Month: January 2007

Categories
News

County planners to glimpse Places29 draft

After a postponed deadline, officials behind Charlottesville and Albemarle County’s massive transit/land-use master plan dubbed “Places29” (www.albemarle.org) say that the process turned out to be just as complex—if not more—than they anticipated. It’s called Places29, after all, not Place29.

 Places29 covers a 10-mile stretch of Route 29 between Route 250 and Greene County, encompassing the four northern development areas. While a draft of the master plan was scheduled for release before Christmas, the County recently announced that consultant firms Community Design + Architecture and MMA, along with VDOT and the Thomas Jefferson District Planning Commission, will showcase ongoing efforts in a County Planning Commission work session January 16. The updated blueprints—including a framework map, a master plan, design principles and an implementation plan—will be finalized and presented to the public toward the end of February.

Harrison Rue, executive director of the Thomas Jefferson District Planning Commission, says the consulting firms charged with working on the process have been visionaries for the plan. “We’ve really challenged them with this,” Rue says. “…We had hoped to do it quicker, but as we dug into this, it’s not been done before at this level anywhere around here, and it’s just really a tremendously complicated project.”

The last public meetings were in May, and in the interim, consultants had major issues to resolve, such as modeling traffic flow, predicting future traffic influxes and deciding how to make the renovated land usage areas not only attractive, but functional. One ongoing need is the addition of a split-grade interchange for Hydraulic and 29, and an extra lane from Hydraulic to the onramp.

Categories
News

Legislative help for small wineries

Last July, the landscape changed radically for small Virginia wineries. No, the rolling hills didn’t flatten. Instead, the wineries lost the right to put cases of their own Viognier in their own trucks and drive them down to the local grocery store. Now State Delegate Chris Saxman of Staunton wants to reinstate that right for wineries that would self-distribute 3,000 cases or fewer per year.


If legislators pass a proposed law, the wee wineries of Virginia might get to bypass the wholesaler and once again haul vino their own damn selves.

Saxman’s bill is a toned-down version of one he introduced in 2006, which would have allowed each winery to self-distribute up to 100,000 cases. That bill was tabled, and Saxman says this one (which is co-sponsored by State Senator John Watkins) is designed both to be taken more seriously by the wholesalers’ lobby and to allow new wineries to grow their businesses to the point where hiring a distributor might be helpful rather than burdensome. “This allows the vineyards to create their markets, so all the wholesaler has to do is be the delivery boy”—rather than fledging wineries trying to break into a difficult wholesale market from the beginning, says Saxman.

Many winemakers would be relieved to regain distribution rights. (The Virginia Wineries Association even honored Saxman as Legislator of the Year in 2006.) Patricia Reeder is an owner of Burnley Vineyards in Barboursville. Though she says her business’s age (30 years) and her own age (mid-70s) actually made hiring a distributor last July a welcome change, she believes the bill would help startups. “A new winery doesn’t have their name out there, they don’t have any shelf recognition, and in the wine stores they’re not going to get shelf space because no one knows who they are,” she says.

Saxman has high hopes for his bill, citing support from the Farm Bureau, the League of Conservation Voters and other groups. “Last year was the year of Don Quixote,” he says. “This is the year of consensus.”

Categories
Uncategorized

Arts

Acting for Film 1144 E. Market St. 977-1371. Participate in weekly workshops on acting for film with an Emmy-winning director. Call for days and times. $150 per month.

Charlottesville Camera Club Westminster Canterbury, 250 Pantops Mountain Rd. www.avenue.org/ccc. Members participate in informal competitions on assigned themes. Meets the second Tuesday of every month, 6:30pm. Free.

Charlottesville Salsa Club Outback Lodge, 917 Preston Plaza. 979-7211. sundaysalsa@cvillesalsaclub.com. Sponsors salsa and a beginning dance lesson every Sunday, 8pm. $6.

Charlottesville Writing Center P.O. Box 5608. 293-3702. http://cvillewrites.org. Offers a variety of themed workshops throughout the year. Visit the website as new programs are added.

Court Square Dancers Central Library, McIntire Room, 201 E. Market St. 924-3586. This women’s English folk dance group practices every Thursday, 7:15-8:45pm. Free.

Dance Explosion Footnotes Studio, 2363 Commonwealth Dr. and Studio 206, 206 W. Main St. 953-8268. www.dance-explosion.org. Offers classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern, conditioning, ballroom, salsa and country. Classes are now in session. Call or visit the website for details.

DanceFit Movement Center 609 E. Market St., Studio 111. 295-4774. www.njira.com/dancefit. Specializes in movement with a focus on health and fitness.

