By Junelynn Tran
Willow Lawn will transform into an outdoor mall, forcing some stores to go out of business.
Some businesses consider renovation an opportunity to start fresh. For others, it means going out of business for good. Or for worse.
Owner of Gold 'N Gold Jewelers, Abdul Moosa, has had his kiosk open at Willow Lawn for over ten years. The recent reconstruction has forced him to shut down his business.
"Well, it is a very sad thing, you know, when they do the renovations," Moosa said. "I am being displaced out of my business, and I won't have any other alternative, except to be out, you know. The small business will die on which my sustenance depends on my bread and butter."
Moosa says Federal Realty, the company that owns the mall, failed to notify him about the renovations and he found out about it through the news. The renovations call for striking down the interior part of the mall and converting it into a parking lot for easier store accessibility.
Customers will be able to get around the mall more easily. Some feel that the changes are necessary due to its current atmosphere. One customer, Minh Nguyen, comments on the mall's lack of appeal.
"It has no stores that I'm remotely interested in or any of my friends would be interested in, and it's very slow," Nguyen said. "Nothing's really going on inside. The design of it inside alone is very boring and dull to me."
As for Moosa, the future of his store remains unclear. He will either leave by the end of the month, or extend his contract for another month or two.
"And as a result of that, I don't know what is my future," Moosa said. "Are they going to offer me a space outside? So I have got a lot of layaways for the people here. I have to communicate to the customers to come and pick it up, the time is short, I'm in a limbo, and I don't know what's going to happen and how long they will give me."
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Halloween Costumes 2010
By Junelynn Tran
Halloween is right around the corner and people are still on the lookout for costumes.
If you go to Halloween Express, located on West Broad Street, you can see a giant Frankenstein and Rocking Grandparents. This store carries hundreds of costumes, decorations and accessories for adults and children. Originally a franchise with over 300 retail store locations, Halloween Express remains only temporary.
The store opened the second week of August. Blair Baldwin, the store manager, says they try to open by Labor Day weekend so families can start browsing.
“Sales don’t really start happening too much until October; people aren’t in the mood,” said Baldwin. “So we open Labor Day weekend and then we’ll stay open for a couple days after Halloween, just for After-Halloween Sale Monday and Tuesday. And then we pack up and start over again next year.”
When choosing a costume, people like the idea of something unique and original. Customer Erin O’Grady advised its best to find something easy and creative to avoid looking like everyone else.
Whatever you decide to be this year, remember to stay safe and have a happy Halloween!
Halloween is right around the corner and people are still on the lookout for costumes.
If you go to Halloween Express, located on West Broad Street, you can see a giant Frankenstein and Rocking Grandparents. This store carries hundreds of costumes, decorations and accessories for adults and children. Originally a franchise with over 300 retail store locations, Halloween Express remains only temporary.
The store opened the second week of August. Blair Baldwin, the store manager, says they try to open by Labor Day weekend so families can start browsing.
“Sales don’t really start happening too much until October; people aren’t in the mood,” said Baldwin. “So we open Labor Day weekend and then we’ll stay open for a couple days after Halloween, just for After-Halloween Sale Monday and Tuesday. And then we pack up and start over again next year.”
When choosing a costume, people like the idea of something unique and original. Customer Erin O’Grady advised its best to find something easy and creative to avoid looking like everyone else.
Whatever you decide to be this year, remember to stay safe and have a happy Halloween!
Monday, October 25, 2010
EPonym & Esta ft. Jeff Bernat - 'Distance' Music Video
Track: "Distance"
Artists: EPonym & Esta ft. Jeff Bernat
Album: Summertime Cool
Director/Producer/Editor: Junelynn Tran
The album was released during Summer 2010. I was assigned a final project in my video class and was allowed to create any type of film project I wanted. I instantly thought of this song and knew I wanted to create a conceptual music video for the song. The two characters are a couple enduring a long distance relationship. The video pieces the story of what keeps them together.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Plans for Construction in Monroe Park Causes Tension
By Junelynn Tran
Monroe Park, located in Richmond’s Fan district, has been used since the mid-19th Century. Originally, it was used as the state agricultural fairground site and now serves as an assembly ground for drifters and homeless people. The City of Richmond is looking to give the park an upgrade but it is causing a stir with some.
