‘Tubmans’ of lethal injection drugs Free Press wire reports

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Death row prisoners will continue to be executed in Virginia.

In a blow to death penalty foes, the General Assembly on Wednesday approved Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s proposal to allow the state to secretly purchase lethal drugs for executions from small drug manufacturers that would remain unidentified.

Following in the footsteps of other states, Gov. McAuliffe presented that plan in a bid to halt a Republican-backed effort to revive use of the electric chair if the state was unable to purchase the lethal drugs that are in short supply.

The Republican-dominated House of Delegates initially rejected the governor’s plan 51-47, then reconsidered and passed it by a 59-40 vote. The plan then passed the majority Republican Senate 21-16, largely on a party line vote.

The Democratic governor had said that if his proposal did not pass, he would veto House Bill 815 that would bring back the electric chair, essentially halting capital punishment in Virginia.

This was the closest that death penalty foes had come to abolishing executions in the commonwealth.

A coalition of religious leaders, open government advocates and foes of the death penalty had pressed legislators to reject the governor’s plan.

“When you have to resort to secrecy or brutality to keep the machinery of death going, it’s a sure sign that what we’re doing is not right,” Bishop Carroll Baltimore, former president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, said at a news confer-

ence Monday, two days before the legislature returned to Richmond to deal with Gov. McAuliffe’s vetoes and amendments.

During the session, the legislature was unable to muster the votes to override any of the governor’s 32 vetoes, which killed corporate welfare for coal companies, progun legislation and legislation that would have barred localities from removing flags, statues and other symbols of the slaverypromoting Confederacy.

The death penalty item is among the most controversial of the amendments to 54 pieces of legislation that the governor submitted and that the General Assembly considered.

Like other states, Virginia has been facing a shortage of the drugs used for executions, as companies that manufacture them seek to ward off potential consumer boycotts and other negative publicity.

Under the McAuliffe plan, a version of which was rejected in 2015, the state would turn to specialty pharmacies to compound the needed lethal drugs, with the names of the companies to be classified. Florida, Ohio and Texas already have passed similar legislation.

Currently, seven people are awaiting execution on Virginia’s death row. Since 1976, when the Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment, the Old Dominion has executed 111 people, the third most for any state.

While death sentences are now far less common and rarely, if ever imposed in most cities and counties in Virginia, it is still available for use.

The governor also succeeded in a deal with the General Assembly that will allow

the state to borrow $2.1 billion to undertake a wave of construction at universities and other state facilities. The agreement will clear the way for spending $300 million to overhaul Capitol Square, including replacing the aging General Assembly Building and renovating Old City Hall.

The governor and the legislature also found common ground on a new initiative called Go Virginia that will push development projects.

Among the final vetoes the governor issued and that were upheld are ones that: • Rejected an effort to turn elections for mayor, city councils and schools into partisan affairs. The legislation would have required candidates to declare a political party identification for the first time since 1870.

• Halted legislation that would have allowed victims of domestic violence from carrying concealed guns without applying for a permit or taking required gun safety training.

• Blocked a bill that would have allowed people to brandish weapons in public and avoid prosecution unless it could be proven they sought to create fear.

• Wiped out a bill that would have benefited companies like McDonald’s that sell franchises. The legislation would have barred franchise owners and their employees from being considered employees of the franchising company.

The governor wrote that the franchise legislation would have relieved dominant franchisors of the obligations and responsibilities of an employer, meaning the person owning the franchise would have “to shoulder the burdens.”

Petersburg shakeup continues

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Mr. Carter, who joined Petersburg’s staff in 2011, was an ally of the former city manager, William Irvin M. Carter Jr. has been dismissed as director Johnson III. He had worked with Mr. Johnson in of the Petersburg Finance Department in the latest city Richmond while Mr. Johnson was a Richmond deputy government shakeup. city manager, and Mr. Johnson hired Mr. Carter a He was given notice that his services were no longer few months after coming to Petersburg. needed, according to Dironna M. Belton, Petersburg’s Mr. Carter’s departure came just weeks after Mr. interim city manager.

Johnson was fired by the Petersburg City Council.

She said Petersburg is working with a company Earlier, Brian Telfair left his post as city attorney. that offers budgeting expertise as the search for a new Separately, city Treasurer Kevin Brown, who finance director begins. collects taxes for the City of Petersburg, created Mr. Carter Mr. Carter’s departure follows a recent audit indian uproar when he had the city’s daily newspaper, cating the city finished the 2015 fiscal year that ended June 30 The Progress-Index, publish a 44-page supplement during with a $4 million deficit and currently is facing a $7 million the weekend with the names of people who owe a collective shortfall in its general fund. $10 million in unpaid real estate and personal property taxes Meanwhile, the city is trying to resolve a major problem with in Petersburg. its water billing system that has either created overcharges or Many whose names were listed were upset while others were left people without bills. shocked that Mr. Brown spent $21,000 to publish the list.

WASHINGTON Anti-slavery crusader Harriet Tubman will replace former President Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill, U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew announced Wednesday.

Ms. Tubman, who escaped slavery and is best known for bravely leading other enslaved people to freedom on the Underground Railroad, will be the first African-American depicted on U.S. currency as well as the first woman in more than a century.

The change is to be made in 2020, to give officials time to design a bill with security measures against counterfeiting.

The women last depicted on U.S. bills were Martha Washington, on the $1 silver certificate from Ms. Tubman 1891 to 1896, and Pocahontas, in a group photo on the $20 bill from 1865 to 1869.

In an irony of history, Ms. Tubman, who also served as a Union spy and guided a military raid that freed hundreds of slaves during the Civil War, will take the space from a president who owned slaves.

The U.S. Treasury initially planned to feature a woman on the face of the $10 bill.

However, that idea was dropped after a public outcry against removing Alexander Hamilton, the original secretary of the treasury who set up American’s financial system.

The change from the $10 to $20 bill has won applause from women as the $20 bill is more widely circulated.

Secretary Lew also announced that the faces of women who led the movement to gain women the right to vote would be portrayed on the back of the $10 bill, while the back of the $5 bill will be used to feature civil rights leaders. No information on who they may be was available immediately.

Price of first class stamp drops by 2¢

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

A postage stamp now costs 47 cents — a drop of 2 cents for a first class letter.

The U.S. Postal Service was forced to cut the price of a Forever stamp from 49 cents on April 11 based on a ruling from the Postal Regulatory Commission. The ruling also reduced the price of a postcard by a penny and the cost of stamps for international mail by 5 cents.

The price cut is the first for the Postal Service since 1919.

The commission, which oversees mail pricing, made the cut happen by allowing a previous temporary price increase to expire.

In 2014, the commission allowed the USPS to boost stamp prices by 3 cents to make up for losses from the Great Recession, but only 1 cent of that increase was permanent.

The Postal Service projects the price drop will reduce its revenue by $2 billion annually. The USPS is planning to appeal the commission’s order and also file to increase rates.

Richmond Free Press

April 21-23, 2016

Your Health

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Your Journey to Wellness Starts Here Stress: Giving you more than just gray hairs

Debra Barksdale, Ph.D., FNP-BC, CNE, FAANP, FAAN, Associate Dean of Academic Programs and Professor, VCU School of Nursing It’s the norm. You go to the doctor; they get your height, weight and check your blood pressure. And when it comes back a little high you assume it’s the fried food you ate last night or the couch time that March Madness® demands. There’s another alternative that you may not have considered, but Dr. Debra Barksdale, professor and the Associate Dean of Academic Programs at VCU School of Nursing, has.

According to Barksdale, “Dealing with high blood pressure can be hard, because people may not have any signs or symptoms; so you’re telling someone to do something about something that doesn’t appear real to them.” There is plenty of information out these days about the effects of bad eating habits and a lack of exercise in relation to high blood pressure. Unfortunately, what people don’t consider are the monstrous effects

of stress.

Barksdale started studying the effects of stress early on. “I remember being a young nurse practitioner and seeing a lot of young black men come in,” she says, “they didn’t come in for blood pressure, but invariably they would have high blood pressure.” According to Barksdale, “They didn’t have all the traditional risk factors—they weren’t overweight. It just wasn’t adding up.” Barksdale discovered that stress was the common factor among all of them.

According to Barksdale, “This is a health disparity that is driven largely by the environment people are in, along with the pressure to succeed; either to escape the environment or maintain it.”

“When you add stress on top of negative lifestyle choices that we make, they can all contribute to high blood pressure and other adverse outcomes, like stroke and heart attack,” she says.

Barksdale’s research focuses heavily on stress and cardiovascular disease in African-Americans. Her study titled, “Hypertension in Black Americans: Environment, Behavior, and Biology,” was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

She defines stress as a physiological process. “When our bodies get to the point that they cannot adjust or accommodate what’s happening, that’s when we see some physiological manifestations, like high blood pressure.” Quite a bit of Barksdale’s research includes a targeted focus on understanding the processes of stress. “We know that just telling people to reduce your stress, just like telling people to eat right, or telling people to exercise doesn’t work,” says Barksdale, “so we look at hormones and patterns in relation to blood pressure and weight.”

“We also look at mechanisms of coping. There’s a phenomenon called John Henry-ism,” says Barksdale, “it’s based on

the legend of John Henry, the steel-driving man.” In the legend, John Henry races against a steam-powered hammer. It’s an epic display of strength, efficiency and sheer will to succeed.

He wins the race, only to die with his hammer in hand, as his heart burst from the stress. “This coping mechanism is known as Chronic Active Coping and a lot of African-Americans use this,” according to Barksdale, “they are determined to succeed, even if it kills them.”

“At the end of the day, the research is good, but we need to invest in doing some of the things that we know are good and help our cardiovascular health,” says Barksdale. The American Heart Association recommends 30 to 40 minutes of moderate aerobic activity three to four times a week. “We can do small things,” she says, “like park your car farther away when you go shopping, or take the stairs instead of the elevator.” One of the things she recommends in the absence of equipment is to dance.

“Put on your favorite music and just go for it,” says Barksdale.

Debra Barksdale is a native of Nathalie, Virginia in Halifax County. She is an educator, researcher, practitioner and a strong advocate for improved care. In addition to being a board-certified family nurse practitioner, she’s also a former Department of Health and Human Services fellow. In 2014, she was appointed to the Veteran’s Choice Act Blue Ribbon Panel.

One of her most cherished accomplishments has been her appointment to the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Board of Governors, by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (2010-2018). She currently chairs one of its 3 major strategy committees and is the only nurse to ever be appointed to that position. She credits the TV show Julia, as being a huge part of her inspiration to become a nurse.

VCU Health’s Center on Health Disparities is working to change the landscape of disparities and find real solutions for communities in Richmond and abroad. It is their mission to reduce health disparities by training a diverse and competent workforce, and by serving and engaging these communities.

Have you ever been diagnosed and treated for something, only to find that the treatment isn’t working because the diagnosis was wrong. And it’s not that the doctor didn’t know what to do, it’s that the condition masked itself as something more common, hiding just beneath the surface.

Dr. Keyur Shah is a cardiologist at VCU Health Pauley Heart Center and the Medical Director of the Mechanical Circulatory Support Program. He specializes in cardiomyopathy and heart failure, and is exactly the kind of expert you want when it comes to matters of the heart, like amyloidosis.

Amyloidosis is a disease you’ve probably never heard of before. The U.S. Office of Rare Diseases has labeled it a rare disease. It is a disease of protein folding. “For one reason or another, a protein misfolds and forms this very resistant deposit called amyloid,” says Shah, “the type of amyloid you have depends on from which protein the amyloid arises.”

One type of amyloidosis comes from a protein in the liver known as transthyretin.

There are two types of Transthyretin Amyloidosis (ATTR)—senile and hereditary. “In the United States, hereditary amyloidosis is primarily a disease of African-Americans,” explains Shah, “it’s because there is a mutation that is very prevalent in patients of Caribbean and West African descent. This mutation causes an isolated amyloidosis of the heart. These patients have an increased risk of heart failure, plus an increased risk of death from heart failure.”

According to Shah, “The startling part is that 1 in 25 African-Americans has this mutation,” he says, “and we’re just learning about it in the last decade or two.” There is a large group of investigators and clinicians, including Shah, that believe the mutation may in part account for some of the discrepancies in outcomes they see between races in areas such as heart failure. “It mimics hypertensive heart disease. It looks like hypertension,” says Shah. And according to the CDC, 43 percent of African-American men and 45.7 percent of African-American women suffer from hypertension.

Currently, VCU Health Pauley Heart Cen-

types of ATTR. VCU Health is also enrolling in the ENDEAVOR trials. Shah explains, “This looks at a drug called Revusiran, that halts secretion of this protein in the liver.

There is very optimistic, preliminary data for this drug; and this may be the first medication that can effectively treat this disease.”

Shah classifies hereditary amyloidosis as an under-recognized disease. One of the reasons is an access to care issue. “Genetic testing is needed for diagnosing—which can be expensive,” explains Shah, “through the research trials being conducted, we’ve been able to offer access to genetic testing for free.

That testing would normally cost patients up to $6,000.”

Hereditary Amyloidosis is more common in older patients, particularly those over sixty.

Keyur B. Shah, M.D. However, there have been cases of those in Medical Director of Mechanical the 30s and 40s being diagnosed with the disCirculatory Support Program, VCU ease.

“This is another reason that you have to Health Pauley Heart Center be involved with your own healthcare and see ter is offering two clinical trials looking at in- your doctor,” says Shah. vestigational drugs to treat hereditary and other

Imagine that you look like everyone else. You’re fairly social, vibrant and very intelligent. You’re the best version of you that you can be, but you suffer silently. You tire easily and sometimes endure what can seem like a never-ending pain when it strikes. That is the reality of many diagnosed with sickle cell disease.

Dr. Susan Ameringer is a Ph.D. trained researcher, who focuses on both sickle cell disease and cancer in adolescents and young adults; with a targeted focus on symptoms and the self-management of those symptoms.

“Sickle cell disease is very complex,” says Ameringer, “it’s a genetic hemoglobin disorder or a genetic mutation that causes abnormal hemoglobin to be produced.” Hemoglobin is the molecule in red blood cells that delivers oxygen to cells throughout the body. “This abnormal hemoglobin causes the red blood cell to take on that sickle shape,” she explains further, “the abnormal red blood cell doesn’t oxygenate the body as well as the normal red blood cells.”

