Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
30 July 2011
30 July 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
"Give me liberty ... or give me death"
Patrick Henry was a fiery speaker with perhaps his best remembered speech delivered within St. John's Church in Richmond. On the eve of the American Revolution, he took a public stand in words that still stand out today:
If you're going....
Where:
St. John's Church, 2401 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23223
Dates:
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Sunday, August 07, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Sunday, September 04, 2011
Time:
1-3:00 pm
For more information check the website:
Historical St. John's Church
Gentlemen may cry, "Peace! Peace!" -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!Every Sunday through the summer there is a free reenactment of the Second Virginia Convention held in March 1775. Henry's immortal words were proclaimed in front of more than one hundred of Virginia's leaders including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Richard Henry Lee.
If you're going....
Where:
St. John's Church, 2401 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23223
Dates:
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Sunday, August 07, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Sunday, September 04, 2011
Time:
1-3:00 pm
For more information check the website:
Historical St. John's Church
The new guy at the Waynesboro News Virginian
We've been taking a while to get to know the new editor and general manager at the Waynesboro News Virginian. Jonathan Hunley, 35, joined the NV in May, filling a void left when former editor Lee Wolverton took another job in December.
We have much respect for the NV and its former publisher so there were high expectations for someone new taking over this Valley newspaper. I'm happy to say there has been no disappointment.
I was pleased to see Mr. Hunley continue the Three Up, Three Down column which offers a brief weekly review with commentary of all subjects at the local, state, and national level. Perhaps the strength of that column was its willingness to point out flaws at the local level where politics is perhaps the stickiest. There's editorials again about local issues, not just reprints from Charlottesville or Richmond. The out-of-town ones are fine but it adds more when it's about local concerns.
Many newspapers nowadays seem unwilling to tangle in local issues. With cutbacks, there are few investigative reporters left to dig and probe looking for details about issues that are then allowed to fester and grow. Perhaps financial reasons prevent newspapers from searching for answers that may cut off sources of income from those in the community who are politically and financially powerful.
Because of the milquetoast coverage by some, it is nice to have the News Virginian's honest opinions. With fair-minded reporters like Bob Stuart and Megan Davis, we hope the balanced coverage will continue.
We have much respect for the NV and its former publisher so there were high expectations for someone new taking over this Valley newspaper. I'm happy to say there has been no disappointment.
I was pleased to see Mr. Hunley continue the Three Up, Three Down column which offers a brief weekly review with commentary of all subjects at the local, state, and national level. Perhaps the strength of that column was its willingness to point out flaws at the local level where politics is perhaps the stickiest. There's editorials again about local issues, not just reprints from Charlottesville or Richmond. The out-of-town ones are fine but it adds more when it's about local concerns.
Many newspapers nowadays seem unwilling to tangle in local issues. With cutbacks, there are few investigative reporters left to dig and probe looking for details about issues that are then allowed to fester and grow. Perhaps financial reasons prevent newspapers from searching for answers that may cut off sources of income from those in the community who are politically and financially powerful.
Because of the milquetoast coverage by some, it is nice to have the News Virginian's honest opinions. With fair-minded reporters like Bob Stuart and Megan Davis, we hope the balanced coverage will continue.
Joe Scarborough: "Dems privately say Obama is invisible, not a leader"
From Real Clear Politics comes this interesting tidbit from Joe Scarborough:
"I have got to clear this up. Mika heard two days ago on Capitol Hill Democrats all saying the same thing. And that is, this president has been invisible, he is not a leader. They said this all behind closed doors. Democratic leaders, Democratic rank-and-file. In fact, 40, 50 of the most powerful Democrats on the Hill. I will just stop right there. The complaints were all the same. The president has vanished. He has left us here alone again like he did with health care. Where is he? Now, they didn't call him a loser, but they sure as hell didn't call him a leader."RNC Chairman Reince Priebus talked in March about cleaning up behind Obama. Google "Obama's failed leadership" to see many examples of concern for a president who was not seasoned and prepared for such a monumental job as the leader of America.
"If this Valley is lost, Virginia is lost"
"If this Valley is lost, Virginia is lost." So said General Stonewall Jackson in 1862. Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley bore the brunt of the Civil War -- more battles were fought here than anywhere else.
As the 150th anniversary of that sad chapter in America's history is commemorated, Virginia tourism is offering "Bugles Along the Shenandoah Valley" as a guide to events and locations.
Look across the battlefields where valiant young men from the North and South fought and died ... visit museums that tell the story and house the artifacts ... remember the sacrifice of thousands while visiting military cemeteries.
The Civil War 150 years later ... understanding our past ... embracing our future.
Virginia is for lovers ... of history.
Photo from Virginia Tourism
U.S. House floor schedule for Saturday, July 30, 2011
From Majority Leader Eric Cantor's office....
On Saturday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.
One Minute Speeches (15 per side)
H.R. 2693 - Senator Harry Reid’s “Budget Control Act of 2011” (Suspension, 40 Minute of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. David Dreier / Rules Committee / Budget Committee / Energy and Commerce Committee / Education and the Workforce Committee / Ways and Means Committee / Science and Technology Committee)
Postponed Suspension Votes:
Printable PDF
SATURDAY, JULY 30TH
On Saturday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.
