March 24 26, 2016 issue

Rapper Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest dies at 45 Associated Press

Tuesday from complications resulting from diabetes, his family said in a statement on Wednesday. He was 45.

Born Malik Isaac Taylor, he was known as the “Five Foot Assassin” because he was 5

feet 3 inches tall.

“Malik was our loving husband, father, brother and friend. We love him dearly. How Please turn to A4

Richmond Free Press © 2016 Paradigm Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

VOL. 25 NO. 13

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

www.richmondfreepress.com

ee Fr

Fr ee

NEW YORK Phife Dawg, a masterful lyricist whose witty wordplay was a linchpin of the groundbreaking hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, died

MARCH 24-26, 2016

‘Virtual school’ in Va.?

Advocates say it would boost educational choices; critics say it would strip students and money from public schools

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Thousands of public school students in Virginia could have the option of taking all of their classes on a home computer in what is known as a “virtual school” — instead of making the daily trek to a building with bells and defined class times.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe is mulling whether to sign House Bill 8, a largely Republican-backed piece of legislation that would allow Virginia to join Florida, Ohio and 28 other states in providing 12 years of public education in what enthusiasts describe as a “classroom without walls.”

In the face of cautionary research suggesting students in virtual schools fall behind their peers in traditional schools, the General Assembly is pushing to make a statewide virtual K-12 school a reality. The House of Delegates approved the bill on a 58-40 vote and the Senate passed it 23-17 before sending it to the governor.

If the governor signs it, the legislation would create a separate state board that would be required to open a separate, tuition-free, K-12 virtual public school beginning in the 2018-19 school year.

While advocates see it as a move boosting educational choices for parents and their children,

National ‘Player of the Year’

By Fred Jeter

Kiana Johnson and “Player of the Year” are now officially synonymous.

The Virginia Union University senior guard was named NCAA Division II National Player of the Year Monday by Kiana Johnson the Women’s Association of Basketball Coaches (WABC).

In recent days, the impressive Chicago native already has been named CIAA Player of the Year and the NCAA Atlantic Region Most Valuable Player. She also was selected to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region All-Tournament team.

Johnson was lauded by WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew, who made the announcement.

“Kiana has played an integral role in guiding her team to an extraordinary season and is very deserving of this distinguished honor,” Donehew said. “The WBCA applauds Kiana for her hard work, dedication and contributions to the game during the 2015-16 season.”

Johnson led Division II in scoring (29.3 points per game) and was second in assists Please turn to A4

critics view the measure as possibly stripping state support and students from traditional public education.

Of the 1.2 million students who attend public schools across Virginia, only a small fraction could participate. The legislation essentially sets up a pilot project that would limit enrollment to 5,000 students at a total cost of around $25 million a year. All the virtual classes would have to meet Standards of Quality and Standards of Learning requirements.

To fund the virtual school, the legislation would shift state money that typically would go to the students’ local school districts to private vendors the board would hire and pay to provide online classes.

Shifting state funds now going to public school to pay private vendors for a virtual school is a sore point for critics who fear such operators would put profits ahead of the welfare of students.

So far, Gov. McAuliffe, an advocate of school reform, has been mum about his intentions ahead of the April 10 deadline to sign or veto the bill. Based on the relatively close majorities by which the bill was approved by the General Assembly, the legislature unlikely will have the votes needed to override the governor’s veto should he decided to kill the legislation.

Delegate Richard P. “Dickie” Bell, R-Staunton, the bill’s author and the leading proponent, is optimistic. He told reporters following a March10 meeting with the governor that Gov. McAuliffe “supports virtual education.”

However, the governor is facing calls for a veto from many of his Democratic allies at the State Capitol, including the 18-member Legislative Black Caucus, and from associations representing public school boards, superintendents and teachers.

Robley Jones, director of governmental relations for the Virginia Education Association, is among those urging the governor to kill the bill.

Along with siphoning off needed public school funds, Mr. Jones notes that the students who enroll could suffer. He points to the problems that have plagued virtual schools in other states, including “low graduation rates, poor academic performance and high dropout rates.”

“Most students do not have the time management skills and discipline” needed to be successful in a virtual school, he said. He also is concerned virtual school could limit development of social skills, including learning to work with others.

Mr. Jones noted that a September 2015 report by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, a state government watchdog agency, urged caution about a quick expansion of virtual education, calling instead for the state to continue its go-slow approach.

“Because there is limited research on the Please turn to A4

Pete Souza/Official White House photo

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hold hands Sunday as they walk through the rain to the motorcade after touring Old Havana, Cuba. President Obama, who met with Cuban President Raul Castro and other officials, is the first sitting U.S. president in 88 years to visit the island nation after diplomatic relations were restored on July 20, 2015.

Obama promotes democracy during historic visit to Cuba Associated Press

HAVANA Capping his remarkable visit to Cuba, President Obama on Tuesday declared an end to the “last remnant of the Cold War in the Americas” and openly urged the Cuban people to pursue a more democratic future for this communist nation 90 miles from the Florida coast.

With Cuban President Raul Castro watching from a balcony, President Obama said the government should not fear citizens who speak

freely and vote for their own leaders. And with Cubans watching on tightly controlled state television, President Obama said they would be the ones to determine their country’s future, not the United States.

“Many suggested that I come here and ask the people of Cuba to tear something down,” President Obama said. “But I’m appealing to the young people of Cuba who will lift something Please turn to A4

Richmond Christian Center to search for new pastor

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The Richmond Christian Center is moving to replace its founding pastor, Steve Parson.

Two months after emerging from bankruptcy, the fundamentalist South

Side church announced Tuesday that it has begun a search for a new full-time pastor to be in place by July.

Rhonda Hickman, chair of the RCC trustee board, indicated the church would be looking for a minister who would fit with the RCC mission to

“teach and preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Reached by phone, Pastor Parson said, “No comment” when asked for his response to the church’s decision.

Earlier this year, Pastor Parson reportedly began holding an 8 a.m.

Sunday service at a Henrico County location for former church members who still want him to be their pastor.

Pastor Parson founded the RCC in 1983 in his living room, with the church growing and attracting more

than 3,000 members at one point after relocating to the 200 block of Cowardin Ave. The membership later declined, and RCC filed for bankruptcy in November Please turn to A4

Movement afoot to remove Lee statue in Charlottesville

By Chris Suarez The Daily Progress

Sabrina Schaeffer/The Daily Progress

Charlottesville City Council members are weighing the future of this statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in the city’s Lee Park, as well as whether to remove a monument in downtown Charlottesville honoring Confederate Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.

CHARLOTTESVILLE Charlottesville residents who are uncomfortable with a local park could affect a monumental change if renewed protest over a nearly 100-year-old statue gains enough support.

On Tuesday, local community leaders called on the city’s elected officials to rename Lee Park and remove the statue of the park’s namesake, Gen. Robert E. Lee of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.

The news conference was spurred by a number of recent local and state developments regarding Confederate monuments and the legacy of Gen. Lee and Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.

Several months after the Charlottesville City Council unanimously decided City Hall would no longer observe Lee-Jackson Day, a state holiday that honors the Confederate generals, the phrase “Black Please turn to A4

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Here, try this Harmony Cree, 6, feeds a hungry goat Wednesday at Maymont as Briel Johnson, 2, and Disten Epps, 3, follow behind with their animal feed. Children and their families are enjoying the park in the West End as the weather warms. Maymont is expected to be filled this weekend when it will host the annual Dominion Family Easter. Story, B4.

A2 March 24-26, 2016

Richmond Free Press

Local News

Work has begun on the long awaited facelift to Kanawha Plaza, a once popular jazz and R&B concert site that sits above the Downtown Expressway between 8th, 9th, Canal and Byrd streets. City Hall has awarded a $2.94 mil-

Holiday schedule City of Richmond government operations will be closed on Good Friday, March 25, it has been announced.

The city, with a Baptist pastor as mayor, is one of the few area government operations to take an Easter break.

The shutdown will affect City Hall and other city operations, including recreation centers and libraries. However, Richmond’s public schools will be open Friday, the last day before city schoolchildren begin a weeklong spring break beginning Monday, March 28.

Federal and state government offices will be open Friday, March 25, as will city, state and federal courts and local government operations in Chesterfield and Henrico counties.

The city’s public libraries will resume operations on Saturday, March 26, except at the Broad Rock Branch Library, which will be closed for the holiday, according to the announcement.

The city’s animal shelter, 1600 Chamberlayne Ave., also will be closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday. So will the East Richmond Road Convenience Center.

However, the Hopkins Road Transfer Station will be open Friday, the announcement stated.

Residential trash collection, which takes place Mondays through Thursdays, will not be affected by the city government closing.

Cityscape Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

lion contract to Ashland-based Southwood Building Systems, which competed against four other companies to renovate the city park. More trees and green space are promised, along with improved space for community programs and events, when the work is completed later this year.

Wilder to host Lane named superintendent in Chesterfield mayoral candidate forum April 6 at VUU L. Douglas Wilder, the former governor of Virginia and a former Richmond mayor, is hosting a forum for candidates seeking election as Richmond’s mayor.

The forum will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, at Virginia Union University’s Coburn Hall.

At least nine potential candidates have indicated they will attend the forum that will be moderated by Mr. Wilder and longtime political analyst Robert D. “Bob” Holsworth of Richmond.

They are City Council President Michelle R. Mosby; City Council members Jonathan Baliles, 1st District, and Chris Hilbert, 3rd District; former council member Bruce Tyler; Jack Berry, executive director of Venture Richmond; Rick Tatnall of community development organization Replenish RichGov. Wilder mond; community activist Lillie A. Estes; Richmond Public Schools teacher Chris Ingold; and former state Delegate Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey of Richmond.

School Board Chairman Jeffrey M. Bourne has indicated he has not decided whether to run for mayor and is undecided about attending the forum, which is free and open to the public.

Topics to be discussed include poverty, city finances, schools and regional collaboration, according to organizers.

The event is a joint project of VUU and the Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.

For more details: call Angelica Bega Hart at (804) 828-8520 or email her at aebega@vcu.edu.

Dr. James F. Lane, head of Goochland County Public Schools, will be the next superintendent of the larger Chesterfield County school system.

The Chesterfield School Board Tuesday announced its selection of the 38-year-old educator who has spent nearly four years winning applause for his leadership of Goochland’s schools.

Diane Smith, chair of the Chesterfield board, said the board believes Dr. Lane would continue that tradition of leadership.

She noted that he won state and national recognition for “visionary leadership (that) has helped make Goochland a state leader in instructional technology that has engaged students in collaborative and

creative thinking.”

Dr. Lane officially will take over July 1 from Dr. Marcus Newsome, who is retiring after 10 years of leading the Chesterfield school division.

Dr. Lane His new salary was not disclosed, but he is expected to receive a large pay increase. His compensation from Goochland was reported at $160,296 in 2015. Dr. Newsome’s total compensation for 2015 was reported at $282,258.

In Goochland, Dr. Lane leads a system of

five schools that serve about 2,500 students.

In Chesterfield, he will manage 65 schools that serve about 60,000 students.

Currently, Dr. Lane also is heading a state-supported regional effort to create a regional high school that will focus on computer science and computer coding and is expected to open next fall with 80 ninth-graders. He also is credited with improving services for autistic students.

Dr. Lane earned his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and later earned master’s degrees from UNC and North Carolina State University and a doctorate from the University of Virginia. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Suit settled by reggae singer struck by bottle Grammy Award-winning Jamaican reggae singer Frederick “Toots” Hibbert suffered head pains and memory loss and was diagnosed with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder after a drunk spectator threw a liquor bottle that hit him in the head while he was performing with his band Toots and the Maytals at the 2013 Dominion Riverrock Festival in Downtown.

According to a $20 million lawsuit Mr. Hibbert filed less than a month later in June 2013 against event organizer Venture Richmond, he was unable to perform or write songs after suffering debilitating injuries at the outdoor festival.

Nearly three years after the incident made international headlines, the 73-year-old performer quietly settled the lawsuit against Mr. Hibbert the Downtown promotional group.

A Richmond Circuit Court judge dismissed the lawsuit this month at the request of Mr. Hibbert’s lawyers and those representing Venture Richmond.

Jack Berry, executive director of Venture Richmond, did not respond to a Free Press query about the suit or the amount of the settlement.

Richmond attorney Stan Wellman of Henrico County-based Harman, Claytor, Corrigan & Wellman that represented Venture Richmond in the suit, told the Free Press “none of the parties or counsel are permitted to comment in any way on the resolution of this claim.”

Several attempts to reach Mr. Hibbert and his legal team were unsuccessful.

The suit was scheduled to be heard by a jury last September, but was continued into 2016 because of the UCI Road World Championship bike races, Mr. Wellman told the Free Press at the time.

William C. Lewis, who was 20 at the time, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and battery in December 2013 and was sentenced to six months in the City Jail for injuring Mr. Hibbert by hurling the bottle during the May 19, 2013, festival on Brown’s Island.

A dazed Mr. Hibbert was taken to the VCU Medical Center, treated for a deep gash in his head and released.

He performed a few shows in the immediate aftermath of the incident, but halted his tour shortly thereafter. He claimed in court papers that he lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential income after the incident and had to pay more than $30,000 in medical expenses.

Reports have indicated that Mr. Hibbert could return to touring in the future, but several tour and ticket sites show no tour dates for him at this time. — JOEY MATTHEWS

Correction

Judge Mary Bennett Malveaux will be the second AfricanAmerican woman to serve on the Virginia Court of Appeals when she takes her seat April 16, not the first as the Free Press reported in the March 17-19 edition.

The first was Justice Cleo Elaine Powell, who now sits on the Virginia Supreme Court. Justice Powell previously served on the Chesterfield County General District Court and the Chesterfield Circuit Court before going on the Virginia Court of Appeals in 2008. In 2011, she was elected to the state’s highest court.

The Free Press regrets the error.

Sen. Lambert

Ms. Johns

Mr. Vandervall

Name suggestions pouring in for former Byrd Middle School

By Joey Matthews

As Henrico schools officials launch the process to rename the former Harry F. Byrd Sr. Middle School, the names of several African-Americans who have notably served the community have emerged as possibilities.

Among them: • Vandervall Middle School, for the African-American family that once owned the land where the middle school sits, along with the adjacent land were Pemberton Elementary is located.

In the 1950s during school segregation, Pemberton originally was built for African-American students and named for the late William LeRoy Vandervall, a retired civic leader. It was closed in 1968 when Henrico schools were integrated, but reopened later as Pemberton Elementary.

