David Reynolds: It’s that time again

David Reynolds

It’s that time again. Virginia General Assembly time. Remember that little election way back in November 2011, the one when all 140 seats of the General Assembly were up for grabs? Now it is time for the winners to take their annual winter trek down the James. As for those the voters have excused from such chilly trips to Richmond, they are free to go elsewhere this winter, preferably to a more hospitable spot where “the weather better suits their souls.”

richard adams

Richard Adams: Ring in the New Year with the Richard Adams Variety Show

AFP

I guess the best way to describe the show is to say that it’s a cross between fine entertainment, goofiness and silliness. This month I’m featuring the best pianist i know. William Hayes has been the pianist for the Boogie Kings for twenty-some years. He hails from Danville, and has played for the likes of Jimmy Fortune and Ben “Cooter” Jones. It’ll just be William on the piano playing and singing a few vocals.

odu

ODU, Richmond, JMU finish in final I-AA Top 25

Chris Graham

To move forward to North Dakota State’s back-to-back FCS national championships, you have to move backward with coach Craig Bohl. Bohl was an assistant coach during Nebraska’s big run in the mid-1990s, including two of the Cornhuskers’ national championship seasons. Bohl’s NDSU squad, having beaten Sam Houston State for the second straight season in the FCS title game this past Saturday, was a unanimous selection on Monday on all 142 ballots of The Sports Network FCS Top 25.

Hayes, Thomas and Clark at the Richard Adams Variety Show

AFP

Richard Adams has enticed three of the Valley’s favorite performers to join him for his January Variety Show. William Hayes whom Richard calls “a piano and vocal extraordinaire” will liven the show with his incomparable style. Richard’s “Singing Sensation” Stephanie Clark is another headliner on the Friday, January 11th performance. Between those stars is Buddy Thomas in a tribute to Willie Nelson. Also performing will be the good Sisters of Shenanarts’ upcoming performance of Nunsense. As always, Bill Martin will support as the co-host.

JMU announces 2013 football schedule

AFP

The James Madison University football team announced its schedule for the 2013 season today, which includes six home games at Bridgeforth Stadium including defending Colonial Athletic Association champion Villanova. The home game times will be tentatively set in the coming weeks but will still be subject to change based on CAA Television contracts.

UVa., W&M in top four in Kiplinger ‘best value’ ranking

AFP

The University of Virginia improved to the number two spot in “best value in public colleges” in the annual Kiplinger ranking of the top 100 schools. Other Virginia schools ranked in the top 100 include the College of William and Mary (4), James Madison University (20), Virginia Tech (28), University of Mary Washington (53), George Mason University (56) and Christopher Newport University (87).