Aug. 24, 2016
Scholar of the Week - Maya Johnson
Entrepreneur’s Road Map: From idea to marketplace Broderick Thomas, Founder of Bizibibb
Richmond City Health Department is getting Richmond kids ready with early vaccinations for school The Richmond City Health Department’s annual Back to School Event for Richmond residents is Friday, August 26th, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Health Department Clinic located at 400 East Cary Street. For easier access to the clinic, use the Main Street entrance located at the corner of 4th and Main Streets. No appointment is needed and walk-ins are welcome. All vaccinations for daycare and schoolentry will be available along with the required Tdap booster shot for rising 6th graders. Parents are reminded that 6th
graders will not be allowed to attend class without documentation/proof showing that they have received a Tdap vaccination. Also, free physicals for school-entry and Head-Start as well as sports physicals for middle and high school students will be provided in partnership with the VCU School of Nursing. Parents must bring their child’s shot record and insurance card, if they have insurance. For more information call 482-5500 or visit www.RCHD.com.
Richmond City Health District
to-School Back-EVENT ! 400 EAST CARY STREET
For City of Richmond residents
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26th 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Walk-in: no appointment needed!
Vaccinations and physicals for daycare, & elementary school-entry
Tdap shots for 6th graders
Sports Physicals for middle & high-school
Civic Beat FUNdraising Good Times
Five guidelines for managing nonprofit funds Part two of a two-part series: An interview with Leland Faust
in particular. Here’s what he shared with us.
What would you do if you were responsible for reviewing financial management policies for your nonprofit? What would you do if asked to vote on a change of investment firms? What questions would you ask?
1. “There are, of course, many important factors in managing endowment funds. First and foremost: the manager must be a fiduciary. That is, the manager must be required by law to put the client’s interest ahead of its own. This is really the golden rule: client first, no excuses.”
These are issues nonprofits grapple with all the time. Some of us have experience in the realm of investment selection and fund management. Most of us do not. One person who is experienced as both a nonprofit board member and an investment advisor is Leland Faust. Faust has been nationally recognized four times by Barron’s as one of the country’s top 100 independent advisors. He is also the author of the forthcoming book A Capitalist’s Lament: How Wall Street Is Fleecing You and Ruining America.
"manager must be required by law to put the client’s interest ahead of its own."
We asked Faust to share the five most important things nonprofit boards and CEOs should be aware of as it relates to management of funds in general, and investment of endowment or reserve fund,
Use the Main Street entrance for direct entry into the clinic
VOL. 9, ISSUE 34
Ask us how: (804) 441-6255 2
Urban Views Weekly | August 24, 2016
3. “Don’t invest in hedge funds, options, or derivatives, and don’t engage in short sales. Nonprofits should invest for the long term and not participate in gambling disguised as investing.” continues to page 10
Ervin B. Clarke, Publisher publisher@urbanviewsweekly.com
PARENTS: please bring your child’s shot records and insurance card. CALL 482-5500 for information
Let’s talk about growing your business.
2. “Don’t pay layer upon layer of fees. Are you paying a consultant, and an investment advisor, and a fund of fund manager, and a private equity manager? If you are, you can easily be paying 4% annual fees plus as much as 25% of profits. If a conservative and uncomplicated investment program would yield 5%, a complicated structure subject to all these fees would have to earn over 11% to have the same performance. Over time that’s essentially impossible if the investments are all equally risky.”
Urban Views Weekly, LLC 6802 Paragon Place, Suite 410 Richmond, VA 23230 Office: (804) 441-6255 Fax: (888) 439-2534
Flora C. Clarke, Administrative Assistant flora@urbanviewsweekly.com Shelia O. Spurlock-Shaw, Advertising shelia@urbanviewsweekly.com Nickkol Lewis, Art Director Visual Appeal, LLC | visualappealstudio.com www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com
Scholar of the Week
By Janeal Downs
Ever since she was little, Maya Johnson has had an “obsession with reading.” She loved reading so much that there would be times that she would sneak books with her wherever she went and her mother would find them. Even as a senior in high school, reading is still one of Maya’s favorite hobbies. She mostly likes to read fiction books. “My love for reading helped me a lot in school and made topics, questions and discussions that were hard for most students easy for me,” Maya wrote in an essay. Growing up in a big household with four other siblings, reading was her escape from her “ever-noisy surroundings.”
