5. Make a list of everything you need and then everything you want in your new home. I call these the “needs” and “like to have” lists. This will help you narrow down style, size and important features you want in the home.

4. Contact a mortgage lender to determine exactly what your price range is before you start looking. You can either contact your bank or a specific mortgage broker. Either should be able to help you answer that question.

3. This one is my favorite…Call a Realtor! Sit down with them and tell them the things you came up with on your lists and what you’ve determined is your price range. Then watch the magic happen. Your realtor will be able to come up with lists of homes that fit into the criteria you’ve come up with. This person isn’t just a tour guide for the homes you choose to view, but your tour guide through this entire process from first viewings to closing on the one you love.

2. Visit as many houses as you need to see to comfortably narrow it down and choose one. This is going to be your home, so make sure it’s what you want and is somewhere you don’t mind spending some time. This is a big investment in both time, money and energy. So take your time with the decision.

And the Number 1 most important to do for buyers in the spring market is…….

1. HAVE FUN!! We are still in the midst of a strong buyers’ market. This is the perfect time for you to buy! The inventory or number of homes on the market is still pretty high so you have a huge selection of homes to choose from to find the one that suits your needs and wants. Remember that the huge inventory is playing a major role in keeping house prices low. Perfect for spring time or any time buying. Also, the interest rates on home mortgages continue to be an all time historic low. So get out there and get your piece of the American dream of homeownership. Now is the time!

In the first instance, we may be unaware of the triggers that are prompting issues in our relationships. For example, your partner may shut down when it comes to financial discussions. While the partner may think that their mate is purposely behaving inappropriately, the trigger may not be them or even related to the day’s argument. The trigger could be an old argument about money, either with you or someone else. It could be the person’s tone of voice or even fear of disappointing a partner. The point is that some triggers have little to do with the situation at hand and are automatic responses that we unconsciously process.

In the second instance, we may have consciously made a bad decision that has led to habitual bad behaviors that we can’t seem to control. This could be an extramarital affair or a habit of manipulating our partner to get what we want. The flesh is satisfied, yet our emotions and mental stability have been altered. The lies we tell ourselves become truths and we delve into uncontrollable behavior. Though we may regret it, we don’t know how to change the situation.

The first thing to do when altering habits and routines is to identify the triggers that are causing unhealthy behaviors. This may mean you, as a partner, have to point out some triggers that you see that provoke unwanted behaviors. This may also require some inner dialogue as well. Habits are not formed overnight, and it may take some time to discover the real issues. Once the triggers or cues have been identified, it is important to change the circumstance of a given situation in the future to prevent unwanted behaviors. As Albert Einstein is famously quoted, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Again, it is important to give yourself some time and expect setbacks. This said; don’t let the challenge discourage you. Once the behavior is changed, avoid those triggers that will enable automatic behaviors that are unhealthy for you. As Andrew Carnegie put it best, “Anything in life worth having is worth working for.”

The award is presented by RichTech, a Richmond VA-based company that promotes the region as a technology center and provides a vehicle for addressing the needs of Central Virginia’s dynamic technology community. Each year, the company recognizes what it calls “the best and brightest technology stars!”

The RFLSB was the only School selected as a finalist from hundreds of nominations. The School was nominated for its “Digital at the Core” initiative that developed a new, integrated business curriculum focusing heavily on technological participation and digital content.

The RFLSB made history in 2010 by becoming the first school in the country to deliver its core curriculum in a predominantly digital format. That year, the School piloted a process approach to delivering nine core courses through licensed, open-source costing $19.95 per license. The fee covers all of the digital products, including digital downloads, pdf files of each chapter, complete digital textbooks in either MOBI or ePub formats, MP3 audio chapters, MP3 study guides, study guides, quizzes and flashcards. A grant from Dominion Virginia Power gave the Business School the start-up capital it needed to launch the initiative.

The award is one of three prestigious honors recently awarded to the RFLSB. In October, Governor Bob McDonnell awarded the RFLSB the Governor’s Technology Award for Innovation in Higher Education. Earlier this month, the School was recognized as the “Best Business Program in the Country” among the 108 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) by The Center for HBCU Media Advocacy. The Center for HBCU Media Advocacy annually recognizes a program which has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and community contributions in research exposition and professional development.

“It is the faculty, staff, and our industry boards that make the dreams of achieving excellence a reality,” said RFLSB Dean, Dr. Mirta Martin. “These awards are a tribute to their commitment.”

