Category: Living

C-VILLE Living

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Culture Living

Bree Luck and Mendy St. Ours in the HotSeat

Bree Luck (left) says the hot tub at ACAC is basically the production office for “Well, That Was Awkward,” the podcast she co-hosts with Mendy St. Ours. Photo by Eze Amos.

It goes without saying that we had to edit this interview for length. That’s what usually happens when you get best friends together—let alone best friends who’ve known each other for 20 years and have recently launched a podcast. “Well, That Was Awkward,” from Bree Luck and Mendy St. Ours, promises to celebrate authenticity and vulnerability in the way only besties can. 

“Society is full of people trying to appear cool and invulnerable,” says St. Ours. “We wanted to do something authentic, empathetic, and relatable, but also entertaining and funny.”

The episodes, 30 minutes (“-ish,” says Luck) each and released on Thursdays, are produced by Luck’s Awkward Sage Media, a company she founded in 2023 that focuses specifically on personal, professional, and spiritual development shows. “Well, That Was Awkward” fits right in, spotlighting real (and real awkward) crowdsourced stories from listeners, submitted on social media or via email.

“Ultimately, we hope to provide entertainment and a reminder that it’s okay to be imperfect,” says Luck.

How did you settle on “Well, That Was Awkward” as a title and concept?
Mendy St. Ours: Pretty much every day, people tell us about something awkward in their lives. Sometimes it’s a small story—like going to a PTA meeting with your skirt tucked into your drawers—or a BIG story, like your ex showing up at your wedding with a clown nose on.
Bree Luck: That happened to me. Plus, post-pandemic statistics show that people feel a greater sense of social anxiety and awkwardness than ever before.
MSO: She doesn’t have numbers to back that up. You’ll have to trust her on that. So it just felt natural to lean into helping people normalize their most awkward moments—to laugh with them—and to mitigate or even eradicate the shame surrounding our mishaps. 

What does it mean to “embrace the awkward”?
BL: Honestly, it means just taking yourself a little less seriously. As we work our way through such a polarizing period in our culture, it’s about finding that balance for taking responsibility for your missteps without delving into self-loathing. We can make mistakes, course-correct, and move on.
MSO: And learn that your worst moments can turn into fantastically entertaining tales.

How many times a day do you all say the word “awkward” and are you okay with it?
MSO: Honestly, we’ve lost count! “Awkward” is basically our love language at this point, and we’re totally okay with it. Embracing the awkward is our superpower.

Bree, is this the first podcast under the Awkward Sage Media umbrella that you’ve hosted?
BL: No, but it is the first one I’ve started while I’m busy producing a bunch of other podcasts. I started my first podcast “Pause To Go”—about navigating life transitions, like menopause and perimenopause (also awkward topics)—back in 2022. Then, about a year ago, I launched Awkward Sage Media, which offers podcast production services for coaches, healers, and educators. I currently produce eight podcasts under the Awkward Sage umbrella, and seven are featured in the Awkward Sage Network. 

What’s it like taking on that particular role?
BL: Co-hosting “Well, That Was Awkward” with Mendy is exactly the project I’ve been hoping for. I get to hang out with my talented bestie, share some great stories, and (hopefully) help people feel a little less alone in their awkwardness.

Listen to “Well, That Was Awkward” wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit awkwardsagemedia.com/show/well-that-was-awkward-podcast.

Categories
Culture Living

Rivanna RiverFest

Supplied photo.

Do you tend to swim upstream or go with the flow? Either way, you probably want to check out this weekend’s Rivanna RiverFest, hosted by Rivanna Conservation Alliance and Rivanna River Company. An afternoon of family-friendly activities, games, and educational opportunities shifts into an evening of celebration and jubilance with live performances from Hometown Choir (a children’s choir of students from the YMCA After-School programs at all Charlottesville City Schools) and We Are Star Children (a local nine-piece “adventure pop” group … and not literal children). Food trucks and beverage vendors will be on site, as well as many community partners, to rejoice in the majesty of the Rivanna River.

Saturday 5/18. Free, 2–9pm. Rivanna River Company, 1518 E. High St. rivannariver.org

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Culture Living

Axe yourself, are you ready to hurl blades?

