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Weekend Preview – Stock Up & Tough It Out

Ian — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:04:14 +0000

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]

Saturday:

TBD…

Sunday

TBD…

As always… Any corrections/substitutions/refunds? [Photo Credits]

The Day After Tomorrow… Is Friday Apparently

Ian — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:15:39 +0000

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.

The outlandish snowfall has caused nearly all stores to be completely out of snow shovels & sidewalk salt, with over 500 shovels being sold at Lowes in only a few days.

The City has also just released updated parking information for the duration of the storm:

No Parking signs will be put up shortly to designate what area is affected.
Areas along Water and Market Streets from Ridge to 10^th Street are affected beginning at Midnight and lasting until the snow is properly cleared
Areas along East Jefferson Street are affected beginning at Midnight this evening and lasting until the snow is properly cleared.
Areas along High Street are affected beginning at Midnight this evening and lasting until the snow is properly cleared.
Areas along West Main Street are affected beginning at Midnight this evening and lasting until the snow is properly cleared
Cars will be towed if parked in violation.
During this time the City will provide free parking in the Market Street and Water Street Parking Garages until after the storm and parking has been restored downtown. No Parking signs will come down and an announcement and notices will be provided close to the time parking is no longer complimentary.
Residents are asked to not park on the street in their neighborhoods if at all possible to allow crews to properly clear side streets.
Residents are asked to not drive during the height of the storm Friday afternoon and evening if at all possible.
An announcement of any change in City Hall hours will be made this afternoon.

[Info]

Governor McDonnell Puts More Zoom In Virginia

Ian — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 04:50:35 +0000

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]

Silly CBS, Cougars Hunt In Bars, Not Neighborhoods

Ian — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:33:57 +0000

The Newsplex kicked off a series of Valentines Day related ‘exposés’ recently, with the above Cougar Hunter interview. While we certainly can’t think of why the Martha Jefferson, Locust Grove, or Woolen Mills area would be mentioned, when we all know our 2008 poll indicated that Blue Light Grill is the certified hot spot for prowling. TownMe.com seems to be the go-to source for the CBS article, however, the site seems to have altered its content away from actually cataloging information, and towards releasing open source wiki-esque software. Additionally we can’t locate anything in the either the Google Cache or Wayback Machine to fill in the gaps here.

Have any other establishments climbed the ladder since July of ‘08?

Fredricksburg Gives Us Miss America, IHOP Provides The Cake

Ian — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:00:18 +0000

Congratulations are in order for Caressa Cameron, a FBurg native and journalism student from VCU, for her recent win of Miss America. The 22 year old won out over 52 other competitors in categories ranging from a talent contest, evening wear, lifestyle & fitness in swimsuit, on stage question, and personal interview.

Miss Cameron wowed the judges (including Rush Limbaugh) with a rendition of Beyonce’s “Listen“, and also pushed parents to “…get our kids back outside, playing with sticks in the street like I did when I was little,” when questioned regarding physical fitness and childhood obesity. Along with the crown, she was awarded a $50K scholarship, and will represent the organization during her year long reign.

Cameron went on to accept the coveted position of “Spokesperson for IHOP’s National Pancake Day Celebration”, which kicks off Tuesday, February 23rd, from 7:00AM-10:00PM. IHOP will be giving away untold numbers of its ’signature’ pancakes (3 million were handed out last year), while hopefully raising $1.75 million for the Children’s Miracle Network through guest donations.

While raising millions for children is certainly an exceptional goal, we have to wonder if IHOP may not only be “America’s favorite restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner…”, and therefore perhaps one of the root causes of health concerns among overweight Americans. [Info]

Weekend Preview – Get Young & Get Some

Ian — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:05:53 +0000

Friday:

The Southern – And 106.1 team up for the first of a ‘The Corner Presents’ series, with Charlie Mars & Peyton Tochterman. Charlie invites everyone to “… come over and get high, we can listen to ‘Dark Side of the Moon,’ “, along with other “cozy, sensual soul-rock arrangements that go places”. @6:30 – $Free [Info]. Then Jesse Harper takes the stage, and brings with him a definite sense of humor, and an affinity for salad. @9:30PM – $6.00 [Info]
The Bridge - Combines the improvisational skills of Charlottesville’s best comedians for one night only, all hosted and headlined by The Bent Theatre troupe. @8:00PM – $7.00 [Info]
Live Arts - Continues the show with Intimate Apparel, a play following an African American seamstress who designs unmentionables for the rich and affluent to the debaucherous. @8:00PM – $10-19.50 (running through Feb. 6th) [Info]
The X-Lounge – Hosts the annual CYP membership party. Come decked out in black & white, and enjoy one free drink ticket with sign up, entry into the raffle, along with a custom lanyard, all thanks to Charlottesville Young Professionals. @6:00PM – $35 (to join) [Info]
Club 216 - Gets you warm, drunk, and dancy with their Weekend Snow Party. Snow or no, they will be open Fri & Sat. @10:00PM – $10(guests)/$25(membership) [Info]
The Jefferson – Takes a weekend off, but comes back with Tea Leaf Green & Donna The Buffalo next week. [Info]
Earth – Tonight will mark the biggest & brightest full moon of 2010, as long as our local clouds don’t wreck it. [Info]

