P Keip's Hype

They’re Bringin’ Saxby Back

2008-12-03T09:20:00.002-05:00

Georgia GOP'ers made that clear last night.

Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss won a runoff election yesterday against Democratic hopeful Jim Martin.

The resounding win of more than 10 percentage points is a victory for a party that didn’t have too many things to celebrate 30 days ago.

While the Democrats will control both the House and the Senate, they won’t have the 60 seat majority in the Senate which would be immune to filibusters. A Martin win would have given President-elect Obama a stronger hand moving his agenda.

Unlike Chambliss, who used prominent figures in the Republican Party to campaign throughout Georgia for the past month, Martin never capitalized on the excitement surrounding the election of Obama just one month earlier.

Voter turnout was nearly half of what it was for the general election andObama never campaigned for Martin in the state. The President-Elect did do automated phone calls and a radio ad in Atlanta.

Chambliss came to the Senate in 2002 after defeating Democratic Sen. Max Cleland in a heated election.

The Office Fax 11.20

2008-11-20T16:20:00.001-05:00

In “Frame Toby,” a mysterious person in the office has made a huge mess in the microwave and will not clean it up. Meanwhile, Michael has to come to terms with the fact that there have been certain personnel changes in his staff without his knowing. This episode is written by cast member Mindy Kaling, Kelly Kapur.

2008-11-11T10:19:00.000-05:00

Circuit City: Looks like we'll have to take that Free Spin away

2008-11-10T09:09:00.005-05:00

Latest O.A.R. CD: Good from All Sides

2008-11-05T10:16:00.002-05:00

The first time I ever heard Of a Revolution (O.A.R.) I was a college freshman. The song was “Crazy Game of Poker.” The year was 2000. And even after four years of hearing their tunes in heavy rotation at the fraternity house, I still listen to the guys from The Ohio State University via Rockville, Maryland.

Their latest album, “All Sides,” continues blend of rock and reggae, this go around the reggae influences aren’t as noticeable. From the slow mellow sounds of “The Gift” to the fast and upbeat rock hits “Shattered” and “This Town,” O.A.R. delivers on all fronts with this CD.

O.A.R. is an example of how persistence pays off. The band released “The Wanderer” in 1997 to little fanfare. But news of the band spread across college campuses by word of mouth and music downloading sites like Napster. Oh those were the days.

After years of touring and encouraging fans to download their songs by any form imaginable, O.A.R. now sells out Madison Square Garden and cranks out billboard hits. It shows what word of mouth and campus cult following can do.

Friday Photos

2008-10-31T09:11:00.003-04:00

The Phillies have won the 2008 World Series!

Palin to Speak at Deep Run H.S.

2008-10-30T11:48:00.003-04:00

In case you've been living under a rock in 2008, the Old Dominion will play a promient role in deciding the next President of the United States.

This saturday evening, Alaskan governor and vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin will hold a “Road To Victory Rally” at Deep Run High School in Richmond's Far West End.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and space will be limited. Free tickets are available for download online at johnmcain.com as well as at John McCain’s local campaign headquarters, at 2819 N. Parham Road, Suite 210, across from Tucker High School.

Both the Obama and McCain camps want to secure the 13 electoral votes that are up for grabs in the state.

The Office Fax 10.30

2008-10-30T10:07:00.003-04:00

In tonight’s episode, “Employee Transfer,” the soon-to-be Pam Halpert is embarrassed when she is the only person at corporate wearing a costume on Halloween. Holly and Michael take the long trip to Nashua after they get some shocking news from corporate. Meanwhile, Dwight torments Andy and tries to get under his skin. And speaking of Andy, let us not forget Andrew and Angela are tying the knot soon – Thanksgiving Day to be exact. Be sure to check out their wedding website at http://www.angelaandy.com/

Since 1981

2008-10-20T08:58:00.002-04:00

The Office Fax 10.16

2008-10-16T09:09:00.004-04:00

All mothers and fathers out there will be reminded of the birth of their ankle biters in tonight’s “Office” episode. In “Baby Shower”, Michael practices for the birth of Jan’s baby by having Dwight go over possible birthing scenarios. Rumors are swirling that Schrute’s water actually breaks. Meanwhile, Michael tells Holly that he will pretend to dislike her for Jan’s benefit.

