Urban Views Weekly December 21, 2016 by Urban Views Weekly

Dec. 21, 2016

Scholar of the Week - Darrius Giles

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2017

Civic Beat

Visionaries Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ -- Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Help us pick our Visionaries Urban Views Weekly invites you to nominate a person whom you believe best embodies the courage, compassion, integrity, inspiration and vision displayed by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The nominee should live in the Greater Richmond and Petersburg communities. Two individuals will be selected and featured in our January 2017 Martin Luther King edition.

Letters of nomination should be 400 words or less, and must include the nominee’s full name, address and telephone number. Nominators should include his or her name, address, telephone number and email address. Help us showcase the good work being done in our community by dedicated heroes and heroines.

The deadline for nominations is Jan. 1, 2017. Submissions may be emailed to Publisher@ UrbanViewsWeekly.com, or mailed to:

FUNdraising Good Times

Friendraising: historic civil rights site restoration As the year comes to an end, many of us are fortunate to receive invitations to events large and small. With Hanukkah falling on December 24th, there will be simultaneous celebrating by Jews and Christians this year. And even more will celebrate the New Year. Some events are family parties, work gatherings, or faith celebrations. Others are fundraisers or friend-raisers for nonprofit organizations or institutions. Last weekend, we had the opportunity to experience a friendraiser for the restoration of the historic Clayborn Temple in Memphis, Tennessee. We share our experience with you for two purposes: to share information about this important restoration of a civil rights monument, and to provide an example of a successful friendraiser.

Letter To The Editor

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Urban Views Weekly | December 21, 2016

These musicians – and the audience – created an evening that allowed everyone to experience what it would be like if Clayborn Temple was fully restored and brought back to life as a community gathering place that meets community needs. The cornerstone for the historic building we know today as Clayborn Temple was laid in 1891. The building continues to page 11

If you would like to respond to Viewpoints, your submission should contain your name, a full valid address and a daytime phone number. We cannot acknowledge submitted letters. We reserve the right to edit for accuracy, clarity, legality and taste. E-mail (without attachments) to editor@urbanviewsweekly.com. Mail letters to Editor Urban Views Weekly.

Ervin B. Clarke, Publisher publisher@urbanviewsweekly.com

Urban Views Weekly

6802 Paragon Place, Suite 410 Richmond, VA 23230 Attention: Visionaries 2017

“A Gospel According to Jazz” Christmas Concert was a first class event. We enjoyed spiritual and spirit-filled performances by Grammy Award winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum, guitarist Norman Brown, pianist Keiko Matsui, and special guests Kevin Whalum, John Stoddart and Shalea. Interest in the event was so great that a second show was added.

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Health News

sponsored by VCU Health

Obesity is a major cause of chronic disease The numbers are real. In the U.S.: 68.5% of adults are overweight or obese, 34.9% are obese; 31.8% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese, 16.9% are obese; 30.4% of low-income preschoolers are overweight or obese.

Second, making healthy choices an easier part of people’s daily lives is essential. While personal responsibility is an important consideration in obesity prevention, the choices families and youth make are impacted by where they live, learn, work and play. In many neighborhoods, healthy foods are scarce and more expensive, while cheap processed foods are widely available and heavily marketed. Finding safe, accessible places to be physically active can be a challenge for many.

Obesity has truly become a worldwide problem, affecting countries rich and poor. One of the most recent global estimates finds that roughly 500 million adults are obese (defined as a body mass index, or BMI, of 30 or higher). The healthy range for BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Overweight is defined as a BMI of 25 to 29.9, and obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher. Obesity is a major cause of chronic disease, including heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, dementia and arthritis. There is no doubt about it where there is a high prevalence of obesity, there are high rates of preventable chronic disease. People who are obese, compared to those with a normal or healthy weight, are at increased risk for many serious diseases and health conditions, including the following: • All-causes of death (mortality) • High blood pressure (Hypertension) • High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides (Dyslipidemia) • Type 2 diabetes • Coronary heart disease • Stroke • Gallbladder disease

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How can I improve my health? • Osteoarthritis (a breakdown of cartilage and bone within a joint)

Although you cannot change your genes, you can work on changing your eating habits, levels of physical activity, and other factors. Try the ideas below:

• Sleep apnea and breathing problems

Get regular physical activity

• Some cancers (endometrial, breast, colon, kidney, gallbladder, and liver)

Try these tips for starting or maintaining an exercise program:

• Low quality of life

• Get at least 150 minutes (2 ½ hours) of moderately intense aerobic activity each week that raises your heart rate and makes you sweat. Brisk walking, biking (with a helmet), swimming, and playing tennis or basketball are fun choices that you can do with others for support.

