Greater Richmond Grid by Palari Publishing LLP

BIKE & TRAIL: MAYOR DWIGHT C. JONESʼ CITY-CYCLING COMMISION SEEKS CITIZEN INPUT

Richmond JAZZ Society’s

GENE

COX

CANʼT HELP IT!

NITTY GRITTY ON

HE’S COMPELLED TO

RVAʼS MUSIC HERITAGE

TWEET ’EM LIKE HE SEES ’EM

Elizabeth Thalhimer Smartt is

Richmond Famous

CONNECTING LIVE + WORK + PLAY

DESIGN BIZ SAVVY INNOVATORS COMMUNITY WEBSITES ART EMERGING MEDIA FASHION

FREE | ISSUE #6 | FALL 2010

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ALSO ON THE GRID:

ITʼS A SHOCKOE SLIP & SLIDE AFTER‑HOURS EXTRAVAGANZA!

T H G I N E N T DA WNTOW DO RVALUTION

bedazzles throngs of revelers with a weekly, circus‑themed dance party, complete with cotton candy and carnival games.

ODELL’S Jim SNYDER ON CONNECTICUT’S LOST-AND-FOUND

LEGACY

INTRODUCING

RICHMOND MOM.COM MAGAZINE HOME + WORK TIPS, TRENDS

& OPTIONS

EXHIBITS & PERFORMANCES:

THE WHO WHAT & WHERE OF ART & ENTERTAINMENT

LIVE CONTENTS ONLINE COMMUNITY Tweet-Trend Tracker Booth Adams provides tools and research for clients looking to turn online chatter into meaningful data from emerging channels, such as social media platforms and mobile applications.

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Hot Tweets Richmond Tweeple

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‘Do You Know Where You Are Going To? Do You Like The Things Your Geo App Is Showing You?’ page 7

COMMUNITY NEXUS Making the Music Happen Behind the scenes with the volunteers that help make the Richmond Folk Festival a premier venue for indigenous music, dance, crafts and food.

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Fall 2010 • Volume 1 •

Issue 1 • #1

Welcome to the of RichmondMo Premiere Issue m.com Magazine W

On the Grid: ‘Let’s Go Out.’ D ate night, such a simple term with so many impli‑ cations. The idea may ini‑ tially suggest a whirl of romantic interludes̶the high jinx, trials and tribulations of singles looking for that perfect soulmate (à la any Jen‑ nifer Aniston movie). For others, couples with chil‑ dren, the idea of a night on the town sans the progeny is a wel‑ come respite for recharging and just having uninterrupted, mean‑ ingful conversation. Because Greater Richmond has so many options for entertain‑ ing, too much to cover in one issue, we decided to focus in Shockoe Slip̶a Downtown district that has evolved into quite the cobble‑ stoned mecca for nightlife. With an array of entertain‑ ment options suitable for any type

of social encounter̶from a rollick‑ ing evening out with friends, an in‑ triguing blind date, a cozy conversation with a close compan‑ ion or a club‑hopping, dance‑ʼtil‑ dawn adventure̶the Slip has it all. Speaking of parents and hav‑ ing it all, weʼre so excited to work with Kate Hall as we launch the print version of her hugely success‑ ful RichmondMom.com website. The site has become an invaluable resource for parents living in the metropolitan area. Much like the online version, RichmondMom.com Magazine offers ideas, options as well as features that mothers who man‑ age children, home, and career will appreciate. As often happens with topics that we cover in this publication, an idea for an article often evolves in

ell, sort of. Richmon d‑ mom.com has been an online magazine for the last couple of years. Ingredients: One part cre‑ ativity, two parts resource ful‑ ness, and three parts deter‑ mination. Add a dash of inspi‑ ration provided by three little people 8‑and‑un der who have transformed their parentsʼ world for the better! Our Goal: To be the re‑ source for Richmon d moms̶ whether youʼre managing your household, want to grow in busi‑ ness, or want to maximize your mom potential with great re‑ sources for your most precious assets̶the kids Travis and Kate in your life! state of chaotic Hall and their three kiddos As the creator of Rich‑ schedules with happiness, managing two exist in a mondMom.com̶ busy work community involvem well‑versed and self‑pro‑ ent. The with terms like claimed CEO and give their blogging and kids are of the Hall parents iPad tweeting, household̶I tutorials on a regular basis. created the web‑ site with the support of my hus‑ band Travis and with plenty of hugs and kisses from the kids. After graduatin g with an English degree from Penn State Univer‑ sity, I moved to Richmond, met my prince, and started the toughest yet best‑paying career ever: MOM! in the River Besides being City as well a as the a project manager mom, Iʼm host of local resource with 15 s available years of human to them. resource s ex‑ perience with Which brings Fortune 500ʼs us to this, the in the area̶so first print version I too have of our content. en‑ joyed the challeng RichmondMom.co es of being a m shares the working Mom. positive, commun With the help ity‑orien of ted my fabulous vibe celebrate friends and d by Greater fam‑ Rich‑ ily, my goal mond Gridʼs 60,000 is to expand readers. So Rich‑ mondmom.comʼs joining forces to reach more resources to moms all over families is a natural Richmond by fit. Start here spotlighting and then find creative, contribu more online t‑ at ing, candid stories RichmondMom.co Kate Hall, publishe about moms m, and be sure to drop me an r email to let me know what you think.

In This Issue Propellers (or, Things That Keep Me Moving Forward)

Liz Pearce, Executive Director Commonwealth Parenting, wants us back, take a deep breath all to step and frankly give ourselves a break when to living up to impossible it comes standards of the perfect parent. “Okay, here’s the secret: I’m not perfect,” she confesses. “And I’ll tell you another secret: No one else is either.”

“Our Goal: To be the resource for Richmo nd moms—whether you’re managing your household, want to grow in business, or want to maximize your mom potential...”

BY TED RANDLER

unexpected ways. Such is true of Connecticut, the statue of the Na‑ tive American probably best known as the icon for the Rich‑ mond Braves baseball team. A simple announcement of the statueʼs relocation unfolded into a multi‑faceted tale. The story behind Paul Di‑ Pasqualeʼs sculpture and its display in various locations is a study of how an imageʼs signiﬁcance in contem‑ porary culture can change dramati‑ cally from installation art to a sports mascot and then into a landmark. But just as important, the relocation of the piece to the riverside site demonstrates the creative synergy that can hap‑ pen when the art and business communities work with city gov‑ ernment to orchestrate such a transformation.

MAGAZINE

Before & After

Sure we love great ideas for our homes like this snazzy little girl’s pro designers Champe bedroom from Granger and Roger Bouchard of My Design Guide, but we’re also inspired by our readers.

MOTHER’S LITTLE HELPER: Tapping The Power of Social Media From Home Central

RICHMONDMOM .COM

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RichmondMom.com Magazine Special section after page 8

‘Live Here, Bike Here’ To improve the environment by reducing the cityʼs dependence on motor vehicles, reduce traﬃc by getting more cars oﬀ of the roads, and improve the health of residents by promoting physical activity, Mayor Dwight C. Jones seeks citizen input.

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Manning Tapped to Increase Citywide Volunteerism

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WORK CONTENTS

Tweet-Trend Tracker

BIZ SAVVY Regional Business News page 12

MOMENTUM Open for Business: Expense Reduction Analysts

Legal Brief: In Good Company. Or Companies.

Marketing Maven: To blog, or not to blog? page 16

Leadership: Staying Ahead of Crisis

Just Ask Peter: I’m drowning in a sea of desktop printers! page 17

COMPANIES & CAREERS 132 Local Businesses Plan Expansions With Associated Capital Investments In Excess of $136 Million page 18

Touring RVA Business Innovation: Observations From Across The Pond

Sheʼs everywhere. In e‑commerce, social media, business intelli‑ gence, staffing, and more. By re‑ fusing to be defined by anything, Karen Booth Adams does just about everything. For a busy executive with a pocketful of projects, Booth Adams will take you by surprise upon first meeting her. She wants to know about you, sincerely know about you. Booth Adams is clearly not in‑ terested in normal, or the rou‑ tine̶her questions to friends and strangers alike have purpose and are set forth in a way that makes people want to respond. An astute observer of her sur‑ roundings, Booth Adams has a knack of quickly figuring out what rattles the core of the person or business in front of her at any given moment. She hones in on what motivates a person, what drives their creativity. By listening̶and watching̶she creates opportu‑ nity around her based upon whatʼs occurring at the moment and then assembles the right team to make things happen. “I like to create,” says Booth Adams, with an infectious smile. “In fact, my favorite word in the world is ʻcreate.ʼ I make sure to have it written somewhere in each office.” The trick to creating at such a rapid and successful pace, she

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INNOVATORS YoungHouseLove.com & LaDiff

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Critical Technologies Group page 24

Publisher | Senior Editor David Smitherman

804‑355‑1236

804‑355‑1035

Ted@theworkfactory.com

Dave@palaribooks.com

T0 ADVERTISE CALL 804-822-1422 Greater Richmond Grid 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.

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R I C H M O N D

Executive Publisher Ted Randler

for a complete listing of the magazine’s distribution locations throughout the Greater Richmond Region. Also online, connect with Grid’s writers and photographers.

Feedback LLC

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says is found in the company one keeps. “Itʼs simple: you surround yourself with really great people. I spend a lot of time recruiting̶you have to get that part right.” Take the first business ven‑ ture, Computer Professionals, Inc., that she launched in 1993 and grew to over one‑hundred em‑ ployees before it was acquired at just the right time in 1995. As Chief Operating Officer of the company, she raked in 27 acquisitions and grew the startup into a $600 million IT consulting firm. Not content with one successful acquisition, she purchased Tekna, a young internet development company in Rich‑ mond that she grew into a national leader before selling it in 1998. Meanwhile, Booth Adams ventured into new territory with

RichmondGrid.com

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Art and commerce combine forces to create an enduring tribute to Native Americans.

provides tools and research for clients looking to turn online chatter into meaningful data from emerging channels, such as social media platforms and mobile applications.

BY PAUL SPICER

PoshTots.com, where she garnered attention in the Wall Street Journal and People Magazine, just to name a few, for selling luxury childrenʼs fur‑ nishings by artists around the world. Other businesses in her Rolodex today include Genesis Consulting, RaceIt.com, Ironworks Consulting, and PartnerJD. How‑ ever, she spends the majority of her busy days as founding partner at Fahrenheit Technology, an IT con‑ sultancy in its tenth year of opera‑ tion. Of all her many projects, itʼs no surprise that the newest arm of Fahrenheit Technology, known as Fahrenheit Emerging Media, has this serial entrepreneur buzzing most at the moment. Showing oﬀ yet again her ability to zero‑in on cultural and business trends, Booth Adams launched Fahrenheit Emerging Media as a way to put businesses in touch with people talking about their services and products online. By using emerging channels, such as social media platforms and mobile applications, her team pro‑ vides tools and research for clients looking to turn online chatter into meaningful data. Itʼs only ﬁtting that her approach to the now over‑ crowded digital agency sector re‑ mains rooted in plain, old‑fashioned listening, but with newer and better tools.

Social Media Key

INDICATES MEMBERSHIP TO

Go to

Sherry and John Petersik are a couple of twenty‑something DIY dynamos who have turned a blog about their 53‑year‑old homeʼs kitchen remodel into a perky and extremely popular decorating site YoungHouseLove. com that has gained national media attention.

Lost & Found Art: Odell’s ‘New’ Downtown Monument

Booth Adams

C O M

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

22 Sep via web

17 Aug via web

Dear sir in line in front of me at the post oﬃce getting postage for all 20 letters... theyʼre called stamps. And they come in a book. 18 May via UberTwitter

Lots of paint and glitter DIY this weekend ‑‑ our house looks like tooth fairies and drag queens moved in! 14 Mar via UberTwitter

Car battery was so dead that I had to manually lock all the doors. No, really̶ I had to read the manual to ﬁgure out how to do it. 21 Sep via Twitter for BlackBerry®

I wonder who else in the world right now is also throw‑ ing back Capri Suns & playing The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. I bet AT LEAST 3. 11 Sep via web

The word *chicer* really bothers me. Even though itʼs in the dictionary, and I want to use it...I just canʼt. I have a problem. 3 Sep via web

My daughter and I convince my 13 yo son to watch a chick ﬂick w/ us. He only lasts through half...says itʼs just like real life...boring. 11 Jul via web

See extended Tweet Talk on RichmondGrid.com

RICHMOND TWEEPLE

@genecoxnbc12

COMPILED BY PAUL SPICER

PLAY CONTENTS DATE NIGHT The Weekend Starts on Tuesday

Following: 108+ | Followers: 2,264+ | Listed: 142+ GENE COX Web: www.nbc12.com Bio: “WWBT‑TV anchor” “Why do I tweet? Because it is better than talking to myself. I can share my demented thoughts with oth‑ ers. On an average day I will tweet four or ﬁve times....as the spirit dictates. I really donʼt have a fa‑ vorite tweep. I have found good tweeps may come from most anyone, and when I see one, I add that person to my follow list. I have already given up LinkedIn, Plaxo, and Facebook. Twitter is all I have left. When I run out of material, I may let that go also. Perhaps tomorrow. Meanwhile, I will use my platform at WWBT a while longer, then let that fade into the sunset. On the other hand, I may get hit by a truck later today and wonʼt have to worry about decision‑making.”

Since its launch in April, RVALUTION (pronounced like revolution) has bedazzled throngs of revelers with a weekly, circus‑themed dance party, complete with cotton candy and carnival games.

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Keeping Current Although its menu includes a variety of dishes, The Current, which opened on May 1st, has a particularly extensive burger menu and features a weekly variation on the burger theme.

Green & Free Wheelin’ To The Bottom And Back, Inc. (or simply “2BNB”) advocates and provides safe and free transportation for those who have had a little (or a lot) too much to drink while enjoying the nightlife of Shockoe Slip.

@MChaseRadio Following: 101+ | Followers: 1,230+ | Listed: 42+ MELISSA CHASE Web: www.MelissaChase.com Bio: Live. Laugh. Love.

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“I tweet because...Iʼm totally addicted? Just kidding. Itʼs a great way to connect with people – sometimes I am showing them secret pics from backstage at a concert, letting our 103.7 The River listeners know where they can catch us around Richmond or some‑ times just venting...itʼs very therapeutic. I try not to tweet more than a couple times a day... I mean, if my life was that interesting, Iʼd have a reality show. I ﬁnd myself blushing when I meet people who I stalk on Twitter, but donʼt really know in real life. I once met someone at a party and I said, ʻUm, I am so sorry. I know who you are on Twitter, but I canʼt remember your real name.ʼ”

@HeyArt

Cupid Cuisine: Shockoe Slip’s International-Flavor Flair page 30

SONGFEST RVA VIBE: Music Matters The Trillions, David Shultz, The Photosynthesizers, Brian Jones

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Deep In Their Soul

Following: 263+ | Followers: 759+ | Listed: 63 ARTHUR BAYNES Web: http://j.mp/heyart Bio: “Iʼm climbing in your windows, and snatching your people up.“ “I tweet because experiences are best SHARED! Plus, I like to pick other peopleʼs brains. I do probably around 5‑7 personal tweets, 2‑3 retweets, and lots of replies to what other people are saying. I donʼt like sharing my thoughts on every single thing. I ﬁnd that annoying. Twitter is becoming ubiquitous and is here to stay! Itʼs improving all the time, but I'm in‑ terested in what Google has planned for Google Me. Iʼve been tweeting from a few diﬀerent countries these past years.”

@LisaTMartin

Combining event production with music history and education, the Richmond Jazz Society is a touchstone of the regionʼs unique role in American music.

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GLITZ & GLAM The Way You Wear Your Hat Hats are back and I, as the owner of a half dozen or so, am happy to see them.

What’s Kyra Wearing? If you havenʼt stepped into Fabʼrik (3018 West Cary Street), take a few minutes to see the “ready to wear.”

Following: 1,012+ | Followers: 980+ | Listed: 74+ LISA MARTIN Web: www.belleinteriorsonline.com Bio: “Mother of 3 wife of 1. Having fun whether I'm making beautiful spaces or playing with the kids. Love to read great books, meet smart people, & I laugh. A lot.“

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“Now I tweet because itʼs fun and social and itʼs like talking to people and I like talking to people, so I tweet. This is the craziest phenomenon...we create these pseudo virtual relationships which are magical in that they carry over to REAL LIFE! Iʼve met people I follow IRL and (if itʼs another female) when we meet, we scream and hug each other and act like long lost friends. Itʼs pretty weird, and yes, Iʼm serious. Thereʼs no rhyme or reason. Some days I tweet 10 times, then I won't tweet for 2 days. ”

EXHIBITIONS & PERFORMANCES page 37

PAGEVIEWS Richmond Famous A look at two new tomes that take on the diﬃcult task of capturing the excitement of the regionʼs history between the pages of a book.

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Online Community

Watching PBS..... tiny camera attached to the back of a lizard reveals.... I have no life. Think Iʼll take a nap.

Hot Tweets

LIVE

Some things are better left unsaid... thatʼs why we donʼt know what they are.

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.

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

Bon Air 321-0460 8010 Midlothian at Buford Rd.

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Hull Street 321-0470 6710 Hull Street at Chippenham

“HOW I TURNED MY ADVERSITIES INTO THE DREAM OF A LIFETIME, AND SO CAN YOU!” Deborah J. Johnston, RN and President of Care Advantage, Inc. invites you on a candid journey from a humble start to a career as a Registered Nurse and then into the entrepreneurship of a multi-million-dollar compassionate care company. On this journey you will not only experience the explosive growth of her business but all the life experiences that provided her guidance and strength along the way. As you read and take in the thought provoking pages, she will reveal 10 key steps that will help you on your personal journey to obtain the life you have dreamed about.

WWW.HEARTKNOCKS.NET

LIVE

‘Do You Know Where You Are Going To? Do You Like The Things Your Geo App Is Showing You?’

WHO’S DIGGING WHAT?

SO WHAT’S IN YOUR

POCKET THESE DAYS: FOURSQUARE, GOWALLA, YELP, FACEBOOK PLACES, OR OTHER?

ABOUT THOSE KNUCKLEHEADS IN PALO ALTO?

WHO DO YOU HOPE PREVAILS IN THE GEO WARS?

IF YOU WERE SITTING IN THE CAPTAIN’S CHAIR OVER AT FOURSQUARE OR GOWALLA, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO ZUCK?

The best service. Right now I think that is Foursquare, but in the end... I think that the geolocation specialists win.

If I were Dennis Crowley [the co‑founder of Foursquare] I would say, rethink your logo. Itʼs subtle, but there is clearly a 4 in a square in the Places logo.

Foursquare is a natural ﬁt for those already in social media. The growth has been great, with over 2 million people so far. Theyʼve been VERY smart about who theyʼve co‑branded with; History Channel, etc...

