Greater Richmond Grid

SONGFEST: WORLD MUSIC TOURING THE INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCES OF REGIONAL ARTISTS.

DATE NIGHT: SHOCKOE B O T TO M WHERE TO GO WHAT TO TRY

Looking Back, 150 Years Later ANEDRA WISEMAN BOURNE

@ RVA Studios

CONNECTING LIVE + WORK + PLAY

LIGHTS, ACTION, & ICE:

ALSO ON THE GRID:

ART BOOKS FAMILY BIZ SAVVY COMMUNITY INNOVATORS RESTAURANTS EMERGING MEDIA

FREE | ISSUE #7 | WINTER 2011

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Celebrating Our Country Kickstart

SURVEYS THE

SESQUICENTENNIAL

RVAʼS WINTER WONDERLAND

ROCKET POP MEDIA ’S Scott Dickens: GETTING SOCIAL MEDIA IN A‘SNAP’

GLITZ & GLAM

WHAT’S KYRA WEARING? WHY LEDBURY OF COURSE!

DOWNTOWN

DESIGN RECAPPING 2010’S:

BUILDING BUSTLE

LIVE

LIVE CONTENTS page 4

Hot Tweets Richmond Tweeple

page 5

IDEA INTERCHANGE Richmond Ad Club Richmond Ad Club, hatched over fifty years ago, celebrates and unites the regionʼs feisty band of advertising brainiacs.

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Crowdsourcing Coupons page 7

COMMUNITY NEXUS Lessons For The Future Two ground breakings for elementary schools continue the collaborative efforts of the Mayor, City Council and School Board to ʻbuild a better Richmond.ʼ

page 8

Looking Back, 150 Years Later The sesquicentennial of the Civil War launches in 2011. Richmond̶the one‑ time capital of the Confederacy and a center of the nationʼs slave trade̶is slated as a vital destination for tourists of U.S. history or family origin.

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On the Grid: Managing Great Expectations A

Winter 2011 • Volume

nomic expansion as the regionʼs reputation for pro business gains visibility through the efforts of the Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc. in international markets [see article on page 18 ].

And speaking of new markets, in “Sparking Your RVA Commute” [page 17 ] Fordʼs selection of Rich‑ mond for the launch of its Focus Elec‑ tric is testimony to the communityʼs ongoing embrace of new ideas.

Entertainment flourishes as well. New venues are opening in Shockoe Bottom while our fa‑ vorite eateries evolve. Greater Richmond Gridʼs RVA Vibe editor Anika Imajo went in search of in‑ ternational influence on local mu‑ sicians and discovered a plethora of regional performers who are blending aspects of World Music into their work [page 32].

C

hildcare is one of our ost popular and gut‑ wrenching topics for Richmond moms.

are

Hereʼs the down and dirty.

No matter who you intervie w, youʼll need a GREAT list of questions. Voila :

TIP: www.cra igslist.com and www.richmond.c om “Classified”= free advertis ing options!

Kate Hall, publisher background checks, and quality of each nanny.

In This Issue

University of Richmond stu‑ Search postings dents may be a great source for sitters, nan‑ for nies, and occasion babysitters!

Contact Student al help. OR post your own Activities at 289‑8505 ad. No Will You Option #1: do all the recruitin fees! You g work, and Be Dead Licensed Day can do much www.craigslist via email. This Care Centers .com can www.ric and When I SWEET: Highly be extremely hmond. time‑con reliable, typi‑ com are good suming, sources cally very strong though, so College Graduate? for all of education & Nannies & these activity focus, Tutors is a great “It’s amazing how searches , but exposure to a grandparents seem keep in mind option should va‑ you want that riety of kids so young once you you will need someone else and experien become one.” to conduct to do backgro ces. the work, a They are on An afternoon und check and screening, and the line to ensure at Deep Run match‑ ence refer‑ ratios are met, ing for you.

Rhonda Day pondering Park has check just as so there is al‑ you would the existenways coverag with any tial implications of e. Some other daycare grandparenting. even offer instructo day cares Option #3: provider. r‑led swim‑ ming lessons, In‑Their‑Home dance & music Babysitters Rockstar classes!

HIP: When Ready to hire you find the someone to right you with help one, it can be any of these a magical thing. services?

NOT: Pricey, Usually very reliable, so often $200+ you Learn weekly and more about higher for infants, need back‑up care. Interact regulations ion at VA increased exposur with other Department kids, exposur e to germs. of Social e to Services You pay often some structur : Child Day Care e, loving care even when in youʼre on vacation someone elseʼs home. , there is an (Please exposed risk NOT: Like nannies to certain , these folks note that ill‑ have lives Erica Stotler is a nesses̶but Richmond mother too̶and you youʼll also each mu‑ may be have at their who overcame physical that in most mercy for their situations. challenges and nicipality family took the 13,100 steps issues, illness, to complete the etc. Ask about may have Jingle Bell Run. A cool Richmon back‑up care & how they d site to check additional may out with a bunch be able to help. of listings is If you use a require‑ City Search service like College at Nannies & ments.) richmondcitysea Tutors, they GOD’S BIRTHDAY can really help rch.com. out because they OTHER MYSTERIESAND provide the Virginia Child Care Resourc Option #2: Nannies backup care e & Referral Networ Nicole Unice tackles and on‑call for tough k: GROOVY: Mary your unexpec www.vachildcar questions from her ted ʻohmygo Poppins com‑ e.org son. sh ing to your what do I do door? What nowʼ days. could be finer?

Note: Richmond mom.com bears College Nannies responsibility no for the & Tutors can child care resources actions of any Personal attentio help you in a pinch. They IT HAPPENS n and NO found using care‑ these services. bags, bottles, fully screen nannies Always do a thorough diapers for you TO DADS, TOO. if you need search, including to someon pack. One‑on‑ a backgrou e for a few one attention check, nd Jeb Hoge gains perspectiv hours or driving record for every your little darlings check, and week, and take . when cranky kids challenge e full re‑ credit check, with plenty of reference sponsibility for the search, checks, before trusting his best of intentions. anyone with your

: PAIGE STEVENS

and brightest moments of the past year̶a particularly challenging time in our economic history̶it is with realistic expectations that we present a new surge of creative vi‑ tality and business innovation in the region.

Venture Forumʼs “The Top 25 of The Past 25” recognizes Greater Richmondʼs top 25 entrepreneurs of the past 25 years. The section can be read as a primer of the re‑ gionʼs business innovators who have had̶and in many cases still have̶a positive impact on the areaʼs economic front.

Downtown continues to bus‑ tle with building development evi‑ denced in this issueʼs “Innovation Snapshot” [page 19 ] that samples newly launched or completed 2010 live, work and play projects.

We also see more signs of eco‑

Whether it’s daycare during work hours or an evening sitter, you have more options than you may think.

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PHOTO | KATE H ALL HEADSHOT

ll artists and entrepreneurs understand the discipline of managing expectations.

Artists have their audiences and businesspeople have their clients or managers who expect great things from them based on their reputation.

And hopefully, as a profes‑ sional who strives for innovation, you also put a certain amount of pressure on yourself to achieve in your field.

The important aspect then is to keep a solid perspective on your abilities and achievements. Too high a vision will create havoc when you attempt to achieve it.

Too modest in the confidence of your abilities and you may shy away from new opportunities.

So in this, the winter issue typ‑ ically used for reviewing the best

1 • Issue 2 • #2

Richmond Childc

BY TED RANDLER

precious ones!

RICHMONDMOM .COM

|1|

RichmondMom.com Magazine Richmond Childcare: You may have more options than you realize.

Will You Be Dead When I Graduate?

Rhonda Day ponders the existential implications of grandparenting.

It Happens to Dads, too. Jeb Hoge gains perspective when cranky kids challenge his best of intentions.

Special section after page 10

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On the Grid

ONLINE COMMUNITY Free Agents + 10 years = Digital Media Integration

WORK CONTENTS

Free Agents + 10 years = Digital Media Integration

BIZ SAVVY Regional Business News page 11

MOMENTUM Open for Business: SignScapes, Inc.

+ Legal Brief:

Contracts Need a Ceiling, Floor & Back Door

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Marketing Maven: Is Facebook Replacing LinkedIn? page 14

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Leadership: Lessons from History

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Just Ask Peter: The World’s Fastest Copier/Printer page 15

COMPANIES & CAREERS Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc. and Partners Receive Prestigious Torchbearer Award from the State Chamber page 16

NEW MARKETS Sparking Your RVA Commute At the end of this year, along with clicking your seatbelt you may also be plugging in your automobile if Ford is successful.

Pop the champagne, Richmond – one of our favorite marketing squads is about to reach its ten‑ year milestone. Free Agents Mar‑ keting, a full‑service advertising agency with an office in Richmond and new digs in Hampton Roads, is celebrating a decade of creativity with news that it has even more in the hopper for 2011.

Not long ago Free Agents was known as an astute ad shop that called upon a small group of experts̶free agents.

Now a 40‑person strong agency, Free Agents is looking to add to its impressive suite of public rela‑ tions, advertising, marketing and event management serv‑ ices. Founded by the ever so like‑ able Ken Wayland, this Richmond success story serves as the agency of record for Bon Secours Virginia and is known for its assemble of tal‑ ent, each employee boasting a dis‑ tinct skill set. Dave Perry, account executive for the firmʼs interactive team, says that Free Agents Mar‑ keting will grow its digital presence

page 17

804‑355‑1236

804‑355‑1035

is published in the months of

JULY, OCTOBER, JANUARY & APRIL General comments, story suggestions and letters to the editor for publication consideration should be directed to Ted Randler at ted@theworkfactory.com.

Greater Richmond Grid & RichmondGrid.com © 2010 by Palari Publishing LLP PO Box 9288 Richmond VA 23227

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plans to dish up everything from social media and web design to content management and search engine optimization. and value for interactive media, and weʼre always looking for ways to improve the experience for our clients,” Perry says ebulliently.

Richmonders can look for the handiwork of the growing Free Agents Marketing interactive troop popping up in healthcare, retail, automotive, corporate and non‑profit clients.

Social Media Key

INDICATES MEMBERSHIP TO

Dave@palaribooks.com

Greater Richmond Grid

page 25

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Publisher | Senior Editor David Smitherman

T0 ADVERTISE CALL 804-822-1422

Rocket Pop Media Layers Bed Company

4

veloping interactive services under the Free Agents Marketing um‑ brella̶under our own roof̶we will streamline our offerings inclu‑ sive of strategy to implementation of interactive marketing plans,” Perry says.

Always striving for a seam‑ less experience for its clientele, Free Agents Marketing plans to

Also online, connect with Grid’s writers and photographers.

Special section after page 18

Innovators

Perry

for a complete listing of the magazine’s distribution locations throughout the Greater Richmond Region.

Recognizing Greater Richmondʼs top 25 entrepreneurs of the past 25 years.

page 19

Wayland

RichmondGrid.com

The Venture Forum’s ‘The Top 25 of the Past 25’

In the face of a challenging economic downturn, 2010 proved to be a pivotal year for many newly launched, or completed, live, work and play projects.

Free Agents Marketing

Go to

page 18

INNOVATION Innovation Snapshot Downtown Vitality: 2010’s Building Bustle

dish up everything from social media and web design to content management and search engine optimization. “Free Agents has obviously seen a reoccurring need

Always striving for a seamless experience for its clientele,

Executive Publisher Ted Randler Ted@theworkfactory.com

Growing Confidence in the Local Business Climate Gains Interest of International Companies

in the coming year.

“Weʼre currently provid‑ ing interactive and social media services to existing clients via strategic partnerships, but by de‑

BY PAUL SPICER

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Greater Richmond Grid All rights reserved. Repro‑ duction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or il‑ lustration without written permission from the pub‑ lisher is prohibited.

Ted Randler

twitter.com www.myspace.com www.facebook.com www.youtube.com www.linkedin.com The articles you find in the magazine are also available online. The online icons from the Social Media Key are linked to the individualʼs various community memberships.

The icons in the articles are there to inform read‑ ers that they may learn more about̶and possi‑ bly contact̶the writers and subjects of articles found in the Greater Richmond Grid.

Many of the articles in print have additional ma‑ terial and/or associated web features that can be found on RichmondGrid.com. Wherever pos‑ sible, additional articles have been noted, but readers are encouraged to check the site for ex‑ panded articles and daily updates.

David Smitherman

Paul Spicer

Just splurged on yellow eyeshadow after seeing the owner of Empress looking fabulous in it.

28 Jul

Twitter: itʼs like Tumblr, but without the naked people.

6 Dec

Dentist: Do you floss?

Me: Sometimes. Dentist: You should floss everyday. Me: Do you do sit ups? Dentist: No. Me: Okay then.

26 Jul

“You have almost 1000 followers?!

I don't know what that means, but I think youʼre famous!” ‑ my mom 24 Dec

I wish I could just find a male version of me and be done with the whole dating thing.

6 Dec

CONSUMER ALERT: the Trader Joeʼs Triple Ginger Snaps packaging says there are ʻabout 13ʼ servings, but by my count, itʼs closer to 2.

9 Dec

The jogger that just ran past me was practically silent.

My squeal, not so much.

26 Oct

See extended Tweet Talk on RichmondGrid.com

@meganmarconyak

RICHMOND TWEEPLE COMPILED BY PAUL SPICER

PLAY CONTENTS LETʼS GO OUT Food News

Following: 575+ | Followers: 1,365+ | Listed: 28+ MEGAN MARCONYAK Web: www.richmondmagazine.com/shopping/blogs.php Bio: “Shopaholic, Foodie, Culture Fiend, Oenophile, Freelance Writer”

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Winter Bonus

“I tweet for several reasons. First, as a freelance writer who prefers working in marketing, journalism and with local businesses, Twitter is a great way for me to get my name out and to network with the Richmond community. It also helps me to stay on top of local business news, which can help me to come up with story ideas. On a personal level, I like connecting with smaller groups, like the Richmond food community and the fashion community. Itʼs fun to dish about restau‑ rants, recipes, shopping tips and style. How much I tweet is directly pro‑ portional to how busy I am. So, some days I tweet a ton, and some days I only check Twitter once or twice. It just depends.”

@mattjh2 Following: 1,317+ | Followers: 1,081+ | Listed: 121+ MATT HARRINGTON Web: mattonfire.net Bio: I spend entirely too much time on the internet. I'm in an abusive re‑ lationship with Buffalo sports teams. I use twitter to make fun of my life.

“Itʼs a great way to not take yourself too seriously. Put‑ ting your life, your thoughts and your feelings into 140 characters (or less) is a great way to simplify your problems. Itʼs also a great tool for finding local events happening at the moment and staying connected to the heartbeat of Richmond. But really I just use it to make jokes. I operate 10 different accounts. Some of them are marketing‑oriented, so those require a lot of interaction and monitoring. I might only update my @MattJH2 account once a day, but that's just because nothing amusing happened to me.”

@kristelpoole Following: 316+ | Followers: 942+ | Listed: 69 KRISTEL POOLE Web: stirringthingsup.wordpress.com Bio: “Photographer, foodie, activist, bartender, hedonist, jokester, word‑ smith, savant, party girl. “ “The Twitter community in Richmond is very inter‑ active so it creates a vast exchange of information and ideas. I also love learning about what is going on the second it happens, whether it's local news, world news or scientific research. Most importantly though, I like attention and Twitter gives it to me.

Yay! People seem to like when I tweet about dates I go on or guys that I meet. I tend to attract all the crazies in this town.”

@Sharif28 Following: 736+ | Followers: 1,053+ | Listed: 72+ SHARIF EWEES Web: 28media.com Bio: “Web designer and developer. Owner of 28 Media. Organizer of Re‑ fresh Richmond. Bourbon drinker.“ “For a while, I thought of it as a home‑office alterna‑ tive to coworker chatter. I could chime in when I wanted some interaction, but tune it out if I needed to get work done. Now, I also use it for a little bit of marketing, PR, and spreading the word about Refresh Richmond events (@refreshrva). Had planned to split my personal and business tweets by setting up @28media, but recently found out it was taken. (If readers have any tips for acquiring a taken but stagnant handle, would love to hear them!) ”

On your way to the fun in Shockoe Bottom donʼt forget to stop off at RVA On Ice, the newest addition to Downtown entertainment.

page 26

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DATE NIGHT: Shockoe Bottom Inventive art and intriguing wine selections, eateries offering everything from tasty pub sandwiches to fine‑dining extravaganzas, plus live entertainment make the ʻBottomʼ a perfect option for going out.

