C-VILLE Weekly | August 28 - September 3, 2024

e Nau Lab's “Touchstones of Democracy” series explores key events, places, thinkers, and texts that inform the history and principles of democracy.

‘TOUCHSTONES DEMOCRACY’ SERIES

of

FALL 2024

Democracy in a Fragile World Order

ursday, September 5

John M. Owen IV (UVA Politics) and James Davison Hunter (UVA Sociology) discuss what can be done to support a global ecosystem that sustains liberal democracies.

Economic Policy: Shaping U.S. Democracy

ursday, September 19

As voters think about in ation, Carola Binder (University of Texas, Austin) and Michael Lenox (UVA Darden) consider how key moments in U.S. economic history have been shaped by concerns about price instability.

2020: Political and Social Legacies Wednesday, November 20

Sociology professor Eric Klinenberg (NYU) discusses his new book with Claudrena Harold (UVA History) about how the pandemic, social movements, and the 2020 election changed our society.

Bond House | 600 Brandon Avenue | 12:00–1:15 PM | Lunch available at 11:30 AM

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

V.36, No. 35

FEATURE 21

Battle

ready Orange County mother and son take on the powers that be.

NEWS 9

10 No left turn from Hydraulic onto 29

11 Chamber of Commerce needs a new president.

14 Real Estate Weekly: Home Depot’s redevelopment of Fashion Square Mall.

CULTURE 25

26 Now Playing: partygirl and PANIK FLOWER at Dürty Nelly’s.

27 Small Bites: New owners, lots of winners, and VegFest.

28 Feedback: Samantha Fish brings her blues rock to the Jeff.

29 Pages: Jane Alison discusses her latest novel.

32 Sudoku

32 Crossword

33 Free Will Astrology

CLASSIFIEDS 35

P.S. 38

The Big Picture

Correction

Last week’s In Brief column stated that Burley Middle School is being renamed when, in fact, it’s Buford Middle School that will change its name to Charlottesville Middle School. Sorry about that.

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EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Caite Hamilton editor@c-ville.com

CULTURE EDITOR

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Catie Ratliff reporter@c-ville.com

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CM Turner arts@c-ville.com

COPY EDITOR Susan Sorensen

EDITORIAL INTERN

Ella Powell

CONTRIBUTORS

Rob Brezsny, Dave Cantor, Matt Dhillon, Carol Diggs, Shea Gibbs, Claudia Gohn, Mary Jane Gore, Maeve Hayden, Andrew Hollins, Erika Howsare, Justin Humphreys, Matt Jones, Sarah Lawson, Erin Martin, Kristin O’Donoghue, Lisa Provence, Sarah Sargent, Kristie Smeltzer, Jen Sorensen, Julia Stumbaugh, Courteney Stuart, Paul Ting, Sean Tubbs

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8-19

Inventions/Reinventions: Dan Tepfer improvises on JS Bach Sept. 9, 7:30pm, The Paramount Theater

Free Community Concert Sept. 13, 12:30pm, The Paramount Theater

Tickets and info: www.cvillechambermusic.org (434) 295-5395

University of Virginia seeks candidates for grant-funded position of Mobile Developer Swift/XCode, responsible for continued development & maintenance of a mobile & web-based application used in the care of patients w/chronic illness. Must possess (i)MS in Computer Science, MIS, Comp Eng or related (ii)1yr exp in job offered or related (iii) Strong proficiency w/& knowledge of (a) native iOS development w/XCode, Swift & Cocoa pods, (b) iOS frameworks like UIKit, WebKit, AVFoundation, JTAppleCalendar, User Notifications (c)data parsing forms JSON, for dynamic data on apps & Web service RESTful API (d) Python, NLP, SQL & Machine Learning libraries & frameworks BERT, Vader, Textblob (e)optimization & performance issues across iOS software layers w/ REST APIs (f) structuring databases & manipulating large data sets, & implementing models/visualizations w/ programming/scripting (g) design iPhone screen sizes & orientations w/Auto Layout in storyboards. (h)GIT version control systems connect to remote files in server securely. (i)Computer Science fundamentals in algorithm design, problem-solving, complexity analysis, data structures & object-oriented design (j) Ensure performance, quality & responsiveness of applications/maintain code quality. (iv) Demonstrated ability to (a) Collaborate w/Product Management, UX Designers, Backend & Firmware developers to create exceptional mobile experience (b)Communicate clearly w/users/technical teams/management to collect requirements, describe software product features & tech designs. (c)take project from scoping requirements through launch. Awareness of protocols in distributing App in App Store incl understanding App store requirements, iTunes Connect & iOS Provisioning Portal, w/clear understanding of Apple’s design principles. Employer performs pre-hire background check. Job in Charlottesville, VA. Full-time/M-F. Pre-hire background check. For more details see https://jobs.virginia.edu posting R0063254

Hello, Charlottesville. Thank you for reading C-VILLE Weekly.

There’s a moment in this week’s cover story when Emily Potts, an Orange County resident and a trans woman, tells writer Andrew Hollins, “I came out after I got sober. I was self-medicating, trying to suppress it. Once I got into recovery, I realized that I couldn’t keep living like that.”

By her own account, Potts didn’t grow up in a very accepting environment. As a teen, she was sent to conversion therapy and military school, anything her mother thought might “fix” her.

8.28.24

It was this part of the story—a breakdown of the ways in which the Orange County public school system is veering dangerously toward right-wing extremism, including proposing resolutions that harm LGBTQ+ students—that drove home its point for me. Imagine if Potts, like a lot of the Queer students in Orange, had grown up in an environment where those in power— her parents included—said, “We love you no matter what. Nothing about you is wrong.” Maybe addiction and recovery wouldn’t have factored into her history.

Happily, Potts’ story doesn’t end there. Today she has a non-binary child whose own selfacceptance gives her the courage to live as an openly trans person. The story of Orange County Public Schools, meanwhile, is still very much up in the air. Read more on page 21.

Caite Hamilton

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29 THE BARONS WITH LOOSE LEAF AND BOSCOBEL

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30

CHAMOMILE & WHISKEY CELEBRATING 1,000 SHOWS! NIGHT ONE | WITH PANTHERBURN

WITH YOUR HOSTS BEBE GUNN & CHERRY POSSUMS

09-09 | KING BUZZO (MELVINS) & TREVOR DUNN (MR. BUNGLE) (DUO ACOUSTIC) WITH JD PINKUS 09-11 | TYRONE VAUGHAN WITH HOT TEXAS SUN 09-13 | HOTEL FICTION WITH HANNA EID & ELIJAH JOHNSTON 09-14 | VIRGINIA MAN & THE CURRYS 09-17 | CEDRIC BURNSIDE

09-19 | SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE SKIDS WITH THE WOGGLES

09-20 | JESSE DAYTON

09-21 | IMMODEST OPPULENCE PRESENTS: HONK HONK CLOWNLESQUE (18+)

09-24 | AUGUSTANA

09-25 | GONG

09-27 | STOP LIGHT OBSERVATIONS

09-28 | JOSLYN & THE SWEET COMPRESSION WITH JEN TAL BAND

10-01 | BIRDTALKER

10-03 | DRIFTWOOD 10-04 | SHAGWÜF WITH NEW BOSS & JESSE FISKE

10-10 | LUKE RICHARD POWERS

10-16 | LIVE! ON STAGE: JONATHAN RICHMAN FT. TOMMY LARKINS ON THE DRUMS!

“Before anything else, the University of Virginia is a community of open inquiry, teaching, research, and patient care. We make a commitment to students, faculty and staff who choose to come here that we will offer them the best possible environment to live, learn, and work together.”

—University Provost Ian Baucom in an August 26 UVAToday story on updated policies for expressive activities on Grounds

NEWS IN BRIEF

Hay there

Cassiopeia Foundation has publicly confirmed its purchase of the Foxfield property in Albemarle County, ensuring the continuation of the iconic Foxfield Races. While the purchase of the property took place in February, the nonprofit officially confirmed it was the buyer—under the name Foxfield Land Preservation LLC—to Daily Progress reporter Emily Hemphill on August 23.

First up

Students are back on Grounds at the University of Virginia, and will soon file into Scott Stadium for the first home football game of the year against the Richmond Spiders on August 31. Second-year Anthony Colandrea will be the Hoos’ starting quarterback against the University of Richmond, with kick-off scheduled for 6pm.

Going to the dogs (and cats!)

Two Men and a Truck Charlottesville launched its Movers for Mutts campaign on August 19, collecting donations for the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA through the end of October at locations around town. Items needed include blankets, pet food, treats, leashes, toys, litter, and towels. For a full list of donation sites and items, visit either the Two Men and a Truck or CASPCA website.

Left out PAGE 10

Medical directives

Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital President Rita Bunch is stepping down on September 13. Bunch has served as division president for the hospital since January 2022, and will be joining the Erlanger health system in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

“It has been an incredible honor to serve the Charlottesville community and lead Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital over the past 2.5 years,” said Bunch in an August 19 press release announcing her departure. “The dedication and passion of our team have been truly inspiring, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such committed professionals. I will always cherish the time I spent here and the meaningful impact we’ve made together.”

With Bunch leaving soon, SMJH is searching for a new president. In the interim, Regional President Paul Gaden will fill the position, according to Corporate Communications and Public Relations Advisor Alyssa Pacheco.

“Sentara is dedicated to finding a leader who will build on the solid foundation already in place and continue advancing our mission of improving health every day,” Pacheco told C-VILLE in an emailed statement. Bunch and Gaden are collaborating on a transition plan, with the hospital focusing “on maintaining continuity and ensuring that the hospital continues to provide the highest level of care during this leadership change.”

The change in leadership comes amid heavy legal scrutiny for Sentara Health, which is being investigated by the Department of Justice for allegedly misleading regulators and potential price gouging in 2018 and 2019.

Trickle down

At press time, residents of eastern Orange County remain under a Do Not Drink water advisory after hydrocarbons were detected at the Wilderness Water Treatment Plant on August 21. The advisory applies to all WWTP customers, including the Lake of the Woods, Wilderness Shores, Somerset, Edgewood, Germanna Heights, Twin Lakes communities, Germanna Community College Locust Grove campus, and several restaurants and businesses along Route 3.

The contamination was discovered when a “petroleum odor” was reported by plant employees on August 21, prompting water testing. Officials have not confirmed the specific contaminant or its source, but have said the hydrocarbons detected are not volatile organic compounds.

WWTP customers were originally placed under a Do Not Use advisory, but the warning was deescalated to a Do Not Drink Advisory by the Rapidan Service Authority and the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water on August 25.

The petroleum smell has reportedly decreased, but not completely disappeared. As of press time, WWTP customers should continue to avoid consumption of tap water in any form— including drinking, food preparation, dishwashing, or brushing teeth.

For more information and updates on the advisory, visit vdh.virginia.gov/ drinking-water/wilderness-water-treatmentplant-contamination.

