Rocktown Weekly: Archive

November 21, 2009

news

Posted 2008-10-30

Sen. Barack Obama started his speech at James Madison University on Tuesday by acknowledging that it has been “awhile” since a presidential nominee campaigned in Harrisonburg.

Valley Resident Makes It To ‘Idol’ Top 12 Men
by Elizabeth Rome
Posted 2008-02-19

Ryan Berry wants you to get your dialing fingers ready. Tonight, his little brother Colton, 18, will sing as one of the top 12 male contestants on Fox's "American Idol," and for two hours following the show viewers can vote via phone or text message to keep him on the show.

Poets to read, reflect on life in the South
by Elizabeth Rome
Posted 2007-11-01

The name is modest, but don't let that fool you. Modular Building #1 is home to James Madison University's Furious Flower Poetry Center, the United States' only center solely devoted to African American poetry.

Downtown rolls out the red carpet for Museum and Gallery Walk
by Elizabeth Rome
Posted 2007-11-01

Don't think of Friday's Museum and Gallery Walk as the usual partnership of art and commerce that only comes to downtown Harrisonburg twice a year. Think of it as a "super-charged First Friday," says Kai Degner, executive director of the Arts Council of the Valley.

For the love of RVs
by Brooke Bates
Posted 2007-10-18

This weekend, more than 400 people will call the Rockingham County Fairgrounds home. They will come to share the thing that brings them here: RVs.

BRCC unveils new Fine Arts Center

by Luanne Austin
Posted 2007-09-13

A new center for the arts has announced its premiere season.
The Black Box Theatre in the just-opened Blue Ridge Community College Fine Arts Center has a slate of events sure to draw audiences.

Business booms as students return

by Alicia Wotring Sisk
Posted 2007-09-06

As thousands of students converged on Harrisonburg during the last two weeks, they brought with them the long lines at Wal-Mart, the long lines to get out of Harrisonburg Crossing, the long lines on Port Republic Road and the long lines, well, just about anywhere in the city.

But, they brought the green, too, something retailers and city officials are happy to welcome back.

City debates whether to silence train whistles

by Amber Lester
Posted 2007-08-02

The long train whistles that pierce the night in Harrisonburg may soon become a thing of the past.

JMU adds students, expects more than 21,500 by 2013

Posted 2007-07-26

During the next six years, James Madison University plans to expand its enrollment to more than 21,500 students, a 24 percent increase from last fall.

iPods, Wii and cell phones all take a toll on your health
by Amber Lester
Posted 2007-07-19

Let's say you rarely work out, but your right elbow has been sore lately. You never go to concerts, but you feel like you can't understand what people are saying.

iPhones snapped up by eager buyers

by Amber Lester
Posted 2007-07-05

If you called AT&T Wireless last week, you heard the following message:

Valley Fourth returns with parade, fireworks

Posted 2007-06-28

Harrisonburg and Rockingham County will commemorate its past, present and future this July 4 during the sixth annual Valley Fourth Celebration.

The Flying MacLeods
Volunteer group keeps Appalachian Trail ready for more hikers

by Amber Lester
Posted 2007-06-21

An ice storm rattled the trees in the Shenandoah National Forest last fall, leaving debris strewn across the Appalachian Trail.

Load up on sunblock for healthy summer skin

by Amber Lester
Posted 2007-06-14

There is no such thing as a harmless tan.

Juried art exhibition has something for everyone

Posted 2007-06-07

If you walk into Park Gables at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community in Harrisonburg this month, you'll be forgiven if you think you've stepped into an upscale art gallery by mistake.

Travleling abroad? Not without a passport
by Amber Lester
Posted 2007-05-31

If you've been dreaming about hopping a plane for a spontaneous weekend jaunt to Cancun, you have to kiss that fantasy goodbye.

JMU alumni center’s relationship with lending company investigated

Posted 2007-05-24

Officials with James Madison University’s alumni association say they don’t have an improper relationship with Nelnet, the student loan consolidation company.

The Worx keeps the summer rockin'
by Martin Cizmar
Posted 2007-05-17

Nashville is Music City.

As school year ends, JMU athletes look to the future after Title IX

by Amber Lester
Posted 2007-05-10

James Madison University officially finished its school year Saturday, shutting its doors to relieved students ready for summer fun.

La De Da brings a boutique back downtown

by Amber Lester
Posted 2007-05-03

That’s because the family-run boutique, a branch of owner Carole Hughes’ original store in downtown Roanoke, is the first women’s clothing boutique downtown in more than 30 years.

