Guide to a death-defying summer o' 2012</h1> <article> <h1>Guide to a death-defying summer o' 2012</h1> <p>Hook Staff — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:49:58 +0000</p> <p><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/summer-mint-springs1.jpg"><span class="fid21686 imagecache-200px_wide"><span class="caption">Mint Springs provides a beach with mountain views. </span></span></a> Skinny dipping at Mint Springs</strong><br />Oh, wait– that's not allowed. But even with a swimsuits-not-optional policy, <a href="http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=parks">Albemarle County has three excellent lakes</a> for swimming, fishing, and picnicking, with beaches, shelters, grills, hiking trails– and bathrooms. To the south is <a href="http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=parks&relpage=2744">Walnut Creek</a>, which has 15 miles of trails, canoe rentals for $5 an hour, and an 18-hole disc golf course. To the north, <a href="http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=parks&relpage=2737">Chris Greene Lake</a> offers a fenced, one-acre off-leash dog park, a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier, and canoe rentals. And west of Crozet, Mint Springs is stocked with trout and is home to the memorial for <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/83798/cover-alone-mountain-true-story-flight-349">Piedmont Flight 349</a>, which crashed into Bucks Elbow Mountain above the lake. And you might see a bear.<br />–>Swimming 11am to 7pm, <a href="http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=parks">Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day</a>, $3 Albemarle residents, $4.50 others<br /><br /><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/summer-ravens-roost2.jpg"><span class="fid21687 imagecache-200px_wide"><span class="caption">Long summer days make easier to catch a sunset after work.</span></span></a> Sunset on the Blue Ridge </strong><br />It's easy to forget just how close the Blue Ridge Parkway is, and what a spectacular place it is to watch the sunset with a bottle of wine, although that would be illegal. We meant to say, how spectacular it is to watch the sunset with a nonalcoholic beverage. This excursion works best spur of the moment on a long summer evening. From downtown Charlottesville, it's about 50 minutes to our favorite spot, Ravens Roost, which is about 11 miles south along the Parkway. And if you'd like a cold beer to go with your sunset, the deck at <a href="http://www.bluemountainbrewery.com/">Blue Mountain Brewery</a> down Route 151 is pretty amazing, too. Just get there before the sun drops behind the mountains.<br />–>30 minutes before sunset, any nice day, <a href="http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/">Blue Ridge Parkway</a>, free<br /><br /><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/summer-fa5-pavilion.jpg"><span class="fid21688 imagecache-200px_wide"><span class="caption">What's not to like about free music after a long week?</span></span></a> Fridays after Five</strong><br />This quintessential Charlottesville favorite, now in its 25th year, combines the best of summertime when the living is easy: music and cold beer. What better way to celebrate the end of the week than to stroll down the Mall to the nTelos Pavilion and catch a live band. <em>Tout le monde </em>comes out on a warm evening, and upcoming local favorites include the Chicken Head Blues Band May 25, Baaba Seth June 8, and Indecision June 15. Did we mention that it's free– and that your beer purchases help support local charities?<br />–>Fridays, 5:30pm, <a href="http://www.thenteloswirelesspavilion.com/fridays-after-five;jsessionid=B3F4545EFCEA3B77A07EEA7C2EA8E2C1">nTelos Pavilion</a>, free<br /><br /><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/snap-monticello-4th-2.jpg"><span class="fid14623 imagecache-200px_wide"><span class="caption">Monticello is serious about celebrating the 4th of July.</span></span></a> Monticello on the 4th</strong><br />There really isn't a more meaningful way to celebrate the 4th of July than at the home of the guy who wrote the Declaration of Independence, and it's something you can't do anywhere but Charlottesville. New American citizens are sworn in in front of the World Heritage Site; a naturalized American citizen like I.M Pei, Sam Waterston or Tracey Ullman speaks. This year it's Olympic gold-medalist Nadia Comaneci. There's lots of flag-waving in the best possible way– without politics. The event starts early, leaving plenty of time to cook burgers on the grill and catch fireworks later in the day. Fans are provided; sunscreen and hats are recommended. <br />–>July 4, 9am, <a href="http://www.monticello.org/">Monticello</a>, free<br /><br /><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/summer-barboursville-winery.jpg"><span class="fid21689 imagecache-200px_wide"><span class="caption">Route 20– the Constitution Route– wends its way north to Barboursville.</span></span></a> Wine tasting at Barboursville</strong><br />While there are plenty of wineries around, we like this one because its wines are some of the best in Virginia– and it has ruins. Founded in 1976, Barboursville is one of the oldest wineries in Central Virginia. The ruins date back to Christmas Day in 1884, when the house designed by Thomas Jefferson for Governor James Barbour burned. The haunting brick structure still stands with its octagonal room in the center of the house. <a href="http://www.barboursvillewine.net/winery/">Barboursville Vineyards</a> has a wine museum, the highly-regarded Palladio restaurant, and a tasting room where just $5 gets you a glass and samplings of 16 to 20 wines. Buy a bottle of your favorite and picnic like it's 1829.<br />–>Monday-Saturday, 10am to 5pm, Sunday 11am to 5pm.</p> <p><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/summer-thomasjeffersonparkway.jpg"></a> Leg up</strong><br />If you're looking for a pleasant place to walk, run or ride a bike, it's hard to beat the <a href="http://www.monticello.org/site/visit/saunders-monticello-trail">Thomas Jefferson Parkway</a>. Although the path goes up the side of Carter Mountain, the gentle five-degree incline means you can jog or bike the two miles from Route 53 to Monticello without gasping too hard for air. The ride down, of course, will be a breeze. For those who prefer to leave the beaten track, trails crisscrossing the adjacent 100-acre Secluded Farm are open to the public and offer a chance to frolic in fields and scramble up and down steeper slopes. Dogs on leash are welcome.<br />–>daily, sun-up to sundown, Route 53, free</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/summer-yogaville.jpg"></a> Bend it like Satchidananda</strong><br />There's no shortage of yoga studios in Charlottesville, but anyone looking for something a little more intensive– oh, say, an entire weekend of nothing but asanas and meditation– might enjoy a weekend getaway to <a href="http://www.yogaville.org/">Yogaville</a>. Forty-five minutes from Charlottesville on 600 acres in Buckingham County, Yogaville was founded by the late Sri Swami Satchidananda in 1980. The centerpiece of the ashram is the Light of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS), which is shaped like the flower for which it's named, and which features altars for all of the world's major faiths. Private or shared accommodations are available, or pitch a tent to save some cash.<br />–>Single or multi-day stays available, $20-$140 per night</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/summer-gokart.jpg"><span class="fid21702 imagecache-200px_wide"><span class="caption">No license? No problem!</span></span></a> Driven crazy?</strong><br />Kids driving you crazy? Let them drive! A quick trip over Afton Mountain to Waynesboro– exit 94 off I-64– and your teens and pre-teens can be behind the wheel of a Go-Kart at <a href="http://fastraxfun.com/">Fastrax</a>. Kids at least 56 inches can drive the standard karts, and a junior version might appease younger, shorter siblings. Those over 16 can get behind the wheel of a faster "sprint kart." Also on site: batting cages, miniature golf, and an arcade.<br />–>Daily hours vary, $4-7 per go-kart ride; batting, arcade extra</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/summer-books.jpg"></a> Booked!</strong><br />Reading happens year round, but it's hard to deny that summer affords extra opportunities for kicking back with a good book. And there may be no better place to get a big pile of them than the <a href="http://www.gvbookfair.com/">Green Valley Book Fair</a> in Mount Crawford, at exit 240 off I-81 near Harrisonburg. With half a million books at discount prices, the Fair is fantastic for stocking up on gifts for the rest of the year. And for those rainy summer days when you're wondering what the heck to do, grab the kids and hit the road for some reading.<br />–>May 12-28; June 30-July 15; August 18-September 3, 9am-7pm daily<br /><br /></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/summer-blueberries.jpg"></a> Berry fun</strong><br />Picking berries is fun; eating them is even better, and summer's the time to do both. While there's strawberry picking aplenty at various local orchards, you can go slightly more exotic at <a href="http://www.grelennursery.com/">Grelen Nursery</a> in Orange County, less than an hour away, where blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are ripening and ready to be plucked. Get ready for stained fingers!<br />–>Mon-Sat: 8am-3pm, Sunday: 11am-3pm; 15111 Yager Road, Somerset</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/factime-prum2.jpg"></a> Go to war</strong><br />About an hour up <strong>Route 20 North</strong>, you can go to war this summer. According to local paintballers, <strong>WarPlay Paintball</strong> in Rhoadesville has some of the best real-to-life scenario set up fields, making you feel like you're in a real battle. And in the summer, when you can't wear layers of thick clothing, the sting of those paintball pellets tend to be more deadly. Of course, the folks at WarPlay will set you up with the right safety equipment, and the refs will keep things under control, but are you ready to risk that shot to the arm or thigh? Indeed, WarPlay was founded by two U.S. Marine vets, and they've designed fields that make for chaotic firefights, where contact with the enemy takes only about 50 seconds. –>Saturday & Sunday, 9am-4:30pm, <a href="http://www.warplaypaintball.com/index.html" target="_self">WarPlay Paintball</a>, $35</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/fun-quarry-f.jpg"></a> Quarry diving</strong><br />About 40 minutes south of town, in <strong> </strong><strong>Schuyler</strong>, <strong>Virginia</strong>, the landscape is dotted with abandoned <strong>soapstone quarries</strong>, some of which have flooded and become <a href="http://youtu.be/FRg4-WKZ1yE" target="_self">attractions for thrill-seeking swimmers and cliff divers</a>. Rising up 30 to 90 feet, the plateaus of cut stone make for perfect diving platform into the cool water below. But be wary. This little adventure is not for the faint of heart or anyone with vertigo. And it is on no map or in any guide book. In fact, it's been a secret adventure challenge for UVA students. To get there, head down Route 29 South about 20 miles, turn left on to VA-6/Irish Road and go 6 miles, then turn right onto Schuyler Road. Go about 1.5 miles and you will see a large quarry through the forest on your left. Proceed at your own risk. <br />–>Seasonal, Schuyler, Virginia, free</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/200px_wide"><span class="fid12074 imagecache-200px_wide"><span class="caption">Ashley Pillar helps two youngsters cross the James.</span></span></a> Ride the James</strong><br />Head down Scottsville way and ride the last existing poled ferry still operating in America. Things like timber and farm produce were carried across the James by the <strong>Hatton Ferry</strong> over 100 years ago, then loaded on to freight trains. At a nearby store, people picked up mail and items shipped into Hatton, and the ferry was an important transportation link between Buckingham and Albemarle counties. In 2009, the ferry was nearly shut down by the state highway department, but a nonprofit was formed in 2010 that saved it. Today, it's a living bit of American history, and a lovely way to experience the waters of the James River. It operates on <strong>Saturday from 9am to 5pm</strong>, and on <strong>Sunday from noon to 5pm </strong>between April and October.<br />–>May-October weekends, <a href="http://www.thehattonferry.org/" target="_self">Hatton Ferry</a>, times above, $2 per person and $5 per vehicle</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/fun-county_fair.jpg"></a> Fair game</strong><br />Looking for thrills and spills? Attend one or more of the county fairs in the area. We're talking demolition derbies, motocross races, tractor pulls, fireworks, bear shows, camel rides, and even pig racing. The first one kicks off in <strong>Orange County</strong> on Thursday, July 26, where, in addition to a watermelon eating contest, and a frog jumping contest (okay, not so dangerous), you can try your luck on the "raging bull" mechanical heifer. Next up, the <strong>Greene County Fair </strong>beginning on July 31. See beauty queens kissing hogs, a smash up derby (watch out for flying car parts!) and even watch your kid in a tug of war contest. Then, of course, there's the <strong>Albemarle County Fair </strong>starting on August 2, to be held <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/103004/phoenix-albco-fair-rebuilds-ash-lawn" target="_self">this year at Ash Lawn-Highland</a>, the home of James Monroe. At the <strong>Augusta County Fair </strong>August 7 you'll get to see bull riding and rodeo events, plus motocross. Finally, there's the <strong>Rockingham County Fair</strong> over in Harrisonburg beginning on August 13, where you'll see screaming tractors pulls and even a wild lawn mower race. <br />–>July 26 thru August 15, <a href="http://www.countyfairgrounds.net/virginia/virginia.php" target="_self">various county fairgrounds</a>, $2-$4</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/fun-horsebackriding-a.jpg"></a> Ride into the sunset</strong><br />Hiking in the mountains is fun, but what about making a horse do it for you? Located about an hour north in Syria, <strong>Graves Mountain Lodge</strong> offers one-hour, half-day, and full-day horseback rides that take you through the lovely mountains and orchards of Graves Mountain and the valley of Syria. Former rodeo rider, horse trainer, and skilled guide Eddie Birckhead runs the show, offering expert advise on matching riders with horses, calming and coaching first timers and children, and making sure your guided trail ride is safe and fun. Hour-long rides are $40 per person, and half-day and full-day rides, which require a 4-person minimum, will run you between $115 and $220 per person. Kids eight years and older can ride, as long as they are at least 54 inches tall, and the rides are "walk only." Sorry, no galloping off into the sunset. For more information, call Graves Mountain Lodge at 540-923-4231.