Weʼll use it...of course BECAUSE itʼs Facebook.

Foursquare.

To quote Yosemite Sam, “Back oﬀ, varmint.”

I use Foursquare and Causeworld and have just started playing with Facebook Places.

I landed on Foursquare ﬁrst and have used it to some degree. However, I do love the idea of Gowallaʼs Trips and think they are doing some very interesting things in their partnerships...

I think it has potential as more people become comfortable with the idea of sharing their whereabouts with their friends.

The company that makes it most useful and relevant to the consumer. I canʼt place any bets yet...

Letʼs talk.

I started using Foursquare ...Now that Facebook Places is out, I ﬁnd myself still pre‑ dominately using Foursquare...

I think Foursquare is going to go the way of Brightkite and location‑based social networking will take oﬀ in a big way with Facebookʼs gigantic pool of 500 million users.

Needs some work, but I think will ultimately prevail.

Facebook Places.

Iʼd be sweating a little right now̶small startups really canʼt compete in the long run in my opinion.

None of the above.

Faced with choices over blogging, tweeting, updating and checking in, I dropped the check‑in. Still feels generally useless to me̶personally and professionally.

My perspective on location tools in general aside, my conﬁdence in Facebookʼs long‑term management of my personal information is moderate, at best. No Facebook Places for me, thanks!

If location is the new black̶which apparently big chunks of people believe to be the case̶ youʼd better start ﬁguring out what comes next...

Weʼre big on Foursquare, especially for retail clients...I think weʼre taking a wait‑ and‑see attitude to FB Places. DAVE SAUNDERS

JOHN SARVAY

DEAN BROWELL

SO WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH FACEBOOK PLACES? PLAN TO USE IT, LOSE IT, OR YOU COULN’T CARE LESS

for the fact that it put a geo‑location option into 500 million active usersʼ computers and mobile devices. Greater Richmond Gridʼs Paul Spicer took to the streets̶ we could tell you his every move due to his use of geo apps but we thought that would be overkill̶to ask RVAʼs emerging‑media maver‑ icks which apps were gaining trac‑ tion and which would be the next near beer.

Iʼm watching it, but in its current form I wonʼt be using it. I think it will be the next Google Wave or Buzz, a bunch of hype with little adoption...

KIRA SIDDALL

TREVOR DICKERSON

WHY ONE OVER THE OTHER?

ing members to comment on a business like leaving reviews of restaurants, each has distinctions to diﬀerentiate their oﬀerings. Geo‑placing has gone quickly from a social media‑fringe novelty into the mainstream to the extent that Facebook CEO Mark Zucker‑ berg (“Zuck” to the tweeting milieu) recently introduced Facebook Places̶an app that is not really that dissimilar to the others̶save

I have a blackberry which limits the apps I can use but I am a fan of Foursquare. I was an early adopter, I was actually a black‑ berry app beta tester, so I got to provide feedback as the app evolved.

Foursquare.

KENDALL MORRIS

have new products to test almost on a daily basis and literally at our ﬁngertips via app downloads, we are much quicker to try new ideas. Enter the geographical loca‑ tion apps Foursquare, Gowalla, Yelp and now Facebook Places. While similar in their methods: posting a userʼs location online and in some cases earning their users rewards (badges, points and mayorship designations) or allow‑

Iʼm partial to Foursquare, interested in ShopKick, ﬁnd Yelp helpful and will try anything.

See extended responses on RichmondGrid.com

Just watching the landscape.

It will be just as important for what it does for any of the 500 million+ average users who never check in but nevertheless end up impacted by the check‑in data of others...

For Foursquare and all the more geo‑dedicated apps...

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You were supposed to just take Microsoftʼs money.

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Oh Richmond, you are such a hard market to crack. For years, with re‑ gard to new products, RVA was no‑ toriously̶how shall we say?̶ discerning. While other regions seemed to embrace the odd items that would tumble their way (any‑ one remember “near beer”or Divx as a mode of movie rental?), Rich‑ mond was a wait‑and‑see type of town. Now, in the age of instant‑ gratiﬁcation innovation where we

COMMUNITY NEXUS

Making The Music Happen

RFF volunteers Laura Napky and Damon Davis model the Bucket Brigade gear at the event site.

With over 160,000 people attend‑ ing the three‑day event, the Rich‑ mond Folk Festival (RFF) has quickly gained the reputation of a premier venue for indigenous music, dance, crafts and food. Whatʼs more, the festival runs on sheer volunteer power̶which means free admission for music lovers! RFF Volunteer Coordinator Betsy Lecky says work on the Octo‑ ber three‑day event is ongoing. “Our volunteers work year round to plan and organize for the next festival,” she explains. With a festival of this size, Lecky notes there are plenty of op‑ tions to participate. “Many of our volunteers work a four‑hour shift

every aspect of the city. “This is one of the most diverse group of vol‑ unteers that I think you can ﬁnd̶students, professionals, re‑

tirees, families volunteering to‑ gether, as well as musicians and artists,” Lecky notes. One group of volunteers is hard to miss in their safety‑orange t‑shirts and matching buckets. “This year we are encouraging our volunteers to have alot of fun with the bucket brigade and ex‑ press their personalities and love of music,” Lecky says. Volunteers will have special t‑shirts that they can decorate. “We hope it will draw at‑ tention to this very important as‑ pect of the festival. These volunteers get to roam the stage areas, interact with our guests and help keep the festival free by col‑ lecting donations.”

it became the Richmond Folk Festi‑ val, we changed the moniker to artist ʻhost,ʼ adding a little more weight and distinction to the vital role these dedicated folks play in making things run so smoothly.” There are nearly 50 volun‑ teers on the team this year, most of whom have been on board since the beginning. Timberlake notes, “Itʼs really a once‑a‑year opportunity to make very special new friends who can teach us a great deal about other cultures and life experiences.” The hosts get access to the list of performers before itʼs released to the public so past hosts can make requests regarding who theyʼd like to be assigned. Timberlake accom‑

modates their preferences while being mindful of language issues and general experience levels. Some artists just need a little more “wrangling” than others. “We also have a post‑festival after party where all the hosts can re‑convene and swap stories and pictures.” Timberlake maintains that staging an event at this level is more complex and challenging than anyone could imagine with‑ out being involved in its produc‑ tion. “Thatʼs what makes this so rewarding. You appreciate seeing the festival play out and the crowdʼs engagement so much more when youʼve had a part in making it happen.”

during the festival weekend. We are fortunate to have a number of volunteers that sign up for multiple shifts all weekend. You can be as active as you want.” Lecky says a large percentage of volunteers return each year and new groups of people have come on board as the excitment over the festival has grown. “Many of our new volunteers this year come from area high schools. School clubs are volun‑ teering as a group 20‑60 at a time which is fun for them and great for us. They get to hear great music and help a wonderful community event at the same time.” The volunteers come from

THE RFF ENTOURAGE Volunteering at the RFF also means that some fans of the per‑ formers will have up‑close, quality time with the acts. Tim Timberlake, who is on the committee for selecting the per‑ formers at the event, also oversees the volunteers who assist the acts. “Our volunteer artist hosts are charged with taking care of all the Richmond Folk Festival per‑ formers while theyʼre here. Prima‑ rily that means meeting them at the hotel, getting them on the shuttle to the right stage at the right time and generally providing for their personal needs and wants,” he explains.

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Timberlake In past years this has meant runs to CVS and ABC, driving tours of Richmondʼs historic attractions and even barbecue and a lively jam session at Buz & Nedʼs. “During the earlier years at the National, the volunteers were known as artist ʻbuddies,ʼ but when

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MAGAZINE

Fall 2010 • Volume 1 • Issue 1 • #1

Welcome to the Premiere Issue of RichmondMom.com Magazine

In This Issue Propellers (or, Things That Keep Me Moving Forward)

Travis and Kate Hall and their three kiddos exist in a state of chaotic happiness, managing two busy work schedules with community involvement. The kids are well‑versed with terms like blogging and tweeting, and give their parents iPad tutorials on a regular basis.

“Our Goal: To be the resource for Richmond moms—whether you’re managing your household, want to grow in business, or want to maximize your mom potential...”

Kate Hall, publisher

in the River City as well as the host of local resources available to them. Which brings us to this, the first print version of our content. RichmondMom.com shares the positive, community‑oriented vibe celebrated by Greater Rich‑ mond Gridʼs 60,000 readers. So joining forces to reach more families is a natural fit. Start here and then find more online at RichmondMom.com, and be sure to drop me an email to let me know what you think.

Liz Pearce, Executive Director Commonwealth Parenting, wants us all to step back, take a deep breath and frankly give ourselves a break when it comes to living up to impossible standards of the perfect parent. “Okay, here’s the secret: I’m not perfect,” she confesses. “And I’ll tell you another secret: No one else is either.”

Before & After

Sure we love great ideas for our homes like this snazzy little girl’s bedroom from pro designers Champe Granger and Roger Bouchard of My Design Guide, but we’re also inspired by our readers.

MOTHER’S LITTLE HELPER: Tapping The Power of Social Media From Home Central

RICHMONDMOM.COM

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Propellers (or, Things That Keep Me Moving Forward) Want to know a secret? Here … come closer, I have to whisper it in your ear. Are you listening? Okay, here’s the secret: I’m not perfect. And I’ll tell you another secret: No one else is either. o now you can stop wondering why everyone elseʼs kids are doing alright and yours arenʼt. Those other families over there? The ones you eye enviously? They arenʼt perfect. Nope. There. Isnʼt your life complete now? Itʼs not? Well, are you looking for more? Are you wait‑ ing for me to tell you the magic bul‑ let to make your children behave

But, I CAN share whatʼs worked for other parents like you. And I can share ideas that have worked for me. When youʼre ready, I can help you ﬁnd answers. And I can listen, and re‑ late to you, because Iʼve been there. With a toddler who screeches and stops every grocery cart in its tracks; In the hallway as a door is slammed and insults are hurled; In the car watching a child trudge oﬀ to a tough day; Hiding in the bathroom reviewing every snippet of a shout‑ ing match and wondering why‑oh‑ why‑did‑I‑say‑that‑and‑what‑kind‑of ‑parent‑am‑I?

At some point, your child starts to whine and complain. You look around at the other customers. They look back at you. Your child turns up the heat, asking for treats, de‑ manding attention, pulling you, tugging you. You are the “perfect” parent, calmly reminding your child of the con‑ sequences of a tantrum, and watch‑ ing your child dis‑ solve into a whirling dervish of arms and legs and tears and frustration. You are embarrassed, angry, impatient and tired. So, what should one do, when one observes another parent struggling in public with a child? Iʼve got an idea. Letʼs support each other. If Iʼve dropped my purchases in an at‑ tempt to pick up my child, help me get my shopping bag back in the cart. If itʼs impossible not to stare, then get your ﬁll, give me an encouraging smile, and keep on shopping. If youʼre tempted to give me advice, Iʼd rather have an en‑ couraging, “Hang in there, Mom.” You can even hold the door open for me, as I make my way out of the store. This would propel me to keep moving forward. The bottom line: Perfect par‑ enting is a myth. Iʼve been at this personally for 17 years, and profes‑ sionally for 23. We do our best. We make mistakes. We search for a better way. We try again. Wash, rinse, repeat. You can do this. I know you can.

BY RICHMOND MOM LIZ PEARCE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMONWEALTH PARENTING

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Nominate an expecting Richmond mom in our Dream Baby Shower October 15-31st. The grand prize winner will receive her dream shower with thousands of dollars in prizes at It’s Hip To Be Round in Carytown in December.

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

Hereʼs a familiar scenario: Youʼre in line at WalSteinTargetMart, and your child is tired of waiting.

So, what should one do when one observes another parent struggling in public with a child? perfectly? Not gonna happen. Are you waiting for me to tell you how to be a perfect parent? Nope. Not gonna happen either.

Dream Baby Shower

Commonwealth Parenting Distinguished Speaker Series Featuring Wendy Mogel, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist, Parenting Expert & Best-Selling Author of The Blessing of a B Minus: How to Nurture Resilience and Optimism during Challenging Times Wednesday, October 20th and 21st. www.commonwealthparenting.org

Women’s Wellness Expo & Pink Tie Gala to Benefit Richmond Komen

The Pink Tie Gala is a must-attend event for Richmonders on Saturday, October 23, 2010. With a fabulous band, delicious dinner and dancing all for the cause of fighting breast cancer, why not treat yourself to a night out?

uring the daytime before the gala, thereʼll be a ﬁrst‑ time Womenʼs Wellness

Expo with free lectures and ac‑ tivities promoting good health for Richmond women. At night, at the actual Pink Tie Gala, youʼll see an amazing group of Pink Tie Gala dancers and experi‑ ence a huge party to cele‑ brate life and the ﬁght against breast cancer. Plus, all of our hunky bachelors from the Pink Tie Gala Bachelor Auction will be at the gala̶click here for more info on the bache‑ lor auction and all the fun that ensued as we raised over $5,000 for this cause! Richmondmom.com is a proud media sponsor of this event, and weʼd love to see you there!

VIEW QR CODES WITH A SMART PHONE BEETAGG MULTICODE READER FREE APP. SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WOMENʼS WELLNESS EXPO & PINK TIE GALA.

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

Rachel Reynolds is a local business owner of Romp n’ Roll Mechanicsville and a powerhouse fundraiser for the non-profit launched by she and her equally-awesome husband, Roger Reynolds. Their non-

BEFORE & AFTER

profit, CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation CJStuf.org was

PRETTY IN PINK . . . AND GREEN! Richmonders Champe Granger and

created in honor of their daughter, Charlotte Jen-

Roger Bouchard are the owners of My Design Guide. Self‑proclaimed “se‑

nie, who was undergoing cancer treatment; the Reynolds family received so much support they decided to pay it forward with $10,000 in donations to families suffering from terminal illness. Charlotte sadly passed away in January 2010, and CJStuf.org serves as a reminder of her beauty and

rial renovators, serial entrepreneurs” who “LOVE a bargain,” they designed this little girlʼs room as a space that serves a function while still creating a place of whimsy and energy any child would love. Check out their blog at http://mydesignguide.blogspot.com for more ideas.

WHILE YOU’RE AT IT: At RichmondMom.com, we always marvel at the creative kids rooms our readers come up with. Send us your children bedroom makeovers, before & after images, as well as your home‑spun inspiration.

will continue to support families undergoing similar hardships.

RICHMONDMOM.COM

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The Betrayal

“I feel like you betrayed me,” my oldest stepdaughter confessed. That got my attention, amidst details of the situation she had confronted me with, after I asked if she were upset with me. She continued in that high voice, strangled with tears, “When I told you how disappointed I was about my weight, you said not to worry about it—that you had seen how I eat, that I didn’t overeat and that the weight would come off.” hatʼs true. We had spent a week together earlier in the summer, while her husband was away on business. I was delighted to help her care for the baby. This was one of several nice conversations be‑ tween us during a busier‑than‑I‑ could‑have‑ever‑imagined week. However I had changed my tune the other night when the topic of eating and weight came up in what I thought was a private conversation with my sister‑in‑ law. I had expressed concern about my stepdaugh‑ terʼs weight. It was a singular comment with little elaboration. But it was overheard. And re‑ peated. Though I will prob‑ ably have to endure stoning as a result of this confession, itʼs only fair to admit that I did not give birth or raise an in‑ fant. I came into my stepdaughtersʼ lives when they were 14 and 18, and I, 31. I know little firsthand of what sheʼs going through adjusting to life, 10 months post‑partum. I acknowledged the betrayal, trying to explain why I would have said something: “Then I spent an‑ other week with you and saw what you ate,” I tried chiding. That was as flimsy then as it sounds now. She doesnʼt overeat. She just eats a lot of what I consider “fake” food. She takes after her father and grandmother: sturdy, carbohydrate‑ loving German people. Where a sweet roll makes for a fine breakfast; a hot dog, a succulent lunch, and vegetables at dinner include pota‑ toes and corn. The truth, though, is that her dad is in very good health despite a few extra pounds, and her grand‑ mother, who was indeed heavy, died only recently̶at age 90. The truth is also that my stepdaughterʼs doctor told her sheʼs healthy and in good shape at her last visit. Sheʼs just a little “sturdier” than before. I switched gears: I told her how

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READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN THE “REAL RICHMOND PARENTS” SECTION OF RICHMONDMOM.COM

proud of her I was; what an incredi‑ ble job she had done turning her marriage of two into a family; what a beautiful mother she was. And how she had picked a ﬂattering bathing suit. “Theyʼre maternity bottoms!” she wailed in that voice, which I will never forget ﬁrst hearing during the brief time she had lived with us after I married her father, when she and her college boyfriend had broken up. The phone had rung. She had gone into her room. Then she had

Weight is, well, a weighty issue; no doubt about it. I don’t think I’d be doing this soul-searching had I commented on my stepdaughter’s hair color. come out and stood in the hall with a look of death on her face. She had‑ nʼt needed to say a thing. She had been 21 at the time, and I had held and comforted her as I would her son now. As I was trying to comfort her now. Though that time, I hadnʼt caused the tears. I dug deeper: “Iʼm sorry,” I said. “My mom has always been on me about my weight,” recalling the first time Mom told me I was destined to look like my dadʼs older sister, another “sturdy” woman. I donʼt have a weight problem, though Iʼm not petite. But weight has been an obsession for me throughout my adult life. I had always hoped to have a part in instilling enough self‑ confidence in my stepdaughters that they wouldnʼt have to go through the mental gymnastics I had over the years. And I had just failed miserably. But some light had begun to peek through, as I considered vari‑ ous influences, personal and cul‑ tural. Earlier this summer, I recollected being beside myself after my mother had asked me if my

BY STEPHANIE SHARECK WERNER WHO LIVES IN ASHLAND WITH HER HUSBAND, BLACK LAB AND TABBY CAT. SHE LIKES TO EXPLORE WEIGHTY ISSUES.

stomach was now the same size as my hips. She later blamed it on my unflattering outfit, but it hurt to where I had to seek the solace of a girlfriend̶over drinks. I continued, “I know youʼre trying. You have a thousand things youʼre doing very well right now. So much has changed in your life.” She agreed, and we talked it the rest of the way through. It ended all right. But the damage had been done, and I wanted to get to the bottom of it. What had I been thinking? My initial reaction when my stepdaughter confronted me was anger at the eavesdropper. I owned my part in the conversation but thought it insensitive that some‑ one would first listen in on a con‑ versation and then repeat not only what was not meant to be shared but that which would cause harm in sharing. Iʼm pretty pragmatic about “casual conversation”: people talk about one another. Itʼs human na‑ ture. I draw the line at lies and mis‑ information̶gossip̶essentially. But I had a right to express a con‑

cern of mine to someone else. Granted, I also believe the comments people make often say more about them than they do of the one theyʼre about. Thatʼs why I like Eleanor Rooseveltʼs sage advice, “What people say about me is none of my business.” I had been tempted to share this favorite quote with my stepdaughter, as a way of saying, “just ignore me”̶to make it all go away. Yet I hadnʼt been ready to ignore my comment.

