12 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 12 Number 2 Around Hampton Roads


Applicants Needed for City Boards and Commissions


The Chesapeake City Council is seeking residents who may be interested in serving on various boards and commissions. Boards and Commissions provide a vital service to various City departments, agencies and City Council.


Citizens wishing to serve must complete an application form. Applications are due in the City Clerk’s office by October 30, 2017. City Council will appoint candidates for these vacancies during its November 28, 2017 meeting.


Applications are currently being accepted for the following City Council appointed boards and commissions:


• Chesapeake Agricultural Advisory Commission — 1 vacancy •


(Citizen/Farmer)


• Chesapeake Arboretum Advisory Board — 3 vacancies • Chesapeake Cable Television Commission — 1 vacancy • Chesapeake City Council Audit Committee — 1 vacancy • Chesapeake City Symbol Committee — 2 vacancies • Chesapeake Commission on Health and Well Being — 7 vacancies •


(Military Rep, Medical Professional, 5 Citizens)


• Chesapeake Community Criminal Justice Board — 1 vacancy • Chesapeake Historic Preservation Commission — 1 vacancy •


(Architect)


• Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare Board — 4 vacancies • (2 Family Members, 2 Citizens) • Chesapeake Tourism Advisory Board — 7 vacancies • Fire Prevention Code Appeals Board — 1 vacancy • Groundwater Committee — 4 vacancies • Hampton Roads Disabilities Board — 2 vacancies • Human Services Advisory Board — 3 vacancies • Local Board of Building Code Appeals — 3 vacancies


Applications are currently being accepted for the following Mayor-appointed vacancies:


Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council — 5 vacancies


For more information or to apply, contact the City Clerk’s office at 382-6151 or visit the Boards and Commissions page on the City of Chesapeake's website.


Bobby 'BlackHat' Walters - Wednesday, November 15


Bobby "BlackHat" Walters, recording artist, harmonica player, vocalist, songwriter and actor hails from Cleveland, Ohio and has been playing harp for over 40 years. Bobby is a retired U.S. Coast Guard Commander with 27 years of distinguished service which included serving as Military Aide to the President and being awarded the Coast Guard Medal for Heroism.


Bobby has had the honor of opening for Blues Legends B.B King, Taj Mahal, and Steady Rollin Bob Margolin. Bobby has shared the stage with Kenny Neal, Lil Ray Neal, Jackie Scott, Bill Deal and the Rhondels, Jason Ricci, Eddie Shaw, Daryl Davis, Ruthie Foster, Sherman Robertson, Slam Allen, Tas Cru, and Memphis Gold.


Among his many accolades and awards, Bobby BlackHat Walters has won include the 2017 USAA Mission award: Music; 2016 International Blues Challenge Finalist; 2016 VEER Music Award "Best Blues"; 2016 VEER Music Award "Song of the Year"; 2015 Blewzzy Award "Song of the Year"; and 2012 Blewzzy Award "Song of the Year."


For this performance, he will be accompanied by: Tom Euler, guitar; Brian Eubanks, bass; Mike Behlmar, drums; and Lucy Kilpatrick, keyboard.


"I bought my first harp after hearing Lee Oskar play with WAR in 1972. The sound of his harp just mesmerized me and I knew right then and there I was gonna be a harp player too."


Beer and wine will be available for purchase from La Bodega Hampton. Admission is free for museum members, $5 for non members.


2018 ONE CITY MARATHON CHARITIES SELECTED


The City of Newport News announces the selection of two local nonprofits as the official charitable partners for the 2018 One City Marathon. Next year’s marathon will benefit organizations that provide support for members of the community with disabilities and those needing emergency assistance – VersAbility Resources and THRIVE Peninsula. These two organizations were chosen out of 19 applications submitted for consideration. Now entering its fourth year, the marathon has contributed almost $50,000 to nonprofits since its inception in 2015.


As selected charitable partners, these organizations will benefit from promotion on the marathon website and through social media, inclusion in the post-race celebration, and online donation opportunities at race registration. Additionally,


these organizations will be able to utilize a crowdfunding “Run for Free” program to raise money for their cause.


Brief descriptions of the charitable partners follow.


