Appalachian sunset

Sunset over the Appalachians Tuesday evening at Buffalo Gap.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
November 12, 2013

Bradford pears display last of colorful autumn leaves

As cold wintry winds blew through the Shenandoah Valley Tuesday, I bundled up and took a stroll around the yard. Autumn leaves that have fallen and are covering the ground beckoned for us to grab rakes and get to work. Not just yet, however, because the Bradford pear leaves are just now turning. With bare trees around them, the Bradfords with their perfect shapes have the autumn palate all to themselves before shedding the last leaves of the season and then we can start raking.

Tuesday's overcast, gray, blustery day was the Valley's first taste of winter weather as temperatures fell from the 40s at sunrise into the 20s by evening. While other areas of Virginia saw snow squalls throughout the day, none were spied in our corner of Augusta County. It's late fall in the Shenandoah Valley.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
November 12, 2013

U.S. House schedule for Wednesday, November 13, 2013

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor's office....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH

On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and noon for legislative business. First votes expected: 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Last votes expected: 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

One Minute Speeches

H.R. 982 - Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act (Structured Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Blake Farenthold / Judiciary Committee)

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

Rep. Steve Cohen Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Jerry Nadler Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Amendment (10 minutes of debate)

Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 2642 - Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management of 2013 (Offered by Rep. Dave Loebsack)

Special Order Speeches

COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE DAY
Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on “Examining Nuclear Negotiations: Iran After Rouhani’s First 100 Days” (Wednesday, November 13th, at 10:00 a.m.)

Printable PDF

Arctic cold front approaches Shenandoah Valley

 

Daybreak this morning looking to the east under dark clouds ushering in an Arctic cold front. The forecast is calling for colder temps on this blustery day with possible rain and snow flurries. Most of the leaves are gone and the winter woods are returning. It's late fall in the Shenandoah Valley.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
November 12, 2013

U.S. House schedule for Tuesday, November 12, 2013

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor's office....

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 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) S. 252- PREEMIE Reauthorization Act, as amended (Sponsored by Sen. Lamar Alexander / Energy and Commerce Committee)

2) S. 330 - HIV Organ Policy Equity Act (Sponsored by Sen. Barbara Boxer / Energy and Commerce Committee)

3) S. 893 - Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2013 (Sponsored by Sen. Bernard Sanders / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

4) H.R. 2922 - To extend the authority of the Supreme Court Police to protect court officials away from the Supreme Court grounds (Sponsored by Rep. George Holding / Judiciary Committee)

5) H.Res. 196 - Supporting the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, the right to counsel, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Ted Deutch / Judiciary Committee)

6) H.R. 2871 - To amend title 28, United States Code, to modify the composition of the southern judicial district of Mississippi to improve judicial efficiency, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Howard Coble / Judiciary Committee)

Special Order Speeches

COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE DAY
Rules Committee meeting on “H.R. 982, Furthering Asbestos Claims Transparency Act, and H.R. 2655, Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act” (Tuesday, November 12th, at 5:00 p.m.)

Printable PDF

Flying the flags for Veterans Day 2013

SWAC Husband (U.S. Air Force, Southeast Asia during Vietnam) put out the flags today including the MIA-POW. He never forgets his fellow veterans....

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
November 11, 2013

Richard Crouse: The man behind the candidates

 

Richard Crouse on the campaign trail.

Election Day 2013 had victories for Republicans around the Commonwealth including one in Southside Virginia. The old saying that behind every successful man is a woman comes to mind but, in the case of politics, behind every successful candidate is a successful campaign manager and consultant.

Enter 32-year-old Richard Crouse, the man behind the candidates, who has worked numerous campaigns and served as political director of the Republican Party of Virginia over the past decade. He doesn't just talk the talk ... he walks the walk of successfully getting Republicans elected.

Richard's resume is long, filled with the familiar names of those currently serving in office. He was part of the push in 2008 that recruited candidates and picked up enough seats to make Republicans the majority party in the Virginia House of Delegates. In 2009, during the epic historic Republican sweep of McDonnell-Bolling-Cuccinelli in the top three leadership spots, Richard was all over the state helping in the effort that brought in more GOP House seats as well as governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general.