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Single in the City Debbie Johnstonʼs favorite places for fun in Richmond.

page 30

SONGFEST RVA VIBE: World Music

Touring the international influences of regional artists.

Featuring Mikemetic, BALKANIZE!, Long Arms and Rattlemouth.

page 32

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The Destiny of The Grotto Turning the old Bellevue Theater into a thriving Richmond entertainment landmark and production studio.

page 34

GLITZ & GLAM Living Elegantly (Re)Solved A few ʻEasy and Elegant Lifeʼ tips to start your year out right.

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What’s Kyra Wearing?

A visit to Ledbury, a local menʼs clothier.

page 37

PAGEVIEWS Book Buzz Independent publisher David Smitherman takes on the FAQʼs of the business.

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Online Community

16 Dec via TweetCaster

Hot Tweets

LIVE

My neighbor across the hall made soup & invited me over for a bowl.

Yay for making new friends due to snow!

Show your appreciation by sending flowers from Strange’s. It’s the perfect gift for new business or a job well done. It’s a smart business decision because, when you order online, you save with no wire services fees (up to a $14.99 value) for flowers sent anywhere in the US and Canada. A smile is just a click away online at www.stranges.com.

www.stranges.com

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Northeast 321-2200 3313 Mechanicsville Pk., near Laburnum Ave.

Bon Air 321-0460 8010 Midlothian at Buford Rd.

West End 360-2800 12111 W. Broad St. between Rt. 288 & Short Pump Town Ctr.

Hull Street 321-0470 6710 Hull Street at Chippenham

Homeless, for example, received coats and a cash donation as a re‑ sult of the clubʼs holiday party, while organizations such as Art180 receive continued support. Addi‑ tionally, Richmond Ad Club pro‑ vides the Harry Jacob's Scholarship, in conjunction with the Martin Agency, to a deserving VCU Brand‑ center student each year.

Come April, Richmond Ad Club hits its stride as it doles out a handful of coveted advertising awards to the areaʼs latest and greatest stars. With approximately 500 entries rolling in each year, the organization flies in fives judges from around the coun‑ try to participate in an intense Judges Week‑ end where winners are selected. Award cate‑ gories include design, interactive, advertis‑ ing, production, and student work, with the top advertising minds taking home a snazzy cannonball award.

Last yearʼs ceremony saw Aaron Dotson and Frank Gilliam, head honchos at Ele‑ vation, snag the an‑ nual “Ad Persons of the Year” honor. Other [ Top ]: Puck Byrne and Cabell Harris accepting winners at last yearʼs their 2010 Cannonball awards. [Bottom ] Ad festivities included Clubʼs Beaujolais Day happy hour in November.

The Martin Agency, ences,” explains Rob Reid, the 2010 Work Labs, Barber Martin Agency, President of Richmond Ad Club. Siddall, and studioSavvy. Nomina‑ “We include a top‑notch and na‑ tions for the 2011 Richmond tionally recognized university pro‑ Show begin in January. gram, the current ad agency of the Incoming year, and certainly not least, dozens Richmond Ad upon dozens of small and mid‑ Club president, sized agencies. As for the Ad Club, Edward Baldwin, weʼre simply here to bring these promises to offer communities together in a mean‑ River City yet an‑ ingful way.” other year of op‑ Reid says that over the years portunities to the organization has attracted a mix and mingle. wide range of professionals. “Free‑ He says, how‑ Baldwin lancers and small business owners ever, “What Iʼm have long seen the Ad Club as a most excited about is everything valuable resource for networking, that will be going on behind‑the‑ but we've also seen more and scenes. True to its mission of more web‑centric and social media bringing Richmondʼs Ad commu‑ groups become involved.” nity together we will be working In addition to monthly socials on increasing our outreach and at favorite watering holes, like Bel‑ membership as well as our par‑ lytimber Tavern and Gibsonʼs Grill, ticipation and promotion of edu‑ the organization makes it a point to cational programs as our direct a portion of its revenue back relationship with the Brandcenter to the community. Friends of the continues to grow.”

Crowdsourcing Coupons

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ome on, admit it̶we all love a good deal. Espe‑ cially when itʼs as easy as whipping out the olʼ smart phone. Take a gander around RVA and youʼll quickly see that Richmondʼs mobile mavens are not only playing with their gadgets but also looking to score some discounted goods in return.

“The rise of on‑ line shopping and so‑ cial networking has allowed consumers to shop in groups,” opines Maire Griffin, Communications Di‑ rector at LivingSo‑ cial.com, a social buying company that offers a new deal each day with the ability to snatch up a deal and show a digi‑ tal coupon on the spot using a mobile device. LivingSocial, along with platforms like Groupon, are leading the social shopping charge by finding new ways for con‑ sumers and mer‑ chants to interact with new prod‑ ucts and shop‑ ping experiences.

While the con‑ cept of group buying has been around in differ‑ ent forms for decades, the ability to download an app in order to have deals in your pocket has made it easier to get, share, and enjoy local perks.

“LivingSocial has on‑the‑ ground experts working closely with local merchants to offer the perfect curated experience right in consumersʼ backyards. From the cupcake shop down the street to the French bistro downtown̶LivingSocial is all about providing consumers with rich experiences and qual‑ ity deals so they can discover unique things to do in their neighborhood or the places they visit,” explains Griffin.

As a strong advocate for local merchants, LivingSocial uses

a boots‑on‑the‑ground strategy here in Richmond by calling upon a local sales team and freelance writers. Because theyʼre on the ground, LivingSocial has the abil‑

Idea Interchange

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tʼs easy to love advertising in RVA. Weʼre ripe with it. Good advertising. From boutique ad shops to full service agencies, Greater Richmond has long been home to creativity.

Richmond Ad Club, hatched over fifty years ago, celebrates and unites the regionʼs feisty band of advertising brainiacs. Home to events such as the annual Rich‑ mond Show and AddyShack Golf Tournament, the Ad Club offers a mixed bag of networking, educa‑ tion, service, and shenanigans.

“The advertising community represents so many diverse audi‑

BY PAUL SPICER

LIVE

Richmond Ad Club

As a strong advocate for local merchants, LivingSocial uses a boots‑on‑the‑ground strategy here in Richmond by calling upon a local sales team and freelance writers.

ity to go into local businesses to get a feel for the type of deal that would or wouldnʼt work.

Similarly, using Groupon in Richmond will deliver daily deals such as $5 for $10 worth of Mediterranean fare at Sticks Kebob Shop (1101 Groupons bought), $9 for $18 ultimate ticket combo at the Science Mu‑ seum of Virginia (761 Groupons bought), and $15 for $30 tapas at Avalon Restaurant & Bar (203 Groupons bought).

As a result, Richmonders using platforms like Groupon and LivingSocial are enjoying dis‑ counts on local experiences while business owners gain access to an easy and cost‑effective mar‑ keting tool.

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BY PAUL SPICER

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[back row l to r] School Board Vice Chair Dawn Page and Broad Rock Elementary School Principal Carmen Rush with Broad Rock Elementary School Student Ambassadors.

For more statements from princi‑ pals Jannie Laursen and Carmen Rush, slide shows of ground breaking and BRES/OGES con‑ struction updates scan:

OGES

VIEW QR CODES WITH A SMART PHONE BEETAGG MULTICODE READER FREE APP.

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GROUND BREAKINGS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS CONTINUE THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS OF THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD

BY TED RANDLER TO ʻBUILD A BETTER RICHMOND.ʼ

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BRES

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Lessons For The Future

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e have an obligation to ensure that our schools provide children with world‑class skills and knowledge,” says Mayor Dwight C. Jones. He envisions the two new schools as being “models of innovation and creativity in urban education.”

VMDO Architects, headquartered in Charlottesville, is the ar‑ chitecture firm for the schools. VMDO held several spring meet‑ ings with the Richmond Public Schoolsʼ design team, community parents and the schoolsʼ principals to discuss programming and corresponding education specifications.

With an eye toward future requirements, during the commu‑ nity meetings for both schools the architects stressed that the new facilities “would be equipped to handle technological

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changes and trends for the next 15+ years.”

The November 13th ground breaking, and initial utility construction, launched the Broad Rock Elementary School (BRES) project̶the de‑ sign and construction of a new 650‑pupil facility on the schoolʼs current site. Demoli‑ tion of the existing building and final site activities will be complete around the end of that same year.

“This new environment will also promote a sense of pride and school spirit among students as they are given an opportunity to explore new technologies, sporting events, cultural and physical education activities that were not avail‑

LIVE Community Nexus Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Yvonne Brandon and Mayor Dwight C. Jones with student reporters from Oak Grove Elementary School.

Mayor Dwight C. Jones and Chief Administrative Officer Byron Marshall with City Council President Kathy Graziano and Vice President Ellen Robinson along with School Board Members of Richmond Public Schools and Oak Grove Elementary Principal Jannie Laursen.

“The technologically advanced ‘green’ school will stand as a beacon in our community, lighting the way for new hope and prosperity.” able,” says Carmen Rush, prin‑ cipal of BRES. The other new 650‑pupil facility, the Oak Grove Elemen‑

tary School (OGES) project, broke ground November 30th on the site of the Bellemeade/Oak Grove annex

and the Bellemeade Recreation Center. OGES principal Jannie Laursen says, “Iʼm excited to participate in this unique op‑

portunity of contributing to the development of a community school that will set the standard for the 21st century. The tech‑ nologically advanced ʻgreenʼ school will stand as a beacon in our community, lighting the way for new hope and prosperity.”

Remaining construction for both schools is scheduled to start in the spring with com‑ pletion projected by May 2012 in anticipation of the first day of classes in August 2012.

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FRPʼS BIZ BOOST Vice President of Marketing for Richmond Metropolitan Con‑ vention & Visitors Bureau (RMCVB), Jennifer Carnam says, “The Buzz surrounding the 150th Anniversaries of the Civil War and Emancipation has al‑ ready begun to focus increased attention on the Richmond re‑ gion as a must‑see destination during the four‑year commem‑ oration period.” And that can mean a financial windfall for the area. Carnam notes, “Na‑ tionally, even in a down econ‑ omy, tourism continues to grow. Because the Richmond region is affordable, accessible, historic and authentic, it has enjoyed strong visitation con‑ sistently for many years.“ She points out that tourism is a powerful economic engine in the region, where “nearly 6 mil‑ lion visitors spend almost $2 billion annually.”

For more events, history and a complete list of partners scan:

futureofrichmondspast.org

FRP on Facebook

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Looking Back, 150 Years Later THE SESQUICENTENNIAL OF THE CIVIL WAR LAUNCHES IN 2011. RICHMOND̶THE ONETIME CAPITAL OF THE CONFEDERACY AND A CENTER OF THE NATIONʼS SLAVE TRADE̶IS SLATED AS A VITAL DESTINATION FOR TOURISTS OF U.S. HISTORY OR FAMILY ORIGIN.

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s program manager for the Future of Richmondʼs Past (FRP), Anedra Wiseman Bourne works with the initiativeʼs steering committee as well as with University of Rich‑ mondʼs president Dr. Ayers and The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegarʼs president Christy Coleman̶both instrumental in the development of the initiative [see ʻThe Future of Richmondʼs Past Sparks Fresh Ideas & Insightʼ Richmond Grid Spring 2010].

With the sesquicentennial of “The Civil War & the Civil War officially kicking Emancipation Day off this year, Bourne explains FRP entails “a collaboration of event brought in more than 20 individuals and in‑ more than 4,000 stitutions throughout metropoli‑ people citywide...” tan Richmond̶ranging from the Virginia Historical Society and Museum of the Confederacy to the Elegba Folklore Society and the Richmond Slave Trail Commis‑ sion.”

Similar to The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegarʼs efforts, the FRP initiative, with the inclusion of Emancipation, seeks to present the whole story of the Civil War̶from the viewpoints of those who fought, tended to life on the homefront, and of those who were enslaved.

In addition to its own efforts, FRP will co‑sponsor various events including the 2011 Community Conversation series hosted by the Valentine Richmond History Center. April 15‑17, 2011 will mark the 2nd Annual Civil War & Emancipation Days citywide ini‑ tiative. A free day of activities ranging from Richmond River Cruises Canal Boat rides by Venture Richmond to free admission to more than 15 area attractions.

Asked if she expects an increase in attendance at institutions like The American Civil War Center for the sesquicentennial, Bourne says, “Itʼs difficult to determine the scope of increased visitation for a commemoration that happens once every 50 years. I believe that the Richmond Region historic institutions anticipate an increase in

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attendance. By including the theme of Emancipation, the story broadens, too, and so does the audience. It helps that both local and national media have al‑ ready focused on the history through special sections, blogs̶and Richmond naturally gains attention.”

She points out that Rich‑ mond was ground zero for the Civil War and was touched by the war throughout 1861‑ 1865. “Many tourists flock to our region annually to experi‑ ence our authentic history and landmarks. As the Gateway to the Civil War, the staff at His‑ toric Tredegar (a partnership of the Center, the National Park Serviceʼs Richmond National Battlefield Park, and the Rich‑ mond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau) will orient visitors to the region.”

Since the American Civil War Center opened in October 2006̶welcoming more 18,600 visitors just in the first three months̶attendance has grown each year since.

“Last year we welcomed nearly 31,000 people. The Civil War & Emancipation Day event brought in more than 4,000 people citywide as well,” Bourne says̶some of which came from the Washington, DC metro area and North Carolina.

To keep current with the upcoming programs, Bourne recommends FRPʼs social media. “Friend us on Facebook to stay tuned.”

Winter 2011 • Volume 1 • Issue 2 • #2

Richmond Childcare Whether it’s daycare during work hours or an evening sitter, you have more options than you may think.

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hildcare is one of our most popular and gut‑wrenching topics for Richmond moms.

Hereʼs the down and dirty.

No matter who you interview, youʼll need a GREAT list of questions. Voila:

Option #1: Licensed Day Care Centers SWEET: Highly reliable, typi‑ cally very strong education & activity focus, exposure to a va‑ riety of kids and experiences.

They are on the line to ensure ratios are met, so there is al‑ ways coverage. Some day cares even offer instructor‑led swim‑ ming lessons, dance & music classes!

PHOTO | KATE HALL HEADSHOT: PAIGE STEVENS

NOT: Pricey, often $200+ weekly and higher for infants, increased exposure to germs.

You pay often even when youʼre on vacation, there is an exposed risk to certain ill‑ nesses̶but youʼll also have that in most situations.

Take a look at Tuckaway Child Care Centers and The Learn‑ ing Experience to start your search. A cool Richmond site to check out with a bunch of list‑ ings is City Search at rich‑ mondcitysearch.com.

Option #2: Nannies GROOVY: Mary Poppins com‑ ing to your door? What could be finer?

Personal attention and NO bags, bottles, diapers for you to pack. One‑on‑one attention for

your little darlings.

TIP: www.craigslist.com and www.richmond.com “Classified”= free advertising options! www.craigslist.com and www.richmond.com are good sources for all of these searches, but keep in mind that you will need to conduct a background check and refer‑ ence check just as you would with any other daycare provider.

Search postings for sitters, nan‑ nies, and occasional help.

OR post your own ad. No fees!

You do all the recruiting work, and can do much via email.

This can be extremely time‑ consuming, though, so College Nannies & Tutors (www.colle‑ genannies.com) is a great op‑ tion should you want someone else to do the work, screening, and matching for you.

Option #3: In‑Their‑Home Babysitters HIP: When you find the right one, it can be a magical thing.

Usually very reliable, so you donʼt need back‑up care. Inter‑ action with other kids, expo‑ sure to some structure, loving care in someone elseʼs home.

NOT: Like nannies, these folks have lives too̶and you may be at their mercy for their family issues, illness, etc. Ask about back‑up care & how they may be able to help. If you use a service like College Nannies &

Kate Hall, publisher Tutors, they can really help out because they provide the backup care and on‑call for your unexpected ʻohmygosh what do I do nowʼ days.