Maya Johnson of Huguenot High School GPA: 3.7 College of Interest: University of Richmond or Virginia Tech University Major Community Service: Community Outreach Ministry, Future Leaders Council Strong Interests: Math Favorite Activities: Reading and Cooking
the fact that they are both in Virginia, she is also impressed by their business schools. While she is still in high school, Maya stays active as a volunteer for the Community Outreach Ministry, serves on the executive board of the Mayors Youth Academy Future Leaders Council, and she is also the president of her school’s Future Business Leaders of America organization. With the Community Outreach Ministry, Maya usually works in the child care section which she said has helped her learn how to interact with different age groups other than her little brothers and sisters. “I’m a hard worker and I’m really invested in my community and making a difference,” Maya said. One example of this is her work with the Future Leaders Council where they are working on presenting a plan to the mayor about working to fight poverty in Richmond. In her ™ spare time, Maya still enjoys reading Week but she also likes to cook.
Scholar0
Because reading helped her in school, she also began to notice her talents with certain subjects, in particular math. While other kids were complaining about the subjects, she was able to make connections and underof the stand the mathematical methods. “One thing that I learned that always stood out to me was when money was first introduced to me,” Maya stated. “On television money seemed like the most important thing to people.” Seeing her mother struggle financially and Maya’s interest in math and money is what influenced her to pursue a career where she could use her talents and support her family. She plans to continue her education by going to college and studying to become an actuary or an investment banker.
To further her education, Maya’s two top choices of college are the University of Richmond and Virginia Tech University. Other than
With plans of working in the business field, Maya’s main goal is to be happy. “I know I’ll be successful in everything as long as I’m happy.” One of her biggest influences is her mother. As a single mother of five, seeing her struggle and her strength, made Maya want to be able to take care of everybody. Although her mom always told her that “money doesn’t buy happiness and no amount would ever be as important to her as her children,” Maya hopes to enter the business world to help make a difference for her family and also in the community.
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ViewPoints
By Dr. T
Is RAPE a Crime or NOT? It appears that the answer is NOT. If the most recent high profile cases of acquaintance rape on university campuses are any indication, then rape is not the crime it is purported to be. And the so-called “justice” handed down is far more sympathetic to the perpetrators than it is to the victims. Two years ago, Austin Wilkerson promised friends of a fellow University of Colorado-Boulder student, who was under the influence of alcohol, that he’d make sure she got home okay. Instead, he raped her, while she drifted in and out of consciousness, and then lied about what he had done.
Unbelievable. The Rapist was afforded MORE consideration than the woman who was raped. This case can be compared to the recent Stanford University case where Brock Turner, a student, was found guilty of three felony sexual assault charges and sentenced to just six months in jail with three years probation. Again, alcohol was involved and the student victim was unconscious during the rape and assault. In Nashville, Tennessee, two former Vanderbilt football players who were convicted in January of raping an unconscious fellow student have been released from jail on bond. In all of these cases, family and friends vehemently defended these convicted rapists. They all appealed to the Court for leniency. In the case of Austin Wilkerson, friends and family claimed that the crime was a “traumatic incident” for him. They asked the judge to consider that Wilkerson has a promising future, and that he should not be defined by this one “incident.” In all of these cases, the judges went outside of the recommended guidelines in order to exercise their judicial prerogative in favor of the convicted rapist instead of the traumatized victims. In all of these cases, and many more like them, “justice” was arbitrary and the trauma, violence and physical and psychological humiliation inflicted upon the victims of these rapes was NOT considered as important or qualitatively equivalent to the lives and future viability of the men who assaulted and raped them.
