In the News

– Local News: Delays on I-81 in Rockbridge
– Local News: WWRC trail receives VCC recognition
– Event: Longaberger bingo to benefit Food Bank
– Politics: will.i.am cuts McAuliffe radio spot
– Politics: Wagner gets PAC endorsement 

 

Local News: Delays on I-81 in Rockbridge

Interstate 81 will have nighttime northbound lane closures from mile marker 195 to 202 as part of the truck climbing lane project in Rockbridge County. The closures will be 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. on the night June 1. The passing lane will be closed to allow for survey work. Closures were scheduled on of May 26, 27 and 28 but due to weather the work could not be completed.

This location is between exit 195 at Route 11 near Lexington and Timber Ridge and exit 205 at Route 606 near Raphine.

Motorists should use extreme caution when driving through this work zone. All work is weather permitting.

 

Local News: WWRC trail receives VCC recognition

The Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center’s STAR Trail will receive the Building Livable Communities award at Valley Conservation Council’s Better Models for Development awards ceremony in Winchester. This half-mile accessible fitness and mobility trail traverses scenic woodlands and circles a small lake.

“The trail is meeting a real need, especially for residents at the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, but also for the local community,” said Sara Hollberg, Valley Conservation Council Planner. “They’ve created a great space for people to relax outdoors or, even better, to get some exercise.”

The community-wide need is shown in the popularity of the STAR (Supporting Therapeutic Access to Recreation) trail, the only such facility in a 10-mile radius. It is within walking, rolling, or biking distance of four schools, county administration offices, and four residential neighborhoods. The WWRC complex serves more than 3,000 people, many of whom have mobility disabilities. One of WWRC’s Healthy Living Initiatives is to promote physical activity and decrease sedentary behavior through built and natural environment changes. The STAR Trail offers opportunities for physical activity within the Wilson complex encouraging individuals to take steps toward reducing the chronic health problems associated with inactivity.

Added elements make this much more than a simple path, including exercise stations, ‘trailscape’ features like signs and benches, and handicapped accessible designs for the fishing pier, bathrooms, and parking lot. Multiple groups have contributed labor and resources to the project, and the pride of what has been accomplished keeps inspiring even more improvements. The state game and inland fisheries and forestry departments, for example, have partnered to enhance the natural setting that includes a maturing pine forest and pond habitat.

This year, VCC recognized ten projects that serve as models for development in the Shenandoah Valley region. These are good examples of how to grow in ways that respect local character, create livable communities, complement historic resources, and conserve natural assets. The awards include projects from Winchester, Berryville, Woodstock, and New Market as well as Warren, Augusta, Rockbridge, Bath, and Botetourt counties. The ceremony takes place at Winchester’s George Washington Hotel, the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Landmark Restoration Project award.

“Development can mean more than constructing a new building or renovating a historic one,” said John Eckman, Valley Conservation Council’s Executive Director. “We also like to recognize projects that make communities places people want to live, and the STAR Trail is a shining example of this.”

The projects demonstrate one or more of the principles outlined in VCC’s Better Models for Development in the Shenandoah Valley. VCC’s website has more information about the publication and profiles of previous award winners. VCC’s Better Models for Development website: www.valleyconservation.org/betterdev.html.

 

Event: Longaberger bingo to benefit Food Bank

DuPont Community Credit Union is sponsoring a Longaberger Basket/Vera Bradley Bingo on Saturday, May 30 at Wilson Middle School to benefit the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. The doors will open at 5 p.m. and the bingo games begin at 6 p.m.

The Food Bank was chosen as DCCU’s 2009 Corporate Charity, and the Candoers – the Credit Union’s Corporate Charity Team – is staffing and sponsoring the event at the school located at 232 Hornet Road in Fishersville. Tickets are $10 for one bingo card, or $25 for three bingo cards. The event will have food and drawings in addition to the bingo games.

 

Politics: will.i.am cuts McAuliffe radio spot

Gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released a new radio ad highlighting his support from Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist and Democratic activist will.i.am. McAuliffe and will.i.am have known each other since 2004 and have worked together on many Democratic efforts.

“If you know Terry then you know how contagious his energy is, so when he asked me to join him and the Democratic party to reach out to young people, I didn’t have to think twice,” will.i.am says in the ad.

“Terry gets that families are struggling, that it’s tough to pay for college and find a job. That’s why his plan will help create thousands of jobs here in Virginia. Now I’m asking you to step up, get out and vote for terry McAuliffe on June 9th. Believe me, I know he’s gonna bring the energy and I know your vote for Terry will bring the change we need to Richmond.”

The ad “Step Up” will run on stations in the Richmond, and Norfolk media markets. It can be heard here. The script is included below.

 

Politics: Wagner gets PAC endorsement

New Dominion PAC, which calls itself “the premier political voice for the Arab American community in Virginia”, endorsed Jody Wagner for Lieutenant Governor. New Dominion joins other progressive organizations supporting Wagner, including EMILY’s List, the Arlington Firefighters, the Arlington Police, and the Fairfax Coalition of Police.

“I am so impressed with Jody’s ability to reach out to people to form consensus. With accomplishments that include working with Mark Warner to fix the budget deficit, preserving the state’s critical AAA bond rating, and bringing Democrats and Republicans together in the legislature to pass the landmark 2008 higher education bond package, one thing has become clear: Jody won’t take ‘no’ for an answer. We need more leaders with her experience in Richmond” said Saba Shami, New Dominion’s President.

Said Wagner: “I’m thrilled to have the support of the New Dominion PAC. I look forward to working with them in the coming weeks and months to continue to build a grassroots movement across Virginia. With their help, we will continue to move Virginia forward.”