The three candidates for governor debated Wednesday night at the Lyric Theater in downtown Blacksburg. This was their fourth debate, and frankly I had somewhat low expectations for the event.

The candidates for governor are beginning to spend more time in our neck of the woods, but still not nearly as much as other regions of the commonwealth are seeing. In particular, we are not seeing any television advertising while Northern Virginia and particularly Richmond and Hampton Roads are.

In the past two weeks, communities in very different regions of the country have faced a very similar and horrific tragedy: a mass shooting.

In January I finally succumbed to intense peer pressure to join Facebook. And you know what, I’ve really enjoyed it. So far, I’ve found it to be a great way to catch up with people. Yes, it can suck up hours of my day (if I let it), but it can also be a speedy tool.