River guide book inspires ballet performance

By Craig Belcher

Author John Bryan knew it was time to update his first book about the James River, a guide to enjoying “America’s best urban waterway,” published back in 1997. So he started working on an update a few years ago that takes into account the changes to the water, the city and the kinds of people who come to enjoy it. But he didn’t know the new book, “The James River in Richmond: Your New Guide to Enjoying America’s Best Urban Waterway,” would inspire a performance by the Latin Ballet of Virginia.

“No, it never crossed my mind,” said Mr. Bryan, who has been friends with the ballet company’s founder Ana Ines King for several years. “I haven’t seen the script. I’m confident that they’ll do a wonderful job. I’m as excited as anyone else.”

Ms. King said she learned about the book when Mr. Bryan asked her to help translate a section of the guide book that is in Spanish. Preparing the section led to developing the Latin Ballet’s “Aguas,” a free performance at Ancarrow’s Landing on June 3 at 4 p.m.

“Ours is a dance theater performance that celebrates the history, the cultures and the James River … [the] commemoration of the end of the war and the freedom of African-American people,” Ms. King said.

The site of the performance, Ancarrow’s

Landing, is named after entrepreneur and environmentalist Newtown Ancarrow, and is also part of the Richmond Slave Trail. Ancarrow owned a boat building company and relocated it there in the late 1950s. He was one of the first persons to advocate for the environmental health of the River.

“So it’s a nice place for a lot of historic reasons, a nice place because it’s lots of parking,” Mr. Bryan said. “It’s a nice place, because it has a big open area where they can perform.”

The free performance coincides with the philanthropic aspect of Mr. Bryan’s guide. He said more than 600 copies have been given to museums and other organizations “whose missions help all sorts of communities in Richmond.” All of the writers and photographers who contributed to the book weren’t paid for their efforts and all of the proceeds from sales will be donated.

“So, we’re very pleased that, not only are the contents of the book helping people with their understanding of the river and their enjoyment of the river, but the sales proceeds are helping nonprofits make people’s lives better,” Mr. Bryan said.

The James River in Richmond: Your New Guide to Enjoying America’s Best Urban Waterway,” is available at local bookstores and via jamesriverlovers.com, and at the June 3 performance of “Aguas.”

IMPORTANT TAX

Notice

City of Richmond Individual Personal Property, Business Personal Property and Machinery & Tools Taxes are due June 5, 2023. Payment(s) for Individual Personal Property, Business Personal Property, and Machinery & Tools Taxes are due on June 5, 2023. Payment(s) must be received and/or postmarked on or before June 5th. Payments postmarked or received after June 5th will be assessed a 10% late penalty and will accrue interest charges at a rate of 10% per annum. Please mail your notice and payment in the envelope provided with your bill. Failure to receive a billing notice will not relieve the penalty and interest added if your payment is not made on time. If you require a billing notice please call 646-7000 or visit us online at www.rva.gov youth tennis program in St. Louis.

For your convenience, you may pay online at www.rva.gov or pay via telephone at 1-866-890-5269. A convenience fee may be charged for use of these payment options. You may also pay in person at City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street Room 102 M-F 8-5; at our , 4100 Hull Street M-F 8 – 5; or at our East at 701 N. 25th Street, M-F 8-5. You may also deposit your check payment in the payment drop box at each location.

According to VSU, the school will work with Teaching for Change on the initiative to transform the VIA collection into digital records.

Deborah Mankart, TfC’s executive director, said the project will allow “young people to learn about the African-American administra- tors, teachers and students who collectively ‘made a way out of no way.’”

James Hollins, chair of the VIA Heritage Association, said he and the membership consider the project a “blessing” that ensures the information will be “made accessible for generations to come.”

Blaise Davenport

Joy Watson and

VSU names two women students as co-valedictorians

Joy Watson and Blaise Davenport both earn a perfect 4.0 GPA

Joy Watson and Blaise Davenport have been recognized by Virginia State University as Class of 2023 co-valedictorians. The announcement marks the first time in VSU’s history that two women, both STEM majors, have received this academic honor. They were recognized as part of the 2023 Commencement Ceremony on May 13, 2023.

Ms. Watson, who also was Miss VSU 2022-2023 and 2023 Miss National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame, carried a double major in mathematics and mechanical engineering technology while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout her college career.

She will continue her education in graduate school at VSU.

Ms. Davenport maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while majoring in computer information systems with a minor in Cybersecurity and Forensics. She studied abroad in England as a visiting student at Oxford University and won numerous cybersecurity awards and honors from the Department of Defense. She will continue her education at Columbia University and Carnegie Mellon University on a full scholarship.

Both young women also are former members of the Trojan Explosion Marching Band.