Kaine campaign critical of Allen on disaster aid
The Tim Kaine Senate campaign is being critical of Republican George Allen for siding with the Tea Party’s call for budget cuts in exchange for disaster relief.
“George Allen attempted to turn a natural disaster into an economic disaster by joining Tea Partiers in Congress who held disaster funding hostage in order to further their ideological agenda and risked shutting down the federal government,” said Kaine spokeswoman Brandi Hoffine.
Hoffine pointed out that as a senator Allen voted against legislation requiring Congress to offset disaster-aid spending.
“By siding with the Tea Party in calling for disaster funding to be offset – a position he’s never held before and one his own Republican governor disagrees with – Allen put election politics ahead of Virginia families in recovering communities,” Hoffine said.
VDOT awards contract for improvements to 511
The Virginia Department of Transportation on Wednesday took steps toward the next generation 511 Virginia traffic and travel information system when it awarded a five-year contract to Iteris, Inc. for the design, development and operation of a new enhanced phone and web-based 511 system. 511 Virginia provides free real-time information about road conditions, construction delays and other incidents to the traveling public.
The new contract also calls for Iteris to establish sponsorships for VDOT assets associated with 511 Virginia, including 511 road signs, traffic video feeds and website. Over the term of the five-year contract this sponsorship is projected to generate approximately $10 million in revenue, which is expected to offset the cost of operating the 511 Virginia system to Virginia taxpayers.
“To improve our transportation infrastructure and provide real-time traffic information, we must continue to explore non-traditional funding sources,” said Gov. Bob McDonnell. “The 511 Virginia system includes valuable assets that offer opportunities for private-sector sponsorship, and we intend to take full advantage of that to offset operating costs of about $2.1 million annually.”
The new system will be implemented during the next six months and will include a number of new features and enhancements to the current system in place since 2008:
· Improved voice recognition software to enable better communications using the latest technology
· Easy-to-use menu with more functionality to enable quicker access to desired traffic information
· New features that use email alerts to deliver personalized, real-time traffic information on roads of interest
· Mobile solutions to include apps for iPhone, and Droid
· Enhanced, more robust 511 Virginia website
“These enhancements will improve the user experience whether visiting the 511 Virginia website or by responsibly using the 511 phone service,” McDonnell said. “The traffic information provided by 511 Virginia is real-time, accurate and perhaps best of all, free. It’s one more tool available to help drivers learn the latest road conditions on their specific route and make adjustments to best avoid congestion.”
Since its inception in 2002, 511 Virginia has received more than 11 million calls and 8 million website visits.
The 511 Virginia service typically receives 200,000 calls each month. The system can be accessed by calling 511 from any land line or cell phone in Virginia or visiting
County to hold waste-collection event
Augusta County’s Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Augusta County Government Center in Verona.
The following will be accepted from households only: solvents, paints (oil based only), fuels, antifreeze, used oil, lead-acid batteries, rechargeable batteries, mercury devices, fluorescent bulbs, computers, computer equipment and small electronics.
This event is open to all Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro residents. Waste from business will not be accepted. For questions please call 540-245-5600 or visit our website at
The event is sponsored by Invista and in partnership with Goodwill Industries.
Brethren publications digitized
The first five volumes of a 19th century publication detailing the work of the Church of the Brethren have been digitized and made available for free viewing on the Internet by Bridgewater College and the Brethren Digital Archives Project.
The mission of the project is to digitize Church of the Brethren periodicals produced from 1851 to 2000 by each of the Brethren bodies who trace their origin to the baptism near Schwarzenau, Germany in 1708.
The publication, “The Brethren at Work,” is one of several titles from Bridgewater College Special Collections that have been lent to the Brethren Digital Archives Project. The periodical was published from 1875-1883 and served as a weekly magazine describing doctrinal policy and practice within the church.
The volumes have been posted, and may be viewed, at
http://www.archive.org/details/bridgewatercollege.
