C-VILLE Weekly | September 18 - 24, 2024

Roll back the years

Ahead of the paper's 35th birthday, C-VILLE's owner and former staffers reminisce about the good ol' days

Restoration Crozet

Lunch, Dinner, and Weekend Brunch with a View!

Tuesday - Saturday 11-9 | Sunday 10-4

Tuesday - All Day Happy Hour | Wednesday - Half Off All Bottles of Wine Join us for a memorable meal at Restoration! www.oldtrailclub.com/restoration | 434-823-1841

Play Old Trail Golf Club this Fall

A challenging course with stunning vistas is the perfect destination for a fall golf outing. Pro Shop, Driving Range, Putting Green, and indoor Swing Simulator complete the full service facilities offering at Old Trail. Call 434-823-8101 to book a tee time, scan the QR code or visit our website www.oldtrailclub.com/golf

Benjamin Rous, Music Director Kate Tamarkin, Music Director Laureate

50TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON OPENING

Beethoven Symphony No. 5

Saturday, September 28

7:30pm | Old Cabell Hall

Sunday, September 29

TUEL JEWELERS

JEWELERS

3:30pm | Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts Center

Serving the University Community

Bulova watches, 14k, Sterling, Platinum Jewelry, Jewelry &Watch Repair, Engraving, Pearl Restringing Watch Battery Replacement

Since 1945

TUEL JEWELERS

the Historic Downtown Mall

Serving the University Community Bulova watches, 14k, Sterling, Platinum Jewelry, Jewelry &Watch Repair, Engraving, Pearl Restringing Watch Battery Replacement

VERDI – Overture to La forza del destino

Jefferson Cups, Virginia Cups, Revere Bowls, Pewter ItemsMade in Virginia

319 East Main Street

RUSSELL – Adagio from Double Concerto for Clarinet and Cello with Jiyeon Choi, Clarinet, and Adam Carter, Cello

434.295.4258

TuelJewelers@aol.com

Jefferson Cups, Virginia Cups, Revere Bowls, Pewter ItemsMade in Virginia

We carry Authorized University of Virginia Jewelry – Watches –Charms – Cufflinks - Earrings

Serving the University Community Bulova watches, 14k, Sterling, Platinum Jewelry, Jewelry &Watch Repair, Engraving, Pearl Restringing Watch Battery Replacement

SHAW – Clarinet Concerto with Jiyeon Choi, Clarinet

Since 1945 on the Historic Downtown Mall

We carry Authorized University of Virginia Jewelry – Watches –Charms – Cufflinks - Earrings

Jefferson Cups, Virginia Cups, Revere Bowls, Pewter ItemsMade in Virginia

BEETHOVEN – Symphony No. 5

319 East Main Street

434.295.4258

TuelJewelers@aol.com

Jiyeon Choi’s appearance is underwritten by the Angus Macaulay Visiting Artists Fund. These concerts are made possible in part by a generous gift from Dolores G. Bedell.

We carry Authorized University of Virginia Jewelry Watches –Charms – Earrings

Serving the University Community Bulova watches, 14k, Sterling, Platinum Jewelry, Jewelry &Watch Repair, Engraving, Pearl Restringing Watch Battery Replacement

Jefferson Cups, Virginia Cups, Revere Bowls, Pewter ItemsMade in Virginia

We carry Authorized University of Virginia Jewelry – Watches –Charms – Cufflinks - Earrings

Virginia

We carry Authorized University of Virginia Jewelry – Watches – Charms Cufflinks — Earrings

Charlottesville’s News & Arts Weekly CIRCULATION: 20,000 WEEKLY

P.O. Box 119 Charlottesville, Virginia 22902

www.c-ville.com

Facebook: facebook.com/cville.weekly

X: @cville_weekly

Instagram: @cvilleweekly

EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Caite Hamilton editor@c-ville.com

CULTURE EDITOR

Tami Keaveny tami@c-ville.com

NEWS REPORTER

Catie Ratliff reporter@c-ville.com

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

CM Turner arts@c-ville.com

COPY EDITOR Susan Sorensen

EDITORIAL INTERN

Ella Powell

CONTRIBUTORS

15 COVID, flu, Mpox—oh my! 18 Real Estate Weekly: Albemarle County seeks “social housing” funds

33 Stages: Southern Culture on the Skids with T he Woggles.

35 All You Can Eat: New restaurant blends Cali-

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

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

ART DIRECTOR

Max March max@c-ville.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Tracy Federico designer@c-ville.com

ADVERTISING advertising@c-ville.com

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Gabby Kirk (434) 373-2136 gabby@c-ville.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Sarah Smith sarah@c-ville.com

Sydney Chrismer sydney@c-ville.com

DIRECTOR OF EVENTS & MARKETING

Stephanie Vogtman

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Faith Gibson ads@c-ville.com

BUSINESS

PUBLISHER

Anna Harrison anna@c-ville.com

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Debbie Miller debbie@c-ville.com

A/R SPECIALIST Nanci Winter (434) 373-0429

CIRCULATION MANAGER Billy Dempsey circulation@c-ville.com

C-VILLE HOLDINGS,

Bill Chapman, Blair Kelly

C-VILLE is published Wednesdays. 20,000 free copies are distributed all over Charlottesville, Albemarle, and the surrounding counties. One copy per person. Additional copies may be purchased for $1.99 per copy.

Unsolicited news articles, essays, and photography are carefully considered. Local emphasis is preferred. Although care will be taken, we assume no responsibility for submissions. First-class mail subscriptions are available for $140 annually.

©2024 C-VILLE Weekly. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.

Rivanna Roots

UVA MUSIC EVENTS

Date/Time/Place Event

Friday, 9/20, 1pm Music Library

Sunday, 9/22, 3:30pm Old Cabell Hall

Saturday, 9/28, 7:30pm Old Cabell Hall

Sunday, 9/29, 3:30pm MLK PAC at CHS

Friday, 10/4, 3:30pm 107 Old Cabell Hall

Friday, 10/4, 6:30pm Carr’s Hill Field

Sunday, 10/6, 8am-5pm Old Cabell Hall

Sunday, 10/6, 3:30pm Old Cabell Hall

Friday, 10/11, 6:30pm Carr’s Hill Field

uvamusic: * denotes free events

Jason Evans Groth & Pete Schreine* Making Noise in the Library

David Sariti, violin UVA Chamber Music Series

Charlottesville Symphony Beethoven Symphony No. 5

Charlottesville Symphony Beethoven Symphony No. 5

Jade Conlee Colloquium Sonic Cartographies in Hawai‘i Exotica *

Cavalier Marching Band * “That 70's Show” open rehearsal

Flute Forum * Featuring Marianne Gedigian

Marianne Gedigian, flute * Flute Forum Recital

Cavalier Marching Band * ”CMB Goes Country" Open Rehearsal

To find out more about these and all our other events, subscribe to our weekly “music at UVA”.

THIS WEEK

Thank you for reading C-VILLE Weekly.

I received an email from Christina Ball last week, shortly after our cover story on her local language center hit stands: “It’s so easy, as a long-time business owner, to conclude that no one cares about what you’re trying to do,” she wrote. “So often local journalists can oversimplify and provide soundbites without context. C-VILLE goes so much deeper to tell stories in a meaningful way that attracts a broad readership.”

I felt that. The message came through as I was sitting down with our art director to discuss the redesign we have planned for 2025. Just after I’d uploaded a few T-shirts to our new line of merch. Just after I’d put the finishing touches on this week’s cover story (p.22), in which we celebrate 35 years of C-VILLE.

I replied right away to tell Ball that we were as honored by her recognition of our value as she was of ours. A small business itself, C-VILLE has weathered everything from the dawn of the internet age to a global pandemic to that one guy who keeps

9.18.24

sending condescending letters to the editor, and it’s easy to sometimes feel defeated or depleted. But even as we’ve had to learn to do more with less (half the staff, half the budget, half the page count), like a lot of papers across the country, we’ve never stopped telling the stories that keep you informed, curious, hungry, entertained, and connected—and we’ve done it all at no cost to you.

I’m gonna ask you for money now, though. If at any point in our 35-year history you’ve also recognized the value of our work, please consider making a donation to our Save the Free Word campaign. Your gift will get you a super rad tote bag, an early digital copy of the weekly newspaper, maybe even tickets to the 2025 Best of C-VILLE party, and, most importantly, it’ll enable us to continue serving this community we love. Use the QR code to contribute, and I’ll see you in year 70.

1:00 Opening

1:25 Casa de la cultura Peru (Peru)

1:45 Victoria Bracho (Venezuela)

2:00 Raices Ecuatorianas (Ecuador)

2:30 Panamanian Traditional (Panama)

3:05 Grupo Tahuantinsuyo (Peru)

saturday, September 21 • 1-10pm • Ting Pavilion TICKETS kids free! Teens 13-17 $5 Adults 18+ $10

4:00 Tradiciones Bolivianas (Bolivia)

4:35 Raices Ecuatorianas (Ecuador)

4:55 Villa Sabrosa (Mexico)

5:25 Foreign Playerz (Social Dancing)

5:50 Atrapado Musical (Mexico)

7:05 Kids Parade of Flags

7:40 - 9:30 PM LA MAQUINA (EL SALVADOR)

Jake

Kathleen

Kathy

MarieBette

Marta

Our

“Honestly, it feels

like

a

sick joke …

it feels like we’re being punked.”

—M.D.-Ph.D. student Najwa Labban in a September 14 Daily Progress article about the University of Virginia being named the No. 1 college for free speech in the U.S. by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression

NEWS IN BRIEF

Machete arrest

Police have arrested a man in connection with the September 11 machete attack in the area of U.S. 29 and Myers Drive. Frank Baldwin, 51, has been charged with felony malicious wounding, and is being held at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. The victim reportedly knew Baldwin, and is now stable after receiving life-threatening injuries in the attack.

Good for business

The Minority Business Alliance has named Khalilah Jones as its 2024 John F. Bell Sr. Vanguard Award recipient. In addition to owning Chic and Classy Image Consulting, Jones is also a co-founder of the annual Soul of Cville festival and serves on the board of the Greene County Chamber of Commerce. She will formally receive the award at the Harlem Nights Black Tie Gala on September 27.

Pit stop

As of September 16, the DMV Select Office in the City Treasurer’s Office at Charlottesville City Hall is operational. The satellite office is open weekdays from 8:30am to 4:15pm, and offers services including vehicle titles and registrations, license plates, and transcript requests. While the office might be convenient, certain services—including license and permit renewals—are not available at the DMV Select location.

Just the vaxx, ma'am PAGE 15

To the polls

Early voting for the November general election starts September 20. Besides the presidential election, Charlottesville-area ballots will include a number of congressional and local races.

Early in-person voting runs through November 2 statewide, with hours set by local registrar offices. Saturday voting is available across the commonwealth on October 26 and November 2.

For day-of and by-mail voters, there are several key deadlines in the weeks to come: The last day to register to vote or update an existing registration is October 15, and the deadline to request a ballot is October 25. Same-day registration is also available in Virginia, allowing voters to cast a provisional ballot through Election Day.

Charlottesville will have a new congressional representative in 2025. Fifth district incumbent Bob Good was primaried by state Sen. John McGuire in a tumultuous race that McGuire narrowly won earlier this year. He will face off against Democrat Gloria Witt for the seat, with pollsters predicting the conservative will win the red-leaning district.

In the U.S. Senate, Tim Kaine is seeking a third term in office against challenger Hung Cao. The incumbent is heavily favored to win reelection.

More information on local elections and in-person voting hours can be found at elections.va.gov

(Some) cases closed

Cole McNair was sentenced to serve 24 months (with all but six suspended) in jail after pleading guilty to assaulting two women on the Rivanna Trail on May 12. Local law enforcement continues to investigate other incidents in the area.

Since June 11, McNair, 23, has been in custody on charges of sexual battery and assault and battery. The Charlottesville resident pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery and assault and battery on September 12, two weeks before his trial was scheduled to begin.

Circuit Court Judge Claude Worrell also sentenced McNair to a year of supervised probation. Under the conditions of his sentencing, McNair can have no contact with the victims and must undergo mental health and substance abuse evaluations.

While he’s been convicted for the May 12 incidents, law enforcement does not believe McNair is responsible for other assaults in the area. Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney Joe Platania told The Daily Progress that McNair “is not a suspect or person of interest in the other Rivanna Trail Cases.”

Khalilah Jones is the 2024 John F. Bell Sr. Vanguard Award recipient.

Change of course

UVA drops disciplinary actions against student protesters

By Catie Ratliff reporter@c-ville.com

More than three months after Virginia State Police forcefully dispersed a pro-Palestine encampment on Grounds, the University of Virginia has dropped all disciplinary action against student protesters arrested on May 4. The dismissal of University Judiciary Committee charges is a victory for student and faculty organizers, but UVA continues to stonewall demonstrator demands for disclosure and divestment.

