urban views weekly may 27, 2015

May 27, 2015 Scholar of the Week – Brandon Dabney

Tips & Trends of the Savvy Diner

2 Urban Views Weekly | May 27, 2015 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Letter ToThe Editor

VOL. 8, ISSUE 21

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If your financial life is confined to boxes, file cabinets and various piles of statements and receipts that only you can navigate, it might be time for a little de-cluttering.

Software- and Internet-driven advancements (http://guides.wsj.com/personal-finance/managing-your-money/how-to-choose-and-use-financial-software/) in money management not only provide paperless alternatives to planning and tracking savings, spending and investments, they make finances easier to handle in an emergency. If you’re thinking about resetting your recordkeeping, here are some steps to get started.

Think about financial goals first. Before tackling the job of reorganizing your financial recordkeeping, think through your current financial objectives and what changes might give you better data and efficiency to achieve them. You might want a system that tracks spending, saving, budgeting and on-time debt payments. If you already have that system in place, you might want more detailed information on retirement or your child’s college fund. Consider involving your financial and tax advisors in the discussion and see what suggestions they have.

Create a system that makes it easy for loved ones and financial professionals to help in an emergency. If something were to happen to you, could a loved one easily navigate your finances? When organizing, always keep your spouse, children and/or executor in mind. Consider creating an ICE file, short for “In Case of Emergency,” and let your representatives see it in advance. On paper or on a computer document or spreadsheet, your ICE file should be a handy guide or index to find the following quickly:

• Contact information for doctors as well as financial and tax advisors

• Locations for all essential estate

documents including your will, your health and financial powers of attorney and any letters of instruction you have written to accompany these documents

• All ownership documents for real estate, autos and other major assets

• Usernames and passwords for Internet-accessible financial accounts as well as personal websites and social media (http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/personalfinance/experts/practicalmoneymatters/columns_2012/0706_socialMedia.php) if such items need to eventually be updated or removed

• Contact information and statement access for all savings, investment and debt accounts, particularly joint accounts that will be used to pay bills

• An up-to-date list of monthly bills that need to be paid on time

• All insurance information including health, home, auto, disability and business policies

The DealBy Jason Alderman

Clean Desk, Clean Finances – 5 Steps to Streamline Your Money Management

www.CVAACC.orgCentral Virginia African American Chamber of Commerce

Expand your network and Grow your business.

continues on page 5

Cover photo credit: FOTOLIA

3 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com Urban Views Weekly | May 27, 2015

Scholar of the Week

While many students may complain about the subject, when Brandon Dabney took Chemistry in the 11th grade, he realized how much he enjoyed the subject. The year before, through another class, he learned of his interest in manufacturing. Combining his love for chemistry and with his interest in manufacturing, Brandon decided to pursue a career in chemical engineering. “I know that this is a lofty goal for most, but I feel as though I have worked in high school to be in a position to accomplish what I have set out to do,” Brandon wrote in an essay. With chemical engineering, he aspires to make groundbreaking advances within the field that will impact the society for years to come.

Brandon said his dream job would be to use his degree in the pharmacy field. With intentions of becoming a chemical engineer, he will attend Richard Bland College in Petersburg this fall. He later plans to transfer to Virginia Commonwealth University. In high school, he has learned a lot about task management and multiple test-taking strategies that he hopes to take with him to college. “I have prepared myself for these goals by establishing study habits, participating excessively in class and requesting help from instructors when it is needed,” Brandon stated.

With these study habits, Brandon has a 3.61 GPA and is ranked 10th in his class. Not only does he plan on working extremely hard to get a high

GPA in college as well, but he also looks forward to interning. During his time in college, he plans to intern during at least two of his summers at a local factory. “These internships will aid me in my knowledge of the field by giving me an inside look at what is required of a chemical engineer, and I can prepare myself for when I complete my degree,” Brandon said. After he receives his degree, he would like to use his skills in the manufacturing industry to help make their processes safer and more

efficient than ever.

Outside of school, Brandon enjoys writing essays on his computer and playing chess. He stays active in school as a member of the National Spanish Honor Society, which he joined in the 10th grade.

