C-VILLE Weekly January 7 - 13, 2026 by C-VILLE Weekly

CHARLOTTESVILLE’S FREE NEWS AND ARTS WEEKLY

2026

JANUARY 7 – 13, 2026

Charlottesville Almanac

OUT WITH THE OLD! Local experts look ahead to what 2026 may bring, from weather to politics

SUPPORT US!

Area elected officials weigh in on state's redistricting plan P.10

Albemarle planners recommend denial of floodplain fill-in P.13

Gail Hobbs-Page gains inspiration on a trip to L'Italia P.29

An Evening with Nancy Pelosi & Robert Costa Register at: bit.ly/3Le5Tuf

Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Wednesday, February 25 |Time: TBD | Culbreth Theatre Use the link or QR code to access the most up-to-date event information For more information please contact Glenn Crossman | 434-270-4738 | GAC4T@virginia.edu

January 7 – 13, 2026

C-VILLE.COM

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Gain Momentum! pvcc.edu/spring-momentum

I refuse to look back wishing I’d made a move. I’m registering for spring semester at PVCC now. Spring Semester Starts January 14 —REGISTER NOW NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT: Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services and activities. PVCC does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, family medical history or genetic information, military service, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation or any other non-meritbased factor. Learn more and read the full statement at pvcc.edu/content-disclaimer-nondiscrimination-statement-privacy-policy-ferpa-and-foia.

C-VILLE.COM

January 7 – 13, 2026

Hello, Charlottesville.

1.7.26

Thank you for reading C-VILLE Weekly. Each Christmas, I gave my grandfather the upcoming year’s Farmers’ Almanac. He wasn’t a farmer—my grandmother was the gardener in the family, while he mostly sat inside teaching himself piano and accordion (oh, the hours we—lovingly—endured his practice sessions). But he was perpetually curious, and I figured he’d enjoy musing about the future. With that in mind, for this week’s cover story (p.17), we’ve created our own Charlottesville Almanac: a look ahead at the year to come, guided by experts across the city—from UVA to development to the arts. As for C-VILLE, our future’s so bright we might need shades. As of late last year, we’re fiscally sponsored by the Alternative Newsweekly Foundation, which means your donations through our Save the Free Word campaign are now tax-deductible. We’ve also grown our team. Gregg Early has joined as our development director, managing donors, sponsors, and community partnerships. And in December, Nathan Alderman came aboard as senior news reporter, expanding our coverage as we push toward a more robust, ambitious news operation. We’re still searching for the right person to lead our web operations. (If that’s you or someone you know, e-mail me at editor@c-ville.com.) If the Almanac teaches us anything, it’s that the future is always worth pondering—especially when we get to write a little of it ourselves.

This week’s contributors

Nathan Alderman, C-VILLE’s senior news reporter, is a writer, editor, and Oxford comma enthusiast. He volunteers for civic causes, folds a lot of laundry, and adores his spouse and his large, loud, hungry children. He’s written for Macworld magazine and The Motley Fool, among others. Read his work on page 10.

Eze Amos is a documentary photographer and photojournalist. Amos trained in the sciences at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and immigrated to Charlottesville in 2008. His photos have been published by The New York Times, Getty Images, and other international news agencies. See his work on pages 9 and 38.

Hey, thanks! These generous benefactors of C-VILLE have supported our work through our (now tax-deductible!) Save the Free Word campaign. To contribute, follow the QR code. Towns Ackerman Susan Albert Mary Allen Catherine Anninos Lori Balaban Timothy Bambury Catherine Barnes Julie Basic Susan Battani John and Nancy Baum Josh Baumann Jennifer Beachley Mayanna Bean Susan Bender Denise Benson Anne Bergamesca Rebecca Berlin Kim Biasiolli Patrick Bird Paddy Bowman Olivia Branch Paul Brewer Susan Brickman Claudia Murray Brindle Sumner Brown Colette Brown Jack Brown Kate Buford Cathleen Burgess Carol Burger

Patricia Burkett David Calhoun Michael Callahan Linda and Pat Canzanelli-Dantona Brian Carlton Helen Cathro Janelle Catlett James Clark Jr. Diane Cluck Karen Collins Lorraine Collins Beth Croghan Margaret Crone Emily Currier Genny Dalton Maria-Eugenia Dalton Charles Dassance Pam and Peter Dennison Nancy Dettor Martha Donnelly Helene Downs Vincent Draddy Charlotte Drummond Louise Dudley Lee Elberson Jane Elmore Karen Emmitt Ken Engebretson Elizabeth Engle

January 7 – 13, 2026

Rosa Ellen English Gail Esterman Joe Ethier Tom & Anna Ferrell M. Fife Jon Fink Lavonne Fitts Kevin Foley Barbara Fornoff Joan Forrest Amy Gardner Georgia Garrett Thomas Garrison Greg Gelburd Gerald Giammatteo David and Janna Gies Donna Goings Stephanie Goodwin Trice Gravatte Andrew Greeley Jennifer Grover Cara Hall Kendra Hall Jeremy HarrisMcDonnell Wiliam Harvey Madeleine Hawks Ann Marie Haynes Mary Haynes Elain Heffelfinger Chris Hellings

Stephen Herrick John Heyser Ezra Hitzeman JoAnn Hofheimer Lisa Hogan Gina Hogue Laura Horn Christina Horton Robert Inlow Deb Jackson Garth Jensen Nina Johnston Nicole Jones Diane Jones Janet Jospe Jane Kamensky Brian Kelly Trish Kenney Tom Kirk Kathryn Kluge Julie Lacy Marcia Langsam Jacalyn LaPierre Aaron Lawrence Eric and Diane Lawson Elizabeth Lawson Frances Lee-Vandell David Lemon Linda Lester Sean Libberton Angeline Lillard

C-VILLE.COM

Peppy Linden Jessica Lino D. Little Phillip Long Rob Lynch Catherine Maguire Greg Mallard Jeff Martin Virginia Masterson Jeanne and Bob Maushammer Erin Mayer Kieran Mcdowell Mary McIntyre Gretchen McKee Ruth McWilliams James Mernin Nicolas Mestre Tim Michel Parthy Monagan Linda Monahan Vic Monti Hilary Moorman Michael Morency Harold E. Morgan Michael Moriarty Catherine Moynihan Jim Mummery Karen Myers Monica Newby Sandy Newhouse Kathy O’Connell

Dennis O’Connor Diane Ober Cynthia Van Osch Annette Osso Laila Ouhamou Annette Owens Timothy Palmer Michael Pantano Dashton Parham Susan Payne Amanda Peacock Joe Peacock Elizabeth Perdue Joann Peters James Peterson Damon Pettitt Andrew Pevsner Elayne Phillips Sandra Pollock Robin Powell Anne Price Ernest Pugh Harry Purkey Leslie Quenichet Frances Racette T. Radsky Scott Ransom Sarah Ratcliffe Stots Reele Marjorie Rein Jonathan Rice Cindy Richards

Kevin Richardson David Robinson Diane Rosin Julia Rubarth Tim Ryan Carol Gilbert Sacks Audrey Sarate Claudia Scenna Joan Schatzman Sandra Schmidt Eric Schultz Karen Schuyler Wendy Seay James Seitz Angilee Shah Elaine Shaw Chuck Shelton Paul Shettel Vaden Shields John Smith Kristina Smith Rod Smith Meredith Smoot Mickey Speck Maria Spence Jim Spencer David Stackhouse Mariah Steele Rod Stoner Robert Strickland Deborah Strong Nichole Taylor

William Terrell Emily Thiede Reid Thompson W. McIlwaine Thompson Jr. Prue Thorner John Titus Jessica Tobin Erica Toy Rose Trapnell Jill Trischman-Marks Susan Uland Rick Vergot Christina Walker Steven Ward David Waters Chris Waugaman Phoebe Weseley Kelly West Gary and Anne Westmoreland Richard Wiedemann John Whitlow Jay Wildermann Marcia Wilds Andrew Wolf Natalie Yancey Suzanne Yeaman Nura Yingling Kelly Zalewski Kathleen Zenker

SUPPLIED PHOTOS

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Jan 23 - Feb 15, 2026

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C-VILLE.COM

January 7 – 13, 2026

A Growing Response to Climate Change

IN THIS ISSUE

V.38, No. 1

FEATURE 17

Foreseeable future Local experts weigh in on the year ahead.

Share strategies with growers, producers and consumers to fight climate change and create a resilient local food system. Regenerative/Carbon farming Composting Sustainable Farmers Markets and your ideas! 2:30 pm- 3:00, Meet and greet, View informational displays 3:00-4:30, Panel and community discussion 4:30-5:00, Wrap up and follow up

Saturday Jan 17, 2:30-5:00 Jefferson School African American Heritage Center Auditorium Free Parking Sponsored by Market Central, IRC New Roots, the Food Justice Network, The City of Charlottesville, and Albemarle County For more information go to marketcentral.org For a deeper dive into Food Access in a Resilient Community, the City of Charlottesville is hosting Everyone Eats: A Climate Café on Food Justice and Access Friday, Jan 16, 9:30-11:00 a.m at the Bradbury Cafe.

NEWS 9

CULTURE 25

29 All You Can Eat: Gail HobbsPage finds inspiration in Europe.

Area protesters react to attack on Venezuela. 10 State Dems push forward with 2026 redistricting. 11 No in-state tuition for undocumented students? Plus, BAR denies apartment permit. 13 Real Estate: Floodplain fill-in request hits roadblock.

Find us online at

c-ville.com

EDI TOR I A L

FOR FUN 34 34 Sudoku 35 Crossword 36 Free Will Astrology

CLASSIFIEDS 37 P.S. 38 The Big Picture

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Caite Hamilton editor@c-ville.com ART DIRECTOR Max March max@c-ville.com CULTURE EDITOR Tami Keaveny tami@c-ville.com SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Nathan Alderman news@c-ville.com NEWS REPORTER Catie Ratliff reporter@c-ville.com NEWS CONTRIBUTOR Sean Tubbs ASSOCIATE CULTURE EDITOR CM Turner arts@c-ville.com COPY EDITOR Susan Sorensen CONTRIBUTORS Rob Brezsny, Dave Cantor, Matt Dhillon, Carol Diggs, Shea Gibbs, Mary Jane Gore, Maeve Hayden, Andrew Hollins, Erika Howsare, Matt Jones, Sarah Lawson, Lisa Provence, Sarah Sargent, Kristie Smeltzer, Jen Sorensen, Julia Stumbaugh, Jake Solyst, Paul Ting, Eric Williamson

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C-VILLE Weekly is Charlottesville, Virginia's award-winning alternative newspaper. Through our distinctive coverage, we work to spark curiosity and enable readers to engage meaningfully with their community. CONTACT US: P.O. Box 119, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 facebook.com/cville.weekly |

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January 7 – 13, 2026

C-VILLE.COM

ON THE DOWNTOWN MALL

JEFFERSONTHEATER.COM

2026

upcoming concerts

Jan 9

Jan 10

Michael Clem

Akeylah Simone

album release show

w/ special guest Jen Tal

THESOUTHERNCVILLE.COM JAN 16 - Koda & Marie of Chamomile & WhiskeY

FEB 27 - ERIN lunsford trio

w/ Special Guest Peter Stringer-HYE

JAN 24 - Cheick hamala diabate band

Mar 1 - Joe troop & the truth machine

And Corey Harris

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9

JAN 30 - Bronwyn Keith-HYnes

WITH JUNE BABY

FEB 8 - Kathleen parks of TWISTED PINE

THE SKIP CASTRO BAND WE ARE STAR CHILDREN

at The Guild @ vault virginia

FEB 14 - Lizzie NO: Lovers welcome w/special guest Isabel March

MAR 20 - the High & Wides MAR 21 - the SAAMI BROTHERS qawwali Masters from pakistan

MAR 27 - Terri Allard, Jason Pollock, & Thomas Gunn A songwriters’ round

FEB 21 - Danny Knicely, Cesar garabini, fernanda bravo Appalachian & Brazilian traditions

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 16

WITH JAMES TAMELCOFF

WILD AT HEART TOUR

MAR 28 - Bill Evans

for tickets - www.frontporchcville.org

Join us on Sunday Evenings for beautiful music and prayer.

Choral Evensong

5:30 p.m. | 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of each month

This primarily sung service is ideal for seasoned churchgoers and newcomers alike. Sung by the professional St. Paul’s Schola Cantorum on 1st and 3rd Sundays, and St. Paul’s, Ivy Parish Choir on 5th Sundays. A reception of refreshments and fellowship follows.

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EAT AT THE SOUTHERN CAFÉ café opens 2 hours prior to performances RENT THE SOUTHERN!

