Mythical monsters roamed the University of Virginia on the evening of Friday, April 26, when the SW2 Festival of the Moving Creature brought a parade of puppets to Grounds. The magical menagerie was comprised of art pieces designed, constructed, and operated by the university’s Art of the Moving Creature class, and honored festival namesakes Stan Winston, a Hollywood special effects artist and UVA alum, and the late Steven Warner, a longtime professor of the class.
Start your engines and chow down: The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party returned to Charlottesville on Sunday, April 21, bringing the car-devouring, fire-breathing transformer Transaurus to the John Paul Jones Arena.
Garrett Queen, book arts program director at the Virginia Center for the Book, demonstrates how to use a letterpress at the fifth Charlottesville Design Week, which was held April 9-12 at Vault Virginia and other venues around the city. A volunteer-led convention, the week brings together designers from all walks for workshops, film screenings, portfolio reviews, and more. charlottesvilledesignweek.com
Community members took to Pen Park on Saturday, March 30, to fly kites in support of Gazan civilians. Organizer Sarrah AbuLughod (pictured) made sure the event was kid-friendly by inviting families to build kites or bring their own to the park. The gathering preceded activists’ successful April 1 effort to get Charlottesville City Council to vote in favor of a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the war in Gaza.
Our We Are C-VILLE issue returns this year with another set of letters from some of our most insightful community members. In celebration of this little town surrounded by mountains, we asked those in politics, government, nonprofits, and even meteorology to tell us what they love about Charlottesville.—Richard DiCicco
Thanks for asking me to write a love letter to Charlottesville. My relationship with Charlottesville is long and somewhat complicated. After my parents divorced when I was a child, my father moved to Charlottesville. He lived here from the late 1960s until his death in 2012. When I was a kid, Charlottesville was a little foreign, because I didn’t have much contact with my father. My main connection then was due to my grandmother’s frequent surgeries and hospitalizations at UVA Hospital. I remember seeing children playing together outside in the various neighborhoods, which were so different from my home in rural Bath County.
Years later, as a young legislator and a son who was working to develop a relationship with his father, I would stop in Charlottesville to visit my dad when he worked at Brown Toyota, and later for meetings or ball games or to see my friend, Emily Couric, after she was elected to the state Senate.
When Emily passed away after a tenacious battle with pancreatic cancer, I had the opportunity to run for the state Senate. In the years since, I have gotten to know Charlottesville pretty well. The city is made up of so many vibrant neighborhoods, and there are always community events and happenings. I am not much for parades, but I have come to enjoy the Dogwood Festival parade because of the beauty of Charlottesville in the springtime. The blooming dogwoods and smiling faces along the parade route are so much fun.
Like most people, I have taken to the restaurant scene. Whether it is visiting with neighbors at Belmont Pub & Pizza, getting a quick bite to eat on the Downtown Mall during the work day, or trying out a new eatery, the food in Charlottesville is something I love. Anybody who knows me knows that I also love music. Being in Charlottesville has given me the opportunity to see so much more live music than ever before. There are good shows multiple nights a week at a variety of venues. One of my favorite places is The Local on Monday nights, when they have an open-mic night for songwriters. I have heard so many creative voices and good music at that event, and I also have made a lot of good friends. I am constantly amazed at the level of talent and the skilled musicianship that exists in this small corner of the world.
There are issues here like there are anywhere that we need to work through. We have to build a community where everyone can thrive. We have to build a multi-modal transportation system and ensure there is affordable housing for all who choose to live and work here. Charlottesville is a work in progress and we have a lot of work to do, but I like the direction it is going and am proud of so much it already has to offer.
Creigh Deeds
Virginia State Senator
My Beloved Charlottesville,
As I sit down to write this letter, my heart is overflowing with gratitude and admiration for this remarkable city and the opportunity to serve this community. Charlottesville, you are more than just a place; you are a community, a home, and a beacon of resilience and strength. From your charming streets to your rolling hills, you captivate me with your grace and history, reminding me of the strength found in unity and diversity.
Communities don’t just happen; they are the result of intentional actions, shared values, and a commitment to building connections with one another. It takes effort, understanding, and a willingness to listen and learn from one another to create a strong and vibrant community. At times the debates, and conversations may be spirited, but each and every time I walk away feeling better about our future.