College Nannies & Tutors can help you in a pinch. They care‑ fully screen nannies if you need someone for a few hours or every week, and take full re‑ sponsibility for the search, background checks, and quality of each nanny.

University of Richmond stu‑ dents may be a great source for babysitters! Contact Student Activities at 289‑8505.

Learn more about regulations at VA Department of Social Services: Child Day Care (Please note that each mu‑ nicipality may have additional require‑ ments.)

Virginia Child Care Resource & Referral Network: www.vachildcare.org Note: Richmondmom.com bears no responsibility for the actions of any child care resources found using these services. Always do a thorough search, including a background check, driving record check, and credit check, with plenty of reference checks, before trusting anyone with your precious ones!

In This Issue Will You Be Dead When I Graduate?

“It’s amazing how grandparents seem so young once you become one.”

An afternoon at Deep Run Park has Rhonda Day pondering the existential implications of grandparenting.

Rockstar

Erica Stotler is a Richmond mother who overcame physical challenges and took the 13,100 steps to complete the Jingle Bell Run.

GOD’S BIRTHDAY AND OTHER MYSTERIES Nicole Unice tackles tough questions from her son.

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IT HAPPENS TO DADS, TOO. Jeb Hoge gains perspective when cranky kids challenge his best of intentions.

RICHMONDMOM.COM

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Mom’s Treehouse

New business at Short Pump supports motherhood by combining fitness programs, mommy-and-me classes, professional services and shopping

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om often takes care of everyone else before her‑ self. The needs of her chil‑ dren, her spouse, the house, even the family pet often get nurtured before mom does. All that is about to change with the opening of Momʼs Treehouse, located in John Rolfe Commons in Short Pump.

“We have created an environ‑ ment that supports motherhood by combining fitness programs, mommy‑and‑me classes, profes‑ sional services, and shopping,” says Rachel Pustilnik, owner of Momʼs Treehouse. “Our hope is that moms put themselves first for a change while focusing on creat‑ ing a healthy and happy family.”

For the last six years, Pustil‑ nik, the owner of Stroller Strides of Richmond, has been focusing on helping moms get back into shape after their babies are born,

and recently she has added other fitness programs that are geared towards moms with children of any age. Body Back is an eight‑ week, results‑based exercise pro‑ gram focusing on weight loss, strength, and confidence building.

The Mother Runner Program trains moms for local running races no matter what their experi‑ ence or fitness level is.

In addition to exercise pro‑ grams, Momʼs Treehouse will offer child‑focused classes such as music, sign language, baby mas‑ sage, and eco‑friendly art classes.

Additionally, Tots On‑The‑Go will be selling high‑quality child and baby travel products such as strollers, car seats, diaper bags, and other accessories. Profes‑ sional services such as nutrition‑ ists, massage therapists, lactation consultants are also provided.

For , it’s more than a massage or facial, it’s my renovation strain-reliever.

Will You Be Dead When I Graduate?

“It’s amazing how grandparents seem so young BY RICHMOND GRANDMOM RHONDA DAY once you become one.” ~Author Unknown

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s I was driving with my two grandchildren secured safely in their handy, dandy child‑re‑ straint seats in the backseat, I en‑ joyed eavesdropping on their chatter about school.

“Connor, Iʼm older than you and Iʼll graduate before you do. So Iʼll go to college first.”

“Well, Iʼm going to college too so I donʼt care.”

After a few exchanges of com‑ ments and debate about their future, Connor posed a question to me.

“Gigi, will you be dead when I graduate?”

His question caught me totally off‑guard and I wasnʼt sure how to respond. After all, I consider myself a fairly young grandmother. (Well, at least when compared to the memo‑ ries of my own grandmother!)

After a few moments, I replied that I wasnʼt sure if Iʼd be alive or not, but I really hoped that I would live that long.

And then Emma replied: “Connor, Gigi will be alive be‑ cause she has a lot to do.”

The rest of our day was un‑ eventful with a visit to Deep Run Park and a walk through the wooded trails, with lots of bug exploration and childhood curiosity.

As we headed back home, Connorʼs comments crept back into my thoughts. Would I be here when he graduates? I certainly hoped so, but we are never promised tomor‑ row.

One thing happened that day though.

I started thinking about the ob‑ ligation we have to our grandchil‑ dren to take better care of ourselves.

Grandparents often neglect taking care of their physical and emotional health, but itʼs an important part of grandparenting.

Eating healthy, getting exercise and engaging in healthy emotional activities are a big responsibility as we grow older. I definitely do not want the years to pass by quickly, but I do think about the day my beautiful grandchildren will reach the gradua‑ tion milestone in their lives.

And I want to be there to cele‑ brate with them!

That makes it a lot easier to lace up my walking shoes and head out for a walk. Grandchildren can be the inspiration that no one else can offer when it comes to making changes in your life.

Yes, Connor, I plan to be here when you graduate̶and for many more milestones beyond that!

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RichmondMom.com recognizes women in the Richmond, Virginia and sur‑ rounding community for their outstanding leadership, achievements, and contributions. Whether their passions are personal or professional, we want to hear about them!

Few will ever attempt to run a 5k or 3.1 miles, in their lifetime. Even fewer with arthritis will overcome their daily pain and don their tennis shoes to run the approximately 13,100 steps it takes to cross the finish line, unless they are Richmond mom Erica Stotler.

Erica, mom-of-one and fierce advocate for the Arthritis Foundation of Virginia, didn’t let pain slow her down nor did she once complain as her team “Naughty or Nice?” finished the race with top-earning honors in the Jingle Bell Run on December 4, 2010. Thank you, Erica, for inspiring all of us to get moving and push ahead!

God’s Birthday & Other Mysteries Tough questions can lead to epiphanies for both the child and the parent.

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umping along Monument Avenue after an exciting morning creating card‑ board catapults at the Childrenʼs Museum, my sonʼs inquisitive voice fills the minivan: “When was God born?”

The weight of mothering hits me in a moment like this̶a moment where I realize that my children think I have all the answers.

Itʼs true. I can usually answer questions about where to find socks, whatʼs for breakfast and why we canʼt paint the dogʼs toenails.

So perhaps thatʼs why my kids also expect that I can explain things like heaven, or why bad things hap‑ pen, or divine birthdays.

And despite the fact that I went to God‑school (seminary) and

“I hesitate when I give strong answers about invisible things. I worry that always having answers teaches my children that there always will be an answer.”

work in a church, passing on faith to my children is complicated, chal‑ lenging, and often confusing.

Back in the minivan, I break out my best preschool teacher voice to respond. “Well, honey, God was never born. He always was. Itʼs hard to understand. Itʼs even harder for mommy to explain.”

I hesitate when I give strong answers about invisible things. I worry that always having answers teaches my children that there al‑ ways will be an answer.

But even the lightest brush of suffering will challenge that as‑ sumption̶I know that well.

Maybe I pause because Iʼm my own walking contradiction.

How can I wrap up compli‑ cated narratives on God and human nature into one little point,

when I struggle with the simplest of lessons: trust, patience, content‑ ment, grace̶every day?

As I turn toward home, I grow pensive, considering the great responsibility of teaching messy life and a complex belief in a way thatʼs both honoring and honest.

The silence is broken.

“Mom, is God a Genie? Be‑ cause I understand genies.”

I laugh, picturing a mish‑mash of Bible stories and Aladdin in my sonʼs mind.

His wide eyes shuffle across the passing landscape. “I mean, a genie grants wishes. God grants our

BY NICOLE UNICE

wishes, right?”

I try to have God all figured out myself, yet itʼs a conversation with a five‑year‑old that presses me to think deeply and search my own heart for understanding and belief.

Our conversation turned from wish fulfillment and prayer to types of dinosaur teeth and why fruit snacks donʼt count as “healthy.”

Despite my lack of answers and fair‑weather faith, theology happened on that ordinary day.

Maybe my children donʼt need my answers̶they need a place where itʼs safe to ask questions.

NICOLE UNICE IS OBVIOUSLY A MOM. BETWEEN BATHS AND BREAKFASTS, SHE WORKS IN STUDENT MINISTRY AND USES TWITTER OBSESSIVELY. YOU CAN FIND HER THOUGHTS ON FAITH AND LIFE AT WWW.THESTUBBORNSERVANT.COM OR ON TWITTER @NICOLEUNICE.

RICHMONDMOM.COM

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It happens to dads, too.

In retrospect, it wasn’t the best decision I’ve made, but I wanted to get out of the house, my kids were sort of stir-crazy from having been home pretty much all week (stomach bug), it was my

BY RICHMOND DAD JEB HOGE wife’s last day at work, and I wanted to go to Trader Joe’s.

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herefore, I put my two sons (almost 6 and almost 3) in the car, stopped in the Dunkinʼ Donuts drive‑thru for an afternoon coffee and a bagel for them to split and off we went.

Problem #1: A sunny Satur‑ day in November isnʼt the best time to pop in at your spouseʼs store for a quick hello. She was working the cash register with about a dozen people in line and so as soon as the kids saw her, she got that smiley‑hid‑ den‑panic look, so I quickly hoisted the little one and towed the big one out. In other words, I got them ex‑ cited about seeing her and then yanked them right away. Uh oh.

Problem #2: Not enough money for the Short Pump train.

My kids are nuts for this little lawn‑ mower with carts, and itʼs cheap.

But itʼs also cash‑only and I just did‑ nʼt think about needing the correct change. So, when the “train” put‑

tered and dinged by, I had to say “No, we canʼt” about a dozen times, which doesnʼt go over well espe‑ cially with a tired 3 year old.

Problem #3: After spending 20 minutes in the play area, one of the two was ready to go, and that meant it was time to go. Not fair to the other one, I know. But we still had another stop to make and I wanted to use the momentum of a ready‑to‑leave child. This is where it went wrong, though.

Walking back through SPTC, we passed by the “train station” and then the train itself. At this point, the 3‑year‑old is walking and wailing and the 6‑year‑old is scrunching up his face too, since all they seemed to get was “Daddyʼs not letting us!”

I wasnʼt helping much be‑ cause I was frustrated with them, too, and when we finally made it to the car, strapping my 3 year old in

was like the dumpling duel in Kung‑Fu Panda, but I did prevail.

We motored over to Trader Joeʼs with me thinking that I might just scrap the whole idea. But then, as dads do, I decided to gut it out and as I hoisted my 3‑year‑old out, the wailing started again.

I couldnʼt get him to sit in the cart. I certainly couldnʼt let him walk; heʼd be on his back in a heart‑ beat. I went to unload the stroller and then he fought me as I tried to get him in there. We were drawing attention, both overt and surrepti‑ tious, and I read some minds.

“Poor guy.”

“I hope he doesnʼt bring them in here.”

“Letʼs see what he does!”

(Seriously, the couple in the car next to me really took their time leaving.)

Did I snap? Actually, I did. But not in the way youʼd think. What broke was my desire to try to ra‑ tionalize or entreat my tantrum‑ ing 3 year old into going along.

The old muscle memory from several years of parenting came into play; I asked my older son to

just sit in the back of the car. I picked up my younger son, cuddled him tight, clucked and shh‑shh‑ shhed him, and lightly rocked him, standing there in the parking lot.

We stood there like that for a few minutes and as I felt him relax.

I gently put him into his stroller seat, snapped the buckles without resistance, and we wheeled through the parking lot.

There was still a yelp or two to get out, but once we made it into the busy store, he had spent the tantrum and got interested in all of the people and things to see.

I thought about the experi‑ ence a lot on the ride home. Had I forgotten that tantrums are about kids losing control of emotion (physically as well as mentally)?

Had I expected too much coopera‑ tion from two little boys on a busy afternoon? Had I just not planned ahead well enough? The answer to everything is probably yes, but I think I learned more and gained more benefit from the experience than I would have if everything had gone my way. Screwing up is such a big part of parenting.

Romp n’ Roll Birthday Parties Romp n’ Roll has been hosting Richmond’s best birthday parties for over 6 years now.

Their colorful gym and fun play equipment sets the perfect stage for kids celebrating 1st birthdays up to 6th birthdays. Check out the QR code to see the video of fun.

‘Richmond Rocks!’

Now available in paperback!

Richmondmom.com Publishing’s first book Richmond Rocks! (created and published locally) is available at Palaribooks.com

Richmond Dining Deals page sponsored by KidsDineFree.net Going out to eat with the family is a luxury many have had to greatly decrease or give up altogether–but KidsDineFree.net offers a free kid’s meal with an adult meal. Enter Code: richmondmom online to receive $2 off your KidsDineFree.net card! |4|

RICHMONDMOM.COM

190 New Jobs in Henrico County PPD, Inc. to Invest $28 Million

Wachovia to Add 220 Employees A Wells Fargo company, Wachovia expects to hire 220 full‑time customer‑service representatives at its call cen‑ ter in the Innsbrook Corporate Center in western Henrico County by June.

Before its acquisition by Wells Fargo, Wachovia was the fourth‑largest bank holding company in the United States based on total assets. The purchase of Wachovia Corp by Wells Fargo and Company was completed on December 31, 2008.

Virginia Commonwealth Univer‑ sity ranked in a tie for third among United States research in‑ stitutions for most Fulbright Scholars produced during the 2010‑11 academic year, accord‑ ing to a list compiled by the Insti‑ tute of International Education.

VCU, which has six Ful‑ bright Scholars this academic year, was tied with five other schools in the third position.

Fulbright scholars included in the tally were faculty mem‑ bers and other professionals at a school.

BusinessWeek’s ‘Top Places to Raise Kids’ Cites Two Hanover Locations Ashland, Virginia is the best place in Virginia to raise chil‑ dren, followed by Mechan‑ icsville as ranked by BusinessWeek. The list ranks the top two communities in each state. Both top Virginia locations are in Hanover County.

Ashland was founded in 1858 in Hanover County, about 15 miles north of Richmond. It is

Criteria For Rankings BusinessWeek used 2010 data from Onboard Informat‑ ics, a real estate information and technology company; 5,418 locations nationwide with populations larger than the state median but no larger than 50,000 were evaluated.

Only locations where the median income is within 20 percent of the stateʼs median were considered.

The rankings put the most weight on school per‑ formance and the number of schools, crime statistics, and cost of living.

Other factors included job growth, air quality, ethnic diversity, and access to recre‑ ational amenities (within the

home to Randolph‑Macon Col‑ lege, one of the highest‑ ranked small liberal arts colleges in the South, which offers residents many cultural experiences, such as concerts, theater, and lectures. The town's historic district is a fine example of Victorian architec‑ ture, and every June is the Ashland Strawberry Festival.

county), such as parks, zoos, theaters, and museums.

The winners are not rich suburbs or havens for luxury living, but communi‑ ties inhabited mostly by middle‑income earners that have good public schools, low crime, and resources to keep the family entertained on weekends.

From BusinessWeek: Best Place to raise kids in Virginia: Ashland Nearby city: Richmond Population: 6,519 Median family income: $57,832 Runner‑up: Mechanicsville

Whitlock Group Relocates HQ The Whitlock Group has moved its headquarters to a new location in the West Creek Corporate Park.

The new facility has been transformed into a digital showcase to reflect the com‑ panyʼs portfolio of state‑of‑the‑ art signage, videoconferencing and distance learning training.

“We plan to implement some new workflow practices

that will streamline operations, service and sales,” states Doug Hall, the companyʼs CEO. “We are also excited to offer larger, more effective dis‑ play and demonstration areas for our clients to view and test work in progress. The new space is scalable for future growth as well, and should have a positive impact on qual‑ ity control and delivery.”

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strong player in the life sciences industry, a target industry for Henrico County, the Greater Rich‑ mond region and the Common‑ wealth of Virginia. Not only will the company create 190 new jobs, the average salary for those jobs will be higher than the pre‑ vailing average wage for the re‑ gion. I look forward to PPD's continued success in Virginia."

"PPD chose to expand at its Henrico County facility due to the quality of the current employees and the skilled workforce avail‑ able in the region," said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Com‑ merce and Trade. "With this sig‑ nificant investment and new job creation, PPD ensures that its fu‑ ture business prospects are bright and further growth is likely."

