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Boosterism
101
While politicians and planners rejoice
over each new national kudo bestowed upon us, many
Charlottesvillians wish the rest of the world would just
leave us alone. Last year's #1 ranking in a book dedicated
only to rankings has swelled everybody's head.
But are we sowing the seeds of our own destruction?
Can Eden still be Paradise after everybody moves there? Is
it possible to be too popular? Maybe we'll end up like those
prom queens Tyson's, Fairfax, Fredericksburg-- they danced
with everybody who asked, and now they sit in asphalt
splendor, ruined and exhausted. Oh, well. Let the music play
on as we wallow in the worship.
June 2005 - Life magazine names Charlottesville
among the top ten "long weekend getaways." Our claim to
fame? "Best New Place to Drink Wine. Twenty-one wineries on
the Monticello Wine Trail combined with the lack of snooty
angst makes this town the perfect weekend tour.
April 2004 - We're one of 23 American cities
recognized as a "smart community" in a new book, Smart
Communities: How Citizens and Local Leaders Can Use
Strategic Thinking to Build a Brighter Future by Suzanne
Morse, executive director of the Pew Partnership for Civic
Change.
March, 2004 - Cities Ranked & Rated, a
book from Frommer's, ranks Charlottesville #1 among American
cities.
September, 2003 - UVA named best public college
(tied w/Berkeley) in U.S. News & World Report
September 2003 - Outside mag sez
Charlottesville one of the 40 best college towns (#8)
September 2003 - Organic Style magazine names
Charlottesville the healthiest city in Virginia
 September,
2003 - USA Weekend magzine calls this the "most
energetic" town, with Tim and Susie Burgess as most
energetic couple.
June 2003 - The Milken Institute, an independent
economic think tank, ranks Charlottesville America's #30
small city in job growth and job creation.
May 2002 - InStyle Magazine: "Charlottesville has
a longstanding reputation as an incubator of creativity.
Perhaps it's due to the hazy Blue Ridge Mountains or the
abundant historic architecture, or maybe the presence of the
world-class University of Virginia. Whatever the reason,
this lovely Southern town is home to a thriving community of
musicians and writers, and was, of course, the favorite spot
of Thomas Jefferson."
Spring 2002 - Where to Retire names
Charlottesville to its top 100.
Summer 1999 - The Outdoor Explorer ranks
Charlottesville #6 in the country of America's Best Towns to
raise an Outdoor Family.
November, 1999 - A&E television profiles
Charlottesville as one of the top 10 cities that "Have It
All."
February 1998 - Southern Living:
"Charlottesville draws writers the way Nashville beckons
musicians" quoted in vabook.org 2000
September 1996 - Kiplinger's Personal Finance: #2
healthiest place to live in America.
1996 - Standard Rate & Data's 1996 Lifestyle
Market Analyst, ranks Charlottesville #1 in "Avid Book
Reading."
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