According to Andrew Pearson, director of Bridgewater College’s Alexander Mack Memorial Library, the digital Internet format allows easy access and searchability by researchers and scholars, who have the extended flexibility of magnification in a one- or two-page view, along with the option of having the text read aloud while highlighting the location of the text that is being read.
“When historical texts go digital and are completely accessible over the Internet, the barrier between us and previous generations is lifted,” Pearson said. “We can now enjoy their conversations, giving new life to a forgotten past.”
He added that researchers in Brethren history may locate the names of people, places, events and discussions that have long been confined to the vaults of special collections.
“Texts like ‘Brethren at Work’ remind us that we are not the first generation to struggle with current events and their affect on the world we know or think we know,” he said.
Pearson said additional titles to follow include “The Inglenook,” “The Gospel Visitor,” “The Monthly Gospel-Visitor” and the “Missionary Visitor.”
More information on the Brethren Digital Archives Project is available at http://www.brethrendigitalarchives.org.
Weekend Watchdog: Hunt for Mr. October
Are you ready for some baseball? Not so fast, Red Sox and Braves.
The 2011 postseason opens Friday on TBS, with the American League playoffs. The Yankees, with the best record in the league, play Detroit at 8:37 p.m. Tampa Bay, winners of the wild card berth in the final inning on the final day of the season, head to Texas at 5 p.m.
The two National League series begin Saturday. St. Louis heads to Philadelphia at 5:30 p.m., while the Diamondbacks visit Milwaukee at 2 p.m. The second games of the American League series happen Saturday (7:30 on TNT from Texas and 8:30 p.m. from TBS in New York), then it’s off until Monday for Game 3.
Game 2 for the National League series are on Sunday – 4:30 p.m. in Milwaukee and 8 p.m. in Philadelphia – then back for Game 3 Tuesday.
October also means top
college teams stop feasting on cupcakes and battle some real competition. ABC brings Nebraska’s Big Ten debut at Wisconsin Saturday at 8 p.m., while Virginia Tech meets unbeaten Clemson on ESPN2 at 6 p.m.
The weekend begins Thursday with a Big East contest between South Florida and Pittsburgh at 8 p.m. Both have played Notre Dame, with South Florida winning on the road and Pittsburgh losing at home last Saturday. Friday at 8 p.m., it’s a battle of Utah as Utah State hosts Brigham Young.
CBS has a big Saturday of football, starting at noon with Air Force visiting Navy. The SEC afternoon slot goes to Auburn’s meeting with South Carolina, and Alabama has a prime-time battle with Florida.
ABC has three choices in the late afternoon slot, with ESPN showing a second choice among Georgia Tech-N.C. State, Michigan State at Ohio State or Baylor against Kansas State.
ESPN starts the day with an future SEC matchup – Texas A&M vs. Arkansas – at noon while ESPN2 shows Northwestern at Illinois. In primetime, Notre Dame heads to Purdue on ESPN while ESPN2 follows the Hokies with Mississippi at Fresno State.
Comcast goes from coast to coast to show four games Saturday. The day begins at noon with Texas Tech heading to Kansas, then Maryland tries to bounce back against in-state rival Towson. Washington heads to Utah in a Pac-12 contest at 7 p.m., and UCLA-Stanford will be joined in progress at 11 p.m.
Boise State plays Nevada at 2:30 p.m. on Versus.
Which Ravens’ team will show up Sunday? The home crowd hopes for a reprise of the opener on the NBC stage, with the Jets visiting at 8:15 p.m. Monday night, the Colts try for their first win of the season at Tampa Bay on ESPN.
The Redskins try to bounce back at St. Louis Sunday at 1 p.m. on FOX, while CBS has the doubleheader. Most of the country gets Pittsburgh-Houston at 1 p.m., followed by the Broncos’ visit to Green Bay.
Tony Stewart takes his points lead to Dover for the third race in NASCAR’s Chase for the Cup. ESPN has coverage Sunday at 2 p.m., after the Nationwide racers take the track Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
The Indy Car racers roll into Kentucky Sunday at 2 p.m. on Versus.
The WNBA opens its championship series Sunday at 8:30 p.m., with Minnesota at Atlanta.
