C-VILLE Weekly | April 3 - 9, 2024

SELC's Senior Attorney Nate Benforado is leading the charge to get Virginia back in RGGI.

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MAḎAYIN

Eight Decades of Aboriginal Australian Bark Painting from Yirrkala

The

Fralin Museum of Art | February 3 - July 14, 2024

IMAGE: Noŋgirrŋa Marawili, Baratjala, 2018, natural pigments on eucalpytus bark, 63.75x44.5”. © 2023 the artist, courtesey of Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Center.

THIS WEEK

Hello, Charlottesville! Thank you for reading C-VILLE Weekly. As the flowers bloom and the rain falls, as happens every spring, it’s easy to forget that we’re living amidst a climate crisis. And depending on who you talk to, the only way out of it is through collective action and government regulation. That is what the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is designed to do, but its implementation has been controversial.

4.3.24

In Virginia, the Southern Environmental Law Center has been battling the Youngkin administration’s moves to exit RGGI, and it is currently embroiled in a lawsuit in Floyd County to prevent the state from leaving for good. This week, writer Laura Vogel talks to local stakeholders who believe RGGI has the potential to grow sustainable communities in Charlottesville while helping the commonwealth to combat climate change (p. 21). Meanwhile, the Youngkin administration has balked at any requirement to abide by a decision made by the previous Democratic governor, claiming the burden would disproportionately fall on Virginia ratepayers.

Right now, there are two ways the RGGI situation can play out: It can be decided in the courts, or by a provision in the current state budget proposal mandating that Virginia retain the regulations. Youngkin has yet to make a decision on the latter, and the lawsuit is ongoing. Ultimately, this is a battle over how we as a community and as a nation combat carbon emissions and climate change—and the result will have implications for decades.—Richard DiCicco

SCHEDULE AND MOBILE APP ARE LIVE !

TECH MIXER

April 17 | 6PM | The Bradbury

This mixer assembles diverse tech sectors --- biotech, energy, data, defense, AI, and technology --- and the funders who are fueling their growth for an evening of conversations and connections.

WED. APRIL 17—SAT. APRIL 20

Our TOGETHER Conference convenes engaged citizen leaders from all sectors and neighborhoods to talk about the future of the community. Panels, keynotes, workshops, and seminars tackle some of the most important questions of the day through four immersive tracks: Technology for Good, Entrepreneurship for All, Society & Justice, and Conscious City.

CROWDFUNDED PITCH NIGHT

April 17 | 7PM | CODE Building

Ten local entrepreneurs pitch to a live audience willing to pledge funds to their favorite contestant. It’s a three minute chance to share their vision and inspire the crowd to action!

3 NIGHTS OF DANCE PARTIES

April 18—20 | 9 PM —1AM

Common House & The Bradbury

Grab a wireless headset and get down at the Silent Disco on Thursday; feel the global rhythm and hip hop vibes at PARADISE on Friday, and groove to latin soul at CARNIVALE on Saturday.

FILM SCREENING - A BRIDGE TO LIFE DOCUMENTARY

April 18 | 7 PM —9:30PM | The Paramount Theater

From celebrated local director Chris Farina comes a documentary about the power of overcoming hardship, building community, and remaining resilient. Ticket sales benefit the Bridge Ministry, a Buckingham County organization that works to change and save the lives of men dealing with life-threatening addiction issues.

DOWNTOWN MALL BLOCK PARTY

FRI April 19 | 5PM—10PM and SAT April 20 | 12PM—10PM

Prepare for an unforgettable cultural experience as the Downtown Mall transforms into a vibrant New Orleans-style festival for TWO nights!

This year the 3rd annual Downtown Mall Block Party includes 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. All this and much more TBA!

PORCHELLA

April 21 | 5 PM —9PM | Belmont Porches

Head out with friends to the charming Belmont neighborhood where a series of free acoustic front porch concerts and jam sessions close out the festival with a celebration of community and local musicianship.

facebook.com/cville.weekly AConcert of Campaign Songs

c-ville.com

Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of The Center for Politics Politics

April

April 5th, 2024

8pm | Old Cabell Hall

artsboxoffice.virginia.edu (434) 934-3376

With generous support from

“We have gotten so much out of the Charlottesville community, it’s only fair that we as students and individuals give back and make it better.”

Peter Hogan, a UVA Darden School of Business student, speaking to CBS19 for the 25th annual Building Goodness in April home improvement event

NEWS

IN BRIEF

BBQ break in

Ace Biscuit & Barbecue will be closed for the next few weeks as the restaurant recovers from an apparent break in. On March 30, Ace posted photos on its Facebook page of smashed windows, bashed-in register screens, broken bottles, sinks, and toilets, and back rooms in disarray, writing that the incident happened overnight. According to CBS19, the damages totaled $50,000. In an April 1 Facebook post, Ace said, “We’re deeply moved by the overwhelming support from our community. Though our doors may be shut, our spirits remain unbroken.”

No smoke

Gov. Glenn Youngkin shot down a bill that would have legalized marijuana retail sales in Virginia, after previously stating, “Anybody who thinks I’m going to sign that legislation must have been smoking something.” The bill would have paved the way for retail markets to open in May 2025. Youngkin’s veto comes after his administration’s big push to open a new sports arena in Alexandria fell through. As a result, Virginians now live with uneven marijuana laws—it is legal to both possess and grow weed at home, but only medical marijuana is legal to purchase.

Station to station

Charlottesville Fire Department’s Station

One, located along the 250 Bypass, will be rebuilt and reopened in spring 2025, with construction slated to be complete by that March and move-in by May. “The original Station One building has served this city well, and now the time has come for a much needed upgrade,” says Michael Thomas, CFD fire chief. “Station One will be built from the ground up to accommodate the 21st-century needs of the fire service and our growing city.” Concept drawings for the new station are available at charlottesville.gov.

On fire

Peace talks

Charlottesville City Council passed a resolution on April 1 that calls for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

The resolution was first introduced at the March 18 council meeting and failed, with three councilors voting no. Though he originally voted against the resolution, Councilor Brian Pinkston joined Councilors Michael Payne and Natalie Oschrin in support of the measure.

“I believe it’s important to change your mind and to revisit a decision if upon new information or further reflection you believe you made a mistake,” said Pinkston

ahead of Monday’s vote. The councilor emphasized the importance of the resolution, given Charlottesville’s large refugee population and the national defense industry’s role in the local economy.

“I realize that there are also concerns about unintended consequences, especially in a place like Charlottesville,” said Pinkston. “I can only say that I’ve thought about that, and I still believe that this is the right and courageous thing to do.”

The packed City Council chamber erupted with applause after Pinkston’s remarks.

Echoing their colleague’s statement, Payne and Oschrin also emphasized the importance of the resolution.

“We lend our voice to many, so alone we might not be effective … we join all of your voices individually to become one of many, and that’s where we have power,” said Oschrin. Payne referred to his previous statements on the measure, but added, “I do think we have a very small voice, but still a voice to weigh in.”

In addition to a ceasefire, the resolution also calls for the immediate and safe release of all hostages and the entry and provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Council passed the measure 3-1, with Councilor Lloyd Snook abstaining and Mayor Juandiego Wade voting no.

“I believe it’s important to change your mind and to revisit a decision if upon new information or further reflection you believe you made a mistake.” BRAIN PINKSTON, CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCILOR

Payment pains

University of Virginia President Jim Ryan will meet with graduate workers April 4 to discuss payment concerns.

The meeting comes after months of organizing by the UVA chapter of United Campus Workers of Virginia, and was prompted by the group’s presence at a March 1 Board of Visitors meeting. Organizers report continued problems with late stipend payments, despite previous promises from university officials.

In a December 4 statement to C-VILLE, UVA Deputy Spokesperson Bethanie Glover said “the university is unaware of any systemic delays associated with graduate student stipends and funding. When isolated issues have occurred, schools and departments have acted quickly to resolve them.” This sentiment was echoed in March by Provost Ian Baucom, who acknowledged the protester’s presence and told the BOV that issues had previously been addressed, and more recent payment issues were limited in scope.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin

CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE

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Questioning

The Beautiful Idea hosts trans Q&A panel

By Catie Ratliff reporter@c-ville.com

Dozens of Charlottesville residents braved the rain on March 31 to attend the first-ever trans Q&A at The Beautiful Idea. While the weather outside was gloomy, the atmosphere inside the trans-owned, anti-fascist bookstore was cozy, with chairs set up under string lights, and pride flags draped across the ceiling.

The event was the brainchild of store coowner Senlin Means, a local trans woman and C-VILLE contributor.

