C-VILLE Weekly | March 20 - 26, 2024

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• “(This settlement) marks the biggest change to the housing market in a century. This will blow up the market and would force a new business model.”

Norm Miller Professor Emeritus of Real Estate University of San Diego

• “Could trigger one of the most significant jolts to the U.S. housing market in 100 years”

New York Times

• “The forces of competition will be let loose. For years, anticompetitive rules in the real estate industry have financially harmed millions of Americans.”

Benjamin Brown Partnet Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll

• “It will absolutely transform the real estate industry.”

Max Besbris Author of “Upsold” and professor of sociology U. of Wisconsin- Madison.

• “The reset button on the sale of homes was just hit”

Michael Ketchmark lead attorney in NAR lawsuits.

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–26, 2024 c-ville.com

March 20

FEATURE 16

The write stuff

Virginia Festival of the Book celebrates 30 years with something for everyone.

NEWS 9

10 CAT drivers hopeful that city will sign off on raises

11 County school board approves redistricting and new school site.

12 Real Estate Weekly: Are effects of the new zoning rules being felt?

CULTURE 23

27 Interview: Rita Dove on the local premiere of A Standing Witness

32 Sudoku

33 Crossword

35 Free Will Astrology

CLASSIFIED 36 P.S. 38

The Big Picture

CORRECTION

In “Monumental change” (February 28-March 5, 2024), we misspelled “Operations of Care” co-author Luis Vasquez La Roche’s name. C-VILLE regrets the error.

MAILBAG

Despite the spicy tagline, Margaret Manto’s hit piece on RFK Jr. [March 13-19, 2024] utterly failed to “untangle” any of the candidate’s rhetoric. Instead, she appealed to authority— interviewing two(!) “misinformation” experts and quoting from a book about it—rather than accurately informing readers about RFK Jr.’s positions or substantively, factually addressing anything he has said.

Since it is apparent that Ms. Manto does not know how to discern truth, I will give an informative, relevant example of what “untangling rhetoric” can look like. She quotes an Economist/YouGov poll as finding that despite a 45% approval rating, Kennedy would only receive 1% of the vote. While this is a statement copied from the media source she links to, it is grossly inaccurate. The poll first asked voters how they would vote if Biden and Trump were the nominees, allowing “other,” “unknown,” and “I would not vote,” as the only other answers. Approximately 90% of the respondents chose either Biden or Trump for this question. The next question, which allowed people to choose RFK Jr. among others, was asked ONLY to those who responded “other” to the first question, approximately 5%. It is clear, therefore, that the 1% Ms. Manto quoted is derived from starting from a place that already excludes 90% of the total people—that in fact, they get 1% by taking 5% of the total number and then taking 23% (the number who chose Kennedy in the second question) of the 5%. This finding is very different than if only 1% said they would vote for Kennedy in a three-way race. Unfortunately, such misrepresentation of facts is rampant in the news media today.

Joanna Salidis, Barboursville

Your contributor Margaret Manto’s article in C-VILLE Weekly notes at one point, “We want to believe that the people we surround ourselves with are smart.” She’s right. I do. And SHE is.

Real darn smart. Her untangling of the fuzz around RFK Jr was a deep-dive and magnificent semi-apolitical essay that hit just about EVERY aspect of how conspiracy theories work, how they have accreted to this (IMHO) spoiler politician, and how the public in general and one person, herself, in particular is compelled in time present to thread a complex and exceeding narrow mental/intellectual needle.

Figuring out how to engage with our logjammed country at its present Democracy Crisis-point, and resolving that other “fuzz,” the media mazes that surround, misinform, strangle, hem-in yet also in fact REIFY an individual’s analytical rationality... Wow! Ms. Manto does this job brilliantly. Her back and forth weave of interviews with Motyl, Fountain, Lorde, and particularly the engineer Bowers, presented ample citation and heft. Her openheartedly sharing of personal uncertainties about how to pierce the rah-rah of the Kennedy spokesman, where to draw lines and evolve choice-consequences, was hyper-articulate. She disambiguates for all of us voter-onthe-street activists how to parse effective meaning from the Super Bowl of spectacle and “fuzz” tugging at our emotional-brain sector.

Freeman Allan, Charlottesville

The letters have been edited for length.

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EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Richard DiCicco richard@c-ville.com

CULTURE EDITOR

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NEWS REPORTER

Catie Ratliff reporter@c-ville.com

COPY EDITOR

Susan Sorensen

MAGAZINE EDITOR

Caite Hamilton

CONTRIBUTORS

Rob Brezsny, Matt Dhillon, Carol Diggs, Mary Esselman, Shea Gibbs, Mary Jane Gore, Erika Howsare, Justin Humphreys, Matt Jones, Kristin O’Donoghue, Lisa Provence, Sarah Sargent, Jen Sorensen, Julia Stumbaugh, Courteney Stuart, Paul Ting, Sean Tubbs

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MEMBER Virginia Press Association

3.20.24

Hello, Charlottesville! Thank you for reading C-VILLE Weekly. Spring seems to have sprung, which means it’s a great time to lounge outside with a book (or a newspaper!). Luckily for anyone hungry for a new read, the Virginia Festival of the Book is celebrating its 30th anniversary with city-wide events from March 20 to 24, when you can enjoy panels, parties, and events that celebrate the written word.

To mark the occasion, this week’s feature story (p. 16) highlights some of the talks you can sit in on during the festival. We also take a deep dive into University of Virginia Professor Bonnie Hagerman’s book Skimpy Coverage, to be discussed Thursday, March 21, at the Omni Hotel. Maeve Hayden’s story about Hagerman’s debut looks at the book’s examination of Sports Illustrated’s controversial swimsuit issues, and how it took a long time for the magazine to feature female athletes in its pages. Hagerman also talks about UVA student-athletes who helped her identify issues still facing women in sports today.

On another note, I wanted to address some of the feedback we received concerning last week’s cover story on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. I understand that it was a controversial piece, and I appreciate that readers were passionate enough to express their thoughts about it directly to me. This week, we’ve printed two emails to the editor, with approval from the writers, in the Mailbag section of the paper (p. 4). Thank you for sharing your thoughts with C-VILLE.—Richard DiCicco

ON THE DOWNTOWN MALL

THURSDAY, MARCH 21

JACK STEPANIAN WITH cartwheels

SATURDAY, MARCH 23

LYAO WITH CHRIS ALAN

JUST ANNOUNCED!

APRIL 24-ON SALE NOW AUSTIN MEADE WITH THE JARED STOUT BAND

SEPTEMBER 19-ON SALE NOW SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE SKIDS

03-30 | DRAG BONANZA PRESENTS C*NTRY QUEENS HOSTED BY BEBE

GUNN & CHERRY POSSUMS

04-03 |

04-04 |

SLAUGHTER BEACH, DOG (SOLO) WITH ERIN RAE

VIRGINIA MAN WITH HOLY ROLLER

04-05 | SAM BURCHFIELD & THE SCOUNDRELS AND TOPHOUSE

0411 |

BAILEN WITH CECE COAKLEY

04-12 |

JULIA WOLF WITH SCRO

04-13 |

CHATHAM COUNTY LINE

04-14 | RACHAEL DAVIS, R.O. SHAPIRO & ZAK BUNCE

04-17|

04-18 |

04-19|

LUKE RICHARD POWERS WITH CALEB MITCHELL

PALMYRA

DAVID BOWIE’S 77TH BIRTHDAY PARTY FT THE JEAN JEANIES WITH THE GOLDEN YEARS

04-20 | WILSON SPRINGS HOTEL WITH THE PLATE SCRAPERS AND REBECCA PORTER

•We now have the NEW Helios rods from Orvis with some of the best feel/accuracy/distance we’ve seen in any rod.

•We have NEW waders, boots and reels from Orvis across multiple lines.

•The Angler is offering 30% off select Orvis shirts and vests!

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“I think that creativity and that platform should be able to continue; it should just not be controlled by an adversary like the Chinese Communist Party.”

—Sen. Mark Warner on the U.S. House of Representatives passing a bill to ban TikTok

NEWS IN BRIEF

In with the new

A longstanding Corner business is changing faces: Ellie’s Country Club opens this week, on Thursday, March 21, at the former location of The Biltmore. UVA graduate and Virginian Restaurant Company manager Ashley Major purchased The Biltmore earlier this year, and told The Daily Progress she plans to revive the Corner mainstay’s live music. The Biltmore, which closed in December, was a popular student spot for more than 30 years.

Ceasefire vote

Charlottesville City Council voted down a resolution on March 18 that would have required council to formally call for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The resolution, drafted by the Charlottesville Jewish Organizing Collective with support from other faith-based and community organizations, was supported by a petition with more than 1,300 signatures. Attendees were divided: During the public comment period of the Monday meeting, community members for and against the resolution spoke up. Council members were split 2-3 in their vote, with Natalie Oschrin and Michael Payne voting yes.

20 years later

A jury found 39-year-old Albemarle County resident Kevin Moore guilty of murdering Jesse Hicks, a crime that had gone unsolved for 20 years. Hicks, a trucker, went missing in 2004, and his remains were found a decade later on property owned by Moore’s family. According to The Daily Progress, jurors took just two hours to convict Moore and recommend a sentence of 28 years. Moore’s father, Glenn Spradlin, was painted by both the prosecution and defense as the instigator of the murder. While Spradlin was also arrested and charged, he died of cancer a year before the trial.

Buy in

Go round and round

Longshot

March Madness is officially here, with three Virginia teams headed to the big dance.

On Friday, March 22, 12-seed James Madison and 16-seed Longwood will vye for upset victories over Wisconsin and Houston, respectively. While the Bleacher Report predicts the Dukes will beat the Badgers, few are optimistic that the Lancers will pull off a win against the No. 1-seed Cougars. Though considered a contender for the NCAA tournament by many, Virginia Commonwealth University missed

Two first-time homebuyers in Crozet celebrated with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville on March 16.

Katrena Cooper and Tanjah Wheeler are still closing on their homes, but they enjoyed meeting their new neighbors and soaking in the sunny weather during the afternoon celebration.

“It means a lot to me to be closer to one of my dreams of being a homeowner,” said Wheeler. “I’m looking forward to meeting new people, good people. And I’m also looking forward to just letting my son come outside and play.”

Achieving homeownership has been a long process for Cooper and Wheeler, who thanked their support systems, families, and Habitat for helping them through the process.

“I would like to give a special shoutout to my kids for sticking by me,” said Cooper. “I just want to thank God. I can’t wait to get in and get settled, and get to know my new neighbors.”

Rising home prices in Crozet have made affordable housing more and more scarce in that part of Albemarle County.

“Crozet has changed a lot … as it’s changed it has become less accessible to people, to working-class folks in the community, and so we’re really grateful to be part of the solution to making sure that Crozet continues to be a place where people from all walks of life can move,” said Habitat President and CEO Dan Rosensweig. “We need to keep pushing, and we need to make sure that when there are new homes built in Crozet there are also opportunities for Habitat families and other folks of more limited means.”

out on Selection Sunday after losing to Duquesne in the March 17 Atlantic 10 tournament.

The University of Virginia has to play its way into March Madness in a First Four matchup against Colorado State after a devastating March 15 overtime loss to surprise ACC tournament-winner North Carolina State.

At press time, the Hoos hadn’t hit the court for their 9:10pm tipoff on March 19, but several sports analysts predict UVA will drop the ball.

