Urban Views Weekly August 26, 2015

August 26, 2015 Scholar of the Week – Charisma Clark

Distracted Driving: Let’s AllPay Attention

2 Urban Views Weekly | August 26, 2015 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

The fundraising plan is at the core of successful fundraising. But what exactly is a fundraising plan? Is it a spreadsheet? A list of activities? A list of potential donors and funders? Our answer: it’s this and so much more.

Here are four things to consider when creating your fundraising plan.

First, your fundraising plan should be rooted in your strategic plan. The strategic plan sets the direction for your organization, and the fund development plan guides your fundraising activities so the resources needed to implement the strategic plan are available. Your fund development plan should be created as part of the strategic planning process, or as quickly thereafter as possible. Your fundraising goal should be drawn from the strategic plan. This is the core of your fundraising plan: how much do you need to raise, how will the funds be used, and what impact will result. If your strategic plan does not include financial projections, then you must put pen-to-paper and figure out your projected costs. You have to know what you are raising money for and how much it will cost in order to create an effective fundraising plan.

Second, include an initial version of the case

for support. This document is a primary communication piece that focuses your fundraising. Use the projections and information mentioned above to clearly and concisely communicate your fundraising story. Use facts and figures, projected impact, and emotion to make your case to individuals, foundations, corporations and/or government agencies.

Third, define your campaign structure and roles and responsibilities. Your plan must include roles and responsibilities for staff and volunteers so everyone knows what they are responsible for and can hold each other responsible. These can be used when recruiting volunteers: they let people know what specifically you need help with.

Fourth, create fundraising activity chart. This is the “heart” of the plan. It should cover a two-to-three year period, broken down into quarters. The chart should communicate actions to be taken, person responsible, projected outcome, and timeframe. It must include the key fundraising tasks of identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding current and prospective donors. It should be reviewed and refined each quarter.

Letter ToThe Editor

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3 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com Urban Views Weekly | August 26, 2015

Scholar of the Week

Describing herself as fun, outspoken and serious about the things that she wants to do, honor roll student Charisma Clark ranks second in her senior class at Petersburg High School with a 4.0 GPA. As the oldest of three children, Charisma will be the first person in her family to attend college. “Hard work and dedication has brought me this far so I do not plan to stop at a high school level,” Charisma stated in an essay.

Charisma said school has always been imperative to her and as a senior, she is preparing to go to college soon. With an interest in computer and apps, she hopes to continue her education by majoring in computer engineering. Her top college of choice is Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. “Engineering is a good field to go into; it’s just starting to pick up and I want to work with computers and apps and things like that,” Charisma said.

To prepare for college, Charisma is already involved in numerous extracurricular activities at her high school. Along with working, her favorite activity is cheerleading. She is also a majorette, in dance and JROTC. Some organizations she is involved in include the Beta Club, Key Club, and Future Business Leaders of America. With some of her organizations, she participates in a wide range of community service. Her most recent community service activity was assisting runners at a 5K run where she passed out water with Future Business Leaders of America. In the past, she has helped with “Walk for Hunger,” “Feed the Hungry”, and many other activities. “As busy as my schedule seems, I always find time to

do community service,” Charisma stated.

Charisma not only does well at her high school, but she is also already studying at Virginia State University by participating in the G.R.O.W.S. (Gaining Real Opportunities with Students) program. She was also a member of the Explorers Program at SRMC (Southside Regional Medical Center). In a letter of recommendation, her math teacher, Zorica Skoro, stated she was impressed with Charisma’s understanding of some of the difficult Mathematical

concepts she is learning at VSU and her curiosity to know more than a curriculum is offering. “Charisma’s strengths are her work ethic, her determination, and her personality,” Skoro wrote. “She is highly respected, as both a person and a student, by the classmates and her teachers.” Another mathematics teacher, Rayala Sharmila, said Charisma is a student who will make the most out of opportunities presented to her. She said her desire to learn, excel, and challenge herself is what makes her stand out. “Charisma is a self-motivated

individual whom I envision would bloom in the setting provided by any college,” Sharmila said.

While working, participating in community service, and staying involved in extracurricular activities, Charisma continues to maintain her good grades. When asked who inspired her to succeed, she did not hesitate to name her grandmother. “She just always told me that it’s good for scholarships school wise, and she told me to just stay humble and do well in school,” Charisma said.