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Contemplative Evening Prayer

5:30 p.m. | 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month

Join us for this time of quiet, prayer, reflection on scripture, and soothing Celtic-style music. It’s a great opportunity to be still and center yourself in God before your busy week begins. Casual fellowship with refreshments follows. Learn more about worship at

s tp a u ls i v y.o r g /wo r s h ip C-VILLE.COM

January 7 – 13, 2026

A PERFORMANCE & CONVERSATION WITH

LILI ROSEN

Lili Rosen (she/they) is a trans actress, writer, producer and cultural consultant raised in a Yiddish-speaking he in Hasidic Brooklyn. Dubbed by Air Mail magazine “Hollywood’s Yiddish Consultant,” her TV/film credits include the Emmy-winning Unorthodox (Netflix), Amazon’s Undone, Apple’s Little America, and the Ukrainian Yiddish film Shttl. Lili is also the director of the award-winning short film The Binding of Itzik (2020), and last managing director of New Yiddish Rep Theater, where she translated, produced and starred in numerous Yiddish productions, including the NYTimes Critic’s Pick God of Vengeance.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20TH OLD CABELL HALL 6:00 PM Reception to Follow

Gain Momentum! pvcc.edu/spring-momentum

I’m building momentum at PVCC—degree in progress, four-year college on the horizon! Spring Semester Starts January 14 —REGISTER NOW NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT: Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services and activities. PVCC does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, family medical history or genetic information, military service, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation or any other non-meritbased factor. Learn more and read the full statement at pvcc.edu/content-disclaimer-nondiscrimination-statement-privacy-policy-ferpa-and-foia.

January 7 – 13, 2026

C-VILLE.COM

NEWS UVA | POLITICS | REAL ESTATE | CRIME

Sign of the Times Overnight on January 3, President Donald Trump sent U.S. military forces into oil-rich Venezuela without Congressional authorization to attack civilian targets and kidnap President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, in violation of U.S. and international law. To protest Trump’s actions, Indivisible Charlottesville organized a flash demonstration at The Shops at Stonefield on the afternoon of January 3. A second event on January 4, sponsored by Charlottesville’s Democratic Socialists of America, drew more protesters to the federal courthouse at the intersection of McIntire Road and West Main Street. EZE AMOS

C-VILLE.COM

January 7 – 13, 2026

NEWS POLITICS

Drawing the line From Perriello to Warner, political candidates and leaders react to Democrats’ plans to remake Virginia’s Congressional districts BY NATHAN ALDERMAN

s President Trump pushes Republican-led states to redraw their Congressional districts for their party’s benefit in this year’s midterm elections, Virginia’s General Assembly plans to respond in kind. Democrats, who hold a majority in both the state House and Senate, are moving forward with a plan that amends Virginia’s constitution to allow mid-decade redistricting. Depending on how maps are drawn, the plan could shift Virginia’s Congressional delegation from its current sixDemocrat and five-Republican breakdown to a nine and two, or even 10 and one, split. “I still believe in a bipartisan or nonpartisan process, but we are in uncharted waters,” says state Sen. Creigh Deeds. “We’ve got a president who’s gone from state to state, Republican states, seeking redistricting for the bald purpose of creating partisan advantage. We have to be able to respond to that.” Virginia Sen. Mark Warner echoed Deeds’ support for the redistricting measure during a December press conference. “Do I think, in the absence of unprecedented partisan actions by this president, that nonpartisan redistricting makes sense? Yes,” he said. “I’m not sure any of this would have happened unless Donald Trump was … putting enormous pressure to try to cook the elections in 2026.” “I’m glad our leaders in Richmond stood up for Virginia voters,” says 5th District Democratic Congressional candidate Tom Perriello, who represented VA-5 from 2009 to 2011—the most recent Democrat to hold the seat. “What Texas was doing, really, was trying to say that Virginia voters aren’t going to have a say in these midterm elections.”

Virginia amended its constitution in 2020 to create a bipartisan redistricting committee incorporating citizens and elected officials. When that effort deadlocked in 2021, the state Supreme Court chose two special masters to redraw Virginia’s districts. While redistricting historically coincides with each decade’s census, Democrats’ proposed amendment would allow mid-decade redistricting if any other state does so before Oct. 31, 2030. Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger has expressed tentative support for the effort. If the measure passes, it’s expected to go before voters in an April referendum. “Limiting this tool with both a trigger and a sunset makes it clear that this is not an effort to undo the Virginia Redistricting Commission,” says Charlottesville Del. Katrina Callsen. “It is an effort to give voters a chance to respond to current events and protect democracy where we can.” Henry Perritt, Jr., a retired law professor consulting on redistricting with the Albemarle County Republican Committee, calls Democrats’ efforts “the first salvo in an assault on democracy in Virginia.” Perritt says that among other procedural irregularities, the bill failed to pass before the 2025 election as state law requires. The proposal passed the state senate October 31—before Election Day, but after the start of early voting. “I don’t think partisan gerrymandering is any more legitimate because it has only a window of operation,” Perritt says, adding that he’d oppose a similar move if it were undertaken by Republicans here. “The General Assembly doesn’t legislate for Texas. Why is it distorting the Virginia constitu-

Sen. Mark Warner supports Virginia Democrats’ mid-decade redistricting efforts. “I’m not sure any of this would have happened unless Donald Trump was … putting enormous pressure to try to cook the elections in 2026.”

tional process in anticipation of what might go on in Texas? That’s not legitimate.” When asked whether he would consider similar efforts in Republican-led states legitimate, Perritt says, “I don’t have a view on that right now. I don’t know enough about them.” “I don’t think the technical objections really stand for much,” Deeds says. “We’re just trying to make sure we do everything according to the code, everything according to the Constitution, and we have, so far.” Asked about the potential for Democrats’ efforts to dilute Republicans’ votes in Virginia, Deeds says, “Candidly, you have to look at the big picture. Isn’t that exactly the reverse of what was done in Texas and Missouri and North Carolina? It is. We have to stand up and make sure that the people of this country have decent representation.”

Robert Tracinski, one of the Democrats running for the VA-5 seat currently held by Republican Rep. John McGuire, says he understands the need to respond to Republican efforts. But he worries that there are “real costs” to a mid-decade redistricting, including “a much longer and more chaotic and uncertain Democratic primary, and then less time to take on the Republican opponent in the general election.” “I support it as a matter of exigency,” says VA-5 Democratic candidate Mike Pruitt. “I understand the position we are in nationally.” Like every official reached for comment, Pruitt supports nonpartisan redistricting at the national level, and says the current “nationwide arms race of different redistricting and gerrymandering fights” points to larger structural problems. “It’s like you’ve taken the American democracy as if it’s a giant pool inflatable, and you’ve held it underwater to see where some of the pinholes are,” he says. Perriello says new maps might benefit voters of every stripe. “I think one problem in this part of the state is that you’ve had three pretty Republican gerrymandered areas, and that can mean that incumbents don’t have a lot of challenge,” he says. Perriello hopes redistricting will create “a lot more attention in this part of the state, and a lot more opportunities for voters right, left, and center to push for better representation.” “This has to go to the voters,” said Warner. “What’s different about Virginia than what took place in Texas or North Carolina is Virginia voters get a say. None of this is going to happen unless Virginia voters approve.”—with reporting by Catie Ratliff

IN BRIEF

All the news you missed last week (in one sentence or less) First Charlottesville baby of the new year, Henry Blosser, born at 6:01am on January 1 to Haley James and Peter Blosser at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. Charlottesville resident Stephen T. Agner, 64, arrested on charges related to armed robberies at Pantops Taco Bell and ABC Store. Albemarle County Police Department charge Verona resident Brooke Maddox, 32, with drug-smuggling after staff at AlbemarleCharlottesville Regional Jail discovered 100 sheets of suboxone hidden in a medical brace. Charlottesville crews begin annual Downtown Mall tree maintenance January 5. Charlottesville man who barricaded himself inside home January 4 following alleged domestic assault later peacefully surrenders. Results from the VQB5 system indicate 99 percent of publicly funded early childhood education providers met or exceeded quality expectations statewide. Flatbed truck catches fire in Market at Preston parking lot. Virginia Department of Health says number of respiratory illnesses “high” in Charlottesville. Three Notch’d Brewing Company announces new locations in Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina. Charlottesville decides against use of Flock Safety license plate readers for law enforcement use amid privacy concerns.

January 7 – 13, 2026

C-VILLE.COM

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Cost of admission

Outgoing Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice December 29 to block the Virginia Dream Act. The 2020 law allows eligible immigrant students attending Virginia high schools to access in-state university tuition regardless of legal status. If a federal judge approves the agreement between the DOJ and Miyares, it could immediately strip in-state tuition eligibility for thousands of students. The University of Virginia estimates first-year tuition and fees for the 2025-2026 academic year at $59,906 for non-Virginians and $20,046 for in-state students in the College of Arts and Sciences. UVA further covers some or all expenses for in-state students from lower-income households, depending on their annual earnings. The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia and the Legal Aid Justice Center filed an emergency motion on behalf of the Dream Project, a Virginia-based nonprofit that advocates for immigrant students, on December 31. The suit asserts that “no party presently before the Court represents the interests of the students whose access to higher education will be eliminated.” “It was imperative for us to make sure that the interests of the students, the organizations like [the] Dream Project, are represented,” says Sophia Gregg, ACLU-VA senior immigrants’ rights attorney. “And it’s important that the court hear those defenses … if the attorney general himself is not going to defend Virginia law.” “These are individuals who went to high school in Virginia, have graduated from Virginia high schools, and are seeking to better themselves and better the Commonwealth by staying here,” Gregg adds. At press time, there has not been a ruling on either the consent agreement or the emergency motion.—Catie Ratliff

Off Mark?

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Design panel votes against permit required for planned student housing BY SEAN TUBBS

n yet another test of the city’s new zoning code, the Charlottesville Board of Architectural Review has denied a necessary permit required for the current design of an apartment complex. The December 16 vote against the certificate of appropriateness was 6 to 1. On December 31, an attorney for developer LCD Acquisitions filed for an appeal to City Council arguing the BAR’s decision was arbitrary and capricious and beyond its authority. That hearing has not yet been scheduled. City Council will have a work session to review zoning for student housing some time this month. The proposed seven-story building, dubbed The Mark, had gone before the BAR for three preliminary reviews, but this was the first time one of its requests came up for a vote. “We can find places where certainly density and growth can happen and we’re comfortable with it,” said BAR member Cheri Lewis. “But this is just a radical, radical disruption in this neighborhood.” The project needs a certificate of appropriateness because LCD Acquisitions wants to incorporate two historically significant houses, constructed by 19-century builder James Hawkins, on Seventh Street SW that are individually protected under the city’s code. “What you have to evaluate are those two structures and the rehabilitation that’s being proposed on them and the impact of this new development,” said Jeff Werner, the city’s historic preservation planner. The underlying zoning of the properties, Residential Mixed Use 5, allows for a sevenstory building with unlimited density if the project satisfies the city’s affordable housing

requirements. Under the new zoning code adopted in December 2023, the City Council plays no role in approval unless developers seek a special exception. John Matthews of Mitchell Matthews Architects & Planners said the building could still be constructed without touching the two 19th-century structures, but would be better with them. “It complies with the comp plan, the zoning ordinance, the affordable housing manual, and contributes millions of dollars to the city’s essential public services,” Matthews said. Many people took advantage of the public comment period to protest the project, including one nearby resident who said his light would be blocked by the new building. “Charlottesville has a history of not doing right by historically Black communities,” said James Carr. “Walker Square, where we live, is probably not something that would have been welcomed in Fifeville if there had been a chance to fight it.”

City Councilor Michael Payne said that Council should amend the zoning to give protections such as those in place for portions of Preston Avenue and Cherry Avenue, where developments have to prove they will benefit the community. “Our zoning doesn’t reflect that,” Payne said. “And that’s something I hope City Council can understand the impact of the mistake we made and correct it.” Payne encouraged the BAR to deny the request and allow Council to take up the appeal. “One thing that is in our purview is materiality, scale, massing of a building,” said BAR member Kate Snider Tabony. “And I do believe that this is out of character.” BAR member Roger Birle said the project had improved over different iterations, but he said it still did not meet the city’s design guidelines. Fellow member Ronald Bailey agreed. “I think that’s the real problem,” Bailey said. “If the city—if the citizens of the city do not want that zoning, we are the wrong C people to talk to about that.”