<br />–>By reservation, <a href="http://www.gravesmountain.com/activities/recreation/" target="_self">Graves Mountain Lodge</a>, $40-$220</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/00px_wide"></a> Walk into Swannanoa</strong><br />It doesn't get much grander– or much quirkier– than <strong>Swannanoa</strong>. Suppose you owned a turn-of-the-century palace made of carrera marble in a Renaissance style. And suppose it were located atop <strong>Afton Mountain</strong> with views of both the Shenandoah and Rockfish Valleys. You'd open it for a sum so small that it would be hard to say no. And that's happening again this summer. The 2012 dates (as told to us by phone, 540-942-5201, since there's no website): May 26-27, June 2-3 and 23-24, July 7-8, August 4-5 and 11-12, September 1-2 and 29-30, October 6-7, 13-14, and 20-21, November 3-4.<br />–>11:30am to 5:30pm, atop <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/68150/open-house-swannanoa-set-summer-touring">Afton Mountain</a>, $6 but kids 12 and under free</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/20110316143547-huey-047.jpg"></a> Get sprayed</strong><br />Not near a pool or a lake? Don't have time to go to the ocean? Between May 12 and October 7, <strong>Charlottesville Parks & Recreation</strong> offers a great way to cool off for free– three spray grounds throughout the city at <strong>Forest Hill Park</strong>, <strong>Green Leaf Park</strong>, and <strong>Belmont Park</strong>. The newest, at Forest Hill Park, includes a variety of fun features, like a hoop squirting water you can run through, a trough high above your head that drops water, and even a fake fire hydrant that spews water. Over at Greenleaf Park, the spray ground is touch sensitive and features a mushroom fountain and other interactive features. At Belmont Park, there's probably the biggest "water faucet" you'll ever see. There's also a lot of shade at the three parks; forest Hills with its huge oaks and views of Carter's Mountain, Greenleaf with its whopping 14 acres of hardwoods and evergreens, and Belmont Park with its big oaks and new large shelter. The spray parks are open daily from 10am to 8pm.<br />–>May 12-October 7,<a href="http://www.charlottesville.org/Index.aspx?page=2779" target="_self"> city parks</a>, free</p> </article> <article> <h1>When trees sprout photographs...</h1> <p>lisa — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:05:40 +0000</p> <p>...That means <a href="http://www.look3.org/">Look3, Charlottesville's photography fest</a>, is just around the corner. The underwater photos of <em>National Geographic</em>'s David Doubilet started going up at 7am Friday, May 18. Doubilet will be at the Paramount June 6, and the trees on the Downtown Mall will sport an under-the-sea look through July 7.</p> </article> <article> <h1>American Wildways: Connecting wildlife and helping ourselves</h1> <p>Hook Contributor — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:54:28 +0000</p> <p><strong>By Amy Mathews Amos</strong><br /><br />Last year, conservation athlete John Davis left his job and spent 10 months covering 7,600 miles on an epic journey. Unlike Jack Kerouac, the 47-year old Davis traveled not by car or bus, but by kayak, bicycle, and afoot on what could be called the ultimate “un-road” trip, as he sought the wildest routes possible connecting Florida’s Key Largo with Canada’s Gaspe Peninsula.</p> <div class="sidebar"> <h2>Learn more:</h2> <p><a href="http://www.twp.org/wildways/eastern-wildway">The Eastern Wildway</a></p> </div> <p>It wasn’t the personal challenge that spurred him on. Rather, it was the desire to inform Americans that our remaining wildlands must be connected by something other than roads if we ever hope to protect the nation’s wildlife.<br /><br /> Davis and his conservation colleagues call their vision the Eastern Wildway– an ecologically functional, unbroken chain of East Coast wildlife habitat linking green jewels like the Florida Everglades, Great Smoky Mountains, and Adirondack Mountains with dozens of other refuges. <br /><br /> Out West, the Wildlands Network and other groups are pursuing a like-minded vision: working with Rocky Mountain landowners to create the Western Wildway and hoping to protect a Pacific Wildway on the West Coast and a Boreal Wildway in northern forests. <br /><br /> There are good scientific reasons for linking wildlands to wildlands. Roads, cities, and suburbs isolate wildlife populations, preventing them from migrating or mating. For animals needing large territories, like grizzly bears or the Florida panther, such isolation can be a death sentence. <br /><br /> Conservation biologists have long known that wildlife populations cut off from each other eventually dwindle and die, no matter how well managed. Studies of remote, oceanic islands show why: small populations are vulnerable to catastrophes such as disease or drought, and their separation means that numbers and gene pools are not replenished after a population crash.<br /><br /> Isolated habitat in national parks and other preserves works much the same way. Unless we connect wildlands, extinctions become inevitable. Impending climate change– with its dramatic geographical shifts in food supply, temperature, and precipitation– makes the linking of fragmented habitats even more urgent. <br /><br /> Despite his best efforts, Davis couldn’t avoid roads on his trek. His close calls with fast cars and powerful trucks gave him a new appreciation for the challenges that wildlife encounter: “I face[d] that danger by choice,” Davis said. “Animals are forced to.” <br /><br /> Fortunately, strategically placed wildlife corridors across major roadways are already helping. Wildlife underpasses and overpasses are aiding migrating species as varied as salamanders in Massachusetts, mountain goats in Montana, and tortoises in the Mojave Desert. <br /><br /> But connecting parklands isn’t enough. Davis and other conservationists see a critical role for private landowners and outdoor recreationists– hikers, hunters, anglers, mountain bikers, birders, and others– in creating American Wildways. <br /><br /> Even in the West with its vast public lands, conservationists increasingly are turning to private landowners to fill habitat gaps. “We’ve been hypnotized in the West by the abundance of public land,” says Dr. Michael Soulé, Professor Emeritus at the University of California at Santa Cruz and one of the founders of the Wildlands Network. Unfortunately much federal land is dedicated to gas wells, mining and timber harvest, not wildlife habitat.<br /><br /> That’s why Western conservationists are working closely with ranchers to create ecological and recreational corridors, offering lessons for budding East Coast efforts. The High Lonesome Ranch in Colorado, for example, is pioneering new techniques for restoring and conserving habitat on working ranches. “I think there’s starting to be a shift in attitude,” says Soulé. “There’s more opportunity on private land… which is kind of nice because it brings conservation back to being people-oriented.”<br /><br /> Davis agrees, and emphasizes the importance of people getting outdoors– away from electronic distractions and onto greenways and blueways. “This trek convinced me… that we really need to get people out there to value these places,” he says. People “don’t tend to be passionate about things unless we’ve had first-hand experience.”<br /><br /> Davis admits to questioning his own sanity at times on his trek, dodging trucks on a South Carolina highway or fighting off hypothermia in Maine. But he was on a mission to save our nation’s wildlife, and besides, he had a hell of a lot of fun. So much fun that he’s already planning his next trek, this time in the Rocky Mountain West.<br />~<br /> <em>Amy Mathews Amos is an independent environmental consultant and writer. This essay was distributed by the Blue Ridge Press.</em></p> </article> <article> <h1>Bears and bobcats: Central Va. gets natural history museum</h1> <p>lisa — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:58:55 +0000</p> <p>Since the Charlottesville branch of the Virginia Natural History Museum closed its doors in 2004, the Smithsonian Institution's museum in Washington is closer for local natural history buffs than the state one in Martinsville. However, a new affiliate museum opening in Nellysford is going to put those exhibits of stuffed bears and bobcats a lot closer.</p> <div class="sidebar"> <h2>Prior stories</h2> <p>• <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/102222/busted-buddys-uva-has-demolished-civil-rights-landmark">Busted Buddy's: UVA has demolished civil rights landmark</a></p> <p>• <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/files/old/stories/2004/10/21/newsFiniMuseumOnEmmetToClo.html">Fini: Museum on Emmet to close</a></p> </div> <p>The <a href="http://www.rockfishvalley.org/blog/">Rockfish Valley Foundation</a>– motto: "As big as all outdoors!"– has been a relentless booster for the natural resources of Nelson County, and has opened a park, hiking trails, and a scenic loop. Now it's poised to open the Natural History Center, in association with the <a href="http://www.vmnh.net/index.cfm">Virginia Natural History Museum in Martinsville</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p>"This requires almost no money," says Peter Agelasto, president of the Foundation, who says he came up with the idea for the museum. His organization pays $1 rent for the former Spruce Gallery, a 1903 historic landmark building that was once a general store.</p> <p>The Martinsville parent museum has exhibits that rotate. "They have to be downsized to come to us," says Agelasto. The museum sends a couple of curators and installers, who set up the exhibit. "We've got a guest cottage," says Agelasto, which further reduces costs.</p> <p>The Rockfish Valley Foundation has no paid staff, no wealthy donors, and raised $25,000 to open the Natural History Center. "When you put all this together in tough times, you see what can happen," says Agelasto. "This whole project is a shot in the arm for natural history in Virginia."</p> <p>Martinsville agrees. "This helps us get our name out," says Virginia Museum of Natural History spokesperson Ryan Barber, who admits that being located in Martinsville, where the museum opened 27 years ago, rather than in a state capitol like Richmond, can be a challenge. (Last year, UVA tore down the building that housed the Charlottesville outpost.)</p> <p>Along with Radford University, the Nelson museum becomes the second operating affiliate. And the Virginia Museum of Natural History in turn is associated with the Smithsonian, which means plenty of resources for the smaller, low-budget museums.</p> <p>The grand opening is June 16 with the exhibit, "Living off the Land." With the wineries and breweries along Route 151 and the Blue Ridge Mountains, Agelasto believes the new museum will be another reason for visitors to come enjoy Nelson's rural charms.</p> <p>Agelasto is particularly interested in luring children away from video games and television and toward the magic of the natural world. He finds himself among a growing chorus of those who call the electronic device-centric lifestyle <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature_deficit_disorder">Nature Deficit Disorder</a>. The Rockfish Valley Foundation Natural History Center, he believes, can be part of the cure.</p> </article> <article> <h1>Beaten, but undrained: Litigant says City gets its water... in 40 years</h1> <p>hawes — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:02:50 +0000</p> <p>One man's water lawsuit against four local governments was tossed out of court Friday as a judge dismissed the case and, in a separate ruling, validated the lead defendant's request to issue millions of dollars in bonds– although the judge did grant the litigant's demand that no physical assets could be used as bond collateral.</p> <div class="sidebar"> <h2>Recent and related:</h2> <p>• <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/103208/drowning-debt-water-litigator-warns-future-shocks">Drowning in debt? Water litigator warns of future shocks</a></p> <p>• <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/103096/draining-feeling-lawsuit-challenges-dam-pipeline-plan">Draining feeling? Lawsuit challenges dam-pipeline plan</a></p> <h2>Older:</h2> <p>• <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/99648/flaws-tripled-rates-spun-numbers-and-conservancy-conflicts-why-war-dredging-slogs">FLAWS- Tripled rates, spun numbers, and Conservancy conflicts: Why the war on dredging slogs on</a></p> <p>• <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/65583/goodbye-dredging-brown-huja-szakos-opt-mega-dam">Goodbye, dredging? Brown, Huja, Szakos opt for mega-dam</a></p> <p>•<a href="70340/fish-jump-red-herrings-filleted-dredge-test"> Fish jump: but red herrings filleted at dredge test</a></p> <p> </p> <p>• <a href="82127/news-open-tap-dam-firm-continues-drain-city-coffers">Open tap: Dam firm continues to drain city coffers</a></p> </div> <p>"I think I'm a winner and a loser," says Stan Braverman after the May 18 hearing. "We lost the case, but there are certain aspects we won on."