That’s a wrap

It’s the most wonderful time of year. Of course, for a lot of us, it’s also the most stressful, most exhausting time of year. It’s gift-giving season, and to take some of the pressure off, we’ve tapped local gifting gurus in varying arenas—like food, motherhood, drama, science—and asked them to pick a gift for the […]

Pumpkin spiced

Late last summer, four Crozet-based friends found themselves discussing the upcoming fall season—prepping for a new school year, planning autumnal activities, and cozying up their home décor. For Alexis Macias, Kristen Craig, Kathleen Ross, and Marilyn Speight, the latter always starts with the porch.  “We had seen on Instagram a mom out of Texas who […]

Redefining authentic

Anna Gardner and Kelsey Naylor had been working in Charlottesville kitchens for years—Naylor at L’étoile, TEN, The Alley Light, Gardner at The Ivy Inn, Junction, Oakhurst Inn, and together at Public Fish & Oyster—when they started feeling a burn-out coming on. They decided to take a year off to explore Japan and, when they came […]

Oh, go on

Every year, the list of things on wheels grows larger, but it’s hard not to get excited about folks who’ve decked out a vintage horse trailer and repurposed it into something special. It’s the stuff HGTV shows are made of (not to mention what comes next: the goods). Here are three we’re devouring. Kaas & […]

Money where your mouth is

Eat good, do good: DYK that a portion of annual profits from The Ridley—The Draftsman Hotel’s Black-owned Southern cuisine spot—is given to The Ridley Foundation? Named for Dr. Walter Ridley, the first Black graduate of UVA and the first to earn a doctoral degree from a traditional white college, the foundation pursues high-achieving Black students […]

Merrily we roll

Courtney Commander and Tobiah Mundt are working on bringing a proper skating rink to Charlottesville, but until then, their occasional pop-up skate events (look for the group at Tonsler Park, and on Instagram for more info) have us rocking while we’re rolling, with a live DJ on site, plus food trucks and merch. Don’t skate? […]

Trash to treasure

After giving birth to her daughter, artist and art teacher Sarah Sweet decided to get more serious about doing good for the future of the planet. She launched The Scrappy Elephant, a creative reuse art supply store in the winter of 2020, following an inspiring trip to Nashville’s Turnip Green (an organization with a similar […]

Out of this world

Playtime is essential to being a kid, and Little Planets—a company that creates nature-inspired pop-up play areas for local events and festivals, breweries like Champion and Brewing Tree, and private homes—wants to bring the fun. From fairy gardens to mud kitchens, Little Planets is serious about play (and, what’s more, giving parents a break from […]

A vroom of one’s own

After receiving news that his wife was in remission from cancer, antique car enthusiast Mike Baldauf wanted to give back to UVA Cancer Center, the very place that helped save her life. He organized the Virginia Festival of the Wheel, a three-day gathering for vintage and classic car-lovers, the proceeds of which return to the […]

Free ride

Access to public transportation is a cornerstone of a healthy community. But for those for whom travel-by-CAT is difficult, Jaunt fills in the gaps—and has since 1975. The curb-to-curb demand-response (i.e. not a fixed route) is $1.50 each way, but those with disabilities ride free.