December 29 31, 2016 issue by Richmond Free Press

2016 Year in

Kaine, Stoney, Locke, Bourne and Nelson tell them A3

VOL. 25 NO. 53

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

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DeCEMber 29-31, 2016

Kwanzaa at 50 Henrico family sees value, impact of celebrating the 7 principles of the 50-year-old holiday By Lauren Northington

Shakila Davis and her family have celebrated Kwanzaa since the 1970s. And for Mrs. Davis, celebrating the AfricanAmerican holiday that is now in its 50th year is as important as ever. “I’ve been teaching this holiday to people since the 1970s,” said the retired home economics teacher at Henrico High School and yoga instructor, “and Kwanzaa is for all of us in the diaspora.” Kwanzaa, which officially began on Monday, Dec. 26, and lasts until Sunday, Jan. 1, celebrates seven principles, or the Nguzo Saba, one of which is observed each day during the holiday. The seven principles are “umoja” or unity; “kujichagulia” or self-determination; “ujima” or collective work and responsibility; “ujamaa” or cooperative economics; “nia” or purpose; “kuumba” or creativity; and “imani” or faith. During the weeklong celebration, observers light one candle of the kinara or candleholder, share stories of family history and exchange gifts, often books on African-American history and culture. For many in the United States and throughout the world, Kwanzaa is a time during which African and African-American culture is intentionally celebrated. The holiday and its rituals generally are celebrated using Kiswahili, a language chosen because of its roots as a trade language in Africa. Mrs. Davis, who held community Kwanzaa celebrations yearly at the North Richmond YMCA before her recent retirement, believes Kwanzaa built pride in her children as thinkers and doers. Please turn to A4

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Sakara Bey, 8, lights the Kwanzaa kinara with her father, Hakim Bey, and grandmother, Shakila Davis, on Wednesday at Mrs. Davis’ Henrico County home. The family is celebrating the third day of Kwanzaa, ujima, or collective work and responsibility.

Simone Biles, LeBron James named AP Athletes of the Year Free Press wire reports

She won a record-tying four gold medals to go along with a bronze during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He ended 52 years of sports heartache by bringing Cleveland an NBA championship in June. Simone Biles and LeBron James have been named the Associated Press 2016 Female and Male Athletes of the Year. In a vote by U.S. editors and news directors announced Monday, the 19-year-old Biles received 31 votes out of a possible 59 votes. U.S. Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky, who won four golds and a silver in Rio, finished second with 20 votes. Serena Williams, who won Wimbledon for the seventh time to tie Steffi Graf’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles, and three-time AP women’s NCAA basketball Player of the Year Breanna Stewart tied for third with four votes each. Biles became the fifth gymnast to win the honor, joining Olga Korbut in 1972, Nadia Comaneci in

1976, Mary Lou Retton in 1984 and Gabby Douglas in 2012. It’s company Biles joined while completing a run of dominance that included three straight all-around World Championships, an unprecedented run at the top in a sport where peaks are often measured in months, not years. The teenager from Spring, Texas, hardly seemed burdened by the outsized expectations. If anything, she embraced them. She opted out of a verbal commitment to compete collegiately at UCLA to turn professional so she could cash in on the lucrative opportunities afforded an Olympic champion, a bit of a gamble considering the window is so narrow and directly tied to success at the Olympic Games. Yet Biles seemed immune to it. At least on the outside. Inside, there were more than a few butterflies when she stepped onto the floor during team preliminaries on Aug. 7. They vanished the moment she stepped onto the floor at Rio Olympic Arena as she and the rest of her “Final Please turn to A4

Under scrutiny, Trump announces plans to dissolve his foundation Reuters

President-elect Donald Trump said he intends to dissolve his charitable foundation, the Donald J. Trump Foundation, which has been under investigation by the New York attorney general. The president-elect gave no timeline for winding down the foundation, but said in a statement released on Dec. 24 that he wanted “to avoid even the appearance of any conflict with my role as president.” He directed his counsel to take the necessary steps for the dissolution. With less than four weeks to his Jan. 20 inauguration, the New York real estate magnate

is under increasing pressure to reduce potential conflicts of interest ranging from his vast global business operations to his family’s philanthropic work. Last week, Mr. Trump said his son, Eric, would stop raising money for his own foundation over Mr. Trump concerns that donors could be seen as buying access to the Trump family. The president-elect said it was a “ridiculous shame” that his son’s foundation would stop raising money. Before Mr. Trump’s surprising election vic-

tory on Nov. 8, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman in October directed the Donald J. Trump Foundation to stop taking donations, saying the foundation violated state law requiring charitable organizations that solicit outside donations to register with a state office. Mr. Schneiderman’s order followed a series of reports in The Washington Post that suggested improprieties by the foundation, including using its funds to settle legal disputes involving Trump businesses. A spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office said last week that Mr. Trump cannot shutter the foundation while the investigation Please turn to A4

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Foremost wishes for 2017

y, Jan. 1 TU esda

VOTE ate 9th Se n t c i Distr

Jan. 3 deadline to register to vote in state Senate election The deadline is fast approaching to register to vote in the special election Tuesday, Jan. 10, to choose a new state senator for the 9th Senate District. The candidates are Richmond Delegate Jennifer L. McClellan, a Democrat, and Corey E. Fauconier of the Libertarian Party. They are vying for the Senate seat that represents parts of Richmond and of Henrico and Hanover counties and Charles City County. Residents of the district have until next Tuesday, Jan. 3, to register to vote in the election or to update existing registration online or in person. Also, those who want to vote absentee have until 5 pm. Tuesday, Jan. 3, to request a ballot be mailed by the voter registrar. The deadline for in-person absentee voting is the close of business on Saturday, Jan. 7. Further information is available at the state Department of Elections, www. elections.virginia.gov or the Richmond Registrar’s Office, (804) 646-5950.

City bonuses may cause future budget problems By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Just days before leaving office, Mayor Dwight C. Jones quietly awarded nearly $2 million in bonuses to most of the city’s 4,000 employees in seeking to brighten their holidays and thank them for their “dedication and commitment” during his tenure. However, he apparently had no authority to play Santa Claus, according to a state law that reserves the authority to award bonuses to City Council and requires any bonuses to be approved by an ordinance. Mayor Jones’ action apparently has used the lion’s share of a potential, but still uncertain, surplus for the current fiscal year to the dismay of the incoming mayor, Levar Stoney, and members of Richmond City Council who see struggles ahead in financing a host of city and schools needs in the next budget that is being prepared. Mr. Stoney, who will take office Jan. 1, said he did not receive a courtesy call that the bonuses were going to be paid and only learned about them after the fact. “I believe we should recognize and appreciate the hard work of our public servants,” he commented. “But I do not think this was a fiscally prudent decision given the challenges we face.” Others, including 5th District Councilman Parker C. Agelasto, are concerned that the money for the bonuses is based on a projected surplus that might not materialize. “Last year in the first quarter, the city was projecting a $12 million deficit,” he noted. “Only later did that turn into a small surplus. We’ve been told repeatedly by the administration that first quarter numbers are too imprecise, and that it is important to wait until later in the year to have a better idea of the financial situation.” Whether any action will be taken to recapture the bonus money remains to be seen after Mr. Stoney and the new council take office in a few days. One thing appears to be certain: No one on City Council has any interest in trying to take back the money from city employees. Please turn to A4

Richmond Free Press

A2 December 29-31, 2016

Local News

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Cityscape

Last April, it was just a hole in the ground. of segregation when most city hotels barred Now the $6.3 million Eggleston Plaza is taknon-white guests. The old hotel collapsed ing shape at 2nd and Leigh streets in Jackson and the site was cleared in 2009. The plaza Ward. When completed in 2017, the project Slices of life and scenes sits across from the renovated Hippodrome in Richmond will include 31 apartments and a first-floor Theater and the Taylor Mansion entertainrestaurant. The building occupies the former site of Eggleston ment, restaurant and residential complex. The development Hotel, one of the few places that civil rights leaders, entertain- includes another 10 townhouse-style apartments at 1st and ers and other African-Americans could stay during the era Jackson streets that already are being rented.

New Year’s holiday schedule In observance of the New Year’s Day 2017 holiday, please note the following: City and county public schools: Winter break began Monday, Dec. 19. Schools reopen Monday, Jan 2, 2017. Government State offices, City of Richmond and Henrico County and Chesterfield County offices: Closed Monday, Jan. 2. Federal offices: Closed Monday, Jan. 2. Courts State and federal courts: Closed Monday, Jan. 2. Libraries Richmond City: Closed 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, through Monday, Jan. 2. Henrico and Chesterfield counties: Closed Monday, Jan. 2.

Banks, credit unions and other financial institutions: Closed Monday, Jan. 2. U.S. Postal Service: No deliveries on Sunday, Jan. 1, or Monday, Jan. 2. Trash and recycling: No pick-ups Monday, Jan. 2. All pick-ups for the rest of the week delayed one day. Department of Motor Vehicles customer service centers: Closed Monday, Jan. 2. Vi r g i n i a A B C s t o r e s : Closed Sunday, Jan. 1. Malls, major retailers, movie theaters: Varies; inquire at specific locations. GRTC: Buses operate on regular schedule. Free Press offices: Closed Monday, Jan. 2.

Petersburg employees credited with helping during city’s crunch

Two Petersburg Public Works managers are being credited with repairing trucks and equipment for their department that the city could not afford to fix. Juan Mumford and Tyrone Parham “used their ingenuity and expertise” to make essential repairs just for the price of the parts, saving the city at least $6,000, said City Engineer Daniel Harrison. “They repaired tractor tires, rewired trucks and replaced truck thermostats and alternators in going above and beyond what they were hired to do” in order to prevent a shutdown of the department’s work, Mr. Harrison said. The two men got involved after their department supervisor, Fred Satterwhite, secured pricing for the fixes and told the staff that there was no money in the budget to make the repairs. City officials described the work of Mr. Mumford and Mr. Parham as a prime example of employees pitching in to support the city during a crisis. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Central Va. Cadet Corps starting in February A new group is recruiting 30 area young men ages 7 to 14 to participate in free, monthly programs promoting achievement. Called Central Virginia Cadet Corps, the group aims to provide activities to help participants develop their potential, according to Robert Barnette, a retired engineer and one of the founders. Interested youngsters are asked to apply online at the group’s website, www.CentVACadets.org, Mr. Barnette said. The application deadline is Jan. 20. There is no charge to the cadets, but each must have a parent or adult chaperone willing to be involved, Mr. Barnette said. He said he and three friends created the program after expressing concern about the situation of young people. “We wanted to do more than complain,” he said. “So we decided to create a program to assist young people to be successful. Our goal is to help them grow up to become the kind of men who are good husbands and make positive contributions to the community.” The other co-founders include Dr. Marlon Haskell, pastor of Chicago Avenue Baptist Church, and Jesse Frierson and Dorothy Ware, who are active in community affairs. He said the group is working with advisers in various fields. He said programs are to include fishing trips, golf lessons, participation in a robotics competition and field trips to Virginia Beach and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The cadets also will receive lessons and compete in chess and oratory, Mr. Barnette said. The cadets are to meet one Saturday each month beginning Feb. 4, at Thirty-first Street Baptist Church in Church Hill, he said. Additional information: CentVACadets@gmail.com — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

CARITAS proposes women’s addiction treatment center By Jeremy M. Lazarus

get, suggesting that this development would require a substantial fundraising campaign. Women could soon have their own treatment center CARITAS, which stands for Congregations Around for drug and alcohol addiction. Richmond Involved To Assure Shelter, lists 155 area The faith-based CARITAS is proposing to transform religious congregations as playing a role in its work a bedraggled, huge warehouse at 2220 Stockton St. of serving the homeless and addicted. into an addiction treatment center that would serve The need is overwhelming for a women’s addiction women. treatment center, Ms. Stanley said. “Women suffering The building is part of a former Philip Morris from addiction have been grossly underserved in our factory and storage complex that the company sold community for years.” in 2011 to a private company called BL Plant LLC, Men have long had more services, notably through Ms. Stanley whose managing partner is Richmond developer H. the Healing Place, a 214-bed facility at 700 Dinwiddie Louis Salomonsky. Ave. in South Side. The Richmond Planning Commission is to consider on That space, which opened in 2005 and has been managed by Tuesday, Jan. 3, turning the 120,000-square-foot warehouse into CARITAS in recent years, has become a major treatment center the CARITAS Center, which would provide up to 207 beds for for men with little income. women in recovery, including 12 beds for women in need of The low-cost program has a stellar record. Last year, the sobriety. program served 1,424 men at virtually no cost to the patients, According to documents accompanying the application, the with an estimated 70 percent of those treated reportedly stayproposal also would allow CARITAS to operate a separate ing clean and sober for at least a year and with more than 90 42-bed emergency shelter and to provide space for 52 apart- percent of those receiving work training gaining employment ments, 34 of which be available to graduates of the recovery within 30 days. program with the remainder rented to others seeking affordHowever, “the Healing Place is at capacity and unable to keep able housing. up with the surge of people caught up in the opioid epidemic,” The new center also would become home to CARITAS’ Ms. Stanley said. headquarters offices, the nonprofit group’s furniture bank that The result: No space for women. The Healing Place is reaids 800 poor families a year to furnish their homes and a com- ferring five to 10 Richmond-area women a month to Healing munity Laundromat, the documents state. Places in Louisville, Ky., and Raleigh, N.C., because, she said, Richmond City Council would have the final say and could “there are no local resources immediately available for lowconsider awarding the special use permit that CARITAS needs income women.” at its Monday, Jan. 9 meeting. In 2009, a study reported that 200 women within the homeIf the center wins approval, and it appears to have strong less services system needed addiction recovery services, she support, groundbreaking could take place next summer and the said, and “that number has only increased.” center could open a year later in 2018, said Karen Stanley, chief Founded 28 years ago, CARITAS is best known as the area’s executive officer of CARITAS. largest provider of emergency shelter beds. The group, which She has not said how much the building’s renovation would relies heavily on space provided by member congregations, recost. Based on current construction costs, the building’s overhaul ports providing shelter for up to 110 people a night. CARITAS could run between $6 million and $12 million. states that it provides 90 percent of the shelter beds for single CARITAS currently operates on a $3.5 million annual bud- women.

