Local business owners and key staff are invited to Shop RVA’s Local Moguls Social at The Tobacco Company, 1201 E. Cary St., on Aug. 25 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nonprofit organization Shop RVA created the informal gathering to give thanks to Richmond’s local business owners for bringing creativity and uniqueness to the city. The celebration will include guest speakers, networking opportunities, hors d’oeuvres and more information about Shop RVA. To register, visit http://www.weshoprva.com .
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The Residence Inn by Marriott Richmond West End recently completed a $1 million renovation of the 80-suite hotel located at 2121 Dickens Rd. Each of the suites was completely updated with new flooring, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, new beds and bedding, new furnishings, lighting, doors, artwork and wireless fire monitoring. The property is operated by Island Hospitality Management, Inc., an independent third-party management company, which also oversaw the renovation process.
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Agents at Cushman & Wakefield Thalhimer recently handled the following lease negotiations: N1 Health, LLC subleased 5,867 square feet in the Reynolds Office Building at 6641 W. Broad St.; Active Escapes, LLC leased 2,400 square feet at 401 N. Ridge Rd.; Glatter Fitness leased 2,050 square feet in the Hub Shopping Center at 6945 Lakeside Ave.; and Traditional Asian Health Center, Inc. leased 1,032 square feet in the Springfield Broad Office Park at 3961 Stillman Pkwy.
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Nicholas R. Orenduff, owner of Orenduff & Associates, recently was authorized by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board) to use the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™ and CFP (with flame design)® in accordance with CFP Board certification and renewal requirements. These marks identify those individuals who have met the rigorous experience and ethical requirements of the CFP Board, have successfully completed financial planning coursework and have passed the CFP® Certification Examination. Orenduff specializes in comprehensive financial planning, retirement income planning, investment management and tax planning.
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Dogwood Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center, 5918 W. Broad St., will open in October 2011. The facility will offer specialty veterinary services including cardiology, 24-hour emergency, internal medicine, onsite MRI, neurology and surgery. Onsite MRI and neurology are two services not offered within a 95-mile radius of the facility. Dogwood has partnered with veterinarians from Bush Advanced Veterinary Imaging, Bush Veterinary Neurology Service, Chesapeake Veterinary Cardiology Associates, Dogwood Veterinary Emergency, Dogwood Veterinary Internal Medicine and Virginia Veterinary Surgical Associates. For details, visit http://www.dvesc.com .

The Central Virginia Chapter of BNI will host a Lunch & Learn Workshop on July 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Enterprise Meeting Center, 2708 Enterprise Pkwy. The topic will be "Conflict Resolution and Crucial Conversations." JoAnn Auger, executive coach and trainer for MSBCoach, LLC, will give the presentation. For details, visit http://www.bniva.com .
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The Children’s Museum of Richmond recently announced several new exhibits and remodeling projects at its Central and Short Pump locations. The new Assembly Required exhibit, a collection of 49 colorful, movable, modular climbing elements in a variety of whimsical shapes, is now at the Central location, as well as an ant habitat consisting of eight pods and resembling an ant space station. Central also has a newly reconfigured lobby. CMoR Short Pump has a new and improved Enchanted Castle that is larger and more interactive. It features a tunnel, slide and mini-climbing wall, as well as pretend play props. The popular Tot Spot has been moved and is more than twice its former size. It features soft sculpted cushions, pull-up bars, mirrors, sensory equipment and fine-motor manipulatives for the under-two set.
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Chris Lowrie, of Midlothian, was recently named the new executive director of Commonwealth Parenting, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a stronger community by teaching proactive parenting skills to parents and caregivers in central Virginia. Lowrie has more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit management positions, most recently serving as the executive director of International Sustainable Development, Inc. and, prior to that, as executive director of Housing Virginia, Inc. Lowrie replaces Elizabeth Pearce, who resigned her post for personal reasons.
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The State Fair of Virginia will recreate the popular Goat Mountain exhibit at the entrance to the fair’s most popular feature, Young MacDonald’s Farm, thanks to a gift from Vulcan Materials Company’s Mideast Division. Vulcan has donated dozens of large boulders, known as shot rock, necessary to recreate Goat Mountain, as well as landscaped rock piles and a footbridge. The rocks are from Vulcan’s Springfield Quarry located in northern Henrico County. Goat Mountain will become a permanent outdoor feature near Young McDonald’s Farm at the State Fair, which takes place Sept. 29 through Oct. 9 at The Meadow Event Park in Doswell.