SMJH President Rita Bunch is leaving Charlottesville to join Erlanger health system in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Anthony Colandrea will be the starting quarterback when UVA opens its season against Richmond on August 31.

Stay awhile

All right

VDOT removes left-turn lanes from Hydraulic Road onto Route 29

By Catie Ratliff reporter@c-ville.com

Starting August 26, motorists can no longer turn left onto Route 29 from Hydraulic Road. The recent closure of the left-turn lanes is the Virginia Department of Transportation’s latest effort to improve traffic flow at the intersection.

The change in traffic pattern was completed overnight, from August 25 to 26, with the left-turn lanes from Hydraulic Road onto Route 29 closed by rush hour on Monday, August 26. Left-turn lanes from Route 29 onto Hydraulic Road remain open.

In addition to closing the left-turn lanes, VDOT will also modify the lane patterns on Hydraulic Road.

“Headed eastbound [on Hydraulic], we’re going to have two through lanes there and a right-turn lane,” says VDOT Project Manager Will Stowe. “Headed westbound towards Albemarle High School, we’re going to keep two through lanes and we’re going to have two dedicated right-turn lanes.”

According to Stowe, the vertical posts (also known as bollards) around the protected right-turn lane from Hydraulic onto 29 North will also be removed to create a safer pedestrian crossing.

A VDOT traffic study of the intersection indicates that closing the left-turn lanes on Hydraulic will improve traffic flow at the crossing significantly. Time previously al-

lotted to the left-turn signals will be redistributed to other movements.

“We’re estimating and expecting about a 20 percent better travel time along Hydraulic and about a 30 percent better travel time along Route 29,” says Stowe.

For drivers looking to turn left onto Route 29, the change may be jarring, but there are several alternate paths available.

“There’s multiple ways,” says Stowe. “It really depends on where you’re going.”

Heading eastbound on Hydraulic, drivers can access 29 North by crossing the intersection, making a U-turn at the newly constructed roundabout, and turning right on 29 North.

Motorists traveling westbound on Hydraulic can access 29 South in two ways, depending on their route and destination. Both of Stowe’s recommended routes utilize Seminole Court. “You can either take a right at the new roundabout that we’ve built and go to Hillsdale, then Seminole Court, and then take a left onto 29 South,” he says. “You can [also] go up to the intersection [of Hydraulic Road and Route 29], take a right on 29 [North], and make a U-turn at Seminole Court.”

Rather than using the roundabout and backroads, drivers traveling westbound on the 250 bypass can more easily access 29 South utilizing the left exit after Hydraulic Road. The “Chicken Strip” can be accessed using the exit onto 29 North immediately after the turn onto Hydraulic from the bypass.

“We’re estimating and expecting about a 20 percent better travel time along Hydraulic and about a 30 percent better travel time along Route 29.”

WILL STOWE, VDOT PROJECT MANAGER

While Stowe and VDOT are optimistic the permanent lane closure will improve travel time through the intersection, other residents are split. Online chatter about the new traffic pattern has spanned multiple platforms, with at least two Reddit threads and several Nextdoor posters discussing the VDOT announcement.

“I don’t use that for a commute or regularly for anything BUT it’s obvious that no one at VDOT truly drives in the area of Charlottesville! This is going to create so many u-turns on 29. Insane,” said Reddit user Adventurous-Emu-755. Others in the thread were more supportive, with user WHSRWizard commenting, “I actually think this could be OK. You’ll have to make a left somewhere else on to 29 or make a U-turn at the Post Office, but it should help move traffic through that intersection quicker.”

For supporters and skeptics alike, more information about the ongoing Route 29 improvements can be found at vdot.virginia.gov.

The closure of left-turn lanes from Hydraulic onto Route 29 is one part of a more than $24 million VDOT improvement project.

Going in search of

Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce is looking for a new president

By Catie Ratliff reporter@c-ville.com

More than eight months after the departure of former pres ident and CEO Natalie Masri, the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce is launching a committee to find its next leader.

Ahead of the first CEO search commit tee meeting on August 26, CRCC Board Chair Sasha Tripp spoke with C-VILLE about the hiring process and the chamber more broadly.

CRCC is a membership-based organiza tion that works to connect and advocate for Charlottesville businesses, and is com prised of a volunteer board of directors and salaried, four-person professional staff.

“We try to cater our resources, our events, our networking, our ribboncutting, all that stuff, towards the members specifically,” said Tripp. “We don’t necessarily have the bandwidth to service every single business and business owner in the Charlottesville area, but for people who are members, we do everything we can to provide resources for them to make it easier to get their business up and running, to keep their business running.”

Beyond member services, the CRCC also holds regular networking and community events, including State of the Community, which looks at developments in the city, Albemarle County, and at the University of Virginia.

“We watch and see if there is a hot topic that’s going on politically or out in the community that is tied to businesses being able to thrive or grow or hire or remain competitive, and we try to advocate for those issues,” said Tripp. “For a thriving local economy, we’ve got to take these business positions to help our small business owners and then help some of these larger entities that are trying to be good community stewards. … We’re trying to be the voice of business in Charlottesville.”

Since the December departure of Masri, who lasted less than seven months, Tripp and other CRCC leaders have been working to address the logistical needs of the chamber before bringing on a new president—including selling the CRCC building at 209 Fifth St. NE.

“We had been talking on and off about selling the chamber building for, I think, seven years now,” said Tripp. “We wanted a new executive to be able to come in and focus on big picture and strategy.”

The seven-person CEO search committee includes area leaders like Mayor Juandiego Wade and Rita Bunch, the outgoing president of Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital (see story on page 9). With the departure of Bunch from SMJH on September 13, Tripp anticipates adding another local leader to the committee to ensure an odd number of members.

A timeline shared by the CRCC indicates the CEO search committee will begin active recruitment in late September, with a goal of hiring a new president between January 1 and 15.

During the hiring process, Tripp and other board members will focus on advancing the group’s key projects—including the sale of the building and keeping engaged with the Charlottesville community.

“For a thriving local economy, we’ve got to take these business positions to help our small business owners and then help some of these larger entities that are trying to be good community stewards.”

SASHA TRIPP, CRCC BOARD CHAIR

Learn to Really Speak! SPANISH

Story House Real Estate in Charlottesville.

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Public-private example

Project Julius to help Home Depot’s redevelopment

By Sean Tubbs

of Fashion Square Mall

Shortly after the signalized intersection at Rio Road and U.S. 29 was converted to an underpass in July 2016, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors adopted a small area plan to encourage redevelopment of the immediate area to be more dense to meet the needs of the 21st century.

“The plan identifies the Rio Road/29 intersection as the heart of urban Albemarle County and it designated the four quadrants as critical for the commercial corridor’s future,” says Emily Kilroy, Albemarle’s interim economic development director. “It envisions a dense, walkable, bikeable transit-connected environment.”

Nearly six years later, the county entered into a public-private partnership with Home Depot to redevelop the former Sears at Fashion Square Mall into a new store and garden center. The Atlanta-based retailer purchased the site, as well as dozens of individual retail spaces inside the mall, in September 2022.

County officials have approved plans for the new store, but Home Depot’s development costs have increased.

“It was primarily associated with the demolition of the former Sears and the Sears Auto Center, which had a requirement for asbestos abatement as well as brownfield remediation,” said J.T. Newberry, deputy director of the Albemarle Office of Economic Development.

Newberry told the board of supervisors on August 21 that the higher costs may have been a barrier to Home Depot proceeding. The county and its Economic Development

for

under the codename Project Julius to grant up to $750,000 in real property tax rebates over 10 years.

In exchange, Home Depot has to be open by December 24, 2025. The company will also dedicate land for a future realignment of Hillsdale Drive, called for in the Rio Road plan.

“They will help actively market the former Red Lobster site, which is currently vacant,” Newberry said.

In addition to more property taxes to be generated from the site, Newberry said Albemarle expects the new store to produce between $400,000 and $500,000 a year in local sales taxes. He said the store is expected to create 100 jobs.

Kilroy says Fashion Square Mall is ripe for a public-private partnership to try to implement that vision. She presented the Board of Supervisors with a slide depicting the decline in value from around $70 million in 2014 to just below $20 million this year.

“Redevelopment of this parcel will correct what has been a stark decline in property value for this area,” Kilroy says, adding that the county’s investment will support the first major private reinvestment since the Rio Road plan was adopted.

Belk Stores of Virginia continues to own its store, and developer Richard Hewitt owns the former JCPenney. Albemarle County now rents a portion of that property for a public safety fleet operations center.

Other investments in the area have not had a public component. Earlier this year, the Carter Machinery Company purchased a 4.67-acre property to the east of the Northside Library for $3.53 million. It has since opened a rental store for construction and lawn equipment, eliminating parking spaces that had been rented for library patrons.

Albemarle County entered into a public-private partnership with Home Depot in 2022. The home improvement hub plans to turn the former Sears at Fashion Square Mall into a new store and garden center.

BENTIVAR MANOR

Exquisite brick home on 88 acres less than 5 miles from city limits. Residence is in excellent condition, 7-BR & 11,000+ sf. Property is a mix of pastures & woods with long frontage on the Rivanna River, & miles of trails. MLS#652353 $4,875,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

BELLAIR

Recently renovated contemporary home in soughtafter neighborhood on 5.46 acres! 4-BR, 3.5 BA, this residence offers superb construction and materials. Enjoy stunning views from the screened porch. MLS#652438 $2,675,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

HISTORIC STAUNTON

Meticulously renovated National Historic Register home, blending modern amenities with remarkable charm. Five-bedroom with tall ceilings, hardwood floors, stained glass windows, and trim. Quartz kitchen, magnificent primary suite, terrace apartment. MLS#653080 $1,295,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700

BAILEY’S QUARTERS

One level living with full basement, two acres and a spectacular view of Buck Mountain and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Home is 10 miles northwest of Charlottesville near Free Union. MLS#654595

$525,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

FIELDS OF BOAZ

A country French estate on 24 acres 6 miles from the University of Virginia. Timeless charm and modern luxury with soaring ceilings, spacious primary suite, home office, wine cellar, guest quarters, and private pond. MLS#652608 $3,995,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700

KESWICK

Stately Colonial on 1.37 acres offers abundant light and golf course views. Features include a spacious kitchen, dry bar, formal dining, library with custom bookshelves and fireplace, and primary bedroom with en-suite bath. MLS#655210 $1,975,000 Mark Mascotte, 434.825.8610

CROZET

Quality-built residence, circa 2017, in the heart of Crozet, minutes from shopping, Western Schools, and Blue Ridge Mountains. Highlights include a main-level master suite, high ceilings, gourmet kitchen, screened porch, and 2-car garage. MLS#655239 $989,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

KESWICK ESTATE

Discover Keswick Estate, a gated community near Keswick Hall, offering a 2.10± acre building site harmonizing country life and resort living in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Create your dream home close to golf, dining, tennis, and more. MLS#650785 $470,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700

MEADOW FARM

436+ acre parcel of land in Southern Albemarle! 4 division rights; complete privacy; lush, gently rolling terrain; long road frontage; stream; 3-acre lake; 125-135 acres of open land; mature hardwood forests. Under conservation easement. MLS#651411 $2,985,000 Charlotte Dammann, 433.981.1250

HIGH FIELDS

Scenic 42-acre farm 10 miles from Charlottesville. Features pastures, woodlands, serene creek, antique farmhouse, updated kitchen, 3-BA, 4-BR, and panoramic Blue Ridge Mountain vistas, and substantial barn. MLS#651245 $1,695,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

FREE UNION PARCEL

42 acre tract on Wesley Chapel Road with the right to be divided into two 21 acre parcels. Big views with clearing towards the Blue Ridge. Stream frontage on Burruss Branch. Old logging road recently cleared for easy access. MLS#647055 $799,000 Tim Michel, 434.960.1124

FRAYS GRANT

Just outside Charlottesville near Earlysville. This 21 acre lot is situated at the end of a culde-sac that provides privacy and a quiet setting among towering hardwoods, and is convenient to CHO airport and ample shopping of various kinds. MLS#640231 $269,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

The front lines

America’s culture war is running right through central Virginia’s schools

By Andrew Hollins

On September 28, 2021, former Virginia governor

Terry McAuliffe said something during the second gubernatorial debate that would spark a movement of conservatives in the state: “I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.”

