Augusta County Historical Society presents program on Matthew Fontaine Maury

Contributors

The story of Matthew Fontaine Maury’s fascinating career will be told as part of the continuing Stuart Speaker Series sponsored by the Augusta County Historical Society on Thursday, February 21 at 7 p.m. at the R.R. Smith Center for History and Art. Colonel Keith Gibson, director of the VMI museum system, has put together a fascinating program that explores Maury’s life and career.

New agreement means exports to Japan will beef up

Contributors

Virginia beef producers have cause to celebrate, because one of the world’s premier importers has signed an agreement with the United States. Japan will now allow exports of U.S. beef from cattle less than 30 months of age, which is an improvement over old rules that permitted U.S. beef imports only from cattle up to 20 months old. That deal was sealed in 2005 following a total ban in 2003 when a U.S. cow was found to have bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

Ken Plum: The politics of fear

Ken Plum

Fear can be a powerful influence in our lives. A healthy fear of something that is harmful may keep us safe. Fear of the unknown can cause helpful caution or limit our perspective. Too often fear can be misused to manipulate the actions of others. In Richmond as elsewhere, fear is evident and at work in many aspects of the legislative process.