Holiday events in the city B2
Richmond Free Press
VOL. 30 NO. 49
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RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
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Meet this week’s Personality B1
DECEMBER 2-4, 2021
City still mulling offers for city-owned Confederate statues removed last year from Monument Avenue and other Richmond locations. Meanwhile, Gen. A.P. Hill statue, a gravesite, remains, along with monument outside Marsh Courthouse in South Side.
By Jeremy M. Lazarus
Richmond removed in 2020 almost all of the city-owned Confederate statues that marred the landscape with their white supremacist message. But getting rid of the statues is proving to be harder. Seventeen months after the statues began coming down, the city is still mulling over the future of the statues. “It’s a work in progress,” stated Joyce L. Davis, Richmond City Council’s interim chief of staff, who has been a key figure on a joint committee set up by the council and Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration to consider bids and offer recommendations for the statues’ disposal. The city has 23 offers on the table from individuals and Confederate groups to museums like The Valentine in Richmond to take the statues but has yet to accept any. A majority of the bidders who came forward in September 2020 are hoping that Richmond will donate one or more of them, according to information posted on the city’s website. Ms. Davis indicated in an email response to a Free Press query that the slow pace for disposal could change in 2022. Gen. A.P. Hill statue
Please turn to A4
Council members threaten to delay design funds for new George Wythe By Ronald E. Carrington
chair of the council’s Finance Committee, “I guarantee you I Will Richmond City Council am willing to hold funding until stand in the way of transferring we get a plan, until we know $7.3 million to Richmond Pub- where we are going.” lic Schools so an architect can If Dr. Jones’ view is emdesign a replacement George braced by a council majority, Wythe High School? it would be a blow to the Based on discussions at a School Board’s plan to award joint virtual meetthe design contract ing on Monday of in mid-January. the City Council, During Monday’s the School Board meeting, RPS Suand Mayor Levar M. perintendent Jason Stoney, that question Kamras distributed is still up in the air proposals submitas a council vote ted by nine design looms on the mayor’s firms. The submisrequest to allow the sions also included Dr. Jones transfer. different prototypes The meeting ended without for a building that would acany resolution of the key issues commodate 1,600 students. of disagreement, most notably The board has promoted the number of students the that size as sufficient given a new building should accom- separate plan the city supports modate. to develop another 1,000-seat Ahead of an anticipated high school in South Side that council vote on Monday, Dec. would focus on career and 13, at least one council member technical education. That high indicated he could support de- school is to go into a former lay — and pushing back design tobacco factory that has been and construction — until there donated to RPS. is an agreement on whether Dr. Jones was one of several the new building should ac- council members expressing commodate 1,600 students as concern that a new George the School Board proposes or Wythe building would be 2,000 students as city officials overcrowded immediately if it say is needed. could only accommodate 1,600 Councilman Michael J. students. Jones, 9th District, said that as Councilwoman Stephanie
Lynch, 5th District, and Councilwoman Katherine Jordan, 2nd District, also forecast overcrowding. They also voiced frustration with the lack of community engagement in deciding what’s needed in a new high school. “Will our school have multiple purpose spaces for community connectivity? How much community input will there be when the design is a prototype?” Ms. Lynch asked. “We expected to see that in Please turn to A4
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
We are the champions Dyron Davis Jr. shows off the championship ring he won, along with his teammates on the RVA Justices 8U youth football team, at last Saturday’s Armstrong-Walker Classic Legacy. The game, held at Willie Lanier Field at Hovey Stadium on Virginia Union University’s campus, followed a morning parade to revitalize the community spirit of the original annual event held from 1938 to 1978. Please see story, more photos, A6.
Public school enrollment down 46,000 statewide since pandemic By Jeremy M. Lazarus
Richmond Public Schools has reported that 2,700 fewer students were enrolled Sept. 30 as the new school year began than in 2019 before the start of the pandemic. Though there is optimism that enrollment has started to climb, the initial report represents a sharp and unexpected 11 percent drop in student numbers and is apparently the most significant decline in enrollment in recent years. The drop in enrollment comes from the Virginia Department of Education’s annual fall membership report that relies on Sept.
30 student enrollment data that the state’s 132 public school districts are required to provide. Richmond is not alone. According to the Virginia Department Mr. Kamras of Education, student enrollment has declined by 46,113 students statewide. As of Sept. 30, statewide enrollment was at 1.25 million students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, down from the nearly 1.3 million students reported enrolled as of Sept. 30, 2019.
Richmond, Chesterfield libraries join program to distribute free at-home COVID-19 test kits By George Copeland Jr.
Users of the free COVID-19 rapid antigen at-home test kits are linked virtually by cellphone or computer with an eMed assistant who guides the user through the process.
Libraries across Virginia have joined the effort to make it easier for residents to test themselves for possible COVID-19 infection. In a new partnership with the Virginia Department of Health, 18 public libraries — including Richmond Public Library and the Chesterfield County Public Library — will receive COVID-19 rapid antigen at-home test kits to distribute free to the public. The pilot project began Nov. 16 and will continue through the end of December, officials said. Libraries not selected as part of the pilot program have been able to opt into the program. The goal is to expand COVID-19 testing in the state, particularly among rural, underserved and other vulnerable communities. “We are pleased to work with public li-
School divisions in Chesterfield and Henrico counties also reported declines from pre-pandemic enrollment levels in 2019, though far smaller than Richmond’s drop. Chesterfield, which currently enrolls more than 62,000 students, is down less than 1 percent from 2019 enrollment levels, while Henrico, which currently has more than 48,000 students, has reported a 3 percent decline from 2019. Some small school divisions have been hit harder. Charles City County, for example, reported current enrollment is Please turn to A4
Free COVID-19 testing, vaccines
braries to provide another testing option for our community and to increase accessibility,” stated Dr. Laurie Forlano, deputy director of the state Health Department’s Office of Epidemiology. “Testing continues to be important to stop the spread of COVID-19, particularly as we enter the holiday season when people gather.” Jennifer Shepley, community services manager for the Chesterfield County Public Library, said late last week that the public response has been enthusiastic. More than 800 tests had been given out as of last Saturday, with some of the branch libraries temporarily running out because of high demand. Another shipment of tests has been received, Ms. Shepley said, and is ready for people to pick up. “We really hope people take advantage,”
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues. The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations: • Tuesday, Dec. 7, 9 to 11 a.m., Second Baptist Church of South Richmond, 3300 Broad Rock Blvd. • Wednesday, Dec. 8, 9 to 11 a.m., Eastern Henrico Recreation Center Pavilion, 1440 N. Laburnum Ave. Appointments are not necessary, but can be made by calling the Richmond and Henrico COVID-19 Hotline at (804) 205-3501 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by registering online at https://bit.ly/RHHDCOVID. Testing will be offered while test supplies last. COVID-19 testing also is available at various drug stores, clinics and urgent care centers throughout the area for people with and without health insurance. Several offer tests with no out-of-pocket costs.
Please turn to A4
Please turn to A4
A2 December 2-4, 2021
Richmond Free Press
Local News
Photos by Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press
The holiday season has arrived in Richmond with the official The menorah also is similar to Kwanzaa’s seven-branch kinara launch party Tuesday at City Hall in Downtown. in which candles are lit daily to mark the seven principals of the At right, Mayor Levar M. Stoney helps decorate the city’s first African-American cultural holiday. Kwanzaa starts Sunday, Dec. Unity Tree that celebrates Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa Slices of life and scenes 26, and continues through New Year’s Day, Saturday, Jan. 1. during the kick-off event in the first-floor lobby. Tuesday’s festive event also featured the Richmond Police Dein Richmond At left, Rabbi Scott M. Nagel of Congregation Beth Ahabah partment’s 11-member brass band performing holiday music. lights a portion of an eight-branch menorah, the traditional symbol of the “FesThe holiday celebration will continue in the coming days, featuring RVA tival of Lights,” with support Sarah Beck-Berman, the congregation’s cantor, Illuminates on Friday, Dec. 3, at Kanawha Plaza in Downtown to turn on buildand Lottie, the synagogue dog. Three lights are lit to recognize the third day of ing lights and the Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 4. See a holiday list of Hanukkah, which started Sunday and runs through Monday, Dec. 6. events, B2
Cityscape
New VCU Health Adult Outpatient Pavilion to open Dec. 6 By Jeremy M. Lazarus
After more than four years of design and construction, opening day is finally arriving for the new Adult Outpatient Pavilion on the medical campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. The 17-story facility, located at 10th and Leigh streets in Downtown, cost $384 million, took 3½ years to construct and is expected to serve 200,000 people a year. VCU President Michael Rao will lead a virtual ribbon cutting at noon Monday, Dec. 6, to formally launch Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press services. The building is the largest single investment the university has ever made in patient care and is part of more than $1 billion VCU is investing to improve facilities. The new building is described by VCU as a “one-stop shop for outpatient care.” Inside, VCU officials said, the building incorporates most of the Massey Cancer Center’s outpatient services, including cancer clinics and infusion and radiation services; women’s services; and many of the outpatient clinics now housed in the Ambulatory Care Center, North Hospital and Nelson Clinic. The new building also will house an on-site laboratory, a pharmacy and medical imaging services along with research and teaching space. When construction began in June 2018, Dr. Marsha D. Rappley, former chief executive officer of VCU Health System, said, “We are embarking on a landmark journey of modernizing our Downtown facilities to match the caliber of people who make up VCU Health and to provide spaces that meet the needs and expectations of the people we serve.” During construction, VCU Health approved an expansion that added the 17th story and about 200,000 additional square feet of space than first announced. Overall, the massive building includes 615,000 square feet of health care space. The building also includes two floors below ground and has parking space for more than 1,000 vehicles. The only significant outpatient care that has not been relocated to the new building includes the Pauley Heart and Hume-Lee Transplant centers and the primary care and family medicine services, according to VCU. Those are to remain in the Ambulatory Care Center at 11th and Clay streets. Meanwhile, VCU is pouring $350 million into developing a new 84-bed, in-patient children’s hospital at 10th and Marshall streets next to City Hall. And next year, a private developer, Capital City Partners, will start investing $325 million into replacing the city’s old Public Safety Building at 9th and Clay streets with a 20-story mixed-use complex that will include offices for VCU Health and provide space for two private, nonprofit hotels that serve patients’ families.
Correction An article published in the Nov. 24-27 edition of the Richmond Free Press about the January 2018 fatal smothering of Joshua Lee Lawhon involving two city police officers and two Richmond Ambulance Authority paramedics wrongly stated that Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette W. McEachin had not responded to a request for comment. That was inaccurate. An email seeking comment from Mrs. McEachin prior to the article’s publication inadvertently was not sent, so she had no opportunity to comment. In an email on Monday, Mrs. McEachin, the city’s chief prosecutor, stated that she first learned about Mr. Lawhon and the wrongful death lawsuit filed in federal court on behalf of his mother, Angela Lawhon, through the Free Press article. She stated, “Any decision to prosecute or not was made by my predecessor,” Michael N. Herring, “since I was not the commonwealth’s attorney in 2018.” Mrs. McEachin, previously a deputy commonwealth’s attorney in the office, was named interim commonwealth’s attorney in June 2019 after Mr. Herring resigned to go into practice with a law firm. Ms. McEachin then won a special election in November 2019 to complete Mr. Herring’s term. She was re-elected to a full, four-year term in the Nov. 2 election. Monday was Mrs. McEachin’s first opportunity to respond to the Free Press about the case. The article also erroneously stated that Mr. Lawhon was Black. The Free Press regrets the errors.
YMCA makes deal on Downtown building Free Press staff report
The YMCA of Greater Richmond could become a model for nonprofits seeking to gain revenue from old buildings, while keeping them in operation. Just before Thanksgiving, the Y announced a deal that will allow the organization to continue to operate its health and fitness center at 2 W. Franklin St. in Downtown while handing over ownership of the four-story building to developers, who plan to renovate it and install apartments on the upper floors. The Y stated that the contract also would allow the development group to purchase for residential development the parking lots the Y has assembled adjacent to the nearly 80-year-old building that fills a portion of the block bounded by Franklin, Grace, Foushee and Adams streets. If the deal is finalized as anticipated, Y officials stated that its health center would become the centerpiece tenant in the residential complex while its headquarters offices, which currently occupy part of the building, would move to a new location that has yet to be announced. “This partnership will enable the Y to better reflect and serve the diverse needs of the Downtown community and the community-at-large for another 80 years,” stated Abigail Farris Rogers, president and
chief executive officer of the Y. “We’re excited about how this opportunity taps into the Downtown YMCA’s history in a very modern way,” Ms. Rogers continued, noting that the upper floors once offered rooms for rent. “The location once again will offer residences alongside Y facilities and programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body.” How much the Y stands to gain from the sale of the property has not yet been disclosed, nor have details been made public about the number of new residences to be developed. Both parties are engaged in a quiet period of due diligence, the nonprofit stated, the final phase after three years of negotiation before the deal is recorded. If all goes well, the buyers, who include some of the most active developers and builders in metro Richmond—George Emerson, Dennis Lynch, Tom Papa and Phil Roper—are expected to complete the purchase before the end of December and possibly begin work by next summer, the Y indicated. The health and fitness center on the first floor is to remain open during the renovations and redevelopment of the building, according to spokesperson Lindy M. Bumgarner. Among other improvements, the Y stated the health center is to get new locker rooms and group exercise studios,
along with improvements to the wellness and free-weight room. Richmond taxpayers stand to benefit as well. As a faith-based nonprofit, the Y has long been exempt from paying real estate taxes on its property. As a result of the sale, the property is expected to be returned to the tax rolls, with the new apartments adding additional taxable value. According to the records of the City Assessor’s Office, the Y’s building was most recently assessed for $1.33 million, which would have generated nearly $16,000 in real estate taxes if the Y had to pay. Collectively, the parking lots are separately valued at about $1 million, according to the assessor’s records. The Downtown location has been in continuous use since it opened in June 1942, six months after the U.S. entry into World War II. At the time, according to the Y, it was the most modern Y in the nation. The Richmond YMCA has been around far longer than the building. The local organization was started in 1854 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 10 years after the international YMCA was launched in London. According to the Y, the local organization currently serves about 17,000 members at 17 locations in metropolitan Richmond and Petersburg and through its summer camp.
VUU to start 2 new schools and 2-year degree program By Jeremy M. Lazarus
A new school is being launched a Virginia Union University to train students to be activists. The launch of the School of Social Justice and Community Activism is among fresh options for students approved by the VUU Board of Trustees at their fall meeting just before Thanksgiving. The board also cleared the way for VUU to start offering certificate and two-year programs to prepare people for technical and vocational careers. The approvals came as VUU reported a fall enrollment of 1,781 undergraduate and graduate students, the best showing since the 2016 academic year when the school enrolled 1,817 students, according to the State Council of Higher Education. Though still short of the 2015 record of 1,906 total students, the current enrollment represents a 17 percent increase from the fall 2020 count of 1,522 students that VUU reported to SCHEV. VUU officials attributed much of the growth to increased enrollment in its graduate programs. Buoyed by the rebound in student numbers, the VUU board also approved the plan by President Hakim J. Lucas to add the new social justice school to build on the energy and reforms in the wake of the Minneapolis Police murder of George Floyd in May 2020 and other slayings of Black individuals. In the announcement, VUU did not release any further details about the school or the courses and degrees it would offer. The board also approved the previously announced creation of a new School of Gospel and Sacred Music that will house the Hezekiah Walker Center for Gospel Music. The approval came as Bishop Walker, a Grammy Award-winning gospel artist and pastor of two churches in New York and Pennsylvania, prepared to lead the center’s first virtual master class on Dec. 4. Known as the “hip-hop pastor,” Bishop Walker teamed with VUU to create the center in June while studying for his master’s of divinity degree at VUU’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology.
According to VUU, the center will offer programs and courses in songwriting and production and the historical aspects of gospel music through the VUU’s Fine Arts Department. Dr. Lucas Along with the two new schools, VUU’s board also approved creation of the workforce development and technical training initiative to enable people to earn a two-year associate degree and/or certification in various vocational fields, with the option of continuing study
Bishop Walker
Mr. Winn
for a four-year degree. Dr. Lucas stated that the initiative would enable VUU to address the increased interest “in two-year programs and skills training” that are less costly for families and enable students to enter the workforce more quickly. The board also accepted a $1 million grant from Altria Group that will be used to support programs in science, technology, engineering and math, VUU stated. The school noted the gift reflected an increase in annual fundraising, which has averaged $8.3 million a year since 2016, or nearly triple the average funds raised annually in the previous 15 years.
Mr. Lawrence
Mr. Anderson
Gospel artist Hezekiah Walker to lead virtual VUU master class Dec. 4 Local gospel musicians and music students from across the country will have a chance to virtually meet the best in the business while learning how to break into the industry. The Hezekiah Walker Center for Gospel Music at Virginia Union University is hosting its first virtual master class 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. Cost: $199. The Gospel Music Industry Essentials Master Class is an introduction to launching a career in the gospel music industry. Participants will cover key components in pursuing a music career, artist development, songwriting, producing, and publishing. Bishop Hezekiah Walker, a multiGrammy Award-winning gospel artist and founder of the center, will instruct the master class. Joining him will be award-winning songwriter and recording artist Ted Winn; Grammy Award-winning producer and art-
ist Donald Lawrence; and entertainment law attorney Ricky Anderson, managing partner of Anderson and Smith P.C. law firm in Houston and an adjunct professor at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. “I am excited about Virginia Union being the hub,” Bishop Walker said in a statement. “We want people from all over the world to come here to learn about gospel music, to enjoy gospel music and to collaborate, to learn about songwriting, to learn about the industry and how to become an artist.” The Center for Gospel Music will offer academic programs through VUU’s FineArts department and originate theater productions and record live gospel albums with students, alumni, and the community for public release. The center also will work to preserve gospel music culture by studying sacred arts and how it is blended into African heritage. Details and registration for the master class: hezwalkeratvuu.com.