The Hill would later describe McAuliffe’s statement as “deserving of a top listing in the Hall of Fame of Political Blunders.” His opponent, current Gov. Glenn Youngkin, would seize upon the gaffe, running the statement ad nauseam in attack ads and quoting it in speeches for the remainder of his campaign. He would coin the term that became a catch-all for everything from divisive content policies, transgender bathroom laws, and discussions about America’s history of slavery and racism: “parents’ rights.”

Since then, a wave of hard-right conservatives and Christian nationalists have come out of the woodwork to run in local elections for school boards, launching crusades against everything from library books to nicknames. In a matter of months, local offices were swarmed with new candidates who had big ideas, bold stances, and hot takes on how to make their little corners of America “great” again.

In the months following Youngkin’s victory, there was no shortage of firebrands on hand in those areas to carry the MAGA torch at the local level. With the 2024 presidential election on the horizon, the battle lines for America’s cultural civil war run once again through central Virginia. And in Orange County, a parent and her son are preparing for battle.

A parent’s rights

Laws are hypothetical. Fundamentally, a law is an enforced mandate that, if one commits x action, then y will be the resulting consequence. As a result, political discourse and debate is often based in theoretical discussions involving statistics, principles, and potential outcomes. Over time, talking about statistics and hypotheticals instead of actual people begins to obscure the core truth about the administration of government: The law does not affect hypothetical Americans, but real people, with rights, families, and values.

Emily Potts is not hypothetical.

Potts, a transgender woman who lives in Orange County with her non-binary child Jace, a 10th grader at Orange County High School, is among the few LGBTQ+ people living openly in one of the most conservative counties in the greater Charlottesville region. “There’s a lot more allies than you might expect,” Potts says. “But there’s not a lot of trans people anywhere in our area, much less in Orange County.”

Potts might have begun living openly as transgender in 2021, but she began her journey as a trans woman long before that.

“I’ve kind of known since I was 5 that there was … something going on,” she says. “But when I hit puberty was when I knew [for sure].”

Parents are often credited with having a kind of intuition when it comes to their children’s identity and sexuality. Potts says she had a somewhat different experience.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

“My dad had no idea,” she says. “We had to work through some stuff, but we’re good now. My mom has since passed away, but she knew. I had told her a long time ago.” Potts trails off. Her mother, she recalls, sent her to a psychologist (“And not the good kind,” she says. “Think conversion therapy”) followed by military school in Georgia.

Shortly after Potts and Jace arrived in Orange County from Culpeper in 2021, Jace began living openly as non-binary. Around five months later, Emily came out as transgender and began her journey, too.

“I came out after I got sober,” Potts says. “I was self-medicating, trying to suppress it. Once I got into recovery, I realized that I couldn’t keep living like that. I think seeing Jace’s courage in coming out really helped me get the courage to do the same.”

Around the time Potts and her son were beginning their journey as transgender, the parents’ rights movement was taking hold in Virginia. They knew that because they were among the few people living openly as transgender in Orange County, the issue was too important to remain silent.

“This is going to get children hurt,” Potts recalls thinking.

Freedom*

Chelsea Quintern, a former correctional and probation officer, was among those riding the wave of parents’ rights sweeping across the state.

Quintern began her public life in 2022, after being elected to the Orange County School Board. She came out swinging, introducing two resolutions that made national headlines and put her on the radar of just about every conservative in the state. The less controversial of her proposed resolutions was the one aimed at critical race theory. It abandoned the formal, referential language of Youngkin’s executive order, and states that “Critical Race Theory endorses discrimination of individuals based on race.” But it was her LGBTQ+ policies and beliefs that brought national news coverage.

“When I heard about her transgender policy, my first thought was that it would get someone killed,” Potts says. “A lot of times, teachers are like the last line of defense for kids who don’t have a great situation at home. If you take that from them, and give them nowhere they can be themselves with people they can trust, you’re going to see kids getting hurt. Dying.”

Quintern introduced her Divisive Content Resolution at the same time as her Sexually Explicit Materials resolution, and it made headlines that day thanks to its last provision: that teachers inform parents if a student is LGBTQ+.

“The Orange County School Board declares that students shall not be subjected, but not limited, to curriculum, materials, and discussions relating to sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other sexually explicit subject without explicit consent from their parent(s),” the draft read. “Further … the [OCPS] Board requires schools to notify parents of healthcare services and involvement in critical decisions affecting students’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being; including, but not limited to self-identification.”

Quintern’s policy was as brazen as it was vague. To put it simply, she proposed that school teachers and administrators be forced to inform a parent if their child was a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

If there were people who reacted positively to this proposal, they were drowned out by the apoplectic response from the dissenters. The Washington Post ran a story about it, and Change.org petitions, blog posts, and social media posts popped up everywhere. Quintern, to her credit, didn’t flinch, showing local conservatives she was the real deal. A true MAGA acolyte.

On the day of the school board vote, students carried signs expressing outrage, while parents, current and former teachers, administrators, PTA and education department officials, and even Emily Potts took to the podium to eviscerate Quintern’s proposal as a poorly veiled attempt at notoriety.

“Your ‘therefore’ clause is so broad it would require parental notification if a teacher mentions her husband,” said former PTA president Jennifer Heinz. “If you really meant to say, ‘Don’t say gay,’ please don’t insult us by using this ruse of ‘parental notification.’”

While the CRT resolution was passed 3-2, the Sexually Explicit Materials resolution would ultimately fail with the same margin. Quintern, who did not respond to requests for comment on this article, would go on to suggest that this was her attempt to “focus on classroom learning.”

“As a board member who was elected during the wave of parental rights, it was very disheartening to know that as a collective, the Orange County School Board decided not to definitively stand up for them,” she told the Orange County Review in 2022. “The law is clear: A parent has a fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of the parent’s child. I vow to continue to fight for these rights during my tenure.”

Potts attended one of the school board meetings and it was her first time coming out (literally) as a transgender woman. She said the amount of support she received from people was tremendous, but it was not the only response.

“One of the local Republican organizations started passing around my business card at their meetings,” Potts says. “They’ve essentially blacklisted my business in Orange. I haven’t had a single client from Orange County ever since.”

Fifteen-year-old Jace Potts is glad the resolution failed, even if it wouldn’t have affected them.

“There’s not a huge LGBT community in the school, but I’m not the only one,” they say. “I have a friend who has only come out to their sister because their parents said if they were LGBT, they would kick them out.”

Jace says the unnamed friend lives in near-constant fear of someone outing them to their parents. If Quintern’s policy had gone into effect, any teacher intuitive enough to discern what was going on, or who overheard a conversation, would be forced to blow the whistle.

“I know it could be a lot worse,” Jace says. “The politics stuff hasn’t had as much of an effect on school life as we were worried it might.”

When the Sexually Explicit Material resolution was voted down, both Potts and her child say they were relieved, but felt like it would not end there. And it didn’t.

Other people’s children

On May 20, 2024, Quintern, together with District 1’s Melissa Anderson, again made headlines when they made a sudden reversal on Orange County School Board’s membership in the Charlottesville-based Virginia School Board Association, and abruptly called a vote on pulling Orange County School Board out of the VSBA entirely. All but three county school boards in the state (Warren, Orange, and Rockingham) are members of the bipartisan organization. Planning sessions do not schedule time for public comment.

Political bias, criticism of Youngkin, and a lack of utility in its services were all cited as reasons for the board’s withdrawal.

Among other useful perks, like a $2,000 discount on BoardDocs, a school board meeting software, the VSBA assists school systems with legal aid and policy review for school systems—at much lower costs than what an independent attorney would charge. Warren County School Board, the first to decide to leave the VSBA, saw costs skyrocket afterwards, and many expect the same thing to happen in Orange.

VSBA has not commented on the school systems that have exercised their choice to withdraw from the organizations. However, a Q&A published by the VSBA addressed many of these allegations of political bias.

“VSBA operates as a nonpartisan association, emphasizing a commitment to issues rather than political affiliations,” the undated document reads. “Its unwavering stance centers around opposing any measures that compromise the autonomy of local school divisions, a position that has remained consistent throughout the association’s 116-year history.”

While leaving the VSBA may have been ill-advised, it was not the decision itself that drew the most criticism, but the way in which the decision was made. VSBA membership renewal was listed as a discussion item in the planning session, not an action item. As an action item, it likely would

have been postponed for public input much in the way past important decisions have been, including Quintern’s two controversial resolutions two years prior.

Two weeks later, the public was finally able to comment on the matter. While those in support praised the Orange County School Board for fulfilling the conservative agenda it had promised, those in opposition said it was fulfilling this agenda at the expense of the people who depend on the public school system.

An OCPS elementary school teacher, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the politicization of public schools has left educators and administrators feeling like the school board is playing for a different team.

“Teachers and children [feel] like they aren’t supported,” she says. “They live in constant fear of retaliation. Like they are walking on eggshells. There’s a lot of anxiety.”

Her biggest concern about the VSBA withdrawal is that it would take resources away from a school system that, from a faculty perspective, should be focusing on more pressing priorities.

“People are consistently sick as there is no funding for building improvements,” she says. “Teachers are being pushed to their breaking points, but are not being listened to.”

When the parents’ rights movement swept across Virginia, it was supported by concerned parents who felt like control over their children’s educational experience was being eliminated by those in power. In Orange over the past two years, Quintern, Anderson, and those like them have continuously faced criticism from parents over concerns that their policies were motivated by their own political ambition, and that their children would ultimately pay the price.