Three Notch’d Brewing Company’s Nelson County location is expanding its entertainment options to include axe-throwing. Supplied photo.

Once a week, I travel to distant realms to smite evil. I’m half-orc when I do this. I’m also playing Dungeons & Dragons when I do this. While my character Brad the Bad wields various bladed weapons with ease (and alacrity), my day-to-day life involves far fewer stabby items. I butter toast. I chop onions. I sometimes resist the urge to try to lodge a well-thrown steak knife into my drywall.

So, when I heard that Three Notch’d Brewing Company offers axe-throwing at their Nelson County location, I knew my moment had arrived. The quest crystalized in my mind’s eye: I needed to get my D&D party members, a pack of fellas I’ve been playing with for at least seven years, to join me for an evening hurling blades while drinking beer at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. But would my party answer the call? They did. This is the story of our adventure.

—Kristie Smeltzer

What

Throwing axes at Three Notch’d Brewing Company’s Nelson County location

Why

Because playing with bladed weapons under safe conditions is so fun. 

How it went

All enjoyed themselves with no casualties to report. 

We arrived in ones and twos, as adventuring parties are wont to do. Three Notch’d staff members at the check-in stand gave us waivers to sign, which resulted in a lot of laughs as we read them while waiting for a critical mass of our party to arrive and our lanes to be ready. Here’s the waiver’s gist: This could be dangerous, don’t be putzes, and wear closed-toed shoes. If I’m honest, my biggest concern upon reading the waiver was that we wouldn’t, in fact, be able to enjoy their libations whilst slinging axes, but fortunately, beer and blades can coexist at Three Notch’d. 

When our lanes were ready, a kindly staff member took us to our barn. It was a single-car-garage-sized structure with a little porch with tables for our refreshments and our two axe-throwing lanes inside. We six had the whole barn to ourselves since we’d rented both lanes. The staff member showed us the two types of axes available for hurling: ones with metal heads and wooden handles and others solely made of metal. The latter were lighter and had the added benefit of a sharp edge in front and a small point on the back, so there was more than one way to get them to stick in the target. We learned their main rule of axe-throwing: Retrieve your axe after every throw. (Apparently, the first weekend the lanes were open, a ridiculous number of wood-handled axes perished because people hit the target with one axe, threw another with it still lodged there, and managed to break the first axe’s handle with the second one’s blade.) Judging by the state of our wooden axe handles, this rule is hard to remember – maybe because of beer. 

We ordered drinks and food and got to hurling. The plain wood targets have a variety of designs that can be projected onto them, with different shapes and points associated with them. I stuck with a basic bullseye for this go at it. My friends and I had differing techniques. Some stood at the line where the walled sides of the axe lanes began, while others stood a few paces back. Some added a wrist flick as they threw to get more rotation. Others hurled the axes like they’d been storing up years of rage—oh wait, that was me, and I learned that brute force wasn’t the most successful strategy. When I managed to get the right distance from the target and amount of rotation on the axe, the sound of the blade thunking into the wood felt satisfying on a primal level, deep in the gut.

For $100, you too can hurl blades for 90 minutes with up to three of your closest adventuring buddies. Who knows, maybe the wood targets were made from evil trees who needed a little smiting.

Categories
Culture Living

Date night done right

Gearharts Fine Chocolates. Photo by Eze Amos.

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 date

Rivanna Trail. Photo by Jack Looney.

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


Valentine’s Day

Hedge Fine Blooms. Supplied photo.

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


Anniversary

Gearharts Fine Chocolates. Photo by Eze Amos.

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


Friends dates

Decades Arcade. Photo by Tristan Williams.

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


Show date

Chaps. Photo by Tristan Williams.

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


Artsy Saturday

McGuffey Art Center. Supplied photo.

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


Outdoorsy dates

Climber Chloë Ester Cook at Rocky Top. Photo by Tristan Williams.

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


Book date

Central Library. Photo by Rammelkamp Foto.

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
Categories
Culture Living

Olivia Brown in the HotSeat

Olivia Brown. Supplied photo.

