04/29/2010

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EXPECTEXERCISE EXTRAEXPLOREEXPLAIN •P11 Volunteers take on the assem-bly line at Stop Hunger Now event

•P7 Local mentors youth wrestlers at the Lions Den Wrestling Club

•P10 No rain delay for Virginia His-torical Society's Garden Party

•P5 Virginia Museum of Fine Arts opens this weekend

•P4 Peer encourages seniors to at-tend Chesterfi eld TRIAD on May 5.

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY 04.29.10

BY ELIZABETH [email protected]

Midlothian busi-ness owner Chris Isenberg of Sign Craft-

ers fi nds more than a local customer in creating signage for Chesterfi eld County businesses. Such business-to-business relationships have been benefi cial in building lasting relationships that have a broader impact on the local community.

For every $1 spent at local businesses, 45 cents is rein-vested locally compared to 15 cents for non-local purchas-es, according to the Retail Merchants Association’s Think.Shop.Buy.Local™ pro-gram’s website. Chesterfi eld County’s website echoes the value of shopping within the county, noting that “spend-ing just $3 more a day in Chesterfi eld County would generate about $2.6 million a year in local revenue.”

“It’s not boloney. We want our service to be the best and the quality to be unquestion-able,” Isenberg said. “It would be an embarrassment if we did not meet such expecta-tions.”

Chris Miller, marketing manager for the Chester-fi eld Federal Credit Union, explained that they had done work with Sign Craft-ers before the most recent

installation of signage for its newest branch that opened on Midlothian Turnpike in the village. The credit union serves its local members, who are Chesterfi eld County employees and residents, in three residential communi-ties. Miller recognizes that the local touch is a two-way

benefi cial street for the branch, as well as its mem-bers. “Locally, it’s a face with the voice and name on the phone that if you have an issue, you can call up that specifi c person,” he said. “I know that we’re in an electronic age, but it’s easier to work with people locally

- with someone that knows the area, and you don’t have to overly explain everything needed.”

Isenberg, who has been a personal member of the credit union since the late 1970s when he taught in middle school, adds that his company looks at their

local business customers when in need of a service. He explained that when the business was in need of HVAC services, he looked to Midlothian Mechanical, and when Sign Crafters expanded to Murray Olds Drive, the

Networking, building relationships are strengths of local businesses

BY CHRISTIAN WRIGHTCapital News Service

If you’re caught speed-ing, you’ll be fi ned an extra $1 per mile under a budget amendment approved by the General Assembly.

The House of Delegates and the Senate increased the speeding fi ne from $5 per mile to $6. The increase, pro-posed as an amendment to the state budget by Gov. Bob McDonnell, is the fi rst boost in speeding fi nes in 11 years.

Revenue from the increase in speeding fi nes will go to the state’s Literary Fund, which benefi ts education and teacher retirement programs.

McDonnell’s recommen-dation was approved 30-9 in the Senate and 50-46 in the House on Wednesday.

Delegate Joseph Mor-rissey, D-Charles City, op-posed the amendment.

“This is a revenue and policy measure, not simply a correction to the budget,” Morrissey said. “This mea-sure has nothing to do with retributive justice.”

However, as Delegate R. Steven Landes, R-Augusta, noted, the governor is simply revising a fi ne and not a fee or tax.

“This is just a traffi c fi ne, not a fee. We’re punishing people who are committing a violation of the Virginia Code,” Landes said.

The higher fi ne will take effect July 1.

Assembly boosts fi ne for speeding

DONORS P2

LOCAL P3

BY LATIKA LEE special correspondent

The inspiration for Austin White’s prize-winning sci-ence project came from pure curiosity. As a member of Boy Scout Troop # 829, the Midlothian Middle School 8th grader has trekked through the woods to hike and keeps hydrated by using a small, compact fi lter to drink water. Because of the inconsistency of the fl avor, White was curious to fi nd out which rocks made a dif-ference in the water’s taste. His project was recognized during a weekend program, held at the 2010 Chesterfi eld County Public Schools Arts & Sciences Festival.

This year, Manchester High School served as the canvas to the plethora of outstanding talent which is being cultivated in the County. Hundreds of students’ artistic craftsman-

Festival showcases student talent

OVER-HEARD

...this annual event gives kids the chance to express them-selves in differ-ent genres

- Suzanne Mal-lory-Parker, CCPS Instructional Spe-cialist for Perform-ing Arts

FESTIVAL P10 Virginia Blood Services thanks DSCR employees for life-saving donationscourtesy of Cathy Hopkins, DSCR Public Affairs

Virginia Blood Services expressed its ap-preciation recently to employees at Defense Supply Center Richmond, who so far in 2010 have donated more than 150 pints of their blood with more drives still scheduled this year.

"Being able to count on DSCR employees to participate in six, two-day blood drives each year is an indication that they under-stand the value of giving a gift and the needs of the community," wrote Virginia Blood Services Public Relations Director Brian Chandler in an April 16 e-mail to Carol Pryor, DSCR's blood drive coordinator. "Their donations could help a patient live another day."

DSCR has partnered with VBS for more than two decades. Last year’s blood drives

collected more than 600 units of blood. One blood donation can save as many as three lives.

Acquisition Specialists Lishaurndra Beasley and Johnny Wakefi eld were among the fi rst to give during a two-day drive held

PHOTO COURTESY BY CATHY HOPKINSRight: Ternisha Storrs, a Virginia Blood Services employee, takes Chesterfi eld resident Johnny Wakefi eld's blood during a drive held at DSCR April 14-15. So far this year, employees have donated 150 pints of blood for use in 21 hospitals throughout Central Virginia.

PHOTO BY PATRICK DOBBSMidlothian Stops Hunger NowOver 270 volunteers met on Saturday, April 24, at the Midlothian Family YMCA for the Stop Hunger Now event organized by the Interact Club at Midlothian High School with the help of Midlothian and Chester Rotary Clubs and other Interact Clubs at area schools. Volunteers included seven public high schools, six public middle schools, and volunteers from private schools as well as local churches and businesses.

Photo Gallery ONLINEmidlothianexchange.com

PHOTO BY BRIDGET HAZELMidlothian-based Sign Crafters owner Chris Isenberg and Chesterfi eld Federal Credit Union Marketing Manager Chris Miller review the fi nal order for the branch's signs at its new location in the Village of Midlothian.

2 || APRIL 29, 2010 MIDLOTHIANEXCHANGE.COMEXPLAIN NEWS || FEATURES

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What’s a great board game you would recommend for family or friend night in?

Sara SnyderSALES

[email protected]

"Even though it isn’t like real life my husband and I enjoy playing the game of Life.Jenga is fun too."

Sara PageSPORTS EDITOR

[email protected]

"Word Thief is a great new game my family discovered last year."

Elizabeth FarinaEDITOR

[email protected]

"Mille Bourne or Uno are great card games unlike Chutes and Ladder, which causes painful heartburn."

Sara CarterSALES

[email protected]

"I would have to say good old Monopoly the electronic version. No money counting required."

CRIME REPORTAll data are based on the publicly available Chesterfi eld County Police Department daily arrest and crime releases and are reported according to Federal Incident Based Reporting rules.

23112April 2212600 block of Bailey Bridge Rd.Suspect observed entering victim’s Ford pickup and taking property. Two ad-ditional vehicles were also entered and property was stolen.

April 206100 block of Walking Path Ln.Entry gained to multiple unlocked vehicles in the area of the address. The interiors were rummaged through, but nothing ap-peared to be missing.

5200 block of Creek Heights Dr.Unknown suspect(s) stole copper tubing from the heat pump units on four townhomes under con-struction.

14700 block of Village Square Pl.Suspect(s) gained entry to the victim’s unlocked vehicle and removed her purse from inside.

April 1812300 block of Chatta-nooga PlazaTwo suspects were seen at the front of the store taking property and placing it into the suspect vehicle.

23113April 1611900 block of W Petty Rd.Property removed from victim’s unlocked vehicle.

23114April 1613800 block of Village Place Dr.Victim had been tailgat-ing the suspect on Rt. 288. Shortly thereafter, the victim pulled into the parking lot, followed by the suspect. The suspect then quickly displayed a badge, held in his hand, and asked the victim if she realized she could have caused an accident. The suspect then drove off.

23235April 2211500 block of Midlothian Tnpk.Store items stolen from the business.

11300 block of Dunbrook Rd.Two unlocked vehicles were entered and property was reported stolen.

April 2111500 block of Midlothian Tnpk.Property reported stolen from victim’s unlocked white 2004 Lincoln I Avia-tor.

April 2011500 block of Midlothian Tnpk..Numerous items removed from store.

April 197100 block of Hull Street Rd.Unknown suspect(s) gained entry to a vehicle on the lot and stole it.

April 1711400 block of Midlothian Tnpk.Property removed from victim’s vehicle. Victim is unsure if the vehicle had been locked.