He said he appreciates the people who push him to do the best in life, such as his aunt who is his guardian. After his mother passed away when Brandon was nine, his aunt said he has been very strong and continues to persevere. She said he is very serious about his

school work and continuously makes the honor roll. “When he comes home from school, he gets a snack and goes right to his books,” she said. Although she has had him in a stable environment, his aunt prides him on being so strong after the death of his mother and continuing to be a hardworking student.

By Janeal Downs

Brandon Dabneyof Petersburg High school

GPA: 3.61

College of Interest: Richard Bland College

Strong Interests: Chemical Engineering, manufacturing

Favorite Activities: Writing, Playing Chess

$100 ScholarshipsAwarded Every Week

Do you know a High School Senior who can meet the following criteria?

1. Have a 3.0 grade point average or better

2. Participates in extracurricular community

service activities

3. Attends public school in Central VirginiaEncourage yourscholar to apply!

Go to UrbanViewsWeekly.com for application and details.

Scholar0of the Week™

Watch for our Scholar of the Week segment, Wednesdays at 6:30 PM on


Restoring dignity: Ensuring the remains of humans, mostly of African descent, receive appropriate study, memorialization and reburial.

You’re invitedJoin the community in a dialogue designed to deliberate and provide guidance to

Virginia Commonwealth University about the best way to honor the human remains found in the East Marshall Street Well. The discussion will focus on interment and memorialization

practices as well as an overview the Family Representative Council selection process.

Ryan Smith, Ph.D., associate professor of history at VCU, will share research on Richmond’s historic burial grounds. Joseph Jones, Ph.D., assistant professor of anthropology at The College of William & Mary, will present on the African Burial Ground National Monument.

Free and open to the public. Sign up online.

EMSW.vcu.edu.Saturday, May 30

8:30 a.m. Breakfast 9 a.m. Program

Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School Gymnasium 1000 Mosby St., Richmond, Virginia 23223

001319-02_East Marshall St well_Urban Views_5-30_Smith&Jones.indd 1 5/22/15 10:40 AM

The First Lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama, could be President. It is not difficult to imagine, given her extensive qualifications and impeccable reputation as a citizen, public servant and patriot. As a role model, she most definitely exceeds the highest standards one could apply. The FLOTUS is an accomplished attorney in her own right, was an exemplary student graduating from two ivy league institutions at the top of her class, and has been, by all accounts, a wonderful mother, supportive and loving wife, while maintaining herself as an extraordinary humanitarian in the face of intense public scrutiny and pretty extreme partisan political character bashing. Michelle Obama has preserved her personal integrity, firm moral and ethical convictions while serving as our nation’s First Lady with an incredible sense of grace, style and balance.

For the past six years, Michelle Obama has generously shared herself with an American public whose preconceptions and misinterpretations of her have, at times, been painfully reminiscent of an historic legacy steeped in the perception of Black women within a certain set of social constructs. Here are three of the aforementioned “types.” The angry black woman, emasculating and sharped tongued, has been most commonly attributed to our First Lady. This construct attempts to challenge her intellectual prowess and ability to fully embrace her blackness without shame or fear. Often perceived as being “uppity” by those for whom the self-determination espoused by Michelle Obama’s very presence creates an on-the-spot deconstruction of the “myth of white supremacy.” Her formidable intellect intimidates those challenged by it, particularly when she stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the leader of the free world, her husband, the President of the United States.

The Mammy is another construct in which Michelle Obama is framed. Not only is the character of the Mammy constructed as the “Help”, she is also drawn with exaggerated stereotypical features such as large lips, wide hips, big breasts and very dark skin as a complete contrast to the “traditional” white and delicate more “wifely” mistresses of White Houses of the past. In

Civil War times, The White House was often referred to as the largest plantation house in Washington. Although other first ladies may have been mischaracterized for the optics they presented in public, Michelle Obama has been scrutinized and objectified in ways that can only be attributed to a racialized narrative. And yet, Michelle Obama’s ability to define high fashion and current contemporary trends in style, boldly contradicts the legacy of the Mammy that some would want to attribute to her.