In the past weeks, Wilkerson, 22, was convicted of sexual assault of a helpless victim and unlawful sexual contact. The law said he should face a possible prison sentence of four years to life. However, a judge in Boulder, Colorado, instead of meting out punishment in line with the sentencing guidelines, decided to sentence Wilkerson to two years on work release and 20 years probation. Work release prescribes that Austin Wilkerson is basically “free” to leave the jail each day for daily activities related to work and worker training and then return to the jail each evening to spend the night. A type of “jail sleepover!” What? Yes, Judge Patrick Butler said he “struggled with the idea of putting Wilkerson behind bars” mainly because he didn’t know that any great result would come of it for anybody. The Judge said he realized Mr. Wilkerson deserved to be punished, but his concern was whether or not Wilkerson could be rehabilitated. That was the Judge’s concern? What Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D. about the victim of this heinous crime? What about her life, her prospects for success and rehabilitation? By the attitude Founder and Artistic Director and pronouncement of Judge Butler, RAPE was less of the The Conciliation Project and Associate Professor crime in this case than whether or not the life of the Rapist Virginia Commonwealth University would be irreparably damaged by sentencing him to jail time DrT@Margins2theCenter.com | www.theconciliationproject.org in accordance with the recommended sentencing guidelines.
TanyaFree.com/ Urban Views Weekly Poll California has raised the smoking age from 18 to 21, restricted the use of electronic cigarettes in public places and expanded no-smoking areas at public schools. California is the second state in the nation to raise the tobacco age to 21, following Hawaii.
What’s your take? Will this law reduce underage smoking, and do you support raising the smoking age to 21 nationally? Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2pm on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com. You can now watch us LIVE at TanyaFree.com and ustream.tv
This must not be allowed to Stand. The victimization of women and girls MUST end. In a civilized society that touts itself as the world’s “last best hope” for peace, justice and equality, women and girls must be valued, respected and given the fullness of citizenship that requires equal pay, equal access and equal JUSTICE. Either RAPE is a crime or it is NOT.
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Urban Views Weekly | August 24, 2016
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America’s largest black-owned gift company is celebrating its 25th year with the release of their 2016 Holiday Fundraiser catalog! As African American Expressions embarks on its 25th anniversary in business, they are proud to release their 2016 Holiday catalog filled with over 60 never-before seen products! On top of these new goods, they continue to offer an array of gifts featuring various images that are in honor of, and inspired by, African American culture, style, and deeply rich heritage. What started as a home-based company with only three Christmas cards, over two decades ago, has flourished into a prosperous company offering over 600 products to customers around the world. Whether you are looking for something that brightens your home like a vibrant piece of canvas art from world renowned artist DD Ike, or the perfect gift for any woman in your life that deserves to be treated royally, such as a woven tote bag from our new Queen collection, African American Expressions has taken pride in becoming a veritable one-stop shop for any of your gifting needs. What AAE offers, however, goes deeper
ourselves, instead of the way the companies see us.” — Greg Perkins.
than just having a wide range of products. “I started the company with the idea that we could do better than what other companies were doing by creating cards and products the way we [African Americans] see
For as long as it has been around, Gregory Perkins, owner and founder of AAE, has wanted the company to be about more than just a profit, which is why AAE has made each and every one of their products – from Christmas cards, wall calendars, figurines, home decor, and so much more – available to sell as a fundraising program! Since its inception, African American Expressions has generated millions of dollars for hundreds of schools, churches and other varying organizations across the country, as well as benefited countless individuals who have used the program since 1991. By making these products readily available for any and everyone to sell, African American Expressions is able to provide money back into the communities that need it most. To ensure that customers get their catalogs early, African American Expressions strongly suggests that customers Continues to Page 11
If someone looks like this, it could be a stroke. When one side of someone’s face droops, they could be exhibiting signs of a stroke. Don’t hesitate. Call 911 and get them to the nearest hospital immediately. About a third of stroke patients at VCU Medical Center have been transferred from other hospitals. Our Stroke Alert team ensures the fastest diagnosis and initiation of treatment, giving you the best chance for the best outcome following a stroke. Our interdisciplinary Stroke Program has the only Hybrid Suite in the region and can provide care for the most complex stroke cases, including pediatric stroke patients.
