Month: August 2005

Dwight Yoakam had the look: long and lean with the big cowboy hat and the facial demeanor that suggested lonely and liking it. He had the voice: that extra little twang that suggests an education away from the schoolhouse.

 If you have yet to see Wedding Crashers, Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson play a pair of irreverent marriage counselors, and the opening scene is a funny mediation session between the lead characters and a couple in the midst of an ugly divorce and their lawyers. You have to pay attention, because the scene is dominated by Vaughn and Wilson, but Dwight Yoakam plays the future ex-husband who is about to lose his frequent flyer miles.

In the mid-1980s, Time magazine called Dwight Yoakam a renaissance man. A renaissance man possesses many talents, and in Dwight’s case that is hard to deny. But I would say that Yoakam is a musician who takes professional risks out of necessity. When he busted on the scene in 1984 with his EP A Town South of Bakersfield, he was already so rooted in the Bakersfield sound that he could have been Buck Owens incarnate. He had the look: long and lean with the big cowboy hat and the facial demeanor that suggested lonely and liking it. He had the voice: that extra little twang that suggests an education away from the schoolhouse. And he had the third element of the triple crown: that guitar player—Pete Anderson—who can turn a tune into a hit.

Yoakam was born in Kentucky in Pikesville Hospital, the same birthplace as Patty Loveless, but three months earlier. He was raised in Columbus, Ohio, and his mother owned a good record collection including the essentials: Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Buck Owens. After a brief stint at Ohio State, Dwight moved to Nashville where the scene was awash in the success of Urban Cowboy and a little too polished for his liking. Yoakam hooked up with guitarist Anderson there, and together they moved out to Los Angeles where Yoakam’s rootsy country music fit in nicely with some of the roots music purveyors of the punk rock scene, musicians like Dave Alvin and The Blasters, Los Lobos and X. The punk scenes in L.A. and New York each tended to be inclusive of other styles of music, as long as they were genuine. The New York scene included the Latino influence in Mink Deville and Garland Jeffries, and some reggae as well. L.A.’s roots rock was based on “American Music.”

Four years later, Yoakam’s debut EP was released. That was the time when MCA Records President Tony Brown had begun signing new, traditional-sounding country acts in Nashville, and Music City seemed a bit more interested in its own family tree. Brown typically gets credit for signing Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle, Nanci Griffith and others to MCA, ushering in a period of neo-traditionalism in country music.

In 1986, Reprise Records re-released Yoakam’s EP as Guitars, Cadillacs, etc. etc… with extra tracks. Even the title suggests that Yoakam was no slave to country music’s legacy, and it was well received by not only country audiences, but by rock audiences as well. The CD got a lot of play on college radio. Dwight’s first single was a cover of Johnny Horton’s “Honky Tonk Man” that made it to No. 3 on the country music charts. His next LP release in 1987, Hillbilly Deluxe, had four Top 10 hits, and in 1988 Dwight hit No. 1 with Buck Owens’ “Streets of Bakersfield.” In the music business, a No. 1 song is a very big deal, and it solidified Yoakam’s position as a star. Dwight’s sound was not original, but it was very genuine, and his tunes were so good that his appeal was extensive.

Yoakam’s records steadily garnered fans and in 1993, he released his most popular record to date, the fantastic This Time, with its perfect blend of commercial honky tonk tunes, radio-friendly production and extraordinary musicianship.

The fact is, Yoakam was making his living with someone else’s musical style. Twenty years had passed since Owens was writing hits, and Yoakam was so naturally adept at the music that it may have seemed that you were listening to this great new Bakersfield sound for the first time. But to sustain his career, he had to take chances, though not necessarily big chances (Dwight’s ambient record is still in the can). Still, he needed to take some risks to keep the audience’s attention. As an artist you can lead fans down unexplored paths a little at a time and that is what Yoakam has always been savvy enough to do.

He tried his hand at acting, getting small parts in very fine movies like Red Rock West and putting in a memorable performance in the sleeper hit Sling Blade. He had unquestionable success in the movie business and in 2000, Yoakam wrote, directed and acted in South of Heaven, West of Hell. The movie had a wildly eccentric cast, including Bridget Fonda, Billy Bob Thornton and Paul Reubens, and both critics and audiences were cool toward it. Nevertheless, Yoakam had his writing and directorial debut under his belt. O.K., John Mellencamp has directed a movie and James Carville has written a children’s book. But one thing that you cannot say about Yoakam is that he lacks ambition. Dwight has said about movies, “Films are miracles in no minor way when they come to fruition at all.”

South of Heaven, West of Hell was not the only thing that Dwight had under his belt, because he ended up in a relationship with co-star Fonda. That relationship ended in 2002, very close to the release of Population Me, a record that Dwight says is about “taking care of yourself first.”

Dwight’s professional life took a turn as well when he finished out his contract with Reprise Records with a record of covers, Used Cuts, and suddenly had some decisions to make about how his music was going to get out to the people. Audium Records in Nashville approached Yoakam with the opportunity of starting his own label, and the deal was sealed when Dwight set up Electrodisc-Audium to release his own records and those of anyone else he might care to endorse. Population Me, Yoakam’s 17th record, was the first release on the newly established label. Dwight’s newest release, Blame The Vain, is on the good New West label that also offers discs of Delbert McClinton, John Hiatt and Buddy Miller.

Population Me was followed very closely by his split with Anderson who, besides being his longtime guitarist, also produced his records. The two had been together since their days in Nashville before either had a record; in some ways they could be considered the country music version of Mick and Keith, although Anderson’s public profile was always extremely low. Anderson produced most of Dwight’s records and he gave that music a sound that was always spare, yet incredibly interesting to listen to. He was the Fender-bending icing on Dwight’s honky tonk cupcakes. The duo claim in public that the split was about creative differences, but they ended up in court to have their creative differences sorted out, so you, the listener, can make that call.

Yoakam takes production credit for his most recent CD, Blame The Vain, which came out in June. The studio band is the same band that will appear at the Pavilion on August 20 and they are very good. New guitarist Keith Gattis sure sounds like a student of Anderson, especially when it comes to finding those low notes. Drummer Mitch Marine is strong and can likely play with anybody, and reports say that bassist Taras Prodaniuk plays the upright live, which should be great.

When I first picked up Blame The Vain, I had to look twice to make sure I had not gotten a Roxy Music record. The artwork throughout is highly stylized, featuring a gamalicious brunette model who is posed to resemble a mannequin. (Is that Dwight’s Jerry Hall?) And then there is Dwight. Designer duds and pouty poses refer to the CD title, but I might have preferred that Dwight not make a personal appearance on the cover.

Blame The Vain kicks off with the rockin’ title track that sounds like an amped-up Byrds meets Richard Thompson tune with beautiful droning guitar. And my hat goes off to Dwight’s songwriting: He can still sneak a nice bridge into a tune, which seems to have gone missing on the radio these days. A pure country music waltz, “Lucky That Way,” a la Merle follows. “Intentional Heartache” seems like a real stab at a hit single. It is a tune about a wife who is pissed off about the breakup of her marriage, and she drives to North Carolina to toss her ex’s stuff, including his boots and a signed Dale Jr. poster, into his mother’s yard. Dwight nods to Buck Owens on “Does It Show,” right down to the lyrics about “love’s biggest clown.” “Three Good Reasons” is the shuffle that Dwight can write in his sleep, and “Just Passing Time” and “I’ll Pretend” can each separate a drunk at the bar from all of his spare quarters.