DO SOME SUBJECTS WEIGH MORE THAN OTHERS? MORE IMPORTANT, DOES THE ONGOING NURTURANCE OF FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE REQUIRE EVEN MORE DISCRETION OF US?

A couple months earlier, I had experienced a similar kind of con‑ ﬂict with a girlfriend of mine who lives out of town. Renee had re‑ cently completed chemo and radia‑ tion. We were due to attend a party for a mutual friend, and she called the day before the event, beside herself. Her confession: “I donʼt have anything to wear. I gained a lot of weight after the chemo, and noth‑

ing besides hospital scrubs ﬁt.” My bias that day was very clear: our friend had just graduated from chef school and was looking forward to seeing Renee after her hard‑fought battle. Incredulous, I blurted out, “For Godʼs sake: youʼve just lost both your breasts, endured chemo‑hell and added insult to in‑ jury with radiation̶and youʼre worried about looking fat?” This got us nowhere, so I tried listening compassionately for a mo‑ ment. Evidently some people at work had made comments to her (which in and of itself is mind‑bog‑ gling, especially given that she works in healthcare). My sugges‑ tions to wear the scrubs, make a run to Target or simply not worry about it fell ﬂat. Nonplussed, she continued̶ and hereʼs the kicker̶“If I go, do you think theyʼll talk about me when I leave the room, because Iʼve gained so much weight?” I responded honestly, “They may. Itʼs reasonable for people to notice things like that. They may say something out of concern or sur‑ prise.” It would have been idealistic

to think otherwise. She erupted, “Why do people think they can just say things about someoneʼs weight?” Not surprisingly, Renee didnʼt attend the party, and I obviously didnʼt learn from our conversation. Until now. Weight is, well, a weighty issue; no doubt about it. I donʼt think Iʼd be doing this soul‑search‑ ing had I commented on my step‑ daughterʼs hair color. But what about “casual” con‑ versation? Now into my 40s, Iʼm clear that weʼre not in a position to control the thoughts or utterances of the owner̶only our responses to them. I trust that my true friends love me, despite my ﬂaw̶and their need to comment on them. I can forgive that. As to the heart of my concern over my stepdaughterʼs weight, and this is very embarrassing to admit: I can only surmise I was feel‑ ing self‑righteous. Given my past, the culture we live in today and the fact that we all make mistakes, I can forgive myself of this. But only by in‑ sisting that I learn from it.

Teach your children well, help their savings grow. Yes, you can join! Now serving the communities of Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, and the City of Richmond.

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Mother’s Little Helper: Tapping The Power of Social Media From Home Central Stay-at-home moms, home-office entrepreneurs and even big business thrive through online communities. ince launching Richmond‑ mom.com after a layoﬀ two years ago, a couple of things became glaringly apparent: 1) changing careers often re‑ quires learning new skill sets and that 2) social media would be a critical part of this learning.

Career move: Launch Richmondmom.com. Check. Next: open a Twitter account on January 1, 2009. Great. Now what? Cue crickets. Noticing that folks in Richmond use the hashtag #rva in their tweets, I started searching and fol‑ lowing others in the river city to see what exactly local Twitter folks were tweeting about̶ and if it re‑ ally mattered. As it turns out, it did matter a great deal. Not only were many local businesses notifying their “followers” of fabulous sales and announcing community events, but I was getting a birds‑eye view into the gears of the great ma‑ chine Richmond, all from my com‑ puter, then later from my Blackberry. Dr. Oz is on the phone... Twitter quickly became the cama‑ raderie that I had once found in my corporate life, and the connec‑ tions developed through tweeting with others in Richmond became invaluable. For example, when the Dr. Oz show called me from New York City searching for the Real House‑ wives of Richmond to makeover

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on their show and wanted nomi‑ nees the next day I was a bit flab‑ bergasted. Being in the online world, Iʼm used to quick turn‑ arounds, but I had just sent out my e‑newsletter to 8,000 women and didnʼt want to spam them for this one request. Cue the Richmond Twitter rockstars who helped me spread the message: Within one hour of posting the Dr. Oz call for Rich‑ mond women on my site and tweeting/Facebooking the link, my tweet was “retweeted” (or shared for you non‑Twitter folk) and the link shared on Facebook over one hundred times in less than twenty four hours to literally thousands of viewers. The result: the Dr. Oz show received a tsunami of great Rich‑ mond candidates, and I was able to offer some local ladies a huge opportunity to get a fitness and health makeover. Their lives were changed forever. Couldnʼt have done it without social media. Social media consumners: a new demographic is born. Other local businesses are taking note. Amelia Melis, Marketing and Business Development Manager for Call Federal Credit Union states, “We focus on helping families and in particular, children learning to save at an early age. By using social media such as Twitter and Face‑ book, we're beginning to build our brand in Richmond as a family‑ friendly business who cares.” Savvy business owners like these are taking note of social media use. According to com‑ Score, a leading metrics firm, 23% of Twitter users follow businesses to find special deals, promotions, or sales. Acclaimed social media blogger Brian Solis, at Briansolis.com converts com‑ Scoreʼs data to determine that: • Facebook and Twitter visi‑ tors spend more money online than average Internet users. And, as Facebook usage increases, so does the propensity to spend online. • On Facebook, heavy users spend on average $67 online, topping the total internet aver‑ age of under $50. • Active Twitter users

werenʼt far behind, spending on average $63. • Medium users on Twitter spent $75 online compared to $61 on Facebook and light users on Twitter also outspent Face‑ book users $73 to $50. The Mom Factor And social media isnʼt just good business̶the social element is appreciated by so many. Stay‑at‑ home moms and home‑office types use Twitter and Facebook to tap into a network that helps them reach out into the community from the comfort of their homes. How is Richmond using So‑ cial Media? Richmond mom Kate Semp explans, “I initially used social media to stay in touch with family and friends since I grew up living all over the world and not all of my family lives close. When my hus‑ band got laid off in 2008, and it became apparent he was not going to find a new job overnight, I felt the need to get caught up with the current work world with no time to spare. I turned to social media for real time information, to build skills and to connect with people not just for support and in‑ formation but to help put myself out there. I felt communicating who I am, my values, my strengths and attitude would position me ahead of others if I needed to get a job. It has also helped me be‑ come better connected to my community because I enjoy know‑ ing the people behind the busi‑ nesses I am supporting.” Richmond Stroller Strides owner Rachel Pustilnik says, “I have been running my business for six‑years now and have seen how marketing in social media has gone from just a fun means of communication to full‑blown client recruitment. Instead of using social media to find new clients, I use it (mainly Face‑ book) to increase my relationships with current clients. By improving my client loyalty, I find they have a tendency to promote my business to their friends through posts. So in a

round‑about way, this helps me recruit new clients. I actually ran a special where my clients received a discount on their monthly mem‑ bership fee for a month when they would post on Facebook and tag our Fan Page. This was a fun and creative way to increase visibility to my business.” Social media guru Stephanie Brummel: “I actually received a job oﬀer based on my Twitter/SM proﬁles.” Casey Quinlan, local author of Cancer for Christmas: “I was able to make my book a bestseller on Ama‑ zon using Twitter, and have developed a reputation as a healthcare patient experience expert using both Facebook and Twitter.” Michelle Vosper, co‑owner of iliketoSave.com agrees: “Being a Richmond mom and business owner, Facebook has allowed me to keep in touch with friends not just lo‑ cally, but all over the world and keep a pulse on whatʼs going on in Rich‑ mond. Especially, with launching our new business, ILikeToSave.com, we are making so many wonderful new friends on Facebook; and with their help, we have been able to share savings and discounts with countless moms and families. These tools have become a vital part of our personal and profes‑ sional life.” Karen Curcio, grandmother and owner of her part‑time home‑ based sewing business Sewinit.com, “Facebook allows me to keep up with my children and grand‑ children; itʼs so easy for them to post photos and for me to comment and share them with friends. I never imagined being almost seventy years old and using all of this technology for my part‑time business and my family, but I am a tech‑savvy Grandma and loving it!” BY KATE HALL

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Putting you first.

COMMUNITY NEXUS

Graham [above photo] and Burnley kicked oﬀ the meeting by letting the audience know that “Richmond is ready to be a trail‑friendly town.” Mayor Dwight Jones spoke about the cityʼs need to utilize the existing trails and do a better job of educating the community about sharing the road.

The Pedestrian, Bicycle and Trail Planning Commission wants your input on how to make Richmond a more pedestrian and bike‑friendly city. Please take a minute or two and share your thoughts on what can be done to improve our city by taking the survey online.

‘Live Here, Bike Here’ TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT BY REDUCING THE CITYʼS DEPENDENCE ON MOTOR VEHICLES, REDUCE TRAFFIC BY GETTING MORE CARS OFF OF THE ROADS, AND IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF RESIDENTS BY PRO‑ MOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, MAYOR DWIGHT C. BY DAVID SMITHERMAN JONES SEEKS CITIZEN INPUT. ver 200 ﬁtness enthusiasts packed into the Carillon at Byrd Park recently to voice their support for a city‑wide initiative to make Richmond a friendlier place for walkers and bikers. Dr. Carolyn Graham, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services and Champe Burnley, President of the Virginia Bicycling Federation̶co‑chairs of the mayorʼs Pedestrian, Bik‑ ing and Trails Commission̶kicked off the meeting by letting the audience know that “Richmond is ready to be a trail‑friendly town” and that it will help residents and visitors to better enjoy all the city has to offer. The Pedestrian, Bicycling, and Trails Planning Commission

O VIEW QR CODES WITH A SMART PHONE BEETAGG MULTICODE READER FREE APP. SCAN THE QR CODE FOR THE SURVEY OR CLICK ON HTTP://RICHMONDVACITYNEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM

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was established this past June to provide the Mayorʼs administration with advice on ways to incorporate bicycling and walking as viable meth‑ ods of transportation in the City of Richmond. The Commission is review‑ ing adopted citywide trans‑ portation plans, strategies and plans from other jurisdictions. Mayor Jones has directed the commission to make recom‑ mendations for policies that support pedestrian and bicycle travel in Richmond. According to the Mayorʼs directive, the recommended policies “will en‑ sure that our city becomes a community where walking and bicycling are integral parts of the transportation system.”

LIVE

corporate resources to de‑ liver growth of volunteerism in our city.”

NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR

Amy George, Oﬃce of the Assessor of Real Estate for the City of Richmond, provided an analysis of bicycle and pedestrian accidents.

While the effort will cer‑ tainly enhance quality of life for Richmondʼs current residents and visitors, it will also be good for business and tourism. Jones has also pointed out “a well‑ publicized and effective system of pedestrian and bicycle trails could be a strong selling point for economic development and tourism efforts.” Mayor Dwight Jones spoke about the cityʼs need to utilize the existing trails and do a bet‑ ter job of educating the com‑ munity about sharing the road. “Live here, bike here,” said the Mayor because “Richmond loves pedestrians.” Burnley noted, “There are so many great parks in the Richmond area.” He also used Route 1 and Route 76 as exam‑ ples offering “an incredible op‑ portunity that would run through Richmond.” The Pedestrian, Bicycling and Trails Commission worked diligently to propose a policy framework that would make Richmond easier to navigate for walkers and bikers using a net‑ work of trails and pathways that safely connect all areas of the city together. The goal, according to City of Richmond trails manager Nathan Burrell is to make sure Richmond is “a trail and cycling

friendly town.” And Mayor Jones has “moved fairly aggres‑ sively with the timeline for trail building and greenways plans.”

CITIZEN INPUT Stressing the Mayorʼs priority for citizensʼ safety, Amy George, Oﬃce of the Assessor of Real Es‑ tate for the City of Richmond, provided an analysis of bicycle and pedestrian accidents that occur “due to underdeveloped routes and a lack of awareness by motorists.” After the presentations by the commission, it was time for residents to provide feed‑ back and vote on the plan they liked best. Ultimately, the plans pro‑ pose bike lanes on busy city streets (like Broad Street and Main Street) with the beneﬁts of reduced pollution, increased safety and increased tourism from bikers. To continue gathering input and measuring how the proposed plans will impact res‑ idents, the presentations have been posted online along with the ability for anyone to ex‑ press their opinions about walking and biking around the city, and how to make improve‑ ments [see sidebar]. When it comes to safe walking and bik‑ ing options, everyone wins.

Manning at the Mayorʼs press conference announcing the Chief Service Oﬃcerʼs appointment.

aul Manning is the City of Richmondʼs first Chief Service Officer. He will serve as a senior city official, reporting to Chief Administra‑ tive Officer Byron Marshall. Mr. Manning is charged with developing and implementing a citywide plan to increase vol‑ unteerism and target volun‑ teers to address the cityʼs greatest needs. Mayor Jones stated, “Paul Manning has a proven record as a senior level executive in the Richmond area in devel‑ oping long and short term strategic business/financial plans; building financial, oper‑ ational and administrative in‑ frastructure which supports corporate objectives as well as cultivating philanthropic donor relationships.” According to Jones in order to expand efforts to in‑ crease volunteerism, “we needed an individual with the proven ability to provide proactive leadership in creat‑ ing, developing and utilizing

Manning will be the lead for the cityʼs Neighbor‑to‑ Neighbor Program; an initia‑ tive launched by Mayor Jones in April of this year designed to engage citizens in volun‑ teerism to support their neighbors through a commit‑ ment to service. Neighbor‑to‑Neighbor projects have included men‑ toring to children in schools, visiting the elderly, as well as providing home repairs for elderly population, beautifica‑ tion projects throughout the city, supporting various special events, and youth programs to include back‑to‑school shop‑ ping and several others. Manningʼs position of Chief Service Officer is being funded through a Cities of Service Leadership Grant that was awarded to Richmond on June 30, 2010. “We went through a very competitive process with cities from across the country as only 10 cities were selected to receive the $200,000 grant over a two‑year period,” said city Chief Administrative Offi‑ cer Byron Marshall. “Funded by the Rockefeller Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies, the funds were made available exclusively for the hiring of a Chief Service Officer.” Manning is the founder of U‑Turn, Incorporated, and is a graduate of Virginia Polytech‑ nic Institute and State Univer‑ sity, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.

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Community Nexus

Manning Tapped to Increase Citywide Volunteerism

BIZ SAVVY

Cortview Capital Securities Opens in Richmond

Working Mother Places Three Richmond Firms In Top 100 VCU Health System, HCA Vir‑ ginia Health System and Bon Sec‑ ours Richmond Health System named to Working Mother mag‑ azineʼs 100 Best Companies list. Eight areas are scored: workforce profile; benefits; womenʼs issues and advance‑ ment; child care; flexible work; paid time off and leaves; com‑

pany culture; and work‑life pro‑ grams. An essay regarding best practices to support working mothers is also evaluated. Working Mother considers not only the programs, beneﬁts and opportunities oﬀered by companies but also recently set‑ tled, decided or still‑pending gender discrimination lawsuits.

Governor Announces $20 Million DuPont Facility in Chesterfield County Governor Bob McDonnell announced that DuPont will invest $20 million to establish a facility in Chesterfield County to make the first nanofiber‑based polymeric separators for high‑performance lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles and many other potential commercial uses. The facility, an early commercial‑scale plant to produce the new material for this growing market, will be located at a leased building in Chesterfield County and will begin opera‑ tions in early 2011. Virginia successfully competed against a number of other locations for the project. “DuPont is a science leader and a major employer in the Commonwealth. The company has been in Chesterfield County since 1929 and this exciting new battery technology facility will continue DuPont's history of innovation in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We are committed to helping our existing employers expand their operations in the Com‑ monwealth. This announcement is positive news for our economy, and for the competitiveness of Chesterfield County and the entire Commonwealth in the global market‑ place,” said Governor McDonnell. The facility will further refine and develop DuPont™ Ener‑ gain™ separators, a nanofiber‑based material that improves safety by allowing high‑performance lithium‑ion batteries to operate at higher temperatures and can increase power up to 30 percent.

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Cortview Capital Securities, a re‑ gional broker‑dealer that will focus on fixed income sales, trad‑ ing, origination and securitization, serving a national middle‑markets client base, opened for business in Richmond. Cortview offers relationship‑ driven, client‑focused services to customers across the full suite of fixed income products and will deploy substantial capital to fa‑ cilitate its customersʼ trading strategies and needs. Cortview is backed by a cap‑ ital commitment of up to $125 million from leading global pri‑ vate equity firm Warburg Pincus, and will deploy that capital for trading, balance sheet and gen‑ eral corporate purposes. The firm also has offices in New York, Charlotte, NC, and Boca Raton, FL. The firm also an‑ ticipates opening additional of‑ fices across the country as it attracts more experienced middle markets sales and trading, securi‑ tization and advisory talent to

serve the Cortview customer base. Cortviewʼs four founders include Theodore B. Luse II, who will serve as President of its Cortview Capital Markets Di‑ vision. Mr. Luse has over twenty‑five years of experience building and managing regional capital markets platforms and was most recently the head of debt capital markets for BB&T Capital Markets. “The leadership of this team has spent decades living and working in regional markets and understands their needs, so I am excited by the opportunity at Cortview to build the pre‑ mier fixed income firm focused on middle‑market customers. Cortview oﬀers a unique and compelling combination of expe‑ rienced regional sales and trading talent, substantial trading capital and a single‑minded focus on the middle market, without the limi‑ tations of larger and more broadly focused banks and ﬁnan‑ cial institutions,” Luse said.

Capital One Expands In Innsbrook Capital One Financial Corp., one of the largest employers in the Rich‑ mond area, is expanding in the Innsbrook Corporate Center in western Henrico County. The credit card and banking company is buying two buildings

for more than $17 million, accord‑ ing to area brokers, to expand its call center and operations. The buildings, Innsbrook Cen‑ ter I and Innsbrook Center II on Wheat First Drive, were formerly occupied by Wachovia Securities.

Henrico Company Makes Inc. 500 Rankings The Inc. 500, available in the magazineʼs September issue, in‑ cludes Richmond‑area company̶Henrico County‑based Morton Consulting. The technology consulting and project management company, founded in 2006 by Mark D. Morton, is ranked number 419 on the Inc. 500. Astyra Corporation, a staffing, outsourc‑ ing, consulting and technology integration firm placed in the top 5000 for the second consecutive year̶improving its rank sig‑ nificantly from 1246 in 2009 to 888.

Williams Mullen Launches Economic Development Team Williams Mullen has formed a dedicated Economic Develop‑ ment Team that will assist do‑ mestic and international companies with relocation or expansion projects.

