The films that are primarily chosen for the series are films that this area would not normally be able to show. Due to small interest and small theaters, some of the films that have limited releases in national theaters don’t make it anywhere near Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.

“The series brings people in the area the chance to see quality films that they might never have heard of and or have the opportunity to see,” says Jennings.

Many of the films have received praise from those in the film industry in addition to awards and award nominations. For example, the film shown three weeks ago, A Serious Man, was nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture. Two weeks after, Precious was shown and recently earned six Oscar nominations.

Overall, there is a very eclectic mix of films chosen for the series.

“I try to choose a mix of foreign, documentaries, and independent American films. I read reviews; other people send me tips, et cetera. I always have a “contact” on the Emory faculty who helps in the selection of films,” Jennings said. “Films are the popular art form in America, and, sadly, college students don’t know the range of wonderful films in all genres and all around the world that are available.”

The film series attempts to battle this. With a wide variety of films that both students and community members alike may not have the chance otherwise to see, the opportunity for an eye-opener is brought to the table. With such accessibility, and no charge for students or faculty of the sponsoring organizations, the film series continues to be a hit in the community.

“The brightest narrative artists are working on the great American screenplay these days, not the great American novel,” said Jennings.

Arts Array films are shown every Monday and Tuesday at 4:30 and 7:00 at the Abingdon Cinemall. Admission is free for students as long as you present your school ID and general admission is $7.50. For more information or a complete list of films being shown, contact Ben Jennings at bjennings@vhcc.edu or head to the Virginia Highlands Community College website and look for the events box.

The Washington County Board of Supervisors holds a public meeting every second and fourth Tuesday of each month beginning at 7:00 p.m. These meetings are intended to conduct business while including the citizens of Washington County. The supervisors discuss current issues of importance and give the public an opportunity to respond.

On Tuesday, Feb. 23, the meeting had two main items on the agenda.

First, a new ordinance controlling dog barking was brought to the floor. This issue had been getting plenty of coverage since the session to discuss the ordinance had been postponed last month. As a result, an entire room full of people turned up to discuss the issue compared to the normal handful of attendees.

The new ordinance would pass into law a regulation on the nuisance of barking dogs. It would present the pet owner with a fine under two conditions: two neighbors from different households had to file a formal complaint and proof of the dogs barking continuously for 15 minutes had to be shown. In order to obtain that proof, neighbors could call either animal control officers or a police officer to the scene.

After initial public commentary, a separate speaking session was held in response to this ordinance. Citizens from all over the county took to the podium to address the seven board members. Paul Price, former member of the Board of Supervisors, spoke first in favor of the ordinance. It was because of his proposals that the ordinance had come about.

Few people spoke in favor of passing the ordinance into law because of their experiences within their own neighborhood, but the greater majority of the room had turned out to oppose the passing of the ordinance. Some mentioned that they had livestock protection or hunting dogs and they could not without harmful force stop their dogs from barking.

At the close of public commentary, Sheriff Fred Newman took to the podium to express his views. Taking from police reports and complaints within the last year, Newman said he could not support the ordinance. According to record, only 17 complaints had come into the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in regards to dog barking issues, but over 100 had been made about dogs roaming free in neighborhoods. Newman said the real problem lay within leash laws.

The board voted not to pass the ordinance into law.

The second issue of hot discussion at this meeting was the buying of a $7.5 million dollar building for county official use. The building currently houses Alpha Natural Resources. This comes shortly after an announcement of a cut in budget of the county schools by $5.8 million.

In order to pay for the new building, property taxes within the county will be increased starting possibly as early as 2012. Many members spoke in protest of the purchase of the new building, citing the current economic situation as a reason to postpone the purchase. Tax payers have already faced increases, and the increase to purchase this building would be laid on top of the existing taxes within the county. No official decision has been made in regards to the purchase of this building.

To find out when the meetings take place, where, and more about the supervisor for your district of the county, visit the Washington County Board of Supervisors website at www.washcova.com.

EHC-TV for the week of April 27, 2009

An interview with E&H alum Brandy Wimmer Johnston.

Interview with Joy Scruggs.

The Rant. This week, Jason Jones rants about discrimination against homosexuals.

Out & About. Two Crazy Guys Doing Crazy Things.

News Opinions with Jonathan Schmidt for April 28, 2009. This week’s topic is honoring the seniors on the EHC-TV crew.

Sports Update with Leanne Mahoy for April 28, 2009

Catch a new episode of EHC-TV each Wednesday and Thursday night at 7 on Comcast Cable Channel 2.

Watch other EHC-TV videos from this year. Or, check out old videos in the archives.