23236April 219100 block of N Arch Village Ct.Property reported stolen from victim’s white 1999 Ford Ranger.

April 1910800 block of Cardington Rd.Victim is in the process of moving out of her apart-ment and had left items inside. Upon returning the next day, the victim found her property missing. No signs of force were noted and victim may have left the door unlocked.

900 block of Sonnet Hill Dr.Entry was gained to the vacant residence by un-known means. Extensive vandalism was found inside the residence.

9000 block of Lyric Ct.Property removed from victim’s unlocked Honda, parked in his driveway.

23832April 206400 block of Belmont Rd.Unknown suspect(s) at-tempted to gain entry by kicking at the basement door.

April 195400 block of Holly Pines Dr.Rear window forced open in order to gain entry to the interior of the house. The inside of the residence was vandalized, but noth-ing was reported stolen.

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Our annual Discover county guides are fullof useful information including emergency numbers, phone numbers, government services, area business information, schools,health care, parks and recreation programs, county activities, community events and more!

2009 County Guide BookPublished by Richmond Suburban Newspapers

GOOCHL AND2009 County Guide Book

Published by Richmond Suburban Newspapers

HANOVER2009 County Guide Book


DISCOV ER POW H ATA N2009 County Guide Book


CHESTERFIELD

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HanoverAugust 18th

Chesterfi eldOctober 14th

at DSCR April 15-16. Both employees are from Chesterfi eld and work in Aviation Supplier Operations; Beasley in the Bearings Division and Wakefi eld in Aviation and Airframes Division II.

“I donate because it saves lives and helps in the Richmond area,” said Beasley, who gives blood during every drive.

Wakefi eld brought his wife and daughter along when they came to join him for lunch.

“My family and I try to give back from all of the blessings that we have received,” Wakefi eld

said. His wife, who had missed donating at her workplace, also took the opportunity to give while she was visiting.

Pryor said all eligible employees are encour-aged to donate and that donors should feel proud to be a part of an effort geared towards saving lives.

“Donating blood is a small chance for employ-ees to give back to the community,” Pryor said. “You will never know when you may fi nd your-self, a family member or friend in need of a blood transfusion.”

DONORS from P1

BY LATIKA LEESpecial correspondent

Whether you use coffee grounds from your morn-ing cup of Joe, ingredients from last night’s dinner or grass clippings from your lawn, composting may be the answer to fi nding gold in your backyard garden.

“Composting is recycling, naturally,” said Janice Beatty, certifi ed Master Gardener volunteer with Chesterfi eld County Offi ce of Coopera-tive Extension, “It is speed-ing up the natural process of decomposition with things you have around the house such as egg shells, grass clippings, tea bags and it becomes very benefi cial to the soil. A pile or bin allows you to control the air, water, food and temperature.”

Compost is a dark, crumbly mixture of decomposed organic matter, such as grass

clippings, leaves, twigs, and branches. The U.S. Com-posting Council, a national, non-profi t trade and profes-sional organization promot-ing the recycling of organic materials through compost-ing, estimates the average U.S. household generates approximately 650 pounds of compostable items every year.

Beatty, who has been composting for 30 years says it’s part science, and part art. “Compost happens,” Beatty acknowledged, “even if you did nothing, the materials would decay. We try to help

it along by adding moisture and turning it over every few weeks to get air into the pile. Then, it can be used in a garden or for landscaping.”

To prepare compost, you will need green and brown organic material, microor-ganisms (found in garden soil and manure), air, water, and a small amount of nitrogen. “Green” materi-als are rich with nitrogen and include lawn and grass clippings, plant stalks, and vegetable scraps. “Browns” are carbon rich organic waste and include coffee fi l-

BY SARA [email protected]

Two weeks ago, three men walked into Midlothian High School looking for

a better understanding of American culture. Ten days later, they left having changed their own perceptions of U.S. citizens and their students’ perceptions of Arabic culture. Their challenge and that of the students at Midlothian High School is to continue spreading what they learned.

Abdulwahab Albaadani, a teacher at Ibn Majed in Sanaa, Yemen, Amine Slimani, a teacher from the Second-ary School of Nedroma in Nedroma, Algeria and his pupil, Mohamed Belme-liami, traveled to the U.S. as a culmination of nearly a year’s worth of video conferenc-ing, cultural lessons, and web logging with social studies classes at Midlothian High School. The initiative, part of the Global Connections and Exchange Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State through a grant to American University, connected eight schools in the U.S. with eight schools in the Middle East.

Midlothian’s three guests spent a hectic 10 days in Virginia, teaching in business, foreign language, social studies, English and history classes by day and touring the coun-tryside by night. As guests of social studies teachers Cammeron “Cammie” Ward and Jamie Schlais Barnes and the Lesser family, the group visited Monticello, Williamsburg and downtown Richmond, while taking in a synagogue, Tradition of the Temple, a bar mitzvah at Congregation Or Ami and a Catholic mass.

In turn, the three cooked and taught their hosts how to serve traditional Middle Eastern meals and attended the mosque at the Islamic Center of Virginia as a group.

They even attended opening night at Southside Speedway.

“We wanted to give them all kinds of perspectives,” Ward said. “We made the most of the 10 days.”

How Midlothian became one of the eight schools in the U.S. chosen for the program remains a bit of a mystery though Ward worked to give the school every op-portunity to participate.

She initiated contact with the U.S. De-

partment of State last summer, after reading about the program online. As she received more and more details, it became clear that her classes needed a bit more technology than they had access to.

The program uses Skype and WikiSpace to connect classrooms in the U.S. with their partner class in another country. The forums were chosen based on their wide availability and free cost.

“Teachers can get onto WikiSpace but students could not. No teacher or stu-dent could get onto Skype in Chesterfi eld County because they’re nervous about the exposure to the servers,” Ward explained.

All teachers and students do have access to a program called Illuminate which is used to run online courses, so the school system and the publishers of Illuminate reached an agreement to offer the program for free to Midlothian’s partner schools.

“Cammie is determined,” Barnes laughed. “She got employee of the month this year because of her determination that she would not give up. We were going to do this.”

On the other side of the globe, Albaadani was also working furiously to get and keep his school involved.

At the school where he teaches, there is no internet availability so Albaadani opened his home to his class for use of the computer to make videos and slide shows and to connect online with their partner

Guests challenge Midlo students to learn without borders

WITHOUT BORDERS P4

Going "green" - fi nd gold in your backyard

COMPOST P3

Compost can be made from every day discarded items

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JAMIE SCHLAIS BARNESMidlothian High School guests Amine Slimani, left, and Abdulwahab Albaadani, right, experienced American History fi rsthand at Colonial Williamsburg.

APRIL 29, 2010 || 3MIDLOTHIANEXCHANGE.COM EXPLAIN NEWS || FEATURES

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company turned to Al Davis Realty, another customer of the business. “I like to see Chesterfi eld businesses grow-ing,” Isenberg said.

Isenberg added that there also needs to be a balance of reaching out on the Internet. “The majority of people go to the Internet fi rst. It’s a way of qualifying services and goods at a minimum,” Isenberg said.

Miller agreed. Since time is a value, websites allow local businesses to provide as much information as possi-ble in order to be a time saver for the consumer, and social media offers opportunities to educate members about facts such as fi nancial literacy. “It can be used not only as an advertising tool, but as a way to involve members in your business,” Miller said.

Incoming Chesterfi eld County Chamber of Com-merce chair Mark James, who is also an owner of two local businesses – Hearth and Home Shoppe of Mechanics-ville and a business consult-ing fi rm - The Growth Coach - encourages local businesses to use social media such as Linked In, Twitter and Face-book because business comes from unexpected places. He also added that strategic partnerships built at the local level can also help cast a wide net in the marketplace. “The Chesterfi eld Chamber and the Rotary Club of South Richmond have been helpful in building relationships lo-cally,” James said.

However, it’s not just an online strategy, but a sincere commitment to building business relationships. That dedication and perseverance in the local marketplace, and on Facebook, has launched Midlothian residents Bonnie and Ron Adleman’s busi-ness, “Miss Bonnie’s Gour-met Cheese Spreads”, into expanding success and distri-bution beyond Chesterfi eld County. Even though Kroger is a national company, the lo-cal connection has developed deep roots.

Kroger store manager Ed Southern recalled the day Bonnie Adleman came into the store he manages at Ivymont Square Shop-

LOCAL from page 1

ping Center on Midlothian Turnpike. “I was the second store to get her product. She had this cheese item that she was excited about,” he said. “I have 600 items in this cheese commodity and she says it’s going to sell.”

Southern wasn’t as certain at fi rst of the success as Adleman stated, but he has watched the original Miss Bonnie’s Gourmet Pimento Cheese Spread and two addi-tional Miss Bonnie items be-come the #1, #2, and #3 items sold in the specialty cheese commodity at the store. “I watched over those three years of how she’d come here every weekend and set up a demo table. She built the business relationship because she gave of herself - of her time, and customers appreciated the fact that she believed in the item enough to stand there,” he said. “I’ve grown to respect her and her husband Ron and value them as friends.”