Penciled in

ACPS School Board approves redistricting and new elementary school site

By Catie Ratliff reporter@c-ville.com

The Albemarle County School Board approved a redistricting plan on March 14. While some parents are celebrating, others are less than thrilled that their children will be attending new schools.

The decision to redistrict was prompted by a population surge in the northern part of Albemarle County, and significant overcrowding at Baker-Butler Elementary School. As part of the redistricting recommendation, the district selected the North Pointe site—on Route 29 north of Proffit Road—as the location for the new elementary school. While ACPS is building a new elementary school to support the population growth, current infrastructure challenges make it infeasible to wait until the school’s projected opening in 2029 to redistrict.

With 750 students—more than 200 students over the building’s capacity—BakerButler is strained. All fifth grade classrooms have been moved to trailers, but the school is still strapped for space. Several teachers share space, staff rooms have been converted into classrooms, and the school’s physical and occupational therapists are based in the hallway.

Less than 15 minutes away, Stony Point Elementary has an enrollment of only 181 students, and is the smallest school in the county. Low enrollment at the school has led to problems keeping staff and maintaining at least two classes per grade level.

In October 2023, ACPS convened a redistricting committee to determine how to best reorganize elementary school boundaries in two phases. Phase one—the newly passed redistricting recommendation—redraws attendance areas to relieve enrollment concerns during the construction of the new elementary school. Once the new school is completed, school boundaries will be redrawn again, which is phase two of the redistricting.

Committee priorities included zoning neighborhoods together when possible, ensuring efficient transportation routes, and limiting the number of households rezoned in both phases. After months of meetings and a community survey, the ACPS redistricting committee made its recommendation to ACPS Superintendent Matthew Haas in February, and he presented the final recommendation to the school board on February 22.

The final recommendation redistricts 189 students, moving 42 students from Stone-Robinson to Stony Point Elemen-

“I have given immense consideration to this vote, because as a parent I understand the ramifications both positive and potentially negative.”

The Albemarle County School Board (above) voted 7-0 in favor of Superintendent Matthew Haas’ redistricting recommendation.

tary; 88 students from Baker-Butler to Hollymead Elementary; and 59 students from Woodbrook to Agnor-Hurt Elementary.

The most contentious element of the plan was the movement of students from StoneRobinson to Stony Point Elementary—32 percent of 758 respondents expressed no support for that in the community survey conducted in early February.

Ahead of the school board vote, several parents addressed representatives in a public hearing on the redistricting.

Advocates for redistricting spoke about the close-knit community at Stony Point Elementary and the logic of adding the Cascadia neighborhood to the attendance area.

“We relocated to Albemarle County two years ago specifically because of the unique rural character of the northern part of the county,” said Clinton Key, a Stony Point parent. “When we moved here we didn’t know anyone, and the generosity and inclusivity of the school’s leadership, its staff, and its community were essential to the success and quality of the experience my children had of joining the Albemarle community.”

“We would strive to be more of a school family by adding the neighborhood of Cascadia specifically,” said Stony Point parent Anika Johnson. “It would be a wonderful addition, because our children play at the same playgrounds, ride bikes together, [and] our sidewalks connect to each other’s neighborhoods.”

Opponents to the redistricting expressed concerns about the recommendation not effectively addressing overcrowding and equity issues, among other items.

“This proposed plan is not equitable, nor does it adequately address the phase one objectives of the redistricting initiative of rebalancing enrollment across the northern feeder pattern,” said Rupert Egan. Specific issues raised by Egan include the addition of trailers to Hollymead, and the plan’s failure to truly address overcrowding at Baker-Butler.

“Cascadia is not a good fit for Stony Point’s needs,” said Cascadia resident and StoneRobinson parent Colin Thomas, who argued the new neighborhood’s potential demographic variations would be difficult for the small elementary school to handle. “As a smaller school, Stony Point is less able to handle enrollment unpredictability than a larger school like Stone-Robinson.”

Ahead of the vote, several members of the school board spoke about redistricting difficulties. Chair Judy Le talked to her constituents in the Rivanna District, which was the area most heavily impacted by the redistricting.

“I have given immense consideration to this vote, because as a parent I understand the ramifications both positive and potentially negative,” said Le. “There is no reason that Stony Point should continue to have difficulty staffing due to its size, there’s no reason Baker-Butler should continue to burst at the seams. And the recommendation Dr. Haas has made to us is the most equitable way to do the things we need to do.”

The redistricting recommendation passed unanimously, and will go into effect for the 2024-25 school year with a one-year exemption for families of rising fifth graders.

A done deal?

Bus drivers hope City Council will approve pay increase

By Matt Dhillon

Charlottesville’s unionized bus drivers reached their first agreement with the city after City Council passed a groundbreaking ordinance to allow collective bargaining for public sector employees. The focal point of the deal was a substantial wage increase for bus drivers.

Charlottesville Area Transit representatives, now members of the Amalgamated Transit Union, negotiated a tiered system of pay increases into the three-year contract.

In a statement, the local chapter said, “Before we won our union, there was no pay progression at CAT. Workers could spend decades at the city and make less than someone else newer than them. This deal fixes that and dramatically improves wages across the board for all job classifications.”

The new contract proposes a 2 percent pay increase for all job titles with an additional 2 percent increase for each year of service, up to eight years. That would raise the starting pay for an operator from $22.36 an hour to $23. But each year, the deal stipulates a wage increase for each level so that by 2026, starting pay would be $24.15.

The contract is now awaiting the City Manager’s signature and City Council’s April 9 approval of the budget, which would fund the pay raise. If approved, the new contract will go into effect on July 1, but wage increases won’t go into effect until January 1 of next year.

Both sides agree that bus drivers should be paid more—stagnant wages have forced many long-term drivers to need second

jobs. Recruitment of new drivers has also hit a low point.

Matthew Ray, who has been driving for Charlottesville Area Transit for 10 years, says his pay will increase from $22.35 to $31 an hour. Ray’s wife has worked in the school bus division of transit for two and a half years. He says she will get a $5-an-hour raise.

“It’s definitely going to be life-altering money,” Ray says. “When you’re making five, 600 dollars more a paycheck, that is huge. For this area, that is getting people out of their second jobs where they only need one now.”

Ray has been involved in organizing the CAT workers under the Amalgamated Transit Union since the new legislation first came into view.

“Since the ATU’s first day showing up down here,” Ray says. “I was attracted to them instantly and got involved.”

Ray is now the shop steward of the Charlottesville chapter, which means it’s his role to represent the area’s bus drivers to city management. In negotiations, the union argued that bus drivers should be able to afford to live in the area where they are driving people around.

Ray says the number of bus drivers for the city has been declining for the past several years.

“We don’t have the people and we don’t have the buses to provide the level of service we did seven years ago,” Ray says. “At one time we were like 80-85 drivers. We’re down to like 50-55 drivers right now.”

That means CAT has had to reduce its routes and run routes less frequently. Currently, routes 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, and 11 run every

hour and routes 2, 4, 5, 7, and 9 run every half hour. Route 12, a service that ran on Sundays, has been discontinued.

An hour can be a long time to wait, especially if you miss a bus or if the bus is delayed. As a result, Ray says, ridership has flagged.

“When you can’t provide the services to the public that you need to provide to get people to and from work, they stop riding your bus,” Ray says. “And that’s our current predicament. We don’t have the ridership we had five, six, seven years ago.”

CAT currently has 40 buses in its fleet, but only operates 17 and two trollies. In order for CAT to provide more service, the city needs more bus drivers.

The new contract could provide the push that the transit sector needs. Ray says the wage increase will put CAT among the most competitive transportation industry jobs in Virginia and turn the tide for the city’s bus drivers.

Before April of 2020, it was illegal for a municipality in Virginia to enter into collective bargaining agreements with employees. That year, a bill passed the Virginia House of Delegates repealing the prohibition on collective bargaining for public sector employees. The new bill left it in the hands of localities to decide if they would recognize labor unions as bargaining agents. In October of 2021, Charlottesville was among the first cities to do so. The city now recognizes bargaining units for the police department and fire department as well as public transit.

Matthew Ray is proud of what the workers have accomplished. “The City of Charlottesville is unionizing,” he says. “Not just us three, but everyone.”

Longtime Charlottesville Area Transit driver Matthew Ray (center with sign) says the potential pay bump in a new contract between CAT and the city could help drivers commit to working for CAT full-time.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

NORTH WALES

1,471± acre estate with c. 1776 stone manor home, 2-story Georgian Revival-style stone carriage house, stables and shooting preserve. Listed on both National Register of Historic Places and Virginia Landmarks Register. MLS#587418 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 www.NorthWalesVa.com

SWANNONOA COUNTRY CLUB

Stunning golf course atop the Blue Ridge Mtns. in Afton, Va. 20 minutes west of Charlottesville, UVA and at the gateway to the Shenandoah Valley via I-64 or Rt 250. Explore the many alternative uses for the 236 acres with sweeping views in all directions. MLS#649416 $3,500,000 Tim Michel, 434.960.1124

TILMAN ROAD

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EAST WATER STREET

Rare opportunity for a unique downtown office/retail condo with deeded onsite parking space! Located in the Holsinger Condo on Water Street, one block removed from the Historic Downtown Mall. Easily accessible to UVA and all Charlottesville has to offer. $495,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

EDGEMONT

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MEADOW FARM

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

NEWLISTING

THE BARRINGER

Immaculate two-story penthouse offering private luxury living in the heart of UVA. Unparalleled views from the light filled spacious great room, kitchen, balcony, two ensuite bedrooms, laundry and half bath. Assigned parking. MLS#650507 $719,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

FRAYS GRANT

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

HIGHER GROUND

27 acre estate, mountaintop retreat with 11,400 sf., 8-BR, 6.5-BA residence with many outside terraces, decks and unsurpassed panoramic mountain views! 10 miles to famed Omni Homestead Resort, 2 miles to the airport. www.highergroundva.org Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

MILL HOUSE

Former house of noted local architect Floyd E. Johnson, on the banks of Totier Creek. Thoughtfully renovated and expanded, 5-BR, 3 full and 2 half BA. Guest house, 2-bay garage, pool, equipment shed plus 130 acres of open & wooded land. MLS#639196

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FREE UNION PARCEL

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

SIMMONS GAP ROAD

5-acre lot with mature hardwoods. Great opportunity to build with no HOA. Private building site amongst beautiful woods. Located between Free Union and Earlysville but so convenient to Charlottesville & UVA. MLS#621177 $119,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

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A month in

What’s happened so far with Charlottesville’s new zoning rules?

By Sean Tubbs

Charlottesville’s new Development Code has been in effect for a month, and most of the players involved say not enough time has passed to determine any effects so far.

“It’s early in the experience for staff and developers and they are still learning the day-to-day implications of the new code,” says James Freas, the city’s director of Neighborhood Development Services.

Ashley Davies, the chair of the Charlottesville Area Development Roundtable, also says it is too soon to make any conclusions.

The city’s new development portal allows anyone to track what is happening. As of Friday, March 15, there have been no new applications for critical slope waivers, Comprehensive Plan amendments, rezonings, or special uses. There have also been no submissions of the new major “development plan” that is the first review step for staff in the Department of Neighborhood Development Services. Two minor developments have been filed with one at 816 Hinton Ave. and one at 133 Stribling Ave.

