The historic district encompasses the majority of downtown Buena Vista, including Magnolia Avenue from 20th to 22nd Street, as well as sections of Sycamore, Forest and Beech Avenues. Property owners undertaking a building rehabilitation within the historic district can receive as much as a 45% tax credit.

-Buena Vista is getting a downtown Historic District. The local groundwork is complete, and officials received final approval by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources on June 18. This honorary designation, provided by the state and federal government, recognizes areas with significant architectural heritage within a community. The designation places contributing buildings within the historic district on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register, and acknowledges landmarks that have historical importance. 

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New Call Center Employing 96 Opens in Buena Vista
A new call center has opened in Buena Vista - and there's not a telephone in sight. The center, operating a business called Preferred Credit Repair, is located in the former Green Forest Plaza on 29th Street, where it occupies 5,000 square feet in the former Food Lion and, later, Pandit Books building. As its name suggests, the business specializes in "repairing" clients' problematic credit scores and reports. Such repair is accomplished by monitoring and analyzing reports, as well as disputing and eliminating any errors found in the reports.
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BlueMoon Consulting Opens in Buena Vista
BlueMoon Web Consulting is open for business. BlueMoon specializes in web design, development and marketing focusing on customer-centered design and industry standards. BlueMoon also offers Search Engine Optimization and Marketing services. Visit our site at www.bluemoonwebconsulting.com for more information.

Web Page Design Coming to DSLCC Rockbridge Regional Center!

To use the title of a Clint Eastwood classic, this three-credit course will focus on "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" aspects of designing web pages. The class (ITD 110-Web Page Design I) will meet on Monday evenings, 6:00- 8:50 pm.

The "Good"
Building a solid foundation of web site design, construction and site management. Begin by learning HTML (4.01 Specification) and write code using an HTML editor. Basic building block concepts include headings, lists, links, images, image maps, tables, forms, and frames. Later in the course, web page designs will be created through a WYSIWYG application - Microsoft Expression Web. Also, a look at the good aspects of web design will include a sprinkle of JavaScript; a scripting language used to add interactive features to web pages.

The "Bad"
Learning what not to do! Write "clean" code using proper formatting for readability. Avoid problems such as sites with outdated information and broken links. Discover why web site maintenance must become an essential part of web designer's tasks.

The "Ugly"
Better known as visiting a web site and thinking "yuck!" How many times have your surfed the Web and came across web pages that literally hurt your eyes? How about web pages difficult to read because of poor font selection or color schemes? There is so much more to web design than just writing code. This course will focus on good design techniques and principles-make sure your pages will not be among the "ugly" ones.

Interested? This is the class to take if you have ever wished you could design your own web page. Do you already have a site but think that it could be improved? Take this class and have some fun while learning about "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" of web page design!

Register soon, as space is limited. For more information about the content of this course, contact the instructor, Brian Balkey, at bbalkey@dslcc.edu.

AutoRecyclers Honored As A Fantastic 50 Company By Virginia Chamber of Commerce 

--Trash has become a treasure for Paul Palma, owner of Auto Recyclers LLC. He has found a market for those soda cans and used printer paper others might toss away.His company is named Auto Recyclers, but recycling vehicle parts now is a small part of his business. It is, however, how Palma got started.

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Buena Vista Begins Development of New Comprehensive Plan
The Comprehensive Plan is an official document adopted by the Buena Vista City Council. The document will serve as a policy guide for decisions concerning the growth and development of the city. The Comprehensive Plan provides a general overview of the present and future needs of the city, taking into account the full realm of physical, social and economic activity. The Comprehensive Plan helps the city recognize its needs and provides direction for allocating community resources for meeting those needs. The Plan is a reasonable expectation and statement of the city's goals for the future.

