Virginia State Parks to ring in the New Year with First Day Hikes, contests and more
0For the fifth year, visitors of all ages are encouraged to start the New Year on the right foot with a First Day Hike Jan. 1 in a Virginia State Park. Parking is free, and all 36 parks will offer at least one guided hike in addition to self-guided hikes. The first 50 visitors to each park will receive a special edition pin commemorating the 80th anniversary of Virginia State Parks. The popular First Day Hikes photo contest and team competition will be offered. Details and links on how to enter can be found here: http://bit.ly/2016FDH. Each contest features…
The Wind Is Beneath Her Wings
0Matoaca resident Katelyn McCarter has overcome several of life’s obstacles in the music industry on her way to becoming a Christian Recording Pop artist. A two-time International Music and Entertainment Association Christian Female Vocalist, Christian Entertainer of the Year award-winner and Rebirth Radio’s 2013 Song of the Year and Rising Artist of the Year award winner, McCarter dropped her connection with a national record label in 2013 and is now an Indi Artist. With the invigorating strength she receives from God, she will be celebrating the release of her first CD “Chasing the Wind,” with a concert on Friday, Dec.…
Police Seek Two Skimming Suspects
0Police are seeking two suspects who placed skimming devices on two ATMs in Chesterfield County. On Wednesday, Dec. 2, police responded to the SunTrust Bank branch at 13001 Hull Street Road where a skimming device was found by a customer. As the customer removed her card from the ATM, the skimming device came off. The customer then alerted the bank. Surveillance cameras captured images of two suspects, a female and a male, when they returned to the ATM to attempt to remove the device. The suspects were traveling in a gray or silver 2003 Buick Rendezvous. The first suspect is…
Christmas Marches into Chester
1The Kiwanis Club of Chester kicks off the Christmas Season with their annual parade through Chester by way of West Hundred Road on Sunday, Dec. 13. Three marching bands, floats, walking groups and of course Santa. Units will be judged in a number of categories. This parade promises to be one of the best.
Rising from the Ashes, Hopkins Road McDonalds Re-Opens
0The sun was shining brightly and the light breeze had a little cool nip in it, but the spirits were bright and cheerful on Friday as the crowds poured in to celebrate the re-opening of the 5925 Hopkins Rd., McDonald’s. On January 5, fire ravaged the previous building. Around 1 a.m., fire crews were summoned for a kitchen fire that had spread. The damaged building later was razed. Last week’s opening marked the holiday season with a modernized and restyled building. Customers entered the parking lot to find double drive-through lanes. Inside the McDonald’s there is a counter for placing…
Building Permits Down In 2015
0The home buying market typically picks up at the end of the year. It is doing the same this year as well. Inventory of existing homes is down, which allows for builders of new homes to feel more confident about constructing new homes. While new home building is tepid compared with last year; Single family home building can come with risk where apartments or multifamily can pay for itself through rentals. Yet the single family market is still growing. This year’s single family home building statistics follow: 2014 YTD 2015 YTD JAN 94 85 FEB 114 125 MAR 175 178…
Next Piece of Arts Center Financing in Place
0The Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved the bank loan and associated financing documents that were priced in November. According to Alan Carmody, director of Budget and Management, “The EDA has been very supportive of the project, having now approved the development agreement and all of the real estate agreements as well as the loan. The foundation is progressing well in their fundraising also.” The Board of Supervisors will see an item during the December meeting to approve of the EDA’s financing. “This is an action for the purposes of determining the tax exempt status of the bonds (not the approval…
Stick to the Plan
0Did you know that Paris was laid out 60 to 70 years after Washington D.C. Early urban planners knew that it was important that living spaces should be vibrant places where citizens could enjoy every bit of the environment. Andrés Duany, architect, urban designer, planner and author, has dedicated over three decades to pioneering a vision for sustainable urban development and its implementation. He has influenced planners and designers worldwide, redirected government policies in the U.S. and abroad, and produced plans for hundreds of new and renewed communities of enduring value. His protégés or those who study his work call…