C-VILLE Weekly | December 21, 2022 - January 3, 2023

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Looking Ahead to 2023

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EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Richard DiCicco richard@c-ville.com

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EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Maeve Hayden INTERN Lauren Dalban

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Rob Brezsny, Amelia Delphos, Matt Dhillon, Carol Diggs, Shea Gibbs, Mary Jane Gore, Will Ham, Erika Howsare, Justin Humphreys, Kristin O’Donoghue, Lisa Provence, Sarah Sargent, Jen Sorensen, Julia Stumbaugh, Courteney Stuart, Paul Ting, Sean Tubbs, David Levinson Wilk

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Hello, Charlottesville! Thank you for reading C-VILLE Weekly. The holidays are here, and the year is winding down. It’s always a bittersweet time for me, as we say farewell to one year and prepare to begin another. What did we learn from the past year, and what’s in store for us in the next? As the last few years have proven, it’s impossible to predict the future.

So, as we bid adieu to 2022, we decided to look back at what you enjoyed reading in C-VILLE over the past 12 months. Our Year in Review (pg. 21) comprises a list of the 10 most popular issues of C-VILLE Weekly—which run the gamut from local chef’s favorite dishes to the work experiences of a funeral assistant. I joined the paper in July, so it was fun to revisit issues I worked on, in addition to ones that my predecessor Ben Hitchcock led. I’m proud of the work this paper and this team has produced in 2022.

12.21.22

At C-VILLE, we’re always looking ahead to the next issue, the next week of news, events, and features. I feel like I’m already living in 2023; after all, it’s listed on the dates in the margins of this week’s paper. But, personally, I’m trying to be better at living in the moment, to be present and accounted for each day and each hour. Reflection is good for the soul, but over the next couple weeks I hope to seize each moment and make the most of it. I hope you do too, readers. Until next year!—Richard DiCicco

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Dr. Anna Magee

Dr. Deborah Elder

Walter

Helpyour needs yourHelp

Hi. My name is Walter and I need your help. These last 4 years, I have battled (and survived) throat and bladder cancer and I plan to keep surviving. However, I am losing weight fast because eating is very painful.

survived) throat and bladder cancer and I plan to keep surviving. However, I am losing weight fast because eating is very painful.

Hi. My name is Walter and I need your help. These last 4 years, I have battled (and I need extensive dental work so I can eat normally again and maintain my weight, nutrition, and health. My doctors feel that with good nutrition my cancer can be

I need extensive dental work so I can eat normally again and maintain my weight, nutrition, and health. My doctors feel that with good nutrition my cancer can be controlled. I need teeth pulled, crowns, cracks repaired, caps, root canals, four implants and bridge work. It will require 2 very long surgeries to complete.

controlled. I need teeth pulled, crowns, cracks repaired, caps, root canals, and bridge work. It will require 2 very long surgeries to complete.

I have very limited means to pay for this work. I have lived and worked in the Charlottesville area for 45 years and have no choice but to ask my community for

help. I worked 6 days a week, making minimum wage in Charlottesville. Benefits were not available through my employers and I could not afford medical or dental insurance from the private market. I am currently the full-time grounds chairman at my church (a volunteer position).

I have very limited means to pay for this work. I have lived and worked in the Charlottesville area for 45 years and have no choice but to ask my community for help. I worked 6 days a week, making minimum wage in Charlottesville. Benefits were not available through my employers and I could not afford medical or dental insurance from the private market. I am currently the full-time grounds chairman at my church (a volunteer position). Thank you for allowing me to share my story with you. Please consider donating a small amount to help me fix my teeth.

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Thank you, Walter

Thank you, Walter

“This is, I would say, the last day of the Lost Cause.”

To market

IN BRIEF

Mask up

The commonwealth of Virginia acknowledged that peer masking in schools is a reasonable modification for disabled children under federal disability law in a settlement with the parents of 12 disabled children, according to the ACLU of Virginia. Per the settlement, schools must make accommodations for disabled children who require their peers and teachers to wear masks. As of December 14, the court has yet to accept the settlement.

School lockdown

Burnley-Moran Elementary School was placed on a brief lockdown on December 13. There was no threat inside the school, but all classes and recess were moved indoors for the day due to an increased police presence in the area, according to Charlottesville City Schools. At press time, Charlottesville police had provided no additional information.

House of Delegates bid

Albemarle County School Board Vice-Chair Katrina Callsen is the first person to throw her hat in the ring for the new 54th District House of Delegates seat, which represents parts of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Callsen, who is also a deputy city attorney for Charlottesville, plans to prioritize education, reports NBC29.

Richmond removes final Confederate statue

Richmond removed its statue of A.P. Hill on December 12—the last of the Confederate monuments owned by the city to come down.

Just before 10am, a crane lifted the bronze statue, located in the middle of a busy intersection, off its pedestal and onto a flatbed truck. The monument was then taken to an undisclosed location for storage.

Several dozen people, both those in support of and against the removal, came out to watch the statue come down. Some of Hill’s indirect descendants were among those in the crowd.

Over the last two years, Richmond—the capital of the Confederacy from May 1861 to April 1865—has removed its Confederate statues, which many saw as symbols of slavery and white supremacy, amidst local and nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism. However, some Confederate tributes on state land, including Capitol Square, remain standing in Richmond.

“They are symbols of white supremacy, so I’m glad they’re being removed,” Richmond resident Pop Holmes told NBC12. “It should be in a museum, not out here where people can feel oppressed, people can feel less-than.”

Legal battles delayed the removal of the Hill monument—the general’s remains were buried in a vault beneath the pedestal. Indirect descendants of Hill argued that only they had the right to move the statue and remains, claiming the site was a public cemetery and not a war memorial. But in October, a judge ruled that Richmond could relocate the statue to a museum, and Hill’s remains to a local cemetery.

On December 12, crews began disassembling the pedestal and digging into the vault, but could not find the remains before day’s end, reports AP.

couldn’t take it. They didn’t like the fact that I started speaking facts, and they approached me in a more aggressive way.”

John Hill, who claims to be Hill’s closest living indirect descendant, yelled at the arguing crowd.

Domestic murder

Shawna Marie Natalie Murphy—who has been charged with murdering her boyfriend, Matthew Sean Farrell—was ordered to receive a competency evaluation at Western State Hospital during a December 12 court hearing, reports The Daily Progress. The judge also ordered Murphy, 38, to receive competency restoration if necessary.

The following morning, crews located the remains. They began removing them around noon, as arguments ensued in the crowd. Police—some decked out in full military gear, holding rifles—separated people involved in heated disputes.

According to NBC12, attendee Devin Curtis questioned one of the many people in the crowd wearing Confederate flag jackets.

“I just asked him a simple question. I asked him, ‘What does that flag represent to you?’ because to my people, it represents a lot of hate and brutality, and pain,” Curtis told NBC12. “Some people

“I was exhuming my ancestor’s remains. And they wouldn’t stop screaming the entire time. It was a very personal moment removing his remains, and they were completely out of hand,” he told NBC12.

After about an hour, the arguments calmed down.

A funeral home transferred Hill’s remains to a Culpeper cemetery, near where the general was born. Meanwhile, the city plans to donate the statue to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, which now owns the city’s removed Confederate monuments.

Descendants of Hill continue to push in court for the statue to be relocated to the cemetery where Hill will be reburied.

— Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, celebrating the removal of the last city-owned Confederate statue

A statue of A.P. Hill, Richmond’s last city-owned Confederate monument, was removed from Laburnum Avenue on December 12.

Katrina Callsen

Shop local

Women-owned businesses host holiday market

By Lauren Dalban news@c-ville.com

Awide variety of women-owned small businesses from across the Charlottesville community came together at the University of Virginia Women’s Center on December 12. The vendors sold locally crafted goods at the free holiday market, including cards, candles, jewelry, calendars, books, and soul food.

Cary Oliva, owner of ByCary handmade goods, creates and sells unique greeting cards, calendars, trivets, journals, and similar items. Many of her designs include her original photography, which she describes as her “true love.” Using several different photography techniques, she crafts distinctive prints to feature on her merchandise.

Oliva was inspired to start her business when she realized she could never find a greeting card that pleased her, she said. Thanks to training and support from the Community Investment Collaborative, she was able to learn about the many critical aspects of entrepreneurship, like pricing, as well as the importance of both sides of running a business—the creative and the financial. She encouraged other local women interested in starting small businesses to reach out to the CIC to help get their ideas off the ground.

After spending time in area communities educating young children in various fields, UVA Ph.D. candidate Merci Best founded STEAMKITX in 2020, offering innovative educational kits that explore careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Each research-based kit includes five different engaging activities for students ages 5 through 18 and their

families to do together. The company’s two current kits explore the STEM and arts fields, and their connections to ice cream and football.

Best cited her biggest accomplishment as being interviewed on TV about her business, and she hoped to get more media exposure in the future. She would also like to see more hands-on programming within local business circles in Charlottesville, and even more collaboration among female entrepreneurs, she said.

JBD Catering founder and owner Jeanetha Douglas had hot, home-cooked meals for sale, including collard greens, mashed potatoes, honey-baked ham, and cornbread. She’s been catering events for over a decade, serving both soul food and other food items. Douglas expressed joy at being able to own a successful business in her hometown, and espoused her love for food and cooking. She called for more financial support for women-owned businesses in the community.

Fatima Shakeri’s Mystical Sunshine Co. sold an array of crystal jewelry at the market, including pendants, bracelets, earrings, and rings. Shakeri, who has Afghan roots, said she often thought about selling her handmade tasbihs, Afghan prayer beads, before finally starting her business last year. In addition to crafting her own gemstone jewelry, Shakeri offers tarot card readings. She said she felt very supported by the other women in the local business community, and that they often encourage each other’s ventures.

Shakeri designated the holiday market as one of her favorite events of the year, and said she hoped to see more events like it in the future.

A dozen small businesses sold locally crafted goods at the UVA Women’s Center holiday market.

Bad science

Local experts call ‘Ancient Apocalypse’ one big lie

By Eshaan Sarup

“Iam a journalist, and the subject that I’m investigating is human prehistory,” Graham Hancock confidently asserts over stunning footage of ancient archaeological sites and a booming soundtrack. In “Ancient Apocalypse,” Hancock tells an alternative story of the dawn of human civilization. He claims that an advanced ice-age civilization existed, and after a flood of apocalyptic proportions wiped out most of humanity, survivors helped less-advanced cultures develop.

It’s a story that brings out a sense of childlike wonder, especially when Hancock mentions how this civilization could have inspired the Atlantis story. The production value of the eight-episode Netflix series is fantastic: drone footage of UNESCO World Heritage sites, animated retellings of ancient myths, and incredibly tight editing.

At the same time, I couldn’t help but wonder how someone like Hancock was able to secure a Netflix series. Hancock admits he is on the fringes of intellectual society: The first episode opens with footage of him being called a “pseudo-archaeologist,” “dismissed by academics,” and a “pyramidiot.” The series also cuts to clips of Hancock speaking with podcaster Joe Rogan, who has come under heavy fire before for pushing conspiracy theories.

While Hancock claims that this advanced ice-age civilization helped all of humanity develop, he only investigates structures made by non-white people. He doesn’t specifically say the advanced civilization was white, yet his choice still reads as an insult to the capabilities of Indigenous people.

Kenny Fountain, an English professor at UVA who specializes in conspiracy theories, notes that there is an explicit connection between pseudo-archeology and white supremacy. Hancock’s work, Fountain explains, is influenced by Erich Von Daniken’s book The Chariot of the Gods, which claims the Egyptian pyramids, among other historical structures, were actually made by aliens. “The white supremacist sort of undercurrent, sometimes overcurrent, is that idea that these backward people couldn’t make this thing without help,” Fountain says.

The appeal of conspiracy theories like “Ancient Apocalypse” is that they offer “a counter-narrative against the elites,” says Fountain, “and we all think of ourselves as fighting against the man.”

