Self-Reliance & Other News & Views

New restaurants and shops coming to Granby Street

A contemporary restaurant with an Italian theme will open during the first week of November in the former Empire Bar and Grill at 245 Granby Street across from Tidewater Community College. The restaurant (its name unknown as yet) will have a full wine list and other choice amenities. The owner, Tony Carawana, is behind it.

The former Velvet Lounge at 332 Granby Street is supposed to open under new ownership. The opening has yet to be determined. The bar and restaurant will cater to the over 40-crowd.

A coffee and doughnut shop, Paradise Doughnuts, is coming soon to 213 Granby Street, across from the federal building and adjacent to Norfolk Florist. See them on Facebook and get a visual taste of their offerings.  

New Journal and Guide discusses shooting death at bank

Read the Sept. 12-19, 2013 issue of the Norfolk-based newspaper reflecting the concerns and issues of the African-American community.

In it, Chief Reporter, Leonard E. Colvin wrote that Commonwealth’s Attorney Gregory D. Underwood’s Underwood’s conclusion that the case – officially closed – does not sit well with the segment of the Black community which for decades has been angered by  investigations of police shootings of African-Americans that were found to be justified because safety was at stake. Joshua “Omar” Johnson was fatally shot by police May 20 as he attempted to flee the drive-through of a Wells Fargo bank branch at the intersection of Colonial Avenue and 21^st St. in Norfolk.

Innovate|Hampton Roads Initiative

“We’ve been talking about a joint regional initiative of the chambers that would continue the work of Innovate!HamptonRoads (economic gardening, business connect, talent network, entrepreneur support network, etc)and reinvigorate the services of the tech council (cybersecurity, CIO forum, STEM ed, etc) within the business community,” said Rick Lally, who managed the economic gardening program at the Hampton Roads Partnership, soon to be dissolved. Lally said details of the initiative haven’t been finalized yet.

Advancing Urban Policy: Nonprofit management The latest edition of Advancing Urban Policy, the monthly e-newsletter of the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University, features research and thought leadership from across the country related to Nonprofit Management. Future editions of Advancing Urban Policy will feature topics related to City Management (October), Environmental Policy (November), and Public Finance & Budgeting (December).

Access to financing for small business

The Institute for Self-Reliance offers suggestions, resources and ideas for those of us who want to find a different route for their small business. Although Big Banks clamor about how small business is the backbone of America, they ignore small business.