Black Bears Hanging Around Old Trail

From a reader:

My husband and I just moved to Crozet this March and enjoy your blog. We just moved into our house that is close to the trail connecting Wayland’s Grant with Old trails. In the past two weeks we’ve had about 4 bear sightings on this path. I called the local game warden and was told they will move on when there is no food – I am not sure where/what food source they have found here. I’m also not sure how many bears are around, but just this past friday (4/2), we took this picture of a little cub in our driveway. I’ve told our neighbors, but it might be good to let all the people who use the trail that this bear/s hasn’t moved on yet! No signs yet of a mam bear, but I am pretty sure the bear I saw from the distance wasn’t a cub so I think there is more than one.

Black Bear in Old Trail

And when I asked permission to post:

You can definitely post, I think it is a good idea to let people know and so they can secure any trash or food they may have outside- The first sighting was by my sitter when she took my son for a walk on 3/24. Then my sister and I saw another bear in the same area (this is in the Creekside neighborhood on the trail that goes behind the homes) on 3/28. I thought the bear/s had moved on but this photo is from 4/2 and in our yard instead of on the trail.

Update 7 April 2010The Newsplex saw the story here and then did what reporters do – interviewed a bunch of people and discovered it’s an orphaned bear.

People are on the lookout for an orphaned bear cub in Crozet. It seems the furry creature is creating quite a stir in the Old Trail subdivision.

People are being told not to pet the bear or go near it, even though it’s a tiny cub, only about forty pounds. The bear has become a fixture in the western Albemarle County development.

“When I left that day it was right at the edge drinking,” says Sandra Terrell. The nanny was taking ten-month-old Sammy for a stroll in the neighborhood when she heard a loud noise.

“Something went running across the bushes. I thought it was a fat cat, but when I looked over at the tree it was a baby bear,” says Terrell.

She says it’s the same bear Sammy’s parents saw in their driveway just days ago.

“I startled it, and it startled us, and when I looked over there, the bear was hugging the tree and turned and looked at me,” says Terrell. The Newsplex has learned the bear is an orphan yearling. It’s too old to be considered a cub, and too young to be out on its own. The bear’s parents likely died, forcing it to fend for itself.

Crozet Home Sales and Contracts in March

Home sales in Crozet* in March 2010 were double those of March 2009! (okay, they went from four to nine, but we’ll take whatever good news we can find). I also expect that that “nine” will increase by a few as transactions are closed out over the next few days.

Even more heartening is the fact that properties placed under contract in Crozet are double last year as well.

It seems that 2004 was a boom year. 🙂 Mind you, the above data are preliminary, but they show an uptick. The real test is going to come in the second half of 2010. Continue reading “Crozet Home Sales and Contracts in March”

What’s the Future of the Crozet Farmer’s Market?

I hear that the main coordinator has moved out of Crozet and there is no one running the farmer’s ship. It would be devastatingly sad if this were left to “wither away” as someone recently said to me.

So the questions are –

1 – Is anyone running the Crozet Farmer’s Market? If so, who? When do you open?

2 – If no one is coordinating now, is there anyone willing to step up? Crozetians will support the farmer’s market.

** note that this is a story based on one email back and forth; I’d love to post a correction/clarification/update **


Related stories from RealCrozetVA:

Crozet Farmer’s Market – linking to a wonderful story from Life in Sugar Hollow

Crozet Farmer’s Market – Fresh Veggies, Organic Food and more

Help the Crozet Farmer’s Market

Update 31 March 2010:

WCAV has a story today … thanks for picking up this story!

With the warm weather arriving, farmers markets are beginning to open.
The Charlottesville market opens this weekend, but the future of another popular market could be in jeopardy.

Every summer, about 10 local farmers and vendors fill a church parking lot in downtown Crozet with their goods.

“I’ll be driving into work one morning, and I’ll see all the tents set up, and I know it’s time to go over and start getting my produce from there,” said Mark Cosgrove, chef and owner of Fardowners.