“It’s very seductive to think I’m going to be in [on] something that others don’t know about.”

Science journalist and nonfiction author Jackson Landers finds truth to be more appealing than fiction. “There are lots of coastal cities that as the sea levels have risen, have been sunken. It’s so pointless to try to make things about Atlantis when the real thing is so cool.”

Landers also argues that “Ancient Apocalypse” takes advantage of the lack of education people have about ancient history. “The range of what was going on in the ancient world is a lot bigger than the whitecentric story of the Greeks and the Romans,” Landers says, before delving into the history of the Americas specifically.

“People should read books like 1491, which gives you the history of the incredible situations that existed in the Americas before Columbus showed up. And that they had these amazing cities, they had economics, they had domesticated animals, they had all kinds of crops.”

If one of your family members brings up this conspiracy—or another one—over the holidays, Fountain advises that you don’t directly try to debunk them. “I think it’s important to find other ways to connect with them. So if you can find a common interest, talk about those things. I think it’s okay to say to someone, a loved one, a friend, ‘We are not going to agree with this. I don’t think we should talk about this anymore.’”

KENNY

“The white supremacist sort of undercurrent, sometimes overcurrent, is that idea that these backward people couldn’t make this thing without help.”

Most of us don’t think about this question until it’s too late. No matter how you answer it, starting the conversation early puts you in control—and we’re here to help.

At Hospice of the Piedmont, we help families discover peace during life’s final chapter by empowering them to decide what’s most important. We’re proud to offer a wide range of services that help make the end of life as beautiful as the beginning. Learn more about hospice care at home, palliative medicine, caregiver education, grief support, and more.

Behind every successful boy, there is a master plan!

Filled with heart, humor and Malcolm’s own rhymes, the second book in Mahogany and Friends series is sure to delight children and parents looking for simple explanations to life’s complex ideas.

Experience the Magic!

The beauty of light and the whimsy of nature intertwine harmoniously at the Boar’s Head Resort Winter Wander Trail of Lights. Experience the nature of our rolling landscape during this illuminated lakeside stroll as an extraordinary palette of colors blanket the natural surroundings for a magical show of lights like no other. Visit our website to learn about new light displays for the 2022 season.

Select nights: Nov. 18, 2022 - Jan. 7, 2023.

New! Longer Tunnel

THE YEAR

Chef’s choice

V.34, No. 1 - January 5–11

The first issue of the year was also our most popular, with a mouthwatering cover that featured Chimm Street’s basil stir-fry chicken. The story inside, however, was more than just a picture of scrumptious food—it included delicious descriptions of local chefs’ favorite dishes. Will Ham spoke with staff at Champion Brewing Company, The Ivy Inn, The Pie Chest, and more to discover what they chow down on when they’re not serving customers.

Baker and C-VILLE contributor Chris Martin picked the kale Caesar from Plenty as a favorite, saying, “Della Bennett is a dressing and sauce master, using acid and salinity to create one of the best Caesar salads I’ve had.” Chef Ian Redshaw gave a shout-out to the city’s food trucks, while Jay Pun of Chimm and Thai Cuisine & Noodle House was in love with takeout. Others praised their peers at KITCHENette sandwich shop and Petite MarieBette.

#2 Heartbreak

V.34, No. 46 - November 16–22

On November 13, a shooter opened fire on a bus filled with University of Virginia students who’d just returned to Charlottesville, killing three football players and injuring two others. The violence forced the university into lockdown as police went on a manhunt for the suspect, and emergency personnel tended to victims. Eventually, the student suspected of committing the shooting was located in Henrico County outside Richmond and arrested.

During this active shooter emergency and shelter in place order, students were terrified—including writer Kristin O’Donoghue, who wrote about some of the experiences on UVA Grounds during the police search for the shooter. Two UVA Alert system messages warned of shots fired at two locations, wrote O’Donogue. “The third message urged students to ‘RUN. HIDE. FIGHT.’”

Included in this news feature were three profiles of the young men killed—D’Sean Perry, Lavel Davis Jr., and Devin Chandler—as well as interviews with survivors of other mass shootings, who offered their advice and reflections on how to recover and come together after tragedy.

Tragedy at UVA

Richard DiCicco

Die, beautiful lanternfly!

V.34, No. 42 - October 19–25

The menacing spotted lanternfly is actually a cute little thing, with red wings and beautiful spots. But the lanternfly is also an invasive species that devours crops, and in Virginia its taste for grapes, apples, and hops threatens local wine, cider, and beer production. The fly first landed in Virginia in 2018, wrote Paul Ting, and was spotted in Albemarle County in July of 2021. Farmers have yet to endure the scourge of the pest, but most say it’s a matter of time until the lanternfly descends on the commonwealth’s crops.

While some winemakers feel that other regions’ strategies for dealing with the bug have helped them better prepare for the insect’s arrival, others fear this is another infestation that will get out of control. According to Grace Monger, Virginia Tech’s associate agriculture and natural resources extension agent for Nelson County, you can help stop the spread by participating in citizen science projects to track the spotted lanternfly, and by checking your vehicles for insects before moving them.

Umma be, Umma be

V.34, No. 31 - August 3–9

The new restaurant Umma’s was on everybody’s tongues this summer, as it served up stellar Japanese and Korean dishes in Charlottesville that shattered preconceived notions of what “authentic” cuisine looks like. For this feature, writer Matt Dhillon spoke with founders and chefs Kelsey Naylor and Anna Gardner about their journey from running a food truck to a brick-and-mortar business.

Umma’s means “mom’s” in Korean—an ode both to the role mothers have played in Naylor’s life as a chef, and a reflection of the homestyle, from-scratch cooking both chefs take pride in.

“If we can’t make something the right way, we’re just not going to make it,” says Naylor. One of my personal favorites from Umma’s was the Big Mac Bokkeum-bap, which Dhillon describes as combining “an icon of American pop culture with the traditional rice stir-fry in a hot stone bowl.”

#4 On the other side

V.34, No. 29 - July 20–26

Jesse Crosson spent nearly two decades of his life incarcerated. Now, in his writing and videomaking on TikTok (@second_chancer), he’s sharing that experience with the world. And for C-VILLE, he wrote about what it was like returning to Buckingham Correctional Center to pick up his friend Grahm Masters— one of thousands who became eligible for early release due to the expanded Earned Sentence Credit program, first passed as House Bill 5148 in 2020 and implemented in July.

But Crosson, who was sentenced to 32 years in prison—twice the maximum sentencing guidelines— shortly after his 18th birthday, also railed against Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Budget Amendment 19: Just days before individuals were set to be released, it rolled back eligibility for about 8,000 people. “It’s not as if the amendment permanently stopped the release of those who are no longer eligible,” wrote Crosson. “They are still getting out, just not when they were told they would be. When they do get out, they’ll likely be even more skeptical and mistrustful of a system that promised them one thing and then quickly reneged.”

JOHN ROBINSON

Who's next?

Good enough

V.34, No. 43 - October 26–November 1

In the midterms, Democratic challenger Josh Throneburg took on incumbent Republican Bob Good in a race for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District. With the election on November 8, this issue offered readers profiles on both candidates, comparing their platforms and careers.

Throneburg, an ordained minister and small business owner, has no political experience and leans slightly more progressive than a typical Democrat. Good, on the other hand, proudly identifies as a “biblical conservative,” and has aligned himself with the fringes of the Republican party during his tenure in Congress.

Ultimately, Good went on to defeat Throneburg to keep his seat in VA-5.

Collect ’em all!

V.34, No. 33 - August 17–23

When we asked artist Steve Keene to paint the cover for this issue, we should have known he would send us eight different options. After all, the incredibly prolific painter produces 50 pieces a day. To mark the occasion, we decided to publish three different covers for this edition of C-VILLE, which could be found in different boxes and racks around town.

The feature, by Sarah Sargent, marks the release of Keene’s career retrospective: The Steve Keene Art Book. Over 265 pages, readers are treated to six years worth of materials collected by author Daniel Efram, and hundreds of Keene artworks submitted from around the world. With more than 300,000 of the artist’s paintings out there, everyone seems to own one; so we asked our readers to submit photos of their own beloved Keenes.

DANIEL EFRAM

High-rise

Housing costs and rent were both rising this summer, so Katie Kenny took to the pages of C-VILLE to write up an overview of how the city planned to make housing more affordable. How bad has it gotten? Well, Charlottesville’s median gross rent from 2016–2020 was $1,188; during that same time, in notoriously expensive Boston, median gross rent was $1,685. And median home prices have jumped $75,000 in just two years.

To combat ballooning costs, City Council adopted a Comprehensive Plan that addresses land use and zoning, and eases restrictions on housing density while expanding affordable housing options. But problems remain, such as UVA’s ever-expanding student housing, which looms over public housing developments like Westhaven.

Dead ringer

V.34, No. 7 - February 16–22

“I see a dead body at least once a week,” wrote Finn Lynch in the cover story. Lynch’s essay is about their job as a funeral assistant, and features beautifully morbid imagery about dressing a corpse according to the wishes of the deceased’s family. In one instance, a daughter requests that her father be buried with his favorite mint candies in his pockets—a couple sweets for the spectral road ahead.

“My job is hardly ever a pretty one,” wrote Lynch, “and only sometimes a happy one, but the work I do is nevertheless humanizing and loving. It shows me how much people care for one another— love can be stored in little mint candies.”

Though lighting up was expressly prohibited at the High Arts Cannabis Festival at Ix Art Park, jokers, smokers, and midnight tokers alike were welcome to trade small ounces of weed with each other as they met home growers and vendors at the April event. Accompanied by live music and art, the festival was the latest development in Virginia’s slow legalization of marijuana, which is set to be lawful for sale at retail in 2024.

Shea Gibbs wrote about the organization of High Arts, and its framing by Ix Art Park Executive Director Alex Bryant as an “educational [rather] than recreational” experience. “There is so much misinformation,” said Albemarle Cannabis Company’s Joe Kuhn, who was a consultant for the festival. “We just want to bring the conversation to curious folks to learn more about cannabis and get away from the negative connotation.”

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CULTURE

SUNDAY

1/1

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

Welcome in the New Year with some good vibes at indie folk duo David Wax Museum’s Golden Hour, a rejuvenating and restorative live music experience. Listeners are invited to wear blindfolds during the unique concert, which features no stage, no applause, and no distractions. The musicians play a variety of instruments as they weave their way around the room, encircling listeners in a moving and meditative sound bath. There are truly no bad seats, so sit back, relax, and let the vibrations wash over your senses. $50, 7:30pm. Private studio barn, downtown Charlottesville. davidwaxmuseum.com

FRIDAY 12/23 COUNTRY CLAUS

Sarah White’s Country Christmas Show returns for a festive evening filled with twinkling lights, decorated trees, delicious cookies, and, of course, honky-tonk tunes. The Virginia-based singer-songwriter began her career in the late ’90s, and has since performed with Merle Haggard, Justin Townes Earle, Earl Scruggs, and Dave Matthews Band. For her Christmas show, she brings together a sleigh full of local musicians, including Ian Gilliam, Brennan Gilmore, Charlie Bell, Andy Thacker, and Ramblin’ Davey, to perform classic country songs. $18-20, 8pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 First St. S. thesoutherncville.com

TUESDAY 1/3 PAGE TURNER

Get an early start on your New Year’s resolution to read more, and pick up a copy of Virginia-based author Ivelisse Housman’s debut young adult novel, Unseelie. The first in a swoony, high-energy duology, Unseelie follows two sisters on a magical journey of love, discovery, and acceptance. Housman’s writing is inspired by her own lived experience with autism and as a Puerto Rican American. She is joined in conversation by author Emily Thiede. Free, 6:30pm. Bluebird & Co., 5792 Three Notched Rd., Crozet. bluebirdcrozet.com

SAM HOUSMAN CREATIVE

RICH TARBELL

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Wednesday 12/21 music

Berto and Matt. Latin guitar night. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

Holiday Music Series: Carlehr Swanson. The pianist and vocalist performs unique and delightful versions of holiday classics. Free, 6pm. Quirk Charlottesville, 499 W. Main St. quirkhotels.com

Karaoke with Jenn DeVille. Sign up to sing or just enjoy the tunes. Free, 9pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com

Open Mic Night. Charlottesville’s longest-running open mic night. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St. 234-4436

Wavelength trio. A midweek music boost. Free, 6:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskeyjarcville.com

classes

Cookie Decorating & Tabletop Wreath Class. Kid-friendly cookie decorating and a mini holiday table decor workshop for parents. $125, 11am. Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, 5022 Plank Rd., North Garden. pippinhillfarm.com

outside

Veritas Illuminated. The grove and vines of Veritas winery come alive with sparkling holiday lights and decorations. $10-15, 5:15pm. Veritas Vineyards and Winery, 151 Veritas Ln., Afton. veritaswines.com

Winter Solstice Market. Enjoy holiday shopping, food, drinks, gifts, and seasonal activities in a festive atmosphere. Free, 4pm. Ix Art Park, 522 Second St. SE. ixartpark.org

etc.

