Richmond International Raceway, 600 E. Laburnum Avenue, will celebrate the ninth annual NASCAR Day on Friday by giving fans extra incentive to share their passion for the sport and make a difference in the lives of children this year. Fans who purchase a NASCAR Day 2012 lapel pin at the track from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 18 will receive a complimentary Pace Car ride. Guests must enter at the Service Gate, which is located on Meadowbridge Road, one gate down from the Main Gate. To continue raising awareness, fans can visit the NASCAR Foundation’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NASCARFoundation between now and NASCAR Day to “Pin It Forward” with their $20 donation for a pair of commemorative pins – one for yourself, and one for a friend.

The Moody Middle School Music department recently attended the Musicale Music Festival at Busch Gardens and earned top honors. This festival is a competition for middle and high school music ensembles. Mixed Choir placed first and was Grand Champion in their division, and Treble Choir took first place as well. Sixth and Seventh Grade Orchestra earned first place, Eighth Grade Orchestra took first place, and Chamber Orchestra took first place and was Grand Champion in their division.

Greater Richmond Fit4Kids will award as much as $1,000 in grant funding through its 2012 Healthy Kids Grant program to schools to improve the health and wellness of students through increased physical activity and better nutrition. Public and private schools in Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover and Richmond are eligible to apply for funding to support programs and activities that take place before, during and after school.

Jane Geaney, associate professor of religious studies at the University of Richmond, recently received a $6,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Summer Stipend Program. Geaney will use the grant to work on her book, “A Chinese Grammatology,” which documents and interprets the development of ideas about language in early China (c. 500 B.C.E. – 220 C.E.). Her research will show how non-alphabetic scripts can shape a culture’s ideas about the nature of language. Geaney has taught at Richmond since 1997. She holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross.

Henrico County resident Jack James, a graduate of Woodberry Forest School, will be graduating from the Naval Academy this month and will enter the Harvard Kennedy School as an explosive ordnance disposal officer in the U.S. Navy.

Now that lawns are greening up, it’s time to consider best practices for mowing your grass. “How you mow is important,” advises Henrico Extension Agent Karen Carter. “One of the best ways to prevent weeds in your lawn is to mow correctly.” Start by checking the blade on your mower. It needs to be sharp so that you don’t chew off or shred your grass, which makes it vulnerable to disease and attacks by insects. The blade needs to be set high enough to leave grass at least 3 inches high. “This is probably the most important thing,” said Carter. “Mowing high improves root growth and helps shade out weed seedlings. You’ll still have some weeds, but the number will be greatly reduced.”

Amanda Neely, a 22-year-old nursing student, graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University on Saturday. She is anxious about finding a job. “There are so many students graduating from the same nursing program that I am, and such a disproportionately small number of positions available. People assume that because I chose this field, I’m protected from unemployment, but I’m not convinced,” Neely said. She has reasons for concern: Half of young college graduates are unemployed or underemployed, stuck in jobs that don’t use their skills and knowledge, according to recent research by the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University.

The rich may be rich and the poor may be poor, but a nonpartisan think tank says there’s a way to eliminate state income taxes on the poorest Virginians while providing as much as a 10 percent tax cut to everyone else. The Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy on Friday unveiled a plan to restructure Virginia’s tax system – which the group says could generate substantial economic growth. The nonprofit group’s report recommends slashing certain business taxes and income taxes while expanding the sales tax to currently untaxed services.

The fourth grade classes at Pinchbeck Elementary School marked the successful performance of another history play entirely created by students, with their showing of “MVP TV” April 19 in the school cafeteria. Among the fourth graders celebrating with parents and teachers following the play were (at right, left to right) Emily Donbrosky, Jada Alston, and Renecca Brendle.

Through its A+ School Rewards program, MARTIN’S Food Markets recently donated $131,307 to schools in the greater Richmond community. The program allows schools to earn cash for educational needs. After customers designate the school of their choice, A+ School Rewards points accrue with each purchase made using a BonusCard. The top school this year is Mills E. Godwin High School who earned $9,251. Longdale Elementary School also earned $3,111. For a complete listing of participating schools and the A+ School Rewards they have earned, visit http://www.martinsfoods.com/aplus.

A group of children, staff members and volunteers from the Henrico Police Athletic League (PAL) will visit dressbarn at The Shops at Willow Lawn today to shop for a special Mother’s Day gift. dressbarn’s “To Mom, With Love” program helps deserving children across the country purchase a new dress, skirt or pair of shoes for their mother. Each child will receive a $50 gift card. “This Mother’s Day, we’re working to make it possible for kids who otherwise may not be able to afford a gift, to recognize the hard work, sacrifice and unique contributions that every mom makes to a home,” said Vivian Behrens, senior vice president, chief marketing officer at dressbarn. “It’s a great program that helps honor someone who too often goes overlooked.”

Thousands of students in schools across the country are subjected to bullying by their peers on a daily basis. Now Virginia is doing something about the problem. During its 2012 session, the General Assembly passed legislation requiring teachers and other school personnel to receive training on anti-bullying tactics. Gov. Bob McDonnell has signed the legislation into law; it will take effect in July. Lawmakers approved two identical measures – Senate Bill 271 and House Bill 504. They will require the Virginia Center for School Safety to provide employees in Virginia schools with training on how to stop bullying. State officials say such training has become necessary as bullying has become more common.