WORK

Governor Bob McDonnell an‑ nounced on December 10th that PPD, Inc.̶a leading global con‑ tract research organization pro‑ viding drug discovery, development, and lifecycle man‑ agement services̶plans to invest $28 million to expand its Lab Services Division in Henrico County over the next three years.

The operation provides research and development services and clinical trial services for drug de‑ velopment. The project is ex‑ pected to create 190 new jobs over the next three years.

"PPD is a rapidly growing company that provides the invalu‑ able service of drug research and development," said Governor Mc‑ Donnell. "This major expansion will continue to position PPD as a

VCU Among Top Producers of Fulbright Scholars

If youʼre reading this, so are 60,000 college students, business professionals, and smart people involved civic and community organizations, entertainment and the arts in the Greater Richmond Region.

In addition, RichmondGrid.com receives 35,000+ unique visitors a month.

Itʼs time to get your products and services on the grid.

Contact Ted Randler Ted@RichmondGrid.com 804‑355‑1236 COBB Technologies Cobb Technologies is a Rich‑ mond‑based, Family‑owned office technology dealer, head‑ quartered in Richmond. 20 years serving Richmond busi‑ nesses with digital copiers, printers, scanners, and fax so‑ lutions. You've heard the radio ads with Freddy Cobb; we in‑ vite you to talk to Peter Larsen at Cobb Technologies and learn the rest of the story!

Merit Medical Systems Adds 75 Jobs Merit Medical Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer and mar‑ keter of proprietary disposable medical devices, will invest $1 million to expand its operations in Chesterfield County.

The project will create 75 new jobs.

“Merit Medical Systems has become a nationally recognized name since its founding nearly 25 years ago,” said Governor

McDonnell at the November 18th announcement. “The com‑ pany has found success in Chesterfield County since 2004.

Despite todayʼs challenging eco‑ nomic times, Merit Medical con‑ tinues to serve market demand, which allows the company to grow. I am pleased that this ex‑ pansion will bring 75 new jobs that perform a vital service for the healthcare industry.”

CapTech Expands: More Hiring and New Client Acquisitions CapTech continues to build out its infrastructure and team to meet increasing client demands. The firm has doubled its office space, upgraded its website, and opened a new train‑ ing center. The firm continues to hire in all locations. CapTech is listed among Inc. Magazineʼs Inc. 5000, reserved for the na‑ tion's fastest‑growing private companies, for the 3rd consec‑ utive year.

“Thereʼs a lot to be excited about, we are happy to see that we are executing our strategic plan,” says Sandy Williamson, CEO. “In the summer of 2009, our management team up‑ dated our long term strategic plan and it has been tested in some of the most adverse economic conditions imaginable.

Weʼve continually emerged by working with our clients to provide services that help make them leaders in their respec‑ tive industries.”

"We have grown employees, sales and profits at over 20 per‑ cent," continues Williamson. “We are now ramping up our Charlotte and Northern Virginia offices with new client wins and employees. Our Richmond business remains brisk with clients who gave us our first chance to grow almost 14 years ago.”

The new training center location, recently opened in Henrico County, Virginia allows the firm to improve its collaboration with its long time clients.

SnagAJob to Hire 150 by Year’s End SnagAJob, the Henrico County‑based national online job search company, is planning a major expansion in the Richmond area.

The company plans to hire about 150 people by the end of 2011, doubling its current employment.

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Movieland at Boulevard Square was honored with two awards by the Urban Land Institute Richmond for its contribution to excel‑ lence in design and innovative development practices. The 2010 Vision Awards event was held on December 1st at CenterStage in downtown Richmond.

Movieland was recognized as the Most Innovative Project and the Best Overall Project of the year.

Commonwealth Architectsʼ design transformed the turn‑of‑the century former locomotive factory into a 17‑theater cinema complex for Bowtie Partners, a New York cinema and real estate development firm. Movieland was singled out for the innovative incorporation of

the siteʼs unique rail history into the overall design of the project and for its positive impact on the community.

Movieland was recognized as the Most Innovative Project for its re‑ sourcefulness in use of land, materi‑ als, and energy; and excellence in design, construction, and economics.

The Award for Best Overall Project honors the development from the category winners that sets the best example of leadership in the responsible use of land and cre‑ ating a facility that promotes a sus‑ tainable community. The winning Movieland project was noted for restoring historic features, for innovatively re‑using materials, for using state of the art technology, making a positive impact on the community and serving as a catalyst to stimulate and sustain eco‑ nomic development.

ULI Richmond recognizes firms, organizations, local govern‑ ments, projects and individuals in the ULI Richmond District for their contributions to excellence in design and innovative devel‑ opment practices, which promote the responsible use of land and for leadership in creating and sustaining thriving developments in our community.

MOMENTUM

Legal Brief

Open for Business AMAZING TALES OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP Jennifer Tompkins told me that she had been thinking about busi‑ ness ownership for a while. She said she didnʼt think she was inter‑ ested in a franchise but that every‑ one had told her it would be worth talking to me. Jen had worked for a medium‑sized local distribution company as well as several large employers here in the local Rich‑ mond market. In her current role, she felt underutilized and micro‑ managed and that was why she was considering something that gave her ultimate control.

Jen had excellent problem‑ solving skills that she had gained from her years in her corporate roles. At the distribution company, she had worn many hats and played a role in business development and customer care; these are both skills that are very important for business owners.

In searching for a business, Jen wanted something that would allow her to build equity for herself. She wanted new challenges and more control and autonomy in the deci‑ sion‑making process. She wanted to have rewards commensurate with her effort. And in the long run, she wanted more freedom.

As we explored franchise and business ownership options, Jen ultimately decided that while she liked some of the support that franchises provided, she wanted to have complete long‑term control.

She investigated and ultimately decided on a sign business that has a national network of support without the formalities of a fran‑ chise. Jen opened her business, SignScapes, in June of this year.

This business allowed Jen to utilize her process and problem‑solving skills and her creative nature. It also gives her a path to build long‑ term equity for herself. Being con‑ nected to the Richmond commu‑ nity and finding ways to give back were also important to Jen and SignScapes has allowed her to do both of those things.

Hereʼs what Jen had to say re‑ cently about her business: “My heart was in manufacturing. I love to make things, so I needed to find a business where I created a tangi‑ ble product. But I also wanted the opportunity to engage with other business owners and professionals in growing their businesses. The sign industry wasnʼt one I had ever

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BY ROBIN SMITH

considered before, but it has turned out to be a natural fit for my skills and personality.”

When asked about what makes SignScapes different, Jen says “SignScapes, Inc. is really about partnering with my clients to build their business and brand visi‑ bility. We create custom solutions that give a businessʼ culture and mission a physical dimension.

Whether we design and install a signature vehicle wrap, build an ar‑ chitectural sign for your building or produce custom wallpaper for an interiors client, we strive to provide innovative and attractive products that are also a smart business in‑ vestment for the client.”

SignScapes has a beautiful showroom located at 7515 Ranco Road (call 980‑7111 to make an ap‑ pointment). You can also visit them on the web at www.Rich‑ mondSignScapes.com.

Robin Smith is the owner of The Entrepreneur's Source. www.e‑sourceva.com.

CONTRACTS NEED A CEILING, FLOOR & BACK DOOR You have a brainstorm for a new service or a new product. You also have an existing business.

Say your cupcake store wants to start distributing cake mix through other retailers, or your web development firm starts to sell software.

You put your plans on paper with your collaborator, dividing the risks and rewards. Mister, youʼve got your‑ self a deal. But should you sign it?

The hard fact is that you will never know, except in hindsight, whether any particular deal was a good idea.

You are making a bet. The good news is that you can also hedge that bet.

Manage your risk and ease your heartburn by giving each contract a ceiling, a floor, and a back door. If done correctly, you can move from simply making bets to an arrange‑ ment where the buyer pays for re‑ sults and the seller receives the value of its performance.

Marketing Maven

Ceiling Decide the maximum you are will‑ ing to pay for something, or the maximum effort that you are will‑ ing to exert. Make sure that is in the contract. If you assume the project will take two months, but should never take more than four, then four months is your ceiling. If you are guessing that your consult‑ ant or IT support person will need to put in 10 hours to answer your questions, and 15 hours is the most you would ever want to pay for, then 15 hours is your ceiling.

Floor The floor is, obviously enough, the least you would want to do, have done, pay, or be paid. Just as when you set the ceiling, go ahead and put your assumptions on paper. A franchisee or sales representative has an exclusive territory, but if they cannot sell, then it is pointless.

The level of sales they need to gen‑ erate in order to keep the territory is the floor. In another context, preferential pricing or a lower

Jennifer Yeager is a marketing communications consultant in Richmond.

IS FACEBOOK REPLACING LINKEDIN? Most businesses feel comfortable with LinkedIn because it has a more professional appeal to it than Facebook or Twitter, despite both being widely and effectively used by businesses.

LinkedIn continues to impres‑ sively grow as a powerful social media tool, arguably the number one social site for businesses. It has more than 85 million global users, half being in the US. The average user is 45 years old and more than 63% of users have graduated col‑ lege or post grad. LinkedIn reaches more decision makers than Forbes, Wall Street Journal or BusinessWeek.

There are several strategies to leverage LinkedIn to promote your business. Use it to drive traffic to your website, social sites, blogs, to find clients and projects, to recruit talent, and to create a community.

Start with your own profile: Itʼs more than just an online resume and you should view it as such. En‑ sure team members have personal and thorough profiles. Then, ask for Recommendations from people who know your work and whose opinion you value.

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Connections: They can be so powerful! Start by connecting to your team members. Connect with service providers and referral sources. Connect with clients. The Twitter feature on LinkedIn allows you to see who in your network is also on Twitter. Go ahead and cre‑ ate a second connection with your network by following on Twitter, too, all without leaving LinkedIn. Super easy.

Join Groups: Become a part of a community. Join association groups, industry‑focused groups, topic‑driven groups, and so on.

Most importantly, though, partici‑ pate. Answer questions. Ask ques‑ tions. ENGAGE. Try to avoid selling, though. Offer advice and resources, share your experience. Itʼs an in‑ credible opportunity to learn and showcase your value.

Create a Group: Groups cre‑ ate a community of like‑minded people. People enjoy feeling like they are a part of a community.

When you join a group it becomes listed on your profile for visitors to see. How about a group for your clients? Be sure to include your Jennifer Tompkins

BY JENNIFER YEAGER

business name. When clients join your group, their network will be notified and your business name will be listed on each of their pro‑ files for all their connections to see.

Or to attract new clients, name your group something topic driven.

Say you are a grant writer for non‑ profit organizations. Name your Ggroup, “Effective Grant Strategies for Non‑Profits”. You and your busi‑ ness name will be listed as admin‑ istrator of the group.

Content is still king here: Keep your group active. When you have a new blog post, share the link with your group. Ask for feedback.

Pose questions. Answer questions.

Try to engage weekly and encour‑ age topics from members. Share re‑ cent news relevant to your group members. Share company news and client success stories. Just be sure it has value and all the content isnʼt just self‑promoting.

LinkedIn continues to grow its features and should be seen as a key strategy in your overall social media plan. Take advantage of them to en‑ hance your business brand, and grow your network.

Robin Smith

Jennifer Yeager

Just Ask Peter

BY CHRIS GATEWOOD

Back Door Things may not work out according to plan. A good contract will have an organized way to cut your losses and move on. That is the back door.

There may be deadlines, targets, or other contractual requirements that are missed. If that happens, you will want to have the option of bailing out. That is termination for cause, and allows you to move on without further pain.

The parties can agree to give notice of default to the other side and let

So go ahead, do the deal. Sign the papers. But only after you have built in a ceiling, a floor, and a back door.

Providing outside general counsel serv‑ ices to companies with or without a legal department, Chris Gatewood is an attorney & founder of Threshold Coun‑ sel, PC, (www.thresholdcounsel.com)

Leadership

LESSONS FROM HISTORY Leaders have made their mark on history for thousands of years.

Human nature has changed little during that time, and thus there are a great many examples of leader‑ ship lessons to be learned from those who have gone before us.

Being a leader is difficult if you do not have resources to teach you how to lead. One tremendous re‑ source is historical lessons from other leaders. There are very few leadership situations you could en‑ counter that have not happened to someone else before. By studying history, you can teach yourself the lessons learned by hard experience by others.

Otto von Bismarck, the Ger‑ man statesman of the late 19th century, once said "Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others." This is quite true, and studying history provides you the opportunity to learn from the mis‑ takes of others.

I highly recommend studying both leaders who you wish to em‑ ulate, and case studies in industries like yours. Certain leadership tal‑ Chris Gatewood

BY MARK MATTHEWS

ents are desirable in any industry, and can be learned by studying the leaders themselves. Certain leader‑ ship abilities are more specific to a certain industry.

Within these two areas, there are a great many subjects to study.

New leaders wishing to understand how to manage change, transition, or promotion, may study examples of actions by leaders who took charge of a new team or company.

Leaders faced with the challenge of turning around an unproductive or unprofitable business may wish to study exam‑ ples of leaders who successfully turned around businesses in sim‑ ilar situations.

There are a great many lead‑ ership lessons to learn by studying history. Education is half as painful as experience but takes twice as long. Start your studying now to set yourself up for success, be‑ cause when you are put into an unfamiliar position, it may be too late to learn.

Attorney Mark Matthews owns The Matthews Law Group, P.L.L.C. thematthewslawgroup.com Mark Matthews

Peter Larsen

General Electric, neither of which believed there was a significant market for copiers.

BY PETER LARSEN

People ask me all the time about the fastest copier in the world, the fastest printer in the world, and when copy machines were in‑ vented. So this time, I thought Iʼd share some interesting trivia for you.

Fastest Copier A Japanese manufac‑ turer has just an‑ nounced the fastest office copier in the world. Believe it or not, this copier, about the size of a small re‑ cliner, can copy 150 pages per minute.

This performance comes at a price: $46,000. But for the right application, it could make a real dif‑ ference.

First Color Copier Colored toner became available in the 1950s, although full‑color copiers were not commercially available until 3M released the Color‑in‑Color copier in 1968. The 3M copier used a dye sublimation process rather than conventional electrostatic technology. The first electrostatic color copier was re‑ leased by Canon in 1973.

Fastest Laser Printers IBM invented that one. IBMʼs Info‑ print 4100 achieves a staggering print speed of 330 pages per minute. According to IBM statements, it can print Tolstoyʼs War and Peace in less than a minute. The basic version of the printer costs $500,000 and the spearhead of the series costs $1 million.

In 1938, a patent attorney and inventor named Chester Carlson, created the worldʼs first photocopier.

First Copiers When was the first copy machine for offices invented?

In the 1970s? Early 1980s? Not exactly.

The first widely‑used copy ma‑ chine for offices was invented by James Watt in 1779! It relied on physically transferring some of the specially formulated ink from an original letter or drawing to a moistened, thin sheet of paper by means of a press. The copy could then be read from the obverse side. The system was a commer‑ cial success and was in use for over a century.

In 1938, a patent attorney and in‑ ventor named Chester Carlson, created the worldʼs first photo‑ copier. He used his kitchen for “electrophotography” experi‑ ments. His patent was approved in 1938, but between 1939 and 1944 Carlson was turned down by over 20 companies, including IBM and

The Dell 5130cdn can print up to 47 single‑ sided and up to 37 double‑sided letter pages per minute (ppm) in both black & white and color, mak‑ ing it the world's fastest letter size, single‑function, office color laser printer. That should get your office color print‑ ing done fast!

Most Expensive Desktop Printer The award for the worldʼs most ex‑ pensive desktop printer goes to a very special HP model. HP created a 14kt gold‑plated desktop laser printer that has an estimated value of $20,000! HP plans to auc‑ tion it to raise money for a charity.

So in summary, when you look around your office this week and see that copier over there̶or that laser printer on your desk̶remember the history be‑ hind these fascinating devices and enjoy them!

Peter Larsen has been in the document management industry for 13 years. He has provided multi‑function copier so‑ lutions for Xerox Corporation and IKON Office Solutions prior to joining Cobb Technologies.

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Momentum

hourly rate would be included in the contract pricing, but would only be available with a minimum purchase level.

THE WORLDʼS FASTEST COPIER/PRINTER

WORK

A good contract will have an organized way to cut your losses and move on.

them try for some period of time to cure the problem (maybe 30 days).