A Comprehensive Plan has two primary functions: (1) to serve as basis for the more detailed ordinances and land use regulations developed to implement the Plan and (2) to provide a general Plan with in which the Planning Commission has full authority and a reasonable basis upon which to evaluate and accept or reject development proposals. Because Comprehensive Plans are long range, they must be flexible enough to change or be revised as the community undergoes changes. The Plan does not attempt to provide specific regulations or restrictions. It does, however, provide the framework for appropriate ordinances and polices to protect and improve the conditions of the community.

The Comprehensive Plan which was last fully addressed in 1995 will be reviewed and brought up to date by this committee with technical assistance from the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission.

Buena Vista, Rockbridge Region Submit Fiber Optics Stimulus Proposal

The County of Rockbridge and the cities of Lexington and Buena Vista are requesting a $1,100,000 broadband stimulus grant, and the region is prepared to provide the required 20% cash match. An authority will be formed in 2009, and will plan to build an extensive, open access fiber and wireless broadband network: The region is "shovel ready." We are prepared to start construction within three months of receiving an award, and the $1 million will fund construction, with all work completed within twelve months.

During the summer and fall of 2008, the county and the two localities conducted a broadband planning effort funded by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The work was designed to identify the kind of telecommunications infrastructure that is needed now and in the future to make the Rockbridge region more competitive economically, reduce the cost of telecom services, and to help create new job and work opportunities.

The network will be owned and operated by an authority. Most network operations and maintenance will be outsourced to qualified private sector firms to minimize the impact on Authority staff.

Library and City Receive $60,000 Grant to Establish Training and Call Center

This computer training and call center will provide, free of charge, basic training in PC usage, individualized assistance for PC users, and advanced training in the skills needed for an individual to operate effectively as an incoming call center representative. Any resident of the Rockbridge Regional Library service area will be eligible for either basic or advanced training. The City of Buena Vista will actively market the call center to corporations seeking cost-effective call center services staffed by pre-trained individuals. Contracts with these corporations will provide jobs in the Buena Vista-Lexington-Rockbridge County region and ongoing operating income for the center.  The supply of trained employees will also encourage businesses to establish their own permanent call center operations in the area.

Bald Bear Outdoors Opens in Downtown Buena Vista

Sportsmen no longer have to leave town to supply their favorite activities with the opening of Bald Bear Outdoors. The new store is now open and ready to provide everything needed for hunting, archery, and shooting for sportsman around the region.
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Buena Vista Moves Forward on Citywide Clean Up Ordinance

Junk, debris, inoperable vehicles, unkept lots and unsafe structures will be a thing of the past in the City of Buena Vista. In response to citizen complaints and advise, the city's newly adopted nuisance and public safety code becomes effective on January, 18th.Larry Coffey, the city's new code enforcement officer said, "The goal is to make the city as clean, safe and as pleasant as possible-something we call all be proud of."
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The Future of Bontex in Buena Vista
“Bontex is here to stay,” Mr. Kostelni said, “making a product that was pioneered by the employees in Buena Vista, that is made only here in Buena Vista, and is competitive in the world market.” The Bontex Enviro-Insole products were developed and introduced over the past year. The sales success in the marketing of Bontex’s Enviro Insole Series provided the sales and cost turn around for the company. Nearly all of the production of Enviro-Insole products is exported to Asia where 80% of the world’s shoes are manufactured.
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VEC Maintains Presence in Buena Vista Despite Closure
The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) office in Buena Vista is officially closing on Wednesday, November 19, 2008. In order to continue some service to area residents, Mike Webb of the Rockbridge Area Partnership, Tim Reamer from the Buena Vista Economic Development Coordinator and Donna Countryman from Career Cafe have been working with the Virginia Employment Commission and workforce service providers to ensure that job seekers would have employment services available locally through the newly established Rockbridge Joblink Network.
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Buena Vista's Mountain Day on October 11th
--Mark your calendar and come to Buena Vista on Saturday, October 11th for Mountain Day. The annual downtown celebration of the culture, traditions, history and beauty of the surrounding mountains and Shenandoah Valley runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. New to this year’s festival will be the announcement and coronation of Buena Vista’s (soon to be famous) Old Grouches.
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Buena Vista & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Harley-Davidson motorcycle owners have a new local connection for service, maintenance, parts and performance. V-Twin Solutions, owned by Alan Brown and Tenney Mudge, recently relocated the business from Westminster, MD. They purchased and rehabilitated the 3,500 square foot building and lot at 510 W. 28th Street, Buena Vista, creating a fully equipped, state of the art facility.
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DSLCC Opens New Rockbridge Regional Center in Buena Vista
Dabney S. Lancaster Community College has opened a new Rockbridge Regional Center in Buena Vista. The state-of-the-art building meets the demand for post-secondary programs and services in the Rockbridge area. There are seven classrooms, a computer lab, science/nursing lab, culinary arts instructional kitchen, testing room, four offices, conference room and a greenhouse. Construction began in the fall of 2007 and staff moved into the new building on August 1.

