Lead poisoning endangers Richmond children, too
Amid the public outcry over the lead-contaminated public water supply in Flint, Mich., it is easy to forget that lead poisoning remains a threat to children across the country — even in Richmond. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 500,000 young children nationally suffer from lead poisoning that can affect development of their mental capacity, their bones and their organs.
Carver Elementary earns title of Highly Distinguished School
About two dozen proud staff members, parents and students from Richmond’s Carver Elementary School stood to be acknowledged at last week’s School Board meeting at City Hall. They were applauded because, for the second consecutive year, the school earned the distinction as a Title I Highly Distinguished School by the Virginia Department of Education.
Energy savings could yield $18M to fix city schools
Energy savings could generate $18 million to fuel an overhaul of heating and cooling systems, windows, lighting and other systems in as many as 10 Richmond Public Schools buildings.
Weather woes delay leaf pickup
Richmond’s big snow means the city’s leaf collection is going to run further behind. Heavy rains during December pushed back the city’s leaf vacuuming program by two weeks or more, the city Department of Public Works has acknowledged.
Veterans’ burial postponed
The burial of three veterans who died in Richmond has been postponed due to the snowfall, the office of Richmond Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. has announced.
Work continues on women’s reproductive rights
As President Obama concluded his last State of the Union, his message to the American people was clear, if a little unconventional. He set expectations low of working with the conservative-controlled Congress in his remaining months. However, he set high expectations for the American people. He issued a call to action for all Americans to take our future into our own hands, urging us to fulfill our civic duty by voting, engaging in public service and even protesting. Looking ahead to a year full of peril and opportunity for black women’s reproductive health, I can say that black women already are heeding this call.
Voter registrar ‘needs to be replaced’
Kudos to Richmond Free Press reporter Jeremy Lazarus for his recent exposé on Richmond Voter Registrar Kirk Showalter. She is incompetent and needs to be immediately replaced.
ACA eliminates barriers to health care
The passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) promised to improve the delivery of health care services in America — especially for historically disadvantaged communities that suffer high rates of chronic illness. The ACA has begun to deliver on that promise, but work still remains to ensure all who need healthcare in the most prosperous nation on earth can receive it. Healthcare.gov is now available for the open enrollment period through Sunday, Jan. 31. It’s imperative that members of the African-American community take advantage of this opportunity to access the coverage and care they need.
Palin family hypocrisy
Since former half-term Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin erupted on the national scene by telling everyone she could see Russia from her porch in Alaska, she has been lecturing everyone about accepting responsibility. For example, speaking to Tea Party supporters in Nashville in 2010, Ms. Palin said, “My plan is quite simple. To support those who support the foundation of our country when it comes to the economy. It is free-market principles that reward hard work and personal responsibility.”
History’s change agents
Monday, Feb. 1, marks the start of Black History Month. Schools, churches, civic organizations and businesses of all types, including the media and public television, begin paying special attention to African-Americans and their long history of political, cultural, social and civic contributions to the building of this nation.
Bishop McKissick to speak at VUU Founders Day Feb.5
Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick Jr., senior pastor of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church in Jacksonville, Fla., will speak at Virginia Union University’s 2016 Founders Day celebration at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5, in the Allix B. James Chapel of Coburn Hall on the campus.
HIV/AIDS awareness program set for Feb.7
The 3rd Annual United Voices: Raising Awareness Through Song & Word, an event to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, will be 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at Thirty-first Street Baptist Church in the East End.
State of Black America Address moved to Feb.6
The 4th Annual State of Black America Address has been rescheduled.
Vatican: Iran must join fight against terrorism
Pope Francis held talks with Iran’s president at the Vatican on Tuesday, calling on Tehran to play a key role in stopping the spread of terrorism as Iran tries to improve its image in the global arena following an agreement on its nuclear program. The pontiff warmly clasped the hand of President Hassan Rouhani in the first official call paid on a pontiff by an Iranian president since 1999. They held 40 minutes of private talks before President Rouhani met with other top Vatican officials. The talks “delved into the conclusion and application of the nuclear accord, and the important role that Iran is called upon to play, together with other countries of the region, was highlighted,” the Holy See stated.
VSU coach calls it quits
By Fred Jeter Virginia State University is looking for a new football coach — again. After posting a 6-4 record in his only season with the Trojans, Coach Byron Thweatt, 38, has resigned to become the linebackers coach at James Madison University.
MLB icon Lee Smith almost had basketball career
Before Lee Arthur Smith became one of baseball’s ace relief pitchers, he was affectionately known as “that other guy” back home in tiny Castor, La. Smith, a guest at the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ annual Hot Stove Banquet last Thursday at the Siegel Center, spoke of the day his sporting focus shifted from basketball to baseball.
VCU eyeing 11th straight win Friday
From mid-December to mid-January, it would be hard finding a more dominant college basketball team than the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams. Since Dec. 15 when the record was 5-5, Coach Will Wade’s squad has won 10 straight games with an average victory margin of 17.2 points.
Former VSU Coach Harold Deane to be honored Feb.6
Harold Deane served Virginia State University for more than a half century as athlete, coach and educator. Now it’s VSU’s turn to give back.
Local players help MJBL teams to victory
Richmond coaches and players took on big roles in helping the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League mark its 50th anniversary providing youth baseball during the nonprofit organization’s recent East-West All-Star games in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Savannah, Ga.
VIA Heritage Association to induct inaugural Hall of Fame group
Numerous athletes, coaches and contributors from the Richmond area have been named to Virginia Interscholastic Association Heritage Association’s (VIAHA) inaugural Hall of Fame Class. The induction banquet will be 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 20, at DoubleTree by Hilton in Charlottesville, 990 Hilton Heights Road.
