Blue Ridge Leader
By Andrea Gaines Diane Painter is a member of an organization called VSTE – Virginia Society for Technology in Education, and a member of Makersmiths organization. She was recently nominated as a 2021 Outstanding Educator by Repowering Schools for her innovative approach to education. Painter helps lead an effort called KidWind, an official “Makerspace STEM…
I spent the spring preparing to take two exams. I had been thinking for a while about becoming a Project Management Professional. To do this requires passing a difficult certification exam. But after stepping into a management role last fall, I began to see the PMP certification as an important vehicle to strengthen my program…
Being single can bring a different set of challenges to planning for retirement. These five strategies can help. If you’re planning on retiring single, you aren’t alone. Nearly 22 million Americans age 65 and older were unmarried in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This group makes up 41.5 percent of all people in the…
By Charles Houston Byne Rood was catching up on emails late in the day when her husband Robert returned from work with his usual “Hey, babe.” “Hey yourself,” she returned his greeting and then added. “What’s that smirk on your face?” Robert grinned, “I had a brilliant idea!” “You always have good ideas, so what’s…
By Valerie Cury The Purcellville Town Council has voted 4-2 to reduce building heights in the Town’s C-4 District (historic downtown). Mayor Kwasi Fraser, and Council Members Stan Milan, Chris Bertaut, and Tip Stinnette voted in favor of the new limits with Vice Mayor Mary Jane Williams and Council Member Joel Grewe voting against.The vote…
-View from the Ridge- In the ongoing saga about how big Purcellville should get, what residents old and new want to preserve – or tear down, and how to keep taxes low and economic productivity high, yet another power struggle is bubbling up. Mayor Kwasi Fraser, who enjoys overwhelming citizen support, has for years methodically…
By Charles Houston I called actor Eddie Murphy. “Eddie, this is Charlie Houston in Virginia. How’re you doing, guy?” “Do I know you?” he answered. “Not yet, but I want your help,” I said. Eddie was unsure but polite. “How can I help you?” “Well, Eddie, we want to move to Beverly Hills near you…
By Valerie Cury Developers want higher building height limits in key parts of Purcellville, with periodic support from certain Council members, depending on the moment, they have tried to take power away from the local legislative body – and, in turn, the citizens – who don’t agree with them. At the Town Council Work Session…
While they’re working, many Americans become accustomed to getting health insurance through their employer. They make their initial selections and then update their choices once a year when its time to renew and during life events like adding to the family or, perhaps, starting a new job. But virtually all U.S. residents face a milestone…
By Grafton deButts One of the greatest threats to America’s economic recovery and future growth is currently being debated in Congress. The PRO Act, a bill which seeks to undermine workers’ rights to privacy and free association, would create a one-size-fits-all rewrite of labor laws in 50 states, hurting workers across the United States, including…