“The inspiration was something that happens all the time here in our shop … this woman came in … and very nervously asked us if she could talk to us about something,” said Means ahead of the event. “We get a lot of people in here who have questions to ask, and they’re often nervous about it, or think they’re gonna get in trouble, or something like that. And it made me think, ‘Hey, why don’t we offer people a way to ask these questions?’”

After months of consideration, Means decided to host the panel on International Trans Day of Visibility—held annually on March 31. Attendees were encouraged to bring questions and an open mind, with a reminder that “You don’t have to be an ally, just don’t be an asshole!”

“Normally, you shouldn’t do this. I’m not trying to say, ‘Hey, it’s okay to ask trans people random questions all the time,’” said Means. “I’m hoping this comes across more as, ‘Look, you might have these questions, and you might rightfully not feel like it’s appropriate to ask them. This is a time when you can.’”

Joining Means on the panel were Professor Veró Dávila Ellis and student Marco Seaberg, both from James Madison University.

Kicking off the Q&A, Means emphasized that “trans people are not a monolith” and panelists’ answers should not be in-

terpreted as wholly representative of the entire community, before moving on to audience questions.

Event attendees were initially hesitant, but soon asked about the experience of being transgender, the process of transitioning, pronouns, allyship, and how to talk to and support trans family and friends.

One topic that came up repeatedly was how to talk to trans and questioning youth. “Gender has nothing to do with sexuality or with sex. And our body parts aren’t inherently sexual or sexualized. That is something that society has put on us,” said Dávila Ellis. “Allowing a child to transition in whatever way, or allowing a child to know what are the options as they grow up for becoming the person or the gender they want to be has nothing to do with sex, and does not sexualize someone.”

Seaberg, who started transitioning as a teenager, shared his personal experience and the realities of the transitioning process—breaking it into social, medical, and legal categories.

While medical and legal steps, like taking hormones or changing the gender marker on a driver’s license, are most frequently in the news, Seaberg emphasized that most trans people start transitioning socially first. “It can be a haircut, it can be what you’re wearing—it’s how people are referring to you,” he said. “When youth are transitioning, or when anyone’s transitioning, social [transition] is usually the first thing they do or explore.”

“I was too old for puberty blockers, but I did hormones later in life. And that was something that I had to go through gender therapy for, and have many medical professionals sign off that I was ‘trans enough’ or that I was of mental state to be deciding that as a minor,” said Seaberg. “Young children who do have a strong sense of identity [are] not getting irreversible surgery at 12 in almost every case.”

Panelists also spoke about pronouns. Originally from the Caribbean, Dávila Ellis shared their unique experience of being trans nonbinary and Latinx. Following one audience member’s question about using traditionally plural they/them pronouns to refer to one person, Dávila Ellis said the discussion was specific to English, and did not necessarily apply to other languages.

Reflecting on the Q&A, Means said “that it gave me some idea of the kinds of questions that people are going to have, the kind of things we need to focus on: parenting questions, we certainly need to talk to people of color—BIPOC folks, explore nonbinary-ness more.”

Several audience members stayed after the Q&A to talk to participants, find resources, and ask more personal questions.

“I came here with my parents because I feel like it’s just something that a lot of people just don’t know about,” said Adeline Sokolowski. “It’s really nice to hear in person from people who have their own personal experiences.”

For Chad Sokolowski, the panel was “just another day” as the parent of a nonbinary teenager. “I thought it was a wonderful icebreaker,” he said. “I learned so much here tonight, you can easily write a thesis on all the information that was here. … I’m really looking forward to learning more and meeting some really great people.”

“There’s this vulnerability that all the people talking had,” said parent and event attendee Helgi Townsend. “The questions being asked were so helpful … we’re all having questions and we’re all trying to figure out being human.”

“Look, you might have these questions, and you might rightfully not feel like it’s appropriate to ask them. This is a time when you can.” SENLIN MEANS, THE BEAUTIFUL IDEA CO-OWNER

Senlin Means and Ellie Picard opened The Beautiful Idea, a trans-owned, anti-facist bookstore and queer market on the Downtown Mall in September 2023.

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

HOURS: tues - sat 9:30 - 5 • 1-800-296-8676 Antiques open at 9:00 rockysgoldandsilver.com

Fight fire with practice

County firefighters-in-training learn the ropes

By Carol Diggs

Earlier this month, area wildfires were in the headlines, but fire season is year-round in Albemarle County. “There are seasonal factors—more brush fires in summer, more chimney fires in winter,” says Matt Ascoli, battalion chief for the Albemarle County Department of Fire Rescue. “But we can be called out any time.”

That’s why on a recent rainy Wednesday, Ascoli and his latest crop of trainees were out at the county’s “burn house,” on a lot next to the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail, setting fires and learning to fight them.

The burn house was built in the mid-1980s to give firefighters a place to practice. It’s a large concrete block building, designed to mimic fire conditions for both commercial and residential environments. Its walls are marked with the smoke stains of innumerable fires, its windows covered with plywood panels. Its external stairway is much wider and sturdier than the usual fire escape, since firefighters in full gear run up and down these stairs for periodic three-day recruit trainings, as well as the annual refresher all firefighters go through.

The day I’m observing, there are two groups of trainees—four recruits who have fire rescue experience (either paid or in a volunteer company), and 14 with no firefighting background. The less-experienced recruits gear up first and head into the burn house to learn how fires start and spread, and the proper techniques to apply at each of the four stages (incipient, growth, fully developed, and decay). In this case, the fire is three wooden pallets and a bale of straw, carefully set and monitored by a professional firefighter.

In the next session, the experienced recruits will be assessed on their skills in fire attack and search while the less-experienced team observes. Part of this exercise is seeing how quickly the team gains entry into the

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building, something that’s important in instances of locked garage doors, secure buildings, or illegally blocked fire doors. This time, the team is up against a large free-standing metal fire door labeled THE CHALLENGER. One firefighter starts in on it with a crowbar, but it will take three guys with fire axes to get through and into the burn house.

“These scenarios give our personnel experience with actual fires, and opportunities to practice real-time decision-making skills,” ACFR Public Information Officer Logan Bogert tells me. Over the next two days, the newbies will work through fire attack, search, and ladder placement in residential fires, and a technique called vent-enterisolate-search, looking for a known victim in a known location, often using an entry point other than the main doors.

This class is ACFR’s largest to date, thanks to a $7 million Federal Emergency Management Agency SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant that enabled the agency to hire, train, and deploy 30 full-time firefighters. ACFR has received three of these grants since 2020.

An extra, unintended benefit: SAFER funding has enabled ACFR to develop its own recruit training program, so it can accept trainees with no previous firefighting experience, thus widening its recruitment pool. In today’s training, I see several women and minority recruits, and I’m told a recent class included a grandmother in her 40s. Recruits have to go through medical screening and physical agility testing before they start learning how to work while wearing 40 to 50 pounds of personal protective equipment.

Which brings up the question of who wants to be a firefighter. Ascoli says many of the new recruits have parents or relatives who are in the field, but most of them, career or volunteer, are seeking a way to give back to their community. “We got a lot of recruits after COVID,” he says. “They want to have a way to serve.”

Albemarle County Department of Fire Rescue trainees learn how to fight fires during classes that mimic conditions at both commercial and residential structures.

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Buffer zone

Albemarle moving full speed ahead with a plan to develop land for defense contractors

By Sean Tubbs

Ten months ago, Albemarle County Supervisors authorized County Executive Jeffrey Richardson to proceed with the purchase of 462 acres around the Rivanna Station military base.

In late March, Richardson filed for a rezoning with the county’s Community Development Department to rezone just over a third of that land for economic development purposes.

“A key element of Rivanna Futures is the establishment of an Intelligence and National Security Innovation Acceleration Campus, a place for public sector organizations, private sector businesses, and academic institutions to work together to cocreate solutions to the biggest challenges facing our nation and the world,” reads the executive summary for the request to convert the land to light industrial.

The county hired Line and Grade to make its case to staff and the Board of Supervisors, and the rezoning application builds off a previous study the firm conducted before the deal with developer Wendell Wood closed.

Albemarle paid $58 million for the land to serve as a buffer for the National Ground Intelligence Center, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and other related government agencies. Albemarle wants to improve the site’s marketability.

According to the Weldon Cooper Center at the University of Virginia, the de-

Celebratingthe40thAnniversaryoftheFairHousingAct

fense sector is now the second-largest industry in the region, with an annual impact measured in 2023 at $1.2 billion. Albemarle sees development of a portion of the land as an investment in the future.

“Initial estimates suggest that when fully developed, Rivanna Futures could provide nearly 873 new jobs with median incomes of $81,000 a year,” the summary continues.

At this time, the county does not anticipate residential units on the land, according to an impact statement. Just under two acres of the land is outside of the county’s development area.

