Photo By Brian Dickert : Icy First Day of Winter 2008 Along The Blue Ridge Parkway : Nelson County, Virginia - Click For Larger View
Blue Ridge Parkway – Nelson County, Virginia
The first day of Winter in Nelson County started off as an icy one if you traveled out of the valley and above 2000 feet. Thanks to Brina Dickert for sharing this photo with us of the beautiful ice up in the trees at Rockfish Gap.
The icy weather is gone for a day or so, but the bitterly cold temperatures are in! Looks for more details over in Tommy’s Weather updated late Sunday night. And be looking for a couple more of Brian’s pics from the BRP over there as well. They are very nice!
A screen grab of the NWS Winter Weather Advisory area that will take effect starting at 11 PM EST Saturday night 11.20.08
Updated 6:59 AM EST 12.21.08
Nelson County, Virginia
Winter Weather Advisory
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
659 AM EST SUN DEC 21 2008
MDZ501-502-VAZ021-025>027-029-030-036>041-050-051-WVZ050-054-055-
501>504-211500-
/O.CON.KLWX.WW.Y.0020.000000T0000Z-081221T1500Z/
EXTREME WESTERN ALLEGANY-CENTRAL AND EASTERN ALLEGANY-HIGHLAND-
AUGUSTA-ROCKINGHAM-SHENANDOAH-PAGE-WARREN-NELSON-ALBEMARLE-GREENE-
MADISON-RAPPAHANNOCK-FAUQUIER-ORANGE-CULPEPER-HAMPSHIRE-PENDLETON-
HARDY-WESTERN GRANT-EASTERN GRANT-WESTERN MINERAL-EASTERN MINERAL-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…FROSTBURG…CUMBERLAND…STAUNTON…
WAYNESBORO…HARRISONBURG…FRONT ROYAL…CHARLOTTESVILLE…
WASHINGTON…CULPEPER…BAYARD…PETERSBURG…EMORYVILLE…
HARTMANSVILLE…KEYSER…FORT ASHBY
659 AM EST SUN DEC 21 2008
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST THIS
MORNING…
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST THIS
MORNING.
LOW PRESSURE IN WESTERN VIRGINIA WILL PASS JUST SOUTH OF THE MID
ATLANTIC REGION EARLY THIS MORNING. AREAS OF LIGHT FREEZING RAIN
OR DRIZZLE WILL CONTINUE THROUGH MID MORNING.
ICE ACCUMULATIONS WILL BE LESS THAN A TENTH OF AN INCH. SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS WILL BE LESS THAN AN INCH.
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW…SLEET…OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.
$$
Hazardous Weather Outlook
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
501 AM EST SUN DEC 21 2008
MDZ003>005-009-010-501-502-VAZ021-025>031-036>042-050-051-
WVZ050>055-501>504-221000-
WASHINGTON-FREDERICK MD-CARROLL-MONTGOMERY-HOWARD-
EXTREME WESTERN ALLEGANY-CENTRAL AND EASTERN ALLEGANY-HIGHLAND-
AUGUSTA-ROCKINGHAM-SHENANDOAH-FREDERICK VA-PAGE-WARREN-CLARKE-
NELSON-ALBEMARLE-GREENE-MADISON-RAPPAHANNOCK-FAUQUIER-LOUDOUN-
ORANGE-CULPEPER-HAMPSHIRE-MORGAN-BERKELEY-JEFFERSON-PENDLETON-
HARDY-WESTERN GRANT-EASTERN GRANT-WESTERN MINERAL-EASTERN MINERAL-
501 AM EST SUN DEC 21 2008
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA…
NORTHERN AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA…AND CENTRAL AND WESTERN MARYLAND
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GARRETT COUNTY.
.DAY ONE…TODAY AND TONIGHT
FREEZING RAIN WILL END THIS MORNING. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES
REMAIN IN EFFECT. PLEASE REFER TO WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE WBCWSWLWX
/WWUS41/ FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
WIND CHILL ADVISORIES MAY BE REQUIRED LATE TONIGHT ACROSS THE
WESTERN MARYLAND…THE POTOMAC HIGHLANDS AND THE HIGHER ELEVATION
AREAS ALONG AND WEST OF THE BLUE RIDGE.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY
NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…
SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED THROUGH TONIGHT. HOWEVER
REPORTS OF WINTER PRECIPITATION ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
After 12 years in operation, Spruce Creek Gallery in Nellysford, Virginia will close at the end of January 2009.