This criticism came from OCPS parents, whose rights got Quintern and so many others like her elected. But when it came time to protect them, many are left feeling like it was never about parents deciding what their kids learn in school, but Christian conservatives deciding what their children learn in school. Or what other people’s children learn in public school— Quintern’s children don’t attend OCPS.

Emily Potts says her child, Jace, gave her the courage to come out as trans. Now, the two Orange County residents are navigating an increasingly hostile public school environment.

EZE AMOS

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CULTURE

FRIDAY 8/30SUNDAY 9/1

FELINE FINE

The CatVideoFest is a purrrfect event for children, pet-lovers, and all you childless cat-people out there (meow!). If you’re one to share kitty memes all over social media, come enjoy a safe space with other feline enthusiasts. The hour-long compilation includes submissions, sourced animations, and edits that are the cat’s pajamas. The event supports cats in need by partnering with local pet charities and shelters. $8–10, Showtimes vary. Alamo Drafthouse, 5th Street Station. drafthouse.com

THROUGH 9/8

SINGING SONDHEIM

Through nearly 30 songs composed by Stephen Sondheim, Putting It Together details an overnight party in a swanky upper-Manhattan penthouse. With dynamic orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, a longtime Sondheim collaborator, and the creative direction of Robert Chapel, the production features five characters, including a wealthy retired married couple, a younger man and woman, and a vivacious commentator. No one is let off the hook at the party, where relationship dynamics are put to the test in this mature viewing experience. $16–20, Showtimes vary. Four County Players, 5256 Governor Barbour St., Barboursville. fourcp.org

FRIDAY 8/30 & SATURDAY 8/31

1,000 PERCENT

Years back, a Nelson County duo put chamomile and whiskey in a tea cup and decided the flavor profile fit the sweet and raw sound of the music they’d been playing. This weekend, in a two-night event showcasing Koda Kerl and Marie Borgman’s electric Blue Ridge rock and roll, Chamomile & Whiskey performs its 1,000th show. The band, including Marsh Mahon (bass), Stuart Gunter (drums), and Drew Kimball (guitar) will celebrate with four unique sets, including a tribute to outlaw country music each night. With Pantherburn on Friday, and Buckbilly Deluxe on Saturday. $30, 7:30pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 First St. S. thesoutherncville.com

CULTURE THIS WEEK

partygirl and PANIK FLOWER

Self-described as an “imaginative, maximalist, feminist rock band based in Brooklyn,” partygirl is just about what you’d expect from a group with that description. While the band flaunts an aversion to capital letters and proper spacing, the defining difference in the thickly smothered walls of indie rock held up by the band arrives in the voice of Pagona Kytzidis. Her throaty vocals dive low, warble vulnerably, and sail high over the generally restrained

Wednesday 8/28

music

Berto and Matt. Latin guitar night. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

Karaoke. Sing your heart out at Fiorano Karaoke. Easy sign up and a booming sound system. Free, 9pm. Fiorano Restaurant and Bar, 5924 Seminole Trail, Ste. 101, Barboursville. fioranomediterranean.com

Let’s Sing Taylor–A Live Band Experience. Calling all Swifties to sing your hearts out and sport your Taylor-inspired attire. $24–39, 7:30pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

Mike Rosensky Trio. Live jazz every Wednesday. Free, 8:30pm. Miller’s Downtown, 109 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. millersdowntown.com

Open Mic Night. Open to all musicians, poets, and everyone in between. Hosted by Nicole Giordano. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St. Scuffletown with Matty Metcalfe. From Virginia to Nashville to Ireland, Scuffletown members Marc Carraway and John Whitlow have been entertaining audiences for 25 years.$15–20, 7pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com

The Wavelength. Live music with The Wavelength, standards of the C’ville scene. Free, 6:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskeyjarcville.com

Wednesday Karaoke. Downtown C’ville’s longest-running karaoke party. Hosted by Jenn Deville. Free, 9pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com

set of songs that comprise partygirl’s 2022 self-titled EP. While the group comes across like young adults (you’d have a difficult time making them laugh for the right reasons), it’ll be interesting to see how its members keep that level of presumed sophistication going with half-drunk audience members pushing sandwiches into their faces.

Fellow Brooklynites PANIK FLOWER make up for partygirl’s lack of capitalization and offers

Dürty Nelly’s Saturday 8/31

classes

Paint + Sip: Peach Tree. Learn a variety of techniques and skills to render a peach tree scene. Come paint this ripe design with us. Free drink included with ticket. $45, 6pm. Pro Re Nata, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpke., Crozet. prnbrewery.com

Playing with Patterns. Come use all the materials we have in the studio, and as many old patterns as you want, and let your creative juices flow. No teacher, no rules, just a chance to come play with patterns. Ages 16+. $10, 5:30pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com

Summer Sewing Sessions. An open-door sewing class. Sign up for the evenings you can attend and work on a project with an instructor at your own pace. Open to adults of all levels. $40, 5:30pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com

etc.

Bingo. Win some fun prizes. Free, 6pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. fireflycville.com

SuperFly Run Club. Run around the city, then enjoy $5 pints. Raffles and exclusive merchandise to be earned. Free, 6pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. super flybrewing.com

Them! Gigantic ants emerge from underground to destroy civilization in the greatest creature feature ever. $10, 7:15pm. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th Street Station. drafthouse.com

Trivia with Olivia. Olivia and Maggie bring you all your trivia needs. Come prepared to win with a team or meet folks here. First place winners get a $50 Starr Hill gift card and

etc.

Bent Theatre Improv Comedy. A hilarious evening of improv comedy where you make the show. No tickets or reservations required. However, you will be required to shout out suggestions. Free, 7pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com

Friday 8/30 music

Chamomile & Whiskey: Night 1. Koda Kerl, Marie Borgman, and their compatriots have taken their eclectic brand of “Blue Ridge Mountain Rock and Roll” all over—but are back in C’ville for the band’s 1,000th show. $18–64, 8pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

Cleidsner Bell. Friday Sunset Soirée. Cleidsner Bell is a Virginia-grown tour de force, featuring four accomplished veterans of the commonwealth’s music world for decades. Free, 6pm. Chisholm Vineyards at Adventure Farm, 1135 Clan Chisholm Ln., Earlysville. chisholmvineyards.com

more than its touring counterparts’ less fully realized sound. A gauzy pop that pumps more than anything remotely shoegaze oriented, PANIK FLOWER’s 2023 Dark Blue EP demonstrates the band’s commitment to an aesthetic pursued by vocalist Sage Leopold and convincingly supported by the guitar/bass/drum arrangements executed by the rest of the band with an early ’90s college rock kick.—CM Gorey

second place winners get $25. Free, 7pm. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. starrhill.com

Thursday 8/29

music

Berto and Vincent. Join Berto and Vincent for a night of wild flamenco rumba and Latin guitar. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

Charlottesville Band. The C’ville Band’s Woodwind Quintet performs live. Free, 6:45pm. The Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Blvd. thecentercville.org

Jam with Steve Lanza. Steve hosts a gathering where you are invited to play along. Free, 8pm. Fiorano Restaurant and Bar, 5924 Seminole Trail, Ste. 101, Barboursville. fioranomediterranean.com

John D’earth and Friends. Join us each week for live jazz with John D’earth and a rotating cast of local and national jazz musicians. Free, 10pm. Miller’s Downtown, 109 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. millers downtown.com

Karaoke. Sing Karaoke with us at FIREFLY Restaurant + Game Room every Thursday. Free, 8pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. fire flycville.com

Matthew O’Donnell. The “Blue Ridge Bard” is a cornerstone of the C’ville music scene. Free, 7:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskeyjarcville.com

The Barons. This VA alt group brings various sounds ranging from heavy-hitting indie rock to a lighter fare of introspective love songs. With Loose Leaf and Boscobel. $15–48, 8pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

Erin Lunsford. Erin from Erin and The Wildfire brings her soulful sound to an exclusive summer residency at Charlottesville’s Forum Hotel. This is a free event and is open to the public. Free, 6pm. Kimpton The Forum Hotel, 540 Massie Rd. forumhotel charlottesville.com

Fridays After Five: Skip Castro Band. Founded back in 1978, a mutual love of rhythm ‘n’ blues, swing, boogie woogie, and rock ‘n’ roll is the foundation of this legendary party band. With Pocket Change. Free, 5:30pm. Ting Pavilion, 700 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. tingpavilion.com

Jamie Deane and Friends. Guitar wizard Jamie Deane joins us for an incredible night filled with face melting riffs. Free, 6pm. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. starrhill.com

Karaoke. See listing for Wednesday, August 28. Free, 9pm. Fiorano Restaurant and Bar, 5924 Seminole Trail, Ste. 101, Barboursville. fioranomediterranean.com

Mike Henry. Local singer-songwriter Mike Henry offers a unique blend of Americana as pop, rock, show tunes, blues, and bluegrass with a healthy dose of humor thrown in. No cover, reservations recommended. Free, 5pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com

Samantha Fish. Grammy-nominated guitarist and singer Samantha Fish lights up every stage she’s on. $30–35, 8pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com

Slick Montgomery Band. Live music and delicious BBQ. Slick Montgomery Band is a blues and bluegrass-inspired group located in Central Virginia. Free, 8pm. Ace Biscuit & Barbecue, 600 Concord Ave.

The Sweet Potatoes. The Sweet Potatoes is a jazz band made up of musicians who come from different backgrounds and projects, but find common ground in wanting to understand and play more diverse styles of music. $10, 7pm. Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesville market.com

Tina & Her Pony. Indie Appalachian folk music. Free, 5:30pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com words

Author Event: Jane Alison. Join us as we celebrate the release of Jane Alison’s new novel, Villa E. This in-person event will be free and open to the public. Arrive early for the best seating. Free, 7pm. New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E. Main St. ndbookshop.com

CULTURE SMALL BITES

etc.