• Benjamin J. Lambert III, for the late state senator and optometrist who served in the General Assembly for nearly 30 years. He grew up in nearby Ziontown in Henrico County and was a chief proponent of education, serving on the Senate Education and Health Committee, the Virginia Union University Board of Trustees and the board of Sallie Mae. • Warner M. Jones Sr., for the late educator who served in Henrico for 40 years as a teacher and principal, including four years as principal at the former Virginia Randolph School in Henrico.

• Barbara R. Johns, for the heroic 16-year-old who led the student walk-out in the early 1950s to protest decrepit conditions at the segregated Moton School in Prince Edward County. The resulting lawsuit was consolidated into the historic Brown v. Board of Education case decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1954 that struck down separate and unequal public schools.

The Rev. Roscoe Cooper III, the lone African-American on the five-member Henrico School Board that will eventually select the new school name, told the Free Press Wednesday, “I would certainly hope that the community would actively and strongly consider naming the school after an African-American leader and role model.

“Because of the sordid history here and throughout the Commonwealth, there is a dearth of schools and other places where the contributions and leadership of African-Americans has been publicly acknowledged and recognized,” he said.

Other suggestions include naming the school for the late singer-songwriter Tommy Edwards of Henrico County. A historical state marker near the middle school notes that many of the songs Mr. Edwards composed in the 1950s and 1960s were recorded by well-known performers of the era. He also recorded several hits, including “It’s All in the Game” in 1951.

Some people have suggested renaming the school Chapman Middle School after Jordan Chapman, the Hermitage High School senior who began the campaign last fall to rename Byrd Middle School.

She said she was shocked to learn of Mr. Byrd’s hate-filled actions as one of the chief architects of “Massive Resistance” to skirt the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Brown case.

Massive Resistance led to the closure of some public schools in Virginia between 1958 and 1964 rather than allow African-American and white students to attend the same schools. While thousands of African-American students were denied an education, state funds were used to send many white students to all-white private schools.

Jordan’s campaign to remove the segregationist’s name from the school quickly gained steam, attracting the support of a diverse array of community members who lobbied for the change approved March 10 by the Henrico School Board.

WRVA radio talk show host Jeff Katz has mounted an effort to rename the school after Henrico Police Officer Neil Griffin, a former Byrd student and resource officer at the school who died in March of cancer.

Others have called for naming the school for Lonnie Gailes, Byrd’s first principal, or Dr. William “Bill” Bosher, a popular former Henrico Schools superintendent.

Others have suggested the school system could save money in preserving signage and other school emblems by naming the school after Mr. Byrd’s late son, Harry Jr., a former state and U.S. senator, or after William Byrd II, Richmond’s founder.

However, critics point out that Harry F. Byrd Jr. supported legislation as a state senator to add muscle to his father’s Massive Resistance plan, and the Richmond founder was a slaveowner.

The Henrico School Board estimated the cost to change the school’s name at about $138,000, while name-change advocates said it could be done for far less.

Henrico Board Chairwoman Mickey F. “Michelle” Ogburn told the Free Press this week that the name change will be discussed further at the board’s work session at 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 31, at the New Bridge Learning Center, 5915 Nine Mile Road.

She said the community suggestion and comment period would continue through Sunday, April 10.

After that, she said the board will look at all the proposed names. The board also will consider the preference of Tuckahoe District representative Lisa Marshall, whose district includes the middle school, before making a final selection.

Community members may propose names by emailing suggestions to dslargen@henrico.k12.va.us or calling (804) 652-3808.

Richmond Free Press

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March 24-26, 2016

Your Health

The Diabetes Battle

Advertorial

Know the symptoms, follow the treatment

The beats of world groove music keep Michael Filleman moving, and if you’re a fan of the Richmond bands Afro-Zen Allstars or Rattlemouth like he is, you might see him dancing close to the stage.

There’s no doubt the 54-year-old Midlothian resident has something to dance about: Filleman is alive and healthy, and the diabetes that used to hold him back is a long-ago memory.

and pancreas. “I was on the transplant list about six months,” he recalls, “sitting at home having a cookout with my wife and some neighbors.

And I got the call from [VCU Health]. I was down there within an hour and within a couple hours I was in surgery.”

Within the first day, he stood and walked, under doctors’ orders, and soon recovered smoothly. “After the transplant, I’ve never had an episode of rejection,” Filleman says. “I’ve had no physical problems with the organs whatsoever.

I’ve been extremely fortunate. The only thing I do is take pills four times a day.” The medication keeps his autoimmune system in check so that it doesn’t attack his donated organs.

He refers to his experience at VCU Health as his own medical miracle. He loves to be outdoors, to swim with his kids who are 17 and 12 years old, to ride his mountain bike, and when the music plays, to dance with abandon.

“I’ve been living my life, working full-time, raising two kids— just living a normal life,” Filleman says. “I eat what I want, when I want.

I can do everything physically that I could do when I was a teenager. Well — being that I’m 54 — not everything I used to do.” He chuckles and then adds, “ But I participate fully in life.”

Michael Filleman, VCU Health Patient What changed his life? It was the kidney and pancreas transplant performed by surgeons at the VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center in 1997.

Filleman was 16 years old when he was diagnosed with type I diabetes. “When you become diabetic, you really know it. The typical symptoms are excessive thirst, and you’re urinating all the time; you’re very, very tired. I was working at the time,” he recalls, “and one day I couldn’t get out of bed. I was living at home, so my mom took me to the doctor and he said, ‘Get him immediately to the hospital.’ “ That diagnosis brought new challenges, notably that he had to take insulin three or more times a day to keep his blood sugar in check.

“These were the days before insulin pumps, before home blood-testing kits came along,” he says.

He says it stopped him from doing certain things in his life — insulin needed to be refigerated, so he couldn’t go too far, ever.

Nevertheless, he got along, graduated high school and earned a degree at Towson State University before settling in the Richmond area, getting married and starting a family. Today, Filleman works as a sales representative for a commercial lighting manufacturer.

He was in his 30s, however, when complications came along. He developed diabetic retinopathy, which affects the blood vessels in the eyes. Laser surgery fixed that problem, but then he developed diabetic nephropathy, marked by elevated levels of creatinine, a chemical byproduct that occurs in the bloodstream from natural muscle metabolism. His level was at 14 — way above normal. “That would have killed somebody who was maybe older and was not in as good shape,” Filleman explains.

Doctors prescribed a form of dialysis to lower Filleman’s creatinine levels. Overnight, a machine would flush fluids through his body to assist the kidney in clearing waste from the body. Other than that, he was able to live normally, he says. “All that time, I didn’t have diet restrictions that other type I diabetics would have.”

Filleman’s doctors recommended, however, that he should have a transplant of his kidneys

Francesco S. Celi , M.D., MHSc Professor and Chair of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism VCU Health “The most common symptom of diabetes is no symptom,” says Dr. Francesco S. Celi, a medical professor who leads the VCU Health Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism. “So, it’s very important for people to go to the doctor and ask to be screened.”

Because diabetes can be so “silent” in people’s lives, it has the ability to blindside adults with health issues after serious damage has been done.

Other facts about diabetes also sound the wakeup call: More people die from diabetes each year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Almost 30 million Americans have diabetes, and more than 25 percent of them don’t know that they have the disease — they are undiagnosed.

In a person with diabetes, the level of blood glucose (or sugar) can rise above normal because their body does not properly break down the sugar and convert it to energy in the body cells. There are two types of the disease. Type 1 diabetes normally affects children and young adults whose bodies do not produce the hormone insulin, which breaks down glucose in the bloodstream. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, however — 95 percent of people with

diabetes have type 2. It occurs in those whose bodies don’t properly use insulin to process blood glucose.

How do you know if you have diabetes? Several symptoms can be a tip-off: severe thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, blurry vision or fatigue.

Healthcare providers generally have three different blood tests to screen patients for diabetes by measuring blood glucose levels, says Dr. Lori B. Sweeney, the associate chair for outpatient operations at the VCU Health Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism.

But if you have “pre-diabetes,” you may not exhibit the symptoms that stir concern and spur you to action.

“The American Diabetes Association has changed the way we screen, so all adults should be screened at age 45,” Sweeney says. “But we have a lower threshold for screening people below age 45 if they have risk factors for diabetes.”

This can include anyone with a strong family history, women who have experienced gestational diabetes or people with high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

In addition to family health history or age, race is a risk factor, Sweeney notes. “There are huge health care disparities among African-Americans. They have at least a two-fold higher prevalence of diabetes and we’re not really sure why that is.” In addition, African-Americans are twice as likely to develop several complications attributable to diabetes: end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which requires dialysis treatment, and blindness.

“The big issues that we worry about are cardiovascular disease,” Sweeney says, “so clearly patients who have diabetes are at an increased risk for heart attacks, stroke and any form of cardiovascular death.”

Staying aware and active is key for anyone who suspects they could develop the disease, say Celi and Sweeney.

“The problem is that diabetes is a progressive disease and with the majority of patients, if we don’t get a handle on it, they progress to needing insulin therapy within 10 years,” Sweeney says.

Celi says that regardless of how patients come into the care of VCU Health, they are now likely to be screened for diabetes. A patient with newly diagnosed diabetes may immediately receive counseling and education from a multi-disciplinary team of VCU Health educators, nutritionists, nurses and physicians. “On a positive note, by treating a person with an aggressive and rational management of diabetes, we can literally prevent the development of complications,” he says, and that can improve a patient’s health outcomes across the board if it’s discovered that they had complications related to diabetes.

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Lori B. Sweeney, M.D., Associate Professor Internal Medicine Endocrinology and Metabolism VCU Health For the newly diagnosed or someone at risk of diabetes, the term to learn is “lifestyle modification.”

“It is the most important and most valuable treatment modality we have at our disposal,” Celi says. This means that with diet adjustments, moderate exercise and weight loss, “we can decrease dramatically the amount of drugs needed to treat diabetes.”

At VCU Health, more focus is devoted on long-term diabetes management to avoid intrusive and costly interventions that may be necessary for patients whose disease has progressed into severe complications, such as morbid obesity. For overweight patients struggling against a growing list of health challenges, the only way out may be bariatric surgery to guarantee weight loss. Sweeney notes that the outcomes of that surgical procedure are steadily improving, bringing 70 to 80 percent of patients back from the brink.

But the brighter future is about awareness and prevention. “When we talk about pre-diabetes and we talk about lifestyle change,” Sweeney says, “we know that those are discussions that need to be had at all levels of health literacy.”

The VCU Health Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism has been recognized by the American Diabetic Association, she notes.

“In our multi-disciplinary environment, our nutritionists and doctors collectively come up with a specific plan and a specific goal for the patient,” she says. “The patient never feels left alone.”

“The most common symptom of diabetes is no symptom.”

Diabetes and Obesity: Health at Risk • Diabetes and related complications account for an estimated 200,000-plus deaths each year, making it one of the major causes of death in the United States.

• Obesity is the top predictor of developing type 2 diabetes. Nearly 90% of people with type 2 diabetes can be classified as obese or overweight.

• In working-age adults, diabetes is the top cause of blindness, end-stage kidney diseases and lower-extremity amputations not due to trauma • Diabetics are two to four times more likely to have cardiovascular complications and strokes.

• In 2012, the National Institutes of Health reported an estimated 29.1 million Americans (9.3% of the population) living with diabetes. Of these, an estimated 8.1 million persons were unaware that they had the disease.

• Diabetes is the No. 1 cause of kidney failure among African Americans.

• 13.2% of all African-Americans 20 years or older have been diagnosed with diabetes.

• African-Americans are 1.7 times more likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.

• Diabetes is associated with an increased risk for a number of serious, sometimes life-threatening complications, and certain populations experience an even greater threat.

• Good diabetes management can help reduce your risk; however, many people are not even aware that they have diabetes until they develop one of its complications.

Sources: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); American Diabetes Association; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease

The Doctor’s Note: There is Hope ”Diabetes complications can be extremely severe and life-limiting, but they’re not necessarily the outcome of this disease. They can be prevented, and when they occur, they can be treated. The burden of diabetes can be eased by targeted therapy. So it’s not a one-way road. It’s definitely a situation that can be dealt with and it’s very important to be in charge of diabetes management.”

— Francesco S. Celi , M.D., MHSc, Professor and Chair of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, VCU Health

Richmond Free Press

A4 March 24-26, 2016

News

Computer science to be added to Va. education requirements

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The three Rs of education are getting a new addition in Virginia — computer science.

As part of education reforms approved in the recent session, the General Assembly unanimously passed legislation making the theory and practice of computer operations and the ability to write software code part of a well-rounded education on par with the traditional subjects of reading, writing and arithmetic.

If signed by the governor as expected, Virginia would be the first state to require public schools in Richmond and across the state to incorporate computer science and computer coding into K-12 education.

Until now, for the most part, computer science largely has been

restricted to an advanced placement offering in high schools, when it has been offered at all.

How the state Department of Education and local school districts implement this reform remains to be seen.

As Charles Pyle, spokesman for the state education agency, noted, the language in the legislation “does not specify a stand-alone set of standards” for computer and coding education or require creation of a Standards of Learning test or assessment on the subject that students would have to pass to earn a diploma.

However, Chris Dovi, a Richmonder who has been on the front lines in advocating and promoting computer science, considers the legislation a step forward in a state that has largely ignored the subject.

Three years ago, he found that only 1 percent of Virginia’s high school graduates took a computer science course before earning a diploma, while less than 10 percent of public schools in the state even offered a course.

This comes at a time when 70 percent of the new jobs in science, technology, engineering and math, the so-called STEM areas, require a background in computer science, he said.

He sees the new educational requirement as potentially enabling youths of all backgrounds to have an equal chance of learning the vocabulary of computing, which he describes as “a philosophy, a way of thinking, a way of processing information, a way of solving problems.”

He said the theory and practice of computer science undergirds computer coding or the writing of software in-

structions that allow a Smart phone or computer to operate, including paying a bill, booking a flight or connecting with a dating network.

Mr. Dovi began working to raise the profile of computer science in 2014 when he and his wife, Rebecca Dovi, an expert in training educators to teach computer science, organized the Richmond-based nonprofit CodeVA to offer lessons to teachers and link area youths to coding.

Operating on a shoestring budget, but fueled with an immense passion, the Dovis already have made a difference in Central Virginia. At least 200 elementary school teachers and 140 middle and high school teachers have taken CodeVa courses to learn how to infuse computer science into their classrooms, influencing up to 10,000 students in the city and nearby

public schools.

Supported by a national nonprofit called Code.org, the Dovis are on track to train nearly 500 more teachers this year. In addition, hundreds of students have gotten a taste of computer science and computer coding through attending CodeVa’s summer camps and after-school programs.