Since 2006, the busi-ness has expanded from a commercial kitchen, built over the couple’s garage in

Midlothian, to production at a 13,000 square-feet, USDA approved refrigerated plant in Front Royal, Va. Southern noted that the cheese spread has been added to the Kroger distribution network and currently is carried in over 150 stores in fi ve states. “And it all started in that garage,” Southern said.

The benefi t has been two-fold for both businesses. The local Kroger store continues to have employees provide demonstrations at the store, with recipes that include the cheese; and the custom-ers have responded. The Kroger Company recently had an “olive salad” sales competition in which the local Midlothian store earned number one in sales among all the stores in the company because of Bonnie Adleman’s recipe that paired the two products.

Southern credits that personal contact with the customer in the store as part of the successful ingredient. In fact, another example Southern provided was en-trepreneur Jerry Miller with

Davis Bakery. “We are the fi rst store to offer his prod-uct. He came in last weekend and did a demo. We sold a month’s worth of his product in six hours.”

He adds that employees also value the relationships built with customers at the store and reach out into the community. The store associ-ates are active in many levels of charity and work through organizations such as March of Dimes and Central Vir-ginia Food Bank. “In order for us to be truly connected to the community, these are the types of things we do to reach out. It’s a two-way street,” he said.

Southern added that the key to building success-ful relationships within the community is sincerity. “It is customer engagement; sharing time with people and connecting on a deeper busi-ness aspect,” he said. “There is no better way to commu-nicate with a customer than face-to-face. If you believe in your own item that translates to people,” he said.

ters, tea bags, sawdust, straw, shredded paper, and animal bedding. These materials decay slowly. The following items should not be compos-ted: diseased plants, weeds, pet feces, dead animals, bread and grains, meat, fi sh or dairy products, grease, cook-ing oil, and oily foods.

In addition to benefi tting the environment, compost-ing provides cost savings and is relatively inexpensive to build. When compost is used, it improves the soil,

protects plants from disease, decreases the amount of space used in landfi lls, and reduces the costs to localities for their solid waste expenses. Compost contains an organic material called humus, which assists the soil in holding nutrients. Humus lessens the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. An average sized bin, made of wood planks, could be constructed for as little as $20.

“People always ask ‘Where should I put the compost pile?’ and I suggest building it close to your house,” recom-mended Beatty, “You don’t

want it too far away where you won’t use it nor do you want it to be an eye sore for your neighbors. You want it near storage where water is available, so it doesn’t interfere with your lawn and garden, and has good drain-age. Also, keep it away from any wells.”

Cooperative extension agents advise building a three feet cube (with one open side for easy access), but no bigger than 5x5, because it promotes suffi cient air circulation. The compost

pile should be built in layers, alternating between twigs/branches, kitchen scraps, grass clippings, and manure (chicken, cow, horse). A synthetic nitrogen fertilizer can also be substituted for the manure. Then, add water to keep the pile moist. The heat from the sun will help to aid the decomposing process. Turn every three weeks. The compost is mature when it’s dark brown and has no smell. It should be mature within three to fi ve months, sooner if the items are shredded. You can spread it in the garden to reap your reward.

COMPOST from P2

PHOTOS BY LATIKA LEEMaster Gardener, Janice Beatty, recycled kitchen and yard waste to create compost. Here, she displays the valuable nutrient.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ED SOUTHERNMiss Bonnie Adleman, creator of Miss Bonnie's Gourmet Cheese Spreads, and Kroger store manager Ed Southern at the gourmet cheese display case at the local store.

4 || APRIL 29, 2010 MIDLOTHIANEXCHANGE.COMEXPLAIN NEWS || FEATURES

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WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS

Remembering the lives lost in tragedyBY ELIZABETH [email protected]

People go to work each day expecting to come home to the family they love. Regardless of the career choices that sometimes carry more risks than other jobs, being killed while earning a living is just not top-of-mind during an 8- to 10-hour work day. Yet, there are risks people choose to take every day to pay the mortgage and put food on the table, with the expectation that conditions will not be fatal in their workplace. Seeing the national and state fl ags fl y-ing at half-staff throughout West Virginia last weekend on a road trip to visit family in Kentucky, was a stark remind-er of the price that some pay in their jobs.

The history of Midlothian and the county are tied to the coal mining industry. It was the coal miner who es-tablished the fi nancially successful coal hub centuries ago that created the footprint of the community we now know. In 1855, according to Mid-Lothian Mines & Rail Road Foundation, the area’s Pump Shaft mine had an explosion that killed 55 men. Those lives, and many others, have been lost in the area shafts and are only now remembered through historical markers, archived newspapers, and researched books. It is a tragedy that lives continue to be lost in modern times.

Many lives were lost in the Upper Big Branch mine, located south of Charleston, on April 5. According to the New York Times, it was the largest mining disaster in the United States since the 1970’s. Raw grief tears through that community as it buries the dead. They were fathers, broth-ers, relatives and best friends in a tight-knit community similar to our own. The 29 lives lost will be remembered for years as the outpouring of sympathy is evident among the signs of remembrance. The passage of time may be a salve for the wounds of grief. On Sunday, a memorial service was held in honor of the miners who were killed in the explosion. At that service, U.S. President Barack Obama read the 29 names of those who perished and offered condolences to the families who grieve for their loved ones.

For anyone who looked to the sky near Charleston before the sun set that day, they saw what is known as a symbol of promise in some religious faiths. A rainbow crowned the surrounding mountains with its vivid colors arching across the threatening grey storm clouds. It was captivating, as well as comforting, to see such a beauti-ful scene serve as a reminder that even in stormy weather, sunshine eventually penetrates the darkest clouds. To the miners’ families in Montcoal, W. Va., we extend our condo-lences and our heartfelt hope that they fi nd peace.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

THE WAY I SEE IT: KATHY LANE

classroom, which started out as a class at a school in Denver.

“I was very interested when I submitted to run this program in my school because it is the fi rst project in Yemen to enhance the relationship between the Yemeni people and the American society,” Albaadani said. “I started from the fi rst moment with fi ve students, who have interest and who com-municated English; but then when other people started to learn about the program, many students came to join this project, and it was very good experience for them. I noticed that from the way that they have built confi dence for themselves to

get to use different media and tech-nology and start to think in a deep way, start to judge very important points, start to understand what is the relationship we have to establish as young leaders [for] the future.”

Albaadani’s project grew to in-clude a classroom of young women, who were partnered with Ward’s class. Ward’s partner class came to have diffi culties obtaining a visa for one of the students for the ex-change visit and withdrew from the program, while Albaadani’s partner school in Denver had diffi culty due to the timing of the trip confl ict-ing with exams, which sent him to Virginia instead.

Meanwhile, Albaadani’s school withdrew support for the program.

“Some offi cials were looking only for fi nal [exams] in the pro-gram,” Albaadani explained. “There are no fi nals, so when they fi nd out there are no fi nals, they stop sup-porting us, they stop helping us, so I encouraged my students a lot to keep this program running.”

Slimani had probably the easiest time of the three in terms of both getting the program up and run-ning and keeping it going.

“From the beginning, we had encouragement and we still have encouragement from the Minister of Education. The headmaster gives everything for us. He helps us,”

Slimani said.Both sides say they’ve found the

students engaged in the process and in learning a more global perspec-tive. The year-long connections with other classrooms have opened the door to a dialogue that they may otherwise never have encoun-tered.

“The whole goal is to wipe away the wall and open up the window between the two sides, and to real-ize that some of the things we’re hearing and seeing is not the true reality to what does exist,” Ward said.

The challenge now is to carry the program forward in all three countries, maintaining the ties that

were built this year and building new ones.

“The complete image, the picture that we convey, clarifi ed a lot of things in my mind and I hope to convey this message clearly without any missaying,” Albaadani said. “I want to clarify every misunderstanding and the stereo-types between these two countries because I want … this gap between the two countries to be less and less distance between them.”

More information about the program is available on the U.S. Department of State’s website at exchanges.state.gov/grants.

WITHOUT BORDERS from P2

INTERVIEWED BY SKIP ROWLAND ON APRIL 23, 2010

Chesterfi eld TRIAD will hold its 11th annual Senior Day Wednesday, May 5, 7:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., at Victory Tabernacle Church, 11700 Genito Road, Midlothian. For more information, contact Sgt. Lawrence Taylor at (804) 717-6266 or Debbie Leidheiser at (804)768-7878. Chesterfi eld County resident Kathy Lane has been involved in the community for years, and considers TRIAD to be a necessity for Chesterfi eld seniors. This is how she sees it.

KL: [My husband and I] came down here [from Bland County] when we graduated from school, ‘cause there's no work up there. We graduated the same year and met down here, we didn't meet up there. Been together 45 years. Been here 32 years. My husband retired from Virginia Power and I retired from Philip Morris.

