A recycling event was recently held in Blacksburg to assist people in getting rid of their e-waste, a relatively new term for garbage that includes dated cell phones, computers, and other electronics.  The event “started last year, when Hollins University, Tech, the University of Richmond and Old Dominion University teamed up” to recycle e-waste statewide.

Personally, I think events like these are a great way to get people to recycle products they would otherwise throw away, especially since disposing e-waste typically involves a trip to the Solid Waste Authority and paying a fee to have them handle it.  I believe that it can be hard to convince people to pay to dispose of their garbage instead of them just dumping it into the nearest landfill.

I think the concern with e-waste will only grow larger in the future.  Technology has always changed rapidly, but today many things are changing at once.  I can think of several products that are in my apartment right now that are subject to constant updates.

The first is my iPod that I carry with me everywhere I go.  There must be four or five different models of iPods available right now for purchase right now with several more variants for storage space.  Currently, I am on my second one, and have asked for a third new one for Christmas this year, because I keep running out of space on them.  I believe that you can trade in your old iPod when you buy a new one for a discount at Apple stores, but I’m not sure since I usually buy mine online and elect to keep the old one.

Another potential source of e-waste is the arsenal of plastic instruments I have stashed in my closet.  I am a fan of the Rock Band and Guitar Hero video games; unfortunately, each of those games requires its own set of instruments.  So I currently have two Guitar Hero guitars for the Playstation 2 (which won’t work with my Xbox 360), two more Guitar Hero guitars for the Xbox 360 (which I don’t like but let my friends use for multiplayer), a fifth guitar from Guitar Hero 3, as well as the drums, microphone, and guitar that comes with Rock Band.  And now that sequels for both of those games are out, there are all new instruments to be had of course.  While the games are fun, I believe the best thing for the environment is to just have a universal set of instruments that works with all games for a system.  I can save a lot of space in my apartment that way as well.

So while I may be more of a packrat, I’m sure there are many more other people that would like to get rid of all the old electronics cluttering up their houses and free events like these are a great way to let them do it as efficiently as possible.

–Jonathan VanDerveer

http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/columns/journal/wb/185180

Are you in Southwest Virginia?  Do you look for things to do, or are you one of those who want to come to the area and are afraid of the lack of things to do?  Well, fret not. It really depends on where you are in the area and where your interests lie, but regardless of that, there are many things to do!   

For example, if you’re in Floyd County, a good Friday night can mean going to the Blue Ridge Diner (I highly recommend their black bottom pie) and then going to the Floyd Country Store for live music and dancing.  Often there is not only music going on inside the store, but outside on the porch and around the corner as well.  If you’re looking for other music venues, try The Rex Theatre in Galax, the Bristol Country Music Alliance’s Pickin’ Porch in Bristol or the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion in Bristol in the Fall which is a phenomenally huge traditional music festival! 

Music abounds in the mountains and can be found anywhere from a square dance in Grayson County to a fire department Friday night jam in Smyth County to anywhere along The Crooked Road.

In the area, we are blessed to have a plethora of natural wonders just waiting to be explored.  From Tazewell County’s Burkes Garden, which is known as “God’s Thumbprint,” to the Creeper Trail, Appalachian Trail or Mount Rogers, Virginia’s highest point, there are many things to do and see.  The Blue Ridge Parkway and many hiking and biking opportunities offer you the best views for miles around.  It has been rumored that on a clear day, one can see Detroit, Michigan from the summit at Mount Rogers, but you’ll have to look and see for yourself!

In the New River Valley (Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Radford), you can enjoy a busier scene with shopping and dining options.  Also, you can benefit from having the colleges close by for quality entertainment whether it be concerts, plays, lecture series, etc… 

Going down I-81 gives you the option of dinner and a show at the Wolfhart Haus in Wytheville, several wineries in the region such as Chateau Morissette and the Davis Valley Winery, performances at The Lincoln Theatre in Marion, The Paramount and Theatre Bristol in Bristol and The Barter Theatre in Abingdon– the state theatre of Virginia.  There are many other cultural opportunities such as The Carter Fold in Hiltons and plenty of fine dining experiences to be had between The Martha Washington Inn, The Tavern and The Hardware Company, just to name a few. 

The area is also rich in consignment, second-hand and antique shops.  The areas of Floyd, Abingdon Bristol are particularly rich in these stores.  In the summer months you can attend the Virginia Highlands Arts and Crafts Festival in Abingdon which features a huge antiques market.

I could literally go on all day and suggest things that are not only great food and a good time such as The Dip Dog Stand in Marion, In the Country in Damascus, or Cuz’s Barbeque in Tazewell County, but I would be depriving you of your chance to explore on your own!

–Shai Cullop

How many times have you had a question about something and thought to yourself, “I’ll google it.”  I know I have, and as a person growing up with the internet, I was excited to hear that Eric Schmidt, the CEO of Google, was coming to The Lyric to speak. 

Google is an enormous company that created a wildly popular search engine, so popular, in fact, that the majority of people connected to the internet use it as their primary search engine.  Even the word “google,” once a proper noun, can now be found in the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary listed as a verb.   

Having the CEO of Google here in Blacksburg is exciting enough, but even more exciting is the fact that he actually grew up here.  I think it’s great to see a small-town guy advance to the position that he holds today. 

Schmidt traveled with Mark Warner, former governor of Virginia, to Blacksburg on Thursday to deliver a message to Southwest Virginia:  business can be done with technology here in our communities.  Specifically, Schmidt believes that a strong communications network will allow citizens of Southwest Virginia to obtain employment in their hometowns with global companies. 

I thought it was inspiring to hear Schmidt, the CEO of a prestigious company, say that he has faith in the southwest region of Virginia to grow into something bigger than it already is.   

 – Clark Saunders 

http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/wb/181566

And check this out—they will provide approximately 150 jobs. Yes indeed! Inorganic Ventures is moving its operations from New Jersey to Christiansburg’s Falling Branch Corporate Park. Virginia Governor Time Kaine’s office sent out a press release citing Montgomery County’s “trained workforce and proximity to research opportunities with Virginia Tech.” The company manufactures custom inorganic chemical blends—not being the most scientifically oriented person, I went to their website, and was rather impressed to see that they tout several “firsts” for their industry. The big news here folks, is that Inorganic Ventures move will create 46 new jobs in the science/chemistry industry. I know there are many Southwest Virginia job seekers out there who will find that refreshing.

Bastian in Bland County will be getting a new 4-wheeler and motorcycle shop if things continue to go well for Mark McKee. Mark’s been operating a small engine repair shop out of his home but just got his permit to move into the old Sky Outdoor location on North Scenic Highway. “We’re trying to target all the groups,” McKee said in an interview with Southwest Virginia Today, “We’ll also carry parts and do repairs.” Mark, Return to Roots wishes you luck, and applauds you for working the dream! Read more about Mark by clicking here.

And boy, I can’t wait for this place to open. New River Valley is getting a brand spanking new and newly built restaurant with a micro-brewery! Those of us living in Radford have been watching the building of The River Company up on the bluff across the New River for roughly the past year, measuring it’s progress with the changing seasons. Clearly visible from downtown Radford, it’s been a pleasure to see the visual progress—kind of like being able to watch the region grow. Mark Hall and his company Hall & Sons Developers will open the doors this spring. The business will cater to locals serving basic American favorites to top-notch cuisine. And don’t forget that micro-brewery. I’m pretty excited about this one folks—best news is that they will be hiring 60 to 100 full and part-time positions. They will be seeking highly trained restaurant personnel.

Chemistry, wheels, and beer. We’ve got it all in SWVA!