Daily Tour of Indigenous Australian Art. Explore the only museum in the U.S. devoted to Indigenous Australian art. Free, 10:30am and 1:30pm. Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of UVA, 400 Worrell Dr. kluge-ruhe.org

Die Hard A policeman becomes the only hope for a small group of hostages trapped in a Los Angeles high-rise building when it’s seized by terrorists on Christmas Eve. $8, 7:30pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

The Muppet Christmas Carol The Muppets’ version of the Dickens holiday classic. $6-8, 3pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

Thursday 12/22 music

Beleza Duo. Funkalicious samba soul. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

Winter Solstice with The Ivy Consort. An evening of music and song with Raven Hunter, Peter Hunter, and Justin Esposito. Free, 6pm. The Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com

outside

Veritas Illuminated. See listing for Wednesday, December 21. $10-15, 5:15pm. Veritas Vineyards and Winery, 151 Veritas Ln., Afton. veritaswines.com

Winter Solstice Market. See listing for Wednesday, December 21. Free, 4pm. Ix Art Park, 522 Second St. SE. ixartpark.org

etc.

Daily Tour of Indigenous Australian Art. See listing for Wednesday, December 21. Free, 10:30am and 1:30pm. Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of UVA, 400 Worrell Dr. kluge-ruhe.org

Met Live in HD: The Magic Flute A holiday encore. $11-15, 2pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

Friday 12/23 music

Freightliner Acoustic Duo. Featuring Paulo Franco and Jimmy Slagle. Free, 6pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com outside

Veritas Illuminated. See listing for Wednesday, December 21. $10-15, 5:15pm. Veritas Vineyards and Winery, 151 Veritas Ln., Afton. veritaswines.com

Curtain call 2022

Big screen standouts from an unexceptional year

By Justin Humphreys arts@c-ville.com

Watching the film industry transform in 2022 has been more fascinating—and alarming— than anything currently playing in theaters. The hammer blow COVID dealt to movie theater attendance became more obvious than ever: Heavy-hitters like Steven Spielberg and George Miller delivered box office duds, while viewers stayed home en masse and binged on their favorite streaming series. It took sure-fire crowd-pleasers such as Top Gun: Maverick and superhero tentpole movies like The Batman to lure crowds back, which is a shame. Studios’ fixation on the bottom line has made smaller, riskier, more experimental movies scarcer than ever. Interesting films continue to come in from overseas, including Decision to Leave, The Banshees of Inisherin, and Bigbug

It was a good year for documentaries including Moonage Daydream and the flawed but fascinating Fire of Love. In terms of filmmaking technique, it seems like most directors let their movies drag on 20 or 30 minutes too long.

The production company A24 consistently produced some of the more entertaining and unusual films, including Everything Everywhere All at Once, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, and the interesting misfire Men, while the company’s X and Pearl were vivid reminders that horror remains eternally popular with moviegoers.

But determining the magical element that makes a movie popular, or a critical success, has generally proved elusive. Tragically, the shared experience of seeing a movie with an audience is being overtaken by streaming. Hang on to your DVDs and BluRays, though, because streaming services catalogs are shockingly limited, and movies vanish from them all the time.

Here are a few of 2022’s cinematic highlights:

Crimes of the Future

At 79, writer and director David Cronenberg has lost none of his ability to craft distinctively bizarre worlds on screen, or to go straight for the jugular. Crimes of the Future is 100 percent pure body horror a la Cronenberg, served up with his usual gallows humor. This gem is not for everyone: Some viewers will be revolted, but if you like his work, odds are you’ll love it.

Decision to Leave

South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook (Oldboy) deliberately toned down his usual violence and sexual excess to create the in-

triguing, beautifully shot Decision to Leave What begins as an engaging murder mystery gradually transforms into a perverse romance of sorts, between a detective (Park Hae-il) and his suspect (Tang Wei). It has Hitchcockian overtones—mainly Vertigo— without veering into blatant Brian De Palma-like homages. It’s a little overlong, but even the excess is gorgeous.

Fire of Love

This National Geographic documentary about two volcanologists in love, Maurice and Katia Krafft, is more compelling than most dramatic features. The Kraffts’ unusual relationship, quiet bravery, and the research they devoted themselves to makes for riveting viewing. Their intimate footage of volcanic activity becomes almost visually abstract and, as the film progresses, the Kraffts’ efforts achieve a hypnotic power. Watching these epic forces at work offers a fascinating perspective on humanity’s insignificance from within our own world.

Three Thousand Years of Longing

Australian filmmaker George Miller’s bittersweet supernatural romance shows once again how he almost always defies being

pigeonholed in any one style or genre. Foregoing the manic action of his Mad Max: Fury Road, Miller takes his time developing the growing attachment between a buttoned-down academic (Tilda Swinton) and the millennia-old Djinn (Idris Elba) she accidentally releases from a bottle. Miller treats his characters with far more humaneness and empathy than many of the boring, despairing movies vying for awards this year. That, and the director’s deftness in handling mythic material in the yarns the Djinn tells, make it Miller’s best in years.

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

The title character is one of the most likable movie stars of 2022, and looks like he was cobbled together with bits and pieces from a craft store’s cutout bin. When director and co-star Dean Fleischer-Camp inadvertently discovers Marcel (the voice of Jenny Slate) and his grandmother (voiced by Isabella Rossellini) living in a miniature environment within an Airbnb rental, he transforms Marcel into an internet sensation. What follows is excellent, family-friendly viewing that offers pithy commentary on everything from the warped nature of online fame to facing loved ones’ deaths. Its complex stop-motion animation seems deceptively simple in a charming DIY way.

Confess, Fletch

For decades, Chevy Chase has been synonymous with Gregory Mcdonald’s detective and con man extraordinaire Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher. Star Jon Hamm and director Greg Mottola successfully revived the character in Confess, Fletch, but without Chase’s trademark goofy glibness and cleaving much closer to Mcdonald’s original concept. The ensemble cast is consistently funny, down to the smallest characters, and the Blue Note jazz soundtrack is a major plus. This is the kind of low-key, unpretentious comedies there should be more of.

Moonage Daydream

Director Brett Morgen’s cinematic experience about David Bowie isn’t a definitive documentary on the rock superstar’s life and work. But Bowie is such an intrinsically interesting person and musician, Moonage Daydream is a can’t-miss concept for an incredibly entertaining movie, and it doesn’t disappoint. Through concert footage, vintage interviews, and other recordings from Bowie’s personal archive, Morgen captures the late icon’s ever-changing, singular nature. Continually articulate and present, Bowie’s interviews reveal his intellect and talents to be light years beyond the average rock star’s.

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On turned an assemblage of craft supplies into a charming film star.

Friday 12/23

etc.

White Christmas Sing and swing with Crosby, Kaye, and Clooney. $10, 6:30pm. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th Street Station. drafthouse.com

Saturday 12/24

music

Berto. Enjoy the sounds of Brazil, Spain, and Latin America with Berto Sales. Free, 11am. Tavern & Grocery, 333 W. Main St. tavernandgrocery.com

outside

Jolly Holly Trolley. Take a ride down the mall every weekend this holiday season. Free, noon. The Downtown Mall, 610 E. Main St. friendsofcville.org

etc.

Selfies with Santa. Share your wishlist with Santa and snap a photo for your holiday card. Free, noon. Central Place, Downtown Mall. friendsofcville.org

White Christmas See listing for Friday, December 23. $10, 4:30pm. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th Street Station. drafthouse.org

Sunday 12/25

Merry Christmas!

Monday 12/26

music

Baby Jo’s. Tunes from the seven-piece, New Orleans-inspired boogie and blues band. Free, 6:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskeyjarcville.com

Beleza Duo. With Madeline Holly-Sales on vocals and keys and Berto Sales on guitar, voice, and loops. Free, 7pm. South and Central Latin Grill, Dairy Market. southandcentralgrill.com

Gin & Jazz. Sit by the fire or the pool and enjoy sounds from the Brian Caputo Trio. Free, 5:30pm. Oakhurst Hall, 122 Oakhurst Cir. oakhurstinn.com

etc.

Eyes Wide Shut Cruise. Kidman. Kubrick. Christmas. $10, 7:30pm. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th Street Station. drafthouse.org

Tuesday 12/27

music

Berto. Unique finger picking and contagious energy. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

Thunder Music Karaoke. Show off your vocal chops, or just come enjoy the evening. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St. 234-4436.

outside

Playdates at the Playscape. BYO buddies and snacks and enjoy nature play. $20, 9:30am. Wildrock, 6600 Blackwells Hollow Rd., Crozet. wildrock.org

Veritas Illuminated. See listing for Wednesday, December 21. $10-15, 5:15pm. Veritas Vineyards and Winery, 151 Veritas Ln., Afton. veritaswines.com etc.

After Hours at Highland. James Monroe first-person interpreter Beau Robbins, and a private viewing of exhibits in the 1818 guesthouse. $25, 4:30pm. James Monroe’s Highland, 2050 James Monroe Pkwy. highland.org

A year in reading

Some favorite books from 2022

By Sarah Lawson arts@c-ville.com

The past year was a continuation of a period of mostly escapist reading, during which I found pleasure in re-reading old favorites, and really took my time with books that I sped through in the past. Taking refuge in joy-infused, thoughtful, and imaginative books occupied most of my time as a counterbalance to the heavier academic reading that I often found myself buried under, to say nothing of the state of the world. There were countless phrases and sections that left their mark, words I read aloud to try to imprint them more sturdily in my reality. Far from a comprehensive list, here are a few favorites that writers with ties to Charlottesville contributed to my experience of 2022.

Terraform: Watch/Worlds/ Burn anthology

For fellow fans of sci-fi and speculative fiction, this year brought the excellent anthology, Terraform: Watch/Worlds/Burn, edited by Brian Merchant and Claire L. Evans. Featuring a well-curated selection of near-future tales from Vice Media’s digital fiction initiative of the same name, Terraform is close to 500 pages of some of the best contemporary science fiction out there. Despite being a monster of a book, it’s pretty lightweight and easy to carry along in a tote bag, so you can dip into a story whenever you need an escape from reality—which is to say, I returned to this tome often.

The contributors include Charlottesville native Lincoln Michel along with fan favorites such as Jeff VanderMeer, Tochi Onyebuchi, and Omar El Akkad and a number of rising talents. Michel’s addition to the anthology is “The Duchy of the Toe Adam,” a truly weird body horror-infused send-up of cloning and religion. The story is a great companion to Michel’s 2021 novel The Body Scout, and a highlight of the Terraform anthology for many reasons, not the least of which is the mawbear.