Mayor-elect Stoney to take oath of office Dec. 31 Mr. Stoney

Richmond’s Mayor-elect Levar Stoney is to take the oath of office at City Hall on New Year’s Eve, according to his staff, with a public inauguration expected two weeks later. Mr. Stoney is scheduled to take the oath at noon Saturday, Dec. 31, in the City Council chambers, according to his press secretary, Jim Nolan. The initial ceremony, which is limited to

family and close associates, will take place a day before Mr. Stoney officially takes over Richmond’s top elected office from Mayor Dwight C. Jones, who has led the city for eight years. Mr. Nolan stated that the public installation and celebration of the new mayor is being planned for Friday, Jan. 13, and Saturday, Jan. 14. Details on the events have not been released.— JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Sources: Hilbert to be next City Council president Richmond City Council is poised to elect 3rd District Councilman Chris A. Hilbert as its new president, sources confirmed this week, while 7th District Councilwoman Cynthia I. Newbille is expected to win the post of vice president. The new officers are scheduled to be elected Tuesday, Jan. 3, when the nine council members will be sworn in for a new four-year term. City Council will include four new members. Mr. Hilbert, who has served as the council’s vice president for the last two years, garnered the leadership spot by overcoming challenges from

Mr. Hilbert

13-year council veteran Ellen F. Robertson, 6th District, and newcomer Andreas D. Addison, 1st District. Mr. Hilbert, a 12-year council veteran and a senior strategic lending officer for the Virginia Housing Development Authority, declined to comment. However, sources said he wrapped up the top spot just before Christmas. Ms. Newbille, who was first elected in 2009, became the favorite for vice president after two of the new members declined to seek the post, the sources said. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Richmond Free Press

December 29-31, 2016

Local News

Foremost wishes for 2017 Kaine, Stoney, Locke, Bourne and Nelson tell them They respond to a special Free Press invitation

helping a neighbor in need or working with our police force to prevent violent crime, I challenge everyone in this city to help create a safer, more caring and more inclusive Richmond. I am humbled by the trust the people of Richmond have placed in me as the city’s new leader, yet also deeply excited by the opportunity to serve and to help create one Richmond. Not a day will go by in 2017 in which I lose sight of our responsibility to reach those who have been excluded and to bring hope to families and neighborhoods that are besieged by challenges. I ask for the help of all Richmonders in carrying out this work, starting Jan. 1 and continuing all year long.

Tim Kaine, U.S. senator representing Virginia and 2016 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate: My wish for 2017 is for discernment, backbone and heart. I was proud to be Hillary Clinton’s running mate and be the first Virginia political figure on a national ticket in more than 170 years. While we did well at home and with the popular vote, we fell short in the Electoral College. So I return to the U.S. Senate resolved to look for areas — especially economic development — where I can work with the new administration. But I also need backbone and heart to resist any efforts to take away people’s health care, roll back civil rights protections, hurt public education or weaken environmental protections.

Levar Stoney, Richmond mayor-elect: My fondest wish for 2017 is that we, as a community, stand behind every child and youth in our city in need of support, extra attention and love and access to opportunity. With all the work we have to do in City Hall to rebuild confidence in city government and create a more effective and accountable organization, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s really at stake. Thousands of youngsters in Richmond are depending on us to provide them the tools and resources needed to realize their dreams, just as thousands of families and residents of all ages look to local government to provide quality services and an improved quality of life. We all have a role to play in this work. As mayor, my job will be to lead both the internal changes and the external advocacy needed to improve the workings of city government and to free up resources to reinvest in our children and our communities. I can’t do this alone, but will need the support and enthusiastic engagement of the entire community — from employees in City Hall to teachers in Richmond Public Schools to everyday residents. Whether it’s volunteering to support your local school,

Jeff Bourne, chair of the Richmond School Board: I appreciate the opportunity to share with all of the Richmond Free Press readers my foremost wishes for 2017. My first and foremost wish is for continued health and well-being for my wife, Anedra, my daughter, Sydney, and my son, Joseph. I also pray that I become a better husband and father in 2017. As Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” So it is my hope that, as we move through the year 2017, our city takes bold steps to enrich and improve the lives of our most precious resource — our children. Giving our young people the opportunity, tools and foundation to reach their wildest dreams is vitally important to the future of our city, our region, our Commonwealth and our country. Those are my foremost wishes for 2017 — and every year.

Mamie E. Locke, state senator from Hampton and chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus: Poet and writer Maya Angelou once said that “when someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” Throughout the 2016 presidential election cycle, the American public was subjected to insult upon insult to minorities, women, foreigners and people with disabilities. Yet the individual who spewed these insults became the president of the United States. We were then told to all come together in the spirit of kumbaya, then witnessed the selection of cabinet members and advisers with little to no experience for the positions — white nationalists/racist advisers; an anti-environmentalist to head EPA; an anti-energy advocate to head the U.S. Department of Energy; a non-public education supporter to head the U.S. Department of Education; and an individual who heads a multinational corporation with ties to Russia and no foreign policy experience as the nominee for U.S. secretary of state. I guess, if I could have it, my foremost wish for 2017 would be a “do-over” for the 2016 presidential election because the president-elect showed us who he was the first time. His actions are demonstrating the reality of who he is. But given the reality of not being able to have the “do-over,” I’ll evoke another quote by the late Dr. Angelou: “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” In changing my attitude, my foremost wish for 2017 is that all those who did not vote in 2016 will do so in 2017, channeling their anger into energy and something positive. Further, all those who threw away their votes in 2016 will realize that protest votes get you nowhere in the grand scheme of things but a more dysfunctional government and more disaffected citizens. Let’s all be a part of the solution, not the problem.

Tyrone E. Nelson, chair of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors: My foremost wish for 2017 is that the region’s governmental leadership continue to focus on ways of addressing poverty and its impact on our communities. I am excited that Richmond Mayor-elect Levar Stoney sees this as a priority and is committing to build upon the work of outgoing Mayor Dwight C. Jones and his administration. I am hoping that a regional effort will include both Henrico and Chesterfield counties so we can engage in serious dialogue and begin the work to reduce poverty in the region. I know that wishes are only thoughts without the hands and the heart of doing the work. In 2017, I am personally committed to making sure that we strive to reduce the impact of poverty. I look forward to the economic development, job creation, school programming, community enrichment and other fruits of the labor we will see when we work together to eradicate poverty. Wishing each of you happy holidays!

New Year’s is a time when people take stock of the past year and make plans for changes and improvement for the future. The Richmond Free Press talked with pedestrians in Downtown and asked:

What are you hoping for in the new year? Interviews by Lauren Northington and photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

“One of my foremost wishes for the new year is for my family to come together and for us to have a good time — all my sisters, my brother, my aunts and uncles. Just everything and everybody together.” Trenton Cannon, 22, of Hampton, Virginia State University student and football player

“Snow. I work for the school system, so I am hoping for snow and maybe going on a long vacation. Wait. I already am!” Tim Gueusquin, 28, of Paris, France, and a resident of Chesterfield County, IT employee for Colonial Heights Public Schools

“My wish is for my daughter to come home. She has been at VCU Medical Center for 120 days with sickle cell. I want to bring her home in the new year. She’s 30. They didn’t expect her to live. It was a miracle. They were going to let her go, but it’s just too much life in her. It has been a rough time, but I’m hopeful.” Michelle Allen, 62, of Cleveland, Ohio, full-time caretaker

“2016 wasn’t really my year. I had to take a break from photography. But the only thing I wish is for me to hustle harder, get more photo shoots in 2017 and start my magazine. I shoot portraits and I’m starting to get into landscapes now. I took a picture of a landscape in Los Angeles and someone really liked it and gave me $500. So my landscape photography took off from there.” Tysheen Woodson, 22, of Jackson Ward, photographer/ videographer

“Peace and a collective “I hope to continue the fun and frolic that my family has been positive spirit for the nation.” having all the time in 2016.” Sisters Linda Jackson-Shaw, 64, human resources director, and Debbie Jackson, 57, training manager, both of North Side

Richmond Free Press

A4 December 29-31, 2016

News

Kwanzaa 50-year-old holiday Continued from A1

Her sons, Ramel Dotson and Hakim Bey, are now 42 and 40, respectively. One is a martial arts business owner and the other works for the U.S. Postal Service. They live in the Richmond area. She has four grandchildren ranging in age from 8 to 16 who are with her during the school break. “Each day, we wake up and say to one another, ‘Habari gani?’ ” Mrs. Davis said on Wednesday, referring to the celebratory Kwanzaa greeting meaning, “What’s the news?” “And they responded, ‘Ujima,’ because that is the principle we’re celebrating today,” she continued. “And then, of course, the next question they asked today is, ‘What should we clean up, Grandma?’ ” Mrs. Davis said laughingly. “The children are very helpful.” Ujima, observed on Wednesday, Dec. 28, celebrates collective work and responsibility, said Mrs. Davis. “I’ve got one making the beds up, one cleaning the bathroom as we speak.” Mrs. Davis said she, her husband, Kevin Davis, their two sons and grandchildren host a large Kwanzaa party at their Western Henrico County home for friends and family, offering daily African and diaspora history lessons to their grandchildren and lighting the kinara. Dr. Maulana Karenga, an Africana studies professor at California State University, Long Beach, created the seven-day holiday in 1966 as a celebration of the lives and culture of people of African descent. “We reflect on the expansive meaning of being African in the world, on the context and issues of our times, and on our way forward in struggle to forge a future responsive to our needs and interests as well as those of the world,” Dr. Karenga, a native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, said in a statement last week on Kwanzaa. “The 50th anniversary celebration is also in honor and thanks to our people, AfricanAmericans and African peoples everywhere,” he continued. “For it is they who embraced Kwanzaa when it was offered to them, received it as their own, nurtured it and made it the national and international celebration of our African selves and the history and culture that grounds us and gives us identity, purpose and direction.” The Davis family couldn’t agree more. “Everyone has something to pass down. We need something to pass down, too, that’s ours,” said Mrs. Davis. “Kwanzaa is not a replacement for Christmas. It is not a substitution for Christmas. It’s a celebration of life and culture,” she said. Like Christmas and Hanukkah, the major holidays with which Kwanzaa shares the season, Kwanzaa has its symbols. In addition to the kinara, there are fruits and vegetables, corn and the “kikombe cha umoja,” or unity cup, all traditionally placed on a mat called a “mkeka.” Rituals aside, it’s the underpinnings of Kwanzaa and its proud embrace of African identity, culture and history that seem to speak the loudest to those who celebrate it.

“A part of our evolution as Africans in America was to not be African at all,” said Janine Y. Bell, president of the Elegba Folklore Society in Richmond and founder of Richmond’s largest Kwanzaa celebration, the Capital City Kwanzaa Festival. Dr. Karenga This year’s festival will be 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, at the Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel St. “So Kwanzaa came about to help us reconnect with that center point, with that foundation in who we are,” said Ms. Bell. That sense of identity, of pride in a culture too often neglected, has always appealed to Mrs. Davis and her husband. “Dr. Karenga wanted to encourage people to have something to reflect who they are,” said the former teacher. “For Africans who live in the diaspora, what

you get in the schoolbooks, and in this country in general, is that we were slaves,” she said. “But we weren’t. We were kings and queens. We were nurses and doctors, artists and writers. We were family members and Ms. Bell had complex economies. So what we do for Kwanzaa is reinforce principles that will keep us united in our culture,” said Mrs. Davis as she was preparing a celebratory dinner of Jollof rice, kale salad — “no fire, no meat,” Mrs. Davis said — okra, yams and fruit. This positive cultural narrative is particularly critical, observers said, as we prepare for a new president to take office amid rising crime in major metropolitan areas and the continuation of the school-to-prison pipeline nationwide. Ms. Bell believes that current social realities facilitate the continued necessity of holidays

like Kwanzaa. “We can look at the various displays of disarray in our community, and we know that if we were more unified, if we could build something in our neighborhood, how much better life would be,” she said. “All of those concepts are expressed in the seven principles to help us throughout the year.” Mrs. Davis agrees. On Friday, she and her family will celebrate the principle of “nia,” or purpose. This principle in particular resonates with Mrs. Davis. “God has given all of us a purpose,” she said. “It may be unfolded to you early. You may see the light when you are older. But your destiny has already been charted for you. Listen to the universe, listen to the elders and you will find your path,” she said. And as she begins each new year, Kwanzaa reminds her of that. It’s powerful, she said, “to be able to define yourself.”