Cat Video Fest 2024. A compilation reel of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and classic internet powerhouses.$10, 1pm, 3:30pm, 6pm, and 9:30pm. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th Street Station. drafthouse.com

Puzzle Crawl. This puzzle crawl takes you to the breweries on Preston Avenue. Crack codes, solve puzzles, and enjoy some of Charlottesville’s best beers along the way. $18, all day. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com

Saturday 8/31

music

Berto Sales. Come enjoy the sounds of Brazil, Spain, and Latin America with Berto Sales. His unique fingerpicking style and contagious energy will have you tapping your feet. Free, 11am. Tavern & Grocery, 333 W. Main St. tavernandgrocery.com

Brass In Pocket: The Pretenders Tribute. A Richmond band featuring the music of Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders. Free, 7pm. Pro Re Nata Brewpub & Music Hall, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpk., Crozet. prnbrewery.com

Chamomile & Whiskey: Night 2. See listing for Friday, August 30. $18–64, 8pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

Crozet Jam Band. Led by guitarist Jim Pyles, this informal jam session, reminiscent of an Irish pub, encourages all guests to sing along. Participants are invited to make requests from the 170+ songbook. Free, 2:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com

Jimmy O. “Jimmy O” has a mission to preserve endangered music. Hear the greatest, the frequently unexpected, and always, the most-loved classics from the ‘50s–‘90s. With Sam Morris. Free, 2pm. Pro Re Nata Brewpub & Music Hall, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpk., Crozet. prnbrewery.com

Josh Mayo and The House Sauce. Rockin’ originals and classic covers. Free, 10pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskeyjarcville.com

Mike Proffitt. Music in the Mountains with singer-songwriter Mike Proffitt bringing his mixture of original and classic acoustic rock. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com partygirl. NYC maximalist band partygirl hits the Dürty Nelly’s stage with lots of love and rock ‘n’ roll. With PANIK FLOWER. Free, 7pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellyscville.com

Ramona and the Holy Smokes. A honkytonk band from Charlottesville whose original country music recalls classic country from the 1950s and ‘60s. $12, 7pm. Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com

The Pollocks. Enjoy great wine and music with friends in the tropics of Free Union with the awesome acoustic sounds of The Pollocks. Families, picnics, and well behaved leashed pups welcome. Free, 5pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com

dance

’80s Dance Party. ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s tunes to get you busy on the dance floor. Free, 9pm. Fiorano Restaurant and Bar, 5924 Seminole Trail, Ste. 101, Barboursville. fioranomediterranean.com

No need for quirky twists, we are crushing it

New owners, new name

Has the Quirk lost its quirk? The Quirk Richmond ’s now-estranged cousin has rebranded as The Doyle. Evoking thoughts of grandma’s doilies and that kid from third grade, the new name is not exactly hitting. Could it be someone’s last name? Perhaps the new logo—an alert greyhound—offers a clue.

Dog namesake or not, the name will remain a mystery. A front desk associate shared that they “had not been told” the story behind the hotel’s new moniker. Blue Suede Hospitality, which acquired the property for $24 million, has left us guessing.

While the hotel’s sleek and chic interior and characteristically pink design currently remain unchanged, the dining options have undergone a name-lift. Now managed by Sizzling Steak Concepts, a Ruth’s Chris Steak House franchise group, the rooftop bar, formerly Q Rooftop, is now simply Rooftop Charlottesville. The Pink Grouse? It’s aptly named Lobby Bar and Restaurant. And the café is now just …The Café. However, the adjacent bar, once known as Bobboo, has a slightly spicier title: The Speakeasy + Whiskey Bar. At least with

such straightforward names, guests won’t be left scratching their heads.

Winner winner

Round one of The Virginia Cocktail Games has wrapped up, and while finalist Chetta Vilaicharoentrakul of Monsoon Siam didn’t clinch the “Glorious Victory” with his namesake drink, we head into the final showdown at Virginia Distilled on September 14, raising our glasses to Breannah Carr of Devils Backbone Brewing Company and her gin sour-inspired creation, Pour l’amour du Gin.

SuperFly-ing high

Not even a year old, SuperFly Brewing Co. gained recognition in the local beer scene by taking third place for Best in Show at the Virginia Beer Cup with its Midnight Train English Porter.

Other Charlottesville winners include South Street Brewery, which claimed first place in the European Sours category with its gose/wit hybrid, Slippery When Wit, and second place in American Lagers/Light Lagers for its C’ville Bilsner. Decipher Brewing also brought home first place in European Lagers with its Snowball’s Chance Munich Helles.

Top shop

Crush Pad Wines is proving that Virginia truly is for wine lovers. In early August, USA Today announced its Readers’ Choice 2024 10 Best, and Charlottesville’s Crush Pad secured the fifth spot on the list of top 10 wine shops in the U.S.

Described by USA Today as “an upscale shop with a fabulous selection of fine wines curated by Charlottesville’s most experienced wine buyers,” Crush Pad’s wine bar and bistro is nestled in the heart of the historic Downtown Mall.

Now open

Mejicali, the newest culinary gem from The Bebedero partner River Hawkins, is more than just a restaurant—it’s a work of art. Hawkins has filled the space with colorful murals that add an edgy flair to your dining experience.

Opened in late July, the vibrant restaurant showcases meticulous attention to detail, from humble handmade tortillas to artfully crafted cocktails. Be sure to try the Cilantrojito, a standout cocktail featuring Madre mezcal, sambuca, butterfly pea flower tea, and, of course, cilantro.

A short walk from UVA Grounds, Clubhouse Cafe opened in mid-June in a charming converted house. The cafe’s name is inspired by owner Shayne Shiflett’s time as a Virginia Glee Club member.

The cozy spot offers an all-day lunch menu that features 25 UVA-themed sandwich options, along with breakfast choices to kickstart your day. And don’t miss the freshly baked cookies for a sweet treat.

Closing

Was it the weekly $1 oyster happy hour deal that did it? South and Central announced it will close at the end of August after three years of crafting dishes around Latin American culinary traditions.

The Dairy Market eatery attracted fine-dining patrons with its bright, clean aesthetic and dishes prepared over an open flame. As we say goodbye, the big question is: What’s next for Chef Kelvino Barrera? Perhaps more culinary adventures with food event group C-ville Bites where he’s been known to host classes.

Time to veg

Get ready to feast without the beast! VegFest is back on September 15 at Ix Art Park with all the plant-powered goodness you can handle. Whether you’re there for vendor Botanical Fare’s Taco Bell dupes (hello, Crunchwrap Supreme featuring Impossible meat and cashew sour cream) or Cake Pop’s (hopefully vegan) drag show, there’s something for everyone.

Expect inspiring talks from physicians, animal advocates, and plant-based restaurant owners, plus live music, cooking demos, and even a vegan pie-eating contest. Throw in some yoga and kids’ activities, and you’ve got a fun-filled day—no meat required!—Sarah Golibart Gorman

SuperFly Brewing Co. took third place at the Virginia Beer Cup for its Midnight Train English Porter.

CULTURE FEEDBACK

Go Fish

Guitar guru comes to C’ville fresh from Grammy nod

By Shea Gibbs arts@c-ville.com

Blues rocker Samantha Fish says she “didn’t know what [she] was doing” when she made Girls With Guitars alongside Cassie Taylor and Dani Wilde in 2011. The same might be said of the albums’ producers, who probably should’ve known better by then.

When Wynonna Judd released her hit song of the same name in 1994, the guitarsare-for-boys trope was maybe not so tired. Thirty years later, Fish is part of the reason it’s hopefully ancient history.

Fish will take The Jefferson Theater stage on August 30 in the wake of 2023’s critically acclaimed Death Wish Blues, which earned the artist/singer-songwriter/guitarist her first Grammy nomination earlier this year. A collaboration with punk rocker Jesse Dayton, Death Wish Blues was nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album and sat at No. 1 on the Billboard blues chart for three straight weeks.

“I really hadn’t collaborated since Girls With Guitars,” Fish says. “Now that I have some experience, coming back and doing this with Jesse … you learn to take ‘no’ out of your vocabulary. Even if it is something that is a complete departure from you as a singular artist, you say, ‘I can try that.’”

Fish grew up in Missouri and began learning the guitar at age 15, essentially teaching herself, with family and friends showing her tricks here and there. Without any formal lessons, she listened to classic rock—AC/ DC, Guns N’ Roses, Tom Petty—and learned to pick out the riffs by ear. She began writing songs in her late teens, citing Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen as central influences, and found gigs by cold-calling bars.

“Blues was all of my favorite musicians’ favorite music,” Fish says. “So I was just digging backwards and going through the list of all the great traditional blues artists.”

Fish has produced an album every two years since 2009, when she recorded Live Bait with what was then known as the Samantha Fish Blues Band. The guitarist began attracting high praise in 2019, when she made the first of three albums, Kill or Be Kind, on Rounder Records. Produced by Grammy winner Scott Billington, Kill or Be Kind landed on album review outlet AllMusic’s list of editors’ “Favorite Blues Albums.” Fish’s next solo effort, 2021’s Faster, received similar critical acclaim.

Death Wish Blues was born when, after many years of discussing a side project, Fish and her manager decided to approach Dayton, whose resumé includes recording with Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings, touring with seminal punk band X, and working with Rob Zombie on horror film soundtracks.

Produced by Jon Spencer of The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Death Wish Blues

attracted not only the attention of the Grammy committee, but also two of Fish’s idols. Eric Clapton invited her to perform at his 2023 Crossroads Guitar Festival in Los Angeles, and GNR guitarist Slash brought Fish on for a run during his S.E.R.P.E.N.T. tour earlier this year.

Now onto her own Bulletproof tour, Fish says she’s finally able to ruminate on her full career and focus on her growing canon. “This is the first time I’ve been on tour without a new record,” she says. On August 30, that means Charlottesville fans will get to see the musician revisit older material and dig into unique covers, along with adapting songs from Death Wish Blues to arrangements sans Dayton.

“It is weird, your relationship with songs over the years,” Fish says. “I will hear some things that I did and cringe— like, ‘what the fuck was I thinking?’—but then other things will hit differently. Here I am years later, and I’ll find I wrote about something I’m just now experiencing. It’s a refreshing look.”

Saturday 8/31

stage

Whatever Loser: A Y2K Drag Show. Drag show with Queen Jackie of All Trades, Queen Ronnie, and Cheddah St Laurent. Don’t be a newbie, wear your Apple Bottom Jeans and Von Dutch hat that screams “That’s Hot.” $15, 9pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. fireflycville.com

etc.

Cat Video Fest 2024. See listing for Friday, August 30. $10, 10:45am, 3:30pm, and 6pm. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th Street Station. drafthouse.com

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Harry Potter has a stalker—a convicted murderer freshly escaped from a prison for wayward wizards. $10, 11am. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th Street Station. drafthouse.com

Puzzle Crawl. See listing for Friday, August 30. $18, all day. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com

Storytime. Featuring readings from recent storybooks and the classics kids know and love. Rain or shine. All ages welcome. Free, 11am. New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. newdominionbookshop.com

Sunday 9/1 music

Caroline Vain. Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist combines her experience as a fiddle player with indie rock elements to create a unique sound. Free, 2:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. ciderworks.com

Jazz Jam. A rotating crew of local, regional, and national jazz musicians where guests are invited to “join the jam.” Free, 6pm. Miller’s Downtown, 109 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. millersdowntown.com

Michael Elswick Gathering. Jazz, blues, Latin, swing, ballads and—of course— Cambodian surf rock. With Two Brothers Southwestern Grill on site. Free, 1pm. Chisholm Vineyards at Adventure Farm, 1135 Clan Chisholm Ln., Earlysville. chisholmvineyards.com

Michael Johnson. Michael Johnson has been playing country, worship, rock, and a range of music for the last 20 years. Free, 1pm. Fiorano Restaurant and Bar, 5924 Seminole Trail, Ste. 101, Barboursville. fioranomediterranean.com

While Fish shakes up the old and new arrangements, she’s also eyeing her next record; after all, she’s never gone more than two years without recording. If her luck holds, she says she’ll be back in the studio sometime during the Bulletproof tour. “We’re aiming for spring or summer, but every time I verbalize it, it doesn’t happen,” she says.

