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Race to the White House continues Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Barrack Obama (D-Ill.) give the undecided another chance to make up their minds at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15. The Maverick debates the Candidate Who Promises Change You Can Count On on domestic and economic issues. Sorry, no "House" tonight. Watch the debate on CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, PBS, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and C-SPAN. Teach your children good music Throw on your tie-dye T-shirts and "Love the One You're With.

Contemporary School of the Arts & Gallery Inc. will present Music for Mother's Day - A Gospel Concert Fundraiser Saturday, May 8, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bridge of Life Church at 14 S. Potomac St. in downtown Hagerstown. The list of performers for the event includes Kelly Wright, co-anchor of "America's News Headquarters" on Saturdays from New York and a general assignment correspondent for Fox News. Wright recently authored "America's Hope in Troubled Times" and has released several CDs of Christian music.

FUNKSTOWN -- Usually the first thing that happens at the annual appreciation dinner for The Salvation Army is the recognition of some special people for their work with the mainstay charity operation in Washington County. "But you know all of you are extra-special people," said Ward Childerston, a longtime member of the board. He led the applause for the more than 150 people assembled at Next Dimensions Restaurant near Funkstown Tuesday evening. He did single out one particular bell ringer: "Pappy" Jewell, now 94, was honored as the person/bell ringer of 2008.

Kelly Wright, who was raised in the Hagerstown area, is a general assignment reporter for the Fox News Channel and is a co-anchor of America's News Headquarters on Saturdays. You may have even seen him as a co-host of the Fox and Friends Weekend (July 2006 to January 2008) but that's not the reason he is in the news today. On Monday, Nov. 30, in Washington, D.C., Wright was honored as a Gillette Man of Style. The criteria for selecting the honorees was "The Best A Man Could Get. " Wright hopes this criteria, in part, will help him in his quest to reach out to the younger generation in the Hagerstown area and is in the process of creating a program called, Man UP!

Despite a nation that seems to be "crumbling beneath the weight of recession and partisan politics," Steven Miller has a positive outlook. Miller, one of 29 students who graduated from the Barr Construction Institute at the Hagerstown Hotel and Convention Center along Dual Highway Thursday night, is employed as an electrician with MC Dean, which sponsored Miller in his education at the institute. Miller, who was the institute's top electrical student, said he will "keep plugging away," hoping he can hang onto his job with MC Dean.

The Carson Scholars Fund has announced the Washington County students who have been named  2013 Carson Scholars.  Each year, the fund recognizes a group of high achieving students in grades four to 11 who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and humanitarian qualities.  Students receive a $1,000 college scholarship award and the  honor of being named a Carson Scholar.  In addition, students have renewed their Carson Scholar status. The  previous winners have maintained high academic standards and a strong commitment to their communities and are being recognized for their continued efforts.  To celebrate their accomplishments, the Mid-Atlantic scholars will be honored at the 17th annual awards banquet on Sunday, April 7, at Martin's West in Woodlawn, Md.  Newscaster Sam Donaldson will serve as master of ceremonies.  Honored guests include Dr. John Mather, astrophysicist and Nobel Laureate in physics; Matt Stover, former Baltimore Ravens kicker; and Chris Wallace, Emmy Award-winning journalist and Fox News anchor.

Antonio Mendez has been busy recently with a recent appearance with Ben Affleck on “Good Morning America,” a Fox News crew coming to his home in southern Washington County and a soon to be published feature article in The Washington Post. That sounds exciting, but it pales next to the reason for which he is now drawing the media's attention - one of his exploits during a 25-year career with the Central Intelligence Agency. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced its Academy Award nominees Thursday and seven nominations - including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay - went to “Argo,” based largely the retired agent's role in the rescue of six U.S. embassy officials from Iran in the wake of the 1979 hostage crisis.

As they live their lives after their time at Saint James School, commencement speaker Juan Williams said his prayer for the school's Class of 2011 is that they surprise themselves. In doing so, they will serve as an inspiration to others, Williams said Sunday. Williams is an author and political analyst for Fox News who has been a Washington Post columnist and National Public Radio news correspondent. Williams said his prayer for the graduates is not about pleasing anyone or meeting anyone's expectations, but "surprising yourself with your abilities, with your willingness to take on challenges, to be uncomfortable, to learn languages, to travel, to give up much ... to give up much for what is right and good in the world.

Homecoming queens from high schools throughout Washington County gathered Saturday afternoon at the Alsatia Club before Saturday night's Mummers Parade. Through the luck of the draw, one of them would be named queen of the parade. Chuck Metz, chairman of club's Princesses and Queens Committee, explained the process. “This is the way we pick. We have the same number of necklaces as girls. They are all identical. But they all say 'Alsatia Mummers Parade Princess,' and only one says 'Queen,'” he said.

To the editor: It has been said that the government is responsible for helping the victims in national emergencies such as Hurricane Katrina. I agree. This is true. So while Mayor Nagin debated with himself about whether he had the authority to use school and metropolitan buses to evacuate the people of New Orleans before they were flooded, wondering whether it was even legal to do so, thousands of American people were already coordinating emergency relief efforts.