The Peach Stand ... Fort Mill, SC

The Peach Stand ... Fort Mill, SC.

The truck pulled in with more peaches fresh off the trees.

This place has a little bit of everything ... fresh produce, locally-produced packaged and canned goods, food gifts, a butcher shop, and restaurant. At lunch time, the line is out the door as people pile in to eat on site or pick up deli food to go.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
The Peach Stand, Fort Mill, SC
July 21, 2013

Uptown Charlotte as seen from Amélie's French Bakery

 Uptown Charlotte skyline ...

... as seen from Amélie's French Bakery in the NoDa Art District. The café emits an intoxicating Parisian shabby-chic ambience. The combination of family recipes and classical French traditions made the bakery an instant success, and it now includes two satellite locations in Charlotte.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
July 20, 2013

Gov. Bob McDonnell visits American troops in Afghanistan

Virginia's Governor Bob McDonnell is a 21-year U.S. Army veteran who retired in 1997 as a Lieutenant Colonel. This week he is part of a U.S. State Department trip to Kuwait and Afghanistan to visit with American troops.

On Tuesday the Governor wrote about his mission:

As you read this email I'm currently visiting with our troops in Afghanistan.

This trip began at the start of the week, but due to security requirements we weren't able to make it public until today.

On Monday I joined Montana Governor Steve Bullock for a briefing at the Pentagon, followed by a very moving experience meeting with wounded warriors at Walter Reed National Medical Center. I cannot say enough about the bravery and the courage shown by these great American patriots who have given so much so that we may be free.

Yesterday we arrived at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and traveled to Udairi Army Air Field where I got to hold a town hall with Virginians serving there. The first thing I did was thank them, on behalf of all Virginians, for their service. After breakfast this morning with the troops we were back in the air, arriving here in Kabul a while ago.

We will remain in Afghanistan today and tomorrow, and continue meeting with Virginia soldiers and military leaders. Friday we will travel to Germany and visit a military medical facility to again meet with men and women who have been wounded in the service of our country. Part of that visit will be a little bit of a homecoming for me. I served in the Army in Germany in the late 70's as a platoon leader with the 2nd Armored Division, including running a medical clinic for our post. It will be nice to be back.

As Virginians, we have a close and historic relationship with the American military. This great Commonwealth can rightly be called the "home of America's Armed Services." From the Pentagon to Langley to Fort Lee to Naval Station Norfolk, the military defines our communities, employs our loved ones, and is an integral part of the fabric of life in this great state. I know that like myself, our daughter Jeanine who served in the Army in Iraq, and both my father and my father-in-law, so many of you have served our nation with honor and valor. Thank you for your service. And I also know that many of you who are reading this have loved ones in harm's way at this very moment. Our prayers and our deep appreciation are with you and your family.

This is a trip I've looked forward to for a long time. Freedom is not free. Everyday we wake up safe and secure because our neighbors, co-workers, family members and friends have volunteered to leave the peace of home for the danger and uncertainty of our world's most volatile locations. On this trip, I'm telling them, on behalf of all of us, thank you. The people of Virginia will never forget their service, their courage, their sacrifice.

God Bless Our Troops.

The Governor apologizes to his 'beloved Virginia'

Governor Bob McDonnell and Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling
Executive Mansion, January 2011

"Being Governor of Virginia is the highest honor of my 37 years in public service. I am deeply sorry for the embarrassment certain members of my family and I brought upon my beloved Virginia and her citizens. I want you to know that I broke no laws and that I am committed to regaining your sacred trust and confidence. I hope today's action is another step toward that end. 

"Virginia has never been stronger and I plan to focus on creating even more jobs and facilitating greater opportunity during the last five months of my term as your Governor. Our work together on education, transportation, pension reform, voting rights, and economic expansion has produced great results for Virginia." --Governor Bob McDonnell (July 23, 2013)

Cross-posted at Va Political Pineapple

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
January 2011 

U.S. House schedule for Thursday, July 25, 2013

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor....

THURSDAY, JULY 25TH
On Thursday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business.
First and last votes expected: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

One Minute Speeches

H.R. 2218 - Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013 (Structured Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. David McKinley / Energy and Commerce Committee)

The Rule provides for one hour of general debate and makes in order the following amendments:

Rep. Gerry Connolly Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Henry Waxman Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Paul Tonko Amendment (10 minutes of debate)

Special Order Speeches

COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE DAY
Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Energy hearing on ”The Future of Coal: Utilizing America’s Abundant Energy Resources” (Thursday, July 25th, at 9:30 a.m.)