First votes expected: 1:00 p.m. Last votes expected: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
H.R. 2693 - Senator Harry Reid’s “Budget Control Act of 2011” (Suspension, 40 Minute of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. David Dreier / Rules Committee / Budget Committee / Energy and Commerce Committee / Education and the Workforce Committee / Ways and Means Committee / Science and Technology Committee)
Postponed Suspension Votes:
1) H.R. 1975 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 281 East Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California, as the "First Lieutenant Oliver Goodall Post Office Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Adam Schiff / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)Special Order Speeches
2) H.R. 1843 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 489 Army Drive in Barrigada, Guam, as the "John Pangelinan Gerber Post Office Building” (Sponsored by Del. Madeleine Bordallo / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
3) H.R. 2062 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 45 Meetinghouse Lane in Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts, as the "Matthew A. Pucino Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. William Keating / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
Printable PDF
Richmond Times-Dispatch cuts 20 jobs ... releases veteran reporter Tyler Whitley
Hard times continue for the hard copy media industry with the recent news that the Richmond Times-Dispatch, owned by Media General, has cut 20 jobs.
Sadly, veteran political reporter Tyler Whitley was one of the twenty.
An icon on the Richmond scene and a Virginia native, his career began in 1960 as an obituary writer at the Richmond News Leader where he worked his way up to business editor. He moved into political coverage and, when the News Leader merged with the Richmond Times-Dispatch, he continued, becoming the "dean" of the Virginia capitol press corps. He wrote about the Virginia General Assembly for 40 years and covered nine governors including Bob McDonnell, fourteen national political conventions, and four redistrictings. Assignments throughout the years took him to ten countries.
I first met Mr. Whitley in February 2000 while working the George W. Bush for President campaign in Richmond. On the Saturday before the presidential primary day, an event was held at campaign headquarters with Texas Governor/U.S. presidential candidate Bush, Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore, Lt. Governor John Hager, and U.S. Senate candidate and former Governor George Allen.
I was in charge of credentialing the press and that was the first time I met Tyler Whitley in person. Although I grew up in Richmond, I wasn't particularly political in my youth and had spent a decade out of state so did not know who he was and asked for his name to write on his credentials. He looked at me for a few seconds and then very calmly and patiently stated his name.
The look stuck with me. It wasn't mean or condescending ... it was more like someone who was so used to people knowing who he was that it was surprising to run into someone who didn't. Later inside headquarters, I asked some of my fellow Bush volunteers, "Who is Tyler Whitley?" I soon found out ... and never again forgot.
In the years since, he and I have often crossed paths. Even though I realize he doesn't know who I am, I always say hello and sometimes we chat a bit, especially during the trip to Minneapolis in 2008 for the Republican National Convention.
During that trip when the Virginia delegation was gathered one evening for an informal cocktail party, he and long-time Virginia Republican activist Trixie Averill started talking about a political event years earlier that took place in southwest Virginia.
It was in Gate City in 1993 at a picnic Trixie helped organized with Jerry Kilgore who was in grassroots leadership at the time. Trixie, her arms full as she hauled supplies from her car, was headed down a pathway toward the picnic shelter when she saw a "stick" across the trail. Just as her foot was stepping over the "stick," it moved ... and slithered right in front of her.
Trixie screamed, the supplies flew up in the air, and -- as Trixie remembers -- she darn near had a heart attack as she ran to safety.
"Tyler was right behind me cracking up," Trixie, who is now Virginia Director of Americans for Prosperity, recalled recently, "but a few ladies who were down at the shelter and heard me scream were more sympathetic. Tyler wrote a very edited down version of what happened in his article the next day about George Allen's trip to southwest Virginia and has never let me live it down since."
Hearing those two reminiscence about the snake story that night in Minneapolis had us all laughing until our sides hurt. It was but one of the thousands of memories from Whitley's years covering Virginia politics.
Whitley celebrated his 50th anniversary as a reporter in December 2010. At a time when the mainstays of media communication are being reinvented almost on a daily basis and when reporters carry iPhones, Blackberries, laptops, use Twitter and every other means of new media, Whitley has found himself surrounded by citizen journalists aka bloggers who are competing for the story. It didn't deter him as he went about his job.
I would like to say congratulations to Mr. Whitley for 50+ years of journalism ... and thanks for the memories.
Sadly, veteran political reporter Tyler Whitley was one of the twenty.
An icon on the Richmond scene and a Virginia native, his career began in 1960 as an obituary writer at the Richmond News Leader where he worked his way up to business editor. He moved into political coverage and, when the News Leader merged with the Richmond Times-Dispatch, he continued, becoming the "dean" of the Virginia capitol press corps. He wrote about the Virginia General Assembly for 40 years and covered nine governors including Bob McDonnell, fourteen national political conventions, and four redistrictings. Assignments throughout the years took him to ten countries.
I first met Mr. Whitley in February 2000 while working the George W. Bush for President campaign in Richmond. On the Saturday before the presidential primary day, an event was held at campaign headquarters with Texas Governor/U.S. presidential candidate Bush, Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore, Lt. Governor John Hager, and U.S. Senate candidate and former Governor George Allen.
I was in charge of credentialing the press and that was the first time I met Tyler Whitley in person. Although I grew up in Richmond, I wasn't particularly political in my youth and had spent a decade out of state so did not know who he was and asked for his name to write on his credentials. He looked at me for a few seconds and then very calmly and patiently stated his name.