I've been involved in PTA, I do a lot of church char-ity work. I wanted to make a difference in the commu-nity. I worked hourly [at Philip Morris] but I always did the employment involvements because I liked to be involved with people.

The world is too large; we need to know our neighbors. Isolation and depression and loneliness is a terrible thing. I fi nd that a lot of people do not reach out. When there's catastrophes, peoples come together. But it's almost too late. A lot of people are by themselves and they don't know to call out. They don't know to call their neighbors or to call a friend, they get left behind.

TRIAD Senior Day coming up [on May 5th] is excellent because it is the day that all law enforcement, AARP, and Senior Citizens of Chesterfi eld get together.

They have probably 70 vendors they'll have there. [People] get more information that day than they do with all the seminars that they have all over town that 10, 25 people come to. On TRIAD day you can have 1,000 people. Don't cost you anything. And Chik-fi l-a is furnishing a breakfast.

TRIAD familiarizes you with Chesterfi eld County and what it has. And there are so many things offered here that people don't [know about]. One-third of Chesterfi eld is over 50 years of age, and this affects one-third of the county. You got to get involved. You learn what's going on in the county. You get constant updates from the county. They keep you informed on things that you need.

If I had to go to one organization in the county, one organization that would tie me in faster and get me involved, it would be TRIAD because all Chester-fi eld County organizations is represented in TRIAD. Chesterfi eld County is unique because most counties it's just the law enforcement and AARP. In Chesterfi eld County you've got your Senior Advocates Offi ce, Parks & Recs, … most any organization in the county, [is represented in TRIAD].

The more people you have involved, the more senior citizens you have on there, the more experience you bring to the table and the more they could come up with constructive ideas for people. You go to TRIAD if you want to be involved and donate your time. Ches-terfi eld County has a huge pool of people to pull from. It's an outstanding organization that can only get bet-ter. People need to get involved.

Eleven volunteers from Bon Air Rotary, led by Vicki Miller, visited Chalkley Elementary School to give all fourth-grade students 115 dictionar-ies. A short lesson was provided for each class

on the many uses for the new dictionaries, including etymology and defi nitions. The volun-teers asked the students to keep the dictionar-ies at school until the end of the year and then they could take them home to keep. - submitted by Pat Bishop, Parent Resource Coordinator at

J.A. Chalkley Elementary School

Building the foundation for 'Pansophy' at school

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Blue Ridge Mountain Sports is pleased to announce two presentations by award-winning Virginia author, Leonard M. Adkins, who has hiked the entire Appalachian Trail fi ve times, walked more than 19,000 miles in North Ameri-ca, Europe, and the Carib-bean, and is the author of 16 books about the outdoors and travel, including fi ve concerning the trail. He has aided the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in protecting endangered plants by being a Natural Heritage Moni-tor and a ridgerunner. He has been on the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club’s Board of Directors and a volunteer maintainer of the trail near McAfee Knob.

Among his books are Walking the Blue Ridge, 50 Hikes in Southern Virginia, and 50 Hikes in Northern Virginia. The Appalachian Trail: A Visitor’s Companion, was presented the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation’s Lowell Thomas Journalism Award. Wildfl owers of the Appalachian Trail is a winner of the National Outdoor Book Award, Fore-Word Magazine’s Book of the Year, and a Virginia Literary Award nomination. He is currently The Hike columnist for Blue Ridge Country, fi eld editor for the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker's Companion, and blogs for www.blueridgeout-doors.com.

Profi led by Backpacker magazine, and referred to as “The Habitual Hiker,” Mr. Adkins will present Traversing Ancient Mountains: 2,000 Miles on the Appalachian Trail for Blue Ridge Mountain Sports in Chesterfi eld Towne Center at 11500 Midlothian Turnpike on Thursday, May 6. The pro-gram, to which the general public is invited free of charge, begins at 7 pm. The presentation, accompanied by folk, clas-sical, and new age music, is a compilation of his treks on the trail and depicts a typical “thru-hike.” For more information, call (804) 794-2004.

At 7:30 pm, on Thursday, May 13, Mr. Adkins will present Images of America: Along Virginia’s Appalachian Trail, based on his new book published by Arcadia Press and the Ap-palachian Trail Conservancy. The presentation, accompanied by Appalachian folk music, will be for Blue Ridge Mountain Sports in Lexington Commons at 10164 West Broad Street, Glen Allen. Selected from the archives of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the National Park Service, and local Appa-lachian Trail maintaining clubs, the 200 vintage photographs in Images of America: Along Virginia’s Appalachian Trail provide a look at life in the mountains before and during the trail’s creation, how it came into being, who its early champi-ons were, the many relocations the trail has experienced, and the volunteers who have constructed and maintained it.

Courtesy of Stephanie Maddox on behalf of ACAC Fitness and Wellness Centers

ACAC Fitness & Wellness Center is opening its doors to the public May 3 – May 8 in honor of Get Active America! Come and check out this state-of-the-art fi tness center including a mixture of cardio, weightlift-ing machines and free weights, an indoor Olympic Size 50 meter pool, Mind~Body offerings as well as over 100 Group Exercise classes for levels from beginner to advanced. ACAC Fitness Specialists are always on hand to make you feel right at home.

On Saturday, May 8 ACAC is pulling out all the stops for the Family Fun Festival. There is something on tap for the whole family, including carnival games, a giant moon bounce, face painting, prizes and open access to the fi tness center. Of course, there is also fun to be had at the outdoor WaterPark featuring jets, tumble buckets, waterslides, a poolside café and plenty of shade. This is all free to the public.

Get Active America! is sponsored by the Interna-tional Health, Racquetball and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), a non-profi t organization serving the health and fi tness club industry. IHRSA's mission is to grow, protect and promote the health and fi tness industry. Get Active America! is the fi tness industry's campaign to get communities across America up and moving.

BY ERIC MILLIRONSSpecial Correspondent

Anyone who has recently traveled on the Boulevard in Richmond has

undoubtedly noticed the construction in progress at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. From workers operating bulldozers to laying sod, they are placing the fi nal exterior touches of a multi-million dollar expansion to the museum. In what the VMFA has decided to identify as the “The Grand Opening of the transformed VMFA”, the doors are scheduled to open this weekend.

Though the exterior is readily visible to the public, the inner workings of this massive transformation are even more intriguing. Workers are busily scurry-ing about with small paint brushes making fi nal, barely noticeable, touch ups to the walls and woodwork. In the shops that will provide mu-seum goers with a chance to purchase souvenirs of what would surely be an exhilarat-ing visit, boxes fi ll the fl oor as employees work to stock the shelves.

In one of the new exhibi-tion halls, stood Museum As-sociate Kathleen O’Halloran, making certain that the sneak preview guests would not smudge the recently stained woodwork. The wall behind her was devoid of all artwork, and wall hangers and stickers with numbers that obviously indicated the piece of art that would ultimately be hang-ing there was all that was on display. As she put it, “The walls are empty now, but will be fi lled on May 1.”

O’Halloran was just one

of many staff associates who were giving information and direction for the media preview. However, it was the smile on her face and the glint in her eye that truly displayed the heightened enthusiasm for the upcom-ing festivities. This was also displayed by the VMFA Director Alex Nyerges who, as he hurriedly passed by made the comment, “We are going to have a lot of fun next weekend.”

With the simple statement of “This is exciting for us” in referring to the opening, Lexie Vaughn, Deputy Direc-tor for Sales and Marketing, also displayed the inner feel-ings of the staff.

One particular eating establishment in the museum may bring back memories to long-time residents of the area. On the fi rst fl oor will

be the Best Café. Approach-ing it, one will immediately recognize the familiar logo of “Best” products, a long-time Richmond area fi rm. As Tony Karabaich, VMFA Restaurant and Services Manager, point-ed out the familiar Rich-mond icon in bold red letters, he stated, they “actually have the old sign … there.”

Nyerges pointed out that the renovation “is nothing short of spectacular.”

That is an excellent sum-marization of the improve-ments. Besides the addition of the new wing and the renovations of the older buildings, the museum’s commitment to the people of the area, the Commonwealth and the nation will remain steadfast making available to view the masterpieces of art to all as well as afford-able during special exhibits.

“General admission to the museum is at no cost whatso-ever,” Nyerges said.

The bottom line is that your plans for this weekend should include a visit to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Take in the preponder-ance of glass that allows the eyes of the area to look in upon the museum and the visitors inside to look on the sights outside. Stroll through the new 165,000 square feet of space viewing works of art. Seek calmness in the new sculpture garden, and should you not fi nd calmness this weekend, come back again.

Lexie Vaughn added her interpretation of the new structure when she said it “creates a sense of ‘welcome-ness’ and openness,” and in a fi nal note said, “The welcome mat is out.”

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts unveils expansion

PHOTO BY ERIC MILLIRONSFinal touches are being made before the 'Grand Opening of the Transformed VMFA' on Saturday, May 1.