While planning a family vacation to Panama, I searched online for rental cars. One lower-cost rental car agency I’d never used before offered a significantly lower rate than the others. Ignoring the little voice in my head, I decided to try them.

Long story short: Although our flight was only one hour late, when I arrived bleary-eyed at the counter I was told that my car had already been given away – but I could upgrade to the next level for twice the price. After getting the runaround from the company’s U.S.-based customer service department and learning that everyone else’s rates had climbed equally high, I was basically stuck.

That experience taught me three lessons: A reservation isn’t necessarily a guarantee; when traveling abroad, use trusted vendors – especially if it sounds too good to be true; and do better due diligence by researching travel columnists and message boards for rental tips, possible pitfalls and customer complaints.

Several car rental methods are available:

Book directly from a rental agency (usually cheaper online than by phone).
Comparison shop at websites like Priceline, Orbitz or Hotwire (although, I’ll now be wary of buying a “blind” rental where you don’t learn the carrier’s name until after you pay).
As part of a package including airfare and lodging.

I usually open several browser tabs to compare rentals side by side. Rates change constantly, so today’s price may be much lower (or higher) than tomorrow’s. Other tips:

Book the best deal you can now and check back for lower rates.
Incorporate additional fees and taxes into your comparison – sometimes they don’t all show up until the “Total” page.
Look for discount codes from membership organizations like AAA, AARP and airline frequent flyer programs.
Consider picking up your car at a non-airport location where rates are usually – although not always – much lower.

Other decision-making factors include:

Airport shuttle convenience.
Fees for exceeding mileage allowances, alternate location return, late returns, or additional drivers.
Fuel refilling charges – you may do better refilling the car yourself. Use a website/phone app like GasBuddy to find cheaper gas in the area.
Surcharge for drivers under 25.

Rental agencies offer their own collision, liability, theft and other insurance coverage. Conventional wisdom says to avoid this route if your own insurance plans – or benefits available from your credit card – provide similar coverage. However, before automatically rejecting agency coverage, ask your insurance company and credit card issuer whether you are fully covered. Consider factors that may exclude coverage such as:

Renting longer than 30 days.
Certain models are excluded.
Travel outside specified service areas.
Whether or not you carry comprehensive and collision coverage on your own car.
Violating rental agreement terms (reckless driving, unauthorized drivers, etc.).

Before you take possession, thoroughly inspect the car for any pre-existing damage and note it on your contract; otherwise you could receive a hefty bill for someone else’s minor scratches and dents. And, conduct a thorough walkthrough when you return the car.

Bottom line: Don’t gamble your precious vacation on simply finding the cheapest deal. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

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

Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K Pre Event Meet Up

By Chevont’e Alexander

Well, Richmond has scored ‘BIG’ as the second fattest city in the United States, coming right behind Memphis, Tennessee. According to Newsweek’s TheDailyBeast.com, 29.4 percent of Richmond’s population is weighing in as obese. The study also says that 12.4 percent of Richmond’s population has diabetes. Last year, another study showed that Richmond had the third highest ratio of fast food places. Could that be a direct correlation?

But, how is this possible when Richmond is home to great athletic events, races, festivals, and has great parks, and bicycle and pedestrian trails? When did Richmond become fat?

Unfortunately, the Richmond community is blighted by the lack of fresh produce and availability of grocery stores in certain parts of the area. The city of Richmond has even started to focus on areas of the city where residents are without access to healthy, nutritional, fresh food; located in the more low-income neighborhoods across the city. With more convenience stores and access to unhealthy foods, those numbers can add up with national studies, and on the scale too! But, can we blame it all on our environments?

“The Black community always promotes soul food, but nutrition and exercise is never a priority,” says Jeremy Patterson.

Just released this week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says the obesity rate will increase to 42% by 2030. The African American community has indeed been plagued by these statistics. According to a 2010 report by the CDC, 78 percent of black women ages 20 and older are overweight or obese (compared with 60 percent of white women). And, as your health risks increase with being obese, so does the amount it costs for treating obesity-related illnesses. Those costs are approaching $200 billion a year.

Among African Americans 20 years and older, more than two-thirds are overweight or obese, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 pounds or more. Teenagers, particularly black youths are increasingly developing Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and early signs of heart disease. All these are due to poor diets, lack of exercise and inadequate medical guidance. High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke and death rates. Having excess weight or being physically inactive can both lead to high blood pressure.

