Local activists call out harm by UVA BOV policies for trans youth P.9 Albemarle starts prepping land for future defense campus growth P.15
Our retail store is open regularly and we carefully curate and host a variety of 21+ events, supporting local artists and artisans, to bring cannabis lovers together. Whether you are passing through the city or found your forever home in Charlottesville, Virginia, The Hidden Leaf will continue to provide a safe haven for all of us. We look forward to welcoming you with open arms in a friendly and hidden place, where you are seen and known.
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6.11.25
It’s easy to get fired up about presidential elections—the ads, the debates, the nonstop headlines. But the truth is, local elections are the ones that hit closest to home.
These are the people making decisions about the roads you drive on, the schools your kids attend, the neighborhoods we live in. And unlike national politicians, these folks are right here. You can stop them in the grocery store or catch them at Lone Light and tell them exactly what’s on your mind—whether it’s housing, schools, or how long it takes to get across town in traffic (speaking of which, watch this space for our cover story on that very topic in early July).
In Catie Ratliff’s feature this week (p. 20), we’ve got your guide to the June 17 primary races for lieutenant governor, attorney general, Charlottesville City Council, and the Albemarle Board of Supervisors Jack Jouett District. It’s everything you need to feel ready before you cast your vote.
Local matters. Let’s show up like it does.
Hey, thanks!
This
week’s
contributors
Sean Tubbs moved to Charlottesville in 2002, and has sought to understand why development occurs the way it does. Since 2005, he’s helped innovate information gathering to try to help people know they belong and how they can have their say. Read his work on pages 13 and 15.
Lawson is a writer and visual artist living in Nelson County. The child of two librarians, Lawson has always loved books of all kinds. They write about local authors and books that have a connection to the Charlottesville community. Read their work on page 33.
These generous benefactors of C-VILLE have supported our work through our Save the Free Word campaign. If you’d like to contribute, follow the QR code.
Towns Ackerman
Catherine Anninos
Lori Balaban
Timothy Bambury
Catherine Barnes
Julie Basic
Susan Battani
Jennifer Beachley
Mayanna Bean
Denise Benson
Anne Bergamesca
Kim Biasiolli
Patrick Bird
Paddy Bowman
Paul Brewer
Claudia Murray Brindle
Sumner Brown
Colette Brown
Jack Brown
Kate Buford
Cathleen Burgess
Patricia Burkett
Michael Callahan
Brian Carlton
Helen Cathro
James Clark Jr.
Karen Collins
Emily Currier
Maria-Eugenia Dalton
Pam and Peter Denni-
son
Nancy Dettor
Martha Donnelly
Charlotte Drummond
Louise Dudley
Lee Elberson
Jane Elmore
Karen Emmitt
Ken Engebretson
Elizabeth Engle
Rosa Ellen English
M. Fife
Lavonne Fitts
Barbara Fornoff
Joan Forrest
Gerald Giammatteo
David and Janna Gies
Stephanie Goodwin
Cara Hall
Kendra Hall
Madeleine Hawks
Mary Haynes
Chris Hellings
Stephen Herrick
John Heyser
JoAnn Hofheimer
Lisa Hogan
Laura Horn
Christina Horton
Deb Jackson
Garth Jensen
Nina Johnston
Nicole Jones
Diane Jones
Janet Jospe
Brian Kelly
Trish Kenney
Tom Kirk
Kathryn Kluge
Julie Lacy
Marcia Langsam
Jacalyn LaPierre
Aaron Lawrence
Eric and Diane Lawson
Elizabeth Lawson
Frances Lee-Vandell
Sean Libberton
Angeline Lillard
Peppy Linden
Jessica Lino
D. Little
Phillip Long
Rob Lynch
Jeff Martin
Erin Mayer
Kieran Mcdowell
Mary McIntyre
Ruth McWilliams
James Mernin
Nicolas Mestre
Tim Michel
Parthy Monagan
Hilary Moorman
Michael Morency
Harold E. Morgan
Michael Moriarty
Catherine Moynihan
Jim Mummery
Karen Myers
Monica Newby
Dennis O’Connor
Cynthia Van Osch
Annette Osso
Annette Owens
Timothy Palmer
Joe Peacock
Elizabeth Perdue
Joann Peters
Damon Pettitt
Elayne Phillips
Anne Price
Ernest Pugh
Harry Purkey
Leslie Quenichet
Frances Racette T. Radsky
Sarah Ratcliffe
Stots Reele
Marjorie Rein
Cindy Richards
Kevin Richardson
David Robinson
Julia Rubarth
Carol Gilbert Sacks
Audrey Sarate
Joan Schatzman
Sandra Schmidt
Eric Schultz
James Seitz
Elaine Shaw
Chuck Shelton
Paul Shettel
John Smith
Kristina Smith
Meredith Smoot
Mickey Speck
Maria Spence
Jim Spencer
Taylor
Emily Thiede
Reid Thompson
Prue Thorner
John Titus
Jessica Tobin
Erica Toy
Jill Trischman-Marks
Susan Uland
Rick Vergot
Christina Walker
David Waters
Chris Waugaman
Kelly West
Jay Wildermann
Marcia Wilds
Andrew Wolf
Natalie Yancey
Suzanne Yeaman
Nura Yingling
Kelly Zalewski
Kathleen Zenker
Nichole
Sarah
•
•
• We train dogs in my home and in “real world” environments (not a facility).
• We don’t just teach obedience, we also address each dog’s state of mind.
IN THIS ISSUE
FEATURE
20
Ramona
Proceeds to benefit a variety of local non-profits. tingpavilion.com
Q&As with state and local candidates on the June 17 ballot.
NEWS
9
9 Die-in at UVA to protest trans-youth health policies. 13 CRHA on a buying spree, plus UVA daycare center closes and Downtown Mall shooting.
15 Rivanna Futures economic development project update.
CULTURE
Tried it in C’ville: Afterdeath communications with UVA Lifetime Learning.
Big Picture Fridays After Five is also made possible by:
33 Pages: Danzy Senna’s new novel, Colored Television
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Out loud
Queer Liberation Front organizes die-in to protest UVA Health trans-youth policies BY CATIE RATLIFF CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Saturday, June 14, 2025 10 am - 5:30 pm The Center at Belvedere Charlottesville, VA
“This is the most diverse and inclusive storytelling festival I’ve ever seen.”
-
Sheila Arnold, Storyteller
We are a diverse community of storytellers and community builders presenting a third annual “Celebration of Tales” in Charlottesville. Join us as we build a stronger, deeper, and more inclusive community. We will feature a truly diverse array of storytellers uniting us through the power of story.
There will be powerful stories, expertly told. In addition, there will be children’s stories and a workshop for children as well as a workshop for aspiring storytellers and fans who want to better understand the power of this art form. Adult $25 • Child $10 • Family Pass $50
Scholarships and group discounts available. Enquire here: celebrationoftales@gmail.com. Go to www.celebrationoftales.org to learn more and register!
Charlotte Blake Alston Clint Atwater
Charmaine Crowell-White
Stan Trent Liza Newell
Protesters with the newly formed local chapter of the Queer Liberation Front demonstrated in front of the Rotunda on June 5, condemning the University of Virginia Board of Visitors’ decision to phase out care for trans youth at UVA Health.
Around 30 demonstrators turned out for the event, which featured speeches by community members and a die-in. More than a dozen people, painted with imitation blood, were surrounded by fake WANTED posters of board members and other UVA leadership that accused them of “the murder of trans kids.” There were also several poster tombstones, each displaying the picture and name of a young trans person who committed suicide in the United States.
“Without access to gender-affirming care and supportive systems, kids die,” said the media liaison for the QLF, who uses the pseudonym Mouse. “When young people kill themselves because of institutional repression like this, the responsibility falls on the institution. That’s not suicide, it’s murder.
… The Board of Visitors has the blood of trans kids on its hands through the decisions that it’s made, and we want to make sure that here in Charlottesville, the BOV is held responsible for that, that the public recognizes and knows that these are intentional decisions made by the BOV that are going to affect a lot of people in negative ways.”
Last winter, the BOV announced current trans patients 19 years old and younger could continue to receive treatment at UVA, but should be referred to other providers when “appropriate” and as “soon as practicable.”
Since this February 21 decision, trans youth patients have reportedly lost access to their providers, procedures, and prescriptions through UVA Health, according to Mouse.
In the middle of Mouse’s interview with C-VILLE, a UVA representative and police officer approached demonstrators. They were told lawn signs and tombstones could not be put into the grass, and the fake blood could become an issue if it stained univer-
sity property. The protesters were also given a warning about the use of amplified sound.
There was no megaphone or other amplification device at the demonstration.
The signs were quickly removed from the ground and laid on the grass. Several of the die-in participants opted to hold up the gravestones themselves while lying in direct sun for the remainder of the hour.
“The first thing that [the university police officer] mentioned was the concern over putting these fake gravestones into the ground,” said Chris Grataski, a Charlottesville resident who participated in the die-in. “That sort of nitpicky antagonism … is representative of some of the ways that they’ve engaged with the community. And the second thing that he said was that they’re cool. They’re fine with
IN BRIEF
All the news you missed last week (in one sentence or less)
the fake blood that we’re using today, as long as it’s not getting on any of the marble statues or anything. … They’ve repeatedly demonstrated that they are concerned more for the grand narrative and the story that they’re telling about themselves and preserving their icons of conquest. They care more about that than real people in the community who need care and need the resources that they have had since the founders set foot in Virginia.”
Other attendees included outgoing Chair of the UVA General Faculty Council Ian Mullins, who shared his perspective on the farreaching consequences of BOV decisions.
“The University of Virginia is more than just the university and the major, the biggest, or the largest employer; it’s also one of the main providers of health care,” he said.
According to Mullins, the majority of faculty members he spoke with support the continued provision of care for trans youth at UVA Health.
UVA did not respond to questions regarding the QLF demonstration, instead directing C-VILLE to the original BOV memo and the guidance available on UVA Health’s website. University Deputy Spokesperson Bethanie Glover did clarify existing protest policies, writing, “Participants in all demonstrations on Grounds are informed, and reminded, of our free speech policies whether or not they intend to post signs, use amplified sound, etc.”
The QLF plans to organize more protests in the coming months, according to Mouse.
“These local gatherings aren’t just meetings. They are the birthplace of ideas and a catalyst for change,” said one organizer before the group moved its demonstration to the Corner. “Change is on the horizon, but if we stand idly by, those changes will be founded in bigotry. … Fascism is no longer on our doorstep. It is in our house taking beers out of our fridge. It is seated next to our kids in school. It lives next door to us, it is in the Oval Office. Fascism starts by oppressing … and demonizing the most vulnerable groups.”
Virginia State Trooper Logan G. Pingley indicted on one count of felony communicating a written threat for allegedly leaving a threatening two-page letter on the doorstep of an Albemarle County woman. Former 29News meteorologist Josh Fitzpatrick granted bond in sexual extortion case. Baker-Butler and Mountain View Upper elementary schools name new principals. Amazon Web Services proposes data center in Louisa County. William Portillo sentenced to 30 days for extortion of UVA student. Old Rag Hiking Trail reopens following repairs to storm-damaged areas. The Women’s Initiative receives two prestigious awards recognizing its advancement of mental health equity. Piedmont CASA opens annual playhouse raffle.