Sickle cell disease is genetic. “You need to have the abnormal gene from both parents in order to get the disease,” says Ameringer, “but you Suzanne Ameringer, Ph.D., R.N., Associate Professor of the Department can be a carrier if you have only one gene. of Family and Community Health According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, 1 in 365 Nursing, VCU School of Nursing African-American children are born with the disease, but 1 in 13 are born with the trait. Ameringer explains, “If both parents are carriers of the

gene, then with each pregnancy there is a 25 percent chance that the child might have the disease; there’s a 50 percent chance that the child might be a carrier.”

In order to determine if you have the sickle cell trait you have to be specifically tested for it. “Every state screens newborns for sickle cell disease,” says Ameringer, “they try to counsel African-Americans that they should be tested for the sickle cell trait if they are going to be married. That way each of them knows if they’re a carrier and can then consider what that might mean for their future children.”

According to Ameringer, “Most people know of sickle cell anemia.

The biggest symptoms are pain and fatigue.” In her research study, she found that patients have moderate levels of fatigue in their everyday life, yet they’re not given help on how to manage their fatigue. Ameringer is studying the effects of exercise as a management option. One of the challenges seems to be helping the patient understand why they’re tired.

“Are they in danger of a crisis, because of the sickle cell fatigue, or is it tiredness from being out of shape,” she says, “Can you exercise in a different way, or a little longer or more efficiently?” The study measures their subjective responses and their metabolic state. Ameringer is hoping to develop an effective exercise routine to manage the symptoms and increase overall health.

Richmond Free Press

Crab apple tree blossoms

Editorial Page

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April 21-23, 2016

How much is enough?

We continue to watch with great concern as the intense and sometimes emotional debate over school funding continues in Richmond.

What strikes us after the bevy of meetings this week and last by the School Board, City Council and community groups is this: Richmond is united by one goal — to provide the best education possible for our children.

However, the chief question that greatly divides us is: How much money do we need to do that?

Mayor Dwight C. Jones says there is no more money to give to Richmond Public Schools. The School Board says it needs $18 million more than the mayor’s proposed budget offers. City Council appears on course to fund $4 million more to go to pay hikes for teachers.

Meanwhile, the School Board has approved changes to pupil transportation plans and OK’d a plan to close two buildings to shave its needs by $1 million.

Are all of these actions enough to get Richmond to its desired goal of better schools?

That’s the multimillion-dollar question. We suggest that the school system owes it to parents, students, advocates, taxpayers, public and elected officials and community members — all who have a stake in this debate — to look deep to see where it can make marked improvements with what it has.

These critical and significant money issues are not unique to Richmond. Across the nation, people are grappling with the chasm between their dream of educating their children and paying for it.

Interestingly, National Public Radio began a weekly series Monday that will examine education in America.

The first installment: Why America’s Schools Have a Money Problem.

We recommend it to our Free Press readers. NPR has gathered statistics from across the nation and includes on its website a map that shows average spending per student by school district across the United States. The national average is $11,841.

In Virginia, according to the NPR information, the average is $10,044 per student, which is less than the national average.

However, in Richmond, the average spending per student is $13,901, an amount well above the national average.

By comparison, it’s also higher than all the surrounding school districts, including Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover and New Kent, which spend less than the national average per pupil.

That data raises a myriad of questions about why Richmond spends more money, but clearly suffers with substandard school buildings and resources for our children’s education.

Where is the money going? How is it being spent?

We invite our readers to look at the NPR series at http://www.npr.org/2016/04/18/474256366/why-americasschools-have-a-money-problem and to become a part of the debate in Richmond. The article includes the circumstances of the largely black public school system in Sumter County, Ala., and photos of a classroom in its Livingston Junior High School with broken ceiling tiles, leaky roof and buckled floor, suggesting health-threatening mold.

It sounded all too eerily familiar to what Richmond students have and are experiencing.

The problem, while daunting, is critical to the future of our children and the City of Richmond. It may take many minds and skills to get Richmond’s educational system back on track.

Drinking the water Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder should feel like he is in the eye of the storm — and in the crosshairs of state and federal investigators — when it comes to the appalling ongoing crisis of poisoned water in Flint.

Last week, the myopic governor had the nerve to tell Flint residents that they should use more filtered water from Flint’s public tap and less bottled water.

The response?

He was told by a state official that Flint residents wanted him to start drinking the tap water first.

So on Tuesday, the mad governor announced he would drink the city’s water for the next 30 days, proving that filtered tap water from Flint’s water system is safe to drink.

We believe Gov. Snyder doesn’t need to risk further cognitive damage by imbibing the Flint water that is still laced with lead, a contaminant proven to cause brain and physical damage to children and older adults, including skin rashes, hair loss, lowered IQs and behavioral problems. We believe that any public official who would knowingly allow a municipality to switch its water supply to a poisonous product to save money already is suffering from mental and ethical impairment.

On Wednesday, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced that three public officials had been indicted on criminal charges in the debacle. The list does not include Gov. Snyder.

That’s too bad.

If Gov. Snyder wants to set an example by drinking tainted Flint water, then let him set the example for public officials by standing up and being held accountable for making decisions that deliberately brought harm to thousands of men, women and children.

We hope he will be indicted in the near future.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Black-on-black and white-on-white crime facts I have written about Bill O’Reilly, aka “Bill O’Racist,” and his proclivity to distort the facts when discussing African-Americans. Well, he’s at it again.

On one of his recent shows on Fox News, he asked, “Don’t you think most African-Americans know there are super predators among their e t h n i c group? Don’t they know it?”

Earlier this year, he said, Sen. Bernie Sanders “says he is a straight talker but not, not on this issue. Here’s the truth. African-Americans make up 13 percent of the total population in the U.S.A. but commit 37 percent of all murders. And 90 percent of black murder victims are killed by other blacks.

You will never ever hear either Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton say that. Republican candidates will not likely point it out either because it’s politically incorrect.

It’s much easier to decry racism than actually address the root causes of violent crime which are a corrosive culture and collapse of the traditional family.”

For the record, every racial and ethnic group has predators among

its ranks, just as they have members who are positive forces.

In his rush to blame everything on “corrosive culture” and “collapse of the traditional family” among African-Americans, Bill O’Racist conveniently ignores some basic facts. He should have learned last November from Donald Trump’s re-tweeting an

George E. Curry erroneous post that claimed 81 percent of white people are killed by black people. Not only was that fiction, the supposed source for the figure — “Crime Statistics Bureau — San Francisco”— did not exist.

As fact checkers pointed out at the time, only 15 percent of white people are killed by black people.

Indeed, FBI statistics show that few homicides are committed outside an assailant’s race. In fact, 8 percent of black people are killed by white people and 90 percent of African-Americans are killed by other AfricanAmericans. According to the FBI, 82 percent of white people are killed by other white people.

Clearly, there is no “corrosive culture” factor among AfricanAmericans at play here.

A report, “Black Homicide

Victimization in the United States: An Analysis of 2013 Homicide Data,” by the Washington-based Violence Policy Center provides further insight into black homicides.

The typical black homicide victim was 31-years-old; 7 percent were younger than 18 and 2 percent were 65 or older. Most victims — 87 percent — were male and 13 percent were female.

The report also notes that 84 percent of all black victims (4,960 out of 5,891) were killed with guns. Of those, 73 percent were killed with handguns.

Significantly, 72 percent (2,002 out of 2,766) of black victims were killed by someone they knew. Only 764 were killed by strangers.

Moreover, 51 percent of the homicides grew out of an argument between the victim and the assailant. Approximately 15 percent were reported to be gang-related.

Instead of dwelling on Bill O’Reilly’s ignorant diatribe, the statistics should point us in a different direction if we want to reduce homicides in black America. First, there is the larger issue of gun control.

“Blacks in the United States are disproportionately affected by homicide. For the year 2013, blacks represented 13 percent

Increase financial access Our nation has made great progress in the advancement of minorities. However, the current election cycle serves as a reminder of how far we have to go. National, state and local political races are prompting many to ask the simple question, “ Wi l l o u r next elected officials create more opportunity for Richmond’s AfricanAmerican community or stifle the progress that already has been made?”

Access lies at the heart of opportunity and is the prerequisite for long-term, sustainable success. In my many years as a pastor, I have seen how access to fundamentals like education, employment and health care has empowered families to dramatically improve their life circumstances. I have also seen how a lack of access can sap families of resources and trap them in a cycle of poverty.

April marks Financial Literacy Month, a time to highlight the importance of financial literacy and to teach Americans how to establish and to maintain healthy financial habits. The need for such education is especially important in our local community.

Here in Richmond, more than 24 percent of households lack full access to the financial mainstream. Within our AfricanAmerican community, this grows to more than 38 percent, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

These families have a limited relationship with a bank, or none at all, for a number of reasons.

Some don’t live near a physical bank branch. Some struggle with limited or unpredictable income and are unable to maintain the minimum account balance. The

Rev. David L. Chapman FDIC found that education is also significant. Individuals without a high school diploma are far less likely to have a bank account than those with a college degree.

Financially underserved families pay an exorbitant proportion of their income on alternative financial services like check cashers, payday lenders and pawn shops. In fact, a report from the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General indicates that these families can pay as much on interest and fees for these services as the average American family spends on food every year. While this issue is complex, there are steps we can take as a community to increase access for all.

Modern technology is delivering tools that can help the financially underserved manage their money, even in neighborhoods without banks. From prepaid debit cards to mobile apps, financially underserved communities now have more options to take control of their finances. Technologies that reduce cash reliance offer convenience, savings, buying power and security. These innovative tools mean no more waiting in line to cash a check or pay a bill. They mean access to goods and services via the Internet. They offer the ability to

get money replaced if it is lost or stolen. Simply put, electronic payments give historically underrepresented communities power and choice.

The issue of financial inclusion is very important to me and to the more than 1,000 churches I serve in my ministry with the Baptist General Convention of Virginia. Many of our congregants are financially underserved and many of our churches are illequipped to securely collect, account and deposit tithes in an increasingly cashless world.

One of the ways we are addressing this issue is by partnering with Master Your Card, a community empowerment program that helps underserved groups enter the mainstream economy.

Through our involvement with the program, we have been able to provide education to our ministers on how to manage church finances more efficiently and be better equipped to support financially underserved families in their congregations.

True equality of access in our nation can be gauged simply by measuring inclusion in the marketplace. We have a responsibility as a community to reach the financially underserved with the tools and education they need to operate on the same playing field as everyone else.

The writer is a retired pastor, interim executive minister of the Baptist General Convention of Virginia and a member of the African-American Advisory Board of Master Your Card, a public education initiative created by MasterCard to help consumers with using prepaid, debit and credit cards to their advantage.

The Free Press welcomes letters The Richmond Free Press respects the opinions of its readers. We want to hear from you.

We invite you to write the editor. All letters will be considered for publication. Concise, typewritten letters related to public matters are preferred. Also include your telephone number(s). Letters should be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, Richmond Free Press, P.O. Box 27709, 422 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23261, or faxed to: (804) 643-7519 or e-mail: letters@richmondfreepress.com.

of the nation’s population, yet accounted for 50 percent of all homicide victims,” the Violence Policy Center report stated. “…

For black victims of homicide, like all victims of homicide, guns — usually handguns — are far and away the No. 1 murder tool. Successful efforts to reduce America’s black homicide toll, like America’s homicide toll as a whole, must put a focus on reducing access and exposure to firearms.”

Equally important, we most focus on young black males.

That’s not to say we should ignore black females because we shouldn’t. But 87 percent of black homicide victims are male.

No other group is close.

Teaching black men to resolve conflict nonviolently has to be a top priority if we are going to be successful. And this must start early in the life of boys.

There are many reasons to be concerned about homicide in black America. But Bill O’Racist and other right wing nuts totally miss the point.

The writer president and CEO of George Curry Media.

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Richmond Free Press

April 21-23, 2016

A9

Letters to the Editor

‘Put education first’ During the past weeks, I’ve attended community meetings, rallies and a mayoral forum — all of which were dominated by citizens’ concerns about our public schools.

Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ 2016-17 budget has again underfunded Richmond’s school system. The proposed relocation of Overby-Sheppard Elementary and the proposed closing of historic Armstrong High School have caused our community to come together in order to make our voices clear: Save our schools.

That these closings are even an option is distressing. Our schools did not crumble overnight.

The blame for our neglect of our school systems rests chiefly at the feet of our elected officials, both local and state.

We must demand as citizens not just the $18 million Richmond Public Schools has asked for in this budget, but a new perspective from our mayor and City Council members: Put education first.

DONALD MOSS Richmond The writer is a candidate for Richmond City Council, 6th District.

State Republicans playing politics with the environment It is unacceptable that Republican leaders in the Virginia House of Delegates are playing dirty politics when it comes to one of the most serious issues facing the commonwealth.

Climate change has been declared to be a threat by the military, it’s negatively affecting our community’s public health and worsening current inequality. Sea level rise caused by climate disruption is already impacting our family down in Hampton Roads with worsening flooding and increasing damage from flooding.

Unable to get their way with legislation blocking state implementation of the Clean Power Plan, one of President Obama’s flagship strategies to protect public health and limit harmful carbon pollution from power plants, Tea Party-aligned lawmakers have hijacked the state budget with an amendment

preventing our state’s environmental experts from working on a climate action plan until the conclusion of a legal challenge at the federal level.

This plot reflects a growing and unsettling partisanship in Virginia’s legislature. Republican leadership in the House of Delegates should be ashamed for valuing polluters over people.

An overwhelming majority of Virginians favor action on climate through the Clean Power Plan. The time to act is today. Too much is at stake to be playing petty politics.

KENDYL CRAWFORD Richmond The writer is conservation program coordinator for the Virginia Sierra Club.

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A10 April 21-23, 2016

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

Go Squirrels!

Photo by Joseph Miles

Photo by Joseph Miles

The Richmond Flying Squirrels and their entertainment guru, vice president and COO Todd “Parney” Parnell, provided lots of reasons to cheer for the thousands of fans who attended the minor league baseball team’s official home opening games last Thursday and Friday against the Altoona Curve at The Diamond. The team’s newest mascot, Nutasha, right, cozies up to longtime mascot Nutzy. Above, former Pittsburgh Steelers’ star running back Jerome “The Bus” Bettis waves a towel to stir up the crowd after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch Thursday night. On Friday, the first 1,000 fans were given No. 42 T-shirts to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day in honor of the first African-American to break Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947.

