By Christian Wright

Capital News Service

RICHMOND – The state’s unemployment rate increased slightly in December, to 6.7 percent, according to the Virginia Employment Commission.
That was up from 6.4 percent in November – and 5.1 percent in December 2008.

Though below the national average of about 10 percent, the state’s jobless rate means that 274,900 Virginians were unemployed in December – an increase of 11,800 from the previous month.
Unemployment rose in Virginia largely because of the loss of:

• 4,100 jobs in the leisure and hospitality industry, as tourist attractions, resorts and recreation facilities closed for winter breaks.
• 3,500 government jobs due to holiday breaks at schools.
• The construction industry lost 900 jobs, and manufacturing, 700.

Those who qualify may also be able to get their taxes done for free
 
Richmond, Va. – A special tax credit can help Virginia families and individuals make the most of their dollars and add to their financial security. Many low-to-middle income Virginians are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which can amount to a refund of up to $5,657.
 
Tax filers who have never considered the EITC should take another look; many might qualify for the EITC if their employment status has changed, their income declined, their marital status changed or they have additional children in their family, according to Catherine Walker, EITC coordinator for the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS). “EITC has been making the lives of working people a little easier for 35 years,” Walker said.  

On Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 7 p.m., the King George High School Theatre Department presents “Four.”  The event presents four one-act plays that were the result of collaboration between the school’s Advanced Creative Writing class and Advanced Theatre Classes.

Initially, the presentation began as a workplace mock-up where writers learned about the task of creating and revising a script for actors; similarly, the actors experienced the opportunity to ask questions about the scripts from real-time writers.  As the exercise progressed, though, it became clear that students and teachers in both courses wanted to see the works performed for a live audience.

Thanks to a recent collaboration between the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), the Library of Virginia, and “Lyrasis” (a regional organization for libraries and information professionals), job seekers in Rappahannock Community College’s service region will soon be able to tap new online resources. The partnership is creating a customized collection of more than 250 electronic books and reference materials, which will include valuable information on careers, business, test-taking strategies, résumé writing, and many other subjects. This collection supplements existing offerings at libraries across the state.

On Monday, February 1st, the Northern Neck Audubon Society will host a program by Brian Taber of the Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory in Virginia Beach.

Taber’s program will describe a typical year of the twelve programs and activities at the observatory.  His talk will include descriptions of the following projects:  Prothonotary Warblers, Brown-headed Nuthatches, the banding of spring and fall song birds, three hawk watches, and Saw-whet Owl banding.

This program is open to the public and will be held at 7:00 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Kilmarnock.  Refreshments will be served.

The Potomac River is filled with ice all along its banks. If you brave the frigid waters for a wintry dip, remember you still have to follow the rules — no diving here at Fairview Beach!

photo by Jessica Herrink