“DSLCC has always been very well-received and highly valued in this region. We wanted a larger space to be able to fully respond to the growing needs of the Rockbridge community,” stated DSLCC President Dr. Richard Teaff. Credit and non credit courses and programs are scheduled at the new RRC using a variety of delivery formats, including traditional lecture classes, compressed video courses transmitted to the RRC from the main campus, and web-based/independent study.

Fall semester classes begin on August 25. An official ribbon cutting ceremony and open house are set for October 7. Detailed information is available from the director, Tamra Cottrill, at 540/261-1211 or tcottrill@dslcc.edu. The new DSLCC Rockbridge Regional Center is located at 35 Vista Links Drive in Buena Vista.

DSLCC Offers Wide Array Classes at New Rockbridge Regional Center in BV.
Join us at the new Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Rockbridge Regional Center at 35 Vista Links Drive, Buena Vista, for an exciting schedule of non-credit/special interest classes this fall, including:

• Gourmet Cooking
• Financial Planning
• Weekend Photo shop Workshop
• Customer Service and Retirement Seminars
• Human Resources Workshops
• Car Care “Boot Camp” for Women, and more!

The DSLCC Special Interest/Non-Credit Fall 2008 schedule is now online! Click hereto see the entire schedule in all locations or here to see all of the classes at the new Rockbridge Center.

Sports Of All Sorts And Ladies First Celebrate With Grand Opening

Sports of All Sorts and Ladies First held their grand opening and ribbon cutting on Monday, July 14th in downtown Buena Vista. Located in the former Grizzley Archery store at 2076 Magnolia Avenue in Buena Vista, the new retail store is concentrating on providing the best choice of sports equipment and accessories in Rockbridge as well as a special line of merchandise for the ladies. The store is owned by Joyce and Don Owens of Covington and their son, Todd Crawford, of Buena Vista. It is a family business.
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Economic Development Releases Annual Report

With increasing opportunity, development and sales coupled with a decrease in taxes, the only direction Buena Vista is looking is up. That’s the message in the annual report just released by the city’s Department of Economic Development. And, the story is the same in both commercial and retail sectors—in 10 out of 12 months sales were up. Retail sales were substantially up in November providing an estimated overall increase of 7.4% in annual taxable sales.
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The Buena Vista Community Survey to be Mailed July 2
--The City of Buena Vista has developed a community survey to gauge citizen opinion on a wide variety of topics related to government services, the business community, and top priorities.

