Issue 16: When Bad Things Happen to Good Towns

Melody WarnickGreat towns, Place love, Virginia

If you live in Blacksburg, Virginia, you’re apparently obligated to hate Charlottesville, at least a little. Every team has its cross-town rival, and the University of Virginia is Virginia Tech’s, thus—and correct me if I’m wrong, because I know zero about sports—we are natural enemies. Giving a talk in Charlottesville a few months ago for the Virginia Festival of the … Read More

Issue 3: Find 10 Things in Your Town to Brag About

Melody WarnickGreat towns, I would live there, Love Where You Live experiment, Uncategorized

I grew up in Southern California. Summertime is my jam. Especially this summer, which involved me going on an Alaskan cruise, thereby hitting #48 in my quest to visit all 50 states. (Only Connecticut and Rhode Island to go!) I also managed to fall a little bit in love with Victoria, Canada. This happens a lot, lured as I am … Read More

How 800 residents of Powell, Wyoming, opened a store together

Melody WarnickBuy local, Cool projects, Great towns

In 2002, when the last clothing store shut down in the ranching town of Powell, Wyoming, the 5,300 residents feared for the future of their Main Street, which was already disintegrating into a gap-toothed ghost town of shuttered storefronts and struggling shops. A Super Walmart had just passed them up for nearby Cody; wouldn’t everyone drive over there for their … Read More