• Mental illness such as clinical depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders • Body pain and difficulty with physical functioning So, what can we do to change this paradigm? First, prevention should be a top priority, especially among young children and pregnant women. It is easier and more effective to prevent unhealthy weight gain than it is to reverse it later. Strategies that focus on helping every child maintain a healthy weight are critical. By giving children a healthy start, they will be on a much better trajectory for lifelong health as they age.

• You can spread the 150 minutes out in short spurts over the week. Do house or yard chores briskly, walk the dog at a quick pace, or dance to your favorite music for at least 10 minutes at a time. • Aim for 300 minutes (5 hours) of aerobic activity a week to prevent gradual weight gain in adulthood. If you are at a healthy weight now but used to be overweight or obese, experts encourage 60 to 90 minutes of exercise a day to keep the weight off. continues to page 5

Is weight loss surgery right for you? More than 97 million adult Americans are overweight or obese. For some, weight loss surgery can transform their lives. Is this an option for you? Call (804) 827-0045 and make an appointment to talk with one of our experienced weight loss surgeons.

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Urban Views Weekly | December 21, 2016

ViewPoints

By Dr. T

Monumental Moments There are times in our lives that deserve to be a young man with an assault weapon who had marked and remembered. Sometimes those enough ammunition for the battlefield of war. moments are great and wonderful causing Four years have passed and STILL we have no boundless jubilation and celebration, and then sensible gun control legislation forthcoming. We there are those moments that cause us unspeakable are re-traumatized by the lack of justice by means pain and grief. Wherever the moment falls in the of a hung jury in the murder of another Black man continuum of our life, it will always be a moment and, again, by the audacity of an avowed white etched in our memory and as such it needs to be supremacist to stand in front of victims, survivors marked by a symbol of its effect and impact on and their community and spew his hatred and the lives that we now live. These are monumental vitriol once again, as he justifies why he massacred moments and they actually shape us and make 9 people in a church prayer meeting simply because us the persons that we are and have tremendous they were Black. These are monumental moments. efficacy on the persons that we hope to become. Within the confluence of the holiday season, the Where do we go from here? What do we do? It is “Wherever the moment falls end of the calendar year and the Hope, whether not an option to simply do nothing. And yet, we ...it will always be a moment genuine or manufactured, of the coming New can easily become overwhelmed by either the Year, there is so much for us to reflect upon on so enormity of what we have endured or what we etched in our memory...” many levels. For as those who celebrate Christmas have to face in the near future. Faith is a powerful prepare to do so, and the year 2016 comes to an and potent force and yet, without action even inauspicious ending in a country clearly divided faith becomes an empty platitude. It then becomes socially, politically and culturally, these are indeed monumental moments. essential that we honestly look at where we are right now, and assess what factors contributed to bringing us here. Could we have done anything to mitigate the We do not have peace on earth; many do not even have peace within their own circumstances in which we now find ourselves? --Anything at all? We then need household or immediate family unit. As we look out to the world, we must face to mark the spot as a monumental moment and then strategically plan, create many a tragic moment in time. We have a humanitarian crisis of genocidal a series of steps to climb out, move forward or revisit (yes sometimes a re-do is proportion in Aleppo, Syria. The environmental crisis in North Dakota as the possible) so that we can implement positive CHANGE. It must be acknowledged Indigenous People and their allies from around the nation join to STOP an oil that not ALL change is good. Unfortunately, sometimes we must live through the pipeline, that could potentially poison the water discomfort of the circumstances we have brought supply and desecrate sacred burial grounds, from upon ourselves before we recognize that fact. being pushed through by greed and a culture of When that day comes…and it will, that will be a Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D. entitlement that is so prevalent in our society monumental moment indeed. Founder and Artistic Director today. The 4th anniversary of the Sandy Hook The Conciliation Project and Associate Professor Elementary School massacre where 20 five- and Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to you and let’s Virginia Commonwealth University six-year- old children, and 6 adult educators keep it moving! DrT@Margins2theCenter.com | www.theconciliationproject.org were senselessly and mercilessly slaughtered by Spiritual Music is our Specialty