Ironworks Consulting, a man‑ agement, IT and web consulting ﬁrm, has opened a new head‑ quarters located at 10900 Nuckols Road, Glen Allen.

With over 35,000 square feet and an open floor plan, the new office was designed to support a dy‑ namic environment that encour‑ ages teamwork and creativity. The innovative space offers ex‑

tensive team rooms and fewer of‑ fices, all of which is essential to support agile development. “When designing the new space, we focused on creating a work‑ place that will be highly collabo‑ rative for our client projects as well as energizing for our people.” said Scott Walker, Chief Execu‑ tive Officer of Ironworks. Ironworks continues to operate from offices throughout the East

Richmond Biomass Energy To Supply Wood Pelllets To European Utilities Headquarted in Richmond, Enviva LP, a lead‑ ing manufacturer of wood pellets and processed biomass fuel in the United States and Europe, won a contract to supply wood pellets to a European utility company. The order for 480,000 metric tons of wood pellets a year to Belgium‑based Electrabel is the largest contract ever for the local ﬁrm. Enviva Materials sources energy‑rich wood and crop residues and transforms them into biomass fuels like wood chips, mini chips, micro chips, and wood pellets for industrial and utility‑scale renewable en‑ ergy applications. Since Enviva Materials biomass fuels are carbon‑neutral, use of the reclaimed biomass residues significantly reduce the carbon foot‑ print as well as achieves independence from the price volatility of fossil fuels. 500,000 TONS OF WOODY BIOMASS Enviva Materials currently sources approxi‑ mately 500,000 tons of woody biomass annu‑ ally for operations in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. They pro‑ vide biomass fuel to a host of renewable en‑

Coast and Midwest, serving a growing list of national clients. Ironworks is a management, IT and web consulting firm. The firm offers expertise to clients nation‑ wide in the practice areas that in‑ clude strategy and program management, business process improvement, user experience, content management. Ironworks also operates from offices in Tysons Corner, Raleigh, Charlotte and Minneapolis.

GREEN-TECH NEWS

ergy applications, including those of the par‑ ent company, Intrinergy Operating LP, and our sister company, Enviva Pellets.

Enviva Acquires CKS Energy In related news, Envira has acquired CKS En‑ ergy Inc, a privately held company that manu‑ factures wood pellets for industrial, commercial and residential uses. Based in Amory, Mississippi, CKS is one of the few US‑based companies with a suc‑ cessful track record of manufacturing and ex‑ porting sustainable, high‑quality wood pellet biomass fuel for utility customers, many of whom are based in Europe where the use of wood pellets is well integrated into all areas of the energy sector. “As we continue to increase our US manu‑ facturing footprint, we are particularly excited about this acquisition. Strategically, CKS is an excellent fit, providing Enviva with a robust and stable fiber supply chain and easy access both to our key European customers as well as to customers in the upper Midwest,” said En‑ viva Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Keppler.

Led by former Virginia Secre‑ tary of Commerce and Trade Patrick O. Gottschalk and Angie D. Harris, the former Deputy Chief of Staff to North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, the team of attorneys and con‑ sultants will draw on decades of experience assisting compa‑ nies with all business aspects of corporate relocation and ex‑ pansion. The Teamʼs focus will be on projects in the following sec‑ tors: advanced manufacturing, warehouse, distribution and lo‑ gistics, research and development, technology̶ including information and com‑ munications technology, biotechnology, nanotechnol‑ ogy, modeling and simulation, headquarters, energy power generation̶with an emphasis on renewable power (hydro, wind, solar, biomass, ethanol, etc.)̶and data centers. “Our attorneys and consultants have a well‑regarded history of guiding companies with eco‑ nomic development projects,” said Thomas R. Frantz, presi‑ dent and CEO of Williams Mullen. “This new Team will channel their talents and expe‑ rience to provide the most ef‑ fective full‑scale solutions for our clients.” In addition to negotiating in‑ novative state and local incen‑ tive packages, the multi‑ disciplinary team can assist in areas that include real estate, land use, environmental per‑ mitting, corporate law, interna‑ tional, immigration, labor and employment and intellectual property issues.

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Biz Savvy

The move comes as a result of the companyʼs growth, which has av‑ eraged 30 percent each year de‑ spite the economic downturn. The role that the companyʼs clients play in the success does not go unnoticed̶a client logo wall is proudly mounted in the lobby, emphasizing Ironworksʼ client‑ﬁrst attitude.

WORK

Ironworks Consulting Opens New HQ

BIZ SAVVY

Virginia again #1 In Pro-Business Report An annual study produced by Pollina Corporate Real Estate, Inc., names Virginia as "America's most pro‑business state" for a second consecutive year. The study is based on 31 factors controlled by state gov‑

ernment, including taxes, human resources, education, right‑to‑ work legislation, energy costs, in‑ frastructure spending, workers compensation laws, economic in‑ centive programs and state eco‑ nomic development eﬀorts.

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Education | Innovation

VCU Rice Center Increases Size With Land Donation The Virginia Commonwealth University Rice Center has re‑ ceived a major land gift of ap‑ proximately 150 acres along the James River that encompasses critical nesting areas for bald ea‑ gles and habitat for a wide vari‑ ety of flora and fauna. The property, part of the Meadowville Tract in eastern Chesterfield County, is a gift of an environmentally conscious group of individuals who form the Meadowville Trust. Acquisition of the property will increase the size of the VCU Rice Center by nearly half. The center, VCUʼs biological field sta‑ tion, is a 343‑acre site in Charles City County overlooking the James River, with a primary mis‑ sion of enhancing science, edu‑ cation and public outreach related to large river ecosystems and their riparian landscapes. “This remarkable gift ex‑ pands the reach of the VCU Rice

Center as we enter Phase II of our development plan, enrich‑ ing research and educational opportunities for both faculty and students,” said Thomas F. Huﬀ, Ph.D., VCUʼs vice provost for life sciences. For researchers, the Mead‑ owville Tract provides an exten‑ sive area of bottomland hardwood forest that comple‑ ments the habitats at the Rice Center in Charles City County and opens many new opportu‑ nities for research and educa‑ tional opportunities while preserving critical habitat along the James River. The Meadowville Tract is sit‑ uated on the south side of the James River, approximately 20 minutes east of Richmond. The property adjoins Meadowville Landing at Riverʼs Bend, a resi‑ dential development, and is adja‑ cent to the Meadowville Technology Park.

VCU Study: Researchers Discover a Drug Combination That ShrinksTumors In Vivo Virginia Commonwealth Uni‑ versity School of Medicine and VCU Massey Cancer Center re‑ searchers have shown that the impotence drug Viagra, in com‑ bination with doxorubicin, a powerful anti‑cancer drug, en‑ hances its anti‑tumor eﬃcacy in prostate cancer while alleviating the damage to the heart at the same time. For more than four decades the chemotherapeutic agent dox‑ orubicin has been used to treat a number of human cancers, in‑ cluding that of the prostate. De‑ spite doxorubicinʼs clinical eﬃcacy for cancer treatment, its use is associated with irre‑ versible heart damage, often pre‑ senting several years after treatment stops. Researchers have been

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working over the past 15 years to find an optimal therapeutic in‑ tervention for protecting the heart against the cytotoxicity as‑ sociated with doxorubicin. In the study published on‑ line the week of Sept. 27 in the Early Edition of the journal Pro‑ ceedings of the National Acad‑ emy of Sciences, researchers using a variety of powerful in vitro and in vivo approaches, have shown that a combination of Viagra, generically known as sildenafil, and doxorubcin sig‑ nificantly enhances the genera‑ tion of reactive oxygen species that trigger cell death, or apop‑ tosis, in prostate cancer cells. They also observed that the combination did not harm the normal, healthy prostate epithe‑ lial cells.

Robins School of Business And Virginia Council of CEOs Create Quarterly Economic Outlook Index for Central Virginia

“We know that our members will be able to use data from the new CEO survey to better understand the market and its opportunities, and we are glad to share it with the business community.” nomic outlook index. He will base the index on businesses' pro‑ jected six‑month sales, spending and employment ﬁgures. “Our MBA students and faculty have enjoyed interacting with the council's members over the last few years, and a joint re‑ search project seemed like a natural evolution in our rela‑ tionship,” said Richard Cough‑ lan, the Robins School's senior associate dean. Businesses with gross an‑ nual revenues of at least $1 mil‑ lion that are not council members are invited to partici‑ pate in the survey. If enough businesses participate, the coun‑ cil will provide survey results by industry. Participation is free, and all participants will receive copies of the survey data. “The leaders of entrepre‑

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!

The Virginia Council of CEOs connects CEOs so that they can learn from each other. The Council accomplishes this through conﬁdential peer roundtables and exclusive learning events. Learn more at www.vaceos.org. The Robins School of Busi‑ ness is the only fully accred‑ ited, top‑ranked undergraduate business school that also is part of a top‑ranked liberal arts uni‑ versity. Business Week ranks both the Robins School's un‑ dergraduate and part‑time MBA programs among the top 20 in the country. The school's executive ed‑ ucation division offers open enrollment courses and cus‑ tomized leadership development programs for individuals and businesses.

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neurial companies need informa‑ tion they can use to make deci‑ sions about growth. We know that our members will be able to use data from the new CEO sur‑ vey to better understand the market and its opportunities, and we are glad to share it with the business community,” said Scot McRoberts, executive director of the council. Business owners and CEOs who would like to participate should contact McRoberts at sm‑ croberts@vaceos.org.

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

WORK

In a new partnership with the Virginia Council of CEOs, Uni‑ versity of Richmond's Robins School of Business has devel‑ oped an economic outlook sur‑ vey to help central Virginia companies plan for growth. The council will survey area business owners and CEOs of mid‑sized companies each quar‑ ter. Results will be analyzed by Jeﬀ Pollack, assistant professor of management at the Robins School, who created the survey and will develop a resulting eco‑

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

MOMENTUM

Legal Brief

Open for Business AMAZING TALES OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

VIVECA WRIGHT Viveca had been a CPA and worked for Capital One as well as other Fortune 250 companies be‑ fore leaving to stay home with her beautiful family for several years. She started doing some independ‑ ent consulting work. She found that it provided her with the flexi‑ bility to be there for her family while also being able to generate some additional income for the family. She also liked the work and was great at it. The one thing about being an independent consultant is that all the work is up to you; Viveca had found that she might prefer to have some additional support and structure. Which is where I come into the picture. The franchise Ex‑ pense Reduction Analysts (ERA) piqued her interest. ERA is the largest cost management consul‑ tancy franchise in the world. ERA helps all types of organizations, big and small, find extra profit by re‑ ducing their non‑core costs. They donʼt charge an up‑front fee; they share the actual savings they achieve for their clients. Viveca saw that this business was a great fit with the consulting she was al‑ ready doing. Plus, being a fran‑ chisee gave her access to resources and other consultants expertise that she wouldnʼt have had by stay‑ ing out on her own. Hereʼs what Viveca has to say about her newest adventure : ”ERA is the perfect fit for me. I am work‑ ing with high caliber professionals throughout the network. ERA al‑ lows me to help companies in‑ crease their profitability, without cutting headcount. If it werenʼt for Entreprenuer Source, I would have never known that this oppor‑ tunity existed.”

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BY ROBIN SMITH

ERA works with companies and their suppliers to obtain indus‑ try benchmark pricing without sac‑ rificing quality and service levels. ERA is different from most consulting firms in that they actu‑ ally assist clients with the imple‑ mentation of their cost savings strategies and stay with them for 18 to 24 months, auditing the ven‑ dorʼs performance and ensuring that the cost savings are realized. ERA works strictly on a contin‑ gency fee basis̶ERA only gets paid if its clients actually save money! To date ERA has completed over 14,000 projects, have expertise in over 30 overhead cost categories, and are achieving an average cost savings of 20%. ERA was recently featured on NPRʼs Marketplace with a positive client testimonial (which can be heard at the follow‑ ing link http://expensereduction .com/in‑the‑news). Robin Smith is the owner of The Entrepreneur's Source. www.e‑sourceva.com.

IN GOOD COMPANY. OR COMPANIES. 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. Should you launch the new initative under the existing busi‑ ness entity, or would it be better to set up a new company? It is a com‑ mon question, and one that de‑ serves some thought. To help you decide, consider these factors:

What Do You Call It? If the new initiative includes new branding̶separate product names, maybe a new web site̶these additions can still be managed within one company. But the need for new brand‑ ing can also be a good sign that a separate entity would make sense. Give some thought to what combined branding of products and services would look like. If the combination might be confusing to potential customers, new em‑ ployees, investors, or others, then a separate business entity may be in‑ dicated.

Short Bridge or Long Bridge Consider how far the new prod‑ ucts or services are from the exist‑ ing ones. If they are entirely different, a new business entity may be indicated. But if what you are selling is in the same general market area and targets the same type of customer, it may ﬁt well enough into one company.

Ownership or Sale If you and your business partners would like ownership, profit or loss distributions to be different from each other for different lines of business, that is an indication that separate companies may be the best way to go. This can avoid line‑ drawing disputes when it is time to account for the profits and losses among the owners for each piece

Marketing Maven TO BLOG, OR NOT TO BLOG? To some, the idea of writing a blog can seem monumental. Itʼs often met with responses such as: “Why would I write a blog?” “What will I write about?” “Whoʼs going to read it?” “WHY would they read it?” “I donʼt have the schedule to write all the time.” Before banishing a blog from the realm of possibility, consider that for any business or non‑proﬁt organization, one of your market‑ ing communications goals is to in‑ ﬂuence investment in your product, service or cause. A blog is can serve as one of your best tools.

BY JENNIFER YEAGER

2. Content should be key‑ word rich. As you write, keep in mind keywords – the words some‑ one searching the internet to ﬁnd what youʼre promoting. Weave these words throughout your blog posts to increase your siteʼs rele‑ vance on search engines. 3. Frequency of posts is less important the content. You can write as often as youʼd like, but done too infrequently diminishes your relevance in your sphere of in‑ ﬂuence and on search engines. Aim to post weekly, but no less than monthly.

Hereʼs how to leverage it: 1. Your blog should live on your website. A blog is a great tool to drive traﬃc to your website, es‑ pecially if you keep it fresh and in‑ corporate keywords into the content. But having your blog on a separate website from your orga‑ nizationʼs website forces visitors and search engines to choose which to visit and rank. Ideally, have your blog built as a feature within your website.

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4. Variety can help with con‑ tent concepts. Here are some idea generators: • Commentary on a news arti‑ cle, survey or recent report relevant to your business or industry. • Case studies or success sto‑ ries of your clients. • Spotlight post on a partner that teams up with your organization. • Event̶upcoming, youʼre hosting, promoting or attending. Post‑event review. Viveca Wright

• Spotlight post on one of your products or services. • Company announcements. • Have more than one blog‑ ger. Itʼs good to have a person re‑ sponsible for the blog, but that doesnʼt mean he/she is the only person within the organization who can write for the blog. Get a small team of content providers, as‑ sign dates (and set up reminders), assign topics, and stick with it. Many websites serve as online brochures. Since search engines favor websites with fresh content, a blog is a great way to add it. Use the blog to showcase your industry relevance, expertise, resourceful‑ ness and inﬂuence. And then share it! Include a link in your email signature line and announce new posts on social net‑ works, like Facebook and Twitter. Most importantly, be patient and consistent. Your audience will grow and the search engines will appreciate the new content on your site. Jennifer Yeager is a marketing com‑ munications and strategy consultant.

Robin Smith

Jennifer Yeager

Just Ask Peter BY CHRIS GATEWOOD

Cheap Insurance A major reason that business enti‑ ties are used by small and growing businesses is that they separate the business liabilities from the individ‑ ual owners. In the same way, using multiple companies for diﬀering business operations provides a fence between the companies, so that the liabilities of one are not the liabilities of the other. Think of it as a cheap form of insurance.

Separate Books You can certainly track expenses and income of two divisions within the same company. And you can divvy up shared expenses between them. But having two companies can provide greater clarity and more formal separation through separate bank accounts, payrolls, and tax returns. That kind of clarity can be helpful to knowing which of your pursuits are rewarding your invest‑ ment and which are struggling.

Shared Resources Look at what inputs will be neces‑ sary for the new product or service. Are there raw materials, oﬃces, people, or intangible assets that will be necessary only for the new

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

STAYING AHEAD OF CRISIS There are three common elements to a crisis: a threat, the element of surprise, and a short time in which to decide how to face the crisis. During crisis, your employees may feel fear, uncertainty, and doubt, but they certainly will look to you to see how to react. Leaders must understand that employees are always watching them̶that stressful times are the times when leaders must set the example̶and that crisis is the time when leadership is most im‑ portant. Leaders must also understand that their own mood is conta‑ gious. So be careful to watch your employees to monitor their mood. Most importantly during times of crisis, the leader must en‑ courage the team to change its thinking from “how will circum‑ stances aﬀect me” to “how will I af‑ fect circumstances.” Leadership by example is the sim‑ plest way to lead. In time of crisis, leaders must strike a positive mood for employ‑ Chris Gatewood

BY MARK MATTHEWS

ees to emulate, set the example by doing everything they ask of oth‑ ers, and above all, when in charge, take charge. Unfortunately, leaders are not always taught how to re‑ spond to crisis, and most leaders do not know where to turn to learn how to handle crises. Fortunately, many of the best lessons on leadership can be learned by studying history. When crisis hits your organiza‑ tion, it is too late to learn how to handle it. But by studying exam‑ ples of leaders who dealt with cri‑ sis, you can learn in advance from the successes and mistakes of others. I encourage leaders at all levels to read the stories of leaders who have faced chal‑ lenges and thus absorb the les‑ sons of history. Better to learn crisis‑manage‑ ment lessons now rather than when you ﬁnd yourself in a crisis, because then it is too late. Attorney Mark Matthews owns The Matthews Law Group, P.L.L.C. thematthewslawgroup.com Mark Matthews

Peter Larsen

IʼM DROWNING IN A SEA OF DESKTOP PRINTERS!

BY PETER LARSEN

“Man, do we really need all these desktop printers all over the place around here?” This time, I want to talk about something I see every‑ where I go: a sea of desktop printers, many of which are not being used. Thatʼs right, they just sit there. Some are broken. Some are out of ink. Some have such low print quality that people wish they would just disappear! So how do you take control of your printing costs? Research by several leading firms has shown that organiza‑ tions spend as much as 15% of an‑ nual revenue on document production, management and dis‑ tribution. Assessing your network and rerouting documents to more effi‑ cient printers reduces costs, im‑ proves productivity and increases efficiency. Upgrading printers can also eliminate bottlenecks and im‑ prove diagnostics. By developing a strategy to tackle this prevalent office problem, you can: • Save 10% to 30% on your total printing costs. • Reduce the cost of parts and supplies. • Proactively monitor your printer supply levels and service needs. • Enable less IT focus on print‑ ing devices. Hereʼs what you do! Check with some local docu‑ ment management companies and see what they offer in the area of Managed Print Serv‑ ices.̶also known as ”MPS.” Itʼs very effective for controlling office printing costs. Everybody is look‑ ing at MPS these days, and trying to figure out how to make it work for their company.

