Howling Latina Says ---- DUMP OBAMA .......

AND VOTE YO MOMMA!

The controversy on the Left continues....Howling Latina continues to have the sights of the disciples of "The Messiah" bearing down on her.

Just goes to show what those dissenting opinions can cost you....

Why do they pick on Howling Latina?

With Howling Latina being a proud advocate of PUMA (at least it's not PETA, right...?) she has been deblogged from Lefty Blogs! A punishment, I thought, which was reserved for the most unethical of bloggers....

Breakfast with Bob Goodlatte Saturday

Date: Saturday, August 9

Time: 8:00 a.m.

Place: Rowe's Restaurant, Staunton

Cost: $6.50 per person

What a treat to have our Congressman Bob Goodlatte join us for our August SWAC-GOP Breakfast! He has been working for the people of this area since 1993 and has a strong record of conservative accomplishments. Congressman Goodlatte, in addition to just submitting a bill to increase VA's offshore drilling rights, is unwavering when it comes to the issues. He believes in promoting fiscal responsibility, protecting our national security, maintaining our resolve to win the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and addressing the illegal immigration problem.

Congressman Goodlatte has an impressive resume. Graduating from Washington and Lee University, he went on to found his own law firm in Roanoke, and has been in public service throughout his life. Currently he represents VA's 6th District.

Congressman Goodlatte has served as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee since 2003, now serving as the Ranking Member on the House Agriculture Committee. He also serves as Chairman of the House Republican High Technology Working Group; Co-Chair of the Congressional Internet Caucus; and is a member of the Republican Policy Committee. The Congressman and his wife, Maryellen, have been married for 33 years, live in Roanoke, and have two children, Jennifer and Rob.

Be sure to invite your friends and neighbors to join us on August 9 to hear from Congressman Bob Goodlatte.

got coulter?

Thanks, guys...

Staunton & Augusta to Host Economic Forum TOMORROW

There is a lot of buzz in the air about an impending recession. The indication from media reports is that we are headed for an economic crisis. Is this true and how does it affect our local economy?

The Staunton and Augusta County Republican Committees are addressing this pressing issue with a topical forum for voters in the Valley: What is the State of the Economy and How Does it Affect You?

The Forum will be held on Tuesday, July 22 at the Augusta County Government Center at 7pm.

Guest Speakers include:

John Meade, First Bank and Trust

John Meade is the Senior Vice President with First Bank & Trust Co. where he is the executive responsible for the Bank’s Shenandoah Valley area. First Bank & Trust Company is a diversified financial services firm with 18 office locations in Virginia and Tennessee. The Bank has carved out a regional market niche by catering to small businesses and consumers who wish to take advantage of a local bank that offers all of the services that are expected from a larger organization.

John Meade is also a member of the Staunton Rotary and is on the Board of Directors of Stonewall Jackson Area Council – Boy Scouts of America ( Shenandoah Valley ) and the Augusta County Farm Bureau.

Chris Saxman, Shenandoah Valley Water Company; Delegate, 20th House District

Chris Saxman is the General Manager of the Shenandoah Valley Water Company which was founded in 1975 as a beverage distribution company. Chris Saxman serves as Chair of the International Bottled Water Association and is the Past President of the South Atlantic Bottled Water Association.

In addition to his work and family commitments, Chris Saxman serves the voters of the 20th House District in the General Assembly.

Scott Sayre, Sayre Enterprises Inc.; Americans for Prosperity

Scott Sayre is the founder of Sayre Enterprises, Inc. Sayre Enterprises has been providing products and services worldwide since 1987. Today the company manufactures, embellishes and distributes a wide range of goods including, but not limited to: promotional products, collegiate items, safety reflective items, uniform accessories and outdoor gear. Sayre Enterprises employs over 100 people and is the largest employer of adults with disabilities in Rockbridge County.

Sayre also serves on the board of Directors of the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce. Sayre is the Valley Chair of Americans for Prosperity (AFP). Americans for Prosperity is committed to educating citizens about economic policy and mobilizing those citizens as advocates in the public policy process. AFP is an organization of grassroots leaders who engage citizens in the name of limited government and free markets on the local, state and federal levels.

Matt Fitzgerald, Urban Design Associates

Matt Fitzgerald is the Director of the Highlands Studio in Charlottesville; a satellite studio of Urban Design Associates (UDA) located in Pittsburgh, PA. UDA is a firm who designs cities, towns, and neighborhoods in the United States and abroad. Their goal is to create beautiful places with lasting value for the communities they serve. Design is the creative focus of their process—a participatory process in which they bring together citizens, economists, engineers, architects, developers, policy makers, government officials, and builders to construct humane and appropriate visions for the future.

