Category: neighborhood

red clay

Circus grounds
We had heavy rain in the Rivanna watershed May30-31. I’d like to time travel, see such a rain event when the Monacan People were in charge of land-use locally. Would the river rise to the same degree? Would it carry the same sediment load?
Charlottesville has a 4.2 mile waterfront but it is not easy to access. The one official access point in the City limits, Riverview Park, was closed this morning around 8:00AM.
Riverview Park, photo before closure by Robin Hanes

Associated water bodies back up as well, this is Moores Creek next to the Charlottesville Woolen Mill.

Cosners
A river in flood is possessed with a lot of energy. Be careful out there!

John Joseph Tornatore III

Skippy behind the counter
John Joseph “Skip” Tornatore, III, 78, of Charlottesville, passed away on Monday, March 12, 2018, at the University of Virginia Medical Center, The Daily Progress has his obituary.
Mr. Tornatore and his wife operated Helen and John’s Grocery at 123 Franklin Street for many many years.
H&J Sign
Skip and Nadine had what you needed when you needed it. The place was a store with more…
Skip with the twins set #1
Skip was a kind, gentle caring man.
ELD JSD JJT
His stock appealed to young and old alike. My favorite item was his custom sandwiches.
The store was a gathering place for long time Woolen Mills and Hogwaller residents.
His friends were legion.
He is missed. Thank you Skippy!

West to east walk along Route 250

ultimate bliss
Car broken, walking home. Started in the Meadows Neighborhood, Angus Road.
Crossed 9 lanes of Route 29 in 14 seconds, the allowed time. (GPS track from the Meadows to the Woolen Mills, 4.37 miles)
The area around the intersection of Hydraulic and Route 29 is the focus of ongoing Council and Planning Commission discussion, a possible amendment to the 2013 Comp Plan to qualify for VDOT “smart scale” funds… Close your eyes and ears. Ugly.
Beech forest.
East of the Hydraulic/Rt 250 Bypass intersection there is a pedestrian trail through west McIntire Park (thanks to Parks and Recreation and Chris Gensic).  Beautiful… The trail parallels the north edge of the 250 Bypass running through the beech forest behind the fire station.
The trail dead ends into the back of the YMCA. I walked around the front, entered the door. Tried to get a tour. No. They didn’t have anyone available who could show me around.
East of the YMCA Parks and Recreation has begun installation of a pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks to connect west and east McIntire Park.
Meanwhile, this is the 250 Bypass sidewalk crossing the railroad tracks.
After crossing the railroad tracks, the Rt 250 north sidewalk disappears.  Made it to Park Street  via the median, then walked North Downtown, Martha Jefferson and Little High neighborhood streets and sidewalks the rest of the way home. The pedestrian connection will be better soon. It is happening.

Non-conforming use

South elevation
1307 East Market. The City’s website gives the date of this building’s construction as 1920.
West elevation
It has been there for many years.
Once upon a time it was open for breakfast. For the past 15 years Jinx Kern opened it for lunch.
Once upon a time it was open for breakfast. For the past 15 years Jinx Kern opened it for lunch.
TV Corner
It was a storied place, a repository of 20th Century cultural ephemera and excellent barbeque.
gone
The building was knocked down in May. (photo by neighbor Greg Gelburd)