INSIDE HOME FROM WAR page 4 NEW CROZET AVENUE page 7 LIBRARY FOOD page 8 COUNT NO CALORIES page 12
OCTOBER 2014 VOL. 9, NO. 5
Restoration of the Blue Ridge Tunnel Begins
CALENDAR CONTEST page 13
SALON R page 14 FDR’S PRESS MAN page 15 LOCAL ART page 17 THAT’S HOW YOU DO IT page 20 ASHLEY WALTON page 22 RVCC WILDFLOWERS page 23 CHAMPS AGAIN page 24 WHERE TO WALK page 27 FARRO page 27 IT’S ABOUT TRUST page 30 FORGET THAT HIP page 32 SNAP BEANS FOREVER page 34 SPERM IS HALF OF IT page 35 CROSSWORD page 37 FARMER’S ALMANACS page 41 IS ENERGY RENEWABLE? page 43
Thanks to a generous donation, a new pavilion replaced the one destroyed in the June 2012 derecho at Claudius Crozet Park. See story page 20.
Western’s Environmental Studies Academy Starts Strong By Rebecca Schmitz At the end of a long hallway at Western Albemarle High School, in a spacious, brightly-lit room, students hunched in groups over spinning globes, wet sponges dangling from a scale, and even a psychrometer (a thermometer that measures differences in atmospheric humidity, for those of us who have been out of the classroom for a while!). On a grassy lawn just outside the room another group analyzed wind speed—its
direction and how to measure it. A few weeks ago these students were atop Afton Mountain, studying the mountain’s geography and topography compared to other ranges looming nearby. These 24 freshmen are clearly passionate about the environment and science, and that passion has led them here, to Western’s Environmental Studies Academy (ESA), which began its inaugural year in August. Adam Mulcahy, who taught animal
A contractor has been selected for Phase I of the rehabilitation and trail project for the Blue Ridge Tunnel, Nelson County officials announced Sept. 19. Fielder’s Choice Enterprises, Inc., from Charlottesville was awarded the contract. Phase I encompasses the parking area and trailhead near the old Afton Depot and the construction of a pedestrian and bicycle trail along the original rail bed for approximately 3,400 feet to the East Portal of the 1850s tunnel. The $749,149 award from the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Commonwealth Transportation Board through the “Transportation Alternatives” competitive grant program provides funding for Phase I construction. Funding for Phase II has also been awarded and the procurement process for that project is underway. Allen Hale, Nelson County Board of Supervisors member and President of the Crozet Tunnel Foundation said he was “thrilled to anticipate the beginning of construction on the continued on page 45
continued on page 18
Henry Chiles Named America’s Apple Packer of the Year Henry Chiles, the patriarch of the family that operates Crown Orchard, has been named America’s Apple Packer of the Year by the U.S. Apple Association, the industry group that represents the nation’s growers. Chiles received the award August 21 at the association’s crop outlook and marketing conference in Chicago. The award was instituted in 1948 and is considered the top award in the apple
industry. Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association, cited Chiles’ relentless optimism in announcing his selection. Allen said a normal thing to hear from Chiles is, “Don’t worry about it. We can make it happen. We can make it work.” Chiles was dubbed “Mr. Positive” in the nomination for the award. Allen also cited Chiles’ continued on page 10
The west entrance of the Blue Ridge Tunnel