Firearm safety is about to get a little more affordable in Virginia after Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a bipartisan bill creating a $300 tax credit meant to reimburse people who buy gun safes or other lockable gun containers.

The legislation approved by the governor last week was the only gun safety measure that passed the politically divided General Assembly, drawing broad support as a small step to encourage gun safety without imposing any new rules on gun owners.

“This bill is not about requiring people to do anything,” Del. Alfonso Lopez, D-Arlington, the bill’s sponsor, said at a committee hearing earlier this year. “It’s not about banning anything. It’s not taking anything away. This bill simply gives a tax credit to try and incentivize something that many law-abiding gun owners already do.”

[Read more: Most gun storage bills appear doomed in Virginia General Assembly]

The nonrefundable credit can be claimed on state tax returns starting in the 2024 tax season. It can only be applied to eligible equipment purchases from federally licensed firearm dealers. The credit cannot be applied to the costs of purchasing a firearm itself.

In a rare show of cross-factional unity on gun policy, the legislation was backed by both the National Rifle Association and gun control groups like Giffords, Brady, and Everytown for Gun Safety.

The total amount of tax credits allowable under the new law is capped at $5 million per year. According to the legislation, the credit will be granted on a “first-come, first-served basis.”

by Graham Moomaw, Virginia Mercury

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Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sarah Vogelsong for questions: info@virginiamercury.com. Follow Virginia Mercury on Facebook and Twitter.

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The Jig ‘n’ Jive’s annual Pot o’ Gold Hunt brings joy and excitement to the community once again.

We’re thrilled to announce the lucky winners of the 2023 Pot o Gold Hunt, which took place from March 10th to 19th on Main Street and the surrounding district! A huge congratulations to all who participated in this festive, family-friendly event, and a heartfelt thank you to the local businesses that generously donated prizes and made this event a rousing success.

With a total of 36 Pot o Gold winners and the majority of prizes bundled with multiple gift certificates and cool merchandise, this year’s event truly sparkled. Over a third of the distributed maps were returned, and two-thirds of the returned maps had completed both the GREEN (Main Street) and GOLD (bonus section) messages. The Pot o Gold Hunt, a free event for all ages, saw many happy winners, especially adults. So, grown-ups, get ready to join in the fun next year!

The GREEN (Main Street) Hunt Message revealed an interesting tidbit about St. Patrick and the shamrock: “It is said that St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the concept of the Trinity to the Irish. The word ‘shamrock’ from ‘seamrog’ in Irish means ‘young clover’ and symbolizes faith, hope, and charity. Shamrocks are recognized as symbols of good luck. Cheers to the Irish!”

The GOLD (Royal Plaza + Surrounding) Bonus Hunt Message shared a fun fact about a presidential tradition: “Since 1952, the Irish Prime Minister has gifted a crystal bowl of shamrocks to our president on St. Patrick’s Day.”

The Pot o Gold Hunt was masterfully orchestrated by the Jig ‘n’ Jive Dance Studio, with the enthusiastic support of C&C Frozen Treats, Play Favorites, National Media Services, and all the wonderful businesses that contributed to the prizes. National Media Services designed and printed the maps again, adding to the event’s spectacular flair.

Relive the excitement of the map-pulling extravaganza by watching the live feed on C&C Frozen Treats’ Facebook page! The first two GOLD winners are recorded separately, but you can catch the other winners in action on the main live stream.

Winners can collect their prizes from the Jig ‘n’ Jive Dance Studio during business hours or email jignjivedance@gmail.com to make alternative arrangements. A list of winners can be found below. Congratulations to all, and may your luck continue!

Remember, any unclaimed prizes by April 6th will be donated back to the prize pool and distributed at random or on a whim.

Jig ‘n’ Jive Dance Studio Hours
529 E Main Street, Front Royal VA
Monday 4:00 – 8:30 pm
Tuesday 4:45 – 8:30 pm
Wednesday 4:00 – 8:30 pm
Thursday 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Pot o Gold WINNERS
Gold (Bonus) Hunt
Cate Ranieri
Kathleen Grant
Teddy Gunn

Green (Main Street) Hunt
Jodi Shollz
Krystal Lynn Jones
Aibhilin (?) *If anyone knows who this may be, please let Mrs. Annie at the Jig ‘n’ Jive Dance Studio know.

Extra Winners
(Adults)
Julia & Jamieson Rivera
Haley Coloso
Kim Hartson
Ashley Hayes
(Teens)
Riley Jones
Mattie Sternfels
Isabella Baron
Anna Devine
(Kids)
Liam Henry
Andy Mavretich
Rosie Cupps
Denya Craig
April Fox
Maggie Maciag
Piper Montgomery
Autumn Hartley
Justina Starry
Annie Sternfels
Carwyn Harley
Jaelyn Dalton
Delanie Craig
Logan Ernst
Sylvia Cupps
Nellie Bosacco
Jane Shaffer
Victor Leypoldt
(Bonus Pulls)
Logyn Shollenberger
Regina Harvey

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To ensure a productive harvest, gardeners in northern climates must start certain vegetable seedlings indoors four to eight weeks before the last frost. Here are a few tips for getting a head start on your garden.

