Best of C-VILLE 2024

Soundness

Grub

Connecting Charlottesville

L

From

Come

Women In Motion

Physical Therapy & Wellness

Thank you Charlottesville, for choosing us as Best of Cville Physical Therapy 4 years in a row!

Improving health every day

Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital is committed to delivering a distinctive combination of cutting-edge technology along with our Caring Tradition, the promise of personalized care tailored to the needs of each individual patient. It’s what we do. So you can do what you love to do.

Thank You!

To our homeowners, trade partners, neighbors, friends, and Charlottesville community for voting us, Charlottesville’s BEST Local Homebuilder! We are honored to be your favorite local homebuilder and proud of the relationships we have built together.

Thank you for voting for our very own Design Center Manager, Shelby Webb, Cville’s Best Interior Designer! We are commited to making your design experience a fun one and look forward to helping you create your perfect home!

Where Art Meets Luxury

(434) 205-0056

www.thedoylehotel.com

Nestled in the heart of Charlottesville, The Doyle Hotel offers a vibrant blend of artistic flair and contemporary luxury. Just minutes away from the University of Virginia, our prime location places guests at the center of the city’s dynamic academic and cultural scene.

Formerly known as The Quirk Hotel Charlottesville, The Doyle Hotel is proud to continue the legacy of this beautiful property. As part of the Blue Suede Hospitality Group, we provide an exceptional experience with our state-of-the-art digital contactless check-in process and multiple lively onsite bars and restaurants. Discover sophisticated comfort, exceptional service, and the colorful, artistic fusion that defines The Doyle Hotel.

An elevated experience awaits. Enjoy C’Ville’s BEST Rooftop Views, handcrafted cocktails and a seasonally-inspired menu on the rooftop of The Doyle Hotel. Savor a variety of food + beverage experiences at The Doyle Hotel.

No, you’re the best

Welcome to Best of C-VILLE, where the (locally roasted) coffee’s hot and the votes are in. Again this year, we asked our readers to rank their favorite plumbers, party spots, pizza, and more, and again this year you delivered a list of the best stuff in town.

If we’re being honest, like many “Best of” competitions, our annual poll gets a lot of flak for being a popularity contest. And why shouldn’t it be? The most popular people, places, and things lead the pack each year, thanks to loyal clientele casting a ballot in their favor. Does this mean that every winner is scientifically

ENTERTAINMENT

Music, theater, books:

Here’s what’s been getting your attention. P.17

SERVICES

Who you gonna call? These home, finance, and beauty experts. P.97

HEALTH + FITNESS

You know what they say: “Sweat it and forget it!” (close enough). P.37

WEDDINGS

On the best day ever, here’s who you trust to get you down the aisle. P.125

proven to be the most superior option in their field? Maybe not. But it does mean that every winner has enough fans willing to shout their allegiance from the virtual rooftops.

Ultimately, that’s what the contest is all about— support. Like you, we’ll celebrate anything we think deserves a shout-out. For C-VILLE’s editorial staff, that also includes a whole host of things not covered in the readers’ poll (find more than 40 of our picks, in addition to the official contest winners, throughout the magazine), and it includes you. When it comes right down to it, maybe you’re the best of C-VILLE after all.—Caite Hamilton

FOOD + DRINK

Feeling hungry? Try one of these 80+ spots to satisfy a rumbly tum. P.53

KIDS + FAMILY

It takes a village to raise— that is, clothe, feed, entertain—a child. P.141

SHOPPING

You bet your bottom dollar these winners are worth an extra look. P.79

BEST FOR LAST

Let’s go to the Mall! P.154

Parlor the Studio produced this year's cover image. Many thanks also to The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative for the use of its space and Neon Soul for supplying props.

Over 40 Years of clinical excellence and unparalleled customer service 2024 WINNER

Congratulations Dr. Zach Paukert Winner Best Dentist

Your Place. Our Purpose.

P.O. Box 119, Charlottesville VA, 22902 c-ville.com/best-2024

& Jessica Saadut

Jessica Saadut

Thank you to all our clients, family, and friends for recognizing my dedication to helping home buyers and sellers. I am so grateful to do what I do, and enjoy it so much! - Jessica

Richard DiCicco, Carol Diggs, Jedd Ferris, Shea Gibbs, Sydney Halleman Maeve

Caite Hamilton.

Hayden, Rachael Kesler, Catie Ratliff, Susan Sorensen. PHOTOGRAPHERS Dan Addison, Eze Amos, Stephen Barling, Caleb Briggs, Tom Daly, Jen Fariello, Hunter + Sarah Photography, Martyn Kyle, Jack Looney, Tom McGovern, Parlor the Studio, John Robinson, The Smiths, Skyclad Aerial, Sanjay Suchak, Katie Thompson, Tristan Williams. ART DIRECTOR Max March.

Service Dogs of Virginia

Because life can change in an instant

It takes 2 years and $40,000 to train a dog to become a service dog.

Since 2000 Service Dogs of Virginia has been placing service dogs at no charge to our clients. We need your help to ensure we can continue place these dogs that allow greater personal freedom and independence to those living with disabilities.

Client Didi: “Wylie is my best friend. The world is not made for people with disabilities, but Wylie and I are working on it.”

Please consider making a donation or volunteering. You too can become a life changer!

www.servicedogsva.org

P.O. Box 408 Charlottesville, VA 22901

info@servicedogsva.org

Service Dogs of Virginia @servicedogsva

ART MUSEUM OR GALLERY

Ix Art Park ixartpark.org

McGuffey Art Center mcguffeyartcenter.com

BAND

Love Canon lovecanonmusic.com

Kendall Street Company kendallstreetcompany.com

CLASSICAL MUSIC GROUP

Charlottesville Symphony cvillesymphony.org

The Oratorio Society of Virginia oratoriosociety.org

DRAG VENUE

The Southern Café & Music Hall

thesoutherncville.com

Botanical Fare botanicalfare.com

DRAMATIC ARTS VENUE

The Paramount Theater theparamount.net

Live Arts livearts.org

FESTIVAL

Tom Tom Festival tomtomfoundation.org

Virginia Film Festival virginiafilmfestival.org

FIRST DATE

Decades Arcade decadesarcade.com

Eastwood Farm and Winery eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

GALLERY ARTIST

Sharon Shapiro @sharonshapiro

Beatrix Ost @beatrixost

KARAOKE NIGHT

Dürty Nelly’s durtynellys charlottesville.com

Holly’s Diner @hollysdinercville

LOCAL AUTHOR

John Grisham jgrisham.com

Jocelyn Nicole Johnson jocelynnjohnson.com

ON PAGE 21

50TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

Don’t miss your chance to hear beloved classics and fresh voices. Great music is waiting for you!

Beethoven Symphony No. 5 September 28-29

Dvořák Symphony No. 8 November 16-17

Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet February 8-9

Family Holiday Concerts December 7-8

Mozart Requiem March 22-23

Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 April 26-27

+ Barber, Borodin, Debussy, de Falla, Ravel, Saariaho, Shaw, Verdi and more!

Puzzling it out

Treasure hunt transforms Downtown Mall into pirate island

Anyone who walked the Downtown Mall in March 2024 might have scratched their heads and wondered what was going on when they saw more than 350 teams scouring the area, decoding clues, cross-referencing coordinates, and vying for a chance at smalltown glory: victory in the annual Cville Puzzle Hunt.

Part scavenger hunt, walking tour, and decryption exercise, the hunt was the third citywide event organized by Emily Patterson and Greg Ochsenschlager. Participants, armed with a map, puzzle decoders, water bottles, and walking shoes, were on the lookout for clues hidden outside downtown businesses and landmarks (and maybe in a local publication or two). Unlike previous iterations, 2024’s puzzle hunt had a theme: pirates.

“We wanted to give it a different look this year because the last few times it’s just been a general theme,” Patterson says. “So we were thinking, ‘What theme has a map?’ And we came up with the pirate map.”

During the event, downtown Charlottesville was transformed

into a pirate island. Teams got their own map of the new landscape, designed by artist Emily Reifenstein, to solve clues.

The puzzle hunt was modeled after similar events like The Washington Post-sponsored Post Hunt, and Tropic Hunt in Miami,

SECOND LIFE

Florida. Charlottesville is a “perfect” city for a Post-like hunt, according to Patterson.

“It’s such a brainy and creative place. There’s bar trivia basically every night of the week here,” she says. “Also, it has a walkable downtown and a lot of opportunities to partner with local businesses, artists, and musicians.”

Patterson and Ochsenschlager hope to keep making puzzle hunts for the community. The husband-and-wife team created a band-themed puzzle pub crawl for Preston Avenue breweries, including Rockfish Brewing Co., SuperFly Brewing Co., Random Row Brewing Co., and Starr Hill Downtown.

After the pair’s first hunt ended in an all-out sprint to the finish, the duo made their final puzzle in the second hunt more difficult this year, to avoid a race.

“I think we went overboard,” admits Ochsenschlager. The puzzle was so hard, he and Patterson had to give additional hints after teams failed to solve it.

In 2024, the couple focused “more on cool aha moments than actually making it more difficult,” Ochsenschlager says.—SH

It took Asheville-based artist Scott Allred two weeks to return the Coca-Cola ghost mural on the side of 122 E. Main St. to its former glory, a feat that began by sealing off key portions of the 100-year-old artwork and then painting on top of it. The project was funded in part by America’s largest Coca-Cola bottling company, Coca-Cola Consolidated, as a “nod to Charlottesville and Coca-Cola’s past but also … a shared vision for a vibrant downtown for our customers and consumers,” says Wayne Tyree, Coke Consolidated’s Community Relations Manager for the Charlottesville area.—CH

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Emily Patterson and Greg Ochsenschlager favored fun over difficulty in their city-wide puzzle this year.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

LOCAL INFLUENCER

@dank_cville

Katie Cox @kaatiecoxx

LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY

Pam Garrison (99.7 CYK)

Sherry Taylor (Z95.1)

LOCAL RADIO STATION

106.1 The Corner

91.9 WNRN

LOCAL TV PERSONALITY

Kasey Hott (NBC29)

Dan Schutte (CBS19)

MOVIE THEATER

Alamo Drafthouse drafthouse.com/ charlottesville

Violet Crown charlottesville. violetcrown.com

Curl up with a good book

IF YOU LOVE BOTH BOOKS AND LAP ROBES, you have likely found The Espresso Edition online. Stephanie Whitman had been blogging full-time before she moved to Charlottesville in 2021, but now her day job is social media manager,

Modern Mozart

AS YOUR OFFICIAL SOURCE OF ALL things good, better, and best in Charlottesville, it’s always a pleasure when we can introduce you to someone making a splash in the local arts scene. Enter Harold Bailey, the virtuoso pianist and composer who’s making classical cool.

Hailing from Richmond, Bailey began his career as a self-taught musician at age 16, and went on to earn his bachelor’s and master’s in piano performance. Throughout his career he’s played at Carnegie Hall, improvised with the late Chick Corea, had his compositions choreo-

and blogging about books at theespressoedition.com is her side gig.

Ten years ago, when Whitman was diagnosed with gastroparesis (a chronic digestive condition that keeps her bedridden a significant amount of the time), blogging was a sensible career choice. “I started in fashion, added lifestyle along the way, and then in 2021, I completely rebranded because, as a lifelong reader, talking about books feels like coming home. ‘Cozy’ is the vibe for my brand.”

What makes for a cozy book? “Very low stakes,” she says. “I want to go into the book knowing that it won’t be filled with crazy amounts of action, emotional trauma, or anything too overwhelming. More often than not, these kinds of books take place in small towns, with a smaller cast of characters who are all familiar with one another, and frequently there are warm beverages and sweet treats involved.” Cozy covers all genres; two of Whitman’s favorites are romance (“the fluffy kind”) and science fiction/fantasy, from a childhood love of The Chronicles of Narnia. “My ideal cozy set-up is a big armchair with a soft blanket, jazz music playing in the background, a warm and spicy candle, a hot cup of coffee or tea in my hand, and a good book on a rainy afternoon.” Sounds perfect!—CD

graphed by Charlottesville Ballet, and now teaches piano at The Front Porch and leads workshops throughout the commonwealth. With a focus on the classical genre, Bailey showcases the versatility and individuality of the piano, and draws on his own life experiences for original compositions. His live performances are a celebration of musical connection, and often involve collaborations from other pianists and vocalists. Find more information on Bailey’s upcoming live shows at @thebaileybard.—MH

Blogger Stephanie Whitman doth urge thee to prepare a cozy tome.

Chico Lorenzo's "Dream Big" mural doth captivate hearts with its sublime beauty and inspiring message.

MURAL

Ix Art Park (“Dream Big” by Chico Lorenzo) ixartpark.org

5th Street Station (elephants by GreenYellowBlue) greenyellow.blue

MUSIC ARTIST

Eli Cook elicook.com

Matthew O’Donnell matthewomusic.com

MUSIC VENUE (LARGE)

The Jefferson Theater jeffersontheater.com

Ting Pavilion tingpavilion.com

MUSIC VENUE (SMALL)

The Southern Café and Music Hall thesoutherncville.com

Pro Re Nata prnbrewery.com

A new page

AFTER ALMOST FOUR YEARS OF RENOVATIONS, the University of Virginia’s main library reopened its doors to the public at the beginning of the year. But the massive windows and study courts aren’t the only changes—the building also has a new name.

Originally opened in 1938, the newly dubbed Edgar Shannon Library has been a staple on Grounds for more than 75 years. When students went home for spring break in March of 2020, however, UVA closed the library for renovations.

“I don’t think we knew what we were in for in closing those doors and what would have to happen,” says Elyse Girard, executive director of communications and

GOOD WORD

user experience for the library. “We went from basic concerns about how to keep the service and space level the same, even with our main library closed, from then shifting to how to do that now during a pandemic.”

Despite the logistical challenges, the Edgar Shannon Library now touts cool new features, several restored historic spaces, and some desperately needed safety and structural updates.

Girard’s office was infested with bats when renovations began. Now, in addition to the building being bat-free, there’s the newfound brightness.

“I love seeing students sit in the windows and have their little cozy spots,” says Girard. “It’s just a better, [more] welcoming building to be in.”—CR

Laura Frantz wants to write you a poem. Luckily, the Charlottesville Poem Store owner is never too far away, parking her tent (and her vintage typewriter) at the Farmers Market at Ix, The Doyle Hotel (total Algonquin Round Table vibes), and special events like the Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival and Common House’s Writers’ Happy Hour. Plus, she’s for hire. Have her stop by your event and craft an on-the-spot poem for each of your guests based on a set of agreed-upon prompts. Now that’s poetry in motion.—CH

Alderman Library was rechristened Edgar Shannon Library following a renovation of nearly four years.

