urban views weekly april 8, 2015

Apr. 8, 2015 Scholar of the Week – Melissa Smitherman

Art Burtonsays “Welcome to our house.”

2 Urban Views Weekly | April 8, 2015 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

The Deal

Letter ToThe Editor

VOL. 8, ISSUE 14

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By Jason Alderman

If your loved one died leaving significant debt behind, would you know what to do?

It’s a worrisome question for everyone. Young or old, based on particular debt circumstances or geographic location, death with debt can provide significant problems for surviving family members. Depending on state law and the specific credit relationships involved, they might be shocked to learn that they could be legally liable for a deceased relative’s outstanding debt – anything from unpaid mortgage balances and medical debt to unpaid credit card balances.

Spouses (http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/unexpecteddeath) who may share any kind of debt jointly, particularly credit cards in dual name, could face greater challenges. It also may spell problems for co-signers of any kind of loan.

As with all financial planning, the best time to act is before an issue arises. Watching any family deal with extensive debt problems after a spouse or relative passes on illustrates the need for financial transparency while all parties are alive. No matter how difficult a family member’s credit circumstances are, spouses and

adult children should face those circumstances while options are available to deal with any problems.

Spouses can begin by requesting and sharing their three free annual credit reports (https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action) from TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax to confirm debt status. Once that information is out in the open, it’s time for the couple or family members to deal with specific circumstances related to that debt. For example, a young couple may have different debt issues than an older, retired couple, but both should consider how they would handle the debts of a spouse or legal partner after death. It can be helpful to meet with a qualified financial or estate expert about ways to extinguish or manage debt issues as part of current financial and estate planning.

It is particularly important for borrowers and their executors to know what categories of the deceased’s debts will likely need to be repaid after their death and other debts that might be canceled or forgiven. Generally, certain forms of unsecured debt held in the deceased’s name alone – like credit cards or federal

Debt and the Deceased: How Should Spouses and Heirs Proceed?

continues on page 4

If you would like to respond to Viewpoints, your submission should contain your name, a full valid address and a daytime phone number. We cannot acknowledge submitted letters. We reserve the right to edit for accuracy, clarity, legality and taste. E-mail (without attachments) to [email protected]. Mail letters to Editor Urban Views Weekly.

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3 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com Urban Views Weekly | April 8, 2015

Scholar of the Week

As a young girl who would always wander over to the counter and play with the blood pressure cuff and cotton swabs, Melissa Smitherman always loved visiting the hospital. “I remember telling the nurse how fascinated I was with her stethoscope and the characters on her scrubs,” she stated in an essay. Her interest in hospitals has influenced her so much that she wants to pursue a career in nursing.

Melissa’s favorite activity to participate in outside of school is community service. She currently works as a pharmacy technician and used to volunteer at the Henrico Doctor’s Hospital as a medical secretary. “When I was volunteering at the hospital, it really opened my eyes as to how people feel when they’re sick. They’re completely different, they can’t fend for themselves and they’re dealing with so much,” Melissa said. “I want to be there to make their experience better, to learn what I can do to make this patient’s life easier and what I can do to restore them back to health.”

Melissa is very passionate about giving back to the community and will continue to do that for the rest of her life. Most recently, she worked with a local daycare where she read books and did an Easter egg hunt with the children. She is also an ESL tutor at school and volunteers at Richmond marathons or 5K runs. Within school, Melissa gets opportunities to give back to the community through her involvement with the National Honor Society; Family, Career, Community, Leaders

of America (FCCLA); Hermitage Tech Ethics Society and Big Cats. Big Cats is a program at her high school where older students mentor and guide freshmen students.

Other than volunteer work, Melissa also has a strong interest in traveling. She is very interested in different cultures and hopes to study abroad in Peru this upcoming summer. “I have been to almost every state on the East coast except for Maine and

New Hampshire,” Melissa said. “I’m hoping to go out west one day.” To pursue a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, one place Melissa will travel to is Old Dominion University in Norfolk. She said the location and diversity of the school attracted her to ODU.

