Don Davis is an Extension Agent for the Virginia Cooperative Extension. He can be reached by calling (434) 455-3740.

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

‘It is very comprehensive on many of the problems associated with global warming.’

- Lincoln Brower,
Research biologist and expert on Monarch butterflies

Check out some of the topics discussed during the past year by Ken West, 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.

Check out this list of changes to benefits for veterans.

It’s just three days into 2009 and some of you already have blown that darned resolution.

Birding can become a competitive sport, at least with oneself.

The Postal Service’s 2009 line-up of stamps has been unveiled.

These predictions might actually happen.

Hotline help is available 24/7.

A concert with a cause ...

A character in the movie, ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,‘ is based in part on Ota Benga, who lived part of his life in Lynchburg.

It’‘s back to Lynchburg for a Central Virginian, who’s bringing her show to town.

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.

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.

Check out these health-related events ... .

Check out these area events ... .

Starting last week, I began a series of columns to pass along the tricks, tips and trends that the moderators at DealTaker.com have found in some in-demand categories during the holiday shopping rush. As you can imagine, much of the hottest holiday conversation is about electronics.

With young black men used as bait, dogs were trained to track and pursue runaway slaves in the cobblestone courtyard of a Richmond slave jail.

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

The dream: Quitting your job in a grinding city to run an enchanting hotel in the tropics. The nightmare: The pool is under construction, and the guests are hot and desperate to swim; the hotel’s snorkel equipment leaks; and a hurricane is brewing offshore.

Suzanne’s Knitting Shoppee has been a fixture at Forest Hill Shopping Center in Lynchburg for 25 years, attracting a core of regulars whom Suzanne Fetherston knows by name.

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.

The hookah bar trend comes to town.

These time-honored tales, whether told on pages or on screen, offer some inspiration for tough times.

It’s an evening of Yuletide music.

Check out these area events.

For habitual home decorators, the holiday season is like, well, Christmas. Creativity runs happily amok as rooms become set pieces for a few weeks.

Check out these area happenings.