Officials, including Gov. Terry McAuliffe, are excited about increasing computer science education. This year, Richmond and 37 other localities will offer summer camps in computer security to help introduce high school students to the field.

In addition, a state grant has allowed Richmond and other area school districts to create a new regional high school that will open next fall with an emphasis on teaching students computer coding.

‘Virtual school’ in Va.? Obama promotes democracy in Cuba Continued from A1

Continued from A1

effectiveness and cost of online learning programs in Virginia,” JLARC concluded in the 74-page report, “the state should use a data-driven, incremental approach to expanding access to fully online programs,” a recommendation Delegate Bell and other legislators largely ignored.

The bill also ignored another JLARC concern about the lack of any “accurate statewide method to estimate how much funding the state should provide for virtual learning.”

Somewhat surprisingly, advocates for home schooling — the practice of parents taking their kids out of public schools and doing the teaching themselves — are unimpressed with the virtual school concept and see little benefit for their approach.

Yvonne Bunn, executive director of the 33-year-old Home Education Association of Virginia, said the data she has reviewed indicates a virtual public school would not be a good approach for the organization’s members.

She said parents who home school — nearly 39,000 Virginia children currently are home schooled — are heavily involved and use a host of tools, from computers to textbooks. She said the most important element is the “one-on-one interaction” between the parent and the student, enabling quick assessments and corrections and avoiding the restrictions the public schools —including a virtual school — would impose.

While Virginia has offered virtual classes since 2002, most are provided in traditional schools. Beginning with ninth-graders in 2013, every high school student must take at least one online course to graduate, though it can be a non-credit course.

This year, the Virginia Department of Education piloted the first virtual high school, but limited enrollment to 100 students statewide. Students were required to apply through a guidance counselor at their high school.

Delegate Bell, a retired special education teacher for Augusta County Schools, found that too limited. Having advocated for virtual K-12 education since 2010 when he became a legislator, he found VDOE’s effort too limited, a main reason he pushed the current bill.

In Delegate Bell’s view, computer-based education is ideal for young people who don’t perform well in a traditional school.

He has argued that some students do better work on a computer, and that virtual school is an alternative for students who are bullied at the traditional campus.

Convinced of his position, he generally has ignored the limited findings urging caution, including the yearly reports on virtual education the National Education Policy Center (NEPC) in Boulder, Colo., has produced since 2013. Those reports provide the only limited data available on a national basis.

According to the center, public school virtual education has been growing. Currently, about 245,000 students are enrolled in 338 virtual schools operating in 30 states, up 22 percent from the previous year, but still a tiny number compared with the 50 million students enrolled in traditional schools, the center found.

Despite legislative enthusiasm, NEPC has found reason for caution, finding that only 36 percent of virtual public schools achieved “academically acceptable ratings and that only about 44 percent of students at full-time virtual high schools graduated in four years, compared with the national average of 77 percent.

More attention likely is to be paid to such concerns if Gov. McAuliffe allows the virtual school to move beyond the talk stage.

up, build something new.”

On the streets of Havana, the president’s address sparked extraordinarily rare public discussions about democracy, and some anger with Cuba’s leaders. Cubans are used to complaining bitterly about economic matters but rarely speak publicly about any desire for political change, particularly in conversations with foreign journalists.

Juan Francisco Ugarte Oliva, a 71-yearold retired refrigeration technician, said the American president “dared to say in the presence of the leaders, of Raul Castro, that (Cubans) had the right to protest peacefully without being beaten or arrested.”

Omardy Isaac, a 43-year-old who works in a gift shop, said, “Cubans need all of their rights and I am in favor of democracy.”

Later, President Obama sat beside President Castro at a baseball game between Cuba’s beloved national team and the Tampa Bay Rays of America’s Major League Baseball. President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters, Malia and Sasha, joined President Castro and others in doing the wave around the stadium during the game.

Leaving the game early for Jose Marti International Airport, President Obama was met there again by President Castro who walked him to Air Force One, where he boarded and departed for a two-day visit

Richmond Christian Center to search for new pastor Continued from A1

2013 after its main lender, Financial Capital Resource, sought to foreclose on the property.

Pastor Parson was removed from the pulpit 13 months ago following the federal bankruptcy court appointment of a trustee to oversee the church’s finances as RCC fended off an attempt by another church to buy its property.

Any hope that he could return to the pulpit has disappeared, Ms. Hickman explained in a statement.

She stated that the church has been unable to find another lender Ms. Hickman Pastor Parson and has bowed to the stipulation of Foundation Capital.

The Missouri-based lender agreed to refinance the church’s outstanding $2.3 million debt under the “stipulation that Pastor Parson (would) have no contact” with the church, Ms. Hickman stated.

Ms. Hickman said the three trustees and the congregation approved the stipulation and the refinancing plan Foundation Capital offered at a meeting March 16.

To help improve its finances, RCC hired Jim Properties LLC, which has leased part of the church’s campus to various businesses and nonprofit entities, including a day care, a youth basketball program, a fitness center and the Richmond Boys Choir.

Another church also uses the RCC space for Thursday night services, Ms. Hickman stated.

Prospective applicants can find more information by calling (804) 248-9880 or (804) 230-1222.

to Argentina.

The two leaders chatted in relaxed fashion, any awkwardness or tension apparently gone from the previous day’s news conference that saw President Castro hit with tough questions from U.S. reporters.

How quickly political change comes to Cuba, if at all, is uncertain. But the response from at least some Cubans was certain to be seen by President Obama as validation of his belief that restoring ties and facilitating more interactions between Cuba and the United States is more likely than continued estrangement to spur democracy.

“What the United States was doing was not working,” President Obama said. He reiterated his call for the U.S. Congress to lift the economic embargo on Cuba, calling it an “outdated burden on the Cuban people” — a condemnation that was enthusiastically cheered by the crowd at Havana’s Grand Theater.

The president’s visit was a crowning moment in his and President Castro’s bold bid to restore ties after a half-century diplomatic freeze. While deep differences persist, officials from both countries are in regular contact, major U.S. companies are lining up to invest in Cuba and travel restrictions that largely blocked Americans from visiting have been loosened.

After arriving Sunday, President Obama plunged into a whirlwind schedule that blended official talks with President Castro

and opportunities to soak in Cuba’s culture.

He toured historic sites in Old Havana in a rainstorm, ate at one of the city’s most popular privately owned restaurants and joined a big crowd for Tuesday’s baseball game.

The fans roared as President Obama and his family entered the stadium, which underwent an extensive upgrade for the game. President Castro joined the Obama family and sat alongside the president behind home plate — one of several moments from the President Obama’s trip that would have been barely imaginable just months ago.

President Obama also met Tuesday with about a dozen dissidents, praising them for showing “extraordinary courage.” The group included journalist Miriam Celaya, attorney Laritza Diversent and activists Manuel Cuesta and Jose Daniel Ferrer.

The White House said the meeting was a prerequisite for President Obama in coming to Cuba. Yet the gathering did little to appease those who say he hasn’t gotten enough human rights concessions from the Castro government to justify the American economic investment expected to pour into the island.

President Obama’s last day in Cuba was shadowed by the horrific attacks in Brussels, where scores of people were killed in explosions at the airport and a metro station. The president opened his remarks by vowing to do “whatever is necessary” to support Belgium.

Movement afoot to remove Lee statue Continued from A1

Lives Matter” was spray-painted on the Lee memorial last summer.

The council decision and the vandalism incident were the most recent flashpoints in an ongoing debate over whether reverence toward Confederate heroes and imagery is appropriate in contemporary American society.

In a news release, council member Wes Bellamy said a recent veto of a General Assembly bill attempting to limit localities’ authority to remove war-related monuments, including Confederate markers, has shined a light on the issue once again.

Although the bill was vetoed on March 11, state legislators will have an opportunity to override the veto April 20. A two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Delegates and the Senate would be needed to defeat Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s veto.

The bill passed the House on an 82-16 vote, but the Senate was almost evenly split with a 21-17 vote.

“This action has been discussed on several occasions, and with the recent development in Richmond, the city of Charlottesville has an opportunity to act,” Mr. Bellamy said.

“The goal of this press conference is to show a united front to the constituents of Charlottesville, while also asking for city leaders to make a concerted effort to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all throughout the city.”

(The Charlottesville City Council agreed Monday evening to consider convening a blue ribbon commission that will explore how the statues honoring Gen. Lee and Gen. Jackson, can be removed.)

Opposition to the proposal mounted quickly. On Monday morning, The Virginia Flaggers, a Richmond-based group that seeks to preserve memorials to Confederate history, took to social media to condemn the proposal to remove the statue.

A letter to the City Council attributed to Virginia Flagger H.V. Traywick Jr. was shared on the group’s Facebook page.

“The call for the removal of the Lee Monument and the renaming of the park smacks of knee-jerk self-righteousness from a myopic Marxist mob,” Mr. Traywick wrote.

“Don’t belittle yourselves. Leave the statue of Lee where it stands,” he stated.

A petition by Charlottesville High School student Zyahna Bryant also was cited in Mr. Bellamy’s release.

“Thoughts of physical harm, cruelty and

disenfranchisement flood my mind. As a teenager in Charlottesville that identifies as black, I am offended every time I pass it,” Ms. Bryant wrote in a note that is attached to her petition.

Since learning about the Civil War in middle school, Ms. Bryant stated that she gradually has been exposed to more racism.

“Since getting older and more mature, I’ve been able to pick it out a bit more,” she stated. “You can see a lot of it in Charlottesville. There are more people who are OK voicing it. As a student, that makes me uncomfortable.”

Ms. Bryant’s petition, which contained more than 500 signatures Tuesday evening, is only the most recent call for a change.

In 2013, the city sponsored a forum on the topic after council member Kristin Szakos suggested several months before that the

statue be removed from Lee Park.

Ms. Szakos said both the governor’s veto and a court ruling last year from Danville mean localities have a clearer pathway to remove Confederate monuments.

“That’s what stopped the process before.

The legal ability is relatively new,” Ms. Szakos said. “The idea of having one of our most prominent gathering places be a celebration of Confederate history is inappropriate,” she said.

Ms. Szakos once suggested that a new memorial could be erected to provide a balance of cultural representation, a measure Washington and Lee University professor Barton Myers said he could support.

Ideally, he said, keeping the monuments and “contextualizing them” would be a “reminder that this should never, ever happen again — the racial hegemony the Confederates attempted to found.”

National ‘Player of the Year’ Continued from A1

(8.7) while propelling Coach AnnMarie Gilbert’s Lady Panthers to the CIAA and the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region titles.

As a transfer student from Michigan State University, Johnson set single-season VUU records for total points (671) and

assists (219), and points (49) and assists (17) in a single game.

The Lady Panthers carried a 28-2 record, a 15-game winning streak and the hopes of thousands of fans across the nation into this week’s Elite Eight in Sioux Falls, S.D. Coverage of VUU’s game Tuesday against Bentley University of Massachusetts, more photos, A8.

Rapper Phife Dawg dies Continued from A1

he impacted all our lives will never be forgotten. His love for music and sports was only surpassed by his love of God and family,” the statement read.

The family did not disclose any other details.

Mr. Taylor, who earned respect for his skillful and thoughtful rhymes, was part of a number of rap classics with Tribe, including “Scenario,” ‘’Bonita Applebum,” ‘’Can I Kick It?” and “I Left My Wallet in El Segundo,” among others.

“I like ‘em brown, yellow, Puerto Rican or Haitian, name is Phife Dawg from the Zulu Nation,” he famously rapped on “Electric Relaxation.”

Mr. Taylor grew up in Queens, N.Y., with fellow Tribe member Q-Tip. In high school, the two met Ali Shaheed Muhammad, who is from Brooklyn, to form Tribe. Jarobi

White later joined the group. The collective — known for its artistic songs and lyrics — recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of their debut album, “People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm.”

They were pioneers of rap, blending genres like jazz into hip-hop and offering rap fans a different sound and style than the gangsta rap that dominated airwaves at the time.

In a November interview, he was just as passionate about rap as he was when the Tribe launched its career. The group had some tense moments — seen in the 2011 documentary “Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest” — but thoughts of re-grouping were being considered. To celebrate the group’s 25th anniversary, they performed together on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”

Mr. Taylor said he was ready to tour again with his band mates.

Richmond Free Press

March 24-26, 2016

THE ALL-NEW OUTPATIENT CHILDREN’S PAVILION

HEROES WELCOME

And fairies. And ninjas. Here, kids can still be kids.

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

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

A5

Richmond Free Press

Bradford pear tree in North Side

Editorial Page

A6

March 24-26, 2016

Remove the log We followed with great interest President Obama’s trip this week to Cuba, scrutinizing closely his reception not only by the Cuban people, but by that nation’s leaders.

For decades, the United States and Cuba have turned their backs on one another, like estranged brothers, as the president said, but with the same blood.

For the first time in more than 80 years, a sitting U.S. president stepped on Cuban soil and brought a message of peace, cooperation and reconciliation. In these serious times of global terrorism and uncertainty, we need such overtures of goodwill.

Time will show whether the president’s visit will result in more significant changes than Starwood hotels, ballgames with professional U.S. teams and Carnival Cruise Line ships dropping anchor and providing tourists to spend dollars in the Caribbean island nation.

While President Obama’s message about democracy and personal self-determination was heard there by the communist leadership and the people alike, Americans also must hear the message Cuban President Raul Castro imparted to us.

How can we, the United States, lecture the Cuban government and the Cuban people about human rights violations and political prisoners when the human rights of scores of Americans are snuffed out in fatal encounters with police. In 2015 alone, more than 1,100 people were killed by police in this bastion of democracy. We don’t need to list the names of the many unarmed African-American men and women who are among that alarming count.

Similarly, how can we urge them to make human rights reforms when we don't provide universal health care for our people and equal pay for women, both of which are the norm in Cuba.

When President Obama pushed on freedom of speech, assembly and religion, President Castro pushed back with questions about when the U.S. plans to end the economic embargo against Cuba and close the prison we operate on Cuba’s shores at Guantanamo. It’s like the country of Costa Rica building and operating a military base and prison on the shores of Virginia Beach. What sense does that make?

President Obama took office on a promise to close the U.S. base at Guantanamo, where prisoners have been held for years — many without formal charges — all in violation of the constitutional principles we say we believe in. Despite congressional opposition, we believe he has authority to close the base as commander in chief of the military.

The scales by which we measure ourselves and others are lopsided. We need to recognize that and remove the log from our own eye.

We urge President Obama to close Guantanamo, give Cuba its land back, end the embargo — and get on with it before his term ends in January.