What that record will be, Fish has yet to decide. She’s come a long way since Girls With Guitars, and she says part of the evolution happens all the way up to the time when she steps into the studio with her band. By way of example, Fish says she and Dayton originally conceived of the decidedly roots-driven Death Wish Blues as a “punk rock side project.”

“Talking about things doesn’t necessarily guarantee what they will be,” she says.

What Fish does know is that she plans to make music for a long time to come. “I don’t know what else I would be doing. I don’t have any other skills,” she laughs. “I love playing music, and there’s a little ecosystem built into what we’re doing. We’ve got the train rolling here.”

Mo & Mary Mac. “Wine Down” this weekend at DuCard Vineyards by soaking up the views and taking in the tunes of local musicians Mo & Mary Mac. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com

Sela Campbell. Sela is a country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist based in Loudoun County, Virginia. At just seventeen years old, Sela has performed over 200 shows in the last three years. Free, 2pm. Pro Re Nata Brewpub & Music Hall, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpk., Crozet. prnbrewery.com

etc.

Apocalypse Now: Final Cut A mysterious mission leads to a shocking journey into darkness in director Francis Ford Coppola’s unforgettable Vietnam War epic. $10, noon. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th Street Station. drafthouse.com

Cat Video Fest 2024. See listing for Friday, August 30. $10, 11am and 4:45pm. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th Street Station. drafthouse.com

Music Bingo. Free music bingo. Fun for the whole family and gift card prizes for the winners. Free, 2pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

Samantha Fish brings her electric blues, rock, and soul to The Jefferson Theater on Friday.

PUBLICITY PHOTO

Monday 9/2

music

Berto and Vincent. An evening of Spanish rumba and Latin guitar with Berto Sales and Vincent Zorn. Free, 6:30pm. South and Central Latin Grill, 946 Grady Ave., Ste. 104. southandcentralgrill.com

Betty Jo’s Boogie Band. Live boogie band with a horn section and all. Free, 7:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskeyjarcville.com

DG3. Gin and jazz series welcomes trio playing modern takes on classics and standards. Free, 5:30pm. Oakhurst Inn, 100 Oakhurst Cir. oakhurstinn.com

Labor Day Music with Tropical Attitudes. Celebrate Labor Day at DuCard Vineyards with wine, views, and music by Tropical Attitudes. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com

Yon O’Connor Trio & Labor Day Celebration. Finish the summer off right at Keswick Vineyards with live music, delicious food and wine, a mini petting zoo, and face painting. Free, noon. Keswick Vineyards, 1575 Keswick Winery Dr., Keswick. keswickvineyards.com

dance

Salsa Dance Night. DJ Rafa will be spinning the latest in salsa and Latin-inspired dance cuts in the dance floor area of the bar. Come feel the heat and move. Free, 9pm. Fiorano Restaurant and Bar, 5924 Seminole Trail, Ste. 101, Barboursville. fioranomediterranean.com etc.

The Terminator Arnold Schwarzenegger became a worldwide superstar in James Cameron’s sci-fi classic, presented in a 4K restoration. $10, 7pm. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th Street Station. drafthouse.com

Trivia on Tap. Monthly themed trivia hosted by Olivia. Five rounds for teams of up to six participants. Free to play, reservations recommended. Free, 7pm. Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery - Charlottesville, 520 Second St. SE. threenotchdbrewing.com

Tuesday 9/3

music

Karaoke. Sign up and sing your favorite songs. Hosted by Thunder Music. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St. Ragged Mountain String Band. Live bluegrass. Free, 7:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskeyjarcville.com Vincent Zorn. Vincent Zorn performs solo wild flamenco rumba. Must say “olé!” Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

classes

Paint + Sip: Sunflower Walk. Learn a variety of techniques and skills to render a sunflower walk scene. Paint, sip, repeat. $38, 6pm. Starr Hill Downtown, 946 Grady Ave Ste. 101. starrhill.com etc.

Coaches Corner with Tony Elliot. Another season of Coach’s Corner with Tony Elliott kicks off its broadcast at Starr Hill. Free, 7pm. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. starrhill.com

Geeks Who Drink Trivia. Good trivia, good times. Free, 7pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. fireflycville.com

Poker Night. Test your luck and skill at our hold ’em poker night. Free, 7pm. Fiorano Restaurant and Bar, 5924 Seminole Trail, Ste. 101, Barboursville. fioranomediterranean.com

Repo Man Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton travel the dark streets of L.A. in this cult classic. $7, 7:15pm. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th Street Station. drafthouse.com

CULTURE PAGES

Architectural intrigue

Jane Alison’s new novel explores modernist feud

By Sarah Lawson arts@c-ville.com

Jane Alison’s new book, Villa E, is an ecstatic examination of artistic obsession and self-embodiment, inspiration and legacy, memory and aging. The story revolves around Villa E-1027—the real-life modernist villa on the French Riviera created by architect-designer Eileen Gray— and the irreconcilably problematic relationship it created between Gray and the notorious architect, Le Corbusier. We recently interviewed Alison, a creative writing professor at the University of Virginia, about the new book.

C-VILLE: How did you encounter the story of Villa E-1027, and which aspects of the story first grabbed you?

JA: I learned of the story almost 20 years ago ... when I was living in Germany with my then-husband, a professor of urban design. He attended a lecture about Gray’s villa and … the story intrigued me at once: Corb’s outrageous vandalism and theft of Eileen’s house, of course; the strangely indeterminate sexual undertones of his actions; Corb painting her walls naked, like a cave painter; the dark perfection of his swimming to his death in the cove below the house.

An early image that turned out to be one of those intuitive kernels: Corb (called Le G in the novel) poised on the beach, about to swim that final day, observing his own footprint, and how that spoke to the swath of his ambition: leaving a mark in matter.

Your work consistently engages the mechanics of human desire and Villa E is no exception. What challenges did you encounter in getting under the skin of both characters?

Le G’s lusts, earthiness, and bombasticism made him pure pleasure to write. I wanted to be in his body and feel it as he guzzled cold wine and mussels, did sweaty old-man push-ups. … Eileen was harder because she had an aloofness and refused to wallow in herself. But her love of the senses, of being a human with a body alive to every atom of the world that might flow through: This is where I began to find her.

Describe your research and what it was like to spend time at the restored Villa E-1027. The compound of Eileen’s villa and Corb’s cabin is now a protected World Heritage Site, but it wasn’t when I began research in the early 2000s; I could simply walk into Corb’s cabin, while the villa was closed for renovations. By the time I did get inside the villa, I was wellsteeped not only in photos and drawings of it, but in the many scenes I’d already written there in those early drafts. So it felt not-quite real, looking at the actual place through veils of other versions.

Research itself had been extensive and leisurely: Reading bios and critical studies of both, as well as their works and letters; visiting as many of Corb’s buildings as I could; peering through a gate to try to see Eileen’s second house; looking at their furniture, paintings, collages, objects. Because of that primary image of Corb painting naked, I also researched cave-painting and visited some caves. One I did not visit but wish I could have is the underwater cave of Cosquer, not too far from the villa.

There are refrains throughout the book, from mantras of each character to sections that consider the roots of human expression. What led you to incorporate these interludes? Cave-painting was central from the start, as was the idea of leaving a mark in matter. Among the wonderful aspects of the Cosquer Cave is that the people who painted there not only blew pigment around their hands to leave prints but also pressed their hands into the very soft stone high up. This is so exciting, pressing your hand into liquid, living stone. And it turns out that most of the hands that left marks in the cave belonged to girls and women. I wanted to dance from that earliest instance of pressing oneself into the natural world to other instances in the same area— the Ligurian Coast down into Italy—over several thousand years. So I included other refrains: ancient people pressing cockle shells into pottery; a man terracing the slopes; an Etruscan tomb painting of a boy diving into the sea.

In the time you were working on this novel, you also published Meander, Spiral, Explode How would you describe the cross-saturation that occurred as you were researching and writing these books?

This novel took a long time to write because I could not find the right form or angle. So I threw the project out in about 2012. In the meantime I had to write a short nonfiction novel, where the main motions occur in the narrator’s mind, to get me thinking more about consciousness in this project; and then Meander, Spiral, Explode, to discover the form that had been lurking in my drafts all along: a spiral. The novel focuses on the last week of Corb’s life and everything we can know … comes from his jagged, unwilling memories and Eileen’s obsessive memories. I think that this kind of remembering can feel like spiraling, and in fact both Eileen’s villa and Corb’s cabin are structured by spirals. So the novel finally found its form as something like a double helix, with alternating sections between the two characters, as they wind around each other and wind into the past.

I wanted to be in his body and feel it as he guzzled cold wine and mussels, did sweaty old-man push-ups.

Jane Alison will celebrate the release of her novel, Villa E, on August 30 at New Dominion Bookshop.

PUBLICITY PHOTO

Aging in Place: start planning to relieve future stress

A set of surveys this year revealed something about “aging in place,” the popular term used to describe living independently and for as long as possible in our own homes as we age. While a U.S. News & World Report found that 95% of adults 55 and older want to age in place, an Alignment Health survey found that adults 65 and older viewed it as the biggest obstacle to their overall well-being. Among several obstacles identified, such as lack of access to transportation and care, food insecurity, loneliness, and economic insecurity, the majority of respondents reported that aging in place was causing them the most stress and anxiety.

Indeed, while aging in place is something to be wished for, the practical realities can be challenging. While homes can be modified to make them safer and accommodate various levels of mobility, and new technologies can make it easier to communicate with family, friends, caretakers, and health providers, the fear of having medical emergencies at home, becoming a burden on adult children, the cost of in-home care services, the fear of isolation, and sudden changes in health can make aging in place more complex then we may have imagined.

That’s why early planning, self-care, communication, and the anticipation of future needs are so crucial to aging in place successfully.

Unfortunately, many individuals and families don’t communicate enough about what aging in place really means. Mom and Dad still live in the family home, have for years, and then suddenly Dad has a medical emergency and Mom, who has been having memory issues she’s been hiding, can’t handle the new situation at home when Dad returns. Their children live in different states and have their own careers and families. What do they do?

Aging in place is like a long journey one needs to plan for. The earlier you start planning for it the

“Moving

better. In fact, if you’re really serious about wanting to age in place, focusing on your health as soon as possible is an important first step. Inactivity, smoking and drinking, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity can lead to sudden declines in health, creating risks for heart attacks, strokes, and dementia that could throw a wrench in your aging-in-place plans. If you’re aging in place with a spouse or partner, it’s important to consider any chronic conditions they may have, and share that information with family, friends, and caregivers. Indeed, it’s important to discuss your aging-in-place plans with everyone your well-being could impact to help anticipate future care needs or changes that might need to be made. Aging in place is also a journey you shouldn’t make alone. Start learning about support resources in your community. JABA has community centers you can join for socialization and support, and Respite & Enrichment centers for people who might need extra help during the day. JABA also has a Home Delivered Meals program and a Senior Helpline to connect people with resources, including transportation support. The Center at Belvedere, Sentara Martha Jefferson Family Caregiver Center, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UVA, the Albemarle Housing Improvement Program (AHIP), and Cville Village, a non-profit that supports the independence of older adults, are also valuable community resources.