Queer Liberation Front protesters laid out signs surrounding those who participated in the June 5 die-in at UVA.
DEVELOPMENT
Building blocks
Following the sudden capacity decrease at the Earhart Child Development Center, the daycare will close entirely when the Rivanna Child Development Center opens, according to a June 2 statement to parents from the University of Virginia. The new space will accommodate up to 180 kids, including the dozens affected by the Earhart Street closure.
The Rivanna campus’ location at the former Playful Learners Preschool is more than three miles up 29 North from the Earhart location. For families, which include UVA employees, staff, and students, the move puts children farther away from their parents’ jobs and classes on Grounds. Catie Ratliff
Rerouting
For the next two months, Charlottesville drivers should avoid the portion of Emmet Street South between Stadium Road and Jefferson Park Avenue, which will be closed from June 9 to August 15. According to a June 2 release from the City of Charlottesville, motorists should expect delays during construction.
Charlottesville Area Transit Route 7 is also affected by the road closure, with the following stops on Emmet Street temporarily out of service: Snyder Tennis Center, Central Grounds Garage, Sprigg Lane, and Ruffner Hall. The pause in service applies to both inbound and outbound operations. CR
Shooting off Mall
Charlottesville police are investigating a shooting that occurred in the 200 block of Third Street NE, just off the Downtown Mall, at approximately 1:26am on June 7. Officers were dispatched to the scene when foot patrolmen on the Mall heard shots in the immediate area. The victim, a 25-year-old man, who has not been publicly identified at press time, was transported to the University of Virginia Medical Center and is in critical condition.
After managing the large crowd in the area, officers found 30 shell casings at the scene. An unoccupied building and three vehicles were also struck in the shooting. CR
Purchasing power
CRHA gives City Council an update on recently purchased homes BY
SEAN TUBBS
The Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority has been on a roll in recent years with renovations at Crescent Halls and new units at S. First Street.
In August 2022, the government agency began a new era of buying what Executive Director John Sales called “naturally occurring affordable housing.”
“This portfolio started after a couple properties went on the open market where the rents for the two-bedroom units were about $500,” Sales said. “We looked to ensure that those units stayed affordable to the individuals that were living in those units.”
The initial units were on Coleman Street in the Locust Grove neighborhood, followed by a pair of units on Montrose Avenue in Belmont.
What Sales now calls the NOAH portfolio took a big leap forward in June 2023 when CRHA purchased 74 units known as Dogwood Housing from Woodard Properties. City Council covered half of the $10 million cost and continues to share ownership. Sales said tenants are people who otherwise would not be able to find a place to live.
“Of the families we’re serving, 68 percent of them fall under 30 percent of the area median income,” Sales said. “Twenty-nine percent of the units have a rental subsidy and 70 percent of them do not.”
Sales said CRHA is studying the financing of a project to buy out the city’s share and hopes to do so by winter of 2026. A plan to sell off one of the Dogwood units on Harris Street is on hold.
One City Councilor praised the CRHA’s approach.
“Philadelphia’s housing authority has recently been making national headlines,” said Councilor Michael Payne, a member of the CRHA Board. “They have a goal of acquiring 20,000 units and they found it’s more cost effective than building ground up.”
According to Sales, diversifying CRHA’s revenue sources helps stabilize the organization at a time when federal fund-
ing is in question. He said public housing itself does not generate much revenue. The NOAH properties bring in over $750,000 in rent each year.
“All of the non-public housing properties that we purchase do substantially well compared to public housing,” Sales said.
The CRHA also brings in more revenue at Crescent Halls and S. First Street because some of the units are now subsidized through housing vouchers rather than direct funding for public housing units.
“South First Street is producing so well that we’re able to add full-time security service,” Sales said.
City Council and the CRHA Board are expected to have a joint meeting later this summer. Among the likely topics is an update on the redevelopment of Westhaven. Council has agreed to contribute $15 million to that effort and design is underway.
Meanwhile, Sales said CRHA continues to be on the lookout for new purchases. In January, the agency bought several units on Fifth St. SW in the Fifeville neighborhood for $2.2 million.
The CRHA purchased this apartment building and a nearby house for $2.2 million in January 2025.
or Private Wealth Advisors paid a fee to SHOOK Research LLC for placement on its
Financial
REAL ESTATE NEWS Campus prep
Albemarle County files site plan to grade land for Rivanna Futures BY SEAN TUBBS
More than two years have passed since the Albemarle Board of Supervisors gave permission for staff to move forward with the biggest economic development project in county history.
Supervisors agreed in May 2023 to proceed with the $58 million purchase of more than 462 acres of land around the Rivanna Station military base for a project called Rivanna Futures. Since then, a portion of the land has been rezoned to allow for development of a defense and intelligence campus.
In addition to qualifying for state grants, county staff has to get the various land use permits approved by county staff. An initial site plan was filed in mid-May for a section known as Land Bay 30 to allow for development by taking down trees and vegetation.
“This work is being performed in line with the expectations expressed by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP)—specifically the Virginia Business Ready Sites program—which deviates slightly from traditional development trajectories,” reads the site plan.
In most cases, development occurs when there is a builder who has a tenant or client in mind when going through the permitting process. In this case, the county will leave it up to the state to find a partner.
“VEDP can help match partners who need land with owners who have land available,” the site plan continues. “Such is the intent of this project—to have land available for development partners.”
Land Bay 30 is a 34-acre section just to the north of the National Ground Intelligence
Center. This site plan is for grading the land, preparing basins to collect stormwater generated by all of the new asphalt and impervious surface, and laying down utilities.
The goal is to get the land to what the VEDP classifies as Tier 4 readiness.
“Tier 4 readiness is a site characterization that includes a cleared and graded site, with utilities extended in such a way that the site could support building construction within 12 to 18 months,” says Abbey Stumpf, Albemarle’s director of communications and public engagement.
Stumpf says the county is hoping to break ground on clearing the land by midNovember. She added that Albemarle County’s site plan would be reviewed like that of a private developer.
Part of the funding for the site preparation work comes from a $613,570 grant from the GO Virginia Region 9 Council awarded to the county earlier this year.
An initial comment letter for the project was issued on time, according to the county’s Civic Access portal. One planner recommends a buffer because the proposed grading is close to a cemetery belonging to the Pritchett family, and the cemetery may be larger than originally believed.
“Although this cemetery appears to be compact and rigidly organized, this area should be treated with caution,” reads a portion of a historic survey conducted by the firm Cultural Resources Inc.
That work was done in advance of the rezoning, shortly after the county took possession of the land.
Annie Gould Gallery
The site that will be graded for the Rivanna Futures project is marked in gray. This is just phase one
TROY, VA (Fluvanna):
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· Park-like setting & very close to the Preddy Creek Trails Park
· Easy access to Route 29, Charlottesville Airport, & local shopping
SPECTACULAR LOTS FOR SALE! (2-3 acres) in Northern Albemarle. We can recommend builders or bring your own. Park-like setting & very close to the Preddy Creek Trails Park; a 571-acre recreation area offering miles of trails for mountain biking, hiking & horseback riding.
foyer and versatile flex room with full bath—perfect as a family room, guest suite or recspace. The open main level is ideal for entertaining with a spacious living room, dining area, and gourmet kitchen featuring an oversized island and upgraded finishes.Step out to a large deck, perfect for BBQs and outdoor dining. Upstairs, the owner’s suite offers a walk-in closet and spa-like bath with dual vanities. Two additionalbedrooms, a full bath, and laundry complete the bedroom level. The top floor features a cozy loft, ideal for an office or reading nook, plus access to your privaterooftop deck. Enjoy a strong sense of community with access to a clubhouse, gym, playground, dog park, wine socials, and food truck nights. Welcome home! $540,000 3215 BERGEN ST
SPRING COURT
Welcome to this beautifully maintained 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath condo nestled in Charlottesville’s desirable Four Seasons community. Ideally locatedjust minutes from the Shops at Stonefield, Route 29, I-64, and UVA, this home offers unmatched convenience to shopping, dining, and commuter routes. Inside, theopen-concept layout effortlessly connects the kitchen, dining, and living areas, creating a bright and airy living space perfect for both relaxing and entertaining.Expansive windows flood the home with natural light throughout. The spacious primary bedroom includes a walk-in closet for generous storage, while the secondbedroom offers flexibility as a guest room, home office, or creative space. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, downsizing, or investing, this home combines comfort,functionality, and a prime location. MLS# 664872 $218,000
935 MARSAC ST
PRIMARY SCHOOL
C-VILLE’S GUIDE TO EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE ON THIS MONTH’S PRIMARY BALLOT
By Catie Ratliff
It’s primary season in Virginia, and ahead of the June 17 election, C-VILLE reached out to candidates in the lieutenant governor, attorney general, Charlottesville City Council, and Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Jack Jouett District races. The candidates’ responses appear in the order in which they were received. Interviews and comments have been edited for length and clarity. (Head to c-ville.com for the candidates’ more in-depth responses to additional questions.)
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
With the race for Virginia governor already set (Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears vs. Democrat and former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger), the highest statewide office on the primary ballot is the lieutenant governor’s race.
Both parties were slated to have contests this summer, but the Republican primary was canceled after two challengers dropped out of the race. John Reid is now the de facto GOP lieutenant governor pick, and will face the winner of the crowded Democratic primary in November.
The six-candidate Democratic field includes political newcomers, local representatives, and current and former state legislators. Former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and state Sens. Ghazala Hashmi and Aaron Rouse are the current frontrunners in the race, outraising their opponents by a lot, according to the latest Virginia Public Access Project data. Attorney Alex Bastani; Babur Lateef, chair of the Prince William County School Board; and Victor Salgado, a prosecutor for the Department of Justice, are also vying for the nomination.
At press time, the Salgado campaign had not responded to C-VILLE. More information on Salgado and his priorities can be found at victorforvirginia.com.
C-VILLE: What are your top three priorities if elected?
Alex Bastani: The No. 1 issue is universal health care for all Virginians, which particularly impacts working-class minority communities who often can’t afford preventative care. … Secondly, we need to not only increase workingclass pay with a $20 minimum wage but also repeal the Right to Work Act, which makes collective bargaining for working-class Virginians all but impossible. … Finally, we must grant student debt relief, which prevents working-class individuals from buying homes not only
because of financial burden but poor credit ratings.
Babur Lateef: What I really care about— what most people care about—is affordability and affordable housing. … Young people are launching their lives and getting into their homes … later and later … Folks that are retiring are … getting priced out of staying in their own areas because of taxes and cost of living. No. 2 is improved access to education. … Make sure higher ed is affordable, making sure K through 12 offers robust opportunities for our students everywhere across the commonwealth, not just in areas that have well-resourced districts, but every district.
Three, as a physician, access to quality health care, making sure we defend Medicaid.
