Podcasts about Albemarle

CCE-850ALast week I asked listeners of the podcast to let me know if they were tuning in, and sure enough, several of you did reach out! So, perhaps this Friday edition of the newsletter going out as a podcast will continue. Today's edition doesn't have any new information but instead is an audio summary of some of what has been going on with voices from some of the decision-makers.I'm Sean Tubbs, and this one's a bit of a puzzle to put together. In the print edition below you'll see new versions of a couple of the stories as I had to develop a new script. I have not included the images, but these podcasts will now have normal shout-outs. No more house ads!Two stories in this edition, both about Charlottesville's budget for FY2026:* City Council makes last minute decisions at final work session before tonight's vote on $265M budget* Council adopts $265.2 million budget after another conversation about transit fundingFirst shout-out: Plant Virginia NativesSpring is here and there's still time to plan for upgrades to your outdoors. You can take some time to get ready for spring! Check out Plant Virginia Natives!Plant Virginia Natives is part of a partnership with ten regional campaigns for ten different ecosystems across Virginia, from the Northern Piedmont to the Eastern Shore. Take a look at the full map below for the campaign for native species where you are in the Commonwealth. For the Charlottesville area, download a free copy of the handbook: Piedmont Native Plants: A Guide for Landscapes and Gardens.Plant Northern Piedmont Natives is for anyone who works with native plants, whether you are a property owner, private consultant, landscape designer, nursery operator, conservation group, or local government.(image)A summary of the April 10, 2025 Charlottesville City Council budget work sessionOne of the challenges of doing a podcast version at the end of a week is that I may have to rearrange two previous stories in order for the audio edition to make sense. That's the case this week with Charlottesville City Council's adoption of a $265.2 million budget for fiscal year 2026. That happened on April 14 at a special meeting.But before we get to that, we have to go back to the work session held on April 10.In Charlottesville, the budget process never really stops. In fact, it keeps on going up to the last minute of adoption. New items were added at the work session that had not previously come up.At the beginning of the April 10 work session, they learned about additional spending that can happen because new funding has been found since the beginning of the budget process in March.“We do have supplemental revenue over and above the proposed budget of $774,263,” said Krisy Hammill, the city's budget director.The driver of that change was an additional $700,000 increase in Business and Professional Licenses that had not been factored in.There were many numbers thrown around during the final work session. Before Council signed off on how to spend that money, City Manager Sam Sanders went through how $915,620 in “Council Discretionary Funds” would be spent to leave a balance of $440,406 to spend.“Kind of thinking that with all the volatility that we have in DC, there could very easily be a series of moments that come up and that this would give you the flexibility to make some decisions and how we could support gaps in what could happen based on decisions and how it actually lands in the community,” Sanders said.Staff codified a list of what Council had already decided to spend over the course of four budget work sessions.* $250,000 to the Blue Ridge Coalition for the Homeless to cover the costs of a federal grant not obtained because there was an error related to a recent leadership transition.* $162,000 to the Piedmont Housing Alliance to pay for the cost of staff who work on eviction prevention.* $50,000 in cash to the Piedmont Housing Alliance related to eviction prevention.* An additional $43,150 to the Boys and Girls Club for a total of $116,000 in the FY26 budget.* An additional $28,800 to Lighthouse Studios to fund two programs for a total funding of $40,000 in the FY26 budget.* An additional $6,000 to Loaves and Fishes to bring their total funding to $50,000 for FY26.* An additional $1,200 to Piedmont CASA for a total of $10,000.* An additional $6,600 to Live Arts for a total of $16,000.* An additional $7,100 to Legal Aid Justice Center for a total of $40,000* An additional $1,500 to SARA for a total of $25,000.* A total of $104,261 in capital improvement program funds will be redirected to the Dogwood Vietnam Memorial. Read this story for more information.At the meeting, Hammill handed out a spreadsheet that provided more details about other programs that were added to the list such as an annual payment to the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center. This was initially left out of the budget because the organization did not fill out an application through a portal called Zoom Grants.The payment to the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center was $228,993 in FY2024 and $246,993 in FY2025. The organization is considered fundamental which means it no longer has to compete for funding through the Vibrant Community Fund process . The payment for FY2026 will be $228,200.“By not submitting through Zoom Grants, they didn't appear on the list, but they didn't know that they had to still submit through Zoom Grants,” Sanders said. “So we have some course corrections that we need to do there and making sure that everyone understands what they have to do still, even though they're in a non competitive round.”Sanders said there was a similar error with the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority. That government body is considered “fundamental” but also sought additional funding.“We have to have a conversation with them about their pursuits of funding going forward to your point they could be here and in the competitive rounds,” Sanders said. “I don't particularly care for that. I think that makes it double dipping.”Sanders said Deputy City Manager James Freas and the Office of Community Solutions are currently performing an audit of CRHA as a way of building a better working relationship.City Councilor Michael Payne, a member of the CRHA Board, called for a joint work session to plan for the likelihood of reduced federal funding for public housing units.At one point in the conversation, Council initially signaled a willingness to add an additional $16,000 to the United Way for their Prosper program. Deputy City Manager Ashley Marshall made a pitch for the program at the April 10 meeting. The program had previously been called the Financial Resiliency Task Force.Another last minute item is $30,000 for the Tonsler League headed by former City Councilor and current CRHA Chair Wes Bellamy. The organization had expected that the City of Charlottesville would have received an additional $250,000 from the state government for operations, but Governor Glenn Youngkin recently vetoed that from the budget.“He received a $250,000 grant for this current year that ends in June,” Sanders said. “I am planning to check with him to see if. If he will expend all of that and avoid the risk of having to send anything back.”Council supported giving the Tonsler League $30,000.At half an hour into the final budget work session held three days after the final public hearing, Sanders asked Council if there was any other item they might want to fund and gave them the current balance.“The question that we are really posing at this point is, is there anything else that you all have been pondering?” Sanders asked. “Because we try to remind you that this is the end of the road and we are truly down to $394,000 that today, right now at this moment, is your Council Strategic Initiatives Fund.”That prompted Councilor Lloyd Snook to express a concern.“So we haven't even gotten to the fiscal year and we've already cut it down?” Snook asked.“That's correct,” Sanders said.Snook said he felt the process was not appropriate.“I find myself trying to figure out what possible process we're advancing here,” Snook said. “And the answer is it's still back to whatever anybody throws up against the wall at Council at the last minute. I just think that's a terrible way to do business.”Sanders said he understood Snook's concern.“I understand and appreciate the last minute nature of it and I'm not a fan of always doing that and I think in these, this, these two moments specifically, we can identify a way to bring you critical information so that you can have that presented to you and then you can make that determination on if you believe the item is ready to go forward,” Sanders said, adding that both Marshall and Bellamy could appear before Council to formally make a pitch.There were at least three Councilors who supported funding for Tonsler, but not yet for the Prosper Program.There was also a long discussion about increasing the number of transit drivers to 82 in order to restore service to pre-pandemic levels. This comment from Sanders finishes off that discussion and sets up a conversation for the future.“I think what I heard was that you are not going to attempt to unpack the budget at this late stage and find a way to make 82 drivers a reality,” Sanders said. “But what you are indicating is that you support the desire for added drivers and that you're looking to have us revisit that with you at some point in the future later in 2025 for the possible consideration of the use of one time funds for the bridge that would be required to get us to the next budget where we will realize the true cost.”Sanders also said he still wants to hold on to the $22.4 million surplus from FY2024 in case federal programs are cut.“The conversations that are being had in regards to SNAP and Medicaid are real in that they're big,” Sanders said. “And if those cuts were to occur, we will see a number of our constituency impacted directly by that.”Sanders said that while the city is blessed to have a large surplus, it will go very quickly if the local government picks up what had been a federal program.Tonight's meeting to adopt is not the end of the process. Because of a second advertising error, Council still has to hold a public hearing on the tax rates and that will take place at the next regular meeting on April 21. By law, Council cannot adopt those tax rates at that meeting and must wait at least three days. A second special meeting will be held on April 24.I had hoped to tell you more about the next three items by going back to the audio, but I've got to get to the next set of stories:* Sanders had an update on a potential low-barrier shelter. The General Assembly's version of the budget had $1.5 million going to the City of Charlottesville for this purpose, and Youngkin cut this in half. The budget has not yet been finalized and Sanders said Senator Creigh Deeds is still trying to make the case to restore the funding.* Sanders said he believes the city would need to provide operating funds to any grocery that sets up at 501 Cherry Avenue.* There is still a possibility that the city might provide funding for UVA's affordable housing project at 10th and Wertland. They will be asked to submit a request as part of the next funding cycle this fall.Second shout-out: Piedmont Master Gardeners seek items for Green Elephant SaleIf you are cleaning out your garage or basement this winter and have garden implements or yard ornaments you no longer need, the Piedmont Master Gardeners will take them off your handsThe Piedmont Master Gardeners are seeking donations of new and used garden tools, hoses, decorative items, outdoor furniture, and virtually anything else that can be used to maintain or enjoy a home landscape. From February 1 through April 30, these "Green Elephant" donations may be dropped off at 402 Albemarle Square between 10 a.m. and noon on Wednesdays or Saturdays. The Master Gardeners are not able to accept plastic pots or opened chemicals.The Green Elephants will be offered for sale to the public during PMG's Spring Plant Sale, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Albemarle Square Shopping Center. Proceeds will support the many free and low-cost horticulture education programs the Piedmont Master Gardeners offer to the community.To arrange a pickup of large items or for more information, contact the Piedmont Master Gardeners at greenelephant@piedmontmastergardeners.org.(image)Council adopts $265.2 million budget after another conversation about transit fundingCharlottesville City Council adopted a $265.2 million budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1 at a special meeting on April 14 but not before another review and summary from City Manager Sam Sanders. He had introduced a $264,474,183 budget on March 4.“Things have changed a little bit, as it always does, from the proposed date to your adoption date,” Sander saidThere have been five budget work sessions and two public hearings on the document itself, but yet to come is a public hearing on the tax rates for 2025.“What I'll point out to you just in basic highlights, is that the revenue expenditure at this time has now risen to $265,248,446,” Sanders said.The tax rates have not changed for 2025, but another year of growth in assessments has resulted in more revenue. The assessor's office reported an average of a 7.74 percent increase in late January.One spending change in the budget is an additional $600,000 for Charlottesville Area Transit which partially came out of a push for local advocates.“We added a transit mechanic to help with operations,” Sanders said. “We are also maintaining fare free service across the system and absorbing the absence of the flexible federal funds because those funds are now not available to us as they have been.”Other highlights:* There's $5.4 million over the next five years for sidewalk repair and construction* There's $12.7 million in spending on affordable housing initiatives in FY26* The FY26 budget is the first to apply to a fourth collective bargaining unitCity Councilor Michael Payne asked about the status of a $22.4 million surplus from FY2024. Sanders made the decision to keep the amount in reserve and Council has so far agreed. The idea is to keep the money available while a new era for the federal government continues to settle in. He also said he has been meeting with nonprofit groups who have been making presentations on funding they have lost from the federal government.“So they are first trying to recoup what they've spent and hope that they might actually get some continuation,” Sanders said. “So that is beginning to build. We're beginning to see that finally the city organization itself has not incurred a loss. But we still continue to monitor just believing that it's just a matter of time. It's not a matter of if, it is actually a matter of when.”A generally-held practice in municipal budgeting is to not use one-time money such as surpluses to hire staffing.“Something like staffing is not ideal because we can't guarantee that funding to occur year to year,” said City Councilor Natalie Oschrin.The conversation went back to transit. The City of Charlottesville owns Charlottesville Area Transit and has full control of its operations. Albemarle County and Charlottesville have entered into an entity called the Charlottesville Albemarle Regional Transit Authority but so far that is entirely about planning for transit operations.Albemarle Supervisors vote to join Regional Transit Authority, December 15, 2024Charlottesville joins regional transit authority; Council holds first reading on federal transit allocations, December 28, 2024Charlottesville Area Transit has no independent board of directors which makes Council the sole authority over its operations. There had once been an advisory body made up of citizens but that was eliminated sometime during the pandemic.An advocacy group called IMPACT made up of various churches has been pressuring Albemarle and Charlottesville to increase the amount they spent on transit to hire additional drivers. Their specific number has been 82, a number believed to enable Charlottesville Area Transit to increase service.“The solution to long wait times is very straightforward: we need more bus drivers,” reads their website. “Right now, Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) has budgeted 67 drivers. Getting to wait times of half an hour will require at least 80.”In Virginia, cities and counties are completely independent of each other. There are regional services such as that provided by the Rivanna Water and Service Authority, but localities have to adopt budgets independently.IMPACT's public event was held on April 8, over a month into the budget process for Charlottesville and about six weeks after Albemarle County Executive Jeffrey Richardson introduced that locality's budget.At their work session on April 10, City Council indicated they wanted to support IMPACT's request but the timing is not right for the existing budget. They agreed to hold conversations about how to get there shortly after the budget is adopted.Vice Mayor Brian Pinkston and Charlottesville City Council were the two members of Council who went to hear from IMPACT at what they call the Nehemiah Action.“The commitment that the two of us made was to try to get something for this coming the fiscal year that we're working on now, which means some sort of amendment or whatever,” said City Councilor Brian Pinkston.Several members of the group were in attendance at the meeting and Pinkston addressed them directly from the dais and encouraged them to get involved earlier in the budget process.“I want people to know that this is not the end,” Pinkston said. “We heard you last week, we're working on it. And what you're hearing now is the sort of public outworking of the conversations that need to happen.”For over four years of reporting on transit issues, take a look at this tab on Information Charlottesville.Council adopted the budget after a final explanation of last minute changes such as $30,000 for the Tonsler League to help keep it going after Governor Youngkin vetoed an anticipated $250,000 from Virginia's budget.Council will hold a public hearing on the tax rate for 2025 on April 21 and then will hold a special meeting on April 24.Postscript for #850AToday's edition was intended to have additional audio but I ran out of time. Also the podcast edition can be less than half an hour long. The version that airs on WTJU has to be at least 29 minutes long. There was no radio version last week so I'm going to put another story or two in that version from #846-A. Behind the scenes I have quite a bit of organization that allows me to seemingly produce more content than entities with budgets that are much larger than mine. One day there will be more of everything. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

