ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chesterfield runners dominate 5K Eagle Challenge

Attendees at St. Edward-Epiphany School's 5K Eagle Challenge participate in a balloon release.

Nearly 400 runners took part in St. Edward- Epiphany School's inaugural 5K Eagle Challenge on Oct. 20 with Chesterfield residents dominating most of the top three spots for both male and female runners.

Among the male runners, 13-year-old Ryan Peterson of Bon Air placed first with a time of 18 minutes and 4 seconds followed by Michael Lamberson, 37, of Midlothian, at 19:03 and Kevin O'Meara, 22, of Midlothian, at 19:27. For the women, 41-year-old Jinx Mancini of Midlothian placed first with a time of 20:55. Kathy Tuten, 40, of Richmond, placed second at 21:25 followed by Alyssa Franklin, 16, of Midlothian, at 21:54.

In other announcements:

Tory Kiley competed in seven events during the Pan American Masters Swim Championship held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in September. She won gold and set a Pan American record in the women's 45-49 age group 50-meter butterfly, and her medley relay team also won a gold. She placed second in her other five events. Twelve countries and over 50 teams were represented in the meet, and her team, the Virginia Masters, placed 6th overall, the highest of any United States team.

Tim Brock has been appointed to the Youth Services Citizen Board with his term ending June 30, 2010.

In January, The Little Gym in Midlothian will begin offering the nation's first non-competitive cheerleading program for girls and boys ages 3-12. The program will encompass all aspects of cheerleading, including sideline cheers and chants, stunts and routines.

Leisha G. LaRiviere of Chesterfield was recently named executive director for Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity. LaRiviere had been serving as interim director since September 2006. Under her tenure, the organization's budget and house production schedule has grown by 67 percent. She will oversee an annual operating budget of more than $6 million and the building of 37 homes.

Calor Latino's Team Dance Express won the Chairman's Trophy during the Midlothian Days Festival and Parade last month. The nonprofit, multicultural dance team promotes cultural pride, academic excellence and service to the community. Its dancers attend Providence and Swift Creek middle schools and Midlothian and Manchester high schools.

As a fully licensed Starscapes®FX artist-illusionist, Midlothian resident Sonnie Donaby hand-paints authentic replicas of the nighttime sky on ceilings using invisible rare earth phosphors that glow in the dark.

D.O. Allen Homes, a residential builder headquartered locally, has received the "2007 Builder of Integrity" award from Quality Builders Warranty Corporation. Recipients of this exclusive award demonstrate a commitment to excellence in customer service and quality construction. Quality Builders Warranty Corporation provides a 10-year warranty insured by Liberty Mutual on all their homes.

Bill Dupler, director of building inspections for Chesterfield County, has been re-elected to a three-year term on the International Code Council Board of Directors. The council is dedicated to building safety and fire prevention for homes, commercial buildings and schools.

Brooks Transfer & Storage Co. of Midlothian has been honored by the Worldwide Household Good Transportation Company for exceptional professional achievement. The company received the President's Club Award at the $1 million level, honoring agents who have generated at least $1 million in sales for the United Van Lines system during the past year.

Village Bank has opened its second location in Henrico County in addition to the seven locations in Chesterfield and one in Powhatan. The new location is in the Forest Office Park. President/CEO Tom Winfree said net income for the third quarter was $259,000, 45 percent less than the third quarter of 2006. "I am not disappointed in our earnings given the difficult operating environment for banks," he said. Village Bank is building new corporate offices at the Watkins Centre in Midlothian.

Local resident Francis "Gib" Sloan, a divisional vice president and financial professional for AXA Advisors, LLC, has earned a certificate in retirement planning from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Announcements can be e-mailed to news@chesterfieldobserver.com, faxed to 744-3269 or mailed to Chesterfield Observer, Attn: Announcements, P.O. Box 1616, Midlothian, VA 23113.