COURTESY PHOTOLeonard M. Adkins

Meet outdoors Virginia author Leonard Adkins

ACAC opens its doors to the public for Get Active America! week

COURTESY PHOTOCathy Adams and Jackson Bunn at the last year's festival.

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some River Band, one of the fi nest bluegrass bands operating today. Food will be provided by David Na-pier and Whitehouse Catering, and there will be an open bar. The event is sponsored in part by SunTrust and Page Auto. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased by calling Jenny Friar at (804) 200-1618.

The Richmond Affi liate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure will host the 13th Annual Race for the Cure on Brown’s Island in Downtown Richmond. The race features vari-ous length options to accommodate different audiences, from the 5K walk/run to the 1K Fun Walk and the Kids for the Cure a ½ mile run so that children and adults of all ages can have a part in making a differ-ence. Participants can also Sleep in for the Cure, if they can’t make it out on race day. For more informa-tion and to register, visit website at www.komenrichmond.org . The deadline for registration is May 3.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 12Celebrate Children’s Book Week with poet and author Nikki Giovanni. Nikki will discuss her book, "Hip-Hop Speaks to Children" and how the availability of books to all people has led us to a hip-hop generation that uses music, poems, newspapers and DVD's to share their dreams from 7 – 8 p.m. at Central Library, located at 9501 Lori Road, Chesterfi eld. Registra-tion is required and begins on April 28. Please register online at library.chesterfi eld.gov or by calling (804) 748-1603.

MORE ONLINE AT MIDLOTHIANEXCHANGE.COM

STUFF TO DOE-mail your event to [email protected]. Subject line: EVENT

APRIL 29 – MAY 1Midlothian High School Theatre De-partment presents Les Miserables by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg; a musical based on the book by Victor Hugo will April 29, 30 and May 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the school’s auditorium, located at 401 Charter Colony Parkway, Midlothian. Admission is $10. Looking for grinning tap dancers in feathered head dresses? Looking for acting scenes interrupted by song and dance numbers? Looking for a bazillion dollar revolving barri-cade? Uhhhh...don't come here. Les Mis is the sung thru version of the story of some people struggling in the early 19th century French Revo-lution... Some people you will never forget because the music.... the music...makes them sing someplace deep down inside. Come here for raucous moments...Master of the House. Come here for tender mo-ments...A Heart Full of Love. Come here for stirring moments...Can You Hear the People Sing. Come here for liquid moments in the theatre...I Dreamed a Dream, Oh...and...oh my....Bring Him Home... Come here to share Les Mis with us.

APRIL 30 - MAY 1 Tomahawk Creek Middle School is presenting The Wizard of Oz written by L. Frank Baum and adapted for the stage by Claude Townley. Join us as we present a delightful tale of a young girl as she struggles to re-turn home to her life on the Kansas prairie. Show times are April 30 at 7 pm and May 1 at both 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. General admission tickets are $6 at the door, with senior and group rates available, for questions call TCMS at (804)378-7120.

SATURDAY, MAY 1

The Chester and Tri-Cities Hokies will be participating in the third annual Hogs for Hokies [rally], will meet in Chester between 6-8 a.m. at the Steel Horse Bar and Grill for breakfast and sign-in. From there, participants will ride to Charlot-tesville for lunch before continuing on to Blacksburg. The ride will conclude at the New River Valley Harley- Davidson, where riders will enjoy supper, raffl es and live music. All types of motorcycles are welcome. The registration fee will be $40. All proceeds benefi t the VT Foundation, 32 Named Endow-ments Fund. For more information, or to register, email Bill Dougherty at [email protected] or visit hogs4hokies.org.

May Day Missions Fair from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at New Life UMC, located at 900 Old Hundred Rd., Midlothian. Stop Hunger Now by helping package 10,000 meals to feed the hungry! Children's games and activities, BBQ Chicken and Hot Dogs, Bake Sale, Car Wash, Crafts, Jewelry, Other Vendors, Tools, Car Show and MORE! All proceeds from the event benefi t Stop Hunger Now in order to end world hunger!

The New Kent Educational Founda-tion, a non-profi t foundation estab-lished to support and enhance the New Kent County Public Schools, is pleased to announce its Inau-gural Bluegrass Benefi t Concert on May 1 at the New Kent High School auditorium to raise funds for the Foundation. Funds raised by the Foundation provide a variety of benefi ts and resources for the

public schools in New Kent County. The Foundation is delighted to have the award-winning band, Grasstowne, as the headliner for the Concert, along with a regional favorite, Churchyard Grass, kicking off the concert at 7 pm. Tickets are $20, with all proceeds going to the Foundation. Tickets can be purchased online at http://nkeduca-tionalfoundation.org/, or at any C&F Bank branch.

SUNDAY, MAY 2Spring Concert presented by the All Saints Choir of Men and Boys at 5 PM at All Saints, 8787 River Rd, Richmond. Free admission. More information: www.allsaints-boychoir.org, (804) 288-7811, or [email protected]

Public visitation of the Joyce Lock-atell Memorial Garden, located at 4110 Cosby Rd. in Powhatan, will take place on Sundays – May 2, 9 & 16 from noon to 5 p.m. The Joyce Lockatell Memorial Garden is now seeing bloom on early tall bearded irises and early single herbaceous peonies. Weekday visits can be made by appointment. Please contact either [email protected] or (804) 330-2916 or visit www.rootsandblooms.us

THURSDAY, MAY 6International and Independent Film Series presents “Mine” at Midlothian Library, located at 521 Coalfi eld Rd., Midlothian from 7-9 p.m. The library collection of fi lms from around the world includes both feature-length narrative fi lms and documentaries, as well as short fi lms, all of which have been featured in the world’s top fi lm

festivals, such as Cannes, Berlin, Sundance and Tribeca. “Mine” is a documentary fi lmed in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina that deals with the heartbreak of the pets that were left behind. Follow the story of fi ve families as they attempt to fi nd and reclaim their lost furry friends. These fi lms have not been rated and are for adults aged 18 and over. No registration is required. Please call (804) 768-7941 for more informa-tion.

"A New Season" Original Oil Paintings of Southern Gardens & Landscapes by artist Sue Beeren opening reception held from 6-9 p.m. at Bella Arte Gallery, located at 3734 Winterfi eld Rd., Midlothian. The show will run from May 6 – June 3. For more information, contact Rena Klump at (804) 794-1511.

SATURDAY, MAY 8Are you prepared for an emer-gency? What to do if it happens to you? Be prepared for your family, pets and at home event featuring demonstrations from Chesterfi eld County Police, Fire, and Rescue Teams, American Red Cross, Ani-mal Rescue at the Woodlake Pavil-ion from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Presented by Girl Scout Troop 3041 and CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)

St. Joseph’s Villa’s 16th Annual Hoedown will be held from 7-11 p.m. at the Villa campus, located at 8000 Brook Rd., Richmond. It is a fun party that benefi ts the Flagler Home, the Villa’s transitional hous-ing program for homeless women and their children. As in past years, the Hoedown will feature the Lone-

APRIL 29, 2010 || 7MIDLOTHIANEXCHANGE.COM SPORTS || FITNESSEXERCISE

PHOTO BY SARA PAGECosby's Nicole Migliazzo, right, leaps over a hurdle in the fourth section of the girls' 100-meter hurdles. Hundreds of athletes converged on Sports Backer's Stadium and Maggie Walker Governor's School on Friday and Saturday for the MileStat.com Elite Track Classic.

Photos and results ONLINEmidlothianexchange.com

MILESTAT.COM ELITE TRACK CLASSIC


Though Mitchum Motorsports, based in Midlothian, has been in ex-istence since 2001, the 2010 season is a kind of rebirth for the team.

This is the first year Mitchum Motorsports is competing in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. They have two brand new drivers and one brand new car.

The team began under the direction of Chris Mitchum, who in 2001 was still behind the wheel of a late model stock car in the Stock Car Championship Series, which runs on road courses primarily on the east coast. Mitchum won the championship in 2001 and took second in 2002.

In 2003, the team shifted into GT racing and part-nered with other teams for developmental efforts. By the end of 2008, Mitchum was looking for something different.

“All of ’09, we were dor-mant,” Mitchum explained. “Our team didn’t operate just because the economy shifted. Sponsors went away from the GT series we were running. [This year is] more of a rebirth.”

And if you were going to come back as anything in the car world, being

reborn as a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is not a bad way to go.

Mitchum Motorsports is now focused on developing its two rookie drivers and its overall program, and being in line with General Motors, given the compa-ny’s recent turmoil is actu-ally a best-case scenario.

“The 2010 car is just that, it’s brand new,” Mitchum explained. “It was a car that was built by GM just as they an-nounced bankruptcy and the government took over so the level of develop-ment that would typically be done hasn’t necessarily happened, so the work that the team has to do … in a positive way, the work that we do directly goes back to GM.”

