Best of C-VILLE | 2025 by C-VILLE Weekly

C VILLE 2025 HOLEINONE

DISC OVER IT

Your guide to chasing chains— and good times

ART YEARS

LATER Culture-makers keeping the curtain rising

SLICE MEETS SPICE

Expert sushi at a local cocktail bar

Best sandwich shop/deli: Bodo’s Bagels

Who you gonna call?

Readers’ most trusted doers and fixers

VOW FACTOR

The best venues, planners, and pros for saying “I do”

From fitness to food, you chose the cream of the crop (and the schmear of the year)

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Reliable fiber. Because you and your internet have been through enough.

Here for the Internet.

Scan to QR code or visit tinginternet.com/abode to get started.

L ocally known for our consistently excellent food, great value and local ingredients. Weekdays, we serve lunch and dinner with daily specials and happy hour from 3 -6. Weekends, we serve our famous Saturday breakfast tacos on and our award-winning Sunday brunch.

With 19 rotating taps, full bar with specialty cocktails and wine served by the glass, we are sure you will find something tasty!

O ur shop offers a vast selection of craft and small-production boutique beer, cider, and mead. Our back room hosts our large wine selection that is unique, well-priced, with a focus on organically grown and dynamically produced wines.

From your everyday beers, cocktails & dinner, to your post-work meetings, weddings and more, Kardinal Hall has you covered.

Come enjoy innovative, locally-sourced cuisine in our European-inspired beer hall & spacious outdoor beer garden. Our 28 draft lines & carefully curated bottle list includes a vast array of local, national & imported craft beers sure to satisfy any beer lover.

We also offer hand-crafted cocktails & a wine list focused on thoughtful wines from sustainable producers.

To our homeowners, trade partners, neighbors, friends, and Charlottesville community for voting us Charlottesville’s BEST Local Homebuilder in the Best of Cville! We are honored to be a favorite local homebuilder and extremely proud of the relationships we have built.

Your Builder, Your Neighbor Your Builder, Your Neighbor

www.southern-development.com

BEST OF C-VILLE 2025

They’re our faves, too

Every summer, we ask you to do something important—vote. Not for politicians (though that’s important, too), but for the people, places, and things that make Charlottesville shine. Best of C-VILLE is our annual love letter to this community, and it’s one of the most joyful things we do all year.

From your favorite brunch spots and go-to hairstylists to the shops you can’t resist and the folks doing good behind the scenes, Best of C-VILLE is your chance to shout out the gems that make this town feel like home. It’s also a reminder of how much talent, creativity, and heart we have packed into these city blocks and rolling hills.

The best part? It’s all chosen by you. Thousands of votes pour in, creating a vibrant snapshot of what

ENTERTAINMENT

From live tunes to pageturners, these picks keep you entertained and coming back for more. P.17

SERVICES

Need a hand? These pros have you covered, from home fixes to beauty boosts. P.97

HEALTH + FITNESS

Move it, stretch it, zen out—your faves help you stay fit and feel good. P.37

WEDDINGS

For your big day, you trust the best of the best to make magic happen. P.123

Charlottesville loves right now. And this year, one thing was loud and clear: Charlottesville really loves Bodo’s. It was the top vote-getter across the entire contest, and the inspiration behind the bagel-themed imagery you’ll see opening each section.

We get to share all the results in this issue—a celebration of excellence, community spirit, and, yes, maybe a little friendly competition. Alongside your picks, our editorial staff has added their own favorites—those hidden treasures and local legends that make our city truly special beyond the ballot box.

Whether your favorites made the list or you’re just here for the party, thanks for being part of what makes Charlottesville the best. We’re lucky to live here. And luckier still to share it with you.—Caite Hamilton

FOOD + DRINK

Craving something scrummy?

Consider this your cheat sheet to the best bites and sips in town. P.53

KIDS + FAMILY

Raising tiny humans is an adventure—here are the spots that make it easier (and more fun). p.139

SHOPPING

Find the goods you didn’t even know you needed— local shops that make it worth the trip. P.81

BEST FOR LAST

Two UVA legends are honored with prominent portraits on Grounds. P.154

OUR BEST FRIENDS A special thanks to Tuel Jewelers, Vanessa Bullard and ACAC, Sidetracks, Tavola, Peacock Auto Service, and The Alley Light for embracing the bagel madness with style, humor, and a schmear of charm.

COVER PHOTO: Tristan Williams

COVER MODEL: Shea Tinsley CLOTHES: Darling x Dashing Boutique JEWELRY: Model’s own

We Serve:

local grassfed & finished beef (beyond organic) local produce, often delivered by the farmer local cheese from pastured cows & family farms local bread, with nothing artificial ingredients that are house made and farm fresh

There are

one, the enjoyment of a great burger and a beer with friends. This is America, after all… a delicious burger is your right – perhaps even your responsibility. We’ve teamed up with a few nearby farms, and they keep it simple – no hormones, nothing artificial, we’re talking happy grassfed cows and free-range chickens here. We hope you’ll agree: if you’re going to eat meat, that’s the way to do it.

WELCOME TO CITIZEN – THE PEOPLE’S BURGER BAR.

There are certain basic freedoms we hold dear. For one, the enjoyment of a great burger and a beer with friends. This is America, after all… a delicious burger is your right – perhaps even your responsibility.

WELCOME TO CITIZEN – THE PEOPLE’S BURGER BAR.

While we’re proud of the menu, we must say the bar is no slouch, either… Our wise and benevolent bar staff can recommend the perfect libation to complement your meal or your mood – just ask ‘em.

We’ve teamed up with a few nearby farms, and they keep it simple – no hormones, nothing artificial, we’re talking happy grassfed cows and free-range chickens here. We hope you’ll agree: if you’re going to eat meat, that’s the way to do it.

Our vision is anything but complicated: we believe in good food, cold drinks, and common ground. We know we’re not alone on that – and that’s how Citizen came to be. This is the people’s burger bar.

Your local favorite for over 13 years! (in the center of the Downtown Mall)

LOCAL BUNS

our house burger buns are locally made just down the road at Albemarle Baking Company

THE PEOPLE’S BURGER

We Serve:

VIRGINIA CHEESES

our signature cheese is made locally and naturally at Mountainview Farm in Fairfield, VA.

WE SERVE:

FRESH PRODUCE whenever we can, we use ingredients found in our local markets and farms

HERITAGE FARM BACON from NC, family owned, no hormones, no steroids, no animal byproducts, nothing artificial

• local grassfed & finished beef (beyond organic)

• local produce, often delivered by the farmer

100% GRASSFED LOCAL BEEF all of our beef is grass finished and comes from all-natural, organically raised cows from about about 5 miles away

• local cheese from pastured cows & family farms

• local bread, with nothing artificial

• ingredients that are house made and farm fresh

Your local favorite for over 13 years! (in the center of the Downtown Mall)

LOCAL BUNS

our house burger buns are locally made just down the road at Albemarle Baking Company

HAND-CUT FRENCH FRIES

our fries are made in-house every morning and we fry using 100% ultra-refined peanut oil, which is trans fat and cholesterol free.

THE PEOPLE’S BURGER

VIRGINIA

cheese is made locally and naturally at Mountainview Farm in Fairfield, VA.

FRESH PRODUCE whenever we can, we use ingredients found in our local markets

HERITAGE ARM BACON

from NC, family owned, no hormones, no steroids, no animal byproducts, nothing artificial

LUNCH STARTING AT 11AM

SUNDAY BRUNCH 8AM-2PM

100% GRASSFED LOCAL BEEF all of our beef is grass finished and comes from all-natural, organically raised cows from about about 5 miles away

DINNER 5-10PM WED-SAT

HAND-CUT FRENCH FRIES

our fries are made in-house every morning and we fry using 100% ultra-refined peanut oil, which is trans fat and cholesterol free.

P.O. Box 119, Charlottesville VA, 22902 c-ville.com

BEST OF C-VILLE EDITOR Caite Hamilton. COPY EDITOR Susan Sorensen. CONTRIBUTORS Carol Diggs, Shea Gibbs, Sarah Golibart

Gorman, Andrew Hollins, Tami Keaveny, Catie Ratliff, James Sanford, Kristie Smeltzer, Susan Sorensen, CM Turner. PHOTOGRAPHERS

Eze Amos, Meredith Coe, Jen Fariello, Matt Riley, Amy Smith, Skyclad Aerial, Mary Kate Steele, Tristan Williams. ART DIRECTOR Max

March. GRAPHIC DESIGNER Tracy Federico. DIRECTOR OF SALES Bianca Johnson. ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Brian Hrozencik, Jacob Philips, Stephanie Vogtman. PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Faith Gibson. PUBLISHER Anna Harrison. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

ENTER TAINMEN T

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

READERS' PICKS!

ART GALLERY

McGuffey Art Center

mcguffeyartcenter.com

Runner-up: The Looking Glass ixartpark.org/lookingglass

ARTS AND CRAFTS CLASSES

The Scrappy Elephant scrappyelephant.com

Runner-up: Charlottesville Parks & Recreation charlottesville.gov/156/ parks-recreation

BAND

Chamomile and Whiskey chamomileandwhiskey.com

Runner-up: We Are Star Children @we_are_star_children

CLASSICAL MUSIC GROUP

Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia cvillesymphony.org

Runner-up: Oratorio Society of Virginia oratoriosociety.org

CULTURAL PROGRAMMING NONPROFIT

IX Art Park ixartpark.org

Runner-up: The Front Porch frontporchcville.org

ENTERTAINMENT

A tale of two towns

Indie comic collaborators release a gritty new series

An independent comic book from local artist Wil Smith and Richmond-based writer Joshua Eadie explores a dystopian nearfuture through a cyberpunk story packed with gritty pulp action. Southtown, self-published by Smith and Eadie with co-creators Ally Slawson and Mallorie Mize, offers a neo-noir narrative tied to capitalist critique, corporate malfeasance, and the authenticity found within marginalized communities.

Set in River City—a stand in for Richmond, Virginia, with a stark divide between the complacent citizens of well-enough-to-do Uptown and the hardscrabble denizens of the titular neighborhood beyond the bridge—Southtown imagines a future where new technology and old vices collide, with explosive results.

Sex and violence—along with a healthy dose of substance use and abuse—are enduring actions in Southtown. The pervasiveness of these elements is made evident through Smith’s illustrations of background scenes as main characters navigate the seedy streets and venues of their derelict district. In the absence of civic or governmental authority, gangs of mechanically and electronically enhanced cyborg outlaws define the status quo, and wanton acts of transgression appear around every corner.

The initial storyline, planned for a 10-issue arc, introduces a crew of diverse friends and allies from the fringes of society, caught up in a corporate data heist where the motive and identity of their client is shrouded in mystery. The first two issues of Southtown, available for digital download and print edition purchases, set the stage both visually and narratively for what’s to come.

Where issue No. 1 offers an easy entry point to the setting, characters, and plot, drawing the reader into the storyword, issue No. 2 brings a stronger sense of refinement to the series. The illustration and sequencing are tighter, creating better cohesion between visual representation and plot points. Like other forms of visual narrative, comics have to carefully consider how the image pairs with advancement of the story. The trick here is to ensure the illustrated action allows the reader to fill in the blanks of what isn’t being shown,

what actions are implied. Issue No. 2 allows the reader to move through the story more immersively.

Smith illustrated the first issue entirely by hand, with letters and coloring by Slawson. Issue No. 2 is a hybrid of analog and digital illustration utilizing Procreate software, with the inking and coloring done digitally by Slawson and Mize, with contributions by Jenna Figgers.

Smith and Eadie have built a decent online following for Southtown, with sales coming through local shops in Richmond and Hello Comics in Charlottesville, as well as their website southtowncomic.com. They hope to release the third issue by the end of this summer, creating shorter intervals between issues as the self-publishing process becomes smoother. The plan is to drop at least two issues a year, with a full run of 50 to 60 issues down the line.—CMT

Set in a city inspired by Richmond, Southtown imagines a future where technology and vices collide.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Lee Alter

DRAG VENUE

Botanical

Plant-Based Fare botanicalfare.com

Runner-up: Firefly fireflycville.com

DRAMATIC ARTS VENUE

The Paramount Theater theparamount.net

Runner-up: Live Arts livearts.org

FESTIVAL

Virginia Film Festival

virginiafilmfestival.org

Runner-up: Tom Tom Festival tomtomfoundation.org

GALLERY ARTIST

Sharon Shapiro sharonshapiro.com

Runner-up: River Hawkins riverhawkinsgallery.com

ENTERTAINMENT

Many the milestones

LET’S CELEBRATE! 2025 IS A BANNER YEAR FOR THE ARTS IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, WITH A host of beloved local organizations marking milestone anniversaries. From music schools to galleries to citywide festivals, these creative cornerstones have been inspiring our community for years—and this year, they’re giving us even more reason to cheer. Here’s who’s celebrating.—CH

Wintergreen Music Festival

P The Fralin Museum at the University of Virginia

P McGuffey Art Center

P The Charlottesville Symphony

P The Oratorio Society of Virginia

P Virginia Theatre Festival

SEEING PINK

Blue Ridge Irish Music School

YEARS

Blue Ridge Outdoors P Les Yeux du Monde P Music Resource Center P Virginia Festival of the Book

Blush tones, bloom crowns, and bottles on bottles. Charlottesville’s Daze of Rosé, an inclusive wine festival founded in 2023 by Castle Hill Cider and Harmony Wine, is a fête for the senses—and lovers of pink Virginia wine. Held at Eastwood Farm and Winery, this chic springtime festival pours up dozens of local and regional rosés alongside live music, bites, and Insta-ready vibes. Dress code: sunshine and something floral.—CH

P New City Arts Initiative P The Jefferson Theater

P Crozet Artisan Depot P The Front Porch

P Charlottesville Arts Festival P Soul of Cville

KARAOKE NIGHT

Dürty Nelly’s durtynellyscharlottesville.com

Runner-up: Holly’s Diner facebook.com/ hollyssinercville

LIVE PERFORMANCE

The Prom (Four County Players) fourcp.org

Runner-up: Billy Strings

LOCAL ACTOR

Sissy Spacek

Runner-up: Edward Warwick White

LOCAL AUTHOR

John Grisham jgrisham.com

Runner-up: Rita Dove

LOCAL INFLUENCER

@dank_cville

Runner-up: @styledinworth (Victoria Proscia)

LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY

Sherry Taylor (Z95.1) z951.com

Runner-up: Samantha Federico (106.1 The Corner) 1061thecorner.com

ENTERTAINMENT

LOCAL RADIO STATION

91.1 WTJU wtju.net

Runner-up: 106.1 The Corner 1061thecorner.com

LOCAL TV PERSONALITY

Travis Koshko (Newsplex CBS 19)

Runner-up: Steve Rappaport (NBC29)

MUSEUM

Virginia Discovery Museum

vadm.org

Runner-up: The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia uvafralinartmuseum.virginia.edu

MUSIC VENUE (LARGE)

The Jefferson Theater jeffersontheater.com

Runner-up: Ting Pavilion tingpavilion.com

MUSIC VENUE (SMALL)

The Southern Café & Music Hall thesoutherncville.com

Runner-up: Pro Re Nata prnbrewery.com

OPEN-MIC NIGHT

Holly’s Diner facebook.com/hollysdinercville

Runner-up: The Southern Cafe & Music Hall thesoutherncville.com

Family-friendly fantasy

SINCE THE FIRST LIVE-ACTION ROLE PLAY (OR LARP) GROUPS were founded in the late 1970s, the fantasy genre has transformed itself from a small, devoted niche in the entertainment industry to mainstream, thanks in part to the success of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films, and George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire books and accompanying television series, “Game of Thrones.” With the growth of the genre itself, more and more gamers don’t want to simply watch people going on great adventures; they want to experience adventures of their own. One of those people is Charlottesville’s Silas Byrne, leader of the Charlottesville LARP guild Zorn Vongal.