David Swanson is a Charlottesvillebased peace activist who is troubled by Albemarle’s investment in the property. If the military wants protected land, he says, it should pay for it themselves.

“If anybody else wanted to buy land, for a hospital or affordable housing or a park or a nature preserve or a gas station, they’d have to pay for it themselves,” Swanson says. “Why should the county pay for the wealthiest institution there is?”

Albemarle already receives revenue as a result of the purchase. On Wednesday, April 3, county supervisors will appropriate $65,000 in rent from parking lots it purchased that had been owned by Wood.

Next steps for the rezoning application include a community meeting with the Places29-North Community Advisory Committee, before a public hearing with the Planning Commission.

“If anybody else wanted to buy land, for a hospital or affordable housing or

a park or a nature preserve or a gas station, they’d have to pay for it themselves.”

DAVID SWANSON

Albemarle County seeks to rezone over a third of the land recently purchased to serve as a buffer for the defense intelligence agencies based at Rivanna Station.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY

EDGEMONT

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 15 miles south of Charlottesville, is this rare 572-acre historic estate whose design is reputed to be the only remaining private residence attributed to Thomas Jefferson. MLS#576150 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700 www.HistoricEdgemont.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

BROOKS HILL

133.77-acre land tract in scenic Madison County, near Graves Mountain Lodge, with Rose & Robinson trout rivers on property. Adjacent to Shenandoah National Forest, Camp Hoover, with Old Rag views. Includes cottage, barns and fenced. MLS#650696 $2,200,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

KESWICK ESTATE

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

$515,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700

FARMINGTON

Charming Farmington Country Club residence with panoramic Blue Ridge Mountain views is situated on five lovely, landscaped acres. Circa 1930 with tasteful additions, this 5-bedroom stone house is enhanced by separate guesthouse, pool, office, koi pond & garage. MLS#650584 $6,650,000 Tim Michel, 434.960.1124

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 $2,475,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700

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

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

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

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

UNDERCONTRACT

UNIVERSITY VILLAGE

Renovated 2-BR, 2-BA condo with Blue Ridge Mountain views. $100k upgrades include new appliances, baths, window treatments, lighting, paint. 55+ community, offers dining, pool, fitness, library. Prime location near UVA. MLS#650791 $589,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

CEDARS COURT

Fully renovated 1-BR condo conveniently located to UVA and all that Charlottesville has to offer. Great room opens into kitchen, dining area and bedroom/ full bath. The condo complex has ample parking and a pool. Make this your urban oasis. MLS#650918 $179,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

Vault proudly presents guest speaker Peter Pinchot, founder of Whole Forest, on a new business model connecting tropical forests with green building to reduce carbon emissions. Reception to follow. Register below.

GREENER PASTURES

Southern Environmental Law Center’s fight to keep Virginia in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative By Laura Vogel

he Southern Environmental Law Center has fought—and won—some mighty environmental battles in its 35 years of existence. Right now, though, it’s in the midst of one of its biggest legal challenges: Pulling Virginia away from the brink of leaving the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative for good, after Governor Glenn Youngkin encouraged the state Air Pollution Control Board to repeal the regulation.

RGGI (sometimes pronounced “Reggie”) is a 2009 Northern creation that was making great headway in the South. The first group of states to join the greenhouse-gas-fighting, regional intergovernmental market included Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

As a program, RGGI works by mandating a cap on CO2 emissions from fossil fuel-powered stations within each states’ borders by making facilities buy allowances equal to the pollution they produce. The funds collected by RGGI then go toward investments in their communities: Residents get help with home improvements like weatherization, bill assistance for lower-income households, and other clean-energy benefits.

A study by the Clean Air Task Force on public-health benefits of the program found that the transition to cleaner energy in RGGI-member states saves hundreds of lives, prevents

thousands of asthma attacks, and lowers citizens’ medical expenses by billions of dollars. As well, more than $6 billion has been raised in RGGI states from sales of CO2 allowances.

But Virginia’s Air Pollution Control Board removed the commonwealth from RGGI in June 2023. That August, the SELC filed a petition on behalf of four clients challenging the action. In a November 3 ruling, the Fairfax Circuit Court dismissed three of those clients—Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions, Appalachian Voices, and Virginia Interfaith Power & Light—and transferred the case to Floyd County, where the SELC’s fourth client, the Association of Energy Conservation Professionals, is headquartered. Now, the pending state budget proposal includes a provision that would require Virginia to rejoin RGGI. At press time, Youngkin had not made a decision on the budget.

For the SELC, these are promising steps forward. Senior attorney Nate Benforado, who is the leader of the nonprofit’s initiative to get Virginia back into RGGI, says, “We are pleased with [the court’s] decision, which allows this case to move forward and will ensure the administration’s decision to leave RGGI—which we have repeatedly alleged is unlawful—will be reviewed by a court. We look forward to the next steps in this action and will work as expeditiously as possible to get Virginia back in RGGI.”

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

Some may wonder why the Youngkin administration is against what seems to be an overwhelmingly positive environmental program. When asked by C-VILLE for a statement, the governor’s press office replied with a quote from Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Travis Voyles, who says, “RGGI functions as a regressive tax that does not do anything to incentivize the reduction of emissions in Virginia. Our state Air Pollution Control Board has concluded that Virginia is not required to be in RGGI and that the citizens of Virginia should not be forced to pay higher energy bills to support the previous administration’s failed programs. The Office of the Attorney General confirmed the state Air Pollution Control Board has the legal authority to take action on the regulatory proposal using the full regulatory process—and the board voted to do just that—furthering Virginians’ access to a reliable, affordable, clean, and growing supply of power. Virginians will see a lower energy bill in due time because we are withdrawing from RGGI through a regulatory process.”

Cale Jaffe, the director of the University of Virginia’s Environmental Law and Community Engagement Clinic, filed an amicus brief for Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action and the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council in support of RGGI in Virginia in the Fairfax hearings. When questioned

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

The Southern Environmental Law Center’s Senior Attorney Nate Benforado is leading the nonprofit’s campaign to return Virginia to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

RGGI was born as a Northern project, and Virginia was the first state in the South to join it. Under the Youngkin administration, the commonwealth’s future in the initiative is uncertain.

“The science and the policy are clear: We need to reduce carbon pollution, and generating power is the largest source of this pollution in our atmosphere.”

SELC SENIOR ATTORNEY NATE BENFORADO

about the Youngkin administration’s repeal of RGGI, he says, “It’s impossible for me to conjecture what their motives are.” When asked if he believes SELC and other stakeholders will reinstate RGGI, Jaffe says, “There’s a really strong argument in the law that participation in RGGI is in the Virginia code, which makes it more than just an easy-to-repeal legislation. It was codified in statute, a legislation that had passed both houses and was signed by the governor, not just a simple law that a past governor [Democrat Ralph Northam] approved and the next one can repeal.”

The positive effects of RGGI are quantifiable. “The science and the policy are clear: We need to reduce carbon pollution, and generating power is the largest source of this pollution in our atmosphere,” Benforado explains. “RGGI gives flexibility to power-plant owners. It’s not micromanaging, it’s

giving a market-based solution to reigning in greenhouse gas. In RGGI’s first two years in Virginia—we joined in 2020—carbon emissions from power plants dropped a whopping 22 percent.”

The state of Virginia gives about half the proceeds of RGGI fees to communities along coasts and rivers that face the threat of flooding. The remaining 50 percent goes to new energy-efficient, affordable housing, reducing pollution and lowering utility bills for families—most of whom are lower-income.

“Most of our effort is aimed at monopoly utility companies, like Dominion and Appalachian Power,” says Benforado, “as they produce 70 percent of carbon emissions. RGGI is focused on pollution going down, steadily reducing emissions over time. Since we’re in active legislation, I can’t really go into the defense; the Youngkin administration says it’s not working. It obviously is. This is a very successful policy tool, bringing down emissions, bringing in cleaner energy.”

When asked how RGGI is benefiting the Charlottesville area, Benforado excitedly talks about the energy-efficient redevelopment of Kindlewood (formerly Friendship Court), the downtown low-income housing complex. “One of the really cool things that RGGI money has done for our town is helped fund the complete renewal of this community-owned property,” he says. “The Piedmont Housing Alliance was able to use RGGI proceeds to make new units with super-efficient HVAC systems as well as weatherizing and updating the systems in older housing. So, instead of, say, $100 a month in utilities, a tenant may now pay as little as $10.”

Set just a few blocks southeast of the SELC headquarters, Kindlewood was initially a Section-8 complex. First built as a 12-acre master block after the previous African American neighborhood fabric was erased during “urban renewal,” the community has largely remained economically and physically isolated from the rest of the city, but the Piedmont Housing Alliance is working to change that. The 150-unit structure has recently undergone new-unit construction and energy-efficiency upgrades funded by RGGI capital.