By Janeal Downs

Charisma Clarkof Petersburg High School

GPA: 4.0

College of Interest: Georgia Institute of Technology

Major Community Service: 5k run, feeding the homeless

Strong Interests: Computer engineering

Favorite Activity: Cheerleading and working

$100 ScholarshipsAwarded Every Week

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

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2. Participates in extracurricular community

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If you haven’t yet had a barbeque, gone to the beach, taken a vacation or a dip in the community swimming pool, you are quickly running out of time. The sun is setting on the last days of summer, and soon students will return to the classroom and the leaves will begin to turn orange, golden yellow and bright red. The oppressive humidity will pass on until next season and the morning air will thin and become crisp and cool. It will be time to “fall back” and we will gain back the hour of darkness we lost last spring. These are the last days of summer, the fall season is about to appear over the horizon and in these final weeks of summer, we have become fully immersed in the political season. The 2016 Presidential Primary Election season is now in full swing.

We are one year away from the national conventions where both parties will select their respective candidates to run for the office of President of the United States. Politics usually have much more to do with what people believe rather than what people actually know. So much of what people understand about politics or even political candidates is formed through the lens of commercial sound bytes and social media memes. Most voters do not bother to actually research either the issues or the people who represent them. We live in a time where the idea of an informed electorate is less possible, because retail politics and reality television prey upon the shallowness of the ordinary citizen who no longer makes it their responsibility to actually sift through the glitter and thinly veiled political innuendo, character assassination, falsehoods and half truths that feel more like an episode of Scandal or House of Cards than the actual real life politics that affect their lives. People are more

inclined to seek to be entertained by the political process rather than earnestly engaged in it. And that means trouble right here in the River City and throughout this nation.

In America, all things are possible is what we would like to believe. We can, if we want, elect a Hollywood movie star as governor or president or a World Wrestling Federation Champion with absolutely no experience in the political arena. Being a CEO of a major corporation or a billionaire gets immediate attention from the major media machine, which often makes and breaks political campaigns. It has become a spectacle, a happening that celebrity hounds, media junkies want to be a part of, seeking some sort of celebrity “fix.” Being the leader of the free world is NOT a celebrity game show or video game. The consequences of failure go far beyond losing the game or the show being cancelled. The POTUS has the power of life and death, war and peace, justice and discrimination in the palm of her/his hands. There are global consequences to who sits in the White House. The power given to the Executive branch of our government to nominate and appoint Justices to the Supreme Court, make federal judicial appointments, appoint ambassadors and cabinet members, and to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States is enormous. The recent cavalier dismissal of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution by certain political candidates, on the conservative right, when discussing immigration reform is frightening. Particularly, when we consider the enormous loss of life and the carnage we continue to witness as a nation due to gun violence because our government representatives do not have the political

will to address background checks and loopholes in current gun laws nationwide. This is under the guise of “protecting” our 2nd Amendment rights and seems immoral by

comparison.

Pay attention, we are in the last days of summer, and it is time to get engaged and get informed because, like it or not, politics matter. Do your research. Listen and learn, for even the rights of citizenship found in the U.S. Constitution may be under attack by those who wish to become the next POTUS. Summer is over.

Up Next Week: The Denial & Dismissal of #AllLivesMatter

ViewPoints By Dr. T

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

Last Days of Summer

TanyaFree.com/Urban Views Weekly Poll

The majority of Americans, 58%, consider themselves to be “haves” in U.S. society, while 38% put themselves in the “have-not” group according to a recent poll. The percentage of “have-nots” has more than doubled since 1988, but has been more stable in recent years.

What’s Your Take? Do you consider yourself in the “Haves” or “Have-Nots”?Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2 p.m. on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com.

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Local company named MBE Class I Supplier of the Year

From Fundraising page 2 For example, if your nonprofit seeks major gifts, your activity chart should communicate who is responsible for cultivating

which donors, and when the cultivation and solicitation activities should take place. Don’t save everything for the 4th quarter. Likewise, special event fundraising should begin a year in advance.

Your fundraising plan should cover two-to-three years, be easy-to-read and understand, and become your go-to source for all things fundraising. Be sure to include a budget – what you project it will cost you to meet your fundraising goal. Remember to use your plan as a constant reference. Let it guide your progress and inform your adjustments.

