The ‘next big thing’
We congratulate singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams, whose creative genius, perseverance and open spirit led to the successful “Something in the Water” festival last weekend in Virginia Beach.
City budget, the high road
We are anxious to read the details of Richmond City Council’s proposed $746 million budget plan for 2019-2020, which is up for a final vote on Monday, May 13.
2019 commencement speakers announced
It’s graduation season for Virginia’s colleges and universities. This is a time for inspiring commencement speeches, proud parents and cheering graduates. Politicians, celebrities and outstanding students are scheduled as speakers to motivate the Class of 2019.
HU Marching Force invited to 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Forget the floats and the cartoon character balloons. The Hampton University Marching Force will perform in the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The surprise announcement was made Monday to an excited group of student band members on the waterfront campus.
Local designer ties down sneaker line
Sneakers have gone from the basketball court to the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Forget paying $75 to $130 for a pair bearing Michael Jordan’s name. Think, instead, of shelling out $500 to $1,200 for a pair of sneakers from Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Versace or other renowned fashion houses.
America’s ‘national pastime’ forges bonds, records between fathers and sons
Baseball has been said to be a “daddy’s game.” Find a talented player and, more often than not, you’ll find a father or strong father figure closely linked to the youngster’s success.
Toronto Raptors ready to claw victory from the 76ers
With the slogan “We the North,” the Toronto Raptors threaten to change the NBA’s initials to the IBA — International Basketball Association. The league’s lone Canadian franchise had the NBA’s second best regular season record this season (58-24), behind the Milwaukee Bucs, and is tops overall over the last two seasons (117-47).
Kenny Easley among 10 to be inducted into Virginia High School Hall of Fame
Kenny Easley, considered among the greatest athletes in state history, is among five athletes named to the Virginia High School Hall of Fame.
VSU Coach Lonnie Blow wins Clarence ‘Big House’ Gaines Coach of the Year Award
Coach Lonnie Blow’s success at Virginia State University has drawn national acclaim. The Trojans basketball coach has received the Clarence “Big House” Gaines Coach of the Year Award by the National Sports Media Association. The award is presented to the most outstanding men’s basketball coach in NCAA Division II.
‘Something in the Water’
“Something in the Water,” the weekend music festival in Virginia Beach pioneered by that city’s own nationally known singer and songwriter Pharrell Williams, drew more than 50,000 happy people to the oceanfront for the first-of-its-kind event in Hampton Roads.
Richmonder Ferrell raids No. 4 spot in NFL draft, headed to Oakland
Burdened with the NFL’s most anemic pass rush, the Oakland Raiders have turned to a Richmonder for first aid. The Raiders drafted former Benedictine College Preparatory school and Clemson University defensive end Clelin Ferrell in the first round as the fourth overall pick during the NFL draft last week in Nashville.
Volunteer cleanup Saturday at Evergreen Cemetery
Members of Richmond Masonic Lodge #65, F&AM, will host a public day of cleanup at historic Evergreen Cemetery in the city’s East End, it has been announced.
RISC receives federal grant to assist with community effort
A coalition of 20 Richmond area Christian and Jewish congregations that focuses on social justice has been awarded a $144,000 federal grant ahead of its annual meeting where the faith-based coalition will press for changes in eviction policy and for proven reading and trauma response programs in schools.
Critically acclaimed filmmaker John Singleton dies at 51
Director John Singleton, who made one of Hollywood’s most memorable debuts with the Oscar-nominated “Boyz N the Hood” and continued over the following decades to probe the lives of African-American communities in his native Los Angeles and beyond, died Monday, April 29, 2019, after suffering several strokes during the last two weeks. He was 51.
Personality: Dr. Cynthia O. Richardson
Spotlight on president of the Petersburg Area Art League
Cynthia Owens Richardson, president of the Petersburg Area Art League, wants the nonprofit to be a mecca for people to explore, experience and be inspired by art.
City starts down road to regulate short-term rentals
Want to use Airbnb, FlipKey, VRBO or other online websites to rent your Richmond home or apartment to travelers?
228,783 That’s now Richmond’s estimated population
An estimated 228,783 people called Richmond home on July 1, 2018, the largest number since 1970 when the city’s population was near 250,000 residents, according to the latest estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Former VCU dean drops defamation suit against Wilder
Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder is no longer facing a defamation lawsuit that was scheduled for trial in mid-July in Richmond Circuit Court.
Charles W. Howell Jr., longtime community advocate and health administrator, dies at 91
Since 1975, the federal government has been issuing income tax refunds to low-income working individuals and families through an anti-poverty initiative called the Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC.
Salvation Army looks to relocate from Downtown to North Side
People needing temporary housing and a helping hand might soon have to walk a bit farther to reach the Salvation Army’s combination headquarters and emergency shelter.
