Judge Judy vs. Jeopardy: Smart people choose smart entertainment, smart leaders

VINTON TODAY
June 7, 2011 10:09 am

            If there is one report from the news lately that indicates best how bad things are in American society, it's this:      More Americans, according to the Nielsen television ratings service, watch "Judge Judy" than "Jeopardy.

Me and Google

VINTON TODAY
June 6, 2011 10:00 am

       I owe part of my success in researching stories to a silly movie.      In the 2002 comedy "Maid in Manhattan," the mother, played by Jennifer Lopez, responds to a question from her daughter by saying "Google it at school.

Pastor's Blog-IMPERISHABLE SEEDS

PASTOR LANETTE S. VAN
June 2, 2011 9:49 pm

  Acts 2:14a, 36-41 I Peter 1:17-23 So, there I was on Saturday, wandering through the garden center of one of those big home improvement stores, surrounded by plants and flowers in 6-packs, gallon containers and planters and racks of brightly colored seed packets.

Dear Advertisers and Community

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
June 2, 2011 12:16 pm

Most months I try to drop a little note of thanks to our advertisers...it seems I've run into a good sort of problem, it's been crazy busy! I don't know if the area folks realize how important all of you advertisers are to making this all possible, you are indeed the engine that keeps all of this running.

A much more serious contest on a more dangerous field

VINTON TODAY
June 1, 2011 10:31 am

       A few years ago, a Vinton-Shellsburg baseball player was at the plate. A fastball came too far inside. He turned to get away.

Your consideration requested

VINTON TODAY
May 31, 2011 6:25 pm

  To the Editor:   This letter is written for the person or persons who are visiting thegrave of Steve De Witt and leaving a mess in the cemetery when they have left.

Life ain't always harder after high school

VINTON TODAY
May 31, 2011 11:47 am

      I've got some very good news for some of you graduates regarding something you may have heard during a graduation ceremony: It's absolutely untrue.

I just saw something I've never seen before...

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
May 26, 2011 12:37 pm

Ok, I admit it, I'm still a city kid. The other night while driving home, something ran across the road that looked like a gray blur. I've gotten used to seeing deer on the road, so am constantly on the lookout for those, but this was something new.

The Old Country Church

VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR
May 24, 2011 12:20 pm

A few nights ago, I spent the evening in one of the seats my grandparents and aunts and uncles sat in. I went to a tiny country church about 30 miles from my home.

Why the USA PATRIOT Act needs a new name

VINTON TODAY
May 24, 2011 10:10 am

       When you walk into the nearest Social Security office, the first person you see is a man with a gun. The first words you hear are "Why are you here?"      At first, you think: "Seriously? Who's going to rob (or otherwise harm) the Social Security Administration?" Then you remember that it's a federal building, all of which are under orders for special security.