Serena loses at U.S. Open, but remains a champion
Serena Williams had been a vulnerable conqueror at this year’s majors, living dangerously and dicing with defeat on numerous occasions as she tried to become only the fourth woman to complete a calendar Grand Slam. Her luck finally ran out Sept. 11 at the U.S. Open on a court where she had not been beaten since 2011.
City hands keys to port to state authority
Jobs, jobs, jobs — that’s the vision being conjured up as Richmond hands the keys to its 120-acre port to the state of Virginia for 40 years. On Monday, the same night as Richmond City Council gave a thumbs up to a proposal for a freestanding children’s hospital on the Boulevard, the nine-member governing body also unanimously approved the award of a four-decade lease of the shipping facility to the state. The hope: That the VPA will do for Richmond what it has done for another inland port in Front Royal — spark major job growth by attracting new businesses seeking port services.
Alicia Rasin suffers relapse
Alicia Rasin, Richmond’s “ambassador of compassion” who had been inactive in recent months because of health problems, planned to return to her volunteer mission of helping relatives of homicide victims.
Aspire Academy hopes to inspire student interest
They’re lost in the classroom and repeatedly act out — leading to repeated suspensions, expulsion and, sometimes, criminal charges.
City more bike-friendly with new lanes, racks
Richmond is well on its way to becoming a bicycle-friendly town, according to Mayor Dwight C. Jones.
Richmond schools spokesman resigns
Less than three months after he was hired, Richmond Public Schools spokesperson Richard Davis III has resigned his position. His last day on the job was Aug. 28, according to an RPS official.
A mountain of problems uncovered in city finance division
Unpaid bills piled up and bank statements went unreconciled for months, creating uncertainty in the cash flow. Then after half the staff left, temporary workers had to be hired to try to clear the backlog of unpaid invoices from vendors who begged to be paid.
Despite setback, sibling catering business expanding
Their food was too popular. That’s why the owners of GFC Catering contend they no longer deliver their trademark $5.55 Friday lunch deal to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles’ headquarters.
Redistricting plans should be nonpartisan
Despite convening briefly for a special session in mid-August, the Virginia General Assembly failed to meet the deadline imposed by a federal court for redrawing the boundaries of the state’s 3rd Congressional District. The failure of the General Assembly to address its responsibilities leaves the map drawing in the hands of the federal judiciary.
March, learn, grow by joining ‘Journey for Justice’
Re “NAACP 860-mile ‘Journey for Justice’ to stop in Richmond,” Sept. 3-5 edition:
Illusion of post-Katrina recovery
Katrina does not need the word “Hurricane” as a descriptor; we are on a first name basis with her. Nearly 1,500 people died as a result of that storm, and others were abandoned, left to fend for themselves in unbearable heat, polluted waters and filthy municipal facilities. Hundreds of thousands, called “refugees,” were relocated in what could certainly be called Third World refugee camps. And many more were sent to what Barbara Bush thought was a pretty nice place, the Houston Astrodome.
Mis-education of the South
Regarding recent events in Morehead, Ky., and court clerk Kim Davis who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, a New York Times article mentions “the old politesse and grace,” which supposedly helped people in that town get along in spite of ideological differences. But in the former slave states, what passes for “grace” is often syrup poured over venom.
Move on
Time heals most wounds. And time wounds most heels.
No hero
Kim Davis is neither a hero nor a martyr in our book. The sobbing, pious and defiant Kentucky county clerk gained national attention after spending five days in jail rather than issuing marriage licenses to same sex-couples.
Va. PrideFest set for Saturday on Brown’s Island
Richmond native and American Idol finalist Rayvon Owen will headline the entertainment at Virginia PrideFest.
Free yearlong pass to national parks
Fourth-graders and their families can visit the national parks and federal recreation areas of their choice across the country for free for an entire year.
Arbor Day Foundation offering trees
Get 10 free white flowering dogwood trees when you join the Arbor Day Foundation. The price to join: $10.
Chesterfield NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday
The Chesterfield County Branch NAACP is holding its 2015 Freedom Fund Banquet from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Richmond Marriott in Downtown.
Art festival to benefit CARITAS
The 24th Annual 43rd Street Festival of the Arts will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Forest Hill Avenue and 43rd Street on South Side.
