events May 2009

Member Events, PR Opportunities & More

PR Opportunities—Reply directly to press contact!

• Joan Rattner Heilman (joanheilman@hotmail.com) is looking for vacations and tours designated for grownups only, no kids allowed, for a national publication.  Nothing raunchy, please.  Send suggestions and info by May 10.
• June Naylor (junenaylor@earthlink.net) seeks info on travel content applications for mobile phones, i.e., iPhone apps, for a story pitch. The article will address questions such as: How clever but also useful (and, thereby, successful) are the existing apps? What kinds of tourism information are users seeking most via mobile phone? What tourism sources and destinations are generating the most interesting apps? Are travelers willing to pay for selective, specific travel guidance via mobile apps?
• Yvonne Horn (yhorn@sonic.net) is looking for gardens that have restaurants/cafes within their grounds.
• Louis Llovio, Richmond Times Dispatch (LLLovio@timesdispatch.com) is looking for tips on what's happening in town, what are retailers doing to attract customers and to generally find out what retailers are doing: expanding, contracting, new products etc.
• Get your company’s news in Retail Partners newsletter!  Win an award? Renovate? Have an upcoming event?  Staff changes?  Send your info to patricia@retailmerchants.com to get in the newsletter or be included in the next email blast.
• Retail Marketing Expo Exhibitors:  Free previews of your show special in the next Retail Partners newsletter.  Call Pat at 804-662-5500 for more information.
• Virginia Tourism Corporation is compiling a list of events scheduled for 2009 National Tourism Week and would appreciate it if you could send them information about any events you have scheduled for May 9–17. If at all possible, they would like to have this information by the close of business on Wednesday, May 6.  Please email to mnelson@virginia.org

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Carytown Sidewalk Sale

May 9th, 9:30 a.m. –4 p.m.

Visit a variety of local merchants at the SIDEWALK SALE.

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2009-2010 CVC-NFBPA Manuel Deese Scholarship Award

Application deadline is May 8

Scholarships are being offered by the Central Virginia Chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (CVC-NFBPA) to high school seniors & college students planning a career in public administration or government. Scholarship recipients will receive up to $1000.

The application may be obtained from www.NFBPA-CVC.org.  The deadline for applications is May 8, 2009. Applicants must be an African-American high school senior, undergraduate or graduate student enrolled or enrolling in a college or university in an accredited public administration program or a curriculum that could lead to a career in government. The student must be in good academic standing.

The NFBPA is a membership organization formed to provide unique resources to black executives and public managers to enhance their overall contributions to the science & practice of public administration and to groom & prepare younger, aspiring administrators for senior public management positions.

The NFBPA-CVC was chartered in March 1984 to aid in these efforts to establish access and promote awareness of NFBPA and its program.

For more information, contact Robin Byrd at robin_byrd@ccpsnet.net or Dr. Tyrone Jackson at tyrone.jackson@richmondgov.com  To learn more about the National Forum, logon to www.nfbpa.org

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Amelia Day Festival 2009: Amelia County—274th Birthday Celebration

Saturday, May 9th, 2009, 9:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Court St, Washington St, Virginia Ave. & Church St

Welcome to Amelia Day! A festival full of fun and family entertainment. This family oriented annual festival is held on the Courthouse lawn in the Village area of Amelia County. The festival begins at 9:30 a.m. and runs until 6:00 p.m. Events include arts and crafts, informational exhibits and displays, live entertainment, food, lots of activities for the kids and old fashioned Country fun.  For information contact Pam Hood, 804.304.4262 or phood1@tds.net

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Social Media Made Easy for Business coming to RMA (Special Member Offer)

Wednesday May 13th. Registration & refreshments begin @ 9:00 a.m.

Retail Merchants Association
5101 Monument Ave
Richmond, VA
(directions)

Social Media Made Easy for Business is the first building block in a series of WERKshops to really understand and work the Web 2.0 space. Hear local and national success stories of real companies and real people benefiting from this medium. See which tools fit you best and start leveraging Social Media to gain visibility, credibility & ultimately profitability.

Topics covered:

• Leveraging LinkedIn, Facebook & other Social Networks
• Blogging for Credibility
• 3 Social Media Mistakes to Avoid 
• Simple Strategies to implement today
• Going from Web 2.0 to Business 2.0
• YouTube & Video Networks to increase Visibility
• And Much More

Similar Workshops & Seminars in Washington D.C., Atlanta, and other cities can cost over $1000!

Social Media Made Easy for Business includes morning refreshments, parking, materials, and training.

RMA Member:  $147 (Members will get a Special Surprise Bonus), Non-Member: $197

https://www.etouches.com/SUCCESSWERKS/WERKShop—please use promo code: RMA

BONUS OPTION:  Choose the Combo Course for an extra $100 and get Linkedin/Facebook Hands-On - RMA Members: $247, Normally $397, Savings of $150!

Bring in your laptop & Learn Live! Click here to register

NHAT PHAM, npham@successwerks.com

Check out upcoming Social Media WERKShops @ www.successwerks.com/registration.

Nhat is a New Media Advocate & Strategist who simplifies technology in a clear & entertaining way. Nhat helps entrepreneurs grow & develop business using Social Networking & Online tools through WERKShops, Webinars, & private coaching. Nhat conducts a weekly interactive video internet program in Richmond, VA called "The Road Warrior Show" (www.roadwarriorshow.com) talking and answering questions on tips, tools, & technology for success in the air & on the road. Follow him on Twitter. http://www.twitter.com/nhatpham

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Discover the Ancient Cambodian Kingdom of Angkor in Free "Walking the Royal Road" Talk at VMFA

May 14 at 6 p.m.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts will celebrate Asian Pacific—American Heritage Month with a free lecture in the Pauley Center parlor.  Dr. Jennifer Foley, the museum’s Paul Mellon Collection Educator, will speak on the topic “Walking the Royal Road: the Ancient Cambodian Kingdom of Angkor.”