The regular cycle for Charlottesville Community Engagement begins and ends with a sonic version that collects stories from the past week and presents them in audible form. The information gathering for this newsletter mostly takes place by recording audio of government meetings in the Thomas Jefferson Planning District. As I write each story, I clip out the audio the way I might have done if I had continued to pursue a career in public radio. There is a satisfaction to be able to share this with anyone who might want to hear.In this edition of the program:* Local primary races set for City Council, Jack Jouett seat on Albemarle Board* Albemarle Architectural Review Board reviews draft actions for Comprehensive Plan* Albemarle Supervisors skeptical of proposal to use dedicated housing fund proceeds as debt service* Albemarle Supervisors vote to add another $1 million to affordable housing fund, $200,000 to emergency fund in FY2026 budget* Deputy City Manager Ratliff provides update on Charlottesville's strategic plan* Former City Council appeals to Council to move forward with improvements to support Dogwood MemorialCharlottesville Community Engagement is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.First shout-out: Piedmont Master Gardeners seek items for Green Elephant SaleIf you are cleaning out your garage or basement this winter and have garden implements or yard ornaments you no longer need, the Piedmont Master Gardeners will take them off your handsThe Piedmont Master Gardeners are seeking donations of new and used garden tools, hoses, decorative items, outdoor furniture, and virtually anything else that can be used to maintain or enjoy a home landscape. From February 1 through April 30, these "Green Elephant" donations may be dropped off at 402 Albemarle Square between 10 a.m. and noon on Wednesdays or Saturdays. The Master Gardeners are not able to accept plastic pots or opened chemicals.The Green Elephants will be offered for sale to the public during PMG's Spring Plant Sale, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Albemarle Square Shopping Center. Proceeds will support the many free and low-cost horticulture education programs the Piedmont Master Gardeners offer to the community.To arrange a pickup of large items or for more information, contact the Piedmont Master Gardeners at greenelephant@piedmontmastergardeners.org.The weekly look at the spreadsheetSecond-shout out: Charlottesville Area Tree StewardsThe next shout-out is one I'm very interested in. There is now a big school behind my house and I'd like to plant some trees to screen my property. I really have no idea how to do such a thing, but you can bet where I'll be the morning of April 12, 2025!That's when the Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards will be holding their annual tree sale at the Virginia Department of Forestry at 900 Natural Resources Drive in Charlottesville. The group has their own tree nursery, entirely run by volunteers. They plant saplings obtained from multiple sources and nurture them until they are large enough to be planted out. They concentrate on native trees, some of which are hard to find from commercial sources.They don't have a list yet, but stay tuned to this space for details. But, this is a good day to get that on your calendar! Click here for more details! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