MITCHELL MATTHEWS ARCHITECTS

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January 7 – 13, 2026

JANUARY 26 THROUGH FEBRUARY 1

C-V I L L E R E S TAU RA N T WEEK

PRICES:

25 35 45

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C-VILLERESTAURANTWEEK.COM 12

January 7 – 13, 2026

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$1 per meal benefits the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank

REAL ESTATE NEWS

Annie Gould Gallery

Saving species Developer’s bid to fill in floodplain for Woolen Mills building not recommended BY SEAN TUBBS

he Albemarle Planning Commission has recommended denial of a developer’s second request to fill in a portion of the floodplain in order to build a commercial building in the county’s Broadway Blueprint. The Commission had voted 4 to 3 in April 2025 to recommend approval of Elemental Ecotech’s first version of the permit, but the six-member Board of Supervisors denied the permit in June with a tie vote. This time, the amount of land to be disturbed is slightly smaller at 1.346 acres, as opposed to 1.47 acres in the first submission. “There are multiple checks in place to determine that there will be no impact to the regulatory floodway,” said Kelsey Schein, a planner hired to represent Elemental Ecotech, at the December 16 Planning Commission meeting. The land is zoned for light industrial but the permit is required because of a flood protection overlay. The dirt to be used to fill in the floodplain will come from a neighboring property where construction is underway. “This dirt is going to move off this property regardless,” Schein said. “This is an ideal location that is 500 feet away.” At this point, Elemental Ecotech has not indicated exactly what would be built at the site, but industrial districts have performance standards that have to be met. “In this case, we don’t know what the specific industrial uses are, but we have some steps in place in our ordinance to address more specific uses,” said Planning Manager Rebecca Ragsdale. Albemarle staff determined that there would be no detrimental effect to the environment because it is not in an area that conveys flood water. “The regulatory floodway will not be impacted,” said Deputy County Engineer Tony Edwards. SUPPLIED PHOTO

A unique art gallery located in the heart of historic Gordonsville. This time around, staff is requiring the developer to have a more specific timeline of when paperwork would be filed with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to formally have the official floodmap changed. Across Franklin Street is a Charlottesville neighborhood where residents had previously urged denial of the permit out of concern the fill would make flooding worse. Eli Connell lives directly across from the property and urged the Commission to recommend denial, saying the federal government can’t be trusted at this time because some in the administration want to eliminate FEMA. “The challenge here is that the federal regulations lag behind observed conditions,” Connell said. “We’re not going to get these protections from the federal government at this point, so it relies on our local communities.” Bill Emory, a former member of the city’s Planning Commission, said the city should have the ability to weigh in. “It’s really too bad on such an important issue at the border of our jurisdictions that we can’t just slow things down,” he said. Commissioner Karen Firehock said she was opposed to filling in floodplains and listed a series of stakeholders who can’t give public comment. “The great blue heron, the little green heron, the salamander, the kingfisher, the red bellied woodpecker,” Firehock said. “I could go on and on with a list of aquatic and riparian species that depend on that habitat.” Firehock made a motion to recommend denial. The vote was 5 to 2. Former Planning Commission and recently elected Samuel Miller District Supervisor Fred Missel C voted against the permit.

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C-VILLE.COM

January 7 – 13, 2026

Very nice Townhouse in convenient River Run. New roof and gutter leaf filters. Well maintained. Easy access to town and Penn Park. Easy walking distance to the Community pool.82

January 7 – 13, 2026

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Jim Faulconer

Court Nexsen

434.981.0076 jfaulconer@mcleanfaulconer.com

646.660.0700 court@mcleanfaulconer.com

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$595,000 | MLS 670827 | Charlottesville, VA Sonja Casero, 434.981.3523

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$317,500 | MLS 670828 | Earlysville, VA Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

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WH I T E HALL ESTAT E

$3,275,000 | MLS 671230 | Charlottesville Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

$8,800,000 | MLS 665249 | Crozet Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

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$995,000 | MLS 667906 | Ruckersville Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

$924,850 | MLS 665100 | Gordonsville Pam Dent, 434.960.0161 Bridget Archer, 434.981.4149

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$470,000 | MLS 671323 | Charlottesville Jeremy Fields, 434.270-1220

$425,000 | MLS 671743 | Charlottesville Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

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$165,000 | MLS 668776 | Palmyra Melissa Barnes, 910.431.0542

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503 Faulconer Drive, Suite 5 | Charlottesville · VA · 22903 | 434.295.1131

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Local pros’ predictions for 2026—from culinary trends to climate quirks Think of this as Charlottesville’s field guide to the new year. We rounded up the city’s most dialed-in experts in politics, food, art, weather, and beyond, and asked them to predict what’s coming up for 2026. Their collective wisdom charts the trends, shifts, and stories that will shape the year.—C-VILLE writers C-VILLE.COM

January 7 – 13, 2026

2026 Charlottesville Almanac Virginia politics

Fast times in the Old Dominion

Ken Stroupe, Associate Director UVA Center for Politics

If you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy politics, 2026 won’t be your year because Virginia will be hard to ignore—and likely in ways that feel both personal and highly local. A state that once prided itself on deliberation is now rewriting political history at warp speed— and, for the first time, a state named for a woman will be governed by a woman. Abigail Spanberger’s election as Virginia’s first female governor broke a 400-year pattern and it also ushered in a Democratic supermajority in the state legislature. Together, these events accelerated nearly every policy debate, not just at the state Capitol but in local governments across the Commonwealth. Just weeks before her inauguration, the General Assembly approved a constitutional amendment reopening Virginia’s redistricting process— an extraordinary move in a state that rarely rushes constitutional change. That late-October vote, paired with the November House of Delegates election that followed, satisfied the state’s constitutional requirement (at least according to Democrats) for a second passage in the 2026 session. If that happens, the measure then goes before the voters, presumably early this year, with enough time—assuming voters agree—for the General Assembly to redraw congressional boundaries ahead of the November midterms. And brace yourself for another constitutional flashpoint. The abortion-rights amendment—passed by the General Assembly in 2025—would establish a fundamental right to reproductive freedom. The measure is now poised for a second legislative vote this winter that would place the highly controversial issue of abortion on the November ballot alongside the midterm Congressional candidates.

Beyond the state legislature, issues shaping local governments are no less intense. From fights over affordable housing to local taxing authority, governing boards at every level are operating in fast-forward. Northern Virginia’s data-center boom continues to divide communities over land use, noise, and energy demand, while school boards remain flashpoints where curriculum and library debates collide with calls for transparency and calm. Meanwhile, Charlottesville remains a focal point. After Spanberger urged the University of

Virginia’s Board of Visitors not to select a new president until she takes office—a story first reported by The New York Times—the university again finds itself at the intersection of federal, state, and local authority. Add in surging housing costs and sea-level threats in Hampton Roads, and the Commonwealth’s trademark caution looks increasingly like a relic. From classroom to courthouse to Mr. Jefferson’s Capitol, local and state issues facing Virginia in 2026 portend an Old Dominion that’s anything but old.

Unclear lines, but blue expectations

J. Miles Coleman, Associate Editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball University of Virginia Center for Politics

Democrats in the Charlottesville area are entering the 2026 election cycle riding high. Earlier this month, Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger was pushing 90 percent of the vote in Charlottesville and cleared 70 percent in Albemarle County—both metrics made her the strongest performing statewide Democrat that this area has seen in years. Looking to 2026, U.S. Senator Mark Warner is a strong favorite for a fourth term. While the Charlottesville/Albemarle area will again be part of his coalition, could he actually surpass the numbers that Spanberger posted last November? Though Democrats should take nothing for granted, this seems like a possibility, especially if Donald Trump’s numbers continue to slide. Our area may very well elect a new member to the U.S. House this year, although the circumstances could be somewhat unusual. Democratic legislators in Richmond have made concrete

January 7 – 13, 2026

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moves toward mid-decade redistricting. While a national redistricting craze started earlier this summer in Texas, several other states have followed suit. One of them was California, which Democrats hope will provide a template for Virginia. In November, Golden State voters approved Proposition 50, a measure aimed at overriding the state’s independent line-drawing commission so that Democrats could enact their own map, by a larger percentage margin than the 20 points Kamala Harris carried the state by in 2024. Though Virginia is not as solidly blue as California, our legislators are set to attempt something similar next year—Prop 50’s smashing margin probably bodes well for Democrats in the Commonwealth. Under the current configuration of the 5th District, deep blue Charlottesville consistently loses out to the ever-reddening Southside region. But

if Democrats have a free hand at re-drawing the state’s House map this year, that pairing will almost certainly change (see story on page 10). Charlottesville would likely be put in a Democratic-leaning district, though the exact lines are uncertain. We may end up in a “I-64 district,” which would reach into the Richmond area. Another option might be to put Charlottesville into a “college town district,” which could follow I-81 down to the Blacksburg/Radford area. Either way, Democrats, who currently hold six of Virginia’s 11 seats in the House, are looking to add several more seats to their column via redistricting—where Charlottesville is placed could be key to their efforts. So, for this year’s elections, voters can probably look forward to a redistricting referendum sometime in the spring, a summer primary, and a fall general election. Never a dull moment in Virginia politics!

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2026 Charlottesville Almanac Land conservation

Onward and upward

Kim Biasiolli, Conservation Program Manager Piedmont Environmental Council

Thanks to decades of effort, the greater Charlottesville area has long been a leader in land conservation. Our local environmental protections didn’t happen by accident, but rather through hard work and strong policies built over time. That strong policy framework, combined with steadily increasing the permanent protection of forests and farmland in our area, has kept the rural landscape largely intact, despite many challenges to the contrary. We hope to honor and continue that work in the new year. There are so many public benefits that come from keeping rural land intact, from improving climate resiliency through carbon sequestration and flood mitigation to ensuring the quality and quantity of water resources for drinking, recreation, and habitat. Land conservation also protects biodiversity and public health, and strengthens our local economy through production of local farm and forest products, and through tourism that relies on the scenic beauty of the natural landscape around us. Looking forward to 2026, I hope the community will continue to advance key policies and programs related to land conservation. One of the most important is Albemarle’s Growth Management Policy, which protects the rural area and its resources by directing new growth

and development to the designated growth areas. I am also hoping to see implementation of the county’s Stream Health Initiative, a series of 14 proposals to improve stream health locally through policies, voluntary programs, and education. Local conservation programs, like the county purchase of development rights program, which includes an equitable framework to support landowners of modest means with farmland protection, should be renewed and strengthened. Going forward, implementing the actions of the Climate Action Plan and Biodiversity Action Plan is also critically important for our community. The CAP includes actions like protecting and maintaining our tree canopy, which will help build resiliency locally by moderating temperatures, sequestering carbon, and mitigating the impacts of major storm events. The BAP will help improve habitat connectivity by establishing and maintaining wildlife corridors, and much more. Land conservation is a major throughline of all of these programs and policies, and is key to their success. Despite constant pressures and challenges to our rural landscape, I remain hopeful that we can do more land conservation and do it better, in 2026 and beyond.

Trails and public access

Every day is a winding road

Peter Krebs, Community Advocacy Manager Piedmont Environmental Council

Although Charlottesville was recently named top midsize adventure town by Blue Ridge Outdoors, not all local parks and trails are easily accessible. A coalition of area groups, businesses, and agencies is working to correct that. Here are some projects we hope to see started or completed in 2026. Albemarle County will invite residents to help select a route for the Three Notched Trail, which will eventually stretch from Charlottesville to Crozet, the Afton Tunnel, Waynesboro, and beyond. This generational project will also seek opportunities to address key barriers along the way that could bring progress in the near term. Construction will begin on a new bridge and trailhead at Hickory Street to connect Southwood residents to Biscuit Run Park across a newly restored stream valley. A downhill bike skills park just opened and several additional miles of trail and boardwalks will open in 2026. We hope to see progress on the trail connecting the surrounding neighborhoods to the park and to Wegmans. A new greenway along Meadow Creek will connect Greenbrier neighborhood to Hydraulic and

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SAUNDERS-MONTICELLO TRAIL

the 29 corridor. We would like to see the final piece (a tunnel under the railroad tracks at the John Warner Parkway) get underway. The Rivanna Conservation Alliance will break ground on a major project to conserve the banks and improve access to the river at Riverview Park. Albemarle recently made Free Bridge Lane (in Pantops) permanently car-free, and there

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will be more upgrades in the coming year. The coalition is working to extend the Old Mills Trail (which currently ends near Interstate 64) four miles further, to connect to Milton landing and Glenmore, netting a 10-mile riverside greenway. We hope to begin the first mile segment in 2026. As part of America’s semiquincentennial celebration (250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence), Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello is looking to extend the popular Saunders-Monticello Trail to connect to the City of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College, and other nearby sites. Area volunteers will be building new bridges and upgrading maintenance along the Rivanna Trail and in nearby parks like Mint Springs (Crozet), Pleasant Grove (Palmyra), and Sunset (Waynesboro). People who would like to learn more and get involved are invited to attend the free annual Active Mobility Summit March 5-6 at The Wool Factory and the annual Loop de Ville Trailfest in the fall.