The look stuck with me. It wasn't mean or condescending ... it was more like someone who was so used to people knowing who he was that it was surprising to run into someone who didn't. Later inside headquarters, I asked some of my fellow Bush volunteers, "Who is Tyler Whitley?" I soon found out ... and never again forgot.
In the years since, he and I have often crossed paths. Even though I realize he doesn't know who I am, I always say hello and sometimes we chat a bit, especially during the trip to Minneapolis in 2008 for the Republican National Convention.
During that trip when the Virginia delegation was gathered one evening for an informal cocktail party, he and long-time Virginia Republican activist Trixie Averill started talking about a political event years earlier that took place in southwest Virginia.
It was in Gate City in 1993 at a picnic Trixie helped organized with Jerry Kilgore who was in grassroots leadership at the time. Trixie, her arms full as she hauled supplies from her car, was headed down a pathway toward the picnic shelter when she saw a "stick" across the trail. Just as her foot was stepping over the "stick," it moved ... and slithered right in front of her.
Trixie screamed, the supplies flew up in the air, and -- as Trixie remembers -- she darn near had a heart attack as she ran to safety.
"Tyler was right behind me cracking up," Trixie, who is now Virginia Director of Americans for Prosperity, recalled recently, "but a few ladies who were down at the shelter and heard me scream were more sympathetic. Tyler wrote a very edited down version of what happened in his article the next day about George Allen's trip to southwest Virginia and has never let me live it down since."
Hearing those two reminiscence about the snake story that night in Minneapolis had us all laughing until our sides hurt. It was but one of the thousands of memories from Whitley's years covering Virginia politics.
Whitley celebrated his 50th anniversary as a reporter in December 2010. At a time when the mainstays of media communication are being reinvented almost on a daily basis and when reporters carry iPhones, Blackberries, laptops, use Twitter and every other means of new media, Whitley has found himself surrounded by citizen journalists aka bloggers who are competing for the story. It didn't deter him as he went about his job.
I would like to say congratulations to Mr. Whitley for 50+ years of journalism ... and thanks for the memories.
Friday, July 29, 2011
9/11 tenth anniversary remembrances include former President George W. Bush
"I will not forget the wound to our country and those who inflicted it. I will not yield, I will not rest, I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people."
- President George W. Bush, 2001
The National Geographic Channel will mark the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks with a series of special including one featuring former President George W. Bush. Reuters reported:
The National Geographic Channel will broadcast the hour-long interview on Aug. 28 as part of a week of programs on the cable network called "Remembering 9/11'' that mark the 10th anniversary of the attacks.
The interview was recorded over two days in May, without any questions being submitted in advance, the channel said.
National Geographic said Bush gives "intimate details'' of his thoughts and feelings in a way never seen before. Most of the interview is about the first minutes and hours of the day that Islamic militants hijacked four planes and crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Executive producer and director Peter Schnall said Bush, who has adopted a low public profile since leaving office in January 2009, brought no notes to the interview.
"What you hear is the personal story of a man who also happened to be our president. Listening to him describe how he grappled with a sense of anger and frustration coupled with his personal mandate to lead our country through this devastating attack was incredibly powerful,'' Schnall said.
"Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended."
- President George W. Bush, 9/11/01
Frontier Culture Museum welcomes the Eze Nri of the Igbo people
The Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia is happy to host the Eze Nri of the Igbo people to the West African Farm and Museum this weekend. Board members will welcome them in a private dinner tonight.
On Saturday, July 30, 2011, His Royal Majesty (HRM) Igwe Obidiegwu Onyeso, Eze Nri Enweleana 11 of Anambra State Nigera will be in attendance for the planting of an authentic Nri traditional Nzu at the Igbo Farm Village. Accompanying the Eze Nri will be His Royal Highness Igwe Christopher Idigo, Ogalagidi 1 of Aguleri.
The ceremony will take place from 4-5:30 p.m. for the traditional blessing of the West African farm. Free admission for the public begins at 4:00.
Update: Coverage from the Waynesboro News Virginian
Augusta 4-H home school team wins national championship with coach Jennifer Mercer
Augusta County 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP) Team
2011 National Champions
(Left to right) Coach Doug Harpole, Meredith Persinger, 16, Mark Persinger, 15, Katie Fenneran, 16, Trube Short, 17, Coach Jennifer Mercer
2011 National Champions
(Left to right) Coach Doug Harpole, Meredith Persinger, 16, Mark Persinger, 15, Katie Fenneran, 16, Trube Short, 17, Coach Jennifer Mercer
Proving there is no "I" in team, the Augusta County 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP) Team stormed the National 4-H Championship competition this week in Little Rock, Arkansas, by becoming National Champions in the nationwide competition. Beating out 16 other teams from across the country, they provided presentations individually and as a team to secure the top spot.
Their coach, Jennifer Mercer of Augusta County, led them to excellence as she has for years ... encouraging, coaching, mentoring, and being a constant presence to the team of four local young people who proudly represented Virginia. Jennifer, who is married and the step-mom to a young soldier who served in Iraq, has been the long-time 4-H extension agent in the central Shenandoah Valley county of Augusta.