Sharing the blessing We commend Starbucks, the high-priced, addictive java joint, for listening to the suggestions of its employees and customers and coming up with a way to help the hungry while reducing food waste.

The Seattle-based company announced Tuesday that it would donate unsold food from its stores daily to local food banks. Through a new initiative called FoodShare, the company will give sandwiches, salads and other refrigerated food that is beyond the expiration date but still consumable to families in need.

The company has been giving away pastries since 2010 through its partnership with Food Donation Connection, which matches retailers with food banks. But expensive, perishable ready-to-eat meals left unsold at the end of the day were thrown out because of food safety policies.

Now, however, they will be picked up by refrigerated vans and distributed through Feeding America’s network of food banks.

With an estimated 50 million Americans — including 15 million children — struggling daily to avoid hunger, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Starbucks’ initiative will be welcomed in communities across the country.

Hunger is no stranger in Richmond, where officials say 25 percent of the city’s residents live in poverty. Many families are having a hard time putting enough food on the table, much less affording the bistro boxes and iced caramel macchiatos routinely enjoyed by Starbucks’ patrons.

Locally, FeedMore’s Central Virginia Food Bank is a part of Feeding America’s network. Since 1980, the food bank has provided hunger relief to families and individuals in an area that has grown to include 31 counties and five cities, including Richmond and Petersburg.

A food bank spokeswoman said Wednesday the agency is waiting to learn details of the new arrangement with the 7,600 company-owned Starbucks stores nationwide and how it will work in Metro Richmond. Starbucks officials said Tuesday they expect to provide 5 million ready-to-eat meals to families in the first year. By 2021, they project that number will rise to 50 million meals annually.

We hope that Starbucks’ generosity will go a long way in helping families in the Greater Richmond area. And we hope that it will spur other retailers to share their blessings with local communities in need as well.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Moving toward reason As President Obama counts down his last month in office amid the raucous babble of the Republican presidential debate, people are beginning to realize how much we will miss his leadership. He has served with dignity and grace, increasingly rare attributes in American politics. His family has exhibited the values that Americans embrace. He has brought the economy back from the freefall he inherited.

Republicans, of course, scorn all things Obama, with particular emphasis on his foreign policy. They argue that he has destroyed our nation’s credibility, gutted our military and fostered the spread of terror.

The din covers the emptiness of the argument.

In reality, President Obama’s foreign policy will be remembered as making a start toward reason. His record, of course, is complex. The president has enjoyed some remarkable successes — taking out Osama bin Laden, traducing al-Qaida, forging a nuclear deal with Iran and normalizing relations with Cuba and thus with other neighbors across the hemisphere.

He also was met with frustrations. He was unable to extract us from Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Syria and Libya. He has failed to close Guantanamo. He also has asserted, dangerously, unprecedented executive prerogatives in the use of drones for assassination, the hunting of whistle-blowers, mass surveil-

Jesse L. Jackson Sr. lance and more.

But President Obama’s biggest legacy is his effort to turn America away from the interventionist appetites of both the neo-conservatives and the “indispensable nation” liberal activists. In a remarkable set of interviews with Jeffrey Goldberg in The Atlantic, President Obama argues that while the United States must lead, it cannot police the world. In his view, we must be both “hardheaded” and “big hearted.” We have to be clear about our real security concerns, learn to pick our spots and not allow ourselves to be dragged into every civil war or humanitarian crisis.

The president is clear — and clearly right — on the priority of threats facing the United States. Despite the popular terrors about terror, he understands that the Islamic State is not an existential threat to the United

States. In contrast, climate change potentially threatens the world if we don’t act to counter it.

Similarly, the president argues that the Middle East is no longer terribly important to U.S. interests, particularly with our increasing energy independence. The U.S.-China relationship, in contrast, is the “most critical.” Sustaining a peaceful rise of China that will make it a partner in securing international order is far more important than the civil wars in the Middle East.

President Obama believes, against the clamor of an interventionist foreign policy establishment, that overextension in the Middle East is far more destructive than restraint.

As his adviser Ben Rhodes summarizes, the president’s view is that “overextension in the Middle East will ultimately harm our economy and harm our ability to look for other opportunities and deal with other challenges, and, most important, endanger the lives of American service members for reasons unrelated to our national-security interest.”

According to Mr. Goldberg, President Obama also sees Russia as weak, but recognises it has direct security concerns about Ukraine and Georgia on its border. As President Obama

Women peace activists Some words seem rarely mentioned in this highly toxic political season. We’ve heard about bombs and walls, but very little about peace. One is almost tempted, when some of the candidates are speaking, to burst into “Give peace a chance.”

In this Wo m e n ’s History Month, it makes sense to reflect on women and the peace movement and especially on the African-American women who have played a significant role in this movement.

The Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom (WILPF) was founded in 1915 in the midst of World War I. Its first chair, Hull House’s Jane Addams, cared deeply about world disarmament. Early on, though, there were criticisms of the WILPF because African-Americans were too often invisible.

In “A Band of Noble Women: Racial Politics in the Women’s Peace Movement,” Melinda Plastas writes that AfricanAmerican women combined the effects of race, gender and war and “demanded a place.”

Mary Church Terrell was involved in the WILPF almost from its outset, serving on its board for a time. The Washington doyenne, who was one of the first African-American women to earn a college degree, was involved in the civil rights and social justice movements.

A teacher by profession, she

Julianne Malveaux also was one of the first women to serve on the D.C. Board of Education. She played founding roles in the NAACP, the International College of Women, the National Association of Colored Women (NACW), and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Some of her dealings with WILPF were not smooth. She was not re-elected to a second term on the organization’s board to the chagrin of many of the white women who felt that African-American women’s voices needed to be heard.

Ms. Terrell was not the only woman who worked with WILPF during its early days.

Addie Hunton came to activism as an organizer for the NACW in the early 20th century. She worked with servicemen in France during the war. Those war experiences led her to work as a peace activist

during the 1920s. In 1926, she wrote a report condemning the U.S. occupation of Haiti.

Bertha McNeill was another of the African-American women in the WILPF. She led the Washington chapter and also served as a vice president of the organization for two terms.

These women — as well as non-African-American sisters like Medea Benjamin and Arundhati Roy — come to mind in the middle of this raucous political season. Sane, calm voices are missing in these presidential debates along with a focus off the futility of militarism.

Wouldn’t it be appropriate for us to hear about alternatives to war.

That brings me to California Congresswomen Barbara Lee, the only person who opposed President George W. Bush’s push for military action after September 11, 2001. She appropriately asked whether our country was rushing into war.

Many of us are familiar with Rep. Lee’s peace activism, but far fewer of us know much about Mary Church Terrell and Addie Hunton.

This history of peace activism should be lifted up this month.

The writer is an economist and author based in Washington.

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.

says, the United States is not going to war over Ukraine.

Russia is prepared to do that.

Mexico has had to learn to live with the United States; Ukraine similarly has to learn to live with Russia.

President Obama has made mistakes, as any president does.

But he has come to understand the limits of U.S. power to direct global events, even as he realizes the importance of U.S. leadership to force global action. He calls on us to understand our limits and to set real priorities.

Listen to the posturing and the bloviating of the Republican contenders for the presidency.

It doesn’t take long to realize that how much we should value the steps that President Obama has taken toward reason.

The writer is founder and president of the National Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

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Richmond Free Press

March 24-26, 2016

A7

Letters to the Editor

‘Highland Park continues to blossom’ Highland Park, once a place of decay, continues to blossom. Residents, civic groups, police, schools churches, nonprofit organizations and area businesses are helping to make this community a great place to live, work and play.

Here are some of the positive things that are complementing the work that has already been done: • 77 new senior apartments are being developed at Six Points, the crossroads where Brookland Park Boulevard, Meadowbridge Road, Dill Avenue and 2nd Avenue meet.

• Plans are being made to transform the long derelict building that was once home to a church and community center.

• Construction has begun on a new roundabout or traffic circle at Six Points.

• The city has begun giving Ann Hardy Park

in North Highland Park a facelift that is bringing improvements to the community center at its heart and the play equipment on the grounds.

Also coming to Highland Park, thanks to the nonprofit Storefront for the Community Design, is the Six Points Innovation Center (6PIC), providing a place for Highland Park teens to work on community change and to become advocates for the community’s future. 6PIC will occupy part of the currently vacant building owned by Boaz & Ruth that is under renovation. The building also will house nonprofits such as Groundwork RVA, ART 180, Saving Our Youth Virginia and the Richmond Guardian Angel to collectively work with youths.

Meanwhile, more than 300 residents are involved in Neighborhood Watch endeavors in doing their part to improve safety. Others are

teaming up to host festivals and community events that build trust, fellowship and community spirit.

Highland Park is becoming a model that other neighborhoods can learn from. Most notable is a Quality of Life plan that sets four goals to guide the various endeavors: To empower people; to increase youth participation in programs and recreational activities; to increase public safety; and to create employment opportunities.

Our City Council representative, Ellen F. Robertson, has been steadfast in her support and in steering the funding to make various projects

and the Keating Five get no prison time for the savings and loan scandal that cost average citizens millions of dollars.

Chief Justice John Roberts, a Republican on the U.S. Supreme Court, watered down the federal Voting Rights Act. Black lives can be taken at will.

JO WHITE Henrico County The writer is commander of the Richmond Guardian Angels in Highland Park.

Community.

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GOP: ‘Modern-day plantation owners’ “Stand your ground” laws make that possible.

Frightened yet?

You should be.

Modern-day Republicans have too much of an Aryan race mentality.

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The modern-day Republican Party is a very destructive force. They want to destroy Hillary Clinton’s chances for becoming president so that they can rule over this country Jim Crow-style.

Ted Cruz and company want to be modern-day plantation owners. There will be no escape from them. Many believe prisons and lethal injections are meant for black people.

White people do not commit crimes. White people suffer from “conditions.”

For example, a white man who kills four people with his car suffers from “Affluenza.”

A white man who plans and then kills a dozen people in a Colorado movie theater has a “mental” condition that will have to be treated for the rest of his life.

When mostly black people were caught with heroin and other deadly drugs, it was a “crime.” Now that more white people are caught with deadly drugs, it has become a “condition” that needs to be treated.

After all, we do not want to throw all of these white drug users in prison.

A black man stealing $200 in merchandise gets a long prison sentence. Neil Bush

move from the drawing board to reality. The police sector commander, Lt. Lewis Mills, now has two officers walking a beat and is taking other steps to uplift the community as a partner.

And, just as important, business owners have invested to create important services.

Highland Park has its challenges, but the future is bright. Come visit and see for yourself.

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Richmond Free Press

A8 March 24-26, 2016

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter Virginia Union University star Kiana Johnson drives to the basket against Bentley University’s Jen Gemma during Tuesday’s heartwrenching 53-52 loss by the Lady Panthers in the NCAA Women’s Division II Elite Eight in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Dave Eggen/Inertia

Loses

Lady Panthers’ heartbreaker In her only basketball season for Virginia Union University, Kiana Johnson scored a jawdropping 905 points.

If she somehow could have added points 906 or perhaps 907, the Panthers might still be playing.

As it is, the curtain has fallen on the greatest single-season individual performance in the annals of VUU women’s hoops.

When two of Johnson’s shots failed in the final eight seconds of Tuesday’s tournament game, the Lady Panthers lost in a heart-stopping 53-52 to Bentley University in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Massachusetts team, with its 29-5 record, advanced to play undefeated Lubbock Christian University of Texas in the national semifinals on Wednesday. The Division II final is April 4 in Indianapolis.

VUU headed home with a 28-3 record and first-place trophies from the CIAA and NCAA Atlantic Region tournaments.

In her final game wearing VUU’s No. 3 jersey, Johnson had 26 points and seven assists.

Of VUU’s 18 field goals, Johnson either scored or assisted on 15.

Only four Lady Panthers found the scoring column against a Bentley outfit that won the

2014 NCAA title and has been to four Elite Eights in the last six years.

Johnson, the 5-foot-6 Chicago native known as the “Windy City Wonder,” added five steals and four rebounds while playing a full 40 minutes for first-year VUU Coach AnnMarie Gilbert.

On the season, Johnson averaged 29 points and nine assists, enabling VUU to improve its record from 9-19 in 2015 to 28-3 this season.

Johnson’s final game will be recalled as an all-time thriller. VUU had the ball and was down by 1 point, with 29 seconds left in the game, following Bentley’s 21st turnover of the game.

Johnson, controlling the ball as usual, drove into the lane and had her shot blocked with 8 seconds left.

Snagging the rebound, the right-hander dribbled right to left and let go an off-balance 8-footer under heavy duress. The final shot of her career danced on the rim and tumbled off as the clock read all zeroes.

“Bentley played good defense. The ball just didn’t go in for us sometimes,” Johnson said during a postgame news conference.

While Johnson was cool, the Bentley coach acknowledged she had been sweating during the game’s final moments.

Rams knocked out in round 2; next test in Battle4Atlantis University of Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield is arguably the best college basketball player in America.

If he were anything less, Virginia Commonwealth University likely would be headed to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 this weekend instead of packing for the offseason.

He’s the “best player I’ve seen in college basketball,” said VCU Coach Will Wade after the Rams’ 85-81 loss to Oklahoma last Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Midwest Regional play.

Making the task tougher, Hield and the Sooners were playing in Oklahoma City, just 20 miles from their campus in Norman, Okla.

A finalist for the Naismith College Player of the Year and a likely NBA draft lottery pick, Hield scored 29 of his 36 points in the game’s second half as the Sooners withstood a spirited VCU rally.

The Rams trailed 21-7 early on and 44-31 at the half.

Hield’s 36 points is most ever scored against VCU in a NCAA game. The best previous mark was 31 points, by both La Salle University’s Steve Black in 1983 and Northeastern University’s Reggie Lewis in 1984.

No. 2 seed Oklahoma, 27-7, will face Texas A&M Thursday of the West Region in a Sweet 16 match in Anaheim, Calif.

The No. 10 seed VCU Rams had advanced to the tournament’s second round with an impressive 75-67 victory last Friday over No. 7 Oregon State University.

In Coach Wade’s first season after succeeding Coach Shaka Smart, the Rams were 25-11 and co-Atlantic 10 regular season champs, although they lost the A-10 Tournament title to St. Joseph’s University at the Barclays Center.

The Rams averaged 77.2 points, more than they ever scored during the coaching stints of Coach Smart, Coach Anthony Grant or Coach Jeff Capel III.

second half, treating the Rams to a temporary lead.

The seniors in 2016-17 will be Lewis (11.3 point average, 183 assists), MoAlie-Cox (10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 68 blocked shots), Jordan Burgess (4.9 points, 4.2 rebounds) and Doug Brooks (4.2 points, team best 69 steals).

