Fake it until you make it

Seeing as this week’s cover package is all about Virginia’s festivals, it’s worth considering festivals happening elsewhere that outdo local ones. It was with that in mind—partially, at least—that I headed down to the Tar Heel State last weekend to the Hopscotch Festival, an indie rock-centric festival (sponsored by a newspaper very much like this […]

Here today, better tomorrow

We all love the atmosphere and convenience of Charlottesville’s many great dining spots, but sometimes it’s hard to beat the ambiance of your kitchen table and the convenience of dining in your bathrobe. What’s more, some foods actually improve overnight. Here are five local dishes that taste even better with just a little age on […]

Small Bites

Up goes Tempo We’ve been keeping our eye on Tempo, the restaurant due to open by March in the former Ventana space, but typical of most openings, there was a delay. Last we’d heard, the space was ready, but owner Stuart Cunningham was still looking for his chef. Casting a wide net, Cunningham posted ads […]

Once cup at a time

Forget everything you know about tea. Forget Lipton, Snapple and Ginger Kombucha. Milk and honey are now taboo terms and any allusion to a “tea bag” will be considered sacrilege. From now on, tea, as Olivia Pushkareva puts it, “is life.” Tea teacher Olivia Pushkareva leads classes on tea ceremonies at the Twisted Branch Tea […]

Get thee to the Greek

Ironic that the cradle of all things civilized, including wine, should only now be experiencing a renaissance in winemaking. But since its B.C. days of fueling bacchanalias and famous philosophers, Greek wine became something of a tragedy.    Winespeak 101 Amphorae (n.): A vase-shaped ceramic container with two handles and a narrow neck used to transport and […]

NEW! Fall 2011: PICKS

Love schtick Leaves falling from the trees, snuggly sweaters and cool, crisp autumn air—it’s the perfect recipe for romance, no? This fall, cozy up to your special someone and keep these tips, from Angelo owners Pam and Lee Marraccini, in mind. More than 35 years of marriage and they own, of all things, a jewelry […]

NEW! Fall 2011: Bright’s ideas

It’s 2pm on Sunday afternoon and Jackie Bright is in her Seventh Street office. This isn’t unusual. In fact, for her, it’s downright normal to be working in the off-hours. Effectiveness, she says, doesn’t always happen 9 to 5.   “I really do try to work when I feel inspired. If I can’t focus, then […]

NEW! Fall 2011: Check her bag

A Charlottesvillian born and raised, 39-year-old Andrea Copeland is the Community Resource Coordinator for National College, the founder of local production company Positive Channels and the chairperson for Quadruplicity, an annual conference for professional women balancing career, life, money and health. Needless to say, she’s busy. Here, we take a peek in her purse.—Caite White […]

NEW! Fall 2011: From Here to Maternity

 One of the surest ways to make new friends is by having a baby. The pregnant belly is like a beacon for new buddies. You’ll end up with 25 new Facebook friends from your prenatal yoga class alone, and later find yourself at a park, shouting all the gory details of your labor and delivery […]

NEW! Fall 2011: Like Sisters

You want to save her, don’t you? You’re a good super-friend. You probably inherited it like I did. I’ve got a good bit of my grandmother in me. Not the part that ate like a bird, but the part where she squinted her eyes and helped you plan your escape. Hardship made her crafty. Until […]