Sunshine Mathon, executive director of the Piedmont Housing Alliance, is the leader of the Kindlewood renovation and new construction. “We are driven to promote deep energy efficiency and affordable housing benefiting lower-income Charlottesville residents,” he says. “For about 20 years,

Cale Jaffe, director of UVA’s Environmental Law and Community Engagement Clinic, filed an amicus brief in support of RGGI.

we have worked diligently to highlight the good stories and impact of RGGI funds.”

“Each state has its own control over its RGGI funds—here, 50 percent goes into HIEE [Housing Innovations in Energy Efficiency], so a lot goes into weatherization for low-income houses,” Mathon continues. “One of the beautiful things about RGGI is that it pairs HIEE program funding parallel with other sources. Rental projects that would be out of our reach are made possible by RGGI money. It’s a game-changer. Before Virginia officially joined RGGI we were learning about deep energy efficiency, and now we are able to put that knowledge to use for people that need it most.”

When asked about the Youngkin administration’s repeal of RGGI, Mathon says, “It doesn’t make sense. I don’t know why he did it.”

The cool office that’s cooling the planet

Started in Charlottesville in 1988 by environmental lawyer Rick Middleton, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, the SELC has always been at the forefront of environmental law in the United States. Many organizations had given up on fighting environmental injustice in the South due to its conservative politics, but SELC flourished, and grew from a small office in downtown Charlottesville to also encompass centers in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, with over 200 employees in total. The Charlottesville office remains its headquarters, with a sprawling new modern space, and a team of over 50, just south of downtown on Garrett Street. Apex Plaza at 120 Garrett Street is the largest mass-timber building on the East Coast. Encompassing the entire fourth floor of the building, the SELC offices are LEED Gold–certified.

The building is made of structural wood harvested from fast-growth timber, and the building is actively helping the environment: Much like a healthy tree stores carbon dioxide, one square meter of cross-laminated timber can remove approximately one ton of the greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. Additionally, the building’s 875 solar panels produce approximately 364,000 kWh per year of electricity, the equivalent of 88 tons of recycling being saved from landfills.

The SELC headquarters was awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification in August 2022, and features progressive amenities such as bike parking, a shower and changing room, and EV charging stations. Apex Plaza was constructed on an underutilized lot in Charlottesville, just a five-minute walk from downtown’s existing amenities, helping to reduce sprawl and promote dense, multi-use neighborhoods.

During construction, emphasis was put on reducing waste and repurposing materials. To that end, more than 60 percent of the furnishings, by cost, were reused or salvaged and contractors diverted more than 70 percent of their waste from the landfill. Recycling stations for paper, cardboard, plastics, aluminum cans and metals, batteries, and e-waste are distributed throughout the space to continue minimizing what is sent to landfills.

Other more subtle design choices with a green impact include window placement to maximize natural light, and toilets, faucets, and dishwashers all chosen for their efficient use of water.

Additional features contributing to the office’s LEED status are hydration stations to avoid single-use water bottles, sensors that turn lights out when a room isn’t being used, compost collection, and power sourced from solar panels.

EZE AMOS

Sunshine Mathon, executive director of the Piedmont Housing Alliance, says RGGI proceeds have helped to build Kindlewood.

Palmyra Arts Fest

Saturday April 13th 10 AM - 4 PM

Stone Jail Street, Palmyra Rain Date April 14th

LOCAL ARTISTS AND ARTISANS, PERFORMERS, FOOD TRUCKS, AND CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

CULTURE

THURSDAY 4/4

WHEN FUR FLIES

Described as a gross-out comedy, Sasquatch Sunset follows a family of Bigfoots for a year, documenting their wild behavior including poop flinging and a psychedelic trip that results from eating wild berries. Behind the furry costumes and makeup lurk accomplished actors including Riley Keogh and Jesse Eisenberg, in performances that tell a story that turns poignant in its portrayal of life in the wild and a changing world. $12.75, 7:15pm. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th Street Station, drafthouse.com

80 REASONS TO LEAVE THE HOUSE

FRIDAY 4/5

EXTRA TERRESTRIAL

What popular radio show is hitting the road for a night of comedy that’s not subject to FCC scrutiny? It’s the Wait Wait Stand-Up Tour, hosted by show regular Alonzo Bodden. The audience can snark and snicker along with some of the show’s regulars, and really get to know what their favorite “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me” panelists think. $27.50-101.50, 7:30pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net.

SATURDAY 4/6

SHINING A LIGHT

Growing up, Tony Keith Jr. felt the boogeyman was always chasing down his internal monologues—his Blackness, his desire for higher education, and his feelings for boys over girls. His YA memoir, How the Boogeyman Became a Poet, details his battle through poverty, racism, and homophobia to become an openly gay first-generation college student. Keith will read from his debut and discuss it with the audience. Free, 7pm. New Dominion Bookshop, 401 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. ndbookshop.com

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Wednesday 4/3 music

Beleza Duo. Funky samba soul from Humberto Oliveira Sales and Madeline Holly Sales. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

Karaoke. Sing your heart out with host Jennifer DeVille. Free, 10pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St. rapturerestaurant.com

Open Mic Night. Show off your talent with host Nicole Giordano. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St.

Slaughter Beach, Dog. Rock-and-roll storyteller plays a solo gig. $22-25, 8pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

Wavelegth. Vintage rock, jazzy blues vibrations, and original tunes. Free, 6:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskeyjarcville.com

stage

FIREFLIES A story of endurance and empowerment with language that is rich, rhythmic, and riveting. $23-27, 7:30pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. livearts.org

classes

Paint + Sip. Enjoy wine and paint along. $35, 6pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd.

etc.

Bingo. Play for fun prizes. Free, 6pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St.

Foxy Brown Pam Grier serves up some rough justice following a murder. $10, 7:30pm. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th St. Station. drafthouse.com

SuperFly Run Club. Run with the group and enjoy beer after. Free, 6pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. superfly brewing.com

Thursday 4/4 music

Alexander and Thomas White. Live music at the MRC. Free, 7pm. Music Resource Center, 105 Ridge St. musicresource center.org

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

Mayday & The WaHookies. Folk, soul, and rock-based melodies imprinted over pop arrangements. Free, 6:30pm. Pro Re Nata, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpke., Crozet. prnbrewery.com

Saint Cervid and Pinkish. A night of folk rock. Free, 7pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. superflybrewing.com

Travis Elliot. Singer-songwriter with covers and originals. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd.

Virginia Man. Poetic lyrics bellow over the sounds of middle Appalachia. $12-15, 8pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com stage

FIREFLIES See listing for Wednesday, April 3. $23-27, 7:30pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. livearts.org

etc.

Dart Night. Luck of the draw, double elimination games. Free, 6pm. Decipher Brewing, 1740 Broadway St. decipherbrewingco.com

Sasquatch Sunset Take a trip with a family of sasquatches in this advance screening.$12, 7:15pm. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th St. Station. drafthouse.com

The Currys

Spring Wildflower Walk. Guided hike to find early spring botanical treasures. $35, 9am. Monticello, 931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy. monticello.org

Friday 4/5 music

Chickenhead Blues Band. Premier boogiewoogie beat, rhythm and blues, dance band. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E Market St.

Corey Smith. Country singer made popular by telling it the way it is. $25-150, 8pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com

Ken Farmer and the Authenticators. Local music paired with local wines. Free, 6pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com

Live Music. Live music on the dog-friendly deck. Free, 4:30pm. Jefferson Vineyards, 1353 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy. jeffersonvine yards.com

Mad Maxx and The Groove Train Band. Classic hits from the ’80s and beyond. Free, 7pm. Pro Re Nata, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpke., Crozet. prnbrewery.com

Mike Burris Band. Country-tinged roots rock plays the Offbeat Roadhouse series. Free, 8pm. The Stage at WTJU, 2244 Ivy Rd. wtju.net

Sam Burchfield and the Scoundrels. An evening of Americana tunes with co-headliners TopHouse. $20, 8pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesouthern cville.com

Small Town Rodeo. A mix of bluegrass, outlaw country, classic rock, Americana and new roots music. Free, 6pm. Chisholm Vineyards at Adventure Farm, 1135 Clan Chisholm Ln., Earlysville. chisholmvineyards.com

Travis Elliott. Alternative pop, punk with hints of Americana. Free, 5:30pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potters craftcider.com

UVA Chamber Singers. A select ensemble performs a wide variety of repertoire ranging from early music to contemporary. $0-10, 8pm. Old Cabell Hall, Old Cabell Hall. UVA Grounds. music.virginia.edu

Wavelength. Vintage rock, jazzy blues vibrations, and original tunes. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd.

stage

FIREFLIES See listing for Wednesday, April 3. $23-27, 8pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. livearts.org

words

Friday Night Writes Open Mic. An evening of emerging writers performing short stories, poetry, and music. Free, 7pm. New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E. Main St. newdominion bookshop.com etc.