As an aspiring nurse, one of Melissa’s cousins inspires her the most. After her cousin lost her father and was raised by a single parent in a family of eight

children, she worked her way up to becoming a nurse and will soon get her Master’s degree. “I lost my mom when I was younger and I didn’t lose my dad coming out of high school,” Melissa said. “She motivates me because she perseveres…and it shows that if she can do it, I can do it too.”

With the end of her senior year quickly approaching, from people at her high school to people at the pharmacy, Melissa wants everyone to know how appreciative she is of their support. “When you have support from the community, you feel more powerful and you feel like you can do anything,” Melissa said.

By Janeal Downs

Melissa Smitherman of John Randolph Tucker High School

GPA: 3.66

College of Interest: Old Dominion University

Major Community Service: ESL tutor, Henrico Doctor’s Hospital, Big Cats, etc.

Strong Interests: Nursing, traveling and community Service

Favorite Activities: Volunteering, traveling, and spending time with family and friends

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Scholar0of the Week™


student loans – may likely be

discharged, but check with qualified experts first.

Any kind of debt held in joint name should be evaluated. Spouses, legal partners, and family members who have co-signed loans or joint credit accounts of any kind risk payoff responsibility for that debt if their co-borrower dies. Experts can advise how to deal with individual situations.

Experts also may suggest that co-borrowers without credit in their own names apply for a credit card in separate names while their spouse is still alive. A separate credit account, if responsibly managed, can help the survivor qualify for additional credit in their name after a spouse or legal partner dies. Keep in mind that all debt situations are unique to the individual. For example, a senior who qualifies for nursing home care under Medicaid

(public aid) may have family members who will need to sell the senior’s home to address certain expenses after he or she has died. It is best to prepare relatives for that possibility in advance. Separately, a healthy senior relative may leave a home to heirs still under mortgage, or there could be a significant tax debt. Airing and reviewing these issues in advance can either prepare relatives for certain realities or enable them to solve problems while the relative is still alive.

Bottom line: Dealing with a deceased relative’s debt can add stress at a particularly worrisome time for spouses and relatives. The best option is transparency while relatives are alive so debt issues can be addressed as part of overall estate planning.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

“You should never be proud of doing the right thing, you should just do the right thing.” In 1958, the south was legally segregated and Coach Dean Smith, who spoke those words previously quoted, was the basketball coach for the University of North Carolina. At a time when segregation and racial hatred was both a demonstrated practice and a valid cultural norm, Dean Smith quietly pushed against the social boundary lines by the life he lived. One such example is when Coach Smith took an African American deacon from his church to a local restaurant at a time when the owner of that restaurant could have legally refused to serve them. Because of his tremendous influence and power as a UNC head coach, both the owners and the patrons of the restaurant “tolerated” having the two men dine there, effectively integrating a popular public space in the Jim Crow south.

Dean was courageous enough to challenge racism and white supremacy even though it could have come at a great cost to him and to his family. The university’s board of regents, the athletic director, boosters, parents, other coaches, and the old regime of southern traditionalists could have reprimanded or ostracized him, or even taken away his job and position. Dean Smith never wanted to be recognized or applauded for quietly integrating public restaurants in and around the Chapel Hill community. Instead, he ascribed to the belief that when you do something right, you should not need or seek recognition for it.

The process of recognizing that something must be done when you are in a position to do it is rarely an easy undertaking. And yet, we must not shrink away from our responsibility to take

action once we have had that recognition. It takes courage to step out of our comfort zone and take a stand for what is right. Once you step up to the plate and take action you should feel good about it, no doubt. But what you should never do is expect to be congratulated by others, or give yourself the proverbial “pat on the back” for doing what was always in your power to do--- when given recognition through a raised consciousness and the opportunity to take action, that is exactly what you should do.

There are still so many things in our society, community, and country that could be significantly challenged and changed if only people of good conscience

would stand up and take action. Be the change you want to see in the world---said Mahatma Gandhi, and each individual has a responsibility and opportunity to change the world by their individual actions in it. Alternately, that same individual can actually cause serious damage by refusing to act at all, particularly when they remain silent and compliant because they do not want to see and are too afraid to act.