• Buy seeds from a reputable seller
• Use a specialized seed-starting mix
• Purchase or reuse containers with proper drainage
• Plant seeds at the depth listed on the seed packet
• Prepare for some losses and plant more seeds than you need
• Water frequently but sparingly to keep the soil moist but not water-logged
• Use heat mats and tray covers to speed up germination
• Place sprouted seedlings in a sunny location or under grow lights
• Promptly transplant seedlings that outgrow their original pots
• Once the seedlings are big enough, gradually introduce them to outdoor temperatures to get them ready for transplanting

Growing plants from seed take time and dedication but are extremely rewarding.

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They look exotic, like butterflies and ballerinas. They have faces like monkeys, figures like humans, or long trails of petals like hair.

They smell like nothing or chocolate, vanilla, mint, pepper, and roses. To a bee, they smell like a bee. Some smell like rot to attract flies. Their scents have been called liars and seducers, yet they are beloved.

They are orchids, and their fans are legion.

Orchid cultivation is one of the world’s most widespread hobbies and is surprisingly social. In every state and every country, orchid enthusiasts meet regularly to exchange tips and tricks for growing this flower of many faces. Orchids attract every type of person, from farmers to attorneys. In fact, you can travel along ‘orchid trails’ to visit the greenhouses of growers in every state.

Travel destinations from California to Malaysia attract enthusiasts worldwide to see some of the 28,000 accepted species. In fact, there are more orchid species than species of birds and mammals. Only the number of species of bony fish comes close to the number of orchids.

Yet despite the orchid’s vast numbers, they were once very difficult to find and considered rare and exotic. So rare that in the late 1800s and early 1900s, people were thrilled with the adventures of orchid hunters who roamed the world looking to find unusual specimens.

Because of their historical link with wealth and style, growing orchids is sometimes said to be expensive and difficult, but it really is neither. You can buy a stem for about $20 at a grocery store these days. The flowers are best grown in pots since the microscopic seeds require specialized conditions. Orchids mostly require bright light but not direct sunlight. They require the grower’s attention since they need water and airflow, but not too much, and some may need mist, but only at certain times.

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Ever wonder why drops of water fall from the sky? Here’s an explanation.

The sun heats large bodies of water like seas, lakes, and rivers, causing the water to evaporate and rise as vapor. As the moisture moves upward, it cools and condenses to form clouds. These clouds are blown toward land by the wind. As the clouds move, they gather water droplets and become heavy. Eventually, gravity makes the water droplets fall as rain. The water returns to earth, and the cycle starts all over again.

It rains more in the spring and summer because it’s warm. Warmth produces more evaporation, producing more clouds that make rain.

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Life got you down. Bills are piling up! The car should be donated to charity. The children need braces. The home of your dreams has become your all the time fix-it nightmare. The vacation to Aruba is a no no!! Well, help is on the way. In 8 seconds you can have maybe $50 thousand to take home.

To get this pay check you have to join a small group of dedicated individuals who live for the these 8 seconds;they are part of the rodeo circuit. When the moment arrives, they throw their legs over a ton of ground round and hang tight till the judges rule it’s over, then they try to dismount and avoid being gored or stomped. If needs be the clowns rush over and let the daily Brahma bull chase them. Brahma bulls are bred to be just plain mean and the worst tempered ones are where the biggest prize money is. Names can be: Air Wolfe, Predator, Freight Train, Chili Pepper, Second Chance, Wicked Charlie, Little Yellow Jacket, Moody Blues, Mr. Cooper, Bad Company, Phantom, Pokerfaced, Ring of Fear, Wise Guy and Desperado – to name a few.

Today, for your first ride, you have drawn Baby Luv. He’s in the chute. You’ve don the proper western clothes and now climb to the top rail. Don’t let the big brown eyes and long eyelashes fool you. Baby lives to hurt. You slide over to grab the rope around his girth. you grasp the rope with your one gloved hand. Baby rolls side to side trying to bust one of your legs. You eye the chute boy and nod that it’s time. The gate flies open. Baby Luv ignites and he hops like a frog and begins to buck and kick to the limits of heaven. The longest 8 seconds of your life has turned into a carnival ride. Baby know the rules and before you can plan the last move, he humps,jumps and wriggles left to left. You thought it would be right to left. The good news is that they don’t have to carry you out of the arena. Wired jaws and riders that can’t walk quite straight are a common sight.

Life can be a difficult and a rough (ride) journey. Paul knew this and thought of the ultimate prize.

“No mere man has ever seen, heard or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the lord.” – 1 Corinthians 2:9

Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. – 2 Corinthians 11:24-27

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.– Revelation 2:10

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