Photo by Clement Britt

Tubby Smith hired to coach at Memphis Tubby Smith, whose coaching roots can be traced to Virginia Commonwealth University, is on pace to become the most successful African-American basketball coach in NCAA Division I annals.

Smith, 64, was hired last week at the University of Memphis after spending the past three years at Texas Tech University.

In coaching stops at Tulsa (1991-95), Georgia (1995-97), Kentucky (1998-2007), Minnesota (2007-13) and Texas Tech, he has amassed a record of 557-276 (67 percent).

He was 46-50 overall at Texas Tech, but the Red Raiders were 19-13 this past season and made it to the NCAA Tournament.

By comparison, John Thompson posted 596 wins at Georgetown University (1972-1999), becoming the all-time leader among African-American coaches at Division I universities.

Trailing by 39 wins, Smith would need two solid seasons at Memphis to pass Thompson as Division I’s all-time winningest black coach.

Next are John Chaney, with 516 wins (1982-2006) at Temple University, and Nolan Richardson, with 508 victories at Tulsa and Arkansas. Leonard Hamilton has 479 wins at Oklahoma State, Miami and Florida State, where he now coaches.

Kelvin Sampson has 464 wins at Washington State, Oklahoma, Indiana and his current school, Houston.

Virginian Oliver Purnell has 448 wins at Radford, Old Dominion, Dayton, Clemson and DePaul.

Richmonders recall Smith, who played at High Point University in North Carolina, as the young assistant coach under former VCU Coach J.D. Barnett from 1979 to 1986. During that time, the VCU Rams were 14464, with the school’s first four NCAA appearances.

At the University of Memphis, Smith succeeds Josh Pastner, who left to become coach at Georgia Tech. The Tigers were 19-15 last season.

Smith (1998 at Kentucky), Thompson (1984 at Georgetown), Richardson (1994 at Arkansas) and Kevin Ollie (2014 at Connecticut) are the

only black coaches to win NCAA Division I titles.

Smith and Lon Kruger, now at Oklahoma, are the only coaches to take teams from five different universities to the NCAA Tournament.

Discounting division of play, Clarence E. “Big House” Gaines had the most wins of any African-American coach. Gaines had 828 victories at Winston-Salem State University from 1946 to 1993 when the university was in the NCAA Division II. There is a relatively short history of black coaches in Division I. The first was Will Robinson at Illinois State University in 1970.

Among Smith’s first tasks at Memphis will be to try and retain returning Tigers, some of whom have talked of transferring. Perhaps most notable is 3-point shooter Avery Woodson, who has made trips to Butler and VCU regarding transfer destinations.

There is at least one more VCU-Memphis connection. In 1979, Dana Kirk left VCU after three coaching seasons to become the coach at Memphis. Kirk was succeeded at VCU by Barnett, who chose Smith as an assistant.

Coach Smith

English, Johnson grab attention at Portsmouth Invitational Tourney Before Dennis Rodman became a household name among basketball fans, he was a relative unknown at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

His below-the-radar status changed in 1986, when he attended the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament and won Most Valuable Player. That set the stage for a brilliant NBA

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Combine May 11 through A.J. English III and Mel15 in Chicago. The NBA vin Johnson hope for similar draft will be June 23 in status upgrades following Brooklyn, N.Y. last week’s 63rd edition Some of the NBA’s of what amounts to a pro all-time greats are PIT audition. alumni. The impressive list English, son of former includes Rick Barry, John A.J. English Melvin Johnson Stockton, Earl Monroe, Virginia Union University the exposure they can muster. Scottie Pippen, Dave Cowens, star A.J. English Jr., was this year’s PIT Most Valuable Neither is showing up now on John Lucas and Rodman.

Player after averaging 17.3 NBA Mock Drafts — but that The one-game scoring points and hitting 11 3-pointers, could change. record, however, is held by Also making the PIT All- a former Richmonder, the leading team Roger Brown’s to Tournament team was Ports- late Charles Bonaparte, who the title.

The 6-foot-4 English starred mouth native and former Florida starred at Armstrong High at Iona University in New Ro- Gator Dorian Finney-Smith. School and Norfolk State chelle, N.Y., and was a finalist Finney-Smith paced Ports- University. for the Jerry West Award that mouth’s I.C. Norcom High At the 1969 PIT, Bonaparte is given to the nation’s top School to State Group AAA set the one-game standard of titles in 2010 and 2011 at VCU’s 59 points that still stands. The shooting guard.

Joining English on the PIT Siegel Center in Richmond.

6-foot-2 guard was drafted by Held at Churchland High the San Diego Rockets, now the All-Tournament squad was Johnson, the former Virginia School, the PIT is attended by Houston Rockets, in the third Commonwealth University all- scouts from all NBA teams, round — he was the 35th pick time 3-point marksman and All- as well as reps from the NBA overall — but did not play in Atlantic 10 pick. In Portsmouth, D League and pro squads the NBA. Johnson averaged 12.7 points overseas.

Bonaparte, who later All PIT participants are coached basketball at Armwith six 3-point connections for hopeful of receiving invita- strong High School, died in team Norfolk Sports Club.

English and Johnson need all tions to the NBA Pre-Draft 1996 at age 49.

Thon Maker

Former Martinsville 7-foot-1 giant may be top pick for NBA draft It appears Thon Maker will be playing in the NBA sooner rather than later.

The 7-foot-1 native of South Sudan has been cleared for the June NBA draft, where he is a possible lottery pick.

Maker and his advisers discovered a possible loophole in NBA rules allowing him to sidestep the “one and done” college process that most elite prospects have gone through.

To be eligible for the NBA draft, a player must be at least 19 and one year removed from high school.

Maker, having turned 19 in February, qualifies on both counts, although he is essentially still in high school in Ontario, Canada.

It was determined Maker actually had enough credits to graduate from Athlete Institute in Orangeville, Canada, just northwest of Toronto, last spring and that 2015-16 has been a “post grad” season.

Athlete Institute is a high-performance training center linked academically to nearby Orangeville Prep.

Indiana, Notre Dame, Kansas and Kentucky were in the lead had Maker chosen college for one season.

Maker’s rare talents — he has been a must-see YouTube colossal for years — have been on display in Central Virginia. Two years ago while at Martinsville’s Carlisle School, Maker played in tournaments at Trinity Episcopal and Virginia State University and was the subject of a Free Press feature article.

At VSU’s Daniel Gymnasium, he led Carlisle to the Virginia Independent Schools Division II championship.

He has spent the past two seasons in Canada.

Athlete Institute alumni include Jamal Murray, who figures to be a first-round NBA draft pick in June after one season at Kentucky.

Maker, weighing 220 pounds with a standing reach of 9-foot-3, is likely to become the first player since 2005 to go straight from a high school campus to the NBA. In 2005, the NBA implemented the rule requiring players to beat at least 19 and a year removed from high school.

Most have accepted the “one and done” route.

Influencing Maker’s decision to dodge the obligatory college residence may have been influenced by two college freshmen this past season.

Skal Labissiere at the University of Kentucky and Cheick Diallo at the University of Kansas were projected as lottery picks after one college season. However, each performed below expectations and may have lost status.

High-end college play can expose flaws not so visible on the high school circuit.

Between now and the NBA draft, Maker plans to work out with renowned trainer Drew Hanlen in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Hanlen has served as a personal trainer for such previous NBA first round draft picks as Andrew Wiggins, Bradley Beal and Anthony Bennett.

Maker’s brother, 6-foot-10 Matur Maker, is a junior at Athlete Institute. The brothers moved from South Sudan to Australia to New Orleans and then to Martinsville before going to Canada. They are Dinka people, like Manute Bol, the late 7-foot-7 former NBA center.

April 21-23, 2016 B1

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B

Richmond Free Press

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Spotlight on president of Good Clear Sound Brittney Maddox seeks to make a positive difference in the community in her role as the president of “Good Clear Sound,” a slam poetry collective at Virginia Commonwealth University.

“Our mission is to bring poetry to the VCU and Richmond community by hosting a series of open mics and workshops and performing at other colleges,” she says.

“We will quench the parched streets and theaters of VCU with life-giving slam poetry,” the group states on its Facebook page. “We will speak out and speak up to uplift and nourish our community through creativity.”

Ms. Maddox describes slam poetry as a competition where “regular poets add theatrics to their poems” as they read or recite them.

Participants are judged on performance, volume, poem content and cadence by selected members of the audience who rate their efforts.

Serving as president of the slam poetry student organization at VCU is a labor of love for Ms. Maddox.

“It is one of the only places I can be my most authentic self,” she says.

“It’s definitely planted some seeds in me.

“In Good Clear Sound, we try to plant seeds in people, seeds being positive things like encouragement, love and acceptance,” she explains. “It’s beautiful watching it bloom and blossom.”

Students try out for the team through a series of fall qualifying slams, Ms. Maddox said. The top eight finishers qualify for the “Grand Ram Slam,” which is held at the end of the fall semester.

The five finalists then earn berths on the Good Clear Sound team that is coached

by Rob Gibsun, a VCU graduate and former slam poetry team member. Ms. Maddox serves as the team’s assistant coach.

The team has competed at the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational (CUPSI).

This year, VCU finished ninth out of 68 teams, including teams from Scotland and Canada. The competition was held April 6 through 9 at the University of Texas in Austin.

This is the fourth time in as many years that the VCU team has finished in the Top 10 of the CUPSI. Here’s this week’s creative Personality, Brittney Maddox: Family: Mom, Kimberly Macklin, and grandmother, Janice Macklin. There are other people who aided with where I am right now, too

Caged Bird Sings.”

Reason: The message of freedom and resilience.

Career goal: Writer. Poet.

Playwright. Educator. Activist. Little things I am preparing myself to do as of now.

& Cr bit Exhi le and Sa

Slam is: Not a genre. It’s a competition that was formed by poet Marc Smith in Chicago in the late 1980s.

Other extracurricular activities: VCU ASPiRE, a twoyear volunteer organization that I joined in August 2014; student organizer with Performing Statistics; and chief executive editor at Amendment Literary Journal.

Difference between spoken word and poetry: Spoken word is just poetry spoken as performance. There’s not really a difference, just the presentation.

Leadership roles in other school activities: I am a student program assistant in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. I work on a team of students alongside OMSA administrators to create cultural programming for VCU. Good Clear Sound was founded in: 2010. It was formerly named Slam Nahuatl.

Why the name change: We felt that it was appropriative, as the current members were not of the Aztec Heritage. Nahuatl is the name of language spoken by the Aztec people, which loosely translates to Good Clear Sound.

When and how I got involved with Good Clear Sound: In the fall of 2013, I attended an open mic and my friend suggested I try out for the team. I didn’t make it, but I enjoyed the company and stayed around. I consider it a family.

Members of this year’s team: Marvin Hodges and Emiley Allison, and newcomers Amanda Pressman, Brandon Duong and Maiya Pittman.

Poetry is: A form of literature that uses literary devices.

There are various formulas to create certain types of poetry.

The most common poetry written now is free verse.

If I could have my wish, it would be: People would feel more comfortable expressing themselves as they are.

Favorite poet: I don’t really have a favorite, but I’ll say Maya Angelou.

Reason: She has been a constant in my life.

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Richmond Free Press

B2 April 21-23, 2016

Happenings Festivals, cleanups mark local Earth Day celebrations There’s just one international Earth Day, but Richmond area residents will have the opportunity this weekend to attend festivals on both sides of the James River.

Both events are scheduled to take place Saturday, April 23.

The 23rd Annual Richmond Earth Day Festival will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Great Shiplock Park, 2803 Dock St. in Shockoe Bottom.

Touted by organizers as “Central Virginia’s premiere and long-running Earth Day celebration,” the festival will include live music, activities for children, shows by Jesse the Juggler, a craft market, exhibits, art, kayak rides and other activities along the Kanawha Canal and Virginia Capital Trail.

This festival is a project of the Enrichmond Foundation.

For more information, contact the foundation’s executive director, John Sydnor, at (804) 646-0954 or go to www.enrichmond.org.

The 7th annual RVA Earth Day Festival in Manchester is to be held noon to 7 p.m. on Hull Street between Plant Zero and the Floodwall.

Activities will include arts and other activities for children,

river wildlife tours, live music, local produce from farmers’ markets, vendors selling art, jewelry and other items, and food trucks and cuisine from nearby restaurants.

Style Weekly sponsors the festival, with net proceeds to benefit FeedRVA. For more information, call (804) 358-0825 or go to www.

Mother of shooting victim to discuss documentary on teen son’s death The case became a national sensation Wall Auditorium in John M. Ellison — an angry white man shooting into a Hall, 1500 N. Lombardy St. car with four unarmed black teenagers Software developer Michael D. Dunn, for playing their music too loud. One 50, is serving a sentence of life plus 90 teen was killed. years following his murder conviction At 4 p.m. Satin 2014 in Jordan’s killing. urday, April 23, According to a summary of the case, Virginia Union Mr. Dunn, who lived near Miami, had University will traveled to Jacksonville for a wedding. host a screening The incident happened at a gas station. of a documentary Mr. Dunn allegedly confronted the teens on the 2012 shootover the loud music from their car. After ing and killing in being rebuffed by the teens, he retrieved Jacksonville, Fla., a gun and fired into the car, killing and a discussion Jordan, but missing the others.

Ms. McBath about the shockThe Virginia NAACP Youth & ing tragedy that grew out of anger and College Division is working with the hidden racial prejudice, it has been Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, announced. the advocacy group Brown Virginia and Organizers also announced that Lucia Ms. McBath’s organization to show the McBath, mother of Jordan R. Davis, the documentary and discuss its implications, 17-year-old teen who died Nov. 23, 2012, the announcement states. in the hail of bullets, also will make a Clovia “Miss Community” Lawrence Poster from movie documentary special appearance to speak about the of KISS FM, will moderate the discuscase and the movie, “3½ Minutes, Ten Bullets.” sion after the screening.