An alternative resolution for the students facing UJC cases was reached at a meeting on September 11 after UVA Student Affairs amended its conditions for convening with organizers. Previously, Student Affairs required students to meet one-on-one with administrators, with only those not affiliated with the encampment allowed to attend as support persons.

“The students really felt like they were trying to be divided. They wanted to meet as a group,” says Laura Goldblatt, an assistant professor and faculty liaison for pro-Palestine student protesters.

Under the amended conditions, administration and protesters were able to move forward with alternative resolutions for the disciplinary charges. All degrees withheld in connection with the UJC cases are set to be conferred and backdated to May 2024.

During the meeting, student protesters read a statement expressing unequivocal support for Palestinian human rights and their frustrations with UVA.

“At minimum, 41,000 Palestinians, including over 16,500 children, have been murdered by the Israeli military since the start of its genocidal assault on Gaza and the West Bank,” reads a portion of the state-

ment. “We must recognize that these are not mere numbers but represent real lives lost and suffering endured. As we confront these harrowing realities, we must also challenge our institutions to sever their complicity in this violence.”

At the conclusion of the statement, student organizers reaffirmed their calls for UVA to disclose all direct and indirect investments; divest from “institutions materially supporting or profiting from Israel’s genocide, apartheid, and occupation of Palestine;” withdraw from academic relations with Israeli institutions; and ensure the security of faculty, staff, and students supporting Palestine.

“The faculty present all expressed incredible pride in the students for their courage, for the powerful nature of this statement, and for their leadership in this really dark time. Also their conviction in fighting for Palestinian human rights as a matter of liberation for colonized and oppressed

peoples here and elsewhere,” says Goldblatt, who was present at the meeting with Student Affairs.

While UVA has repeatedly stated that alternative resolutions were offered to students facing disciplinary action, Goldblatt says Student Affairs shared that the dismissal of UJC cases was delayed in part due to resistance among members of university leadership.

“As we noted over the summer, every student who was facing charges stemming from policy violations committed on May 4 was offered the opportunity to pursue informal resolution in lieu of a UJC trial,” said University Spokesperson Brian Coy in a comment via email. “As of today, all of the students involved have accepted that option and brought these matters to a close. Despite the high profile of this case, the University followed the same disciplinary practices and processes we always do. These students were not treated differently.”

University Communications declined to respond to other C-VILLE requests for comment regarding the dismissal of charges and organizer demands.

While Coy did not comment on organizer demands, a September 13 meeting of the University of Virginia Investment Management Company and Board of Visitors highlighted leadership reluctance toward divestment. UVIMCO Chief Executive Officer Robert Durden emphasized the logistical challenges of divestment and the ideally apolitical nature of UVIMCO.

“We do not like using our investment strategy as a means of expressing a moral or political opinion,” said Durden.

In an interview with C-VILLE, Goldblatt rebuts the idea that failure to divest is not itself a political action.

“[UVIMCO] adopted an Investor Responsibility Framework that they say guides what they decide to invest in,” she says. “Choosing to fund a state that is committing a genocide, and to invest in weapons manufacturers that are creating weapons that are being used in a genocide, is a political decision. … Choosing to fund certain paths is a political one, and so divesting is a political decision, but it’s not like not divesting is somehow not a political decision.”

Despite stricter rules around demonstrations on Grounds, Goldblatt says student and faculty organizers are energized and committed to action.

“UVA, like all other institutions, [is] susceptible to pressure,” she says. “Just because right now UVA says ‘No way’ to divestment does not mean that there’s no path forward. It is our job as those who feel called in this moment to have moral courage to keep putting the pressure on them, to make them do the right thing and to make them live up to their mission of being both good and great.”

“Choosing to fund certain paths is a political one, and so divesting is a political decision, but it’s not like not divesting is somehow not a political decision.” LAURA GOLDBLATT, UVA ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

University Police Chief Tim Longo spoke with concerned faculty at the encampment on May 1, three days before Virginia State Police were called in.

EZE AMOS

Check ups

Local health care providers urge vaccinations and vigilance ahead of flu season

By Andrew Hollins

Flu season is imminent and just in time to coincide with the Virginia Department of Health’s latest MAPP2Health Community Health Assessment. Throughout the rest of the year, Blue Ridge Health District, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, and UVA Health System are all collaborating to conduct in-person and online focus groups and to survey residents from the City of Charlottesville, as well as Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson counties.

The MAPP2Health survey is an anonymous questionnaire that takes fewer than five minutes to complete and requests basic health information about residents and their households. The focus groups, which will be conducted online as well as in-person, will be more indepth, focusing on a comprehensive look into the health care needs of residents in our area. VDH will use the data when assessing the community’s needs, distributing resources, and looking for lapses in their assistance programs.

Blue Ridge Health District’s Communications Manager Jason Elliott says that the data from this program is essential for local and state health care officials for determining the needs of the people in the area.

“It’s really important for us to have an accurate picture of our community and what those needs are,” he says. “We can use this data to see what areas might need better access to public transportation or broadband.”

Elliott also stresses the need for continued vigilance when it comes to infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 and Influenza.

“According to the CDC, [COVID-19] infections in Virginia as a whole are likely declining,” he says. “However, it’s important to remember that with in-home testing options available, we may not have an accurate count of just how prevalent infections are.”

Elliott says people should remain vigilant and take precautions against COVID-19 by staying up to date with their vaccinations and practicing good hygiene. Those who suspect that they may have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19, he says, should use precautions to prevent spread, including staying home and away from others, including members of your household who may not have contracted the virus yet.

Another virus that Americans should be cautious of this year is Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox. After an international outbreak was traced to a rave in Madrid in May 2022, the JYNNEOS vaccine was developed and released that August. Since the initial outbreak, Virginia has seen 601 total reported cases of Mpox, 25 hospitalizations, and two deaths, the majority of which were recorded in 2022. Over the last 12 months, Virginia’s only had 26 reported cases of Mpox, with only four of them leading to hospitalization. None were fatal.

“People with Mpox often get a rash that may be located on hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth, or near the genitals,” Elliott says. Other symptoms may include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, and respiratory symptoms.

The Mpox vaccine is available for anyone who believes they may be at risk, including those who come in contact with wild animals, those who have intimate or sexual contact with someone who does, or those who have been in contact with potentially contaminated materials. People with multiple sexual partners of any gender are at higher risk, as well.

“Getting the Mpox vaccine is as easy as making an appointment at the BRHD … [or] at local health departments throughout Virginia,” Elliott says.

Those interested in a COVID-19, Mpox, or flu vaccine or who are seeking additional information can contact their local health department or visit cdc.gov.

Sepetmber is National Service Dog Month! Service Dogs of Virginia

Join Service Dogs of Virginia and Aerial Resupply Coffee in celebrating the incredible impact service dogs have! Enjoy coffee from Aerial Resupply Coffee, meet some amazing dogs in training and learn how you can support their journey to become future service dogs.

WHEN: Saturday, September 28 from 9-11 AM

Where: Aerial Resupply Coffee - 705 Dale Ave Unit E Charlottesville, VA

Due to the presence of young dogs in training at the event, we kindly ask you not bring your pet dog(s). Thank you for helping to support their training.

Because life can change in an instant www.servicedogsva.org

The Blue Ridge Health District’s Jason Elliott says it’s important to stay up to date with vaccines like COVID-19 and the flu.

Annie Gould Gallery

Housing investment

Albemarle County to seek federal funding to jump-start initiatives

By Sean Tubbs

The recent purchase of the Cavalier Crossings apartment complex on Fifth Street Extended by an Alexandria-based investment company prompted one member of the Albemarle Planning Commission to tell his colleagues the county should be investing in “social” housing.

“If we can think about how we can put county resources toward public goods, which to me includes UVA Health wage workers being able to afford to live here, then that’s progress,” said Nathan Moore, representative of the county’s Rio District, at the August 27 commission meeting.

In 2021, both Albemarle and Charlottesville adopted new housing strategies to increase the number of affordable units. While the city’s plan for affordability calls for spending $10 million a year on construction or maintenance of housing, the Housing Albemarle plan does not set a specific target. Still, county supervisors have authorized several investments.

“Since 2020, the county has invested $17.7 million into projects which have served around 3,000 households in one form or another,” says Stacy Pethia, Albemarle’s assistant director of housing.

Last week, Pethia told a citizen advisory panel that while the county prioritizes housing funds for those on the lower end of the income spectrum, there’s a need for housing for all levels in a community where the federally defined annual median income is $124,000.

“There’s a range of people that qualify for affordable housing and most of those people are the ones [whom] we rely on every day,” Pethia says.

In fiscal year 2024, Albemarle contributed $3 million toward the construction of Southwood Apartments by Piedmont

Housing Alliance, $1.5 million to Habitat for Humanity for their Cardinal Hill apartments at Southwood, and $700,000 to the Premier Circle project underway by Virginia Supportive Housing. Another $311,655 went to the Albemarle Housing Improvement Program to help rehabilitate existing homes.

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors agreed to contribute another $2 million to the housing investment fund in the current fiscal year. A decision about where that money should go will be made in the future.

On Wednesday, September 18, the Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the county’s intention to apply for $6.5 million in federal funds, including $5 million to establish a revolving fund for loans to developers who build affordable housing units. The supervisors will also ask for $1 million for a fund to entice property owners to rent out units to people with housing vouchers to overcome any stigma that a tenant receiving assistance might face.

Albemarle administers 345 federal housing vouchers.

“It can be difficult sometimes for families to find a landlord that will accept their voucher,” Pethia says.

Albemarle is also seeking $435,000 in funds for construction of a future multifamily development, but it is currently unclear where that project might be.

As for Cavalier Crossings, The Bonaventure Multifamily Trust paid $20.5 million for the 144-unit complex and plans to renovate units to charge higher rents at market rate. Some leases have not been renewed as work gets underway.

The purchase did not require any legal notice, as none of the units were built with public money and no public funds are being requested by the new owner.

Albemarle County has made at least $4.5 million in investments to help hundreds of units in Southwood remain affordable to households with income below 60 percent of the area median. ATLANTIC

LOCUST AVENUE

Charming, 1929 brick home with 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms. Convenient North Downtown location. Tastefully renovated and updated without losing the original character. Home features 9’ ceilings, built-in bookcases, beautiful woodwork, trim and crown molding. Professionally landscaped yard with mature planting. Good off-street parking.

SPRING BROOK DRIVE

2 story brick home set on 3.6 acres in the heart of Ivy. Home had 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, hardwood floors, a sunroom and a full basement. Ivy Elementary School District.

HATTON FERRY

Fabulous renovation of a 1880 gem in Albemarle County. Hatton on the James is an historic estate, set on 13.9 acres fronting on the James River. Lovingly & authentically restored. The 500 sq. ft. wrap-around porch extends the living area. Light pours in though the banks of windows. The open, double staircase leads from the center hall to the second floor landing. Extensive gardens and walkways. Numerous perennials and hardscapes made of flagstone, brick, soapstone terraced parterre & mature gardens. Property includes a charming one bedroom guest house, gardener’s shed and a writer’s studio. Easy access to water activities. 19 miles to Charlottesville. $2,150,000 BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, CALL SHARON!

Over 25 years of Real Estate experience. email: callsharon.today@yahoo.com cell: 434.981.7200

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. $15,000,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700 www.HistoricEdgemont.com

FIELDS OF BOAZ

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

$3,995,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700

HIGH FIELDS

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

Charming cottage on 3+ acres in Ivy! Light-filled with living, dining, kitchen, sunroom, study, primary BR, bath, second BR on main floor. Lower level has bonus room, BR & bath. Recently updated floors, roof, sunroom tile. Private deck, mature landscaping, pond, Fiber Optic available. MLS#655171 $598,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

FARMINGTON

Elegant Farmington Country Club residence on 5 acres with stunning Blue Ridge Mountain views. Offering privacy, yet great convenience to Charlottesville and the Club amenities, this 5-BR home includes a guesthouse, pool, separate office and garage. MLS#650584 $5,795,000 Tim Michel, 434.960.1124

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

$2,985,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

HISTORIC STAUNTON

Meticulously renovated National Historic Register home, blending modern amenities with remarkable charm. 5-bedrooms with hardwood floors, stained glass windows, and trim. Quartz kitchen, magnificent primary suite, terrace apartment. MLS#653080 $1,295,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700

CHERRY HILL TOWNHOME

Exceptional brick, end-unit in popular Cherry Hill! Walk to the University of Virginia Hospital and Grounds. This 3-level features a beautiful gardener’s fenced yard. Elegant entry, open floor plan, owner’s suite, and 2 guest beds. 1stfloor bonus room and garage! MLS#655503 $515,000 Katherine Leddington, 646.593.0333

BENTIVAR MANOR

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

BELLAIR

Recently renovated contemporary home in soughtafter Bellair neighborhood! With 4-BR, 3.5 baths, and a vaulted great room, this residence offers superb construction. Enjoy stunning views from the screened porch. MLS#652438 $2,675,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

FRAYS MILL

Wooded 81.395-acre preservation tract near Frays Mill Subdivision in Albemarle Co., 6 mi from Charlottesville Airport, shops, restaurants. Ideal for recreation, agriculture, and private home with mountain views. MLS#651664 $995,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

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. $425,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

HOLLY HILL

MEADOW FARM

Read all about it

An AMA with C-VILLE’s co-owner and founder, Bill Chapman

By Caite Hamilton

Sensing that Charlottesville deserved a smart, irreverent (and free!) news source on the eve of “the roaring ’90s,” as he calls it, C-VILLE’s co-owner, Bill Chapman, founded the city’s only alt-weekly, C-VILLE Review, in September of 1989. Chapman, co-founder Hawes Spencer, and their small team of writers sought out stories that captured the spirit of the city, from its burgeoning restaurant scene to its soon-to-befamous musicians (read: Dave Matthews, who was bartending downtown at the time). The newspaper published every other Tuesday until 1995, when it started hitting stands weekly and expanding into news coverage. In the 35 years since, C-VILLE has become the largest-circulated print product in central Virginia, serving not only Charlottesville, but the surrounding counties of Albemarle, Greene, Nelson, and Madison. On the eve of its 35th birthday, Chapman sat down with me, the paper’s current editor, for a chat.