Edna-Jakki Miller offers classes in four areas: hip-hop, yoga and the specially designed “DanceFit” and “CardioFlex.” Call or visit the website for times. Drop-ins are welcome. $10-13 per class.

Dances of Universal Peace Westminster Presbyterian Church, 190 Rugby Rd. 242-6510. Eat, dance and pray in fellowship. All are welcome at this event, held the second Sunday of every month at 7:30pm.

Glass Palette classes 110 Fifth St. NE. 977-9009. www.theglasspalette.net. Register now for workshops in glassblowing, bead making, and fusing and slumping. $150-225. Or try a walk-in visit, and make one of several individually priced projects.

International Ballroom Dance Charlottesville Municipal Arts Center, 1119 Fifth St. SW. (540) 933-6778. Master Instructor Lee Santos teaches a beginner/intermediate level class every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, 6:30-7:30pm, focusing on a different dance each month. $15 per class.

International Folk Dancing Northside Library, 300 Albemarle Sq. 823-9705. Learn dances from the U.S., the Balkans, Greece, Germany, Russia, France, Canada and many more countries every Tuesday, 6-8:30pm, through February 25.

Irish Set Dance Class Westminster House, 214 Rugby Rd. 409-9631. The Blue Ridge Irish Music School sponsors a low-impact aerobic dance session from 7-9pm, with a short lesson at 6:45pm. $7 at the door, or $20 for the four-month series.

Kluge-Ruhe Collection tours 400 Worrell Dr. 244-0234. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour held every Saturday, 10:30am. Free, no reservations necessary.

La Tertulia: Spanish Conversation Group Central Library, Madison Room, 201 E. Market St. 979-7151. All levels welcome. Brush up on your Spanish the first and third Thursday of every month, 7pm.

Live Arts groups 123 E. Water St. 977-4177 x 100. www.livearts.org. A play readers’ circle, which examines some of the most revolutionary plays in history, meets the third Sunday of every month, 3-6pm. A playwrights’ lab meets the first and third Monday of every month, 6:30-9:30pm, to share scripts and constructive feedback.

The Live Poets Society Gordon Avenue Library, 1500 Gordon Ave. 296-5544. Share original poetry or just listen, the first Wednesday of every month, 7pm. Free.

Main Street ArtSpace workshops 328 Main St. 985-6500. www.noonwhistlepottery.com. Regular classes on all sorts of media, not to mention youth classes and special one-off creation sessions. Call for schedule and prices.

Miki Liszt Dance Company McGuffey Art Center, Studio 20, 201 Second St. NW. 295-7973. www.mikilisztdance.org. A variety of dance companies and choreographers perform the first Friday of every month, 7pm, for $5. The company also offers classes in a variety of styles throughout the week. $10 per class, or $8 with the purchase of a class card.

Poem Site: Songs in the Landscape 2331 Highland Ave. 295-5057. Enjoy a mixed-media collaboration by poet Laurance Wieder and artist Andrea Korotky. This season features a painted window and “Your Melodies,” a take-it-with you poem from the Poem Tube. Free.

Poets’ Critique Group 973-3577. Meets every Friday, 10am-2pm, to provide a forum for poetry and constructive feedback. Bring copies of recent poems. Call for directions to a private residence in Albemarle County. Free.

Rosamond Casey art classes McGuffey Art Center, 201 Second St. NW. 293-8733. www.rosamondcasey.com. “Drawing from Experience” and “Mapping the Dark: A Course in Conceiving Art” are offered for eight weeks starting January 23. Call for details and prices.

Shergold Dance Studio 652 W. Rio Rd. 975-4611. www.shergoldstudio.com. The studio offers a variety of evening dance classes in tango, hip-hop, foxtrot, rumba, swing, salsa, pole dancing for fitness, and senior exercise classes in tap and ballet. $32 for four lessons or $10 to drop in. Don’t miss the general social dances held the second Saturday and the fourth Friday of every month, $8. See website for current schedule.

Smocking Guild of America Les Fabriques, 420 Shoppers World Ct. 295-1481. The Monticello Chapter meets the third Thursday of each month, at 7pm, to educate interested people about smocking and related needlework.

Stained glass seminar Blue Ridge Beads & Glass, 1724 Allied St. 293-2876. www.blueridgebeads-glass.com. People of all skill levels interested in the Tiffany method and artists with questions are welcome. The seminar meets every Saturday, 3-4:30pm. Free.

Studio Baboo 321 E. Main St. 244-2905. www.studiobaboo.com. The glass beads shop hosts “Beads & Lunch,” a free forum for sharing tips and working on projects, the third Wednesday of every month. The studio also hosts frequent workshops.

