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In 1677, the longtime residents of the old and remote county of Albemarle in northern Carolina, a collection of cranks and dissidents who had fled from Maryland and Virginia and were used to living free of interference from the Carolina proprietors and the Crown’s tax collectors, revolted against new attempts to collect duties on tobacco. Quite astonishingly, they succeeded! And not without some history comedy along the way. In the long history of the Americans, it is easy to ignore Culpeper's Rebellion. Virtually all surveys of American history do. Albemarle was small, a literal backwater, and not even the most important part of Carolina. Historians of North Carolina, however, see it as a truer reflection of the American Revolution, a century later, than the other colonial upheavals of the 1670s. The Albemarle rebels were an early example, in their democratic tax-avoiding free-trading don't-tread-on-me resistance, of ideas that would later be taken up throughout English North America. Subscribe to my Substack! X – @TheHistoryOfTh2 – https://x.com/TheHistoryOfTh2 Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfTheAmericans #158 The Free County of Albemarle #160 The Official Founding of North Carolina Primary references for this episode (Commission earned for Amazon purchases through the episode notes on our website) Lindley S. Butler, A History of North Carolina in the Proprietary Era 1629-1729 Noeleen McIlvenna, A Very Mutinous People: The Struggle for North Carolina, 1660-1713 Hugh F. Rankin, Upheaval in Albemarle: the Story of Culpeper’s Rebellion, 1675-1689
Mark Pownall, Gary Adshead and Isabel Vieira discuss Albemarle's Kemerton shut down;, Liberal Party leadership shake up, WA's IPO landscape and major property deals.
The I Love CVille Show headlines: Albemarle & Monticello Skipping School To Protest ICE CVille High School Students Planning 2nd ICE Protest Statement From ACPS To Parents About ICE Protests AHS Teacher Lauren Thraves Statement To I Love CVille Compare & Contrast Student Protests: TPUSA v ICE Police Chief Mike Kochis On The I Love CVille Show 2/13 The Most Important 3 Minutes Of News Today (2/11/26) CVille To Boston Direct Flights For BioTech Boom 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. #charlottesville #protests
What does it really take to scale a business without sacrificing culture?In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer sits down with Dr. AJ Tremont and Taylor Plyler of Mint Hill Dentistry to unpack how intentional leadership, servant mindset, and people-first systems have helped them grow four thriving dental practices—while maintaining a five-star experience for patients and employees.From shutting down operations for culture days (yes, really!) to using EOS, core values, and powerful storytelling exercises to build trust and connection, this conversation is a masterclass in what it means to lead with heart and still win in business.You'll hear real stories about hiring for character, creating psychological safety, overcoming scarcity mindset, and why culture isn't something you hang on the wall—it's something you live every day.Vibrant Highlights:00:02:44 – Culture Always Wins: Dr. AJ Tremont explains why they willingly shut down operations and invested time and money into their people—because when culture is strong, everything else follows.00:07:20 – Core Values in Action (Not on a Wall): AJ and Taylor share how they actively use core values by nominating and recognizing team members who live them, turning values into daily behaviors instead of empty words.00:11:59 – Going Above and Beyond for Patients: A powerful story about a team member driving 25 minutes to help an elderly patient—showing what “being a difference maker” truly looks like in action.00:19:23 – The Exercise That Changed Team Relationships: The team uses a vulnerability-based storytelling exercise inspired by The Five Dysfunctions of a Team that deepened trust, empathy, and respect across roles.00:26:39 – Fail Fast and Lead with Heart: AJ and Taylor share their leadership philosophies: don't fear failure, embrace hard conversations, and remember that servant leadership fuels both performance and profit.Connect with Dr. Tremont and Taylor:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aj-tremont-987115264/minthilldentistry.com (Mint Hill, NC)southerncharmdentistrync.com (Concord, NC)albemarledentistry.com (Albemarle, NC)Also mentioned on this episode:The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: https://a.co/d/0dEvm4mhAuthor Keith Cunningham: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Keith-J.-Cunningham/author/B00606AQZ2?ref=ap_…Ready to build a culture where people feel valued, energized, and committed?Bring Nicole Greer, The Vibrant Coach, to your leadership team, organization, or conference to ignite clarity, accountability, energy, and results.Visit: vibrantculture.comEmail: nicole@vibrantculture.comWatch Nicole's TEDx Talk: vibrantculture.com/videos
There is a theory that both the next podcast edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement as well as the next written version might be delayed out of some sort of concern about whether the internal numbering system is equipped to deal with the impending approach of the 1,000th edition. At least, that is one possible explanation of why it has taken so long to produce these older stories from the last week. There was a slight disruption in the routine which sometimes results in delays. I'm Sean Tubbs, and I look forward to sorting it all out.Audio versions of stories previously sent out in the newsletter: * Charlottesville City Council agrees to reallocate funding intended to run low-barrier shelter (read the story)* Charlottesville's finance director presents more details on city's $8.5 million surplus (read the story)* The 700 block of Charlottesville's West Main Street is now known as “Mel's Walk” (read the story)* Albemarle's Economic Development Authority agrees to spend $500K on Boulders Road Extension (read the story)* Supervisor Mike Pruitt shares information on CARTA with fellow elected officials (read the story)* The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission will try again for federal funding for design of Rivanna pedestrian bridge (read the story)Charlottesville Community Engagement is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Today's shout-out: Cville Village seeks volunteers!Can you drive a neighbor to a doctor's appointment? Change an overhead lightbulb, plant a flower, walk a dog for someone who is sick, visit someone who is lonely? If so, Cville Village needs you!Cville Village is a local 501c3 nonprofit organization loosely affiliated with a national network of Villages whose goals are to help seniors stay in their own homes as long as possible, and to build connections among them that diminish social isolation. Volunteers do small chores for, and have gatherings of, professors and schoolteachers, nurses and lawyers, aides and housekeepers. Time and chance come to all – a fall, an order not to drive, failing eyesight, a sudden stroke. They assist folks continue living at home, with a little help from their friends.Cville Village volunteers consult software that shows them who has requested a service and where they are located. Volunteers accept only the requests that fit their schedule and their skills.Volunteering for Cville Village can expand your circle of friends and shower you with thanks.To learn more, visit cvillevillage.org or attend one of their monthly Village “meet-ups” and see for yourself. To find out where and when the next meetup is, or to get more information and a volunteer application, email us at info@cvillevillage.org, or call them at (434) 218-3727.End notes for #998-AMy thoughts were well-intentioned. As I was producing stories last week, I did produce the audio but I did not post them to the Information Charlottesville website. Somehow I forgot that finished audio segments had been made and it felt like a slog to have to do the audio again.This is because the radio version did not air last week and so I didn't feel the same pressure to follow all of the steps. This week there will be a radio show and I have enough material that I am considering slowing down a little this week to focus on business and administration things.Also, it is going to be in the fifties later and I want to go for a walk and watch the ice and snow melt. So I am going to aim to have the next newsletter out tomorrow. That will be #999 and after that will be #1000. No comma. I think that's how I'll get through adding a fourth digit.Another reason things were difficult this week is that my copy of Adobe Audition reset and a lot of my bookmarks disappeared. Because I could not see the recent links to session files, I assumed I had not produced them.I'm writing this as I produce the podcast and also missing are my links to various sound files I use as punctuation in between stories. Youngers versions of me used to love playing around with audio production. I still do, but these days the need to produce takes the capacity away from being creative.Which is why this may be a week I listen to my brain and take a slight reset. All I know is that I'm very glad to have this edition done and to have a few hours off away from writing. There are many stories to tell, but there are also days I need to do a little more.Oh! Another reason this week is weird. For some reason, the gain on the headphones for my recording set-up is really low so I can't really hear myself while narrating. This is an annoyance but also causes issues. Perhaps I'll spend the rest of the day setting up a new place to work! 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 Province of Carolina is a tale of two separate regions settled by very different Englishmen, as such, the subjects in this history of Carolina range from kings and the philosopher John Locke, to indentured servants and the enslaved. Taking place in England, Virginia, Spanish Florida, Barbados, and most certainly what today would be North and South Carolina.The history of Carolina in the period was shaped several times by pirates and runaways, rebellions and wars. All would set the stage for the eventual split of Carolina into North and South.