The Spruce Creek Gallery in Nelson County has announced that it will close in January.
The gallery, located in the historic Wintergreen Country Store at 1368 Rockfish Valley Highway (Rt. 151) in Nellysford, has, for the past twelve years, featured the works of regional artists and artisans and has often served as a focal point of local activity. For some years it has hosted the annual spring fund raising event for the Rural Health Outreach Program of the Blue Ridge Medical Center.
Owners Sue Bernard and Mary and Russ Reid said that the gallery has fallen victim to the current economic crisis. They plan to keep the gallery open through the holiday season and into January. Plans call for a party at the gallery January 10th for the artists and customers, and to close the business by the end of January.
for further information contact:
Sue Bernard
Spruce Creek Gallery
POB 434
1368 Rockfish Valley Highway
Nellysford, VA 22958
A crew installs BPL equipment along lines in Nelson County, Virginia
Afton – Nelson County, Virgina
First thanks to those of you who have commented and sent your entries in to the BPL Modem Photo Contest. We’ve had some good ones so far, so keep them coming!
I got an e-mail today from a person I consider a friend asking why we weren’t taking aim at Verizon since they are the problem, not IBEC. I agree a little with my friend. As I have said before, Verizon is Goliath in this endeavor and they aren’t playing fair. Verizon stands to lose a fair amount of money in retrospect. I don’t know for sure, but many of their managers are probably having buyer’s remorse after seeing the response IBEC has had with their pre selling of modems back in the summer. of 2008.
We last e-mailed with Harry Mitchel, the Verizon PR person for Virginia, on October 20 then again the 23rd. We were asking for a clarification on the status of two things, IBEC, and the Verizon / Alltel Wireless merger. Here’s the e-mail verbatim.
From: “info@nelsoncountylife.com”
Date: October 20, 2008 6:38:26 AM EDT
To: “Harry J. Mitchell”
Subject: Status On BPL T-1 installs in Nelson County, VA
Hi Harry,
Can you please update our original request for an answer regarding this situation?
We expected to hear something additional back on Friday and never got any information.
We don’t prefer going to corporate in NY to get these answers, but we will if necessary, we have published that information for others if they feel it necessary air their concerns over this matter.
Harry, I cannot convey how serious this situation is becoming. We are taking a very strong position on this because of the way it has been handled. I realize you are simply the messenger and you must relay what your managers tell you, but information has been one of the biggest shortcomings in this entire debacle, from both Verizon and IBEC as well. Please do not take our matter of fact position personally, as it is not meant as such.
Our company, along with others in the community feel they have been left with no other option other than to contact the FCC and the Virginia State Regulatory Commission regarding this situation to try to get something done or at least some answers. And, since this involves large federal grants to build out the system, it has become a rather convoluted ordeal.
One other question we need confirmation on while we are looking into all of this; Has Verizon’s Wireless side in fact scrapped all plans to build out their wireless network in Nelson County, Virginia? I think we pretty much know the answer is yes from what your engineering side has told property owners here, but we do need an official company response on that as well. That promised to be a good alternative broadband solution as well via wireless sites.
I understand Verizon will acquire existing Alltel sites in Nelson because of the merger, but plans to build out any additional new sites have been scraped.
Harry, again thank you in advance, and we look forward to additional details today.
Best,
Tommy
Harry did respond with the answers regarding IBEC saying that engineering was looking into it for safety issues and that was the immediate delay. That gels with what IBEC told us as well. Then on October 23rd he got back with us for a final time, never to respond since.
On Oct 23, 2008, at 6:03 PM, Mitchell, Harry J. wrote:
Tommy, et al:
In looking at the story tacked up on your site, I didn’t see your subsequent post that included my response from last Thursday.
And I did not see your e-mail from 10/20. Judging from the e-mail address, it might have hit my spam filter.
Nevertheless, I will circle back with my contacts to update you on the IBEC situation and check on your Verizon Wireless question.