The work that Mitchum Motorsports puts into the car is putting them at the forefront of getting the GM platform up and racing again. Even as a new team, they’ve spent off days at race tracks with GM and Grand-Am series officials helping to adjust rules for the series and manufactur-ing of racing cars for the car company. That’s in their spare time.

Their working hours look exactly like that of a race team. They work nearly every day with down

time being counted as the transportation time be-tween tracks. Their weeks are spent in the garage cleaning and preparing both the race car and the complete extra car they use for parts to be in tip-top shape.

They work with the two drivers – Devin Cates, a sophomore at James Madison University and Joey Atterbury of Seattle, Wash. – to ensure that the car is set up comfortably for both drivers, an aspect that is unique to the series they’re involved with.

“It’s a mandatory, two-driver series,” Mitchum explained. “Think of it more as a relay race where everybody’s in the race, everybody’s geared up and ready to go, everybody knows what’s going on; so really, the second driver coming in is just finishing that stint of the race.”

Also unique to the series is that there are normally two races happening on a track at the same time – the faster Grand Sports series and the slower Street Tuner series – which makes strat-egy all the more important.

“We’re in the faster class so, for us, it’s more about how to maneuver through the traffic and make sure you’re not held up by a slower car; whereas, if

you’re in the slower class, the hard part is you have to figure out how to main-tain your speed but not be in the way,” Mitchum explained. “We relay pretty heavily on torque and horsepower so we have to make sure that if you go through the corner behind a front-wheel drive Honda, you’ve got to be smart because they can actually enter the corner pretty fast but their exit speed is slow, so you don’t want to be right on top of them. You

want to have some distance so you can leave the corner at your speed and pass them.”

The GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge also runs on road courses primarily on the east coast though there is a race in Canada and in Utah this season. The season begins in early February in Daytona and runs approximately every other week through late September.

Mitchum Motorsports

entered its first race at Homestead Miami Speed-way (Fla.) – the second of the season – on March 5 and 6. The team has put to-gether solid races so far fin-ishing 24th at Homestead, 10th at Barber Motorsports Park (Birmingham, Ala.) and 43rd last weekend at VRI.

“You have to recognize that in this series, because they are based off street cars, different cars are suited to different tracks

Rebirth sparks new drivers, series, car for Mitchum Motorsports

PHOTO COURTESY OF GRAND-AM ROAD RACINGThe no. 62 Chevrolet Camaro of Mitchum Motorsports makes it's way around Barber Motorsports Park in Mobile, Ala. The team, based in Midlothian, is making its way to the top on the GRAND-AM Continental Sports Car Challenge.

Courtesy of Debra R. Bingham/DSCR Public Affairs

Herman Wilson spends his work hours wrestling with

customer requirements at Defense Supply Center Richmond, but once he’s off duty, Wilson can be found teaching young athletes how to wrestle at the Lions Den Wrestling Club in Chester-fi eld, which he just opened this year.

Wilson is a customer ac-count specialist with DSCR’s UH-60 Black Hawk team in the Army Customer Fac-ing Division. He began his career with Defense Logis-tics Agency as a corporate intern and joined DSCR, which serves as the agency’s aviation demand and supply chain manager, about three years ago.

Lions Den Wrestling is a non-profi t organization dedicated to mentoring, promoting and challenging youth in the sport of ama-teur folk style and freestyle wrestling.

“This is the club’s very fi rst year and we have 22-

plus wrestlers,” Wilson said. Enrollment is for those ages 5 and up; both male and female wrestlers are welcome to join his club.

A lifetime devotee to the sport of wrestling, Wilson started his wrestling career at Manchester High School as a two-time state qualifi er and two-time central region runner-up. He continued to wrestle both in college and in the Navy, during which time he wrestled in Yokosuka, Ja-pan, for the USS Kitty Hawk and Command Fleet Activi-ties. He left the Navy in 2005 after eight years of service.

Wilson turned to coach-ing wrestlers while attending Gardner-Webb Univer-sity and most recently has coached at Matoaca High School, which last year won its fi rst central district cham-pionship, placed third as a team in the central region championships, and placed 10th in the Virginia High School League state tourna-ment.

“Coaching has always been my passion and still is

PHOTO BY SARA PAGEHerman Wilson, right, teaches his young daughter and her friend about wrestling while the rest of the Lions Den Wrestling Club runs through their drills. A former Manchester High School wrestling standout, Wilson has created his own program to teach pupils the ins and outs of the sport.

DSCR employee mentors youth wrestlers

RACING P8

WRESTLING P8

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PHOTO BY KENNY MOOREMills Godwin coaches Skip Stevens, left, and Herbert Modrak III, right, brought home a host of memories when they stepped onto the Monacan soccer fi eld last Thursday. Modrak, a former Chief had the game of his life against Mills Godwin, Steven's former team in a regional playoff game. The Chiefs welcomed their alumnus home with good-natured cheers and homemade signs.


When the Mills Godwin boys’ varsity soccer team took the fi eld against Monacan last Thursday, it was not without a little trepidation, a few smiles and a lot of good na-tured joshing on the Eagles’ bench.

Mills Godwin head coach Her-bert Modrak III, walked onto his home fi eld for the fi rst time in 12 years and the fi rst time as an oppo-nent. Had that been the only point of signifi cance, the moment may have passed with a longing glance at the fi eld house to the left of the entrance and a brief pause behind the home bench, but for the Chief turned Eagle, the game had much more signifi cance.

Modrak and his assistant coach Skip Stevens didn’t always sit on the same side. Stevens, a Mills Godwin graduate, remembers with laugh-ing fondness beating the pants off Modrak’s former team.

“We were having an excellent season and were undefeated going into the playoffs,” Stevens recalled. “We were playing Monacan in the regional semifi nal and had beaten them 4-0 at Mills Godwin in the regular season. My junior year, we beat them 3-0 so we had a leg up on them the last couple of times we played.”

“We were probably the two best teams in the region and it just hap-pened that we played in the semifi -nals rather than the fi nals because of the draw,” Modrak added. “So one team was going on to states and the other was going home.”

The underdogs held tough for a 1-1 tie in regulation. Mills Godwin saw their best scoring opportunity in overtime hit the post – “I think it was Skip who made the shot that

hit the post,” Modrak said – and the game went to a shootout.

Each team sent out their lead characters. Monacan’s goalie stopped one of the fi rst three shots he faced, a clutch save considering a two-time Godwin captain and fi rst-team All-Region midfi elder was taking his mark.

“If I’d missed, we’d have been eliminated. If I made it, we at least had a chance to save their last shot and keep it tied,” Stevens said.

Stevens nailed the shot.The Chief ’s retaliated with their

sweeper – Modrak – an All-Region honorable mention and two-time varsity captain in his own right.

Modrak recited his line per-fectly and sent the Chiefs into the regional fi nals.

Today, Modrak downplays the drama, insisting that going back to his old school means little more than connecting with old friends and teachers and that the 2-0 win simply solidifi es his current team’s position in the region.

“It doesn’t feel too different from any other game. We went to the state fi nals last year so it doesn’t get much bigger than that from [the game] perspective,” Modrak said. “Sean [Hollingshead, Monacan head coach] has them back to be-ing one of the better teams in the region so that makes it even more special to go back and to get a win.”

But one has to wonder if, as his young child kicks the familiar black and white ball behind the visitor’s bench, he thinks about her stepping up to the mark mere feet away from where he stands now, and putting an early bow into another team’s play.

History adds drama on soccer pitch

today,” Wilson said. “I started the Lions Den Wrestling club for the wrestler who is determined to keep their skill at a level of state completion or higher. It’s a great way to keep the youth in shape and help them achieve their goals.

“I love seeing the light bulb pop on and the young men get the drill or move that you are covering. When you see them attempt and execute the move to their benefi t it really lets me know that all the time is well spent,” he continued.

To learn more about en-rollments, events or coaching opportunities with Wilson’s club, visit the Lions Den Wrestling website at lions-denwrestling.com.

PHOTO BY SARA PAGEHerman Wilson walks his wrestlers through wrestling drills.

WRESTLING from P7better. We have a very long wheel base … because of that, we’re better suited for high speed stable corners so we excel at those [kinds of] tracks whereas the tighter, twistier tracks with a lot of direction change are more difficult for us,” Mitchum said.

“My focus has always been progressively work-ing with what we have, not throwing your hands up and making wild guesses. Racing doesn’t amount to massive changes yield-ing results. It’s a massive amount of small changes to get that half second back.”

The offseason at Mit-chum Motorsports will be used, this year, to develop a car for the 24-hour Rolex

series race in late Janu-ary. Testing for that race is in November and early January and December will be used for preparing the car. According to Mitchum, the team will run the one Rolex series race next year but is committed to at least another year in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series as the team continues to develop.

“It’s a multiyear pro-gram with a goal of not only developing the team and the car but, most importantly, the drivers,” Mitchum said.

The GRAND-AM Con-tinental Tire Sports Car Challenge races are broad-cast on SPEED-TV.