In der heutigen Folge sprechen die Finanzjournalisten Anja Ettel und Lea Oetjen über den Absturz von PayPal, den neuen Makel des MSCI World und Konkurrenz-Druck für Zalando. Außerdem geht es um Berkshire Hathaway, Amazon, Daimler Truck, AMD, Nvidia, HP Inc., Novo Nordisk, Palantir, Thomson Reuters, Verisk, Shopify, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Merck & Company, Pfizer, Critical Metals Corp, USA Rare Earth MP Materials, United States Antimony, NioCorp Developments, General Motors, Stellantis, Boeing, Corning, GE Vernova, Alphabet, VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF (WKN: A3CRL9), PLS Group, Albemarle, Lithium Americas, Wisdom Tree Strategic Metals and Rare Earth Miners ETF (WKN: A3EKKT), Sigma Lithium, Lynas Rare Earth, iShares Core MSCI World (WKN: A0RPWH), Xtrackers SLI ETF (WKN: DBX1AA), Novartis, Roche, Xtrackers MSCI Singapore (WKN: DBX0KG), DBS Group, Oversea-Chinese Banking, Sea, Amundi MSCI Nordic ETF (WKN: A2H569), Novo Nordisk und Spotify. Wir freuen uns an Feedback über aaa@welt.de. Noch mehr "Alles auf Aktien" findet Ihr bei WELTplus und Apple Podcasts – inklusive aller Artikel der Hosts und AAA-Newsletter. Hier bei WELT: https://www.welt.de/podcasts/alles-auf-aktien/plus247399208/Boersen-Podcast-AAA-Bonus-Folgen-Jede-Woche-noch-mehr-Antworten-auf-Eure-Boersen-Fragen.html. Der Börsen-Podcast Disclaimer: Die im Podcast besprochenen Aktien und Fonds stellen keine spezifischen Kauf- oder Anlage-Empfehlungen dar. Die Moderatoren und der Verlag haften nicht für etwaige Verluste, die aufgrund der Umsetzung der Gedanken oder Ideen entstehen. Hörtipps: Für alle, die noch mehr wissen wollen: Holger Zschäpitz können Sie jede Woche im Finanz- und Wirtschaftspodcast "Deffner&Zschäpitz" hören. +++ Werbung +++ Du möchtest mehr über unsere Werbepartner erfahren? Hier findest du alle Infos & Rabatte! https://linktr.ee/alles_auf_aktien Impressum: https://www.welt.de/services/article7893735/Impressum.html Datenschutz: https://www.welt.de/services/article157550705/Datenschutzerklaerung-WELT-DIGITAL.html
Here it is! My first ever live History Fix episode! This live show was recorded at College of the Albemarle in Manteo, North Carolina on January 28th. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to each person who braved freezing temperatures to see this show live. For all the rest, here is the recording. I do recommend watching the video version of this one as there are lots of great visuals to go along with it. That can be found on either YouTube or Patreon. Without further ado, I present to you the history of writing (which is really the history of history when you think about it!) Click here to support Dare County Libraries! Support the show! Join the Patreon (patreon.com/historyfixpodcast)Buy some merchBuy Me a CoffeeVenmo @Shea-LaFountaineSources: The Written World by Martin PuchnerThe Alphabet Versus the Goddess by Leonard ShlainScottish Book Trust "International Women's Day: the Fight to Read and Write"International Encyclopedia of Social and Behavioral Sciences "The Evolution of Writing" by James WrightBritish Museum "Who was Ashurbanipal?"Harvard Magazine "Murasaki Shikibu"Shoot me a message! Support the show
If there's anything I have learned in my thirty years of reporting, it is that there is always more to be learned. One reason to do journalism is to document potential solutions to problems over time. At least, there's the point of Charlottesville Community Engagement and this edition is a collection of audio stories from the past week. For those of you who do not want to listen, there are also links to this newsletter's archive at Information Charlottesville.In this edition:* Charlottesville Planning Commission briefed on tax abatement, student housing review (read the story)* Albemarle Supervisors begin 2026 with a transportation update (read the story)* Albemarle assessments have increased by 6.17 percent in 2026 (read the story)* Spanberger signed ten first executive orders on first day in office (read the story)* Charlottesville City Council weighs in on student housing changesCharlottesville 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: Plant Virginia NativesThe year is now 2026 and time is running out for me to plan for what my yard could look like if I were to get it ready for spring! The invasive plants won again and I've got maybe a month until they begin to come back to life. Is this the year I get ahead of the creeper and vine that thrive in the humidity and the hot sun? What else could I plant instead?One resource I could consult is Plant Virginia Natives to figure my way out of my predicament. 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.A glimpse of the story spreadsheetSecond shout-out: Charlottesville Scholarship ProgramToday's second subscriber-supported shout-out goes to the Charlottesville Scholarship Program. Started in 2001 by an initial investment by Charlottesville City Council, the Charlottesville Scholarship Program has grown their endowment to over $1.3 million, and has awarded 201 scholarships totaling more than $1.1 million.The goal of the program has remained constant: to assist low- and moderate-income City residents and City employees who wish to improve their lives through post-secondary education. Many of these students are the first in their family to attend college.Income-eligible Charlottesville Public School System high school seniors, City residents who are Charlottesville Public School System graduates or GED recipients, and City municipal and City School System employees, no matter where they reside, are all eligible for CSP scholarships. In a typical year, CSP awards eleven new, renewable scholarships. Ten of these are designated for eligible high school seniors, and the 11th scholarship is designated for an eligible adult applicant.To learn more about the program, sign up for their newsletter, or make a donation, visit their website. 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
This week I'm uncovering a lost city that was left out of my lost cities two parter (episodes 131 and 132). Nineveh, the capital of the ancient Assyrian Empire, is mentioned in the Bible no less than 19 times. But, for millennia we weren't sure if it was a fictional setting or a real place. All of that changed in the 1840s when British explorer Austen Henry Layard discovered the ruins of a vast metropolis on the banks of the Tigris River that could only be Nineveh. Within those ruins he found a palace and within that palace a library, the Library of Ashurbanipal. The information held within Ashurbanipal's library told us everything we never knew about the Assyrian Empire, once the largest empire in the world. So, what did those clay tablets say? Join me to find out! Support the show! Join the Patreon (patreon.com/historyfixpodcast)Buy some merchBuy Me a CoffeeVenmo @Shea-LaFountaineSources: British Museum "Sparking the imagination: the rediscovery of Assyria's great lost city"British Museum "Historical city travel guide: Nineveh, 7th century BC"British Museum "A library fit for a king"British Museum "Who was Ashurbanipal?"Got Questions "What is the significance of the city of Nineveh in the Bible?"Shoot me a message! Join me January 28th at 6 pm at College of the Albemarle in Manteo, North Carolina for the first ever History Fix live show! Support the show
Today's edition is sponsored by the Ragged Mountain Running and Walking ShopWhen was the last time you played a musical instrument? When was the last time you recorded a song you wanted to write either for yourself or for others? In an attempt to change the tone of these introductory paragraphs of Charlottesville Community Engagement, I decide to look instead at this day in music.Two sources report that on January 22, 1959, Buddy Holly hit record on a machine and captured his final performances on a tape recorder, recordings that would later be posthumously produced professionally after his death in an aircraft crash on a snowy night. I'm Sean Tubbs, and more on that rabbit hole at the end of this edition.In this edition:* There is a vacancy on the Greene County Board of Supervisors as Francis McGuigan resigns* Albemarle and Charlottesville officials are preparing for a weekend storm expected this* The Charlottesville Albemarle Regional Transit Authority will meet today the first time in 2026* Albemarle County promotes Amy Smith to be the next Parks and Recreation DirectorCharlottesville 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: Cville Village seeks volunteersCan you drive a neighbor to a doctor's appointment? Change an overhead lightbulb, plant a flower, walk a dog for someone who is sick, visit someone who is lonely? If so, Cville Village needs you!Cville Village is a local 501c3 nonprofit organization loosely affiliated with a national network of Villages whose goals are to help seniors stay in their own homes as long as possible, and to build connections among them that diminish social isolation. Volunteers do small chores for, and have gatherings of, professors and schoolteachers, nurses and lawyers, aides and housekeepers. Time and chance come to all – a fall, an order not to drive, failing eyesight, a sudden stroke. They assist folks continue living at home, with a little help from their friends.Cville Village volunteers consult software that shows them who has requested a service and where they are located. Volunteers accept only the requests that fit their schedule and their skills.Volunteering for Cville Village can expand your circle of friends and shower you with thanks.To learn more, visit cvillevillage.org or attend one of their monthly Village “meet-ups” and see for yourself. To find out where and when the next meetup is, or to get more information and a volunteer application, email us at info@cvillevillage.org, or call them at (434) 218-3727.McGuigan resigns from the Greene County Board of SupervisorsThe Greene County Board of Supervisors will once again need to fill a vacancy now that one of its members has resigned while in office.Francis McGuigan turned in his resignation as the at-large Supervisor today, just over two years after being elected in November 2023.“We would like to thank Supervisor McGuigan for his commitment to the community,” said Board Chairman Steve Catalano in an information release.On January 13, McGuigan had voted for Catalano to be chair during the annual organization meeting. Midway Representative Matt Hartung was not present for the vote but joined the meeting later.The release states Supervisors will discuss how to move forward with a replacement at their next meeting on January 27.In the fall of October 2023, former Supervisor Abby Heflin resigned as the Stanardsville representative and the Board accepted applications for a replacement. The person appointed was Steve Catalano.For more on this story, take a look at this story on the Piedmont Journal-Recorder.Area preparing for heavy winter stormA large winter storm is heading for the east coast this weekend and that's expected to leave a heavy accumulation of snow and ice. Preparations are underway by first responders and the Virginia Department of Transportation.Albemarle's Deputy County Executive, Trevor Henry, briefed the Board of Supervisors Wednesday night about what was known at that time.“We have through our emergency manager a process by which we spin up our planning efforts,” Henry said. “And so I wanted to just assure the board but also use this as a reminder to the community that they should be paying attention to this weekend.”Henry said any snow and ice that falls may continue to be a problem as the forecast is for temperatures to remain below freezing through the end of next week. He added public safety will be ready.“Police and fire are really looking at a Saturday morning to at least initially through Monday night,” Henry said. “That may be a longer operational period where there's going to be additional resources.”Henry said the county is asking residents to be prepared to be without power for up to three days. To that effect, the county set out a message this afternoon with information including a checklist for an emergency kit created by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.Soon afterward, the City of Charlottesville announced it has activated the Snow Operations Team with a description of their duty.“The City is responsible for winter operations across approximately 165 centerline miles of roadway, 49 miles of sidewalks (including Safe Routes to School and City-owned properties), more than 45 municipal and school parking lots, City parks facilities, and the Downtown Pedestrian Mall,” reads the message.The city has over 165 people working on snow operations as well as a sizable inventory of equipment including “25 dedicated snowplow trucks equipped with salt spreaders and brine tanks.”Roads will be pretreated with brine and crews will begin clearing snow when necessary.