So tell me about C-VILLE’s beginnings. I was in college when we hatched a plan to launch a newspaper in Charlottesville. I think I was in my final semester of college and I met Hawes Spencer, who was working at [Hampden-Sydney]. He had graduated, but he was working in the public relations office there, as was I. That was the planning phase. We moved to Charlottesville at the same time, moved in together, launched the paper in September [1989] after working on it over the summer.

What were you hoping to provide for the community in starting a paper? I was just thinking about myself, really. I wasn’t really thinking a lot about the community as a 21-year-old. I had done a summer internship, after my junior year, at a free weekly paper in Richmond called Style Weekly, and I thought it was a fun place to work; they gave you your birthday off, [they had a] cool office downtown. I was just thinking about giving myself something to do.

In those early days, who was on staff? Just the two of you? Yup. I was the editor, Hawes was the publisher. Those titles were pretty vague because we did everything. We delivered the paper, we drove it to the printer, sat there while it got printed, drove back, and delivered it around town. We had this downtown office on Altamont Street in a house. This is pre-internet, so you couldn’t email someone their ad copy. We didn’t have a fax machine either, so if someone wanted to drop off a press release about a concert, they would come to our house. If someone wanted to advertise, they would come to our house.

So you’re getting a lot of weirdos in the door, just handing you pieces of paper that you can then scan— Yep, no scan.

Oh, right. Sorry. I’m just so, so young, I don’t even know a world without scanners. Yeah.

So how long before you hired staff? I took a break from working there after about 18 months, moved up to New York City with my then girlfriend, who later became my wife, and Hawes ran the paper from ’91, ’92, for about four years and he hired some staff. Then I came back and we decided to start publishing weekly. In 1995, we changed the name of the paper, we hired more people, and we got a new business partner, Rob Jiranek.

You’ve told me before that the tone you were hoping to set was “smart” and “irreverent.” Is that because you thought that’s what you personally could provide? You’re a kind of irreverent person. [Hawes and I] were both sarcastic people and it was something that had never been done in print in Charlottesville. The media was pretty reverent toward institutions at the time—like, if UVA sent a press release, you’d write an article about it. You didn’t question it. At the time, there were interesting things going on—like Patricia Kluge being on the Board of Visitors at UVA, and the governor of Virginia, who had appointed her to that position, was allegedly dating her and using the state helicopter to fly up and land in

her yard to see her. That’s an example of fodder, like, “Let’s make light of this somehow.” We were [smart and irreverent], but we were just kids making fun of stuff.

These days we take ourselves a little bit more seriously; we’re a little more reverent. What do you think was lost in that shift? There’s a lot more sensitivity required now, just for, let’s call it political reasons, but you have to be sensitive to all sorts of stuff—gender, race, sexuality, housing, poverty—a long list of things that we didn’t know anything about, therefore we didn’t care. And we weren’t deliberate—we weren’t knowing about it and not caring about it. We just weren’t thinking about it. It was happy-go-lucky. I think it’s just harder now to be carefree.

Can you think of a time when you felt like C-VILLE’s value was really obvious? I can think of two: There was kind of a ramp up through the ’90s of the Charlottesville restaurant scene, and we were the only ones that covered restaurants. So we were kind of the chronicle of the growth of downtown and independent dining for a decade or so—or more. We were championing these places that maybe people wouldn’t have known about otherwise.

Another time I can think of is we published a pretty good … summary, I’ll call it, of the August 12 riots. It was a timeline, but I thought it did a good job of memorializing something important in a straightforward way.

Part of this anniversary issue is thinking about the next 35 years, and I’m curious about three things: Do you feel like we’re at a crucial moment? If we’re not, what are some other crucial moments where you felt like, “Uh-oh, we’re in real trouble.” And if we are, how are you hoping we move through it? Back in the ’90s, there was a burst of activity around internet-related businesses. Like Boxerjam. Everyone wanted to work there. Supposedly AOL wanted to acquire them, but they turned that down. It was a lot of excitement. There was another company called Value America that started up here and hired tons of people. All the energy and the talk was going into internet businesses and internet jobs. Being in the newspaper business seemed pretty unexciting and unsexy at that time, so that seemed sort of like a crisis. People were saying to us, “Oh, the internet. [The newspaper] won’t even be around next year, right? It won’t even be around in 1997.” But that blew over. We got through that one. I would say that COVID seemed like a crisis—for every small business, but since we were totally reliant on small busi-

nesses to fund what we do and they were all closed, we were kind of powerless. But that also blew over with government aid.

That’s two examples. Are we in a crisis now? I don’t think so. I’m hopeful that C-VILLE can take its history and the brand it’s established and find some new ways to serve Charlottesville. [The weekly is] probably going to stay flat or shrink over time due to obvious factors, but could we do something new with our long history, our knowledge, our energy, our brand?

How do you envision your role at C-VILLE now? I’m a single-digit percentage owner of the business. I have, by definition, much more history than anybody else with the business, so I’m kind of on call for founder/owner/old man consulting on different topics.

Quickfire round

Favorite retired column: Restaurantarama

Most embarrassing cover story: The one with the stripper on the front with a man looking between a woman’s legs. Fondest memory: This is back when we first started: We would stay up all night putting the paper together, and then we would drive to Elkton, and then sleep in the van outside the printing plant. Sometimes it was pretty cold because it’s every two weeks all year-round, so we’d be freezing in sleeping bags in the back of this van, and then we would wake up, load the paper up, and drive back over the mountain and then go straight into the delivery route.

Okay, let’s talk about The Hook. What happened there? From what I recall, there were three owners of C-VILLE Weekly: me, Rob, Hawes. We were trying to diversify the company by doing things like starting Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine and investing in a weekly paper in Richmond, which we later closed. We also bought a newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, [and] later had one in Augusta, Georgia. But Hawes was just not into any of that. He wanted to focus on C-VILLE Weekly alone. Because of that dynamic, he was becoming more prickly to work with and it became a bad office environment. We were trying to run a business, but we had this bitter person in there. So we fired him as editor. He was still an owner of the company, but we fired him from his editor job and eventually bought his portion of the company.

He went to some other people he knew with publishing experience, like Blair Kelly. Blair was friends with Ted Weschler, who was starting to invest in businesses around town and, between the three of them, they funded The Hook. That ended up lasting like 10 years, but my impression was it had like one good year financially. I think that was during a big real estate boom in 2007; both C-VILLE and The Hook had their peak year in 2007. Then the 10th year of competing was approaching, and I was like, “This is getting old. Let’s create something bigger by combining forces pulling the same direction.” Blair was interested in business ideas, so he said yes to that. Our initial instinct was to publish both because more publishing pulls more money, kind of like when we came out every week versus every two weeks, it was a better business, so having two weeklies could be better. But by that point, the competition from electronic media had started and advertisers were going digital. I think some of them were actually relieved when we killed The Hook because it simplified their decision-making.

Ironically, when we met, [Hawes and I] were both working as freelance journalists. He was with the Richmond News Leader, which was an afternoon daily paper, and I was with the Richmond Times-Dispatch, which was a morning paper. So there were two dailies in Richmond at the time, both ended up in the same company. And they eventually merged into the Richmond Times-Dispatch, but the News Leader used to be its own daily newspaper that came out in the afternoon. The Daily Progress came out in the afternoon then, too.

Oh, really? They had paper boys who would ride bikes around delivering it. I’m sure you’ve seen that in old movies.

Never heard of ’em. Here’s one last question for you: If you had to do it all over again, would you? Yes. [C-VILLE] is kind of a small institution in town. It’s been around 35 years and I’m proud of that. It doesn’t seem like the environment right now is a good one to be starting a weekly newspaper, so if I think of it that way, no. But it seemed like perfect timing [in 1989] because the free weekly trend was going around the country. It was kind of the original free media, and it was the original removal of the paywall, because you had to pay to read The Daily Progress, and you had to pay to read the Observer [a weekly newspaper in town at the time], and we were free, and no one understood how we were doing that, or why. That’s kind of interesting.

John Borgmeyer

THEN Senior Staff Writer, News Editor (1999 to 2006)

NOW Litigation attorney for the Missouri Public Service Commission

What you loved most: All the fun and talented people.

What you found most challenging: Deadlines.

Your most enduring memory of your time at C-VILLE: Working at the “C” house on South Street, the whole thing with The Hook, being part of the team that brought home C-VILLE’s first AAN Awards, walking downtown on Tuesday mornings and seeing everybody read the paper.

Graelyn Brashear

THEN News Editor (2012-2015)

NOW Making podcasts at CNN

What you loved most: Sharing a masthead with the rest of the team. I know now that it’s actually kind of rare to love your co-workers as much as I did (still do). I also had remarkable freedom to report out stories I really cared about that ended up making a difference, and that is no small thing.

What you found most challenging: Being a part of a tiny team with a remit to cover a town that has a complicated relationship with its own history, tends to thrust itself on the national stage at regular intervals, and has a real thing for complex infrastructure issues was fun, and it was also exhausting. Relatedly: Print reporters are underpaid!

Your most enduring memory of your time at C-VILLE: Sun, rain, snow, or derecho, some or all of the editorial staff was always up for a walk down the Mall to Mudhouse, talking stories, talking shit, and talking to people we knew. It’s how I remember the moments and the years—in paper cups of very good black coffee. That and the time with the [redacted] and the [redacted], but Caite’s not going to let that go to print.

Harding Coughter

THEN Senior Graphic Designer (2014-2016)

NOW Senior art director at a creative advertising agency in New York City

What you loved most: I loved learning from my co-workers. Whether it was about Charlottesville’s history, a new lunch spot, or the latest band coming to town, I was always picking up something new. From reading the paper every Wednesday morning or taking Mall laps, I felt like I was constantly discovering more about my hometown.

What you found most challenging: The most challenging part about working at C-VILLE were my responsibilities. I was fresh out of college and in charge of sending the final paper to the printer (of course we had a team but I pressed that dang button). I give a lot of thanks to C-VILLE for teaching me how to handle expectations and starting

Steve Delgado

THEN President and Group Publisher (2002-2010)

NOW Chief operating officer at Homeboy Industries, a large nonprofit organization in my hometown of Los Angeles.

What you most loved most: It’s always about the people, and C-VILLE has always had the most talented and fun colleagues. That talent manifests in the publication every week.

Your most enduring memory of your time at C-VILLE: Some pretty good Best of C-VILLE parties.

Elizabeth Derby

THEN Editorial Assistant, Arts Section; columnist for The Works (2013-2020) NOW Business coach and consultant

What you loved most: The creative team! You couldn’t ask to work with a more fun, friendly, and dedicated crew. We made a lot of wonderful memories.

Number of miles Bill Chapman and Hawes Spencer traveled every two weeks (to Elkton, Virginia) to deliver the paper and wait while it was printed.

I also loved that I got to discover and explore the weird, wonderful little pockets of artists, writers, and creative projects of Charlottesville and surrounding counties.

Your most enduring memory of your time at C-VILLE: Going full sequins and ’80s fabulous to dance the night away at Best of C-VILLE.

Frank Dubec

THEN Advertising Account Executive, Classified Advertising Manager, Advertising Director, Publisher, Group Publisher & Vice President of Business Development (2001-2013) NOW Renewable energy

What you loved most: C-VILLE was the creative tastemaker in Charlottesville for a long time. It was the beacon for this town, the center of creative thought, it held up a mirror to Charlottesville. It really created conversations and, in some ways, helped Charlottesville see itself more clearly. As a workplace, it was where the youthful, smart, edgy, and the aspiring media folks went to create impactful work.

