Spring again, but when? Groundhog Day and the shifting of the seasons
Groundhog Day sounds like a joke, and it usually is. What kind of holiday is named after a rodent named after a pig? There’s little that’s noble about the groundhog, […]
The vision thing: What do cats and dogs actually see?
Centuries of domestic breeding have resulted in cats and dogs that come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. If you have a favorite breed, there’s a good […]
Liquid gold: Local cidery and coffee roaster garner national awards
On Friday, January 17, Albemarle CiderWorks and Mudhouse Coffee Roasters scored top honors in the 2020 Good Food Awards in San Francisco. Among more than 2,000 entrants, the cidery and […]
All in the family: The Smiths strike again!
Afton Mountain Vineyards announced a second label this week: Monticello Wine Company. Founded as a winemaking cooperative in Charlottesville in 1873, the historic brand became the largest winery in the […]
Chairman of the boards: Local teacher launches Virginia’s first high school skateboarding program
On one of those fall days that starts out cool and warms up in the afternoon, hinting at the change of seasons, a group of 15 to 20 young skateboarders […]
Out & about: Food, fun, and philanthropy
Ready to take a breather after the holiday bustle? Sorry—no rest for the weary. Besides, you’ll feel better if you get up and go, go, go with so many good […]
Raise a glass to 2019: Winemakers reflect on a great vintage
Like all agricultural endeavors, growing grapes is subject to the vicissitudes of weather. In Virginia, after a difficult 2018 harvest (because of rain, rain, and more rain), 2019 was good—some […]
Emu update: Merry Christmas, Gladys, wherever you are
On November 29, the day after Thanksgiving, we posted a story about Gladys the emu and the Cathcarts of Albemarle County. That holiday had been incomplete for the family, because […]
Hometown hero: Local chef wins big, restaurant openings at Stonefield, and more
The next time you find yourself at Duner’s, raise a glass to executive chef Laura Fonner, who took home a big prize on a recent charitable rendition of the Food […]
Social fabric: Restored sewing machines are a lifeline for refugees
This is a story about sewing machines and a woman who repairs and gives them to Charlottesville’s refugees. That might sound like a paltry gift. But to a refugee who […]