Do the right thing because it is the right thing to do…not because you expect to be congratulated on your good deeds. By the way, you first have to stop

ignoring the opportunities that cross your path everyday…open your eyes. There is a lot to do and we need everybody to pitch in, in order to get it done!

Up Next Week: Micro Aggressions Can Kill You…

TanyaFree.com/Urban Views Weekly Poll

Americans have reportedly become significantly less confident in all branches of their government. The image of Congress has sunk so low in the eyes of Americans that it’s moved beyond partisanship, according to recent polls.

What’s Your Take? How would you describe your confidence in government?

Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2pm on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com.

ViewPoints By Dr. T

From The Deal: page 2

Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D.Founder and Artistic DirectorThe Conciliation Project andAssociate ProfessorVirginia Commonwealth UniversityDrT@Margins2theCenter.comwww.theconciliationproject.org

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StatePoint ACLU of Virginia Applauds Governor’s Decision to “Ban the Box” on State

Employment ApplicationsThe American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Virginia applauded the Governor’s action on “ban the box” that will help lead the way to greater opportunities for former offenders seeking to reenter the workforce. The Governor’s Executive Order No. 41 prohibits asking about criminal history on state applications, ties any inquiry about past criminal histories to the requirements of individual jobs, and makes sure that criminal background checks are only done by state agencies after a person has been found eligible for a job and is being considered for employment.

“For an increasing number of Virginians, checking a box on an application about prior criminal history automatically disqualifies them from even being considered for a job for which they are otherwise qualified,” explained Claire Guthrie Gastañaga, Executive Director of the ACLU. “Everyone should have the chance to show that past

mistakes should not automatically disqualify them for a job for which they have the needed skills and abilities,” Gastañaga said. “Today’s

action by the Governor better ensures that former offenders are judged on

their merit, not their mistakes. We urge local government leaders and executives of private companies to follow the Governor’s lead on this opportunity issue -- banning the “box” on their employment applications and

making other similar changes to hiring procedures to ensure

that criminal history information is used only when directly relevant to a particular

job and collected only after a person deemed eligible for a job is being considered.”

According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), more than 650,000 individuals are released from prison every year. To reduce the recidivism rate for these individuals, the DOJ has identified three

key elements to successful re-entry into our communities. One of these key elements is helping these individuals find and keep a job.

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Demand for public transportation is on the rise. In fact, 10.7 billion trips were taken on public transportation in 2013, the highest in 57 years, according to the latest statistics from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA.)

Even those who drive should take note of these statistics, which show that communities that invest in public transportation stand to gain. APTA figures point to a four-fold economic return on investment for every dollar spent on public transportation.

“Where public transportation goes, businesses thrive, property becomes more attractive, and tax revenues increase,” says Michael Melaniphy, President and CEO of APTA.

Substantial and robust public transportation infrastructure is one key innovation that helps to support economic growth in local

communities, say experts. With federal funding for public transportation poised to be a critical issue for Congress this year, public transportation advocates are calling for funding legislation that is reliable and sustainable in order to plan, build, maintain, and repair these systems.

“As we approach the May 31 deadline for a new surface transportation bill, it is critical that our national leaders come together to create legislation that will ensure years of economic growth and opportunity for communities across the country,” says Melaniphy.

Here are several ways such investment in public transportation could affect an individual community:

• If you are a homeowner, public transportation in a community could continues on page 8

On the Monday before Easter, I found my way to Mosby Court to meet Art Burton and Kinfolks Community. Before visiting, I typed “Mosby Court” into my browser. My search results were populated with words like “shooting” and “brawl” and “notorious”. When I perused articles online about Burton and Mosby and Kinfolks, I got the impression that I was headed for a bullet-marred wasteland. When I told a friend familiar with Richmond where I was headed, she grimaced: “Be careful.”

As I zigzagged from downtown toward Mosby Court, I kept waiting for the gloom to set in. Sure, I saw signs of poverty--neglected properties, disrepair. But I didn’t see anything to make me fearful or despondent.