What you found most challenging: The media landscape changed, became far more fragmented, it became a lot more difficult to maintain readers’ lagging attention spans and the ad revenue needed to continue growing and building fun things. Charlottesville continued to change, too. Locals became less connected; Charlottesville felt different, less of the small town it had been. You don’t hear people say “C’ville” (short for Charlottesville) much anymore.

Your most enduring memory of your time at C-VILLE: That answer could be an entire issue. I owe a lot to some incredible coworkers, employees, and mentors for teaching me things that I use every day. Also, Best of C-VILLE Parties created indelible memories and scars. Has anybody seen a tutu since?

Brielle Entzminger

THEN News Reporter (2019-2023)

NOW Communications strategist for UVA’s Miller Center of Public Affairs

What you loved most: Building relationships with a variety of local residents and serving the community with my reporting. I worked to highlight issues particularly impacting Charlottesville’s marginalized communities and underscore the critical reforms and resources these communities advocate for.

What you found most challenging: Meeting tight deadlines and not exceeding word count (I usually failed at the latter)!

Your most enduring memory of your time at C-VILLE: Reporting on the abhorrent health and sanitary conditions at the AlbemarleCharlottesville Regional Jail.

Jen Fariello

THEN Photography Director (1996-2001)

NOW Fine art and portrait photography

What you loved most: I loved getting the inside scoop on what was happening in the city and the all-access press pass. I could say I was the C-VILLE Weekly photographer and get into just about everything.

What you found most challenging: The time commitment. I worked there at the same time I was building my photography business and The Downtown Artspace.

Number of copies of C-VILLE Review that were printed for circulation in 1989.

Your most enduring memory of your time at C-VILLE: Meeting my husband was certainly a big one; he was the advertising designer at the time we met. My favorite memories are doing cover shoots with Courteney Stuart and helping on a shoot with Playboy for The Girls of the ACC. They had called the office and asked for a location scout and the task was given to me.

Brendan Fitzgerald

THEN Intern, Arts Editor, News Editor (2006-2012)

NOW Writing and editing stories, some of them about Virginia.

What you loved most: I loved creating something big and complex on a weekly basis, hustling alongside colleagues to build something that felt critical but also artful. I loved them, too—the architecture critic who was a homesteader, the news editor turned public policy professor, the reporter who wrote poetry, the art director who came in every Saturday with his dog.

What you found most challenging: Silence from powerful figures and institutions. Moments of violence that sharpened the city’s inequities. Running up against someone’s worst assumptions of your work. The impossibility of countering faith with facts.

Your most enduring memory of your time at C-VILLE: A year into my time at C-VILLE, I decided to apply to journalism schools. I ordered my transcripts, drove to Lynchburg to take the GRE, and finally asked Cathy Harding for a letter of recommendation to Berkeley, which she turned around fast. After I was accepted, I told Cathy that I felt torn between the job I had and this new possibility. “I’d hate for you to go into debt to learn how to do a job you’re doing, then re-apply to get your old job back,” she told me. My time at C-VILLE doesn’t easily organize itself into “Best Of” lists. No memory comes out on top. But I never regretted staying at the paper. Journalism school might have offered me tacit permission to tell stories I hoped would feel, somehow, bigger. Working at C-VILLE taught me the value of granting myself that same permission.

William Goldsmith

THEN Freelancer, staff writer, news editor, interim managing editor (2005-2011)

NOW Teaching public policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

What you loved most: An omnipresent excuse to poke my nose in the affairs of that vibrant town: to spend uncounted hours jawboning with local leaders, to hang out

at the General Assembly, to ride around the old 5th Congressional District with former Congressman Tom Perriello, to stumble around neighborhoods from Fifeville to Greenbrier, to drink beer and watch UVA sports, and somehow to call it all work.

Your most enduring memory of your time at C-VILLE: The tense Monday mornings with my beloved colleagues as we finalized that week’s edition for the printer. But honorable mention to several amazing Best of C-VILLE parties.

THEN News Reporter, Editor in Chief (2020-2022)

NOW Organizer on the Kamala Harris campaign in New Hampshire

What you loved most: I grew up in Charlottesville and I went to UVA, so I thought I knew everything about this town—and then I started working at C-VILLE, and every single day I learned something new about my home.

What you found most challenging: I became the editor of C-VILLE during a turbulent period in the paper’s history. In the summer of 2020, as COVID hammered small businesses around the country, C-VILLE laid off 40 percent of the editorial team … and promoted me, 10,000

Ben Hitchcock

then a 23-year-old with six months of professional journalism experience, to be the editor in chief. In my first few weeks on the job, we had to tackle big stories like the spread of the pandemic and the effects of the historic racial justice protests across the region. I had to learn how to be a newspaper editor on the fly with a staff that was stretched thin.

Erika Howsare

THEN Special Sections Editor (2006-2010)

NOW Freelancing (a little!) for C-VILLE, and I published my first nonfiction book this year—The Age of Deer: Trouble and Kinship with Our Wild Neighbors I’m also teaching and mentoring other writers.

What you found most challenging: When I was on staff I was multitasking to the nth degree. It got zany. In one day I might call a restaurant owner to ask about their new menu before editing a freelancer’s column about the real estate market and then visiting the jail to do some reporting about recidivism and zipping over to Barracks Road to pick up a $300 pair of shoes for a photo shoot. Truthfully, I loved the crazy variety. On a good day I’d also get to walk over to Second Street Gallery to look at some art and write a review.

Your most enduring memory of your time at C-VILLE: One time, about 2008 or so, a community member brought us a really offensive mass-mailing letter he’d received from then-Congressman Virgil Goode, trying to rile up his base with Islamophobic nonsense. The news editor at the time, Will Goldsmith, asked me to write a short piece about this and we decided to publish the letter in its entirety—it really spoke for itself. All I had to do was write a little intro and add a headline, of which I am still proud: “Goode makes complete ass of self.”

Laura Ingles

THEN News Reporter, Living Section Editor (2012-2017)

NOW News and editorial manager at VCU School of Medicine

What you found most challenging: Getting the occasional call from sources who weren’t happy with the way they came across in a story. There’s no tactful way to say, “If you don’t want to look dumb in the paper, don’t say dumb things to a reporter.”

Your most enduring memory of your time at C-VILLE: Oh man, so many. My first big, breaking story was when the president of UVA was ousted during the summer of 2012, and it was all Graelyn and I covered for weeks. On the night of the big Board of Visitors meeting when they voted to reinstate her, we camped out on the floor of the Rotunda with all our counterparts from news outlets around Virginia, and after we all filed our stories, everyone ended up crowded into a couple booths at the Virginian on the Corner. The journalism culture in Charlottesville was so supportive and congenial, and I felt really lucky to be a part of it. I also have fond memories of hunkering down in the newsroom with Graelyn on election night in 2012. We had a pizza, in classic newsroom form (and, inexplicably, takeout from Guadalajara?) and did our best to provide local coverage of a massive national story.

Rachael Kesler

THEN Account Executive (2009-2010), freelance writer

NOW Marketing consultant for RKP

Marketing Communications

What you loved most: We had an awesome team and a great boss (Frank Dubec), so we always had a ton of fun during work hours. That fun usually extended beyond working hours with the crew of folks I worked with then. I’m still friends with many of them.

Lian LaRussa

THEN Graphic Designer (2004-2013)

NOW Living in the Midwest and working remotely as a Senior UX Web Designer for a digital consultancy

What you loved most: I got to meet and work with some really fun and smart people. Free event tickets were always a bonus. All the restaurant news and openings.

Getting to read C-VILLE Weekly before it came out. Learning from a talented art director. Being on the Downtown Mall all day. Meeting local business owners.

What you found most challenging: Getting PDFs from advertisers that didn’t have 4-color black text (IYKYK).

Lisa Provence

THEN Freelance Reporter (1997-2001), News Editor (2014-2019)

NOW Gainfully retired

What you loved most: The ability to write the stories that most interested me. And getting to work with people who care passionately about the news, like Hawes Spencer and Courteney Stuart.

What you found most challenging: The low pay means taking a vow of poverty to work in local news. Your most enduring memory of your time at C-VILLE: Covering the Unite the Right rally in 2017 and subsequently joining a group of about 100 Charlottesvillians on a pilgrimage to the Equal Justice Initiative’s lynching memorial in 2018.

John Ruscher

THEN Online Editor/Music Columnist (2007-2008)

NOW Living in Seattle, Washington, and raising a little girl

What you loved most: Picking up the latest issue for the first time and seeing everyone’s hard work in print.

What you found most challenging: Getting to work on time in the morning after late nights attending multiple concerts.

Your most enduring memory of your time at C-VILLE: Going on the road Almost Famous-style with Sparky’s Flaw (who later changed their name to Parachute) for a cover story.

Courteney Stuart

THEN Deputy Editor (1998-2002), Senior Reporter, Editor in Chief (2013-2015)

NOW Director of reporting for true crime production company Audiochuck

What you loved most: C-VILLE was my first full-time journalism job and it’s where I became certain that I would always be a journalist. I loved learning about every aspect of the city while working alongside colleagues who became some of my very best friends. Working at C-VILLE gave me the opportunity to meet so many people and to engage with the community in a deep and enduring way.

What you found most challenging: As editor, it was hard to not be out in the field reporting, especially in 2014 when Hannah Graham was abducted and murdered and Jesse Matthew was finally apprehended.

Nicole Thisdell

THEN Editorial Assistant, Copy Editor, Receptionist (1995-1999)

NOW I opened a store, JunkHaven, on Afton Mountain in a garage built in the 1930s.

What you loved most: I loved the fast pace, demanding deadlines, and knowing everything that was going on around town.

What you found most challenging: Catching every single phone call and fielding all the feedback.

Your most enduring memory of your time at C-VILLE: I had a chance to interview Rob Sheffield, who worked for Rolling Stone. We met at Miller’s and he asked me for a ride home after. When I turned the ignition on my VW Scirocco, the broken radio always turned on, too, and it blasted Scritti Politti. I was so embarrassed until he said, “Scritti Politti?” And he knew several facts about the band. I think he may have mentioned that conversation in his Rolling Stone review of the 1999 Scritti comeback album.

Travis Wilburn

THEN Head of Business Development (2008-2011)

NOW Tourism and hospitality

What you found most challenging: The community that embraced [the newspaper]. We live in a passionate community with strong opinions which is a strong sign of a healthy community.

Your most enduring memory of your time at C-VILLE: The Best of C-VILLE party 2010, opening the renovated ice park with dancing choreographed circus theme entertainment and seeing 1500 people all in the same room.

Who, what, wear

It may be our 35th, but we’re rocking one of these— from C-VILLE’s new line of merch—in lieu of a birthday suit this year. Use the QR code to get your own, and wear your love for your local paper on your sleeve (or your tote bag, or your coffee mug, or...).

A special thanks to our models, Em Kohl, Jason Elliott, and Shea Tinsley, and to The Wool Factory for the perfect backdrop.

SATURDAY 9/21

SEEING RED

Take your weekend by the horns with the pulse-pounding intensity and excitement of the PBR Challenger Series. This proving ground for individual professional bull riders provides a path to glory where up-andcomers and veterans alike vie for a spot in the Challenger Series Championship. Only a select few top-ranking riders from the Challenger Series earn their spot on the prestigious Unleash The Beast tour. $15–115, 7pm. John Paul Jones Arena, 295 Massie Rd. johnpauljonesarena.com

SATURDAY 9/21

WE LOVE IT

It’s been a decade of artistic immersion and community collaboration at IX Art Park, and you’re invited to celebrate the site’s 10th anniversary at LOVEFEST. As the home of The Looking Glass Immersive Art Museum and host of countless cultural festivals, workshops, farmer’s markets, and so much more, the IX Art Foundation is a true testament to the transformative power of the arts. Help mark a significant milestone in the C’ville art scene and kick off a new era of artistic innovations with food, drink, and performances from local partners. Suggested donation $5–25, 5-10pm. IX Art Park, 522 Second St. SE. ixartpark.org

SATURDAY 9/21

VAMOS DE FIESTA

Celebrate culture and cuisine at the 12th annual Cville Sabroso Latin American Festival. The familyfriendly fiesta offers a day of vibrant Latino spirit, complete with a Parade of Flags. For the littles, there’s a kids’ zone with face-painting and supplies for traditional craft activities. For adults, there’s a beer garden serving ice-cold cervezas. Sample diverse foods, artisan crafts, and interactive cultural activities, accompanied by a nine-hour schedule of live music and dance by groups representing countries all over Latin America, including music from La Maquina de El Salvador. $5–10, children 12 and under are free. 1-10pm. Ting Pavilion, 700 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. sinbarrerascville.org

SAWYER WERNIG

Wednesday

9/18

music

Beleza Duo. Funkalicious samba soul sung in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

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

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

Open Mic Night. Open to all musicians, poets, and everyone in between. Hosted by Nicole Giordano. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St.