“It is very interesting to me that we had a rush of over 1,000 housing units trying to get special use permits under the old zoning at the last minute, and no rush of new applications,” says Ben Heller, a vocal critic of the new zoning, referring to student housing projects like Verve Charlottesville and 2117 Ivy Rd. Those projects were approved under the old zoning, which did not have a requirement that one in every 10 units be designated as affordable.

The Piedmont Housing Alliance has filed for a final site plan for the third phase of the redevelopment of Friendship Court into Kindlewood. That will see 13 existing

buildings demolished to make way for at least 88 units across four new buildings.

That site plan has a fee of $3,560, and triggered what may be the city’s first tree removal permit with a request to take down 26 trees. That permit will cost $1,300 to process. There’s also a “public infrastructure plan,” but the development portal doesn’t have any details.

In February, the Board of Architectural Review reviewed its first project under the new zoning for a new apartment complex proposed for 1609 Gordon Ave. The 0.172 acre property is now zoned Residential Mixed Use 5, but within a design control district. Because the cost of construction would be above $350,000, both the old rules and the new rules require a preliminary discussion with the BAR. The developer had submitted a plan that assumed the project was RX-3, which allows less buildable space.

Freas said NDS staff are talking with developers and answering questions about projects that will soon be submitted.

“There are a number of projects being prepared for submission, and we are talking through the questions associated with these projects,” Freas says. “The code is a new approach, and it requires more thought on design to figure out what one can do with a piece of property.”

Meanwhile, the city has responded to a lawsuit by several property owners seeking voidance of the new zoning code based on a claim that it was adopted without sufficient scrutiny from the Virginia Department of Transportation.

“In the city’s view, plaintiff’s efforts to secure a judicial veto of the Zoning Ordinance, which was the product of a very thoughtful legislative process, are not well-taken,” says City Attorney Jacob Stroman.

The Piedmont Housing Alliance has filed for a final site plan for the third phase of the redevelopment of Friendship Court into Kindlewood.

FILE

A unique art gallery located in the heart of historic Gordonsville.

anniegouldgallery

You’re invited to join SELC virtually, as we celebrate our 2024 Reed Environmental Writing Award winners as part of the Virginia Festival of the Book. Don’t miss your chance to hear from author Emily Strasser, NPR’s David Folkenflik, and Floodlight’s Mario Ariza and Miranda Green as they share reflections on their awardwinning work.

Jonathan Vigliotti, CBS News correspondent and author, joins the award ceremony as our special guest speaker.

The first 300 event registrants receive a FREE copy of Emily Strasser’s book, Half-Life of a Secret: Reckoning with a Hidden History.

David Folkenflik JOURNALISM AWARD WINNER

Mario Ariza JOURNALISM AWARD WINNER

Miranda Green JOURNALISM AWARD WINNER

Jonathan Vigliotti FEATURED SPEAKER

Emily Strasser BOOK AWARD WINNER

Mojgan Ghazirad signs copies of her autobiographical novel The House on Sun Street at a March 12 event at the Staunton Public Library.

The Virginia Festival of the Book is back in action March 20-24, with five days of panels, parties, and events to celebrate all things literary. Renowned authors flock to our city for engaging talks, everyone on the Downtown Mall has a book or two in their arms, and our too-long reading lists get even . . .

BOOKVA FEST

longer. This year’s milestone fest celebrates 30 years, with appearances by acclaimed authors such as Roxane Gay, Sarah Weinman, Percival Everett, Jami Attenberg, and Jeannette Walls. Here are a few of our recommendations for lit-lovers looking to indulge their interests, learn something new, or connect with others over the pages of a good book

By Maeve Hayden

FOR THE DISRUPTORS

A UVA prof’s critical look at Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue

JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS

Bonnie Hagerman debut reveals the scant media coverage of female athletes

In 1964, Sports Illustrated editor André Laguerre faced a challenge. As the temperature dropped and winter neared, so did the off-season for many sports. With a five-page spread to fill and no games to cover, Laguerre decided to run a travel story with photographs of model Babette March in a white bikini. The inaugural swimsuit issue was born.

Many of us can remember the first time we saw a cover of the controversial swimsuit issue, which catered to the male gaze and didn’t even include female athletes until a 1997 feature on tennis player Steffi Graph be-

came a massive moneymaker. Models like Christie Brinkley, Elle Macpherson, and Tyra Banks posed scantily clad in high-fashion images that couldn’t be more out of place in a sports publication. More recently, Ronda Rousey became the first athlete to show up on the cover in 2016, followed by soccer star Alex Morgan, and tennis champ Naomi Osaka.

Why did it take female athletes so long to show up, and why are they forced to turn into models for this publication that brushes their athleticism under the rug in favor of playing up their sensuality?

Questions like these were catalysts for University of Virginia Professor Bonnie Hagerman’s debut book, Skimpy Coverage: Sports Illustrated and the Shaping of the Female Athlete

An athlete and collegiate rower herself, Hagerman found her unique specialty of women, gender, and sport in graduate school. What originally started as a master’s thesis turned into a Ph.D. dissertation, and last year, a published book.

“I’d grown up with Sports Illustrated magazines all around the house, and I was aware of the fact that female athletes didn’t show up on the pages very often, and when they did there wasn’t much written about them,” says Hagerman. “I was interested to see which athletes they did portray, and what they did say about them.”

Two decades in the making, Skimpy Coverage dives into SI’s treatment of female athletes since its founding, examining race, femininity, identity, sexuality, stereotypical archetypes forced on sportswomen, and large-scale events such as the Olympics.

The book follows sportswomen of the past, like Wilma Rudolph, who was at one point the fastest woman in the world, and women’s tennis maverick Billie Jean King, to current-day GOATs Serena Williams and Megan Rapinoe, using them as case studies to examine female athletes’ lack of media coverage and the hoops they

have to jump through for support, despite being the best in the game.

The challenges faced by these women still impact athletes today, at every level. Working at UVA afforded Hagerman first-hand experiences from student-athletes.

“Students in my classes really helped me hone what I wanted to say,” says Hagerman. “To put it in perspective, some of the issues I was seeing female athletes dealing with in the 1950s are things some female athletes in my classes are talking about. Challenges presented by expectations of femininity, the challenges of being a lesbian in sport.”

Think back to the NCAA championships in 2021, when images of the men’s and women’s basketball weight rooms went viral. The men’s much larger, and well-equipped, while the women’s measly room housed a simple rack of dumbbells.

“What was great about that was that people were upset,” says Hagerman. “They realized it was unfair, and there was a swift response.”

Support for women’s sports is growing—just look at the record-setting fan turnout for the UVA women’s basketball game against Virginia Tech. For Hagerman, recognizing these milestones is as important as working to fix what’s wrong.

“There’s been a ton of change since Sports Illustrated’s [swimsuit issue] was first published in 1964,” says Hagerman. “Title IX in 1972, Billie Jean King’s activism for equal pay, Venus Williams following up with that activism for equal pay and being successful, we see more media coverage of women on TV. There have been a number of great moments to celebrate, but we still need to recognize the challenges that remain. There’s a lot to be done.”

Skimpy Coverage

Bonnie Hagerman

Thursday 3/21 The Omni Hotel

Whether you’re a casual Olympics watcher every four years or a die-hard lover of sports, Hagerman’s Skimpy Coverage offers a new lens through which readers can critically watch and cheer for their favorite teams—go Hoos!

FOR QUEER VOICES

Celebrate queer love, friendship, and found family

Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant

Curtis Chin

In his memoir, Chin touches on his upbringing as a queer, Chinese American boy in Detroit in the ’80s. In the midst of homophobia and racism, Chin found sanctuary in his family’s Chinese restaurant.

Thursday 3/21 | UVA Bookstore

Better Halves: Romcom Heroines Meet Their Matches

Ashley Herring Blake & Lana Harper

Try out a new trope at this love-filled panel with two acclaimed romance writers.

Blake’s Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date sees sparks fly in a fake dating scheme, and Harper’s In Charm’s Way is a light-hearted, magical enemies-to-lovers romp.

Friday 3/22 | Omni Hotel

Alternate Appalachias

Jeff Mann, Danielle Chapman & Anya Liftig

This three-person panel includes Jeff Mann, author of Loving Mountains, Loving Men: Memoirs of a Gay Appalachian now in its second edition. Mann discusses his relationship with Appalachian culture and society as a gay man, alongside authors Danielle Chapman and Anya Liftig.

Friday 3/22 | New Dominion Bookshop

DOMINIQUE ATTAWAY

FOR THE NATURE LOVER

Animals-lovers, gardeners, farmers—it’s all good here.

Wild Asana: Animals, Yoga, and Connecting Our Practice to the Natural World

Allison Zak

Author and yoga teacher Allison Zak gets to the bottom of the dog in downward dog in her illustrated exploration of yoga poses and their animal counterparts. Then, grab a mat and try out the moves for yourself.

Thursday 3/21 Central JMRL Library

Growing Organic Food

Tanya Denckla Cobb

Learn how to grow your own food with Tanya Denckla Cobb, author of The Backyard Homestead Guide to Growing Organic Food Vegetables, fruits, nuts, herbs, whatever you’re planting, Cobb’s got the info on seed-starting, growing, and harvesting.

Saturday 3/23 Omni Hotel

Love for the Land

Brooks Lamb

Brooks Lamb and fellow farmers Ebonie Alexander, Michael Carter Jr., and Renard and Chinette Turner discuss dwindling farmland in the face of suburban sprawl, racial injustice among farmers of color, and other concerns. Lamb’s moving book highlights stories of small-scale farmers caring for the land.

Sunday 3/24 Ivy Creek Natural Area

FOR

THE HISTORY LOVER

Stories retold, histories remembered, and ideas reborn.

The New Brownies’ Book: A Love Letter to Black Families

Karida Brown & Charly Palmer

The Brownies Book was originally published as a monthly magazine by W.E.B. Dubois in 1920. Now, it’s reimagined by scholar Karida Brown and artist Charly Palmer as a beautifully illustrated celebration of Black culture, with stories, play excerpts, poetry, art, and more.

Saturday 3/23 Omni Hotel

Book Tour: James

Percival Everett

The acclaimed author is bringing his book tour to town. Get an early peek at James Everett’s stunning reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn this time told by “Jim.”

Saturday 3/23 The Paramount Theater

Unsung Women

Ruth P. Watson, Virginia Pye & Stephanie Dray

Get to know Maggie Lena Walker, the first Black woman bank president, in Watson’s A Right Worthy Woman then travel to Gilded Age Boston in Pye’s The Literary Undoing of Victoria Swann and wrap it up with Dray’s Becoming Madam Secretary, a look at Francis Perkins.

Wednesday 3/20 JMRL Central Library

Don’t miss a second go round of readings by these authors, “as seen in C-VILLE.”

Erika Howsare

“The loveliness of deer might go without saying, but still, there it is: The more you look, the more they seduce,” writes Erika Howsare in her debut nonfiction book, The Age of Deer Howsare appears at the Natural Born Creatures panel alongside Nicolette L. Cagle.

Thursday 3/21, JMRL Central Library.

Irène Mathieu

Referencing the milky covering that can occur on an infant’s tongue after feeding, Irène Mathieu’s milk tongue is a collection filled with precise, embodied language that explores parenthood, family, and the intricacies of existence in this world. Mathieu appears at the Family Trees & Legacies panel with Remica Bingham-Risher and Lightsey Darst.

Friday 3/22, New Dominion Bookshop.

