UPDATED: Anniversary prep: City on lockdown

During the weekend of August 10-12, the anniversary of last summer’s violent and fatal clashes, the city will be on lockdown—and Governor Ralph Northam has already declared a proactive state of emergency. At an August 8 press conference attended by more than a dozen law enforcement and public safety officials, city spokesman Brian Wheeler said […]

Anniversary prep: City on lockdown

During the weekend of August 10-12, the anniversary of last summer’s violent and fatal clashes, the city will be on lockdown—or so it seems. Interim City Manager Mike Murphy today announced additional measures that will affect many people in the downtown Charlottesville area during the Unite the Right anniversary weekend, including closing city parks and […]

Philanthropic windfall: Library gets $1 million bequest 

By Jonathan Haynes The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library was the unexpected beneficiary of a nearly $1 million bequest from one of its Friends of the Library Endowment Fund patrons earlier this year. The donation came from the estate of Nancy Swygert. Despite the large sum, Swygert and her husband lived a frugal life, never having children […]

Living Picks: Week of July 25-31

Nonprofit Gearharts Chocolates Summer Open House Saturday, July 28 Tour the local chocolate purveyor’s production facility and get a taste of chocolates and other locally made treats. A portion of the day’s sales will benefit the CASPCA. Free, 11am-5pm. Gearharts Fine Chocolates, 243-B Ridge McIntire Rd. 972-9100. Food & Drink Brews with a View Wednesday, […]

In brief: Local Park Place, park monikers, parking suit and more

Mansion sweet mansion Wondering what to do with the extra millions you’ve got lying around the house? Buy a new one! Edgemont, a Palladian-inspired pad built in 1796 and surrounded by 570 acres of farmland, “is a home whose design is reputed to be the only remaining private residence attributed to Thomas Jefferson,” according to […]

Inspector gadget: CVEC deploys its first survey drones

By Jonathan Haynes This year’s transmission line inspection from the Central Virginia Electric Cooperative was decidedly more low-key than in previous efforts, when the company used a piloted helicopter to make the rounds. In fact, local residents likely have no idea the weeks-long process was taking place, as CVEC deployed an unmanned aerial system to […]

Living Picks: Week of July 11-17

Nonprofit CASPCA benefit Thursday, July 12 Dining out can benefit more than your stomach: Mention Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA on July 12, and 10 percent of your check at Bonefish Grill will go to animals-in-need. Price varies, 11am-10pm. Bonefish Grill, 269 Connor Dr. 975-3474. Food & Drink Anniversary party Saturday, July 14 Albemarle CiderWorks is hosting a […]

Virginia craft beer pioneer focuses on the people

By Jenny Gardiner and Sashank Sankar It seems that thinking small is the key for Charlottesville native Mark Thompson and his wife, Gina, who recently opened Brewing Tree Beer Company on the Brew Ridge Trail, in Nelson County. Thompson, who co-founded Starr Hill Brewery (the second-oldest craft brewery in the state) nearly 20 years ago […]

ARTS Pick: Trey Anastasio Trio ready to jam out

If the Trey Anastasio Trio doesn’t ring a bell, Phish will connect the dots—and hopefully not just for the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor named after the band. Anastasio is a founding member of the jam-rock dynamo, and solo he’s dabbled in nearly every field of music, from playing in symphony orchestras to writing […]