Ms. McBath is now national spokeswoman for Moms Kayal Hicks, director of African-American and Community Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and is using her Outreach for a pro-gun control educational fund, will be one son’s case to highlight the group’s demands for change in of the panelists. gun laws.

Information: Lynetta Thompson, (804) 982-8072 or The event, free and open to the public, will be at VUU’s vaycdnaacp.org or BrownVirginia.org.

Va. People’s Assembly set for Saturday Jobs, criminal justice reform, a living wage, LGBT rights and other issues will be the focus of the 8th Annual Virginia People’s Assembly that will convene this weekend at a Richmond church, it has been announced.

The assembly will open its annual 12hour session 9 a.m. Saturday, April 23, at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1720 Mechanicsville Turnpike.

More than 30 people are scheduled to speak at panels, workshops and plenary sessions, organizers said.

Among those: • Ana Edwards, chair of the Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project.

• Ray McGovern, a former CIA analyst who now is an anti-war activist.

• Adria Scharf, director of the Richmond Peace Education Center.

• Carolina Velez, program coordinator and community organizers for the Wayside Center for Popular Education.

Topics will include: The growing movement against police killings, standing in solidarity with ethnic and religious communities under attack, ways to improve education, women’s reproductive rights, immigration, prisons and environmental justice.

There also will be votes on policy resolutions to carry to the state legislature and Congress.

Open to the public, the people’s assembly will run until 9 p.m. Lunch and dinner will be provided, organizers said.

The assembly is described as an opportunity for those working for justice to network, strategize and collaborate.

Participants have included union members, prisoner advocates, women’s rights activists, immigrants and their supporters, gay community activists, students, anti-war organizers, veterans and others.

The VPA requests a donation of $10 per person, but does not require payment to attend.

Additional information: www.

VaPeoplesAssembly.org or (804) 644-5834.

Holistic expo to be held May 7 at Richmond Raceway Complex

By Joey Matthews

happened to me.”

His hellish journey of more than 30 years of reFive-time cancer survivor and Richmond resident peated bouts with cancer first began with rectal cancer Steven Wentworth is bringing the Greater Richmond in 1982 at age 20. He then survived squamous cell Holistic Expo to the Richmond Raceway Complex in carcinoma after a doctor discovered a small lesion on Henrico County. his face in 1987.

There, more than 150 holistic practitioners and proMr. Wentworth said after he recovered from nonfessionals will gather from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1998, he faced cancer again May 7, at Henrico Hall on the complex grounds at 600 in 2010 after an oncologist in Williamsburg diagnosed E. Laburnum Ave. him after a routine visit with anal cancer.

They will speak about, demonstrate and exhibit “I felt numb and paralyzed as I began cancer treatment Mr. Wentworth traditional Western holistic remedies such as herbs, again,” he said. “This one would go on to be the most vitamins, minerals and PH water. Several non-traditional mo- crippling, grueling and painful journey I had ever traveled.” dalities, such as meditation and herbs from China and Eastern He said he moved to Richmond in 2012, seeking a “larger, India, also will be available. diverse community.”

“It’s the most diverse holistic expo ever produced,” Mr. In October 2013, he was crushed again when an MRI at the Wentworth, the event organizer, told the Free Press recently. VCU Medical Center revealed three tumors on his liver and “Every exhibitor offers a unique product and service.” he was told for the fifth time that he had cancer. This time, it The event is free and open to the public. was hepatic cellular carcinoma, one of the deadliest and most Noah’s Children Hospice Care in Henrico County and the aggressive forms of cancer.

Richmond-based nonprofit The Giving Heart will receive the “A high percentage of patients live six to 12 months” after proceeds of two 50/50 raffle drawings. they get liver cancer, Mr. Wentworth said.

Mr. Wentworth said he sought a more “integrated approach” “The ultimate irony is the last 28 months have been some of to strengthening his “mind, body and spirit” through holistic the happiest of my life,” he said. remedies after surviving his third battle with cancer. He was He said has discovered that finding humor in the battle with diagnosed in 1998 with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, three weeks cancer also can have a healing effect. after his mother died of advanced colon cancer.

“I think there comes a point whether you either go crazy “That decision set the stage for what was to come,” he or have to see some humor in it,” said. “It was so grueling at said. times that I had to find some ridiculous statement to make or The 53-year-old Portsmouth native emphasizes that “people find something on TV that was funny. Otherwise, it was bordershould seek medical advice from doctors for any form of cancer, ing on insanity. but he said holistic and integrative remedies may help in their “I am free regardless of the outcome, and I have dedicated my healing and recovery. life to helping others with their own journey and triumph.”

“I’m an individual,” he added. “I can’t speak for other indiI n f o r m a t i o n : ( 8 0 4 ) 5 0 3 - 7 9 3 9 o r g o t o w w w. viduals” and what recovery path they will choose. “This is what RichmondHolisticExpo.com.

rvaearthdayfest.com.

Earth Day is an annual event that is celebrated April 22.

Events are held around the world to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network.

Several community cleanups also are scheduled to commemorate Earth Day. Keep Virginia Beautiful and the City of Richmond are partnering to sponsor two of those.

The first is 1 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, April 22, on Belle Isle along the banks of the James River, in Manchester on South Side and at City Hall in Downtown.

The second is 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 23, at Great Shiplock Park and Rocketts Landing along the north and south banks of the James River, in the Blackwell community in South Side and in Monroe Park next to Virginia Commonwealth University.

Volunteers can register by going to www.HandsOnRVA.org or at www.Richmondgov.com/NeighbortoNeighbor.

For information, contact the Clean City Commission at (804) 646-8325 or Keep Virginia Beautiful at (804) 665-2908.

Black social workers group hosts symposium April 22 The Richmond Association of Black Social Workers will present its spring 2016 education symposium, “I Am My People’s Keeper: Progressive Strategies in Dismantling the School to Prison Pipeline,” from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 22, at Sixth Baptist Church, 400 S. Addison St. Dr. Renata Hedrington-Jones, contributing faculty at Walden University, will be the luncheon speaker.

Breakout sessions will be held on the educational system, the black family, the criminal justice system and social policy.

Tickets are $25 for students, $50 for members of the National Association of Black Social Workers and $60 for nonmembers.

Registration: www.eventbrite.com/e/richmond-association-ofblack-social-workers or email richmondabsw@gmail.com.

For more information: Call (804) 505-0667 or email rhjones4@ comcast.net.

Author, poet to speak April 29 at Main Library Downtown New York Times bestselling author and poet Nikki Grimes will speak 6 p.m. Friday, April 29, at the Richmond Public Library’s Main Branch, 101 E. Franklin St. in Downtown.

During the event, which is free and open to the public, Ms. Grimes will read from her works and answer audience questions.

Ms. Grimes began writing at age 6 and has been writing for nearly six decades.

In one interview several years ago, she said, “Books were my survival tools. They were how I got away and how I coped with things. Books carried me away.”

Now 65, the Harlem native has won numerous awards for her books for children and young adults, and for her poetry and journalistic work. Her novel, “Bronx Masquerade,” was honored in 2002 with the Coretta Scott King Award.

Other works include “Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope,” and “Danitra Brown.”

Most recently, she was the recipient of the 2016 Virginia Hamilton Literary Award. She also won the 2006 NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children.

Details: Patricia Parks, patricia.parks@richmondgov.com or (804) 646-5177.

Richmond Jazz Society presents Kia Bennett in concert May 10 Richmond soul and jazz singer and songwriter Kia Bennett will make her hometown debut in a 7 p.m. concert Tuesday, May 10, at Capital Ale House Downtown, 623 E. Main St. The concert is being presented by the Richmond Jazz Society.

Ms. Bennett is a member of Roy Ayers Music Productions.

She has sung background vocals for recording artists D’Angelo, Ledisi and Michael Bolton.

She also has performed at Washington’s Blue Alley and Bohemian Cavern.

Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 the day of the show.

For more details, call (804) 643-1972 or go to www.vajazz.org.

July 3 riverfront fireworks canceled Richmond will have two fireworks shows to celebrate Independence Day on July 4th — the city’s traditional show in Byrd Park and the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ annual blast at The Diamond baseball stadium.

But the annual James River fireworks extravaganza on July 3 has been canceled.

After five years, the event’s two corporate sponsors, utility giant Dominion and paper giant WestRock — formerly MeadWestvaco — are no longer willing to provide the funding.

The companies jointly announced the decision recently, ending a five-year effort with City Hall and Venture Richmond to stage the state’s largest fireworks show off Brown’s Island.

The show was expensive. Although the companies declined to give specific figures, officials said the two companies forked out more than $100,000 a year to cover the costs. Public fireworks shows average about $30,000, according to fireworks companies.

It’s not immediately clear why the sponsors pulled out, though this was not a show in which the companies received much attention.

Dominion spokesman C. Ryan Frazier said the purpose of the fireworks extravaganza “was to attract more people to the Downtown and the riverfront.”

He said events like Dominion Riverrock, the food, music and outdoor sports festival in May, and the Richmond Folk Festival in the fall are doing that now. However, both of those festivals already were drawing crowds when the riverfront fireworks show started in 2011.

Dominion increasingly has wanted to have its name associated with whatever it sponsors, such as Dominion Riverrock and Dominion Arts Center and its newest project, the Dominion Charity Classic, a golf tournament on the PGA Champions tour, to be played in Richmond in late October. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Richmond Free Press

April 21-23, 2016

B3

Faith News/Directory

Answer to church feeding program’s prayers was down the street

By Joey Matthews

United Methodist Church to serve them.

When leaders at Centenary Richmond Police Sgt. RobUnited Methodist Church in ert Jones, who was providing Downtown were searching for security at the program, pitched a temporary site for their Friday in as well, stepping behind the feeding program for the homecounter at times to help volunless and working poor, little teers serve food. did they know the answer to “I enjoy working with these their prayers was only a few nice people,” he said. yards away.

Dr. Bates said different area The church’s kitchen, where churches volunteer each week nutritious lunches had been to help prepare and serve the prepared for three decades, was food, including Asbury, Beulah, being renovated. The $700,000 Providence and Forest Grove project to replace aging kitchen United Methodist churches. equipment and install an elevaCentenary members give tor at the 173-year-old church selflessly to make the program building at 411 E. Grace St. possible. Among them: Mary was about to begin.

Alice Nesbitt, the coordinator In the meantime, said the Dr. of the program who has been Matt Bates, Centenary’s senior a volunteer for more than 30 minister, it was “critical” to years; Doug Wilson, who picks find a nearby place where the up donated food for the program church could continue to serve each week from the Central the 150 to 200 men, women Virginia Food Bank and local and children who show up stores and restaurants; and Al each Friday for fellowship and Richardson, the church’s faciliJoey Matthews/Richmond Free Press a warm meal. ties manager for 29 years.

Community members enjoy food and conversation last Friday at Centenary United Methodist Church’s lunch program at the “It’s just a piece of helping former Aurora nightclub at 4th and Grace streets in Downtown. Below, Dr. Matt Bates, right, pastor of Centenary United Methodist Mr. Richardson praised Mr. people who are vulnerable and Church, and Al Richardson, the church’s facilities manager, help spearhead the longtime weekly feeding program.

Shaia. need something to eat every “He has helped to eliminate day,” Dr. Bates said of the mission to feed the hungry. a vacuum that needed to be filled,” he said. “Now, look around,” While he spoke with a few people who generously said the he said as he surveyed the room full of people. “Everybody church could use their facilities while the kitchen project is beseems to be happy because they have somewhere they can come ing completed, none “had everything we needed.” to eat a good meal.”

Then Dr. Bates spoke with Alan Shaia, an associate broker with Sparkle Veronica Taylor, a resident in the CARITAS shelter Charter Realty in Mechanicsville who is the property manager program as she seeks to transition into permanent housing, for the former site of the once popular Aurora nightclub at 401 was feeding her son, Alexander “Ax” Xavier Shobe, who is 18 E. Grace St. The club, located a stone’s throw down the block months old. from Centenary, closed in 2014.

“The people here very much appreciate that the church and the “I told him about our need and, without hesitating, he said Aurora owners are allowing us to come here,” Ms. Taylor said. we could use the space where Aurora had been,” the minister “So many people depend on places like this to come and eat a said. There would be no charge. meal. Otherwise, we might not have anywhere else to go.”

“We always believe people take care of people,” Mr. Shaia Centenary United Methodist Church is part of the Downtown said, noting that the owner is looking for a quality tenant for the March. They expect to be at the former Aurora until the church Cooperative Church Ministries, a consortium of churches that cobuilding. “They’re a church that is helping to take care of the kitchen project is complete this summer. ordinates777 lunch feeding programs in the city’s center. Dr. Bates community. It’s always been a very respectful feeding program.

Last Friday, sounds of laughter and conversation filled the said other participants and their feeding days are Second Presbyterian We’re blessed that they’re right there, helping people in need.” former club as more than 150 people sat down to eat. Cen- on Mondays, St. Peter’s Catholic on Tuesdays, Third Street Bethel Church members began feeding people at that site in early tenary’s volunteers were joined by volunteers from Bon Air A.M.E. on Wednesdays and St. Paul’s Episcopal on Thursdays.

Stop the Violence Parade coming to Mosby Court The Ephesus Pathfinder Club at Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Side is organizing the first Richmond Stop the Violence Parade, it has announced.

The parade starts 4 p.m. Saturday,April 23, at the corner of Littlepage and Coalter streets in the Mosby Court public housing community, according to one of the organizers, Matthew Johnson.

Its purpose, he said, is to unite all churches, people and communities to “promote peace and love” and to “bring awareness to the high crime and put an end to all the killings in our area.”

Mr. Johnson said the parade would include four drum lines and two dance groups from the church.

He said participants will include law enforcement officers, first responders and other churches and community organizations.

As for future plans, Mr. Johnson said, “Each month, we will hold a Stop the Violence Parade in one of the high-crime neighborhoods of the city.”

Information: Mr. Johnson, (410) 422-8015.

Mosby Memorial Baptist Church

“A Caring Community Committed to Listening, Loving, Learning and Leaning While Launching into our Future.”

