It’s never fun bringing bad news, but we’ve got problems right now.  Things aren’t looking any better for our local economy.  Sure, the downtown mall rebricking is complete and under-budget, but between unemployment rates, general business activity, a slow real estate market, mall vacancies and increases in welfare recipients, our recession looks like it’s getting worse, not better in the near term.  I talk about each in detail after the break…

»Read More

Summer is finally here, and it seems like there’s a feeling in the air that you could do so much with your wonderful warm-weather time! I’d like to propose that you take up the cause of ending sexual assault, a major public health crisis in our country and in our town right now – with nearly 25% of the population suffering from something preventable. The Sexual Assault Resource Agency is providing three ways for you to step into this cause. You can be trained to answer hotline calls for people in crisis and in need of support, or you can be involved in outreach – either as an activist planner on the SARA outreach Action Committee, or as a activist ‘do’er – implementing the programs and campaigns through the SARA outreach Task Force. Learn more and apply at http://www.sexualassaultresources.org/volunteer.htm . You’ll meet awesome people, and feel highly fulfilled because you’re making a positive impact on so many people!

As of today, there are no Google Street Views of Charlottesville.  During a recent marathon procrastination session, I came across a story of a Pittsburgh, PA  street where they staged a variety of scenes on a street for the Google Street View filming.  Included were 17th century sword fights, a marathon, a marching band, a giant turkey, and a confetti drop.  The video below explains how this was done.  In short, the organizers were able to get in touch with their local Google field office, find out when they were going to be doing the Street View filming, and set it all up.This seems like a perfect cVillain scheme, if you ask me.  Perhaps this could be orchestrated in Belmont by the Local and Mas, on the Mall if they so choose to map it, or on any street of our choosing.The question is: does anyone know folks working for Google in the area?  Could they provide us with a head’s up?  And if so…what to do!?

Charlottesville has a new club! It seems some thirsty people got together and combined their drinking efforts. Apparently, the club was created for those that like to “catch up” with friends in the middle of the week. The club has over 100 fans on its facebook page and a pretty neat little web site. This club started March 28, 2008 and is growing like a wild fire.

The club meets every Wednesday night. They even offer to text your cell phone with location and updates. Also where ever they happen to meet offers drink specials to club members. It cost nothing to join and attendance does not seem to be required. Check out their site below!

The Web Site

I jacked the weekend preview to get revenge on Thor for stealing my Washington Post story. What’s the line? The Early bird gets the worm? Uck worms…which are certain to be out in full force after all this rain. Unfortunately, according to the weather forecast, this is not the last of it. Today is supposed to be rain with thunder and lightning (geee, thanks Thor). Tomorrow is calling for partly sunny with some rain. Sunday calls for rain, rain, and more rain. Don’t let the weather keep you in (unless there are tornado warnings, in which case only weather women should be out)…put on your red panties and check out some of what is lined up for the weekend:

»Read More

Here is it April. I keep catching glimpses of the sun and in hopeful anticipation of it sticking round, whip out my sunglasses. The second I get them on the clouds roll in. Sun or no sun, I have definitely got a bad case of spring fever. No matter the man, when I’m walking down the mall, I just want to jump everyone. I even steal extra looks at girls in their cute little skirts. I am in no way interested in them, but can feel the effects of cabin fever reversing. I am ready to go out and play, playmate optional, but preferred.

I know all this built up anxiety and eagerness stem from the need for outdoor physical activity. I am sure you are all right there with me. So in an effort to avoid needing one of those lovely over-the-counter paternity tests, I am offering a list of some outdoor fun to enjoy in the spring in Charlottesville.

Get Outdoors–Meet Some New People with Outdoor Adventure Social Club

Play Some Kickball or Go for a Run

Hike the Appalachian Trail

Or More Hiking…with the lovely city of Cville

Star Watch on Skyline

Enjoy Fridays at 5:00

Winery and Brewery Visits

And then there is a random collection of local things to do (some boring–I’d avoid the tax prep. stuff — others more entertaining)

More simply you could just have Dinner or a Drink Outside at: Blue Light, Miller’s, Sticks, Orzo, McGrady’s, Christian’s, Bizzou, Etc. This is always a guaranteed way to enjoy nice weather, but may not provide much needed spring fever release.

Making moonshine seems to be a continued pastime among Southerners old and young alike. When I first moved to the area I was introduced to the awful substance. The West Coast has its “microbrew in your basement” fad and the southern part of the east coast can boast liquor making skills that can kill. This recipe came up when I googled bacon, so random. I thought since a couple weeks ago parlie called us all out on having slightly alcoholic tendencies, I would assist in taking us all the way to the border of needing AA. I see no better way to achieve that than by making an alcohol (moonshine style) you can drink with your morning eggs?

Cheers villains.

Bacon Vodka

Makes up one pint:

• Fry up three strips of bacon
• Add cooked bacon to a clean pint sized mason jar. Trim the ends of the bacon if they are too tall to fit in the jar. Or you could go hog wild and just pile in a bunch of fried up bacon scraps.
• Optional: add crushed black peppercorns.
• Fill the jar up with vodka. Cap and place in a dark cupboard for at least three weeks.(No need to refrigerate)
• At the end of the three week resting period, place the bacon vodka in the freezer to solidify the fats. Strain out the fats through a coffee filter to yield a clear filtered pale yellow bacon vodka.
• Decant into decorative bottles and enjoy

***I almost forgot…TGIF!

This video cracks me up every time.

The lyrics are just so, so amazingly earnest…in a bad way. My favorite? »Read More

Earlier this week, a little birdie told me of the best bad pick-up line she’d heard. To wit:

“Baby, you smell like Rose’s…the store, not the flowers.”

Of course, I would never stoop to denigrate a retail chain doing business locally, not least a chain that offers an embarrassment of riches in the category of fantastic White Elephant gifts and other discounted wares. (Huzzah Rose’s! Go you! Please don’t sue!)

But this birdie’s pick-up line does reel the mind. What is the worst pick-up line you’ve heard, ‘Villains? And, failing that, (and I’m looking at you, mc, b-yo, ThatGrrl, and oy here) what’s the worst pick-up line you can come up with?

It’s Friday, and it’s the first weekend in Spring. Fertility is thick on the ground. Let’s do our part to help prevent people from getting laid.

Indie Dork wants us to ask you about the Outdoor Adventure Social Club of Greater Charlottesville.

Besides the longest name ever, are any of you members?  What do you think?  Is it worth joining?

I know I decided not to join because it seemed rather pricey.

[pic]