It’s the last weekend of the NHL preseason, and Versus shows the Flyers vs. Devils Thursday at 7 p.m.
D.C. United and Philadelphia take their battle for an MLS playoff berth to ESPN2 Thursday at 8 p.m.
Comcast offers ACC women’s soccer Thursday at 8 p.m., with Virginia visiting Duke. The Cavalier men play at Clemson Friday at 7 p.m.
For soccer across the pond, ESPN2 shows Real Madrid vs. Espanyol at 3:55 p.m.
There’s college volleyball Sunday at 2 p.m. as Michigan meets Nebraska on ESPN2.
AWE announces card for Night of Legends PPV
A main event featuring Kevin Nash and The Rock-n-Roll Express and an opener pitting Terry Funk and Tommy Dreamer in a one-on-one matchup for the first time ever will highlight the Awesome Wrestling Entertainment Night of Legends pay-per-view.
The Oct. 15 show will be broadcast on InDemand, DirecTV, AT&T, Verizon and Bell TV beginning at 9 p.m. Eastern/6 p.m. Pacific. It will also be broadcast on Internet pay-per-view at GFL.tv and AWEonPPV.com.
In the main event, Kevin Nash and a mystery partner will take on The Rock-n-Roll Express – Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson. The matchup between Nash and Morton has been anticipated for several years. Morton has given several shoot interviews, the first dating back 10 years, trying to pick a fight with the 7’1″, 300-pounder over perceived slights from their WCW days.
The match featuringTommy Dreamer and Terry Funk will pit student against teacher. The Dreamer-Funk matchup will be their first-ever one-on-one matchup. The two had been booked for a match in ECW back in the late 1990s, but the match never happened.
Also on the card
- Perry Saturn vs. C.W. Anderson. Saturn returns to the ring after a nine-year absence.
- “Hacksaw”Jim Duggan vs. Mohammad Akbar. Duggan, Old Glory and his trusty 2×4 in tow, looks to silence Akbar, a young heel on the rise.
- Fit Finlay vs. Alex Silva with Buddy Landel. The WCW and WWE veteran looks to teach Silva, a 20-year-old being talked about as a future AWE champion, a few lessons as he works his way up the ladder.
- Jamin Olivencia vs. Sonjay Dutt. The two have had a running rivalry in AWE, with each scoring controversial pinfalls over the other in recent weeks.
More information on theAWE Night of Legends pay-per-view, including a full list of legends appearing for pre-event autograph signings and dark matches, go to www.AwesomeWrestlingEntertainment.com.
Richmond Raiders announce ’12 schedule
The Richmond Raiders Professional Indoor Football League team today announced their 12-game regular-season schedule for the 2012 professional indoor football season.
The Raiders will join many rivals from the past season plus some new additions in playing as part of the Professional Indoor Football League, which will include the Albany (Ga.) Panthers, the Alabama Hammers, the Louisiana Swashbucklers, the Columbus (Ga.) Lions, the Knoxville Nighthawks.
“We are excited about bringing the fast action game of professional indoor football to the Richmond metro area for our third consecutive season,” said Elizabeth Fraizer, team owner. “The high level of play, entertainment, family fun, and community volunteer activities by the team and the Lady Raiders will only get better as we have incorporated experience from prior seasons into our 2011-2012 game plan. All the teams in the new league are strong competitors and have solid and stable ownership. Being located in SEC and ACC territory, each team has a wealth of football talent to draw upon.”
The 2012 season will mark the Raiders third in Richmond. The team will continue to play its March-June home schedule at the Richmond Coliseum, followed by any play-off games. Ticket prices range from $7 to $40 and season tickets are available now through the team website www.RichmondRaidersProFootball.com or by calling 804-780-0430.
Richmond Raiders 2012 Schedule
All Games Start at 7 p.m.