The Wavelength. Vintage rock, blues, and original tunes for your mid-week music boost. Free, 6:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskeyjarcville.com

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

classes

Hand-Painted Paper Collages. No experience necessary. Bring a smock and a print of an image you like. Ages 12+. $50, 11am. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappy elephant.com

Scrappy Sewing Circle. Gather with a group of other enthusiastic sewers. Ages 13+. $20, 5:30pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com etc.

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

Trivia Night. Four rounds for teams of up to six players. Winnable prizes for first and second places with a second-to-last-place prize to boot. Free, 6pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com

Trivia with Olivia. Olivia and Maggie bring you all your trivia needs. Come prepared to win with a team or meet folks here. First place winners get a $50 Starr Hill gift card and second place winners get $25. Free, 7pm. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. starrhill.com

Virginia Reelers Open House. An entertaining square dance lesson. No experience or partner needed. Couples and singles welcome. Great exercise and great fun. Free, 7pm. Woodbrook Elementary School, 100 Woodbrook Dr. virginiareelers.com

Thursday 9/19

music

Aaron Evans. Groovin’ at Greencroft is back for another season of live and local music. All ages, open to the public. Free, 5:30pm. The Greencroft Club, 575 Rodes Dr. greencroftclub.com

Angelica X. A night of indie-jazz with an incredible ensemble of young musicians stylistically influenced by Alice Coltrane, Sonic Youth, and everything in between. $10, 7pm. Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com

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

Cake Fight. All your favorite modern pop and classic rock. Free, 6:30pm. Pro Re Nata, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpke., Crozet. prnbrewery.com

Cat-Si. Cat-Si returns SuperFly with friends Vireo, who are coming down from Pittsburgh. Free, 7pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. superflybrewing.com

Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival. The final 2024 Festival concert is a beauty—a feast of three classic works and two new ones, including a piece by Festival pianist Andrew Armstrong. $6–30, 7:30pm. Old Cabell Hall Auditorium. virginia.edu

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

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

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

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

Songwriters’ Open Mic. All levels, styles, and ages welcome. Amps and mics provided. Please limit your performance to one original per musician. Sign-ups begin at 6:30pm. Free, 7pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com

Southern Culture On The Skids. Foot -stomping, butt-shaking rock ‘n’ roll. $20–25, 8pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

Travis Elliott. Originals and covers from a C’ville institution. Free, 10pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapture restaurant.com

etc.

Misery Film screening and discussion. Watch the classic horror film on the big screen and get a sneak peek into how Four County Players will bring the stage adaptation to life. Free, 7pm. Light House Studio: Vinegar Hill Theatre, 220 W. Market St. lighthousestudio.org

Friday 9/20

music

1996. Alternative rock from the 1990s. Free, 7pm. Pro Re Nata Brewpub & Music Hall, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpk., Crozet. prn brewery.com

Cake Fight. Modern pop and classic rock from a group willing to take your requests live on stage. Free, 6pm. Patch Brewing Co, 10721 Gordon Ave., Gordonsville. patchbrewingco.com

Chickenhead Blues Band. Sunset soirée with C’ville’s premier boogie-woogie, upbeat rhythm and blues dance band. With Arepas on Wheels food truck serving up delicious Venezuelan food. Free, 6pm. Chisholm Vineyards at Adventure Farm, 1135 Clan Chisholm Ln., Earlysville. chisholmvineyards.com

Eli Cook Band. Coming from the crossroads of blues, the highways of rock, and the backroads of country with a gritty voice. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St. Haze & Dacey. Acoustic duo playing a variety of folk, alt-country, roots-rock, and country-blues tunes, with a hint of jazz and swing. Free, 5pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com

CULTURE THIS WEEK

Southern Culture on the Skids with The Woggles

Southern Culture on the Skids has been banging around its campy country-surf rockabilly for decades, with trio Mary Huff (bass, vocals), Dave Hartman (drums), and Rick Miller (guitar, vocals) long outlasting the original four-piece that Miller co-founded in the mid-1980s in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Since then, SCOTS has put out no less than a dozen records and a gaggle of EPs, all smeared with a heavy dose of comedic retro-facing American trashiness.

The titles of set staples like “Voodoo Cadillac” and “Too Much Pork for Just One Fork” should let you know what you’re in for. If you dig the earlier discography of The Cramps and The B-52s, feast on “Hee Haw”-era

country, but like both your music and lyrics to walk the line between bad taste and earning an NC-17 rating, this may be your soundtrack for fun.

The Southern Café and Music Hall Thursday 9/19

Equally pervasive mainstays of the retro garage scene, The Woggles should set the party in motion before SCOTS makes it to the stage. Led by well-known DJ persona of SiriusXM’s Little Steven’s Underground Garage, singer Mighty Manfred keeps the ‘60s rock ’n’ roll vibes appropriately stitched together, yet the group’s newest full-length Time Has Come chugs through a thoroughly modern production that feels decidedly more streamlined rock than old-school murk. However those results translate live, an upbeat show is guaranteed. —CM Gorey

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

Jesse Dayton. An unsung hero of modern-day American music. A towering figure in the realm of Outlaw Country. $20–25, 8pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

Jim Richardson. Folk, country, and rock from this C’ville singer-songwriter. Free, 8pm. Ace Biscuit & Barbecue, 600 Concord Ave. Juliet McConkey and James Steinle. Juliet’s Virginia upbringing and James’ native Texan roots come together for an evening of sweet song. $5, 7pm. The Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com

Karaoke. See listing for Wednesday, September 18. Free, 9pm. Fiorano Restaurant and Bar, 5924 Seminole Trail, Ste. 101, Barboursville. fioranomediterranean.com

Tonal Strangers. Fantastic contemporary jazz, pop, and world music. Families, picnics, and well-behaved leashed pups welcome. Free, 6pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glass housewinery.com

dance

Big Bubble Rave. Had to change the name, but the party is still the same. It’s dumb, just come have fun. $17–27, 8pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St. jefferson theater.com

Boot Scoot Square Dance Party. Dust off those boots and join us for an evening of beginner-friendly square dance. All ages welcome. Free, 5:30pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraft cider.com

TACO TIME!

CULTURE THIS WEEK

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 Friday 9/20

words

Author Event: Marianne Chan. Author Marianne Chan will read from her new poetry collection, Leaving Biddle City. A conversation with professor Sylvia Chong will follow. Free, 7pm. New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E. Main St, Downtown Mall. newdominionbookshop.com

CreativeMornings Charlottesville. CreativeMornings is a free, monthly breakfast lecture series for the creative community. Free, 8:30am. Check website for location. ComeToCharlottesvilleVA.com etc.

Friday Night Live Improv. “You say it, and we play it” means performers take your suggestions and turn them into hilarious scenes on the spot. Nothing is scripted, so anything is possible. $5, 6:30pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. livearts.org

Saturday 9/21 music

Berto Sales. Come enjoy the sounds of Brazil, Spain, and Latin America with Berto Sales. His unique fingerpicking style and contagious energy will have you tapping your feet. Free, 11am. Tavern & Grocery, 333 W. Main St. tavernandgrocery.com Honk Honk Clownlesque. A burlesque tribute to clowns, from Ellie Quinn Presents and Immodest Opulence. Ages 18+. $20–25, 9pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

Jon Spear. Award-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist playing a wide range of styles including swing, rockabilly, classic rock, and blues. Free, 2:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com

LockJaw. This four-piece blues-rock band plays ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s classic rock covers, plus a few classic country and R&B songs for variety. Free, 5pm. Knight’s Gambit Vineyard, 2218 Lake Albemarle Rd. knightsgambitvineyard.com

Red Flower Lake. Third Rail welcomes electro-pop duo Red Flower Lake to WTJU. You can also listen on 91.1FM, wtju.net, or FB and YouTube Live video streams. Free, 8pm.

The Stage at WTJU, 2244 Ivy Rd. wtju.net

Rewind. Featuring a collection of classic funk, ’80s rock, and everything in between. Dancing shoes required. Free, 7pm. Pro Re Nata Brewpub & Music Hall, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpk., Crozet. prnbrewery.com

Ron Gentry. Music in the mountains. A variety of great tunes spanning several eras and genres. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducard vineyards.com

The Michael Elswick Gathering. Enjoy great wine and music with friends in the tropics of Free Union. Jazz, blues, ballads, and Latin tunes. Families, picnics, and well-behaved leashed pups welcome. Free, 2pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com

The Pollocks. Batesville’s house band. They not only bring it—they burn it down. Come thirsty and wear your dancing shoes. $15, 7pm. Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com

White Ford Bronco. Five-member ensemble covering alternative, rock, pop, R&B, hip hop, and country classics from the ’90s. $20–25, 9pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com

dance

’80s Dance Party. ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s tunes to get you busy on the dance floor. Free, 9pm. Fiorano Restaurant and Bar, 5924 Seminole Trail, Ste. 101, Barboursville. fioranomediterranean.com West Coast Swing Dancing. International WCS Pro John Lindo teaches three afternoon workshops and a pre-dance lesson. Then strut your stuff with John as the DJ all evening. Free, 1:30pm. Ivy Creek United Methodist Church Social Hall, 674 Woodlands Rd. cvilleswingdance.com words

Author Event: Elizabeth Winkler. Join us for a book talk with Elizabeth Winkler, author of Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies. Free, 4pm. New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. newdominionbookshop.com

classes

Mosaic 201. Challenge your skills and creativity with shaping placement and intentional design while making a personal house number or flat garden ornament for your home. For adults with prior mosaic experience. $68, 1pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com etc.

12th Annual Cville Sabroso Cultural Festival. Music, dancing, multicultural food and drinks, kids’ activities, artisan handicrafts, and more going on under Ting Pavilion’s big tent rain or shine. $5–10, children 12 and under free, 1pm. Ting Pavilion, 700 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. tingpavilion.com

Big Blue Door. Watch the fall debut of Big Blue Door’s two expert improv ensembles. $10, 7pm. Cardinal Point Winery, 9423 Batesville Rd., Afton. cardinalpointwinery.com

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

LOVEFEST. Celebrating the 10-year anniversary of IX Art Park. Applaud a decade of artistic achievements and set the stage for future innovations. Suggested donation $5–25, 3pm. IX Art Park, 522 Second St. SE. ixartpark.com

Professional Bull Riders: Challenger Series. Where fearless riders challenge the very limits of their courage in an electrifying experience that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. $15–115, 7pm. John Paul Jones Arena, 295 Massie Rd. johnpaul jonesarena.com

Sip and Ride. Join us for a unique pairing of equestrian excellence with the elegance of wine tasting and the fun of horse trivia. Riders and non-riders alike welcome. Ages 21+. $30–75, 6pm. Double C Ranch, 2626 Yule Farm. doublecranchllc.com

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

Sunday 9/22 music

David McCormick and Sam Suggs. Violin and vielle player David McCormick will be joined by double bass player Sam Suggs for an eclectic set of medieval dances, 19th-century fiddle tunes, Bach arrangements, and original compositions. $10–25, 7pm. Church of our Saviour, 1165 Rio Rd E. central-virginia-watercolor-guild.org

Gina Sobel. Accomplished on multiple instruments, Gina Sobel is a natural improviser bringing together elements of funk, jazz, and American folk music into a fresh and compelling sound. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducard vineyards.com

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

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

Mirabelle and Matty. Father and daughter duo filling up an afternoon with music. Families, picnics, and well-behaved leashed pups welcome. Free, 2pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glass housewinery.com

Music Open Mic. Musicians of all ages are welcome. Two songs or ten minutes per performer, whichever comes first. Hosted by Theocles. Free, 5:30pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

Queen City Porch Swingers. Staunton Virginia’s favorite trad-jazz band playing your favorites. Enjoy some of the finest New Orleans jazz this side of the Blue Ridge. Free, 1pm. Chisholm Vineyards at Adventure Farm, 1135 Clan Chisholm Ln., Earlysville. chisholmvineyards.com

The Cry Babies. Fill your afternoon with Americana music and sweet harmonies. Free, 2pm. The Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com

UVA Chamber Music Series #1. The UVA Department of Music is proud to present the first concert of the UVA Chamber Music Series 2024-2025 season. $15, 3:30pm. Old Cabell Hall. music.virginia.edu

dance

BRIMS Ceol and Ceili. All dances taught and called by BRIMS dance instructors. All ages welcome, no previous dance experience needed. Suggested donation: $10 for adults, $5 ages 13-18, 12 and under free, 3pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com classes

Bee a Crocheter. Join Emma in this amigurumi class and learn how to crochet a bee. Includes instruction and supplies. Basic crochet experience required. Ages 12+. $40, 1pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com

Beginner Watercolor Workshop. This hands-on workshop is perfect for those new to watercolor or anyone looking to refine their color mixing skills. Ages 15+. $40, 2pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com

Crochet for Beginners. Join Emma as she teaches you the basics of crochet. Leave with a bamboo crochet hook and a small crocheted washcloth. Ages 12+. $25, 11am. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com etc.

