Tuesday, August 14
The dam is done
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As today’s Daily Progress reports, this week sees the breach of the historic Woolen Mills dam, a project spearheaded by the Rivanna Conservation Society. The main reason for the breach of the 177-year-old structure is to remove an obstacle to the migration of shad; boaters and anglers will also be able to travel the river more easily. Demolition is approximately a two-week process and will leave about 50-95′ of the 270′ dam intact, according to the Progress.
Wednesday, August 15
Higher notes
Richmond’s Style Weekly today profiles 26-year-old Charlottesville-born jazz trumpeter Taylor Barnett, who’s been busy earning a couple of degrees at Virginia Commonwealth University and playing around Richmond as a sideman and a bandleader (his ensemble is the Taylor Barnett 10-tet). Now, says Style, he’s looking beyond the state capital to brighter lights, hoping to get a doctoral degree at a top-shelf music school. In the article, Barnett praises the nice-guy teaching tactics of Charlottesville’s own John D’earth: "John has the ability to challenge you and make you want to do better just by telling you how great you are. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy."
Snow arrives early
The Miller Center, UVA’s public affairs institution, announced that former Treasury Secretary John Snow will be a one-year visiting fellow beginning this month. Snow headed the U.S. Treasury from 2003 to 2006 and now leads the private investment firm Cerberus Capital Management. It won’t be his first turn as a Hoo: He earned his Ph.D. in economics at UVA in 1965. Snow will focus on "matters related to international and fiscal aspects of governance," according to the Miller Center.
Thursday, August 16
Ante goes up for Tech victims
The New York Times and other sources report today that Virginia Tech officials have announced higher compensation awards than originally planned for victims of the April 16 shootings there. Each family of a person who died will be eligible to receive $180,000, an increase of $30,000 over previous estimates. Victims who were injured will be compensated based on the length of their hospital stay: $90,000 plus free tuition for 10 days or more and $40,000 plus free tuition for three to nine days. Those hospitalized for less than three days can take either free tuition or $10,000. The compensation is funded by private donations.
POTUS to be father-in-law to Hoo
 Aren’t they just too-too? Henry Hager enters the public eye as the newly minted fiancé of Jenna Bush. |
Jenna Bush, one of George W.’s 25-year-old twin daughters, is newly engaged to one Henry Hager, her boyfriend of several years and an MBA student at UVA. The White House announced the engagement today, according to the Associated Press. Hager, who is 29, has some pretty impeccable Republican credentials: He interned at the White House under Karl Rove, worked on W.’s re-election campaign and is the son of the chair of the Republican Party in Virginia. Speculation about a Rose Garden wedding aside, no nuptial details have yet been announced.
Friday, August 17
Boob regs relaxed
A press release this week from the Charlottesville/Albemarle Airport informs us that, among other changes to Transportation Security Administration guidelines, passengers can now bring more than three ounces of breast milk onto planes. This is true even if the passenger isn’t bringing a baby. However, the milk must be declared for inspection, since it is classified—no kidding—as a "liquid medication." Other changes: You can bring your lighter on board, but if you’re traveling with a full-size videogame console or DVD player, expect to unpack it from its carrying case and send it through the X-ray. Babies are still not allowed to smoke on board the plane.
Saturday, August 18
Welcome back, students! Bring your iPods?
The Daily Progress reports today that seven UVA students are threatened with legal action by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for illegally sharing music online. Fifty-eight other colleges and universities also received letters similar to one that went to UVA officials, asking the school to notify responsible students and stating that users have 20 days to negotiate their way out of a federal lawsuit.
Sunday, August 19
We’re No. 2
National media were abuzz all weekend with analysis of the most recent US News & World Report college rankings. We’ll cut to the chase: UVA is still the No. 2 public university in the country, behind University of California at Berkeley. UVA is also 23rd overall, tied with Georgetown.
Monday, August 20
Vick looks down the barrel
After Michael Vick’s two co-defendants, Quanis Phillips and Purnell Peace, fingered him Friday in the executions of low-performing fighting dogs, it seemed more likely that Vick would take a plea bargain, according to the New York Daily News. The three men, along with Tony Taylor (who’d already entered a plea agreement), are accused of running an illegal dog-fighting ring from Vick’s home in Smithfield; the executions took place by hanging, drowning and other methods. Vick, a onetime Virginia Tech standout and Atlanta Falcons quarterback, could face additional charges after a grand jury convenes today in Richmond.