Simone Biles, LeBron James named AP Athletes of the Year Continued from A1

Five” teammates — Douglas, Aly Raisman, Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian — put on a clinic that showcased how substantial the gap between the Americans and the rest of the world has grown. What followed was a run of brilliance: A team gold as a fitting send-off to retiring national team coordinator Martha Karolyi. Another in the all-around two days later, where her score of 62.198 bettered Raisman by more than two full points, the gymnastics equivalent of winning a football game by three touchdowns. A third gold came on vault, the first ever by an American woman at the Olympics and Biles’ first in major international competition to fill the only hole in her increasingly peerless résumé. A bronze on beam followed thanks to a messy landing on a front flip, her only major form break in Rio. No matter, she put the exclamation point on her gold rush with a gravity-escaping floor routine that ended with Biles rushing to embrace longtime coach Aimee Boorman as their long journey to this moment ended in triumph. The ensuing four months have been a whirlwind. Biles carried the U.S. flag at the Olympic closing ceremonies, published her autobiography, took part in a post-Olympic tour with her teammates including performing in eight shows despite a fractured rib and hung out at the White House with President Obama. She remains open to giving it another shot in Tokyo in 2020. That’s for later. In January she’ll sit down and plot out her goals for the upcoming year. For the first time since she can remember, gymnastics won’t be on the list. “I miss training with the girls and having a good time,” Biles said. “Whenever I go to the gym to visit them and I see them, I do not miss

this part at all right now.” James, who has used his superstar platform to address social causes, previously won the AP Male Athlete of the Year in 2013. The results of the vote by 59 editors from AP member newspapers and customers were announced Tuesday. James collected 24 first-place votes, beating out a pair of Olympic legends: Michael Phelps (16) and Usain Bolt (9), the fastest men in water and on land who are not accustomed to finishing behind anyone. Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, the National League MVP who led his team to its first World Series title since 1908, tied for fourth with Golden State star guard Stephen Curry, last year’s winner. Cristiano Ronaldo, Von Miller and Andy Murray also received votes. James joins Michael Jordan as the only NBA players to win twice. Jordan won it three straight years from 1991 to 1993. The June victory with the Cleveland Cavaliers was James’ third NBA crown, delivering on a promise he had made to a city that hadn’t celebrated a major championship since 1964 and had endured many torturous sports moments since. James, whose game shows no signs of aging as he approaches his 32nd birthday in a few days, came up short in 2015, leading an injury-depleted Cleveland team to the finals where they lost to the Golden State Warriors. And although James posted the best statistical series of any player in history, his critics were quick to point out his 2-4 record in the finals compared to Jordan’s 6-0. The Cavs got a rematch in June with the record-setting, 73-win Warriors. Led by Curry, the league’s unanimous MVP choice, Golden State was being talked about as potentially the best team ever, an argument that gained steam

when it took a 3-1 lead. James, though, wasn’t going to be denied again. He scored 41 points in Games 5 and 6 and posted a triple-double in an epic Game 7 that will be remembered for his chase-down block of Andre Iguodala in the closing minutes — a defensive gem that stands as the signature play of his magnificent career. After the final horn, James collapsed on the floor and when asked moments later about his emotions, the Ohio native who proudly says he’s “just a kid from Akron,” screamed at the TV camera, “Cleveland, this is for you!” “At that moment,” James said, “I felt fulfilled. To know the history of our sports here and how heartbreaking at times it was for all those years that our fans had to go through, and the circumstances that we came back from, it was so fulfilling.” James’ journey to his greatest triumph coincided with the passing of another great — the greatest of all — as Muhammad Ali died on June 4. During the playoffs, James watched tapes of Ali’s fights for motivation. It was in the spirit of the boxing legend and global ambassador that James stood on stage with close friends Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony at the ESPYs in July to decry violence against unarmed black men and encourage fellow athletes to do more to support local police and improve communities. James later donated $2.5 million for a Smithsonian exhibit honoring Ali, and he’s producing a documentary on the champ. “He’s definitely a person I’m inspired to be like, to have a social conscience about things,” James said. “What I always saw in Ali was that he was always educated about everything he was speaking about. He was never just talking to be talking. There was a method to the madness. “Ali definitely showed me the way.”

Under scrutiny, Trump announces plans to dissolve his foundation Continued from A1

is ongoing. “The Trump Foundation is still under investigation by this office and cannot legally dissolve until that investigation is complete,” spokeswoman Amy Spitalnick said. She would not comment on the expected timing for completing the investigation. Mr. Trump said he was “very proud” of the money raised by the foundation and said it had operated at “essentially no cost for decades.” “But because I will be devoting so much time and energy to the presidency and solving the many problems facing our country and the world,” he added in his statement, “I don’t want to allow good work to be associated with a possible conflict of interest.” The Trump Foundation, which was established in 1988, runs

no programs of its own. Instead, it donates to other nonprofit groups, such as the Police Athletic League for youths. Scrutiny of the Trump family’s philanthropic activities heightened in recent weeks following reports of access to the family for potential donors. Eric Trump faced criticism for an online auction sponsored by his foundation, which raises money to help terminally ill children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, offering the highest bidder a chance to have coffee with his sister, Ivanka. After the announcement that Eric would not be allowed to raise money for his foundation, Mr. Trump tweeted: “He loves these kids, has raised millions of dollars for them, and now must stop. Wrong answer!” Mr. Trump’s critics, however, recall how the president-elect attacked his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, over their family foundation. In

August, Mr. Trump urged the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the Clinton Foundation, which he called a “pay-to-play” operation that rewarded big donors with favors from the U.S. State Department while Mrs. Clinton was secretary of state. Eric Trump and his brother, Donald Trump Jr., also came under fire last week for their role in a post-inauguration charity event that offered a private reception with their father in exchange for a $1 million donation. The brothers were listed on a draft invitation as honorary co-chairmen of the fundraiser for conservation charities, dubbed “Opening Day,” set to be held in Washington the day after the Jan. 20 inauguration. The Trump transition team said Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump were not involved with the fundraiser and a subsequent invitation dropped references to donors meeting with any members of the Trump family.

City employee bonuses may cause future budget problems Continued from A1

The bonuses awarded in the Dec. 16 paychecks provided $500 to each full-time employee with at least one year of service; qualifying part-time employees received $250. Except for police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians, most have not received a pay raise in several years. Outgoing Councilwoman Kathy C. Graziano, 4th District, has mixed feelings about the bonuses. “I was at the store, and a street sweeper came up to me and thanked me for the bonus. He said it would allow him to take care of his family for Christmas,” she said. However, she also knows how much the city could use $2 million for other needs. Despite the uproar, Selena CuffeeGlenn, the city’s chief administrative officer, is stoutly defending the bonuses. In an interview Tuesday, she insisted that the award of bonuses complies with the City Council-approved compensation plan that dates back to 1993,

although that ordinance, at best, only provides authority to award bonuses to the CAO, not the mayor. More importantly, she said that City Attorney Allen L. Jackson, who has since issued an official opinion stating that the mayor flouted the authority of City Council, did “not raise any red flags” or suggest the award of bonuses was improper when she and the mayor’s chief of staff held their weekly meeting with him on Wednesday, Dec. 14. “The issue of the bonuses was raised at the meeting,” she said, adding that Mr. Jackson only asked a general question about what departments were do to if they did not have the money in their budget. Ms. Cuffee-Glenn said she told Mr. Jackson that any department heads with concerns should consult with Budget Director Jay Brown. She also said departments are authorized to shift money from operations to personnel accounts to cover the bonuses. Tammy Hawley, Mayor Jones’press secretary, said not a single department head raised any objection to the award

of the bonuses, including appointees of City Council like Mr. Jackson. In response to a Free Press query Mr. Jackson confirmed that he did not question the legality of the bonuses during that meeting. “I learned about the bonuses on Dec. 13 along with everyone else, when I received the announcement issued by the Press Office,” Mr. Jackson stated. “Since the announcement had already been made and the money was already in paychecks, my first concern following the announcement, like everyone, related to the fiscal impact of the decision, which I discussed with the CAO and (the mayor’s) chief of staff on Dec. 14,” he continued. He stated he did not begin to receive inquiries about the legality of the bonuses “until Friday, Dec. 16, when I was out of town, and I did not begin to research their legality until Monday, Dec. 19.” “While I was generally aware that state law authorizes localities to pay bonuses,” he stated, “it was

only when I began responding to the specific questions being asked that the limitations of the statute that grants the authority (solely to City Council) came into play.” In the opinion he issued, he noted that the language in the compensation plan that Ms. Cuffee-Glenn relied on would not have provided her with the authority to award bonuses to all employees, but only to specific employees who were recommended by their supervisors for a monetary commendation for “extraordinary performance.” He indicated that one remedy would be to seek “to recover the payments from those who authorized them … on a theory that the payments were authorized, directed or implemented by one or more persons who had no legal authority to do so.” While Mr. Jackson did not address the issue, it appears that Mayor Jones, who leaves office effective Dec. 31, also overstepped his authority under the City Charter in “granting authority” to department heads to award the bonuses, a City Hall

memo noted. The charter requires the mayor to act through the CAO and bars him from giving orders either publicly or privately to any subordinate of the CAO. Mayor Jones has spoken repeatedly about the city’s financial challenges, particularly during budget time. Last March in presenting his budget plan for the current fiscal year, he proposed — and City Council ultimately approved — a 12 percent cut in departmental discretionary spending. The Council also agreed with his plan to slash funding by 25 percent for grants to nonprofits that provide services in areas ranging from arts and culture to aiding the homeless in an effort to balance the budget. The money that went into the bonuses apparently was drawn from funds earmarked for personnel costs in each department. Some of that money has accumulated because of vacancies that have not been filled. The bonus payments could limit the ability of departments to hire new people to fill those vacancies.

Richmond Free Press

December 29-31, 2016

News

DeVry University agrees to $100M fraud settlement By Charlene Crowell Special to Trice Edney News Wire

Jars of soil from sites where black people were lynched.

Plans advance to build memorial, museum to U.S. lynching victims Free Press wire reports

The Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to indigent defendants and prisoners denied fair and just treatment in the legal system, plans to open the first national memorial to African-American victims of lynching. The Memorial to Peace and Justice, to be opened in 2018, will be located on 6 acres in Montgomery, Ala., where EJI is headquartered, the organization said in its 2016 annual report. EJI has reported that nearly 4,000 black men, women and children were lynched, burned alive, shot to death, drowned and beaten to death by white mobs between 1877 and 1950 in 12 Southern states. The memorial, however, will record terror lynchings in every county throughout the United States, not just in the South. The children of a late Michigan businessman are donating $10 million to help build the memorial and museum. Philanthropists Jon and Pat Stryker each have given $5 million toward EJI’s $35 million campaign. Jon Stryker, of Kalamazoo, Mich., and his sister, who lives in Colorado, say their donation honors their father, Lee Stryker, former president of the Stryker Corp. medical supply company. They said he strongly believed in justice and equality, and would be humbled to support “an essential and long-overdue memorial.” Lynchings of black men were mostly carried out to protect the perceived sanctity of white women. Otis Price of Perry, Fla., was murdered by a white mob on Aug. 9, 1938, for walking past a white farmer’s home while the farmer’s wife was bathing in an open doorway, according to EJI. On June 15, 1920, a mob lynched three black men — Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson and Isaac McGhee — for allegedly raping a white woman in Duluth, Minn., according to the book, “The Lynchings in Duluth,” published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press. The woman claimed she had been attacked. A physician who examined her said nothing indicated she had been sexually assaulted. In 2003, Duluth erected a memorial honoring Mr. Clayton, Mr. Jackson and Mr. McGhee. Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith were African-American men who were lynched on Aug. 7, 1930, in Marion, Ind., after being dragged from jail and beaten by a mob for allegedly murdering a white couple. A third person, James Cameron, 16, narrowly escaped being murdered by the mob. He was helped by the intervention of an unknown woman and returned to the safety of his jail cell. He later was convicted and sentenced as an accessory before the fact. After dedicating his life to civil rights activism, he was pardoned in 1999 by the state of Indiana. Dr. Cameron, who founded America’s Black Holocaust Museum in Milwaukee, Wis., died on June 11, 2006.The local chapter of the NAACP and the Indiana attorney general struggled to indict some of the Marion lynch mob, but no one was ever charged for the murders of Mr. Shipp and Mr. Smith, or the attack on Dr. Cameron. Thousands of volunteers for EJI have collected soil from more than 300 lynching sites as part of the organization’s Community Remembrance Project. The jars of soil are exhibited at EJI. Each jar bears the name of a man, woman or child lynched in America, as well as the date and location of the lynching. EJI recently released a study about black military veterans targeted for lynching. The report’s title is “Lynching in America: Targeting Black Veterans.” It builds on EJI’s 2015 report, “Lynching in America: Confronting the Legacy of Racial Terror.”

For the third time in two years, a large, for-profit college has faced charges of defrauding its students. This time, the charges stem from promises of jobs and incomes that never materialized. On Dec. 15, the suburban Chicago-based DeVry University agreed to a $100 million settlement to end a lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission last January. In the suit, the FTC alleged that, from 2008 to 2015, the for-profit institution engaged in deceptive marketing and advertising. (DeVry has campuses in Virginia in Chesapeake and Arlington.) According to the FTC, prospective DeVry students were told in recruitment and in advertising that 90 percent of its graduates secure employment in their chosen fields within six months of matriculation. A second institutional promise was that, one year following graduation, DeVry graduates would earn incomes 15 percent higher than those earned by graduates from other colleges and universities. Under the settlement terms, DeVry will pay a total of $49.4 million to qualifying students who were harmed by the deceptive ads, as well as provide $50.6 million in debt relief. The debt being forgiven includes the full balance owed — $30.35 million — on all unpaid private student loans that DeVry issued to undergraduates between September 2008 and September 2015, and $20.25 million in student debt for items such as tuition, books and lab fees. “When people are making important decisions about their education and their future, they should not be misled by deceptive employment and earnings claims,” said FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez. “The FTC has secured compensation for the many students who were harmed, and I am pleased that DeVry is changing its practices.” Once the settlement is approved by a federal court, DeVry will be required to immediately notify the students who will receive debt relief, as well as credit bureaus and collection agencies of the impending debt forgiveness. DeVry also must release transcripts and diplomas previously withheld from students due to outstanding debt, and must cooperate with future requests for diplomas and transcripts and related

enrollment or graduation information. The settlement is yet another reminder of how some of the largest, for-profit colleges have failed their students and caused them to become indebted without the educational credentials promised. California’s Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education issued an emergency decision on Aug. 26, directing ITT Tech and its subsidiaries to cease enrollment of any new students at 15 locations across that state. At the time, the for-profit school was also under investigation by other state and federal offices. Once the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, or ACICS, determined that ITT Tech was “not in compliance” and was “unlikely to become in compliance” with accreditation standards, it lost access to federal student aid before ceasing operations of its national online programs, as well as its 130 campuses located in 38 states, including Virginia locations in Richmond, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Salem and Chantilly. As many as 45,000 students had been enrolled at ITT Tech. (Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe set up an online resource to help former ITT Tech students. Go to http://governor.virginia. gov/ITT.) Just days before Christmas, U.S. Secretary of Education John King upheld a September decision that terminated the department’s recognition of ACICS as the accrediting agency for nearly 240 institutions, most of which were for-profits. The Department of Education determined that ACICS failed to meet several regulator criteria and was therefore out of compliance. Even earlier in 2014, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued Corinthian Colleges Inc. for luring tens of thousands of students to take out private label loans, known as “Genesis loans,” to cover expensive tuition costs by advertising bogus job prospects and career services. More than 60 percent of Corinthian school students defaulted on these highcost loans within three years. Corinthian also used illegal debt collection tactics to strong-arm students into paying back the loans while still in school. Even for borrowers who did not default, interest rates were more than twice as expensive as interest rates on federal loans. The CFPB won a default judgment

against Corinthian Colleges, which was forced in 2015 to close its 107 campuses while its parent organization, ECMC Group, agreed to multiple stipulations that included $480 million in debt relief for Genesis loan borrowers; an end to improper debt collection practices; and the removal of negative information from student borrowers’ credit reports. The three colleges and universities often perpetrated their frauds against veterans and people of color. Many men and women who earned GI benefits, as well as African-American and Latino consumers — many of whom are first-generation college students — have been exploited in the pursuit of higher education. “There must be more vigorous efforts to prevent schools that use deceptive practices from accessing federal student aid in the first place,” remarked Whitney BarkleyDenney, a policy counsel with the Center for Responsible Lending. “We’ve seen the fallout from these abusive recruitment practices over and over again.” Fortunately, two recent federal developments may curb these kinds of educational quagmires. On Dec. 15, President Obama signed into law the recently passed Career Ready Student Veterans Act. It will prevent the Veterans Administration from approving programs for GI bill benefits if graduates are ineligible for licensure in related occupations. Similarly, a new U.S. Department of Education rule addresses post-secondary distance education learning, requiring that colleges be authorized to operate in states where their students live. To participate in federal student aid programs, these postsecondary distance education programs must affirmatively certify that enrolled student borrowers are able to obtain state licensure in their field of study. “While these rules are a step in the right direction,” noted Ms. Barkley-Denney, “they also underscore the need for states to increase their own role in higher education oversight. States can prohibit schools from enrolling students into programs for which the school is not properly accredited and, therefore, students are not eligible for licensure in their field.” The writer is deputy communications director with the Center for Responsible Lending.