April 24, 2016

FORUM THE IMPACT OF VIOLENCE ON BLACK LIVES Free and Open to the Public Saturday, April 23, 2016 – 9AM Location: Fifth Baptist Church Family Life Center 1415 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23220 Presented by Fifth Baptist Church Men’s Fellowship Ministry

PANELISTS Eric English, Dr. Mitchell C. Reid, Deputy Chief of Police (RPD) Clinical Psychologist Malcolm L. Taylor, Regional Police Officer William Turner, Operations Chief(DOC) Line of Duty Gartavish Smith, Sgt. Carol Adams, Story of Black on Black Crime Domestic Violence(RPD) Prince Nesbitt, Jr., Director BTA Program Co-Moderators Collie Burton, III and Audrey Brown Burton For additional information contact Lucephus Squire at 804-337-4012 or Maurice Henderson at 804-503-0414 Refreshments will be served.

Christian Church Homecoming Service Rev. Keith E. Edmonds Sr., Senior Pastor

Koinonia

pr e s e n t s

“Raise the Roof”

Joinus for morning worshipat 10:30 A.M.as we celebrate Deacon, Deaconess & Trustee Day!

Music Extravaganza SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 2016 AT 3:00 P.M.

Upcoming Events Family Night ~ May 6 @ 6:30 P.M. Fine Arts Workshop ~ May 13 & 14 Family & Friends Day ~ May 15

FEATURING

MIN. STUART HAMLIN & THE ZION CHESTER AME ZION CHURCH CHOIR FIRST LADY LYNETTE BRANCH THE RADDENS SOLID ROCK YOUTH CHOIR DIME MIME MINISTRY ANOINTED HARMONY MALE CHORUS

Revival ~ May 16 - May 19 Guest Ministers for the week:

Rev. Dr. Adam L. Bond Providence Baptist Church, Ashland Rev. Kimberly Ridley The Light Community Church, Richmond

2901 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 648-2472 ~ www.mmbcrva.org Dr. Price London Davis, Senior Pastor

Pastoral 8th Anniversary Sunday, April 24, 2016

Theme: God’s Chosen Vessel For His Purpose And His Direction 10am Worship Service Guest Speaker:

Rev. Marvin Jefferson Shiloh Baptist Church

2pm Afternoon Service Guest Speaker:

Rev. Peter Evans

Colossians Baptist Church Newport News, VA

Scripture: “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding” ~ Jeremiah 3:15

Rev. Dr.Dr. Price L. Davis, Pastor Rev.

Marlon Haskell,

Pastor

2331 Broad Rock Boulevard • Richmond, Virginia 23224 804-231-4455 • Email: cabc2331@verizon.net

3600 McRand St., Richmond, VA (804) 231-0092

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church C

o

everence e with e evanc R ing Dr. Morris Henderson, Senior Pastor bin ❖

SUNDAYS Church School 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. ❖

WEDNESDAYS Bible Study 12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. ❖

MONDAY-FRIDAY Nutrition Center and Clothes Closet 11:30 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

823 North 31st Street Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 226-0150 Office www.31sbc.org

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH - CENTRALIA

Moore Street

THE HAVEN FOR HOPE COMMITTEE CELEBRATES

1408 W. Leigh Street • 358-6403

2920 KINGSDALE ROAD NORTH CHESTERFIELD, VA 23237 DR. WILSON E. B. SHANNON, PASTOR

THE PIONEERS OF GOSPEL MUSIC FEATURING: FBC CENTRALIA MASS CHOIR

Missionary

Baptist Church Dr. Alonza Lawrence Pastor

Sundays

SUNDAY APRIL 24, 2016

Church School 8:30 A.M. Morning Worship 10:00 A.M.

FREE ADMISSION

Bible Study 12 noon

3:00 PM

DINNERS AVAILABLE $10.00 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (804) 275-0407

Tuesdays

Wednesdays

New Mercies Ministry 6:00 A.M. Youth Bible Study 6:00 P.M. Adult Bible Study 6:30 P.M.

Broad Rock Baptist Church 5106 Walmsley Blvd., Richmond, VA 23224 804-276-2740 • 804-276-6535 (fax) www.BRBCONLINE.org

Early Morning Worship ~ 8 a.m.

Sunday School ~ 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship ~ 11 a.m.

4th Sunday Unified Worship Service ~ 9:30 a.m.

Bible Study: Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. & 7 p.m.

Sermons Available at BRBCONLINE.org

“MAKE IT HAPPEN” Pastor Kevin Cook

New Deliverance Evangelistic Church

1701 Turner Road, North Chesterfield, Virginia 23225 (804) 276-0791 office (804)276-5272 fax www.ndec.net

Remember...

At New Deliverance, You Are Home!

See you there and bring a friend

Bishop G. O. Glenn D. Min., Pastor Mother Marcietia S. Glenn First Lady

Monday March 7, 2016 Corporate Prayer Attendance - 167

Sunday 8:00 a.m. Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Worship Service

Wednesday Services Noonday Bible Study 12noon-1:00 p.m.

Attendance - 74 Sanctuary - All Are Welcome!

Wednesday Evening Bible Study 7 p.m.

Attendance - 91

Saturday 8:30 a.m. Intercessory Prayer

You can now view Sunday Morning Service “AS IT HAPPENS” online!

Also, for your convenience.

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrews 12:14 (KJV) www.ndec.net Tune in on Sunday Morning to WTVR-Channel 6 - 8:30 a.m.

THE NEW DELIVERANCE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (NDCA)

ENROLL NOW!!!

Accepting applications for children 2 yrs. old to 3rd Grade Our NDCA curriculum also consists of a Before and After program.

Now Enrolling for our Nursery Ages 6 weeks - 2yrs. old.

For more information Please call (804) 276-4433 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Richmond Free Press

B4 April 21-23, 2016

Obituaries/Faith News/Directory

Funeral Monday for Wendell F. Davis Westwood Baptist, Wendell F. Davis traveled by bicycle and GRTC bus from his North Side residence to Western Henrico County on Thursday, April 14, to visit his daughter, stepdaughter and the love of his life, his 2-year-old granddaughter, Caleá.

According to family members, Mr. Davis intended to put his bike on a bus rack and ride GRTC home that night. But the buses had stopped running, so he began riding his bike back toward the city, his family said.

Before he could reach home, he was struck and killed by a car as he bicycled down a dimly lighted portion of Gaskins Road in Henrico.

Family and friends are mourning his tragic death. He had turned 69 the day before his death.

Mr. Davis will be remembered at

his funeral 11 a.m.

Monday, April 25, at Providence Park Baptist Church, 468 E. Ladies Mile Road in North Side.

Mr. Davis was born in Providence Park and attended city schools. He was Mr. Davis a faithful member of Providence Park. His sister, Carolyn Harris of Richmond, recalled him as someone who “really loved to praise God.” He also acted in plays in the city, she said.

Mr. Davis earned a living by painting homes throughout the community. He also did construction work. His brother,

other groups host park cleanup

Langston Davis, owner of Davis Brothers Construction Co. in North Side, said Mr. Davis never met a stranger.

“He was an angel,” his brother said.

“He had no enemies. He was just a real good person and went out of his way to help people. I got calls from so many people who had nothing but good things to say about him.”

Mr. Davis is survived by his daughter, Cleopatra Davis of Henrico County; his stepdaughter, Kristy Johnson of Henrico; three brothers, Langston Davis, Kermit Davis and Leon Davis, all of Richmond; and five sisters, Adelaide Flamer of Baltimore, Nancy Elam of Hanover County, and Carolyn Harris, Anna Hudson and Deborah Davis, all of Richmond; one granddaughter; and a host of relatives and friends.

The Enrichmond Foundation is partnering with a historic West End church, a community bank and the City of Richmond to organize the cleanup of a park they call a “hidden gem” in the West End. The foundation has formed a new nonprofit group called “The Friends of Westwood Park” to spearhead the cleanup of Westwood Park and its playground at 5409 Marian St. off Patterson Avenue.

The cleanup will be 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23, as a part of Earth Day activities.

Members of nearby 141-year-old Westwood Baptist Church, 1003 Glenburnie Road, will be helping with the cleanup.

“Funding over the past several years has been limited from the city and the park is in much need of improvements and revitalization,” explained the Rev. Jeanette Brown, one of the event’s organizers who is minister of Christian Education at Westwood Baptist.

The purpose is to “clean it up, reinvest in it and revitalize this treasure,” Rev. Brown said.

Chesapeake Bank, which purchased a property near the church at 5501 Patterson Ave. in 2014, has donated $800 to assist Enrichmond Foundation in making improvements to the park’s playground as well as to acquire signs and obtain historic preservation status for the community and the church.

Westwood Baptist Church was established in the early 1870s in the Westhampton area of the city by former enslaved people.

For more information: Rev. Brown, (301) 806-6890 or jbrown2009@comcast.net.

Contractor Wilbur J. Dyer III dies at 57

Wilbur J. Dyer III had a deep-rooted entrepreneurial spirit.

And he also loved to construct and build.

With those attributes, Mr. Dyer carried on the proud legacy of his family as a third generation construction contractor and business owner.

He followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather when he went to work for his father at Dyer Construction Co. at age 14. He assumed the company’s leadership post after his father died in 1987.

With the help of his mother, Wilnette Dyer, an established real estate broker, Mr. Dyer

continued his work in construction trades and later renamed the company Quantum Development, located in North Side.

Mr. Dyer is being remembered following his death Monday,April 11, 2016. He was 57.

Mr. Dyer Family and friends celebrated his life at his funeral Monday, April 18, at Fifth Baptist Church in the West End. Mr. Dyer was born in Richmond Oct. 27, 1958, the older of two children. He

attended Richmond Public Schools and played basketball at Thomas Jefferson High School before graduating in 1977.

As a young man, he joined Christ Ascension Episcopal Church, where he served as an acolyte.

He earned a degree in architectural engineering from North Carolina A&T State University in 1982, then went to work in the family business.

He is survived by a son, Nikos Dyer; a daughter, Renee Dyer; his mother, Wilnette Dyer; one brother, Brian Dyer; a fiancée, Dr. Jennifer China; and a host of relatives and friends.

Good Shepherd Baptist Church 1127 North 28th St., Richmond, VA 23223-6624 • Office: (804) 644-1402 Dr. Sylvester T. Smith, Pastor “There’s A Place for You” Tuesday Sunday 10:30 AM Bible Study 9:30 AM Church School 6:30 PM Church-wide Bible Study 11:00 AM Worship Service 6:30 PM Men's Bible Study (Each 2nd and 4th) (Holy Communion Thursday each 2nd Sunday) Wednesday (Following 2nd Sunday)

Harlem churches see gospel tourist boom Associated Press

NEW YORK The stern warning issued from the pulpit was directed at the tourists — most of whom had arrived late — a sea of white faces with guidebooks in hand. They outnumbered the congregation itself: A handful of elderly black men and women wearing suits and dresses and old-fashioned pillbox hats.

“We’re hoping that you will remain in place during the preaching of the Gospel,” a church member said over the microphone at this Harlem church on a recent Sunday morning. “But if you have to go, go now. Go before the preacher stands to preach.”

No one left then. But halfway through the sermon, a group of French girls made their way toward the velvet ropes that blocked the exit. An usher shook his head firmly, but they ignored him and walked out.

The clash between tourists and congregants plays out every Sunday at Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the oldest black church in New York state.

It’s one of many Harlem churches that have become tourist attractions for visitors from all over the world who want to listen to soulful gospel music at a black church service. With a record number of tourists descending upon New York City last year, the crowds of foreigners are becoming a source of irritation among faithful churchgoers.

To preserve the sanctity of the service, pastors struggle to enforce strict rules of conduct.

But the reality is that these visitors are often filling church pews that would otherwise remain empty — and filling the collection basket with precious dollar bills.

“Our building is in need of repair,” church member Paul Henderson said after the service.

“We need assistance. They’re helping to sustain us.”

The rules are simple enough: No photography, no flip-flops, no exiting during the sermon.

They are printed on pamphlets and multilingual signs and announced at the start of every service. But they are often ignored. Ushers roamed the pews like security guards, stopping more than one person from filming on digital cameras.

“I understand that you’re visiting and you want to have a memory of it,” said Carlos Smith-Ramsay, who joined the church several years ago. “But

when we ask you to stop and you continue to do so after the fact, that’s disrespectful.”

The Rev. Gregory Robeson Smith, Mother AME Zion’s pastor, refuses to work with tour operators. He doesn’t even like to use the word “tourist,” preferring instead to call them part of his “international congregation.” And he won’t turn anyone away.

“I refuse to commercialize the church worship experience,” he said.

Yet the tourists’ presence is undeniable. At Mother AME Zion, there were nearly 200 of them, overwhelming the congregation by at least 5 to 1.

“They want to see what they’ve seen on television,” said Larcelia Kebe, president of Harlem Your Way! Tours Unlimited.

“They want to see what they’ve seen in the movies.”

The gospel tour industry has exploded since it was born in the early 1980s. On a busy summer Sunday, Harlem Spirituals, one of the oldest and largest tour operators, might run 15 full buses, said Erika Elisabeth, a company vice president.

Ticket prices can cost up to $55. Most churches get a cut of the profit. Others, like Mother AME Zion, make money by encouraging visitors to drop a suggested donation into the collection basket.

Just around the corner is the thriving Abyssinian Baptist Church, arguably the neighborhood’s most popular tourist magnet, where visitors are often turned away because the pews are too full.

Celeste Lejeune, 16, from Paris, didn’t know anything about Mother AME Zion’s history as a stop on the Underground Railroad, or that its congregants once included Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.

“I would like to just hear voices of people who live in Harlem, and see the atmosphere,” she said. “We don’t have music like this in France.”

Longtime congregation member Dabney Montgomery, 88, a Tuskegee Airman during World War II and a civil rights activist, believes the tourists walk away richer for the experience.

“In listening to the Gospel, they get something out that they didn’t expect,” he said.

“The word of God.” But most of them are there to see a show — and a show they got. The pastor gave a dramatic

Mission Statement: People of God developing Disciples for Jesus Christ through Preaching and Teaching of God’s Holy Word reaching the people of the Church and the Community.

8:00 a.m. .... Morning Worship 9:30 a.m. .... Church School 11:15 a.m. ...Morning Worship

WEDNESDAYS 6:00 p.m. ..... Prayer Service 6:30 p.m. ..... Bible Study

THURSDAYS 1:30 p.m.

