Dear Ace: Did I read something in C-VILLE about UVA’s first mascot being a dog? That seems awfully far-fetched to me.—Joan Clawford Joan: Pardon Ace, but aren’t the whys and wherefores of UVA in the first chapter of your Charlottesville 101 study guide? Ace thought this sort of Hoo-related question was a no-brainer! Or maybe […]

Dear Ace: Am I allowed to ride my bike on the sidewalk?—Nancy Armstrong Nancy: Ace understands that you just want to ride your bicycle and ride it where you like. And, trying not to hit you brave bikers when cruising around town in the Acemobile, Ace would definitely be amenable to the idea that you […]

Dear Ace: Is it O.K. if I bury my dead pet in my backyard?—Digger Upgraves Digger: Ace would be happy to give his own seal of approval, if only this question didn’t concern him so. He realizes, in his infinite wisdom, that you may be one of those “Type A” people, and you’re simply always overly […]

Dear Ace: I saw Howie Long on the Downtown Mall the other day and he was looking kind of small. Think you could take him?—B. Igshot B: When Ace was but a wee boy, a poolside confrontation with the neighborhood thug (during which Ace was left pantsless and crying) taught him that he’s a lover, […]

What’s up, Ace? I was at McGrady’s this weekend and noticed a St. Patty’s Day poster above my table with horrible grammar. Who makes those signs?—Eddie Torre Eddie: Firstly, how nice of you to inquire about Ace; so few people actually stop to consider the (albeit handsome) faceless man behind these words you read each […]

Dear Ace: What are the other ways to skin a cat?—Mick E. Maus Mick: Well, assuming you already know the most common way (grab hold and pull, pull, pull! …Oh, how Ace kids), Ace will take a literal approach and he’ll also give a few of his own suggestions. First, Ace needs to be sure you […]

Dear Ace: I was driving to the skate park on McIntire the other day, but when I got there, it was gone! Can you find out where it went?—S. Kate Urgurl Kate: May Ace call you Kate? Well, Kate, first Ace must ask you: Do you think perhaps the park grew tired of its location, […]

Dear Ace: Can you find out who this Buford character was? And why did they name a middle school after him?—Ed Ukate Ed: Although Ace loves nothing more than to sink his teeth into a good “Why’s such and such named such and such?” question, might he just take this moment to point out your […]

Dear Ace: What is the story behind the Bamboo House on Route 29N? Every time we go by, there are only one or two cars, and it seems a little shady. Do they actually serve food there, or is something else going on?—Skip T. Cal Skip: Ace is a grown man and, as such, he […]

Dear Ace: I was down by City Hall the other day and noticed statues of three presidents sculpted into the building. Somewhat disconcerting to me was the size of James Madison; he was a pretty short guy, no? In the sculpture, he isn’t. Why?—Constance Tooshun Constance: It isn’t simply that James Madison was a “pretty short […]