Architect of new National Museum of African American History & Culture has ALS Associated Press

“It’s a way to do something other than just think about RALEIGH, N.C. myself and my situation,” he told the television station. The lead architect of the Smithsonian’s National “I want to be able to help others with this condition.” Museum of African American History & Culture His foundation is trying to raise $250,000 to fund disclosed that he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s research at the Duke University ALS Clinic and to disease earlier this year. support ALS patients and their families. A benefit Phil Freelon told WRAL-TV in Raleigh, N.C., in a concert is planned for April 20 at the Carolina Theatre story that aired Dec. 23 that the diagnosis, which came in Durham. before the museum chronicling the black experience in Mr. Freelon said he thinks of the disease as underAmerica opened on the National Mall in September, funded, not incurable. was a “shock and a disappointment.” “There probably is a cure somewhere down the Mr. Freelon But the famed Durham, N.C., architect said he road, but ALS doesn’t have the power of fundraising hopes his story can raise awareness for a disease that’s not well behind it as, say, heart disease or cancer or even AIDS because understood. He said he walks with a cane now and recognizes there aren’t as many people afflicted with this,” he said. that within three to five years he could suffer muscle loss and Normally fiercely independent, Mr. Freelon said he’s adjusting paralysis. to having to ask for help. The disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or “I’m not so much focused on why this, why this time, or ALS, attacks motor neurons, the cells that control the muscles. why this particular affliction. I want to make an impact for as Scientists aren’t sure what causes it and don’t have a cure. long as I can.” Mr. Freelon has started a foundation called Design a World He currently is working on a Motown museum in Detroit Without ALS. with music producer Berry Gordy Jr.

An Important Message from Congressman Bobby Scott Dear Third District Resident, As of January 3, 2017, I will no longer represent the following localities in the United States Congress: Cities of Petersburg and Richmond Counties of Charles City, Henrico, Prince George, and Surry If you do not know who your new Member of Congress will be, please call your local Registrar or go to www.house.gov on or after January 3, 2017. If you have a current case with my office, please call 804-644-4845 or 757-380-1000 immediately to advise us to either return all of your documents or give us permission to forward your case to your new Member of Congress. It has been my privilege to represent you in the United States Congress.

Central Virginia Cadet Corps is a very specialized program with unique intellectually stimulating content, training and activities carefully designed to help prepare participating youth become solid citizens, committed parents and leaders in our communities tomorrow.

2017 Program Registration Online Registration Ends on January 20, 2017 FOR MORE INFO www.CentVACadets.org CentVACadets@gmail.com 1-804-410-4567 FB CentVACadets K�� 2017: Once Organized, The Power Of The People Is MUCH Stronger Than The People In Power!

Richmond Free Press

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s festive lights

Editorial Page

December 29-31, 2016

New Year’s wish

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Assault on liberty and justice During a presidential campaign rally in Dimondale, Mich., Republican nominee Donald Trump made an impassioned, six-word overture to AfricanAmericans, who had shown little enthusiasm for his campaign: “What do you have to lose?” Well, if the president-elect’s cabinet nominations are any indication, for AfricanAmericans and anyone concerned over imminent threats to justice for all Americans, the answer is simple: Everything. With the Trump nomination of Republican U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama as U.S. attorney general, the stage appears set to roll back the clock on racial justice, immigration policy, LGBTQ movement advances and gender equality, among other hard-fought gains in the American struggle toward equality for all citizens. Sen. Sessions first emerged on the national stage in 1986, when President Reagan nominated the then-U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Alabama for a federal judgeship. His bid for the lifetime appointment was promptly derailed by the Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee as a result of sworn testimony that pointed

to a disturbing pattern of racist actions and comments. Among the allegations brought by witnesses, Sen. Sessions was accused of calling an African-American prosecutor “boy” on more than one occasion. He also was accused of calling a white attorney a “disgrace to his race” for representing black

Marc H. Morial

being considered to serve as the nation’s chief enforcer of civil rights law. A man who once described the Voting Rights Act as “intrusive” is now being considered as the nation’s top law enforcer, tasked with enforcing our nation’s voting rights laws. It seems the Trump administration is poised to set the fox to guard the henhouse. As it did three decades ago when Sen. Sessions testified before it, we expect and demand that the Senate Judiciary Committee conduct a thorough and complete examination to determine if Sen. Sessions is fit to serve in this crucial federal justice enforcement capacity. But this examination cannot, and must not, be limited to past transgressions. Sen. Sessions, who has worked as a public servant for decades, has amassed a record that can speak for itself — and it speaks volumes. In 2006, Sen. Sessions supported a ban on same-sex marriage. In 2009, Sen. Sessions voted against a bill that would expand federal hate crime legislation and against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. He has opposed legislation that would restore the preclearance provision of the Voting Rights Act, which was supported by civil rights groups. And during a debate on immigration reform, Sen. Sessions insulted Dominican immigrants, claiming

May you light the fire of hope in your home, our city, our nation and A message to remember our world in 2017. Happy New Year! From the Richmond Free Press

On Dec. 19, the Electoral College met to cast their ballots for the new president after a bitterly contested election in a deeply polarized nation. Last Sunday, the vast majority of Americans celebrated Christmas, literally the mass of Christ, marking the birth of Jesus. Christmas is not simply a day for exchanging presents and cards. It is not simply a holiday; it is a holy day. Each year, I use this column to remind readers of the real meaning of Christmas. Jesus was born under occupation to a couple ordered to go far from home to register with authorities. The innkeeper told Joseph that there was no room at the inn. Jesus was born in a stable, lying in a manger, an “at-risk baby.” He came at a time of great expectation among the poor and the oppressed. Prophets had predicted that a mighty Messiah would be born — a king of kings — to defeat the occupiers and free the people. They expected a powerful warrior, one who would lead them against Rome’s legions. But Jesus rallied no army. Jesus was a liberator, but he was a Prince of Peace. He gathered disciples, not soldiers. He converted rather than conquered. He accumulated

clients in a voting rights case. Sen. Sessions also labeled the NAACP and the ACLU “un-American” and “communistinspired” organizations, arguing that the groups “forced civil rights down the throats of people.” He also publicly described the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as “an intrusive piece of legislation.” For his alarming and distressing comments, Sen. Sessions became the second man in half a century to be rejected by the Judiciary Committee. By a bipartisan vote of 10-8 — with two Republicans joining the Democrats — Sen. Sessions’ nomination was rightfully opposed. But he wasn’t finished. Sen. Sessions went on to become the attorney general of Alabama, then he moved on to become the state’s junior U.S. senator. And now, a man once rejected as too racist to hold a federal judgeship and who has demonstrated a career-long, deep hostility to civil rights is

no worldly wealth. He threw the moneylenders from the temple. We cannot speak of Jesus in the past tense. He is the Prince of Peace today. Peace, he showed us, is not the absence of noise; it is the presence of justice and righteousness. We will be judged, he told us, by how we treat “the least of these,” by how we treat the

Jesse L. Jackson Sr. stranger on the Jericho Road. He called on us to serve the poor, to care for the sick, to reach out to the refugee. Now, of course, Christmas has become a holiday, more secular than sacred. Too many of us stretch our budgets not to lift those in need but to buy baubles for families and friends. Christmas often means more debt until Easter. It has become a marketing scheme, a time of malls and sales, of come-ons and discounts. But we should not allow Jesus the Christ, the redeemer, the emancipator to be displaced by Santa the Claus, and more debt and unaffordable things. Let us use this season to reassess where we are. We are spending trillions in wars without end. Inequality has reached extremes not witnessed since the eve of the Great Depression. We continue to lock up more people than any nation in the world. On an average day, 27 people die from gun violence in the United States; in Canada and other

western nations, the average is fewer than five per day. The good news is that since last year, unemployment is down, poverty is down and incomes have begun to rise. But we’ve lost ground this century, with more people and more children in poverty than in 2000. There are 45 million Americans living in poverty, a number that would be far worse without Social Security, which lifts 26.5 million out of poverty; refundable income tax credits; and SNAP, or food stamps. Last year, the life expectancy of Americans began to decline. The rich, on the other hand, have more money and pocket a greater percentage of the nation’s income than ever. So why would an incoming administration focus on more tax cuts for the wealthy and more cuts in basic services for the poor and working people? You don’t need to be a Christian to understand the relevance of the real Christmas story today. Jesus taught us the overwhelming power of faith, hope and charity, and the importance of love. He taught us that people of conscience can make a difference, even against the most powerful oppressor. He showed leaders the power of summoning our better angels, rather than rousing our fears or our divisions. This Christmas, this surely is a message to remember. The writer is founder and president of the national Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

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that, “Fundamentally, almost no one coming from the Dominican Republic to the United States is coming here because they have a provable skill that would benefit us and that would indicate their likely success in our society.” As it did three decades ago, the Judiciary Committee must vigorously question Sen. Sessions and seriously contemplate whether his 30-year record of action and statements befits a candidate whose job requires enforcing the constitutional and civil rights of all Americans. The National Urban League, along with a broader civil rights coalition, is conducting our own review of Sen. Sessions’ record. If our examination does not determine that he is fit to serve as chief enforcer of civil rights laws, it will be our responsibility to oppose his nomination. We encourage all senators who are champions of civil rights to refrain from committing their support to this nomination until our examination is complete. The writer is president of the National Urban League.

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Richmond Free Press

December 29-31, 2016

Commentary

YOU CAN STILL FILE

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Divergent political lives

In August 2000, Jesse Jackson Jr. was a man with a bright future. He was the son of Jesse L. Jackson Sr., the civil rights ďŹ rebrand who twice ran for president and audaciously planted the seed that, s o m e d a y, an AfricanAmerican could be elected the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commander in chief. Unlike his tree-shaker dad, Jesse Jr. was a jelly maker. He was a three-term U.S. representative from Illinois, experienced in the legislative process. On Aug. 19, 2000, Jesse Jr. was at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Phoenix, where he debated another political bright light, Lt. Gov. Joe Rogers of Colorado, who, at the time, was the highest-ranking black elected ofďŹ cial in the nation. Like Mr. Jackson, Mr. Rogers was relatively young, in his 30s. Both men used their intellects to duel at the NABJâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s W.E.B. DuBois symposium, promoted as a debate that channeled the renowned DuBoisBooker T. Washington debates nearly a century ago. I witnessed the JacksonRogers debate. It was pointed, yet civil and substantive. Both men would be going places, especially Mr. Jackson, who was Chicago-style political royalty, like the Kennedy clan of Boston. At that time in Chicago,

Barack Hussein Obama, a rookie state senator and former community organizer, chose to challenge Congressman Bobby Rush, a former Black Panther with deep roots in the community, unlike the Hawaiianborn, biracial newcomer. Rep. Rush crushed Mr. Obama in the Democratic primary, yet

Wayne Dawkins as Ta-Nehisi Coates wrote in The Atlanticâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest edition, the political defeat did not crush Mr. Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spirit. Elderly black ladies who adored Mr. Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s character and commitment counseled him privately â&#x20AC;&#x201D; be patient, it was not your time. Mr. Obama heeded their advice. Next time, he aimed higher. In 2004, he ran and won a rare U.S. Senate seat. And readers, you know whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next. Washington political pros privately encouraged the freshman senator to run for president, and Mr. Obama improbably challenged and beat another political royal family, the Clintons of Arkansas, and was elected the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 44th president in 2008. As Mr. Coates chronicled in â&#x20AC;&#x153;My President was Black,â&#x20AC;? President Obama accomplished much â&#x20AC;&#x201D; pulling the nation back from a depression, securing health care for millions of formerly uninsured and bringing terrorist Osama bin Laden to justice â&#x20AC;&#x201D; despite intransigence and moments of unmasked racism by Republican opposition. In 2008, 43 percent of white

voters supported President Obama. By the 2012 presidential election, a battered U.S. economy was healing slowly. President Obama had lost some white support, and black and brown voters who complained that the president did not press their issues aggressively enough understood that the political alternative was hostile and destructive. President Obama, then 51, was rehired for a second term. Now with about three weeks left in his eight-year presidency, scholars and pundits marvel at the scandal-free, wholesome and inspiring Obama years â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and wait with trepidation for the reign of President-elect Donald Trump. So what became of Jesse Jackson Jr.? He was mentioned as a possibility to fill President Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vacated U.S. Senate seat for Illinois in 2008. But Mr. Jackson, 51, slipped and fell into a spiraling scandal. He was convicted of spending $750,000 from his congressional campaign on personal items, reported the New York Times in 2013. His wife, Sandi, a Chicago alderman, also was convicted of omitting $580,000 in income from their tax returns, according to published reports. Jesse and Sandi Jackson were sentenced to prison for 2Â˝ years and 12 months, respectively. The Jacksons have since been released and are in the process of ďŹ ling for divorce. They are negotiating custody of their teenage children. Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Rogers, the promising black Republican

Interstate 95 Exit 78 (Hermitage Road) Deceleration Lane Extension City of Richmond

from Colorado, died in 2013 at age 49. Mr. Jackson had the hometown advantage, family pedigree and Washington legislative experience, yet ďŹ&#x201A;opped. President Obama, a wary outsider and â&#x20AC;&#x153;exotic,â&#x20AC;? as Mr. Coates characterized him in The Atlantic article, broke barriers, excelled and inspired others. The fates of Mr. Jackson and Mr. Obama, two young, black politicians whose careers intersected then zoomed in opposite directions, serve as object lessons for aspiring professionals. The writer is a professor of professional practice at Hampton Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications.