Charlottesville, you are more than just a city to me. You are a home, a sanctuary, and a source of endless inspiration. Thank you for being a place where dreams are born, and where love knows no bounds. I am forever grateful to be a part of your story, and for the opportunity to earn your trust.
With warmest regards,
Michael Kochis
Charlottesville Chief of Police
Dear Charlottesville,
This past year has shown me how lucky I am to call you home.
On August 1, 2023, one of my best friends lost her 18-year-old son, Aidan, to cancer.
As a baseball player, one of Aidan’s last wishes was to have lights installed at the Pen Park baseball field where he started playing with Central Little League.
Since teaming up with CLL and City Parks & Rec to make this happen, your support for Aidan’s Lights has been phenomenal. From baseball families to folks who confess not knowing much about baseball, the offers of “what can we do” has poured in. The love people have showered on Aidan’s family has been inspiring and heartwarming.
I have called you home since 1990, and I have enjoyed serving you as Clerk of Court since 2012. I thought I could not love you more, but your support of Aidan’s Lights has shown me that I can, in fact, love you more.
With gratitude & love,
Llezelle A. Dugger
Charlottesville Clerk of Court
Over the past year, during my school board campaign, I jokingly called myself the “reluctant politician.” I never intended to make headlines or break fundraising records. I was, and am, just fighting for the kids in our community—kids like my trans daughter or neurodivergent son and thousands of others. I fight because I care about kids, and as the campaign wore on, it became abundantly clear that the thing I love most about Charlottesville (and Albemarle County!) is that this community cares about kids, too.
Charlottesville is the place where my daughter felt safe and loved enough to come out as transgender in seventh grade, where our community of friends, neighbors, teachers, and strangers welcomed her with open, loving arms.
Charlottesville is the place where my son with intellectual and emotional disabilities found inclusion and peace, where he could attend summer camp for the very first time at Camp Hope and just be a kid.
Charlottesville is a community that shows up for LGBTQ+, minority, disabled, and all kids and loves them—hard.
During my campaign, I met thousands of people around Charlottesville, and I saw day in and day out that this community is accepting and progressive. It’s a place where you can fight for the rights of ALL kids and not just be screaming into the wind. Charlottesville is a place that is made up of people who care and who are willing to fight right alongside you so that every child, regardless of their past or path, can know love and be successful.
Allison Spillman
At-Large Representative, Albemarle County School Board
Of all the places one could end up in life, I admit Charlottesville was never on my radar, pun intended. To be fair, I wasn’t sure where I would end up. You see, television is a very nomadic business. A few years here, a few years there, one usually works their way up the ladder to hit a career peak at a bigger market. My path turned out different. MUCH different.
A liquidation of my first newsroom in western Pennsylvania in late November 2007 began a search for the second stop on my television “tour de employment.” Where to next? I was fortunate to start in a decent-sized media market, but eight years of frigid, dreary, five-month-long western Pennsylvania winters were enough. I wanted a much brighter environment. I wanted to go someplace where I didn’t have to leave town every weekend to find things to do.
At the same time, I was at a place in my life where a long-term commitment to a city just wasn’t in the plans. I wanted a place where I could work two or three years, sharpen my skills, and then move on to a new city to continue my career. I spent the first 30 years of my life in Pennsylvania; I wanted nothing more than to get out and live in as many places as possible.
Two fellow Penn Staters helped me score an interview for the open chief meteorologist job at CBS19 in December 2007. Now, I’m not much for signs, but there is something perhaps beyond coincidental that both times I drove from Pennsylvania to Charlottesville for the job interviews, the clouds ended at the Virginia border and the sun came out. Eventually I was offered the job and accepted it and began on-air at CBS19 in January 2008, nearly broke and ready for the new environment in what seemed like a cool place to live. But again, only for a few years. It was a big world and I wanted to get out and live it.
