Categories
Culture

Scout’s honor

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).

Categories
Arts Culture

Izabelly Gleed in the HotSeat

Izabelly Gleed started ballet when she was 4 years old. “A doctor suggested [dancing] for my feet instead of correction boots,” says Gleed. “I actually wasn’t thrilled at first and often would try to escape ballet classes early on!” Now, Gleed is rounding out her seventh and final season as a company artist with Charlottesville Ballet. She’ll take the stage on February 2 and 3 at CB’s Heartbeats, an intimate, hour-long performance of contemporary choreography and classical favorites, including the Grand Pas de Deux from Le Corsaire. Stick around after the show to meet and mingle with Gleed and other dancers. charlottesvilleballet.org

Name: Izabelly Gleed.

Age: 33.

Pronouns: She/her.

Hometown: Vitória, Brazil.

Job(s): Ballerina and dance teacher with Charlottesville Ballet.

What’s something about your job that people would be surprised to learn: How hard it actually is to dance for hours and look effortless while doing it. It takes a lot of endurance and daily training to create the beauty you see on stage.

First role you danced: The Bluebird variation from the famous ballet Sleeping Beauty.

Favorite ballet move: Petite and grand allegro (the little jumps and big leaps).

Favorite role you’ve performed: Kitri in Don Quixote—this was with the Cuban ballet school Espaço da Dança, and my partner was my ballet teacher.

Dream role: Myrtha in the romantic ballet Giselle or George Balanchine’s Serenade.

What’s on your pre-show playlist: A lot of Brazilian music and all of them from different genres. I also enjoy Coldplay to balance the Portuguese.

Best part of living here: How gorgeous Charlottesville is. It doesn’t matter which season we are in, there are so many amazing views in all of them.

Worst part of living here: The chaos and indecision on inclement weather days in the winter.

Favorite restaurant: Bang!

Bodo’s order: Capicola and/or three-cheese sandwiches.

What’s your comfort food: For a meal, I go with a good dish of meat, rice, and beans … and I always want chocolate as comfort food.

How do you take your coffee: For everyday coffee, I take it with cream, and for special days I go with a vanilla latte. Charlottesville Ballet’s downtown studios are next to JBird Supply, which is dangerous.

Who is your hero: I have to say my mom, who is a true inspiration to me.

Best advice you ever got: Everything has its own time. If it hasn’t happened yet, maybe something else will and you might even prefer it.

Proudest accomplishment: Being able to do what I love. Lots of little girls dream of being a ballerina, but very few make it into this competitive career and I feel lucky to be one of those few.

Describe a perfect day: Any day that I get to spend time with people I love.

If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be: My puppy because she has everything she could ever want and lives the best life.

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for: To travel the world, to be able to spend more time with family and friends, and to never get another injury.

Most embarrassing moment: My bachelorette party back in 2019.

Do you have any pets: Yes, a very cute English bulldog named Clara, who’s named after the lead character in The Nutcracker.

Favorite movie and/or show: Right now it’s “Reacher,” but it depends on the month and what mood I’m in.

Favorite book: Honestly I have many of them since I read a lot, but the first one from my childhood that will always be with me is Harry Potter. I’m also into Stephen King right now.

What are you listening to right now: Coldplay and Taylor Swift.

Go-to karaoke song: “Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay.

Best Halloween costume you’ve worn: A cow onesie, complete with a pink udder on the front. My students love it, and it sometimes makes appearances at the theater to keep my body warm backstage.

Who’d play you in a movie: Jenna Ortega.

Celebrity crush: Henry Cavill.

Most used app on your phone: WhatsApp and Candy Crush.

Last text you sent: Love you (to my husband).

Most used emoji: Laughing crying face and heart.

Best journey you ever went on: Moved to the U.S. from Brazil without really knowing anyone, got a job, made friends, and ended up finding an amazing person, who’s now my husband, in the process.

Next journey: I am retiring from dancing professionally this spring, which is bittersweet for me. I will still work closely teaching students and being a manager at Charlottesville Ballet Academy, and I cannot wait to see what life has for me in its next chapter.

Favorite word: Saudade, which doesn’t have an exact translation to English, but it’s similar to missing something or someone.

Hottest take: Air fryers don’t work as well as the real thing.

What have you forgotten today: To buy eggs at the grocery store—I was too focused on planning my ballet classes!