Joining the roster next season will be two red-shirted freshmen, 6-foot-4 Samir Doughty from Philadelphia and 6-foot-9 New Yorker Jonathan Nwankwo, along with four incoming freshmen.

RamNation is thrilled about the arrival of 6-foot-5 De’Riante Jenkins, a native of Santee, S.C. Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press Jenkins shined this season at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Mo Alie-Cox, center, Hargrave Military Academy near tries to reach over University of Oklahoma’s Isaiah Cousins, Danville, where he was selected left, and Buddy Hield for a rebound during Sunday’s NCAA Most Valuable Player of the NaTournament second round game in Oklahoma City. tional Prep Championship in New Melvin Johnson scored 23 points for VCU Haven, Conn. Hargrave went 47-1 this season.

VCU will be tested early in the Battle4Atlanin his final game, closing with 1,657 career points, which is the sixth best in school an- tis in The Bahamas Nov. 23 through 26. Other nals. Johnson sank five 3-pointers against entries are Michigan State University, University Oklahoma to finish with the Rams’ record of Louisville, Wichita State University, Baylor University, Louisiana State University, St. John’s 285 3-point shots.

VCU loses seniors Johnson (17.4 point scoring University and Old Dominion University.

The Rams’ beat goes on and on despite the average) and Korey Billbury (11.2 points, 4.9 annual loss of key components. Success this searebounds) but remains optimistic, as always.

Among the returning Rams is rising star son came following the departure of two all-time JeQuan Lewis, who had 22 points, nine assists greats, Treveon Graham and Briante Weber, plus and four rebounds against the Sooners playing Coach Smart and the entire recruiting class.

VCU is among eight universities to have been a full 40 minutes.

Off the bench, 6-foot-10 sophomore Michael to six straight NCAA tournaments. The Rams have Gilmore had a career high 12 points. The nephew won at least 24 games for 10 straight years. Only of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer the University of Kansas, the overall top seed in Artis Gilmore sank two key 3-point shots in the this year’s tournament, can match that.

“We knew we couldn’t stop Kiana Johnson,” said Bentley Coach Barbara Stevens after her 800th career victory. “We just hoped to contain her and limit her good looks.

“But when she had the ball in her hands at the end, I’ll admit I was a little nervous,” she said.

Following the first quarter in which Bentley made 10 of 14 shots, VUU dialed up the heat defensively.

For the final three periods, the New Englanders were a combined 8-for-32, rarely getting a clear look.

To Bentley’s credit, it devised a game plan designed to force Johnson to work hard for her shots, especially in the half-court set.

Johnson and the Lady Panthers were most effective on causing the Falcons’turnovers, which became abundant in the game’s feverish late going.

“We did a great job turning them over,” Coach Gilbert said. “We just didn’t capitalize enough on the turnovers. If the game had gone a few more minutes, or we got a few lucky bounces, it might have been different.”

Johnson’s percentages — 8-for-26 from the floor, 1-for-5 behind the arc — were well behind her norms.

Johnson is likely to graduate to the WNBA or play professionally overseas.

Also departing will be 6-foot-2 Taylor White, one half of VUU’s “Towering Twosome,” along with 6-foot-2 junior Lady Walker, another pro prospect.

Back next season will be All-CIAA and thirdteam All-America Walker, who had 11 points and 10 rebounds in the final game. On season, she averaged 18 points and 13 rebounds and was CIAA Defensive Player of the Year.

With Johnson gone, Walker could succeed Johnson as overall CIAA Player of the Year in 2017.

No doubt, Coach Gilbert and her staff will hit the recruiting trail hard, re-stocking the roster and planning for an encore.

But how do you replace the “Windy City Wonder?”

Kiana Johnson wasn’t just a star.

She was queen of the stars.

Pirates routed

by U.Va. in first round This wasn’t a banner year for NCAA Division I basketball champions from historically black colleges and universities.

MEAC Tournament champion Hampton University was trounced 81-45 by the University of Virginia in a first-round NCAA game last Thursday in Raleigh, N.C. And SWAC champ Southern University of Louisiana lost 59-55 to College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts in a First Four preliminary in Dayton, Ohio.

Hampton University Coach Buck Joyner has his work cut out for him.

Departing seniors Reggie Coach Joyner Johnson, Quinton Chievous, Jervon Pressley, Brian Darden and Dionte Adams accounted for 59.8 points out of an overall total of 73.8.

The Pirates, finishing 21-11, won MEAC regular season and tournament titles, but was the No. 16 seed in the NCAA Midwest Region.

No. 1 seed U.Va., led by National Player of the Year finalist Malcolm Brogdon, was never tested.

The Wahoos advanced to the Sweet 16 and will take on the University of Iowa Friday in Chicago.

Another HBCU first-round loser was Norfolk State University in NIT action.

Finishing 17-17, the Spartans lost 86-54 to Ivy League Columbia University in New York City.

Departing NSU’s roster will be seniors D’Shon Taylor and Jeff Short. The duo, both transfers, combined for more than 2,000 points in just two seasons each.

NSU is excited about two red-shirted freshmen, 6-foot-4 Kerwin Okoro from Bronx, N.Y., and 7-foot Dan Robinson from Atlantic Shores Christian School in Chesapeake.

Cuba played role in Dodgers’ history Cuba made headlines this week with President Obama’s historic trip to the largest Caribbean nation located just 90 miles south of Florida.

However, long before the trade embargo, the missile crisis and the military dictatorship of Fidel Castro, Cuba was making a different kind of news — on the sports pages.

In February 1947, the Brooklyn Dodgers escaped Jim Crow in Florida and, with the minor league Montreal Royals in tow, conducted spring training in the Cuban capital of Havana.

Aboard the ship to Cuba were four African-American Brooklyn Dodgers players, infielder Jackie Robinson, catcher Roy Campanella and pitchers Don Newcombe and Roy Partlow.

Big league baseball at the time had a whites-only policy that had been enforced since the late 1800s.

While the racial atmosphere was more lenient in Cuba, conditions weren’t ideal.

The Dodgers’ white players

checked into the luxurious for African-Americans beHotel Nacional, while the cause of segregation.

African-American players In 1946, Robinson’s settled for the less-swanky first year with Brooklyn Hotel Los Angeles. during spring training, the The team trained at cities of Jacksonville and Havana Military AcadSanford, Fla., refused to emy and played exhibiallow whites and blacks tion games, against both to play on the same field, white and black Cuban forcing the team to shift all-star teams, at Tropical Jackie Robinson operations on the fly to Stadium.

Daytona Beach.

The Boston Braves also flew down Rickey wanted no part of those for a three-game weekend series. shenanigans in 1947, confident his Trailblazing Brooklyn Dodgers team was on threshold of a NaPresident Branch Rickey accom- tional League pennant and knowing panied his team for the full 47-day African-American athletes would be camp. a large part of that victory.

The Dodgers had barnstormed Robinson made his historic debut across Cuba in the spring of 1942 with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April and 1943 and enjoyed the splendor of 15, 1947, and became the National what was then considered a vacation League Rookie of the Year. paradise. Cuba was famous for its In August 1947, Robinson was nightclubs, gambling and fabulous joined by Roy Bankhead, who became scenery. Havana essentially was the major league’s first black pitcher.

Las Vegas.

Bankhead had not been with the team No one feared going to Cuba then. during spring training.

Florida was the feared place, at least The Dodgers won the 1947

National League pennant and lost to the New York Yankees in the World Series. It was the start of an inspiring run of success and racial pioneering.

Campanella joined Brooklyn in 1948 and became a three-time NL Most Valuable Player.

Newcombe came aboard in 1949 and became a Cy Young Award winner and four-time All-Star.

In 1952, Joe Black joined Brooklyn and became the first African-American to win a World Series game.

Outfielder Sandy Amoros, a black Cuban, was discovered by scout Jim Campanis during a Havana spring adventure and signed with the Dodgers in 1950. In 1955, Amoros made one of greatest catches in baseball history, robbing Yankees’ Yogi Berra and helping Brooklyn win the World Series.

In 1952, infielder Junior Gilliam joined the Dodgers and played a key role on four World Series championship teams.

By comparison, the juggernaut

Yankees didn’t integrate its team until 1955, with Elston Howard, and Boston had no African-American players until 1959 with Pumpsie Green.

Between 1947 and 1956, AfricanAmerican players helped Brooklyn win six pennants. Some of that success can be pegged to Rickey’s determination to buck the system, sign African-American talent and say “adios” to bigoted Florida.

In 1948, Brooklyn went to spring training in less expensive Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In 1949, they set up camp in Vero Beach, Fla., near Daytona.

To this day, the Dodgers team, which moved to Los Angeles in 1958, has several Cuban players. The current roster includes Cubans Yasiel Puig, Alex Guerrero and Yasmani Grandal. Numerous others are on the Los Angeles minor-league rosters.

To paraphrase a comical line from “Saturday Night Live,” Cuba has been “very, very good to Dodgers baseball.”

e c n a l a breal.

Make

I restarted the VCU chapter of Active Minds, a national mental health advocacy organization, because of my own struggles.

I want everyone to know that in the midst of academics and activities, mental health must remain a priority. It doesn’t make one stronger to avoid reaching out; the strongest ones realize a problem and seek to remedy it.

What will you make real? makeitreal.vcu.edu Andrea Nguyen, psychology major, pre-med track

March 24-26, 2016 B1

an equal opportunity/affirmative action university

Richmond Free Press

B2 March 24-26, 2016

Happenings

Personality: Dr. Leonard L. Edloe Spotlight on American Pharmacists Association Foundation president

Date and place of birth: July 10 in Richmond.

Alma maters with degrees: Howard University, bachelor’s degree; Virginia Union University’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, master of divinity degree; and University of Florida, doctor of pharmacy degree.

Family: Wife, Serita HamiltonEdloe, and daughter, Leonard Lenisse Edloe.

When the American Association of Pharamacists (APhA) Foundation was founded: In 1953. The American Pharmacists Association Foundation is the nonprofit supportive foundation of the American Pharmacists Association and does not have members. However, we are supported by the gifts of individuals, foundations and corporations.

Why is this organization important: It is the place where people can invest their dollars in scholarships for pharmacy students. The same holds true for those who would like to fund incentive grants that allow pharmacists to engage in new and innovative practices. The foundation also has a strong research arm that documents the value of pharmacists in today’s health care system.

Some projects of the APhAF include: The Pinnacle Awards, The Impact Care Transformation Institute, Beating Diabetes, Project Impact Immunizations and the Patient Self-Management Credential.

How many African-American pharmacists are located in the

Greater Richmond area: I don’t know the exact number of African-American pharmacists in Richmond. When I finished Howard University in 1970, there were only six of us. For many years, every AfricanAmerican pharmacy student at Virginia Commonwealth University spent time at Edloe’s Pharmacy. A conservative guess would be around 40.

Is the number of AfricanAmerican pharmacists growing or declining? The number has increased. However our numbers in no way match our percentage of the population.

Why I entered the profession: I entered pharmacy because of the great father I had, who was also a pharmacist. When I was in the third grade, I decided to become a pharmacist. He gave me a white coat, which I proudly wore as a boy and young man.

Advice to aspiring pharmacists: Expose yourselves to as many areas of the profession as possible. There are so many opportunities other than the traditional roles in community and hospital pharmacies.

Role of pharmacists in the community: To be the most accessible health care professional. We should make sure each patient has the correct medicine, the correct dose and be on the lowest number of medicines, while at the same time providing the patient with the highest quality of life possible. Pharmacists should make sure the patient understands both his medication, how that medication helps control his or her medical condition and any side effects that might result from drug therapy. The pharmacist should serve as the referral person when the patient is not responding to medical treatment or is seeking advice and needs the services of a primary care provider. The pharmacist should be looked to as the drug expert.

Thoughts on Virginia lawmakers approving SB701 allowing for the production of medical marijuana. (Last year, the legislature approved a bill signed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe that allowed the use of marijuana oil for the treatment of intractable epilepsy.): SB701 is a step in the right direction. Marijuana has been used since ancient China for medical treatment.

The regulation of this drug is based on the prohibition laws of the 1920s and had little if any scientific basis. Am I endorsing the recreational use of the drug? No. However, I feel that the evidence is there for its use as a medicinal agent.

Definition of a leader: A leader is a person who surrounds himself or herself with good people and gets all of them to do their best to accomplish the team’s mission.

I’m driven by: The desire for excellence and the fact that because the Lord has allowed me to live through a near fatal illness, being robbed by one of Richmond’s most notorious murderers and surviving two near fatal automobile accidents, I need to live life to the fullest each and every day.

Perfect day: With the cardio-

vascular health history of my family, my brother died at 54 of a heart attack and my sister at 60 from the same, every day I wake up is a perfect day.

Making the difference in the life of someone else makes that day even better.

Perfect evening: On the deck after fixing dinner on the grill and enjoying it with my wife.

How I unwind: By reading.

Hobby: Reading and music and listening to, singing with or playing the organ. I also enjoy working out on a regular basis.

Prized possession: The Bible my parents gave me in 1956.

Nobody knows I’m: A classically trained singer and sang with Donny Hathaway and Jessye Norman at Howard University.

The best thing my parents ever taught me was: Be the best at being yourself.

Best late-night snack: For health reasons, I do not do eat late night snacks. I try not to eat after 5 p.m.

Person who influenced me the most: I feel that men are best influenced by men and I am thankful for all the men who have made a different in the various stages of my life. Leonard Lacy Edloe, my father; the Rev. Jeff Harris, my uncle and AME pastor; Dean Chauncey Cooper, Howard University; Dr. William Apple, APhA; Dr. Lance Watson; and Samuel Hamilton, my father-inlaw. As men have influenced me, I try to make a difference in the life of any man the Lord sends my way.

Book that has influenced me the most: “A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants” by Rueben P. Job and Norman Shawchuck. I started using this book in my prayer life in 1982.

Book I’m reading now: “An Other Kingdom: Departing the Consumer Culture” by Peter Block, Walter Brueggemann and John McKnight.

If I’ve learned one thing in life, it is: Expect anything.

Next goal: To do further studies in Christian Ethics and Theology.

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Dr. Leonard L. Edloe provided a vital service to residents of Richmond’s East End, South Side and Downtown communities as a pharmacist before closing his businesses, Edloe’s Professional Pharmacies, in 2012 after more than four decades. He also ministers to others as senior pastor at New Hope Fellowship in Middlesex County and hosts a weekly radio talk show on WCLM 1450 in Richmond. He also is an adjunct professor of Christian ethics at the John B. Leland Theological Center’s School of Ministry.