Sixteen years, two months, a wife, a house, a few cats, at least 50,000 weathercasts, and several dozen Brazos Tacos later (Philly Style on flour, for the win), you’ve really done something to me, Charlottesville. I didn’t come here and expect to fall in love with you. We were only supposed to be a short-term deal, but along the way I discovered you were exactly what I was looking for. Your four distinct seasons are top-notch, your food and beverage scene unbelievable, your residents welcoming and friendly, and your list of things to do limitless.
I came here as an outsider with zero expectations and no long-term vision of staying, but time has proven otherwise. Not only did you embrace me and welcome me, Charlottesville, you ended up being a wonderful fit. You also taught me that sometimes thinking smaller can lead to much bigger things in life. For that, I will always be grateful.
Travis Koshko
Chief Meteorologist, CBS19 / FOX Virginia / ABC Virginia
I had to sit with this one for a while. Not because I don’t love Charlottesville (and not in a trite “I Love Cville” way), because I do. It took time, however, to figure out the most honest and authentic way to express that love.
What I realized is one of the best ways to demonstrate your love for something is to hold it accountable to being the best that it can be. That’s what our closest friends and partners do for us. We’re tough on kids because we believe they can be great. We should do the same for our institutions. If you really love something, you’ll resist the gravitational pull of sycophantism and speak truth to power with the goal of growth and positive evolution.
I grew up in Charlottesville. I went to Jackson- Via and rode my bike to Wayside and spent countless hours at the Fry’s Spring’s snack bar. I also got on a bus to Venable for the “QUEST” program and had access to myriad opportunities many of my peers who look like me didn’t.
Living here as an adult comes with an eerie familiarity. We haven’t made much progress on issues of equity. We’ve built big houses, convened countless committees and task forces, and, despite rapid economic improvement, haven’t moved the poverty rate hardly at all. I’m not naïve enough to think I have all the answers, but what I do want is to be part of solutions.
I love Charlottesville enough to work to try and make it better tomorrow than it is today.
Price Thomas
Executive Director, City of Promise
Charlottesville. Why do I love you? I can think of a few reasons. I chose you out of anywhere else in the world—that’s pretty indicative alone of my feelings for you. When I’m speaking in this letter to you and about you, I’m going to use “we,” because I am part of you, you are home, and we are a community who works and fights together.
Let’s get straight to the point. Charlottesville, we consistently punch above our weight class. We’re not afraid of surpassing our peers and hanging with the big boys. Budget size doesn’t matter. We get things done. We make the changes we wish to see. This is what makes us different and impressive.
Fear. Fear is not a word I would ever use to describe us. We are a leader. And we are willing to go where most people would be afraid to go.
I chose to join you in 2021. Both personally and professionally, I was attracted to your commitment to affordable housing, relief for elderly and veteran households, commitment to climate action, prioritization of equity, the bold overhaul to zoning, the opportunity to change the narrative in a post-2017 Charlottesville, the true engagement of our public, and of course, your beauty—where one can truly fall in love and stay in love with nature.
Charlottesville, you are a place where I can be authentically me. I’m the most me I’ve ever been now that I’m here. I speak my piece. I’m not scared. And you always keep me curious. You never know what’s coming next.
Thank you, Charlottesville. It is my pleasure to serve you.
Sam Sanders Jr.
Charlottesville City Manager
Everywhere I travel, I look for a retro video game store. But when I moved to Charlottesville, I was shocked to find not a single one—especially because my hometown Richmond has several. Vinyl? Sure. Books? Tons. But vintage games were not available in C’ville.
That all changed when Super Bit came to town in November. Spun off from its initial location in Annandale, the new Seminole Square shop fills an important niche. People here want to play old games, and now it’s as easy as walking into a store.
“I would say the overall theme of Charlottesville, in my opinion, has just been people being nostalgic,” says owner Chris Jackson. “People like having a store like this and people want to support the store.”
Jackson and general manager Elizabeth Kadeli opened Super Bit in the perfect spot—its neighbors include other hobby shops, like The End Games, and Hello Comics. But since opening a second location in Charlottesville, Jackson and Kadeli have struck up friendships with store owners all over town, even partnering with SuperFly Brewing Co. for a one-night-only retro gaming lounge in February.
Retro game shops often play off of nostalgia, but not everyone comes into Super Bit looking for famous games like Super Mario Bros. 3 or Street Fighter II.