Charlottesville is full of smarty-pants who love to work their brains at trivia night. And you’re guaranteed to find a gathering nearly every night of the week, like Random Row’s Sunday evening battle of wits, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema’s Thursday night get-together for “Jeopardy!” wannabes, and Starr Hill Downtown’s Wednesday evening extravaganza, where host Olivia Brown quizzes crowds. Brown’s trivia journey began at World of Beer, where she helped keep score. She’s been at Starr Hill since 2021, and, fun fact, recently launched her own company, Trivia with Olivia, through which she hosts public and private events, virtual trivia, and offers DIY trivia packs. triviawitholivia.com

Name: Olivia Brown.

Age: 30.

Pronouns: She/her.

Hometown: Centreville, Virginia.

Job(s): Tour Guide at Monticello by day, trivia host and owner of Trivia with Olivia by night.

What’s something about your job that people would be surprised to learn: That people playing bar trivia will fight to the death over the most minute details, so watch out and make sure you do your research before writing a set of questions.

Favorite trivia fact: Pierre, South Dakota, is the only state capital in the United States that doesn’t share any letters with its state’s name.

What’s your best trivia category: I’ve done so many trivia categories over the years, but a couple I’ve really enjoyed are “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” rounds, and quirky things like “Living or Extinct?” where teams had to guess whether the animal I gave them still exists or not.

What’s the key to choosing the best trivia team name: A good pun can go a long way! And while inappropriate team names are usually quite funny, there is a line where you make trivia hosts not want to say things on the microphone.

Best part of living here: Seeing the mountains on the most casual drives, like to the gym or the grocery store.

Worst part of living here: My rent.

Favorite local restaurant: The Local in Belmont. I have never had a bad experience—it’s always impeccable.

Favorite local place: My bed, but if I can’t pick that I’d have to go with Mint Springs Valley Park.

Bodo’s order: I have celiac so I go one of two routes: BYO bagel and order plain cream cheese and lox, or the Turkey Cleo Salad and potato salad on the side.

What’s your comfort food: My dad’s spaghetti bolognese. Cooks three to four hours, and I’ve been eating it for as long as I can remember.

How do you take your coffee: With a splash of French vanilla creamer, hot or iced.

Who is your hero: Elie Wiesel and Ruth Bader Ginsburg are among my biggest heroes. People who represent my Jewish identity and did everything in their power to fight for themselves and for others.

Best advice you ever got: Since I was a child, my mom has told me: “There are always options.”

Proudest accomplishment: Officially registering my trivia company as an LLC was an extremely proud moment for me. I’m not one for big leaps of faith, but I finally put all that trust in myself and decided to do it!

Describe a perfect day: Somehow convincing my body to sleep past 8am, getting brunch (preferably with a kick-ass bloody mary), a hike with a view (preferably of mountains), dinner with my favorite people (preferably with an array of Mexican food), and a hot bath before bed (preferably with a book).

If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be: I think I’d like to be a millennial’s house plant. Just put me in a nice sunny spot, doted on day in and out, happily growing.

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for: First and foremost, that celiac could be cured and I could eat gluten again. Second, I’d wish my family and friends never wanted for anything and got everything that made them happy. Third, a house full of rescue puppies because coming up with a third wish is hard and this seems like something everyone can get on board with.

Most embarrassing moment: When I was a preteen, I wanted to use a round brush to blow-dry my hair, but I had no idea what I was doing. I tried to do it and ended up getting the brush fully stuck to the top of my head. We thought we were going to have to cut my hair off at 9pm on a school night. My older brother figured out how to solve it, but refused to tell my mom and me until I agreed to make him sandwiches whenever he wanted. He mentioned we could remove the bristles with pliers and then the round brush would slide out. It worked and I spent the next decade of my life making sandwiches for him (he’s now married, so I’m off the hook).

Do you have any pets: I don’t, but I love to dogsit so I can get my fair share of dog serotonin in.

Favorite movie and/or show: The original Lion King will forever be my favorite movie, with Lord of the Rings: Return of the King coming in second.

Favorite book: Reading is my favorite hobby so this is almost an impossible question. Since I read it as a kid though, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has always been my answer.