Tahitian dance classes McGuffey Art Center, Studio 11, 201 Second St. NW. 293-5265. www.aniseh.net. W. Aniseh Burtner offers classes in authentic Tahitian dance every Thursday. The first class, Tahitian Techniques, runs 6-7pm and incorporates Tahitian movements into a vigorous workout. The second class, Dance Celebration, runs 7-8pm and involves learning Tahitian song and dance choreography. $10 per class, or $15 for both.

Terry Dean’s Dance Studio 1309A Seminole Trail. 977-3327. www.terrydeansdancestudio.com. Terry offers weekly classes in waltz, samba, cha-cha, swing, tango and more. Partners are provided for singles. See website for current schedule. $5-10 per class, with monthly plans available.

Virginia Reelers weekly dance lessons Woodbrook Elementary School Cafeteria, Rt. 29 N. 293-4244. The Reelers begin a new season of square dancing lessons on January 24. Lessons take place on every Wednesday, 7-9pm, through May. $40 for the season.

West African Drum Classes Charlottesville Friends Meeting House, 1104 Forest St. 977-8694. Kevin Munro holds lessons every Wednesday, 6-7pm. Call for prices.

Women’s Voices book group Barnes & Noble, Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-0461. This group meets once a month to discuss works by female authors. The next meeting is Tuesday, January 23.

Zabor Dance Academy 109 Second St. SE, second floor. 227-1709. Learn Argentine tango every Sunday, 5pm for beginners and 5:40pm for intermediate students. Frequent workshops are held in a variety of other styles. Call or e-mail zabordance@yahoo.com for times and prices.

Categories
Arts

Capsule reviews of films playing at Charlottesville theaters

Alpha Dog (R, 117 minutes) Mr. Sexy Back himself, Justin Timberlake stars in this controversial crime drama based on the life of Jesse James Hollywood, a notorious drug dealer who became one of the youngest men ever on the FBI’s Most Wanted List. Hollywood is still on trial, so prosecutors wanted the film pulled from release. Guess they didn’t get their wish. Hot young cast includes Ben Foster, Shawn Hatosy, Lukas Hass and Emile Hirsch (who despite the Timberlake publicity actually headlines as our Jesse James Hollywood substitute). Hot older cast includes Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone. There’s plenty of energy on display, but the film isn’t very insightful. Playing at Regal Downtown Mall 6

Arthur and the Invisibles (NR, 102 minutes) Frenchy Luc Besson (La Femme Nikita, The Professional, The Fifth Element) ditches gun-toting females for a sec to bring us this kiddie fantasy about a 10-year-old boy (Freddie Highmore, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) who goes on a treasure hunt to save his grandfather’s house from demolition. The film is a unique mixture of live-action and CGI as Arthur is shrunk to micro-size and enters the land of the Minimoys, tiny people living in harmony with nature. Madonna, David Bowie and Snoop Dogg are among the voice cast. Playing at Regal Downtown Mall 6

Blood Diamond (R, 138 minutes) Leonardo DiCaprio stars as an opportunistic South African smuggler who teams up with an enslaved farmer (Djimon Hounsou) to hunt down a fabulous pink diamond. With the help of an American journalist (Jennifer Connelly), the two men embark on a quest that could return one man to his family and offer great wealth to the other. Amid the adventure and thrills are some pointed comments about Africa’s unscrupulous diamond industry. Playing at Regal Downtown Mall 6

Charlotte’s Web (G, 96 minutes) This live-action adaptation of E.B. White’s much-beloved book stars adorable Dakota Fanning as plucky farm gal Fern whose pet pig Wilbur conspires with a wise spider to avoid a one-way trip to the dinner table. The requisite all-star cast (Julia Roberts, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Oprah Winfrey, Kathy Bates, Cedric the Entertainer, Reba McEntire, André Benjamin, Robert Redford) is on hand to provide cute animal voices. Playing at Carmike Cinema 6

Children of Men (R, 109 minutes) Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón, who’s given us everything from Y Tu Mamá También to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, helms this low-tech sci-fi film set in the year 2027. Seems that in this polluted, dystopic future, mankind has lost the ability to procreate. Clive Owen (Inside Man, Sin City) is a reformed activist who agrees to help transport a mysteriously pregnant woman (multiple Oscar nominee Julianne Moore) to a sanctuary at sea, where her child’s birth may help scientists save mankind. Based on the novel by P.D. James. Playing at Carmike Cinema 6

Code Name: The Cleaner (PG-13, 91 minutes) Lucy Liu and Nicollette Sheridan join Cedric The Entertainer in a story about an amnesiac janitor who believes he is an undercover agent. Don’t expect this film to clean up at the Oscars. Playing at Regal Downtown Mall 6

