Crozet's community blog
The rumor from January – “Rumor – Mudhouse coming to Crozet!” turns out to be true.
Candidly, my feelings are mixed – Crozet needs a good bar, but a good coffee shop as well. (Trailside Coffee is coming soon to Old Trail) Hopefully, this will lead to a continued resurgence of Downtown Crozet.
The kiosk and location are temporary (in the Old Trail golf shop) but the coffee’s good. I think that coffee shops are becoming, if they have not already become, the new community hubs. I’m grateful to finally have one in Crozet.
Marcia, the owner and operator told me a few weeks ago that she “wants people to drive from Charlottesville to Crozset” just for the coffee.
More on Trailside to come …
From the Crozet Park Board:
Claudius Crozet Park, Incorporated (CCP, Inc) is currently accepting applications to serve on its Board of Directors.
CCP, Inc is a non-profit (I.R.S. classification 501(c)(3)) organization which owns a 22-acre park in Crozet and operates the Park in partnership with Albemarle County Parks and Recreation. Directors are expected to attend monthly meetings and assist with ongoing efforts in Park planning, fundraising, and operations. The term of a Director is three years.
Interested applicants should contact Kelly Strickland at 434.981.6029 or submit a letter of interest to: Claudius Crozet Park, Inc. P.O. Box 171 Crozet, VA 22932 or via email.
You know those signs that say “Notice Number 22” that pop up from time time time around Albemarle County? They really are important. 🙂
Did you see the one on 240 between Downtown Crozet and the 240/240 intersection by chance? From the Albemarle County website – (bolding mine)
PROJECT: ZMA200800005 Old Trail Village Block 2 PROPOSAL: Amend Code of Development to include rest home\assisted living use for approved ZMA200400024 (Old Trail NMD) which allows residential (3 – 34 units/acre) mixed with commercial, service and industrial uses. Approved number of units for Old Trail is between 1600 and 2200. No change to density is proposed. PROFFERS: Yes (Amendment to refer to revised Table 4 of the amended Code of Development) EXISTING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: CT5 – mixed residential and commercial uses. Residential density – 12 dwelling units per acre; 18 dwelling units per acre in a mixed use setting in the Community of Crozet. ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: Yes LOCATION: North side of Route 250 West, approximately 2,000+ feet east of the intersection of Miller School Rd. and Route 250. TAX MAP/PARCEL: 55E1-A1 (portion) MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: White Hall
The Planning Commission hearing is 11 November; Board hearing is 12 November.
I’m working on finding out more …
Compared it to the Charlottesville Lowe’s? Hah. I went to the Home Depot in Waynesboro last week (there’s a Lowe’s too, and I’m sure they’re good, but I like orange) – and was met by three smiling employees, one of whom offered to guide me around the store finding what I needed.
I was told that they have been focusing on customer service since their new general manager arrived, and it shows. Not only is gas cheaper there – I paid $2.49 on Thursday, Crozet had gas from $2.89 at the BP to $3.29 at the Exxon, but going to a huge home improvement store wasn’t an exercise in futility and frustration.
Update 4 November 2008: From an email:
The other thing you didn’t mention is that from Crozet to the Home Depot there are only 2 lights and that’s in Waynesboro. It may be a few extra miles to Waynesboro but it’s a pleasant drive.
Ursula Goadhouse is a relatively new resident of Crozet and is offering something that is quite unique in our town – “classes on de-stressing and reconnecting to ourselves.”
What are the classes about?
The classes are designed to reduce stress and reconnect with ourselves. Life is so busy and stressful for many of us, it is wonderful to have a time and space to dedicate to our own well-being and health! One side effect of stress is shallow breathing, so we will focus on revitalizing the body and mind with simple movements and deep breathing to really get our systems pumping and feel how wonderfully alive we are! The movements and breath work come from Iyengar Yoga, Kundalini yoga, basic stress reduction exercises, and Mindfulness meditation. Just about anyone can do it, and if someone needs accommodations for their physical abilities that is possible, too. It is very rewarding to take care of ourselves! Another aspect that often gets over-looked is just having some fun, which we will do, with some creative expressions. No art experience is needed for this kind of play, it is about letting the sprite out or listening to your inner wisdom. So many people say they feel like they are not creative, or the other side, that they haven’t had the time to be creative, either way, a little bit of drawing or writing is a great way to feel more whole and connected. This class is called “Finding Joy”. It will provide a safe, inspiring, creative place to sweat a little, experience guided meditation, deeply relax, have a little creative outlet, and listen to your inner wisdom! The class is open to women and men.