Diane Flynt

“Behind each knobby brown orb, underneath every quirky apple name or sprightly flavor, lies a person, culture, and history. And nowhere is this history more interesting than in the South,” writes cidermaker Diane Flynt in Wild, Tamed, Lost, and Revived: The Surprising Story of Apples in the South

Sunday 3/24, James Monroe’s Highland.

Henry Hoke

A queer mountain lion in “ellay” is the narrator of Open Throat, a novel by Charlottesville’s own Henry Hoke. If that piques your interest, pick up a copy at Queer Reimaginings, a panel moderated by Hoke with SJ Sindu and Addie Tsai.

Thursday 3/21, Omni Hotel.

STEPHEN BARLING

facebook.com/cville.weekly

Saturday, March 23, 7:00pm to 11:00pm

The Bradbury and Vault Virginia on the Downtown Mall

Our 30th Anniversary Party!

Enjoy food, drinks, dancing and a celebration of three incredible decades of festival memories—for a night you won’t forget for another 30 years!

Saturday, March 23 at The Paramount Theater

One ticket gives you access to up-front section seating at all four Virginia Festival of the Book featured and headlining events. With Senator Danica Roem, Ada Limón, Roxane Gay, and Percival Everett.

Wine and Words with Jami Attenberg

Thursday, March 22 4:00 — 5:30pm at the Omni Hotel

Enjoy a glass of wine and uncork your imagination in this interactive event with NewYork Timesbestselling author, Jami Attenberg. Her new book,1000 Words , offers secrets about productive, focused creativity.

Wednesday, March 20

Judaism Disrupted

UVa Bookstore, 2:00pm

Unsung Women Central JMRL Library, 2:00pm

Defining Housewife: Nostalgia, stereotypes, and womanhood

Omni Hotel, 2:00pm

Justice Rising: Robert Kennedy’s America in Black and White

Jefferson School, 2:00pm

Holocaust Reckoning

UVa Bookstore, 3:30pm

Where the Truth

Lies: Racism and Reckonings

Jefferson School, 3:30pm

Heavenly Bodies & Hot Sonnets: Modern Love Poems

Central JMRL Library, 4:00pm

Same Page

Community Read: Florence Adler Swims Forever

Jefferson School, 5:30pm 30th Anniversary Kickoff: ‘90s

Rooftop Party Common House Charlottesville, 7:00pm

Over 70 Live Events

Thursday, March 21

Wild Asana: Animals, Yoga, and Connecting Our Practice to the Natural World

Central JMRL Library, 10:00am

Wake Up to Wonder

Omni Hotel 3/21/2024, 10:00am

Skimpy Coverage

Omni Hotel,11:00am

Standing Up to Hate

Jefferson School, 11:00am

Autonomy and Agency

Omni Hotel, 12:30pm

Solastalgia: An Anthology of Emotion in a Disappearing World

Central JMRL Library, 12:30pm

Soul in Celebration

Jefferson School, 12:30pm

Strange Species:

Science Fiction

UVa Bookstore, 1:00pm

Lawless Women

Omni Hotel, 2:00pm

Natural Born Creatures

Central JMRL Library, 2:00pm

Black Women Collectives

Jefferson School, 2:00pm

Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant

UVa Bookstore, 4:00pm

Queer Reimaginings

Omni Hotel, 4:00pm

Tagging Freedom: Reading and Art Workshop

The Bridge PAI, 4:30pm

Dark Imaginations

Jefferson School, 5:30pm

Finding Your Voice: A YA Fiction Pizza Party

Central JMRL Library, 6:00pm

Stories of Meaning:

Voices of Adult Learners

V. Earl Dickinson Building, Piedmont VA Community College, 7:00pm

SEEK: How Curiosity Can

Transform Your Life

St. Anne’s-Belfield, Upper School,7:00pm

March 20 to 24, 2024 - Virginia Festival of the Book

Friday, March 22

Against Technoableism

CitySpace, 10:00am

The Texture of Family Jefferson School, 10:30am

The Death of a Public School

Omni Hotel, 10:30am

Family Trees & Legacies

New Dominion Bookshop, 11:00am

Coffee and Crime with Sarah Weinman

Omni Hotel, 11:00am

The Sound of the Future CitySpace,11:30am

Toxic Legacy

Omni Hotel, 12:00pm

Multigenerational Fiction:

Ghosts and Secrets

Jefferson School, 12:30pm

Impossible Choices

Omni Hotel, 1:00pm

Southern Fried Crime CitySpace. 1:00pm

Pastoral Pilgrims:

Southern Poets in Nature

New Dominion Bookshop, 1:00pm

Better Halves: Romcom Heroines

Meet Their Matches

Omni Hotel, 2:30pm

Alternate Appalachias

New Dominion Bookshop, 2:30pm

Blue Ridge Thrillers

Jefferson School, 2:30pm

Scandalous Ladies of the 19th

Century CitySpace, 3:00pm

Souther Environmental Law Center CODE Building, 4:00pm

Wine and Words with Jami Attenberg

Omni Hotel, 4:00pm

The 2024 Carol Troxell Reader: Dwight Garner

New Dominion Bookshop, 4:00pm

Blue Hour

Jefferson School, 4:00pm

Bibliographical Society: Annual Meeting

UVA Harrison Institute, 4:00pm

Saturday, March 23

Historical Fiction Breakfast with Brinda Charry, Adriana Trigiani, and Jeanette Walls, in conversation with Rachel Beanland

Omni Hotel, 10:00am

Like a Lady: Women in Crime

Omni Hotel, 10:00am

Jefferson-Madison Regional Library Book Swap

Central JMRL Library, 10:00am

Fantastical Love: YA Fiction

Omni Hotel, 10:00am

Burn the Page with Danica Roem

Paramount Theater, 10:30am

Expansive Frontiers

City Council Chambers, 11:00am

Sequels & Segues

Omni Hotel, 11:30am

Bark and Bite: YA Stories of Inner Strength

Omni Hotel, 11:30am

Memory Making, History, and Democracy: A look back at August 12, 2017

Omni Hotel, 12:00pm

The Hurting Kind and Other Poems with Ada Limón

Paramount Theater, 1:00pm

Late Fines and Lies: Library Crimes

Omni Hotel, 1:00pm

Patrick Henry’s Final Political Battle City Council Chambers, 1:00pm

Heart, Spunk, Magic, Chutzpah: Courageous Girls

Central JMRL Library, 1:00pm

Growing Organic Food

Omni Hotel, 1:30pm

The New Brownies Book: A Love

Letter to Black Families

Omni Hotel, 1:30pm

Healing Words: Poetry and Health

Central JMRL Library, 3:00pm

Opinions with Roxane Gay

Paramount Theater, 4:00pm

Book Tour: James with Percival Everett

Paramount Theater, 6:30pm

Wordy Thirty Anniversary Party

The Bradbury, 7:00pm — 11:00pm

Sunday, March 24

The Cabinet:

George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution

Monticello’s David M. Rubenstein

Visitor Center, 11:00am

The Links Inc. Brunch

Jefferson School, 11:00am

Love for the Land

Ivy Creek Natural Area , 11:30am

Gladys S. Blizzard Lecture with Prudence Peiffer

The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia, 1:00pm

The Write Start: Moseley Speed Critique

Central JMRL Library, 1:00pm

Wild, Tamed, Lost, and Revived: The Surprising Story of Apples in the South

James Monroe’s Highland, 1:30pm

UVA MFA Reading Visible/Records, 2:00pm

Festival Finale

Decipher Brewing, 4:00pm

CULTURE

FRIDAY 3/22SUNDAY 3/24 KEEPING IT SHORT

Three days of screenings, competitions, and talks take place across Charlottesville as filmmakers from around the globe present their work at the Indie Short Film Festival. The fest grew out of the Indie Short Film Series, established locally by writer, director, and event marketing guru Ty Cooper in 2019. After touring to other markets, Cooper is back with a 70-plus roster of animation, drama, documentary, and comedy shorts, paired with award ceremonies, artist talks, table reads, and technical breakout sessions. $15-149, times and locations vary. indieshortfilmfestival.net

THROUGH 3/29 TAKING FLIGHT

Originating from a 1765 commedia dell’arte by Carlo Gozzi, The Green Bird gets a modern staging that is “40 percent improvised,” says Director Dave Dalton of UVA Drama’s update. Gozzi’s version had serious undertones that were meant to expose what he considered dangerous ideas of Enlightenment thinkers. At UVA, the play is a hilarious ride through a dysfunctional fairy tale, filled with recognizable, over-the-top 21st-century archetypes, and told by a 19-person cast of wild characters dominated by a mysterious, powerful bird. $8-14, 8pm. Culbreth Theater, 109 Culbreth Rd. artsboxoffice.virginia.edu

FRIDAY 3/22 FOR THE REST OF US

Festival Friday is a fest within a fest, with area shops staying open late to spotlight the Virginia Festival of the Book. The evening’s events include readings, tastings, comic-book signings, a bookmaking workshop, and a poetry critique circle. Stop in at trans-owned antifascist bookstore The Beautiful Idea to hear writer, musician, radio host, and all around badass Erin O’Hare (above) discuss her zine series “Under The Table And Screaming.” In each of O’Hare’s five volumes, she peers through the doors of local venues to offer a unique perspective on Charlottesville’s homegrown music scene. Free, 5pm. Locations vary. vabook.org.

MICHAEL BAILEY PHOTOGRAPHY

EZE AMOS

Wednesday 3/20 music

Beleza Duo. Funk, bossa nova, samba, and soul music. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St. thebebedero.com

DJ Ryan Wood. Kendall Street Company’s Ryan Wood hosts a vinyl DJ set of old-school funk and soul. Free, 6:30pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. superfly brewing.com

Karaoke. Sing for fun with host Jennifer DeVille. Free, 10pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com Open Mic Night. Show off your musical skills at an open mic hosted by Nicole Giordano. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St. Wavelength and Lisa Carter. Special guest Lisa Carter joins the weekly performance of blues, soul, and gospel. Free, 6:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskeyjarcville.com/music

words

Virginia Festival of the Book. A festival that brings together writers and readers to promote and celebrate books, reading, literacy, and literary culture. Free, all day. vabook.org etc.

Rooftop ’90s Party. Virginia Festival of the Book kicks off its 30th anniversary year with a ’90s tribute party. Free, 7:30pm. Common House, 206 W. Market St. commonhouse.com

SuperFly Run Club. Run around the city, then enjoy $5 pints. Free, 6pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. superflybrewing.com

Thursday 3/21 music

A Standing Witness A powerful and provocative song cycle collaboration between composer Richard Danielpour and poet Rita Dove. $40, 7:30pm. UVA Grounds. music.virginia.edu

Berto and Vincent. Two accomplished musicians offer a night of wild gypsy rumba and Latin guitar. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall.

Brian Franke. Original tunes and covers by local singer-songwriter. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd.