Curse of the Golden Flower (R, 114 minutes) Director Zhang Yimou (Hero, House of Flying Daggers) sticks with the epic historical action films. This one takes place in 10th century China where the Emperor (Chow Yun-Fat, The Killer) and the Empress (Gong Li, Memoirs of a Geisha) are involved in a vicious power struggle, highlighted by betrayals, affairs and all-out assassination attempts. There’s a bit more Shakespearean drama in this film, making it a sometimes uneven combo of Yimou’s recent action flicks and his emotional early efforts (Raise the Red Lantern, To Live). Even if the complex melodrama is hard to follow at times, it looks ravishing from start to finish. Playing at Regal Downtown Mall 6

The Departed (R, 149 minutes) Martin Scorsese seriously reworks the 2002 Hong Kong hit Infernal Affairs, transferring the intense cops-and-robbers action from the Far East to the East Coast. Leonardo DiCaprio plays a fresh recruit from the Boston Police Academy who is put deep undercover in an Irish mob run by flamboyant gangster Jack Nicholson. At the same time, Nicholson has got his own undercover agent (Matt Damon) operating inside the police department. Much bloodshed erupts when our two moles are dispatched to find out each other’s identities. Playing at Regal Downtown Mall 6

Dreamgirls (PG-13, 125 minutes)  It takes a little while to get into the mood of this lengthy showbiz musical. Once it’s fully up to speed, however, the film sings along at an absorbing clip. Like the Broadway musical that inspired it, the tune-filled tale follows the rise and fall of a Diana Ross and the Supremes-like musical group from the late ‘50s through the turbulent ‘60s and on into the disco era of the ‘70s. Of course, there’s plenty of backstage backstabbing as the group’s beautiful lead singer (Beyoncé Knowles) gets groomed for superstardom by her husband/manager (Jamie Foxx). Former “American Idol” contestant Jennifer Hudson is the real showstopper here, commanding the spotlight as the group’s bitchy but supremely talented backup singer. Playing at Regal Seminole Square Cinema 4

Eragon (PG, 103 minutes) Based on the juvenile fantasy series by Christopher Paolini, this epic fantasy follows the adventures of an orphaned farm boy (newbie Edward Speleers) who finds a rare dragon’s egg, and uses his magical new friend to overthrow your basic evil king (John Malkovich). Jeremy Irons is in there too, bringing back uncomfortable memories of
Dungeons & Dragons. Expect multiple sequels. Playing at Carmike Cinema 6

Freedom Writers (P6-13, 123 minutes) Veteran screenwriter Richard LaGravenese takes a stab at directing in this latest instalment in the miracle-worker-teacher genre. Hilary Swank stars as a teacher who brings her disadvantaged and racially divided students together. Playing at Regal Seminole Square Cinema 4

The Good Shepherd (R, 160 minutes) Robert De Niro finally gets around to directing another film (after 1993’s A Bronx Tale). This one’s a detailed drama about the formation of the Central Intelligence Agency. Matt Damon plays an idealistic young man recruited to become the prototypical superspy. Angelina Jolie is his unsuspecting wife who watches her husband grow more paranoid and jaded as the Cold War wears on. The tone is grave and the pacing measured, but De Niro has created a Godfather-like saga about the Powers That Be. Playing at Regal Downtown Mall 6

Happily N’Ever After (PG) No, that’s not a typo in the title, and yes, this is the latest animated flick with celebrity voices. This one’s about a gang of evil-doers who wish to capture Fairy Tale Land, and Sigourney Weaver, Sarah Michelle Gellar and, um, Gerge Carlin are just a few of the bodiless stars. Playing at Carmike Cinema 6

Happy Feet (G, 87 minutes) Wouldn’t March of the Penguins have been so much more interesting if the birds could sing and tap-dance? Well, that’s the premise of this CGI musical featuring the voices of Hugh Jackman, Elijah Wood, Nicole Kidman, Brittany Murphy, Hugo Weaving and Robin Williams. (Couldn’t rehab have kept Robin out of at least a few movies this year?) Playing at Regal Downtown Mall 6

The Hitcher (R, 90 minutes) For teenagers and people with very short memories comes a remake of the 1986 thriller starring Rutger Hauer and C. Thomas Howell. The original, about a serial killing hitchhiker, was fairly preposterous to begin with. That didn’t stop music video director Dave Meyers from recasting it with Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings) as the bad guy and Sophia Bush (“One Tree Hill”) as the (now female) victim. Coming Friday; check local listings

The Holiday (PG-13, 138 minutes) Two romance-hungry ladies (Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet) engage in a cross-continent home swap for the holidays. In America, Winslet meets Jack Black, while in England, Diaz hooks up with Jude Law. Another star-driven RomCom from writer/director by Nancy Meyers (What Women Want, Something’s Gotta Give). Playing at Carmike Cinema 6