It is hard to pass by Monroe Park on Sundays and not notice homeless relief groups giving out food and clothes. But all that may change in the upcoming year. Monroe Park plans to revamp its image by spending $6.2 million to reconstruct paths and add new park amenities, such as moveable chess tables and a stage area.
Alice Massie, President of the Monroe Park Advisory Council, says the goal is to restore the park’s original layout while modernizing it to appeal to VCU students and other visitors.
“The projected changes are based on safety, for all public,” said Massie. “Students, citizens, neighbors, those that are handicap accessible needed and the average student who wants to cruise through the park.”
While the city has received positive feedback from the general public in regards to the renovation, it is the homeless and the homeless relief groups that volunteer in Monroe Park that have the most opposition. Monroe Park will be under construction for at least nine month, which begs the question - what will the homeless and volunteers do now?
Wendell Joyner, a volunteer from the Future Church of Christ, said it would become difficult to find the homeless if they have no where else to go.
Massie agrees that this will cause some challenges for the homeless, but the City of Richmond is looking at alternatives. Massie says they are “working to be proactive” to help the people recognize their options to get a meal, fresh water and other amenities.
Food Not Bombs, a volunteer homeless relief group, has been feeding people in Monroe Park for 16 years. A volunteer from the organization said that closing down the park for nine months is “unacceptable and unfair” to the homeless.
Massie points out that the upgrades are for all people.
“It is for anyone that wants to enjoy the outdoors,” said Massie. “So whether you are a retired man who wants to play chess or a student who wants to study with a group or sunbathe or play any kind of casual sport or if you’re family and you want to have a picnic. It should be for anybody in the city of Richmond.”
Construction for the project is scheduled to begin in spring 2011.
Monroe Park, located in Richmond’s Fan district, has been used since the mid-19th Century. Originally, it was used as the state agricultural fairground site and now serves as an assembly ground for drifters and homeless people. The City of Richmond is looking to give the park an upgrade but it is causing a stir with some.
It is hard to pass by Monroe Park on Sundays and not notice homeless relief groups giving out food and clothes. But all that may change in the upcoming year. Monroe Park plans to revamp its image by spending $6.2 million to reconstruct paths and add new park amenities, such as moveable chess tables and a stage area.
Alice Massie, President of the Monroe Park Advisory Council, says the goal is to restore the park’s original layout while modernizing it to appeal to VCU students and other visitors.
“The projected changes are based on safety, for all public,” said Massie. “Students, citizens, neighbors, those that are handicap accessible needed and the average student who wants to cruise through the park.”
While the city has received positive feedback from the general public in regards to the renovation, it is the homeless and the homeless relief groups that volunteer in Monroe Park that have the most opposition. Monroe Park will be under construction for at least nine month, which begs the question - what will the homeless and volunteers do now?
Wendell Joyner, a volunteer from the Future Church of Christ, said it would become difficult to find the homeless if they have no where else to go.
Massie agrees that this will cause some challenges for the homeless, but the City of Richmond is looking at alternatives. Massie says they are “working to be proactive” to help the people recognize their options to get a meal, fresh water and other amenities.
Food Not Bombs, a volunteer homeless relief group, has been feeding people in Monroe Park for 16 years. A volunteer from the organization said that closing down the park for nine months is “unacceptable and unfair” to the homeless.
Massie points out that the upgrades are for all people.
“It is for anyone that wants to enjoy the outdoors,” said Massie. “So whether you are a retired man who wants to play chess or a student who wants to study with a group or sunbathe or play any kind of casual sport or if you’re family and you want to have a picnic. It should be for anybody in the city of Richmond.”
Construction for the project is scheduled to begin in spring 2011.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
VCU welcomes the class of 2014
By Junelynn Tran
The Commonwealth Times
Keys? Check. New TV? Check. Kettle Corn? Why not.