VersAbility Resources’ vision is a world where people with disabilities enjoy dignified, productive lives of their choosing as fully accepted members of society. VersAbility Resources has been supporting people with disabilities for over 60 years. The organization is a comprehensive provider, serving over 1,100 people— of which, more than 800 are in Newport News—with disabilities in early childhood, day support, community living, and four diverse employment programs. VersAbility serves not only Newport News but also the entire Hampton Roads region, as well as the Middle Peninsula. VersAbility Resources is a capable business partner, and is engaged in federal contracting, manufacturing, packaging, digitization, recycling, and more.


THRIVE Peninsula is committed to assisting Virginia Peninsula individuals and families through difficult times. For more than 40 years, THRIVE Peninsula has served the physical, economic, educational, emotional and spiritual needs of residents of the Virginia Peninsula. Addressing both essential living needs (e.g., food, housing, utilities) and the unique crises affecting each person, this volunteer- driven coalition helps coordinate community resources for a tailored, integrated response. With comprehensive budget education among its core (no cost) services, THRIVE strives to encourage people to be active participants in the resolution of their present plight and the plan for long-term financial stability.


NOVA and Old Dominion University to sign guaranteed transfer partnership agreement


Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and Old Dominion University (ODU) will formalize a Guaranteed Transfer Partnership Agreement between the two institutions as well as a new cybersecurity pathway intended to support workforce development in this critical field.


The ceremony, in which NOVA President Scott Ralls and ODU Provost Augustine "Austin" Agho will sign the agreements, will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 in the President's Dining Room in the Richard J. Ernst Community Cultural Center at NOVA's Annandale Campus, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003.


The Guaranteed Transfer Partnership Agreement lays the foundation for collaboration designed to facilitate the seamless transfer of NOVA graduates to ODU. The agreement stipulates the criteria under which NOVA graduates are guaranteed admission to ODU and describes curricular benefits that exceed those outlined in the existing Guaranteed Admission Agreement between ODU and the Virginia Community College System. In addition, the agreement further articulates terms that ensure ODU and NOVA will jointly support dual enrolled students, whether online or in person.


With the new 2+2 pathway agreement in cybersecurity, ODU becomes the eighth senior institution to provide a mechanism for seamless transfer in this emerging and strategically important degree area. The Northern Virginia region is home to the largest concentration of cybersecurity job opportunities in the United States.


Students and top administrative officials will make remarks during the ceremony. NOVA and ODU welcome interested media representatives to cover the ceremony.


Portsmouth Library Announces ‘Food for Fines’ Drive


Portsmouth Public Library announces that the program ‘Food for Fines’ is back! Portsmouth Public Library, in partnership with the Food Pantry at Oasis Social Ministry, will hold the ‘Food for Fines’ Drive from Monday, November 6th until Wednesday, December 6th. Pay late fees off with food items and help your neighbor… it’s a great deal!


During this period, library customers are encouraged to bring undamaged and unexpired boxed or canned non-perishable food items to any Portsmouth Library location. Each single food item will be applied as a $1 credit toward existing overdue fines. …And, if you do not have any fines, you can still donate! Everyone is invited to participate.


All food collected will be donated to the Oasis Food Pantry which serves individuals in need in Portsmouth, Western Chesapeake, and Northern Suffolk. The food pantry distributes bags of food items to local residents every 60 days. In addition, they currently deliver food to almost 100 home-bound senior citizens each month.


“Food for Fines’ allows us to help our customers clear their fines while supporting citizens in need,” said Library Director Todd Elliott. “The holidays can be particularly challenging for some of our neighbors, so the program goes a long way in helping others,” Elliott added.


The ‘Food for Fines’ program is applicable to Library overdue fines, only. No other fees are eligible. Damaged or expired items will not be accepted.


Peanut butter and canned tuna are especially needed in addition to these items on the Pantry Needs List: Jelly Juice Soup Canned Vegetables Canned Fruit Cereal Macaroni & Cheese Canned Meat (Corned Beef, etc.) Spaghetti Sauce Spaghetti Pork and Beans Cornbread Mix Rice Dry Beans Dry Milk.


For more information on “Food for Fines” or for library hours and locations, please call 393-8501 or visit www.PortsmouthPublicLibrary.org. For more information on the assistance that Oasis provides, please call Oasis Social Ministry at 397-6060.


November 2017


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