Bible Study

2016 Theme: The Year of Restoration



8775 Mount Olive Avenue Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 (804) 262-9614 Phone (804) 262-2397 Fax www.mobcva.org

216 W. Leigh St. • Richmond, Va. 23220 • Tel: 804-643-3366 Fax: 804-643-3367 • Email: ebcoffice1@comcast.net • web: ebcrichmond.org

N “U

S

W BLE

OM E N O

F FAITH TRANSFORMING O UR C O

Women’s Day

Spring Revival

Baptist Church

2003 Lamb Avenue Dr. Arthur M. Jones, Sr., Pastor (804) 321-7622

Bible Study: Tuesday - 9 a.m.

Wednesday - 7 p.m.

Prayer Services: Wednesday (1st & 3rd ) 7 a.m.

Every Wednesday 8 p.m.

Communion - 1st Sunday

Noon Day Bible Study

Wednesdays

6:30 p.m.

Prayer and Praise 7:00 p.m.

Adult Bible Study

Sixth Baptist Church Theme for 2016: Becoming a Five-Star Church of Excellence With Mission, Growth, Prayer, Purpose, Vision We Are Growing In The Kingdom As We Grow The Kingdom

with Word, Worship and Witness

UN I TY

Sunday, April 24, 2016 10:45 AM – Worship and Praise 11:00 AM – Divine Worship

Third Sunday In Eastertide: Sermon Series: 4 of 4 Your Life Matters – Church Life Matters

”

Save The Date: Sunday, May 1st Pastor 15th Anniversary 10:45 AM and 3:00 PM

� � Family & Friends Weekend Sat. May 28th & Sun. May 29th

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Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor

400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220 (near Byrd Park) (804) 359-1691 or 359-3498 Fax (804) 359-3798 www.sixthbaptistchurch.org

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St. Peter Baptist Church

Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor

Worship Opportunities Sundays:

Morning Worship Church School Morning Worship

� �

Church School - 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service - 11:15 a.m.

Tuesdays

Guest Preacher: Rev. Micah Jackson, Pastor Seventh Street Memorial Baptist Church Richmond, VA

Message by: Pastor Bibbs

MM

Dr. Levy M. Armwood, Pastor  Dr. Wallace J. Cook, Pastor Emeritus

Triumphant

Sundays

6:45 PM Prayer & Praise 7:00 PM Worship Service

9:30 AM – SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL 11:00 AM – WORSHIP SERVICE GUEST SPEAKER: REV. KATHRYN LESTER-BACON SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH



11:00 AM Mid-day Meditation

8:00 a.m.

Early Morning Worship 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School 11:00 a.m.

Morning Worship

Monday, April 25, 2016 thru Wednesday, April 27, 2016

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2016

8 A.M. 9:30 A.M. 11 A.M.

Mid-Day Bible Study 12 Noon Prayer & Praise 6:30 P.M. Bible Study 7 P.M.

Yoduathy

Unity Sundays (2nd Sundays) Church School Morning Worship

Thursdays:

8:30 A.M. 10 A.M.

(Children/Youth/Adults)

Youth Emphasis Sunday

Sunday, April 24, 2016 Emphasis during 11 a.m. service.

The “Youth Take Over” will display our youth leadership and “Speak Out!” skills while serving as worship participants during service.

Sun

2040 Mountain Road • Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 Office 804-262-0230 • Fax 804-262-4651 • www.stpeterbaptist.net

Riverview

Baptist Church Sunday, April 24, 2016

Sunday School – 9:45am Children’s Church – 11:00am

Come Celebrate Our Tenth Anniversary Celebration With Us!

Guest Speaker: Rev. Delano Douglas Virginia State University

22 E. Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23219 • 643-3825 thesharonbaptistchurch.com Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor

Rev. Darryl G. Thompson, Pastor

“The People’s Church”

KA HA

6:30 PM Prayer Meeting

Mount Olive Baptist Church

1858

5:00pm.

Sharon Baptist Church

Smith said. “They’re people of faith. In Christ, there is no East, no West.”

Ebenezer Baptist Church

Prayer Partner Ministry Sunday, May 1, 2016

“The Church With A Welcome”

SUNDAYS

sermon filled with historical and political overtones, his voice slowing to a low growl and then rising back up, cracking with the effort. The choir sang hymn after joyful hymn as the congregation clapped in time with the music. One woman gave a beautiful soprano solo.

If nothing else, the tourists got to step back in time for an hour or two. A time when ladies wore dresses and stockings to church and ushers with immaculate white gloves guided people to their seats. A time when the church was the center of social life, the place to see and be seen.

At least with the tourists around, the place feels a little less empty on Sunday mornings.

“They’re not tourists,” Rev.

Music by: The Gospel Music Workshop Richmond, VA.

Funerals & Cremations

Over time, some things change.

But, our tradition of providing service of the highest caliber has remained the same for over 100 years while serving Richmond and surrounding areas with dignity and excellence.

115 E. Brookland Park Blvd., Richmond, Virginia 23222 Toll-Free: 1-888-603-3862 | Phone: 804-321-9095 Fax: 804-321-1033 | www.scottsfuneralhome.com

Richard A. Lambert, Sr., President/CEO

Richmond Free Press

April 21-23, 2016

B5

Legal Notices City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, May 2, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, May 9, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2016-126 To authorize the special use of the properties known as 1300 McDonough Street, 1302 McDonough Street, 1304 McDonough Street, and 1306 McDonough Street for the purpose of a mixeduse development with up to 12 dwelling units and ground floor commercial space, upon certain terms and conditions. The subject property falls within a General Urban Area of the Manchester district, as established by the Richmond Downtown Plan. Such areas are “characterized by medium-density, mixed-use development, distributed along mediumsized blocks…This district is characterized by singlefamily homes, sideyard houses, rowhouses, and small multifamily buildings, such as duplexes, triplexes, and quads.

No residential density is specified for the General Urban Area.

Ordinance No. 2016-127 To authorize the special use of the property known as 2701 Woodrow Avenue for the purpose of an addition to an existing single-family dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions. The Land Use Plan of the City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates the subject property for Single-Family (Low Density) land use.

Primary uses in this category are single-family detached dwellings at densities up to seven units per acre. The proposed special use permit would not change the current density on the property of approximately six units per acre.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so.

Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at www.Richmondgov. com and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Jean V. Capel City Clerk

Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER EVELYN CANALES, Plaintiff v.

EDGAR LEMUS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000884-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 27th day of May, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

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Plaintiff v.

LARRY WILSON, Defendant.

Case No.: CL15-2232 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 27th day of May, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

Telephone: (804) 358-0368

virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re LYNIAH MARIE DABNEY CRYSTAL DABNEY v.

CIARA DABNEY and LYNWOOD WYNN Case No. JJ087614-01-00, -02-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON

The object of this suit is to: Determine custody and visitation of Lyniah Marie Dabney (DOB: 1/25/12), whose mother is Ciara Dabney and whose putative father is Lynwood Earl Wynn, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1-241(A3).

It is ORDERED that the defendant Ciara Dabney appear at the above-named Court and protect her interests on or before June 3, 2016 at 9:00 A.M.

09/18/2014, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support.

It is ORDERED that the defendants Unknown (Father), Shasha May (Father), Cokeia Criss (Mother), appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before June 29, 2016 at 2 PM, Court Room #5.

Diane Abato, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493

ALEXANDER-PRYOR & RICHARDO PRYOR v.

TYRELL D. MOORE Case No. JJ060284-04-01 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON

The object of this suit is to: Amend custody of Ky’rell Jovoante Alexander, (DOB: 8/29/2005),whose mother is Kiesha Alexander and whose father is Tyrell D. Moore (last known address 8120 Bradbury Road, Henrico, VA 23231), pursuant to Section 16.1-241(A3) of the Code of Virginia.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Tyrell D. Moore appear at the above-named Court and protect his interests on or before May 16, 2016 at 9:00 A.M.

of Trust dated February 15, 1996, with respect to said property, recorded February 16, 1996 at Instrument Number 96-3061, or his successor/s in title, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 19, 2016, and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Ky’RELl J ALEXANDER, CHARLOTTE

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

Case No.: CL16-512-1 MELVIN WILLIAMS, JR., et al., Defendants.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2121 Venable Street, Richmond, Virginia, TaxMap/GPIN# E000-0373/012, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Melvin Williams, Jr.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, MELVIN WILLIAMS, JR., has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that SAMUEL SWECKER, Trustee of a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 15, 1996, with respect to said property, recorded February 16, 1996 at Instrument Number 96-3061, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action, or his successor/s in title, whose names are unknown; that CHARLES M. WILLIAMS, Trustee of a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 15, 1996, with respect to said property, recorded February 16, 1996 at Instrument Number 96-3061, or his successor/s in title, have not been located and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that MELVIN WILLIAMS, JR., SAMUEL SWECKER, Trustee of a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 15, 1996, with respect to said property, recorded February 16, 1996 at Instrument Number 96-3061, or his successor/s in title; CHARLES M. WILLIAMS, Trustee of a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

Case No.: CL16-511-1 MELVIN WILLIAMS, JR., et al., Defendants.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 816 North 22nd Street, Richmond, Virginia, TaxMap/GPIN# E0000373/013, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Melvin Williams, Jr.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, MELVIN WILLIAMS, JR., has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that SAMUEL SWECKER, Trustee of a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 15, 1996, with respect to said property, recorded February 16, 1996 at Instrument Number 96-3061, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action, or his successor/s in title, whose names are unknown; that CHARLES M. WILLIAMS, Trustee of a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 15, 1996, with respect to said property, recorded February 16, 1996 at Instrument Number 96-3061, or his successor/s in title, have not been located and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that MELVIN WILLIAMS, JR., SAMUEL SWECKER, Trustee of a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 15, 1996, with respect to said property, recorded February 16, 1996 at Instrument Number 96-3061, or his successor/s in title; CHARLES M. WILLIAMS, Trustee of a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 15, 1996, with respect to said property, recorded February 16, 1996 at Instrument Number 96-3061, or his successor/s in title, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 19, 2016, and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

Case No.: CL15-956-1 CLAYTON INVESTMENT GROUP, L.L.C., A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, et al., Defendants.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2010 Albany Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map/GPIN# S000-0348/006, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, CLAYTON INVESTMENT GROUP, L. L. C.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, CLAYTON INVESTMENT GROUP, L. L. C., A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that OLD DOMINION FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC., A Terminated Virginia Corporation, which may be the holder of a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 18, 2008, with respect to said property, recorded February 19, 2008, in Instrument Number 08-04351, or said holder’s heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, have not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that GILBERT GROSSMAN, Who May Be Deceased, and the Heirs, Devisees, Assignees or Successors in Interest of GILBERT GROSSMAN, As to $25,000.00 Interest, who may be the holder/s of a $25,000.00 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 18, 2008, with respect to said property, recorded February 19, 2008, in Instrument Number 08-04351, have not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that SHIRLEY GROSSMAN, As P/O/D of DAVID GROSSMAN, As to $10,000.00 Interest, who may be the holder of a $10,000.00 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 18, 2008, with respect to said property, recorded February 19, 2008, in Instrument Number 08-043510 has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that MIMI MULLIAN a/k/a MIRIAM GERSHMAN MULLIAN, Who May Be Deceased, and the Heirs, Devisees, Assignees or Successors in Interest of MIMI MULLIAN a/k/a MIRIAM GERSHMAN MULLIAN, As to $25,000.00 Interest, who may be the holder/s of a $11,500.00 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 18, 2008, with respect to said property, recorded February 19, 2008, in Instrument Number 08-04351, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that WALTER L. HOOKER, P.C., A Terminated Virginia Corporation, Trustee of a certain Note secured by a secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 18, 2008, with respect to said property, recorded February 19, 2008, in Instrument Number 08-04351, or its successor/s in title, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that WALTER L. HOOKER. Who May Be Deceased, As Former Director and Trustee in Liquidation, and his Successor/s In Interest, who may be Trustee/s of a certain Note secured by a secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 18, 2008, with respect to said property, recorded February 19, 2008, in Instrument Number 0804351, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, have not filed a response to this action; that CAPITAL FUNDING AND CONSULTING, L.L.C., A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, which may be the holder of a certain Note secured by a Deed of Trust, Assignment, and Security Agreement dated November 5, 2007, with respect to said property, recorded November 6, 2007, in Instrument No. 07-36801, or said holder’s heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that TOM CLARK, As Former Manager, who may be the holder of a certain Note secured by a Deed of Trust, Assignment, and Security Agreement dated November 5, 2007, with respect to said property, recorded November 6, 2007, in Instrument No. 0736801, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title; that JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Agent for BERNICE SCHWARTZ, GREG WOOLWINE, HOPE WOOLWINE, RICHARD D. KRIDER, SHERRIE BECKER, PATRICK BECKER, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Trustee for the JAY SCHWARTZ TRUST U/A 11/6/1992, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Trustee for the EDWARD J. BECKER MARITAL TRUST, who may be creditors with an interest in said property, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action; that THEODORE SELLMAN, Who May Be Deceased, and the Heirs, Devisees, Assignees or Successors in Interest of THEODORE SELLMAN,

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ANGELA LEWIS, Plaintiff v.

OKEMA LEWIS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16001068-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 27th day of May, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER EDWARD MARROW, SR., Plaintiff v.

KHRISTY MARROW, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000988-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 27th day of May, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER EARL BREWSTER, Plaintiff v.

CATHY BREWSTER, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16001138-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 27th day of May, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ANGELA MULLINGS,

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF CHESTERFIELD JOSE ALFREDO HERNANDEZ, Petitioner, v.

MARTA ARASELY ASENCIO, Respondent.

Chancery No. CL16-738 ORDER OF PUBLICATION 3/25/16

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the Bond of Matrimony from the Respondent on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation or interruption for a period of more than one year, and with the Petitioner’s intent to terminate the marriage.

It appearing from the Affidavit that due diligence has been used by and on behalf of the Petitioner to ascertain in what county or city the Respondent is without effect, it is ORDERED that the Respondent appear before this Court on or before the 17th day of May, 2016 to protect her interests herein.

