‘Jury still out’
Mayor Levar M.Stoney finishes first year amid ambivalence despite human touch
Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney has probably shaken more hands, taken more selfies with city residents, issued more tweets and participated in more events, programs and festivals than any mayor in recent memory.
Kudos to Free Press writer
Re “Questions, doubt about credibility of Rep. Robert C. Scott’s accuser,” Free Press Dec. 21-23 edition: Your article on Marsheri Reese Everson was on the money. Right now, most (national) journalists are afraid to question alleged “victims” in any way. What makes that situation worse is that many national reporters are
Taxpayers are being groped
Speaking of groping, why are our politicians continuing to allow powerful people in the corporate sector and elsewhere to obscenely grope our tax dollars?
Expression of thanks
The family of the late Rev. Curtis W. Harris sincerely appreciates the wealth of support we have received since the death of our beloved patriarch on Dec. 10. The visits, phone calls, tweets, Facebook expressions, food, flowers, cards and contributions to the Lucas Spicely Medical Fund are indicative of your thoughtfulness during this difficult time.
Civil rights groups push to open housing policy deliberations
Wherever you live or your household size, home is a special place where children are raised and memories are made. Owning a home is also the largest, single investment that most families make in a lifetime.
Kwanzaa, a balm in Gilead
The sickening sight of smug sycophantic Republicans celebrating the passage of their tax bill on the White House lawn was the Scrooge-like move to drop a lump of coal into the stockings of the 13 million Americans likely to lose health insurance coverage thanks to the move. Of course, corporations are so ecstatic that some — AT&T and Comcast among them — are offering employee bonuses because they will benefit so much from the tax plan.
Ebenezer Scrooge and the ‘tax scam’
One of my favorite Christmas pastimes is looking through my television content guide, finding a scheduled airing of “A Christmas Carol” and tuning in to watch. I don’t know how many iterations of this movie classic have been made, but I’ve viewed multiple versions made from the 1930s to the recent past. It seems like each generation produces a film with a modern twist designed to keep the message of the movie fresh for new viewers.
New Year’s Eve celebration at Main Street Station
Richmonders can ring in the new year at “Le Masque 007 NYE Celebration,” a New Year’s Eve bash at the newly renovated Main Street Station and the glass-enclosed train shed in Shockoe Bottom. The dress-up party, which will have a James Bond Casino Royale theme, starts at 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, and ends at 1 a.m.
Roland ‘Fatty’ Taylor, guard with the former Virginia Squires, dies at 71
Roland Morris “Fatty” Taylor, who starred for the Virginia Squires died Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Denver following a lengthy illness.
Flying Squirrels have 1st African-American manager
The Richmond Flying Squirrels have their first African-American manager, Willie Harris. Harris, 39, played for the former Richmond Braves in 2007. He succeeds Kyle Haines as manager of the Class AA Eastern League Squirrels.
Tillman sets pace for VCU record books
Virginia Commonwealth University’s affiliation with Atlantic 10 Conference basketball is missing one golden nugget — an A-10 Player of the Year recipient.
Micah Thomas finding success at VUU
Micah Thomas arrived late — but fortunately not too late — to make an impact on Virginia Union University basketball.
Sportscaster Herm Edwards named head coach at Arizona State
Herm Edwards is taking his football expertise from the broadcast booth back to the sidelines. An ESPN personality on NFL Live since 2009, Edwards was named head coach at Arizona State University. “I’m here to build a program on top of the foundation that’s already been built here,” he said in his introductory news conference on Dec. 4 in Tempe, Ariz. “We’re here to be relevant in the Pacific 12.”
City Church to host New Year’s Eve prayer service, after-party
Many African-American churches have Watch Night services on New Year’s Eve, and then their congregants go out to clubs and other places that may not be safe, said Pastor Dimitri Bradley of City Church.
Emancipation Proclamation Day event to feature Roslyn Brock as speaker
Richmond once again will celebrate one of the greatest days in American history — the emancipation of enslaved people.
UNCI to move Dec. 31 to new home at former Richmond Christian Center
The Richmond Christian Center will end the year as the new home of United Nations Church International. The founder and pastor, Bishop Orrin K. Pullings Sr., and his wife and co-pastor, Dr. Medina Pullings, will lead the 700-member UNCI congregation in a procession from their current building at 5200 Midlothian Turnpike to their new, larger sanctuary at 214 Cowardin Ave. around 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31.
Personality: Pam Mines
Spotlight on founder of nonprofit JP JumPers Foundation
Helping people in the special needs community is a labor of love for Pam Mines. “I am not the advocacy voice for the special needs community. I am simply a voice,” says the Chesterfield County resident.
City loses last independent, black-owned radio station
WCLM-1450 AM, the last independent, African-American-owned radio station in Richmond, is off the air after 21 years.
Bagby to lead Va. Legislative Black Caucus
Henrico Delegate Lamont Bagby will lead the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus in the 2018 General Assembly session.