Lastly, the highly sexualized racial construct of the Jezebel or Sapphire interjects itself into the discourse, and descriptions that have been publically attributed to Black women have also found their way into media discussions of Michelle Obama. Like no other First Lady before her, her body parts have been publically discussed on network television and social media outlets. She has been jokingly referred to as “Obama’s Baby Mamma” on network news and, still, this phenomenal woman has maintained with dignity and grace, the utmost integrity and humility of spirit.

In the face of a nation that espouses liberty, freedom and justice for ALL, having Black people in The White House as our First Family has proven to be a difficult challenge for many. Michelle Obama, that is why I love you, because in the face of all that you have been confronted by, you have been the woman for the job! Bravo!

Up Next Week: We’re the Cops of the World?

TanyaFree.com/Urban Views Weekly Poll

Most of us have taken a “selfie”, right? Well, get ready, “CaptureProof ” will allow doctors and patients to engage using photos and videos. This modern-day technology will permit patients to capture their symptoms using a smartphone. Doctors can then communicate and assess the patients’ condition without being face-to-face. The simple use of a smartphone might save you an office visit to the doctor. What’s your take? Would you feel comfortable being treated and diagnosed by a doctor without an actual office visit?Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2pm on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com.

ViewPoints By Dr. T

Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D.Founder and Artistic DirectorThe Conciliation Project andAssociate ProfessorVirginia Commonwealth UniversityDrT@Margins2theCenter.comwww.theconciliationproject.org

Why I Love Michelle Obama


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Know what paper documents you need to keep or shred. Here are some general rules:

• Keep: All tax-related documents for up to seven years, including annual tax returns; statements that show a gain or a sale of a security or the purchase or sale of a major asset like real estate; mortgage documents, vehicle titles and insurance policies; multiple copies of birth and death certificates; marriage licenses and divorce decrees; deeds and title documents.

• Shred: With identity theft on the rise, it is generally better to shred financial documents before they go in the garbage. After recording all transactions, immediately shred the store and ATM receipts and credit card statements. After a year, shred monthly bank account statements unless you or a family member are close to qualifying for state Medicaid benefits. States generally require applicants to save bank and investment statements for anywhere from three to five years to qualify.

Estate documents and directives generally should be kept in their original paper form in a safe, accessible place with copies as advised. Other documents can be digitally scanned for printout as needed. Many all-in-one printers have a document-scanning feature and today, there are scanning apps available for smartphones as well.

Finally, no matter how you revise your recordkeeping, create a backup system. If you are wedded to paper documents, consider keeping copies at a secure offsite location or with a trusted friend or relative. If you’ve gone digital, external hard drives or cloud storage are possibilities. Above all, protect all password information and regularly check your credit reports throughout the year to monitor potential information breaches.

Bottom line: Build a financial recordkeeping system that not only saves you time and money but helps you reach financial goals faster.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

The 2015 sales tax holiday on hurricane preparedness items takes place Monday , through Sunday, May 25 – May 31.

The following hurricane preparedness items may be purchased exempt of the Retail Sales and Use Tax during the “Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday,” provided that such items have a selling price of $60 or less per item. Retailers may also choose to absorb the tax on other items during the holiday period, but they are responsible for paying the tax on those items to the Department of Taxation.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS SALES TAX HOLIDAY LIST OF QUALIFYING ITEMS

• Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs and reusable ice

• Batteries (excluding automobile or boat batteries), including

AAA cell AA cell C cell D cell 6 volt 9 volt

• Cell phone batteries• Any portable self-powered light sources

including Flashlights Lanterns Glow sticks

• Tarpaulins, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible waterproof sheeting

• Bungee cords, rope

• Ground anchor systems or tie down kits• Ratchet straps• Duct tape• Carbon monoxide detectors• Smoke detectors• Fire extinguishers• Gas or diesel fuel tanks or containers• Water storage containers• Nonelectric food storage coolers• Bottled water• Manual can openers• Portable self-powered radios (including

self-powered radios with electrical power capability)