January 7 – 13, 2026

2026 Charlottesville Almanac Real estate

A market in motion

Ali DiGuardo, Chief Operating Officer Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS® (CAAR)

As 2026 approaches, Central Virginia’s real estate market stands on the threshold of another dynamic chapter—one defined by shifting interest rates, evolving consumer confidence, and the steady pulse of life changes that always drive housing decisions. If interest rates continue their descent into the upper 5 percent range—as predicted by various economists—the impact will be both immediate and significant. More buyers, many of whom have been waiting for rates to improve, are expected to re-enter the market. At the same time, sellers who have been holding onto historically low interest rates may finally feel motivated to list their homes. The dual effect of new buyer demand and an increase in listings could bring much-needed energy to what has been a restrained market. However, the pace of that recovery will depend heavily on the broader economy—particularly inflation trends and consumer confidence levels. Even as rates improve, lingering inflation may temper optimism. Home price growth is likely to continue softening. Instead of a sharp decline, the market may experience what we saw at the close of 2025—a leveling effect. This plateau creates space for buyers and sellers to reach a more natural equilibrium after several years of market fluctuation. That balance, while slower-paced, is not necessarily a bad thing. The move toward a more balanced market between seller’s market and buyer’s market gives participants the breathing room to make more thoughtful, educated real estate decisions rather than the reactionary offers and bidding wars that characterized the post-pandemic boom. Beyond the numbers, Central Virginia remains one of the most desirable regions in the Mid-Atlantic. The area’s unique blend of lifestyle

and opportunity continues to attract both local movers and out-of-state buyers. From proximity to outdoor activities like hiking in the Shenandoah National Park or spending weekend afternoons at a thriving array of wineries or breweries to the proximity of cultural centers of the capitals Richmond and Washington, D.C., the appeal is undeniable. The job market also remains robust. With major employers like AstraZeneca’s recent expansion announcement, Central Virginia continues to show economic resilience—a factor that supports long-term housing demand. Looking ahead, the spring 2026 real estate market is expected to be lively. Increased inventory, motivated buyers, and gradually easing rates could generate a healthy flow of transactions. Yet, if

rates don’t dip too dramatically and days on market remain slightly elevated, conditions may favor a more balanced and deliberate market tempo. Buyers will have more breathing room to evaluate options, while sellers with move-in ready, well-priced, well-located homes—particularly single-family detached properties near key commuting routes and amenities—should still find strong demand. The bottom line: Central Virginia’s 2026 housing landscape will likely be one of motion rather than mania—dynamic, but not frenzied; active, but increasingly balanced. With the pandemic’s distortions receding and life’s natural rhythms reasserting themselves, the region is poised for a year of steady growth built on lifestyle appeal, economic strength, and the enduring human need to find home.

Buyers’ market? Inventory is up. We saw moderating prices and increasing inventory in 2025, and I suspect we will see more of this in 2026. Broadly, I think the Charlottesville/Albemarle/ Central Virginia real estate prices will be anywhere from flat to up or down 1 to 3 percent. There will be pockets and segments that appreciate more or less than others. Predicting interest rates is always a gamble. Two

thoughts: 1. If a quarter of a point is what is helping or preventing you from buying a home, maybe do a hard look at how much you can actually afford. 2. In the words of a client, “I’m glad I didn’t wait for rates or prices to drop to buy.” If you’re selling, 2026 is not the 2020-2022 real estate market. Price, prepare, present, and market your home as the product that it is.

We have a lot of uncertainty in our market as we are so heavily influenced by government—federal and local—and we have a lot of positivity on the horizon with the biotech center, NGIC/DIA, and AstraZeneca, as well as Merck in Harrisonburg and Northrop Grumman in Waynesboro/ Augusta. Jim Duncan, Co-founder Nest Realty

Weather

When it rains, it … doesn’t rain all that much?

Travis Koshko, Chief Meteorologist CBS19

Long-term weather predictions remain largely dependent on what we meteorologists call teleconnections. Teleconnections are a relationship between something happening in one part of the world and seeing how it affects areas far away from the source. One of the most common teleconnections is ENSO, or El Niño-Southern Oscillation, which includes both El Niño, the warming of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, and its counterpart La Niña, which correlates to the cooling of the same region. Both of these look to have some kind of impact on our local weather in 2026. Impacts of ENSO are most noticeable in the cold season. Current signals show a swing toward a La Niña pattern for winter, meaning a cold start but a return to milder temperatures

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for late January, February, and March. Traditionally this pattern promotes normal precipitation in Central Virginia, but above-average precipitation in the Appalachian Mountains and Ohio Valley. Will this translate to a snowy winter? Only if enough cold air is present to change the rain to snow. At the moment I’m not confident the cold air and moisture will connect very often, therefore I think this winter will see below-average snowfall across Central Virginia. For reference, seasonal snowfall averages are 16 to 20 inches for Charlottesville and 20 to 40 inches for the Blue Ridge Mountains. Trends show an El Niño pattern developing for the spring and summer of 2026. The Mid-Atlantic is an area not as affected by teleconnections in

the summer, but I believe this time period will see a continuation of above-average temperatures and below-normal precipitation. Rainfall trends will follow those usually seen in Central Virginia this time of year with most of our summer moisture coming by way of hit-and-miss, convective-type thunderstorms instead of low-pressure systems bringing widespread rainfall. An El Niño pattern through the summer and fall would have an impact on the hurricane season. During El Niño patterns there are fewer hurricanes in the Atlantic basin due to windier conditions and a more stable, calm atmosphere. That lack of activity would trickle downstream into less available remnant tropical moisture to potentially fall on Central Virginia.

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2026 Charlottesville Almanac Visual arts

So much to see

Kristen Chiacchia, Executive Director and Chief Curator Second Street Gallery

Nationally, the art world is bracing for a cautious but creatively rich year. Market reports suggest collectors and institutions are leaning toward authenticity, sustainability, and storytelling rather than speculation or hype. That wider trend bodes well for Charlottesville. Second Street Gallery stands as a clear barometer for this moment. Long known for championing both emerging and established artists, the gallery continues to innovate. In 2026, expect exhibitions that merge contemporary experimentation with community dialogue; projects that not only hang on the wall but also spark conversation about equity, ecology, and belonging. To the northeast, Les Yeux du Monde enters the new year with renewed vigor. Its roster of painters and sculptors, many with national profiles, offers a refined counterpoint to the city’s more experimental corners. Les Yeux du Monde’s commitment to quality, connoisseurship, and regional identity continues to make it one of Virginia’s cultural touchstones. Meanwhile, The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia is poised for an especially dynamic season under the leadership of director Karen Milbourne. Milbourne’s global curatorial perspective and focus on cross-cultural dialogue are already shaping the museum’s direction. Expect exhibitions that connect Charlottesville to wider international narratives, along with a revitalized emphasis on public scholarship, student engagement, and community access. Across town, the McGuffey Art Center remains a dependable creative engine; its resident studios

LES YEUX DU MONDE

and workshops will keep fueling the next generation of working artists. Also watch for continued recognition of painters Lou Haney and Sharon Shapiro, both of whom bring bold color, feminist narratives, and personal storytelling into the local and regional spotlight. Among the younger generation, Paul Norton stands out as one to watch, as his fresh approach to abstraction and material process reflects the kind of inventive energy defining Charlottesville’s next wave. And a new seed has just been planted: the Charlottesville Area Arts Coalition, freshly launched in

2025, facilitated by independent consultant Ruby Lopez Harper and administratively housed within New City Arts Initiative as part of a seven-month Arts Council Feasibility Study. It’s too soon to forecast its full harvest, but early signs suggest fertile soil for collaboration among organizations, artists, and community partners. A long-awaited gathering of creative forces under one shared umbrella. Together, these institutions forecast a vibrant, layered 2026—one defined less by spectacle and more by substance. The climate for the arts in Charlottesville looks bright.

Swords into Plowshares’ community-engaged, democratic process is set to culminate in concept designs by three semi-finalists selected from a competitive, national open call. The pro-

posals from each of the semi-finalists to transform the bronze ingots will take into account over 500 individual responses to JSAAHC’s request for input from Charlottesville community members on the location and form of the new public work. In 2026, the Charlottesville community will have another chance to participate when invited to review the three semi-finalists’ designs on view at JSAAHC and online from March to May. Coalitions to join in 2026: Charlottesville, Albemarle, and the surrounding counties have a robust arts and culture sector but lack a centralized, coordinated structure to support their creative communities. A collaborative, community-led effort is underway to explore the creation of a future arts council for the Charlottesville area—one that is equitable, accessible, and focused on making it possible for artists to live, work, and thrive here. This planning process will culminate in a proposal for new, centralized arts coordination in 2026.

Coming attractions

Maureen Brondyke, Executive Director New City Arts Initiative

Projects to watch in 2026: Swords into Plowshares. When Charlottesville’s Lost Cause monuments to Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson were finally taken down in 2021, the Lee statue’s path was followed closely by community members. Awarded to the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, it was melted into bronze ingots in 2023. Less public was the fate of Jackson, given to The Brick in Los Angeles, which invited artist Kara Walker to transform it with no restrictions on its final form. Walker’s “Unmanned Drone” was unveiled at the end of October, accompanied by an expansive timeline in the L.A.-based museum detailing the work of Charlottesville organizers, activists, and community leaders advocating for its removal. This unveiling previews what to expect in 2026—not another bronze statue necessarily but a powerful piece of contemporary, public art created from the raw material of the decommissioned Lee statue once intended to uphold white supremacy. Here in Charlottesville,

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January 7 – 13, 2026

2026 Charlottesville Almanac UVA

Up and coming

Walt Heinecke, Associate Professor School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia

The tension between University of Virginia faculty, staff, and students and the Trump administration, Board of Visitors, and the new UVA president will shape the university in 2026. The mess that was created by the Trump-Youngkin-Sheridan BOV led to a showdown between the governor-elect and the BOV around the issue of UVA’s presidential selection. The board decided to move ahead with a presidential selection prior to Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger’s reformulation of the out-ofcompliance BOV, which may lead to instability and a lack of legitimacy for the university. The Trump administration could continue to come at UVA with its ideological agenda and extortion tactics. Unless challenged, the current agreement, which was signed with the DOJ by interim President Paul Mahoney, will continue to cast a pall of fear and undermining of academic freedom at UVA. They will notice that we have a General Assembly that will make significant changes in the way the university is democratically run, such as an elected staff, student, and faculty representative to the BOV, and maybe those will be voting members; a general counsel that is independent of MAGA politics and appointed by the university not the attorney general; a BOV and administration that understand the true meaning of shared governance and faculty, staff, and student involvement in decision making. Collective bargaining will advance through the legislature, and we will be a step closer to a university that is less elitist and in which faculty and staff have power to participate in governance.

Local food

South of the border

Christina Martin, Owner bakernobakery

The broader global and big-city trend of Mexican, Latin, and South American food is gaining more traction here in Charlottesville, especially as a lot of the world’s best restaurants this year and the previous years have some sort of Hispanic or Hispanic American touch. I am personally keeping my eye on a local popup called CAÑA (aka @sugarcanechronicles on Instagram) by my cousin Harvey Mayorga (one the three Guajiros brothers). From what I’ve seen, it’s tasting-menu style and, like Arepas, the restaurant, and now Noble Steakhouse, these eateries are further following Bebedero, Conmole, and Zocalo in the highercheck-average range and broadening the horizon of diners who are seeking higher-end Mexican/Central/and South American food. For a long time, a lot of the more casual offerings of Mexican and Latin food have been widely Americanized and undervalued in Charlottesville, and it’s amazing to see old and new restaurants working on new dishes and items that Charlottesville diners are excited for and see the value of. Taqueria El Comalito does an amazing job offering menu staples that folks know and love, while also doing more traditional shapes of masa that go beyond tacos. Chef Will at Zocalo has been taking more creative freedom with his menus, highlighting his roots from Mexico City that brings modernity, authenticity, and freshness.