Aging in place doesn’t have to mean isolating in place. The sooner you learn about the network of resources in your community you can lean on, the sooner you share your hopes and plans with your family, the sooner you prepare your home, and the sooner you make healthy living a priority, the better your aging in place journey is going to be.

David McNair handles communications, media relations, and social media efforts for JABA.

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PUZZLES

SUDOKU

Complete the grid so that every row, column, and 3x3 box contains every

BY MATT JONES

ACROSS

1. Verified information

5. “Buzz off!”

10. Kamala Harris’s middle name

14. Kinda pale

15. ___ Lumpur, Malaysia

16. Major Norse deit y

17. One of Cinderella’s siblings

19. “Snail mail” org

20. Group with 27 member states

21. Putting a curse on

23. Sources of immunit y

25. ___ Brothers (former investment banking firm)

29. Phrase used for winners of vacations on game shows

33. At the back of the boat

36. Holiday song

37. Untrustworthy

38. Fought (for)

40. Modem units, back in the days of dial-up

42. Stuff in a skein

43. Street sign symbol

45. Cit y on the Erie Canal

47. Leather shoe, for short

48. Particle physics concept

51. Words after “the powers”

52. Ghostly specter

56. Sci-fi transport that’s “dimensionally transcendental”

60. “Ad ___ per aspera”

61. Home of Xenia, Youngstown, and Zanesville

64. Subject of a stor y where wishes come with great consequences

66. Mystic Persian poet

67. Fro-yo topping, e.g.

68. First name of the Phantom of the Opera

69. Worn out

70. Lowest possible turnout

71. Turns bad

DOWN

1. Forgoes food

2. “___ World Turns”

3. Yell for the team

4. Prepare, as a report

5. Go downhill fast?

6. Easy, like some jobs

7. Put on a scale

8. Trebek who’s the subject of recent collectible stamps

9. “Taxi” actress Henner

10. Pillsbur y mascot introduced in 1965

11. Mag execs

12. Big name

13. Plug-___ (software patches)

18. Plant that can be poisonous

22. Pharrell Williams group until 2018

24. Picket line crosser

26. “___ Secret ary” (2010s CBS drama)

27. ___ Crag (“mount ain” at the end of “Nickelodeon Guts”)

28. “Tearin’ Up My Heart” album of 1998

30. Brat condiment

31. Sonic ___ (Thurston Moore’s former band)

32. Radio playlist staple, often

33. “Halt!,” to a sailor

34. Colin of “Love, Actually”

35. ___ firma

39. Follow through on the deed, slangily

41. Garbage transport

44. Fever/Dream group?

46. Grand display

49. Where “butterfly” is “Schmetterling”

50. Peace Prize sharer with Shimon

53. Head of tech support, perhaps

54. Attribute

55. Atlant a team

57. “Alice in Wonderland” bird

58. Proto-___-European (early language)

59. Graphic for creating a Sims character

61. Spherical object

62. Color wheel choice

63. “___ little teapot ...”

65. 112.5 degrees from S

living in eating word meal or simtravel to you to reading experkinds of seeking: your rebeldoing karma sugbad and world. to us, mirror cheat, we give genpeople, kind because I begood through somebenevestimation, to buy feisty bring an the ripYour atserious spunky ensuggestions: new jewelry tools informaAugust in Capricorn job as a returned. Inrelax, he instructor. novice stu-

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In all of world history, which author has sold the most books? The answer is Agatha Christie, born under the sign of Virgo. Readers have bought over 2 billion copies of her 70-plus books. I present her as a worthy role model for you during the next nine months. In my astrological opinion, this will be your time to shine, to excel, to reach new heights of accomplishment. Along with Christie, I invite you to draw encouragement and inspiration from four other Virgo writers who have flourished: 1. Stephen King, 400 million in sales from 77 books. 2. Kyotaro Nishimura, 200 million in sales from over 400 books. 3. Leo Tolstoy, 413 million from 48 books. 4. Paulo Coelho, 350 million from 28 books.

By Rob Brezsny Libra

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Centuries before the story of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, there was a Greek myth with similar themes. It featured Persephone, a divine person who descended into the realm of the dead but ultimately returned in a transfigured form. The ancient Festival of Eleusis, observed every September, honored Persephone’s down-going and redemption—as well as the cyclical flow of decay and renewal in every human life. In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to observe your own version of a Festival of Eleusis by taking an inventory: What is disintegrating and decomposing in your own world? What is ripe for regeneration and rejuvenation? What fun action can you do that resembles a resurrection?

Virgo

get your mind blown and your heart opened through epiphanies and raptures that take you to the frontiers of consciousness.

Aquarius

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): When an infant giraffe leaves its mother’s womb, it falls six feet to the ground. I suspect that when you are reborn sometime soon, Virgo, a milder and more genial jolt will occur. It may even be quite rousing and inspirational— not rudely bumpy at all. By the way, the plunge of the baby giraffe snaps its umbilical cord and stimulates the creature to take its initial breaths—getting it ready to begin its life journey. I suspect your genial jolt will bring comparable benefits.

Scorpio

dents. Three years later, he was proficient enough to teach advanced students, and five years later, he was an expert. I am not advising you, Capricorn, to quit your job and launch your own quixotic quest for supremely gratifying work. But if you were ever going to start taking small steps toward that goal, now would be a good time. It’s also a favorable phase to improve the way your current job works for you.

Aquarius

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The coming weeks will be an excellent time to take inventory of your community and your network of connections. Here are questions to ask yourself as you evaluate whether you already have exactly what you need or else may need to make adjustments. 1. Are you linked with an array of people who stimulate and support you? 2. Can you draw freely on influences that further your goals and help you feel at home in the world? 3. Do you bestow favors on those you would like to receive favors from? 4. Do you belong to groups or institutions that share your ideals and give you power you can’t access alone?

Sagittarius

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Three years ago, an Indonesian man celebrated his marriage to a rice cooker, which is a kitchen accessory. Khoirul Anam wore his finest clothes while his new spouse donned a white veil. In photos posted on social media, the happy couple are shown hugging and kissing. Now might also be a favorable time for you to wed your fortunes more closely with a valuable resource—though there’s no need to perform literal nuptials. What material thing helps bring out the best in you? If there is no such thing, now would be a good time to get it.

Pisces

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “Progress was all right. Only it went on too long.” Sagittarian humorist James Thurber said that, and now I’m conveying it to you. Why? Well, I am very happy about the progress you’ve been making recently—the blooming and expanding and learning you have been enjoying. But I’m guessing you would now benefit from a period of refining what you have gained. Rather than even more progress, I feel you need to consolidate and integrate the progress you have so robustly earned.

Capricorn

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The people of Northern Ireland have over 70 colorful slang terms for being drunk. These include splootered, stonkied, squiffy, cabbaged, stinkered, ballbagged, wingdinged, bluttered, and wanked. I am begging you, Capricorn, to refrain from those states for at least two weeks. According to my reading of the omens, it’s important for you to avoid the thrills and ills of alcohol. I am completely in favor of you pursuing natural highs, however. I would love you to

(Feb. 19-March 20): For many years, I didn’t earn enough money to pay taxes. I was indigent. Fortunately, social programs provided me with food and some medical care. In recent years, though, I have had a better cash flow. I regularly send the US government a share of my income. I wish they would spend all my tax contributions to help people in need. Alas, just 42 percent of my taxes pay for acts of kindness to my fellow humans, while 24 percent goes to funding the biggest military machine on earth. Maybe someday, there will be an option to allocate my tax donations exactly as I want. In this spirit, Pisces, I invite you to take inventory of the gifts and blessings you dole out. Now is a good time to correct any dubious priorities. Take steps to ensure that your generosity is

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Beginning 11,000 years ago, humans began to breed the fig. It’s the world’s oldest cultivated food, preceding even wheat, barley, and legumes. Many scholars think that the fig, not the apple, was the forbidden fruit that God warned Adam and Eve not to munch in the famous Biblical passage. These days, though, figs rarely make the list of the fruits people love most. Their taste is regarded by some as weird, even cloying. But for our purposes, I will favorably quote the serpent in the Garden of Eden: “When you eat the fig, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God.” This is my elaborate way of telling you that now may be an excellent time to sample a forbidden fruit. Also: A serpent may have wise counsel for you.

Her staff kept a herd of 700 donkeys for this regimen. Before you dismiss the habit as weird, please understand that it wasn’t uncommon in ancient times. Why? Modern science has shown that donkey milk has anti-aging, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory qualities. And as astrologers know, many of you Tauruses are drawn to luxurious and healing influences that also enhance beauty. I recommend you cultivate such influences with extra verve in the coming days.

Gemini

going where it’s most needed and appreciated. What kind of giving makes you feel best?

Pisces

Aries

(March 21-April 19): Although there are over 7,000 varieties of apples, your grocery store probably offers no more than 15. But you shouldn’t feel deprived. Having 15 alternatives is magnificent. In fact, most of us do better in dealing with a modicum of choices rather than an extravagant abundance. This is true not just about apples but also about most things. I mention this, Aries, because now is an excellent time to pare down your options in regard to all your resources and influences. You will function best if you’re not overwhelmed with possibilities. You will thrive as you experiment with the principle that less is more.

Taurus

(Feb. 19-March 20): The coming weeks would be an excellent time to file lawsuits against everyone who has ever wronged you, hurt you, ignored you, misunderstood you, tried to change you into something you’re not, and failed to give you what you deserve. I recommend you sue each of them for $10 million. The astrological omens suggest you now have the power to finally get compensated for the stupidity and malice you have had to endure. Just kidding! I lied. The truth is, now is a great time to feel intense gratitude for everyone who has supported you, encouraged you, and appreciated you for who you really are. I also suggest you communicate your thanks to as many of your personal helpers and heroes as you can.

Aries

(April 20-May 20): Taurus comedian Jerry Seinfeld, now 70 years old, has testified, “As a child, the only clear thought I had was ‘get candy.’” I encourage you to be equally single-minded in the near future, Taurus. Not necessarily about candy—but about goodies that appeal to your inner child as well as your inner teenager and inner adult. You are authorized by cosmic forces to go in quest of experiences that tickle your bliss.

Gemini

(March 21-April 19): In 2015, a large earthquake struck Nepal, registering 7.8 on the Richter scale. It was so powerful, it shrunk Mt. Everest. I mention this, Aries, because I suspect you will generate good fortune in the coming months whenever you try to shrink metaphorical mountains. Luckily, you won’t need to resort to anything as forceful and ferocious as a massive earthquake. In fact, I think your best efforts will be persistent, incremental, and gradual. If you haven’t gotten started yet, do so now.

