Political pop quiz #314: Let’s say you’re a former governor of Virginia who has improbably clawed his way into the U.S. Senate race, besting a moderate (and moderately popular) congressional bigwig by relentlessly courting the party’s right-wing base, and then reaping the benefits when the Commonwealth’s conservative coronation is switched from the traditional general primary […]
Of all the bands on the ATO Records roster—including those impressive Brit-wits, Radiohead—no group exemplifies the label’s commitment to making careers rather than records than My Morning Jacket. Since the release of It Still Moves in 2003, the Jacket has released roughly one album or EP each year on ATO Records, save a dry spell […]
After years of tweaking, polishing and adding features, the guys at EA Tiburon have finally pinned most of the elements of simulated college football down, leaving the developers free to focus on what really matters. Mascot games. No, seriously, while it’s certainly hysterical to watch a front line of Bucky Badgers side-flipping through the hapless […]
Hear that giant sucking sound of greenbacks whooshing down voracious twin vortexes of grocery store and gas station? Consider getting rid of currency altogether and trading directly with your fellow citizens. What I found, taking a dip in the local barter scene, is a bit more complicated. Bartering can be a one-time event or a […]
Looming over the barter economy is the specter of tax liability. Caroline Wilson, enrolled agent and master tax advisor for H&R Block in Charlottesville, says, “Bartering for us from a tax standpoint is very simple: It’s income. Scrip currency is treated for tax purposes as though it were U.S. cash.” She says most people wouldn’t […]
SBN currently has around 40 members with an active website and frequent e-mails. Join by clicking on the Yahoo! group’s link on their website (search “Scottsville barter network”), though you don’t have to be a member to access the directory of goods and services (sustainablescottsville.com/barter). The group has an open meeting the first Tuesday of […]
All modern local currencies trace back to Ithaca Hours, the oldest, largest and most successful system of scrip in the U.S. Established in 1991 in Cornell University’s hometown, it was the spawn of a quintessential “granola community.” Alas, as is the way of many socially conscious movements, a schism occurred and founder Paul Glover’s ithacahours.com […]
Dear Ace: The photos hanging in the trees on the Downtown Mall were really cool. Where did they go? And can I get one?—John I. Candy John: If anyone’s getting one, pal, it’s gonna be yours truly. Those photographs were awesome, and Ace thinks one would look perfect hanging above the fireplace in his bedroom […]
Few members of the Board of Visitors have been as influential as Gordon Rainey, who this year steps down from the BOV after two four-year terms.
Jordan Taylor Age: 31 Year: Graduate student Jordan Taylor Concentration: EnglishHometown: RichmondWhat’s in your backpack? Moleskine notebook, Landscape and Race in the United States by Richard Schein, bandanna, glass, 25 cent flipbook from a kid at Milano, keys, CD from WTJU, map of MoMA, condoms, dust jacket for Kalooki Nights by Howard Jacobson, Monument Avenue […]