Categories
Culture Living

Olivia Brown in the HotSeat

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

Courteney Stuart in the HotSeat

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
Arts Culture

Thomas Jefferson & Bill Barker in the HotSeat

Thomas Jefferson—you love him, or you love to hate him. Either way, wouldn’t it be interesting to ask ol’ TJ some questions? We thought so, so we spoke to historical impersonator Bill Barker, Monticello’s resident Thomas Jefferson. A veteran historical actor and interpreter, Barker portrayed Jefferson in Colonial Williamsburg for 26 years before coming to Monticello in 2019. Barker regularly pops up at Monticello and at other events around Charlottesville, and he’s also performed as Jefferson at the White House, the Palace of Versailles, and more. Together, Jefferson and Barker answer some very pressing questions on favorite foods, books, and emojis. Got more burning questions for TJ? Catch Barker in action November 24 at 6pm at the Rotunda Planetarium public viewing night. rotunda.virginia.edu and monticello.org

Name: Col. Thomas Jefferson. (Many have forgotten, I was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of Albemarle Militia before the American Revolution.)

Age: 80 years, in this year of ’23 (1823).

Hometown: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Commonwealth of Virginia.

Job(s): Farmer, public servant, and educator.

Describe a perfect day: Rise before the sun and complete necessary administrative and personal correspondence before breakfast. Have breakfast with family, friends, and guests, then spend several hours in my study reading and pursuing further efforts to create a universal system of education for our commonwealth and our nation. Ride horseback across fields and through the woods in the surrounding neighborhood, conversing with many whom I meet along the way. Have dinner in the late afternoon with family, friends and guests, accompanied by a bottle of elegant wine to share at the table after the repast. In the early evening I would enjoy a family read, musicale, or enlightening conversation. To bed about 9:30–10pm after a good read upon something in moral authority.

Proudest accomplishment: Acquiring the hand of Mrs. Jefferson in marriage. We were only married for “ten years of uncheckered happiness.”

What’s your favorite part of your house, Monticello: Views of the out of doors from every window in the house.

Favorite food: Vegetables well-cooked, especially the English pea.

Favorite wine: An elegant claret, Haut-Brion.

Favorite book and/or author: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare and The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy by Rev. Lawrence Stern.

Were you a good slave owner: No individual entitled under the laws of man to the ownership of his fellow man, thereby denying another their right to live their own lives, may be considered a good owner of an enslaved individual.

How do you celebrate Thanksgiving: Welcoming many around the table to enjoy the bounty of a successful harvest while giving thanks for good health and the continued efforts for providing the inherent right of the pursuit of happiness for every individual.

Favorite Thanksgiving dish: Cooked pasta cut in short hollow tubes and smothered in melted Parmesan cheese.

Now we’ll pass the quill to TJ’s good friend, Bill Barker

Name: Bill Barker

Age: 70 years.

Hometown: Abington, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

Job: Historical Interpreter (Thomas Jefferson).

What’s the hardest thing about being Thomas Jefferson: Interpreting him in the context of his own time and place to the “presentism” of a time and place 200 years after his own.

Is the costume comfortable: Yes.

Favorite local restaurant: The delightful variety of many great restaurants in Charlottesville makes it impolitic to recognize simply one.

Who is your hero: My mother and father.

Best advice you ever got: “Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.”

Proudest accomplishment: Every time, if possible, I may help someone to be happy.

Describe a perfect day: Tomorrow.

If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be: Me, and live it all over again.

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for: Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and the day after the day after tomorrow.

Do you have any pets: I grew up with cats and dogs, but no pet at present.

Favorite movie and/or show: The Lost King and “Finding Your Roots” with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Favorite book: Any history or biography in which the factual story is stranger than fiction.

What are you listening to right now: Nothing at present, while focused on this interview.

Go-to karaoke song: None.

Who’d play you in a movie: Me.

Celebrity crush: Gilbert and Sullivan.

Most used app on your phone: Ancestry.com.

Last text you sent: “I’m almost finished with the interview.”

Most used emoji: I rarely use emojis.

Subject that causes you to rant: A closed mind.

Best journey you ever went on:
My life.

Next journey: Have to wait and see… 

Favorite word: Pleasure.

Hottest take: Never go back to the darkest ages to find the greatest enlightenment/Human nature does not change.

