4BETTER OR WORSE- The week in review
Closest race: State Senator Robert Hurt maintains his margin-of-error lead over 5th District incumbent Congressman Tom Perriello in the final week before voters head to the polls November 2.
Biggest get: The President will come to town Friday the 30th to give Perriello a push.
Latest effort to dislodge Jeff Clark: Local Jefferson Area Tea Party chair Carole Thorpe issues another call October 22 for Clark to honor his pledge to drop out of the 5th District race if he had no chance to win rather than become a spoiler. Area Tea Partiers are "justifiably livid" at Clark, who's polling in the low single digits, for "reneging on his promise," writes Thorpe in a statement.
Biggest groundbreaking: The ceremonial shovels come out October 21 for the $13.5 million Ruth Caplin Theatre, a 300-seat addition to UVA's Drama Building, bolstered by a $4 million donation from Mortimer and Ruth Caplin.
Messiest groundbreaking: Vandals in a utility vehicle do doughnuts on the field at Scott Stadium overnight October 21. Maintenance crews have the field back in shape for the 6pm October 23 kickoff (and victory) against Eastern Michigan.
Most gubernatorial dedications: In a busy week at Mr. Jefferson's U, Governor Bob McDonnell shows up October 22 for the $105 million South Lawn Project ceremonial grand opening, and he's back again October 25 for the Sheila C. Johnson Center for Human Services at Curry, which $5 million-donor Johnson does not attend.
Most eager to pull in the welcome mat: ASAP–- Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population–- reports that the county should reduce or stabilize the population, and is conducting a poll urging a population cap for the area.
Saddest swim event: UVA grad and two-time ACC Swimmer of the Year Fran Crippen, 26, dies October 23 during the final leg of the 10-kilometer Marathon Swimming World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
Worst driving: A University Transit Service bus hits a column on the iconic Beta Bridge early October 20, crumbling a portion of the oft-painted wall.
Worst time to hit Skyline Drive: After 5pm, when portions of the park close until 8am between November 6 and January 1 to deter hunters.
Largest audience: Rutherford Institute head John Whitehead appears on Good Morning America October 22 to defend airline pilot Michael Roberts, who refused to submit to whole body imaging after passing through a metal detector without setting off an alarm at the Memphis airport. Roberts wasn't allowed through security and couldn't report to work. Whitehead argues that such searches are a "virtual strip search" that violate the Fourth Amendment.
Most publicized vigil: More than 100 people gather in front of the Rotunda October 20 to condemn homophobic bullying.
Most senseless: Vandals puncture tires of 26 cars in the 1500 block of East High and on intersecting Willow Driver late October 19-early October 20, WINA reports.
Most livers: UVA's Transplant Center celebrates its 1,000th liver transplant since 1989, and 150 survivors and their new livers join in the October 24 fun.
Best reason to not smoke pot when you're an alleged drug dealer out driving around past midnight: Police arrest Ronald Porter Jr. of Buckingham, and Ladonte Chapman of Charlottesville following a traffic stop around 12:30am October 21 on Seminole Trail. Arresting officer Eric Kudro (whose previous claims to fame include Tasing a handcuffed fan at a UVA football game last November and crashing his Albemarle police cruiser in Waynesboro in May), notices the smell of reefer coming from the car. He discovers 133 grams of crack, 15 grams of marijuana, a 9mm gun, and $644 in cash, the Newsplex reports.
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