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city of richmond real estate tax payments are Due By monday, January 16, 2017 First-half Real Estate and Special Assessment District Taxes are due on Monday, January 16, 2017. Payment(s) must be received and/or postmarked on or before January 16, 2017. Payments postmarked or received after the January 16th due date will be assessed a 10% late penalty and will accrue interest charges at a rate of 10% per annum. Please mail your notice and payment in the envelope provided with your bill. Failure to receive a billing notice will not prevent the imposition of late charges if your payment is not made on time. If you require a billing notice please contact our 311 Customer Care Center. For your convenience, you may pay online at www.richmondgov.com or you may pay via telephone at 1-800-2PAYTAX. Use locality code 1059. A convenience fee may be charged for use of these payment options. You may also pay in person at City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street Room 102 M-F 8-5, or at our Southside Office at 4100 Hull Street M-F 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5, or our East District Initiative at 701 N. 25th Street, M-F 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1:30; 3-5. You may also deposit your payment in our drop boxes which are at each location. Paid Political Advertisement

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Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing Section 4(f) De Minimis Public Notice

DEMOCRATÂ FORÂ STATEÂ SENATE

Review the project information and National Environmental Policy Act Richmond District Office located at 2430 Pine Forest Drive in Colonial Heights, 804-524-6000, 1-800-367-7623, TTY/TDD 711. Please call ahead to ensure the availability of appropriate personnel to answer your questions. If your concerns cannot be satisfied, VDOT is willing to hold a public hearing. You may request that a public hearing be held by sending a written request to David A. Steele, P.E., project manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, 2430 Pine Forest Drive, Colonial Heights, VA 23834-9002 on or prior to January 11, 2017. If a request for a public hearing is received, notice of date, time and place of the hearing will be posted. Pursuant to 23 CFR 774, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) intends to make a Section 4(f) de minimis finding related to the proposed temporary easement of approximately 0.09 acre from Little John Park. This proposed easement is located entirely between the existing noise wall and Interstate 95. During construction, the remainder of Little John Park inside of the noise wall will remain open for public use. Information relating to this finding is available by contacting David A. Steele at the previously stated address. Public comment is invited related to this Section 4(f) de minimis finding. Comments must be received in writing to David A. Steele by January 11, 2017.

Tuesday,Â JanuaryÂ 10,Â 2017 PollsÂ areÂ openÂ 6Â amÂ -Â 7Â pm

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VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you have questions or concerns about your civil rights in regards to this project or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact the project manager listed above. State Project: 0095-127-858, P101, R201, C501 Federal Project: OC-095-1(340), OC-095-1(344), OC-095-1(347) â&#x2013; End the inconvenience of empty newspaper boxes, fighting UPC: 107796 â&#x2013;

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Richmond Free Press

December 29-31, 2016

we’re game

Stories by Fred Jeter

No.20 sparkles again in VCU basketball Eric Maynor

Boris Kodjoe

Maynor, Kodjoe among 6 inductees into VCU Athletic Hall of Fame Eric Maynor starred in basketball at Virginia Commonwealth University and later smoothly transitioned to the sport’s professional ranks. Boris Kodjoe was a tennis standout at VCU and then, switching gears on his career path, became a successful actor starring in movie and television roles. Maynor, a member of the Class of 2009, and Kodjoe of the Class of 1996 are among six former student-athletes who will be inducted into the VCU Athletic Hall of Fame on Feb. 11. Others slated to be honored are Matt Delicate (Class of 2004) and Jen Parsons (Class of 2006) for soccer, Kristine Austgulen (Class of 2003) for women’s basketball and Martina Nedelkova (Class of 2002) for tennis. Maynor, who is from Fayetteville, N.C., is the Rams’ all-time scorer (1,913 points) and assists leader (674) since the 1968 merger of Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia to create VCU. Len Creech, also a member of the VCU Hall of Fame, totaled 2,019 points in playing three seasons with the RPI Rams and one for the VCU Rams. Maynor was named Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009, and was a first round draft choice for the NBA’s Utah Jazz in 2009. He played in the NBA until 2014, covering 267 games. He now plays in Italy’s top pro league. Austria-born Kodjoe posted 75 singles victories in VCU tennis and was part of 66 doubles wins for the Rams during the mid-1990s. He also was the first Ram to win the Intercollegiate Tennis Association regional title. Since leaving VCU, Kodjoe has starred in such films as “Love & Basketball,” “Brown Sugar,” “Madea’s Family Reunion” and “Addicted.” His long list of television credits most recently includes “Code Black” on CBS and BET’s “Real Husbands of Hollywood.” In 2002, People magazine named him to the list of “50 Most Beautiful People in the World.” Kodjoe’s younger brother, Patrick, played basketball for VCU from 1998 to 2000.

Brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright are credited with inventing the airplane. More recently, brothers Bradford and Jordan Burgess have helped lift Virginia Commonwealth University basketball to exciting new heights. With Bradford wearing black and gold from 2008 to 2012, the Rams averaged 27 victories a season and soared to the 2011 NCAA Final Four. With a well-known, game-night affection for Juicy Fruit chewing gum, Bradford scored 1,684 points during his college career. He is the Rams’ fourth all-time scorer. He also logged a school record 4,572 minutes of Jordan Burgess playing time and was part of a record 108 Rams victories. Known as “Big Shot Brad,” Burgess’ No. 20 was retired and is one of just five jerseys dangling from the Siegel Center rafters. For the time being, however, No. 20 has been given to Bradford’s kid brother, Jordan, a 6-foot-5, defensive-minded senior on the current team. The Rams carried a 9-3 record and a three-game winning streak into winter break. While Jordan isn’t nearly the prolific scorer his brother was, team success has been similar. The Rams were 26-9, 26-10 and 25-11 during Jordan’s first three seasons. VCU won its first-ever Atlantic 10 Tournament title in 2015. Still with 19 games left on the current regular season schedule, VCU has won 86 games since Jordan Burgess became eligible to play. There’s a chance to tack on more victories in the Atlantic 10 Tournament in Pittsburgh. Plus the Rams are looking good for a seventh straight NCAA appearance. The Burgess brothers, products of Benedictine College Prep, have sparkled under three VCU coaches. Bradford, who now is playing professionally in Hungary, was signed by former Coach Anthony Grant. He was a freshman starter under Coach Grant, then had three seasons under former Coach Shaka Smart. Jordan, who was actually more highly regarded in high school by various scouting services, was signed by Coach Smart. He played two seasons under Coach Smart before Coach Will Wade arrived last season.

Bradford Burgess

There was a one-season gap in VCU’s House of Burgesses. There was no Burgess in uniform during the 2012-13 season as Jordan took an academic redshirt as a true freshman and watched from the sidelines. No Ram is more determined at the defensive end than Jordan, who is capable of guarding an opponent of just about any size. While defense doesn’t always show up on the statistics, his gritty efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. The younger Burgess averages 25.3 minutes per game, third behind JeQuan Lewis and Mo Alie-Cox. Jordan also is contributing averages of 6.3 points and 4.7 rebounds — second on the team to Justin Tillman. The brothers’ father, Keith Burgess, was a football and basketball standout at Martinsville High School. Their parents are Hampton University alumni. Keith is on the short list of athletes who played for a state championship football and basketball team in the same school year. He was a key member of Martinsville High’s 1975 Group AA football title and its 1976 basketball crown. Keith Burgess also played football at Hampton University in 1982 after transferring from West Virginia University. Myla Burgess is the principal at Jacobs Road Elementary School in Chesterﬁeld County. There will be no Burgess on the court next season for the Rams, but fans aren’t likely to forget the brotherly combination. From the Siegel Center rafters, No. 20 will forever be the reminder.

Armstrong team strong on top scorers

Brian Harris

Last season, Armstrong High School basketball took one step back. This year’s Wildcats hope to take a few steps forward, probably with Brian Harris leading the charge. Harris answers to the nickname “B,” but represents Plan A at Maxie Robinson Gymnasium. “Brian grew up in our program,” said Armstrong High basketball Coach Darryl Watts of his third-year starting point guard. “He’s an excellent ball handler and can also be our leading scorer.” At 5-foot-8 and 140 pounds, Harris is all about quickness of foot, sleight of hand and decision-making. “I use my speed to try and create opportunities to feed my teammates,” said Harris, who is the team captain. In helping the Wildcats to a 6-4 start highlighted by winning the Bill Littlepage Classic in late November, Harris has averaged 13 points and seven assists. Harris is mostly a play-making guard, but capable of torching the nets himself, if needed, as evidenced by his 26 points against Hopewell High School and 24 points against Granby High School of Norfolk. “On a given night, you never know who our leading scorer will be,” said Coach Watts. “In our ﬁrst 10 games, we’ve had four different top scorers.” Armstrong struggled to an uncharacteristic 9-12 last year after going 65-32 the previous

four seasons. The Wildcats lineup has 6-foot Marques Dortch and 6-foot-1 Jahizz Carter joining Harris on the perimeter, with 6-foot-6 Marchelus Avery and 6-foot-5 Dominique Finney patrolling the paint. Sophomore Finney, avCoach Watts eraging 11.3 points and nine rebounds, is the nephew of former Virginia Union University standout Greg Williams and answers to “Feet” for obvious reasons. He wears size 15 sneakers. “He’s better than the world knows,” Coach Watts said. “Every day, Dominique does something in practice to amaze us.” Avery, averaging 13 points and seven rebounds, is a sophomore transfer from Highland Springs High School who actually scored 23 points last year against Armstrong High School. “I got a text last spring that Marchelus was transferring here, and to this day I don’t know who I got that text from,” said Coach Watts. “It was good news though.” Providing more low-post altitude is 6-foot-6 Tyquan White, a John Marshall transfer. When Coach Watts wants a faster tempo, he turns to his 5-foot-5 whirlwind Zarkeil McKeachin. “We put him on the other team’s best ball

handler. We want him to be a pest,” said Coach Watts of the 10th-grader. McKeachin fashions his roadrunner style after Muggsy Bogues, the former Wake Forest University mini-guard who later became an NBA first round draft pick. Harris is a product of Armstrong’s unofficial “farm system,” also known as Parks and Recreation. Coach Watts is longtime coach/counselor at Charles Gill Community Center and Gymnasium at Fairfield Court Elementary School. Harris grew up playing sports at nearby Creighton Court in Richmond. Armstrong also draws athletes from Powhatan Community Center in Richmond. “My teams at Fairfield played against Brian’s Creighton teams,” Coach Watts recalled. “That’s when I first met him.” Harris began attending Wildcats events when he was still an eighth-grader at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School. “I went to as many Armstrong games as I could just to feel the atmosphere,” Harris said. It was obvious Harris couldn’t wait to slip into the Armstrong Wildcats blue and orange. “He was here so much, after a while I just gave Brian a key to our gym,” Coach Watts said. Now you might say Harris holds the key to the Wildcats’ offense, and after a short decline, it’s purring again.

December 29-31, 2016 B1

Section

Richmond Free Press

Happenings

Personality: Mary Allen Waller Spotlight on board chair at LINC’s 20th anniversary

NCLEX REVIEW

has provided services onsite at the Massey Cancer Center at VCU Medical Center through its participation in the MedicalLegal Partnership that involves such partners as Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, the Legal Aid Justice Center and the University of Richmond School of Law. Ms. Waller, who has served on the LINC board since June 2013, is optimistic that the organization can continue to touch those who need to expend their energy on living and not on financial or legal worries. “I believe that access to justice is a basic human right, and that legal and financial planning worries negatively affect the health of a patient,” says Ms. Waller. In her role with LINC, she hopes to continue to “attract donor support and serve clients for at least another 20 years.” Meet this week’s Personality and advocate for cancer patients and their families, Mary Allen Waller: Occupation: Accountant. Place of birth: Lynchburg. Current residence: Montpelier. Alma maters: Salem College, bachelor of arts in economics and management, and Virginia Commonwealth University, master’s in business administration. When I became a candidate for board chair: LINC board member since June 2013; board president since June 2015. When LINC was founded: 1996. We are celebrating our 20th anniversary. How LINC idea originated: Phyllis Katz and Ann Hodges, law professors at the University of Richmond who were cancer patients themselves, recognized a need for legal and financial guidance for cancer patients in the Metro Richmond area. LINC’s mission: LINC eases the burden of cancer by providing assistance, education and

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referral to legal resources, financial guidance and community services. Why is LINC necessary today: Everyone is in some way touched by cancer, but not everyone has the resources or access to the legal and financial guidance issues that often result from or are associated with a cancer diagnosis. Wills, powers of attorney and advanced medical directives are a few examples of legal issues that many are unfamiliar with. Why I’m excited about LINC: Because it is a unique service that enables cancer patients to focus on their health and not their legal and financial planning issues. LINC helps relieve that stress and those worries by finding pro bono attorneys and financial advisers who can help solve these issues. Most frequently requested LINC service: Wills, powers of attorney and advanced medical directives. Number of LINC volunteers: 180-plus pro bono attorneys and financial planning advisers. Who is eligible for LINC’s services: Financially disadvantaged cancer patients and their families. LINC’s No. 1 project today: To create awareness about LINC and the services that we help provide. How results will further the organization’s mission: Ensure sustainability. Dream for LINC: A community where no cancer patient goes without needed support services. Strategy for achieving it: Educate health care providers, social workers and other professionals who come in contact with cancer patients about the services that LINC provides. How I got into accounting: By accident. I have recently transitioned to business process engineering. Why I find it interesting: Accounting is a great mental puzzle

Tuesday, January 31st Washington

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and process engineering helps make the work fun. Importance of accountants in finding solutions to today’s economy: If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it. How I start the day: What kind of fun can I create today? Prized possession: Camera — film, not digital. Nobody knows: I’m an aspiring Broadway singer with no talent. How I unwind: Any outdoor activity that involves nature or foreign travel to outdoor places. Best late-night snack: Any kind of pasta. A perfect day: Active outdoor activity, grilled dinner and great red wine. The one thing I can’t stand: Cynicism. Person who influenced me the most: My grandmother. Book that influenced me the most: Too many to list. I love to read. Next goal: Increase the amount of my day that I spend serving

D.NP, FNP-BC, PMHNP

Daughter of retired SFC. Booker and Gracetta Forbes and the granddaughter of Willie and Elizabeth Jude Forbes (both deceased)

Vashti Jude Forbes-De La Cruz was conferred a doctorate in nursing practice on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016. She resides in Austin, Texas and is employed with the University of Texas Medical Branch.