“We have a good number of participants,” Byrne says. “There’s about 10 or 15 of us that come out, depending on the time of year.”

Zorn Vongal, meaning Mountain Raiders in Khuzdul (Tolkien’s Dwarvish language), was founded by Joe Compton in Greene County in the 2010s. The group uses Dagorhir Boffer rules, meaning all the weapons have to meet a strict criteria, primarily for safety but also for general

aesthetics and theme consistency (no pretend laser rifles or Gatling guns allowed). They practice on Sundays at Darden Towe Park, and host special events, like February’s Jilted Lovers Battle, throughout the year, often participating in regional events, such as the Brigand’s Ball at Mountain Run Winery in Culpeper.

“We’ve kind of carved out our niche in being a place for nerds

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

to get some exercise and have some fun,” Byrne says. “Amusingly, the two biggest backgrounds for adults joining are former military and grown-up theater kids who played sports.”

Zorn Vongal endeavors to make most of its LARP events accessible to younger participants and people who want to bring their families along.

“We call them the ‘kobolds,’” Byrne says, referring to the childsized monsters from Dungeons & Dragons. “It’s like a lighterweight division, so we don’t have kids going up against grown men.”

Bryne says that, while they don’t have a hard age limit, they encourage newcomers to use common sense in determining whether or not it’s right for their families.

“Obviously we don’t think people should bring their toddlers,” he says. “But I actually brought my daughters. As a dad, it’s incredibly fun to get beaten with a foam sword by your 11-year-old daughter.”—AH

ENTERTAINMENT

You’re invited (maybe)

THE GUILD, A NEW CONCERT venue inside Vault Virginia, does nothing by the standard promoter’s playbook. Meticulously planned schedule with regular shows? No. Big marketing push? Also no. Optimized seating for maximum occupancy? Definitely not.

“The most common term people used was ‘intimate,’” says promoter Michael Allenby of audience responses after The Guild’s first concert. “This is a showcase venue. You don’t have to try to sell a lot of tickets.”

Allenby says The Guild hosts mostly solo acts, drawing on Charlottesville’s local talent as well as artists traveling with larger bands. Attendance is geared toward core fans and likely to be by invitation only.

The first show at The Guild, held on May 2, featured Jeremy Garrett of the Infamous String-

dusters. Ryan Cavanaugh and Chris Luquette joined the renowned fiddle player on the venue’s small stage.

“We’re lucky to have great venues, but most have rock club infrastructure … formatted to fit as many people as the fire code allows,” Allenby says. “What I heard the market [needed] was a place where people could have an elevated hospitality experience.”

Being located in Vault Virginia gives The Guild certain freedoms. Not only can the venue eschew nightly shows and a laser focus on the bottom line, but the seating area is also surrounded by a comfortable, open area with a private restaurant and bar.

“How the venue is different is the approach to getting people in the room,” Allenby says. “There is natural scarcity, and the scarcity ties into the intimacy.”—SG

c-ville.com

Runner-up: The Rainbow Disco (IX Art Park Foundation) ixartpark.org PERFORMANCE TROUPE Bent Theatre benttheatre.weebly.com

Runner-up: Shakespeare on the Lawn shakespeareonthelawn.org PLACE FOR BILLIARDS AND BAR GAMES Firefly fireflycville.com

Runner-up: Miller’s millersdowntown.com

PLACE TO WATCH A MOVIE Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Charlottesville drafthouse.com

Runner-up: Violet Crown Charlottesville charlottesville.violetcrown.com

Runner-up: “Stitch Please” stitchpleasepodcast.com

Jeremy Garrett of The Infamous Stringdusters gave The Guild’s first performance in May 2025.

Use QR Codes to access venue calendars.

Live Music

This 4,000 capacity venue anchoring the east end of the Downtown Mall has been welcoming national touring acts and hosting the Fridays After Five free concert series since 2005.

This historic Vaudeville theater began new life as a premier music and events venue in 2009, hosting national and regional acts for audiences of up to 800 people.

This intimate, subterranean club with a capacity of up to 300 plays sees both local and national touring artists hit the stage over 150 nights per year. The café also hosts weekly open mics for music and comedy.

RUNNER UP, Best Open Mic Night ON THE DOWNTOWN MALL YOUR SOURCE FOR

RUNNER UP Best Venue (large)

WINNER Best Venue (large)

WINNER, Best Venue (small)

PUBLIC ARTWORK

I Love Charlottesville A Lot

(Fitzgerald’s Tires)

Runner-up: Free Speech Wall

QUEER SPACE/EVENT

The Beautiful Idea

thebeautifulidea.gay

Runner-up: Firefly fireflycville.com

ROOFTOP VIEW

The Doyle Hotel thedoylehotel.com

Runner-up: Bar Botanical botanicalfare.com

SOLO MUSICIAN/ MUSICAL DUO

Devon Sproule devonsproule.com

Runner-up: Matthew O’Donnell matthewomusic.com

TOURIST SPOT

Downtown Mall

Runner-up: Carter Mountain Orchard cartermountainorchard.com

TRIVIA NIGHT

Trivia with Olivia triviawitholivia.com

Runner-up: Firefly fireflycville.com

ENTERTAINMENT

Step right up

Ty Cooper’s One Mic Stand is about free expression

“This stage is for you. You don’t have to be an artist to share a story.”

This is Ty Cooper’s message to anyone attending his One Mic Stand shows, a live series staged for more than 10 years at Piedmont Virginia Community College. “We just wanted to provide a platform for artists to express themselves and do what they do,” says the veteran promoter, comedian, writer, and filmmaker.

Having found success with the United Nations of Comedy tour in the early 2000s, Cooper was considering a new project. He noticed there were occasional open mic nights in the Charlottesville area, but they weren’t happening on a regularly scheduled basis.

“We didn’t want to oversaturate the market, but we did want to do something,” Cooper says. “So, we started doing two shows per semester.”

One Mic Stand is free and open to the public: You don’t have to be a PVCC student or faculty member to attend or to participate. There’s no time limit on sets. Cooper says participants are typically able “to read the room and respect the time” to determine when to wrap it up. Usually, people perform for about five minutes.

The showcase attracts musicians, storytellers, poets, and sometimes comedians. “That’s a special treat,” says the founder. “I lean toward comedy. I’m a comedy writer, I teach comedy-writing workshops, and I’ve been promoting comedy shows for years.”

According to Cooper, One Mic Stand becomes poignant at times, when artists perform material drawn from first-hand experience.

“These people come up with stories about their lives, and sometimes it gets really, really deep, you know?” he says. “Sometimes people become really vulnerable and they leave that on the stage. When it’s something from deep within and they’re willing to share it, that’s always a special moment. That means that we provide a safe space for them to do that. … I get real joy out of it, every time that happens.”

Registration opens one hour before showtime, and the format is flexible. Cooper says even attendees who don’t plan to step into the spotlight at the beginning of the evening sometimes end up sharing their insights or their work.

“I know people who come into this space, this small black-box space, and they’ve got something,” he says, with a grin. So, he tells them, “‘Hey, no pressure, but this is a safe space if you have something—I know you weren’t planning on being on the stage.’ Quite often, it works. I gotta pull, but when the pulling is successful, they get up there, man, and they bring that.”—JS

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A.D. Carson drops groundbreaking music with open access publisher

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Clemson University was proud of its doctoral student. It was 2017, and the university announced the achievement with fanfare: A.D. Carson had produced an original piece of music as his dissertation and successfully defended it to receive a Ph.D. Carson went on to receive tenure in the University of Virginia’s music department. At UVA, he’s continued to compose original music, do research, and teach students to write music.

None of that is incredibly unique. It’s a wellworn path for classically trained musicians. But Carson’s case stands out for two reasons: One, his doctorate is not in music—it’s in rhetorics, communication, and information Design. Two, the music Carson makes is hip-hop.

“I’m honestly quite surprised I was hired in a music department and even more so that my appointment is in hip-hop given the nonexistent relationship it seems music in academia has had to the culture,” Carson says. “It took convincing for me to apply for the job when it was posted.”

Late last year, 11 years after he began working on the album that earned him his doctor-

SUPPLIED PHOTO

ate and then tenure, Carson’s Owning My Masters (Mastered) was peer reviewed and published by the University of Michigan Press as an open access document.

To Carson’s knowledge (which, when it comes to hip-hop, is vast) he’s the only university professor ever to earn tenure for publishing rap music. In addition to Owning My Masters, he’s produced three other albums, including i used to love to dream, the first hiphop album ever peer reviewed and published by an academic press.

So, how did Carson fulfill the requirements for a communications Ph.D. by writing raps? His academic background is in English, writing, and literature, meaning his work is “not so much about hip-hop as it is through hip-hop.”

Carson’s albums, showing off a Jay-Z-meetsNas-type flow and crisp production, include numerous tracks that sound like they’d be at home on a major label’s offering. But as a lyricist, he takes on the heaviest topics: how the past shapes societies and individuals, racial inequality, inherent justice system biases, and historical whitewashing.

Owning My Masters also features Carson’s spoken word poetry, poignant clips from media outlets during historical events, carefully curated sampling, and repurposed film audio. The result is a collection of statements more so than songs.

“All raps are making arguments—even the ones that we think are bad raps,” Carson says. “They are making appeals.”

Carson began writing Owning My Masters as a graduate student at Clemson. He had come to the campus to study literature, but as he pursued hip-hop outside the classroom, he realized he was doing the same work in both places. He began to integrate them, finding Sophocles in Jay-Z’s “Meet the Parents,” imagining Kanye as a modern day Jay Gatsby.

After defending his dissertation in the spring of 2017, Carson was hired as an assistant professor of hip-hop in UVA’s McIntire Department of Music. When Carson submitted his tenure packet, i used to love to dream had already been published, but Owning My Masters remained unmastered. Carson applied for a grant to polish the album for release. He won the grant and worked with local engineer Michael Moxham to finish the decade-long project.

“The cultural inheritance that hip-hop has left—it has been looted by companies,” he says. “Us rappers are fighting for scraps … and so getting a Ph.D. puts me in a position to have something to say about it.”—SG

ENTERTAINMENT

What we’re looking for

TRE. CHARLES KEEPS A BUSY TOUR SCHEDULE, living on the road and crisscrossing the midAtlantic region for gigs, but he calls Virginia home. The indie soul talent currently “lays his head in Richmond,” but his warm, invigorating music graces C’ville stages so frequently that we think he may have a body double.

“Charlottesville is a tucked-away music gem,” says Charles. “The music appreciation here is eclectic and deep, from roots to electronic, and

IN

I attribute that to the diverse population that lives here. I think that the fresh air creates more open mindedness (ha ha), and with places like Ting, Jefferson, Southern, and a slew of other spots, it’s easy to find what you are looking for and what you didn’t know you were looking for.”

Charles’ debut EP, Currently, was chosen as one of WNRN’s top 100 albums of 2023, and he released an album, Here We Are, in early 2025.—TK

TUNE

Trivia meets karaoke at The Milkman’s Bar’s weekly offering of Singo—a version of Bingo where players match the song they hear to a tile on their Singo card. The event started in July 2024 as a weeknight draw for Dairy Market and, says the evening’s co-host Will Henning, anywhere from 30 to 70 people join every Tuesday. Each week’s round features a mix of songs— from The B-52s to Cardi B—and winners take home a $50 Dairy Market gift card.—CH

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

Respighi

Family Holiday Concerts December 6-7 Romance February 14-15

Gershwin Piano Concerto in F March 21-22

Rimsky-Korsakov

Benjamin Rous, Music Director

Best Classical Music Group

25 years of life-changing partnerships

Since 2000, Service Dogs of Virginia has provided expertly trained service dogs— completely free of charge—to children and adults in need. Each placement is made based on need, never on the ability to pay.

Our dogs assist individuals with:

•Autism Spectrum Disorder

•PTSD

•Medical conditions such as Type 1 Diabetes

•Physical disabilities

•And also serve in counseling centers, universities, and courthouses as facility dogs

These dogs bring confidence, independence, and safety to everyday life.

HEALTH &FITNESS

Everything gains: Charlottesville's best personal trainer, Vanessa Bullard, is raising the bar(bell).

HEALTH & FITNESS READERS'

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE PRACTICE

Resilient Roots

resilientrootsfxmed.com

Runner-up: Castro Integrative Medicine castrointegrativemedicine.com

AUDIOLOGIST

UVA Health Audiology uvahealth.com

Runner-up: Evolution Hearing evolutionhearing.com

BARRE STUDIO

FlyDog Yoga flydogyoga.com

Runner-up: Pure Barre purebarre.com/location/ charlottesville-va

BIG GYM

ACAC

acac.com

Runner-up: Brooks Family YMCA piedmontymca.org

BIRTHING CENTER

Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital sentara.com

Runner-up: Riverhaven Community Birth Center riverhavenbirth.com

CHIROPRACTOR

Wayne Fusco (Cox Chiropractic) coxclinic.com

Runner-up: Balanced Chiropractic and Physical Therapy balancechiropracticva.com

COSMETIC SURGEON Maria Kirzhner (Oculofacial Surgery & Aesthetics) eyelidsbymk.com

Runner-up: Elizabeth W. Chance (CHANCE + Co.) drchance.com

DANCE STUDIO

Charlottesville Ballet charlottesvilleballet.org

Runner-up: Albemarle Ballet Theatre abtdance.org

DENTIST

Taylor Smith (Charlottesville Pediatric Dentistry) cvillepediatricdentistry.com

Runner-up: Lauren Stump (Downtown Dental) cvilledowntowndental.com

DERMATOLOGIST

Anna Magee (Charlottesville Dermatology) cvillederm.com

Runner-up: Christopher M. Scott (Dermatology PLC) dermplc.com

FITNESS CYCLE STUDIO ACAC acac.com

Runner-up: pūrvelo cycle purvelocycle.com/schedule/ charlottesville

CONTINUED ON PAGE 41

Habit forming

Aspirations find support in the hands of this local coach

“Who is the person you want to be?” asks Jasmine Braxton, a performance mindset coach for eldest daughters. It’s a question she poses to her clients. “What type of decisions does that person make?” Braxton has been coaching others in one form or another for 13 years, starting out in the health and fitness world as a personal trainer. Getting at a client’s aspirational identity takes prece-

dence over the talk of sets and reps, because helping clients succeed means they need to make behavioral changes they can sustain.

“It was all mindset. If you identify as something, the habits come with it without having to force it,” she explains. “When you’re just doing something to hit this goal, once you achieve the goal, there’s nothing to work for. It’s very easy to slip back into [old] habits.”

EZE AMOS

A coach for eldest daughters, Jasmine Braxton helps clients make sustainable behavioral changes.