Yoakam claims that he had The Beatles on his mind when he was writing this record, and “She’ll Remember” is the first piece of evidence, with its weird John Cale spoken-word lyric over the rhythm of “Tomorrow Never Knows,” and then the sudden shift into an interestingly arranged Yoakam original. But even the drum fill could have come from Ringo. And “When I First Came Here” has a conspicuously Beatles feel.

Lyrically, the record is as focused on the breakup of relationships and the pain that follows as it can be. Except for the title tune, which is a rumination on blame, every tune is a sore lament about a lover not turning out as expected. Does Dwight expect us to think that his personal life is not in these songs?

The final three songs begin: “When I first came here I was empty, lost and weak;” “Watch how she tore me apart;” and “Take her away, but don’t let her see me.” Though one can make the assumption that the end of a relationship found its way into these songs, Yoakam says, “I don’t journal my life. I don’t find it that interesting.”

For all of Blame’s alleged restlessness, the tunes that make the record are still the ones that conjure up Buck Owens in his heyday. Few artists change music from the inside out, and do it in a way that takes millions of fans with them. Bach, The Beatles, James Brown, Bob Marley—they were all making music from the influence of others, and yet they managed to internalize the music to such a degree that they transformed it into something completely new.

Like his L.A. peers Los Lobos, Dwight has tried spinning his musical career in different directions, but he always comes back to Point A, that is, guitars and Cadillacs. Los Lobos, on the other hand, have radically shifted direction numerous times from the traditional La Pistola, to the rock-meets-Tejano of The Neighborhood, to the very Waitsy Colossal Head. While the Lobos may have sacrificed part of their audience to pursue new directions, Dwight has always been on point commercially. And although there may not be tunes as picture perfect as “Little Ways” and “Johnson’s Love” from the early albums, Dwight is still writing good, strong tunes after 20 years.

Dwight has sold 23 million records altogether—go ahead and count them. If that is not a sign of vitality, then what is? Fans have stayed with him for all those years and records. And I have never talked to one person who said that they went to see Dwight and had a so-so time. So get that Keith Urban CD out of the player, and come see a performer with a genuine connection to country music’s tradition. Dwight can be considered The Mailman of country music because he always delivers. It’s going to be a very good time. Dwight Yoakam and his band will be at tshe Charlottesville Pavilion on Saturday, August 20.

WHO: Dwight Yoakam

WHAT: A country superstar who has consistantly delivered since the early 1980s

WHEN: Saturday, August 20, 7:30pm

WHERE: Charlottesville Pavilion, east end of the Downtown Mall

HOW MUCH: $27-41.50

MORE INFO: 800-594-TIXX;

www.charlottesvillepavilion.com

 

Mr. Yoakam goes to Hollywood

Dwight’s filmography

Red Rock West (1992)

Played a truck driver in this thriller about a hitman hired to kill an unfaithful wife. Directed by John Dahl.

The Little Death (1995)

Played Bobby Lomax in this mildly entertaining, but predictable, thriller. Directed by Jan Verheyen.

Sling Blade (1996)

Played Doyle Hargraves in this drama about a traumatized man starting over in a small town. Directed by Billy Bob Thornton.

Painted Hero (1997)

Played Virgil Kidder in this drama about rodeo riders. Directed by Terry Benedict.

The Newton Boys (1998)

Played Brentwood Glasscock in the 1920s action film about bank robbers. Directed by Richard Linklater.

The Minus Man (1999)

Played Detective Blair in this serial killer drama starring Owen Wilson. Directed by Hampton Fancher.

South of Heaven, West of Hell (2000)

Directed and starred as Valentine Casey in this critically panned Western, which he also wrote.

Panic Room (2002)

Played Raoul in the summer blockbuster thriller starring Jodie Foster. Directed by David Fincher.

Hollywood Homicide (2003)

Played Leroy Wasley in this LAPD crime film about a rap murder starring Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett. Directed by Ron Shelton.

3-Way (2004)

Played Herbert in the sexy noir-thriller remake of Gil Brewer’s pulp novel Wild to Possess.

The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005)

Played Sheriff Belmont in the south-of-the-border drama
that scored big at the Cannes Film Festival. Directed by
Tommy Lee Jones.

Wedding Crashers (2005)

Played Mr. Kroeger in the bachelors-behaving-badly comedy starring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. Directed by David Dobkin.—Anne Metz

Dear Ace: I’ve got central air in my house as well as a car that dips down to Kelvin if need be, and I’m hardly surviving this summer. Tell me, how are the homeless dealing with the heat wave?—Sympathetic Sweater

Sweater: Heat wave?!? What heat wave? Then again, when you’re as ice cold as Ace, it’s hard to keep track of the temperature outside. But as he checked the weather forecast, Ace detected that local temperatures had been in the 90s for about 12 straight days. So, for folks without their own climate controlled Atkins compound, outdoor conditions must have been dreadful.

To find out how the homeless population (officially counted at 156) has been dealing with the heat, Ace contacted his friend Evan Scully at the Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless.

It turns out that local organizations have been able to adequately provide the homeless with a place to cool off and rehydrate during the most dangerous part of the day. Scully says, “The accessible, air-conditioned local soup kitchens offer food, water and air-conditioning during the midday heat.”

Despite the triple-digit heat index, the TJACH did not report any health ailments due to the weather. (Ace gets a rash just thinking about a 110-degree heat index!) And even though it’s been hot, temperatures have not been hot enough to open an emergency air-conditioned shelter for the homeless.

According to Scully, the Salvation Army is the primary provider for the homeless population. Surprising to Ace, the Salvation Army reports that resident numbers have not increased with the recent heat spell. In addition to fulfilling its regular mission of providing shelter residents with food, water, showers and an air-conditioned environment, Major Bruce Smith, the executive director of the Salvation Army, says the shelter has “been distributing electric fans to families in need that are not eligible for social services.”

For the homeless and the homed alike, the good news is that, if you believe the weather folks, the heat wave should be over for the summer. And just in time, too. Ace was starting to think he’d have to haul his chill self all around the city, just to keep things cool.

Look closer.

All around you, in the thick of the city and the wide-open expanse of the county, you’re missing something wonderful. It’s right in front of your eyes. You just have to stop and see, really see, what you can find.

That’s the idea behind “You Are Where?” Sure, it’s a popular visual trivia contest that’s been running in C-VILLE every week for the past 16 months. (This week’s cover, for those of you playing at home, depicts the humongous chicken outside Lumpkin’s Restaurant in Scottsville.) But “You Are Where?” also reminds us that perspective is everything; there’s beauty or strangeness or sharp architectural details all around, if you just know how to look for them.

