December 20: In a nutshell

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August 12 fallout continues

DECEMBER 20 – 26, 2017 CHARLOTTESVILLE’S NEWS AND ARTS WEEKLY C-VILLE.COM FREE

Police Chief Al Thomas abruptly retires James Fields charged with firstdegree murder Three others face felony charges

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THIS WEEK The holidays conjure warm feelings: family gatherings, friends’ parties, NEWS 11 12 Embattled Charlottesville food options galore. My grandmother would spend weeks preparing dishes police chief abruptly retires. for the onslaught of out-of-town guests, including layered coconut cake, 13 Will Ronna Gary finally get her day in court? homemade Chex Mix and her famed peanut butter balls. As many people 15 Heather Heyer’s alleged know, peanut butter balls go by another regional name—buckeyes—for killer charged with first degree murder. their resemblance to the nut of the Ohio buckeye tree. And this week’s feature 15 Three other August 12 (p. 21) is all about another seasonal nut—the chestnut. out-of-towners face felony The American chestnut is one of the most revered tree species on charges. the East Coast—at one time it made up 30 percent of the forest and was FEATURE 21 coveted by furniture makers for its decay-resistant wood. And its edible nuts served as a major food source for wildlife (not to mention for people who wanted to roast them over an open fire). But about 70 years ago, a chestnut blight almost wiped out the species, and foundations and conservation groups formed to hopefully one day return the American Nelson County farmers are chestnut to its full glory. among those who’ve brought Today, several area farms, including Virginia Chestnuts, are focused back the American chestnut. on cultivating healthy, blight-resistant trees to provide area purveyors ARTS 29 with local chestnuts once again. And you can find the sweet, earthy nuts 31 Calendar Listings on several local restaurants’ menus this season.—Jessica Luck

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December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

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Calling all fans of ringing in the new year right! Get your tickets today for C-VILLE’s Big Night, which takes place from 8pm to midnight December 31. Your ticket includes drinks, food and entertainment. Reserve your spot at c-villetickets.com.

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33 The Works: Photographer helps city heal with everyday images.

5

35 Feedback: Sons of Bill returns to the Jeff for annual holiday show.

37 Screens: The Force is strong in The Last Jedi.

THE BIG PICTURE

LIVING 45 45 At the Table: Digging in to Commonwealth’s Virginia cuisine.

45 To Do: Events 47 Small Bites: Cherry Avenue Diner serves up comfort food.

49 Free Will Astrology 50 Sudoku 53 Crossword Puzzle

CLASSIFIEDS 59 Q&A TRISTAN WILLIAMS

62 What are some of your family’s holiday traditions?

COMIC 31 Jen Sorensen CORRECTION Last week’s paper incorrectly identified out-the-door Daily Progress editor Wes Hester in the Briefs column.

Volume 29, Number 51

To a tree If you don’t already have your Christmas tree, you better get a move on, says Chris Currier of Little River Farm, which has set up shop in the parking lot of the Fashion Square Mall. Thanks to a national shortage, Currier says trees are scarcer in our area this year, and prices have jumped about 20 percent. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, tree farmers limited their planting during the Great Recession to save money because there was less demand, and since it takes about 10 years for Christmas trees to reach their full height of seven to eight feet, the effects are now being felt.

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December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

We do it all.

6

There’s no place like

home.

Second home This old house

From Farmington to Esmont, a kitchen gets another chance

For a residential recycle, try these local resources

Bare bones

How to set your garden up for success during winter’s chill

Inside.

Outside.

Home.

DECEMBER 2017

A gift guide to stylish basics

A downtown office building gets back to its residential roots

Happy returns

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YOU HAD YOUR SAY ON C-VILLE. COM ‘Kim Dylla makes killer clothes for everyone from metalheads to wrestlers’ Great write up!!! Covered all the bases about a very talented, smart, TRUE metal warrioress.

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‘John Waters showcases the odd humor in Christmas’ Stellar.

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Shenandoah Joe’s new flavor

December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

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‘In brief: Man with a Christmas plan’ Thanks for spreading Christmas cheer Will!

Aven Hormel Kinley “Will Richey, owner of Revolutionary Soup, The Whiskey Jar and other downtown eateries, is really into the holiday spirit. And he’d like the Downtown Mall to look a bit more festive.”

Year after year, the DTM is the LEAST festive shopping destination I know. Downtown Staunton or even downtown Culpeper is very festive and bright with beautifully decorated streets and storefronts. It put Charlottesville to shame. And why not?

Uber-progressive C’ville goes out of its way to suppress rather than celebrate Christmas every where you go.

The Grand Illumination of the unmentionable green item of nature (you know...a CHRISTMAS TREE) is not called such out of PC fear to offend or exclude anyone.

White lights and few, if any, decorations = ZZZZZ. I laugh each year at the irony of hanging giant lighted SNOWFLAKES off of street lights (now THAT is appropriate!).

Just liike the few lighted wire snowmen that dot the DTM, snow-themed decorations say “winter” more than “Christmas” (which is exactly why they were chosen). The everdark area on and around the DTM is neither festive, inviting, or even safe. The only area less festive, inviting, or safe is Main Street. I drove there around 9:00 p.m. this past Monday night and it looked empty and dangerous, despite several restaurants being open.

I haven’t spent one penny on the DTM all year with the exception of paying for tickets to one show at the Paramount. Even then, we got free street parking and we drove in Albemarle County for dinner following the show. The DTM is dying on the vine.

Carole Thorpe Merry christmas to a grinch who is practicing “Massive resistance” to Charlottesville’s existence, because she is politically divergent from many here, really a throw back to anti school integration resistance idea. Wants to see Charlottesville fail, because she doesn’t agree with people who have different values... sad, for sure a lot of this attitude is like

Vietnam thinking, “in order to save this village, we have to burn it down.”

James Clark Open your eyes, James. Charlotteville IS failing—my commentary has nothing to do with it. It’s imploding on itself and the arrogant know-better-than-everyone-else Charlottesville Democrats (via it’s allDemocrat led City Council for 38 consecutive years now) own 100% responsibility for all of it. No conservatives or Republicans or right-wingers or whatever you want to call them have had an ounce of power or influence over anything. I am compelled to pay one dime of every tax dollar I pay in Albemarle County to Charlottesville. I am not obligated to spend another penny there, if I so choose.

But I’m not a “grinch”, James—so here’s wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas and a healthy, happy 2018!

Carole Thorpe Great job Will and keep your passion and persistence in making the mall great again!

MMGA! Ray Masters Yes, Charlottesville totally missed the mark on this. Creating a grand winter wonderland would be a great tourist attraction and help local businesses thrive.

Amanda Huffman Pfeifer

Charlottesville’s News & Arts Weekly CIRCULATION: 23,000 WEEKLY

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‘Blue Christmas: Diner not ready to reopen’

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Not exactly surprising, since it closed months ago and there’s been no apparent work going on. I miss the BMD, but I’m not holding my breath that it will return any time soon.

Andrew Hersey

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Less and less sky, more unnatural light and horribly ugly buildings to darken the streets. What happened to this city?

Doug Brooks

MARKETING SERVICES DIVISION

Good luck with that “meditative courtyard” with the rail road tracks right there.

Sean Dart

BUSINESS

I don’t understand why they didn’t wait to close until construction actually began. Bit of a waste.

Ronda Chollock I sure this will be wonderful for all the low income families that need housing!

Brenda Neckerman Beautiful downtown Charlottesville. Unspoiled by high rise.

Linda Gilmer Weak. Stop with the apartment buildings.

Kristiana M. Floyd What’s so special about a city with the same type of buildings all the other ones have?

Stop being greedy City Hall or whoever allows this.

Rupert Dietch

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featuring

December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

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The weight of the urn in my arms was about the same weight she was when she was born… I flashed back to the day they put her in my arms when she was born, and I sat and held her for a long time.

11

NEWS Dollars and sense SUSAN BRO, MOTHER OF HEATHER HEYER, IN A DECEMBER 14 DAILY BEAST INTERVIEW

#MeToo PAGE 13

Landmark vote City councilors voted 3-2 at their December 18 meeting to not give John Dewberry a $1 million tax break over 10 years on his planned reconstruction of the Downtown Mall’s derelict Landmark Hotel. The Atlanta-based developer has promised Charlottesville he’ll turn the eyesore into the luxurious Dewberry Hotel.

The Planning Commission okayed higher density for the Keith Woodard project that will be the future home of the City Market December 11, but refused to approve new designs for the L-shaped building, reports Charlottesville Tomorrow. Woodard won a competition for the project in 2014, but earlier this year said that design was financially unfeasible.

Parking petition

Song of August 12

ACTIVIST GROUP ENCOURAGES RESISTANCE— TO GRAND JURIES “Yet, we don’t know if they are also

“I was already run over by a car, I will not be

U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesperson Brian

Southern rockers the Drive-By Truckers released “The Perilous Night” in November, with the lyric, “Dumb, white and angry with their cup half-filled, running over people down in Charlottesville.” Proceeds from the single will go to Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors hate groups, according to the Roanoke Times.

bullied by the federal government,” said Star

seeking to indict the anti-racist activists who

McGinn says the office is unable to comment

Peterson, a victim of the August 12 vehicular

defended our community this past summer,”

because it is an ongoing investigation.

attack in which a white supremacist rammed

she said.

Legal expert Dave Heilberg says if a

a group of counterprotesters with his Dodge

witness doesn’t show up to testify when

Challenger.

summoned, she can be held in contempt and sanctioned, possibly in jail. If a witness

Peterson was among about 20 members

appears and refuses to testify before the

the United States District Court on December

grand jury and invokes her Fifth Amendment

Grisly death

13 to protest what they call state repression.

rights, she is sometimes given immunity and

The group says at least two victims of the

required to answer questions anyway, even if

Police say Bethany Stephens, a 5-foot and 125-pound Goochland native, was mauled to death by her two pit bulls over the weekend as she was walking them through the woods near her home. When her father found her body, it was being guarded by the canines, reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

summer’s Unite the Right rally have been

An assistant U.S. attorney has justified the subpoenas by saying he’s only seeking to indict the white supremacists who took over the town, according to Ibby Han of Solidarity Cville.

STAFF PHOTO

jury about the events of the tragic day.

incriminating. If she then refuses to answer, she can also be held in contempt and face the same sanctions.

In Han’s plea for subpoenaed victims to

Solidarity Cville encourages August 12 victims who are subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury to not cooperate.

not cooperate, she says federal prosecutors have “backed down” when at least one victim refused. “Resistance works.”

facebook.com/cville.weekly

of Solidarity Cville who gathered in front of

subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand

@cvillenews_desk

At press time, 738 people had signed an online petition written by Jennifer Tidwell to nix the new parking meters installed around the Downtown Mall over the summer. “Plain and simple, we do not need them,” it says.

December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

What’s with West2nd?

A story published December 7 in UVA Today boasted that minimum wage for the school’s new hires has increased by more than 16 percent since 2011, and President Teresa Sullivan and Chief Operating Officer Patrick Hogan presented this milestone to the Board of Visitors earlier this month.

The current minimum wage for newly hired, full-time staff at the university is $12.38 per hour, which beats the federal minimum wage of $7.25 and an estimated $11.86 living wage in Charlottesville, according to the report.

“This article reads like classic Soviet-era propaganda,” writes former mayor Dave Norris on Facebook, citing what he called a gross mischaracterization of a living wage in the city.

While, sure, data collected by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology shows that $11.86 is the living wage in the city, Norris points out that that’s for a single adult, when “many hard-working and low-wage UVA employees have children.”

According to MIT’s living wage calculator, that number for a household with one parent and one child is $25.40 an hour and $30.06 for an adult and two little ones.

Norris says no one’s asking the university to raise its minimum wage to 30 bucks an hour, “but maybe stop patting itself on the back so vigorously when the best it chooses to do for the workers who make the university function is $12.38.”

Concludes the former mayor: “Try harder, UVA.”

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By Lisa Provence lisa@c-ville.com

A

fter initially refusing to confirm reports that Charlottesville Police Chief Al Thomas had resigned, was packing his office on Monday and would be out of the building by 5pm, the city issued a release that says Thomas is retiring effective immediately.

The hasty departure raised questions at the December 18 City Council meeting about whether Thomas was forced out following Tim Heaphy’s critical independent review about the lack of police intervention August 12 when protesters brawled in the streets and an unattended mall crossing allowed a neo-Nazi from Ohio to plow into a crowd on Fourth Street, killing Heather Heyer.