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Urban Views Weekly | December 21, 2016

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5 New Year’s Resolutions for Black Business Sustainability By Ron Busby, President, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. As we approach 2017, many Black-owned businesses won’t make it into the new year. At the close of 2016, Black business owners continue to remain the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S., yet sustainability remains a main concern for the longevity of Black-owned business. It’s clear that Black-owned businesses face unique challenges in obtaining business funding; access to contracts; and an array of challenges not including racially-motivated barriers which stunt business growth and hinder business sustainability. But you can’t let that stop you. There is a great need to bring Black business sustainability to the forefront. As we bring 2016 to a close, we’re encouraging Black entrepreneurs to make business sustainability their primary focus, by incorporating these 5 resolutions in 2017: 1. Seek out Expert Advice - Growing a business is no easy task and requires a substantial amount of intellectual resources. More than 95% of Black-owned businesses are sole proprietorship, indicating most Black business owners play every role in the business from Secretary to Plumber. The DIY (Do it Yourself) predicament is a reality for many Black start-ups. In 2017, alter this reality and make it a

priority to invest in expert-level advice and intellectual resources (courses, trainings, books, etc.) that can help you grow your business. 2. Secure ‘Cushion’ Business Funding - By far, access to business funding appears to be one of the main challenges in starting and sustaining a business. The times we live in offer many alternative ways of funding including: crowdfunding, peer-to-peer funding, and many more. In addition to funding, it’s essential to have cushion funds to use for business or personal use. Earlier-on in 2016, we initiated a program with Liberty Bank to offer a low interest rate and low barrier to entry for Black entrepreneurs to secure a line of credit for business and/ or personal use. Our Liberty Bank Credit Card Program is designed to broaden access to capital for Black business owners. Learn more and take advantage of this opportunity. 3. Collaborate - The start of the New Year is prime time to seek out partnerships with other Black owned businesses. Collaboration is key to sustainability. The current socioeconomic and economic status of Black Americans

Let’s talk about growing your business.

Eat better Eating healthy foods has vital health benefits, too, including weight loss. To start eating better, try these tips: • Eat the rainbow. Make half of what’s on your plate fruit and vegetables.

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4. Innovate - We live in the creative economy where new products and services are launching every day; it is crucial to find ways to innovate your products and/or services. Black businesses must narrow the innovation gap, not necessarily by starting tech companies, but by innovating their business systems and processes to keep up with the rapidly innovative times we live in. 5. Focus on Sustainability - Above all, have a strategic contingency plan in place to ensure your business has sustainability. We’re hopeful our 5 resolutions will help your business prosper in 2017. On behalf of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. have a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year.

Ask us how: (804) 441-6255 TanyaFree.com/ Urban Views Weekly Poll

Health News from page 3

Most adults don’t need to see their doctor before starting a physical activity program. However, those who should see a doctor include men older than 40 and women older than 50 who plan a vigorous program or who have either a serious health condition or risk factors for a serious health condition.

shows us the dire need to collaborate with existing Black-owned businesses to increase economic growth in our community. In 2017, find ways to collaborate on initiatives, cross-promote products, partner on business ventures, etc.

• Replace refined grains with whole grains, like oatmeal, whole wheat bread, and brown rice. • Get your protein from healthy sources, like seafood, lean meats, poultry, eggs, beans, unsalted nuts, and seeds. • Instead of sugary drinks, choose unsweetened tea, low-fat milk, or water. • Remember, weight control is a lifelong effort. Starting now with small steps may improve your health. A healthy eating plan and regular physical activity can be steps to a healthier you.