THE JEFFERSON THEATER

ENTERTAINMENT

Protest songs

Regional music scene unites against the Mountain Valley Pipeline

Josh Vana’s folk song “To the River” has the good bones of a powerful protest anthem: a timeless chord progression, an urgent message of opposition, and an uplifting chorus ready for joined voices. In the lyrics, he laments environmental degradation at the hands of industry, and speaks for the small communities that have been embroiled in a decade-long fight against the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

The controversial natural gas pipeline, which started pumping gas in June, spans 303 miles from northwestern West Virginia to southern Virginia. Since its initial proposal in 2014, the project became what many called a startstop boondoggle, with costs ballooning to more than $7 billion, and was mired in lawsuits and fines for environmental violations. Critics were appalled at the construction footprint, which burrowed under streams and through the slopes of the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains, scarring scenic landscapes both public and private. They are also fearful of the pipeline’s long-term operational safety and environ-

mental impacts, particularly on water quality.

Vana, who’s based in Albemarle County, has performed “To the River” at many of the indefatigable protests that took place around the pipeline’s path.

“Artists and musicians reflect the world back at it through their mediums and give people on the front lines of a struggle some hope,” says Vana, who’s the director of ARTivism Virginia.

His song is now getting even more reach as the first track on

STOP MVP: Artists From WV, VA & NC Against the Mountain Valley

SMALL TOWN, BIG NEWS

Pipeline, an impressive compilation released on the Charlottesville-based WarHen Records, which features a diverse cast of artists from the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

The collection of tunes was put together by two additional fixtures of Virginia’s independent music scene, WarHen owner Warren Parker and guitarist Daniel Bachman, who had been searching for a collaborative project. After the Biden administration streamlined federal approval for the pipeline as a concession during debt ceiling negotiations

Those of us following the “Small Town, Big Crime” podcast—a locally produced show from journalists Courteney Stuart and Rachel Ryan that investigates the 1985 Bedford County double murder of Derek and Nancy Haysom—got a bit of a surprise while browsing Netflix at the end of 2023. The co-hosts had been tapped for commentary in the streaming service’s documentary, “Till Murder Do Us Part: Soering vs. Haysom.” “The two of them were a horrible puzzle that fit together just right,” says Stuart of Elizabeth Haysom and Jens Soering, the couple at the center of the case, in the series’ lead-in. Consider us hooked.—CH

in 2023, Bachman felt renewed urgency to create an artistic statement of opposition, and started reaching out to fellow musicians.

“It grew really fast and was almost like it assembled itself,” Bachman says. “Each of the people that I knew introduced me to a new web of artists and activists. This feels like an easy way to get involved and bring in people from everywhere.”

Throughout the compilation’s 40 songs, the Charlottesville music scene is well represented with familiar faces, including thoughtful songwriters Ned Oldham and Sarah White, indie rockers New Boss, and experimental explorers Grand Banks. Contributions also come from staples of the WarHen roster, including West Virginia altcountry outfit Tucker Riggleman and the Cheap Dates and Americana upstarts Dogwood Tales.

“I like to think of the whole thing as an incredible tapestry of the music in the affected region of the pipeline,” says Parker. “It covers a lot of bases and turned out to be a special thing that touches upon a lot of different types of music.”—JF

SUPPLIED PHOTO

WarHen Records’ 40-track compilation doth raise funds to thwart the contentious Mountain Valley Pipeline.

YOUR SOURCE FOR

Live Music

Anchoring the east end of the Historic Downtown Mall, this 4,000 capacity venue has been welcoming national touring acts to its stage since 2005. Recent popular and sold out shows include Trombone Shorty w/ Mavis Staples, FLIPTURN, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Goose, Vampire Weekend, Ray LaMontagne & Gregory Alan Isakov, Whiskey Myers and many more!

This historic Vaudeville theater turned movie house, began new life as a premier music venue in 2009. Recent artists like Yo La Tengo, Dawes & Lucius, Railroad Earth, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Chelsea Cutler, Illiterate Light and Red Clay Strays – along with other national and regional acts – routinely play to audiences of up to 800 people.

Playing host to local, regional and national touring artists over 150 nights per year, this subterranean club is small and intimate, with a capacity of up to 300. Locals know it’s the popular place to catch artists on the rise: Billy Strings, Marcus King, Black Pumas, SOJA and Caamp have all graced the stage.

Use QR Codes to access venue calendars.

ON THE DOWNTOWN MALL

WINNER – Large Venue

RUNNER UP – Large Venue

WINNER – Small Venue

WINNER – Best Drag Venue

RUNNER-UP – Best Open Mic

Tristan Williams

Jack Looney

Tristan Williams

OPEN MIC NIGHT

Holly’s Diner @hollysdinercville

The Southern Café & Music Hall thesoutherncville.com

PARTY

Best of C-VILLE c-ville.com

Tom Tom x fun.cville tomtomfoundation.org

ROOFTOP VIEW

Quirk Hotel

Charlottesville (now The Doyle Hotel) thedoylehotel.com

Bar Botanical @bar.botanical

TRIVIA NIGHT

FIREFLY Restaurant + Game Room fireflycville.com

Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint jackbrownsjoint.com

ENTERTAINMENT

In shorts

Indie Short Film Festival looks to expand after successful launch

Ty Cooper defies categorization. As a marketing professional, he’s worked with all manner of companies and in myriad media. As a visual artist, he’s made his mark as an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, and designer.

Perhaps that’s why Cooper is drawn to short films.

“If a person is interested in being a filmmaker, shorts are an easier entry,” Cooper says. “They’re less expensive, and you can be super creative and do things you can’t get away with in a feature film. You can have fun and learn to love filmmaking. It gives [filmmakers] an opportunity to experiment and get better and be as quirky as possible.”

Cooper held his inaugural Indie Short Film Festival, a three-day rumpus of screenings, table reads, and parties in March. He showed nearly 75 shorts, held panel discussions, hosted a screenplay competition, and helped select best-ofshow winners—all in four locations centrally located around the Downtown Mall.

The festival was an expansion of Cooper’s long-running short film series—a way to “massage the market,” he says, and get a sense for whether he should keep the festival going annually. After the success of the first event, during which three of the 12 screening blocks were sold out and several others were at greater than 80 percent of capacity, Cooper says he’s planning a second festival for 2025.

“I quantify success not only by looking at the numbers of people coming in—the sold-out screen-

ings—but by going to the panel discussions and seeing the Common House with only a couple seats open and seeing people engaged with the filmmakers,” Cooper says.

To select films, Cooper started his search at Sundance, which he attends every year to see movies and meet filmmakers. Nearly 25 percent of the eventual Indie Short Film Festival playlist came from the renowned Salt Lake City independent film festival. Another 25 percent of the flicks came straight from Virginia, and the rest were selected from other submissions, festival screenings, and foreign films, with at least 11 countries eventually represented.

Cooper has eschewed a themed festival to maximize voices, but he organizes the films for screening blocks. The 2024 festival featured animated blocks, documentaries, Virginia-focused segments, and

miscellaneous narrative blocks. It included films by people of color, women, and wide-ranging ethnic representatives. The panel discussions took on topics like women in film and the Black experience in American cinema.

“Part of my goal is to put all these voices on the screen,” Cooper says. “It was a melting pot.”

Cooper, whose marketing and branding firm Lifeview Marketing and Visuals counts the Virginia Film Festival among its clients, says his 2025 event will be bigger and better than his first foray. After polling attendees about their experiences, he says he’ll implement changes large and small. “I talk to every single person I see with their lanyard swinging,” Cooper says.

The 2025 Indie Short Film Festival will be held March 21–23 at various theaters and restaurants around the Downtown Mall.—SG

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

Ty Cooper’s Indie Short Film Fest did feature works by individuals of color, women, and representatives of diverse ethnicities.

QUIRK HOTEL CHARLOTTESVILLE (NOW THE DOYLE HOTEL)

EMPOWERING VOTERS. DEFENDING DEMOCRACY.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights to ensure everyone is represented in our democracy.

We empower voters and defend democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation at the local, state, and national levels.

Our goal? To shape better communities through civic engagement.

WE DO NOT ENDORSE OR OPPOSE ANY POLITICAL PARTY OR CANDIDATE(S) FOR PUBLIC OFFICE

We are committed to applying the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of our operations and activities.

We support government policies that apply these principles in addressing social, environmental, and economic problems in our communities.

We hold government officials accountable for decision-making that promotes widespread informed civic participation.

Learn more about what we do at our website lwv-cva.org and Facebook page.

JOIN US IN OUR MISSION! Contact us: lwv@lwv-cva.org

Photo: Ézé Amos

When it Comes to Being BEST… Teachers are #1 All Day, Every Day!

Better Living is proud to recognize the dedicated and exceptionally talented teachers who excite and inspire our next generation of learners. See all the Golden Apple honorees here

Pictured – Dick Nunley and Jennifer Morris, Director AHS Arts & Letters PathwayPictured – Inga Tuzun, Angor-Hurt Elementary and Judy & Dick Nunley

Sponsors Richard and Judy Nunley have helped award hundreds of Golden Apples and Classroom Grants to our community’s best and brightest educators for over 20 years!

Taste comes first

AUDIOLOGIST

Albemarle

Audiology albemarleaudiology.com

Evolution Hearing evolutionhearing.com

BARRE STUDIO

Pure Barre purebarre.com/location/ charlottesville-va

FlyDog Yoga flydogyoga.com

BIG GYM ACAC acac.com

Brooks Family YMCA piedmontymca.org

BIRTHING SUPPORT

Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital sentara.com

Birth Sisters of Charlottesville birthsisterscville.org

CHIROPRACTOR

Rhett Adams (Venture Chiropractic) venturechirocville.com

Ashley Davenport (Cox Chiropractic Clinic) coxclinic.com

COSMETIC SURGEON

Elizabeth Chance (CHANCE + Co.) drchance.com

Victoria Vastine (The Center for Plastic Surgery) mjhplasticsurgery.com

FUNCTIONAL FITNESS STUDIO

Heart & Soul

Fitness with Nicole heartsoulfitness.org

Solidarity CrossFit solidaritycrossfit.com

DENTIST

Zachary Paukert (Charlottesville Dental Health Partners) charlottesvilledental.com

Rebecca Swett (Swett Dentistry) swettdentistry.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 39

SENTARA MARTHA JEFFERSON HOSPITAL

DERMATOLOGIST

Anna Magee (Charlottesville Dermatology) cvillederm.com

Deborah Elder (Charlottesville Dermatology) cvillederm.com

ESTHETICIAN

Tiffany Garrison (Nua Medical Spa) nuamedspa.com

Kelly Whitesell (Signature Medical Spa) signaturemedspa.com

EYE DOCTOR

Michael Henderson (MyEyeDr.) myeyedr.com

Stephen T. Basic (Drs. Bare, Basic, & Rohm Optometrists) eyesoncville.com

FITNESS CYCLE STUDIO ACAC acac.com

Purvelo purvelocycle.com

FOOT RACE/FUN RUN

Women’s 4 Miler womens4miler.org Charlottesville Ten Miler cvilletenmiler.com

Score!

TEN DAYS AFTER CHARLOTTESVILLE NATIVE

Connor Shellenberger broke the UVA men’s lacrosse team’s all-time assists record, he put a cherry on top of his storied college career by breaking the Cav’s all-time points record.

“It’s unbelievable,” Shellenberger said of the feat in an interview following the March match against the University of Albany. “Just to be part of the tradition and play here at Klockner, and be a part of some of the great rivalries...”

In addition to a record-breaking career at UVA, Shellenberger, who was selected number two overall by the New York Atlas in May’s Premier Lacrosse

LOOK INSIDE

League draft, led the Hoos to a 2021 national championship (and was named the tournament’s MVP) and is a three-time first-team All-American. But Coach Lars Tiffany says being one of UVA’s best-ever lacrosse players is only part of what’s made Shellenberger’s time as a Hoo extraordinary. He is “the most unselfish player I know. He wants to be known as a great teammate … We almost have to tell him to shoot the ball, to be more aggressive!”

Which is what Shellenberger did on the first day of spring at Klockner Stadium, where the hometown hero broke the university’s all-time scoring record in front of a hometown crowd.—SS

A personal trainer for more than 20 years, Cecil Hassell, it’s safe to say, knows how to help people feel confident about what they’re seeing on the outside. But he recently turned his attention to helping people—and more specifically, kids—feel confident about what’s on the inside, too. With his children’s book, The Adventures of the Bald-Headed Bear, he tells the story of (you might have guessed) a bear with no hair who takes a journey to learn more about self-love.—CH

Birdwood doth ascend to the pinnacle of readers' selections for the finest golf course.

GENERAL PRACTITIONER

Cassie Martinez (Family Medicine of Albemarle) fmoa-online.com

Annika Abrahamson (Albemarle Center for Family Medicine) albemarlecenter.com

GOLF COURSE

Birdwood at Boar’s

Head Resort boarsheadresort.com

Farmington Country Club farmingtoncc.com

MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL

Gracie Charlottesville graciecharlottesville.com

Laughing Dragon Kung Fu laughingdragonkungfu.com

BLUES CLUES

The Charlottesville Blues Football Club, part of the United Soccer League (the largest soccer organization in North America), kicked off its first season in May. The team, whose home field is at St. Anne’s-Belfield School, is going to “build a fan base one fan at a time,” according to Brian Krow, the Blues’ co-owner. “If you’re a [soccer] lover or not, it doesn’t matter. Come down, see a match, see the men and women play … stand on the field and bleed blue.”—SS

THE WHEEL DEAL

What’s an e-bike and is it right for you? Josh Carp will let you borrow one of his bikes to help you figure it out. Through his Charlottesville E-bike Lending Library, the electric bike enthusiast allows you to snag one of the eight in his collection for up to a week to see if you like it. There’s tons of benefits: E-bikes are sturdier than mechanical bikes, are designed for commuting, and are battery-powered (thus, eco-friendly). But they’re a little pricier than mechanical bikes, so Carp encourages you to try before you buy.—CH

MENTAL HEALTH

PROFESSIONAL

Jimmy Howell

(Mental Fitness Matters)

mentalfitnesscville.com

Shea Tinsley

drsheatinsley.com

Phoebe Fliakos 825-8457

MOUNTAIN-BIKING TRAIL OR PARK

Rivanna Trail rivannatrails.org

Preddy Creek Park albemarle.org

NICHE GYM MADabolic Charlottesville madabolic.com

Orangetheory Fitness orangetheory.com

ORTHODONTIST

Andrew Glassick (Hamer & Glassick) cvillebraces.com

Barton Weis (Charlottesville Orthodontics) charlottesville orthodontics.com

Suzanne Dennis (Dr. Suzanne M. Dennis Orthodontics) charlottesville orthodonticsvirginia.com

JACK LOONEY

Readers do declare the Rivanna Trail as the preeminent venue for the pursuit of mountain biking.