What makes Managed Print Services work for your company? Hereʼs a good example. A Richmond‑based medical practice had more than 35 copiers and printers from a variety of ven‑ dors spread throughout its multi‑ ple locations and spent a small fortune annually on toners and supplies. The practiceʼs adminis‑ trators spent too much time barely containing the “mass chaos” of numerous vendors, serv‑ ice agreements and multiple monthly invoices. The practice ʻs administrator brought this chaos to their local document management com‑ pany and started looking for a cost‑effective, highly‑productive solution̶one that would help manage the practiceʼs ongoing needs for high‑quality, high‑effi‑ ciency printing and copying of pa‑ tient records, education materials and billing information. The document management company performed a print audit to assess the practiceʼs current equipment inventory, supplies usage and ongoing printing costs. They found out the specific needs and functions required by individual departments within the practice, such as billing, patient records, patient care, etc. Armed with this information, the docu‑ ment management company was able to recommend a cost‑saving restructuring of all of the practiceʼs office equipment. What about the results? • Measureable savings in overall printing costs. • Proactive maintenance and supplies fulfillment on their entire fleet of printers. • A newer, more efficient array of devices. • Less IT focus on printers. • Peace of mind! So if you are drowning in the costs associated with all those desktop printers...there is hope. Find a local document manage‑ ment company you trust and let them work to find ways to save you money. Trust me̶they will! 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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initiative and not for the ongoing business? This is another way of thinking about how separate or united the businesses should be. Vendor dis‑ putes are also the kinds of liabilities that you might want to section oﬀ so that they do not aﬀect unrelated business interests.

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of the business. Also, if one or the other divi‑ sions might be a good stand‑alone business to sell at a later time, set‑ ting it up separately at the outset will prepare it for such a transac‑ tion. Spinning it oﬀ later is often more of a production, particularly where there are multiple owners.

COMPANIES & CAREERS

132 Local Businesses Plan Expansions With Associated Capital Investments In Excess of $136 Million

SCAN QR CODE WITH A SMART PHONE BEETAGG MULTICODE READER FREE APP.

THE BUSINESS FIRST TEAM MET WITH MORE THAN 530 BUSINESS LEADERS OVER A 12‑MONTH PERIOD ENDING JUNE 30, 2010. TEAM MEMBERS RESPONDED TO MORE THAN 90 SPECIFIC REQUESTS FOR AS‑ SISTANCE, SUCH AS JOB TRAINING, FACILITY ASSISTANCE, BUSINESS GROWTH ISSUES, AND POTENTIAL RE‑ DUCTION IN WORKFORCE. COMPLETED PROJECTS RESULTED IN THE CREATION OF MORE THAN 250 NEW JOBS AND HELPED TO RETAIN NEARLY 500 POSITIONS. PARTICIPATING COMPANIES MADE NEW CAPITAL INVESTMENTS OF $137 MILLION.

he importance of sup‑ porting local businesses is not lost on anyone. One of the four core programs of the Greater Richmond Part‑ nership, Inc. is Business First Greater Richmond, the regionʼs business retention and expan‑ sion program. Business First uses face‑to‑ face interviews with top leaders of existing businesses to gather feedback on doing business in Greater Richmond. This feed‑ back helps program partners connect businesses with the re‑ sources they need to stay and grow in the region and build an even better business climate. “Satisfied existing busi‑ nesses are among our best am‑ bassadors for attracting new businesses to Greater Rich‑ mond. Ensuring they are con‑ nected to the resources they need to be successful is a criti‑ cal component to our overall economic development strat‑ egy,” says Gregory H. Wingfield, president and CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership. The Business First initiative is a regional effort led by the Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc., and the economic develop‑ ment offices in Chesterfield County, Hanover County, Hen‑ rico County and the City of Rich‑ mond. It is supported by dedicated volunteers from the

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business community who share our commitment to business success. The 2009‑2010 Business First Greater Richmond annual report revealed that: •132 identiﬁed businesses plan to expand in the coming year with associated capital in‑ vestments in excess of $136 mil‑ lion. • 27 percent of respondents plan to add additional employees over the next 12‑month period, adding nearly 1,400 new jobs. • Largest employment gains are anticipated in the Manufacturing industry and the Arts, Entertainment

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and Recreation industry. • 96 percent have an over‑ all positive attitude toward the community and 78 percent be‑ lieve that they will see an im‑ provement in the local business climate over the next five years. • 86 percent rate workforce quality as good or excellent, al‑ though 95 firms report that re‑ cruitment is still a challenge, which is likely a mismatch be‑ tween skills and demand. SUCCESS STORIES BusinessFirst program success stories include: • The retention of Pfizer Consumer Health Research and

Development in the City of Richmond which saved 300 jobs locally. • The consolidated facility of Smurﬁt‑Stone Container Cor‑ poration in Henrico County which saved 150 jobs. • The expansion of Maruchan in Chesterfield County that included a capital investment of $16 million and up to 50 new jobs. • Hanover County‑based Flexicell, Inc. which was con‑ nected to a training grant through the Virginia Jobs Invest‑ ment Program of the Virginia De‑ partment of Business Assistance to support the skills advance‑ ment of 11 employed engineers. Sara Dunnigan, senior vice president of Existing Business Services and Talent Develop‑ ment of the Greater Richmond Partnership and program man‑ ager for Business First Greater Richmond, says, “The program is more than just a collection of data. We take the time to thank area businesses for choosing Greater Richmond as a location to operate their business.” The information gathered during the interviews is used to identify ways to help solve busi‑ ness problems, remove barriers to growth, and to quickly con‑ nect ﬁrms to the resources they need to be successful.

Touring RVA Business Innovation: Observations From Across The Pond

SCAN QR CODE WITH A SMART PHONE TO VISIT HTTP://TRACEYCLARKE‑ FELLOWSHIP.BLOGSPOT.COM

Wednesday 15 September̶ visit with Greater Richmond Partnership and Capital One Met with the Greater Richmond Partnership and enjoyed our visit with Rowena Fratarcangelo, Gregory Wingfield and Sara Dunnigan. Rowena kindly took us to the Capital One head quar‑ ters the following morning based in west Richmond. Rowena gave us a newspa‑ per article from the Richmond Times‑Dispatch business news‑ paper about ʻWorking Moms Best Companies.ʼ This talked about the top best companies to work for ̶specifically aimed at women. Definitely an idea to do re‑ search in the UK to find out the top best companies for women/mums to work for, who offer the best benefits for flexi‑

ble working. The Capital One headquar‑ ters was a fantastic place of work to look around̶a huge campus covering an area of about 100 acres employing around 7,000 people. The area comprised of about 8 buildings and a lot of parking space areas which were all packed to capac‑ ity with cars̶a very busy place. Definitely needed a car to get around the place. This actually provided us with a significant change in cul‑ ture and a major different focus on looking after and retaining employees. The state‑of‑the‑art facilities and technology and in‑ novative training and develop‑ ment tools gave a huge impression of how much this particular company invests in their employees. What made a massive im‑ pact was how the layout of the offices/work space was pro‑ vided for people. Basically an employee finds a preferred place (hot desk) to work from, logs on computer, uses instant messenger (similar to what we use on Skype) to show theyʼre logged on and ready to start work. The emphasis on the pro‑ duction of quality work, provid‑ ing the right environment which gives the employee much more incentive, trust and flexibility was great to see actually work‑ ing in a successful setting. This particular visit pro‑ voked so many new ideas around the concept of virtual working. They mentioned that gen‑ erally on Fridayʼs the building

“The state-of-the-art facilities and technology and innovative training and development tools gave a huge impression of how much this particular company invests in their employees.” can seem very empty due to a lot of employees working from home accessing their work re‑ motely, logging in at home to do the work, again another flexible option for employees. This gave rise to the con‑ cept of teleworking being vir‑ tual with the option of working from home with a mix of working on site at a pur‑ pose‑built office environment so employees get chance to in‑ teract with each other, attend meetings and training ses‑ sions, striking a good produc‑ tive balance of work. I did ask about the use of video conferencing due to the number of office bases in differ‑ ent states and countries̶they explained that video conferenc‑ ing was used regularly, but still

felt that technology was still not stable to the quality they really required e.g. someone would not be able to get sound or talk as part of the group call etc. The actual buildings inside were extremely well thought out, lots of internal café areas for employees, places for relax‑ ation with large tv screens, a fantastic indoor gym and lots of outside sporting areas as part of the campus for playing team games̶very big on team build‑ ing and getting people to inte‑ grate together. It will be very interesting to look at the Capital One offices in Nottingham in England when we return from the US to find out if they too have adopted this way of flexible working and change in working culture.

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racey initially connected with the Greater Rich‑ mond Partnership, Inc. in Nottingham, England when she attended a GRP presentation about expanding UK businesses into the US. The presentation was done in partnership with the Eco‑ nomic Development Council of Nottingham, a connection par‑ tially the result of Capital Oneʼs operation there, GRPʼs partner‑ ship with BioCity in Nottingham and the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park, an international network of connections built over the past 16 years. Tracey blogged her visit and tour of Capital Oneʼs West Creek campus:

WORK

GETTING TO TRAVEL TO THE UNITED STATES WAS A LIFELONG GOAL FOR TRACEY CLARKE. SHE RECENTLY HAD HER WISH COME TRUE AND MADE HER FIRST STOP GREATER RICHMOND, VIRGINIA. OWNER OF UK‑ BASED VIRTUAL ADMINISTRATION, TRACEY TRAVELED ON A WINSTON CHURCHILL MEMORIAL TRUST FEL‑ LOWSHIP GRANT TO RESEARCH THE GROWING US VIRTUAL ASSISTANCE INDUSTRY.

INNOVATORS

SMART PARTNERS: Sherry and John Petersik with LaDiﬀʼs Vice President of Sales & Finance Sarah Paxton in front of the storeʼs wall‑ ﬂower display.

YoungHouseLove.com & LaDiff

PHOTOS: CHRIS OWENS

efugees from the New York advertis‑ ing scene and Richmond transplants, Sherry and John Petersik are a couple of twenty‑something DIY dynamos who have turned a blog about their 53‑year‑old homeʼs kitchen remodel into a perky and extremely popular decorating site YoungHouseLove. com that has gained national media attention. Their press page reads like a tally of top trend‑trackers from magazines like Real Sim‑ ple, Better Homes & Gardens, Do It Yourself Magazine and The Nest to exposure on tele‑ vision shows like HGTVʼs Rate My Space and coverage on CNN. In a highly competitive arena full of dec‑ orating divas doling out experienced ad‑ vice̶a la Martha Stewart̶the Petersiks stand out not for their expertise but for their

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oh‑so‑clever naïveté. “Weʼre not experts, just two happy homeowners who love to learn as we go and share our adventures (and misad‑ ventures) with the world,” they proudly pro‑ claim on their site. And because theyʼre not designers but just a couple ﬁnding their way through homespun culture, the Petersiks have tapped into a hip, young highly‑accessible vibe̶with legions of DIY readers. The perfect venue youʼd want for introducing consumers to new ideas and products. In an intriguing arrangement with Downtown brick‑and‑mortar stores like LaDiﬀ (125 South 14th Street), the Petersiks have embarked on weekly giveaways with impres‑ sive responses from their readers and sales for the stores. Greater Richmond Grid caught up with the decorating duo for details.

VIEW QR CODES WITH A SMART PHONE BEETAGG MULTICODE READER FREE APP. Can you talk a little bit about the La Diff Wallflowers Freebie giveaway? It seemed to get a huge response. John: “We were so excited to team up with La Diff to offer something to our readers in the form of one of our weekly giveaways. And when Sarah [Paxton LaDiffʼs Vice President ‑ Sales & Finance] invited us to swing by her store in person and select something that we thought our audience would love, we knew the Wallflowers would be a huge hit as soon as we saw them. Sure enough, over 1,700 readers entered to win. And Sarah got a nice little influx of or‑ ders for them after the contest winners were announced. Weʼre especially glad that we could send people her way because we love spotlighting and supporting local businesses.”

And weʼve featured or mentioned local places in other blog posts about our houseʼs progress (like Mongrel, Pleasantʼs, Clover, Diver‑ sity Thrift, Love of Jesus Thrift, Ruth & Ollie, William's & Sherrill, EcoLogic, The Interior Outlet, The Decorating Outlet, and Shades of Light).”

Though you consider yourselves full‑time blog‑ gers, donʼt you also do designing gigs as well? Sherry: “These days weʼre just blogging for the most part. We used to oﬀer virtual design consul‑ tations as well as run an online shop full of prints that we designed but the blog itself keeps us so busy that itʼs truly all that we're focusing on these days (along with our regular columns with Baby‑ Center and Do It Yourself Magazine, which we are honored to be a part of). Whatʼs coming up on the horizon for YHL brand? Sherry: “We want a new house! Weʼre on the hunt for a nice older home that we can rescue and re‑ vitalize, just like weʼve done with our current home over the last four years. Weʼre excited to take the next step and keep all of our readers posted along the way!”

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Innovators

What products from local retailers have you promoted on your blog? John: ”Since our Fab Freebie giveaways are weekly occurrences, we have also teamed up with a few other local businesses that we love! Weʼve worked with Quirk, Sunnyʼs Goodtime Paint, Youʼve Got Supper, and Monkey Grass for other Fab Freebie posts over the past two years (which were also met with a lot of enthusiasm from our readers).

“...all of our in-post mentions and weekly giveaways are something that we do free of charge just to spread the word about things that we think are great...”

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How do you deter‑ mine which products to endorse? Sherry: “Thatʼs easy! We endorse things that we actually like and believe that our readers will like as well. We donʼt en‑ dorse products, com‑ panies, or services for a fee when it comes to our posts (we do have blog sponsors on our sidebar who are clearly marked as such), but all of our in‑post mentions and weekly giveaways are something that we do free of charge just to spread the word about things that we think are great̶and items that we love to reward our readers with in the form of a weekly giveaway.“

INNOVATORS

LOST & FOUND ART: Odell’s ‘New’ Downtown Monument

enerally when public art is conceived, much of its de‑ sign is based on the site where it will be on display. Particu‑ larly in the case of monuments where months, or in some cases years, of collaboration between the community, government and civic leaders as well as the commission‑ ing group occurs in order to create a space in the public domain. On November 6th in a cere‑ mony of “honor, remembrance and dedication,” a contemporary monument to all Native Americans will be unveiled on top of the Odell Building̶originally the Power Plant at Lucky Strike (2700 East Cary Street)̶in sight of Chimbo‑ razo National Battlefield Park and the Stone of Powhatan, a boulder marked by a bronze plaque which reads, “An old Indian stone re‑ moved from and now overlooking ʻPowhatan Seatʼ a royal residence of King Powhatan.” The new statue, Connecticut created by Richmond artist Paul Di‑ Pasquale̶who also sculpted the Arthur Ashe statue on Monument Avenue̶defies the traditional process of monument‑making. In fact, the sculpture has an unique his‑ tory in popular culture, contempo‑ rary art and, now, in adaptive reuse. DiPasquale originally built and installed the wood, epoxy and fiberglass figure of a Native Ameri‑

PHOTOS THIS SPREAD: COURTESY OF ODELL AND WWW.CONNECTICUTONTHEJAMES.COM

This photo and below: DiPasquale at work on Connecticut.

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can peering out from the roof of a Best Products showroom in Bethesda, Maryland in 1983 [shown in photo below]. However, the artistʼs initial vi‑ sion for the site of the monument

explains Snyder, who is a sculptor as well as an architect. “As an artist, I be‑ lieve the artist knows best where and how their piece should be pre‑ sented. Paul believed that our building would be the perfect home. You see, Quinnehtukgut is the native American word meaning ʻbeside the long tidal riverʼ̶or Con‑ necticut in our tongue̶which is the name Paul gave to his sculpture.” DiPasquale sees the monu‑ mentʼs Odell site as a revitalization of his ﬁrst concept. “Now my origi‑ nal vision can come together with a setting that will realize my inten‑ tions, and the sculpture has found a permanent home that will honor those who came before us,” he says. “It is as if it were meant to be for Richmond and for Connecti‑ cut ̶beside the long tidal river.”

was on Connecticut Avenue in Washington, D.C. For DiPasquale, the capital of the nation was the suitable place for a monument cel‑ ebrating all American Indians. The founders of Best Prod‑ ucts and contemporary art collectors Sydney and Connecticut installed

Frances Lewis, who leased at The Diamond baseball stadium. the sculpture from the artist, were known for in‑ corporating avant‑garde, eye‑catching artworks into their showroomsʼ architec‑ ture. The DiPasquale piece atop the suburban box of the store read less as a monument THE JOURNEY and more of a surreal art piece, As for the journey, Snyder explains his understanding of the signifi‑ grabbing attention with its star‑ cance of the riverside location of tling incongruity. Four years later, it was pur‑ the Odell Power Plant has grown. In his effort to work with local chased from the sculptor and donated to the Dia‑ Native Americans and national fig‑ ures in the Indian community for mond, where it became a city icon for 25 years. help in restoring Connecticut from Tucked under the swell of a pop mascot to a significant land‑ bleachers at the stadium mark, heʼs learned of the propertyʼs original use as a commerce site by and overshadowed by the Richmond Braves baseball the indigenous people and English team promotions, the settlers as well as its later role in the statueʼs significance was tobacco‑industry history. relegated to that of a mas‑ cot or pop imagery at best. Rendering of the new With the recent trans‑ riverside site atop of formation of the Diamond Odellʼs building. to the home of the Flying Squirrels, Connecticutʼs in‑ stallation came into ques‑ tion again. Enter James C. Snyder, Chairman and CEO of Odell, an architecture, engineering and design firm known for cutting‑ edge projects. “It really began as a journey. I met Paul Di‑ Pasquale a few years ago when he agreed to teach a perfect stranger (me) to make a bronze sculpture,”

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“Every once in a while, the op‑ portunity to become a steward ap‑ pears, often times when we least expect,” Snyder says. “As we learned more about the sculpture, its original intent, its history over 31 years coupled with the rich history of the Native Americans to Rich‑ mond, the Commonwealth of Vir‑ ginia and our nation, we became convinced something meaningful to continue the legacy was appro‑ priate. So, in conjunction with shar‑ ing our building with Connecticut, the Odell Scholarship will become part of the continuing legacy.” In collaboration with the Rich‑ mond Metropolitan Authority̶ which owned Connecticut at the time̶Odell decided to allocate a majority portion of the purchase price to create a meaningful schol‑ arship to be awarded to a Native American studying to become an architect. The scholarship will be awarded on November 6th through the Odell Foundation with the ultimate goal being to estab‑ lish the scholarship as a sustain‑ able program. The unveiling event has also grown from Snyderʼs modest orig‑ inal vision of a straightforward press conference into a all‑day cel‑ ebration featuring a festival of Na‑ tive American music, dance and food. Tribes, in full regalia from all over America, will present displays and demonstrations of pottery, tools, handwork , arts and crafts.