City Manager Maurice Jones denied that Thomas’ resignation was involuntary.

“You can’t be left with the feeling he voluntarily resigned when it’s effective immediately,” said civil rights lawyer Jeff Fogel.

Thomas, who previously was police chief in Lexington, was the first African-American hired to head Charlottesville’s police department, and he’s spent 27 years in law enforcement since he started in Lynchburg.

Some of the allegations in the report— that Thomas deleted texts, that he used a personal email to skirt FOIA and that he let protesters fight to make it easier to declare an unlawful assembly—he denied through his attorney, Kevin Martingayle.

The report also alleged that officers feared retribution for criticism, another claim Martingayle disputed.

And some had a different interpretation of the report. Said Fogel, “It’s clear Thomas is being undermined by his own staff.” Fogel and others have challenged the notion of blaming the handling of white nationalists on two black men—Thomas and Jones.

“Nothing in my career has brought me more pride than serving as the police chief for the City of Charlottesville,” said Thomas in a statement. “I will be forever grateful for having had the opportunity to protect and serve a community I love so dearly.“ “I think it’s very important that he confide in us what happened August 12 if he loves us so much,” said Fogel.

Jones praised Thomas in a statement: “Chief Thomas has served his country and three communities here in Virginia with distinction and honor. He is a man of integrity who has provided critical leadership for our department since his arrival.”

Jones’ choice of Deputy Chief Gary Pleasants as acting chief until an interim one is named drew complaints at City Council. Pleasants ordered the use of tear gas at the July 8 KKK rally without Thomas’ approval, and when asked about it, replied, “You are damn right I gassed them, it needed to be done,” according to the Heaphy report.

“You can’t be left with the feeling he voluntarily resigned when it’s effective immediately.”

CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER JEFF FOGEL

Speakers at council blasted the decision.

“I think it’s unacceptable,” said councilorelect Nikuyah Walker. “If the police chief retired, he should be here to tell us.

“You can’t hire that man,” said former local NAACP chapter head Rick Turner.

“It would be the biggest farce. He’s the worst.”

The search for a new police chief begins immediately.

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Chief’s retirement, Pleasant’s fill-in raises questions

Deputy Chief Gary Pleasants (right) will serve as acting chief until an interim is named for Al Thomas (left).

NEWS

‘‘Me too’’ Sexual assault victim speaks out

By Samantha Baars news@c-ville.com

S

EZE AMOS; SEYMORE: C’VILLE P.D.

itting on a black ottoman in her living room, in the same place where she says an on-duty Charlottesville police officer sexually assaulted her in November 2016, Ronna Gary draws invisible lines with her pointer finger to illustrate the ways she’s rearranged the space since the cop allegedly pressured her to her knees, unzipped his pants and forced her to perform oral sex on him next to her exercise bike.

She got rid of the bike, and the new layout makes her feel more comfortable in the “crime scene” she avoided for several months.

The Shamrock Road resident doesn’t like reliving the early morning hours of November 18, when now-ex-cop Christopher Seymore responded to a drunk driving incident on her street and entered her house to ask about what she saw. He allegedly left some belongings sitting on the Ronna Gary says she understands why some victims of sexual assault don’t speak out. She’s bicycle while he went out to sign for a tow had to install a surveillance camera in her front window because her property has been truck, and when he came back inside to vandalized since ex-cop Christopher Seymore was charged with forcibly sodomizing her. retrieve them, she noticed he had removed his body camera and covered his badge.

Murtagh says the December 7 trial was she quips, knocking on her wooden coffee Gary testified in court that she was tercontinued because a subpoenaed police oftable, “the incidents have stopped.” rified, at eye-level with the uniformed officer was sick. On December 18, the trial In an April 13 preliminary hearing, durficer’s handgun holstered on his belt, as he was rescheduled to start March 5. ing which Gary gave an emotional testiforcibly sodomized her. When the sun rose “I just want the first available [trial] mony about the sexual assault for more than and he was off the clock, she says she awoke date,” Gary said before it was rescheduled, an hour, she says she saw Seymore for the to the sound of Seymore beating on her first time since the incident in her bedroom. surrounded by a vast selection of scented bedroom window, and when she let him “I wanted to look him in his eye when candles and a dozen framed photos of her inside again, he led her to her bedroom and he didn’t have on that blue uniform and he loved ones. “[Murtagh] gave this guy one sexually assaulted her again. more Christmas, and she took one more didn’t have a gun,” she says. “It was impor“I should have never opened the door,” Christmas from me.” Gary says she put up tant for me to look at his face.” she says, wearing a gray, long-sleeve T-shirt a $10 tree from Dollar General. “I just figHe looked at the ceiling and he looked with the words “Me Too” written across the ure, you know, he’s not going to get this at the floor, Gary says, but he wouldn’t look chest, her back to a miniature Christmas Christmas.” back at her. tree with white lights and red and gold or“I was disgusted and angry,” she says. “He Pausing to blink back the tears, she says, naments. She didn’t put up a tree last “I’m better than I was last year. I’m not 100 took my spirit for a bit.” year—she wasn’t in the holiday spirit—but percent, but I’m not as bad as I was.”

Gary has lived in town for nearly five this year, she says she’s trying.

In the past year, Gary has undergone years, but says she hopes to move back to On December 12, Gary and about 15 of extensive therapy through local the nonMaryland where here two young daughters her supporters, with protest signs in hand, profit Sexual Assault Resource Agency. are currently located. rallied in front of the Charlottesville GenShe says she’s gone days without sleeping, “I want out of Charlottesville,” she says. eral District Court and police department and had a hard time getting out of bed some “I could fight harder and stronger if I to demand a new trial date for the man who mornings. She’s been told the alleged rape weren’t here.” is charged with two counts of To help her raise enough money to relowas her fault and she was “askforcible sodomy at her expense. cate, a friend of Gary’s has started a donation ing for it,” lost a job for missing She thinks Seymore’s defense campaign called Get Ronna Safe on youcarwork and had animal carcasses attorney, Liz Murtagh, is intenleft in her front yard—“dead ing.com, a lesser-known crowdfunding site. tionally using stall tactics to rats, because I told on an offiGary encourages victims who feel like prolong the trial, which was cer, so I’m a rat,” she explains. they don’t have anyone to confide in to initially scheduled for the beHer house has been shot with reach her through the website. ginning of December and was paintballs, her motorcycle van“I’m proud of every woman who has continued. dalized and her tires slashed. come out,” she says about the #MeToo “Justice delayed is justice deNow she has a surveillance movement. “There’s safety in numbers.” nied,” said local activist Jalane camera peeking through her She adds, “I can honestly say I see why Schmidt at the protest. front window, and “shockingly,” women don’t. You’re treated like hell.”

Christopher Seymore

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“I wanted to look him in his eye when he didn’t have on that blue uniform and he didn’t have a gun. It was important for me to look at his face.” RONNA GARY

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NEWS

15

Premeditated

By Lisa Provence lisa@c-ville.com

T

James Fields hung out August 12 with white nationalist Vanguard Americans, but the group has disavowed that he was a member.

aggravated malicious wounding, two of felony assault and one count of felony failure to stop.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Nina Antony questioned Young, who was on the scene after Fields was arrested at Monticello and Blenheim avenues. The detective noted the heavy front end damage to the Challenger and “what appeared to be blood and flesh on the front of the vehicle.”

Young also described two holes in the rear window and said they were made “after the initial crash,” which disputes allegations some white nationalists have made that Fields was surrounded by car-bashing protesters and feared for his life.

Fields, who drove to Charlottesville from Ohio, was known to spout Nazi and white supremacist rhetoric, according to his Kentucky high school social studies teacher.

During the rally, he stood with members of Vanguard America, but under questioning from Lunsford, Young testified there was no evidence Fields was a member of the white nationalist group.

After the rally was declared an unlawful assembly, Fields walked with three Vanguard Americans from Emancipation to McIntire Park, and Lunsford asked if they described him as “significantly less radical than some of those at the rally,” to which Young answered, yes.

When the detective first encountered him, Fields asked if anyone was hurt. And upon learning someone had died, he appeared shocked, testified Young.

“Did he cry and sob?” asked Lunsford.

“Yes,” replied the investigator.

Judge Bob Downer found probable cause to certify the charges to the grand jury, which met December 18, and indicted Fields on all charges.

VIRGINIA STATE POLICE PILOTS JAY CULLEN AND BERKE BATES, WHO DIED LATER AUGUST 12 IN A HELICOPTER CRASH

Three out-of-towners who were charged following the August 12 Unite the Right rally were in court December 14 for preliminary hearings, where a judge determined there was probable cause to seek grand jury indictments.

Baltimore resident and Confederate White Knights of the KKK imperial wizard Richard Preston, 52, is charged with shooting a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school.

Alex Michael Ramos, 34, from Jackson, Georgia, is charged with felonious assault, and Jacob Scott Goodwin,

23, from Ward, Arkansas, is charged with malicious wounding, both in the Market Street Garage beating of Deandre Harris.

The three men were in court the same day as the hearing for James Fields, the man accused of killing Heather Heyer when he drove into a crowd. The judge ordered increased security in the courtroom, and he warned that anyone making noise would be removed.

Fellow KKKers, including Billy Snuffer, imperial wizard of

the Rebel Brigade Knights of the True Invisible Empire, showed up in support of Preston.

Preston’s attorney, Elmer Woodard, also represents Goodwin and “Crying Nazi” Chris Cantwell. The Danville attorney, known for his showmanship in his appearances here, was corrected twice on the pronunciation of the name of Commonwealth’s Attorney-elect Joe Platania.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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AUGUST 12 SHOOTER AND MARKET STREET GARAGE ATTACKERS CHARGED WITH FELONIES

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“Shit! Holy crap! Did you see that? I can’t believe he did that.”

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he scene December 14 at Charlottesville Circuit Court was like a flashback to August 12. A heavy police presence closed High Street outside the courthouse, and barricades kept protesters from the man many consider the perp of the day’s fatal finale, Unite the Right organizer Jason Kessler.

Inside the courtroom, more than 20 victims and family members, including Susan Bro, mother of Heather Heyer, filled three rows and faced the man accused of plowing into a crowd on Fourth Street and killing Heyer.

James Alex Fields, 20, entered the room shackled and in a gray-and-white prison jumpsuit, sporting a beard grown during the past four months in jail. Flanked by his attorneys, former Albemarle commonwealth’s attorney Denise Lunsford and James Hill, Fields mostly kept his eyes down, and occasionally made a note during the proceedings.

Security inside the courtroom put local reporters in the first two rows, and deputies refused to allow anyone to sit in the immediate rows behind them, creating a buffer around Fields and a lot of empty seats for a case with intense public interest.

And Kessler, who was called “murderer” as he entered the courthouse and who spoke to a TV camera during a break to denounce Charlottesville as “communist” and the proceedings as a “kangaroo court,” often had a row entirely to himself.

Most shocking for many in the courtroom was watching previously unseen videos of Fields flooring his 2010 Dodge Challenger into the counter demonstrators. The first shown was from a Virginia State Police helicopter piloted by Lieutenant Jay Cullen and Trooper Pilot Berke Bates, who died when their chopper crashed three hours later.

“Shit! Holy crap! Did you see that?” one of the pilots hovering above asked. “I can’t believe he did that.”

The helicopter video followed Fields as he backed up Fourth Street, dragging the Challenger’s front bumper, drove east on Market Street, turned right to drive across the Belmont Bridge and then turned left onto Monticello Avenue, where he stopped about a mile from the scene that left 36 people injured, according to the prosecution’s only witness, Charlottesville Police Detective Steven Young.

One of the victims, Ohio resident Bill Burke, who was hospitalized from his injuries, returned for the preliminary hearing and stared at Fields after the state police video of the crash.

Even more chilling was footage from Red Pump Kitchen, the Italian restaurant on the corner of the Downtown Mall and Fourth Street.

First are the vehicles that drove down Fourth Street, which was supposed to be closed: a maroon van, a black pickup truck and a ragtop white Camry, which were all stopped by the counterprotesters who had marched east on Water Street and turned left onto Fourth.

Then the Dodge Challenger slowly drives down Fourth—and pauses out of view near the mall crossing for nearly a minute. The car is seen backing up, and a moment later it speeds by.

“Take me out of this fucking shit,” yelled Marcus Martin, who was seen in photographs of the day being flipped over Fields’ car after it rammed into the crowd. Others in court wiped tears from their eyes.