“Snow response follows a priority plan,” reads the message from the city. “Crews will begin with primary routes, including major corridors and roads critical for emergency response and transit service.”Emergency snow routes will also be in effect as of 9 a.m. Saturday. Anyone who parks along these corridors must move their vehicle or it may be towed.Designated Emergency Snow Routes include:* Market Street (Old Preston Avenue to 9th Street NE)* High Street (Preston Avenue to 9th Street NE)* Water Street (Ridge Street to 10th Street NE)* 2nd Street West (Market Street to Water Street)* 4th Street East (Market Street to Water Street)* West Main Street (Ridge Street to JPA)* University Avenue (JPA to Rugby Road)There will be free parking in the two municipal parking garages Friday, January 23 at 6:00 PM through Tuesday, January 27 at 8:00 AM.For the city's full list, click here.Thanks for reading Charlottesville Community Engagement ! This post is public so feel free to share it.Charlottesville Albemarle Regional Transit Authority to meet todayIn late 2025, an entity known as the Regional Transit Partnership ended and transferred many of its duties to a recently created authority intended to promote greater cooperation and coordination between the area's multiple transit agencies.Today the Board of Directors of the Charlottesville Albemarle Regional Transit Authority will meet for the first time in 2026 at the Water Street Center. (CARTA website)The agenda for today's meeting looks much like an RTP agenda with opportunities for Jaunt, Charlottesville Area Transit, and University Transit Service representatives to tell what they're doing and how they fit into the bigger picture. So far, though, the only two voting members are Albemarle and Charlottesville.Scottsville Supervisor Michael Pruitt will be joined by newcomer Jack Jouett Supervisor Sally Duncan, and Charlottesville City Councilor Natalie Oschrin will be joined by newcomer Jen Fleisher. Fleisher has attended multiple meetings of the RTP as an alternative representing the Blue Ridge Health District.There are details on both Jaunt and the University Transit Service in the packet, but nothing from Charlottesville Area Transit.One of the main tasks for CARTA this year will be to conduct something called the “Regional Transit Service Prioritization and Implementation Feasibility Study” which builds off of the 2022 Regional Transit Vision Plan and the Regional Transit Governance Study from 2023.Not on the agenda is a discussion of how CARTA might be able to help increase funding for CAT's mission to hire a total of 108 drivers. That's the amount CAT Director Garland Williams says is needed to restore full service and make long-awaited route changes.Here's a story about that from December 2025 as well as a story from August in which a representative from IMPACT said the organization is watching. Patreon-fueled shout-out: Design DevelopArchitectural firm Design Develop is offering a new service aimed at the development community that the rest of us might want to know about , too — 3D point cloud scanning! This technique uses specialized equipment, such as 3D scanner systems, to gather a large amount of data points that represent the surface of the scanned object or scene. This really comes in handy when working with historic structures, as the firm knows from its experience in Baltimore and Charlottesville. Read their blog post for more information!The applications of 3D point cloud scanning are extensive and cover various fields, including architecture, construction, cultural heritage preservation, virtual reality, industrial design, manufacturing, and more. These applications require accurate 3D spatial information, and Design Develop's workflow provides precise and comprehensive results, all while being more cost-effective than traditional methods.Design Develop has expertise in this workflow for their own needs and now has a dedicated team offering this service in the Charlottesville and Albemarle Area. If you're involved in the real estate, design, or construction industry, contact them for more information or a free quote.Visit their website for an introductory video that captures the 3D point cloud scanning of the Downtown Transit Center and a booklet that will explain more!Albemarle promotes Smith to Parks and Recreation DirectorAfter a nationwide search, Albemarle County has named a veteran of the Parks and Recreation Department to lead the office after the retirement of former director Bob Crickenberger.“Our own Amy Smith, who has been the deputy director and, and has enjoyed a wonderful career serving Albemarle county, was our top candidate,” said County Executive Jeffrey Richardson.Smith will lead a department with a $5,584,028 budget for fiscal year 2026 and 27 full-time employees. Two objectives in the county's strategic plan address how parks can help reach Quality of Life Goals.These are:* 4.4 — Integrate parks planning with multi-modal transportation planning across the County* 4.5 — Enhance overall access to parks and recreational opportunities with an emphasis on urban neighborhoods.The FY26 budget also includes $1.5 million for work to pursue the latter objective through creation of a new urban pocket park on Hillsdale Drive as well as new amenities at Humphris Park.Soon after being announced, Smith explained her philosophy toward parks and recreation.“Our parks protect natural beauty, promote health and wellness, provide spaces for connection, and ensure that residents of all ages and abilities can enjoy the outdoors. I'm truly inspired by Albemarle's commitment to quality of life,” Smith said. “I plan to build upon the same foundation through increasing innovation, strategic management of resources, and furthering, uniting and empowering our dedicated Parks and Rec staff and our amazing community partners.”Smith began working for the county in 1993. Jack Jouett Supervisor Sally Duncan just joined the Board and said she was impressed by the time Smith has spent working for Albemarle.“I just think it's really great when we can retain people and have people, you know, build their careers here and have longevity,” Duncan said.Supervisor Ann Mallek is in her fifth term representing the White Hall District and said Smith has helped oversee and manage many of the parks that have come on line in the past two decades and will now work to bring many more that are planned into reality.“So many things on your plate with the blueways and Buck Island and the Brook Hill ramp and such a long, long list because there's so many places that you already manage,” Mallek said.The blueways are a series of amenities allowing people to use area rivers and streams for recreational purposes. As part of this effort, the county opened Brook Hill River Park on Rio Mills Road in the summer of 2019 and there are plans to develop a park at Buck Island 17 miles down the Rivanna River.Smith helped lead a parks and recreation needs assessment for Albemarle in 2018 and creation of a parks strategic plan. Much of that is now within the Parks and Recreation Chapter of AC44, the name the county called their Comprehensive Plan. This link will take you right there.There's also the recreation side of the department which provides many ways for people to interact with each other. Richardson said the intent is to overcome obstacles as they pop up.“When our middle school volleyball league registrations opened across Albemarle County, there was a rush of families signing up their students for this program,” Richardson said. “Henley was, was completely full within three minutes. Lakeside was full within 30 minutes.”Richardson said there were many calls from people who were disappointed they missed out but the department showed flexibility in the name of customer service.“So what the Parks and Rec department did was step back, reformatted the league and they expanded capacity, ultimately registering 400 participants across all the schools,” Richardson said. “And that eliminated the wait list.”For more on how to provide feedback on the new Hillsdale pocket park as well as Humprhis Park, visit engagealbemarle.org.Articles by other journalists you are encouraged to read next:* When Virginia GOP senator's solar farm stalled, the Youngkin admin got involved, Ben Paviour, Virginia Mercury, January 13, 2026* ICE detains 5-year-old Minnesota boy; school leader says agents used him as ‘bait', Elizabeth Shockman, MPR News, January 21, 2026* Va. lawmakers want voters to take a 180-degree turn on redistricting; some reform advocates are wary, David Poole, Virginia Mercury, January 22, 2026* Winter road salting is a growing source of pollution [and] Virginia officials want alternatives, Katherine Hafner, WHRO, January 22, 2026#989 is an echo from the pastA thing I keep to myself is a long history of relaxing through challenging myself to recording improvisational music. At one point I wanted to be in a band, but I've always been way too guarded to do such things. Or at least, not willing to put in the time.Yet I've recorded many hours of my attempts at songs over the years and I find the experience of expressing myself through musical creation helps me fill out a lot of the rough spots in my life. I made a decision a long time ago to keep all of that to myself, but I'm also aware of my mortality more than usual.So I had this idea to begin to put some of my sound recordings on Patreon as part of that system. After all, my hope is to soon have a mechanism people can use to make tax-deductible contributions for the reporting.This is still just an idea crafted at a time where I'm paying a lot of attention to where I was at this time in 2011. I was not quite four years into my time at Charlottesville Tomorrow and I was very uncertain about what I wanted to do. I am interested in what I was singing at that time for reasons I'll explore over on Patreon if I decide to go ahead with this side project.Oh yeah, also somehow this edition is a podcast, too. Not sure how that happened.And now, probably the weirdest video I've posted yet which is still germane somehow. 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 month of January 2026 is halfway through and the pace of the previous year appears to have continued with no days off in a period of transition and tumult. I'm Sean Tubbs, and Charlottesville Community Engagement is a newsletter with stories about a part of the world I've been covering for a long time with a focus on growth, development, housing, and whatever else comes together.In this edition:* Albemarle Planning Commission recommends approval of a rezoning near junction of I-64 and U.S. 29 (read this story over at C-Ville Weekly)* Sanders welcomes new staff to Charlottesville (read the story)* Council names two to Charlottesville Planning Commission (read the story)* Developer named for UVA student housing on Emmet / Ivy (read the story)* Charlottesville City Council gives direction on affordable housing spending (need to produce)* Alternatives coming for payment at Charlottesville's municipal garages (read the story)Charlottesville Community Engagement is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Today's shout-out: Town Crier ProductionsWhen I was a kid decades ago, I dreamed of creating my own newspaper or having my own radio show. I lived on a cul-de-sac in a neighborhood in a community that was not the most exciting, but my imagination put me on the pathway to now when I've somehow managed to cobble together a newsletter with over 4,600 subscribers.This week I'm trying to clear out the backlog from 2025 which includes at least a couple of newsletters of regular content before there will be a series of editions that look back on the specifics of the year.My upbringing as a first generation American fueled me with a passion to understand a country so different from where my parents had grown up. For an entire career now I've been powered by a desire to know what's going on, and to share what I know with people who also are curious, thoughtful, and independent.What I am not is a business person, and the growth of Town Crier Productions has been slow and steady because my focus is on putting forward as much information as possible while pointing people to the places where they can contribute should they want to do so. Here are some current options:* Take out a paid subscription to Substack with the yearly option being the most beneficial* Consider a Patreon contribution to support more than just this newsletter* Send a check to Town Crier Productions, PO Box 1754, Charlottesville, VA 22902* Consider becoming an experimental sponsor of both this newsletter and Information Charlottesville.I'm still dreaming of what this could all be, knowing I've got a lot of growth to do in terms of being a business person. I believe there is value in what I do each and every day, and I am able to pay my bills because there are enough of you who agree.If you're not sure, please keep reading and listening to the content. Share with friends. Share links to social media. Leave a comment!The goal of this work is intended to advance conversation about complex topics in a country experiencing a lot of soul-searching as the 21st century steam-rolls on.Thoughts at the end of CCE-985AA behind the scenes fact! I work alone and so I have a lot of inside jokes to amuse myself. I name each of the podcast. This one is CCE-984A-stunted-moats for some reason. I'm an odd person.I also created a couple of new audio bumpers that separate the stories. These also amuse me. The ad-lib shout-outs also amuse me. Are these still worth doing? I think so. As I said in one of the pieces of continuity, the podcast marks the end of one week and the transition to another. This particular edition begins with a story that is actually a C-Ville Weekly story that I did not produce a CCE version and now will not. I produced that story for them about a month ago but it got lost somewhere along the way. I'm only putting in this section today because I need to put an image at the top. Now, on to CCE-986 which will not have a name because it is not audio. There are rules to this madness, after all. 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 Royal Navy and the Dutch fleet square off. Michiel de Ruyter needs to clear the way for the merchant fleet to get home, or else the Dutch economy might collapse. George Monck, Duke of Albemarle, is outnumbered and outgunned, and Prince Rupert races to join him. Nicholas Rodgers, The Command of the Ocean: A Naval History of Britain, Volume 2, 1649–1815 Anna Keay, The Restless Republic, 2022. Rebecca Rideal, 1666: Plague, War, and Hellfire, 2016. Frank Fox, The Four Days' Battle: The Greatest Sea Fight of the Age of Sail, 2009. David Onnekink & Gijs Rommelse, The Dutch in the Early Modern World. Steve Murdoch, The terror of the Seas: Scottish Maritime Warfare, 1513-1713, 2010. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Samsung’s blockbuster profits put South Korea’s market back in the global spotlight, as investors ask whether the AI-driven rally still has legs. We play UP or DOWN on defence contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman after President Donald Trump targets dividends and buybacks. Alphabet overtakes Apple in market value for the first time since 2019 - is Big Tech leadership shifting for good?Meanwhile, deal drama surrounds Paramount Global, while Serve Robotics jumps into focus after praise from Nvidia’s Jensen Huang. We check in from CES 2026 in Las Vegas to separate investor signal from gadget noise. Plus, brokers turn bullish on Micron Technology and lithium producer Albemarle, as Singapore stocks push deeper into record territory - hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The I Love CVille Show headlines: Interview Conan Owen, Owner, Sir Speedy Of Central VA Inside Charlottesville & Albemarle Co News Cycle Juan Wade Mayor X2; Scott Beardsley Day 2 On Job Business Development: Great, Good, Bad & Ugly Billionaire Saves Lee Enterprises & Daily Progress How Do You Characterize CVille Area Economy Now? Predictions For 2026 For Charlottesville & AlbCo If You Need CVille Office Space, Contact Jerry Miller Read Viewer & Listener Comments Live On-Air Conan Owen, Owner of Sir Speedy of Central VA, joined me live on The I Love CVille Show! 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 der heutigen Folge sprechen die Finanzjournalisten Anja Ettel und Holger Zschäpitz über en Superzyklus bei Speicherchips, ein Double Downgrade bei Adidas und Comeback-Hoffnung bei Novo Nordisk. Außerdem geht es um Bitcoin, Ether, Western Digital, Seagate, Micron Technology, Samsung, Sandisk, SK Hynix, Nanya Technology, Nvidia, Johnson Controls, Trane Technologies, Carrier Global, Tesla, Eli Lilly, Ventyx Biosciences, Infineon, STMicroelectronics, Aixtron, SAP, Adidas, Nike, Asics, Puma, JD Sports, Novo Nordisk, Wisdom Tree Strategic Metals and Rare Earths Miners (WKN: A3EKKT), MP Materials, Lynas Rare Earths, Northam Platinum Holdings, Taseko Mines, Aurubis, VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals (WKN: A3CRL9), PLS Group, Albemarle, China Northern Rare Earth, MP Materials, BNP Paribas Copper ETC (WKN: PB8C0P), Global X Copper Miners UCITS ETF (WKN: A3C7FZ), Sprott Pure Play Copper Miners (WKN: A3EWMH), Copper Miners ETF (WKN: A3ECC3), Freeport-McMoRan und Southern Copper. Wir freuen uns an Feedback über aaa@welt.de. Noch mehr "Alles auf Aktien" findet Ihr bei WELTplus und Apple Podcasts – inklusive aller Artikel der Hosts und AAA-Newsletter. Hier bei WELT: https://www.welt.de/podcasts/alles-auf-aktien/plus247399208/Boersen-Podcast-AAA-Bonus-Folgen-Jede-Woche-noch-mehr-Antworten-auf-Eure-Boersen-Fragen.html. Der Börsen-Podcast Disclaimer: Die im Podcast besprochenen Aktien und Fonds stellen keine spezifischen Kauf- oder Anlage-Empfehlungen dar. Die Moderatoren und der Verlag haften nicht für etwaige Verluste, die aufgrund der Umsetzung der Gedanken oder Ideen entstehen. Hörtipps: Für alle, die noch mehr wissen wollen: Holger Zschäpitz können Sie jede Woche im Finanz- und Wirtschaftspodcast "Deffner&Zschäpitz" hören. +++ Werbung +++ Du möchtest mehr über unsere Werbepartner erfahren? Hier findest du alle Infos & Rabatte! https://linktr.ee/alles_auf_aktien Impressum: https://www.welt.de/services/article7893735/Impressum.html Datenschutz: https://www.welt.de/services/article157550705/Datenschutzerklaerung-WELT-DIGITAL.html
December 29 is upon us and this is perhaps the final sonic edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement for the year. This certainly is the antepenultimate day of 2025, a year in which there is still much to say in the coming week or so before 2026 begins to find its identity. In any case, today there are four editions of stories that have already gone out in newsletter form but are now assembled with soundbites, actualities, and the occasional double-breath.I'm Sean Tubbs, and I'm glad for those who take a listen.In this edition:* Charlottesville City Council briefed on potential new areas of spending on housing (read the story)* Charlottesville City Council agrees to sell cul-de-sac to Jefferson Scholars Foundation (read the story)* Albemarle Supervisors get a briefed on the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, also known as the annual audit (read the story)* Charlottesville's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report to be published by December 31 (read the story)Charlottesville Community Engagement is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Today's shout-out: Town Crier ProductionsWhen I was a kid decades ago, I dreamed of creating my own newspaper or having my own radio show. I lived on a cul-de-sac in a neighborhood in a community that was not the most exciting, but my imagination put me on the pathway to now when I've somehow managed to cobble together a newsletter with over 4,600 subscribers.This week I'm trying to clear out the backlog from 2025 which includes at least a couple of newsletters of regular content before there will be a series of editions that look back on the specifics of the year.My upbringing as a first generation American fueled me with a passion to understand a country so different from where my parents had grown up. For an entire career now I've been powered by a desire to know what's going on, and to share what I know with people who also are curious, thoughtful, and independent.What I am not is a business person, and the growth of Town Crier Productions has been slow and steady because my focus is on putting forward as much information as possible while pointing people to the places where they can contribute should they want to do so. Here are some current options:* Take out a paid subscription to Substack with the yearly option being the most beneficial* Consider a Patreon contribution to support more than just this newsletter* Send a check to Town Crier Productions, PO Box 1754, Charlottesville, VA 22902* Consider becoming an experimental sponsor of both this newsletter and Information Charlottesville.I'm still dreaming of what this could all be, knowing I've got a lot of growth to do in terms of being a business person. I believe there is value in what I do each and every day, and I am able to pay my bills because there are enough of you who agree.If you're not sure, please keep reading and listening to the content. Share with friends. Share links to social media. Leave a comment!The goal of this work is intended to advance conversation about complex topics in a country experiencing a lot of soul-searching as the 21st century steam-rolls on. 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 all the seasonal fun going on, Justin pops into a few of the holiday bars to see how things are going. They discuss how the month of December has been so far and the festive atmosphere and food and drink menus specific to each location. It's a merry ol' time on the Outer Banks around the holidays! Outer Banks This Week Podcast Presented by:Kelly's AutomotivePowered by:Outer Banks Pest ControlSponsored by:Outer Banks Pest ControlSoundside Sporting GoodsCollege of the Albemarle
This week, WTJU is holding their Classical Marathon which means that there will be no radio version of Charlottesville Community Engagement. Yet, the production of the newsletter often depends on harvesting audio recordings of meetings. I'm Sean Tubbs, publisher and president of Town Crier Productions, and I've been chopping up sound into stories for over thirty years now. This podcast version for December 10, 2025 includes three sonic articles from the past week so I can make room for the next set.There will be another regular newsletter later on this evening.Here are the highlights:* Former Congressman Tom Perriello enters the race for the Democratic nomination to represent Virginia's Fifth District in the U.S. House of Representatives (read the story)* Two special elections scheduled in Virginia on January 6 (read the story)* Virginia transportation panel briefed on $20 million for Boulders Road project (read the story)* Albemarle Schools seek funding for fourth high school while Supervisors want more data on need (read the story)Charlottesville Community Engagement is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Today's only shout-out: Enjoy the WTJU Classical Marathon through the new app!WTJU is pleased to announce our brand new mobile app! You can download a version from either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Here are the links to both:* iPhone version* Android versionThe WTJU app is the place to tune in and listen live to WTJU, WXTJ, and Charlottesville Classical. Aside from the live stream, listen to archived shows, view recent songs, playlists, and program schedules, check out videos of live performances, stay up-to-date on WTJU's most recent news and articles, and more!Live chat with your favorite hosts, share stories with your friends, and tune into your community all in the palm of your hand. 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
Fri, Dec 5 2:10 AM → 2:44 AM CMPD Eastway Division Armed Robbery near albemarle road charlotte nc Radio Systems: - Charlotte UASI Region
What does it mean that there is a Friday podcast edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement? In case anyone asks, an explanation: This newsletter began in July 2020 as a podcast as a next phase of work I began at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. In the spring of 2024, I began producing a radio program for WTJU and decided to separate that production into a separate process.Now it is December 5, 2025 and there is enough information to get out a podcast before the next radio show. See below for some introspection about why I hope to increase the amount of audio in the future.In this edition:* Virginia's elections are certified; Catalano holds on to Stanardsville seat on Greene Board (read the story)* Charlottesville PC takes first look at draft Capital Improvement Program (read the story)* Albemarle Supervisors ask local legislators for help on transportation funding (read the story)* Charlottesville moves step closer to construction of Barracks-Emmet Streetscape (read the story)* Charlottesville City Council fixes an underpayment to the area 's tourism agency (read the story)Charlottesville Community Engagement is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Today's shout-out: Town Crier Productions!This newsletter as well as Information Charlottesville are the two main platforms for Town Crier Productions. That's the name for the business entity I created in 2020 when I decided to launch a new chapter in journalism.I've been able to sustain this work and cover many stories over the past five years because of the many ways people can support the business. One way is to go for a paid subscription here on Substack which goes a long way to support all of the research and reporting.Other ways? Well, you can always consider taking out a sponsorship or advertisement or whatever it is called when you want to get a message out to draw attention to your business, organization, event, or anything that might fit in with this particular audience. Drop me a line if you want to see the fledgling media kit and help me experiment.But also, thanks to all of you who read this each time it is published. A publication like this may not be for everyone, but it has found an audience. We're all in this together, and I'm grateful for any support so I can keep paying attention and sharing what I find.So the real shout-out here - is to all of you! After all, isn't that what a Town Crier does?Thoughts about why this edition:Before I launched this newsletter in July 2020, I had created a website that I was going to call This is Charlottesville. If you look closely, that's the first domain I registered sometime after I left my last journalism job.This particular edition is going to be reposted to the Charlottesville Podcasting Network, a moribund website that a longtime steward fixed this week for me. I created the website in the spring of 2005 when I realized I could post longer versions of my freelance stories to a place on the Internet I could control.Twenty years ago was an epoch ago. Social media was in its infancy but in Charlottesville, we had cvillenews.com which was an early gathering point for those who were online early when you needed a computer to get to all of it.I had no idea how to make money off of the podcast site, and a first version of my business ended up being about taking whatever revenue I could with not a lot of thought about what it was I was doing. There were some really big failures and I was grateful when I had the opportunity to join Charlottesville Tomorrow.I spent eleven years there and took a break from journalism. But from the beginning of the interregnum, I wanted to have a place to experiment with getting information out to people. When the pandemic hit, I took a leap of faith to start what was intended to be a simple newscast. But that grew and grew until I'm at this point where I've got to fix a lot of things if I'm going to stay in the air.There are many flaws with aspects of my current way of producing things. There are so many dumb errors that go out to thousands of people because I don't have a second set of eyes.Until the spring of 2024, all of the newsletter were podcasts but I broke the production into separate processes when I began doing the radio version for WTJU.Doing so lost an editorial check. It's very hard to read copy from a script with errors in it. I'm prone to silly errors and I can be hasty trying to get information out to people.But when I read the copy, I have to fix it. One solution would be to at least produce the narration for every version before I hit send.Next week there is no radio show as WTJU holds their Classical Marathon from December 8 to December 14. That may mean I take a fresh approach to audio production.In any case, this is the introspection about audio. I hope you enjoy the day. 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
We kick off our Christmas series, "Eden's Promise," and explore the fascinating story of the Garden of Eden and its connection to the holiday season. Discover how the plan for redemption didn't start in a manger, but in a garden, full of unexpected twists and promises. We dive into what life was like before Adam and Eve's sin, and how hope and redemption were part of the plan all along.
