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Local News Parents Question Spotsy Transfer Policy Comparing The Schools • Parents still upset over attendance-zone changes have switched to private schools and homeschooling their kids Vre Riders Breaking Records • VRE's ridership grew in July, August, September Power-Line Plan Upsets Neighbors Meeting • Dominion Power's plans to install new transmission lines in the Artillery Ridge subdivision has residents up in arms Faithful Five • Faithful Five: Tips for forgiving Sounds Of Shofar Abound • Local temple offers shofar-making activity Religion Briefs • religion briefs During War, 'Collateral Damage' Has Human Face • Pastor Charlie Chilton's Thought for the Week column: Collateral damage Fort A. P. Hill Joins In Fight For Energy Independence • Fort A.P. Hill is part of Army's sustainable-energy initiative Stafford Considers Civil War Park Accokeek Site Rich In History • Stafford supervisors express interest in preservation group's proposal to fund, create Civil War park Beach Slaps Tax On Smokes • Colonial Beach council approves 25-cent cigarette tax, but delays action on boat decals, utility rates Sports Blocks Spring Jackets Loose In Another Rout • High school football: James Monroe 54, King George 12 Eagles Win 1-0 In Soccer, Hockey • UMW roundup Chargers Control District • High school sports roundup Farinet'S Improvisation Keeps Drifters Perfect • High school football: Colonial Beach at King William Wildcats Deliver • High school football: Mountain View 26, Brooke Point 17 Chancellor Blows Out Caroline • High school football: Caroline at Chancellor Pirates Seek To Right The Ship • Virginia shoots for two in a row vs. Pirates Editorial • Therma-Tru is leaving town Town and County Gloucester Offers History, Recreation And Scenic Beauty • From Colonial buildings to garden centers to fishing, Gloucester County has a mix of things to do Biography 'A Classic' 'Jed Hotchkiss: Shenandoah Valley Mapmaker': Museum Of The Shenandoah Valley, 910 Amherst St., Winchester. Exhibit Continues Through May 10. Original Maps And Digital Copy Of Hotchkiss' Famous "Map Of The Valley" Highlight A Show Devoted To Stonewall Jackson'S Mapmaker. • Jeffry Wert's "Cavalryman of the Lost Cause" is the best book about Jeb Stuart. By Robert K. Krick Bulb-Planting Time Worth Trying: I Like Amaryllises In Large Containers, Planted Shoulder To Shoulder, Their Upper Halves Protruding Above The Soil. Bulbs Can Be Kept Beyond The Holiday Season, When They Usually Sprout, By Storing Them In A Cool, Dry Garage Or Basement, Then Planting Three To Four Weeks Before You Wish Blossom. Ten Or More Amaryllises, Of The Same Or Different Varieties, In A Large Pot Have Become A Regular Spring Treat In Our House. • Fall is a time to think about the spring garden. By Tony P. Wrenn Cuttings • Garden calendar for Oct. 11 Dogged Hiking Buddies 'History Hounds': Saturday, Oct. 18, 10 A.M.-Noon, Meet At Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, 4401 Forest Hill Ave., Richmond. Dogs Are Welcome On This Walking Tour Of Forest Hill. Dogs Must Be Current With Shots, Mix Well And Remain On A Leash. $10; Reservations Required. 804/649-0711, Ext. 301; Richmondhistorycenter.Com. • Rescued dog becomes owner's best friend. By Eve Carr Pet Notes • Pet notes for Oct. 11 Homeless Pets • Pets up for Adoption Good For What Ails You 'Remarkable Trees Of Virginia': Saturday, Oct. 18-Sunday, Nov. 16, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond. A Photography Exhibit In Gallery 2 Features The Work Of Robert Llewellyn For The New Book For The Remarkable Trees Of Virginia Project. Included With Regular Admission. Adults, $10; Senior Citizens, $9; Children Ages 6-12, $6. 804/262-9887; Lewisginter.Org. • Hiking down by the riverside. By Paul Sullivan Marking Columbus Day 'Arranging For Your Harvest Table': Thursday, Oct. 23, 9:30 A.M.-Noon, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond. Floral Designer Laura Anne Brooks Demonstrates How To Use Harvest-Related Materials To Create A Seasonal Look. $40. Reservations: 804/262-9887 Ext 322; Lewisginter.Org. • What is origin of Columbus Day? Correction • Flashback: Caroline High School cheerleaders Correction Presidents In My Lifetime Recent Presidents: The Last Dozen U.S. Presidents Are Evenly Divided In Terms Of Party Affiliation. Six Were Democrats And Six Were Republicans. George H.W. Bush Is The Oldest Living Ex-President. Jimmy Carter, Our 39Th President, Is The Second-Oldest Living Ex-President--By Only A Few Months. • On the eve of another presidential election, here are some memorable tidbits about those who have held the top office in recent years. By Jim Kundreskas Tips? Some Folks Miss Out 'The Wanna Be Ghosts Of Richmond': Saturday, Oct. 25, 2-4:30 P.M., The Valentine Richmond History Center, 1015 E. Clay St., Richmond. Learn About Untimely Deaths And Alleged Ghost Sightings. This Bus Tour Includes Church Hill Train Tunnel, Hollywood Cemetery, Jefferson Hotel And More. $20, Adults; Ages 6-18, $17. 804/649-0711; Richmondhistorycenter.Com. • Tipping custom just isn't fair. By Donnie Johnston Why Virginians United 'Beyond Brady: Photography In The Civil War Era': Pamplin Historical Park, 6125 Boydton Plank Road, Petersburg. The Interactive Exhibit Features More Than 130 Artifacts And Images Covering All Aspects Of Photography During The Mid-1800S. Runs Through September 2009. Adults, $15; Senior Citizens, $13.50; Ages 6-12, $9. 877/726-7546, Pamplinpark.Org. • "Why Confederates Fought" Aaron Sheehan-Dean is a thoughtful analysis of the Southern mind-set. By Russ Smith Civil War Calendar Civil War Calendar • Civil War calendar for Oct. 11 Strike Up The Band! Submit Photos: Town & County Invites Readers To Submit Flashback Photos. They Should Be At Least 15 Years Old And Of General Interest. Photos Will Be Returned. Include Identifications And Other Helpful Information, As Well As Contact Numbers. Mail Pictures To Gwen Woolf, The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Or Drop Off At The Newspaper'S Office; E-Mail Photos To Gwoolf@Freelancestar.Com. Questions? Call 540/374-5432. • The one, the only Stafford County Band: 1960s Business Aging Autos Plague Dealers • Car dealerships hit by credit crunch, tough economy Opinion:Letter Just Think If Leftists Weren'T Race-Obsessed • A reply to Tim Wise