My Community: Chesterfield
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During a crowded Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held last Wednesday September 26, 2007 at 6:30 pm at the County Administration office, the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution recognizing the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce (VACC) and its chairman, Tinh duc Phan, for the organization’s strong contributions to the economy of Virginia. More than 200 persons attended the meeting. Among them were Tinh Phan, VACC Chairman who accepted the honor and award from Art Warren, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for Chesterfield County. A team of seven members representing Vietnam, Korea, The Philippines, Hong Kong/China, India, Iran, of the Board of Directors of the VACC (http://www.aabac.org) representing some of the leading ethnic Asian communities in the Commonwealth joined Tinh Phan for the occasion to help him accept the award

The historic Resolution‘s text reads as follow:

*****

RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MR. TINH DUC PHAN AND THE VIRGINIA ASIAN CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO CHESTERFIELD COUNTY

WHEREAS, Chesterfield County has attracted business ventures from all over the world, including Asia, South America, Europe and elsewhere; and

WHEREAS, Chesterfield County provides assistance to businesses of all sizes as they locate and prosper here; and

WHEREAS, Chesterfield County is proud to work with the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce; the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce and others to collaborate for success; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce Chairman Tinh duc Phan has ably led that body and been a strong and positive influence in the success of its members; and

WHEREAS, the VACC represents business owners and operators from 37 different ethnic backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, Chairman Phan helped shape the resolution passed by the Virginia General Assembly recognizing Asian New Year observances; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s Asian and Pacific-American communities total more than 350,000 people and contribute $4.4 billion to the state’s economy; and

WHEREAS, the VACC, in 2000, ranked eighth in the top 10 states in the United States in the number of Asian-owned businesses; and

WHEREAS, the strong and positive relationship between the VACC and Chesterfield County contribute to economic strength and diversity that benefit all Virginians; and

WHEREAS, under the leadership of Mr. Tinh duc Phan, the VACC has conducted and participated in seminars, business forums, conferences and a wide range of other programs for the benefits of its members.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, this 26th day of September 2007, publicly recognizes Chairman Tinh duc Phan for his outstanding leadership of the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce, for the many contributions he and that organization have made to the overall economic vitality of the region, and extends to Mr. Phan and the VACC best wishes for continued success.

Erin McAllister recently earned a Doctorate of Audiology (AuD) from the University of Maryland, College Park. Erin, James River HS ‘98, William & Mary ‘02, completed her externship at the Mayo Clinic, Arizona, and will join the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles as a Clinical Audiologist

Beach Community Grange will be hosting a Meet the Candidates night. Come out and meet your local candidates running for office. The event will be held on October 20th from 6:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m., light refreshments will be served. Each candidate will be given about 3 minutes to speak, once they have all spoken you will be given a chance to meet them one on one and ask questions. We ask that all planning to attend please RSVP to Melinda Hankins @ 790-1759 as seating is limited.

Megan Evans, a rising sophomore at Cosby H.S. in Midlothian, VA, just returned from Las Vegas, where she competed in the Miss United States Pageant.  Megan, who was crowned Miss Virginia Jr. Teen United States 2007 in April here in Richmond, was a top six finalist and won the Miss Photogenic award.  Her local sponsors were Dr. Richard Vacca, D.D.S., Dr. John King, D.D.S., Springdale at Lucy Corr Village, Edward Jackson Photography, and Mr. & Mrs. Mike Williams.  If you would like information on an scheduling Megan for an appearance, or information on next year’s pageant, please contact Chris Wilmer at .

Steven Cody was accepted for the Class of 2011 to Princeton University, he was recruited to play football for the Tigers.  Steven attended Clover Hill High School for 2 years before transferring to a prep school in New England; The Governor’s Academy in Byfield, MA.  The reason we enrolled him in the prep school was that he hoped to play ice hockey in college, but we found that his achievements on the football field as well as his academic achievement helped him to get accepted to the college of his dreams. Here’s a link to The Governor’s Academy commencement announcement.  Steven received an athletic award from the prep school for being captain of 3 sports his senior year - Football, Hockey and Track.

