The A+ School Rewards program will return to Martin’s Food Markets on Oct. 9. Customers will be able to designate up to two local schools and points will accrue every time that customer uses the designated Martin’s BonusCard through March 31, 2012. Schools can earn cash for technology, scholarship programs, summer programs, field trips, playgrounds and other educational needs. Customers can earn double points by purchasing select bonus products and triple points by purchasing Healthy Ideas labeled items. These items will be specially marked on store shelves. Since the program launched in 2005, more than $10 million has been donated to local schools. To sign up, visit your local store or go online to http://www.martinsfoods.com/aplus.

Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours event will be held Sept. 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Anthem, 2015 Staples Mill Rd. This social, after work event will feature table top exhibitors, refreshments, door prizes and networking opportunities. Tickets are $15 to $20 for members and $30 to $40 for nonmembers. For more information on exhibiting or attending, call Christy Schneider at 783-9322 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Maryann Kaminsky of In Plain English and Christine Walters of Lessons Of Laughter and ComedySportz are teaming up to provide a series of improv programs to help students with speaking disorders increase confidence and learn theatre tips and techniques to aide in speaking with ease. Three “LOL In Plain English” classes for elementary, middle and high school students will be offered beginning the first week in October. Each class is two hours and will be held at ComedySportz Improv Theatre, 8906 W. Broad St. A program for adults is in the planning stages. Classes are limited to 12 students per session. The cost is $250. To register, call 539-8843 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Pagano & Associates, PC, of Richmond, recently announced the addition of a new attorney to the firm, Seth J. Marks, Esq. Marks has been practicing in Virginia since 2007, most recently as an associate with Main Street Law Offices, concentrating exclusively in representing debtors in consumer bankruptcy. He attended St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, Fla., and received his Juris Doctor in 2007.

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.

James River Air Conditioning and Owner Hugh Joyce recently announced the installation of its Level 2 electric vehicle charger and the delivery of its first all-electric vehicle, the 2011 Nissan Leaf. The Nissan Leaf is used as a corporate vehicle and to establish trends and operational data for deployment of electric vehicles in the larger James River fleet. The Level 2 charger, listed on the nationwide register of publicly available electric car charging stations, will be available to the public when not being used by James River corporate vehicles. Much of the energy used by the GE watt station electric charger is generated by the 10kW solar system installed at the James River Air Conditioning company headquarters, 1905 Westmoreland St. For details, visit www.jamesriverair.com.

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 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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Anita Pouncy was recently named education assistant by the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA). Prior to joining the VSCPA, Pouncy worked as an administrative assistant at New Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Richmond. She also worked for the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority as well as the Housing Management Division. She received her certification in real estate from Long & Foster Institute of Real Estate and her certification in office technology from the Electronic Computer Programming Institute (ECPI). In her new role, Pouncy will assist with Continuing Professional Education (CPE) customer relations and will also coordinate and create evaluation and confirmation correspondence for CPE events.