The Mechanicsville resident also served on an array of civic committees focusing on the revitalization of the East End and Downtown and was the first African-American president of the Retail Merchants Association of Greater Richmond.

Now, he has added to his diverse array of communityserving commitments with his election as president of the American Pharmacists Association Foundation. Dr. Edloe was elected to the position in March in Baltimore by the foundation’s board of directors.

“Our core purpose,” Dr. Edloe says of the foundation, “is to improve health by inspiring philanthropy, research and innovation that advances pharmacists’ patient care services.”

The Washington-based nonprofit foundation is affiliated with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the oldest and largest national professional society of pharmacists in the United States.

Dr. Edloe has been involved with the APhA Foundation for nearly five decades. In 1968, he was the first African-American student pharmacist elected a national officer of the professional organization. In 1982, he was the second youngest pharmacist ever elected to serve on the foundation’s board of trustees. He has served in his current stint on the foundation’s board since 2012.

He says that he’s active in the foundation “because I know the importance of the development of policy for all professions.

Non-involvement places your professional life in the hands of others, and sometimes those people do not value your profession at all.”

Here’s a look at this week’s Personality, Dr. Leonard L. Edloe:

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Richmond Free Press

March 24-26, 2016

Congratulations to these outstanding principals – recipients of the

2016 r.E.B. awards for

distinguished Educational leadership

Kenneth R. Butta Carver College and Career Academy Chesterfield

Mark T. Beckett Chickahominy Middle School Hanover

Arthur G. Raymond III Fairfield Middle School Henrico

Daisy D. Greene J. L. Francis Elementary School Richmond

These educators exemplify leadership by supporting their teachers, inspiring their students and building positive relationships between their school and community.

262025-01

The awards program is administered by the R.E.B. Foundation and The Community Foundation. It is designed to recognize public school principals who go beyond the day-to-day demands of their position to create an exceptional learning environment.

The Foundations, together with the public school systems of the City of Richmond and Counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico, recognize the 2016 award recipients.

B3

Richmond Free Press

B4 March 24-26, 2016

Faith News/Directory

Family events to highlight Easter weekend Two family-style festivals return this weekend to highlight the holiday season.

Maymont once again will host Dominion Family Easter from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at the park off Hampton Street in the West End. Then Easter on Parade is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. Easter Sunday, March 27, on four blocks of Monument Avenue between Allen and Davis avenues.

Both are open to all.

Maymont’s festival, set to take place on the Carriage House Lawn, is to include entertainment, Easter Bunny visits, bonnet parades and

By Joey Matthews

storytelling.

Additional child-oriented activities will be offered for a $5 fee for Maymont members or a $10 activity pass for nonmembers. The extra fun will include the Eggtivity Zone where kids can collect Easter eggs, eliminating hunts on the lawn.

Further information: Maymont.org or (804) 358-7166.

Easter on Parade is a people-watching tradition best known for people and pets taking a “stroll on the avenue” to show off holiday clothes and fancy bonnets.

In past years, as many as 25,000 people have turned out to walk the four blocks — though this year’s edition could be dampened if the forecast for a 30 percent chance of rain proves accurate.

Still, the festive program is set to go on rain or shine, according to Venture Richmond, the Downtown booster group that stages the festival.

The event is to include music, arts and crafts, balloon art, a petting zoo and other activities.

Jazz artist Debo Dabney will perform on the Allen Avenue stage named for the late Zayde R. Dotts, a Monument Avenue

preservation advocate.

The Davis Avenue stage is scheduled to host Townhouse of Song, Theatre IV’s “Frog Prince,” Dads Tribute Band and The NEAtLEs. There also will be roving performers, including Jonathan “The Juggler” Austin, the More or Less Morris Dancers, Peggy the Clown and the Stilt Walking Clown.

Prizes will be awarded in competitions for best bonnet for pets and best bonnet for people, set for 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. respectively, on the Dotts Stage.

Additional information: www.venture richmond.com or (804) 788-6466.

Twins lend voices, expertise to healthy heart education

Fraternal twins Kimberly Ketter and Shaun Rivers share a deep faith and a desire to help others. And they aspire to live life to its fullest.

“We play hard and we work hard,” Ms. Ketter told the Free Press in a recent interview with her sister. “We are passionate about what we do.”

The 47-year-old Varina residents are best friends and nurses who work together, worship together and have many of the same friends.

They now also share roles as American Heart Association Heart Failure Patient Ambassadors.

Along with five other heart failure survivors, they joined a newly established national team in October 2015 of survivors and caregivers living with the impact of heart failure.

They are serving as the public faces of a multiyear national initiative called “Rise Above Heart Failure.”

Its mission is to raise awareness of heart failure risks and symptoms and to reduce heart failure hospital readmissions, according to Michelle McLees, a spokesperson with the Mid-Atlantic affiliate of the American Heart Association.

As ambassadors, “we accept the responsibility to teach others at the local and national level how to recognize the symptoms of heart failure, to offer support through the Rise Above Heart Failure online network and to share with our own communities that they can live with heart disease,” Ms. Rivers said.

The siblings shared their survivor stories at the AHA’s national conference in Chicago last October, then again at the association’s Mid-Atlantic Go Red for Women fundraising luncheon in February as part of American Heart Month events.

Ms. Ketter said she first suspected something was wrong in May 2009, when she became short of breath and fatigued after walking up the steps at her home.

At first, she said, “I kind of brushed it off.”

The next day, she became ill at her job. She went to her family doctor, then to a cardiologist. A battery of tests that included walking on a treadmill revealed she had heart failure.

“My heartbeat wasn’t contracting as it should,” Ms. Ketter recalled.

She teared up, she said, realizing the seriousness of her condition.

It was “hard to believe that I had heart failure because I didn’t have high blood pressure or diabetes” and “I was a former athlete in high school,” she said.

Concerned that the condition might be genetic, Ms. Ketter encouraged her sister to get tested. Two weeks later, Ms. Rivers also was diagnosed with heart failure.

“We both went through a period of denial,” Ms. Rivers said. “We were young and active and it was hard to believe it could happen to us.”

She said they both “went through a period of grieving, which is a part of reaching acceptance that this is

Joey Matthews/Richmond Free Press

Fraternal twins and nurses Kimberly Ketter, left, and Shaun Rivers are sharing their personal stories with audiences as American Heart Association Heart Failure Patient Ambassadors.

American Heart Association hosts challenge walk April 6 The American Heart Association is challenging local organizations and businesses to “lace up and walk” on National Walk Day, Wednesday, April 6.

The purpose of the day is to “encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle by increasing their physical activity routines,” according to a news release from the Mid-Atlantic affiliate of the American Heart Association.

In an effort to get Richmond area residents moving that day, the local AHA affiliate and sponsors are offering a walking day challenge.

The AHA will supply participating organizations with pedometers and other promotional materials for the competition.

Participants are asked to sign up for at least 15-minute walking slots. The challenge beings in the morning and finishes at the close of business on April 6.

Participants from organizations and companies will pass off the pedometer continuously throughout the day to other participants in their group. At the end of the day, organizations and businesses will send a photo of the pedometer with the total number of steps taken.

The company or organization with the most steps will be featured in the AHA Mid-Atlantic’s spring Healthy Living publication and will receive a wellness activity for the office.

Groups may register to participate in the challenge by emailing Rachael.

Schrinel@heart.org or by calling (804) 965-6585.

real and it’s something we have to face head-on.”

Research, Ms. Rivers said, shows that African-Americans experience almost double the rate of heart failure as others. Some of that she attributes to hypertension and highcholesterol diets.

Today, the sisters said they take medicine each day to treat their heart failure. They also follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly and rest when necessary.

“We keep a very rigorous calendar,” Ms. Rivers said.

“It looks like a road map. You just take it one day at a time and look at what you have to do today.”

“You can live with heart failure,” Ms. Ketter added.

“You just do what you have to do.”

The siblings ascribe much of their success in living with heart failure to their faith in God. “We know we couldn’t do it without leaning on God to sustain us,” Ms. Rivers said, “and to give us the resolve to help other people first and not ask, ‘Why is this happening to us?’ ’’ The women said they have slowed a bit in pursuing their busy daily schedules.

It’s difficult to see that when one looks at their nearly nonstop efforts to help others and live a full life.

Ms. Ketter is a nurse practitioner. Ms. Rivers is an advanced diabetes clinical nurse specialist.

Last fall, they opened Case Management Associates in Petersburg, a diabetes wellness center. They also are diabetes program coordinators at the Vernon J. Harris Medical Center in Richmond’s East End. They also lead a health ministry at St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Henrico County, where they worship and work with church leaders to educate congregants on healthy eating habits and to offer healthy food choices at the church.

The siblings also are active in the AHA’s Empowered to Serve initiative that aims to improve health in multicultural communities by partnering with faith-based organizations.

“Once we got past the initial shock of knowing we had heart failure, we thought, ‘What can we do to help other people who might face the same thing?’ ’’ Ms. Ketter said.

“Now, we know that God sends us people who we can help, perhaps one more person in the 35- to 40-yearold age range who won’t unnecessarily drop dead from heart failure.”

She said their mantra now is, “If people know better, they’ll do better.”

For those who might experience some of the symptoms of heart failure, which include shortness of breath, excessive fatigue and leg swelling, Ms. Rivers offered the following advice.

“You know your body better than anybody else.

Know what your best day feels like and when you don’t have that type of day, be aware of that. And when you experience those symptoms, make a beeline to a doctor and don’t put it off.”

Southern Women’s Show celebrates 25 years in RVA April 15-17

Courtesy of Virginia State University

Official opening at VSU Virginia State University officials and special guests help to cut the ribbon on the new $84 million VSU Multipurpose Center on campus that will host university and community events. The official ribbon cutting coincided with the university’s 134th Founders’ Day convocation, with retired Brig. Gen. Sheila Baxter, a 1977 VSU alumna, giving the keynote address. The event also observed the 100th anniversary of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or ROTC. Brig. Gen. Baxter, who initially was commissioned in 1978 through the ROTC, was the first African-American female to be promoted to brigadier general in the Army Medical Service Corps in 2003. Participating in the ribbon cutting are, from left, VSU Vice Rector Willie Randall, VSU President Makola Abdullah, Delegate Lashrecse Aird, Chesterfield Board of Supervisors Chairman Steve Elswick and Chesterfield’s Dale District Supervisor James Holland.

Henrico County makeovers, cooking native and American demonstrations and Idol finalist Rayvon celebrity appearOwen is to perform ances, according to at the 25th Annual organizers.

Southern Women’s Others schedShow, which will uled to appear inbe held Friday, April clude singing troupe 15 through Sunday, “Danee” of RichMr. Owen April 17, at the Richmond, “The BIG mond Raceway Complex, 600 Burley Project,” a Richmond E. Laburnum Ave., in Henrico performance art burlesque County. group; celebrity stylist Michael Mr. Owen is to perform at O’Rourke; and magician and 5 p.m. April 15 on the fashion hypnotherapist Larry Volz. and entertainment stage.

A Goodwill Fashion Show The 24-year-old also is to will be featured with activirelease new music this month ties on April 16, while a Fido at rayvonowen.com, according Fashion Show hosted by the to a news release.

Henrico Humane Society will The Southern Women’s Show, be held on April 17. now in its 25th year in Richmond, Tickets are $10 at the door includes shopping, fashion, for adults and $5 for children

Entrepreneurs to pitch ideas at Aging 2.0 event The Richmond chapter of Aging 2.0 is inviting entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas for start-up companies focused on improving the lives of older adults at their Global Startup Search competition.

The event will be held 6 to 8 p.m.

Thursday, April 7, at Genworth Financial, 6620 W. Broad St., in Henrico County.

The Richmond Chapter Ambassadors of Aging 2.0 and Richmond Memorial Health Foundation are sponsoring the event, which is part of a worldwide competition.

The Richmond chapter is linked with San Francisco-based Aging 2.0, which describes itself as “a global innovation platform

on a mission to accelerate innovation to improve the lives of older adults around the world.”

At the event at Genworth, participants will pitch their companies and answer audience questions about them. Judges then will select the winner.

The local winner will receive a cash prize, be featured on the Aging2.0 website during the next voting round and receive a free ticket to the Aging 2.0 Optimize Conference from Oct. 12 to 14, in San Francisco.

There, they will pitch their startup in front of more than 1,000 people, get free exhibition space and compete for the first-

place cash prize of $2,500, mentorship opportunities and international exposure through Aging 2.0.

Tickets to attend the event at Genworth Financial are $5 through Thursday, March 31; $10 after that date.

Entrepreneurs interested in pitching their companies or learning more about the event are encouraged to attend the Richmond Aging ‘2-Pint-0’ Liquid Networking event 6 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at Final Gravity, 6118 Lakeside Ave., in Henrico County.

For more information, go to www. agewellva.com/trending.

ages 6 through 12. Children under 6 are admitted free with a paying adult.

April 17 is Teacher Appreciation Day, with school faculty and staff admitted free with ID at the box office.

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Richmond Free Press

March 24-26, 2016

B5

Faith News/Directory

Judge Jenkins brings message of redemption to Garland Ave. Baptist Men’s Day

By Joey Matthews

who had appeared in court before his dad told him afterward, “Your dad’s a fair man and a fair judge.”

Richmond Circuit Court Chief Judge Clarence N. “He can see someone who is a criminal and see the Jenkins Jr. encouraged his fellow congregation memgood in them,” his son added. bers to get “a spiritual tuneup” during a Men’s Day Judge Jenkins told the congregation he had grown up address Sunday at Garland Avenue Baptist Church on in the church. He has attended Garland Avenue Baptist for North Side. many years and currently serves as the superintendent of the His remarks were delivered on Palm Sunday, which Sunday School there and is on the church trustee board.

Christians annually celebrate in marking Jesus’ triumJudge Jenkins said he believes in God’s redemptive phant entry into Jerusalem shortly before his crucifixion power in turning around the lives of people who have at Calvary. committed crimes who appear before him, but “I let them “You come to a point where you need to do a serious know that I have guidelines I have to follow.” self-evaluation to determine where you are spiritually,” “There is a price that you have to pay” when you Judge Jenkins told the congregation led by Dr. Jeffery commit a crime, he said, emphasizing that he seeks to O. Smith. be just and fair in his rulings.