2017 Community Leaders Breakfast with presenting sponsor

39 Annual Community th

Leaders Breakfast honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Mary Allen Waller was 26 years old when she lost her mother to a cancerous brain tumor. It was devastating, she says. Her mother was only 50. “I’ve already lived so much longer than she ever did,” says Ms. Waller, board president of the Legal Information Network for Cancer, or LINC. Her mother’s death inspired Ms. Waller, director of business processes for Markel Corp., to volunteer her spare time providing critical legal and financial resources to cancer victims fighting for their lives. “My mother lived for three years” after her diagnosis, Ms. Waller says. “She was fortunate not to have those needs. Her husband was able to take care of her legal and financial worries.” But for many people battling cancer, they need help with nonmedical needs, she says. LINC helps people with information, counseling and referrals to legal volunteers who can assist with such important needs as wills, powers of attorney, advance medical directives and intercession with health insurance companies. The nonprofit agency also has volunteers who can provide financial guidance to cancer patients and their families. Ms. Waller’s volunteer position in the top leadership role comes at a time when LINC is celebrating its 20th anniversary. During that time, the organization has helped scores of people throughout the Richmond area. Its network of lawyers and financial planners have provided legal and financial guidance free of charge to patients and their families, says Ms. Waller, which helps patients to focus on regaining their health. Last year, Bristol-Myers Squibb released a new drug that is highly effective in treating melanoma. It costs $141,000 for the first 12 weeks of treatment and $256,000 for a year of treatment. According to the American Cancer Society, newly diagnosed cancer patients are responsible for the cost of drugs, radiation treatments, doctor visits, lab tests, imaging tests, hospital stays, surgery and home care. Insurance plans might not cover all of these costs. LINC can help families navigate through the challenges. Three years ago, LINC hired a full-time client services attorney that enabled the organization to help 534 individuals in that year alone. Also, having an in-house attorney and staff notary allowed LINC to help cancer patients in emergency, end-of-life situations with home visits to complete life planning documents so they could face death with peace of mind. For about seven years, LINC

Vashti Jude Forbes-De La Cruz

he Date t e Friday, January 13, 2017 • 7:30 a.m. Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center on the campus of

Virginia Union University Keynote Speaker

Marc H. Morial

Monday, February 27

in Philly

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Leave Richmond at 10 a.m. leaving Philly at Midnight

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The University will be closed for the holiday break and will open on January 3, 2017.

B2 December 29-31, 2016

Richmond Free Press

Happenings

2016

Year in

photos Photos by Sandra Sellars Richmond Free Press Theology school graduates at Virginia Union University, from left, Donna Cosby, Sheila Dent, Rona Evans and Alice Freeman shed tears of joy during commencement ceremonies in May.

Capitol Police carry away a demonstrator who refused to leave the south steps of the Capitol during a February protest of utility giant Dominionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plans to deal with coal ash. About eight people were arrested.

Nearly 1,000 people, including Gov. Terry McAuliffe and several elected officials, gather at Diversity Richmond to show their support for Orlando, Fla., following the massacre of 49 people and the wounding of 53 others at a gay nightclub there in June.

The first pedestrians stream across the newly opened T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge over the James River following the ribbon-cutting in December during the Grand Illumination in Downtown.

Morgan Bullock, seen in silhouette, practices one of the intricate and athletic Irish dance moves in April at the Baffa Academy of Irish Dance in Chesterfield County. The Richmond area teen placed 50th for her solo dancing in the World Irish Dance Championships.

Clement Britt

The group known as Coaches Against Violence Everywhere joined in a circle of prayer with community members in Creighton Court in January and spoke out against violence that has claimed the lives of young people in Metro Richmond.

Brad Spangler takes a closer look at a car crushed under trees felled by a June storm that packed 70 mph winds, dropped 1.6 inches of rain and knocked out power to nearly 120,000 homes and businesses in Richmond and Henrico County. Location: Seminary and Claremont avenues in North Side.

Gina Johnston and Falco competed for top honors in the dog-leaping competition during Dominion River Rock festival on Brownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Island in May.

Spectators have a ringside seat as workers use powerful machines to demolish the parking deck of the vacant Richmond Plaza building at 7th and Cary streets in Downtown in August to make way for a 20-story office tower for Dominion Resources.

Richmond Free Press

December 29-31, 2016

Happenings

Clement Britt

An audience member lifts her hand in praise during the 75th Annual Emancipation Proclamation Day Worship Service on New Year’s Day at Fifth Baptist Church in Richmond’s West End.

Tracy Sears, a local CBS news anchor, prepares to rappel 25 stories to the ground during the “Over the Top” fundraiser for Special Olympics Virginia in October. Location: SunTrust Center, 919 E. Main St., in Downtown.

More than 2,000 anti-Trump protesters march from Virginia Commonwealth University to Carytown and back in November, following the presidential election.

Richmond City Council Vice President Ellen F. Robertson embraces civil rights icon the Rev. Jesse Jackson outside of Croaker’s Spot on Hull Street in South Side during his October campaign stop for presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Looking on are Richmond Delegate Jennifer L. McClellan, left, Petersburg Delegate Lashrecse D. Aird and restaurant general manager Ralph Fields.

A spraypainted message mars the statue and sidewalk of the bronze memorial to Richmond’s fallen police officers in Byrd Park in July following the shooting death at point-blank range of Alton B. Sterling in Baton Rouge, La., by police.

Rolanda McMillan is among 28 workers protesting pay and working conditions in front of the McDonald’s restaurant at 2011 Chamberlayne Ave. in July. They called for a pay hike to $15 an hour.

James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

Left, Tim Kaine declares, “It’s great to be home,” as the Democratic vice presidential nominee receives a warm welcome on an August evening from supporters at Huguenot High School during his first Richmond campaign trip. Above, Virginia Union University junior Kevin Green carries the ball through the mud during the Panthers’ homecoming game in October at Hovey Field. The Panthers beat the Lincoln University Lions 39-6. Below, two men walk along a snowy Shrader Road in Henrico after a snowstorm in January.

Richmond Free Press

B4 December 29-31, 2016

Happenings Far left, First Lady Michelle Obama steps onto the stage at her husband’s first inaugural ball in January 2009 wearing a custom ivory, oneshoulder gown with Swarovski crystals and rosette appliqués by designer Jason Wu. Mr. Wu also designed the ruby gown, far right, Mrs. Obama wore at the second inaugural ball in January 2013. At left, Mrs. Obama wears a two-piece lemongrass-hued ensemble by CubanAmerican designer Isabel Toledo as she walks down Pennsylvania Avenue with newly swornin President Obama in January 2009. At right, Mrs. Obama waves to delegates at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., sporting a rose and gray silk jacquard dress by designer Tracy Reese. Below, First Lady Michelle Obama wears a floor-length, rose gold chainmail gown designed by Atelier Versace during the October State Dinner for the prime minister of Italy and his wife.

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Charles Dharapak/Associated Press

First Lady Michelle Obama had 8-year impact on fashion

Monsivais Martin/Associated Press

By Jocelyn Noveck AP National Writer

NEW YORK The morning after First Lady Michelle Obama’s big speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2012, in which she argued passionately for a second term for her husband, designer Tracy Reese’s phone was ringing. And ringing. Mrs. Obama’s powerfully delivered speech had attracted much attention — but these phone calls were about her dress. A shimmering sleeveless sheath in rose and silvery gray, it was pretty universally considered a fashion slam dunk. And customers wanted it. There was only one problem, Ms. Reese recalls: “We didn’t have inventory. We had made that dress custom.” And so the label went into production. “And people waited,” Ms. Reese says. “You know, so many people admire Mrs. Obama and they want to dress like her. We sold quite a few of those dresses.” She estimates the number at more than 2,000. Ms. Reese, who hails from Detroit, is one of the first lady’s favored designers. Mrs. Obama has been photographed in Ms. Reese’s designs some 20 to 30 times. But unlike some past first ladies who favored one or two big-name designers, Mrs. Obama has spread her fashion choices among a huge stable of them, often promoting lesser-known names, and taking care to promote American designers at such high-profile events as inaugurations,

conventions and state dinners. Which is why so many designers and industry watchers will miss her when she steps away from her post after eight fashion-conscious years. They consider her one of the most influential first ladies in fashion, perhaps even more so than Jacqueline Kennedy, because of her broad appeal. “Michelle Obama embraced everyone,” says Andre Leon Talley, a fashion editor at Vogue magazine. “She embraced black designers, Asian designers, European designers. ... She was very democratic in her choice of clothes.” And that includes wearing fashion that ordinary women could potentially afford, such as cardigans from the retailer J. Crew. “She’s made an effort to wear accessible fashion,” Ms. Reese says. “I think Jackie (Kennedy) was a great role model, but she wore a lot of couture and things that most Americans could not afford.” Mrs. Obama, she said, has worn both high-end and moderately priced fashion. Ms. Reese, who is AfricanAmerican, is particularly proud that one of her designs — a black dress printed with bright red flowers — is on display at the National Museum of African American History & Culture. The first lady wore it to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. Mrs. Obama set the stage for her broad-based fashion choices with her

Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press

first inauguration. Previous first ladies had often gone with established luxury designers like Oscar de la Renta. Mrs. Obama wore a two-piece, lemongrasshued ensemble by Cuban-American designer Isabel Toledo for day, and a one-shouldered white gown by New York-based, Taiwanese-Canadian designer Jason Wu at night. F o r h e r h u s b a n d ’s s e c o n d inauguration, she wore a sleek coat and dress by American designer Thom Browne, known for his eclectic talents, and in the evening, Jason Wu again. “It was an honor to have the opportunity to dress Mrs. Obama,” Mr. Browne said in an email message. “She is such a stylish individual because of her confidence and intelligence.” For Mr. Browne, Ms. Toledo, Ms. Reese and others, it was never clear until the moment Mrs. Obama actually appeared whether she would be wearing their designs. “We would get calls periodically from her team,” Ms. Reese said. “But we never knew exactly what things were for and when she would be wearing them. And I think that that’s just necessary, because you don’t know when plans will change.” However it unfolded, it certainly could change a designer’s career. “We’ve been brought to the attention of millions more people than we ever would have reached,” Ms. Reese says. David Yermack, a professor of corporate finance at New York University, studied the financial

Monsivais Martin/Associated Press

impact of Mrs. Obama’s fashion choices in her first year as first lady. He says he found an immediate spike in stock prices of companies whose apparel she wore. He only examined publicly traded companies. “There was a very strong and immediate reaction in the stock prices of the design firms and also the retailers,” Dr. Yermack says. For major appearances, this could run into the tens of millions of dollars. “That’s happened many times with her.” And the public, Dr. Yermack says, remembers what Mrs. Obama wears. “Do you remember what Pat Nixon or Laura Bush wore? She has the ability to hold the interest of the consumer in a way that almost no one else does. I’ve looked far and wide — Kate Middleton, Carla Bruni. Nobody begins to approach Mrs. Obama on this.” Dr. Yermack thinks what’s different about Mrs. Obama is that first ladies “have traditionally tried to be nondescript in the way they dressed. They didn’t want to overshadow their spouses ... or be seen as spending a lot on clothing. But she had no inhibitions in that sense. “She really had an impact on how professional women dressed, and how you could have fun with fashion, in a way that you couldn’t imagine Rosalynn Carter or Barbara Bush ever doing,” he says. “It’s a very short list of first ladies who are going to leave that kind of legacy.”

Charles City native produces new citrus-infused whiskey By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Walter A. Crawley is tapping his roots in Charles City County in seeking to create a better whiskey. The 53-year-old food industry veteran believes the harsh taste of corn-based alcohol can turn people off, particularly people who are trying their first drink. “Whiskey has always been an acquired taste,” Mr. Crawley said. “Most people who take that first drink of whiskey at age 21 are not going to like it. It can take years before people begin to enjoy it.” His big idea: Create “a whiskey that new consumers would enjoy the first time they take a sip.” Teaming with Charles Bertalan, a retired Jim Beam executive, Mr. Crawley has spent the past five years developing the whiskey and started production in time for New Year’s celebrations. The Charles City County native

Reuters

Mr. Crawley

calls it RYCO, which he said is based on a family saying. “We had a close-knit family. And

when there was a party, we would leave notes on doors asking, ‘Are you coming?’ Over time, that got reduced to RYCO.” His first customer has been the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, which has been offering it in a few stores in Richmond, Petersburg, Hopewell, New Kent and West Point and through special orders. “We launched the brand in Virginia,” Mr. Crawley said, “because the concept is from Charles City County.” He said he was inspired by the fruit-blended whiskey drinks an uncle, Hugo Charity, provided at family cookouts. That’s why the first RYCO whiskey is infused with citrus flavor, which he said has won rave reviews in consumer testing. He said he also has made some changes to the distilling process to create the kind of smoother whiskey that usually takes 10 years or more of aging at traditional distilleries.

Still, he knows he faces a big challenge in trying to gain a foothold in an industry whose producers have been around for more than 100 years. And he knows it is unusual for an African-American to be involved in creating spirits for consumers. He said he’s usually the lone person of color in the room when he meets with people about his creation. However, the chemical engineering graduate of Howard University is unfazed. He brings substantial experience in the food industry to his venture. Since 1988, he has worked for a range of companies, including Kraft Foods, where he helped develop a new roasting process for the coffee used in Maxwell House. He later served as manager for the coffee brand, where he asaid he learned “to develop the business from production to marketing. I got a well-rounded education.” Mr. Crawley later moved into

product development in companies involved in creating flavors and fragrances for major food companies. He came up with his idea for whiskey while learning about distilling as he worked on various beer and vodka products for various companies. RYCO, he said, is largely funded by his retirement savings that he has poured into the niche business, although he has received investments from some family members intrigued by his vision and determination. He currently has the product distilled in Indiana and bottled in New York, though he dreams of the day he can open his own plant in Charles City County. Mr. Crawley said his plan is to boost sales into Maryland, North Carolina and West Virginia next year as he moves to expand sales. Still, he’s thrilled to take a product from conversation to actual development. “It’s all been worth it,” he said.

