Found one! //
When it comes to hunting Easter eggs, Drew-Els Layne is leaving no spot unexplored. The 2-year-old hands her mother, LaTwanya Dukes, an egg she found under playground equipment last Saturday at the Easter Egg Hunt and Celebration at Blackwell Community Center. Please see more photos, B2.
Cityscape // A team of volunteers paints a map of U.S. states on the Woodville Elementary School playground Saturday. From left, they are Katrina Washington, Michael Hill, Katie Gallagher, Tara Wagstaff, Olivia Jenkins, Laura D’Antonio and Victoria Hauser. Right, Richmond Schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden joins Michael Hill, a fourth-grader at William Fox Elementary School, in painting Florida.
This is one of six school playgrounds gaining such maps. The project is the work of the Junior League of Richmond.
Cityscape // The group raised $11,880 — the poverty line for a single person — to cover the cost of the playground maps through its inaugural “Little Black Dress Initiative.” Members wore the same black dress for a week to get a little experience in the lack of choices poor people face.
Other elementary schools slated to get the educational maps include Blackwell, Carver, Fairfield Court, Greene and Overby-Sheppard, said Joanne Frye, Junior League president. “These maps represent community, learning and our investment in the next generation.”
Honoring hometown champions //
Virginia Union University basketball standout Ashley Smith, center, reacts to laudatory comments made by Richmond City Council President Chris A. Hilbert during Monday night’s City Council meeting. Ms. Smith, her teammates with the Lady Panthers and Coach AnnMarie Gilbert, left, were recognized by Mayor Levar M. Stoney and City Council for their championship showing in this year’s NCAA Division II Tournament. The Elite Eight team lost in the tournament final to Ashland University of Ohio. During the tournament, Dominion Energy lighted up its Downtown building with a message of support for the Lady Panthers. Mr. Hilbert said Monday the team lighted up the hearts of all Richmonders with its championship skill, poise and spirit. Ms. Smith scored 28 points in the team’s semifinal victory over California Baptist University, a feat Mr. Hilbert said he could never achieve, evoking laughter from the team.
Post Office on Wheels // The building was closed due to “safety concerns,” said Freda Sauter, U.S. Postal Service spokeswoman. She said the mobile center would remain on site and operate regular hours Monday through Friday until the building is repaired. Box holders should be able to pick up their mail at the mobile center, she said, rather than having to trek to the Montrose Postal Station in Fulton. Joshua S. Bilder, owner of the building the Postal Service leases, is arranging for contractors to begin critical renovations to allow the Postal Service to return. He expects the work to take 90 to 120 days.
Post Office on Wheels // A customer takes care of business at the Post Office on Wheels that opened Monday outside the Church Hill Postal Station at 414 N. 25th St. The mobile center arrived after the building was shut down earlier that day to the dismay of residents.
A wreath of spring flowers in the East End
Ready, set, go hunt Easter eggs! // Dozens of children take off from the starting line last Saturday at the 5th Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Celebration at Blackwell Community Center sponsored by Putting Communities Together Inc. The event included a visit from the Easter Bunny, food and prizes. The Easter Bunny also made an appearance last Saturday at the Great Big Egg Hunt at Abner Clay Park
Ready, set, go hunt Easter eggs! // To cheer on youngsters in the 6-year-old and under category as they ran to fill their baskets from the colorful collection strewn across the grass. The Great Big Egg Hunt, sponsored in Jackson Ward by Center Church, also included an egg hunt for older children, games, bounce houses and food.
Celebrating VUU // Trevin and Necole Parker Green announce a gift to Virginia Union University of $100,000 to establish an endowed scholarship. The couple, who live in the Washington area, made the announcement last Friday at VUU’s 5th Annual Scholarship Gala and Masquerade Ball hosted by Mayor Levar M. Stoney at a Downtown hotel. Mrs. Green, an alumna of VUU, and her husband are successful entrepreneurs. She operates The Elocen Group, a business management firm in construction, interior design, health care, facilities and logistics and information technology. Mr. Green is a fitness trainer who specializes in swimming pool exercise programs.
Celebrating VUU // The $200-per-person, black-tie benefit for VUU drew several hundred supporters who danced to the music of Trademark and wore masks and glitter
Richmond Delegate Delores L. McQuinn