Over the weekend, approximately 3,650 freshman flooded Monroe Park moving into on-campus housing with the help of families and a small army of VCU Residential Life and Housing greeters.
In coordination with the Richmond Police, traffic on both Main and Franklin Street ground to a halt as officers shut down street parking and reserved lanes for freshman move-in only. Families received color-coded parking passes indicating which loading zones and parking decks were reserved for them. Parking officials allotted each family 30 minutes to unload in front of dorms before asking them to move to long-term parking decks. Several tow trucks loomed nearby as a reminder for families to keep moving.
About 60 yellow-shirted greeters waited outside residence halls. They provided water bottles, helpful directions and extra sets of arms, unpacking car after car until the final family cleared the loading area.
After signing into receive room and mailbox keys, new students entered their dorms and met their Resident Assistant.
Not everything about Move-In day was stressful. In Monroe Park there were many festivities to help students and their families relax after unpacking; such as chair massages, a mechanical bull ride and a magician. About 9,000 bottles of water were offered courtesy of the VCU Alumni Association, along with kettle corn and “I Love VCU” buttons. Volunteers from fraternities and sororities wore green shirts and helped guide students and family members to recycling bins.
The planning process took nine months to prepare, according to Jane Firer, associate director of administrative operations in university housing. “It’s a mixture of stress and anticipation,” said Firer. “It’s gratifying to see the process work out successfully.”
In all, about 5,000 students will live in on-campus housing this year, filling the dorms to capacity.
Original article
The Commonwealth Times
Keys? Check. New TV? Check. Kettle Corn? Why not.Over the weekend, approximately 3,650 freshman flooded Monroe Park moving into on-campus housing with the help of families and a small army of VCU Residential Life and Housing greeters.
In coordination with the Richmond Police, traffic on both Main and Franklin Street ground to a halt as officers shut down street parking and reserved lanes for freshman move-in only. Families received color-coded parking passes indicating which loading zones and parking decks were reserved for them. Parking officials allotted each family 30 minutes to unload in front of dorms before asking them to move to long-term parking decks. Several tow trucks loomed nearby as a reminder for families to keep moving.
About 60 yellow-shirted greeters waited outside residence halls. They provided water bottles, helpful directions and extra sets of arms, unpacking car after car until the final family cleared the loading area.
After signing into receive room and mailbox keys, new students entered their dorms and met their Resident Assistant.
Not everything about Move-In day was stressful. In Monroe Park there were many festivities to help students and their families relax after unpacking; such as chair massages, a mechanical bull ride and a magician. About 9,000 bottles of water were offered courtesy of the VCU Alumni Association, along with kettle corn and “I Love VCU” buttons. Volunteers from fraternities and sororities wore green shirts and helped guide students and family members to recycling bins.
The planning process took nine months to prepare, according to Jane Firer, associate director of administrative operations in university housing. “It’s a mixture of stress and anticipation,” said Firer. “It’s gratifying to see the process work out successfully.”
In all, about 5,000 students will live in on-campus housing this year, filling the dorms to capacity.
Original article
Student financial assistance funds to double in upcoming year
By Junelynn Tran
The Commonwealth Times
For the 2010-2011 academic year, VCU’s ongoing funds for student financial assistance will receive a $4.8 million increase due to tuition increases, nearly doubling the existing funds.
Approximately $45.4 million is available for financial aid, more than 21 percent from the last school year.
More than $20.5 million for student financial assistance is appropriated by state funds. The money goes toward providing scholarships and fellowships through the Virginia Student Financial Assistance Program and the College Scholarship Assistance Program. The amount of money is the same as last year.
More than $24.8 million for student financial assistance is appropriated by federal funds. The money goes towards federal work-study, and grants and scholarships, such as Pell Grants, Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG), National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants (SMART) and Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants. The amount of money has almost doubled since last year.
The Pell Grant Program is expected to increase, allowing an individual to receive a maximum Pell Grant award of $5,550, a $200 increase. An increase of 29 percent of the VCU student body qualify for the Pell Grant.