Our go-to guy for “You Are Where?” is Andrew Hersey. His eye for finding the extraordinary in the ordinary is showcased in the 13 samples on these pages, some of our recent favorites. And while we’re on the subject of fine-tuning our view, we want you to get to know Hersey’s work a bit better. His current exhibit, up through September 30 in the Fifth Floor Gallery at Keller Williams, is more delicate and moody than his “You Are Where? work (see sidebar, page 22). Turning to empty spaces, he manages to uncover the tone and energy that fills them—qualities that become apparent only when you look closer.—The Editors

 

1. Where there’s smoke…

This sculpture (built in honor of a very independent local bigwig) sits atop a structure that hasn’t seen much use in the past decade.

2. Trunk show

Was that really a par two? Don’t cheat on your scorecard or this tusk customer will get you…

3. Bell of the ball

Nope, you’re not in Philly. Local ladders and hoses give this replica a ringing endorsement.

4. Memorial service

The road to this memorial was paved with donations exceeding $168,000. Don’t speed past its construction zone at the base of a mount.

5. American graffiti

Find this face at a small-town park named after an industrious mountain-digging engineer from the 19th century.

6. Not-ready-for-primetime place

Until recently, cameras and surveillance equipment kept watch on this building, but now it’s home to financial experts.

7. Stranger in the knight

Long ago the Black Knight lived down the “Lane,” but found this new home in the 1970s.

8. Filing a suit

You might be “suited” to know the “place” to find this piece of art.

9. Horsin’ around

Students of Virginia history know that this “Traveler” and his rider are both buried at a Lexington school that bears one of their names.

10. Light up your life

This bright idea first graced a 1931 city landmark in 1983 and was updated in 1999. Each of the four beacons includes 96 points of light to illuminate a field of dreams.

11. On guard

This vehicle won’t be firing on anyone anymore, but the occupants of the building behind it are always on guard.

12. Choose your path

Take a leisurely stroll up a “little mountain” by following this pathway.

13. Come sail away

This venture started by a local celebrity millionaire will get you going with food and gas.

 

Behind the lens
How photographer Andrew Hersey develops

With his black-rimmed Jean-Paul Sartre glasses and an intensely angular face, you need only one look at Andrew Hersey to know that he is an artist.

Most C-VILLE readers know Hersey’s work from the popular “You Are Where?” contest. However, Hersey’s current show, now exhibited at Keller Williams law firm, hearkens to his artistic roots. It features images of decaying interiors and solitary, alienated waif figures. The untitled show, which runs through September 30, is thematically concerned with the individual’s need for solitude and separation.

Born in Waynesboro, Hersey has split his adult life between Charlottesville and the Shenandoah Valley. Completely self-taught, he considers himself primarily a painter, but like most artists, over his 23-year career he has migrated to other mediums.

In the 1990s Hersey moved to Charlottesville from Staunton. As an artist in residence at the McGuffey Art Center, he began to feel listless as a painter. His work at the time started to feel less like art and more like a job, he says now. So he tried photography to ward off the artistic doldrums. Shortly after picking up his camera, he unveiled a show at McGuffey titled “Abandoned and Darkened,” which featured images of quiet, discarded interiors. Hersey cites his move to photography as a natural progression of his artistic temperament; the new medium, he says, “felt totally invigorating.”

Instinctual and spontaneous, Hersey’s playful approach to photography shines through in his “You Are Where?” photos, as well as in his private work. His images affect the viewer with a riddle-like disorientation of space that is normally familiar, even banal. Of his “You Are Where?” photographs, Hersey mentions that he rarely develops an idea of a specific angle ahead of time, but prefers that the shot be driven by the shifting mood, light and lines of the location.

Hersey considers his lack of technical knowledge as advantageous to his work. Art being like life, he says, “I enjoy not knowing what I am doing sometimes.”—Anne Metz

 

 

ANSWERS

1.   The statue on top of the coal tower

2.   The elephant sculpture at the

   Rio Road Putt-Putt

3.   The Liberty Bell replica at the
   Ridge Street fire station

4.   The VDOT memorial at the base

   of Afton Mountain

5.   Claudius Crozet Park

6.   The SNL Building, formerly the

   National Ground Intelligence Center

7.   The Black Knight logo at

   Charlottesville High School

8.   The “Business as Usual” Art In Place

   statue on Emmet Street

9.   The statue at Lee Park

10.   The lights at Scott Stadium

11.   The tank outside the National

   Guard Armory on Avon Street

12.   The boardwalk footbridge

   on the Saunders-Monticello Trail

13.   The awning at Fuel on Market Street

Once again, you’ve answered our call. More than 600 people sent in C-VILLE’s “Best Of” ballots, providing invaluable assistance to our Native Guide as he sought out the greatest among the great, the best among the brightest here in Charlottesville. Naturally, there are many familiar favorites along with a few new faces, some select puns and one a propos reference to Sandra Bernhard.

 

ENTERTAINMENT

ART GALLERY
McGuffey Art Center

The McGuffey collective, housing many of the city’s visual veterans and offering regular open-studio hours, edged out galleries such as its former tenant Second Street Gallery and the now-departed Nature Visionary Arts. And with the inaugural run of its “Spotlight” series, the art center now opens its doors more than ever to the viewing public, ensuring its juggernaut status for years to come.

  

MOVIE HOUSE
The Jefferson Theater

The Downtown landmark dating from 1901 may not win for best sound system—but whether it’s the appeal of watching an art-house flick surrounded by early-20th-century murals and frieze work, or seeing major releases for a mere three bucks, the second-run theater is first in your hearts.

  

PLACE TO DANCE
R2

Rapture’s floor faced its closest competition from Club 216 and Fridays After 5. Other contenders were the new Satellite Ballroom and Outback Lodge’s Gothic dance party, The Dawning.

 

OUTDOOR RECREATION
Walnut Creek Park

This 480-acre jewel, open 365 days a year with bike trails, a boat launch, fishing and even summer canoe rentals, is one of Albemarle County’s best open spaces.

 

OUTDOOR EVENT OR FESTIVAL
Fridays After 5

Despite having a makeshift Garrett Street location for the first half of the Fridays season, the Downtown concerts showcasing your favorite local groups and the occasional rock ‘n’ roll dinosaurs withstood challenges from county fairs and a spring parade named after a certain tree. But as its new home, the open-air Charlottesville Pavilion, brings even bigger names to ticketed events, locals may start to wonder: Will the free outdoor series continue its “Best Of” winning streak next year?

 

SWIMMING POOL
ACAC

Its Adventure Central water park, off Four Seasons Drive, offers three outdoor pools, water slides and what the website calls a “park-like setting” (perhaps a tad euphemistic, considering the preponderance of pavement around the pool). The gym’s flagship facility at Albemarle Square also has an indoor pool for ACAC’s more exercise-minded members.

 

LIVE MUSIC VENUE
Starr Hill Music Hall

At three times Starr Hill’s size, and with heavy hitters already playing there, can the Charlottesville Pavilion be far behind Starr Hill in next year’s balloting? Either way, the trophy will end up in the same case, as music mogul/hyperactive developer Coran Capshaw operates both venues.

