– Local News: Community Foundation announces creation of scholarship fund, Thursday, 6:45 p.m.
– Local News: Wine tasting Friday in Waynesboro, Thursday, 6:45 p.m.
– Sports: W&L baseball opens ’09 with win, Thursday, 6:45 p.m.
– Local News: EMU history prof traces life of 19th century explorer, author, Thursday, 2:50 p.m.
– Virginia Politics: Moran gets endorsements in Prince William, Thursday, 2:50 p.m.
– Virginia Politics: McAuliffe picks up more endorsements, Thursday, 2:50 p.m.
– Sports: ACC releases baseball TV schedule, Thursday, 2:50 p.m.
– Economy: Initial unemployment claims steady, Thursday, 9:30 a.m.
– Sports: VCU takes over first in CAA, Thursday, 9:30 a.m.
– Sports: Bridgewater knocks off EMU in OT, Thursday, 9:30 a.m.
***
Local News: Community Foundation announces creation of scholarship fund, Thursday, 6:45 p.m.
The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge announces the recent creation of the V. Francis & Susan S. Reynolds Scholarship Fund. This scholarship fund was created by Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds’ five children; Robert Reynolds, Elizabeth Reynolds Lawson, Thomas Reynolds, John Reynolds and Susan Reynolds Malcolm, all Waynesboro High School graduates. The first scholarship will be awarded this year to a 2009 graduating Waynesboro High School senior who aspires to become a teacher.
Mr. Reynolds served with the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, retiring with the rank of Ensign, and began his career in order to provide for his growing family. An avid reader, he published one book The Long Shadow of Memory in 1967.
Mrs. Reynolds grew up in Waynesboro and was a teacher in the Waynesboro Public School system for 27 years. She taught English, music, physical education, and was the sponsor for the WHS majorettes during her teaching career.
The V. Francis and Susan S. Reynolds Scholarship is one of 25 scholarships administered by the Community Foundation for the benefit of young people in our area. For additional information including criteria, visit our website at www.CommunityFoundationCBR.org or to send a contribution, contact The Community Foundation at: P.O. Box 815, Staunton, VA 24402: telephone 540-213-2150; or e-mail [email protected].
Local News: Wine tasting Friday in Waynesboro, Thursday, 6:45 p.m.
River City Art and Wine Emporium will be hosting a wine tasting Friday from 4:30-7 p.m.
The Wine Emporium is located at 407 W. Main St. in Downtown Waynesboro.
The featured wines will be Principessa Gavia Gavi 2007, Centine Super Tuscan 2006, Castello Monaci Primitivo 2006, and Rosa Regale.
For more information, call 540.943.6418.
Sports: W&L baseball opens ’09 with win, Thursday, 6:45 p.m.
The Washington and Lee baseball team opened the 2009 season with a 16-5 victory over Whitworth (0-1) at the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Ariz.
The Generals (1-0) used a 10-run seventh inning to blow open what had been a 6-5 game and en route to its first win of the season.
Sophomore shortstop John Ditore (Seattle, Wash./Bishop Blanchet) led W&L’s offense, going 5-for-6 with a double, three runs scored and three RBI. Junior first baseman Hunter Serenbetz (Stamford, Conn./Taft School) went 3-for-4 with two walks, a double and three RBI, while senior second baseman Byron Peyster (Washington, D.C./Maret) was 3-for-4 with two walks, a run scored and an RBI.
First-year outfielder Drew Dezen (Greenville, S.C./Greenville Senior) led off the Generals’ big seventh inning with a double and Ditore and senior centerfielder Terrence McKelvey (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip) each recorded two-run singles to make a winner of sophomore pitcher Gregg Laswell (Houston, Texas/Memorial)
Laswell, who pitched four innings in relief of junior starter Chuck Davidson (Winnetka, Ill./New Trier), allowed two hits and one run, while striking out a pair and walking one. Davidson lasted four innings, allowing four runs (all in the first inning) on six hits.