Snyderʼs Hand at Deconstructing Art DiPasquale designed the sculp‑ ture in six modular parts, each weighing approximately 300 pounds. Odell has been ware‑ housing the sculpture elements until reassembly occurs for the November 6th event. During this time, Connecticutʼs upturned hand has inspired Snyder to create a series of impromptu portraits of himself, friends and associates who visit 2700 East Cary Street. Top Row: Alex Garﬁeld, LauraLee Chandler, Jim & Susan Snyder, Katrina Blankenship Middle Row: First Lady Maureen McDonnell, Max Gray, Lucy Meade, Tom Silvestri Bottom Row: Sculptor Paul DiPasquale, Kim Scheeler, Jack Berry, Jeannie Welliver

Click on www.connecticutonthejames.com for event details.

INNOVATORS

An early adopter of mobile technologies, Davis was tinkering with phones well before they became oh so “smart.”

Critical Technologies Group

ou have to be one heck of an app developer these Besides the cur‑ days to hatch something big enough to fit the feisty brand rent news, team carved out this year by the Rich‑ roster and mond Flying Squirrels. Scott Davis is just Nutzy enough to take on promotions Squirrels VP Todd “Parney” Parnell features updates and company. to the Richmond An early adopter of mobile technologies, Davis was tinkering Flying Squirrels with phones well before they be‑ mobile app as live came oh so “smart.” Serving as the top brass at Critical Technolo‑ game tracking gies Group, Davis has been creat‑ features, a play‑ ing meaningful ways to use by‑play interface, emerging media since 1998. Today he is showing off his and team social prowess by building successful media feeds applications for local businesses looking to make a splash on are being iPhone, Android, and iPad. developed. During the Flying Squirrelsʼ in‑ augural year, Davis approached the team with the idea for a mobile ap‑ plication that was bold enough to Davis, as evidenced the success of fit their fun loving approach to the his Squirrels app which was down‑ loaded over 3,000 times in its first game. Working with Christina six months and Shisler, Director of debuted in the Community Relations Fans have 25 of the (and everyoneʼs fa‑ used the app Top sports category vorite on‑field MC), more than of iTunes. Davis Davis was able to un‑ leash the first Minor 150,000 times says that fans have interacted League Baseball iPhone since it was with the app app to hit iTunes. more than “For me, mobile launched. 150,000 times development is about fulfilling that anywhere, anytime since it was originally launched. mentality,” explains Davis. “It really And heʼs quick to add, “We are con‑ stantly evolving the app and work‑ gets the creative juices flowing ing with the team to develop new when you take the ʻwouldnʼt it be cool if I could do thisʼ idea and turn functionality on a daily basis.” With the popularity of mobile it into a reality.” apps spiking, Davis quickly began Others apparently agree with

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knocking out of the park similar products for other Minor League Baseball teams like the Lehigh Val‑ ley IronPigs, Lakewood BlueClaws, and the Hagerstown Suns. He says that a growing list of apps are also slated for opening day next year, with versions for Android and iPad to boot. Best of all, of the apps out on the market at the moment, all are experiencing a similar surge. Most recently the Lehigh Valley IronPigs app debuted at #3 in the App Store and has seen over 5,000 downloads with more than a quar‑ ter of a million fan interactions since July. “We have recently been work‑ ing with teams from other sports to develop apps as well, including the

ECHL Hockey League, Minor League Lacrosse, and college ath‑ letic departments,” rattles oﬀ Davis. He says that an increasing number of sports venues and musicians are also hoping on board. In the mean time, Davis en‑ courages Richmonders to look for new updates to the Richmond Fly‑ ing Squirrels mobile app, such nuggets as live game tracking fea‑ tures, a play‑by‑play interface, and team social media feeds. And if you can hold onto your bag of peanuts for a bit longer, Davis says that heʼll soon add augmented re‑ ality to his snazzy little app in the coming months. BY PAUL SPICER

WORK

Feedback LLC trains a clientʼs internal workforce to operate social media cam‑ paigns with clear goals and meas‑ urable outcomes. In the office next to Dean sits Jeff Thompson, President and CEO of Feedback. With music bellow‑ ing out of his office doors, Thomp‑ son looks more like heʼs fresh off of a musical performance than tackling a mountain of email. As he prepares to leave the country for a presentation in Europe, Thompson takes a moment to slow down and reflect on the last year that he calls a “fantastic jour‑ ney.” Thompson, who logged in 25 years at traditional advertising agencies, says that the secret to Feedbackʼs success is a direct re‑ sult of “passion, energy, and ex‑ pertise.” Over the course of his career Thompson honed his chops at hot spots such as Ogilvy & Mather and The Martin Agency. However itʼs with Feedback, which he formed with Browell and marketing whiz Anna Lucas, that Thompson was able to bring to‑ gether his knowledge of tradi‑ tional marketing with truly integrated, research‑based social media campaigns. With a growing team in the works, Thompson and Browell show no signs of slowing down. In fact, immediately after their an‑ niversary party Feedback began making plans for an upcoming year brimming with clients in Eu‑ rope, the Caribbean and South America. In typical Feedback

Innovators

hat do you get when you combine ethnogra‑ phy, social media, and a little bit of Bonnaroo? Feed‑ back̶lots of it. Get ready to adjust your set‑ tings, folks̶Feedback Agency is buzzing. Packed with talent, this Richmond social media research and consulting group just cele‑ brated its first anniversary marked with a whirlwind year of cross‑ country tours and a fat book of na‑ tional clientele. As if the pot couldnʼt get any sweeter, the agency, which boasts over two dozen prized clients across the country, just signed RVAʼs favorite blogger, Jeff Kelley, to an already stacked team that includes Brad Carr and Thomas McDonald. Relaxing in a playful office filled with Bonnaroo Music Festi‑ val stickers, Executive Vice Presi‑ dent Dean Browell, can hardly hold back his enthusiasm. His mood is elevated not from the three clients his crew just closed this Friday afternoon alone, but in‑ stead by the results that Feedback is producing in a truly integrated fashion. He says that gone are the days of building Facebook fan pages and the like (just because you can), and here to stay are the social media campaigns created out of sound research and listen‑ ing models. “You shouldnʼt be doing any‑ thing on social media if itʼs not an informed decision,” opines Brow‑ ell, while pivoting his chair with excitement. “Itʼs about really ex‑ amining the culture of the people that youʼre trying to reach̶going in and literally living among the gorillas,” he smiles. “If you donʼt do that, you end up doing some‑ thing with social media thatʼs built on USA Today articles or some‑ thing an executive read on a plane in Sky Magazine on the way back from a business trip.” And hereʼs the thing, Browell should know. He comes to the so‑ cial media space with a PhD in Ed‑ ucation and extensive experience in ethnographic research. Brow‑ ell takes the long view of commu‑ nications and has a vision for the changing social media industry unmatched by most digital agen‑ cies concentrating on the plat‑ form with the most users and funny little “like” symbols. He says that with some clients Feedback simply does the research and never touches implementation on platforms like Facebook and Twit‑ ter. While at other times his gang

With a growing team in the works, Thompson and Browell show no signs of slowing down.

style, however, Browell makes sure to note that heʼs saving plenty of time to continue to de‑ liver free social media workshops to businesses in Virginia as well as

sought after gigs like presenta‑ tions to the national Craft Brewers Conference.

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BY PAUL SPICER

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DATE NIGHT

“It really is to be s

THE WEEKEND STARTS ON TUESDAY S ince its launch in April, RVALUTION (pronounced like revolution) has be‑ dazzled throngs of revelers with a weekly, circus‑themed dance party, complete with cotton candy and carnival games. Rotat‑ ing novelty acts̶from contor‑ tionists to ﬁre spinners̶join alluring hula hoop artists and RVALUTIONʼs own burlesque dancers, the Bombshells, to pro‑ vide non‑stop visual entertain‑

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ment complementing the rhythms seamlessly spun by an impressive host of DJs. “We have so many talented, extraordinary people who do spectacular things,” says Hat Factoryʼs Flynt Burton, who books both local and visiting performers for RVALUTION, “Itʼs very organic, and the music never, ever stops.” Beﬁtting a dance party, the music dominates the RVALUTION

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scene. Creating the audio ambi‑ ence are RVALUTIONʼs two resi‑ dent DJs, John Reinhold of Party Liberation Front (PLF) and Dod‑ die Braza of Audio Ammo, who occasionally relinquish control of the turn tables to guest DJs from Richmond and other towns around the country. Ringmaster Parker Galore (a.k.a. Jeremy Parker), RVALU‑ TIONʼs stage manager and emcee, reigns over the mayhem.

BY ANIKA IMAJO

Inspired by a similar event held at New York Cityʼs Webster Hall, the Hat Factory approached Parker, who produced Gallery Fiveʼs Car‑ nival of Five Fires, with the idea of introducing a circus‑themed dance night in Richmond. Parker, along with DJ John Reinhold, his long‑time collaborator, took the concept and ran with it, tapping into their personal aptitudes and their network of talented associ‑ ates to make the event a reality.

s the place seen.â&#x20AC;? PLAY Date Night: Shockoe Slip Subject

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DATE NIGHT

This summer, Hat Factory general manager Mitch Warnecke saw 1500-1700 club-goers attend RVALUTION Tuesday nights. Despite early doubts about public response to a Tuesday night dance party, RVALUTIONʼs turnout has exceeded the expectations of or‑ ganizers. “I knew we had the right pieces to the puzzle, but I honestly wasn't expecting it to take oﬀ quite as fast as it did,” Parker recalls. “During the summer, we were getting 1,500 to 1,700 people every Tuesday night with hundreds get‑ ting turned away,” he adds. Parker was also sur‑ prised to learn that people were traveling from DC, Charlottesville, and Norfolk to attend the event. “Thereʼs nothing like this going on near here and word of mouth has spread across the state and beyond.” “It really is the place to be seen,” says Jonathan Austin, who has displayed his juggling prowess at RVALUTION since its debut and who, while amusing crowds awaiting entry outside the club, has gained unique insight into the partyʼs at‑ tendance. “Itʼs the Studio 54 of Richmond, thatʼs for sure.” The eventʼs success is apparent not only in the numbers it draws, but in the obvious energy it generates from its attendees. Among RVALUTIONʼs dedicated following is Michael Hostetler, a server at Fish Bowl Bistro and

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Bar, whose passion for the weekly gathering moved him to start a Facebook page called, “RVA‑ LUTION Addicted.” Hostetler credits the gathering with expanding his social network and exposing him to new forms of performance art and music., saying, “Itʼs opened up a whole lot of doors.” While RVALUTION performers present constant visual diversion, the guests them‑ selves eagerly become part of the spectacle. Artfully wielding glow toys (available at the event) and donning costumes in keeping with weekly themes, patrons create a vibrant display of their own. “Our crowd loves to dress up,”

Burton points out. Roommates Danielle Perry and Melanie Dunn, inspired by the captivating attire of the Bombshells and hula hoopers, started their own tradition of wearing diﬀerent costumes to each RVALUTION. “We became known as the girls who dress up every week,” remarks Perry, a server at Texas de Brazil, who describes the RVA‑ LUTION experience as, “like nothing Iʼve ever seen before.” VCU freshman Erik Fox recalls of his ﬁrst ex‑ posure to RVALUTION, “It was crazier than I ex‑ pected it to be, but I think thatʼs possible only because of the professionalism of the performers and organizers.” The Hat Factoryʼs attention to safety con‑ cerns remains a palpable presence. “We have a zero tolerance policy toward underage drinking,” Hat Factory General Manager Mitchell Warnecke states emphatically, “We do take a lot of precau‑ tions to make sure everyone here is safe and has a good time.” In support of RVALUTIONʼs spirit of re‑ sponsible revelry, the To the Bottom and Back bus makes Tuesday night runs. Upcoming events at Hat Factory include Fear Factory (October 19th through October 31st).

Anika Imajo

PHOTO: PAIGE STEVENS

he concept came from a simple demand,” says Justin Moore, co‑ owner of the canal‑front restau‑ rant, “We thought the city needed a great combination of a new take on burgers, plenty of diﬀerent beer, and our own bourbon bar.” Although its menu includes a vari‑ ety of dishes, The Current, which opened on May 1st, has a particularly extensive burger menu and features a weekly vari‑ ation on the burger theme. Some ex‑ amples of timely burger specials oﬀered in the past include the “Healthcare Burger,” the “Oil Spill Burger” and “The Hanson Burger,” whose moment to shine coincided, of course, with Han‑ sonʼs performance at The Hat Factory. Boasting a dedicated bourbon bar

THOMAS MCMULLEN

BY THOMAS MCMULLEN

ast August, while watching the local news, Sandy Ap‑ pelmanʼs attention was grabbed by a story about local Jim Porter beginning operations of a free bus/shuttle service that sought to help prevent drinking and driving in the city. Porterʼs project intrigued Appelman as just five years ear‑ lier he had attempted a similar undertaking with GRTC, which due to some setbacks early on, never came to be. Motivated by Porterʼs initiative, Appleman quickly got in contact with him to see how he could get involved. After a meeting of minds, Appleman says both parties realized they “shared the same passion about the transporta‑ tion need in Richmond.” The fervor which they both had for the cause stemmed from knowing too many friends that had been put in circumstances that led them to drive after drink‑ ing, as well as Jim Porterʼs firsthand experience with the hor‑ rors of drunk driving when he was hit by an intoxicated driver while he was on his way to his sonʼs graduation. The following month, with the original business plan he had written for his intended project with GRTC in hand, Ap‑ pleman had officially joined forces with Porter and his partner Patrick Biase to become the third member of the new organ‑ ization. Soon, a big green school bus with the words “To The Bottom And Back” emblazoned on its sides, filled with happy riders, became a common sight at night in the city.

For some itʼs a safe (and most importantly, free) means of transportation between the residential areas of Carytown Richmond and the bustling social scene of Downtown. Al‑ though it is true that the non‑proﬁt organization known as To The Bottom And Back, Inc. (or simply “2BNB”) advocates and provides safe and free transportation for those who have had a little (or a lot) too much to drink while enjoying the nightlife of Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom, they are much more. A commonly overlooked goal of the organization, though one they are just as passionate about, is to “provide free transportation relief of the poor, the distressed, or under‑ privileged in conjunction with other charitable organizations,” Appleman says. When put into practice, this goal manifested itself in the form of 2BNB providing transportation to other great causes and organizations that operate locally including Art180, VCU volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, The Giving Hear, The Sal‑ vation Army, and many others over the course of their highly successful ﬁrst year of operations. With no signs of slowing down anytime soon, as well as a new partnership with Venture Richmond which will undoubtedly enhance 2BNBʼs efforts, the future of the cityʼs public transportation is as bright as a big, lime‑green school bus.

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Date Night: Shockoe Slip

Moore says that running a business in Downtown Richmond is full of “unique challenges and promise.”

Green & Free Wheelin’ L

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Keeping Current

with a selection of over 40 bourbons, the nascent restaurant is carving out its own niche among Downtown eating and drinking establishments. In addition to attracting Hat Factory audiences and students drawn to the half‑price burgers and open mic sessions offered on Monday nights, The Current appeals to pa‑ trons seeking a sophisti‑ cated drinking experience and tranquil atmosphere, according to Moore. “The bar design is fit for our bourbon lovers and it gives a great overall soli‑ tude for those who just want bourbon and cigars.” The Current occu‑ pies the tucked‑away space on Virginia Street, adjacent to The Hat Fac‑ tory. Its location provides a pleasant sanctuary from the more heavily traf‑ ficked Shockoe streets. Moore, who has been working in various BY ANIKA IMAJO positions in the restaurant industry since he was 16, says that run‑ ning a business in Downtown Richmond is full of “unique challenges and prom‑ ise.” Inspired by the success of The Boat‑ house at Rocketts Landing, another new̶and somewhat hidden̶dining destination, Moore expresses confi‑ dence that The Currentʼs specialized menu and bar offerings, along with its ambience on the canal, will distinguish the restaurant among its more estab‑ lished neighbors. “I think, just like the Boathouse with the amazing amenities that they pro‑ vide, eventually we will reach that clien‑ tele, as well. Because of the new developments that will happen right across from us, itʼs going to be like a mini Carytown in a year or so.”