Copyright 2015– Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success. For help with your fundraising, visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

Quality Moving Services was recently honored with the Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council’s (CVMSDC) MBE Class I Supplier of the Year award at their annual conference this year held in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The theme of this year’s Business Opportunity Conference was Transformation. Speakers at the event included Dr. Scott Vowels of Apple, Inc. and Maurice Slaughter of Harley Davidson, Inc., to name a few. Awards were given out to outstanding minority businesses whose yearly sales range from under $1 million to $50+ million annually. When asked about his reaction to receiving this prestigious award for the second time, Vincent Tucker, Owner and President of Quality Moving Services, admits to being very surprised. “We knew that we were nominated, but as they were calling the short list of nominees, it hit me that we might actually win. Hearing my name was still the most unexpected and highest moment of the night.” Tucker says his staff immediately started tweeting pictures of the trophy, but his first thought was to call his wife and family. Vincent and his wife Shalawn just welcomed a baby girl, Savanna, into the world on July 16th, so wife and baby were not in attendance to witness the event.

Quality Moving Services, based in Chesterfield with offices in Chester, Petersburg, and

Norfolk, VA, was established in 1989 to serve the local communities with professional relocation services that are dependable, honest, and responsive to client’s needs. In an interview from 2013, Tucker credited some measure of Quality’s success to the CVMSDC and their support. “During this time, joining and growing our relationship with the VMSDC and MBL and other MBE focused organizations has helped our corporate growth substantially.”

Tucker was born and raised in Hampton, Virginia, where he attended Bethel High School in Hampton. Mr. Tucker attended Virginia State University and graduated in 1985 with a B.S. degree in Public Administration. He has attended several additional education programs such as the University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business MBE Executive Management Program; the University of Wisconsin’s Business ManagementSeminar held at the University of Wisconsin; and the Tuck School of Business’ Building a High Performing Minority Business Program at Dartmouth College. He was recently named Vice-

Chair of the Central Regional Advisory Committee for the Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council and serves on the Board of Directors for the Central Virginia Better Business Bureau.

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With Labor Day travel just days away, and teenage drivers heading back to school, this is a perfect time to encourage highway safety. Distracted driving is near the top of the list of safety issues on our roadways today. Texts, phone calls, emails, music, food and drinks — the list of distractions hampering American drivers goes on and on.

Defined as any activity that affects you visually, manually or cognitively while behind the wheel, distracted driving can lead to dangerous and deadly consequences. That’s because driving requires our full attention, not only for routine travel but also for those situations that require rapid, sudden maneuvers. Using our cell phones, reading a map, applying makeup, writing or adjusting the radio are just a few more common distractions that can lead to unintended and avoidable accidents.

Are We Safe on the Roads? More than 80 percent of drivers cite distraction as a serious problem and a behavior that makes them feel less safe on the road, according to the annual AAA Foundation Traffic Safety Culture Index.

AAA (formerly the American Automobile Association) also reports that half of all respondents say they feel less safe than they did five years ago.

A Real Issue

These fears of more dangerous roadways are not unfounded. Federal estimates report that distraction contributes to 16 percent of all fatal crashes, says AAA. This leads to 5,000 deaths per year.

Teenagers are particularly at risk. A recent AAA Foundation in-car study showed that teen drivers were distracted about 25 percent of the time. Of this group, a large portion of the distractions were attributed to electronic devices. Behaviors like texting, emails and downloading music fit in this category.

The Timeline

For many drivers across the nation, 2009 was a turning point in the battle against distracted driving. That’s when President Barack Obama issued his first executive order on the matter. His action led

to a snowball effect in terms of various federal agencies enacting their own laws on distracted driving, eventually leading to major change in many state laws as well.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, here is how the president and federal agencies have impacted the behavior.

• On September 30, 2009, President Obama issued an executive order prohibiting federal employees from texting while driving on government business or while using government equipment;

• On September 17, 2010, the Federal Railroad Administration banned cell phone and electronic device use by employees on the job;

• On October 27, 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enacted a ban that prohibits commercial vehicle drivers from texting while driving; and

• In 2011, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration banned all hand-held cell phone use by commercial drivers and drivers carrying hazardous materials.

