More money for fair trials

Correction appended “You have the right to an attorney”—it’s basic info well known to anyone who’s worn the cuffs a time or two. In the good ol’ U.S. of A., you have a right to a lawyer, even if you can’t afford one. But in Virginia, the system that provides counsel to the state’s poorest […]

What a difference a day makes

Six millimeters could’ve made all the difference for Christopher Allen Smith. While many cities have regulations that go beyond the federal rules on imitation firearms, all meet one minuscule requirement: “Each toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm shall have…a blaze orange plug inserted into the barrel of such toy…recessed no more than six millimeters from the […]

In her shoes

On Sunday, April 29, a slew of good sports of the male persuasion donned stilettos for a fundraising walk through the Downtown Mall to benefit the Sexual Assault Resource Agency. We’re not really sure what walking in high heels has to do with sexual assault (it is harder to run away in those things, of […]

BOV issues slavery apology

The University of Virginia has seen a lot of changes since founder Thomas Jefferson’s time. If ‘ol TJ were still around today, he’d likely be surprised to find computers instead of parchment, cars instead of horses and a student body including women and minorities instead of only white men. Not to mention the fact that […]

New provost named

President John T. Casteen, III announced April 27 that medical school dean Dr. Arthur “Tim” Garson will take over as provost when Gene D. Block becomes chancellor at UCLA this summer. Garson is already serving with Executive Vice President Leonard Sandridge as co-chair of the mysterious-sounding Commission on the Future of the University. Garson headed […]

Circadian rhythm nation

Outgoing University of Virginia Vice President and Provost Gene D. Block emphasized the importance of science faculty recruitment in an April 12 presentation to the Board of Visitors’ Special Commission on Planning. Last month’s recommendations will be some of the last for Block in Charlottesville; he will begin work as chancellor at UCLA by August […]

Jon Stewart will not seek the nomination

“He’s a comedian; he’s very funny.” This was the description of Jon Stewart I overheard a ticket-taker giving a pleasant-looking older couple as they entered the John Paul Jones Arena last Saturday. I had to wonder how they ended up there without a clue as to who Jon Stewart is. Whatever, by the time Stewart’s […]

Breaking ground on a planned utopia

Charlottesville may be a hotbed of green architecture—after all, it’s home to William (Cradle to Cradle) McDonough and legions of his followers—but it lacks actual green developments on a large scale. That’s the contention of Chris Schooley, who’s leading the charge by local development company Stonehaus to create a sustainable community nearly out of thin […]

Fifeville going before state board next month

A year and a half ago, the National Register of Historic Places began work designating the Charlottesville neighborhood that is roughly bounded by Cherry Avenue to the south; the railway to the north; Fourth Street SW to the east; and Spring Street to the west. It is 56 acres altogether, perhaps headed for historic landmark […]