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Grove Park Inn on Sunset Mountain in Asheville

The historic Grove Park Inn on Sunset Mountain in Asheville, NC, is celebrating its 100th year anniversary.

It was during the 1880s that Edwin W. Grove, owner and founder of Grove’s Pharmacy and Paris Medicine Company of St. Louis, Missouri, began spending his summers in Asheville. A frequent sufferer of bronchitis, Grove’s doctor had advised that the mountain climate might prove soothing and beneficial. He came to love the area after spending more and more of his time in Asheville and became quite involved in the growth and development of the small city.

Grove dreamed of building a resort hotel as early as 1909, but it wasn’t until 1912 that his dream began to take shape. Workers from all over the South converged on a grassy mountain slope overlooking the city and the construction of The Grove Park Inn was under way. Hundreds of mules, wagons, pulleys and ropes were used to move the massive granite stones mined from Sunset Mountain, some weighing as much as 10,000 pounds, into place. In an engineering marvel, it only took eleven months and 29 days to complete.

Since that time, thousands of visitors have passed through the resort’s majestic lobby, drawing inspiration from the numerous quotes by authors, famous and unknown, that adorn its distinctive stone architecture.

Majestic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the front terrace.

With its distinctive undulating red clay tile roof and original Roycroft furnishings and fixtures, The Grove Park Inn captures the essence of the Arts and Crafts movement. Throughout its massive lobby, words of inspiration from noted authors and anonymous sources are etched in stone.

The pure mountain air, impeccable service, and unparalleled cuisine have attracted visitors by the score. At the end of the 20th century, The Grove Park Inn underwent a major renovation, adding a 40,000-square foot spa and expanding its outstanding sports complex.

The grand opening of the Grove Park Inn in 1913 featured a keynote address by well-known orator William Jennings Bryan.

Ten U.S. presidents have stayed at the hotel: Calvin Coolidge, Woodrow Wilson, William Howard Taft, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.

Exiled Philippine government leaders were housed in a guest cottage on the property during World War II.

SWAC Daughter taking a picture of me taking a picture of her.

Asheville's skyline

The Spa at the Grove Park Inn

Never tire of gazing at the layers of North Carolina mountains.

The hotel has hosted numerous celebrities over the years including William Jennings Bryan (who spoke at the hotel's opening), Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Elbert Hubbard, John D. Rockefeller, Gen. John J. Pershing, Dean Smith, Jerry Seinfeld, John Waters, David & Amy Sedaris, Mischa Barton, Mike Huckabee, former NC Governor Bev Perdue, Sanjay Gupta, Trey Anastasio, Charles Schwab, Enrico Caruso, Harry Houdini, Al Jolson, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Bobby Jones, Wiley Post, Will Rogers, Bill Tilden, Billy Graham, William Shatner, Don Cheadle, Vijay Kansupada, and many others.

F. Scott Fitzgerald stayed at the hotel for two years to write while his wife was in an asylum in Asheville. The rooms in which he stayed, Suites 441 to 443, are available for guests. One is furnished exactly as it was during his stay in the 1930s. Rooms in which famous people stayed are marked by plaques on the door saying who stayed there and when.

On February 3, 1930, William Howard Taft resigned from the US Supreme Court in the Great Hall Lobby.

In 1999, gospel artist Bill Gaither recorded "Mountain Homecoming" in his series of Gaither Homecoming videos and CDs in the Great Hall lobby, including artists Gloria Gaither, Mark Lowry, Larry Gatlin, the Bishops, Stephen Hill, Joy Gardner, and Ben Isaacs.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
Grove Park Inn
July 24, 2013

George H.W. Bush ... class, loyalty, love

 President George H.W. Bush, 89, and his entire security detail shaved their heads in solidarity with the two-year-old son of one of his security guys. That's loyalty, class, and love all rolled into one....

KENNEBUNKPORT, MAINE -- President George H. W. Bush this week joined members of his Secret Service detail in shaving his head to show his support for the two year-old son of a detail member who is being treated for leukemia and started losing his hair.

The 89 year-old commander-in-chief took the unusual step earlier this week after learning, and seeing, that many members of his security detail had already gone under the razor to show their support for young Patrick, whose father Jon is a member of the Bush Protective Division (BPD). (Surname being withheld per family's request.)

BPD members have also launched a website at www.patrickspals.org to assist with Patrick's medical bills, and organized the Inaugural Patrick's Pals Motorcycle Benefit Run on August 10th in Kennebunkport -- a 50-mile motorcycle ride through the Maine countryside followed by a lunch and silent auction to raise funds for Patrick's treatments.

Once President and Mrs. Bush learned of this "Patrick's Pals" effort, they made a donation and President Bush volunteered to shave his head as well. The Bushes lost their second child, Robin, to leukemia 60 years ago this October at the age of four.