The focus of Braxton’s current coaching practice, working with eldest daughters, comes from a eureka moment she had one day in a bookstore. She picked up The Eldest Daughter Effect, by Lisette Schuitemaker and Wies Enthoven, and read the book in two hours—right in the store. The content resonated with Braxton (an eldest daughter herself), and it moved away from common narratives about eldest daughters’ struggles (the idea that they’re “bossy,” the perception that they’re perfectionists to a fault or they’re highly responsible, anxious, or stressed). The book highlights the traits and behaviors that enable eldest daughters to make things happen, and Braxton realized those were the hardworking, thoughtful, efficient people who she wanted to coach. At first she worried the focus might be too niche, but the results tell a different story.

As Braxton publicized her work, other eldest daughters responded to her in kinship. Braxton’s clients tend to be women who have founded their own businesses or reached leadership roles. They come seeking guidance on how to maintain their success as well as how to remedy, or avoid, burnout.

“I will teach you to prioritize fun in this work, because if you’re not enjoying it, it’s killing you, whether you recognize it or not,” she says.

In addition to her one-on-one coaching, Braxton offers the Run Your Own Race performance accelerator program, which provides participants with a weekly email containing a mindset resource, reflection questions, and personalized feedback. She’s also added event speaker to her repertoire and is proactively seeking more speaking opportunities.

“I’m talking about mental toughness,” she says, “and how it’s the prerequisite for any and every endeavor.”—KS

HEALTH & FITNESS

Go fetch

Looking for the best place to play disc golf in Charlottesville? It’s a—pardon the pun—tossup! Here are your choices.

Nestled alongside the scenic Rivanna River, this course offers a relaxed, beginnerfriendly layout with plenty of shade and natural beauty. Perfect for casual rounds and family outings.

This recently redesigned 1.9-mile course at PVCC offers a quick, scenic round with open fairways and plenty of hills. With new baskets and growing signage, it’s a fun, fast-paced play.

NUZZLE A MUZZLE

With its spacious park setting, Meadowcreek’s disc golf course is known for long, open throws and gentle terrain. It’s a great spot to work on distance and accuracy without intense elevation changes.

This scenic, well-designed course features shaped fairways, varied elevation, and multiple tees and pins for endless variety. Don’t miss the thrilling downhill shot from hole 17—it’s a true standout.—CH

Normally it wouldn’t be kosher to go around canoodling anything but your special someone, but we’re certain they’ll make an exception for this: Kidding season at Caromont Farm starts in March, which means the opportunity to cuddle baby goats will be here before you know it. Sign up for a snuggle sesh at caromontcheese.com (and don’t leave without grabbing a brick of Florent Cendre for your cheese plate later that night).—CH

RIVANNA TRAIL DISC GOLF COURSE

PIEDMONT VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

MEADOW CREEK GARDENS

WALNUT CREEK PARK

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

PRIVATE TRAINING

Personal Training

1-on-1 coaching, tailored to your specific goals

Corrective Exercise

Address neuromuscular dysfunction and imbalances

Foundations

Start your fitness journey the right way

Nutrition Coaching Dial in your nutrition to properly fuel your workouts

GROUP CLASSES

Complete Fitness

High intensity strength and conditioning classes

Semi-private

Individual attention meets small group camaraderie

Barbell

Take your Olympic

Weightlifting to the next level in Barbell Club

Yoga

Weekly yoga classes to balance the body and mind

Solidarity Complete Fitness is a fullservice strength & conditioning studio. Our goal is to improve all areas of fitness by providing thoughtful programming, a supportive community, and premium coaching.

We focus on movement quality above all else, and prioritize continuing education of our coaches and refinement of our methodology to foster lifelong growth and safeguard against physical and mental stagnation.

We are here to help you reach all of your health and fitness goals, no matter what they are.

FOOT RACE/FUN RUN Women’s Four Miler

Runner-up: Prolyfyck Run Crew prolyfyck.com

GENERAL PRACTITIONER

Renee L. Fischer (Charlottesville Internal Medicine) charlottesvilleinternalmedicine. com

Runner-up: Kendra Kriener (Sentara Crozet Family Medicine) sentara.com

GOLF COURSE

Meadowcreek meadowcreekgolf.org

Runner-up: Birdwood birdwoodgolf.com

MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL

Gracie Charlottesville graciecharlottesville.com

Runner-up: Laughing Dragon Kung Fu laughingdragonkungfu.com

MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

The Women’s Initiative thewomensinitiative.org

Runner-up: James Howell (Mental Fitness Matters) mentalfitnesscville.com

HEALTH & FITNESS

ME-OM

Local exercise retailer Relay Active puts the cat in cat pose on Saturday mornings, when it hosts its sold-out kitten yoga sessions at its Dairy Market store. Led by shop owner Ann Mazur, the class is an all-level, slow-paced vinyasa, with a litter of adoptable shelter cats from the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA roaming through legs and sniffing faces while participants perform their planks and low lunges (and downward dogs—how dare they!?). Mazur says she tries to hold the class at least once a month, and donates the proceeds to the CASPCA.—CH

SAY OMG

While most institutions of higher learning prioritize cognitive development and professional skills, UVA’s Contemplative Sciences Center has sought to integrate mindfulness and emotional intelligence into the school’s curriculum since its founding in 2012. In spring of 2025, CSC took its work one step further, unveiling a long-awaited facility that, on its opening weekend, began hosting drop-in events (guided meditations at the Dell, yoga classes, sound baths) for coeds and area residents alike, prizing peace and quiet—for all.—CH

TRISTAN

Ragged Mountain Natural Area gets your vote for best mountain-biking trail or park.

MOUNTAIN-BIKING TRAIL OR PARK

Ragged Mountain Natural Area

charlottesville.gov

Runner-up: Walnut Creek Park albemarle.org

NICHE GYM MADabolic madabolic.com/location/ charlottesville

Runner-up: Orangetheory orangetheory.com/en-us/ locations/virginia/ charlottesville/1935-arlingtonboulevard

OBGYN

Emily Huffstetler (Jefferson OB/GYN)

jeffersonobgyn.net

Runner-up: Christine Wamhoff (Jefferson OB/GYN) jeffersonobgyn.net

OPTOMETRIST

Stephen Basic (Drs. Bare, Basic, & Rohm Optometrists)

eyesoncville.com

Runner-up: Shannon Huntzberry (Charlottesville Eye Associates) charlottesvilleeye.com

ORTHODONTIST

Hamer & Glassick

cvillebraces.com

Runner-up: Charlottesville Orthodontics charlottesvilleorthodontics.com

YOU’RE NOT ALONE

Mother Tree Wellness believes mothers need a village. Local counselors Holly Kennedy and Ellen Jones both became moms in 2012, and bonded over the world-shaking changes motherhood brings. They’ve joined forces to offer both private coaching and group sessions on everything from pre- and post-natal counseling and relationship challenges to time management, de-stressing, and work-life balance.—CD

JUMPSTART

YOUR HEART

While cold-plunging isn’t exactly one of the more pleasurable hobbies, it is great for bonding (misery loves company!). When the Rivanna River Company’s Riversong Saunas reopen in November, take a dip in the river and then step into the rustic sauna, built from Atlantic White Cedar paneling with a Kuuma wood-burning sauna stove. Situated in what feels like a magical fairy grove, it’s romance and relaxation in one.—CH

“I

Maria Kirzhner, MD

Our practice delivers the highest quality care in eyelid and facial aesthetics, combining medical expertise with an artistic eye to achieve natural, life-changing results.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43

PERSONAL TRAINER

Vanessa Bullard (HI//low)

hilowcharlottesville.com

Runner-up: Teresa Harris (ACAC) acac.com

PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Women in Motion Physical Therapy & Wellness

womeninmotionpt.com

Runner-up: Ivy Rehab ivyrehab.com

Runner-up: Whole Strength wholestrengthphysicaltherapy.com

PILATES STUDIO tru PILATES trupilates.com

Runner-up: HI//low Charlottesville hilowcharlottesville.com

WALKING/HIKING TRAIL

SaundersMonticello Trail

monticello.org/site/visit/ kemper-park

Runner-up: Rivanna Trail rivannatrails.org

WELLNESS CENTER AquaFloat aquafloatcville.com

Runner-up: Well Room wellroomva.com

YOGA STUDIO Hot Yoga

Charlottesville hotyogacville.com

Runner-up: FlyDog Yoga flydogyoga.com

HEALTH & FITNESS

WHAT’S ALL THE RACKET?

Unless you’ve been out of bounds, you know pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States. Here in Charlottesville, there are at least 11 places to play, from public spots like Pen Park to private clubs and recreation centers. In spring of 2025, Darden Towe’s advisory committee served up a 3-1 vote to convert the park’s remaining two tennis courts into pickleball courts, and the city issued a request for proposals to adapt Tonsler Park’s tennis courts for pickleball and futsal players. Also coming soon: cvilleSMASH, a new indoor pickleball facility that opened in Seminole Square Shopping Center at the end of summer 2025. Let’s rally!—CH

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

Photo by Allie Pesch

Photo by Alanna Mahon

Embracing Tradition, Innovating the Future. Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery is proud to be a womanowned business, marking over four decades of exceptional viticulture. Blending time-honored traditions with innovative approaches, we offer a diverse range of wines and an inviting atmosphere. Experience the evolution of Prince Michel, from its roots in classic winemaking to its rise as a modern wine destination. Join us in toasting to a future where tradition and progress elegantly merge and where every sip tells a story.

A Woman-Owned Business

Live Music Every Friday - Sunday, Tours & Tastings, Tap 29 Brewery & Pub, Private & Corporate Events, Luxury Suites Open 7 days a week

FOOD & RINK

Shaken, stirred, and schmeared: This year’s best cocktail menu (at The Alley Light) comes with a twist— and a sesame rim.

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

READERS' PICKS!

APPETIZERS

Bang! bangrestaurant.net

Runner-up: Continental Divide continental-divide.square.site

BAKERY

MarieBette Café & Bakery mariebette.com

Runner-up: Albemarle Baking Co. albemarlebakingco.com

BARTENDER

Sadie Frymire (Bang!)

Runner-up: Juan Izaguirre (Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery)

BBQ

Barbeque Exchange bbqex.com

Runner-up: Ace Biscuit & Barbecue acebbq.com

BEVERAGE CLUB

Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint jackbrownsjoint.com/locations/ charlottesville

Runner-up: Crush Pad Wines crushpadcville.com

BREAKFAST/BRUNCH

Bodo’s Bagels bodosbagels.com

Runner-up: Guajiros Miami Eatery guajiroscville.com

FOOD & DRINK

Claiming terroir

Anna Kietzerow understands her craft

Anna Kietzerow is one of those people who looks perfectly at home swirling a glass of wine. Fingers cradling the stem, wrist twirling, champagne rising masterfully close to the rim, Kietzerow takes a sip of vintage Alexandre Bonnet Brut Nature, remarking on how much drier and crisper it is than the creamier Drappier Brut we tried moments ago. If brut and vintage already feel like a foreign language, or if you’re right at home in the world of oenology, then Kietzerow is precisely who you need to meet.

A philosophy Ph.D. candidate at UVA with a passion for wine, Kietzerow co-founded Cellar Road in 2023 with her “partner in wine” Adam Wagner as a space to explore and share their knowledge with others. In 2024, the duo led an educational trip to Champagne, France, immersing guests in exclusive tours of champagne houses and Michelin-starred dinners.

“My dissertation is about the topic of place, and what it means for something to be a place, and the role that place plays in our social and political lives.” If your mind jumps to terroir, you’re on the right track.

For Kietzerow, terroir goes beyond the soil, climate, and terrain of a region; it includes the wine-

maker’s hand and cultural essence of a place. Her next class will dive into wines of Tuscany—chianti, brunello, and the complex Super Tuscans. Super Tuscans blend sangiovese with French varietals like merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and syrah. Grown in Tuscan soil, these French grapes create a layered terroir, a “gray area” where Kietzerow thrives.

“Imagine I place a single grain of sand before you,” she says. “Is it a heap?” Of course not, but then she adds another. “Is it a heap now?” When do individual grains of sand become a heap?

These are the kinds of questions Kietzerow explores as she works toward her Wine and Spirits Education Trust diploma, a challenging credential equivalent to master sommelier. Kietzerow can often be found studying at The Wine Guild of Charlottesville, tasting wines, writing descriptions, searching for quality vintages to make accessible to the local community. You can also join Kietzerow and Wagner on Cellar Road’s podcast. Try the masterclass episode with Edouard Cossy, global director at Champagne Laurent-Perrier, which reflects on an in-depth tasting and paired dinner at The Alley Light.—SGG

SUPPLIED PHOTO

BREWERY (LARGE)

Blue Mountain Brewery bluemountainbrewery.com

Runner-up: Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery threenotchdbrewing.com

BREWERY (SMALL)

Högwaller Brewing hogwallerbrewing.com

SugarBear Gourmet

Ice Cream

Runner-up: Selvedge Brewing selvedgebrewing.com

BURGER

Riverside Lunch a2pizza.kwickmenu.com

Runner-up: Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint jackbrownsjoint.com/locations/ charlottesville

CHEF

Alicia Simmons (Tavola)

Runner-up: Laura Fonner (Beer Run)

CHINESE FOOD

Peter Chang China Grill peterchangva.com

Runner-up: The Red Lantern

COCKTAIL MENU

The Alley Light alleylight.com

Runner-up: Bang! bangrestaurant.net

FOOD & DRINK

Pizza the action

CHARLOTTESVILLE’S PIZZA SCENE IS ON FIRE with three recent additions serving up slices, squares, and sandwiches.

The Belle team opened Ciaccia, a cozy Italian counter adjacent to its bakery-café patio on Monticello Avenue. Ciaccia specializes in pizza and focaccia that’s fata in casa—homemade—and its sandwiches come on schiacciata, a thinner, lighter cousin of focaccia. Try the Bionda, layered with prosciutto toscano, stracciatella di burrata, and cipollini cream, or the zucchini pizza, topped with pecorino, Gruyere, dill, and mint.

HORSING AROUND

A day at a winery is a no-brainer, but we recommend taking it one trot further—by going on horseback. Indian Summer Guide Service offers tours through vineyards like Veritas, Keswick, and Merrie Mill, wending you and your filly (and your horse! #LOL) or your group of friends through the vines to a proper tasting. Don’t forget to pony up for a few bottles to take home.—CH

Locally owned A² Pizza opened in early 2025 in Forest Lakes North (where Endzone Pizza used to be), and specializes in Detroit-style pies—thick, crispy-edged, and seriously satisfying. Hit up the PPP with pineapple, pepperoni, and pickled jalapeños for a spicy-sweet kick.