Local News: EMU history prof traces life of 19th century explorer, author, Thursday, 2:50 p.m.
Elisha Kent Kane was an enigmatic figure in the annuals of American history – a sickly Philadelphia physician of the 19th century who transformed himself into an Arctic explorer and best-selling author.
Now, a new book by Mark Metzler Sawin, associate professor of history at Eastern Mennonite University, sheds new light on Kane through his cultural biography, “Raising Kane: Dr. Kane and the Consequences of Fame in Antebellum America.”
Dr. Sawin, who joined the EMU faculty in 2001, is on sabbatical for the 2008-09 academic year. He is currently serving as a Fulbright scholar on the faculty of philosophy at the University of Zagreb in the central European nation of Croatia. During his year in the capital city, he is teaching American cultural studies courses and helping launch a PhD program in American studies. He will return to Harrisonburg in July 2009.
The 350-page paperback examines how Elisha Kent Kane used his family’s influence with the burgeoning popular press to promote himself, turning his globe-traveling adventures into best-selling books that inspired and thrilled the nation in the years leading up to the Civil War.
“At the time of his untimely death in 1857, Kane was the hero of the age,” Sawin said. “The nation mourned his death via a funeral procession that lasted nearly a month as his casket wound from New Orleans to Philadelphia in a funeral procession that is, to date, second only to Abraham Lincoln’s.”
Sawin’s book examines how Kane methodologically constructed his fame, but also the price this fame exacted, preventing him from marrying the woman he loved and ultimately, and ironically, leading to him being largely forgotten withing a generation after his death.
“Following Kane’s exploits from the Mexican War through his Arctic adventures and ill-fated romance with the Spiritualist medium Margaret Fox, Mark Sawin ties this singular figure into the main currents of mid-nineteenth century popular culture, opening a new vista on the meanings of masculinity, celebrity, and heroism,” notes reviewer Robert S. Cox of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
“This work comprises two initiatives: a new and exhaustive research work into the life and accomplishments of a remarkable adventurer, as well as a sociological analysis of popular perceptions of Kane’s work and feats,” noted Charles O. Cowing, chairman of the Elisha Kent Kane Historical Society.
Sawin said of his book, “Kane is a fascinating and wonderfully-flawed character. His reckless exploits, unabashed self-promotion and tumultuous love affair with spirit-rapper Maggie Fox sound more like fiction than fact. I just hope my book conveys this remarkable life in a way that engages readers as much a Kane’s letters, journals, and life have engrossed my attention over the past decade.”
“My goal was to shed a bit of light on this tumultuous and exciting era of U.S. history,” Sawin added. “It was the age of the American Literary Renaissance, of the rise of the popular press and of massive and aggressive Manifest Destiny, all of which addressed and helped fuel the internal conflicts that ultimately led to the Civil War.”
Sawin received his PhD in American studies from the University of Texas at Austin. He is past president of the Middle-Atlantic American Studies Association and is currently beginning work on Ned Buntline, a popular 19th author who wrote over 140 “best-selling” pulp-novels, including a series of Westerns that launched the career of William “Buffalo Bill” Cody.
Sawin’s current book, published by the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, is available from the EMU bookstore and other book outlets and from Amazon.com.
Virginia Politics: Moran gets endorsements in Prince William, Thursday, 2:50 p.m.
Prince William County’s elected Democratic leadership overwhelmingly backed Brian Moran for Governor during a press conference today at a volunteer fire station in Dale City. The Washington Post has called Prince William County the state’s “bellwether,” noting that candidates who win in Prince William win statewide. The endorsements came from nearly every local elected Democratic leader in Prince William, as well as the former Board of Supervisors Chair and other former elected officials.
The leaders cited Moran’s 20-year record as a fighter for the people of Virginia. Moran has fought for quality education, teacher pay, expanding access to health care, and equal opportunity for every Virginian. They noted Moran’s recent announcement that he plans to ensure health care for every Virginia child.