VCU-Stroke.com
www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com
Know all of stroke’s warning signs and be ready to act F.A.S.T.
F — Face drooping A — Arm weakness S — Speech difficulty T — Time to call 9-1-1 Urban Views Weekly | August 24, 2016
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Trust the Process: The Founder of BiziBibb Det Behind every successful business is a team who’s dedicated their work to ensuring its success. Whether a simple concept, a small product, or an easy service, developing a finished product to be enjoyed by the masses requires a rigorous process. Underneath your favorite brand’s logo, you’ll find a Rubix Cube of paperwork, ideas, and team members that, when shifted just right, make up the finished products we know and love.
even looking to make money! His sole purpose was to protect his shirt collection, which he, like many businessmen, takes very seriously. Now, with a fully launched website and a growing demand, he’s able to help other businessmen enjoy their power lunches without sacrificing their attire. Most importantly, they don’t have to look ridiculous doing it.
Broderick Thomas, Founder of BiziBibb, Though producing the very first Broderick Thomas knows this process all too well. What BiziBibb had a quick turnaround started out as a personal need to protect his shirts during time, Thomas stresses the importance of remaining business lunches turned into a fully-formed product patient and doing the necessary research before jumping dedicated to saving the shirts of businessmen everywhere. into a business venture. The process wasn’t easy, though, and it required time, “My first step was to write a good business plan,” he says. money, resources, and a team of professionals in order “That’s always critical, even if you’re not trying to make to bring his vision to fruition. But the end result—a money. Business plans give you the ability to think the waterproof bib made in the likeness of a business shirt— process out in your own mind and put it on paper. As you made a lane for itself in a $29 billion dress shirt industry. re-read it, you’re able to make adjustments and rework “I’ve always been sloppy when it comes to eating,” he your ideas.” explains. “One Friday, my sales team As Thomas wrote his business plan, and I went to Buzz & Ned’s, but I had he asked himself key questions a sales appointment that afternoon that would inform his process and still had to dress in my white moving forward. He asked questions shirt and jacket. So I brought a big like does this product even make black t-shirt to put on over my dress sense? What kind of money could I shirt so I wouldn’t waste sauce on actually make? It’s crucial that when myself, and my coworkers made creating a business plan, you remain fun of me. I instantly thought, ‘Well, realistic about what to expect. Decide would it be better if it actually who your target market is, what the looked like the same shirt I was demand will be, and get familiar with wearing?’” the industry you’re entering. Here’s That evening, Thomas went home where the months and months of and began cutting away at a shirt research come in. Research allows he found tucked away in his closet. you to learn so much more about your He removed most of its parts, and market and potential opportunities for had the dry cleaners sew on a waterproof material he growth. bought from Jo-Ann Fabrics. He wore his new creation to “I didn’t know this at the time, but the industry for men’s power lunches and happy hours, and over the course of dress shirts is a $29 billion industry in the U.S. alone,” a couple years, caught the eye of waitresses who believed explains Thomas. “Dress shirts are to men what shoes it was a serious money-maker. The best part? He wasn’t 6
Urban Views Weekly | August 24, 2016
“...trust the process, stay i are to women. And especially with men in a professional environment—their shirts are important to them.” Thomas spent six months conducting research about clothing manufacturers, consulting with people already working in the field, and incorporating the counsel of those in his network every step of the way. The planning and research required for this type of project—and any new business venture—is critical, no matter how intense and exhaustive it becomes. After completing the business plan and researching the industry, Thomas focused on the patenting process. Soon, he was working with manufacturers to bring his idea to life. A common trend throughout the early stages of BiziBibb is Thomas’ willingness to ask for help. He knew that he
tails the Journey from Idea to Finished Product
By Janna M. Hall
customers he wanted to attract, and developed a strategy to make it all happen. Each member brought to the table a wealth of knowledge that helped transform a simple product into a brand, complete with creative messaging and a distinct image.