Sticker by Henry Hoke

Written by Charlottesville author Henry Hoke as part of the Object Lesson series, Sticker is dazzlingly structured around stickers in Hoke’s life—from those found on fruit or CD packaging to “Be Nice to Me I Gave Blood Today”—in order to explore memories from his childhood here in town, and connect them to deeper examinations of contemporary life in America. Equal parts heartening and sobering, it’s a slim volume that succeeds in capturing the conflicting experiences that a hometown can hold.

The One True Me and You by Remi K. England

Though local author M. K. England (aka Remi) is known for their sci-fi and fantasy writing, this novel is a contemporary young adult meet-cute set against the backdrop of beauty pageant and lovingly nerdy fandoms. It’s also so much more than that. Featuring two queer protagonists, The One True Me and You is a book about life-sustaining friendships and learning how to be comfortable being yourself and asking for what you need. One of the most heartfelt and hope-filled books I’ve read in ages, this is a coming-of-age tale that is relatable and enjoyable for adult readers as well as young adults.

Togetherness by Wo Chan

In this debut collection by UVA alum Wo Chan, their poems are unrelentingly embodied, frenetic with energy and fecund in the details: “lean javelin beans spearvaulting starlike in garlic & hoisin, / more like obsidian, iridesces a shimmy of black bean, each snap of sweetness / reserved for the green earth— Gaia sweetness, vegetal boom in the mouth.” Throughout, they interrogate their experiences as a queer Chinese immigrant, exploring their obsessions and pleasures alongside the mundane and disappointing. Woven through with odes to “Chopped” and their family’s restaurant in Fredericksburg, Virginia, as well as excerpts from letters written by friends and neighbors to support the Chan family’s immigration paperwork, these poems are playfully and formally sharp in their consideration of sex, food, culture, and family—chosen and otherwise. Chan is also

a drag artist (who performs as The Illustrious Pearl), and the campiness of drag is integral to their poetry as well: “she sings under the megawatts of her holographic leotard: / new songs about her gender dysphoria. / my smile pancakes beyond the edge of my Cuisinart / face “she’s so greeeaaaat” i say stretching like an accordion.” The result is a collection that is as tender as it is vital.

Everyday Cake: 45 Simple Recipes for Layer, Bundt, Loaf, and Sheet Cakes by Polina Chesnakova

Former Charlottesville foodie Polina Chesnakova returned to her baking roots and delivers on this long subtitle with a cookbook that is full of cakes in all shapes and sizes, perfect for any occasion—or none at all. The recipes are easy to follow and feature unique combinations of flavors and ingredients such as those in the Grapefruit Poppy Seed Cake with Hibiscus Glaze or Parsnip and Cranberry Maple Cake. The book’s lush and vibrant photography ensures that even non-bakers will enjoy flipping its pages, which also include helpful tips, recommended tools, and notes on ingredients and substitutions.

As a baker without a notable sweet tooth, I still sought out this book based on my enduring love for Chesnakova’s previous cookbook, Hot Cheese, and was not disappointed. To be honest, I had to take a break from writing this piece to go bake one of her cakes (Roasted Pumpkin Spice Cake with Tahini Glaze), and I recommend you stop reading now so you can do the same.

Wo Chan’s experience as a queer Chinese immigrant informs the intense poetry in Togetherness

In The One True Me and You, Remi K. England strays from the sci-fi and fantasy genre to give us an earnest, coming-of-age story.

SUPPLIED PHOTO



Tuesday 12/27

Daily Tour of Indigenous Australian Art. See listing for Wednesday, December 21. Free, 10:30am and 1:30pm. Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of UVA, 400 Worrell Dr. kluge-ruhe.org

Family Game Night. Enjoy dinner, cocktails, mocktails, and beers, and play a variety of games for all ages. Free, 5pm. Dairy Market, 946 Grady Ave. dairymarketcville.com

Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night. Useless knowledge means everything at this authentic homegrown trivia quiz. Free, 8pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. fireflycville.com

Wednesday 12/28

music

Berto and Matt. See listing for Wednesday, December 21. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

Karaoke with Jenn DeVille. See listing for Wednesday, December 21. Free, 9pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com

Open Mic Night. See listing for Wednesday, December 21. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St. 234-4436.

Wavelength. See listing for Wednesday, December 21. Free, 6:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskeyjarcville.com

outside

Veritas Illuminated. See listing for Wednesday, December 21. $10-15, 5:15pm. Veritas Vineyards and Winery, 151 Veritas Ln., Afton. veritaswines.com

etc.

After Hours at Highland. See listing for Tuesday, December 27. $25, 4:30pm. James Monroe’s Highland, 2050 James Monroe Pkwy. highland.org

Daily Tour of Indigenous Australian Art. See listing for Wednesday, December 21. Free, 10:30am and 1:30pm. Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of UVA, 400 Worrell Dr. kluge-ruhe.org

Thursday 12/29 music

Beleza Duo. See listing for Thursday, December 22. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

outside

Veritas Illuminated. See listing for Wednesday, December 21. $10-15, 5:15pm. Veritas Vineyards and Winery, 151 Veritas Ln., Afton. veritaswines.com

etc.

Daily Tour of Indigenous Australian Art. See listing for Wednesday, December 21. Free, 10:30am and 1:30pm. Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of UVA, 400 Worrell Dr. kluge-ruhe.org

National Theatre Live: Much Ado About Nothing Katherine Parkinson and John Heffernan lead the cast in Shakespeare’s romcom. $11-15, 7pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

Friday 12/30

music

Eli Cook. A chill night of live tunes and cider. Free, 5:30pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com

Heard that

Local musicians got back to biz in 2022

By Samantha Federico arts@c-ville.com

The live music scene is better than it’s been in the last few years, and 2022 felt like a new era for music creators, with area artists being no exception. Fewer songs are being inspired by the pandemic, and it’s back to existential quests to wring something meaningful out of this world, and find love.

Once the pandemic pause lifted, a slew of albums were released, and live show calendars were packed, from The Garage to the Ting Pavilion, with many bills featuring local musicians. After years of interviewing music artists in our area, I’ve come to realize that some of our baristas, bug exterminators, delivery drivers, and keyboard tappers are also mega talented with an instrument in hand or a microphone in front of them.

Bands are filled with our friends and neighbors, and they need audience support. If you want to be a superhero, buy their albums, buy their koozies and T-shirts, and buy tickets to their shows. Here are some of the players who shared their talent with us in 2022. 

Animal Sun Generation Waiting (pop punk) 

Butcher Brown Butcher Brown Presents Triple Trey featuring Tennishu and R4ND4ZZO BIGB4ND (jazz, hip-hop, soul) 

Caroline Spence, True North (folk-Americana)

Chris Leggett & The Copper Line From the Idle Mind (alt-country): Country punk music has arrived in the form of Chris Leggett & The Copper Line’s From the Idle Mind. Leggett’s performance is cheeky, and he treats the listener as a friend who is privy to his inside jokes. Leggett was born and raised in Richmond, and grew up listening to Dave Matthews and John Prine. After releasing EPs in 2017 and 2018, Leggett partnered with the guitarist who’d started their middle school garage band. Their pop-punk jam influences can be heard all throughout Idle Mind, turning the amalgamation of punk and country into something sweet. “Eight Weeks” is a perfect emo-country song about love. “Always Knew” is a rowdy tune of heartbreak, on this record from a 27-year-old guy with a story to tell, who’s ready to break out of the Richmond scene (April 2022).

Chris Murphy Tunnel Vision (indie)

Darzo Single Cell (soul, jazz)

Deau Eyes Legacies (indie)

Drook Life In Estates (indie pop)

Dropping Julia, Stranger (retro soul pop)

Disco Risqué, Joke Squad (rock): It’s almost 50 minutes of unfettered rock. Joke Squad is a passion project that’s been in the works for Charlottesville’s Disco Risqué since 2018. The idea was to have an epic instrumental album, and over a number of years, Ryan Calonder, Charlie Murchie, Andrew Hollifield, Robert Prescott, and Sean Hodge wrote songs that fit the bill, including one song (“John Doe has the Upper Hand’’) from as early as 2015. The name of the album was inspired by a criticism made by former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, who called his team a “joke squad.” The guys fell in love with the name for the album, but it hardly defines these bandmates who interact as best buddies and play music that flows as effortlessly. DR’s live shows are a high-energy, one-of-a-kind experience that calls you back for more (November 2022).

Eloise Granville Paradoxical Feelings (pop)

Erin & The Wildfire Touchy Feely (pop)

Fair Verona, In Memoriam (indie pop)

Films on Song, Fake Endings (post punk)

Kate Bollinger, Look at it in the Light (dream-pop)

Kendall Street Company Untitled California Project (funky jams)

Kingdom of Mustang Into Beautiful Blue (soft rock)

Lily Graciela the light on fifth (indie pop)

Lord Nelson, Transmission (countr y rock) 

Mariana Bell, Still Not Sleeping (pop, folk) 

Mike Burris, Goodbye Town (countr y rock) 

Nathan Colberg, Dream On, Kid (pop) 

Rebecca Porter, Prime Rainbow Conditions (country) 

Rebekah Rafferty and The Wakes, wo of Swords (indie pop) 

Schuyler Fisk, We Could Be Alright (folk) 

Stray Fossa, Closer Than We’ll Ever Know (indie)

Suz Slezak, Our Wings May Be Featherless (Americana): She’s best known as part of the indie folk duo David Wax Museum, but Slezak shines on her debut solo album. Our Wings May Be Featherless is produced by Anthony da Costa (Yola, Sarah Jarosz), and was recorded between Nashville and her basement in Charlottesville. At 33 minutes, the record can’t tell her entire life story, but it does give a window into Slezak’s experience. From a best friend’s suicide when she was growing up, which follows her to this day, to navigating bipolar disorder, Slezak doesn’t hold back in her haunting lullabies. The tracks on Featherless are nearly opposite from the joyous tunes she makes with her husband on David Wax Museum, and it’s exciting and empowering to hear Slezak voice her own story (March 2022).

Tyler Meacham, Into the Fray (indie)

The Octavias The Octavias (rock)

Various Artists All The Best …From 6 Feet Away: A Charlottesville Tribute To John Prine (country-folk)

Will Overman, Heart Pine (country)

Work Wear Charger (rock)

Yard Sale Yard Sale (emo rock)

Light Light Me Up with an upcoming album, Sunburned (out January 27, 2023) (alt-rock)

Bailey Band, Favorite Color In The Summer (folk)

March, Never All Alone (dreamy folk, indie pop)

Jake Sawyer, Ghosts (folk)

Lowland Hum, Feeling Like Myself Again (folk)

Silas Frayser, Stay (alt-rock)

Baseline, So Can I (indie pop)

Unheard Sirens Inc., Altered Egos (synth pop)

Friday 12/30

The Skip Castro Band. Rhythms and blues, swing, boogie-woogie, and rock ‘n’ roll. $2532, 8pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com

Tim Ryalls and Barry Collins Acoustic Duo. Classic rock, blues, and country tunes. Free, 6pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com

outside

Playdates at the Playscape. See listing for Tuesday, December 27. $20, 9:30am. Wildrock, 6600 Blackwells Hollow Rd., Crozet. wildrock.org

Veritas Illuminated. See listing for Wednesday, December 21. $10-15, 5:15pm. Veritas Vineyards and Winery, 151 Veritas Ln., Afton. veritaswines.com

Saturday 12/31

music

49 Winchester. Appalachian country soul music. With BLNDRS. $22-25, 8pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com

New Year’s Eve with Chamomile & Whiskey. Blue Ridge Mountain rock and rollers. With Ramona and the Holy Smokes. $25-250, 7pm. Fry’s Spring Beach Club, 2512 Jefferson Park Ave. chamomileandwhiskey.com

etc.