 

ROCK MUSICIAN/ BAND
Dave Matthews Band

In last year’s race, C-VILLE broke with tradition by naming Monticello Road the best local rockers—let’s face it, they needed the press more. This year’s race saw The Road closing the gap against the veteran front-runners. But with a newly released album (Stand Up) to promote, and the growing possibility that they may soon return to local stages, we’ll give DMB its just desserts this time. Coming in third were UVA-based psychedelic art-rockers Fountainhead. Bon chance à la prochaine, fellas.

FOLK MUSICIAN/ BAND
Terri Allard

Being a full-time mom evidently has
no effect on Allard’s stage energy as
she claims yet another victory, defeating newlywed runners-up Paul Curreri and Devon Sproule.

 

CLASSICAL MUSICIAN/ BAND
Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra

Conductor Carl Roskott leads CUSO in its seasonal concert series of orchestral masterworks at Old Cabell Hall, which took first chair in the contest against UVA’s many choral groups.

 

BLUEGRASS MUSICIAN/BAND
Hackensaw Boys

We might expect a letter or two from diehard bluegrass buffs about declaring this neo-Appalachian outfit the winner. But nomenclature aside, The Hacks’ populist approach is as grassy as it gits in our voters’ eyes. The local twangers-turned-Nettwerk-recording-artists are moving full steam ahead with the recent release of their fourth album, Love What You Do.

 

JAZZ MUSICIAN/BAND
John D’earth

Seeing the UVA brass-master play Thursday nights at Miller’s is a must for fans and students of modern jazz. And at least one noted local jazz player voting in our poll “trumpeted” his colleague’s work as co-leader of the Thompson D’earth Band.

 

WORLD BEAT MUSICIAN/BAND
Darrell Rose

The contest between traditional African percussionist Rose and his frequent collaborator on guitar, Corey Harris, was a close one. But with a single vote separating the two, the ever-present skin-man can sound his own “Best Of” drumbeat for a second year running.

 

DJ
Quarter-Roy

By DJs, we meant, of course, the hardworking figures keeping parties pumping from behind the stereo at many local nightspots. Regular Mas mixer Quarter-Roy (a.k.a. Patrick Jordan) snags his second win this year over club fixtures Stroud and DJ Frank Rivera. But with Quarter-Roy’s recently announced retirement from the turntables (or was that just a ploy to make us want him more?), there could be new room at the top next year.

 

ARTIST
Monty Montgomery

The founder of Cilli Original Designs and CODG gallery, Montgomery is sharp and focused, yet full of energy and ideas, much like the brightly colored, pop-influenced paintings he produces. He also offers his own clothing line. Runners up were oil-painter Robin Braun and watercolorist Lee Alter.

 

AUTHOR
John Grisham

The quixotic individual who wrote “Not John Grisham” couldn’t cancel out the best-selling author’s supporters, who bestowed on him 100 votes more than his nearest competitor, poet Rita Dove.

 

KIDS ENTERTAINMENT
Virginia Discovery Museum

Parents and kids both can appreciate the educational fun at the Downtown museum’s exhibits, like the current “Circus! Many Faces, Many Places.” Runners-up were Planet Fun and the Charlottesville Ice Park.

 

TOURIST DESTINATION
Monticello

Our Native Guide had absolutely no trouble finding this place, and apparently neither do you when it comes to entertaining visitors.

---

RETAIL

PLACE TO WORK OUT
ACAC

Long live the king!

 

SHOE STORE

Scarpa

We reported last year that Scarpa might face competition in the designer shoe market from its newly opened sister store, Great State Of. In fact, it was another newcomer, Garrett Street’s Sweet Beets Shoes, which posed the biggest challenge to the North Barracks Road “shoetique,” though Scarpa still enjoyed a comfortable lead.

 

TATTOO/PIERCING PARLOR
Acme Tattoo

The best tattoo parlors may offer none of the ambiance of a good hair salon, boutique or resort. But we’ll gladly give good ink to Acme, your favorite place for that other type of pampering—the painful type—conveniently located on Elliewood Avenue, near all the student bars so you don’t even have to make a special trip.

 

JEWELER
Angelo

Shine on, you crazy diamond stores: Local ring peddlers like Andrew Minton, Hebblethwaite, Keller & George, Reines and Tuel all received strong support. But Lee Angelo Marraccini’s Downtown business took home the gold again.

 

DRESS SHOP
Eloise

Mother-daughter team Cyd McClelland and Amy Kolbrener operate the Water Street favorite. As for the Miss Congenial-ity award, it’s anyone’s guess, with Dixie Divas, Levy’s and Pearl all vying for second place.

 

PLACE TO BUY JEANS
Gap

Apparently, the denim-lifestyle purveyor’s decision to axe “too old” Sarah Jessica Parker from the ad campagin didn’t have any influence on you jeans-wearing readers (what-ever!). Still, others resisted the machine and cast their vote for Judy B., the local boutique that, thanks to owner Judy Bushkin, made famous the phrase “Do these jeans make my butt look famous?”

 

SPA
Oasis Day Spa and Body Shop

Hair salons, massage parlors, boutiques and resorts all pamper you. But a good spa takes a little from each of these. Oasis presents a remarkably mellow and relaxed environment considering its central Water Street location. Body wraps, facials, waxings, manicures and deluxe skin-care products are just a few of its offerings. Runners-up were the Boar’s Head Inn and Rio Road’s Escapes.

 

VINTAGE CLOTHING
Bittersweet

While many businesses are setting up in the “warehouse district” south of Downtown, Shannon Iaculli’s trend-setting second-hand shop seems an especially fitting choice for Second Street’s rehabbed Glass Building. Everything about the place screams hipster—including recent commercials by local guerilla filmmaker John St. Ours.

 

ATHLETIC OUTFITTERS
Blue Ridge Mountain Sports

Save all those “athletic supporter” jokes. When people around here think athletics, they think climbing and trekking and kayaking, and for another consecutive year that adds up to BRMS in the Barracks Road Shopping Center. Runners-up include Downtown Athletic and arriviste monolith Dick’s.

 

DRY CLEANERS
Brown’s Dry Cleaners

With four locations across the city, it’s no wonder Brown’s cleans up every year! You also like “green” dry cleaners Terra Bella and Rudy’s.

 

BARRACKS ROAD STORE
Barnes & Noble Booksellers

Yes, it’s a big bad chain store, and no, you don’t care. Not only that, you love it! Or is that leaf it?

 

WINE STORE
Market Street Wineshop & Grocery

Market Street’s decisive lead over competitors might be attributed to owner Robert Harllee’s friendly personal touch, expertise, selection and a name that says it all—though with its second location near Whole Foods in Shoppers World Court, giving directions can get confusing.

 

HEALTH FOOD STORE
Whole Foods Market

The Texas-based, organic-friendly conglomerate was closely trailed in votes by Preston Plaza-based veggie sanctuary Integral Yoga, with some saying recent changes at IY had caused them to defect.

 

GROCERY STORE
Whole Foods Market

Having another store soon-to-open at Hollymead Town Center could give a much-needed boost next year to Harris Teeter, which followed Whole Foods in a close second-place.

