The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression installed a First Amendment Monument in our City, it is a monolith, 54 feet long, 7.5 feet high.
Faced with slate. It was a good idea. But the execution, the slate is very roughly finished,
not like a chalkboard at all, it is a difficult surface to write on. Try writing on toilet paper with a quill pen, it’s like that. The wrong surface. What was the architects’ intent?
Black and White
photography from the Chesapeake Bay watershed by Bill Emory
2014/01/22
graffiti
2013/08/31
2013/08/30
commons
Post-prandial walk down Dublin street. The road surface is a composition of many materials, oyster shells, Portland cement, river gravel, asphalt, crushed rock, sand, tar. The patches are numerous, their levels and texture vary. The street is one continuous speed bump. It works ok for a biped or vehicles moving slowly. The final result is a street where vehicles seem to be aware of pedestrians and bicycle traffic. I haven’t seen anyone driving and texting simultaneously.
used to wave my fingers in front of my face to stop the ceiling fan blades. This video from Canon G-10 does one better with the Dash 8 300
2013/03/02
2012/09/28
Potemkin Village
I live in a neighborhood at the foot of Monticello, in a house built by James Starkes. James was working for the Charlottesville Woolen Mills in 1860, eight years before the mill took that name. Eight tenths of a mile west of the Mill site we have new a new neighbor, the Black Market Moto Saloon. The proprietor of the Saloon hopes to secure a special use permit to operate a Music Hall
September 26, Neighborhood Development Services, in conjunction with Moto proprietor, M. Frankovich, conducted a “sound test”. City Councilors and Planning Commissioners plus police and NDS staff were on hand. Only thing missing was the source of the Moto’s big sound. No drums, no bass, no amps, no musicians on stage. Just a svelte PA system and a dismounted bison head.
What did the sound test find? Moderate sound spillage to the street.
Jessica Cunnington of Channel 19 reporting the Big Story. She said it never got too loud near the “Woolen Hills” neighborhood.
2012/08/17
Union Chapel
The purposes of the Association shall be:
1. the cultivation of a good community spirit and the maintenance of our area as a wholesome, pleasant place to live.
2. The promotion of programs that will enhance the community spirit and residential quality of the area;
3. The representation of its members to all organizations including the various governing bodies and their instruments, for the conservation and enhancement of this area as an attractive, safe, enjoyable place to live and rear one’s family. –WMNA by-laws
2012/07/28
Radio Island
Beaufort Inlet Channel, sky glow of Morehead City to the west, southern tip of Radio Island, night…
2012/04/21
1909
Erected by The Daughters of the Confederacy, Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville to Commemorate the Heroism of the Volunteers of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. (engraving on base of statue)
2012/03/21
Light switch?
This evening, 7:00-9:00 pm, there is a City roundtable discussion about budgetary matters. It’s hard to take these meetings seriously after many years, hard not to be sarcastic. The public attends, and speaks. Roundfile…
Budgets are about shepherding and allocating resources. The little money adds up to big money. Our City pats itself on the back for being “Green”. Buying battery operated cars. Hey fellows? Where is the light switch? 13.7 footcandles of light falling on that newspaper. The hot spots on the sidewalk are 47 footcandles! Super size me…
A lighting designer could take the electricity being used on this bridge and light a small village.
Elsewhere on Locust Avenue, north and south of the bridge, illumination levels are sensible, around 0.2 footcandles.
Running through the tanning salon.
Beneath the Locust Avenue bridge is the Richmond Road, Route 250. I tried the pedestrian experience beneath the bridge. There are narrow sidewalks on the left and right. Harrowing.
2012/02/23
falling
Verdict came down in the case of of The Commonwealth of Virginia vs. George Wesley Huguely V. So did the rain.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Warner “Dave” Chapman addresses the media on the stairs of the Circuit Court following the jury’s announcement of their sentencing recommendation.
