Visiting science author to focus on inventions

In partnership with Virginia State University, Chesterfield County Public Schools will host a visiting science author on Oct. 19 and 20. Engineer and historian John H. Lienhard will work with county students for two days and lead a panel discussion that is open to the public.

Lienhard writes and hosts a National Public Radio program called “The Engines of Our Ingenuity.” Professor emeritus of mechanical engineering and history at the University of Houston, Lienhard has written several books, most recently “How Invention Begins: Echoes of Old Voices in the Rise of New Machines.”

Students have read “How Invention Begins” to prepare for Lienhard’s visit. On Oct. 19, he will work with students and teachers at Cosby and Clover Hill high schools. On Oct. 20, Lienhard will work with students and teachers at Monacan High.

His visit to Chesterfield County will conclude with a panel discussion on Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 7-8:30 p.m., in the auditorium of L.C. Bird High School, 10301 Courthouse Road. The community is invited to attend this event, along with Chesterfield County students, teachers and parents. Lienhard will discuss his book, panel members will comment and audience members may ask questions and comment. Admission is free, and registration is not required. The event will end with light refreshments and a book signing.

Government

NASCAR drivers Bobby Gordon and David Gilliland recently paid a visit to fans who work at Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR) when they visited the Army Reserve’s 80th Training Command as part of Operation Homefront. DSCR employees got the drivers’ autographs and had their photos taken with them. They also had a chance to look inside the No. 7 Jim Beam car. In other DSCR news, the installment recently kicked off its 2009 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) by holding a charity fair, featuring 50 different nonprofits. In 2008, CFC donations from DSCR employees accounted for more than 25 percent of the $1,232,167 pledged in Central Virginia – 40 percent of which went to local organizations. This year’s theme, “One Cause Helps All,” reflects the generosity of employees at the Bellwood installation.

 Ware Del. Lee Ware has gained the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Business for reelection to the Virginia House of Delegates. Ware is seeking election to a seventh term representing the 65th House District, which includes portions of Chesterfield. He has also received endorsements from the Richmond Association of Realtors, Farm Bureau, the Virginia Society for Human Life and the National Rifle Association (NRA).

 Gary Thomson and Dorothy Jaeckle have been re-appointed by the board of supervisors to Virginia’s Gateway Region Board, which assists area localities, including Chesterfield, to enhance economic development opportunities in the area.

William “Ed” Nicely, intellectual disability services manager with the county’s Department of Mental Health Support Services, has been appointed to serve on the Camp Baker Management Board.

Defense attorney Randy Rowlett has been appointed to the Community Criminal Justice Board. He will finish the appointment term vacated by D. Gregory Carr who resigned from the board to be a Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court judge.

Dr. Bancroft Greene has been appointed to represent the Clover Hill District on the Substance Abuse Free Environment Board of Directors.

Chesterfield resident Chris Andreano has been appointed to be the at-large representative on the Petersburg Area Regional Tourism Corporation.

Nixon Del. Sam Nixon received an “A” rating and the endorsement by the NRA for his re-election bid in Virginia’s 27th House District, which covers central and northeastern Chesterfield and is the only legislative district representing the county that is contained entirely within it.

Del. G. Manoli Loupassi, who represents a portion of Chesterfield in the state’s 68th House District, is one of only 12 state legislators nationwide to be recognized by the Century Council, a national not-for-profit organization funded by distillers dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking. Loupassi was commended for his commitment to combating drunk driving for introducing a bill to make it a Class II misdemeanor to operate a vehicle without an ignition interlock device when one has been ordered to be placed on the vehicle. Punishment would mean the operator’s driver’s license would be suspended for one year.

Cox Del. Kirk Cox, who represents a portion of Chesterfield in the commonwealth’s 66th House District, has been named Legislator of the Year by the Virginia Economic Developers Association. In the 2009 General Assembly session, Cox introduced legislation to provide incentives to businesses to locate in and bring jobs to the state. In his re-election quest, he has received endorsements from the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation political action committee (PAC), the NRA’s Political Victory Fund and the Virginia Society for Human Life PAC.

