I just off the phone with Mike Marshall. The Fire Department will not issue a permit due to the forecast. The fireworks are tentatively rescheduled for tomorrow at 9:30. The decision will be made at 5:30pm tomorrow night.
Plank Road Exchange (former Batesville Store) is Now Open
The Plank Road Exchange (the former Batesville Store) is now open. And the sandwich I had was delicious. I’ll be back.
I was showing property to clients this morning and we went through Batesville. We drove past the Plank Road Exchange, and I made a U-turn because I saw their “Open” sign. Conveniently, my clients’ baby needed food, so the stop was well-timed (and they’re great new clients moving to the Crozet area). I took a few photos, got a juice, and left. Later today, I met another client and was supposed to meet a contractor who was serendipitously late. While waiting, we looked at the menu and decided to make a quick run to the Plank Road Exchange, and I’m glad we did.
While there, the store was what I’d hoped it would be – a place to get a fantastic sandwich (try the MC-50!*), the sides looked great and it looks like their ABC license is in the works … but what really defined the store was the friendliness of the proprietors, Aris and Jessica, their exuberance and the community they are facilitating. My client ran into her friend while we were there, a group of people were eating lunch and having what seemed to be great conversation, kids were running around (without being brow-beaten to be quiet by their parents), the pie was “delectable” … the Plank Road Store, which opened this past Saturday, was perfect.
Their opening is exciting – Batesville (based on my clients’ words, not mine; I don’t live there) – needs this store, needs this hub, needs this gathering and meeting place. I’m glad they’re open.
Or, as Lonnie Murray said:
“The store has been the cornerstone of our community and we’re really glad to see it opened again.”
Find them: (they say they’ll have “live music on the weekend”!)
– On Facebook
– On their website (under construction)
– On Twitter
* I would have taken a picture of my sandwich but I was way too hungry!
The Moving Jarman’s Gap Timeline
I’m thinking I should look for a widget to put in the sidebar of RealCrozetVA to track the Jarman’s Gap timelines.
– First it was “June through August of 2011”
– Then it was “August 15”
– Then it was “August 22”
– Today (16 August 2011) it’s “August 29”
As of 8/24/2011: Now it’s “September 12 to November 12”
And VDOT told me that there’s likely to be another delay due to Hurricane Irene’s arrival.
At some point, the sign needs to read:
“You’ll know when the road’s closed when it’s closed. When it’s open, it’ll be open.”
Update:
From Stacy Londrey at VDOT (who has been very quick to respond to my emails):
The closure has indeed been moved to September 12. We are experiencing continuing water-line troubles while attempting to relocate utilities before the closure, which accounts for the many delays. A positive out of this most recent delay is it provides recovery time after Hurricane Irene, if she shows herself this far inland.
Also from Stacy:
Our project inspector has heard from several residents of Haden Lane that they are concerned about access. Jarmans Gap Road will be closed just east of their road, meaning that they will only be able to make left turns off their street—but they will have full mobility without driving through a work zone. This will allow them access to the official detour route (down Old Trail Drive) and other points west.
The attached map may provide a good visual for the location of the closure.
Santa is Coming! Santa is Coming! And Other Holiday Events in Crozet – 2010
3 December – Toy Lift at Great Valu – 10am – 7pm
4 December – Santa is coming to Trailside Coffee.
11 December – Christmas Parade at 3pm
From a commenter:
Santa Claus is coming to Crozet. The Crozet Volunteer Fire Department’s Annual Christmas Parade is approacing very quickly and we are all very excited!! The Parade will run from Wayland Drive, Crozet Avenue and end at Crozet Park where Santa will greet children of all ages. We will sell hotdogs, chips and bottled water! No invitation needed to participate in the parade. Line up will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 11th on Wayland Drive and the parade will start at 3:00 p.m.! Hope to see everyone there!
11 December – Innisfree Village Holiday Open House – wreath-making workshop, crafts for sale, children’s activities and more!
18 December – Holiday Cookie Decorating and Christmas Story Reading! At Crozet Mudhouse
What Do you Think about The Block Schedule?
If you’re a parent (or kid) at Western Albemarle High School, you’ve had an interesting year learning the affects and impacts of the block schedule. What are your thoughts? How has it affected you and your kid(s)?
The DP says parents are outraged.
Update 18 October 2010: Let the County know what you think about the block schedule.
Restore N Station *Does* Need a Special Use Permit
Basically, Ron Higgins’ determination has been negated and the current status of the RestoreNStation is that it is still denied and must/may proceed with the Special Use Permit process.
From the letter: (bolding in the letter)
This determination supercedes the August 19, 2010 determination, which is hereby withdrawn.
…
It is my determination, after careful review of the information in your July 21, 2010 memorandum, the pertinent sections of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance and further discussions with Albemarle County Officials, that the proposed Re-Store N’ Station continues to require a special use permit for water consumption in accordance with County Code …
See the PDF after the break. Continue reading “Restore N Station *Does* Need a Special Use Permit”
Crozet Trails Crew gets Noticed
Good. From today’s Daily Progress: (follow along or contact the Crozet Trails crew via their blog)
The Crozet Trails Crew — one of numerous local groups of its kind — has about eight to 10 regulars, and Mauzy hopes that number grows.
“Once we start working on the trails that really connect the community … I feel like that’s what’s really going to bring folks out,” Mauzy said. “When they have a safe route where they can ride their bikes with their kids on a Sunday, or on a Saturday morning to the farmers market in downtown Crozet, I think that’s going to do wonders for the community.”The Scottsville Trails Group, Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club, Virginia Master Naturalists and Neighbors of our Parks are also among regular volunteer groups. The Rivanna Trails Foundation, Rivanna Conservation Society and the Appalachian Trail Club also work to provide trails in the county.
Mauzy and county leaders say workers are focused on building a system in which many trails connect. Some Crozet residents also hope to have, eventually, a trail system that connects Crozet to Charlottesville.
Better to do it ourselves than depend on the government.
Also – they are looking for a local school liaison. Volunteers wanted.
More on the Crozet Library
Update 10 February:
Ann Mallek writes that the meeting tonight is questionable due to the weather. Make sure you check albemarle.org before you go.
From the CrozetEagle listserv:
Many of you may not know that the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors has spoken about closing Scottsville Library and our own Crozet Library. Due to budget constraints, they say there is not enough money for these libraries. It has been shown that the cost of running the libraries in Albemarle County is well below the other areas in Virginia. Also the Crozet Library has increased their volume of circulation over the last 2 years. As you know, once they do close this library, it is very likely we will not get another one – new or old back into this area.
Please help us save our local library! They are trying to brainstorm ideas of how we can help save the library. Right now due to weather conditions, they are not having a library meeting scheduled. But, there is a Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday Feb. 10th. Anyone who wishes, can go and sign up to speak out for the library.
We also have petitions to sign against closure put out at Crozet Pharmacy, Crozet Hardware Store, Mudhouse and the Post Office. I will try to put out more petitions as weather clears. Also there is a website I have created for people to post on and I am sending these to Board of Supervisors:www.savecrozetlibrary.webs.com . Please forward this info to anyone you can! On this website is a calendar for future events. If we can get the weather to co-operate, I will try again to post new dates for any meetings.
Continue reading “More on the Crozet Library”