informed, and persevere.” couldn’t do it alone, and like any smart businessman, he identified his strengths and weaknesses and brought others on to build a powerhouse team. “Know that you can’t do it all alone,” he stresses. “Ask lots of questions.” Fortunately for Thomas, his position as Digital Sales Director of the Richmond Times Dispatch afforded him a built-in network of industry professionals who recommended people to add to his team. He hired web designers, content writers who help with Google placement and search engine optimization (SEO), and hired a brand designer to create the BiziBibb logo and a package of marketing materials. With this team, he established a strong brand image, decided the exact
Finally, it was launch time. On May 18th, almost a year after beginning his initial research for BiziBibb, Thomas invited media, restaurant owners, and local linen companies to view his latest invention at C Street restaurant in Carytown. He performed demonstrations of the product, squirting sauce on the BiziBibb a friend wore over his $200 Brooks Brothers shirt, proving that this waterproof product can protect your clothes in ways that the standard restaurant napkin cannot. The launch party allowed guests to view the official website which launched that evening, and provided the opportunity for Thomas to speak directly with influencers in the industry. He earned features in Style Weekly and the Richmond Times-Dispatch, catapulting him into a market beyond the 20-25 guests who attended that evening. Like every journey to greatness, you’re bound to encounter obstacles along the way. For Thomas, that obstacle was money, and he stresses that it’s a roadblock many will encounter. “Unless you can find a good investor or want to take out a large loan from the bank, start small and utilize what you have,” he advises. “If I had the ability to launch a $50,000 marketing campaign, we would’ve. But we didn’t, so we started out testing with things that were free and readily available to us.”
After spending $1,500 of his own money on the first batch of BiziBibbs, Thomas strategized to see how much more he could contribute before getting revenue. He advises all entrepreneurs to make these types of assessments and think realistically about how long they can sustain on what they’re making (or not making) before exploring another option. That other option may be finding investors. An avid Shark Tank watcher, Thomas knows that it’s best to begin your hunt for investors with family and friends. Show them what you’re doing and know exactly how much you need before asking for anything. Attending Chamber of Commerce socials and Retail Merchants Associations are also ways to connect with potential investors. The people you’ll meet at those events are already in business and can provide insight on where to find funding. Above all, make yourself visible. With visibility comes the increased chance you’ll attract the people most interested in what you’re doing. When starting a business, there’s always more information to learn, more people to meet, more tactics to add to your strategy. As a business owner, you’re never finished developing your brand, and therefore should always be open to growth. And though the journey is often a long, tiring one, Thomas advises everyone to trust the process, stay informed, and persevere. “Be patient,” he advises. “Starting a business doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s not something you want to rush into. Avoid “Get Rich Quick” schemes. The months I spent researching—what I wanted to do, how my product fit into the industry, revenue and expenditures, etc.—resulted in me having the most successful business I’ve ever had. So don’t give up because it doesn’t work right away. There are lots of pieces that you have to figure out to put the puzzle together. Be patient, take your time, and stick with it.” www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com
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By Olivia Carey
Happenings The Happenings is a compilation of things to do in the cultural hub of RVA. Some events will be traditional urban offerings, and some more eclectic. All of them give us the opportunity to broaden the horizons of entertainment with art, music, and history. Olivia Carey is a rising senior at Mills E. Godwin High School.