• Two-way radios• Weather band radios and NOAA weather

radios• Storm shutter devices• Cell phone chargers• First Aid Kits

From The Deal page 2

Sales Price of $1,000 or less• Portable generators and generator power cords• Inverters and inverter power cables

Chain saws with a selling price of $350 or less and chain saw accessories with a sales price of $60 or less may be purchased exempt of the Retail Sales and Use Tax. The following is an all-inclusive list of the items that are deemed “chain saw accessories”:• Chains• Chain saw bar and nose lubricants• Two-cycle motor oil• Chain sharpeners and files• Bars• Wrenches• Carrying cases and scabbards• Safety apparel, including chaps, gloves, hearing protectors, helmets, and protective glasses• Repair parts

The Virginia Department of Taxation’s Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Guidelines and Rules are available online at http://www.tax.virginia.gov/site.cfm?alias=HurricanePreparednessEquipmentHoliday.

For additional information on hurricane preparation, visit the Virginia Department of Emergency Management website at www.vaemergency.gov.

Targeting Millennial Diners: What the Next Generation Wants for Dinner Breakfast, lunch and dinner are evolving. Traditional dining, from what’s on the menu to what it costs, is changing. Now-a-days, diners want fresher food, value for their money and customer service.

A BrandKeys study looked at food preferences among a total of 3000 people, 1000 in each of three groups: Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millennials. The results?

Boomers, who look for healthy foods, also want great service and say they pay extra for it. Gen X can be practical and want value for their money, not necessarily the cheapest price. Millennials, who tend to have sophisticated tastes and aren’t necessarily loyal to restaurant brands, want healthy food in a casual setting.

Restaurants are changing to meet the needs of diners, especially millennials, who were born between the early 1980s and the early 2000s. A key dining demographic, there are approximately 80 million Millennials in the U.S.

“We’ve found that creating moments in the dining experience that are personal, shareable, and what we call ‘friction-free’ lead to satisfaction and repeat visits,” says Adam Pierno, director of brand strategy and planning at Santy, a brand strategy company that recently polled Millennials to identify what makes them dine out or stay at home for dinner.

Pierno says Millennials value being able to split checks easily and like paying the bill on their phones or tablets, as well as apps. They also enjoy knowing an eatery’s “hidden” menu and appreciate restaurants that are flexible with substitutions.

“Good service is still in style, as well,” says Pierno, noting 57 percent of diners say it’s an important factor in deciding where to eat.

Millennials don’t dine out as often as you think. Pierno says the

generation’s dining occasions are down by as much as 20 percent since 2007. Many millennials would rather eat dinner at home while enjoying entertainment like streaming movies and video games.

While 71 percent of Millennials say they’re budget-minded, they’re not very interested in eating fast food. They like fast-casual eateries and will splurge for big occasions. Still, the recession taught them to be wise with their money. “They don’t like to risk dining out at a place they aren’t quite sure will deliver a great meal or experience,” says Pierno.

With the restaurant industry worth $632 billion, restaurants will be competing for the attention and spending power of this new generation of diners.

Food Trucks: On-the-Go Gourmets

You see them driving in your neighborhood, stopped at local parks and even on TV shows like, “The Great Food Truck Race.” Food trucks seem to be everywhere these days.

In just five years, food truck revenue has grown 12 percent, according to IBISWorld, a company that tracks industry and market research.

The $803 million a year food truck trend, which started during the recession, brought gourmet food to customers in various communities across the country, from Miami to Chicago to Los Angeles, and many smaller cities too.

Truck offerings include cupcakes, pizza, donuts and fusion food, like Korean barbeque combined with Mexican cuisine.

Chefs love keeping costs low in a mobile operation, which enables them to share their cuisine with many different eaters. Consumers love the variety of food truck options and appreciate being able to eat high quality food on-the-go, like during lunch hour or while hanging out at a nearby park

“Consumers seem to love food trucks because they make interesting, often high-end food more accessible and convenient,” says Mark Brandau, managing editor of “1851 Magazine,” acknowledging the food truck trend is here to stay.

