MARTIN’S A+ School Rewards program allows local schools to earn cash for scholarships, technology, sports equipment, field trips and other educational needs.

After customers had designated the school(s) of their choice, A+ School Rewards points accrued with each purchase made using a BonusCard from October 9, 2011 through March 31, 2012.

“The A+ School Rewards program addresses two very important missions to MARTIN’S – improving the quality of life for children and building healthy communities,” said
Rick Herring, president. “Thank you to all of our customers who participated in this year’s program by registering and shopping with their BonusCard to help support educational needs and activities within our local schools.”

Mills E. Godwin High School in Richmond, VA was the top local school this year, earning $9,251.

The other top earning schools included:

$3,626 – Grange Hall Elementary School in Moseley, VA
$3,111 – Longdale Elementary School in Glen Allen, VA
$2,899 – WW Gordon Elementary School in Richmond, VA
$2,712 – Maggie L. Walker Governors School for Government and International Studies, Richmond, VA

For a complete listing of participating schools and the A+ School Rewards they have earned for the 2011-2012 school year, visit www.martinsfoods.com/aplus.

But Richmond, we need your help!
Parades, like freedom, aren’t free. The Welcome Home Foundation – the group responsible for organizing the first-in-the-country welcome home parade in St. Louis on January 28th which drew a crowd of 100,000 citizens – and media partners at The Richmond Times-Dispatch and Cox Communications are challenging the citizens, business leaders and educational institutions in Richmond to raise $50,000 by April 20th so we can move forward with a Welcome Home Parade in Richmond to honor post-9/11 troops returning from war.

Log on and support the Richmond $50,000 Welcome Home the Heroes Challenge at www.americaforvets.org by clicking on RICHMOND. Check out our Facebook group, Richmond Welcomes Home the Heroes.

We heard it was impossible to raise this much in two weeks. At the Welcome Home Foundation, when it comes to veterans, we don’t do impossible! Richmond, let’s show America how we thank OUR heroes!

Contact:
WHF in Richmond, VA: Robin Beres, 804.814.6831, mberes@timesdispatch.com
WHF National HQ: Craig Schneider, 636.688.0757, Craig Schneider,
craigschneider2012@gmail.com

Mary G. Green, 804-590-1499, Virginia Mann, 804-733-0059,
Virginia F. Barbour, 804-526-7897, Sandra J. Mickens,
804-732-7138

The Kickin’-4-Kidz event will begin at 10:00AM and will include an array of soccer skill drills and various activities. Participants will have an opportunity to show off these skills during several short-sided soccer games in the tournament at the end of the day. An awards ceremony at 2:45PM will conclude the event. Members of the VCU men’s and women’s soccer teams, as well as professional players from the Richmond Kickers, will be assisting with the morning drills and tournament.

Kickin’-4-Kidz is a closed event created in the effort to give Richmond youth a safe, healthy activity to take part in during their spring break. The children participating are invited from Richmond-area youth organizations, such as local Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCAs.

Project Plant It!, which will soon be recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation, distributes free tree seedlings to each participating student. The program provides teachers with a comprehensive kit of lesson plans, posters, stickers and other instructional tools that align with Standards of Learning in core curriculum subjects. It is offered to schools in the areas served by Dominion, parent company of Dominion Virginia Power.

Project Plant It! has reached more than 100,000 students since 2007 and will be honored with the Public Awareness of Trees Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation in late April 2012.

Website Makes Learning Fun

Students can boost their knowledge about trees and the environment, while watching videos and playing interactive online games at www.projectplantit.com.

On the “Student” tab, there are several videos to learn about trees and how to care for them. In addition, the website has three fun games to teach students about plant life and vocabulary, including timed jigsaw puzzles, a leaf matching game, and a tree identification game.

On the “Teacher” tab, there’s a Teacher Toolbox listing the materials that can be downloaded at no charge. Parents will love “Get Active!” (found in the “View teacher resources” area of the “Teacher” tab), which features almost a dozen ideas for families to enjoy a personal encounter with Mother Nature.

RPS Schools Love Project Plant It!

All of the elementary schools in the Richmond Public School System have participated in Project Plant It! since it launched in 2007. “Project Plant It! continues to provide high quality instructional materials,” said Felicia Cosby, Communications Officer for Richmond Public Schools. “The science lesson plans sharpen a student’s skills in scientific observation and analysis. The math lesson plans help students estimate how tall a tree will grow. There’s even a tree reading list for book reports and a social studies exercise to teach students about trees around the world.”

Cosby also noted that Project Plant It! makes a long-lasting impression on students by giving them a tree of their own. “The children can plant their seedling in the yard, in a container or in another special place and watch it grow over the years,” she said. “That’s why we continue to support this enriching, hands-on program each spring.”

For more information, visit www.projectplantit.com. You can “Like” Project Plant It! on Facebook to view photos and stories about kids making a difference in their communities.

The event will also include music by DJ Milli, hula hoop demonstrations by RVA Hoop House, arts and crafts, a petting zoo, a balloon artist, free give-aways, opportunity to purchase photos with Mr. Bunny, children’s fingerprinting provided by the Richmond Sheriff’s Office, and vendors selling a variety of foods. In addition, children age 4 and younger can enjoy story telling every 30-minutes and other activities in “Bunny Town.”

Children who want to participate in the egg hunts should bring their own basket. In the event of rain, the Eggstravaganza will be held on Sunday, March 25, from 1 to 4 p.m.

RRHA names new CEO

The Board of Commissioners of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) has concluded its nationwide search for a Chief Executive Officer and is pleased to announce that Adrienne E. Goolsby has been named the new CEO of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Goolsby was selected from a field of more than 130 potential candidates.