And then, as I turned off of Redd Street onto Bryan, I saw Our House, the new, bright yellow home where Kinfolks Community’s work is centered. When I knocked on the door, Burton greeted me by saying, “Welcome to Our House,” a refrain I heard echoed by others I met in the hour I spent there.

“Would you like a tour?” he asked, and proceeded to show me the reception area, the front offices, and the conference room. Running along the back of the house is a large community room painted a two-toned orange that manages to be airy, cozy, and classy at once. In fact, each room of Our House is painted a different, bright color and filled with natural light.

“This is beautiful,” I said to him. Every room we toured, every person we met, I kept saying it. Because it was.

This is a story of hope: In the summer of 2011, Burton and a number of other academics, activists, and, business people started coming to Mosby Court every other Sunday afternoon. They set up a 10-by-10 pop-up tent and 15 folding chairs, and they started talking to members of the community about their lives: what they cared about, who they cared about, what they dreamed about, what they needed in order to pursue those dreams.

Burton told me, “People started saying, ‘Well, who are you?’ And

we said, ‘Well, we’re just brothers and sisters trying to do something--’ But the people wouldn’t take that. ‘Nah, you gotta be something,’ they said. ‘Everybody else who comes here is something.’”

“So finally, we said to them, ‘Okay, then, you name us,’” Burton said. “And they said, ‘Y’all gonna be our kinfolk.’ And so, we became Kinfolk. We became the Kinfolks Community.”

Now, not even four years later, Kinfolks has not just a name, but a house, a staff, a $250,000 annual budget, and a growing slate of programs.

This is a story of hope: Kinfolks Community is an organization committed to improving life in Mosby Court. “If we understand poverty to be the absence of resources and opportunities,” Burton explained, “then the objective to eliminate poverty is to bring in

resources and opportunities.” One of the keys, he said, to eliminating poverty is to stop talking so much about poverty. Talk instead about “building community wealth,” and it will start to happen.

Kinfolks works in three main areas: workforce investment, housing development, and empowerment. In workforce investment, they help connect people with jobs, and they train and employ community members in construction, plumbing, landscaping,

administration, and custodial work. In housing development, they are in the process of a $1 million renovation project on Redd Street that will create 36 new apartments. They soon will break ground on another project, directly across Bryan Street from Our House, where eight or so more families will be housed. And in empowerment work, they host educational events, breastfeeding classes, arts workshops, Zumba in the Streets, drumming, women’s groups, and prayer meetings.

This is a story of hope: Mosby has an army. “My army,” Burton calls them. Thirty kids, mostly teenagers, work in Burton’s Urban Conservation Corps. “They are responsible for protecting the environment and the cultural integrity of the community,” Burton

says. They spend their afternoon hours cleaning up Mosby for $5 an hour. They are 13, 14, 15 years old, and they want to work, and they want to improve their home.

This is a story of hope: Andre Massenburg had a dream of creating opportunity for African American contractors. He started Massenburg Construction Company, now headquartered at Our House. Massenburg employs Mosby residents in the renovation and building projects underway in Mosby. All at once, residents are learning marketable skills, the community is growing in financial wealth, and new homes are being built. Everything feeds

everything else, and the benefits pile layer on layer.

This is a story of hope: Back before Christmas, a young woman came in to Our House. The staff greeted her and asked what she needed.

6 Urban Views Weekly | April 8, 2015

Kinfolks CommunityA Story of Hope

‘We want to live the

dream.’

She said, “I need to use a computer.” The staff told her she could find one at the nearby resource center or library, and she headed off.

But Burton was sitting in the adjoining room and overheard the exchange. “Wait a second, y’all,” he said to the staff. “We don’t do that here. We don’t send people away.” Burton unplugged his laptop, walked outside, and said, “Excuse me, young lady. You need to use a computer?” The young woman replied, “Well, someone told me there’s someplace around here where they’ll help you get a job.”