First Friday Improv. Sharp, original comedy from Big Blue Door. Free, 7pm. McGuffey Art Center, 201 Second St., NW.

Puzzle Crawl. Crack codes, unravel riddles, and piece together clues while sipping drinks. $15, all day. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market.

Wait Wait Stand-Up Tour. A full evening of brilliant stand-up comedy. $27-101, 7:30pm.

The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

Saturday 4/6 music

804 Band. Upbeat local music. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd.

Acoustic Aubrey. Covers of classic R&B, jazz, acoustic rock, and more. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com

Berto and Vincent. Latin and gypsy rumba guitar duo. Free, 2pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glass housewinery.com

Goth Takeover. Go dark, go dance, and be delightful. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St.

Jazz Ensemble Concert. College big band under the direction of trumpeter-composer

John D’earth. $10, 8pm. Old Cabell Hall, UVA Grounds. music.virginia.edu

Jimmy O. Classic music from the ’50s to the ’90s. Free, 2pm. Pro Re Nata, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpke., Crozet. prnbrewery.com

Ryan Caraveo. Artist whose mission is to make rap that’s so soft and vulnerable, it’s harder than anything else out there. $16-91, 8pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

The Currys. A unique take on Americana, folk, and rock. $15-20, 7pm. Pro Re Nata, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpke., Crozet. prnbrewery.com

The Porch Dogs. Live local music. Free, 1pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd.

Thomas Gunn and Jason Pollock. Music, stories, and insights from two area songwriters. $15, 7pm. The Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com

Uncle Pen. An intimate journey through the classic and lesser-known corners of the Bill Monroe universe. Free, 2:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com

Wavelength Trio. Blues, grooves, and ‘cue. Free, 8pm. Vision BBQ & Catering, 247 Ridge McIntire Rd. visionbbqcville.com

stage

FIREFLIES See listing for Wednesday, April 3. $23-27, 8pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. livearts.org

Met Live in HD: Roméo et Juliette Radiant soprano Nadine Sierra and tenor sensation Benjamin Bernheim come together as the star-crossed lovers in Gounod’s sumptuous Shakespeare adaptation. $20-26, 1pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

Shining Through Grounds. The treble and bass choirs at UVA share a concert. $10-20, 1:30pm. Old Cabell Hall, UVA Grounds. music.virginia.edu

words

Tony Keith Jr.. A reading with the author of How the Boogeyman Became a Poet. Free, 7pm. New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E Main St. ndbookshop.com

classes

Mosaic 101. Beginner workshop for a spring flowers art tile. $52, 10:30am. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com etc.

His Girl Friday Editor Cary Grant tries to hold on to star reporter Rosalind Russell, who wants to leave journalism and get married. $10, noon. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th St. Station. drafthouse.com/charlottesville

Puzzle Crawl. See listing for Friday, April 4. $15, all day. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. Storytime. Readings of recent favorites and classics. Free, 11am. New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E. Main St. newdominionbook shop.com

The Perks of Being a Wallflower Cville Pride presents this classic story of growing up and coming to terms with the past. $10, 3pm. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Fifth St. Station. drafthouse.com/charlottesville

Sunday 4/7 music

Caroline Vain. Singer-songwriter combines her experience as a fiddle player with indie rock elements. Free, 2:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com

FarAway. Brian Franke and Sara Davenport perfom folk, pop harmonies. Free, 2pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com

Live Music. Live music on the dog-friendly deck. Free, 2pm. Jefferson Vineyards, 1353 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy. jefferson vineyards.com

Otra Vez. Latin music that interweaves traditional sounds with modern. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln, Etlan. ducardvineyards.com

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

Também. Woman-led jazz quartet explores the intersection of Brazilian and American music. Free, 4pm. Vault Virgina, 300 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. vaultvirginia.com

Saturday 4/6 | Pro Ra Nata

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

Sunday 4/7

stage

FIREFLIES See listing for Wednesday, April 3. $23-27, 2pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. livearts.org

She Wrote Plays Audio Drama. New takes on works written a century ago by forgotten women playwrights. Free, 5pm. Helms Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd. drama.virginia.edu

etc.

Developmental Darts. Learn to play darts. Free, 1pm. Decipher Brewing, 1740 Broadway St. decipherbrewingco.com

Gone with the Wind A manipulative woman and a roguish man conduct a turbulent romance during the American Civil War and Reconstruction periods. Free, 1pm. Regal Cinema Stonefield, 1954 Swanson Dr. regmovies.com

Interview with the Vampire. Vampires Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt find eternal life comes at a high price in this adaptation of the Anne Rice novel. $10, noon. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th St. Station. drafthouse.com

Pulp Fiction party. Writer-director Quentin Tarantino’s blockbuster becomes an interactive party. $13, 6pm. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th St. Station. drafthouse.com

Puzzle Crawl. See listing for Friday, April 5. $15, all day. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market.

Monday 4/8 music

Vincent Zorn. A lively blend of live rumba guitar. Free, 6:30pm. South and Central Latin Grill, 946 Grady Ave. southandcentralgrill.com etc.

Dumb and Dumber Utterly clueless friends Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels get mixed up in an extortion plot in this 1994 hit. $10, 7pm. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th Street Station.

Geeks Who Drink Trivia. Test your knowledge and make Monday special. Free, 6:30pm. Decipher Brewing, 1740 Broadway St. decipherbrewingco.com

Tuesday 4/9 music

Josh Mayo and The House Sauce. A rock and Americana blend of tunes. Free, 9:45pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com

Karaoke. Sign up and sing, hosted by Thunder Music. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St.

Vincent Zorn. A solo set of wild gypsy rumba. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebadero.com etc.

Bingo. Family-friendly fun for all. $20, 6pm. Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery, 520 Second St SE. threenotchdbrewing.com

Geeks Who Drink Trivia. An evening of challenging questions and endless fun. Free, 7pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St.

Puzzled Pint. Worldwide mini-puzzle-hunt happening on the second Tuesday of every month. Free, 6pm. Brazos Taco Bar, 1133 Emmet St N.

Rear Window Photographer James Stewart gets a snapshot of mystery when he spies on a sketchy neighbor in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller. $7, 7pm. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th St. Station. drafthouse.com

Pandemic dwellings

A collaborative novel with moments of inspiration

By Sarah Lawson arts@c-ville.com

Drawing inspiration from The Decameron and One Thousand and One Nights, Fourteen Days is a “collaborative novel,” which brings to mind thoughts of exquisite corpses and shared Google Docs with a slew of anonymous animals. However, it is effectively a collection of short stories by 36 American and Canadian authors, edited by Margaret Atwood and Douglas Preston, and connected through a framing narrative by Preston.

Taking place between March 31, 2020, and April 13, 2020, Fourteen Days is set in an apartment building, the Fernsby Arms, on the lower east side of New York City. Here, a diverse collection of residents gradually come together to build community and support each other during nightly meetups on the building’s roof, where they drown their sorrows in cocktails, bang pots and pans for essential workers, and share stories from life before COVID-19. The building superintendent, Yessie—a Romanian-American lesbian with asthma whose father is in a nursing home when lockdown begins— frames the story as its narrator and supposed archivist, recording and transcribing the rooftop storytelling sessions of the building’s tenants as a way to pass the time and distract herself from the raging pandemic.

Though the residents were strangers before these rooftop sessions, they quickly develop a rapport and routine, even painting a mural together to honor their shared experience, their shared trauma. They are a multigenerational group, described as “the left-behinds.” Yessie reflects, “Naturally, anyone who could had already left New York. The wealthy and professional classes fled the city like rats from a sinking ship, skittering and squeaking out to the Hamptons, Connecticut, the Berkshires, Cape Cod, Maine—anywhere by New Covid City.” Still, there’s little desperation or struggle for day-to-day survival described among the neighbors, and they appear to be faring well with the Fernsby Arms to protect them from the circling sounds of sirens outside, the refrigerator trucks for the dead, and the tent hospital in Central Park, all of which Yessie notes only in passing.

Fourteen Days is annoyingly rose-colored at times, as the real-life stresses and trauma of lockdown only lightly impact the residents, who appear to be mostly protected from the world even as they acknowledge protests in the streets and nursing home outbreaks. Everyone pretty much agrees to mask up, making masks out of scrap fabric or Hermès scarves. Instacart and toilet paper jokes are made, but no one ever has to make do without. The cancellation of Eurovision 2020 appears to be as traumatizing as the pandemic itself for at least one character. Tensions rise enough for minor verbal sparring every now and then, but ultimately everyone for-

gives and forgets, positioned as being stronger for it in the end. Indeed, the only real tension in the book might come from a reader’s own memories of those two weeks of lived experience, mapped onto the characters and premise of this fictional version.