Dukes Dazzle in Final Seconds

2008-10-13T16:26:00.002-04:00

Congrats to Scotty McGee and the #1 ranked JMU Dukes on their thrilling 38-31 victory over UR on Saturday.

The Office Fax 10.9

2008-10-09T13:44:00.001-04:00

After a week off for some Lincoln-Douglas debating, “The Office” returns tonight at 9EST. In “Business Ethics,” Holly decides to hold a seminar for the DM employees, now that scandal-star Ryan is back in Scranton. And like most gatherings, things go awry pretty quick. This time Michael Gary Scott decides everyone should speak freely about their unethical behavior at work. Meanwhile, Jim makes Dwight comply with the company’s “time theft” policy.

And if you haven’t gotten your political fill over the past 24 months, stay tuned for a SNL Weekend Update Special at 9:30.

Friday Film

2008-09-26T10:34:00.002-04:00

Air traffic around our planet over a 24 hour period.

The Office Fax 9.25

2008-09-25T08:45:00.000-04:00

When we last saw our friends from Scranton, it was time to say goodbye to Toby. Jim was ready to create some fireworks by proposing to Pam, but Andrew Bernard stole Big Tuna’s thunder and asked Angela to take his hand in marriage, to which she reluctantly agreed. We also learned that candle creator Jan was pregnant. But the night belonged to Angela and Dwight who were caught “pushing more than just paper” by Phyllis Vance.

In tonight’s hour-long season premiere, “Weight Loss”, we learn what happened during the eight-week summer vacation as a Dunder Mifflin weight loss initiative causes the branch to diet and become obsessed with their weight. While co-workers are tipping the scales, Michael continues his pursuit of a friendship with the new HR rep, Holly. Michael’s obsession for Holly is equaled by Jim sadness over Pam who attends art school in New York.

Clearing Underway for New Kroger at the Corner at Short Pump

2008-09-24T10:10:00.001-04:00

Goodbye forest, hello pavement and concrete. It’s a trend in the Far West End that doesn’t seem to be ending soon. This week crews began clearing land at the corner of Lauderdale Drive and West Broad Street to begin construction of The Corner at Short Pump, just across the street from Short Pump Town Center.

The anchor tenant of this 225,000 square foot mixed use shopping hub will be a gourmet Kroger grocery store. The current Kroger next to Target in the Brookhollow Shopping Center will close once the new store opens.

The land borders the Wellesley community to the South and the 90-acre Pruitt farm to the West. The farmland is one of the last untouched areas of Short Pump. Hopefully it won’t go the way of its former neighbor down Broad, Liesfeld farm – now home to West Broad Village, the biggest project since the development of Innsbrook.

It'll be here before you know it

2008-09-19T13:17:00.002-04:00

Microsoft Pulls Seinfeld & Gates Ads

2008-09-18T11:16:00.003-04:00

Say goodbye to Jerry and Bill. The plug has been pulled on their trivial television ads.

Microsoft says that there is the “potential to do other things” with the comedian, but nothing has been released as of yet. The ads depicted Seinfeld and Gates going about their daily lives together with some underlying computer references thrown in for shits and giggles. The problem is that the company feels that nobody giggled.

“The Office” Returns to the Tube and iTunes

2008-09-18T11:16:00.002-04:00

A week from today, our friends from Scranton return to “The Office” from summer vacation and get back to pushing paper. The hour-long episode should answer some questions about Andy, Angela and Dwight, plus Holly the new HR rep takes over for the departed Toby.

But unlike season 4, the employees of Dunder-Mifflin won’t just be providing laughs on the television screen.

NBC will once again carry “The Office” and other programming on iTunes. The peacock network left the convenience and ease that comes with downloading content off the site over a year ago.

Standard definition shows run $1.99 and High-def is $2.99.

Far West End Land to be Developed

2008-09-11T09:48:00.004-04:00

Henrico County Manager Virgil Hazelett calls it, “one of the last pieces of property to do what is absolutely necessary for this area of the county.”

Kain Road is an anomaly in the western section of Henrico County. The 205 acre site just west of Pouncey Tract Road in Short Pump is still relatively undeveloped.

That will all change soon enough.

On Tuesday night, Henrico’s Board of Supervisors approved a measure that will allow the county to construct a new fire station, school, park and fueling station with a price tag of $24.4 million.