Also coaching the team was Doug Harpole, 4-H Agent from Fauquier County, who was assigned to the team by the Virginia State 4-H and Virginia Tech after the Augusta group won the state competition.
The WHEP team was made up entirely of Augusta County home school students: Trube Short, 17, Katie Fenneran, 16, Mark Persinger, 15, and Meredith Persinger,16.
They first organized in 2005 as young "Nature Nuts" under the leadership of Jennifer who worked with them until 2007, then home school mom Deanna Persinger took over. After two years, when the team decided they wanted to compete at the national level, Jennifer was asked to take over again in December 2009 so they could go to the next level of education and competition.
"I had taken them as far as I could, " Deanna told me. "Jennifer had the expertise to teach them beyond my knowledge."
With help from others in the local home school community, team members studied all aspects of wildlife habitat and how to offer presentations at competitions on wildlife, urban wildlife damage management, and other topics. Home school dads Al Bourgeois and David Kocka, wildlife biologists with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, spent time with them on educational field trips to further their scope of wildlife, wetlands, habitats, and nature.
Older home school grads who had competed at the National 4-H level in the past lent a hand. Josh Salatin, 23, inspired. Nate Salatin, 25, motivated. Jill Bourgeois Colon-Romero, 23, encouraged.
Along the way, Jennifer kept everyone focused and on track, drilling them on facts and information while encouraging them to give their best. She even took the team to Maryland for five days to study a variety of wetlands in preparation for the 2011 national competition, studying marshes and explaining the various aspects of wetlands management. Her dedication and love for working with young people, and her devotion to bringing out the best in young competitors has made her an excellent coach throughout the years. The seeds of her influence have been sown in numerous 4-Hers in Augusta County.
Deanna added, "Jennifer knows how to train, how to compare, how to instill the competitiveness, and how to bring out the winning spirit with the kids. She tells them at competitions, 'Don't worry if you don't win. Just go out and have fun.' "
On her Facebook page, Jennifer posted late Wednesday night, "Words cannot express how proud, honored, and humbled I am to have had the opportunity to work with such an incredible group of young people... The VA 4-H WHEP Team: Trube, Meredith, Katie, and Mark did not just get first place at the National Contest. They ROCKED Little Rock!!! Blew the socks off the competition. Gave me the best gift I could ever ask for and the timing could not be better!"
Each member of the team also did well in individual competition but there was one additional honor that was bestowed on team member Mark Persinger. He received special recognition for service over and beyond what was expected of a competitor, singled out for displaying a high standard of character and work ethic. When he found himself with an hour of time on his hands in the mornings before the day's activities, he helped the ladies in the kitchen pack lunches for campers. Grateful for his extra pair of helping hands, the 4-H camp gave recognition to a camper who had offered to help the staff during his spare time, something that had never before been done.
The Augusta County 2005 home school Envirothon Team was an inspiration for Meredith Persinger who kept a photo on the wall of members who made it to Nationals in West Virginia. Coming in second against teams across the country, the Envirothon team was also made up entirely of home school students: Josh Salatin, Nate Salatin, Jill Bourgeois, Lee Kelley, Ryan Bourgeois, Shane Robacker, and Leigh Robacker.
Many in the community got behind the effort to send the WHEP team to Nationals: Shenandoah Harley-Davidson, Skyline Kennel Club, Staunton Foods, Nuckols Gun, Virginia Frame Builders & Supply, James River Equipment, The Meating Place, nTelos, and many individuals.
The tired but happy group of young people flew home Thursday night with medals, scholarships, and recognition as the best of the best in America for 4-H Wildlife Habitat, and the satisfaction that the years of hard work paid off.
In the words of Augusta County home school mom Donna Salatin, mom of four home schooled alumni including a U.S. Marine who served twice in Iraq, "Home schoolers can do anything if they are willing to work hard at it."
Cross-posted at Bearing Drift
Their coach, Jennifer Mercer of Augusta County, led them to excellence as she has for years ... encouraging, coaching, mentoring, and being a constant presence to the team of four local young people who proudly represented Virginia. Jennifer, who is married and the step-mom to a young soldier who served in Iraq, has been the long-time 4-H extension agent in the central Shenandoah Valley county of Augusta.
Also coaching the team was Doug Harpole, 4-H Agent from Fauquier County, who was assigned to the team by the Virginia State 4-H and Virginia Tech after the Augusta group won the state competition.
The WHEP team was made up entirely of Augusta County home school students: Trube Short, 17, Katie Fenneran, 16, Mark Persinger, 15, and Meredith Persinger,16.
They first organized in 2005 as young "Nature Nuts" under the leadership of Jennifer who worked with them until 2007, then home school mom Deanna Persinger took over. After two years, when the team decided they wanted to compete at the national level, Jennifer was asked to take over again in December 2009 so they could go to the next level of education and competition.
"I had taken them as far as I could, " Deanna told me. "Jennifer had the expertise to teach them beyond my knowledge."
With help from others in the local home school community, team members studied all aspects of wildlife habitat and how to offer presentations at competitions on wildlife, urban wildlife damage management, and other topics. Home school dads Al Bourgeois and David Kocka, wildlife biologists with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, spent time with them on educational field trips to further their scope of wildlife, wetlands, habitats, and nature.