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2026 Charlottesville Almanac Homelessness

Homes sweet homes

Matthew Gillikin, Co-chair Livable Cville

At the end of 2026, the Charlottesville area will have made some important gains toward addressing its housing affordability crisis, but will still be thousands of homes short of what is needed to be a community where housing is widely accessible. The City of Charlottesville will move forward with its pro-housing priorities. Now that the city’s new zoning code can be fully activated, we should start seeing new housing (and housing types) envisioned by the Cville Plans Together Process being built. The city is also looking to update the zoning code, study the intersection of environmental regulations and housing development, and take a look at how homestay regulations fit with the city’s housing priorities. The continued revision of the zoning code and related policies reflects city leadership’s desire to ensure that its approach to housing is not just symbolic, but also substantially improving people’s lives. In the area of homelessness, significant movement is finally underway. A timeline has not been established for the Holiday Drive homeless shelter, but in the coming months we should see progress toward its opening. Shelters are like the emergency room for people who are homeless— critical, short-term infrastructure for dealing with urgent challenges—not a permanent solution to a long-term problem. Housing is the ultimate solution to homelessness. Premier Circle will provide some of that housing. It is set to open in late 2026 and will provide supportive housing to many community members experiencing homelessness. Premier Circle is a major step forward for the area, but will still not

PREMIER CIRCLE

fully meet the need. The city and county need to begin collaborating on building additional supportive housing ASAP. We will also see the next phases of the residentled redevelopment of Kindlewood, South First Street, and Sixth Street, all of which will provide more badly needed income-restricted housing, an essential part of addressing the housing affordability crisis. Projects like 501 Cherry, MACAA, the Westhaven redevelopment, and Park Street Christian senior housing will continue to move forward. Many are asking if 2026 is the year Albemarle County leadership finally gets serious about addressing their affordable housing crisis. The county has started trending toward allowing more housing in the development area and completed the AC44 Comprehensive Plan rewrite

in late 2025. But county leadership has accomplished very little in terms of reshaping its core housing and land-use policies to fit the community’s needs, instead relying on outlying counties to absorb housing demand, creating a de facto external development area. We are hopeful that the additions of Sally Duncan and Fred Missel to the Board of Supervisors will help move the county in the right direction. Charlottesville is fortunate to have State Representatives Creigh Deeds and Katrina Callsen, who have supported good housing policies over the last few sessions. Abigail Spanberger focused her campaign on affordability issues and we hope to finally get substantive state-level policies to encourage the building and funding of a wide range of housing types throughout Virginia.

shrink a new apartment building on Seventh Street SW. If constructed, both projects would be marketed to students. NDS is currently undertaking a minor update of the development code to fix small errors and provide technical clarity, but staff currently don’t anticipate major changes until 2027 or beyond. At least one city councilor, Michael Payne, has expressed interest in making changes to address student housing, but the elected body opted to wait on a direction to staff until new Councilor Jen Fleisher was sworn in on January 1. At the same time, the University of Virginia is moving forward with construction of a student housing complex on Ivy Road that will have 780 units. A second project is planned for Emmet Street at the site of the former University Gardens. Will that move forward in 2026? Hundreds of new units are under construction at places like the

Verve and the Blume, while student enrollment at UVA is expected to remain steady. In the past two years, NDS has approved two major development plans for large apartment complexes and both were for projects that sought to subsidize rental prices through low-income tax credits. One was for the third phase of Piedmont Housing Alliance’s redevelopment of Friendship Court into Kindlewood and that project was awarded credits. The other approved plan is for a six-story building on 1000 Wertland St., one of three properties that UVA is willing to donate to build affordable units. While Council is providing funds for Kindlewood and other PHA projects, it declined to do so for a project being shepherded by an out-oftown developer. A state entity called Virginia Housing failed to award credits and a big question in 2026 is whether this project will proceed.

Development

Zoning in

Sean Tubbs, Publisher Town Crier Productions

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In 2025, Charlottesville settled a lawsuit against a new zoning code intended to make it easier for developers to build new housing without getting permission from City Council. The city has hired the civil engineering and planning firm Line and Grade to conduct a transportation study the plaintiffs argued should have been done beforehand. Only a handful of residential projects have been approved by staff in the city’s Department of Neighborhood Development Services, but one of the biggest development stories in 2026 will be whether Council decides to amend the rules to give it more power in some situations. The Public Housing Association of Residents is leading a charge for Council to amend the rules again to curtail an 11-story building on West Main Street adjacent to Westhaven. The call is echoed by many in Fifeville who want to block or at least

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January 7 – 13, 2026

CHARLOTTESVILLE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL PRESENTS

DUMKY!

a free winter concert

First Presbyterian Church 500 Park Street Charlottesville

Thursday January 8th 7:30 PM

Violinist STEFAN JACKIW, cellist RAPHAEL BELL, and pianist ANDREW ARMSTRONG performing Dvořák’s “Dumky” trio and more! No tickets or registration required Free onsite parking This free concert is sponsored by

S ave the date ! The Pictures Project Free Community Concert

A collaboration with Charlottesville City Schools

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 7:00 PM

MLK Performing Arts Center 1400 Melbourne Road Charlottesville

Featuring Andrew Armstrong performing Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, accompanied by a display of student artwork

mo n r ea

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January 7 – 13, 2026

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re! c v i l l e c h a m b e r m u s i c .o rg

CULTURE MUSIC | ART | BOOKS | FOOD | DRINK

FRIDAY 1/9

MAKING CHANGE Local music luminary Michael Clem performs new tracks from his latest release, 60¢ A Gallon. Between February and October 2025, Clem went to work at Carriage Lane Studios with producer Rusty Speidel, laying down a dozen new tunes that run the gamut of Clem’s Americana facility and featuring Paul Bell, Adrian Duke, Laurie MacAllister, Jen Tal, Robin and Linda Williams, and Peter Wilson. Seats are available first-come first-served for this seated indoor show. $20–25, 8pm. The Front Porch, 221 E. Water St. frontporchcville.org

TRISTAN WILLIAMS

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January 7 – 13, 2026

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TO-DO LIST CULTURE Wednesday 1/7

etc. Brewery Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, January 8. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com

dance Weekly Swing Dance. Beginner-friendly swing dance lessons teaching the Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, and blues. No partner needed. Stay for social dancing after the class. $10, 7pm. The Front Porch, 221 E. Water St. frontporchcville.com

Family Studio Day. Rewild your own tiny house with natural elements such as moss and sticks in a project inspired by “Possibility,” a solo exhibition by artist Courtney Coker, who will be onsite throughout the event. Free, 10am. Second Street Gallery, 115 Second St. SE. secondstreetgallery.org

classes

New Dominion Storytime. Featuring readings from recent storybooks and the classics kids know and love. Rain or shine. All ages welcome. Free, 11am. New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. newdominionbookshop.com

Kanopy 101. Learn the ins and outs of watching free movies and TV with your public library card. All ages welcome. Free, 10:15am. Northside Library, 705 W. Rio Rd. jmrl.org

etc.

Vineyard Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, January 8. $15, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. puzzledbee.com

Bingo Night. Four rounds of family-friendly fun, with prizes after each round. Free, 6pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. fireflycville.com

Sunday 1/11

Rapture Karaoke. Hosted by Thunder Music. Free, 9pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com

Thursday 1/8 music Berto Sales & Vincent Zorn. Lively flamenco rumba. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com Billy Brockman. Local guitarist, singer, and songwriter performs. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com DUMKY! Three world-renowned artists take the stage for an intimate and powerful chamber music event. Featuring violinist Stefan Jackiw, pianist Andrew Armstrong, and cellist Raphael Bell. Free, 7:30pm. First Presbyterian Church, 500 Park St. cvillechambermusic.org

classes Kanopy 101. See listing for Wednesday, January 7. Free, 2:30pm. Northside Library, 705 W. Rio Rd. jmrl.org

etc. Brewery Puzzle Hunt. An escape room meets a pub crawl. Visit the Preston Avenue breweries, crack codes, unravel riddles, and sample Charlottes ville’s best brews. Players get $1 off pints at each brewery. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com Paramount on Screen: National Theatre Live in HD—The Fifth Step. Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden is joined by Emmy and BAFTA-winner Martin Freeman in the critically acclaimed and subversively funny new play. $14–20, 7pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net Vineyard Puzzle Hunt. Like an escape room but at a winery. Crack codes and unravel riddles while sampling Charlottesville’s best wine, beer, and cider. Play when you want and go at your own pace. $15, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. puzzledbee.com

Friday 1/9 music Greg Brown’s Sojourns in Solitude at Offbeat Roadhouse. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Brown’s solo release with a special acoustic guitar concert. Free, 8pm. The Stage at WTJU, 2244 Ivy Rd. wtju.net

music THURSDAY 1/8

STAGE AND SCREEN Experience critically acclaimed British performances with National Theatre Live in HD’s presentation of The Fifth Step. Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden (“Slow Horses,” Dunkirk) and Emmy- and BAFTA-winner Martin Freeman (The Hobbit, “The Responder”) star in the subversively funny play by David Ireland, directed by Finn den Hertog. In a story built around recovery from alcoholism, the lead characters trade stories, bond over black coffee, and build a fragile friendship based on shared experiences before dangerous truths emerge. $14.75–20.50, 7pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net Michael Clem: 60¢ A Gallon Album Release. Celebrating new tunes from a local favorite with a record-release concert. $20–25, 8pm. The Front Porch, 221 E. Water St. frontporchcville.com

C’Ville Jazz Congregation. Hear your favorite jazz standards in a new light. Free, 2:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com

Songwriter’s Appreciation Night. Calling all singers, songwriters, and music lovers to celebrate the craft and passion that goes into creating music by performing new and original material. Hosted by Nicole Giordano. Free, 5:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com

Josh Mayo and The House Sauce. One of Charlottesville’s finest rockers performs with his band. Free, 9:30pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

etc. Brewery Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, January 8. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com Trivia with Olivia. Get the weekend started with beers and trivia. Free, 6pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. superflybrewing.com Vineyard Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, January 8. $15, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. puzzledbee.com

Saturday 1/10 music

Ian Gilliam & The FireKings. Blues, rockabilly, honky-tonk, and rock ‘n’ roll. Free, 6pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com

Akeylah Simone: AS IS | Black First Tour. A celebration of identity, resilience, and artistry with unapologetic storytelling and electrifying stagecraft. With special guest Jen Tal. $20–25, 7:30pm. The Front Porch, 221 E. Water St. frontporchcville.com

Jacob Paul Allen. Blue Ridge-born Appalachian Red Dirt country music singer-songwriter from Nelson County. Free, 8pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellyscharlottesville.com

Classic Road. Two men and a keyboard perform easy listening and dance tracks, creating the sound of a full band. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

JOHAN PERSSON

Heidi Riddell. Singer-songwriter saved by grace through faith in Jesus. Free, 1pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarm andwinery.com

Mama Tried. Local five-piece plays high-energy versions of early Grateful Dead songs, plus its own impressive material, with a heavy accent on improvisation. Free, 5:30pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com Porch Dogs. Come bark with the dogs. Free, 12:30pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com Ron Gentry. Playing a variety of great music influenced by the sounds of Motown, The Beatles, and more. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com

Mercy Creek. Earthy folk-rock sounds. Free, 2pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com The King Gypsy Show with Doctor Rhythm. Featuring a variety of funk, R&B, blues, and reggae. Free, 2pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com

classes Oil Painting for Everybody: Landscape Edition. Learn to render a landscape composition oil painting in an approachable and organized format. Beginner focused, but all levels welcome. Ages 14+. $45, 2pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com Paint + Sip: Chicka Dee-Dee-Dee. Paint the supplied design in a step-by-step format. No experience necessary, all materials included. $40, 2pm. Hazy Mountain Vineyard & Brewery, 240 Hazy Mountain Ln., Afton. blueridgebrushes.com Paint + Sip: Midnight Flurries. Paint the supplied design in a step-by-step format. No experience necessary, all materials and first drink included. $44, 3pm. Starr Hill Downtown, 946 Grady Ave., Ste. 101. blueridgebrushes.com

etc. Brewery Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, January 8. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com Vineyard Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, January 8. $15, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. puzzledbee.com

Monday 1/12 classes

The Runawayz. C’ville classics. Free, 8pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellys charlottesville.com

Monthly Maker Monday: Critter Keychains. Learn to hand sew a cozy critter keychain with this beginner-friendly craft event. Ages 11+. Free, 4pm. Central Library, 201 E. Market St. jmrl.org

classes

Tuesday 1/13

Butterfly and Moth Pins. Learn how to make a lepidoptera pin using a specialized barbed needle to apply dyed wool to your choice of felt base. Ages 12+. $35, 3pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com Planner, Calendar, and Journal Decorating Party. Kick off the new year by bringing your own calendar, planner, or journal to decorate at this relaxed event. Ages 12+. $20, 12:30pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com

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music Prabir. A classical Indian raga set by a Richmond superstar. Free, 7pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellyscharlottesville.com Vincent Zorn. Lively flamenco rumba with a unique percussive technique that incorporates a diverse range of strumming styles, rhythms, and taps. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

January 7 – 13, 2026

CHARLOTTESVILLE’S FARE-FREE

TRANSIT SYSTEM All 12 CAT routes, including the Downtown Trolley, are FARE-FREE with most connecting at the Downtown Transit Station. From there, hop on the free Trolley to explore shops, dining, and attractions along the Downtown Mall and UVA.