Ghazala Hashmi: Fully funding public education and lowering the costs of postsecondary credentials and college degrees: All children in Virginia should be guaranteed quality public education. …
Ensuring access to affordable and quality health care: Given federal threats, protecting Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act is a top priority. Fighting for housing as a basic human right. All Virginians deserve safe, habitable, and affordable housing.
Levar Stoney: I’m running for lieutenant governor because I want to give every Virginian a fair shot at success, and a fair shot, for me, begins with No. 1, be[ing] able to afford to live in Virginia.
No. 2 … access to the best public education system in the country. Right now, Virginia ranks dead last in math recovery from the pandemic. We rank 41st in reading recovery from the pandemic. We need to put our shoulder to the wheel and fund the true cost of public education in the state.
My third priority is ensuring that Virginia workers are protected. … Trump is cutting the federal workforce, which is also creating a ripple effect through our households.
Aaron Rouse: Families across Virginia are feeling squeezed, and right now they need leaders who are focused on helping them keep more of their hard-earned money. … As lieutenant governor, I’ll keep fighting to expand the child tax credit, eliminate the grocery tax, and make homeownership more accessible for firsttime buyers.
I’ll lead the charge to defend Virginians from the chaos caused by Donald Trump and Elon Musk—standing strong to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
And I’ll never stop investing in our children’s futures. That means raising teacher pay, expanding mentorship and training programs for educators, and partnering with universities to build a diverse, talented workforce. I’ll also strengthen career and technical education.
How do your priorities overlap with and diverge from your opponents’?
AB: It is clear [my opponents] have no priorities but answering to the donor class. My focus is effectuating deep structural change to our government, which has ignored the 80 percent of Virginians who do not earn six-figure salaries and have little to no savings as they live paycheck to paycheck.
BL: I’m proud to say that every topic I have brought up, my opponents have started talking about.
I’m the only candidate also currently fighting Donald Trump. The other candidates like to talk about how they’re going to stand up to Trump. Trump is investigating Prince William County for our bathroom policies and our model policies for trans students, which we have defended and not changed since Youngkin became governor.
I’ve been chairman of the school board seven years, [Richmond has] been running $1 to $2 billion surpluses, and they’re not returning those dollars back to fully fund
CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
Alex Bastani Babur Lateef
Ghazala Hashmi Levar Stoney
Aaron Rouse
our schools … If you’re not going to give us the money back to our localities, then … you should cut our taxes.
GH: I’m committed to holding regular town halls and community forums throughout all of Virginia, especially in our rural communities where the needs for healthcare services, economic development, and access to education opportunities are so great.
LS: I was the first person to begin talking about housing. … I see that same problem throughout the commonwealth. … Not only have I been a champion for more housing and housing affordability, but also I’ve done it.
AR: Experience and results matter. I’m the only candidate in this primary with both an effective record at the state and local government levels, and I’ve flipped two red seats to blue in the process.
What is the biggest issue Virginians are facing? How would you approach this issue?
AB: The biggest issue faced by Virginians is the extreme disparity of wealth in our nation. … I propose a bold progressive economic plan of a $20 an hour minimum wage, … implement universal health insurance at the state level, … [and] effectuate a student debt relief program. … We can pay for this by raising the state corporate tax, charging a user fee upon our state’s multi-billion dollar military industrial complex, and allowing marijuana to become a cash crop.
BL: Affordability is the biggest issue. … We want to get more folks into their homes sooner with a mix of grants, tax deductions for down payments, a commitment to pay people more. … We are losing population because people are leaving because it’s too expensive to live, and that’s a problem, and that continues to impact our teacher shortage issues and nursing shortage issues.
GH: Virginia families are struggling in a shaky, unpredictable economy. … Prices are rising, job security is limited at best, making ends meet is harder and for those on a fixed income or saving for retirement, these are perilous times.
As lieutenant governor, I plan to continue my efforts for Virginia families facing economic insecurities by helping laid-off workers transition to new careers through intentional workforce development efforts; … strengthening housing and food programs; protecting Medicaid and Social Security from the attacks of Trump and Musk; and supporting the development of affordable housing.
LS: The biggest issue that many Virginians face today is the issue of affordability. … I want to be a champion for their success by ensuring that we build more housing, that we lower costs, we lower health care costs as well.
AR: The biggest issue I hear from Virginians across the commonwealth is affordable housing—and that’s especially true in places like Charlottesville, where families are being priced out of the communities they’ve helped build. … I’m proud to have delivered property tax relief for our seniors. … I’ve pushed to expand down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, strengthen tenant protections, and hold bad landlords accountable. I’m also focused on increasing the supply of workforce housing by cutting red tape for affordable developments and partnering with local governments [and employers] to support smart, community-based growth.
Abigail Spanberger is the Democratic nominee for governor. How would you approach working with her if elected as governor and lieutenant governor, respectively?
AB: As lieutenant governor, while I will work with her to pass the three constitutional amendments from the previous session, I will use my position to advocate for the repeal of the so-called Right to Work statute, because my first obligation is to the middle- and working-class voters of the commonwealth.
BL: We already have a great relationship where we’re on each other’s speed dial, and we work closely together on issues impacting Prince William County schools. … I think she’s made schools and education a top priority, and I’m grateful for that. There’s nobody better positioned to help her with her top priorities than me.
GH: I began working with future governor Spanberger when she first ran for Congress in 2017 and when I ran for the state Senate in a district that overlapped hers in 2019. We’ve worked together for years to serve our shared constituents. … As lieutenant governor, I hope to strengthen collaboration between the General Assembly, where I have served for six years, and the Spanberger administration.
LS: As lieutenant governor, I’m going to be a public advocate. … I’m going to be a public advocate for the policies of Abigail Spanberger, but also the policies of the Democratic Party as well. … My job will be to be a public advocate for the issues of Virginians, particularly against those issues that are impacted or that are affected by the federal government.
AR: I plan to work closely with Governor Spanberger to develop and push forward a strong agenda focused on lowering costs for Virginians, protecting our communities from disruptions coming out of Washington, D.C., and reversing the harm caused by the Youngkin administration.
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL
Current Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares will move directly to the November general election. And with no Republican primary on the ballot, all eyes are on the Democratic contest between former Assistant Attorney General and Delegate Jay Jones and current Commonwealth’s Attorney for Henrico County Shannon Taylor.
C-VILLE: What are your top three priorities if elected?
Jay Jones: My top priority is restoring the attorney general’s office to what it should be—a watchdog for the people, not a weapon for political games. … I’ll take on price gouging, housing discrimination, and corporate abuse, while defending reproductive freedom and civil rights. The job is to serve the people of Virginia. Shannon Taylor: I believe that [Attorney General Jason Miyares] has been taking on issues from a political lens, and so one of the things we’re going to have to do is to look to see what’s been happening in the office. … Reviewing what’s happening in that office, and making sure they’re being done from a legal analysis, a constitutional analysis, and not from a political agenda.
We also are going to have to look to see what’s been going on with these federal lawsuits.
Last but not least, is to look at the organization of the office, find out those units that have been either under utilized or not utilized.
What makes you the best choice for this position? How is this distinct from your opponent?
JJ: I’ve served as a legislator, an assistant attorney general, and a lifelong public servant focused on fairness and justice. As assistant attorney general, I worked to protect families from fraud and pred-
atory lending, holding bad actors accountable. … I know how this office works—and how to deliver real results for Virginians. I bring both legal experience and a deep understanding of how to make policy work for people.
ST: Voters need to know that when they are electing an attorney general, they have somebody who is ready to hit the ground running on day one. … I have been practicing law for almost 30 years.
I’ve been a leader in the courtroom. … I was the one who prosecuted the Klansman who drove his truck through the Black Lives Matter march in my county in 2020 …. I was … the special prosecutor to handle one of the white supremacists who marched on the Lawn at the University of Virginia. I’m the one who got on the stage to say that on the date of the Dobbs decision, that I would never prosecute a woman and her doctor for engaging in that very personal reproductive health choice.
I have actually done the work. And voters need to know that that is a distinction between myself and my primary opponent … and Mr. Miyares in November.
If you win the primary, what makes you a strong candidate moving into the November general election?
JJ: This race is about leadership. I’ve taken on tough fights as a legislator, passed laws that protect Virginians, and worked in the AG’s office in Washington, D.C. I know what it takes to lead at this moment. We need an attorney general who won’t hesitate to take on Donald Trump.
ST: I have the proven electability against Republicans. … I’ve proven it four times here in Henrico County. … The things that even Attorney General Miyares talks about as either aspirational or wanting to take credit for, I can say I’ve actually done those prosecutions.
Jay Jones
Shannon Taylor
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL
Charlottesville residents will cast their ballot in the city’s experiment with ranked-choice voting this month. Newcomer Jen Fleisher is challenging incumbent Mayor Juandiego Wade and Vice-Mayor Brian Pinkston in the two-seat election. (For more information on ranked-choice voting, visit rankedchoiceva.org or c-ville.com.)
C-VILLE: What are your top three priorities if (re)elected?
Juandiego Wade: If reelected, I will continue to prioritize affordable housing, public safety, [and] programs for the youth.
Brian Pinkston: I think the first thing that is most urgent and emergent is the situation with the federal government. … The second thing that, for me, I really want to make a priority is addressing the unhoused, particularly downtown. …
We’ve had a very difficult time standing up a low-barrier shelter due to both the costs, and the fact that neighborhoods are resistant to having a low-barrier shelter.
… The third thing … we’ve had quite a turnaround at the city in the last three years, and I want to deepen that.
Jen Fleisher: My top priorities are transportation, housing, and education.
… I’ll invest in reliable, accessible, clean
public transit so that people can get where they need to go easily and ontime. I’ll ensure thoughtful implementation of our new zoning code and community land trust so Charlottesville’s families can afford to live here. I’ll support strong public schools with the funding they need to attract and maintain high-quality staff, teachers, facilities, and infrastructure.
What makes you the best choice for this position? How is this distinct from your opponents?
JW: I have experience as a former school board member for 16 years, transportation planner, mentor, and career counselor. I have served this community at all levels for the past 35 years.
I am the only candidate of color. I am the only candidate that has experience on the Charlottesville school board and experience as a transportation planner where I planned roads, bike lanes, sidewalks, and transit stops and expansion.
BP: Each person, each one of us, brings distinctive aspects. … [I bring] experience, not only 30 years of doing project management work, but also I’ve been on council the last three and a half years. …
Even though there has been quite a turnaround in the city, and I’m proud to have been a part of that, the gains are fragile. The work done is not complete.
JF: As a public health leader, I’ve proven that I know how to work with City Hall to deliver real results—from crisis response during COVID to long-term investments in regional transit.. … I’ve found our current Council can lose track of priorities and drag out the time it takes to get projects done, and I want to change that.
What is your first course of action if (re)elected?
JW: I was part of the change agent that moved the city forward. It has been positive and supported by the public. I will continue those efforts.
BP: Increase how rapidly we move to work with our unhoused residents downtown in particular. … I really feel like we’re on the cusp of doing some significant work with the unhoused. We’ve been talking about it a lot, and it’s time to actually make some headway.