In addition, circumstances may change and priorities may shift for reasons having nothing to do with either sideʼs performance or failure.

Maybe that long‑shot business de‑ velopment project actually devel‑ ops, and the whole office needs to drop everything else for a while.

Termination for convenience is an‑ other means of ending a contrac‑ tual relationship, and does not require any breach or failure on ei‑ ther side. It will also almost always come with a little longer notice pe‑ riod and provisions for hand‑off of partial work or partial payment up to the time of termination.

COMPANIES & CAREERS

Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc. and Partners Receive Prestigious Torchbearer Award from the State Chamber TORCHBEARER AWARD FOR THE SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT FROM THE VIRGINIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WAS AWARDED TO THE GREATER RICHMOND PARTNERSHIP, INC. WITH THE CITY OF RICHMOND AND COUNTIES OF HANOVER, HENRICO, AND CHESTERFIELD FOR BUSINESSFIRST GREATER RICHMOND, A BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION PROGRAM.

T

he Torchbearer award was presented at the Virginia Chamber of Commerce's Economic Summit, “Preparing for a Brighter Fu‑ ture,” held on December 2, 2010 in Williamsburg at the Kingsmill Resort and attended by more than 450 people. The awards showcased the accomplishments and outstanding contributions that best exemplify the excel‑ lence that has made the Com‑ monwealth the number one state in the nation for business.

“It is such an honor to have BusinessFirst Greater Richmond recognized by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. The team is committed to our re‑ gionʼs existing businesses and to ensuring they get the support they need for success.” said Gre‑ gory H. Wingfield, president and CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc. Sara Dunnigan, senior vice president and Busi‑ nessFirst program manager added, “BusinessFirst is a true regional public‑private initia‑ tive. It has supported the cre‑ ation of 1,119 new jobs, the retention of 2,496 and more than $213 million in new capi‑ tal investment since launching in the fall of 2006.”

BusinessFirst Greater Rich‑ mond was one of the first com‑ munities in Virginia to adopt a smart web‑based data platform developed exclusively for eco‑ nomic development. Since then, the Commonwealth has en‑

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At the Business First Touchbearer Awards [l to r] Karen Aylward, Chesterfield County Economic Development; Sara Dunnigan, Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc.; Sheila Shepperson, City of Richmond, Dept. of Economic & Community Development; Leonard Cake, Economic Development Authority of Henrico County

dorsed the same platform and supported the expansion of its use to other communities.

Companies interviewed through the BusinessFirst pro‑ gram represent more than 98,000 jobs in the region. Since 2006, the program has helped to identify more than 600 firms with plans to create 6,000 new jobs. The outreach has also brought focus to more than 400 companies with plans to ex‑ pand̶representing opportuni‑ ties with more than $265 million in planned new capital investment.

The Virginia Chamber of Commerce sought nominations to identify the economic devel‑ opment organizations, local gov‑ ernments and educational

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institutions that have made a creative and significant contribu‑ tion to Virginiaʼs economy in terms of facilitating new busi‑ ness attraction, business reten‑ tion and expansion, the creation of new jobs, foreign investment and revitalization projects.

BusinessFirst Greater Rich‑ mond is the business retention and expansion program sup‑ ported by the Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc., in collabora‑ tion with the economic develop‑ ment offices of Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and the City of Richmond. It is also sup‑ ported by more than 80 busi‑ ness volunteers and other agencies in the region commit‑ ted to the growth and retention of area businesses.

With over 30 million monthly pageviews, Mashable.com (an online resource for news in social and digital media, technology and web culture) recently cited Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc. (GRP) for its efforts to link jobseekers with jobs.

The article “5 Ways Cities Are Using Social Media to Reverse Economic Downturn” under‑ scored GRPʼs activities in social media channels for outreach on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Flickr as well as for its workforce program, RichmondJobNet. Scan QR Code for complete article.

The 2011 Ford Focus Elec‑ tric is targeted to have a range of 100 miles be‑

a 23 kWh battery pack.

Fully recharging could take from 6 to 12 hours, de‑

110‑volt

or

220‑volt

hookup. Or in commuter terms, you can make four roundtrips between Down‑ town and Short Pump be‑ fore fill‑ups...uh... plug‑ins.

Scan below to learn more on the Sustainable Transportation Initiative of Richmond.

Check out a video about Focus Electricʼs development.

Sparking Your RVA Commute

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,

F

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New Markets

pending if you are using a

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tween charges, courtesy of

rectly with Berdish.”

Ford, Doswell learned, was looking at an areaʼs infrastruc‑ ture and “the type of support they could develop with the local utilities.” But beyond tech‑ nical logistics like recharging stations, Ford was seeking part‑ ners to educate consumers.

As with all new technmol‑ ogy products there is a learning curve. “Ford knew it had to work with the local governments and utilities to get the word out,” Doswell says.

Mark Fields, President of the Americas, Ford Motor Company, also reinforced the need for community educa‑ tion when it was announced that Richmond would be a launch city.

“Focus Electric initial mar‑ T THE END OF THIS YEAR ALONG WITH CLICKING kets were chosen based on sev‑ YOUR SEATBELT YOU MAY ALSO BE PLUGGING IN eral different criteria including existing hybrid purchase trends, YOUR A U T O M O B I L E I F O R D I S S U C C E S S F U L utility company collaboration ever under estimate the power of networking, particularly and local government commit‑ when it comes to innovation. For Richmondʼs opportunity as ment to electrification,” he said.

As part of the collaboration one of the initial markets to sell the Focus Electric̶Fordʼs with dealers, utilities first all‑electric, zero CO2‑emissions passenger car̶has and local govern‑ come about in part, ironically, from old‑fashioned sales‑ ments, Ford will help manship by Mary Doswell. develop consumer As Senior Vice President of Alternative Energy So‑ outreach and educa‑ lutions at Dominion Resources, Doswell has to keep her tion programs on finger on latest trends in energy options. She is a board electric vehicles as member of the Sustainable Transportation Initiative of well as share infor‑ Richmond (STIR)̶the mission of which is to ensure the mation on charging regionʼs “future transportation system provides an BY array TED needs and require‑ of cost‑effective, sustainable transportation choices all ments to ensure the designed to move people in a manner that maintains our For Doswell, electrical grid can unprecedented access and mobility and minimizes the gaining access support customersʼ impact travel has on our environment.”

Chaired by Buck Ward who is president of Segway to the futuristic needs.

Focus Electric “Making electric of Richmond, one part of STIRʼs efforts is to provide vehicles a viable op‑ opportunities for community enlightenment regarding entailed green tech. old‑fashioned tion for consumers requires teamwork At one such event this past April, Doswell was a salesmanship. across a variety of member of a panel discussion on sustainable transporta‑ industries and gov‑ tion sponsored by Leadership Metro Richmond, STIR and the University of Richmondʼs Environmental Studies Program. Also ernment entities,” said Fields.

Doswell notes Dominion is on the panel was Ford Motor Co.ʼs Manager of Social Sustainability David Berdish. It was during the presentation that Berdish revealed already developing resources to Ford had developed a profile of expectations that needed to be met educate the public about the electric vehicle options. for areas that would be selected as first markets.

Sounding like a car sales‑ “He said on the panel that Ford was looking for certain criteria.

I knew I needed to find out what we had to do to be in the running,” person in her enthusiasm, Doswell says of her efforts to promote the region to Ford. “From that Doswell says, “I canʼt wait to point it became ongoing communications over several months di‑ take one for a test drive.”

NEW MARKETS

Growing Confidence in the Local Business Climate Gains Interest of International Companies GREATER RICHMOND BUSINESSES ARE MAKING A STATEMENT: STAY HERE, GROW HERE. IN A SIX‑WEEK PERIOD BETWEEN OCTOBER AND DECEMBER, SEVEN COMPANIES ANNOUNCED THEY ARE ADDING NEARLY 1,900 NEW JOBS AND SEVERAL ARE EXPANDING AND INVESTING MORE THAN $50.7 MILLION. THE LEVEL OF CON‑ FIDENCE THESE BUSINESSES SHOW FOR GREATER RICHMONDʼS BUSINESS CLIMATE IS MORE THAN ENCOUR‑ AGING. ITʼS CRITICAL.

BY GREG WINGFIELD | CEO OF THE GREATER RICHMOND PARTNERSHIP, INC.

PHOTO | WINGFIELD HEADSHOT: RICHMOND TIMES ‑DISPATCH

E

xisting businesses are the heart of a strong local economy. They create up to 80 percent of net new job growth. Ensuring that our regionʼs businesses have the resources they need for success is one of the Greater Richmond Partnershipʼs key economic de‑ velopment strategies.

Attracting businesses to our region is another of our key strategies. When we are market‑ ing the region worldwide, our “Come to Greater Richmond and grow your business” message is validated by job and investment announcements. We can tell prospective companies about the commitment our existing busi‑ nesses have to the region and the success they are experiencing.

While in the UK and Scan‑ dinavia in November, we incor‑ porated regional success stories and the network of resources available into our exchanges with more than 80 prospective businesses. These qualified companies were eager to know more about entering the US market and about Greater Rich‑ mondʼs business climate.

We were able to make our US pitch, leverage Virginiaʼs pro‑business message and then promote Greater Richmond with our customized “Profit in Amer‑ ica” presentation at locations like Chester Energy Innovation Centre, University of Swansea and Creative Sheffield.

In the UK, we met with a lu‑ bricant manufacturer that has been a family‑owned business

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MARKETING RVA OVERSEAS Greg Wingfield, Rowena Fratarcangelo and Marc Weiss were joined by hosts from the Danish‑American Business Forum at the Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster Workshop in Copenhagen.

[above] Steve Baril (Williams Mullen) presenting “Profit in America” at the University of Manchester Incubator Company. [right] At the Innovation Centre in Manchester, UK: Gene Winter (Greater Richmond Partnership), Steve Baril (Williams Mullen), Angharad Davies (Commercial Manager for the EIC), Marc Weiss (Hanover County Economic Development)

since 1748. Their products have continued to evolve over their 262‑year history. The US stimu‑ lus package is an opportunity for them to enter the US to pro‑ vide their products for construc‑ tion of bridges, roads and other infrastructure.

At the Swedish‑American Chamber Entrepreneurial Days

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our team participated in a “speed‑dating”‑like event. These are a series of 30‑minute meet‑ ings with businesses that have a genuine interest in Greater Rich‑ mond. Experience shows that these are an efficient way to meet several executives and identify the true potential.

In between these events, we navigated the perils of inter‑ national travel including miss‑ ing luggage and train derailments (not ours, fortu‑ nately, but it did impact our

schedule by six hours).

Once back home, itʼs fol‑ low‑up that is the most critical next step. We continue to culti‑ vate relationships and provide the resources companies need to decide to locate in Greater Richmond. From our November trip, more than seven busi‑ nesses have already given dates in which they plan to visit Greater Richmond to see the re‑ gion firsthand, meet our busi‑ ness community, and envision their future here.

Recognizing Greater Richmond’s top 25 entrepreneurs of the past 25 years.

Presenting Sponsor

Troutman Sanders Gold Sponsors

Ernst & Young Fahrenheit Finance, Technology + Media Williams Mullen Silver Sponsors

Accounting Principals/Parker & Lynch CIT Entrepreneur Gap Funds Harris, Hardy & Johnstone, P.C. Media Sponsors

RichmondBizSense.com; Palari Publishing LLP

25 p

25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

THE TOP

25 of Greater Richmond’s Most Successf

25

OF THE PAST

The Venture Forum Twenty five years ago, the Greater Richmond economy was characterized by businesses relying on tobacco, aluminum and trains, locally headquartered banks, homegrown Fortune 500-size retailers and a stable manufacturing base. The world has changed in the past 25 years and the Greater Richmond economy has changed along with it.

Through it all, the Venture Forum has been the social network where entrepreneurs, investors and the service providers supporting the entrepreneurial community could network. Many of its Five Minute Forum speakers have gone on to grow successful companies and its Greater Richmond’s Companies to Watch, Entrepreneur’s Fair and other programs have been used to promote the entrepreneurial community both inside and outside our geographic area.

As the Venture Forum celebrates its 25th Anniversary, it has taken the opportunity to look back and recognize some of the top entrepreneurs during this time period. As you will see, the Greater Richmond area has a proven track record for starting and growing successful entrepreneurial businesses in a wide variety of industries in all kinds of economic conditions. And we are sure the future will be no different.

Best regards, Carl Johnson Chairman Venture Forum’s 25th Anniversary Celebration

For more information on the Venture Forum, go to: www.ventureclub.com For more information on doing business in the Greater Richmond area, go to the Greater Richmond Partnership website at www.grpva.com

BRYAN BOSTIC

DEAN DODRILL

FRAN DIRKSMEIER, DAN NEUWIRTH

2B TECHNOLOGY, INC.

AMTEVA TECHNOLOGIES

developed

was a pioneer

reservation,

in unified messaging

scheduling

using open standards.

& ticketing solutions

It was sold

for visitor attractions

to Cisco

worldwide. It was sold

in 1999

to Ticketmaster

at a

operational work flow.

in 2000

$170 million

It was sold to

for $24 million.

valuation.

GE Healthcare in 2008.

AGILITY HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS, LLC provides technology solutions that improve

BRIAN CALLAGHAN, WIN SHERIDAN, JEFF VEATCH

DR. DAVID BOSTWICK MD, MBA

APEX SYSTEMS, INC.

provides anatomic & clinical pathology laboratory services specializing in the monitoring & diagnosis of cancer. It reported over $100 million in revenue in a 2008 IPO filing it later pulled due to market conditions & currently employs over 500.

is an information technology staffing & workforce solutions

hospital patient care

firm that has grown

management &

to over $380 million in revenues and a staff of 800 – the 8th largest IT staffing firm in the US.

BOSTWICK LABORATORIES

25 p

25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

ul Entrepreneurs From The Past 25 Years

THE TOP

25

OF THE PAST

H. HITER HARRIS, III, CHRISTOPHER H. WILLIAMS

TONYA MALLORY

GORDY FOX

HEALTH DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORIES, INC.

HOME CARE DELIVERED, INC.

HARRIS WILLIAMS & CO. is a premier middle-market advisor serving clients worldwide.

It sold to PNC Bank in 2005.

At the time it had 110 employees.

is a CAP accredited leader in health management, offers a comprehensive test menu of risk factors and biomarkers for cardiovascular & related diseases. HDL has grown from a startup to over 150 employees in less than a year.

SLAUGHTER FITZ-HUGH, SANDY WILLIAMSON

AUSTIN LIGON, RICHARD SHARP

BILL GOODWIN

ROBERT L. LYNCH

CCA INDUSTRIES, INC.

CAPTECH VENTURES, INC.

CARMAX

CYMED INC.

is a national technologyconsulting firm offering a full suite of services including management consulting, systems integration & data management.

It is an Inc 5000-ranked company reporting $34 million in revenues, 186 employees and a 3 year growth rate of 60%.

is the largest used car retailer in the US with $7.5 billion in revenue.

A spin-off of a local Fortune 500 company, it now employs about 1,000 full time positions locally.

TING XU

JAMES E. UKROP

EVERGREEN ENTERPRISES

FIRST MARKET BANK

Evergreen Enterprises, Inc. is an international provider of unique product lines for home, garden, gifting & collegiate vendors. It has grown to over $220 million in sales and employs over 2,000 in the US and internationally, with 350 employees being in Richmond.

created a joint venture with Ukrop’s supermarkets and grew to 300 employees before merging with Union Bank to create the largest Richmond-area community bank. Mr. Ukrop has been associated with many other successful businesses.

RICHARD FAIRBANK, NIGEL MORRIS CAPITAL ONE Capital One Financial Corporation provides various financial products and services to consumers, small businesses, & commercial clients in the United States, Canada, & the United Kingdom. A spin-off of Signet Bank, it has grown to $13 billion in revenue and 28,000+ employees, with 6,800 in the Richmond area.

Top 25 of the Past 25

is a diversified holding company which oversees various businesses, investments & real estate holdings including CCA Financial, Bag Boy Company, The Jefferson Hotel, The Hermitage Hotel, Kiawah Island Resort and Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Continued

specializes in home delivery of medical supplies.