SISTAS DO RUN 10K Training Team

But, there is hope, the environment in our schools and communities is changing. However, education, awareness, policy and environmental change are not overnight fixes, so people have to realize that systemic and real sustainable change must take planning, time, people and money. And, the people have to want to change. Just because you build it doesn’t mean people will change.

Bringing Awareness to the Community

Along with obesity, comes the risk for other chronic diseases. The month of May is National Stroke Awareness. National Stroke Awareness Month has been recognized since 1989. Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. According to the American Heart Association, “every 40 seconds, someone in America has a stroke. It’s the fourth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability.” The 2006 stroke death rates per 100,000 population for specific groups were 41.7 for white males, 41.1 for white females, 67.7 for black males and 57.0 for black females.

But, 80% of all strokes are preventable. The American Stroke Association recommends the following to lessen your risk for stroke:

Eat a healthy diet.
Know your numbers, especially your blood pressure.
Exercise every day.
Walk or do other forms of physical activity for at least 30 minutes.
Stop smoking.
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
Stop any illegal drug use.
Make sure you receive quality care.

Educate, participate, and advocate for stroke awareness. National Stroke Association offers free tools and resources for raising awareness at www.stroke.org.

It is time to get healthy and active!

All it takes is 30 minutes a day to improve health conditions. And, as the saying goes “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, and it really does! It is all about portion control, eating healthy, and being active. Obesity is a growing epidemic in this country, and it starts with awareness and education in our schools and communities.

“There are so many free options for Richmond residents and surrounding counties to become active; we have really nice parks throughout the city that can be utilized to walk, jog or run.” says Delicia Clements, cofounder of SISTAS DO RUN!

SISTAS DO RUN!… W.E. R.O.C.(k)! (Women Elevating Runners of Color) is a female beginner running group started in Richmond in January 2012 by founders, Delicia Clements and Yolanda Newbille. The organization’s mission is to encourage and motivate women runners of color to embrace recreational running and start making healthy lifestyle choices.

SISTAS DO RUN! had their inaugural run in January 2012 in Byrd Park, and attracted over 90+ black women of all different shapes, sizes, heights, shades, and ages to start getting active. The group meets every day during the week at different locations around the Richmond region, and their main group run is on Saturdays. They have an average of 35 women come out on a weekly basis. And, the great thing about the group is that it is FREE. This gives members in Chesterfield or West End Henrico the opportunity to participate on this journey to a healthier lifestyle. Each day members post resources, group runs, and motivational messages to encourage members and family and friends to become more active.

“It’s all about being motivated, involved, and engaged. We want our children, mothers, and grandmothers to eventually adopt a healthy lifestyle and change their habits.” Says Yolanda Newbille, cofounder of SISTAS DO RUN!

All fitness levels are invited to come and join. It begins with the first step to start a new healthy lifestyle. The group encourages the black community to get involved in physical activities and take ownership of their health. The way the obesity rates are rising and this epidemic is becoming more disheartening, it will truly take community advocates like Yolanda and Delicia, the local, state, and federal governments, and school officials to get people moving and proactive about their health.

If you are interested in becoming a Sistas Do Run! member, please email sistasdorun2012@gmail.com or “Like” the page on Facebook.

“We want our SISTAS to be the motivation and the movement in motion,” says Newbille.

Photo by Connie McGowan

If your mom is an art enthusiast, a visit to the Virginia Museum of Fine Art’s exhibit “Making History: 20th Century African American Art” may be a treat for her. With over 50 works by 23 African American artists, this free exhibit includes paintings, sculptures and works on paper that were once a part of the pioneering Barnett Aden Gallery (1943 – 1969). There is a special emphasis on the art of internationally acclaimed Elizabeth Catlett. The museum is open from 10 am until 5 pm on both Saturday and Sunday. You can also have lunch with mom at Amuse Restaurant or Best Café while you are there.

Does your mom enjoy nature? The Mother’s Day Tea at Maymont Park may put a smile on her face. Enjoy a cup of tea and delicious treats surrounded by the beauty of Maymont’s Japanese Garden. The afternoon will include a demonstration of Japanese tea customs and a tour of the Maymont Mansion. The event is Sunday from 2 pm until 4 pm and costs $25 ($20 for Maymont members). To participate, register by May 11th by calling 804-358-7166 ext. 329.