At the beginning of the hearing, the prosecution upgraded a second-degree murder charge against Fields to first-degree murder for the death of Heyer, 32, which carries a penalty of 20 years to life in prison. He’s also charged with three counts of malicious wounding, three of

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First-degree murder, nine felonies from August 12 go to grand jury

NEWS

16

CREATE A WORLD OF HAPPINESS

EZE AMOS

Imperial wizard Billy Snuffer came to court to support fellow Klansman Richard Preston, accused of firing a gun at Emancipation Park August 12. Daryl Davis (right) has made it a mission to meet KKKers to find out why they hate him for the color of his skin.

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that Preston fired his gun in the vicinity of Park School.

Despite Woodard’s argument that Preston’s firing was justifiable, that he kept people from being burned and was a “hero,” Downer certified the charge to the grand jury.

Detective Declan Hickey described on the stand his investigation into the beating of Harris, and the identification of some of the men who allegedly took part in that, including Goodwin and Ramos.

Goodwin was arrested October 11, and Hickey pointed him out in a video wearing all black and carrying a shield.

Goodwin’s attorney painted a picture of self-defense and said Harris “ran at this man. He had to defend himself.”

Woodard asked the detective why he didn’t arrest another man in the video, who was wearing a brimmed hat and whom Woodard dubbed “Boonie Hat.” “What’s appalling,” he said, “is that the commonwealth didn’t know Boonie Hat existed.”

He had Goodwin stand up, and the lawyer kneed him in the buttocks, apparently to demonstrate the extent of Goodwin’s involvement, contending, “That’s not malicious wounding.”

Ramos’ attorney, Jake Joyce, argued his client’s involvement in the beating did not rise to malicious wounding. “It might be assault and battery,” he said.

Downer did not buy those arguments, and said under the standard of probable cause, there was enough evidence to certify the charges to the grand jury, which met December 18. As for Boonie Hat, the judge said he hoped police find him.—Lisa Provence

AL

Sewer-Cam Viewing

Platania called one witness, attorney and former mayor Frank Buck, who was near the corner of Market and Second streets when the rally was declared an unlawful assembly and whites-righters streamed out of Emancipation Park.

Buck testified he saw Preston point his gun at Corey Long, who made a flamethrower from an aerosol can. “I heard the gun discharge,” he said, and he saw a puff in the mulch near Long’s feet.

He followed Preston at a distance, and then filed a complaint with a magistrate.

“He fired a handgun in the midst of people,” said Buck. “That struck me as an unlawful discharge.”

Woodard, who brought an aerosol can that he shook in court, asked Buck why he didn’t file a complaint against Long.

At that point, Judge Bob Downer interrupted the attorney. “All we’re here for today is to determine whether a firearm was unlawfully fired within 1,000 feet of a school. You seem to quibble about the distance of the flamethrower.”

Widely circulated video shows Preston firing a Ruger SR9 in the direction of Long, who was subpoenaed by Woodard but did not appear in court.

Woodard produced four witnesses who testified Preston saved them from the flamethrower. “There was nowhere to go and I was getting ready to be burned alive,” said Glasgow resident Scott Woods.

Another witness was testifying to the proficiency of Preston’s shooting when Downer interrupted again and reminded the lawyer that the preliminary hearing was only to determine probable cause

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C H A R LOT T E SV I L L E R E S TAU R A N T W E E K .C O M

The rebirth of the American chestnut

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Restoration effort

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December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

STEPHEN BARLING

Nestled in Nelson County’s Lovingston hill country lie the orchards of one of the East Coast’s newest nut-growing operations, Virginia Chestnuts. Spanning 45 acres, the farmstead rests at the end of an isolated stretch of unpaved backroads that culminate in a steeply winding mile-long gravel driveway. Overlooking a series of knolls carved into the mountainside stands David and Kim Bryant’s Dutch Colonial-style farmhouse. Gazing out from its wraparound porch, the wind-blustered tops of more than 1,500 adolescent chestnut trees give way to a hollow brimming with oaks, walnuts, sycamores, maples and poplars. Like a foreshortened highway, the canopy corridors westward toward a horizon of Blue Ridge Mountains.

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“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” says Kim, a 54-yearold New Jersey native, almost shouting as I follow her down the driveway into the upper orchard. “We visited this property a little over 15 years ago and fell head over heels in love.

We knew right away this was where we were going spend our retirement.”

It’s mid-October, and the chestnut harvest is in full swing—hence the noise. Patiently steering his John Deere tractor through row after row of trees, David, also 54, tows a harvester under the limbs and surrounding grass, gathering bushels of nuts. About as wide as the tractor and low to the ground, the implement looks like something you’d spot scooping up golf balls at a driving range, and operates basically the same way.

“The thing about chestnuts is, they aren’t ripe until they’ve fallen from the tree,” says Kim. “And once they’re on the ground, to ensure maximum freshness, you want to get them up immediately.” Harvest season runs from late September through October.

Wielding a red five-gallon bucket and a handheld picker reminiscent of a rolling cylindrical cooking wisp affixed to a broom handle, Kim joins her 12-year-old

son, Houston. Shuffling along behind the tractor, they gather the hard-to-reach nuts manually. “The harvester grabs most of them, but some get kind of buried, and you have to dig those out by hand,” says Houston. “When it’s quiet, it can drive you a little crazy, ’cause you’ll be walking along and hear more of them falling right behind you. You just have to be patient and keep going.”

From the orchard, the nuts are brought into a large packing and processing shed and run through the peeler, an automated, industrial-sized device that removes their leathery dark-brown shells. “After that, we package them in little burlap bags and store them in special humidity-controlled refrigeration units to ensure freshness,” says David. From there, orders are taken online, and the nuts are shipped to restaurants, individuals and retailers ranging from down the street to Maine and the coasts of Florida.

After the harvest, around the first of November, the Bryants had gathered more than 4,000 pounds of chestnuts. By December 17, aside from a small cache saved for personal consumption and developing value-added

products like flour and chestnut butter, the nuts had all been sold.

“It’s a pretty grueling couple of months,” David admits. “But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Wipeout What makes the success of the Bryants and other orchardists so remarkable is the fact that, prior to 1984, the trees they’re growing didn’t exist—at least not properly. In fact, just under 70 years ago, the American chestnut tree had very nearly been wiped from the face of the Earth.

“What happened was, American orchard growers started importing Chinese chestnut trees around the turn of the 20th century and, in doing so, accidentally introduced a virulent pathogenic fungus to the native population,” says Tom Saielli, science coordinator for the American Chestnut Foundation’s Mid-Atlantic region. Headquartered in Charlottesville, Saielli is responsible for overseeing ACF research orchards and planting teams in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and Kentucky.

“In terms of historical importance, the trees were the quintessential American species. They held an unparalleled position in our culture.”

TOM SAIELLI

By Eric J. Wallace

23

Food chain

STEPHEN BARLING

Tom Saielli, science coordinator for the American Chestnut Foundation’s Mid-Atlantic region, oversees ACF research orchards and planting teams in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and Kentucky. To date, the ACF has established more than 680 planting locations on a total of 1,883 acres of public and private land.

“They have the sweet, hardy flavor of an American nut but aren’t as big as the Chinese varieties,” says David Bryant. “And they don’t yield as much as the Chinese trees either. But it’s that true American taste we’re after. That’s what’s important.”

Culinary reintroductions aside, with its focus on environmental restoration, the ACF wanted to take Dunstan’s methods even further. “In our orchards, we continued the backcrossing process for another seven generations, until we got a tree retaining no Chinese characteristics whatsoever beyond blight resistance,” says Saielli. Put another way, a pure American chestnut. Aside from the resistance, the genes of these trees are in every way identical to what you’d find in a sample gleaned from the 1700s.

While the first such location was established in Meadowview, Virginia, southwest of Roanoke, there are now three backcross orchards within a half-hour drive of Charlottesville, and another half-dozen within an hour. The orchards are located on private property and, due to the associated costs of maintenance, typically that of an estate.

With each generation of trees taking between five to 10 years to reach sexual maturity, the backcrossing process has been painstakingly slow. Now, 30 years later, the first blight-resistant pure American chestnut CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com David (pictured) and Kim Bryant bought their 45-acre Nelson County farmstead in 2002, with the hopes of nurturing a viable chestnut-growing operation. In about 10 years, the couple’s 1,000 trees will be fully mature, and should each produce 50 to 100 pounds of nuts a year.

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STEPHEN BARLING

STEPHEN BARLING

While the Asiatic varieties had developed a natural resistance to the fungus, American trees were highly susceptible. Known as the chestnut blight, it enters a tree through a wound in the bark. Killing vascular tissues, the blight chokes off nutrient supplies above the point of infection, causing rot and ultimately toppling the tree. First detected in the Bronx Zoo in 1904, by 1950 the fungus had decimated the U.S. population.

“We went from having, like, 4 billion mature chestnut trees to zero in less than half a century,” says Saielli, his voice thick with grief. What he means by mature is, while the vast majority of American chestnuts were killed outright, an estimated 400,000 survived.

“That number surprises people,” he says.

“They’ll say, ‘Hey, that means the trees didn’t die out after all.’ And that’s true. But those trees are really just shoots growing from the stumps of living root systems, which will never mature, because they’re still susceptible to the blight. There are no sexually mature pure American chestnut trees in the wild.”

And thus, no chestnuts.

Spanning north to south from Maine to lower Mississippi, and east to west from the Atlantic coastline to the Appalachian Mountains and Ohio Valley, the American chestnut tree was once the keystone species of East Coast forests. Reaching nearly 10 feet in diameter and standing upward of 100 feet tall with canopies equally as wide, the trees were impressive and more abundant than oaks.

“In some areas, the American chestnut comprised as much as 30 percent of the forest,” says Saielli. “In terms of historical importance, the trees were the quintessential American species. They held an unparalleled position in our culture.”

In wild forests, American chestnuts were the single most important source of food for wildlife along the East Coast. Meanwhile, the trees were lauded by gastronomists and restaurateurs as producers of the finest chestnuts in the world, celebrated by farmers for their capacity to nourish livestock (both as raw nuts and as milled feeds) and cherished by lumberjacks, carpenters and furniture-makers for their strong, straightgrained wood.

“On one hand, it was a particularly valuable tree commercially, because it grew faster than oak,” says Troy Coppage, president of 187-year-old Madison-based furniture company, E.A. Clore Sons, Inc. Specializing in fine handmade furniture, Coppage says his forebearers worked with the wood often. “It was rich in tannins, which made it extremely resistant to decay. It didn’t have the radial grain pattern of other hardwoods.

And it was abundant.” All of which made the American chestnut incredibly popular.

“At this point, the only way you’ll get the wood is by salvaging it from old homes or buildings,” says Coppage.

And by about the time Nat King Cole turned 30, roasting American chestnuts on an open fire was an impossibility.

Then something miraculous happened.

In 1983, inspired by the discoveries of Florida-based botanist Robert T. Dunstan, the American Chestnut Foundation formed with the intention of restoring the iconic tree to the forest.

Fueled by his success using the method to save French grapevines from a bacterial pathogen known as Pierce’s Disease in the 1930s, by the early 1960s, Dunstan had developed a backcross breeding program for chestnuts. “To put it as simply as I can, a friend sent him clippings from one of the last standing American chestnut trees, which he then grafted to rootstock and crossed with Chinese trees hoping the latter would pass on their genes for blight resistance, and thereby create a blight-resistant American hybrid,” says Saielli.

Five years later, when the hybrids reached sexual maturity, Dunstan backcrossed his best specimens with their American parents.

Inoculating the resultant saplings with blight, he culled the group, selecting only those with the highest blight-resistant characteristics for additional breeding.

By the early ’80s, Dunstan had achieved his goal: His Florida orchard was chock-full of nut-bearing, blight-resistant chestnut

trees exhibiting mostly American traits. And it is this tree—known as the Dunstan chestnut—that is now being grown by most commercial chestnut orchardists in America, including the Bryants.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

trees are finally being reintroduced to the forest. To date, the ACF has established more than 680 planting locations on a total of 1,883 acres of public and private land. And according to Saielli, that’s just the beginning.

“Our oldest orchards are now producing trees that are ready for the wild and, as the newer ones catch up, we’ll be scaling up planting operations accordingly,” he says.

“Ten years from now, that will be our primary focus. In 30 years, we’ll have planted tens of thousands of acres.”