There is a projected increase in the ACG and SMART grants, due to the increase in students who qualify for the Pell Grant and the program expansion. The criteria for the ACG and SMART grants expanded to allow part-time students and eligible non-citizens to receive funding.
VCU will also fund an additional $43 million in need-based aids, scholarships, fellowships, tuition waivers and graduate student wages within other university programs – totaling $88.4 million for student financial assistance.
Original article
The Commonwealth Times
For the 2010-2011 academic year, VCU’s ongoing funds for student financial assistance will receive a $4.8 million increase due to tuition increases, nearly doubling the existing funds.Approximately $45.4 million is available for financial aid, more than 21 percent from the last school year.
More than $20.5 million for student financial assistance is appropriated by state funds. The money goes toward providing scholarships and fellowships through the Virginia Student Financial Assistance Program and the College Scholarship Assistance Program. The amount of money is the same as last year.
More than $24.8 million for student financial assistance is appropriated by federal funds. The money goes towards federal work-study, and grants and scholarships, such as Pell Grants, Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG), National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants (SMART) and Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants. The amount of money has almost doubled since last year.
The Pell Grant Program is expected to increase, allowing an individual to receive a maximum Pell Grant award of $5,550, a $200 increase. An increase of 29 percent of the VCU student body qualify for the Pell Grant.
There is a projected increase in the ACG and SMART grants, due to the increase in students who qualify for the Pell Grant and the program expansion. The criteria for the ACG and SMART grants expanded to allow part-time students and eligible non-citizens to receive funding.
VCU will also fund an additional $43 million in need-based aids, scholarships, fellowships, tuition waivers and graduate student wages within other university programs – totaling $88.4 million for student financial assistance.
Original article
Monday, May 10, 2010
A new mall comes with a new deal
By Junelynn Tran
HAMPTON, Va. -– Shoppers in Hampton, Va., got more than a new mall in March 2010. They also received a new tax along with each purchase made at Peninsula Town Center.
A 0.5 percent Facility Charge Transaction Fee (VAFAC) is added to each purchase made at the mall’s retail stores and restaurants. The tax is charged by Mall Properties Inc, the owner of the mall, to pay back a 30-year $92.5 million bond used to build the mall. It went into effect on Jan. 1 2010.
"Mall Properties agreed to tax itself because it didn’t want to place a debt burden on the citizens,” said Randy Gilliland, a Hampton City Council member. “The tax isn’t a part of Hampton’s tax revenue, only the purchases.”
The tax is new to Virginia and is collected by the Community Development Authority, a committee by the Hampton City Council used to issue bonds for public expenses and oversee special taxes.
The VAFAC tax is added to Virginia’s state and local tax of 5 percent. It allows the public to use the mall’s facilities and services for free, such as free parking. An example of the tax is $1 for every $200 spent.
Although the City Council believes the tax is beneficial toward the redevelopment of the mall, there has been customer opposition toward the small fee.
Ashley Darby, 20, a Hampton shopper, says the charge is unexpected and unfair. “Why should I have to pay for something at someone else’s expense?” Darby asked. “No one said there would be a new tax.”
Vincent Mastracco Jr., an attorney with Kaufman and Canoles, a law firm that oversee the redevelopment process, disagrees. He said business cards were given out earlier this year to let consumers know about the charge.
Peninsula Town Center is a new open-air mall featuring office and residential space above its retail stores. Residents that live in the apartment complex are not charged any additional fees like the VAFAC tax.
Raffaele Allen, residential specialist at The Chapman Apartments at Peninsula Town Center, says the tax is accounted for in the maintenance fee, which the residents know about.
The Peninsula Town Center was built to replace the former Coliseum Mall, which was demolished in 2007. For three years, Hampton shoppers have had to travel to other surrounding cities to fuel their shopping needs.
With an area of 1.1 million square feet, Peninsula Town Center has more than 50 stores and restaurants, some of which are new to the area, such as Five Guys, Chipotle and shoeWoo. The mall expects more than 20 additional stores and restaurants to open soon, including a dine-in movie theater called CinéBistro. It holds 12 restaurants, 160 residential units and more than 100 retail stores, as stated on the Peninsula Town Center’s website.
