Regional Food System Assessment

Published by Waldo Jaquith on July 5, 2006 in General News. 3 Comments

This past semester’s Community Food Systems class in UVa’s Department of Urban and Environmental Planning conducted an extensive study of the food system in Central Virginia in order to assess how able we are to provide ourselves with food. The resulting paper (684k PDF) is just wonderful. They looked at farms, distributors, grocery stores, restaurants and food banks to determine where our food comes from, how much it costs, and to whom it’s accessible. The document concludes by identifying seventeen barriers to food production, processing, distribution, consumption and waste, with each accompanied by recommendations for how those barriers can be overcome. Along the way there are some fascinating maps and research results that provide a revealing look at Charlottesville’s demographics.

I’m having a hard time describing this without making it sound dry. In fact, this is forty seven page document is very much worth your time. I believe it’s the most interesting thing I’ve read about Charlottesville in quite some time—I’ll be chewing over these results for months.

07/06 Update: Dang, I knew this seemed familiar — Sean Tubbs interviewed the class members back in May, in a twenty-five minute story.

Development Despite Water

Published by Waldo Jaquith on July 5, 2006 in Development. 6 Comments

The Board of Supervisors is facing a tough situation: a proposed new development in an area without enough groundwater to support the new population, but they don’t have the power to prevent it. Jessica Kitchin writes in today’s Daily Progress that the Glen Oaks subdivision, south of 250 in eastern Albemarle, intends to create thirty new lots despite members of the nearby Running Deer subdivision often lacking enough water for their own needs. Although the 2004 groundwater ordinance requires developers to assess whether there’s enough water available, it prevents the county from rejecting a development on that basis.

The developer figures that if he were allowed to spread the houses out more, there might be more water available. But the problem posed by this is larger than the immediate concern. Why in the world must we permit new developments to be built when we lack the resources to support them? Must property rights amount to a metaphorical murder-suicide pact?

Runner’s World on Kelly Watt

Published by Waldo Jaquith on July 4, 2006 in Sports. 2 Comments

It was one year ago this month that 18-year-old runner Kelly Watt died from the effects of heat stroke after training in 100° heat. Now Runner’s World magazine has an extended feature about him, entitled “The Last Run.” Writer Amby Burfoot lays out the narrative of Kelly’s run, medical crisis, and what’s gone on in his family’s life since. Even if you think you already know the story, it’s well worth the read.

(Via The Hook)

Brown Reselected as Mayor

Published by Waldo Jaquith on July 4, 2006 in Politics. Closed

City Councilor David Brown has been selected for a second term as mayor, WINA reports on their unlinkable website. Council members also selected Kendra Hamilton as the new vice mayor, replacing Kevin Lynch. This biennial shuffle results from Julian Taliaferro and Dave Norris, who won the May election, joining Council last night for their first session.

Wedding-Day Cow Chase

Published by Waldo Jaquith on July 3, 2006 in General News. 8 Comments

As the town charter requires every so often (2003, 2001), a cow escaped from the livestock market on Franklin Street recently, leading police on a chase down Locust and Meadow down into the Rivanna before grazing on the fourth hole at the Meadowcreek Golf Course, Rob Seal reports in today’s Progress. Along the way she charged a woman and her dog and narrowly missed being tranquilized by an animal control officer.

What really makes the article is this quote: “Pumpkin was getting married that day, and we just couldn’t continue to chase it.” I hope that’s the Progress‘ quote of the day.

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