News 2008-04-13 Andanh.com

Virginia Arts Festival attracts world-class talents Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The Virginia Arts Festival has risen to prominence as a national arts presenter

R ob Cross admits that the life of an arts festival director can seem a bit schizophrenic.

Carving out 'giant, homemade toys' for the kid in all of us Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
I f you see a great big kid at play in the wildly imagined creations of Michael Rea, you're certainly not alone.

Indiana Jones inspired fun book about archaeology Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
W illiamsburg author George Beahm explores the Indiana Jones films and the archaeology behind them in his latest book, "Indiana Jones: Off the Beaten Path, An Unofficial Expedition" ( Hampton Roads Publishing Company, $15.95).

USS Iwo Jima hosts tryouts for 'Nashville Star' in Norfolk Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Military men and women from around the globe shine for the "Nashville Star" reality show.

Serving country — and singing country — was the winning combination for lucky military men and women who got to audition for the "Nashville Star" reality show airing on NBC-TV in June.

Annual event serves up a helping of rumor mill with a side of shad Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A nother election always lurks around the corner in Virginia, and on Wednesday, the annual political gossip-fest known as the Wakefield Shad Planking should have plenty of material to work with — in addition to the fish.

Son is charged in 2 slayings Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Berry Richard Johnson of Virginia Beach is accused of killing his mother and stepfather.

A Virginia Beach man was charged with murder Saturday afternoon in the slaying of his mother and stepfather in the home they all shared, police said.

Historic tavern draws interest but no sale Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Seawell's Ordinary Restaurant and Tavern has been vacant for nine months.

Maybe it's the location. Maybe it's the slumping economy. Seawell's Ordinary Restaurant and Tavern — historic Colonial haunt and one-time temporary headquarters of the commander of Virginia's militia — has been on the market for nine months with no takers.

Can car title lenders be reined in? Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The state's car title lending industry has bloomed, and so have Virginia campaign coffers.

Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell accused Virginia Beach tile company owner-turned-car-title-lending-entrepreneur Daniel Poston last August of breaking state lending laws, and forced him to refund or not collect $62,000 from 133 borrowers.

Net Worth Seven monthly expenses we really don't need … Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A self-described "professional hobo and writer, with a background as a certified financial planner and entrepreneur," Nora Dunn blogs about making the most of it at www.wise bread.com/nora-dunn. Her posts include ways to impress people at a party, how to read a company's annual report and "Seven Monthly Expenses We Don't Realize We Don't Need," which lists:

Americans plan to scale back vacations Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Recession worries and the weak U.S. dollar prompt travelers to search for deals or stay closer to home.

Dena Feldstein Brody sketched out an $8,000 budget for a 12-day family vacation this summer in England, France and Spain.

Money savers A Daily Press reader offers tips on saving at the gas pump … Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Rex Frey, a Newport News resident and retired U.S. Air Force pilot, has a way to take some of the pain out of gas price run-ups. He uses a credit card issued through Wawa that earns him a 4 percent rebate on purchases at the convenience store chain. (For a 90-day introductory period, it's 10 percent). Purchases at other stores would earn him a 1 percent rebate.

Money tip Tips for buyers with cash in hand … Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Consumer Reports' money team suggests these buying opportunities in a down market that consumers with cash and a secure source of income might want to look for:

Thriving organic-food industry could face downturn Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
With budgets tighter due to the slow economy, consumers might reconsider paying more for environmental friendliness.

For the last few years, one of the few certain trends for American grocers has been the growing popularity of organic food.

Clinton, Obama Focus on Faith at Forum Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:04:00 -0400
Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday that the potential for life begins at conception as she and presidential rival Sen. Barack Obama answered questions about faith and religion in both their personal lives and the public discourse.

Sect Mothers Appeal to Texas Governor Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:34:00 -0400
The mothers of children removed from a polygamous sect's ranch in West Texas after an abuse allegation are appealing to Gov. Rick Perry for help, saying some of their children have become sick and even required hospitalization.

A Green Jacket for Trevor Immelman Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:04:00 -0400
Trevor Immelman felt goose bumps as he listened to a phone message left by Gary Player, his childhood idol and the last South African to slip on a green jacket at the Masters.

Scouting sites play numbers game Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Guys like Dave Telep are the gateway between prep players and a high recruiting ranking.

Dave Telep might as well be a rock star.

Image of healing Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
In the year since the April 16 shootings, football coach Frank Beamer has been a pillar of strength and symbol of recovery.

A s he stood outside the room, Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer searched for something — anything — to say. Nothing came easy. There wasn't any motivational speech or pep talk that could soothe the agony.

Gambia seen as a gateway to Africa Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A Carrollton consultant will hold a seminar on expanding Virginia business there.

A tiny African nation called The Gambia is an ocean away, but Eric Sheppard sees it as an emerging market ripe for investment by Virginia businesses.

Schools hope campaign is formula for success Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Two struggling Hampton middle schools have cranked up their focus on math in hopes of passing state tests.