New Year’s Eve Celebration. Tunes from DJ Cle and The Near Passerines, fun giveaways, and an early balloon drop of 1,000 balloons. Free, 5:30pm. Dairy Market, 946 Grady Ave. dairymarketcville.com

New Year’s Eve Masked Ball. Wine, hors d’oeuvres, a five-course dinner service, dancing, and a midnight toast, followed by a breakfast buffet. $250, 7pm. Veritas Vineyards and Winery, 151 Veritas Ln., Afton. veritaswines.com

Sunday 1/1 music

Golden Hour with David Wax Museum. A unique, live music experience where participants wear blindfolds and musicians weave their way around the room. $50, 7:30pm. Studio Barn, Blenheim Ave. davidwaxmuseum.com

Monday 1/2 music

Gin & Jazz. See listing for Monday, December 26. Free, 5:30pm. Oakhurst Hall, 122 Oakhurst Cir. oakhurstinn.com

Tuesday 1/3 music

Thunder Music Karaoke. See listing for Tuesday, December 27. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St. 234-4436.

Vincent Zorn. Olé. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

words

Ivelisse Housman. The Virginia-based author celebrates the release of her new young adult novel, Unseelie, in conversation with Emily Thiede. Free, 6:30pm. Bluebird & Co., 5792 Three Notched Rd., Crozet. bluebirdcrozet.com

outside

Playdates at the Playscape. See listing for Tuesday, December 27. $20, 9:30am. Wildrock, 6600 Blackwells Hollow Rd., Crozet. wildrock.org

By the glass

Local wine sellers on 2022’s top vino selections

By Paul H. Ting living@c-ville.com

As the year draws to a close, I wanted to gain some insight into what wine consumers are drinking by asking local shops what their best-selling beverages were in 2022. While many were reluctant to name specific bottles or producers, the information they provided reveals some interesting trends.

Rosé all day

It appears that local drinkers continue to be head-over-heels about pink wine.

Certainly, rosé can play a lot of roles, whether you need a wine to be lean, bright, and refreshing, or you want one with a bit more complexity and depth of flavor. As a result, this category always seems to be a crowd-pleaser. At Wine Warehouse and In VinoVeritas, rosé was among the top sellers, especially in the summer months. Wine Warehouse had robust sales of over 50 different rosés, while customers at In Vino Veritas sought out rosé from the South of France.

Classic, quality wines at value

prices

It should come as no surprise that there is steady demand for wine produced from traditionally well-known grapes from classic regions. At the same time, drinkers of all ages are looking for a price point that doesn’t make them think twice about opening a bottle on a Tuesday night. Will Curley at The Wine Guild of Charlottesville says his sales trends show that customers are looking for bottles “that don’t shirk on quality and still fit into their weekly budget” and “demonstrate terrific value for classic, carefully made styles.” A good example of these is the Guild’s top-selling Bodegas LAN Rioja Estate Bottled Reserva, which has all the berry fruit, hints of cedar and smoke, and structure that you expect from classic Rioja wine, and a price in the low $20 range.

Portuguese reds

It was a pleasant surprise to hear from In Vino Veritas’ Erin Scala that Portuguese red blends are among the top sellers. While Portugal is largely known for port wine, the country has a long history of producing excellent wine outside of the sweet dessert category. Recently, there has been increasing awareness of wines made in Portugal, especially the robust red blends. Despite this uptick in interest, wine from Portugal is still in less demand than wine from other European countries, so those looking for some serious value in terms of price-to-quality ratio can find it here. Scala mentions the Fita da Fitapreta and the Dow Vale do Bomfim as notable bottles to try.

Organic, biodynamic, natural

Siân Richards, co-owner of Market Street Wine, has seen a trend among younger wine drinkers with curious palates and less focus on traditionally known regions and producers. Richards says these customers show an interest in organic, biodynamic wines, and natural wines. The shop stocks many popular options and the staff can help interested customers with recommendations. She is quick to note that their best-selling wines are always ones featured as Wines of the Week, and cites this as evidence that, while customers may be willing to explore, they are still looking for trusted guidance in their drinking choices. Market Street Wine attracts people who want “a relationship with a local shop with a carefully selected inventory and … personal rec-

ommendations based on us knowing/hearing where their interests are.”

Virginia wine

An encouraging sign for our local wine industry comes from The Workshop (the wine store located at The Wool Factory). Wine Director Kylie Britt says the best-selling wines are consistently the locally produced Virginia wines sold under The Wool Factory private label, while other Virginia wines are also consistently among the top sellers. The Wool Factory hosts free weekly tastings and frequently invites local producers to pour at these events, and as a result, their wines top weekly sales. “Our guests love local wines since they can build a connection to the producers,” says Britt. Here’s hoping you find something fabulous in your glass to celebrate the New Year, and cheers to more fine wine discoveries in 2023!

Market Street Wine’s Siân Richards says younger wine drinkers’ desire to explore beyond the classics has led to curiosity about emerging wine regions, as well as the increasingly popular organic, biodynamic, and natural wine categories at her shop.

THE WINE DOWN

WHAT’S DELISH AT LOCAL WINERIES?

CHISWELL FARM WINERY

2021 Sparkling Rosé

Cheers the season with this festive wine! Our Sparkling Rosé has notes of light cranberries, pink lady apples, and strawberries and cream. With a little zip, this bubbly pairs perfectly with all your holiday foods and party appetizers such as baked brie bites, bacon wrapped dates, and a honey-roasted holiday ham!

With a glass in hand, enjoy the beautiful scenery from our lawn, or a cozy chair inside, where you’ll discover a variety of inviting spaces. While indoor seating is limited, there are many options for outdoor seating, including rocking chairs on the covered porch and dining tables on the lawn for small groups. You’re also welcome to bring your own folding chairs and blankets to sit further out on the hill. All seating is first-come, first-served. Ages 21+, no dogs or other pets permitted on the property. For a family-friendly experience, visit our wine shops at Chiles Peach Orchard or Carter Mountain Orchard.

Wine is currently available by the glass, flight, or bottle. We have a full menu of seasonal boards, paninis, small bites and snacks to pair well with any of our wines (outside food is not permitted). Wine sales stop 30 minutes prior to closing.

Sundays - Brunch featuring mimosas with juices from our farmgrown fruit.

Jan. 15th – Corks and Collages

Hours: Wed-Sun 11 am – 5:30 pm 430 Greenwood Rd, Greenwood, VA 22943 434.252.2947 • www.chilesfamilyorchards.com/chiswell

53RD WINERY AND VINEYARD

Exodus

The best wine to pair with the cooling weather- Exodus is a rich and full bodied Port-style wine. With rich flavors of sweet fig, blackberry, and oak this wine is meant to be enjoyed fireside. Pair with, or drink for, dessert, and enjoy its warmth!

We are open 7 days a week, 11am to 5pm offering our 100% Virginia wine by the bottle, glass and tasting flights.  Enjoy your visit at our intimate, meadow-like setting in rural Louisa County.  we offer well-spaced indoor and outside seating and customers are welcome to bring their own picnic baskets, chairs and blankets. Children and pets are welcome, but pets must always remain outside of buildings and on a leash.  Quality wine, friendly staff at a great escape! Visit our website, www.53rdwinery.com.

Dec. 24th - Early Closing at 3:30 pm

Dec. 25th & 26th – CLOSED for the Holiday

Dec. 31st – Early Closing at 3:30 pm

Open 7 days a week, 11 am – 5 pm

13372 Shannon Hill Rd Louisa, VA 23093 (540) 894-5474 • 53rdwinery.com

CASTLE HILL FARM CIDERY

Our Cider & Newly Released Rosé

Discover ground to glass Virginia hard cider at Castle Hill. Ciders range from dry to semisweet, and can be enjoyed by the glass, flight or bottle. Festive cider cocktails include a Fall-inspired Sangria and Mulled Cider. Just

Visiting Castle Hill Cider

Our expansive cider barn features a variety of ample seating including Adirondack chairs overlooking the rolling countryside and lake; farm tables for larger parties; as well as bistro seating and cozy couches for smaller groups. Inside the Tasting Room, you’ll find bistro seating and a roaring fireplace. Outdoors, there are a variety of options including patio and firepit seating available yearround (weather permitting), and plenty of green space to walk the grounds or throw a football. Castle Hill Cider welcomes all guests! We offer non-alcoholic beverage options and a delicious food menu. Well-behaved dogs on a leash are also welcome both indoors and outside. Dogs must remain leashed and with their owners at all times.

Saturdays and SundaysWeekend Brunch Tasting 11am3pm

Jan 15th – Wassail Party! (free admission)

Special Holiday Hours

12/19-23: 11am - 5pm daily

12/26-31: 11am - 5pm daily

*Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day

6065 Turkey Sag Rd. Keswick, VA 22947

Tasting Room Text/Call: 434.365.9429 www.castlehillcider.com

CROSSKEYS WINERY

2020 Meritage

A rich blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon aged 15 months in new and neutral oak barrels. Blackberry and vanilla bound out of the glass but the nose evolves into mature

December 21, 2022 –January 3, 2023 c-ville.com @cville_culture facebook.com/cville.weekly

released: our 2021 Rosé, a semisweet cider infused with elderberry and cherry.

layers of brandied c herry, black pepper, and violet. Oak provides dimension and body. Pairs perfectly with the fall October weather!

CrossKeys Vineyards is a family owned and operated winery located in the heart of beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Our approach is to grow, by hand, the highest quality fruit using careful canopy management and yield balance to achieve 100% estate-grown wines that are truly expressive of the varietal and soils here at CrossKeys. Our first vines were planted in 2001 and we have only grown since then. Our 125acre estate currently houses more than 30 acres of vines with plans for more planting in the future. We currently grow 12 varietals of grapes all used to produce our one of a kind award-winning wines.We offer wine tastings throughout the day. Our knowledgeable tasting room associates will guide you through tasting our wines whether you are a novice or a seasoned veteran. We love large groups and want to make sure your experience at CrossKeys Vineyards is extraordinary. We request that large groups call the vineyard 48 hours in advance to set up a reserved group tasting. The group will have a reserved table, staffing, and a cheese plate included with price.

Mondays through Thursday- Winery Tours (by reservation only) at 12:30 pm

Fridays- Fiesta Fridays (11-5pm) reservations suggested

Sundays- Taste of Europe Dinner Series (tickets required) from 5-8 pm; check our website for weekly menus!

Dec. 25th – CLOSED for the Holidays

Open Daily from 11- 7pm 6011 E Timber Ridge Rd, Mt Crawford, VA 22841 (540) 234-0505

https://crosskeysvineyards.com/

DUCARD VINEYARDS

2020 XOXO Sparkling

The 2020 XOXO – Hugs and Kisses – is the newest vintage of our sparkling wine. A 75/25 blend of Viognier and Chardonnay, this wine is the perfect addition to any celebration OR just because -why not?!

Our uncrowded rural Madison County area has mountains, streams and plenty of beautiful views along scenic back roads. The tasting room is near hiking and biking trails along the Shenandoah National Forest and is a perfect respite after your day out! Enjoy some peace and quiet relaxation in this challenging environment. Sit on our lawns and sip or pick up a bottle or three of our awardwinning wines to take home. Reservations available and recommended (especially for Saturdays). No reservation fee or minimum purchase. Walk-ups accommodated on a spaceavailable basis. To order wine for local delivery or UPS shipping, visit our website!

Open daily – Mon-Thurs. 12-5 pm

Fri. 12-9 pm Sat/Sun. 12-6 pm

Weekends (Fri-Sun) - Live music Friday-Sunday all month

long.

Dec. 25th – CLOSED for the Holidays

40 Gibson Hollow Ln • Etlan, VA 22719 (540) 923-4206 www.ducardvineyards.com

EASTWOOD FARM AND WINERY

Woodland White

Aged for 10 months in stainless steel, the Woodland White is a fruit-forward blend of Viognier, Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, and Traminette. With delicate notes of white peach, honey, and pineapple, this wine is perfect for holiday parties and delightful with roasts, cheese & charcuterie boards, and much more this season. The Woodland White is available on our website, in the tasting room, and it is featured in the current wine club allocation.