What have you forgotten today: The dream I had last night.

Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

Categories
Arts Culture

Charles Zimmerman in the HotSeat

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—holiday baking shows are hitting the air. This year, one of Charlottesville’s own chefs is making his TV debut. Charles Zimmerman works as assistant pastry chef at Farmington Country Club, where he whips up everything from delicately frosted wedding cakes to small-but-sweet seasonal bites. Zimmerman is currently showcasing his talents on Food Network’s “Holiday Wars,” where nine teams, including a cookie maker, cake artist, and a sugar artist, tackle a series of festive challenges. Zimmerman serves as the sugar artist for his team, The Sugar Bandits. Last week, his Margarita Rose creation earned him praise from all the judges. Tune in this Sunday at 9pm to see how Zimmerman and The Sugar Bandits fare. @chefcharleszimmerman

Name: Charles Zimmerman.

Age: 31.

Pronouns: He/him.

Hometown: Concord, California.

Job: Assistant pastry chef at Farmington Country Club.

What’s something about your job that people would be surprised to learn: There is SO much math involved in food—pastry specifically. Ratios to convert yields of recipes, percentages of fat and water in formulas, costing, inventory, etc. 

Favorite dessert to eat: Strawberry shortcake—only in peak strawberry season.

Favorite dessert to make: Shelled bon bons. So challenging, yet so rewarding. 

What was it like competing on “Holiday Wars”: It was a whirlwind. I have never done anything like it, and most of the other contestants had done some sort of television before, so I felt totally out of my element. But I have worked in stressful situations in many different jobs, so I think I handled the pressure well.

Was there anything surprising you encountered about filming a TV show: I can’t ruin any of the TV magic … but I will say: The set was extremely cold. It’s because of the many lights and equipment generating heat, and pastry is greatly affected by temperature, so it’s better to be too cold than too hot. I got hand warmers to keep in my pockets during judging because we had to stand still for sometimes hours on end.

Favorite local restaurant: Lampo or Alley Light.

Bodo’s order: Egg bagel with bacon and Swiss, or an everything bagel, add pesto.

What’s your comfort food: Ramen. Not instant, the legit stuff.

Who is your hero: My mentor and inspiration, Chef Mellisa Root.

Best advice you ever got: Listen to everyone and everything, but don’t let anyone know you’re listening.

Proudest accomplishment: Working at Per Se in NYC.

Describe a perfect day: Anything outdoors on a sunny 80-degree day, most likely with a cocktail.

If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be: Maybe an eagle, if I can keep my human consciousness, because I think flying would be incredible. 

Most embarrassing moment: That I can speak of? Probably falling asleep on a subway and getting woken up by commuters going to work at 6:30am in deep Brooklyn. I lived in Queens…

Do you have any pets: Nope.

Favorite movie and/or show: “Parks and Recreation.” And “Schitt’s Creek.”

Favorite book: Currently: Pastries by Pierre Hermé just for some inspiration. It’s been too long since I read a non-food book… 

What are you listening to right now: Emotion by Carly Rae Jepsen.

Go-to karaoke song: “Born This Way,” Lady Gaga.

Best Halloween costume you’ve worn: I know, it’s so cliché, but David from “Schitt’s Creek.” I only really needed sunglasses and a few rings.

Who’d play you in a movie: Chris Evans. He’s an up-and-coming actor who I’ve been told I look like. Google him.

Celebrity crush: Milo Ventimiglia.

Most used app on your phone: Instagram.

Last text you sent: “Do you have a great pumpkin bread recipe?” 

Most used emoji: Wink face.

Subject that causes you to rant: The American agriculture industry.

Best journey you ever went on: Studying abroad in Singapore and Malaysia.

Next journey: Trip to Hawaii for the first time in January with my family.

Favorite curse word: F**k.

Hottest take: I do like pineapple on my pizza, rules are meant to be broken.

What have you forgotten today: To call my parents, and will continue to forget until they text “are you alive?”