Macy’s, JC Penney and Barnes & Noble are stores that were a part of the original Coliseum Mall. They were either relocated to another part of the mall or restructured.
The mall will also feature Bryant & Stratton College above Barnes & Noble. It will become the third campus in Virginia, covering 45,000 square feet. It will begin classes in September 2010.
Even though the tax money goes towards the repaying the bonds, money collected from the surrounding parking meters are given to charity. The Peninsula Town Center Community Foundation includes scholarships and a Charity for Change Meter program. Shoppers can chose to park in the free parking garage, free parking lot or donate to charity by parking next to a meter.
Hampton shoppers can either enjoy the amenities Peninsula Town Center has to offer or stay dissatisfied with the tax. Regardless of how they may feel, the tax is here to stay for at least 30 more years. For more information, visit www.peninsulatowncenter.com.
HAMPTON, Va. -– Shoppers in Hampton, Va., got more than a new mall in March 2010. They also received a new tax along with each purchase made at Peninsula Town Center.
A 0.5 percent Facility Charge Transaction Fee (VAFAC) is added to each purchase made at the mall’s retail stores and restaurants. The tax is charged by Mall Properties Inc, the owner of the mall, to pay back a 30-year $92.5 million bond used to build the mall. It went into effect on Jan. 1 2010.
"Mall Properties agreed to tax itself because it didn’t want to place a debt burden on the citizens,” said Randy Gilliland, a Hampton City Council member. “The tax isn’t a part of Hampton’s tax revenue, only the purchases.”
The tax is new to Virginia and is collected by the Community Development Authority, a committee by the Hampton City Council used to issue bonds for public expenses and oversee special taxes.
The VAFAC tax is added to Virginia’s state and local tax of 5 percent. It allows the public to use the mall’s facilities and services for free, such as free parking. An example of the tax is $1 for every $200 spent.
Although the City Council believes the tax is beneficial toward the redevelopment of the mall, there has been customer opposition toward the small fee.
Ashley Darby, 20, a Hampton shopper, says the charge is unexpected and unfair. “Why should I have to pay for something at someone else’s expense?” Darby asked. “No one said there would be a new tax.”
Vincent Mastracco Jr., an attorney with Kaufman and Canoles, a law firm that oversee the redevelopment process, disagrees. He said business cards were given out earlier this year to let consumers know about the charge.
Peninsula Town Center is a new open-air mall featuring office and residential space above its retail stores. Residents that live in the apartment complex are not charged any additional fees like the VAFAC tax.
Raffaele Allen, residential specialist at The Chapman Apartments at Peninsula Town Center, says the tax is accounted for in the maintenance fee, which the residents know about.
The Peninsula Town Center was built to replace the former Coliseum Mall, which was demolished in 2007. For three years, Hampton shoppers have had to travel to other surrounding cities to fuel their shopping needs.
With an area of 1.1 million square feet, Peninsula Town Center has more than 50 stores and restaurants, some of which are new to the area, such as Five Guys, Chipotle and shoeWoo. The mall expects more than 20 additional stores and restaurants to open soon, including a dine-in movie theater called CinéBistro. It holds 12 restaurants, 160 residential units and more than 100 retail stores, as stated on the Peninsula Town Center’s website.
Macy’s, JC Penney and Barnes & Noble are stores that were a part of the original Coliseum Mall. They were either relocated to another part of the mall or restructured.
The mall will also feature Bryant & Stratton College above Barnes & Noble. It will become the third campus in Virginia, covering 45,000 square feet. It will begin classes in September 2010. Even though the tax money goes towards the repaying the bonds, money collected from the surrounding parking meters are given to charity. The Peninsula Town Center Community Foundation includes scholarships and a Charity for Change Meter program. Shoppers can chose to park in the free parking garage, free parking lot or donate to charity by parking next to a meter.
Hampton shoppers can either enjoy the amenities Peninsula Town Center has to offer or stay dissatisfied with the tax. Regardless of how they may feel, the tax is here to stay for at least 30 more years. For more information, visit www.peninsulatowncenter.com.
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