Join us all month long for awardwinning wines, delicious farm-totable food pairings, special events, live music, and more.

NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

Winery Hours: Sunday - Tuesday (12-5PM), Wednesdays-Saturdays (12-8 PM)

2531 Scottsville Rd. (5 mi from Downtown Charlottesville) Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 264-6727 www.eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

HARK VINEYARDS

2019 Merlot

Small vat fermented and barrel aged 16 months, this wine showcases notes of black cherry, cola, and savory herbs. This wine follows nice in the footsteps of its predecessor, our 2017 Merlot, which won Gold in the Governor’s Cup. The 2019 is still a bit youthful, and while it tastes great right now, it’s only going to

get better over the next several years. The problem? By then it will be long gone! That’s the challenge and the beauty of authentic, estate grown wines. Only 200 cases were produced. Available now for you to experience on our tasting menu!

Visiting Hark:

Hark Vineyards is a family-owned winery focused on the belief that beautiful views and delicious wine can bring people together. Children and well-behaved four-legged friends are welcome. We welcome — and encourage — you to bring a picnic and enjoy the experience our estate offers.  Some picnic foods such as cheese, charcuterie, jams, crackers, and chocolate are available for purchase. Food trucks and live music most Saturdays from MarchNovember; check our website and social media for details. Our grapes love it here. We think you will, too.

Upcoming events

CLOSED for the holidays

December 24th - January 1st

Hours

Friday 12-6pm, Saturday 12-7pm, and Sunday 12-6pm

434-964-9463 (WINE) 1465 Davis Shop Rd, Earlysville, VA 22936 www.harkvineyards.com

HORTON VINEYARDS

Knots & Shuttles Red Sparkling

Red sparkling was inconceivable many years ago and it is still rare. Knots and Shuttles is Horton’s flight into red sparkling. It is a dry red wine, deep garnet color with berry aromas ad a lingering effervescent finish. Knots and Shuttles is also the last installment of the Gears & Lace, Steam Punk line of wines. Overall- a fun and unique wine that will pair well with your Christmas dinner!

Open Daily from 10 am – 5 pm 6399 Spotswood Trail, Gordonsville, Virginia (540) 832-7440 www.hortonwine.com

PIPPIN HILL FARM & VINEYARDS

2021 Blanc de Blanc

This 2021 vintage turns any occasion into a celebration. It’s made like champagne, offering zesty aromas layered with creamy and citrus flavors of pineapple, brioche and meyer lemon. The finish is lean and lively, with equal parts acidity and dryness. The driest of our three Chardonnays, this finely bubbled beauty will dress up your charcuterie board, or brighten up seafood.

Plan to Visit:

Pippin Hill is a culinary vineyard in the heart of Virginia’s wine country. There are two types of standard reservations available for food and wine pairings: Indoor Table or Covered Veranda for table service. Walk-ins are welcome for lawn seating. Reservations via Resy are recommended for Indoor and Veranda seating. For the ultimate wine tasting experience, check out Pippin Hill’s elevated wine tasting and tour experience, offered select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.  Learn more at pippinhillfarm.com.

Hours

Mon - Sun 11am - 5pm*

*See Our Calendar for Early Closings.

We are Closed the first Monday of every month.

Sundays- Live music on the hill! Each Sunday from 1-4 PM, Pippin Hill welcomes local musicians to perform on our Veranda. Check our website for varying artists. Dec 21st & 22nd – Kid-friendly cookie decorating class + Wreath making workshop Dec 24th – 26th – CLOSED for

REVALATION VINEYARDS

2021 Petit Manseng

Our 2021 Petit Manseng is a full-bodied dry wine that can be enjoyed alone and with a wide range of foods from Thai curry to turkey and sweet potatoes. A red wine drinkers’ white wine with good aging potential. Featuring aromas of honey, lemon, and papaya merging into white flowers and toasted brioche. Hints of ginger and caramel. Stop by the tasting room to enjoy this wine by the bottle or in a flight.

Gifting

The holidays are here, and we’ve created a gift box with three of our most popular wines. Our Holiday Gift Trio includes our 2018 Vidal Blanc, 2021 Rouge de Rouge, 2019 Novum (our white port-style wine) and a reusable Revalation wine disc for drip-free pouring. Exclusively available in our tasting room.

Visiting

Revalation Vineyards is a familyowned vineyard, located in Madison’s Hebron Valley. Our property offers stunning views of the Blue Ridge mountains from the porch of our 1830’s log cabin tasting room. Enjoy our wine by the bottle or choose one of our flights which feature five different wines. Reservations are requested for indoor, porch or outdoor seating and can be made on our website. Walkins are welcome whenever space is available.

Hours

Nov. 1 – Apr. 30 Hours: Friday 12 –sunset, Saturday/Sunday 12pm to 5pm

Seasonal Hours: Friday, Dec. 23 – Sunday, Dec. 25 Closed Monday, December 26th Boxing Day OPEN Friday, Dec. 30 – Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023 Open regular hours

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

December 21, 2022 –January 3, 2023 c-ville.com @cville_culture facebook.com/cville.weekly

Cat Socializers

Cat socializers allow our cats to receive one-on-one attention and interact with other cats. The socializers get to know each cat and talk about them with potential adopters.

Dog Handlers

Our dogs need volunteers to help them get all of the exercise and affection they deserve! Dog Handlers are responsible for taking dogs on walks, to playgroups and other activities.

SPCA Rummage Store

All proceeds from the SPCA Rummage Store go to support our homeless animals in need. We need help sorting through donations and setting up displays at the store.

Offsite Adoption & Fundraising Events

Our animals attend many fundraising and adoption events. If you like being out and about and around animals, this gives you the opportunity to do both!

SUDOKU

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

Rearview

BY DAVID LEVINSON WILK

By Rob Brezsny

Aquarius

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Cardiovascular surgeon Michael DeBakey lived till age 99. He almost died at 97, but was able to capitalize on an invention that he himself had created years before: a polymer resin that could repair or replace aging blood vessels. Surgeons used his technology to return him to health. I am predicting that in 2023, you, too, will derive a number of benefits from your actions in the past. Things you made, projects you nurtured, and ideas you initiated will prove valuable to you as you encounter the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Pisces

(Feb. 19-March 20): I decided to divine the state of your financial karma. To begin, I swirled a $10 bill through the flame rising from a green candle. Then I sought cosmic auguries in the burn patterns on the bill. The oracle provided bad news and good news. The bad news is that you live on a planet where one-fifth of the population owns much more than four-fifths of the wealth. The good news is that in 2023, you will be in decent shape to move closer to the elite one-fifth. Amazingly, the oracle also suggests that your ability to get richer quicker will increase in direct proportion to your integrity and generosity.

Aries

(March 21-April 19): Aries author Eric G. Wilson has written a book that I might typically recommend to 40 percent of the Aries tribe. But in 2023, I will raise that to 80 percent of you. The title is How to Be Weird: An Off-Kilter Guide to Living a One-of-aKind Life. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, it will make sense for you to stop making sense on a semi-regular basis. Cheerfully rebelling against the status quo should be one of your most rewarding hobbies. The best way to educate and entertain yourself will be to ask yourself, “What is the most original and imaginative thing I can do right now?”

Taurus

(April 20-May 20): One of your potential superpowers is cultivating links between the spiritual and physical worlds. If you develop this talent, you illuminate the ways that eternity permeates the everyday routine. You weave together the sacred and the mundane

Capricorn

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): To inspire your self-inquiry in 2023,

so they synergize each other. You understand how practical matters may be infused with archetypal energies and epic themes. I hope you will be doing a lot of this playful work in 2023, Taurus. Many of us non-Bulls would love you to teach us more about these mysteries.

Gemini

(May 21-June 20): Here are fun and useful projects for you to cultivate in 2023: 1. Initiate interesting trends. Don’t follow mediocre trends. 2. Exert buoyant leadership in the groups you are part of. 3. Practice the art of enhancing your concentration by relaxing. 4. Every Sunday at noon, renew your vow to not deceive or lie to yourself during the coming week. 5. Make it your goal to be a fabulous communicator, not just an average one. 6. Cultivate your ability to discern what people are hiding or pretending about.

Cancer

(June 21-July 22): In 2023, I hope you will refine and deepen your relationship with your gut instinct. I will be ecstatic if you learn more about the differences between your lucid intuition and the worry mongering that your pesky demons rustle up. If you attend to these matters—and life will conspire to help you if you do—your rhythm will become dramatically more secure and stable. Your guidance system will serve you better than it ever has. A caveat: Seeking perfection in honing these skills is not necessary. Just do the best you can.

Leo

(July 23-Aug. 22): Psychiatrist and author Irvin Yalom wrote, “The question of meaning in life is, as the Buddha thought, not edifying. One must immerse oneself into the river of life and let the question drift away.” But Holocaust survivor and philosopher Viktor

Frankl had a radically different view. He said that a sense of meaning is the single most important thing. That’s what sustains and nourishes us through the years: the feeling that our life has a meaning and that any particular experience has a meaning. I share Frankl’s perspective, and I advise you to adopt his approach throughout 2023. You will have unprecedented opportunities to see and know the overarching plan of your destiny, which has been only partially visible to you in the past. You will be regularly blessed with insights about your purpose here on earth.

Virgo

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): As a young woman, Virgo-born Ingeborg Rapoport studied medicine at the University of Hamburg. But in 1938, the Nazis refused to let her defend her Ph.D. thesis and get her medical degree because of her Jewish ancestry. Seventy-seven years later, she was finally given a chance to finish what she had started. The dean of the school said, “She was absolutely brilliant. Her specific knowledge about the latest developments in medicine was unbelievable.” I expect comparable developments for you in 2023, Virgo. You will receive defining opportunities or invitations that have not been possible before. Postponed breakthroughs and resolutions will become achievable.

Libra

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Of the 2,200-plus humans quoted in a 21st-century edition of Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, 164 are women—a mere 7 percent! At least that’s more than the four females represented in 1855’s first edition. Let’s take this atrocious injustice as our provocation for your horoscope. In accordance with astrological omens, one of your assignments in 2023 will be to make personal efforts to equalize power among the genders. Your well-being will thrive as you work to create a

misogyny-free future. Here are possible actions: If you’re a woman or nonbinary person, be extra bold and brave as you say what you genuinely think and feel and mean. If you’re a man, foster your skills at listening to women and nonbinary people. Give them abundant space and welcome to speak their truths. It will be in your ultimate interest to do so!

Scorpio

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): To prepare you for 2023, I’m offering you wisdom from mythologist Michael Meade. Of all the signs in the zodiac, you Scorpios will be most likely to extract riches from it. Meade writes: “Becoming a genuine individual requires learning the oppositions within oneself. Those who fail or refuse to face the oppositions within have no choice but to find enemies to project upon. ‘Enemy’ simply means ‘not-friend’; unless a person deals with the not-friend within, they require enemies around them.”

Sagittarius

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “I will always be as difficult as necessary to achieve the best,” declared Sagittarian opera singer Maria Callas. Many critics say she was indeed one of the 20th century’s best. The consensus is that she was also a temperamental prima donna. Impresario Rudolf Bing said she was a trial to work with “because she was so much more intelligent. Other artists, you could get around. But Callas you could not get around. She knew exactly what she wanted and why she wanted it.” In accordance with astrological omens, Sagittarius, I authorize you, in your quest for success in 2023, to be as “difficult” as Callas was, in the sense of knowing exactly what you want. But please—so as to not undermine your success—don’t lapse into diva-like behavior.”

