Architecture and politics. To anyone acquainted with Charlottesville’s history, it’s a familiar combination. In 1996, Maurice Cox joined the ranks of those who wed the two disciplines in the name of the greater good. That’s the year Cox, an architect and UVA professor, was first elected to City Council. Last July, Cox, who is now […]
Paved with good intentions The MCP debate is a give and take on what’s best for the Mall Downtown Charlottesville is one of the few places where you can hire a lawyer, mail a letter, drink a freshly brewed ale, look at leafy trees, smell gutterpunks, watch a play, hear banjo music and purchase a […]
Minority report Local African-American business owners face the challenges of an open market A white Charlottesville resident is about two-and-a-half times more likely to be a business owner than is a black resident, according to U.S. Census figures. But though this statistic is hardly something to cheer about, it’s less skewed than the national white-to-black […]
Ease on down the road City Attorney braces for a fight as Councilors squabble over MCP easement Craig Brown seemed a little nervous. He shuffled a stack of papers, wearing the apprehensive expression of someone unaccustomed to dropping bombs. “There’s no shortage of opinions in this community about the Meadowcreek Parkway,” Brown said, bracing for […]
Black market birth control As the General Assembly targets contraception, Planned Parenthood looks to Charlottesville During last year’s General Assembly session, Delegate Richard Black (R-Louden) sent all 40 State senators a letter promising that Virginia “will lead the way in restoring the sanctity of human life.” It’s a laudable goal for the Commonwealth, which executes […]
Hipsters unite It’s a small, cool world after all on Friendster.com Last week graduate student Peach Friedman was waiting to buy a cup of coffee when musician Lauren Hoffman appeared in line behind her. “Hey, I saw you on Friendster,” Hoffman said. “Friendster” has recently entered the local lexicon to define a member of the […]
"All politics is local." It’s a famous declaration from longtime Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil. Had he been speaking about Charlottesville and Albemarle County, he might have added a corollary: "and local politics is boring." That seems to be the consensus anyway, since only about a quarter of all registered voters in the City […]
Gearharts Fine Chocolates’ Maya Holy cow. That’ s the initial reaction to the flavor explosion when you nibble the Maya. Underneath the layer of cocoa dust, the tiny dark chocolate nugget first offers a faint, smooth orange taste quickly overpowered by the spiciness of cinnamon. But that’ s just a precursor to the earthy zip […]
Pole vault Teacher surmounts her Mormon upbringing to teach burlesque – and other dance moves The pole juts seven feet straight into the air from atop a 4’x4′ wood-and-ceramic-tile platform. A lithe, limber Brooke Shields lookalike in 5" heels, stockings and tight gym shorts and matching bra, swings suggestively around the brass fixture. She crooks […]
In American Motel, a short film by local writer and director Alexandria Searls, a man uses a piece of string to illustrate for a young woman the various connections, or "lines," in life. Gently, he wraps the string around her neck, her feet, a lamp on the wall, etc. Then he tugs. "Pull on one […]