Night at the Museum (PG, 108 minutes) Ben Stiller stars in this fantasy-filled adaptation of the best-selling children’s book of the same name. In it, he plays a bumbling new security guard at the Museum of Natural History who accidentally lets loose an ancient curse causing all of the displays to come to life. Hijinks ensue. Cameos include Robin Williams, Dick Van Dyke, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, Mickey Rooney and Owen Wilson. Playing at Regal Seminole Square Cinema 4

The Painted Veil (PG-13, 125 minutes) In this adaptation of the W. Somerset Maugham novel, an unhappy wife (Naomi Watts) is dragged to a cholera-afflicted Chinese province in the ‘20s by her husband (Edward Norton) after becoming embroiled in a life-changing affair. This visually lush, emotionally bitter drama was shot once before in 1934 with Greta Garbo as the lead. Playing at Vinegar Hill Theatre

Primeval (R, 94 minutes) The incredibly misleading commercials would have you believe this is a based-on-a-true-story horror flick about the “most prolific serial killer in history.” It is based on a true story, but what the commercials fail to mention is that the killer in question is an African crocodile. Yup, it’s a chintzy Sci-Fi Channel-style movie about a big crocodile. But, if you’re a major fan of Alligator, Eaten Alive, The Great Alligator, Crocodile, Krocodylus, Lake Placid, Killer Crocodile and other such Crocodilia-based monster movies, you may find something to sink your teeth into. Playing at Carmike Cinema 6

The Pursuit of Happyness (PG-13, 117 minutes) Will Smith stars in this tear-jerking can-do drama as a struggling, largely homeless single father who takes custody of his young son (real-life offspring Jaden Smith). Unable to support himself, Dad makes a life-changing decison—to get a job as an unpaid intern on Wall Street. This “inspired by a true story” tale is just as schmaltzy as you would expect, but Smith the Elder does give a emotional, award-hungry performance. Playing at Regal Seminole Square Cinema 4

Stomp the Yard (PG-13, 114 minutes) If you can’t get enough of urban dance movies like You Got Served and Step Up, then you might have some use for this formulaic pic about a troubled teen from L.A. who winds up at a black university in Atlanta, where he tries to win over a girl while being courted by two fraternities who desire his near mystical abilities in the realm of free-style step dancing. Unless you went to a primarily African-American college in the southern U.S. you’ve probably never heard of step-dancing. Playing at Carmike Cinema 6

We are Marshall (PG, 127 minutes) This inspirational sports drama is based on the true, tragic story of a 1970 plane crash that wiped out nearly all of the Marshall University football team. Despite some emotional oposition, the team’s new coach (Matthew McConaughey) tries to revive the team as well as the spirits of his traumatized community. Playing at Carmike Cinema 6

Categories
Uncategorized

The Good Shepherd sticks around: Alpha Dog bounds in with a crash!

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Categories
Arts

Slate Hill Phil, RIP

“Slate Hill” Phil Gianniny seemed like a fixture busking on the Downtown Mall. A couple of weekends ago, in his usual spot in front of The Paramount Theater, there was a poinsettia and a note that said, “We love you Phil.” Gianniny died on December 23 at the age of 31, and the turnout at his memorial the following weekend was a testament to the variety of people in town whose lives he touched.


Many musicians in town see Slate Hill Phil (center) as standing for the odd man out, the guy who is not represented in modern society.

Gianniny had deep roots here. He was born in town, began playing piano in church at the age of 10 and picked up the guitar and banjo shortly thereafter. While he had a rock phase, he settled on music that had an older soul—traditional American and bluegrass music. He said that some of his musical upbringing came from his Great Granddaddy Brown and his Granddaddy Sampson, who drank and played Hank Williams and Ernest Tubb tunes. But mainly, Gianniny said that his musical influence came from growing up poor.

Gianniny played on the Downtown Mall as a teenager, and some of his earliest public performances were with Piedmont blues legend John Jackson. Songwriter Jamie Dyer says, “I have known him since he was 13. I don’t even remember meeting him. He was just there.” His friend Sam Mays, who sold Gianniny the Washburn banjo he was playing towards the end of his life, says, “I knew him from playing on the Mall when [music store] Stacy’s was still there, 15 or 20 years ago. I liked him as a person and he was a talented musician.”

Gianniny was an original member of the Hackensaw Boys, who took their 1964 GMC bus cross-country with 12 band mem-bers in the summer of 2001. He contributed to their first CD, Get Some. He was also a member of The Hogwaller Ramblers and valiantly led the band when Dyer took an occasional Sunday off, sometimes standing on top of a table at Escafé with a hat that lit up like it was Christmas. Gianniny was also a member of The Virginia Vagabonds, the old-time band that Lovell Coleman started in 1937 and gigged several times a year.

