What about the children? // The Rev. Darrell Taylor, right, expresses his concerns Tuesday to City Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson, 6th District, about plans to close Overby-Sheppard Elementary School to save money. The North Side school is among five schools targeted for closure if the city fails to provide additional money in the Richmond Public Schools’ budget. Ms. Robertson sponsored the public meeting with School Board member Shonda Harris-Muhammed. Both represent the North Side district. A community rally against closing Armstrong High School is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at Mount Olivet Church, 1223 N. 25th St.

This is becoming a familiar sight across Richmond — candidates for public office collecting signatures from registered voters on petitions. Here, three mayoral candidates help each other by signing each other’s petitions Monday outside City Hall. From left, they are activist Alan Schintzius, teacher Chad Ingold and architect Bruce Tyler. To get on the ballot, each must collect 500 signatures, with at least 50 from each of the city’s nine City Council districts.

Azaleas in North Side

Focusing on campus life // The works of Virginia Union University’s official photographer, Ayasha Sledge, are featured in an exhibit, “Behind the Lens,” focusing on campus life at the historic Lombardy Street institution. Among those enjoying the recent exhibit are the Rev. Larry Enis and his daughter, Jocelyn, below left, and Barbara Sayles, right. The free exhibit is open to the public through Monday, May 9, at the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center on the VUU campus.

The works of Virginia Union University’s official photographer, Ayasha Sledge, right, are featured in an exhibit, “Behind the Lens,” focusing on campus life at the historic Lombardy Street institution.