Tmbercreek Market chef Tucker Yoder says he loves being able to work with local chestnuts instead of a frozen or jarred product. This season he used the Virginia Chestnuts’ nuts in a chestnut panna cotta.

this year, LFH has filled orders for Red Pump Kitchen, Threepenny Café, The Clifton Inn, Cavalier Produce, Feast!, Timbercreek Market and restaurants in Richmond and the Washington, D.C., area.

“As people continue to realize these nuts are making a return, demand stands to rise, which will in turn fuel more production,” says Brown. That means more farmers and, yes, more chestnut trees.

Taste makers

dish that currently graces his menu. “But they also blend fantastically into crèmes or pureed for dessert dishes, as French pastry chefs love to do,” he says.

Rynecki recently moved to Charlottesville from New York City, where you can still buy roasted chestnuts from street vendors. “It’s such an amazing thing to be able to do,” he says. “You’d think the chestnuts would be really nutty, but they’re actually a little on the sweet side. If roasted correctly, they have these amazing earthy notes, reminiscent of a sweet potato. It’s a really special flavor. You taste them and realize these nuts were beloved for a reason.”

The Bryants saw that reverence first-hand this year when they roasted chestnuts at Dickie Brothers Orchard. Most guests were testing chestnuts for the first time.

“People told us the stories their grandparents told them about eating chestnuts,” Kim Bryant says, “which kind of naturally led to us all talking about Christmas and traditions in general.”

Specifically, how they can change, fade, get lost, be rediscovered and made anew.

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In the kitchen of Charlottesville’s Timbercreek Market, chef Tucker Yoder is busy preparing a sorghum and chestnut panna cotta with puffed sorghum, roasted pumpkin seeds and candied squash. The dessert is sweet and savory, with a hardiness that brings to mind firelit winter celebrations in an Old World lodge.

“Cooking with local farm-raised ingredients is always special, but this is particularly true for chestnuts,” says Yoder, adding that it’s not often you get the chance to cook with something that, at the time of your

birth, was believed to be essentially lost. Ten or 15 years ago, the nuts would likely have been purchased from orchards in California. Before that, from distributors importing from French orchards specializing in growing Asian varieties. “Buying chestnuts locally is great, because you know the product will be incredibly fresh and the flavor is considerably better than any frozen or jarred product.”

Describing the chestnut’s flavor profile as “creamy, mildly nutty and slightly earthy,” Yoder says the nuts pair well with squab, pork, duck, chicken, cream and pretty much any type of squash.

Meanwhile, just outside of town, at North Garden’s Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, executive chef Ian Rynecki is also cooking with nuts sourced from Virginia Chestnuts. “For entrées, I like to pair them with either fresh pasta or earthy mushrooms, and typically serve them roasted, pureed and folded into additional components,” he says. One example is the hen-ofthe-wood agnolotti with roasted chestnut cream, Anjou pear and Parmesan cheese

December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

“We bought this land in 2002 knowing we wanted to use it for agricultural production, but had no set specific idea about what that would entail,” says David Bryant, a former software entrepreneur. “Then I stumbled upon an article about growing chestnut trees. When I showed it to Kim, she got really excited. We did some additional research and realized this was it. We were going to grow chestnuts.”

After two years of prepping and planning, the couple planted a five-acre experimental crop of 100 chestnut trees in spring 2004.

At first, the endeavor was pretty rocky— within a couple of seasons, the deer had basically killed off the plantings.

“It was a blow, but we decided to stay the course,” says Kim. “We did some more research and followed up by planting another thousand trees in 2007.”

Aided by protective sheathing and other improvements, the Bryants’ saplings survived. A year later, inspired by their success, another 400 plantings were added, increasing the orchard to 23 acres. Looking ahead, the couple invested in $25,000 worth of harvesting and storage equipment. By 2013, the trees were set to produce their first sellable nuts.

However, Mother Nature intervened again when cicadas ravaged everything. “The damage was extensive and led to the loss of both 2013’s and 2014’s crop,” says David. “For a while, we were holding our breath. We didn’t know if the trees were going to pull through.

But in 2015, they bounced back, which was a tremendous relief.”

That year, the Bryants harvested 8,000 pounds of chestnuts. In 2016, despite heavy May rains that left many of their blossoms unpollinated, the trees performed similarly.

This year, a late frost that damaged early spring blossoms, combined with a summer drought, more than halved production.

“The weather can be a finicky ally,” shrugs Kim. “But at this point, the trees are wellestablished and will start regularizing and producing more as they mature and grow tougher.”

In about 10 years, the Bryants’ trees will be fully mature. In addition to being hardier and less susceptible to weather and pests, they each should produce 50 to 100 pounds of nuts a year. By then, the orchard will have been thinned to around 1,000 trees. Low-balling the estimate, that’s 50,000 pounds of chestnuts a year. Considering the nuts sell for a retail price of $8 per pound, the economics are attractive, to say the least.

“Those numbers certainly have us excited,” says Laura Brown, director of the Local Food Hub, which serves as Virginia Chestnut’s exclusive Charlottesville distributor.

Primarily selling to chefs and retail markets,

CRAMER PHOTO

Growing up

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Virginia

28

When I first saw Randall Graham, he had just committed a revolutionary act.

The crowd of tasters was stunned into silence, but soon erupted into movie-style cheers. The winemaker and President-for-Life of Bonny Doon Vineyards had said things no one else had ever said. Things were never the same again...

Read the rest of the story on our website

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Taken by the force PAGE 37

SATURDAY 12/23

Y’ALL-TIDE CAROLS

THROUGH 12/27

“BAH!”

KEEPING CHRISTMAS WELL

On their first tour together, Phil Vassar and Kellie Pickler are showcasing their holiday collaboration “The Naughty List,” a single that pairs infectious melodies and soulful lyrics in a swinging new favorite.

Each of the country stars has become known for covers of Christmas favorites, and by teaming up in concert, they’re sure to melt away the winter cold with their warm connection to the season. $29.75-99.75, 8pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. 979-1333.

Scrooge wants you at ASC’s A Christmas Carol.

MICHAEL BAILEY

SHAMROCKPR

NOTHING TO DO? HUMBUG! THURSDAY 12/21 & FRIDAY 12/22

DRESSED IN LAYERS

Sarah White and friends sing about the season at the Southern on Thursday.

THURSDAY 12/21

JACKSON SMITH

Ethan Lipscomb plays to a sea of ugly sweaters on Thursday at the Ante Room.

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Sarah White and her friends are back to deck the Southern Café and Music Hall with boughs of holly, twinkly lights, giant plastic peppermint sticks, Christmas cookies, Santas galore and so much more at the annual Country Christmas Show. The (All New) Acorn Sisters, Ian Gilliam, Charlie Bell, Ned Oldham and others strike the harp—er, guitar—and compel you to join the chorus. $12-15, 8pm.

The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 St. First St. 977-5590.

@artscville

GUIDING LIGHTS

Let the holidays unravel with Ugly Sweater Party: Parts 1 and 2, a musical experience exploring two different genres over consecutive nights. The Ugly Sweater fun begins with indie electronic tunes featuring Ethan Lipscomb, a classically trained pianist who combines samples with aggressive lyrics to create his own style of dance-rock. Duo Playdate also brings its spacey tunes into the mix, while DJ Thomas Dean spins between sets.

Night two moves on to hip-hop, where 18-plus patrons can define their style with music from DJs Sir RJ, Double U and Flatline Lay. $5-10, times vary. The Ante Room. 219 Water St. 284-8561.

December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

The publication of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in 1853 served to revive interest in some longexpired holiday traditions, including caroling and feasts, and generated the iconic tale of personal transformation that’s been replayed in December for more than 150 years. Responsible for imprinting “Merry Christmas,” “Bah, humbug!” and Scrooge on the seasonal lexicon, Dickens also infused a spirit of generosity into the celebration of Christmas. The Wicked Folly Tour stages the story with new twists and surprises in a production filled with music and cheer. $29-59, times vary.

American Shakespeare Center, 10 S. Market St., Staunton.

540-885-5588.

30

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ARTS THIS WEEK

music Eleventh Annual CMS Xmas Jam. An allstar lineup of local musicians hails in the holidays. 21-plus. Free, 10pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. 293-9526.

Matty Metcalfe. Local jazz pianist creates a relaxing atmosphere for the evening. Free, 6pm. Fellini’s, 200 Market St. 979-4279.

Neal Goodloe. Get the night started right with some tunes. Free, 7pm. Durty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. 295-1278.

Open Mic Night. Josh Mayo hosts an open mic night where collaboration is encouraged.

Free, 9pm. Holly’s Deli and Pub, 1221 E. Market St. 282-2713.

dance Bachata Fusion. Edwin Roa gives an introductory lesson before a social dance featuring music from DJ Butchata. $5-8, 8pm. The Ante Room, 219 Water St. 284-8561.

stage A Christmas Carol. Marley, the three Christmas ghosts, the Cratchits and Tiny Tim take Scrooge on the ride of his money-grubbing life. $21-60, 7:30pm. American Shakespeare Center, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. (540) 885-5588.

Thursday 12/21 music Bennie Dodd Band. Bluegrass tunes. Free, 6:30pm. Tavern on the James, 280 Valley St., Scottsville. 286-3500.

Gallatin and Friends. Ben Hernandez and friends play some great tunes on the paddy-o.

Free, 8:30pm. Tin Whistle Irish Pub, 609 E. Market St. 202-8387.

Skip Haga and the Henchmen featuring Merry Munson. Frank Bechter, Lon Tate and Susan Munson join Haga for a night of holiday tunes and merriment. Free, 7pm. Durty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. 295-1278.

The Michael Elswick Gathering. Epic jazz ensemble with influences ranging from hard bop to New Orleans-style jazz. Free, 7pm.

Fellini’s, 200 Market St. 979-4279.

The Weedeaters. Local string band plays blues, bluegrass, old-time and swing. Free, 6:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. 202-1549.

Ugly Sweater Pt. 1. Ethan Lipscomb blends dance and rock genres in his piano-and-sampler-based music. With Playdate and DJ Thomas Dean. $8, 8pm. The Ante Room, 219 Water St. 284-8561.

A Christmas Carol. See listing for Wednesday, December 20. $21-60, 5pm. American Shakespeare Center, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. (540) 885-5588.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!). Hold on tight as you take a tinselcovered roller coaster ride bursting with laughter, carols and joy, and prepare to leave with more holiday spirit than you can carry. $2160, 7:30pm. American Shakespeare Center, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. (540) 885-5588.

Craig Dodson. Country-western roots and classic rock. Free, 4pm. James River Brewery, 561 Valley St., Scottsville. 286-7837.

Willie DE. Influenced by Bob Dylan and Van Morrison, this young, nationally touring singer-songwriter plays originals and covers alike.

Free, 2:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. 297-2326.

Gabriel Planas. Jazz piano akin to waves rolling on a beach: soothing, relaxing and very smooth. Free, 6pm. Fellini’s, 200 Market St. 979-4279.

Friday 12/22 music

John Wyant Band. Island-style Americana.

Free, 10pm. Fellini’s, 200 Market St. 979-4279.

Adar. Powerhouse vocalist and songwriter performs deep originals and new takes on covers. With Jouwala Collective. $8-10, 6:30pm.

The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. 977-5590.

Jon Spear Band. Bluesy jams with a nice groove. Free, 7:30pm. Durty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. 295-1278.

Phil Vassar. Incisive, soulful lyrics and infectious melodies that capture audiences of all ages. With Kelly Pickler. $29-99, 8pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. 979-1333.

Bob Bennetta. Local piano virtuoso tickles the ivories in a chill environment. Free, 6pm.

Fellini’s, 200 Market St. 979-4279.

Cool Lane Band. Music for a chill cafe setting. Free, 5pm. The Pub at Wegmans, 5th Street Station. 529-3200.

Skeete and Sweetlick’s Annual Xmas Bash. Get down with DJ Crush Groovey for the holiday season. 21-plus. $10, 10pm. The Ante Room, 219 Water St. 284-8561.

DJ Groovematic. Get down to moombahton mixes. 21-plus. Free, 10pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. 293-9526.

Sons of Bill and Friends Christmas Party.

Southern rock and Americana band plays Christmas jams. With Carl Anderson. $20-35, 7:30pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. 245-4948.

Hard Swimmin’ Fish. Electric blues to liven up your night. Free, 7:30pm. Durty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. 295-1278.