This time the podcast is the same file as the radio show that airs on WTJU, complete with public service announcements and continuity befitting a program that goes out over broadcast signal at a specific time. For the sake of the holiday, I have made this the November 29, 2025 edition. This is the 333rd day of the year, a fact that may or may not have any significance but sounds like a good thing to say. I'm Sean Tubbs, the publisher of Town Crier Productions and the writer behind Information Charlottesville at infocville.com. Most Saturday mornings I present you with several recent stories in audio form, and this week is not one of the exceptions. Though, this edition begins a process of looking back at this year.In this edition:* Legislators have filed the first bills for General Assembly 2026 (learn more)* A new era for public transportation could be underway with the formation of the Charlottesville Albemarle Regional Transit Authority (learn more)* The Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority finds out how much a pump station failure cost to repair (learn more)* Charlottesville rooting out invasive species on city parkland (learn more)Archive stories:* This being Thanksgiving week, there aren't as many fresh stories, so this is a good time to begin the process of looking back. One of the first important stories of 2026 will be when assessments begin to come out. Here's how that sounded in January 2025 when they went up 5.1 percent.* Meanwhile, property assessments in Charlottesville went up 7.74 percent for 2025. In January, Albemarle Supervisors filled a key vacancy. Here's that story.* Charlottesville had a surplus for FY2024 in excess of $22.4 million and some of that funding would eventually go to pay for things such as an office building intended to be converted to a low-barrier shelter for the homeless. Let's go back to January to hear more about that surplus.* There are a lot of quirks to the area and one of them is the 45 acres or so of land in Albemarle County in the Woolen Mills that can only be accessed via the City of Charlottesville. One more story from January.Meta-information for November 29, 2025I did not work on Thanksgiving and I so wanted that streak to continue into the following day. I had a better time than I thought I would, and made a choice to stay in one place rather than be itinerant. I drove back at sunrise and traveled on U.S. 250 approaching Charlottesville from the west. The roads were empty as the sunlight slowly drifted over the horizon. I thought about the many times I've driven that road and how many stories I have written about places that have been built over the last twenty years. When I first moved to this community, I worked on Ednam Drive near the Boar's Head. I would travel there from northern Albemarle by the airport. The house I lived in was torn down to make way for the North Pointe development. Nothing up there looks the same anymore. I wrote stories about the roundabout at U.S. 250 and Route 151. I was part of a collaboration with the Daily Progress where four of us were assigned a stretch of the roadway as it goes from Nelson to Zion Crossroads. All of these forgotten stories flashed through my mind including different places I've been to as a catering server or a friend. There was no traffic but me so I was able to drive slow and go at my own pace. The fight over the Restore-n-Station. The storage unit at the corner with Old Trail. The people who died at the Harris Teeter. The landscaper who had to fight the county to use property just outside the growth area as a business. The construction of another roundabout now underway. That place where my friends used to live off of Gillums Ridge Road. That woman's house in Ivy who hired me to do transcription for a documentary she was making. The fact that I've never been to Duner's and probably never will. The recovery hospital UVA built that I wrote about at a time when I had no idea what happened in places like that. Now I am older and have spent a lot of time with my parents in similar spots. And then an explosion of thoughts as I drove past the Boar's Head where I spent a year and a half in my first real production job. My entire life changed working at that spot. It was too dark to see the renovations at Birdwood. I thought about stopping at the Bellair Market but it may not have been open. I remembered being a volunteer for the Charlottesville Track Club picking up supplies left in Ednam Forest for an organized marathon training.But once I got east of the bypass, suddenly so much change. I remembered the medical building torn down to build another medical building. New buildings on one side of the road constructed close to traffic with a new sidewalk. And then the cinderblock stairwell towers that will make up the Blume, followed quickly by a great expansion of the University of Virginia. The Karsh Institute of Democracy is coming along and the new student housing buildings are coming out of the ground. The Virginia Guesthouse will open up for the first guests next year and UVA awaits funding for the arts center approved earlier this year. Thanksgiving was two days ago, but I want to thank you all again for reading this newsletter and especially thank those who are paying me to keep writing stories. I'm grateful to be able to do this work. I could reminisce all day but I have new stories to write. For this edition, I did begin the process of looking back at 2025. In December I will produce a series of editions from stories from this year. I do this as a way of seeing what loose ends I have to tie up and what I have to look forward to in the next year. Thanks for reading Charlottesville Community Engagement ! This post is public so feel free to share it. 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 this message, Paul explores how true freedom and joy are found by letting Jesus into our toughest struggles. Using Paul's example in the Bible, who found joy even while in prison, we learn that freedom doesn't always mean escaping our situations but being content within them. This message will encourage you to invite Jesus into your "prisons," like fear or anger, so you can experience real freedom. By doing so, you'll begin to find joy and peace even in the toughest circumstances because Jesus is with you.
Written editions of Charlottesville Community Engagement often begin with a historical anecdote to mark the day and tie stories to a greater sense of the world. But what about this newsletter's history?* The first November 22 edition came out in 2021 as you can see and hear here.* The November 22 version from 2023 was the only one made that week. Go look!* Last year? November 22 rounded out a full week of newsletters!This edition is a podcast version where 92.3 percent of the material has already gone out in print form but now the stories can be heard as if you were listening to public radio.What's in this edition?* Albemarle's Economic Development Authority gets an update on AstraZeneca's investment at Rivanna Futures (learn more)* Officials celebrate one transportation project while another gets underway* Jaunt CEO Mike Murphy briefs Charlottesville City Council (learn more)* With one quarter down, Charlottesville currently projected for $921K surplus for FY2026 (learn more)* Albemarle Supervisors take a look at the five-year financial plan as budget planning accelerates for fiscal year 2027 (learn more)Sponsorship demonstration: Westwind FlowersFall is in full bloom at Westwind Flowers! With the crisp autumn air settling in, they're celebrating the season with fresh, local blooms perfect for every occasion.And as the holidays approach, let Westwind Flowers bring local beauty to your celebrations. Dress up your Thanksgiving table with seasonal blooms, gift your host or hostess with a gorgeous indoor plant, or join us for one of our Holiday Wreath Workshops on November 29th or December 6th. Create your own festive wreath, from the base to the finishing touch, with expert guidance and fresh, locally grown greenery.Westwind Flowers offers sustainably grown, thoughtfully curated cut flowers, perfectly suited to the season and the special moments in your life. They believe the blooms in your vase should be just as fresh, and just as local, as the food on your table. Visit their website to learn more!Thoughts at the end of #960-AThis is the first podcast edition in two weeks. The reason there was none last week? Last Saturday I published a text edition instead based on differing accounts of the forced resignation of University of Virginia President Jim Ryan.For a while I was posting these on Mondays, but the gravity of my workflow means they come out best on Saturday mornings. I've been an audio producer for most of my journalism career dating back to 1995 and an internship at WVTF Public Radio. Recording audio is how I've always conducted interviews, though I've not done that for a while.I would like to do so, though. Since beginning this newsletter in the summer of 2020, I've mostly relied on harvesting government meetings and information releases. For me that is efficient approach because it can be much more time consuming to process those interviews and turn them into finished pieces. The nature of my business plan is to be as prolific as possible.I'm a journalist first. Being a business person ranks lower, though I've added a lot of over the past five and a half years. I'm excited to look ahead to 2026 and trying out some new things as I can. Maybe I'll finally finish that media kit! Let me know if you want to see a preview. For now it is time to finish this up and move on with the day. Below is an image from one of the stories this week. 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
Interview with Stephen Hanson, President & CEO of Surface Metals Inc.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/surface-metals-csesur-former-lithium-player-pivots-to-nevada-gold-with-walker-lane-project-7467Recording date: 21st November 2025Surface Metals Inc. (CSE: SUR) has strategically positioned itself across two commodity cycles through its April 2025 acquisition of the Cimarron gold project in Nevada whilst maintaining a diversified lithium portfolio anchored by a 300,000+ ton LCE resource at Clayton Valley, California. This dual-commodity approach provides investors with exposure to gold's current bull market and lithium's structural electrification demand.Following recent meetings on Wall Street and Bay Street, President and CEO Steve Hanson reports renewed institutional appetite for junior and mid-cap mining opportunities. Major banks including JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, UBS, Deutsche Bank, and HSBC forecast gold reaching $5,000 per ounce in 2026, driven by central bank accumulation, interest rate dynamics, and geopolitical tensions. Simultaneously, lithium markets show stabilisation following the 2023-2024 correction, with institutional interest returning to quality projects.The Cimarron gold project, located in Nevada's prolific Walker Lane trend approximately 35 kilometres south of Kinross's Round Mountain mine, benefits from extensive historical work conducted by Newmont and Echo Bay during the 1980s-1990s. Surface Metals has digitised this historical database and created three-dimensional geological models, positioning the company to commence phase one drilling in early 2026 with clear targeting rationale. The programme aims to confirm historical high-grade intercepts, validate a non-43-101 compliant resource, and expand towards a million-ounce target. Shallow oxide mineralisation suggests potential heap leach processing economics - a lower-cost development pathway relevant for junior companies.Surface Metals' lithium portfolio demonstrates geographic and geological diversification across three projects. The Clayton Valley brine project sits immediately northwest of Albemarle's Silver Peak operation - North America's only producing lithium brine facility operational since 1966. The company targets a preliminary economic assessment in 2026, evaluating direct lithium extraction technology offering faster processing and higher recovery versus traditional evaporation ponds. Neighbouring operator SLB's 2025 demonstration facility successfully produced lithium from similar brine chemistry, de-risking technology application.Fish Lake Valley represents exposure to sedimentary claystone lithium mineralisation, sitting contiguous to Ioneer's Rhyolite Ridge project backed by Ford, Toyota, and Panasonic offtakes with 2026 construction commencement planned. Surface Metals actively seeks joint venture partners to fund initial drilling. In Manitoba, NASDAQ-listed Snow Lake Resources earns into the company's pegmatite project through funded exploration whilst Surface Metals maintains carried interest without capital outlay.Capital efficiency distinguishes Surface Metals' approach. The company has reduced operational costs whilst advancing projects through partnership structures and targeted technical work avoiding dilutive capital raises during unfavourable market conditions. Sector consolidation reduced lithium-focused companies from 200-250 to approximately 60, with Surface Metals amongst survivors maintaining intact portfolio positioning to capture recovery momentum.Management contemplates multiple value realisation pathways including asset sales, joint ventures, or corporate restructuring to separate gold and lithium portfolios. In market conditions where commodities experience distinct cycles, portfolio separation could unlock valuation disparities whilst providing shareholders direct exposure to preferred commodity themes.All projects benefit from tier-one North American jurisdictions with established infrastructure, proximity to operating mines, and relatively streamlined permitting. Nevada exploration permits typically achieved in 90-120 days. As gold supply deficits emerge from major producers exhausting high-grade reserves, and lithium supply security achieves strategic priority, Surface Metals' portfolio positioning addresses structural market dynamics favouring quality junior mining opportunities in premier jurisdictions.View Surface Metals' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/acme-lithiumSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com
WMAL GUEST: VICTORIA COBB (President, The Family Foundation) on Her Message to Students at at Western Albemarle High School WEBSITE: X.com/TFFVA SOCIAL MEDIA: FamilyFoundation.org Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple, Audible and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Thursday, November 20, 2025 / 6 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Elizabeth Underwood Kazimir, Director of Economic Development for the Stanly County EDC. Elizabeth shares her journey into economic development, from graduating during the pandemic in 2020 to leading transformative growth initiatives in Albemarle and Stanly County. The conversation explores exciting projects attracting talent from across the country, the challenges of building supportive communities for economic development, and how Elizabeth carved her own path in a field where her mother already worked. They also dive into music preferences, debate Spotify versus Apple Music, and discuss Elizabeth's own podcast, "The New Economic Developers on the Block," where she's usually asking the questions.