Emmy Squared is a national darling of Detroit-style pizza (and burgers) in Barracks Road Shopping Center. Born in Brooklyn in 2016, the chain’s Charlottesville location is the first in Virginia. Go big with the Big Ang, topped with housemade vodka sauce, ricotta, double pecorino, Italian sausage, and banana peppers.—SGG

Ciaccia TRISTAN WILLIAMS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 57

COFFEEHOUSE

Grit Coffee gritcoffee.com

Runner-up: Shenandoah Joe Coffee Roasters shenandoahjoe.com

CSA

Bellair Farm bellairfarm.com

Runner-up: Whisper Hill Farm whisperhillfarm.com

DIETARY- OR ALLERGY-FRIENDLY

Botanical Plant-Based Fare botanicalfare.com

Runner-up: Burtons Grill & Bar burtonsgrill.com

FANCY DINNER SPOT

Tavola tavolavino.com

Runner-up: The Ivy Inn ivyinnrestaurant.com

FARM

Bellair Farm bellairfarm.com

Runner-up: Caromont Farm caromontcheese.com

FIRST DATE

Tavola tavolavino.com

Runner-up: The Bebedero thebebedero.com

FOOD & DRINK

Simpler sippers

NOJITO

The place: Guajiros Miami Eatery is a light-filled space on the corner of 10th and Main streets, offering Cuban dishes that feel like a trip to the Sunshine State. guajiroscville.com

The drink: This non-alcoholic mojito, or NOjito, delivers all the refreshing vibrancy of its traditional counterpart, minus the rum. Fresh lime and mint combine with sparkling Topo Chico for a crisp and zesty base, while a touch of simple syrup adds just the right amount of sweetness. Having stopped drinking alcohol over a year ago, Guajiros co-owner Harvey Mayorga appreciates the rise of well-crafted mocktails. Made with quality ingredients and attention to detail, “having a mocktail can be as equally rewarding as having a cocktail,” says Mayorga. Customize your

NOjito with sweet strawberry or tropical guava to suit your mood. And enjoy it alongside Guajiros’ iconic Cuban sandwich, featuring seasoned pork, ham, mustard, pickles, and Swiss cheese, all nestled in fresh bread from Tampa’s La Segunda Bakery.

The maker: Harvey Mayorga, co-owner of Guajiros Miami Eatery

LA RESOLUCION

The place: Mejicali serves up bold, flavorful California-style Mexican food. mejicalirestaurant.com

The drink: La Resolucion is the mocktail that’ll help you keep your New Year’s resolutions—and still have fun. When Mederio Venable set out to create this drink, his goal was simple: make a mocktail so gorgeous, you forget it’s not a cocktail. Ever tried a

FOOD & DRINK

From zero-proof takes on classic cocktails to innovative new concoctions, local bartenders have flipped the script on mocktails with bold flavors, sustainable practices, and a whole lot of care. These drinks aren’t just substitutions—they’re their own thing. Whether you’re giving your liver a break (and heeding the Surgeon General’s warning), craving something new, or just after a flavorful, alcohol-free sip, Charlottesville’s mocktail scene has a lot to offer. Grab a glass, toast to taste, and skip the hangover!

lulo before? Also known as naranjilla, this tropical fruit is a mix between a tomato and an orange, with a tangy-sweet flavor Venable describes as pineapplelike. He layers lulo juice with strawberry boba, ginger beer, housemade sours, and a touch of maraschino cherries and a dehydrated lime wheel on top for a drink that’s as fun to look at as it is to sip. Pair it with a round of small bites from Mejicali’s tapas menu: crispy chicharron and guac (because who doesn’t love fried pork belly and guac?), ceviche mixto (mahi, shrimp, and crab, making you feel fancy), or the hearty birria rollitos (beef and cheese rollitos served with consommé for dipping—yes, please). It’s the perfect way to kickstart your year with flavor, fun, and zero guilt. (Well, maybe a little.) The maker: Mederio Venable

PINEAPPLE TAPICHE SOUR

The place: Birch & Bloom, located in the Kimpton Forum Hotel, serves regionally inspired farm-to-table fare. birchandbloomrestaurant.com

The drink: The Pineapple Tapiche Sour is a masterclass in balance and sustainability. The centerpiece is a fivemonth-fermented pineapple and green cardamom shrub, delivering layers of tangy complexity and a warm, spiced undertone. Cold-pressed pineapple juice and verjus lend bright acidity and fresh fruit flavors, while canela (Mexican cinnamon) adds a comforting, aromatic sweetness. A Tajín rim delivers a smoky, zesty kick that ties it all together. Part of Kimpton’s zero-waste beverage program, the drink is a result of repurposed pineapple skins to minimize food waste and maximize flavor. The maker: Daniel Beedle—SGG

FOOD TRUCK Tacos Gomez tacosgomez.square.site

Runner-up: FARMacy Food Truck (FARMacy Cafe) farmacy.guru

FRENCH CUISINE Fleurie fleurierestaurant.com

Runner-up: Bizou bizoudowntown.com FRIED CHICKEN Wayside Takeout & Catering waysidechicken.com

Runner-up: Michie Tavern michietavern.com

FROZEN TREAT Chaps Ice Cream chapsicecream.com

Runner-up: SugarBear Gourmet Ice Cream sugarbearcville.com

GROWN-UP BIRTHDAY PARTY SPOT Eastwood Farm and Winery eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

Runner-up: Decades Arcade decadesarcade.com INDIAN FOOD Kanak Indian Kitchen kanakcville.com

Runner-up: Milan Indian Restaurant milan-indian-cuisine.com

POTTER’S

CRAFT CIDER

1 3 5 0 A r ro w h e a d Va l l e y Ro a d | p

Z E R O S U G A R C I D E R

K I T C H E N S P E C I A L S

P R I V A T E E V E N T S

LARGE GROUPS

L I V E M U S I C

This year's best new restaurant

also takes the prize for best pies.

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

Pi-Napo Pizzeria

ITALIAN FOOD

Tavola tavolavino.com

Runner-up: Vivace vivacecville.com

KOREAN FOOD

DOMA Korean Kitchen domakoreankitchen.com

Runner-up: MARU marudowntown.com

LOCAL CIDERY

Potter’s Craft Cider potterscraftcider.com

Runner-up: Bold Rock nellysford.boldrock.com

LOCAL DISTILLERY

Vitae Spirits Distillery vitaespirits.com

Runner-up: Ragged Branch Distillery raggedbranch.com

NEW RESTAURANT

Pi-Napo Pizzeria pinapopizza.com

Runner-up: A Squared Pizza a2pizza.kwickmenu.com

OUTDOOR DINING

Blue Mountain Brewery bluemountainbrewery.com

Runner-up: Brazos Tacos brazostacos.com

Pop up, pour over

There’s something special brewing inside Charlottesville’s Main Street Market—and it’s not just the coffee. Give & Take, a thoughtfully curated pop-up café, is redefining what a local coffee shop can be: community-focused, creatively inspired, and uncompromising on quality.

Founder Aja Baldwin started working as a barista in 2018 and quickly fell in love with the culture behind the counter. “There’s a sort of magic that comes with the sense of community at your favorite local coffee shop,” she says. “It became my second home.”

That magic—fueled by years spent visiting standout cafés around the country—ultimately inspired Give & Take, a small-batch roaster concept that brings a national coffee experience to a local scale.

“Charlottesville has great coffee, but I wanted to create something that combined all the things I loved most—especially a true multi-roaster shop with community at its heart,” Baldwin says.

As the name suggests, Give & Take is all about symbiosis. “We give positive energy to our community, and we feel it coming right back to us,” she says.

On any given day, customers can choose from six or more featured roasters, all available on pour-over, and two espresso options: a “house” profile that’s rich and traditional, and a “guest” single-origin that’s lighter and fruitier. The house roaster, Richmondbased Recluse, is a two-person team known for direct-trade relationships and ethically sourced beans.

While coffee is the star, the shop’s matcha—sourced from a centuries-old farm in Uji, Japan—has developed a cult following. “It’s my favorite, and I was adamant about serving it,” says Baldwin. “That perfectionism extends to everything we do.” All drinks are made with organic milk, local honey, and housemade syrups.

Creativity also plays a big role at Give & Take. Baldwin and her team collaborate on new drinks inspired by seasonal ingredients and customer input.

Even as it operated as a pop-up, Give & Take was growing. A permanent space within the market recently opened, providing more seating and a broader menu. Word of mouth has fueled the shop’s growth, and that’s no surprise to Baldwin. “What makes Give & Take special isn’t just the coffee,” she says. “It’s the community we’re building together.”—CH

FOOD & DRINK

Silk’s road

The return of a local Thai favorite

After a fire closed Silk Thai in the summer of 2022, the beloved Charlottesville restaurant welcomed diners back in late 2024. The road to reopening was long, but owner Mongkhol Chinsetthagit, known as TK Chin, never lost sight of his vision. The fire, caused by a gas leak in the basement of the old building on Fontaine Avenue Extended (home to Thai 99 for nearly 30 years before Silk Thai took over), and damaged both floors of the restaurant, forcing Chin to close for extensive repairs. What should have been a straightforward renovation turned into a two-year ordeal, largely due to delays. His experience with the fire left him with one piece of advice for other restaurant owners, especially those in older buildings: “Do yearly inspections to prevent something like this from happening to you.” Throughout the closure, loyal customers kept the spirit of Silk Thai alive. Chin regularly posted renovation updates on Facebook, prompting comments about the reopening to flood in. When the restaurant welcomed diners back in December 2024, Charlottesville was ready.

“Thrilled to get takeout last night again from our favorite neighborhood spot!” Max Trone wrote on Facebook. Added Reddit user Boxybrown424: “I want to link hands and sing outside of it so bad. Long time coming!”

For Chin, Silk Thai is more than a business—it’s the culmination of a life shaped by food. He grew up in Thailand, surrounded by the scent of his mom’s home cooking and the palm sugar business his grandfather started after emigrating from China. “My mom can cook everything—all the Thai food, Chinese food,” Chin says. “But my favorite food she cooked would be pad kra pao with chili basil, drunken noodles, and also pad Thai.” As the oldest son, Chin was expected to take over the family palm sugar operation. Instead, he pursued a master’s degree in information systems in the United States, hoping to modernize the family business. But after a short stint at a data company, he realized entrepreneurship—like his grandfather’s path—was a better fit. He left palm sugar to his younger brother and shifted his

focus to restaurants (he has businesses around Virginia and West Virginia).

While southern Thai food tends to be spicier and richer with coconut milk, northern Thai cuisine is known for its milder heat, earthy flavors, and herbal broths. Try Silk’s khao soi gai, a northern-style dish featuring chicken in a rich, curry-spiced coconut broth with egg noodles, red onion, pickled mustard greens, and fresh cilantro. The newly renovated Silk Thai features a sleek, modern interior with reclaimed barn wood accents and colorful Thai art. The menu remains true to its roots, with favorites like drunken noodles and pad Thai—Chin’s childhood go-tos— alongside a few new additions. Silk Thai wants to be known for its big portions, affordable

prices, and bold flavors. “I want to make sure that [students] are full when they come to my restaurant,” says Chin. He refuses to water down the spice or flavor to fit American expectations. “Most of the time, when you open a Thai restaurant in this country, you Americanize it because you feel like people can’t handle the taste,” Chin shares. “But Charlottesville is familiar with Asian cultural food, so I make it taste stronger. I make it as close to our home as possible.” That said, don’t worry if you’re spice sensitive—the kitchen is happy to adjust the heat to your liking.

And Chin isn’t done dreaming. He envisions more restaurants, including a tapas-style Asian fusion concept and quick grab-and-go options, particularly for students.—SGG

Silk Thai’s renovated Fry’s Spring location returned to serving bold, authentic dishes like Red Duck Curry.

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

PASTRY CHEF

Patrick Evans (MarieBette Cafe & Bakery) mariebette.com

Runner-up: Rachel De Jong (Cou Cou Rachou) coucourachou.com

PIZZA

Pi-Napo Pizzeria pinapopizza.com

Runner-up: Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie drhoshumblepie.com

PLACE TO WATCH THE GAME

Kardinal Hall kardinalhall.com

Runner-up: Timberwood Grill timberwoodgrill.com

RESTAURANT Tavola tavolavino.com

Runner-up: Guajiros Miami Eatery guajiroscville.com

RESTAURANT BEER LIST

Beer Run beerrun.com

Runner-up: Kardinal Hall kardinalhall.com

RESTAURANT WEEK PARTICIPANT Bang! bangrestaurant.net

Runner-up: Mockingbird mockingbird-cville.com

Bee the solution Local company offers all things pollinator

Allison Wickham grew up as “an outdoor farm kid, covered in dirt and bug bites,” she says. Now she is a CEO, proudly wearing her corporate merch: a T-shirt saying “Pollinat(or) Else.” As founder, owner, and queen bee at Siller Pollinator Company, Wickham’s mission is supporting pollinator populations. While many people know about the threats to honey bees, Wickham points out that there are 399 other species of bees in our area—and that butterflies and moths, beetles and wasps, even bats and birds can also act as pollinators. About 80 percent of plants benefit from pollinators, and Siller aims to help people help each kind.

Wickham, who has graduate training and career experience in agriculture, says half of Siller’s busi-

ness is hive management for people in the Charlottesville area who want to keep bees, either to pollinate their crops or to help the environment. The other half of its revenue comes from installing pollinator habitats; one large customer sector is the solar industry, which often seeks to aid conservation and build goodwill by planting native species on its farms (“it’s all the rage,” says Wickham).

Siller offers educational programs for small-scale beekeepers who want to put a hive or two on their property, and the company also has a store supplying all things bee. Wickham and her team of three certainly stay busy: “Our phone rings off the hook. It’s exhausting and sweaty work, but worth it,” says the former farm kid.—CD

GRANOLA. TAFFY. DOG TREATS. MIXES. PEPPER JELLY. PEANUTS. T-SHIRTS.MAGNETS. POTTERY. PHOTOGRAPHY. CHEESE STRAWS . JAMS. APPLE BUTTER. CANDY. CHOCOLATES. GREETING CARDS. TEA TOWELS. TOTES. HATS. SYRUPS AND HONEY. COOKIES. SEASONING. MARINADES. CHUTNEY. BBQ SAUCE. . KEY CHAINS. GIFTS. RECIPE BOOKS. HANDMADE SOAPS. TRIVETS COASTERS.MUGS. NAPKINS. FLAGS. POST CARDS. GIFT BASKETS. NOTE CARDS. POTATO CHIPS. ORIGAMI. . BUTTER MINTS. FREE GIFT WRAP. APRONS. COOKIE CUTTERS. CARAMELS. JEFFERSON CUPS. . UVA STUFF. BUMPER STICKERS. EVERYTHING.

RESTAURANT WINE LIST

Tavola tavolavino.com

Runner-up: Ethos Wine & Tea ethoswineandtea.com

SANDWICH SHOP/DELI

Bodo’s Bagels bodosbagels.com

Runner-up: Ivy Provisions eatativp.com

SERVICE

The Ivy Inn ivyinnrestaurant.com

Runner-up: The Alley Light alleylight.com

SOUL FOOD

Pearl Island Cafe & Catering pearlislandcatering.com

Runner-up: The Whiskey Jar thewhiskeyjarcville.com

STEAK

Black Cow

Chophouse blackcowchophouse.com

Runner-up: Aberdeen Barn aberdeenbarn.com

SUSHI

Ten ten-sushi.com

Runner-up: Now & Zen nowandzen.hrpos.heartland.us

FOOD & DRINK

TACOS

Brazos Tacos brazostacos.com

Runner-up: Tacos Gomez tacosgomez.square.site

TAKEOUT WINDOW

Luce Pasta lucepasta.com

Runner-up: Al Carbon alcarbonva.com

THAI FOOD

Monsoon Siam monsoonsiamcville.com

Runner-up: Pineapples Thai Kitchen pineapplescville.com

WINERY (LARGE)

King Family Vineyards kingfamilyvineyards.com

Runner-up: Eastwood Farm and Winery eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

WINERY (SMALL)

Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard merriemillfarm.com

Runner-up: Stinson Vineyards stinsonvineyards.com

WINGS

Asado Wing & Taco Company asadocville.com

Runner-up: Lazy Parrot Backyard BBQ lazyparrotbackyardbbq.com

TRISTAN WILLIAMS Pasta from Luce is your favorite for takeout comfort food.

