In the News

Chris Graham

– Economy: National unemployment rate pushes up in May – Local News: Staunton water plants win recognition – Local News: Tip a Cop to help Special Olympics – Politics: Clark endorses Signer – Capitol Hill: Perriello veterans legislation gaining support in Congress

Earth Talk | Mining the Grand Canyon

AFP

Dear EarthTalk: Are plans to mine uranium near the Grand Canyon, as proposed by the Bush administration in 2008, still underway? – Denton Chase, Half Moon Bay, Calif. The Obama administration has been quick to overturn several anti-environmental moves ushered in during the 11th hour of George W. Bush’s presidency, but halting uranium exploration and…

Nan Russell | Leveraging your future

AFP

A friend’s hairstylist saw her bookings drop as the economy fell, ultimately losing her job at a salon. But when my friend asked her if she’d be willing to make a house-call to style her ailing mother’s hair, the stylist saw an opportunity. Ultimately, she launched a specialized in-home business and now makes more money…

Proposal would transform South River Complex

AFP

Big plans at the South River Complex would have the former textile mill transformed into a mixed-use commercial-retail-residential development to be known as The Mill at South River. A 4:15 p.m. press conference at City Hall will give more details on the proposal, which will begin its journey through the city approval process on Friday…

Bill o’ goods on swine flu

AFP

I’m still cynical, even in the wake of the first death in Virginia linked to swine flu, that we’re being oversold something here. The nature of the report from the Virginia Department of Health is fueling my continued suspicion there. Key there is the indication in the VDH press release that the unnamed victim had…

In the News

Chris Graham

– Local News: Da Bears wreaking havoc in Da ‘Boro – Politics: Shannon gets public-safety endorsement – State News: AG announces price-gouging settlement – Local News: Clean Streams Initiative among conservation grant recipients

Brunk crusades chronicled in print

Jim Bishop

It was an unprecedented event in the life of the Mennonite Church that unfolded over three decades. Between 1951 and 1981, the Brunk Evangelistic Association, based in Harrisonburg, Va., held more than 100 tent crusades across the United States and Canada. Thousands of people gathered on metal folding chairs set up on a sawdust floor…

Earth Talk | The microwave

Roddy Scheer

Dear EarthTalk: How does the microwave compare in energy use, say, to using a gas or electric stove burner to heat water for a cup of tea? – Tempie, Dexter, Mich. The short answer is that it depends upon several variables, including the price of electricity versus gas, and the relative efficiency of the appliances…

Jim Bishop | On putting Descartes before the horse (neigh!)

Jim Bishop

“To be is to do” – Socrates “To do is to be” – Sartre “Do Be Do Be Do” – Sinatra I’m sure the intelligentsia among us reading this is already chuckling up their collective Harris tweed sportcoat sleeves – kinda warm for that attire, isn’t it? – as Perrier water sprays from their nostrils.