CleanTech Lithium PLC (AIM:CTL, OTCQX:CTLHF) CEO Ignacio Mehech talked with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about his priorities following his appointment as the company's new chief executive. Mehech spoke about the company's immediate focus and his own background in Chile's mining sector. He described CleanTech as being at “a very special moment in time”, with several key developments underway including the CEOL (special lithium operation contract) negotiations with Chile's Ministry of Mining, the delivery of a pre-feasibility study, and the search for a strategic partner. “We have gone all the way to produce lithium carbonate battery grade,” Mehech said, noting that the company has successfully piloted direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies with its brine projects. Reflecting on his decade of experience in Chile's mining industry, Mehech outlined his previous roles at Albemarle, including as country manager for Chile and VP of external affairs for Latin America. He stressed the importance of maintaining strong relationships with indigenous communities and government stakeholders in Chile, adding that CleanTech already has “a good relationship” that it must continue building on. He concluded by reinforcing the company's short-term goals: “Finalise the negotiations on the CEOL with the Ministry of Mining, deliver the pre-feasibility study, and look for a strategic partner to develop this project.” For more insights, visit Proactive's YouTube channel for additional videos. Don't forget to like this video, subscribe, and enable notifications so you never miss an update. #CleanTechLithium #Lithium #LithiumExtraction #IgnacioMehech #Mining #MiningChile #BatteryMetals #LithiumBrine #StrategicPartnership #DLEtechnology #PreFeasibilityStudy #ProactiveInvestors

This week's episode plunges into the mysterious depths of the creepiest and most haunting swamp locations. As two investigators who often find us immersed in swamp-like settings, we thought it would be thrilling to spotlight some of the most spine-chilling places brimming with paranormal activity.In this episode, we delve into the eerie Great Dismal Swamp, Manchac Swamp, Honey Island Swamp, and Bear Creek Swamp. We'll uncover tales of ghostly apparitions, chilling urban legends, a Bigfoot-like cryptid, and a bizarre event from 2014, where 21 porcelain dolls were discovered impaled in one of these swampy areas.Beyond the chilling accounts, we'll explore the fascinating history behind these locations, share some personal insights, and ponder the forces that may make these swamps hotspots for paranormal occurrences. It's an episode packed with mystery, intrigue, and spine-tingling stories that you definitely don't want to miss!Small Disclaimer/ correction: In the episode we state that Drummond was the first governor of North Carolina which isn't entirely true. Drummond was the first governor of the Province of Albemarle which is now part of North Carolina. This was done under the Lords Proprietors in the 1600s during the colonial period before North Carolina was a state. Ways to Get In Contact With UsEmail: Hiddenintheshadowspodcast@gmail.comWebsite: Coming Soon: hiddenintheshadows.comLink to All Socials: Hiddenintheshadowspodcast | Instagram, TikTok | LinktreeLovin' the intro and outro music?"Swamp Witch”Our other intro Music: "Stacy Dahl" by MaudlinWant to hear more from Maudlin? Check them out on social media!Tik Tok: @maudlinInstagram: @maudlinListen on Spotify and YouTube!Special thanks for all the copyright free YouTube sound effects account that gave the perfect vibes to this episode.Dark Ambient- Horror Background Music No Copyright By: THRLLPaddle In Canoe Sound Effect: Played N Faved-Sound EffectsWoman Crying and Sobbing Sound Effect: SoundEffectsFactory(Free) Horror Ambiance- Ominous Background Music By ESN productionsTense Horror Music No Copyright Loop “Scary Forest” by Gravity SoundHave a paranormal experience to share? Reach out to us! Send us a message on social media, fill out our contact form, or shoot us an email (Hiddenintheshadowspodcast@gmail.com)Get ready for more spooky content coming soon! Follow us for updates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's episode plunges into the mysterious depths of the creepiest and most haunting swamp locations. As two investigators who often find us immersed in swamp-like settings, we thought it would be thrilling to spotlight some of the most spine-chilling places brimming with paranormal activity.In this episode, we delve into the eerie Great Dismal Swamp, Manchac Swamp, Honey Island Swamp, and Bear Creek Swamp. We'll uncover tales of ghostly apparitions, chilling urban legends, a Bigfoot-like cryptid, and a bizarre event from 2014, where 21 porcelain dolls were discovered impaled in one of these swampy areas.Beyond the chilling accounts, we'll explore the fascinating history behind these locations, share some personal insights, and ponder the forces that may make these swamps hotspots for paranormal occurrences. It's an episode packed with mystery, intrigue, and spine-tingling stories that you definitely don't want to miss!Small Disclaimer/ correction: In the episode we state that Drummond was the first governor of North Carolina which isn't entirely true. Drummond was the first governor of the Province of Albemarle which is now part of North Carolina. This was done under the Lords Proprietors in the 1600s during the colonial period before North Carolina was a state. Ways to Get In Contact With UsEmail: Hiddenintheshadowspodcast@gmail.comWebsite: Coming Soon: hiddenintheshadows.comLink to All Socials: Hiddenintheshadowspodcast | Instagram, TikTok | LinktreeLovin' the intro and outro music?"Swamp Witch”Our other intro Music: "Stacy Dahl" by MaudlinWant to hear more from Maudlin? Check them out on social media!Tik Tok: @maudlinInstagram: @maudlinListen on Spotify and YouTube!Special thanks for all the copyright free YouTube sound effects account that gave the perfect vibes to this episode.Dark Ambient- Horror Background Music No Copyright By: THRLLPaddle In Canoe Sound Effect: Played N Faved-Sound EffectsWoman Crying and Sobbing Sound Effect: SoundEffectsFactory(Free) Horror Ambiance- Ominous Background Music By ESN productionsTense Horror Music No Copyright Loop “Scary Forest” by Gravity SoundHave a paranormal experience to share? Reach out to us! Send us a message on social media, fill out our contact form, or shoot us an email (Hiddenintheshadowspodcast@gmail.com)Get ready for more spooky content coming soon! Follow us for updates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the early days of Charlottesville Community Engagement, each edition was a newsletter as well as a podcast. In early 2024, this tradition was severed so I could make sure I could get a radio version on WTJU for Saturday morning 6 a.m. That's the case with this March 28, 2025 edition which is being produced in an odd week with slightly less productivity due to seasonal allergies. I'm Sean Tubbs and next week may see further experimentation.* Albemarle Supervisors briefed on climate funding, pay increases, and future direction for FY2027 (learn more)* EPA climate resilience grant for community nonprofits rescinded (learn more)* Supervisors also learn about the county's plans to add $4.2 million to a housing fund as well as a potential pause in federal housing vouchers (written story out tomorrow)* Charlottesville City Council holds first reading of allocations for affordable housing projects (learn more)* City Council enters into new agreement with CRHA for Sixth Street redevelopment (learn more)* Solar panels atop Ivy Landfill move closer to reality (Read this story on C-Ville Weekly)* Local projects left out of recent Continuing Resolution for federal budget (learn more)First shout-out: Celebrating the community's other information organizations!There are a lot of stories each week that go out through this newsletter, but no one information outlet can put together the entire picture. That's why each regular edition ends with a section called Reading Material.Charlottesville is fortunate to have a media landscape that includes the Charlottesville Daily Progress, C-Ville Weekly, Charlottesville Tomorrow, and Cville Right Now, I curate links from these sources because I believe a truly informed community needs multiple perspectives.There's also the Cavalier Daily, Vinegar Hill Magazine, the Fluvanna Review, the Crozet Gazette, NBC29, CBS19, and other sources. But if you look every day, you'll find links to articles in national publications, all linked to give you more perspectives on some of the issues of our times.Now more than ever, journalism is needed. To be a citizen of a democracy, you must seek information from multiple sources. Consume only one and you are at risk of becoming a zombie!Second shout-out: Advertise on Information CharlottesvilleLong-time readers may know that most of the stories posted through this newsletter are also posted to Information Charlottesville. Sometimes the stories go there first! Both this newsletter and that website are part of the same information gathering operation, an operation I hope to continue to grow!There are multiple ways to contribute to Town Crier Productions.One new one is to place an advertisement on Information Charlottesville. I'm in the early days of experimenting with visual ways for organizations to get their message across to a growing audience. I've not yet put together a media kit, but I'm ready to offer a special for March. What's the special? More details in the audio version of the podcasts.Advertising on Information Charlottesville could be a great way to keep my business going while also growing yours. I think there are new ways to do advertising, but I don't know what they are until I'm allowed to continue testing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