Photos from George Bush Presidential Library

Grove Park Inn

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
Grove Park Inn
Asheville, NC
July 23, 2013

U.S. House schedule for Wednesday, July 24, 2013

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor....

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24TH

On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. First votes expected: 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Last votes expected: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

One Minute Speeches

H.Res. 315 - A resolution providing for the consideration of H.R. 2218 - Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013, and H.R. 1582 - Energy Consumers Relief Act of 2013, Rules Committee Print (Special Rule, One Hour of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Michael Burgess / Rules Committee) 

Complete Consideration of H.R. 2397 - Department of Defense Appropriations Act (Structured Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. C.W. Bill Young / Appropriations Committee)

The Rule provides for no further general debate and makes in order the following remaining amendments:

Rep. Derek Kilmer Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Jerry Nadler Amendment #69 (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Jerry Nadler Amendment #70 (10 minutes of debate)
Del. Pierluisi / Rep. Young Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Mo Brooks Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Adam Schiff Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Reps. Speier / Wilson / Chu / Eshoo / Keating / Brownley / Esty / Rush / Schakowsky / Walz / Meng / Maloney / Carolyn / Braley Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Reps. Speier / Schrader / Wilson / Chu / Eshoo / Keating / Brownley / Esty / Rush / Schakowsky / Walz / Meng / Maloney / Carolyn / Braley Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Elizabeth Esty Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Trey Radel Amendment (20 minutes of debate)
Reps. Massie / Amash / Yoho Amendment (20 minutes of debate)
Rep. Richard Nugent Amendment (15 minutes of debate)
Reps. Amash / Conyers / Mulvaney / Polis / Massie Amendment (15 minutes of debate)

Postponed Amendment Votes:

Rep. Lee Terry Amendment #24
Rep. Walter Jones Amendment #48
Rep. Doug LaMalfa Amendment
Rep. Mick Mulvaney Amendment
Rep. Steve Stockman Amendment
Rep. Jackie Walorski Amendment
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici Amendment

Special Order Speeches

COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE DAY
Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Environment and Subcommittee on Energy joint hearing on “Lessons Learned: EPA’s Investigations of Hydraulic Fracturing”
(Wednesday, July 24th, at 10:00 a.m.)

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Saturday's debate: The biggest winners were not there

For some in the ballroom at Saturday's gubernatorial Homestead debate, the two men standing at the podiums were not the ones they had expected, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch pointedly touched on that in Tuesday's editorial:

We said at the beginning [of this editorial] that the biggest winners were not at the Omni Homestead Resort. Their names were Bill Bolling and Robert Sarvis. Bolling, of course, is the lieutenant governor who (1) dropped out of the campaign for the GOP gubernatorial nomination after the party’s scheming sachems boosted Cuccinelli when they switched the process from a primary to a convention, and (2) declined to run as an independent. If he had joined the debate and had lived up to his potential, he would have run away with the crown. If Bolling were to ascend to the governorship, a write-in campaign could become feasible.

Sarvis is the Libertarian nominee. A June 23 Op/Ed column by A. Barton Hinkle described his virtues; a box on the same page listed his stands on various issues. Polls suggest Sarvis attracts more support than usual for third-party candidates in Virginia. He could become a factor in the race and deserves attention from analysts and citizens.

Touché.

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor....

TUESDAY, JULY 23RD
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. First votes expected: 1:45 - 2:30 p.m. Last votes expected: evening.

One Minute Speeches

Begin Consideration of H.R. 2397 - Department of Defense Appropriations Act (Structured Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. C.W. Bill Young / Appropriations Committee)

The rule provides for one hour of general debate, makes in order the following amendments and allows for the Chairman to offer amendments en bloc:

A full list of the 100 amendments made in order can be found HERE.

Special Order Speeches

COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE DAY
Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security hearing on “Addressing the Immigration Status of Illegal Immigrants Brought to the United States as Children”
(Tuesday, July 23rd, at 2:00 p.m.)

Printable PDF

Misty Appalachian morning

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
July 20, 2013

New neighbors

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
July 20, 2013

Observations at the Homestead gubernatorial debate

The Homestead early Saturday morning.

We arrived early at the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs for the Virginia Bar Association (VBA) gubernatorial debate between Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Ken Cuccinelli after leaving home at 8:00 Saturday morning for the leisurely, one-hour drive over the mountains.

Everyone and his brother has written about the debate and there's not really much more I could add to that so I'll pass along some out-of-the-way observations....

Ken Cuccinelli ... walking in George Allen's boots? Were those cowboy boots he was wearing with that lawyer suit on Saturday?

