When I began the New River Voice more than three years ago, I had high hopes that we would become a strong presence in the New River Valley. With very limited resources, we strove to offer news, opinions, and features about this great area. We tried to offer alternative viewpoints and represent the myriad voices that don’t receive enough attention.

After more than three years—with some successes and some failures—it is time for me to move on and for NewRiverVoice.com to get a new life. As the calendar changes from 2010 to 2011, I am optimistic that NewRiverVoice.com will fall under the purview of Radford University’s School of Communication. (more…)

Well, here we are recovering from all the scurrying about, perhaps resting and reading. This week in between Christmas and New Year’s can be a quiet time to regroup. Many of us like to take a look back at 2010. To that end, let’s look back at the top 10 books in Radford. These books checked out the most times in the Radford Public Library last year. (more…)

We often hear references made to the “cut-throat” competition in the business world. We all know that there is a built-in degree of competition necessary to survive in business, but should you make this the major and overriding focus of your life? Are you ever tempted to compromise your basic values just for profit (usually short-termed)?

Edward (Francis Charles Publius) de Bono, Maltese psychologist, writer, and a leading authority in the field of creative thinking, said,  “Companies that solely focus on competition will ultimately die. Those that focus on value creation will thrive.” Graham Roberts-Phelps added, “Being good enough is not good enough—give customers a reason to be faithful.” Overall, the businesses that last seem to be those that understand that the creation of customer value must be the reason for the firm’s existence and certainly for its success. (more…)

One of my most cherished Christmas traditions is to decorate my home with the nativity sets that I’ve collected over the years. They vary from a small set of figures and a stable that were purchased at a local Walmart, to a pricey Renaissance replica of about 20 figures which include a blond Mary and babe that I inherited from my mother.

My favorites are the ones that I found while on trips to other countries discovered in stores that sell items from co-ops such as Ten Thousand Villages. Each set is a unique treasure, reflecting the people and the culture of the people who created it. One set from the Bahamas includes palm trees and chickens. Another from Peru features men and women in colorful dress and bowler hats. (more…)

What you mistake for love—that look in your dog’s obsidian eyes as he presses his tongue between your freshly naked toes—isn’t love at all, but desire. Not desire for you, but for the salt of your skin and the sweat that has accumulated in your shoe over the course of your workday.

Your dog is an animal, and animals like salt. Your dog is an animal, and you claim to be aware of that fact. Yet you persist in dressing your so-called dog in tacky sweaters. Your cat is an animal. You say you know the difference between a feline and a princess, and yet you refuse to buy any cat foot that doesn’t prominently feature “gourmet” on the wrapper. (more…)

Gov. Bob McDonnell’s announcement Wednesday of 100 new jobs in the New River Valley created by Dove Vinyl Windows is a great Christmas present for our communities. While Pulaski County will be the beneficiary of the $2 million investment, each of our communities will be furthered by the jobs created. Dove is a family-built company, and we certainly welcome them to our family here in the NRV. (more…)