‘Long-awaited,’ ‘special,’ ‘surreal’ day for FMS grads

AFP

The final order came down, and a flurry of hats flew into the air, marking the end of 35 cadet careers at Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro. “It’s been long-awaited,” said Alex Burkard of Stuarts Draft, who began at Fishburne as an eighth-grader, and for whom the graduation ceremony on Saturday was the end of…

Robert Hurt: The effects of rising gas prices

Robert Hurt

This past week, I attended and hosted over 20 events throughout the Fifth District. We made stops in Charlottesville, Danville, South Boston, Chase City, Farmville, Hardy, Rocky Mount, Java, Martinsville, Lawrenceville, Kenbridge, and Chatham. One of the top concerns that was expressed in several of my stops across Central and Southside Virginia was the rising…

Embarrassment of (lack of) riches

AFP

Mike Shanahan, we hardly knew ya. The genius is being exposed as a guy who was simply along for the ride at the twilight of John Elway’s NFL career, his reputation as an offensive guru now offensive in retrospect. “I basically say, Screw the awkwardness. I’m trying to be the starting quarterback,” said John Beck,…

David Reynolds: Getting serious

David Reynolds

Isn’t it about time after all these terms that Bob Goodlatte gets serious about what he believes, instead of going for some longevity record in Congress? I consider myself a conservative. Our congressman wears the same political stripes. But, I have this sinking feeling that he has never gone into battle for our common cause….

Cultural Commission offers essay-writing class

Chris Graham

Anyone with an opinion is invited to express it, and anyone with a story is invited to tell it, in a two-part workshop designed to help you find your own personal voice. Martha Woodroof of WMRA, who definitely has opinions and stories, is a nationally-published essayist, the moderator of FaithUnboxed.org in collaboration with On Faith…

Houston joins GMU staff

AFP

George Mason men’s basketball coach Paul Hewitt has announced the addition of Roland Houston to his coaching staff. Houston, an assistant at George Washington the past seven seasons, will join the Patriots in the same capacity. Additionally, Hewitt announced that Scott Lombardi will be retained as the team’s director of basketball operations. “I’ve known Roland…

Robert Hurt: Honoring the intelligence community in the Fifth District

Robert Hurt

This past week the House approved H.R. 754, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 with near unanimous support. This bill provides and allocates critical resources for the intelligence community that help keep Fifth District Virginians and all Americans safe. Congress has not passed a complete Intelligence Authorization Bill in six years, and the…

Up with People teams up with Camp Horizons to launch new summer camp

AFP

Long before American Idol began discovering and refining new talent or High School Musical or Glee tapped into the exuberance of young ensemble casts, Up with People pioneered these attributes while touring the world with their optimistic message of global cooperation and hope for the future. For more than 45 years, it has provided young…