Remember how Thomas Rogers, creator of Charlie the Tuna, the Keebler Elves, and Morris the Cat, lived here? It seems we’ve got another mascot creator living in the area — Mike Edgett, creator of Geoffrey the Giraffe, lives in Buckingham. David Maurer profiles Edgett in today’s Daily Progress.
The oddest bunch of folks live around here.
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 four six 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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This just goes to show that what cvillenews has been lacking – a mascot.
Waldo what are you going to do about this oversight?
It also goes to show what the Charlottesville area has long been lacking: a giraffe.
Many people do not realize how few giraffes are available in central Virginia. Allegedly, the Richmond Zoo has some. But note that the Richmond Zoo doesn’t even have a website and even those who have lived in Richmond for years couldn’t tell you where it is. Why are taxpayers in central Virginia forced to drive over an hour in order to gaze upon one of these magnificent beasts? I can think of few other public resources in Virginia that are spread so thin.
It boggles the mind to think that our city councilors can cough up millions of dollars to build an amphitheater and give it away to a notorious multi-millionaire, yet has not even ben willing to discuss the ‘giraffe gap.’ How can we honestly call ourselves a ‘world-class city’ without a giraffe?
The cost is modest, given the obvious benefits. In 1998 the Abilene Zoo in Texas purchased a giraffe and transported it for only $20,000. You can spend more than that on a used Ford Focus. The giraffe could be kept in an enclosure within Meadowcreek park. The annual cost of feed is comparable to a few horses. This is not a great deal of money that we are talking about here.
We’ve all had our heads in the sand for too long. Charlottesville’s schools are struggling, commutes are getting longer than ever and housing costs are skyrocketing. Let’s stop ignoring these problems and start *doing* something about them. Let’s work together to close the giraffe gap and bring a giraffe to Charlottesville.
Giraffes rarely lay down; they even sleep and give birth standing up.
The gestational period of a giraffe is 14 to 14.5 months
Newborn giraffe calves begin their lives by falling 6 feet to the ground
Giraffes are nonterritorial and sociable. They live in loose, open herds.
A giraffe’s toungue is black.
i always wonder why there isn’t any sport teams called the Giraffes? What a sec, there isn’t too many Rhinos.
When the local Toys R Us was built the county Architectural Review Board decided that the trademark plastic Giraffe sculpture was inappropriate for Albemarle County and would not permit it to be placed in front of the store. Good thing too, because the Giraffe sure would have made 29 North look too garish don’t you think?