Join Our Newcomers Group

Woodlake United Methodist Church
6601 Woodlake Village Parkway
Midlothian, VA 23112
http://www.woodlakeumc.org

· Learn strategies for letting go, starting over, and moving on
· Hang out with other “moving women” – make new friends!
· Learn more about the Chesterfield area
· Utilize the book:  After the Boxes are Unpacked

Class Meets for 12 weeks

Thursdays, September 13-December 13, 2007

Begins: 9:30-10:00am-coffee/check in

Ends:  12:00 Noon

Church Sanctuary

Cost:  $25 covers book and expenses

Child care:  Available for a nominal fee

To register or for more details, contact: 

Sue Shirley at 804-739-4209 or
MaryKaye Cochran at 804-739-4535, ext. 33 or

For valuable moving tips and to learn more about the impact these classes have had on other women who have moved to a new city/area, visit Just Moved! Ministries at http://www.justmoved.org

Kroger and its customers have donated more than $7,000 to the Central Virginia Food Bank in Richmond.

Kroger customers contributed approximately $6,500 of the total by donating coins in boxes at cash registers in stores in the Mid Atlantic region for the period ending in February.

The other $500 came from Ed Southern, Manager of the Kroger store at Ivymont Square on Midlothian Turnpike.  Southern, a 38-year veteran of the grocery business who has been with Kroger since the purchase of Hannaford Stores in Richmond in 2000, won $500 for being selected Kroger’s Mid Atlantic Community Service Award winner this year.

“Those of us in the food business take it for granted that food always is in the cupboard,” he says.  “But that is not true, and it is our responsibility to help those in need.”

Kroger is a long time supporter of food banks throughout the Mid Atlantic region.

Kroger operates 15 stores in the Richmond region, part of the 129 stores in the Mid Atlantic Division including stores in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. 

Lloyd C. Bird High School Class of 1987 20th year reunion

Date: October 13, 2007
Location: Holiday Inn Crossroads
Ticket Information: http://www.GreatReunions.com

Goodwill of Central Virginia will hold a public grand opening for its Chesterfield Employment Center, at its new location at 1211 Alverser Drive in Midlothian.  Join Goodwill for hourly door prizes, refreshments & more!  FREE.  To learn more about career development and support services, call 419-5863, or visit http://www.goodwillcva.org.

Kroger and its customers have donated more than $7,000 to the Central Virginia Food Bank in Richmond.

Kroger customers contributed approximately $6,500 of the total by donating coins in boxes at cash registers in stores in the Mid Atlantic region for the period ending in February.

The other $500 came from Ed Southern, Manager of the Kroger store at Ivymont Square on Midlothian Turnpike.  Southern, a 38-year veteran of the grocery business who has been with Kroger since the purchase of Hannaford Stores in Richmond in 2000, won $500 for being selected Kroger’s Mid Atlantic Community Service Award winner this year.

“Those of us in the food business take it for granted that food always is in the cupboard,” he says.  “But that is not true, and it is our responsibility to help those in need.”

Kroger is a long time supporter of food banks throughout the Mid Atlantic region.

Kroger operates 15 stores in the Richmond region, part of the 129 stores in the Mid Atlantic Division including stores in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia.

Ashley Elizabeth Hatchel, a resident of Midlothian (23112), recently received a Bachelor of Science in International Relations, Cum Laude, from the School of Diplomacy & International Relations at Seton Hall University on May 7, 2007.

For nearly 150 years, Seton Hall University has been a catalyst for leadership, developing the whole student, mind, heart and spirit. Seton Hall combines the resources of a large university with the personal attention of a small liberal arts college. Its attractive suburban campus is only 14 miles by train, bus or car to New York City, with the wealth of employment, internship, cultural and entertainment opportunities the city offers. Seton Hall is a Catholic university that embraces students of all races and religions, challenging each to better the world through integrity, compassion and a commitment to serving others.