FOOD & DRINK

Found in translation

YOSHIHIRO TAUCHI DOESN’T SPEAK much English, but he knows the language of sushi as well as anyone.

“He started from the bottom,” says Sana, Tauchi’s daughter, who acted as a translator for a recent interview. “That helps him understand— when he is making sushi—the whole process.”

After years in the fish business, doing everything from product transportation to cutting large sides of seafood in New York and Washington, D.C., Tauchi started working his way through Charlottesville’s sushi commu-

nity. He began introducing palates to raw fish at Foods of All Nations back in 1998 and went on to be the sous chef at Ten, partner with Lemongrass, and operate his own restaurant.

Now, he’s found a new home in an unlikely place: the tasting room at Vitae Spirits. “It is a collaboration,” Sana says. “They do cocktails that pair well with sushi, like the Tauchi 75.”

Tauchi’s menu is traditional sushi fare done the right way: chef’s choice sashimi, classic and inventive rolls (e.g. the Godzilla Mountain with unagi, cucumber, avocado, and un-

agi sauce), and apps like takoyaki and sashimi carpaccio. This summer, Tauchi may unveil a reservation-only full course tasting menu, with apps, rolls, sashimi, nigiri, and dessert.

Further down the line, he wants to offer dry-aged sushi, a trend that’s popped up around the country over the past five years.

“Charlottesville is a very special community, where they are open and want to experience and learn more about Japanese culture,” Tauchi says. “People are willing to try new things.”—SG

RUNNER

WINNER

BEST MEDICAL SPA

BEST ESTHETICIAN

BEST LASER HAIR REMOVAL

RUNNER UP BEST DERMATOLOGIST

“Signature Medical Spa provides a peace of mind and comfort that is all too rare in any medical facility these days. From cleanliness, safety protocols and honest consultations to a professional and experienced staff that is specifically trained in their respective specialties, Signature Medical Spa sets the standard in medical spa services ”

“Always top shelf service. Love the women working there... extremely knowledgeable and experienced. I walk in and feel embraced by the positive, friendly, and accommodating professionals ”

Goldsmith Mia van Beek

Master Goldsmith Mia van Beek established Formia® Design in 2004, a small, with a full service jewelry studio in the heart of Charlottesville. After 37 years of experience in her trade, she specializes in custom fine jewelry design and wearable art.

SHOPPING

Your favorite record shop, Sidetracks, is spinning pure gold(en brown).

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

READERS'

ANTIQUE STORE

Circa circainc.com

Runner-up: Heyday

Antiques & Vintage heydaycville.com

BIKE SHOP

Community Bikes cbikes.org

Runner-up: Blue Ridge Cyclery blueridgecyclery.com

CBD/MEDICAL MARIJUANA VENDOR

The Hidden Leaf hiddenleafcville.com

Runner-up: Skooma skooma.com

CHAIN GROCERY STORE

Wegmans wegmans.com

Runner-up: Trader Joe’s traderjoes.com

FLOWER SHOP

Hedge Fine Blooms hedgefineblooms.com

Runner-up: The Dogwood Tree thedogwoodtreeflorist.com

GIFT SHOP

O’Suzannah osuzcville.com

Runner-up: The Virginia Shop thevashop.net

Custom cool

IN 2010, PRODUCERS FROM THE “TODAY” show” called. Goldsmith Mia van Beek had come up with a way to create jewelry from kids’ art, and the NBC program wanted to feature it—two weeks before Christmas.

“I declined,” van Beek says. “There was no way I could pull off very many orders in that short time all by myself.” After she hung up, she recruited other jewelry artists to help, called back and told them yes, and that December she watched as Ann Curry showed the world her work.

At that point, van Beek had been in the jewelry business since she was a teenager, having applied to goldsmith technical school at 16 and becoming Swe-

den’s youngest female master goldsmith. She started her own business in Stockholm before moving to Charlottesville and opening up Formia Design (a combination of “form” and the artist’s name) in 2004. These days, she says, most of her favorite work comes from love—her own love of the craft, but also the love between soon-to-be and newly engaged couples.

“My favorite thing is to be in a creative zone where I have no sense of time and I’m able to design pieces completely after my own aesthetics,” she says.

“But a very close second is to work with my customers on their desired design and for me to be able to execute a custom piece of jewelry for them.”—CH

ONE FOR THE BOOKS

We’ll never say no to more reading opportunities, so the opening of Commerce Street Books is a welcome addition to the local bookstore scene. Founded by Philip Lorish, a UVA alum with a Ph.D. in religious studies, Commerce Street promises to be “the modern bookshop Charlottesville deserves,” with new releases, events, and a tightly curated selection of literary fiction and nonfiction—all inside The Doyle Hotel. Plus, become a member and you get discounts on every purchase, early access to events, and free drip coffee. It’s a book-lover’s dream, brewed strong and shelved just right.—CH

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

WINNER

GOURMET GROCERY STORE

Foods of All Nations foodsofallnations.com

Runner-up: Feast! feastvirginia.com

HOBBY AND GAME SHOP

The Scrappy Elephant scrappyelephant.com

Runner-up: Lifelink Games lifelinkgames.com

INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE

New Dominion Bookshop ndbookshop.com

Runner-up: Daedalus Used Bookshop @daedalusbookscharlottesville

JEWELRY STORE

Tuel Jewelers tueljewelers.com

Runner-up: Formia Design formiadesign.com

LOCAL FURNITURE STORE

Habitat for Humanity ReStore cvillehabitatstore.org

Runner-up: Circa circainc.com

LOCAL HOME

IMPROVEMENT STORE

Martin Hardware martinhardwareinc.com

Runner-up: Habitat for Humanity ReStore cvillehabitatstore.org

SHOPPING

Game changer

Play Henry is making sports stylish

When they first met, UVA grads Ellie Jamison and Grace Collins had plenty to bond over: They’d both played lacrosse in college, each of them missed the role competitive sports played in their lives, and they picked up pickleball to fill the void—oh, and they both had brothers named Henry. We’ll get back to the Henry thing later, but Jamison says that, as the women started playing more pickleball together, they noticed a gap in the paddle market.

“Most high-performance paddles felt overly masculine, while the more ‘aesthetic’ options were hyper-feminine and low quality,” Jamison says. “We were shocked that we couldn’t find gear that combined performance with our sense of style.”

In 2023, they partnered with a professional pickleball player to develop a prototype—a sleek, stylish paddle with practical features for serious players (carbon fiber faces, 16mm honeycomb cores, and elongated handles) in chic colors like Espresso brown (a bestseller and Collins’ go-to) and Butter yellow (Jamison’s pick). The first presale sold out.

A love of pickleball (and brothers with the name Henry) led Grace Collins and Ellie Jamison to found Play Henry, a line of stylish paddles for players.

The company, which the women named Play Henry after their brothers (“We like to joke that it’s a tribute to our very first ‘competitors,’” Jamison says), launched a custom collaboration paddle with Free People Movement, the national retailer’s activewear arm, in the spring, and its padel racquet collection in July, specifically designed in weight and style for women—one of the only women-focused padel brands available.

In summer of 2025, Play Henry relocated its headquarters to New York City, where Jamison says there’s more opportunity for growth. But with such strong ties to Charlottesville (Jamison is a double

Hoo, with degrees from the university’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and Darden School of Business, and Collins graduated from Darden in 2024), Play Henry will always have a home in Virginia.

“We’re excited to come back for tournaments and continue supporting the amazing local partners who believed in us early on—special shout-out to C’Ville Tennis Pro Shop, Boar’s Head Resort, and Quattro Tizi,” Jamison says. And what about the support of the Henrys? “They absolutely love it. They’re some of our most loyal customers (we’d be worried if they weren’t!).”—CH

JEN

SHOPPING

WATCH THIS SPACE

When Mary Loose DeViney recently told a customer her watch would cost more to repair than it was worth, the customer said DeViney should keep it, thinking the owner of Tuel Jewelers would use it for parts. Instead, DeViney added the watch to her “junk box.” Turns out the Downtown Mall jewelry shop’s junk box is a treasure chest for area costume designers who stop by when they’re searching for their version of Rose’s Heart of the Ocean necklace from Titanic or the black diamond ring Big gave Carrie in Sex and the City 2. Because sometimes in a production, jewelry is just jewelry—except when it’s the star of the show.—SS

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

Wine? For date night? Groundbreaking! Except that, at local spots like The Wine Guild, Market Street Wine, Crush Pad, Bottle House, Tastings of Charlottesville, and Wine Warehouse, you’ll get a sip of the good stuff (selections from Virginia’s top producers, as well as bottles from abroad) on the house at their weekly tasting events. Sniff, swirl, then let your buzz carry you through a perfect evening.—CH

Ivy Nursery ivynursery.com

carmax.com

Runner-up: Flow Subaru flowsubarucharlottesville.com

PLACE TO BUY A GIFT FOR AN IN-LAW

The Virginia Shop thevashop.net

Runner-up: Be Just bejustcville.com

Runner-up: Feast! feastvirginia.com

PLACE TO BUY AN HEIRLOOM Circa circainc.com

Runner-up: Heyday Antiques & Vintage heydaycville.com

RECORD STORE

Sidetracks Music

sidetracksmusic.net

Runner-up: Plan 9 Music plan9music.com

SECONDHAND SHOP

Twice Is Nice twiceisnicestore.org

Runner-up: Darling x Dashing Boutique shopdarlingxdashing.com

VINTAGE CLOTHING SHOP

Darling x Dashing Boutique shopdarlingxdashing.com

Runner-up: Arsenic and Old Lace arsenicandoldlacevtg.com

WINE SHOP

Market Street

Wine marketstwine.com

Runner-up: Crush Pad Wines crushpadcville.com

SHOPPING

Making connections

EVEN BEFORE HER FAMILY MOVED TO Charlottesville ahead of her starting high school, Leah Williams had a favorite shop in town: The Crystal Connection.

When she decided to apply for a job there, “I was persistent! [Then-owner] Kathy [Campbell] later told me that I was so persistent she felt she had no choice but to hire me and most of the time, she didn’t regret it (I think),” Williams says. “She tried hard to persuade me: ‘It’s temporary. It’s just cleaning. Not very many hours, etc.’ I just knew I wanted to work there.”

Williams worked at The Crystal Connection through high school, college, and into adulthood, when, during the pandemic, she took over the busi-

ness. In August 2020, Williams re-launched as Minerals & Mystics, keeping the most popular inventory—tumbled stones, affordable crystals, sterling silver and gemstone jewelry—and adding her own spin on the rest, including expanding into a new space in Seminole Square Shopping Center. The new shop affords room for classes, intuitive one-on-ones, and a gathering place for curious customers.

“We genuinely want you to come hang out,” Williams says, noting the shop’s coffee shop, private rooms for meditation, and event space. “We don’t focus on selling products; we focus on creating connections and community. We want to be more than just a retail store for you.”—CH

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

Autumn Trails Veterinary Center, privately owned by Dr. Jennifer Cardoza and Emily Gordon, LVT, has been providing our community with exceptional animal care for more than ten years.

Offering everything from general wellness and boarding to urgent care and surgery, our completely inclusive, compassionate staff always treat both you and your pets with dignity and respect.

Open 8am-8pm seven days a week and conveniently located on Hydraulic Rd in Charlottesville, ATVC always welcomes new patients. We even accept walk-ins!

Wrenches? Never heard of ’em. Your go-to pros at Peacock Auto Service reach for the good stuff.

SERVICES

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

thank you to Charlottesville

“We couldn’t have asked for a better realtor. From start to finish, Paul went above and beyond in every possible way. His professionalism, attention to detail, and tireless work ethic truly set him apart. He helped us stage and prepare our home for stunning listing photos that made a huge impact — and he made the entire process feel smooth, clear, and stress-free. More than that, he was kind, honest, and incredibly easy to work with. He treated our home like it was his own and always had our best interests at heart. It’s rare to find someone who brings both such warmth and such sharp professionalism to the table. As a veteran, Paul brings a sense of integrity and dedication that is both evident and inspiring. We are beyond grateful for everything he did for us, and we can’t recommend him highly enough. If you’re lucky enough to work with him, you’re in excellent hands.”

- Stephanie K

“Paul helped us purchase our home. We were from out of state and he helped us locate the house we wanted to buy. He went above and beyond for us-going to the homes we were interested in and video streaming them for us to help us make our decision. He checked out the neighborhood and the locations. He arranged the home inspections and handled all the details. After the sale he gave us referrals for handymen and chimney sweeps. I would highly recommend Paul to anyone looking to buy or sell their home.”

- Debra H.

“Working with Paul was a great experience from start to finish. I had never sold a home before, but Paul made everything streamlined and very easy for me. He is extremely professional, experienced, and knowledgeable. Cannot recommend enough!”

-Erin A.

“Paul McArtor was referred to us by a previous client of his, as we were looking to buy a home with specific features and lived hours away from the area. He listened to our needs, paid careful attention to our checklist, and focused the search. Within a short time frame, he found the right house for us, negotiated our contract, kept our budget and interests in the forefront, and kept us informed and advised every step of the way! We are so happy with our experience with Paul as our real estate agent and property locator, he’s one we highly recommend to sellers and buyers alike!”

- Rex M.

ACTIVIST/HUMANITARIAN

Jason Elliott (Out and About)

@zeroexqses

Runner-up: Kari Miller (International Neighbors) @internationalneighbors

APARTMENT COMPLEX

Reserve At Belvedere liveatbelvedere.com

Runner-up: Lakeside Apartments liveatlakeside.com

ARCHITECTURE FIRM

VMDO Architects vmdo.com

Runner-up: Alloy Workshop alloyworkshop.com

Runner-up: Rosney Co. Architects rosneyarchitects.com

ASSISTED LIVING/ RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

WestminsterCanterbury of the Blue Ridge westminstercanterbury.org

Runner-up: Martha Jefferson House marthajeffersonhouse.org

BANK

UVA Community Credit Union

uvacreditunion.org

Runner-up: Bank of America bankofamerica.com

Bad advice, good talks

ANNIE TEMMINK AND DAVID HADWIN WANTED to meet people. They decided to offer strangers bad advice.

“We thought, ‘What would be the easiest way to talk to new people?’” Temmink says.

She’d seen a “bad advice booth” photo from Burning Man and put her passion for sculpture and stage design to work on a cardboard structure of her own. Under a large “Bad Advice” banner and various disclaimers—“advice not to replace common sense”—Temmink and Hadwin set up shop on the Downtown Mall to take all comers. They had conversations on topics ranging from Hitler to “Paw Patrol.” They met people from 8 years old to nearly 80.

Hadwin, a software engineer with “a passion for people and helping them reframe their perspective,” came to the project from his professional coaching background. Temmink, a lecturer in the UVA drama department and associate technical director at Live Arts, simply relished “the opportunity for people to engage.”

The four to five hours Hadwin and Temmink spent on the Mall on their first day went so well, they opened the Bad Advice Booth five more times.