Craving dessert? Looking for burgers? Whatever you want to eat can probably be found on a gourmet food truck. Search social media to see where your fave mobile vendors will be, then get curbside and prepare to eat. Lines typically aren’t long, and tips aren’t expected either – a definite bonus for foodies.

“Our customers are savvy consumers who are interested in mobile food trucks for lots of valid reasons: value-priced food, artisanal small businesses, a sense of shared community,” says Matt Cohen, founder of Off the Grid, a street food organization company in San Francisco.

The trend will grow as more communities accept the idea. “Since more cities are relaxing their restrictions on food trucks, the trend is only going to proliferate,” says Brandau. Up next for food trucks? More catering opportunities (think weddings and events) and increased tech use, as well as “a move toward healthier food from the trucks,” says Cohen. “Better and better food.”

6 Urban Views Weekly | May 27, 2015

Dining Out Tips and Trends

Kid-Friendly Dining: Food, Fun and Family

Going out for dinner can be a chore for families, especially those with young children. Luckily, restaurants are reaching out to them, welcoming the parents and the kids for a meal away from home.

“As more families are dining out more and spending more, restaurants need to cater to their unique dining criteria in order to satisfy their needs, which will nurture a loyal customer base,” says Sharon Sprague, co-founder of KidNosh, a restaurant review site for parents looking to dine out with kids. The site’s restaurant reviews, which are written by parent for parents, factor in kid-friendly amenities, as well as food quality and overall service.

A restaurant.com survey of 988 adults reports 59 percent of parents dine out with their children at least once a week, with 70 percent of parents saying restaurant dining is a great way to spend time with family. The survey also found 40 percent of families go out for American food, followed by 25 percent for Italian and 21 percent for Mexican.

“Not only are they spending more than couples without kids, but parents are likely to share good dining experiences with other parents on social media and word-of-mouth,” says Sprague, who thinks the kid-friendly commitment is likely permanent.

So how are restaurants wooing families? They’re serving healthy food choices like lean meats, fruits and vegetables; impressing kids with tech tools like video games and old-fashioned fun including crayons and paper, as well as books. There are also kids-eat-free days as well as kid-friendly activities like balloon artists, face painting and make-your-own pizzas or sundaes.

Another sign restaurants are family friendly? “They have family bathrooms or changing tables in both women’s and men’s room,” says Sprague.

Restaurants want repeat business from families with kids who eat at off-peak times like pre-dinner rush or on off-peak days like Monday or Tuesday. Parents seem to be pleased with the family-friendly offerings too. The restaurant.com survey found 57 percent of parents like dining out as a way to teach kids table manners; 54 percent say it teaches kids about different cultures; and 66 percent of parents think it’s an opportunity get kids to try new foods.

Value Dining: Are Dinner DealsReally a Bargain?

You’ve seen the ads: all-you-can-eat appetizers, 3-course dinners for $30 and 2 meals for $20. The premise seems tempting but, are these really good deals or are they simply marketing efforts to get diners to buy more food and drinks?

“In my experience, the ‘bottomless’ or ‘endless’ quantity-type offerings aren’t as much of a value as you’d think, unless you can eat your weight in pasta or appetizers,” says blogger Kendal Perez of Hassle Free Savings, who explains diners need to evaluate how much they’ll really consume and how that compares to the restaurant’s regular

pricing.

Getting a deal at a restaurant with large portion sizes, for example, can mean even more value if you box up leftover food to eat for another meal. “If you’re a leftover fan like me, it’s a win-win,” says Perez. “I don’t dine out often, so when I do I try to find some kind of savings.”

Perez, who suggests diners look for coupons or daily deals for restaurants, says offers like Groupon can be good, but have their limits, since diners often end up indulging in expensive extras like cocktails, desserts and additional appetizers. “This can often get your bill up to what it would be without the discount, or even more,”

she says. “Bottom line: use discounts responsibly!”

Value Dining Considerations:

• Look for reasonable incentives, like $2 off an entrée. If you have to buy more than you want or need, it’s not really a good offer.