The Virginia Hit Squad U11 baseball team recently won the 2007 USSSA U11 Boys State Championship that was held at the Stoney Run complex in Newport News June 16th and 17th. They went 5 and 0 for the tournament.

kneeling: Michael Blackburn, Tyler Fitzgerald, Gavin Kilby, Tanner Mitchell & JD Baker
next row: Davis Evans, Spencer Paul, Austin Powell, Danny McKenney & Brian Jones
Coaches: Jeff Blackburn, Manager Kenny Mitchell, Mark Jones & Chris Evans

Here is a link to their web site:
http://www.eteamz.com/virginiahitsquad

MOMS Club of Chester Open House – Friday, June 22nd, 10:30AM – 12PM, Central Library, 9501 Lori Road.  Free activities for babies to preschoolers with Moonbounces & Face Painting and over $250 in door prizes.  There will also be a free Baby Signs© Demo.  We are social/support group for moms with daytime activities for moms and kids.  Our membership area is South Chesterfield (south of 288), Chester, Colonial Heights, & Petersburg.  See http://www.momsclubofchester.com for more information or call Cynthia at 536-3476.

William Arthur Roy, son of Patricia Caborn of Midlothian, VA and William Roy of Whitensville, MA, and brother of Nicole and Joshua Roy, graduated Basic and Advanced infantry training at Fort Sill Oklahoma.

Mr. Roy received the Distinguished Honor Graduate award. He will be attending Airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and after a small leave will be joining the 82nd airborne out of Fort Bragg NC. Mr. Roy attended Meadowbrook HS before joining the Army. 

Mrs. Alicia D. Manning recently received her Masters Degree in Education from Regent University’s School of Education.  Manning was one of more than 1,005 graduates, the largest in the school’s 29-year history.

In ceremonies held May 5 on the university’s library plaza, former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney delivered the commencement address following an introduction by Dr. M. G. “Pat” Robertson, Regent’s founder and chancellor. 

Manning graduated from Thomas Dale High School, Chester, VA in 1992.  Her undergraduate studies were completed at Christopher Newport University in1997.  She completed an MBA in Business from Regent in 2004.  She is the daughter of Billy V. Stokes of Richmond and Sharon A. Lewis of Prince George, VA.  Manning is married to Shawn D. Manning and they reside in Newport News.

Manning was named “Career Switcher of the Year” by Regent and the VA Department of Education in 2005. 

I went to the Metro Richmond Zoo a couple of months back with my son. It’s a long drive from the city of Richmond, but worth the trip. We had a lot of fun with the animals and all of the sights and sounds of the zoo, but the Siamang were the best. The loudest. The funniest. Especially when the Siamang family got into a shouting/taunting match with a monkey in a nearby cage.

Believe me, these guys are hilarious. I had a hard time getting video of the monkeys to match the sounds, but this one might be the best:
Siamang at Metro Richmond Zoo.

Feeding the giraffes at the zoo is one of the main advertised features, but the monkeys (including the capuchin and spider monkeys) were the most entertaining.

Phil Riggan
DiscoverRichmond.com

Around 5:25pm on April 11th at the intersection of branders bridge road and happy hill road traffic was moving slow due to a car accident. Two cars were involved one car had one adult male in it the other had one adult male and a child. both adult males had injuries. I arrived on scene first and started directing traffic, then a police unit arrived on scene, along with medic 1 and engine 1. It took about 45 min to clean up the cars.  -Volunteer Firefight Wargo

Another fire broke out at about 10 p.m. Wednesday in the 16000 block of Harrowgate Road in Chester. Company 1 firefighters responded along with, engines ,14,12, medic 1and tactical safety officer were able to put the fire out. Harrowgate road was blocked for a few hours. Civilians blocked off the end of Harrowgate road by Jeff Davis highway.