PERSONAL TRAINER

Vanessa Bullard (HI//low Charlottesville) hilowcharlottesville.com

Jojo McDuffie @iamcoachjojo

PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Michelle Little (Women in Motion) womeninmotionpt.com

Sara Hegemier (Longevity Physical Therapy & Wellness) longevityptw.com

PILATES STUDIO

Tru Pilates

trupilates.com

HI//low Charlottesville hilowcharlottesville.com

WALKING/HIKING PARK OR TRAIL

SaundersMonticello Trail monticello.org

Rivanna Trail rivannatrails.org

WELLNESS STUDIO

Well Room wellroomva.com

AquaFloat aquafloatcville.com

YOGA STUDIO

FlyDog Yoga

flydogyoga.com

Salute the Sun Yoga salutethesunyoga.com

Track meet

RUNNING IS FREE—RUNNING ALONE, THAT is. Finding a community of runners takes a little more effort. So, Lauren Lieske, coach and personal trainer at CrossFit Charlottesville, has been getting people to move together with a free track running series.

Hosted each Sunday on Charlottesville High School’s athletics field, the weekly event is open to the public no matter your skill level or experience. There’s no mileage prerequisite, says Lieske, and the workouts are broken into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.

“As a coach, I’ve found that a lot of people can be intimidated by running, and although they might be interested in starting, they aren’t quite sure how,” she says. “Fitness shouldn’t have barriers.”

While the track series began at CrossFit Charlottesville, Lieske was determined to bring it to members and non-members alike. The trainer says she’s had up to 22 people attend any given weekend, and most folks find out about it through word of mouth. Aerobic training complements strength training, she says, and keeps your heart healthy and builds endurance.

“I enjoy watching people push themselves and do things they might not have thought they were able to do. Running alone versus running with others is a very different experience,” says Lieske. “At the end of the day, we’re just a group of people getting together to move and feel good and I want everyone to actually feel good.”—RD

EZE

AMOS

Trainer Lauren Lieske doth host a gratis workout on Sundays for athletes of all skill levels.

HEALTH & FITNESS

Hoos to Saints

Pittsburgh Steelers standout Heath Miller is back on Charlottesville football fields

St. Anne’s-Belfield School made a splashy hire for its football program this spring, tapping one-time UVA and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller to replace former head coach Joe Sandoe.

Miller, whose career as a Cavalier earned him a first-round pick by Pittsburgh in 2005, was named to the NFL team’s Hall of Honor in 2022. His 11 years with the Steelers included two Pro Bowl selections, two Super Bowl championships, the most regular season games played by a tight

end in team history (168), 592 receptions, 6,569 receiving yards, and 45 touchdowns.

“Heath comes from a tremendous football background, and when Joe decided to leave us, we knew we were not going to do a national search for a coach,” STAB Athletic Director Seth Kushkin says. “We wanted to hire someone that has been a part of our community.”

Miller has four children enrolled at STAB, including a rising high-school freshman who intends to play football in the fall. Miller’s

coaching experience is limited to working with his oldest son at various levels as he’s grown, so when Kushkin and his team reached out to the former UVA star, the initial conversation was farreaching. How could Miller best support the Saints football team?

Eventually, all parties settled on a head coaching role—with considerable support from a staff of experienced high-school-level coaches. Topping the list is Associate Head Coach Patrick Blake, son of the Saints’ head football coach immediately prior to Sandoe. John

Blake coached the team for a quarter decade, going 175-75 from 1997 to 2022, winning six state titles, and sending three players to the NFL. Also on staff are Joe Hall, a former All-ACC defensive lineman for UVA, Kevin Badke, Joe Reed, Chris Peace, and Jared Passmore.

“Heath has built a tremendous staff around him, and that is really what we are excited about,” Kushkin says, adding via email that Miller “does not want the story to be about him.”

Will Miller’s success as a player translate to success as a head coach? Kushkin says the first step is to define success. Sure, it would be nice for the Saints to reascend to the highest level of Division 2 Virginia football and win more state titles. At the end of Blake’s tenure, the team suffered through some lean years. COVID essentially canceled the team’s 20202021 season, and Blake’s final season saw the team at 2-7. In Sandoe’s first year, the Saints won only one game, but a resurgent 6-3 record followed before Sandoe was attracted back to his home in Atlanta for another coaching job.

The other way to define success, according to Kushkin, is by the experiences of STAB’s student-athletes.

“Heath wants to provide the opportunity for young men who play football to learn all of the pieces: the hard work, the leadership, the growth opportunities that come from competing in this game,” Kushkin says. “He loves being a dad and being a part of this community, and he wants to impact and help young men through football in the same way that he was.”—SG

Former professional football player Heath Miller doth undertake the coaching of St. Anne’s team.

Embracing Tradition, Innovating the Future. Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery is proud to be a womanowned business, marking over four decades of exceptional viticulture. Blending time-honored traditions with innovative approaches, we offer a diverse range of wines and an inviting atmosphere. Experience the evolution of Prince Michel, from its roots in classic winemaking to its rise as a modern wine destination. Join us in toasting to a future where tradition and progress elegantly merge and where every sip tells a story.

A Woman-Owned Business

Live Music Every Friday - Sunday, Tours & Tastings, Tap 29 Brewery & Pub, Private & Corporate Events, Luxury Suites Open 7 days a week

BAKERY

MarieBette Café & Bakery mariebette.com

Albemarle Baking Co. albemarlebakingco.com

BARTENDER

Mederio Venable (The Bebedero) thebebedero.com

Alyssa Wacharamai (Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint) jackbrownsjoint.com

BBQ

BBQ Exchange bbqex.com

Ace Biscuit & Barbecue acebiscuitandbarbecue.com

BREWERY (LARGE)

Three Notch’d

Craft Kitchen & Brewery threenotchdbrewing.com

Blue Mountain Brewery bluemountainbrewery.com

BREWERY (SMALL) Högwaller Brewing hogwallerbrewing.com

Decipher Brewing decipherbrewingco.wixsite. com

BRUNCH

Guajiros Miami Eatery guajiroscville.com

Farm Bell Kitchen farmbellkitchen.com

BURGER

Riverside Lunch 1429 Hazel St.

Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint jackbrownsjoint.com

CHEF

Kendall Moore & Alicia Simmons (Tavola) tavolavino.com

Tim Moore (Early Mountain Vineyards) earlymountain.com

CHINESE

Peter Chang

China Grill peterchangtogo.com

Red Lantern redlanterncharlottesville. com

COFFEEHOUSE

Grit Coffee gritcoffee.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 55

TOM MCGOVERN

RIVERSIDE LUNCH

FOOD & DRINK

Dinner out (really out)

Two Fire Table takes us back to camp

Whether it’s s’mores in the backyard, burgers and ears of corn on the grill, or fresh-caught fish when you’re camping, there’s something about fresh air and a fire that makes food taste better. Two Fire Table wants to bring that feeling to your next gathering—and you won’t even have to build a bonfire.

Two Fire Table is the dream child of Sarah Rennie, an advocate for communal meals, seasonal eating, and wood-fire cooking. But she’s also savvy enough to know that while many people may savor the experience of eating outdoors, most of us would prefer to have her handle the tongs.

Two Fire Table’s offerings are literally soup to nuts. Tell Rennie where, when, and how many, and she will develop a tailored menu—appetizer, local protein, two seasonal sides, and dessert. The day of, she shows up with all the cooking equipment (custommade for her, including her own portable fire pit), as well as dishes, utensils, linens, glassware, and even tents. It’s the best combination of camping and cuisine.

Rennie’s path began with culinary school in Asheville, North Carolina, and an internship at Farm & Sparrow, a wood-fired bakery and mill where the emphasis is on local produce and regional grains. From there, she went to Sub Rosa Bakery in Richmond, and stayed for six years.

Eventually, Rennie’s husband wanted to start his own business as a fly-fishing guide, which meant being closer to the mountains, and they bought a house in Scottsville.

“I’d always enjoyed being outdoors—I’m a horse person, I’ve been riding since I was 4,” Rennie says, and she began thinking about being a trail guide. She took a summer job out West to learn about trail-guiding, then came a trip to Argentina to learn more about campfire cooking. Amazed by one rider who brought a packet of herbs for the fish cooking over the fire, Rennie recalls, she began to think about combining her love of the outdoors with her devotion to seasonal and conscious cooking.

“I wondered how I could translate this [outdoor cooking expe-

rience] and move it around,” she says. “I wanted it to be portable. I wanted to share my perspective on communal eating with others.”

She found metal craftsmen who could make customized equipment—from grills, spits, and tripods to hanging saucepans and Dutch ovens—that she could transport in her car and set up on site. She also developed a network of butchers, suppliers, and farmers because “it always helps to know where your food comes from.”

In 2019, she launched Two Fire Table. “When I first started, I would build a ‘feeder fire’ from

which I started others—that’s where the name came from.” Rennie has created meals for family events, weddings, and social gatherings for groups from bird hunters to chefs. She’s got the logistics down—chopping and ingredient prep, including making sauces and dressings, is done ahead of time. Food is served family-style, everyone around the tables passing dishes, because for Rennie that’s an integral element of the experience. “For me, this is about connection—creating community around the fire.”—CD

KATIE THOMPSON

Sarah Rennie prepares repasts upon the grill, out of doors, with catering company Two Fire Table.

Extraordinary Wines and Culinary Experiencs from the Heart of Our Region, Virginia Through and Through.

FOOD & DRINK

Getting the scoop

11 sweet spots to cool down on a warm day

I scream, you scream … okay, you know where this is going. Lucky for us, we don’t have to scream very loud (or at all!) to find a frozen treat in this town. Here are 11 of our favorite hot cold spots.—SS

Ben & Jerry’s

Barracks Road Shopping Center

They had us at Cherry Garcia.

Chaps Ice Cream

Downtown Mall and UVA Corner

A trip to the Downtown Mall isn’t complete without a scoop of coffee raspberry in a waffle cone from Brenda “Granny” Hawkins. (A second Chaps recently opened on the UVA Corner.)

Cold Stone Creamery

1709 Emmet St. N & 5th Street Station

Just-made ice cream is thwapped on a frozen granite stone (hence, the shop’s name), where a variety of mix-ins (fruit, nuts, candy) can be added. Sounds Berry, Berry Good to us.

Dairy Queen

1777 Fortune Park Rd.

Five words: Chocolate chip cookie dough Blizzard.

Kilwins

Downtown Mall

It’s tough to resist a cup of Blue Moon ice cream with a side of just-made sea-salt caramel fudge.

Kohr Brothers

Frozen Custard

1881 Seminole Trail

Less fat and sugar than ice cream, a light, silky texture, several twist flavors (vanilla and orange sherbert, please), and a merry-go-round.

La Flor Michoacana

601A Cherry Ave.

We once likened leaning over the shop’s store-length cooler filled with an array of brightly colored popsicles to gazing at the treasures in a jewelry store’s glass counter—but Rum and Raisins on a stick is much tastier than a diamond ring.

Moo Thru

Dairy Market

Schlepping an hour north to the red barn on James Madison Highway became history in 2021, when more than a dozen flavors that change with the seasons (come to mama, Blackberry Merlot!) arrived on Grady Avenue.

Splendora’s Gelato

The Shops at Stonefield Trays of ever-changing, customcrafted gelato flavors (check out the store’s Instagram and Facebook pages for the week’s offerings) and vegan chocolate and vanilla cupcakes. We’ll take some (okay, a lot) of each.

SugarBear Gourmet

Ice Cream

1522 High St.

Emily Harpster’s made-from-scratch, locally sourced flavors (Wild Woman Whiskey, Vanilla Plum Blackberry, Mayan Hot Chocolate), once available only at specialty stores and bakeries, got a brick-andmortar location this year.

Timberlake’s

Downtown Mall

Step back in time at this back-ofthe-drugstore soda fountain, where the dessert menu includes ice cream floats and sodas; shakes, malts, and sundaes (how’s about a Hannah Banana Split?); or a double dip in a cup or cone.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 53

Shenandoah Joe Coffee Roasters shenandoahjoe.com

COMFIEST BAR STOOL Citizen Burger Bar citizenburgerbarcville.com

The Milkman’s Bar milkmansbar.com

CRAFT COCKTAILS

The Alley Light alleylight.com

The Milkman’s Bar milkmansbar.com

DIETARY- OR ALLERGY-FRIENDLY Botanical Fare botanicalfare.com

Burtons Grill & Bar burtonsgrill.com

FANCY DINNER SPOT

The Ivy Inn ivyinnrestaurant.com

C&O Restaurant candorestaurant.com

FOOD TRUCK

Tacos Gomez facebook.com/tacosg FARMacy farmacy.guru FRENCH Bizou bizoudowntown.com

Fleurie fleurierestaurant.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 59

SugarBear Gourmet Ice Cream

Chaps Ice Cream is ever a classic selection for a delightful frozen confection.

FRIED CHICKEN Wayside Takeout & Catering

waysidechicken.com

Michie Tavern michietavern.com

FROZEN TREAT Chaps Ice Cream

chapsicecream.com

Moo Thru moothruva.com

INDIAN

Kanak Indian Cuisine

kanakcville.com

Milan Indian Restaurant milan-indian-cuisine.com

ITALIAN

Tavola tavolavino.com

Vivace vivacecville.com

KOREAN

Umma’s ummasfood.com

DOMA Korean Kitchen domakoreankitchen.com

LOCAL CIDERY

Potter’s Craft Cider

potterscraftcider.com

Bold Rock boldrock.com

THAT I MIGHT DRINK

There were many tributes to local Ten Course Hospitality restaurateur Will Richey after he passed away in late 2023 following a car accident. But perhaps the most enduring will be Ode to a Nightingale, a black lager that brewer Mark Fulton whipped up for the menu at his and Richey’s Högwaller Brewing. A combination of a lager and a stout—two of Richey’s preferred styles—the beer takes its name from Richey’s favorite poem, and its label—a portrait of Richey himself—from local artist (and a former Ten Course employee) Wil Smith.—CH

New roots

AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS IN THE DIRT, Cville Veg Fest—one of the city’s OG festivals—is regrowing greener than ever. Originally founded in 1997 as the Charlottesville Vegetarian Fest (the inaugural veggie fest of the South), it eventually said so long to dairy, and rebranded to the Vegan Roots Festival. After 2019’s event was canceled, Veg Fest had yet to make a reappearance. Now, thanks to Downtown vegan eatery Botanical Fare, Veg Fest is returning in September for a

day-long celebration of all things plant-based and earth-friendly.