Chris LaCivita, part of the Cuccinelli's entourage for their pre-debate mike check, dropped his name tag in the hallway. Yellow ... all access ... hmm. Wonder if I could get away with it? Tried to get his attention as he hurried away so retrieved the name tag and handed it off to Cuccinelli campaign  manager Dave Rexrode in the ballroom. With an all access pass ... oh, the places I could go?

Pre-debate was a flurry of activity as media worked to get set up. This is a community where many knew others as they called greetings to one another.

Mike Stark

Cue the "Twilight Zone" music ... sitting at the table in front of me was Mike Stark. If you don't recognize the name, you weren't blogging in 2006. We've jostled on the blogging front lines -- liberal Democrat versus conservative Republican -- throughout the years so I asked to get his photo to prove his presence to my fellow SWAC bloggers. He was congenial as we discussed issues like energy and Obamacare ... kind of a surreal feeling.

Brian Coy with the McAuliffe campaign came by press tables to meet everyone and hand out a fact sheet. A young man with America Rising, the Republican youthful outfit, stopped by with an information sheet and introduced himself.

Bob Brown, photo-journalist, Richmond Times-Dispatch

As always, I enjoyed sitting with local political reporter Bob Stuart from the Daily Progress/News-Virginian. Look for his article about the debate in Sunday's paper. Bob Brown, longtime photo-journalist from the Richmond Times-Dispatch, was there -- love his work so stopped by to say hi and chatted a moment with him. There was no sighting of the TD's political writer Jeff Schapiro. His bow tie was missed.

Ellen Qualls

Bob pointed out Ellen Qualls, who kind of made her name working with Mark Warner and is now a consultant to the McAuliffe campaign, was standing nearby. State Senator Creigh Deeds was seen in the audience.

The debate began with introductions of the candidates and then intro of Judy Woodruff, co-anchor of the "PBS NewsHour." There was a slight hiccup when Ms. Woodruff offered the podium to McAuliffe to begin opening statements, only to be told by Cuccinelli that he was to be first. She apologized and tossed it over to him. Later in the debate, Cuccinelli again corrected Woodruff's question rotation. Awkward.

Afterward, both candidates offered a brief interview opportunity for the media. In the middle of the cluster pictured above was Terry McAuliffe.

As I was leaving the ballroom after the debate, Libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis was outside the doors greeting folks. I got his photo and talked briefly with him, asking how he felt about not being included in the debate and if he hoped to be in future ones.  He was upbeat and said he's working to make that happen.

Just down the hall stood Greg Letiecq in the hallway talking with someone so I patted him on the arm as I passed. NoVa was in the house....

Heavy media coverage. Extra tables were brought in after all seats were taken.

Someone's cell phone went off at 12:25 on Republican side of ballroom -- it was playing some kind of country song that went on for several seconds while Cuccinelli was speaking -- another awkward moment.

Many thanks to Marilyn Shaw with the VBA who does a great job year after year of communicating with the press and including bloggers. The Homestead was gorgeous, as always. Another year, another VBA debate tucked away into the archives. It's less than four months until election day.

I never tire of the drive to the Homestead on the back roads of western Virginia. Those who know me know I have to post the obligatory rural photo, this one taken near my home as I started out on my morning journey to Hot Springs. Hay bales, mountains, chicory ... serenity.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
July 20, 2013

U.S. House schedule for Monday, July 22, 2013

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor....

MONDAY, JULY 22ND
On Monday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for morning hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

One Minute Speeches

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:

1) H.R. 697 - Three Kids Mine Remediation and Reclamation Act (Sponsored by Rep. Joseph Heck / Natural Resources Committee)

2) H.R. 1300 - To amend the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to reauthorize the volunteer programs and community partnerships for the benefit of national wildlife refuges, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Jon Runyan / Natural Resources Committee)

3) H.R. 1411 - California Coastal National Monument Expansion Act of 2013 (Sponsored by Rep. Jared Huffman / Natural Resources Committee)

4) H.R. 2353 - To amend title 23, United States Code, with respect to the operation of vehicles on certain Wisconsin highways, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Thomas Petri / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

5) H.Con.Res. 44 - Authorizing the use of the Capitol Ground for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run (Sponsored by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

6) H.R. 1542 - WMD Intelligence and Information Sharing Act of 2013 (Sponsored by Rep. Patrick Meehan / Homeland Security Committee)

Special Order Speeches

COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE DAY
Rules Committee meeting on “H.R. 2397, Department of Defense Appropriations Act”
(Monday, July 22nd, at 5:00 p.m.)

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