
Gold tapped to launch new grocery in Church Hill
Steve and Kathie Markel refused to be deterred when they could not find anyone interested in opening a supermarket in the $30 million Church Hill North retail-commercial-apartment complex they are developing at 25th Street, Fairmount Avenue and Nine Mile Road.

Thanksgiving holiday schedule
In observance of Thanksgiving Day, Thursday Nov. 23, please note the following:

Bourne to push schools referendum in Gen. Assembly
A Richmond Democrat has volunteered to promote legislation to approve city voters’ call for Mayor Levar M. Stoney to craft a fully funded school modernization plan.

Rematch underway for leadership of letter carriers local union
Once again, a battle is underway for control of one of the oldest unions in the state, the Old Dominion Branch, Local 496, of the National Association of Letter Carriers.

Highland Park grocery store closed
S&K Supermarket, one of the last grocery stores in North Side, remains closed in Highland Park, with a planned renovation on hold.

Guns and churches: Local pastors caught between welcoming strangers, congregants’ fears
Pastor Preston R. Gainer is deeply perturbed. As violence dominates local and national headlines, he now is considering whether to arm himself and members of his East End church’s safety team as part of St. James United Holy Church’s security precautions.

Serena ties the knot!
Glitter and glamour were served up at the fairy tale-inspired nuptials last week of tennis star Serena Williams and her new husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.

Rev. Jesse Jackson diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. disclosed publicly on Friday that he has been seeking outpatient care for two years for Parkinson’s disease and plans to “dedicate” himself to physical therapy to slow the progress of the disease.
‘There is no space for complacency’
Re “Virginia elects Democrats to top posts, other offices” and “House of Delegates to become more diverse,” Free Press Nov. 9-11 edition:
End NAFTA; don’t renegotiate it
To his credit, President Trump pulled the United States of America out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership that would have diminished our sovereignty. However, he is now misguided about the North American Free Trade Agreement. Instead of getting out of it, the president is talking about renegotiating it.
‘We voted for you, now we want to see results’
I would like to know when the Virginia Democratic Party will officially thank African-American women for the party’s win in the Nov. 7 election.
Actor bridges divides
Academy Award-winning actor Mahershala Ali’s journey has been one of bridging divides. Between the crime and poverty of 1970s and 1980s Oakland, where he lived with his mother and stepfather, and the musical theater scene of Manhattan, where he spent summers with his Broadway dancer father. Between basketball, which earned him a college scholarship, and theater, which captured his heart.

Obama-Trump: Great contrast
President Trump defines his administration as against all things Obama. Beneath his insults, outrages, lies and antics is a remarkably consistent attempt to undo his predecessor’s entire legacy. With Republicans in total control of the White House and Congress, President Trump can dismantle much of what former President Obama accomplished, but he ultimately will fail to overturn President Obama’s legacy. President Obama had the right moral compass; President Trump’s reaction will not be sustained. Consider the contrast: President Obama passed health care reform, enabling 20 million more people to afford health insurance. The centerpiece of his Affordable Care Act was the expansion of Medicaid to cover more than 10 million low-wage workers and their families.
Real results
We were heartened by the turnout and support Richmond voters gave last week to the schools referendum. The initiative, which calls for fully funding improvements to Richmond Public Schools aging and decrepit buildings, now goes to the Virginia General Assembly.
Police accountability
We applaud the latest efforts by a coalition of justice groups to push for creation of a police citizen review panel in Richmond.

AKA’s PROC Beautillion to present 7
Seven young men will be presented at the 23rd Annual PROC Beautillion on Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

New links close family story for Richmond teacher
LaTonia Tandalet Dean was reunited with her birth mother a few weeks ago, and now she finally has made contact with her biological father.

Ella Fitzgerald talk Nov. 19 at The Valentine
Dr. John Edward Hasse, curator of the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibit, “Ella Fitzgerald at 100,” will talk about the late jazz artist’s life and career during a free program 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, at The Valentine, 1015 E. Clay St. The program is part of the Richmond Jazz Society’s Jazz Preservation Initiative in conjunction with the museum to highlight the achievements and contributions of Virginians who have made a significant impact on jazz.

New fund set up to preserve African-American historical sites
A new $25 million fund is being set up through the National Trust for Historic Preservation to help ensure that historical sites important to African-American history are no longer endangered.

Thanksgiving food, fellowship at area meal programs
A new $25 million fund is being set up through the National Trust for Historic Preservation to help ensure that historical sites important to African-American history are no longer endangered.