“I’ve known Brian for nearly 20 years and he’s always fought hard to strengthen his community and improve people’s lives,” said John Jenksins, Neabsco District Supervisor. “He’s worked hard for our children by leading the fight for the largest investment in public education in Virginia history. Our community will have no better advocate than Brian.”
Moran received the backing of:
– Supervisor John Jenkins (Neabsco)
– Supervisor Frank Principi (Woodbridge)
– Delegate Paul Nichols
– Mayor Earnie Porta (Occoquan)
– Democratic Committee Chair Pete Frisbe
– Former Board of Supervisors Chair Kathleen Seefeldt
– Former Delegate David Brickley
– Former Supervisor Hilda Barg (Woodbrdige)
– Former County Attorney Sharon Pandak
On November 12, 2008, the Washington Post called Prince William the state’s “bellwether” after the county voted overwhelmingly in support of Barack Obama. Prince William’s conservative Republican Board of Supervisors Chair said: “We’ve proven that, as goes Prince William, so goes Virginia.”
“I’m proud to have these supporters in the critical county of Prince William,” Moran said. “This is another community that shows they want someone to fight for them in Richmond. I’ve been fighting for Virginia for 20 years, and I won’t let them down.”
The Prince William leaders join other prominent Virginia leaders who have announced their support of Brian Moran for Governor: the Chairman of Mark Warner’s campaign for Governor and former Congressman L. F. Payne; House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong from Martinsville, along with the Martinsville Sheriff and Democratic Chair; the majority of elected Democrats in the City of Petersburg and Loudoun and Arlington Counties; the mayors of Richmond, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News and Portsmouth; and the majority of the members of the Democratic Party of Virginia’s Steering Committee.
The announcement was made at Volunteer Fire Station #13 in Dale City.
Virginia Politics: McAuliffe picks up more endorsements, Thursday, 2:50 p.m.
The McAuliffe for Governor campaign today released a list of Democratic leaders from across the Commonwealth who have endorsed Terry McAuliffe. Today’s announcement follows the Virginia Professional Fire Fighter’s endorsement yesterday in Richmond.
In discussing their endorsement, Democratic leaders cited his strong executive business credentials and his vision for turning Virginia’s economy around. They also expressed their belief that McAuliffe is best qualified to carry on the Warner-Kaine tradition of leadership and has the best chance of beating Bob McDonnell in the fall.
“We Democrats have made such incredible gains over the past seven years, specifically because we have stayed focused on delivering results for Virginians,” said Jim Turpin, Vice Chair-Finance of the Virginia Democratic Party. “Terry is the candidate in this race who is best qualified to get Virginia’s economy back on track, and that’s the result voters are looking for. We can’t afford to risk putting someone in the Governor’s office who doesn’t have the right experience to get our economy moving again and that’s why I’m supporting Terry.”
“If we’re going to keep Virginia moving forward, our next governor needs to be able to build on the progress of Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and Terry McAuliffe is the man for the job,” said EJ Scott, Chair of Manassas/ Manassas Park Cities Democratic Committee. “Terry has the right experience to lead our commonwealth, create jobs, and take us in the right direction on renewable energy, education, and health care. He knows that in these tough economic times, we can’t raise taxes and we can’t keep cutting the budget, so we have to grow the economy. Like Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, he knows how to work across party lines, and he knows that not all good ideas come from Richmond. That’s the kind of leadership we need.”
“There is so much at stake in this election,” said Gena Doyle, Chair of the Salem Democratic Committee. “Bob McDonnell has the wrong priorities for Virginia. He would turn back the progress that Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have made over the last seven years, and the Republican National Committee is going to be right there behind him. Terry has my support because he is the best candidate to beat Bob McDonnell and help us win back the House of Delegates.”
Sports: ACC releases baseball TV schedule, Thursday, 2:50 p.m.