Categories
Arts Culture

Joe Lawlor in the HotSeat

There’s always a special energy in the air when musicians play their hometown stage. Guitarist Joe Lawlor is usually on the road with Dave Matthews Band, where he works behind the scenes in the audio crew. An accomplished musician in his own right, Lawlor is a founding member of several progressive funk and rock bands, like Egypt. Ahead of his duties at Dave Matthews Band’s November 10–11 John Paul Jones Arena shows, Lawlor will lead his own sets influenced by funk, blues, and classic rock at The Jefferson Theater with his band, Joe Lawlor and Friends, on November 9. The Longway, Kristen Rae Bowden, and Afro Asia are a few of the acts that’ll jam alongside Lawlor, plus a host of special suprise guests. jeffersontheater.com

Name: Joe Lawlor.

Age: 55.

Pronouns: He/him/his.

Hometown: Hard to say. I was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in northern Virginia, Vermont, and Massachusetts. I’ve lived in Charlottesville for the past 25 years.

Job(s): Part of the touring audio crew for the Dave Matthews Band for the last 21 years. Specifically, I am the live recording engineer and archivist. I’ve been a professional guitar player for 37 years.

Coolest venue you’ve played: That’s tough. I sat in with DMB at the Hollywood Bowl and the Gorge. Both are iconic venues, but my band Egypt played at CBGB’s in NYC regularly in the ’90s. Now that was cool!

What’s something about your job that people would be surprised to learn: There are over 100 of us on the DMB crew, traveling in 10 buses and carrying 12 tractor-trailers worth of equipment.

Favorite local restaurant: Thai Cuisine and Noodle House [and] Public Fish & Oyster.

Who is your hero: Leo Fender. He was a genius inventor and tinkerer who came up with the Stratocaster and hundreds of other tools for musicians.

Best advice you ever got: Let them dig their own graves.

Proudest accomplishment: Every good gig. Making good music always makes me feel proud.

Describe a perfect day: A cup of strong English breakfast tea. A recording session or rehearsal. A killer gig.

If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be: My cat Zeppelin. He has a good life.

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for: Peace around the world. The end of sexism and racism and a loud tube guitar amp.

Do you have any pets: Kristen and I have two cats, Zeppelin and Janis.

Favorite movie and/or show: The Big Lebowski and anything by director Wes Anderson.

Favorite book: Jitterbug Perfume.

Favorite musician: Jeff Beck for bending strings. Eddie Van Halen for reckless abandon and energy. Chris Whitley for songwriting.

Favorite song: “Dirt Floor” by Chris Whitley.

Favorite album: Van Halen one.

What are you listening to right now: “Succession” in the background.

Go-to karaoke song: It would be an instrumental with lots of air guitar.

Who’d play you in a movie: Javier Bardem (says my girlfriend Kristen Rae Bowden).

Celebrity crush: Jessica Chastain.

Most used app on your phone: Voice memo (I record song ideas and music daily).

Last text you sent: “Of course that’s why I sent them. They are different sizes. Choose the right size for your purpose.”

Most used emoji: Thumbs up.

Subject that causes you to rant: The ways our medical system doesn’t work.

Best journey you ever went on: I’m still on it.

Next journey: South Africa with DMB.

Travel must-haves: Noise canceling headphones, a guitar, and layers.

Favorite curse word: Dang!

Hottest take: I’m a Dapper Dan man.

What have you forgotten today: I’m not sure but I’ll find out when I get off the plane.

Categories
Culture

Rachel Brown in the HotSeat

Charlottesville is home to many dedicated and hardworking nurses who make a difference in their patient’s lives every day. One of those nurses is Rachel Brown, who supports patients with cancer or blood disorders in UVA’s acute hematology/oncology and stem cell transplant clinic. Brown was recently recognized with a 2023 DAISY award, a nomination-based national honor given to nurses who provide extraordinary compassionate care. Brown, who recently took a break from work to get married (her now-husband is a UVA med student—talk about a romance), shared her honeymoon plans, favorite restaurant, and hottest take. 

Name: Rachel Brown.

Age: 26. 

Pronouns: She/Her. 

Hometown: Crozet.

Job: RN at UVA Medical Center on the acute hematology/oncology and stem cell transplant units.

First job: Babysitting. 

Favorite thing about being a nurse: My patients and their loved ones. I love hearing all the stories they tell me. 

Best thing about living here: The mountains!! And the wine. 

Worst thing: Never having lived in a new place. 

Favorite restaurant: Pineapples Thai or Duners. 

Bodo’s order: BLT light mayo on a plain bagel or plain cream cheese on a plain bagel (gotta stick with the basics). 

Who is your hero: Michelle Obama. 

Best advice you ever got: Nothing is impossible. 