What are you listening to right now: I just started The Office BFFs audiobook by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey.

Go-to karaoke song: I am an unapologetic Nickelback fan, and will always sing “Photograph” (an American classic).

Best Halloween costume you’ve worn: Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum with one of my best friends.

Who’d play you in a movie: I have been told before that I remind people of Mila Kunis, so I would be blessed to have her be me in a movie.

Celebrity crush: Henry Cavill, the big, muscly nerd of my dreams.

Most used app on your phone: Instagram. I’m a sucker for the doom scroll sometimes.

Last text you sent: Asking my family to pick my most embarrassing moment that was appropriate to publish where other people could read it … they collectively said they had nothing that was both embarrassing and publishable, so were not of much help.

Most used emoji: Crying with laughter face.

Subject that causes you to rant: The state of health care in the United States.

Best journey you ever went on: For my 30th birthday, I went with a few of my best friends out to Utah and we went to three national parks in five days and it was a deeply soul-invigorating trip to bring me into my third decade of life.

Next journey: While I’ve made it a goal of mine to visit all of the national parks, my next planned trip is to Mexico at the end of January. Need a few days away from the winter.

Favorite curse word: I try not to sometimes, but I curse like a sailor and the F-word is my most common expletive.

Hottest take: Hot dogs are sandwiches. Fight me.

What have you forgotten today: To take my reusable grocery bags out of the car.

Categories
Culture Living

Beyond belief

Explore end-of-life care for the LGBTQ+ community with author Kimberly Acquaviva, who will discuss The Handbook of LGBTQIA-Inclusive Hospice and Palliative Care at New Dominion Bookshop on Saturday, January 20. Supplied photo.

Kimberly Acquaviva has strong advice for health care professionals caring for patients in the LGBTQ+ community, particularly those who need end-of-life care: “No patient should ever have a sense that they are being judged.”

Acquaviva, UVA nursing school’s Betty Norman Norris endowed professor, lectures nationally to try to change care approaches and minds. She recently put her expertise into writing with The Handbook of LGBTQIA-Inclusive Hospice and Palliative Care. What sets the handbook apart from other books for health care providers is that it uses everyday language, not an academic voice, to reach the largest audience. A broad reach, and an open mind, is essential to moving the conversation forward. Acquaviva points to a lecture she gave to homecare nurses in Washington, DC. “At the end of my presentation, a woman came up to me and said, ‘I’m going to change my practice based on what you said,’” recalls Acquaviva. “‘I still think you’re going to hell, but I’m going to stop telling my patients that they are.’”

Acquaviva often confronts the obstacles of opinion in her talks, offering: “It’s okay for people to have strong religious beliefs about homosexuality, and I respect their beliefs. No one needs to change their beliefs to provide exceptional care. What needs to happen is for those beliefs not to be apparent to patients.”

When her wife, hospice expert Kathy Brandt, was diagnosed with a swift, incurable form of ovarian cancer about five years ago, Acquaviva’s scholarly interests became deeply personal. Just after the diagnosis, the couple moved to Charlottesville in 2019 for Acquaviva’s job at UVA, and learned that Charlottesville didn’t have a hospice/palliative care center with an inclusive nondiscrimination statement that covered sexual orientation and gender identity. Some hospice leaders reached out to assure them that care would be excellent.

“We let them know we could not accept care until the businesses were inclusive for everyone,” says Acquaviva. In less than two weeks, all of the local hospices had expanded their nondiscrimination statements. Brandt died about a week and a half after that. 

The new nondiscrimination statements were good progress, but not enough. In-depth training and actively seeking ways to become more inclusive are also important, and changes have happened. Acquaviva says she would now feel comfortable receiving care at any of the hospices here.

Statistics show that many places need improvement. A 2023 survey of 865 end-of-life health care workers found that more than 15 percent of them witnessed disrespectful or inadequate care. Forty-three percent reported discriminatory care of their spouses or partners.  Examples include care that was denied, delayed, incomplete, or rushed; insensitive and judgmental attitudes and behaviors; and gossip and ridicule toward patients.

