Tuesday, February 13
Tiki Barber scores with NBC
Former Cavalier and NY Giants running back Tiki Barber turned down offers from Fox and ABC for a correspondent’s gig on NBC’s “Today” show, according to the Associated Press. Barber’s early retirement from the NFL (he’s 31) brings with it a stiff pay cut of about $4 mil a year, an AOL sports blogger points out, leaving him with an annual salary of $2.5-3 million for his new job in TV.
Wine cooler
The Senate of Virginia voted unanimously in favor of a bill today that would allow wineries and breweries from the Commonwealth and beyond to directly sell and ship their beverages to consumers, after obtaining a delivery permit from Alcoholic Beverage Control. The measure is surely a relief to local vintners, who have been legally prevented from self-distributing since last summer.
Wednesday, February 14
Fox and the aground
Alex P. Keaton, the budding Republican played by Michael J. Fox on the ’80s sitcom “Family Ties,” was an early role model for today’s self-described compassionate conservatives. That’s according to a piece by Rich Lowry, UVA grad and editor of the National Review, in the February issue of GQ. “Yes, Alex constantly fires off coldhearted, doctrinaire lines,” writes Lowry optimistically, “but he leaves you wanting more.”
Thursday, February 15
Affordable Hoos-ing
City Council member Dave Norris stopped by a University Democrats meeting to talk about affordable housing, the Cavalier Daily reports. What, exactly, the U-Dems are supposed to do about housing in Charlottesville remains unclear. Norris said student renters drive prices up. University Democrats Vice President Sarah Buckley optimistically said, “If enough students show their support for issues such as affordable housing and [the] cost of living conditions, then the University will have to start changing its approach to the issue.” Good luck!
Friday, February 16
Jefferson school, now with more history!
A City press release announces today the Old Jefferson Graded Elementary School has been awarded new historic designations. Excavation work completed last year dates the site to 1894. Unfortunately, the further the City travels back in time, the less actual work gets done. Improvements to the adjacent historically designated Jefferson School building, slated for $30.5 million in renovations, have been slow going, and the 19th century dig site is likely to keep archaeologists employed for a while, too.
Saturday, February 17
Local basketball roundup
Beating out top-seeded Charlottesville High School in the semi-finals Friday, the Western Albemarle Warriors advanced to the Jefferson District tournament game tonight, only to lose to Orange County’s third-seeded Hornets, 63-40. But Albemarle High School took the title in the Commonwealth District Tournament in a 72-56 victory over Brooke Point, their third win over that team this year. The Patriots dominated the game, never trailing the Blackhawks. Albemarle will next host an opening game in the Northwest Region playoffs.
Sunday, February 18
Virginia LAX falls to Drexel
In a season opener at U-Hall Turf Field, Virginia men’s lacrosse had its 19-game home winning streak busted and its seven-time season opener streak crushed by Drexel in the final 10 seconds for an 11-10 loss. The Cavaliers are grappling with the graduation of seasoned players from last year’s national championship team. Drexel seemed to gain momentum in the second half, but the Cavaliers overall were sluggish. “There wasn’t a lot that I liked today,” Head Coach Dom Starsia told the Cavalier Daily. Given the on-field railing he gave at last week’s scrimmage against Georgetown, we’re glad we weren’t in the locker room to endure Starsia’s postlude to Sunday’s shame.
Monday, February 19
Locals hit green TV
A Charlottesville couple’s home will be featured on HGTV’s “What You Get for the Money,” the network’s website announces. HGTV filmed the segment last August at the Schuyler home of Carrie Basas and hubby, Fred. Their place is noted for being both wheelchair-accessible and environmentally-friendly. The home is in the “what you can get for $700,000” category, though Basas says the price of their house was overinflated and is valued more in the high $500,000s. For those obsessed with how the rest of the world views Charlottesville, this is prime viewing. Tune in February 25 at 11:30am or February 26 at 3:30pm.