Gianniny and Dyer took off for a tour in 2005, and Dyer describes a scene in Tennessee. “We got up early and went into The Bell Buckle Café where everybody in the place knew and loved Phil. They gave us breakfast and then put us on the radio.”

Gianniny also led his own bands, like The Slate Hill Boys, who put out an excellent record, Memory Lane. That disc should still be available through County Records. His second CD, Carnival of Oddities, came out last year. Original Slate Hill Boys Charlie Bell, Andy Thacker and Ben Jacobs performed at the memorial.
   
                                                            •

Many musicians in town see Slate Hill Phil as standing for the odd man out, the guy who is not represented in modern society. Even Reverend Hopkins said as much at the memorial, that he could not find common enough ground during Phil’s time on Earth to get to know him. Dyer puts it this way: “He was an artist, and the Phils of the world are the repository for a lot of music that is out there. In a culture where money is foremost, Phil is an important person. He was an organic part of the musical soul here in town.”

Anyone interested in playing music, telling stories or viewing films of Gianniny’s recent performances, can e-mail dustwarehousing@yahoo.com to find out about a get-together that will benefit his daughter Julia.


Giants among us: Nelson County resident and remastering engineer Chris King just earned his tird Grammy Award nomination for Good For What Ails You: Music Of The Medicine Shows 1926-1937.

One CD that Gianniny would have enjoyed just earned Nelson resident Chris King his third Grammy Award nomination. King is the remastering engineer on Good For What Ails You: Music Of The Medicine Shows 1926-1937 on Old Hat Records. King remastered the project from rare, original analog 78 RPM recordings. The project has also been nominated for a Grammy for best historical liner notes. King was awarded a Grammy in 2003 for a CD compilation of Charley Patton music and was nominated last year for his work on a Charlie Poole CD. We live among stars.

                                                            •

And if you want to catch a fine show of local music this week, get out to Gravity Lounge on Saturday night for the release of Tom Proutt and Emily McCormick’s new CD, Pancake Mamma. These two fine singers and musicians will be accompanied by special guests Mary Gordon Hall, Jeff Romano, Darren Snapp and others. Should be a great show.

Categories
Living

Net worth

Before every Washington Redskins game Comcast Sports Net’s (www.comcastsportsnet.com) Kelli Johnson has the story. After each game, she gets the pertinent interviews, asking the tough questions. She is truly the quintessential beat reporter. Also an anchor on “Sports Rise” and “Sports Night,” Johnson, a former four-year, all-conference academic starter on the University of Idaho’s women’s basketball team, went into journalism because of her passion for sports. And that comes through in her reporting.


As a decorated former collegiate athlete, sports reporter Kelli Johnson knows how to get the postgame lowdown from players like Redskins safety Sean Taylor.

C-VILLE: Where did you first realize you wanted to pursue sports reporting?
Kelli Johnson: I kind of stumbled into it. I knew I wanted to be involved in sports somehow.

My cousin is a news anchor up in the Seattle area and her husband is a reporter as well, and I ended up getting an internship up in Seattle at one of the TV stations in their sports department and just loved it. I did it for a summer and worked out at the University of Washington. The next year, I did an internship at the NBC affiliate covering, doing things every night, around the postgame of the Mariners, doing some stuff with the Seahawks. It just seemed like a great way to still be around the game.

Did you ever consider trying to play basketball at the next level?
Actually my senior year, I had a resumé tape for basketball and a resumé tape
for broadcast.

So I was sending tapes out around the league and had some invites to come try out with a number of teams.

Then I got my first job offer in TV a month after I graduated, so it was TV. I was always told the first job in TV is the toughest to get, so when you get that opportunity, you kind of got to grab it. I went with it, but sometimes I regret not playing basketball a little bit longer.

You grew up in Idaho where there are no pro sports teams. Who was your team?
My favorite baseball team growing up was the St. Louis Cardinals, and Ozzie Smith, my all-time favorite player. When you’re a little kid and you see a shortstop go out and do the flips onto the field, you kind of get drawn to that, and I became a fan of the Cardinals and Whitey [Herzog] Ball.

What’s the single sporting event that you want to cover but haven’t?
So I guess I’d have to say the Super Bowl. I last covered the Rams when they went to the Super Bowl the second time around, but I didn’t actually get to go to New Orleans with the team. I was the “fortunate” member of our staff that had to stay back and hold the fort down, so I think it would be covering the Super Bowl.

Wes McElroy hosts “The Final Round” on ESPN 840 Monday-Friday 3pm-5pm.