With a new location at Ix Art Park, there’s even more room for vegan fun. The first fest back promises plenty of vegan eats and drinks, vendors and exhibitors, speakers, entertainment, games, kids’ activities, and so much more. Plus, it’s a zero-waste, completely compostable event, so plan ahead and bring your own reusable water bottle and cutlery. Find all the deets at veganrootsfest.org.—MH

Artful implements

Former restaurateur Vu Nguyen has a new culinary endeavor: creating handmade tools for home cooks, inspired by the pros.

Tell us briefly about your background and how it led you to start The Dustworks.

My foray into food started at Bizou in my last semester at UVA. Then a short stint on the restaurant scene in Chicago before jumping ship and landing at Crate & Barrel with the intention of getting into furniture design. That led me to a drafting program from whence I emerged as a CAD monkey at an architecture firm in D.C. Then hubris sidled up to me and made me open a restaurant in C’ville. Then another. Then I closed one. Then the other. Defeated and adrift, I found short-lived respite at Whole Foods before succumbing to the temptations of a new restaurant op-

portunity. It was at Brazos where I crossed paths with Blanc Creatives, which I thought was just the coolest game in town, especially having just read Shop Class as Soulcraft by Matthew Crawford. So I went to seek employment with them, but more importantly, to seek purpose. Then the pandemic provided the perspective to recalibrate my priorities, et voila.

Given your culinary history, do you design with chefs/pros in mind?

My experience definitely informs my decisions from product selections to ergonomics. I think about the tools I used back in the day and what other cooks geeked out over, then try to replicate and interpret them for home use. Some items, like

Fenster, the mini offset spatula, will likely never gain traction with the home cook, but line cooks and chefs eat it up. Given the exposure and insight the home consumer has into the chef world these days, there seems to be more of an appreciation and willingness to budget for pro-quality tools for home use.

What would you say is The Dustworks’ aesthetic?

P Apple Photos App Filter: Dramatic Warm 50-75%

P D ining at Blue Hill in a chore coat and work boots

P Refined texture

P Tuxedoed bedhead —CH

The Dustworks’ handcrafted tools by Vu Nguyen are designed for both the home cook and the seasoned professional.

LOCAL DISTILLERY

Silverback

Distillery sbdistillery.com

Ragged Branch

Distillery raggedbranch.com

Vitae Spirits vitaespirits.com

NEW RESTAURANT

Högwaller Brewing hogwallerbrewing.com

Bulpan Korean BBQ bulpanbbq.com

OUTDOOR DINING

Brazos Tacos

brazostacos.com

Beer Run beerrun.com

PIZZA

Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie drhoshumblepie.com

Lampo lampopizza.com

QUEER-FRIENDLY HAPPY HOUR

Umma’s ummasfood.com

Dürty Nelly’s durtynellys charlottesville.com

RAMEN

Bad Luck Ramen Bar badluckramen.com

Umma’s ummasfood.com

RESTAURANT Tavola tavolavino.com

Guajiro’s Miami Eatery guajiroscville.com

RESTAURANT

BEER LIST

Beer Run beerrun.com

Kardinal Hall kardinalhall.com

RESTAURANT WEEK PARTICIPANT Bang!

bangrestaurant.net

Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar orzokitchen.com

RESTAURANT WINE LIST

Tavola tavolavino.com

Tilman’s tilmanscheese andwine.com

SANDWICH SHOP/DELI

Bodo’s Bagels bodosbagels.com

Ivy Provisions ivyprovisions.com

SOUL FOOD

Mel’s Cafe facebook.com/melssoulfoodcafe

Pearl Island Café & Catering pearlislandcatering.com

MCGOVERN

Readers proclaim that partaking of a Brazos taco in the open air is most fortifying for the soul.

FOOD & DRINK

Between the buns

Highly credentialed chef turns attention to turkey (and roast beef and ham)

Aris Cuadra’s been racing around the local restaurant scene for more than a decade, from The Clifton to Tavola, Pasture, and Cafe Bocce. But these days, he’s content just to loaf.

That’s right, the Puerto Rican native went all in on sandwiches when he opened The Wich Lab in the CODE Building.

“I’ve been a chef my entire adult life,” Cuadra says. “I wanted to do something simple using great ingredients and my experience as a chef.”

At the Lab, that means carefully crafting hot and cold sandwiches running the gamut from the traditional to the outside-thebreadbox. Cuadra’s got classics like Reubens, Cubans, Italians,

WE’LL CHEERS TO THAT

and chickens, but they’re all done his way. The one-time New York City chef prides himself on technique—little things like making sure his buns are always buttered and toasted just so.

Cuadra says The Wich Lab’s Reuben is popular, along with his breakfast sandwiches and the best-selling Gobble Gobble, featuring turkey, bacon, avocado,

The local wine industry got extra buzzy toward the end of 2023, after Wine Enthusiast named the Monticello American Viticultural Area the Wine Region of the Year, noting its long growing history, adaptability in the face of global warming, and inclusive, collaborative ethos. What does this mean for Charlottesville? It’s another step toward becoming a premier destination for oenophiles, among top-tier regions like California’s Santa Barbara County and Italy’s Prosecco, both past winners. Cin cin!—CH

everything spread, tomato jam, and arugula on homemade focaccia. Cuadra buys ciabatta and rye from Albemarle Baking Company; the focaccia is his chance to flex.

The Wich Lab’s Cubano is a Tampa take, with salami added to the traditional toppings and grilled focaccia providing the base. Cuadra makes bread every day, but he says day-olds are actually better for the pressed sandwich. “I’ve had people say it was the best sandwich they’ve ever had in their life,” Cuadra says. “That’s not my goal, but it’s nice to hear.”

One change Cuadra’s already made to his menu is eliminating stuff he thought he had to have. And while the obligatory vegan option got the hammer, the Lab still cooks up an off-the-wall vegetarian option with charred broccoli, pine nuts, pecorino cheese, potato chips, roasted garlic aioli, and pickled cranberry.

“We had a group of older people come out, and they were blown away with potato chips on a sandwich,” Cuadra says. “I have fun with menu writing. I’m creative in every aspect of what I do, from menu writing to the menu itself, the atmosphere, the music.”—SG

Aris Cuadra of The Wich Lab doth declare that his CODE Building locale is a splendid opportunity to display his culinary prowess.

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

Gearharts Chocolates doth ascend to the summit of readers' preferences for specialty fare crafted locally.

FOOD & DRINK

Low-key wild

The husband and wife behind WildManDan Brewery do things their own way

WildManDan Brewery off 151 isn’t the most talked-about spot on the Charlottesvilleadjacent beer scene, and a short conversation with owners Dan and Terri Tatarka offers some clues as to why.

Calling Terri’s hubby a wild man is like nicknaming the biggest kid on the playground “slim.”

When the couple met, Dan asked Terri out and was rebuffed. She was going rafting with some friends and didn’t have time for him. Undaunted, Dan showed up at the launch. “Look at you, Wild Man,” she said. She’s been calling him that for 30 years now.

The delightfully quirky WildManDan Brewery deserves more buzz than it gets. The Tatarkas aren’t about following trends or getting involved in local industry drama. They don’t brew pastry stouts, and mostly stay away from hazy New England-style IPAs. They typically have only one IPA on tap at a time.

But what they do, they do well.

The traditional Tatarkas are into the classic styles—English browns and ESBs, German marzens, Irish reds. They brew 10-gallon batches at a time, three days a week, and sell almost all their wares directly over the bar. Their one concession to trends? They’ve reluctantly started making a hard seltzer.

Before breaking into brewing, Dan Tatarka was an engineer. And he’s brought an engineer’s sensibility to the art form.

“It started as just a hobby. I love beer, bought a kit, tried it, and thought, ‘This speaks to my background,’” he says. “I’m not looking

to do what others are doing. I don’t want to run a factory. We are about community—small batches of beer and enjoying the craft, making good beer and friends.”

The Brew Barn taproom is but one part of the WildManDan enterprise. Terri Tatarka’s background is in hospitality—restaurants and bars, as well as hotels. So while the Wild Man takes care of the brew kettle technicalities, Terri runs the adjacent Beercen-

tric B&B, an 1870s-era farmhouse with six bedrooms and five baths, enough room for 12 adults and running $750 per night.

Each stay at the BB&B comes with a welcome beverage and free 40-minute beer class (for twonight stays). “We try to make every interaction with visitors personal. We try to supply the little things that make an experience great,” Terri says. “Our mission statement on our website

says it best: ‘discrimination and intolerance do not reside here.’”

That said, the one thing WildManDan Brewery and the Beercentric B&B don’t do is kids. It’s not that they don’t like children. In fact it’s the opposite. “I care too much,” Terri says. “It’s just the way our property is set up. It’s a safety issue.”

After 30 years of marriage and several grown kids of their own, Dan and Terri probably know best.—SG

STEPHEN BARLING

WildManDan Brewery hath no desire to pursue fleeting fashions or trends.

The End Games theendgames.co

The Beautiful Idea thebeautifulidea.gay

JEWELRY

Tuel Jewelers tueljewelers.com

Andrew Minton Jewelers andrewmintonjewelers.com

Isn’t it lovely

THE BEAUTIFUL IDEA, WHICH ANNOUNCED ITSELF WITH A sign heralding the opening of Charlottesville’s first “anti-fascist bookstore, queer market, and radical community hub” on the Downtown Mall near Fourth Street, is all that—and hopes to be more. The owners are trans and active in the LGBTQ+ community. Senlin Means and Ellie Picard ran the antifascist (“you could also say leftist or anarchist,” notes Means) F12 Infoshop at Visible Records; Dylan West and Joan Kovach, founders of Critter Butts, have been selling their “queer feral trash creature” T-shirts, cards, prints, and stickers at the Ix farmers’ market and other outlets. Means and Picard were looking to find a space for F12 Infoshop to enlarge, which meant enlisting a partner, and once they found Critter Butts, it all came together. “[The idea was] we would be an anchor store, and form something like a mall for queer

Inside information

THE JOY OF HUNTING FOR THE PERFECT tomato or apple at a farmers’ market is seriously dampened when you’re getting soaked by a downpour. Which is why a spankin’ new red building now stands where there once was only a white tent at 2775 Barracks Rd. After months of construction, the Barracks Road Farm Market reopened this spring with the same impressive array of fruits and vegetables, plants and flowers, eggs, meat, and fish, and baked goods, maple

leftist stuff,” says Means. Since the store opened in September, “It’s been wild—there’s been so much support,” says West.

But the “beautiful idea” is more than having a new retail space for their businesses and others, it’s also providing a gathering space for the LGBTQ+ community. From Critter Butts’ ongoing presence at the farmers’ market and other venues, West says, “we’ve accumulated all these people who felt they were alone—and now they have a place to come, hang out, and feel safe.” Means, who was actively involved in the antifascist resistance to the 2017 Unite the Right rally, says, “We have an antifascist approach— that’s my perspective—but we’re also here to teach and encourage people to explore.” And haven’t we all had days when we’d love to wear a T-shirt that says “Eat the Rich” or “Be Gay Do Crimes” or “Be Ungovernable”? (We’re going with the “Raccoon Bonfire.”)—CD

syrup, honey, and pickles—but now shoppers are protected from the elements while they peruse the spot’s offerings. By moving inside, “we hope to better accommodate our customers, offer a better shopping experience, and be able to have a better display,” says Maynard Swarey, the market’s co-owner. If the substantial crowd and flatbeds overflowing with goodies on a recent Friday afternoon is any indication, Swarey has more than achieved his goal.—SS

Senlin Means and Ellie Picard opened The Beautiful Idea, an anti-fascist emporium for tomes and sundry wares, to provide an inclusive space for the LGBTQ+ community.

Low-price reader

PETE MANNO IS THE FOREMOST EXPERT ON the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library Book Sale.

Even before he began running the event for the Friends of JMRL, he was a mega-fan.

At one sale, Manno was browsing on the last day after having spent “way too much money” already. He picked up a book by Victoria Woodhull, who in 1872 became the first woman to run for U.S. president. “It was just an oddball little book,” Manno says. “Her signature was on it—very big and bold. I didn’t think it could really be hers, so I put it down.”

The JMRL Book Sale’s rare books team later verified the signature as authentic. The volunteers put it back on the shelf for the next sale, with a

price increase from $4 to $400. This time around, Manno bought it.

The spring and fall book sales are JMRL’s primary funding source. Throughout the year, volunteers sort the community’s donations, select the best books, and price them to sell. The events, formerly known as the Gordon Avenue Book Sale, have been happening since the 1970s. The most recent spring book sale grossed $163,000.

“It draws people from all up and down the East Coast … collectors and sellers and book-lovers and readers,” JMRL Director David Plunkett says. “The staff that volunteer do it because they love to be around people that love books so much. It’s wonderful.”—SG

HAND ’EM OVER

Raise your hand if your toxic trait is buying new bras when you have perfectly good ones in your drawer. If your hand is up, Derriere de Soie suggests turning in the old to make room for the new, with its twice-annual bra drive. The West Main Street store chooses a nonprofit benefactor (this past spring, it was The Haven) and offers a 20 percent same-day discount in exchange for your gently used donations.—CH

Market Street Wine is hailed as the readers' choice for buying a fine vintage.

Automotive

Plan9 Music plan9music.com

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SECONDHAND SHOP

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Darling x Dashing Boutique shopdarlingxdashing.com

VINTAGE CLOTHING STORE

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Passion project

CHARLOTTESVILLE IS KNOWN AS A RESTAURANT town, but it’s also a lively retail place that attracts new ventures. And with an eclectic population—traditional and trendy, students and tourists, thirdgeneration and newbies—it’s not surprising the offerings are eclectic too.

inspirations—her grandfather Papa Mac and her late mother Anna Mae (whose closet she admits raiding while she developed her own personal style).