I’m scheduled off tomorrow but will keep this moving.
Thanks,
Harry
We never got any additional info on the IBEC question and never got an answer on the Verizon / Alltel question.
IBEC has been dealt a pretty bad hand here, granted. But IBEC has mishandled this from the beginning as well. Communication is key in situations like this, and promise after promise broken without explanation does not build confidence by customers. Only after NCL began covering this situation in detail, almost to a nagging point, did IBEC ever respond. They still have been operating that way. Again, only after we made our “Coal In Your Stocking” entry on December 16th, did they send out a mass e-mail to customers explaining the latest. That is where IBEC and frankly CVEC both are at fault. CVEC will tell you they have nothing to do with IBEC, and “only provide the lines.” Somebody brought them here, IBEC didn’t just start hanging gear without permission.
Verizon, according to IBEC, is the cause of the latest delay, but promises the study at Martin’s store will be done this week.
“That testing will be done on Thursday, December 18. With this information, they will install isolation equipment. While much of this work could have been accomplished in the six months since the order for the T-1 lines were placed, there is a specific path that Verizon has indicated and IBEC will complete the steps along the path expeditiously. Once the engineering report is completed, Verizon has indicated they will activate the T-1 lines within 30 days.”
We like many others applaud IBEC for what they are trying. It is no small feat. As I have said time and time and time and time again, they are a nice bunch of people to deal with. But their biggest fault has been information. And planning. These engineering snafus should have been dealt with long before they went public promising BPL. The pre-sale of modems was a smart business move, no question. It gives IBEC valuable information on public interest, and much needed cash flow as the project is being built out. Much of this was unforeseen on IBEC’s part, and admittedly has not happened to them in other markets before Nelson.
Let’s hope this one last delay is……one last delay.
Meanwhile here is Verizon’s information if folks would like to wish the CEO’s office a Merry Christmas!
Ivan G. Seidenberg – Chairman and CEO
Verizon Communications, Inc
140 West St.
New York, NY 10007
(212) 395-1000
Bethlehem Alive begins This Friday December 19th 2008. Above a scene from a previous year.
Bethlehem Alive, Friday, December 19 through Tuesday, December 23, 2008, 6:00 –
9:00 p.m. each day. Early opening on Sunday, December 21 at 4:00 p.m.
Celebrate Christmas with a visit to the Bethlehem Village, a recreation of the
time period and events surrounding Jesus’ birth. Visit with costumed
villagers, pet the camels, and listen to the angels sing. For more
information, call 540-456-6863 or visit www.hebronafton.org .
Present: Ms. Philippa Proulx, Ms. Emily Hunt, Mr. Mike Harman, Ms. Linda
Russell, Mr. Mike Tapager and Mr. Tommy Bruguiere (Board Liaison)
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT/THOMAS & KATHERN ROBERTSON – tabled at the request of
the applicant.
REZONING/TOMMY & DIANE HARVEY – The applicant has applied to rezone 2.732
acres located on Rt. 840 (Tanbark Drive) in Afton from Residential R-1 to
Agricultural (A-1). Mr. Jim Gates, a partner on the project, reported that
the applicants have received a letter from Martha Jefferson stating their
intent to develop a medical office in 3,500 sq ft of the 5,000 sq ft
proposed building.
During Public Comment, MR. JOHN PUGH, adjoining landowner, said that a
medical office will be an improvement over what is currently on the property
and that the community needs the office.
MS. KELLY MESSNER said that the community needs an updated medical facility.
She said that she currently goes to her doctor at the existing facility
which has parking problems. Ms. Messner said that she believes the new
facility will be easier to get into and out of and not cause traffic
problems.
Ms. Russell said that she fully supports the location of a medical facility
on the property but is concerned about what the future uses might be if the
proposed plan does not go through for any reason. She said that there are
uses allowed by right in Agriculture that she would not want to see on that
property and that that is her only reservation about the project. Mr.
Tapager said that he would still like to see rezoning requests first
addressed with a Comprehensive Plan amendment to smooth the process.
Commissioners voted 6-0 to recommend approval of the rezoning.
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT/TOMMY & DIANE HARVEY – See information above. Mr.