Elizabeth Catlett, Untitled, 1947, oil on canvas Art © Elizabeth Catlett/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY; Collection of Margaret and John Gottwald Copyright 2012

If mom likes to stop to smell the roses, visit the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden where she will be surrounded by “A Million Blooms” of orchids and other flower exhibits. The gardens are open from 9 am until 5 pm and food will be available at the Garden Café and the Bloemendaal House. From 1 pm until 4 pm, there will be a free jazz concert by Glennroy and Company at the Bloemendaal House. Seats and tables will be limited but guests are welcome to bring chairs and blankets. Admission is $11 for adults, $10 for seniors age 55 and over, $7 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for kids under 3.

Does your mother like the theatre? Take her to see “Dessa Rose” presented by CenterStage and Firehouse Theatre Project. This play is the imagined story of two real women whose unlikely friendship and pursuit of freedom for themselves and their children illustrates the power of transcending racial barriers. You can catch the show at 8 pm any day during Mother’s Day weekend. Tickets are $26 for adults, $23 for seniors ages 65 and older, and $12 for students. If you make a 6 pm dinner reservation at The Empress and tell your server you’re attending “Dessa Rose,” you’ll receive a 10% discount on your meal. To reserve your ticket to the play, visit http://www.firehousetheatre.org/.

If your mom is a performer or enjoys talent shows, Current Restaurant hosts a weekly open mic called “Sunday Expressions.” Held from 6 pm until 9 pm, the show features poets, singers, lyricists and whatever other talented folks show up to perform. The cost is $8. The restaurant is situated near the scenic canal at 140 Virginia Street and also offers a menu specializing in burgers and other American fare.

If mom likes to travel, there are many day trip options to consider. For instance, you could take a trip to Sugarleaf Vineyards. Just south of Charlottesville, this Black-owned vineyard will host a Mother’s Day Weekend Chocolate and Wine Pairing. Enjoy the peaceful setting while savoring delicious hors d’oeuvres, wine and a personal box of wine infused chocolate truffles for $20 per person. Learn more by visiting www.SugarleafVineyards.com.

You might also stop in Charlottesville for the Tom Tom Founders’ Festival Closing Gala. The Gala includes a full schedule of various music, public art, children’s games, field day activities and food supplied by street vendors. The free musical offerings will include original hip hop by youth, gospel, jazz, rock and bluegrass. The Gala will be held from 1 pm until 8 pm at The IX Project located at 955 2nd Street Southeast. For more information, visit: http://www.tomtomfest.com/events/evententry/closing-gala-field-day-at-the-ix.

“Dessa Rose” presented by CenterStage and Firehouse Theatre Project

Head east if mom likes the water. You could enjoy the ocean at Virginia Beach or take a cruise aboard the Spirit of Norfolk. The cruise will include an all-you-can-eat buffet, a DJ, dancing, a complimentary corsage for mom, and the scenic views of the Hampton Roads harbor. There are two cruises to choose from. The brunch cruise costs $49.90, boards at 11 am and returns at 1:30 pm. The dinner cruise costs $57.90, boards at 4:30 pm and returns at 8 pm. Read more at http://www.spiritofnorfolk.com/Norfolk/mothersday.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden “A Million Blooms”

A trip to Washington, DC offers options for socially conscious mothers. Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial on the National Mall to reflect on the contributions of one of our country’s most influential civil rights leaders. While there you can grab a meal and continue to focus on the themes of justice, peace and community by stopping by Busboys and Poets at 24th & V Streets for their free monthly “Focus In!” film series. Beginning at 8 pm, the film for the evening will be “Harvest of Empire,” a documentary focused on U.S. intervention in Latin America and the modern day immigration crisis. For more information, visit http://www.busboysandpoets.com/.

If mom enjoys neo-soul , jazz or other live music, consider starting your celebration of mom on Friday, May 11th when local favorite Nickey McMullen will host Music Fusion at the Canal Club. The show will feature jazz keyboardist Bee Boisseau and The Bee Boisseau Project, reggae artist Meagan Simone and lyricist Tamir Rock. Songtress Nickey McMullen will also add her own powerful vocal stylings. The show is $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For tickets or to reserve tickets, email nickeymcmullen@gmail.com. Tickets can also be ordered online with an additional $3 service charge at http://www.thecanalclub.com/.

Another show on Friday is RVA Grooves presents Maestro J at the Hippodrome Theatre. A talented violinist who has performed with the likes of Marsha Ambrosius, George Duke, Ledisi and Lalah Hathaway, Maestro J recently released a neo-soul jazz album titled “So Far.” The show starts at 7 pm and costs $20. You can make a night of it by enjoying a delicious meal right next door at Mansion Five26. To order show tickets, visit http://www.rvagrooves.com/.