C’ville Brewery Puzzle Crawl. See listing for Saturday, September 21. $18, all day. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzled bee.com

Rear Window The story of a recuperating news photographer who believes he has witnessed a murder. $7–9, 2pm and 7pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

Silent Book Club. Sip cider and read in quiet camaraderie. No assigned reading, no obligations. Bring your own book of choice. Free, 12:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarle ciderworks.com

Monday

9/23

music

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

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

dance

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

etc.

Comedy Open Mic. Showcase your talent, try out new material, and take in the best local comedy that C’ville has to offer. Hosted by Chris Alan. Free, 8pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

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

Tuesday 9/24 music

Augustana. Something Beautiful Tour. Dan Layus presents an array of music from his 20-year career in a powerful, intimate solo performance highlighting his latest studio album. $25–30, 8pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesouthern cville.com

Barling and Collins. Legendary C’ville bar band. Free, 7:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskey jarcville.com

Karaoke. Sign up and sing your favorite songs. Hosted by Thunder Music. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St. Vincent Zorn. Vincent Zorn performs solo wild flamenco rumba. Must say “olé!” Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com etc.

Board Game Night. Everyone and anyone is welcome. Come in to play your favorite table top games. Use our board game library and/or bring your own. Free, 5pm. The End Games, 390 Hillsdale Dr. theendgames.co Geeks Who Drink Trivia. Good trivia, good times. Free, 7pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. fireflycville.com

Music Bingo. SuperFly Music Bingo is back and better than ever. Unique playlists and prizes to be won. Free, 7pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. superfly brewing.com

Poker Night. Test your luck and skill at our hold ’em poker night. Free, 7pm. Fiorano Restaurant and Bar, 5924 Seminole Trail, Ste. 101, Barboursville. fioranomediterranean.com Run Club. Charlottesville Run Club meets every Tuesday for a leisurely run before heading back to the taproom to hang out and enjoy beer specials. Free, 6pm. Starr Hill Downtown, Dairy Market.

CULTURE ALL YOU CAN EAT

Tastes like home A Cali-Mex dining

and music venue has found its way to West Main

By BJ Poss

Starch has been a vehicle of dining pleasure since food first bled into art. Shaved bits of mutton with dilly tzatziki arrive in a stone-flamed pita, and baguettes serve as the crusty pusher to noodles up and down the boot. But one savory handheld is left unrivaled: mashed corn flour rolled and pressed to hold dripping bits of asada, crunchy kernels of elote, and a whole lot of hot sauce—the corn tortilla.

Just as the tortilla’s heritage spans recipes from Colombia to Southern California, new restaurant Mejicali on West Main Street features broadly inspired collaborations between restaurateurs Johnny Ornelas and River Hawkins.

Ornelas and Hawkins—known for the Ornelas family’s chain of Guadalajara Mexican restaurants and Hawkins’ involvement as co-owner and mixologist of The Bebedero—riff like lifelong friends behind a paleblue bartop, designed to reflect the California coastline. “We felt there was a hunger to quench here,” says Ornelas, while thumbing a handful of limes in his palm. “This place encompasses our home, our habitat.” After meeting in one of Hawkins’ mezcal classes, the duo agreed to go in on a venture to celebrate the feel and flavor of their childhoods.

Mejicali’s menu is a street flare twist on classic Latin dishes, a culture the partners picked up from growing up around Los Angeles and their culinary travels worldwide. For instance, the Chicha Gimlet is a gin cocktail mixed with a corn chicha morada mixer served in a bag that gives a floral refresh reminiscent of sipping agua frescas along the tepache-splattered streets of Mexico City.

“We want you to use as many senses as you can attach to a cocktail,” says Hawkins, who engineered Mejicali’s drink list to introduce unique concepts to those willing to be courageous. While the specialty drinks feature everything from drops of matcha oil to hints of ceviche juice, the bar offers more than 60 rotating mezcals and tequilas, including a handful that are chilled and on tap.

The food menu beats like the lively pulse of a street food market. Everything is served to be shared and on the move, whether at your table or on your way to the stage. The Esquite Bombs layer a fluffy street-corn center, bringing a coarse earthiness to contrast the bright touch of cilantro in a croquette-esque ball topped with a Takis crunch.

Hawkins was able to use Mejicali’s space as an opportunity to express some of the eclectic styles he’d wanted to share from back home, which he believes could be a fresh

pop in Charlottesville. “You always find a way to incorporate the art,” he describes, standing under one of his hand-painted murals as he looks through a fresh case of mezcals to be tasted in his class that evening.

Like a well-crafted cocktail, Mejicali blends ingredients in the name of art. “I’d make the Mona Lisa out of macaroni,” laughs Hawkins. The walls are dripping with expression—from Hawkins’ hand-painted low rider-inspired murals to the Lucha Libre stained glass leading to the patio.

“We spent our lives trying to fit into something that didn’t exist,” says Ornelas, detailing how Mejicali allows the partners to take the reins creatively and offer patrons a taste of ’90s Cali-Mex al pastor on hand-rolled tortillas or a mezcal cocktail. Mejicali gives Charlottesvillians a space to escape to somewhere else, and for Ornelas and Hawkins, it’s a place to go home to.

“We want you to use as many senses as you can attach to a cocktail.”

The Cane Toad at Mejicali is a viscous, citrus, mezcal infusion eye-dropped with specks of cilantro, basil, and matcha oils and topped with a peanut butter rim.

Mejicali’s Trompo del Pastor features pork falling over tortillas with tomatilla, guacamole, and pickled red onions.

This beautiful city has kept us up and running through advertising support since 1989, but now we also need you, Readers of the Free Word, to help us keep telling local stories. If free, independent news is important to you, please consider a gift of $35 to keep the lights on—in our office, sure, but also the light we will continue to shine into every corner of Charlottesville As a Reader of the Free Word, you'll receive a digital copy of C-VILLE every Tuesday evening (before it hits stands Wednesday, a 20 percent discount on C-VILLE merch, and two invites to the Best of C-VILLE party in August 2025. Support the work of C-VILLE Weekly.

THE WINE DOWN

WHAT’S DELISH AT LOCAL WINERIES?

CHISWELL FARM WINERY

2022 Chambourcin

Black fruits, spice, and black pepper showcase the depth of our Chambourcin’s bouquet. With a lighter body, soft tannins, and balanced acidity, this wine is incredibly easy to drink. We suggest enjoying it with roasted lamb, chicken parmesan, or even a rich chocolate cake!

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 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, 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!

Fridays - Summer Sundown, 6–8 PM

Sundays - Sippin’ Sunday, 2–5 PM

Seasonal hours:

Wednesday 11 AM–6 PM

Thursday 11 AM–6 PM

Friday 11 AM–8 PM

Saturday 11 AM–7 PM

Sunday 11 AM–6 PM

430 Greenwood Rd, Greenwood, VA 22943

434.252.2947 • www.chilesfamilyorchards.com/chiswell

53RD WINERY AND VINEYARD

A note from Winegrower and Owner, Dave Drillock

Harvest has gone well and by the end of next week, we should have all grapes harvested.  That’s early!  While the heat we had in June and July accelerated grape ripening, the bit of rain in August plus some warm days and cool nights created some very good grapes and I suspect it will be a good year for Virginia wines!

Cabernet Franc fans, take note!  We are releasing our 2022 Cabernet Franc on Saturday, September 28th. The wine is characterized by notes of dark cherry with a hint of minerality.  Fruit forward, medium bodied with moderate tannins and medium acidity.  Delicious now, this wine will continue to improve and age for up to 7 years.  For this occasion, we will have live music by Danny Kensy and the Furnace Pizza Food Truck.   Danny Kensy is a nationally touring Country artist and songwriter based in Richmond, VA. His music blends a modern-day edge with classic and traditional Western sounds. Danny has opened for such acts as Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, The Charlie Daniels Band, and many more.

The winery is an easy direct drive from the Charlottesville area. Live music is scheduled for most Saturdays while Sundays are reserved to “Un-Plug”. That’s code for coming out with family and friends and enjoying each other’s company, the views, and of course our wine!

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!  Your business and support are appreciated.

Sept. 21st - Wine Club Appreciation Day 11-5 pm. Not a Wine Club Member- no problem! For $17/person you will enjoy our special wine tasting crafted for wine club members, receive a discount voucher to purchase pizza from Blue Ridge Pizza and listen to live music by the very popular band, Scuffletown.

Sept. 28th - Come join us for the release of our 2022 Cabernet Franc with live music by Danny Kensy Open 7 days a week, 11 am –Sat/Sun. 12-6 pm 13372 Shannon Hill Rd Louisa, VA 23093 (540) 894-5474 • 53rdwinery.com

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.

Fall Seafood Saturday at DuCard with Oysters, More Oysters, and Live Music! (September 28th)

Our fall Seafood Saturday at DuCard Vineyards is back! Nomini Bay Oyster Ranch will be providing the freshest and most delicious oysters from the Northern Neck: raw, steamed, grilled, and grilled with toppings. Non-seafood options will be available, too! Throw in the music of South Canal Street – who will play a mix of your favorites from Motown, the Beatles, and more – to entertain both young and old. Add the beautiful mountain and vineyard views, and you have a day made in heaven! So grab a bottle of wine, some fine oysters, find a seat, and enjoy a great afternoon at DuCard. Admission tickets are$10 in advance and $15 at the gate (food and wine not included; no charge for kids <21). Wine Club members should email Beth with their reservations. Ticket includes logo wine glass to take home – after use!

Fridays- Friday Night Out! Every Friday night through the summer we feature half price wine flights, live music, food for sale, and grills available for use until 8:00pm.

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

Sept. 28th- Fall Seafood Saturday at DuCard with oysters and live music (see above for details)

Sept. 30th- Sipping for Saplings! From Sept. 30th through October, you’ll receive a tree to plant when you purchase any bottle of wine. It’s just our way of giving back to the environment.

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

Oktoberfest (September 6October 27)

Introducing our new oktoberfest beer and offering food specials including bratwurst, flammkuchen, loaded fries, and more beginning on Friday, September 6. Join us every weekend for live music, great wine, beer, cider, and delicious food.

This Month at the Winery: Enjoy the views from the Tent and Terraces:

In addition to our main tasting room being open seven days a week, the Tent and Terraces (along with our food truck) will be open Fridays and Sundays in September and October (and some Saturdays).  Drive up for ample parking at the Tent. See the Winery Calendar on our website for details.

Tasting Bar Takeover with Dogwood & Thistle 9.20

Join us on Friday, September 20th for a special pop up with Erin & Sandy Robertson from Dogwood & Thistle. They’ll be pouring complimentary tastings of a selection of their wines.

Oktoberfest Market 9.29

Join us for an Oktoberfest celebration on Sunday, September 29! Enjoy our

Oktoberfest menu, new Oktoberfest beer,  live music, wines, ciders, and browse through a variety of artisan vendors.

Wine Wednesdays 10% off all bottle purchases on Wednesdays.

MUSIC AT EASTWOOD!

Join us for the popular Eastwood After Dark featuring upbeat, danceable music on Saturday nights from 5-8pm (in addition to our more mellow Saturday afternoon music program). Eastwood also hosts a range of live performances by talented local and regional musicians every Thursday and Friday night. See the Winery Calendar on our website for details.

Every Thursday: Live Music 5-8 PM. Thursday “Thank You” Community Day at Eastwood—Select $5

Glasses of Wine, Beer, Cider and Wine Slushies All Day

Every Friday: Live Music 5-8 PM Virginia Oyster & Wine Celebration 5-8PM

Every Saturday: Live Music 1-4 PM + Eastwood After Dark with Live Music 5-8 PM

Every Sunday: Music Bingo or Paint & Sip or Maker’s Market or Live Music (See the Winery Calendar on our website for details.)

What about the kids?

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

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

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

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.

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 Cabernet Franc Block 7 100% Estate grown Cabernet Franc. Dazzling nose of dried fruit, graphite, cedar and oak spice. Full fruit initially leading into well layered tannin and continued throughout, finishing with more fruit, oak and pepper spice. In Stock $47.95 a bottle available in the tasting room and on our website Keswick Vineyards is excited to announce the grand opening of its new tasting room, designed to elevate your wine-tasting experience to new heights. This state-of-the-art space features a retractable roof and glass walls that can be fully retracted, seamlessly blending the indoor and outdoor environments. Imagine sipping your favorite vintage surrounded by panoramic views of the vineyard and rolling countryside, all while enjoying the perfect balance of fresh air and comfort. Whether you’re a connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, Keswick Vineyards offers a range of tasting options to suit your preferences. You can enjoy wine by the glass, bottle, or explore a curated flight of their finest selections. The traditional tastings are available Monday through Friday, allowing you to experience their diverse portfolio of wines in a relaxed setting.