Currently, the Kain Road is home to a few homes and farmland. The area will become an integral part in easing congestion in the Far West End once the North Gayton Road extension is built across Interstate 64 near Strange’s Florist and Dominion Chevrolet.

The deal was reached after a 4-1 vote. The dissenting vote came from Tuckahoe District Supervisor Pat O’Bannon who didn’t agree with how Hazelett and landowner Robert M. Atack reached the land deal. O’Bannon thought the county should’ve used eminent domain to obtain the property.

Brady Out for Season. Pats Must Now Pick from QB Bunch.

2008-09-08T15:45:00.002-04:00

Tom Brady is done for the 2008 season. Last year’s NFL MVP will have to go under the knife after suffering a left knee injury against the Kansas City Chief in yesterday’s 17-10 win in Foxboro.

With Brady gone until 2009, the next man up is Matt Cassel, who hasn’t played in a full game since high school. Cassel backed up Matt Leinart at USC. Behind Cassel is Matt Gutierrez, the second-year pro from Idaho State.
The Patriots have dealt with this situation before in 2001. Drew Bledsoe hit the operating table and Tom Brady hit pay dirt – winning the Super Bowl.

But will Cassel find the same success in a division that some guy name Favre now calls home? The Patriots will surely look at all options, including free agent QB Chris Simms, who was recently let go by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Another name floating out there: Daunte Culpepper. C-Pep was trying to latch on with a team in the preseason but had no takers. He found most of his success with the Minnesota Vikings and their flamboyant Wide Receiver, Randy Moss. Randy Moss is now a Patriot.

And to think we haven’t even completed week one yet…

Gentle Breeze Kills 386 in Haiti, 2 in Bahamas

2008-09-08T12:12:00.003-04:00

Friday Fhoto

2008-09-05T09:04:00.004-04:00

Race fans could leave RIR Saturday night or Sunday afternoon talking about more than just Tropical Storm Hanna.

Can Whole Foods Take a Bite Out of Richmond’s Saturated Grocery Market?

2008-09-03T09:20:00.003-04:00

Whole Foods Market is set to open its doors today in the yet to be completed West Broad Village in Short Pump.

The 60,000-square-foot store will be the first of its kind in the Richmond area. Currently, Whole Foods has locations in Northern Virginia and Charlottesville.

Many West-Enders are probably thinking to themselves while sitting in traffic in Short Pump, why another grocery store?

To say there’s competition in the area is an understatement. Ukrop’s, Kroger, Target, Trader Joe’s (set to open Sept. 26) and Wal-Mart all sell your staple groceries. And Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market is just an apple’s throw across Broad Street.

So what will Whole Foods bring to your table? Cooking classes for one! You might not need to go to Sur La Table or Williams Sonoma after all. The store will also include freshly prepared meals (see Ukrops), a gelato stand (awesome), two salad bars and a bakery with assorted delectable items.

Whole Foods will have a niche with natural food shoppers, but with food prices rising and many consumers pinching more pennies and clipping coupons, can the pricey chain survive in this economic climate? Or will Whole Foods become another Hannaford’s or Rack N Sack?

They say only the strong survive. But will that include soy?

VP Candidate Mistaken for Tina Fey (without huge scar on chin)

2008-09-02T07:49:00.001-04:00

Fay Needs to Come Our Way

2008-08-22T10:17:00.002-04:00

Central Virginia is as dry as a sisterhood of nuns these days and every morning we get to watch NBC’s Andrew Freiden tell us that rain chances are slim for the next few days. Then you look at the national radar and notice a huge green mass churning off the coast of Florida.

Tropical Storm Fay is dousing the peninsula of trailer parks with record rains – in some places up to 30 inches! And like most women, the tropical system can’t make up its mind where it wants to go.

Gulf Coast or East Coast.

Granted, while one tropical system probably isn’t going to lift the mandatory water restrictions that officially go into place tomorrow for RIC, Henrico, Hanover and Goochland (Even addresses may water today. Please use a bucket), it would be nice to have a little precipitation in our parched region.

I’m talking Seattle-like rains - all day and all night. Late afternoon thunder boomers just ruin evening plans and are of little help.

Memo to Fay: Get in (low) gear and move North! We need remnant moisture.