The tradition could change. Vendors said they can only hope the market will start the first Saturday in May. The organizer is stepping down, and someone needs to take her place.

The problem is a new leader hasn’t been chosen yet.

Update: I’m assuming this is the Local Harvest site Janet mentions in the comments.

WAHS Losing Teachers, Crozet Getting Federal Money, More Crozet Twitter Updates

  • Just learned that WAHS is losing 7 *core* teachers. That’s not good. #
  • Sweet. First U-6 soccer games are on today! And it’s darn chilly, too! #
  • RT @SMCCville: A Facebook “LIKE” button for the entire web universe coming? http://bit.ly/bBt0KG #
  • Could Crozet getting federal money for its streetscaping project? http://bit.ly/d3Z0cU What about the library? #
  • RT @RBWMOM: The Biscuit Shack, Crozet, http://przd.com/tGQwE-TQ0xz #
  • RT @CrozetGazette: There is a benefit at the Cville Moose Lodge for Jesse tomorrow http://bit.ly/9eNwL3 @ABrement #
  • RT @ABrement: @realcrozetva Is there any online info about the benefit for Jesse? [no idea. yet] #
  • Benefit for Jesse. Call 996-5887 for more information. #
  • Love working out of the Crozet Mudhouse this morning. #
  • Where are the Summer jobs for kids in Crozet? #
  • Just took the little one to Crozet elementary; saw a 1st or 2nd grader w/ travel coffee cup. I hopw she was drinking juice. 🙂 #
  • RT @PiedmontHousing: Work in Crozet but can’t afford to live there? PHA is stepping up homebuyer counseling & resources for Crozet workforce #
  • RT @haminga: Police are out and active in Crozet this morning – drive slow! #crozet #
  • I built a garden in my backyard this weekend. http://bit.ly/c9Z4PA #

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Crozet Trails Update

Greetings Crozet enthusiasts and trail lovers,

It has been a winter to remember. Perhaps some of you had a chance to try out your dusty cross-country skiis around town. Now that Spring has arrived, we’d like to delve back into the Crozet Trails and Greenways endeavor. Some of you had a chance to meet with Dan Mahon and I at the Crozet Mudhouse in the fall. We discussed future trail routes, existing trail beginnings, and the need for a dedicated group of volunteers to both build and help plan the Crozet trail system.

We hope that those of you who are interested will be able to attend one or both of the following get-togethers:

1. April 3rd (Saturday)Beaver Creek Reservoir parking area- 8:30am– We will walk the existing trail, discuss what needs to be done to complete the trail (clearing, grading, building benches, signs, drainage systems, etc.),and plan a training session for trail builders. Wear good walking shoes. Email me with any questions about this event.

2. April 8th (Thursday) – Crozet Mudhouse- 6pm — For the Crozet Trail project to work, we will need organizers as well as builders. Brains and brawn. And of course, we encourage folks to be on both “teams” if you are interested. We would like to establish a monthly meeting in order to discuss progress, issues, and strategies. At the April 8th meeting, we will talk about ideas for acquiring a logo, various representatives, a school liasion, and any other planning topics that come up. We heard some good ideas at the meeting in the fall and would like to follow-up with some of those. Email me if you have any questions or suggestions for this event.

I look forward to meeting and reconnecting with those of you who are interested in working to make the Crozet Trails project come to life.

Thanks,
Jessica Mauzy (working with Dan Mahon, Albemarle County Trails and Greenways Planner)

Thanks For Helping Jesse

From a commenter:

“The bake sale for Jesse on the 14th raised $1,350!! Thanks to everyone who stopped by…we had shoppers waiting for us at 12:30 when we arrived to set up and we stayed until 6:15 and sold it all! Jesse was very touched and appreciative, so thank you, everyone.”

