America's Promise Alliance 100 Best Communities for Young People presented by ING has recognized Chesterfield County for its initiatives to help young people. This was the county's fifth time being recognized since the program began in 2005. This national competition recognizes communities across the country that focus on reducing high school dropout rates and providing service and support to their youths.

     "Chesterfield County is especially deserving of this recognition due to their efforts to ensure that their young people graduate high school and go on to lead healthy, productive lives," said Marguerite W. Kondracke, America's Promise Alliance president and CEO.

     Just a few of the many initiatives recognized were:

• The Communities In Schools program, with more than 400 mentors, tutors, lunch buddies and classroom helpers, volunteered nearly 5,000 hours to deliver education, health and social support services to promote academic achievement and help students graduate.
• The Chesterfield County Youth Services Citizen Board provides young leaders with the opportunity to have a voice regarding youth-related issues by planning programs and offering policy recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
• Each year, thanks to a partnership with the Virginia Dental Association, the Southside Dental Society and Communities In Schools, nearly 150 students in need receive dental screenings and follow-up treatments free of charge.

     Chesterfield County will receive a $2,500 grant, signage identifying the community as one of the nation's 100 Best Communities for Young People, and access to America's Promise Alliance's community development resources.

     For more information about America's Promise Alliance, visit www.americaspromise.org.

• On Dec. 22, Governor Bob McDonnell announced that Amazon.com will invest a total of $135 million to establish two fulfillment centers in the state. The company will invest $85 million and create 1,000 jobs in Chesterfield County, and invest $50 million in Dinwiddie County, creating 350 new jobs there. The new centers will fulfill orders in just one to two days.
• A ribbon-cutting for the Meadowville Interchange was held on Dec. 15, completing a significant economic development enhancement for the region. The new interchange serves the Meadowville Technology Park, currently home to Northrop-Grumman, one of the commonwealth's largest private employers, and future home to other technology-based corporations, including Amazon. When completed, the technology park is expected to employ 7,200 workers. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership considers the 1,300-acre site one of the premiere economic development locations in the state.
• The Richmond Region Energy Alliance, or RREA, offers homeowners one-stop shopping for home energy upgrades. RREA helps homeowners to identify qualified contractors and to access rebates and financing to make home energy improvements that can increase the comfort, safety and health of their homes. There are rebates available for participants who achieve at least a 20 percent energy savings.

• Chesterfield County's Sustain Our Communities Committee, SOCC, will present a free "Empowering Neighborhoods Forum" on Feb. 11, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Eanes-Pittman Public Safety Training Center. Attendees will learn valuable tools that could help their neighborhoods, including property maintenance, code enforcement and crime prevention to revitalize their communities. They will learn about restrictive covenant enforcement and hear Tom Jacobson's presentation on "The Challenge of Maintaining Vibrant Suburban Neighborhoods." For more information, call 804-748-1065.
• Training that could save lives is being offered by the county's Office of Emergency Management. The Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, is a free eight-session training course, held over four weeks, that provides residents with the basic emergency response skills essential during critical times after a disaster strikes and before emergency responders arrive. Participants must be 18 years or older. For more information, call 804-751-CERT.
• Beyond Barbie, a series of 10 monologues about body image produced by Susan Singer, April 13-15, will be presented by the Domestic and Sexual Violence Resource Center. For more information, call 804-318-8265.
• Stay Safe this Winter  To learn more about properly installed house generators, keeping pipes from freezing, proper disposal of ashes from wood stoves or fireplaces and preparing for winter weather, click here.

• In January, the Chesterfield County School Board elected Patricia Carpenter, representing the Midlothian District, as chair and David Wyman, representing the Dale District, as vice chair. Other members are Carrie Coyner, Bermuda District; Dianne Smith, Clover Hill District; and Tom Doland, Matoaca District.
• Chesterfield County Public Schools is launching a community newsletter to share information about the county's 62 schools. To sign up, visit mychesterfieldschools.com.
• Kindergarten registration takes place on April 7 for children who will be 5 years old on or before Sept. 30, no exceptions. Register children at the school they are zoned to attend. There are a limited number of prekindergarten spots to provide school-readiness skills for children, aged 4 years old on or before Sept. 30, and who meet income requirements and live in the attendance zone. For more information, call 279-7357.
• In January, 17 Chesterfield County schools received Virginia Index of Performance awards, and three schools received the highest honor, the Governor's Award for Educational Excellence: Grange Hall Elementary, Robious Elementary and Bettie Weaver Elementary. For more information, click here.

• Oscar Night America The Central Virginia Film Institute, WRIC TV8 and Chesterfield County invite you to save the date for a VIP Oscar Night America event at the Cultural Center of India in Chester on Sunday evening, Feb. 26. The beautiful Cultural Center of India will welcome attendees to experience red-carpet glitz and glamour while enjoying heavy hors d'oeuvres, beverages, big-screen viewing of the Oscars, entertainment by The Press Gang, and much more.
       CVFI is a nonprofit, community-minded organization committed to bringing quality film opportunities to the Central Virginia Region. CVFI's efforts contributed to filming of Steven Spielberg's Lincoln in the region in 2011. The movie is anticipated to be released this December.
       Visit centralvirginiafilminstitute.org for tickets and more information.
• Black History Month Each February for the past 23 years, Chesterfield County, with the help of many corporate and individual sponsors, has conducted Black History Month celebrations. In keeping with an emphasis on education and learning, the county will be providing lectures, storytelling, dance and music. The highlight will be the annual Business Breakfast and Scholarship Recognition Program, which features writer Maya Payne Smart as the guest speaker and will award 12 scholarships to high school seniors. For more about the programs, click on the following links: Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker Sr. and the Freedom Riders; African Culture, Music and Dance with Donna Graham; Tales from Everywhere; Kevin Davis and the Asbury UMC Drum Line; Ban Caribe Dance Concert at the Fulghum Center and Virginia State University's Sankofa Dance Theatre.
• The Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia will honor Black History Month with a new exhibit entitled "FourScore and More" at the County Museum in the Chesterfield County government complex. The exhibit will open Feb. 4-March 31 and features oral interviews of African American residents, aged 80 and older, describing the life experiences of those who were born or lived in the county from the early 1900s. The stories include their early education, families and community life, military service and chosen fields of work. Museum hours are Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Suggested $2 per person donation.
• Explore the world's last wild places at the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, March 9-10, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Each film takes viewers on a journey to exotic locations, paddling the wildest waters or climbing the highest peaks. Fee: $5 per adult. James River High School. For more information, call 804-748-1623.