2023 Best of C-VILLE Staff Picks

Painting the town

For artists and art appreciators alike, McGuffey Art Center is the place to be. Housed in a former elementary school (the classrooms were transformed into studios, galleries, and a gift shop), the artist-run cooperative was established in 1975, and celebrates all things creative, with exhibitions, classes, workshops, camps, and more.  “The City of Charlottesville leases […]

Catie Ratliff | August 23, 2023

2023 Best of C-VILLE Staff Picks

Great escapes

Puzzle junkies, history buffs, and wannabe sleuths will all find something to challenge them in Unlocked History Escape Rooms. Check out The British Are Coming, the room that started it all, or take flight in The Raven, a more macabre challenge based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Oh, and don’t forget to reserve […]

Catie Ratliff | August 23, 2023

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Stopping short

With the start of a new school year just days away, hundreds of students in Charlottesville City and Albemarle County Public Schools will be without bus seats on August 23, the first day of school.   For CCS students, the transportation situation largely mirrors last year’s, with the same walk zones and creative solutions like […]

Catie Ratliff | August 16, 2023

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Respect the neighbors

After a tense community meeting this July, Stony Point Development Group President Chris Henry has temporarily paused plans to meet with the Charlottesville Planning Commission about phase 3 of the Dairy Market expansion. The proposed project would encroach on the location of several local businesses, bring in new high-rise apartments, and triple the size of […]

Catie Ratliff | August 16, 2023

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Starting strong

During a July 28 media event ahead of the fall football camp, University of Virginia running back Mike Hollins talked about how he’s getting ready for the season physically, emotionally, and mentally. “Training wise, it’s been hot, fun. I see my body returning to where I used to be,” said Hollins, who was injured during […]

Catie Ratliff | August 2, 2023

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Devil in the details

Don Polonis has opinions. Some may consider them divisive. So on June 2, Polonis did what anyone with a controversial opinion might do: He posted his thoughts on the internet. “Imagine that!” Polonis wrote in a public Facebook group. “Satan fuc*ed up when he stole Noah’s covenant to create LGBTQ+ pride flag.” Alongside his thoughts, […]

Catie Ratliff | August 2, 2023

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Planning for people

The July 27 community meeting about the proposed Dairy Market expansion quickly turned heated when residents of the 10th and Page neighborhood expressed their concerns and frustrations about the project. Held at Old Trinity Church on the corner of Grady Avenue and 10th Street, the meeting included several easels, set up by Stony Point Development […]

Catie Ratliff | August 2, 2023

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Siren song

After months of financial turmoil, Siren restaurant has closed its doors. Since taking sole ownership of the business in December of 2022, restaurateur Laura Fonner has been fighting to keep Siren solvent. “I had a big investor meeting with new people [recently], and there was potential to get money to save us,” says Fonner. “But […]

Catie Ratliff | July 26, 2023

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Building secure connections

On July 19 and 20, the University of Virginia hosted the Virginia Cybersecurity Education Conference, which brought cybersecurity educators together from across the state.   “It’s just good to connect these educators together to share resources and lots of interesting talks,” says David Raymond, director of U.S. Cyber Range, the event’s creator and organizer. “They […]

Catie Ratliff | July 26, 2023

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Stepping up

New Charlottesville City Manager Sam Sanders was sworn in at the July 17 City Council meeting. Sanders, whose first day on the job is August 1, has served as the deputy city manager of operations since July 2021, and succeeds interim city manager Michael Rogers.  “When we launched the search for our next city manager, […]

Catie Ratliff | July 19, 2023