Entries by vaobserver

Rat Pack Antiques and Toys Charms on Main Street

Story and photo by Rebecca Maynard Whether it’s art, retro toys, jewelry or collectibles, there is sure to be something to catch your eye at Rat Pack Antiques and Toys, which opened at 14 West Main Street in Berryville in October. “I love it here,” owner Brennah Thomas said. “My mom moved here from Brooklyn […]

Septic System And Well Records Now Available Online For Clarke County Properties

Clarke County and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) have launched its Online Responsible Maintenance Entity (OnlineRME) database. The purpose is to provide an online, publicly accessible, complete, and up-to-date database of all county onsite sewage system “septic system” records. These records will assist homeowners, contractors, and onsite sewage system operators in understanding the system […]

Black History Museum Welcomes Young Readers For Contest

Story and photo by Cathy Kuehner The Josephine School Community Museum hosted its 19th “Helen O. Carr Dramatic Reading Contest” on Feb. 15 at the museum on Josephine Street in Berryville. Seven youngsters competed in the 2nd and 3rd grade category and six students were in the 4th and 5th grade category. All read passages […]

Va. Lawmakers Seem Ready To Add More Energy Storage To The Grid

By Leah Small Virginia lawmakers want to more than triple the amount of energy storage capacity Virginia’s two public utility companies — Dominion and Appalachian Power (ApCo) — must procure under the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA). Passed in 2020, the VCEA required Dominion to supply electricity from only carbon-neutral sources by 2045. It gave […]

Home Land: What Does It Mean To Be Rural?

Your Clarke County; Understanding the past, present, and future through the comprehensive plan Story and photographs by Jennifer M. Lee Whether you have lived here all your life, moved recently into a town neighborhood with your young family, grew up here at some pivotal point in life, or in any way found yourself knowing Clarke […]

Timber Works Tree Care Offers Top Notch Service

By Rebecca Maynard If you’re looking for a licensed, insured, family owned tree care company, Timber Works Tree Care in Front Royal says they are here for all your needs. “We are continually educating ourselves on industry standards to give our customers the best value. Being on the cutting edge of our industry also allows us […]

Building Stronger Teams: The Power of Restorative Justice in Small Business and Nonprofit Environments

By Brenda Waugh In today’s fast-paced, tech-dependent world, creating effective, collaborative teams is challenging for organizations of all sizes. For small businesses and nonprofits, the task is even more daunting. Many of these organizations struggle with interpersonal conflicts and diverging goals, which can prevent them from reaching their full potential. However, many local businesses and […]