Burton told her she was in the right place. He

set her up with a case manager and found out she had two kids, no job, and no coat. She was also in a domestic violence situation and needed help. Within a week, Kinfolks got her a coat and some mental health support. By February, she had a job.

About three weeks ago, another young woman came in to Our House. She said, “I’m here because my friend came here, and you helped her. And she said if she could do it, I could do it too.”

This is a story of hope: Kinfolks Community makes a habit of keeping promises. I asked Burton to tell me about the biggest obstacles to the development of community wealth, the end goal of everything Kinfolks Community does. I was expecting to hear

“poverty” or “racism” or “politics.”

The biggest obstacle, he said, is hopelessness.

“I was here before the house was here,” Burton said to me. “And I said, we’re going to have a house. And people are like, ‘Mr. Art, you’re making this up.’ Two years ago, I said, we’re going to have a tent for arts and education. This week, we’re putting up a 20-by-40 tent. I told them the First Lady of the United States is coming to look at our art gallery. And they’re like, ‘Mr. Art, you never stop, do you?’ No. I never stop, because I need for you guys to think that anything is possible in your lives.”

“The people have to see opportunities and possibilities for themselves, and they can’t see that when everything ends in disappointment. That’s what, as an organization, you have to be so careful about. You can’t disappoint people who are accustomed to being disappointed. At the point we start disappointing folks, we become like everybody else.”

This is a story of hope: There was a man, the son of a community organizer and activist, who had a passion to address the disparities in public education. He worked in politics for ten years. He ran for political office three times. He lost three times. He got caught up in trying to be, in his words, “the badass activist,” and he wasn’t getting much done.

He decided to reinvent his life. He decided to strive for a life of power, freedom, and self-expression. He started setting up a tent in Mosby every other week and talking to people. He was hoping to

plant an urban garden, to employ about ten kids. Now, Burton runs Kinfolks Community and he’s impacting the lives of hundreds of residents, who in turn impact the lives of hundreds more.

Burton has five outreach people, four case managers, a job-finder, an operations manager, a 30-strong Urban Conservation Corps, and a 15-member leadership council comprised of people from the neighborhood. He is in charge of everything that happens at Kinfolks.

“That’s a lot,” I said to him. “How do you do it all?”

He looked at me blankly for a second. Then he said, “This is what I do. This is who I am.”

This is a story of hope: You can be a part of writing the next one.

I asked Burton, “How can people support what you’re doing here?”

He said that answer starts with two questions: What do you see that you think should change? And what are you willing to do to help change it?

“If people have a dream around how they want to contribute to rebuilding the lives of people and the community, then just come and tell us what you need to do that works.”

“There is a real community of people here

in Mosby. There are people with hopes and dreams and aspirations who have been isolated, ignored, and marginalized. They do need support. They do need help. This is, in our opinion, a space where anyone can come and build.”

“One of my leaders from the community said, ‘We want to live the dream.’ And that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to build a community where people can live the dream.”

“If you want to be a part of that work, come on down to Our House.”

I’ll be a witness: It’s beautiful there.

7 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Kinfolks CommunityA Story of Hope

Photos: Shea Tuttle

‘We want to live the

dream.’


This is what we’ve heard – when a butterfly flaps its wings, it can start a hurricane on the other side of the world. The idea being that a tiny movement can initiate unanticipated activities. We hope you will join us in a burgeoning butterfly movement of unintended positive consequences.

Here’s the back story. We were watching the show CBS Sunday Morning when we saw a segment of Chris Rosati of Durham, North Carolina. He is living with ALS and chose – on a whim – to give two girls at a restaurant $50 each. He asked them to each do something kind for someone else. It was a no-strings gift to girls he might not ever see again. The girls gave the money to a village in Sierra Leone where they knew villagers were fighting ebola. And, they shared their experience with Rosati, who had never thought he would hear from them. He was so delighted he has announced plans to give out butterfly grants - $50 each – to kids who want to change the world.

Needless to say, we were moved. We have vowed to be butterfly agents! That means giving people we know and love a gift that is equal to or greater than the amount we would have spent on a gift, and asking them to do something good for someone else. It

will cut down on the challenges of trying to find the perfect gift. More seriously, we want to be part of this new “butterfly movement.”