In 2010, Richard was part of the effort to defeat three Democratic congressmen (Boucher, Perriello, Nye) to put in Republican representatives Hurt, Griffith, and Rigell. He worked on special elections to get Republicans elected (Greg Habeeb, Tony Wilt, Jeff McWaters, Bill Stanley). Working with Mike Thomas in 2012, he served as political director for former Governor and U.S. Senator George Allen.

Richard's latest success is Les Adams, one of 2013's newest Republicans elected to the House of Delegates. A sixth-generation native of Southside Virginia and Liberty University graduate, Les won the 16th House District seat in Pittsylvania County on Election Day with 65 percent of the vote.

The campaign began earlier in the year when Delegate Don Merricks announced his retirement. With no money and considered the underdog against a well-known candidate, Les pulled Richard on board his campaign and they went to work. Together they raised a war chest to get Les elected, winning the primary on June 10, 2013, with an overwhelming 81 percent of the vote to become the Republican candidate in a solid red district.

On election day they sealed the deal when Les won against his Democratic opponent. In January, he will be heading to Richmond with the freshman class for the 2014 Virginia General Assembly session. Congratulations to both Les and Richard for a job well done.

70 chain restaurants offer free,discounted meals to thank those who defend our freedom

Freedom is not free. But in tribute to veterans and active service members who serve to protect that freedom, dinner will be free or discounted at  70 restaurants throughout the nation on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11, 2013. Such popular eateries as Applebee's, Cheeseburger in Paradise, and Chili's are included in the list that can be found here. It's their way of thanking those who defend our freedom.

Country spoofs ... 'Obamacare By Morning'

Could the White House pick up the white courtesy phone? America is calling.

Thursday's Country Music Awards (CMA) held in Nashville (hi to SWAC Daughter) is being remembered this year not so much for the musicians but for a spot at the start of the show that mocked the website problems of the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare.

Yeah ... they went there.

Hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley entertained the overwhelmingly approving crowd with a musical spoof of the troubled national health care law. Set to the tune of the night's Entertainer of the Year winner George Strait's hit song, "Amarillo By Morning," the comical rendition began after Brad joked that he had "twerked" his back, a jab at Miley Cyrus' performance earlier in the year at the Video Music Awards. Carrie innocently asked in her Southern accent, "Hey, do you have that Obamacare?" which brought a roar of laughter and applause from the crowd.

She goes on to say she started trying to sign up "last Thursday and I'm almost done," which brought more laughter from the crowd. As they sat down at a laptop, Brad played the guitar while Carrie made moves of trying to get a frozen website to do something, and they began to sing (remember, it's to the tune of "Amarillo By Morning"):

Obamacare by morning
Why's it taking so long?
I'm gonna wind up with hemmoroids
If I sit here til dawn.
Oh, I've cataracts and dimmentia
This is getting on my last nerve
Obamacare by morning
Over 6 people served.

It brought down the house. Reaction around the internet was instantaneous. It spread through social media and hit the news cycles, bringing further-reaching recognition to the CMAs than anything else that night.

The white courtesy phone is ringing....

Today ... Staunton Veterans Day Parade

At the 2012 event, Uncle Sam led the parade and then stood on the street to thank parade participants ... and they greeted back. One military veteran in the parade called out, "You'd better get back to Washington, Uncle Sam. They're in trouble."

Today is the Veterans Day Parade in downtown Staunton. They gave for us. Now's our opportunity to give to them. Come out this morning and show appreciation for America's veterans.

U.S. Army veteran Barth Berry and his son participate each year. This was from 2010.

The late Speedy Hite, U.S. Army veteran, was on a float in this 2010 photo that honored those who did not come back home. Mr. Hite, 93, was a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Another sad omission for the second year ... Mr. Delbert (Speedy) Hite who passed away 18 months ago at the age of 94. A veteran of three wars, he was an icon at veterans events in the community who had proudly served in the U.S. Army through World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Mr. Hite, missing you today....