For those looking to unwind midweek, don’t miss “Wine Down Wednesday,” running from April to October. From 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, this event offers a chance to enjoy great wine and good company in a lively atmosphere. Additionally, every Wednesday from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, you can take

advantage of the $5 glass happy hour, perfect for a post-work escape or a predinner treat.

As the seasons change, Keswick Vineyards continues to cater to your wine cravings with an extended Friday happy hour. From now until the end of fall, enjoy $5 glasses of wine from 5:00 PM until closing at 7:00pm, giving you extra time to savor their offerings and make the most of the crisp autumn evenings.

Come experience the innovation and charm of Keswick Vineyards’ new tasting room—a place where tradition meets modern luxury, and every visit feels like a special occasion.

Daily- Mini golf open and available!

Wednesdays - Wine Down Wednesdays start May 8th every Wednesday through October 5:308:30pm

Weekends - Live Music from 12-4 pm (check out our website for the schedule!)

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

A Symphony in a Glass: The Art of Blending Chardonnay and Viognier In the world of winemaking, blending is both a science and an art, a delicate balance of flavors that can elevate a wine to new heights. Our winemaker Justin Falco’s 2023 L’Espoir, 70% Chardonnay and 30% Viognier blend is a testament to this craft, offering a unique fusion of two beloved white varietals.Characteristics and Flavor Profile

The Vision Behind t he Blend

Justin’s inspiration for this blend came from a desire to create a wine that embodies the elegance of Chardonnay while incorporating the aromatic richness of Viognier. Chardonnay, with its versatile character, brings structure, body, and a nuanced complexity, while Viognier adds a vibrant layer of floral and stone fruit notes. The result is a wine that is both refreshing and luxurious, perfect for those who appreciate the subtleties of a wellcrafted blend.

Tasting Notes: A Dance of Flavors

On the nose, this blend presents an inviting bouquet of ripe pear, white peach, and delicate honeysuckle, courtesy of the Viognier. The Chardonnay lends its signature aromas of green apple, citrus, and just a hint of vanilla, creating a harmonious interplay of scents.

Upon tasting, the wine reveals a beautifully balanced palate. The Chardonnay provides a crispness and a backbone of acidity, which is perfectly complemented by the lush, silky mouthfeel imparted by the Viognier.

Flavors of lemon zest, apricot, and a touch of tropical fruit dance on the tongue, leading to a long, satisfying finish with a hint of minerality.

Food Pairing: Elevating the Dining Experience

This blend is a versatile companion to a wide range of dishes. Its bright acidity and rich texture make it an excellent match for seafood, particularly grilled shrimp, scallops, or a buttery lobster tail. It also pairs wonderfully with creamy pasta dishes, roasted chicken, and soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert.

For those seeking a more adventurous pairing, try it with a spicy Thai curry or a tangy citrus salad; the wine’s balance of freshness and richness will beautifully complement the bold flavors.

The Winemaking Process: Crafting Perfection

The journey to creating this blend begins in the vineyard, where the grapes are carefully selected at the peak of ripeness. The Chardonnay grapes are chosen for their balance of acidity and flavor, while the Viognier grapes are picked for their aromatic intensity.

In the winery, each varietal is fermented separately to preserve its unique characteristics. The Chardonnay is fermented in a combination of stainless steel and neutral oak barrels, enhancing its complexity and texture. The Viognier, on the other hand, is fermented in only stainless steel to retain its vibrant aromatics.

Once fermentation is complete, he carefully blends the two varietals, tasting and adjusting until the perfect balance is achieved. The wine is then aged for several months to allow the flavors to meld and mature, resulting in a blend that is greater than the sum of its parts.

A Wine for All Occasions

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a quiet evening at home, this Chardonnay and Viognier blend L’Espoir is a wine that will elevate any moment. Its elegance, complexity, and approachable style make it a perfect choice for both seasoned wine lovers and those new to the world of wine.

In every sip, you’ll find the dedication, creativity, and passion that went into crafting this unique blend. It’s more than just a wine—it’s a celebration of the art of winemaking and the beauty of blending two distinct varieties into one harmonious experience.

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

THE NORTON WINE

TOUR 2024

with the Norton Network

Explore great wines made from Virginia’s native gem!

We, the Norton Network—a collective of Virginia Norton growers, wine producers, and advocates—are excited to announce the first-ever Virginia Norton Wine Tour taking place this October - November. This collaborative effort aims to highlight the exceptional qualities of this historically significant native grape across 22 Virginia wineries and vineyards that either grow Norton or feature it prominently in their wines. The tour will span a month, starting the weekend of October 18th and continuing through November 10th.

For the second weekend of the tour (October 25th - 27th), we shine a spotlight on the Central Virginia cluster: Chateau MerrillAnne, DuCard Vineyards, Fifty-Third Winery & Vineyard, and Horton Vineyards.

During this leg of the wine tour, these wineries and vineyards will host special events, vertical tastings, or promotions, each offering a unique take on this versatile grape. From robust reds to elegant dessert wines, the Central cluster promises a diverse and exciting experience that showcases the full spectrum of Norton’s potential. Join us and discover the richness of Virginia’s native gem as you explore the Central Virginia cluster on this unforgettable weekend!

To learn more about the events, ticketed activities, and promotions happening during the Central Virginia Cluster’s weekend, scan the QR code below!

PRINCE MICHEL VINEYARDS

Chardonnay

During the month of August celebrate with Prince Michel’s Chardonnay! A refreshingly light-to-medium bodied expression of this classic varietal, highlighting natural fruit flavors and crisp acidity. With a translucent, golden straw color, this wine presents a fresh and inviting bouquet. Aromas of golden apple, citrus and pear mingle with delicate floral notes and a hint of minerality. Pair this elegant wine with Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken, Sushi or a Ceviche.

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 Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Manseng, to distinctive options like our Sweet White Reserve 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!

Live Music every Friday – Sunday! (Music lineup on our website)

Friday 5-8 p.m.

Saturday 1-4 & 5-8

Sunday 1-5 p.m.

Open 7 days a Week at 11 a.m.

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

A Woman-Owned Business

REVALATION VINEYARDS

2023 Mélange de Blancs

This blend of Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Albariño, Viognier and Vidal Blanc has a beautiful floral bouquet leading to a juicy citrus salad on the palate. The nose is a potpourri of white flowers with freshly picked peaches and lemons. Its refreshing acidity is coupled with a medium body, a juicy attack on the palate wrapped around an abundance of citrus and orchard fruits, and a lingering finish.

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

Until October 31 - Exhibition of artwork by Richard Young.

Sept. 19th  - Sip & Learn at 6pm: Medicinal Plants of the Blue Ridge: The Wild Wisdom that Surrounds Us by Samantha Guerry. Come and mingle at 5:30.

Sept. 20th - Sip into the Sunset @the Cabin from 12:00pm until sunset.

Sept. 27th - Book Club @ The Vineyard starting at 6:00pm: Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice by David S. Tatel. Judge Tatel will be present at Book Club. Listen to his NPR interviews on Fresh Air and Diane Rehm. Also-  Sip into the Sunset @the Cabin from 12:00pm until sunset.

Sept. 29th - No Book Left Behind! Our Celebration of the Freedom to Read 12pm to 5pm. Booksellers, Speakers and More at this family-friendly festival.

Oct. 4th - Book World Meets Wine World at 5:30pm: Featuring two authors Sara Read (Principles of (E)Motion) and Katharine Schellman (The last Call at the Nightingale Café). Also- Sip into the Sunset @the Cabin from 12:00pm until sunset.

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

VERITAS

2023 Merlot

Deep ruby red in color, our 2023 Merlot signals that you are in for a full-bodied, mouth-filling treat. Aromas of black cherry and dark plum intermingle with blueberry and red currant with a hint of vanilla and oak. The wine is bright with fresh red and dark fruit flavors of cherry and plum that are concentrated around a core of soft mature tannins that fill the mid-palate, allowing more complex notes of forest floor and spice, culminating in a forever complex finish. The wine cries out for red meat, chicken, pasta, and even some fresh wild-caught Atlantic salmon.

Friday, Sept. 13: Supper Series with Chef Michael Hunter.

We are thrilled to welcome Michael Hunter to the second annual Veritas Supper Series! Using his experience in the outdoors to explore his culinary creativity, Michael became chef and co-owner of Antler Kitchen and Bar in Toronto, Canada in 2015. Strongly rooted in regional food culture, Antler has received countless accolades including the international acclaimed MICHELIN Guide.

Join us on September 13 as Michael brings his love for outdoor adventure to the Veritas kitchen! Serving dishes like wild mushroom and caramelized onion tarte tatin, ash-spiced venison rack chop, and more, he’s bringing his exceptional talent and passion for cooking to create an unforgettable dining experience.

Friday, October 18: Supper Series and Harvest Celebration with Andy Shipman

Celebrate the harvest at Veritas! Native to Virginia and raised in the Shenandoah Valley, Chef Shipman has studied under the likes of Joy Crump, “Top Chef” Contestant, and enjoys bringing New American dishes with a heavy nouvelle influence to the table. As Veritas Executive Chef, he’s closing out the season with all that you love about Veritas food and wine as we celebrate the 2024 harvest and the future vintages to come from it.

We want to thank everyone who attended our all-day Starry Nights musical festival this year! We enjoyed celebrating 25 years of Veritas with you, and look forward to 25 more years of serving you excellent wines. We’d also like to thank all of the bands and vendors who made this day possible: AbbeyRoad, Marie and Koda from Chamomile and Whiskey, The Legwarmers, Airloom Drone Shows, Cousins Maine Lobster, Otto’s Turkish Street Food, Gravatt Productions, DJ Ghozt, Nelson County Sheriff’s Department, and Rockfish Valley Volunteer Fire Department. Finally, our sincerest gratitude to all of our hardworking staff for making this day one we will never forget! We couldn’t have done it without you.

Our Tasting Room is open daily from 11 am to 5 pm!

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

But why though

BY MATT JONES

ACROSS

1. Morse code symbol

5. Suffix meaning “lover”

10. 1950s poem with the phrase “pingpong of the abyss”

14. Penne ___ vodka

15. ___-Leste (U.N. member since 2002)

16. Like some arguments

17. French businessman with a politically controversial namesake cosmetics company

19. Sextet halved

20. ___ Hawkins Dance

21. Historic Tampa neighborhood known for its cigar factories

23. Little nitwit

26. Came down

27. “Apres ___, le deluge ...”

30. Succulent plant

31. “Danny and the Dinosaur” author ___ Hoff

32. Bronx-born member of Congress, familiarly

33. Pork ___ (convenience store snacks)

35. Therefore

39. NHL Hall of Famer Steve who led the Detroit Red Wings to three Stanley Cups and is now their general manager

41. Element #39 (one of four named after the same Swedish village)

44. Flying start?

45. Mario character hatched from an egg

47. Dr. behind Beats headphones

48. Consumed

51. Dramatist Coward

52. Japanese flag symbol

53. Sword-and-___ (period film genre)

56. Fencing swords

58. Peruvian-born 1950s singer with a Guinnesscertified five-octave range

60. Car wash step

64. Decisive defeat

65. Tropical plant with oils used in perfume

68. Land area

69. Tougher to come by

70. Sacha Baron Cohen persona

71. 1/168th of a week

72. “___ it goes”

73. Drains energy

DOWN

1. Makeup of a week

2. Edison’s middle name

3. Winter transport

4. “Rumour ___” (hit song by Adele)

5. Hrs. accrued for vacation, in many workplaces

6. “Drank water too fast” sound

7. “Really looking forward to it!”

8. “Stay” singer Lisa

9. Baseball misplays

10. Drink popular with fall leaf-watchers

11. Former senator Hatch

12. Rider-___ (popular tarot deck)

13. Christopher who played Doc Brown

18. Prepare, as leftovers

22. Light beam

24. Film director Kazan

25. “The Daily Show” correspondent Chieng

27. Past and future portrayer of Kamala on “SNL”

28. Move like molasses

29. Cake decorator

34. Computer admin

36. Clears

37. Expert

38. Albatross, in some literary works

40. Open-top car

42. “From hell’s heart I stab at ___” (“MobyDick” quote)

43. Factory that makes mosaic pieces

46. Minimal poker draw

49. Letter after sigma

50. Pet-loving “Tiny Toon Adventures” character

53. Dark-skinned wine grape

54. Old Exxon competitor with a torch logo

55. Pacific island nation that had one sprinter in the 2024 Olympics

57. George Eliot’s “___ Marner”

59. Actor Alda

61. Disney feline

62. Tiny cut

63. Carton purchase

66. “Metroid” console

67. Miracle-___ (garden product)

By Rob Brezsny

Libra

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): On the morning of January 27, 1970, Libran songwriter John Lennon woke up with an idea for a new song. He spent an hour perfecting the lyrics and composing the music on a piano. Then he phoned his producer and several musicians, including George Harrison, and arranged for them to meet him at a recording studio later that day. By February 6, the song “Instant Karma” was playing on the radio. It soon sold over a million copies. Was it the fastest time ever for a song to go from a seed idea to a successful release? Probably. I envision a similar process in your life, Libra. You are in a prime position to manifest your good ideas quickly, efficiently, and effectively.