- March 10 Raiders vs Columbus Lions @ Richmond Coliseum
- March 17 Richmond vs Albany Georgia Panthers @ Albany
- March 24 Richmond vs Knoxville Nighthawks @ Richmond Coliseum
- March 31 Richmond vs Knoxville Nighthawks @ Knoxville
- April 14 Richmond vs Alabama Hammers @ Richmond Coliseum
- April 21 Richmond vs Louisiana Swashbucklers @ Lake Charles
- May 5 Richmond vs LA. Swashbucklers @ Richmond Coliseum
- May 11 Richmond vs Alabama Hammers @ Huntsville
- May 19 Richmond vs Columbus Lions @ Richmond Coliseum
- June 2 Richmond vs Alabama Hammers @ Huntsville
- June 9 Richmond vs Knoxville Nighthawks @Knoxville
- June 16 Richmond vs Albany Panthers @ Richmond Coliseum
UN exhibits Zehr’s photos on children of prisoners
A branch of the United Nations is featuring Howard Zehr’s photo-portraits of the children of U.S. prisoners in an conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Sept. 30, 2011.
The exhibit complements a major meeting of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on Sept. 20, where UN officials will focus on rights and needs of children of incarcerated parents for the first time in history.
Zehr is a professor in the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University.
“Despite affecting millions of children worldwide—over 2 million children in the USA alone are believed to have parents in prison— this is the first time that this neglected issue has been discussed substantively anywhere in the UN system,” said a statement issued by “NGO Group for the CRC.”
Rachel Brett of the Quaker United Nations Office added: “This is an issue where no one country or region is a clear world leader.”
Zehr’s photo-portraits originally appeared in a book issued early in 2011 entitled “What Will Happen To Me?” Co-authored by Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz ’81, the book was “intended to alleviate the sense of shame and isolation felt by the children of prisoners and to support their resiliency,” said Zehr.
“What Will Happen To Me?,” is available through GoodBooks.com or any major online retailer.
Tribute to Sinatra at the Gateway
Rob Zappulla Quintet will bring their unique tribute to Frank Sinatra to the Gateway in Downtown Waynesboro on Saturday, Oct. 1.
“Come Fly with Me” features the music of the great Sinatra from his days with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra to the showrooms of Las Vegas. The five decades of the career of the unique American singer are brought to life by Rob Zappulla and his Quintet.
“Come Fly with Me” is a natural show for Zappulla who was the featured vocalist with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra from January 2001 to February 2009. Under the leadership of the legendary late Buddy Morro, he toured with the Orchestra around the globe including the 2005 President’s Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C.
Morrow, who performed with Tommy Dorsey, declared, “Rob’s skillful vocal style and rich baritone bring audiences back to the days of the original big bands. This, in combination with his years of experience as a touring musician, made him a perfect fit for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Rob is a great showman and professional in every way.”
Margaret Whiting, the late great cabaret singer, echoes Marrow. “Seldom, if ever, have I heard a man who plays the trumpet so beautifully and then turns around and sings some of the best songs I have ever heard sung in my life.” “…a rare combination of music and song and, in my book, Rob is just wonderful.”
The Hartford Courant said, “Rob is fluid and sure as a singer and an instrumentalist.” “…he has an engaging presence and a hard-charging band that puts a smile on your face and bounce to your step.” “…echoes Sinatra but presents Zappulla as his own man”
Besides, his tours with the Dorsey Orchestra, Rob performed for many years at Birdland in New York City with The Lew Anderson Big Band. It was there that he premiered his single, “Here’s to Frank”, which received great acclaim. He also toured with several groups, opening for Tower of Power, The Temptations, The Drifters, The Shirelles, and Little Anthony and the Imperials, to name a few. Rob’s incredible voice, superb trumpet playing, extraordinary style and showmanship continue to bring him tremendous accolades at major theaters, casinos and various venues throughout the world.
“Come Fly with Me” A Tribute to Frank Sinatra will play for one night only at the Gateway. Reserved tickets are available for $20 at www.WaynesboroGateway.com.
Civil War exhibit at Quilt Museum
The Virginia Quilt Museum will feature an exhibit of quilts from the 1860s to honor the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
The wives, mothers and daughters who watched their men leave to fight stayed at home to carry on daily life. In addition, they sewed for the army, cared for the wounded and protected property and family. Surviving Civil War quilts made in Virginia are rare and very unusual.
