Month: October 2012

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The Editor's Desk

‘Naive is the new cynical’ and other generational musings

“Naive is the new cynical,” a somewhat incredulous and impossibly cool friend of mine recently said, as we observed a gaggle of young folk rock hipster types. The posture of American counterculture has migrated since the two of us came to maturity in the ’80s and ’90s. That’s what counterculture does. It’s a shape-shifter. A time traveler.

In my youth I caught the very tail end of the Dead Heads, lived with the punks, the skate rats, the hip hop kids, the metalheads. I experienced the indie revolution and watched as my friends and associates became hipsters. In Brooklyn no less. Long have they reigned—an intellectual, artistic, anti-career mob with refined tastes and the real desire to do no harm, except maybe passively to their parents and exes. The edge in my friend’s voice, though, was part of a larger realization. For the first time, maybe since Joan Baez, the manifestation of resistance to commercial mainstream youth culture is employing earnestness as its weapon of choice.

I feel like I’m caught between two mini-generations. It took only one year of the bohemian life in New York, just out of college, for me to feel bored and lonely, prompting me to strike out for the inner reaches of the American continent in search of an authentic experience. Earnest as could be. So, in theory, I like the notion that young kids are hitting the gypsy highways, growing their beards long, and listening to field recordings like no one ever did it before—searching out the soul of America.

As a Cold War baby, though, I mistrust the notion of resistance in our well-lubricated world.  Sooner or later, everyone wants a taste of the good life. I guess that’s the understated requiem for American counterculture composed by our Boomer forefathers and -mothers. This week’s feature by Preston Long is about tattoo artists, the people who ink the permanent stamp of the American middle finger. These days they do a lot of cover-ups and fixes, but they’ve also got a generation of new clients who have cottoned to the original Polynesian notion of gradually unveiling a life story on their skin. A sincere question: Can you wear your heart on your sleeve with your tongue in your cheek?

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News

Peering into Mark Warner’s political future

Mark Warner on the campaign trail. File photo

O.K., we’re going to go ahead and call it right now: Come November, Barack Obama is going to win Virginia, and with it the presidency, and Tim Kaine is going to ride his coattails into the U.S. Senate. How can we be so sure, you ask? Well, we could easily quote a raft of new polls that show both President Obama and Tim Kaine moving into a decisive lead in their respective races. We could also talk about how the current electoral college math is so daunting for the Republicans that a Mitt Romney victory would represent one of the most unprecedented political triple bankshots in American history.

But really, what it comes down to is this: Mitt Romney has run one of the most laughably inept campaigns in recent memory, and the criminal incompetence of his organization is almost certainly going to negatively impact downballot candidates (like, say, Republican senate hopeful George Allen) who might otherwise eke out a victory. (Which would explain why the New York Times’ well-respected political blog Five Thirty Eight recently calculated that Kaine has “roughly a 75 percent chance of winning the seat.”)

So now that we’re done obsessing about November, it’s time to move on to obsessing about 2013! That’s right: Believe it or not, all electoral activity will not cease on November 7, no matter how much you might wish it so. With that in mind, we’ve been poking around the margins, trying to figure out what some of Virginia’s most interesting pols are really up to.

First on our list is U.S. Senator Mark Warner, who has been keeping a relatively low profile as of late. Now, it’s no secret that Warner has found his day job more than a little frustrating. As a self-described “radical centrist” in a highly partisan congress, Warner has consistently had his ideas tabled or shot down entirely. (Anyone remember the “Gang of Six”? Yeah, we didn’t think so.) Now, the persistent rumor as of late is that Warner is eying a late entry into the Virginia governor’s race. (When recently asked by the Washington Post about this possibility, Warner pointedly said “I’m not going to quell anything.”)

With a recent Post poll showing him in a very strong position should he choose to run for governor again, one has to imagine that he’s tempted—especially since running for president (something Warner almost certainly wants to do) as a sitting governor is much better, historically, than running as a senator.

So if Warner decides to run for governor and wins, what happens to his senate seat? We’re glad you asked, since that brings us to another of our favorite rumors. Since Virginia governors are empowered to appoint replacements to fill a vacant senate seat, a newly elected Governor Warner would be given the unique opportunity to fill his own seat. And just who might he appoint?