 

FLORIST
University Florist

A rose by any other name is this repeat winner.

 

GARDEN STORE
Ivy Nursery

The greenly named town just west of Charlottesville on Route 250 seems a fitting locale for this seven-acre garden center with floral arrangements, landscape contracting, a Christmas Shop and, of course, plenty of shrubs and vines.

 

HARDWARE STORE
Martin Hardware Co.

Nuts, bolts, they have it all—and those are just the customers! But seriously, Martin’s, as we know it familiarly, must be doing something right, as it consistently beats out Lowe’s.

 

TOY STORE
Shenanigans

Stocking toys for every kid from the teeniest newborn to the brainiest ’tween, including plenty of stylish Euro playthings (Brio, Playmobil, etc.), this North Barracks mainstay took first place for another year. But with its respectable showing as a runner-up, Alakazam, new to the Downtown Mall, seems to have worked some magic of its own this year.

 

CD STORE
Plan 9

Coffee shop, in-store concerts, frequent-buyer discounts, hipster t-shirts, smarty-pants advertising, a great used selection and two locations—what’s not to love? Bonus for you trivia buffs: Plan 9 from Outer Space is the name of a 1959 film by weirdo director Ed Wood, who scrapped the original title Grave Robbers from Outer Space. And music fans have thanked him ever since.

 

YOGA STUDIO
Studio 206

Increasingly, local spaces are hopping on the yoga bandwagon—even the Central Library now hosts regular classes in “ninja yoga.” But the ones who started the boom, Chris Friedman and her gang of more than 20 instructors in yoga, Nia, Pilates, dance and more, still reign over the rest from two locations on Market Street and Monticello Road.

 

FURNITURE STORE
Under the Roof

You were expecting “Under the Board-walk”? Charlottesville loves its modern, Euro furniture.

 

ANTIQUE STORE
Circa

If that perfect conversation piece you’re looking for isn’t in your crazy packrat relatives’ attics, try the Allied Street shop, boasting a constantly changing inventory full of surprise finds, from Elvis busts to typewriters, radios, furniture and other curiosities.

 

BIKE SHOP
Performance Bicycle Shop

Performance takes the yellow jersey trailed by Blue Wheel and, in a tie, Extreme Sports and Basic Cycles.

 

USED BOOK STORE
Daedalus Bookshop

As The Washington Post discovered in a March profile of local shops, Charlottesville truly is a haven for inexpensive and slightly used reading material. Books (numbering approximately 100,000) fill nearly every available corner of the three-storey Daedalus, making it quite easy to lose yourself both figuratively and literally.

 

PLACE TO RENT MOVIES
Sneak Reviews

Whether you prefer Sarah Bernhardt or Sandra Bernhard, the Ivy Road store has the ticket, celebrating all things cinematically obscure in artsy, foreign and independent film.

 

CATERER
Hot Cakes

Sweets may be the starting point for this Barracks Road shop, but its catering menu also offers salads, stews, casseroles and ample hors d’ oeuvres.

 

REAL ESTATE AGENT
David Sloan

The word is still out on whether Sloan can cut you a better deal than the rest on buying or selling that million-dollar Albemarle home. But if you want a dealer who makes you feel at home, the Roy Wheeler agent is your man. Most anyone in town recognizes the Sloan name from the recently closed Millmont restaurant that bore it for more than 20 years, which he and his father co-founded. Sloan, a Charlottesville native and former UVA athlete, also officiates lacrosse games.

 

DOWNTOWN STORE
Cha Chas

Apparently many Downtown shoppers are in need of rhinestone-encrusted cat’s eye sunglasses and novelty bartender sets. And they know just where to go to get them!

 

CORNER STORE
Mincer’s UVA Imprinted Sportswear

The 57-year-old former tobacco shop still “corners” the market when it comes to UVA memorabilia.

 

29N STORE
Whole Foods Market

The grocery store managed to wipe that goofy grin off the face of last year’s winner, Wal-Mart.

 

CAR DEALER
Brown Automotive Group

We have it on good authority that you’ll love the service.

 

MECHANIC
Cole’s Import Specialist

Chris Cole’s Carlton Avenue shop, which last year tied with C’ville Imports, had just enough votes this year to take the lead.

 

BANK
UVA Community Credit Union

An exclusive, money-holding club of which only folks in Charlottesville and surrounding counties can be a part—no wonder we love it. The bank (in fact, a nonprofit cooperative) began in 1954 to benefit hospital workers and later all UVA employees. It received its community charter in 1997.

 

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LOCAL COLOR

TEACHER
Greg Thomas 

While Albemarle High School Band Director Thomas runs a tight ship, he also has a knack for bringing out the best in his students. The AHS Marching Patriots, wind ensemble, jazz, concert and symphonic bands continue to blow away statewide competitors with frequent “Superior” ratings. But like all great teachers, Thomas is humble about his achievements: “The main accomplishment… has nothing to do with trophies or competitions,” he says via e-mail. “I think our program has turned a ton of kids on to the aesthetic of rehearsing and creating high-quality music that that really goes beyond the trophy and the director. I am also very proud of the community service aspect of our program—we reach out to the community and play at events that involve us with larger causes—Martha Jefferson Hospital, retirement homes, Save the Fireworks, Tsunami Relief, Armed Forces Day, to name a few.”

 

TV PERSONALITY
Norm Sprouse

What sort of crazy weather will NBC 29’s forecaster pull out of his hat next? Stay tuned to find out. Runners-up included Sprouse’s NBC cohort Beth Duffy and, making her first ballot appearances, WCAV’s Lauren Knight.

 

RADIO PERSONALITY
WWWV’s Big Greasy Breakfast

Rick Daniels, Max “In the Morning” and company brought home the bacon, followed by WNRN’s Jaz Tupelo and WINA’s Dick Mountjoy.

 

PRINT JOURNALIST
John Borgmeyer

Wherever injustice and iniquity reign supreme in Charlottesville, look to the “tallest guy in the room” to uncover the truth. From humble Missouri beginnings, this national award-winner has risen to become C-VILLE voters’ most valued reporter. Runners-up were The Daily Progress’ Bob Gibson and Reed Williams, and C-VILLE’s Nell Boeschenstein.

 

PHILANTHROPIST
Dave Matthews

At its last meeting alone, Matthews and his bandmates’ Bama Works Fund approved grants totaling $217,561, adding to the more than $2 million they’ve given to mostly local charities since the fund’s inception. Take that, Monticello Road.

 

NOISEMAKER
Rob Schilling

We’ll wager our voters weren’t referring to Schilling’s 2003 album of gospel and contemporary Christian tunes, Sing A Psalm, but rather to the lone Republican City Councilor’s uncanny ability to ruffle feathers for City Dems. Former council candidates/music fans Waldo Jaquith and Stratton Salidis rounded out the top three.

 

WANNABE
Coran Capshaw

Developer. Restaurateur. Philanthropist. Manager. CEO. Gym rat. Party guy. Capshaw is a man of many hats and has a publicity photo to go with each.