Irish Matthew Sing-along. Versatile multiinstrumentalist leads sing-along shanties.

Free, 9pm. Tin Whistle Irish Pub, 609 E. Market St. 202-8387.

The Tyler Dick Band. A rotating cast of rock wizards and funk preachers fabricate new and unexpected grooves around every turn.

21-plus. Free, 10:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. 202-1549.

Isabel Bailey. Local singer-songwriter with a velvet voice and lyrics of love. Free, 10pm.

Fellini’s, 200 Market St. 979-4279.

Travis Elliott. Melodies that follow the natural rhythm of life and lyrics speaking to the soul. Free, 6:30pm. The Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. 823-2001.

Jen Tal and the Huzband. Jam-based jazz and funk fusion band. Free, 7pm. Wild Wolf Brewery, 2461 Rockfish Valley Hwy., Nellysford. 361-0088.

stage A Christmas Carol. See listing for Wednesday, December 20. $21-60, 2 and 7:30pm.

American Shakespeare Center, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. (540) 885-5588.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!). See listing for Thursday, December 21. $21-60, 5pm. American Shakespeare Center, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. (540) 885-5588.

The Haus of Belle Drag Show. Inclusive show incorporates of many styles of drag, including queens, kings and femme fatales. $15, 6pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. 977-5590.

Sunday 12/24 music Travis Elliott. Local singer and guitarist takes on songwriting subjects from love to spaceships, both badly in need of repair. 21-plus.

Free, 10pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. 293-9526.

Zuzu’s Hot 5. Vintage jazz rides an unstoppable rhythm all the way to New Orleans.

Free, noon. Fellini’s, 200 Market St. 979-4279.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 33

Koda Kerl and The Drunken All Stars. Whiskey-tinged Americana rock. 21-plus. Free, 10:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. 202-1549.

Paulo Franco Duo. Alternative country-rock songs of liquor, love and life. Free, 6pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. 975-0094.

Pickin’ and Grinnin’. Instrumental and vocal jam open to the public. Free, 7pm. James River Brewery, 561 Valley St., Scottsville.

286 7837.

Skip Haga. This keyboardist and singer will make your evening one to remember. Free, 6pm. Tin Whistle Irish Pub, 609 E. Market St., 202-8387.

Ugly Sweater Pt. 2. Music from DJs Sir RJ and Double U.18-plus. Free-$10, 10pm. The Ante Room, 219 Water St. 284-8561.

stage A Christmas Carol. See listing for Wednesday, December 20. $21-60, 2 and 7:30pm.

American Shakespeare Center, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. (540) 885-5588.

Charlottesville Ballet’s The Nutcracker.

See listing for Thursday, December 21. $2075, 2:30 and 7pm. V. Earl Dickinson Building at PVCC, 501 College Dr. 961-5376.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!). See listing for Thursday, December 21. $21-60, 5pm. American Shakespeare Center, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. (540) 885-5588.

Saturday 12/23 music A Carpenters Christmas. Singer Lisa Rock and her six-piece band bring the music of the Carpenters back to the stage with their spot-on renditions of Carpenters classics. $20-25, 7pm. Wayne Theatre, 521 W. Main St., Waynesboro.(540) 943-9999.

GET LISTED The C-VILLE Weekly arts calendar submission process allows arts community partners to enter events directly into the calendar via computer log-in. Please contact us by e-mail at arts@c-ville.com to request account information. DEADLINE INFO: Events must be entered into the online calendar system by 5pm on Tuesday, one week prior to publication. We list events that are art-related or have entertainment value and are open to the public. We do not guarantee event listings in print and we typically don’t include faith-based, environmental, medical or instructional events that are outside the realm of art.

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Charlottesville Ballet’s The Nutcracker. A young girl named Clara receives a magical wooden nutcracker as a holiday gift and embarks on an adventure through an enchanting land. $20-75, 11:30am and 3pm. V. Earl Dickinson Building at PVCC, 501 College Dr. 961-5376.

Vincent Zorn. Gypsy guitarist and world traveler utilizes a unique percussive style of guitar playing. Free, 7:30pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. 234-3763.

@artscville

stage

Eyes on Art Tour. An innovative program that engages people with Alzheimer’s in meaningful discussions about art. Free, 2:30pm.

The Fralin Museum of Art at UVA, 155 Rugby Rd. 924-3592.

BiG! Original rock and blues and unique interpretations of classic songs. Free, 7pm.

Wild Wolf Brewery, 2461 Rockfish Valley Hwy., Nellysford. 361-0088.

December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

Sarah White and Friends Christmas Show Christmas country music on the longest night of the year, complete with traditional favorites, Christmas cookies and twinkly lights. $12-15, 6pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. 977-5590.

words

©2017 Jen Sorensen www.jensorensen.com Twitter: @JenSorensen

Wednesday 12/20

31

32

WE BUY GOLD Paying Cash On The Spot

CAN’T COME TO US, ROCKY’S IS COMING TO YOU!

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5th - ROCKY HIMSELF WILL BE THERE FROM 10AM-4PM, AT THE ETERNAL ATTIC

PAYING TOP DOLLAR FOR YOUR GOLD AND SILVER - WHAT ROCKY DOES - HE TAKES JEFFERSON COIN’S DAILY PRINTOUT & PAYS MORE HE’S PAYING SPOT FOR SILVER AND $1.00 AND UP OVER SPOT FOR SILVER EAGLES. HE WANTS OLD HIGH JEWELED POCKET & WRIST WATCHES LIKE PATEK PHILIPPE, AVDEMARS, ROLEX, OMEGA, LE COULTRE, BERGUET, HAMILTON, MOVADO & MORE

JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS ITS

ROCKY’S BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR! ROCKY JUST BOUGHT OUT A JEWELRY STORE! WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF PENDANTS, RINGS AND MORE! 1000’S OF PIECES OF NEW AND ESTATE STERLING JEWELRY UP TO 70% OFF, GOLD, PLATINUM, DIAMOND AND GEMSTONE JEWELRY UP TO 30% OFF. JUST RECEIVED 10 ESTATE ROLEX WATCHES .

2017 SILVER EAGLES ARE HERE!

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEB SITE rockysgoldandsilver.com FOR STERLING 4 PIECE PLACE SETTINGS, BUY NOW, AS LOW AS $109! ROCKY ALSO HAS GREAT JEWELRY ON HIS EBAY SITE - BUY IT NOW- AT BARGAIN PRICES! GET TWICE THE DIAMOND OR MORE FOR THE SAME MONEY AT ROCKY’S Prices subject to change depending on the market.

December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

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

This holiday season, the CASPCA is “Dreaming of a Silent Night in the Shelter” Please consider taking one of our dogs or cats

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Visit caspca.org

to view our adoptable animals and to learn more about fostering for the holidays!

3355 Berkmar Drive • Charlottesville, VA 22901 • (434) 973-5959 • caspca.org

ARTS THE WORKS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

Sunday 12/24 dance Salsa Sundays. Edwin Roa teaches an introductory lesson before leading an eclectic Latin dance with music from DJs Butchata and “O” Con Sabor. $5-8, 8pm. The Ante Room, 219 Water St. 284-8561.

Personal connection Photo project shows people through another lens

stage A Christmas Carol. See listing for Wednesday, December 20. $21-60, 2 and 7:30pm.

American Shakespeare Center, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. (540) 885-5588.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!). See listing for Thursday, December 21. $21-60, 5pm. American Shakespeare Center, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. (540) 885-5588.

Monday 12/25 music We Wish You A Merry LITmas. DJ Lawfirm on the ones and twos. 21-plus. $5-15, 10pm.

The Ante Room, 219 Water St. 284-8561.

Tuesday 12/26 music Bob Huntington. Hear everything from the Beatles to Gordon Lightfoot. Free, 6pm. Fellini’s, 200 Market St. 979-4279.

Justin Fallen and Dylan Stephens. Heartfelt Austin folk and indie blended for a special Christmas duo set. With Caroline Spence. $7, 7pm. The Ante Room, 219 Water St. 284-8561.

Karaoke Night. Show off your vocal chops at this event hosted by Jen Deville. 21-plus.

Free, 8pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. 293-9526.

Matt Johnson. R&B, rock and pop favorites.

Free, 7pm. Wild Wolf Brewery, 2461 Rockfish Valley Hwy., Nellysford. 361-0088.

Travis Elliott. See listing for Sunday, December 24. Free, 10:30pm. Fellini’s, 200 Market St. 979-4279.

stage A Christmas Carol. See listing for Wednesday, December 20. $21-60, 2 and 7:30pm.

American Shakespeare Center, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. (540) 885-5588.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!). See listing for Thursday, December 21. $21-60, 5pm. American Shakespeare Center, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. (540) 885-5588.

TOM DALY

arts@c-ville.com

A

s the events of August 11 and 12 unfolded across Charlottesville, photojournalist Sarah Cramer Shields watched it happen on the news.

“I was putting two small children down for naps when it happened,” Shields says in an interview with C-VILLE. “I wanted to be on the front lines telling the stories of what was happening, but I knew that wasn’t the right place for me.”

Watching live as national and local outlets broadcast the violence, she saw “a ton of Nazi symbols, people’s heads being bashed in, people being killed. I remember thinking, That’s not our town.”

Shields wanted to show the world a different side of Charlottesville: one that embraced and celebrated its residents, people who come from all places and all walks of life.

Determined to contribute somehow, she asked herself what the community might need as it began to heal.

“I think people need to connect,” she says.

“I think change only happens when we step outside our comfort zone and see and talk to people who are outside our daily paths.”

Shields, who began taking photos in middle school and turned pro after graduating from UVA in 2005, says she seeks out the human connection in all her work, whether she does it for weddings, editorials or other projects. She decided to put her skills to work documenting the people of her town and launched an ongoing project called “This Is Charlottesville.”

Just a few days after August 12, she began walking through town one day a week and asking strangers if she could photograph them. Ninety-eight percent of the time people said yes.

“For some reason, I make people really comfortable. They just pour their souls out to me,” she says. “I’ve been surprised by how much people really want to talk about things, and there really isn’t a platform to do so.”

When Shields takes photos, she asks everyone the same five questions. (She also asks her subjects to nominate up to three people to be featured in the project; her goal is to create one new profile per day.) Then she goes home, transcribes the interview and posts the highlights on Instagram and Facebook. “This is Charlottesville” has 85 profiles and counting. The response, she says, has been amazing.

“People love to hear other people’s walks of life,” she says. “You’ve got people in Hogwaller reading about the dean of the UVA medical school. People on the Downtown Mall seeing the stories of people in Friendship Court.”

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December 24 & 26, Rapture

By Elizabeth Derby

@artscville

Travis Elliott

Lorretta Goins was the first portrait Sarah Cramer Shields took after the events of August 11 and 12, launching the project “This Is Charlottesville,” on display at VMDO Architects now through the end of 2017, and on Instagram at @thisischarlottesville.

Certain connections stand out, she says.

Like “the Afghan father who moved here with four kids. He was looking for work but has an incredible skillset, which came across in his profile. I got emails from people who said, ‘What great skills he has, I’ll keep him in mind for jobs.’

“There’s a girl in Friendship Court who is a die hard Cavaliers fan. She’s never missed a game, but she’s never been to a game, either. Within an hour of me posting her story, 20 different people reached out to say, ‘Here, she can have my tickets to this weekend’s game.’”

Shields feels “blown away” by these experiences, which hint at the potential of her project to become an even bigger bridge within the community.

“I think we have a lot of issues in our town, our city and our state that we need to talk about,” she says. “I know this [project] is not a cure by any means.”

But as a personal response to local events, “This Is Charlottesville” allows Shields to highlight the connection she experiences every day.

Whenever she photographs someone, she waits for the moment when her subject lowers his guard. (It usually happens while people talk about something they love.)

The instant her subjects open up, she says, it reveals who they really are.

“I look for honest warmth and openness.

A pure, real moment where someone is lost in themselves and they trust me to take their photo.”

That authenticity is the potent stuff that allows strangers to feel close, no matter how different their lives look on paper—or in pixels.

“I’m not some heroic problem solver,” Shields says, “but I see the main issue as the fact that we are not connecting. I don’t know how change is going to happen unless we start listening and seeing how other people live their lives.”

December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

Latin Guitar Night. Mellow Latin classical guitar tunes. Free, 6:30pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. 234-3763.