• Eat a late lunch. You’ll pay lunch prices, and doing so could save you more money than a coupon. The value is in the portion size, since many lunch and dinner entrees are similarly sized,

but lunch is nearly always a cheaper dish.

• Be wary of the fine print! Watch out for coupons that refuse substitutions and limit you to specific items only, such as only valid on one of the restaurant’s 10 chicken entrees.

• Check expiration dates. Many bargains only last a short time to entice you to dine at the restaurant right away. Also note that some offers are only good during weekdays, not on weekends.

• Sign up for restaurant emails to get offers and coupons in your inbox.

• Follow the restaurant on social media too, where you can often get coupons and advance notice of upcoming promotions.

• Download the eatery’s app if they have one. By setting a reservation on the app or using it to place your order, you may be eligible for freebies like a complimentary dessert.

7 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Dining Out Tips and TrendsBy Bernard Freeman


You’ve written the perfect proposal. You submitted it on time. Perhaps you carefully reviewed the guidelines and found that your organization is a perfect match for what the foundation is seeking to achieve through its grantmaking. Or maybe a program officer reached out and personally asked your organization to submit. Maybe your nonprofit or university has received consistent funding over the years, and you have submitted your annual request – on time, of course. But you haven’t heard a word.

You should have heard by now. The proposal guidelines gave a date for when funding decisions would be announced. That date is now in the past. Days have passed. Weeks. A month. Ninety days. What do you do?

You could send a follow up email, or place a call inquiring on the status of your proposal. That’s a straight-forward and appropriate action. Let’s say you do, and you learn “the board meeting has been pushed back” or “we haven’t made a decision yet.” Now what do you do?

Here’s our suggestion: keep fundraising. Act as if you still have to meet your fundraising goal, even if you feel your proposal is a “sure thing” or a “slam dunk.”

For each gift or grant you are pursuing, have a “Plan B” and a “Plan C.” Here’s what we mean: if your nonprofit has submitted a grant to a foundation for $50,000 make sure you submit other proposals to other foundations or individuals in amounts that are equal to or

greater than $50,000. And, don’t count each gift as if it would be received – use a 3:1 or 5:1 ratio of submitted proposals to funded proposals. Colloquially we call this “hedging your bets.” In fundraising terms we refer to this as “making sure you meet goal.” Aggressively work on alternative prospects who could give gifts or make grants equal to or greater than the gift or grant you are “waiting on.” Don’t put all your eggs in that one basket.

There is no way that every proposal you submit will result in a grant. Even if you’ve been given all the signals that “things are moving ahead.” Count only those gifts you can take to the bank.

While you can’t count money you don’t have, you can make sure you are ready to implement your proposal when the funds are received. Have you identified the personnel you need? Do you have an evaluation process in place? Has your team created a detailed project work plan to guide their activities and ensure that project goals are met on time?

Here’s the position you want to avoid: sharing with the board that you were unable to meet the organization’s fundraising goal because a certain grant “did not come through.” Hedge your bets, be aggressive, meet goal.

Copyright 2015– Mel and Pearl Shaw

Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success. For help with your fundraising visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

FUNdraising Good Times

Waiting for a windfall

Civic Beat

www.CVAACC.org

Central Virginia African AmericanChamber of Commerce

Come Grow with us!

Chamber Membershipcould increase your

bottom line.

Time-to-LiveBreast Cancer Awareness Walk for Early Detection

On Saturday, June 6, Richmond Guardian Angels, VCU Massey Cancer Center, Susan G. Komen, Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation, Capital Area Health Network, Cross Over Ministries, 7th District Health and Wellness Initiative, and The Creighton Resource Center are joining together to walk and visit in neighborhoods throughout the city to promote breast cancer awareness and provide important information to the public.

The “Time to Live” Breast Cancer Awareness Walk is not a fund-raiser; it’s a door-to-door, face-to-face walk to deliver important information to the community.

Participants in the walk will:

· Distribute Breast health information

· Stress the importance of early detection

· Make those without insurance aware of health care resources in Richmond

CHURCH PARTNERS

· 31st Street Baptist Church, 823 N. 31st Street

· Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1920 Fairmont Ave.

