I have a bunch of clothes I no longer wear that I’d like to bring to a consignment store to sell. I’d rather go where I can get the most $ for them—some are really nice pieces. Where would you recommend in town?

With the temperatures regularly dropping below 30°F (and below 20°F overnight!) this week in our area, you should check your tires to see if they're inflated properly.

Tips:

• On all modern vehicles there will be a sticker on the car's driver side sidewall with the recommended pressures for the tires.

• If your vehicle/tires has a TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) now's a good time to give it a direct check on your dashboard. Sometimes you won't get car alerts unless the pressure is significantly lower than normal.

• Generally any tire at 5 psi or more under the limit starts to be compromised with respect to handling, braking, and efficiency. That's the last thing you want on potentially icy roads.

• Wawa and Sheetz both have free air stations for refilling your tires if they're underinflated. For example, the Wawa on Pantops has two stations in the back of the store.

What stores are still open in the mall?

We are now in the home stretch of 2024 and at some point meetings will take a break. That point is not now and we have a fairly full week if 4,000 words in today’s newsletter is any indication. This post for r/Charlottesville is much shorter and targeted, but you can go and look at the links for more. 

COUNCIL MINUTES
I got a bit miffed today reading through the draft minutes of the November 18 City Council because some of the descriptions were devoid of detail. Yes, in the here and now we can reference a video that’s available on the Internet, but what about when the city has moved onto a different vendor, or the Internet is banned? Anyway, Council has a second budget briefing tomorrow as well as continued conversations on outdoor cafe guidelines and changes to the parking ordinance related to overnight parking for large vehicles. On the latter, the two paragraphs in the minutes were so devoid of substance I created a 3,700 word transcript of the 26 minute discussion to help me report on it this week. (learn more)

LOUISA HAZARDOUS WASTE
One of my stories last week was on solid waste, an issue I believe should likely be discussed more than it is. I know I’ve taken for granted my ability to throw things away. Louisa County has their own landfill, and like the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority they periodically have events to take hazardous material to prevent it from being thrown away in the regular waste stream or just dumped. But the costs to hire a contractor for the program are increasing. The county administrator wants to check in with the Board of Supervisors. (learn more)

ALBEMARLE BZA TO HEAR APPEAL OF “INDUSTRIAL BUILDING” CASE
Does a locality have the right to inspect violations of zoning on land zoned for agricultural use? That question is at play in a case the Albemarle Board of Zoning Appeals will here on Tuesday. In 2022, an LLC that owns property on Polo Grounds Road met with county staff about opening a private school but the application never came in. Three trailers arrived on the property, and zoning cited the property owner for a violation. Legal skirmishes ensued including a suit against the Virginia Department of Transportation related to an entrance VDOT said is illegal. The BZA takes up the violation on Tuesday, and the applicant continues to maintain the county had no right to do any inspections. (learn more)

ALBEMARLE JOINT MEETING
I’m not able to cover public education (or private for that matter) but I do cover budgets. On Wednesday, the Albemarle County School Board meets with the Albemarle School Board for a preliminary discussion on the capital improvement program. My cursory look didn’t reveal too many surprises, but what jumps out at me is $100 million programmed in FY30 for “high school capacity” which may be of interest to many. The official Weldon Cooper Center projections show an Albemarle population of 155,000 or more by 2050. That likely means a lot more school children. That’s far from the only angle here. (learn more)

FLUVANNA COMMERCIAL KITCHEN FEE REDUCTION
In recent years, there have been calls for community kitchens that culinary entrepreneurs can use in their catering or food preparation. The City of Charlottesville as well as various Virginia agencies have invested in the one the New Hill Development Corporation is building in the former Kathy’s Shopping Center. Fluvanna County has also invested in a kitchen at the Fluvanna Conty Community Center. The cost per hour has assumed that a part-time manager had to be on site at all times to oversee Safe Serve certification. After some research, the county decided that isn’t required, so eliminating the position will reduce the fees. (learn more)

There are other things in the newsletter week worth one line each.