The kingdom of Angkor in northwestern Cambodia was at its height from the 9th to the 13th centuries. During these rich and productive centuries, the Angkorian kings oversaw the construction of some of the largest—and most exquisitely decorated—temples in the world. Construction of the temples of Angkor used as much stone as the great pyramids of Egypt. The apex of Angkorian creativity and ingenuity arrived in the early 12th century with the temple known as Angkor Wat that was built under King Suryavarman II. But the decades dedicated to its construction were not Angkor’s most prolific; an incredible burst of activity in the 13th century accompanied the beginning of the decline of the kingdom.

Foley first became interested in Asia as an undergraduate at Brooklyn College. An interest in the Chinese language led to a semester in Nanjing, China, followed by a nearly two-year stay in Hanoi, Vietnam. She attended graduate school at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., where she studied Asian art history. She has since returned to Southeast Asia to conduct field research, spending two more years living in Cambodia and Vietnam before completing her doctorate.

The lecture is free, but seating is limited and advance registration is required: telephone (804) 340-1405 or order online at www.vmfa.museum

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Lakeside Farmers’ Market Extends Hours

Lakeside Farmers' Market will have two market periods on Wednesday.  8AM until Noon and 3PM-7PM.  Each market period brings out different vendors and more selection.  Come as often as you can.  We are located at 6110 Lakeside Ave. Richmond, Va., in the parking lot at Lakeside Towne Center (One block South of Hilliard Rd. and within sight of Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens).  Please come out and meet our vendors.  We are still adding new ones to the list for this year.  If you need additional information or updates on the market, e-mail peter.francisco@verizon.net.

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Over 100 Business Training Web-based Classes... For Free

Crater Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of Longwood University in conjunction with the Crater Planning District Commission(CPDC) have partnered up with Element K© to offer business owners and entrepreneurs over 100 business training web-based classes . . . for free.

Crater PDC has outlined a recommended list of classes in four core fields: Effective Communication, Negotiating, Marketing and Teamwork. Once enrolled, students may choose courses from the recommended paths or browse the extensive course catalogue for classes that apply to their specific needs. Students are able to utilize "trackable" assessments and simulations. Certificates of completion are available after successfully finishing a course module. 

"In the fast-paced world business owners and entrepreneurs find themselves in today, e-Learning offers the accessibility, convenience and self-paced training that busy lifestyles demand," said Dennis K. Morris, Executive Director of the Crater Planning District Commission.

To enroll please visit: www.elementk.craterpdc.org

"Students can log on 24 hours a day—at home, at the office or on the road," said Pat Hood, Director of the Crater SBDC. "And the best part is the training courses are absolutely free."

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From Mark Smith at Midas:

One pint of your blood saves three lives and it gets you free car care!  Who loses there?

 “OK—Blood Drive Number Four for 2009 is already here!  We are also spinning this one a little differently to help a local volunteer fire and rescue squad!

"On the 30th of May, Virginia Blood Service will be in the parking lots of the Midas Auto Service Centers in Short Pump, Hull Street Rd., Mechanicsville and Colonial Heights.  They will be set up from 8 AM to 4 PM.  To reserve a spot sign on to www.vablood.org.  As we have always done, Midas of Richmond will give every donor at these drives a free oil change, and additional car care if you have donated more than once in 2009.

"Now, for the new spin, on May 23rd the Goochland Fire and Rescue Squad, located at 52 Broad St. Rd (or on 250 in Goochland, just west of the Food Lion) will end EMS Week with a 2009 Community Health and Safety Fair.  The Fair will be from 10 to 5 and is loaded with events of interest to everyone.  Midas of Richmond will partner with the Virginia Blood Service to have a blood drive all day long at this event too!  If you are regular donor at Midas’ drives, this drive counts for more car care opportunities for you as well!  Come on out and get a look at what these volunteers do for our community!  Once we have figured out all of the details, Midas will offer similar opportunities to other volunteer stations in our area!  Why are we adding this drive?”  Because Chuck Haack and Rusty Perkins, both of whom volunteer at this station, asked us for assistance with this Fair.  You really should stop in and check it out!

"OK—so come to any of these drives and give VBS a pint of blood!  Mark your calendar now!  Get free car care and make a major impact in your community!  While you are at it—bring some canned goods or any other food products you might have and drop them off for the Central Virginia Foodbank!  If you can’t make it, write a check out to the Central Virginia Foodbank in any amount you are comfortable with and mail it to me at 11463 W. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23233—I will deliver the checks myself.  I was at the Foodbank this morning and I can tell you—we need tuna, peanut butter and canned vegetables right now—how about it?

"Each of you have received a similar e mail from me in the past, and, as such, have heard me speak to the power of ten!  Each of you are connected to your own networks—put that power to work! Send this e-mail to the ten people you think are most likely to respond to it, then ask them to do the same!

"Between any stimulus and response, there is a space of time.  In that time you can decide what role you are going to have in efforts to improve our community.  I am providing just such a stimulus right now, please respond with your support!”

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

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Barnett’s Wants Your Vote!

“There is a Ballot in the current issue of Richmond Magazine which, if you are comfortable doing so, would provide a unique opportunity to recognize Romp n Roll and the new Custom Invitation Printing business at Barnett's Hallmark. All of us would be appreciative if you could take a moment to make us four of the 20 required entries on the Ballot.  Entries must be postmarked by Friday May 8. Thanks!”
—Steve Barnett, Barnett's Hallmark Shops