States Follow Suit

States first began to get involved in the issue in 2001 when New York instituted the first ban on using hand-held cell

phones while driving. In 2007, Washington became the first state to enact an all-driver ban on texting.

In Virginia, anyone under 18 years old is banned from using cell phones or any other personal communication devices while driving. Texting is banned for all drivers. In Virginia, it is considered a primary offense, which means police can pull you over if they suspect you of texting while driving. The fine is $125 for the first offense, and $250 for subsequent offenses.

One of the most influential studies, according to the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine, was the 2006 initiative by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. This study revealed

that drivers engaging in visually and or manually complex tasks have a three times higher near-crash or crash risk than drivers who are attentive.

Other findings from this study included the risk of a crash or near-crash event being:

• 2.8 times higher when dialing a cell phone

• 1.4 times higher when using or reaching for an electronic device

• 1.3 times higher when talking or listening to a cell phone

A Dangerous Activity

Even though we can’t all seem to agree on the legality of texting while driving, we all should pay attention to the statistics. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and its “Stop the Texts, Stop the Wrecks” advertising campaign:

• You are three times more likely to crash your vehicle if you text while driving

6 Urban Views Weekly | August 26, 2015

Eyes on the road - Hands on the wheel

• 49 percent of adults say they have been passengers in a car when the driver was sending or reading text messages on their cell phone

• 68 percent of teens and young adults disagreed that it is easy to text while driving and still pay attention to the road

• 78 percent of teens and young adults say they have read a text message while driving, while 71 percent say they have composed and sent one.

Phone ConversationsSometimes, the statistics say it all. According to a AAA study, drivers talking on cell phones are four times more likely to be involved in a vehicle crash than drivers who are not distracted.

A University of Utah study showed that talking on a cell phone has a greater effect on reaction time than having a blood alcohol level of the legal limit of .08. But, why is talking on your phone while driving such a dangerous activity? The answer is a complicated one comprised of issues both psychological and physical.

The Dangers

Two types of cell phone behavior typically lead to unsafe driving conditions, and it may surprise you which one can have a greater impact on your driving.

These classifications of cell phone usage are:

• Handling the phone which includes dialing, answering, text messaging and using it for GPS navigation. If your hands are on your phone, it means they aren’t on the wheel.

• Conversations, which can be just as dangerous, as studies have shown your mental commitment to a phone call is demanding, even if you may not realize it.

Emotional Engagement

The National Safety Council reports that in simulated driving tests, drivers who were asked to carry on a cell phone conversation were so distracted that they were unaware of some traffic signals.

The study compared phone conversations to other related activities such as listening to audio books and news radio, stating that these types of activities are less emotionally engaging, hence safer to do while driving. The more emotionally engaged the subject, the study found, the less attentive he or she was to safety signals.

Digging a little deeper, the results were unaffected by whether the subject manually held the phone or if the mechanism was hands free. This means that even if you’re following the law by using a hands-free device, you may still find yourself in a situation where you’re unable to react quickly enough to a dangerous situation.

How Adults Can Help As with many major issues, addressing distracted driving starts at home. Parents can make a major impact on the driving habits of their

children, especially if they have teenagers with little experience on the road.

This can start by simply leading by example. Your children are watching your every move — even when it comes to driving. Are you constantly distracted by incoming phone calls, text messages or emails? Do you occasionally break the law by sending a text message or answering your phone while driving?

These behaviors might seem minor to you, but you’re setting a pattern of behavior that could be followed by your children. You

can lead by example by ignoring incoming phone alerts. Tell your children that you just received a text, but you’re waiting until you reach your destination to check and reply to it.

Talk About the Issue

When you see a story in the news covering the topic of a teenager’s death due to distracted driving, don’t change the channel. Call in your

children to talk about what happened. How could the accident have been avoided? What actions might the victim have been able to take to keep safer on the road?

Honest dialogue about what kind of damage distracted driving can cause is the first step to stemming the behavior. Who knows, the next time your children think about checking their texts while driving, they may just remember your words of wisdom and choose to wait until they safely reach their destination.

Teach Defensive Driving

Not every victim of an accident caused by distracted driving is the one actually answering a phone call or sending a text. That’s why it’s important to teach your children to be heads-up drivers.

