Member News & Events

Virginia Historical Society Hosts a Rare Live Taping of the public radio history program BackStory with the American History Guys

Thursday, May 20, 6:00 p.m.

BackStory with the American History Guys is a unique, interactive radio program distributed by VFH Radio at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities that includes listener calls, interviews with guest scholars and experts, wide-ranging discussion, and produced features. On each program, internationally renowned historians and hosts Edward Ayers, Brian Balogh, and Peter Onuf pull a topic from the headlines and use it to drill down into America’s past. 

Topic:  Paying Up: The History of Taxation

From the very beginning, Americans have been arguing about whether their taxes are fair and just. The American History Guys will explore taxation’s complicated and turbulent history—from the Stamp Act of 1765 to the Tea Party Movement of 2010—and discuss Americans’ attitudes toward the Tax Man. 

The American History Guys take “calls” from the audience, so visitors should come prepared with questions about the history of taxes in America.

This event is free and open to the public.  Reservations are not required.  Seating is first come, first seated.  Free parking in the Virginia Historical Society lot.

Bike to Work Day!

Friday, May 21

Click here for a flyer that you can post at your business to encourage your employees to leave the car behind on May 21st and support the cause. —Team RideFinders

"SUCCESS" Workshop Series from US Small Business Administration

• June 8, Healthcare Reform – What Does It All Mean

• June 15, Developing a Culture of “SUCCESS”

• June 22, Is the Health of Your Business Affecting the Wealth of Your Business

For full information and registration, please click here.

Positive Vibe Hires Frits Huntjens as Executive Chef & Announces 2nd Location to Open This Summer

The Positive Vibe Foundation has hired Frits Huntjens as executive chef and general manager of food operations. Huntjens is former chef-owner of the AAA Four Diamond Award-winning restaurant 1 North Belmont in Richmond..

“We’re delighted that Frits has joined our team,” said Garth Larcen, founder of the Positive Vibe Foundation, which trades as Max’s Positive Vibe Café. “Frits is committed to furthering the Café’s mission through his operational and culinary excellence, and we know he will bring a lot of creativity to our daily menu offerings.”

The flagship Max’s Positive Vibe Café operates out the Stratford Hills Shopping Center in Richmond and has become well-known for more than just its terrific food and ongoing schedule of community events. The café prepares people with cognitive or physical disabilities for paid employment in the food service industry by training and employing individuals with disabilities.

“We are very proud to have graduated over 350 individuals through our training program – many of whom have found jobs all over the area,” said Larcen. “We’ve accomplished this through collaborative efforts with some of the best chefs in Richmond, who volunteer their time with us.”

In addition, the Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of its second restaurant, Positive Vibe Café Downtown, which will be located in the lobby of the Library of Virginia. The opening is scheduled for mid-June, 2010.

ABOUT THE POSITIVE VIBE FOUNDATION

The Positive Vibe Foundation prepares people with cognitive or physical disabilities for paid employment in the food service industry. The Foundation’s mission is accomplished by training and employing people with disabilities at Max’s Positive Vibe Café. Visit www.positivevibecafe.com.

ABOUT THE LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA FOUNDATION

The Library of Virginia Foundation supports the Library of Virginia and promotes cultural and historical literacy across the commonwealth with publications and exhibitions, and through enjoyable and interactive reading, writing, and arts programs. Visit www.lva.virginia.gov.

Backpack Insight from Mark Smith

“As you may know, I deliver 110 back packs to Petersburg every Thursday – this is a highlight of my week!  I drive a Toyota Tundra, and 110 back packs fill the back of the bed. 

I pulled in to my first stop, grabbed a handful of back packs, and opened the door to go in.  Two kids, back pack recipients, bounded out the door.  One of the little guys jumped up on the bumper of the truck and slowly swept his arm from left to right, making contact with as many bags as he could while exhaling a singular long WWWOOOWWW!  While I don’t actually know how long he wowed, to my ears it seemed like three seconds—just one long WWWOOOWWW, with eyes as big as they could be and a smile that went ear to ear.  He jumped off the truck and ran back inside—a couple seconds passed and he stuck his head back out of the door.  “Are you going to be here next week?”  “Absolutely!”  “The week after?”  “Absolutely!”.  The door shut behind him, and we both went on about our day.

I sat on my deck last night and kept coming back around to a thought —when was the last time anything caused me to have a three second—WWWOOOWWW!

P.S.—As a side note, I have attached a picture from one of our recent mobile pantries—FeedMore distributes 7 to 9 thousand pounds of food at these things!  I’ll be working my first one as soon as it can be scheduled.

—Mark A. Smith, Owner, Midas of Central Virginia

The VTC Marketing Leverage Program Applications Now Open

Deadline for return is Wednesday, July 14

The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Marketing Leverage Program is designed to stimulate new tourism marketing programs through the creation of tourism partnerships and to extend the “Virginia is for Lovers” campaign.  The objective of the program is to leverage limited marketing dollars, resulting in increased visitor spending, revenue, and jobs.  Complete information and the application can be found here.

Mango Salon Aids Clean Up Efforts in the Gulf

Mango Salon is joining ranks with salons & groomers nationwide & contributing to the organization Matter of Trust, a group whose invention utilizes hair to help clean up oil spills.  Matter of Trust is a non-profit that takes donated, discarded hair & turns it into clean up pads that soak up oil.  Because hair is a natural absorber of oil, it’s the perfect substance to help clean up the recent spill in the Gulf Coast.  Mango will be donating all their hair clippings to this organization toward that effort for as long as it is needed.

“Statistics say that salons in the United States collect, on average, 1 pound of hair per day,” says salon owner Bobbi Heaney.  “Our volume & success being more than average, I bet we collect more than that.  We’re grateful that our business can offer relief to the cleanup efforts in the wake of such a massive disaster.”

For more information on Matter of Trust, click here.

For more information on Mango, click here.

Design Gone to the Dogs (and Cats!):
Janet Brown Interiors and RHome magazine

June 9, 6:00–7:30 pm

Dog-lover and interior designer Janet Brown will share the latest in fabrics, carpets and stain treatments for those who love their pets as well as home decor. She'll also address pet-friendly houseplants, and some proven tricks to keep your cat or dog off the couch. Plus some really special pet-related accessories for the home. Light refreshments will be served.  This free seminar is hosted by the Richmond SPCA and RHome magazine. Seating is limited and RSVP is required. RSVP here. 804-355-0111, ext. 318

Robins-Starr Humane Center, 2519 Hermitage Road, Richmond, VA 23220

VIRUS Alert!

Do not open any message with an attachment entitled 'POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK,' regardless of who sent it to you. It is a virus which opens a postcard image which 'burns' the entire "C" hard drive of your computer.

This virus will be received from someone who has your e-mail address in his or hers contact list. This is the reason why you need to send this e-mail to all your contacts. It is better to receive this message 25 times than to receive the virus and open it once. If you receive a mail called' POSTCARD,' even though sent by a friend or relative, do not open it! Delete it immediately, and delete it from your Deleted file.

Advertise in E-blasts and/or Retail Partners Newsletters

Retail Partners newsletters have ads starting at $65—Don’t miss 3rd quarter Retail Expo Preview—show special exhibitor listings and exhibitor ad discounts! Starting at just $45, select the weeks or months you want to appear in these weekly e-mail blasts!  For more information, contact Pat Vitsky, patricia@retailmerchants.com or 804-837-5221. Discounts & preference to RMA members.