</p> <p>A lawyer, Braverman sued Tom Frederick and the other government backers of the so-called Community Water Supply, a project that controversially brought in corporate boosters to tout a massive dam to replace all three existing urban reservoirs. Besides provoking an array of physical and political controversies, the legal controversy swirled around a 3-2 vote in January by City Council instead of the super-majority Braverman was demanding.</p> <p>In his lawsuit, filed in March, Braverman alleged that City Council disingenuously portrayed its transfers of public property as leases to evade its own charter and the Virginia Constitution. If his nightmare scenario panned out, future generations of Charlottesvillians might be forced to come begging Albemarle County if they end up needing additional water.</p> <p>"This is an argument right out of Kafka," scolded defense counsel Robert Hodges. "The Constitution understands the difference between a sale and a lease-hold; Mr. Braverman apparently does not."</p> <p>Braverman, however, contended that the language in the transfer documents seemed chosen to avoid the Constitution's 40-year lease cap. But the term seemed like a point the judge could clarify on her own.</p> <p>"These are leases," said Albemarle Circuit Judge Cheryl Higgins, "and they are not in excess of 40 years."</p> <p>Such findings from the bench, Braverman notes, mean that Charlottesvillians in the year 2052 can take their land– and, more importantly, their water rights– back. Braverman says Higgins gave him much of what he wanted, which seems to include the peace of mind from knowing that the City still owns 100 percent of reservoir lands including the Ragged Mountain Natural Area.</p> <p>Peace might not be the operative word at Ragged Mountain for long because that area– a longtime bird sanctuary– will soon be disturbed by the sounds of dynamite and buzzsaws for what critics see as an unnecessary reservoir that requires the clearance of 150 acres, the removal of 54,000 trees, and convoys of trucks.</p> <p>Still, Judge Higgins made a pair of factual rulings that Braverman lauds as crucial to the permanent record.</p> <p>"The court cannot find that there is a sale," said Higgins. "The word 'lease' is consistently used. The language is clear and express."</p> <p>While stopping short of conceding that his quest has ended, Braverman notes that any appeal might actually jeopardize such factual findings.</p> <p>"By the implication of this decision," says Braverman, "the City can get its water back, and that's great."</p> <p>But in a City that recently required the better part of a year– and the assistance of ground-penetrating electronics– to find its own historic time capsule, what's to say that anyone will remember Judge Higgins' findings 50 years from now?</p> <p>"Get a certified copy," says Braverman. "It should be microfilmed."</p> <p>After the hearing, Rivanna Authority director Tom Frederick pronounced himself pleased with the rulings and noted that North Carolina-based Thalle Construction, which won the right to proceed earlier this year, has already begun creating a mobilization area in Ragged Mountain and improving the access for its machinery along Reservoir Road.</p> <p>If Braverman's volunteer quest ends with Higgins' ruling, it was not without some color. Activist Stratton Salidas was one of three citizens allowed to address the court.</p> <p>Salidas took the opportunity to blast Mayor Satyendra Huja for brushing aside critics such as himself by wrongly asserting that Nestlé Waters had reneged on its million-dollar contribution to the Nature Conservancy to make the Charlottesville water plan a national model. (Both Nestlé and toilet-maker American Standard did follow through on their million-dollar promises, according to company reps; and Mayor Huja has apologized for his error.)</p> <p>Salidas also noted that both a political action committee and the Nature Conservancy used the occasion of Charlottesville's last City Council elections to influence the process with "misinformation"-containing flyers.</p> <p>"In fact," concluded Salidas, "there has been a great deal of mischief."</p> <p>The judge decided to skip over the long-running debate.</p> <p>"I look at the legality of the documents before me rather than looking at the underlying policy," said Higgins. "The documents are valid."</p> <p>After the hearing, a reporter asked the other two citizens who spoke up if either was a spokesperson for City interests.</p> <p>"The spokesperson for the City was supposed to be City Council," interjected Brian Irving, a baker who used his day off to attend the hearing. "But it didn't work out."</p> </article> <article> <h1>Beware: There's a dark side of sunny days</h1> <p>courteney — Tue, 22 May 2012 18:58:50 +0000</p> <p><em>The warm sun on your skin... picnics with friends.... long, lazy days... beach vacations... heat stroke? We're not trying to kill your summer buzz, but there are a few heightened risks associated with summertime fun, so follow these precautions. And then dive right in!</em><br /><br /><strong>Tick tick tick</strong><br />According to the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/Lyme/">Centers for Disease Control</a>, cases of Lyme Disease rose by close to 200 percent in Virginia between 2005 and 2010, and the effects of the disease can be devastating. As detailed in a <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/90589/tick-why-you-should-worry-about-lyme-disease">Hook cover story</a>, Lyme is carried by the deer tick, also known as the blacklegged tick, and while most people think they'll be able to spot the early stage from the classic "bullseye" rash that's not always possible. Since Lyme's not the only serious illness carried by ticks, your best bet is to avoid getting bitten. That means taking preventative measures when you're outside in tall grass or wooded areas– long sleeves and long pants tucked into socks help keep ticks off, as do DEET-containing bug sprays. Finally, always check yourself and your children for ticks after outdoor outings.<br /><br /><strong>Heads up</strong><br />Thirty years ago, bike-riding children thrilled to feel the wind blowing through their hair as they hurtled down hills and went over jumps, heads unencumbered– and at risk. These days, kids don helmets even when riding on the hill-less and car-less stretch of the Rivanna Trail because they have to– it's law in the city for children 14 and under. But helmets may cause a problem of their own, according to some recent research that suggests they can increase the risk of neck injury by "digging in" when a rider falls, causing the rider's head to snap back. That's the argument made by Richmond-based cyclist, engineer and father J. Tyler Ballance, who says helmets for road riding and high speed racing make sense, but <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/90777/more-risk-safety-engineer-criticizes-proposed-helmet-law">may actually add risk</a> when kids wear them while riding in cul-de-sacs or on paved paths. No matter what, when you or your child are wearing a bike helmet, make sure it's strapped properly to ensure it works in case of a fall. According to the <a href="http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/bike/easystepsweb/">National Highway Transportation Administration</a>, that means the strap should be secured snugly under the chin (no more than two fingers should fit between strap and skin), and the helmet should be on the head squarely to ensure the forehead and the back of the head are adequately protected. <br /><br /><strong>Deadly falls</strong><br />Among the most popular hikes in the area is the steep climb to Crabtree Falls in the George Washington National Forest in Nelson County, but it's also the most deadly. Twenty-seven people have fallen to their deaths there, most– including <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/65969/crabtree-falls-claims-another-casualty">the most recent in 2010</a>– after ignoring posted warnings to stay off the moss-covered rocks. Indeed, any time you have rocks and water near steep drop-offs, the conditions are right for a potentially lethal slip.<br /><br /><strong>Hot cars</strong><br />In 2007, an Earlysville mom paid the ultimate price for her distraction when she forgot her nine-month-old son was in the car as she worked all day at the Judge Advocate General school. The baby died of hyperthermia, and his mother, who endured a <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/81721/cover-perfect-storm-family-tragedy-plays-out-court">criminal trial</a>, is far from the only parent to make such a tragic mistake. In warmer months, cars become hotboxes that, in mere minutes, can soar to upwards of 100 degrees. Small children and animals, unable to escape on their own, should never be left unattended– even for a quick jaunt into the grocery store. If you happen upon an unattended vehicle with a child or pet inside, don't hesitate to call 911. A life may depend on it.<br /><br /><strong>Heat stroke</strong><br />Hot humid days can be deadly, particularly for babies, the elderly, and athletes. Such was the case on a 97-degree day in 2005 with talented Albemarle High School runner <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/files/old/stories/2005/08/11/coverRunnerDownTheLifeAndD.html">Kelly Watt</a>, who collapsed and died after a run along Ridge Road. Nausea, vomiting, fatigue and confusion are symptoms, and if untreated, heat stroke can be fatal. Staying hydrated is key, and avoiding extreme exertion when the temperature soars is another important preventative measure. <br /><br /><br /></p> </article> <article> <h1>Boyce's battle: Former Prism director takes on alligator</h1> <p>courteney — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:49:29 +0000</p> <p>Back in 2004, Fred Boyce <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/94889/cover-dischord-prism-coffeehouse-seeks-harmony">made headlines</a> for wrangling with folk musicians at the Prism Coffeehouse, where he was the talented if hot-tempered artistic director, responsible for booking acts at the historic venue. Six years after Boyce <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/85590/news-prism-renewal-former-local-icon-moves-south">left Charlottesville for southwest Virginia</a>, with plans to stay involved in the music scene, it appears he's changed fields– but he's <a href="http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/animal-rights/video-scientist-fred-boyce-attacked-alligator">made headlines again</a> for wrangling, and this time with a far more fearsome foe: an alligator.</p> <p>The incident happened on Wednesday, May 16, when Boyce, who according to news reports is now working at a North Carolina aquarium, was called to respond to a 10-foot-long, 350-pound gator sunning itself on the side of a highway. With wildlife officials hours away, according to a report by ABC national news show <em>Good Morning America</em>, Boyce took matters into his own hands– and nearly lost some limbs in the process.</p> <p> <a href="http://corp.kaltura.com">video platform</a> <a href="http://corp.kaltura.com/video_platform/video_management">video management</a> <a href="http://corp.kaltura.com/solutions/video_solution">video solutions</a> <a href="http://corp.kaltura.com/video_platform/video_publishing">video player</a> </p> <p>The video shows him approach the gator, which has a towel over its head, then slowly mount the beast's back, prompting reptilian retaliation as the alligator whips around and latches onto Boyce's right arm, shaking it several times before releasing him.</p> <p>"What were you thinking exactly?" asks the ABC interviewer.</p> <p>"That's the question I still haven't really figured out myself," Boyce replies, praising the alligator as "very nice, let me off easy compared to what he could have done."</p> <p>Although he suffered multiple puncture wounds, Boyce, who now lives in Swansboro, NC, and says he has "many years experience" working with alligators, including at a zoo in Maryland, will make a full recovery. He could not be reached by posting time.</p> </article> <article> <h1>Brain eater: After boy's death, aunt urges safer swimming</h1> <p>hawes — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:57:15 +0000</p> <p>For decades, brain-eating organisms were the stuff of legends– or of legendarily hot places like Texas, Arizona, and Florida. But the killer amoeba known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naegleria_fowleri%20"><em>Naegleria fowleri</em></a> really did invade and consume a boy's brain right here in Virginia. It happened last summer, and Bonnie Strickland knows all too well.</p> <div class="sidebar"> <h2>Related</h2> <p>Dr. Hook: '<a href="http://www.readthehook.com/90047/amoeba%20">Brain drain: Lethal amoebae take devasting toll</a>'</p> </div> <p>A lifetime resident of the Henrico County community of Glen Allen, Strickland lost her 9-year-old nephew in August in a case that sent shudders through the Commonwealth. She says it happened several days after the boy finished a week-long fishing camp.</p> <p>"He went out for ice cream with his grandmother and my sister-in-law that Sunday night," recalls Strickland. "He complained of a slight headache."</p> <p>The next morning, his mother tried to revive the listless boy with a bath, but he went silent when his mom asked him to climb into the tub and seemed confused when she asked him to get dressed.