A main purpose of this newsletter is to write about what's happening with local government. Everyone in the United States of America lives within some sort of locality, either a city or a county. This newsletter is sometimes a podcast as is this case with this edition which provides potential listeners with stories about the budget formation in Albemarle County and Charlottesville.Your budget. You are part of your local budget. And if you are a resident of either jurisdiction aforementioned, you can take a listen now to the early part of a development process that is still going on. I'm Sean Tubbs, and I encourage you to go ahead and hit play for this bit of the historical record.A very nice plug on Reddit last night has resulted in hundreds of new subscribers. Welcome! Everything in today's audio edition has already been posted in the newsletter. On Friday I put together the audio version for this podcast and for a radio version that airs on WTJU 91.1 FM at 6 a.m. on Saturdays. My first professional gig was an intern for WVTF Public Radio in Roanoke back in 1995. This is a throwback to that and provides me a chance to reset for the next set of stories.In this edition:* Charlottesville City Manager Sam Sanders presents City Council with FY26 budget based on no new taxes (learn more)* Many people weigh in on Albemarle's recommended budget at first public hearing (learn more)* An account of Albemarle County's first work session on the FY2026 budget (learn more)* Albemarle budget staff provide broad overview of where $480.5 million in spending will go in FY26 (learn more)* Albemarle's police chief and fire chief explain why they need additional funds (learn more)First shout-out: Celebrating the community's other information organizations!There are a lot of stories each week that go out through this newsletter, but no one information outlet can put together the entire picture. That's why each regular edition ends with a section called Reading Material.Charlottesville is fortunate to have a media landscape that includes the Charlottesville Daily Progress, C-Ville Weekly, Charlottesville Tomorrow, and Cville Right Now, I curate links from these sources because I believe a truly informed community needs multiple perspectives.There's also the Cavalier Daily, Vinegar Hill Magazine, the Fluvanna Review, the Crozet Gazette, NBC29, CBS19, and other sources. But if you look every day, you'll find links to articles in national publications, all linked to give you more perspectives on some of the issues of our times.Now more than ever, journalism is needed. To be a citizen of a democracy, you must seek information from multiple sources. Consume only one and you are at risk of becoming a zombie!Second shout-out: Advertise on Information CharlottesvilleLong-time readers may know that most of the stories posted through this newsletter are also posted to Information Charlottesville. Sometimes the stories go there first! Both this newsletter and that website are part of the same information gathering operation, an operation I hope to continue to grow!There are multiple ways to contribute to Town Crier Productions.One new one is to place an advertisement on Information Charlottesville. I'm in the early days of experimenting with visual ways for organizations to get their message across to a growing audience. I've not yet put together a media kit, but I'm ready to offer a special for March. What's the special? More details in the audio version of the podcasts.Advertising on Information Charlottesville could be a great way to keep my business going while also growing yours. I think there are new ways to do advertising, but I don't know what they are until I'm allowed to continue testing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Pantera Lithium (ASX:PFE) executive chairman and CEO Barnaby Egerton-Warburton talked with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about the company's latest progress in the Smackover lithium brine play in southwest Arkansas. He discussed the company's drilling plans for three wells, which will contribute to a JORC resource, a pre-feasibility study (PFS), and a pilot plant—steps that move Pantera closer to production. Egerton-Warburton highlighted that Pantera has secured an exclusive abstract over 50,000 acres, leasing 26,000 acres so far. The company has also identified optimal locations for drilling, expecting to begin spudding the first well in the next few months. “We are in the hot spot, surrounded by majors like Exxon, Equinor, and Albemarle. Their presence validates the play,” he explained. Discussing lithium market conditions, he dismissed concerns over weak electric vehicle (EV) demand and pointed to strong sales, particularly in China. He expects a lithium price recovery by 2027 as demand outstrips supply. Pantera Lithium sees North America developing a localised lithium supply chain, reducing reliance on Chinese market dynamics. For investors, Egerton-Warburton emphasised Pantera's unique positioning as the only junior lithium explorer in this area, offering potential upside compared to larger players. He noted that success in drilling could significantly de-risk the project and enhance shareholder value. Stay tuned for more updates on Pantera Lithium's progress. Don't forget to like this video, subscribe to our channel, and turn on notifications for future updates! #Lithium #PanteraLithium #EV #BatteryMetals #Mining #Investing #Arkansas #LithiumBrine #Energy #Commodities

The I Love CVille Show headlines: Bus Batters & Bashes Bedroom In Albemarle Co What's Next For Violet Crown Development? Silverback Distillery Afton Location For Sale Mid $2M Asking Price For Silverback Afton What's Best Use Of Silverback Distillery? UVA Third Year Student On NBC's “The Voice” Florida State At Virginia, 9PM, Tonight, ACCN AlbCo Commonwealth Attorney Jim Hingeley On 3/5 Read Viewer & Listener Comments Live On Air The I Love CVille Show airs live Monday – Friday from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm on The I Love CVille Network. Watch and listen to The I Love CVille Show on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, iTunes, Apple Podcast, YouTube, Spotify, Fountain, Amazon Music, Audible, Rumble and iLoveCVille.com.

In this episode of The Ethics Experts, Nick and Gio welcome Andrew McBride. Andrew McBride is the CEO of Integrity Bridge LLC, a consulting practice offering strategic & operational compliance support for companies. Andrew has over 25 years of compliance experience, at an international law firm and several multinational companies in the Americas, Europe and Australasia. In his most recent role as Chief Risk & Compliance Officer at Albemarle Corporation, he built a new ethics and compliance program, and recruited a new team, against the backdrop of an FCPA investigation. The investigation was resolved by way of a Non-Prosecution Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and Cease & Desist Order with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. As part of the resolution, Albemarle secured a 45% reduction in penalty due to its co-operation with the investigation and the compliance program that was built, the largest FCPA % penalty reduction to date. In recognition of these efforts Albemarle was awarded Compliance Program of the Year by Compliance Week in May 2024. In parallel to the FCPA investigation and business ethics efforts, Andrew played a key role supporting Albemarle's commitment to sustainability including UN Global Compact membership, management of the company's human rights framework and support for the company's successful efforts to achieve certification against the Initiative of Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA)'s Mining Standard. Prior to Albemarle, Andrew was Associate General Counsel Compliance at BHP, Senior Antitrust Counsel at BP and Managing Associate at Linklaters. Andrew is admitted to practice law in England, Western Australia & California. He is also a Certified Fraud Examiner.

Why not end the month with an audio collection of recent stories that have so far appeared in written form in the digital pages of Charlottesville Community Engagement? At least, that's what you'll do if you decide to hit the play button! And when you do, you can find out for certain if the words uttered by the narrator match the one in this written introduction! I am Sean Tubbs, and I am that narrator, and no grant obligations were satisfied with today's production.In this edition:* A summary of a recent meeting of an emergency House of Delegates committee examining the effect of massive cuts to the federal government (story #1) (story #2)* Albemarle Executive Jeffrey Richardson proposes a four cent real estate tax increase for the county's FY26 budget (learn more)* Fluvanna Administrator Dahl recommends Fluvanna budget for FY26 based on real property tax rate decrease (learn more)* Solar panels in place at First United Methodist Church in Charlottesville (learn more)Once a week there is a podcast! What will tomorrow bring? Sign up to find out. First shout-out: Celebrating the community's other information organizations!There are a lot of stories each week that go out through this newsletter, but no one information outlet can put together the entire picture. That's why each regular edition ends with a section called Reading Material.Charlottesville is fortunate to have a media that includes the Charlottesville Daily Progress, C-Ville Weekly, Charlottesville Tomorrow, and Cville Right Now, I curate links from these sources because I believe a truly informed community needs multiple perspectives.There's also the Cavalier Daily, Vinegar Hill Magazine, the Fluvanna Review, the Crozet Gazette, NBC29, CBS19, and other sources. But if you look every day, you'll find links to articles in national publications, all linked to give you more perspectives on some of the issues of our times.Second shout-out: Advertise on Information CharlottesvilleLong-time readers may know that most of the stories posted through this newsletter are also posted to Information Charlottesville. Sometimes the stories go there first! Both this newsletter and that website are part of the same information gathering operation, an operation I hope to continue to grow!There are multiple ways to contribute to Town Crier Productions.One new one is to place an advertisement on Information Charlottesville. I'm in the early days of experimenting with visual ways for organizations to get their message across to a growing audience. I've not yet put together a media kit, but I'm ready to offer a special for March. What's the special? More details in the audio version of the podcasts.Advertising on Information Charlottesville could be a great way for you to help keep my business going while also growing yours. I think there are new ways to do advertising, but I don't know what they are until I'm allowed to continue testing. Below is one such test, and I fully acknowledge it is ridiculous. Listen to the podcast to find out the deal! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

In today's episode, Lisa speaks with a Great Gentleman in Compliance, Andrew McBride, the CEO and founder of Integrity Bridge. Andrew shares his journey in the compliance field from private practice, to becoming Chief Compliance Officer at Albemarle, to starting Integrity Bridge. At Albemarle, Andrew built a new ethics and compliance program against the backdrop of an FCPA investigation.  The work of Andrew and his team and their cooperation with the US Department of Justice, led to a decrease of 45% penalty reduction.  The program was also awarded Compliance Week's “Program of the Year” award. He highlights the importance of having a multifunctional approach to building compliance programs, working closely with various departments such as sales, procurement, and finance.  He also emphasizes how ethics and compliance teams are best positioned to succeed if they have different backgrounds and skill sets.   Andrew shares his experience in building Integrity Bridge, a consultancy focused on helping companies design and implement holistic compliance programs to proactively use technology and address risks which are constantly evolving.

