By Olivia Ryan | New River Voice Correspondent

RADFORD, Va.-Taking on a new business venture in a struggling economy may seem risky for most. But not for John Long; a prime location and high demand made his plans for a coffee shop in Radford that much more realistic.

Located on the corner of First and Clement streets, Brewin’ Around is Radford’s newest addition. For many people, starting a business from scratch takes years of planning. For Long, the idea transformed from a dream to reality in a calendar year.

“The idea dated back to December of last year. We started to buy equipment before we even found our location because we knew we were going to do it somewhere, just a matter of where,” Long says. They decided on a vacant lot underneath Price Williams apartments on Clement Street, in the heart of “lightside.” Brewin’ Around’s location makes the shop easily accessible by students, faculty and people in the community.

If he was beginning his business elsewhere he may have had reservations about starting it up in a struggling economy, but Long is confident there is a high enough demand for coffee in a college town. “I’m a college student myself; I know they love their coffee.”

Brewin’ Around gets its coffee beans from a local supplier called Honduras Coffee Co. out of Floyd, Va. The supplier owns a plantation in Honduras and has the beans shipped to the United States. He roasts them in the basement of his coffee shop, then sells his beans to local buyers like Brewin’ Around.

Brewin’ Around offers more than just your average cup of Joe. “We have a pastry chef that comes in at 5:30 a.m., so [there are] fresh-made pastries cooked in-house, Paninis, [and] eight flavors of smoothies,” Long says.

The local business aspect may give Brewin’ Around an edge over what it considers its biggest competitors: 7-Eleven and Starbucks. “We care. If I make a drink and it’s bad I don’t give it out,” Long says. “it’s my reputation.”

“I’ll definitely give them my business; it’s great having a little coffee shop on lightside. That’s just right down the street with way more reasonable prices than Starbucks,” says Chelsea Cotman, a Radford University junior.

The new business also gives provides job opportunities for locals and students. “We put ads out on Craigslist and Facebook and people also just walked in. We had huge turnout,” Long says.

As they hit their two-week anniversary of being open, they are optimistic that Brewin’ Around will generate enough business to one day be Starbucks’ competition. “I haven’t slept in two months. We’ve put in hundreds of unpaid hours; it’s been a lot more work than I thought it would be,” Long says. “I think once word gets out there, they’re going to learn it’s just as good.”

Elliot Blumberg | newrivervoice.com correspondent

Which elections are coming up?

To find out what is specifically on your ballot, check out the Virginia Election and Registration Information System (VERIS):

https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/PublicSite/Public/FT2/PublicElections.aspx

Each district will be voting for their representatives in the Virginia House of Delegates. Also, depending on the term, you might be voting for mayor, commonwealth attorney, court clerk, and plenty of other positions.

Who is running for each position?

heck here to see the list for your precinct: http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Cidate_Information/Cidate_Lists/CidatesList.asp

Am I eligible to vote (even if I’m a student originally from outside my precinct)? Yes! In Virginia, all that is required is the following:

1) Be a U.S. citizen

2) Be a resident in VA and in the precinct in which you wish to vote

3) Be 18 by the election

4) If you’re a felon, have your rights restored

5) Not currently be declared mentally incompetent by a court. If you’re a student, however, you must legally declare your home to be your college precinct.

For more information, see here: http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Voter_Information/Registering_to_Vote/Index.html#To be

How do I register?

You can get a form and directions online at the Virginia State Board of Elections:

http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Forms_Publications/Index.html

You can also get a form at any of the following locations:

-Local voter registration office

-Armed forces recruitment office

-Public library

-State Board of Elections office

-Department of Motor Vehicles office,

-Voter registration drive

-Government offices in the state that provide state-funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to person with disabilities,

-State or local government offices when applying or recertifying for aid to dependent children, food stamps, WIC, Medicaid, or rehabilitation services.

Source: http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Voter_Information/Registering_to_Vote/Index.html#Persons

What are the deadlines for registration?

In Virginia, the deadlines are as follows:

-General elections: register 22 days before election (10/17/11)

-Primary elections: register 22 days before election (8/1/11)

-Special elections: register 13 days before election (depends on county and precinct)

-Special elections called by governor: register 7 days before election (depends on county and precinct)

Source: http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Voter_Information/Registering_to_Vote/Index.html#Registration

When and where do I vote?

Where you vote depends on your locality and address. To find out where exactly you’ll be voting, go to the Virginia Election and Registration Information System: https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/PublicSite/Public/FT2/PublicPollingPlace.aspx

How do I absentee-vote?

Depending on your reason – whether you are ill/disabled or will simply be away from the polls – you can download a ballot application and follow the directions from either of these sites:

Illness/disability: http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Absentee_Documents/2008_703_1_AnnualAB_FINAL.pdf

Out-of-county: http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Absentee_Documents/VA_Absentee_ballot_application.pdf

Do I have to pay to vote?