</p> <p>"None of it was registering with him," recalls Strickland. "He went from healthy and active to not even recognizing any of us in a day. "</p> <p>When she rushed over to an intensive-care-unit, Strickland says she'd never heard of the single-celled organism that feeds on cerebral fluid and gray matter. As medical personnel and family members pleaded for the boy to speak, the most coherent thing he could do was recite his ABCs.</p> <p>"He was brain-dead a couple of days later," says Strickland.</p> <p>On Friday, August 5, Christian Alexander Strickland was taken off life support. Now his aunt wants others to know what scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been saying: that the single-celled organism is ubiquitous in soil and fresh water– but that swimmers can use a finger-pinch, nose plugs, or face-covering goggles to keep it out.</p> <p>"The CDC says it's in every type of water body in Virginia," says Strickland. "It's in all of them– deep water and shallow water."</p> <p>Research indicates that in the hot days of late summer, when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees, <em>N. fowleri</em> emerge from the cysts in which they have been harmlessly hibernating. Ironically, even in their potentially-fatal stages, the amoeba can be safely swum among– and even ingested. The trouble starts when contaminated water is forced into the sinus cavity, something that has reportedly turned fatal for several young southern water-skiers and wake-boarders– and to one little boy who just loved fishing.</p> <p>As family members pieced together the final days of Christian Strickland, they were told that he'd been dunked while horse-playing with other kids at the fishing camp. In the wake of his death, the Virginia Department of Health reportedly asked the camp owner not to reveal which waterways campers had visited. While such silence may provoke outrage from worried parents, it makes sense to Rebecca LePrell, the Department's director of environmental epidemiology.</p> <p>"We certainly want parents and children to enjoy swimming in the James River and other fresh bodies of water in Virginia," says LaPrell, noting that labeling one water body as dangerous might mislead the public.</p> <p>"Environmental factors play a big role," says LePrell, noting that like the fresh waters they inhabit, populations of <em>N. fowleri</em> tend to ebb and flow. "Water quality conditions can change on a daily basis, and the growth of the organism is tied to the changing water conditions."</p> <p>The year 2007 was a sort of shark-summer for <em>N. Fowleri</em> because there were six confirmed American deaths, about double the average. That was the year that Virginia's health commissioner issued a warning that prompted the Lake Anna Civic Association to plunk down $10,000 to invite a team of Virginia Commonwealth University researchers for water testing. What the VCU team found might be called chilling– except that chilling would be the wrong word for a nuclear reactor-heated lake.</p> <p>"Thermal enrichment of water can cause proliferation of amebae especially at temperatures of 86°F to 111°F," wrote the researchers. Their tests confirmed <em>N. Fowleri</em> in 9 of 16 Lake Anna sample sites and took heed of what the Civic Association had warned: that 99 percent of the water between the power plant and the dam gets recirculated by the the cooling pumps of the North Anna power plant.</p> <p>"Amebae that are present in one location today," the researchers warned, "may be at another location tomorrow."</p> <p>While Lake Anna's hot spots may serve as an unnaturally warm breeding ground, such <em>N. fowleri</em>-friendly pockets can occur naturally– when water stagnates, runs shallow, or churns up soil from the bed of the waterway, according to the Health Deparment's LePrell, who downplays the benefits of testing.</p> <p>"We have to assume," she says, "there's always a low risk of infection."</p> <p>If the risk is low, the fatality rate is high. Of the 100+ American cases recorded since the mid-1960s, only one person survived (a girl reportedly diagnosed quickly and bombarded with drugs in 1978). In the 10-year span from 2001 to 2010, all 35 Americans confirmed with <em>N. fowleri</em>– including a pair of adult Louisiana <a href="http://www.care2.com/causes/contaminated-tap-water-kills-2-neti-pot-users-in-louisiana.html%20">neti-pot users</a>– died. But some say there could be many more victims.</p> <p>An early 1970s Medical College of Virginia review of over 16,000 supposed meningitis deaths found five previously undisclosed cases. But it's not just southern waters. There's are two grieving families in Minnesota.</p> <p>Far north of the usual hot spots, the family of the late Hailee LaMeyer didn't order an autopsy for their 11-year-old daughter who died after a July 4, 2008 swim in a shallow pond. A nurse, Hailee's mother has since gone public with her blame of <em>N. fowleri</em>.</p> <p>"Never in our lives could we imagine that such an innocent young girl, doing something so innocent as swimming in the lake, would be infected by this monster amoeba and die just days later," Heidi LaMeyer <a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/09/20/lameyer/%20">wrote</a> for Minnesota Public Radio.</p> <p>Most of the victims are little kids, like 7-year-old Kyle Lewis of Texas. Kyle's father, Jeremy Lewis, recalls the August morning in 2010 when, after his son's two headache-ridden nights in a hospital, the attending doctor said the boy was probably just suffering from viral meningitis that would run its course without permanent harm. As the family began making plans to leave the hospital, Lewis showed the doctor a text message from his mother-in-law asking if anyone had considered <em>N. fowleri</em>.</p> <p>"The doctor said, 'Mr. Lewis, if your son had <em>Naegleria fowleri</em>, he'd already be dead."</p> <p>Less than 24 hours later, Kyle Lewis was dead. Mr. Lewis says that the fact that only four days typically elapse between the onset of flu-like symptoms and irreversible brain damage spurred him to create the <a href="http://www.kylelewisamoebaawareness.org/">KyleCares Foundation</a> to spread awareness.</p> <p>In Henrico, Bonnie Strickland recently joined friends and family at the dedication of new playground equipment and a memorial tree at Glen Allen Elementary School, where Christian would have been a third-grader this year. Strickland, who <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/In-Memory-of-Christian-Strickland/233199483389838">speaks out to educate parents</a>, notes that her nephew's killer amoeba might never have been revealed but for the boy's open-minded doctor.</p> <p>"It's brushed aside as rare," says Strickland. "But it doesn't feel rare to me."</p> </article> <article> <h1>Burning roadside: Can Mark Cline rise again from the ashes?</h1> <p>hawes — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:24:00 +0000</p> <p>Just as the tourist season was about to begin, one of Virginia's most trip-worthy attractions has been destroyed by fire, a rude turn for the one-man whirling dervish whose creativity, for 30 years, has kept the tiny town of Natural Bridge on the map of summer fun.</p> <div class="sidebar"> <h2>Related stories:</h2> <p>• <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/100987/can-professor-cline-save-taubman">Can Professor Cline save the Taubman?</a></p> <p>• <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/100745/wboro-outage-911-memorial-goes-awry">W'boro spectacle: After sparks, Cline memorial sparkles</a></p> <p>• <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/files/old/stories/2004/07/22/coverDinomightprofessorCli.html">Dino-might: A Blue Ridge Barnum revives the American roadside</a></p> </div> <p>A mid-April blaze demolished the Victorian-era mansion that served as the <a href="http://www.monstersanddinosaurs.com/">Haunted Monster Museum</a> as well as the centerpiece of a bizzaro place called Dinosaur World where dinos would gobble Union soldiers and where brave visitors could also hunt Bigfoot with a "redneck." But the fire means no attractions this summer from Mark "Professor" Cline. </p> <p>"We're gonna take a break this year," says Cline. "I just need more time to regroup."</p> <p>Although the fiberglass dinos in the woods outside were saved, the Monster Museum was incinerated. The mechanical rats, the "Elvis-stein" monster, and the mighty fiberglass python that seemed to slither in and out of the second-story gable windows all went up in flames late on the afternoon of April 16.</p> <p>During a next-day visit, the ruins are still smoldering when a State Police investigator shoos a reporter from the scene.</p> <p>"This is Natural Bridge property," barks the officer, as Cline ushers the visitor away from the charred house.</p> <p>"He was my dragon," laughs Cline, recalling the era when the future officer was a teenager piloting not a Crown Victoria but a lawn tractor and sporting a character costume at Cline's last attraction, the Enchanted Castle. In a still-unsolved 2001 fire, a blaze whose investigation (or lack thereof, as he alleges) still makes Cline bristle with anger, the Enchanted Castle went up in flames.</p> <p>"I'd much rather have Barney Fife and Inspector Clousseau out here," says Cline, recalling how State Police investigators conducted interviews hinting that Cline himself had torched the Enchanted Castle, despite the fact that the Castle was uninsured, and that he lost his office, his studio, and all the irreplaceable 8-millimeter films he made as a boy.</p> <p>"We've done a pile of work on that case," says George "Stick" Austin, the State Police captain overseeing that investigation, noting that it's standard procedure to interview owners. "It is still considered an active investigation."</p> <p>As for the recent fire, it was an otherwise uneventful spring afternoon when Cline says he was on the grounds of his studio, where– with a small crew– he <a href="http://www.enchantedcastlestudios.com/">manufactures fiberglass figures</a> for America's roadside playgrounds.</p> <p>"I got a call at about 5:45 from the assistant general manager of Natural Bridge," says Cline. "I dropped everything and ran outside."</p> <p>Cline pauses, looking mournfully down the highway in the direction of the smouldering ruins.</p> <p>"I looked up and saw a plume of thick black smoke," he says, "and I knew immediately it was gone."</p> <p>By the time Cline could speed the three miles south on Lee Highway, what may have started as a minor blaze on a stage at one end of the structure had become an engulfing inferno. Cline snapped a few photographs as the mansion cooked.</p> <p>At the time of a reporter's visit 24 hours later, all that's left are a trio of chimneys and the front wall, executed in a rusticated gray limestone.</p> <p>To 64-year-old Kilmarnock resident Ann Gill, whose grandparents owned and operated the structure as a hotel/antique shop called "Stonewall Lodge," it's a crushing blow.</p> <p>"It was a romantic old home," says Gill. "My mother was married there."</p> <p>In the years after Gill's family sold the structure in the 1950s, the Natural Bridge company eventually let the place go to seed, and by the 1980s the expansive front lawn had reverted to forest.</p> <p>Cline says the abandoned house seemed creepy when, a decade ago, he approached the owner, Natural Bridge LLC, with his plan to haunt it. In 2002, he unveiled his Haunted Monster Museum there. Two years later, as an April Fool's prank, he built a full-size replica of Stonehenge called Foamhenge about a mile away.</p> <p>The past two decades have been a tough time on traditional road-trip destinations. While Natural Bridge keeps attendance figures under wraps, educational places like Monticello and Colonial Williamsburg reveal numbers that have fallen from their peaks in the pre-Internet, pre-water-park era.</p> <p>The venerable Homestead Resort just announced plans to put in a water park. Massanutten installed its water park in 2005.</p> <p>As some may recall, there was a proposal in Charlottesville 20 years ago to give land to a steam train operator. But that was at least five hotels ago, before the Downtown Mall and myriad wineries erupted with enough critical mass to fill all the new lodgings.</p> <p>Despite having what's been billed as the Seventh Wonder of the natural world, Natural Bridge has had no such luck. The town's newest hotel appears at least 50 years old. A pair of zoos, a cave, a wax museum, an Indian village, and a new indoor butterfly garden helped draw families off the Interstate, but it was Cline's humor/horror compound that drew national attention from roadside enthusiasts.</p> <p>"It was a nice addition to our attractions and particularly popular with kids," says Natural Bridge general manager Debbie Land. "It's a total loss as they say in the insurance world."</p> <p>It's a great loss to Kay Lera. A retiree from the San Francisco Bay Area who for nine years ran a B&B in her new hometown of Lexington, Lera notes how one man can make a difference.</p> <p>"Natural Bridge has the beauty of the bridge and the caverns," says Lera, "but having some wacky humor incorporated into the scenario does make it a family destination."</p> <p>So strong is the pull of Professor Cline that when an unassuming adult walks into the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke to ask what the Museum has to offer, the first words out of the front desk lady's mouth are these: "Well, Professor Cline is gone…"</p> <p>We didn't even ask about Professor Cline, whose exhibition there had closed a couple of weeks earlier. But when a man hangs a fiberglass King Kong on the side of your museum and breaks attendance records with such twisted figures as the "Franken-chicken," people take notice.</p> <p>Like the rest of us, Cline says he's now trying to face the prospect of a summer without his Monster Museum. He's seen an uptick in contract work, like the 13 men's room sinks he recently built for the Broadway revival of <em>How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying</em>. A couple of reality show producers have made inquiries about following him around.