It is venture capital-funded and has grown to over 100 employees.

provides medical transcription & medical records management services to health care providers.

CyMed sold in 2006 for $35 million.

25 p

25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

THE TOP

25

The Venture Forum Top 25 of The Past 25

OF THE PAST

KAREN BOOTH ADAMS

ERIC S. EDWARDS, EVAN T. EDWARDS

HOT TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS

WILLIAM LOVING, SCOTT WALKER

GARY D. LECLAIR, DENNIS M. RYAN

STAN MAUPIN, RON MOORE

INTELLIJECT, LLC

IRONWORKS CONSULTING

LECLAIRRYAN

OFFICE AMERICA

is a management,

is an entrepreneurial law

was one

IT & Web consulting

firm that provides business

of the first

firm with

counsel and client

“big box”

multiple offices.

representation in matters

office supply

It recently moved

of corporate law and

retailers in the U.S.

into a new

high-stakes litigation.

& was later

35,000 square foot

It has grown to over 300

purchased

headquarters.

attorneys and 250 staff.

by Staples.

DAVE BOSHER, SHAWN BOYER

JOHN WHITLOCK

is a technology incubator & investor group behind 10 successful Richmond start-ups including IronWorks, Farenheit Technology, Posh Tots, Genesis Consulting and others.

is a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing combination drug/device products that empower patients to control & gain freedom from their medical conditions. They signed a multimillion dollar licensing deal with Sanofi-aventis for their Epipen–replacement technology.

JIM BRADY

THEO J. DE WOLFF

STUART HOLT

PAYERPATH, INC.

ATLANTIC RENEWABLE ENERGY

RESPONSE MARKETING GROUP, LLC

was the largest East Coast-based producer of wind energy at the time of its sale to PPM Energy in 2005.

He now invests through Robcar Investments.

is an integrated communications agency & database-driven direct marketing firm.

It was sold to Snyder Communications at a value of $52 million in 1998.

provides web-based solutions to improve the business of healthcare —for providers & payers alike.

It was sold to Misys for $49 million.

www.ventureclub.com

SNAGAJOB.COM

is the nation’s largest online community of hourly workers.

It has registered over 20 million job seekers in its first ten years.

THE WHITLOCK GROUP is the world’s largest privately-held audiovisual systems integration company.

It has grown to over 350 employees.

DOWNTOWN VITALITY

2010’s Building Bustle IN

WORK

THE FACE OF A CHALLENGING ECO‑ NOMIC DOWNTURN, 2010 PROVED TO BE A PIVOTAL YEAR FOR MANY NEWLY LAUNCHED OR COMPLETED LIVE, WORK & PLAY PROJECTS. HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PAST YEARʼS DEVEL‑ OPMENT AS WELL AS UPCOMING INNOVA‑ TIONS THAT ARE ADDING TO THE DOWNTOWN DYNAMIC.

Innovation Snapshot

If the quintessence of contemporary Richmond architecture is inventive design with details incorporated from a siteʼs previous use then The Engine Company rehab is a prime example of smart Downtown development. [ See details on page 21. ] R I C H M O N D

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DOWNTOWN VITALITY

RESIDENTIAL & MIXED USE PROJECTS

S

everal construction projects are underway taking vacant parcels and turning them into vibrant places to live. Monroe Ward, 8 ½ Canal Street (shown above) adds 546 beds for VCU stu‑ dents, representing a private sector investment of $18 million.

d Street

2001 East Broa

Cedar Broad Apartments

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In Shockoe Bottom, new con‑ struction of Cedar Broad Apart‑ ments ($19 million) at 18th & Marshall (photo below) was re‑ cently completed adding 204 rental units. At 2001 East Broad (shown left) another 79 rental units are under construction.

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In Shockoe Bottom, Shockoe Valley Heights is a multi‑phased project at 21st & Main Streets that combines historic rehab and new in‑fill development. When com‑ pleted, there will be 224

rental units, 8,000 sf commer‑ cial/retail, and 245 parking spaces. The Engine Company phase (shown left and above), includes commercial and resi‑ dential, as well as a mix of rehab and new construction.

The larger residential developments, fueled by historic tax credits, include 350 rental units at the Atrium Lofts at Cold Storage at 17th and E. Marshall St. (3 phases, $77 million total investment) and the renovation and conversion of the John Marshall Hotel into 238 rental units ($66 million). There are numerous smaller historic rehabs underway as well.

John Marshall Hotel

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Innovation Snapshot

Shockoe Bottom, Shockoe Valley Heights

DOWNTOWN VITALITY

Renderings of the Reynoldʼs North Plant development.

RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT

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ocal developers with Fountainhead Develop‑ ment and WVS compa‑ nies have teamed up to redevelop the Reynoldʼs North Plant which sits on 6.009 acres of prime canal‑front property. They will begin con‑ struction in 2011 on the $40 million mixed‑use project, which is seen as a lynchpin activating and connecting the Canal Walk between the Turning Basin and Brownʼs Island. Phase 1 will add 225 apartments and includes the historic rehabilitation of four vacated industrial buildings and the construction of a new building. Some retail, restaurant, and commercial space will be on the Canal Walk level.

The site is bordered by Riverfront Plaza (10th Street) on the west, Riverside on the

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James on the south, and Vistas on the James condominiums (Virginia Street) on the east.

The original economic im‑ pact of the Canal Walk area was projected at $450 million over 10‑15 years. Totals hit the $446 million mark in the first 11 years, and the redevel‑ opment of the Reynolds site dramatically increased these numbers̶that doesnʼt in‑ clude the economic impact of the residents, restaurants, workers, companies, or the hundreds of thousands of vis‑ itors who come to Downtownʼs Historic Riverfront District for festivals, outdoor activities, canal boat rides, history and even bird watching.

The total assessed value of the Riverfront development area has tripled; increasing from $242 million in 1998 to $757 million in 2009.

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CANAL WALK 11 years old 32 acres of downtown riverfront property $390 million in private sector investment in the Riverfront Development area Nearly 1 million sf of new commercial space (office, restaurant, retail) 1,880 parking spaces 290 condos $16.5 million investment in 2 new tourist attractions: The National Park Serviceʼs Civil War Visitors Center and The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar.

Renovation of two adjacent buildings, Canal Crossing and the Watkins Cottrell Building ($26 million).

WORK

Local developers along with Fountainhead Development and WVS companies will begin construction this year on the $40 million mixed‑use project, which is seen as a lynchpin activating and connecting the Canal Walk between the Turning Basin and Brownʼs Island.

Innovation Snapshot

OPENING SOON Construction is near completion on one of Richmondʼs treas‑ ures, the Hippodrome Theater. The $12 million development project located at 518‑528 N. 2nd Street incorporates the Tay‑ lor Mansion and the Hippodrome Theater. Upon completion, the Hippodrome will be a 22,000 sf theater with state‑of‑the‑ art sound and lighting, as well as flexible seating that can ac‑ commodate 400‑800 people. There will also be a 120‑seat lis‑ tening room in the Taylor Mansion, 29 apartment units, and restaurant/commercial space.

Back in its heyday, the Hippodrome attracted stars like

Ella Fitzgerald, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Duke Ellington, and many more. The vision today is for Second Street to become a destination entertainment district like Beale Street in Memphis. Developer Ron Stallings thinks it can happen and heʼs working with the folks who book and manage two New York venues, Highline Ballroom and the Blue Note Jazz Club, to make sure the Hippodrome opens with star power.

Follow on Facebook.

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DOWNTOWN VITALITY

SMART DESIGN = CONTINUED INVESTMENT

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VCUʼs new School of Medicine is a stunning 200,000 sf building whose design team was led by the international firm of I. M. Pei Architects. This is their largest project underway with an investment of $158.6 million.

VCUʼs other projects include Massey Cancer Center Lab improve‑ ments ($12.9 million), School of Pharmacy Renovations ($5 million), School of Social Work and Department of English ($44 million), and West Grace Housing and Parking ($41 million).

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he big news in 2010 was MWV Center for Product Innovationʼs decision to relocate from the Raleigh‑Durham Research Triangle to Downtown Richmond.

There were also a number of other companies who recently announced plans to relo‑ cate Downtown.

Swedish Match will relocate their North American Headquarters from The Boulders to the James Center in early 2011. Cherry Bekeart & Holland, LLP, the 26th largest account firm in the country, will move from Glen Forest to the Williams Mullen Building in 2011.

JP Morgan Chase re‑ cently relocated from Westere Parkway to the James Center.

Cortview Capital, New York‑based bond traders, opened and expanded in the James Center in 2010. Riverfront In‑ vestment Group is relocating from the Arboretum to the former Richbrau Brew‑ ing Building in Shockoe Slip.

In addition to the new companies arriving in Downtown, numerous firms̶too many to list̶have recommit‑ ted to working in the city. From estab‑ lished companies in Richmond like BB&T and Scott & Stringfellow̶that decided to stay Down‑ town and consolidate op‑ erations at Riverfront Plaza̶to newer firms like Health Diagnostics Laboratory, Inc. (ex‑ panding at the Virginia BioTechnology Park and adding 213 jobs) Down‑ townʼs business commu‑ nity continues to evolve.

The Martin Agency, named “U.S. Agency of the Year” by Adweek in 2010, has made a major expansion (40,000 sf ) at the James Center.

Aquincourt Capital Management is re‑ locating to the Williams Mullen Building.

INM United, a local interactive media agency with clients like Dave Mathews and Tim McGraw, and a number of en‑ trepreneurs have relocated to the Broad Street arts district area.

In addition to the new companies arriving in Downtown, numerous firms have recommitted to working in the city.

Rocket Pop Media

media, but they are far too busy running their business. They know they need to be there̶but arenʼt so sure about frequency, reach, engagement, what mixture and types of content to post, and what their readership will be in‑ terested in.”

SNAP answers these ques‑ tions, says Dickens, by offering small business owners a unique social media package designed to create meaningful interaction and community on a variety of social platforms. By creating branded profiles and populating content on custom pages on targeted so‑ cial networks, Rocket Pop hands over a turnkey solution to busy local business owners. Rocket Pop also plays heavily on its rich back‑ ground in music, video produc‑ tion, motion graphics, and animation.

“Many of our clients see so‑ cial media as a target, but a mov‑ ing one. . .they want to hit the

“Many of our clients see social media as a target, but a moving one. . . they see it as being made of quicksand and on a floating ocean with twenty‑foot waves.” target, but they see it as being made of quicksand and on a float‑ ing ocean with twenty‑foot waves,” says Dickens. Having served in their position as a retail merchant, Dickens can relate to the hectic nature of daily opera‑ tions for small business owners and has created a number of time saving tools. Having worked in large advertising agencies in a pre‑ vious career outside of Richmond, he applies an insiderʼs perspective on both ends of the counter.

In recent years Richmonders have seen the work of Rocket Pop Media associated with Banditoʼs, Carytown Merchants Association, Capital Coffee & Desserts, Capital‑ Mac, Keep Virginia Beautiful, Metro Grill, Pink, Plan 9 Music, Secco Wine Bar, To the Bottom and Back, and Urban Farmhouse Market & Cafe, just to name a few. Rocket Pop also added its digital prowess to the Donʼt Big Box Carytown movement, with geotagging com‑ ponents in conjunction with Cary‑ town Cupcakes.

With a ten‑person, interdisci‑ plinary team firmly in place, Rocket Pop has recently acquired new digs on W. Main St., in the heart of the Fan District and its many nearby small business owners. By offering SNAP̶along with video and digital content̶Rocket Pop hopes others will soon take a ride on the rocket.

Innovators

Dickens

WORK

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tand back, a rocket is on the loose in Richmond.

Navigated by Scott Dick‑ ens, Rocket Pop Media is focused, potent and on a mission.

As one of the areaʼs top cre‑ ative agencies, Rocket Pop has stealthy served as the digital force behind Richmondʼs most estab‑ lished brands, entertainment ven‑ ues, non‑profits, and eateries.

Dickens, the former owner of Glass and Powder Boardshop in Cary‑ town, understands the challenges of running a small business in River City. As a result, heʼs created SNAP̶Social Network Acclama‑ tion Package̶as Rocket Popʼs so‑ lution for small business owners and other organizations entering the interactive media space.

“We understand the Rich‑ mond market,” explains Dickens.

“Many small business owners know they should be using social

BY PAUL SPICER

Fazio and Kaczmerek plan to expand into other markets.

Layers Bed Company

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ith a romantic approach, the recently opened Layers Bed Company at Short Pump Town Center strikes a balance between boutique, high‑ end quality and affordability.

The dynamic couple behind this new venture, Gian Fazio and Karolina Kaczmerek, offer a per‑ sonal story as unique as the luxury products they peddle.

Both originally from Eu‑ rope̶Fazio is from Italy and Kaczmerek from Poland̶they met while at University of College London.

According to Kaczmerek her family “has long been involved in the furniture industry.”

“We noticed a need for high‑ end mattress and bedding in Rich‑ mond that provides a boutique shopping experience found in larger cities,” she explains.

The couple quickly seized the opportunity and began trav‑ eling the globe looking for inspi‑ ration. After meeting with 100‑year‑old family operated businesses throughout Europe, they brought a flair for authentic craftsmanship to their new brand, which is set to soon expand to Charlottesville; Washington D.C.; and New York City.

Along the way they also re‑ ceived a tremendous boost from

the VCU Ad Center̶where stu‑ dents helped further craft the brand and messaging.

Upon entering the store, pa‑ trons are greeted by the couple, who quickly demonstrate that they are experts in contempo‑ rary, transitional furniture and bedding.

Fazio and Kaczmerek have cre‑ ated a truly thoughtful, contempo‑ rary shopping experience. The store is serene with reclaimed wood floors and neutral paints on the walls and shelves. To showcase their mat‑ tresses and upholstered bed frames, wooden quadrants separate each bed to provide customers with pri‑ vacy while they shop.

Layers Bed Company has many selections when it comes to mat‑ tresses, including the option to have your side of the bed either softer or harder than that of your better‑half.

Layersʼ upholstered beds are cre‑ ated with linens, velvets and leathers, and its bedding is made with 400‑thread‑count sateen Egyptian cotton or a percale cotton in an array of neutral colors in pat‑ terns or solids.

Soon, customers will be able to buy more “layers” for their beds such as designer throws, rugs and pajamas.

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LETʼS GO OUT

FOOD NEWS Richmonders are a curious̶and hungry̶bunch. So when local culinary standout, Bouchon, changed its name on December 31st we took notice. An authentic bistro serving French comfort food, Bouchon is now known as Bistro Bobette. Rest assured, however, the name of the popular restaurant, lo‑ cated in Richmondʼs historic Shockoe Slip, will be the only change experienced by its loyal clientele.

“Thereʼs a new name, but thatʼs it,” says Wendy Kalif, man‑ ager and co‑owner of Bistro Bo‑ bette. “There are other restaurants around the country with a similar name as Bouchon. We wanted to focus on our passion for cooking̶ pure and simple̶with no excep‑ tions, confusion, or distractions.”

Francis Devilliers, Executive Chef and Co‑owner of Bistro Bo‑ bette, says that the new name comes from a childhood memory, one that he looks forward to shar‑ ing with his customers and friends as they sample a discounted menu that he is offering throughout Jan‑ uary in honor of the restaurantʼs new name.

“We love to cook, itʼs that sim‑ ple. The fact that our name is changing will never impact what our customers love best̶eating good French food. The special menu weʼre offering in January is just a small way to say thank you.”

Construction of the Conch Republic Rocketts, a casual din‑ ing restaurant with the laid‑back style and spirit of old Key West, is currently underway at Rocketts Landing. Designed by H&A Archi‑ tects and Engineers, the 6,000‑ square‑foot building̶offering dining both inside and outside on its expansive, riverfront deck̶is expected to be open for spring 2011. It is located between The Boathouse and Sky Line condo‑ minium building on the banks of the James River.

Conch Republic Rocketts is owned and operated by a veteran Richmond restaurateur Robert Cox Jr. who owns two popular Fan restau‑ rants Metro Grill and Curbside.

