Independence DOA

Dear Ace: It’s well known that Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died within an hour of each other on the Fourth of July in 1826. What other famous Americans expired on the holiday?—Patrician-Mortician-in-Charlottesville Ace wonders if every classic American patriot—statesman, war hero, spaghetti Western character actor, etc.—secretly hopes his life’s trajectory will end on […]

The cost of dredging South Fork

During a June 22 meeting of the Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority (RWSA), Casey Burch, a project manager for HDR Engineering, shared results of the firm’s Dredging Feasibility Study. All told, Burch wagered that a one-time dredge of the South Fork Reservoir could cost between $34 million and $40.2 million—and subsequent dredging might be more […]

WTJU DJs fear new management threatens "unique" programming

WTJU is like a box of chocolates. Can it stay that way? The management at UVA’s community radio station continues to face widespread consternation among its volunteer staff about a proposed set of changes that DJs fear would bring an end to free-form programming, long a hallmark of the station and its culture. “It seems […]

Virginia pols stay quizzical

As we ease into this year’s post-primary, pre-election lull, we can’t help but gaze back at the first half of this eventful year. And as we do, we’re struck by all of the curious and outrageous news items that we somehow failed to cover the first time around.  So, as a public service to Virginia’s […]

The education of Melissa Close-Hart

 As the morning fog lifts from the rolling hills of Barboursville Vineyards, Melissa Close-Hart, executive chef at the Palladio Restaurant, is busy opening boxes of fresh local produce with her sous chef, Mike Yager, and three assistants. Later, from this assortment of basil, mint and mushrooms, they’ll prepare fresh garnishes for their handmade pastas and […]