When written in numbers, today's full date has four twos, a zero, and a five. Put them all together in the right way and it's February 22, 2025, and I will not play a similar puzzle with the name of the show which begins with two C-words and an E. I'm Sean Tubbs, the producer of Charlottesville Community Engagement which is made up of the audio versions of stories about local and regional government in the Central Virginia listening area. Let's get to it.Today's audio versions of stories already published in written form:* A round-up of the landscape of local elections as the spring comes closer* Charlottesville School Superintendent Gurley presents budget request to City Council (learn more)* A look at the City of Charlottesville's finances before the next budget comes out (learn more)* Two members of City Council pay tribute to the late Charlottesville Mayor Satyendra Huja (learn more)* The Buildings and Grounds Committee of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors endorses the design for new student residences planned for the intersection of Ivy Road and Copeley Road (learn more)* The University of Virginia's Board of Visitors has the first of two emergency meetings to discuss the future of gender-affirming care at the UVA Health System (learn more)Every so often there's a podcast version which may also have something worth reading in the text. It's up to you to decide. First shout-out: Celebrating the community's other information organizations!In today's first shout-out in the form of a house ad, I want to make sure everyone knows that every edition of the regular newsletter (not the podcast ones) ends with a section called Reading Material. Charlottesville Community Engagement is just one offering in a landscape that includes the Charlottesville Daily Progress, C-Ville Weekly, Charlottesville Tomorrow, and Cville Right Now, I curate links from these sources because I believe a truly informed community needs multiple perspectives.There's also the Cavalier Daily, Vinegar Hill Magazine, the Fluvanna Review, the Crozet Gazette, NBC29, CBS19, and other sources. But if you look every day, you'll find links to articles in national publications, all linked to give you more perspectives on some of the issues of our times.Show notes for 817A: Why this one and not another one?In this particular edition of the newsletter that carries the podcast, a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how things get made. For the past year now, audio production has shifted as I began doing a radio version for WTJU. The show airs at 6 a.m. so the audience may be low, but I'm grateful to have a regular place in the airwaves.This week was another where I didn't have a lot of audio because most of the stories this week were ones that didn't originate from a meeting. Take a look at the table below the second shout-out to see what I've been up for the past two weeks. By the time I get to Saturday morning, I'm ready to get to the new set of stories.I spent Friday putting together the audio versions, a process that takes a lot longer than it used to because the audio can't be terrible. It could be terrible when this was just a podcast. On Friday morning I wasn't sure how I was going to pull off putting together a 29 minute piece, but somehow it happened.One of the ideas was to take two of the Election 2025 stories and put them together as the show's opener. I almost never read new copy for WTJU but this time it made sense to eat up time in the show by giving listeners a little more information.I also added about a minute to the piece on members of City Council paying tribute to the late Satyendra Huja by including a clip from his 2007 interview with Charlottesville Tomorrow. I was able to grab that from his cvillepedia entry and imagine my surprise when I heard my voice as the interviewer! I forgot I had done that.In any case, that's this set of stories. I'm going to leave the text for the script for the election round-up.Election round-up: Information on Jack Jouett District race in Albemarle and Charlottesville School BoardThere are 254 days until the general election on November 4. Virginians will go to the polls to elect a new Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General. They'll also select a member of the House of Delegates as all 100 seats are up.There are also local elections across the area.For the first time in six years, there will be a contested race for the Democratic nomination for a seat on the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors.In January, Supervisor Diantha McKeel announced she would not seek re-election to another term for the seat she has held since 2015. Two candidates have expressed interest in replacing her as the Democrat on the ballot for the Jack Jouett District.Sally Duncan of Earlysville, a history teacher, has filed paperwork with the Virginia Department of Elections to run as a Democrat for the seat.Earlier this month, historian David Shreve told members of the Albemarle Democratic Party that he would also be seeking the nomination.The two as well any other candidates who emerge will be on the ballot of the June 17, 2025 Democratic Primary unless the local party decides to pick another nomination process.Duncan received an undergraduate degree in American Studies from the University of Virginia in 2020 and earned a graduate degree in Religious Studies in 2023. She's currently a high school history teacher and has a total of five children.Duncan will formally announce her candidacy at the County Office Building on February 25 at 11 a.m.Shreve has served as a member of the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee as well as the Albemarle County Economic Development Authority. He has also served as co-chair of the Jack Jouett District Albemarle Democratic Party Committee. Shreve has also been involved with several non-profit groups including a board member at the group Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population.In his professional capacity, Shreve has worked for the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia and spent one year working for the National Governors Association. He recently started a job as a senior economist for the Center for the Advancement of a Steady State Economy.This year in Albemarle, both Rio District Supervisor Ned Gallaway and Samuel Miller District Supervisor Jim Andrews are up for election. Neither has yet revealed their plans.There will also be a contested race for the Charlottesville City School Board. Last time around there were four seats open, and four candidates emerged. This time the seats held by Emily Dooley, Lisa Torres, and Dom Morse are all up for election.Both Dooley and Torres have stated they will seek reelection. So far, I've not heard from Morse but both Dashad Cooper and Zyahna Bryant have filed their paperwork to run for the seats.More in the future.Learn more:* Two Democrats have announced for Jack Jouett seat on Albemarle Board of Supervisors* Zyahna Bryant enters the race for Charlottesville School BoardSecond shout-out: Town Crier ProductionsI created Town Crier Productions in the summer of 2020 as a way of getting back to the business of journalism. Whether you are listening or reading this newsletter, it's part of a venture based on a pretty simple idea: I will continue to spend my time researching and reporting and will provide ways for people who want to pay for the material to be produced!In 2025 I'm seeking ways to solidify the business, and here are some ways you can support the work.* Sign up for a paid subscription through Substack. There is not much premium content because my primary aim is to get information out to as many people as possible. I'm long overdue on December 2024 transactions, for instance, and that's what I'll do as soon as this is posted!* Contribute through Patreon. A major goal this year is to replace this with a way to make a tax-deductible donation, but that's not set up yet. If I had more time, I'd make more audio programs through Patreon. Maybe today I'll do something weird.* Send in a check made out to Town Crier Productions at PO Box 1754, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22902. This will be used as a replacement for Substack.* Ask me about advertising opportunities! I am testing out advertising on Information Charlottesville and I'm enjoying the experiment. Reach out if you'd like to get in on an introductory deal!* Volunteer for cvillepedia, a great way to become a fact checker and to bolster your research skills! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

With the writing of this sentence, I advance my desire to be more familiar with Democracy in America. In the fourth decade of the 19th century, a French national named Alexis de Tocqueville wrote two volumes of an examination of the system of government in the relatively new United States of America. I have vague memories of reading it over thirty years ago in a political science class at Virginia Tech and I've been meaning to take a look back in order to get a fresh perspective of where we are on February 8, 2025.This is the audio edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement for that particular today and the I in this sentence is me, Sean Tubbs. I've made my career writing about municipal government, giving me a unique perspective into American government for the first three decades of the 21st century. If you decide to take a listen, you're about to hear the audio versions of recent stories.The following links go to Information Charlottesville, the companion website for this newsletter.* Charlottesville City Council briefed on Project Safe Neighborhoods (learn more)* Charlottesville Police Chief Kochis gives an update on FLOCK license plate readers (learn more)* Albemarle County Supervisors and the Charlottesville City Council both acknowledge Black History Month (learn more)* Albemarle County appoints a new director of Facilities and Environmental Services (learn more)* Supervisor Pruitt sounds alarm on economic threat of federal cuts, executive orders (learn more)* Coalition wants Albemarle County to pay $10 million a year toward housing costs (learn more)Charlottesville Community Engagement is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.First shout-out: Celebrating the community's other information organizations!In today's first shout-out in the form of a house ad, I want to make sure everyone knows that every edition of the regular newsletter (not the podcast ones) ends with a section called Reading Material. Charlottesville Community Engagement is just one offering in a landscape that includes the Charlottesville Daily Progress, C-Ville Weekly, Charlottesville Tomorrow, and Cville Right Now, I curate links from these sources because I believe a truly informed community needs multiple perspectives.There's also the Cavalier Daily, Vinegar Hill Magazine, the Fluvanna Review, the Crozet Gazette, NBC29, CBS19, and other sources. But if you look every day, you'll find links to articles in national publications, all linked to give you more perspectives on some of the issues of our times.Second shout-out:What you are reading or listening to at Charlottesville Community Engagement is part of a business-venture that's based on a pretty simple idea. I will spend my time researching and reporting and will provide ways for people who want to pay for the material to be produced!bI've been a journalist for a long while now, and this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Charlottesville Podcasting Network. While that website doesn't have new content, it's part of how I demonstrate my dedication to this community. In 2025 I'm seeking ways to solidify the business, and here are some ways you can support the work.* Sign up for a paid subscription through Substack. There is not much premium content because my primary aim is to get information out to as many people as possible.* Contribute through Patreon. A major goal this year is to replace this with a way to make a tax-deductible donation, but that's not set up yet. If I had more time, I'd make more audio programs through Patreon.* Send in a check made out to Town Crier Productions at PO Box 1754, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22902. This will be used as a replacement for Substack.* Buy an ad on InfoCville.com! I do not have a rate sheet yet, but if you respond to this email with the promo code #experimental-ad I can do a really very low price until the end of February! How low? Send me the email! * Tell friends about the work and use the stories to start conversations. Post articles on social media, for instance. * Volunteer to design some logos because I'm very bad at graphics! Someone did the one for me a few years ago and I probably should give her credit. I'll reach out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