• The Places29-Rio group gets an update on the on-demand MicroCAT pilot on Thursday (learn more)
• The Charlottesville Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meets on Thursday, and I point out how that’s on one city calendar but not the other (learn more)
• Albemarle Supervisors will meet with area legislators on Friday to discuss legislative requests, and I’ll be interested to hear what gets said about the one to seek more funding for the intelligence campus around Rivanna Station (learn more)
• Albemarle Supervisors will have a public hearing Wednesday evening to use eminent domain to take a 0.07 acre property needed to move forward the development of the Barnes Lumberyard and an extension of Library Avenue (learn more)
• The Pantops CAC may learn Monday about the creation of a new foundation to support Albemarle County parks (learn more)
• The Albemarle County Architectural Review Board will take a look on Monday at the design for the renovation of the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail (learn more)
• The UVA Board of Visitors meets this week and that’ll be good for several stories (generic link)

I am not a non-profit. I am not a big corporation. I’m just a person with a simple business model. I’ll keep an eye on things, and some of you will pay me. I’ve got enough people paying me to keep this going, and I truly appreciate this ability to write a second version that is more accessible than the first.

Ask questions! Share!

(edit) For those who want to contribute, hold on to that for now. I'm hoping to have a more sustainable way to do so in the future. I'm grateful for the platforms I have, and please feel free to contribute with a paid Substack subscription.

I'm interested in going to see Kevin Smith and Jayson Mewes (Jay and Silent Bob) perform at the Paramount on February 11? Unfortunately, my wife isn't a big fan, so I wanted to see if any Redditors wanted to go as a group. Let me know, I'm looking to get tickets within a week or so!

My partner came back from a trip recently, and she got a neck massage at the airport that really helped her neck. I want to get her a neck massage for Christmas. Any recommendations around the area?

Anyone know what’s going on out on Pasture Fence? Lots of flashing red lights, multiple emergency vehicles. Hope everyone is okay.

Screen is completely black. Was in the middle of watching football. Did the station lose power or something? Antenna doesn't work, YouTube TV doesn't work... nothing at all

Any word on what was burning early this afternoon just below I64 near Afton?

12/01/24

Does anyone/anywhere teach if good bread baking class? Just curious.

I was walking in my neighborhood today and was saddened to see this displayed. Sometimes I forget this type of hate lives in Cville

I just noticed DoorDash is finally showing up at my address in Ivy. Has anyone ordered and had a good experience with it coming that far out?

Longshot but there's an injured goose in the tiny lake off Greenbrier Drive (across from RoseWood Village Assisted Living and Memory Care.)

I thought it had a broken neck but after looking closer it seems like there is something (plastic?) causing its head to stick to the side of its body.

I called the Virginia Wildlife Center but didn't really sound like they could do anything unless someone could get the goose to them and as its in the lake there wasn't really anything I could do but figured I'd post here in case someone could help it.

Hi all! Does anyone have any advice on affordable all-inclusive elopement/microwedding packages in Charlottesville or the surrounding area?

The most important thing is that everything is planned for us. Good photography is also important to my fiance. Otherwise, we're pretty flexible. Dinner for ourselves and our few guests (15-20 max) would be a nice bonus, but not necessary.

I'd love to spend somewhere in the $2-3K range. $4-5K is probably more realistic and $6K would be my absolute max.

Thanks in advance!

I need a quiet place to write on sundays, and most coffee shops I've been to turn into a zoo on weekends. Anyone have any recommendations for a quiet spot to write/study for weekends, especially Sundays?

Hello, fellow Charlottesville residents! This is the monthly thread where you can share and explore local events happening in our charming city. Whether you're into live music, art exhibitions, outdoor activities, or community gatherings, this is the place to share it.

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Guidelines:

- This thread is specifically for sharing upcoming events happening in Charlottesville and the surrounding areas.

- Feel free to promote both free and ticketed events.

- Commercial events are allowed as long as they contribute positively to our community.

- This thread is NOT for selling items, renting housing, or any other commercial transactions. Please refrain from sharing such listings here.

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Format for Sharing an Event:

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Event Title:

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Date and Time:

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Location:

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Description:

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Website/More Information:

No, I can't do it myself. Like nails on a chalk board. My knives desperately need to be sharpened and honed. I could barely carve my turkey a few days ago! Where can this be done in Cville?

I had posted on here, along with Nextdoor and Facebook last week that my 7ish month old male kitty, Shadow, had gotten out and was missing. Someone in this subreddit saw my post here and DMed me to inform me that Shadow was indeed found in my neighborhood and dropped off safely at a cat shelter.