Richmond Free Press
December 2-4, 2021 A3
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Richmond Free Press
A4 December 2-4, 2021
News
City still mulling offers for city-owned Confederate statues removed last year from Monument Avenue and other Richmond locations Continued from A1
“Recommendations are anticipated, possibly toward the early months of next year,” she stated. The statues include four that once stood on Monument Avenue—J.E.B. Stuart, Jefferson Davis, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson and Matthew Fontaine Maury—plus others from Monroe Park and Church Hill as well as several replica cannons. The only city-owned statue still standing is that of Confederate Gen. A.P. Hill. Located in the intersection of Hermitage Road and Laburnum Avenue, the statue serves as a marker for his grave. An apparent agreement between the city and Hill descendants to move it to a Culpeper cemetery has yet to make progress after the town’s council balked at having the statue there. There also is still a question about whether the city actually owns the statue, which could be sitting on private ground in the middle of the intersection of public roads.
The question of Confederate statue disposal gained fresh interest after disclosure that former Richmond interim Police Chief William “Jody” Blackwell had filed a $5 million lawsuit against the city for wrongful termination. The suit alleges that Mayor Stoney forced Mr. Blackwell’s resignation as interim chief on June 26, 2020, and then had him fired Mr. Blackwell earlier this year by his replacement, current Police Chief Gerald M. Smith, in retaliation for Mr. Blackwell refusing to provide officers to stand guard during the emergency removal of the Confederate statues in late June and early July 2020. Mr. Blackwell served as interim chief for about 11 days. City Hall has denied any wrongdoing and is asking the Richmond Circuit Court to throw out the case. The city has countered that it is immune from suit and that Mr. Blackwell has failed to
present sufficient facts to show that the mayor was responsible for Chief Smith dismissing Mr. Blackwell from the city police force on Feb. 2, 2021. A hearing on the city’s motion to dismiss the suit had been scheduled for Nov. 22, but was canceled. A new hearing date has not been set. Separately, City Council moved relatively quickly last December to rename Jefferson Davis Highway to Richmond Highway but continues to dawdle on its plan announced in 2020 to rename the Robert E. Lee Bridge to end the Confederate association. A renaming commission was to be set up, but no further information has emerged publicly, no public hearings have been held and no ordinance has been introduced to carry out that proposal. Also, a monument to Richmond Confederate units located on the lawn of the Marsh Courthouse in South Side still sits there. There has been no public effort on the part of the city or the judges of Richmond’s General District Court system to have it removed.
Free COVID-19 vaccines Continued from A1
A list of area COVID-19 testing sites is online at https:// www.vdh.virginia.gov/richmond-city/richmond-and-henricoarea-covid-19-testing-sites/ The Virginia Department of Health also has a list of COVID-19 testing locations around the state at www.vdh. virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-testing/covid-19-testingsites/. Want a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot? The Richmond and Henrico health districts are offering free walk-up COVID-19 vaccines at the following locations: • Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. – Community Vaccination Center, Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. • Thursday, Dec. 2, 1 to 4:30 p.m. – Richmond Health Department Cary Street Clinic, 400 E. Cary St., Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. • Friday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m. to noon – Henrico West Health Department Clinic, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. • Saturday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, 1000 Mosby St., and Fairfield Middle School, 5121 Nine Mile Road, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. • Tuesday, Dec. 7, 3 to 6 p.m. – Second Baptist Church of South Richmond, 3300 Broad Rock Blvd., Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. • Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1 to 4:30 p.m. – Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, 1440 N. Laburnum Ave., Eastern Henrico, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. • Thursday, Dec. 9, 1 to 4:30 p.m. – Richmond Health Department Cary Street Clinic, 400 E. Cary St., Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. Children ages 5 to 17 may only receive the Pfizer vaccine. Vaccinations and booster shots are available for all eligible of any age on a walk-in basis. No appointment is needed. However, people may schedule an appointment online at vaccinate.virginia.gov or vax.rchd.com, or by calling (804) 205-3501 or (877) VAX-IN-VA (1-877-829-4682). VaccineFinder.org and vaccines.gov also allow people to find nearby pharmacies and clinics that offer the COVID-19 vaccine and booster. The Chesterfield County Health District is offering vaccines and booster shots at the following location: • Community Vaccination Center, Rockwood Shopping Center (in the former Big Lots store), 10161 Hull Street Road, Midlothian. The center is open 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged by going to www.vaccines.gov or call (877) VAX-IN-VA. Those who are getting a booster shot should bring their vaccine card to confirm date and type of vaccine received. Health officials once again are urging people to get vaccinated and to get a booster shot with the discovery of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday that the first confirmed U.S. case of the highly transmissible variant has been detected in California. The variant was first identified recently by scientists in South Africa and has turned up in several other countries including Canada. Officials are continuing to learn about the impact of the new variant and are testing the effectiveness of the current vaccines against it. They also are urging people to continue to use other measures to protect against COVID-19, including wearing masks, handwashing, physical distancing and indoor ventilation. The Virginia Department of Health reported on Wednesday 2,413 new positive cases of COVID-19 around the state during a 24-hour period, bringing the cumulative total to 971,529 cases statewide. There have been a total of 39,782 hospitalizations and 14,730 deaths. The state’s seven-day positivity rate was 6.7 percent. Last week, the positivity rate was 5.8 percent. On Wednesday, state health officials reported that 65 percent of the state’s population has been fully vaccinated, while 74.5 percent of the people have received at least one dose of the vaccine. State data also shows that roughly 1.26 million people in Virginia have received booster shots or third doses of the vaccine. Among those ages 5 to 11 in Virginia, 162,646 children have received their first shots, accounting for 22.5 percent of the eligible age group in the state. As of Tuesday, less than 64,000 cases, 540 hospitalizations and six deaths have been recorded among children. State data also show that African-Americans comprised 22.1 percent of cases statewide and 24.5 percent of deaths for which ethnic and racial data is available, while Latinos made up 13.6 percent of cases and 5.7 percent of deaths. Reported COVID-19 data as of Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021 Cases Hospitalizations Deaths Richmond 25,101 970 371 Henrico County 35,998 1,264 735 Chesterfield County 41,580 1,227 573 Hanover County 12,522 378 201
Council members threaten to delay design funds for new George Wythe Continued from A1
the proposed designs,” she said. Dr. Jones said many families in his South Side district have voiced frustration with the School Board and the school building project because little has been done to resolve issues. He said he is deeply concerned about the School Board’s process that took place without any real engagement from the community, City Council or the city administration. He assured the School Board members that City Council is not trying to do the
board’s job, but wants to collaborate with RPS on the George Wythe project. School Board Vice Chair Jonathan Young, 4th District, noted that RPS already has 2,500 vacant seats in its existing high schools and noted that George Wythe currently enrolls only 1,300 students. Mr. Kamras said that the community would be engaged in helping to design the interior space once a design team and a prototype building has been selected. The School Board, itself, is split over
taking charge of developing the new high school, with five members supporting a robust role and four members eager to turn the project over to the city. One advocate of RPS running the project is School Board member Kenya Gibson, 3rd District. She urged the mayor and the council to respect the School Board and their decisions to keep the project on track. “The city has placed every obstacle in our way to move forward to build new schools the right way for our children. This is absurd,” she said.
Richmond, Chesterfield libraries join program to distribute free at-home COVID-19 test kits Continued from A1
Ms. Shepley said. “We’re thrilled to be able to provide this as a service. We just want to make sure that the community stays safe and this is one way for us to help be a part of that.” The test kits are easy to use at home. Users must have a mobile phone, computer or mobile device to access a special digital platform, eMed. The user then creates an account and is linked virtually with an eMed assistant who guides the user through the process that includes putting drops from a small vial on the test pad and placing a
nasal swab on the pad. Results are available 15 minutes after the test is completed, with eMed reporting the results to the state Health Department. Many of the participating libraries have curbside distribution of the test kits and phone numbers for socially distanced communication. There are many reasons people want the tests, officials said, from the symptomatic who are worried they may be infected with the coronavirus to travel requirements and preventive measures before family gatherings. The state Health Department recom-
mends the tests be used within two weeks to avoid expiration. Richmond Public Library received their first test kits for distribution on Tuesday. “You can call ahead and we can have it ready for you, even leave it outside the door to pick up if you wish,” said Clay Dishon, deputy director of the Richmond Public Library. “We’re always willing to partner with health organizations and other community partners to provide services needed when it fits in with our mission.” Details: www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/protect-yourself/covid-19-testing/ covid-19-testing-sites.
Public school enrollment down 46,000 statewide since pandemic Continued from A1
down 15 percent from 2019, a big deal for a system that enrolls fewer than 700 students and currently reports just 528 students as of Sept. 30. Still, RPS’ reported reduction in student numbers is more notable given the current debate between the city and RPS over how many students a proposed replacement high school for George Wythe in South Side should accommodate. The decline also has shown up amid striking growth in RPS funding. Based on RPS budget figures, per-pupil spending now hovers around $22,000 a year, an increase of about $6,000 per student since the 2018 school year. The infusion of city, state and federal resources now ranks RPS among the highest-spending districts in the state when it comes to education, undermining the oft-stated claim that city schools are underfunded. Based on enrollment numbers in the RPS budget and on state figures, RPS started the 2019-20 school year with 23,912 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th
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grade compared with the 21,179 students reported enrolled at the end of September this year. The 2019-20 figure excludes 1,300 students enrolled in a virtual school for which RPS served as fiscal agent. In response to School Board concerns, RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras plans to provide an enrollment update at the board’s next meeting on Monday, Dec. 6. There are expectations his report will show enrollment has increased since the Sept. 30 report was issued. School Board Vice Chair Jonathan Young, 4th District, said he has been told to expect the update to show a “smaller drop in numbers, possibly around 500 students.” He said that is still concerning because it could lead to a reduction in state support but would be less impactful than the loss of 2,700 students. RPS spokesperson Sarah Abubaker said attendance liaisons and other staff have been working to locate missing students and get them back in class. The VDOE report shows that the enrollment drop has been more significant among pre-kindergarten and elementary grades in Richmond and other school divisions.
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Pre-K enrollment was off 8.6 percent and kindergarten enrollment dropped more than 5 percent from 2019. Richmond reported fewer than 1,000 pre-k students in its Sept. 30 information, compared with more than 1,500 pre-k students in 2019. State education officials have indicated that the loss of students appears to have been largely due to a lack of a vaccine until recently for younger children, increasing parental concern about their children’s risk of exposure to the virus. The enrollment decline could have an impact on state funding contributions to public education, given that they are based on the number of students enrolled in each division. During the current two-year budget period, 2020-22, the General Assembly provided $442 million to keep school divisions from losing funding as the result of enrollment losses caused by the pandemic. School advocates are expected to lobby for the legislature to prevent any losses in state aid in the upcoming two-year budget cycle for divisions that are still experiencing enrollment declines.
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December 2-4, 2021 A5
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A6 December 2-4, 2021
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Richmond School Board Chairwoman Cheryl L. Burke, left, and Richmond City Council President Cynthia I. Newbille wave to the crowd as they ride on the back of a convertible in the parade. Right, members and staff of the Mayor’s Youth Academy carry blown up photos of notable graduates from Armstrong and Walker high schools. Here, they hold photos of former state Sen. Henry L. Marsh III, a 1952 graduate of Maggie L. Walker who served as Richmond’s first Black mayor from 1977 until 1982, and the late broadcast journalist Max Robinson Jr., an Armstrong graduate who became the first African-American network news anchor in 1978.
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School, city spirit merged at Armstrong-Walker Classic Legacy By George Copeland Jr.
“I’m the last Dragon.” Ashley Singleton is many things — a Richmond resident with deep family ties to Church Hill and an educator with the nonprofit Blue Sky Fund. But what she felt and expressed last Saturday as she joined volunteers on Leigh Street in Downtown for the Armstrong-Walker Classic Legacy was her lasting connection to Maggie L. Walker High School — mascot Green Dragons — where she graduated in 1980. Ms. Singleton was just one of many alumni and area residents to participate in or attend the parade honoring the 40 years of competitive and community history between Maggie Walker and Armstrong high schools. “This is like a family reunion,” Ms. Singleton said. “I’ve seen some of my friends, the football players I grew up with, and it’s just awesome.” Ms. Singleton said her class was the last to graduate with Maggie L. Walker High School on their diplomas, a concession to seniors who wound up in the combined Marshall-Walker High School under a fall 1979 consolidation of the city high schools rather than close some because of low enrollment. That consolidation plan lasted only until 1986, but many of the traditions from Walker and Armstrong high schools were lost, including the annual Armstrong-Walker Classic, a parade and football game held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It ran from 1938 to 1978 and drew thousands of fans each year to City Stadium. While that last game in 1978 was a bittersweet affair, according to Ms. Singleton, Saturday’s new festivities were a warm and welcome sight in the cold morning air. The parade ran westward along Leigh Street, from 4th Street in Downtown to Lombardy Street, where it turned in front of the former Maggie Walker building, now a Governor’s School, and ended a few blocks later at Virginia Union University. Several hundred people turned out along the route as Armstrong and Walker school mascots, alumni, students, city officials and others joined the festive parade. “I’m really enjoying it,” said Ralph Dickerson, an Armstrong alumnus from the Class of 1964, who watched the parade from the steps outside the
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
A player with the RVA Justices, representing the Maggie L. Walker Green Dragons, carries the ball down the field during the 8U football game against the RVA Falcons, who were representing Armstrong High School. Players in the games at Willie Lanier Field at Hovey Stadium on the Virginia Union University campus wore jerseys bearing the traditional colors of the two high schools. All the jerseys had No. 38 on the front and No. 78 on the back for the year the Armstrong-Walker Classic started and the year it ended.
Walker building. “I’m a little disappointed that they don’t have representative marching bands,” he said, “but, so far, everything is great.” Yasmine Crawley had rushed from her job at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville to her Leigh Street home to take in the sights and sounds. Still dressed in red scrubs from work, the former Church Hill resident said she always supported Armstrong in the past and was happy to see the parade and game to return in some form. “I love it,” Ms. Crawley said. “This is great, and I hope it gets bigger.” The legacy event was organized in part thanks to the efforts of alumni and former staff from both Walker and Armstrong, according to Howard Hopkins, a former coach at Walker and former principal at Armstrong-Kennedy High School. Their contributions could be seen all the way to the parade’s destination at VUU’s Hovey Stadium, where visitors had food and
Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press
Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney and his girlfriend, Brandy Washington, wave to the crowd from their perches on the back of a classic Mustang during last Saturday’s parade.
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Glenn Anderson, student activities director at Armstrong High School, looks out on the crowd of tailgaters in the parking lot of Hovey Stadium at VUU from his vantage point in a golf cart.
Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press
Monica Davis Williams of Chesterfield carries her 8-month-old Shih Tzu-Yorkie mix, Seymoure, as she watches for her mother, Mary Carr Davis, a member of the Maggie Walker Class of 1967 and former cocaptain of the cheerleading squad, who was participating in the parade.
listened to live music as part of a tailgate party. The celebration also extended to the stadium’s Willie Lanier Field, where past Armstrong and Walker high school queens, football players and cheerleaders were celebrated before pee wee football games were held. And while the games were the final part of the day’s festivities, the true focus was the return of the community connection that had been fostered over decades by the Armstrong-Walker Classic, particularly among African-American residents. That focus was something alumni and spectators felt was necessary at this time for the city and its youths. “It just brings back such lovely memories of the camaraderie, the love and the unity that we had as a community,” said Ivy Hutchinson Pleasants, Armstrong High School homecoming queen for 1974-75. “I think it’s good for us to get together as a community and continue this legacy.” Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Dickerson’s recommendation for the event moving forward was short and succinct: “Community unity. That should be the motto.” That approach to the event could be seen everywhere, as visitors perused memorabilia from both schools that had been set up outside the stadium. Alumni from Walker and Armstrong reunited for the first time in years, with many people wearing the schools’ colors — green and white for Maggie Walker and orange and blue for Armstrong. Plans already are underway for next year’s event, according to Mr. Hopkins, with hopes to make it even better and the beginning of a new tradition for a new generation of Richmonders. “We hope to do this again,” Ms. Singleton said. “I hope to see it for many years to come.”
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Tailgaters enjoy a fire pit during the tailgate party on the VUU campus following the parade.
Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press
Maggie L. Walker High School alumni, wearing their green and white school colors, are escorted by the school mascot, the Green Dragon, while Monica Nicholson of Sandston shakes blue and orange pompomms, Armstrong High School’s colors, where her mother, Janie Preston of Chesterfield, was a cheerleader before graduating in 1960.
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Members of the RVA Justices and the RVA Falcons and their coaches line up and shake hands after the friendly 8U matchup. The Justices, who wore green jerseys to represent Maggie L. Walker High School, won the game 19-0.
Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press
Richmond Free Press
December 2-4, 2021 A7
Protect the People Who Make the Holiday So Special
The Virginia Department of Health operates nine community vaccination centers across the Commonwealth to help Virginians fight COVID-19. If you need a first, second, or additional primary dose, or you are eligible for a booster, make an appointment today to get your free COVID-19 vaccine! To find an appointment, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682). Assistance is available in more than 100 languages. Those with hearing impairments should dial 711.
Appointments
Walk-ins are welcome for everyone including children ages 5-11, but appointments are strongly recommended to avoid having to wait.
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The community vaccination centers are open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
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Arthur Ashe Junior Athletic Center 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd Richmond, VA 23230 Rockwood Shopping Center 10161 Hull Street Rd. Midlothian, VA 23112
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A8
December 2-4, 2021
The verdicts Justice is not blind. That fact was confirmed in the recent trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, the 18-year-old white boy who was acquitted Nov. 19 of murdering two protesters and injuring a third at a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, Wis., and the trial of three white men who chased down and fatally shot 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery, a black jogger in a Georgia subdivision. While the three Georgia men were rightfully convicted Nov. 24 of Mr. Arbery’s murder, we heard Judge Timothy Walmsley acknowledge that “there appeared to be intentional discrimination” when the defense attorneys struck eight Black people from the jury pool. But he let the trial proceed despite the fact that the 12-member jury had just one Black person. Glynn County, Ga., where the trial took place, is 25 percent Black. In the Rittenhouse trial, Judge Bruce Schroeder would not allow prosecutors to refer to the two men shot and killed by Mr. Rittenhouse as “victims,” while he allowed defense attorneys to refer to them as “rioters” and “looters.” Early on, Judge Schroeder also dismissed a misdemeanor weapons charge against Mr. Rittenhouse that resulted from a Wisconsin law making it illegal for a person under the age of 18 to possess a dangerous weapon. There was no dispute that Mr. Rittenhouse was 17 when he used an AR-15-style, semiautomatic rifle in August 2020 to kill the two men and wound a third, all of whom were white. His acquittal gives succor to vigilantes and others who believe it’s OK to take the law into their own hands and then claim self-defense when they shoot and kill someone. It also shows the power of money in the judicial system. Donors, including actor Ricky Schroder and My Pillow owner Mike Lindell, ponied up a total of more than $2 million for Mr. Rittenhouse’s bond and to pay for criminal defense attorneys his mother could not afford. The big legal defense fund also enabled his lawyers to hire a top jury consultant to help pick the jurors and to hold mock trials in which Mr. Rittenhouse could rehearse his testimony. A GoFundMe page now has been set up by the fiancée of one of the three men convicted in Mr. Arbery’s murder to help fund an appeal of what is likely to be a lengthy prison term for him. Both cases again raise the question of the fairness of a justice system in which police allowed Mr. Rittenhouse to walk away, rifle in hand, after shooting three people, and in which a judge allows a trial to continue when he admits the jury selection was biased. Those are just a few of the inequities. Justice is not blind.
Armstrong-Walker Classic Legacy We congratulate the organizers of the Armstrong-Walker Classic Legacy who brought a great deal of cheer to Richmond with last Saturday’s successful parade, tailgate and football games. The event spawned a wave of pride coupled with nostalgia for the strong foundations and friendships built at Maggie L. Walker and Armstrong high schools and the long-standing friendly rivalry between the two schools that drew thousands each year to the annual football matchup and parade at City Stadium from 1938 to 1978. We enjoyed seeing the former football players, cheerleaders and homecoming queens who continue to play vital and contributing roles in the lives of their families, their communities and the metro region’s workforce as they age gracefully. We were surprised, puzzled and disappointed by the absence of the honorary grand marshals of the event, former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, a 1947 graduate of Armstrong High School, and NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier, a 1963 graduate of Maggie L. Walker High School. Their presence would have added an inspiring element for the many young people who lined the parade route, marched with many of the parade units and/or participated in the youth football games. We thank the organizing committee for their vision and hard work to make the Armstrong-Walker Classic Legacy a reality, and the City of Richmond for participating, along with Virginia Union University, which hosted the tailgate and the football games on its campus. The day embodied the spirit of Sankofa, offering a time to both look back and look ahead. Surely, dampened by the long stretch of the pandemics of COVID-19, racial injustice and gun violence, the Richmond community sorely needed an uplifting event of celebration, happiness and unity. We also hope the spirit fostered by the legacy event will provide the impetus we need to collectively deal with the issues facing our community and our young people. The spirit of the past can have a profound influence on the steps we take in the present and in shaping our future. For the sake of the children and grandchildren in our community, we hope these steps are positive.
Ignore him Since he has been banned from Twitter, former President Trump has taken to email to send his endless tirades and rants. The latest: A screed about how none of the television network commentators will debate him about what he calls “the massive election fraud that took place in the 2020 Presidential Election.” The reason for the dearth of debaters, he says, is because “they know they can’t win.” “All I have to do is lay out the facts — they are irrefutable.” As typical, he continues to crow: “I’ve supposedly won all my political debates, but this would be the easiest of all! Swing state by swing state, they get decimated. This is the Hoax and the Scam and the Crime of the Century. Just remember, no takers!” Question: Why would anyone want to waste their time—or breath—on this twice-impeached former president who lost the 2020 presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden fair and square and then urged his misguided supporters to take criminal action to try to overturn the result in a violent and deadly insurrection/coup attempt on Jan. 6? And he continues to push his minions, such as former Richmonder and White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and his former senior advisor Stephen Miller, to obstruct a congressional investigation into the insurrection and refuse to cooperate in the hearings. Mr. Trump was the scam and hoax perpetrated on the American people. His election in 2016 was the crime of the century. We wish his email account would be shut down like his Twitter account. Any takers?
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As many pastors as we want
The Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rev. Al Sharpton were doing the right thing when attending the Ahmaud Arbery trial. They demonstrated the solidarity that the Black community has with each other when one of us appears to be lynched. Each of us, every Black person, is repulsed and dismayed when we learn that armed white men, using the pretense of “citizen’s arrest,” can kill any of us. What is a citizen’s arrest, anyway? Is it simply a license to kill? Kevin Gough, the attorney defending William “Roddie” Bryan, the man who both took the video of the massacre and participated in it, asked the judge each day to bar Rev. Jackson from the courtroom. How absurd! He said Rev. Jackson’s presence might influence the nearly all-white jury, and I suspect his objections might lay the groundwork for an appeal now that the devilish white men have been found guilty of murder. Mr. Gough’s racism and ignorance were a constant presence in this trial. He said he didn’t want more Black pastors in the
courtroom after Rev. Sharpton sat with the Arbery family. He asked the stupid question, “How many pastors does the Arbery family have?” He had the nerve, though out of the jury’s hearing, to ask if U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, also a pastor, would be next in the courtroom. What if he was? What Mr. Gough does not understand are the many ways
Julianne Malveaux that racism connects Black people. In the book “Lynching and Spectacle” Amy Louise Wood writes, “The news of lynching shook (the author Richard) Wright to his core. Despite, or even because of, its relative rarity, lynching held a singular psychological force, generating a level of fear and horror that overwhelmed all other forms of violence. Even one lynching reverberated, traveling with sinister force, down city streets, and through rural farms, across roads and rivers.” Any of us could be followed and shot on any given day. We have no shield. We can be unarmed and running. In bed and sleeping—ask Breonna Taylor—or simply walking down the street. And white folks see a threat because racism is baked
in the cake we call America. When we watch the video of the massacre of Ahmaud Arbery, we see ourselves, our sons, our daughters, our mothers. That connects us. That’s why more than a hundred pastors rallied with Rev. Sharpton outside the Brunswick courthouse in solidarity. I want Rev. Jackson, Rev. Sharpton, Rev. William Barber, Rev. Freddy Haynes and so many others to rally at every massacre because it’s personal. How dare this high-handed man, the attorney, question anybody’s religion, pastoral relationships, community connections or anything else? Mr. Gough will go down in the racist hall of fame, but he is not the only one. All these “stand your ground” laws are an absurd attempt to allow white people to shoot Black people with impunity. Southern state legislatures empower white people to embrace their racism with firearms, whether they are police officers or ordinary citizens. It is frightening to think that we live in a world where white fear, real or imagined, justifies a Black massacre. On the witness stand, one of the murderers admitted that Mr. Arbery did not say a word to him, did not do a darn thing but try to get away from him. He shot him anyway! So some
MBDA gets permanent status “President Biden has made clear his commitment to not just rebuilding to how things were before COVID-19, but to building back better and more equitably. The Minority Business Development Agency is ready to step into this historic moment and build on its success — because we recognize that America’s road to recovery runs through our minority business community. Making MBDA a statutory Agency provides MBDA with the authorities, workforce and resources needed to help level the playing field on behalf of minority businesses and minority entrepreneurs.”—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo After more than 50 years, the Minority Business Development Agency has been made permanent, its director has been elevated to U.S. undersecretary of commerce, and new tools and authority will allow the agency to address the long-standing economic inequities that face our nation’s 9 million business owners of color. These long-awaited historic provisions are part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by President Biden in November. The expansion and elevation of MBDA is of special interest to the National Urban League, not only because Black entrepreneurship and business ownership are at the heart of our mission.
Robert J. Brown, vice chair of the National Urban League Board of Trustees, created and developed the agency — then known as the Office of Minority Business Enterprise — while serving as special assistant to President Nixon in 1969. “We must also provide an expanded opportunity to participate in the free enterprise system at all levels — not only to share the economic benefits of the free enterprise system more broadly, but also to encour-
Marc H. Morial age pride, dignity and a sense of independence,” President Nixon said upon signing the Executive Order creating the agency. “In order to do this, we need to remove commercial obstacles which have too often stood in the way of minority group members — obstacles such as the unavailability of credit, insurance, and technical assistance.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, Black-owned businesses were shuttered at twice the rate of white-owned businesses and were largely excluded from relief that was distributed as part of Congress’ stimulus bills. Even before the pandemic, Black and Latino Americans owned fewer than 10 percent of small businesses with employees, despite making up 30 percent of the nation’s population. The landmark Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes the following provisions: • Expands the geographic reach of the MBDA by authorizing the creation of regional
MBDA offices, rural business centers and increasing the number and scope of existing programs. • Creates a presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed undersecretary of commerce for minority business development to lead the agency. • Increases the MBDA’s grant-making capacity to partner with community and national nonprofits engaged in private and public sector development as well as research. • Mandates the creation of the Parren J. Mitchel Entrepreneurship Education Grants Program to cultivate the next generation of minority entrepreneurs on the campuses of HBCUs and MSIs across the nation. • Creates a council to advise the undersecretary on supporting MBEs, and authorizes the undersecretary to coordinate federal MBE programs. “This legislation is transformative and signifies a new era in minority business development and progress toward addressing the long-standing racial disparities in access to capital, contracts and business ecosystems,” U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves said. The National Urban League and our network of 91 affiliates have counseled, mentored and trained more than 60,000 business owners over the last decade and a half. We look forward to expanding and enhancing our work with the partnership of the revitalized MBDA. The writer is president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League.
The Free Press welcomes letters The Richmond Free Press respects the opinions of its readers. We want to hear from you. We invite you to write the editor. All letters will be considered for publication. Concise, typewritten letters related to public matters are preferred. Also include your telephone number(s). Letters should be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, Richmond Free Press, P.O. Box 27709, 422 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23261, or faxed to: (804) 643-7519 or e-mail: letters@richmondfreepress.com.
random white person follows a Black man and attacks him because he is “scared.” He should have kept his scared self in his house and called the police. But no, he was a white man with privilege, power and a weapon. Why should he call law enforcement when he could enforce the law himself? So how many pastors does the Arbery family have? As many as they want. Black folks around the nation and the world prayed for a just result in this trial. We also prayed for a judicial ruling that the massacre of Black people is unacceptable. We are continuing to pray for an examination of this nonsense called “citizen’s arrest.” And we are praying for our leaders, our pastors, our brothers to keep the faith and keep representing. The writer is an economist, author and dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at Cal State University, Los Angeles.
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Richmond Free Press
December 2-4, 2021 A9
Letters to the Editor
Reflecting on Richmond’s rejection of a casino-resort To the Richmond residents south of the James, it is with deep regret that the vote for a casino came in “no,” and it was due to no fault of yours. I was so hoping that the casino would be approved because the positive benefits of a casino-resort outweighed the negative. It seems that the issue centered around the gambling aspects, which then I must ask the following question: What do people think the lottery is, a scratch ticket, Rosie’s Gaming Emporium and, more recently, sportsbook apps? Gambling is and has become a part of our culture.
I am sure that some of us were looking forward to finally staying home and attending local shows and taking advantage of the green space amenities that were to be a part of this venture. We truly lost out just because the north of the James residents could not see or did not want to have progress happen in someone else’s neighborhood. I refer to the Scott’s Addition residents and the other revitalization of “their” area. Let’s be honest. If monies didn’t line their pockets, then a “no” vote was inevitable. Now, we are being portrayed as “dead losers.” I refer to the
recent Caesars Sportsbook ad that ran immediately following the “no” vote offering Virginians their condolences and giving us the option of joining their gambling pool. They are not providing or offering us anything in return — no revenue, no nothing. To the Urban One family who accepted the will of the voters in Richmond, we thank you for trying and wish you well as you move forward. HILDA PERKINS Midlothian
Addressing climate change is critical I am a 16-year-old sophomore in the International Baccalaureate program at Henrico High School. Within the past few months, I have become more aware of the climate change crisis and the important global summit, COP26, held recently in Glasgow, Scotland, on the issue. The effects of climate change are serious and far-reaching, including health concerns, natural disasters and effects on minorities and marginalized people. These are reasons why climate change needs to be addressed immediately. One aspect of the problem that is very important to me personally is some of the related health conditions, such as asthma. Both my older brother and I have asthma. His asthma is more severe than mine. It is so severe that if he has an asthma attack, it could kill him. Therefore, when I learned about all of the things that pollution and climate change do to air quality, I became very concerned. Any drastic changes in air quality could be disastrous not only for my brother or me, but for anyone on the planet who has a respiratory condition. During the next half-century if we humans don’t change our ways, then just breathing will become an even worse challenge for people such as my brother, me and many, many other people. The World Health Organization estimates that already roughly 6 million to 7 million people die annually from air pollution. Natural disasters are another of the most impactful consequences of climate change worldwide. One of the many natural disasters caused by climate change is extreme wildfires, the devastation of which could easily be seen in California earlier this year. Every year, natural disasters get worse. Within the past few months alone, there have been a series of natural disasters linked to climate change. In mid-September, flash floods even disrupted Richmond.
We also have seen an increase in other disasters such as hurricanes, which also get more and more deadly every year because greenhouse gases speed up the impacts of climate change tremendously. If we don’t urgently reduce greenhouse gas emissions drastically, these disasters will only become increasingly devastating, and more and more innocent lives around the world will be lost. Another severe result of climate change are its effects on marginalized people. More specifically, minorities such as black people are more affected by climate change than their white counterparts. Black people and minorities who generally have fewer financial resources will have a much harder time dealing with the cost of disaster recovery from hurricanes and flash floods due to climate change. These groups are less likely to be able to afford the cost of fixing their homes or the cost of moving a family into a hotel or completely relocating, which sometimes is
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necessary. This fact makes it all the more important that people of color exercise their vote and elect officials who will take the necessary steps toward addressing climate change and incorporating environmental justice in disaster response and throughout state policy. It is crucial that climate change be addressed immediately. The health concerns, natural disasters and effects on marginalized people simply can’t be ignored. Climate change should have been addressed years before I was born, but it is not too late to correct the mistakes of previous generations. It is now up to the people we elect to not only serve us but also to ensure a healthy, thriving future of the world. It is my hope that Virginia’s new governor, Glenn Youngkin, keeps Virginia moving forward on this vital issue.