DATE NIGHT

CUPID CUISINE: Shockoe Slip’s International-Flavor Flair WHETHER ITʼS A BLIND DATE OR A FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY DINNER, YOUR NIGHT OUT IS GUARANTEED TO BE A CULINARY SUCCESS WITH THE EXOTIC ENTREE SELECTIONS AVAILABLE WITHIN THE FEW BLOCKS OF THE SLIP. HEREʼS A SAMPLING OF JUST SEVEN OF THE MANY̶NEW AND CLASSIC̶ETHNIC EATERIES IN SHOCKOE. BY THOMAS MCMULLEN

Doraʼs Brazilian Grill The Rodizio style meals make for a fun and unique date night, especially on Friday night when the guests are treated to a variety of local music, including the occasional Brazilian samba session, at no charge. Complementing the au‑ thentic cuisine, they also serve authentic refresh‑ ments including Brazilian beer and coffee (a favorite of the daytime business crowds), and a soft drink called “Guarana Antarctica.” Nights at Doraʼs have all the allure and atmosphere of an exotic Brazilian locale and can making it perfect for couples seeking a romantic and somewhat private place to enjoy each otherʼs company. “During the day itʼs relaxed with a pretty big business crowd, we get a lot of people from the offices downtown, and during the summer we see a lot of families and tourists. At night, the at‑ mosphere is a bit more intimate and we see a lot of couples who end up staying for a pretty long time. Our sign outside lists our Friday and Satur‑ day hours as “4 p.m.‑ ???” and a lot of people take advantage of that on dates.” ̶Sarah M., waitress at Doraʼs The Fish Bowl Bistro Bar The fetching scenery and modern atmosphere make a fun place for a business lunch or get‑to‑ gether with friends during the day. At night, the scene becomes a bit more lively when both bars are in full service for the 3 p.m.‑7 p.m. happy hour during the week, and when the room is set up for a live performance from bands or DJs̶a perfect night out for a group of friends. If things get to be too electric during the live music performances (which have grown from the weekends to include weeknight per‑ formances), one can still enjoy an intimate date on the cozy outdoor deck seating (without breaking the bank). “Weʼre a new restaurant and weʼre really excited to become a part of the culture and nightlife, and to take advantage of what the city has to offer. We cater towards a young profes‑ sional crowd and weʼre looking forward to ex‑ panding our clientele. Over the next weeks weʼre also hoping to expand our live music per‑ formances even further.” ̶Mike, manager at The Fish Bowl Kobe Japanese Steaks and Sushi The weekday lunches are a favorite for the local office crowd. At night, the authentic hibachi style grilling is a big draw for families and groups of friends, as they gather around and cheer on the well‑trained cooks. Additionally, a quiet date without the excitement of wild flames and trick steak cutting is not far away with the quaint outdoor seating that is all the more charming at night with the glow of Down‑

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town lights to set the atmosphere. “I come here a lot with my wife, itʼs always a fun night out for us. Weʼve brought our kids along too and they always get a kick out of the food and how they cook it right in front of you.” ̶patron Lucky Buddha An undeniably trendy nightspot, although it serves authentic sushi dinners most nights (with the exception of Tuesday when it is strictly a drinking spot opening at 7:00 p.m.), it is one of the busiest club locations in the Slip. The two house DJs, large bar and dance floor, as well as the frequent crowds that inhabit it at night hardly makes it the go‑to spot for initmate dates; however, it is perfect for groups looking to have a night out of drinking and dancing. They also boast $3 martini specials on Saturdays. “We do get some big crowds for dinner during the week, but it really starts buzzing dur‑ ing the club hours. The set‑up has a really big dance floor and we have a lot of regulars who come out just strictly for the club experience. Our bar selection is pretty big too, weʼre the only place around here I know of that serves “33” [a Japanese import beer].” ̶Sheri, bartender at Lucky Buddha Sam Millerʼs Restaurant & Oyster Bar The restaurant contains an elegant atmosphere with a bit of an old‑world feel. Although the space boasts several rooms for groups and par‑ ties, the main dining room provides ample seat‑ ing for smaller parties, including a number of well‑placed tables tucked away in corners and near windows̶perfect for a couple seeking a quiet place to enjoy stellar food. There is also a fully‑stocked bar to accommodate their happy hour on weekdays. “I use office lunches and dinners as an ex‑ cuse to come here as much as possible. The food is always excellent and the service gives it a very upscale feel. The crab cakes here are beyond words.” ̶Larry , patron “A lot of our dining set‑ups are great for groups, we have a lot of private seating for things like parties, so we get a lot of people doing business, as well as people throwing par‑ ties. Iʼd describe our usual demographic as mostly young professionals.” ̶Danielle, bar‑ tender at Sam Millerʼs Sine Irish Pub A charming tavern and restaurant with all of the feeling and atmosphere of a traditional Irish pub, the bar boasts ample seating, an impressive number of draft beers (including, of course, Guinness), as well as a large stock of liquors. Their Irish coffee completes the experience, especially

during their “comfort hour” from 4‑7 p.m. dur‑ ing the week which hosts several drink specials. The lively, informal atmosphere is spot on for a fun and casual date, and their outdoor seating in the back provides a great place to enjoy din‑ ner on a nice night. With frequent themed events such as “Halfway to St. Patrickʼs Day,” thereʼs always a chance to get in on the Irish fun at Sineʼs. “We have a busy yet casual atmosphere. The energy here is really young and exciting. You can come here to eat or to just sit at the bar and enjoy the football game on Sunday. The ʻIrish Pubʼ feeling really comes out on Thursdays with the live music.” ̶Mike, bartender at Sineʼs “They have probably one of the best beer selections in Shockoe Slip and everyoneʼs always really friendly. Even if you come in alone, youʼll probably end up with a group of people.” ̶Melvin, patron at Sineʼs Tobacco Company This landmark establishment at the top of the Slip provides food, drinks and entertainment for many different crowds. The beautiful atrium in the middle of the restaurant sets the airy atmos‑ phere that incorporates the historic nature of the building with just a taste of contemporary flair. Cocktails are served in the elegant first floor lounge every day, which can be reserved for pri‑ vate parties, and serves well as a first stop for a couple on a date. Nearby the bar and stage area are buzzing with small groups and couples alike enjoying drinks and intimate music perform‑ ances (Tuesdays‑Saturdays). The dining rooms on the top two floors boast a great deal of seating, including private booths and secluded seating for two romanti‑ cally overlooking the atrium. The expansive wine list as well as the im‑ pressive menu (which contains nightly specials) seems to be catered towards couples seeking a traditional, upscale, romantic evening, all the while enjoying the electric ambiance of Shockoe Slip. Additionally, the club on the basement level has a completely elegant feel while main‑ taining a fun and inviting energy. To top every‑ thing off, “The Shockoe Hour” on Mondays through Fridays has an almost unbeatable deal on half‑off drinks. “We try to offer the best of everything. Al‑ most everyone knows us for our food and restau‑ rant upstairs, but we also have a bar, our cocktail lounge and performance venue on the first floor, and the club in our basement. Whatever youʼre in the mood for that night you can find some‑ thing here.” ̶Tom, waiter at Tobacco Company “The club is really nice. Itʼs a younger crowd without the feeling that youʼre at a frat party.”̶Brent, patron

RESTAURANT

Dora’s Brazilian Grill 1331 E. Cary St. Brazilian/Beef A Brazilian grill serving authentic Rodizio style meals̶a type of Brazilian cuisine where customers pay one price and are served a variety of dishes throughout the evening.

Fish Bowl Bistro & Bar

Kobe Japanese Steaks & Sushi

Lucky Buddha 1421 E. Cary St. Asian/Club With nights dedicated to “Corsets and Cuﬄinks!” and a “Red Stilettos Party” the super‑social sushi bistro rocks a “South Beach/ Vegas” after‑dinner scene.

Sam Miller’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar 1210 E. Cary St. American/Seafood/Crabcakes A Slip original for over 35 years, the restaurant has been the defacto business eatery and oﬀers fabulous crab cakes to go.

Sine Irish Pub 1327 E. Cary St. Irish/Gathering Space A vast warehouse has been transformed into a cozy tra‑ ditional Irish pub that sports authentic dishes as well as American food served with a Celtic ﬂair.

Tobacco Company 1201 E. Cary St. American/Seafood/Beef/Dance With a dinner menu devoted to seafood and beef selec‑ tions, this Shockoe stapleʼs three ﬂoors oﬀer a one‑stop for dining, drinking and dancing.

Entertainment

Whole Cornish Hen Wood grilled hen served with salad, bread, black beans, rice, sliced white and sweet potatoes, and sautéed plantains.

Friday Night Music Local musicians jam Fridays in the bar that oﬀers ﬁne wines from Argentina, Chile and Brazil as well as Brazilian Beer.

Alla Andouille Andouille sausage, jumbo lump crab, roasted red pep‑ per, basil, with penne pasta tossed in a light roasted garlic cream sauce and topped with pecorino Romano.

Two Bars of Fun Live bands and DJs are part of the mix in the two bars̶with one outdoors̶that oﬀer huricane parties and happy hours featuring fresh sangria and $2 appetizers.

Hibachi Filet Mignon & Shrimp Includes Japanese clear onion soup, house salad, grilled vegetables, steamed rice and appetizer shrimp.

Donʼt Blink Hibachi chefs perform tricks with their forks, knives and spatulas as they cook for their guests.

Sweet & Sour Chicken Stir fried chicken with pineapples, peppers and onions in a sweet and sour sauce.

DJ in the House DJ Matt Busch on the decks tops the charts with todayʼs mainstream club music and special events.

Sam Miller's Crab Cakes Served on a roasted red pepper and corn puree with scallion crème fraiche and grainy mustard.

Private Parties The Rockﬁsh Room, The Boat Room, The Main Dining Room and The Oyster Room are available for private events.

Shepardʼs Pie An Irish‑American traditional dish; beef and veg‑ etable stew topped with a mashed potato crust.

Live Music Features live music from acts like DJ Williams Projekt, William Walter, Patchwork and Jubeus.

Braised Lamb Shank Served with oven‑roasted cherry tomatoes, black eyed peas, collard greens topped with red wine syrup and natural Au Jus.

Lounge Acts Live entertainment every Wednesday through Saturday night with shows beginning at 9:30 in the atrium bar and lounge.

Scan QR codes with a smart phone free BeeTagg Multicode Reader App. R I C H M O N D

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Date Night: Shockoe Slip

19 S. 13th St. Japanese/Seafood/Beef This classic Hibachi restaurant blends the knife‑whirling entertainment of creating steak and sushi delights.

Online

PLAY

101 S. 15th St. Asian, Caribean/Seafood Replete with ﬁsh tanks as well as eye‑popping orange and blue murals, this new, mod aquatic‑themed eatery oﬀers economical, yet edgy, lunch and dinner selections.

Entree Sample

SONGFEST

RVA VIBE: MUSIC MATTERS

BY ANIKA IMAJO

Charlie Glenn, Chris Smith, Robbie King and Joe Ferguson.

The Trillions

PHOTO: NICK GHOBASHI

“In not even a year, Richmond has gone out of its way to come to our shows, record our songs, play us on the radio, make us stage art̶and tell us we donʼt suck that bad, all for free or for mitigated fees,” observes Charlie Glenn (guitarist and vocalist) of local response to The Trillions, “You canʼt call that anything but notable support.” Last year, Glenn and two other mem‑ bers of now‑defunct Prabir and the Substitutes, Chris Smith (guitar and vocals) and Robbie King (bass) re‑ cruited drummer Joe Fergusson̶ formerly of The Awesome Few̶to form the The Trillions. The Trillions incorporate a broad ﬁeld of compositional and sty‑ listic inﬂuences, ranging from Led Zeppelin and The Flaming Lips to Stravinsky and Beethoven. “At the end of they day, though, it is rock and

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roll,” as Glenn describes it, “You know, loud guitars, crunchy bass, and big drums and ʻyeah, yeahs.ʼ” Partial to playing such local venues as Gallery 5, The Camel, and The Locker Room, The Trillions have added a novel visual dimension to their performances, presenting an illuminated display, designed speciﬁcally for their shows, which bassist Robbie King likens to, “an old Light Bright.” Coincidentally, all members of

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The Trillions were born in Canton, Ohio. Fergusson explains, “Actually, if you put a thumb tack on our birth‑ places, and trace in chronological order, it forms an upside down pen‑ tagram, centered in some parking lot near downtown Canton, Ohio, which is pretty interesting because there are only four members.” Still, The Trillions are a Rich‑ mond band, according to Glenn, “Weʼve played elsewhere, places with charm and verve, but it's evi‑

dent our roots are happiest in Rich‑ mond soil.” At the moment, The Trillions are working on an EP and are looking forward to playing more gigs along the East Coast and possibly produc‑ ing some videos. “And of course there will be more experiments with lighting and electricity,” King antici‑ pates, “It has been a great eﬀect to 'see' the music and we would like to tinker with what else we can come up with in that department.”

David Shultz

The Photosynthesizers Harnessing the individual talents and disciplines of seven varied artists, The Photosynthesiz‑ ers treat Richmond to an eclectic entertainment experience. “Each member of the band brings their influences to the table for songwriting: hip‑hop, rock, jazz, electronic, ambient, indie, classical,” explains Wade Puryear (keyboard, synthesizer), whose grandmother taught him to play piano when he was five years old. With a musical background in hip‑hop and soul, vocalist Barcodez (Maurice Jackson)̶ who performed at the Apollo when he was 17̶contributes not only his voice, but his lin‑ guistic acumen to the bandʼs performances. Also lending her voice to the mix is Samsun (Samantha Hewlett), who attributes her mu‑ sical skills to years of singing in church. “I was always the girl singing every vocal part or even telling my director when things were off key,” she recalls. Josh Bryant, a classically‑trained guitarist who has played both rock and jazz, joins Dr. Data (drums and turntable), Nick Tharpe (trapkit), and Mikemetic (bass) to round out the sound. Noting the groupʼs diversity, as well as the assortment of genres represented in Rich‑ mondʼs music scene, Mikemetic explains, “We synthesize all of that into our own brand of mu‑ sical expression, which we call, ʻtronic soulschool hip hop,ʼ and feed it to the people in a variety of different presentations.” Currently completing their new EP and preparing for an album release party to be held on October 16 at Gallery 5, The Photosynthesizers encourage Richmond to come out and show some support. “Donʼt sleep on us and miss out on your chance to witness greatness firsthand,” Bryant urges.

Brian Jones Drummer Brian Jones brings his musical passion to whatever project and genre he tackles. “There's no difference really. No matter what you are playing you have to approach it with total conviction and honesty,” Jones remarks. Jones, who grew up in Pittsburgh, took interest in jazz at a young age. “I started play‑ ing drums in 4th grade. My first influences were bands like Led Zeppelin and Rush. By the time I was in high school, I got into jazz and started studying with a drum set teacher at the University of Pittsburgh.” Drawn to Richmond in 1991 to study music at the University of Richmond, Jones has remained a steady figure in the local music community since, founding his Slang Sanctu‑ ary record label in 1999. According to Jones, current projects include “a ballads quartet, standards trio, and a percussion ensemble.” Jones also organizes the annual Musicircus, a tribute to John Cage. The September event, Jones explains, was inspired by a concert held in the UK in honor of the iconic, ex‑ perimental musicianʼs 90th birthday. Featuring a vast array of musical artists performing simultaneously throughout the Visual Arts Studio, it is also a celebration of local musicians. “I immediately thought Richmond would be a great place for a similar event because of the incredible talent and generous community of creative musicians in the city.” Jones performs at The Camel on the third Tuesday of each month and will appear at the Mingus Awareness Project at Center Stage's Rhythm Hall on Oct 24th.

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RVA Vibe: Music Matters

Will Thompson, Grant Hunnicutt, David Shultz and Jonathan Vassar

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With three albums already to his credit, Singer‑ Songwriter David Shultz of David Shultz and the Skyline is set to release a new album showcasing his latest project, Ophelia. The fruit of his collabo‑ ration with fellow indie folk Singer‑Songwriter Jonathan Vassar of Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird, the Ophelia album will debut at the Camel on November 21 and will be released on the Triple Stamp Records label. In Ophelia, Shultz and Vassar join creative forces and enlist the talents of Willis Thompson, drummer for Thao with the Get Down Stay Down and The Diamond Center and Grant Hunnicutt (bass, guitar, piano), currently with River City Band. “The four of us spent a few weeks rehearsing,” says Shultz, “and we recorded the bulk of the album over a long weekend at my wife's family's river house in Ophelia, Virginia.” A secondary project for each member, Ophe‑ lia performs compositions by both Shultz (vocals and guitar) and Vassar (vocals, guitar, harmonica, accordion). “We have a pretty laid back writing process,” Shultz explains. As compared to the Sky‑ line, “Ophelia is a bit more ﬂuid in its approach to writing music. It's melodic music, but a little more textured.” Of his dual projects, Shultz remarks, “Both bands are an absolute joy to play in.”

SONGFEST RJS Board of Directors – circa 1982 Standing: Randy Dillard, Khari Branch, Rick Stanley, J. Plunky Branch, Will Lowe Seated: Robert Payne, James Bracey, B. J. Brown, Pierre Ames

RVA VIBE: JAZZ Behind The Scenes at 2nd St. “Veteran Jazz vocalist Delores Mur‑ ray has been a god‑send in helping me with the Jazz Preservation Ini‑ tiative. For this yearʼs festival she gathered some remarkable musi‑ cians to perform as a reunion band, former members of the famous Bass Carrington Band. Louis William ʻBassʼ Carringtonʼs career lasted for over 60 years. He played with the great pianist Bud Powell and with the bands of Duke Elling‑ ton, Lionel Hampton and Count Basie. In Richmond, he served as mentor and teacher to countless musicians. Ms. Murray was chosen to succeed one of Carringtonʼs fa‑ vorite vocalists Herman Hawkins. Hawkins returned to Richmond to perform at the festival with the Legends. Hawkins is revered as a jazz and bebop singer and, at 80 years old, continues to perform in clubs in DC, Atlantic City and throughout the region.“

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Deep In Their Soul COMBINING EVENT PRODUCTION WITH MUSIC HISTORY AND EDUCATION, THE RICHMOND JAZZ SOCIETY IS A TOUCHSTONE OF THE REGIONʼS UNIQUE ROLE IN AMERICAN MUSIC. hen thousands of jazz fans enjoyed acts like the Robbie Cunning‑ ham Quintet, Delores Murray and Richmondʼs Legends of Jazz featuring Herman Hawkins, and the James “Saxsmo” Gates Quintet at the 2010 2nd Street Festival on the Joe Kennedy, Jr. stage (just one of four stages of entertainment) they had Venture Richmond and the Richmond Jazz Society (RJS) to thank for the two‑day

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line‑up of top acts. With a impressive record of providing acts to festivals to the organizationʼs credit, founding member and Executive Director B.J. Brown isnʼt resting on her laurels as she is busy with the organizationʼs education com‑ ponent as well as its ambitious eﬀorts to archive the regionʼs current and past jazz artists. Greater Richmond Grid caught up with her to talk about the festival and RJS progams.

How long has RJS been in‑ volved with the 2nd Street Festival? RJS has worked with the festival practically since the begin‑ ning̶with Nina Abady and Downtown Presents (now Ven‑ ture Richmond). RJS programs the music for the Joe Kennedy, Jr. Jazz Stage on Saturday and Sunday of the festival. The line‑ up features a variety of groups who love to entertain and who bring their own interpretation of Jazz music. Some of the groups are fes‑ tival favorites; some of them are newcomers and some are leg‑ endary for their contributions to jazz when Second Street was in its “heyday.” The styles range from

straight ahead and bebop to R&B and Smooth Jazz; to Swing; Caribbean and Gospel Jazz. This yearʼs line‑up was heavy on vocalists, but thereʼs some‑ thing for everyone.

ALL PHOTOS OF RICHMOND JAZZ SOCIETY COURTESY OF THE ORGANIZATION.

create their own music. The “Bright Moments Jazz Band” brings special joy to our seniors by allowing them to re‑live the music of their youth. The bands visit senior recreation and living facilities, as well as rehab cen‑ ters and even hospitals. In some places, many of the residents have memory loss or some form of dementia, but they always come alive when we visit them. The facility directors describe our performances as therapeu‑ tic for their clients. What is the RJS Jazz Preservation Initiative? When Joe Kennedy, Jr. passed away in 2004, it was really like a kick in the stomach to us. Kennedy had been our mentor On October 21st RJS will present trumpeter Gabriel Alegria and the Afro‑Peruvian Jazz Sextet.