And, we want you to consider being a butterfly! You may never know what you set in motion, but we feel it will be something good. Here’s our plan: first birthday on our calendar is our nine year old niece. We will

give her the gift money, ask her to do something nice for someone else, and ask her to let us know what she did. She may tell us, she may not.

Our goal is for her to contemplate “who can I help?” We look forward to learning her thoughts. Our hope is that the adults we touch with this type of

gift – and the ones you touch – will also have a child-like moment of stopping and pondering, “what can I do for someone else?”

It’s an intriguing proposition. The money is suddenly in your hands. You don’t have to decide how much to give, just who to give to. It’s different from being asked to make a gift to a nonprofit – though that’s a good choice. And. of course there’s the chance that once receiving such a gift you – or your friends – will choose to give others such a butterfly gift.

View the Chris Rosati video online at http://bit.ly/ButterflyGift.

Copyright 2015– Mel and Pearl Shaw

Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success. For help with your fundraising, visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

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Butterfly Effect – Be a Butterfly

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spell financial security during

times of economic uncertainty. Residential property values performed 42 percent better on average during the last recession if they were located near public transportation with high-frequency service, according to a report by the National Association of Realtors and APTA.

• Seventy percent of millennials prefer a city or town that features a multimodal transportation option that includes public transportation. By investing in public transportation infrastructure, a community increases the likelihood of attracting new talent and industry to the area, especially as public transportation systems adopt technologies like smartphone charging

stations on vehicles and facilities and fare collection via smartphone.

• Public transportation is a 61 billion dollar a year industry that puts people to work – 1.1 million jobs are created or sustained annually. As such, public transportation advocates say that by supporting measures that improve these systems, local residents will be doing their community a favor.

Information about the impact of public transportation on local communities is available at www.publictransportation.org.

No matter how you get around your community, a robust public transit system stands to impact you and your local economy.

From State Point: page 5


Virginia State University (VSU) will host the fourth VSU Cares in Daniel Gymnasium on Friday-Saturday, April 10-11, 2015. The expo will focus on screening and health promotion activities to improve health equity in Central Virginia and the Crater Health District. On Friday, from noon to 5 p.m., VSU will offer dental screenings to children from one- to 12-years-old. On Saturday, VSU Cares will provide adult health screenings from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. No treatments will be performed on either day. This year’s VSU Cares will only provide screenings.

The focus of VSU Cares is on improving the health in the community by addressing health disparities, such as the lack of access to dental and health care for the uninsured. In addition to children’s dental screenings, clients can access screenings and information for common health problems and are provided tips to identify risk factors for chronic diseases.

In addition to children’s dental screenings on Friday, April 10, VSU cares will provide a number of screenings and information areas on Saturday, April 11. These include: mammography; blood glucose testing; hearing and vision screenings; HIV screening; breast examinations and education; prostate health, men’s health and PSA testing; blood pressure screening;

diabetes screening; and information on veteran’s services, safety net providers, and healthy eating and exercise. Representatives will be on hand to provide assistance with navigating the Affordable Care Act Marketplace.

The VSU Community Healthcare Initiative (VSU Cares) began as a volunteer community-based partnership among Virginia State University; Virginia

Commonwealth University School of Health Professions; the Virginia Dental Association Foundation; the Southside Dental Society; and the Old Dominion Dental Society.

The partnership has expanded to include other major sponsors such as the American Association of Retired Persons; Bon Secours

Richmond Health Systems; Hospital Corporation of America; Komen Foundation; and the Lion’s and Rotary Clubs. There are also a host of other community organizations who come together to make this annual event successful.

VSU Cares is supported by donations from community sponsors. Your tax-deductible monetary donations can be made to the Virginia State University Foundation for VSU Cares. For further information, please contact [email protected].