Older home school grads who had competed at the National 4-H level in the past lent a hand. Josh Salatin, 23, inspired. Nate Salatin, 25, motivated. Jill Bourgeois Colon-Romero, 23, encouraged.
Along the way, Jennifer kept everyone focused and on track, drilling them on facts and information while encouraging them to give their best. She even took the team to Maryland for five days to study a variety of wetlands in preparation for the 2011 national competition, studying marshes and explaining the various aspects of wetlands management. Her dedication and love for working with young people, and her devotion to bringing out the best in young competitors has made her an excellent coach throughout the years. The seeds of her influence have been sown in numerous 4-Hers in Augusta County.
Deanna added, "Jennifer knows how to train, how to compare, how to instill the competitiveness, and how to bring out the winning spirit with the kids. She tells them at competitions, 'Don't worry if you don't win. Just go out and have fun.' "
On her Facebook page, Jennifer posted late Wednesday night, "Words cannot express how proud, honored, and humbled I am to have had the opportunity to work with such an incredible group of young people... The VA 4-H WHEP Team: Trube, Meredith, Katie, and Mark did not just get first place at the National Contest. They ROCKED Little Rock!!! Blew the socks off the competition. Gave me the best gift I could ever ask for and the timing could not be better!"
Each member of the team also did well in individual competition but there was one additional honor that was bestowed on team member Mark Persinger. He received special recognition for service over and beyond what was expected of a competitor, singled out for displaying a high standard of character and work ethic. When he found himself with an hour of time on his hands in the mornings before the day's activities, he helped the ladies in the kitchen pack lunches for campers. Grateful for his extra pair of helping hands, the 4-H camp gave recognition to a camper who had offered to help the staff during his spare time, something that had never before been done.
The Augusta County 2005 home school Envirothon Team was an inspiration for Meredith Persinger who kept a photo on the wall of members who made it to Nationals in West Virginia. Coming in second against teams across the country, the Envirothon team was also made up entirely of home school students: Josh Salatin, Nate Salatin, Jill Bourgeois, Lee Kelley, Ryan Bourgeois, Shane Robacker, and Leigh Robacker.
Many in the community got behind the effort to send the WHEP team to Nationals: Shenandoah Harley-Davidson, Skyline Kennel Club, Staunton Foods, Nuckols Gun, Virginia Frame Builders & Supply, James River Equipment, The Meating Place, nTelos, and many individuals.
The tired but happy group of young people flew home Thursday night with medals, scholarships, and recognition as the best of the best in America for 4-H Wildlife Habitat, and the satisfaction that the years of hard work paid off.
In the words of Augusta County home school mom Donna Salatin, mom of four home schooled alumni including a U.S. Marine who served twice in Iraq, "Home schoolers can do anything if they are willing to work hard at it."
Cross-posted at Bearing Drift
The team at Graves Mountain Lodge in Syria, VA, after winning the State Title on April 2, 2011.
Meredith sketched out all of the species with detailed information.
Tagging Canada geese.
One of the Maryland/Delaware wetlands the team studied in preparation for the national competition.
Studying wildlife habitat in Maryland-Delaware.
The Senior WHEP team helped the Ruffed Grouse Society plant fruit trees as a food source for wild turkey in March 2010. Kenny Wilkinson and Al Bourgeois were instrumental in teaching them that day.
Katie and Meredith assisted Al Bourgeois in planting trees on Little North Mountain in western Augusta County.
U.S. House floor schedule for Friday, July 29, 2011
From Majority Leader Eric Cantor's office....
Today’s Floor Schedule:
The House will meet at 9:00 am for legislative business. First votes are not expected prior to 11:00 am.
· The Budget Control Act of 2011 (House Amendment to S. 627 - Faster FOIA Act of 2011)
Postponed suspension votes include H.R. 440 and post office designations:
· H.R. 440 - To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia (Sponsored by Rep. Frank Wolf / Foreign Affairs Committee)
While you were sleeping, Congress put off the vote
From the Wall Street Journal came word late Thursday night:
The House postponed a Thursday night vote on Speaker John Boehner's plan to raise the federal borrowing limit after he failed to stem a revolt by conservative GOP members. The delay leaves the credit status of the U.S. government in jeopardy with five days remaining before it begins running out of money to pay all its bills.H/T to JR
The development came after a two-hour debate on the bill was abruptly ended earlier in the evening. Mr. Boehner, knowing that a rejection could undermine his speakership, then joined other House GOP leaders in trying to pressure party members to reconsider their opposition.
Bearing Drift's JR Hoeft post hits multiple news outlets
Jim Hoeft, proprietor at Virginia's Bearing Drift blog, wrote a post on Tuesday titled Romney-McDonnell 2012? In it, he noted that former Massachusetts governor and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney headlined a fundraiser in Virginia Beach on Monday.
JR picked up on a comment from Romney, who is currently considered at the head of the GOP pack:
The news outlets jumped on it and have been running with JR's supposition ever since with multiple links to Bearing Drift from nationwide sources.
Some of the news links to Bearing Drift:
Fox DC
The Fix at The Washington Post
Gothamist
Business Insider
Briefly on http://www.billoreilly.com/ but not there anymore.
