Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation’s largest children’s literacy nonprofit, has selected the Greater Richmond ARC’s Infant & Child Services (ICDS) program to receive a $396 grant for free book distributions and literacy activities benefitting Richmond area children and their families. The funds were raised during RIF’s 2011 Be Book Smart campaign in partnership with Macy’s. The grant money will allow ICDS to meet one of its program goals, which is to provide each child in the program one book per month to help build their home library.

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Henrico Doctors’ Hospital Labor and Delivery Unit is the first and only hospital in the United States to earn Joint Commission certification for its Induction of Labor Program. The Labor and Delivery Unit underwent a rigorous on-site survey and a team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated the hospital for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients and families, including leadership, quality of care and medication management. The hospital was recognized for putting into place processes and procedures for advanced safety standards, pain management related to induction of labor, and standardization of labor induction practices.

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Scents of Serenity Organic Spa, located in Glen Allen, is now offering Eminence, a new line of organic makeup. All products are made with fresh fruit pulps, plants and exotic spices from organic environments. Eminence has a product for every skin type, including sensitive and aged skin. The organic skincare aligns with owner Melanie Mueller’s vision of a health and wellness spa, providing free health workshops, all out of a historic farmhouse at 3016 Mountain Rd. Scents of Serenity Spa is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment. For details, call 277-4498 or visit http://www.scentsofserenityspa.com.

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A group of five Richmond-based entrepreneurs have founded a new social payment network called PaidThx. The founders are Thomas Eide (CEO), Rob Kirchner (COO), James Rhodes (CTO), Hugo Camacho (executive director of finance) and Ryan Ricigliano (executive director of user experience). With PaidThx, users will no longer have to carry around cash or a checkbook – just their smartphone. The new technology works similarly to online banking tools that are in the market today with one major difference: PaidThx users can send and receive money with all of their contacts, no matter where they bank. The network, set to launch to the public later this year, can be accessed from a smartphone, computer, or popular social media sites.

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The “Fiske Guide to Colleges,” a leading college guidebook, has selected the University of Richmond for its 2013 edition of the 320 “best and most interesting colleges in the United States, Canada and Great Britain.” Richmond made two special lists in this year's book for having strong programs in business and international studies. The guidebook selects colleges based primarily on academic quality. It includes information about each college’s academics, social life, student body, financial aid, campus setting, housing, food and extracurricular activities. Richmond has been chosen for the Fiske Guide in all 26 years the book has been published.

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Agents with Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer recently handled the following lease negotiations: John Powell – leased 4,555 square feet at 6500 Dickens Pl.; Now and Then Treasures, LLC – leased 1,500 square feet at 211 W. Williamsburg Rd.; and Caton Business Corporation – leased 1,225 square feet in The Shoppes at Westgate at 11709 W. Broad St.

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Alpha Wealth Advisors, a comprehensive financial service firm founded by Troy L. Flinn, has opened its office in the New York Life Building at 4435 Waterfront Drive, Suite 203 in Innsbrook on July 1. Alpha Wealth Advisors provides wealth management services for individuals and small business owners, as well as a wide range of other services. Thomas Dozier, a 1980 graduate of the University of Richmond, joins Flinn as director of client development.

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Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer recently represented The Cellular Connection in the leasing of 3,573 square feet at Staples Mill Retail Center at 7320 Staples Mill Rd. Two additional locations will be opened in Chester and Amelia. The Cellular Connection is the largest Verizon Premium Wireless Retailer in the United States with more than 600 locations across 26 states.

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The National Science Foundation has awarded a three-year, $290,000 grant to Carol Parish, professor of chemistry at the University of Richmond, for molecular research related to alternative fuels, anticancer antibiotics and graphene nanodevices. Parish is collaborating with Hans Lischka, of Texas Tech University, on the project, “Multireference Studies of Organic Polyradicals, Radical Reactions and Graphene Nanoribbons.” They expect results from their research to hold significant promise for advancing the fields of multireference theoretical chemistry, mechanistic organic chemistry, materials design and drug optimization. Parish has taught at Richmond since 2005.

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Zinga Frozen Yogurt at Willow Lawn will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, Aug. 11 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jackson, Q94 radio personality, will host a live “instant beach” remote broadcast from noon to 2 p.m. Two free tickets to Justin Bieber’s “Believe” concert in November will be given away during that time. Zinga is located at 1700 Willow Lawn Dr., next to Jason’s Deli in the Shops at Willow Lawn. For details, call 288-0206 or visit http://www.facebook.com/zinga.willowlawn