CurbPlaces Blog

This Friday on the downtown mall is the kickoff for the UVA football season. From 5:30-9 there will be live music at Fridays after Five and at 7:45 the Cavalier Marching Band will march down the mall ending at the pavilion with Head Coach Al Groh and the 2008 captains to address the fans about their Saturday September 30th kickoff against Southern California.

If you come early, starting at 4:30 until 7:30 Siips will be having complimentary appetizers and 10% off the cash bar if you’re wearing orange.

Last night Boylan Heights did a friends and family premiere without the alcohol(no abc license yet) and without the servers(so that they could try the food too.) I was impressed, the new red tabletops, fresh paint, and flat screen tvs give the old smoky space a much needed makeover. The menu is modeled after a scantron test, you bubble in the choices that you would like. Some options that surprised me for the burger were chili, coleslaw, and avocado.

I started out with the blue cheese lettuce wedge, the applewood bacon was the best part. Then we sampled the mini corn dogs, just like the county fair! There are 2 kinds of fries, really skinny fries and the thick fries, both tasted the same, not soggy, cooked just right with spicy ketchup. I’m pretty picky about ketchup for some reason, I guess because I like to put it on so many things, and their ketchup is really good. It’s spicy and made the fries, burger and corn dogs so much better, it tastes homemade. It’s not out of a bottle that sits there on the table all day, maybe it will be when they open, but for now, I’m a fan. They brought out several different types of burgers for people to try and cut them into 4 pieces. My personal favorite was the Southwestern Burger, it was spicy, of course, and it had avocado on it. It also might become the place to go for desert. Everything had interesting names and they even have a campfire favorite, the smore desert.

Every weekend Fork Union has a theme for the drive-in. This weekend it’s action sequels. They’re playing Hellboy II (I missed the first one) and The Mummy Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (they couldn’t even get Dwayne Johnson-The Rock back for this one). After seeing the first 2, The Mummy and The Mummy Returns I don’t think there is anything left to build a whole movie around. But, in case you felt like making the drive to Fork Union, I think you’ll be able to find a spot to park this weekend.

I wonder what happened:

From: Gregg Oxley <greggoxley@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 3:48 PM
Subject: Crush Wine Shop
To: greggoxley@yahoo.com

Dear Friends,

It is with deep regret and heavy heart that as of August 15th I will no longer be a part of Crush Wine Shop. Crush has decided to take a different path which will no longer include my services. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone I have had the distinct pleasure of serving. I have made many friends and acquaintances there. I will miss seeing daily my great fellow Belmontians but most of all; I will miss seeing everyone in the store and helping with wine choices and talking food. Thank you all for giving me the chance to be of service and I look forward to seeing you in the future…Oh yeah, if anyone knows of employment opportunities please let me know.

Gregg Oxley

greggoxley@yahoo.com

Photo Credit

I don’t really understand the name Boylan Heights but I’m a fan more than the name The Joint. I wonder what people will call it for short.

The Olympics got a taste of Charlottesville with our 7 participants that either went to school at UVA or lived in the community. I like this, feels like you’re there, check it out.

Photo Courtesy

Pictured left is Josh McAdams he was one of the athletes that ran for the US in the 3000m Steeplechase. Josh ran cross country on the same team in Nashville, TN as my brother. I saw him run several times in college and he really is an incredible athlete, pushed really hard on uphill and downhill portions of the courses.

After sitting vacant for 7 months, the space that O’Neils inhabited next to Finch on the corner, will reopen. A new lease was signed for the property a few weeks ago and the vacated space will soon get a face lift.

What do you think the corner needs in that space?

This weekend already started to feel like fall, the weather was beautiful. One week from today classes will start for UVA students and that means that next Saturday is move in day. Parents try to find a place to park or create their own parking spots and stores like Target, Walmart, and Kmart will be sold out of last minute dorm room accessories.

I like that the students are coming back, yes everything is a little louder and more busy, but Charlottesville needs The University to refresh all our corner businesses and the community. Our first football game is Saturday August 30th at 3:30 against Southern California. Will you be there?

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I like all the buzz right now about trying to transition Charlottesville into recycling paper and plastic bags. Anything that gets people thinking more about the environment for future generations seems like positive change to me. I think the simple behavior of bringing your own bag could make a difference but it will be a challenge to make it a habit.

Whole Foods is taking the first steps towards recycling by no longer allowing plastic bags in their stores since April 22nd, Earth Day. The idea of charging a minimal fee would make us think about bringing our own bag. Right now in the United States only 52 percent of paper and 5 percent of plastic is recycled, of course both present environmental problems.

Do you think when Charlottesville does start implementing some type of recycling bags that grocery stores should be aloud to keep a portion of the profit… for being willing to transition to this new form of conserving?

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The Best of C-ville issue comes out today! Check it out here. Some of the usual suspects like Christian’s for Best Pizza, Dave Matthew’s Band for coolest local celebrity, and Sons of Bill for Best Musical Group made the cut. Some cateogories brought out new winners like Best Stylist is Jonathan Knuckles from III, and Daedalus Bookstore for used books.