Would anyone disagree with the notion that parenting is one of the toughest jobs in the world? Having to play the role of both parents makes it that much harder. … [Read more...]
Celebrating a Native Daughter in Newport News: Ella Fest Returns to the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center
When her daughter was a toddler, Temperence Fitzgerald would walk down Wickham Ave. in Newport News to her job as a maid. While doing so, she would pass a building housing the segregated Walter Reed School, knowing her little girl, Ella, would never be welcome there. … [Read more...]
Jason Michael Carroll to Play The NorVa in Support of Needy Local Families
His first album, 2007's Waitin' in the Country, debuted at #1 on the country music charts, and a hit single from that release, Alyssa Lies, could almost be thought of as an anthem for today's #MeToo movement. … [Read more...]
Portsmouth’s Maritime Industry: The Future
There’s one other aspect to Portsmouth’s potential as a port facility that promises to be a game changer of epic proportion. … [Read more...]
Portsmouth’s Maritime Industry: The Shippers
Within the private sector, though, its really the other major water-based industry that always has been, and continues to be the element propelling Portsmouth into the future in terms of economic impact. … [Read more...]
Portsmouth’s Maritime Industry: The Service Providers and Suppliers
There are also numerous businesses which provide crucial support services to other players in the maritime industry. One such entity is Crofton Industries. … [Read more...]
Portsmouth’s Maritime Industry: The Builders and Fixers
According to historical accounts, when early entrepreneurs were first exploring the area looking for financial opportunities in what would become Hampton Roads, it was maritime-oriented industries that came to mind. A shipbuilder named John Wood determined in 1620 that the area would be suitable for that industry. … [Read more...]
Portsmouth’s Maritime Industry: The Builders, Fixers, Suppliers, Shippers, & the Future
From its very inception, the city originally known as Gosport has been inexorably tied to the sea. … [Read more...]
Op-ed: The New Right Wing: Conservatism Fades in Favor of Hate
As we contemplate the fact that a huge swath of American voters have gravitated towards extreme right-wing beliefs, I thought it would be an appropriate time to reflect on what this movement has become and how it emerged. … [Read more...]
Op-ed: The Second Amendment and Life-Saving Gun Control Laws Can Co-exist
I wrote this editorial in the days after the San Bernardino shooting incident. I thought - obviously naively in hindsight - that after such horror, Americans might be ready to regain their sanity regarding gun violence, if only they were presented with truth vs. propaganda. … [Read more...]
IYRTP: What Will Differentiate the Candidates for Norfolk Mayor?
So, taking a look at what’s available on the Pilot buffet line, I see some tasty treats worth spending a few extra minutes to savor. Let’s nosh, shall we? … [Read more...]
Rau: Call for Independent Candidates to Break up the BS in VA Politics
Ahhh... The day after Election Day. Are you basking in the afterglow? Smoking a cigarette? Did you just roll over and go to sleep? Or were you one of the 72% who ignored the easy opportunity? … [Read more...]
Hampton Roads Local News Scuttlebutt with Mike Rau
Some weeks, the pickings are a little slim, but this week’s stories in the Pilot have provided fodder for much discussion. I had to pick and choose a few favorites. … [Read more...]
To NEON, with Love and Regret
I want to take up my space this week with NEON. There’s already been plenty written about the birth, evolution and culmination of the Norfolk Arts District in both the Pilot and here in AltDaily (WAVY-TV also put together a very cool feature report this past weekend), so I won’t use this space to try and recognize all the people who’ve been a part of making … [Read more...]
Bad Energy: How Dominion Power & other Big Corporate Profiteers Crush Consumers with Impunity
This time around, I want to discuss consumer rights vs. the rights of those who seek profit without limits, healthy competition or public scrutiny, and why the rights of profiteers always seem to dominate. … [Read more...]
Op-ed: The Suppression of Local Media By Local Government is the Definition of Tyranny
As I contemplated what I wanted to write about this time around, I couldn’t get a Pilot article from last week out of my mind. It sent chills up my spine. I want to tell you why you should react the same way. … [Read more...]
IYRTP: Mayor Kenny Wright’s Flagrant Disregard for Democracy in Portsmouth, & More Muddy Politics in HRVA
I’m always impressed when I see reasonable people demonstrate a willingness to reevaluate an opinion and change it. It indicates functional intellect at work. So I want to give a shout out to the Pilot’s editorial staff for reexamining their position on the leadership of Portsmouth mayor Kenny Wright, and what they believe should happen in terms of his tenure … [Read more...]
Op-ed: Want to End “Entitlements”? Pay Workers Enough so They Don’t Need Welfare
Let the workers organize. Let the toilers assemble. Let their crystallized voice proclaim their injustices and demand their privileges. Let all thoughtful citizens sustain them, for the future of Labor is the future of America. - John Lewis … [Read more...]
Norfolk’s Largely Unknown Historic Resistance to a Racist Film Brought to Light
The great contradiction of art is that it can simultaneously convey inspirational beauty and terrible ugliness. Such is certainly the case when considering The Birth of a Nation, D.W. Griffith’s epic silent film released in 1915. … [Read more...]
“The New Portsmouth”: A Hopeful Welcome to New City Manager Lydia Pettis Patton, & More Good News from Around #HRVA
This week, I want to take a break from poking the bear and point out some good things going on around the region. As always, I hope they represent a trend, and I want to encourage the kind of progress these positive actions represent. … [Read more...]