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

I have chosen a passage from Hermann Hesse’s fairy tale, A Dream Sequence. It will provide guidance as you dive further than ever before into the precious mysteries in your inner depths. Hesse addressed his “good ardent darkness, the warm cradle of the soul, and lost homeland.” He asked them to open up for him. He wanted them to be fully available to his conscious mind. Hesse said this to his soul: “Just feel your way, soul, just wander about, burrow into the full bath of innocent twilight drives!”

SHOW CAUSE ORDER AGAINST DISTRIBUTION

It is ordered, pursuant to Virginia Code § 64.2-556A, that the creditors of, and all other persons interested in the above estate show cause, if they can, on the 20th day of January, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. before this Court at its courtroom, against payment and delivery of the estate to the distributees without requiring refunding bonds.

Entered this 22nd day of November, 2022

Cheryl Higgins Judge

BY CARLA HUCKABEE

CHARLOTTESVILLE ALBEMARLE, FLUVANNA, GREENE, LOUISA, MADISON, NELSON, ORANGE, AUGUSTA

WESTWOOD ROAD

The Water view dominates the interior spaces from most rooms in this fabulous, new, waterfront residence. Expansive views from two full length decks promise hours or days of relaxation. The front door opens to the great room with wood burning fireplace and hardwood floors. A bright open kitchen with gorgeous counter tops and appliances. Complete one floor living with master suite featuring a walk-in shower and double vanities. 2 additional bedrooms with a full bath. The terrace level offers more water views, even from the laundry room! A large family room, an additional bedroom and full bath round out the finished rooms. Large unfinished room can serve as storage, studio, or workshop. $500,000

CHURCH PLAINS DRIVE

Beautiful 2.15 acre lot set in a quiet neighborhood, in the western school districts. A bright open floor plan with vaulted entrance and a turned staircase. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, full unfinished basement plus a large 2 car garage. Hardwood floors throughout the first floor. Large, bright kitchen with island, pantry, and terrific breakfast room. The kitchen looks into the family room that features a wall of windows and a fireplace. The wrap-around front porch takes in the lovely setting.The rear deck overlooks the large yard with room to play and a great place to garden. $625,000

email: callsharon.today@yahoo.com cell: 434.981.7200

Dear Real Estate Weekly Readers and Advertisers-

As of the first issue of 2023, Real Estate Weekly will move from the back of C-VILLE, as a separate section, to the front of C-VILLE, right after our News content. We have hired a local journalist to write a weekly real estate and development column to run alongside Real Estate Weekly ads that showcase local houses, land, and apartments for sale and lease. In addition, we will continue to publish both Fine Properties and Abode as glossy magazines on a quarterly basis, with no changes to either popular publication.

Many of our Real Estate Weekly advertisers have had a close working relationship with Beth Wood. Beth has successfully managed Real Estate Weekly for many years, and we are grateful for her time with Real Estate Weekly and C-VILLE Weekly. We will miss her, and we wish her continued success in her new endeavor. Beth has been working closely with Theresa McClanahan (theresa@c-ville.com), our new Real Estate Weekly advertising representative, to make sure the transition goes as smoothly as possible. We want our clients to continue to get the same level of service and results moving forward. Thank you for your continued support and loyal readership. Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Anna Harrison, Publisher anna@c-ville.com

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Barbara McMurry

That’s local artist Duffy Dillinger’s response when asked to compare Lake Monticello with other gated communities in Central Virginia.

“There just isn’t the same natural beauty in any of the other gated or golf course communities around here,” says Dillinger. “When we moved from New Jersey in 2018, we knew we wanted to be in the Charlottesville area but didn’t want to pay Charlottesville prices. Lake Monticello was within a 30-minute drive and much more affordable.”

While searching for value, they realized what a gem they found. The natural beauty, the community amenities, and most importantly, the people.

The Basics

On the surface, Lake Monticello resembles other gated communities. It has the requisite golf course, restaurants, and pool, with the added bonus of a lake with more than 22 miles of shoreline.

Built in the late 1960s, the community was originally envisioned as an enclave of summertime vacation homes. Then, Hurricane Camille swept through on August 19, 1969, and topped off the 350-acre lake overnight.

Soon buyers arrived who wanted to stay year-round, effectively making Lake

INCOMPARABLE Lake

Monticello

BY CARLA HUCKABEE

Monticello a bedroom community of Charlottesville. Only 13 miles away, it retains that status today.

Associate Broker Maggie Gunnels with Gunnels Group Real Estate has called Lake Monticello home for more than 16 years. She says, “Approximately 60 percent of Lake Monticello residents work, and most commute to Charlottesville. We have some commuters driving to the Richmond area too, about an hour away.

“We even have people headed into DC and northern Virginia once or twice a week for work. It’s worth the drive to be able to live here full time.”

Vicki Wilson, Principal Broker/Owner of Monticello Country Real Estate, Inc., reports that the lake’s fiber optic network serves the work-from-home crowd very well. “It allows workers to enjoy this

lifestyle and only occasionally show up at the office, if at all.”

Resort-like Amenities

All the amenities do indeed make Lake Monticello worth the commute. With beaches, an 18-hole championship golf course, clubhouse, pool, tennis courts, and sports complex, there is not much that you can’t do at Lake Monticello.

The owners of each residential lot automatically become members of the Lake Monticello Owners’ Association (LMOA). Membership gives owners access to a great slate of activities and amenities including boating and fishing on the lake and access to the marina, boat launches, slips, and racks.

Wilson moved here 25 years ago when her kids were little. She says, “There are so

many things to enjoy at Lake Monticello. I live next to one of the beaches and have my pontoon boat parked at a slip. We can walk down anytime and enjoy it.”

With the extensive shoreline, the lake is a haven for kayakers to explore and anglers to catch largemouth bass, sunfish, perch, and other fish.

Swimmers enjoy five beaches and access to the outdoor pool. Dillinger prefers the lake over laps in the pool. “I swim in the lake all summer for exercise. It’s a great place to swim from early May to late September. And now, when it’s too cold to swim outside, I take an exercise class at Ivy Fitness Center, right outside the gates to Lake Monticello. It’s super convenient.”

Open 24/7, Ivy Fitness gives residents an additional resource to keep them in shape and have convenient access to a workout, coaching, and physical therapy when needed.

Landlubbers have just as much to enjoy as water lovers. Playgrounds, basketball courts, a walking track, and ball fields are sprinkled throughout the grounds.

Nearly every day you can hear the “pop-pop-pop” and “ping-ping-ping” of tennis and pickleball volleys echoing from one of the two court locations, including one under the lights. Groups of juniors, mixed doubles and singles, or the Rusty Racquets keep the courts active year-round.

“You really can’t compare.”

58

Walkers, with or without a golf club in hand, have lots of options. In addition to the golf course and walking track, there are miles of greenways and walking paths. Jogging, leisurely ambling, or cycling through the quiet, mostly 25-mile-perhour community streets are other ways residents enjoy a daily dose of outdoor exercise, and a chance to breathe in trees.

Besides all the action-oriented amenities, there are two clubhouses for public and private events, meetings, and social get-togethers. Dining at The Lakeside Restaurant or The Pub Restaurant and Bar rounds out the slate of amenities and makes Lake Monticello living delightful all year long.

Patsy Strong, Principal Broker at Strong Team, Realtors, says, “What sets Lake Monticello apart from other communities are its impressive amenities and special year-round events. I purchased my first home in Lake Monticello back in 1996. I’ve owned three homes here since then. I chose to move here for the same reasons buyers purchase homes here today—wonderful amenities and a warm, supportive community atmosphere. No other community can compare!”

People Power

The trees, lake, pool, golf course, and ball courts are just the backdrop for the Lake Monticello quality of life. What takes lake life to the next level are the people.

Dillinger says, “I’ve never had so many friends in all my life! The people I have met here are super friendly and kind. I know there are all sorts of groups to be involved with, but it’s not just the social clubs.

“For me, it started by meeting a neighbor on a walk. Then she introduced me to another, and another. Yes, I’m part of the wine tasters club, but life here is so much more than that.”

The Lake Monticello community has cracked the code on resident affinity groups. The Newcomers and Old Friends Club helps new and old become fast friends based on common interests. Wine tasters, craft beer lovers, history buffs, hikers…imagine an interest group, and it either already exists or can be started up if there’s more than one person interested.

In addition to the self-run resident interest groups, the LMOA provides a great deal of support to uphold and strengthen bonds that develop between neighbors through a robust activities program. Merieke Henry, LMOA Communications Director, keeps residents informed of all the fun ways to participate in community life at Lake Monticello.

Recent highlights have been a community bonfire for neighbors and friends on the Main Beach and a sleigh full of winter holiday events throughout December. Upcoming is a New Year’s Eve party and dance, Italian nights at the Lakeside Restaurant, trivia nights at The Pub…the list goes on and on.

The combined efforts of the Newcomers and Old Friends Club and the LMOA make getting out and about with neighbors easy. There are lots of groups to explore or events to participate in without any ongoing pressure. This com-

bination of always feeling invited but not obligated makes for a high level of participation and a strong social network among residents of all ages.

Still a Strong Market

There are just over 4,600 lots in Lake Monticello. More than 4,300 have completed homes on them and there are 10 condos adjacent to the marina. The community has more than 12,000 residents, making it the most populated community in Fluvanna County.

“I’ve always felt that purchasing a home in Lake Monticello is a wise investment. That’s why I purchased here years ago before I became a REALTOR®,” says Strong. “The community is beautifully maintained, and the Board continues to update and improve its amenities year after year.”

Whereas some resort-style communities allow short-term rentals, at Lake Monticello you know who your neighbors are, and they don’t change every week. Wilson says, “Weekly or vacation

rentals are not permitted. Some people do buy second homes with the plan to eventually retire here, but there’s no Airbnb allowed.” That can make a big difference.

Right now, “There are 18 existing homes on the market,” says Gunnels, “and six homes are under construction. That’s up a bit from where it has been all year.

“Days on market are also rising. But if a home is priced right, it will still go very quickly, even with these higher interest rates. After some sticker shock, buyers are getting used to interest rates of six percent and up. They are coming to realize that the rates under four were an anomaly.”

Strong agrees. “The market is definitely changing, and we are already sensing the slowdown. With this said, however, early to mid-2023 will still be a great time for sellers and buyers to come together at Lake Monticello.”

As is true for most lake communities, waterfront homes are the hottest

commodities. There are 511 waterfront homes on Lake Monticello, with very few for sale at any one time. Wilson says, “We are continuing to see multiple offers on any waterfront homes that come to market, a mix of cash buyers and those seeking financing.”

Out-of-area buyers search for waterfront properties or a waterfront community and stumble upon Lake Monticello. So, it’s likely that homes in Lake Monticello will continue to see interest outstripping inventory, especially for waterfront homes. Wilson says, “We are no longer Central Virginia’s bestkept secret.

“The market here is still strong. Interest rates are high from where they were last spring and buyers are holding off somewhat, though rates did drop a bit this past week.

“What’s encouraging is that lenders are getting creative in offering new programs. My preferred lender has a temporary buydown that uses a fraction of the seller’s closing costs to buy down the interest rate, effectively lowering the borrower’s payment for two years.

“Carl Heimlich’s company, GO Mortgage, is partnering with us at Monticello Country Real Estate to offer First Responders a free home warranty, discounted closing costs, and discounted settlement fees.”

Buyers shouldn’t let an elevated mortgage interest rate scare them out of the market. A good REALTOR® and lender can sometimes find creative solutions to keep monthly payments low even while mortgage rates are high.

Gunnels agrees. “This Lake Monticello market can work for all types of buyers—first-time home buyers, people moving up to more space, empty nesters, retirees.”

For buyers who want some of what Lake Monticello offers and are unable to wait for the right home to come on the market, there are some options. Associate memberships at Lake Monticello for people living outside the gate offer some of the social and golf amenities that homeowners inside the gate enjoy.