CatchtheCAT.org

Use ETA Spot app, Google Maps, Apple Maps, or visit our website to view live routes and plan your trip.

VIEW ALL ROUTES & INFORMATION ONLINE AT CATCHTHECAT.ORG

Drive Their Dreams,

Fuel Your Future! Join the Charlottesville City School Bus Team

Hiring School Bus Drivers & Aides Excellent City Benefits Paid CDL Training Flexible Schedule Drivers - $23.50+/hr Aides - $20.50+/hr

CatchtheCAT.org 28

January 7 – 13, 2026

Learn More and Apply Today at CatchtheCAT.org The City of Charlottesville is an Equal-Opportunity Employer C-VILLE.COM

Slow good

ALL YOU CAN EAT CULTURE

Cheesemaker Gail Hobbs-Page explores a European approach BY SARAH GOLIBART GORMAN

aromont Farms’ Gail Hobbs-Page recently attended Cheese: A World Around It, the world’s largest event dedicated to raw milk cheese. The conference is held every two years in Bra, Italy, the hometown of Carlo Petrini, founder of the International Slow Food Movement that champions “grandma cooking,” or traditional foodways utilizing whole foods and local, sustainably raised ingredients. As a long-time slow food advocate, the cheese event had been on Hobbs-Page’s bucket list for years. Hobbs-Page fell into the slow food world as she was being scouted for a James Beard Award when cheffing at Hamiltons’ on the Downtown Mall. Learning that she was being considered for a JBA, Hobbs-Page booked a trip to New York for the potential interviews. When the interviews didn’t materialize, she didn’t cancel, and instead attended A Growing Concern, a three-day festival sponsored by Slow Food and coordinated by greats like Alice Waters and Michael Pollan. “They kind of baptized us all and we all went back to our nooks and crannies,” says Hobbs-Page, who eventually left the restaurant kitchen for the dairy industry. She caught the cheesemaking bug when she was recruited to develop a dairy project for musician Dave Matthews’ farm, Best of What’s Around. The project didn’t stick, but Hobbs-Page’s passion for cheesemaking did. With a year of research and development under her belt, plus trips to Meadow Creek Dairy and other regional cheesemakers, Hobbs-Page was hooked. “I thought, ‘Wow, I can do this,’” she says. “I can do this on my little farm right down the road.” She opened Caromont Farm, where she’s been raising goats and making cheese since 2007. It wasn’t all perfect, creamy chevre in the beginning. “Sometimes it was good, sometimes

Cheesemaker Gail Hobbs-Page travels to Europe to inspire and reinvigorate Caromont Farm’s offerings.

it wasn’t. Sometimes it was too salty. Sometimes it blew up. It was very inconsistent,” Hobbs-Page remembers. After a few courses for aspiring cheesemakers at the University of Vermont and years of trial and error, she found her groove, crafting award-winning cheeses appreciated by chefs and foodies throughout the Mid-Atlantic. “I’m kind of at this point where I’ve got four trips to Europe under my belt, and I’m starting to really enjoy it,” says Hobbs-Page. “I don’t want to stop yet, because I’m still learning and enjoying it, and I’m excited by the cheese world.” On her most recent trip to the cheese conference, she sampled offerings from all over Europe. She tasted northern Italian sheep and goat cheese with wine to match,

goat cheese from Spain, cow milk cheddars from England. “I tasted their world … everything about what they had put into those beautiful little wheels of cheese,” says Hobbs-Page. One variety from Puglia especially caught her attention. “The texture, the culturing, the irregularity of the wheels,” she says. “They were freeform and just the most beautiful color with a supple, creamy mouthfeel.” Don’t be surprised if you taste something like this from Caromont in the next few years. Developing a cheese over years, isn’t just a remnant of Hobbs-Page’s Slow Food education—that’s simply how long it takes. Take Caromont’s newest cheese, Porters, which took at least two years to develop. “The

spready spread stuff doesn’t take very long, but with these large format cheeses that you have to age, it takes a while to get it where you want it,” she says. Large format refers to the way the cheese is made, in large blocks. Porters is named after the road and community in Esmont near Caromont Farm. The name speaks to the terroir of the region, HobbsPage’s beloved goats, and the land she cares for: “It is creamy, supple, and milk-driven.” Hobbs-Page’s most recent creation is a firm, aged goat cheese. “People in America think goat cheese is chevre. It’s not. There are a lot of different kinds that aren’t that tangy, creamy stuff you put on salads,” she says. At the festival, she says she didn’t spy one speck of creamy, fresh goat cheese, and notes that there was very little plastic used in packaging at the festival in general. “If it was considered fresh, it was in a little cake that had been aged for a while,” says HobbsPage. “It’s a completely different way of looking at the cheeses.” Hobbs-Page plans to integrate her new discoveries into her cheese and cheesemaking classes in 2026. With her farmstead dairy, Hobbs-Page follows the rhythm of the seasons. Since the milk she uses comes directly from her goats, who begin kidding in late winter through spring, the seasonal pause is a time to incubate her new ideas. Want to meet her goats? Throughout the spring, weekend visitors help to acclimate the baby goats to human connection. Check the Caromont Farm website for details about snuggle season and keep an eye on next fall’s classes, where Hobbs-Page will share what she’s learned, and perhaps work alongside some special guests from Italy. Look for Caromont Farm cheeses at Charlottesville and Richmond farmers’ markets C throughout the season.

SATURDAY 1/10

SIMONE SINGS Hampton Roads resident Akeylah Simone brings the AS IS | Black First Tour to town in a soul-stirring performance that celebrates Black identity, resilience, and artistry. Simone collapses genres, building compositions that weave together sonic elements from R&B, neo-soul, jazz, pop, rock, and funk with authentic storytelling and expert stagecraft. Her powerful presence and poetic writing style have garnered Simone multiple Grammy nominations, as well as accolades from Encore, the International Singer-Songwriters Association, Veer Magazine, and a slew of others. Local powerhouse Jen Tal opens the evening. $20–25, 7:30pm. The Front Porch, 221 E. Water St. frontporchcville.org

SUPPLIED PHOTOS

C-VILLE.COM

January 7 – 13, 2026

THE

53RD WINERY AND VINEYARD

WINE

A note from Winegrower and Owner, Dave Drillock

DOWN WHAT’S DELISH AT LOCAL WINERIES?

Wishing you a Healthy and Happy New Year. We were recently rated by JamesSuckling.com on six of our wines. Here are the results. 2022 Petit Verdot 92 points Dark and brooding aromas of blood plums, coffee, tobacco, licorice and tobacco. The palate is structured with a good core of fruit with plenty of structure to reward aging. Drink or hold. Available for purchase. 2023 Romulus 91 points Soft and Supple aromas of dark fruit, spices, earth and dried herbs. The palate is mid-weighted and quite austere, with drying tannins. Needs time to soften, but plenty to like. Drink or hold. Not released. 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve 91 points Bright, fresh and crunchy, with aromas of cherries, tomato leaves and spices with an earthy undertone. The plate is mid weighted with taut tannins and focused acidity, leading to a drying and quite austere finish that will soften with time. Nicely constructed. Drink or hold. Not released. 2023 Two Springs 90 points Soft and supple aromas of dark fruit, spices, earth and dried herbs. The plate is mid-weighted and quite austere, with drying tannins. Needs time to soften but plenty to like. Drink or hold. Not released. 2024 Chardonnay 89 points Aromas of yellow apples, pears, lemons and vanilla. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe fruit flavors, gentle acidity and a smooth creamy finish. Easy and balanced. Drink now. April Release.

WINERY

DUCARD VINEYARDS

Guide Map

PRINCE MICHEL VINEYARD AND WINERY

REVALATION VINEYARDS

Congratulations to our Winemaker Chelsey Blevins! We invite you to visit our serene, meadow-like location in rural Louisa County. We pride ourselves on being genuine and approachable, eager to share our passion for wine without any scripted lines or memorized facts, just a warm and welcome atmosphere. We are a Winery that just wants to be a Winery!

MADISON

33 HARRISONBURG

STANARDSVILLE

ORANGE

340

HORTON VINEYARDS

GORDONSVILLE

KESWICK VINEYARDS

CROZET AFTON

HARDWARE HILLS VINEYARD

January 7 – 13, 2026

January events LOUISA

EASTWOOD FARM AND WINERY

CHARLOTTESVILLE ZION CROSSROADS

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2024 Viognier 89 points Fruity aromas of peaches, apricots and citrus. The palate is medium bodied, fresh and juicy, with soft acidity and a clean easy finish. Drink now. Available for purchase.

53RD VINEYARD & WINERY

Saturday, January 10th: Barrel Tasting with Dave 1:30pm Led by Dave Drillock, winegrower and owner of Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard, this 90-minute session will offer an inside look at our various vintages plus barrel tastings of Petit Verdot. With limited spots

for just 18 participants, this is an opportunity to learn from more about this grape variety and taste what’s to come! Ticketed event. Visit our website to sign up. Saturday, January 17th: Day 1: Wine Club Pick Up 1st Quarter 2026 11-5pm. As always, special tastings and our annual cellar wine sale (while supplies last) will be available for our wine club members! Non wine club members welcome for $17/person. Food Truck: Beaverdam Grill Live Music: Matt Johnson 1-4pm Sunday, January 18th: Day 2: Wine Club Pick Up 1st Quarter 2026 11-5pm. As always, special tastings and our annual cellar wine sale (while supplies last) will be available for our wine club members! Non wine club members welcome for $17/person. Food Truck: Zippy’s Smokeshack BBQ Live Music: Matty & Mirabelle Metcalfe 1-4pm Saturday, January 24th: First Taste: Wine Tasting and Charcuterie Get a first look at what’s coming next, taste bottled wines before they’re released, paired with a generous charcuterie table to savor alongside. Ticketed event. Go to website to sign up. For more details, please check our website at www.53rdwinery.com or call us at 540-894-1536. We look forward to welcoming you to the winery, and we truly appreciate your business and support. Cheers! Open 7 days a week, 11 am – 5 pm 13372 Shannon Hill Rd Louisa, VA 23093 (540) 894-5474 • 53rdwinery.com.

DUCARD VINEYARDS 2022 Cabernet Franc Vinters Reserve Grown at our Whetstone Run vineyard, this Cabernet Franc was selected for its depth in color, welcoming mouth feel, well-defined structure. Pairs with French Onion Soup and hearty seasonal stews. 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup Gold Medal Winner. We are open 7 days a week throughout the month of January with live music every weekend. Visit our website and our social media pages for the most up to date listings of our upcoming live music and events! Saturdays- Live music every Saturday in January from 2-5 pm. Come to DuCard for the afternoon with family and friends and enjoy a variety of live music (no cover). Bring a picnic or select some local SPECIAL ADVERTORIAL SECTION

fare from our lite noshing menu to pair with our award-winning wine for a fun afternoon in our amazing mountain setting.

responders, small businesses, and hospitality industry professionals. Scroll down for full details on how we’re coming together to celebrate—and say thank you to— the people who make Charlottesville such a special place. Upcoming at the Winery:

Open daily Mon-Thurs. 12-5 pm Fri. 12-9 pm Sat/Sun. 12-6 pm 40 Gibson Hollow Ln Etlan, VA 22719 (540) 923-4206 www.ducardvineyards.com

EASTWOOD FARM AND WINERY Kick off 2026 with our Community Celebration Month, a full month dedicated to the people and organizations that make Charlottesville thrive. Enjoy a packed schedule of programming— from Friday night shrimp boils to weekly live music—along with all your favorite menu items, from mulled wine to flatbreads and fondues to roasting s’mores around our fire pits. We’ll also be pouring a full selection of non-alcoholic options, including sparkling wines, beers, and mocktails, alongside our lineup of award-winning wines, hard ciders, and beers. Throughout the month, we’ll be hosting special events dedicated to our community, including celebrations for teachers, nurses, nonprofit organizations, first

