Tuesday, July 11
Daughtry gets a deal
Come forth and shine, fellow bald men. “American Idol” finalist and one-time Fluvanna County resident Chris Daughtry has cut his own record deal. Daughtry, who, inexplicably, was voted off the hit show “American Idol” at fourth place, signed a joint deal with 19 Recordings Unlimited and big-time producer Clive Davis for a record slated to be released later this year.
Wednesday, July 12
Scottsville makes it big
Eat your heart out, Charlottesville. A travelogue in today’s Washington Post featured the tiny hamlet off Route 20S as “a destination for scholarly and sporty sets.” The article relates the importance of the James River to the town, listing things to do and wonders to see in the place that 560 people call home. High on the list was tubing and other river-centric forms of recreation, but good eats and fine wines got their share of attention too.
Thursday, July 13
Media General bigwig settles fraud charge
Mario Gabelli, a major shareholder in The Daily Progress’ parent company Media General, settled civil fraud allegations to the tune of $130 million, the government announced today. The feds accused “Super Mario” Gabelli of creating fake companies—using friends and families—to buy wireless spectrum from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), taking advantage of the discount for minority and small businesses. He then allegedly flipped the licenses for a profit. The government says supposed CEOs included Gabelli’s vacation-home caretaker, a former pro basketball player and a relative of Gabelli who didn’t know what “FCC” stood for, according to www.forbes.com.
Friday, July 14
New pro baller Ahmad Brooks headed to Cincinnati
Forgiving Wahoos cheer today for former UVA linebacker Ahmad Brooks, who was the only player selected yesterday in the National Football League supplemental draft. The Cincinnati Bengals forfeit their third-round draft choice in 2007 in order to claim the mercurial Brooks, a 2004 finalist for the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s best linebacker. Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, that was Brooks’ high water mark: His college career deteriorated after a knee injury in 2005 and ended when he was booted from the team this spring for undisclosed discipline issues. ‘Hoo fans posting to thesaber.com debate whether Brooks’ fortune should be celebrated. Says jamez009, “I mean, it would have been different if he transferred to Tech or something.”
Saturday, July 15
UVA puts Rick Turner on leave in relation to “known drug dealer”
UVA has placed M. Rick Turner, the controversial, sharp-tongued dean of the Office of African-American Affairs, on paid administrative leave after Turner entered an agreement with federal attorneys that places him on 12 months of federal probation, according to today’s Daily Progress. The details remain murky, but Turner’s pretrial diversion agreement filed in U.S. District Court alleges that he “misrepresented his knowledge of the activities of a known drug dealer” a year ago, according to the report. In order to avoid prosecution himself, Turner has agreed to testify in any court proceedings and must follow conditions set by a probation officer. The University is conducting its own investigation, after learning late Friday about the agreement.
Sunday, July 16
Lucky us
The e-mail boxes of C-VILLE staff were graced thoughout the weekend with the latest update from the fabulousness-radiating Lucky Supremo, our favorite female illusionist who, she informs us, has been busy getting her book published and ending her reign as Miss Gay Charlottesville, 2005. Ms. Supremo’s book, Lucky Loses It: A Drag Queen’s Weight Loss Story is being published by American Book publishing, although the release date is still vague. (Girl, sign us up for that party!) The new Miss Gay Charlottesville will be crowned on August 11 at “A Night of Glamour” at Club 216. Contestants will compete in an on-stage interview, as well as swim suit, evening wear and talent competitions. Whoever the new winner is, she’ll have big stilettos to fill.
Monday, July 17
Couric’s “Listening Tour” earns murmurs of discontent
UVA alum and world-famous perky broadcaster Katie Couric is crossing the country on a “Listening Tour” aimed at stirring the masses before her September 5 debut as anchor of “The CBS Evening News.” In today’s New York Times, business columnist David Carr reports on the mixed response generated by her no-media-allowed stop in Minneapolis. “Many of the younger people I asked about Ms. Couric or the evening news responded as if I were an archaeologist inquiring about a quaint custom dating back centuries,” Carr writes. “Unless Ms. Couric was planning on setting herself on fire every night, few people thought they could find a way to be home at 5:30 in the evening (Central Standard Time) to gather around the television set.”