Geronimo Aguilar gets 40 years
Forty years. That’s how much time former Richmond Outreach Center Pastor Geronimo “Pastor G” Aguilar will serve in a Texas prison for sexually assaulting two sisters — ages 11 and 13 — while he lived in their family’s home in Fort Worth and served as a youth pastor at their church in the mid-1990s.
‘War Room’ bridges racial divide
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “It is appalling that the most segregated hour of Christian America is 11 o’clock on Sunday morning.” That truism also largely is the case for U.S. audiences that attend Christian-themed films. While Bishop T.D. Jakes’ series of films based on his “Woman Thou Art Loosed” novels and other Afro-centric Christian movies have been popular with African-American audiences, few white people of faith have supported them. Similarly, the compelling faith-based films from brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick, who are white, and Christian movies with mostly white casts have largely attracted white audiences.
Personality: Maria Fatima Crenshaw
Spotlight on AKA Sorority’s 9th Annual Sauté and Sizzle benefitk
Maria Fatima Crenshaw loves to cook. On a scale of one to 10, with 10 being tops, the Richmond resident rates herself a nine in preparing scrumptious dishes. Among her favorites, she loves to serve fried chicken and pastelillos, also known as Spanish meat pies.
Crusade for Voters hosts candidates forum Oct. 18
Need to know more about the people who want to represent you in the General Assembly? The Richmond Crusade for Voters wants to help you be better prepared for the Nov. 3 election.
Absentee ballots can be requested online through new state portal
Virginians now can go online to apply for an absentee ballot. That’s possible after the Virginia Department of Elections launched its new online “citizens portal” Wednesday, according to a release from Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s office.
City selects sculptor for Maggie Walker statue
More than 16 years after it was first proposed, a bronze statue is to be created of a Richmond great, Maggie L. Walker, the first African-American woman in the nation to found and operate a bank.
Right and wrong
S.C. family gets $6.5M in police shooting death / Reports conclude fatal shooting of 12-year-old justified
New park named for city police lieutenant
A new city park is being named for the late Richmond Police Lt. Ozell Johnson, a pioneer in community policing in the city. City Council voted unanimously Sept. 28 to designate city-owned property at 241 E. Ladies Mile Road in the Providence Park neighborhood in North Side as a park and name it for Lt. Johnson. “As a lifelong city resident, I’m very excited about this honor being bestowed on my late father,” said Richmond Police Maj. Odetta Johnson.
Public supports police statue move to The Carillon
The votes are in: The public wants a 28-year-old tribute statue to fallen Richmond police officers moved to The Carillon area of Byrd Park.
Councilman takes new job
Fifth District City Councilman Parker C. Agelasto has a new day job. He is now the executive director of the Capital Region Land Conservancy, a 10-year-old nonprofit that seeks to protect natural and historic resources in Metropolitan Richmond.
Black history museum taps new director
Jazz nights and poetry readings as well as interactive and traditional exhibits are among the plans that Tasha Chambers has for the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia when it moves into its new home early next year. “This new museum has so much history to celebrate,” said Ms. Chambers, who was introduced as the museum’s new director last week.
Savings vs. service
City’s 2014 audit shows millions sent to rainy day fund despite critical needs
Is Mayor Dwight C. Jones saving too much money while starving City Hall of the monetary resources needed to provide services to Richmond residents?
No denying meaning of Confederate flag
I am baffled over the continued debate on whether the Confederate flag represents hatred or heritage. The rebel flag was flapping in the breeze when Confederate fighting men ran wagons over wounded black soldiers during the Battle of Poison Spring in Quachita County, Ark. in April 1864. And it has motivated others, such as the coward who gunned down nine black church members in Charleston, S.C., in June.
Putting power behind the demand:
20th anniversary of Million Man March
This October will mark the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March, which was the largest public gathering in the history of America and the largest gathering of black men in world history.
Gun insanity
Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Or as “The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert said, “Insanity is changing nothing and then pretending that something will change.”
Richmond Folk Festival returns to riverfront
There’s something for just about everyone at this weekend’s 11th Annual Richmond Folk Festival. An array of more than 40 performers representing a cross-section of music and dance is scheduled to entertain tens of thousands of people on six stages along the banks of the James River in Downtown.
‘La Vida’ exhibit opens Oct. 9 at Pine Camp
The city’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will host an art exhibit, “La Vida,” through Nov. 20 in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
U.Va.’s historic Final Four team to attend Ridley forum benefit Oct. 10 in Richmond
The Virginia State University Alumni Theatre Ensemble is performing “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf” to raise funds for the university’s Tuition Assistance and Scholarship Fund for students.
VSU Alumni Theatre Ensemble to put on play to benefit students
The Virginia State University Alumni Theatre Ensemble is performing “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf” to raise funds for the university’s Tuition Assistance and Scholarship Fund for students. The performance will be 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, in VSU’s L. Douglas Wilder Building Auditorium, 1 Hayden Drive, in Ettrick.
Triumph Awards honor entertainers, others making positive impact
John Legend and Tyrese Gibson were among those honored for their positive impact on the community at the Triumph Awards.
