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The Retail EmployerApril 2009
What’s this about a Cheap Education?
Some Retail Merchants’ events may be cheap (or free) but that doesn’t mean they don’t have top-of-the-line value. Free: Retail Authority Mentoring Roundtables monthly with RMA Board Members; new Richmond Area Chapter (May 14 – Manoli Loupassi speaking on ‘The Effect of the 2009 Session on Retailers at Libbie & Grove, on Patterson and in Bon Air’); new ‘on point FREEBIE’ with Michael Guld (May 19 - "Effective Marketing in a Tough Economy"); SCORE’s next mini-workshop (May 20 – “Legal Issues and Tools for Businesses in the Recession”). Free or Cheap: All members are invited to attend any Chapter meeting to broaden contacts and learn more with a variety of topics. Cheap: If you aren’t a Security & Loss Prevention member, $5 bucks will get you into each monthly meeting to learn about Security issues that directly affect business (April 28 - ‘Beyond the Obvious: Liability in Security IS Your Business’ with Josh Silverman, Attorney, Williamson & Lavecchia, L.C.); RMA “Connect@’s” travel around the area with evening events (next one May 5 at Nacho Mama’s in Carytown) – find out more about members, the area, and network extensively! Register now for any of these events! Click here.
The Governor's proposal to permanently expand unemployment insurance benefits: Delegate Sam Nixon’s statement
Delegate Sam Nixon (R- Chesterfield) recently issued the following statement regarding actions by the General Assembly during last week's Reconvened Session that would have permanently expanded Virginia's unemployment insurance laws in order to receive short-term, temporary federal funding.
"In recent days, there has been considerable coverage on last week's Reconvened Session in Richmond, and unfortunately that coverage has contained false and incomplete information about a House of Delegates' vote regarding unemployment insurance laws in Virginia.
"First, I am acutely aware of the financial challenges that many Virginians are facing; challenges that I have witnessed first-hand at my own place of employment and among several of my friends. That is exactly why the legislature worked this past session to pass meaningful, comprehensive initiatives that will provide real benefits to Virginians. We worked with the Governor to extend payments for unemployment benefits by an additional 13 weeks (for a total of up to 59 weeks of benefits). We passed legislation to establish a program that allows employees of small businesses to extend their health insurance coverage (COBRA) beyond the traditional six month period. We extended tax credits to businesses that create new full-time jobs here in the Commonwealth. Additionally, we approved funding for economic development incentives to attract new businesses to Virginia, aide in workforce development and promote tourism.
"What we didn't do is to accept Governor Kaine's proposal to permanently expand Virginia's unemployment insurance laws in order to receive temporary stimulus funds from Washington on top of $62.5 million already being extended to the Commonwealth for unemployment benefits. While this federal money may have seemed to be short-term quick-fix, it would have been a job-killer, and when those federal funds ran out, Virginia would have been left holding the bill for another unfunded federal mandate. Worse yet, the amendments would have allowed someone to turn down a full-time job and still obtain benefits. This change would have begun to transform Virginia's unemployment system into an entitlement program. This is the first time a Governor has proposed a law where the unemployed can reject a job offer and still keep their benefits.
"The economic challenges we face are real, and Virginians expect comprehensive solutions and a balanced, long-term approach to address these problems—not higher costs on businesses and more government. A short-term check from the federal government is no substitute for real, practical solutions that will create new jobs, stimulate economic growth, and get Virginians working again in long-term, full-time jobs that provide good pay and good benefits."
A full report on the Unemployment Insurance Modernization Bill (SB1495) that was recently rejected by the General Assembly is available for your review here. Please contact George Peyton at 804-662-5500 with any questions.
Back to topMember Events & More
100,000 meals for Kids in Central Virginia
Puritan Cleaners is collecting fund and food for their annual 100,000 Meals Food Drive for Kids in Central Virginia. This year TV8's Matt DiNardo is helping them spread the word. Bring in your funds or food to any Puritan location, or make an online donation through the Central Virginia Food Bank. Every dollar provides 5 nourishing meals. They will be collecting through May 2nd.
Today, April 22nd, join Matt DiNardo, weather anchor of WRIC TV8's of Good Morning Richmond, for Matt's Great 8 Tailgate at the Puritan Staples Mill location. Come by any time during the day and make a donation of funds or food, and say hello. Matt will be handing out coffee and doughnuts in the morning and grilling hot dogs and hamburgers during the day. We hope to fill up several trucks with food and raise enough funds for 8,000 meals. It's a great chance to meet Matt and to help a hungry child.
For more info on the program, click here. As always, thank you for your generous support.
