Unstoppable Brogdon
UVA alum Malcolm Brogdon was named NBA Rookie of the Year last week. He plays for the Milwaukee Bucks, and is the first second-round pick to receive the award. No word on how many rookies have two college degrees, including a master’s in public policy.
Monticello hacked
A cyberattack on Jefferson’s home early June 27 took down computers and phones. Although not connected with the international ransomware attack last week, hackers demanded cash to restore service. Visitors were able to buy tickets in person, and the July 4 naturalization ceremony proceeded.
“What the hell is happening in Charlottesville?”—RVA Magazine
Road rage revenge
A new law that went into effect July 1 imposes a $100 fine on the maddeningly slow drivers who refuse to relinquish the left lane, although how this will be enforced remains a little hazy.
Speaking of hazy
Another new law gives judges discretion in suspending driver’s licenses of adults caught with minimal amounts of marijuana, rather than the mandatory smoke-a-joint, lose-your-license legislation that’s held sway for years, although 50 hours of community service may be required.
Extension granted
After more than a year of construction, the $54.5 million, 2.3-mile Berkmar Drive Extended, which runs parallel to Seminole Trail, opened over the weekend. Now you can drive from the former Shoppers World (now called 29th Place) up to CHO without ever setting wheels on 29. Additional lanes make the new road biking- and walking-friendly.
Ticked off
Experts say 2017 is shaping up to be the worst tick season in awhile, thanks to 2015 being a bounty year for acorns, which produced a boom of mice in 2016, which led to this year’s bumper crop of tiny bloodsuckers, according to Slate. Locally we have three common culprits.
Lone star tick
- Most common cause of tick bites in Virginia
- Transmits ehrlichiosis if attached for 24 hours
- Look for fever, headache, vomiting
Dog tick
- One in 1,000 carries Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Must feed 10 to 20 hours to transmit
- Look for sudden fever, muscle pain, headache, vomiting
- Spotted rash on wrists and ankles may appear
Blacklegged tick
- Aka deer tick
- Transmits Lyme disease
- Look for bull’s eye rash three to 30 days after infectious bite
How to fight back
- Use repellent with DEET. Most botanicals don’t work that well.
- Clothes may be treated with permethrin, a pesticide derived from chrysanthemums.
- Do a full-body check after being in potential tick-infested areas.
- Remove ticks with tweezers.
- Flush them or put them in a sealed container.
- Cleanse bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
- Mark date on calendar should symptoms appear.
- Most tick infections can be treated with antibiotics.
—Virginia Department of Health
Alternative activities to the July 8 Klan rally at Justice Park
Meditation, education and discussion
9 to 11am
Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
Celebration of Indigenous Achievement
10am to 1pm
Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of UVA
Community potluck
11:30am to 1pm
IX Art Park
Faith counter-demonstration
1 to 5pm
First United Methodist Church
Unity Day concert
with We Are Star Children, Chamomile and Whiskey, Crystal Garden and local multi-faith choirs
2 to 5pm
Sprint Pavilion
NAACP rally
2 to 5pm
Jack Jouett Middle School
Musicians mobilized against the Klan
2 to 10pm
Downtown Mall
More Unity Day concert
Grits & Gravy Dance Party
10pm to midnight
The Jefferson Theater
Updated July 6 with additional alt activities.