Treasures and unusual nooks are hidden behind a secret door (that doubles as a bookcase) on the top floor of Nana and BoBana’s North Downtown house. Greta, Collette, Harper and Holden, ages 3 months to 6 years, are the bright-eyed grandchildren who visit Jackie and John Binder (Nana and BoBana, respectively) in their cozy and […]
Treasures and unusual nooks are hidden behind a secret door (that doubles as a bookcase) on the top floor of Nana and BoBana’s North Downtown house. Greta, Collette, Harper and Holden, ages 3 months to 6 years, are the bright-eyed grandchildren who visit Jackie and John Binder (Nana and BoBana, respectively) in their cozy and […]
There is no more pedestrian vegetable than the potato. It is the tuber, or root, of the Solanum tuberosum plant, which is a member of the nightshade family that is native to South America. Indigenous populations in Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador have cultivated potatoes for several thousand years. The potato has taken root most […]
“I don’t throw away things that still have life in them.” With that simple credo, Peggy Mucklo explains why she chose her house. The 1825 log cabin—moved from Milam, West Virginia, and reconstructed on her land near Lovingston—was in remarkably good shape when she found it nearly 20 years ago. But more than that, it […]
One of the main dilemmas if you’re in the market for a home is whether to build a new home or buy an existing one. The choice depends on what is important to the buyer—and on finances—but the good news is that either has some advantages, even in this economy. Building a home from scratch […]
When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. When life hands you a small living room, make do. Highlight a room’s focal points, like a fireplace, and bring furniture into the center of the room, anchored by an area rug. Even a small or narrow space (below) can have a sense of openness if large pieces […]
Ernest Hemingway once said, “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you.” This is especially true for Toan Nguyen. A French citizen until he was 18, the C’ville Coffee owner feels a special connection to […]
The Nazis at the Terezin concentration camp took a cruel sort of pleasure in hearing the motley chorus of Jews sing a dramatic piece of music about death. The Jewish prisoners, for their part, relished the opportunity to sing a passionate work to their oppressors about what awaits sinners come judgment day. Both emotions were […]
Meat makeover The all-American hamburger is a) named after a German city and b) contains no ham. If thoughts like these keep you awake at night, it may be time to visit the Main Street Market’s Organic Butcher, where manager Robert Collins and his staff can hook you up with a variety of locally raised […]
If you feel that signing up for one of the six local CSAs is a bit like playing a game of musical chairs, one Albemarle farm is doing its part to make sure everyone finds a seat at the Community Supported Agriculture table. Says Bellair Farm CSA Manager Jamie Barrett, “Our goal is to connect […]
Reko Rennie’s (pictured) graffiti installation opens at the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection this week. Rennie and Native American Artist Frank Buffalo Hyde will also collaborate on a mural, which will be unveiled at The Bridge/PAI in February. High drama was in the air at the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection last week when I went to […]