President Donald Trump connected by phone on Wednesday with Don Blankenship, the former coal baron and ex-con whose Senate candidacy he helped sink. Trump and Blankenship spoke briefly, according to three people familiar with the discussion. The conversation was described as straightforward, polite and cordial, with the president calling to exchange pleasantries and offer his congratulations on waging the campaign.Story Continued Below The call came two days after Trump took to Twitter to urge West Virginia Republicans to reject Blankenship’s candidacy. In the tweet, Trump argued that Blankenship, who spent a year in jail following a 2010 explosion at his Upper Big Branch Mine that killed 29 workers, would be unable to defeat Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin in November. Trump’s intervention undermined Blankenship, who had aligned himself closely with the president — so much so that he described himself as “Trumpier than Trump.” Blankenship would go on to lose … [Read more...] about Trump calls Blankenship after pushing for his loss in West Virginia
Virginia
Pianist bidding adieu to Virginia Arts Festival with Mozart concert
When he was 3, André-Michel Schub refused to take afternoon naps.By then, his family had been in New York City for about two years after moving from Paris. Classical records often spun on the stereo, and Schub’s mother observed the toddler’s steadfast attention to the music. She decided it would be more productive for him to start piano lessons than for her to try to enforce nap time.And a classical star was born.Schub’s career took off in the 1970s, and he won high-profile piano competitions, including the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, the Naumburg International Piano Competition and the Avery Fisher Recital Award. Twenty-two years ago, during the infancy of the Virginia Arts Festival, he became director of chamber music, a position he will leave this year.“Twenty-two years of running it, it’s time for fresh blood. Nothing is forever,” says Schub, who is 65. “Like a great piece of music, it has a beginning and an end, and … [Read more...] about Pianist bidding adieu to Virginia Arts Festival with Mozart concert
Virginia counties vie for transportation improvements funds
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — From Arlington and Fairfax to Loudoun and Prince William counties the wish list is long for transportation improvements. But there isn’t enough money to pay for it all. A crowd turned out in the Mount Vernon section of Fairfax County Wednesday night to tell regional transportation planners it’s time they get what Tysons Corner, the Dulles Corridor and other northern Virginia transportation hot spots are getting — money for road improvements. “In eastern Fairfax County, the No. 1 priority is investing and widening Route 1 (Richmond Highway) and adding bus rapid transit,” said State Senator Scott Surovell, a Democrat who represents parts of Fairfax, Prince Wiliam and Stafford counties. “We also have the underpass on Route 1, right where you get off I-95 … it’s very dangerous … the road needs to be widened,” he said. A representative of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority told the audience that … [Read more...] about Virginia counties vie for transportation improvements funds
Home-based business in Virginia Beach bakes cupcakes for your furry friends…
The cupcake craze has been a hot food trend for years. Now, your furry best friend can enjoy this popular dessert, as well as an apple cheddar bone, blueberry paw muffin or a raspberry waffle.The gourmet dog treats are available at My Best Friend’s Cupcakes, a home-based business in Glenwood. Opening in June 2016, the family business was inspired by the loss of Jackie and Dillon Jacobs’ golden retriever, which died from cancer.Jackie looked closely at the food and treats she was feeding her other golden retrievers. One morning while watching “Cupcake Wars” on the Food Network, Jackie had her “aha” moment and told her husband, Darryl, that she was going to make cupcakes for dogs.“I wanted to make a product that not only looked good but was also tasty for dogs,” said Jackie. “I then came up with recipes that not only had healthy ingredients, but flavors I thought dogs would love.”After some experimenting, she came up with … [Read more...] about Home-based business in Virginia Beach bakes cupcakes for your furry friends…
The Collective combines several fashionable businesses in Virginia Beach
What happens when three women have three different businesses and decide to merge into one space? You can find the answer at La Promenade Distinctive Shoppes inside the storefront The Collective, which opened in November 2017.The Collective originally started as a holiday pop-up and has evolved into a permanent location that offers women’s contemporary clothing, activewear, natural beauty items, gifts and kid’s clothing.Each of the owners still maintain her business: Lindsay Bangel, owns LABL VB (an activewear company), Tommi Long owns ContraVan (a mobile lifestyle boutique) and Sara Andrews runs Wanderful Boxes (a curated gift box company).Bangel, originally from Virginia Beach, worked in New York City for 14 years, most recently as a special ed teacher. In April of 2016, she moved back home to be closer to family and opened a fashionable activewear business.In May, the Oceanfront resident first opened her business inside the Jim White Fitness Studio on Laskin Road. At the … [Read more...] about The Collective combines several fashionable businesses in Virginia Beach