AI: Another four gone

Voted off the show tonight were Nick Pedro, Alaina Alexander, AJ Tabaldo, and Leslie Hunt. Nick is a crooner who dropped out during Hollywood Week last year. The guy has a beautiful voice, but probably just got lost in the crowd this year. Too many of the male vocalists are sweet-voiced and Nick just didn't … Continue reading AI: Another four gone →

Bay Oaks Park Committee needs our help

As one of the 5,376 Norfolk residents who signed the Bay Oaks Park Committee petition, I received a letter from the chairman, Bill Kerry, yesterday regarding their need for funds. The letter reads in part: Now we have several challenges before us. Our legal team is preparing to go before the Supreme Court next month. … Continue reading Bay Oaks Park Committee needs our help →

The Quiz

Another fun thing I received via email. The Quiz This is a quiz for people who know everything! I found out in a hurry that I didn't. These are not trick questions. They are straight questions with straight answers. 1. Name the one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score … Continue reading The Quiz →

On the HPV vaccination

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine expressed concern Tuesday about legislation that would require young girls to be vaccinated against the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus. (via) After initially supporting this legislation (SB1230 and HB2035), I'm beginning to have second thoughts. My change of heart is based around a couple of things. First, like Gov. Kaine, I understand … Continue reading On the HPV vaccination →

Oceana-related lawsuits dropped

According to the Virginian-Pilot, lawsuits filed by the City of Virginia Beach and the Commonwealth of Virginia regarding Oceana were dropped today. The article reports that the suits were "never served" on the federal government. They were meant to ensure that Virginia Beach and the state had a legal argument if the jets moved to … Continue reading Oceana-related lawsuits dropped →

Northam for Senate

Ralph Northam will be announcing his candidacy in a series of four press conferences next Tuesday, March 6. Northam, a Democrat, will be challenging Nick Rerras for Senate seat in the 6th district. The press conferences will be held in Accomac, Northampton County, Norfolk and Matthews. In addition to his candidacy, Northam will be announcing … Continue reading Northam for Senate →

Norfolk Town Hall Meetings

As a participant in one of the six town hall meetings hosted by Mayor Paul Fraim and held across the city last fall, I received a copy of the summary via mail last week. Entitled "A Report to the Community," this glossy 15-page booklet compiled the information discussed by the 718 participants. The questions were … Continue reading Norfolk Town Hall Meetings →

On Drake

A few things have happened in the past week or so regarding my Congressional representative, Thelma Drake, that require mention. First there was the incident at her Virginia Beach office. I don't have a clue as to whether the decision to pretend that the office was closed was hers or that of her staff but … Continue reading On Drake →

Thurmond’s family owned Sharpton’s

This must be a shock for all concerned: Genealogists have found that civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton is a descendent of a slave owned by relatives of the late Sen. Strom Thurmond, a newspaper reported Sunday. The newspaper reporting the information is The New York Daily News, which hired Ancestry.com to do the … Continue reading Thurmond’s family owned Sharpton’s →

The local state of Black America

Interesting article in today's Virginian-Pilot in which local black executives are interviewed. Some highlights: Still, relatively few blacks sit on the highest rungs of most local companies: Two of Norfolk Southern's 24 vice presidents - Wimbush and Terry Evans - are black. At Northrop Grumman Newport News shipbuilding, one of 16 vice presidents - Veasey … Continue reading The local state of Black America →