Bryant & Stratton offers nursing program

Bryant & Stratton offers nursing program

Photo courtesy of Chesterfield County Public Schools A team from the Chesterfield Technical Center (CTC) finished ninth out of 41 teams and was designated a Gold Emblem Team at the recent national FFA organization's nursery and landscape competition. The CTC team won the Virginia FFA competition during the summer, which led to the county's first-ever appearance at the national event in Indianapolis. The team advisor is Terry Lautzenheiser (far left), greenhouse and landscaping instructor at the CTC. Nursery/landscaping team members are (from left after Lautzenheiser) Alex Doumlele, a Clover Hill High graduate; Jason Foster, a Cosby High graduate, who also won fourth place in the individual competition at the national level; Cory Wilson, a Monacan High senior; and Tony Hines, a senior at Cosby High. They were congratulated by Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for Stihl Corp.

Bryant & Stratton College has been approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing to offer a new registered nursing degree program. It will begin with the college's spring 2009 semester in April. The college expects a high demand for entrance into the program and suggests that applicants contact the admissions office soon at 745-2444.

Photo courtesy of Millwood School Millwood School's eighth-grade classes recently completed a project for the Richmond chapter of the Red Cross by collecting personal hygiene products from students. They then assembled 150 Comfort Kits, which were picked up by a Red Cross representative. The kits will be distributed to victims of natural disasters and other tragedies.

"With RNs in high demand, our new nursing program marks a real milestone in our growth as an outcomes-based career college servicing central Virginia," said Beth Murphy, the college's Richmond campus director. "Our planning for this new program has spanned well over 18 months and has resulted in a truly state-of-the-art program. Our nursing program is the first step in exciting plans we have to expand our health-care offerings to meet demand for qualified professionals in that burgeoning field."

Nina Beaman, a Bryant & Stratton College educator since 1993, has been named director of the department. The program will incorporate classroom, laboratory and clinical experiences in a contemporary curriculum designed to prepare graduates for work in the health-care field and to provide them with a foundation for lifelong learning.

Students who satisfactorily complete the nursing program will receive an associate degree in applied science.

Business

BBQ Smokehouse and Saloon, located at 11800 Hull Street Road, is helping the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother program this year with a special offer for its dine-in customers. Through Dec. 9, bring in one can of food and receive a 5 percent discount on the purchase of a meal. Bring in two cans of food and receive a 15 percent meal discount. Alcohol purchases are not included. For more information, call 744-2270.

Two new hotels from Chester-based Shamin Hotels, a Hilton Garden Inn and a Holiday Inn, are scheduled to open in spring 2009 at the Richmond International Airport.

Photo courtesy of Chesterfield County Public Schools About 45 county Head Start families enjoyed a soccer clinic last month at Bensley Park. The Richmond Kickers, firefighters and community volunteers participated. Children were encouraged to invite a male family member or friend. For more information on Head Start, contact Pam Blackburn, 768-6240.

CJW Medical Center's Neuroscience and Gamma Knife Center at the Johnston- Willis campus recently treated its 1,000th gamma knife patient. The tool isn't a knife, but a cobalt radiation treatment.

ACAC Fitness and Wellness Center, located at 11621 Robious Road, will hold a grand opening for its new Kidz Zone on Saturday, Dec. 6, from noon-4 p.m. Cathy the Clown will be there from noon-2 p.m., Radio Disney will be jamming from 1-2:30 p.m. and Smithfield the Painting Pig will perform at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Kidz Zone space will include a Spider Mountain climbing adventure, air hockey, Hoop Fever basketball, Dance Dance Revolution, claw machine, Wii and a place where younger kids may play with soft blocks as large as they are. For more information, call 378-1600.

The Midlothian-based LEAF Foundation will offer 10-week sessions for preschoolers, ages 2-4, to address common behavioral problems and provide hands-on exercises for children that teach appropriate social-interaction behaviors. For more information, call Barbara Bingham at 836-2030 or Marcus Walker at 216-1094, or visit www.LEAF-foundation.org.