Read more: Former UVA President Jim Ryan disputes rector's account of his resignation Spanberger, Youngkin spar over UVA board appointments, president search St. Joseph's Villa opens rapid rehousing center in Henrico County On the agenda: Richmond zoning refresh, Albemarle road extension Other links: Higher SOL cut scores coming, but not this year, Virginia board says (Virginia Mercury) RPS resumes work on a master facility plan as needs continue to grow (The Richmonder) As electric bills and demand rise, is Virginia's energy crisis already here? (Richmond Times-Dispatch) Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.
Ever wonder how to stay happy even when life gets tough? In this message, we learn from Paul, who found joy while stuck in prison. He teaches us to turn worry into peace by praying with gratitude. When we focus on the good things and know we're not alone, joy can fill our hearts. Ready for a change in how you think and feel? Discover how to find real peace and happiness, no matter what life throws your way. Watch the message to explore how joy is possible, even in the darkest moments!
In this message, we explore how life's journey is a lot like using a GPS. Sometimes we make wrong turns, but it's all about finding our way back to the right path. We'll learn from Paul's story—a guy who was in prison but still found joy and purpose. Discover how having clarity, conviction, and community can guide us like a GPS, helping us stay on track even when things get tough. With stories and examples, this message shows how we can move forward with confidence and joy, no matter where we are.
In this inspiring message, we explore how small acts of honor and remembrance can lead to big changes in our lives. Using stories of historical figures and everyday symbols like bread and wine, one of our elders, Cecil Talbot, shows how life's interruptions might be just what we need to discover our true potential. You'll hear about the power of being present, the importance of community, and how each of us has unique gifts to share with the world. It's a reminder that even the simplest things can help us become a light in our neighborhoods and beyond.
In this message, we explore the difference between trying to earn God's love through our actions versus accepting His grace freely given. Paul, a devoted follower of Jesus, realized that all his achievements were nothing compared to knowing Christ. We learn that true joy and freedom come when we let go of trying to impress God and trust fully in Jesus. Like a fun game of tag, knowing Jesus is about enjoying the journey with Him, not checking off a list of rules. Discover how Jesus plus nothing equals everything we need for a joyful and meaningful life.
For this October 24, 2025 podcast edition, there are two anecdotes from sporting history worth noting. For one, Sheffield F.C. began operations on this day in 1857. Though they are in the eighth league from the top of English football, they're the oldest professional club still in operation. Flash forward to 1992 when the Toronto Blue Jays became the first Canadian team to win the world series? Will they do so again this time around? A reminder, Charlottesville Community Engagement is not a sportscast. I'm Sean Tubbs, still wanting to see relegation in baseball.In the latest sonic edition:* Charlottesville agrees to settle zoning lawsuit while others call for reform (read the story)* Civil rights pioneer Eugene Williams dies at the age of 97 (read the story)* Vacancy on Charlottesville Planning Commission after Stolzenberg resignation (read the story)* Charlottesville Police Civilian Review Board can once again meet quorum (read the story)* Sanders updates Council on work plan, potential of subsidizing rents at Kindlewood (read the story)* Albemarle Supervisors adopt Comprehensive Plan update (read the story)Shout-out: JackFest takes place this Sunday!In today's first subscriber-supported shout-out: Looking for a free fall event for your family that will help raise money for cancer treatments for patients at UVA's Children's Hospital? Mark your calendar for October 26 and JackFest at Foxfield in Albemarle County.The free event is named for Jack Callahan, a boy who beat back metastatic cancer after a 13-month course of intensive treatments in 2019 and 2020. JackFest raises funds for Ronald McDonald House to support families who need assistance while other treatments are underway as well as. Events include:* Kids' running races and family relays including a Superhero Dash, Cross Country races for Elementary and Middle Schoolers and a Child-Parent Relay Race* Family activities such as an inflatable obstacle course, bounce house, and slides; a petting zoo, and a truck touch with emergency vehicles* Adult and kid food options - including food trucks - and local beer & wineThe running races require registration and a fee. People can sign up for races at the JackFest website.Second shout-out: Piedmont Master GardenersDo you enjoy sharing your passion for gardening with others?The Piedmont Master Gardeners are now accepting applications for the 2026 training class for Master Gardeners serving Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Applications are due by December 1, 2025.The in-person class will meet weekly from February through April. Learn more and find the application at the Piedmont Master Gardeners' website. 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 this message, we're diving into the inspiring story of three people—Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus—who show us what it means to live a life filled with courage and purpose. Imagine being so excited about something that you can't help but share it with everyone around you. That's the kind of passion these heroes had for spreading love and hope. They faced big challenges, but their belief in something greater kept them motivated. By learning how they poured out their lives to help others, we can find encouragement to face our own challenges and make a positive impact in the world. Join us as we explore how to live with boldness, stay true to ourselves, and focus on what really matters. Let's discover the adventure of living life to the fullest!
Many stories on Charlottesville Community Engagement are made because they are a result of listening to a public meeting and chopping what is said into a narrative intended to let people know what took place. This newsletter began as an attempt at a radio newscast on July 13, 2020 and has gone through many iterations. This is the second podcast this week and steps are being taken behind the scenes to integrate audio production into the overall process. I'm Sean Tubbs, and a thank you to the subscriber this week who contributed paid $50 a year because of the podcast!Here's what is in this edition:* Interim UVA President Mahoney declines to sign White House “Compact for Academic Excellence” (read the story)* Charlottesville seeks settlement lawsuit against city's zoning code (read the story)* Albemarle and Charlottesville economic development groups briefed on Innovation Corridor Roadmap (read the story)* Albemarle Executive Richardson sheds more details on AstraZeneca (learn more)* An update on transportation projects in Albemarle County including a ribbon-cutting for U.S. 29 pedestrian bridge set for November 13 (read the story)* Greene County awarded AA and Aa2 bond-ratings (read the story)* A very rudimentary look at next week's meetingsFirst shout-out: Piedmont Master GardenersDo you enjoy sharing your passion for gardening with others?The Piedmont Master Gardeners are now accepting applications for the 2026 training class for Master Gardeners serving Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Applications are due by December 1, 2025.The in-person class will meet weekly from February through April. Learn more and find the application at the Piedmont Master Gardeners' website.Second shout-out: JackFest coming up on October 26In today's second subscriber-supported shout-out: Looking for a free fall event for your family that will help raise money for cancer treatments for patients at UVA's Children's Hospital? Mark your calendar for October 26 and JackFest at Foxfield in Albemarle County.The free event is named for Jack Callahan, a boy who beat back metastatic cancer after a 13-month course of intensive treatments in 2019 and 2020. JackFest raises funds for Ronald McDonald House to support families who need assistance while other treatments are underway as well as. Events include:* Kids' running races and family relays including a Superhero Dash, Cross Country races and a Child-Parent Relay Race* Family activities such as an inflatable obstacle course, bounce house, and slides; a petting zoo, and a truck touch with emergency vehicles* Adult and kid food options - including food trucks - and local beer & wineThe running races require registration and a fee. People can sign up for races at the JackFest website. 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
Is there a method to the madness that is Charlottesville Community Engagement? Like a complex solar system with bodies dancing to a gravity not fully understood, there is sometimes a need to break programming and produce an audio version mid-week. This October 15, 2025 edition is required because at least one of the stories will be obsolete at the end of this day. So, here he goes:* Albemarle Supervisors set to adopt AC44 on Wednesday night after public hearing (read the story)* There's also an update on transportation projects in Albemarle County (read the story)* Charlottesville and Staunton area officials briefed on ten years of regional transportation planning (read the story)* Transit agency gearing up for update of Virginia's State Rail Plan (read the story)Sponsored message: Learn to Pitch with Denise Stewart Coaching on October 18Are you a professional who wants to sharpen your message, elevate your delivery, and have your audience walk away with a clear, powerful version of a pitch/speech/story? TedX coach Denise Stewart is holding a one-day, hands-on speaking intensive called Pitch! - Master the Speech that Matters! This will be at Studio IX on October 18.And readers of Charlottesville Community Engagement get a discounted price of $199 down from $250. There's also a Buy One Get One Free offer if you have someone you'd like attend with. Enter the promo code CCE when you sign up at EventBrite! (sign up) 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
Sometimes, one word makes all the difference, and in this message from Philippians 2:12-18, that word is "therefore" because it connects what Jesus did on the cross with what we're called to do now. Too many of us live with so much history between us and the cross that we fail to see how HIS act is relevant to OUR actions, and with one simple but powerful illustration, Paul helps us repair the rupture between what Jesus did for us and who Jesus has made us to be.
The calendar now reads 10-10, which is CB Code for Standing By. That's how Charlottesville Community Engagement remains most of the time, waiting to report whatever it is that a one-person information outlet can put together for a growing number of subscribers. The goal is to produce one audio version a week, and this is that. I'm Sean Tubbs, and I began my professional career in public radio thirty-years ago and somehow I'm still doing this thanks to over 800 paid subscribers. Join them so I can plan for the next thirty years!In this installment:* Albemarle's next Comprehensive Plan passes through Planning Commission (read the story)* AstraZeneca will invest $4.5 billion in next-generation pharmaceutical plant at Albemarle County's Rivanna Futures site (read the story)* Council holds first reading on use of $7.95 million in surplus funds (read the story)* Charlottesville City Council briefed on financial headwinds at annual retreat (read the story)* City Council agrees to two leases for agricultural use (read the story)* Deputy City Manager Freas addresses pedestrian fatality on Emmet Street (read the story)* City Manager Sanders hires an assistant (read the story) NEED TO PRODUCESponsored message: Learn to Pitch with Denise Stewart Coaching on October 18Are you a professional who wants to sharpen your message, elevate your delivery, and have your audience walk away with a clear, powerful version of a pitch/speech/story? TedX coach Denise Stewart is holding a one-day, hands-on speaking intensive called Pitch! - Master the Speech that Matters! This will be at Studio IX on October 18.And readers of Charlottesville Community Engagement get a discounted price of $199 down from $250. There's also a Buy One Get One Free offer if you have someone you'd like attend with. Enter the promo code CCE when you sign up at EventBrite! (sign up) 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 I Love CVille Show headlines: Western Albemarle HS Student Replies To Spillman Noah Coffin, President, Turning Point USA at WAHS Allison Spillman Resign From AlbCo School Board? Council To Consider $6.2M RE Purchase For Shelter How Will Shelter At 2000 Holiday Dr. Impact CVille? Jay Jones Suggests Politician & Family Should Be Shot Cardiac Cavs Survive On The Road Vs. Louisville If You Need CVille Office Space, Contact Jerry Miller 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.