Firefighters with the Chesterfield County Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services raised $56,344 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association during the “Fill the Boot” campaign. They raised nearly $12,000 more than last year and bested the department’s goal for this year by more than $6,000.

Chesterfield resident James E. Harris Jr. will retire Nov. 1 from the state’s criminal justice system after 36 years of service. He plans to use his experiences to write a book.

Organizations

Mattress Discounters recently donated 100 mattress sets to the CARITAS Furniture Bank. The donation kicked off a two-weekend furniture drive (Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2-4) with the goal of collecting 500 beds, mattress sets, dressers and other furniture essentials. The purpose of the CARITAS Furniture Bank is to collect, store and redistribute household furnishings to individuals and families in the Richmond area who have experienced a housing crisis. For more information, visit www.caritasworks.org.

Local PetSmart stores donated $5,700 worth of dog and cat food to the Richmond Animal League’s pet food drive to benefit Meals for Pets, a program run by Meals on Wheels Serving Central Virginia. The Meals for Pets program provides pet food to Meals on Wheels recipients who are having difficultly affording food for their companion animals.

Substance Abuse Free Environment (SAFE) has established the Sharyl W. Adams Annual Award to recognize individuals who have made exemplary contributions to promoting community involvement in the prevention of substance abuse. Adams, a substance abuse-prevention specialist with the Chesterfield Department of Youth Planning and Development and the first recipient of the award, helped form SAFE as a nonprofit, substance-abuse-prevention coalition a decade ago, and continues to be involved with the organization. She has been instrumental in bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding over the years.

The Hope Bus, with interactive teaching sessions, webinars, online forums and community outreach programs, paid a visit to the Miracle League Field at Bird Athletic Complex, 10301 Courthouse Road, to raise awareness about the work of the Miracle League of Richmond. The Miracle League provides opportunities for children with disabilities to play baseball, and promotes the construction of special facilities that meet the needs of Miracle League players and their families.

Business

Harrison Dr. Kevin Harrison has moved his internal medicine practice to 9460 Amberdale Drive in the Amberleigh Medical Office Center. Contact Harrison’s office at 276-2470.

Robbins Landscaping will hold an open house on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., to celebrate the first anniversary of opening its 6,000-square-foot design center and production facility in Chesterfield. The event is open to the public, who may tour the facility and display gardens. The company is located at 1820 Ruffin Mill Circle. For more information, call 748-3978.

DeVita & Associates, an engineering firm based in Greenville, S.C., with a location in Midlothian, is celebrating its 25th year in business. The company became employee-owned in 2008. For more information about DeVita, visit www.devitainc.com.

Solid Ground Yoga has opened in Midlothian. The new studio, located in Sycamore Square, is owned by Wanda Castelvecchi. For more information, visit www.solidgroundyoga.com.

Vera’s Fine Jewelers, located at 16701 Midlothian Turnpike, placed more than 100 individually wrapped jewelry boxes in local restaurants, shopping malls and other places. The red-paper-and-black-ribbon boxes contain jewelry or gift cards, and those who find a package are encouraged to enjoy it and perform their own random acts of kindness. For more information, visit www.verasfinejewelers.com.

Kinderdance International has recognized Laura Smith, who owns a Kinderdance franchise in Chesterfield, as Franchisee of the Month for October. Contact Smith at lauras kinderdance@comcast.net.

The Estate and Elder Planning Center, a free information resource for seniors concerned with issues like Medicaid qualification, Veteran’s Administration benefits, long-term care planning and Alzheimer’s journey guidance, has opened in Chester. The office is located at 4401 West Hundred Road, and may be reached at 876-4100.

Ross Dress for Less recently celebrated a grand opening and ribbon cutting for its new store at Towne Center Plaza, 11330 Midlothian Turnpike.

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.