The bag is sleek and smart and made from soft brown leather that feels as soft as butter. The straps are long, wide and so comfy. And it hangs coquettishly from my brother’s shoulder. That’s right, my brother.

Ken West is a professor at Lynchburg College. His book, ‘The Shelbys,’ has been translated into Indonesian and Czech. Readers may write to West in care of The News & Advance, P.O. Box 10129, Lynchburg, VA 24506.

ADVANCE - Lina Fernandez was the homecoming queen at Davie High School this school year. She wore a pair of long, flowing black pants that rippled around her ankles as she walked across the football field.

So long, bulky passport book. Hello, plastic card.

Wednesday is organic day.

This year’s Batteau Festival offers a glimpse into Lynchburg’s past plus other things to do and see downtown.

A rare Lynchburg-made car, one of a relative handful still extant, will be on display during the annual festival. 

The latest version of ‘The Incredible Hulk’ is faster-bigger-stronger, but maybe not as incredible when it comes to wit and heart.

Thelma Dalmas, a naturalist, writes a weekly column for The News & Advance. Readers may e-mail her at .

Don Davis is an Extension Agent for the Virginia Cooperative Extension. He can be reached by calling 455-3740.

They had only about 15 minutes left in the rented recording studio. Time for one more song.

The little house that was played a little part in Lynchburg’s history.

Wintergreen’s Summer Music Festival has expanded in scope and offerings.

A local filmmaker takes on a big project: ‘Pilgrim’s Progress.’

This band likes to play music, and share it with other musicians.

Paul Thorn will play June 14.

It’s that time again, time to head down to see what the galleries have up on the first friday evening of the month.

Don Davis is an Extension Agent for the Virginia Cooperative Extension. He can be reached by calling 455-3740.

Some Lynchburg Bird Club members took quite a field trip, and News & Advance nature columnist Thelma Dalmas was one of them.

Sandra Boydston, development director for the Lynchburg Humane Society, offers tips for keeping Fido and Fluffy cool.

For Linda Parker, avocation turned into vocation: teaching line dancing.

In this column, Ken West, a professor at Lynchburg College, writes about marraige, faith and health. His book, ‘The Shelbys,’ has been translated into Indonesian and Czech. Readers may write to West in care of The News & Advance, P.O. Box 10129, Lynchburg, VA 24506.

This fashion show mentions—and shows—‘unmentionables’ for women who’ve had mastectomies.

Christopher Burch, a local artist, says the artwork that hangs in the new Alan B. Pearson Cancer Center, thanks to an anonymous donor, lets patients know they are cared about, not just cared for.

A school that once played a pivotal role in the education of blacks in Appomattox County will now house a museum on black history in the county.

The Dance Theatre of Lynchburg will perform a show that includes a piece called “Anatomyof a Dancer.”

A concert of ragtime, stride and early jazz piano tunes called “Tricky Fingers” is set for Saturday.

For Trent Tomlinson, it’s all about making music that he describes as “‘open a beer, sit in a lawn chair, let’s have a party’ country.”

Three poets will read their work at Givens Friday, and as one of them said, “… we promise to be fun.”

Will the fall line-up be worth falling for? Here’s the Couch Potato’s take on it.