Of course, within the framing narrative, the reason for these simplifications is eventually explained, but the twist ending falls a bit flat and does little to alleviate the cognitive dissonance around this pandemic privilege. In a year when The Washington Post and other news outlets report that COVID-19 is once again surging in the U.S., this book feels, at times, like an attempt to forget or at least to remember something far better than what was.

As characters, the Fernsby Arms residents often seem flat, largely identified through referential nicknames and other shorthand nods at personality in lieu of character development.

Many characters feel as though they were plucked out of a COVID lockdown stereotypes bucket, with little attention given to emotional motivations or history, though others have some depth and nuance. Similarly, the stories shared on the rooftop—including tales related to the Vietnam War, 9/11, the Iraq War, polio outbreaks, Trump’s presidency, ghost stories, and curses—feel like an exercise in checking off lists of trauma and coping.

Some of the individual stories contributed by the collaborating authors offer moments of inspiration and healing: De’Shawn Charles Winslow’s story of the love and pain experienced by a father and daughter; Tommy Orange’s about a man who seeks revenge after a hit-and-run, only to find himself forever changed by the realization of his own capacity for violence; Celeste Ng’s about a family matriarch full of superstitions and the ability to curse someone with nothing more than a piece of paper and an ice cube; Joseph Cassara’s story of rabbits and trauma bonding experiences. All of these examples startle the reader out of a stupor, wrestling with real questions of human existence in unpredictable and challenging ways. Unfortunately, these are in the minority, despite the excellent credentials of the contributing authors.

In the end, Fourteen Days succeeds as an escapist beach read that just happens to be set during two traumatic weeks in recent history. Despite the potential in the premise, it is a mostly forgettable collection of stories that feels off-key in a world still attempting to address the same public health issues as the book’s characters, despite the intervening four years. With little dramatic tension and stories that are inconsistent in their vast but often surface-level breadth, Fourteen Days is more of a novel-by-committee than a collaborative one.

The pandemic-themed collaborative novel Fourteen Days features characters written by a list of accomplished authors including John Grisham (above), Celeste Ng, Tommy Orange, Mary Pope Osborne, R.L. Stine, Nafissa Thompson-Spires, Monique Truong, Scott Turow, Luis Alberto Urrea, and Meg Wolitzer.

CAROL HARRISON

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CULTURE GALLERIES

April exhibitions

Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library 2450 Old Ivy Rd. “Their World As Big As They Made It: Looking Back at the Harlem Renaissance,” plus other permanent exhibitions.

Chroma Projects Inside Vault Virginia, Third St. SE. In the Micro Gallery, “Topography: Travis Childers with Ashe Laughlin.” In Vault Virginia’s Great Hall Galleries, “David Copson: Events from the Ultima Thule,” and “Ann Cheeks: Body and Spirit: Moving Through Infinity.”

Crozet Library 2020 Library Ave., Crozet. Staff art show.

C’ville Arts Cooperative Gallery 118 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. “Beauty Meets Function,” featuring sculpture and furniture by Alex Pettigrew.

Elmaleh Gallery Campbell Hall, UVA Grounds. “Almost Useful: The Michael Owen Jones Exhibition” explores objects at the edge of utility, curated by Glenn Adamson. JT Bachman’s “Waste Not, Want Not” transforms discarded materials into long-lasting objects and building material prototypes. “Inclusive Narratives: Exploring Equity On The Manifesta Bookshelf,” an interactive exhibit.

The Fralin Museum of Art at UVA 155 Rugby Rd. “Structures,” a selection of 20thand 21st-century artworks from the museum’s permanent collection, and the Charlottesville Indigenous Art Takeover.

Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of UVA 400 Worrell Dr. The Charlottesville Indigenous Art Takeover. Les Yeux du Monde 841 Wolf Trap Rd. The Charlottesville Indigenous Art Takeover.

Northside Library 705 Rio Rd. W. “Color in Motion,” paintings by Randy Baskerville.

New City Arts 114 Third St. NE. In the Welcome Gallery, “Voroboros,” featuring new work by Adrian Wood. Through April 20.

Phaeton Gallery 114 Old Preston Ave. Group show featuring painters Karen Blair, Laura Wooten, and Priscilla Whitlock.

The Rotunda UVA Grounds. In the Upper West Oval Room, the Charlottesville Indigenous Art Takeover. Through July 7.

Second Street Gallery 115 Second St. SE. In the Main Gallery, “Jac Lahav: Foster Paintings.” In the Dové Gallery, “Leisure Suit” by Lou Haney.

Studio Ix 969 Second St. SE. “Visions,” by April Branham from the Monacan Indian Nation.

IMAGES COURTESY OF THE GALLERIES

Ann Cheeks in the Vault Virginia Great Hall.

Randy Baskerville at Northside Library.

Travis Childers in Chroma Project's Micro Gallery.

is everything.

Dana Milbank is a nationally syndicated op-ed columnist with The Washington Post and a New York Times bestselling author. He "recently bought a property in the Virginia Piedmont, with the pandemic-inspired idea of finding peace in nature." Hear how it's going.

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2021 Sweet Albemarle Petit Manseng

Refreshingly sweet, this white wine balances palate-cleansing freshness with rich natural grapey sweetness. Pronounced aromas and tropical flavors, including guava, coconut, and pineapple. We recommend pairing with spicy foods like Thai or curry, or enjoy by itself for dessert!

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 get comfortable 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!

Apr. 14th - Corks & Collage Workshop, 1 PM

Apr. 20th & 21st - Tess Sherman Artisan Pop-up, 12 PM

Apr. 28th - Monticello AVA Wine Week Sparkling Brunch at Mount Ida Farm and Vineyard, 11 AM

May 3rd - Monticello AVA Wine Week Wine Down at Veritas, 6 PM

Seasonal hours: Wednesday–Sunday: 11 AM–6 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:

Spring has arrived, the landscape is popping with color, and we have released our popular Rosé Trio. Our 2023 Quintessential Rosé has a refreshing acidity with notes of fresh strawberry, Rainier cherry, and grapefruit. The 2023 Gentle Press Rosé has a bright acidity with notes of strawberry, red currant, and cherry. Last, but not least, our 2023 Barrel Aged Rosé has a medium body, lively acidity, and notes of cranberry, Bing cherry, watermelon, red currant and vanilla. These rosés can be enjoyed with a variety of spring foods and go especially well with family and friends. Take some “chill” time and enjoy!

In addition to our remarkable wines, there are several reasons to visit Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard this month.

On Saturday, April 13th we will offer Gateway to the Gold sensory tasting experience . This is a food pairing (prepared by Sauce Catering) with our gold and silver medal winners in the Governor’s Cup. Go to our website, www.53rdwinery.com,

to sign up.

Our wine club quarterly pick up dates are set for Saturday April 20th, and Sunday April 21st. Not a wine club member? No problem, for $17/person you can come and enjoy the special tasting and see why our Wine Club is so popular. Live music and Food trucks will be at 53rd on both days.

On Saturday, April 27th we are releasing our 2023 Albarino. This was a small batch production and is “Oh so good”! Salty Bottom Blue Oysters will be back with raw on the half shell or grilled Chesapeake Bay oysters. Nate Oyler will provide live music.

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!

April 13th – Gateway to the Gold: live music all day, and food available from Sauce Catering!

April 20th - Wine Club pick-up day with live music and FARMacy Food Truck

April 21st – Live music and Country Boys BBQ Food Truck

April 27th – Release of our latest Albariño with live music and Oysters from Salty Bottom Oyster Co.

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

2023 Rosé

Our new Rosé is a classic, dry Provencal style wine with a gorgeous coral color. A perfect pairing for the patio, this wine exhibits a vibrant mouthfeel with notes of cranberry and citron.

During the month of April we invite you to come to DuCard and enjoy the bloom of the 12,000 tulips we planted, which are now on our lawn overlooking the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Guests can pick their own dozen to take home with them for $15.

We will have live music every weekend, as well as a Wine Education & Exploration Class featuring Chardonnay on April 21 and our annual Spring Seafood Saturday on April 27.

Weekends - Live music all weekend long! Check out our lineup on our website!

April 21st –Wine Education & Exploration- Chardonnay (advanced ticket purchase required)

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 BLANC DE BLANCS & OYSTERS

Celebrate the spring season with a glass of our sparkling brut Blanc de Blancs and oysters on Friday nights! We’re thrilled to announce that oysters are back beginning Friday, April 5. Salty Bottom Blue will be here every Friday night in April serving their delicious raw and grilled oysters, which pair beautifully with a glass of our gold medal sparkling Blanc de Blancs.