 

UVA ATHLETE
Ryan Zimmerman

Even after breaking school records and recently becoming the most sought-after UVA baseball player ever to enter the major leagues (a first-round pick for the Washington Nationals), we’re sure Zimmer-man’s success will really hit home now.

 

PLACE TO WORK
UVA

But if stereos are your thing, also try second-place runner-up, Crutchfield.

 

PLACE TO LIVE
Belmont

Alternatively, this city neighborhood could have been dubbed Best Place to Triple Your Real Estate Investment.

 

PLACE TO READ C-VILLE
Downtown

With such a broad and varied field of responses, it may be possible to read your favorite local weekly at first-place winner Downtown, second-place winner Mud-house and sixth-place winner “on the john,” all in one fell swoop. Just remember to give the key back to the barista when you’re finished.

 

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FOOD & DRINK

RESTAURANT
Zocalo

Last year’s Best New Restaurant, the Latin-fusion spot in Downtown’s Central Place still has the right recipe for success…and a pretty damn good mojito to boot. Runners-up were C&O and Mas.

 

NEW RESTAURANT
Cassis

Taking culinary ideas and a successful business model from his experiences working at previous “Best Of” darlings Bizou and Mas, chef and owner Sean Lawford has a lot of folks talking about his new French bistro on Water Street. Ryan Martin, owner of second-place contender Martin’s Grill, also has folks talking about his years of experience at Riverside Lunch. And…wait a sec…there’s a Bodo’s on the Corner now?

 

BREAKFAST
The Tavern

The real house of pancakes. A different specialty flapjack each month keeps people coming back, as does the unasssuming but steady service (“What’ll it be, hon?”) and humongous helpings. Other early-morning loves: Bluegrass Grill and Bodo’s.

 

BRUNCH
Blue Bird Café

Your love for this W. Main Street establishment didn’t fly the coop even when new ownership took over earlier this year. Bluegrass Grill made another appearance in the runner-up column (see “Breakfast”), and for the Ralph Lauren set Boar’s Head Inn was the best.

 

LUNCH
Bodo’s Bagel Bakery

That’s right. You heard it here first, folks—Bodo’s now has three locations.

 

DESSERT
Splendora’s Gelato Café

Yet another battle fought in the eternal struggle between ice cream and gelato. Truth is, our voters can’t get enough of either, naming fro-yo palace Arch’s in second and traditional ice cream parlor Chaps in third.

 

CUP OF COFFEE
Mudhouse

As usual, fans of the Mudhouse really poured out for this one. Maybe second-place winner Greenberry’s, with franchise locations open throughout the state, in Texas, Florida and soon, New Jersey, should look to opening a place on the Downtown Mall as well.

 

GOURMET TAKE-OUT
Hot Cakes

Tucked into Barracks Road and best known for decadent desserts, Hot Cakes also scores big for inventive salads and killer lasagna.

 

LATE NIGHT MENU
Littlejohn’s Delicatessen

After you drink all night, you can eat into the dawn at this 24-hour Corner institution. Even if you’re sober, or maybe especially if you’re sober, the Wild Turkey sandwich is worth gobbling down.

 

BAKERY
Albemarle Baking Company

Put down the Pop-Tart and pick up the Linzer Torte. Your palate will thank you.

 

PLACE TO TAKE THE KIDS
C’ville Coffee

Part of the appeal of Toan Nguyen and Betsy Patrick’s Harris Street business is that it’s the only wholesome place we know of to offer an “Adult Zone.”

 

SALAD BAR
Ruby Tuesday

Not a restaurant synonymous with healthy living—have you seen the 30-burger menu? But Ruby Tuesday’s 65 salad offerings topped both Whole Foods and Downtown’s Blue Ridge Country Store.

 

FAST FOOD
Bodo’s Bagel Bakery

We’re gratified to see the local guys take this one home, though the real shocker is how close Wendy’s, with only two locations in town, came to beating Brian Fox’s popular sandwich shop.

 

SERVICE
Zocalo

A man cannot live by bread alone—and a great restaurant’s food can only take it so far. No surprise that Zocalo’s fast and friendly service, even on busy nights, helps make it the best. Hamiltons’ and Bizou also earned high marks.

 

ASIAN
Thai ’99

Last year’s winner, Thai ’99 saw growing competition from Second Street’s Asian-tapas-fusion biz, Bang. Flaming Wok and Downtown Thai…er…thaied for third.

 

MEXICAN
Guadalajara

What’s not to love about endless refills on the chips and the super-frugal lunch special? Con mucho gusto.

 

SEAFOOD
Blue Light Grill

One of the few places to serve tuna-grade sushi on a Caesar salad. At the other end of the spectrum, Tiffany’s, once the only fancy restaurant in town, was a runner-up.

 

PIZZA
Christian’s Pizza

With more than 100 votes separating it from runner-up Mellow Mushroom, the Downtown restaurant known for heaping slices and gourmet toppings still has a secure lead—at least until Five Guys opens up its pizzeria (see “Burger,” page 39).

 

ITALIAN
Vivace

The Ivy Road escape was followed in votes by La Cucina and Carmello’s.

 

BURGER
Five Guys Burgers

The fast-growing Northern Virginia-based franchise with generously greasy burgers fit to eat right out of the bag proved a major upset for local competitors Riverside Lunch and Martin’s Grill. We must say, we’re even a little tickled by the thought of having our plaque grace the walls of the Barracks Road location, alongside Five Guys’ many Washingtonian and Zagat awards.

 

BBQ
Big Jim’s Bar-B-Que

Big Jim is the big man in town when it comes to barbecue, evidently, as he takes the lead for another year. Close on his heels are Jinx’s Pit’s Top in Belmont and Blue Ridge Pig in Nellysford.

 

AFTER WORK WATERING HOLE
South Street Brewery

Somewhere between the Downtown Mall and your parking spot, thoughts of nachos and the taste of a Satan’s Pony inevitably will drift into your mind. Thankfully, South Street won’t be far. Runners-up were Miller’s and Rapture.

 

SPORTS BAR
Buffalo Wild Wings

You can see the big game from anywhere you sit on B-Dubs’ many televisions, which need no longer fear the competition from nearby second-place runner-up Sloan’s.

 

WINGS
Wild Wing Café

Buckets of ice-cold beer and a nice view of the train tracks enhance the sticky-finger experience.

 

DRAFT BEER SELECTION
Mellow Mushroom

Pity the poor keg-changer. Mellow Mush-room’s approximately 40 taps line the whole back of the bar. Runners-up were Michael’s Bistro and South Street Brewery.

 

WINE LIST
C&O

Here in the heart of Virginia wine country, selecting the right bottle can be a critical part of the fine-dining experience. The Downtown mainstay offering French country fare knows its importance and is ready to choose the right wine for the job. Runners-up were Tastings and Zocalo.

 

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Worst of 2005
A highly subjective editors’ guide to local stuff that ain’t so great

 

Worst local phrase
“Coran owns that.”

First DMB, then Starr Hill…tomorrow, your soul. In Charlottesville, it’s all Coran.

Runner Up: “Dave Matthews worked/lived/picked his nose there.”

