Tuesday, June 13
Former UVA coach loses his cool with Team USA
Apparently, there’s nothing like an embarrassing loss to get the blood boiling. Bruce Arena, a former UVA soccer coach and current coach of Team USA, had some choice words for his players after their 0-3 World Cup shutout by Czechoslovakia last night. Arena targeted U.S. midfielder DaMarcus Beasley in particular, telling reporters, “We got nothing from Beasley.” Beasley, in response, critiqued Arena’s tactics and choice of player formations.
Wednesday, June 14
Bad news for Boomers
Watch out, grandpa! That’s the sobering message from a new study co-authored by UVA engineering professor Richard Kent. Kent’s research team studied thousands of car accidents, looking at drivers by age. They found that seniors age 65 and up were far more likely to be injured in a crash than younger people, which the report attributed to many seniors’ pre-existing health issues. With Boomers rapidly approaching the age of retirement, the study’s findings show that more seniors will die at a higher rate in the coming years.
Thursday, June 15
Good news for those experiencing chest pain
Today’s Daily Progress reports that UVA and Martha Jefferson hospitals are among 3,100 that have been part of a national campaign to reduce the number of patients who die because of hospital errors. The effort seems to be paying off: Since late 2004, campaign organizers estimate that 122,342 people lived who would otherwise have died, including 1,896 in Virginia. “Rapid response” teams deployed throughout hospitals are part of the new system, as are programs to reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia. Now, if only they’d improve the food…
Friday, June 16
Whole Foods has got crustacean love
Just in time to cancel the lobster bake this weekend, Whole Foods made a stand for cruelty against crustaceans. The natural foods chain will no longer sell live lobsters and crabs, a decision handed down from its corporate office in Austin, Texas, according to MSNBC.com. The animal rights folks are thrilled. Bruce Friedrich, spokesman for PETA, said, “The ways that lobsters are treated would warrant felony cruelty to animals charges if they were dogs or cats.” Good thing house pets don’t go that well with new potatoes and drawn butter. Whole Foods’ 180 stores will still sell frozen raw and cooked lobster products, thus maintaining their commitment to paradoxical stocking policies.
Saturday, June 17
Historical sites multiplying while we sleep
Today’s Daily Progress reports that 31 properties have recently been added to the Virginia Landmarks Register, including four locally. UVA’s “The Aviator” statue, which spreads its wings outside Alderman Library, is one of them; the historic district in Schuyler is another. That means both John-Boy and the winged one will enjoy State tax credits. Other things that are old, like rants about drivers who can’t merge, may be next.
Sunday, June 18
Thousands of hippies go back to work
Thousands of music fans re-entered the real world today as Bonnaroo, the camping and music festival held on 700 acres in Tennessee, wrapped up with performances by Phil Lesh, Bonnie Raitt and Sonic Youth. Bonnaroo, backed by DMB manager Coran Capshaw and currently the country’s most popular annual music festival, drew 80,000 fans for three days of music that included 100 bands on 10 stages. According to those trend-spotters at The Washington Post, Bonnaroo’s reputation has transcended the hippy scene this year by showcasing rock bands like Radiohead, Beck, Tom Petty, Elvis Costello and—for fans who like to be told what to do—indie rockers Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.
Monday, June 19
Look out! Drought!
Drought Watch 2006 begins. For the past several summers, Charlottesville has been lucky, having experienced relatively wet summers since the 2002 drought. But luck is no lady this year. Thomas Frederick, director of the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA), reports today to his Executive Board that the risk “has now reached the ‘trigger’ level” for a Drought Watch. He expects the South Fork Rivanna Dam to stop spilling over in July for the first time since 2002 if current conditions continue. The RWSA strongly encourages the public to start conserving now, adding that City and County authorities “may impose mandatory restrictions on retail water use in the coming weeks,” according to the report.