Category: Crozet

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Have you Been to the Waynesboro Home Depot?


Waynesboro Home Depot
Originally uploaded by jimduncancville

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.

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Community Spotlight – Ursula Goadhouse

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.

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If you Live in a Neighborhood in Crozet

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.

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24 Hour Fitness is a Toy Lift Drop Off Location

I received in an email from Melody at 24 Hour Fitness –

“Just wanted to let you know that the Kids Lift Foundation is beginning to accept donations. I can imagine there is a great need this year. We are a drop off location for toys. We are actually offering people $50 off enrollment for any donations. I think right now we are the only drop off location in Crozet.”

The Toy Lift if near and dear to me, in no small part because my wife is on the Board for the Toy Lift. Please consider donating time/money/toys. More information to follow.

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Civilization Comes to Crozet

 


New China

Originally uploaded by jimduncancville

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.

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Meat Truck in Crozet

Sent in by a kind reader:

I thought this would be amusing for RealCrozet. . .about fifteen minutes ago, this guy knocked on my backdoor and offered to sell me meat off his truck!!! He stopped by my neighbors’, too. Apparently one of them bought some meat. . .

I was too stunned to actually get any useful information, but thought you might want some material for the site! Maybe you can ask people if they knew who this guy was!

He stopped by my house on Monday, too, offering a free box of meat if I could “help him out” by buying a box. He had steak and seafood, too. My wife’s gotten us off of red meat, so I declined, but I did take a flyer – they’re Capital Meat. If I’d thought of it, I would have taken a picture of the little pickup with a big freezer in the back.

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Pulled From the Comments – Thoughs on the Crozet Master Plan and Reporting the News

In this comment, Craig covers a lot of ground – reporting of the news and the necessary relationships for said reporting, growth in Crozet and Albemarle, local economics – it is this sort of comment that helps to make writing this blog worthwhile.

Each morning, a young, green reporter at Daily Progress appears to field a call from county officials on what the “local news” should read for that day. Only a child-like mind would read the DP’s local coverage as news – or ridiculously self-interested preening for the “master plan” from Crozet Gazette’s editor, for that matter.

Right now, the local news – according to our county officials – reads that they are short the money needed to pay for the wonderful growth infrastructure contained in wildly popular urban plans. The DP – and county officials – are prepping residents for “tough decisions”, decisions the board passed on when the passed trendy development plans and hungrily consumed 30 percent increases in assessments.

I would look at recent election results, rather than the Daily Progress, for a more accurate sense of where the community stands. We just had two elections in which residents made their feelings on the rezonings in a “master plan” known. Sadly, after these elections, both Democrat and Republican supervisors for Crozet immediately passed two of the largest rezonings in the county, claiming the master plan is a popular rezoning guide.

Sure, you can find a few local residents who are wetting their pants with excitement for the high density development in the master plan or claiming they are proud of their role in it. But the vast majority of residents don’t want to pay for it (tax increase are probably coming), shift students, or commute 12 miles to densities that are 3 times as dense as the 3/acre densities of the Biscuit Run development in Charlottesville. The “master plan” is detested.

The School Board is reacting to policies that they did not create. If supervisors of both parties want to send thousands of people into Western Albemarle (both parties are passionate about it), then the school board will need to shift students from Crozet, almost annually. Students have to be placed somewhere.

Residents should expect students shifts from here on out. The Board could add on to existing schools, but I would rather keep our schools small. Smaller schools, which may no longer be possible in Crozet, are more effective socially and academically. The student shifts are not the school board’s doing, but it has become their problem.

The Board of Supervisors will also have to raise revenues to pay for the infrastructure to feed future growth caused by urbanization programs. However, they created this problem, and the excuses can be read as “local news” in the Daily Progress (concurrent calls for lower taxes and more spending on growth infrastructure can be in the Crozet Gazette).

I believe the increase of news on the internet – blogs like this one – has a function. Even though I don’t always agree with Jim, he does a great job of letting a wider array of opinions see the light.

What do you mean, you don’t always agree with me? 🙂 In all sincerity, thank you Craig for reading and posting such a thoughtful comment.