We are just days away from Christmas, and the anticipation of a mythical Santa Claus granting the wishes of every child’s dreams. In addition, lots of time and energy are being spent at the mall by adults caught up in the glitz, buying senseless gifts and presents for everyone on their gift list. Isn’t Christmas the time to celebrate and reflect on the birth of Christ?

What’s your take? Has the true meaning of Christmas been lost to commercialization? Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2pm on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com. You can now watch us LIVE at TanyaFree.com and ustream.tv

Urban Views Weekly | December 21, 2016

As children, can you remember a time you weren’t excited for Christmas? Christmas—well, the entire holiday season, really—meant time off from school, possible snow days, captivating Christmas lights, and presents. Lots and lots of presents. With each passing day that led us closer to December 25, the suspense grew. How many presents will I get this year? Will I get everything on my list? Will I at least get the gifts I wanted the most? Couple that with the excitement of seeing the house all decked out with lights, and holiday cheer was in full effect. Perhaps your fondest memories are of trips to grandma’s house on Christmas morning, or getting to open one present on Christmas Eve. Or maybe it’s spending the entire day installing, assembling, or programming the gift that was at the top of your list, and then spending all night enjoying it. Whatever your favorite holiday pastime, there’s no doubt that the magic happens when you’re a child, and as you grow older, the excitement begins to fade until you have children of your own to recreate that magic for. But as it happens, children will eventually begin to grow out of their Santa Claus years, and then out of the “home for Christmas break” years. Their Christmas list will transition from “baby dolls and a race car set” to more practical gifts like “coffee maker and money to help cover my bills.” Slowly but surely, December 25th becomes a day of celebration and gratitude, sure—it’s the gathering of friends and family to honor and celebrate the true meaning of the season—but the magic? It fades. The idea of Christmas miracles only exists in the movies that loop on our favorite channels, and the most nostalgia we feel is through replays of A Charlie Brown Christmas. How can we reclaim that childlike joy and anticipation for “the 6

Urban Views Weekly | December 21, 2016

Christmas Cheer–It’s

most wonderful time of the year?” The lighting of the tree and wrapping of presents isn’t enough; even with a family of adults who no longer believe in Santa and know that Frosty won’t come to life with the placement of a top hat, the holiday season can be a truly exhilarating time.

For Chesterfield native Dana Felder, the holiday cheer, tradition, and wonderment never left, even long after she and her sister left the nest to begin lives of their own. The traditions she’s created with her sister, mother, and father, have maintained through adulthood, and now, they’re excited to carry it on with their growing families, keeping that childlike glee for everyone involved, young and old. Why does she believe the marvel of Christmastime never left? Felder attributes it to a genuine appreciation and love for the holiday, devoid of the myths that eventually crush a child’s joy as they grow older. “Growing up, we never believed in Santa Claus,” she explains. “So when we reached middle and high school, there was no change in the Christmas commotion, surprises, or traditions we’d developed. The commercial and mythical side of the holiday—Santa, Elves, etc— was never a part of it for us; in our household we were always taught that the most important aspect of Christmas was celebrating Jesus’ birth. The tradition, anticipation, excitement, and memories my parents created each year made Christmas a big deal for us, and it all stuck through adulthood.” Those traditions, which began many years ago and continue on today, include a creative holiday-themed family portrait that showcases how the beautiful family evolves through the years. Not only is it enjoyable for the family itself, but friends and extended family anticipate its arrival each year.

And that is the type of tradition that is sure to keep family members engaged each year, despite age. Family activities that hold roots in something deeper than make-believe icons prevents enthusiasm from fading. “That’s the hardest part to get through,” Felder agrees. “I think families can keep the holidays exciting for their kids by not letting their traditions or enthusiasm fade as they grow into teenagers. That’s inevitable when you rely on figures like Santa Claus.” Another tradition that keeps the joy alive each year is

’s Not Just for Kids!