Make Your Recipe Famous, and Help Feed Virginia
Submission deadline for all recipes is *May 10th*
Several volunteers of the Central Virginia FoodBank and Community Kitchen are publishing a fundraising cookbook. All proceeds will go to the FoodBank, so ‘that none shall go hungry.’ The focus of the cookbook is *simple and nutritious* cooking to help families with easy meal planning. We want to remind Moms that it's not that hard to cook and completely worth the effort. We need your help to make the project a success. If you have fabulous, original recipes to share, please submit them!
They are looking for healthy and delicious breakfast, lunch, dinner, after-school snacks and desserts appropriate for Preschoolers, Elementary, Middle School, and High School Age Groups, to eat AND to help cook. In addition to creating a great cookbook, they are looking for teaching moments that parents and caregivers can use with their children. All recipes will be made with the ingredients and instructions as submitted in a Test Kitchen Setting by a volunteer chef, not a professional chef. All recipes must be original works. They will credit your creation to you by printing your name with your recipe in the book; however, once submitted the Central Virginia Foodbank will have the rights to publish without further consent. For complete information and the recipe entry form, please email foodbankcookbookrecipes@gmail.com.
Powhatan Chamber Luncheon
Thursday April 23th
Luncheons are held at the County Seat Restaurant
Beginning at 11:30 "Come network with us!" Lunch is $8.00
This month’s speaker is Laura Millen, Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist, speaking on FACTA, Red Flags Rule and how they affect your business. "Are you ready for the May 1 deadline?" R.S.V.P. by calling Diane or Tina 598-2636.
Retail Marketing Expo—
Marketing For Economic Recovery
August 4, 2009 Greater Richmond Convention Center
Title Sponsor
Exhibiting at Retail Marketing Expo?
Free preview for your company in Retail Partners newsletter!
There’s no cost to promote your Show Special in the 3rd Quarter Retail Partners. Send a brief paragraph with your contact info to Pat Vitsky no later than May 29. Advertising discounts are also available for Exhibitors. Email patricia@retailmerchants.com or call 804-662-5500. For exhibitor info, contact Jenny Price, jprice@retailmerchants.com or call 804-662-5500.
New Media Partnership
Richmond Media Group’s Targeted Solutions team has formed a new and exciting partnership with Urban Views Weekly, and they are now welcoming advertisers looking to broaden their market share by reaching thousands of new readers. Urban Views Weekly is the foremost authority on lifestyle, events and trends enjoyed by African-American consumers. They currently offer a special discount for Retail Merchants Association members—buy 4 weeks and get the 5th week FREE! For more information, please call 804-441-6255 or your Times-Dispatch representative.
Linden Row Inn Joins First Fridays Artwalk!
The current art exhibition is organized by 1708 Gallery, and is titled Garden of Earthly Delights. Garden of Earthly Delights celebrates the rites of spring and the cyclical nature of creativity. The exhibition includes a series of globes created by noted artists to commemorate 1708 Gallery's thirtieth anniversary as well as sculpture, painting and drawing. This exhibition will be on view at the Linden Row Inn through May 24. The next exhibition, Poe's Playground, will feature artwork inspired by the life of Edgar Allan Poe. This next exhibition is scheduled to be installed by 1708 Gallery by early June. Beginning on May 1, the Linden Row Inn will begin serving a selection of premium wine and beer during First Fridays Artwalk. www.lindenrowinn.com
VMFA Sets May 1, 2010, as Grand Opening for James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin Wing
The Grand Opening of the expanded and transformed Virginia Museum of Fine Arts will be May 1, 2010, VMFA Director Alex Nyerges has announced. “In less than a year our superb collections will be on view once again for all to enjoy in a spectacular setting that is itself a work of art,” he says.
Updated weekly, a map showing galleries that are now open is available online at www.vmfa.museum/map.pdf. More information on the project, plus a photo gallery, is available online at www.vmfa.museum/expansion_photos.html.
Invitation to Your BBB's Open House
May 6th, 2009, 7:30am to 10am
Stop in anytime to enjoy a light breakfast, network with your fellow BBB members and learn how your annual accreditation dues help our community! *Get an inside look at your BBB's Operations Department, the BBB Foundation, our Sales Team and much more. Please RSVP by simply clicking here.
Maymont’s Summer Concert on the Lawn
June 17, 5:00–10:00 p.m.
Featuring The Embers, plus the Atkinsons and Susan Greenbaum, emceed by Steve “Mr. Beach” Leonard. Maymont is offering special low pricing for tent and/or ticket packages—for budget-friendly ways to entertain employees, customers, business associates and friends. For more information, click here, visit www.maymont.org or call Carol Midkiff 804-358-7166 ext 330, cmidkiff@maymont.org.
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Contact:
Preston Perrin
(804) 662-5500
Fax: (804) 662-5507
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