The survey will be mailed to every household currently receiving a water bill and will include a return envelope for your convenience. The survey will be mailed on July 2 and has a deadline of July 20. Results will remain anonymous and final results will be posted on this website. If you receive a survey at your address, but not your name, please fill out this survey as your own.
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Buena Vista ALS Walkathon Raises Funds for Family
The 4th Annual ALS Walkathon and Community Awareness event was held on Sunday, June 3rd. Proceeds from this annual event benefit the David Burnett family and the Virginia ALS Association.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a fatal neuromuscular disease that attacks the motor neurons, making even the simplest movements of walking, speaking and gesturing nearly impossible. People with ALS are generally paralyzed in the later stages of the disease; however, the mind is usually unaffected. At this time, the cause is not known neither is there a cure. The cost to live with this disease averages $200,000 a year and the toll on children and spouses can be severe.
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Standing Room Only in Downtown Buena Vista--June 4, 2007
Just about everyone enjoys live dinner music and it happens again with side by side entertainment on June 13th in downtown Buena Vista. As the clock strikes seven the bands start to play for a free evening of family fun on Magnolia Avenue. It’s bluegrass at Alexander’s Emporium and country-pop at Original Italian Pizza.
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Becky's Of Buena Vista Celebrates Glamour And Success--Rockbridge Weekly--May 8, 2007
April and May are the months when high school students change their jeans, tops, and trendy clothing for something much more glamorous and special. It is the time of the year when the honored tradition of high school proms fill the streets with youth dressed "to the nines," hair styled, flowers in hand, eager to dine out, dance, and party.
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Buena Vista Career Fair Swells with Opportunity--May 4, 2007
Over 50 participants from local businesses, industries, and community organizations will participate in the 2007 Career Fair sponsored by Parry McCluer High School, Dabney Lancaster Community College, and the City of Buena, Department of Economic Development. Presenters will be talking directly with students about their careers and sharing information about the benefits and skills needed in each job area. The program is designed to serve as an effective way to reduce the unknown elements and highlight opportunities for students with area employers. The Fair will be held Thursday, May 17, 2007. 1:00 to 3:00 p.m at Parry McCluer High School in Buena Vista.

This year, participants will have a separate table top where they will display information and materials about their career or employment fields. This vendor-type display allows time for each participant to talk to students individually or in small groups. Area business leaders will include the types of training or college degrees required for employment in each career field. Business participants may also talk with seniors about employment openings.

Tugboat Captain And His Wife Open Seafood Restaurant In Buena Vista
--What is a seafaring captain doing in Buena Vista?

Tim Williams, who actually is a tugboat captain, is co-owner of Captain Tim’s Galley which opened at 319 East 29th Street March 6.

“The key to it is we serve fresh seafood and that I make my own breader,” he said referring to the breaded seafood topping. “It’s Calabash-style breading. It’s my own recipe. We also make hush puppies, coleslaw and tartar sauce from scratch.”
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Des Champs Technologies Honors Employees at Meeting--March 12, 2007
--Des Champs Technologies held its semi-annual company meeting on Wednesday, February 28, 2007. Several employees were presented with awards.
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Tradition Continues At Historic Buena Vista Service Station--March 7, 2007 
One of the area's oldest service stations held a grand reopening last week. Mike Sienda, the newest owner of Blue Ridge Auto Center at 1973 Magnolia Ave. in Buena Vista, said he aims to continue offering the same high level of automotive repair service as Joe Baker, who owned the business the past three years.
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SVU & City Work to Beautify Community--March 5, 2007 
On Saturday March 3rd, Southern Virginia University, students from around the region, and the City of Buena Vista worked cooperatively to enhance the community. Approximately 120 studentsvolunteered for projectsin the downtown, Parry McCluer Middle School, the Maury River Senior Center, the Vista Links Golf Course, and other community sites.
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A NEW OLD TIME MARKET
BY CLAUDIA SCHWAB
Friday, March 2, 2007
Burlap, wood, metal, wicker. All these textures and more give the Ole Country Market that opened in Buena Vista Feb. 6 an old-fashioned atmosphere.But it is the offerings in this new old-time market that has customers coming for a unique Buena Vista experience.
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BUENA VISTA IS THE SITE FOR NEW DSLCC CENTER
BY ROBERTA ANDERSON
Friday, February 23, 2007 8:53 AM CST
Lexington City Council has endorsed the selection of Buena Vista by Dabney S. Lancaster Community College as the new location for the community college’s Rockbridge Regional Center.
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