Dropping Julia. Music made of New Jersey sass and Virginia charm. Free, 8pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. superflybrewing.com

Jack Stepanian. Richmond singer-songwriter merges blues and rock guitar with lyrical storytelling. $12-15, 8pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

Songwriter Open Mic. Front Porch teacher Erynn Legna McLeod hosts an open mic for songwriters. Free, 7pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potters craftcider.com

stage

James and the Giant Peach Jr. A new take on Roald Dahl’s poignantly quirky story. Free, 5:45pm. DMR Adventures, 221 Carlton Rd. Suite 4. dmradventures.com

National Theatre Live in HD: The Motive and the Cue. Sam Mendes directs Mark Gatiss as John Gielgud and Johnny Flynn as Richard Burton in this fierce and funny new play. $12-16, 7pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

The Green Bird A fantastic tale inspired by the characters of commedia dell’arte. $8-14, 8pm. Culbreth Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd. drama.virginia.edu

words

Curtis Chin. The author speaks on his memoir about growing up working-class, queer, and Chinese American in Detroit in the 1970s and ’80s. $20, 4pm. UVA Bookstore Mezzanine, 400 Emmet St S. vabook.org

Virginia Festival of the Book. See listing for Wednesday, March 20. Free, all day. vabook.org

etc.

Dart Night. Weekly dart event with elimination rounds. Free, 6pm. Decipher Brewing, 1740 Broadway St. decipherbrewingco.com

Friday 3/22

music

Chickenhead Blues Band. Beloved C’ville band plays their New Orleans boogie-woogie, upbeat, rhythm and blues. Free, 6pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com

Corey Harris. Guitarist, songwriter, and band leader who has carved out his own niche in blues performs at the Making Noise in the Library series. Free, 1pm. Music Library, Old Cabell Hall. UVA Grounds. music.virginia.edu

Haley Heynderickx. Music that recalls folk music of the ‘60s and ‘70s mixed with a love of jazz radio. $23-26, 8pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

Hot in Herre 2000 Dance Party. DJs who have no guilt about musical guilty pleasures. $16-20, 9pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St. jeffersontheater.com

Ian Gilliam and The Fire Kings. Local rockabilly, blues, and country. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St.

Mississippi Conjure Trio at Offbeat Roadhouse. Unless she was born on the north end of Mississippi, this is not your grandmother’s blues. Free, 8pm. The Stage at WTJU, 2244 Ivy Rd. wtju.net

Muskrat Flats. Americana jam band from Philadelphia that melds rock, Americana, funk and bluegrass. Free, 7pm. Pro Re Nata, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpke., Crozet. prnbrewery.com

Natalie Blue. One of Charlottesville’s newest indie/alternative rock bands. Free, 10pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskeyjarcville.com

Richard Danielpour Colloquium. The University of Virginia Department of Music presents a colloquium by Grammy Award-winning composer Richard Danielpour. Free, 4pm. Old Cabell Hall, UVA Grounds. music.virginia.edu

Septic Vomit Gore Live. Live death metal performance. Free, 8pm. Ace Biscuit & Barbeque, 600 Concord Ave.

Sue Harlow. Singer-songwriter performs folk and Americana tunes. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. east woodfarmandwinery.com

Women in Music. The Piedmont Duo of Ayn Balija and I-Jen Fang perform original works by women composers. Free, 8pm. Old Cabell Hall, UVA Grounds. music.virginia.edu

stage

Anything Goes Hijinks on the high seas set to music. $10-20, 8pm. Four County Players, 5256 Governor Barbour St. Barboursville. fourcp.org

James and the Giant Peach Jr. See listing for Thursday, March 21. 7pm. DMR Adventures , 221 Carlton Rd Suite 4.

The Green Bird See listing for Thursday, March 21. $8-14, 8pm. Culbreth Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd. drama.virginia.edu

CULTURE THIS WEEK

The Moth Mainstage. A two-act show, featuring a musical act, where storytellers and a notable host share personal stories without notes. $24-39, 7:30pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

words

Erin O’Hare. Join author, musician, and radio host for a discussion of her local music series “Under The Table And Screaming.” Free, 5pm. The Beautiful Idea, 411 E. Main St. beautifulideacville.com

Virginia Festival of the Book. See listing for Wednesday, March 20. Free, all day. vabook.org

Wine and Words with Jami Attenberg. Drinks and conversation with New York Times bestselling author and creator of #1000Words. $40, 4pm. Omni Hotel, 212 Ridge McIntire Rd. vabook.org

classes

Paint + Sip. Paint florals while sipping your cider. $35, 6pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com etc.

Harold Improv Night. Showcase featuring the harold improv form plus some montage improv. Free, 7pm. McGuffey Art Center, 201 Second St NW. mcguffeyartcenter.com

Saturday 3/23

music

A Standing Witness See listing for Thursday, March 21. $40, 7:30pm. Old Cabell Hall, Old Cabell Hall. music.virginia.edu

Berto Sales. Sounds of Brazil, Spain and Latin America with finger-picking style and contagious energy. Free, 11am. Tavern & Grocery, 333 W. Main St. tavernandgrocery.com

Grayson Harlow & The Kitchen Party. Traditional and contemporary acoustic folk music. Free, 5:30pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com

Her Checkered Past. Duo featuring Anne O’Brien and Frank Bechter plays popular songs that will warm your heart. Free, 2:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarle ciderworks.com

James River Junction. Southern rockAmericana with plenty of blues influence. Free, 7pm. Pro Re Nata, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpke., Crozet. prnbrewery.com

Joe Jencks. Performance by an award-winning songwriter and celebrated vocalist. Jesse Palidofsky opens. $20-25, 7pm. Unity Church of Charlottesville, 2825 Hydraulic Circle. unitycharlottesville.org

Music in the Mountains. Rock out with Ron Gentry, who covers Motown, The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and more. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Lane, Etlan. ducardvineyards.com

Saturday Music. Enjoy live music, wine, and food in a beautiful and relaxed setting. Free, noon. Keswick Vineyards, 1575 Keswick Winery Dr., Keswick. keswickvineyards.com/

Tara Mills Band. Music inspired by the Blue Ridge Mountains and the rich musical traditions tied to them. $10, 7pm. The Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com

The Longway. Andy Waldeck and Joe Lawlor play hard rock, heavy metal, funk metal, soul, and funk rock. With Free Union. $17-20, 7:30pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St. jeffersontheater.com

The Midnight Buzz Band. An eclectic blend of acoustic and electric classic rock. Free, 5pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com

dance

March Ballroom Dance. USA Dance Charlottesville welcomes you to the dance floor for a fun evening of dancing. Beginners welcome. No partner required. $5-10, 7pm. The Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Blvd.

words

Virginia Festival of the Book. See listing for Wednesday, March 20. Free, all day. vabook.org

classes

Mosaic 101. Learn the basics of mosaic making. $45, 10:30am. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. C. scrappyelephant.com

stage

Anything Goes See listing for Friday, March 22. $10-20, 8pm. Four County Players, 5256 Governor Barbour St. Barboursville. fourcp.org

James and the Giant Peach Jr See listing for Thursday, March 21.Free, 7pm. DMR Adventures , 221 Carlton Rd Suite 4.

The Green Bird. See listing for Thursday, March 21. $8-14, 8pm. Culbreth Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd. drama.virginia.edu

LYAO with Chris Alan. A mix of well-crafted jokes and stories about life ranging from family to fatherhood, the military and marriage, coupled with quick-witted crowd interactions. $15-50, 8pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

words

Danica Roem. Burn the Page: A True Story of Torching Doubts, Blazing Trails, and Igniting Change is a call, an inspiration, and a memoir. $8-125, 10:30am. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

Opinions with Roxane Gay. Author brings her sharp and witty acumen, plus insightful workday advice to readers in need of a little guidance. $15-125, 4pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

Corey Harris

Friday 3/22 | Old Cabell Hall

BRIAN BLAUSER

CULTURE THIS WEEK

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

Saturday 3/23

Percival Everett. A Pulitzer Prize finalist and one of the most acclaimed authors of our era discusses his book, James. $8-125, 6:30pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón. The U.S. Poet Laureate and recent MacArthur Genius awardee will explore her poetry and practice. $15125, 1pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net Virginia Festival of the Book. See listing for Wednesday, March 20. Free, all day. vabook.org etc.

Charlottesville Tom Sox Charity Poker Tournament. Win cash and other prizes while supporting the Charlottesville Tom Sox organization. $100-500, 7pm. Elks Lodge, 389 Elk Dr. tomsox.org Easter Eggstravaganza. All day egg hunt with a prefilled goody bags as prizes. $10, 10am. Carter Mountain Orchard, 1435 Carters Mountain Trl. cartermountain orchard.com

Farmers Market. Enjoy a range of products, from produce and meat to baked goods and art, while supporting local small businesses. Free, 9am. IX Art Park, 522 Second St SE. ixartpark.com

Wordy Thirty. Enjoy food, drinks, dancing and a celebration of the Virginia Festival of the Book at the 30th Anniversary Party. Free, 7pm. Vault Virgina, 300 E. Main St. vabook.org

Sunday 3/24 music

Lena Klett. Powered by a soulful voice, Klett’s original compositions blend folk-rock, blues, jam, and reggae. Free, 2pm. Pro Re Nata, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpke., Crozet, .prnbrewery.com

Live Music. Outside on the dog-friendly deck. Free, 2pm. Jefferson Vineyards, 1353 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy. jeffersonvineyards.com

Louis Smith. A versatile acoustic rock and roll chameleon playing originals and covers. Free, 2pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshouse winery.com

Sunday Jazz Jam. Regional and national jazz musicians improvising with friends and strangers. Free, 6pm. Miller’s Downtown, 109 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. millers downtown.com

stage

The Green Bird See listing for Thursday, March 21. $8-14, 8pm. Culbreth Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd. drama.virginia.edu

words

Prudence Peiffer. Talk with Prudence Peiffer, author of The Slip. Free, 1pm. Campbell Hall 153: School of Architecture at UVA, 110 Bayly Dr. Virginia Festival of the Book. See listing for Wednesday, March 20. Free, all day. vabook.org

classes

Crochet an Egg. Take your skills to the next level. $35, 12:30pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St, C. scrappyelephant.com

Crochet for Beginners. Learn the basics of crochet with Emma. $25, 11am. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St, C. scrappy elephant.com

Paint + Sip. Paint, sip, repeat with a wildflower theme. $40, 2pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. etc.

BRIMS Hooley. A celebration of Irish music, song, dance, and culture. Free, 1pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com

Clueless Shallow, rich, and socially successful Cher (Alicia Silverstone) is at the top of her Beverly Hills high school’s pecking order. $7-9, 4pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

Quirk Artisan Market. Shop unique products from 12 local artisans and vendors. Free, 11am. Quirk Hotel Charlottesville, 499 W. Main St.

Rascal Does Not Dream Double Feature. Screenings of Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out and Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid Free, 7pm. Regal Cinema Stonefield, 1954 Swanson Dr.

Silent Book Club. Bring your own book of choice, and read in quiet camaraderie. Free, 12:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarlecider works.com

Monday 3/25

music

Berto and Vincent. Wild gypsy rumba. Free, 6:30pm. South and Central Latin Grill, 946 Grady Ave., Suite 104. southand centralgrill.com

etc.

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

Hotshot television anchorman Ron Burgundy welcomes reporter Veronica Corningstone to the male-dominated world of 1970s broadcast news. $7-9, 7:30pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

Geeks Who Drink Trivia. Join host Audrey and compete with teams up to six people. Free, 6:30pm. Decipher Brewing, 1740 Broadway St.

Rascal Does Not Dream. See listing for Sunday, March 24. 7pm. Regal Cinema Stonefield, 1954 Swanson Dr.

Tuesday 3/26

music

Edgehill. Nashville-based alternative rock group with ties to C’ville plays original tracks. $15-20, 7:30pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesouthern cville.com

Josh Mayo and House Sauce. Local frontman with his musical co-conspirators and a rotating cast of musical guests. Free, 10pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com

Karaoke. Live songs you know and love, hosted by Thunder Music. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St.