Acquaviva provides many scenarios showing why LGBTQ+ community members in particular may have special needs at the end of life. They might feel more vulnerable in their homes, especially if living alone. Some feel they have to take steps to hide photographs of their family life. They can’t predict whether caregivers will react or be judgmental, Acquaviva says. “We have an obligation not to cause suffering.”

There is still a lot of educating to do in terms of equality in quality care, she says.

Categories
Culture Living

Courteney Stuart in the HotSeat

Courteney Stuart. Supplied photo.

If you’ve read or watched local news over the last 25 years, you’ve probably come across Courteney Stuart’s name. An investigative journalist who covers everything from murder and sexual assault to prison reform and immigration, Stuart has been a reporter at several news outlets, including Style Weekly, The Hook, CBS19, and C-VILLE Weekly. She currently hosts “Charlottesville Right Now” on WINA, and recently wrapped her podcast Small Town Big Crime with co-producer Rachel Ryan. The first season dives into the 1985 Bedford County murders of Derek and Nancy Haysom, and convicted killer Jens Soering’s claims of innocence. Stuart and Ryan’s reporting was also featured in the new top-rated, bingeable Netflix docu-series, “Till Murder Do Us Part: Soering vs. Haysom.” @stuartandryan

Name: Courteney Stuart.

Age: 52.

Pronouns: She/her.

Hometown: Sherborn, Massachusetts, and Richmond, Virginia.

Jobs: Investigative reporter/radio host/podcaster.

What’s something about your job that people would be surprised to learn: How much time it takes to deeply investigate and report a story. It can sometimes be years!

What’s the story that got away: Years ago there was one story tip about buried bodies that I just couldn’t confirm. But the untold stories that truly haunt me are the current ones I don’t have the bandwidth to investigate. Almost every week I get a worthy tip, and not only do I not have the time to do it, all the other reporters in town are also stretched too thin to take many of them on. We need more local journalists digging and telling the stories of our community!

What was the experience like participating in the documentary: Long and fascinating. We did our first interviews in 2021. I loved experiencing part of how a docuseries like that comes together.

You’ve researched the Soering/Haysom case for three years, what did you learn that surprised you the most during the process: That every time we thought we were done, there was a new twist to investigate.

Hardest part of podcasting: Getting your work to a broad audience without a marketing budget or production company behind you.

Do you have any future podcasting plans: Rachel and I have projects in the works. Some podcasts, some written work, and hopefully some work in the documentary film space.

Favorite restaurant: Too many. Lampo, Smyrna, and Tavola immediately come to mind.

Bodo’s order: Caesar salad and an everything bagel.

What’s your comfort food: Nick’s Ice Cream. (The whole pint for less than 350 calories!)

Who is your hero: I fangirl over badass female journalists like CNN’s Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward. When she knocked on the door of the Russian military agent suspected of attempting to kill opposition leader Alexei Navalny, I almost passed out from admiration.

Best advice you ever got: Stay in one place long enough, and the great stories will come to you.

Proudest accomplishment: Being a journalist in Charlottesville for 25 years. It’s truly been an honor to have people trust me with their stories.

Describe a perfect day: Up at 5am, coffee first, Crossfit second, super productive writing all morning followed by shopping in the afternoon with an unlimited budget (ha!), dinner and a drink at a great restaurant with friends (and I’m wearing what I just purchased), and unwinding at the end with the latest episode of my favorite show.

If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be: A dolphin in an area of the world without tuna fishing.

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for: Three more wishes.

Most embarrassing moment: Diving behind the CBS19 News anchors in a desperate attempt to hide myself as the six o’clock news opened during my first weeks on TV. And there were many, many more such hilariously mortifying mishaps on display during that time.

Do you have any pets: A 13-year-old chocolate lab named Luke.

Favorite movie and/or show: “The Morning Show.”

Favorite book: One I really loved was Geraldine Brooks’ March.

What are you listening to right now: Brandi Carlile.

Go-to karaoke song: Unfortunately, I seem to think I can sing Brandi Carlile songs after a few drinks. A tip to my future self: You can’t.

Best Halloween costume you’ve worn: A corpse being eaten by a flock of vultures (all thanks to my siblings for their cooperation in that ill-advised event).