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NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AN APPLICATION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR REVISION OF RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE: RIDER US-2, SCOTT, WHITEHOUSE, AND WOODLAND SOLAR POWER STATIONS CASE NO. PUR-2021-00238 •Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion”) has applied for approval to revise its rate adjustment clause, Rider US-2, by which it recovers the costs of three solar power stations. •Dominion requests $11,339,380 for its 2022 Rider US-2. According to Dominion, this amount would increase the monthly bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by $0.05. •A Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing in this case on March 14, 2022, at 10 a.m., for the receipt of public witness testimony. $Q HYLGHQWLDU\ KHDULQJ ZLOO EH KHOG RQ 0DUFK DW D P HLWKHU LQ WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V VHFRQG ÀRRU FRXUWURRP ORFDWHG LQ WKH 7\OHU %XLOGLQJ (DVW 0DLQ 6WUHHW 5LFKmond, Virginia 23219, or by electronic means. Further details on this hearing will be provided by subsequent Commission Order or Hearing Examiner’s Ruling. •Further information about this case is available on the Commission website at: https://scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information. 2Q 2FWREHU 9LUJLQLD (OHFWULF DQG 3RZHU &RPSDQ\ ³'RPLQLRQ´ RU ³&RPSDQ\´ SXUVXDQW WR $ RI WKH &RGH RI 9LUJLQLD ¿OHG ZLWK WKH 6WDWH &RUSRUDWLRQ Commission (“Commission”) an annual update with respect to the Company’s rate adjustment clause, Rider US-2 (“Application”). Through its Application, the Company seeks to recover costs associated with (i) the Scott Solar Facility, a 17 megawatt (“MW”) (nominal alternating current (“AC”)) facility located in Powhatan County; (ii) the Whitehouse Solar Facility, a 20 MW facility located in Louisa County; and (iii) the Woodland Solar Facility, a 19 MW AC facility located in Isle of Wight County (collectively, “US-2 Solar Projects” or “Projects”). In Case No. PUE-2015-00104, the Commission approved construction of the US-2 Solar Projects. In conjunction therewith, the Commission also approved a rate adjustment clause, designated Rider US-2, which allowed Dominion to recover costs associated with the development of the Projects. The US-2 Solar Projects achieved commercial operations in 2016. In this proceeding, Dominion has asked the Commission to approve Rider US-2 for the rate year beginning September 1, 2022, and ending August 31, 2023 (“2022 Rate Year”). The two components of the proposed total revenue requirement for the 2022 Rate Year are the Projected Cost Recovery Factor and the Actual Cost True-Up Factor. The Company is requesting a Projected Cost Recovery Factor revenue requirement of $8,885,656 and an Actual Cost True Up Factor revenue requirement of $2,453,724. Thus, the Company is requesting a total revenue requirement of $11,339,380 for service rendered during the 2022 Rate Year. For purposes of calculating the revenue requirement in this case, Dominion utilized a rate of return on common equity (“ROE”) of 9.2%, which was approved by the Commission in Case No. PUR-2019-00050. The Company states that that the Commission will set a new ROE in the Company’s triennial review proceeding, Case No. PUR-2021-00058; the Commission-approved ROE will be applicable for use in the Projected Cost Recovery Factor component of the revenue requirement ultimately approved as part of this proceeding. If the proposed Rider US-2 for the 2022 Rate Year is approved, the impact on customer bills would depend on the customer’s rate schedule and usage. According to Dominion, implementation of its proposed Rider US-2 on September 1, 2022, would increase the monthly bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by approximately $0.05. The Company indicates it has generally calculated the proposed Rider US-2 rates in accordance with the same methodology as used for rates approved by the Commission in the most recent Rider US-2 proceeding, Case No. PUR-2020-00231. In the triennial review proceeding, the Company proposed updates to certain components of its lead-lag study, and used an updated revenue lag, the only component of the updated lead-lag study applicable to Rider US-2, in its cash working capital calculations. The Company acknowledges that the revenue lag determined in the triennial review proceeding will be applicable for use in the calculation of the revenue requirement ultimately approved as part of this proceeding. Interested persons are encouraged to review the Application and supporting documents for the details of these and other proposals.
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7$.( 127,&( WKDW WKH &RPPLVVLRQ PD\ DSSRUWLRQ UHYHQXHV DPRQJ FXVWRPHU FODVVHV DQG RU GHVLJQ UDWHV LQ D PDQQHU GL൵HULQJ IURP WKDW VKRZQ LQ WKH $SSOLFDWLRQ DQG VXSSRUWLQJ GRFXPHQWV DQG WKXV PD\ DGRSW UDWHV WKDW GL൵HU IURP WKRVH DSSHDULQJ LQ WKH &RPSDQ\¶V $SSOLFDWLRQ DQG VXSSRUWLQJ GRFXPHQWV The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing that, among other things, scheduled public hearings on Dominion’s Application. On March 14, 2022, at 10 a.m., the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing, with no witness present in the Commission’s courtroom, for the purpose of receiving the testimony of public witnesses. On or before 0DUFK DQ\ SHUVRQ GHVLULQJ WR R൵HU WHVWLPRQ\ DV D SXEOLF ZLWQHVV VKDOO SURYLGH WR WKH &RPPLVVLRQ D \RXU QDPH DQG E WKH WHOHSKRQH QXPEHU WKDW \RX ZLVK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ WR FDOO GXULQJ WKH KHDULQJ WR UHFHLYH \RXU WHVWLPRQ\ 7KLV LQIRUPDWLRQ PD\ EH SURYLGHG WR WKH &RPPLVVLRQ LQ WKUHH ZD\V L E\ ILOOLQJ RXW D IRUP RQ WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V website at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting; (ii) by completing and emailing the PDF version of this form to SCCInfo@scc.virginia.gov; or (iii) by calling (804) 371-9141. This public witness hearing will be webcast at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting. 2Q 0DUFK DW D P HLWKHU LQ WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V VHFRQG ÀRRU FRXUWURRP ORFDWHG LQ WKH 7\OHU %XLOGLQJ (DVW 0DLQ 6WUHHW 5LFKPRQG 9LUJLQLD RU E\ HOHFWURQLF PHDQV D KHDULQJ ZLOO EH FRQYHQHG WR UHFHLYH WHVWLPRQ\ DQG HYLGHQFH IURP WKH &RPSDQ\ DQ\ UHVSRQGHQWV DQG WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V 6WD൵ )XUWKHU GHWDLOV RQ WKLV KHDULQJ ZLOO EH provided by subsequent Commission Order or Hearing Examiner’s Ruling. The Commission has taken judicial notice of the ongoing public health issues related to the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19. In accordance therewith, all pleadings, briefs, or other documents required to be served in this matter should be submitted electronically to the extent authorized by 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s 5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH DQG 3URFHGXUH ³5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH´ &RQ¿GHQWLDO DQG ([WUDRUGLQDULO\ 6HQVLWLYH ,QIRUPDWLRQ VKDOO QRW EH VXEPLWWHG HOHFWURQLFDOO\ DQG VKRXOG FRPSO\ ZLWK 9$& 5-20-170, &RQILGHQWLDO LQIRUPDWLRQ RI WKH 5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH $Q\ SHUVRQ VHHNLQJ WR KDQG GHOLYHU DQG SK\VLFDOO\ ILOH RU VXEPLW DQ\ SOHDGLQJ RU RWKHU GRFXPHQW VKDOO FRQWDFW WKH &OHUN¶V 2IILFH 'RFXPHQW &RQWURO &HQWHU DW WR DUUDQJH WKH GHOLYHU\ Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-140, )LOLQJ DQG VHUYLFH RI WKH 5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH WKH &RPPLVVLRQ KDV GLUHFWHG WKDW VHUYLFH RQ SDUWLHV DQG WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V 6WD൵ LQ WKLV PDWWHU VKDOO EH DFFRPSOLVKHG E\ HOHFWURQLF PHDQV 3OHDVH UHIHU WR WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V 2UGHU IRU 1RWLFH DQG +HDULQJ IRU IXUWKHU LQVWUXFWLRQV FRQFHUQLQJ &RQ¿GHQWLDO RU ([WUDRUGLQDULO\ 6HQVLWLYH Information. An electronic copy of the Company’s Application may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company, Lisa R. Crabtree, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or LCrabtree@mcguirewoods.com. On or before March 10, 2022, any interested person may submit comments on the Application by following the instructions found on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/ casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments 7KRVH XQDEOH DV D SUDFWLFDO PDWWHU WR VXEPLW FRPPHQWV HOHFWURQLFDOO\ PD\ ¿OH VXFK FRPPHQWV E\ 8 6 PDLO WR WKH &OHUN RI WKH 6WDWH Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2021-00238.
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A10 December 2-4, 2021
Richmond Free Press
Stories by Fred Jeter
VUU wins inaugural Chris Paul HBCU Tip-Off The inaugural Chris Paul HBCU Tip-Off was a The high-hopping Peebles even caught the eye double success for Virginia Union University. of organizer Chris Paul, known as “CP3,” who Coach Jay Butler’s Panthers earned both a was being interviewed virtually from Cleveland championship trophy and national TV coverage in the second half. in the two-day event Nov. 22 and 23 at the After a particularly entertaining alley-oop Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. dunk by Peebles, Paul, who was watching the Relying on its trademark “circle zone” defense, game at the same time, stopped what he was as well as steady full-floor pressure, VUU defeated saying and went, “Whoooa!” Winston-Salem State University 59-55 in the Nov. After missing the 2020-21 basketball season 23 final after beating West Virginia State University because of the pandemic, Coach Butler ap75-49 in the semifinals on Nov. 22. pears to have built a CIAA contender with the Unable to work free for help of several stylish clean looks, the Winstontransfers. Salem State Rams – the Demarius Pitts (6VS. 2020 CIAA basketball foot-5, from Univerchampions—shot just 35 sity of Missouri-Kansas Home sweet home percent. Virtually every City), Keleaf Tate (6T h e V i r g i n i a U n i o n U n i ve r s i t y dribble, every pass and foot-3, from Niagara Panthers’ next home game will be every shot was contested University) and Devon Tuesday, Dec. 14, against CIAA by the tireless Panthers. Sims (6-foot-5, from opponent Livingstone College. VUU Playing before a live Concordia College) took then will play host to Winston-Salem ESPNU audience, VUU turns shining at the Chris State University on Thursday, Dec. 16, showcased arguably the Paul HBCU Tip-Off. at Barco-Stevens Hall. best set of forwards in ◆ all of NCAA Division II VUU transported that hoops—Jordan Peebles and Raemaad Wright, stout defense with it from Connecticut to its both 6-foot-7. Lombardy Street campus and Barco-Stevens Peebles, a graduate student from Emporia, Hall. had 16 points in the final after scoring 14 in the In its home opener last Saturday, the Panthers semifinal game. A junior from Suffolk, Wright defeated CIAA rival Fayetteville State University had 14 points and 12 rebounds against Winston- 62-48. VUU held the visiting Broncos to 31.5 Salem State after collecting 13 rebounds against percent shooting while forcing 16 turnovers. West Virginia State. Leading the Panthers with 13 points in just
Khoi Ton/Mohegan Sun
The Virginia Union University Panthers celebrate their victory over Winston-Salem State University on Nov. 23 in the final of the Chris Paul HBCU Tip-Off at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut.
13 minutes was 6-foot-5, 230-pound Richmond native Robert Osborne, a transfer from Hampton University. Wright added nine points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots. ◆ The Chris Paul HBCU Tip-Off isn’t by accident. Paul, an 11-time NBA All-Star who currently plays with the Phoenix Suns, grew up in Winston-Salem, N.C., and played collegiately
at Wake Forest University. He also has strong ties to HBCUs, including Winston-Salem State, where he enrolled in 2020 to pursue a communications degree. He left Wake Forest after two years for the NBA. Both of his parents, Charles and Robin Paul, are graduates of Winston-Salem State. Chris Paul’s brother, C.J. Paul, played basketball at Hampton University.
Bowie State heads VCU Rams have tough time in Battle 4 Atlantis to Georgia for next NCAA playoff game Next stop: Valdosta, Ga. The Bowie State Bulldogs “Express” is headed to Valdosta State University for the third round of the NCAA Division II football playoffs. Kickoff is 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. Bowie State Coach Damon Wilson’s CIAA champions defeated visiting Newberry College of South Carolina 13-10 last Saturday in a second round elimination bout. Bowie State, now 12-1, hasn’t lost a game since a Sept. 4 setback at Delaware State in the season opener. Valdosta State is coming off a 66-35 win over the University of West Georgia in its second round contest. The Valdosta State Blazers exploded for 719 yards total offense. This marks the best NCAA performance by a CIAA team since 2011, when Winston-Salem State advanced to the semifinals.
Mr. Culp
NFL Hall of Famer Curley Culp dies at 75 Curley Culp, among the greatest nose tackles in NFL history, died Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, at age 75. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year. Mr. Culp played 14 NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Houston Oilers and the Detroit Lions before retiring after the 1977 season. He was a four-time All-Pro, a six-time Pro Bowl pick and the 1975 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He helped the Kansas City Chiefs win the 1970 Super Bowl title and was selected to the NFL Hall of Fame in 2013. The extraordinarily strong and nimble 265-pound Mr. Culp collected 68.5 sacks in 179 career games and was a human roadblock against runs. His teammates and close friends on that 1970 Super Bowl team included Richmonder Willie Lanier. Mr. Culp was an All-American football player and wrestler at Arizona State University. In 1967, Mr. Culp won the NCAA heavyweight wrestling crown. He was also a two-time state wrestling champ for his Yuma, Ariz., high school.
A rising star freshman and a stifling defense are atop the reasons why Virginia Commonwealth University feels the wind as its back after three tense struggles in the Bahamas. The Bahamas event was called Battle 4 Atlantis, but might have been dubbed “VCU versus NCAA champs.” On Nov. 24 on Paradise Island, the Rams defeated Syracuse University 67-55. The Orange were the 2003 NCAA champs. Then the Rams lost on Nov. 25 to defending NCAA champion Baylor University 69-61. The Rams’ Nov. 26 finale was a gutwrenching 70-63 overtime loss to four-time national NCAA champ University of Connecticut (2014, 2011, 2004 and 1999). VCU Coach Mike Rhoades’ relentless defense was so impressive that some are jokingly changing the school letters from VCU to DCU, with the “D” for “defense.” The Rams defense never backed down from three of the sport’s marquee brand names. UConn shot 33.3 percent; Baylor, 40.4 percent; and Syracuse, 29 percent. In the three games, VCU forced 56 turnovers, including 22 against UConn. Drawing attention individually was 6-foot-4 VCU freshman guard Jayden
Nunn. Against UConn, Nunn led the Rams in scoring (21 points), rebounds (eight) and steals (four). Considering the level of competition, it ranks with the top games ever by a Rams freshman. For the season, Nunn Jayden Nunn Jalen DeLoach Nick Kern averages 9.3 points, second on the team to Vince Williams’11.3 points, The Rams are likely favorites in each of and leads with 15 steals. their next six games—five at home—prior Nunn is one of three freshman contribu- to the Atlantic 10 opener against George tors, joining 6-foot-9 Jalen DeLoach from Mason University on Dec. 30. Savannah, Ga., and 6-foot-6 Nick Kern ◆ from St. Louis. The Rams (3-4 overall) return to Originally from Flint, Mich., Nunn the Siegel Center on Saturday, Dec. 4, became a four-star recruit at a private to face Campbell University from Buies school in Glendale, Ariz. He first com- Creek, N.C. mitted to Iowa State University before The Camels made Duke University neropting for VCU. vous in Durham, N.C., before losing 67-55 on Nov. 13. Then Campbell was “umm-umm good” in defeating Marshall University 67VS. 65 on Nov. 18 in Huntington, W.Va. VCU and Campbell first met in 1970, The Camels are coming with the Rams winning 79-78 in what was The Campbell University Camels the second game ever played at the thenp l ay V i r g i n i a C o m m o n w e a l t h new Franklin Street Gymnasium. University at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. The Campbell standout that night was 4, at the Siegel Center. Game to be Willie Maull, who went on to become broadcast on MASN, or Mid-Atlantic a prominent CIAA and NCAA hoops Sports Network. referee.
Jackson State to take on Prairie View, with SWAC winner headed to Celebration Bowl The South Carolina State University Bulldogs have already punched their ticket to the Celebration Bowl. The Bulldogs’ opponent will be decided Saturday, Dec. 4, when Jackson State University meets Prairie View A&M University for the SWAC football championship in Jackson, Miss. The 3 p.m. game will be televised on Shedeur Sanders ESPN2. Jackson State Coach Deion Sanders’ 10-1 Tigers are led by the coach’s son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who has passed for 2,971 yards and 36 touchdowns.
His Prairie View counterpart will be quarterback Jawon Pass, who has lived up to his name by passing for 2,582 yards and 16 touchdowns. The Prairie View Panthers are 7-4. The Celebration Bowl, which pits the champs from the MEAC and SWAC against one another, will be Dec. 18 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. At least Jawon Pass unofficially, the winner is proclaimed the Black Colleges National Champion. The Celebration Bowl was not held last year because of the pandemic. This year’s bowl game will be televised on ABC.
VUU’s Jada Byers named CIAA Rookie of the Year; All-CIAA teams named Virginia Union and Virginia State universities were well represented on the All-CIAA football teams. First team selections went to VUU wide receiver Charles Hall and VSU defensive stalwarts Javon Frazier and Will Adams.
VUU freshman Jada Byers made the second team while also being named CIAA Rookie of the Year. Other Panthers making the second team were tight end Desmond Smith and offensive linemen Savion Hopes and Mark Lawton.
VSU’s second team picks were defensive lineman Adonte Braxton and linebacker Zion Johnson. Chowan University’s record-shattering quarterback Bryce Witt out of Dinwiddie High School was the CIAA Offensive Player of the Year.