Update 22 October 2008: I thought it warranted putting my own comment here in the main story –

In defense of Mike Marshall who is the Crozet Gazette – He has done a remarkable thing for Crozet – not just by publishing the one and only monthly newspaper, but he’s involved – in far more things than most people could possibly find the time to do.

Not to put words in his mouth, but I sincerely believe that he supports the Master Plan for at least two reasons (and likely more) – 1) He’s invested in the plan 2) He’s invested in and cares for Crozet.

Shoot, how many people would start a newspaper – in this day and age – from scratch – if they didn’t care for the community?

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Crozet Master Plan up for Review

From Charlottesville Tomorrow:

The Crozet Master Plan, the County’s first for one of its designated growth areas, was approved in 2004. Master Plans are expected to be reviewed every five years. Albemarle County Senior Planner, Elaine Echols described the goal of the review which will take place initially behind the scenes and then be in front of the public in a significant way after July 1, 2009.

“This is not a complete overhaul of the Crozet Master Plan,” said Echols. “The plan is basically good. There are some tweaks that are needed. There have been some specific areas of concern to the community as well as to the staff, and these issues are going to be resolved through the update.”

County staff outlined how they plan to work co-operatively with the Crozet Community Advisory Council (CCAC) which is setting up several subcommittees to keep the review on track between now and mid-2009. County Community Relations Manager, Lee Catlin, described the work as a “very vigorous public involvement effort.”

Download the Crozet Master Plan staff report here. (pdf)

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Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival October 11 and 12

Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival.jpg

This year with wine tasting!

One note – if you happen to take photos of the Festival, please upload them to Flickr and tag them with “crozet” – that way they’ll show up in the slideshow to the right.

From their press release:

“Don’t miss central Virginia’s premier juried Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival. Saturday and Sunday Oct 11 & 12, 2008 Approximately 120 of the finest artists and craftspeople from around the nation will gather together. This two-day event is held, rain or shine, and, for many it is THE place to find one of a kind, handmade items of pottery, textiles, leather, glass, wood and metal as well as beautiful photography and art.

Our festive fare menu includes a variety of foods ranging from fresh popped Blue Ridge Kettle Korn, Lion’s Club famous gourmet hot dogs, K&R BBQ, local favorite La Cocina del Sol and MORE. There is no need to take a lunch break away from the grounds. The kids will be entertained as there are activities designed just for them including sand art, face painting, and more!

NEW – Wine Tasting Tent! Admission is $7 and includes a souvenir glass. Stop by our tasting tent and sample some of the finest wine this area has to offer. Identification required.

When you are ready to take a break, grab some lunch and a seat around the stage and plan to see local favorites Skyline Cloggers, magic by Dick Hildebrand, award winning bluegrass and more. All exhibits are handicapped accessible and under shelter.

Come and enjoy a day in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains and marvel at the beauty of the Virginia countryside. All proceeds benefit Crozet Park, a
community non-profit recreational facility open to all. Call 434-823-2211 or visit our website www.crozetpark.org for more information and directions.

Gate Admission is $5 for adults and children under 12 are free. No pets please.”

Update from an email:

“They can use a few more volunteers if anyone is interested in helping out in the community.
If you can give a couple hours for setup (today), call.

Update 14 October 2008 – I’d qualify the Festival as a huge success. I’ll try to do a full write up soon.

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Crozet Market Update – September 2008

The Crozet real estate market, like the entire region, is in a state of transition. In an attempt to keep Crozetians (and those curious folks outside Crozet who may be interested in moving here) informed, I am going to be publishing quarterly market reports specifically for Crozet.*

This data is pulled from the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors’ MLS. I’m not displaying prices – sold and listed – because so many of these subdivisions are interspersed with attached and single family homes. For example – Bargamin Park has two active properties – one attached for $272,500 and one single family for $375,500.

If you’re interested in a wider market analysis of the entire Charlottesville/Central Virginia area, you can see all of my market analyses at RealCentralVA. If you have questions about Crozet (or Charlottesville, etc.) real estate market, please ask me anytime.

Looked at another way,

* Crozet = Brownsville and Crozet Elementary Schools

* The information displayed is only as accurate as the Realtors inputting said data.