Who’d play you in a movie: Pamela Adlon (from “Better Things”).

Celebrity crush: Graham McTavish (Dougal MacKenzie in “Outlander”).

Most used app on your phone: Ugh. Instagram? Facebook? TikTok? 

Last text you sent: “Your ladies make beautiful eggs.”

Most used emoji: Crying laughing.

Subject that causes you to rant: The ongoing assault on women’s bodily autonomy.

Best journey you ever went on: Literal: Ghana in 2018. Figurative: Deep into my own psyche.

Next journey: Germany and Italy!

Favorite word: I really like saying “undulate.”

Hottest take: Camping is terrible.

What have you forgotten today: I haven’t remembered it yet.

Categories
Culture Living

C’mon, get happy at the Brooks Family YMCA

There’s more to it than meets the abs at Brooks Family YMCA. Supplied photo.

Let’s say you hate going to the gym, i.e., dragging your flaccid, corporeal form over to that place where, when you walk in, you’re supposed to stride toward a bunch of metal contraptions and cables and bars, as if you know exactly what you’re doing — all while avoiding eye contact with a Noah’s Ark of mammalian shapes and sizes who are grunting, huffing, and swinging around you. You hope that they’ll wipe down the equipment when they’re done and that you won’t run into any of them naked in the locker room, should you find yourself needing to use the bathroom.

Can’t you stay healthy without the gym? Especially during the holiday season, when it gets dark at 4pm, and you eat pumpkin pie for breakfast and family stress for lunch? Why add the gym to your plate?

My eggnoggy friends, I’m here to tell you that the Brooks Family YMCA is the perfect antidote to holiday hell. Because technically, yes, it is a gym, but emotionally, it’s a warm hug of community love (like a Hallmark Christmas movie, minus the cringe, and yes, I mean you, Lacey Chabert).

What

Building physical and social muscle at the Y. 

Why

Because in an age of debilitating loneliness, the Y offers an affordable, accessible playground for people of all ages and backgrounds.

How it went 

Here’s how much I love the Y before I even walk in: I love the view of the trees and softball fields when I pull into the parking lot. I love glimpsing the city bus out front, and knowing people from all across town hang out here. I love seeing the morning sky reflected in the floor-to-ceiling windows, checking out the children’s chalk drawings on the sidewalk next to the Little Free Library, and I love mumbling “hi” and “thanks” to the folks ahead of me who hold the door and let me go first. 

I haven’t even started working out, and already my heart’s grown three sizes. 

The Y is like some kind of gift you’d find under the tree if you spent the holidays with Mr. Rogers and the Grinch (after he learned to love the Whos). I walk in the front doors and briefly flash back to my favorite-ever day of kindergarten. Friendly staff greet me with just the right measure of cheer, even if they opened the place at 5:30am. Festive seasonal decorations drape the front desk, along with bright fliers and handwritten signs announcing food drives, teen night out, rumba lessons, fun runs, and a general cornucopia of community stuff that warms me to my hammertoes.

Yes, yes, they have all the machines and weights and classes you’d want from a gym. You’ll get your steps in and your blood pressure down, your muscles as swole as the Rock if you like. You’ll try Deep Water Intervals with the old folks, and realize it has kicked your cream-cheese behind. 

But better still, you’ll work out in full view of the woods behind the building—glorious. You’ll discover the frittatas, pastries, and Grit coffee at the Kindness Cafe + Play, which employs adults with cognitive disabilities, and spreads goodness to all. You’ll slam the battle ropes like a damn Marvel hero, then recover while watching a dad teach his kid to swim, or what could be the cast of Cocoon schooling each other on the pickleball courts.

It is fun to stay (for a workout) at the YMCA, to paraphrase some wise Village men circa 1978, and more than that, it’s good for your heart, especially when you feel stressed or lonely. “Look for the helpers,” Mr. Rogers said. That’s you, and your neighbors. That’s community. That’s the Brooks Family YMCA, where, any time of year here in Hooville, you’ll find the strength of 10 Grinches, plus two.