LExplore how the ideas of unity and humility can transform our lives and bring true joy. In this message, we continue to unpack the letter from Paul to the Philippians. Learn how Paul's words encourage us to have the same mindset as Jesus by putting others first and working together. Discover practical ways to make a positive impact in your relationships and community, showing how what we receive can shine through us. Join in as we discuss how serving and connecting with others can lead to a more joyful and fulfilling life.
Today's edition is sponsored by the Ragged Mountain Running and Walking ShopSeptember 30 is the final day of the federal fiscal New Year and one version of today's Charlottesville Community Engagement could perhaps have been about how this region might be affected by a federal shutdown. Each edition of this newsletter could be a lot of different things, but what gets selected is usually a matter of what is available for me to write.I'm Sean Tubbs and for a story on the looming shutdown, I refer you to the Virginia Political Newsletter by my colleague Brandon Jarvis.In today's installment:* Albemarle Supervisors have endorsed their legislative priorities for the 2026 General Assembly while Charlottesville City Council is still working on theirs* Jaunt turns 50 this year and is seeking stories from riders* Albemarle Supervisors get a progress report on climate action initiatives including where $522K in spending will go this fiscal yearThanks for reading Charlottesville Community Engagement ! This post is public so feel free to share it.First shout-out: A Week Without DrivingHow different would your life be if you didn't have a car? From Monday, September 29 to Sunday October 5, Livable Cville invites you to join the local Week Without Driving experience. The goal is to learn more about barriers and challenges that nondrivers face in our community and to reflect on the challenges you would face as a full-time non-driver.There are many reasons why people do not drive, including people with disabilities, youth, seniors and those who can't afford vehicles or gas. A third of people living in the United States do not have a driver's license, but are forced to navigate a mobility system designed almost exclusively for drivers.Livable Cville expects the Week Without Driving experience will help participants better appreciate the challenges and barriers they face. For more information and to register your participation, please visit: https://livablecville.org/weekwithoutdrivingLocal elected officials preparing for 2026 General AssemblyThere are over a hundred days left until the 2026 session of the Virginia General Assembly and less than two months until legislators can begin to pre-file bills.Across Virginia, localities are determining what priorities they would like to see turned into legislation.At their meeting on September 15, Charlottesville City Council went through a long list of suggestions from the Planning Commission, the Human Rights Commission, and the Office of Sustainability.“Energy prices are going up,” said Kristel Riddervold, the city's sustainability director. “Legislative priorities related to expanding distributed energy, meaning solar, all over the place in different ways.”Riddervold said city priorities are for the Virginia General Assembly to maintain the 2020 Virginia Clean Economy Act, full funding for the Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank, and reform of rules for construction of data centers. You can see the full list here.The Human Rights Commission submitted a three page list including a request for legislation for expanded rights for those who rent, a request for localities to have right of first refusal to purchase supported housing units, and a $60 million state fund for housing assistance to support 5,000 families. Another legislative request is to require all Virginia localities to maintain a public homeless shelter. You can view this list here.Vice Mayor Brian Pinkston said many of those ideas seem very aspirational and may not take into account political realities.“The one that says here, ‘require that each county and city in Virginia maintain a public overnight homeless shelter or fund a private equivalent,'” Pinkston said. “I mean, that would be lovely because we're, we're doing this. I have a sense for neighboring counties and communities, the work that we're doing here. But does that have any hope of being passed?””City Councilor Michael Payne said many of the Human Rights Commission's requests are part of statewide efforts and many of the aspirations could get through depending on who holds the majority in 2026.“There definitely [are] some that potentially I think really could get passed this year, including like the 5,000 family funds or first right of refusal, but for example, the homeless shelter one you mentioned. I mean, I would feel. I think we could all feel confident saying there's no chance that passes this year.”The Planning Commission submitted a list of 15 potential pieces of legislation. The first addresses the section of state code that is at the heart of the lawsuit against the city's zoning code. Number six is a reintroduction of failed legislation that would allow localities to tax land and improvements at different rates. (view the list)Council will have a further discussion on October 6 before adopting their legislative agenda on October 20.The Albemarle Board of Supervisors is a little further ahead and had the third of three work sessions at their meeting on September 17. Albemarle has four legislative priorities, three of which would involve legislation and the fourth being a budget amendment.“First, we're seeking as a priority enabling localities to enforce the Virginia Landlord Tenant Act,” said County Attorney Andy Herrick. “We're also carrying over from past years expanding the authority to use photo speed monitoring devices.Currently those are limited to road construction work zones and school zones and Albemarle wants to be able to use them on rural roads. Albemarle also wants the General Assembly to try again on legislation to allow localities to hold a referendum on whether to levy a one cent sales tax to fund school construction.“This is an initiative that has been sought in prior years, that's passed the Assembly and been vetoed by the Governor in the past two years,” Herrick said.The budget amendment relates to another item Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed this year. The legislature's version of the budget had funding for a connector trail to connect Biscuit Run Park with the Monacon Indian Nation Tribute.Supervisors adopted their legislative priorities and the next step is to schedule a meeting with area legislators.To learn more about some of the statewide issues, read this story in the Virginia Mercury from Charlotte Rene Woods.Jaunt turns 50 this year and seeks travel storiesAs the Week Without Driving continues, one way people participating might get around is public transit. In addition to Charlottesville Area Transit, the region is served by Jaunt, a public service corporation that formed in 1975.To celebrate, Jaunt is asking people to submit their stories of using the service.“As we look back on 50 years of service, we know the most important part of Jaunt's story is the people we serve,” said Mike Murphy, Jaunt's Chief Executive Officer. “Our mission has always been rooted in community, care, and connection—and this anniversary is about celebrating the ways Jaunt has supported essential regional needs for mobility across generations.”Jaunt was created as Jefferson Area United Transportation but the acronym became the official name in 1983.Have a story from that time? Tell Jaunt at the website they've created.Second shout-out: Five Things ReLeaf has done recently!Time for a subscriber-supported shout-out, this time for ReLeaf Cville!* On April 21, ReLeaf Cville celebrated Arbor Day 2025 by talking with 40 fourth grade students at Greenbrier Elementary about the importance of urban tree canopy, and then planting a tree on the preschool playground* On April 25, the Van Yahres Tree Company donated time and energy to provide tree care to 45 trees ReLeaf planted in the Rose Hill Neighborhood, Fall 2023* On May 10 at RiverFest, Green Team members Moos and Antony joined Keith Pitchford, Board vice-chair, and Cathy Boyd, Executive Director, in providing information about ReLeaf Cville and playing Tree Bingo* In May, C-Ville Weekly profiled ReLeaf Cville's efforts to help homeowners turn their yards into leafy oases - and cool their neighborhoods.* The fourth annual Green Team session took place this week and was designed to equip rising 9th-12th graders in tree knowledge and tree care skills, this year's schedule includes sessions co-led by the Rivanna Conservation Alliance, Van Yahres Tree Company, Master Naturalists, Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards, Community Climate Collaborative, and Steve Gaines, Charlottesville's Urban Forester.Albemarle Supervisors briefed on Climate Action programs, $522K in FY2026 spendingFor the past eight years, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors has been in support of efforts to monitor greenhouse gas emissions as part of an international bid to keep global temperatures from rising. For six years, though, a different set of elected officials opted out of the program.On September 17, 2025, the six elected officials got a briefing from staff on county and regional efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to a world of higher temperatures and more volatile storms. They were also briefed on how staff plans to use $300,000 the Board dedicated to the issue at the end of the FY2026 budget process as I reported at the time.Resources:* 44-page progress report from Albemarle staff* Slide presentation from the briefingBut first, some recent history.Recent historyIn June 1998, local leaders signed a document called the Sustainability Accords, a series of statements intended to solidify the work of several environmental groups working in the area. While climate action itself was not mentioned, the document called for the development of “attractive and economical transportation alternatives to single occupancy vehicle use” and called for the promotion of “conserv[e]ation and efficient use of energy resources.”In December 2007, Albemarle Supervisors voted to adopt a goal of reducing carbon emissions by 80 percent by the year 2050. At the time, Supervisor Ken Boyd voted for the “Cool Counties” initiative though he expressed concern about the potential impacts. (read a story I wrote then)In the years that followed, a group called the Jefferson Area Tea Party raised concerns about both the resolution and the county's membership in the International Council for Sustainability. The ICLEI group provided resources to measure greenhouse gas reductions and Boyd sought to end participation“We are being infiltrated in local government by an agenda that is set by this international organization,” Boyd said in early May 2011 as I reported at the time. “I think it's now a cancer that is infiltrating our local government here.”By that time, two other Republicans had joined the Board of Supervisors giving Boyd votes he needed to change direction. Democrat Lindsay Dorrier Jr. was a swing vote.Lane Auditorium was packed on the night of June 8, 2011 with some in the crowd defending sustainability efforts and continued participation in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Members of the Tea Party claimed that civil liberties were being threatened.At the end of the meeting, Supervisors voted 4-2 to end participation in ICLEI as I reported at the time. Three months later, they ended participation in Cool Counties as reported in the Charlottesville Daily Progress.However, the Republican majority would come to an end in 2013 after Democratic candidates defeated Duane Snow in the Samuel Miller District and Rodney Thomas in the Rio District.Back on the jobIn September 2017, Supervisors voted to adopt a resolution to “support local actions to reduce climate pollution.”“In October 2019, the Board adopted greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets in line with the Paris Agreement,” said Jamie Powers, a county employee since 2023 who is now Albemarle's Climate Program Manager. “The next year, October 2020, the board adopted the Climate Action Plan and stood up the Climate Action Program to implement that plan and help get the community's emissions down in line with the board's targets.”The targets now call for a 45 percent in emissions reductions from 2008 levels by 2030 and to be carbon-free by 2050.Powers said emissions continue to climb across the world and the effects of climate change are here now as a present crisis rather than one for the future to deal with.“The impacts are generally going to be worse over time and increasingly unpredictable unless we can get global emissions under control,” Powers said. “And we do have a role to play locally.”Albemarle's reduction targets are in line with the Paris Agreement which set a framework to reduce emissions so that the increase in global warming could be kept below 2 degrees Celsius. The increase is now at 1.5 degrees.Powers said climate change itself is not the underlying problem.“It is a symptom of a set of problems,” Powers said. “This socioeconomic system that we have, it works exactly as designed and it brings us to a climate crisis and a biodiversity crisis and all these sorts of things. So if we are going to effectively address the climate crisis, we need to take a look at our systems and address things appropriately.”The models used by Albemarle and other local governments are complex and conform to the Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories. These are put together by ICLEI and emissions come from many source sectors.