“You never know what people are gonna look for,” Jackson says. “You know, someone sees a random $7 game on the shelf that you never would have thought of, and they go, ‘Oh my gosh, this game was everything. My sister and I spent hundreds of hours playing this.’”
And sometimes, those $7 games are trapped on the cartridge or disc they shipped on—it’s the only legal way to play them. A staggering 87 percent of all classic games released in the U.S. are out of print, according to a 2023 study by the Video Game History Foundation and the Software Preservation Network. Stores like Super Bit help keep these works in circulation.
To that end, the shop is committed to physical media, especially since the transitory nature of digital downloads and streaming services means fewer and fewer people actually own the games, movies, music, and ebooks they buy.
“These companies don’t hesitate to tell you that you don’t own these things. You’re just borrowing them, but you paid for it,” says Kadeli. “There’s a certain majesty in having the physical copies of the games, or to actually have the systems because you don’t have to have that same fear.”
“There’s also a lot of people in the surrounding areas who don’t have internet access,” Kadeli adds, “but who can come and get a Genesis, an NES, all these things that don’t need the internet—you just need the system and the games, and you can play it. And you don’t need to worry about having to update anything, you don’t need to worry about any of that.”
Super Bit’s dedication to physical media means it also carries some vintage VHS tapes, board games, and toys. And while Jackson and Kadeli would like to expand into more mediums, games remain their focus. They’re committed enough to preserving the experience of playing retro games that they also sell CRT televisions, which many purists argue is the ideal way to play titles from the 1980s and ’90s.
“The further we get away from physical stuff, the more demand there is going to be for it,” says Jackson. “If you watch any kind of futuristic movie, there’s always people that collect, like, VHS players. … I think it’s gonna come full circle.”
GWAR slammed Charlottesville on Monday, March 4, with a sold-out gross-out show at The Jefferson Theater. The outrageous “Scumdogs of the Universe” were founded in Richmond in the 1980s, in part by Virginia Commonwealth University students. But current lead singer Michael Bishop is a UVA alum—a recent UVA Today piece detailed how Bishop earned his doctorate in music, with a dissertation on “A Socioesthetics of Punk: Theorizing Personal Narrative, History and Place.”
The Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline began selling cookies in January, and the famous treats are available for just one more month. But selling cookies isn’t just a sweet way to raise cash, it also teaches money management, team building, and decision-making. And, of course, the funds go to other endeavors like camping trips and service projects. This week, we asked a few local Girl Scouts to take turns in the hot seat. gsvsc.org
What’s something about the Girl Scouts that people would be surprised to learn: “We go on a lot of cool trips!” (Lily, 9); “Little brothers get to tag along.” (Ava, 9); “There are girl scouts worldwide.” (Penny, 10); “We learn knife skills.” (Molly, 7); “You make a lot of new friends.” (Caroline, 9).
Best part of living here: “Basketball!” (Cora, 9); “The lovely people.” (Lily); “The mountain views.” (Ava); “It can get hot, and can snow a good amount.” (Penny); “I love my school.” (Caroline).
Worst part of living here: “Traffic.” (Lily); “Lots of loud noises.” (Cora); “When it rains, it’s really hard sometimes.” (Penny); “We don’t get enough snow.” (Molly and Caroline).
Favorite restaurant: “Riverside Lunch.” (Cora); “Al Carbon.” (Lily); “Three Notch’d.” (Roz, 10, and George, 7); “Maharaja.” (Penny).
Bodo’s order: “Cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese.” (Ava); “Everything bagel with cream cheese.” (Penny); “Ham and muenster cheese on everything bagel.” (Molly); “Cinnamon raisin bagel, jalapeño lime cream cheese.” (Roz); “Everything bagel, lox spread, herb cream cheese.” (George); “Plain bagel with plain cream cheese.” (Caroline).
What’s your comfort food: “Ramen.” (Beatrice, 10, and Penny); “Pickles.” (Roz); “Cheeseburgers.” (George); “Tacos.” (Lily); “Lemon pancakes.” (Ava); “Spaghetti.” (Caroline).