I thought that it would be a long shot posting about my generic looking black cat on Reddit but I was wrong. Someone found MY generic looking black cat in Charlottesville and dropped him off at a cat shelter and then somehow recognized his generic looking face from my reddit post and told me that he’s been found. Thank you very much, whoever you are. Shadow is currently full and sound asleep in the bed that he’s used to.

I also would like to thank Madison-Green Humane Society for being very flexible with my work schedule and keeping Shadow safe until I was able to pick him up.

suggestions for bars w UT fans watching tonight?

(Already posted in r/charlottesvillegarden)

Just putting feelers out for an idea.

Excluding marigold and calendulas, i have probably 2,500 seeds. With the marigold and other calendulas, its probably 50,000.

Im thinking of setting up a little booth in the spring like a yard sale and selling them for dirt cheap (no pum intended) as well as whatever starters i wont use and some crocheted plants my wife makes. Maybe some other little things.

I feel like Garden Sales in the spring is a sufficient facsimile of Yard Sales in the autumn and we should get on board with this.

If anyone wants to join in on my property or also maybe wants to do this themselves, maybe we could team up and make it a thing?

DM me if interested. If i do end up doing it, ill post here again with details.

This could be today but it is from page 25 of the 1980 Albemarle County Comprehensiv Plan: "Land prices have been influenced by the County's growth management policy which controls the extent and location of development, thus limiting land available to meet residential market demands and increasing the price of available land. At the opposite end of the spectrum, analysis indicates a significant number of lower income individuals who have been priced out of much of the County's housing. Some are homeless and others live in unsafe, substandard housing in need of rehabilitation.”

Anyone for hitting or a match tmrw? Cville indoor? Split fees?

What's your favorite place to get christmas trees? We are willing to drive a little outside of town for good prices/experience.

I would prefer a vendor who cuts the tree, nets it, and ties it to your car for you.

Thanks!

I heard there was a parade today at barracks road. Has anyone been to this? How is it? Where is the best place to view?

McGuire still hasn’t resigned his state Senate seat weeks after congressional win

State Senate president pro tempore cannot set a special election in the 10th District until the Republican officially steps down.

New national intelligence institute opening at UVa

The National Security Data and Policy Institute is a first-of-its-kind partnership between the federal government and the University of Virginia.

Charlottesville developers still can't find a grocer to fill 501 Cherry project

No grocer has come forward willing to move into the real estate designated for a future grocery store. At least one has even turned down an invitation.

Daily Progress kicks off 130th year of Santa Fund

One of the oldest newspaper-run charities in America, if not the oldest, is back this year raising money to get the Charlotteville-area's children the essentials they need.

New rules could restrict decorations on Charlottesville's Downtown Mall

Some of the proposed rules include banning furniture that isn't black or silver, outlawing Christmas lights and restricting the size of flowerpots. 

UVa promises (again) to release review of 2022 shooting

The University of Virginia previously said it planned to release the report in November of last year, but then changed course. 

Investigation opened into Waynesboro United Way CEO after nonprofit closes

United Way board members say Kristi Williams wrote checks to herself and took out loans in employees' names.

Athlete Spotlight: Brady Lam has made a long-standing impact on William Monroe basketball

This week's Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital Athlete Spotlight is on William Monroe basketball player Brady Lam.

This Friendsgiving, Chamomile and Whiskey is serving up a new album

Conventional wisdom says not to schedule album release shows over the holidays, but "you've got to do what feels right," says Chamomile and Whiskey co-founder Koda Kerl.

Cigar-smoking, face-spitting UVa student charged with assault

A third-year UVa student attempted to flee after spitting in the face of a manager of a Corner watering hole.

Even with so many options available, getting your news can be a challenge. The Weekly Progress is here to help. Here is a roundup of some of the week’s biggest stories from The Daily Progress, Charlottesville’s news of record and a resource for the community since 1892.

Check Reddit every Friday for a weekly digest of the most-read and most-shared stories from The Daily Progress.

Has anyone here attended or hosted a bridal shower at cake bloom? Looking into potential venue options. Thanks!

The A^2 account dropped an insta story today hinting at a physical location. Ideas on where this is? Their pizza is the bomb.