“Adrienne is a proven leader in effective public housing transformation and has a remarkable track record in key areas of strategic planning and partnerships, policy formation, redevelopment, relationship-building, financial growth and development, and organizational management and leadership — everything we were searching for in a new CEO,” says James Carleton, Chair of the RRHA Board of Commissioners and the CEO Search Committee. “After a very intense and thorough CEO search process, the Search Committee concluded that Adrienne’s impressive track record, the critical role she played in the positive turnaround of Chicago public housing, and her expertise and passion for community building make her the best person to lead RRHA into a new era of change and transformation and make a profound impact in the lives of the families and individuals served by RRHA. Her stellar leadership and achievements in public housing will incredibly enhance RRHA’s current operations and community revitalization initiatives and take us to even greater heights.”

City of Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones adds: “I’m pleased with the outcome of our search for a unique talent. Ms. Goolsby is someone who brings skills in change management, strategic planning and the overall expertise that we need in the city of Richmond to truly transform public housing as we know it today. The only way we can be successful at achieving the change we are striving for is by having a strong and technically proficient housing authority, and with today’s announcement, I believe we are on the path to building that much needed capacity.”

Goolsby will officially join RRHA on April 23. “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority, RRHA community members and the City of Richmond in such a significant capacity. RRHA has positioned itself throughout the years as a catalyst for quality, affordable housing and community revitalization and I envision an even more vibrant and prosperous future for RRHA and the many families and individuals the authority serves,” says Adrienne Goolsby.

“Teamwork is one of RRHA’s core values. I look forward to working closely and collaboratively with RRHA staff and community members, Mayor Jones and his City administration, Richmond City Council, area schools, and other public and private partners to build positive synergy around the collective goal of changing the face of public housing through the completion of successful community redevelopment initiatives. Together, we can ensure that the agency and all those we serve reach their maximum potential.”

Open House opportunities will also be held on April 14 and May 5. Please call the Office of Admissions at 434-848-1877 today to reserve your spot.

The shows are scheduled for Friday, February 3, at 7 p.m. at the Richmond Public Library’s main branch (free), 101 E Franklin St, and Saturday, February 4, at 2 p.m. at the Science Museum of Virginia (free with museum admission). The Friday show is being presented as part of First Fridays Artwalk. The Saturday performance is presented in conjunction with the Science Museum’s exhibit, Race: Are We So Different?
Generation Dream 2012 features talented youth performers from throughout the Richmond metropolitan area. Performers include Minds in Motion Team XXL; Taaluma African dance; Indian dance and music from Apsaras Arts Dance Group and Gandharva North America. dance from Rave’ Williams and the Noelle Connect Dancers; instrumental music from Pranay Vissa and Seth Vickers; songs from Krista Olson and Nyenda Diamond Anderson; rock and roll from the Firehawks Band; and spoken word by Angelica De Jesus and Vibha Patel. The young performers will be supported by local professionals Ezibu Muntu (Saturday only); Theresa G and– as always–Drums No Guns.

The Richmond Youth Peace Project (RYPP) is a program of the Richmond Peace Education Center, along with Drums No Guns.

For more information on Generation Dream 2012, or any other RYPP program, contact The Richmond Peace Education Center 3500 Patterson Ave, Richmond 23221
804-232-1002
rypp@rpec.org
www.rpec.org

Open House opportunities will also be held on March 24, April 14, and May 5. Please call the Office of Admissions at 434-848-1877 today to reserve your spot.

The Richmond Chapter of the National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc. Presents:

The Seniors Program
Fifth Baptist Church, 1415 West Cary Street. Richmond, VA
Contact: Mrs. Saundra Rollins 231 – 9306

Thursday, January 12th
6:30 p.m.

The Dr. Grace Pleasants Memorial Dinner
Cedar Street Baptist Church of God, 2301 Cedar Street, Richmond, VA
Contact: Mrs. Goldie Settles 262 -1982

Friday, January 13th
7:30 a.m.

The Community Leaders Breakfast
Richmond Downtown Marriott
Speaker: Reverend Richard Wills, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Hampton, VA
Contact: Ms. Claudia Wall – (804) 257-5814

Saturday, January 14th

The Youth Leadership Forum, Virginia Union University
A Day of Empowerment for Youth Grades 5-12
Contact: Mr. William Hicks (804) 536-2255

Monday, January 16th
10:00 a.m.

Mass Meeting
Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 1200 N. 28th Street, Richmond, VA

Featuring a play presented by Mike Wiley, Professor of Fine Arts at UNC Chapel Hill
based on the true story of Henry Box Brown, a slave from Louisa County who mailed himself to Freedom

Monday, January 16th
1:00 p.m.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Worship
Sharon Baptist Church, 22 Leigh Street. Richmond, VA

Speaker: Dr. George Lyons, Pastor, Gillfield Baptist Church, Petersburg, VA
Contact: Mr. Willie Williams, III – 329-7800

Sunday, January 22nd
4:00 p.m.

“Sing Out For Freedom-Pray For Peace”
Congregation Beth Ahabah, 1111 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23220
Contact: Annie L. Bornstein – 358-6757

Friday, February 3rd
7:00 p.m.

The Richmond Peace Education Center presents the Youth EduConcert
“Generation Dream 2012”
Richmond Main Public Library, 101 E. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA

Contact: Mr. Paul Fleisher 232-1002

Saturday, February 4th
2:00 p.m.

The Richmond Peace Education Center presents the Youth EduConcert
“Generation Dream 2012”
Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA

Contact: Mr. Paul Fleisher (804) 232-1002