Valley struggles to understand shootings
Two ’Burg residents recovering from gunshot wounds

Posted 2007-04-19

The two Harrisonburg residents wounded in Monday’s massacre at Virginia Tech are recovering, friends and family say.

Tech students begin to cope
Some return home for brief respite

Posted 2007-04-19

Spotswood High School graduate Philip Heisel was in an engineering class Monday at Virginia Tech when one of his classmates received a text message alerting him to a shooting at a campus dormitory.

Get ready to settle up with Uncle Sam

by Amber Lester
Posted 2007-04-04

It’s that time again. People across the nation are preparing for a mad dash to scrape together their tax forms and file by April 17.

Agony of defeat
Unforgettable year comes to a close with first-round loss

Posted 2007-03-22

PITTSBURGH
After battling for 32 minutes, the seniors who spent the last four years building this moment weren’t thinking about the end.
Even as it started to snowball with about eight minutes to go.
Even as the clock wound down, with little chance of coming back.
The veterans on the James Madison women’s basketball team just didn’t want to let it go.

Driving tour takes people through Valley’s black history
by Amber Lester
Posted 2007-03-08

Drivers traveling through Rockingham County may be familiar with the rich Civil War history or agricultural influence. They may not, however, be aware of black heritage in the Valley.

Business 101
Earth and Tea Café owner learns tough lessons about starting out in business

by Amber Lester
Posted 2007-03-01

It’s easy to forget the little things. And when you’re renovating a building, hiring employees, ordering products from vendors and working full-time as a realtor, it’s easy to forget the big stuff, too.

Interest in HPV vaccine grows
by Amber Lester
Posted 2007-02-22

When Merck launched its ad campaign to promote its vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV), it showed woman after woman on the TV screen, saying “I didn’t know.”

Triumph over wintry roads
Follow our 10 tips to dash easily through the snow
by Amber Lester
Posted 2007-02-01

You get what you give. And if you haven’t given your car some winter loving anytime recently, you may receive nothing but car trouble in return.

Could smoking in restaurants be on the way out?
State bills propose the end of smoking indoors

by Amber Lester
Posted 2007-01-26

If State Sen. Brandon Bell has his way, no one will come home from a restaurant or bar smelling like smoke.

Life downtown just got more convenient
Cigarettes, snacks, sandwiches line shelves of new store

by Amber Lester
Posted 2007-01-18

Americans demand convenience. It’s one of the hallmarks of our society — every man, woman and child has the right to speedy pizza delivery, anytime minutes and drive-thru pharmacies.
But even after all the development downtown, workers and residents haven’t been able to buy milk or a candy bar in the past decade. Until now.

Will anyone benefit from a minimum wage hike?
by Amber Lester
Posted 2007-01-04

When the Democratic-controlled Congress convenes this week, lawmakers Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) say raising the federal minimum wage is at the top of their to-do lists. Democrats in Virginia’s General Assembly have already proposed increasing the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $6.15 in 2008 and $7.25 by the end of 2009.

MACRoCk faces rising debts
Indie music fest’s future may be in doubt

by Amber Lester
Posted 2006-12-21

Any battle for independence is hard-fought and the fight to keep MACRoCk afloat without sponsorship just got tougher.

With Comcast comes higher prices

Posted 2006-12-21

When Adelphia customers receive their first bills from Comcast next month, they should be prepared for some sticker shock.
As of Jan. 1, the average Comcast customer’s bill will rise by approximately 5 percent, according to Jaye Linnen, a spokeswoman for the Virginia market.

‘Democracy Now!’ host to discuss media, dissent in America

by Amber Lester
Posted 2006-12-08

Some of Amy Goodman’s best compliments have come from world leaders. Former President Bill Clinton called her “hostile, combative and even disrespectful.” The Indonesian military called her “a threat to national security.” Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich told her he warned his mother to avoid reporters “because of people like you.”

Calling Santa’s helpers
Operation Santa Claus gathers toys for needy kids
by Amber Lester
Posted 2006-11-30

The Student Ambassadors at James Madison University have a catchy little slogan on their Web site: “We are students serving students — past, present and future.” That’s not quite true; they have been students who also serve the Harrisonburg community since Student Ambassador Julie Demeester started Operation Santa Claus.

Long and winding road home
Filmmaker finds stories to tell in his hometown

by Amber Lester
Posted 2006-11-30

It shouldn’t be a surprise when Tim Estep, 28, says his favorite movie is Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life.” After all, the story of a small-town man with big city dreams who finds what he always needed at home must resonate for Estep.