Low-Country Shrimp Boil | Every Friday 4-7:30PM (open 12-8PM) Get ready for a delicious, flavorpacked Shrimp Boil Feast every Friday night this Winter! We’re bringing the best of Southern tradition right to your plate with succulent shrimp, juicy sausage, tender corn on the cob, and perfectly seasoned potatoes – all served hot and ready to enjoy in a relaxed, fun atmosphere with live music from 5-8pm on the stage in our tasting room. Mocktails & Mimosas | Beginning January 1 Enjoy a refreshing lineup of nonalcoholic beverages! From our vibrant mocktails to extensive NA beer offerings, we have something for every taste. And if you haven’t yet tried Wölffer Estate’s nonalcoholic Sparkling Rosé, you’re in for a treat! Non-profit Community Night | Thursday, January 15th from 5-8PM (open 12-8PM) Kick off MLK weekend early with an inspirational evening featuring presentations from several local non-profits paired with free tastings of their favorite wine, beer or cider. This event is dedicated to bringing together local nonprofits, supporters, and community members to share stories, build connections, and collaborate on

ways to create a brighter future for all. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, team member, volunteer, donor, or just someone passionate about giving back, this night is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible work happening in our community. All are welcome to join us and nonprofit members enjoy a 10% discount on food and beverages in the tasting room and free entry into a special raffle for fun prizes. Live music with Lenny Burridge from 5-8PM. MLK Weekend and Live Performance by The Fortresses! We are open to serve you from 12-5 PM on Monday, January 19th for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and we will be building up the celebration on the days leading up to the 19th, starting off with our Non-Profit Community Night on Thursday, January 15th, followed by a Friday night Low-Country Shrimp Boil and live music from Matthew O’Donnell. The live music continues on Saturday with Brian Franke 12:30-3:30PM and Jackson, Pendergrass & Townsend 5-8PM. And capping it all off on Sunday, you will not want to miss a very special performance by The Fortresses, a multi-part instrumental band directed by Zachary Hines, II and focusing on playing original Jazz, Funk, Soul, Afro-beat, and Hip Hop compositions. If you have never seen a Fortresses performance, you will not want to miss this show. This will be an unforgettable experience. Music Bingo and Nurses/First Responders Appreciation Day| Sunday, January 25th from 2-4PM (open 12-5PM) Open to the whole community. Nurses and First Responders receive 2 free raffle tickets and 10% off all food and beverages. Music Bingo and Teacher Appreciation Night| Thursday, January 29th from 6-8PM (open 12-8PM) Open to the whole community. Teachers receive 2 free raffle tickets and 10% off all food and beverages. Paint & Sip | Sunday, January 18 12-2PM, February 22 12-2PM Grab a glass of wine (or your favorite drink!) and let your creativity flow in our relaxed and fun Paint & Sip classes. Whether you’re an experienced artist or a first-time painter, the talented instructors of Blue Ridge Brushes will walk you through the painting process as you create your own masterpiece. Ticketed Event Reserve Your Spot On Our Website MUSIC AT EASTWOOD! Join us for the popular Eastwood After Dark featuring upbeat, danceable music on Saturday nights from 5-8pm (in addition to our more mellow Saturday afternoon music

SPECIAL ADVERTORIAL SECTION

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program). Eastwood also hosts a range of live performances by talented local and regional musicians every Thursday and Friday night (and Sundays!). See the Winery Calendar on our website for details. Every Thursday (open 12-8 PM): Live Music 5-8PM Thursday “Thank You” Community Day at Eastwood— $5 Taps (Beer & Cider) Every Friday (open 12-8 PM): Live Music 5-8PM Shrimp Boil 5-8PM Every Saturday (open 12-8 PM): Live Music 12:30-3:30PM + Eastwood After Dark with Live Music 5-8PM Every Sunday (open 12-5 PM): Live Music or Music Bingo (See the Winery Calendar on our website for details.) Also Open Monday through Wednesday 12-5 PM What about the kids? Kids can share in the experience with their own juice tasting flights and cheese boards! OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! Winery Hours: Sunday-Wednesday (125 PM); Thursday-Saturday (12-8 PM) We look forward to welcoming you to our cozy tasting room, seven days a week. Join us for award-winning wines, beer, and cider, as well as a delicious seasonal menu by Chef Andrew Partridge that is perfect for lunch or dinner. Delight in lounging on our enclosed & heated veranda with a glass of our gold medal 2022 Meritage Reserve. Or, stay inside and enjoy live music with a seasonal toasty flatbread or our scrumptious Cast Iron Baked Brie. Escape to Virginia Wine Country, only five miles from Downtown Charlottesville. Open year-round, seven days a week. Pet friendly and large groups are welcome. Ample indoor and outdoor seating. Rt 20 near the intersection with Avon Extended (5 mi from Downtown Mall) Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 264-6727 www.eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

HARDWARE HILLS VINEYARD Sparkling Vidal Blanc Let’s kick off the new year with the most versatile of all wine options: BUBBLES! We are super proud of how our estate grown Vidal Blanc shows up as a delightful sparkling option. Crisp and refreshing, with a hint of mandarin and lime. It is distinguished, delicate and expressive. Pick up a bottle today and find that sparkling wine goes January 7 – 13, 2026

MUSIC with Jon Zlock. Coming to us from the lake, we love the incredible songs Jon brings and he is definitely one crowd pleaser! January 30th - 5:30 p.m. LIVE MUSIC with Pat Anderson -- we can’t wait for Pat to play for us at the Hills. Say goodbye to January with a warm and welcoming night at the Hills! DATES TO NOTE: Feb. 15 -- Valentine’s Dinner -- small and exclusive. Watch for tickets on our website and social media. Feb. 28 -- DUELING PIANOS Dinner and Show at the Hills -- tickets are on sale NOW 5199 W River Rd, Scottsville, VA 434.286.4710 • www.hardwarehills.com

with just about any meal, occasion, and mood! WE ARE OPEN REGULAR HOURS IN JANUARY! Our event space is now complete and booking for special events in the coming year! HAVE YOU SEEN OUR REELS YET?? Check us out on all social media channels. All events can be found on our website at www. hardwarehills.com EVENTS: January 9th - 5:30 p.m. LIVE MUSIC with John Kelly. We are regularly amazed at John’s vocals and song selections. He is a hidden gem among local artists and we are thrilled to have him here... come see why!

doing 20 minute musician slots all afternoon so come join us to play and sing, or sip and listen. We welcome all musicians locally and beyond. Sign ups can be found on our website www.hardwarehills.com January 22nd - 6 - 8:30 p.m. COUNTRY MUSIC DANCE NIGHT! Grab your boots and your dancing pals and come out to boot scoot with us. Line dancing expert Madison Kinney will lead us through new line dance lessons from 6 - 7, then the floor is open for all to enjoy! Must be 18 to attend and there is a $10 cover charge. Wine and food available all evening for purchase. January 23rd - 5:30 p.m. LIVE

January 10th - 10:30 a.m. RESCHEDULED FROM DECEMBER! ANNUAL DASH THROUGH THE HILLS Fun Run/ Walk ... with wine! Explore the entire property of Hardware Hills, including a trek to the Hardware River. This 5K/1M run/walk/stroll/ job/measer includes water stops that also have... wine! Bring the whole group and make a day of it. We will have live music performances throughout the day, a food truck, and seasonal wine offerings. One of our most fun events of the year!

Kick off the New Year the Keswick way!!! Great wine, live music, and plenty of reasons to gather with friends. Every Saturday in January, enjoy live music from 12–4 PM, the perfect soundtrack for a relaxing afternoon at the winery. Looking for a little extra fun? Our mini golf course is open yearround! For just $10 per person, enjoy 9 holes of wine-side fun, no matter the season.

At the heart of it all are our wines. We’re passionate about what we create, and truly, all we want to do is share them with you. Start your New Year with a glass in hand at Keswick, we can’t wait to welcome you! Hours: Monday- Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm 1575 Keswick Winery Drive Keswick, Virginia 22947 Tasting Room: (434) 244-3341 ext 105 tastingroom@keswickvineyards.com www.keswickvineyards.com

PRINCE MICHEL VINEYARDS January is for fresh starts, lighter pours, and discovering places that feel memorable—and Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery delivers all three. As a woman-owned winery in the heart of Virginia Wine Country, Prince Michel blends tradition with a modern, welcoming vibe that invites you to slow down, sip, and stay awhile.

Pair it with seafood, roasted chicken, fresh veggies, or lighter sauces, or enjoy it during a relaxed visit to the winery. From wine tastings and scenic picnic spots to Tap 29 Brew Pub with craft beer and craveable food, Prince Michel is about more than wine—it’s about the experience.

January 16th - 5:30 p.m. LIVE MUSIC with Rick Hollowell. Not only is this guy talented, funny, and engaging... he LOVES REQUESTS. Come get out of the cold for a warming welcome in our tasting room with Rick and the Hh family!

Enjoy Grenache Blanc all January at 15% off (20% off for Wine Club members) and start the year somewhere worth remembering. Live Music every Friday–Sunday (lineup on our website)

January 17th - 3 - 6 p.m. FIRST EVER OPEN MIC NIGHT (well... DAY) at Hardware Hills. Bring your guitar and your talent! We’ll be January 7 – 13, 2026

Spend Your New Year at Keswick!

There’s never been a better time to become part of Virginia’s Most Rewarding Wine Club. From exclusive perks to unforgettable experiences, our Wine Club is designed for those who love great wine and even better memories, ask us how to join!

This month, we’re spotlighting our 2024 Grenache Blanc, a bright, refreshing white made for the new year. With notes of white peach, honeysuckle, and citrus, layered with golden apple and lemon zest, it finishes crisp and clean—perfect for lighter winter meals, healthier choices, and easy nights in with friends.

January 15th - 6:30 p.m. WINTER TRIVIA NIGHT! Our theme is “Winter is Coming” and we’ll be brain teasing you with all things COLD! Admission is free. Bring your team up to 6 people (21+ only) and WIN!

KESWICK VINEYARDS

Hungry while you sip? Our own food truck, Barrel & Board, is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12–4 PM, serving up the perfect bites to pair with your favorite Keswick wines.

Trivia every Monday, 6–7:30 p.m. Tuesday is Beer & Wings Specials Day C-VILLE.COM

SPECIAL ADVERTORIAL SECTION

Happy Hour every Thursday, 3–5 p.m.

Until February 28th - Exhibition of art pieces by Chealsea Kirby.

The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope.

Open 7 days a week at 11 a.m.

January 17th - Mocktail Class at 11am: Learn how to craft delicious, non-alcoholic cocktails using Revalation’s signature verjus. Tickets are available on our website.

2710 Hebron Valley Road, Madison, VA 22727 • 540-407-1236 www.revalationvineyards.com

154 Winery Lane, Leon, VA 22725 (540) 547-3707 www.princemichel.com A Woman-Owned Business

REVALATION VINEYARDS Verjus Dry January? We’ve got you covered! Revalation Vineyards’ verjus is the perfect mocktail ingredient. This non-alcoholic juice, made by pressing grapes early in the season, has a fresh, tart, and sweet flavor. It is excellent as a spritzer, a tasty toddy with slices of fresh ginger, or it can be enjoyed neat. It also adds zest

January 18th - Sip & Learn at 5pm: Françoise will present information on the Spotted Lanternfly and how to help eliminate this invasive pest. January 19th - Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - We are open from noon to 5 pm. January 23rd - Book Club @ The Vineyard at 6pm: Author Paula Whyman will join us for Book Club this month to discuss her memoir, Bad Naturalist.

VIRGINIA WINE COLLECTIVE Join us at Eastwood Farm and Winery’s new production facility and downtown tasting room every Friday night from 4-9PM for winemaker wine flights and a delicious pairing menu created by Chefs Andrew and Cory Partridge. The Virginia Wine Collective was designed to include nine winemaker suites and an incubator alongside the main production area. The suites provide a space where independent winemakers can anchor a license and make their wines. The Collective has been designed to reduce the costs associated with independent winemaking, and thereby support further innovation and talent in the Monticello AVA.

READ LOCAL. WEAR LOCAL.

Upcoming at the Collective: Winemaker Pop-Ups | Select Fridays 6-8PM Enjoy free samples and tour the facility with some of our independent winemakers on Fridays! Check out events on our website: (https:// eastwoodfarmandwinery.com/ virginia-wine-collective/) and Facebook page as we will be adding more dates.

to sauces, salad dressings, and marinades without overpowering other delicate aromas in the dish. Visit revalationvineyards.com for recipes. January Hours: Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 6 pm; Sundays, noon to 5 pm. Monday January 19, noon to 5 pm. Mondays and Thursdays by reservation. Until February 28th - Winter Experience - Looking for something fun and different to enjoy during the gray winter months? Our Winter Experience is exactly what you need. Enjoy our stunning vistas of Old Rag and the Blue Ridge Mountains as you snuggle under our heirloom quilts. Warm yourself by a fire pit, while you enjoy a mug of mulled wine and toast your marshmallows from our very special s’mores kit, which includes Belgian chocolate and homemade waffles.

SPECIAL ADVERTORIAL SECTION

January 30th - Words & Wine at 6pm. Poets, novelists, spokenword artists, and storytellers of all sorts are invited to share their work. RSVP to the event by email to info@ revalationvineyards.com. February 6th - Book World Meets Wine World at 6 pm: author MK England will read from his novel Roll For Love. A benefit for the Literacy Council of Madison County. February 15th - Français with Françoise at 4pm: Practice your French conversation skills. Feel free to bring your dinner to enjoy during the evening.