Open Mic Night. Bring your songs, poems, jokes, or words. Free, 7:30pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. superfly brewing.com

Tuesday Evening Concert Series: Dover Quartet and Haochen Zhang. Mozart, Brahms, and solo piano. Free, 7:30pm. Old Cabell Hall, UVA Grounds. music.virginia.edu

Vincent Zorn. Solo wild gypsy rumba. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebadero.com

Poetic unity

A Standing Witness examines our nation’s recent history through a cycle of songs

By Tami Keaveny arts@c-ville.com

Rita Dove was on sabbatical from the University of Virginia English department when Richard Danielpour emailed the U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner.

The Grammy Award-winning composer wanted to discuss collaborating on A Standing Witness, a cycle of songs that covers 50 years of American history, with original music set to poems as lyrics. The project was no small task. And Dove says that, at first glance, it seemed outside her wheelhouse. She was doing her own work, and she doesn’t write poems on spec or for occasions, but she does love collaboration and the way it can stretch the participating artists. When Danielpour said he had mezzo soprano Susan Graham in mind to perform the songs, Dove could visualize the project, and she signed on. C-VILLE Weekly spoke with Dove ahead of the Charlottesville premiere of A Standing Witness at Old Cabell Hall on Thursday, March 21.

C-VILLE Weekly: Talk about the concept and collaboration process.

Rita Dove: First thing is to try to figure out what events you are going to talk about.

The whole sequence starts around 1968. Which also felt like a time when, in American history, we kind of turned around and looked and said, “This democracy is not what we thought it was. Things are cracking open.”

We seemed to be on the same wavelength. We started out with a whole process, with some touchstones. Halfway through, we took one out. I kind of said no.

Richard wanted to do the integration of Negro baseball leagues … but I thought we already had one with Muhammad Ali. We looked at the whole arc, and I said to Richard, “We need more women.” He agreed, and then Roe v. Wade came in … I was working on poems and I thought, “Roe vs. Wade. This changed everything in the world.” What I am trying to say is that it was a very fluid collaboration.

My way of working is to start in the middle of things. I was somewhere right around Woodstock, and poor Richard was waiting patiently for the first ones. He starts at the beginning. He said, “musically, I need the first ones.” We reached an artistic compromise where I gave him the first four poems … with the caveat that I might change a line or two. So once that started he was able to tolerate my bouncing around.

How long did the process take?

About a year. Year and a half. We did not meet. The first time I met Richard was at a performance of this piece. …I didn’t hear the music either.

I want these poems to stand as poems as well, not lyrics of music. For that reason, I didn’t want to hear the music. I didn’t have

to hear the music. The first time I heard [A Standing Witness] was at The Kennedy Center after the pandemic.

How did you feel when you saw it for the first time?

I was terrified. Then I was terrifically relieved with the first song. I eventually forgot about the fact that these were my words.

What does it mean to you to put this onstage in Charlottesville?

It has always been my dream, and Richard and I talked about this, to have A Standing Witness come to Charlottesville. I mean, Charlottesville with its Thomas Jefferson and the whole, almost schizophrenic, history of this town. It felt like this is a lighting rod for the kind of conflicted democracy that we have.

This Standing Witness, by documenting or by bearing witness—I guess you could say testimonials to these stages along the way in history. I mean I think it’s … something that will really have resonance here.

I can imagine Susan standing there as a witness. It will feel like she is singing to Thomas Jefferson, “this is a country we have wrought.”

What can this type of collaboration teach us on a broader level?

Music is one of those mediums that penetrates us that has nothing to do with how educated we are or our class.

One of the things that I hope will happen is to remind the audience or infuse the audience with a historical memory. A reminder that these things happened in such a short space of time. Sixty years is not a lot. In a way it shows people why we are where we are today.

The theatrical aspect of it is that we are all in a room, strangers, for the duration of this piece. There’s no putting it down or flipping of the page. There’s no way you can say, “I’ll just close my eyes and listen to the orchestra,” because there’s this woman on stage, and her presence is amazing, and her singing, bearing witness. It comes out toward you.

Who would you like to see in the audience?

First I’d like to see a lot of young people in the audience because they were not around at that time. I’m sometimes amazed at how little my students know about U.S. history, even 20 years ago.

To know what people felt back then and the anxiety level and how that helped or con-

tributed to actions. That’s something that’s very hard to convey. It’s something that history books really can’t tell you, but music and poetry can. They can bring you in like that.

I also hope the audience is extremely mixed. I hope we see older people there. I want to see people who are not connected to the university … this is for everyone.

With such a vast body of work, what stands out to you?

There’s so many things. One of the things that surprised me utterly, and of course changed my life, is when I got the Pulitzer. But I was not even dreaming of something like that.

Not every artist is prepared for the limelight. How was that for you?

Absolutely not prepared. I was very shy.

When I write, and when I wrote, it was such a wonderful space, and my solitude. In came this wonderful thing, but there were some thorns to it. So I had to learn how to balance … and learn how to put on a public face. The only reason I did not resent it as much as I could have was because I remembered my first exposure to poetry. Meeting my first poets.

Talk about when you first connected to poetry.

When I was about 10-11, I started reading Shakespeare’s plays—you know, go for the big book in the house—and luckily my parents didn’t tell me, “You won’t understand that.” I didn’t understand that this was poetry, but it was language that was singing. I didn’t think poets were alive. They just existed in books. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I met my first poet. My teacher took us to a book signing … by John Ciardi of his translation of Dante’s Inferno. I didn’t know what the inferno was, but here he was, and I bought the book, and he signed it. I thought, “you did this?”

I mean, I’ve gone to the White House, that was cool. But the things that are really cool are if students do something. When I get a letter from someone who says their whole class is doing a unit of poetry … that’s what’s really exciting and means that someone has been woken up.

How do you spend time outside of your professional life?

My husband and I enjoy ballroom dancing and Argentine tango. Otherwise, I am an obsessive crossword puzzler. I always do my puzzles in ink. I can’t abide pencils.

Are you Wordle obsessed?

No. I don’t like Scrabble, you’d think I would … and the Wordle did not appeal to me. I love jigsaw puzzles, and I really like the wooden ones.

When you work with words, and are writing all the time … I just want to do something. I want to move my body.

Composer Richard Danielpour and poet Rita Dove celebrate their collaboration, A Standing Witness, joined by mezzo soprano Susan Graham and Music from Copland House.

BILL HEAD

Rita Dove

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Wednesday, 3/20 10am B18 Old Cabell Hall

Thursday, 3/21 7:30pm Old Cabell Hall

Friday, 3/22, 1pm Music Library in OCH

Friday, 3/22, 3:30pm 107 Old Cabell Hall

Women in Music Open Rehearsal * Workshop w/ musicians & composers

A Standing Witness, presented by The Vice Provost for the Arts

Making Noise with Corey Harris * Making Noise in the Library series

Richard Danielpour * Colloquium

Friday, 3/22, 8pm Old Cabell Hall

Saturday, 3/23 7:30pm Old Cabell Hall

Friday, 3/29, 8pm Old Cabell Hall

Saturday, 3/30, 8pm Old Cabell Hall

Friday, 4/5, 3:30pm 107 Old Cabell Hall

Friday, 4/5, 8pm Old Cabell Hall

Saturday, 4/6, 8pm Old Cabell Hall

Women in Music * Ayn Balija & I-Jen Fang

A Standing Witness, presented by The Vice Provost for the Arts

Cassie Lipton, flute * Distinguished Major Recital

Jack Kehoe, tenor * Performance Concentration Recital

Jack Hamilton Colloquium * Stevie Wonder’s Classic Period

UVA Chamber Singers: A Concert of Campaign Songs

Jazz Ensemble: JazzManiac w/ Glenn Wilson, baritone sax

Sunday, 4/7, 3:30pm Old Cabell Hall

Kelly Sulick, flute UVA Chamber Music Series

THE WINE DOWN

WHAT’S DELISH AT LOCAL WINERIES?

CHISWELL FARM WINERY

2020 Chardonnay

The 2020 Chardonnay is crisp and easy drinking as we head into warmer weather! You’ll find notes of honeysuckle and yellow apples on the nose, with zippy pink grapefruit and lemongrass on the palate. Enjoy our Chardonnay with home made chicken salad, grilled shrimp, or strawberries and cream!

A historic Jeffersonian estate nestled in the Virginia countryside, Chiswell Farm & Winery invites guests to delight in locally crafted vintages, panoramic views, and warm hospitality. With a glass in hand, savor the breathtaking scenery from a rocking chair on our covered porch. Gather with friends around a dining table on the lawn to share a build-your-own charcuterie board. Or cozy up with a loved one in the historic and inviting Greenwood home. Whether you want to come up to the bar for a chat or spread out a blanket for a private picnic, there are countless ways to enjoy the best that Virginia wine country has to offer.

We serve our award-winning wines by the glass, bottle, and flight, plus seasonal specialty beverages and a tasteful selection of local and gourmet snacks. Guests are also welcome to bring their own food to enjoy with our wines.

Ages 21+ only, no dogs or other pets permitted on the property. For a family-friendly experience, visit our wine shops at Chiles Peach Orchard or Carter Mountain Orchard. Visit chiswellwinery.com for our seasonal events calendar!

Mar. 31st - Open Easter from 11 AM–6 PM

Mar. 31st - Adult Easter Egg Hunt at 2 PM

Hours: Wed-Sun 11 am – 5:30 pm

430 Greenwood Rd, Greenwood, VA 22943 434.252.2947 • www.chilesfamilyorchards.com/chiswell

53RD WINERY AND VINEYARD

A few notes from winegrower and owner, Dave Drillock:

Everyone likes silver and gold! The 2024 Governor’s Cup medal list has been released. There were approximately 740 wines entered. Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard entered 5 wines with two gold and three silver medals awarded. The two gold medal winners were our 2021 Cabernet Franc Reserve and the 2021 Two Springs Red Blend. The silver medal winners were our 2021 Rock Ridge Red Blend, 2021 Norton and 2022 Viognier. Congratulations to our winemaker, Chelsey Blevins, and everyone at Team 53!

Besides remarkable wines, there are several reasons to visit FiftyThird Winery and Vineyard this month.

On Sunday, March 24th, we invite you to join us for our next “Tasting Series” of unreleased wines with a focus on wine and food pairings. We are thrilled to have as our guest speaker, Tassie Pippert, Emmy award winning producer and the host of Un’Wine’d. Not bragging, well maybe I am, but they received an Emmy award for a show a few years ago. The show featured Fifty-Third Winery! Go to www.53rdwinery.com to

sign up. Do not wait, this will fill up fast!

So come for the wine and enjoy your visit to our meadow-like setting in rural Louisa County. We are down-to-earth and love to share our enthusiasm with customers about our wine. We are open 7 days a week 11am – 5pm. Check our website www.53rdwinery.com or call 540-894-1536 for more information. We look forward to seeing you at the winery!

March 23rd – Live music by Bailey Hayes

March 24th - Tasting Series special (reservations required)

March 30th - Live music by Mike Proffitt

March 31st – CLOSED for Easter Sunday

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

2021 Norton

We’re excited to release our next vintage of Norton after being sold out for nearly a year. With notes of plum, violet, and sweet spice, this estate grown Norton has a bright acidity that is lively

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March 20 –26, 2024 c-ville.com

and fresh on the palate. This wine is perfect with Sunday roasts, BBQ, and grilled sausages!