Scorpio

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You have passed the test of the First Threshold. Congratulations, Scorpio! Give yourself a kiss. Fling yourself a compliment. Then begin your preparations for the riddles you will encounter at the Second Threshold. To succeed, you must be extra tender and ingenious. You can do it! There will be one more challenge, as well: the Third Threshold. I’m confident you will glide through that trial not just unscathed but also healed. Here’s a tip from the Greek philosopher Heraclitus: “Those who do not expect the unexpected will not find it.”

Sagittarius

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): What development are you so ready for that you’re almost too ready? What transformation have you been preparing for so earnestly that you’re on the verge of being overprepared? What lesson are you so ripe and eager to learn that you may be anxiously interfering with its full arrival? If any of the situations I just described are applicable to you, Sagittarius, I have good news. There will be no further postponements. The time has finally arrived to embrace what you have been anticipating.

Capricorn

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Capricorn screenwriter and TV producer Shonda Rhimes has had a spectacular career. Her company Shondaland has produced 11 prime-time TV shows, including Grey’s Anatomy and Bridgerton. She’s in the Television Hall of

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

Virgo

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Is there a greater waste of land than golf courses? They are typically more than 150 acres in size and require huge amounts of water to maintain. Their construction may destroy precious wetlands, and their vast tracts of grass are doused with chemical pesticides. Yet there are only 67 million golfers in the world. Less than one percent of the population plays the sport. Let’s use the metaphor of the golf course as we analyze your life. Are there equivalents of this questionable use of resources and space? Now is a favorable time to downsize irrelevant, misused, and unproductive elements. Re-evaluate how you use your space and resources.

Fame, is one of the wealthiest women in America, and has won a Golden Globe award. As you enter into a phase when your ambitions are likely to shine extra brightly, I offer you two of her quotes. 1.

“I realized a simple truth: that success, fame, and having all my dreams come true would not fix or improve me. It wasn’t an instant potion for personal growth.” 2.

“Happiness comes from living as your inner voice tells you to. Happiness comes from being who you actually are instead of who you think you are supposed to be.”

Aquarius

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I have performed in many poetry readings. Some have been in libraries, auditoriums, cafes, and bookstores, but others have been in unexpected places: a laundromat, a bus station, a Walmart, a grocery store, and an alley behind a thrift store. Both types of locations have been enjoyable. But the latter kind often brings the most raucous and engaging audiences, which I love. According to my analysis, you might generate luck and fun for yourself in the coming weeks by experimenting with non-typical scenarios—akin to me declaiming an epic poem on a street corner or parking lot. Brainstorm about doing what you do best in novel situations.

Pisces

(Feb. 19-March 20): I have two related oracles for you. 1. During the unfoldment of your mysterious destiny, you have had several homecomings that have moved you and galvanized you beyond what you imagined possible. Are you ready for another homecoming that’s as moving and galvanizing as those that have come before? 2. During your long life, you have gathered amazing wisdom by dealing with your pain. Are you now prepared to gather a fresh batch of wisdom by dealing with pleasure and joy?

Aries

(March 21-April 19): Here comes the Hating and Mating Season. I want to help you minimize the “hating” part and maximize the “mating” part, so I will offer useful suggestions. 1. To the degree that you can, dissolve grudges and declare amnesty for intimate allies who have bugged you. 2. Ask your partners to help you manage your fears; do the same for them. 3. Propose to your collaborators that you come up with partial solutions to complicated dilemmas. 4. Do a ritual in which you and a beloved cohort praise each other for five minutes. 5. Let go of wishes that your companions would be more like how you want them to be.

Taurus

(April 20-May 20): Many fairy tales tell of protagonists who are assigned seemingly impossible missions. Perhaps they must carry water in a sieve or find “fire wrapped in paper” or sort a heap of wheat, barley, poppyseed, chickpeas, and lentils into five separate piles. Invariably, the star of the story succeeds, usually because they exploit some loophole, get unexpected help, or find a solution simply because they didn’t realize the task was supposedly impossible. I bring this up, Taurus, because I suspect you will soon be like one of those fairy-tale champions. Here’s a tip: They often get unexpected help because they have previously displayed kindness toward strangers or low-status characters. Their unselfishness attracts acts of grace into their lives.

Gemini

(May 21-June 20): You are in a phase with great potential for complex, unforeseen fun. To celebrate, I’m offering descriptions of your possible superpowers. 1. The best haggler ever. 2. Smoother of wrinkles and closer of gaps. 3. Laugher in overly solemn

moments. 4. Unpredictability expert. 5. Resourceful summoner of allies. 6. Crafty truth-teller who sometimes bends the truth to enrich sterile facts. 7. Riddle wrestler and conundrum connoisseur. 8. Lubricant for those who are stuck. 9. Creative destroyer of useless nonsense. 10. Master of good trickery. 11. Healer of unrecognized and unacknowledged illnesses.

Cancer

(June 21-July 22): Tanzanite is a rare blue and violet gemstone that is available in just one place on earth: a five-square-mile region of Tanzania. It was discovered in 1967 and mined intensively for a few years. Geologists believed it was all tapped out. But in 2020, a self-employed digger named Saniniu Lazier located two huge new pieces of tanzanite worth $3.4 million. Later, he uncovered another chunk valued at $2 million. I see you as having resemblances to Saniniu Lazier in the coming weeks. In my visions of your destiny, you will tap into resources that others have not been able to unearth. Or you will find treasure that has been invisible to everyone else.

Leo

(July 23-Aug. 22): Marathon foot races are regularly held worldwide. Their official length is 26.2 miles. Even fast runners with great stamina can’t finish in less than two hours. There’s a downside to engaging in this herculean effort: Runners lose up to six percent of their brain volume during a race, and their valuable gray matter isn’t fully reconstituted for eight months. Now here’s my radical prophecy for you, Leo. Unless you run in a marathon sometime soon, your brain may *gain* in volume during the coming weeks. At the very least, your intelligence will be operating at peak levels. It will be a good time to make key decisions.

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

CLASSIFIEDS

DEADLINE

Friday at 5 PM for inclusion in the next Wednesday’s paper.

SIZES AVAILABLE

PRICING

Rates

LEGALS

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR ALBEMARLE COUNTY

STEVEN L. FIELDS, Plaintiffs v. LESLIE FIELDS, et al.

Defendants

Case No.: CL24-1256-00

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of the above-styled suit involves the heirs of Ollie Brown Kearney and Henry M. Fields and their interest in a parcel of property known as Tax Map/Parcel 0620000-00-083A0 in Albemarle County, Virginia. The legal description of this property is ALL THAT certain tract or parcel of land situated in Albemarle County, Virginia, on State Secondary Route 769, containing 3.3 acres, more or less, designated as Lot No. 2 on plat made by Paul M. Saunders, dated January, 1965, and filed in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of the County of Albemarle, Virginia on July 9, 1968 in Deed Book 445, page 417.

An affidavit having been filed that due diligence has been used by the Plaintiff to ascertain the identity and address of 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); 8.0l-316(A)(2); and 8.01-3 16(A)(3), it is hereby ORDERED that all interested parties appear by October 9, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. to do what is necessary to protect his interest.

ENTER: Cheryl V. Higgins DATE: 8.23.24

I ASK FOR THIS:

Lisa S. Brook, Virgina Bar No. #35661

Tucker Griffin Barnes 307 West Rio Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901 (434) 284-5037

lbrook@tgblaw.com

Counsel for Plaintiff

ESTATE OF DANIEL WARREN McKEAN

NOTICE OF TAKING OF DEBTS AND DEMANDS

At the request of the Administrators, I appoint Monday, September 30, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., as the time and my office at 420 Park Street, Charlottesville, Virginia, as the place for receiving proof of debts and demands against the decedent or his estate.

Edward H Bain, Jr. Commissioner of Accounts Circuit Court for the City of Charlottesville, Virginia

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

Commonwealth of Virginia VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Charlottesville Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

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

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

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

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

8/6/2024

Areshini Pather

DATE JUDGE

§ 8.01-316

Charlottesville Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

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

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

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

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

8/6/2024

Areshini Pather

DATE JUDGE

EMPLOYMENT

THE HOTSEAT

Roots and wings

A multi-talented performer on musical stages and screens both big and small, Charlottesville’s Schuyler Fisk stars as Amanda Moore-Hillier in the Hallmark+ original series “The Chicken Sisters,” based off The New York Times bestselling novel of the same name by KJ Dell’Antonia. The eight-episode family drama centers around four women at the heart of a heated restaurant rivalry. The first two episodes are now available on the recently launched Hallmark+ streaming service, with new episodes premiering every Thursday through October 24. As the story of feuding fried chicken purveyors unfolds on screen, we put the seasoned singer-songwriter and actress in the HotSeat.

Name: Schuyler Fisk

Age: How dare you.

Hometown: Here.

Pronouns: she/her

Job(s): Actress, musician.

What’s something about your job that people would be surprised to learn? We have spit buckets for scenes when we’re supposed to be eating food. We usually never actually swallow it.

What is acting/performing to you? My dream job.

Why is supporting performing arts education important?

Creative minds, artists, and performers make our lives and communities better, more interesting, and more joy-filled.

Favorite city to perform/ work in: I really enjoyed filming “The Chicken Sisters” in beautiful Vancouver, BC, during the summer. My favorite place I’ve ever toured playing music is most definitely Tokyo, Japan.

Favorite movie and/or show: Father of the Bride (with Steve Martin) / “Homeland” (on Showtime)

Favorite musician/musical group: Colin Killalea / Klauss

Favorite book: Many Lives, Many Masters and all of Dr. Brian Weiss’ other books, too.

What are you currently watching? “The Chicken Sisters” on Hallmark+ (and you should be too!) and also “The Perfect Couple” on Netflix— really sticks with you!

What are you currently listening to? Vampire Weekend’s latest release, Only God Was Above Us.

Go-to karaoke song: “Any Man of Mine” by Shania Twain

Best advice you ever got: “You meet the same people on the way up that you meet on the way down.” —My Mom

Proudest accomplishment: My children.

Celebrity crush: Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones movies.

Who’d play you in a movie? Genevieve Angelson

Who is your hero? Teachers

Best part of living here: My friends and community.

Worst part of living here: No direct flights to L.A. or Austin.

Favorite Charlottesville restaurant: Birdhouse

Favorite Charlottesville venue: Jazz at Miller’s on a Thursday night if I can stay up late enough.

Favorite Charlottesville landmark/attraction: The Sugar Hollow trail to Blue Hole.

Bodo’s order: A Cleo Salad with a scoop of egg salad on top.

Describe a perfect day:

A morning snuggle with my kids.

A latte and gluten free muffin at Cou Cou Rachou.

An acupuncture session with the most beautiful healer, Kyung Lee.

Vintage shopping at Low.

A taco from Barbie’s Burrito Barn.

Some recording with my guy, Colin Killalea, at White Star Sound studio.

A visit to our friend, Bill Curtis, and a glass of wine at his amazing bottle shop, Tastings of Charlottesville.

Dinner at Birdhouse.

If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be? I just hope I’m reunited with people I love in this life.

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for?

Not DT.

Are there any superstitions you abide by? If I’m traveling, I always hold hands with my traveling companion for take-off and landing. If I’m flying alone, I hold my own hand.

Most embarrassing moment: Shooting at the wrong basket in a middleschool basketball game.

Best Halloween costume you’ve worn: I love making my own Halloween costumes and I’m proud of so many of them. The one that’s coming to mind right now is a fantastic chicken costume I made.

Do you have any pets? Yes! Mills, our perfect dog.

Subject that causes you to rant: Ha ha. Those little vessels that people put around their house for decoration but serve no purpose. That and bad customer service.

Best journey you ever went on: Motherhood

Next journey: I’m looking forward to the journey of ALL of us to the voting booths coming up in November. REGISTER TO VOTE PLEASE.

Most used app on your phone: The Notes app.

Favorite curse word: Biscuits! (Learned that one from my 4-year-old.)

Favorite word: Manifest

Hottest take/most unpopular opinion: Not a fan of orange wine.

What have you forgotten today? I forget to take my vitamins every day.

THE DEVIL’S IN THE DETAILS...

Send us the spookiest, scariest, nightmare-inducingest two sentences (no more, no less!) you can conjure up. Details and entry form at the QR code below.

The winner will receive: a pair of tickets to an upcoming Live Arts show, a pair of guest passes to Common House, a date-night package from Alamo Drafthouse (two movie tickets, a bottomless popcorn, and a $10 food and beverage voucher), and a $25 gift card to a local restaurant.

PLUS The top 10 stories will be printed in the October 30 issue of C-VILLE Weekly and performed by Live Arts actors on social media. Enter if you dare!