Well, if you listen to the particularly fervid fever dreams of Virginia’s left-leaning gossipmongers, the nod would go to none other than Charlottesville’s own Tom Perriello, an Obama administration favorite who has been out of a job since he lost his U.S. House seat in 2010.

Is any of this remotely likely? As always, we have no idea. But it’s a hell of a lot more fun to engage in rampant 2013 speculation than to watch yet another painful, gaffe-filled Mitt Romney campaign event. Trust us.

Categories
News

Substitution infraction crushes Cavaliers’ comeback bid

Phillip Sims gets ready to unleash one in the Hoos loss to Louisiana Tech. Photo: Jack Looney

Louisiana Tech quarterback Colby Cameron could not draw Virginia offsides on 4th-and-1 with 1:45 remaining, his team desperately clinging to a 44-38 lead. Coach Sonny Dykes called timeout, and UVA trotted its punt return team onto the field.

Dykes didn’t oblige. Punter Ryan Allen stayed on the sideline, and Cameron lined up behind center.

Virginia inserted a twelfth player and was whistled for a substitution infraction, its 16th penalty of the day.

“From a technical standpoint, they put their punt team on and we put our return team on,” said UVA coach Mike London shortly after the game. “Khalek Shepherd went to the back to receive the punt. Somewhere along the way, I guess they decided to bring their regular offense in.”

Teams are given three seconds to remove an extra defender from the field. Doug Rhoads, the ACC’s supervisor of officials, said Sunday that UVA’s twelfth man was on the field for as many as 11 seconds after the Bulldogs approached the ball.

“You have to be allowed the opportunity to substitute your correct personnel into the game,” London said. “As they brought their regular offense in, Khalek was 40-50 yards away. Normally it is the technique of the umpire to stand over the ball and allow the substitutions to take place. We ran one of our corners on the field, because their regular offense was there. But, 50 yards downfield was our punt returner, who should have been given the opportunity to leave the field. The official counted 12 players on the field, outside of the absence of knowing what’s going on with the personnel going in and out. A penalty is called. That’s the technical aspect of it, my interpretation of how it went down.”

Virginia led 24-10 in the second quarter and had crossed midfield when Sean Cascarano committed a dead-ball personal foul penalty. On the ensuing 2nd-and-18, Michael Rocco threw an interception that glanced off the hands of Dominique Terrell. Two plays later, Louisiana Tech scored the first of 34 unanswered points.

UVA’s two-touchdown lead became a 44-24 deficit in the span of 20 minutes, 15 seconds.

In relief of Rocco, Phillip Sims threw fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Jake McGee and Adrian Gamble and looked poised to complete an improbable comeback before the decisive penalty.

“It was real tough,” said the Alabama transfer. “It’s pretty much everyone’s dream to be in a situation like that: two minutes left and the chance to help your team come out with a victory. Coming into the locker room and seeing the look in our eyes, you never know what may have happened with that time left. It’s a hard pill to swallow.”

Rocco’s streak of 18 consecutive starts will likely come to an end Saturday in Durham. The embattled quarterback led his team to eight wins a season ago, but UVA is just 1-5 in its last six games against FBS competition. Rocco has thrown a league-high eight interceptions in 2012.

Virginia last lost three consecutive games in 2010, Mike London’s first season on the job. Louisiana Tech improved to 4-0, its best start since 1975.

“It’s just that the way it ended in the last two minutes with substitution infractions, you hate for that to happen,” said Sonny Dykes. “You hate to see a game end that way. We wanted to get into an open set and try to draw them offsides and they had their kick returner out and I can understand why. They assumed that we were going to punt the ball. At that point, I didn’t feel comfortable punting the ball as we were having ongoing discussions on whether to punt it or go for it. I pretty much knew we were going to go for it.”

Categories
Living

Fruit of the Vine: Wine events for October 1-14

Illustration: Matt Pamer

Afton Mountain
Garlic Festival at Rebec Vineyards
October 13-14
(540) 456-8667
www.aftonmountainvineyards.com

Barboursville Vineyard
Palladio Cooking Class
Tuesday, October 9
The Art of Charcuterie & Wine Pairing $120 All cooking classes begin at 6:30pm and last approximately 3½ hours. The classes are “participation” classes, so dress accordingly – no high heels, please. Participants will receive recipes and some food to take home. We provide aprons and towels. Dinner with wine will be provided at the end of class for everyone to enjoy! We limit the number of participants to 12, so book early!
(540) 832-7848
www.barboursvillewine.com

Cardinal Point
November 10-11: Ninth annual Oyster Roast
Oysters will be served raw, steamed, fried, and stewed.
Live music and plenty of oysters from our friends at Rappahannock River Oyster Co.!
Saturday music: The Cashmere Jungle Lords (surfabilly rock at its best)
Sunday music: The Atkinsons (roots rock from Richmond). Cover Charge: $8 per person in advance, $10 per person at the door; $5 for Case Club members; kids under 18 admitted free.
(Cover charge includes a wine glass and free wine tasting; it does NOT include wine to fill your glass or oysters).
Advance Tickets on Sale starting October 1, noon-5pm each day.
(540) 456-8400
cardinalpointwinery.com

Delfosse Vineyards
French Crêpe Day: October 14, 2012
Come and celebrate another French crêpe Day from 1-5pm. Select from a menu of five different crepes: Savory (sauteed Shrimps and Broccoli in white wine reduction and Mediterranean herbs
Mushrooms shallots, garlic and egg with Mornay sauce); Sweet (strawberries, chocolate and mascarpone vanilla); Nutella and Bananas (French-style crepe, plain sugar and a sprinkling of Grand Marnier). $5 per crepe.
263-6100
www.delfossewine.com

Glass House Winery
All BELOW MUSIC EVENTS ARE 6:15-9pm
Friday, October 5 Robert Jospe and Inner Rhythm
Friday, October 12 Tara Mills w Strings attached
Friday, October 19 Porch Rockers
Friday, October 26 Toma Que Toma (flamenco dancing, w/ Beleza, Latin-themed costume party.)
975-0094
glasshousewinery.com

Keswick Vineyards
Saturday, October 27: Yoga in the Vines (10am-noon)
Enjoy the fall colors and crisp mountain air during a morning yoga session with local instructor (and former Keswickian) Kelly Zimmerman, owner of Integrated Thai Massage, followed by an outdoor wine tasting. The perfect pairing for an energized and inspired weekend. $15 for wine club members, $20 for non-members. Space is limited so please RSVP.

Extended hours on Fridays through October 26
From May through October we will be staying open an hour later, until 6pm! Come enjoy a glass of wine on the porch after work. Start the weekend early!

Thrifty Thursdays
Every Thursday
Please join us on Thursdays, when all wines by the glass are only $3.50! Come bring your friends or a good book and sit outside and enjoy the view with one of our award winning wines.

Yappy Hours
Every Sunday through October 28
Please join us for our weekly “Yappy Hours” every Sunday through October 28. Bring your four-legged friends to play while you socialize with other animal lovers.
244-3341
keswickvineyards.com

Mountfair Vineyard
October 13
Music on the Patio: Erin Lunsford (2-5pm)
Open for complimentary tastings March-November Fri.-Sun. Noon-5pm or by appointment.
4875 Fox Mountain Rd., Crozet
823-7605
mountfair.com

Stinson Vineyard
Tasting Room hours are Thursday through Sunday 11am-5pm, or by appointment.
823-7300
www.stinsonvineyards.com

Trump Vineyards
Join us October 5-7th for our First Anniversary Weekend! We will be celebrating the release of our new Trump wine labels by having live music and specials Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For this weekend only, we will be offering tastings of all 10 of our wines for only $10.
Tasting Room Hours: Sunday-Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 11am-8pm
3550 Blenheim Rd.
984-4855
trumpwinery.com

White Hall Vineyards
Saturday, October 13-Sunday, October 14: 10th Annual Art in the Vineyard (11am-5pm)
Come see what local artisans have on display while tasting our award-winning wines and touring the winery. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains! The $10 entry fee includes a tour, tasting and embossed wine glass to keep.

White Hall Vineyards is open for tours and tastings, Wednesdays through Sundays from 11am-5pm.
5282 Sugar Ridge Rd., Crozet
823-8615
whitehallvineyards.com

Categories
News

Romney and Ryan to campaign in Fishersville Thursday

According to several media outlets, including CNN, Republican nominee Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan plan to campaign in Virginia this Thursday, October 4, a day after the first presidential debate. With country music artist Trace Adkins joining the candidates onstage, the hopefuls will host a Victory Rally at Augusta Expoland in Fishersville, about 30 miles west of Charlottesville.

Doors open at 4pm, and the event is expected to begin at 6pm. A press release advises attendees to prepare for “airport-like security,” and should bring as few personal items to the venue as possible.

To publicize the event, the Romney campaign bypassed local media and took to the sky, as Charlottesville residents reported seeing a small yellow airplane towing a banner announcing his upcoming arrival.

The Republican candidates have made numerous stops in Virginia, and Romney chose Norfolk as the location to announce Ryan as his running mate in August. All the attention is likely because the Virginia’s nine electoral votes are in hot demand, with both camps counting on the Commonwealth for victory.

Several national polls show Romney is trailing Obama in Virginia, with Fox News giving the president the largest lead at seven points.

Categories
News

What’s coming up in Charlottesville the week of 10/1

Notes from the news desk

Each week, the news team takes a look at upcoming meetings and events in Charlottesville and Albemarle we think you should know about. Consider it a look into our datebook, and be sure to share newsworthy happenings, too.

  • The Charlottesville City Council meets at 7pm Monday in Council chambers. Among the agenda items: A final vote on the $255,850 skate park relocation; a report on the Green Dot Project, an effort to make it easier for lower-income city residents to start businesses; and final approval of the special use permit that would allow Black Market Moto Saloon to host live music events (city officials visited the bar last week for an in-person noise test).
  • The agenda for the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors meeting Wednesday, October 3 includes hearings on the expansion of a Three Notch’d Road preschool and the Free Union Baptist Church, as well as a couple of wireless tower approvals (read tomorrow’s C-VILLE for more on those!), a FY 2013 budget amendment, and a quarterly report from VDOT that will include updates on road projects and the county’s revenue sharing program.
  • On Thursday, October 4, the city hosts a free presentation on the “History of Free and Freed Blacks in Charlottesville/Albemarle” from 7 to 9pm. The look back at the contributions of African Americans to the area’s history is a joint effort of the History and Culture Action Team of Charlottesville’s Dialogue on Race, Celebrate!250 and The Burke Brown Steppe Chapter of the African-American History and Genealogy Society.
  • Also on Thursday is the second public planning meeting for several city-owned properties in the Meadow Creek stream valley, including a new parcel of parkland along the creek near Morton Drive. The meeting is at 6:30pm at Greenbrier Elementary School. Parks department officials are asking of input from the public on how best to use the land, which could eventually include trails and a recreational field.
Categories
Living

Crozet Pizza comes to the Corner and Relay Foods brings steak chinoise to you

Crozet Pizza owner Mike Alexander is bringing his pies to the Corner. Photo: Ashley Twiggs

Western pies move East
You can never have too many pizza places in a university town, so a branch of the beloved Crozet Pizza opening at the Corner is a stroke of brilliance. Expect the same great pies in the old Backyard space on Elliewood by the end of October. Or, in restaurant speak, by the end of the year.

Get your tastings on
Friday nights are celebratory enough that going to Market Street Wineshop’s free wine tastings seems superfluous. It’s the weeknights that need a bright spot, so the Downtown shop is hosting an additional tasting on Tuesday evenings from 5-7pm. Beer tastings remain on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30pm. And now, every day but Sunday, a featured wine or beer will be poured along with the shop’s Wines of the Week starting at 11am. Just in time for lunch! If you want some solid food to go with those liquid samples, keep an eye out for a new food item to taste each day.

Great Scott!
While the popcorn shop has closed its brick-and-mortar location on the Downtown Mall, Great Scott Gourmet Popcorn’s still poppin’ up its 30-plus flavors of tasty corn for online orders. As for the space left behind? Brown paper covers the windows, but Commonwealth partner, Alex George, seems to have the keys. Does the mean a return of Just Curry? Stay tuned.

Thirty-minute restaurant meals
Ever wish you could have C&O’s steak chinoise without going out? Relay Foods can make that happen with a little time on the computer and a half hour in the kitchen. Relay Ready Meals are kits containing the ingredients for favorite dishes at Brookville Restaurant, C&O, and The Local. They cost $40 to $45, feed four people, and come with a list of staples and equipment you’ll need to make magic at home.