Boger reported that VDOT has looked at the site and believes an entrance can
be installed to comply with state standards and that the entrance will meet
sight distance requirements. He also noted that a soil consultant has
evaluated the soils at the site and determined they are suitable for the
proposed use – offices, professional and services. With no Public Comment,
Commissioners voted 6-0 to recommend approval of the permit, contingent on
Board of Supervisors’ approval of the rezoning and submission and approval
of a site plan.
REZONING/JOHN & PATRICIA PUGH – The applicants have applied for a rezoning
of the front portion of their property from Residential R-1 to Agricultural
A-1. The property is located at 210 Tanbark Drive in Afton. The property
is presently zoned Residential R-1 and Agricultural A-1 and the purpose of
the request to zone the entire 9.11 acres Agricultural. Mr. Boger presented
several different maps of the property and surveys of adjoining properties,
noting that the tax maps are not correct in that they show the parcel as
#6-A-31 and 6-A-32 without showing where the property lines are to divide
those two parcels. Mr. Pugh explained that the property which fronts on
Tanbark Drive has a 250-foot strip of Residential zoning as well as a
250-foot strip of Residential zoning on the Rt. 151 frontage but that the
property has been used for hay and pasture for over 30 years. He said that
he requested the rezoning to have his property all one zoning type and to
make the zoning agree with the actual usage of the property.
With no Public Comment, Commissioners voted 6-0 to recommend approval of the
rezoning of all Residential and Agricultural portions of the 9.11 acre lot
located on Tanbark Drive and Rt. 151 and listed as Parcel #6-A-31 and 6-A-32
to Residential R-1.
ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT – With no Public Comment, Commissioners voted 6-0
to recommend approval of Section 2-92-1: “Wood yard: a parcel of land, or
portion thereof, used for the commercial storing and marketing of logs.”
OTHER BUSINESS –
Commissioners agreed to review and consider proposed Zoning Ordinance
amendments for:
– Division Rights in Agricultural A-1 Districts (family subdivisions);
– Definition and provisions to allow for seasonal dwelling units;
– Definition and provisions for Country Stores;
– Definition and provisions for Small Wind Energy; and
– Updates for the Communication Tower Ordinance
Meeting continued until Wednesday, January 7th at 7:30pm for a work session
on the proposed amendments listed above.
Swing Cheese 2:30-5 PM Call 540-456-8020 for more info. Location: 9519 Critzers Shop Road (Rt. 151) in Afton.
(Every Sunday in December) help raise food and money for the Nelson County Food Pantry. And during this time Blue Mountain will be donating 5% of sales to the pantry. Also, we are asking for food donations at the door.
While most of us have had our BPL modems for months now, still no actual service though. But there are some things you can do with your modem while you wait! Bookend is just one of them.
Afton – Nelson County, Virginia
Update: 12.18.08 10:00 AM
We have our first two entries, they will be up shortly here at BPL Modem Photo Contest.
Lots of us are feeling the frustration of promise after promise of BPL service here in Nelson County. Back in the summer most of use sent in our $99.00 to prepay for the BPL modem with the promise that high speed internet service was just around the corner. Now it’s Christmas, and “in these tough economic times” we are all $100 bucks lighter in the wallet!
We’ll take and post photo entries until January 1st. The winner will get a 25.00 gift certificate to Ambrosia Bakery & Deli in Nellysford, Virginia to buy something yummy to eat!
Simply mail your photo entries to bplmodem@nelsoncountylife.com. We’ll get up as many entries as fast as possible and the winner will be announced on January 1st, probably before any of us actually have BPL….We’ll drop you an e-mail to let you know, and post it here!
The actual page where you can view everything will be under the drop down Weather Links menu above. Simply roll your cursor over Weather Links and click on the Modem Photo Contest tab to see all of the entries.
We’ll add a few more in this post to give you some ideas, like these:
The modem works as a handy wheel chock!As a nice hood ornament!Or as a nice roof on your birdhouse!
But there have to be more ideas! Let’s see yours!
Be sure to include your name (or you can remain anonymous if you don’t want to use your name) and general location in the county where you are in your e-mail, when sending in the pics!