Made from Virginia Chardonnay, it is dry and crisp with notes of almond and lemon zest. Delicious to enjoy on its own, with Salty Bottom Blue oysters, a Ham & Beurre sandwich from Chef Andrew, or with one of your other favorite menu items. Let us pop the cork on a bottle for you!

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.

Winemaker Pop-Up: Join us on April 12th for complimentary tastings from Jake Busching, Jake Busching Wines, and on April 26th for complimentary tastings from Erin & Sandy Robertson, Dogwood & Thistle.

12th Annual Tom Tom Festival: Tickets available now for our partner event, Eight Winemakers, Eight Stories, Eight Minutes With Each. This is a wine tasting experience where guests will move in small groups around the room to visit each winemaker table. At each table, you’ll have an opportunity to share a glass of wine and discussion with each winemaker before moving on to the next table. We’ll be exploring topics including independent winemaking, the growing pathways to ownership in the wine industry, diversity and inclusion in the industry, and more. We hope you can join us! All details on our website. Tickets are $25 per person

We look forward to welcoming you to our tasting room, seven days a week. Join us for award-winning wines, beer, and cider, as well as delicious lunch and dinner menus.

Enjoy lounging on the veranda with a glass of our gold medal 2022 Rosé. Or, stay inside and enjoy live music with a seasonal flatbread or baked brie. We also have juice flights and cheese boards for the kids. See the Winery Calendar for details. Escape to Virginia Wine Country, only five miles from Downtown Charlottesville. Open year-round, 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

2019 Cabernet Estate Reserve Block 7

Governor’s Cup Gold Medal winner in 2024! With deep ruby color, the nose is filled with dark berry tones, hints of spice, and subtle mocha. Blackberry, plum and Mulberry flavors interwoven with notes of aniseed, dark coffee and bitter chocolate can be found. Age for up to 10 years, perhaps beyond. Pair with roasted leg of lamb, braised pork belly or filet mignon and a mushroom sauce.

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 124p or play a fun 9 hole of miniature golf on our new course! (Weather permitting)

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

April 6th – Cousin’s Maine Lobster Truck

April 21st – Salty Bottom Blue Oysters

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

2021 Montifalco Estate

Garanoir

Happy Spring!

As the vines start waking up from their slumber, we celebrate the excellence of the Monticello AVA and the recognition Montifalco Vineyard has received as the first to grow the Swiss grape Garanoir at our Virginia estate farm winery, and as the first in the United States to produce its wine and receive

Federal approval of Garanoir on a United States wine label. We’ll be planting 1000+ more vines this Spring! Join us for a taste of our 2021 Estate Garanoir and see what the excitement is all about!

Garanoir is a relatively new red wine grape variety that was created by André Jaquinet in Switzerland in the 1970s. It is a cross between Gamay (red) and Reichensteiner (white), two other vitis vinifera grape varieties. Garanoir is known for its ability to produce deeply colored wines with good structure and fruity flavors.

Aroma: On the nose, aromas of red and black fruits such as cherry, raspberry, and blackberry. You may also detect floral notes, hints of spice, and a touch of earthiness. Palate: In terms of taste, our Garanoir is medium to full-bodied with smooth tannins. It offers flavors of ripe red and black fruits, along with subtle spice and herbal undertones. It also showcases notes of chocolate and coffee. A good balance of acidity, contributing to its overall freshness and drinkability. Finish: The finish is medium to long, with lingering fruit flavors and a pleasant mouthfeel. Drink now or age.

Montifalco Vineyard Farm Winery is 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 adult only farm winery. We do not accept groups larger than 6 guests. No party busses permitted. Please visit montifalcovineyard.com for any special hours. Call/text 434989-9115 or email info@montifalco. com if you have any questions or special requests. We look forward to welcoming you!

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

montifalcovineyard.com

PRINCE MICHEL VINEYARDS

Harmony

Prince Michel Winery proudly presents Harmony, a masterful blend that sings to the soul and dances on the palate. With every sip of Harmony, experience a delicate balance of rich tropical and stone fruit notes, velvety textures and a refreshing melody of apricot and peach flavors.

Elevate your dining experience by pairing Harmony with light pastas, seafood delights, or a charcuterie board featuring artisan cheeses and fruits. Perfect for special occasions or a tranquil evening under the stars.

Visit Prince Michel, a cornerstone of Virginia’s renowned wine

landscape for over forty years! 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.

Established in 1982, Prince Michel has grown into a widely recognized winery, garnering global acclaim for its wines. Owner Kristin Easter, one of a handful of female winery owners, champions a fresh approach centered on hospitality and personal wine enjoyment.

Indulge in a spectrum of wines, from luxurious craft picks such as Chardonnay and Petit Verdot, to distinctive options like the SemiDry Riesling from our Rapidan River series. Don’t miss our crowdfavorite Decadence Chocolate or a refreshing wine slushie for a delightful twist. We have something to offer for every palate!

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.

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 A Woman-Owned Business

REVALATION VINEYARDS

2022 Cabernet Franc

A classic Loire-style Cabernet Franc. Round fruity aromas with notes of red cherry, blueberry, pepper, leather, fennel, and menthol with a hint of smoke. Soft mouthfeel. A gentle finish and supple tanninsvery quaffable.

April Hours: Friday 12pm to Sunset; Saturday 12pm to 6pm; Sunday 12pm to 5pm; Holiday Monday 12pm to 5pm; Monday and Thursday by reservation only.

Until April 30 - Exhibition of paintings by Bonny Wagner.

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

Saturday, April 13 - Arts & Vines from 12:00pm until 6:00pm. Local fine arts and crafts: Jason

Goldman (wood), Kimberly Engle (paintings), Danielle Stevens (jewelry), Forgotten Antiques & Divine Sweets.

Thursday, April 18 - Sip & Learn at 6pm: Marijean Oldham will talk about Secrets of Charlottesville.

Thursday, April 25 - Book Launch at 5:30pm. Susie Mckenna will be launching her book Stayin’ Alive, the sequel to Last Tracks Meet the author, listen to her discussing this new publication, and enjoy some wine or a non-alcoholic drink made with our verjus.

Friday, April 26 - Book Club @ The Vineyard starting at 6pm: Finding Me by Viola Davis.

Saturday, April 27 - En Plein Air: Artist Day at Revalation. Artists are invited to create art in the vineyard from dawn to dusk. Tickets available on our website.

Friday, May 3 - Book World Meets Wine World at 5:30pm: Richard Wise will read from his book The Dawning:31,000 BC.

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

VERITAS

2023 Rosé

The 2023 Rosé is a sure sign that spring has arrived. The pure fruit flavors in the aroma are inviting and fresh, and their intensity is unwavering through the finish. The color of the Rosé is Rose Petal—which is a light pink or even a blush pink that evokes an aroma of strawberries mixed with hints of fresh, mouthwatering watermelon rind. Veritas Rosé dances on the tongue with lively freshness from a newly picked bowl of red fruits. This Rosé is very food-friendly and is the little black dress of pink wines, as it will pair well with almost any dish.

Big events coming up with Veritas! Check out the lineup here:

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 3rd - Monticello AVA Wine Week Wine Down Event: Wrap up Monticello Wine Week with us at the Wine Week Wine Down, hosted at Veritas Vineyard & Winery. It’s your chance to soak up the weeklong celebrations, surrounded by the stunning Virginia mountains, countryside, and new friends.

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.

ACROSS

1. “Come Away With Me” singer Jones

6. Declines, as support

10. Former Queen of Jordan (and a hint to what’s missing from 21-Across)

14. Final Greek letter

15. “Consarn it!”

16. Lhasa ___ (breed from Tibet)

17. Paris 2024 prize

18. Taunting remark

19. “Buenos ___!”

20. Oh’s predecessors

21. Investment returns not realized because of factors like expenses and fees

23. “Insecure” Emmy nominee ___ Rae

26. After-dinner party

27. Like many eruptions

31. Voters’ choices

32. Best case

33. Playground equipment

35. Method

38. Word of caution

39. Most high school students

40. Nurser y rhyme trio

41. Galler y work

42. Peek at the answers, say

43. Jordanian ruins site

44. Three in Italy

45. Simultaneously

47. Of a heart chamber

50. Cookie with a 2024 “Space Dunk” variety

51. St ank up the joint

54. Wayside lodging

57. “Take ___ from me ...”

58. In the thick of

59. “We can relate”

61. Prefix for rail or chrome

62. Chess play

63. Gambling mecca near Hong Kong

64. Former Domino’s Pizza mascot (and a hint to what’s missing from 51-Across)

65. Small wallet bills

66. “...I’ll eat ___!”