 

Worst thing said about our city
“Isn’t that in North Carolina?”

O.K., here’s the difference: Charlotte loves NASCAR, Charlottesville loves itself. Any questions?

Runner Up: “Charlottesville is ugly and its mother dresses it funny.”

 

Worst place to run into Chief Longo
The gym locker room.

Holy crap, that guy’s ripped!

Runner Up: In the back of his
squad car

 

Worst place to wait in line
For a job at MusicToday.

Face it, you’re never getting one. And even if you do, you don’t get to hang with the band.

Runner Up: The Port-a-John line at Foxfield

 

Worst local collective personality trait
Smugness.

Admit it…we’ve all complained about that No. 1 rating, but secretly we really want to believe it’s true.

Runner Up: Narcissism

 

Worst place to wake up in the morning
The bar you sat at the night before.

You’re a lush, and it’s a problem.

Runner Up: A fraternity house on Rugby Road

 

Worst reason to wake up in the middle of the night
The train whistle.

All of Charlottesville’s old industries have been replaced with art boutiques and coffee shops. What are those trains hauling, anyway? Soy latté?

Runner Up: Realizing that you just finished your Ph.D. in English, you’re $50,000 in debt and the only job you can find in Charlottesville is serving cappuccino, which apparently gets delivered on a midnight freight train.

 

Worst place to get stuck at a red light
Hydraulic and 29.

Runner Up: Park and High streets

 

Worst place to speed
Earlysville Road.

It’s a long and winding road—and look out for those bikers!

Runner Up: Avon Street Extended

 

Worst intersection
Preston and Emmet at 5pm.

You can feel your life slipping away while you wait.

Runner Up: Hydraulic Road and 29

 

Worst-smelling place in town
Hogwaller’s disarming sewage-treatment aroma. Especially in the summer.

Runner Up: The corner of Market and Second streets on a hot Monday morning

 

Worst place to take a first date
A baby store. Need we say more?

Runner Up: The emergency room

 

Worst place to run into your ex
Anywhere Downtown before you’ve had your coffee.

Runner Up: OXO, where he is out with someone new and you are out with your parents.

 

Worst thing said about local girls
“You can’t get laid unless you drive a BMW.”

Damn those girls who come here from NoVA. Don’t they know local guys drive 10-year-old Volvos?

Runner Up: “Duke girls are hotter.”

 

Worst thing said about local guys
“They are a bunch of stuck- up, small-town hillbillies posing as refined, sophisticated urbanites.”

Runner Up: “Duke guys are smarter.”

 

Worst Wahoo nonsense
A capella groups.

This is not the 1920s and you are not cool, even in an ironic sense.

Runner Up: The UVA/Virginia Tech game. So many bad ties…

 

Worst Wahoo fashion trend
Those flipped-up collars.

The only consolation is that 10 years from now, when they see pictures of themselves in college, those fratastic fellas will be forced to confront the irrefutable evidence that they really were conformist preppy jackasses.

Runners Up: Vera Bradley quilted bags and flip-flops in January

 

Worst Wahoo phrase
“Academical Village.”

It’s a freakin’ campus. Get over it. And “academical” isn’t even a word!

Runner Up: “What would Mr. Jefferson say?”

 

Worst part of the student return
The fact that we get older, but they stay the same age!

Runner Up: Power-walking girlswith “UVA” imprinted on the bum of their shorts

 

Worst thing about local restaurants
A $23 entrée that doesn’t come with a salad.

Come on! This isn’t New York!

Runner Up: Tables reserved for “dining only.” Empty tables make your restaurant look bad.

 

Worst thing about local servers
When the wait staff is hotter than your date.

Runner Up: When the wait staff is hotter than you

 

Worst place to eat on the run
While streaking The Lawn.

Well, at least you won’t get ketchup on your shirt…

Runner Up: 29N. Because if you’re in a rush and eating in your car, you’re going to be late anyway.

 

Worst place to pass out
The free trolley.

When you wake up, you’ll still be stuck on W. Main Street.

Runner Up: The bathroom at Pen Park. We’ve been there. It ain’t pretty.

 

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INDEX

Entertainment

Best Art Gallery

McGuffey Art Center

201 Second St. NW

295-7973

 

Best Movie House

Jefferson Theater

101 E. Main St.

295-3321

 

Best Outdoor Recreation

Walnut Creek Park

3750 Walnut Creek Park Rd.

296-5844

 

Best Outdoor Event or Festival

Fridays After 5

 

Best Swimming Pool

ACAC

200 Four Seasons Dr.

978-3800

 

Best Place to Dance

R2

303 E. Main St.

293-9526

 

Best Live Music Venue

Starr Hill Music Hall

709 W. Main St.

977-0017

 

Best Rock Music Band

Dave Matthews Band

 

Best Folk Music Band

Terri Allard

 

Best Classical Band

Charlottesville and University Symphony Orchestra

 

Best Bluegrass Band

Hackensaw Boys

Best Jazz Musician

John D’earth

 

Best World Beat Musician

Darrell Rose

 

Best DJ

DJ Quarter Roy

 

Best Artist

Monty Montgomery

 

Best Author

John Grisham

 

Best Kids Entertainment

Virginia Discovery Museum

524 E. Main St.

977-1025

 

Best Tourist Destination

Monticello

931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy.

984-9822

 

 

 

RETAIL

 

Best Yoga Studio

Studio 206

206 W. Market St.

505 Monticello Rd.

296-6250

 

Best Place to Work Out

ACAC

Albemarle Square Shopping Center

973-5856

200 E. Water St.

984-3800

 

Best Spa

Oasis

103 E. Water St.

244-9667

 

Best Tattoo/ Piercing Parlor

Acme Tattoo

9 Elliewood Ave.

293-6730

 

Best Jeweler

Angelo

220 E. Main St.

971-9256

 

Best Dress Shop

Eloise

218 W. Water St.

295-3905

 

Best Place to Buy Jeans

Gap

Fashion Square Mall

973-5026

 

Best Shoe Store

Scarpa

North Wing, Barracks Road Shopping Center

296-0040

 

Best Vintage Clothing

Bittersweet

313 Second St. SE

977-5977

 

Best Athletic Outfitters

Blue Ridge Mountain Sports

Barracks Road Shopping Center

977-4400

 

Best Dry Cleaners

Brown’s Dry Cleaners

510 Preston Ave.

296-6285

Additional locations on High Street, Millmont Street and Ivy Road

 

Best Hardware Store

Martin Hardware Co.