He said too many people “live in neighborhoods where Judge Jenkins said he was further inspired to “be more they’re not thankful” for what they have and “become positive and encouraging” after he and his wife, Dr. Paself-serving instead of serving God and others.” mela Royal Jenkins, heard Dr. Luther S. Williams, former “We should be humble,” he told the receptive church provost at Tuskegee University, speak at the 38th Annual audience “and use our talents for the betterment of Conference on the Black Family at Hampton University mankind. on March 16; Chris Gardner, whose story of rising from “Time is precious,” he added. “We should start now homelessness to owning a brokerage firm is chronicled Joey Matthews/Richmond Free Press to encourage others, be more positive and do things in the 2006 Will Smith film “The Pursuit of Happyness,” that Jesus would do to make this world a better place,” Richmond Circuit Court Chief Judge Clarence N. Jenkins Jr. stands speak at an event on March 17; then presiding over the such as mentoring children, helping the homeless and with his son, Clarence N. Jenkins III, at Garland Avenue Baptist Church Richmond Adult Drug Treatment Court graduation of 12 following Sunday’s Men’s Day service. drug-addicted people and others in need. people last Friday at the Richmond Police Academy.

“To the extent you put anything in front of God,” he cautioned, ent, Preparing for the Future.”

“You heard testimony from people who had been addicted to “there is something wrong.”

Judge Jenkins’ son, Clarence N. Jenkins III, a junior at St. heroin for 20 to 30 years who felt like they were demon posFifteen members of the judge’s family from Richmond and Christopher’s School in Richmond, introduced his father as “my sessed,” Judge Jenkins said. “They said they just could not get the Northern Neck area attended the service that was themed hero and my role model.” through it without God in their lives and without the support of “Men of Purpose: Remembering the Past, Celebrating the PresThe younger Jenkins said he felt proud when several people their families and others.”

EastEr sunrisE and rEsurrEction sunday sErvicEs sunday, March 27, 2016 6:30am - SunriSe WorShip Service | 9:00am - Sunday School 10:00 am - morning WorShip

cElEbratE thE savior

neW light BaptiSt church | 2000 eaSt Broad Street | richmond, va 23223 (804) 788-9027 | WWW.neWlightBaptiStchurch.org reverend dr. vernon J. hurte, paStor

Richmond Free Press

B6 March 24-26, 2016

Faith News/Directory

Refunds due to people scammed by Christian Prayer Center Free Press wire reports

SEATTLE Tens of thousands of consumers from across the country who paid $9 to $35 to the online Christian Prayer Center soon could get refunds.

Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson has announced a settlement with the owner of the website to refund payments from desperate customers with ill relatives whom Mr. Ferguson alleges were duped into believing the center could offer helpful prayers.

Mr. Ferguson’s office began an investigation after receiving a letter in 2014 from a family whose members were both heartbroken and furious.

“They had a child with a terminal illness,” said assistant Attorney General Daniel Davies, who handled the case. “They were looking for hope anywhere they could get it. One of the places they turned to was the Christian Prayer Center.

“The website promised that a pastor and thousands of people who would pray for relief of illness and even featured testimonials from people whose prayers were answered,” Mr. Davies said.

However, the investigation showed that “the pastor was a sham, the network of

The website for Christian Prayer Center advises consumers of its now-closed status and a link to information about the refund process.

praying people did not exist and the testimonials were fictitious” on two websites, christianprayercenter.com and its Spanish counterpart, oracioncristiana.org.

In a court settlement announced by Mr. Ferguson, the owner, Benjamin Rogovy, has agreed to shut down the websites and to provide up to $7.75 million in restitution to an estimated 165,000 desperate consumers who reached out for prayers and other services. Mr. Rogovy also must pay $600,000 in attorney and court fees.

A Free Press check Monday at www. christianprayercenter.com found the following message: “The Christian Prayer Center is now closed. We thank you for all the prayers, and we cherish the opportunity to have created a place where Christians could meet and support each other.”

The site includes a link to allow people who used the site between July 1, 2011, and June

30, 2015, to learn more “about a consumer claims process.”

The message also refers people to 14 other online prayer sites, though a note states that “we are not affiliated with any” of those sites.

As part of the consent decree, Mr. Rogovy did not admit to violating the law, but neither he nor his attorney, Thomas Adams, responded to requests for comment.

The settlement covers the Christian Prayer Center and two other websites that Mr. Rogovy operated, including the Consumer Complaint website that promised to address problems people ran into.

Under the settlement, should Mr. Rogovy continue the “unfair and deceptive business practices,” he would be subject to an additional $1 million in civil penalties, Mr. Ferguson stated.

The attorney general’s office hopes that Mr. Rogovy’s victims will come forward and file claims for reimbursement. Reimbursement requests can be filed at www.atg.wa.gov/ file-complaint.

Further information: Peter Lavallee of the Washington state Attorney General’s Office, (360) 586-0725 or email PeterL@atg.wa.gov.

Rev. Gilliam to be installed Rev. Jeremiah Wright to speak as Mount Oni’s eighth pastor March 31 at East End church The Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright is scheduled to speak at Faith Community Baptist Church in the East End at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 31.

Dr. Wright is to speak at the “Thursday Night Throwdown” service at the church, 1903 Cool Lane, where Dr. Patricia A. Gould-Champ is senior pastor.

Dr. Wright served as President Obama’s pastor for about 20 years at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

He is now pastor emeritus of the church and in high demand nationally as a speaker.

Chesterfield County native Marvin L. Gilliam Jr. will be installed as the new pastor at Mount Oni Baptist Church in Ruther Glen Sunday, April 10.

The installation service is to be held at 4 p.m. at Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 32210 Old Dawn Road, in Hanover County.

Rev. Gilliam will be the eighth pastor in the 145-year history of the church located at 14135 Dry Bridge Road in Caroline County.

Rev. Gilliam earned a master of divinity degree from Virginia Union University’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology.

He was ordained as a minister in May 2014 at Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church in Jackson Ward.

open to the public.

Also Sheila Arnold Jones, a master storyteller and historical character interpreter of Hampton, will speak at 6 p.m. on Maundy Thursday, March 24, at the church.

For more information: www.fcbcrichmond.org or (804) 649-7225 or (804) 6400935.

Good Shepherd Baptist Church

Rev. Wright

Donté McCutchen and The Levitical Priests of Richmond also are scheduled to sing at the service that is free and

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

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

with Word, Worship and Witness

Dr. & Mrs. Joe Ellison, Jr. Senior Pastor & Founder

Every 4th Saturday: 1:00-3:00 pm.

Free Community Groceries Distribution Laburnum Elementary School (Parking Lot) Every 4th Sunday: Family & Friends Service Church Membership, Communion, Celebrating Monthly Birthdays (Free Dinner!).

Like is on Facebook.

Call church for transportation or email: pastorjoeellison@yahoo.com

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor Twitter sixthbaptistrva Facebook sixthbaptistrva

With U s!

400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220 (near Byrd Park)

All Are Welcome!

Union

Baptist Church 1813 Everett Street Richmond, Virginia 23224 804-231-5884

Rev. Robert C. Davis, Pastor

Resurrection Sunday (Easter) March 27, 2016

Mosby Memorial Baptist Church

March 27, 2016 7 a.m. – 8 a.m.

Sunrise Service On the Lawn “Breakfast To Follow” 9 a.m. – Excerpts From The Movie “The Bible” In The Sanctuary 10:45 a.m. – Morning Worship Dr. Price L. Ministry Davis, Pastor After Rev. Worship: Drama Presentation

Resurrection Sunday March 27, 2016

Enjoy

11:00 AM Mid-day Meditation

Sixth Baptist Church

Presently worshipping every Sunday at Laburnum Elementary School 500 Meriwether Avenue | Henrico, Virginia 23222 Church (804) 937-1356 | www.cityparkchurch.org Pastor Joe Ellison, Jr.

Sunday School - 10:00 am Pre-Worship Prayer - 10:45 am Worship Service! - 11:00 am

5263 Warwick Road Richmond, VA 23224 (804) 303-6291 www.maabc.org Pastors: Roscoe D. Cooper, Jr., Barbara E. Ingram and Darryl E. Walker Affirming our Identity, Pursing Our Mission, Standing on the Promise of God! Come Worship with Us! Maundy Thursday Worship, March 24, 2016, 7:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday Worship March 27, 2016 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Worship Baptism - 8:00 a.m.

Rev. Gilliam

2901 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 648-2472 ~ www.mosbymemorial.org Rev. Dr. Price L. Davis, Pastor

Easter Sunday

Eastertide

March 27, 2016 ~ Easter Sunday 6:30A.M. Sunrise Service Faith Community Baptist Church 1903 Cool Lane, Richmond VA, 23223

FIFTY DAYS

From Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday New Sermon Series: “Church Life”

9:00A.M. Breakfast & Combined Church School @ MMBC

10:30A.M. Easter Service @ MMBC

(Begins April 3rd)

Spring Breakp Cam

March 28th-31st 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. $75 Call to register

Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as He said. Matthew 28:5-6

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

Mount Olive Baptist Church Rev. Darryl G. Thompson, Pastor

2016 Theme: The Year of Restoration



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

11am Morning Worship Preacher: Rev. Davis Music by: Mass Choir

Sundays

8:00 a.m.

Early Morning Worship 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School 11:00 a.m.

Morning Worship

Tuesdays

Noon Day Bible Study

Wednesdays

6:30 p.m.

Prayer and Praise 7:00 p.m.

Adult Bible Study

Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church

1408 W. Leigh Street • 358-6403

Dr. Alonza Lawrence, Pastor

April 11 – 14, 2016

Theme: “Revive Us Again” (Hebrews 6:6)

Prayer & Praise Service 7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m. - Revival Worship

Monday Rev. Katherine Brooks

Broomfield Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Tuesday Rev. Aamon Miller

Swansboro Baptist Church

Wednesday Rev. Marvin Jefferson Shiloh Baptist Church

Thursday Rev. Price Davis

Mosby Memorial Baptist Church The Deacons, Deaconess, Trustees, Choirs, and Ushers from the above named churches will serve on their respective nights.

Ebenezer Baptist Church 1858

“The People’s Church”

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



11:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

Every 3rd Sunday 2nd Sunday, 11 a.m.

Mon. 6:30 p.m.

Tues. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Wed. 7:45 p.m.

Wed. 4:30 p.m.

Wed. 6:00 p.m.

Thurs., 11:45 a.m.

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

(Off Pocoshock Blvd)

6:00 a.m. – Sunrise Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church Guest Speaker: Dr. Alonza L. Lawrence, Pastor Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church

Four Stations of Good Friday at 7pm MSMBC

Spring Revival 2016 ministry A growing seeking is actively enced ri e xp e an

pianist organisat/lover of

who is ist Jesus Chr nate io ss a p d n a inistry. m c si u about m ll ca Please r email o 18 9 -6 (804) 319 n.net. ri s@ve zo eldertown ble m Negotia honorariu

Windows of Opportunity are just through the door List your church job openings in the Richmond Free Press Call 804-644-0496

St. Peter Baptist Church A progressive suburban church is seeking grant writers and a video media technician. Interested persons please forward resumes to spbcoffice@verizon.net. Salaries are negotiable.

7643 Hull Street Road North Chesterfield, VA 23236

Resurrection Sunday, March 27, 2016

8:30 a.m. – Church School Devotions Under the Crosses (Weather Permitting) 10:00 a.m. – Morning Service

Grace Evangelistic Ministries Church (804) 833-9493 or (804) 585-9186

Elder Maricia S. Hayes, Pastor WELCOME TO “THE UPPER ROOM” Morning Worship Service: 10:00 a.m.

(1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays) Sanctuary Prayer: 9:45 am 3RD SATURDAY EVENING Worship Service: 5:00 pm Ministering Encouragement and Hope WEDNESDAY “HOUR OF POWER” Bible Study: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm 2ND & 4TH SATURDAY MORNING Prayer Meeting: 8 am – 9 am

IMMEDIATE JOB OPENINGS Mount Olive Baptist Church in Glen Allen, Virginia has the following part-time job openings: Church Administrator and Food Service Director. The church is also seeking a full-time Music Director. Please visit the church’s website at www.mobcva.org to view the complete job announcements for these positions. All positions are opened until �illed. A Criminal History Background Check and/or credit history check are required.

Richmond Free Press

March 24-26, 2016

B7

Faith News/Directory

Stations of the Cross community walk on Good Friday Downtown Several Richmond area churches are partnering in a Stations of the Cross community walk on Good Friday, March 25.

At nine different stations throughout Downtown, participants will hear a retelling of a series of events at the end of Jesus’ life, according to a release.

The walk, which is open to all people, will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church, 614 N. 3rd St., in Downtown.

Walkers will proceed to Centenary United Methodist Church, Second Presbyterian Church, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, City Hall, Hood Temple A.M.E. Zion Church, Sharon Baptist Church and conclude at Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church.

At each station, walkers will pause for a few minutes to hear a part of the biblical account, reflect and pray.

Different people will carry a cross from one station to the next and pictures will be shown at each station.

“It is a time of reflection, fellowship and celebration of Jesus Christ,” according to organizers.

The Richmond Police Department will escort walkers. Vans also will be available for those who are unable to walk to the nine stations, organizers said.

Participants are urged to wear comfortable shoes and clothing.

For more information, call Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church at (804) 643-8157.

Riverview Baptist Church

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

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



Good Friday

Early Morning Worship ~ 8 a.m.

Sunday School ~ 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship ~ 11 a.m.

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

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

Radio Ministry: Sunday: 9:30 a.m. {1540 AM}

a

March 25, 2016 Service: 7 PM

er S st

u nday

March 27, 2016 Service: 6 AM

of Christ

Zion Baptist Church

“MAKE IT HAPPEN”

2006 Decatur Street Richmond, VA 23224

Pastor Kevin Cook

d

Dr. Robert L. Pettis, Sr., Pastor

Easter Sunrise Service Sunday, March 27, 2016 6:00 am

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church C

o

Breakfast served immediately following service

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

Morning Worship at 10 am Transportation Services 804-859-1985 “Reclaiming the Lost by Proclaiming the Gospel” Photos by Rudolph Powell/Richmond Free Press

Sharon Baptist Church

SUNDAYS

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

Church School 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. ❖

Resurrection Sunday MARCH 27, 2016

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

PASTORANDFIRSTLADY’S20THANNIVERSARYLUNCHEON

❖

New Deliverance Evangelistic Church

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

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

PASTORAL INSTALLATION WEEKEND

S E RV I C E S

FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016 – SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2016

March 24, 2016 Maundy Thursday - 7:30 PM March 25, 2016 Good Friday - 7:30 PM

“But ye are chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called out of darkness into marvelous light.”