Every morning, Lindsay Middle School students pick up pencils and worksheets and tackle the math problem of the day. Correct answers go into a pot for weekly and monthly drawings.

Contact us with comments and questions Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:15:09 -0500

April 13: Feedback from newspaper readers Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Is there some way that those advertising inserts included in your papers, most notably in the Sunday paper, can be eliminated for me? While I realize that advertising creates the income needed to sustain your paper, I find them a horrible waste for me since I am on a very fixed income. Thank you very much.

Mental health Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Here's why we should not let jails continue to be 'the new asylums'

The wish list from the Newport News Jail says it all: two substance abuse counselors, a mental health worker, more money for medical supplies, including pharmaceuticals.

Right at home Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Ricardo Ratliffe is the MVP as Boo Williams' team wins at the Boo Williams Invitational.

Ricardo Ratliffe is the MVP as Boo Williams' team wins at the Boo Williams Invitational.

Streaking Tribe completes sweep Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Menchville graduate Greg Maliniak and Mike Sheridan each had two hits and two RBI, Jeff Jones homered and William and Mary beat visiting New York Tech 10 -6 on Sunday to complete a sweep of the weekend baseball series.

Tides bow in ninth in Indy Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:23:00 -0400
Kevin Thompson's one-out single scored Steve Pearce with the winning run as the Indianapolis Indians beat visiting Norfolk Tides 2-1 on Sunday in the International League.

Star Track: Dennis Afanasev Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:59:00 -0400
Dennis Afanasev , a fourth-grader at Hampton Roads Academy, recently was ranked by the Web site tennisrecruiting.net as the top boys tennis player in Virginia among the class of 2016. He also is ranked No. 9 in the Mid-Atlantic Section and No. 69 in the nation in the class of '16. Afanasev was born in North Carolina to a Ukrainian family that now lives in Williamsburg. In his age division, 10-and-under, Afanasev was 33-8 over the past year, putting him at No. 2 in the Mid-Atlantic Section and No. 1 in Virginia. Playing at the same time in older age divisions, he went 25-14 in 12s, achieving a No. 47 MAS ranking, and 7-3 in 14s. During 2007-08, Afanasev was an 11-time champion and an eight-time runner-up in USTA-sanctioned tournaments. He is coached by Brian Hogge at James River Country Club in Newport News.

Virginia Tech one year later: Rebuilding lives - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT
Bryan and Renee Cloyd’s friends marvel at their strength, their energy, their optimism. Beneath that shell, the couple quietly struggle to heal after their daughter’s death.

Austin Cloyd wades into the ocean off Virginia Beach in January 2007. For the teen, this was a giddy ''Guess where I am?'' moment. The image was taken by friend Pearl Blevins, whose shadow crawls up the photo's edge.

Courtesy of the Cloyd family

Projection, lighting systems becoming more common at churches - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT
Several churches in Southwest Virginia have installed projection systems for hymn lyrics -- as well as lighting systems that evoke Joseph's coat of many colors.

Mary Lou Chisom ignores the worn, red hymnal stored under her seat at Parkway House of Prayer. Yet she bursts into song, her eyes fixed on lyrics displayed in 9-inch white letters over a photo of a glassy lake.

Tech 2009 ring more costly - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT
The demand is still up for the memento.

One "traditional" design 10-karat Virginia Tech class ring for 2008 sells for $655.

The same model for 2009 sells for $747, an increase that reflects the rising cost of gold.

Prices are up an average of about $100 per ring for 2009, whether the ring is a hulking 40 pennyweight ring or much smaller, said Laura Wedin, student programs director for the Virginia Tech Alumni Association.

Selling gold? Ask questions - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A savvy seller of gold should be prepared to ask a buyer a few questions.

First, in a phone call or a visit, ask the jeweler, coin dealer, pawn shop or other buyer: "Are you a licensed dealer for gold and have your scales been tested and approved?" advised Gary Adkins, president of the California-based Professional Numismatists Guild.

Bling: Its cost can sting - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT
The rising prices of precious metals have area retailers thinking twice about restocking items.

A standard gold wedding band last year had a $65 price tag at Old Town Jewelers in Vinton. Now the price for the same ring is $135.

The escalating prices of gold and platinum in the past several months have doubled and, in some cases, tripled the value of all things bling.

More retailers relocate from West Salem Plaza - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The last tenant is leaving West Salem Plaza but whether the Salem retail center is poised for new development is up in the air.

Salem Wellness & Fitness is moving out. It's the last business to vacate this dilapidated retail center with at least nine storefronts at West Main and Fourth streets. The health club is taking the former spot of Movie Gallery at Spartan Square, also on West Main Street in Salem.

Memories of D-Day - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT
Ceremonies and re-enactments honor the Bedford Boys.

The World War II unit landed, established a beachhead and worked its way across the battlefield, methodically laying down cover fire, clearing minefields and lobbing mortars at enemy pillboxes.

Roanoke police rally around indicted officer - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT
The police are also concerned how the indictment for shooting a teen affects them.