March 24th - Chocolate & Wine Pairing $69

We are excited to welcome Master Chocolatier Ann Czaja, Dip WSET to DuCard for a special Chocolate and Wine Program. She will share with us the history of chocolate, talk about her work in making Lindt’s fine chocolates and offer some samples of ‘raw’ chocolate for us to try, as well as a flight of premium chocolates each paired with a DuCard wine. Tickets available on our website. https://ducardvineyards.com/ event/choc-wine-pairing/ Weekends - Live music all weekend long! Check out our lineup on our website!

March 31st – Easter Music in the Mountains! Join us for an Easter Egg hunt and live music

Open daily

Mon-Thurs. 12-5 pm

Fri. 12-9 pm

Sat/Sun. 12-6 pm

40 Gibson Hollow Ln • Etlan, VA 22719 (540) 923-4206

www.ducardvineyards.com

EASTWOOD FARM AND WINERY

GOLD MEDAL VIRGINIA WINES

Our 2022 Rosé and Merlot were awarded gold medals in the 2024 Virginia Governor’s Cup. We also received seven silver medals for crowd favorites like our 2022 Viognier and 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon. We are currently offering a Gold & Silver Tasting Flight that is available seven days a week in the tasting room. We are also leading special guided tastings featuring your choice of 5- or 8- award-winning wines with the option to add a curated cheese or chocolate pairing. These guided tastings are available by reservation 7 days a week and are a chance to enjoy an in-depth tasting led by a member of our team. We look forward to welcoming you to our cozy tasting room just five miles from the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville.

New at the Winery: Join us for Eastwood After Dark featuring upbeat, danceable music every Saturday night from 5-8pm (in addition to our Saturday afternoon music lineup). Eastwood also hosts Live Music every Thursday and Friday night, as well as many

special events, including our next Chef Tasting Series on March 27.

Winemaker Pop-Up: Join us on March 8th for complimentary tastings from Daring Wine & Cider Co.

St. Patrick’s Day: Looking for some Irish music and great wine, beer and food specials this holiday weekend? Join us March 14-March 17 for a full line-up of music, including Music Bingo on Thursday and Sunday. Double your luck! Enjoy making your own s’mores around our fire pits with a mug of hot mulled wine. Or, stay inside and enjoy live music with a seasonal flatbread or fondue. Eastwood has award-winning wines, on tap beers and ciders, and great lunch and dinner menus all week. We also have juice flights and cheese boards for the kids. Open yearround, seven days a week.

WEEKLY MUSIC SERIES

Every Thursday: Live Music

5-8, $5 Glasses of Wine, Beer & Cider + Chip Pairings With Beer Flights All Day

Every Friday: Live Music 5-8

Every Saturday: Live Music

1-4, Eastwood After Dark with Live Music 5-8

Every Sundays: Music Bingo or Paint & Sip

OTHER EVENTS & SPECIALS

Mondays-Fridays: Lunch Specials (Pick 2 for $12)

Wednesday: Chef Tasting Series, Paint & Sip; 10% off bottles (see calendar on website for specifics)

Fridays: Barrels & Tanks Tasting Bar Takeover (beginning Feb 16)

What about the kids? Kids can share in the experience with their own juice tasting flights and cheese boards!

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

Winery Hours: WednesdaySaturday (12-8 PM); Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (12-5 PM)

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

KESWICK VINEYARDS

2022 Merlot

An extremely vibrant wine with medium acidity. A delightful nose of red fruit, (more specifically stewed cherries), medium oak, and a touch of smoke as part of the initial experience of the wine tasting. On the palate, there is a rush of raspberry and red currant with light tannins, and a soft finish. This wine can be enjoyed immediately, but is recommended to hold for 2-3 years from the vintage on the bottle. Merlot 2022 will pair nicely with a light cheese like gouda or mozzarella, a duck breast, pork roast, or a chocolate torte.

We look forward to continuing to serve all of our wonderful guests this winter during our daily hours of 10am-5pm (last pour at 4:45). We offer first come, first served seating under our tent or open seating in our outdoor courtyard. Wine is available by the flight, glass and bottle at our inside or outside service bars, with bar service inside on the weekends! A selection of pre-packaged meats, cheeses, crackers, and spreads are available for purchase as well as our new food truck which is currently open Wednesday- Sunday from 12p-4p. Our winter tent is up and heated for you to enjoy as well!

Bring the family or friends and enjoy live music every Saturday from 12 - 4p or play a fun 9 hole of miniature golf on our new course! (Weather permitting)

Saturdays – Live Music! Check out our website for the lineup and more details.

March 31st – CLOSED for Easter Sunday

Hours:

Monday- Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm

1575 Keswick Winery Drive Keswick, Virginia 22947 Tasting Room: (434) 244-3341 ext 105 tastingroom@keswickvineyards.com www.keswickvineyards.com

MONTIFALCO VINEYARD

2022 Montifalco Estate

Chardonnay

The 2022 Montifalco Vineyard Chardonnay is a testament to the artistry of our winemaker. Handpicked at peak ripeness, our grapes undergo a gentle pressing to extract the purest juice, which is then fermented and aged in neutral French oak barrels. We perform bâtonnage every other week (stirring of the lees). This meticulous process results in a wine of beautiful depth and complexity, with layers of rich fruit flavors and a lightly creamy texture that caresses the palate. Not oaky, not buttery.

Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with a variety of dishes, the Montifalco Vineyard Chardonnay is a versatile and approachable wine that delights the senses. Its vibrant acidity and well-balanced structure make it an ideal companion to seafood, poultry, creamy pasta dishes, and artisanal cheeses. Alternatively, savor a glass of our Chardonnay as an aperitif, and let its elegance and sophistication set the tone for any occasion.

From vine to bottle, Montifalco Vineyard embodies the dedication to quality and commitment to excellence that defines our winery. Join us in raising a glass to celebrate the timeless elegance and exquisite flavor of Chardonnay and experience the magic of Montifalco Vineyard. Our aim is to offer guests a serene, tranquil, and contemplative ambiance in which to savor and appreciate our winecraft.

We are open Thursday through Monday Noon-5. Final walk-in seating is 30 minutes prior to closing at which time we offer wine by the glass and bottles to go. We are an adults only farm winery. We

do not accept groups larger than 6 guests. No party busses permitted.

Please visit montifalcovineyard. com, call/text 434-989-9115 or email info@montifalco.com if you have any questions or special requests. We look forward to welcoming you to our Monticello Farm Winery!

1800 Fray Rd, Ruckersville, VA 22968 (434) 989-9115

montifalcovineyard.com

PRINCE MICHEL VINEYARDS

Rapidan River Raspberry

During the month of February celebrate with Prince Michel’s reformulation of our Rapidan River Raspberry wine! This selection has a delightfully light and seductively sweet profile that boasts a memorable experience for any occasion.  Exceptionally well balanced as an after-dinner indulgence, especially alongside rich dark chocolate desserts. Its vibrant raspberry notes come together in harmonious balance, making it a perfect choice for those who appreciate a little sweetness in life!

Discover Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery, an iconic East Coast estate. Family and pet-friendly, it’s one of the oldest and largest wineries in the Commonwealth.  Also, home to Tap 29 Brew Pub, serving local craft brews and delicious pub-style food seven days a week.

Located in the heart of Virginia Wine Country, our elegant winery on Route 29 between Charlottesville and Washington DC offers wine tastings, tours, shopping, and scenic picnic spots daily from 11am.

At Prince Michel Indulge in a spectrum of wines, from luxurious craft picks such as Chardonnay and Petit Verdot, to distinctive options like the Semi-Dry Riesling from our Rapidan River series. Don’t miss our crowd-favorite Decadence Chocolate

or a refreshing wine slushie for a delightful twist.  We have something to offer for every palate!

Hours: Open 7 days a Week at 11 a.m.

Mondays - Team Trivia at 6 pm!

Thursdays - Happy hour with wine and beer specials starting at 3 pm

Weekends - Live Music! (Music lineup on our website)

March 31st – Easter Sunday Buffet (reservations required)

154 Winery Lane, Leon, VA  22725 (540) 547-3707 • www.princemichel.com

REVALATION VINEYARDS

2021 Merlot

Typical varietal wine, fruity and unctuous. Aromas of strawberry, redcurrant, tobacco, caramel, vanilla, elderberry, and plum. Well-balanced mouthfeel with an aromatic finish where strawberries and plums predominate with vanilla notes.

March Hours: Friday 12pm to Sunset; Saturday 12pm to 6pm; Sunday 12pm to 5pm

Holiday Mondays 12pm to 5pm; Monday and Thursday by reservation only.

Until April 30 - Exhibition of paintings by Bonny Wagner.

March 22nd - Book Club @ The Vineyard starting at 6pm: The Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb. The author will be present at Book Club

April 5th - Book World Meets Wine World at 5:30pm: Melinda McCall will read from her book Driving Home Naked.

2710 Hebron Valley Road, Madison, VA 22727 540-407-1236 www.revalationvineyards.com

VERITAS

Virginia Governor’s Cup Gold Medal Winners Bundle 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, 2021 Veritas Reserve, and 2021 Momentarius White Blend: We are so honored to have these three incredible wines recognized by the team of world-class judges who sampled over 750 entries! This

trio is now available online and in the Tasting Room for $99! ⁠Join us in raising a glass to this year’s excellent line-up of medalists! Big events coming up with Veritas! Check out the lineup here:

March 15th - Supper Series with Rachael Harris: Chef Rachael launches our 2024 season with farm-to-table expertise, blending local flavors with Appalachian heritage in innovative dishes.

March 24th - Pruning Workshop for Wine Club Members: Pick up the pruning shears and get outside with Vineyard Manager Bill Tonkins to try your hands at pruning vines. After a short presentation and hands-on demonstration, enjoy a hearty lunch prepared by our Executive Chef, Andy Shipman. Not a wine club member? Join today by emailing wineclub@veritaswines. com for exclusive member events, deals, and more!

April 12th and 13thWintergreen Music and Veritas are very pleased to unveil the next chapter of Sounds of Spring! Enjoy an exquisite meal with musical accompaniment on Friday evening at The Farmhouse at Veritas; then, the following day, head to the grove at the Veritas Tasting Room for a relaxed afternoon with wine and the talented Rosette string quartet.

April 19th - Supper Series with John Sleasman: From The Bar at Willett, experience John’s genius as he seamlessly blends genres for unforgettable dishes. Dive into Kentucky’s whiskey scene at Veritas.

April 27th - Veritas 25th Anniversary Gala: We are celebrating 25 years of excellence in true Veritas style with a black tie gala with the finest wines and our chef’s best four-course meal, all wrapped up in a wonderful dance party with music from DJ Ran Henry. This gala is open to the public.

May 10th - Supper Series with Randi Brady: With Hip-Hop in her veins, she brings cultural appreciation and innovatively merges Hip-Hop and wines through her company, Diversified Vines, promising a one-of-a-kind experience: Where Rhyme meets Wine!

Save the Date - August 10th: Mark your calendars for the one and only Starry Nights of 2024, an all-day-long event with your favorite bands from over the years! Additional details and ticket information with be forthcoming. The Veritas Tasting Room remains open seven days a week, 11 am - 5 pm; we look forward to seeing you soon!