· Ebenezer Baptist Church, 216 West Leigh St.

· Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 1200 N. 28th St.

· Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 3300 R. Street

· Second Baptist Church, 3300 Broad Rock Blvd.

If you would like to participate, go to one of the partnering churches on June 6, 2015. Training starts at 9:00 A.M., and the walk starts at 10:00 A.M.

If your church would like to partner, for your surrounding community, call or email: Jo White, [email protected], 804-937-6836

SaveDATE

the

June 610:00am


Healthy Bones Team Launches Fracture Care Initiative Bon Secours Richmond Health System’s Healthy Bones Team, composed of medical experts from several different disciplines and practice areas, believes that it’s time to break the trend of osteoporosis and decrease bone fractures in adults of all ages. Some staggering statistics on osteoporosis (derived from Greek words meaning “porous bone”) add plenty of backbone to the team’s mission to prevent first-time and repeat fractures from occurring:

• About half of women over age 50, and about one in five men, will break a bone due to osteoporosis

• Men are twice as likely as women to die in the year following a hip fracture

• Osteoporosis causes an estimated two million broken bones each year

• About 54 million Americans age 50 and older are at risk of osteoporosis

“Fractures of any kind, especially if the patient is age 45 or older, should be identified as a possible indicator for osteoporosis, which can easily be determined with a bone density scan,” said Alan Stern, M.D., FACR, FACP, director of the Bon Secours Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Richmond. “Once diagnosed with osteoporosis, patients can learn about a variety of treatment options that may or may not include medications. Our goal is to educate all hospital systems about the importance of implementing a structured framework of care for fracture patients that will help prevent repeat fractures.”

Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital is already working with multidisciplinary fracture teams to lead this effort for Bon Secours Richmond Health System. Brenda Gemmell, RN, orthopaedic program coordinator at St. Mary’s Hospital, has been collaborating on the Healthy Bones Team initiative to create a process for referrals and follow-up care for osteoporosis.

“We started with hip fracture patients because that type of fracture can have devastating results, but ultimately we want all fragility fracture patients to be referred for follow-up to determine if they are at risk of osteoporosis,” Gemmell said. “The process developed by the Healthy Bones Team spans the complete continuum of fracture care, starting with a referral to a primary care physician or to a

specialty center like Dr. Stern’s, then creating a full-scope treatment plan to decrease the risk of subsequent fractures. The treatment plan includes such things as assessing osteoporosis risk through bone density scans, lab tests and beginning medication therapy if needed.”

Tips to Prevent Falls and Fractures

• Remove or secure throw rugs

• Keep stairs free of clutter

• Use handrails on stairs

• Install grab bars in the bathroom beside the tub, shower and toilet

• Consider using a shower chair or bench and a hand-held showerhead to bathe

• Keep a flashlight at your bedside

• Place a nightlight between the bedroom and bathroom

• Place items you use most often within easy reach

• Do not get up too quickly after eating, sitting or lying flat

• If you are unsteady on your feet, use a cane or walker as needed

Provided by the Healthy Bones Team at Bon Secours Richmond Health System. To learn more, visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation at nof.org.


Petersburg City Public Schools (PCPS) students are refurbishing computers and giving them to local students and families who will benefit from the devices. It’s all part of a state-wide program called the Virginia Student Training and Refurbishing Program, also known as Virginia STAR.

As a participant in the program, PCPS recently received surplus computer hardware from government agencies and private companies.

Petersburg High students in the electronics track of the Career and Technical Education program repaired all of the units received – a total of twenty computers.

The refurbished computers are now being donated. So far, PCPS has identified ten students whose families would benefit from the fixed-up computers.

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) awarded Virginia State University its three highest athletic honors at the conference’s annual Spring General Assembly Meeting and End-of-Year Awards Reception in Richmond, VA.

The CIAA named VSU Athletic Director Peggy Davis the 2015 conference Athletic Director of the Year. The award was voted by the Athletic Director’s Association. This marks the fifth time since 2007 that Davis has received this honor. The award recognizes commitment and administrative excellence within the campus, conference and community environment.