JF: Our newly formed Regional Transit Authority will be my first priority project if elected. We need to bring the University Transit Service into that work to strengthen our regional bus network.
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR ALBEMARLE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS JACK JOUETT DISTRICT
County residents in the Jack Jouett District will also have a local primary on the ballot, with David Shreve and Sally Duncan both vying for the Democratic nomination for the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors seat
C-VILLE: What are your top three priorities if elected?
David Shreve: In no particular order … improve the fairness, equity, and adequacy of our county’s fiscal policy; planning for affordable housing initiatives that create permanent affordable housing options, not temporary, exclusively market-based projects … and diversify and enhance [the county’s] transportation system. Sally Duncan: Housing and economic development, schools, and transit. Housing and economic growth are connected because in order to reduce the tax burden on residents, we need to diversify our tax base. We need business growth and workforce development along with a larger supply of homes, and more homes … that people can afford.
We need to continue to support and fund our public schools, … and in the Jack Jouett district specifically, it means continued and active work on redeveloping the Lamb’s Lane campus. We need to continue to participate in the Regional Transit Authority so that we have a public transit system that is convenient and reliable.
What makes you the best choice for this position? How is this distinct from your opponent?
DS: I’ve devoted my career to learning about, and advocating and organizing for, policies that help people achieve
one paramount goal: maximum economic opportunity, combined with a high and sustainable quality of life.
My long experience as a scholar of public policy, as a legislative budget analyst, a National Governors Association post-doctoral fellow, a tax policy reform specialist and consultant, and a nonprofit executive, … [has] taught me how to see the big picture and how to ask the right questions.
SD: My experience as a mother of public school students, as a substitute teacher with ACPS, as a historian, as a teacher, as a working parent, and as a renter will bring a needed perspective to [the board].
My opponent has been around this county for a long time. He has a long history of supporting policies that directly contradict the needs of the people in the Jack Jouett District. He has written that population reduction needs to happen, and tax credits shouldn’t be allowed for more than two children. … We need a supervisor who does not see people and their needs as a burden.
How do your priorities overlap with and diverge from your opponent?
DS: We have both spoken loudly about the need for affordable housing. My approach is that we must build such housing intentionally, almost always with nonprofit partners and in tandem with multiple levels of government agencies. This approach is not based on the false notion that if we just build more, prices will tumble, or that developers will then be able to carve out the permanently affordable units we need.
SD: My opponent has written that the reason we have a housing crisis is because there are too many people, and that building more is not the solution. He has written that economic growth is unnecessary. … I believe that if we do not prioritize economic development, workforce development, and increased wages, then things will continue to be difficult, because services are going to continue to be needed. … Stopping population growth and economic growth does not stop prices from rising. … When we are in a housing crisis where demand is heavier than supply, then we must increase our supply in order to provide homes, and to lower the costs of them across the board.
Juandiego Wade Brian Pinkston Jen Fleisher
David Shreve
Sally Duncan
My name is Jordan Hague and I created Equity Saver USA in 2008 to offer a better, more affordable service to disrupt and challenge what I personally experienced to be an outdated and flawed approach to Realtor compensation at the expense of sellers and buyers.
In 2024 the National Association of Realtors settled a billion dollar lawsuit related to inflated Realtor commission practices. This monumental settlement opens the door for true free market competition and innovation to thrive. I’ve successfully sold homes using a 1% model for nearly 2 decades proving the old “6% legacy” commission model is a waste of money and does nothing to help promote affordable housing. Contact me direct to arrange a no obligation meeting to learn more.
“Jordan
CULTURE
FRIDAY 6/13
HIGHER EDUCATION
Independent reggae artist Mighty Joshua’s conscious lyricism, decrying historic and contemporary inequity while praising positivity and resilience, speaks broadly to the experiences of the African diaspora. His words flow over compositions driven by African percussion traditions, creating a real roots reggae sound reminiscent of genre stars like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. The artist has performed as an opening act for international reggae sensations Culture, Steel Pulse, and Ziggy Marley, and is currently supporting the 2024 release of his latest album, Dreaducation. $18–20, 8pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com
JODY CARBONE
TO-DO LIST CULTURE
Wednesday 6/11
music
Beleza Duo. An evening of funkalicious samba soul—music that moves you from the inside out, with Madeline Holly-Sales on vocals and keys, and Berto Sales on guitar, voice, and loops. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com
Jim Waive. Whether he’s breathing new life into the classics or pouring his guts out into originals, Waive can make your heart sing and your boots scoot. $5, 7pm. The Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com
Mood Ring: Queer and Trans Open Mic Night. Come share original music. Mic, speakers, and keyboard provided. Please bring your other instruments. Free, 7pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. fireflycville.com
Open Mic Night. Mic check to all musicians, poets, and everyone in between. All ages welcome. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St. dance
Weekly Swing Dance. Beginner-friendly swing dance lessons teaching the Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, and blues. No partner needed. Stay for social dancing after the class. $10, 7pm. The Front Porch , 221 E. Water St. frontporchcville.com words
Chivalry in Color: Central European Tournaments and the Matter of Race. This lecture
by Williams College Associate Professor Alexander Bevilacqua considers the peculiarities and challenges of the bibliographic documentation of cross-racial chivalric masquerades. Free, 5:30pm. Harrison Auditorium of the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, 170 McCormick Rd. rarebookschool.org
classes
Paint + Sip: Sunset Pines. Learn how to paint this design in a step-by-step format, no experience necessary. Your ticket includes an 11×14-inch canvas and acrylic paint. $38, 6pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. blueridgebrushes.com etc.
Rapture Karaoke. The longest-running karaoke event in town. Hosted by Jenn DeVille. Free, 9pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com
Thursday 6/12
music
Berto and Vincent. A night of wild flamenco rumba and Latin guitar. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com
Midnight Buzz Band. Another Tailgate Thursday event, featuring a dynamic band that delivers an eclectic blend of acoustic and electric classic rock. Free, 6pm. Stinson Vineyards, 4744 Sugar Hollow Rd. Crozet. stinsonvineyards.com
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SATURDAY 6/14
Historically known as Jubilee Day, Charlottesville’s Juneteenth Celebration commemorates the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation, functioning as a second Independence Day. Parade Grand Marshal Mayor Juandiego Wade leads a procession from Jackson P. Burley Middle School to the Jefferson School City Center for a day of festivities, including Boots on the Ground line dancing, musical performances by Jen Tal and Ebony Groove (pictured), an NBA 2K tournament, and the Charlottesville-Albemarle Black Business Expo. Free, 9am–3pm. Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, 233 Fourth St. NW. jeffschoolheritagecenter.org
✓ Niche Gym
✓ Personal Trainers: Billy Dempsey, Eve Hesselroth and Gerron Kent
Solidarity Complete
Fitness is a full-service strength & conditioning studio. Our goal is to improve all areas of fitness by providing thoughtful programming, a supportive community, and premium coaching. We are here to help you reach all of your health and fitness goals, no matter what they are.
Open Mic Night. Music, singing, poetry, spoken word ... everyone is welcome to participate. Hosted by Jordan Redifer and Mark Douglas, with guitars on hand to accompany performers. Free, 7pm. The Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com
Railroad Sessions. A new music series, featuring Leo Craft from Tennessee, Dusty Buckets from Maine, and Hellbound from right here in Charlottesville. Free, 7pm. Ace Biscuit & Barbecue, 600 Concord Ave. acebbq.com
stage
Master Class: Mezzos with Audrey Babcock. Teachers and artists work with the Ader Emerging Artists to improve technique, coach diction, and master style. This concert features Audrey Babcock coaching the mezzo-soprano artists. Free, 10am. First Presbyterian Church, 500 Park St. charlottesvilleopera.org
Sense & Sensibility Experience the elegance and wit of Jane Austen’s classic. $33–68, 7:30pm. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespearecenter.com
classes
Tots & Dots. A visual literacy program for children ages 6 months to 4 years. Engaging early learners and their caregivers in looking at and talking about art, followed by a fun hands-on activity. Registration required. Free, 10am. Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of UVA, 400 Worrell Dr. kluge-ruhe.org etc.
Bent Theatre Improv. A hilarious evening of improv comedy where you make the show by suggesting scenes for the players to act out. Free, 7pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com
Brewery Puzzle Hunt. An escape room meets a pub crawl. Visit the Preston Avenue breweries, crack codes, unravel riddles, and sample Charlottesville’s best brews. Players get $1-off pints at each brewery. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com
Trivia Night. Trivia competition for teams of up to six players. This month’s theme: entertainment knowledge. RSVPs requested. Free, 6pm. Hardware Hills Vineyard, 5199 W. River Rd., Scottsville. hardwarehills.com
Vineyard Puzzle Hunt. Like an escape room but at a winery. Crack codes and unravel riddles while sampling Charlottesville’s best wine, beer, and cider. Play when you want and go at your own pace. $15, available noon–8pm. Please confirm Eastwood Winery and Potter’s Cider hours beforehand. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. puzzledbee.com
Friday 6/13
music
Beleza Duo. Funkalicious samba soul music. Free, 6pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com
Fridays After Five: Ramona and The Holy Smokes. Honky-tonk and Mexitonk original country music recalling classic country from the 1950s and ’60s. With Brandon Wayne & His Lonesome Drifters. Free, 5:30pm. Ting Pavilion, 700 E. Main St. tingpavilion.com
Hurricane Phil Spence. Songs you know and love from genres including classic rock, outlaw country, folk, Americana, and more. Free, 5:30pm. Hardware Hills Vineyard, 5199 W. River Rd., Scottsville. hardwarehills.com
TO-DO LIST CULTURE
FRIDAY 6/13
CELLO DRAMA
Classical music and criminal narratives commingle on the pages of The Dark Maestro, the latest offering from author, educator, and musician Brendan Slocumb. The book follows Curtis Wilson, a cello prodigy from a Washington, D.C., housing project. Wilson ascends to the heights of his profession, but his life is torn asunder when his father turns state’s evidence, setting off a series of events that see Wilson and his family fighting for their survival. Slocumb will read selections from the novel, followed by a Q&A session. Free, 7pm. New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. ndbookshop.com
Ken Matthews. Matthews lays down some wailing saxophone and classic tunes on the clarinet. Free, 5pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com
Michael Clem & Rusty Speidel. Longtime pals and local fixtures return to Offbeat Roadhouse with old and familiar tunes, as well as new and soon-tobe released music. Free, 8pm. The Stage at WTJU, 2244 Ivy Rd. wtju.net
Michael & the Misdemeanors. Jazzy takes on crowd-pleasing tunes. Free, 10pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com
Mighty Joshua. Independent reggae artist engages audiences by opening minds and activating bodies through song. Conscious lyrics flow freely to create distinctive refrains that pulse with pride. $18–20, 8pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com
stage
Shameless Light. A performance of a queer love letter reading project during the opening of Dani and Sheilah ReStack’s show, “Return of the Triumphal Mother.” Free, 6pm. Visible Records, 1740 Broadway St. visible-records.com
words
Author Event: Brendan Slocumb. Slocumb reads from his new novel, The Dark Maestro, a propulsive and moving story about sacrifice, loyalty, and the indomitable human spirit. An audience Q&A follows. Free, 7pm. New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. newdominionbookshop.com
Storytime. A magical storytime adventure where the pages come alive and imagination knows no
Michael Clem. Clem has been playing bass, singing, and writing songs for the national touring act he co-founded, Eddie from Ohio. Free, 2:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com
Mike Proffitt. A mixture of original and classic acoustic rock. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com
Perennial Collection. Kicking off a Second Saturdays music series, Perennial Collection brings its unique local blend of R&B, soul, hip-hop, and jazz featuring rich vocal harmonies and dynamic arrangements. $5–10, 5pm. The Quarry Gardens at Schuyler, 1643 Salem Rd., Schuyler. victoryhallopera.org
Porch Dogs. Rock, pop, oldies, country. You name it, they play it. Come bark with the Dogs. Free, 12:30pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com
Rae the Band. New York City-based soul-funkblues ensemble featuring lead guitarist Clayton Ware, who grew up in Mathews, Virginia. Free, 10pm. Miller’s Downtown, 109 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. millersdowntown.com
South Canal Street. Songs from the golden era of music—the late 1950s to the 1970s. Free, 6pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com
Tara Mills Band. An original blend of folk, bluegrass, and Americana. Free, 5pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glass housewinery.com
The Pollocks. A pub-style show with first-come seating, general admission standing, and plenty of room for dancing. $15, 7pm. Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com stage
bounds. Free with admission to the museum, 10:30am. Virginia Discovery Museum, 524 E. Main St. vadm.org
etc.
