Faber Jamerson didn’t flinch after slicing his approach shot into the usually unforgiving greenside bunker on the 16th hole at Independence Golf Club yesterday during the second round of the SunTrust State Open. The Appomattox resident stared unblinkingly at his wayward shot, then quickly retrieved his discarded cigarette from a divot. Cool and collected, the two-time State Open champion salvaged par with a six-foot putt to rescue a ragged round of 4-under 68 to move to 11-under for the tournament.

ROSS MACKENZIE Times-Dispatch Columnist A4th of July conversation between Dude—a teenager—and his Uncle Sam . . . Yo, Uncle. Wasup? Good morning, Dude. What am I doing? I’m getting into my suit for the parade. What’re you gonna be in a parade for? They gonna have a lot of hot chicks and cool floats? I don’t know about that, Dude. But I do know there will be many military people and ordinary citizens—and brass bands playing Sousa marches and songs about America. It’s our annual celebration of independence and liberty.

With the Fourth of July less than a week away, most of you no doubt have plans to spend time with family and friends. Maybe you plan to catch some spectacular fireworks or host a cookout in your backyard. Whatever your plans, when you gather, what will you talk about? Will you catch up on what your neighbors have been doing since the last community cookout? Or whether you can afford a trip to the beach this year? Or how good Aunt Dot’s potato salad tastes year after year?