Production Tours and Guided Tastings We look forward to welcoming guests to the Virginia Wine Collective for tours and guided tastings. Please email our Wine Collective Coordinator, Gabrielle Thomas, if you would like to schedule a tour or guided tasting. She may be reached at gabrielle@ eastwoodfarmandwinery.com Large Party Reservations Interested in making a large party reservation for your group? Reach out to mary@eastwoodfarmandwinery. com to book. Current Winery Hours Fridays 4-9 PM 1585 Avon Street Extended Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 264-6727 https://eastwoodfarmandwinery.com/ virginia-wine-collective/

February 22nd - Sip & Learn at 4 pm: Historian Jody Lahendro will talk about Historic Black Schools in Central Virginia.

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February 27th – Book Club @ The Vineyard at 6pm: We will discuss C-VILLE.COM

January 7 – 13, 2026

FOR FUN PUZZLES SUDOKU

#1 solution

January 7 – 13, 2026

#2 solution

C-VILLE.COM

#3 solution

#4 solution

PUZZLES FOR FUN CROSSWORD BY MATT JONES

Welcome to ‘26 ACROSS

50. Short winter month? 52. ... twenty-six represented! (4th and final part) 59. Utterance from the awestruck 60. Van Pelt sibling in “Peanuts” 61. Wanton sort 62. Xylophone material 63. Yannick Noah’s 2025 Laver Cup opposing captain ___ Agassi 64. Yellow vehicle driver on “The Simpsons” 65. “You can’t judge a book by ___ cover” 66. Zoo animals 67. Zymurgy-related verb

1. Aardvark’s diet 5. Absorb with a piece of bread 10. Acne spot 13. BÈchamel base, in a French restaurant 14. Compensate (for) 15. Cost increase 16. DEA agent’s find 17. Desmond of “Sunset Boulevard” 18. Emotionally honest 19. First part of a phrase describing a special feature of this puzzle ... 22. Fried rice veggie 23. Furry barker 24. Galaxy hops may go into making one 27. Giant’s N.L. West rival, for short 30. “Hope & Faith” actress (and talk show host) Kelly 33. ... in which I (this is part 2, by the way) ... 35. Japanese temple 37. Kitchenware inventor Tupper 38. Laid-back Brazilian samba offshoot ___ nova 40. Moistureless 41. Nearly used up, like a short pencil 43. ... normally don’t do this, but here you get to see each one of the (part 3) ... 45. “Omnia vincit ___” 46. Popular sans-serif Windows font 47. Questionable, in “Among Us” 48. Robert of HBO’s “Arli$$”

1. ___-Seltzer 2. Hammering target 3. Part of a cash register 4. Bend down 5. Holiday song made famous by Eartha Kitt 6. “Alternatively,” in a text 7. Skin opening 8. Reveal one’s identity 9. Quiet’s companion 10. Rushes along 11. Mike and ___ (candies) 12. X, in Roman numerals 15. Rowdy soccer fan 20. Government agents 21. ___ avis (uncommon thing) 24. Some frozen treats 25. Silver, as in Montana’s motto 26. Gold, in Latin

DOWN

ANSWERS 12/24/25

The other way G E O S T S T A A Y

A R M O A T S O A T S L O A R T O O D U E L E D N A I L A C O V P U I N S I O N K E N K C E H C D N U O R G E C H O C O O N T N A S A R A G E O H A R A D N A M E D R A L U P O P Y B D R I P L E E S A T S E A Q A T T O D A Y E R U T U F E H T O T H A T P U G M A I Z E B A A S Y O B T E E R T S O T T O E P S O M R E E L N I C O S T O L I O R C A Y O H O

34 38

46 48

23 27

#6 solution 52

#5 solution

28. Not prone to infatuation, colloquially 29. Labor organizer Chavez 31. Fluffy birdlike creatures in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” 32. “Au revoir” relative 34. Skater’s protection 35. Utopias 36. Does simple math 39. Start of some Indian place names 42. Tyler Perry BET+ series centered around a group of male friends 44. “30 Rock” star Baldwin 46. Late audio engineer Steve 49. Jewish : kosher :: Islamic : ___ 51. Chocolate substitute that doesn’t taste like it 52. “Cat on ___ Tin Roof” 53. “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” novelist Anita 54. Medical prefix with scope 55. Time to roll or draw, maybe

C-VILLE.COM

January 7 – 13, 2026

FOR FUN FREE WILL ASTROLOGY By Rob Brezsny

Aquarius

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Safety isn’t the opposite of adventure. It’s the infrastructure that lets adventure be expansive. Keep that in mind in the coming months, Aquarius. You will be wise to cultivate cozy bravery. You should relax deeply and nurture your strength. Build the support system for your future boldness. Then, in the second half of 2026, you will be well-prepared to launch a phase of experimental fun and exploratory learning. For best results, surround yourself with love and care. Decide who best supports you and make it attractive for them to support you.

Pisces

(Feb. 19-March 20): High in the Andes Mountains, farmers have for centuries made chuño, a freeze-dried potato that can last for years. They leave the potatoes outside overnight to let the freezing temperatures draw out the water. In the daytime, the strong sunlight and dry mountain air evaporate residual moisture. By this process, a perishable food becomes a long-lasting staple. I propose we make the chuño your symbol of power, Pisces. The coming months will be an ideal time to build reserves. I hope you will turn what you have grown and developed into resources that will nourish you well into the future.

Aries

(March 21-April 19): The mystics drone on endlessly about letting go. But I’m here now to praise the art of holding on fiercely, tenderly, with full commitment. Some treasures deserve your passionate grip. Some people warrant your loyal devotion. Especially in the coming months, dear Aries, I invite you to devote yourself to your exciting dreams with ardent intensity. No surrender! Relentless perseverance! Uncompromising faith in the beauty and truth you love! What looks like stubbornness to outsiders will actually be fidelity to a vision others can’t yet see.

Taurus

(April 20-May 20): As far back as the 19th century, daredevil college students in the U.K. have reveled in the practice of “night climbing.” They clamber up chapels, spires, towers, and bridges under cover of darkness. Why? Mainly for adventure, mischief, and altered perspectives. In the coming months, Taurus, you may be ready for your own symbolic version of night climbing. If that sounds fun, seek out vantage points you’ve never accessed. Experiment with possibilities you’ve dismissed as off-limits or outside your range. Be safe, of course, but also be joyfully exploratory. I bet the view from the frontiers will change you in inspiring ways.

Gemini

(May 21-June 20): In the coming months, I’m confident you will see and understand subtleties that most people miss. You’ll be a mae36

January 7 – 13, 2026

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The coming months are ripe for sacred audacity: boldness with a conscience and courage guided by kindness. Imagine you’re a CAPRICORN Benevolent Initiator, whose superpower is to kindle beginnings without causing disruption and unease. Practice brilliant, incremental nudges and tweaks rather than grand interventions. If you’re hesitating to say what needs to be said, deliver a modest version now and a stronger one later. Make gradual momentum your ally. stro at tuning in to nuanced subtexts in conversations and hidden openings in stale situations. Everyone else may assume that familiar situations will never change, but you will have the power to tease out creative possibilities. You might even decode seemingly contradictory truths with such aplomb that you surprise yourself. Use this superpower with as much kindness as you can, Gemini. Some discoveries may tempt you toward clever mischief, but I hope that instead you will choose inspired guidance. Your expanded spectrum, if spiced with compassion, can consistently reveal your next leap.

Cancer

(June 21-July 22): The honeyguide bird of Africa has a lucrative arrangement with humans. It calls out to honey-hunters, leading them through brush to wild beehives built into trees. The people harvest the honey, and the bird eats the leftover wax and larvae. This cooperation is passed down over generations and benefits both species. Let’s use this as a metaphor for your future in 2026. You will have extra power to notice where mutual benefit is possible, even with unexpected allies. They may be able to guide you toward resources you couldn’t find alone, and you will have value to give in return. Keep an ear out for signals that say, “Come with me, and we’ll both gain.”

Leo

(July 23-Aug. 22): The cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris took years to build. Work began in 1163 and continued till 1345. Generations of architects, masons, and artisans contributed to the project, and those who began it didn’t live to see it completed. Yet they labored with devotion, trusting that the holy beauty they C-VILLE.COM

facilitated would endure beyond their lifetimes. I hope you’re inspired by this story, Leo. It’s an apt metaphor for you. In the coming months, you could and should lay stones for creations you may not see fully accomplished for months or even years. I encourage you to redefine and refine what faith means to you, and summon it in abundance.

Virgo

(Aug. 22 to Sept. 22): Ready to decommission your inner censor? Interested in dropping the mask, relaxing your guard, and rewilding your gorgeous but slightly inhibited self? That’s what I recommend. Here are ways to fully enjoy the liberating grace period of the coming months: 1. Don’t deny yourself pleasures that would be healthy to indulge. 2. Shed taboos that were smart safeguards once upon a time but are no longer. 3. Re-evaluate why you treat certain fun activities as questionable. 4. Be brightly compassionate toward aspects of yourself you regard as wounded or inferior. 5. Be receptive to rebellious urges.

Libra

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In 1839, French artist Louis Daguerre perfected the daguerreotype, an early type of photography. The images were so detailed that you could count the threads in a subject’s clothing. The only downside: They required minutes of perfect stillness to capture. A slight twitch or squirm could blur the picture. People held their breath and resisted the urge to fidget, hoping to preserve the magic moment. In this spirit, Libra, let’s make the long exposure your power metaphor during the coming months. The most useful truths will reveal themselves best if you give them time to develop. In

conversations, resist filling every silence. In projects, don’t rush the pace. Have patient fun lingering on the threshold as the mysteries coalesce and clarify.

Scorpio

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In 1907, Scorpio artist Pablo Picasso painted “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon.” It was a work so radically different from his earlier art and from the era’s norms that even his friends were stunned. Some called it ugly; others, incomprehensible. Yet the painting became a foundation of Cubism and reshaped modern art. Dear Scorpio, I suspect you may be on the verge of your own Les Demoiselles phase in 2026: unveiling novel approaches and innovative changes so original that they rattle comfortable assumptions. Don’t be discouraged if the initial responses don’t bring you appreciation. The root-shaking breakthroughs you’re consorting with may take others a while to recognize and welcome.

Sagittarius

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You Sagittarians are often drawn to teaching. You have a predilection and a passion for sharing what you have learned from your adventures and explorations. Many of you also possess a related gift: helping people make the journey to where enlightening lessons can best occur. You have a knack for opening their minds and clearing the way so they can awaken to new ways of seeing and imagining the world. I hope you will provide both of these blessings in abundance during the coming months. Your ability to inspire and C educate will be at a peak. Expanded weekly audio horoscopes and daily text message horoscopes: RealAstrology.com, (877) 873-4888

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January 7 - 13, 2026

P.S. THE BIG PICTURE

Tree fallin’

The end of the holiday season sent thousands of Christmas trees to local recycling drop-off sites, including Claudius Crozet Park (pictured), McIntire Recycling Center, and Darden Towe Park, as part of a program operating since 1988 that collects an average of 2,300 trees each year. Open daily through January 19, the sites will turn discarded trees into more than 110 cubic yards of free mulch (available to the public starting January 19 at Claudius Crozet and Darden Towe parks) while easing the burden on the region’s landfill.

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Get the training you need with PVCC Workforce Development short-term programs. Build the skills employers want—and get to work faster. pvcc.edu/workforce PVCC does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Learn more at pvcc.edu/nondiscrimination.

January 7 – 13, 2026

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EZE AMOS

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January 7 – 13, 2026

U ASK, UVA ANSWERS

Join us on the second Sunday of each month at the Central Library for a free, public speaker series showcasing UVA Research. These talks are designed to spark curiosity and conversation, bringing the University’s discoveries to the heart of the community.

Curious Minds Welcome.

Jan. 11 2 pm

The Importance of Dark Skies

2 pm

Kelsey Johnson, College of Arts & Sciences, Astronomy

Mar. 8

How UVA’s Natural Infrastructure Lab Is Rethinking the Built Environment

Apr. 12 2 pm Where: Central Library 201 E. Market Street Swanson Case Courtroom 3rd Floor January 7 – 13, 2026

Jonathan Lindner, School of Medicine

Feb. 8

2 pm

Transforming Heart Care Through New Technology

Brian Davis & Michael Leugering, School of Architecture

HIV Research and Health Policies to Help End the Epidemic Kathleen McManus, School of Medicine

Join us at more events this Spring. Find out how UVA Research impacts our world every day. C-VILLE.COM