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First family celebrates Easter at historic black church
President Obama and the first family attended Easter service at a historic African-American church that traces its origins to the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. The Rev. Howard-John Wesley, pastor at the 198-year-old Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria’s Old Town, welcomed back the Obamas, whom he described as “the gorgeous family.” The Obamas also visited the church last Easter.
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April 7 opener
Flying Squirrels bringing their AA game
As the Richmond Flying Squirrels leave spring training in Scottsdale, Ariz., later this week and fly to Richmond on Sunday to prepare for their new Eastern League baseball season, their roster will include two players who are former first round draft picks, a third flame-throwing closer who consistently throws 100 mph fastballs and a new manager who spent the past three seasons at the helm of the Diablos Rojos in the Mexican League, leading the team to the 2014 league championship.
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VUU’s ‘hitting machine’ is winding up for final season
Whether it’s a battle of the brains or a battle of brawn, Virginia Union University’s Taylor Hamilton is a home run hitter.
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Smithsonian’s new African-American museum focus of forum
Throngs of visitors are expected to view exhibits chronicling the enslavement and emancipation of hundreds of thousands of Africans and African-Americans in the United States when the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture opens this fall on the National Mall in Washington. And they will see displays about President Obama’s historic election and leadership as the nation’s first African-American president.
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A piece of Cuba
I remember a line from Gil Scott-Heron in “The Bicentennial Blues,” where he was discussing the Nixon administration and this nation’s penchant for getting in on the economic action of other nations. He called Henry Kissinger the “International Godfather of Peace, a ‘piece’ of Viet Nam, a ‘piece’ of Laos, a ‘piece’ of Angola, a ‘piece’ of Cuba.” That line is fitting 40 years later as President Obama returns from Cuba accompanied by a dozen business executives.
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Twins lend voices, expertise to healthy heart education
Fraternal twins Kimberly Ketter and Shaun Rivers share a deep faith and a desire to help others. And they aspire to live life to its fullest.
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Judge Jenkins brings message of redemption to Garland Ave. Baptist Men’s Day
Richmond Circuit Court Chief Judge Clarence N. Jenkins Jr. encouraged his fellow congregation members to get “a spiritual tuneup” during a Men’s Day address Sunday at Garland Avenue Baptist Church on North Side. His remarks were delivered on Palm Sunday, which Christians annually celebrate in marking Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem shortly before his crucifixion at Calvary.
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‘Highland Park continues to blossom’
Highland Park, once a place of decay, continues to blossom. Residents, civic groups, police, schools churches, nonprofit organizations and area businesses are helping to make this community a great place to live, work and play. Here are some of the positive things that are complementing the work that has already been done: • 77 new senior apartments are being developed at Six Points, the crossroads where Brookland Park Boulevard, Meadowbridge Road, Dill Avenue and 2nd Avenue meet.
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Sharing the blessing
We commend Starbucks, the high-priced, addictive java joint, for listening to the suggestions of its employees and customers and coming up with a way to help the hungry while reducing food waste.
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Remove the log
We followed with great interest President Obama’s trip this week to Cuba, scrutinizing closely his reception not only by the Cuban people, but by that nation’s leaders.
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Family events to highlight Easter weekend
Two family-style festivals return this week- end to highlight the holiday season. Maymont once again will host Dominion Family Easter from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at the park off Hampton Street in the West End.
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Southern Women’s Show celebrates 25 years in RVA April 15-17
Henrico County native and American Idol finalist Rayvon Owen is to perform at the 25th Annual Southern Women’s Show, which will be held Friday, April 15 through Sunday, April 17, at the Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Ave., in Henrico County.
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Richmond Christian Center to search for new pastor
The Richmond Christian Center is moving to replace its founding pastor, Steve Parson. Two months after emerging from bankruptcy, the fundamentalist South Side church announced Tuesday that it has begun a search for a new full-time pastor to be in place by July.
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President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hold hands Sunday as they walk through the rain to the motorcade after touring Old Havana, Cuba. President …
Published on March 24, 2016
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Obama promotes democracy during historic visit to Cuba
Capping his remarkable visit to Cuba, President Obama on Tuesday declared an end to the “last remnant of the Cold War in the Americas” and openly urged the Cuban people to pursue a more democratic future for this communist nation 90 miles from the Florida coast.
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‘Virtual school’ in Va.?
Advocates say it would boost educational choices; critics say it would strip students and money from public schools
Thousands of public school students in Virginia could have the option of taking all of their classes on a home computer in what is known as a “virtual school” — instead of making the daily trek to a building with bells and defined class times. Gov. Terry McAuliffe is mulling whether to sign House Bill 8, a largely Republican-backed piece of legislation that would allow Virginia to join Florida, Ohio and 28 other states in providing 12 years of public education in what enthusiasts describe as a “classroom without walls.”
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Malia and Sasha Obama turned the Cross Hall portico into a fashion catwalk — making a splash in designer gowns at their first state dinner. …
Published on March 17, 2016
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Malia, Sasha turn heads at first state dinner
Sasha and Malia Obama, the teenage daughters of President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, were nothing less than stunning for their first state dinner, where they were first clad in designer fabrics and later in controversy. During the official White House event last Thursday night welcoming Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, both Sasha and Malia ruled the red carpet, rubbed elbows with dignitaries and enjoyed a rare star-struck moment with “Deadpool” star Ryan Reynolds.
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Author, journalist Barbara Ehrenreich to speak at housing coalition event
The Richmond-based Better Housing Coalition is hosting an event 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at the University of Richmond’s Jepson Alumni Center to explore “the real-world challenges lower-income families face every day in finding decent housing, good jobs, healthy foods and effective transportation.”
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VUU’s ‘Windy City Wonder’ breaks records, dazzles fans at regional finale
Kiana Johnson is so fast, so agile, so dynamic. She navigates a basketball floor like a sleek sports car, reducing foes to clunker status.
