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Jul122020 by Web PublisherNo Comments

Focus On Philanthropy

Judeo Christian Outreach Center’s Community Dinner Helps Debi from Returning to Homelessness Debi celebrates her 63rd birthday this November. It is a bittersweet milestone because her sister passed away at the age of 62, and her mother at 63. Her dream is to move to Colorado and “live as long as I can live.” For now, she is grateful to be living in an apartment with her longtime boyfriend Kevin. Two years have passed since Debi’s 11-year journey with homelessness ended. She is determined not to return. Raised in Pittsburg, PA, Debi quit high school after she did not do well in special education classes. She has had a series of jobs over the years as a server, assistant manager and manager in restaurants. Debi hitchhiked to Virginia Beach over nine years ago to join Kevin and their yo...

Jun122020 by Web PublisherNo Comments

Established And Emerging Leaders of Hampton Roads

Business

Andy Hodge Atlantic Union Bank Regional President, Coastal Virginia What drew you to Atlantic Union Bank at this stage in your career? After spending 15+ years with two large national banks, BB&T and PNC, I was drawn to a smaller, regional bank where I could have more impact on the business. Atlantic Union Bank’s executive leadership team is second to none – smart, diverse and dynamic, as opposed to the typical executive leadership teams you see in most banks. The story resonates – we are building a Virginia Bank that harkens back to a time when the Commonwealth had numerous dominant banks. My team and region contribute directly to the Bank’s performance and our presence is felt. At the same time, we are able to make decisions on our cl...

May262020 by Web PublisherNo Comments

My Favorite Thing About COVID-19

Community

There are many things that I have not enjoyed about this COVID-19 season. As a matter of fact, I've often described the last few months as navigating a boat regularly capsizing. Once again I’m flipping the boat back over, bailing out the water, and rowing furiously to continue forward. This year has worn on us all in many ways, but the innovative thinkers have been able to assess the new climate and pivot appropriately in order not to fail. What a beautiful representation of the ingenuity of our great people. And while I lament the loss of a simpler time, my heart bursts with pride at the beautiful community which now emerges. Remember when business was dog-eat-dog? When people didn’t have time to sit and eat a meal with their families? Remember when everyone around you was usua...

May222020 by Web PublisherNo Comments

Tech Talk: NEW AUGMENTED REALITY TOUR ENHANCES ZOO EXPERIENCE

Technology

The Virginia Zoo is unveiling a new technology that will take Zoo visitors on an immersive tour to meet and learn more about its animal residents. The Zoo’s Augmented Reality Tour is a collaboration with Life Preserve and ECPI University. The tour features 12 stops around the Zoo and provides a learning adventure about the animals, their counterparts in the wild, conservation efforts for the species, and even behind-the-scenes footage. photo by Virginia Zoo “We are excited to partner with Life Preserve and ECPI and leverage technology to further enhance our visitor experience,” said Education Manager, Michelle Lewis. “This exciting tour provides guests with an insider’s look into our animals. Photos and videos allow visitors to explore and discover even if the ...

Apr242020 by Web PublisherNo Comments

Seniorcare

Community

Can a smile a day help keep the doctor away? In the concern over the spread of Coronavirus, and the potential vulnerability of seniors, let us remember the strength of a smile, as backed by science. We know the basics of a healthy immune system - eat fruits and veggies, drink water, rest, move our body, wash our hands, get some sunshine/Vitamin D, and keep stress low. Our precious senior community, and those helping care for them, need extra common sense approaches to minimize spreading germs. But in the midst of concern, smiles can help contribute to excellent care. Science proves the simple act of smiling lowers stress and boosts our immune system. Neurologist Dr. Isha Gupta explains that a smile releases brain hormones. “Dopamine increases our feelings of happiness. Serotoni...

Apr232020 by Web PublisherNo Comments

Get Ready for the Bounceback

Business

By Michael Cohen Michael D. Cohen, Ph.D. is founder and CEO of Cohen Research Group, a forward-thinking research and technology firm based in Virginia, as well as an adjunct professor for Johns Hopkins University, where he teaches digital political strategy. You can follow him on Twitter @michaelcohen and learn more about his work at http://michaelcohen.us. While we’re all bunkered at home there’s plenty to be concerned about - including those closest to us, our families, friends, colleagues, and businesses. All are taking a hit. Friends we’ve known for over twenty years are sick with COVID-19 but recovering. Friends are losing their businesses, and some their own jobs. While all of this is happening Tiger King is dominating online conversation, so you kn...

Apr12020 by Web PublisherNo Comments

Live Like Freddie…The Best Advice in Business & Life

Community

Go See Freddie We at Hampton Roads Weekly are pleased that so many of our readers have been following our “Live Like Freddie” column these last months. Many of you have inquired about Rogers Clothes and Freddie. We realized you may have missed our first introductory column that explained this remarkable businessman, father, and friend. If we at this special time of year, can integrate just one aspect found in the “Rogers Clothes experience”, our holiday season will be all the happier. They said it all over town for almost 50 years – in Portsmouth, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News and Hampton. Shipyard workers, bank presidents, high school students, store clerks, folks in military and first responders’ uniforms, doctors, lawyers, teachers –...

Mar122020 by Web PublisherNo Comments

Senior Care

Community

What Every Family Caregiver Needs to Know When Battling Tough Emotions By Tom Knox The Hampton Roads senior care team at Seniorcorp shares the information every family caregiver needs in order to overcome the many challenging emotions they face. See our website for our full Virginia service area. If you are feeling overwhelmed in your role as caregiver, take heart; you are in good company. Serving as family caregiver for a senior loved one is probably the most complex roles we can hold: extremely gratifying on the one hand, while at the same time frustrating and ever-evolving, often bringing about feelings of doubt about whether we’re up to the challenge and providing the best possible care. It is why so many family caregivers struggle with some or all of these types of fee...

Feb192020 by Web PublisherNo Comments

A Tribute to Black History Month

Community

By Geoph Beard Presented by Early Jackson at the 9 and 11am services at Wave Church in honor of Black History Month. Black History Month has a very rich tradition. It is celebrated in America, the United Kingdom, Canada, and unofficially in Ireland. But here in the United States we have a unique tradition that stands out from other nations. In order to properly understand the true value of purposefully taking the time to celebrate, and how the “why” has evolved over the century it’s important to first look at its roots. Black History month was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, an American Historian, author and journalist. February was chosen, not because it’s the shortest month of the year, but because both Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas wer...

Feb122020 by Web PublisherNo Comments

Grateful

Entertainment

By: Coach Gary Edwards Gary Edwards is a Virginia Beach native who began his coaching career as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Virginia Wesleyan College. In his 38 years on the sidelines, Edwards has coached on all NCAA levels, Division I, Division II and Division III. His career record stands at 581-429 and his teams have won numerous championships and awards. Edwards began writing weekly columns for Florence Morning News when he moved back to South Carolina to take over the coaching reigns at Francis Marion University. My Francis Marion University men’s basketball team lost its home opener last week to Newberry College. I’m always down after a loss, but this one hit me especially hard. I talked with my assistants after the game searching for a...