</p> <p>Cline veers between "pissed off" anger at an unknown arsonist and the peace of knowing that nobody was killed or injured in the fire.</p> <p>"We made a lot of magic there," says Cline, mulling the impermanence of his creations. "Even one day the great Pyramids of Egypt will be just dust in the wind. This might just be one of those messages from the universe saying it's time to move on."</p> </article> <article> <h1>Feud ends: Giles cashes as VNB heads for buying spree</h1> <p>hawes — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:52:34 +0000</p> <p>If anyone were expecting fireworks or fisticuffs at the annual meeting of Virginia National Bank Monday night, they were shown less a feud than a roadmap to riches, as bank leaders said they've been eyeing a stream of opportunities to buy struggling banks. As for former chair Mark Giles, who recently waged a battle to climb back on the board, that fizzled in seconds at the May 21 event as the majority of shareholders voted instead to re-install Giles' rival, developer Hunter Craig.</p> <div class="sidebar"> <h2>Prior stories</h2> <p>• May 15, 2012: "<a href="http://www.readthehook.com/103944/bank-battle-vnb-boss-wants-himself-and-craig-out">Bank battle: VNB titan wants back in (and Craig out)</a>"</p> <p>• January 30, 2012: "<a href="http://www.readthehook.com/102740/not-immune-power-bank-va-national-profit-falls-42-percent">Not immune: VNB corporate profit falls 42 percent</a>"</p> <p>• December 23, 2011: "<a href="http://www.readthehook.com/102524/bank-feud-chairman-giles-quits-vnb-other-directors">Bank feud: Chairman Giles quits VNB with other directors</a>"</p> <p>–> <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/special/biscuit-run-cash-grab">The Biscuit Run cash grab</a></p> </div> <p>Afterwards, Craig had little comment other than to agree with the words of the bank president that "we have won the decathlon" and that the recently-completed quarter was a strong indicator of profits and continuing growth. As Craig told a reporter, the first three months of 2012 were "strong as horseradish."</p> <p>As for what Craig thought of the Giles effort to push him off the board, that was left unknown, as he declined other questions.<br /><br />But questions from shareholders percolated during the meeting, with the first coming from Richard Miksad, who phrased it in the form of an opinion: "I think the name of the bank," said Miksad, "is not as bright as it used to be in the community."</p> <p>Chair Bill Dittmar, who took the reins in late December after the sudden Giles resignation, explained what happened at that fateful pre-Christmas meeting: that Giles demanded that he and Craig each nominate a slate of directors.<br /><br />"The board rejected that proposal," said Dittmar. "It was the sense of the board that it was inappropriate to put up a slate."</p> <p>"Does that answer your question?" Dittmar asked.<br /><br />"Well, partially," Miksad replied.<br /><br />"I don't think you answered his question completely, Bill," said longtime Albemarlean Fred Scott. "What was it that triggered the change?"<br /><br />In the past two years, Craig has become a lightning rod for controversy, ever since an outgoing governor thanked him for his supposed bargain transfer of a flopped housing development called Biscuit Run for a state park. As it turned out, the $10 million purchase price was the tip of a costly iceberg, as Craig's crew reaped another $11 million in secret tax credits and then sued the taxpayers– in a still-pending matter– for nearly $20 million more.<br /><br />Craig, as a longtime member of VNB's loan committee (though he stepped down last fall), was allowed to peer into the business of some of the biggest business tycoons in Albemarle, and yet his Biscuit Run finances enjoy a legally-mandated shroud of secrecy.<br /><br />It wasn't until shareholder David Kudravetz stood up Monday that the issue Giles raised in a May 3 federal filing was asked: What does leadership think about the propriety of letting board members "pledge" their stock– something that Craig has reportedly done– to an in-market competitor bank?<br /><br />"It says something about your bank," said an approving Dittmar, "that another bank will accept your stock as pledge."<br /><br />Dittmar noted that VNB sought opinions from both an outside attorney and the federal Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. In the wake of that inquiry, the only ensuing policy change was a requirement that VNB directors must immediately notify shareholders when they pledge their shares as collateral.<br /><br />Dittmar also announced that over 80,000 shares of stock traded on Friday, the last business day prior to the meeting. The buzz was that Giles– who owned eight percent of the company last week– was trimming his position.<br /><br />This was the same day that a Hook reporter placed an order for 100 shares, what turned out to be a successful effort to gain admission to the meeting. Less successful (for this individual who owns no other listed securities) was the price: over $15 a share which promptly fell to $14 as the 80,000-share block depressed the price and cost us nearly $200 in one day.<br /><br />"You shoulda waited four more hours," joked president Glenn Rust after the meeting.<br /><br />It was Rust who presented a vision of VNB's future, and it came in response to a question from shareholder Bob Coleman about "excess capacity" and "excess capital" that might be parlayed into a better return.<br /><br />"We still want to do some type of merger," replied Rust, who noted the the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, has shown VNB seven banks on its list of takeover targets.<br /><br />"We've turned them all down, but we're continuing to look," said Rust. "I think there's going to be some out there we can pick off for a really good price."<br /><br />Coleman, however, expressed concern that VNB's stock price, at about 80 percent of book value, could put VNB "into play," i.e. find itself the target of a takeover.<br /><br />"We have not been approached by any bank, ever," said Rust.<br /><br />And with that, the meeting came to a close.<br /><br />"They've done a good job," remarked shareholder Dickie Tayloe. "They've been conservative, and that's good."</p> </article> <article> <h1>FunStuff: Charlottesville events May 24 and beyond</h1> <p>hawes — Mon, 21 May 2012 02:25:09 +0000</p> <p><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/fun-riverdance.jpg"></a> Millions of steps</strong><br /> When you think of Irish dance, what comes to mind? The fast-tapping feet of <a href="http://www.riverdance.com/"><strong>Riverdance</strong></a> of course. And now, in its 17th year of touring in mammoth venues (like our biggie on Massie Road), Riverdance is on its farewell tour. So this could be your last chance to experience what 22 million people in over 350 venues across 40 countries have seen. It's Busby Berkeley meets Cecil B. DeMille with some of the best dancers in the world as they tell the story of Irish culture and immigration– through fast-paced, raucous dance.<br /> –May 30, <a href="http://www.johnpauljonesarena.com/event_details.asp?id=446">John Paul Jones Arena</a>, 7:30pm, $31-62</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/fun-cash-velo_city.jpg"></a> Rock the JPA bizes</strong><br />You've probably already heard about how the businesses near the closed-for-a-year Jefferson Park Avenue bridge have been harmed, right? Well, now's your chance to do something about it– and have fun in the process with the third monthly <strong>Cash Mob</strong>. Launched in February, Cash Mob Charlottesville is part of a grassroots national movement to make the cash registers ring at mom-and-pop businesses. This Saturday, the targets are that quintet of commerce huddled around the bridge: Wayside FasMart, Hoo’s Brew, Wayside Barber Shop, Dürty Nelly’s, and Wayside Deli. While the Saturday afternoon event is free, organizers urge attendees to make small purchases at each of the five businesses. The event kicks off with a 1pm march, and live music continues into the afternoon.<br />–>May 26, <a href="http://cashmobcville.com/">the businesses at the JPA Bridge</a>, 1pm, sort of free<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/fun-livearts-hewhogetsslapped.jpg"></a> Is dreaming dangerous?</strong><br />LiveArts is closing its spring season with a classic Russian melodrama. Ostensibly about circus, <strong><em>He Who Gets Slapped</em></strong> is an oversized production filled with "musical jokesters, lovesick lion-tamers, death-defying aerialists, and a handful of scam-artists all falling under the spell of an anonymous gentleman who arrives one day and demands to be made into a clown," according to the director's notes. Like much of what gets produced at LiveArts, there's something darker beneath the stilt-walkers, trapeze artists, and– naturally– the smile of those darn clowns (such as the ones shown here: Will Luckett, Kate Tooley, and Dan Sterlace). The play is staged most Wednesdays thru Sundays, and if you wanna talk back to the team after the show, attend the 2pm performance on Sunday, May 27.<br />–>thru June 9, <a href="http://www.livearts.org/tickets/detail/he_who_gets_slapped">LiveArts</a>, various times, $14-$24.50<br /><br /><br /><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/fun-brighterfires.jpg"></a> They have risen</strong><br />Remember Ultravox, that techno-emo new wave band from the 1980s? That's who came to mind when checking out the eponymous album by <strong>Brighter Fires</strong>, a new project from Gopal Metro and Andy Deane, the duo who founded Bella Morte, the nationally-acclaimed act that put Charlottesville at the center of the goth map. They're also the guys who also put together The Dawning, the weekly goth-industrial dance party in the basement of the old Tokyo Rose restaurant. Now describing themselves as the vanguard of the modern dark rock scene, Brighter Fires readily concedes to strong influences from the 80s, 90s, and 00s. If you haven't already downloaded the new digital-only album at BrighterFires.com, you can get a taste Thursday night at the newest music venue in town (at the most ridiculously low cover charge we've seen), located in the National Linen Building at the corner of Mead and Market. Indie post-punkers Dead Fame and Stars and the Sea open the show.<br />–>May 24, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Market-Moto-Saloon/220997314645071">Black Market Moto Saloon</a>, 9pm, $3<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/news-wagner-dubai.jpg"></a> Long in the truth</strong><br />Thanks to the local library, Charlottesvillians can catch a rare public screening of the 2010 documentary that takes viewers on the ride of a lifetime, the Thoroughbred racing industry. It's a sport that created and destroyed fortunes, created and destroyed animals, and puts horses in such unusual places as Dubai (as shown here). The film, titled simply <em><strong>Thoroughbred</strong></em>, was produced by an award-winning filmmaker who lives in Charlottesville, Paul Wagner. "I hope that the film can help the sport reform itself and revitalize it a little bit for the future," Wagner told the <em>Hook</em> in an <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/89937/track-wagners-latest-film-rides-high">interview</a> last year. The screening is at the main library at 201 East Market Street.<br />–>May 24, <a href="http://www.jmrl.org/br-central.htm">Jefferson-Madison Regional Library</a>, 7pm, free<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/fun-redrattles.jpg"></a> Mr. handsome and friend</strong><br />If the idea of a rock duo conjures visions of Simon & Garfunkel, then think again because there's a rock duo in town with a raw and energetic feel. It's as if half of a famous foursome in Liverpool's Cavern Club got a hold of the songs they'd eventually write on their much-later White Album. Called <a href="%20http://www.semperaudientes.com/Music.html"><strong>Red Rattles</strong></a>, the duo has a garagey, fuzzed out– but cutely vulnerable– vibe, not to mention the gal-drawing advantage of a square-jawed guitarist named Luke Nutting, once at the center of short-lived but revered bluegrass act called 6 Day Bender. His compatriot, playing the skins, is David "Davey" Jacobs; and their first full-length album gets released with a show at that new music venue across from the gravestone shop on Market Street on Friday night. The Firetrucks may open.<br />–>May 25, <a href="http://www.songkick.com/concerts/12822733-red-rattles-at-black-market-moto-saloon">Black Market Moto Saloon</a>, 9pm, $5</p> <p> </p> <p><br /><br /><br /><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/fun-threenotchd.jpg"></a> Bring on da anguish (and joy)</strong><br />Downtown's most richly decorated Victorian gothic church will soon resound with baroque sounds including the voice of a guest artist from the Washington-based Great Noise Ensemble. She is mezzo-soprano Tracy Cowart, who joins the Charlottesville baroque ensemble known as <a href="http://www.tnrbaroque.org"><strong>Three Notch'd Road</strong></a> in a night of "Joy & Anguish." They'll perform vocal and instrumental masterworks by Vivaldi and Handel in a Friday-night concert whose tickets, available at the door, are free for students. So grab a student and sit down under the Tiffany window to hear Handel’s famous Water Music and recorder player Anne Timberlake crank out Vivaldi’s famous concerto, <em>La notte.</em><br />–>May 25, <a href="http://www.tnrbaroque.org/concerts.html">Christ Episcopal Church</a>, 7:30pm, 0-$15</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/fun-elmo.jpg"></a> Bring on da Elmo</strong><br />You know, it's just not every day that the real Elmo comes to your town. But Elmo wasn't satisfied with just one day in Charlottesville. He's decided to perform two days in a row. And get this, he'll do two shows each day. With friends! Yes, it's “<strong>1-2-3 Imagine!