Watch for oncoming traffic at all times, especially at intersections or on hilly, rural roads. Teach your young drivers to trust only themselves on the road and to be ready for others who may not be paying attention.

7 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Eyes on the road - Hands on the wheelBy Bernard Freeman


By J. Chevont’e Alexander

Fresh Fruits & Veggies to Richmond Food DesertsThere is an ongoing health problem, happening right now, that affects 1.4 million Virginians and is widespread in the Richmond-Metro. Last year, a group of local health officials, advocates and educators found that the city of Richmond is one of the largest food deserts in the country, when compared to cities of similar size.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines food deserts as areas where people cannot access affordable and nutritious food. They are usually found in low-income areas where it is hard for residents to get to grocery stores or markets, according to the study. Many times the results are what you would expect. People eat food where they can get it, and researchers said that usually means eating meals at fast food restaurants or shopping at corner stores.

Healthy Corner Store Initiative (HCSI) is a program that is aimed at addressing community access to healthy foods in Richmond City. The initiative focuses on connecting with corner stores that are located in areas underserved by fresh food retail outlets, like grocery stores. This is because the corner store, for many neighborhoods, is the only food source for many Richmond residents to utilize in areas identified as food deserts.

The Healthy Corners initiative arose from conversations involving Tricycle Gardens, the City of Richmond, the state health department, Virginia Community Capital and the Bon Secours of Richmond Health System. Richmond’s 7th District Councilwoman Cynthia Newbille chaired a series of meetings beginning in December 2012. All parties shared a concern that poor nutrition was a root cause of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other maladies afflicting the poor.

Studies have shown that 53% of the youth in an urban food desert stop into a corner store at least once per day and 42% shop there more than once. The average caloric intake of each purchase, mostly from processed foods high in fat and refined sugars, is 356 calories.

Councilwoman Newbille stated, “Health outcomes are directly and negatively impacted by a lack of regular access to healthy foods. However, healthy choices can only be made in communities where there are healthy options. Having access to wholesome, local foods can help people eat better, feel better and have better health outcomes.”

HCSI targets neighborhoods in the East End, North Side and South Side of Richmond. This program consists of commitments from corner storeowners, community-based organizations, and dedicated partners seeking to implement the program.

One of their partners, Tricycle Gardens, is an urban farm and non-profit. Tricycle Gardens is growing seasonal fresh produce year-round in the city and distributing local produce grown on RVA’s Urban Farm and other partner farms every week to corner markets serving families with limited or no access to fresh food. Tricycle Gardens also offers:

· Monthly in-store tastings to provide customers with no-risk opportunities to try new foods and hands-on opportunities to learn and practice skills to shop for and prepare healthy food on a limited budget.

· Technical assistance on managing fresh produce and increasing their capacity for healthy food retail from Tricycle Gardens’ staff.

“The City of Richmond is one of the largest urban food deserts in the United States,” explains Sally Schwitters, Executive Director of Tricycle Gardens.

This summer, the Richmond City Health District partnered with Tricycle Gardens to conduct a city-wide kickoff event to launch Tricycle Garden’s “Corner Farm” Program. Simultaneous events were held in June at seven neighborhood stores currently participating in the Corner Store Initiative.

Tricycle Gardens is a nonprofit organization with a mission to grow healthy food, healthy communities and a healthy local food system. Since breaking ground on our first garden, we have engaged thousands of neighbors and shown that the simple act of growing food is an incredibly powerful way to change the overall health of our community.

This work addresses a myriad of challenging issues, and ultimately our mission is about FOOD:

F- Focus on community needs

O- Outreach and education

O- Opportunities for healthy food access

D- Design of beautiful spaces

A special kickoff celebration was hosted at Tiger Mart earlier this summer, which is located in the Gilpin Court public housing community. Guest speakers included the First Lady of Virginia, Dorothy McAuliffe; Richmond City Health District Deputy Director, Dr. Danny Avula; Tricycle Gardens Executive Director, Sally Schwitters; and 3rd District Councilman Chris Hilbert. Activities such as cooking demonstrations by the Bon Secours “Class-A-Roll” food-truck, blood pressure screening, nutrition and healthy lifestyle education were available.

The Corner Store Initiative works with owners of corner stores in neighborhoods that are considered food deserts to make fresh produce available to Continues to page 9

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The DealBy Nathaniel Sillin

Getting Your Home Ready to SellAs the economy improves, today’s sellers are facing a very different environment than they were before the housing market stumbled in 2006.