Ryan Homes recently completed more than 100 new one-level living homes at Village Oaks. It sold out quickly, and a handful of additional new neighborhoods are at some stage of review in the immediate vicinity. While those developments may be able to capitalize on greater affordability than can be had in Charlottesville, the draw isn’t nearly as powerful without all the resort-style benefits that come with full Lake Monticello membership.

One after another, Lake Monticello residents say that what initially attracted them to the community was the affordability. Ask Dillinger or Henry or their neighbor, tri-athlete Len Toledo.

But after becoming part of the community, they realized what they had uncovered. The “summer camp” style amenities and activities that deliver all year long. The trees and natural beauty are built into the community. And finally, the friendships and connections contribute so much to the rich quality of life.

Together it makes for a gated community unlike any other in Central Virginia.

HATTON RIDGE FARM

A most tranquil and private 278+ acre grazing and hay farm with two-thirds mile of James River frontage. The centerpiece of Hatton Ridge Farm is an impressive 4-5 bedroom, brick Georgian home, built circa 2000. MLS#634311 $3,675,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

PEA RIDGE FARM

317 acre estate that has it all: location, views, water, stunning main residence, event center and more! The 15+ acre lake is centered among lush rolling fields of rich grass and a spectacular 5-BR home with heart pine floors, 4 FP, study, garages, and unparalleled views exists. 25 minutes west of Charlottesville in Greenwood, this exceptional property is a one-of-a-kind, not to be replicated, gem. Also includes a large metal barn, log cabin with FP, stunning party barn and a 2 BR cottage. Additional acreage available. MLS#631962 $8,875,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

120-acre

ROUND HILL

MLS#625402 $5,450,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

EDNAM FOREST

Well-maintained, 2-story, 2,950+ sf home offers 3-bedrooms and 2-baths, situated on two lots containing 3.60 acres (divisible). Totally private environment of mature plantings with lovely mountain views. MLS#636669 $1,745,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

BROOMFIELD FARM

29 acres fronting Blenheim Rd. a small agricultural & residential subdivision with CCR’s, but NO HOA. 2 buildable lots, with an historic red barn, silo, & an 8-stall stable. Driveway in place, underground power, well & water, & several building spots with mountain views. MLS#624834 $495,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

RIVER LAWN FARM

Southern Albemarle estate with 1.5 miles of frontage on the James River with 540± acres of highly fertile, gently rolling landscape. Historic farmhouse dating to the late 1700s offers extensive views of the river. Under conservation easement with the VOF. MLS#630470 $4,865,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

BLACKBERRY HILL FARM

Blue Ridge Mountain views from this impeccable country property with an attractive, well designed and selfsustaining 5,525 finished square foot residence on 38± acres. Three car garage and barn designed for 3 stalls along with finished second floor office/full bath. Many amenities such as a full house generator, solar panels and geothermal HVAC. The perimeter is fenced and a mix of woods, two pastures and spring fed stream. A peaceful oasis easily accessible to Charlottesville and Washington DC region. MLS#634846 $1,550,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

Pastoral views from this 3-bedroom

home set on over 159 acres in

Ideal for farming with fenced pastures and ample water sources. Property is not under easement and has 4 division rights. MLS#630428 $1,685,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

TURKEY SAG ROAD

33-acre property with beautifully constructed 3-4BR home. Home features great room with dramatic stone fireplace and panoramic views and large master suite with private deck. Peace, privacy and tranquility unsurpassed, but close to town. MLS#635341 $1,875,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

GREENFIELDS FARM

Impressive 763-acre country estate approximately 25 miles south of Charlottesville.The property showcases a stately southern residence, built circa 1904, extensive equestrian facilities, recreation opportunities, creeks and a pond. MLS#623792 $6,295,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863 greenfieldsfarmva.com

GREEN ACRES

brick

Southern Albemarle.

Albemarle County estate featuring a 5-bedroom manor home with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Rivanna Reservoir frontage. Close proximity to the city limits and CharlottesvilleAlbemarle airport!

RED HILL

10 miles south of Charlottesville, a beautiful 283 acres, rolling to hilly, mostly wooded tract, borders Walnut Creek Park, with lake and miles of trails. This land has pastures, trails, creeks and a river! Many homesites, NO EASEMENTS. MLS#634310 $1,995,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

SOUTHWIND ESTATES

3 separate parcels with commanding Blue Ridge Mtn. views, level building sites 15 minutes from Charlottesville. Sites have been perked, have wells, and ready for your dream home. MLS#632482 $375,000 (7.8 acres), MLS#632490 $275,000 (2.4 acres), MLS#632487 $175,000 (2.0 acres), Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700

GATEWAY CIRCLE

Prime end-unit residence in a quiet Forest Lakes community. Enjoy the outdoors through views from the many windows, miles of walking trails or recreational activities. Private living with easy access to Charlottesville. MLS#635657 $299,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

SUNNYSIDE

Large parcel convenient to Charlottesville and UVA. Exceptional Blue Ridge views, farm house (in need of restoration). Under VOF easement but with divisions into already predetermined parcels. MLS#585228 $4,400,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

DUDLEY MOUNTAIN ROAD

Unique 88-acre property with 4-bedroom home. Property includes two-car garage, storage shed/ shop and 3760-sf. multipurpose building. Beautiful mountain and lake views just 4 miles from Charlottesville. MLS#635483 $1,275,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

820 CONDO

Well-designed corner condo consisting of an exceptionally bright great room with high ceilings, ample space for both relaxed living and dining, 1-BR, 1-BA and inviting private balcony. Views of the Downtown skyline and mountains. MLS#634496 $285,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

BRIDLEWOOD TRAIL

Private Keswick residence on 18.6 acres with views of the Southwest Mountains. 3-bedrooms, 1.5-baths with wood floors, screen porch and 2-car garage. Open and wooded land. Easy access to Charlottesville and UVA. MLS#634905 $695,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

CROZET AREA

Beautiful building lot of 3.3 acres, less than a mile to Crozet shopping. Mostly in pasture, creek, and elevated homesite with panoramic views of mountains, pond, and surrounding pastoral area. MLS#636349 $450,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

GREENTREES

94+ acres 20 minutes from Charlottesville. Originally part of a 188-acre tract, two parcels may be purchased separately or together, with 2 developmental rights each. Mostly maturing pine and very long public road frontage. MLS#635861 $700,000 Tim Michel, 434.960.1124

MURPHY’S CREEK FARM

Wonderful gently rolling parcel of land with just under 26 acres, 18 miles south of Charlottesville. The land is wooded (mostly hardwoods) with an elevated building site, stream/creek, total privacy, and long road frontage. MLS#619394 $229,500 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

SIMMONS GAP/ESTES RIDGE

10 acres of mature woods. Property has long road frontage and consists of two parcels being combined and sold as one. No HOA!

Design and build your dream residence on this very well-priced parcel. MLS#621178 $189,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

Great building lot in Ivy! Over 2.5 acres less than 6 miles to Charlottesville and UVA. Your future dream home could sit on this beautiful, wooded land, the perfect combination of country and city access.

Murray Elementary School District. MLS#634897 $165,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

LYNX FARM LANE

THE Staff:

Celeste Smucker REWeditor@c-ville.com

Theresa McClanahan theresa@c-ville.com Faith Gibson ads@c-ville.com

DESIGNER

Tracy Federico designer@c-ville.com

All advertising published in the REAL ESTATE WEEKLY is believed to be truthful and accurate. No advertising will be published in the Real Estate Weekly if it is known to be inaccurate or untruthful, but this publication does not warrant, nor is it liable for, the accuracy or truthfulness of the advertising placed within this publication. Neither the Real Estate Weekly, Inc., nor its corporate parent, the C-VILLE Weekly, assume any responsibility and shall have no liability whatsoever for errors, including without limitation, typographical errors or omissions in the REAL ESTATE WEEKLY.

The Real Estate Weekly, Inc. reserves the right to edit or refuse any advertising it deems inappropriate or misleading. No advertising will be published in the Real Estate Weekly if it is known to be inaccurate or untruthful. Every effort has been made to assure accuracy, but this publication does not warrant, nor is it liable for the advertising placed within this publication. This publication will not accept advertising that refers to or attempts to establish fees or rates of commissions charged for services rendered.

All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” Virginia Fair Housing Law also makes it illegal to discriminate because of elderliness (age 55 and over).

We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

SPRING HILL

$2,495,000 | MLS 630710

Beautiful 207+ acre farm in a protected enclave of Madison County with incredible views of both the Blue Ridge and Southwest Mountains. The natural beauty and privacy are unparalleled. An attractive farmhouse with a c. 1804 section is perfect as a weekend getaway or guesthouse leaving numerous incredible building sites for a main residence. Additional improvements include a large pond with dock, pool, manager’s cottage, a center aisle stable with 8, 12 x 12 stalls and finished office space above, garage and good farm buildings and farm infrastructure An excellent candidate for conservation easement.

PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090

SOLITE FARM

$910,000 | MLS 630924

129 rolling acres minutes from the Village of Fork Union. The land is a mix of open crop/pasture, and hardwood forest, and is in two tax map parcels. The existing driveway enters the property from West Bottom Road and continues on past the beautiful two acre pond to a perfect elevated home site. The larger of the two parcels also has frontage on Route 15, and has 11 acres zoned commercial. The open land is currently leased as crop land. Great farm property, or solid investment.

JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528

CHARLOTTESVILLE VA | 434 293 3900 WILEYPROPERTY.COM

VERULAM FARM

$10,500,000 | MLS 622844

One of Virginia’s preeminent estates, Verulam is nestled on 503 acres in the breathtaking foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, conveniently located just 4 miles from the University of Virginia and modern amenities of Charlottesville. The Classical Revival manor, offers an easy elegance with both formal and informal spaces that flow seamlessly to bucolic grounds, formal Charles Gillette designed gardens and handsome pool complex. Additional amenities include a charming guest house and restored dairy barn turned grand event venue. The farm abuts 1,000+ additional acres of protected land including the Ragged Mountain Reservoir Natural Area.

JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528

PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090

ORANGE VA | 540 672 3903

HEADQUARTERS

$2,490,000 | MLS 633952

Headquarters, circa 1837, is located west of Charlottesville in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, one of White Hall's/Browns Cove's most historically significant and best preserved properties married with a tastefully designed 2005 addition.

The 5 bedroom, 4 bath home sits on 50 acres of pasture and mature hardwoods with stunning views of the pond and surrounding mountains. The estate includes a managers house, stable, utility barn, and numerous other dependencies. Incredibly private surrounded by the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Doyles River frontage. Property can also be purchased with 428 acres for $5,250,000.

JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528

PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090

GREYLEDGE

$6,950,000 | MLS 634509

A spectacular 1842 Virginia Landmark situated on a 739acre estate with magnificent views of the Blue Ridge & Allegheny mountains. The original architectural elements: 17-inch thick, Flemish bond laid brick walls, oversized 6 over 6 windows, 13 fireplaces, plaster walls and tongue and groove flooring have been expertly paired with all the modern conveniences. The 9723 sq ft Greek Revival residence has been meticulously renovated to a pristine level rarely seen. The residence sits at 1200 feet overlooking the beautiful 6-acre lake w/ layered mountain views beyond. The level of natural beauty & privacy enjoyed from the residence is unparalleled. 20 min south of Lexington & 30 min to Roanoke airport, 7 min to Town of Buchanan.

JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528

PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090

FOSTERS BRANCH

$575,000 | MLS 623681

First time ever on the open market, two exceptional parcels with incredible views over Charlottesville and layered Blue Ridge Mountains beyond. These private parcels, perched on the western slope of the Southwest Mountains, offer complete seclusion yet are only 15 minutes from downtown Charlottesville, its restaurants, amenities and UVA. Perfect as a family compound or build on one and sell the other. Please do not drive on property without an appointment.

PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090