Nan Russell: Natural inspiration

AFP

The hints commenced with the changing landscape, traversed by dramatic colors and intriguing rock formulations. I should have expected it. Although the travel guide provided a glimpse of what was coming, I was still not prepared for the majestic beauty and expansive, as-far-as-you-could-see, dramatic terrain of Bryce Canyon National Park. Hoodoos Cast Their Spell, the…

Tax policy study: Flip it to fix it

AFP

A new study has found that inverting state tax structures—whereby the highest income earners would be taxed at the current percentage of income for the lowest income earners, and vice versa—would collectively raise $6.9 billion more in revenue, a 21.4 percent increase over Virginia’s current tax structure. “Flipping” the tax structure would eliminate future budget…

Lowery tabbed CAA Player of the Year

AFP

James Madison junior catcher Jake Lowery (Midlothian, Va./Cosby) was selected as the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year to headline six Dukes earning All-CAA honors as announced Wednesday evening at the league’s annual awards banquet on the eve of the 2011 CAA Baseball Championship.

Suzi Foltz: Oh, Bloody High School

AFP

“Can you tell me your full name and your birthdate?” “Name; Suzanne Patterson Foltz. Birthday; June 4, 1999…oh my god, no. Not ’99, ’93. I was born June 4, 1993. Sorry.” “Okay…” Why would I say ’99? That would make me only eleven years old. Eleven year olds can’t donate blood. I hope I don’t…

Long-time ODU women's hoops coach Wendy Larry steps down

AFP

Old Dominion University athletic director Dr. Wood Selig announced today that Wendy Larry has stepped down as head women’s basketball coach. She will remain at the University, with responsibilities for assisting the Office of Institutional Advancement for athletic related fundraising projects, and Alumni events. Larry’s career at Old Dominion spanned more than 30 years, as…

United Way announces grant funding for 2011-2012

Chris Graham

The United Way of Greater Augusta on Monday announced its grant funding to local programs and services for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.    Organization Program: Area of Focus   Funding Amount American Red Cross   Disaster-Health   $ 10,000   Augusta Free Clinic   Dental-Health   $ 20,000   Big Brothers/Big Sisters   Mentoring-Education  …

JMU completes sweep of Towson

AFP

Senior left-hander Alex Valadja (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Catholic) limited Towson to one run in six innings and the bottom of the order did most of the damage in James Madison’s 11-1 Colonial Athletic Association baseball victory Sunday afternoon at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park. With its seventh straight conference victory, JMU clinched a spot in…

BC prof awarded fellowship to write book

AFP

An assistant professor of history at Bridgewater College has become the college’s first faculty member to be awarded a Residential Fellowship from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. Kara Dixon Vuic received the fellowship to support the writing of her next book, which will chronicle the history of women who performed recreation work for the…