Brewery Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, June 12. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com
Trivia with Olivia. Get the weekend started with beers and trivia. Free, 6pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. superflybrewing.com
Vineyard Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, June 12. $15, available noon–8pm. Please confirm Eastwood Winery and Potter’s Cider hours beforehand. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. puzzledbee.com
Saturday 6/14
music
Dropping Julia CD Release Party. A dynamic rhythm section, soothing and soulful guitars, jazzy, colorful keyboard and saxophone, topped off with Jules’ whimsical yet sultry vocals. With Musical Suspects. Free, 10pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com
Josh Mayo. An up close and personal show of original rock and classic covers. Free, 10pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com
Metal Prog, Less Mayhem. A slightly chiller Metal Mayhem event, featuring The New Mutiny from Norfolk, That Which Sleeps from VBVA, and Future Projektor and Cut the Architect’s Hand from
Fairies Drag Competition. Watch six drag entertainers duel it out to win the title of 2025 FIREFLY Fairy. Hosted by Jackie of all Trades and judged by the lovely Cinnamon Ice and Mary Kate & Asscheeks. Ages 18+. Free, 8:30pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. fireflycville.com
Pride Drag Show. Featuring local and regional drag queens including Angel, Aquarius Moon, Veronica Mae Monroe, and ’Licious. Hosted by Katja Attenshun. $20–70, 8pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. superflybrewing.com Sense & Sensibility. See listing for Thursday, June 12. $33–68, 7:30pm. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespearecenter.com classes
Expressive Watercolor and Ink: Delicate Florals. Explore the versatility of loose watercolor combined with ink by learning ways to depict the beauty of delicate florals. Ages 15+. $35, 11am. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com
etc.
2025 Descendants Day. Share information, resources, and encouragement with others interested in the histories of slavery, equity, and shaping the future through understanding history. Free, 10am. James Monroe’s Highland, 2050 James Monroe Pkwy. highland.org
Brewery Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, June 12. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com
Charlottesville-Albemarle Black Business Expo. The ninth annual event returns to celebrate Black-owned businesses. Featuring panels, a pitch competition, performances, 40+ vendors, and more. Free, 9am. Jefferson School City Center, 233 Fourth St. NW. jeffersoncitycenter.com
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Family Studio Day. Families with kids of all ages are invited to spend time creating art together in the gallery. This month’s activity is inspired by the mixed media works of exhibiting artist Nikki Painter. Free, 10am. Second Street Gallery, 115 Second St. SE. secondstreetgallery.org
Juneteenth 2025. This annual festival and parade commemorating emancipation features the Black Business Expo, an NBA 2K tournament, live music, dancing, and more. With Grand Marshal Mayor Juan Diego Wade. Free, 9am. Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, 233 Fourth St. NW. jeffschoolheritagecenter.org
LYAO Stand Up: Arielle Isaac Norman. The nationally touring headlining comic known for the Ellen DeGenderless YouTube special explores all the hot button gender issues. Ages 16+. $20–25, 8pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com
Metallica Pinball Party and Tournament. Official Stern Pinball launch party and tournament for Metallica Remastered, operated by The Pin Ballroom. Featuring prizes, raffles, and more. Sign up by 2pm, tournament begins at 2:15pm. $10 tournament entry fee, 11am. Pro Re Nata Brewpub & Music Hall, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpk., Crozet. prnbrewery.com
North Garden Culinary Society. Meet new people, share recipes, and explore the adventure of cooking. This is a communal group, not a class. Recipes for the communal scrapbook are appreciated. Free, 6:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com
Punk Rock Flea Market. Vintage clothes, records, and more. Live music and/or DJs perform. Free, 11am. Ace Biscuit & Barbecue, 600 Concord Ave. acebbq.com
Queeraoke. Everyone is welcome to join the fun and sing their heart out. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St.
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
Vineyard Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, June 12. $15, available noon–8pm. Please confirm Eastwood Winery and Potter’s Cider hours beforehand. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. puzzledbee.com
Sunday 6/15
music
An Lár Traditional Irish Band. An afternoon of fast-paced jigs and reels, slower waltzes and airs, and Irish folk ballads of love and adventure. Free, 2pm. Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com
Greg Ward. Groovy reggae tunes and positive vibes. Free, 2pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com Music for Dads. A Father’s Day performance by Beleza Duo, performing a blend of samba, funk, soul, blues, bossa nova, jazz, and Spanish flamenco. Free, 11am. Tasting Room and Taphouse at Mount Ida Reserve, 5600 Moonlight Dr., Scottsville. mountidareserve.com
The Arcadian Wild. A four-piece indie folk/pop group from Nashville combining elements of progressive bluegrass, folk, and formal vocal music. With Dallas Ugly. $25, 8pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com Vinyl Day. Bring dad and your favorite vinyl records for an afternoon of listening, sharing, and reminiscing. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com
Beyond Black and white
On multiracial identity and the temporary insanity of writing
BY SARAH LAWSON
Danzy Senna’s latest novel, Colored Television, tells the story of Jane, a novelist and tenure-track professor, and her husband Lenny, a painter and teacher at a Los Angeles art school that’s described as “a white hipster playground.” As a self-identified mulatto woman married to a Black man, Jane is abundantly aware of issues of race and class in her life. She uses her creative work as a place to examine these dynamics, root herself in a history that is not strictly Black and white, and attempt to make a place for herself and her multiracial family. However, while her writing is entirely focused on her interest in mulatto history and identity, Lenny’s paintings are abstract, one art critic noting that, “You’d never know the painter was Black.” This highlights a core tension within the book.
Colored Television explores and grapples with multiracial identity and the empty promise of representation, class differences and economic aspirations, the social expectations placed on women—especially Black women—and the potent ways that these experiences can combine to foster imposter syndrome and shame.
For those familiar with Senna’s previous work—especially her debut bestseller Caucasia, which has been translated into 12 languages and was named a Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year in 1998—the themes will sound familiar, as her previous work also explored race and multiracial identity, class, and family, often with autobiographical details.
Senna, a professor of English and creative writing at the University of Southern California, is the author of six acclaimed books. She has received the Whiting Award and the John Dos Passos Prize for Literature, among other accolades, and her byline can be found in The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Vogue, among other publications. Colored Television was named a New York Times Notable Book of 2024.
As Colored Television begins, Jane is living in the ambiguity of trying to publish a second book. Her debut novel was published to great acclaim, but she’s been working on her follow-up for 10 years. With a focus on “racial nomads,” the draft of the second novel is a sprawling and chaotic endeavor. Jane hopes that a sabbatical from teaching, that aligns with a family housesitting opportunity for wealthy friends, will prove to be the motivation she needs to finish the book, submit it to her editor, and grasp the golden ring awaiting her on the other side of publication.
Senna writes, “Jane hadn’t been about to miss out on the opportunity to pretend they were rich Black artists who lived in the hills. She had been determined to be that couple this year… This was the year she would finish the book she’d been writing for so long. She’d publish it and get tenure, and they’d be middle class and maybe even have the money to buy a house of their very own.”
Things do not go according to plan. Jane, looking for middle-class stability and security for her family, reflects, “Mulatto children of peripatetic artistic hippies did not want to age into being peripatetic mulatto adults with children. It was an endless loop. She wanted a real middle-class home the way only a half-caste child of seventies-era squalor wants a home.” Instead, she winds up destabilizing her husband and children, making herself miserable along the way.
Throughout the book, Jane lies—a lot—to her family, to her friends and other people in her life. While housesitting, Jane goes to great lengths to pretend to be wealthy, throwing an extravagant birthday party for one of her children and wearing the clothes of one of the homeowners. Senna describes this pretense by writing, “her mouth filled with the bitter taste of want.” But it is a very specific type of desire that Jane is trying to fulfill, one that is deeply connected to her childhood and her multiracial identity. The resulting bitterness and stress pervade her work and Jane’s editor eventually responds to her finished draft by opining that, “You’re doing yourself a disfavor by writing about race again—by writing about, you know, the whole mixed-race thing.” Inspired by a friend from her MFA program, Jane decides to make the jump to writing for television, where she endeavors to create “the Jackie Robinson of biracial comedies” for a streaming service. Adventures ensue.
In the end, Colored Television is a smart satire about the lengths someone will go to and the pitfalls of chasing success when the very idea of “making it” has been defined by society instead of oneself. As Senna writes, “Jane’s father had once told her that white people believed, deep in their hearts, that Black people would all choose to become white if they could. But Black people didn’t want to be white…. Black people wanted only a big yellow Victorian on the hill, not to be the white people who lived there.”
Colored Television will be discussed by the African American Authors Book Club on June 12 at The Center at Belvedere. All are welcome.
This beautiful city has kept us up and running through advertising support since 1989, but now we also need you, readers of the free word, to help us keep telling local stories. If free, independent news is important to you, please consider a gift of $35 to keep the lights on—in our office, sure, but also the light we will continue to shine into every corner of Charlottesville. Depending on the size of your gift, you could receive a digital copy of C-VILLE every Tuesday evening (before it hits stands Wednesday), a tote bag, and two invites to the Best of C-VILLE party in August 2025. Support the work of C-VILLE Weekly.
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classes
Beginning and Intermediate Gelli Printmaking. Learn to use a gelli plate to create custom paper designs for display, collage, or scrapbooking and cardmaking. Ages 16+. $30, 2pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com etc.