Later a soon to be in training firefighter Justin Wargofcak stopped and blocked off that end of the road and directed traffic until police could take over a few hours later. Police blocked other roads including the other end of Harrowgate by the market place and Whitehouse road. The fire destroyed an entire garage and 3 cars. The reason for the fire is unknown. This is one of many fires in chesterfield in the past month. Firefighters urge people to be careful with fire.

I was unable to take pictures at this fire because I was so busy with the fire and traffic, but I later found a guy who had these pictures ( Rob Tankard )

On March 22, 2007 at 11:30 hours, Chesterfield Fire & EMS responded to a motel fire at 2201 Indian Hill Road that was occupied by 20 adults and 3 children. Responding units were Battalion 2 (Chester), Engines 14, 18,1,12, Truck 14, Truck 12, Battalion 1 and Tactical Safety Officer. Additional units Engine 17 Company 6.  Later they found that a heater started the fire.

The Chesterfield County Coordinated Transportation Program, Access Chesterfield, provides transportation services for any Chesterfield County resident who is disabled or, over age 60, or who meets federal income guidelines regarding poverty levels.

Transportation providers are contracted by the Chesterfield County Access Chesterfield program to provide transportation service within the Chesterfield County, Richmond, Petersburg, Hopewell and Colonial Heights metropolitan areas.

Levels of Service
The program offers advance reservations for ride sharing with other passengers. This is the only type of service available.

Who Is Qualified
Any Chesterfield County resident who is disabled, or over age 60, or Households 200% of Federal Poverty - EFFECTIVE JANUARY 24, 2007

Family Size Income
1 $20,420
2 $27,380
3 $34,340
4 $41,300
5 $48,260
6 $55,220
7 $62,180
8 $69,140

Each Additional Person over 8 in household, add: $6,960

How it works
Starting July 1, 2006 a book of 5 vouchers will cost $36.25. Each one-way trip, regardless of length, will require one green 2007 voucher.

Registration
Access Chesterfield customers must be registered in order to receive transportation services. Registration requirements and eligibility information are available from the Chesterfield County Coordinated Transportation Program office. 

To register, you may use the registration form in the brochure by mailing the completed registration form along with copies of qualifying documentation as listed in the brochure.  Contact the Coordinated Transportation Program office at (804) 279-8489 for eligibility information. 
Brochures with registration forms are available at all Chesterfield County Libraries or it can be downloaded from this site, you can also contact the Coordinated Transportation Office at (804) 279-8489 and have one mailed to your house. 

Once a customer is registered and approved they will be issued a membership card, by presenting this membership card the customer may purchase discounted travel vouchers at any Chesterfield County Library.  Vouchers are to be used with the designated transportation company, Van Go Inc. of Richmond by calling (804) 261-7388 to schedule reservations.

Service Availability
Transportation services are available through advance reservations only, Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-8:30 p.m., and Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Please call Van Go at (804) 261-7388 before 2 p.m. to make a reservation. Service is Monday through Saturday, however cancellation requests are accepted daily.

Reservations may be made one day, or up to four days, before the trip date. For groups of more than 15 people, please call at least four days in advance.

Voucher Distribution
Vouchers are sold at all Chesterfield County Libraries. 

Access Chesterfield
Chesterfield County Coordinated Transportation Program
7321 Whitepine Road
Richmond , Va. 23237
(804) 279-8489

Converse College junior Sarah Walters of Midlothian, Va. is among five Converse students selected to write and maintain a personal blog for the college. Her blog can be accessed at http://www.converse.edu/blogs/sarah.

Walter’s blog, in which she recounts daily events and posts photos of her college life, is a project by Converse’s admissions office to enable high school students to get a genuine taste for actual college life.

Walters is a history and politics major at Converse, and is a participant of the college’s Nisbet Honors Program. She is a graduate of James River High School, and daughter of Michael and Catharine Walters.