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t times in life when we don’t have an answer, a parent’s oft-repeated aphorism sometimes comes to mind—whether we like it or not. For Sons of Bill guitarist and vocalist James Wilson, it’s a saying from his father, William Wilson, a retired UVA theology professor: “Never miss out on an opportunity to let the world humble you a little bit.”

This past summer, the world did humble the younger Wilson. Hard. He fell on a champagne glass, severing five tendons and the median nerve in his right hand—a major nerve providing movement and feeling from the hand to the shoulder. He calls the experience a “nightmare” and a “huge setback personally, artistically, professionally.”

“Not only could I not play guitar, but I couldn’t drive, sleep or even properly dress myself,” Wilson says. “Nerve pain can be brutal and I sunk into a pretty serious depression.” He started calling on another motto to get him through the accident’s aftermath.

“Adult life can be a son of a bitch,” he says.

In spite of the nerve damage, Wilson is recovering. Though playing acoustic guitar is still a challenge, he plays his electric guitar every day, and he didn’t let his injury end Sons of Bill’s nearly decade-long streak of playing a holiday show at the Jefferson.

“We’ve played a Christmas show every year the Jefferson has been open,” Wilson says. “It’s a homecoming in so many ways—literally and spiritually. This is home. You only get one.”

Wilson and his Sons of Bill bandmates, Seth Green, Todd Wellons and brothers Sam and Abe have just finished recording a new album this month—three years, three international tours and two crosscountry tours after the band released its last album, Love and Logic.

“We toured hard, maybe too hard, for the few years after Love and Logic came out,” Wilson says of the band’s break between records. “It’s different being in a rock band as an adult, so we all took some time to do some grown-up housecleaning while we slowly worked on another record.”

Grateful for the band’s hiatus, Wilson is “deep into” a book he’s wanted to write on William Faulkner “for years,” and Abe is finishing architecture school. Sam has been producing records and touring with his side project band, Me and My Brother, which includes musicians Carl Anderson and Schuyler Fisk.

“We were all so tired,” says Wilson, referencing addictions that crept into the band and were affecting the new album’s recording process. It felt like they had lost the joy of making music. “We needed to rest, we needed to take care of our personal lives, we needed to manage our drinking,” he says. “Once you’re in [a band], it’s so easy to forget why you started making music in the first place.

I’m glad we took the time to finish it—we made a record I’m really proud of.”

Wilson thinks the new album is Sons of Bill’s best, though he won’t share much about what’s on it. He says the album features dark, beautiful tunes contrasted against lighthearted moments, and that it’s simpler and more adventurous than previous albums, something the band really loves.

“One of my friends in Nashville described [the new album] as ‘goth-country for the over-educated.’ Not sure that’s totally accurate, and it doesn’t exactly scream dollar signs, but it’s a start,” he says.

With loved ones returning to Charlottesville, it’s a special time of year for Wilson and his family. When he can sneak away, he finds joy in the solemnity of midnight Mass. “‘O Holy Night’ is pretty dear to me,” says Wilson. “‘The weary world rejoices.’

What a perfect sentiment for this time— for any time.”

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Striking back again The Last Jedi is a force to be reckoned with

By Kristofer Jenson arts@c-ville.com

DISNEY PICTURES

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Daisy Ridley returns as Rey in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Meanwhile, the First Order is closing in on the last remnants of the Resistance. General Leia’s (Carrie Fisher) goal is to reach safety, when Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), against orders, turns what was a defensive maneuver into a full-on counter-strike, destroying an enemy dreadnought but suffering massive casualties in doing so. After fleeing, the forces led by General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) are somehow able to track the escaping ships through light speed, essentially rendering all further escape attempts useless. Leia is incapacitated by a subsequent strike, so it is up to Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo (Laura Dern) to bring them

to safety while Finn (John Boyega) and maintenance worker Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) attempt a much riskier mission behind her back.

Even if you can predict what happens next, even if the film has been spoiled for you, it won’t matter because The Last Jedi delivers on every level. Johnson draws as much on Kurosawa as he does on Lucas and J.J. Abrams, breathing new life into what a battle involving blasters, light sabers and AT-AT walkers can be. Johnson juxtaposes nihilism with hope, and asks whether anyone can be truly free when they are locked in such an eternal battle, regardless of wheth-

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ot only is Star Wars: The Last Jedi the best entry in the series since 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back, it may well be the first to truly break new cinematic ground since the 1977 original. Writer-director Rian Johnson (Brick, Looper, the best episodes of “Breaking Bad”) employs the full arsenal of what a science fiction space opera can be without appearing stylistically or narratively held back by any of the previous films. Callbacks are at a minimum, the famous Lucas wipes between scenes are totally gone, and any instances of fanservice advance the story without pandering. Star Wars was rebooted two years ago, but now it’s back.

All of this trailblazing is fitting for a tale based on realizing that one’s destiny may be to bury the past and rebuild rather than to correct the failures of those who came before. At the end of The Force Awakens, we see Luke Skywalker living as a hermit on an isolated island on a planet in a remote corner of the galaxy.

Rey (Daisy Ridley) hands him the light saber he used to accomplish feats that have become the stuff of legend, and the silent stare he gives speaks volumes. When we meet him in The Last Jedi, he promptly throws that cherished relic over his shoulder, having come to the conclusion that he is anything but a legend, that he must die in isolation and take the entire memory of the Jedi Order with him. Luke becomes a mentor to Rey, but not the same sort that Yoda was to him; despite Rey’s obvious talent and determination, Luke is attempting to show the truth of the Force, that it will continue to exist without the Jedi and their supposed failures, including his own that led Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) to fully embrace the dark side.

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December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

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January 19th • 6:30 pm In the name of the ‘Maîtres Cuisiniers of France” Chef André Soltner, proprietor of the legendary Lutéce in New York City, will be hosting a dinner to honor our beloved late Chef Gérard Gasparini

115 S Main St, Gordonsville, VA 22942 (540) 832-0130

LIVING

Q&A: What are some of your family’s holiday traditions?

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PAGE 62

AT THE TABLE

Uncommon wealth Revamped restaurant shows off Virginia’s riches

By C. Simon Davidson eatdrink@c-ville.com

EZE AMOS

I

Leni Sorensen, retired African-American research historian for the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello, says Virginia cuisine is a melting pot of influences. Commonwealth Restaurant & Skybar’s ham hock meatballs “scream Virginia,” says chef Reggie Calhoun.

Yes, culinary tradition is worth preserving and informs what we eat today. But, to the moniker “true” Virginia cuisine, no period of time—not the 1700s nor the 2000s—can lay sole claim.

Relatedly, there is no concept of “pure” Virginia cuisine unadulterated by outside influences. From its earliest days, our commonwealth’s food has been a melting pot of other cultural influences, applied to Virginia produce. “What we are really looking at,” Sorensen said, “is a tradition, at any given time, of including what’s available.” In early days, influences came from Europe and, through slavery, West Africa. More recently, our state has seen a burst of immigration of people from El Salvador, India and Mexico, among other places.

Commonwealth’s new menu reflects these concepts well. Keevil’s favorite menu item, for example, pork rinds with spicy pork dip, puts a modern twist on a classic Virginia ingredient.

Traditionally prepared rinds, fried until puffy

and crisp, are vessels to scoop ground Autumn Olive Farms pork, spiked with punchy flavors from Virginia’s more recent Asian cultural influences: fish sauce, cilantro, chili peppers and ginger. “Brilliant,” says Sorensen, who confesses to being “gobsmacked” by the dish.

Calhoun’s favorite dish, ham hock meatballs, “screams Virginia,” he says. After boiling hocks in chicken broth for four hours, Calhoun binds the picked meat with ground Autumn Olive pork, Timbercreek Farm beef, egg, panko, Parmesan, oregano, parsley, fennel seed and some of the broth. The delicious, plump meatballs were served atop blistered field peas, a classic Virginia crop, says Sorensen.

So too are cabbage and Brussels sprouts, which joined forces in a wintry cruciferous salad. A slaw of raw cabbage leaves and sprouts adorned charred slices of heart of cabbage, in a rich but balanced butter walnut vinaigrette, with crumbles of bacon and more walnuts.

“Delicious and complex,” praises Sorensen.

Rockfish is another Virginia staple, and Calhoun gives it the royal treatment. Together with several mussels, a flaky, white filet of fish is bathed in a fumet made by reducing a broth of rockfish bones, onion, fennel, carrot and rosemary. “This is marvelous. Absolutely marvelous,” Sorensen says afer one bite.

And, finally, there was more pork, of course. This is Virginia, after all. The cut of the day was a grilled Timbercreek Farm pork chop that was so full of flavor that Sorensen and I were both astounded to learn it had not been brined. Instead, it had been simply grilled with salt and pepper.

“We want the flavor of the pork to really shine,” Keevil says.

So, what to make of Commonwealth’s new take on Virginia cuisine? “If this is what they mean by it, I am impressed,” Sorensen says. “I expected it to be good, but this is better than good. It’s excellent.”

LIVING TO DO NONPROFIT

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Gingerbread house making

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New Year’s Day 5K

Through December 24

Friday, December 22

Monday, January 1

Thursday, December 21

Holiday pop-up market features designers, makers and artists from across the area. Free entry, various hours. The Bridge PAI, 209 Monticello Rd. 984-5669.

Musician Jan Smith leads guests in singing carols around the campfire.

Free, 6-8pm. Devils Backbone Brewing Company, 200 Mosbys Run, Roseland. 361-1001.

The Charlottesville Track Club hosts this run that benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia. $2535, 11am. 5405 Wesley Chapel Rd., Free Union. cvilletrackclub.org

Show your creative spirit by decorating graham cracker gingerbread houses. $15 (includes museum admission for one child and one adult), 4pm. Virginia Discovery Museum, 524 E. Main St., Downtown Mall.

977-1025.

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FAMILY

@eatdrinkcville

From its earliest days, our commonwealth’s food has been a melting pot of other cultural influences, applied to Virginia produce.

December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

s there such a thing as “Virginia cuisine”? It’s an old question, and one I found myself revisiting after learning that Commonwealth Restaurant & Skybar has a new motto: “modern Virginia cuisine.”

What is Virginia cuisine—modern or otherwise? And, is Commonwealth’s any good?

To help answer these questions, I called Dr. Leni Sorensen, who may know as much about Virginia food history as anyone alive.

The retired African-American research historian for the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello is a Virginia food historian who has cooked her way through much of Mary Randolph’s definitive 1824 cookbook, The Virginia House-Wife.

Commonwealth’s renewed focus on modern Virginia cuisine comes via Will Richey’s company, Ten Course Hospitality, which the restaurant’s owners hired this fall to revamp and manage the Downtown Mall eatery. For the menu that Richey envisioned, he could think of no better consultant than Harrison Keevil, an area chef well-versed in Virginia food. Now the co-owner of Keevil & Keevil Grocery and Kitchen, Keevil sourced almost every ingredient from Virginia at Brookville, his former restaurant. Together, Keevil and Commonwealth chef Reggie Calhoun developed a new Virginia menu.

Over a dinner of the fruits of their labor, Sorensen and I dove deep into the question of Virginia cuisine, starting from a premise that, at first glance, might seem tautological: Virginia cuisine is whatever people in Virginia typically cook and eat. But, to follow the logical consequences that flow from the premise is to reach several key insights. First, while history matters, it is not the only thing that matters.

46

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47

Family ties Fifeville diner feels like home

By Erin O’Hare eatdrink@c-ville.com

O

More dough Janet Dob and Cynthia Viejo, aka the Bageladies, known around town for their Bake’mmm bagels and City Market staple bagelini sandwiches, are finalists in the Spark Tank $20,000 Business Accelerator Giveaway, a “Shark Tank”-style competition sponsored by Valley Inbound Marketing out of Staunton and Viking Forge Design out of Waynesboro.

The Bageladies are among the eight finalists who will present business plans to a panel of judges and a public audience at James Madison University on Saturday, January 13. And if they win the $20,000 marketing package, that might mean more bagelinis for all of us: Viejo and Dob are currently working on getting a bagelini bus up and running.

Nacho fast Cho’s Nachos closed December 17 after serving nachos galore (poke sushi nachos, buffalo chicken nachos, fajita nachos, even s’mores nachos) for just under a year. The restaurant, which opened in the longtime McGrady’s spot at 946 Grady Ave., announced on its Facebook page the space will relaunch as a sports bar concept.