“I would say we’ve interacted with at least 50 people so far,” Temmink says. “When you walk on the Mall, unless you’re an extreme extrovert, you’re unlikely to talk to someone you’ve never met before. We wanted to ask, ‘What have you been thinking about lately?’”—SG

STARTING SMALL

In some ways, the topic of littering seems out of date— everyone knows not to do it, right? Wrong, says Cville Litter Pickers, a group of people who meet monthly (sometimes more!) to keep Charlottesville’s streets clean and clear of trash. The earth is not a renewable resource. By picking up trash here at home, the Litter Pickers are doing their part to take on a problem that affects the whole planet.—CH

BARBERSHOP

Chung’s Barber Shop

chungs-barber-shop.poi.place

Runner-up: His Barber Shop 1103 Emmet St. N, 284-5174

BEREAVEMENT SERVICES/ FUNERAL HOME

Hospice of the Piedmont hopva.org

Runner-up: Hill & Wood Funeral Service hillandwood.com

CAR REPAIR SHOP

Peacock Auto Service

peacockautoservice.com

Runner-up: Bob’s Wheel Alignment bobswheelalignment.net

CLEANING SERVICE

The Cleaning Company

thecleaningcompanyva.com

Runner-up: Charlottesville Organizing charlottesvilleorganizing.com

COMPUTER REPAIR

Mr FIX mrfixelectronics.com

Runner-up: Top Notch topnotchcomputers.com

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Piedmont Virginia Community College pvcc.edu

Runner-up: OLLI at UVA olliuva.org

Grief on the line

AFTER A LOVED ONE’S DEATH, HOW OFTEN

do we say, “I wish I could talk to …”? Addressing this need is the idea behind the Telephone to the Wind in Darden Towe Park: an unconnected phone booth, next to a bench in a quiet spot under the trees. Anyone can use it, any time; their spoken words or unspoken thoughts are carried off by the wind, along with the caller’s grief, sorrow, longing, and love.

The first Wind Phone was created in Japan in 2010 by Itaru Sasaki, who was grieving a cousin’s death, so he placed a rotary phone set in his garden and used it as a way of handling his sorrow. After the 2011 tsunami, Sasaki offered access to his Wind

SNEAK PEEK

Phone to the public, and more than 30,000 people used it to seek comfort. Since then, the concept has been implemented worldwide.

Charlottesville’s Telephone to the Wind was set up in 2024 by Hospice of the Piedmont, with the help of Albemarle County’s Department of Parks & Recreation. As an example of its impact, Hospice of the Piedmont shares this comment from Jeanne D’Antoni: “A friend told me about the Wind Phone after my mom passed away. I stopped by to ‘call’ her, and it was such an emotional yet satisfying experience. It was a great way to feel connected to my mom. I look forward to going back for future calls.”—CD

Ever drive down an Albemarle country road, with its winding fences and sprawling fields, and wonder: What’s back there? Answer: stunning farm properties we’ve only ever dreamed of visiting. Every spring, the Grace Church Historic Farm Tour opens the gates to some of Albemarle’s most beautiful private farms. Hosted by Grace Church in Keswick, the tour blends rolling countryside views with sheepdog demos, horse shows, and a charming country fair. It’s part history lesson, part family day, and fully Virginia magic.—CH

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

CONTRACTOR

NOLA Build & Design nolabuilds.com

Runner-up: Martin Horn martinhorn.com

CUSTOM PRINTING

T&N Printing t-nprinting.com

Runner-up: Blue Ridge Graphics brgtshirts.com

DAY SPA

Keswick Hall keswick.com

Runner-up: Nua Medical Spa nuamedspa.com

ECO RETAILER

The Scrappy Elephant scrappyelephant.com

Runner-up: Twice Is Nice twiceisnicestore.org

ELECTRICIAN

Robertson Electric robertsonelectric.com

Runner-up: W.E. Brown, Inc webrown.com

FLOORING STORE

Carpet Plus carpetplusonline.com

Runner-up: Sarisand Tile sarisandtile.com

HAIR REMOVAL

Charlottesville Skin and Laser Center cvilleskinandlaser.com

Runner-up: The Brow House waxcharlottesville.com

SERVICES

Mr. Driver’s Ed

Football fields to front seats, Dave Rocco keeps drivers in check

Ask ChatGPT to profile a driving instructor, and your AI pal may tell you about Dave Rocco.

An amiable, barrel-chested fella with a shaved head and stubbly beard, Rocco began teaching driver’s education during his 18 years as a high school football coach and teacher. After nearly two decades in public and private schools, including a stint as head football coach for the Covenant School and junior varsity coach at Charlottesville High School, Rocco decided to leave the system behind and make for the more lucrative highways of private driving instruction. He spent nearly five years learning the business with the Green Light Driving School, then started his

own company, Dave Rocco’s Driving School, in Crozet.

From his position not quite behind the wheel, Rocco has seen a lot through the windshield. He says he deploys the passenger side instructor’s brake during more lessons than most people would think, and he often has to reach over and physically take the steering wheel from his students.

Harrowing near-crash experiences have been so common during Rocco’s tenure as a driving instructor that they no longer bother the husband and father of four. “It is to the point that I may have just gotten us out of a serious accident, and the student is freaking out, and I’m like, ‘it’s okay,’” he says.

The move away from high school students hasn’t helped,

unfortunately. According to Rocco, older clients are more difficult to teach than new drivers.

“The older you are, the harder it is to learn, and the more afraid the student is,” Rocco says. “It’s kind of like when you’re a lifeguard and you try to save someone. If they’re scared, they’re kind of trying to fight you and do the opposite of what you want them to.”

One of Rocco’s recent students brought him a unique challenge: She had lost her right leg during her military service. Fortunately, it wasn’t the first time the veteran instructor had faced the challenge. He’d taught a young man years earlier who had no use of his right leg due to electrocution. “You just have to teach them to drive with their left leg, and if they can take the test and pass, they’re a licensed driver,” Rocco says. “My belief is that everybody can drive. You just have to be comfortable and learn in your own style.”

Not every student has to overcome trauma to climb into the driver’s side, but every student is different, Rocco says. With all of them, he tries to experiment and pick up on their learning cues. Indeed, Rocco says it was the cookie-cutter nature of public education (along with the promise of better pay) that drove him into private driver’s ed practice in the first place.

“I’ve tried to adapt my teaching,” he says. “I miss the football aspect of my life, but my heart really is in this business. Maybe that wasn’t true when I started all this, but—along with my family—it has become my life.”—SG

Search’nado

LOCAL SOFTWARE ENGINEER

AND UVA GRAD ISAIAH PARR

would love to chase storms all day, every day. But professional stormchasing is the big leagues—only a select few do it for a living.

Parr, who parlayed his ‘24 computer science degree into a career with local tech firm Biocore, heads out at least once a week during storm season to spot tornadoes just for the fun of it. From spring to early fall, Parr and his partner, Peter Forister, monitor weather apps to predict when and where they’re most likely to glimpse a twister in Virginia or North Carolina. The pair hit the road for a longer trip down South or into the Midwest about once a month.

Parr and Forister spend their spare time watching the major forecasting models so they know where to start. Once on the road in Parr’s vanity plate-adorned RAV4 (“TOR CHSR”) or Forister’s wheels, the team uses RadarScope to watch wind speeds and storm movement. Parr says he’s personally seen at least 10 ’nados in the last four years, a roughly 10 percent success rate.

Parr says Forister, who has a master’s in meteorology, taught him everything he knows about storm-chasing. Forister manages a part-time job taking photos while chasing the weather, but Parr isn’t ready to give up his software career to chase the dream.

“I will chase plenty of storms and not see a tornado,” Parr says. “But it’s still a lot of fun going out there.”

“If someone came along and offered me a job, I would not turn it down,” Parr says. “But I have my family and other hobbies.”—SG

Righting past wrongs

“THE LAW IS REASON FREE FROM passion,” according to Aristotle. Keeping the law honest is the mission of The Innocence Project at UVA’s School of Law.

For more than a decade, the university’s program has offered investigative and litigation assistance to wrongly convicted inmates who cannot afford representation for lengthy and expensive appeals. Under the direction of faculty experienced as prosecutors or defense attorneys, students research cases, conduct investigations, prepare appeals, and support efforts to change policies in Virginia. Up to 14 law students take a year-long course for academic credit; 60 to 70 students participate in the associated pro bono clinic each year.

UVA law professor and Innocence Project Director Jennifer Givens says the program offers both valuable real-world experience to

law students and an avenue for justice to the wrongly incarcerated. Since its inception, UVA’s Innocence Project alone has helped release or exonerate 16 innocent people. The process can take several years.

“The work can be very emotionally taxing,” says Givens, “but you know you’re contributing to something worthwhile.”

The Innocence Project began in 1992 as a clinic at Cardozo School of Law taught by two of the lawyers on O.J. Simpson’s defense team, spurred by a study showing almost 70 percent of wrongful convictions were influenced by eyewitnesses’ erroneous identifications. Established as a nonprofit in 2003, the Innocence Project network now includes law schools, journalism programs, public defense offices, and nonprofits around the U.S. and the world.—CD

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Jennifer Givens

Jen Fariello

• We are solely focused on family dogs.

• We use only the most efficient training methods and tools.

We teach you, too!

• We train dogs in my home and in “real world” environments (not a facility).

• We don’t just teach obedience, we also address each dog’s state of mind.

HAIR SALON

Moxie Hair Lounge moxiehairlounge.com

Runner-up:

Elevate Salon + Spa elevatesalonva.com

HEATING/AC

Albemarle Heating & Air albemarleheating.net

Runner-up: Jones Heating & Air joneshava.com

HOMEBUILDER

Southern Development Homes

southern-development.com

Runner-up: NOLA Build & Design nolabuilds.com

HOME HEALTH/HOSPICE SERVICES

Hospice of the Piedmont hopva.org

Runner-up: Loving Arms Care lovingarmscareinc.com

HOME INSPECTOR

Tim Robinson wini.com/charlottesville

Runner-up: Justin Carlisle (Carlisle III Inspections)

HOUSE PAINTER

Sun Painting sunpaintingva.com

Runner-up: Anderson Quality Painting facebook.com/anderson qualitypainting

REDUCE, REUSE, REPAIR

You know what they say: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But if it is broke? Do—or get someone else to. The Scrappy Elephant began hosting the Repair Café, a free-to-thepublic event wherein you bring your broken stuff (jewelry, small electronics, clothing), and volunteers from the Cville Time Bank, an organized exchange system in which members trade time for help, will set to work fixing it in 30 minutes or less.—CH

All particle job

BACK IN 2019 BC (BEFORE COVID), MOST OF us didn’t think much about the virus-riddled air we were breathing. Now, the idea that personal protective equipment like facemasks can help us avoid airborne pathogens is pretty well agreed upon. Not convinced masks work? No problem. The folks at Clean Air Cville want to help us all breathe cleaner air.

In January 2024, the outreach organization distributed its first round of air filters and PPE: KN95 masks to a local business and a school, N95s to a health-care facility, and an air purification device to a residence. Clean Air Cville deployed its Clean Air Cart, a rolling collection of air filters, about a month later.

Since those early days, the organization has provided air-quality monitors, air purifiers, and masks/ respirators to individuals and organizations all around Charlottesville. Organizers also hold regular community meetings, not only to spread the gospel of

clean air, but also to hand out supplies, templates, and guidance for DIY air filtration solutions. Today, the group also provides bespoke Clean Air Carts—clients give the dimensions of their meeting space, and the organization brings “enough filters to reach six air changes per hour, the new standard recommended by many public health agencies, including the CDC.”—SG

FILE PHOTO

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

Thank You!

Congratulations, Jamie! Best Mortgage Lender

We thank the voters for this welldeserved recognition.

“If you’re thinking of buying or refinancing a home, I invite you to talk with me and together we’ll find a customized financial solution to suit your needs.”

INTERNET PROVIDER

INSURANCE AGENT

Eva Gee Scott (State Farm) evageescott.com

Runner-up: Hunter Wyant (State Farm) hunterwyant.com

INSURANCE AGENT (BUSINESS)

Towe Insurance Service Inc. toweinsurance.com

Runner-up: Hunter Wyant (State Farm) hunterwyant.com

INTERIOR DESIGNER

Stushek Design stushekdesign.com

Runner-up: Kenny Ball Design kennyballdesign.com

Firefly Fiber Broadband fireflyva.com

Runner-up: Ting ting.com

LANDSCAPING COMPANY

Dos Amigos

Landscaping dosamigoslandscaping.com

Runner-up: Skyline Brick ernestmaier.com/skylinebrick

LAWYER OR LAW FIRM

Southern Environmental Law Center southernenvironment.org

Runner-up: Royer Caramanis rc.law

MARKETING/GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDIO

Hive Creative Group hivecreativegroup.com

Runner-up: Three Cheers Marketing threecheersmarketing.com

MASSAGE

Silver Lining Day Spa silverliningdayspa.com

Runner-up: Iconic Massage and Bodywork iconicmassageva.com

MEDICAL SPA Nua Medical Spa nuamedspa.com

Runner-up: Signature Medical Spa signaturemedspa.com

MORTGAGE LENDER

Jamie Yowell (Bank of the James) bankofthejames.bank

Runner-up: UVA Community Credit Union uvacreditunion.org

NAIL SALON

Tips & Toes tipsandtoesnailsalon.org

Runner-up: Serenity Nails & Spa @serenitynailscville

NATURAL HAIR SERVICES

Hair By Raven

Runner-up: Salon 7 Natural Hair & Braiding Suite

The Southern Environmental Law Center is the No. 1 firm in town.

OVERNIGHT STAY

Boar’s Head Resort boarsheadresort.com

Runner-up: Oakhurst Inn Charlottesville oakhurstinn.com

PET SERVICES

Green Dogs Unleashed greendogsunleashed.org

Runner-up: All Things Pawssible allthingspawssible.com

PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES

Alisa Foytik (PuraPhoto) puraphoto.com

Runner-up: Stephanie Gross Photography stephaniegross.com

PLACE OF WORSHIP

Unitarian Universalist

Congregation of Charlottesville uucharlottesville.org

Runner-up: The Point Church thepointva.com

PLUMBER

W.E. Brown, Inc webrown.com

Runner-up: Streamline Plumbing streamlineplumbing.com

PROPERTY MANAGER

Marigold Residential Management marigoldmgmt.com

Walk around the block

Get to know your city on foot

We all have a circuit— work, the grocery store, school, the gym—and soon these routes become routine. But there’s a lot of city that we don’t see unless we go exploring. All the more reason, says Tommy Safranek, to ditch your vehicle and go on Charlottesville’s Neighborhoods Walks.

Safranek is a little biased: He’s the bike and pedestrian coordinator for the City of Charlottesville. His job is to make the city a more foot/bike-friendly place—more exercise, less traffic, and fewer

emissions, and having our roads last a little longer. Part of his job is finding and fixing the places where walking and biking needs a little help, like better sidewalks, bike lanes, or scooter parking spaces.

Safranek, an avid hiker, is also on the board of the Rivanna Trail Foundation. During COVID, the RTF began offering guided trail walks, which evolved into the popular Loop de Ville program, completing the 20-mile RTF circuit in 12 monthly sections. When he began working for the city, Safranek suggested doing a

similar program in Charlottesville’s neighborhoods.

“Over the years, the city has outlined a number of neighborhoods within the city for planning purposes,” says Safranek. “Our idea is to explore each of these areas, and learn more about it.”

