Slam-dunk summer
Sky-high temps didn’t deter area basketball players and fans, who braved the heat for the Tonsler League All-Star Weekend August 12 and 13.
On Saturday, the self-described “#1 Premier Summer Basketball League in Virginia” hosted three-point and dunk contests and an all-star game. They cranked the heat up even higher on the “concrete jungle” on Sunday for a series of junior, peewee, and women’s games, all leading up to the much-anticipated finals face-off between Takeover and Supreme Skillz.
Although it was close, Supreme Skillz came out on top. Tae “MealzzzOnWheelzzz” Mealy was named the most valuable player of the finals, putting up an impressive 21 points, 14 rebounds, and two assists during the second round.
Started in 2010 as the Banks College Basketball Association, the Tonsler League has exploded since Wes Bellamy took over in 2022. Bellamy renamed the league after Benjamin Tonsler, a local entrepreneur, leader, and former principal of the first Black school in Charlottesville.
Following tryouts and a draft, the league hosts games three nights a week throughout the summer. This year’s men’s roster had plenty of talent on a dozen teams with clever names like Team Splikak, U-Train, Ballywood, and Sweetlick.
Despite the seriousness of the competition, the Tonsler League boasts an “infectious, family-like atmosphere” that keeps fans and players returning year after year.
Move-in madness
The season of slightly less traffic in Charlottesville comes to an end this weekend when students return to Grounds for move-in days, which run from Thursday, August 17, to Sunday, August 20.
Expect busier-than-usual roads all four days, with the bulk of the traffic jams likely to occur on August 17 and 18, when first-year students move into dorms.
To dodge some of the chaos, avoid Route 29, Emmet Street, McCormick and Alderman roads, Jefferson Park Avenue, and especially the Corner. (And maybe stay away from Barracks Road, Target, and Walmart.) While Wertland, 14th, 15th, and 16th streets NW may not be too crowded during the day, stay off those roads at night—unless you want to inadvertently be part of the pandemonium that is UVA’s back-to-school block party.
Oh, and a word to the wise: If you’re going out this weekend, allow extra time and watch for clueless pedestrians and out-of-town drivers.
In brief
Downstream
In the wake of major water damage to Charlottesville City Hall, several offices have been relocated for the duration of the extensive repair process. The offices of the City Treasurer, Commissioner of the Revenue, and Neighborhood Development Services are among those that have been temporarily moved. For information about other relocated offices, the city recommends visiting the Ambassador Kiosk in front of City Hall.
Off the beaten path
The City of Charlottesville recently announced two major sidewalk closures, one of which will be in effect until early next summer. The Eighth Street NE sidewalk between East Jefferson and West High streets will be shut down until June 2, 2024. In addition, the southern stretch of 400 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall will be closed until August 31.
Sanders appoints two
On August 8, new Charlottesville City Manager Sam Sanders announced his appointment of Michael Thomas as fire chief and Steven Hicks as interim deputy city manager for operations. In addition to more than 30 years of experience in fire and emergency services, Sanders says Thomas’ handling of the department during his time as Charlottesville’s interim fire chief proved that he was the right person for the job. Prior to his appointment as interim deputy city manager of operations, Hicks served as the senior transportation project manager in the engineering division of the Public Works department.