</strong>”– a high-energy musical designed to transport your small one to far away places. For instance, Elmo dances in the African rainforest. And his Muppet pal Ernie captains the high seas, and Ernie's uni-browed and pin-headed roommate Bert meets an octopus who has the blues. "It’s a story of adventure and fun that teaches children they can be anyone, do anything, and go anywhere with the power of imagination." And it's coming to the big arena on Saturday and Sunday.<br />–>May 26 & 27, John Paul Jones Arena, various times, $15-52</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/fun-gabrielerausse.jpg"></a>Meet Gabriele Rausse</strong><br />The man who quietly consulted on the creation of some of Central Virginia's top wineries including Barboursville, Trump, and his own private label, Gabriele Rausse is the star of the upcoming Saturday <strong>Open House at Tufton</strong>, aka the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants at Monticello. In a county where so many wine-tastings are priced like a meal, Tufton is offering up the man who has been called "the father of Virginia wine" at no cost. Of course, organizers may limit your quantity so that you can pay attention to the other names on the card: Peggy Cornett, who'll lead tours of the heirloom rose collection as well as beekeeper Paul Legrand. (Tufton is on the left side of Milton Road about two miles past Monticello.)<br />–>May 26, <a href="http://www.monticello.org/site/visit/events/antique-roses-summer-perennials-wine-tasting">Tufton Farm</a>, 10am-4pm (wine tasting 1-3pm), free</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a class="colorbox" href="/files/images/field_images/fun-thesteelwheels.jpg"></a> Get Steeled</strong><br />The Valley's latest contribution to the Americana scene is coming over the mountain to Charlottesville's premiere indie club for a sit-down show exploring the territories "between blues and bluegrass, old-time sing-alongs and foot-stompin' fiddle tunes." It's <a href="%20http://www.thesteelwheels.com/"><strong>The Steel Wheels</strong></a>, whose lyrical skill has won praise from such diverse sources as NPR and Blue Ridge Outdoors, the latter which called them "Shenandoah Valley's newest, and brightest, songwriting force." Coming off an impressive festival circuit that's taken them from Floydfest to Atlanta Dogwood, their Thursday night Charlottesville show is billed as a CD release party for their latest, <em>Lay Down, Lay Low</em>. Opener: The Honey Dewdrops.<br />–>May 24, The Southern, 7pm doors/8pm show, $15<br /><br /></p> <p> </p> <p><em> </em></p> <div class="sidebar"><em> <p><em> </em></p> <h2><em>More events</em></h2> <p><em></em></p> <p>If you're an event promoter and you're disappointed that your event isn't listed here, why don't you take matters into your own hands and simply post it below as a comment, and keep the good times rolling?</p> <p></p></em></div> <p><em> This week's "FunStuff" was compiled by Hawes Spencer, and next week's "FunStuff" will be compiled by another newsroom staffer. To get your event considered, send a press release to event@readthehook.com.</em></p> </article> <article> <h1>Halsey's houses: Fox Ridge offered as plantation deteriorates</h1> <p>lisa — Mon, 21 May 2012 20:18:10 +0000</p> <p>The long unwinding of assets owned by internet millionaire Halsey Minor now includes his hometown property: Fox Ridge Farm, a 205-acre equestrian estate near Free Union. Quietly placed on the market in March, Fox Ridge originally carried an asking price of $14,495,000, according to brokers familiar with the offering, but the price has already dropped to $12 million.</p> <div class="sidebar"> <h2>Related stories</h2> <p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/69067/minor-buys-his-own-farm-foreclosure-auction">Minor buys his own farm at foreclosure auction</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/68930/d%C3%A3%C3%A2%C2%A9j%C3%A3%C3%A2%C2%A0-vu-halsey-minors-farm-back-foreclosure-proceedings">Déjà vu: Halsey Minor's farm back into foreclosure proceedings</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/67570/christies-toppled-jury-hands-minor-8-million-victory">Christie's toppled: Jury hands Minor $8 million victory</a></p> </div> <p>"It appears it's for sale," says one high-end real estate broker, who spoke on condition of anonymity and confirms that the price has dropped nearly $3 million since March. The quick discount is no guarantee that Fox Ridge, which does not appear in the Multiple Listing Service, will move.</p> <p>"Anything over eight digits is dead in this county," says the broker. "Not many people are looking for $10 million properties in Albemarle."</p> <p>Minor, best known these days in Charlottesville for his struggles as the owner of the unfinished Landmark hotel on the Downtown Mall, was co-founder of the successful CNet and other internet businesses. Despite making a nine-figure fortune, Minor now finds himself in the news for unpaid bills and bankruptcies, such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter%27s_Grove">historic Carter's Grove</a>– as well as lawsuits, including court battles against Merrill Lynch and the Sotheby's and Christie's auction houses.</p> <p>Minor allegedly is using the services of an auction firm (one that he hasn't been in litigation against) to sell off furnishings from Fox Ridge. Freeman's, America's oldest auction house, has a branch in Charlottesville.</p> <p>"We don't disclose any of our consigners unless they want us to," says a woman who claims she's the manager at the Charlottesville office of Freeman's and did not want her name in the paper.</p> <p>Twice, Fox Ridge has been under foreclosure– in 2009 and 2010. Neither Minor nor his father, <a href="http://www.minorproperties.com/">real estate broker Venable Minor</a>, returned phone calls from the <em>Hook</em>.</p> <p>Over in the Tidewater area, the <a href="http://hamptonroads.com/2012/05/carters-grove-mansion-possibly-perilous-disrepair"><em>Virginian-Pilot</em> reports</a> that the condition of historic Carter's Grove has seriously deteriorated since Minor contracted to purchase it from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for $15.3 million in 2007, and a bankruptcy judge is threatening sanctions against Minor.</p> <p>"I think the court was lied to," U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Stephen St. John reportedly said last week after discovering that the insurance policy on the 1755 mansion had lapsed, that its caretakers hadn't been paid in a month, and that utility companies were threatening to cut off lights and water.</p> <p>Minor hasn't made any payments on the property since 2010, and in a bankruptcy filing for his Carter's Grove LLC, indicates he's $12 million in debt. Among the liens now clamped on the property are $3.4 million Sotheby's says it's owed and $5 million for a private jet that Minor leased, <a href="http://www.vagazette.com/articles/2012/03/25/news/doc4f6f91178ca03526581914.txt">the <em>Virginia Gazette</em> reports</a>.</p> <p>Bankruptcy attorney Stanley J. Samorajczyk has been named trustee, and he's working to get water damage fixed and restore the air-conditioning and heating systems in anticipation of selling the 400-plus acre historic James River plantation.</p> <p>In Free Union, Fox Ridge will be competing against a couple of other properties in the over-$10-million range, according to the MLS of the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors, including Edgar Bronfman's 636-acre Georgetown Farm, which has been listed for several years and is now priced at $10.3 million.</p> <p>Fox Ridge is assessed at $3.7 million.</p> <p><em>Correction 11:15am: Samuel T. Freeman & Co. is based in Philadelphia, not Scotland.</em></p> </article> <article> <h1>No response: Huguely misses lawsuit's 21-day deadline</h1> <p>courteney — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:39:12 +0000</p> <p>When Sharon Love served a $30 million lawsuit on her daughter's convicted killer on April 26, by law, George Huguely had three weeks to respond. However, by the end of day 21, which was May 17, Huguely had only one response: silence.</p> <div class="sidebar"> <h2>Prior stories:</h2> <p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/103947/huguely-tape-court-allows-glimpses-exhibits">The Huguely tape: Court finally allows glimpses of evidence</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/103289/civil-squirm-huguely-must-testify-30-million-lawsuit">Civil squirm: Huguely must testify in $30 million lawsuit</a></p> <p>––</p> <p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/103203/time-sentence-huguely-fate-be-finalized-august-30">A time to sentence: Huguely fate to be finalized August 30</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/102800/huguely-how-f-she-dead">Huguely: 'How the f*** is she dead?'</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/102806/countdown-death-action-timeline-george-huguely-v">Countdown to death: An action timeline of George Huguely V</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/special/huguely-trial-coverage">–->Full Huguely trial coverage</a></p> </div> <p>In more typical civil suit situations, a defendant's failure to respond with a filing of his own could clear the way for a plaintiff to file a motion for summary judgment, says <em>Hook</em> legal analyst David Heilberg, who's quick to add that it won't likely work that way in this case.</p> <p>"He's incarcerated, so he has a right to a <em>guardian ad litem</em>," says Heilberg. Most often thought of as impartial legal advocates for children who are the subject of custody disputes, <em>guardians ad litem</em> are actually appointed in many situations in which the defendant is in some way incapacitated, and incarceration, says Heilberg, counts as incapacitation.</p> <p>"He's in jail, so it's a little more difficult to process legal papers and hire an attorney," explains Heilberg.</p> <p>During his February criminal trial, Huguely was represented by local defense team Fran Lawrence and Rhonda Quagliana. While that duo will continue to handle the criminal side of the case at least through Huguely's August 30 sentencing date, neither attorney returned the Hook's call by press time to answer questions about whether they will represent him through any appeals process or, for that matter, in the civil suit.</p> <p>If Huguely retains private counsel for the civil action, he could waive his right to the taxpayer funded <em>guardian ad litem</em>. In that case, says Heilberg, he'll have to get rolling on the responses.</p> <p>"He'll always have the opportunity to file a motion asking for an extension or relief," says Heilberg. "Then it's up to the court whether to extend the time."</p> </article> <article> <h1>Over Alan Jackson</h1> <p>hawes — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:09:11 +0000</p> <p>This is how the free Sunday evening concert that country music superstar Alan Jackson gave the people of Louisa County looked. The May 20 event was limited to a crowd of 6,000– 3,000 residents who got the free tickets and another 3,000 whose tickets will benefit the Louisa Education Foundation, which assist the schools in the earthquake-damaged county. Reports say the concert raised nearly $153,000.</p> </article> <article> <h1>Reassessment reflects need for upgrade</h1> <p>Samantha Masone — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:55:23 +0000</p> <p><span><b>3/30/12</b></span></p> <p><b>Albemarle</b></p> <p>Poplar Glen LLC to John V. Ashworth, 317 Poplar Glen Court, $335,341</p> <p>Carolyn Colette Lussier, attorney-in-fact for Catherine C. McDonald to Stein E. Kretsinger, 5911 Advance Mills Road, $351,000</p> <p><span>Adrian John & Anna M. MacDonald to Diane Lorraine & Mark Collins Delp, Sr., 3412 Turnberry Circle, $370,000 </span><span> </span></p> <p>Daboyz LLC to Patricia O. Lowry, 1425 Bremerton Lane, $370,000</p> <p>Ronald E. & Renee A. Hoffman to Laura H. Lippman, 75 Hickory Lane, $480,000</p> <p><span class="cameraIcon"></span>Julianna G Williams, Trustee, Julianna G. Williams Trust to Robert H. & Jane C. Miles, 815 Tanglewood Road, $500,000</p> <p>Gregory G. & Catherine E. Seals to Robin Theresa & Thomas Dean Burns, Jr., 646 Haden Lane, $650,000</p> <p>Edith L. Hawthorne, Trustee of the David E. Hawthorne, Jr. Revocable Trust Agreement to Elizabeth D. & James A. Shannon, Jr., 1129 Marion Drive, $765,000</p> <p><span>Oden L. Cornwell, Jr. to Farm Credit of the Virginias, </span><span>TM 134 Parcels 7A, 7A1, 7A2, & 7A3,</span><span> </span><span>TM135 Parcles 6A, 6B, 6C,</span><span> $977,000 </span></p> <p><b>Charlottesville</b></p> <p>Aaron M. Peters & Heidi Keup to Brian W. & Sarah V. Dawson, 1919 Greenbrier Drive, $330,000</p> <p>Market Street Cottages LLC to James T. & Kristin H. Solomon, 1515 East Market Street, $318,000</p> <p>Alastair, Heather & Margaret Elizabeth Morton to Ewa & James David Harr, Jr., 108 Robertson Avenue, $263,000</p> <p>Janice M. & Joachim C. Artale to Carrie Lee Pledger, 1600 Green Street, $167,000</p> <p>Clay James & Cathy Mays Summers to David R. & Lynn G. Diduch, 304 Montebello Circle, $450,000</p> <p>AHS Patriots LLC to Anne B., Elizabeth & Millard B. Norford, 404 13th Street NE, $185,000</p> <p><b>4/2/12</b></p> <p><b>Albemarle</b></p> <p>Pauline Elizabeth Cobbs, Joann Marie Harris, Mary Etta Jackson, & Michael Anthony Tinsley to Mohammed A. Al Khafajie, 2080 Proffit Station Road, $45,000 </p> <p>Virginia Land Trust, Charles William Hurt & Shirley L. Fisher, Trustees, to Wake LLC, 2410 Wakefield Road, $65,000</p> <p>Southern Property LLC to Mark A. & Courtney T. Roberts, 1718 Painted Sky Terrace, $212,500</p> <p>Southern Property LLC to Mark A. & Courtney T. Roberts, 1716 Painted Sky Terrace, $212,500</p> <p>Piedmont Realty & Construction LLC to Ujjwal Raut & Moni Baidya 2086 Avinity Loop, $264,599</p> <p>Richard C. & Joan M. Schilling to Christopher Stephen & Julie Anna Glascott, 3335 Turnberry Circle, $320,000</p> <p>Charles N. & Bonnie Sue Frazier to Lewis L. Nelson & Holly A. Downs, 1030 Deer Run Drive, $324,900</p> <p>Shu-Man & Felicia Gaskin Fu to Gregory B. & Meghan F. Steit, 1206 Redfields Road, $342,000</p> <p>Keith Alan & Maleah Z. Bauer to Timothy Scott & Bridget A. Houlahan, 3395 Turnberry Circle, $365,000</p> <p>Robert E. Mentzinger, Trustee of the Robert E. Mentzinger Revocable Living Trust to John Steele & Meghan S. Reynolds, 3310 Woodcreek Drive, $425,000</p> <p>Greg E. & Lisa L. Garwood to Edward Tginas & Hannah Rogers Barnaby, 1966 River Inn Lane, $565,000</p> <p><b>Charlottesville</b></p> <p>Charles Germscheid to Heather Downs & Neil Reeve, 104 Wilson Court, $352,000</p> <p>Octopus Property LLC to Lauren E. Noe. 715 Walker Square, Unit 3A, $143,900</p> <p>Octopus Property LLC to Lori & Thomas Morrell, 801 Walker Square, Unit 3B, $184,900</p> <p>Suzanne Dvells & William R. Morirsh to Alexander B. Price, 1923 Meadowbrook Road, $730,000</p> <p><b>4/3/12</b></p> <p><b>Albemarle</b></p> <p>Christin Douglas Long to Alicia A. Venturi, 300 Riverbend Drive , Unit 4C, $116,500</p> <p>Southern Property LLC to Kieran J. & Johanna S. O’Loughlin, 6727 Welbourne Lane, $145,000</p> <p>Hollymead Square LLC to Laura Pope & Amy E. O'Brien, 2718 Gatewood Circle, $148,000</p> <p>Eric M. Carbaugh to Elisabeth C. Demaynadier, Trustee, Elisabeth C. Demaynadier Revocable Trust, 1524 Minor Ridge Court, $180,000</p> <p>Jane C. Sarazin to Peter J. Portesi, 124 Buckingham Circle, Unit A $207,000</p> <p>NVR, Inc. to Jennifer A. Krahn, 1878 Verona Drive, $238,835</p> <p>Ann Baile Hamric to Christopher R. LeBlanc & Rachel D. G. Horvath, 1181 Foxvale Lane, $344,000</p> </article> <article> <h1>Seasonal migration</h1> <p>Bill Emory — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:25:49 +0000</p> <p>UVA held its finals exercises Sunday, May 20. Walking erect, smart phones in hand, they leave. We are all so sad.