August Wilson’s ‘Fences’ now on big screen

Denzel Washington is excited. Not so much because he is an Oscar front-runner for his role in “Fences,” but because bringing the award-winning stage play about blue collar AfricanAmericans to the big screen has been a long-held dream. “It’s brilliant. It’s like, why would they make ‘Hamlet’ a movie? Why would they make ‘Death of a Salesman’ a movie? Because it is some of the greatest writing in the 20th century,” the actor told Reuters. Pulitzer Prize-winning “Fences,” which opened in movie theaters across the nation, including in Metro Richmond, on Sunday, Dec. 25, is the first play by

the late, influential African-American playwright August Wilson to be turned into a film. Mr. Washington and Viola Davis reprise their 2010 Tony-winning roles as egotistical garbage worker Troy Mr. Wilson Maxson and his long-suffering wife, Rose, in the intense family drama about lost hope, betrayal and racial prejudice in 1950s America. “There’s an excitement because we knew that this is permanent now. This is forever. So everybody’s coming with their game,” Mr. Washington said of

adapting “Fences” to film, which he also directed and produced. Mr. Washington also is involved in filming all 10 of Mr. Wilson’s stage plays for HBO. With strong reviews, “Fences” has put Mr. Washington and Ms. Davis front and center of a Hollywood awards season looking to redeem itself after the #OscarsSoWhite furor of the past two years. Mr. Washington, 61, is seen as a leading contender for his third Oscar, while Ms. Davis, 51, is regarded by awards pundits as a shoo-in in the supporting actress race. “Every day was an acting Olympics,” said Ms. Davis of the film shoot. “There was no scene where you just walked in and put down a pot.” Mr. Wilson, who died in 2005, set

many of his plays in the pre-civil rights era, charting the experience of AfricanAmerican working men and women and their struggle for dignity and love. “He honored people that literally had been seen as invisible throughout history and he uplifts them as exactly who they are,” Ms. Davis said. Stephen McKinley Henderson, who plays Troy’s best friend Jim Bono, said “Fences” is timeless. “Great writers write about the capacity of being human. ... The politics is just the background of our lives. The really important things are the people who are closest to us, not the people who are in some seat of power a long way away. So (the play) is always going to speak to you, whatever period you are in,” he said.

Richmond Free Press

December 29-31, 2016

Faith News/Directory

Emancipation Proclamation Day Service Jan. 2

Amid a raging Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln took a major step to promote the American ideal of liberty. With a stroke of his pen, he abolished slavery in Virginia and nine other rebellious Confederate states in issuing the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. On Monday, Richmond — once a major marketplace for the sale of human beings — will again celebrate the momentous edict that changed the course of the war and led to the abolition of slavery in the United States two years later with the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, will deliver the keynote address at the Emancipation Proclamation Day Service. The service is set to

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”

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.

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

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) 6:30 PM Prayer Meeting

begin at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 2, at Fifth Baptist Church, 1415 W. Cary St. The service is an annual program of the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Richmond and Vicinity, which uses it to collect donations to the NAACP and its area branches. The program, usually held each Jan. 1, was moved one day as New Year’s Day falls on Sunday this year. Many churches, however, will still hold “Watch Night” services during the evening of Saturday, Dec. 31. The tradition of those services began on Dec. 31, 1862, when congregations gathered to pray that President Lincoln would follow through on his promise to issue the great proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation Day Service is the only an-

HappyNew Year Sunday, January 1, 2017

11:00 AM Mid-day Meditation

8:30 a.m. ... Sunday School 10:00 a.m... Morning Worship

nounced event in Central Virginia to mark the 154th anniversary of the abolition of slavery. “This proclamation marks the beginning of freedom for so many of us in this country. Everyone should take notice,” said the Rev. Ricardo Brown, co-pastor of Fifth Baptist Church with his father, the Rev. Earl Brown. The celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation has been a Richmond tradition since 1940. The late Dr. W.L. Ransome began the tradition as the pastor of First Baptist Church of South Richmond, the same church where the city’s outgoing mayor, Dwight C. Jones, is senior pastor and his son, Dr. Derik E. Jones, is pastor. The ministers’ conference took over the event at Dr. Ransome’s request a few years later and has sponsored it ever since. This is the 78th annual service. The goal then and now, according to the ministers’ conference: To highlight the importance of freedom and promote citizen involvement in protecting hard-won rights.

Sixth Baptist Church Theme for 2016-2020: Mobilizing For Ministry Refreshing The Old and Emerging The New

THURSDAYS

WEDNESDAYS

1:30 p.m. Bible Study

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

A 21st Century Church With Ministry For Everyone

Holy Communion

We Embrace Diversity — Love For All!

Saturday, December 31, 2016

New Year’s Eve Celebration 10:30 PM Watch Night Service

Speaker: Reverend Rachel Satterfield Associate Minister and Chaplin

Riverview

Come Out And Be Blessed!!

Baptist Church

Sunday, January 1, 2017

11:00 AM Morning Worship

2604 Idlewood Avenue Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 353-6135 www.riverviewbaptistch.org Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett, Pastor Rev. Dr. Ralph Reavis, Sr. Pastor Emeritus

Message by: Pastor Bibbs

“A New Beginning”

Bring your Friends and family 400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220

Twitter sixthbaptistrva

Rev. Dr. Yvonne , Pastor

SUNDAY SCHOOL - 9:45 A.M. SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 11:00 A.M.

 

(near Byrd Park)

(804) 359-1691 or 359-3498 Fax (804) 359-3798 www.sixthbaptistchurch.org

Facebook sixthbaptistrva

Dr. Kirkland R. Walton,



1408 W. eih Sree  ichmo a. 0 804 5840

 8:45 a.m. 10 a.m.

Join us as we reflect on the year that has passed while praising God for bringing us through and preparing us for the year ahead.

 e ercies iisr  a.m. ul ile Su :0 p.m.

Jan. 1, 2017

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

10:30 A.M. Join Us for Communion!

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

1858

“The People’s Church”

216 W. Leigh St. • Richmond, Va. 23220 • Tel: 804-643-3366 Fax: 804-643-3367 • Email: ebcofﬁce1@yahoo.com • web: richmondebenezer.com Sunday Worship Sunday Church School Service of Holy Communion Service of Baptism Life Application Bible Class Mid-Week Senior Adult Fellowship Wednesday Meditation & Bible Study Homework & Tutoring Scouting Program Thursday Bible Study

Upcoming Events

Watchnight Service

December 31, 2016 @ 10:30 P.M.

We invite you to ring in the new year with us as we fellowship with Gospel Baptist Church here at Mosby .

“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



Weekly Worship: Sundays @ 10:30 A.M. Church School: Sundays @ 9:00 A.M. Bible Study: Wednesdays @ Noon & 7:00 P.M.

9:00 p.m.

Conference President

Sunday January 1, 2017

New Year’s Service

Sunday

Tune in on Sunday Morning to WTVR-Channel 6 - 8:30 a.m.

No intercessory Prayer on December 24, 2016.

You can now view Sunday Morning Service “AS IT HAPPENS” online! Also, for your convenience.

10:00 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

Spread theWord

12 Noon Celebration • Guest Worship music, Minister James Johnson Mount Olive Dance Ministry & Music Ministry – Children & Youth skit. You do not want to miss this spirit-ﬁlled event at the Mount.

Celebrates

No Sunday School

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

Saturday

The Baptist Ministers Conference Mosby Memorial Baptist Church of Richmond & Vicinity “A Caring Community Committed to Listening, Loving, Cheryl Ivy Green, LearningDr. and Leaning While Launching into our Future.”

e wSaY ar’s

turd Decem ay, ber 31, Rev. Darryl G. Thompson, Pastor 2016 Join us at noon for “High Praise at the Mount”

Doors will open at 8:30 p.m.

Watch Night Service

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

Mount Olive Baptist Church

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

8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Every 3rd Sunday 2nd Sunday, 11 a.m. Mon. 6:30 p.m. Tues. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Wed. 7:45 p.m. Wed. 4:30 p.m. Wed. 6:00 p.m. Thurs., 11:45 a.m.

Eve

Saturday December 31, 2016

Sanctuary - All Are Welcome!

– PHILIPPIANS 4:13

Ebenezer Baptist Church



Wednesday Services

2017 THEME:

“All Things Through Christ!”

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

ie oore Sree o

No Noon Day or Evening Bible Study during the month of December. Will resume Wednesday, January 4, 2017

New Year’s Unity Service/ Installation of Church Officers and Ministry Leaders

at 10:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

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

10:00 a.m.

Saturday, December 31st

 ile Su

Sunday, January 1, 2017

Church School Worship Service

Worship Service

Watch Night Service



Third Sunday of Advent: “Love”

CIPA EMALNAMATIOTNION

PROC

2017

DAY

Upcoming Monday, JANUARY 2 Events th

109 Church Anniversary 11:30 A.M. Saved by Grace, Goodness and Greatness FIFTH BAPTIST CHURCH

Sunday, October 9, 2016 @ 2:30 P.M. Rev. Dr. Price L. Davis, Pastor 1415 West Cary Street

here. you t

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church

This Week o Preacher: Dr. Howard J. Wesley, Pastor C Christian Education Sunday Alfred Street Baptist Church Guest Minister: Rev. Zita Lee

All are asking to participate in the outreach project for 2017. Please bring non-perishable goods or grocery store gift cards to help stock the food pantry of Carver Middle School in Chesterfield County

see

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

Richmond, VA 23220

Alexandria, Virginia

e to We hop

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. ❖

To advertise your church

call 804-644-0496

Richmond Free Press The People's Paper.

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

Richmond Free Press

B6 December 29-31, 2016

Legal Notice/Employment Opportunities 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 Tuesday, January 3, 2017 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, January 9, 2017 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. 2016-312 To conditionally rezone the properties known as 1207 School Street and 1207 A School Street from the M-2 Heavy Industrial District to the B-7 Mixed-Use Business District (Conditional), upon certain proffered conditions. The 4.95 acre property, which would have a maximum of 200 dwelling units under this conditional rezoning, falls within the Industrial Innovation future land use designation established by the Master Plan, which does not establish any recommended density ranges. Ordinance No. 2016-313 To authorize the special use of the property known as 2220 Stockton Street for the purpose of a multifamily dwelling with up to 40 dwelling units and commercial, group home, shelter, addiction recovery program, and social service delivery uses, upon certain terms and conditions. The 5.1 acre property falls within the Mixed Used future land use designation established by Master Plan, which does not establish any recommended density ranges. Ordinance No. 2016-314 To authorize the special use of the property known as 2704 Woodrow Avenue for the purpose of a day nursery for up to 12 children, upon certain terms and conditions. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan recommends Single-Family Low Density land use for the subject property. Primary uses in this category includes single-family detached dwellings at densities up to seven units per acre and residential support uses such as churches, parks, and recreational facilities. Ordinance No. 2016-315 To authorize the special use of the property known as 2808½ East Leigh Street for the purpose of a single-family attached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions. The applicant is proposing to construct a single-family detached dwelling. While such a use is permitted in the R-63 district, the subject property does not meet the minimum lot area or minimum lot width requirements for a singlefamily detached dwelling in the R-63 district. Therefore, the applicant is requesting a special use permit. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates the subject property along East Leigh Street for Single-Family (Medium Density) land use. Primary uses in this category are single-family and two-family dwelling units, both detached and attached. All surrounding properties are also located in the R-63 and R-8 districts. The predominant land uses on the 2800 block of East Leigh Street are single-family detached. Single-family detached residences are located directly to the east and west of the subject property. Ordinance No. 2016-316 To amend Ord. No. 2016016, adopted Feb. 22, 2016, which authorized the special use of the properties known as 105 East Duval Street, 701 North 1st Street, and 708, 708 A, 710, 712, 714, 718, 722, 724, 728, 730, 732, 736 and 744 North 2nd Street for up to 182 multifamily dwelling units, commercial uses, and accessory off-street parking, to authorize up to 194 multifamily dwelling units and amendments to the plans to reduce the height and mass of the proposed building, upon certain terms and conditions. The proposal would establish a residential density of approximately 77 units per acre. The Downtown Plan recommends General Urban and Urban Center Areas for the subject property, which do not establish any recommended residential densities. 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; the Main City Library located at 101 East Franklin Street; and in the Office of Continued on next column

Continued from previous column

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 City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, January 9, 2017 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. 2016-301 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept grant funds in the amount of $15,000.00 from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 20162017 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services by $15,000.00 for the purpose of providing materials for community outreach and preparedness training related to acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events. Ordinance No. 2016-302 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $2,617.00 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Justice Services by $2,617.00 for the purpose of funding the City’s community corrections program. Ordinance No. 2016-303 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept grant funds in the amount of $36,023.00 from the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, and to amend the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 General Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Sheriff’s Office by $36,023.00 for the purpose of funding performance based bonuses for eligible Sheriff’s Office personnel. Ordinance No. 2016-304 To amend ch. 27, art. VI of the City Code by adding therein a new div. 2.1, consisting of new sections 27-261—27-266, concerning the temporary restriction of access to metered parking. Ordinance No. 2016-305 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a License Agreement between the City of Richmond as Licensor and the Virginia Tourism Authority, doing business as the Virginia Tourism Corporation, as Licensee for the purpose of facilitating the development and operation of a Welcome Center in Main Street Station at 1500 East Main Street in the city of Richmond. Ordinance No. 2016-306 To provide for the granting by the City of Richmond to the person, firm or corporation to be ascertained in the manner prescribed by law of certain easements upon, over, under, and across certain property located in Maymont Park at 800 Swan Lake Drive for the construction, maintenance, and operation of electrical power transmission and distribution lines and associated appurtenances in accordance with a certain Right of Way Agreement. Ordinance No. 2016-307 To amend City Code § 29189, concerning bus fares, for the purpose of authorizing an expansion of the CARE paratransit service to provide a third party transportation voucher program for patrons that desire on-demand transportation service. Ordinance No. 2016-308 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to enter into an Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority concerning the use of certain historic stones from the Kanawha Canal in connection with improvements at the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge. Ordinance No. 2016-309 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Telecommunications Franchise Agreement by and between the City of Richmond and Windstream Communications, LLC, for the purpose of installing telecommunications equipment within the Continued on next column

