Author: Jim

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Recycling, sidewalks, library, redistricting and more!

There is an awful lot on the agenda for tomorrow’s Crozet Community Association meeting, which start at 7:30 on Thursday:

-  Sidewalks/Streetscape plans-Lee Catlin

-  Library plans-Lee Catlin & Barbara Westbrook

-  Area schools redistricting discussion
            Barbara Massie Mouly, Brian Wheeler can’t attend tonight
         
            Crozet Elem. School public meeting on March 15 at 6:30;

            School Board decision on March 22.

-  Recycling-Michael Freitas & Jo Ann Perkins

-  CoHousing plan– Nancy Chappell

-  Old school and Depot suggestions from members 
          (At the last CCA meeting David Wayland asked members to come up with recommendations re. the future use of both of these buildings.)

-  Other business from members

For lots more on redistricting, sidewalks and more, pick up a copy of March’s Crozet Gazette (pdf) – especially the “artist’s rendering” of the potential streetscaping on the last page.

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From DC to Crozet

Ed note: The following is the story, courtesy of Sara Gould, one who has moved to the Charlottesville area and works in Crozet – what is likely to be an emerging trend as jobs grow in Crozet. Bolding is mine.

I used to live in DC.  Crystal City in Arlington, VA to be exact, but an apartment with a view of the Pentagon and the Washington Monument sure felt close enough to call it DC.  My commute that summer consisted of walking 5 minutes to the metro, a 20 minute ride with 1 train change, and then a 10 minute walk to my office at the Navy Yard. I loved that commute, and the walking was great for my health.

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Continue reading “From DC to Crozet”

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Fabulous Foods in the news

Local natural (and local) food store Fabulous Foods is featured in today’s Daily Progress (they are on the Crozet Community Map):

Because local produce does not have to travel far, it can be picked at the height of its flavor and kept free of preservatives.

“It tastes better, it’s fresher,” said Jennifer Burgos, buyer at Fabulous Foods in Crozet, a 1,500-square-foot grocery store that offers local apples, lettuce, blueberries, blackberries, chestnuts, peaches, bok-choy, herbs and more. “Our motto is sustaining small farms, nourishing our families.”

Now, if only somebody will open up a wine store with tastings, breads, cheeses and a lounge … give me credit. 🙂 Seriously. A coffee/wine store/bakery …

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How to raise awareness of realcrozetva

I thought I would share this recent email exchange with a reader:

No story here, just wanted to say that the site you have put together is great, and Crozet really needs this intimate type of discussion – my suggestion would be how can we get more people to know about this site – seems as though a lot of my neighbors haven’t heard of it and I’d like to see more people comment on these stories – there are too many “no comments” on really pertinent issues.
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Regarding awareness of the site – this is something that I am struggling with. Ideally, I would like to do a bit of advertising or even a mailing to the 22932 zip code, but frankly I don’t have the funds to do that. On the other side, I guess I could accept ads on the site, but I feel that that would detract from the perceived impartiality of the site.
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Thats a tough call re: ads – providing funds vs. detracting from the feel of the site.  I suppose local ads probably wouldn’t be too distractive, but even things like a posterboard sign at the 4-way stop with the website name could be pretty effective for people to get in their heads…either way, I’m sure word of the site will spread.

So … here’s my challenge to those of you who do read this site – email it to a friend who might be interested … mention it at your HOA meetings … tell your friends about it. This site was started to provide a forum for Crozetians new and old. If you are a business owner, post your business (after emailing me for the login) to the Crozet Community Map.

And as always, if you have a story idea, please let me know. If you have a story or opinion to share, write it. If you go to a local meeting, share your thoughts. I’ll post most anything so long as it’s reasonably well-written and pertinent to Crozet.

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Who wants a Crozet yearbook – from 1938?

Passed along by a loyal reader is this auction on eBay. The current bid is $9.99.

I recently came across this vintage yearbook in a local Va. estate. It measures approx. 9″ by 12″ and 1/2″ thick. It is titled: “The Wheel”, and was the yearbook for the year 1938 for Crozet High School in Crozet Va. All of the images inside are real photos glued in. All of the group student photos are present.

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Redistricting nears in Crozet

From today’s DP.

One of the most telling lines of this story, detailing the impending moves of 90+ kids was the last line of this quote depicting Crozet’s nearing self-sufficiency:

“Our biggest concern is that we’re being separated from the community that we live in and are a part of,” said Kathy Rainey, whose two children at Crozet would be moved to Meriwether. “Where we live, we are part of the Crozet community. To send us to Meriwether Lewis is taking us out of where our teams, churches and volunteer work are. We don’t normally go into Charlottesville to recreate.” (bolding mine)

We’re getting close. Once the Old Trail Town Center (please don’t call it the Shoppes of Old Trail, or something equally contrived!) comes online, the sidewalks are built to facilitate walking and Downtown’s resurgence continues, why would anyone go to Charlottesville?

More information at Albemarle County’s site and Brian Wheeler’s SchoolMatters site.

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Sidewalks coming to Crozet

In spite of my reluctance to post press releases, this is a pretty important one:

Sidewalks and streetscapes are an integral part of creating a walkable and pedestrian-oriented downtown Crozet.

The current sidewalk project, Phase I, will get underway in the next several weeks and will focus on the area from the railroad crossing on Crozet Ave to the current Crozet Library. Stormwater improvements will be focused along Crozet Avenue from the Rescue Squad to the Dairy Queen intersection. The project will include construction of new and replacement of existing storm- water utilities, addition of curb and gutter, new sidewalks, handicap curb ramps, concrete pavers, stamped concrete crosswalks, painted crosswalks, pedestrian lighting, pedestrian warning lights retaining walls and landscaping.

Project Open House

Date: Wednesday, February 28
Time: 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Place: Crozet Methodist Church Fellowship Hall
Drop by at your convenience to view project maps and graphics and to talk to county staff and consultants about the sidewalk/streetscape project.
Details, including a graphical representation of the project, are available on the Crozet Master Plan website.

Whatever misgivings one might have with how the County is moving forward with growth, they certainly are trying to communicate with us now. You can learn more about where this and other transportation issues are in the process here.

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New theme for realcrozetva?

After all the problems I have had for the past several days on this site (all of which were self-inflicted) I may change themes.

As this is a site designed by and for Crozetians, I’ll leave it up to you. Which theme would you prefer? (assuming I can get everything working on the new one)

{democracy}


Realcrozet Cordoba Realcrozet Digg-like

Lessons learned:

– A very kind person offered his assistance, for which I am extremely grateful.
– Changing one little thing can have dire consequences (I knew this but clearly needed a reminder)
– Time is short and valuable.

Quick note: if anybody is bored, here is the main place from where I am searching for three-column themes.

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