Gotta have the Playstation 3
Would-be buyers camp out to get next big thing

Posted 2006-11-23

People think they’re losers. Chris Dell doesn’t mind.
“How’s it going, girls?” he brazenly called out to the gaggle breezing by his campsite outside Circuit City last Thursday.

Community Thanksgiving
Soup kitchens, churches open their doors for the holiday

Posted 2006-11-16

Give city and county residents a pat on the back. They overwhelmingly donate their time, money and love on Thanksgiving, based on the overstaffed soup kitchens every year. There are several local events that bring the community together on Thanksgiving.

Hardesty-Higgins House gets facelift in its second century

by Amber Lester
Posted 2006-11-02

Only six years ago, the building at the corner of South Main Street and Bruce looked like the perfect place to host a haunted house. The old brick home, with a grand portico out front, had been boarded up and left empty for 20 years.

Think breast cancer can’t strike when you’re young? Think again
by Amber Lester
Posted 2006-10-19

Nearly every woman in America will be touched by breast cancer, either contracting the disease herself or watching a family member or friend fight the disease. But even in the midst of October’s breast cancer awareness campaign, many women younger than 40 aren’t aware that they, too, are at risk.

Meetup.com finds friends in your own backyard
by Amber Lester
Posted 2006-10-12

William Bowman wanted to meet people on the Internet. But not just any people from New York or Hong Kong or Montreal — he wanted to find people who shared his common interests in his own backyard.
So when he got a promotional e-mail from eBay about Meetup.com, it seemed like the Web site could be the right fit.

JMU cuts 10 sports
Rose: ‘We had to comply’ with gender-balance laws
by Mike Barber
Posted 2006-10-05

In an effort to comply with federal gender-equity rules, James Madison University will eliminate 10 sports teams effective July 1, 2007, the school announced on Sept 29.

Flipping houses loses its appeal as market cools

by Amber Lester
Posted 2006-09-28

Carl Nicol used to be able to sell a house in a week — two weeks at the most. He says he has a solid track record in flipping homes, and once bought a house for $160,000 that sold for $250,000. But with the cooling in the real estate market, this “flipper” says he might stay out of the game for a while.

The Pub spotlights college rock
by Amber Lester
Posted 2006-09-21

College musicians and local bands looking for their next big break now have the chance to play a professional stage in Harrisonburg. The Pub, well known for its karaoke and dance bands, has added college rock to its weekly line-up. General Manager Chuck Troutman says it’s an effort to bring something more to what Harrisonburg is missing: a nightlife.

Renter’s insurance helps take the pain out of a disaster
by Amber Lester
Posted 2006-09-14

Living alone for the first time can be scary. You’re expected to kill the spiders. It’s up to you to take out the stinky trash. And scariest of all, if lightning strikes your apartment and you lose everything, your landlord doesn’t pay for your property.

Avoid the cuffs
Be smart when throwing a party

Posted 2006-08-31

Let’s say you’re throwing a house party. You invite 40 to 50 of your closest friends and they bring friends, who also bring friends. Suddenly there are at least 20 people you’ve never met overflowing into your neighbor’s yard. And then the cops show up.

Opinion divided over gun bill veto

by Joe T. O'Connor
Posted 2006-04-20

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine vetoed seven bills last week, including one that would allow gun owners without concealed weapons permits to put guns out of plain view in their cars.

Tackling your taxes
Break out the pencils (and erasers) — doing your own taxes isn’t that bad
by Martin Cizmar
Posted 2006-02-23

Spring’s almost here, so it’s on your mind. Maybe you haven’t done it before. Maybe you’ve done it a few times, but weren’t any good at it. But, hey, your parents do it, so how hard can it be?

Teleguz sentenced to death

Posted 2006-02-16

On Tuesday, a Rockingham County Circuit Court jury sentenced Ivan Teleguz to death.Last Thursday, Teleguz, 27, was found guilty of being an acc...

Credit card payments just got heavier

by Joe T. O'Connor
Posted 2006-01-30

You know how you’ve just said “Put it on the card. It’s no big deal, I’ll just pay the minimum payment this month.” Well now, since New Year’s has come and gone, that minimum may have doubled.

On Jan. 1, the federal government implemented a guideline from 2003, stating that credit card issuers must increase the minimum monthly payments that consumers make. It’s not necessarily a bad thing: now you can pay off credit debt before you write your will.