Wine Warehouse winewarehouseinc.com

Airea Garland took the plunge with lifestyle store Mac and Mae, just off the Downtown Mall on Fifth Street. “This is my first solo retail venture,” says the newly minted entrepreneur, counting on her background working at major top-end retailers, and the financial skills of her partner/fiancé. COVID is what kicked off the idea—“It gave me a desire to reinvent my home,” Garland recalls, “and it made me think, ‘Am I really doing what I love?’” So she earned a degree in fashion design and visual merchandising (on full scholarship), while working full-time, and credits the Community Investment Collaborative for supporting her launch. She named her store after two family

Garland describes her store as “where home and wardrobe meet—how we present ourselves should work with how we are at home.” The space is quiet and airy (there’s a back balcony with French doors that lets in air and light, unusual in a retail space), with racks of clothing and accessories, tables with candles and aromatics, and shelves with pottery and home décor. Garland sees her clientele as largely young professionals, but also “anyone who wants to elevate their home and wardrobe—where everyone feels they can pick out [a style] for themselves.” Since opening last year, she’s still sourcing, but wants to maintain an emphasis on local suppliers, especially artisans. “And my neighbors on the block—Low Vintage and Thai Fresh—have been really welcoming.”—CD

On Fifth Street, Airea Garland’s Mac and Mae aids clientele in elevating their home and wardrobe.

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

PREMIUM LIFESTYLE APPAREL, OUTERWEAR & ACCESSORIES.

The Highest Quality Fly Fishing Equipment and Apparel. Guided Fly Fishing and Private Water

For over 20 years, The Albemarle Angler has provided Central Virginia with the best in lifestyle apparel, outerwear & accessories, fishing equipment & apparel and guided fly fishing on both public and private water.

What sets The Albemarle Angler apart from others is our first hand knowledge of our products and our surrounding fisheries combined with the ability to help with clothing, outerwear or travel selections as well as guidance for beginners to experts on fly fishing equipment, clothing and where or what to fish. As a privately & locally owned shop, we hand pick the products we sell to provide customers with the best quality and value across our broad range of offerings.. With this careful selection, our customers can come in with any price in mind and leave with the best quality and value across our broad range of offerings. We can answer your most challenging questions and help you get outfitted for a night on the town or your next adventure.

The Angler is proud to offer some of the best brands across numerous categories, such as Orvis, Filson, Tom Beckbe, Fishpond, Johnnie-O, ANETIK, Free Fly, Smith, Sage, Simms, G Loomis, TFO, Scott, Reddington, RIO, Scientific Anglers and More.

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“As a first time buyer, I was nervous and unsure of what steps were needed during the process. Paul walked me through the whole process, helped me understand what to watch out for with the various houses we looked at, and just gave me general tips and insights on home buying as well as things to think about when I eventually sell the home in the future. I came out of the process better educated AND a happy home owner! I highly recommend him for first time buyers, or any buyer!”

- Ronda G.

“Paul did an excellent job helping us sell our townhome in Charlottesville. His knowledge of the area helped us set the sell price to what the house is worth, and he made sure potential buyers would know the essentials of the house, neighborhood, and immediate area. Thanks again for all your help Paul!”

- Jeroan D.

“I have stated that Paul is the hardest working Realtor in the Charlottesville region because he will go anywhere in the area to find the perfect home for his clients. He is truly on your side and will save you from the knowns and unknowns of the buying or selling process. He is a true professional, responsive and incredibly knowledgeable. I recommend Paul with two enthusiastic thumbs up!”

- Robert J.

CONTRACTOR (SMALL)

HandyMike handymike.com

Walsh’s Remodeling walshsremodeling.com

CONTRACTOR (LARGE)

Martin Horn martinhorn.com

NOLA Build & Design nolabuilds.com

DAY SPA

The Spa at Boar’s Head Resort boarsheadresort.com

Oasis Day Spa & Body Shop oasisspacville.com

ECO RETAILER

The Scrappy Elephant scrappyelephant.com

Charlottesville Community Bikes charlottesville communitybikes.org

ELECTRICIAN

W.E. Brown webrown.com

Design Electric, Inc. designelectricinc.com

EYEBROW STUDIO

The Brow House waxcharlottesville.com

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SERVICES

Support better

IN 2012, WHEN EBONI BUGG BEGAN WORKING at the Women’s Initiative—a nonprofit offering mental health services to women—she was its first Black therapist on staff. “I was one of only a handful of clinicians of color operating in Charlottesville at that time,” Bugg says. “It was rewarding, but it was lonely.”

After five years and the addition of just one more clinician of color, Bugg was inspired to start a wider network of support and resources. Her brainchild, the Central Virginia Clinicians of Color Network, began in June 2017. Two months later, the white supremacist rally of August 12 happened. Then, she says, “people were coming in demanding therapists who understood their racialized experience and the cultural context that is at the intersection of their mental health and well being.”

The CVCCN meets that need. It provides funded trainings, supervision, and other practical tools therapists need to grow, secure, or maintain licensure, as well as regular meetings that offer emotional and

social support. “We can also subsidize care for CVCCN members and their patients,” says Dr. Kim Sanders, a member of CVCCN’s steering committee. “This allows for the clinician to remain whole and still service the community that’s looking for us and needs us.”

Sanders points out an example of the nonprofit’s work: During COVID, CVCCN offered 20 clinicians a free training in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), an evidence-based modality used to treat trauma-based mental health issues, with a track towards certification. This training normally costs thousands of dollars.

“We also offer scholarships for our clinicians, which expands their knowledge and skillset,” Sanders says. She says CVCCN has an “inward focus first. By supporting each other, we’re better able to pour back out into this community.”

CVCCN is always looking to add new members and create new community partnerships. Clinicians of color can connect online at cvccn.org.—RK

EZE

AMOS

Kim Sanders of Clinicians of Color doth proclaim that the organization supports practitioners through training and scholarships.

Readers acclaim Southern Development Homes as their top local homebuilder.

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LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Albemarle

Dermatology

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LAWYER OR LAW FIRM

Tucker Griffin Barnes tgblaw.com

Chip Royer (Royer Caramanis) rc.law

MARKETING/GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDIO

Hive Creative Group hivecreativegroup.com

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MASSAGE

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MEDICAL SPA

Albemarle

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A pig deal

THE PRIMARY MISSION OF LOAVES & Fishes Food Pantry is to feed people. But last year the nonprofit, which prides itself on letting almost nothing go to waste, donated about 66,000 pounds of spoiled food to local pig farmers—keeping many tons out of landfills.

“Loaves & Fishes invests labor into inspecting all of our food before we give it out,” says Jane Colo-

ny Mills, the organization’s executive director. “When we find food that is starting to spoil, in broken packaging, or otherwise not something we would eat ourselves, we give it to area pig farmers to feed their livestock. Pigs get fruits and vegetables, bread and cakes, meat with broken wrappers, and sometimes even milk and eggs.” Sounds like the squeal deal to us!—SS

A TREE GROWS IN C’VILLE

Trees are life. No, really. They provide oxygen, reduce energy costs, fight against climate change, and lead to better health simply by existing. That’s why ReLeaf Cville is working to create as much tree coverage in the city as possible. Last fall, with a $46,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry, the group planted 129 trees on homeowners’ properties throughout Rose Hill, as well as on public properties like Washington Park, Madison Avenue public housing, and J.P. Burley Middle School and the Community Lab School.—CH

EXPERIENCE, INTEGRITY & MARKET KNOWLEDGE

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SERVICES

So fetch

A unique vet clinic in Ivy gets playful

Walking into Wag, the veterinary clinic that Jesse Bejar recently opened in Ivy, you immediately get the sense that this is not your typical pet-care spot. Maybe it’s the wall of tennis balls behind the reception desk, or the clean, modern design aesthetic. The vibe is playful, fun, and anything but ordinary.

“The idea we had was for a community-based practice, one that’s more homey, fun, and enjoyable than a normal vet experience,” says Anna Boeschenstein, a local landscape architect who’s married to Bejar. For years, Bejar dreamed of opening his own practice—he and his wife regularly talked about their vision for what would someday come to pass.

After more than 20 years working in other clinics, Bejar says the pandemic finally nudged him toward going out on his own. “During COVID, trying to balance the demands of work with caring for 6-year-old twins—that’s when I realized that I needed a lot more flexibility,” he says.

When an ideal property was developed in Ivy, Bejar and Boeschenstein started to get serious about the concept for the new space. “Anna took the lead on researching the design,” Bejar says, and she eventually made an important design contribution: the impossible-tomiss tennis ball wall, which greets everyone who walks in the front door.

With a tight budget and specific limitations on how much he could augment the interior of the shell Wag would eventually inhabit, Bejar turned to Alisha and Mike Savage, with STOA Design+Construction and Savage Clark Architect, for the design/build work. “STOA didn’t have prior experience with this kind of project—they mostly do residential design/build—but Alisha was good at diving into the project and learning about the flow of the vet clinic,” Bejar says, noting that they really homed in on how create a “good flow” for the animals as they enter the building, get into the exam rooms, and then back to the treatment rooms.

Bejar describes the clinic as something of a reverse mullet— party in the front and business in the back. The “front of house” (comprising the entryway, reception area, and exam rooms) is fun and open, with playful design elements, colorful exam entryways, and big windows to let light in. The back of house, where surgical procedures and treatments take place, is more cutand-dried, Bejar says.

Animal care clinics come with a laundry list of design and building considerations—managing all the fur and dander, keeping sick pets quarantined without contaminating the rest of the critters, keeping sound transmission to a minimum—just to name a few. Alisha says they enjoyed the “dual challenge” of keeping the design fun and uplifting while addressing and thoughtfully designing to meet those specific technical requirements.

Alisha says she and Mike tried to be nimble with the design and technical expectations, while staying sensitive to the overall budget.

“We’d use off-the-shelf cabinetry and then engage our in-house woodworking expert to create special elements,” she says. “This was more cost-effective than subcontracting the special elements out to a custom cabinetry shop.”

She notes that strategic use of color can be a suitable supplement for an investment in costly materials—e.g. the tennis-ball-colored exam entryway details.

Ultimately, says Bejar, “We wanted the clinic to be clean and unique, not like every other medical clinic you visit. We wanted it to have a sense of being playful and enjoyable.”—RK

Wag, an apothecary for the care of beasts, adopted a novel approach to interior design with its new Ivy vet clinic.

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MORTGAGE LENDER

Jenna Stiltner (Atlantic Coast Mortgage) atlanticcoastmortgage.com

Todd Jenkins (Gray Fox Mortgage) grayfoxmortgage.com

NAIL SALON

Tips & Toes

Nail Salon tipsandtoesnailsalon.org

Serenity Nails & Spa serenitynails charlottesville.com

NONPROFIT

Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA caspca.org

Habitat for Humanity cvillehabitat.org

OVERNIGHT STAY

Quirk Hotel Charlottesville (now The Doyle Hotel) thedoylehotel.com The Farmhouse at Veritas veritasfarmhouse.com

PET SERVICES All Things Pawssible allthingspawssible.com Animal Connection animalconnectionva.com

PLACE OF WORSHIP The Point Church thepointva.com

St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish stauva.org

PLUMBER W.E. Brown webrown.com

The Otter Guys calltheotterguys.com

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Jen Fariello jenfariello.com

Alisa Foytik (Pura Photography) puraphoto.com

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Cathcart Property Management cathcarthoa.com

Braden Property Management bradenproperty.com

Marigold Residential Management marigoldmgmt.com

REAL ESTATE AGENT

Paul McArtor (Avenue Realty) avenuerealtygroup.com

Errin Searcy (Story House Real Estate) storyhousere.com

REAL ESTATE COMPANY

Nest Realty nestrealty.com

Story House Real Estate storyhousere.com

JEN FARIELLO

Fariello, readers extol, is the epitome of professionalism among photographers.

Readers assert that

Tiger Solar standeth unrivaled in the noble art of harnessing the power of the sun.

RENOVATION/ REMODELING COMPANY

NOLA Build and Design

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Walsh’s Remodeling walshsremodeling.com

SOLAR COMPANY

Tiger Solar tigersolar.com

Sun Tribe Solar suntribesolar.com

TATTOO/PIERCING PARLOR

Ben Around Tattoos

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ACME Tattoo & Piercing acmetattooandpiercing.com

VETERINARY CLINIC

Old Dominion

Animal Hospital olddominionanimal hospital.com

Georgetown Veterinary Hospital gvhvets.com

WAXING STUDIO

The Brow House waxcharlottesville.com

Royal Wax Studio royalwaxstudio.com

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Taylor Associates

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Wilkinson Wealth Management wilkinsonwm.com

BLEATING HEARTS

It takes a certain amount of vision to decide to stake your future on a herd of goats. But in 2008, that’s exactly what former homebuilder Jace Gooding did. With the economy barreling toward a recession, he found a business partner and started Goat Busters, setting his herd of Kiko goats to work clearing vineyards, backyards, and golf courses. You may have even seen them as you drove by Washington Park—last summer the city hired Goat Busters to remove invasive species.—CH

Local craft

WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON

with John and Patricia Kluge, The British royal family, The College of William & Mary, and “The Beverly Hillbillies” mansion? Then you should commission a mandmade item from local metalsmiths Stokes of England. Whether it’s imposing wroughtiron gates for your stately home, beautiful and longlasting furniture for your house or garden, delicate wall scones or a graceful chandelier, an intricate fire screen or a free-standing sculpture, if it’s metal, Stokes makes it.

Despite the name, Stokes was founded here in 1981 by British master metalsmith Joe Stokes and his son Stephen, who had been an American ex-

change student and decided to stay. (Two years later, Joe went back to Blighty to set up the firm’s U.K. branch, now run by younger son Chris.) The company’s work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Southern Living, The New York Times, and on PBS and the BBC. Since 1995, Stokes has been based at its forge in Keswick, where you can visit to watch its smiths at work.

In August 2022, the local Stokes was purchased by Mike and Truleigh Trennepohl, as part of their dream to live in central Virginia and run a family business. Mike and his son Ashton are now forging ahead, learning the metalsmith trade from Stephen Stokes.—CD

Keswick blacksmith Stokes of England doth fashion furniture and sculpture.

SERVICES

Click, click, flash

Parlor the Studio brings high-style shoots to you

Shortly after Annie Drury opened her Pink Building vintage shop Neon Soul, she decided to throw a Victorian Gothic-themed benefit dinner to showcase the new space. Her friend Anna Kariel, a commercial photographer, suggested capturing guests (who were likely to be dressed to the nines) in a highend photo shoot.

“It was there, while pinning gilded antiquities to a Persian rug backdrop and musing over the candelabra-inspired studio lighting, that we found ourselves building Parlor,” Kariel says. “[It’s] a transportive pop-up photography studio, a cinematic waiting room you can’t wait to get into, where anyone and everyone can end up playing the main act.” We couldn’t wait to know more.—CH

Best of C-VILLE: How does it work? Where do you begin?