VSU Cares will provide critical health services to community

StatePoint New Insights from Expectant Parents

There are a lot of items parents don’t necessarily know they will need before their new bundle of joy comes. Preparing for baby is exciting, but the pregnancy journey also can be overwhelming. Mom is expected to tackle big to-do’s before baby comes -- including making a baby registry.

It’s not always clear what to include on the registry. How many diapers and wipes will baby need in that first year? Nearly half of moms don’t realize that on average they will change 2,200 diapers in baby’s first year, according to a new survey conducted by Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers, which focus on offering outstanding skin care with a gentle absorb liner.

Even with countless resources available online, nearly 80 percent of moms report their friends are a primary influence on their baby registry choices.

Is there something you wish you could add to your registry, but simply can’t? Parents can now register their wishes -- such as a dream nursery, help with hospital bills, or a year’s supply of diapers. If you’re selected as a winner, Huggies will do everything they can to make your wish come true. For more information, and to enter, visit huggies.com/registerwish.

When baby comes, you want to be as best prepared as possible -- so remember to add essentials like diapers and wipes to your baby registry.


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The right type of flooring will showcase your home.

Wood flooring adds a classic, elegant look to any room. This flooring is long-lasting and easy to maintain. Its natural, inviting look makes wood flooring a great option for homes and businesses.

The type of wood you choose will define the room. Be sure to use the appropriate wood to enhance the ambiance.

Because it has a smooth surface, wood doesn’t allow dust or other allergens to hide. It can last a lifetime if installed and cleaned correctly. It is an excellent option whether you want exotic wood for its unique look, reclaimed wood for its style, or laminate for its lower cost.

SOLID WOOD

Solid wood can make a room cozy or lush, depending on the type of wood you select. You can purchase it unfinished or finished, though most people prefer to select one of the many striking finishes on the market.

Oak, maple, walnut, and cherry are some of the most durable woods available. They give the room a clean, luxurious look. Softwoods, such as southern yellow pine and fir, give a homier feel.

ENGINEERED WOOD

Engineered wood is another viable option. It has an authentic appearance that is perfect for slab construction. Most kinds are pre-finished in an array of colors. They offer features such as tongue-and-groove construction.

This wood is fantastic for homes and other buildings that aren’t appropriate for wood flooring. It is an especially good choice for areas

that get lots of foot traffic. Its flexibility in challenging environments, and durability, make it popular in the West and Southwestern United States.

EXOTIC WOOD

Exotic wood flooring can make your home or business memorable. Natural exotic woods are usually rich in color. Laminate, solid and engineer versions come in teak, bamboo, and more.

Teak, mahogany, and other trees are raised on plantations. Using these types of wood cuts down the number of trees being harvested in the wild. That makes exotic wood a strong choice for people who care about the environment.

RECLAIMED WOOD

Another environmentally-friendly option is reclaimed wood. Materials from old barns and other buildings can provide a rustic look when installed properly. The wood has a straighter, tighter grain rarely found in modern harvested wood.

Recycling old wood eliminates the need to cut down trees. It can also give your room an elegant, rustic look.

LAMINATE

While it is not a wood product, laminate can give your room the look of wood for less money. It is a common choice among do-it-yourselfers.

Installation is usually an easy project, so you won’t have to worry about making mistakes. It can also be durable, so you won’t need to replace it for another 20 years.

How to Guide

ClassifiedsPLACE YOUR AD TODAY

804.649.6868Office: (

Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM

Choosing the Natural Beauty of Wood Flooring

Call: (804) 441-6255 Find out what we can do for your business.


Everything you need to make healthy choices.Our in-store Nutritionists are ready to help you make healthy choices while you shop.

Schedule a private consultation to discuss your nutritional needs.

Visit our Live Well section of MartinsFoods.com and find Caroline and Valerie under Our Nutritionists

Caroline Roessler, MS, RDN200 Charter Colony Parkway, Midlothian, VA 804-794-7074

Valerie Pulley, RDN 2250 John Rolfe Pkwy., Richmond, VA 804-364-3644

SERVICES INCLUDE

Individual Consultations

In-store Classes and Demos

Community Events

Grocery Store Tours

urban views weekly april 8, 2015

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