Join us for

HAPPY HOUR

@artscville

DINNER + WEEKEND BRUNCH

December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

n a recent Tuesday morning, a frigid wind whipped through Charlottesville, but all was warm and cozy inside the Cherry Avenue Diner at 820 Cherry Ave. in Fifeville. Sparkly snowman decorations hung from the wall sconces lighting each wooden booth, and two waitresses bustled about behind the counter, one wearing a green elf apron and the other wearing a red Mrs. Claus apron, complete with faux fur trim.

A pink-frosted cake sat under a clear plastic dome on the counter, a spoon stirred cream into a mug of coffee and bacon sizzled on the grill. The whole place smelled like breakfast.

Two men sat at the high-top counter and scrolled through social media apps on their phones. The diner’s only been open for a couple of months, but already, they say, it’s a favorite spot: The place has good food for a reasonable price. So far, they like the eggs and corned beef hash breakfast ($5.29) and the biscuits and gravy ($4) best.

The Cherry Avenue Diner is owned and operated by Gordon Faulknier and his sons, George and Andrew. Before opening the diner, the family ran a convenience store in Buckingham County, and when they heard the spot in the Cherry Avenue Shopping Center was open, they thought a diner would be a good fit, Faulknier says.

From a booth near the back of the restaurant, Faulknier points to a hamburger poster hanging in the front window—that’s a photo of an actual hamburger made here in the diner, he says with pride—and talks about how they source their beef from Reid’s Super-Save Market on Preston Avenue because it’s the best beef in town.

The Cherry Avenue Diner is open from 7am to 6pm daily. An egg breakfast with

toast or biscuit, home fries and a choice of meat will run you between $5 and $7, pancakes are about $4, and omelets are around $5. Breakfast is served all day, but there are lunch and dinner offerings, too, including hot dogs, grilled cheeses and burgers, plus sides of macaroni salad, potato salad, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, French fries and more. There are salads and pizzas, pork chop and country-fried steak platters, and Shirley’s Southern fried chicken—famous out in Scottsville, Faulknier says— made in-house by Shirley, herself.

Tue-Sun, 5-7 pm

Sat-Sun, 11 am-2 pm 401 E. Main St. Downtown Mall 434.202.6040 Cherry Avenue Diner, run by Gordon Faulknier and his sons, Andrew and George, serves breakfast all day at affordable prices, as well as lunch and dinner offerings. JOHN ROBINSON

@redpumpkitchen

redpumpkitchen.com

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BRUNCH

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The local authority Save the date!

It’s never too early to make New Year’s Eve plans (no, really), which is why we’re working on something big: C-VILLE’s Big Night.

Party with us—drinks, dancing, casino games and more—and ring in 2018 in style. Get your tickets at cville.boldtypetickets.com.

You are here In each edition of 434, we tell you the best ways to take advantage of our area—from outdoor recreation to can’t-miss events. This year is no exception. For every season, we’ve compiled the must-sees and mustdos, plus a map to help you get around. Here’s what’s inside:

(434)

facebook.com/cville.weekly @artscville December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

INSIDE!

make yourself at home

• Scottsville’s annual batteau show

THE INN CROWD AN OVERNIGHT SPOT CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN’S SIGHTS THINGS ARE LOOKING UP YOUR BEST BETS FOR A STUNNING SUNSET COME SAIL AWAY DOWN THE JAMES, A DECADES-OLD TRADITION LIKE THE REAL THING THE SOUTHERN’S ANNUAL LOOK-ALIKE CONCERT 2018

...AND MORE!

What to do?

FOLD-OUT

• Our favorite spots to catch a sunset

• Scanning the local graffiti scene

C-VILLE Weekly is seeking Jacks and Jills of all trades who can turn a phrase with attitude and artistry (and impeccable grammar).

Email writing samples to editor @c-ville.com.

CITY, DOWNTO AND UVA MAPWN S

• A tour of the area’s best bookstores

• How to navigate our finest wineries

The write stuff

YOU ARE HERE!

Online all the time Make c-ville.com your go-to website for breaking news and trending topics. It’s where you’ll find all of our stories from the newspaper and magazines, as well as web-only exclusives—videos, photo galleries, playlists and more.

C-VILLE Weekly, the

Social scene

alternative voice for everything happening in our city, is your source for news that affects your life. We cover the arts, music, food and community topics you need to know. We’ll tell you where to go, what to see, what to do, what to eat. This is our town—live it up.

Connect with us on social media to stay up-to-date on news and events as they happen in real time.

Facebook: facebook.com/cville.weekly Twitter: Community news: @cvillenews_desk Food and drink: @eatdrinkcville The arts: @artscville Instagram: @cvilleweekly

What you were reading The top five articles on C-VILLE Weekly’s Facebook page last week: 1. Converted van is city’s newest coffee spot 2. Blue Christmas: Diner not ready to reopen 3. Charge upgraded: First-degree murder, nine felonies from August 12 certified to grand jury 4. Dude, where’s my mail?

Frustrated residents want answers 5. C-VILLE’s Big Night video

For your complete guide to can’tmiss events (and to submit your own!), visit events.c-ville.com.

This is our town.

.com

LIVING FREE WILL ASTROLOGY LIVING FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

By Rob Brezsny

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In 2018, one of your primary missions will be to practice what you preach, to walk your talk, to be ambitious and masterful in all the ways a soulful human can and should be ambitious and masterful. Live up to your hype in the coming months, Capricorn! Do what you have promised! Stop postponing your dreams!

Fulfill the noble expectations you have for yourself! Don’t be shy about using exclamation points to express your visions of what’s right and good and just!

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Years ago, when I started my career as a horoscope writer, my editor counseled me, “Always give priority to the Big Three. Romance, money and power are what people care about most.” After a few months, he was disgruntled to realize that I wrote about how to cultivate psychological health and nourish spiritual aspirations as much as his Big Three. He would have replaced me if he could have found another astrology writer whose spelling and grammar were as good as mine. But his edict traumatized me a bit. Even today, I worry that I don’t provide you with enough help concerning the Big Three. Fortunately, that’s not relevant now, since I can sincerely declare that 2018 will bring you chances to become more powerful by working hard on your psychological health, to grow wealthier by cultivating your spiritual aspirations and to generate more love by being wise and ethical in your quest for money and power.

Pisces

Aries (March 21-April 19): Your life in the first half of 2018 will be like a psychological boot camp that’s designed to beef up your emo-

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The blunt fact is that you can’t be delivered from the old demoralizing pattern that has repeated and repeated itself—until you forgive yourself completely. For that matter, you probably can’t move on to the next chapter of your life story until you compensate yourself for at least some of the unnecessary torment you’ve inflicted on yourself. Now here’s the good news: 2018 will be an excellent time to accomplish these healings.

tional intelligence. Here’s another way to visualize your oncoming adventures: They will constitute a friendly nudge from the cosmos, pushing you to be energetic and ingenious in creating the kind of partnerships you want for the rest of your long life.

As you go through your interesting tests and riddles, be on the lookout for glimpses of what your daily experience could be like in five years if you begin now to deepen your commitment to love and collaboration.

Taurus (April 20-May 20): You’ll soon have a chance to glide out into the frontier. I suggest you pack your bag of tricks. Bring gifts with you, too, just in case you must curry favor in the frontiers where the rules are a bit loose. How are your improvisational instincts? Be sure they’re in top shape. How willing are you to summon spontaneity and deal with unpredictability and try impromptu experiments?

I hope you’re very willing. This may sound like a lot of work, but I swear it’ll be in a good cause. If you’re well-prepared as you wander in the borderlands, you’ll score sweet secrets and magic cookies. Here’s more good news: Your explorations will position you well to take advantage of the opportunities that’ll become available throughout 2018.

Gemini (May 21-June 20): These days it’s not unusual to see male celebrities who shave their heads. Bruce Willis, Dwayne Johnson, Seal, Tyrese Gibson and Vin Diesel are among them. But in the 20th century, the bare-headed style was rare. One famous case was actor Yul Brynner. By age 30, he’d begun to go bald.

In 1951, for his role as the King of Siam in the Broadway play The King and I, he decided to shave off all his hair. From then on, the naked-headed look became his trademark as he plied a successful acting career. So he capitalized on what many in his profession

considered a liability. He built his power and success by embracing an apparent disadvantage. I recommend you practice your own version of this strategy in 2018. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to begin.

Cancer (June 21-July 22): In the Northern Hemisphere, where 88 percent of the world’s population resides, this is a quiescent time for the natural world. Less sunlight is available, and plants’ metabolisms slow down as photosynthesis diminishes. Deciduous trees lose their leaves, and even many evergreens approach dormancy. And yet in the midst of this stasis, Cancerian, you are beginning to flourish. Gradually at first, but with increasing urgency, you’re embarking on an unprecedented phase of growth. I foresee that 2018 will be your Year of Blossoming.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): If you’ve had an unfulfilled curiosity about genealogy or your ancestors or the riddles of your past, 2018 will be a favorable time to investigate. Out-of-touch relatives will be easier to locate than usual.

Lost heirlooms, too. You may be able to track down and make use of a neglected legacy. Even family secrets could leak into view—both the awkward and the charming kinds. If you think you have everything figured out about the people you grew up with and the history of where you came from, you’re in for surprises.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Most of us regard our ring fingers as the least important of our digits.

What are they good for? Is there any activity for which they’re useful? But our ancestors had a stronger relationship with their fourth fingers. There was a folk belief that a special vein connected the fourth finger on the left hand directly to the heart. That’s why a tradition arose around the wedding ring being

worn there. It may have also been a reason why pharmacists regarded their fourth fingers as having an aptitude for discerning useful blends of herbs. I bring this up, Virgo, because I think it’s an apt metaphor for one of 2018’s important themes: A resource you have underestimated or neglected will be especially valuable—and may even redefine your understanding of what’s truly valuable.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In fairy tales, characters are often rewarded for their acts of kindness.

They may be given magical objects that serve as protection, like cloaks of invisibility or shoes that enable them to flee trouble. Or the blessings they receive may be life-enhancing, like enchanted cauldrons that provide a never-ending supply of delicious food or musical instruments that have the power to summon delightful playmates. I bring this up, Libra, because I suspect that a similar principle will be very active in your life during 2018. You’ll find it easier and more natural than usual to express kindness, empathy and compassion. If you consistently capitalize on this predilection, life will readily provide you with the resources you need.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Like all of us, you go through mediocre phases when you’re not functioning at peak efficiency. But I suspect that in 2018 you will experience fewer of these blah times. We will see a lot of you at your best. Even more than usual, you’ll be an interesting catalyst who energizes and ripens collaborative projects. You’ll demonstrate why the sweet bracing brightness needs the deep dark depths, and vice versa.

You’ll help allies open doors that they can’t open by themselves. The rest of us thank you in advance!

Expanded weekly audio horoscopes and daily text message horoscopes: RealAstrology.com, 1-877-873-4888.

The Salvation Army Family Store Discount Days Thursday thru Monday: Select clothing items 4/$1.00

Donations needed: Clothing and household items Donations can be dropped off at

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We Pick up your Good Reusable Furniture

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od o g t s o em h t g n i Do

December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

(Feb. 19-March 20): What binds you? What keeps you closed down and locked up? I urge you to ponder those questions, Pisces. Once you get useful answers, the next step will be to meditate on how you can undo the binds.

Fantasize and brainstorm about the specific actions you can take to unlock and unclose yourself. This project will be excellent preparation for the opportunities that the coming months will make available to you.

I’m happy to announce that 2018 will be your personal Year of Liberation.

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Don’t forget the finishing touch

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

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Ragged Mountain Running Shop Ragged Mountain Gift Certificates bringing joy to walkers and runners since 1982!

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#3 Elliewood • 434-293-3367 It’s quiet on The UVA Corner with our student neighbors away until Mid-January.

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The Ultimate Shopping and Dining Experience Alamo Drafthouse Cinema I Panera Bread I Fuzzy’s Taco Shop I Jersey Mike’s I Red Mango I Timberwood Tap House I Krispy Kreme ABC Liquor I Mattress Warehouse I PetSmart I A.C. Moore I GNC Wegmans I Dick’s Sporting Goods I Field and Stream I Havertys I Dollar Tree Hair Cuttery I Mailbox Express I Sentara Family Medicine I Lee Nails I Sally Beauty I Sprint I Primary Eyecare I Great Clips I Bank of the James Verizon I Select Medical I Hand and Stone I Planet Fitness I Primary Eyecare

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LIVING CROSSWORD

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Flyover

BY DAVID LEVINSON WILK

1. [OMG!] 5. Cotillard won Best Actress for playing her 9. Not too quick on the uptake 14. Org. fighting anti-Muslim discrimination 15. That ____ say 16. Pass 17. “Enough already!”