Categories
The Editor's Desk

Biscuit Run road rage

Biscuit Run road rage

It is an interesting quote from Mr. Blaine in the C-VILLE Weekly under Development and Biscuit Run [“Biscuit Run: More Complaints,” Development News, December 26] that cites his “help” in providing the necessary infrastructure to take this high volume of traffic off of the Fry’s Spring Neighborhood streets that is a current problem due to the development south of Azalea Park via Old Lynchburg Road (OLR). I believe those of us who were in attendance at the last Albemarle County Planning Commission meeting did not see any relief being given to this neighborhood and, in particular, the high volume of traffic currently being endured on this city’s residential street of Old Lynchburg Road, which has a safe speed posted of 25 mph, which many of the current, daily average of 5,300 vehicles who use this residential street systematically ignore on a daily basis…before more development goes in south of Azalea Park.

I believe if you go back to your notes of this last meeting, you will remember that Southwood Estates Connector merely brings Biscuit Run traffic through the proposed developments of Biscuit Run and the Habitat Community directly onto OLR—already heavily burdened. I believe that one of the proffers being offered by Mr. Blaine is a traffic signal at the intersection of Sunset and OLR as well as this earlier described “Connector,” neither of which takes the heavy burden off of the residential streets of FSN and, in particular, OLR.

Looking further at the maps that were used in Mr. Blaine’s presentation, he refers to the City of Charlottesville as “the business district” rather than a system of neighborhoods that are to be upheld and protected—not overloaded and trashed by greed in the pursuit of money.

As I stated at the last Albemarle County Planning Commission meeting, ”What is the plan?” The nonplan is not a plan conducive to the health and longevity of the neighborhoods that currently call the City of Charlottesville home.

What are the proffers being offered by Mr. Blaine that show responsibility toward the neighborhoods to take the high volume of speeding traffic off of our neighborhood streets? Mr. Blaine needs to go back to the “drawing board” if he wants to say that his proffers are helping with the needed infrastructure, and the leaders of Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville, and the University of Virginia need to find their voices to require such. There is a “Window of Time” to correct this ill designed plan, and our leaders need to step forward and lead.

Responsible development without being at the expense of others should be the goal for this area.

Jeanne S. Chase
Charlottesville

Goode gripes grow

Virgil Goode

When a U.S. Congressman (Virgil Goode, Virginia) goes into a frothy panic just because a Muslim-American was elected to Congress [“Goode Makes Complete Ass of Self,” Government News, December 19] and then uses the threat that other Muslim-Americans might also be elected someday as an excuse to cut legal immigration, one can almost smell the crosses burning. “Circle the wagons,” he’s telling us, “the barbarians are coming!!” Well, which are the barbarians—legal immigrants or the xenophobes who think like Mr. Goode? It’s a pity Mr. Goode never learned that what makes America great is that it’s home to all peoples of the world, not just to members of one ethnic clique who believe that they are the only true Americans. It’s also a pity that the voters in his district chose to elect a hate-mongering bigot to represent them. That’s their right, but the Germans did the same thing 75 years ago, and it didn’t turn out well. If America is to avoid a similar fate, we all must demonstrate that jingoistic nativism is no longer popular and refuse to support candidates who promote bigotry in order to get votes.

Robert Hayman
Seattle, WA

___________________________________________________________________

Representative Goode’s letter questioned the allegiance of Representative Ellison. Yet, what about Representative Goode’s allegiance? The congressman has a history of switching his allegiances, having transformed himself from a Democrat to a Republican, from a Presbyterian to a Baptist, and from a supporter of the Civil Rights Movement to a promoter of religious intolerance. Now, I learn he has the Ten Commandments on his office wall. He is scheduled to retake the oath of office again this January. That means he will swear “that I will support the Constitution of the United States.” But will it be the Constitution or the Ten Commandments that takes precedence during his next two years in office? Or will both be jettisoned as he continues down the path of appealing to people’s more base instincts?

Heather Rowland
Charlottesville

Congressional chorus

Thanks for spotlighting the Common Ground Chorus [“The long and winding road,” Plugged In, December 26]! I’m only sorry I had not set our dates in January before you went to press. The chorus will have two “Open Sessions” this month before getting started in earnest in February: Tuesday, January 9 and Tuesday, January 16, from 7pm to 9pm at the Charlottesville Friends Meeting House at 1104 Forest St. Both sessions are open to curious singers.

And what a hopeful suggestion that Congressman Goode might enjoy singing with our chorus sometime. I’d welcome the chance to sing with Mr. Goode. A singing teacher of mine once observed that every legislature in the world would do well to sing in harmony together each day before attempting to write any laws together! Perhaps our congressman could pick up a piece suitable to sharing with his colleagues. And maybe he’d have an old gospel chestnut to share with us.