Jada Byers
December 2-4, 2021 B1
Richmond Free Press
Section
Happenings
B
Personality: Dr. Denise Lowe Walters Spotlight on chair of the Board of Trustees of the Science Museum of Virginia Dr. Denise Lowe Walters strives to be a bridge builder and engine of progress in many of her endeavors. In October, she took on a whole new challenge, one that has the potential to broaden horizons for the Richmond community and thousands of Virginians. Dr. Walters, a pharmaceutical scientist, is the newest chair of the Science Museum of Virginia’s Board of Trustees, and she’s set to guide the organization out of a period of sudden changes and fast adaptation for the better. “I want to bring my engagement, energy and perspective as a multiracial, Afro-Indigenous female scientist to the direction of the Science Museum,” Dr.. Walters says. Dr. Walters’desire to expand relationships and possibilities is a key part of what led her to join the museum’s board in 2017. The choice came partly as a result of her membership with the Virginia branch of the American Chemical Society, where she has also served as chair. The new role has served to better connect the two organizations and allow them to work more closely toward their similar goals. Dr. Walters also was driven to join the museum board following a conversation with a member of former Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s administration about increasing the number of Native Americans on state boards. “As a leader and citizen of the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia, I felt that I should serve both the Commonwealth and represent my tribe,” Dr. Walters says. She noted that the museum has focused during the last 10 years on “its relationship with audiences that have historically had barriers to programming due to income, disability or language.” She talks about the museum’s Science Within Reach initiative with community partners to “better reach and meet the needs of those traditionally underserved by museums in our community.” Strategies for more inclusivity include the Museums for All program, with offers reduced admission to low-income families and Minds of All Kinds, which provides a free, sensoryfriendly evening developed for those with disabilities. Additionally, she says Black and Brown visitors to the museum “can see themselves in content in the permanent exhibits, travelling exhibitions and online content, as well as in Science Museum staff and volunteers.” She said the museum highlights contributions from diverse people in STEM fields, “both to acknowledge those contributions and to inspire the next generation to seek out STEM in their lives.” “These highlights don’t just take place during days or months of recognition. Rather, the Science Museum looks for ways to highlight Black and Brown contributions to STEM throughout the year, as part of their core content,” Dr. Walters says. She takes on her new role during a time of transition from the pandemic. The museum, she says, is building back its staff after having to reduce the workforce during the pandemic closure. “I am energized to see a heartfelt commitment to hire a diverse staff, one that reflects the community and will bring different but important perspectives to the Science Museum’s work in the future,” she says. The museum still is learning, she says, how to balance the in-person experience with the digital content it can offer. Dr. Walters’ goal for her two-year term as board chair is to increase the board’s engagement with the museum’s many activities, as well as
encouraging participation from and strengthening partnerships in the community, as well as continuing to advance diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion initiatives. “The Science Museum works to create science content that is relevant, relatable and accessible for more than 8.5 million Virginians from all walks of life,” Dr. Walters says. “That is no easy task and it requires the engagement of people in multiple disciplines with both expertise and passion.” Meet a scientist, community leader and this week’s Personality, Dr. Denise Lowe Walters: No. 1 volunteer position: Chair, Science Museum of Virginia Board of Trustees. Occupation: Pharmaceutical scientist. Date and place of birth: March 26 in New York. Where I live now: Henrico County. Education: Bachelor’s in chemistry; Ph.D. in pharmacy. Family: Husband, Joseph Walters, and children, Ben, Jennifer and Justin. Science Museum of Virginia’s mission: To inspire all Virginians to enrich their lives through science. When and why the Science Museum was founded: The Science Museum of Virginia was founded April 30, 1970, via Virginia Senate Bill 8, to educate the public on concepts and principals of science, to encourage the pursuit of sciencebased careers, to understand the history of science, to create a space for science collections and to foster appreciation and preservation of nature. History of Broad Street Station and the museum: Broad Street Station, designed by John Russell Pope, opened in January 1919. It served as a passenger rail station for the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad, the RF&P Railroad, until 1971 and then continued to service Amtrak passengers until the last train departed the station in November 1975. In March 1976, the building was sold to the state. In January 1977, then-Gov. Mills E. Godwin unveiled the Science Museum of Virginia’s first permanent exhibit gallery, the Discovery Room. STEM and the museum: The Science Museum provides opportunities for Virginians of all ages to engage in STEM through permanent exhibits and traveling exhibitions, special programming and events, field trips, out-of-school education, science camps, digital content and so much more. Addition-
ally, the Science Museum hosts/supports the Virginia STEM coordinator who works to coordinate STEM programs statewide. The museum’s biggest challenge: The Science Museum is the marketing agency for science, and unfortunately science has come under attack more and more lately. To market its “client,” the Science Museum works to create science content that is relevant, relatable and accessible for more than 8.5 million Virginians from all walks of life. That is no easy task and it is requires the engagement of people in multiple disciplines with both expertise and passion. Best reason to visit the museum: It’s a fun-filled place where people of all ages can experience science. Most unique feature at the Museum: In my opinion, it’s the SR-71 Blackbird Jet, suspended overhead in the “Speed” exhibit. How Black and Brown visitors can see themselves and be inspired at the Museum: On a daily basis, Black and Brown guests can see themselves in content in the permanent exhibits. What the Museum is learning from the pandemic: The Science Museum learned so much during the pandemic. From my perspective, one of the greatest learnings that is still taking place is how to balance the in-person experience with the digital content the Science Museum can offer. The Science Museum has been rethinking how it can expand its reach and touch more lives through digital content, while delivering that authentic, in-person experience that so many generations have come to love. Upcoming events at the Museum: The Science Museum hosts daily Live Science Demonstrations, activities in The Forge and Dome shows, as well as special events throughout the year. Hours and cost to visit the
museum: The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (with some select closures in November and December). Admission is $15.50 for adults (ages 13 to 59), $13.50 for youth (ages 6 to 12) and seniors (age 60 and old), $10 for preschool (ages 3to 5) and free for children ages 2 and under. The museum offers reduced admission ($2 adult, $1 youth and senior) under the Museums for All program. Active duty military, retired military and veterans, as well as teachers with I.D. receive free regular exhibit admission. Admission to Dome shows can be added to a visit for $5 per person ($1 under the Museums for All program). The Science Museum also offers various membership levels at varying price points, including a Museums for All membership for $20 for the year. All memberships include a year of free regular exhibit admission, among other benefits.
A perfect day for me: One where I meet a new person and get to hear their story. What I am learning about myself during the pandemic: Being my whole authentic self is more powerful than I ever imagined. Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: I love creating story quilts that focus on chemistry and/or my Native American ancestry and culture. Quote that I am inspired by: “In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.” — From the Great Law of the Haudenosaunee My friends describe me as: Energetic. At the top of my “to-do” list: Devote more time to planning and engaging others in the journey. Best late-night snack: Popcorn. Best thing my parents ever taught me: The importance of quality work and the impact of encouragement and support.
Person who influenced me the most: Chief Lynette Allston, chief of the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia. Her leadership both in Virginia and South Carolina and her drive to make a difference in the community and for her people has been a huge inspiration. She is a leader, friend and mentor who encouraged me to be a leader on community boards. Book that influenced me the most: “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants,” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. How much scientific knowledge have we lost globally by discounting indigenous communities throughout the world and how much can we save if we will stop to acknowledge, listen and learn? What I’m reading now: “My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies” by Resmaa Menakem. Next goal: Within the next five years, I’d like to develop a business plan with a focus on the intersectionality between culture, science and art.
Merrill welcomes Tad Walkley, our newest financial advisor. Turning your ambitions into action begins with a conversation. Tad can give you straightforward advice and guidance, and will work with you to create a personalized approach to pursuing your goals. Tad Walkley Financial Advisor 804.298.4323 theodore.walkley@ml.com
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Richmond Free Press
B2 December 2-4, 2021
Happenings
Richmond comes alive with holiday events Compiled by Ronald E. Carrington
Richmond will turn on the holiday lights this week and welcome Santa to Downtown to officially launch the celebration of the season. A variety of in-person events will resume in the city, following more than 19 months of pandemic lockdown, offering family fun and joyful memories to people of all ages. Many of the events can be found on the website of Venture Richmond, the Downtown booster organization, at https://venturerichmond.com/ news/downtown-rva-2021-holiday-calendar/. Here are several events: RVA Illuminates/Shockoe Illuminates Friday, Dec. 3, beginning around 5:45 p.m., the city Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will host this year’s RVA Illuminates at Kanawha Plaza, 801 E. Canal St. RVA Illuminates features performances from the Richmond Police Department Band and DJ Lonnie B. Mayor Levar M. Stoney will flip the switch at 6 p.m., lighting up the Downtown skyline. The event is free and a kickoff to the holiday. From 5:30 to 8 p.m., Shockoe Illuminates takes place at the 17th Street Market, 100 N. 17th St. Patrons can begin holiday shopping, enjoy holiday carolers and watch the skyline lighting at 6 p.m. The city Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities also will have roller skating at the market from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3; 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4; and 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5. Rental skates are $10, or people can bring their own. Details: https://www.facebook.com/ hashtag/17thstreetmarket or www.rva.gov/ parks-recreation or (804) 646-5733. Christmas Under the Clock Tower Friday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m. at Main Street Station, 1500 E. Main St., local nonprofit organizations will show off their creativity by designing Christmas trees. People can vote in person or online for their favorite holiday tree from Dec. 3 through 19. Free event. Details: https://www.facebook.com/ events/206490788290894 RVA First Friday Friday, Dec. 3, 5 to 11 p.m., the Downtown Arts District along Broad Street will come alive with people and galleries, shops and restaurants open for exploration and business. Free event. Details: https://www.facebook.com/ events/223796113036927 Virginia Repertory Theatre Friday, Dec. 3, through Sunday, Jan. 2 – Virginia Repertory Theatre presents “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” at the November Theatre, 114 W. Broad St. in Downtown. The show is adapted by Joe Landry from the story “The Greatest Gift” by Philip Van Doren Stern. Kurt Benjamin Smith and Anna da Costa are the radio actors who play George and Mary in the classic holiday story about George Bailey and the town of Bedford Falls. Tickets range from $36 to $56, with discounted group rates. Patrons must show proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test by a professional technician within 48 hours of the performance day and time. Details: www.virginiarep.org or (804) 2822620. 38th Annual Dominion Energy Christmas Parade Saturday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to noon — The 38th Annual Richmond Christmas Parade is back in person with the theme, “Bringing Back the Fun in 2021!” The parade steps off at 10:15 a.m. from the Science Museum of Virginia at 2500 W. Broad St. and travels east along Broad Street, ending at 7th Street in Downtown. About 85 units are expected, including marching bands, dance troupes, colorful floats and giant helium balloon characters. Snoopy will be the grand marshal, with James Madison University championship softball pitcher Odicci “Ci Ci” Alexander and JMU Coach Loren LaPorte serving as honorary grand marshals. Ms. Alexander, who grew up in Mecklenburg County and starred at Park View High School in South Hill, led the team to the Women’s College World Series in 2021 and was named Softball America’s 2021 NCAA Pitcher of the Year. The free event will be broadcast live on WTVR CBS 6 and streamed on WTVR.com beginning at 10 a.m.
BARKY’S
Details: www.richmondparade.org. Soul Santa Saturday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. — The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia’s Soul Santa will visit virtually again this year. NBC12’s Jasmine Turner will interview Soul Santa on the Soul Santa Network. Santa also will be joined by special friends for fun activities. Youngsters can make Christmas treats and enjoy story time on Dec. 4 or make Christmas crafts and have story time on Dec. 11. Supply lists and instructions are available. Registration is open, with those who sign up tuning in to see Santa. Each child registering receives a Christmas card in the mail from Santa. Details and registration: Mary Lauderdale at mclauderdale@blackhistorymuseum.org or call (804) 780-9093. Richmond Night Market’s 4 Holiday Villages Saturday, Dec. 4; Saturday, Dec. 11; Saturday, Dec. 18; and Sunday, Dec. 19, 1 to 6 p.m. – The Richmond Night Market, in partnership with the City of Richmond, is hosting four Holiday Villages in various areas of Richmond, featuring multicultural holiday market shopping experiences. People can buy clothing, jewelry, art and other wares from local artisans at the events that also will feature food and music. Locations for the Holiday Villages: • Dec. 4, Brookland Park Boulevard and North Avenue in North Side. • Dec. 11, Forest Hill Park in South Side. • Dec. 18 and 19, 17th Street Market in Shockoe Bottom. Details: www.richmondnightmarketva.com. Maymont Saturdays and Sundays, beginning Dec. 4 through Jan. 2 — Maymont Mansion Holiday Audio Tours Explore the festively decorated Gilded Age home of James and Sallie Dooley and their preparations for the holiday season in this selfguided audio tour. Tickets are free for Maymont members. Nonmembers, $8 for ages 13 to 64; $6 for ages 3 to 12 and seniors age 65 and older; children ages 2 and under are free. Tickets, tour dates and times: www.eventbrite. com/e/maymont-mansion-audio-tours-tickets207952069237 Details: maymont.org or (804) 358-7166. A Baroque Holiday Saturday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.—The Richmond Symphony presents “A Baroque Holiday,” featuring the Richmond Symphony Chorus and soloists in highlights from Handel’s “Messiah” and other holiday classics. Performance at the Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace St. Details and tickets: www.dominionenergycenter.com/events/detail/a-baroque-holiday-1 “O Christmas Tree” Saturday, Dec. 4, 1 to 4 p.m.—The Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia, with the Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation, will kick off the holiday season with “O Christmas Tree” at Magnolia Grange House Museum, 10020 Iron Bridge Road. At the free event, Santa’s elves will greet visitors as the Harken Back String Band performs holiday music. Visitors will learn about commonly used ornaments, gifts and holiday songs popular during the 1920s. Children can create a Christmas craft and take a photo with Santa. Refreshments will be available. Masks are encouraged and social distancing guidelines will be in place. Details: chesterfieldhistory.com or (804) 796-7121. Movies on Brown’s Island Saturday, Dec. 11, 5:30 p.m. – The family movie “Elf” with Will Ferrell will be shown on Brown’s Island, 500 Tredegar St. The ticketed event is sponsored by Venture Richmond Events and Dominion Energy. Bring a chair and/or blanket for seating on a first-come, first-served basis. People also can bring picnic dinners, but food vendors will be on site. No pets are allowed. Gates open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $5; free for children ages 5 and under, and can be purchased at the gate or online in advance. Details: https://venturerichmond.com/ourevents/movies-on-browns-island/ Richmond Boat Parade of Lights Saturday, Dec. 11, 5:30 p.m. – Boaters decorate their boats each holiday and parade on the James River in a holiday display of lights from Downtown.
WWW.WALLERJEWELRY.COM
The best views are from Libby Hill Park in Church Hill and at Rocketts Landing. Free. Details: https://www.facebook.com/ events/174697928104850 Richmond Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” Saturday, Dec. 11 through Dec. 23 — Richmond Ballet performs Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” a ballet that is synonymous with Christmas. This is the last year for this version because there will be updated Nutcracker costumes and sets in 2022. Tickets are $25 to $125. Performances at the Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace St. in Downtown. Show times vary according to the day. Details and tickets: https://richmondballet. com/event/the-nutcracker/2021-12-11/? Winter Wander: Celebrate Court End Sunday, Dec. 12, noon to 4 p.m.—The Valentine, 1015 E. Clay St. Join The Valentine for some winter cheer on their picturesque block of East Clay Street, featuring family crafts, games, live music and hot beverages. The event also features self-guided tours of the historic Court End neighborhood, with shuttles to visit open houses and activities at nearby cultural sites.
Richmond Holiday Light Show Now through Dec. 30, 5 to 9 p.m. -- Richmond Raceway is hosting a drive-thru Holiday Light Show, a mile-long holiday-themed display that’s synchronized to holiday music played through your vehicle’s radio. See dozens of displays featuring hundreds of thousands of colored lights and spectacular displays using the latest LED technology and digital animations. The experience lasts 20 to 25 minutes. The display is best viewed when it is dark. Some nights, the show is open until 11 p.m. Enter through Richmond Raceway’s Gate 7, 4690 Carolina Ave. Tickets are $23 to $35 per vehicle and may be purchased at holidaylightshow.com/richmondticketcard. No buses, limos, trailers or trolleys are allowed. Details: richmondraceway.com or (866) 455-RACE. GardenFest of Lights Now through Saturday, Jan. 9, 4 to 10 p.m. — Millions of lights line garden paths and twinkle in trees at Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave. in Henrico. Enjoy the lights and holiday decorations as you walk through the garden, a fun, family experience. Model trains also are on display. Tickets are available only in advance and online for specific arrival times, and range in price from $18 to $5 depending on age and membership at Lewis Ginter. Children under age 3 are free. Details: www.lewisginter.org or (804) 2629887.
Due to Covid 19, the PROC Foundation has been unable to produce its annual Beautillion which has really been missed by our supporters. So, this year we raised funds to award one scholarship to a senior from the Richmond Metropolitan area.
2021 BEAUTILLION SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
Chayse Ethan Tucker
Chayse Ethan Tucker is a 2021 graduate of CodeRVA Regional High School graduating with a 3.55 Cumulative GPA. He is the son of Mrs. Angela D. Tucker and Mr. Donavon A. Tucker. In high school Chayse was the editor in chief of the year book club, member of the student council association, and a student ambassador. Chayse graduated from CodeRVA Regional High School as a National Honor Society and Computer Science Honor society member. Chayse remained on J. Sargeant Reynolds’s Community College’s Deans List during the pandemic and graduated with an Associate’s degree in computer science. In the community Chayse is a member of Boy Scouts of America, member of the Richmond Racers Swim Team as well as being a lifeguard. He is a member of the 4th Wall Leadership Program, and an usher for the Virginia Repertory. Chayse is attending James Madison University studying computer science. In his essay Chayse sites Dr. Seuss, “the more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Chayse says academics have always been very important in his household, and with his family’s support he has been able to excel academically. Nicole Hunt
Awards Committee Chair PROC Foundation, Inc.
Richmond Free Press
Brenda J. Foster
Beautillion Co-Chair PROC Foundation, Inc.
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Happenings Petersburg Symphony Orchestra to present holiday concert Dec. 5 The Petersburg Symphony Orchestra is presenting “Festive Holiday Favorites,” a holiday concert featuring Handel’s “The Messiah Overture” and other favorites, at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at the Petersburg Public Library Auditorium, 201 Washington St. in Petersburg. Two conductors will be featured during the program, Emmanuel Barks, a public Mr. Barks school educator and co-assistant conductor of Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, and violinist Naima Burrs, an instrumental music professor at Virginia State University. Ms. Burrs is the daughter of Lisa Edwards Burrs, a well-known Richmond area vocalist who is on the faculty at Longwood University and formerly taught vocal music at Virginia State University, and Stacy L. Burrs, former chief executive officer of the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia. Ms. Burrs will be an assistant conductor and artist in residence with the orchestra this season.