DOWN

1. Alaska gold rush city (and a hint to what’s missing from 3-Down)

2. “The ___” (1976 Gregory Peck horror film)

3. Didn’t say

35. Smoothly, as a successful plan

36. Real estate developer’s unit

37. Rookie of the ___

39. Destination in “Peewee’s Big Adventure”

40. Dole (out)

42. Baby’s night spot

43. KPH part

44. Camera mount

46. Amount of gunk

47. “St ar Wars” droid, familiarly

48. Neighbor of a Tobagonian, informally

49. Citrus with a zest

51. Kendrick Lamar Pulitzerwinning album

52. “___ Talkin’” (Bee Gees #1 hit)

53. Pindaric poems

55. Hurricane-tracking agcy.

56. In-___ Burger (and a hint to what’s missing from 35-Down)

59. Steak-___ (frozen beef brand)

60. Speak

By Rob Brezsny

Taurus

(April 20–May 20): Will humans succeed in halting the decimation of the environment? Will we neutralize the power of fundamentalism as it fights to quash our imaginations and limit our freedoms? Will we outflank and outlast the authoritarians that threaten democracy? Sorry I’m asking you to think about sad realities. But now is an excellent time for you to ponder the world we are creating for our descendants—and resolve to do something in loving service to the future. Meditate on the riddle from Lewis Carroll’s book Through the Looking Glass: “It’s a poor sort of memory that only works backwards.”

Gemini

(May 21–June 20): The genius polymath

Galileo Galilei contributed much treasure to science and engineering. One encyclopedia sums up his legacy: “He was the father of observational astronomy, modern-era classical physics, the scientific method, and modern science.” Unfortunately, many of Galileo’s ideas conflicted with the teachings of Catholicism. The church fathers hounded him for years, even arresting him and putting him on trial. The Vatican eventually apologized, though not until 350 years after Galileo died. I expect that you, too, will generate many new approaches and possibilities in the coming months, Gemini—not Galileo level, of course, but still: sufficiently unprecedented to rouse the resistance of conventional wisdom. I suspect you won’t have to wait long to be vindicated, however.

Cancer

(June 21–July 22): Now would be a perfect time to prove your love. How? You might begin by being extra considerate, sensitive, sweet, and tender. I hope you will add sublime, scintillating touches, too. Maybe you will tell your beloved allies beautiful truths about themselves—revelations that make them feel deeply understood and appreciated. Maybe you will give them gifts or blessings they have wanted for a long time but never managed to get for themselves. It’s possible you will serenade them with their favorite songs, or write a poem or story about them, or buy them a symbol that inspires their spiritual quest. To climax all your kindness, perhaps you will describe the ways they have changed your life for the better.

Aries

(March 21-April 19): Aries author Eric G. Wilson claims, “Darker emotional states—doubt, confusion, alienation, despair—inspire a deeper and more durable experience of the sacred than contentment does.” I disagree. I know for a fact that an exquisite embrace of life’s holiness is equally possible through luminous joy and boisterous triumph and exultant breakthroughs. Propagandists of the supposed potency of misery are stuck in a habit of mind that’s endemic to the part of civilization that’s rotting and dying. In any case, Aries, I’m pleased to tell you that in the coming weeks, you will have abundant opportunities to glide into sacred awareness on the strength of your lust for life and joie de vivre.

Leo

(July 23–Aug. 22): Leo naturalist and ornithologist William Henry Hudson said, “I am not a lover of lawns. Rather would I see daisies in their thousands, ground ivy, hawkweed, and dandelions with splendid flowers and fairy down, than the too-well-tended lawn.” I encourage you to adopt his attitude toward everything in your life for the next few weeks. Always opt for unruly beauty over tidy regimentation. Choose lush vitality over pruned efficiency. Blend your fate with influences that exult in creative expressiveness, genial fertility, and deep feelings. (PS: Cultural critic Michael Pollan says, “A lawn is nature under totalitarian rule.”)

Virgo

(Aug. 23–Sept. 22): I praise and celebrate you for your skills at helping other people access their resources and activate their potentials. I hope you are rewarded well for your gorgeous service. If you are not, please figure out how to correct the problem in the coming months. If you are feeling extra bold, consider these two additional assignments: 1. Upgrade your skills at helping yourself access your own resources and activate your own potential. 2. Be forthright and straightforward in asking the people you help to help you.

Libra

(Sept. 23–Oct. 22): I don’t regard a solar eclipse as a bad omen. On the contrary, I believe it may purge and cleanse stale old karma. On some occasions, I have seen it flush away emotional debts and debris that have been accumulating for years. So how shall we interpret the total solar eclipse that will electrify your astrological house of intimate togetherness in the coming days? I think it’s a favorable time to be brave and daring as you

upgrade your best relationships. What habits and patterns are you ready to reinvent and reconfigure? What new approaches are you willing to experiment with?

Scorpio

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): At your best, you Scorpios are not invasive manipulators. Rather, you are catalysts. You are instigators of transformation, resurrectors of dead energy, awakeners of numb minds. The people you influence may not be aware that they long to draw on your influence. They may think you are somehow imposing it on them, when, in fact, you are simply being your genuine, intense self, and they are reaching out to absorb your unruly healing. In the coming weeks, please keep in mind what I’ve said here.

Sagittarius

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In my astrological opinion, it’s prime time for you to shower big wild favors on your beautiful self. Get the fun underway with a period of rigorous self-care: a physical check-up, perhaps, and visits with the dentist, therapist, hairstylist, and acupuncturist. Try new healing agents and seek precise magic that enhances and uplifts your energy. I trust you will also call on luxurious indulgences like a massage, a psychic reading, gourmet meals, an emotionally potent movie, exciting new music, and long, slow love-making. Anything else, Sagittarius? Make a list and carry out these tasks with the same verve and determination you would give to any important task.

Capricorn

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The coming days will be a favorable time for you to wrestle with an angel or play chess with a devil. You will have extraordinary power in any showdown or collaboration with spiritual forc-

es. Your practical intelligence will serve you well in encounters with nonrational enigmas and supernatural riddles. Here’s a hot tip: Never assume that any being, human or divine, is holier or wiser than you. You will have a special knack for finding compassionate solutions to address even the knottiest dilemmas.

Aquarius

(Jan. 19-Feb. 19): Your featured organ of the month is your nose. This may sound beyond the scope of predictable possibilities, but I’m serious: You will make robust decisions and discriminating choices if you get your sniffer fully involved. So I advise you to favor and explore whatever smells good. Cultivate a nuanced appreciation for what aromas can reveal. If there’s a hint of a stink or an odd tang, go elsewhere. The saying “follow your nose” is especially applicable. PS: I recommend you take steps to expose yourself to a wide array of scents that energize you and boost your mood.

Pisces

(Feb. 20-March 20): When is the best time to ask for a raise or an increase in benefits? Can astrology reveal favorable periods for being aggressive about getting more of what you want? In the system I use, the time that’s 30 to 60 days after your birthday is most likely to generate good results. Another phase is 210 to 240 days after your birthday. Keep in mind that these estimates may be partly fanciful and playful and mythical. But then in my philosophy, fanciful and playful and mythical actions have an honored place. Self-fulfilling prophecies are more likely to be fulfilled if you regard them as fun experiments rather than serious, literal rules.

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

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

$16-$18 per hour

To see a complete job description for each position, visit arcpva.org/careers

Want to help build a powerful local brand? Looking for a job that connects you to every aspect of life in our city?

C-VILLE Weekly is looking to add a dynamic salesperson to our advertising sales team. We are looking for a fearless self-starter to manage a list of established clients and develop new business. Does this sound like you?

The right person will join our hard working staff in a fast-paced online and print publishing environment. This is a F/T hybrid, salaried position with great perks and benefits! Send resume to: anna@c-ville.com

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF GREENE

JENNIFER D. ALLEN

Plaintiff

v.

ZELIA SHIFFLETT LAWSON, et al

Defendants

Case No. CL24-142

ORDER

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

I ASK FOR THIS:

Lisa Brook, Esquire

Tucker Griffin Barnes

307 West Rio Road Charlottesville, VA 22901 (434)973-7474 (434) 284-5037

lbrook@tgblaw.com

Counsel for Plaintiff

Date: 3/6/24

Community members took to Pen Park on Saturday, March 30, to fly kites in support of Gazan civilians. Organizer Sarrah AbuLughod (left) made sure the event was kid-friendly by inviting families to build kites or bring their own to the park. The gathering preceded activists’ successful April 1 effort to get Charlottesville City Council to vote in favor of a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the war in Gaza (p. 11).

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