Craig Green
Afton


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Categories
Living

Bean cart district expands

An odd sight popped up on the Downtown Mall during the last week of December. Right next door to Chaps, where a long-established coffee cart known as Java Hut sits outside the ice-cream parlor, Sal’s Caffe Italia opened its own coffee cart. There they were, looking like Tweedledee and Tweedledecaf.

Whispered rumors of a feud between the respective owners of Sal’s and Chaps aside, we find this competition more comical than anything. Check out the twin carts next time you’re on the Mall, and order a cup while you’re at it—from whichever cart you prefer.


Dueling coffee carts give Downtowners twice the buzz. Can you spot the newcomer?

So long! Farewell!

Ever get the urge to work yourself up into a pleasant state of melancholy? You know, by thinking about old boyfriends or reflecting on how long it’s been since you’ve been inside your high school? It was in this spirit that Restaurantarama got in line for lunch on the Hardware Store’s next-to-last day of business, December 29.

We weren’t alone in our quest. In fact, the place was packed. True to family-friendly form, the Store was at that moment hosting legions of people under 16, most of whom seemed to be shopping for candy in our personal space. Like all the smaller shops around its skirts, the Hardware Store’s candy shop was running deep discounts and looking slightly picked-over. In a poignant bit of spin, this was being billed as a “Christmas Sale,” but the crowd knew what was up: We heard plenty of patrons mention the 30-year-old restaurant’s imminent closing.

Finally, the perennial host—a tall, thin man in shirtsleeves and tie—led us to our table in one of the place’s small back rooms. As we followed him, we passed high shelves lined with retro Corning Ware boxes and cookie tins, wooden booths where patrons washed sandwiches down with bottled beer, a bustling pastry counter and a giant freight elevator (part of owners Stan and Marilyn Epsteins’ effort to preserve the building’s past as a landmark hardware store). It all seemed exactly as it always has been, with no particular sign of Last Days.

That included the novel-sized menu, where the eatery’s more-is-more philosophy was most evident: more sandwiches, more sundaes, more employees in blue denim shirts. We ordered what we thought was a modest lunch and were presented with two heaping platters of food. Downing the plump dolmades that came with our “small” Greek salad, we started to feel a little blue. Looking around at the comfy upholstered chairs and the old-Charlottesville photos on the walls, we got bluer still. By the time a lady at the next table ordered the Reuben and proclaimed it a farewell gesture, we were practically sniffling.

Sure, there remain 300-plus restaurants around town. But we’ll still miss this one.

Lunch plans

When Café Cubano recently expanded its footprint in Downtown’s York Place, a small space behind homegrown noodle shop Marco & Luca opened up. We suspected Dragana Katalina-Sun and Sun Da, noodle shop proprietors, might have plans to take it over. Sure enough, says Katalina-Sun, they’re getting ready to remove the wall between the two spaces (where Marco’s stove is now) and add seating—probably in spring—to accommodate more dumpling enthusiasts.

They’ll expand their menu too, though specifics are still in the works. Look for more Asian dishes, probably in the noodle and dumpling family, in which the pair have proven themselves to excel.

Also this spring, Katalina-Sun plans to open an organic juice bar and sandwich-and-salad joint in the tiny window on Second Street where Marco & Luca got its start five years ago. She’ll call it Nicolas’ Veggies, after the couple’s youngest of three sons.

One more

An addition to our list of restaurant closings in 2006: Rococo’s Bistro has gone to that big saucepot in the sky.

Got some restaurant scoop? Send tips to restaurantarama@c-ville.com or call 817-2749, Ext. 48.

Categories
News

Guilty verdict in city killing

A jury on January 5 delivered a guilty verdict for Jermaine Leon Thurston, a 22-year-old who said he shot another man in self defense. Initially charged with second degree murder, Thurston acted without malice when he shot Lamont Antonio Reaves jurors decided in the Charlottesville Circuit Court, convicting him of voluntary manslaughter.

On June 18, the two men argued at Wolfie’s Nightclub, then headed over to Friendship Court, where Reaves armed himself with a baseball bat, and Thurston wielded a 9mm handgun he says he started carrying for protection. Though the Friendship Court altercation blew over without incident, Reaves followed Thurston to his home on S. First Street. There, Reaves put up his fists and said he wanted to fight Thurston, who fired the 9mm once, hitting Reaves’ chest. Thurston fled but called police and told them what had happened. Reaves later died at UVA hospital.

Thurston’s defense attorney Debbie Wyatt argued that her client was a good kid who had grown up around violence but had managed to stay out of trouble.

The jury recommended Thurston serve two years.

The case marked the second city killing and the first city murder charge for 2006. Of the two other killings: One occurred March 14 on Sixth Street SW—a 27-year-old man turned himself in, but no charges have been filed. The third killing occurred December 29 in Friendship Court on Garrett Street—police are still seeking suspects.