Grassroots Leaders and Groups Take Center Stage

If you're interested in learning more about what makes a caring community tick, then attend this year's Richmond History Makers event.

The annual celebration on Oct. 20 will mark the fifth time Richmond has come together -- under the big tent outside the Valentine Richmond History Center downtown TOM
SILVESTRI
-- to recognize grassroots leaders responsible for making our community a better place to live.

They're the unsung champions of important community issues, the organizers of fledgling networks vital in the battle against disruptive problems, and the understandably overwhelmed coordinators of organizations often existing on shoestring budgets that are powered by heavy doses of sweat equity.

I've had the pleasure of introducing the award for one of the five categories, and I can tell you hearing the stories about these winners in person is downright inspiring. Negativity is obliterated by the accounts of men and women who've accomplished against the odds -- and because they have our community's best interest in their hearts, minds, and souls. For example, I'll never forget the acceptance speech by Garth and Max Larcen of the Positive Vibe Café.

On Sept. 6, the

Richmond Times-Dispatch published the names of the three citizens and two organizations who are this year's Richmond History Makers. Join me at the event, which starts at 5:30 p.m., to cheer them on.

For more information, check out the History Makers Web site at http://www.richmondhistorymakers.com, or call Liz Musselman at 649-0711, ext. 302, if you are interested in supporting the program presented by Dominion.

October is shaping up to be a rich month for celebrations. Among the other programs that have stuffed my inbox:

• The Virginia Historical Society has signed up one of the sports world's flashiest writers and commentators, Frank Deford, for its 17th annual J. Harvie Wilkinson Jr. Lecture on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 5:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church. His topic has a Richmond angle -- "The Athlete as Gentleman: From Christy Mathewson to Arthur Ashe." For more information, visit the museum shop online at http://www.shop-vahistorical.org. The society requires reservations because seating is limited. Deford is known for his Sports Illustrated stories, NPR commentary, books, and cable TV reports. It won't be boring.

• The Virginia Chamber of Commerce uses a wide angle aimed at what's ahead for its annual all-day conference on Oct. 21. "The Future of Virginia Business" at the Richmond Marriott is counting on BB&T Chairman John A. Allison IV to set the tone as the keynote speaker. Some of us saw Allison in action at the January program of the World Affairs Council of Greater Richmond. Don't expect corporate mumbo jumbo. Allison will be a blunt and pointed commentator on capitalism, leadership, and the economic mess. For information about the Conference on Virginia's Future, call Karen Surmacewicz at (804) 237-1452 or .

• The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities will salute five individuals and St. Joseph's Villa at the 47th annual Richmond Humanitarian Awards dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the Richmond Marriott. The organization, which promotes understanding and respect on all issues of diversity, for all age groups, across Virginia, will recognize the accomplishments of Virginia Secretary of Administration Viola O. Baskerville, Bon Secours Health System Virginia CEO Peter J. Bernard, Owens & Minor's chief cheerleader Hugh F. Gouldthorpe Jr., former Virginia Union University President Allix B. James, and Holocaust survivor Alexander Lebenstein. Call the Richmond chapter at (804) 515-7950 or http://www.inclusiveva.org to go and hear from this impressive group of leaders.

The trustees of the Virginia Holocaust Museum have selected state Sen. Henry L. Marsh III as the 2009 winner of the Neilson J. November Award for his long legal and public service career. The award, which emphasizes the museum's mission of tolerance through education, recognizes community leaders exemplifying "in their life the grander purpose of memory that recalls the courage of the survivors and the sacrifice of the victims of the Holocaust." The event at the museum, 2000 E. Cary St., starts at 6 p.m. on Oct. 18 with a reception. For information, call (804) 257-5400 or go to http://www.va-holocaust.com.

Congratulations to all the honorees. Richmond salutes you.

Finally, a belated tip of the achievement hat to the arrival of CenterStage downtown. All of us who left the grand opening celebration Sept. 12 after witnessing the eye-popping, five-star performances knew it was a victory for the city of Richmond and the region.

So, I had to scratch my head after reading reports elsewhere that Jim Ukrop, chairman of the CenterStage Foundation, took the credit and wasn't gracious enough in extending praise. From my seat, the happy guy on the stage was saluting a project that, despite stops and starts, finally got done and ended an eight-year period of ineptness. The grand opening was about Richmond, plain and simple. We -- yes, the collective we -- accomplished another important piece to downtown's return to relevance.

But some people are never satisfied. Let me just say that I've seen Jim Ukrop in action at enough board meetings and, many, many community events, as well as mixing with the crowds at countless community programs, to know that his passions and efforts are all about making Richmond a world-class city.

I've also seen him help pull together business leaders and community activists to better support Richmond Public Schools out of a deep concern for the future of our city. He, his brother Bobby, and the Ukrop family have been involved in a long list of community projects that have made a difference.

Sour grapes don't sell here.

Tom Silvestri is president and publisher of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. He can be reached at (804) 649-6121 or at .