The program’s kick-off was on Martin Luther King day in January 2024. “That’s probably the biggest event we’ve ever done,” Safranek says, considering the number of people turning out for the holiday and the number of co-sponsors. The walks have evolved into some-

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

Led by Charlottesville’s bike and pedestrian coordinator Tommy Safranek, the Rivanna Trail Foundation’s neighborhood walks take participants on a three-mile stroll through a city ’hood.

thing more casual; on the second Sunday of every month, Safranek takes whoever wants to come along on a walk of about three miles through that month’s neighborhood. He plans a route beforehand that will be good exercise, but also allows the group (neighborhood residents, local history buffs, long-time Cvillians, newbies, etc.) to stop and talk about what they’re seeing.

“I try not to make the walks too formal,” says Safranek. “I try to start them near a bus stop so people can get there, and I leave time for someone to say, ‘Hey, let’s go check that out.’”

Safranek says the program has several goals. “The city is changing—the connections throughout the city are changing—and we are trying to break up that [isolation] a little. We can show people ways to move through the city along the trails, alleys, public access points. We also have people show us how they get around.”

One example he cites: A path through a neighborhood that kids used to get to school came out on a highly traveled road with no safe crosswalk because city planners didn’t know about the students’ shortcut. These walks also help Safranek’s team to identify places where pedestrian and bike access needs to be improved.

Above all, it’s a great way to get to know your hometown. City Councilor Natalie Oschrin, born and raised here, says she tries to go on the walk every month. “I’m a big history nerd, and a propedestrian,” she says. “This is a cool way to see the city, and a great way to get people together.”

As an at-large member of council, Oschrin wants to know more than just her neighborhood, “so I’m getting to meet people I might not otherwise meet. And the walks are easy to join, it’s free, there’s no special equipment, and it’s friendly and welcoming for all ages.”—CD

Plant for the planet

MARTHA DONNELLY HAS FOUND HER PASSION: “PUSHING back against biodiversity loss.” A landscape architect who retired to Charlottesville in 2018, Donnelly says she was chagrined to find the land around her pretty new home in Rugby Hills was filled with invasive and nonnative plants (“I needed a truck to drag them out.”). But reading Doug Tallamy’s Nature’s Best Hope rocked her world—and now she’s got a business card that says “Native Gardening Support” and a calling.

While she’s not a trained horticulturist, “I do know more than the average homeowner,” Donnelly says. “I’ll go to anyone’s home and spend an hour or two walking your property for free” [after that, it’s consulting time], talking about creating an ecological landscape. She’s no purist; she knows we all have our favorite plants, native or not, and as a trained designer she agrees that grass has its role as a habitat for kids’ games, lawn parties, and sunset gatherings.

Donnelly notes that even Tallamy only asks that homeowners convert half their lawn to meadow or native gardens. “The sweet spot is 70 percent native plants,” she says, to foster native wildlife and protect biodiversity.

Check out the nonprofit Homegrown National Park, she says, which encourages people to add native plants and remove invasives in all our outdoor spaces—home, work, schools, faith sites. Even a native plant in a pot on your porch counts toward HNP’s goal of creating “the largest ‘national’ park in America!”—CD

Runner-up: Braden Property Management bradenproperty.com

REAL ESTATE AGENT (COMMERCIAL) Jenny Stoner (Thalhimer) thalhimer.com

Runner-up: Nicolle Comarovschi (Story House Real Estate) storyhousere.com

REAL ESTATE AGENT (RESIDENTIAL) Sasha Tripp (Story House Real Estate) storyhousere.com

Runner-up: Ivy Haines (Nest Realty) nestrealty.com

REAL ESTATE COMPANY Nest Realty nestrealty.com

Runner-up: Story House Real Estate storyhousere.com RENOVATION/ REMODELING COMPANY NOLA Build & Design nolabuilds.com

Runner-up: Walsh’s Remodeling walshsremodeling.com

SOCIAL PROGRAMMING NONPROFIT CharlottesvilleAlbemarle SPCA caspca.org

Runner-up: Service Dogs of Virginia servicedogsva.org

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

SOLAR COMPANY

Tiger Solar tigersolar.com

Runner-up: SunDay Solar sundaysolar.com

TAILOR

Yady’s Alterations

Runner-up: Kim’s Alteration

TATTOO/PIERCING PARLOR

Acme Tattoo and Piercing acmetattooandpiercing.com

Runner-up: Ben Around Tattoos benaroundtattoos.com

TAX PREP

Robinson, Farmer, Cox Associates rfca.com

Runner-up: John Scaglione (Hampton and Everett) hamptonandeverett.com

VETERINARY CLINIC

Old Dominion Animal Hospital olddominionanimalhospital.com

Runner-up: Autumn Trails Veterinary Center autumntrailsvet.com

WEALTH MANAGEMENT COMPANY

Taylor Associates (Northwestern Mutual)

taylorassociates.nm.com

Runner-up: Charles Schwab schwab.com

Runner-up: Wilkinson Wealth Management wilkinsonwm.com

Bright side

Local LGBTQ+ organizers celebrate new community center

Since its May 31 opening, the Rivanna Area Queer Center, or RAQC (pronounced “rack”), has been a welcome hub for the Charlottesville-area LGBTQ+ community.

While the idea of a LGBTQ+ community center was a longtime goal for local organizers, the project was expedited after the 2024 election. The volunteer team behind RAQC selected and designed the space at 501 W. Main St. to be highly visible, centrally located, and adaptable—creating a multifunctional gathering spot that meets as many community needs as possible.

A list of wants and needs was collated from a series of visioning sessions prior to opening, including BIPOC- and disability-specific events. Making RAQC accessible to as many people as possible was one of the driving principles behind the community center, according to organizers.

“Physical spaces possess a gravity that media simply cannot duplicate. They provide an existential foothold from which to build our understanding of the world,” says Blake Walker, RAQC’s interim design committee chair. “Virtual and social connections can more readily be missed—especially if you’re new to the area.”

In its first weeks, RAQC hosted events ranging from mental-health skill groups to a Queer pride

print-making class. Area businesses have also collaborated with the center, including Ethos Wine & Tea, Wednesday’s Whimsies (a Shenandoah Valley artist collective), Lucky T. Thrift, and ReadyKids.

Organizers hope that RAQC can serve as both a gathering place and a go-to for knowledge and resources.

“Our landmarks and history are actively being erased by government mandates,” says Walker. “It is essential we create new places we control to remain visible to the broader public.”

Ellie Picard, who co-founded The Beautiful Idea (a Queer makers’ market on the Downtown Mall) with former C-VILLE contributor Senlin Means in 2023, also emphasizes the importance of having a space like RAQC in Charlottesville.

“The space is the mission in a lot of ways, and that’s our priority … making sure that there is a safe and accessible open space for all the Queer folks in town to use,” says Picard. “There’s a lot more power in unity and cooperation and connection, and with all of the threats and the challenges that we are facing as Queer people, we need as much Queer people power as we can muster.”—CR

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

12 PASSENGER TRANSIT LIMOUSINE

The Transit Limousine has all the luxury you have come to expect from a standard limousine, but with enough room for everyone. This is the perfect vehicle to enjoy Charlottesville’s many wineries and breweries with friends and family.

47–55 PASSENGER MOTOR COACH

The Motor Coach is the largest vehicle type in our fleet. We have two sizes of Motor Coach, 47 Passenger and 55 Passenger, both of which are ideal for large groups. These vehicles enable you to transport a significant number of passengers at one time

25 PASSENGER MINI BUS

Our Mini Buses are great vehicles for medium sized groups. These 25 Passenger vehicles, with their large viewing windows and individual seating, are a great way to tour the local area or shuttle guests from one location to another.

Photo by Lyn Waldrop Photography

With the ETA SPOT app, you can see where your bus is, bookmark your favorite routes, and discover route alternatives. Find a link to our app on our website at CatchTheCAT.org or search in your phone’s app store for “ETA SPOT”. How

Visit CatchTheCAT.org and select “CAT Schedules & Maps” from the left-hand column on the home page. Once the page loads, choose from a variety of options, including our downloadable fixed-route schedule, accessible real-time route map, convenient trip planner, and more!

Call CAT’s real-time arrival line at (434) 9703649 and press 0. When prompted, enter the 5-digit bus stop number associated with your stop. If you don’t know your stop number or need assistance, press 3 to reach CAT customer service.

Downtown Trolley Map

KIDS FAMILY &

Raising Charlottesville's youth, one bagel block at a time.

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

READERS' PICKS!

AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITY

The Scrappy Elephant scrappyelephant.com

Runner-up: Virginia Discovery Museum vadm.org

DAYCARE

ACAC Adventure Central acac.com

Runner-up: Bright Beginnings Preschool brightbeginningsva.com

FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

Cramer Photo sarahcramershields.com

Runner-up: Aaron Watson Photography aaronwatsonphoto.com

KIDS’ CLOTHING STORE

Kid to Kid kidtokid.com/charlottesville

Runner-up: Whimsies whimsieskids.com

KIDS’ MENU

Brazos Tacos brazostacos.com

Runner-up: Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery threenotchdbrewing.com

KIDS’ PARK Pen Park charlottesville.gov

Runner-up: Wildrock wildrock.org

KIDS & FAMILY

GIVING JOY A LIFT

UVA is flush with traditions—streaking the Lawn, painting Beta Bridge, singing “The Good Old Song” after, well, almost anything—but only a few of them, like the Balloon Brigade, come with altruistic intentions. Each year during Final Exercises, students are encouraged to carry a balloon that represents who they are and, after they’ve tossed their caps, the balloons are taken to UVA Health’s Children’s Hospital to delight the young patients. The initiative, which began in 2019, keeps the balloons from being released into the environment and gives back to the community. That’s what it means to rise to the occasion.—CH

USE YOUR MIND

One of the most challenging things about being in middle school isn’t the acne (although that does rank high, as we recall), it’s the standardized testing. For the second year this April, Buford Middle School took an ordinary spring Friday and turned it into an opportunity to hype students for the SOLs. Game Ready Day, in which students participate in fun learning games to prep for an otherwise stressful test, was sponsored in part by a $1,500 donation from the Public Education Foundation. The investment paid off—the kids’ test scores improved year over year.—CH

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 141

KIDS’ SPORTS LEAGUE SOCA socaspot.org

Runner-up: Gryphon Gymnastics gryphongymnastics.com

MUSIC LESSONS

The Front Porch frontporchcville.org

Runner-up: Amelia Fe Camacho Voice Studio ameliacamacho.com

PEDIATRICIAN

Paige Perriello (Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville) charlottesvillepeds.com

Runner-up: Sarah E. Knight (Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville) charlottesvillepeds.com

PLACE FOR FIRST EAR-PIERCING Blue Ridge Adornments and Body Piercing blueridgeadornments.com

Runner-up: Acme Tattoo and Piercing acmetattooandpiercing.com

PLACE TO THROW A KID’S BIRTHDAY PARTY Decades Arcade decadesarcade.com

Runner-up: Wildrock wildrock.org

CONTINUED ON PAGE 145

A dream in soft focus

How Flowers Playground is making magic for the littlest party guests

When Erin Flowers planned a birthday party for one of her toddlers a few years ago, she found herself facing a dilemma familiar to many parents of young children: Where do you take a group of wobbly-legged children to play safely and joyfully?

“I realized how limited the options were for safe, beautiful, toddler-friendly play,” says Flowers. “So I decided to create something myself.”

What she created was Flowers Playground—a mobile soft play business that turns living rooms, backyards, and community spaces into dreamy, safe havens for little ones. The concept is simple: Flowers and her team deliver thoughtfully designed, aesthetically pleasing soft play setups straight to the party. They handle assembly and takedown, while kids climb, bounce, and roll their way through ball pits, ramps, and cushioned play areas in themes like Pastel Paradise (a crowd favorite) and Jurassic Jam (Flowers’ personal pick).

For Flowers, this is more than just a business—it’s the realization of a lifelong calling. “Working with young children has always been a part of my life,” she says. “I’ve spent years in early childhood settings, supporting families and creating environments where little ones can learn and feel safe. As a mom of four, I naturally gravitate toward anything that brings joy to children.”

That joy radiates from every pastel-hued ball pit and carefully curated play structure. But behind the charming aesthetics lies something even more meaningful: a commitment to child development and parental peace of mind.

“Soft play gives little ones the freedom to explore, climb, and move their bodies in a way that feels natural and fun, but with safety in

mind,” Flowers explains. “It helps with motor skills, confidence, and social interaction, especially for toddlers who are still figuring out the world around them.” It also helps parents breathe a little easier—especially during high-stress party moments. “What I love most is that it creates a space where kids can just be kids—no pressure, no expectations, just joy

and fun,” she says. “And when it comes to parties, it’s a breeze. Parents don’t have to stress. They book, we show up, set everything up beautifully, and handle the breakdown, so they can actually enjoy the celebration.”

And while every party is memorable, a few moments have especially stuck with Flowers. “One time during breakdown, a little girl ran over, gave us a big hug, and said, ‘Thank you for making my party special.’ It completely melted my heart,” she recalls.

Flowers Playground’s appeal extends beyond the standard birthday bash. The business regularly caters to community events and festivals, offering an eye-catching centerpiece with their newest addition: the bubble balloon house, which Flowers calls “a hit for all ages.”

Customization is another hallmark of the brand.

“I love working with families to bring their vision to life,” she says. “Whether it’s a certain color scheme, a fun theme, or adding personalized touches like vinyl names or custom balloon garlands, we can make it happen. I really try to make each party feel special and unique to that child.”

With each setup, Flowers brings a sense of intentionality and warmth. “I know how important it is to make kids feel seen, celebrated, and safe, and that’s what I try to bring to every setup,” she says. “Whether it’s a backyard birthday or a big community event, I want families to walk away with joyful memories and as little stress as possible.”

Looking ahead, she dreams of opening a brick-and-mortar space where families can come to her for soft play fun. But for now, Flowers is focused on spreading joy one party at a time.

“It’s truly a dream come to life,” she says. “And I’m just so excited to keep growing and creating beautiful experiences for the kids and families in our community.”—CH

KIDS & FAMILY

Money talks— even to kids

Janasha Bradford’s on a mission to make financial education accessible and joyful for the next generation

Money is one of the longest relationships we’ll ever have, says financial advisor Janasha Bradford. We use it to make decisions about where we live, how we work, how we define success and security. For Bradford, the relationship began with personal loss. At just 7 years old, she watched her mother struggle to manage a large life insurance policy after Bradford’s father died unexpectedly.

“She had no formal financial education,” Bradford says. “As the oldest child, I witnessed the emotional and financial toll of mismanaging money. It wasn’t from neglect—it was from a lack of access and knowledge.”

That early experience planted the seeds of a career in finance, and later, a calling. Bradford became a financial advisor, but even as she studied for her Series 7 exam, she was struck by how foreign the language of finance felt. “Why didn’t I learn this when I was a child?” she wondered. Again and again, she heard the same sentiment from clients: I wish I had learned this earlier.

So she set out to change the starting point.

Enter Mahogany & Friends: Tiny Investor Club, a vibrant financial literacy brand that teaches kids about money through storytelling, play, and creativity. From colorful characters to hands-on workshops, Bradford’s goal is to make money approachable, joyful—and most importantly—empowering.

“Financial literacy gives kids the language and tools to navigate the world with confidence,” Bradford says. “If we want them to thrive in life, we have to start early.”

Through storybooks, financial workbooks, and playbased curriculums, Tiny Investor Club introduces money concepts in ways that resonate with children. There are online summer camps, school-ready lesson plans, and even Mahogany Coin, a kid-friendly currency that’s part of an upcoming digital platform. A forthcoming animated series will bring the brand’s characters to life.

