‘Highland Park continues to blossom’
Highland Park, once a place of decay, continues to blossom. Residents, civic groups, police, schools churches, nonprofit organizations and area businesses are helping to make this community a great place to live, work and play. Here are some of the positive things that are complementing the work that has already been done: • 77 new senior apartments are being developed at Six Points, the crossroads where Brookland Park Boulevard, Meadowbridge Road, Dill Avenue and 2nd Avenue meet.
Women peace activists
Some words seem rarely mentioned in this highly toxic political season. We’ve heard about bombs and walls, but very little about peace. One is almost tempted, when some of the candidates are speaking, to burst into “Give peace a chance.” In this Women’s History Month, it makes sense to reflect on women and the peace movement and especially on the African-American women who have played a significant role in this movement.
Moving toward reason
As President Obama counts down his last month in office amid the raucous babble of the Republican presidential debate, people are beginning to realize how much we will miss his leadership. He has served with dignity and grace, increasingly rare attributes in American politics. His family has exhibited the values that Americans embrace. He has brought the economy back from the freefall he inherited.
Sharing the blessing
We commend Starbucks, the high-priced, addictive java joint, for listening to the suggestions of its employees and customers and coming up with a way to help the hungry while reducing food waste.
Remove the log
We followed with great interest President Obama’s trip this week to Cuba, scrutinizing closely his reception not only by the Cuban people, but by that nation’s leaders.
Family events to highlight Easter weekend
Two family-style festivals return this week- end to highlight the holiday season. Maymont once again will host Dominion Family Easter from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at the park off Hampton Street in the West End.
Entrepreneurs to pitch ideas at Aging 2.0 event
The Richmond chapter of Aging 2.0 is inviting entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas for start-up companies focused on improv- ing the lives of older adults at their Global Startup Search competition.
Southern Women’s Show celebrates 25 years in RVA April 15-17
Henrico County native and American Idol finalist Rayvon Owen is to perform at the 25th Annual Southern Women’s Show, which will be held Friday, April 15 through Sunday, April 17, at the Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Ave., in Henrico County.
Stations of the Cross community walk on Good Friday Downtown
Several Richmond area churches are partnering in a Stations of the Cross community walk on Good Friday, March 25. At nine different stations throughout Downtown, participants will hear a retelling of a series of events at the end of Jesus’ life, according to a release.
Rev. Gilliam to be installed as Mount Oni’s eighth pastor
Chesterfield County native Marvin L. Gilliam Jr. will be installed as the new pastor at Mount Oni Baptist Church in Ruther Glen Sunday, April 10.
Rev. Jeremiah Wright to speak March 31 at East End church
The Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright is scheduled to speak at Faith Community Baptist Church in the East End at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 31.
Lady Panthers’ heartbreaker
In her only basketball season for Virginia Union University, Kiana Johnson scored a jaw-dropping 905 points. If she somehow could have added points 906 or perhaps 907, the Panthers might still be playing.
Rams knocked out in round 2; next test in Battle4Atlantis
University of Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield is arguably the best college basketball player in America. If he were anything less, Virginia Commonwealth University likely would be headed to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 this weekend instead of packing for the offseason.
Pirates routed by U.Va. in first round
This wasn’t a banner year for NCAA Division I basketball champions from historically black colleges and universities. MEAC Tournament champion Hampton University was trounced 81-45 by the University of Virginia in a first-round NCAA game last Thursday in Raleigh, N.C.
Cuba played role in Dodgers’ history
Cuba made headlines this week with President Obama’s historic trip to the largest Caribbean nation located just 90 miles south of Florida.
Rapper Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest dies at 45
Phife Dawg, a masterful lyricist whose witty wordplay was a linchpin of the groundbreaking hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, died Tuesday from complications resulting from diabetes, his family said in a statement on Wednesday. He was 45. Born Malik Isaac Taylor, he was known as the “Five Foot Assassin” because he was 5 feet 3 inches tall.
Personality: Dr. Leonard L. Edloe
Spotlight on American Pharmacists Association Foundation president
Dr. Leonard L. Edloe provided a vital service to residents of Richmond’s East End, South Side and Downtown communities as a pharmacist before closing his businesses, Edloe’s Professional Pharmacies, in 2012 after more than four decades. He also ministers to others as senior pastor at New Hope Fellowship in Middlesex County and hosts a weekly radio talk show on WCLM 1450 in Richmond. He also is an adjunct professor of Christian ethics at the John B. Leland Theological Center’s School of Ministry.
National ‘Player of the Year’
Kiana Johnson and “Player of the Year” are now officially synonymous. The Virginia Union University senior guard was named NCAA Division II National Player of the Year Monday by the Women’s Association of Basketball Coaches (WABC).
Richmond Christian Center to search for new pastor
The Richmond Christian Center is moving to replace its founding pastor, Steve Parson. Two months after emerging from bankruptcy, the fundamentalist South Side church announced Tuesday that it has begun a search for a new full-time pastor to be in place by July.
Movement afoot to remove Lee statue in Charlottesville
Charlottesville residents who are uncomfortable with a local park could affect a monumental change if renewed protest over a nearly 100-year-old statue gains enough support. On Tuesday, local community leaders called on the city’s elected officials to rename Lee Park and remove the statue of the park’s namesake, Gen. Robert E. Lee of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.