Wed., August 24 Auguste Rodin at Modlin Center for the Arts French sculptor Auguste Rodin is famous for the realism and motion that he was able to capture in his works. Rodin sculpted as he saw people – individual, different. “Rodin, The Human Experience: Selection from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Collections” brings Rodin to the city through the University of Richmond. Pieces like “Saint John the Baptist Preaching,” “Monumental Torso of the Walking Man,” and select work from “The Gates of Hell” will be included, among others. On Wednesday, visit the exhibit for a piano duet by Joanne Kong and Paul Hanson from the University of Richmond Department of Music, and a lecture on Rodin from Executive Director of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, Judith Sobol. This exhibit is open until December 4 When: 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Where: 28 Westhampton Way, University of Richmond, VA 23173 Cost: Free hcampbel@richmond.edu (Heather Campbell; Curator of Museum Programs) 804.289.8000 museums.richmond.edu
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Thursday, August 25 Matisyahu at The Broadberry Matisyahu means “Gift of God” in Hebrew. In a musical context, he’s a vocalist who blends dancehall reggae with the style of a hazzan, a Jewish musician who leads people in songful prayer. Rap, beatboxing, and hip-hop influence the sound until it belongs to a genre entirely of its own. Permutations of each element are evident across albums “Shake Off the Dust…Arise,” “Youth,” “Light,” “Spark Seeker,” and “Akeda.” The differences in each performance, each concert, make Matisyahu a part of the improvisational-jam scene.
raise money for FURS (Friends United with the Richmond Shelter) with a silent basket auction, live painting from Karol Hilker, an All Media Art Show Gallery talk and awards presentation for the featured animal art, and a dog show contest. Guests are welcome to register and walk their dogs down the runway in a special outfit or to show off their talent. Prizes will be awarded, and adoptable dogs will have their chance to shine and steal their future-owners’ hearts from on the runway.
804.353.1888
“The James River – A View from Legend Brewery” will also be on display in the All Media Gallery. Artists Linda HollettBazouzi, Anne Burnley, Katrina Tillbury, Amelia Langford, Nadya Warthen-Gibson, Clayson Brimijoin, Chris Ludke, and Brenda Bickerstaff-Stanley collaborated with each other and with Legend Brewing Company to depict the James River through mediums like photographs and paint.
thebroadberry.com
When: 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
When: Doors 7:00 p.m., show 8:00 p.m. Where: 2729 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220 Cost: Advance $30, doors $35
Friday, August 26
Where: 320 Hull St., Richmond, VA 23224 Cost: Free
Poetry Night at Café Zata
804.291.1400
With locally-sourced coffees and teas abound, plenty of breakfast and lunch options, and a comfortable seat to spare, Café Zata can keep poetry-lovers in luxury. Drop by in the evening and enjoy a night of authentic Richmond poetry from the open mic.
artworksrichmond.com
Saturday, August 27 Opera in the Park at Dogwood Dell’s 60th Festival of Arts
804.233.TOGO
Opera in the Park is the last opportunity this summer to enjoy Dogwood Dell’s 60th Festival of Arts! Come out for the sunshine and popular tunes from Opera and Broadway performed by the Virginia Opera and accompanied by RVA’s own Richmond Symphony Orchestra.
cafezata.com
The rain date is set for August 28.
bit.ly/rivercitypoetry
When: 7:30 p.m.