The Atlantic Wire
Political Wire
JR Hoeft / Bearing Drift:
Romney-McDonnell 2012? — Former Massachussets governor …
JR picked up on a comment from Romney, who is currently considered at the head of the GOP pack:
"Romney said that McDonnell has been an 'incredible governor' and will be on 'any candidate’s short-list' for Vice President."Which helped lead to the question of a possible Romney-McDonnell ticket in 2012.
The news outlets jumped on it and have been running with JR's supposition ever since with multiple links to Bearing Drift from nationwide sources.
Some of the news links to Bearing Drift:
Fox DC
The Fix at The Washington Post
Gothamist
Business Insider
Briefly on http://www.billoreilly.com/ but not there anymore.
The Atlantic Wire
Political Wire
Boston.com NY Post PolitickerNJ Yahoo!News Hot Air
Real Clear Politics (second link under Election 2012) Huffington Post
From Memeorandum:
JR Hoeft / Bearing Drift: Romney-McDonnell 2012? — Former Massachussets governor …
Discussion: msnbc.com, Politics, Hot Air, Taegan Goddard's …, Red Dog Report, GOP 12, Gothamist and National Review
Thursday, July 28, 2011
U.S. House schedule for Thursday, July 28, 2011
From Majority Leader Eric Cantor's office....
One Minute Speeches (15 per side)
The Budget Control Act of 2011 (House Amendment to S. 176 - Faster FOIA Act of 2011) (Closed Rule)
Government and Oversight Reform Subcommittee on Care, District of Columbia, Census, and the National Archives Hearing on “Impact of Obamacare on Job Creators and Their Decision to Offer Health Insurance" (Thursday, July 28th, 10:00 a.m.)
Printable PDF
THURSDAY, JULY 28TH
On Thursday, 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: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
On Thursday, 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: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
The Budget Control Act of 2011 (House Amendment to S. 176 - Faster FOIA Act of 2011) (Closed Rule)
The rule provides for two hours of general debate with one hour controlled by the Rules Committee, 30 minutes controlled by the Ways and Means Committee, and 30 minutes controlled by the Budget Committee.Postponed Amendment Votes to H.R. 2584 - Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 (Open Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Michael Simpson / Appropriations Committee)
Rep. Masha Blackburn AmendmentLegislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:
Rep. Laura Richardson Amendment
Rep. James Lankford #1 Amendment
Rep. Paul Gosar Amendment
Rep. James Lankford #2 Amendment
Rep. Paul Broun Amendment
Rep. Tim Walberg Amendment
1) H.R. 2548 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6310 North University Street in Peoria, Illinois, as the "Charles 'Chip' Lawrence Chan Post Office Building (Sponsored by Rep. Aaron Schock / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)Postponed Suspension Votes:
2) H.R. 2244 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 67 Castle Street in Geneva, New York, as the "Corporal Steven Blaine Riccione Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Richard Hanna / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
3) H.R. 2213 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 801 West Eastport Street in Iuka, Mississippi, as the "Sergeant Jason W. Vaughn Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Allen Nunnelee / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
4) H.R. 789 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 20 Main Street in Little Ferry, New Jersey, as the "Sergeant Matthew J. Fenton Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Steven Rothman / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
5) H.R. 1975 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 281 East Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California, as the "First Lieutenant Oliver Goodall Post Office Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Adam Schiff / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
6) H.R. 1843 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 489 Army Drive in Barrigada, Guam, as the "John Pangelinan Gerber Post Office Building” (Sponsored by Del. Madeleine Bordallo / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
7) H.R. 2062 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 45 Meetinghouse Lane in Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts, as the "Matthew A. Pucino Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. William Keating / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
8) H.R. 2149 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4354 Pahoa Avenue in Honolulu, Hawaii, as the "Cecil L. Heftel Post Office Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Colleen Hanabusa / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
1) H.R. 2056 - To instruct the Inspector General of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to study the impact of insured depository institution failures, and for other purposes, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Lynn Westmoreland / Financial Services Committee)Special Order Speeches
2) H.R. 440 - To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia (Sponsored by Rep. Frank Wolf / Foreign Affairs Committee)
COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE DAY
Government and Oversight Reform Subcommittee on Care, District of Columbia, Census, and the National Archives Hearing on “Impact of Obamacare on Job Creators and Their Decision to Offer Health Insurance" (Thursday, July 28th, 10:00 a.m.)
Printable PDF
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
WHSV TV-3 loses second on-air personality ... anchor Yuna Lee
For the second time in a week, Harrisonburg's WHSV TV-3 is losing one of its on-air personalities.
Yuna Lee, the morning news anchor for the ABC affiliate, will be leaving at the end of this week to take a job at the CBS affiliate in Dayton, Ohio. A staple for three years in the Valley, Ms. Lee wrote on her blog that she was moving to be closer to her fiance and that she has planned a late winter wedding.
Last week WHSV meteorologist Mallory Brooke said good-bye after three years in the weather spot to take a job at the ABC affiliate in Portland, Maine.
Best wishes to Yuna as she begins the next chapter in her life. If she ever wants to return, the Valley will leave the light on....
Yuna Lee, the morning news anchor for the ABC affiliate, will be leaving at the end of this week to take a job at the CBS affiliate in Dayton, Ohio. A staple for three years in the Valley, Ms. Lee wrote on her blog that she was moving to be closer to her fiance and that she has planned a late winter wedding.