Who is your hero: “My mom and dad.” (Lily); “Taylor Swift.” (Cora); “My mom and dad.” (Penny); “My dad.” (Ava); “My mom.” (Beatrice).
Proudest accomplishment: “Scoring four goals in a soccer game.” (Ava); “Winning my heat at swim meet.” (Caroline).
Describe a perfect day: “If it was hot and we went to the pool.” (Penny); “Going to the playground with my best friends.” (Caroline).
If you had three wishes, what would you wish for: “(1) Everyone had enough money for food and houses, (2) world peace, and (3) super powers.” (Lily); “(1) Being able to teleport, (2) being famous, (3) owning the whole world.” (Cora); “(1) For my family to be rich, (2) My mom’s bakery to be very successful, and (3) for the earth to be cleaner.” (Penny).
Most embarrassing moment: “When I accidentally said ‘farted’ in front of the class instead of ‘started.’” (Beatrice); “When I raise my hand and forget everything.” (Penny).
Do you have any pets: “Guinea pigs Billie Green Beans, Huckleberry, and Turnip.” (Beatrice); “A fluffy cat named Midge.” (Ava); “Smudge and Penny (giant dogs).” (Roz and George); “Alice, my calico cat.” (Lily); “A dog named Scout.” (Molly and Caroline).
Favorite movie and/or show: “Disney’s Robin Hood.” (Roz and George); “‘iCarly.’” (Lily); “Eras Tour.” (Ava); “‘Henry Danger.’” (Caroline); “‘Bluey.’” (Molly); “The Greatest Showman.” (Cora).
Favorite book: “The Baby-Sitters Club series.” (Ava); “Dragons in a Bag.” (Lily); “Roz the Robot.” (Roz); “Pup Detectives.” (George); “Wings of Fire.” (Penny); “A Wolf Called Wander.” (Caroline); “Amelia Bedelia.” (Molly).
Go-to karaoke song: “‘You Belong With Me’ by Taylor Swift.” (Lily); “‘Call Me Maybe.’” (Roz); “‘Sweet Caroline.’” (George); “‘Flowers’ by Miley Cyrus.” (Cora).
Best Halloween costume you’ve worn: “Vampire Countess.” (Lily); “Cowgirl.” (Roz); “Robot.” (George); “Candy Corn.” (Ava); “Ninja.” (Penny); “Angel.” (Molly).
Subject that causes you to rant: “Pokémon.” (Beatrice); “P.E.” (Cora); “Math! And pineapple on pizza.” (Penny).
Best journey you ever went on: “NYC.” (Cora); “A hike with my grandmother.” (Caroline); “Disney.” (Ava and Penny); “Hilton Head.” (Lily); “Maine.” (Roz); “The Infamous Weekend music festival.” (George).
Next journey: “NYC.” (Cora); “Pittsburgh.” (Roz, and George); “Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons.” (Ava).
Favorite word: “Duh.” (Lily); “Eucalyptus.” (Beatrice); “OMG.” (Cora).
Hottest take: “I actually really like math.” (Cora); “I don’t like pineapple on pizza.” (Penny).
What have you forgotten today: “My water bottle.” (Penny).
C-VILLE’s Valentine’s Day poetry contest returned for another round of competition this year, and we are excited to share the winner and runners up from 2024’s impressive batch of entries. These heartfelt and beautifully crafted haikus capture the mystery, passion, tragedy, and wisdom of love, all in a compact form. Thank you to all who submitted!
Lovers hold their breath
in the heart of Winter’s den
like seeds await sun.
Jessi Giannini
I saw you today
holding hands in a cafe.
My heart is shattered…
Larry Bauer
Apricot revealed
Chlorophyll gives way to gold
Souls become real too
Mary Courts
I open the note
It’s my name in the corner
heart beating faster
Madelyn Jones
Your gaze catches mine
Pierced, we come undone as one
The jay laughs with joy
Jan Sievers Mahon
words have lost their way
I can no longer express
my heartbeat tells all
James Irving Mann
Parking garage love—
Concrete perfumes a shared breath
as we start to kiss
Jessica Bossler Palmer
We’re getting old now
Young lovers should heed our words:
Live for each other
Laird Wm. Ramsay
True love is always
saving the last Oreo
for your wife to eat.