Batesville British Car Show. A non-judged show sharing the beauty of British automobiles. Free attendance for viewers. $20–25 for exhibitors, 10am. The Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com
Brewery Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, June 12. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com
Dad Jams & Cider Slams. Celebrate Father’s Day with lawn games and live music from The Dadgers. Free, 2pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com
Vineyard Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, June 12. $15, available noon–8pm. Please confirm Eastwood Winery and Potter’s Cider hours beforehand. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. puzzledbee.com
Monday 6/16
stage
Master Class: Tenors with Jason Ferrante. Teachers and artists work with the Ader Emerging Artists to improve technique, coach diction, and master style. This concert features Jason Ferrante coaching the tenor Ader Emerging Artists. Free, 10am. First Presbyterian Church, 500 Park St. charlottesvilleopera.org
Tuesday 6/17
music
Gary Hawthorne. Expressive, melodic, and powerful originals and covers from one of the region’s most enduring voices. Free, 9pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com
Vincent Zorn. Lively flamenco rumba with a unique percussive technique that incorporates a diverse range of strumming styles, rhythms, and taps. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com
stage
Carmen KidsFest. Enjoy complimentary popcorn and water as you watch the first act of Carmen Students are dismissed at intermission and given a take home packet of materials. For children in grades K–12. Registration required. Free, 12:30pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. charlottesvilleopera.org
classes
Paint and Sip: Tropical Paradise. Learn how to paint this design in a step-by-step format, no experience necessary. Ticket includes an 11×14-inch canvas and acrylic paint. One beverage included with ticket. $40, 6pm. Ellie’s Country Club, 16 Elliewood Ave. blueridgebrushes.com etc.
Geeks Who Drink Trivia. Good trivia, good times. Teams of two to six people compete to win prizes like gift certificates and pint glasses, plus bragging rights. Free, 7pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. fireflycville.com
The Run Club. Do a 5K run, then drink beer. $1-off pints for runners. Free, 6pm. Decipher Brewing, 1740 Broadway St.
TRIED IT IN C’VILLE CULTURE
Healing within and beyond
Living in a college town comes with challenges (think crosswalks on the Corner between classes). It also comes with wonderful benefits, such as access to the expertise and research of renowned faculty members through UVA Lifetime Learning programs.—Kristie Smeltzer
What
Participating online in UVA Lifetime Learning’s Meditation, Altered States, and AfterDeath Communication event.
Why
Interest in the topics and curiosity about the research.
How it went
I learned a lot—and the experience awakened other curiosities.
UVA Lifetime Learning offers in-person and virtual events as well as online resources. I joined a Zoom meeting to hear from J. Kim Penberthy, Ph.D., a faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences and Division of Perceptual Studies at the university’s School of Medicine. Her research interests include consciousness, psychology at end of life, and the use of mindfulness practices to enhance people’s performance.
Through anecdotal stories about her patients and highlights from her research, Penberthy discussed the effects of meditation. One experience involved a devoutly religious woman with terminal cancer. Her faith helped her make peace with her impending passing, but she worried about her husband of 45 years—that he’d struggle after she passed.
“She was right,” Penberthy said. “About six months after her death, he contacted me. He was very despondent and reported being distracted and not able to function. His distraction was related to yearning for his wife.”
Penberthy works with patients and their families, so she also treated the husband, whom she referred to as John Doe to protect his privacy. After trying several treatments, nothing resolved Doe’s most persistent complaints, and his symptoms revealed that he had prolonged grief disorder. At the heart of his turmoil lurked a persistent worry: He knew how deeply he loved his wife, his high school sweetheart, but he had begun to question if she loved him the same way. That’s when Penberthy decided to teach him how to meditate.
“He was very skeptical. He had never done anything like [meditation] before,” Penberthy said. “He worked very hard, and it did indeed help reduce his distress. I had hypothesized that this would work, based on the research that existed in the literature, and the research that we had done ourselves here at UVA.”
Doe’s meditation practice led to the breakthrough he needed to start to heal in his
grief. Another facet of Penberthy’s research is after-death communication and the potential connection between meditation and experiencing the phenomenon. After about six months, Doe contacted Penberthy to let her know that he had an experience that made him feel ready to stop seeing her.
“He was in his regular practice of meditation at the end of the day, again, dealing with this repetitive thought of, ‘Did she love me? Did she love me? Will I ever know?’,” Penberthy said. “He said she came to him— his wife came to him. He said it was a very intimate experience that he wouldn’t share with me. What he learned is that she did love him,” said Penberthy. “This visit from her is what helped resolve his grief and allowed him to move on. So, this is important to that individual, for sure, to that John Doe. It’s also important to all the grieving people out there, and we have many of them.”
According to Penberthy’s research, afterdeath communication is more common
than many may think. She initially began researching spontaneous after-death communication, contact that occurs without initiation or solicitation from the person receiving the message.
“It’s estimated that between 25 and 60 percent of mourners worldwide experience one or more spontaneous after-death communications,” said Penberthy, who has written that ADC may occur in several forms: a sense of presence without specific sensory content; sensory experiences; symbolic experiences; or electronic experiences.
The presentation also included information about a host of proven health benefits from regular meditation, such as reducing stress, decreasing blood pressure, aiding with insomnia, and alleviating anxiety and depression symptoms.
Additionally, she and colleagues have researched a potential correlation between a meditative practice and increase in experience of extrasensory perception (ESP).
UVA’s Lifetime Learning’s Meditation, Altered States, and After-Death Communication teaches that meditation can offer mourners a sense of peace.
THE WINE DOWN
WHAT’S DELISH AT LOCAL WINERIES?
53RD WINERY AND VINEYARD
A note from Winegrower and Owner, Dave Drillock
Our newest wine release is our Vidal Blanc, named Venust! It is 100% Vidal Blanc with a hint of residual sugar and lively acidity. Great on its own and a very food friendly wine with light fare, poultry and pork dishes. A perfect refreshing summer wine you will want to enjoy. A Staff favorite too!
We invite you to visit our serene, meadow-like location in rural Louisa County. We pride ourselves on being genuine and approachable, eager to share our passion for wine without any scripted lines or memorized facts, just a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
We are a Winery that just wants to be a Winery!
For more details, please check our website at www.53rdwinery.com or call us at 540-894-1536. We look forward to welcoming you to the winery, and we truly appreciate your business and support.
Upcoming events:
June 14th: National Rose Day. Live music plus Cousin’s Main Lobster truck. A perfect companion with our Roses. Purchase a bottle and receive a complimentary “Rose the Day Away” glass while supplies last. Live music from noon to 4.
June 21st: Two Brothers Southwestern Grill and live music, noon to 4. A Wine Club Day with a special tasting that you can enjoy for $17 if not a wine club member.
available in our tasting room and online.
We are open 7 days a week throughout the month of January, with live music every weekend! Make sure to keep an eye on our website and social media pages for the most up to date listings of our upcoming artists.
Fridays- Friday Night Out! Every Friday night through the summer we feature half price wine flights, live music, food for sale, and grills available for use until 8:00pm.
Weekends- Live music all weekend long! Check out our lineup on our website!
June 15th- Father’s Day! DuCard Vineyards invites you to bring Dad for an afternoon of wine and music! The winery staff is dusting off the turntable and speakers and bringing their favorite records for a for Vinyl Day. Everyone is invited to bring out their own record albums and 45’s to the tasting room for an afternoon of listening, sharing, and reminiscing. A complimentary glass of the 2023 Black Bear for Dad for Father’s Day.
June 28th: There is a very special cabernet franc wine and food pairing event to be held on the crush pad. Inside the tank room if inclement weather. Some great food pairings will be prepared by Sauce Catering and we’ll be tasting 2019 through 2023 Cab Francs. Our Winemaker Chelsey Blevins and yours truly will be discussing the wines and why we enjoy Cabernet Franc so much. This is a ticketed event. Tickets and details can be purchased by going to our website www.53rdwinery.com. Hope to see you there. Live music noon to 4.
Open 7 days a week, 11 am – 5 pm • Sat/Sun. 12-6 pm 13372 Shannon Hill Rd Louisa, VA 23093 (540) 894-5474 • 53rdwinery.com
DUCARD VINEYARDS
2022 Norton
Aged in stainless steel, Virginia’s native grape exhibits notes of dried fruit and spice. Serve with a light chill and your favorite barbecue or dark chocolate. It is
40 Gibson Hollow Ln Etlan, VA 22719 (540) 923-4206 www.ducardvineyards.com
EASTWOOD FARM AND WINERY
BLUEBERRY SEASON
Enjoy delicious blueberry specials in the tasting room all summer including our seasonal Blueberry Wheat Ale, Blueberry Cider, Blueberry Lemonade Wine Slushies as well as menu items highlighting this favorite fruit including our popular Blueberry Flatbread, Baked Brie, & more! We’ve teamed up with SugarBear Ice Cream again this year to bring back the fan favorite, Blueberry Sunshine, lemon ice cream swirled with blueberry coulis! It’s a sweet treat you won’t want to miss this summer!
Upcoming at the Winery:
Virginia Oyster & Wine
Celebration | Every Friday In May Our Virginia Oyster & Wine
Celebration is back every Friday night! The oysters are prepared by Salty Bottom Blue. Enjoy them in a relaxed, fun atmosphere with live music from 5-8pm on the stage in our tasting room.
Music Bingo | Thursday, June 5
Everyone loves singing along with their favorite songs and who doesn’t love a competitive game of Bingo? Music Bingo brings together the best of both worlds for a high energy game that is fun for everyone. Simply listen to the music, match the songs to the titles on your music bingo cards, and win great prizes! Free to play
Paint & Sip | Wednesday, June 11 & Sunday, June 29
Grab a glass of wine (or your favorite drink!) and let your creativity flow in our relaxed and fun Paint & Sip classes. Whether you’re an experienced artist or a first-time painter, the talented instructors of Blue Ridge Brushes will walk you through the painting process as you create your own masterpiece. Ticketed Events - Reserve Your Spot On Our Website
Father’s Day Weekend |
Thursday, June 12 - Sunday, June 15
Join us for a fun weekend celebrating Dad and all the father figures in your life! See schedule of events below and all details available on our website:
Thursday, June 12: Live Music by Lina SaRoza 5-8PM & $5 Taps (Beer & Cider)
Friday, June 13: Virginia Oyster & Wine Celebration 5-8PM, Live Music by Eli Cook 5-8PM
Saturday, June 14: Live Music
All Day! Porch Dogs from 12:303:30PM and Zuzu’s Hot 5 from 5-8PM
Sunday, June 15: Father’s Day Market 12-5PM & Live Music by Matthew O’Donnell 1-4PM
Juneteenth Celebration | Thursday, June 19
Celebrate Juneteenth at Eastwood with a special wine & ice cream tasting along with live music all day! Curious about Juneteenth food traditions? Looking for a unique way to honor the day? Join Black Women Who Wine and SugarBear Ice Cream at Eastwood on Thursday, June 19. See Schedule & Details On Our Website
MUSIC AT EASTWOOD THIS MONTH!
