Hotseat
Friedman's field: The man who never left community college Frank Friedman has been in community college for 33 years. The good news? He did get several degrees beyond an associate's, and a pretty sweet job as president of Piedmont Virginia Community College....read more May 19th, 2011
HOTSEAT- Nail-biter: Perriello in fight for his life--- again Tom PerrielloPHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO When Tom Perriello sat in the Hotseat two years ago, he was a political unknown challenging longtime 5th District incumbent Virgil Goode. Conventional wisdom said...read more Oct 7th, 2010
HOTSEAT- Candidate Clark: Novice plays big-league politics Jeff ClarkPHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO Jeff Clark had just finished a debate with 5th District incumbent Congressman Tom Perriello, and afterward, says Clark, Perriello's mom came over and told him he was...read more Sep 30th, 2010
HOTSEAT- Lead role: Carole Thorpe stars in Tea Party Carole ThorpePHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO After years in theater, Carole Thorpe has taken many roles, but perhaps her biggest began on Tax Day 2009, when she carried a sign that read, "Greed, arrogance,...read more Aug 19th, 2010
HOTSEAT- Swanson's song: Give peace a chance David SwansonPHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO It's not too hard to pick out David Swanson's house. That would be the one with the "Wage Peace" and "End the War Now" signs in the front yard. On his website,...read more Jul 22nd, 2010
HOTSEAT- WWJD? Leslie Greene Bowman's 21st-century Monticello Leslie Greene BowmanPHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO In Charlottesville, a popular variation of WWJD is "what would Jefferson do?" For Leslie Greene Bowman, a variation weighs as she goes about her new job:...read more Apr 8th, 2010
HOTSEAT- Hot type: McConnell upbeat on newspaper biz Lawrence McConnellPHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO Literal minds could compare Lawrence McConnell's job as publisher of the Daily Progress to that of a general manager of any business. He's responsible for all...read more Mar 25th, 2010
HOTSEAT- Great spinner: Colum McCann's an NBA winner Colum McCannPHOTO BY BRENDAN BOURKE If you don't know who Colum McCann is, the pun in the headline will make no sense and people may think he's a basketball player. "Great spinner," of course,...read more Mar 18th, 2010
Have pen, will travel: NPR's Cheuse journeys through writing"All writing is travel writing– you pack a noun, and you pack a verb and take the reader somewhere," says writer Alan Cheuse. He should know. Although Cheuse prides himself on his fiction and...read more Mar 11th, 2010
HOTSEAT- SOL: Pam Moran and the incredibly shrinking budget Pam MoranPHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO Growing up in the low country of South Carolina, Pam Moran remembers sitting around the table on her grandfather's back porch, and the lessons she learned there....read more Mar 4th, 2010
HOTSEAT- First lady: Betsy Casteen's Carr's Hill adventure Betsy CasteenPHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO John and Betsy Casteen at a 2005 art opening.FILE PHOTO BY DAVE MCNAIR Betsy Foote had no idea what she was getting into when she married John Casteen. "He didn't...read more Feb 11th, 2010
HOTSEAT- High octane: Jay James' Best (hot)seat in the house Jay JamesPHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO Some days, you can't turn on the radio without hearing Jay James. The sports director for WINA is on during morning drive time. Flip the channel and he's talking...read more Dec 3rd, 2009
HOTSEAT- The revenuer: Commissioner reveals secret solar side Lee RichardsPHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO Sometimes on ballots are positions that you have no idea what they're about, like Commissioner of Revenue. Charlottesville has one, and he's running unopposed for...read more Oct 15th, 2009
HOTSEAT- The producer: Kielbasa recasts Virginia Film Fest Jody KielbasaPHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO A movie poster for The Deal leans against a chair in Jody Kielbasa's office at the Virginia Film Festival. The film starring William Macy and Meg Ryan didn't...read more Sep 24th, 2009
HOTSEAT- Native son: Thomas vows mannerly campaign Rodney ThomaPHOTO BY WILL WALKER Sure it's a political campaign, but Board of Supervisors candidate Rodney Thomas says he's not going to trash-talk his opponent, David Slutzky. Heck, Thomas won't...read more Aug 27th, 2009
HOTSEAT- Neff-scape: From delegating to delegate? Cynthia NeffPHOTO BY WILL WALKER The first thing that's odd about Cynthia Neff's candidacy against four-term incumbent Rob Bell? There's no "Vote Cynthia Neff" sign in her yard. The second? Her...read more Aug 13th, 2009
HOTSEAT- Stoner's zen: Building Goodness turns 10 Jack StonerPHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO Jack Stoner could have just bought a flashy car. Instead, he went to Haiti in 1997 for his midlife crisis and volunteered his building skills for a rural development...read more May 21st, 2009
HOTSEAT- On the 'No Fuss Bus': Moran drives to June 9 primary Brian MoranPHOTO BY HAWES SPENCER Of the three Democratic candidates for governor, former delegate Brian Moran is the Kennedy-esque one. His family is Irish, politically involved, he's got the looks...read more May 7th, 2009
HOTSEAT- Big shoes: Walking the Walk(er) Walker ThorntonPHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO On a first date, Walker Thornton doesn't usually bring up what she does. Executive director of SARA doesn't sound too bad. Spelling out Sexual Assault Resource...read more Apr 30th, 2009
HOTSEAT- Obama girl: Why Szakos eyes Council seat Kristin SzakosPHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO It's the Obama effect, and we're not saying that because Kristin Szakos has an Barack Obama "Hope" poster hanging in her living room. After working on Obama's...read more Apr 2nd, 2009