Dear Ace: The Robert E. Lee statue in Lee Park looks kinda weather-beaten. Any plans to restore it? Or does its original artistic effect only make it appear weather-beaten? Well, think about it.—Warren TorneWarren: Don’t you worry. Ace is definitely thinking about it. [Nods reassuringly, walks away to procure snack.] Ah, Ace kids. While he […]

Ace: I’m fascinated by that funky mosaic mural on Fifth Street. I heard an out-of-town artist organized the effort. Do you think anyone would mind if I replaced the missing “G” tile in the “EVERY THING? Every time I come out of the ABC store, I walk by it and think I’ve got half a […]

Dear Ace: It seems as though people are trying to squeeze things into the smallest spots these days. What are they building near the corner of 29 and Barracks Road, next to Arby’s?—Rocky Rhodes Rocky: In these situations, Ace is frequently reminded of the oft-quoted (and covered) Joni Mitchell song, “Big Yellow Taxi,” in which […]

Ace: Where have all the good Samaritans gone?—Eve Hull Eve: According to the Gospel of Luke, the good Samaritan took mercy on a man who was beaten and left for dead by robbers. Seems like his influence has reached far and wide because if you Google “good samaritans,” more than 500,000 results come up. Type […]

There’s a business listed as “Happiness Consultant” in the White Pages. What’s the deal, Ace?—Sadie Sack Sadie: Do something for Ace. Take three deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth. After you’ve done that, at your own pace, resume your normal breathing and say to yourself, “I am surrounded by love. […]

Dear Ace: I’ve seen cars around Charlottesville with Ekeland County stickers on them, but there’s no such county in Virginia. What’s that all about?—T. Own-Cryer T.: Well, Ace isn’t too sure what exactly that’s “all about,” but he can tell you this: Ekeland County isn’t real. Rather, it’s a “fictional composite of counties in the […]

Dear Ace: This isn’t a Charlottesville question, per se, but could you help settle a disagreement about driving etiquette? When trying to make a left-hand turn at a traffic light, my wife believes that creeping out into the intersection while waiting to turn is perfectly all right. What is the correct way to handle this […]

Dear Ace: A few months ago, I was called for jury duty. I didn’t want to go, but took the suggested amount of time off work anyway. When I showed up, it was cancelled! I was thrilled, but a few weeks later a notice showed up in the mail asking me to serve again. What […]

Dear Ace: Where does the Charlottesville Police Department get those cars with the driver’s side on the right? Do they come from England?—Britt Wheeler Britt: Sometimes the simplest questions are the hardest ones to answer. That’s what Ace found out when, after multiple calls to various locations, the best response he got was: “Y’know, that’s […]