It's the soldier, not the reporter who has given us
Freedom of the Press.
It's the soldier, not the poet, who has given us
Freedom of Speech.
It's the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the
Freedom to Demonstrate.
It's the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the
Right to a Fair Trial.
It's the soldier who salutes the flag, serves under the flag and
whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who gives the protestor the right to burn the flag.
--Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC

If you are going:
- Staunton Veterans Day Parade will be held Saturday, November 9, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. on Beverley Street
- Free parking available in New Street and Johnson Street garages and Wharf parking lot

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell

Tonight in RVA: InLight in Shockoe along Canal Walk

From WTVR TV-6 ... this is a neat event going on in RVA tonight:

InLight Richmond is an annual public exhibition of interactive light-based art, large-format projections, sculpture and performances that will engage in the dynamic site.

InLight Richmond 2013 will be held on Friday, November 8, 2013 in downtown Shockoe along the Canal Walk from the Turning Basin to 17th Street. It runs one night only, from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. Each year the location of this roving festival changes.

The event kick-offs with a Community Lantern Parade at 7:30 p.m.

To participate in the Community Lantern Parade bring a lantern you’ve made at home, in one of 1708′s public workshops, or make one just before the parade kicks off InLight.

A crowd will gather just above the Canal Walk Turning Basin between Virginia St. and 14th St. where everyone will receive an LED candle for their lantern.

There will be food and beer trucks. Alchemy Coffee Cart, Boka Tako Truck, Sticky To Go-Go, RVA Vegan and Carytown Burger and Fries will be on site throughout the festival. Center of the Universe and Legend Brewery will have brews on site. See below for specials that neighborhood restaurants plan to offer.

Free entrance to national parks this weekend

National Parks will offer free entrance this weekend, November 9-11, for Veterans Day. For those in the Shenandoah Valley, that includes Shenandoah National Park and the Skyline Drive.

Virginia

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
Assateague Island National Seashore
Colonial National Historical Park
George Washington Memorial Parkway's Great Falls Park
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Petersburg National Battlefield
Prince William Forest Park
Shenandoah National Park

West Virginia

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

A complete list of all national parks is here. Enjoy a weekend discovering America's outdoors!

2013 Yuletide Feast at Michie Tavern

2013 Yuletide Feast

Friday, December 13th and Saturday, December 14th

Tickets remain for Friday, December 13 at 8:00,
all other seatings have sold out.

Each evening strolling Tavern musicians will entertain guests dining by candlelight.  The Ordinary will be decorated in festive 18th-century tradition, featuring fresh greens and fruits.   There will be 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. seatings each evening.  Advance ticket purchase required. The Candlelit Tavern will be open for our dinner guests.

The Bill of Fare features a traditional Virginia holiday banquet including such favorites as country ham with raisin sauce, roasted turkey and giblet gravy, cornbread stuffing, candied yams, mashed potatoes, green beans with carrots, squash casserole and homemade biscuits.  For dessert we will offer our hot peach cobbler a la mode and introduce other traditional favorites. To complement your meal, assorted wines along with traditional lagers and ales are available.

• Advance ticket purchase is required (see ticket information)
• Price includes full buffet, non-alcoholic beverages and dessert
• 9.3% sales tax, alcoholic beverages and gratuity are not included

Ticket Information

Tickets are available by phone or in person on a first come, first serve basis. (see below)

• Date of ticket sales: Monday, November 4, 2013 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Phone in: please call (434) 977-1234 with your desired date and seating. In person sales: doors open at 7:30, sale will begin at 8:30 a.m.  Major credit cards accepted.

• 2013 Adult: $37.95 plus tax
• 2013 Youth (10 years of age and under): $18.95 plus tax

To download or to print our Yuletide Feast flyer click here Please e-mail us at info@michietavern.com if you would like to be on our Special Events mailing list which includes Yuletide information.

Michie Tavern 683 Thomas Jefferson Parkway Charlottesville, Virginia 22902

Holiday season brings new cookie recipes

Cookies are synonymous with the holiday season, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch's resident chef Clare Schapiro has some recipes sure to make you smile in her Wednesday column, The Joy of Cookies.