Charles Gomer of Huntington Learning Center of Midlothian, located at 116 Heath's Way Road, and Melvin Mitchell of the Huntington Learning Center located at 12748 Jefferson Davis Highway in Chester, recently attended the company's annual convention in Newport Beach, Calif. The guest speaker was Henry Winkler, who spoke about his series of children's novels that are inspired by his struggle with learning challenges.

The MJK Group (McNeal, Johnson & Klutz), comprised of Long and Foster real estate agents Angela McNeal, Sundra Johnson and Lisa Klutz, recently conducted a food drive to help with the supply shortage at the Central Virginia Food Bank. Participating neighborhoods, including Reed's Hill, Ambergate, Queen's Park, Oak Park, Brookstone and Founder's Bridge, donated more than 1,600 pounds of nonperishable food, which will feed more than 1,600 people.

Freedom Glass of Midlothian has been listed on www.safewindshields.com, the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards Council's (AGRSS) official consumer Web site. Registered participants agree to adhere to AGRSS' rigorous safety standards.

Construction Management Solutions (CMS), located at 7714-C Whitepine Road, will offer a reverse trade show at the CMS offices on Dec. 11. The free event will bring together builders, sub-contractors and material suppliers to discuss ways to help each other weather the current backslide in the building industry. CMS, which offers office solutions and other services to homebuilders and small businesses, will emphasize the importance of networking. Space is limited; reservations should be made by Dec. 8 by calling Betsey Russell at 275-5330 ext. 13, or by e-mailing BBR@CMSBuildersolutions.com. More information is available at www.CMSVA.com.

Wilson

Jack R. Wilson III has opened a law practice focusing on land use and development, state and local government relations and litigation. His offi ce is located at 9401 Courthouse Road, Suite 204. For more information, call 425- 9474, e-mail jack@jackwilsonplc.com or visit www.jackwilsonplc.com.

Elisa Smith teaches Spanish to adults and children with Spanish 4U, a program offered by interpreting and translating company Language Concepts. Smith will host an open house on Monday, Dec. 15, at 6 p.m. at Jalapeno's Restaurant, located in the Waterford Shopping Center in Brandermill. There will be free salsa dance lessons and discounted margaritas. For more information, call Smith at 386-9189.

Individual Achievements

Midlothian artist Robert L. Caldwell will be the featured artist at the Judy Newcomb Gallery in Richmond at a show that opens with a reception on Dec. 4, from 6-8 p.m., and runs through Dec. 31. This will be his first gallery showing in Richmond. Caldwell was recently given the Evelyn and Peter Haller Distinguished Young Artist Award by the Society of Animal Artists.

Chesterfield resident Daniel L. Dulgher from Troop 178, sponsored by Ivey Memorial United Methodist Church, has attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

The Richmond chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving has recognized Chesterfield Police Officer First Class Gary Bailey for his outstanding efforts in the removal of drunk drivers from county roadways.

The Southern Economic Development Council recently named Garrett Hart as its newest Honorary Life Member. Hart is the development manager for Chesterfield County Economic Development Department.

Organizations

Boy Scouts of the Arrohattoc District of the Heart of Virginia Council recently enjoyed Mission Impossible 2008 at Finley Albright Scout Reservation in Chesterfield. During the weekend camping event, older scouts became secret agents participating in covert operations under the cover of darkness. Scouts were expected to draw on their scouting skills and work in teams to achieve their goals. Daytime activities at the event included archery, BB-gun shooting and exercising teamwork skills.

ElderFriends, a service of Family Lifeline, recently received a $3,000 grant from the Alliance for Children and Families to identify ways to provide quality aging services.

Government

Employees of Defense Supply Center Richmond recently received international recognition for their contributions to wildlife habitat conservation at the Wildlife Habitat Council's 20th Annual Symposium, "20/20 Vision: Celebrating the Past, Looking to the Future." The agency was recognized for its volunteer-based commitment to preserve the biodiversity of the community and the world, and its efforts to connect people to nature.