
Field of dreams
Armstrong High’s coach wants decent baseball field for team
Armstrong High School’s baseball program has a passionate coach, a covey of eager athletes and an East End pipeline suggesting more talent is on the way. What it doesn’t have is a decent field to play on.

Ingram family carries on musical tradition
The Rev. Almeta Ingram-Miller said there was never any doubt that the renowned Ingramettes family gospel group would continue to perform after mother and founder Maggie Ingram died last June.

Million Man March anniversary gathering in D.C. on Saturday
Richmond area residents will travel by buses, trains and automobiles to the nation’s capital Saturday to participate in the 20th anniversary commemoration of the Million Man March.

Festival of Praise tour stops in city Oct. 23
It’s billed as “the gospel music tour of the year.” And it’s coming to Richmond.

Mountain of Blessings starts Chesterfield satellite service Nov. 1
Henrico-based Mountain of Blessings Christian Center is making a fresh go at expanding south of the James River nine months after its bid to buy the Richmond Christian Center on the city’s South Side was rebuffed.

VSU clobbers St. Augustine’s; Elizabeth City State next
Virginia State University finds itself in an uncomfortable spot in the CIAA standings — looking up. In 2013 and 2014, the Trojans were undefeated in the CIAA Northern Division en route to consecutive titles. This fall under first-year Coach Byron Thweatt, every game the rest of the way figures to be a must-win game, starting with the Saturday, Oct. 10, trip to Elizabeth City State University.

VUU beats Shaw; now headed for tough stuff
The lightweight portion of Virginia Union University’s football schedule is in the rear-view mirror. Up ahead, Coach Mark James’ Panthers hope to prove their merit against the CIAA’s more successful outfits. At the midway point of the season, VUU is 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the CIAA after routing Shaw University 22-13 last Saturday in Durham, N.C.

Coach Butler optimistic about VUU’s hoop dreams
Virginia Union University will have plenty of new faces on the floor and on the bench for the upcoming basketball season. The Panthers will open Saturday, Nov. 14, at Shepherd, W.Va., with a new head coach, Jay Butler, three fresh assistant coaches and at least 10 first-year players.

Marcus Clarke named to CIAA administration
Marcus Clarke, a familiar face to Richmonders, is the latest addition to the CIAA’s administrative family. The versatile Clarke has been named the CIAA’s senior associate commissioner for championships and events. He will wear many hats.

Personality: Bessida C. White
Spotlight on Virginia chair of Genealogical Society’s conference
Bessida C. White says she began researching her family genealogy in 1984.

‘A great oak has fallen’
Hundreds of mourners gathered last Saturday to celebrate the life of Dr. Allix B. James, president emeritus of Virginia Union University, who died Sept. 26 at age 92.

VUU gets training edge
College and NFL football share some common ground on Richmond’s North Side. Virginia Union University has been given the green light to practice once a week at the Bon Secours Training Center. The Leigh Street facility opened three years ago as the preseason training camp for the NFL Washington franchise. It’s the latest effort to open the partially city-funded facility to the community for other uses.

Lecture on “Obama Effect” at VUU’s Wilder Library
What kind of impact has President Obama had on politics since his historic election in 2008? One surprise: He may have affected Republicans most, paving the way for more African-Americans like Dr. Ben Carson and other minority candidates to run for office under the GOP banner, according to political scientist Dr. Columba Ahamefule Nnorom.

Groundbreaking Oct. 14 on initial Fay Towers replacement
The pace is finally picking up on efforts to replace the 200-unit Fay Towers in Gilpin Court and move current residents to new apartments.

City Council expected to approve purchase of Conrad Center
City Hall is moving forward with a two-year-old plan to purchase the shuttered Conrad Center, once the area’s largest soup kitchen for the homeless and working poor.

Troubles escalate for NAACP official
The president of the Chesterfield County Branch NAACP is facing more legal trouble. LaSalle J. McCoy Jr. was sent to jail Tuesday based on a finding he was in violation of the terms of his release on a previous charge of driving while intoxicated.

Community forum generates ideas for Lumpkin’s Jail site
Build a full-scale replica of Lumpkin’s Jail at its former site in Shockoe Bottom. Construct a wax museum at the site. Develop an interactive space for children there. Provide a place for reflection where people can gather for discussions and private meditations. Those were among the suggestions from about 30 people who attended a “Richmond Speaks” meeting Sept. 29 at Franklin Military Academy to generate ideas on how the city should transform the former Lumpkin’s Jail into a heritage and learning center.

Rollout for unlimited bus passes slated for Nov. 15
Tens of thousands of people came to the world bike races last week, but only a few appear to have purchased a $35 pass for unlimited rides on GRTC buses. The Greater Richmond Transit Co. could not provide sales numbers this week, but reported that passes were used 1,500 times between Sept. 19 and Sept. 28 when the races were underway.
‘Empire’ crumbles black image
The return of the hit television series “Empire” was highly anticipated and watched by millions of viewers. It’s the saga of a black family’s quest for dominion of the music industry, a position fueled in large part by illegal activities in the family’s past.
‘Richmond … you rock’
Thanks go out to Mayor Dwight C. Jones, police officials from various localities and volunteers from around the world, officials from various localities and the different agencies that showcased Richmond as a world-class city.