A total of 48 games involving Atlantic Coast Conference baseball teams are scheduled to be telecast during the 2009 season, including the entire conference tournament for the second straight year.
The Regional Sports Network (Comcast SportsNet, Fox Sports Net South, Fox Sports Florida and New England Sports) will broadcast live all 13 games of the ACC Baseball Championship, which will be held May 20-24 at Durham (N.C.) Bulls Athletic Park. Game times are set for noon, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, with the championship game slated for 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 24.
In addition, RSN will televise eight Saturday games, beginning with Boston College at Maryland on March 21 at 1 p.m. Highlights of the RSN Saturday package include two games between 2008 College World Series contenders – North Carolina at Florida State on Saturday, April 11, and Miami at North Carolina on Saturday, April 18. Each of those games will start at 4 p.m.
Twenty-seven more games are scheduled for regional broadcast by Comcast Sports South, Fox Sports Net South, Fox Sports Florida, Sports South and Sun Sports.
Included are the entire three-game series between Miami and Georgia Tech (Comcast Sports Southeast, March 27-29), Miami at Clemson (Comcast Sports Southeast, April 12) and non-conference rivalry games between Miami and Florida (Sun Sports, Feb. 28), Florida State and Florida (Sun Sports, March 31) and Georgia and Georgia Tech (Comcast Sports Southeast, March 25 and Fox Sports Net South, May 12).
A number of other games will be available for viewing via the Internet on ACC Select, and a complete schedule of those contests will be released soon.
All 12 ACC teams open their seasons this Friday. Conference play begins March 6-8 with six weekend series (Boston College at Florida State, Clemson at North Carolina, Virginia Tech at Duke, Maryland at Georgia Tech, Virginia at Wake Forest, and NC State at Miami).
Economy: Initial unemployment claims steady, Thursday, 9:30 a.m.
In the week ending Feb. 14, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 627,000, unchanged from the previous week’s revised figure of 627,000, according to data released this morning by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The 4-week moving average was 619,000, an increase of 10,500 from the previous week’s revised average of 608,500.
The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.7 percent for the week ending Feb. 7, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week’s unrevised rate of 3.6 percent.
The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending Feb. 7 was 4,987,000, an increase of 170,000 from the preceding week’s revised level of 4,817,000. The 4-week moving average was 4,839,500, an increase of 92,500 from the preceding week’s revised average of 4,747,000.
Sports: VCU takes over first in CAA, Thursday, 9:30 a.m.
Senior Eric Maynor (Raeford, N.C.) and sophomore Larry Sanders (Fort Pierce, Fla.) each provided possibly their finest performance of the season to energize Virginia Commonwealth University in a 78-67 victory over Delaware Wednesday at the Siegel Center.
The VCU victory also shifted the balance of power in the Colonial Athletic Association. The Rams improved to 12-4 in the CAA and moved into sole possession of first place after Northeastern fell to Georgia State, 70-68, Wednesday. VCU is 19-8 overall. Delaware slipped to 11-17 overall and 5-11 in the league.
Maynor scored 21 of his game-high 30 points in the second half to help rally VCU, which trailed, 38-36, at the break. The 2008 CAA Player of the Year also handed out 10 assists and committed just one turnover. It’s Maynor’s seventh 30-point game of his career, as well as his eighth double-double. However, it’s the first time he’s reached 30 points and 10 assists in the same contest.
Sanders scored 19 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and blocked three shots. It’s the 6-10 forward’s second straight double-double and his seventh of the season. He grabbed 14 rebounds in the second half alone as VCU owned a 23-14 advantage on the glass in the period.
Junior Kirill Pishchalnikov (Maykop, Russia) added 11 points for the Rams, who shot 54 percent (28-of-52) for the game.
Marc Egerson led four Blue Hens in double figures with 18 points and nine rebounds. Jawan Carter added 15 for Delaware.