151 Veritas Ln, Afton, VA 22920 (540) 456-8000

PUZZLES

SUDOKU

Complete the grid so that every row, column, and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

BY MATT JONES

ACROSS

1. Jesting sort

4. China, long ago (as seen in an airline name)

10. “Blueberries for ___” (award-winning kids’ book)

13. Chicken ___ king

14. Max for tax calculation

15. Bird that’s not native to Tasmania

16. Radio personality who’s good at archery?

18. With “The,” 1970s musical Oz remake

19. Scorched

20. Notable time period

21. Bionicles maker

22. “Return of the Jedi” princess

23. Actor who’s good at pressing clothes?

26. July in Marseille

27. Pilot-licensing org.

28. Show grief

29. Cardinals’ cap initials

30. ___ nous (confidentially)

33. Ceremony performed by a mohel

36. Actress/TV host who’s good at economics?

39. “SNL” alum Horatio

40. Search site with an exclamation point

41. N, S, E, or W

43. Talk trash about

45. Write-___ (some nominees)

46. Number of three-letter chemical elements

47. Blues rocker who’s good at hauling stuff?

52. Prefix for drama

53. “Roots” author Haley

54. “Anchorman” anchorman Burgundy

55. Colts’ fathers

56. Big wheel

57. Rapper/actor who’s good at holding together documents?

60. Vow words

61. Curse-inducing stare

62. Graceful shade tree

63. ___ Moines, Iowa

64. Picks up for another year

65. “The Waste Land” author’s monogram

DOWN

1. Sings like a bird

2. Montreal CFLers

3. English actress W ilde of “Carrie” and “Wonder Woman 1984”

4. ___ au vin (French dish)

5. Kwik-E-Mart owner

6. Director Lars von ___

7. Le ___ (French seaport)

8. Starting lineups

9. The Beatles’ “___ Blues”

10. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” setting

11. Fernando’s friend

12. Largest island of the Philippines

14. It’s a blast

17. ___ minute

21. Scales of the zodiac

23. 1998 Wimbledon champ Novotna

24. Food package date, informally

25. Yokels, in Australian slang

27. Andre the Giant’s role in “The Princess Bride”

31. Irish actor Stephen

32. Body of morals

34. Companion that’s great for apartments (and won’t run off)

35. They’re found in the epidermis

37. Alphabetical listing

38. Sound the horn

42. Phrase on tote bags and plastic containers

44. Try hard

47. Michelangelo masterpiece

48. Bypass a vowel

49. Auctioned autos, often

50. “Rise of the ___” (PlayStation game coming out on March 22)

51. Mom’s brother

52. ___ de los Muertos

55. ___-Therese, Quebec

57. To see, in Tijuana

58. “That’s disgusting”

59. Pt. of CBS

By Rob Brezsny

Aries

(March 21–April 19): I suspect you will soon have far more beginners’ luck than you ever thought possible. For best results—to generate even more wildly abundant torrents of good luck—you could adopt what Zen Buddhists called “beginner’s mind.” That means gazing upon everyone and everything as if encountering it for the first time. Here are other qualities I expect to be flowing freely through you in the coming weeks: spontaneity, curiosity, innocence, candor, and unpredictability. To the degree that you cultivate these states, you will invite even more beginner’s luck into your life.

Taurus

(April 20–May 20): Taurus artist Salvador Dali was prone to exaggerate for dramatic effect. We should remember that as we read his quote: “Mistakes are almost always of a sacred nature. Never try to correct them. On the contrary: Rationalize them; understand them thoroughly.” While that eccentric advice may not always be 100 percent accurate or useful, I think it will be true and helpful for you in the coming weeks. Have maximum fun making sacred mistakes, Taurus! Learn all you can from them. Use them to improve your life.

Gemini

(May 21–June 20): The professional fun advisors here at Free Will Astrology International Headquarters have concluded that your Party Hardy Potential Rating for the coming weeks is 9.8 (out of 10). In fact, this may be the Party Hardy Phase of the Year for you. You could gather the benefits of maximum revelry and conviviality with minimal side effects. Here’s a meditation to get you in the right mood: Imagine mixing business and pleasure with such panache that they blend into a gleeful, fruitful synergy.

Cancer

(June 21–July 22): Cancerian author and psychotherapist Virginia Satir was renowned as the Mother of Family Therapy. Her research led her to conclude, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” That 12-hug recommendation seems daunting to achieve, but I hope you will strive for it in the coming weeks.

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

Pisces

(Feb. 20-March 20): The planet Saturn entered Pisces in March 2023 and won’t depart for good until February 2026. Is that a bad thing or good thing for you Pisceans? Some astrologers might say you are in a challenging time when you must make cutbacks and take on increased responsibility. I have a different perspective. I believe this is a phase when you can get closer than ever before to knowing exactly what you want and how to accomplish what you want. In my view, you are being called to shed secondary wishes that distract you from your life’s central goals. I see this period as a homecoming—your invitation to glide into robust alignment with your soul’s code.

You are in a phase when maximum growth is possible—and pushing to the frontiers of hugging will help you activate the full potential. (P.S.: Don’t force anyone to hug you. Make sure it’s consensual.)

Leo

(July 23–Aug. 22): Have you been genuinely amazed anytime recently? Have you done something truly amazing? If not, it’s time to play catch-up. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you need and deserve exciting adventures that boggle your soul in all the best ways. You should be wandering out on the frontiers and tracking down provocative mysteries. You could grow even smarter than you already are if you expose yourself to challenges that will amaze you and inspire you to be amazing.

Virgo

(Aug. 23–Sept. 22): I invite you to perform a magic spell that will help prepare you for the rich, slippery soul work you have ahead of you. I’ll offer a suggestion, but feel free to compose your own ritual. First, go outside where it’s raining or misting, or find a waterfall. Stand with your legs apart and arms spread out as you turn your face up toward the falling moisture. As you drink it in, tell yourself you will be extra fluid and flowing in the coming weeks. Promise yourself you will stimulate and treasure succulent feelings. You will cultivate the sensation that everything you need is streaming in your direction.

Libra

(Sept. 23–Oct. 22): You are gliding into the climax of your re-education about togetherness, intimacy, and collaboration. The lessons you’ve been learning have deepened your reservoir of wisdom about the nature of love. And in the coming weeks, even further teach-

ings will arrive; even more openings and invitations will be available. You will be offered the chance to earn what could in effect be a master’s degree in relationships. It’ll be challenging work, but rewarding and interesting. Do the best you can. Don’t demand perfection from yourself or anyone else.

Scorpio

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Now is not a favorable phase to gamble on unknown entities. Nor should you allow seemingly well-meaning people to transgress your boundaries. Another Big No: Don’t heed the advice of fear-mongers or nagging scolds, whether they’re inside or outside your head. On the other hand, dear Scorpio, the coming weeks will be an excellent time for the following actions. 1. Phase out attachments to alliances and love interests that have exhausted their possibilities. 2. Seek the necessary resources to transform or outgrow a frustrating fact about your life. 3. Name truths that other people seem intent on ignoring and avoiding. 4. Conjure simple, small, slow, practical magic to make simple, small, slow, practical progress.

Sagittarius

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Falling in love is fun! It’s also exciting, enriching, inspiring, transformative, world-shaking, and educational. Wouldn’t it be fabulous if we could keep falling in love anew three or four times a year for as long as we live? We might always be our best selves, showing our most creative and generous sides, continually expanding our power to express our soulful intelligence. Alas, it’s not practical or realistic to always be falling in love with another new person. Here’s a possible alternative: What if we enlarged our understanding of what we could fall in love with? Maybe we

would become perpetually infatuated with brilliant teachings, magical places, high adventures, and great art and music. The coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to cultivate this skill.

Capricorn

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I’m perplexed by spiritual teachers who fanatically preach the doctrine that we should BE HERE NOW as much as possible. Living with full enjoyment in the present moment is a valuable practice, but dismissing or demeaning the past is shortsighted. Our lives are forged from our histories. We should revere the stories we are made of, visit them regularly, and keep learning from them. Keep this in mind, Capricorn. It’s an excellent time to heal your memories and to be healed by them. Cultivate deep gratitude for your past as you give the old days all your love. Enjoy this quote from novelist Gregory Maguire: “Memory is part of the present. It builds us up inside; it knits our bones to our muscles and keeps our heart pumping. It is memory that reminds our bodies to work, and memory that reminds our spirits to work, too: it keeps us who we are.”

Aquarius

(Jan. 19-Feb. 19): Controversial author William S. Burroughs was a rough, tough troublemaker. But he had some wisdom that will soon be extra useful for you. He said that love is the best natural painkiller available. I bring this to your attention not because I believe you will experience more pain than the rest of us in the coming months. Rather, I am predicting you will have extra power to alleviate your pain—especially when you raise your capacity to give and receive love.

Expanded weekly audio horoscopes and daily text message horoscopes: RealAstrology.com, (877) 873-4888

VIRGINIA:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF GREENE

JENNIFER D. ALLEN

Plaintiff

v.

ZELIA SHIFFLETT LAWSON, et al

Defendants ORDER

Case

The object of the above-styled suit involves the heirs of Eva Morris Knight and their interest in a parcel of property known as Tax Map/Parcel 33 A 20 in Greene County, Virginia. The legal description of this property is

All that certain tract or parcel of land containing two acres, more or less, lying and being in the County of Greene, Virginia, in Bacon Hollow, Monroe Magisterial District, on both sides of State Route 627 and known as the property of the Estate of Eva Morris Knight, current numbering 3390 Bacon Hollow Road, Dyke, Virginia 22935.

An affidavit having been filed that due diligence has been used by the Plaintiff to ascertain the identity and address of the all possible defendants, possibly without success; that due diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of all known defendants.

Pursuant to Virginia Code Sections 8.01-316 A .1. b.; 8.01-316 A 2; and 8.01316 A 3, it is hereby ORDERED that all interested parties appear on April 30, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. to do what is necessary to protect his interest.

Entered: Judge David M. Barredo Date: 3/6/24

I ASK FOR THIS:

Lisa Brook, Esquire

Tucker Griffin Barnes

307 West Rio Road Charlottesville, VA 22901

lbrook@tgblaw.com

Counsel

STAFF PHOTO

APRIL 17—20 | TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

During the Tom Tom Festival, our TOGETHER Conference convenes engaged citizen leaders from all sectors and neighborhoods to talk about the future of the community. Four immersive tracks tackle cross-sector questions through panels, keynotes, workshops, facilitated conversations, meditations, and embodiment experiences. Whether you’re coming to elevate consciousness, learn about the latest technologies, or help build a more just Charlottesville, prepare to deepen your connection to Self and your community.

TECHNOLOGY FOR GOOD WED. 4/17

Increasing opportunity through technology and entrepreneurship.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR ALL THUR. 4/18

Exploring how businesses start, grow, and flourish.

SOCIETY & JUSTICE FRI. 4/19

Creating a welcoming and equitable community.

CONSCIOUS CITY SAT. 4/20

Fostering healthy, mindful, and connected communities.

DOWNTOWN MALL BLOCK PARTY

FRI. APRIL 19 + SAT. APRIL 20 | FREE

This year the 3rd annual Downtown Mall Block Party will include the entire Downtown Mall AND the Ting Pavilion! To keep Charlottesville dancing into the night, Fridays After Five will host a Tom Tom supercharged lineup with a headlining performance by No BS! Brass Band. All this and much more TBA!