Saturday:

Crossfit Gym – Holds the first annual SuperFit Games 2010 Charity Fund raiser. The 12 hour event kicks off tomorrow AM, with multiple games designed to test all around fitness and skill. An awards ceremony will be held at 7PM to decorate Charlottesville’s Super Fit. Proceeds to support the Wounded Warrior Project and a local charity. @7:00AM – $Free (to watch) [Info]
The X-Lounge - Lights up the catwalk with Cirque De Charlottesville, a sexi performance by Shergold studios E-Fit Dance crew. 6:30PM – $50 (includes dinner & the show, cash bar) [Info]
The Southern - Keeps rolling with Those Darlins & The Pine Hill Haints. Pop meets Rock & Country, with just a dash of 70’s punk. @8:00PM – $8 [Info]

Sunday:

The Southern - Let’s you unwind in style with An Acoustic Cafe evening with Carrie Rodriguez and Ben Sollee. Violins & cellos & more. @7:00PM – $15 [Info]
The Paramount - Brings contemporary ballet to the stage, with Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson’s vision taking shape. The duo have worked to “bring many artists from various disciplines into one room and let their interaction be a springboard for innovative and envelope-pushing creativity.” We have never attended a ballet performance before, however, this one looks to be quite the show. @1:00PM – $17-23 [Info]

As always… Any corrections/substitutions/refunds? [Photo Credits]

Jayne McGowan Murderer Pleads Guilty Moments Before Trial

Ian — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:39:15 +0000

A new, and surprising, development occurred in the 2007 murder case of Jayne McGowan earlier today, with Michael Pritchett pleading guilty moments before trial was set to start.

The November 9th event shocked many, as Jayne’s house, located just off of Locust Ave., was definitely not in a high crime area, along with the fact that the entire event stemmed from a random break-in by two perpetrators. The 26 year old UVa graduate had moved back to Charlottesville only months earlier, in order to become the Development Coordinator for a local non-profit, the AIDS/HIV Services Group. She had just completed preparations for the 20th Anniversary Gala event, held on November 10th, when she was murdered.

Within four days of her death, police had captured William Gentry (22) and Michael Pritchett (18), and charged them with 4 felonies each, including breaking and entering, robbery, and murder.

Pritchett’s plea this morning was not expected by prosecutors nor family members, as a claim of not-guilty had been entered during preliminary hearings. An additional hearing will occur to determine the exact sentence; however, he is facing the possibility of life without parole.

Police Score Marijuana Bust Ahead Of Legalization Bill

Ian — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:45:58 +0000

The Jefferson Area Drug Enforcement force along with team RUSH (an acronym seemingly without a published long form) scored a major marijuana bust recently, to the tune of 30 pounds being kept off the streets of Charlottesville. The twin arrests occurred in short order, with the first search warrant being carried out in the 5K area of Stony Point Rd., netting the arrest of one James B. Gunn along with 4 lbs of pot, $6K, & two firearms.

Shortly thereafter a second warrant was served at 2000 Paddock Wood Road in the Keswick area, to a Jeremy Manning-Smith. This search provided roughly 26 pounds of the schedule 1 drug, and $50K in cash money.

Both individuals have been charged with intent to distribute, and further charges may be pending.

Possible Discovery Of Morgan Harrington

Ian — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:41:14 +0000

The body of an as yet unidentified blond female has been discovered at a property in souther Albemarle county. The remains are described as “skeletal” and the body is clad in dark clothing. As UNCUS reports, Morgan is the only local missing person to fit the description. Police have taken control of the 540 acre farm, located near Red Hill on 29 South, and a forensic vehicle is on site.

We will continue to provide updates as they become available. [Info]

Bel|Rio Combines Traditional Music With UVa Classes

Ian — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:18:08 +0000

Traditional Music: A Lecture & Performance Series What is traditional music? What relevance does it have for us today in the 21st century? This noncredit lecture and performance series explores these questions and more through the lens of folklore, ethnomusicology, and performance. Students gain access to the contemporary world of traditional music by attending private performances, multimedia presentations, and engaging in conversations with musicians, folklorists, and ethnomusicologists throughout the state of Virginia. It all happens in one ideal location where music performance, technology, education, and food and drink converge in a congenial spirit of community and lifelong learning. The traditions under study include old-time, bluegrass, samba, jazz, blues, gospel, Sephardic, and Mande/Voltaic. By the end of the course, the students will have gained an insider’s knowledge and a greater appreciation for traditional music and some of its greatest artists and experts in the Commonwealth today. The series will be facilitated by ethnomusicologist Heather Maxwell, Ph.D. It will run for eight Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30pm beginning February 9. The tuition is $150. Dinner will be available at an additional cost beginning at 5:30pm. Advance registration is required through the UVa School of Continuing & Professional Studies. Call (434) 982-2779 or email scps-uc@virginia.edu for registration forms.

Thanks to the involved reader who submitted this to our Gossip address. [Photo Credits]