The Blue Hens hit 12 of their first 16 field goal attempts to race to a 30-19 lead. But Sanders scored eight points during a 17-8 VCU run to close the half.
Sports: Bridgewater knocks off EMU in OT, Thursday, 9:30 a.m.
Jake Johnson provided the offensive punch Bridgewater College needed as the Eagles held on for a 87-81 overtime win over the Eastern Mennonite University men’s basketball team Wednesday night in Bridgewater, Va.
The win puts the Eagles at 14-10 overall and 10-5 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. BC has also secured a spot as one of the top five teams that will receive a bye in the ODAC Tournament.
EMU falls to 14-10 on the season, 8-7 in the conference. With Washington & Lee’s loss to Roanoke College tonight the Royals can also set their sights on the ODAC Tournament and will not have to host a “play-in” game. Teams ranked 6-thru-11 will compete next Tuesday, February 24, with the three winning teams heading to the conference tournament. EMU holds a tie-breaker over the number six team, Virginia Wesleyan College, after beating the Marlins in both games this year.
Dominick Trawick managed a team high 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Eagles while Jake Johnson poured in 16 points off the bench on 6-of-6 shooting from the field.
EMU was led by sophomore wing Todd Phillips (Waynesboro, Va./Waynesboro) who scored 14 points to go along with 10 boards, his second straight double-double. Senior wing LeRoger Parrish (Danville, Va./Tunstall) led the way with 15 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field while D.J. Hinson (Newport News, Va./Menchville) had another 14 points for the Royals.
The Eagles, flying high after a tough overtime win against Washington & Lee, matched the Royals score-for-score throughout the first half as the two teams headed into the locker room tied at 41. EMU held the largest lead of the first frame at seven points (25-18) following a dunk by Hinson only to have BC not the game up at 27. A jumper by Hinson with 10 ticks remaining was answered by Justin Reavis just before the clock struck zero.
Hinson had 11 points in the half with Trawick giving the Eagles 12 points.
Another see-saw battle ensued during the second half as neither team was able to gain more than five point advantage. Bridgewater, up 54-50 with 13:07 remaining, saw Phillips drive down the court on consecutive EMU possessions and hit layups each time. EMU then had a five point lead dissipate as a pair of jumpers by Johnson and two consective free throws by Kyle Hammond later in the stanza put the Royals up only one (64-63, 5:53). Robert Rice capped the 6-0 run with a layup on the Eagles’ next possession to put the home team up one.
Both teams then exchanged baskets throughout the remaining five minutes until two points from the charity stripe by Johnson put BC up 72-70 with 40 seconds left. Junior guard Austin Twine (Dublin, Va./Pulaski Co.) drove down the court and hit the game-tying layup only seven seconds later. The EMU defense then locked down on the Eagles as BC was unable to hit the go-ahead bucket as the clock wound down.
Overtime saw the Royals jump out to a three point lead as a layup, plus one, from Parrish made the score 75-72. BC tied it on a long ball by Rice only to have the visiting team again push ahead as sophomore guard George Johnson (Richmond, Va./Miller School) hit one of his two threes on the day. Bridgewater seemingly put the game out of reach following the Johnson three as a 9-0 swing by the home team made the score 84-78 with 1:36 left. The Royals did not go quietly as Johnson sank his second three ball of the game to cut the deficit in half (84-81, 1:10). EMU fouled Trawick and the senior guard delivered on both attempts to put BC back on top by five. With 17 seconds left, Reavis hit one-of-two from the charity stripe to make it a six point game as the Royals were unable to connect on two three-point attempts as time expired.
Johnson finished with 13 points, four steals, and three assists. Twine also had four steals for EMU. Sophomore forward Orie Pancione (Augusta, WVa./Hampshire) tied Phillips with 10 rebounds.
Rice had the Eagles other double-double with 14 points and 10 boards. Johnson had only four points in the first half yet added the other 12 points during the second half and overtime.
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