Joe Kennedy Jr.

and advisor from the very be‑ ginning of RJS. He was instru‑ mental in teaching us about the jazz musicians who were awe‑ some when Richmond was known as “the Harlem of the South” like Bass Carrington, Milton Bell, “Jay Bird” and many others. In 2006 RJS honored nearly 50 musicians, singers, dancers, jazz club owners, pro‑ moters and others who had made their marks and deserved to get their roses while they could still smell them.

Whatʼs coming up for RJS? RJSʼ Guest Educators Series is a monthly performance series whose purpose is to give Rich‑ mond audiences an up‑close and personal look at the art form of jazz. To experience it in an intimate setting and to meet some of the musicians who are not only performing this uniquely American music but are carrying it to even greater heights. We are especially proud of our Virginia artists who are receiving critical ac‑ claim and we are equally ex‑ cited when we can present nationally and internationally recognized groups. Some winter events will feature fabulous women Jazz artists making names for them‑ selves on the Jazz Scene. Next up, on October 21st we will present trumpeter Gabriel Ale‑ gria and the Afro‑Peruvian Jazz Sextet. This group is currently on a US tour promoting its unique blend of jazz with African rhythms and the tradi‑ tional music of Peru! Who knows, world peace through jazz may not be a bad idea!

Click on www.vajazz.org www.venturerichmond.com

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RVA VIBE: Richmond Jazz Society

Can you talk a little bit about the “Bright Moments” jazz band and the “Make Music With Me Band” outreach programs? RJSʼ outreach programs are de‑ signed to address two of the most underserved audiences in our community̶our young children and our senior citizens. Both programs are interactive in that the audiences partici‑ pate with the musicians. The “Make Music With Me Band” introduces the youngest audiences to jazz by allowing them to take a simple nursery rhyme or childrenʼs song and make it into a jazz tune. They learn how to “improvise” and

Joe Kennedy Jr. (violinist) with RJS advisor pianist and educator Dr. Billy Taylor.

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How do you determine who will play? Are programs developed thematically? Some groups get a spot because their fan bases are huge! Some of these fans come to the stage early in the morning to get a good seat to see their favorites. I especially like to introduce au‑ diences to fresh; emerging Vir‑ ginia artists, and to present women who perform jazz. And there is always a spot for our veteran Jazz musicians, some of whom are in their 70ʼs or above, but can still “out‑ swing” anybody in their path. Most years the stages are not thematically planned; ex‑ cept in 2004 when the Jazz Stage was oﬃcially renamed in honor of Richmondʼs educa‑ tor/violin virtuoso Joe Kennedy, Jr. That year RJS programmed both the main stage and the Jazz Stage featuring colleagues and students of Joe Kennedy. There was even a parade of Kennedyʼs former student musi‑ cians, majorettes and drum ma‑ jors from his Maggie Walker High School marching bands.

Many of those “pioneers” encouraged us to record their stories so that our childrenʼs childrenʼs children would have a permanent record of what they had done. We lost a few of those mu‑ sicians before the project started but to date we have suc‑ cessfully videotaped over 40 of them; documenting their sto‑ ries, and preserving their pho‑ tos and mementos. We have amassed so much information! We will use it to produce a re‑ source book and timeline of Richmondʼs jazz history; and, accompany it with a DVD fea‑ turing their interviews and per‑ formances. Itʼs a huge project, but it is a labor of love.

GLITZ & GLAM

Notes from an EasyandElegantLife.com

The Way You Wear Your Hat Hats are back and I, as the owner of a half dozen or so, am happy to see them. But Iʼve noticed that the etiquette of hat wearing doesnʼt seem to have been revived among the stylish. Hats today are worn as part of “a look” and as such are too often kept permanently in place. Re‑ moving your hat or cap is a sign of respect. The tra‑ dition started with ar‑ moured knights who raised their visors to iden‑ tify friend or foe. Servers were required to doﬀ their hats to show defer‑ ence to patrons during the Middle Ages. These days, weʼve got it easier. Herewith, a tip of the hat to Mr. Sinatra and all those men who came before who knew these few, simple rules.

BY CHRIS COX

Upon introduc‑ tion to a woman, a man takes his hat off. If it is exception‑ ally cold or raining, he may tip his hat to her instead.

A select few of the authorʼs fall and winter hats and caps.

polite to remove your hat in one, certainly if you are seated with a lady. In restaurants or at the table, you do not wear a hat. If there is no hat rack or hat check person, store it under your seat, crown down or next to you on an empty seat. It does not go onto the Removing your table. In stores (or hat or cap is a other public spaces) sign of respect. you may keep your caps and hats on. The tradition Please hold your started with hat against your chest armoured in a crowded elevator. Remove your hat knights who and hold it over your raised their during the Na‑ visors to identify heart tional Anthem. friend or foe. It is polite to re‑ move your hat when a Upon entering funeral procession passes. a building, remove When in doubt, take off your hat. Exceptions your cover. were made for stores Chris Coxʼs blog is devoted to ʻthe and bars in the past. search for everyday elegance and a Now that women are study of the art of living well.ʼ permitted in bars, it is

What’s Kyra Wearing? I just got back from New Yorkʼs Fashion Week (more on this in a sec), and found myself in search of a casual yet sexy outfit for the fall. Even though Fash‑ ion Week is about I love the next season, it What about this gets the juices flow‑ top is the ing and the thirst for back! It is totally whatʼs hot now. cut out... If you havenʼt stepped into Fabʼrik (3018 West Cary Street), take a few minutes to see the “ready to wear.” It is a place to find that cute little top to go with a pair of denim leggings̶a perfect mix for the fall. Add some nude booties and a bracelet to complete the ensemble. I am wearing a Glam split sleeve top ($68). What I love about this top is the back! It is totally cut out, yet because the garment is loose fitting, it is still very appro‑ priate for brunch, dinner or evening cocktails anywhere. The William Rast Leggings

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($155) compliment the top. When wearing a loose top, con‑ sider leggings or skinny jeans to add a ﬂattering contrast. Try on the Michael An‑ tonio basket weave booties ($62). They go with anything! The turquoise drop earrings ($18) and tribal bracelet ($22) add a nice touch. Include the Golden‑ stella tote with stud trim ($60) and youʼre done! Fashion Week, held September 9‑ 16, 2010 premiering at Lincoln Center and throughout the Lower East Side and Chelsea, has come and gone, but the influ‑ ences are there for next spring. Garments were aflow, literally, with cut outs and layers found on the runway. Wispy and solid gave a sense of freedom with confi‑ dence. Neutrals. Booties. Lots of

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BY KYRA OLIVER

Nicole Miller: Lots of booties with everything.

booties with everything. I saw Nicole Miller in a new way. The past few seasons have included lots of ruching and ﬁtted garments. The spring presents her, the woman, in longer skirts with layers of light fabrics and cut out sweaters, mainly revealing the back. Interesting how she cap‑ tures this formal and elegant, yet sexy feeling in the front, then a surprise awaits you when the woman turns. Soho was swarming with

“after‑party after party.” Chanel had a “black carpet” wrapping the entire store on the sidewalks of the lower east side. Later in the evening, I passed back by the Chanel store to find men in suits carefully scrubbing the shiny mar‑ ble floors from the scuffs obtained throughout Fashionʼs Night Out held on September 9th. On Saturday night, I found myself at the Kardashian swimsuit party. The after‑party was on Mer‑ cer Street and you had to be on the guest list or you were not walking the red carpet. Shortly after arrival, models were tower‑ ing the crowd from the stage giv‑ ing us a preview of the collection. The line flaunts lots of straps, jewels and string ties adorned with crystals and lace. I love the ruching on the bikini bottoms and the one piece suits with straps crossing the front of the body were very sexy. Dress well always. Kyra Oliver is an entrepreneur, phi‑ lanthropist and a runner who is pas‑ sionate about her environment, from what she is wearing, to where she is wearing it.

Chris Cox

Kyra Oliver

Establishing Shot: paintings by Josh George. The show runs through October 30th at Ghostprint Gallery (220 W Broad Street).

Exhibitions & Performances

1708 Galleryʼs InLight Richmond 2010 will kick‑oﬀ with a Community Lantern Parade at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 22nd in Richmondʼs historic Shockoe Slip.

Henley Street Theatre and Richmond Shakespeare present: The Winterʼs Tale Leontes has everything: Power, wealth and a loving family. How‑ ever, when he is struck with a sudden, all‑ consuming jealousy, he lashes out, losing everything. Sixteen years later, he re‑ ceives something that most people never get: a second chance. The Winterʼs Tale is a dazzling and compassionate saga known for its masterful blending of the tragic, comic and spiritual. Dec. 4 ‑31, 2010 Student Shows: Dec 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17 at 10 a.m. Gottwald Playhouse at Richmond CenterStage 600 E. Grace St. Box Oﬃce ‑ (804) 340‑0115 www.HenleyStreetTheatre.org www.RichmondShakespeare.com

The Beach Pictures by Eleanor Rufty and Tell Me Again, The World Will Be Beautiful by Alyssa Salomon at the Page Bond Gallery (1625 West Main Street). Runs through October 30th. Rufty uses pastels paralleling the elu‑ sive quality of visual recall. Salomon uses nineteenth century photographic processes as a call to inactive action. Justice as a Human Creation by Alvaro Ibanez at Art Works (320 Hull Street). Runs from October 22nd through November 20th. Inspired by his teacher, David Manzur, and artists DaVinci, Dali, and Van Gogh, Ibanez espresses his love of life and beauty through a broad range of realism to surrealism, a few inches to many feet, and with themes run‑ ning the gamut of human experience and going beyond into the realm of myth.

Dance on Camera Film Screening at Grace Street Theater on October 26. This evening of dance ﬁlms created by in‑ ternational artists represents an intrigu‑ ing range of approaches to the hybrid art form of videodance. R I C H M O N D

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The Power of the Orisha: Helene Ruiz' curation of paintings by various artists explores visual in‑ terpretations of the Orisha that represent Yoruba origins of thought and spiritual practice in West Africa as well as its inﬂuences and practices in the Americas. Opens in October and runs through De‑ cember 31st. Elegba Folklore Societyʼs Cultural Center, (101 East Broad Street).

EXHIBITIONS & PERFORMANCES

New Work by David Rohrer at Eric Schindler Gallery (2305 East Broad Street). Opening recep‑ tion Friday, October 15th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Show runs through November 13th.

Tyler Thomas “Pen and Paper” at Gallery5 (200 West Mar‑ shall Street). On display until October 23rd. Over the past couple of years, Tyler Thomas has been drawing Beta Mon Birds and a plethora of other creatures and humans that would be at home in a psychedelic world. Thomasʼs work has been featured on many local bandʼs merchandise (Dead to Me, Brainworms, and Mouthbreather) and has collabo‑ rated with friends and fellow artists Adam Juresko and Jim Callahan. Pen and Paper showcases some of Thomasʼ more stripped down and raw images. His work has been com‑ pared to Maurice Sendakʼs llustrations in Where the Wild Things Are. ʻSimply Barbraʼ October 22nd and 23rd at the Richmond Triangle Play‑ ers (1300 Altamont Avenue) Steven Brinberg is Simply Barbra̶A two time MAC and Bistro Award winner, he has recorded two CDs Simply Bar‑ bra Live in London and Simply Bar‑ bra: The Duets Album, in which he sings with Karen Mason, Mimi Hines, Kaye Ballard and many others.

Altria Masterworks Rachmaninoﬀ & Stravinsky at the Carpenter Theatre October 16th and 17th, the Richmond Symphony features pianist Dmitri Shteinberg, the 2010‑11 Florence Robertson Givens Guest Artist. Performances will include Dukasʼ La Péri: Fanfare, Debussy/Ravelʼs Sarabande and Danse Stravinskyʼs Firebird Suite (1919) and Rachmaninoﬀʼs Piano Concerto No. 3.

Russell/Projects (0 east 4th street, #44) presents Claire Stiglaini: ʻLet Them Eat Cakeʼ and Aaron McIntosh: ʻMan Shyʼ from October 22nd through December 8th.

Richmond Ballet at the Studio Theatre (600 East Grace Street) revives one of the most beloved works by John Butler, After Eden. Providing a glimpse into the Garden of Eden after the fall of Adam and Eve, After Eden is an evocatively sensual study of the original man and woman, and features Butlerʼs in‑ novative choreographic combination of ballet and modern technique. At its core a story about love and forgiveness, Butlerʼs message is as relevant today as it was when the ballet was first performed in 1966. Runs November 4th through the 14th.

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Giuseppe Verdiʼs Rigoletto will be performed October 22nd and 24th by the Vir‑ ginia Opera at the Carpen‑ ter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage (600 East Grace Street). Torn be‑ tween a servantʼs bitter‑ ness and a fatherʼs love, Rigoletto discovers that revenge is a double‑edged sword. Virginia Opera fea‑ tures a free pre‑opera dis‑ cussion 45 minutes before each opera performance by Dr. Glenn Winters, Vir‑ ginia Opera's Community Musical Outreach Director.

Reﬂections On The Shenandoah: Christopher Stephens at Red Door Gallery (1607 West Main Street). Show runs through October 23rd.

Imaging South Africa: Collection Projects by Siemon Allen at the An‑ derson Gallery (907½ West Franklin Street). On display until October 31st. The show examines the changing image of South Africa through a series of expansive installations. Filling all three ﬂoors of the Ander‑ son Gallery, this exhibition oﬀers the most comprehensive presenta‑ tion to date of Richmond‑based, South African artist Siemon Allenʼs collection projects.

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artspace Membersʼ Exhibits will feature Nicholas Can‑ delaʼs “Beating Back Baby‑ lon,” Bruce Mortonʼs “Lost Homes,”and Sharmon David‑ sonʼs “Transformations” Octo‑ ber 22nd through November 21st. The gallery is located at Zero East 4th Street.

The Gallery at UNOS (700 North 4th Street ) opened to the public on September 3rd. The premiere exhibit will be on display through Oc‑ tober 30th. This ﬁrst show features the work of Dr. W. Baxter Perkin‑ son, Jr. who has painted 15,000 pieces of art during the last 30 years. In lieu of selling his work, Perkinson donates the majority of his work to local charities.

New Works by Dave Bruner at glave kocen Gallery (1620 West Main Street). Show runs through November 2nd.

Limited Reading Required at Main Art Gallery (1537 West Main Street). On display until October 30th. “Limited Reading Required” is a collection of pop‑up, movable and sculptural books that is derived more from the visual component of the paper engineering rather than the printed word. A dozen artists (several from the Richmond area) who have either worked in the sculptural book arts or who create work which would naturally lend itself to the form have been in‑ vited to participate. Works are either original or in a limited edition rather than professionally published. The goal is to showcase the variety of subject matter and sculptural styles but just as importantly the in‑ tense technical craftsmanship and necessary atten‑ tion to detail.

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Exhibitions & Performances

Vadis Turner “Last Dowery” at Quirk (311 West Broad Street). On dis‑ play until October 23rd. Enamored with the legacy of handmade objects that mature from heirlooms to artifacts, Turner explores history, self, fam‑ ily, and culture in the fabrics and handmade objects she collects, ma‑ nipulates, and creates. She explains, “I am developing a collection of contemporary hierlooms that will ultimately compose my Dowry. The works re‑imagine conventional handicrafts, rites of passage and gender roles to represent the values of my generation. Traditionally exchanged for societal advancement through marriage, my Dowry will be sold or traded for professional gain.”

PAGEVIEWS

Richmond Famous IT ʼS

NO SECRET THAT RICHMONDERS, AND THOU‑ SANDS OF YEARLY VISITORS, HAVE A PARTICULAR FONDNESS FOR HERITAGE AND TRADITION. HISTORY LOVERS COME TO TOUR BATTLEGROUNDS AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS OF BYGONE ERAS̶AND RICHMONDERS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO HOMETOWN MERCHANTS . T O CELEBRATE THAT LOVE OF THE PAST, GREATER RICHMOND GRID TAKES A LOOK AT TWO NEW TOMES THAT TAKE ON THE DIFFICULT TASK OF CAPTURING THE EXCITEMENT OF HISTORY BE ‑ TWEEN THE PAGES OF A BOOK. REVIEW BY DAVID SMITHERMAN

irst up is Elizabeth Thal‑ himer Smartt who spent twelve years and count‑ less research hours writing Finding Thalhimer: One womanʼs obsessive quest for the true story of her family and their beloved department store. The book alternates between chapters detailing the 150‑year genealogy of the German‑Jewish immigrants and Smarttʼs own story of “growing up Thalhimer.” Smartt keeps the writing simple, but sharp, with some humor sprinkled in for good measure. While the mem‑ oir section of the story covers a lot of territory (col‑ lege life, ﬁnding jobs, living in New York, leav‑ ing after 9/11, marriage pro‑ posal), the book hits its stride when focusing on the turbulent retail journey starting with the ﬁrst dry good shop that opened in Shockoe Bottom in 1842 and ending with the demolition of the iconic store in downtown Richmond. In one particularly timely section, the author revisits 1974 and the “worst recession in decades” and notes that despite it all Thalhimers still managed to increase sales by 9% (al‑

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though itʼs not clear how). And it was not at all surprising that they celebrated reaching the $100 million sales mark by giv‑ ing all employees an extra week of paid vacation̶further estab‑ lishing their reputation as a company that fostered excep‑ tional employee relations. The book is sprinkled with interesting black‑and‑white pho‑ tos that show pivotal moments in Thalhimer (and Richmond) history such as a horse‑drawn carriage with “Thal‑ himer Bros.” painted on the side. Toward the end, the story of the ﬁnal days of the store are intertwined with the authorʼs grandfather passing away, and ultimately the birth of her own child. Finding Thal‑ himer provides a mostly positive, but ultimately satisfying chronicle of one of the cityʼs most admired and cherished re‑ tail institutions.

These black-and-white pictures show a fresh side of history in the Capital City. pect to see of Richmond. These black‑and‑white pictures show a fresh side of history in the Cap‑ ital City. The writers make the important point that photos are less subjective than words when portraying history. The images speak for themselves. These oversized photo‑ graphs are accompanied by a sentence or two of text to help place the date and location of

the image. Subject matter ranges from a 1950s art festival in Byrd Park to Regency Square Mall in 1975. Thereʼs even a photo of a “health spa” in the early 1970s that would equate to a ﬁtness club today. With this well‑thought‑out coﬀee table book, readers might come to ap‑ preciate a quieter side of Rich‑ mond history and re‑live some memories at the same time.

You may have written a classic. But if no one has heard of it,

does it exist? Books won’t sell without promotion.

Historic Photos of Rich‑ mond in the 50s, 60s, and 70s by Emily J. and John S. Salmon gets the award for most obvious title, but at least readers know exactly what they are getting. Or do they? These are not the more fa‑ miliar photos that one might ex‑

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