For many years, the Jaycees ran the Charlottesville Independence Day celebration, ensuring that fireworks, music, and picnics happened on the 4th of July each year. A few years ago, they decided to stop doing it, and it was rescued by a couple of generous citizens who ponied up the not-insignifant sum of money to make it happen. From there, the Charlottesville Downtown Foundation took it over, and ensured that the tradition carried on. Now CDF cannot afford the $20,000 to spend on it, and the city doesn’t have the money, either. WINA has the story. So, cvillenewsers, how do we make the 4th of July happen in C’ville? 05/15 Update: The Progress has a story with more details. Tom Powell is seeking corporate donations — $7,000 down, $13,000 to go.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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Archive for Sideblog »
"John Grisham Presents: Charlottesville Fourth of July!"
Naw…I don’t like the sound of that.
"Boyd Tinsley Presents: Charlottesville Independence Day!"
That’s a bit better.
"Patricia Kluge Presents: C’ville JulyFest!"
Definitely not.
"The Bronfman/Hoffman clan brings you: A Very Special Seagram’s July 4th!"
Hmm… I’m not having much luck here.
i thought it got cancelled b/c the left-wingers didn’t want to offend the “patriotically challenged” members of the c’ville community.
Well, why don’t they raise it the same way that the City Center for Contemporary Arts (that’s C3A, for the acronym-happy) is doing? They’ve enlisted a consortium of local restaurants to add a “voluntary” $1 charge to your bill to support the center. If you don’t cross it off of your check (and who the heck reads every item on their check at a restaurant?), you support their cause. This clever little program starts tomorrow (in case you missed C-VILLE’s restaurant column or an ad that lists all the participating restaurants — Blue Light, Bang, OXO, etc.). I bet these restaurants will also have a small sign posted in their window as well but make no other mention of this “voluntary” donation. Why han’t the City of Charlottesville thought of this?? They can easily do the same thing — why not a “voluntary” fireworks fund donation every time you buy a sheet of trash stickers? Everyone thinks they’re so expensive anyway, they probably won’t notice an additional charge.
End of combined rant.
Big fat whatever. Patriotism does not begin with an R.
Bill cramming is not the answer. It’s sleazy.
However, if they had a consumer initiated option, similar to that $1 donation on your tax form, that you have to check if you wish to pay, I would gladly throw a buck or two their way.
I know that it’s a lot of work to coordinate small-scale donations, but I’d certainly pay $20. If there were buckets around town with a requested donation of, say, $5/person in order to fund fireworks, I surely hope that people would help pay for that. With proper media attention and a deadline (say, a week), I bet the money could be raised.
LOL,
We wouldn’t want to offend the non americans with a July 4th celebration. We don’t want the non americans to be left out. I think we might also hurt the feelings of anyone who is british because they lost you know.
The fire department bills for all the errant illegal fireworks will far surpass the cost of a sanctioned fireworks display.
Not to mention the kids who blow their fingers off and require $20,000 in medical care each.
Prepare for the inevitable carnage.
Perhaps this isn’t the time for me to explain how to get an explosives permit and then buy det cord and RDX. Must not succumb to the rapture of illuminating the populace…
A half a gallon of gasoline with det cord wrapped around it DOES look cool though. Naw, It would still be wrong to tell you…