Join us for the popular Eastwood After Dark featuring upbeat, danceable music on Saturday nights from 5-8pm (in addition to our more mellow Saturday afternoon music program). Eastwood also hosts a range of live performances by talented local and regional musicians
every Thursday and Friday night. See the Winery Calendar on our website for details.
Every Thursday: Live Music 5-8PM or Music Bingo 6-8PM
Thursday “Thank You” Community Day at Eastwood—$5 Taps (Beer & Cider)
Every Friday: Live Music 5-8PM
Low-Country Shrimp Boil 5-8PM
Every Saturday: Live Music 12:30-3:30PM + Eastwood After Dark with Live Music 5-8PM
Every Sunday: Music Bingo, Paint & Sip, Maker’s Market or Live Music (See the Winery Calendar on our website for details.)
What about the kids?
Kids can share in the experience with their own juice tasting flights and cheese boards!
We look forward to welcoming you to our cozy tasting room, seven days a week. Join us for awardwinning wines, beer, and cider, as well as a delicious seasonal menu by Chef Andrew Partridge that is perfect for lunch or dinner. Delight in lounging on our enclosed & heated veranda with a glass of
our gold medal 2022 Meritage Reserve. Or, stay inside and enjoy live music with a seasonal toasty flatbread or our scrumptious Cast Iron Baked Brie. Escape to Virginia Wine Country, only five miles from Downtown Charlottesville. Open year-round, seven days a week. Pet friendly and large groups are welcome. Ample indoor and outdoor seating.
Rt 20 near the intersection with Avon Extended (5 mi from Downtown Mall) Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 264-6727
www.eastwoodfarmandwinery.com
HARDWARE HILLS VINEYARD
Harvest Rose’
Beautifully crafted from Chambourcin grapes. Radiates the rich color of pink hibiscus and vineyard sunsets. Bursting with airy fresh flavors of strawberry, nectarine and citrus. Balanced, brisk and acidic with a tender hint of cranberry on the finish. This wine pairs beautifully with a summer salad, cheese board, or just sipping porchside with friends and family!
We are pushing out lots of social media videos... have you seen them?
www.hardwarehills.com
Thursday - Saturday 12 - 8 Sunday 12 - 5
June 11th - Country Line Dancing at Hardware Hills Vineyard! If you’ve been looking for a spot to kick up your heels, we’ve got you! Come take lessons with dance expert Madison Kinney and then spend the evening swinging and stomping to your favorite country tunes. $10, Ages 18+ only, doors open at 5. Line Dancing Classes from 6 -7, open Country Dancing from 7 – 9
June 12th- Trivia Night!
Grab your dream team and Heat for the Hills for a fun evening of trivia, wine, and fun! St. Paddy’s themed trivia this month... sure to tease your brain and get you laughing! Please RSVP so we know you’re coming- 6pm.
June 19th- Life is a BuzzMake & Take Floral Workshop (68pm) Join us for a creative evening at Hardware Hills Winery, where you’ll design your own seasonal floral arrangement using longlasting sola wood flowers. This hands-on make and take workshop is open to all skill levels—no experience necessary. Advanced ticket purchase required.
June 27th- Music Bingo with Sara, win prizes and sing along! 6:30-8:30 pm
Fridays- Live music! Check our website for our rotating artists
5199 W River Rd, Scottsville, VA 434.286.4710 • www.hardwarehills.com
KESWICK VINEYARDS
Celebrate Summer at Keswick Vineyards!
This Father’s Day, treat Dad to something special at Keswick Vineyards! Join us in our Cigar Garden on Sunday, June 15th, for a relaxing afternoon filled with fine cigars, great wine, and unforgettable views. It’s the perfect way to celebrate all the amazing dads out there—laidback, luxurious, and full of fun!
Wine lovers, don’t miss your chance to taste our 2023 Viognier Governor’s Cup Edition! This award-winning vintage is crisp, aromatic, and truly a must-sip experience for the season. Come discover why it’s turning heads across rural Virginia.
Looking for midweek magic? Join us for Wine Down Wednesday every week from 5:30–8:30 PM. Enjoy live music, a
beautiful sunset, and Happy Hour from 5–6 PM on select wines— because who says the weekend has to start on Friday?
Enjoy your Saturdays with live music every week from 12–4 PM, creating the perfect backdrop for a relaxing afternoon. Challenge your friends and family to a round on our fun and scenic 9-hole mini golf course, great for all ages. Don’t forget your furry companions — we’re proudly canine friendly, so your four-legged friends are always welcome to join the fun!
Keswick Vineyards – Where every pour tells a story.
Wednesdays - Wine Down Wednesdays 5:30-8:30pm
Weekends - Live Music from 12-4 pm (check out our website for the schedule!)
This June, we’re proud to spotlight a true standout from our cellar—Très Bien, a wine that lives up to its name in every way. A recent Gold Medal winner at the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup, Très Bien is an elegant expression of craftsmanship and terroir, showcasing Prince Michel’s continued excellence in winemaking.
Tasting Notes:
Très Bien opens with a vibrant bouquet of ripe berries, subtle floral notes, and just a whisper of spice. On the palate, it delivers a
balanced structure with smooth tannins and a lingering finish, making it both approachable and complex. Its versatility shines whether you’re enjoying a quiet evening or hosting a celebratory gathering.
Perfect Pairings:
• Grilled Meats: Enhances the savory depth of steak, lamb, or barbecue.
• Pasta Dishes: Ideal alongside tomato-based sauces or creamy, cheese-rich recipes.
• Cheese Platters: Pairs beautifully with aged cheeses and charcuterie.
Special June Pricing:
• $35.99 per 750ml bottle
• 20% off for Club Members
• 15% off for Non-Members
Discounts valid June 1–30
Whether you’re exploring new flavors or revisiting a favorite, Très Bien is a wine that promises to impress. Visit our tasting room or shop online to experience the best of Virginia wine this summer.
Experience More at Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery!
Nestled in the heart of Virginia Wine Country, Prince Michel is one of the oldest and largest wineries in the Commonwealth. Open daily from 11 a.m., we offer wine tastings, shopping, tours, scenic picnic areas, and so much more.
Be sure to explore our wide range of wines—from bold reds and crisp whites to our fanfavorite Decadence Chocolate wine and refreshing wine slushies. Plus, enjoy craft brews and elevated pub fare at Tap 29 Brew Pub, open seven days a week.
Weekly Events:
Live Music every Friday–Sunday (music lineup at princemichel. com)
Monday Night Trivia | 6–7:30 p.m.
Tuesday Beer & Wings Specials | 3–5 p.m.
Thursday Happy Hour | 3–5 p.m.
154 Winery Lane, Leon, VA 22725 (540) 547-3707
www.princemichel.com
A Woman-Owned Business
REVALATION VINEYARDS
2021 Zeus
Our traditional méthode champenoise sparkling wine was produced with 100% estategrown Vidal Blanc grapes. Its small delicate bubbles and its fresh acidic finish make this wine fun and easy to drink. Aromas of citrus, peach, hazelnut, and fennel. Absolutely delicious as a kir with hibiscus syrup.
June Hours: Friday 12pm to Sunset; Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Thursday 12pm to 6pm.
Until June 30 - Exhibition of artwork by Gayle Isabelle Ford.
June 15 - Ping Pong Tournament at 2pm.
June 20 - Sip & Learn at 6pm: The Blue Ridge Heritage Project by Bill Henry.
June 27 - Book Club @ The Vineyard starting at 6pm: The Years by Annie Ernaux.
June 29 - Sip & Learn at 4pm: Medicare Made Simple by Tiffany Zambrana.July 4 - Bocce Ball – an afternoon of lawn games, luxurious wine and summer fun.
July 11 - Book World Meets Wine World at 5:30pm: Jeffrey Dale will read from his book Red Clay Suzie.
July 12 - Arts & Vines from 12:00pm until 6:00pm. Artisan market with Rachana Ink Art (watercolors), Jason Goldman (wood), and Yuval Zack (native plants).
2710 Hebron Valley Road, Madison, VA 22727 • 540-407-1236 www.revalationvineyards.com
FOR FUN PUZZLES
SUDOKU
#1
#1
#4
#2 #5
#4
ACROSS
1. Tee off
5. Bouncy music genre
8. “Know your rights” org.
12. Co. offering insurance to military members and their families
13. Biblical mountain ( hidden in “offshore banking”)
15. Court litigant
16. Literary tilter at windmills
18. Baseball card datum
19. Ostentatious
20. Hosp workers
22. Ending for cyan
23. Shoulder muscle, briefly
24. September 22, 2025 occurrence
28. “Feliz cumpleaños ___” (“Happy birthday to you”)
29. “You’ve got mail!” co.
30. Hog noise
31. Muscles above the abs
33. Dropped prop
34. River starting in Switzerland
35. Sudden getaway
38. Noise
40. “Dynamite” K-pop group
41. “Ditto”
45. Louvre Pyramid architect
46. Spam-sending software
47. Negative vote
48. Modern phrase for highquality elegance over showiness
52. Beats by ___ (audio brand)
53. “Psych” cable network
54. Cerumen site
55. Add carbonation to
57. “___ Be in Love” (song by Kate Bush)
59. Japanese publisher of the “Final Fantasy” series
62. “Aqua ___ Hunger Force”
63. “Boyhood” actor Ethan
64. Peak near Palermo
65. Latin for “to be”
66. Sargasso, e.g.
67. Game side
DOWN
1. Semi-protector?
2. Leave alone
3. Enthusiast
4. Help sections on some websites
5. Chicken ___
6. Gold, in Granada
7. “Stormy” sea bird
8. Beast of burden
9. Interrupt, as a dancing couple
10. Galena, e.g
11. Composition’s original form
13. “Greetings!”
14. Taiwanese maker of Mobiuz gaming monitors
17. “Weird Al” Yankovic movie with janitor Stanley Spadowski
21. Food on a conveyor belt
25. Not of the clergy
26. Secure storage space
27. Monogram pts.
#5
By Rob Brezsny Cancer
(June 21-July 22): Let’s talk about innovation. I suspect it will be your specialty in the coming weeks and months. One form that innovation takes is the generation of a new idea, approach, or product. Another kind of innovation comes through updating something that already exists. A third may emerge from finding new relationships between two or more older ways of doing things—creative recombinations that redefine the nature of the blended elements. All these styles of innovation are now ripe for you to employ.
Leo
(July 23-Aug. 22): Leo psychotherapist Carl Jung was halfway through his life of 85 years when he experienced the ultimate midlife crisis. Besieged by feelings of failure and psychological disarray, he began to see visions and hear voices in his head. Determined to capitalize on the chaotic but fertile opportunity, he undertook an intense period of self-examination and self-healing. He wrote in journals that were eventually published as The Red Book: Liber Novus. He emerged healthy and whole from this trying time, far wiser about his nature and his mission in life. I invite you to initiate your own period of renewal in the coming months, Leo. Consider writing your personal The Red Book: Liber Novus
Virgo
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In the coming weeks, you will have chances to glide deeper than you have previously dared to go into experiences, relationships, and opportunities that are meaningful to you. How much bold curiosity will you summon as you penetrate further than ever before into the heart of the gorgeous mysteries? How wild and unpredictable will you be as you explore territory that has been off-limits? Your words of power: probe, dive down, decipher
Libra
(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): When traditional Japanese swordsmiths crafted a blade, they wrapped hard outer layers around a softer inner core. This strategy gave their handiwork a sharp cutting edge while also imbuing it with flexibility and a resistance to breakage. I recommend a similar approach for you, Libra. Create balance, yes, but do so through integration rather than compromise. Like the artisans of old, don’t choose between hardness and flexibility, but find ways to incorporate both. Call on your natural sense of harmony to blend opposites that complement each other.