</p> <p><em>Humans have a highly developed brain and are capable of abstract reasoning, language, introspection, and problem solving. This mental capability, combined with an erect body carriage that frees the hands for manipulating objects, has allowed humans to make far greater use of tools than any other living species on Earth</em>.–<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human">Wikipedia</a><br />~<br /><em>Commentator Bill Emory puts up a new photo nearly every day at <a href="http://billemory.com/blog/">billemory.com/blog</a>.</em></p> </article> <article> <h1>Tow talk: Council votes 4-1 for advisory board</h1> <p>courteney — Tue, 22 May 2012 18:20:55 +0000</p> <p>After a reported spike in towing complaints from visitors to downtown Charlottesville, the city's towing laws are about to come under scrutiny as City Council voted 4-1 to form a towing advisory board, which will have the power, among other things, to suggest limiting the amount a tow company can charge.</p> <p>Currently, towing operators in Charlottesville can charge the state-allowed maximum of $125 during weekdays and $150 on weekends to transport a car– no matter how short the distance. Additional fees, however, can drive that price up.</p> <p>For instance, Collier's Towing Company tacks on a $25 release fee for after-business-hours vehicle retrieval, and the owners of lots can add a parking fee to make up for lost revenue.</p> <div class="sidebar"> <h2>Related stories</h2> <p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/103922/tow-tales">Towing tales: Like hassles, everybody has one</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/103925/tough-business-colliers-boss-talks-shop">Tough business: Collier's boss talks shop</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/103936/caveat-emptor-how-275-generates-145">Caveat emptor: How $2.75 generates $145</a></p> </div> <p>The advisory board formation comes in the wake of what assistant city manager David Ellis described to Council as an increase in complaints from residents and visitors alleging "unfair, dangerous or unprofessional towing practices."</p> <p>Several councilors expressed doubts at the May 21 meeting about the need for such a board.</p> <p>"Why isn't the first course of action talking to these vendors and trying to get an understanding as to what is going on from their perspective," asked Kathy Galvin. "Does it need better signage? Better posting?"</p> <p>Several tow truck operators were in attendance at the meeting, and Collier's owner Glenda Jones accepted the Councilors' invitation to speak.</p> <p>"I don't dispute the board," Jones told council. "What I do dispute is the people looking down on us as bad people... We're doing a job we're paid to do."</p> <p>By state law, the advisory board would include two towing operators, two police officers, and one member of the general public (with an alternate citizen also appointed). Councilor Dave Norris pointed out that the proposed board's composition, as dictated by state law, leaves something out.</p> <p>"I feel like it's missing the most important element, parking lot owners," said Norris, before casting the only negative vote.</p> <p>"I felt like the towing companies, you can love em or hate em, but ultimately they're hired by the lot owners," Norris explains the day after the meeting. "If they changed the way they run the lots, we wouldn't have this issue."</p> <p>Norris says the advisory board will likely be appointed this summer, and, after drafting a new ordinance that council will need to approve, will meet once per year.</p> </article> <article> <h1>Weschler's world: Berkshire Hathaway buys 'Daily Progress'</h1> <p>lisa — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:27:51 +0000</p> <p>Ted Weschler has just become an even bigger media mogul in Charlottesville. That's because his boss, Warren Buffett, just bought most of debt-laden Media General's newspapers, and Weschler, co-owner of the <em>Hook</em> and <em>C-Ville Weekly</em>, finds himself <a href="http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/">orchestrating the purchase</a> of the <em>Daily Progress</em>.</p> <div class="sidebar"> <h2>Prior stories</h2> <p>• <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/71488/worrells-world-ex-dp-boss-re-envisions-newsbiz">Worrell's world: ex-DP boss re-envisions newsbiz</a></p> <p>• <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/71997/daily-progress-lays-6-employees">Daily Progress lays off 6 employees</a></p> <p>• <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/70376/partners-progress-hooks-growth-watchers">Partners: Progress hooks up with growth-watchers</a></p> <p>• <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/70735/stock-soars-progress-parent-company-back-black">Stock soars: As Progress parent company back in black</a></p> <p>• <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/73905/carriers-canned-post-farms-out-local-delivery">Carriers canned as Post farms out local delivery</a><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/files/old/stories/2005/01/06/newsLavishingiprogressiEmp.html"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/files/old/stories/2005/01/06/newsLavishingiprogressiEmp.html">Lavishing: 'Progress' employees get $8 gift</a></p> </div> <p>Oh, and Weschler is a contributor to Charlottesville Tomorrow, a nonprofit news agency that provides free content to the <em>Progress</em>.</p> <p>With all those fingers in print media pies, the first thing Weschler tells a reporter in an exclusive interview is, "Berkshire has over 70 individual operating units. Warren takes pride in letting them run autonomously."</p> <p>That means Weschler is not going to be hands-on at the <em>Progress</em>, or the <em>Richmond Times-Dispatch</em>, or the <em>Madison Eagle</em> or any of the 60 other Media General newspapers now joining the BH Media Group, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.</p> <p>"I will have zero to do with the newspapers," says Weschler, who was tapped last September as one of Buffett's two top investment strategists and a potential heir apparent to the 81-year-old Oracle of Omaha.</p> <p>"I sit at the top of the house at Berkshire Hathaway," says Weschler. "Warren is the chief capital allocator."</p> <p>As the world's best-known "value investor," the Berkshire CEO has a long history of <a href="http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/subs/sublinks.html">buying businesses</a> that he thinks can make money, and that's why <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/100785/buffetted-weschler-invest-warrens-shareholders">he chose Weschler</a>, who founded the successful Peninsula Capital hedge fund and who shares a similar style of money-making.</p> <p>So what about buying the papers of Media General, the venerable-but-debt-saddled Richmond firm best known as the home of the <em>Richmond Times-Dispatch</em>?</p> <p>"This was surreal," says Weschler, who lives in Charlottesville and commutes to Omaha.</p> <p>"[Buffett] walked into my office three weeks ago," says Weschler, "and said, 'This could be an interesting opportunity, and it involves your hometown.'"</p> <p>Buffett is a well-known fan of newspapers. He owns a large chunk of the <em>Washington Post</em>, had an <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/warren-buffett-opens-love-life-snowball-article-1.326077">affair with late <em>Post</em> publisher Kay Graham</a>, and proudly owns the <em>Buffalo News</em> as well as his hometown's <em>Omaha World-Herald</em>.</p> <p>"In towns and cities where there is a strong sense of community, there is no more important institution than the local paper," Buffett says in a release about the deal to buy all of Media General's papers (except for a group in Tampa). Team Omaha will pay $142 million cash and supply a $400 million loan to get creditors off MG's back so it can repay a $362 million loan.</p> <p>Weschler echoes Buffett: "If a sense of community is important, papers are important. It's unclear how newspapers will evolve over time, but they are of fundamental importance."</p> <p>Also unclear, says Weschler, is how newspapers will play out economically.</p> <p>One bit of bright news for newspaper lovers: the relatively recent Berkshire acquisition, the <em>Omaha World-Herald</em>, is profitable, says Weschler.</p> <p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/berkshire-hathaway-buying-richmond-times-dispatch-other-media-general-papers/2012/05/17/gIQAzWf5VU_story.html">Berkshire Hathaway paid $200 million</a> for that group of 24 midwest papers last fall, making its $142 million acquisition of 63 Media General papers seem something of a bargain. How prices have fallen. In 1995, then owner Thomas A. Worrell Jr. sold the <em>Progress</em> as the flagship of a mere 29-paper chain to Media General for $230 million.</p> <p>More problematic for Weschler may be his role as co-owner of two Charlottesville weeklies.</p> <p>"I've got to wrestle through what me being on the board of the <em>Hook</em> and <em>C-Ville</em> means," he admits. "I briefed Warren. I think he thought it was a curiosity. The <em>Hook</em> and <em>C-Ville</em> are relatively small compared to the broad newspaper operations of Berkshire."</p> <p>Complicating matters are Weschler's financial contributions to Charlottesville Tomorrow, which– in a much-heralded 2009 deal– began providing free content to the <em>Progress</em>, which competes with the two weeklies for stories and ad dollars.</p> <p>"My support of Charlottesville Tomorrow predated its deal with the <em>Daily Progress</em>," notes Weschler.</p> <p>Over at the daily paper, whose employees have recently faced unpaid furloughs as the parent corporation tried to tighten its debt-bloated belt, an ebullient-sounding Lawrence McConnell, publisher of the <em>Progress</em>, leaves a message for the <em>Hook</em>: "We're very excited about all this latest development."</p> <p>When the <em>Hook</em> finally catches up with McConnell a day later, he says he had no idea about the deal until Thursday, May 17.</p> <p>"Anytime a business is put up for sale, there's uncertainty," says McConnell. "We now have clarity about the future because the new owner is committed to community journalism for the long term."</p> <p>In Richmond, BH Media execs met with <em>Times-Dispatch</em> employees Thursday morning, about a month before the planned June 25 close of the deal, and reassured them that Berkshire typically did not cut staff when making an acquisition.</p> <p>"It sounds like good news," says former <em>Progress</em> reporter Bob Gibson, who now runs UVA's Sorensen Institute. "It sounds like a firm that knows about investing in newspapers is investing in newspapers. They are in the business as serious investors."</p> <p>Over in the <em>Hook</em> newsroom, employees are scratching their heads about how Weschler's and Buffett's love of newspapers will play out at a small non-Berkshire Hathaway paper.</p> <p>"Like many higher powers, Ted moves in strange and mysterious ways," says <em>Hook</em> editor Hawes Spencer, who is in the unusual position of working under Weschler and also along with him as a shareholder of the <em>Hook</em>. "I don't know how it's all going to shake out."</p> <p><em>Updated May 18 with additional comment from Lawrence McConnell.</em></p> </article> <article> <h1>What's the most dangerous thing you'll do this summer?