“Weʼve designed the restau‑ rant so that every seat in the house ̶whether youʼre sitting in‑ side or out, at a table or one of the two bars̶will have a terrific view of the James River,” says Cox. “I think Richmonders are hungry for more riverfront dining options, and Rocketts Landing is the perfect set‑ ting. Iʼm very excited about being down there next spring.”

With the towering statues of old Confederate soldiers looking on, Richmondʼs most fashionable street has always served as a focal point.

Nestled among the monument‑stud‑ ded streetscape is The Cellar Door̶located in the basement of the historic Stuart Court Apartments at 1600 Monument Avenue.

Hatched by some of the pop‑ ular Richmonders over at Sticky ToGOGO (the catering and carry‑ out portion of Sticky Rice), the bar and restaurant has develop a loyal fan base in the few months it has been open. Owners Justin Adly and Kevin Wilson met working behind the famed RVA sushi bar at Sticky Rice seven years ago. In re‑ cent years Adly went on to manage the Nile Ethiopian Restaurant with Wilson serving as the manag‑ ing partner of Sticky ToGoGo. The Peruvian style chicken has already become a signature dish at what is best described as a Mediterranean‑meets‑South‑ American inspired pub.

“When the spot at Stuart Cir‑ cle opened up, Justin and I knew we were standing in front of one of those rare opportunities that you only live to regret if you do nothing,” explains Wilson. “We jumped in head first and gutted the space almost entirely with our own two hands.” While most restaurant owners sink thousands into renovations for grand open‑ ings, Adly and Wilson opted to build everything on their own at a fraction of the cost while letting marketing efforts unfold simply by word‑of‑mouth. “We painted every wall, wired every light,” re‑ calls Wilson.

BY PAUL SPICER

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Winter Bonus

RVA On Ice is the newest addition to Downtown entertainment̶ located in the lot at Broad and 6th Streets adjacent to CenterStage.

The public rink opened on December 22nd with a winter festival at‑ mosphere replete with a slamming DJ, cameo performances by pro‑ fessional ice dancers, booths for crafts and plenty of hot chocolate of course. Bring your own skates or rental ones are available. With night falling early in winter, the backdrop of city lights creates the perfect romantic ambience for a coupleʼs skate.

General Admission ‑ $5.00 Call for information at (804) 592‑3400.

PLAY

Art and wine at Cʼest Le Vin.

DATE NIGHT: Shockoe Bottom

BY THOMAS MCMULLEN | PHOTOS: CHRIS OWENS

Romance of a different time at Havana ʼ59.

Date Night: Shockoe Bottom

INVENTIVE ART AND INTRIGUING WINE SELECTIONS, EATERIES OFFERING EVERYTHING FROM TASTY PUB SANDWICHES TO FINE‑DINING EXTRAVAGANZAS, PLUS LIVE ENTERTAINMENT MAKE THE ʻBOTTOMʼ A PERFECT OPTION FOR GOING OUT.

Poeʼs Pub is a classic destination for food and fun.

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Richmond dining staple for years now, Poeʼs Pub con‑ tinues to provide quality and traditional American fare as well as entertainment. Boasting an affordable menu with enough se‑ lection to meet most any craving (The “Raven Fries”, topped with Lawryʼs seasoning salt along with chili, bacon, and/or jalapenos, hit the spot anytime), Poeʼs serves as a safe bet for any meal. Their happy hour, from 4 p.m. ‑ 7 p.m. on week‑ days, offers a dollar of all draft and domestic beer and ensures the mood is just right for the live music

that can be seen most nights. With a range of variety from classic rock to modern R&B, all bases are cov‑ ered at Poeʼs ensuring just about everyone a fun and relaxing time with great food.

Jen T., server ̶ Thereʼs always a really friendly feel here. Most of the regulars feel and act like family.”

Cʼest Le Vin owners Genet Semere and Ghermay Worldeab have created a truly unique and equally enjoyable date option cou‑ pled with an affinity for fine wine, art, and culture. With special atten‑ tion to emerging artists of various

media, the venue features frequent art openings that have all of the flair and energy of a major gallery con‑ tained in their enchanting location in historic Shockoe Bottom. Now, the locationʼs kitchen provides light dishes and hors dʼoeuvres to com‑ pliment the staggering selection of wines on site. Whether itʼs the weekly wine tastings on Fridays and Saturdays (5:30 p.m. ‑ 7:30 p.m.) or the exciting opening night for the newest featured artist on display, Cʼest Le Vin provides a cosmopoli‑ tan experience that blends per‑ fectly into Richmondʼs night life.

Fay R., patron ̶ It was my first time here, but Iʼd definitely come back.

The drinks, the art, and atmosphere are [just] a perfect combination.”

Open since 2003, Julepʼs has enough old‑world charm and mod‑ ern dining elegance for anyone looking to enjoy innovative recre‑ ations of Southern cuisine staples in an atmosphere that seems to breathe the spirit of Richmond.

Amy Cabaniss, Juleps owner, made sure seating can accommodate large parties of more than a hun‑ dred, but on a night for two the quaint and comfortable ambiance

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DATE NIGHT

Sumosan offers a vast selection of sushi in a chic, yet playful, interior.

Caribbean Minglesʼ is Downtownʼs authentic venue for island food and entertainment.

Julepʼs design reflects the restaurantʼs theme of blending traditional Southern culture with contempoary details. allows for a very intimate dining ex‑ perience. In addition to the award‑ winning food, the well‑stocked bar provides equally impressive drinks and specialty cocktails, including their famous “Southern Delight Mint Julep,” making Julepʼs the ideal date destination.

Dining at Havana ʼ59 is to take a step back to a time and place long gone, but entrancing nonetheless. Drawing inspiration from Cubaʼs cultural heyday in the 1950ʼs, the restaurant gives almost no indication to the contemporary.

The undeniably exotic atmosphere transports a regular date straight to a small corner in a dimly‑lit, ro‑ mantic cafe existing in Havana

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when the city was known as “The Paris of the Caribbean.” Expanding further on the establishmentʼs theme is the impressive menu which boasts, among many other things, the ʼ59 Paella, a surf and turf combination thatʼs not to be missed. Perhaps the only ac‑ knowledgement of the times is the restaurantʼs happy hour Mon‑ day thru Saturday (4:30 p.m. ‑ 6:30 p.m.), which offers food spe‑ cials such as $4 tacos and em‑ panadas, as well as several drink specials which rotate and change frequently.

Eric O., patron ̶“The chicken was tender and the rice and beans were phenomenally good. I made

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sure the dishwasher didn't have to do much work on my plate.”

A newcomer on the Richmond restaurant scene, Caribbean Min‑ gles is quickly making its name as the “go‑to” spot for authentic Caribbean cuisine and atmosphere.

With an extensive menu that draws inspirations from all the islands, ex‑ ecutive chef Uton Grayham has en‑ sured that selection is never an issue. Dishes are exotic as they are delicious including new takes on is‑ land favorites (Who knew there were so many ways to make jerk chicken?), as well as irresistibly in‑ teresting entrees like curried goat and, for the adventurous, conch dishes to clarify why the delectable

delicacy has come to be known as “the escargot of the Caribbean.” For the indecisive, there is also an equally impressive buffet that boasts an array of options (includ‑ ing several tasty vegetarian selec‑ tions) and removes the burden of deciding on just one thing. The din‑ ing room could have been trans‑ planted directly from any elegant, beachside hotel in the West Indies, and has cozy tables for two in ad‑ dition to accommodation for any festive island bash. Not only is there ample space for larger par‑ ties, but the restaurant also is a fully functioning catering service, operating on‑site and off, that pro‑ vides the delicious and inviting at‑

Establishment

Try it!

C'est Le Vin Art & Wine Gallery 15 N. 17th St. Wine | Art Richmond's newest source for the thrilling and unique combination of extraordinary wines and art.

Caribbean Mingles

Havana ’59

Julep’s

ALL PHOTOS THIS SPREAD BY CHRIS OWENS EXCEPT MINGLES INTERIOR COURTESY OF MINGLES.

1719‑21 E. Franklin St. Southern|Contemporary Southern cuisine with Southern European, Mediterranean, and Asian influences.

Poe’s Pub 2706 E. Main St. Southern | Grill Ribs, BBQ, catfish, burgers, sandwiches and chili, among other selections.

Sumosan 1725 E. Main St. Asian Sushi with emphasis on fun and fresh ingredients.

mosphere found in the restaurant for any event.

The island experience doesnʼt end with the food. Happy hour of‑ fers great deals on daily food spe‑ cials, however the centerpiece is, of course, their special recipe for rum punch available for only $3. Just like the region it draws inspiration from, the restaurant comes alive at night with frequent live music perform‑ ances to keep the island vibes going, as well festivities for various

Aromas de Turis Sangrias Specially produced by infusing red and white wines with nat‑ ural essences of citrus and other fruits, the Aromas de Turis Sangrias are as delicious as they are fun.

Sipping Sensations Weekly wine tastings on Fridays and Saturdays (5:30 p.m. ‑ 7:30 p.m.)

Salmon, Snapper & Shrimp Trio of Norwegian salmon, tropical snapper & Indonesian shrimp sauteed in fresh garlic, onions, carrots, julienne pep‑ pers with a touch of pimento, with Caribean Mingleʼs sauce hinted with thyme.

Limbo Anyone?

Just like the region it draws inspiration from, the restaurant comes alive at night with frequent live music per‑ formances to keep the island vibes going.

New Zealand Lamb Chops Wood grilled, served with avocado salsa, black beans and rice.

Fun & Affordable!

Happy hour offers $4 tacos and empanadas, as well as several drink specials that change frequently.

Grilled Petite Angus Filet Mignon wrapped with applewood smoked bacon, served with garlic confit mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, beer batter onion rings & Julepʼs house‑made steak sauce.

Plenty of Space Can accommodate up to 50 for a sit‑down dinner or luncheon, or the entire restaurant may be reserved for receptions of up to 125 guests.

The Sleeper Just the right amount, 1/2 rack of ribs and a filet of catfish cooked your way with fries and slaw.

Mix It Up! Live blues, rock, country, alternative, bluegrass, zydeco, R&B & more.

“Bikes In The Bottomʼs” motorcycle breakfast from 9:30 a.m. until noon, on the 2nd Sunday of the month.

Wasabi Spicy wasabi cream sauce served with potato, onion, green beans, and napa cab‑ bage, and your choice of chicken, steak, or pork.

holidays and events. Whether itʼs a night of island partying and ro‑ mance or just a quick getaway dur‑ ing a lunch break from work, Caribbean Mingles offers an escape as soon as you open the door.

Uton G., chef ̶“We look for‑ ward to bringing our passion for our food to Richmond. This year will be exciting for us.”

Sushi is, of course, an emerg‑ ing favorite in Richmond dining and leading the pack, with good reason,

Much Happiness Hosts a generous happy hour on weekdays from 5 p.m. ‑ 7 p.m. $2 house rail drinks, $4 top shelf rails & $2 bottles of beer.

is Sumosan. Far from the standard sushi destination, Sumosan prides itself on using the freshest ingredi‑ ents of the highest quality in their dishes which range from the classic, as well as the innovative like their “seal‑o‑ver.” The menu selection is vast and includes both raw and cooked options, ensuring that even those uninitiated to the world of sushi will find something to enjoy.

Beyond the menu, there are always several unlisted specialties offered

depending on the day.

With an incomparable focus on food quality and customer serv‑ ice, Sumosan offers an experience perfect for the couple or small group looking for a relaxing and en‑ joyable night of dining.

Kerry, manager̶“We have a big menu and always have new drink and food specials. Itʼs always worth asking about any of the off‑ menu specials our chef has come up with for the day.”

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Date Night: Shockoe Bottom

16 N. 17th. St. Cuban Cuban‑themed restaurant, seafood, shredded pork over rice with plantains homemade margaritas.

Entertainment

PLAY

17 W. Main St. Caribbean An extensive menu that draws inspirations from all the islands entrees like curried goat and̶for the adventurous̶conch dishes.

Online

DEBBIE JOHNSTON:

“I love Maymont at sunset.”

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Single in the City PLAY

THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO EXPERIENCE ALL THAT RICHMOND HAS TO OFFER, AND OFTEN THAT DEPENDS ON A PERSONʼS CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS MARRIED, SINGLE, STU‑ DENT, PROFESSIONAL, ETC. ʻSINGLE IN THE CITYʼ IS A NEW SERIES FEATURING SOME OF THE CITYʼS FUN‑LOVING SINGLES WHO PROVIDE SOME INSIGHT INTO EXACTLY HOW THEY LOOK AT THE RIVER CITY. IT MIGHT HELP YOU RE‑DISCOVER A RESTAURANT YOUʼD FORGOTTEN, OR EVEN TRY A NEW CLUB FOR A NIGHT ON THE TOWN.

PHOTO BY CHRIS OWENS

Single in the City

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live percussion

and

dance RVA VIBE: WORLD MUSIC

Touring the International Influences of regional Artists

Mikemetic Through two beat‑driven and internationally inspired events, DJ Mikemetic (a.k.a. Michael Williams) brings global sounds and dance to Richmond audiences.

“The essence of both of these events is live percussion and dance,” says Mikemetic of Afro Beta, which takes place every first Satur‑ day of the month at the Nile Ethiopian Restaurant, and Brazilica, a quarterly affair that is held at dif‑ ferent locations.

As Mikemetic describes it, Brazilica is “a hybrid event that draws heavily on Latin and Brasilian culture but is still decidedly Ameri‑ can, hence the American spelling.”

The events, both sponsored

by Mikemeticʼs website www.au‑ diomasstransit.com and www.pro‑

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jectyogarichmond.org, rely on the talents of a broad range of per‑ formers. He credits a diverse pool of drummers, such as Ram Bhagat of Drums No Guns and Russell Harris of Capeoira Angola Libera‑ tion Movement with providing “the true foundation for the univer‑ sal vibes that are created.”

Khalima, a regional belly dance performer, is also among the frequent guests featured at Afro Beta and Brazilica.

“All of them are doing signifi‑ cant things towards enhancing the multi‑cultural presence in the RVA

community,” remarks Mikemetic.

A multi‑instrumentalist and bass player with The Photosynthe‑ sizers, Mikemetic notes that, while it can be challenging to get the word out in Richmond about musi‑ cal happenings around town, local response to global music has been generally positive.

“With the rapid international expansion of VCU and the corre‑ sponding influx of a broader stu‑ dent population, there is a larger international presence than ever in RVA. That's good for musicians that play multi‑cultural music,” he adds.

BALKANIZE!

Geoff Bennett Speer – octave mandolin, kaval, bağlama, saz, mandola, darbuka, accordion, cümbüş, clarinet, davul Lar Sherman – acoustic guitar, accordion, oud, cümbüş, riqq Chip Staples – darbuka, riqq, frame drum, tambourine, mandolin Nancy Smith – guitar, vocals, clarinet, riqq Julie Bright – vocals, tambourine

Lakeside. “That was the sound I was trying to emulate for so long on the guitar,” he explans, “The saz was the gateway drug for me.”

Thus driven, Speer joined three similarly motivated musicians in “an

Spinning creative opportunity from a musical lull, James Menefee trans‑ formed the dormancy of one band into the birth of another. “Long Arms started as a strictly studio project of mine to pass the time while River City High was trying to reconcile what to do with itself,” he recalls.

The sessions yielded an album, Long Arms to Hold You. Long Arms, whose music Menefee describes as, “kind of right in the middle of punk, indie, folk, with a little twang in there,” began playing shows last year.

Currently working on a song

James Menefee, guitar, vocals (in photo); Prabir Mehta, guitar; Treesa Gold, violin; Alex Smith, bass; Greg Butler, drums; Chuck Fuller, keys

about Union spy and Church Hill res‑ ident Elizabeth Van Lew, he credits his Church Hill neighborhood, Rich‑ mondʼs history, and Richmondʼs ac‑ tive cultural life with giving him inspiration. “No one can deny the sheer breadth of talent coming out

of our town,” he explains, “We are so lucky to live in a town that is still trying to squeeze life out of its inhab‑ itants, however difficult it might be at times.”

