Tuesday, May 8
Martha Jefferson overachieves
Martha Jefferson Hospital is issuing $51.1 million in new bonds from Albemarle County’s Industrial Development Authority, and the folks at Fitch Ratings have given those bonds an A+. Proceeds from the bonds will be used to advance MJH’s 2002 bonds as well as fund a debt service reserve fund. The gold star rating results, in part, from the hospital’s “excellent liquidity and strong profitabilty” as well as its “favorable service area,” reports Business Wire. Translation: Charlotteville is a cash cow of sick people and newborn babies.
Got milk and then some
A milk truck turnover on Route 250 near Afton Mountain, which caused 5,000 gallons of the white stuff to spew into Stockton Creek today, could have been a great photo op for the Got Milk? ad campaign: lots of little fishies with milk mustaches. Except, fish don’t like milk. In fact it’s really bad for them. NBC29 News reports that Department of Environmental Quality and hazmat crews had to be called in to combat damage to the ecosystem from the spill. The driver of the truck, Dwayne K. Kahle, 41, has been charged with reckless driving in the incident, reports The Daily Progress.
Wednesday, May 9
A few for freedom
In these trying times, which local employers are most supportive of National Guardsmen and reservists? The enlistees themselves nominated Virginia employers to receive the 2007 Freedom Award from the Department of Defense. Given their aptitude for all things governmental, it may come as no surprise that Albemarle County Police Department made the list, and the Albemarle County Department of Human Resources did, too. Other cooperative businesses include Dominion Virginia Power, Northrup Grumman in Falls Church, McLean and Newport News (but not the Charlottesville branch), and Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt.
Thursday, May 10
Hey, leave them guns alone!
Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell has issued a warning to New York authorities, telling them not to engage in sting operations in Virginia gun stores, The Washington Post reports. A Virginia law goes into effect in July that means New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and his buddies could be charged with a felony if they target Virginia gun dealers, McDonnell warned. The new law requires that Virginia or federal investigators be present at undercover stings. New York authorities have filed lawsuits against six gun dealers in Virginia for selling guns that get used in New York crimes. The Post later quoted Bloomberg saying McDonnell is defending “rogue gun dealers.”
Friday, May 11
Graduation honors victims
Virginia Tech held commencement ceremonies today, graduating a class of more than 3,600 seniors. The university also issued diplomas and class rings to the families of the 27 students killed April 16, even those whose kids were not seniors. Last month, Seung-Hui Cho, a 23-year-old senior, went on a shooting rampage that also killed five instructors. The keynote speaker was Gen. John Abizaid, who oversaw Operation Iraqi Freedom. WTOP news radio in Washington, D.C. reports the ceremonies were “a little bit more somber than celebratory.”
Saturday, May 12
Party down, with Mom
In honor of Mother’s Day tomorrow, we imagine, the city hosts “an enchanted evening of dancing and refreshments” at a Mother Son Prom at the Herman Key Recreation Center on Market Street. The event invited moms and “little prince charmings” to dance the night away. While there’s nothing cuter than 7-year-olds in tuxes, we’re betting many of the high school set skipped out on this one.
Sunday, May 13
ATO update
ATO Pictures, the local creation of Coran Capshaw, Chris Tetzeli, Michael Macdonald, Johnathan Dorfman, Temple Fennell and Dave Matthews, got its first major deal earlier this year when Fox Searchlight pictures agreed to distribute the movie Joshua. Now, one of the film’s stars, indie favorite Vera Farmiga, has a very sexy and informative spread in Esquire (former farm girl explains how to milk a goat). And, at least one movie in the upcoming Cannes Film Festival has ATO’s prints all over it, too. Savage Grace, starring Julianne Moore and Stephen Dillane, was produced in association with ATO. It’s about the true story of Barbara Daly (Moore), who marries into fortune where the “seeds for a tragedy of spectacular decadence are sown.” All this from a company whose film development office is just above Five Guys Downtown.
Monday, May 14
Planned Parenthood more powerful
Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge announces that, as of June 30, it will merge with Raleigh, North Carolina-based Planned Parenthood Health Systems to become the first regional affiliate in the southern United States. The new merger will encompass four states and cover a population of more than 12 million. Planned Parenthood says mergers allow them to operate more efficiently. Given the recent blows to Roe v. Wade, it also makes sense that Planned Parenthood would want to bolster itself politically in the tough-on-reproductive-rights South.