EAH co-hosts Alicia Eastman and Patrick Molloy sat down with Amy Hebert, the CEO of Arcadia eFuels and learned more about Arcadia goals to produce future fuels that protect our environment and power the world. Learn more about Arcadia projects in Denmark, the United Kingdom and the United States as well as Project SkyPower, which Amy co-Chairs, paving the way for the first large-scale eSAF plants in Europe to reach Final Investment Decision by the end of 2025.About Amy Hebert:Amy Hebert has more than 25 years of global industry experience and 12 years in executive leadership focused on the refining, chemical and polymer markets. She has expertise in all aspects of business management including developing and executing long term business strategy while managing overall financial wellbeing; managing joint ventures, new plant construction, and plant expansions from idea, through design and startup. Most recently, she was Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer for Haldor Topsoe, and prior to that Vice President Europe with Celanese and Global Vice President Catalysts at Albemarle. Amy holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. Amy is also a supervisory board member, nomination and audit committee member of specialty chemicals player IMCD (formerly International-Müller Chemical Distribution).About Arcadia eFuels:Arcadia eFuels is creating net zero carbon fuels that use existing infrastructure and work in existing engines. Arcadia leverages proven technology in a novel way to meet the significantly outpaced market demand.Arcadia intends to build multiple plants that will each produce 80,000 tons (100 million liters or 28 million gallons) of eFuels per year. Specifically, Arcadia will produce eDiesel and electro sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) to power the hard to abate long haul transportation sectors such as aviation and shipping. Beginning with renewable electricity, Arcadia will make green hydrogen, then combine carbon dioxide from direct air capture and/or other biogenic carbon sources to produce syngas. Further processing produces carbon neutral eFuels such as eSaf, eDiesel, eNaptha, and LPG.The carbon neutral eFuels can be used by existing cars, trucks, ships, and airplanes as a complete replacement for fossil fuels.--Links:www.arcadiaefuels.comwww.project-skypower.org

Laughers, today we dive into the world of endurance training with Dr. Mike Saunders, the esteemed Director of the Human Performance Laboratory at James Madison University. Dr. Saunders, an exercise science professor and researcher, brings his exceptional expertise in endurance performance and recovery to the table. You'll hear about his unique journey from Canada to the United States, spurred by his passion for distance running, and how he ultimately found his calling in the niche field of exercise physiology. Get invaluable insights into endurance training, as he reveals his top five tips that'll help you stay motivated and make exercise a regular part of your lifestyle. From the importance of finding your "why" to the benefits of being a contrarian in today's fitness culture, Dr. Saunders offers practical advice that is both relatable and inspiring. Unpack the fascinating research happening at the Human Performance Lab, where they explore nutritional strategies that can enhance your performance and aid recovery. Learn how even small changes in your carbohydrate intake during exercise can make a significant difference, and get a peek into groundbreaking studies on how genetics can influence your response to caffeine. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just getting back into the swing of fitness, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways. Tune in for Dr. Saunders' wisdom, shaped by decades of experience and a passion for helping people achieve their best selves. Don't miss this chance to revolutionize your fitness routine—share this podcast with a friend and let's make 2025 your healthiest year yet! Cheers! To get in touch with JMU's Dr. Mike Saunders email him at saundemj@jmu.edu School also referenced by Dr. Saunders where he gives talks twice a year:  Miller School of Albemarle: millerschoolofalbemarle.org/athletics “It's a private residential high school outside of Charlottesville (Virginia). And so they, they have created a bit of a niche there where they've created a very, very competitive, like a nationally competitive cycling program. And they have athletes from all over the country and in fact from multiple countries.” ~Dr. Mike Saunders FWAF [f-wahf] = The Funny Womacks & Friends To learn more about FWAF Show & Buy Tickets visit: thefunnywomacks.com Facebook & Instagram: @thefunnywomacks YouTube: The Funny Womacks