Dog Days of Summer at Art Works
Where: 600 S. Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220
When: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Where: 5047 Forest Hill Ave., Richmond, VA 23225 Cost: Free
Art Works brings Richmond the annual Dog Days of Summer art show and fundraiser along with five new exhibits. Dog-lovers are more than welcome to bring their canine companions to help
Urban Views Weekly | August 24, 2016
The J.O.B. at Emilio’s While the Richmond-grown band may have started as a vessel for songs written by vocalist, guitarist, and military man Jim O’Ferrell in between missions, it has evolved into a Top 40 charting independent alt-rock group with heavy fingers of blues and Americana. O’Ferrell, guitarist Jason Crawford, bassist Len DuPilka, and drummer Eric Bandy created Top 40 songs like “Messenger,” “Feel,” and most recently “Red Eye.” The show is 21 and up. When: 9:00 p.m. Where: 1847 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220 Cost: $5 804.359.1224 emiliosrva.net
Sunday, August 28 “National Parks Adventure” at the Science Museum of Virginia America is one of the most diverse places on the planet, both in terms of its people and its geography and climate. Red rock spires rise into the sky in one place while thick evergreens grow in another. Deep canyons carved their way into the earth in tandem with the jagged mountains. National parks are meant to preserve that beauty, to keep civilization from creeping into it. “National Parks Adventure” is just that; modern day explorers take the audience along with them off of the beaten path to discover what exactly is so special about America’s wilderness. When: 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. Where: 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220
Cost: Free
Cost: Adult (13-59) - $18 (exhibits & dome show); Senior (60+), youth (4-12) - $17 (exhibits & dome show)
804.646.1437
804.846.1400
richmondgov.com/parks
smv.org www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com
Monday, August 29 “The Boy with the Lion” at the Firehouse Theatre For only two nights, RVA has the opportunity to participate in “The Boy with the Lion.” Yes, participate. The Firehouse Directors Project allows local directors to experiment with new material with performers and audience that provides feedback after each performance. This particular show puts a spin on the Arthurian tale “Yvain, the Knight of the Lion” by Chretien de Troyes. Get ready for a comedic modern stage adaptation of a dusty story. The last night of the show is August 30. When: 7:00 p.m.. Where: 1609 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220 Cost: Advance $8, $10 day of show 804.355.2001 firehousetheatre.org
Tuesday, August 30 “Ultimate Storytime” with Thomas Sanders at the Canal Club Thomas Sanders rose to popularity through Vine, a social media app that allows people to create, edit, and post six-second videos. He currently has eight million followers on Vine alone, and his videos have been looped over 6.6 billion times. He’s known for making people smile, impromptu singing, and highlyrelatable content that reaches his audience across the globe, sometimes while making important social commentary. With “Ultimate Storytime,” Sanders took his friends and famous characters on the road with the help of Playlist Live and Reboot the People. He travels with Nicole Visco, Jay Harper, Terrence Williams Jr., and Melina Kay to give fans across the country a laugh and explore what it is to be a young creator.
The Deal
Six Ways to Save On Your Next Car Looking for an eco-friendly subcompact or the thrills that come with a sports car? Perhaps the practicality of a sedan or a spacious SUV better fits your needs? No matter what type of vehicle is calling your name, planning your purchase can help you save as much money as possible. Consider these six savings tips while shopping for your next car. Whether you’re concerned about upfront, monthly or longterm costs, there’s something here that can help you. 1. Look for a fuel-efficient car. Buying a hybrid or all-electric vehicle rather than a gas guzzler could help you save money on long-run fuel costs. Plus, state and federal tax credits might give you some additional upfront savings. If you’re sticking to a fully gas-powered car, you can still save money by choosing a fuel-efficient model. Once you pick a class of car and determine your budget, use the Environmental Protection Agency’s miles-per-gallon rating for each vehicle to estimate and compare the monthly fuel costs. 2. Compare the long-term costs of different cars. In addition to fuel, consider the long-term costs of maintenance, repairs, insurance, taxes, depreciation, fees and financing. To help you with the calculations, Kelly Blue Book has a 5-Year Cost to Own tool that lets you compare long-term costs for 2015 and 2016 models. Edmunds’s True Cost to Own® tool does a similar thing for 2010 and newer models.
804.643.2582
3. Buy a “new-to-you” car. Buying a used car rather than the equivalent brandnew model can usually save you money. However, you’ll want to look at each used car on an individual basis. Consider how it feels during a test drive and its history if you can access it.
thecanalclub.com
You may be able to buy a warranty for your
When: 7:00 p.m.. Where: 1545 E. Cary St., Richmond, VA 23219 Cost: $30
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used car, or you could purchase a certified pre-owned (CPO) car from a dealership. Dealers inspect CPOs before selling them with a manufacturer’s warranty. If you’re not buying a CPO, you could hire a mechanic to perform a pre-purchase inspection. It’s not a guarantee, but the inspection can help ensure you won’t get caught off guard by any unexpected issues.