Today’s housing market features new procedures and standards, not the least of which are continuing borrowing hurdles for prospective buyers. If you are thinking about a home sale in the coming months, it pays to do a thorough overview of your personal finances and local real estate environment before you put up the “for sale” sign. Here are some general issues to consider:

Make sure you’re not underwater. You may want to buy a new home, but can you afford to sell? The term “underwater” refers to the amount of money a seller owes on a house in excess of final sales proceeds. If what you owe on the home – including all selling costs due at closing – exceeds the agreed-upon sale price, then you will have to pay the difference out of pocket. If you’re not in a situation where you absolutely have to sell now, you may want to wait until your financial circumstances and the real estate market improves.

Evaluate your finances. Before you sell, make sure you are ready to buy or rent. Making sure all three of your credit reports are accurate is an important part of that process.

Consider “for sale by owner” vs. “for sale by broker.” “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO) signs were a common sight in many neighborhoods during the housing crisis. Shrunken home values convinced many sellers to sell their property themselves rather than pay 5-6 percent of profit in broker commission. However, consider what a licensed real estate broker could accomplish in your specific

situation. Many experienced brokers have market knowledge and negotiating skills that could potentially get a better price for your property. Deciding which route to take

shouldn’t be an overnight decision. Check leading FSBO and broker sites and talk with knowledgeable friends, attorneys and real estate professionals to learn as much as you can.

Think twice before spending on improvements. Not every home construction project pays off at sale time. Remodeling magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report tracks both pricing and cost recovery for leading remodeling projects. Before fixing up a bathroom, kitchen or any other area of

your home, research whether the work will actually pay for itself at sale. For many sellers, it might be advantageous to hire a licensed home inspector to identify any structural, mechanical or major appliance repair issues that could delay or compromise a sale.

Don’t forget moving costs. According to the American Moving and Storage Association, a leading industry trade group, the average professional interstate move of 1,220 miles costs an average of $5,630; in state, the average moving cost is $1,170. After all the costs involved in selling a home, don’t forget how much it costs to relocate.

Bottom line: Selling your home requires planning. Before putting it on the market, get solid, qualified advice on how to sell smart in a still-recovering housing market.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

their customers.

Several Richmond City Health District staff-members work with Tricycle Gardens and other community partners to promote the growth of the Healthy Corner Store concept and to encourage residents in the surrounding communities to adopt healthier diets that incorporate fresh produce and fruit.

Another partner is Virginia Community Capital Bank (VCC). VCC is a non-profit, community development financial institution (CDFI) and banking entity. Their work in underserved communities, includes:

· Providing financial technical assistance to small business own-ers, such as corner storeowners, providing flexible loans, deposits, and advisory services.

· Their work in the Get Fresh! Cor-ner Store program is implement-ed through the Virginia Fresh Food Loan.

After the initial pilot year of Richmond Healthy Corners Stores, they have decided to expand the program. Over the next two years, they plan to add 30 more member stores to the Healthy Corner Store Initiative. In addition, they will be offering more variety of healthy items including: low fat milk, low-sodium canned items, low-sugared beverages and a larger variety of fruits and vegetables. In order to meet the goal of expansion they are also bringing on a new partner, Shalom Farms, to assist them with produce and healthy food product delivery and overall programming. Lastly, they will be working with storeowners to carry WIC eligible items in their stores so WIC participants can use their benefits and purchase healthy food items for their whole family right in their neighborhood.

As of July 2015 there are 13 corner stores participating in the Healthy Corner Store Initiative, including:Triple 7404 Westover Hills Boulevard Richmond, VA 23225

Six Points2933 2nd AvenueRichmond, VA 23222

Tiger Mart200 West Hill St.Richmond, VA 23220

701 Express701 Jefferson Davis HighwayRichmond, VA 23224

Fine Foods4904 Government RoadRichmond, VA 23231

Clay Street Market501 N. 30th St.Richmond, VA 23223

25th Street Market1007 North 25th StreetRichmond, VA 23223

RS Express4007 Jefferson Davis HighwayRichmond, VA 23234

Corner Express Mart2930 North AveRichmond, VA 23222

48 Hours5091 Forest Hill AveRichmond, VA 23225

Jack Rabbit3415 Hull StreetRichmond, VA 23224

Song’s Market1400 Mechanicsville TurnpikeRichmond, VA 23222

Simpson’s Market3006 Meadowbridge RoadRichmond, VA 23222

For more information, please visit: http://tricyclegardens.org.