18. Pennsylvania Dutch treat 20. Refresh, as a cup of coffee 22. #43 of 50 23. ____ the day 24. Org. that ranked “To Kill a Mockingbird” as the #1 legal movie of all time 27. Super Bowl whose pregame show honored the Apollo astronauts 28. Points awarded for a safety at the Super Bowl 31. Rare occurrences at Super Bowls, briefly 32. One who shouldn’t be driving 34. Sacagawea dollar, e.g.

35. Saintly glow 36. Where buffalo roam 37. Epithet for Middle America made by New Yorkers and Los Angelenos ... or four literal occurrences in this puzzle 42. #28 of 50 43. Store sign that might be flipped at 9 a.m.

44. ____ Jones’ locker 45. Modern surgical tools 47. Store head: Abbr.

50. ____ Lanka 2

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28. Firm (up), as muscles 29. Halloween supplies 30. “That’s ____ I haven’t heard!”

33. Spanish bulls 34. Panther or puma 36. Unfortunate price to pay 37. Phobia 38. 66, in old Rome 39. “Whoopee!”

40. Discharge, as from a volcano 41. Mega- times a million 42. Scores by RBs and WRs 45. Okeechobee, e.g.

46. Oldsmobile models sold from 1999 to 2004 47. “Yeah, r-i-i-ight!”

48. Irish county or port 49. “Casino ____” (First Bond book) 51. “I Fall To Pieces” singer Cline DOWN 54. “bye 4 now” 55. “____ hollers, let ...”

1. What the “G” in GI tract 57. Smokes stands for 58. High fig. for a hybrid car 2. Misbehave 59. Maidenform product 3. Hit the ____ 60. 180 4. ____ platter 61. Put a match to 5. Detectives, for short 62. Hails from Rocky Balboa 6. Suffix with sheep or hawk 7. Yours, in Paris 12/13/17 ANSWERS 8. Zagat’s reader, informally 9. Indira Gandhi International Airport site G A T Y E A R H U R L S U P I E L E C I N V I E W 10. Greek war goddess E R E L I T A G L E N N E V I G I L A N T H E R E S T 11. Be out for a bit?

A C A S E A B U A S S A N 12. ____-fi R O M A N A A B B R U T A A T E M N O R M A N P E P 13. When the French toast?

U P T H E A N T E 19. ____ to middling W C S E R R A N D L E G G A L E T E A L S O I R E E 21. Feeling of pity D U R A N T L C S H O R T S E R I A L S D E B U T A N 25. Wally’s bro, on ‘50s-’60s U S A R M Y A R C O I L E TV P I N T E R H O U R S D A N O O S E A M A N M O R 26. What car wheels turn on

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December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

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51. Chum 52. 2008 Pulitzer-winning novel “The Brief Wondrous Like of Oscar ____” 53. ____ Ming, 2016 NBA Hall of Fame inductee 54. George who played Sulu on “Star Trek” 56. “Back to the Future” family name 58. 1988 Best Play Tony winner inspired by Puccini 63. #29 of 50 64. Hunts, with “on” 65. #17 of 50 66. Aim 67. With festiveness 68. You might give them props 69. Eye affliction 7820-81

ACROSS

December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

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(for liners) Tuesday at 10:30 for inclusion in Wednesday’s paper.

In advance. We accept all major credit cards, cash, or check.

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HVAC positions - Multiple Openings Facilities Management (FM) at the University of Virginia seeks multiple HVAC professionals!

Senior HVAC Assistant Mechanic OR the HVAC Mechanic: To view and apply for this position, visit https://jobs.virginia.edu and search for US Position number 06767. To ensure consideration, please submit your application as soon as possible.

-HVAC Assistant Mechanic: supports HVAC Mechanics with HVAC repairs, cleans job sites, trains on more advanced installations and emergency repairs, and follows all customer service and safety protocols. A high school diploma is required with some experience in HVAC installation and repair.

-HVAC Mechanic: services, overhauls and repairs a variety of equipment including water fountains (coolers), ice machines, refrigerators, freezers, and walk in boxes in support of zone maintenance. A high school diploma is required along with at least four years of experience in the HVAC trade.

Candidates MUST have the HVAC journey- man license.

HVAC Installation and Repair Technician Senior: To view and apply for this position, visit https://jobs.virginia.edu and search for US Position number 06517. To ensure consideration, please submit your application as soon as possible.

Performs skilled repair, maintenance, and installation of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Establishes schedules for preventive maintenance of equipment. Provides technical guidance and trains lower level mechanics and/or apprentices. Takes periodic readings of indicators and gauges, valves, motors, and other devices in order to maintain functioning equipment and keep records.

Review drawings of new constructions for Hospital Engineer and makes recommendations and provides feedback on HVAC specifications.

City of Charlottesville The City of Charlottesville is accepting applications for full-time and temporary positions.

The City employs administrative, professional, technical, public safety, recreational, and skilled and trades workers who are dedicated to public service in this exceptional city.

Be part of our team, make a difference and have a career in your community!

For a list of current opportunities and for directions on how to apply, visit:

www.charlottesville.org/jobs Questions? Contact the HR Office: 434-970-3490 The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce.

December 20-26, 2017, c-ville.com

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The University of Virginia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIANS, & MASTER ELECTRICIANS Needed for work in Charlottesville, VA. Candidates must be safety conscious, reliable, willing to work, and punctual. Full benefits available including 401K,vision, HSA, medical, & dental. Pre-employment drugscreen and physical required. Must be able to read blue prints and run EMT conduit proficiently. Competitive pay; salary commensurate with experience in the commercial electrical trade.

Apply online at www.designelectricinc.com Design Electric, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• Receptionist-Part time • Activities Assistant-Full Time • Registered Medication AideFull time • Personal Care Aide-Full time

• Environmental Services (housekeeping aide)-Full Time • Licensed Practical NurseFull time • Dietary AideTemporary Full Time

If you are committed to providing the highest level of care and services to our residents, consider a position at Mountainside Senior Living.

Commitment and compassion are what drives our team to work every day to exceed the expectations of our residents.

At Mountainside, we strive to create an environment of respect, compassion and belonging for everyone.

To apply, mail resume to Annette Jarvis, or apply in person at 1220 Crozet Avenue, Crozet, VA 22932.

Follow us on Facebook Mountainside Senior Living is dedicated to providing the highest quality of services adn care in a compassionate home-like environment. Supporting ALL of our community is what we are, what we do, and what we stand for.

CLASSIFIEDS

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www.uvaclinicaltrials.com Advancing Healthcare Through

Clinical Trials

This is our town. .com

NAFLD or NASH Study

Breastfeeding Study

Seeking men and women, ages 21-75, diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to determine if the drug AZD4017 reduces liver fat and liver fibrosis in people with NAFLD or NASH as compared to placebo.

The study will involve up to 8 visits to the UVA Clinical Research Units. All tests and drugs will be paid for by the study. Compensation is up to $1,200. Principal Investigator: Rita Basu, MD.

Researchers seek healthy, lactating mothers with young infants (1 to 6 months). The purpose is to compare an infant changing table and a personal breastfeeding monitor that measure breast milk intake. Participants use the devices at home for 1 week and complete a brief survey. Two brief UVA Health System visits include device training and return of the devices at the end of the study. Compensation is a $25 gift card. Principal Investigator: Joann McDermid, MD.

UVA Endocrinology Rita Basu, MD | 434.924.5183 IRB-HSR #20155

UVA Medicine and Nutrition Services Linda Brede | Lib6fm@virginia.edu IRB-HSR #19650

How clinical trials benefit you. At UVA, clinical trials are taking place every day. Because of this, UVA is an environment of care where learning, discovery and innovation flourish. And it is our patients — today and in the future — who reap the rewards, whether or not they participate in a trial. Please call the trial coordinator to enroll confidentially or for additional information.

regionten

innovative services for mental health, developmental disabilities and substance use disorders

a better life, a better community

Region Ten Community Services Board Helpdesk Technician I/ Information Technology Region Ten is seeking applications to fill a high volume, fast paced helpdesk vacancy. Qualified candidates need to exhibit a strong ability to analyze problems, troubleshoot hardware and software issues in a Microsoft PC and server environment, and demonstrate a strong customer service level. The ability to work independently, provide on-the-job training, and move equipment to all Region Ten sites is required. MS Office, Excel and general documentation skills are required. Good verbal and written communication skills are essential. A VA driver’s license plus an acceptable driving record are required. $36,396.70 annually.

Nurse, PACT LPN

c-ville.com

Visit our jobs section at www.regionten.org

Anonymous Egg Donors Needed The Reproductive Medicine & Surgery Center of Virginia is looking for young women interested in helping couples who are unable to conceive using their own eggs.

To be an anonymous egg donor, we need applicants who are: • Between 21 years - 31 years old • In good general health • Within normal weight range • Non-smoker For more information and an application, please con-tact Stephanie Barrix, R.N., IVF/Egg Donor Coordinator @ stephanie.barrix@rmscva.com or call 434.654.8537.Also, visit our website www.rmscva.com

or contact Susan Good at 434-972-1898 for details.

Relevant and rewarding work? Check. Relaxed yet ambitious company culture? Absolutely.

Want to be a dream maker yourself? Let’s talk. worldstrides.com/careers

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Jobs are out. Journeys are in.

Dream makers wanted Can travel change people’s lives? You bet! At WorldStrides, we’re dream makers. We take students around the globe, to connect with new worlds and bring home big new ideas.

December 20-26, 2017, c-ville.com

The PACT team is seeking a dynamic and energetic Licensed Practical Nurse interested in working with individuals with an SMI diagnosis. This position offers a broad range of experiences and opportunities for professional growth in addition to an opportunity to work with a multi-disciplinary team of experienced mental health professionals. Must be willing to engage with consumers in a variety of community based settings. The hours of this position are flexible with some weekend hours required. Must be a graduate of an accredited program and be an LPN licensed to practice in Virginia. Experience in working with individuals with SMI preferred. Salary negotiable.

Compensation for a completed egg donation cycle is $4,500.

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Q&A What are some of your family’s holiday traditions?

Getting a tree up at Skylark on the @BlueRidgeNPS and packing Christmas baskets for families in need in Rockbridge County.

In-laws’ house: Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation with maybe a little too much whiskey in front of a big fire.

HAINES EASON/FACEBOOK

We gather a large group of friends to go caroling in our neighborhood, then return home to drink punch and cocoa while we sing some more in the warm glow of the real candles on our tree.

SUE BERRES/EMAIL

@WORTHYSTYLE/TWITTER

Just being with family.

Wassail spiked with rum.

My husband and I watch It’s a Wonderful Life at least twice every Christmas season. We started dating in December 2011 and watched this movie on our second date. Been watching it together ever since.

JEREMY SHARP/FACEBOOK

@COPELANDANDI/TWITTER

MATT PRIMIANI

Going to McGuffey Art Center to blow a couple of glass ornaments with Chip Hall at Frozen Motion Glass! We really look forward to it each and every year!

Watching the “Doctor Who” Christmas special. Allons-y!

My grandma started the famous Cville Boy Scouts Apple Dumplings fundraiser. I remember grandma rolling and making all the dough for the 1,000 dumplings by hand. No one was allowed to make the dough except my grandma. We would meet at the Hydraulic Road. Mormon church to peel and core the apples. My grandma died last year, but the yearly funds raised for the Boy Scouts continues, and I have her recipe and I know how to make and roll her dough. Every year since I can remember we have apple dumplings right before Christmas.

@DOCTORMO77/TWITTER

ADRIENNE EICHNER/FACEBOOK

LESLIE BEAUREGARD/FACEBOOK

We always play Mexican train dominoes.

December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

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JENNIFER PREWITT

Next week’s question: What lessons from 2017 will you carry into the new year?

Send your answers to question@c-ville.com, or respond via Twitter @cvillenews_desk (#cvillequestion), Instagram @cvilleweekly or on our Facebook page facebook.com/cville.weekly. The best responses will run in next week’s paper. Have a question of your own you’d like to ask? Let us know.

big night 12-31-17

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! 21+ EVENT

WWW.C-VILLETICKETS.COM

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December 20 – 26, 2017 c-ville.com

We offer unique, one of a kind gifts for everyone on your list!

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