It’s a mere week until Law School starts up again; it’s less than two weeks until undergraduates start classes and I can’t find out when Darden begins classes, but it has to be very soon. That’s right; your temporary peace (and boredom to some) will end in a few days.
Soon, we will return to a world ruled by Dardenites and their nametages, tazered Law Students and all those sorority girls who invade Mas with their fake IDs.
But guess what? As much as cVillains make fun of UVA, the truth is Charlottesville is boring without the influx of above average citizens, new faces to the bars and lots more excitement. What I’m trying to say is that Charlottesville actually thrives and exists because of the University. If the University weren’t here, Charlottesville wouldn’t be the same.
After a 200 year dry spell, George Washington Distillery will once again offer its magic concoction. Governor Tim Kaine recently OK’d a special legislation that allows Mount Vernon (careful of the music!) to sell the spirits. The special $25 blend is produced from a blend of Jack Daniel’s, Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, Maker’s Mark, George Dickel, Virginia Gentleman, Very Old Barton, I.W.Harper, Woodford Reserve, Rebel Yell and Platte Valley, or a total of 11 American Whiskeys.
The George Washington’s Distillery was the largest, most successful whiskey distillery in early America and today, is the only distillery that can offer an 18th-century distilling process.
A rather sad email fell across our desks this morning. It’s from J.E. “Chip” Harding, the Albemarle County Sherrif. He explains that:
The number of evictions in Albemarle County has risen approximately 40% since 2006. So far this year we have seen approximately 285. With the economy currently on the “down swing” we can only anticipate the numbers to continue to climb. In an effort to bring assistance to families in jeopardy I spent some time researching and meeting with agencies that might be able to provide assistance. They have all agreed that it would be helpful if the Sheriff’s Office provides referral information as early in the eviction process as possible. Starting today a letter from my office will be attached to all civil process affiliated with eviction.
It’s a sad time for people who own houses beyond their means. As Jim Duncan explains in his analysis of the 2nd quarter housing marketing, “I think that the calls for the proverbial “bottom” are premature.” So, if you are in this sinking ship, you can at least get a little help from Albemarle County.
Chip provides a lot of information in the letter:
You can call Love, INC at 977-7777 MACCA- CARES at 295-3171 ext.4 and the Salvation Army at 295-4058. Piedmont Housing Alliance at 817-2436 has counselors specialized to assist you in avoiding foreclosure.
Just about an hour south of Charlottesville sits Lynchburg, Virginia, home to 20,000 evangelical students and now, a YEAR ROUND SNOWLESS SKI SLOPE.
I am not making this up. Part of Liberty University’s 5,000 acre mountain range will morph into a God-less creation of fake snow. That’s right, the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Center will be a year-round ski center. It uses a synthetic material which is supposedly a lot like snow. Invented in 1993 by Brian Thomas of Briton Engineering, Snowflex originated in the UK and has been installed in several facilities throughout Europe.
Liberty doesn’t have co-ed dorms and it’s a dry campus, but now, it does have an artificial year-round ski slope. I’ll be egging my kids to apply for early admission. Liberty officials expect the slope to be completed in early 2009.
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) released the draft of its statewide rail plan. DRPT put together the plan to deal with the growing needs of Virginia transportation.
Specifically, the projects identified in the plan represent $4.9 billion in rail investments which could remove 7.3 million cars and trucks from Virginia highways and more than 1.2 million tons of carbon emissions. The projects are: Shortline Railroad, Port of Hampton Road, Passenger Rail initiatives and High- Speed Rail initiatives. See the fact sheet for a brief overview of the projects.
It looks like there wasn’t anything mentioned for Charlottesville improvements.
Why? Because Chainsaws and Samurai Swords are used for domestic violence. I am not making this up.
According to the Star Exponent, there were two weekend fights that involved these fantastic weapon choices.
Chainsaw Incident: Two brothers were fighting and one allegedly attacked the other with the chainsaw. They do not know if they chainsaw was turned off or on.
Katana (Samurai Sword) Incident: A verbal argument turned into a threatening with a samurai sword. No slashings reported.
Now, if we put these fighters in a room who would win?
Since all of you unlucky souls have to work over the summer, and because I have nothing better to do, I figured I would do my civic responsibility and summarize the major changes in Virginia law that were officially enacted today. I mean, lets face it, the last thing any of you need is another arrest on your record, so pay close attention, class. These are some of the major changes to our Commonwealth’s laws beginning July 1, 2008:
Animal Cruelty Laws Toughened - In light of the Michael Vick trial (discussed on cVillain HERE and in countless other threads), Virginia has decided to get tough on the punishment of animal abusers. Beginning today, attending an organized animal fight will be a felony. It will be also be a felony to use any substance or equipment to enhance an animal’s ability to fight. Cockfighting as a sport is now officially illegal in the state of Virginia as well.