Proudest accomplishment: Finishing an ultramarathon. 

Describe a perfect day: Wake up and go for a trail run to a pretty mountain summit, grab Albemarle Baking Company breakfast, take lunch to a winery for the afternoon, and end up at Potter’s for live music at night. 

If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be: A dog living at a mountain lake house getting to ride a boat and go for hikes every day. 

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for: A long and
happy life with my soulmate, to be able to control the weather, to always have loved ones in my corner. 

Do you have any pets: No 🙁 maybe a puppy soon-ish. 

Favorite movie or show: “Law and Order SVU” or “New Girl.”

Favorite medical show or movie: “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Favorite book: The Kite Runner

What are you listening to right now: Lewis Capaldi, U2, Noah Kahan, or Zac Bryan.  

Go-to karaoke song: Taylor Swift, “Love Story.”

Celebrity crush: Michael B. Jordan.  

Most used app on your phone: Instagram. 

Last text you sent: Maybe we pop in and pop out? 

Most used emoji: White heart.

Subject that causes you to rant: People’s driving abilities or my
husband. 

Best journey you ever went on: Switzerland, the most beautiful place in the world. 

Next journey: Honeymoon to Puerto Rico. 

Favorite curse word: Stupid ass (especially when driving). 

Hottest take: Netflix originals, especially the rom-coms, are trash but phenomenal, and I will watch every single one. 

What have you forgotten today:
Car key.

Categories
Arts Culture

Bebe Gunn in the HotSeat

If you haven’t been to a Bebe Gunn drag show, what are you waiting for? The queen regularly rocks stages all across Charlottesville, and wows audiences with her dazzling dance moves and impressive routines. Catch her performing brunch shows at Common House on June 24 and South and Central on June 25, and don’t miss her Drag Bonanza Birthday Bash at The Southern on July 1. @bebe_gunnn

Name: Bebe Gunn.

Age: 27.

Pronouns: She/her in drag. 

Hometown: Richmond.

Where are you right now: My couch in my apartment.

Jobs: Drag/AT&T.

Favorite restaurant: Anywhere with sushi.

Where do you start and end a night out: Hmmm, I usually like to hit the clubs in Richmond. 

Who do you call for a good time: My best gal Cherry Possums. 

Who is your hero: RuPaul, that woman is an icon.

Best advice you ever got: Don’t be hung up on what other people think of you. They are not living your life for you. 

Proudest accomplishment: Bringing drag back to the Charlottesville area post-COVID.

Describe a perfect day: Video games, wine, hanging with friends, and cuddling my cats. 

What’s something about yourself that people would be surprised to learn: I’m a writer. 

If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing what would you be: I’d be a house cat ‘cause I wouldn’t have to pay taxes. 

If you had three wishes what would you wish for: An endless supply of money to help the world, the best dance skills ever, a nice house for my cats. 

Do you have any pets: Yes, I have two cats. 

Most embarrassing moment: Losing a wig.

Go-to karaoke song: “My Heart Will Go On.” 

Favorite movie and show: Brooklyn for movie, “Yellowjackets” for show.

Favorite book: Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King. 

Favorite thing about performing: The happiness I can bring an audience, and challenging myself to do better. 

Most memorable performance: Did a performance with blood, and it was iconic. 

Do you have any pre-show rituals: Get a bite to eat and breathe. 

Favorite song to perform to: “Free Yourself” by Jessie Ware. 

How much does your heaviest wig weigh: I wanna say maybe five pounds. 

How fast can you do your makeup routine: Forty minutes.

Who is your favorite drag queen performer: Sasha Velour, Cherry Possums, Lavender Menace. 

Who’d play you in a movie: Honestly, I’d love Lindsay Lohan. 

Celebrity crush: Manu Rios. 

Most used app on your phone: Twitter.

Last text you sent: hey girl hey. 

Most used emoji: The kissy emoji.

Subject that causes you to rant: The state of the world, climate change, and politics.

Best journey you ever went on: New York City, it was such an adventure. 

Next journey: Honestly, overseas, maybe tropical or Europe. 

Favorite curse word: I love the F-bomb. 

Hottest take: Pineapple does belong on pizza. 

What have you forgotten today: Nothing today, but I’m super forgetful. 

Categories
Culture Living

Gabe Silver in the HotSeat

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.