Anna Kariel: We start with a couple of basic intake questions to confirm availability and other logistics and from there we schedule a creative call where we gather information about the spirit of the event and the client’s vision. Next, we create a proposal consisting of three design directions based on the budget and given parameters. Once a design is confirmed, the client typically gives us creative freedom to build the set, which is unveiled on the day of the event.

The shoot itself is a highly interactive, white-glove experience meant to elicit joy and put guests at ease in the limelight. We engage guests with a series of prompts, guiding them through

a range of poses and narratives that blend classic elegance with whimsical absurdity. Following the event, guests receive the edited final images in their inbox— the ultimate party favor!

Do you fabricate all of the backdrops yourselves?

Our sets are created with both built and found objects and are fully customizable. Clients may choose from one of our past sets with modifications or commission an original design. We have a couple of signature motifs that run through our work, e.g. we love incorporating vintage tele-

phones, but no two sets are alike. During the ideation phase of the design process, clients are invited to present ideas and provide feedback. We gush over a fun theme, and we are equally excited to pitch our own ideas when requested!

How much do you charge and how long do you spend photographing at an event?

Our packages average between $4,000 and $6,000, and include top-tier camera and lighting equipment, a custom set with curated props, and edited digital images which can be branded

with your event logo for social sharing. Pricing is based on factors such as cost of materials, fabrication needs, shooting duration, and location. Shoots typically span around four to five hours, allowing time for guests to experience the studio individually and in small groups.

What kinds of events have you participated in?

We love shooting a range of events from nonprofit galas, corporate events, weddings, holiday parties, birthday parties, and other private and community events.

PARLOR THE STUDIO

Artists of the lens, Parlor the Studio captures orchestrated tableaux for private revels.

49 Canterbury Road

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | MLS# 652637 | $1,800,000

Very Spacious 4 Bed/4 Bath Multi-level home in Bellair! The Terrace and 1st Floor boast most of the living spaces to include Kitchen, Living Room, Dining Room, Year-round Sunroom, Family Room with an adjoining Wet Bar, Study/Home Office and Full Bath. The Primary Suite has an adjoining Sitting Room & Full Bath. The Partial Basement has a large Laundry Room with ample Storage, Bonus Room and Utility Room. This home is situated on the lot to allow privacy to enjoy the delightful side Patio. Bellair is just minutes from UVA, Shopping & Medical Conveniences and Historical Sites with easy access to other C’ville locations.

Stone Brook Drive

STANARDSVILLE, VA | MLS# 644808 | $2,495,000

Stone Brook offers fabulous views of what makes living in Central Virginia special...Blue Ridge & Southwest Mountain views, Farm & Pastoral views and Private, Wooded views. Something for everyone! Build your dream home, or create a Retreat, Development Potential and/or Conservation Easement. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains just off Route 810 in Greene County, it is one of the most beautiful roads in Central Virginia. Stone Brook offers tranquil living but is close to the Charlottesville/Albemarle airport, several shopping areas, Routes 33 & 29 for convenient commuting and NGIC. Come see for yourself the views of Stone Brook!

780 Cleopatra Court

EARLSYVILLE, VA | MLS# 649805 | $724,900

Don’t miss out on this Custom Designed Home on 2.22 acres priced below assessed value in the beautiful Chestnut Ridge Subdivision. This meticulously maintained home boast some amazingly beautiful Custom Floor to Ceiling Cabinetry in the Gourmet kitchen. Enter into the spacious foyer with Open concept floor plan. Wood Burning Fireplace in the Living Room and Gas Log Fireplace in the Family Room/Eat in kitchen. Primary Suite and 2 more bedrooms on the main level. You will find more custom cabinets in the Laundry Room. The upper level has 1 bedroom and Full Bath. Don’t miss the unique Spa/Therapy Room with Dual Hot Tub and Swim Spa.

Louisa Road

KESWICK, VA | MLS# 646537 | $1,595,000

Bring your builder! Easy access from Louisa Road. Great development potential. Near Merrifield Farm and Vineyard. 5 Tax Parcels are believed to have 24 development rights. Lot 01400 = 31.85 acres; Lot 02700 = 52.25 acres; Lot 027A1 = 7.16 acres; Lot 027A2 = 14.91 acres; Lot 027B0 = 6.50 acres. Owner has started soil work for the 1st Five.

LUXURY BOUTIQUE INN

SURROUNDED

A hidden gem nestled in one of Charlottesville’s most charming historic neighborhoods, Oakhurst Inn is an intimate boutique hotel conveniently located just steps away from the University of Virginia. Experience luxurious accommodations, delectable cuisine, an inviting ambiance, and picturesque surroundings. A place connecting visitors and locals alike.

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AARON WATSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Thank you Cv le!

Hedge Fine Blooms rises in readers' estimation, securing the top spot as the finest florist.

FLORIST

Hedge Fine Blooms

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Tourterelle Floral Design

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HAIR STYLIST

Posh Bride

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Tickled Pink Hair & Makeup tickledpinkhmu.com

MAKEUP ARTIST

Posh Bride

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Captivating Complexion

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MICRO-WEDDING VENUE

Old Metropolitan Hall

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Waterperry Farm waterperryfarm.com

PROPOSAL SPOT

King Family Vineyards

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Veritas Vineyards and Winery veritaswines.com

Monticello Country Ballooning virginiahotairballoon.com

Making connections

WITH A WEDDING INDUSTRY LIKE CHARLOTTESVILLE’S

(read: booming), it seemed smart and even necessary to officiant Claire Frances to create a network of professionals. In 2010, she launched the Community of Charlottesville Wedding and Event Professionals.

“Over the years, CCWEP has played an integral role in bringing a community of small business owners together who service weddings and events in the central Virginia area,” says current owner Lisa Watson. “I saw how helpful it was to bring new and established businesses together to share ideas, and support one another, when I first joined in 2014.” Watson relaunched the CCWEP in the fall of 2023 after the pandemic forced it into hiatus in 2020.

The reboot continues the mission of the original members—to connect with and meet each other, share ideas, promote their businesses, learn from industryleading speakers, and, says Watson, “overall make the Charlottesville wedding community stronger.”

The CCWEP has more than 200 members (and counting), from all corners of the local industry: photographers, caterers, officiants, DJs, and more. Watson says the organization benefits to-be-married couples by having world-class vendors to choose from, at all price points.

“The organization and local wedding industry is growing every day,” she says. “Promoting a strong and healthy Charlottesville wedding and event community is the core value of CCWEP.”—CH

HUNTER + SARAH PHOTOGRAPHY

Charlottesville's esteemed Wedding and Event Professionals org offers vendors abundant resources, fostering excellence.

2024 RUNNER-UP BEST MAKEUP ARTIST

Stormwater carries harmful bacteria from pet waste into streams and rivers directly through storm drains.

Scoop the Poop! Bag it and place it in the trash

Clean yards. Clean Streams. (and clean shoes!)

WEDDINGS

Going to the chapel

Welcome back to a restored and reopened UVA treasure

The historic University Chapel on UVA Grounds recently underwent a muchneeded facelift—and the chapel is finally open again for weddings and other private events.

The compact sandstone structure has always been a special place for UVA students to celebrate, but you don’t have to be a Wahoo or affiliated with the university to hold an event there. “Reservations are first come, first served,” says Katie Dovel of the UVA Events Management Office. The space can be reserved up to 365 days in advance or, if you’re the last-minute type, 14 days out.

The chapel has been part of the university since it was completed in 1890. Thomas Jefferson’s original design did not include a religious building of any sort, given his desire to create an educational institution not tied to any denomination, but over the decades there were several attempts to consider adding a Christian space on Grounds. The chapel provides that, but, in a nod to Jefferson, is non-denominational and in a Gothic style unlike the Neoclassical buildings around it. “But the building is placed according to Jefferson’s original grid,” says James Zehmer, senior historic preservation project manager with UVA’s Facilities Department, who oversaw the renovation.

There has been major work done on the chapel in the past— a 1910 fire damaged much of the floor and the wooden pews, and a 1950 project upgraded the electricity and covered the wooden floor with cork tile. Zehmer is especially pleased that this 2023 renovation, completed over about a year, included both up-

grades to the electric and sound system and a much-needed recovery of the interior’s original appearance.

Over the years, the finishes in the space had all darkened and the walls were repainted in an off-white that seemed to fit what people expected in a church. But the walls have been repainted in a light spring green that’s close to the original color, and it makes the interior come alive.

“People don’t realize that bright colors help reflect the light in a space,” says Zehmer. The green coordinates perfectly with the hues in the nave’s stained-glass windows (some original, others from the early 1900s).

All the woodwork in the building has been redone as well. The century-old pews were removed and blasted with baking soda to scour them down to the original wood, and then refinished. The woodwork on the walls and ceiling was also stripped and refinished. One of the challenges, says Zehmer, was finding finishes for the various woods used (pine, oak, and chestnut) that would highlight each wood’s character while harmonizing across the space. The old cork tile flooring was ripped out and the pine paneling beneath refinished as well.

The result is that the chapel’s interior is now both lighter and

brighter. One of the most striking features is the LED lighting that was installed in the ceiling. The strip lights tucked behind the roof’s wood ribbing shine upward, raking along the warm wood paneling in its alternating diagonals. The whole effect draws the eye upward, something suitable in a chapel; the green walls that highlight the triptych window behind the altar space draw you in, which is perfect for a group celebration.

So if you met your intended at UVA and want to get married there, or you just love the university’s Grounds, get your reservation in. But leave out the tradition of throwing rice or birdseed—it’s not permitted.—CD

UVA Chapel, the sacred edifice, was subject to refurbishment in 2023, with upgrades to the electrick and sound systems, as well as recovery of the interior appearance.

DAN ADDISON / UVA COMMUNICATIONS

WEDDINGS

Suit up!

YOUR WEDDING IS A TIME TO PRESENT your best self—which may mean a custom suit. Luckily, Charlottesville has plenty of options. There are national retailers Brooks Brothers, Jos. A. Bank, and Men’s Wearhouse. Or you can go the shop local route.

Eljo’s was opened in 1950 on the UVA Corner by two Wahoo brothers (Elliott and Joseph Hyman, hence the name). Trent Thurston, who now co-owns the shop with his father, Myles, recommends beginning the suit-buying process at least five weeks before the big day. Eljo’s prides itself on

more traditional menswear, and prices range from $1,300 on up, depending on size and fabric (the shop has more than 1,500 swatches on hand).

Alton Lane has a strikingly similar origin— started in 2009 by two UVA/Darden grads. The store’s manufacturing process means it can promise a suit within two weeks, but you’ll still need time for fittings (store stylist Ali Taleb says most grooms start the process at least three months out). Prices range from $399 (for a “50/50 fabric”) to as high as $4,000 (seasonal or high-end fabrics). Alton

Lane also offers wedding packages for outfitting the wedding party—groomsmen, bridesmaids, even the bride.

The Mens & Boys Shop is a 104-year-old Charlottesville institution. Co-owner Kyle Davis says a custom client should start the process at least two months before the wedding. Prices start at $895, again depending on size, fabric, and styling. Davis notes that grooms will often bring their partner along. It makes for a shared experience, he says, “and it’s always nice to have someone help with making decisions.”—CD

Find custom suiting at Alton Lane, a merchant’s emporium for gentleman’s attire.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 127

REHEARSAL DINNER VENUE

Common House commonhouse.com

The Farmhouse at Veritas veritasfarmhouse.com

TRANSPORTATION

Albemarle

Limousine albemarlelimousine.com

Ambassador Limousine ambassadorlimos.com

WEDDING MUSIC

Big Ray and the Kool Kats

bigrayandthekoolkats.com

Sam Hill Entertainment samhillbands.com

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Meredith Coe

Photography meredithcoe photography.com

3 Cats Photo 3catsphoto.com

WEDDING PLANNER

Little Acorn Events Co. littleacornevents.com

Hannah Rose Design hannahroseeventdesign.com

WEDDING VENUE

King Family Vineyards

kingfamilyvineyards.com

Mount Ida Farm mountidafarm.com

WEDDINGS

Nostalgia bus

THERE ARE MANY EXCELLENT TOURING COMPANIES in Charlottesville—they pick you up, take you to a winery, and return you to your drop-off spot without you ever having to designate a driver. But there’s only one, thanks to Katie and Ken Galan, that offers that experience in a 1972 Volkswagen Transporter Bus.

“After we experienced a unique wine tour in California, the business idea started to fall into place and we knew we wanted to bring a unique and memorable experience to Virginia wine country,” Katie says. “We researched lots of different vehicle options, but when we found our 1972 Volkswagen bus, lovingly named Mable, we knew that was the right vehicle for us.”

After a long life as a taxi in Brazil, Mable made her way to Virginia and became the Tipsy Wagen. Now she’s spending her days as a tour bus for bachelor and bachelorette parties. Here’s how it works: Choose from a private tour (wherein you’ll visit three partner wineries, tasting fees included) or a custom tour (i.e. you choose the destinations).

“We can also transport bridal parties to and from the venues and Mable makes a great arrival vehicle for the bride and/or send-off vehicle for the newly married couple,” Katie says. Mable is available for many types of events—transportation on the day of the wedding, wedding or engagement photo shoots, or even as a prop for wedding receptions or bridal showers “If she is invited, she will be there!”—CH

TOM DALY

Tipsy Wagen, a Volkswagen bus, is a swift carriage for bachelor and bachelorette voyagers.

12 PASSENGER TRANSIT LIMOUSINE

The Transit Limousine has all the luxury you have come to expect from a standard limousine, but with enough room for everyone. This is the perfect vehicle to enjoy Charlottesville’s many wineries and breweries with friends and family.

47–55 PASSENGER MOTOR COACH

The Motor Coach is the largest vehicle type in our fleet. We have two sizes of Motor Coach, 47 Passenger and 55 Passenger, both of which are ideal for large groups. These vehicles enable you to transport a significant number of passengers at one time

25 PASSENGER MINI BUS

Our Mini Buses are great vehicles for medium sized groups. These 25 Passenger vehicles, with their large viewing windows and individual seating, are a great way to tour the local area or shuttle guests from one location to another.

The Belmont Arts Collaborative exists to provide artists and organizations the opportunity to produce work in a dedicated performing arts space.

We are located in the historic Belmont neighborhood of Charlottesville, Virginia, just a few blocks from the downtown mall. Our 2300 square foot space, with a black box theater that seats up to 99, adjoins a second space which houses five rehearsal studios. If you have a show you’d like to produce or classes you’d like to teach, please reach out to us! We also host events.