At some point I said I would be getting podcasts out on Mondays, but last week's came out on a Tuesday. I could have easily followed suit and posted this one tomorrow, but that would take away from the time it will take to write the stories for the January 21, 2025 regular edition of the Charlottesville Community Engagement. This particular podcast includes several stories that aired last Saturday on WTJU as well as two stories that will air next Saturday. Is this madness? Is there a method? I'm Sean Tubbs, and I'm not even sure if I know anymore.In this edition:* Albemarle Supervisors recognize MLK Day and award proclamation to Riverview Farm (learn more)* Property assessments in Albemarle are up an average of 5.1 percent in 2025 (learn more)* Only one Albemarle project recommended for funding in Smart Scale's sixth round (learn more)* Fluvanna and Louisa both retain leadership slate for 2025 (learn more)* Nelson Supervisors select Reed for chair, Ligon as vice chair (learn more)* Catalano selected as Greene Supervisor chair for 2025 in divided vote (learn more)* Missel to remain chair of Albemarle Planning Commission (learn more)* Fluvanna Supervisors signal interest in pursuit of meals tax (learn more)* Albemarle residents ask for more scrutiny on the spread of sewage sludge in the county (learn more)All of the stories above have already been in the print version of the newsletter, but these are the audio versions! Sign up to get both. Pay, if you like!First-shout: Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on January 26 at Mount Zion First African Baptist ChurchMark your calendar for January 26 at 5 p.m. when the Mount Zion First African Baptist Church will host the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration. Since 1985, the Celebration has been held to honor people who have served the community starting with Drewary Brown who received the first award that year.Since then, the event has honored 35 other members of the Charlottesville area for their commitment to Dr. King's ideals. During its anniversary year, the program will honor 40 years of past award winners. With leaders from Piedmont Virginia Community College, UVA, local government, and the community, the group will look forward to the future!The program will feature musical selections from the MLK, Jr. Community Choir, a Children's Choir, and Youth and Young Adults Choir. Leaders from a variety of faith traditions will participate in the event, which will feature former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney.Prior to the program beginning at 5, a special musical and reading prelude will occur at 4 in the church. Parking for the event is at Mt Zion, 105 Lankford Ave.The current snapshot of the story spreadsheet:Second shout-out: Supporting the Keswick Heritage Fund's Love Better ProjectThe Keswick Heritage Fund is a partnership of several churches in Albemarle County that provides education support and opportunities for professional development. One of their outreach programs is the Love Better Project, which provides scholarships to Black students in the Keswick area. The fund was created soon after the inaugural scholarship was awarded in 2020.Grace Episcopal Church, Union Grove Baptist, Union Run Baptist, Zion Hill Baptist and St. John Church are united for growth through community partnership and education. To learn more about the fund, the scholarships, and the churches themselves, visit their website at keswickheritagefund.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to a new era of the podcast edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement with an experiment in sending these out on a Monday morning as opposed to a Saturday afternoon. I'm Sean Tubbs, the host and producer and employee-of-the-month at Town Crier Productions.The reality is that most people who experience this information do so by scanning words arranged into paragraphs which works out well because that means I can get more editions out faster.But many of the stories are produced by piecing together snippets of sound from meetings of local and regional government. Thirty years ago when I gained my first professional experience, this would be done by slicing bits of tape and assembling them together and recorded to a cartridge. The technology has morphed so many times since then, each of the audio versions you here harken back to days gone by.Enough of this introduction. Let's move on to the actual show going out on December 16, 2024.In this installment:* Charlottesville City Council briefed on upcoming spending on housing and infrastructure (learn more)* The UVA Finance Committee signs off on North Grounds Parking Garage, Ivy Road student housing (learn more)* Albemarle Supervisors vote to join Regional Transit Authority (learn more)* Council briefed on status of negotiations with VEO for scooter/e-bike permit (learn more)* Rumble strips at Nelson County intersection subject of concern (learn more)* New NDS director previews departmental website for Charlottesville PC (learn more)Every so often there is a podcast edition that goes out in the main feed. This is that version. Sign up if you want all of it. First shout-out: Celebrating the community's other information organizations!In today's first shout-out in the form of a house ad, I want to make sure everyone knows that every edition of the regular newsletter (not the podcast ones) ends with a section called Reading Material. Charlottesville Community Engagement is just one offering in a landscape that includes the Charlottesville Daily Progress, C-Ville Weekly, Charlottesville Tomorrow, and Cville Right Now, I curate links from these sources because I believe a truly informed community needs multiple perspectives.There's also the Cavalier Daily, Vinegar Hill Magazine, the Fluvanna Review, the Crozet Gazette, NBC29, CBS19, and other sources. But if you look every day, you'll find links to articles in national publications, all linked to give you more perspectives on some of the issues of our times.Checking in on the spreadsheet that runs the information!Second shout-out: Cvillepedia!Cvillepedia is an online encyclopedia that anyone can edit, and this second shout-out today is to provide a little bit about what I know. I helped create the website back in the late 2000's as a way of keeping track of all of the stories being written for the nonprofit news organization I worked for at the time.Now Cvillepedia is hosted by the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library under the stewardship of the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society. There are over 6,500 articles and we need volunteers to help keep it up to date and to capture more of this community's history, present, and future.If you want to learn how to do research, learn how to explore historical documents, and want some experience writing, consider becoming a volunteer.As a little teaser, here's some of what's listed for December 16 throughout the years.Events: * 1937 – After repair and re-installation, the "Great Clock", termed “a masterpiece of backwoods ingenuity,” designed by Thomas Jefferson and built by Philadelphia clockmaker Peter Spruck in 1792, once again beat out the hours on the big bell in the dome at Monticello.* 1975 – Blenheim, a 19th century structure in Albemarle County, is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register.* 2004 – The historic Paramount Theater reopens after a $14 million restoration.* 2008 – Albemarle County Board of Supervisors hold a retreat at which they get a lesson on the development of the county's Comprehensive Plan. David Benish, the County's Chief Planner at the time, traced the evolution of the Comprehensive Plan. Benish said the County's growth management policy stems from the adoption of the first plan in 1971.[1] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Next podcast January 10, 2025. Also in this podcast see Newsweek's ‘America's Most Responsible Companies' and review these often-overlooked great sustainable real estate investment trusts. By Ron Robins, MBA Transcript & Links, Episode 144, December 13, 2024 Hello, Ron Robins here. Before I begin, I want to mention that my next podcast after this one will be on January 10th and I want to sincerely wish everyone who has holidays in this period a most joyous and healthy time. Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to this podcast episode 144 published December 13, 2024, titled “Top Sustainable REITS, EV Companies, and More.” It's presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources. Remember that you can find a full transcript and links to content – including stock symbols and bonus material – on this episode's podcast page at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts. Also, a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, and I don't receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal any investments I have in the investments mentioned herein. Additionally, quotes about individual companies are brief. Please go to this podcast's webpage for links to the articles and more company and stock information. ------------------------------------------------------------- Top Sustainable REITS, EV Companies, and More (1) I'm beginning this podcast with an article on an investment class I've rarely covered: real estate investment trusts, or REITS. The article is titled 7 Green REITs for Sustainable Investing. It's by Glenn Fydenkevez, edited by Jordan Schultz, and found on money.usnews.com. Here are some quotes from Mr. Schultz on each of his picks. “If you're a REIT investor who is concerned about the environmental impact of the stocks you own, here's a list of seven real estate companies that have demonstrated real leadership in adopting sustainable business practices that align with ESG goals: 1. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc. (ARE) is a REIT with a market cap of about $18 billion. The company specializes in life science properties… This environmentally responsible REIT is constantly striving to lower its carbon footprint. [The company] is known for using renewable energy sources such as solar panels and geothermal heating and cooling systems in all of the properties it develops. It also created a unique wastewater heat recovery process. Forward dividend yield: 4.9% 2. BXP Inc. (BXP) In 2021, BXP demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by developing one of Massachusetts' first net-zero, carbon-neutral building repositioning projects… BXP – formally known as Boston Properties – has a market-cap of about $14 billion. It is the largest publicly traded office REIT in the U.S. The firm focuses its investment activities on large cities on the east and west coasts, mostly in Boston, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Forward dividend yield: 4.9% 3. Digital Realty Trust Inc. (DLR) is a $64 billion REIT in the fast-growing digital infrastructure industry. The company owns and operates more than 300 data centers around the world, and its portfolio of properties is growing… Apollo AI makes running a data center as efficient as possible. That's what makes Digital Realty Trust a leader in sustainability. Forward dividend yield: 2.5% 4. HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital Inc. (HASI) is a $3.7 billion REIT that invests only in securities related to renewable energy, sustainability infrastructure and energy efficiency… This Annapolis, Maryland-based company focuses on solar projects, wind farms, clean-burning natural gas facilities, fuel cell development, smart grid technology and other green real estate initiatives. Forward dividend yield: 5.3% 5. Prologis Inc. (PLD) has a massive presence in the transportation and logistics real estate industry. The company boasts a market cap of about $103 billion… This company's warehouses and transportation terminals are modern, high-tech facilities. It uses high-speed computers, digital communications, AI and cloud computing technology to help its customers efficiently fulfill orders and deliver products across the U.S. and in Canada, Mexico, the U.K., Germany, Japan and China. Forward dividend yield: 3.3% 6. Host Hotels & Resorts Inc. (HST) has committed to implementing sustainable practices in every one of its 77 hospitality properties in the U.S., Canada and Brazil. The company controls about 42,000 hotel rooms… With a market capitalization of over $13 billion, [it] is the largest lodging REIT in the U.S… Wells Fargo Securities has an ‘overweight' rating on the stock. Stifel gives the company a ‘buy' rating. Forward dividend yield: 4.2% 7. JBG Smith Properties (JBGS) This $1.4 billion REIT controls over 14 million rentable square feet of mixed-use space in the expensive and highly competitive capital district around Washington, D.C… Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) expects that its new campus in Northern Virginia will add 25,000 workers by 2038… Host Hotels & Resorts plans to benefit… and appeal to Amazon's environmentally conscious employees by promoting sustainability and green development practices in every building it buys or builds. Forward dividend yield: 4.3%” End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- America's Most Responsible Companies This next article refers to one of America's foremost corporate sustainability rankings, America's Most Responsible Companies. The editorial is by Nancy Cooper, and the full company rankings can be seen at newsweek.com. Here are a few quotes from Ms. Cooper's introduction to the rankings. “Selected from the 2,000 largest publicly traded companies headquartered in the U.S., each winner received scores based on the three pillars of ESG… The analysis is based on data from 30 key performance indicators, such as energy usage and charitable donations, as well as a reputation survey of more than 26,000 U.S. consumers. For the second year in a row, the top spot was awarded to Merck (MRK) with an impressive overall score of 97.83, up from 91.98 last year. Other notable names on this year's list include Adobe (ADBE), PayPal (PYPL) and HP (HPE) .” End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- Why Sunrun (RUN) Is Among the Best Wind Power and Solar Stocks to Invest in Now Now since this article was featured on Yahoo! Finance, I thought to include it. It's titled Why Sunrun (RUN) Is Among the Best Wind Power and Solar Stocks to Invest in Now. The article is by Mashaid Ahmed. Here are some quotes from it. “While the outcome of the US election and the anticipated policies of the new administration pose short-term challenges to renewable energy, the long-term outlook remains cautiously optimistic. Sunrun Inc. (NASDAQ:RUN) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 43   Sunrun is a leading provider of residential solar energy solutions, offering solar installations, battery storage, and energy services. The company specializes in customized solar systems for homeowners and has over 1 million customers. Sunrun also offers products on leasing and financing options… The company has signed a multi-year exclusive agreement with Toll Brothers in California and expects its new home business to grow at least 50% over the next year… The company has 16 grid service programs active across the country, with over 20,000 storage systems participating, and is working with utilities and other partners to develop new programs and services… Overall, Sunrun ranks 5th on our list of best wind power and stocks to invest in now.” End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- Top Sustainable REITS, EV Companies, and More (2) And now to this article titled 7 Best EV Stocks to Buy for 2025. It's by Jeff Reeves, reviewed by John Divine, and found at money.usnews.com. Now some quotes from the article. “An analysis by Gartner estimates that the number of EV Companies in use will grow 33% in 2025 to bring the total number of electric cars and trucks to 85 million in total. That figure will be primarily thanks to brisk adoption rates in China (58% growth) and Europe (24% growth), which together are projected to represent 82% of the total EV market next year, according to Gartner. For investors who want to cash in on EV stocks and the rise of electric vehicles, it's critical to look beyond the usual suspects in the U.S. and take a truly global approach to the industry. With that in mind, some of the hottest EV stocks to buy for 2025 include: 1. Tesla Inc. (TSLA) Market value: $1.2 trillion Tesla has a huge chunk of the marketplace, with predictions of nearly 1.8 million vehicle deliveries across all of 2024. What's more, strong momentum after Election Day, thanks to Musk's close associations with President-elect Donald Trump, has pushed Tesla stock up about 50% on the year even as other electric vehicle stocks have struggled… Tesla remains the go-to EV stock for many investors as we enter 2025. 2. BYD Co. Ltd. (BYDDY) Market value: $106 billion Chinese firm BYD is… the top electric vehicle manufacturer in the world… currently selling more than 500,000 ‘new energy vehicles' per month – a potential pace of 6 million annually going forward… the local appeal of this Chinese company amid the uncertainty around tariffs and trade policies all but ensures this home-grown EV stock will thrive in China across 2025 as regional demand remains strong. 3. Volkswagen AG (VWAGY) Market value: $43 billion Volkswagen remains the largest vehicle manufacturer on the planet and has the same local appeal in Europe that BYD might have in China amid the current talk of trade wars. EV Companies are a modest share of total output… In October, the firm reported battery electric vehicles (not hybrids) topped 500,000 units across the first three quarters of 2024. That puts it on pace for nearly 700,000 vehicles on the full year – and with goals of fully electrifying its fleet by 2030, Volkswagen is definitely an EV stock to watch. 4. Li Auto Inc. (LI) Market value: $24 billion Much smaller than these other firms and currently bleeding cash as it invests aggressively in growth, Li Auto is nevertheless a top EV stock to watch because of its tremendous growth path. It delivered 48,740 vehicles in November 2024, up 18.8% year over year, and is currently on pace to top 500,000 units on the year… A big reason for that is because of its premium appeal, with its Li AD Max accounting for more than 80% of orders for models in China priced above roughly $55,000. Admittedly, shares of LI stock have struggled in 2024 but these sales figures are incredibly encouraging for investors who aren't afraid of taking on a bit more risk to invest in an upstart EV stock versus an established leader. 5. Nio Inc. (NIO) Market value: $10 billion Another junior EV stock operating deep in the red, Nio is putting up impressive growth metrics even if its share performance hasn't been grand in 2024… Nio delivered a record 61,855 units in the third quarter and estimates it will have as many as 75,000 EV deliveries in the fourth quarter. That pace of 300,000 units annually doesn't seem like much compared with other firms, but considering the firm delivered about half that total in 2023 there is a lot to like about where the firm is headed. What's more, like BYD and Li, this is a Chinese firm with local appeal in the fastest-growing market for EV Companies on the planet. That gives it an added tailwind that some Western EV stocks may lack in 2025. 6. Albemarle Corp. (ALB) Market value: $12 billion The company is one of the leading lithium miners globally, with production capacity of 225,000 metric tons and plans to roughly triple capacity by 2030. Supply chain challenges for lithium are tricky, and trade policies could make the situation even more complex in 2025. But as a commodity stock that profits in part based on broader market-wide pricing trends, any shortages or supply bottlenecks will naturally boost lithium prices if things don't go well – and that will naturally benefit Albemarle's bottom line as a result. 7. ChargePoint Holdings Inc. (CHPT) Market value: $600 million ChargePoint is the largest electric vehicle charging company in the United States, with more charging ports and locations than any other network. Specifically, ChargePoint boasts 70,000 plugs at nearly 39,000 stations. In fact, more than 4 in 10 charging ports nationwide are operated by ChargePoint. The company is small and currently unprofitable, so it definitely carries a level of risk, but investors who aren't keen on putting money behind firms headquartered in Beijing or Shanghai may find this closer-to-home play a bit more palatable.” End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- Additional Article of Interest 1. Title: Bristol Myers A Top Socially Responsible Dividend Stock With 4% Yield on forbes.com. By the Dividend Channel. ------------------------------------------------------------- Ending Comment These are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips for this podcast “Top Sustainable REITS, EV Companies, and More”. Please click the like and subscribe buttons wherever you download or listen to this podcast. That helps bring these podcasts to others like you. And please click the share buttons to share this podcast with your friends and family. Let's promote ethical and sustainable investing as a force for hope and prosperity in these troubled times! Contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for listening. Now, again, a reminder my next podcast will be January 10th. I'm taking a break so there will be no podcast on December 27th. I'll talk to you then! Bye for now.   © 2024 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul

Richmond City Council set to redo a vote on waste management; Richmond's public housing authority plans to spend $18M to update seniors' facilities; a Brown v. Board scholarship committee discusses expanding the program; Albemarle will build its first new elementary school in 20 years.

Consultorio bursátil de noviembre de 2024 en el que Adrián Godás y Paco Lodeiro respondemos a las preguntas de los oyentes. Las preguntas generales de este mes son sobre el US Estate Tax de Interactive Brokers, vender fondos que lo han hecho mal los últimos años, aprender sobre inteligencia artificial, aplicaciones para gestionar un cerebro digital y para productividad, ratios para valorar empresas financieras, cómo calcular el free cash flow y valorar por KPIs, empezar con IA y empezar a estudiar bitcoin, invertir con opciones y sobre evitar el 720 comprando LEAPS. Y las dudas sobre empresas y sectores son sobre invertir en empresas de comida vegana, Edenred, Judges Scientific, VOX Royalty, Arcadium lithium y Albemarle y sobre Bergbahnen Engelberg-Truebsee-Titlis AG. Patrocinador del programa Paleobull, con código de descuento para los oyentes.

Tell us what you think of the show! This Week in Cleantech is a new, weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in cleantech and climate in 15 minutes or less.This week's episode features Amanda Chu from the Financial Times, who wrote about how Albemarle, the largest lithium producer in the world, said it is not economically viable to build a lithium supply chain in North America or Europe. This week's "Cleantecher of the Week” is Mary Powell, CEO of Sunrun. Mary just was named to the 2024 TIME100 Climate List of Most Influential Leaders In Climate. TIME recognized Mary for her climate leadership, advancing residential clean energy adoption to strengthen the nation's energy grid. Congratulations, Mary!This Week in Cleantech — November 22, 2024 The hidden emissions impact of grid congestion is bigger than you think — Latitude MediaTrump picks fracking CEO Chris Wright to be energy secretary — The Washington PostThis seaside town will power thousands of homes with waves — The Washington PostA Court Just Broke America's Most Divisive Environmental Law. Here's What Happens Next. — Heatmap NewsLithium producer says west cannot end reliance on China in critical minerals — The Financial TimesWatch the full episode on YouTube

The I Love CVille Show headlines: Prop Gun Found At Albemarle High School Is Election Day Causing A Mental Health Crisis? ACPS Boss Emails Parents About Election Day Biz Owners Call On Council To Clean Downtown Former CVille Music Venue To Be Demolished Read Viewer & Listener Comments Live On-Air The I Love CVille Show airs live Monday – Friday from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm on The I Love CVille Network. Watch and listen to The I Love CVille Show on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, iTunes, Apple Podcast, YouTube, Spotify, Fountain, Amazon Music, Audible, Rumble and iLoveCVille.com.

For the first episode of our third season, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby speak with Haslam College of Business lecturer Paul Fortunato and partners from his Supply Chain Project Management (SCM 430) course at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Fortunato, a former executive with Dow Chemical Company, invited Lori Maurer, director of the center for supply chain excellence, and Riley Clayton, logistics and supply chain manager, from Albemarle to talk with Ted and Tom about the corporation's three-year involvement in his course.UT's top-ranked supply chain management programs are held up by their real-world relevance and the close work with corporate partners such as Albemarle, a leading provider of lithium, bromine, and other essential chemical elements.Don't miss this exciting discussion on talent identification, university and business collaborations, and real-world supply chain challenges addressed by UT students. To open the episode, our hosts also talk about the impact of U.S. port strikes, economic growth numbers, the upcoming presidential election, and more! Is your company interested in partnering with the University of Tennessee? Learn more about becoming a member of our renowned Supply Chain Forum. The episode was recorded virtually on October 28. Related links: The U.S. economy remains engine of global growth in latest IMF forecasts Election-year effect: scenarios that could impact the supply chain Don Maier on understanding the impact of organized labor on the U.S. supply chain For the fifth year, UT ranked No. 1 in the SEC and No. 4 nationally for SCM programs by U.S. News and World Report Register for the Fall 2024 Supply Chain Forum, Nov. 12–14 in Knoxville Become a Supply Chain Forum member Subscribe to GSCI's monthly newsletter Read the latest news and insights from GSCI Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!