June 2010: Real Estate

 Even though the word “foreclosure” has lost much of its stigma in recent years, thanks to Wall Street recklessness and subsequent bailouts, it’s still a state most homeowners would prefer to avoid. Not only does foreclosure wreck a homeowner’s credit score for years to come, but the very word conjures up feelings of failure. (Banks’ […]

June 2010: Rental Rescue

If renters are lucky enough to inherit some usable outdoor space, be it patio, yard or balcony, many would not think to sink any resources into their not-so-great outdoors. I am fortunate to have a standard square, wooden deck off the back of my house that overlooks the backyard. I crave the first day of […]

June 2010: Toolbox

Now that you’ve collected some must-have D.I.Y. home improvement tools from all the good advice you’ve garnered from Toolbox, you need somewhere to put them: a toolbox, of course! As per usual, the hardware store is filled with more options than are necessary. The old standby is the classic wooden tool caddy. With its small, […]

June 2010: Action at the edges

 Thirty-one years ago, Roger Voisinet moved to Charlottesville from Montreal. He lived near Sugar Hollow, at one end of the single road that bears many names: Sugar Hollow Road, Garth Road, Barracks Road, Preston Avenue, and Market Street.    “Like any newcomer, I would explore the city,” he remembers. One fall day, he was biking […]

May 2010: Fashion

Warming trend Lille Smallwood wears a Bantu one-piece bathing suit ($120) and Sonja R. rings ($48 each) from Derriere de Soie (105 E. Main St., 977-7455).   Suit yourself Meredith Heiderman wears an Aloha Navy Paisley bikini from Duo ($38, 101 Elliewood Ave., 979-1212).   Splash of color Broocks Willich wears a Mouillé fuschia bikini […]

May 2010: Accessories

 Carry on!*     Lands’ End canvas tote from Sears ($25, Fashion Square Mall, 974-8240)     First row: Merona Printed Canvas Tote from Target ($12.99, 3290 Seminole Trail, 964-0231); Reduce Reuse Recycle tote from O’Suzannah ($32, 114 Fourth St. NE, 979-7467) Second row: Sea Bags Anchor Tote from Sustain ($220, 406 W. Main St., 244-0028); Metallic […]

Malbec and the best of both worlds

For once, France can’t take any credit for the success of one of its own grapes. Once upon a time, Malbec was from France and not given much at- tention, but the neglected grape found a happy home in Argentina where it gets to bask in both sunshine and limelight. The arrangement seems ideal: Country […]

Still hip to be on the Square

Folks over in Crozet have been working on the railroad. Er, rather, the railroad issue. In early May, Buckingham Branch Rail- road, the company that leases Crozet’s Square area from CSX, put the kibosh on patrons parking there. Claiming liability issues, BBRR gave businesses on The Square—including Fardowners and Mud- house—30 days to get used […]