The Civil War era quilts in this exhibit are part of the collection preserved by the Virginia Quilt Museum.
The Virginia Quilt Museum is located in the home built in 1856 by Edward T. H. Warren for his wife, Virginia Magruder Warren. During the war the house was used as a hospital. Mrs Warren lost her husband, father and three brothers to the Southern cause. Two other brothers were severely wounded. Through all of this she stayed behind and did her part caring for her children and others.
The Women Who Stayed Behind, Stories of Civil War Quilts and Their Makers, is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Virginia Commission for the Arts and James McHone. The Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 301 South Main Street, Harrisonburg.
Parking in the municipal lot behind the museum is free.
Phone 540.433.3818 for more information and for group tours.
VDOT issues request for proposals for Route 29 bypass
The Virginia Department of Transportation today advertised a Request for Proposals for the Route 29 Western Bypass in Albemarle County. VDOT is seeking proposals to build the new road using its Design-Build project development process.
The Western Bypass project will build a new 6.2-mile, four-lane, limited-access roadway stretching from Route 29 just north of the South Fork Rivanna River to the Route 29/250 Bypass. The project includes interchanges at both termini to move traffic between Route 29 north and Route 29/250 west of Charlottesville.
Under the terms of the RFP the successful bidder will be responsible for final design and construction of the road.
Traffic using the Bypass will avoid 13 traffic signals along the Route 29 corridor north of Charlottesville. The new road will also provide an alternate route for motorists heading to the University of Virginia’s Grounds via Leonard Sandridge Road, which will be connected to the Bypass by an interchange at its southern terminus.
“The issuance of the Request for Proposals for construction of the Western Bypass project is an important step in advancing this project,” said Commissioner of Highways Gregory A. Whirley. “The Western Bypass will improve efficiency and safety along the Route 29 corridor and will also provide an alternate route for regional traffic.”
Proposals for the Western Bypass project are due at 4 p.m. EST, April 17, 2012. Information about the RFP can be found at:
www.virginiadot.org/business/request-for-proposals.asp.
Staunton wins national award for development brochure
The Staunton Department of Economic Development received an Excellence in Economic Development Award for its Economic Development Recruitment/Quality of Life Brochure in the category of General Purpose Brochure for communities with populations of less than 25,000 from the International Economic Development Council.
The honor was presented at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, September 20 during the IEDC Annual Conference, Sept. 18-21 in Charlotte, N.C. Amanda Glover, assistant director of economic development, accepted the award on behalf of the City.
“We recognize the City of Staunton Department of Economic Development for providing successful strategies to promote new standards in economic development in this period of global recovery,” said Dennis Coleman, IEDC chair. “Our awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in communities. They are showing that they are at the forefront of the economic development profession and are using innovative and effective practices that can be replicated in other communities.”
The Staunton Economic Development recruitment/quality of life brochure is a 12-page booklet with back pocket. The booklet uses local case studies to promote the area’s economic development and quality of life strengths. The back pocket can be used to include time-sensitive and customized information while the booklet itself contains more “evergreen” material.
The purpose of this printed piece is to help the Staunton Department of Economic Development recruit major employers in target market categories including: high-tech manufacturing, life science and research and development, and professional service companies including architects, software developers, and engineers, among others. Staunton’s primary assets include: an educated workforce, numerous higher education institutions, award-winning healthcare facilities, sophisticated transportation networks allowing access to East Coast and global markets, cultural, culinary, and recreational amenities, and a pro-business support system.
These assets are relayed to the reader through existing business success stories and testimonials.
“We consider this a major accomplishment,” said Glover. “We started this project over two years ago and with budget freezes this project has been put on hold more than once. Thanks to great local creatives we have finally achieved success. Not only is this product complete, but our dedicated efforts to present our community as an ideal business location have been recognized by the International Economic Development Council” Glover continued.
The Excellence in Economic Awards Program annually recognizes the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders. The program honors organizations and individuals in 28 categories for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.
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