Bradford’s nonprofit arm, Mahogany & Friends Foundation, recently hosted a flagship workshop called Budget Does It during Financial Literacy Month, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Central

Virginia. More than 300 kids participated across three locations, using Skittles to learn the basics of budgeting and financial decision-making. Each child left with a literacy kit—and a new sense of empowerment.

Thanks to local sponsors and donors, the event raised more than $13,000 and included everything from budgeting games to raffle prizes and free meals from Raising Cane’s. The workshop is now set to become an annual event.

In summer of 2025, Bradford launched a two-week financial literacy and entrepreneurship program for rising seventh to ninth graders in partnership with UVA’s Starr Hill Pathways. During the program, students visit local businesses like CNF Bank and WillowTree to see how money flows through different industries.

Bradford hopes to expand even further—with help. “We’re always looking for volunteers, sponsors, and community partners who want to empower the next generation,” she says.

In a world where money can be intimidating or elusive, Bradford is showing kids that it can also be empowering—and fun.—CH

“My daughter’s experience was so much more than academics and sports. She found friendships across grades. She found mentorship in her teachers and coaches. She found a home” — Class of 2025 Parent

Charlottesville, VA | www.stab.org/best-of-cville Co-ed Day Age 2 – Grade 12 | Boarding Grades 9 – 12

PLAY SPACE Wildrock wildrock.org

Runner-up: Bennett’s Village Treehouse bennettsvillage.org

PRESCHOOL

Mountaintop Montessori mountaintopmontessori.org

Runner-up: ACAC Adventure Central acac.com

PRIVATE SCHOOL

St. Anne’s-Belfield School stab.org

Runner-up: Mountaintop Montessori mountaintopmontessori.org

SUMMER CAMP

Triple C Camp tripleccamp.com

Runner-up: Light House Studio lighthousestudio.org

TOY STORE

Shenanigans shenanigans.toys

Runner-up: Alakazam Toys alakazamtoys.com

TUTORING OR LEARNING CENTER

Speak! Language Center

speaklanguagecenter.com

Runner-up: Clayborne Education clayborne.com

KIDS & FAMILY

Gotta move Charlottesville offers many ways to keep all ages active

Kids—sometimes you have to get them out of the house. Luckily, Charlottesville also offers a range of children’s activities, from drop-ins to weekly classes, that get everyone from infants to adults moving.

A change from screens

Bounce Play-n-Create is owned by a Charlottesville mom of four who revitalized the place during COVID to offer both physical and creative outlets. Play areas are set aside for kids age 3 and younger, and for children up to age 13. Older kids are welcome to the arts and crafts section, but not on the equipment. Or head to Get Air Trampoline Park (formerly Jump Charlottesville), where you’ll find wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball, slamball, and ninja obstacles. Areas are scaled for kids under or over 46 inches, and there are special Toddler Times, when one parent jumps free, as well as a monthly time just for jumpers with special needs.

Inspired by Simone

If your child is ready for a little structure, Classics Gymnastics Center offers classes for preschoolers to high schoolers, taking kids from the early motor skill/coordination stage through strength and flexibility development to team competition. Rolling enrollment means youngsters can start whenever spaces are available. Gryphon Gymnastics’ owner Abby Reid (a Charlottesville native) is a former competitive gymnast and diver, and an accredited dance teacher, who offers both gymnastics and

dance for children from ages 3-anda-half. Gryphon also has a monthly Kids Night Out, where both current students and observers can come for an evening of play, dance, games, crafts—and pizza!

Don’t forget to stretch

Kids practice yoga to help develop stability, flexibility, and body awareness—or perhaps pretend they’re genies. Bend Yoga offers supportive classes for pregnant women, new mothers, children 6 weeks to 18 years (that’s a range!), and family options. Kids’ classes focus on playful and engaging exercises: “Be kind and have fun!”

Shall we dance?

Wilson School of Dance has a full range of classes from Princess/PreBallet (ages 3-5), Children’s Dance Program (ages 2 to 10), Pre-Jazz (age 4 and a half to 6), to Hip-Hop (age 7 to teens), and Tap (teen to

adult). Youngsters might be intrigued by the Frozen class—a chance to be Elsa, Anna, or Olaf (or maybe even Sven). For kids 8 and older, Phoenix Dance Studio concentrates on the aerial dance forms of silk and lyra—working with silk banners, hanging hoops, and other aerial aids (think Cirque du Soleil!).

Dip in

There’s a wealth of area options for year-round swimming—indoor, outdoor, public, private, pools, and lakes. Then there’s Central Virginia Swim Services, where Lake Monticello native Kate Purnell turned her experience and passion for teaching swimming into a coaching business that offers private and small-group customized lessons at area club pools yearround—or they can come to your community pool (or the one in your backyard).

Karate kids?

The first step in martial arts is deciding what form fits your children and their needs: judo? Brazilian jiu-jitsu? Kung fu? Taekwondo? Karate? Many studios offer classes for children starting at age 3, as well as for families. And have fun with the names for the preschool classes: Knee-High Ninjas (Mountain Kim Martial Arts); Spider Monkey and Me (Gracie Charlottesville); Little Tigers (Tiger USA Taekwondo).—CD

SURROUNDED

A hidden gem nestled in one of Charlottesville’s most charming historic neighborhoods, Oakhurst Inn is an intimate boutique hotel conveniently located just steps away from the University of Virginia. Experience luxurious accommodations, delectable cuisine, an inviting ambiance, and picturesque surroundings. A place connecting visitors and locals alike.

ROUND OF APPLAUSE

@dank_cville 22

@styledinworth 22

106.1 The Corner 22

91.1 WTJU 22

A Squared Pizza 63

Aaron Watson Photography 131, 141

Aberdeen Barn 69

ACAC 38, 141

ACAC Adventure Central 145

Ace Biscuit & Barbecue 55

Acme Tattoo and Piercing 113, 142

Al Carbon 69

Alakazam Toys 145

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

Charlottesville 23

Albemarle Baking Co. 55

Albemarle Ballet Theatre 38

Albemarle Heating & Air 107

Albemarle Limousine 129

Alicia Simmons 57

Alisa Foytik 110

All Things Pawssible 110

Alloy Workshop 99

Ambassador Limousine 129

Amelia Fe Camacho Voice Studio 142

Anderson Quality Painting 107

Animal Connection 87

Anna Magee 38

AquaFloat 45

Arsenic and Old Lace 89

Asado Wing & Taco Company 69

Autumn Trails Veterinary Center 113

Balanced Chiropractic and Physical Therapy..................................... 38

Bang! ............................................ 55, 57, 67

Bank of America ..................................... 99

Bar Botanical ........................................... 25

Barbeque Exchange .............................. 55

Be Just ....................................................... 89

Beer Run.................................................... 67

Bellair Farm .............................................. 58

Ben Around Tattoos ............................. 113

Bennett’s Village Treehouse.............. 145

Bent Theatre ............................................ 23

Best of C-VILLE ........................................ 23

Big Ray and the Kool Kats ................. 131

Billy Strings .............................................. 22

Birdwood 41

Bizou 59

Black Cow Chophouse .......................... 69

Blue Mountain Brewery 57, 63

Blue Ridge Adornments and Body

Piercing.................................................... 142

Blue Ridge Cyclery 83

Blue Ridge Graphics ............................ 102

Boar’s Head Resort 110

Bob’s Wheel Alignment ...................... 101

Bodo’s Bagels 55, 69

Bold Rock 63

Botanical Plant-Based Fare .......... 21, 58

Braden Property Management 111

Brazos Tacos ............................63, 69, 141

Bright Beginnings Preschool 141

Brooks Family YMCA 38

Burtons Grill & Bar 58

Cake Bloom 124

Cakes by Rachel .................................... 124

Captivating Complexion 129

CarMax....................................................... 87

Caromont Farm 58

Carpet Plus 102

Carter Mountain Orchard.................... 25

Castro Integrative Medicine 38

Chamomile and Whiskey ..................... 19

Chaps Ice Cream 59

Charles Schwab .................................... 113

Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia 19

Charlottesville Ballet ............................. 38

Charlottesville Organizing 101

Charlottesville Orthodontics 43

Charlottesville Parks & Recreation ... 19

Charlottesville Skin and Laser Center 102

Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA 111

Christine Wamhoff 43

Christopher M. Scott ............................. 38

Chung’s Barber Shop 101

Circa.............................................. 83, 86, 89

Clayborne Education 145

Common House 131

Community Bikes ................................... 83

Continental Divide 55

Cramer Photo 141

Crush Pad Wines 55, 89

Cville Hop On Tours 129

Daedalus Used Bookshop.................... 86

Darling x Dashing Boutique................ 89

Decades Arcade 59, 142

Devon Sproule 25

DJ Double U 131

DOMA Korean Kitchen 63

Dos Amigos Landscaping .................. 109

Downtown Mall....................................... 25

Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie 67

Dürty Nelly’s 22

Eastwood Farm and Winery 59, 69

Edward Warwick White ........................ 22

Elevate Salon + Spa ............................. 107

Elizabeth W. Chance 38

Emily Huffstetler 43

Ethos Wine & Tea 69

Eva Gee Scott ......................................... 109

Evolution Hearing .................................. 38

FARMacy Food Truck 59

Feast! 86, 89

Festive Rentals 124

Fifth Season Gardening 87

Firefly ........................................... 21, 23, 25

Firefly Fiber Broadband ..................... 109

Fleurie 59

Flow Subaru 87

FlyDog Yoga 38, 45

Foods of All Nations .............................. 86

Formia Design ......................................... 86

Free Speech Wall 25

Gracie Charlottesville 41

Great Outdoor Provision Co. 87

Green Dogs Unleashed ....................... 110

Grit Coffee................................................. 58

Gryphon Gymnastics 142

Guajiros Miami Eatery 55, 67

Habitat for Humanity ReStore 86

Hair By Raven 109 Hamer & Glassick ................................... 43 Hardware Hills Vineyard 131

Moon Catering 124

Fine Blooms 83, 124

Antiques & Vintage 83, 89

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Lifelink Games 86

Light House Studio .............................. 145

Little Acorn Events 131

Live Arts 21

Loving Arms Care 107

Luce............................................................. 69

MADabolic 43

Maria Kirzhner 38

MarieBette Café & Bakery 55

Marigold Residential Management ......................................... 110

Market Street Wine 89

Martha Jefferson House 99

Martin Hardware.................................... 86

Martin Horn ........................................... 102

MARU 63

Mary Elizabeth Events 131

Matthew O’Donnell 25

McGuffey Art Center.............................. 19

Meadowcreek 41

Meredith Coe Photography 131

Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard 69

Michie Tavern .......................................... 59

Milan Indian Restaurant ...................... 59

Miller’s 23

Mockingbird 67

Monsoon Siam ........................................ 69

Mountaintop Montessori................... 145

Moxie Hair Lounge 107

Mr FIX 101

MS Events 124

Nest Realty ............................................. 111

New Dominion Bookshop 86

Nicolle Comarovschi 111

NOLA Build & Design 102, 107, 111

Now & Zen ................................................ 69

Nua Medical Spa 102, 109

O’Suzannah 83

Oakhurst Inn Charlottesville 110

Old Dominion Animal Hospital ........ 113

OLLI at UVA............................................. 101

Orangetheory 43

Oratorio Society of Virginia 19

Paige Perriello ....................................... 142

Patrick Evans ........................................... 67

Peacock Auto Service 101

Pearl Island Cafe & Catering 69

Pen Park 141

Pet Supplies Plus .................................... 87

Peter Chang China Grill ........................ 57

Pi-Napo Pizzeria............................... 63, 67

Piedmont Virginia Community

College 101

Pineapples Thai Kitchen 69

Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards 129, 131

Plan 9 Music............................................. 89

Posh Bride .................................... 124, 129

Potter’s Craft Cider 63

Pro Re Nata 22

Prolyfyck Run Crew 41

Pure Barre................................................. 38

pūrvelo cycle ........................................... 38

Rachel De Jong 67

Ragged Branch Distillery 63

Ragged Mountain Natural Area 43

Renee L. Fischer 41

Reserve At Belvedere ............................ 99

Resilient Roots ........................................ 38

Rita Dove 22

Rivanna Trail 45

River Hawkins 21

Riverhaven Community Birth Center38

Riverside Lunch ...................................... 57

Robertson Electric 102

Robinson, Farmer, Cox

Associates 113

Rosney Co. Architects ........................... 99

Royer Caramanis .................................. 109

Sadie Frymire 55

Salon 7 Natural Hair &

Braiding Suite 109

Samantha Federico................................ 22

Sarah E. Knight ..................................... 142

Sarisand Tile 102

Sasha Tripp 111

Saunders-Monticello Trail 45

Selvedge Brewing 57

Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital.. 38

Serenity Nails & Spa 109

Service Dogs of Virginia 111

Shakespeare on the Lawn 23

Shannon Huntzberry 43

Sharon Shapiro ....................................... 21

Shenandoah Joe Coffee Roasters ..... 58

Shenanigans 145

Sherry Taylor 22

Sidetracks Music 89

Signature Medical Spa........................ 109

Silver Lining Day Spa........................... 109

Sissy Spacek 22

Skooma 83

Skyline Brick 109

SOCA ......................................................... 142

Southern Development Homes ....... 107

Southern Environmental

Law Center 109

Speak! Language Center 145

St. Anne’s-Belfield School .................. 145

Stephanie Gross Photography ......... 110

Stephen Basic 43

Steve Rappaport 22

Stinson Vineyards 69

“Stitch Please” 23

Story House Real Estate ..................... 111

Streamline Plumbing .......................... 110

Stushek Design 109

SugarBear Gourmet Ice Cream 59

Sun Painting 107

SunDay Solar ......................................... 113

T&N Printing .......................................... 102

Tacos Gomez 59, 69

Tavola 58, 63, 67, 69

Taylor Associates 113

Taylor Smith 38

Ten............................................................... 69

Teresa Harris............................................ 45

The Alley Light 57, 69

The Beautiful Idea 25

The Bebedero 58

The Bloom Trio ...................................... 124

The Brow House ................................... 102

The Catering Outfit.............................. 124

The Cleaning Company 101

The Dogwood Tree 83

The Doyle Hotel 25

The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia ............................ 22

The Front Porch 19, 142

The Hidden Leaf 83

The Ivy Inn 58, 69

The Jefferson Theater........................... 22

The Looking Glass .................................. 19

The Paramount Theater 21

The Point Church 110

The Prom 22

The Rainbow Disco 23

The Red Lantern ..................................... 57

The Scrappy Elephant................................. 19, 86, 102, 141

The Southern Cafe & Music Hall 22

The Virginia Shop 83, 89 The Whiskey Jar ..................................... 69 The Women’s

A REAL HOOS WHO

UVA gave two of its all-time greats the ultimate honor this year: their very own portraits. Journalist and class of ’79 grad Katie Couric—yes, that Katie Couric—now smiles from the walls of Clemons Library, not far from her old Lawn room where she once wrangled undergrads as an RA. And towering over Newcomb Hall (in spirit, at least) is hoops legend Ralph Sampson, class of ’83, whose dominance on the court made him a three-time National Player of the Year and a Charlottesville icon. The new portraits aren’t just nods to fame—they’re love letters to two Wahoos who left their mark, made history, and never forgot where it all began.