Tuesday, October 3
Down from the Paramount
The man in large part responsible for rehabilitating the Paramount is moving on. Paramount President and CEO Chad Hershner has resigned after five and a half years spent raising $16 million to refurbish the performance venue on the Downtown Mall, according to a press release today from the Paramount. No word about where Hershner is off to, but before coming to Charlottesville, he worked similar rebuilding magic for a Pennsylvania performing arts center.
Wednesday, October 4
Morgan Almighty
Organizers of the 19th Annual Virginia Film Festival announced today the addition of veteran actor Morgan Freeman to the event’s guest list. Freeman was in Crozet recently wrapping up the filming of his role as God in Evan Almighty. Ostensibly, he returns to the area to present his latest work, 10 Items or Less, but we’re betting it’s really for the delectable pies at Crozet Pizza. Freeman joins other high-profile actors Robert Duvall and Liev Schreiber for the film festival, which runs October 26-29.
Thursday, October 5
Questions we never asked
It’s always unfortunate when journalists become the news instead of reporting it. Lacey Phillabaum, who was a staff writer at C-VILLE briefly in early 2005, has pleaded guilty to one count of arson, conspiracy to commit arson, and use of a destructive device during a violent crime, The Seattle Times reports today. Along with fellow Earth Liberation Front (ELF) member Jennifer Kolar, who also pleaded guilty, Phillabaum burned down the University of Washington Center for Urban Horticulture in May 2001, aiming to destroy what they thought were genetically engineered crops. Additionally, they set fire to a professor’s office and caused $7 million in damage. At the time of her employment, C-VILLE was unaware that Phillabaum was actually making the news she was supposed to be covering. She faces three to five years in federal prison for the charges.
Friday, October 6
Stories from the force
The Jefferson Ballroom at the Omni Charlottesville Hotel was the site of official police business this evening: the Charlottesville Police Department’s Awards and Recognition ceremony, which celebrates promoted, long-term, and retiring officers, as well as those who showed particular excellence during the past year. “I feel very privileged to work in a community with such a skilled set of law enforcers,” said Chief Tim Longo, who presided over the ceremony. Longo shared personal stories involving commended officers, notably Betty Stokes, a crossing guard for 35 years who “never missed a day of work,” and Shawn R. Bayes, nicknamed “the inch-high private eye” and “the gnome of justice,” who received a promotion to sergeant. Among the commended officers were two case agents involved in the arrest of convicted local gang leader Louis Antonio Bryant.
Saturday, October 7
Brooks returning to form
For two years, UVA and Ahmad Brooks had a great thing going, with Brooks wracking up tackles and the team wracking up wins. But after the relationship dissolved in the spring, when Brooks was booted from the team for undisclosed reasons, things are looking down for the Cavs—who lose today to East Carolina (East Carolina?!)—and up for Ahmad, who is on the rise with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports today that Brooks is earning more playing time and has moved from middle to strong-side linebacker, where he’s needed to help stop the run.
Sunday, October 8
Another Goode idea
U.S. Congressman for Virginia’s fifth district, Virgil Goode, is again ahead of the conservative pack in opposing cooperation with our neighbors—namely, Mexico and Canada. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports today that Goode is asking the House to pass a resolution opposing a North American union between the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The Bush administration has said the union would merely improve security and economic cooperation—it would not be similar to the European Union, and would not prompt a North American Free Trade Agreement (N.A.F.T.A.) “superhighway” that would connect the three countries. Though Goode acknowledged he hasn’t seen any written proposals for such a thing, he calls his resolution “preventative maintenance.” Goode was previously first to the punch over a 2000-mile fence along the U.S.’s southern border, proving his visionary stance in the tough-on-immigration debate.
Monday, October 9
Sell! Sell!
“George Allen, businessman,” may be the newest character to affect the Virginia senator’s re-election campaign (“George Allen, cowpoke” takes a momentary backseat). The Associated Press reports today that Allen failed to disclose stock options he received for work with Virginia-based technology companies between stints as governor and senator. Allen supposedly did not report his stock options on his Senate disclosure reports because their value was lower than their price tag, suggesting a loss. In his defense, Allen’s office told the AP that he acted in “good faith” because he considered the stocks “worthless.” The senator has asked the Senate Ethics Committee for guidance in the matter and will reportedly abide by its decision.
