NYT gets it right, almost
Where in the heck is Barboursville, Grandpa?PUBLICITY PHOTO FOR THE WALTONS
In today's Travel section of the New York Times, Charlottesville is featured for its culture, history, cuisine, and entertainment. It comes through that writer Joshua Kurlantzick found exactly what I hope any visitor would in our city: there is something for everyone.
Of course, this is hardly the first time we've caught the eye of papers with national markets. In May, the Washington Post said, quite boldly, "If It Tastes Good, It's in Charlottesville." Jane Black paid her dues to Rev Soup, the businesses of the Main Street Market, Mas, Ten, Hamilton's, Bang, the Tea Bazaar, Timberlake's, Aroma's, Hot Cakes–forgive me for my colloquial names–there were just so many worthy recipients yet still just a sampling of all we have to offer. I reveled in visits from Travel+Leisure and Wine Spectator, too. My reaction to their coverage was simply an exhilarated, "Yes, I know!" (Unfortunately, I was given the news about the WP coverage while driving outside Louisville and nearly off-roaded.)
So did the NYT use its 36 hours in Charlottesville wisely? I'll say this: Kurlantzick's got stamina. He pays visits to Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland, the University of Virginia Grounds, and Barboursville. He recognizes Virginia wine, the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, and the views from Skyline Drive. Miller's, our symbolic cornerstone of local music, gets a nod. And I have to agree with Kurlantzick that the Clifton Inn feels as Kentucky as an old-fashioned (but try their lavender martini!), and I can't help but smile as I wonder how he'd characterize the spring Foxfield Races.
However, Kurlantzick appears less wise when he identifies Route 20 North and the Barboursville area as the "the fictional locale for “The Waltons” on TV." Actually, the fictional locale for the popular TV show is in Nelson County, on the opposite side of Charlottesville–in Schuyler, Virginia to be exact–where the actual house that Waltons creator Earl Hamner Jr. and his family lived in is located. In fact, the real Jim "Jim Bob" Hamner, Earl's brother, was still living in the house when it was auctioned off in 2003.
Still, you are welcome back any time. And that goes for, well, everyone.
4 comments
The most amazing part of this Times article was that the author found mimes on the Downtown Mall. Mimes!!?? Have you ever seen a single mime on the Downtown Mall? Me neither!
The little guy always has to buckle because of his inability to feed three hundred dollar an hour attorneys. Until more lawyers get run over by tow trucks the situation won't change. If a judge had awarded a large settlement the company might have had to sell assets, such as vehicles, to pay what was awarded so the lesson here for others is not to limit your settlement decision to the insurance coverage a company may have. Companies often have to sell assets to pay a judgment. I don't begrudge the guy his reason for settlement but I doubt he had the big picture as to how he could have collected PAST the liability coverage.
My guess would be that Weatherly's attorney had the case on a contingency fee basis. The more likely reason he felt compelled to settle was because the medical experts costs would have been prohibitive. The other obvious resons are the defendant was likely to file an appeal, then file for bankruptcy ,and Weatherly's expenses would continue to mount.
I was not involved in the case, but my experience has been that the defendant is usually the one who does not want the terms of the settlement disclosed.
I have had to watch my youngest brother go through this past year from here in the western desert of Iraq. He has exhibited strength, discipline and most of all, compassion towards those who deeply wounded him. In a violent world, it is a blessing to see some grace.