Septuagenarian “New Journalist” to address grads

All right, so you may not have attended “Mr. Jefferson’s University” as an undergrad. Maybe you don’t have a “degree,” or a “job,” but that doesn’t mean you can’t come out and join the celebration during Finals Weekend 2006. And why not show a little love for the grads? It’s not like this is Durham or something.

Capshaw to buy Jefferson Theater

A change can do a body good. And a refreshing change is what Hawes Spencer hopes will come to the mixed-use Jefferson Theater building, the Downtown stalwart and second-run movie palace, now that he is selling it to local megadeveloper Coran Capshaw.

SELC slams County overbuilding

A new report from the Southern Environmental Law Center warns that Albemarle County is overbuilding retail outlets, and that the shopping glut threatens economic vitality, the environment and Albemarle denizens\’ quality of life.

Monticello opens Montalto to public

On a recent sky-blue spring day Monticello hosted a gaggle of reporters atop Montalto, the mountain across from Monticello that the Thomas Jefferson Foundation snatched from the poised paws of hovering developers last year when the property came up for sale. The occasion for mountaintop sunning? On May 1, twice-daily tours of the property began, continuing whenever the weather is fine through October.

UVA workers have it Relatively good

Maria sighs, leans against the wall and smiles wearily: “I’m tired,” she says. “I already worked today, at the dry cleaners.” It’s nearly 5pm and Maria is about to start her shift as a UVA housekeeper, cleaning Bryan Hall. “It’s a lot of hours,” says Maria, but she depends on both part-time jobs to pay the bills. Neither provides benefits.

Exploring the nature of evil

Jennifer L. Geddes, an associate professor of religious studies and co-program director at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture at UVA, is currently researching a book titled The Rhetoric of Evil, How People Think and Talk about Evil. Her work has been gaining national notoriety at a time when politicians and cable news personalities increasingly use “evil” to describe everyone from murderous despots to members of Congress. We asked Geddes why we should think twice before declaring something “evil.” Here\’s some of what she had to say.—Jay Neelley

Hoos news gets serious

The recent “living wage” activities attracted boatloads of local media attention, but one special report you probably haven’t seen is creating a buzz around campus.

New faculty tomes hit the shelf

O.K., it\’s nearly summertime, but that doesn\’t mean you should let your brain rot for three months. Keep the academic vibe alive by digging into these books from UVA faculty, ready just in time for the dog days.—Esther Brown