July 2009
You are browsing the archive for July 2009.
Tickets, Team Slots Available for VMNH’s First-Ever Chili Cookoff
Tickets and team slots are now available for the Virginia Museum of Natural History Foundation’s first ever Chili Cookoff presented by Martinsville Speedway. The inaugural event will allow the public to sample some of the region’s best and unique chili on Saturday, October 24 from 4 to 9 p.m. at the museum.
Lynchburg College Rates High for Undergrad Education
Lynchburg College is one of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduate education, according to The Princeton Review’s 2010 edition, The Best 371 Colleges. Only about 15 percent of the 2,500 four-year colleges in America are selected for this guide.
VDOT Traffic Alerts for Lynchburg Area
Highway work is scheduled weather permitting in the Lynchburg District and traffic may be restricted.
Governor Kaine Applauds Presidential Appointments of Virginia Talent
Governor Timothy M. Kaine tonight will honor Aneesh Chopra, former Virginia Secretary of Technology, and Vivek Kundra, former Virginia Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Technology, for their recent White House appointments during a reception at 6:30 p.m. at The Tower Club in Vienna. Kundra was named Federal Chief Information Officer. Chopra will serve as the Federal Chief Technology Officer. The reception is hosted by the Northern Virginia Technology Council and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.
Perriello’s Proposal to Expand Health Benefits for Veterans’ Caregivers Passes U.S. House
Congressman Tom Perriello’s proposal to extend medical care for family members who serve as caregivers to severely disabled veterans passed the U.S. House yesterday on a bipartisan voice vote. Perriello introduced the legislation, the Health Care for Family Caregivers Act of 2009 (H.R. 2734), on June 4, 2009.
100 Years and Counting
Bennie Massey, pictured at left, turned 100 on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, and to help celebrate his centennial birthday the staff of the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library had a small surprise party for him including balloons and cake. Bennie drives himself to the library every Wednesday to pick out several paperback books and to “kill up an hour or two,” as he puts it.
“Tom In Your Town” Schedule for August District Work Period
During the August district work period, Congressman Perriello will be visiting every locality in the 5th District and hosting “Tom In Your Town” events. Tom In Your Town is a chance for constituents to meet one-on-one with the congressman to discuss policy issues, give suggestions, or to get help with federal programs like Medicare, Social Security, or veterans’ benefits.
Organic Consumers Association: Taylor Should Resign FDA
The Obama Administration is putting two notorious biotech bullies in charge of food safety. Former Monsanto lobbyist Michael Taylor has been appointed as a senior adviser to the Food and Drug Administration Commissioner on food safety. And, rBGH-using dairy farmer and Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff is rumored to be President Obama’s choice for Under-Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety.
Information Session for Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Lynchburg College will host an information session for prospective graduate students interested in the new Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program on Tuesday, August 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Alumni House Lounge. Program Director Dr. Kevin Brueilly will explain requirements and discuss curriculum. Financial aid information will also be available.
VDOT Begins Full-Time Employee Reductions
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) began today giving approximately 600 employees a first notice of layoff as it works to meet a required reduction of staffing to 7,500 full-time employees by July 1, 2010. These layoffs are an element of the plan announced last year to reduce the agency by 1,000 full-time employees and 450 part-time staff as VDOT addresses a $2.6 billion revenue shortfall.
Perriello Reports to the 5th District of Virginia
A well-educated workforce is critical for regaining America’s long-term competitive advantage. But the cost of paying for college and community college is becoming even more burdensome for Americans in this economy. While families are losing income and benefits, college tuition prices continue to rise. The average student now graduates with over $22,000 in total student debt, including federal and private student loans.
Uranium Mining and Virginia Weather: Need for Failure Analysis
Thomas Leahy, Director of Public Utilities for the City of Virginia Beach, has two degrees in chemical engineering, and has worked in water for years. His mission is to provide potable public water – including fire protection and public sanitary sewer service – to the citizens of Virginia Beach. Mr. Leahy’s main concern these days is the issue of toxic waste issued from a proposed open pit uranium mine upstream from the drinking supply for Virginia Beach. This mine would be located at Coles Hill in Pittsylvania County.