Roanoke police Sgt. Scott Altizer has been fielding phone calls all week from officers who want to know how one of their own is holding up after he was indicted on a felony charge for shooting a teen.

Crews make quick work of brush fire - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A small brush fire Saturday burned an acre of land in Roanoke County, according to fire and rescue spokeswoman Jennifer Conley Sexton.

Firefighters responded to a call about 3 p.m. about a fire in the 1300 block of Skyview Road just west of Salem.

Mountain fire due to an electrical spark - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A brush fire that blazed Friday on Poor Mountain was caused by a power line spark, said Roanoke County Fire and Rescue spokeswoman Jennifer Conley Sexton.

It burned about five acres of land near Honeysuckle Road after two power lines crossed, Conley Sexton said.

Memorial is on firmer footing now - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

June marks the seventh year since the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford opened.

The first years of the memorial, which recognizes some 4,500 World War II servicemen who sacrificed their lives in a single day on the Normandy shore of France, were marked by financial struggles.

Longtime educator from Blue Ridge dies - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT
Georgia Curtis, 94, began her career as one of the first black educators in Botetourt County.

Longtime educator Georgia Curtis died Friday evening, leaving behind memories of her passion for teaching, Democratic politics and community involvement.

"She was a determined woman, a woman who blazed trails," her cousin Melinda Payne said. Curtis died of natural causes at 94.

Johnson coasts to Phoenix win - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT
While most contenders stopped for gas in the final laps, the defending series champ hangs on.

AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Jimmie Johnson gave Hendrick Motorsports its first NASCAR Sprint Cup victory of the year, winning a fuel gamble Saturday night at Phoenix International Speedway.

As leader after leader dove for the pits to take on gas in the waning laps, Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet stayed on track and the two-time reigning Cup champion made it to the finish, beating Clint Bowyer -- another gambler -- by 7.002 seconds.

Gobbler dekes useful, not always pretty - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

You had to give the jake credit.

The juvenile male turkey was obviously nervous, but he wasn't yet ready to flee the strutting gobbler. Instead he carefully tip-toed around the bigger rival, just waiting for the big bird to make a move.

Northside shuts out Colonels - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Aaron Divers was 2-for-2 with a double, triple, stolen base and also scored three runs to lead Northside (7-3) to a 9-0 victory over William Fleming in baseball on Saturday. Matt Slough pitched five innings and only allowed two hits from William Fleming (0-9) while also going 2-for-2 from the plate.

Blacksburg sweeps titles - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT
Five Timesland athletes are double winners in the first major outdoor meet of the season.

Sawyer Russell is a hard guy to miss.

Even among the behemoths that put the shot and sail the discus at high school track and field meets, the 6-foot-4, 280-pound James River senior is an imposing presence.

Injuries hit Bruins' soccer program hard - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Blacksburg's boys soccer team is off to an undefeated start, but the Bruins already have suffered two bad breaks.

Senior goalkeeper Logan Baird broke his tibia and fibula during a game April 1 against Jefferson Forest.

Avs' big 6th frame KOs 'Hogs - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Salem sent 11 batters to the plate in the sixth inning Saturday night -- six of whom scored -- en route to a 10-4 victory over Winston-Salem at Ernie Shore Field.

Cesar Quintero and Tim Torres posted back-to-back, one-out doubles to score a run.

Devils rough up Cavs - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT
Duke scores the last 10 goals unanswered to hand Virginia its second home loss in 26 games.

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- After watching his team suffer its worst loss in 15 seasons at Klockner Stadium, Virginia coach Dom Starsia said there is no question that Duke has the best men's lacrosse team in the country.

Tincher shuts down Eagles - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- Angela Tincher (22-5) allowed only one hit and one walk while striking out 26 in 12 innings as the senior picked up both wins for Tech (31-11, 12-2 ACC) in its softball doubleheader against Boston College (20-23, 2-9).

Cavaliers air it out to wide receivers - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT
Wide receivers catch 22 passes in the final spring scrimmage after only 76 catches last season.

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Al Groh said he wasn't trying to make a statement Saturday. The numbers would suggest otherwise.

During the 2007 football season, the Cavaliers completed 76 passes to wide receivers, fewer than six per game during a 13-game schedule.

A bazaar twist to Sundays - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT
The Blacksburg Backyard Bazaar has different musicians and vendors each week.

BLACKSBURG -- A crowd gathers to listen to the music drifting across the parking lot. Others wander between tables, looking for the framed photo or weed-eater they've been needing.

Fitting in fun - roanoke.com Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT
As the area's population grows, so does the need for more recreation facilities and programs.

As spring days grow warmer, residents of the New River Valley will oil up their bicycles, dust off their hiking shoes or just hit the nearest fitness center to get in shape for summer.

To get their outdoor or fitness fix, many will use the public parks and recreation services across the valley. As grows the area's population -- 8.2 percent between 1990 and 2000, according to the New River Valley Planning District Commission -- so grows demand for these taxpayer-funded facilities and programs.

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