An Extract, Teste: WENDY S. HUGHES, Clerk L. Wendell Allen, Esquire (VSB# 43413) 4906 Fitzhugh Avenue, Suite 200 Richmond, Virginia 23230

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER BERTA HERRERA, Plaintiff v.

ANGEL COBARRUVIAS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL15002074-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 27th day of May, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER SHEENA HUGHES, Plaintiff v.

DARYL WHITFIELD, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000868-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 4th day of May, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER NATHANIEL LEWIS, Plaintiff v.

CAROL LEWIS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000867-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 4th day of May, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Andrea Jane Pforter, Plaintiff, v.

Jeremy Lee Pforter, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16-1070-4 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of separation for over one year.

It appearing from an affidavit that diligence was used by or on behalf of the plaintiff, without effect, to ascertain the location of the defendant, Jeremy Lee Pforter, and that he cannot be found, it is ordered that the defendant appear before this Court before June 16, 2016 at 9:00 a.m., and do what is necessary to protect his interest herein.

A Copy: Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Mark H. Schmidt (VSB # 44521) COMMONWEALTH DIVORCE PLLC 41 Welford Lane Newport News, Virginia 23606 Telephone: (804) 525-0826 Counsel for the Plaintiff

CUSTODY virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Dixie Marie Alley JACE & COURTNEY GOODNIGHT v.

WESLEY ALLEY, JR. & TIFFany kelley Case No. JJ055211-15-00, -16-00, -17-00,-18-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON

The object of this suit is to: Determine custody and visitation of Dixie Marie Alley (DOB: 9/28/02), whose parents are Wesley Franklin Alley, Jr. and Tiffany Lee Kelley (last known address 621 Westover Hills Blvd. Apt. B, Richmond, Va.), pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1-241(A3).

It is ORDERED that the defendant Tiffany Lee Kelley appear at the above-named Court and protect her interests on or before June 22, 2016 at 12:00 P.M.

virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of the City of Richmond Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Kentre tavon harris, Juvenile Case No. CL16000983-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON

The object of this suit is to: Change minor child’s name.

It is ORDERED that the defendants Michael Rogers, appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before May 26, 2016.

An Extract, Teste: EDWARD F. JEWETT,Clerk virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re niKKOLE ANTONETTE MCDONALD Jessica sedonia mayo v. etta mcdonald, tony mcdonald & desiree mcdonald Case No. JJ071612-05-00, -06-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON

The object of this suit is to: Determine custody and visitation of Nikkole Antonette McDonald (DOB: 9/28/09), whose parents are Desiree Dominica McDonald and Tony Vashara McDonald, Jr., pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1-241(A3).

It is ORDERED that the defendant Tony Vashara McDonald, Jr. appear at the above-named Court and protect his interests on or before June 6, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re SHUNTI DESHELLE WASHINGTON MELVIN & VERNICE WASHINGTON v.

DAVID HALL & SHAMEKA WASHINGTON Case No. JJ087959-01-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON

The object of this suit is to: Determine custody of Shunti Deshelle Washington (DOB: 10/7/2000),whose whose parents are David Hall and Shameka Washington, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1-241(A3).

It is ORDERED that the defendants David Hall and Shameka Washington appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before May 25, 2016 at 12:00 P.M. virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of the City of Richmond Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Clarence McCutchen Jr., Juvenile Case No. JJ083630-11, 12 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON

The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Clarence McCutchen Sr., (Father), Shantae Yolanda Boisseau, (Mother), Clarence McCutchen Jr., child, DOB 06/30/2010, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support.

It is ORDERED that the defendants Clarence McCutchen Sr., (Mother), Shantae Yolanda Boisseau (Mother), appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before June 1, 2016 at 11:40 AM, Court Room #5.

Diane Abato, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493

virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re KRISTOPHER L. & KENNEDY L. BROOKS ANGELIQUE PITTMAN SKIPPER v.

ROBINETT BROOKS & KEITH BROOKS Case No. JJ048485-03-00, -04-00; JJ048482-03-00, -04-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON

The object of this suit is to: Determine custody of Kristopher Lamont Brooks ( D O B : 11 / 0 9 / 0 0 ) , a n d Kennedy Lynnea Brooks (DOB: 10/19/99), whose parents are Robinett Pittman Brooks and Keith Lamont Brooks, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1-241(A3).

It is ORDERED that the defendant Keith Lamont Brooks appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his interests on or before July 11, 2016 at 9:00 A.M.

virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of the City of Richmond Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Sha’Keem Criss, Juvenile Case No. JJ90309-06, 07, 08 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON

The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Cokeia Criss, (Mother), Shasha May (Father), &Unknown, (Father), Sha’keem Criss, child, DOB

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virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of the City of Richmond Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Shantae BOISSEAU, Juvenile Case No. JJ078220-12, 13, 14 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON

The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Sean Wilson, (Father), Unknown, (Father), Shantae Yolanda Boisseau (Mother), Shantae Boisseau, child, DOB 12/18/2007, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support.

It is ORDERED that the defendants Sean Wilson (Father), Unknown (Father), Shantae Yolanda Boisseau (Mother), appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before June 1, 2016 at 11:40 AM, Court Room #5.

Diane Abato, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493 virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of the City of Richmond Commonwealth of Virginia, in re TADIYAH BOISSEAU, Juvenile Case No. JJ056949-14, 15 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON

The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Shantae Yolanda Boisseau, (Mother), Unknown, (Father), and Tadiyah Boisseau, child, DOB 01/31/2006, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support.

It is ORDERED that the defendants Unknown (Father), Shantae Yolanda Boisseau (Mother), appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before June 1, 2016 at 11:40 AM, Court Room #5.

Diane Abato, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493 virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re KALIAwn JOVOAN ALEXANDER, CHARLENE & JAMES ALEXANDER v.

Unknown father & KEISHA ALEXANDER Case No. JJ087366-01-02-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON

The object of this suit is to: Determine custody of Kaliawn Jovoan Alexander, (DOB: 5/6/2014),whose mother is Kiesha Alexander and whose father is unknown, pursuant to Section 16.1241(A3) of the Code of Virginia.

It is ORDERED that the defendant the unknown father appear at the above-named Court and protect his interests on or before May 16, 2016 at 9:00 A.M. virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re KENDRICK JAYLON ALEXANDER, CHARLOTTE ALEXANDER-PRYOR & RICHARDO PRYOR v.

Unknown father & KEISHA ALEXANDER Case No. JJ070871-03-00, 04-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON

The object of this suit is to: Determine custody of Kendrick Jaylon Alexander, (DOB: 7/15/2009),whose mother is Kiesha Alexander and whose father is unknown, pursuant to Section 16.1241(A3) of the Code of Virginia.

It is ORDERED that the defendant the unknown father appear at the above-named Court and protect his interests on or before May 16, 2016 at 9:00 A.M.

Properties VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

Case No.: CL15-4189-1 PLEASANT R. CRUMP, JR., a/k/a PLEASANT CRUMP, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF PLEASANT R. CRUMP, JR., a/k/a PLEASANT CRUMP, et al., Defendants.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as “3057 Midlothian Turnpike”, Richmond, Virginia, TaxMap/GPIN# S0001477/013, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Pleasant R. Crump, Jr.,

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, PLEASANT R. CRUMP, JR., a/k/a PLEASANT CRUMP, who may be deceased, and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest of PLEASANT R. CRUMP, JR., a/k/a PLEASANT CRUMP, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that ROSE CHESTER, who may have an ownership interest in said property, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that PLEASANT R. CRUMP, JR., a/k/a PLEASANT CRUMP, who may be deceased, and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest of PLEASANT R. CRUMP, JR., a/k/a PLEASANT CRUMP, ROSE CHESTER, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 19, 2016, and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

Case No.: CL16-527-1 WILLIAM E. CLARK, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF WILLIAM E. CLARK, et al., Defendants.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3612 Griffin Avenue Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map/GPIN# N016-0081/019, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, William E. Clark.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner/s, WILLIAM E. CLARK, who may be deceased, and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest of WILLIAM E. CLARK, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title, and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that WILLIAM E. CLARK, who may be deceased, and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest of WILLIAM E. CLARK, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 19, 2016, and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

B6 April 21-23, 2016

Richmond Free Press

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities Continued from previous column

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who may be creditor/s with an interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this matter; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that CLAYTON INVESTMENT GROUP, L. L. C., A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, OLD DOMINION FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC., A Terminated Virginia Corporation, which may be the holder of a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 18, 2008, with respect to said property, recorded February 19, 2008, in Instrument Number 08-04351, or said holder’s heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, GILBERT GROSSMAN, Who May Be Deceased, and the Heirs, Devisees, Assignees or Successors in Interest of GILBERT GROSSMAN, As to $25,000.00 Interest, who may be the holder/s of a $25,000.00 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 18, 2008, with respect to said property, recorded February 19, 2008, in Instrument Number 08-04351, SHIRLEY GROSSMAN, As P/O/D of DAVID GROSSMAN, As to $10,000.00 Interest, who may be the holder of a $10,000.00 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 18, 2008, with respect to said property, recorded February 19, 2008, in Instrument Number 08-04351, MIMI MULLIAN a/k/a MIRIAM GERSHMAN MULLIAN, Who May Be Deceased, and the Heirs, Devisees, Assignees or Successors in Interest of MIMI MULLIAN a/k/a MIRIAM GERSHMAN MULLIAN, As to $25,000.00 Interest, who may be the holder/s of a $11,500.00 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 18, 2008, with respect to said property, recorded February 19, 2008, in Instrument Number 08-04351, WALTER L. HOOKER, P.C., A Terminated Virginia Corporation, Trustee of a certain Note secured by a secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 18, 2008, with respect to said property, recorded February 19, 2008, in Instrument Number 0804351, or its successor/s in title, WALTER L. HOOKER. Who May Be Deceased, As Former Director and Trustee in Liquidation, and his Successor/s In Interest, who may be Trustee/s of a certain Note secured by a secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 18, 2008, with respect to said property, recorded February 19, 2008, in Instrument Number 08-04351, CAPITAL FUNDING AND CONSULTING, L.L.C., A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, which may be the holder of a certain Note secured by a Deed of Trust, Assignment, and Security Agreement dated November 5, 2007, with respect to said property, recorded November 6, 2007, in Instrument No. 07-36801, or said holder’s heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, TOM CLARK, As Former Manager, who may be the holder of a certain Note secured by a Deed of Trust, Assignment, and Security Agreement dated November 5, 2007, with respect to said property, recorded November 6, 2007, in Instrument No. 07-36801, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Agent for BERNICE SCHWARTZ, GREG WOOLWINE, HOPE WOOLWINE, RICHARD D. KRIDER, SHERRIE BECKER, PATRICK BECKER, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Trustee for the JAY SCHWARTZ TRUST U/A 11/6/1992, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Trustee for the EDWARD J. BECKER MARITAL TRUST, THEODORE SELLMAN, Who May Be Deceased, and the Heirs, Devisees, Assignees or Successors in Interest of THEODORE SELLMAN, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 19 , 2016, and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

filed that said owner, EMMA JEAN REDD p/k/a EMMA JEAN SMITH, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that said owner, CLAYTON THOMPSON, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of CLAYTON THOMPSON, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that FAYETTE THOMPSON, who may have an ownership interest in said property, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that EZEKIEL THOMPSON a/k/a EZEKIEL LAMONT THOMPSON, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that EMMA JEAN REDD p/k/a EMMA JEAN SMITH, CLAYTON THOMPSON, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of CLAYTON THOMPSON, FAYETTE THOMPSON, EZEKIEL THOMPSON a/k/a EZEKIEL LAMONT THOMPSON, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before _MAY 19, 2016, and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

of PARTIES UNKNOWN, because the Petitioner, has used diligence without effect to ascertain their identities or location, but have been unable to do so.

It is hereby ORDERED that the aforesaid respondents do appear on or before March 20, 2016 in the Clerk’s office of the Circuit Court for the City of Richmond, Virginia, and do what is necessary to protect their interests.

Hon. William R. Marchant FloranceGordonBrown A Professinal Corporation 1900 One James Center 901 East Cary Street Richmond, VA 23219 Telephone: (804) 697-5118

V I R G I N I A: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND TERRY T. HUGHES, Administrator Of the Estate of Edith R. Jackson, Deceased, PETITIONER, v.

Case No.: CL13-3435 TRUSTEES OF VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY, et al., RESPONDENTS. ORDER OF PUBLICATION

In this proceeding, the Petitioner requests that the Court provide her aid and direction in determining who are the heirs or beneficiaries of the Estate of Edith R. Jackson, Deceased, and each heir or beneficiary’s share of the Estate of Edith R. Jackson, with such findings and conclusions of law and fact, directives and orders as are necessary to make such determination (including without limitation, a declaration of whether Edith R. Jackson died intestate or whether she died leaving a Last Will and Testament, and, if there is a Last Will and Testament, what said Last Will and Testament consists of and what its terms are, and if not, who the heirs of her intestate Estate are and what each of their respective shares are), that she receive a reasonable sum from the Estate of Edith R. Jackson for the expenses, costs and attorney’s fees she has expended in her efforts to locate the heirs of beneficiaries of the Estate of Edith R. Jackson and to pursue the instant litigation, that she receive her costs expended herein, that a guardian ad litem be appointed to represent and protect the interest of any infant or incapacitated persons, that those who are unknown, whose addresses or whereabouts are unknown, or who are nonresidents may be proceeded against by Order of Publication, and grant her such further relief as the Court deems appropriate.

And it appearing by affidavit filed according to law that:

1. The Respondent, Alfred Cary, is being proceeded against herein by Order of Publication because he is a nonresident individual, other than a nonresident individual fiduciary who has appointed a statutory agent under § 64.21426. Alfred Cary’s last known address is 170 Sungold Way, Fairfield, CA 94533.

2. The Respondent, Brenda J. Pierce-Ince, is being proceeded against herein by Order of Publication because she is a nonresident individual, other than a nonresident individual fiduciary who has appointed a statutory agent under § 64.2-1426.

Brenda J. Pierce-Ince’s last known address is 220 Varnum Street, Washington, D.C. 20011.