Categories
Culture Living

Hot tips

Forest Hill Sprinkler Park. Photo by Ron Paris.

Summer’s about to kick into high gear, and to help you avoid the risk of FOMO, we’ve put together a list of must-dos before the leaves start to turn.

Go soak yourself 

Take the plunge at one of the area’s many watery attractions, like Mint Springs or Chris Greene Lake. Or head to Sugar Hollow and hike to Snake Hole or Blue Hole, and cool off with a refreshing dip once you get there. If you’ve got kids in tow, take them to one of Parks & Rec’s outdoor spray grounds: Tonsler Park, Forest Hills, Belmont, or Greenleaf.

Get high

It’s not just hot air—a balloon ride through our clear blue skies is the stuff that memories are made of. Monticello Country Ballooning, Blue Ridge Balloon, and more can send you soaring over the mountains and Shenandoah Valley. Monticello Country offers sunrise and sunset flights, but keep in mind that balloon flights don’t come cheap.

File photo.

Take a hike

Bring a partner—or a book from a public library—and hit the many trails open to nature-lovers around the city and nearby counties.
Get lost (but not too lost) at Ragged Mountain Natural Area and Walnut Creek Park, or climb Humpback Rocks or another of the challenging ascents on the Appalachian Trail. Take in the scenery with friends, or post up with that book you brought. Just make sure to pack water and dress appropriately: You’ll be walking for a while.

Photo by Jack Looney.

Round the Corner

The Corner is a completely different scene after the students leave for the summer. Behold: Parking! Seating! Silence! Well, not complete silence—it’s still a lively and fun place to shop, eat, and walk, even when it’s not slammed with students. Take this opportunity to
enjoy Bodo’s, Roots, and Boylan Heights before you have to endure the endless lines again.

Photo by Skyclad Aerial.

Pack a picnic

Charlottesville’s many vineyards and cideries (cider houses?) are the perfect venues for laying out a blanket and enjoying the view with some bevies and cheeses, meats, and other treats. Bring your own charcuterie board to Potter’s Craft Cider, Blenheim Vineyards, or Hazy Mountain (to name a few!), or partake in what’s on offer on-site (hello, food trucks). There’s nothing like sipping cider or wine straight from the source.

Photo by Sanjay Suchak.

Hit up the farmers’ markets

All summer long, local vendors bring their seasonal produce, yummy baked goods, mouthwatering meals, and eye-catching arts and crafts to our many area farmers’ markets. You might already be familiar with the Charlottesville City Market and the IX Art Park market, both held on Saturday morning, but did you know about the Saturday Albemarle Farmers’ Market at Hollymead Town Center? Or the Meade Park Farmers in the Park on Wednesday afternoon? There’re plenty of places in and around town to satisfy your craving for fresh produce and style.

Charlottesville City Market. Photo by Skyclad Aerial.

Enjoy some cold comfort 

Pick your own strawberries at Chiles Family Orchards, or buy pre-picked peaches and cherries—and don’t neglect the orchard’s peach ice cream and peach cider donuts. Or, combine the two with a “dondae,” a sundae topped with a donut. Berries, peaches, and cherries are available throughout the summer, so there’s no reason not to savor the flavors.

Photo by Tristan Williams.

Listen up

A Charlottesville mainstay for decades, Fridays After Five rocks the Ting Pavilion every week. For a perfect start to your weekend, head to the Downtown Mall after work any Friday through September 8 to enjoy the best musicians the area has to offer (for free!). Plus, meet the volunteers at concession stands who work the event on behalf of local nonprofits.

Photo by Chris Pecorero.

Reach for the stars

On the first and third Fridays of every month, the Leander McCormick Observatory is open to the public for spectacular stargazing. Take in the cosmic sights through clear summer skies via the 26-inch McCormick refractor telescope. You can also hear astronomer presentations and take a tour of the facility. Just make sure to register first (tickets are free).

Photo by Jack Looney.

Flex your green thumb

This is the year you’ll keep all your plants alive—right? Sunny summer days are the perfect time to adopt a green friend. Fifth Season is a great place to pick up plants, seeds, and supplies, or learn from its knowledgeable staff, while the new Plant Based Studio on the Downtown Mall will teach you how to make your own terrariums.