by Janna M. Hall

rooms to wrap something super secretive,” she explains. “It’s minor, but it’s just so fun! I look forward to it every year.” Lastly, and most importantly, the heads of the Felder family kept the holiday in perspective for their children, instilling values that they understood early on and never wavered on as adults. “My mom and dad also tried not to spoil us with gifts,” Felder explains. “They reminded us that the point of the holiday was to celebrate Christ. Although their message stuck, they still got us a lot of gifts and we grew up feeling so blessed because of it. Now that we’re adults, everyone in the family works hard to bless one another when Christmas comes around, after thanking God for all the blessings He’s given us.”

their gift-wrapping activity. Growing up, the Felder family—which later grew into the Felder/Logan family—wrapped the majority of their gifts together on the days leading up to Christmas. They all spread out through the living room, kitchen, and dining areas, turning on Christmas movies, lighting holidayscented candles, and wrapped gifts for one another. “It’s fun because it builds even more anticipation as some people disappear to different

“Decorating the tree was always a big deal in my family,” she explains. “My dad would go pick it up—we’d get a real one every year—and I was in charge of decorating, so all of my homemade ornaments went front and center. As I got older, we kept the tradition, and each year is just as fun as the last.” Though she won’t be decorating the tree with her family nor exchanging gifts with her siblings, Bland’s mother is shipping wrapped gifts and her childhood ornaments to go under the tree she’s put up in her own home. And while she’ll be missing the longstanding traditions she shares with her family, Bland’s made it a point to take the elements that made the holidays so special growing up and will spend Christmas with a close friend and her family, keeping the day as “normal” and family oriented as possible. Her willingness to preserve the holiday cheer she felt through adolescence and early adulthood will only ensure a memorable Christmas 2016. She’s determined to maintain an optimistic outlook and remember the elements she loved as a child in order to incorporate them into the new life she builds.

All in all, the Felder family’s deep rooted values allowed them to understand the purpose of the holiday early on, begin traditions that reflected those values, and nurture their love of the holiday year after year. For them, Christmas can be just as incredible at age 77 as it was at age 7.

The bottom Like Bland and the Felder family, in Expand yourline?network the midst of obligatory holiday playlists, the routine and Grow Salvationyour Army business. jinglers at your local grocery stores, and

Tiona Bland, another Chesterfield native, usually travels home for Christmas, but will be spending the holiday at her new home in California, a painful first for her. Of everyone in the family, she’s the self-proclaimed stickler for tradition, so being away from the family and unable to partake in their yearly traditions that make the season special is especially tough for her.

the very real seasonal sadness, there’s Christmas magic waiting to be unleashed and new memories waiting to be made. Gone are the days where this season’s just about the children; find ways to bring back the elements of Christmas that made it special for you and your family growing up, and recreate that magic over and over again.

Photos submitted by Dana Felder

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The Deal

By Nathaniel Sillin

Simple Ways to Make Your Appliances Last Longer ‘Tis the season for overflowing refrigerators, never-ending loads of laundry and, hopefully, visiting family who will lend a hand. Many people ask their appliances to work a little harder than normal during the holidays, and proper maintenance throughout the year might be the key to avoiding an untimely breakdown.

time with visiting family and friends rather than washing dishes by hand. In fact, during one recent family visit, we ran our dishwasher multiple times per day. It’s important to clean the inside of the dishwasher as mineral deposits and leftover food scraps can build up, leading to clogged or leaky components and nose-turning smells. Running an unloaded dishwasher on a cleaning cycle with white vinegar could do the trick. You may also need to scrub the walls by hand and clean out the filter, which is often found at the bottom of the machine.

Here are a few maintenance tips for refrigerators, dishwashers, laundry machines and dryers. Each of these major appliances has an average lifespan of 10 to 13 years, and you might want to start budgeting for your next purchase around the nine-year mark. There are many factors that contribute to a particular machine’s lifespan. However, regular maintainance could help ensure your appliance’s longevity, let you avoid expensive service calls and lead to lower utility bills.

heat as well, causing the compressor to work harder, which in turn shortens its life and can cost you money in higher utility bills. Luckily, the process takes about 15 minutes and only needs to be done once or twice a year.