The winners will be chosen by votes from the public from among five finalists in each category. Readers may vote in public libraries or online at the Library of Virginia’s Web site, http://www.lva.virginia.gov/vote. Voting for the People’s Choice Awards runs from May 14 through June 29, 2012.

This year’s fiction finalists for the People’s Choice Awards are:
• Washed in the Blood by Lisa Alther
• The Sixth Man by David Baldacci
• A Nose for Justice by Rita Mae Brown
• The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt by Caroline Preston
• The Reservoir by John Milliken Thompson

The nonfiction finalists are:
• The Good Daughter by Jasmin Darznik
• Virginia at War, 1865 by William C. Davis and James I. Robertson, Jr.
• Lost Communities of Virginia by Terri Fisher and Kirsten Sparenborg
• Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid that Sparked the Civil War by Tony Horwitz
• Seeing Trees: Discover the Extraordinary Secrets of Everyday Trees by Nancy Ross Hugo

Winners will be announced on October 20, 2012, at the 15th Annual Library of Virginia Literary Awards Celebration presented by Dominion and the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Unfortunately, for many mothers sacrificing extends well beyond sleepless nights and boring recitals. Women frequently leave the workforce during prime earning years to care for families. Consequently, they often fall behind on pay increases and promotions, so their retirement accounts and Social Security benefits are usually much smaller than men’s. Plus, women live an average five years longer than men so their already smaller income must stretch even further.

I’m not trying to bring everyone down, but rather to suggest that your best Mother’s Day gift this year might be to initiate a frank discussion about your mom’s personal finances and how she can better prepare for the future. Here are a few topics you might discuss:

Put retirement savings first

You can always borrow money to pay for college or a house, but you can’t get a loan to pay for retirement. If she’s still working, make sure your mom is enrolled in a 401(k) plan or an IRA and saving as much as possible.

Social Security benefits

Even if your mother didn’t pay into Social Security through work, she’ll be eligible to collect benefits as long as her spouse did. And, if she qualifies under her own work record as well as your dad’s, she’ll generally receive the higher benefit amount of the two.

The longer your mom waits to draw Social Security, the larger her monthly benefit will grow. Social Security “full retirement age” is 65 for those born before 1938 and increases gradually to 67 if born after 1959. If she meets eligibility requirements, your mom can begin drawing reduced benefits beginning at 62; however, doing so will cut her benefit amount by up to 30 percent. However, by postponing benefits until after full retirement age, her benefit will increase up to 8 percent per year, up to age 70.

Also keep in mind:

Widows can tap Social Security benefits as early as age 60 (50, if disabled). And spousal benefits are available if she’s divorced, provided the marriage lasted at least 10 years, she remains unmarried and is at least 62.
Although many states don’t tax Social Security benefits, the federal government counts them as taxable income. So, depending on your mom’s overall retirement income, she could owe federal tax on a portion of her benefit. IRS Publication 915 has full details.
If your mom begins drawing benefits while still working, they could be significantly reduced depending on her income. Read “How Work Affects Your Benefits” at www.ssa.gov for details. (Note: The reductions aren’t truly lost since benefits will be recalculated upward at full retirement age.)

Social Security has a great website for women with information on retirement, disability and other issues – in English and Spanish (www.ssa.gov/women).

You can help your mom estimate her retirement needs by using their Retirement Estimator, which enters her earnings information to estimate projected Social Security benefits under different scenarios, including retirement age and future earnings projections (www.ssa.gov/estimator).

Discussing finances isn’t as much fun as a picnic in the park, but your mom will appreciate your looking out for her financial future.

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

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.

In honor of Stroke Awareness Month, the American Stroke Association is encouraging all Americans to recognize and respond to the warnings signs of stroke and to learn how they can lower their risks of stroke through healthy lifestyle choices.

Stroke Warning Signs:

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

If you are experiencing these warning signs, call 911 and get to the hospital immediately.

Also, check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared. It’s very important to take immediate action. If given within 3 hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) may reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Stroke:

Don’t smoke
Improve your eating habits
Be physically active
Take your medicine as directed
Get your blood pressure checked and control it if it’s high
Reach and maintain a healthy weight
Decrease your stress level
Seek emotional support when it’s needed
Have regular medical checkups

The American Stroke Association offers free downloadable stroke educational information and ways to get involved in raising awareness. Learn more at www.strokeassociation.org/americanstrokemonth.