EHC-TV for the week of April 17, 2009

Robbie Tullock’s interview and ventriloquist act.

Video about Angaza Thom.

The Rant. This week, Jamie Van Antwerp rants about oxymorons.

Out & About. Out & About Compilation.

News Opinions with Jonathan Schmidt for April 17, 2009. This week’s topic is a student’s future.

Sports Update with Leanne Mahoy for April 17, 2009

Catch a new episode of EHC-TV each Wednesday and Thursday night at 7 on Comcast Cable Channel 2.

Watch other EHC-TV videos from this year. Or, check out old videos in the archives.

EHC-TV for the week of April 6, 2009

A video on E&H physics professor and folk artist James Warden. Marianne Carroll produced this video.

Sports Interview with E&H head softball coach Kristin Diamond.

The Rant. This week, Kate Sigety rants about lousy pick-up lines.

Out & About. Jonathan Schmidt reviews the game Left 4 Dead.

News Opinions with Jonathan Schmidt for April 7, 2009. This week’s topic is the crazy weather.

Sports Update with Leanne Mahoy for April 7, 2009

Catch a new episode of EHC-TV each Wednesday and Thursday night at 7 on Comcast Cable Channel 2.

Watch other EHC-TV videos from this year. Or, check out old videos in the archives.

EHC-TV for the week of March 30, 2009

Interview with Rybe Henderson and Ashton Morrow.

Sports Interview with E&H men’s tennis captain Ben Blevins.

The Rant. This week, Steven Jones rants about people’s driving on campus.

Out & About. Jonathan Schmidt reviews the game Resident Evil 5.

News Opinions with Jonathan Schmidt for March 31, 2009. This week’s topic is Mac vs. PC.

Sports Update with Leanne Mahoy for March 31, 2009

Catch a new episode of EHC-TV each Wednesday and Thursday night at 7 on Comcast Cable Channel 2.

Watch other EHC-TV videos from this year. Or, check out old videos in the archives.

EHC-TV for the week of March 27, 2009

Interview with Amanda Lloyd and Laura Weaver with Take Back the Night.

Sports Interview with E&H women’s soccer coach Anna Baker.

The Rant. This week, Joanna McGrath rants about body image in America.

Out & About. Jonathan Schmidt goes to Fun Expedition in Johnson City, TN.

News Update with Jonathan Schmidt for March 27, 2009

Sports Update with Leanne Mahoy for March 27, 2009

Catch a new episode of EHC-TV each Wednesday and Thursday night at 7 on Comcast Cable Channel 2.

Watch other EHC-TV videos from this year. Or, check out old videos in the archives.

EHC-TV for the week of March 6, 2009

Interview with E&H acting students Jamal Crowelle and Michael Brown.

Short Scene with Jamal and Michael.

Sports Interview with WEHC Sports Analyst Daron Vaught on March Madness.

The Rant. This week, Leanne Mahoy rants about litter.

Out & About. Jonathan Schmidt rates the food at the Tuscan Italian Grill in Abingdon, VA.

News Opinions with Jonathan Schmidt for March 3, 2009

Sports Update with Leanne Mahoy for March 3, 2009

Catch a new episode of EHC-TV each Wednesday and Thursday night at 7 on Comcast Cable Channel 2.

Watch other EHC-TV videos from this year. Or, check out old videos in the archives.

EHC-TV for the week of Feb. 20, 2009

Interview with Crossroads Shelter client Tim Fostek.

Sports Interview with E&H Director of Public Relations Dirk Moore.

The Rant. This week, Zach Hodge rants about the cleanliness of bathrooms.

Out & About. Jonathan Schmidt goes to the Holston Cafe in Abingdon, VA.

News Opinions with Jonathan Schmidt for Feb. 17, 2009

Sports Update with Leanne Mahoy for Feb. 16, 2009

Catch a new episode of EHC-TV each Wednesday and Thursday night at 7 on Comcast Cable Channel 2.

Watch other EHC-TV videos from this year. Or, check out old videos in the archives.

EHC-TV for the week of Feb. 13, 2009

Interview with E&H student Joni Ritter.

Sports Interview with E&H basketball coach Paul Russo.

The Rant. This week, Robbie Tullock rants about the overuse of air quotes..

Out & About. Jonathan Schmidt goes to the Highlands Project.

News Update with Jonathan Schmidt for Feb. 9, 2009

Sports Update with Leanne Mahoy for Feb. 9, 2009

Catch a new episode of EHC-TV each Wednesday and Thursday night at 7 on Comcast Cable Channel 2.

Watch other EHC-TV videos from this year. Or, check out old videos in the archives.