Where are you from? How long have you been in Crozet? How long have you been teaching?
I was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. Which I loved for the wild rebellious undercurrent, but at 18 I was very happy to move to California. I was very fortunate to attend the San Francisco Art Institute, where I received my bachelor of fine Arts (BFA). I stayed in San Francisco for seven years. It is a fantastic place to live. Then, I moved to Los Angeles (it is hard to explain this move and have it sound logical) and started an artist jewelry businesses which I continued for 10 years. Then, at the 10 year mark, I looked at my life and my path and realized that I wanted my life to be about service to others, rather than creating a product. By this time I had moved to Virginia to be closer to family and live in an area that has spoken to my heart. (I used to visit my sister in Charlottesville while she was in college and I loved this area).
We’ve been in Crozet since March 2008. Love it!
Now, this may be more than you want to know …
My husband, Stephen, and I met in Charlottesville. We have been married for 10 years and have two children. We have had an interesting and winding curvy path. Both of our children have been diagnosed with Autism. Our daughter is almost symptom free after a long road of therapy and diet changes. Part of her success was very early diagnosis after a regression at 17 months. Our son came in a unique package being born with Down syndrome, hearing difficulty, gastrointestinal challenges and then Autism at about 2 1/2 years. I mention this because my family life has been my work for the last several years, learning about therapies, diets, supplements, the special education system, how to advocate my children and find a balance to also be a loving mother. I know lots of people say it, but it is true, my children have been my greatest teachers.
Did I mention that I went to the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond and received my Master of Clinical Social Work (MSW)? Interesting, isn’t it? Well, before my children came, I worked at Region Ten CSB in Charlottesville. Through the years I had many work experiences. I had a wealth of experience working with both individuals and groups in psychotherapy. My experience also includes leading groups in anger management class, substance abuse management, women’s support groups and men’s support groups. Outside of Region Ten, I had a class similar to the one I am offering now held at the Glass building in Charlottesville. Now I really want to offer and support local business in Crozet. I love it here!
I have actively been practicing meditation for 16 years and yoga for 12 years (with some time off for having children). I have had amazing teachers along my path for dance, tai chi, yoga, meditation, and Buddhism. I am thankful to each teacher who has (or is) helping me be balanced, mindful, and intuitive on this wondrous journey.
Where will the classes be held? How much?
The class is held at Crozet Park in the Field School building. There is a weekly Monday night class from 6:30 to 8:30 pm starting on November 10th and running until December 15th (11/10/08 to 12/15/08). Also there is a weekly Saturday morning class from 9 to 11 am, November 15th to December 20th (11/15/08 to 12/20/08). Both are six-week sessions for $90.
How many have signed up?
There has been very good response, I still have space for anyone who wants to come join us. It is fine to call me or email me and let me know if you want to just come for one class to try it out. But, really, the best is to just jump in and join in for a session to give yourself time to experience what the class has to offer … relax, enjoy.
Ursula can be reached at the following places –
Her web site
Email
Phone: 434-964-9565
If you’d like to have your business or friend featured on RealCrozetVA, please let me know.
A friend asked me a question the other day (through Facebook) about a recent foreclosure that sold in his neighborhood and it triggered something I’ve been meaning to do –
If you live in a neighborhood in the Crozet area and would like me (actually the MLS system but it’ll look like it’s from me) to send you emails when a property comes on or goes off the market, has a price reduction or sells, please send me an email and let me know your name, email address and neighborhood. The Crozet real estate market is clearly not immune to the continually shifting real estate market, and we’re all concerned/curious about our property values.