Crozet Twitter Updates – Brief Notes for 2010-03-21

  • What’s going on at Crozet Park? It’s a bit early to be talking on the loudspeakers this morning. Please stop. #
  • @MudhouseCrozet if you had some chocolate croissants, we’d be there asap! in reply to MudhouseCrozet #
  • It’s Walk to School day at Crozet Elementary. Pit-stop at the halfway point at the Mudhouse. #
  • Watch out for police b/t exit 118 & 107 (Crozet). #
  • RT @TessOrtega: Mailed Census today. Very interested to see how the demographics for Crozet have changed over the last 10 yrs. #
  • RT @mistycamp: I posted 101 photos on Facebook in the album “CROZET MUSIC FESTIVAL 2009” http://bit.ly/dtGYY2 #
  • RT @jabacares: Mountainside Senior Living (Crozet) holds its beauty pageant tonight at 7PM. Should be a fun! #
  • RT @shannoneyedoc: Looking forward to the Crozet Business Networking Meeting today at 11:30 AM http://bit.ly/cGw0V5 [I’m missing it again] #
  • @Ebvalentine I don’t know about them being on their last legs, but a commenter succinctly stated the situation – http://bit.ly/at27n8 in reply to Ebvalentine #
  • RT @cvilletomorrow: Supervisor Rooker encourages Crozet Library to move forward in favorable bid market if we can (cont) http://tl.gd/gspkn #
  • RT @cvilletomorrow: Sup Mallek reviewing implications on Albemarle’s capital budget if Crozet Library is funded in part by fed earmark #
  • On the way back from the gym tonight there were lots of deer on 240. Be careful out there! #
  • RT @GoodwinCreek: If you are in Crozet stop by Fardowners and order a burger. #
  • Stopped by Great Valu & got some sweets at the bake sale. There seemed to be more employees than customers at the store. Sad. #
  • Riding my bike to show two houses yesterday in Crozet – http://bit.ly/c24UjT #

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Pulled from the Comments – Thoughts on Great Valu/Harris Teeter & Green House Coffee

On the grocery store battle:

I personally don’t select a business simply for their longevity. Both Great Valu and Harris Teeter help the community financially. However, there have been MANY evenings we have needed grocery items and GV is closed – that is not responsive to a growing community’s needs. Both have a good selection based on the square footage of their respective stores. Both can be expensive unless you stick with the sale items. However, at HT, the e-vic specials are outrageous: a box of cereal for $.99 or a jar of pasta sauce free or a 12 pk. of paper towels for $5.77. As far as cleanliness, there is no comparison. Both deliver your groceries to your car and have friendly people working there. I bought 3 bags of groceries tonight (2lbs stew meat, 2lbs barbeque, rolls, cereal, produce, laundry & dish detergent) for $36 at HT tax included. That’s not expensive. For my family, HT edges out on hours open and a wide selection of items. I will go to GV if I happen to be going that direction though, not just because they’ve been around the longest.

On Crozet Coffee Shops –

I haven’t heard much about Greenhouse coffee. Are they going to open this spring?

I think it is important for Greenhouse to develop a niche now that there are other coffee houses in town. We need something that has actual healthy food without comprimising taste. We need a place that serves sandwiches on whole grain breads. We need a place that also serves healthful organic ingredients with some low calorie options. We need some baked items that are sugar free that are sweetened with agave or stevia. We dont need a duplicate of whats already out there. This would be good to go with the theme of no wifi radiation, etc. Thanks for listening.

Crozet Real Estate Market Update – March 15 2010

I’m planning on providing brief market updates on the Crozet real estate market, hopefully every Monday … I don’t want to nor do I intend to detract from the focus of RealCrozetVA, which is the Crozet community, but I do get asked a lot of questions about the market and I’d like to answer some of those.

See all the reports on the Crozet real estate market here.

I’m looking forward to seeing how these charts change as we move towards the second quarter of 2010.

Medium Chart

Continue reading “Crozet Real Estate Market Update – March 15 2010”