3. The Respondent, Shirley V. Douglas, is being proceeded against herein by Order of Publication because she is a nonresident individual, other than a nonresident individual fiduciary who has appointed a statutory agent under § 64.2-1426. Shirley V. Douglas’s last known address is 16820 Coronado Road, Apt. 206, Eagle River, AK 99577.

4. The Respondent, John K. Adams, is being proceeded against herein by Order of Publication because the Petitioner has used diligence without effect to ascertain his location, but has been unable to do so.

5. The Respondent, Iris Cecilia Green, is being proceeded against herein

by Order of Publication because the Petitioner has used diligence without effect to ascertain her location, but has been unable to do so.

6. The Respondent, Marilyn Green, is being proceeded against herein by Order of Publication because the Petitioner has used diligence without effect to ascertain her location, but has been unable to do so.

7. The Respondent, Mable S. Mills, is being proceeded against herein by Order of Publication because the Petitioner has used diligence without effect to ascertain her location, but has been unable to do so.

8. The Respondent, Williana Harris, is being proceeded against herein by Order of Publication because she is a nonresident individual, other than a nonresident individual fiduciary who has appointed a statutory agent under § 64.2-1426. Williana Harris’ last known address is 423 Blake Avenue, Apt. 1E, Brooklyn, NY 11212.

9. The Respondent, Gertrude Minor, is being proceeded against herein

by Order of Publication because the Petitioner has used diligence without effect to ascertain her location, but has been unable to do so.

10. The Respondent, Harold Lucas, is being proceeded against herein by Order of Publication because he is a nonresident individual, other than a nonresident individual fiduciary who has appointed a statutory agent under § 64.2-1426. Harold Lucas’s last known address is 87 Wedgefield, Drive, Hilton Head, SC 20026.

11. The Respondent, Herbert J. Ramsey, is being proceeded against herein by Order of Publication because he is a nonresident individual, other than a nonresident individual fiduciary who has appointed a statutory agent under § 64.2-1426. Herbert J. Ramsey’s last known address is 5722 9th Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046.

12. The Respondent, Michael A. Dymally, is being proceeded against herein by Order of Publication because he is a nonresident individual, other than a nonresident individual fiduciary who has appointed a statutory agent under § 64.2-1426. Michael A. Dymally’s last known address is 4508 8th Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90043.

13. The Respondent, Lenora C. Evans, is being proceeded against herein by Order of Publication because she is a nonresident individual, other than a nonresident individual fiduciary who has appointed a statutory agent under § 64.2-1426. Lenora C. Evans’s last known address is 22628 Radnor Lane, Moreno Valley, CA 92557.

14. The Respondent, Regina E. Dymally-Wilson, is being proceeded against herein by Order of Publication because she is a nonresident individual, other than a nonresident individual fiduciary who has appointed a statutory agent under § 64.2-1426.

Regina E. Dymally-Wilson’s last known address is 14193 Casa Blanca Court, Fontana, CA 92336.

15. The Respondent, Reginald A. Dymally, is being proceeded against herein by Order of Publication because he is a nonresident individual, other than a nonresident individual fiduciary who has appointed a statutory agent under § 64.2-1426. Reginald A. Dymally’s last known address is 4508 8th Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90043.

16. The Respondent, Linda M. Clark, is being proceeded against herein by Order of Publication because she is a nonresident individual, other than a nonresident individual fiduciary who has appointed a statutory agent under § 64.2-1426. Linda M. Clark’s last known address is 4508 8th Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90043.

17. The Respondent, Angela L. W. Whitaker, is being proceeded against herein by Order of Publication because she is a nonresident individual, other than a nonresident individual fiduciary who has appointed a statutory agent under § 64.2-1426. Angela L. W. Whitaker’s last known address is 818 N. Eucalyptus Avenue, #11, Inglewood, CA 90302.

18. There may be persons other than those named in the Amended Petition for Aid and Guidance filed in the abovestyled case who have an interest in the Estate of Edith R. Jackson, deceased, whose identities and whereabouts are not known, and their heirs, devisees, assigns, surviving spouses, and successors in interest, if any, whose names and whereabouts are unknown and who are made Respondents herein by the general description

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VIRGINIA:IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

Case No.: CL15-2547-1 EDDIE RANSOME, JR., et al., Defendants.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2121 (formerly 726) Greenwood Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, TaxMap/ GPIN# N000-0446/018, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Eddie Ransome, Jr. , Trenna Carter, Emma Jean Smith and Clayton Thompson.

An Affidavit having been Continued on next column

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

BID COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION ITB# 16-1167-3CE Montrose Area Outfall Sewer Rehabilitation (GC-08) Phase I This project consists of in-situ cured-in-place lining of various sizes of gravity sewer pipe.

Due 3:00 pm, May 17, 2016 Additional information available at: http://www.henrico. us/purchasing/.

COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION BID ITB# 16-1176-4JK Belmont Golf Course Streambank Restoration Due 2:30 pm, May 12, 2016 Additional information available at: http://www.henrico. us/departments/purchasing/ bids-and-proposals/

Estate

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

Case No.: CL16-528-1 ANY UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF HARRY HYDE, JR., DECEASED, et al., Defendants.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2201 Gordon Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, TaxMap/GPIN# S0000549/010, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Harry Hyde, Jr.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, Any Unknown heirs, devisees, assignees, or successors of HARRY HYDE, JR., Deceased, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that ADLENE M. JONES, who may have an ownership interest in said property, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that FRESH START CREDIT CORP., A Purged Virginia Corporation and LIFE LINE CREDIT UNION, A Terminated Virginia Corporation, which may be creditors with an interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that Any Unknown heirs, devisees, assignees, or successors of HARRY HYDE, JR., Deceased, ADLENE M. JONES, FRESH START CREDIT CORP., A Purged Virginia Corporation, LIFE LINE CREDIT UNION, A Terminated Virginia Corporation, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 19, 2016, and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

D/M/WBE SUBCONTRACTORS/SUPPLIERS WANTED T. A. Loving Company is seeking certified DBE, MBE, and WBE subcontractors and suppliers for the City of Richmond CSO 028E Separation Project in Richmond, VA project which bids April 25, 2016 at 2:00 PM. Plans and specifications are available at the following locations: T.A. Loving Company, Goldsboro, NC and City of Richmond’s Web portal http:// richmondvaprocurementconstructionbids. blogspot.com/.

Potential subcontracting opportunities include but are not limited to Demolition, Hauling, Asphalt Work, Erosion Control, Seeding/Sodding, Concrete flatwork, cobblestone restoration, Linework, striping, bypass pumping, survey, traffic control, CIPP liner, and MH Rehab. Please contact Bill Musso (bmusso@taloving.com) if you are interested in submitting a proposal on any portion(s) of this project. Contact via phone 919-734-8400; fax 919-736-2148; or email. All quotations will be accepted up to bid closing time on bid date. TA Loving Company is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer

St. Peter Baptist Church A progressive suburban church is seeking grant writers and a video media technician. Interested persons please forward resumes to spbcoffice@verizon.net. Salaries are negotiable.

Nurse Supervisor-LPN: Non-profit Methadone Program seeks LPN for Nursing Supervisor position.

Must have at least 10 years of nursing experience and 3 years substance abuse experience. Position duties include, supervising LPNs, dispensing medications, assisting the Physician, Pharmacists, maintaining medical records, providing patient care, scheduling appointments, and crisis intervention as needed.

Valid license, current First Aid/ CPR, supervisory experience, and knowledge of opioid treatment required. For more information call Mary at 804592-2852 or email marym@hricorp.org. EOE.

Assistant Dean, School of Nursing and Allied Health (Position #FA320)

Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, City of Richmond DEPUTY CLERK/CRIMINAL SECTION Position 16-1 DEPUTY CLERK/PROBATE SECTION Position 16-2 Immediate opportunities for energetic, dependable and professional candidates to work in downtown courts building, criminal and probate divisions. Must be detail-oriented and possess excellent customer service and telephone skills. Prior experience working in a court environment a plus.

FOR EACH POSITION, PLEASE SUBMIT RESUME, COVER LETTER AND A SALARY HISTORY TO: CircuitCourtClerkEmployment@Richmondgov.com OR RICHMOND CIRCUIT COURT CLERK’S OFFICE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT 400 NORTH 9TH ST RICHMOND, VA 23219

(J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, VA) Master’s degree from an accredited institution in field of study related to or offered by the School of Nursing and Allied Health. Completion of the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest and pre-employment security screening required.

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Full-time twelvemonth administrative faculty-ranked appointment.

Salary commensurate with the education and experience of the applicant. Salary range: $65,953$132,265. Approximate maximum hiring salary: $80,070. Additional information is available at the College’s website: www.reynolds.edu.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Application reviews will begin JUNE 9, 2016 and continue until the position is filled.

AA/EOE/ADA/Veterans/ AmeriCorps/Peace Corps/ Other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.

NO WALK-INS OR PHONE CALLS, PLEASE EOE

TransiT sysTem

AssistAnt Project MAnAger Commensurate Upon Experience Closes: April 29, 2016

TransiT sysTem

Part-time storeroom clerk Starting: $12.00 per hour Closes: April 26, 2016

GRTC Transit System in Richmond, Virginia seeks a part-time qualified candidate, at least 21 years of age, to be responsible for the day to day activities of the storeroom. The successful candidate will have a high school diploma or equivalent. Successful completion of a background check and drug test is required. This individual performs the day-to-day activities of the storeroom which include receiving materials and parts, processing requisitions for parts, participating in physical stock inventory activities and maintaining a neat and orderly stockroom.

For a more complete job description and the apply online, please visit www.ridegrtc.com.

GRTC Transit System is currently seeking candidates, 21 years of age and older with a BA in Planning, Architecture, Engineering or a related field and at least 1-3 years of experience in capital project management, for an Assistant Project Manager position. BA in Planning, Architecture, Engineering or related field preferred or equivalent.

1-3 years’ experience in capital project management including experience in construction management preferred. A combination of education and experience is required. Valid driver’s License required. For a more detailed job description and the ability to apply online, please visit www.ridegrtc.com.

A pre-employment drug screening and DOT physical will be required.

GRTC is an equal opportunity employer with a drug-free work environment.

GRTC is an equal opportunity employer with a drug-free work environment.

Public Notice

The City of Petersburg has received unsolicited development proposals for its property located at 501 E. Washington Street. The 1.77 acre site was formerly a Holiday Inn and was acquired by the city in 2014. The City of Petersburg welcomes additional proposals for the site by Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. Proposals should be mailed to the Office of Economic Development, 400 E. Washington Street, Petersburg, Virginia 23803. Proposals may also be faxed to (804) 733-1276 or emailed to tjohnson@ petersburg-va.org. For information about the property and the content for proposals, please contact the office by telephone at 804-733-2352 or email.

DRIVERS:

CDL – A 1 yr. exp., Earn $1250 + per week, Great Weekend Hometime, Excellent Benefits & Bonuses, 100% No Touch/70% D & H

A public hearing will be held by GRTC Transit System at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2016, in the administrative offices at GRTC, located at 301 East Belt Boulevard, Richmond, Virginia 23224 to consider GRTC’s Proposed Federal FY 2015 Program of Projects pursuant to Section 5307 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), the Federal Transit Administration has made available, as part of the Richmond Metropolitan Urbanized Area, its application for federal assistance described as follows: I. The Program of Projects lists capital projects for which GRTC will seek federal financial assistance during the period July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017. Included are replacement of transit buses, replacement of paratransit vehicles, bus and paratransit preventative maintenance, ADA administration, capital cost of contracting, computer hardware and software, support equipment, associated transit improvements, transit security, and shop tools and equipment.

Application for Financial Assistance II. Section 5307 Capital Assistance: This application requests funding for projects described in Section I that total $12,880,239 of which $10,304,191 is the federal share and $2,576,048 is the nonfederal share. The non-federal share will be obtained from the City of Richmond appropriated from general funds and funds appropriated by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

III. Section 5339 Capital Assistance: This application requests funding for projects described in Section I that total $1,424,293 of which $1,139,434 is the federal share and $284,859 is the nonfederal share. The non-federal share will be obtained from the City of Richmond appropriated from general funds and funds appropriated by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

IV. Comprehensive Planning: These projects conform to comprehensive land use and transportation planning for the Richmond Metropolitan area and are included in the Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization’s Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) and Long Range Transportation Plan.

At the hearing, GRTC will afford the opportunity for interested persons to be heard with respect to the social, economic, and environmental aspects of the projects. Interested persons and agencies may submit, orally or in writing, comments and recommendations with respect to the projects. Copies of the final Program of Projects, GRTC’s five-year capital plan and/or a copy of the Transportation Improvement Program are available for public inspection in the Office of the CEO, GRTC Transit System, 301 East Belt Boulevard, Richmond, Virginia 23224.

GRTC’s Proposed Federal FY 2015 Program of Projects will be the final program unless amended.

Administrative Project Analyst 84M00000010 Procurement Services Apply by 05/01/2016

888-406-9046

P/T Youth Minister Wanted First Union Baptist Church - South Richmond Visit thefubc.org for more info.

TransiT sysTem

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING GRTC TRANSIT SYSTEM

The City of Richmond is seeking to fill the following positions:

Freelance Writers: The Richmond Free Press has immediate opportunities for freelance writers.

Newspaper experience is a requirement. To be considered, please send 5 samples of your writing, along with a cover letter to newsrichmond freepress.com or mail to: Richmond Free Press, P. O. Box 27709, Richmond, VA 23261.

No phone calls.

Communications Officer 87M00000015 Emergency Communications Apply by 05/22/2016 Maintenance Technician II – Wastewater 35M00000205 Public Utilities Apply by 05/01/2016 Maintenance Worker I-Seasonal (Various Locations) James River Park, Cemeteries, & Parks Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Apply by 05/01/2016 Network Engineer 87M00000120 Emergency Communications Apply by 05/22/2016 Project Management Analyst – Continuity of Operations Plans Manager (COOP) 35M00000166 Public Utilities Apply by 05/01/2016 Utility Plant Electrician Supervisor – Wastewater 35M00000256 Public Utilities Apply by 05/08/2016 ****************** For an exciting career with the City of Richmond, visit our website for additional information and apply today! www.richmondgov.com EOE M/F/D/V

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Richmond Free Press call 644-0496.