Last week WHSV meteorologist Mallory Brooke said good-bye after three years in the weather spot to take a job at the ABC affiliate in Portland, Maine.
Best wishes to Yuna as she begins the next chapter in her life. If she ever wants to return, the Valley will leave the light on....
Barack Obama: Failure of leadership?
In 2006, when the issue of raising the debt limit was discussed on the U.S. Senate floor ... and when the President at the time was named George W. Bush ... and when there was a Chicago Senator named Barack Obama ... the discussion was quite a bit different than at the current time. Back then, Obama felt it was a sign of leadership failure to raise the debt limit.
On the Senate floor on March 16, 2006, he spoke out against increasing our debt:
H/T Riley
On the Senate floor on March 16, 2006, he spoke out against increasing our debt:
The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies.It is now a short five years later and it's Barack Obama asking for the increased debt limit. Failure of leadership?
Over the past 5 years, our federal debt has increased by $3.5 trillion to $8.6 trillion. That is “trillion” with a “T.” That is money that we have borrowed from the Social Security trust fund, borrowed from China and Japan, borrowed from American taxpayers. And over the next 5 years, between now and 2011, the President’s budget will increase the debt by almost another $3.5 trillion.
Numbers that large are sometimes hard to understand. Some people may wonder why they matter. Here is why: This year, the Federal Government will spend $220 billion on interest. That is more money to pay interest on our national debt than we’ll spend on Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. That is more money to pay interest on our debt this year than we will spend on education, homeland security, transportation, and veterans benefits combined. It is more money in one year than we are likely to spend to rebuild the devastated gulf coast in a way that honors the best of America.
And the cost of our debt is one of the fastest growing expenses in the Federal budget. This rising debt is a hidden domestic enemy, robbing our cities and States of critical investments in infrastructure like bridges, ports, and levees; robbing our families and our children of critical investments in education and health care reform; robbing our seniors of the retirement and health security they have counted on.
Every dollar we pay in interest is a dollar that is not going to investment in America’s priorities.
H/T Riley
U.S. House schedule for Wednesday, July 27, 2011
From Majority Leader Eric Cantor's office....
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: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Last votes expected: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.One Minute Speeches (15 per side)
H.R. 440 - To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia (Suspension, 40 Minutes of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Frank Wolf / Foreign Affairs Committee)
Continue Consideration of H.R. 2584 - Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 (Open Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Michael Simpson / Appropriations Committee)
Special Order Speeches
Printable PDF
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27TH
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: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Last votes expected: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
H.R. 440 - To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia (Suspension, 40 Minutes of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Frank Wolf / Foreign Affairs Committee)
Continue Consideration of H.R. 2584 - Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 (Open Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Michael Simpson / Appropriations Committee)
The rule provides for no further general debate and makes in order any amendment offered that complies with the House rules.
Postponed Amendment Votes:
Postponed Vote on H.R. 2056 - To instruct the Inspector General of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to study the impact of insured depository institution failures, and for other purposes, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Lynn Westmoreland / Financial Services Committee)Rep. Hansen Clarke Amendment
Rep. Norm Dicks Amendment
Rep. Paul Tonko Amendment
Rep. Justin Amash Amendment
Rep. Robert Dold Amendment
Rep. Tom Reed Amendment
Rep. Steve Scalise Amendment
Special Order Speeches
COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE DAY
Natural Resources Committee Hearing on "State Perspectives on Offshore Revenue Sharing"
(Wednesday, July 27th, 10:00 a.m.)
Natural Resources Committee Hearing on "State Perspectives on Offshore Revenue Sharing"
(Wednesday, July 27th, 10:00 a.m.)
Printable PDF
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Recipes from the garden
From Paula Deen ... a great way to use cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions from the garden....
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 Vidalia onion, very thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Veggies from my garden
Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
Aunt Peggy’s Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad
Ingredients
1 pound cucumbers (about 2 cucumbers), peeled and thinly sliced1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 Vidalia onion, very thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
In a large serving bowl, toss together the cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, onion, parsley, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper, to taste. Let the salad stand for 10 minutes before serving.Veggies from my garden
Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
A servant's heart
"The only ones among you who will be really happy are those
who will have sought and found how to serve."
Albert Schweitzer
who will have sought and found how to serve."
Albert Schweitzer
H/T to home school friend Eileen
Flowers From My Yard
Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
2011
Flowers From My Yard
Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
2011
Middlebrook General Store reopens its doors
Middlebrook General Store
After sitting empty for almost two years, the historic Middlebrook General Store has once again opened its doors, thanks to a tiny Shenandoah Valley village coming together to breathe new life into this heart of the community.
The weathered white building, which sits facing Rt. 252 in this rural Virginia farming community with acres of land surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains, was renovated and opened by its former owners who spent more than $100,000 updating the interior in addition to adding a patio overlooking a meandering stream. After running it for several years, they closed the store in August 2009 when they purchased a Bed and Breakfast in Yorktown, leaving the store vacant in the months that followed.
The owners put the Middlebrook General Store up for sale. The surrounding community worked together to buy it in hopes of once again walking its worn wooden floors, enjoying a crackling fire while sitting around the potbelly stove on a cold winter day, and picking up groceries without having to drive the thirty-mile round trip to Staunton.
