Posted by Ian on February 17th, 2010
While homelessness and alcoholism don’t go hand in hand, anyone who has spent time around an ABC store can certainly attest to the fact that there is an increase in begging for bus/food/gas money with more than a hint of ethanol being apparent. In an effort to increase this type of panhandling, the House of Delegates has approved a bill allowing ABC stores to offer three half-ounce samples per customer, per day, much in the way that local beer/wine stores offer tastings.
The obvious expected benefit will be increased sales through exposing customers to previously unknown offerings, and with the ever expanding options available, it certainly will allow exploration of store shelves. It is currently unclear whether this sampling will be by request or by offer, as allowing requests would certainly improve the odds of this concept being abused, with 1.5 oz of 151 proof spirits nearly equal in alcohol content to three beers.
While the idea certainly does have its merit, there is still the odds on chance that many stores will experience an up tick in purchase less consumption, and other yet to be seen issues. [Photo Credits]
Posted by Ian on February 17th, 2010
The upper house of Virginia’s General Assembly passed a new measure this week, looking to directly collect taxes from online retailers. Historically, as long as an online entity conducted no physical business within a state, it was exempt from collecting any form of state tax. The burden of submitting this taxable transaction fell to the individual during tax time, and we can only imagine that few, if any, note online purchases in preparation for this requirement. The University of Tennessee published a study in 2009, assuming nearly $20 billion was lost by state governments due to online shopping. » Read More
Posted by Ian on February 12th, 2010
Friday:
The Paramount - Holds a showing of ‘Art And Copy”, a look behind the scenes at who and how our advertising landscape was shaped. @8:00PM – $15.00 [Info]
The Southern - Says Farewell to Birdlips with Sarah White and the Pearls and the Cinnamon Band The Standard Dance Revue Spinning Records. 60’s & 70’s psychedelia combine for their last night in Charlottesville before a West Cost tour. @9:00PM – $8.00 [Info]
The Jefferson – Brings one of reggae’s best new bands to the stage with SOLDIERS OF JAH ARMY. We are big fans around here, and this is definitely an amazing group to check out. @8:00PM – $20.00 [Info]
Club 216 - Shows off with the Love, Lust, & Legs party, thrown by none other than Brianna Leigh And Her Girls lustful Legs. @10:00PM – $10(guests)/$25(membership) [Info]
The X-Lounge – Throws down with all the hits from the 90’s, with resident DJ’s Padati and Rhettoric. @10:00 – $Free [Info] » Read More
Posted by Ian on February 11th, 2010
Charlottesville’s most recent bout with snow shows a definite improvement over the lack of plowing during round one, and while the streets are certainly clearer, the traffic lights have shown a definite turn for the worst. While driving over the past few days, we’ve noticed many vehicles being forced to run lights which are refusing to change, with the assumption being that vehicles may not be lining up correctly with the induction loops as the culprit. This all went to pot last evening, as the left turn arrow from Emmet Street onto Preston refused to operate through three full cycles of the other lights.
Another interesting fact of note was the police presence on the roadways yesterday, as we even witnessed a pizza delivery driver pulled over for who knows what. In instances where the traffic control system is failing, shouldn’t police make a point to begin flagging traffic, just out of a general interest in safety?
Posted by Ian on February 11th, 2010
Our friends over at Derriere de Soie are throwing a little soirée tomorrow evening (Friday the 12th) to help out us fellas in making Valentine’s Day all that it should be for our special ladies. The event kicks off promptly at 8:00PM, and will include hors d’oeuvres & cocktails (bourbon and lingerie shopping, a match made in heaven), with a wrap at 11:00. Please RSVP by calling (434) 977-7455, or e-mailing info@silkybottom.com.
Their experienced staff will be on hand to assist you in picking out the perfect gift. Come out, enjoy a drink, relax, have fun, and knock her socks off with that special present.
The owner, Susan, has also been kind enough to donate a $50 gift card to one lucky commenter below, so say hi and show up tomorrow to claim it. [Photo Credits]
Posted by Ian on February 9th, 2010
In addition to the recent bill increasing the maximum speed on VA interstates to 70, two other potentially high-impact bills are set to change Virginia motorways.