Frozen trends
getting the hottest gear for cool weather

by Joe T. O'Connor
Posted 2006-01-05

This winter, you need to know what’s hot, what’s not, where to be and what to see. From the sickest new twin-tips to the “moustache bet,” Rocktown will show you where you stand in this brave new world of the latest and greatest.

JMU grad student named best in VA

by Joe T. O'Connor
Posted 2005-12-22

Jessica Shaffer is not just a good graduate student at James Madison University. She’s the best in Virginia — at least as far as the Virginia Academy of School Psychologists is concerned.

All I want for Christmas is to get out of this house
Can't take any more of family togetherness? A dose of live music will cure you

by Joe T. O'Connor
Posted 2005-12-15

The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone. And if you’re over the relatives, the gifts, the eggnog and watching “A Christmas Story” for the seventh time, you may want to check out some musical alternatives.

Bring on the music
Randy's Music Shop offers guitars and the knowledge to play them

by Joe T. O'Connor
Posted 2005-12-08

Randy Black tries not to eat at Subway too much. That’s tough, however, considering his shop is in the same building as the sub place that made Jared rich and skinny.

Uncertain future for Highlawn
ABC orders revocation of liquor license

Posted 2005-12-01

A Harrisonburg bar’s license has been revoked, and its owners will be forced to stop serving alcohol if the state’s ruling stands.

The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control ruled on Nov. 8 to revoke the license of Highlawn Pavilion. The revocation was to take effect in 30 days, unless there is an appeal.

A little bit classical, a little bit bluegrass

by Martin Cizmar
Posted 2005-11-24

There’s not much difference between a fiddle and a violin, physically. On a fiddle the bridge is traditionally a little smaller than on a violin — that’s it.

Olé!
Guzman’s spices up local nightlife with new club

by Joe T. O'Connor
Posted 2005-11-17

It looks like a Mexican prom night, 1983. Massive bunches of balloons are strung along the ceiling amid rainbow streamers.

More than 300 people pack the club, which is lit up like a fireworks display, barraging the dance floor with neon strobes accented by a fog machine.

Advantage: Napp
John Naparlo trades b-ball for a music career

by Joe T. O'Connor
Posted 2005-11-10

John Naparlo is silent now, drowned out by the country tunes of Johnny Napp. Naparlo loves basketball and Napp, music. It’s too bad Naparlo and Napp are one in the same.

Which is the reason why last Tuesday, the JMU senior had to announce his decision: pursuing a music career over basketball.

Apathy 2005?
Election sparks little interest in younger generation

by Joe T. O'Connor
Posted 2005-11-03

Students on local college campuses are going to be in class on Tuesday Nov. 8.

They’ll also be in the library, throwing the football on the quad and doing all the other things people do on a normal Tuesday.

A Film Blooms
Poetry Event Featured In New Project

by Joe T. O'Connor
Posted 2005-10-27

The Furious Flower Poetry Center has released a new documentary, “Furious Flower II: The Black Poetic Tradition,” which was set to premiere Oct. 27.

The film, consisting of three 60-minute programs, focuses on the 2004 Furious Flower Conference, where black poets read pieces and spoke about their effects on contemporary poetry.

Get your spook on

Posted 2005-10-20

At Darkwood Manor in Luray you’ll not only get scared silly for $7, you’ll help cute little kitty cats.

That’s because proceeds from the manor go to help three local charities, including Cat’s Cradle, a no-kill cat animal shelter based in Harrisonburg.

Ready, set, shop!
Target broadens city's retail horizon

by Martin Cizmar
Posted 2005-10-13

P.J. Harris spent his day off at the brand new Target at Valley Mall — and not exactly by his own choice.

His mother and girlfriend wanted ...

Joining the big boys
JMU students learn the ropes of the recording business at 80 One Records

Posted 2005-10-06

The record business is notoriously crooked. But Nathaniel Baker doesn’t have to worry about being ripped off by some skeezy industry-type.

Baker is the first artist signed to 80 One Records, JMU’s student-run record label.

Fashion Frenzy
Tuscan Springs stylists share talents in fundraiser

by Martin Cizmar
Posted 2005-09-29

When Roland Roach opened Tuscan Springs Salon on Massanetta Springs Road last year he wanted a novel way of promoting the business.

So he staged a hair and fashion show in the ‘Burg.

Rockin' the BLOCK party

Posted 2005-09-22

Harrisonburg, students. Students, Harrisonburg. To foster a positive and profitable relationship between residents and students, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance is sponsoring the first ever “Block Party in the Burg,” from 3-8 p.m. on Saturday.

Move over big boys — There's a 'little' guy in town