For the 23rd year, Puritan Cleaners is collecting new and used coats, as well as monetary donations, for its Coats For Kids program. Each year since 1988, Puritan has collected coats of all sizes, cleaned and repaired them and then partnered with the Salvation Army to distribute them to Central Virginia’s families in need. This year’s program will run through Nov. 30. For details, visit http://www.puritancleaners.com/pcl08coatsforkids.
html.

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Burlington Coat Factory is hosting its fourth annual Warm Coats & Warm Hearts Drive, in partnership with ABC’s Good Morning America and One Warm Coat, a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing coats to those in need. Customers can bring their gently worn coats to any local Burlington Coat Factory through Jan. 17, 2011, and receive 10 percent off their purchases. All coats donated in the Richmond region will stay in the region and be distributed by Welcome Home CDC to children and adults in need.

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Dillard’s Short Pump will host From Work Day Wear to Holiday Party: A functional and fun fashion event in partnership with the YWCA of Richmond, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6. The show will feature choices in women’s fashion and YWCA preschool students decked out in Dillard’s holiday style. The event is designed to raise awareness and visibility of the YMCA of Richmond, which is dedicated to ending the cycle of domestic violence and sexual assault and to elevating children and healthy families.

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Seven-Eleven recently introduced redesigned coffee bars at 13 Henrico County locations, designed to attract younger customers and help traffic flow during peak times. The bars have new counters, countertops and color-coded signage, in addition to electronic thermal servers with digital timers that inform customers when the pot was brewed.  

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Westminster Canterbury Richmond recently won two national awards and was recognized at the AAHSA conference in Los Angeles Oct. 31-Nov. 3. The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) awarded the facility its 2010 Excellence in the Workplace Award, which recognizes organizations that demonstrate effectiveness in fostering and advancing a healthy workplace culture and an environment that promotes the recruitment, retention and development of staff at all levels of the organization. The facility also earned the 2011 NuStep Pinnacle Award winner for excellence in older adult wellness programming.

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Markel|Eagle Partners LLC, developers of West Broad Village, recently announced Amy Gray as its new chief financial officer. Before joining Markel|Eagle Partners, Gray established the operational consulting firm Alternative Ops. Gray graduated from VCU with a degree in accounting. She is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants , 100 Women in Hedge Funds and the Private Equity CFO Association.

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Van Go owner J. Sid del Cardayre recently was named the 2010 Paratransit Operator of the Year by the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association. The company is based in Henrico and has approximately 75 vehicles that transport riders to doctor’s appointments and adult day care centers, among other spots.

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David Major, owner of the Kitchen Solvers of Richmond franchise, recently was honored by the Kitchen Solvers corporate headquarters with the Winners Circle Crystal Circle award. The award recognizes franchise owners who have exceeded $1 million in cumulative sales since opening. Major opened his location in November 2004.

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Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital and Henrico Doctors’ Hospital recently were honored by HealthGrades, a national independent healthcare ratings organization. St. Mary’s Hospital was rated among the top five percent in the nation in stroke, prostatectomy, GI and critical care, according to a HealthGrades annual study. The hospital also ranked in the top 10 percent for pulmonary care. Henrico Doctors’ Hospital was rated the best cardiac surgery and orthopaedic program in the Richmond area and was ranked among the best in the nation in multiple categories including: coronary bypass surgery, repair of abdominal aorta surgery, total hip replacement surgery, and treatment of heart attack, stroke, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and respiratory failure.  

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The University of Richmond recently promoted Tina Cade to associate vice president in the Office of Student Development. She has worked at the university 23 years, most recently as director of multicultural affairs and assistant to the vice president for student development. 

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Henrico father and daughter Craig Barnes and Leisa Reinartz recently opened a HOODZ restaurant kitchen exhaust cleaning franchise together. HOODZ cleans the entire exhaust hood system of kitchens in all types of restaurants, reception halls, healthcare facilities, schools, churches and corporate and industrial kitchens, among others.

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Thalhimer recently announced the following leases in Henrico County: Med Atlantic, Inc. leased 10,724 square feet of space in Hanover MOB I at 8220 Meadowbridge Road to be used as a medical office; L. Birck Turnbull of Thalhimer handled lease negotiations. Loanmax leased 3,184 square feet of space at 7605 West Broad Street; Austin H. Newman of Thalhimer handled lease negotiations. Virginia Barbeque leased 1,000 square feet of space in Lakeside Towne Center at 6110-6920 Lakeside Avenue; Donna M. Leone of Thalhimer handled lease negotiations.