In the spirit of the World Music section of this RVA Vibe issue, Menefee weighs in on the subject of music classifications, specifically addressing the question of why the phrase, “world music” might̶or might not̶be applied to Long Arms: “Itʼs just a label to describe

something of foreign origin, albeit better than when Allen Lomax, ever the pioneer of the world music movement, put out that ʻLibrary of Folk and Primitive Music.ʼ If there were a genre of music called “Prim‑ itive Music,” I think American rock and roll would lovingly embrace that title.”

Long Arms will open for The Hackensaw Boys at The National on January 22nd. Friend the band on Facebook for more informa‑ tion about their album and up‑ coming shows.

Rattlemouth

Roger Carroll, saxophones; Danny Finney, saxophones; Robbie Kinter, drums and percussion; Marc S. Langelier, bass; George M. Lowe, guitar

Navigating musical terrain that strad‑ dles and crosses cultural boundaries, Rattlemouth crafts a sophisticated sound experience from widespread global influences.

“The single unifying thread that runs through all the international music we play is a lovely and positive spirit. It also grooves like hell,” says Rattlemouth guitarist George M. Lowe, who counts traditional Ethiopian music, Ethiopian jazz, Lebanese trance music, Cuban jazz, meringue from Zimbabwe, Jamaican music, and South African township jazz among the musical forms that compose this veteran art rock bandʼs current body of work.

Although much of the bandʼs repertoire is broadly classified as jazz, a genre that originated in the US, Lowe points out that its various manifes‑ tations̶filtered through diverse cultural con‑ texts̶are “informed by their own traditions.”

In particular, Ethiopia, which was never colo‑ nized, produces music that retains traditional Ethiopian qualities, ac‑ cording to Lowe. “The melodies,” he adds, “are distinctly Ethiopian.”

Rattlemouth enlisted the con‑ siderable talents of Roger Carroll as the bandʼs second saxophonist in February 2010, and is set to release its first CD with an international focus at the end of this month. “It will include our arrangements of works from Cuba, Lebanon, Venezuela, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, South Africa and, of course, Ethiopia,” Lowe explains.

Upcoming performances will be on January 21st with NO BS! Brass Band at The Camel and on January 29th and February 12th at Emilioʼs.

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BY ANIKA IMAJO

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RVA Vibe: World Music

Long Arms

informal jam session” that would in 2006 become the foundation for BALKANIZE!.

Confronted for years with situ‑ ational challenges, such as finding local vocalists who could sing in the

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The evolution of BALKANIZE! reflects the resilience and adaptability of a Turko‑Balkan band seeking to bring the music of distant cultures, with limited representation in Richmond, to local audiences.

“We play in a number of styles, actually, all of them from Armenia, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Ser‑ bia and Turkey,” says Geoff Bennett Speer, whose love for the music he grew up with in the former Yu‑ goslavia returned with him to the US. Playing various forms of guitar for 12 years, Speer recalls, “I found that I was always trying to wring those Eastern sounds out of a West‑ ern instrument.” His struggle ended when a friend of his discovered a bağlama saz (which he describes as a Turkish long‑neck lute) in an attic in

appropriate style and finding music shops that carry many of the instru‑ ments they use, BALKANIZE! has nonetheless found its niche.

“BALKANIZE! has always had to work very hard for whatever weʼve accom‑ plished,” Speer notes, adding that Richmondʼs active and sizeable belly dancing community has been a con‑ siderable source of support and en‑ ergy for the band.

Describing BALKANIZE! as a “multi‑ethnic folk ensemble,” Speer points out that the band performs an eclectic mix of music. “We chose long ago to sacrifice mastery in one style for the variety and richness of playing them all,” he explains, “Hence, the name BALKANIZE!: to di‑ vide into small, distinct, often con‑ flicting parts.”

BALKANIZE! released an eight‑ song CD, Balkan Eyes, in 2010. Up‑ coming appearances include a performance at the Richmond Folk Music Society on January 29th.

Inside the theater showing the band‑friendly stage and remanent detailing of movie house architecture.

Photograph ed on Novem ber 1961: Willie Nelso n when he played bass for Ray Pric e at the New Dominion Barn Dance .

The Cavaliers on stage at the New Dominion Barn Dance̶ note the rescued backdrop from the Lyric.

The Destiny of The Grotto

“THREE MONTHS AGO, SOMETHING CRAWLED INSIDE OF MY BODY. I THINK ITʼS A GHOST. ITʼS MAKING ME WANT TO TURN THE OLD BELLEVUE THEATER INTO A THRIVING RICHMOND LANDMARK FOR ALL TO ENJOY.”

C RVA Studios on Facebook.

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onjuring specters of bygone eras, Aaron Reinhard waxes lyrical about his mission to breathe new life into the old movie house next to Dotʼs Back Inn on MacArthur Avenue.

And Reinhard exhibits the passion of a man possessed, not only by awe for the buildingʼs historical role in Richmondʼs popular culture, but also by visions for its vibrant future.

The theaterʼs dominating marquee, occupied simply by the

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words “Samis Grotto,” has re‑ mained static throughout the decades that it has served as a Masonic lodge. Its interior, however, continues to tell tales of the siteʼs dynamic history and various incarnations.

The opulent fixtures and worn but ornate lobby carpet‑ ing recall the glory days of the late 1930s when the Bellevue Theater, built in 1932, first opened as a grand, single‑ screen movie palace.

Archaic sound equipment still occupying the balcony

Known for having one of the best bands in country music history, Ernest Tubb also performed in the northside theater.

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RVA Vibe: Country Heritage

Parks recalls that the band left its own mark on the theater by building a new, more band‑friendly stage and by rescuing the recognizable painted back‑ drop from the fate of the Lyric Theater and moving it to the Bellevue, where it re‑ sides to this day. “I hope nothing happens to the backdrop because it has been around for a long time,” she remarks.

Under the name RVA Studios, Reinhard and his associates, Evan Bateman and Rip Ritchie, are build‑ ing upon the siteʼs musical legacy through recording projects with bands such as The Trillions and The Milk‑ stains. According to Rein‑ hard, who credits Bateman with “running the ship as far as the consoles and recording go,” RVA Studios employs much of the the‑ aterʼs vintage sound equipment. “Weʼre cur‑ rently in the process of restoring the leftover pre‑ amps and PA equipment

to the Grotto, Reinhard encour‑ ages suggestions from the community. Childrenʼs plays and ballets are among the types of productions that he envisions there.

In the near future, Rein‑ hard plans to expose the Belle‑ vueʼs original marquee and hopes to reveal the name of the last movie that ran before the theaterʼs screen went dark for the last time.

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evokes the early 1960s, when the Bellevue̶after closing as a movie house̶reasserted itself onto Rich‑ mondʼs entertain‑ ment landscape as home to New Do‑ minion Barn Dance, a weekly country music variety show broadcast on WRVA. Comparable to the Grand Oleʼ Opry and successor to the Old Dominion Barn Dance, the New Dominion Barn Dance fea‑ tured a host of renowned musi‑ cal guests, such as George Jones and Ernest Tubb and the Texas Troubadours. The house band, The Country Cav‑ aliers, performed regularly and sat in with touring artists. “A lot of people didnʼt bring their bands, because they knew weʼd back them up,” explains Irene Lancaster Parks, who played bass with The Country Cava‑ liers at the Lyric Theater (de‑ molished in the same decade) and during its brief tenure at the Bellevue.

for future recording pur‑ poses,” he explains.

It was through one such gig that Reinhard first became invested in the destiny of the Grotto. “I grew to love the Samis Grotto after I started recording their official house band, The Virginia Scots Guards, which is a traditional Scottish pipe and drum band.”

Hoping to draw a variety of performances and audiences

Your Destination For Live Music in Richmond.

Serving great food in a relaxed atmosphere.

17 Local and Craft Beers on Tap, super friendly staff.

1621 W. Broad Street

www.thecamel.org @thecamelrva

Notes from an EasyandElegantLife.com

Living Elegantly (Re)Solved

Thereʼs nothing sexier than a well‑dressed man, but that doesnʼt mean he has to be in a suit. Jeans with just the right shirt can do it all. This defines local menʼs clothier Ledbury.

I heard about the company and saw one of the founders, Paul Trible, speak at a recent event about his successes. Two guys had an idea of making top‑quality menʼs shirts and ran with it.

Kyra poses with Trible and Watson.

Whatʼs so special about their shirts? I wore one and the soft fabric is fabulous. “Our production is in Europe and all our shirts are made with Italian woven fabric and mother of pearl buttons,” says Trible.

All of their shirts come in classic cut and slim fit sizes. The shirts have been developed with unique features that are tough to find.

spread collar shirt, woven tie and highly polished shoes is incredibly elegant.

7) A navy blazer, spread collar shirt, grey flannel trousers and highly polished shoes is incredibly elegant and versatile.

8) A well‑fitted sportcoat (pocket square in place) will dress up any casual clothing from jeans to khakis.

9) One piece of dressier cloth‑ ing + one piece of casual clothing = casually elegant. (That silver‑ maned multi‑millionaire dressed in linen drawstring trousers, a Charvet awning stripe white collar shirt and Belgian shoes, I encoun‑ tered on the Riviera springs to mind.)

10) In general, fitted top, fuller cut trouser and vice versa.

And finally: 11) When in doubt, dress bet‑ ter than you have to.

Chris Coxʼs blog is devoted to ʻthe search for everyday elegance and a study of the art of living well.ʼ

BY KYRA OLIVER

“Even our classic cut has less fabric in the waist and the torso than typical brands,” ex‑ plains Tribleʼs business partner Paul Watson.

“We have also added some subtle innova‑ tions, such as inverse collar fusing to help the collar remain standing and a lowered second button to prevent the shirt from being but‑ toned too high or too low.“ Superb quality, innovation, and a great fit at an attainable price point, this is what they feel is their edge. Itʼs a good look; not overdone, simply well done.

Their price point is $115‑$135. No one else in the market delivers the same quality at a comparable price.

“Our goal is to make shirts that fit better, feel better and last longer than anything else in the closet,” Trible says.

Looking for the right gift? I strongly sug‑ gest that all of you women buy your hus‑ band or BF one of these shirts.

Guys̶either put this article in front of your significant other or go online and get one . . . or two. They will last forever; a smart investment to ensure a great look.

Ledbury is located in Shockoe Slip in Richmond. You can find the shirts online at www.ledbury.com. They plan to add ties and a few other items, but for now, they want to remain focused on their brilliantly timeless shirts.

Dress Well Always.

Kyra Oliver is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and a runner who is passionate about her environment, from what she is wearing to where she is wearing it.

Ledbury strives for superb quality, innovation and a great fit at an attainable price point.

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Glitz & Glam

Dad's Plaid Jacket, repurposed for the holidays with an added velvet collar.

What’s Kyra Wearing?

LEDBURY PHOTOS | CHRIS OWENS

BY CHRIS COX

match your over‑the‑calf, merino wool socks to your trousers, until you get your feet under you, sartorially speaking.

3) Invest in and wear the most expensive pair of shoes you can afford. Do not go to fashion extremes. You want them to look as good next sea‑ son. Polish them often. Dark brown and suede are very ele‑ gant. Black is never wrong.

4) All clothing, regardless of its formality, needs to be al‑ tered. Find a good tailor or seamstress and visit often.

5) Refrain from wearing clothing that is too perfect.

Sprezaturra is achieved through looking as if you havenʼt tried too hard.

Whether you have or not is ir‑ relevant. Just make sure every‑ thingʼs spotlessly clean.

6) A dark blue, double‑ breasted suit (or navy 3‑piece) with a white French cuff,

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Make a New Year's resolu‑ tion to live a little more el‑ egantly. Herewith, a few Easy and Elegant Life tips to start you out right.

1) If the invitation says black tie: wear your tuxedo, a black bowtie, cummerbund or a vest, a white soft collar (turn‑ down style) shirt, and highly polished black ox‑ ford shoes. (A pocket square is a nice way to add a bit of color. Sinatra wore orange.) If the event is before six oʼclock in the evening, please donʼt wear your dinner jacket unless it is insisted upon.

Wear a dark suit or a morning suit instead.

2) Wear a two‑piece suit to an interview. A dark blue or grey suit. No black suits. No funny ties. In fact, wear a dark suit with‑ out a funny tie often. And

A Book Publisher in Richmond?

BY DAVID SMITHERMAN

WHEN IʼM AT PARTIES OR NETWORKING EVENTS, I GET THAT QUESTION A LOT. “YOUʼRE A PUBLISHER? HERE IN RICHMOND?” YES, I AM AND YES, WE ARE.

[Left] David Smitherman is a partner at Palari Publishing that was established in 1998. Palari is a forward‑thinking, independent publisher committed to producing innovative fiction and nonfiction books.

[Right] Cindy Williams is working with Palari Publishing for her book of her Hollywood memories.

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f course itʼs understandable that people are unaware of that fact. Itʼs like many industries. If youʼre not looking for us, you probably donʼt know we are here. Many peo‑ ple think that publishers are only located in N.Y. or maybe L.A. Publishing, just like movies and music, has a handful of large companies and many smaller, independent ones.

Both types fill a need because the big guys can typically only give the green light to projects that at least have the potential to produce large returns that will justify the initial costs. Smaller companies can take on newer talent and riskier material, and thatʼs exactly what we do.

What kinds of books do you publish?

Both fiction and nonfiction books make up our list and each has its own advantages. In general, nonfiction provides more promo‑ tion and marketing opportunities, because based on the topic it can be targeted to its intended audience.

Fiction offers more creative freedom, but with a new au‑ thor, it can be more challenging to get noticed in the crowded book market. And getting attention is what every book needs to be a success.

Can the author call the shots?

We can produce books in many different ways, and that flexibility is a key component to our success. We have many projects where either our production schedule is full or itʼs not a book we would normally produce (for whatever reason), but that doesnʼt mean the author is out of luck.

We will help them publish the book themselves by guiding them through the process and helping make a professional, viable

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product that can raise their personal or professional profile. (This works very well for business books.) That also means the author gets to make a lot of the final decisions that arenʼt necessar‑ ily an option with a traditional publish‑ ing arrangement.

Why do so many actors write books?

Actors and other personalities are often sought after as authors because they have a built‑in audience, and that of course means sales. People already know who they are.

The challenge is to present them in an interesting, unique way. Another ob‑ stacle is to get them to write, because while they may be creative, they may not have the discipline required.

One way that we deal with that is to interview the actors many times to find out what ideas they have and whether we can come up with some‑ thing that sounds interesting and vi‑ able. Sometimes it works out, and others times, not so much.

I worked with one actress for sev‑ eral months. We created a great book, and I even went to her house in L.A. to pick out and scan photos to use in the book. Another thing about “talent” is that they can be temperamental. And she was. Is. So she decided she didnʼt want to do it. Ok. A year later she calls and now wants to do it. Um, no.

Whatʼs coming up for Palari?

Iʼm currently working with actress Cindy Williams on her book. She has been in movies like American Graffiti and on TV shows like Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley. She has some great stories about her crazy times in Hollywood.

Iʼm also working with a guy who used to be a teen idol. He married a well‑ known actress and has some famous off‑ spring. Heʼs got a lot of stories about the struggles of keeping a family together under the harsh spotlight of fame.

So the next time you browse through Fountain Bookstore looking for your next read, think about all of the work that goes into getting those words on that page. And take a look at the copyright. It might have been pub‑ lished right here in Richmond. (And if youʼre writing a book, call me. Maybe I can help: 804‑355‑1035.)

Richmond-Centric Books from Palari Publishing

Weʼre Still Here: Contemporary Virginia Indians Tell Their Story

A Celebration of Art Notes from a Collector

Poor Manʼs Philanthropist: The Thomas Cannon Story

Feng Shui Love

Virginia Colleges 101

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RVA On Ice adjacent to Richmond CenterStage on Broad Street next to 6th Street.

HOURS OF OPERATION Monday - Wednesday Closed Thursday 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday/Saturday Noon - 10 p.m.

Sunday Noon - 6 p.m.

Call RVA On Ice for Information at (804) 592-3400 for up-to-date details on rink activities and promotions.

General Admission - $5.00 Senior Admission (60 & up with ID) - $4.00 Military Admission (with ID) - $4.00 Children 10 and under FREE (must be accompanied by paid guardian) Skate Rental (Age 11 and over) - $5.00 Skate Rental (Children 10 and under) - $3.00

Dwight C. Jones, Mayor