Clean the coils to keep the fridge efficient and cool. We mostly expect refrigerators to keep working. But imagine having a house full of holiday guests and waking up to find that it stopped. Not only are you stuck paying for repairs ($220 to $270 on average), or a new fridge (anywhere from $350 to over $2,500), but you might be making an expensive trip to the store to replace all the spoiled food.

Start by unplugging your refrigerator. Units that have coils underneath them will likely have a cover that needs to be removed and a condenser fan that should be cleaned. Other units have uncovered coils on the back. Using a brush or vacuum carefully clean off the dirt and dust. If you use a vacuum, check for and empty or dry out the drip pan, which is common on units with a built-in defroster.

The most important part of refrigerator maintenance is keeping the condenser coils clean. A dirty coil won’t release

The inside of a dishwasher needs cleaning as well. Your dishwasher might not be a necessity, but it sure is nice to spend

Urban Views Weekly | December 21, 2016

Next, gently wipe down and inspect the plastic gasket around the door, a break or leak could lead to an expensive mess. While gaskets cost about $10, labor costs can be between $75 and $150 an hour and damage from the water could be significantly more. Respect the load limits of your washer and dryer. I’m always shocked by the piles of laundry that build up when you have a full house. While the extra towels, sheets and clothes from visiting guests might make it tempting, don’t overload your machines. Too much weight can cause parts to wear out and break prematurely. Plus, you could wind up with detergent residue on clothes and need to rerun the cycle (a waste of time, water and energy), or damp clothes that Continues to Page 11

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Urban Views Weekly | December 21, 2016

Scholar of the Week

By Janeal Downs

When Darrius Giles was little, one of the first games he ever watched was a playoff game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. “I saw Kobe Bryant play and from then on, I just loved the Lakers,” Darrius said. Not only did he love the team, but the overall sport of basketball. Playing basketball became, and remains his favorite pastime. While he isn’t playing this year, Darrius serves as the manager of his school’s varsity basketball team. Not only does he have fun attending all of the games and helping the players prepare, but he is also preparing for his dream of one day working as a physical therapist.

Darrius Giles

of Petersburg High School GPA: 3.9 College of Interest: Roanoke College, Lynchburg University, Norfolk State University and Virginia Commonwealth University Major Community Service: Golden Living Center and Metropolitan Baptist Church Youth Ministry Strong Interests: Physical therapy and basketball Favorite Activities: Marching band, dancing, reading and writing

Darrius does know is that when he goes to college he wants to continue playing basketball, whether as a walk-on player for the school team or through intramural basketball. While he is still in high school, Darrius currently has a 3.9 GPA. “No matter how stressful my life can become, I’ve learned how important it is to have a positive mindset,” he stated. “Since this is my final year of high school, I’m absolutely focused on building a bright future for myself.” One lesson he will take with him to college is that all hard work will pay off. Along with his volunteer work at Golden Living Center and as the basketball team manager, Darrius is a member of the National Honor Society where he is the co-treasurer. He has also been involved in the Metropolitan Baptist Church Youth Ministry through their ™ youth choir, Boys 2 Men organization and Youth Usher Board for many years.

Scholar0

He first became interested in physical therapy when he began volunteering at the Golden Living Center in Petersburg. “Assisting in their physical therapy department honestly helped me gain a better sense of well-being,” Darrius stated in an essay. “These five years I’ve spent with them have truly been a blessing.” From helping the staff to spending time with the elderly, he learned a lot as a volunteer and plans to continue learning more by studying physical therapy in college.

ek of the We

Though he is not sure of which school he will go to yet, some of Darrius’ top choices for college are Roanoke College, Lynchburg College, Virginia Commonwealth University and Norfolk State University. He is also considering attending Richard Bland College before transferring to a four-year institution. One thing

Darrius described himself as hardworking and humble. One of his biggest influences to continue chasing his dreams is his grandmother, Rosa Hawkins. “She had passed the week before we got out of school last school year and ever since then I just got to do what I got to do to make her proud,” Darrius said. No matter what obstacles he may face, Darrius said he plans to always keep going because it’s important to “do what you have to do to make it.”

$100 Scholarships Awarded Every Week

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Urban Views Weekly | December 21, 2016

Do you know a High School Senior who can meet the following criteria?