Sarah Shedd
Love smells of roses
Thorns draw bright red aroma
Blue heart remembrance
Glenda Staton
Let’s face it: Some of us struggle to put together a date night worth remembering. And with Valentine’s Day around the corner, the pressure’s on. But don’t worry! Whether you’re meeting someone for the first time or looking to spice things up with your ride-or-die, C-VILLE has you covered.
We consulted local matchmakers Olivia and Jess Gabbay to come up with some creative date night ideas. They started Matchbook Charlottesville last summer—a free, seasonal matchmaking service that, in its first season, set up more than 120 people on first dates. Here are some of Olivia and Jess’ favorite spots.
First dates are as exhilarating as they are nerve-racking, so we suggest a fun activity to take some of the pressure off. Maybe go roller skating at the Carver Recreation Center—which is totally free and includes skates—take a walk through the oak trees at Forest Hills Park, or bicycle the Rivanna Trail.
“Arrive curious and a little playful. You’re just trying to see if you want to spend more time together.”
—Olivia & Jess
If you’re reading this, you probably haven’t made any reservations yet. Securing a table at Charlottesville’s most romantic spots might be a crapshoot at this point, so why not cook up something special at home? Foods of All Nations has spices and sauces that can transport you anywhere. Even if you’re not much of a cook, it’s the thought that counts.
“Be sure to preorder flowers at Hedge Fine Blooms! They offer a ‘Pick Your Own Stem’ bar and sell beautiful vases.”
—Olivia & Jess
No matter how many years have passed, marking your relationship’s milestones is your opportunity to really wow your partner and show how much you cherish the life you’ve built together. Sweets are a perennial winner, so splurge on a decadent gift box at Gearharts Fine Chocolates or share something at the downtown shop’s dessert café. If you both want a hand in making a meal, we recommend reserving spots for a cooking class at The Happy Cook to surprise your S.O.
“If you want to go classic, everyone looks great in the warm lighting at Tavola or The Alley Light, and why not look hot and eat amazing food on your special day?”
—Olivia & Jess
Not every date night has to be hot and heavy. Some of us just want to hang out. If you’re looking to spruce up a friends’ night in, the kind and knowledgeable staff at Market Street Wine can point you to the perfect vino to share—plus, they host free wine tastings on Wednesdays and Fridays. Pick up the group’s favorite bottle and one of the shop’s puzzles to do at home, then pit stop at Luce to grab pasta to pair it with.
“If a puzzle at home feels a little too cozy, get competitive at Decades Arcade.”
—Olivia & Jess
Hit the Downtown Mall for one of the many shows at Live Arts or The Paramount Theater. If you want to take in a movie, especially one a bit more indie, Violet Crown Cinema has you covered. Afterwards, you can debrief over ice cream at Chaps.
“It’s exciting to learn more about how the person you’re dating thinks—you might just be surprised by their ice cream choice, too.”
—Olivia & Jess
Never underestimate the romance of an art walk. Charlottesville’s wealth of art galleries, with rotating exhibitions, offer feasts for the imagination and fodder for great conversation. Check out New City Arts, Visible Records, McGuffey Art Center, or The Fralin—or make a day of it. Get coffee, and visit all four.
“Start the day off right with your favorite espresso drink and a pastry at Lone Light.”
—Olivia & Jess
With the up and down weather these days, you and your date might have a surprisingly warm afternoon to plan around. Plus, Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring, so it might be wise to start brainstorming picnics and trail walks now. We recommend Ivy Creek Natural Area or Darden Towe Park for bird and people watching, with the added benefit of being near the water.
“If you want to be more active, a day pass at Rocky Top can fill that ‘outdoorsy’ urge in the wintertime.”
—Olivia & Jess
The Downtown Mall is lined with great bookshops to visit, from the resplendent New Dominion to the trans-owned antifascist The Beautiful Idea. And don’t forget the Central Library. Wherever you go, take some time to explore, and grab a book your date will love. All of these spots also host free events, so be sure to check their calendars for more date ideas.
“It’s extra fun to recommend each other a book and cozy up at Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar afterwards.”
—Olivia & Jess