“The major sectors of emissions are transportation, stationary energy, and that includes solar,” said Greg Harper, Albemarle's chief of environmental services. “That would be kind of like reducing that stationary energy. Ag force and land use is a smaller contributor and then waste as well.”Albemarle resumed doing inventories in 2018 and Harper said emission levels dropped during COVID but increased for 2022. Data is about two years behind. Harper said reductions can be decreased many ways, such as if many groups can work together to reduce a metric known as “vehicle miles traveled.”“We don't want to stop activity in the county, obviously, but we want to shift people from driving a car by themselves to taking mass transportation, getting on their bicycle for smaller commutes,” Harper said.Powers said Albemarle has been active in many ways to encourage reductions such as supporting home energy improvements, providing “climate action activity kits” through a nonprofit, installing electric vehicle chargers, and creation of the Energy Resource Hub.Albemarle also provided several grants including $20,000 for the International Rescue Committee's New Roots farming program to allow them to electrify equipment and improve their agricultural practices.“If we break down some of the things that they were doing from their composting practice, we calculated that about 25 tons of carbon dioxide is sequestered by them using the composting practices,” Powers said. “About 5 tons of avoided emissions by removing synthetic fertilizers from their operations.”All told, Powers said about 38 tons of carbon dioxide emissions were prevented.Albemarle County is also collaborating with the City of Charlottesville and the University of Virginia on the Resilient Together initiative which seeks to create a resilience plan to adapt to a different weather pattern. That will come before the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors in early 2026.FY2026 fundingPowers also outlined a recommendation of how Albemarle might put that $300,000 to use, as well as another $222,000 in carry over funds for climate action.“The Board made it clear we wanted to emphasize projects that are going to get the most value in terms of emission reductions in FY26,” Powers said.The Residential Energy Improvements line item is intended to assist property owners with lower incomes and that $237,000 does not include another $150,000 the county received through the federal Community Development Block Grant program.“A lot of times, especially in low income households, energy is going out the window, literally,” Powers said. “And so how can we help those folks tighten up their envelopes so when they're turning the AC or the heat on, it's still staying in the home instead of heading out the window.”The Local Energy Alliance Partnership (LEAP) and the Albemarle Housing Improvement Program (AHIP) are partners on that project. Powers said the goal will be to reach up to 50 homes, decreasing emissions classified as “stationary” energy. He estimates the return on investment will be about $3,000 per ton of emissions prevented.Another $100,000 will be spent on energy efficiency in county-owned buildings.“Most likely implementation looks like LED installation, LED fixture installation, likely at two different buildings,” Powers said. “If we transition the equivalent of the space of Northside Library to those fixtures, we would reduce again in that stationary energy category, one of those four categories by 0.03 at $700 per ton and annually that'd be a 143 ton reduction.”Albemarle funded the Energy Resource Hub in FY2025 at the $100,000 level and an additional $63,000 for this year. This is a program that helps homeowners find rebates and other incentives.Partners have not yet been found for the Climate Action Collaboration initiative.For previous coverage on climate action issues, visit Information Charlottesville.Reading material for September 30, 2025* Whistleblowers accuse HUD of ‘systematically undermining' fair housing laws, Ryan Kushner, Multifamily Dive, September 25, 2025* HUD cuts multifamily mortgage insurance premiums, Julie Strupp, Multifamily Dive, September 26, 2025* Albemarle County to consider delay on data center ordinance, Jenette Hastings, WVIR 29NBC, September 28, 2025* Watershed mapping project shows rapid loss of forests, offers new view of Va.'s changing landscapes, Evan Visconti, September 29, 2025* Charlottesville's schools are old. Local officials are trying to change that, Brandon Kile, Cavalier Daily, September 29, 2025* Afton Scientific breaks ground on $200 million expansion in Albemarle, Kate Nuechterlein, September 29, 2025What's the ending, #929?Today I could not get moving. Something is off but my job is to bring people information. I picked up four new paid subscribers since posting the May 2025 transactions, and it is important to get out what I can.The story I wanted to tell today was an accounting of yesterday's traffic congestion caused by a truck hitting a bridge under construction that carries Old Ivy Road over the U.S. 250. I lack the resources to get such a story together but I have questions about whether such an incident is covered by emergency management officials in the area.There are so many stories I want to tell, and sometimes the best I can do is link to other people's coverage. Here's a story from VPM. Here's one from 29NBC News. Here's another from CBS19. How about Cville Right Now?There is a lot of rhetoric about climate action and moving people out of automobiles. Is any of it having any effect? Are fewer people driving alone? How many people are paying attention to this issue? What is the community supposed to do when a major highway is shuttered for hours? Are we all so endless trapped in a news cycle that solutions remain elusive, situations remain intractable?I don't have the answer but I know I want to be part of an information ecosystem that seeks to do better than what we have at the moment with a series of wicked problems that are difficult to solve in this era of fragmentation.So what's today's ending? A note that David Bowie's Diamond Dogs helped me think this morning and this 1973 special seems important. 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
Let's explore how to find joy even when life gets tough! In this message, we dive into how you can stay positive like Paul, who found joy even in hard times. Learn how living with a purpose and standing strong with friends can make you feel unstoppable. Curious about tackling fear and speaking up confidently? This message will inspire you to live boldly and find true joy no matter what challenges you face. Join us to discover how to create a life filled with meaning that can be lived boldly without fear or intimidation!
We have reached the end of another week here at Charlottesville Community Engagement and all that is left to do is put together an audio version using the stories already told. Listening might become habit-forming if you have an interest in discussions about the future, and if you want to spot the mistakes. Is this the one where I leave in the curse words? Tune in!If not, this edition also serves as a way to remind you of some of the stories this week.In this edition:* Albemarle Planning Commission takes a look at the county's draft Comprehensive Plan (read the story)* Albemarle Supervisors discuss 2025 build-out analysis (read the story)* Albemarle PC recommends approval of new rule to allow taller buildings in industrial districts (read the story)* Manning Institute of Biotechnology director outlines hope for creating new medicine (read the story on C-Ville Weekly)* Charlottesville poised to appropriate fourth state grant for flood preparation (learn more)Sponsored message: Westwind FlowersAt Westwind Flowers the Dahlia fields are in full bloom with a stunning array of colors and varieties that only this season can offer.You're invited to experience it for yourself on September 27th and October 4th during their Dahlia U-Pick events at their farm, located on the historic grounds of James Madison's Montpelier. It's a chance to stroll through the fields, cut your own flowers, and soak in the beauty of the season—a flower lover's dream come true!Can't make it to their Dahlia U-Pick event? They can bring the season to you! Order your locally grown, freshly harvested bouquets today, available for pickup at their Gordonsville floral studio or delivered straight to your home, your office, or someone special.Westwind Flowers offers sustainably grown, thoughtfully curated cut flowers, perfectly suited to the season and the special moments in your life. They believe the blooms in your vase should be just as fresh, and just as local, as the food on your table.To register for a Dahlia U-Pick, order seasonal flowers, or learn more, visit westwindflowers.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
Discover how joy and peace can shine through even the toughest moments of your life. This inspiring message shows us that true joy doesn't depend on what's happening around us. By focusing on God and practicing gratitude, we can find happiness and contentment, no matter the situation. Learn how the Apostle Paul found joy while in prison and how his faith encouraged others. This message will help you see how trusting God, being thankful, and sharing your faith can lead to a life full of joy, hope, and courage.
“National Public Radio will serve the individual: it will promote personal growth; it will regard the individual differences among men with respect and joy rather than derision and hate.” Thus begins a document written by Bill Siemering in 1969 when the federal government was investing in public broadcasting. Charlottesville Community Engagement is a newsletter and podcast that is not public media but aspires to all of the principles in that document. I'm Sean Tubbs, and I'll be bringing up that paper again. Now it's time for these things from this week in 2025:* Charlottesville City Manager Sanders tells Council work continues to find site for a low-barrier homeless shelter (read the story)* UVA committee briefed on new public safety agreement with Albemarle and Charlottesville (read the story)* UVA's Board of Visitors signs off on lease and possible sale of Oak Lawn to Charlottesville City Schools, and Charlottesville City Manager Sam Sanders details some next steps (read the story)* C-Ville Sabroso to hold 13th event this Saturday at the Ting Pavilion (read the story)* Loop De Ville coming up on September 27 (read the story)* Riverbend to rework rezoning proposal for land near U.S. 29 / I-64 intersection (learn more)Sponsored message!At Westwind Flowers the Dahlia fields are in full bloom with a stunning array of colors and varieties that only this season can offer.You're invited to experience it for yourself on September 27th and October 4th during their Dahlia U-Pick events at their farm, located on the historic grounds of James Madison's Montpelier. It's a chance to stroll through the fields, cut your own flowers, and soak in the beauty of the season—a flower lover's dream come true!Can't make it to their Dahlia U-Pick event? They can bring the season to you! Order your locally grown, freshly harvested bouquets today, available for pickup at their Gordonsville floral studio or delivered straight to your home, your office, or someone special.Westwind Flowers offers sustainably grown, thoughtfully curated cut flowers, perfectly suited to the season and the special moments in your life. They believe the blooms in your vase should be just as fresh, and just as local, as the food on your table.To register for a Dahlia U-Pick, order seasonal flowers, or learn more, visit westwindflowers.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
Discover how to find true joy even when life doesn't go as planned. In the first message of our series through Philippians, we explore the power of gratitude and how it can change the way we see our circumstances. Learn how gratitude helps us stay positive, trust in the process, and overcome the ups and downs of life. Join us as we uncover the secret to staying joyful through any challenge!
Heaven says the earth is already full of God's glory (Isaiah 6:3),and yet most of us don't see the world that way. What does heaven see that we don't? The potential for the glory of God that is in us to erupt from within us to the world around us!! We are geysers of revival, and God uses the things that make us feel broken and fragile to release them. Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? Yes.
JDiscover how the most captivating message in history can change how you live. In this video, we talk about what makes Jesus' words stand out and how they can shape your everyday choices. You'll learn to recognize powerful truths and how to use them in your life to make a real difference. Get ready to understand and act on words that have the power to transform the world around you. Let's dive into what it means to live with true authority!
Join us as we explore how to build a life that stands strong, no matter what comes your way. Inspired by the timeless story of wise and foolish builders, this message dives into the power of taking action on what you hear. Discover why it's not just about knowing what's right but actually doing it. Learn how to turn knowledge into action for genuine transformation. Whether you're navigating school, relationships, or personal challenges, this message offers relatable insights to help you live with purpose and resilience.