7-Elevens don’t go out of business, do they? Apparently, they do. After 50-some years the 7-Eleven at Woodbrook shuttered their doors. No more $4 a quart milk, no more $3 candy bars, no more quick trips for a six-pack of beer or a newspaper, and no more hot dogs that have been spinning on the wheels for 10 or 12 hours. My family practically grew up with this 7-Eleven. The kids begged for … [Read more...]

For reasons unknown, sometimes the server for Cville Buzz will drop a subscriber. It has dropped me on several occasions. If that happens, simply go to CvilleBuzz.com and re-subscribe. I always send out a Buzz, every Friday, so if you don’t get your copy, assume they dropped you and go to CvilleBuzz.com. By the way, if you ever want to go back and reread an old article, everything I have done … [Read more...]

I had to mail a check for a deposit for a vacation rental last week, and as I licked the stamp, enclosed the check and put it in the mailbox, I wished it godspeed. Truth is, I wasn’t sure if or even when the check would ever arrive. That’s how little confidence I have in the United States Post Office. Lost or late arriving mail has become – not the rare exception – but practically an … [Read more...]

“City sidewalks, busy sidewalks. Dressed in holiday style” Those were some of the comforting lyrics from an old Christmas favorite – “Silver Bells”. But there’s nothing comforting about City Sidewalks if you live in the People’s Republic of Charlottesville. If you have a dwelling in town, you must clear the sidewalks in front of your house even though it’s not your property. You must … [Read more...]

Recently, VDOT completed an overhead walkway/bikeway across Route 29 south of the Post Office. I suppose the endeavor cost in the neighborhood of $5 million. The walkway goes from Burton’s Steakhouse over to Burger King. I suppose the rationale of our all-knowing government was that someone who just had a $50 steak at Burton’s, but couldn’t afford an automobile, would then be able to walk across … [Read more...]

More and more localities are using cameras, not only to catch those running red lights, but also for speeding. And they are raising hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some in the Virginia legislature are trying to reign in this revenue scheme, but for now: Watch out. One place to be especially careful of is along I-64 below Richmond. There is about a 20 mile stretch where VDOT is doing road work … [Read more...]

Actually, it’s not a short list, but something close to short. I find it harder and harder to shop at Kroger’s, even though it’s right across the highway. I made a quick run there yesterday and saw a counter piled high with Reynold’s aluminum foil. It said, “Buy 5 and get 1 Free.” Why would anyone want 6 boxes of aluminum foil – unless maybe they had a warehouse for storage? We have a hard … [Read more...]

My career as an author of books is off to a rocky start. When the publisher sent out the first copies of Ava Meets a Gnome, the last chapter was missing in action. When they sent over the final proofs earlier, they did not include the last chapter, so they are doing a reprint. If you haven’t ordered a book yet, don’t. Wait a few weeks. I’ll say when. If you have ordered and received a book, … [Read more...]

A popular attraction in Lancaster County is an Amish Buggy Ride and that’s one thing Nancy and were committed to doing. We found a Buggy operation (there are many along the rural highways) in a town called Intercourse, so named because of the confusing criss-crossing traffic in the middle of town. A young Amish lady hitched our team, gave the reins a tug and we were off, quickly taking a turn from … [Read more...]

Have you checked car prices recently? The used car business may be hotter than real estate at this point. That’s because many car buyers don’t want to have a $600 monthly bill for the next 7 years if they spring for a new car and used cars are rapidly increasing in demand. The last car I bought was a 2008 Jeep Liberty. I bought it for about $6500 at Madison Motors and drove it for 6 ½ years. I … [Read more...]