Mental Health System Reform - In the aftermath of the Virginia Tech shootings (Parlie honored the rememberance of that horrible tragedy here), the General Assembly passed legislation to change the way the state identifies, monitors, and treats the mentally ill. To facilitate the proper treatment of mentally unstable individuals (and so they are unable to purchase firearms), new laws will help improve the exchange of mental health records. »Read More
The Charlottesville Police Department is investigating the suspicious circumstances related to a reported robbery that occurred in an upper floor of an apartment building in the 1400 block of Grady Avenue.
On June 25, 2008, at 3:32 a.m. Charlottesville Police responded to a call from the Emergency Communication Center for a reported robbery. Officers arrived at the residence and spoke with two University of Virginia students who stated that they were robbed and assaulted. The Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad arrived and treated the two men for injuries at the scene and later transported them to the University of Virginia Medical Center where they were treated and released.
The students gave a general description of the suspects as two black males, 5’-8” to 6’-0” tall and about 20 – 22 years of age. Charlottesville Police are currently investigating the incident to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the report. Investigators do not believe that this was a random event and are exploring a possible relationship between the suspects and victims of the attack.
Anyone with information about this incident may contact Crimestoppers at 977-4000.
Today, we are blessed with the knowledge that Vintage Virginia Apples plans to construct a 4,000 square foot cidery (like brewery, but for apples) and tasting room on their farm on 29 South.
Vintage Virginia Apples will seek approval tonight from the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors. Yum.
DP’s claim that cider production has “largely fallen out of flavor in the US,” is only partially true. While, cider consumption in 1767 doubled today’s beer consumption (40 gallons vs 20 gallons), a lot of this had to do with familiarity in cider production and the fact that fermented cider served as a bacteria-free drink. Even, John Adams successfully drank a pint of cider every morning to “settle his stomach.” You can’t make that excuse with beer, now can you!? [ref,ref]
Cider’s popularity did dwindle pre-1990; the fault of those pesky Germans who knew how to brew amazing beer on the cheap. Evidence also suggests that NASCAR played a strong role. I digress.
Cider is on the rise and according to the same report, it was reintroduced to the US in 1990. By 1995, the total number of cider cases shipped was 1.6 million. In 1997, the total was 2.7 million cases. Money time!
Cider is on the rise and you only have to be around a few places in Charlottesville to realize its popularity. You can find Woodchuck in any major grocery store, plenty of local bars have had Original Sin on draft and high-end beer places like Market Street Wine Shop and Beer Run offer solid rotating cider selections.
Sure, you can’t find cider at Applebee’s, but you can’t find micro-brews, either. So, keep your eyes peeled on this one and we should soon be celebrating the real meaning of an Apple A Day!
If you go one mile per hour over the speed limit on Old Lynchburg, JPA, Monticello and soon, Elliot, Brandywine and Franklin, you will pay a $268 dollar fine. In case you were wondering how that compares to Virginia, that’s nearly 300% more than what Virginia thinks is necessary.
Oh, and let’s not forget that Virginia is already insane. I don’t know if it’s because we have an inferiority problem of not being a State (we are, in fact, a Commonwealth) or what, but we impose excessive fines on drivers already. In case you don’t believe me, read the Virginia Driver Civil Remedial Fee Explanation. In it you will find the following facts:
ONLY Virginia residents have to pay these fines. That means if you live out of State (*COUGH, many UVA STUDENTS*), you don’t have to pay.
If you drive over 80MPH, you have to pay a minimum of $350 and your fines could be as high as $1,000.
If you drive more than 20MPH over the speed limit, you have to pay a minimum of $350 and your fines could be as high as $1,000.
[UPDATE: Echo points out that these were repealed. I missed this, but the point remains that $200 for minor speeding infractions is also excessive. I will update the table in the morning (only the last data point should change).]
Seriously? I don’t know how the City of Charlottesville gets to add an additional $200 onto already high fines, but it’s too much money. I’ve been lucky to not get any sort of ticket in years, but $300 dollars is A LOT of money for someone to pay for driving 1MPH over the speed limit. I think Charlottesville needs to reconsider how ridiculous this is.
What do you think?
Want to know exactly how much you have to pay in Charlottesville if you get caught driving over the speed limits in these designated areas? A detailed table is after the break.