The first has already passed the Senate, and will enact a ban on holding cellphones while driving. The new law will will penalize drivers who insist on holding the device while the vehicle is in motion, as opposed to utilizing a hands free device. The financial hand slap will go into effect July 1st, and range from $20 for a first offense, to $50 for subsequent violations. This punishment will to a full fledged beating on July 1, 2011, from $100 (1st) to $200 (subsequent).
The second bill seeks to restore a nationwide right, which only Virginia & the District of Columbia still insist upon disregarding. The new legislature moves to strike the current ban on radar/laser detectors, and has already passed the transportation committee, on it’s way to the Senate. [Photo Credits]
Posted by Ian on February 9th, 2010
With the second large snowfall now mostly cleared from city streets, and as a third significant storm system heads our way, Dominion has managed to restore power to roughly 35,000 homes, leaving only 2,000-5,000 in need. The local teams have tripled in size, with outside crews being brought in to sh0oulder some of the load.
The 5-10″ of ice and snow expected to start this evening around 6:00PM will most likely create further outages, and possibly delay the repairs currently underway.
Fortunately, the Downtown Mall has experienced only brief power flickers, and many bars have remained open even during the worst of it.
Customer Key: Blue circles indicate 1-50, Green 51-250. [Info]
Posted by Ian on February 5th, 2010
Friday:
Bel|Rio - Is sticking it out. [Info]
Mas – “10-4 on being open, sidewalks cleared and I’m salty as hell.” – Tomas
Rapture - Doesn’t close, Al sleeps there.
Ventana - Food & drinks guaranteed. [Info]
The X-Lounge - Closed for dinner, possibly opening up around 6:00PM
The Southern – Closed all weekend. [Info]
The Jefferson - Closed all weekend. [Info]
The Paramount - Closed all weekend. [Info]
Live Arts - Assume closed, but not currently listed on main page. [Info] » Read More
Posted by Ian on February 4th, 2010
Governor McDonnell has formally declared a state of emergency, thereby placing state agencies, including the National Guard, at the disposal of local government throughout the area. VDOT, the State Police, and VDEM (Virginia Department Of Emergency Management) are also holding preparedness and planning meetings.
The National Weather Service has finally stepped forward with the current prediction of 16-24″, commencing around 6AM Friday morning. While this certainly doesn’t match some of the wild speculation posted online, with a few quoting up to 60″, it does possibly top the roughly 22″ most locations in Charlottesville reported during the December 19th storm, and would push our seasonal total to 54″ thus far. » Read More
Posted by Ian on February 3rd, 2010
Governor Bob has managed to fast track a bill which ups the speed limit in rural and low population areas to the big 70. Both the House & Senate groups signed off on the new legislature with no complaint, and once the bills change houses for final review, they can land on the Governors desk for signature.
Virginia becomes the 33 state to impose 70 as a maximum, with 13 others allowing for up to 75 mph, and a few areas of Texas allowing up to 80.
McDonnell’s statement that “This slight increase in our speed limit will be safe for motorists and help get Virginians to their destinations a little quicker each day” couldn’t be more accurate apparently. While many (this writer included) equate increased speed with a higher frequency and fatality rate in accidents, the inverse is apparently true. For the brief period of time during which Montana enacted a no posted maximum speed on certain roads, accidents and fatalities reached record low numbers. This also appears to hold true along the unlimited stretches of the Autobahn in Germany.
While the speed increase is certainly a step in the right direction, most of the frustration in daily driving situations appears to center around individuals failing to maintain a minimum speed around town. Perhaps posting, and enforcing, minimum speeds would decrease traffic congestion within the city. [Info] [Photo Credits]
While homelessness and alcoholism don’t go hand in hand, anyone who has spent time around an ABC store can certainly attest to the fact that there is an increase in begging for bus/food/gas money with more than a hint of ethanol being apparent. In an effort to increase this type of panhandling, the House of Delegates has approved a bill allowing ABC stores to offer three half-ounce samples per customer, per day, much in the way that local beer/wine stores offer tastings.