"...planning your purchase can help you save as much money as possible." With the right deal on a used car, you might be able to buy the car outright instead of financing the purchase. By paying cash, you avoid accruing interest, making monthly payments and worrying about loan-origination fees. 4. Negotiate the purchase. Most people don’t enjoy haggling with a car salesperson, but even non-confrontational negotiating tactics can help you save money. For example, once you pick a make and model, you could shop online for available vehicles at nearby dealerships. Reach out to each dealer’s internet sales team and ask for their best total cost, inclusive of taxes and fees. Take the lowest offer and ask the other dealers if they can beat it. If one of them can, take your new lowest quote and again ask the rest of the dealers to go lower. Keep going until you get a price that works best for you. You could use the same tactic with dealerships outside your area. However, you may have to travel and
By Nathaniel Sillin
pick up the car or pay to transport it. Another helpful resource is negotiation services like Authority Auto, which negotiates competitive prices on new and pre-owned cars. For a fee, the online service negotiates each part of the process to get you a better deal and take some of the stress out of the car-buying experience and only charge a percentage of what they save you. 5. Consider leasing instead of purchasing. Taking out a lease is similar to purchasing a long-term rental. You’ll have to return or buy the car at the end of the lease, and you may have to pay fees if you drive too many miles or damage the vehicle. The lease down payment and monthly payments will be lower than buying the same car outright. However, you can still save money by shopping around and negotiating because the down payment and monthly payments depend on the vehicle’s sale price. If you like to drive a new car and always want to be under warranty, starting a new lease every few years could make sense. On the other hand, there’s more long-term value in buying if you tend to have a lot of wear and tear on your cars. 6. Use alternative means of transportation. Foregoing the purchase of a car altogether might not work for continues to page 11
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4. “Investing with the previous few years’ top-performing managers usually results in poorer performance going forward. Study after study has shown that on average the recent winners are more likely to be the losers later.” 5. “If anyone claims they have proprietary information or skills that no one else does, head for the doors.” We asked Faust what he has learned through his work as a nonprofit board member. Here are his words of wisdom. “Board members should be wary of slick presentations. Also, don’t hire those who claim to know all the answers and predict the future. Strange but true, the more certain the prediction, the more
likely there will be error. A celebrity advisor guarantees nothing, and the fact that a firm is large, well-established and respected is no guarantee either.” You can preorder A Capitalist’s Lament at Amazon.com. It publishes October 11, 2016 and is written for readers who want to know how to protect themselves – and the nonprofits they work with – from “business as usual.” Copyright 2016 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw are the authors of Prerequisites for Fundraising Success available on Amazon.com. For help growing your fundraising, visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.
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go online to http://www.black-gifts.com/request-catalog and get their orders in today. With products suited for all budgets, from limited edition memorabilia such as our Limited Edition 2017 Michelle Obama calendar to a pocket sized reminder for the day to day featuring our Special Edition 2017 Obamas imagery, the newest edition of AAE’s Holiday Fundraiser catalog has a product to suit every cause, and every customer. As each year passes, the fundraiser program and the company as a whole has continued to rapidly grow, and it is already predicted that sales for the company will have risen 20% by years’ end, proving that once again African American Expressions is the go-to company for all your black gift needs.
everyone, but it’s worth considering if you live in a city or don’t regularly drive long distances. Instead of owning a car, you could get around with a mix of carpooling, public transportation, walking and biking. You could also still have access to a car if you join a car-sharing program or use a ride-sharing app or taxi service. Bottom line: There are many ways to save money on your next car, and you should almost certainly plan your purchase
before signing any dotted lines. Start by researching all your options, including living without a car, buying used and leasing. If you decide to purchase a car, you can compare the long-term cost of different makes and models and save money upfront by haggling with sellers.
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