Scorpio
(Oct. 23-Nov.21): Scorpio journalist Martha Gelhorn was an excellent war correspondent. During her six decades on the job, she reported on many of the world’s major
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY FOR FUN
(May 21-June 20): I’ve always had the impression that honeybees are restless wanderers, randomly hopping from flower to flower as they gradually accumulate nectar. But I recently discovered that they only meander until they find a single good fount of nourishment, whereupon they sup deeply and make a beeline back to the hive. I am advocating their approach to you in the coming weeks. Engage in exploratory missions, but don’t dawdle, and don’t sip small amounts from many different sites. Instead, be intent on finding a single source that provides the quality and quantity you want, then fulfill your quest and head back to your sanctuary.
conflicts. But she initially had a problem when trying to get into France to report on D-Day, June 6, 1945. Her application for press credentials was denied, along with all those of other women journalists. Surprise! Through subterfuge and daring, Gelhorn stowed away on a hospital ship and reached France in time to report on the climactic events. I counsel you to also use extraordinary measures to achieve your goals, Scorpio. Innovative circumspection and ethical trickery are allowed. Breaking the rules may be necessary and warranted.
Sagittarius
(Nov. 22-Dec.21): My spirit guides enjoy reminding me that breakthrough insights and innovations may initially emerge not as complete solutions, but as partial answers to questions that need further exploration. I don’t always like it, but I listen anyway, when they tell me that progress typically comes through incremental steps. The Sagittarian part of my nature wants total victory and comprehensive results NOW. It would rather not wait for the slow, gradual approach to unfold its gifts. So I empathize if you are a bit frustrated by the piecemeal process you are nursing. But I’m here to say that your patience will be well rewarded.
Capricorn
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “Sometimes I’ve got to pause and relax my focused striving, because that’s the only way my unconscious mind can work its magic.” My Capricorn friend Alicia says that about her creative process as a novelist. The solution to a knotty challenge may not come from redoubling her efforts but instead from making a strategic retreat
into silence and emptiness. I invite you to consider a similar approach, Capricorn. Experiment with the hypothesis that significant breakthroughs will arrive when you aren’t actively seeking them. Trust in the fertile void of not-knowing. Allow life’s meandering serendipity to reveal unexpected benefits.
Aquarius
(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Are you interested in graduating to the next level of love and intimacy? If so, the coming weeks will be a favorable time to intensify your efforts. Life will be on your side if you dare to get smarter about how to make your relationships work better than they ever have. To inspire your imagination and incite you to venture into the frontiers of togetherness, I offer you a vivacious quote from author Anais Nin. Say it to your favorite soul friend or simply use it as a motivational prayer. Nin wrote, “You are the fever in my blood, the tide that carries me to undiscovered shores. You are my alchemist, transmuting my fears into wild, gold-spun passion. With you, my body is a poem. You are the labyrinth where I lose and find myself, the unwritten book of ecstasies that only you can read.”
Pisces
(Feb. 19-March 20): What deep longing of yours is both fascinating and frustrating? To describe it further: It keeps pushing you to new frontiers yet always eludes complete satisfaction. It teaches you valuable life lessons but sometimes spoofs you and confuses you. Here’s the good news about this deep longing, Pisces: You now have the power to tap into its nourishing fuel in unprecedented ways. It is ready to give you riches it has never before provided. Here’s the “bad” news:
You will have to raise your levels of selfknowledge to claim all of its blessings. (And of course, that’s not really bad!)
Aries
(March 21-April 19): Your definition of home is due for revamping, deepening, and expansion. Your sense of where you truly belong is ripe to be adjusted and perhaps even revolutionized. A half-conscious desire you have not previously been ready to fully acknowledge is ready for you to explore. Can you handle these subtly shocking opportunities? Do you have any glimmerings about how to open yourself to the revelations that life would love to offer you about your roots, your foundations, and your prime resources? Here are your words of power: source and soul
Taurus
(April 20-May 20): Do you have any frustrations about how you express yourself or create close connections? Are there problems in your ability to be heard and appreciated? Do you wish you could be more persuasive and influential? If so, your luck is changing. In the coming months, you will have extraordinary powers to innovate, expand, and deepen the ways you communicate. Even if you are already fairly pleased with the flow of information and energy between you and those you care for, surprising upgrades could be in the works. To launch this new phase of fostering links, affinities, and collaborations, devise fun experiments that encourage you to reach out and be reached.
GEMINI
CLASSIFIEDS
DEADLINE
SIZES AVAILABLE
PRICING
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
On Monday, July 7, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., the City Council of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, will hold a Public Hearing in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 605 East Main Street, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902, to consider adoption of an ordinance authorizing the granting of an easement to Dominion Energy Virginia for the undergrounding of electrical equipment on the following parcels:
• Located at 1300-1400 Pen Park Road, identified as City Tax Parcel No. 48B002000, and Tax Parcel No. 48B001000; and
• Located at 420 Quarry Road, identified as City Tax Parcel No. 600255000, and Tax Parcel No. 077000000015A0.
This Notice is given pursuant to Virginia Code § 15.2-1813.
The proposed Ordinance regarding this matter is available for examination in the Office of the Clerk of Council, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 605 East Main Street, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902. Any person may appear at the Public Hearing to express their views on the proposed Ordinance. Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the Public Meeting may call (434) 987-1267 or submit a request via email to ada@charlottesville.gov. The City requests that you provide forty-eight (48) hours’ notice, so that proper arrangements may be made.
PINNACLE KAUNG PLANNING INC.
TRADING AS NOW AND ZEN
202 Second Street Unit 1-2, Charlottesville, VA 22902
The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a restaurant, wine, beer on and off premises.
Bernie Kauang Lin, Director Ehra Moon Lin, Director
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.
Commonwealth of Virginia
Charlottesville Circuit Court Case No. CL25000251 315.East High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Commonwealth of Virginia, in re: CYNTHIA BROWN-LOCKLEY v. DEAN CARNELL LOCKELY, SR
The object of this suit is to: Divorce
It is ORDERED that DEAN CARNELL LOCKELY, SR appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before June 16, 2025.
5/8/2025
Claude V. Worrell, II DATE JUDGE
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
SNEEDS MILL, LLC, Case No. CL25000299-00
Plaintiff
v. BESSIE THOMPSON MOON
aka Bessie Lena Moon
NORMAN MOON
JAMES G. THOMPSON
ROSE ANN PORTER
aka Rose Thompson Porter and the successors in interest, surviving spouses, heirs at law, devisees and / or assigns, lien creditors, and all other persons having an interest in the estate of Bessie Thompson Moon, aka Bessie Lena Moon, Norman Moon, James G. Thompson, and Rose Ann Porter, aka Rose Thompson Porter, proceeded against herein as PARTIES UNKNOWN,
Defendants
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
The object of this suit is to effect partition among the owners of a certain tract tracts or parcels of land situated in Albemarle County, Virginia, containing in the aggregate 51.32 acres, more or less, being the property originally conveyed unto Bessie Thompson Moon, James G. Johnson, Harry A. Thompson and Rose Thompson Porter by deed dated December 11, 1948 from Grant Thompson and recorded in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of Albemarle County, Virginia in Deed Book 281 at Page 455, as corrected by deed dated June 6, 1955 and recorded in the aforesaid Clerk’s Office in Deed Book 317 at Page 40. The property is described as follows:
All those certain tracts or parcels of land, situated in Albemarle County, Virginia, containing in the aggregate 51.32 acres, more or less, consisting of Parcel A, containing 11.15 acres, more or less, Parcel B, containing 34.34 acres, more or less, and Parcel C, containing 5.83 acres, more or less, as shown on plat made by 0. R. Randolph, Engineer, dated June 2, 1955, and recorded in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of Albemarle County, Virginia as an exhibit to the deed recorded in Deed Book 317 at Page 40, and being the same property which was conveyed unto Sneeds Mill, LLC by deed of Kimco, LLC dated July 19, 2023 and recorded in the aforesaid Clerk’s Office as Instrument Number 202300006264. The property has a Tax Map Parcel identification number of 09200-00-00-05900. It appearing from the Complaint and by the affidavit filed according to law that Plaintiff has used due diligence to ascertain all of the owners of the subject property but has been unable to do so and that there are or may be persons unknown who claim or may claim an interest in the property, namely the successors in interest, surviving spouses, heirs at law, devisees and/or assigns, lien creditors and all other persons having an interest in the estates of Bessie Thompson Moon, aka Bessie Lena Moon, Norman Moon, James G. Thompson, and Rose Ann Porter, aka Rose Thompson Porter,
It is therefore ORDERED that the successors in interest, surviving spouses, heirs at law, devisees and/or assigns, lien creditors and all other persons having an interest in the estates of Bessie Thompson Moon, aka Bessie Lena Moon, Norman Moon, James G. Thompson, and Rose Ann Porter, aka Rose Thompson Porter, and any other named Defendant, as they appear, proceeded against herein as “Parties Unknown”, appear before this Court on or before July 7, 2025 at 9:00 a. m., and take such action as they deem appropriate to protect any interest they may have in the above-described property.
It is further ORDERED that this Order be published once a week for four ( 4) consecutive weeks in the C-Ville Weekly, that a copy hereof be posted on the door of the Courthouse, and that a copy be mailed to the last known address, if any. of the Defendants.
The Clerk is hereby directed to send this Order to the C-Ville Weekly by email to brian(a),cvi lle.com and to make the aforementioned postings and mailings. Endorsement of parties and counsel of record are dispensed with for good cause shown including the nature of these proceedings. the relief granted, and the time and expense associated with acquiring said endorsement.
And this cause is continued.
I ASK FOR THIS:
Ralph E. Main, Jr.
VSB # 13320
ENTER: Cheryl V. Higgins DATE: 6/04/2025
Dygert, Wright, Hobbs & Hernandez, PLC
415 Fourth Street, N.E.
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
Telephone: 434-979-5515
Facsimile: 434-295-7785
Electronic mail: rmain@charlottesvillelegal.com Counsel for Plaintiff
Services Employment
P.S. THE BIG PICTURE
3 at the Jefferson
The event featured a reading from the new book,
reframes the 2017 Unite the Right rally
(left); and
lively audience Q&A. A book signing followed the program.
Pulitzer Prize finalist Deborah Baker (right) launched Charlottesville: An American Story on June
School African American Heritage Center.
Jessup White
T. rex’s bigger, badder cousin, and 16 other extraordinary prehistoric creatures.
Visit smv.org for details. Touring exhibition now open at the Science Museum of Virginia