My family has a cookie baking tradition that has involved aunts, moms, grandmoms, and the children, and has continued through the generations. We have the tried-and-true, well-loved recipes, and each year we try to incorporate at least one newbie. (Photos from 2011 cookie baking weekend.)

Clare provided some yummy-sounding recipes, especially the Toffee Bars and Mocha Cookies, that have been set aside for this year's baking weekend. (Recipes are here.) Laugh, be creative, and celebrate family along with the season. Let cookie baking season begin. Fa-la-la-la-la!

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell

Sparkles & Sweets to kick off holiday season in downtown Staunton Friday

Kick off the holiday season this Friday in historic downtown Staunton with the annual Sparkles & Sweets event featuring businesses, restaurants, holiday lights, special events, and much more. Meet friends for dinner and enjoy some sparkles and sweets from 6-9:00 p.m.

Downtown Staunton ... there's something for everyone.

Lt. Governor Bolling congratulates Terry McAuliffe; urges GOP to look at its future

On Tuesday night, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling issued the following statement on the 2013 election results:

“The 2013 campaigns have come to an end, and the people of Virginia have chosen their leaders for the next four years. I congratulate Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam on their election victories, and stand ready to help them in any way I can as they prepare to lead Virginia.

“The outcome of the race for Attorney General has not yet been determined, so I will refrain from commenting on that race until the final results are known. However, I recognize Mark Obenshain and Mark Herring for participating in such a hard fought and competitive campaign.

“I also thank Ken Cuccinelli, Robert Sarvis and E.W. Jackson for their willingness to engage in the political process. Campaigns are never easy, and this campaign was particularly difficult. I hope they will take comfort knowing that they did their best, even though the outcome may not have been as they desired.

“I also congratulate all of the candidates who won election victories tonight in the Virginia House of Delegates. I am pleased that the House of Delegates will continue to have a strong Republican majority, under the capable leadership of Speaker Bill Howell. I know they will continue to do their part in making certain that Virginia takes a mainstream approach to governing.

“As a Republican, I am deeply disappointed that our party has lost control of our state's top two elected offices. There are clear lessons in these losses for the Republican Party. Going forward, we need to have an open and honest conversation about the future of our party and determine what we must do to reconnect with a more diverse voter base whose support is critical to political success in Virginia.

“Now that the campaigns have ended, we must all come together in support of our elected leaders and help them in their effort to build a better Virginia. Let that process begin.”

Election 2013: Governor McDonnell congratulates Terry McAuliffe

Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement Tuesday night regarding the election of Terry McAuliffe as the 72nd governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“I want to congratulate Terry McAuliffe on his election as the next governor of Virginia. There is no higher honor than serving in the same office once held by Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson. Virginia is a Commonwealth of tremendous history and opportunity; this is the place where America began. The privilege of serving as governor carries with it immense responsibility, and I know Terry McAuliffe will act in the best interests of the more than 8 million people who call Virginia home.

“Elections are long, tough, hard-fought affairs. But they have an end date. For the 2013 campaign, that date is today. Now, the signs, stickers and ads must be put away. In their place must come comity, cooperation and a commitment to working together, across party lines, to continue to improve the quality of life of all Virginians. That’s what we’ve tried to do over the last four years.

“Virginia has been named 'America’s Best State for Business.' Our unemployment rate is the lowest in the Southeast, and the third-lowest east of the Mississippi River. Our colleges are more affordable and accessible. Our state pension system has been fixed. Our K-12 system is innovative and productive. Our transportation system finally has the long-term, sustainable funding and reforms it has long needed. We’ve posted four-straight budget surpluses, held the line on general fund spending and our Rainy Day Fund will soon grow to over $1 billion. This is the direct result of bipartisan cooperation in the service of making life better for the people of Virginia and getting results. I’m confident that Governor-elect McAuliffe will continue this great progress.

