Culture

Retracing and rethinking

I’m a sucker for a historical walking tour. Treading where our forebears trod to see current spaces through their historical context reshapes our understanding of places that we thought we knew. Such experiences enable us to learn, in greater detail, about people of the past whose lives were very different from our own. The Albemarle […]

Kristie Smeltzer | July 23, 2025

Culture Living

Healing within and beyond

Living in a college town comes with challenges (think crosswalks on the Corner between classes). It also comes with wonderful benefits, such as access to the expertise and research of renowned faculty members through UVA Lifetime Learning programs. What Participating online in UVA Lifetime Learning’s Meditation, Altered States, and After-Death Communication event. Why Interest in […]

Kristie Smeltzer | June 11, 2025

Arts Culture

Live Arts’ Waterworks is packed with fringy fun

From May 15 through May 31, Live Arts’ third annual Waterworks celebrates new work, while featuring original performances and diverse voices.  “When I describe the festival,” says Live Arts Artistic Director Susan E. Evans, “[I say] it’s Charlottesville’s response to the Fringe. It’s not exactly a fringe festival in some ways, but it has that […]

Kristie Smeltzer | May 21, 2025

Arts Culture

Throwing as a creative act

A special kind of satisfaction can be found in making something useful. As one of the oldest human crafts, pottery still employs techniques that have changed very little from those used thousands of years ago. Ever since City Clay opened in the Silk Mills Building, I’ve wanted to take a class there. This spring, I […]

Kristie Smeltzer | May 14, 2025

Arts Culture

All hail the queens

It’s not every day that one gets to meet stage royalty. In that respect, drag shows offer a unique opportunity to connect with multiple monarchs at once. I’ve always been intrigued by drag, but had never attended a live show. I voted for drag diva Shangela on the reg when she performed on “Dancing with […]

Kristie Smeltzer | April 16, 2025

Culture Living

Escaping the Dungeon of Fire

Cville Escape Room cvilleescaperoom.com For many of us, the winter doldrums make us particularly susceptible to adventure’s siren song. Answering the call often takes the form of vacations to warmer climes, but for those looking for something less typical (that might be easier on the budget than a full-blown vacation), solving an escape room may […]

Kristie Smeltzer | March 12, 2025

Culture Food & Drink

Gearharts desire

There is something magical about chocolate. I used to spend every Sunday with my Nana, and these visits included a chocolate treat or two from her sweets jar on the gold-speckled white Formica counter. In my youth, my dad was my best Valentine (yes, I’ve been to therapy)—he bought Mom, my sister, and me fancy […]

Kristie Smeltzer | February 12, 2025

Culture Living

Putting a fine point on self-care

When someone said “acupuncture” to me, the image that used to come to mind was Pinhead from Hellraiser. With maturity, though, I’ve developed an earnest desire to try traditional Chinese medicine. In the new year, the new me decided to take a stab at acupuncture (sorry!). What Getting acupuncture through Common Ground’s community services. Why […]

Kristie Smeltzer | January 15, 2025