From Deserts page 8


The Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services is pleased to announce that it has received a grant from the Ettrick Neighborhood Business Foundation to assist low income residents of the Ettrick community to purchase prescription medications. The award of $10,000 will fund the Ettrick Medication Assistance Program for another year. The program was implemented in 2013 with an initial award of $10,000.

The program is designed to achieve two outcomes. The first is to assist low income families to obtain medications that improve health so that adults can work and children can attend schools and reach educational goals. The second is to develop a model of partnership with the private sector that can be replicated to meet other community needs.

The Ettrick Community Medication Assistance Program is a public sector/private sector partnership. Funding is provided by the Ettrick Neighborhood Business Foundation, and the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services makes an assessment of need. Referrals come mainly from Communities in Schools staff at Ettrick Elementary School. Families who are approved for assistance purchase prescriptions at Appomattox Drugs located in the historic Old Ettrick Post Office building in the community of Ettrick.

The Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of

Social Services received an innovation award from the

Virginia Department of Social Services in May 2015 for this unique partnership.

Appomattox Drugs is beneficiary of Ettrick Medication Assistance Grant

(L-R) Anne Hill Trask, Bonnie Inge Bell, Marsha Sharpe, Charles Epps, Brenda Epps, Nancy Ross, Dr. Randi Smith

Call: (804) 441-6255 Find out what we can do for your business.


Getting all the features you need in a storage building should be your top consideration.

Outdoor storage buildings are the perfect option when you need to keep lawnmower or other heavy equipment away from the elements

There are plenty of options available on the market, and the choices can seem overwhelming. Keeping these three qualities in mind will help you find the best outdoor storage buildings.

Construction

Quality material and construction is a must. The building might be more expensive, but it will be worth it. There are no standardized building codes for outdoor storage buildings.

While many companies use solid materials, others are out to make fast money. Their reputation means little since they don’t plan to be in business for long.

High-quality storage buildings are similar to a well-built home. The walls are sturdy; the decking and roof trusses are solid. A well-made roof will

keep out the elements. These buildings will not leak, so your possessions will be safe.

Don’t overlook the flooring. It should consist of solid joists and decking thick enough to prevent sagging. The flooring should meet or exceed your expectations. Pay more to get better flooring.

Design

Another important factor is functional design. Purchase the best-designed building that you can afford. If you cannot assemble the unit easily, then the quality of your materials won’t matter.

Your unit should have plenty of room for shelving and adequate floor space. Think of everything you will need to put inside the building. People use these units for a variety of reasons. Some people need room for a tractor while others might keep small gardening equipment on the shelves.

You might need more windows, skylight or electrical lighting. Maybe you need a wide door or one that opens in a particular direction. If you hang things,

then look for building with space for hooks.

Units with an attractive exterior will complement your home. You can choose from a wide array of siding, trim, and roof shingles without overshooting your budget. While you might not think much about the appearance of the building, it is worth it when you consider that it could add to the appeal of your house and property.

The Retailer

A superior retailer will help you find a unit that offers you the best value for your money.

Some retailers will assemble the building for you. It is often the best option. Misinterpreted blueprints and gouges from a screwdriver can have an impact on the overall appearance of the unit. It might even make it impossible to put together. Let a professional handle this job.

Buying a unit that features quality construction and design from a top-notch retailer makes good sense. It is a great way to gain a durable and functional storage space. Let a professional handle this job while you admire the view from your kitchen window.

If you are on a tight budget, you might inquire about a payment plan. It will likely be cheaper than the monthly rental expense of a commercial storage facility. Payment plans can be an invaluable option when you are short on cash. By keeping the building yourself, you save the monthly rental expense of a commercial storage facility. That’s money that stays in your pocket.

Weighing the variables of construction, design and a quality retailer against all the other factors in choosing an outdoor storage building makes good sense.

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How to Choose a Storage Building

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Urban Views Weekly August 26, 2015

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Transcript of Urban Views Weekly August 26, 2015