Opinions

The Benefits of the Farmers Market
By Jacki Cullen
May 17, 2010

Fresh grown flowers, herbs and baked goods fill the air with blissful scents as children and pets frolic around the benches.

While this scene may seem too idyllic to be true, it can be seen every Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning at the Blacksburg Farmers Market on the corner of Roanoke Street and Draper Road, in the newly completely Market Square Park.

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Virginia Indians Today
By Lauren Porter
May 9, 2010

The sun climbs the tall, white pines and pierces through my hair. Beads of sweat start to roll down from the back of my neck to the small of my back. The moistened leather clings to my skin. My face glistens and I wait.

It never fails, each summer - no matter what plans I have or where I am - I am pulled to the dance circle of the powwow. Most of my family lives on the Pamunkey reservation, in King William, Va., just 20 minutes from my house. Every summer all of the eight sovereign tribes in Virginia participate in powwows which are two to three day events of traditional and updated dance and music.

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Date-Challenged In Blacksburg? Here's The Advice
By Mallory Smith
April 29, 2010

It’s 4 o’clock on a Friday, and you’re shifting your weight impatiently as you await your faithful chariot, the Blacksburg Transit. The driver pulls up to the curb and you flash him your Hokie Passport as you step aboard. Looking up, you lock eyes with the girl you’ve been seeing. You’re supposed to go out tonight, but you have no idea where to take her.

Your relationship is still in that fragile, “don’t-call-me-your-boyfriend-but-still text-me-everyday” stage, and you’re freaking out. But do not despair! Here is a foolproof date-night for you and your lady from some local pros. (What makes them pros is the exact thing that you may be lacking, a bit of confidence. And why not be confident? Dating simply isn't that difficult.)

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The Time is Now...Donate
By Raven Griffin
November 9, 2009

Heather-Marie Tiffany, sophomore at Virginia Tech, has given blood five times. “It’s not horrible,” she said. “It’s the best way to give back to the community because essentially, that’s a life [saved].”

The lives she is referring to include men, women and children who are dying because the demands for blood donations are more than the amount given per year.

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Questions Remain Unanswered
By Bentley Claudon
May 6, 2009

Growing up is never easy. I used to cry about it as a child. In fact, I still cry about it sometimes.

I can't really remember all the times I cried about growing up, but I know the times weren't few and far between.

Faint memories float through my head. Most of my memories are dark, like there was dimness in the room at the time. The darkness played along with the sadness I transmitted through tears.

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Commentary: The Price of Nice
By Elizabeth Cole
March 25, 2009

We had just gotten into our ride home. As always happens, a recap of the night was the immediate topic of conversation among the five of us. We had talked to a group of friends of friends and had a good time until the lights went up and it was last call.

"Well, they were all nice," my roommate said.

I had to agree. I had a good time talking to all of them and no one was ever cold or uninterested in making conversation.

My response, "Well, everyone is inherently nice."

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Commentary: Hokie Hoops Could Enjoy Different Ending This Year
by Brian Bartley
March 12, 2009

In sports, there is a classic saying that goes, "the next game is always the most important." More times than not it's considered nothing more than simply coachspeak, but for Virginia Tech, such a statement could not be any more true.

After beating up on Miami in their first game of the ACC Tournament, the Hokies are slated to play the North Carolina Tar Heels in the quarterfinals. The Hokies, who are currently considered a bubble team for the NCAA Tournament, could really help their cause with a win over the Heels.

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What a Difference A Chin Strap Can Make
By Jenna Marson
February 25, 2009

DSC_3663While I was watching the Super Bowl I started thinking about what the NFL, or even NCAAF, would do without chin straps. I'm not talking about their physical, securing property. As its original purpose, that is obviously an important function.

I would argue that they prevent injury in an equally effective, yet much less acknowledged way. I sincerely believe that significantly more potentially injury-inducing altercations would occur while the clock is stopped without chin straps.

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