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

~ 1 Peter 2:9

Monday March 7, 2016

PASTOR INSTALLATION BANQUET Friday, April 1, 2016 - 7PM

Corporate Prayer Attendance - 167

Banquet Location - Cedar Street Baptist Church 2301 Cedar Street Richmond VA *Tickets – $35.00 Guest Speaker: Pastor Charles Baugham, Sr. St. James Baptist Church, Milford, VA

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2016 WORSHIP SERVICES 8:15 am – Guest Speaker: Kenneth Dennis, Sr. Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Richmond, VA 11:15 am – Guest Speaker: Dr. Roscoe Cooper III Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Richmond, VA

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

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

Attendance - 70 Sanctuary - All Are Welcome!

Wednesday Evening Bible Study 7 p.m.

Attendance - 97

Saturday 8:30 a.m. Intercessory Prayer

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

Also, for your convenience.

4:00 pm – Guest Speaker: Dr. E.E. Warren, Jr. Whitestone Baptist Church, Baltimore, MD

The Weldon H. Smith Scholarship Foundation & The Xi Delta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. PRESENT

The Celebration of Life Concert: The Sound of Gospel

Featuring the Artistry of:

Spread theWord To advertise your church: Worship Service Gospel Concert Vacation Bible School Homecoming Revival

The Celebration Male Chorus and The Richmond Boys Choir Sunday April 17, 2016 4:00 p.m.

EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH 216 WEST LEIGH ST., RICHMOND, VA 23220

Tickets: $10 To puchase tickets, please contact Ryan Bell at 804-928-2135 or Jim Mason at 804-874-6384

call 804-644-0496

You can also purchase tickets online at

Richmond Free Press

www.xdl1906.com

The People's Paper

Christians across the globe celebrated Palm Sunday this week, with the palms representing the branches scattered in front of Jesus during his triumphant entry into Jerusalem about a week before his ultimate crucifixion and Resurrection. At Westwood Baptist Church in Richmond’s West End, Jayla Watkins, above, and John Cunningham Jr, left, and Justice Thompson, carry palms to distribute to the congregation at the church on Glen Burnie Road.

Saturday, April 9, 2016 The Place at Innsbrook Call Church for more information (804) 643-3825 Tuesday-Thursday

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

Shiloh Baptist Church 2420 Venable Street Richmond, VA 23223 Shiloh Baptist Church: 804-648-0927 Pastor MJ Jefferson & Leading Lady Jefferson

No 8:00 AM Service 9:30 AM - Sunday School 11:15 AM - Morning Worship

Palm Sunday

WWW.WELDONHSMITH.COM

Resurrection Sunday March 27, 2016 SonRise Service - 6:00 AM and “High Worship” - 11:00 AM

St. Peter Baptist Church Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor

Women With Mission and Purpose Conference 2016!

Thursday, April 14, 2016 through Saturday, April 16, 2016

Theme:

In His Presence - "Striving for Total Wellness" - Mind, Body & Spirit

Breakfast

Saturday, April 16, 2016 9 A.M. - Doubletree Hotel For more information and to register visit

www.ndec.net

Worship Opportunities Sundays:

Morning Worship Church School Morning Worship

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

Unity Sundays (2nd Sundays) Church School Morning Worship

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

Thursdays:

Mid-Day Bible Study 12 Noon Prayer & Praise 6:30 P.M. Bible Study 7 P.M. (Children/Youth/Adults)

Maundy Thursday Service March 24, 2016 at 7 p.m.

Sunrise Service at 7 a.m.

March

27

2016

Sunday Service at 10 a.m.

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

B8 March 17-19, 2016

Richmond Free Press

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, April 4, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, April 11, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinance: Ordinance No. 2016-093 To authorize the special use of the property known as 2804 Idlewood Avenue for the purpose of permitting non-medical professional office use, upon certain terms and conditions. The proposal is to establish a professional office use (non-medical), within a single family detached dwelling. The subject property is located in an R-53 Multi-Family Residential zoning district and it’s adjacent to the Boulevard City Old and Historic District. The existing R-53 does not permit office uses and therefore a Special Use Permit is required. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates the subject property along Idlewood Avenue for Multi-Family (Medium Density) land use. Primary uses in this category are multi-family dwellings at densities up to 20 units per acre. Typical zoning classifications that may accommodate this land use category include R-43 and R-48.

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

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

Jean V. Capel City Clerk

Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER SHARON HOLLAND, Plaintiff v.

REGINALD HOLLAND, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000730-00 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 28th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

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

ANDREA LYNN SAMPLE, Defendant Case No.: 041CL15002757 ORDER OF PUBLICATION 2/26/2016

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the Defendant on the grounds that the parties have lived separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for more than one year. An Affidavit having been filed that Defendant, Andrea Lynn Sample, is not a resident of the State of Virginia and that her last known address is 205 VFW Road, Lot 4, Grovetown, Georgia 30813, it is ORDERED that the Defendant appear before this Court on or before the 21st day of April, 2016 at 8:30 a.m., to protect her interest in this suit.

An Extract, Teste: WENDY S. HUGHES, Clerk Earl J. Gee, (VSB # 20043) McEachin & Gee, P.C. 211 East German School Road Richmond, VA 23224 (804) 864-5291 (phone) (804) 864-5292 (fax) Counsel for Plaintiff

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a discreet and competent attorney at law, as Guardian ad litem for the said Joseph Ludwig in this divorce proceeding and directs that the Guardian ad litem file such responsive pleadings on behalf of Joseph Ludwig as are deemed advisable within twenty four days of his receipt of this Order.

Let the Clerk certify copies of this Order to all Counsel of record and the herein appointed Guardian ad litem.

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

here on or before the 20th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

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

CUSTODY

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER WILLETTA MOORE, Plaintiff v.

ANTHONY MOORE, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000657-00 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 20th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

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

REGINALD DAVIS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000554-00 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 20th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

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

SANDRA BOONE, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000627-00 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 20th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests.

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

LEON BARBER, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000626-00 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 20th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

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

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MIRIAM DELGADO, Plaintiff v.

JOSEPH LUDWIG, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000712-00 ORDER APPOINTING GUARDIAN AD LITEM

It appearing that the defendant, Joseph Ludwig, Inmate #1004888, is currently incarcerated in Greensville Correctional Center, 901 Corrections Way, Jarratt, VA 23870, and as such, is considered a person under a disability, on motion of the plaintiff, and pursuant to Virginia Code Section 8.01-297, the Court does appoint Theodore M. Galanides, Esquire, 262 East Williamsburg Road, Sandston, Virginia 23150,

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER DIVONYA ROBINSON, Plaintiff v.

CLIFTON ROBINSON, Defendant.

Case No.: CL15000282-00 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

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MARISHA HICKS, Plaintiff v.

ROBERT HICKS, JR., Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000628-00 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 20th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

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

BRIAN NEWMAN, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000622-00 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 20th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

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

DAMIAN WILLIAMSON, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000549-00 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 20th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

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

LEVONE FERRELL, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000428-00 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 26th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests.

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

JESSICA EDMONDS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL14000695-00 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 20th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests.

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

virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of thE city Of richmOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re COLBY WILLIAM LANE, Juvenile Case No. JJ078169-09, JJ078169-10 The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Gerald Scott, (Father), Unknown, (Father), of Colby William Lane, child, DOB 07/16/2002, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Gerald Scott (Father), Unknown, (Father,) appear at the above-named Court and protect his interest on or before May 24, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Court Room #1.

Matthew Morris, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493 virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of thE

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city Of richmOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Kelsie Alvis, Juvenile Case No. JJ085689-07, JJ085689-08 The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Jesse Alvis, (Father), Unknown, (Father), of Kelsie Alvis, child, DOB 01/30/2007, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Jesse Alvis (Father), Unknown, (Father,) appear at the above-named Court and protect his interest on or before May 24, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Court Room #1.

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

NCLEX REviEw

NCLEX PN/Review begins 4/2/16 NCLEX RN/Review begins 4/3/16 Small groups (1-6 Attendees), Sessions held in Chester Contact Dr. Booker to reserve your seat!

Dr. Corliss Booker, APRN, FNP,-BC cvbooker@gmail.com

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(804) 239-4758

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Drivers:

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Call Center Quality analyst VHDA is currently seeking a Call Center Quality Analyst that will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the quality and accuracy of recorded inbound and outbound calls within the Servicing Operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for complying with all program polices/ investor guidelines.

Candidate will also be responsible for sharing ideas on scorecard reporting to enhance regulatory and performance standards. This role will provide bi-weekly quality scores to the management staff and provide constructive feedback on areas of improvement to enhance the customer service experience of VHDA’s borrowers. The successful candidate must be self-motivated and complete tasks with minimal supervision. This position will report to the Director of Servicing.

If you are interested in joining our team and feel you meet our qualifications, please submit your resume with cover letter stating salary requirements online only at: http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An EOE This position closes at midnight on Monday, March 31, 2016.

Background and credit checks will be performed as a condition of employment.

Hiring Range - $39,084 – 50,808

TransiT sysTem

BUS OPERATORS

Starting Pay: $14.00 per hour Closes: March 30, 2016 GRTC Transit System is currently seeking qualified candidates, at least 21 years of age, with excellent customer service skills and a high school diploma for full-time Bus Operator positions. Applicants are required to have a Class B CDL License with Passenger Endorsement. Qualified candidates must have a five (5) point balance on their driving record and must be able to pass a background check, a pre-employment drug test and a DOT physical.

For a complete job description and to apply online, please visit www.ridegrtc.com.

GRTC Transit System is an equal opportunity employer with a drug-free work environment that values diversity in the workplace

Quality assurance Business analyst VHDA’s Loan Servicing Department is for a QA business analyst to join our team.

The mortgage servicing QA business analyst will work alongside the business units to identify and remedy operational risks. The candidate will test processes for compliance with regulatory, state and investor guidelines; perform research and analysis on regulatory, state and investor guidelines; perform research and analysis on regulatory requirements, as well as make process improvement recommendations to management rated to internal controls. The QA business analyst will monitor processes, design test plans and recommend procedural changes or additional controls to mitigate operations risks. This position will report to the Director of Servicing.

The successful candidate must have experience using Black Knight servicing system and extensive knowledge of mortgage lending practices, HUD and other investors. The candidates must be self-motivated, possess excellent critical thinking and logical reasoning skills and have the ability to perform independently with minimum supervision.

If you are interested in joining our team and feel you meet our qualifications, please submit your resume with cover letter stating salary requirements online only at: http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An EOE

Spanish Instructor (Position #FO046) (J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, VA) Master's degree in Spanish; or Master’s degree with 18 graduate semester hours in Spanish. Pre-employment security screening is required.

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Full-time, ninemonth teaching faculty-ranked appointment.

Salary range: $42,501-$71,595. Approximate maximum hiring salary: $53,000. Additional information is available at the College's website: www.reynolds.edu.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Review of applications will begin MAY 26, 2016, and will be accepted until the position is filled.

AA/EOE/ADA/Veterans/ AmeriCorps/Peace Corps/Other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.

Engineering Instructor (Position #FO014) (J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, VA) Master's degree in Engineering; or Master’s degree with 18 graduate semester hours in Engineering. Pre-employment security screening is required.

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Full-time, ninemonth teaching faculty-ranked appointment.

Salary range: $42,501-$71,595. Approximate maximum hiring salary: $55,339. Additional information is available at the College's website: www.reynolds.edu.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Review of applications will begin MAY 26, 2016, and will be accepted until the position is filled.

AA/EOE/ADA/Veterans/ AmeriCorps/Peace Corps/Other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.

The City of Richmond is seeking to fill the following positions: Assistant Systems Operations Analyst 41M00001088 Richmond Police Department Apply by 03/28/2016 Information Services Manager 41M00000061 Richmond Police Department Apply by 03/28/2016 Systems Operations Administrator 41M00000454 Richmond Police Department Apply by 03/28/2016 ****************** For an exciting career with the City of Richmond, visit our website for additional information and apply today! www.richmondgov.com EOE M/F/D/V

This position closes at midnight on Monday, March 31, 2016.

Background and credit checks will be performed as a condition of employment.

Hiring Range - $59,439 – 77,271

Accounting

Accounting MAnAger The Virginia Housing Development Authority is seeking a seasoned Accounting Manager to join its accounting department. This position is responsible for supervising and managing the grant disbursement accounting and reporting for VHDA’s Community Outreach programs as well as accounts payable, expense reimbursements and cash management for the entire organization. Reporting to the Controller, this position will also ensure compliance with program guidelines, tax and other regulations and GAAP for financial statement preparation and reporting.

BS/BA in accounting or business/equivalent, along with several years broad experience in accounting (CPA a Plus). Ability to meet month-end close under tight schedules required. Working knowledge of sophisticated accounting systems and system conversions also needed, along with proven ability to enhance process flows and address challenges of interfacing to other business systems, such as purchase order, grant management and expense reporting systems. Extensive vendor management, customer service and staff development experience needed. Excellent communication and organizational skills, strong computer and analytical skills required. Successful candidate will be self-motivated, self-directed and enjoy working in a fast-paced and professional environment.

We offer a competitive salary with generous benefits package. Interested parties should submit a resume with cover letter stating salary requirements online only at: http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An EOE Hiring range - $78,609 – 102,190 Background and credit checks will be performed as a condition of employment

Mortgage Lending/Housing Finance

Senior Tax CrediT alloCaTion offiCer VHDA, Virginia’s Housing Finance Agency is looking for a skilled, experienced individual to assist in establishing, implementing and enforcing affordable housing policy through the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program.

The role relies on interactive stakeholder collaboration surrounding changes to the Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP); training developers on the complexities of the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program and the application process via workshops and focus groups. The position reviews 4% and 9% LIHTC applications using various financial and underwriting techniques in order to determine the rankings for selection and feasibility. The role also includes a wide array of pre and post construction efforts specific to verifying projects are built as agreed upon prior to 8609 issuance.

An advanced degree or equivalent professional/technical certification is preferred along with several years’ experience working in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, or affordable housing field. This includes but is not limited to experience and understanding of basic land-use planning principals and/or community development with knowledge of rental housing markets. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook required. Must possess a current driver’s license in good standing and be able to travel, occasionally overnight. Demonstrated organization and prioritization skills; proven attention to detail, innovative problem solving, and negotiation skills essential. Candidate should be able to work independently or in a team environment. This position is a visible reference in administering portions of the LIHTC program routinely working with developers throughout the Commonwealth. The ideal candidate must provide strong customer service at all times and be an effective communicator. We offer a competitive salary with generous benefits package. Interested parties should submit a resume with cover letter stating salary requirements online only at: http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An EOE This position is open until filled; interviews will be scheduled as resumes are received.

Hiring range - $78,609 – 102,190 Background and credit checks will be performed as a condition of employment.