941 Preston Ave.

293-8171

 

Best Wine Store

Market Street Wineshop

311 E. Market St.

964-9463

Shoppers World Court

964-9463

 

Best Florist

University Florist

2123 Berkmar Dr.

973-1381

 

Best Health Food Store

Whole Foods

Shoppers World Court

973-4900

 

Best Grocery Store

Whole Foods

Shoppers World Court

973-4900

 

Best Toy Store

Shenanigans

North Wing, Barracks Road Shopping Center

295-4797

 

Best CD Store

Plan 9 Records

Albemarle Square Shopping Center

974-9999

1419 University Ave.

979-9999

 

Best Furniture Store

Under the Roof

1017 W. Main St.

977-0231

 

Best Antique Store

Circa

1700 Allied St.

295-5760

 

Best Bike Shop

Performance Bicycle Shop

Seminole Square Shopping Center

963-9161

 

Best Used Book Store

Daedalus Bookshop

123 Fourth St.

293-7959

Best Garden Store

Ivy Nursery

570 Broomley Rd.

295-1183

 

Best Place to Rent Movies

Sneak Reviews

2244 Ivy Rd.

979-4420

 

Best Caterer

Hot Cakes

Barracks Road Shopping Center

295-6037

 

Best Real Estate Agent

David Sloan

Roy Wheeler Realty Co.

296-4170

 

Best Downtown Store

Cha Chas

201 E. Main St.

293-8553

 

Best Barracks Road Store

Barnes & Noble

Barracks Road Shopping Center

984-0461

 

Best Corner Store

Mincer’s

1527 University Ave.

296-5687

 

Best 29N Store

Whole Foods

Shoppers World Court

973-4900

 

Best Car Dealer

Brown Automotive Group

Route 250E

977-3380

 

Best Mechanic

Coles Import Specialist

1025 Carlton Ave.

295-2653

 

Best Bank

UVA Community Credit Union

3300 Berkmar Dr.

964-2001

Additional locations on Lee Street, Arlington Boulevard, High Street and Route 250

 

 

LOCAL COLOR

Best TV Personality

Norm Sprouse

WVIR NBC
Channel 29

 

Best Radio Personality

Big Greasy Breakfast
(Max and Rick)

WWWV-FM 97.5

 

Best Print Journalist

John Borgmeyer

C-VILLE Weekly

Best Philanthropist

Dave Matthews

 

Best Teacher

Greg Thomas

Albemarle High School

 

Best Noisemaker

Rob Schilling

 

Best Wannabe

Coran Capshaw

 

Best UVA Athlete

Ryan Zimmerman

 

Best Place to Work

UVA

 

Best Place to Live

Belmont

 

Best Place to Read C-VILLE

Downtown

 

FOOD & DRINK

Best Restaurant

Zocalo

201 E. Main St.

977-4944

 

Best New Restaurant

Cassis

210 W. Water St.

979-0188

 

Best Breakfast

The Tavern

Corner of Emmet Street and Barracks Road

295-0404

 

Best Brunch

Blue Bird Café

625 W. Main St.

295-1166

 

Best Lunch

Bodo’s Bagel Bakery

1418 N. Emmet St.

977-9598

505 Preston Ave.

293-5224

1609 University Ave.

293-6021

 

Best Dessert

Splendora’s

317 E. Main St.

296-8555

 

Best Late-Night Menu

Littlejohn’s New York Delicatessen

1427 W. Main St.

977-0588

 

Best Bakery

Albemarle Baking Company

Main Street Market

293-6456

 

Best Gourmet Take-Out

Hot Cakes

Barracks Road Shopping Center

295-6037

 

Best Cup of Coffee

Mudhouse

213 W. Main St.

984-6833

Additional locations in Bellair, Forest Lakes, Mill Creek and Pantops

 

Best Fast Food

Bodo’s Bagel Bakery

1418 N. Emmet St.

977-9598

505 Preston Ave.

293-5224

1609 University Ave.

293-6021

 

Best Salad Bar

Ruby Tuesday

Barracks Road Shopping Center

295-9118

 

Best Place to Take the Kids

C’Ville Coffee

1301 Harris St.

817-2633

 

Best Service

Zocalo

201 E. Main St.

977-4944

 

Best Asian

Thai ’99

2210 Fontaine Ave.

245-5263

 

Best Mexican

Guadalajara

801 E. Market St.

977-2676

395 Greenbrier Dr.

978-4313

2206 Fontaine Ave.

979-2424

 

Best Italian

Vivace

2244 Ivy Rd.

979-0994

 

Best Seafood

Blue Light Grill

120 E. Main St.

295-1223

 

Best Burger

Five Guys Burgers

Barracks Road Shopping Center

975-4897

Best Wings

Wild Wing Café

820 W. Main St.

979-9464

 

Best BBQ

Big Jim’s Bar-B-Que

2104 Angus Rd.

296-8283

 

Best Pizza

Christian’s

118 W. Main St.

977-9688

 

Best After Work Watering Hole

South Street Brewery

106 W. South St.

293-6550

 

Best Sports Bar

Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar

1935 Arlington Blvd.

977-1882

 

Best Draft Beer Selection

Mellow Mushroom

1309 W. Main St.

972-9366

 

Best Wine List

C&O

515 E. Water St.

971-7044

 

 

Out of the 614 valid Best Of ballots that we received, we picked 18 lucky entrants at random to receive one of our fabulous prizes. Pete Emerson, Joe Jenkins, Marissa Guillen, KeriAn Bicknell, Sarah Johnson, Jason Stanford, Katherine Jenkins, Kristin Cole, James Assante and Sumner Brown all took home $10 gift certificates to Downtown stationary store Rock Paper Scissors! Patty Cornell, Mark Quigg, Amy Matt, Kathleen McGreevy, Jon Zug, Emre Ilter and Gabrielle Mandell received $50 gift certificates to Barracks Road shoe store Great State Of! And Donna Mathes got really lucky as she gets a 20-gigabyte iPod from the fine folks at Crutchfield!

Dear Ace: It’s been a year since the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA moved into the new building. How are things going over there? Is the new facility paid for?—Puppy Love

Pup: To respond to your question about the building’s financial status, Ace can offer you two answers. The first answer is: Yes, the $6 million building has been paid for since the facility was purchased in full last year. The second answer is: No, the building has not been paid for since the local chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals had to take out a loan from the United States Dairy Administration to front the costs of the building upgrade. (USDA? Ace was unaware that the SPCA took care of foundling cows!)

   But the new facility on Berkmar Drive is not the biggest change at the SPCA. Bigger than the big new building is the new bigwig in charge, executive director Susanne Kogut. After leaving her job in the banking world, Kogut visited shelters around the United States to assess the new trends in the animal welfare world.

   Kogut’s shelter tour even-tually took her to the Thomp-kins facility in Ithaca, New York, a no-kill shelter that only euthanizes animals deemed behaviorally dangerous or medically un-treatable. (And no, peeing on the rug is not a medically untreatable ailment!) In a no-kill shelter, all other animals brought into the facility are either adopted immediately or fostered until a suitable household can be located. Kogut hopes to make our local SPCA a no-
kill shelter.

   While dog adoptions have been rising over the past six months, the new facility has not exactly translated into fewer animals at the shelter. Intake numbers, especially with the kitties, have actually increased in the last year. Regrettably, Kogut says, “People feel better about dropping animals off at the shelter knowing that they will be in a nice facility.”

   If you want to help the SPCA with its building and general fund needs, Ace reminds his generous readers that the Rummage Sale collection is going on every Tuesday, 3-6pm, at the Grand Home Furnishings Warehouse off Fifth Street Extended. Ace knows that one man’s trash (his) is another man’s treasure (everyone else’s!).