No! All you have to do is follow the guidelines on the State Board of Elections voter information web site and be eligible. No payment required.

What if I want to run for a position?

Most districts don’t require much of their candidates to pay much to run. To download candidate forms and see if you’re eligible, check out the Virginia State Board of Elections web site:

http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Cidate_Information/Cidate_Forms.html

Several lab-confirmed cases of pertussis (whooping cough) have prompted a week-long suspension of classes at Blue Mountain School in Floyd. To limit the spread of the illness and allow students and staff to seek treatment, classes have been canceled until Monday, April 11. Make-up days have been added to the school calendar in April, May, and June.

Administration at Blue Mountain School was notified of the first suspected cases last week by the New River Health District (Virginia Department of Health). The school immediately followed the Health Department’s recommendation to advise staff members and school parents to keep all family members with cold or cough symptoms at home and seek medical treatment for them. Upon notification from the Health Department, Blue Mountain School staff worked to communicate quickly and clearly with members of the school community. Parents were informed immediately of symptoms and signs of pertussis, where to seek treatment, and what to do once treatment was received. After the initial communication, parents have received regular updates with any new information from the Health Department, as well.

The Health Department continues to work to assess those who may have been exposed to this illness and to provide treatment as needed. Special arrangements have been made to provide pertussis vaccine and boosters to the Blue Mountain School staff, students, parents and families, and other close contacts.

Public vaccination clinics also are held weekly at the Floyd County Health Department. Call 540-745-2141 for more information.

Anyone with questions or concerns about pertussis should contact their physician or the Floyd County (540-745-2141) or Montgomery County (540-381-7100) Health Departments, or visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/Epidemiology/factsheets/Pertussis.htm.

Questions for the school may be directed to 540-745-4234, or contact@bluemountainschool.net.

McAuliffe (left) with Radford resident Brack Stovall.

By Bill Kovarik

Terry McAuliffe is on the road tonight with a message — and a business — that could change the way America drives.

The former Democratic National Committee chair stopped by  Radford’s River City Grill Sunday as part of a statewide tour promoting his new electric car company.  The tour also has all the earmarks of a political campaign.

The message hit home with democrats, who said McAuliffe’s vision promised something that business-as-usual Republicans will have a difficult time matching.

“We’ve got to get off imported oil,” McAuliffe said. “The government won’t do it. We’ve got to lead with the private sector.”

The two seat MyCar electric sells for about $12,000 in Hong Kong. Charging costs are about the eqivalent of $1.50 to $2.00 per gallon of gasoline. The range of this generation of MyCars is about 80 miles before recharging.

Last May, McAuliffe paid $20 million for the Hong Kong-based electric car company EuAuto, which builds an electric vehicle called the MyCar. Bringing the car company to Virginia could create 5,000 new jobs in one of the state’s depressed manufacturing regions.

According to McAuliffe’s web site, the first 100,000 low-end models will sell for about  $10,000. The car  has an 80 mile radius, but a second generation electric car will have the range of a gasoline car.

“To get people to drive electric cars, they have to feel comfortable,” McAuliffe said, noting that he had no problems commuting daily through northern Virginia’s notorious traffic.

He moved just as easily through the crowd, shaking hands and talking with several dozen democrats at the Radford “meet and greet,”

While McAuliffe’s tour was ostensibly to promote green cars and green business, the underlying theme was to rally the state’s flagging democratic party.

Whether this will also involve a run for the senate seat being vacated in 2012 by fellow democrat Jim Webb depends on a variety of factors.

McAuliffe wasn’t able to overcome the image of an outsider a few years ago, despite 20 years residence in the Virginia, when democrats chose Craig Deeds to run against now-governor Robert McDonald in 2009. But as Deeds’ campaign faltered, many democrats wished they had chosen McAuliffe.

While McAuliffe didn’t say he was a candidate for Senate, it is unlikely that he would not be, many democrats said.

More information:

McAuliffe’s web site

Buying a green car company: Washington Post

“Make it your New Year’s resolution to get vaccinated against the flu,” said State Health Commissioner Karen Remley. “It’s one of the healthiest resolutions you can make and one of the easiest to keep.” (more…)

Due to structural concerns, volunteers and staff of Blacksburg’s Progress Street Rescue Station will be temporarily operating out of the Fire Department building beginning today. These structural concerns do not affect the separate Fire Department building which has its own support system.

For the past year, Town inspectors and an outside structural engineering firm have been monitoring the late 1950s era building for signs of structural degradation. “Overnight, old cracks expanded and new cracks formed in the bay areas and in the boiler room, likely due to frozen ground and ground shift,” said Blacksburg Building Official Cathy Cook.

At this time, the building is being closed and personnel and equipment relocated as a precautionary measure while further investigation takes place. Fire and Rescue service will continue with no interruptions.