RACING from P7

Courtesy of Ann Wingen

After a win on their home course, the James River Rowers placed third in team standings at last weekend’s Eastern Virginia Scholastic Rowing As-sociation Championships held in Nor-folk. A total of 17 high school teams competed on a calm day. Nearly all James River boats entered made the fi -nals of their respective races. Pictured at right is the Women’s Lightweight boat which took fi rst in their division. Being held is coxswain Bridget Wil-liams. From left are Ali Bardowell, Whitney Pander, Brittany Richardson and Chelsea Delsack. The team is un-defeated so far this year.

CONGRATULATIONS

APRIL 29, 2010 || 9MIDLOTHIANEXCHANGE.COM SPORTS || FITNESSEXERCISE

© 2010 HRG 1395

COLLEGE SIGNINGSFILE PHOTO BY KENNY MOORE

After a long weekend of try-outs, James River cheerleading co-captain Taylor Lavery made the Virginia Tech cheerlead-ing squad earlier this month.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RON BALLENTINE

Susan Ballentine has committed to attend the California Institute of Technology beginning in the fall, where she will play basketball. Caltech is a Division III school lo-cated in Pasadena, Calif., and is a conference member of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Ballentine is a Na-tional Merit Scholar at the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School where she is a fi ve sport athlete (fi eld hockey, basketball, indoor track, softball, and soccer). She has been selected by the Colonial District as All-District and All-Academic for the past three years in softball and in fi eld hockey her senior year. She plans to double major in Applied Math and Chemistry at Caltech.

(send your sports news to [email protected])

SPORTS ON YOUR TIME

Midlo teams host fundraisersCourtesy of Russell Cumbea

To increase awareness to Breast Cancer, the Midlothian Varsity Baseball team, lead by head coach Chris Roarty; dressed out this week in their Breast Cancer Awareness Jerseys.

In addition, the Varsity and JV baseball and softball teams competed in their fi rst 100-inning game April 17, which served as a fundraiser for their respective sports. Tons of fun for the players, coaches and parents.

Players wanted for AAU basketballCourtesy of Steve Celuck

The Richmond Elite boys’ 16U AAU basketball team is searching for additional players. Visit the team’s website for more information RichmondElite.com.

Independence Golf Club names new food and beverage directorCourtesy of Independence Golf Club

Independence Golf Club has named Bill Greco as the new Food and Beverage Direc-tor.

A Rhode Island native, Greco has over twenty years in the food and beverage industry in such cities as San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Richmond. Greco has worked with award winning chefs such as Goetz Boje of Harris Restaurant in San Fran-cisco, Gunther Emantinger of Karl Strauss Brewing Company in San Diego, and John Sweeney of the University Club in Rhode Island.

Greco will focus on creating and imple-menting comfort food with a twist in the Charles House Bar and Grill. He will be working with the staff at Independence Golf Club to create an atmosphere that is con-ducive to post round lunch or dinner and upscale receptions.

Karate Kid auditions next monthCourtesy of Six Flags America

Six Flags America, the nation’s Capital of Fun, invites karate students and their senseis to bring their very best martial arts moves to the park for The Karate Kid Challenge Saturday, May 8, beginning at 10 a.m. This one-day karate exhibition competition is happening at Six Flags parks across the na-tion in anticipation of the worldwide release of the new movie, The Karate Kid, starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith, in theaters everywhere on June 11. Teams will compete for the chance to walk the red carpet at the movie’s premier in Los Angeles, meet with the cast, and host a private screening for friends.

Teams consisting of one sensei (a teacher with a minimum of 10 years karate training

and at least 21 years of age) and one protégé (a student between the ages of 9 and 17) are invited to showcase their skills and teamwork in a synchronized karate routine. Choreog-raphy must follow one of three pre-selected song clips provided on the offi cial website. Remaining true to the literal meaning of the term karate (“open hand”), no props or weapons will be allowed.

Participants will be judged on demon-strated movements and technique; the degree of diffi culty; entertainment value, showman-ship, and creativity; and basics, including bal-ance, synchronization, and focus. At the end of the competition, judges will select a win-ning team and a runner-up at each park. The announcement of the fi nalist and runner-up teams will take place in the Grand Theater at 6 p.m. Teams must be present to win.

Registration for The Karate Kid Challenge is limited to 200 teams and will take place at the park beginning at 8 a.m. on May 8. No pre-registration is available. Due to age restrictions, students are required to have at least one parent or legal guardian with them to complete the registration.

Karate students and senseis can go to www.thekaratekidchallenge.com for more information, offi cial competition rules, and to download the registration and entry form. Forms will also be available at the park on the day of the event.

Six Flags America is located just 15 minutes west of Annapolis, MD, 20 minutes north of Washington, DC, and 40 minutes south of Baltimore.

Stinson wins 100-lap Modifi ed featureCourtesy of John McLeod/Southside Speedway

Earlier in the week, Modifi ed division driver Thomas Stinson said that the way to win the Friday night’s 100-lap main event at Southside Speedway was to be patient and protect your equipment.

Stinson was patient from fourth place at the drop of the green fl ag and used the new double fi le restart rule to grab the lead early in the race and take the checkered fl ag and his fi rst win of the 2010 season. Stinson started on outside next to race leader Michael Johnson on the lap six. When the green fl ag fl ew, Stinson ran the high side and never looked back.

Mike Rudy, who held off Stinson in last week’s main event, came home second. Mi-chael Johnson held Chris Johnson off at the line to take home third with Chris Johnson and Alan Purser coming home fourth and fi fth.

For complete results and points standings, go to southsidespeedway.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF RUSSELL CUMBEAThe Midlothian varsity baseball team sported pink jersey's for breast cancer awareness last week.

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ship and inventions were showcased throughout the building on stage, on walls and by demonstration. From visual art masterpieces to musical performances to dramatic interpretations, students were able to express themselves through many creative outlets. The science and technology projects were just as fascinating.

After an awards ceremony held in the library, White, the fi rst-place winner in the Earth & Space Science category, explained that the purpose of his experiment titled, “Mother Nature’s Filter: The Effect of Rock Porosity on a Rock’s Abil-ity to Filter Water”, was to determine the amount of clay in the water. The result was that limestone works best for fi ltering contaminated water.

“We had a certain amount of clay and put it in the fi ltration device. I tested the clarity of the water before and after we fi ltered it,” he said. “Good, clean water is not always readily available (around the world), so you need a way to test it.”

White has applied to and been accepted as a freshman in the Math & Science Spe-cialty Center at Clover Hill High School. In the future, the young scientist may solve the world’s contaminated wa-ter problem, but he may need the assistance of a superhero like “Super Pork Chop”, who was created by Damian Henderson, to help rid the world of evil environmental criminals.

Henderson, age nine, is in the third grade at A.M. Davis Elementary School. Known as a good guy, Super Pork Chop, is a potbellied pig that turns people into steak and gives them chicken pox, but he fi ghts evil villains like “the Riddler”. Henderson used watercolors, markers, and a pencil to draw his colorful hero onto a green back-ground. Super Pork Chop was standing in portraiture next to other super heroes designed by his classmates.

But, steak was not on the menu for Kate Birnbaun from Tomahawk Creek Middle School. She applied

acrylic paints on Model Magic to mold and shape a seafood platter of mussels, shrimp and oysters. Her project was a part of a display of real-life objects made from clay.

“As you can see, this annu-al event gives kids the chance to express themselves in dif-ferent genres,” said Suzanne Mallory-Parker, Chesterfi eld County Public Schools Instructional Specialist for Performing Arts, “with art students from every class and music students from every level, the community has an opportunity to see how students are excelling in our instructional programs.”

Ian Brockwell, a 5th grad-er at Jacobs Road Elementary School, brought his entire family, including his siblings, cousins and grandmother to see his artwork being exhib-ited. “We had to come and support him,” said his mom, Erin, “He had four projects on display including optical illusion, a sketch, a Peace sign, and an album cover.”

Each year, this celebra-tion of the arts and sciences rotates to a different county high school. Logistics is coordinated by the home school’s site staff, in this case, the Fine Arts Department at Manchester High, and is organized by the Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Science Instructional Specialists, Lin Ferrell, Suzanne Mallory-Parker and Jeremy Lloyd.

For the past few years, the event has also served as a venue to make a social impact on the community, as well. This year, a silent auction was incorporated into the program to help the Beacon Tree Foundation.

“About 60 students contributed their artwork, paintings and photographs to the cause,” said Lin Ferrell, CCPS Instructional Specialist for Visual Arts, “We wanted a way to show our students how their talents, skills and abilities can make a differ-ence in our world.”

The funds generated from the auction will benefi t teens and youth with mental and emotional disorders.