Taurus

(April 20-May 20): We don’t know the astrological sign of Egyptian Queen Cleopatra, who ruled from 51 to 30 BCE. But might she have been a Taurus? What other tribe of the zodiac would indulge in the extravagance of bathing in donkey milk?

(May 21-June 20): I’m not saying I would refuse to hire a Gemini person to housesit while I’m on vacation. You folks probably wouldn’t let my houseplants die, allow raccoons to sneak in and steal food, or leave piles of unwashed dishes in the sink. On the other hand, I’m not entirely confident you would take impeccable care of my home in every little way. But wait! Everything I just said does not apply to you now. My analysis of the omens suggests you will have a high aptitude for the domestic arts in the coming weeks. You will

Cancer

(May 21-June 20): In two trillion galaxies stretched out across 93 billion light years, new stars are constantly being born. Their birth process happens in stellar nurseries, where dense clouds of gas coalesce into giant spheres of light and heat powered by the process of nuclear fusion. If you don’t mind me engaging in a bit of hyperbole, I believe that you Geminis are now immersed in a small-scale, metaphorical version of a stellar nursery. I have high hopes for the magnificence you will beget in the coming months.

be more likely than usual to take good care of my home—and your own home, too. It’s a good time to redecorate and freshen up the vibe.

Cancer

(June 21-July 22): These days, you are even smarter and more perceptive than usual. The deep intelligence of your higher self is pouring into your conscious awareness with extra intensity. That’s a good thing, right? Yes, mostly. But there may be a downside: You could be hyper-aware of people whose thinking is mediocre and whose discernment is substandard. That could be frustrating, though it also puts you in a good position to correct mistakes those people make. As you wield the healing power of your wisdom, heed these words from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: “Misunderstandings and lethargy produce more wrong in the world than deceit and malice do.”

Leo

(June 21-July 22): The planet Mars usually stays in your sign for less than two months every two years. But the pattern will be different in the coming months. Mars will abide in Cancer from September 5 to November 4 and then again from January 27 till April 19 in 2025. The last time the red planet made such an extended visit was in 2007 and 2008, and before that in 1992 and 1993. So what does it mean? In the least desirable scenario, you will wander aimlessly, distracted by trivial battles and unable to decide which dreams to pursue. In the best scenario, you will be blessed with a sustained, fiery devotion to your best and most beautiful ambitions.

Leo

(July 23-Aug. 22): Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart had an older sister, born under the sign of Leo. Her nickname was Nannerl. During their childhoods, she was as much a musical prodigy as he. Supervised by their father, they toured Europe performing together, playing harpsichord and piano. Nannerl periodically got top billing, and some critics regarded her as the superior talent. But misfortune struck when her parents decided it was unseemly for her, as a female, to continue her development as a genius. She was forcibly retired so she could learn the arts of housekeeping and prepare for marriage and children. Your assignment in the coming months, Leo, is to rebel against any influence that tempts you to tamp down your gifts and specialties. Assert your sovereignty. Identify what you do best, and do it more and better than you ever have before.

(July 23-Aug. 22): Famous rock musicians have on occasion spiced up their live shows by destroying their instruments on stage. Kurt Cobain of the band Nirvana smashed many guitars. So did Jimi Hendrix, who even set his guitars on fire. I can admire the symbolic statement of not being overly attached to objects one loves. But I don’t recommend that approach to you in the coming weeks. On the contrary, I believe this is a time for you to express extra care for the tools, machines, and apparatus that give you so much. Polish them up, get repairs done, show them you love them. And if you need new gizmos and gear to enhance your self-expression, get them in the near future.

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EMPLOYMENT LEGALS

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

Commonwealth of Virginia VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Charlottesville Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re: a male child born to Jamie Willoughby

We’re eager to hear from candidates who share our passion for serving the community for the following positions.

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To see a complete job description for each position, visit arcpva.org/careers The Arc of the Piedmont is

Charlottesville Dept. of Social Services v. Jamie Willoughby and Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to terminate the parental rights of a male child E.C. born to Jamie Willoughy on April 6, 2012

It is ORDERED that the defendant unknown father, appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before October 4, 2024 at 2:30 p.m.

8/6/2024

Areshini Pather DATE JUDGE

Charlottesville Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re: a male child born to Jamie Willoughby

Charlottesville Dept. of Social Services v. Jamie Willoughby and Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to terminate the parental rights of a male child K.C. born to Jamie Willoughy on December 20, 2013

It is ORDERED that the defendant unknown father, appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before October 4, 2024 at 2:30 p.m.

8/6/2024

Areshini Pather

DATE JUDGE

FORECLOSURE SALE OF VALUABLE REAL ESTATE AT PUBLIC AUCTION

A 3 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home on 1.41 Acres 1160 Loring Run, Charlottesville, VA

Albemarle County Parcel Tax Map No. 06200-00-00-00600

SALE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2024 AT 11:00 A.M. AT THE ALBEMARLE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE LOCATED AT

501 E. JEFFERSON STREET, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA

In execution of a Second Lien Deed of Trust, being dated February 28, 2024, and recorded on February 29, 2024, in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court in Albemarle County, Virginia (the “Clerk’s Office”), as Instrument No. 202400001496 (the “Deed of Trust”), the undersigned as Trustee under said Deed of Trust, will offer for sale at public auction the parcel listed below:

All that certain lot or parcel of land, with the improvements thereon, situated on Loring Run, previously known as Free State Road in Albemarle County, Virginia, containing 1.41 acres, more or less, further known as Albemarle Tax Map Parcel 06200-00-00-00600

BEING the same property conveyed to Grantor by Deed of Gift from Anderson D. Lohr and Ida Pearl Lohr also known as Pearl F. Lohr dated September 8, 2020, and recorded September 9, 2020, in the aforesaid Clerk’s Office as Instrument No. 202000012269. (the “Property”).

TERMS OF SALE: A bidder’s deposit of the greater of $20,000 or 10% of the winning bid, shall be paid at the sale by cashier’s check made payable to Bidder (to be assigned to Trustee if Bidder is successful), with the balance upon delivery of a trustee’s deed within 30 days of sale. If the initial deposit is less than 10% of the winning bid, then the successful bidder’s deposit MUST be increased to 10% of the winning bid by cashier’s check or wired funds within three (3) business days. Settlement shall be held within 30 days after the date of sale unless otherwise postponed at the sole discretion of the Trustee. Sale is subject to the covenants, conditions, restrictions, rights of way, and easements, if any, contained in the deeds and other documents forming the chain of title to the property. Property is sold “AS IS, WHERE IS,” “WITH ALL FAULTS” and “WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTIES.”

TIME SHALL BE OF THE ESSENCE WITH RESPECT TO SETTLEMENT. The deposit shall be applied to the credit of successful bidder at settlement; or, in the event of failure to complete settlement within the time set forth after the date of sale, in accordance with the terms of sale, the deposit shall be forfeited and applied to the costs of sale, including Trustee’s fee, and the Property shall be resold at the cost and expense of the defaulting Purchaser. Risk of loss or damage to the Property shall be borne by successful bidder from the time of auctioneer’s strike down at the sale. Purchaser shall pay all settlement fees, title examination charges, title insurance premiums, and recording costs. Current real estate property taxes will be prorated at closing as of date of sale. Rollback taxes, if any, will be the responsibility of the Purchaser. Pursuant to Va. Code 55.1-321(A.2), any purchaser at the foreclosure sale will be required to certify that within 90 days of the sale, they will pay any liens on the Property recorded prior to the Deed of Trust.

THE TRUSTEE RESERVES THE RIGHT: (i) to waive the deposit requirements; (ii) to extend the period of time within which the Purchaser is to make full settlement; (iii) to withdraw the Property from sale at any time prior to the termination of the bidding; (iv) to keep the bidding open for any length of time; (v) to reject all bids; and (vi) to postpone or continue this sale from time to time, such notices of postponement or setting over shall be in a manner deemed reasonable by the Trustee. Announcements made on day of sale take precedence over all other advertised terms and conditions.

FOR INFORMATION SEE: www.fplegal.com/foreclosures

Flora Pettit PC, Trustee

Nancy R. Schlichting

530 E. Main Street

P. O. Box 2057

Charlottesville, VA 22902

(434) 220-6113

lmg@fplegal.com

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

Commonwealth of Virginia VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Albemarle County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re: H.S. (dob 7/24/2018)

The object of this suit is to terminate residual parental rights in H.S. (dob 7/24/2018) and aprove foster care plan with adoption goal.

It is ORDERED that Edward Sulgar appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his or her interests on or before October 1, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.

7/23/2024

Areshini Pather DATE JUDGE

GRAZE CRAZE

400 Preston Ave. Ste. 125, Charlottesville, VA 22963

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a retail license to sell beer and wine on and off premises.

James C. Allen, Owner

NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be Submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

Community & MISC. Notices

Date: Saturday, August 24, 2024 - This is to give notice that Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988 and 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management, to determine the potential affect that its activity in the floodplain and wetland will have on the human environment for the HOME Investment Partnership Program - funding which is proposed to be used to support the construction of two eight (8) unit buildings, which, upon completion, will be sold to qualified low-income households.

Said buildings do not lie within a floodplain but are located near a 100-year floodplain. These two buildings are proposed to be constructed approximately 117 linear feet and 133 linear feet from the 100-year flood plain. Each of the building footprints is approximately 4,756 square feet. While the building parcels – City parcel identification number (PIN)s 200259039 and 200259038 - are approximately 0.3 acres each, they are part of an overall 8.84-acre undeveloped site located at the end of Flint Hill Drive in the City of Charlottesville, Virginia. This 8.84-acre site is also being developed with other homes that will not be assisted with federal funding. Within this larger 8.84 acre site, approximately 2.85 acres lies within the 100-year floodplain. However, there are no buildings proposed to be built within the 100-year floodplain.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development at the following address on or before Friday, September 13th, 2024: Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, : 600 East Main Street, Suite 300, Richmond, Virginia 23219 and 804-371-7000, Attention: Dawn Scott, Single Family Housing Program Manager, during the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Comments may also be submitted via email at dawn.scott@dhcd.virginia.gov.

Pat on the back

More than 700 people took to The Wool Factory on Friday, August 23, for the 2024 Best of C-VILLE party honoring Charlottesville’s best (according to our readers) in everything from photographer to florist. The theme, “Into the Mystic,” inspired guests to don fairy wings and Medusa-inspired headpieces, gnome costumes, and fake swords (think A Midsummer Night’s Dream meets “Game of Thrones”). WTJU DJs AI, Android, and Bobby Metronome spun vinyl, while attendees noshed on food from The Go Bar and FARMacy food truck, imbibed drinks from Silverback Distillery, Waterbird Spirits, and North American Sake (among others), then sat down for a tarot card reading from Sealed in the Stars. With winners like these, the future looks bright.