MEDICAL PROFILES

MEDICAL PROFILES

MEDICAL PROFILES

PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES OF CHARLOTTESVILLE

PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES OF CHARLOTTESVILLE

PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES OF CHARLOTTESVILLE

MEDICAL PROFILES

EXPERT PEDIATRIC CARE – SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

EXPERT PEDIATRIC CARE – SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

1011 East Jefferson Street | Downtown | c 434.296.9161

1011 East Jefferson Street | Downtown | c 434.296.9161

PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES OF CHARLOTTESVILLE

1522 Insurance Lane, Suite A | North Office | c 434.974.9600

1522 Insurance Lane, Suite A | North Office | c 434.974.9600

2411 Ivy Road | West Office | c 434.296.8300

2411 Ivy Road | West Office | c 434.296.8300

71 Jefferson Court | Zion Crossroads | c 540.406.4100 w www.charlottesvillepeds.com

71 Jefferson Court | Zion Crossroads | c 540.406.4100 w www.charlottesvillepeds.com

71 Jefferson Court | Zion Crossroads | c 540.406.4100 w www.charlottesvillepeds.com

1011 East Jefferson Street | Downtown | c 434.296.9161

1522 Insurance

What services and treatments are offered at Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville?

What services and treatments are offered at Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville?

What services and treatments are offered at Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville?

Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville is a private practice clinic whose doctors, nurses and staff specialize in the care of infants, children, adolescents and their families. We have daily office hours, as well as evening and weekend hours for emergencies. All of our physicians are certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. They also have fields of interests in certain pediatric sub-specialties including adolescent care, allergy, asthma, attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), infectious diseases, anorexia and sports medicine, to name a few.

Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville is a private practice clinic whose doctors, nurses and staff specialize in the care of infants, children, adolescents and their families. We have daily office hours, as well as evening and weekend hours for emergencies. All of our physicians are certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. They also have fields of interests in certain pediatric sub-specialties including adolescent care, allergy, asthma, attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), infectious diseases, anorexia and sports medicine, to name a few.

What services and treatments are offered at Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville?

What specialty services are offered at Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville?

Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville is a private practice clinic whose doctors, nurses and staff specialize in the care of infants, children, adolescents and their families. We have daily office hours, as well as evening and weekend hours for emergencies. All of our physicians are certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. They also have fields of interests in certain pediatric sub-specialties including adolescent care, allergy, asthma, attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), infectious diseases, anorexia and sports medicine, to name a few.

What specialty services are offered at Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville?

Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville is a private practice clinic whose doctors, nurses and staff specialize in the care of infants, children, adolescents and their families. We have daily office hours, as well as evening and weekend hours for emergencies. All of our physicians are certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. They also have fields of interests in certain pediatric sub-specialties including adolescent care, allergy, asthma, attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), infectious diseases, anorexia and sports medicine, to name a few.

What specialty services are offered at Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville?

Pediatric Associates also provides specialty services with an on-site audiologist, adolescent nurse practitioners, lactation consultants and newborn nurse practitioners. Our hospital affiliation is with Martha Jefferson Hospital where we admit newborns and sick children. Many of our doctors are on the Instructional Faculty at the University of Virginia where they do research and teach medical students, nurse practitioner students and resident physicians.

Pediatric Associates also provides specialty services with an on-site audiologist, adolescent nurse practitioners, lactation consultants and newborn nurse practitioners. Our hospital affiliation is with Martha Jefferson Hospital where we admit newborns and sick children. Many of our doctors are on the Instructional Faculty at the University of Virginia where they do research and teach medical students, nurse practitioner students and resident physicians.

What specialty services are offered at Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville?

Pediatric Associates also provides specialty services with an on-site audiologist, adolescent nurse practitioners, lactation consultants and newborn nurse practitioners. Our hospital affiliation is with Martha Jefferson Hospital where we admit newborns and sick children. Many of our doctors are on the Instructional Faculty at the University of Virginia where they do research and teach medical students, nurse practitioner students and resident physicians.

Pediatric Associates also provides specialty services with an on-site audiologist, adolescent nurse practitioners, lactation consultants and newborn nurse practitioners. Our hospital affiliation is with Martha Jefferson Hospital where we admit newborns and sick children. Many of our doctors are on the Instructional Faculty at the University of Virginia where they do research and teach medical students, nurse practitioner students and resident physicians.

Now Open

Zion Crossroads Clinic

fourth location in Zion Crossroads. Through continued regional growth, Pediatric Associates strives to provide convenient access to exceptional pediatric care. The office, located at 71 Jefferson Court, is now accepting appointments.

Pediatric Associates is excited to announce the opening of its fourth location in Zion Crossroads. Through continued regional growth, Pediatric Associates strives to provide convenient access to exceptional pediatric care. The office, located at 71 Jefferson Court, is now accepting appointments.

Providers at Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville: PHYSICIANS (From Left to Right): Carlos E. Armengol, Jr., MD

Pediatric Associates is excited to announce the opening of its fourth location in Zion Crossroads. Through continued regional growth, Pediatric Associates strives to provide convenient access to exceptional pediatric care. The office, located at 71 Jefferson Court, is now accepting appointments.

Our Zion Crossroads location is celebrating. This office has now been open for five years. Through continued regional growth, Pediatric Associates strives to provide convenient access to exceptional pediatric care. The office, located at 71 Jefferson Ct, is accepting new patients.

Providers at Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville: PHYSICIANS (From Left to Right): Carlos E. Armengol, Jr., MD

Providers at Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville:

Providers at Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville:

Lori W. Balaban, MD | Gemila H. Bouber, MD | Alaina Brown, MD

PHYSICIANS (From Left to Right): Carlos E. Armengol, Jr., MD

PHYSICIANS (From Left to Right): Carlos E. Armengol, Jr., MD

PHYSICIANS (From Left to Right): Carlos E. Armengol, Jr., MD

Sheila F. Davis, MD | Jay M. Gillenwater MD | Teresa H. Hashisaki, MD

Lori W. Balaban, MD | Gemila H. Bouber, MD | Alaina Brown, MD

Lori W. Balaban, MD | Gemila H. Bouber, MD | Alaina Brown, MD

Lori W. Balaban, MD | Gemila H. Bouber, MD | Alaina Brown, MD

Lori W. Balaban, MD | Gemila H. Bouber, MD | Alaina Brown, MD

Amanda Jones, MD | Sarah E. Knight, MD | Amy Malek, MD

Josh T Coons, MD | Jay M. Gillenwater MD | Teresa H. Hashisaki, MD

Sheila F. Davis, MD | Jay M. Gillenwater MD | Teresa H. Hashisaki, MD

Sheila F. Davis, MD | Jay M. Gillenwater MD | Teresa H. Hashisaki, MD

Katherine D. Mika, MD | L. Paige D’A. Perriello, MD | Marion Szwedo, MD

Amanda Jones, MD | Sarah E. Knight, MD | Amy Malek, MD

Sheila F. Davis, MD | Jay M. Gillenwater MD | Teresa H. Hashisaki, MD

Amanda Jones, MD | Sarah E. Knight, MD | Amy Malek, MD

Amanda Jones, MD | Sarah E. Knight, MD | Amy Malek, MD

Katherine D. Mika, MD | L. Paige D’A. Perriello, MD | Morgan R. Newsome, DO A. Robert Trundle, MD | Paul P. Wisman, MD

Katherine D. Mika, MD | L. Paige D’A. Perriello, MD | Marion Szwedo, MD

Amanda Jones, MD | Sarah E. Knight, MD | Amy Malek, MD

A. Robert Trundle, MD | Paul P. Wisman, MD | Karyn E. Wolfe, MD

Katherine D. Mika, MD | L. Paige D’A. Perriello, MD | Marion Szwedo, MD

A. Robert Trundle, MD | Paul P. Wisman, MD | Karyn E. Wolfe, MD

A. Robert Trundle, MD | Paul P. Wisman, MD | Karyn E. Wolfe, MD

CLINICIANS (From Left to Right): Casee Dorsey, PNP | Jennifer Fontenot, PNP Kelly Vincel, CPNP (not pictured) Marian Fredner, MS, CCCA/FAAA

Katherine D. Mika, MD | L. Paige D’A. Perriello, MD | Marion Szwedo, MD A. Robert Trundle, MD | Paul P. Wisman, MD | Karyn E. Wolfe, MD

CLINICIANS (From Left to Right):

CLINICIANS (From Left to Right): Casee Dorsey, PNP | Jennifer Fontenot, PNP Kelly Vincel, CPNP (not pictured) Marian Fredner, MS, CCCA/FAAA

CLINICIANS (From Left to Right): Casee Dorsey, PNP | Jennifer Fontenot, PNP

Kelly Vincel, CPNP (not pictured) Marian Fredner, MS, CCCA/FAAA

Amber Nowakowski, PNP, Lindsey Daugherty PNP, Lisa McRae PNP, Jennifer Fontenot PNP, Kelly Vincel PNP

2024 WINNER Robert Trundle Best Pediatrician Paige Perriello Best Pediatrician

2024 RUNNER-UP

KIDS & FAMILY

AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITY

Wildrock wildrock.org

The Front Porch frontporchcville.org

DAYCARE

Old Dominion Day School

olddominionday.school

Bright Beginnings Preschool brightbeginningsva.com

FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER Graceful Perceptions gracefulpics.com

Sarah Cramer Shields (Cramer Photo) sarahcramershields.com

KIDS’ CLOTHING STORE

Kid to Kid kidtokid.com

Green Bean Baby Boutique greenbeanbaby boutique.com

KIDS’ MENU

Brazos Tacos brazostacos.com

FIREFLY Restaurant & Game Room fireflycville.com

KIDS’ PARK

Pen Park charlottesville.gov

Greenleaf Park charlottesville.gov

MUSIC LESSONS

The Front Porch frontporchcville.org

Amelia Fe Camacho ameliacamacho.com

PEDIATRICIAN

Paige Perriello

(Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville) charlottesvillepeds.com

Robert Trundle

(Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville) charlottesvillepeds.com

PLACE FOR FIRST EAR PIERCING

ACME Tattoo & Piercing acmetattooandpiercing.com

Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville charlottesvillepeds.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 145

ADULTS 10:30-1:30

Adults: 1/6-3/2 mon 6-9

MONDAYS 9/9 -12/2

Wed 1/8-3/4 10-1

WEDNESDAYS 9/11-12/4

Children: tues 1/7-3/3 3:30-5:30

CHILDREN 4-12 YRS OLD

Thurs 1/9-3/5 3:30-5:30 or sat 2-4pm 1/11-3/7 call 760-9658

TUESDAYS 3:30-5:30 9/10-12/3

THURSDAYS 3:30-5:30 9/12-12/5

SATURDAYS 2 - 4 PM 9/14-12/7

CALL 434-760-9658 TO REGISTER OR GO TO LEEALTER@MAC.COM

That’s fly!

YOU’VE HEARD OF YOGA, MAYBE YOU’VE heard of children’s yoga … but have you heard of kids aerial yoga? Local youngsters can try this gravity-defying practice at FlyDog yoga, which offers classes and summer camps for little kids (ages 4-8) and big kids (ages 8-12). In the aerial studio, 10 silk hammocks securely attached to the ceiling allow children to move, jump, play, and do things in the air that they

wouldn’t otherwise get to do, says FlyDog owner Eliza Whiteman. “Kids are sort of missing that aspect of play in their lives now, with their schedules and activities being so structured. Aerial is an opportunity to play!”

During an aerial class, a trained instructor leads everyone through safe entry and exit from the hammock, demonstrating yoga postures on and off the ground. “There are safe boundaries,”

GETTING WARMER

Whiteman says. “The instructor demos how to do things, and then lets the kids play some.” Some benefits to this high-flying playtime? “The kids learn about their bodies: proprioception, body awareness, and strength-building,” she says. “We mix in some more grounding yoga postures, too, so kids start to understand being in their body, getting out of their thinking brain.”—RK

If knowledge really is power, then Community Climate Collaborative is giving area youth the keys to the kingdom. In partnership with the Virginia Discovery Museum, the nonprofit has distributed more than 3,000 Climate Action Kits to fourth and fifth graders in Charlottesville and Albemarle, helping them learn about solar and wind power. The kits include a classroom energy scavenger hunt, an art project, a DIY garden, a solar-powered night light, a water-leak detection activity—and maybe even the power to change the world.—CH

FlyDog Yoga’s aerial practice upon draped fabrics is an exquisite option for kids’ exercise.

JOHN ROBINSON

Wildrock nature park provides a verdant playground for youthful merriment.

PLACE TO THROW A KID’S BIRTHDAY PARTY Wildrock wildrock.org Get Air Trampoline Park getairsports.com

PLAY SPACE BOUNCE

Play-n-Create bounceplayncreate.com Wildrock wildrock.org

PRESCHOOL

St. Anne’sBelfield School stab.org

ACAC Preschool acac.com

PRIVATE SCHOOL

St. Anne’sBelfield School stab.org

Tandem Friends School tandemfs.org

SUMMER CAMP

Triple C Camp tripleccamp.com

ACAC Summer Camp acac.com

TOY STORE

Shenanigans

Toy Store shenanigans.toys Alakazam Toys alakazamtoys.com

KIDS & FAMILY

Fair play

EVERY AUGUST, THE GROUNDS OF JAMES Monroe’s Highland come alive with young farmers leading their cows, pigs, goats, and chickens around a ring, in hopes of wowing a panel of judges. But the popular livestock demonstrations aren’t the only place to shine at the Albemarle County Fair. New this year: a giant sunflower competition and a country-themed pageant, where girls from newborns to age 12, clad in either their Sunday best or something they’d wear around the

NO HARD FEELINGS

farm, earn sashes for their efforts. And as always, the fair includes a variety of fiercely fought agriculture competitions, everything from pumpkins, figs, and okra to honey, hay, and Mr. and Mrs. Potato and Veggie Heads, as well as awards for best pies, cakes, jams, pickles, jerky, and dozens of others. Visitors will also find plenty of food trucks, live music, historical demonstrations, art and craft exhibits, and more. Bonus: Admission is still only $5, and children under 6 get in for free.—SS

Managing big feelings is a tough job when you’re a little kid. Managing them while also going to school, learning, and socializing? Even tougher. Mountain View Elementary School counselor Charlotte Geddy gets it, which is why earlier this year she started what she calls “Coping Skills Café,” where she invites students to learn different ways to express their emotions when those emotions feel unmanageable. Taking deep breaths, moving their bodies, and talking it through with a friend are just a few of the skills she demonstrates. We just have one question: Can Geddy host an adult version, too?—CH

We provide care for all ages, from infancy to school-age. Our school strives to provide the best possible environment for your child to learn, grow, and develop.