1. Have a 3.0 grade point average or better 2. Participates in extracurricular community service activities 3. Attends public school in Central Virginia Go to UrbanViewsWeekly.com for application and details.

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FUNdraising from page 2

was dedicated in 1893 as Second Presbyterian Church and at the time was the largest church building in America, south of the Ohio River. In 1949, the congregation sold the building to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and it was renamed Clayborn Temple to honor AME Bishop Jim Clayborn. During the sixties it was home to civil rights organizing, including the sanitation workers strike that drew Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Memphis in April 1968. Clayborn Temple was the site where “I Am a Man” signs were distributed during the strike: signs that remain a living part of history. The restoration of Clayborn Temple – known as Clayborn Reborn – is a project that began because Memphians saw a challenge and came together to meet it. Clayborn Temple has been shuttered since 1999 and had been contributing to neighborhood blight. Restoration has become a community effort. Rob Thompson and Frank Smith have stabilized the building and are inviting the community to envision how it could come back to life. The Christmas Concert was an opportunity to feel what it could be like if the building were fully restored and operating as a community hub. This was a true friendraiser – concert goers were encouraged to share their vision of what Clayborn Temple could become, and to keep coming back. Bottom line: this civil rights monument can be restored not as a museum but as a “living” part of history and our future.

Petersburg school hours to change on January 2, 2017 Petersburg school days will start five minutes earlier and end five minutes later beginning Jan. 2, 2017, which is the day students and staff members return from winter break. This change is necessary in order to provide the instructional time required by the Virginia Department of Education. Several options were considered when school system leaders realized that the current school year needed to change in order to provide adequate instructional time. A Dec. 12 meeting of parents, teachers and school representatives

came to the consensus that the best option is to start five minutes earlier, end five minutes later and shift Jan. 31 into the first semester.

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The Petersburg School Board held a special called meeting Dec. 14 and voted to implement that plan. Details from the Dec. 14 meeting are available in School Board/BoardDocs section of www.petersburg.k12.va.us. These new hours will take effect on Jan. 2, 2017, and will continue through the end of this school year:

Student Hours Petersburg High 7:14 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Blandford Alternative 7:20 a.m.-1:57 p.m. Peabody Middle 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. A.P. Hill Elementary 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. J.E.B. Stuart Elementary 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Walnut Hill Elementary 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Westview 9:05 a.m.-3:55 p.m. R.E. Lee Elementary 9:05 a.m.-4:05 p.m.

Staff Hours 7:00 a.m.-2:45 p.m. 7:00 a.m.-2:35 p.m. 7:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m. 8:15 a.m.-3:45 p.m. 8:05 a.m.-3:45 p.m. 8:15 a.m.-3:45 p.m. 8:50 a.m.-4:10 p.m. 8:50 a.m.-4:20 p.m.

Learn more at www.ClaybornReborn.org Copyright 2016 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw are authors of four books on fundraising available on Amazon.com (http://bit.ly/ SaadShawBooks). For help growing your fundraising visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

The Deal from page 8

still need to be dried. Also, gently close washer and dryer doors. Too much force could break the switch — the small part that signals to the machine the door is closed. The average cost to fix common washing machine problems is $50 to $150, while dryers’ more expensive parts push repairs costs to about $100 to $400. Consider DIY repairs if something breaks. Even with proper maintenance, appliances can break. Unless you have a repairman in the family, you will likely spend $75-plus an hour to hire one. You might consider trying to save a little money by doing the repairs yourself. The job in question, your comfort level, experience and access to tools will influence which repairs you should attempt, but you

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won’t necessarily be completely on your own. Appliance manufacturers, appliance parts dealers and independent handymen post helpful video guides with step-by-step instructions that you can follow. Bottom line: While every appliance will eventually need to be replaced, keeping the components clean and handling machines with care can help extend their lifespan. Make it a regular habit and you’ll set yourself up for fewer repair calls and less frequent appliance purchases as well as a better chance to spend time with loved ones, uninterrupted by inconvenient and expensive appliance issues. Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ PracticalMoney

Urban Views Weekly | December 21, 2016

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Urban Views Weekly | December 21, 2016

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