Step aside
Richmond City Councilman Parker C. Agelasto no longer lives in the district that he represents. He has acknowledged that he moved out of the 5th District in July into a house on West Franklin Street in the city’s 1st District with his pregnant wife and 2-year-old daughter, saying he needed larger accommodations for a growing family.
Teaching while black
We have read with disgust report after report from around the nation of incidents of white people calling the cops on African-Americans who are engaged in nothing more than the normal activities of daily living — barbecuing while black, going to the pool while black, waiting at Starbucks while black, going into your apartment building while black, vacationing at an airbnb while black, selling Girl Scout cookies while black and campaigning for public office while black.
Kudos to Evergreen volunteer
Every once in a while, you come across a person who is willing to put the community ahead of all things. They do this day in and day out. George Nixon is such a person. He has volunteered to help correct the overgrowth at Evergreen Cemetery. He has worked tirelessly since March 2016, helping to clear about 18 of approximately 60 acres.
Why I don’t go to church
I don’t go to church because I find it irrelevant. When I went to church, even good ones with a message and an active congregation, I found serious issues were omitted.
Free HIV testing Dec.1 for World AIDS Day
In honor of World AIDS Day, free HIV testing will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at The Valentine, 1015 E. Clay St.
Coliseum’s success raises new questions about need to replace it
The 13,500-seat Richmond Coliseum has been the busiest arena in Virginia during the past six years, according to a Chicago-based consulting company that was paid $500,000 by the city to review a proposal to replace the facility.
Holiday events underway in city
Richmond will turn on the holiday lights and welcome Santa to Downtown this weekend to officially launch the celebration of the season in the Capital City. First up will be the 34th Annual Grand Illumination on Friday, Nov. 30.
3rd Annual Afrikana Independent Film Festival rescheduled for Nov. 29-Dec. 2
Boots Riley, writer and director of the independent film “Sorry to Bother You,” will talk about his film following a screening 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Grace Street Theater, 934 W. Grace St.
Diana Ross slays as headliner of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Frigid weather and blustery winds didn’t chill the enthusiasm at the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, where spectators bundled up in blankets and sleeping bags and the giant character balloons flew lower than usual.
Ella Mai sweeps 2018 Soul Train Awards
British singer Ella Mai won big at the 2018 Soul Train Awards, dominating in three categories during Sunday night’s telecast and taking honors for best R&B/soul female artist, and song of the year and the Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award for “Boo’d Up.”
‘Green Book’ offers small slice of amazing musician’s life, talent
Raise your hand if you have ever heard of Donald W. “Don” Shirley. I expect most of you are as unaware of this remarkable musical giant as I was before I went to see the new film “Green Book.”
Ali Center receives donation for Muslim cultures exhibit
The Muhammad Ali Center in Kentucky has received a donation to support an exhibit showcasing the diversity of Muslim cultures.
Rare ‘Slave Bible’ exhibition offers glimpse of Christianity’s role in slavery
On display on the ground floor of the Museum of the Bible is a lone volume that stands out from the many versions of the Bible shown in the building devoted to the holy book. It’s a small set of Scriptures whose title page reads “Parts of the Holy Bible, selected for the use of the Negro Slaves, in the British West-India Islands.”
Local real estate firm helping anti-hunger efforts
A lot of canned goods get thrown away when people move away. Now moving companies and real estate firms in Richmond and other parts of the country are making an effort to collect nonperishable foods and give them to food banks and other distribution points to help fight hunger.
Mayor: Social Services would still have City Hall office if headquarters moved
The Richmond Department of Social Services would continue to have a presence at City Hall even if its headquarters building is moved to a distant location to make way for development of an apartment and retail complex as part of the Richmond Coliseum replacement plan.
VICPP to host advocacy forum this Saturday
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is hosting a free forum to help empower people to address a range of critical issues facing the community, including health care, criminal justice reform, wage theft, eviction reduction, and to help community advocates prepare for the 2019 Virginia General Assembly session.
Small North Side congregation works hard to keep doors open
John S. “Johnny” Walker is on a mission to save All Souls Presbyterian Church as a center of faith and tolerance in North Side. Despite a shrinking congregation that has fallen to 40 contributing congregants, the 64-year-old Richmond native still sees a future.
Vernita Lee, mother of Oprah Winfrey, dies on Thanksgiving
Vernita Lee, the mother of Oprah Winfrey, has died at age 83. A spokeswoman for Ms. Winfrey issued a statement on Monday saying Ms. Lee died at her Milwaukee home on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, 2018.
Personality: Paula R. Gray
Spotlight on first Ms. Exquisite Full-Figured Virginia 2018
And the winner of the first Ms. Exquisite Full-Figured Virginia 2018 is … That moment of suspense, when anxiety turned into joy, is forever etched in the mind of Paula R. Gray of Chesterfield.
Anna Wilson suffers injury at Stanford game in Hawaii
Anna Wilson, sister of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, is doing well after a big scare in Honolulu.