File photo.

Honorable mentions

  • Walk the Blue Ridge Tunnel.
  • Tour the gardens and grounds at Monticello and James Monroe’s Highland.
  • See a drag show at The Southern or Botanical Fare.
  • Paddle down the Rivanna.  
  • Enjoy a blockbuster (or an indie gem) in an air-conditioned theater.
  • Root for the Tom Sox.
Categories
Culture Living

Gabe Silver in the HotSeat

Gabe Silver. Supplied photo.

When you read this week’s summer guide (p. 26), you’ll see that floating down the Rivanna River is among our favorite warm-weather activities. Whether you want to paddle, float, or take a guided tour, the Rivanna River Company is there to help. Gabe and Sonya Silver founded RRC to help connect locals with the beautiful river and share their love of everything outdoors. The Rivanna River Company is currently hosting Rivanna Roots, an outdoor concert series, with performers including Downbeat Project, Bluegrass Destroyers, and Chamomile and Whiskey. rivannarivercompany.com

Name: Gabe Silver.

Age: 39.

Pronouns: He/him.

Hometown: C’ville.

Jobs: Co-owner of Rivanna River Company with my wife Sonya Silver.

Worst thing about living here: Price of housing and what it does to diversity of all kinds.

Best thing about living here: The Rivanna River and our wonderful friends.

Favorite restaurant: Southern Crescent.

Bodo’s order: Everything with cream cheese, lox, tomato, red onion.

Where do you start and end a night out: Start on a mountain bike exploring the RTF with a few friends … end at Holly’s Diner.

Who is your hero: My dad.

Best advice you ever got: “Hurry up and make some mistakes so you can fix them and get on with your life!”

Proudest accomplishment: Creating the Rivanna River Company with Sonya.

Describe a perfect day: Family river trip, going real slow, lots of good snacks, a fishing rod, a snorkel mask, and nowhere else to be.

Most memorable adventure you’ve guided: Twenty-eight-day full descent of the James River in canoes with a dozen high-school students. Every possible high and low was experienced on our way from the mountains to the bay.

Favorite outdoor spot in C’ville: Other than the Rivanna River Company?… I’ll go with Ragged Mountain Reservoir.

What’s something about yourself that people would be surprised to learn: I’m pretty sure I was a pirate in a past life.

If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be: A river otter.

If you had three wishes, what you would wish for: No more school shootings. The knees of my 18-year-old self, forever. For my daughters to never have to enter the world of social media and smartphone use.

Do you have any pets: Two cats, six chickens, 45 goldfish in the backyard pond.

Most embarrassing moment: So many to choose from. … I’ll go with the time I had a full-blown yet undiagnosed case of giardia on the night of my high school prom … enough said there.

Favorite movie: The Big Lebowski.

Favorite book: The Crossing by Cormac McCarthy.

What are you listening to right now: A Star Is Born soundtrack.

What’s a song you pretend you don’t like because it’s embarrassing that you love it: All of the Taylor Swift that my 9-year-old daughter loves.

Who’d play you in a movie: I’m going to say Bradley Cooper and Matthew McConaughey should both audition, though I’m not sure either quite have the looks for the role 🙂

Celebrity crush: It’s always gonna be the first girl in Braveheart, who gets executed. Still kind of in love with her. Such a tragedy. 

Most used app on your phone: Wunderground (river outfitters watch the forecast more than anybody I know).

Last text you sent: Inviting my big sister to dinner.

Most used emoji: The strong arm one.

Subject that causes you to rant: Lack of decent public infrastructure here locally for residents to access waterways.

Best journey you ever went on: Four months in a little camper trailer across the country and back with our 4- and 6-year-olds at the time, plus dog, during the first COVID winter. Lots of family bonding time in the desert.

Next journey: A winter trip somewhere north, like Maine or Finland for real winter, x-country skiing, and saunas.

Favorite word: Y’all.

Hottest take: When it’s been really dry and everyone says ”The weather is so nice,” and all I can think is, ”No it’s not … we need rain!!!”

What have you forgotten today: To do my bookkeeping work.