</h1> <p>Rory Wall — Tue, 22 May 2012 17:41:14 +0000</p> <p><span style="float:none;"></span></p> </article> <article> <h1>Property auctions</h1> <p>Hook Staff — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:33:03 +0000</p> <p><strong>May 31 at 11am at the </strong><strong>Albemarle Courthouse</strong><strong><br />Property:</strong> 5020 Harris Brook Lane, North Garden<br /> <strong>Debtor:</strong> Jeanette B. Cowan <br /> <strong>Original amount owing:</strong> $66,332<br /> <strong>Bidder brings:</strong> 10 percent sale price<br /> <strong>Info:</strong> Wittstadt Title & Escrow 866-503-4930</p> <p><strong>June 1 at 1pm at the </strong><strong>Albemarle Courthouse</strong><strong><br />Property:</strong> 1608 Townwood Court<br /> <strong>Debtor:</strong> Moises Loredo, Carol Loredo Alvarez, and Luis Carlos Flores Ugalde <br /> <strong>Original amount owing:</strong> $190,500<br /> <strong>Bidder brings:</strong> $19,000 or 10 percent sale price<br /> <strong>Info:</strong> Rosenberg & Associates LLC 301-907-8000</p> <p><strong>June 6 at 4pm at the </strong><strong>Charlottesville Circuit Court</strong><br /><strong>Property:</strong> 235 Hartmans Mill Road<br /><strong>Debtor:</strong> Wallace C. Dowell and Antoinette R. Thomas<br /><strong>Original amount owing:</strong> $156,000<br /><strong>Bidder brings:</strong> $15,000 or 10 percent sale price<br /><strong>Info:</strong> Shapiro, Brown & Alt LLP 757-687-8777</p> <p><em>[This compilation was culled from published accounts of auctions scheduled by creditors. Such plans may change if the alleged debt is satisfied.]</em></p> </article> <article> <h1>Table of contents</h1> <p>courteney — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:53:18 +0000</p> <p><strong>COVER</strong><br /><strong>Death defying summer</strong><br />Letting kids drive? Taking a cliff dive? The fun and danger never ends this summer if you follow some of these ideas. But if you're the more cautious type, we've got plenty for you, too, from berry picking to skinny dipping (if you dare) to staking out a hot spot to watch the sunset. And if you're the <em>really </em>cautious type, we'll help you obsess over summer's most terrifying menaces. Then see how much you enjoy swimming in that warm, stagnant water...</p> <p><strong>DISH</strong><br /><strong>Chillin'</strong><br />Pantops just got a little cooler with the arrival of a new self-serve frozen yogurt shop. And while Sweet Frogs has already leaped into the hearts of children with their candy toppings and multiple flavors, the owners of the brand new Bloop claim their sweet treats are the healthiest in the land.<br /><br /></p> <p><strong>MOVIE REVIEW</strong><br /><strong>Dictating laughs</strong><br />Sacha Baron Cohen is back in character, this time as the titular dictator of an imaginary Middle Eastern country. Roger Ebert confirms that, as usual with Cohen's films, there's something to offend everyone. But could it be the Dictator is a little kinder and gentler than Cohen's previous roles?</p> <p><strong>REAL ESTATE</strong><br /><strong>Minor's mansion</strong><br />Add another property to the list of beleaguered internet millionaire Halsey Minor's assets that are up for sale. His hometown estate, Fox Ridge, is quietly listed for $12 million according to real estate sources. At $8 million over assessment, however, this could be a tough sell.</p> </article> <article> <h1>Bears and bobcats</h1> <p>Linda Sherman — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:20:43 +0000</p> </article> <article> <h1>The week in review</h1> <p>Hook Staff — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:37:47 +0000</p> <p><strong>Best sign Virginia isn't for all lovers:</strong> The House of Delegates, led by Bob Marshall, torpedoes the nomination of Richmond prosecutor Tracy Thorne-Begland to General District Court judge because he's gay in a 1am May 15 vote, <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2012/05/tracy_thorne_begland_and_the_virginia_house_of_delegates_the_state_legislature_rejects_the_judicial_nomination_of_a_prosecutor_just_because_he_s_gay_.html">Dahlia Lithwick reports for <em>Slate</em></a>. Marshall objects that Thorne-Begland, a former Navy officer, spoke out about "Don't ask, don't tell" more than 20 years ago, and considers himself married, which is illegal for gay people in Virginia.</p> <p><strong>Local delegates opposing the nomination of a gay judge: </strong>Delegates Rob Bell and Matt Fariss vote against Thorne-Begland, while Steve Landes takes a "Rule 69" abstention, which means not voting because of a conflict of interest. The three Republicans approved all 40 other judicial nominations.</p> <p><strong>Newest area judges:</strong> Orange prosecutor Richard Moore, who was fired by Albemarle Commonweath's Attorney Denise Lunsford when she was elected in 2007, is approved as 16th District Juvenile and Domestic Relations judge, and J&DR Judge Susan Whitlock moves up to 16th District Circuit Court.</p> <p><span class="headlines"><strong>Biggest breach:</strong> Piedmont Airlines pilot Bruce Dieter, 52, who lives in </span><span class="headlines">Barboursville, is arrested May 18 in Buffalo trying to board a flight with a loaded .357 Magnum in his bag, and the Transportation Security Administration says he'd flown seven flights with the gun. <a href="http://www.nbc29.com/story/18564482/former-co-worker-speaks-on-pilot-arrested-on-handgun-charges">NBC29 reports</a> that former coworkers say Dieter had been on vacation and probably forgot the gun was in his bag.<br /></span></p> <p><span class="headlines"><strong>Biggest bequest:</strong> Board of Visitors member and former rector Heywood Fralin and his wife Cynthia Fralin donate their 40-piece American art collection to the UVA Art Museum, which will be renamed the Fralin Museum of Art. The collection includes works by John </span><span class="headlines">Singer </span><span class="headlines">Sargent, Mary Cassatt, and Robert Henri, and the museum is getting a 20,000-square-foot addition to house its growing collection, according to a release. </span></p> <p><span class="headlines"><strong>Biggest loss of a citizen exemplar:</strong> Bunny Murray, 91, matriarch of the Panorama Farms Murray clan, dies May 19. Murray raised eight sons, was a noted conservationist, volunteer, and along with her husband, Jim, received the Paul Goodloe McIntire Award from the Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce in 1991.</span></p> <p><span class="headlines"><strong>Biggest local sale:</strong> Silverchair Learning Systems, which employs about 80 people, is purchased by Vista Equity Partners out of California for an undisclosed amount, Nate Delesline III reports in the <em>Progress</em>.</span></p> <p><span class="headlines"><strong>Biggest boost for Hillsdale Drive Extension and Belmont Bridge:</strong> VDOT agrees to cough up the cash for those projects in return for Albemarle's okaying the Western 29 bypass last summer, <a href="http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2012/05/vdot-funding.html">according to Charlottesville Tomorrow.</a></span></p> <p><strong>Worst infanticide:</strong> Staunton mom <span class="headlines">Ashkea Johnson, 19, gets 28 years May 17 for smothering her two-month old baby with a plastic diaper bag in 2009, <a href="http://www.nbc29.com/story/18504026/staunton-woman-sentenced-to-28-years-for-smothering-her-baby">according to NBC29.</a></span></p> <p><span class="headlines"><strong>Worst way to commit suicide:</strong> Verona man </span>William Kerry, 60, steps into the path of a northbound I-81 tractor trailer May 19 driven by Robert Smith, 51, of Winnemucca, Nevada, the <em><a href="http://www.newsleader.com/article/20120520/NEWS01/205200333/1002/rss">News Leader</a></em> reports. Last month, a woman did the same on I-81 near Mint Spring.</p> <p><span class="headlines"><strong>Worst news for some golfers:</strong> The Charlottesville parks board votes 7-2 to ax golf from McIntire Park by 2020, <a href="http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2012/05/mcintire-plan-recommendation.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+cvilletomorrow_rss+%28Charlottesville+Tomorrow+News+Center%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">Charlottesville Tomorrow reports</a>. The recommendation goes to City Council later this year.</span></p> <p><strong>Latest Harrisonburg cop to kill a household animal:</strong> Sergeant Russell Metcalf is charged with animal cruelty and reckless handling of a firearm for killing a 10-month-old family dog named Sadie while he was riding a bicycle in Sadie's neighborhood, <a href="http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/Harrisonburg_Officer_Charged_with_Killing_Dog_152047025.html">WHSV reports</a>. Last November, an officer offered to euthanize a cat that had been hit by a car, and <a href="http://www.whsv.com/home/headlines/Police_Kill_Dying_Cat_Resident_Upset__134285278.html">bludgeoned it to death</a> with his nightstick.</p> <p><strong>Best draw:</strong> Afton resident Betty Carter, 70, wins $4 million May 10 in a four-state lottery called Decades of Dollars. Carter bought the ticket at her favorite store, the Royal Mart in Waynesboro, <a href="http://www.newsleader.com/article/20120518/NEWS01/205180318/1002/rss">according to the <em>News Leader</em></a>.</p> <p><strong>Best military appreciation:</strong> On May 19– Armed Forces Day– the National Park Service begins issuing an annual pass good for free entrance to all 397 national parks for active duty military members and their dependents.</p> <p><strong><br /></strong></p> </article> <article> <h1>New frogurt: Bloop plops down on Pantops</h1> <p>Dave McNair — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:57:17 +0000</p> <p>Like a cool dollop of twisty soft-serve ice-cream falling slowly in circles from the machine as it shapes a mound on a crispy sweet cone, Charlottesville's newest self-serve frozen yogurt joint has settled down on Pantops mountain. Taking a cue from the success of self-serve yogurtery <a target="_self" href="http://www.readthehook.com/100232/sweet-taste-success-sweet-frog"><strong>Sweet Frog</strong></a>, a budding franchise called <strong>Bloop Frozen Yogurt</strong> had a Grand Opening on <strong>Saturday</strong>, <strong>May 19</strong>.</p> <p>"We're self-serve like Sweet Frog, but are much more focused on the health conscious side," says owner <strong>Eric Dalton</strong>. "We don't use syrups. If you get a strawberry frozen yogurt, its made with strawberries. And our yogurt features live, pro-biotic cultures."<br /><br />Dalton, a Charlottesville resident, helped open the first of three Bloops in <strong>Lynchburg.</strong> Less than a year ago, he and his wife, <strong>Brittney</strong>, along with business partner <strong>Brian Lambert</strong>, started making plans to open their own Bloop in Charlottesville. They will also be opening another store in <strong>Greensboro</strong>, North Carolina. But they plan on making Charlottesville their home base. <br /><br />The Daltons also hope to bring a charitable focus to their new brand. Having adopted four children themselves, they will be giving away free yogurt to area foster kids, and their "Cup 4 a Cup" initiative sends 5 cents to the <strong><a target="_self" href="http://www.charitywater.org/">Charity: water</a> </strong>every time someone buys a cup of yogurt, which will help the non-profit provide clean drinking water in developing nations. <br /><br />As a marketing pro, Dalton helped establish the franchise <strong>Panera Bread</strong> in Charlottesville, but this is the first time he's set out on his own. <br /><br />Saturday's event, in that new and architecturally interesting development across from the Department of Motor Vehicles, the <strong>Luxor Commercial Center</strong>, was a fun family one. There was a bounce house and balloon guy there, prizes and games, and 20 lucky people had a chance to win free frozen yogurt for a year.</p> </article> <article> <h1>Sweating for sweets: Paradox Bakery comes to Glass Building</h1> <p>Dave McNair — Sun, 20 May 2012 05:34:39 +0000</p> <p>Amidst construction work, unopened equipment boxes, stacked furniture, the smell of fresh paint, and general chaos, a chocolate layer cake sits temptingly on a high table covered with a dusting of sawdust. <strong>Paradox Pastry</strong> owner <strong>Jenny Peterson</strong>, her hands stained with paint, hopes there will be many more such tempting treats on display before the month is out. Work on her location in the <strong>Glass Building</strong>, right next to the <strong>Bluegrass Grill & Bakery</strong>, began a few months ago, and the high-ceilinged, light-filled space has a industrial cathedral feel to it. The cake was sinfully good, too. <br /><br />But there is a paradox.<br /><br />In addition to being a graduate of the <strong>Cordon Bleu</strong> cooking school in<strong> Paris</strong>, where she worked in one of the city's most well-known boulangerie-patisseries, Peterson is one of Charlottesville's most popular personal trainers. In 2008, <em>C-ville Weekly </em>readers voted her the best in that category, and the contradiction between helping people shed pounds while creating treats that serve to pack them on is not lost on her. Hence the bakery's name. In Peterson's mind, however, there's no reason why you "can't have your cake and eat it too," enjoying both the runner's high and the sweet tooth's. <br /><br />"Why have cake if you can't eat it?" she says. "Plus, I can also help you work it off."<br /><br />The store was a long time in the making, too. For several years, Peterson ran her bakery business out of her basement while she worked at <strong>ACAC</strong> as a trainer, slowly adding equipment and building a client base. She made pastries and cakes for the <strong>Boar's Head Inn</strong>, for the former wine bar <strong>Enoteca</strong>, and other places. Paradox will serve cakes, pies, tarts, croissants, cookies, as well and soups, salads, and sandwiches. Plenty of good coffee, too. And she also plans to bring beer and wine into the mix, and stay open until 10pm. <br /><br />The paradox inherent in Peterson's career choices could also make the place unique. A confessed sports fanatic, she has installed a wide-screen TV for catching the latest games, and she promises there will be a high-energy feel to the shop. Indeed, the open kitchen is in the center of the bakery, and one can already imagine rowdy sports fans, dainty tart eaters, and cappuccino sippers all being served by Peterson's energetic staff. <br /><br />"This is not going to be your grandma's bakery," she promises. <br /><br /></p> </article> </main></body></html>