“Four years ago the people of Virginia honored me with their votes and this office. I can never thank my fellow Virginians enough for the trust they placed in me. Immediately after winning, then-Governor Tim Kaine reached out personally and offered the full assistance of his administration in our transition. The Kaine administration could not have been more helpful in the two months that followed. They made the transition as seamless and smooth as it possibly could have been. Now, we look forward to doing the same for Governor-elect McAuliffe and his team. I have already spoken to the Governor-elect and let him know that we are ready to assist with the transition and prepared to offer all the help his team will need as they prepare to lead our great Commonwealth forward for the next four years.

“Election nights are emotional times. For the winner there is the thrill of victory, combined with the recognition that the hard work preceding this moment is but a prelude to the tremendous effort yet to come. For those who fall short, there is the sadness of seeing such exertion, passion and time not produce the hoped-for result. With that in mind, I wish my friend Ken Cuccinelli the very best as he moves forward from tonight. I hope Ken will continue to stay involved in the public life of our state, and I thank him for serving our administration well as attorney general, and giving his all to public service and the campaign. I also congratulate Mr. Sarvis for running, with limited resources, a good and strong campaign.

“Again I congratulate Governor-elect McAuliffe, and I pledge to work in partnership over the next two months to ensure a smooth transition of power that is in keeping with the grand history of our beloved Commonwealth, and that best prepares the Governor-elect and his team for their public service over the next four years.”

Election Day in SWAC area ... ongoing updates

It's Election Day 2013 in Virginia. The polls are open ... voters are voting, candidate supporters are greeting them, and volunteers are sending them out the door with "I Voted" stickers.

The weather is good ... a cold, frosty start to the day with temps in the 20s is expected to lead to a high in the 50s under overcast skies.

What an odd year it has been with some newspapers refusing to endorse anyone for governor while others encouraged write-in votes for Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling. Many are happy to see this election cycle finally come to an end.  For many, it marks the finish of the daily barrage of campaign emails, robocalls, and television ads.

Virginia is being considered a bellwether for the country. The tea party and Libertarian wings of the Virginia Republican Party have their dream team of candidates in Ken Cuccinelli, E.W. Jackson, and Mark Obenshain for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. Four years after the Republican team led by Bob McDonnell and Bill Bolling swept into office with historic leads, will it happen again?

This is a notoriously red area of the Commonwealth so what's going on in the central Shenandoah Valley area that includes Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County? I'll pass along news as I hear it.

10:15 a.m.: Churchville precinct had light but steady turnout. The voting location within Churchville Elementary School had been moved with only one table for check-in as opposed to the usual two. About half a dozen people were in line to sign in; two machines were in use. Interestingly, there was a card table set up with a McAuliffe sign and materials but no presence from the Republicans.

2:00 p.m.: Wilson Precinct. Steady, light turnout continued.

7:10 p.m.: Polls have closed and the wait begins for returns to be posted and announced.

A George W. Bush Republican

 

President George W. Bush on Air Force One, 9/11/2001.

The front page of the Washington Post has a story about former President George W. Bush with the well-known photo from 9/11/2001 aboard Air Force One, after America had been attacked by Muslim terrorists, on his way from Florida back to Washington, D.C. It is one of my favorite photos of W who became a wartime president in the first year of his administration. His common sense bipartisan leadership is a template for Republicans especially in the partisan-charged atmosphere of current politics.

George W. Bush's leadership comes in many forms ... determined, compassionate, principled, humble, witty, pragmatic, optimistic, persistent, gracious, honest, intelligent, likeable, down-to-earth, inclusive, willingness to make the tough decisions and accept the blow-back without blaming others, and a trait rarely seen in politics -- loyalty.

He had a vision for America. He never apologized for America. He didn't do all the talking ... he listened. He didn't trash people in public dialogue. President Bush didn't just talk diversity ... he practiced it with great leaders like Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice.

He made a promise after 9/11 to protect the Homeland. He kept America safe. His deep respect for military members and their families continues to this day, giving back privately in ways the public is unaware of.

I'm proud to identify myself as a George W. Bush Republican.

Autumn at Staunton's historic Wharf District

Autumn's colorful leaves were still visible Monday afternoon at Byers Street Bistro in downtown Staunton's historic Wharf District.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
November 4, 2013