The corporate co-opting of "local"

HSBC, one of the biggest banks on the planet, has taken to calling itself “the world’s local bank.” Winn-Dixie, a 500-outlet supermarket chain, recently launched a new ad campaign under the tagline “Local flavor since 1956.” The International Council of Shopping Centers, a global consortium of mall owners and developers, is pouring millions of dollars […]

Local Food Hub linking farm and table in five counties

Think of the Hub as a missing link. Enthusiasm runs high in these parts for local food—it represents an alternative to the big-box way of doing business, among other much-discussed benefits. But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy for consumers to find or for farmers to market and distribute. To close the gap between supply […]

Staff cases of swine flu prompt info campaign

Of the 249 cases of swine flu in Virginia, 2 percent, or five total have been in the Thomas Jefferson health region, which includes Greene, Fluvanna, Albemarle, Nelson and Louisa counties. Two have been UVA employees, and Marge Sidebottom, University director of emergency preparedness, says she expects there to be more.
So, as the fall approaches and Charlottesville becomes congested with students, UVA officials are preparing for the possible increase of swine flu cases.

Monticello naturalization ceremony was Tom x 2

Last Saturday, under a cloudless sky, Congressman Tom Perriello addressed new citizens and onlookers at the 47th Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony on July 4th at Monticello. Sixty-six people from 35 countries took the Oath of Citizenship, becoming Americans in front of roughly 1,800 family members, friends, and well-wishers.

Both hands on the wheel, texters!

The rules of the road changed for Virginia drivers on July 1. The Virginia General Assembly banned texting while driving, making the action a secondary offense punishable by a $20 fine and $50 on a subsequent offense. Police aren’t able to pull drivers over solely because they are texting, says Charlottesville Police Sgt. Mike Farruggio, but police can ticket drivers if they were texting while committing a primary offense such as speeding.

Underground petroleum tanks mar Albemarle drinking water

People who are buying houses have plenty to think about. There’s the matter of how much to offer and what type of mortgage to take out. There’s the need to get a home inspection and consider whether any problems —leaky roof, sagging porch—are worth asking the sellers to fix before closing. You have to arrange to move from wherever you’re living; you have to get termite, water and septic tests; you have to deal with title companies and insurance companies and interest rates and points. And all this comes after the decisions about who your agent will be and, of course, which property you want to buy.