Exhibition at the R.R. Smith Center for History and Art

I knew when I had to park on the 3rd level of the downtown Staunton parking garage it was going to be good.

Tonight was the opening exhibition for "Iron and Wood" -- an exhibit featured by the Staunton Augusta Art Center in the R.R. Smith Center for History and Art. Located in what was once the 1893 Eakleton Hotel (which, throughout its history, played host to prominent citizens like President Woodrow Wilson and Amelia Earhart), the building has now been renovated back to its original beauty and serves to showcase the history and art of the Shenandoah Valley.

"Iron and Wood" showcases sculpture by Katharine Gilbert and Ida Trusch. The exhibit will run from July 18 - August 23, 2008. The Smith Center's gallery hours are 10 - 5 M-F, 10 - 2 Sa., and 1 - 4 Su. There is no admission charge. For more information you can go to their website here.

This is only my second time to the R.R. Smith Center and being invited to their opening exhibition and gallery talk was very special. This is what makes Staunton such a wonderful city and what keeps revenue pouring in. An appreciation for the arts is essential to the well-being of a expertly run city or county. Staunton is on the right track -- and establishing more venues like this in the city, we will certainly see a rise in the Queen City's economy and growth.

All total, throughout the event, over 100 people showed up to view the exhibition. Included in the exhibition was a a long table with excellent homemade cookies, fruits, a brie board, hand squeezed lemonade, and much more.

The Art Center's UVA intern Laura Draper Alexander shows some artwork off to a interested attendee.

This sculpture was one of the showcase features by Ida Trusch. It is a beautiful wooden piece the incorporates a dolphin, the head of a turtle, and on the side away from the camera - a fish. It retailed for $2800.

Artwork lined all the walls of the Smith Center. All the artwork and sculpture was/are available for purchase.

Vice President of Standards Greg Cook discusses some of the whitetail deer antler sculptures that could be found throughout the exhibit.

Tattoos and Rachael

Thanks to Rachael Morey, student at the University of Tennessee, for including me in an 8-part English report on confessions for her class. You can read the entire report on the blog site she had to create for the class as well as the section about my tattoo. Enjoy. And thanks again, Rachael!

55: A Meditation on the Speed Limit

When I read on Left Lane News that our wonderful Senator John Warner was actually considering putting the speed limit on our interstate roads back to 55 ... I was appalled--to say the least. And I'm sure SWAC Girl would agree. I remember driving through Georgia a number of years ago where they did have a 55 mph speed limit. It was horrible. No one paid it any mind and went, on average, 75. But heaven forbid a driver go 80 -- only then was he pulled over - to be charged with reckless driving. Warner needs to watch a film created by a group of Georgia State students in 2006. 

They follow the law and go 55. In an extraordinary act of public obedience, they wind up more in danger following a ridiculous law than they would if they broke it. Said Andy, one of the students who headed up this project, "Honestly I'm just happy that no one got hurt...cause I mean it really had the potential to be dangerous. Which is really, again, the point. It was dangerous because we were obeying the law..."

Watch below the short film, 55: A Meditation on the Speed Limit.

It would do well for Senator Warner to watch it too...

A war cannot be won without support

My letter to the editor published in the Staunton News Leader:

Recently, questions have been raised in the local paper, citing the growing amount of Win the War! signs that have gained a foothold in the Valley —implying that they do not help, impress, nor lift the hearts of our men and women overseas.

I would offer up this opinion: that an army needs something to fight for back at home in order to win — a cause, a sign, a purpose, a flag of its own. And we as a nation will compensate any shortage with spirit. The soldiers, who originally fought for our freedoms against the British during our Revolution, went through a time when they were but a handful of drunk and disorderly recruits that stood up against the entire British army. The finest musketmen on earth. The Continental Army had no army, no navy, no arms, no ammunition, no treasury and hardly any friends. But they had one thing that the British had not prepared for. They had spirit.

And a handful of Congressmen, in the face of all of this, threw their very lives on the line — and being unable to offer up at once any of the above amenities, offered the only thing they could offer up to spur on the troops — a sign. Where once they had nothing, the citizens of America and the Continental soldier could now brave the storm in a skiff made of paper — that sign was the Declaration of Independence. Ours is the declaration of a victory.