This is something that I have set up for myself in my neighborhood (Parkside Village), and I’m certain that it would be useful for many of you. If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know this isn’t a veiled attempt to sell you something anything, but a recognition that I have access to a service that could provide value to you.
In the form of the New China restaurant in The Square.
Their phone numbers are 434-823-5256/434-823-5291.
They are open Monday through Thursday from 11am to 9:30pm, Friday and Saturday from 11am to 10:30pm and Sunday from noon to 9pm.
I haven’t been yet, but I’ve heard good reports already.
Mostly from the press release …
Opening in Spring 2009, ACAC will occupy approximately 8500 square feet of the new commercial center.
ACAC is a regional owner and operator of fitness and wellness centers, with facilities in Richmond, Charlottesville, and West Chester, PA. The new Old Trail ACAC will be its sixth location. At the new Crozet facility, ACAC will offer many of its popular services to members in Old Trail Village and the surrounding area. The new location will feature cardiovascular and strength equipment, group exercise, and child care. (ed note: bolding mine)
Old Trail Village Center, a mixed-use development at the heart Old Trail Village will feature a wide variety of businesses that improve the vitality of Old Trail and the surrounding Crozet community. The tenant mix will include eateries, medical service providers, insurance and mortgage brokerages, a Segway outlet, and the new ACAC fitness and wellness facility. Apartments varying in style from loft to townhome designs are also available in the Village Center, providing modern convenience at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The unique combination of retail, office space, and apartments creates a close-knit, friendly community in the heart of Old Trail Village.
Justin Beights, Vice President of Beights Development Corporation, said of the ACAC lease-signing, “I am excited about this partnership with ACAC as both a developer, a resident of Old Trail Village, and as a current member of ACAC. Now my family and I will have a high quality wellness center only steps from our front door.” With the addition of the large community pool currently under construction, Old Trail Village will soon feature the most complete package of neighborhood amenities in the region.
Is Crozet big enough for two gyms? We have 24-Hour Fitness in the Clover Lawn Shops and now ACAC. Don’t say we’re not an active community!
*Sorry for the delay in posting this … with respect to my sources, I have to abide by their wishes. Also, this rumor has been circulating for months, if not years and I didn’t want to jump the gun only to have the rumor prove to be just that.
My family moved out of Charlottesville to a farm near Crozet 9 years ago. We moved out this way because we could see the way things were changing in the north of Albemarle County, way more traffic, more subdivisions, more shopping centers. I grew up in SC which has been taken over by shopping centers and developments. When one gets run down, the developers move a mile down the road, abandon the first shopping center and build another. There are many abandoned shopping centers around Greenville, SC. It is an ugly, concrete filled, traffic inundated place, that used to be green and lovely until the developers took over. I would hate to see that happen to Crozet. It seems to be already happening in the north of the county.
I love old Crozet. Yes, it is rundown in some ways, but my kids love watching the train at the old library, I love being able to look for books in the library and still being able to keep an eye on my kids. If the library doesn’t have a book that I want, they will get it for me from another library in the county or in the state. I love that the librarians know my name, and that I know the people in the hardware store, and the pizza and grocery store.
I really would rather not see the Harris Teeter go in on 250. Our traffic will increase substantially, and where one store goes, others will follow. I make a trip to Charlottesville or Waynesboro once a week for a major shopping trip, what I run out of during the week, I shop for locally.
I love that I can have chickens, roosters, donkeys, horses and cows and no one complains about the noise, smell, flies, … We live in what is now a rural area. How long that it will remain that way is questionable, but I chose to move here because it was a largely rural area. I think that it is the charm of the area, and keeps it unique. If we add all the things that people want like a movie theatre, Chinese restaurants, more pizza places, more stores, then it will begin to be more like NoVA and less like Crozet. What will make our town unique? We will look like every other place in suburban USA.
Editor’s Note – anyone is welcome to submit a story to be published on RealCrozetVA.com. If you’re interested, please let me know. Also, a new library is coming.
