By Gary Ruegsegger Correspondent Dr. Harry D. Cox was born to be a Rotarian. As a youngster, he often went to club events with his father, the late Dr. Russell M. Cox, who joined in 1922 and was president of the Rotary Club of Portsmouth for the 1929-30 term.

By Kamilah G. Brown Correspondent Asian Indians across Hampton Roads will be feeling a little closer to their native land today as Old Dominion University hosts India Fest 2008.  The annual cultural event spotlights the local Asian Indian community.  The free event is open to the public and will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at ODU's Webb Center.

“I loved Pokey Smokey when I was really little,” 13-year-old Brittany Richards replied when asked why she is anxious to raise money to get back a miniature steam train  for City Park.

When her nephew, Sean McClosky, was “really little,” she took him for a ride on the legendary train and he “loved it” too.

By Lia Russell

Portsmouth social studies educators Donna Rowley, Shannon West-Turner, Sarah Duncan and Lisa Pennington really had something to talk about as school got under way this month.

They each spent part of their summer learning about another nation and its culture – by going there in person.

This year's Umoja Festival is paying homage to sports achievements alongside its annual salute to the musical, culinary and artistic contributions of African- American culture.

By Lia Russell The Virginian-Pilot With her hair pulled back in a ponytail, wearing glasses and no makeup, and toting two young children in her wake, Marna Martin probably wouldn't be pegged as a sex novel writer. But the 37-year-old librarian has a past her Cradock Branch patrons - and even her mother - don't know about.

By Lia Russell The Virginian-Pilot Mary Seitz doesn't think of herself as a mass killer. But as she rides shotgun doing drive-bys through the streets of Portsmouth, that's exactly what she is. "We seek and destroy," Seitz said. She's ruthless.

By Lia Russell The Virginian-Pilot It has houses, shops, stoplights, crosswalks, a fire station - even a railroad crossing. But last week, the school bus was the primary focus of Portsmouth's Safety Town, a miniature city where young children can learn pedestrian, bicycle and railroad safety, stranger danger and - each Tuesday this month - school bus safety.

By Ben Swenson Correspondent Justin Hefflefinger is glued to the television these days, watching soccer teams from around the world vie for Olympic medals. But the 21-year-old Oregon Acres resident knows what it's like to compete on an elite world level. Hefflefinger recently returned from an international soccer tourney - the 1st World Deaf Football Championships - in Greece.

By Lia Russell

With a coquettish smile, Katherine Gavin pours coffee for the five men sitting at a table in the middle of the Olde Towne Bakery.

Her customers this morning – and nearly every morning – chat with the 24-year-old server/hostess/cashier/cook as she  fills their cups with steaming brew.