FESTIVAL from P1

On April 23, Chesterfi eld Senior Center members celebrated Ann Duffer Appre-ciation Day in honor of the Midlothian resident. The crowd included honoree Ann Duffer, senior center members, Clover Hill District Supervisor Art Warren, fam-ily members and friends. She received an appreciation plaque at the luncheon, from the seniors for her guidance and help in establishing a place where all seniors could come and enjoy activities. The county’s Board of Supervisors also presented her with a Chesterfi eld County Resolution recognizing her services to seniors in the county. To read more about Ann Duffer, pictured left, with Martha Dockery presenting the plaque of appreci-ation, link online at midlothianexchange.com

– COURTESY OF LAURENCE DOCKERY

BY ERIC MILLIRONSSpecial Correspondent

A celebration oc-curred that is as Southern as mint juleps and crab

cakes on Saturday, April 24. It was a gathering of the Vir-ginia Historical Society for its annual Garden Party.

The morning broke with an overcast sky and occa-sional drop of precipitation. It did not portend of a festive air for the Garden Party to be held that afternoon at the Virginia House in the Windsor Farms section of Richmond. There were obvious concerns, with several hundred patrons, staff, volunteers and guests scheduled to arrive for the outdoor event. The only hope lay in an overheard remark that went something like this: “This is my 21st garden party. It has rained at 3:45 and rained at fi ve minutes to six, but it has never rained during the party.”

The wisdom of those words became evident, for the string remains unbroken. By four o’clock, the crowd, which would number about 500, coming from all parts of the Richmond region, had begun to assemble. A canopy had been erected to the rear of the Virginia House, just in case, and a live band began to play music suitable for the festive occasion.

While there were several areas dedicated to fi n-ger foods, the most visible preparation areas were those

for the crab cakes and the mint juleps. The freshly prepared crab cakes received high accolades from all who partook of them. Barbara Pickrel of Chesterfi eld stated that the “mint juleps top the list” and even noted that these were “better than those at Churchill Downs.”

There did seem to be a lack of bonnets on the ladies at this event which is noted for such high fashion; and it was due, at least in part, to the potential for foul weather. As Anna Damerel put it, “I left my hat in the car because I thought it was going to rain, and I didn’t want to get it wet”.

However, there were a few hats on display like that worn by Christine Ryland, who, with her husband, Robert, of Chesterfi eld County were sitting quietly in one of the smaller gardens next to the house. She was sport-

ing a mint green hat which matched her dress and was in an obvious Southern Belle role for the day. While she commented on the refresh-ments, she made an overall sweeping observation that described the venue – “Every-thing looks beautiful.”

One of the reasons that the Virginia House is so at-tractive is the sheer beauty of the gardens. While Scott Burrell, Horticulture Direc-tor, is justifi ably proud of the gardens and landscaping, he was quick to note that the “volunteers are essential.”

The volunteers work in groups, both during the day and at night, to bring the gardens to their full beauty, and they take pride in their efforts. This pride was displayed by Martha Black, a volunteer since the mid-90’s, who was particularly con-cerned about whether some of the mulching that had

been done would withstand a signifi cant rain. Fortunately, that concern would not be realized that day.

The tulips were in bloom, as were many other fl owers; and the manicured lawn, at the rear of the house, with its undulating hills, gave an opportunity for many of the guests to wander and take in the breathtaking beauty of the grounds. It was truly a sight to behold.

As guests prepared to leave the paradise within the heart of Richmond, a comment that Robert Ryland had made earlier seemed most appropriate, the event is a “celebration of our gardens, our history and the people of Virginia.”

For information on the Virginia Historical Society, visit their web site at: http://www.vahistorical.org/index.htm

A day of celebration at the annual Garden Party

PHOTO BY ERIC MILLIRONSAnnual Garden party for Virginia Historical Society was held at Windsor Farms on April 24.

Celebrating Midlothian resident Ann Duffer

APRIL 29, 2010 || 11MIDLOTHIANEXCHANGE.COM LAST WORDEXPECT

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SAT. & Sun. May 1st &2nd, 7am 2pm. 11531Bailey Mountain trail

Chesterfield FCU seek-ing part-time tellerfor new Midlothianbranch. E-mail resumeor letter of interest [email protected]

Virginia Home for Boys& Girls is seeking Ther-apeutic Foster Parents.If you have a willing-ness to open yourhome to youth with avariety of needs, bygiving them a safe,stable, loving andnurturing environ-ment; you might makea great foster parent!We offer hands-on,evidence-based train-ing, and ongoing sup-port.Requirements include:being a responsiblecaring adult at least 21years of age; having avalid Virginias driverslicense and good driv-ing record; stable in-come and housing; andthe ability to pass acriminal backgroundcheck. If interested,please forward re-sumes to: Human Re-sources, Virginia Homefor Boys & Girls, 8716W. Broad Street, Rich-mond, VA 23294 Fax:(804) 270-0479 or [email protected]

EDUCATION

Searching for excep-tional teachers to fill alimited number of FT &PT positions at our full-day, private preschoolserving ages 6 wks to10 yrs! The ideal teach-er candidate is educat-ed in early childhooddevelopment w/ class-room exp., has a pas-sion for hands-on learn-ing and a desire to be apart of an innovativeteam. If you’d like toteach in a warm andsupportive environ-ment with low child-to-teacher ratios, spa-cious rooms, exc. payand benefits, pleasecall 639-8078.www.cedarhouseschool.com

OUTER Banks- Duck,NC 4 BR Beach Cot-tage. Low Rates.794-9291

Area 52 - Absolutelyimmaculate! Colonial3BR/2.5BA/Lg fam &eat in kit/frml dinrm/new carpet/newerpaint/landscaped lot$185,900. Call BenitaNorman w/HomeFrontRealty 804-339-6529.

VW ’01 Jetta - silver,1.8T, auto, leather,sunroof, CD, exc. cond,loaded, 105K mi, $6600804-908-1907

ûFREE TOWINGû$250-$700 Cash Paid

for all Junk Cars/Trucks Call CARF 804-247-8640

ûWANTEDûAbandoned junk carsPay $250 & UP Cash

No title needed. 804-677-0156

PHOTO BY PATRICK DOBBS

Tyler Broch, Greg Beam, and Joan Taylor teamed up to build meals. Over 270 volunteers met on Saturday, April 24, at the Midlothian Family YMCA for the Stop Hunger Now event organized by the Interact Club at Midlothian High School with the help of Midlothian and Chester Rotary Clubs and other Interact Clubs at area schools. Volunteers included seven public high schools, six public middle schools, and volunteers from private schools

as well as local churches and businesses. Photo gallery online at midlothianexchange.com

Midlo event brings out the community

The delightful hat is a sign of spring Garden parties and that the Kentucky Derby is also happening this Saturday, May 1 - photo by Eric Millirons

12 || APRIL 29, 2010 MIDLOTHIANEXCHANGE.COM

Drink and TapasSpecials

Monday - FridayMonday - Friday

3-6 PM3-6 PM

MediterraneoFine CuisineStop By &Stop By &

Relax After Work!Relax After Work!

Tuesday is Pizza Night!

½ price pizzas(toppings are regular price)

804-794-5350Check out our new menu online at

www.mediterraneocuisine.com & become a fan of Mediterraneo on Facebook!

3730 Winterfi eld Rd. Midlothian, VA 23113Open 7 days a week! Lunch every day from 11am-5pm

Dinner Sun. - Thurs. 5pm-10pm, Fri. and Sat. 5pm-11pm

Catering and private dining available!

WED THURS FRI SAT 28 29 30 1

Copyright 2010.Kroger Mid-Atlantic.We reserve the right to limit quantities.

None sold to dealers.

Visit our website atwww.kroger.com

for additional savings. Manufacturers

DOUBLE COUPONSSeeStorefordetails50¢

Everyday Unlimited up to & Including a face value of

$$111919 $$449999 2$2$44

6969¢¢

4 daysOnly

KrogerKroger JumboJumboBunsBuns

21 oz21 oz

LiptonLiptonTeaTea

12 pk 16.9 oz Bottles12 pk 16.9 oz Bottles

Lay’sLay’s ChipsChips

Select VarietiesSelect Varieties10.5-11 oz 10.5-11 oz

KrogerKroger YellowYellow

MustardMustard16 oz16 oz

Kroger MayoKroger Mayo or Whippedor Whipped

Salad DressingSalad Dressing32 oz32 oz

KrogerKroger KetchupKetchup

64 oz64 oz

$$118888 $$118888

9999¢¢

$$179179

9999¢¢ 10$10$1010Fresh,Fresh, CrispCrisp

LettuceLettuceEachEach

Char-BroilChar-Broil 4 Burner4 Burner Gas GrillGas Grill

BUBBABUBBABurgersBurgers

Original or Sweet OnionOriginal or Sweet Onion 32 oz Pkg32 oz Pkg

Red, RipeRed, RipeSlicerSlicer

TomatoesTomatoesPoundPound

Sweet,Sweet, YellowYellow OnionsOnions

lbsfor

for

Save $20 $$779999

Better BurgerBuild a

While Supplies Last!While Supplies Last!

Items & prices good in Richmond Areathrough May 1, 2010

04/29/2010

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