Indoor Gross Motor Play Room

Art and Library Room

Social Emotional Learning

Minority/Woman Owned

Inclusive Environment

Tasty Meals Provided Infants to School-Age

JOIN NOW

furniture • art • lamps • mirrors • gifts & more!

THURS-SAT 10AM-5PM

home furnishings

2119 Berkmar Dr. | Charlottesville, VA 22901

www.patinacville.com  patinacville  patinacville@gmail.com

antiques • vintage • used • new

Gratefully serving the families of Charlottesville for over 45 years!

2024 WINNER BEST DAYCARE

To our wonderful parents and families, thank you for nominating us for this prestigious award. To our incredible staff, thank you for your unwavering commitment to loving our children every day. We are honored to be a part of this growing community right here in Charlottesville!

“Old Dominion Day School is the best place we could have sent our kids. They love them, show care, and help with their development both socially and academically. I cannot say more wonderful things about this school, and always sing their praises to expecting parents.”

Parent Testimonial

“Every teacher there has embraced my children and treated them like they were their own. I’m constantly amazed at how much my kids learn there, from the baby room through the Pre-K room. I know some kids dread going to school, but not once have my children been anything other than eager to go in.” Parent Testimonial

Please scan the QR code for more information about programs, tours and more! 434.984.1070

www.olddominionday.school

KIDS & FAMILY

The harvest club

The CHS Urban Farming program has come of age

After more than a decade of helping high schoolers learn the ins and outs of planting and plowing, Charlottesville High School Urban Farming has gone commercial.

The successful program, launched in 2013, isn’t changing its focus on the intersection of agriculture and entrepreneurship. But it is upping the ante by selling its wares. While the program has served hundreds of students over the years by letting them dig their hands in the soil and raise animals, the produce and flowers grown along the way were always donated or used at the school. This past April, for the first time ever, CHS Urban Farming hosted a plant sale.

“We came from very humble beginnings,” says Peter Davis, who’s directed the program for the last seven years. “We were just an after-school club. We fixed up a small garden behind the school that had been neglected for a couple years.”

The course next transitioned into an elective for students with special needs before becoming what it is today: a fullcredit class offered as part of CHS’s career technical education track. Offered in two parts, students can go through the program over consecutive years and earn two credits.

Currently, CHS Urban Farming has six sections and 72 enrolled students. According to Davis, there’s a waiting list to get in just about every year.

Davis says the course focuses primarily on marketing, as most students who go through it don’t end up as farmers. “Farming is a business,” he says. “That

entrepreneur mindset is important, and a lot of people go that route.” Along the way, students also learn to grow crops and do some carpentry.

CHS Urban Farming has had a livestock component for most of its history, with students currently tending to 11 chickens. The cluckers “are pretty spoiled,” according to Davis. Students take turns bringing eggs home, and the chickens are part of the farm’s ecosystem, with waste crops and weeds going into their feed.

With seasonal produce growing all year round, Davis and students typically plant their summer crops before school lets out. The next semester,

newly enrolled student farmers return to school to peppers and tomatoes, and later greens and carrots, ready for harvest. Flowers and herbs are a consistent part of the cycle, as well.

Seedlings are available for purchase on the CHS Urban Farming website to supplement the program’s burgeoning commercial component. “The bread and butter as far as the marketing and business side is the plant sale,” Davis says. “Our first public sale was a smashing success.”

After years of marketing the sale only as an exercise, CHS students made $3,500 in their first go at actually selling plants. “I think that was definitely a proof of concept for us,” Davis says. “It

made the case for a bigger and better sale next year.”

On the heels of the success, Davis believes the CHS Urban Farming program has a chance to be self-sustaining in the years to come. He thinks he and his student teams can earn at least $10,000 with a bigger marketing push.

Money, though, has never been what teaching kids to farm is all about, according to Davis.

“The thing I love the most is getting notes from parents or former students,” he says. “One parent emailed me pictures of a garden their kids had installed on their own. I think kids walk away with a great understanding of a lot of things, be it business or agriculture or construction.”—SG

STEPHEN BARLING

In Charlottesville High School’s urban farming program, students are urged to cultivate the soil and tend to the care of livestock.

BONUM, MELIUS, OPTIMUM

@dank_cville 21

106.1 The Corner 21

3 Cats Photo........................................... 123

5th Street Station (“elephants,” GreenYellowBlue) .................................. 23

91.9 WNRN 21

Aberdeen Barn 69

ACAC 37, 39

ACAC Preschool..................................... 145

ACAC Summer Camp 145

Ace Biscuit & Barbecue 53

ACME Tattoo & Piercing 111, 141

Alakazam Toys ....................................... 145

Alamo Drafthouse 21

Albemarle Audiology 37

Albemarle Baking Co. 53, 125

Albemarle Dermatology Associates and Signature Medical Spa ............... 103

Albemarle Heating & Air 101

Albemarle Limousine 133

Al Carbon 69

Alisa Foytik (Pura Photography).... 109

All Things Pawssible 109

Alyssa Wacharamai (Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint) 53

Ambassador Limousine 133

Amelia Fe Camacho ............................. 141

Andrew Glassick (Hamer & Glassick) .............................. 43

Andrew Minton Jewelers 79

Animal Connection 109

Anna Magee (Charlottesville Dermatology) 39

Annika Abrahamson (Albemarle Center for Family Medicine) 41

Appalachian Landscapes ................... 101

AquaFloat 103

Asados Wings & Taco Co. 69

Ashley Davenport (Cox Chiropractic Clinic) 37

Bad Luck Ramen Bar ............................. 65

Bang! 27

Bar Botanical 27

Bart Weis (Charlottesville Orthodontics) 43

BBQ Exchange 53

Beatrix Ost 17

Beer Run 65

Ben Around Tattoos 111

Best of C-VILLE 27

Big Ray and the Kool Kats 133

Birdwood at Boars Head Resort 41

Birth Sisters of Charlottesville 37

Bizou 57

Black Cow Chophouse 69

Blue Mountain Brewery 53

Blue Ridge Event Production 125

Bob’s Wheel Alignment 97

Bodo’s Bagels 65

Bold Rock Cidery 59

Botanical Fare 17, 57

BOUNCE Play-n-Create 145

Braden Property Management 109

Brazos Tacos 65, 69, 141

Bright Beginnings Preschool 141

Bristles Hair Design & Day Spa 101

Brooks Family YMCA 37

Bulpan Korean BBQ 65

Burtons Grill & Bar 57

C&O Restaurant 57

Cake Bloom ............................................ 125

Captivating Complexion ..................... 127

CarMax....................................................... 87

Cassie Martinez (Family Medicine of Albemarle) .......................................... 41

Cathcart Property Management..... 109

Chaps Ice Cream..................................... 59

Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA ....... 109

Charlottesville Area Builders ............ 101

Charlottesville Community Bikes ...... 99

Charlottesville Symphony.................... 17

Charlottesville Ten Miler ...................... 39

Chip Royer (Royer Caramanis) 103

Chung’s Barber Shop 97

Circa 79, 85

Citizen Burger Bar 57

Common House 133

Crate & Marrow 87

Dan Schutte (CBS19) 21

Darling x Dashing Boutique 79, 87

Deborah Elder (Charlottesville Dermatology) 39

Decades Arcade ...................................... 17

Decipher Brewing 53

Design Develop 97

Design Electric, Inc................................ 99

DOMA Korean Kitchen 59

Don’s Florist & Gifts 79

Dos Amigos Landscaping .................. 101

Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie 65

Dürty Nelly’s 17, 65

Early Mountain Vineyards ................... 69

Eastwood Farm and Winery 17, 69

Eli Cook 23

Elizabeth Chance (CHANCE & Co.

Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics) ......... 37

Errin Searcy (Story House Real Estate) 109

Evolution Hearing 37

Farm Bell Kitchen ................................... 53

FARMacy 57

Farmington Country Club 41

Feast! ................................................... 69, 79

Fifth Season Gardening 85

FIREFLY Restaurant + Game Room 27, 141

Five Star Painting ................................. 101

Fleurie 57

Flow Automotive 87

FlyDog Yoga....................................... 37, 45

Foods of All Nations 79

Gearharts Fine Chocolates 69

Georgetown Veterinary Hospital .... 111

Get Air Trampoline Park 145

Gig Strategic 103

Graceful Perceptions ........................... 141 Gracie Charlottesville 41 Great Outdoor Provision Co. 85 Green Bean Baby Boutique ............... 141

Things 79

Park 141

Coffee................................................. 53 Guajiro’s Miami Eatery 53, 65 Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville 109

for Humanity ReStore 85

Photo by Lyn Waldrop Photography

Lakeside Apartments ............................ 97

Lampo ........................................................ 65

Latitude Massage ................................. 103

Laughing Dragon Kung Fu .................. 41

Lazy Parrot Wings & Brews ................. 69

Little Acorn Events Co......................... 133

Live Arts..................................................... 17

Love Canon............................................... 17

Luce............................................................. 69

MADabolic Charlottesville ................... 43

MarieBette Café & Bakery ................... 53

Marigold Residential Management .. 43

Market Street Wine................................ 87

Martin Hardware.................................... 85

Martin Horn ............................................. 99

Matthew O’Donnell ............................... 23

McGuffey Art Center 17

Mederio Venable (The Bebedero) 53

Mel’s Cafe 65

Meredith Coe Photography 133

Michael Henderson (MyEyeDr.) 39

Michelle Little (Women in Motion

Physical Therapy and Wellness) 45

Michie Tavern 59

Milan Indian Cuisine 59

Monsoon Siam 69

Monster Cleaning Services 97

Monticello Country Ballooning 127

MooThru 59

Mount Ida Farm & Vineyard 133

Moxie Hair Lounge 101

MS Events 125

Nest Realty 109

New Dominion Bookshop 79

Nina Crawford (MSS Designs) 101

NOLA Build and Design 99, 111

Now & Zen 69

Nua Medical Spa 103

O’Suzannah 79

Oasis Day Spa & Body Shop 99

Old Dominion Animal Hospital 111

Old Dominion Day School 141

Old Metropolitan Hall 127

Olli at UVA 97

Orangetheory Fitness Charlottesville43

Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar ..................... 65

Our Lady of Peace .................................. 97

Paige Perriello (Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville) 141

Pam Garrison (99.7 CYK) 21

Paul McArtor (Avenue Realty) 109

Peacock Auto Service 97

Pearl Island Café & Catering 65

Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville ....................................... 141

Pen Park .................................................. 141

Pet Supplies Plus .................................... 87

Peter Chang China Grill 53

Phoebe Fliakos 43

Plan 9 87

Posh Bride 127

Potter’s Craft Cider 59

Preddy Creek Park 43

Pro Re Nata .............................................. 23

Pure Barre................................................. 39

Purvelo ...................................................... 39

Quirk Hotel Charlottesville (now The Doyle Hotel) 27, 109

Ragged Branch Distillery 65

Ragged Mountain Running & Walking Shop 85

Rebecca Swett (Swett Dentistry) 37

Red Lantern.............................................. 53

Reserve at Belvedere ............................ 97

Rhett Adams (Venture Chiropractic) 37

Rivanna Trail 43, 45

Riverside Lunch 53

Robert Trundle (Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville) 141

Royal Wax Studio 111

Salute The Sun Yoga .............................. 45

Sam Hill Entertainment...................... 133

Sarah Cramer Shields (Cramer Photo) 141

Sara Hegemier (Longevity Physical Therapy & Wellness) 45

Saunders Monticello Trail 45

Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital 37

Serenity Nails & Spa ............................ 109

Sharon Shapiro ....................................... 17

Shea Tinsley ............................................. 43

Shelby Webb (Southern Development Homes) 101

Shenandoah Joe Coffee Roasters 57

Shenanigans Toy Store 145

Sherry Taylor (Z95.1) 21

Sidetracks 87

Silverback Distillery............................... 65

Smooth Skin Laser ............................... 103

Solidarity CrossFit 37

Southern Development Homes ....... 101

St. Anne’s-Belfield School 145

St. Thomas Aquinas

University Parish .................................. 109

Stephen T. Basic (Drs. Bare, Basic, & Rohm Optometrists) 39

Stinson Vineyards 69

Story House Real Estate 109

Sun Tribe Solar ...................................... 111

Suzanne Dennis (Dr. Suzanne M. Dennis Orthodontics) 43

Tacos Gomez 57, 69

Tandem Friends School 145

Tasting Room & Taphouse at Mount Ida Reserve 125

Tavola 59, 65

Taylor Associates 111

Ten 69

Thai Cuisine & Noodle House............. 69

The Alley Light 57

The Artful Lodger ................................... 85

The Beautiful Idea 79

The Bloom Trio ...................................... 125

The Brow House 99, 111

The Catering Outfit.............................. 125

The Cleaning Company 97

The End Games ....................................... 79

The Farmhouse at Veritas 109, 133

The Front Porch .................................... 141

The Hidden Leaf 79

The Ivy Inn ................................................ 57

The Jefferson Theater 23

The Milkman’s Bar 57

The Oratorio Society of Virginia 17

The Otter Guys 109

The Paramount Theater 17

The Paynes of Painting 101

The Point Church 109

The Rooftop Bar at Quirk

Hotel Charlottesville (now The Doyle Hotel) ....................... 27

The Scrappy Elephant 79, 99

The Southern Café & Music Hall ............................... 17, 23, 27

The Spa at Boar’s Head Resort 99

The Virginia Shop ................................... 79

Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery 53 Tickled Pink Hair

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Walk this way

PICTURE A STRUCTURE LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER of Historic Places and, more than likely, what comes to mind is a long, tree-lined drive that leads to a stately manor home with a broad porch studded by ionic columns, the kind of place that Thomas Jefferson himself would have been proud to live in. But in early February, the National Park Service added an unusual candidate to its famous roster: Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall.

The nearly 50-year-old pedestrian mall was designed in the mid1970s by landscape architect Lawrence Halprin, who at the time was enjoying the success of another of his outdoor designs, San Francisco’s Ghirardelli Square. After years of contention from city officials,

the first five of the Mall’s eight total pedestrianized blocks opened in the summer of 1976.

The National Register says that “the construction of the Downtown Mall was a turning point for Charlottesville’s commercial success and its 20th-century revitalization—one that helps maintain the significant role that Main Street has played in the city’s history for more than 200 years.”

While 200 downtown streets were converted into pedestrian malls between the 1960s and 1980s across the United States, the Register notes, by the end of the 1990s, only about 30 remained.

“The Downtown Mall, which was one of those 30, continues to be preserved as the sole pedestrian-only portion of a Main Street in Virginia.”

BEST LARGE BREWERY