The CIAA presented the Trojans with the 2015 Loretta Taylor and the C.H. Williams All-Sports Awards for its women’s and men’s athletic programs, respectively. This is the second consecutive year VSU has received these honors. These awards are given to the top female and male athletic programs within the conference, based on

championship finishes.

“To receive both the Taylor and Williams awards in the same year is extraordinary,” said VSU Interim President Pamela V. Hammond. “That Mrs. Davis was able to lead the VSU athletic program to accomplishing this honor in consecutive years is unprecedented.”

VSU athletics are wrapping up a banner year at the

NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships on May 21-23, in Allendale, MI.

In the past year, VSU teams claimed CIAA championships in football and women’s basketball.

The Trojans continue to stay true to a mission of “creating academic and athletic champions in the conference and NCAA through excellence in: Scholarship, Sportsmanship, Ethical Behavior, Community Service and Diversity.”

For more information on VSU Athletics, visit www.govsutrojans.com.

Father and daughter pick up refurbished computer. Giello is a 5th grader at A.P. Hill Elementary School. Gilbert Capate says, “ We’re thrilled to have this computer. This will help my daughter enhance her academic skills.”

Peggy Davis

Petersburg Students Refurbish Computers, Donate to Classmates

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VSU athletics sweep CIAA honors for administration and top programs


Nothing tastes better than the best cuts of meat, prepared exactly to perfection. Finding the right cuts of meat can be confusing. After all, there is a variety of choices, as well as different grades within each choice. You can choose from USDA prime, choice and select grades. For the average person, all of these different options are intimidating. How do you know you are getting what you want?

Cooking a great meal doesn’t have to be daunting. Whether you are creating a meal for a dinner party or informal event, you can get what you need.

When in doubt, talk to someone who is in the know. Find a store with friendly, knowledgeable staff who will help you decide on beef, pork, poultry, lamb or something more exotic. Sometimes stores have specialists who can guide you through the process.

In fact, most supermarket meat departments or butcher shops employ people who are happy to give advice and inform you about different cuts and how each one should be prepared. They might be able to stop you from making a costly mistake.

At quality shops, you could have meats custom cut for your needs. Custom cuts often deliver better results than off-the-shelf items.

Great cooks know that a good recipe needs a tender, delicious piece of meat with the perfect texture.

The following are a few more tips to help you through the process of finding the best cut of meat.

1. Choose the right cut of meat for your recipe.

Consider how you are cooking the meat and what

you want your result to be. Traditional barbecue uses cheap, tough cuts and cooks them slowly until they become soft and tender. On the other hand, a barbecue brisket is chewy and tough because it is cooked quickly over a full blast of heat. But that same meat can become delicious and smooth if you smoke it slowly over low heat for hours.

Other cuts of meat will become tough and flavorless if you grill them too slowly. For example, Porterhouse or T-bone are best cooked over high, direct heat for a short time.

2. Consider the density or toughness of the meat and its fat content.

Density can be hard to ascertain, so usually the cut indicates the density or toughness. Meats culled from different areas of an animal tend to be more or less tender.

Marbling - small streaks of fat running through the cut - can sometimes tell you about the fat content. Many people think marbling gives meat its best flavor. However, the quality of the marbling is important. Big veins of fat don’t cook very easily, so thick and consistent cuts of marbled meat would need to be slow-cooked to release the flavor. Small, thin ribbons of fat are usually excellent for a traditional steak cooked over high heat.

3. Examine the color of the meat and ask whether carbon monoxide is used to keep it looking red.

Meat browns quickly when exposed to air. If you find bright-red meat without additives used to preserve that vivid color, then it is an ultra-fresh cut.

Novice cooks might start with a cheaper cut of meat, such as sirloin steak for grilling. Once you have

practiced your grilling skills, work your way up to expensive meats such as New York strips,

T-bones, filet mignon and Porterhouse.

Ultimately, it is the quality of your cooking skills, coupled with your

selection of meat that will make a great meal.

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Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM-5PMHow to Choose the Best Cuts of Meat

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