Thanks to a newcomer in town who helped set up the legal end of it, and thanks to the help of many investors, the store has recently reopened as the Middlebrook General Store Community Co-op whose members have a financial stake in its success. Shares were sold for $25 each with some folks purchasing a single share while others have made higher investments. Any profits generated is to be distributed back to the share owners, and expectations are that Middlebrook could be a model for other rural communities.
After several organizational meetings that attracted as many as 100 interested citizens squeezed into the community center to hear more about the plan, the co-op collected pledges and revenue that was set aside in escrow as the push continued to raise enough to approach the store owners with a credible purchase offer toward their $175,000 asking price. The co-op also needed enough capital to buy inventory to stock the shelves and pay part-time workers.
The community was successful in their quest, eventually buying and opening the store to once again provide a place for those share holders to stop there, shop there, help determine items to be sold, and volunteer to help. The store will once again buzz with activity, and music may once again float out the open doors as the popular Friday night music gatherings resume.
A local fiddler who not only worked at the store in the past but participated in its Friday night hoedowns, 26-year-old Hannah Short was excited about the store reopening to again serve the community.
Self-employed with several small businesses as well as working part-time with Joel Salatin at his nearby environmentally friendly Polyface Farm, Hannah invested in the co-op and helped spread the word on Facebook. She was enthusiastic as she talked about the local goods that would be offered at the store as well as grocery staples needed in most households.
"This is exactly what is needed in the community," she shared, adding that other ideas have sprouted such as a Saturday farmers market to highlight the productivity of local farms and perhaps a cafe-type addition.
Word about the co-op has been mostly by word-of-mouth supplemented by a bulk mailing to the community. Hannah has added social media, posting information on Facebook and expanding the idea beyond Middlebrook and Augusta County.
With the store located in the center of the village, its reopening will once again provide a place for locals and visitors to catch up on the news and grab a snack or perhaps munch on a hot dog or BBQ while waiting for car repairs at Rosen's Garage or visiting the library. Its cozy interior offers an oasis for patients waiting for lab results from Dr. Rob Marsh's medical clinic across the road.
The Middlebrook General Store co-op plan is on the internet for those who are curious about how to go about such an idea or for anyone interested in investing in a rural general store, keeping alive a long-time tradition and reviving the heart of Middlebrook, Virginia.
The weathered white building, which sits facing Rt. 252 in this rural Virginia farming community with acres of land surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains, was renovated and opened by its former owners who spent more than $100,000 updating the interior in addition to adding a patio overlooking a meandering stream. After running it for several years, they closed the store in August 2009 when they purchased a Bed and Breakfast in Yorktown, leaving the store vacant in the months that followed.
The owners put the Middlebrook General Store up for sale. The surrounding community worked together to buy it in hopes of once again walking its worn wooden floors, enjoying a crackling fire while sitting around the potbelly stove on a cold winter day, and picking up groceries without having to drive the thirty-mile round trip to Staunton.
Thanks to a newcomer in town who helped set up the legal end of it, and thanks to the help of many investors, the store has recently reopened as the Middlebrook General Store Community Co-op whose members have a financial stake in its success. Shares were sold for $25 each with some folks purchasing a single share while others have made higher investments. Any profits generated is to be distributed back to the share owners, and expectations are that Middlebrook could be a model for other rural communities.
After several organizational meetings that attracted as many as 100 interested citizens squeezed into the community center to hear more about the plan, the co-op collected pledges and revenue that was set aside in escrow as the push continued to raise enough to approach the store owners with a credible purchase offer toward their $175,000 asking price. The co-op also needed enough capital to buy inventory to stock the shelves and pay part-time workers.
The community was successful in their quest, eventually buying and opening the store to once again provide a place for those share holders to stop there, shop there, help determine items to be sold, and volunteer to help. The store will once again buzz with activity, and music may once again float out the open doors as the popular Friday night music gatherings resume.
A local fiddler who not only worked at the store in the past but participated in its Friday night hoedowns, 26-year-old Hannah Short was excited about the store reopening to again serve the community.
Self-employed with several small businesses as well as working part-time with Joel Salatin at his nearby environmentally friendly Polyface Farm, Hannah invested in the co-op and helped spread the word on Facebook. She was enthusiastic as she talked about the local goods that would be offered at the store as well as grocery staples needed in most households.
"This is exactly what is needed in the community," she shared, adding that other ideas have sprouted such as a Saturday farmers market to highlight the productivity of local farms and perhaps a cafe-type addition.
Word about the co-op has been mostly by word-of-mouth supplemented by a bulk mailing to the community. Hannah has added social media, posting information on Facebook and expanding the idea beyond Middlebrook and Augusta County.
With the store located in the center of the village, its reopening will once again provide a place for locals and visitors to catch up on the news and grab a snack or perhaps munch on a hot dog or BBQ while waiting for car repairs at Rosen's Garage or visiting the library. Its cozy interior offers an oasis for patients waiting for lab results from Dr. Rob Marsh's medical clinic across the road.
The Middlebrook General Store co-op plan is on the internet for those who are curious about how to go about such an idea or for anyone interested in investing in a rural general store, keeping alive a long-time tradition and reviving the heart of Middlebrook, Virginia.
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