Elizabeth Taylor and my Grandfather

A few months ago, I was going through some of Bob Davis' (my late grandfather's) things. In a certain portion of the big box I was going through were cards, bulletins, and obituaries from his funeral. Folded neatly up was a letter on a single page, detailing how sad and upset the sender was on the untimely death of Skeet (Bob's nickname). The letter was signed, Elizabeth Taylor.

It had always been a part of our family's history that the mother of a dog belonging to Skeet named Pepe was owned by Elizabeth Taylor--and after buying the young poodle puppy from Elizabeth, they quickly became great friends. We know this story to be true, but didn't know how deeply the friendship actually ran.

My curiosity peaked and I got it out of the box again today. Not thinking this could actually be the real Elizabeth Taylor (sometimes I'm a pessimist--what can I say?) I went online to look at her signature to find out if it was legitimate or not. Sure enough, it was not a match. Not even close.

Just as I was packing it away, the thought occurred to me that perhaps her professional signature is different than her printed, handwritten signature. I did another search, and sure enough, it was as close to an exact match as possible.

If there needed to be any more proof of the letter's legitimacy, part of it states: "...I just want you to know that the thoughts and prayers of one who has suffered the same loss are very much with you." Mike Todd, Taylor's husband, had been killed when his plane, Lucky Liz, crashed in New Mexico --just two short years before the death of Skeet.

The question has been solved. I love it when a plan comes together.

COMING IN OCTOBER...

... THIS OCTOBER ...

... A SPECIAL MUSIC EVENT ...

... FROM CHICAGO'S FAMOUS NAVY PIER ...

DC's Gun Ban Stricken!

"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

In a historical and landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court, the decision was passed down from the bench -- gun ownership IS the right of the people. In a close 5 - 4 vote, Justice Antonin Scalia in the opinion of the majority stated:

Undoubtedly some think that the Second Amendment is outmoded in a society where our standing army is the pride of our nation, where well-trained police forces provide personal security and where gun violence is a serious problem," Scalia wrote. "That is perhaps debatable, but what is not debatable is that it is not the role of this court to pronounce the Second Amendment extinct.

See the full Supreme Court brief here.

There has been a great victory today.

Heston would be proud.

The Troll Report: Kurt Michael ?

DON'T


FEED


THE


TROLLS

Troll, n., giant, demon: a dwarf or giant in Scandinavian folklore inhabiting caves or hills: also,

1. people who are just being rude and obnoxious
2. who generally try to offend, shock, harass, and/or abuse
3. who otherwise annoy people

We ask that you not feed the trolls for this reason:

Dealing with trolls can often be difficult, but they should not go unwarned, un-removed or unbanned. Trolls can destroy a community, and often this is their goal.

OUR TROLL OF THE WEEK:

ACDCVA

from the blog 141 Majority

WHY?
(for comments like this...)

"Was there ever a doubt that the little weasle had a master plan hid up his sleeve when he 'Stepped down for the good of the party'?"

This guy is a JOKE and needs to see the writing on the wall...

......

Watch out for next week's Troll Report. You never know who will say the next vile, idiotic, ignorant, blatantly false or stupid thing!

A Tribute to Bob Davis...

A Tribute to Bob Davis

Friends of Bob Davis are sponsoring publication in The Staunton News-Leader of the following tribute which appeared soon after his death, in a neighboring newspaper:

The tragic death Thursday of Albert Wakefield Davis (Bob Davis was his professional name) has signaled the end of an era in broadcasting here.

The veteran announcer will be buried tomorrow at Asheville, N.C., his birthplace and boyhood home. Buried with him will be the mark of quality and intellectual integrity.

Bob Davis had the all too rare ability to entertain, to be clever on schedule. His talent for broadcasting was said to be equaled by few announcers. He possessed an exceptional command of the English language, coupled with a vocal delivery which was the envy of his colleagues.

His sincerity was evident, whether he was speaking of an idea or a sponsor's product --- and it went unchallenged.

Mr. Davis was known among the professionals as an "excellent air man," with the ability to handle any type of program or situation. His newscasts were authoritative and bore the stamp of understanding and depth of perception. His taste in music, as in all the arts and in literature, was impeccable. His talents for "putting a show together" were said to be unsurpassed.

A sensitive man, of almost delicate feelings, Mr. Davis excelled in what he undertook and he expected excellence in those around him. He had little patience with mediocrity -- in people or in their accomplishments. He loved and respected the superlative. On more than one occasion he was known to verbally lash a record manufacturer from his microphone for what he considered a poor recording or one that was in bad taste.