The PSO has been “working hard to regain our rhythm” following the death in August of its longtime music director and conductor Ulysses Kirksey, said Brian C. Little Sr., executive director of the symphony. “The Petersburg Symphony continues to survive even in these transitional times,” said Dr. Kenneth Lewis, PSO board president. “It is the music and the community that Ms. Burrs keeps us going.” Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the performance will be both virtual and in-person and will last a little more than an hour with no intermission. Tickets are $10 for both in-person and virtual attendance and are available on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ petersburg-symphony-orchestra-festive-holiday-music-tickets213073728257?aff=erelexpmlt Details: https://www.facebook.com/PetersburgSymphonyOrchestra/
3rd Annual Charity Art Gala to benefit Black History Museum Liberated Flow is hosting its 3rd Annual Charity Art Gala 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, to benefit the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia. The gala will be held at the museum, 122 W. Leigh St. in Jackson Ward, and will feature art, music and hors d’oeuvres. The 21 and older, semi-formal event is hosted by comedian and entertainer Micah “Bam-Bamm” White and benefits a different nonprofit each year. Music will be provided by DJ Nobe. During the auction, guests will be treated to a live poetry performance by Roscoe Burnems, Richmond’s poet laureate. Tickets are $50. All attendees must show proof of full vaccination and a photo I.D. at the door. Masks also are required. Tickets and details: liberatedflow.eventbrite.com
Egypt unveils renovated ‘Avenue of the Sphinxes’ in Luxor Free Press wire report
LUXOR, Egypt Egyptian authorities unveiled Nov. 25 a renovated ancient promenade in the city of Luxor dating back 3,000 years, the latest government project undertaken to highlight the country’s archaeological treasures. Egypt has struggled to revive its tourism industry, battered by years of political turmoil following the 2011 popular uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and more lately, the coronavirus pandemic. The ancient walkway—known as the Avenue of the Sphinxes, but also dubbed the Way of the Rams and the Path of the Gods— connects the famous Karnak and Luxor temples in what was the
city of Thebes, which used to be Egypt’s capital in antiquity. It is believed to have been the path that pilgrims trod to visit the temples and pay tribute to their deities. Lined with statues of rams and sphinxes on pedestals, the ancient road in Luxor, which sits on the banks of the Nile River and is located about 400 miles south of Cairo, stretches for several miles and had been under excavation for more than 50 years. Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi attended the made-forTV event, a late evening ceremony complete with the re-enacting of an ancient holiday, along with other senior officials. Mohamed Abd el-Badei, a top Egyptian archeology officials, said the oldest ruins along the pathway are six structures built
by Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s only woman pharaoh, that date to 1400 B.C. He said that according to hieroglyphics on the walls of one of the temples, the holiday was known as “Opet” and was marked by parades and dancers in celebration of the bounty that the Nile’s annual flooding brought to the fields. There also was a flotilla of sacred boats that made their way to the temple, according to the transcriptions. Last week’s event was the second glitzy ceremony this year to honor Egypt’s heritage. In April, the government hosted a procession to mark the transfer of some of the famous mummies from the Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo to the newly built museum south of the Egyptian capital.
French honor for Josephine Baker stirs conflict over racism Free Press wire report
PARIS On the surface, it’s a powerful message against racism: A Black woman will, for the first time, join other luminaries interred in France’s Pantheon. But by choosing a U.S.-born figure— entertainer Josephine Baker—critics say France is continuing a long tradition of decrying racism abroad while obscuring it at home. While Ms. Baker is widely appreciated in France, the decision has highlighted the divide between the country’s official doctrine of colorblind universalism and some increasingly vocal opponents, who argue that it has masked generations of systemic racism. Ms. Baker’s entry into the Pantheon on Tuesday is the result of years of efforts from politicians, organizations and public figures. Most recently, a petition by Laurent Kupferman, an essayist on the French Republic, gained traction, and in July, French President Emmanuel Macron announced Ms. Baker would be “pantheonized.” “The times are probably more conducive to having Josephine Baker’s fights resonate—the fight against racism, anti-Semitism, her part in the French Resistance,” Mr. Kupferman told The Associated Press. “The Pantheon is where you enter not because you’re famous but because of what you bring to the civic mind of the nation.” Her nomination has been lauded as uncontroversial and seen as a way to reconcile French society after the difficulties of the pandemic and last year’s protests against French police violence, as George Floyd’s killing at the hands of Minneapolis echoed incidents in France involving Black men who died in police custody. Ms. Baker represented France’s “universalist” approach, which sees its people
Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters/Pool
Soldiers carry the cenotaph containing soil from various places where famed Black French-American singer and dancer Josephine Baker lived, covered with a French flag, during her Nov. 30 induction ceremony into the Pantheon, where key figures from France’s history are honored in Paris.
as simply citizens and does not count or identify them by race or ethnicity. The first article of the constitution says the French Republic and its values are considered universal, ensuring that all citizens have the same rights, regardless of their origin, race or religion. In 1938, Ms. Baker joined what is today called LICRA, a prominent antiracist league and longtime advocate for her entry in the Pantheon. “She loved universalism passionately and this France that does not care about skin color,” LICRA President Mario Stasi told The Associated Press. “When she arrived from the United States, she understood she came from a ‘communautaurist’ country where she was reminded of her origin and ethnicity, and in France, she felt total acceptance.”
Universalists pejoratively call opposing anti-racism activists “communautarists,” implying that they put community identity before universal French citizenry. Radical anti-racist groups, meanwhile, say that France first needs a reckoning with systemic racism—a term that is contested here— and the specific oppression experienced by different communities of color. The term “communautarist” also is used to describe American society, which counts race in official censuses, academic studies and public discourse, which is taboo in France and seen as reducing people to a skin color. For Rokhaya Diallo, a French commentator on issues related to race, “universalism is a utopia and myth that the republic tells about itself that does not correspond to any past or present
reality,” she told The AP. “For Black and non-white people, the Republic has always been a space of inequality, of othering through the processes triggered by colonization.” Lawyers, activists and academics have chronicled discrimination in police violence, in housing and in employment in France, notably against people with African or Arab origins. Universalists say this isn’t a structural part of French society, however, identifying racism as a moral matter and not inscribed within the state. Kevi Donat, a Black French guide who gives tours of Black Paris, said Ms. Baker is the “most controversial” figure he highlights in his tours, in part because she initially earned fame in France for dancing in a banana belt that “played into stereotypes around Black and African people.” “Sometimes Josephine Baker is used to say, ‘In the U.S. there was racism, (but) all these Black Americans were welcomed in France,’ meaning we’re ahead, that we don’t have that problem here,” Mr. Donat said. Ms. Baker was among several prominent Black Americans, especially artists and writers including the famed writer and intellectual James Baldwin, who found refuge from American racism in France after the two World Wars. In addition to her stage fame, Ms. Baker also spied for the French Resistance, marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Washington, and raised what she called her “rainbow tribe” of children adopted from around the world. But Francoise Verges, a political scientist on questions of culture, race and colonization, said “symbolic gestures” like putting Ms. Baker in the Pantheon aren’t enough to extinguish racial discrimination in France.
“In 2021, even if it’s morally condemned, racism still exists and still has power over people’s lives,” she said. For Mr. Stasi, the LICRA president, Ms. Baker’s “fight is universalist, so nationality in some way is irrelevant. ... She perfectly inscribes herself in the (French) fight for ‘Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.’ ” “Of course there was racism in France, but it wasn’t institutionalized like it was in America during segregation,” Mr. Kupferman said. For Ms. Verges, this obscures France’s own history of racism and colonialism, which includes a brutal war with Algeria, a former French colony, when it fought for independence from 1954 to 1962. “It’s always easier to celebrate people who aren’t from your country,” she said. “It avoids questioning your own situation at home.” Ms. Verges explained that moving abroad for anyone may offer some protection from racism, simply because you are seen by locals as different anyway, more American or French or Nigerian than Black. “A country’s racism is in relationship with its own history,” Ms. Verges said. “You also have French Black people in the U.S. who find it less racist than France, because being French protects them from being treated like Black Americans.” Mr. Baldwin, the American writer, noted the same thought in a 1983 interview with the French news magazine Le Nouvel Observateur. “In France, I am a Black American, posing no conceivable threat to French identity. In effect, I do not exist in France. I might have a very different tale to tell were I from Senegal—and a very bitter song to sing were I from Algeria,” he said.
Fashion designer Virgil Abloh dies of cancer at 41 Free Press wire report
NEW YORK Virgil Abloh, a leading designer whose groundbreaking fusions of streetwear and high couture made him one of the most celebrated tastemakers in fashion and beyond, has died of cancer. He was 41. Mr. Abloh’s death on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, was announced by the luxury group LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) and Mr. Abloh’s own Off-White label, which he founded in 2013. Mr. Abloh was the artistic director for Louis Vuitton’s menswear, but his ubiquitous, consumer-friendly presence in culture was wideranging and dynamic. Some compared him to Jeff Koons. Others hailed him as his generation’s Karl Lagerfeld. “We are all shocked after this terrible news. Virgil was not only a genius designer, a visionary, he was also a
man with a beautiwhose seamstress ful soul and great mother taught him to wisdom,” Bernard sew, Mr. Abloh had Arnault, chairman no formal fashion and chief executive training but had a of LVMH, said in a degree in engineerstatement. ing and a master’s A statement from in architecture. Mr. Abloh’s famHe grew up in Mr. Abloh ily on the designer’s Rockford, Ill., outInstagram account said he was side of Chicago, and was often diagnosed two years ago with referred to as a Renaissance cardiac angiosarcoma, a rare man in the fashion world. He form of cancer in which a tumor moonlighted as a DJ. But in a occurs in the heart. short time, he emerged as one of “He chose to endure his fashion’s most heralded designbattle privately since his di- ers. Mr. Abloh called himself agnosis in 2019, undergoing “a maker.” He was named one numerous challenging treat- of Time magazine’s most influments, all while helming several ential people in 2018. significant institutions that span In 2009, Mr.Abloh met Kanye fashion, art, and culture,” the West — now called Ye — while statement read. he was working at a screenIn 2018, Mr. Abloh became printing store. After he and Ye the first Black artistic direc- interned together at the LVMH tor of men’s wear at Louis brand Fendi, Mr. Abloh was Ye’s Vuitton in the French design creative director. Mr. Abloh was house’s storied history. A first art director for the 2011 Ye-Jay-Z generation Ghanaian American album “Watch the Throne,” for
which Mr. Abloh was nominated for a Grammy. Mr. Abloh’s work with Mr. West served as a blueprint for future border-crossing collaborations that married high and low. With Nike, he partnered his Off-White label for a line of frenzy-inducing sneakers remixed with a variety of styles and Helvetica fonts. Mr. Abloh also designed furniture for IKEA, refillable bottles for Evian and Big Mac cartons for McDonald’s. His work was exhibited at the Louvre, the Gagosian and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Mr. Abloh’s death stunned the entertainment world. Actor Riz Ahmed said on Twitter that Mr. Abloh “stretched culture and changed the game.” Fashion designer Jeff Staple wrote, “You taught us all how to dream.” Pharrell Williams called Mr. Abloh “a kind, generous, thoughtful creative genius.” Mr. Abloh took what he
called a “3 percent approach” to fashion — that a new design could be created by changing an original by 3 percent. Critics said Mr. Abloh was more brilliant at repackaging than creating something new. But his style was also self-aware — quotation marks were a trademark label for him — and high-minded. “Streetwear in my mind is linked to Duchamp,” Mr. Abloh told the New Yorker in 2019. “It’s this idea of the readymade. I’m talking Lower East Side, New York. It’s like hip-hop. It’s sampling. I take James Brown, I chop it up, I make a new song.” Stars lined up to be dressed by Mr. Abloh. Beyoncé, Michael B. Jordan, Kim Kardashian West, Timothée Chalamet and Serena Williams have worn his clothes. Mr. Abloh’s Off-White label, which LVMH acquired a majority stake in earlier this year,
made him an arbiter of cool. But his appointment at Louis Vuitton brought Mr. Abloh to the apex of an industry he was once a scrappy outsider in — and made him one of the most powerful Black executives in a historically closed fashion world. As Mr. Abloh prepared for his debut menswear show in 2018, he told GQ magazine, “I now have a platform to change the industry.” “We’re designers, so we can start a trend, we can highlight issues, we can make a lot of people focus on something or we can cause a lot of people to focus on ourselves,” Mr. Abloh said. “I’m not interested in (the latter). I’m interested in using my platform as one of a very small group of African-American males to design a house, to sort of show people in a poetic way.” Mr. Abloh is survived by his wife, Shannon Abloh, and his children, Lowe and Grey.
Richmond Free Press
B4 December 2-4, 2021
Obituaries/Faith Directory
Former U.S. Rep. Carrie Meek of Florida being remembered Free Press wire report
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Former Congresswoman Carrie Meek, who died Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, is being remembered as a trailblazer, a descendant of a slave who became one of the first Black Floridians elected to Congress since Reconstruction. But the late Congressman John Lewis had another way of describing her. “We see showboats and we see tugboats. She’s a tugboat. I never want to be on the side of issues against her,” the late Congressman Lewis said of Rep. Meek in a 1999 news article. Politicians and public figures on Monday recalled Rep. Meek’s pioneering career, with many noting her devotion to working class families in her Miami district as well as her powerful oratory, in an outpouring of support after her death at age 95 after a long illness. “Throughout her decades of public service, she was a
champion for opportunity and progress, including following her retirement, as she worked to ensure that every Floridian had a roof over his or her head and access to a quality education,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “On the Appropriations Committee where we both served, she was a force, bringing to bear the special power of her soft accent Rep. Carrie Meek and strong will for her community and country. Indeed, she was formidable in meeting the needs of her community, including by advocating for Haitian immigrants and refugees and creating economic opportunities for working families in her district,” Speaker Pelosi continued. Congresswoman Meek was 66 when she won the 1992 Democratic congressional primary in her Miami-Dade County district, later winning the seat in an unopposed general elec-
Trailblazing golfer Lee Elder, first Black player in Masters Tournament, dies at 87 Free Press wire report
Golfer Lee Elder played through the scourge of racism. He broke down enormous barriers. He carved a path for Tiger Woods and others to follow. Finally, in the waning months of his life, he took his rightful place at Augusta National alongside the greats. Mr. Elder, who fought through numerous obstacles to become the first Black golfer to play in the Masters Tournament, died early Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, at the age of 87, in Escondido, Calif., the PGA Tour announced Monday. “The game of golf lost a hero,” 18-time major champion Lee Jack Nicklaus said. His death was first reported by Debert Cook of African American Golfer’s Digest. No cause was given, but Mr. Elder had been in poor health and wore an oxygen tube when he attended the Masters in April. At this year’s Masters, Mr. Elder was given the honor of hitting a ceremonial opening tee shot alongside Mr. Nicklaus, a six-time Masters champion, and Gary Player, who won the green jacket three times. Sadly, Mr. Elder was not well enough to take a swing at a ball he once hit with so much power. But he stood briefly to acknowledge the cheers of the gallery, holding up his driver, and watched proudly from a chair at the first tee as Mr. Nicklaus and Mr. Player hit the shots that traditionally open the first major championship of the year. “For me and my family, I think it was one of the most emotional experiences that
I have ever witnessed or been involved in,” Mr. Elder said at the time. A Texan who developed his game during segregated times while caddying and hustling for rounds, Mr. Elder made history in 1975 at Augusta National, which had held an all-white tournament until he received an invitation after winning the Monsanto Open the previous year. Mr. Elder missed the cut at his first Masters but forever stamped himself as a groundbreaking figure in a sport that had never been known for racial tolerance. Twenty-two years later, Mr. Woods became the first Black golfer to capture the green jacket, launching one of the greatest Elder careers in golf history. “Lee Elder was a pioneer, and in so many ways,” Mr. Nicklaus wrote on his Twitter account. “Yes, he was the first Black golfer to play in the Masters Tournament, but that simply underlined the hard work Lee put in to further the cause of everyone who has a dream to play on the PGA Tour and perhaps thinks there were too many barriers before them.” After Mr. Woods’ record 12-stroke victory in 1997 — the first of his five Masters titles and 15 major championships overall — he reflected on the contributions of Black golfers such as Mr. Elder and Charlie Sifford, the tour’s first Black player. “I thought about those guys coming up 18,” Mr. Woods said that evening. “I said a little prayer and said thanks. I wasn’t the first. I wasn’t the pioneer. I thank them. I think that’s why this victory is even more special. Lee, because of what he did, I was able to play here. Because of Charlie, I
was able to play on the PGA Tour. I lived my dream because of those guys.” Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National and the Masters, called Mr. Elder “a true pioneer in the game of golf.” “Lee was an inspiration to so many young men and women of color not only through his play, but also through his commitment to education and community,” Mr. Ridley said in a statement. “His presence will be sorely missed, but his legacy will continue to be celebrated.” Mr. Elder got into golf as a caddie because that essentially was the only conduit Black players had to be permitted on the course. He was able to polish his game while serving in the Army and, after his discharge, joined the United Golf Association Tour for Black players in the early 1960s. He developed into one of the UGA’s best players, winning 18 of 22 tournaments in one dominating stretch, but meager prize money made it tough to earn a living. Finally, at the age of 33, Mr. Elder had saved up enough to afford PGA qualifying school, where he earned his first tour card for the 1968 season. The highlight of his rookie year was a memorable loss to Mr. Nicklaus on the fifth hole of a sudden-death playoff at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. Mr. Elder would go on to capture four PGA Tour victories and eight more wins on the PGA Tour Champions for 50-andover players. He played in all four major championships, tying for 11th at both the 1974 PGA Championship and the 1979 U.S. Open. His best finish in six Masters appearances was a tie for 17th in 1979. That same year, he was a member of the winning U.S. team at the Ryder Cup.
Good Shepherd Baptist Church 1127 North 28th St., Richmond, VA 23223 s Office: (804) 644-1402 Dr. Sylvester T. Smith, Pastor “There’s A Place for You”
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https://youtu.be/qqzhnIEQyQc for inspirational messages from Pastor Smith
tion race. On her first day in Congress, she reflected that while her grandmother, a slave on a Georgia farm, could never have dreamed of such an accomplishment, her parents told her that anything was possible. “They always said the day would come when we would be recognized for our character,” she told The Associated Press in an interview that day. In Congress, she was a champion of affirmative action, economic opportunities for the poor and efforts to bolster democracy in and ease immigration restrictions on Haiti, the birthplace of many of her constituents. She was a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee and worked to secure $100 million in aid to rebuild Dade County as the area recovered from Hurricane Andrew. Rep. Frederica S. Wilson, in a statement, called the former congresswoman an “exemplary role model for elected officials like me who broke down barriers so that we could follow the path she paved and succeed.” “Congresswoman Meek was the granddaughter of slaves who likely never have imagined how far she would go, but to the benefit of generations yet unborn, her parents encouraged her to believe that she could achieve anything she set her mind on — and she did,” Rep. Wilson said. Even before Congresswoman Meek’s death, lawmakers lauded her work. “Only in America can the granddaughter of a slave and the daughter of a former sharecropper believe that she can achieve and conquer all that presents itself in opposition to her dreams,” the late U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, who died in April, said of Congresswoman Meek in 2003. “Carrie Meek has set the stage and perpetuated the legacy of political astuteness for all of us, but particularly for African-American women everywhere.”
Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church
1408 W. Leigh Street · Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 358—6403
Dr. Alonza L. Lawrence, Pastor
All church ac�vi�es are canceled un�l further no�ce. Follow us on Facebook for “A Word from Moore Street’s Pastor” and weekly Zoom worship info. Drive-thru giving will be available the 1st and 3rd Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church. (Bowe Street side) You also may give through Givelify. Be safe. Be blessed.
Riverview
Baptist Church Sunday School – 9:30 AM Sunday Services – 11:00 AM Via Conference Call (202) 926-1127 Pin 572890# In person Sunday Service also on FACEBOOK and YouTube 2604 Idlewood Avenue Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 353-6135 www.riverviewbaptistch.org
#
Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett, Pastor
“The Church With A Welcome”
Sharon Baptist Church 500 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222 www.sharonbaptistchurchrichmond.org (804) 643-3825 Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor
Sunday, December 5, 2021 9:00 a.m. Church School 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship and Holy Communion
Back Inside!
Broad Rock Baptist Church 5106 Walmsley Blvd., Richmond, VA 23224 804-276-2740 • 804-276-6535 (fax) www.BRBCONLINE.org
“Due to the Corona Virus Pandemic, Services Are Cancelled, until further notice; but, please join us, by visiting BRBCOnline.org or YouTube (Broad Rock Baptist Church).”
“MAKE IT HAPPEN” Pastor Kevin Cook
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Triumphant
A 21st Century Church With Ministry For Everyone
Baptist Church
“Due to the Corona Virus all services at Triumphant Baptist Church are suspended until further notice.”
Worship With Us This Week!
Second Sunday in Advent December 5, 2021 @ 9:30 A.M. Join us for worship this Sunday inside the sanctuary or worship with us virtually! Join us online at mmbcrva.org or Facebook.com/mmbcrva *Faith Formation/ Church School (Sat. @ 9:00 AM) Zoom Meeting ID: 952 9164 9805 /Passcode: 2901 *Bible Study (Wed. @ 7:00 PM) Zoom Meeting ID: 983 8639 0975/ Password: 012563
2901 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 648-2472 ~ www.mmbcrva.org Dr. Price London Davis, Senior Pastor
mation/ Church School (Sat. @ 9:00 AM) eting ID: 952 9164 9805 /Passcode: 2901 y (Wed. @ 7:00 PM)
Come worship with us! Sunday Service will not be held in our sanctuary. Join us for 11:00 AM Worship by going to our website www.sixthbaptistchurch.org
2003 Lamb Avenue Richmond, VA 23222 Dr. Arthur M. Jones, Sr., Pastor (804) 321-7622
Join us on Sundays at 12 noon via Conference Call: 1(503)300-6860 Code:273149#
We Embrace Diversity — Love For All!
Twitter sixthbaptistrva
Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor
400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220
(near Byrd Park)
(804) 359-1691 or 359-3498 Facebook Fax (804) 359-3798 sixthbaptistrva www.sixthbaptistchurch.org
Thirty-first Street Baptist Church
nce with Reverence Worship WithR UselThis evaWeek ing Rev. Dr. Joshua Mitchell, Senior Pastor bin m ❖ o C
The doors of the church are open for worship! No registration required. Join us in person or online on Facebook or YouTube
10:30 a.m. Sundays
823 North 31st Street Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 226-0150 Office
Antioch Baptist Church “Redeeming God’s People for Gods Purpose”
1384 New Market Road, Richmond, Virginia 23231 | 804-222-8835
SERVICES
SUNDAY WORSHIP HOUR – 10:00 A.M. CHILDREN’S CHURCH & BUS MINISTRY AVAILABLE SUNDAY SCHOOL (FOR ALL AGES) – 9:00 A.M. TUESDAY MID-DAY BIBLE STUDY – 12 NOON WEDNESDAY MID-WEEK PRAYER & BIBLE STUDY – 7:00 P.M. A MISSION BASED CHURCH FAMILY EXCITING MINISTRIES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, YOUNG ADULTS & SENIOR ADULTS BIBLE REVELATION TEACHING DIVERSE MUSIC MINISTRY LOVING, CARING ENVIRONMENT
DR. JAMES L. SAILES PASTOR
Richmond Free Press
December 2-4, 2021 B5
Legal Notices 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, December 13, 2021 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. 2021-300 As Amended To authorize the special use of the property known as 1823 Rose Avenue for the purpose of a singlefamily detached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions. Ordinance No. 2021-301 To install an appropriate number of speed tables to be determined by the Department of Public Works in Hawthorne Avenue between West Brookland Park Boulevard and the southern terminus of Dupont Circle. Ordinance No. 2021-302 To erect all-way stop signs at the intersections of South Pine Street and China Street and South Pine Street and Albemarle Street. Ordinance No. 2021-303 To amend Ord. No. 2021040, adopted May 24, 2021, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 General Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, by revising the title of the Non-Departmental line item entitled “Next Up LLC” for the purpose of clarifying that the appropriation for this line item shall be expended for “NextUp RVA.” Ordinance No. 2021-304 To amend the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 General Fund Budget by transferring $1,156,360.00 from the Office of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services to the Non-Departmental agency and increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to certain eligible community partners by $1,156,360.00 for the purpose of funding a collaborative community health literacy program. Ordinance No. 2021-305 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept $206,211.03 from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, to amend the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities called the ADA Access Trail at Pump House Park Special Fund, and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ ADA Access Trail at Pump House Park Special Fund by $206,211.03 for the purpose of funding improvements to the trail from Pump House Drive to the bridge spanning the lock and canal at Pump House Park. Ordinance No. 2021-306 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept $90,335.00 from the Virginia Department of Transportation and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 20212022 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Public Works’ Shared Mobility Special Fund by $90,335.00 for the purpose of funding the City’s Park-N-Ride Bus Purchase project. Ordinance No. 2021-307 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $25,000.00 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, and to amend the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 General Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Office of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services by $25,000.00 for the purpose of funding a comprehensive community assessment for the development of gun violence prevention and intervention services.
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School Modernization - George Wythe High School project in the Education category for the purpose of funding the planning and design of a new George Wythe High School. Ordinance No. 2021-309 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the total amount of $145,000.00 from the James River Outdoor Coalition and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Capital Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ Universal Access project in the Culture and Recreation category by $145,000.00 for the purpose of funding the construction of a universal access ramp at Huguenot Flatwater Park located at 8600 Riverside Drive in the city of Richmond. Ordinance No. 2021-310 To declare surplus and to direct the sale of a portion of the City-owned real estate known as 1111 Fourqurean Lane, consisting of 2.270 acres ±, for $10,000.00 to the Commonwealth Catholic Charities Housing Corporation for the purpose of facilitating the construction of an affordable multifamily residential development. Ordinance No. 2021-311 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Deed between the City of Richmond and the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of General Services, for the purpose of conveying by quitclaim deed the City-owned right-of-way known as Bank Street from North 9th Street to North 14th Street, North 10th Street from East Main Street to Bank Street, North 12th Street from East Main to Bank Street, and Governor Street from East Main Street to Bank Street, consisting of 127,363.7± square feet, for nominal consideration to the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of General Services. Ordinance No. 2021-312 To declare a public necessity for and to authorize the acquisition of the parcel of real property owned by the Vi r g i n i a D e p a r t m e n t of Transportation and known as 3008 Idlewood Avenue for the purpose maintaining the property as a City green space, playground, and recreational area. Ordinance No. 2021-313 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation for the purpose of receiving grant funds in the amount of $90,355.00 to fund the City’s Park-N-Ride Bus Purchase project. Ordinance No. 2021-314 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a License Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Tourism Authority, doing business as Virginia Tourism Corporation, for the purpose of facilitating the continued operation of the Welcome Center in the Main Street Station at 1500 East Main Street in the city of Richmond. Ordinance No. 2021-315 To provide for the removal of certain monuments on City-owned property and to provide for the disposition of such monuments, as authorized by Va. Code § 15.2-1812. Ordinance No. 2021-316 To designate that portion of Wythemar Avenue located between its intersection with Larchmont Lane and its intersection with Midlothian Turnpike in honor of Sharnez Hill and her daughter, Neziah Hill. Ordinance No. 2021-317 To designate the 3500 block of East Broad Rock Road in honor of Melissa Anne Paige.
Ordinance No. 2021-308 To amend Ord. No. 2021042, adopted May 24, 2021, which accepted a program of proposed Capital Improvement Projects for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 and the four fiscal years thereafter, adopted a Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2021-2022, and determined a means of financing the same, by transferring funds in the amount of $7,310,391.00 from the School Planning and Construction project in the Education category and appropriating such transferred funds to the
Ordinance No. 2021-318 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute an Assignment, Assumption and Amendment of Main Street Station License Agreement between the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the City of Richmond, Virginia, and Variant Events, LLC for the purpose of assigning to the City of Richmond the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s license agreement with Variant Events, LLC for Variant Events, LLC’s continued use of Main Street Station at 1500
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East Main Street in the city of Richmond. Ordinance No. 2021-319 To amend and reordain City Code § 27-282, concerning the special parking districts program and permitted expenditures from the fund, to enable funds to be used equitably by neighborhood associations within their boundaries for the maintenance of clean and safe neighborhood environments. Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the December 13, 2021 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at https:// www.rva.gov/office-cityclerk, 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. Candice D. Reid City Clerk
Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HENRICO DIANE K. LOWRY, Plaintiff v. LEROY J. JACKSON, III, Defendant. Case No.: CL19-5813 AMENDED ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this action is for Plaintiff, Diane K. Lowry, to obtain a divorce from the bonds of matrimony from Defendant, Leroy J. Jackson, III, on the ground of having lived separate and apart, without cohabitation and without interruption, for a period in excess of one year, and it appearing from an Affidavit for Order of Publication that diligence was used by or on behalf of Plaintiff, without effect, to ascertain the location of Defendant and that he cannot be found, it is therefore ORDERED that Defendant appear before this Court on the 10th day of January, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and do what is necessary to protect his interest herein. An Extrat Teste: Heidi S. Barshinger, Clerk VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER SHELBY NOEL, Plaintiff v. RONIQUE MOORE, Defendant. Case No.: CL21003812-00 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, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER D’JUANA FORD-THEUS, Plaintiff v. RASUEL THEUS, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001887-00 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 12th day of January, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Esquire Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER AVRAHAM LUCHTENBERG, Plaintiff v. SARAH LUCHTENBERG, Defendant. Case No.: CL21003769-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from Continued on next column
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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 12th day of January, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ANNYA PHILLIPS, Plaintiff v. WILLIAM PHILLIPS, Defendant. Case No.: CL21003719-00 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 12th day of January, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER HARRY HOLMES, Plaintiff v. EUNICE HOLMES, Defendant. Case No.: CL21003000-00 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 has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 10th day of January, 2022 and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Counsel VSB# 27724 The Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER TAMEAKIA WISEMAN, Plaintiff v. LATISHA HATCHWISEMAN, Defendant. Case No.: CL21003704-00 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 5th day of January, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER KAHLA SCOTT, Plaintiff v. MICHAEL SCOTT, Defendant. Case No.: CL21000989-00 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 3rd day of January, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Continued on next column
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Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ROBERT BARRY WILLIS, Plaintiff v. KIMBERLY WILLIS, Defendant. Case No.: CL21003632-00 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 January, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER PAOLA HO ARIAS, Plaintiff v. CHARLES KAMOLVATHIN, Defendant. Case No.: CL21003653-00 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 January, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER SIERRA JONES, Plaintiff v. STEVEN JONES, Defendant. Case No.: CL21002300-00 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 3rd day of January, 2022 and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Esquire VSB# 27724 Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER BRIYANA FERRELL, Plaintiff v. ROSAN ALLISON, Defendant. Case No.: CL21002355-00 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 has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 3rd day of January, 2022 and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Counsel VSB# 27724 The Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667
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It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 3rd day of January, 2022 and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Counsel VSB# 27724 The Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING ANTOINE TYWARREN CHEATHAM, Plaintiff, v. AKEA LENAI JEFFERSON, Defendant Civil Law No.: CL21-3683-5 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of the abovestyled suit is to obtain a divorce from the bonds of matrimony from the defendant on the grounds that the parties have lived separate and apart without interruption and without cohabitation for a period of more than one year, since January 15, 2017. And it appearing by Affidavit filed according to law that Akea Lenai Jefferson, the above-named defendant, is not a resident of this state and that due diligence has been used by or in behalf of plaintiff to ascertain in what county or city the defendant is, without effect. It is therefore ORDERED that the said Akea Lenai Jefferson do appear in the Clerk’s Office of the Law Division of the Circuit Court of City of Richmond, John Marshall Courts Building, 400 North 9th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, on or before December 22, 2021 and do whatever is necessary to protect their interest in this suit. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER DARYL SIMMONS, Plaintiff v. CRYSTAL SIMMONS, Defendant. Case No.: CL21003594-00 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 January, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER JIMMY WILKINS, JR., Plaintiff v. REBECCA WILKINS, Defendant. Case No.: CL21003140-00 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 has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 3rd day of January, 2022 and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Counsel VSB# 27724 The Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667
Property
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER TIARA JONES, Plaintiff v. PAUL JONES, JR., Defendant. Case No.: CL21001756-00 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.
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. JOSUE ORLELLANA FUENTES, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL21-4300 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2450 Hey Road, Tax Map Number C008-0809/050, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Josue Orlellana Fuentes. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, JOSUE ORLELLANA FUENTES, who has been served by
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posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that J O S U E OR L E L L A N A FUENTES, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JANUARY 20, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949
described as 1424 North 21st Street, Tax Map Number E000-0706/001, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Cardinal Property Group, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed that TERRELL ANTWAN TURNER, Registered Agent for CARDINAL PROPERTY GROUP, LLC, which is the owner of record of said property, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that CPG INVESTMENTS, LLC, an entity not listed in the records of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, BENEFICIARY of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 19-21739 on October 21, 2019, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/ or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” I T I S OR D ERE D that TERRELL ANTWAN T U R N ER , R e g i s t e r e d Agent for CARDINAL PROPERTY GROUP, LLC, CPG INVESTMENTS, LLC, an entity not listed in the records of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, BENEFICIARY of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 1921739 on October 21, 2019, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JANUARY 20, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HENRICO STEPHANIE JONES, Plaintiff, v. SHALENA VAZQUEZ; VIRGINIA CREDIT UNION INC.; TRANSPORT CONTRACTORS, L.L.C; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF POSIE BERKLEY; ALEXANDER ELLETT, JR., and if deceased, Heirs at-law of Alexander Ellett, Jr.; The Unknown heirs, descendants, devisees, assigns, and/ or successors in title to Daisy Janette Ellett, Florence Ellett Sellars, Posie Berkley, Alexander Ellett, Jr., and Shalena Vazquez, if any there be, the consorts of any of the said unknown heirs who are married, the lien creditors of the said unknown heirs, if any, and other persons who may have an interest in the subject matter of this suit, whose names are unknown and are included in the general description of “UNKNOWN HEIRS and PARTIES UNKNOWN” SERVE: By Order of Publication, Defendants. Case No.: 21-5859 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to claim title to a certain parcel of land situated in the County of Henrico, Virginia, being previously owned by Daisy Janette Ellett, more particularly described as follows: Parcel B which contains 1.691 acres, situated south of Battlefield Park Road and west of Route No. 5, Varina District, Henrico County, Virginia. The unknown heirs, descendants, devisees, assigns, and/or successors in title to Daisy Janette Ellett, Florence Ellett Sellars, Posie Berkley, and Alexander Ellett, Jr., if deceased have or might have an interest in the property by deed, by inheritance, or by duly recorded liens. Shalena Vazquez may have or might have an interest in the property by virtue of deed from Donald Tyler to Shalena Vazquez of Transport Contractors, LLC, a Virginia corporation…, dated August 15, 2021 and recorded on August 16, 2012, in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of Henrico County, Virginia in Deed Book 5026, page 941. Affidavit having been made and filed that due diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the identities and/or locations of certain parties to be served, and that there are or might be persons whose names are unknown, interested in the subject matter of this suit; It is ORDERED that the unknown heirs, descendants, devisees, assigns, and/or successors in title to Daisy Janette Ellett; Florence Ellett Sellars; Posie Berkley; and Alexander Ellett, Jr., if living and if not living, their heirs at-law; Shalena Vazquez, and other unknown heirs or parties who have an interest in the subject matter of this suit, who are proceeded against as Unknown Heirs and Parties Unknown, appear before Court on or before January 3, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. to protect their interests, if any, in this suit. An Extract Teste: Heidi S. Barshinger, Clerk I ask for this: Curtis D. Gordon, Esq., V.S.B. #25325 Lynn M. Tucker, Esq., V.S.B. #25384 Jason Shaber, Esq., V.S.B. #96186 DANKOS, GORDON & TUCKER, P.C. 1360 East Parham Road, Suite 200 Richmond, VA 23228 Telephone: (804) 262-8000 Facsimile: (804) 262-8088 Email: cgordon@ dankosgordon.com Email: ltucker@ dankosgordon.com Email: jshaber@ dankosgordon.com Counsel for Plaintiff
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. BRUNSON CONTRACTORS, LLC, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL21-3819 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1816 Bainbridge Street, Tax Map Number S000-0242/001, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Brunson Contractors, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JANUARY 20, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. CARDINAL PROPERTY GROUP, LLC, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL21-3076 AMENDED ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. DOUGLAS M. COLEMAN, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL21-4863 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2210 Wright Avenue, Tax Map Number S007-1631/005, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Douglas M. Coleman and Irene M. Coleman. An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, DOUGLAS M. COLEMAN, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and IRENE M. COLEMAN, upon information and belief deceased or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that DOUGLAS M. COLEMAN, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs,
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B6 December 2-4, 2021
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devisees, assignees or successors in interest, IRENE M. COLEMAN, upon information and belief deceased or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JANUARY 20, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949
successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that MILTON G. TOWNSEND, JR, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and JOAN L. TOWNSEND, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JANUARY 20, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949
successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that said owner, DONALD E. WOMBLE, III, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that said owner, MARIETTA BUCKLEY, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that JOHN WOMBLE, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, SHIRLEY RICHARDSON, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, DONALD E. WOMBLE, III, MARIETTA BUCKLEY, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JANUARY 20, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949
HARRELL, JR., and MARY ANN HARRELL, Defendants. Case No. CL21-3530-5 ORDER OF PUBLICATION Came this day the Plaintiffs, upon their Complaint for Partition of Real Estate filed in the above-styled case and their Affidavits for Order of Publication for service of the Complaint on the Defendants. The object of this suit is to put the Defendants on notice of the Plaintiffs’ Complaint for the Partition of Real Estate in the above-styled case. It appearing from Plaintiff’s Affidavit that due diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of the Defendants and that the Defendants’ whereabouts are unknown, it is ORDERED that the Defendants are required to appear before this Court on or before December 22, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. to protect their interests. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk I ask for this: Ryan H. Ash (VSB # 81819) Blackburn, Conte, Schilling & Click, P.C. 300 West Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220 Phone: (804) 782-1111 Fax: (804) 648-3914
P.C. 1360 E. Parham Road, Suite 200 Richmond, Virginia 23228 Telephone: (804) 377-7424 Facsimile: (804) 262-8088 Counsel for Plaintiff
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. JOSUE ORLELLANA FUENTES, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL21-4301 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2500 Hey Road, Tax Map Number C008-0809/052, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Josue Orlellana Fuentes. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, JOSUE ORLELLANA FUENTES, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that JOSUE ORLELLANA FUENTES, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JANUARY 20, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. HENRY WILLIS, et al. Defendants. Case No. : CL21-4861 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2712 Southgate Street, Tax Map Number S009-0500/007, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Henry Willis. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, HENRY WILLIS, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that H E N RY W I L L I S , u p o n information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JANUARY 20, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. MILTON G. TOWNSEND, JR, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL21-4117 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3100 Bradwill Road, Tax Map Number C004-0575/010, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Milton G. Townsend, Jr and Joan L. Townsend. An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, MILTON G. TOWNSEND, JR, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and JOAN L. TOWNSEND, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or Continued on next column
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. DIXON/LEE DEVELOPMENT GROUP, LLC, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL21-4322 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1414 Lynhaven Avenue, Tax Map Number S007-1229/019, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Dixon/Lee Development Group, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, DIXON/ LEE DEVELOPMENT GROUP, LLC, Lamar E. Dixon, Registered Agent, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/ or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that DIXON/LEE DEVELOPMENT GROUP, LLC, Lamar E. Dixon, Registered Agent, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JANUARY 20, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. JOHN WOMBLE, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL20-67 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2037 Orlando Road, Tax Map Number C009-0372/061, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, John Womble, upon information and belief deceased, Joanna Womble Briggs, Donald E. Womble, III, Marietta Buckley and Shirley Richardson, upon information and belief deceased. An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, JOHN WOMBLE, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and SHIRLEY RICHARDSON, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or Continued on next column
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. RUSSELL ROBINSON, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL21-1013 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2917 Grayland Avenue, Tax Map Number W000-1279/006, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Russell Robinson and Mary Louise Robinson. An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, RUSSELL ROBINSON and MARY LOUISE ROBINSON, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that CITIFINANCIAL, INC. 209, LLC, fka Associates Financial Services of America, Inc, Beneficiary of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 10-23668 on October 4, 2000, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that RUSSELL ROBINSON, MARY LOUISE ROBINSON, CITIFINANCIAL, INC. 209, LLC, fka Associates Financial Services of America, Inc, Beneficiary of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 1023668 on October 4, 2000, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JANUARY 20, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND TAMMY HARRELL SIMMS, and DINO HARRELL, Plaintiffs, v. TOMMY HARRELL, HAZEL DOCKERY, (a/k/a Hazel D. Richardson) JOHN WALTER Continued on next column
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND KEITH T. CARTER Plaintiff v. HENRY FOWLER et al. Defendants. CL21-4707-2 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to sell a certain parcel of real property situated in the City of Richmond, Virginia, being originally owned by Hattie W. Fowler and more particularly described as follows: All that certain lot of land, with the improvements thereon known as No. 2303 Rose Avenue {formerly No 803 Virginia Avenue), lying and being in the City of Richmond, Virginia, and described as beginning at a point on the east line of Rose Avenue distant fifty-six (56) feet north of the north line of Wickham Street, thence running northwardly along and fronting on the east line of Rose A venue forty-eight (48) feet, and thence extending back eastwardly from said front, at right angles and between parallel lines, one hundred twenty (120) feet, more or less, to an alley. The fractional owners John B. Baker, Lucille Douglas (f/k/a Lucille Fowler), Henry Fowler, Matthew Fowler (a/k/a Mack Fowler), Lucile S. Kee, Thomas Fowler, Wilbur Fowler (a/k/a Wilburt Fowler), William Fowler, and Alice F. Revins (f/k/a Alice Fowler) have an interest in the property by deed, by inheritance, or by duly recorded liens. The unknown heirs, devisees, and/or successors in title to Jeanette Baker, Lucille Douglas (f/k/a Lucille Fowler), Henry Fowler, Matthew Fowler (a/k/a Mack Fowler), Samuel Fowler, Thomas Fowler, Wilbur Fowler (a/k/a Wilburt Fowler), William Fowler, Alice Revins (f/k/a Alice Fowler), Glennis Stokes (f/k/a Glennis Fowler), Viola Fowler, John B. Baker, and Lucile S. Kee, may have an interest in the property by deed, by inheritance, or by duly recorded liens. Affidavit having been made and filed that due diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the identities and/or locations of certain parties to be served, and that there are or may be persons whose names are unknown, interested in the subject matter of this suit; It is ORDERED that Henry Fowler et al., if then living or if dead, their heirs, devisees, assigns, or successors in title, and other unknown heirs or parties who have an interest in the subject matter of this suit, who are proceeded against as Unknown Heirs and Parties Unknown, appear before Court on or before the 10th day of January, 2022, to protect their interests, if any, in this suit. I ask for this: Lynn M. Tucker, Esquire, V.S.B. #25384 Kyle Roberts, Esquire, V.S.B. #95631 Dankos, Gordon & Tucker,
License The Book Bar LLC Trading as: The Book Bar 1311 E. Main Street Richmond, Virginia 23219 The above establishment is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer Off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Krystle Dandridge, Owner NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www. abc.virginia.gov or 800-5523200.
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NEWMARKET SERVICES CORP. SEEKS ONE DEVELOPER III: Responsible for coding new ĨĞĂƚƵƌĞƐ͕ ĮdžŝŶŐ ďƵŐƐ͕ ǁƌŝƟŶŐ ƵŶŝƚ ƚĞƐƚƐ ĨŽƌ ĨƌŽŶƚ Θ ďĂĐŬ ĞŶĚ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ͘ DĂŶĂŐĞ ĚĂƚĂďĂƐĞ͕ ƐŽŌǁĂƌĞ ďƵŝůĚƐ Θ ƌĞůĞĂƐĞ͕ Θ ŚĞůƉ ĚĞƉůŽLJ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ ŝŶ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚƐ͘ ƐƐŝƐƚ ŝŶ ĐŽĚŝŶŐ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ͛Ɛ ĂƉƉƐ͘ ĞƐŝŐŶ͕ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉ Θ ƚĞƐƚ tĞď W/ Θ Z ^dĨƵů ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ƵƐŝŶŐ η ŝŶ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ Žƌ ŽǀĞƌĂůů ĐŽƌƉŽƌĂƚĞ ^K ͘ tƌŝƚĞ ƚĞĐŚŶŝĐĂů ĚŽĐƐ Θ ŚĞůƉ ǁŝƚŚ ďƵŝůĚƐ Θ ƌĞůĞĂƐĞƐ͘ Reqs: ĂĐŚĞůŽƌ͛Ɛ ĚĞŐƌĞĞ ŝŶ ŽŵƉ^Đŝ͕ Žƌ ƌĞůĂƚĞĚ /d ĮĞůĚ͕ Žƌ ĨŽƌĞŝŐŶ ĞƋƵŝǀ͖͘ ϱ LJƌƐ͛ ĞdžƉ͘ ĂƐ Ă ^ŽŌǁĂƌĞ ĞǀĞůŽƉĞƌ͖ Θ Ϯ LJƌƐ͛ ĐŽŶĐƵƌƌĞŶƚ ĞdžƉ͘ ǁͬ ͘EĞƚ͕ η͕ :YƵĞƌLJͬ:ĂǀĂ^ĐƌŝƉƚ͕ ŽŽƚƐƚƌĂƉ͕ ^W Ds ͕ ^W Ds tĞď W/͕ '/d͕ d&^͕ ,dD>͕ D^ ^Y> ^ĞƌǀĞƌ ĚĂƚĂďĂƐĞ͕ ^Y>͘ Job in Richmond, VA. KŶůLJ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂŶƚƐ ƐĞŶĚŝŶŐ ĐŽǀĞƌ ůĞƩĞƌ͕ s͕ ƐĂůĂƌLJ ƌĞƋƐ͘ Θ ƌĞĨĞƌĞŶĐĞƐ ƚŽ ^͘ ŽŽŶĞ͕ ^ƌ͘ ,Z ^ƵƉĞƌǀŝƐŽƌ͕ EĞǁDĂƌŬĞƚ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ŽƌƉŽƌĂƟŽŶ͕ ϯϯϬ ^͘ ϰƚŚ ^ƚ͕͘ ZŝĐŚŵŽŶĚ͕ s ϮϯϮϭϵ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌĞĚ͘
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Senior Software Engineer: Glen Allen, VA. Dsgn, devel, test, & impl business applications using C#, C#.NET, Visual Basic, VB Script, ASP, ASP.NET, FACETS & QNXT Trizetto tool, CSS, HTML, XML, JIRA, PL/SQL Server & MS-Visual Safe in Unix & Windows environ. Devel software VROXWLRQV E\ VWXG\LQJ V\VWHPV ÀRZ GDWD XVDJH processes & info. Conferring w/ users & Subject Matter Experts, investigating problems & providing solutions. Create tech design docs, V\VWHP XVH FDVH GRFV SURFHVV ÀRZ GLDJUDPV XVHU GH¿QHG IXQFWLRQV (QJDJH LQ UHT JDWKHULQJ & system analysis & involve in code review. Write & debug complex stored procedures, triggers, & inner joins. Devel test scripts & perform User Acceptance testing. Utilize SQL Server and DataStage to design & develop ETL Jobs in Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Utilize Oracle, PL/SQL, & Sybase to design & maintain GDWDEDVHV 5HTH %DFKHORU¶V RU IRUHLJQ HTXLYW in Comp Sci or Comp Info Systems or related Z \UV H[S LQ WKH MRE RIIHUHG RU UHO ¿HOG -RE UHTV WUDYHO RU UHOR WR YDU XQDQWLFLSDWHG FOLHQW sites in the U.S. Mail resume to Global Sumi TechnologiesInc., Attn: HR Department, 11549 Nuckols Road, Suite B, Glen Allen, VA - 23059
Part-Time Financial Secretary
20 hours per week Salary Commensurate with Experience Duties include but are not limited to: receiving approved requisitions, invoices and payroll to be paid; writing, posting, batching and mailing checks; entering data in computer databases; compiling and maintaining financial reports; running computer general ledger reports; preparing and distributing tithes and offering envelopes; tracking weekly contributions and generating contribution statements; and performing other related duties as assigned. Preferred candidate must possess a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance or related field or have similar experiences. Candidate must possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills. The successful candidate must have a working knowledge of bookkeeping, financial records management, and Microsoft Office Suites. Minimum of 2-3 years of financial secretary experience required. A Criminal History Background Check will be required. This position will remain opened until filled. Applicants may pick up an application from the church office or submit a resume in lieu of an application to: Mount Olive Baptist Church, 8775 Mt. Olive Avenue, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060. The e-mail address is mstyles@mobcva.org, and the fax number is (804) 262-2397. For more information, please call (804)-262-9614 ext. 227
Salary Commensurate with Experience Mount Olive Baptist Church in Glen Allen is seeking a full-time Music Director to oversee the music ministry of the church. Duties include but are not limited to: playing, directing, teaching and planning music for worship services; arranging special music; and maintaining musical instruments. Ability to read music is required. Candidate must play piano, organ, and keyboard. Candidate must play hymns, anthems, and gospel (contemporary and traditional). Must possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Preferred candidate will have a degree in music from an accredited college or university. Minimum of 2-3 years of music director experience required. This position will be opened until filled. Previous applicants do not need to reapply. Applicants may pick up an application from the church office or submit a resume in lieu of an application to: Mount Olive Baptist Church, 8775 Mount Olive Avenue, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060. The e-mail address is mstyles@mobcva.org, and the fax is (804) 262-2397. For more information please call (804) 262-9614 ext. 227
Part-Time Church Drummer Mount Olive Baptist Church in Glen Allen, Virginia is seeking a self-motivated part-time drummer to play the drum-set in various worship services of the church, while providing assistance to the choirs and other musicians participating in worship. The drummer will work positively as a part of the staff to provide worship experiences in music while fulfilling the vision and mission of the church. The drummer will play the drum-set for church services primarily on Sundays and for other designated church services/events held at the church or elsewhere when needed. The drummer will also play for weekly choir rehearsals and for other rehearsals as needed. The incumbent must strive to stay aware of any current and new music to use in worship services. The successful candidate must have training and skills in drums/percussions and must be able to play a variety of music to support assigned choirs. A Criminal History Background Check will be required. This position will remain opened until filled. Applicants may pick up an application from the church office or submit a resume in lieu of an application to: Mount Olive Baptist Church, 8775 Mt. Olive Avenue, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060. The e-mail address is mstyles@mobcva.org, and the fax number is (804) 262-2397. For more information, please call (804)-262-9614 ext. 227
Administrative Assistant Broad Rock Baptist Church is seeking to hire an Administrative Assistant. This position, the church’s chief clerical personnel, must work closely with the Pastor. He/she must have extensive knowledge of computer software (word processing, desktop publishing, and report generation); exercises sound judgment in making decisions within the scope of assigned authority and the ability to work independently. This person’s ethical and human relation skills should include: accepting responsibilities, maintaining honesty, integrity and confidentiality of Pastor, and staff. Job requires 2 year business degree or 2-5 years of administrative work experience. Pay range: $28,000-32,000. Closing date is December 10, 2021. Please send resume to: Broad Rock Baptist Church Attn: Personnel Ministry 5106 Walmsley Blvd. Richmond, VA 23224
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