Fredericksburg School Board Approves Cell Phone Ban
New policy and regulation prohibit student use of personal communication devices during the instructional day. The Fredericksburg School Board on Monday unanimously approved a new policy prohibiting the use of “personal communication devices” by students in school buildings during the school day. “The use of PCDs on school grounds must be appropriately regulated to protect […]
COMMENTARY: Leading with Politics Has Failed Spotsylvania Schools
It’s time to lead with people. Early in the 2000s at a meeting of some of America’s wealthiest philanthropists, I was standing by a window in a meeting room at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. At the front of the room were several very wealthy, well-intentioned individuals talking about how philanthropy could address […]
Judge Dismisses Assault and Battery Case Against Spotsylvania School Board Member Nicole Cole
Judge Gene Woolard also asked the board to refocus on the education of children. A visiting judge on Monday morning dismissed a misdemeanor assault and battery charge brought by Spotsylvania School Board member Lisa Phelps against fellow School Board member and Vice Chair Nicole Cole. As did his colleague Richard McGrath earlier this spring when […]
Congressional Battle Will Affect Food Bank
The Farm Bill is stalled in Congress. Its resolution will significantly affect the growing food-insecure population. The question is, will it be for better or worse? Though the pandemic is shrinking in the American rearview mirror, the number of Americans struggling with food insecurity continues to grow. Dan Maher is president and CEO of the […]
CRICKET’S BIG DAY
Humor doesn’t always lead to people falling down and laughing. Sometimes, humor can take a darker tone. Such is the case with today’s column by Drew. Hi, my name is Cricket and I’m a 14-month-old wirehaired pointer who lives in South Dakota. Today is my big day! Mistress Kristi told me that today she’s going […]
Sunday Books & Culture
This week Penny A Parrish reviews Clare Pooley’s heartwarming novel “How to Age Disgracefully.” HOW TO AGE DISGRACEFULLY by Clare Pooley Published by Pamela Dorman Books (June 11, 2024)Hardcover $26.10Audiobook $15.75 Reviewed by Penny A Parrish Those of us of a “certain age” are often overlooked by writers. So credit goes to Clare Pooley […]
THEATRE REVIEW: ANNIE GET YOUR GUN
Presented by Stage Door Productions Music and lyrics by Irving BerlinBook by Dorothy Fields and Herbert FieldsDirected by David SchubertTickets available for June 30 Theater Criticism 101 Answer the following questions: Answers: In 1946, Irving Berlin had been writing Broadway musicals for 32 years. When approached by Rogers and Hammerstein to write the score that […]
Clay Jones: One Plat Map’s as Good as Another
Editor’s Note: Growth is a problem that communities want, but that it’s a desirable problem doesn’t mitigate the difficulties of dealing with needs like housing. The Mary’s Landing project has drawn considerable attention in Fredericksburg, and in the pages of the Advance (See here, here, here, here, and most recently, here.) Clay Jones brings his […]
The News That Had Our Readers Talking: June 21 – June 28
The week just past saw a beloved librarian step aside, a New Hope in Spotsylvania, a well-paid New Hope in Spotsylvania, more controversy over Mary’s Landing (100 strong this time), and the Fredericksburg region goes round-and-round. Also this past week, lots of post-election breakdowns, and Drew’s back encouraging us to vote to Tyrone. After Thursday’s […]