Mr. Davis took with him to the microphone a wide range of experience, resulting in programs of exceptional depth. His personality and air presentation were generally enhanced through an extensive acquaintanceship with the famous, primarily in the entertainment world.

He knew and loved good books. He had a great feeling for poetry, and was considered an excellent reader. His classical production of "The Vagabond's House" has drawn wide acclaim and repeated requests for rebroadcast.

Off the air, Mr. Davis was an introvert, who took delight in taking long hikes alone through the woods. He held a sincere fascination for nature and its lore. His depth of feeling was evidenced by the fact that he gave up hunting a number of years ago when a shot fired from his gun failed to kill a deer quickly. Intimates say he was forever after troubled by the memory of the dying sounds uttered by the stricken animal.

But he remained a sportsman. On Nov. 2, 1955, he hit a "hole in one" at Staunton's Gypsy Hill Golf Course. A horse fancier who knew good horse flesh, he once owned and rode a palimino. He maintained an elaborate and enviable collection of firearms and knives. He would spend hours at a time working on wood refinishings, mostly driftwood which he gathered to convert into ornamentation.

Mr. Davis enjoyed a reputation as a comic who stressed the ironic. His comedy was of the spontaneous variety rather than that of production. He was one of the best ad lib men in the business and could convert an embarrassing situation into a riotous farce to send listeners into gales of uncontrollable laughter.

It was this ad lib ability and his fondness for speaking his mind, spontaneously as it occured to him, which often landed him in hot water. But listeners were soon laughing again and not for long remain upset by his antics. He once talked on the air without interruption for an hour and 45 minutes to win a "biggest lie" contest with a colleague.

People here still recall his ride astride a mule from Waynesboro to Staunton in behalf of the March of Dimes. One year he sat for a week on a raft in the middle of the fairgrounds lake without ever coming to shore during the period. All his broadcasts were beamed that week from his watery perch.

Mr. Davis had great respect and affection for the aged and ailing, and he devoted much of his free time to visiting with them, offering the cheer of his vibrant personality.

There are thousands who will remember his major shows: "Bob Davis at Large," "Starlite Serenade," and "Curtain Time" . . . In his words, "a conglomoration, a pot pouri of warm waxings and cool sides. So if your musical mood needs to be wooed, stay with us as we wax enthusiastic."

(Originally published, June 5, 1960)

Bob Davis, Valley Radio Legend, dies

Today marks the 48th anniversary of the tragic death of the famed radio personality of the 40s, 50s, and 60s -- Bob Davis.

He was also my grandfather.


Accidentally Killed While Cleaning Gun
Albert Wakefield (Bob) Davis, well known announcer at radio station WTON, was pronounced dead on arrival at King's Daughters' Hospital shortly after 10:30 this morning.
Death was attributed to a gun-shot wound in the chest area --- apparently accidentally self-inflicted while he was cleaning his gun. Dr. Quentin O. Carr, medical examiner, has given an official "accidental death" ruling.
Mr. Davis, 34, was rushed to the hospital after a babysitter who was upstairs in his 1304 N. Coalter St. home, Mrs. Kathleen Whitescarver of 624 C. St., heard a shot, rushed to the basement, and found him apparently dead.

Planned to Clean Gun

Chief of Police R. Ruff Cline said Mrs. Whitescarver told him Mr. Davis told her he was going to the basement to clean his gun. A can of gun oil and several rags were found near his body, on a sofa. The shot came from a .38 calibre frontier model Colt six-shooter he apparently was cleaning. The bullet passed through his body at a point just below his heart, came out the back, and struck the cement wall of the basement. The fatal bullet was the only one in the gun.
It was learned that Mr. Davis and his family were preparing to leave shortly on a vacation to North Carolina. His wife was not at home at the time of the accident.
Mr. Davis had been employed as an announcer from WTON for about five years. Just last week he resigned his job.
Mr. Davis came to Staunton from Hollywood, Cal., where he had been employed in radio agency work. He was a native of North Carolina.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and a young son.
Funeral arrangements will be announced.

(Pictured above in the NewsLeader article, the home of Bob Davis. Across the street from present day Robert E. Lee High School -- also-- Paul Harvey and Bob Davis in a publicity shot. They were good friends.)

The NewsVirginian noted Bob's popularity at WTON and in Valley radio as one that, "commanded probably the largest listening audience of any announcer in the Valley."

It is also worthy to note that Bob was the radio announcer that gave Staunton's famed Statler Brothers their first air time. It was Bob that first played them on the air.

Davis also served in the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps.