Month: August 2024

Those of us following the “Small Town, Big Crime” podcast—a locally produced show from journalists Courteney Stuart and Rachel Ryan that investigates the 1985 Bedford County double murder of Derek and Nancy Haysom—got a bit of a surprise while browsing Netflix at the end of 2023. The co-hosts had been tapped for commentary in the streaming service’s documentary, “Till Murder Do Us Part: Soering vs. Haysom.” “The two of them were a horrible puzzle that fit together just right,” says Stuart of Elizabeth Haysom and Jens Soering, the couple at the center of the case, in the series’ lead-in. Consider us hooked.

Laura Frantz wants to write you a poem. Luckily, the Charlottesville Poem Store owner is never too far away, parking her tent (and her vintage typewriter) at the Farmers Market at Ix, The Doyle Hotel (total Algonquin Round Table vibes), and special events like the Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival and Common House’s Writers’ Happy Hour. Plus, she’s for hire. Have her stop by your event and craft an on-the-spot poem for each of your guests based on a set of agreed-upon prompts. Now that’s poetry in motion.

As your official source of all things good, better, and best in Charlottesville, it’s always a pleasure when we can introduce you to someone making a splash in the local arts scene. Enter Harold Bailey, the virtuoso pianist and composer who’s making classical cool. 

Hailing from Richmond, Bailey began his career as a self-taught musician at age 16, and went on to earn his bachelor’s and master’s in piano performance. Throughout his career he’s played at Carnegie Hall, improvised with the late Chick Corea, had his compositions choreo­graphed by Charlottesville Ballet, and now teaches piano at The Front Porch and leads workshops throughout the commonwealth.

With a focus on the classical genre, Bailey showcases the versatility and individuality of the piano, and draws on his own life experiences for original compositions. His live performances are a celebration of musical connection, and often involve collaborations from other pianists and vocalists. Find more information on Bailey’s upcoming live shows at @thebaileybard.

If you love both books and lap robes, you have likely found The Espresso Edition online. Stephanie Whitman had been blogging full-time before she moved to Charlottesville in 2021, but now her day job is social media manager, and blogging about books at theespressoedition.com is her side gig. 

Ten years ago, when Whitman was diagnosed with gastroparesis (a chronic digestive condition that keeps her bedridden a significant amount of the time), blogging was a sensible career choice. “I started in fashion, added lifestyle along the way, and then in 2021, I completely rebranded because, as a lifelong reader, talking about books feels like coming home. ‘Cozy’ is the vibe for my brand.” 

What makes for a cozy book? “Very low stakes,” she says. “I want to go into the book knowing that it won’t be filled with crazy amounts of action, emotional trauma, or anything too overwhelming. More often than not, these kinds of books take place in small towns, with a smaller cast of characters who are all familiar with one another, and frequently there are warm beverages and sweet treats involved.” Cozy covers all genres; two of Whitman’s favorites are romance (“the fluffy kind”) and science fiction/fantasy, from a childhood love of The Chronicles of Narnia. “My ideal cozy set-up is a big armchair with a soft blanket, jazz music playing in the background, a warm and spicy candle, a hot cup of coffee or tea in my hand, and a good book on a rainy afternoon.” Sounds perfect!

It took Asheville-based artist Scott Allred two weeks to return the Coca-Cola ghost mural on the side of 122 E. Main St. to its former glory, a feat that began by sealing off key portions of the 100-year-old artwork and then painting on top of it. The project was funded in part by America’s largest Coca-Cola bottling company, Coca-Cola Consolidated, as a “nod to Charlottesville and Coca-Cola’s past but also … a shared vision for a vibrant downtown for our customers and consumers,” says Wayne Tyree, Coke Consolidated’s Community Relations Manager for the Charlottesville area.

After almost four years of renovations, the University of Virginia’s main library reopened its doors to the public at the beginning of the year. But the massive windows and study courts aren’t the only changes—the building also has a new name.

Originally opened in 1938, the newly dubbed Edgar Shannon Library has been a staple on Grounds for more than 75 years. When students went home for spring break in March of 2020, however, UVA closed the library for renovations.

“I don’t think we knew what we were in for in closing those doors and what would have to happen,” says Elyse Girard, executive director of communications and user experience for the library. “We went from basic concerns about how to keep the service and space level the same, even with our main library closed, from then shifting to how to do that now during a pandemic.”

Despite the logistical challenges, the Edgar Shannon Library now touts cool new features, several restored historic spaces, and some desperately needed safety and structural updates.

Girard’s office was infested with bats when renovations began. Now, in addition to the building being bat-free, there’s the newfound brightness.

“I love seeing students sit in the windows and have their little cozy spots,” says Girard. “It’s just a better, [more] welcoming building to be in.”

Your wedding is a time to present your best self—which may mean a custom suit. Luckily, Charlottesville has plenty of options. There are national retailers Brooks Brothers, Jos. A. Bank, and Men’s Wearhouse. Or you can go the shop local route.

Eljo’s was opened in 1950 on the UVA Corner by two Wahoo brothers (Elliott and Joseph Hyman, hence the name). Trent Thurston, who now co-owns the shop with his father, Myles, recommends beginning the suit-buying process at least five weeks before the big day. Eljo’s prides itself on more traditional menswear, and prices range from $1,300 on up, depending on size and fabric (the shop has more than 1,500 swatches on hand).   

Alton Lane has a strikingly similar origin—started in 2009 by two UVA/Darden grads. The store’s manufacturing process means it can promise a suit within two weeks, but you’ll still need time for fittings (store stylist Ali Taleb says most grooms start the process at least three months out). Prices range from $399 (for a “50/50 fabric”) to as high as $4,000 (seasonal or high-end fabrics). Alton Lane also offers wedding packages for outfitting the wedding party—groomsmen, bridesmaids, even the bride.

The Mens & Boys Shop is a 104-year-old Charlottesville institution. Co-owner Kyle Davis says a custom client should start the process at least two months before the wedding. Prices start at $895, again depending on size, fabric, and styling. Davis notes that grooms will often bring their partner along. It makes for a shared experience, he says, “and it’s always nice to have someone help with making decisions.”

Want to have something in common with John and Patricia Kluge, The British royal family, The College of William & Mary, and “The Beverly Hillbillies” mansion? Then you should commission a mandmade item from local metalsmiths Stokes of England. Whether it’s imposing wrought-iron gates for your stately home, beautiful and long-lasting furniture for your house or garden, delicate wall scones or a graceful chandelier, an intricate fire screen or a free-standing sculpture, if it’s metal, Stokes makes it. 

Despite the name, Stokes was founded here in 1981 by British master metalsmith Joe Stokes and his son Stephen, who had been an American exchange student and decided to stay. (Two years later, Joe went back to Blighty to set up the firm’s U.K. branch, now run by younger son Chris.) The company’s work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Southern Living, The New York Times, and on PBS and the BBC. Since 1995, Stokes has been based at its forge in Keswick, where you can visit to watch its smiths at work.

In August 2022, the local Stokes was purchased by Mike and Truleigh Trennepohl, as part of their dream to live in central Virginia and run a family business. Mike and his son Ashton are now forging ahead, learning the metalsmith trade from Stephen Stokes.

It takes a certain amount of vision to decide to stake your future on a herd of goats. But in 2008, that’s exactly what former homebuilder Jace Gooding did. With the economy barreling toward a recession, he found a business partner and started Goat Busters, setting his herd of Kiko goats to work clearing vineyards, backyards, and golf courses. You may have even seen them as you drove by Washington Park—last summer the city hired Goat Busters to remove invasive species.

Trees are life. No, really. They provide oxygen, reduce energy costs, fight against climate change, and lead to better health simply by existing. That’s why ReLeaf Cville is working to create as much tree coverage in the city as possible. Last fall, with a $46,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry, the group planted 129 trees on homeowners’ properties throughout Rose Hill, as well as on public properties like Washington Park, Madison Avenue public housing, and J.P. Burley Middle School and the Community Lab School.