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City’s public right-of-way Ordinance No. 2016-310 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $30,000.00 from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services by $30,000.00 for the purpose of purchasing and installing cameras to increase security for the railroad tracks located in the Shockoe Bottom area of the city. Ordinance No. 2016-311 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $57,775.00 from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services by $57,775.00 for the purpose of providing regional emergency shelter training. 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 CYNTHIA JONES, Plaintiff v. ELI JONES, III, Defendant. Case No.: CL16002940-00 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 13th day of February, 2017 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 TONY JOHNSON, Plaintiff v. LISA JOHNSON, Defendant. Case No.: CL16003420-00 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 13th day of February, 2017 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 DONA RICHARDSON, Plaintiff v. MARK KOLMORGAN, Defendant. Case No.: CL16003373-00 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 3rd day of February, 2017 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. TROY CLAYBORNE, SR., Defendant. Case No.: CL16001084-00 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, who is a nonresident, appear here on or before the 24th day of January, 2017 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

CUSTODY

An Extract Teste: WENDY S. HUGHES, Clerk Mary Ashby Brown, Esquire (VSB #74718) Friedman Law Firm, P.C. 9401 Courthouse Road, Suite A Chesterfield, VA 23832 (804) 717-1969 (telephone) (804) 748-4161 (telecopier) mabrown@friedmanlawva.com Counsel for the Petitioners

but not limited to rights of: visitation: adoption consent: determination of religious affiliation: and responsibility for support It is ORDERED that the defendant Jamaal Bailey (Father), appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his interest on or before 02/08/2017, at 2:00 PM, Court Room #5

It is ORDERED that the defendant JUAQUIN ADALBERTO MARTINEZ appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before 02/10/2017 10:00AM

virgiNia: iN thE CIRCUIT cOurt FOR THE COUNTY OF Chesterfield ROSE P. OGLE, and DAVID WAYNE OGLE, Petitioners, v. wesley w. huddleston, Respondent. Case No. CA16-83 In re: Austin J. Huddleston (DOB 05/21/1999) OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to obtain an adoption of Austin J. Huddleston. WHEREFORE, an affidavit having been filed by the Petitioners that due diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of Wesley W. Huddleston, it is ORDERED that Wesley W. Huddleston appear before this Court on the 24th of February, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. to protect his interests herein. An Extract Teste: WENDY S. HUGHES, Clerk Mary Ashby Brown, Esquire (VSB #74718) Friedman Law Firm, P.C. 9401 Courthouse Road, Suite A Chesterfield, VA 23832 (804) 717-1969 (telephone) (804) 748-4161 (telecopier) mabrown@friedmanlawva.com Counsel for the Petitioners

VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF CHESTERFIELD Commonwealth of Virginia, in re ALVIZURES ICAL, ANGELON MICHEL, MICHEL D. PAMELA ICAL CUELLAR v. CESAR ALBERTO ALVIZURES ICAL Case No. JJ090450-01-00 ORDER 0F PUBLICATION (1) The object of this suit is to: DETERMINE CUSTODY OF ANGELIN MICHEL ALVIZURES ICAL (DOB: 9/14/12), WHOSE MOTHER IS MICHEL DHEBORA PAMELA ICAL CUELLAR, AND WHOSE FATHER IS CESAR ALBERTO ALVIZURES ICAL, PURSUANT TO VIRGINIA C OD E S E C TION 16.1241A3. ( 2 ) M A K E FA C T U A L F I N D I N G S T H AT W I L L PERMIT ANGELIN MICHEL A LV I Z U R E S I C A L T O PETITION THE UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT J U V E N I L E S TAT U S PURSUANT TO 8 U.S.C. SECTION 1101(A)(27)(J) AND 8 C.F.R. SECTION 204.11. It is ORDERED that the defendant CESAR ALBERTO ALVIZURES ICAL appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before 02/10/2017 10:00AM

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER WISDOM TENGEY, Plaintiff v. KAREN WATKINS, Defendant. Case No.: CL16003149-00 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 24th day of January, 2017 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 LUCIO SANCHEZ CRUZ, Plaintiff v. SILVIA TORRES ALONSO, Defendant. Case No.: CL16003240-00 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 24th day of January, 2017 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 JOYCE CAPERS, Plaintiff v. MICHAEL BRITTON, Defendant. Case No.: CL16002886-00 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, who is a nonresident, appear here on or before the 24th day of January, 2017 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 KEVITA CLAYBORNE,

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER CARLOS GARCIA SAMUELS, Plaintiff v. ANA BONILLA ALVARADO, Defendant. Case No.: CL16001548-00 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 18th day of January, 2017 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

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virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of the City of Richmond Commonwealth of Virginia, in re A’Lijah Holmes, Juvenile Case No. JJ089216-12 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Richard Thomas Holmes, Sr., (Father), of A’lijah Holmes, child, DOB 7/30/2012, “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 responsbility for support It is ORDERED that the defendant Richard Thomas Holmes, Sr. (Father), appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before March 16, 2017, at 2:00 PM, Court Room #3. virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of the City of Richmond Commonwealth of Virginia, in re RICHARD THOMAS holmes, jr., Juvenile Case No. JJ089215-12 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Richard Thomas Holmes, Sr., (Father), of Richard Thomas Holmes, Jr., child, DOB 12/25/2009, “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 responsbility for support It is ORDERED that the defendant Richard Thomas Holmes, Sr. (Father), appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before March 16, 2017, at 2:00 PM, Court Room #3. virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re ZULMA ROXANA claros cabrera, ZULMA JEANNETTE CABRERA ORTEGA v. JORGE ALBERTO CLAROS CARCAMO Case No. JJ090395-01-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Determine custody of Zulma Roxana Claros Cabrera (DOB: 3/19/03),whose mother is Zulma Jeannette Cabrera Ortega, and whose father is Jorge Alberto Claros Carcamo,pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1-241A3. Make factual findings that will permit Zulma Roxana Claros Cabrera to petition the United States citizenship and immigration services for special immigrant juvenile status pursuant to 8 U.S.C. Section 1101(A)(27)(J) and 8 C.F.R. Section 204.11. It is ORDERED that the defendant Jorge Alberto Claros Carcamo appear at the above-named Court and protect his interests on or before March 22, 2017 at 12:00 P.M. virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re OBANDO SAMAYOA, JACKELINE MARIELA YESSICA C SAMAYOA ORREGO v. ERICK OTTONIEL OBANO Case No. JJ090394-01-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Determine custody of Jackeline Mariela Obando Samayoa (DOB: 3/10/12),whose mother is Yessica Carlota Samayoa Orrego, and whose father is Erick Ottoniel Obando,pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1-241A3. Make factual findings that will permit Jackeline Mariela Obando Samayoa to petition the United States citizenship and immigration services for special immigrant juvenile status pursuant to 8 U.S.C. Section 1101(A)(27)(J) and 8 C.F.R. Section 204.11. It is ORDERED that the defendant Erick Ottoniel Obando appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his interests on or before March 22, 2017 at 11:00 A.M.

virgiNia: iN thE CIRCUIT cOurt FOR THE COUNTY OF Chesterfield ROSE P. OGLE, and DAVID WAYNE OGLE, Petitioners, v. wesley w. huddleston, Respondent. Case No. CA16-82 In re: Hunter W. Huddleston (DOB 01/14/2002) OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Obtain an adoption of Hunter W. Huddleston. WHEREFORE, an affidavit having been filed by the Petitioners that due diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of Wesley W. Huddleston, it is ORDERED that Wesley W. Huddleston appear before this Court on the 24th of February, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. to protect his interests herein. An Extract Teste: WENDY S. HUGHES, Clerk Mary Ashby Brown, Esquire (VSB #74718) Friedman Law Firm, P.C. 9401 Courthouse Road, Suite A Chesterfield, VA 23832 (804) 717-1969 (telephone) (804) 748-4161 (telecopier) mabrown@friedmanlawva.com Counsel for the Petitioners virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of New Kent Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Atara savannah abistado drez Robert Bryan Strimple and Karen Ann Strimple v. Unknown Birth Father Case No. JJ OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Determine custody and visitation of a child known as Atara Savannah Abistado Drez, born June 1, 2016, to Ana Kathreena Drez, the birth mother, who has stated the identity of the birth father is unknown. The birth mother has placed the child in the custody of the petitioners. It is ORDERED that the defendant Unknown birth father appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his interests on or before February 27, 2017 at 9:00 A.M. virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re CIERRA ANN ODEN RINEHART EDWARD ROBBEN (STEPFATHER) v. JOHN DANIEL ODEN Case No. JJ046772-05-00,06-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Determine custody of Cierra Ann Oden, (DOB: 1/25/2002),whose mother is Suzanne Lee Robben, and whose Father is John Daniel Oden,pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1241A3. John Daniel Oden’s whereabouts are unknown. It is ORDERED that the defendant John Daniel Oden appear at the above-named Court and protect his interests on or before March 13, 2017 at 11:00 A.M.

virgiNia: iN thE CIRCUIT cOurt FOR THE COUNTY OF Chesterfield Charles J. Huddleston, ROSE P. OGLE, and DAVID WAYNE OGLE, Petitioners, v. wesley w. huddleston, Respondent. Case No. CA16-84 In re: Charles J. Huddleston (DOB 06/25/1997) OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to obtain an adoption of Charles J. Huddleston. WHEREFORE, an affidavit having been filed by the Petitioners that due diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of Wesley W. Huddleston, it is ORDERED that Wesley W. Huddleston appear before this Court on the 24th of February, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. to protect his interests herein.

VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re JALIN MONTE EUBANKS, Juvenile Case No. JJ083447-16 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental right (“RPR”) of Jamaal Bailey (Father), of Jalin Monte Eubanks, child, DOB 11/27/2008, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including

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VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF CHESTERFIELD Commonwealth of Virginia, in re CHAVEZ RIVAS, MARIA FERNANDA CHAVEZ RIVAS, DINORA D v. ADALBERTO MARTINEZ, JUAQUIN Case No. JJ090450-01-00 ORDER 0F PUBLICATION (1) The object of this suit is to: DETERMINE CUSTODY OF MARIA FERNANDA CHAVEZ RIVAS (DOB: 5/24/11), WHOSE MOTHER IS DINORA DEL CARMEN CHAVEZ RIVAS,AND WHOSE FATHER IS JUAQUIN ADALBERTO MARTINEZ, PURSUANT TO VIRGINIA CODE SECTION 16.1-241A3. ( 2 ) M A K E FA C T U A L F I N D I N G S T H AT W I L L PERMIT MARIA FERNANDA C H AV E Z R I VA S T O PETITION THE UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT J U V E N I L E S TAT U S PURSUANT TO 8 U.S.C. SECTION 1101(A)(27)(J) AND 8 C.F.R. SECTION 204.11. Continued on next column

VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Chase Fields-Threatt, Juvenile Case No. JJ091827-05, JJ091827-06 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental right (“RPR”) of Brian Wells (Father) and Unknown. (Father), of Chase Fields-Threatt, child, DOB 08/04/2012, “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 defendant Brian Wells (Father) and Unknown (Father), appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his/her interest on or before 03/27/2017, at 11:20 AM, courtroom #4 Matt Morris, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493 virgiNia: iN thE Circuit cOurt for the County of chesterfield madeline lugo, Plaintiff v. JOHANESEL D. RODRIGUEZ, Defendent Case No. CL15-1041 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Grant Lilah Michelle Rodriguez, a minor, a name change. Madeline Lugo, the mother of the Petitioner, filed this Application for Change of Name on Lilah Michelle Rodriguez’s behalf. WHEREFORE, an affidavit having been filed by Petitioner’s mother, Madeline Lugo, that due diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of Johansel Duran Rodriguez, it is ORDERED that Johansel Duran Rodriguez appear before this Court on the 10th of January, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. to protect his interests herein. A Copy Teste: WENDY S. HUGHES, Clerk Mary Ashby Brown, Esquire Freidman Law Firm 9401 Courthouse Rd., Suite A Chesterfield, VA 23832 804-717-1969

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The University of Virginia seeks a firm to provide: Name: Event Management Services for the University of Virginia Bicentennial To view a copy of RFP # #KC1799674 go to Procurement Services Site:http://www.procurement. virginia.edu/main/ publicpostings/RFP.html, or email pur-rfp@virginia.edu

REQUEST FOR BIDS For Certain Easements Upon, Over, Under and Across Maymont Park at 800 Swan Lake Drive In the City of Richmond The City of Richmond is seeking bids for certain easements upon, over, under and across certain property located in Maymont Park at 800 Swan Lake Drive for the construction, maintenance, and operation of electrical power transmission and distribution lines and associated appurtenances in accordance with a certain Right of Way Agreement, for a duration of 40 years, subject to certain responsibilities to be imposed by the Right of Way Agreement and subject further to all retained rights of the City of Richmond. All bids for the easements hereby offered to be granted shall be submitted in writing to the City Clerk’s office by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 9, 2017. Bids will be presented to the presiding officer of the Council of the City of Richmond on Monday, January 9, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. in open session and shall then be presented by the presiding officer to the Council and be dealt with and acted upon in the mode prescribed by law. The City of Richmond expressly reserves the right to reject any and all bids. The successful bidder shall reimburse the City for all costs incurred in connection with the advertisement of this ordinance in accordance with section 15.2-2101 of the Code of Virginia and shall post the bond required by the ordinance. A copy of the full text of the ordinance is on file in the City Clerk’s office, and the full text of the ordinance and the Right of Way Agreement to be executed is available at: https://richmondva.legistar.com/LegislationDetail. aspx?ID=2907677&GUID=ABBC041E-A86A-4C55-8F082B870DC0A34C&Options=ID|Text|&Search=2016-306 Please address any questions or bids to: Jean V. Capel, City Clerk City of Richmond 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200 Richmond, Virginia 23219 (804) 646-7955

Account Executive CW Richmond is one of the top rated CW affiliates in the country located in beautiful, historic Richmond, Virginia. We have an opening for an energetic and motivated Account Executive with a minimum of 2 years advertising sales experience. You’ll be responsible for selling broadcast TV and digital advertising to direct clients and advertising agencies. If you are creative and want to take advantage of this unique opportunity, we want to meet with you! Send resume with cover letter and salary requirements to: CW Richmond, 5710 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23225 Attn: Bo Jackson or email bjackson@cwrichmond.tv . EOE M/F/ D/V MVR check and Drug Screen required.