Away went the manger

Dear Ace: I’m a Charlottesville native who moved away for 10 years during that time a controversy over the Nativity Scene at Lee Park began. I’m wondering, what became of the statues/figures/stable/fencing, etc.?—Mary Anne Joseph Mary Anne: Oh, how Ace loves a controversy. If there’s a conversation brewing about genetic engineering, Ace will be there. […]

Pringle bells

Dear Ace: What are the best items to donate to the food bank? Some people patronizingly donate uber-healthy items that they think the recipients should eat; I like to drop in a 3 lb. can of SpaghettiOs for the kids. What to do?—Gerald Food Gerald: You know, this question sounds suspiciously like you’re wanting Ace […]

The upside of the downturn

If you’re like me, you’ve spent the last six months in the glow of computer screens that shine slumping graphs onto your bewildered face, mumbling the day’s TED spread in your sleep and generally trying not to freak out as we ride out our sputtering economy as Amelia Earhart surely rode out her Lockheed Electra. […]

Ryan has hoops on upswing

In Debbie Ryan’s 32nd season as head coach, UVA women’s basketball team (5-2) is once again showing signs of greatness—albeit inconsistently. After the Cavaliers knocked off women’s basketball powerhouse Tennessee in Knoxville on November 17, they fell to Old Dominion in their next game. “I don’t think we got over [the Tennessee win] fast enough,” […]

McGehee leaves local Habitat

In January, Overton McGehee, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville, will take his talents to Richmond, where he will serve as executive director of the state Habitat for Humanity organization. The state organization works with the 51 habitat chapters in Virginia as well as working on legislation. Come January, Overton McGehee will […]

City, county compromise on water studies

It took a couple of hours, but at a rare joint meeting on November 25, Charlottesville’s City Council was able to work out a compromise with the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors that both sides hope will appease skeptical citizens without holding up the City and county residents will pay for a $25,000 pipeline review […]

Let the Fifth District recount begin

As expected, Virgil Goode did not go gently into that good night. Down 745 votes to his Democratic challenger Tom Perriello, Goode filed paperwork last week in Albemarle County Circuit Court (the home of his opponent, as required by federal law) and set in motion the recount process for the Fifth District Congressional race. Goode […]