Inside the Greene County traffic stops that led to ICE detentions P.9
Albemarle to launch pilot employer-assisted housing program P.13
Hark pairs Monticello Cup-winning wine with a beautiful new home P.29
8 – 14, 2026
More than 30 years after its box office flop, Newsies finds new life—and new relevance—on the Charlottesville stage
WEE! WEE! all the way to
Thank you for reading C-VILLE Weekly.
On Thursday, I’ll have worked for this newspaper for 19 years. That’s nearly half my life. (In fact, if I make it to 21 years here, the timing will have caught up with me—half of my time on this planet will have been spent working for C-VILLE Weekly.)
Thursday is also the opening night of Newsies, the Virginia Theatre Festival production featured in this week’s cover story (p. 20). James Sanford follows the unlikely journey of the Disney flop that became a Broadway hit, while exploring why its story of young newspaper sellers standing up for themselves still resonates more than a century later.
In my 19 years working for a newspaper, I’ve never had to sell papes on a Manhattan street corner for a penny (for many reasons, one of which is that this newspaper is free of charge), but I do understand what it means to believe that the work is worth doing, even when the economics are challenging. Local newspapers have never had an easy business model, and these days they’re asked to do more with less while earning the trust of readers in an increasingly noisy world.
That’s one of the reasons Newsies endures. Beyond the toe-tappers and laborrights message is a story about people who believe that words matter. As someone who’s spent the better part of two decades helping put out a newspaper every week, I can’t help but root for that—and I hope you can’t either. If you believe the world should know, support us at savethefreeword.c-ville.com.
This week’s contributors
James Sanford is a graduate of Western Michigan University and taught journalism there for seven years. He’s been an arts writer, film critic, reporter, restaurant critic, and section coordinator, winning three awards from the Society for Features Journalism. Read his work on page 20.
Shea Gibbs is president of public relations and marketing firm Gibbs Communications and has been a working journalist for more than two decades. Gibbs’ work has appeared in trade and consumer publications across the country and internationally. Read his work on page 29.
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.
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IN THIS ISSUE
Extra! Extra! Newsies
Deeper dive into ICE arrests. w tax for school projects? : Pilot housing ogram for county employees.
CULTURE 27
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Mass detentions in Ruckersville on June 23 were an escalation in an ongoing effort to expunge undocumented immigrants from our area, according to eyewitnesses, family members, and people detained.
The operation, a joint effort between the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, had been active since at least June 2, says one anonymous source. Another said similar sweeps occurred three months ago.
On July 2, The New York Times reported that ICE detention operations surged over a five-day period, with the goal of arresting 2,000 people every day for deportation.
An ICE spokesperson confirmed that the June 23 raids in Greene detained 49 people.
Bait and switch
Statements and videos provided to C-VILLE describe and depict Greene County deputies stopping motorists for alleged traffic infractions, after which immigration enforcement officers moved in to question drivers.
One source, whom we’ll call Alex, says a relative who’s a U.S. citizen was pulled over around 6:10am on June 23 by a sheriff’s deputy after officers saw him filming a traffic stop near the Starbucks north of the Route 29-U.S. 33 intersection.
“When [my relative] crossed the light to head toward Lowe’s,” Alex says, “they were already following him, and the sheriff pulled him over claiming the light was red. … The light was yellow.”
Alex says a sheriff’s deputy threatened their family member with felony charges if he did not provide ID. “The sheriff … did not ask for a driver’s license, he asked for his green card.”
According to Alex, the sheriff returned the ID and “told [their relative] everything was fine,” but ICE agents began interrogating him, “asking how he became a citizen.”
In a second video recorded by Alex’s relative, an officer in military gear, covering everything but his eyes, identifies himself as immigration enforcement to an unidentified driver stopped in the Lowe’s parking lot. Landmarks in the video match the store’s location at 385 Stoneridge Dr.
The video shows the masked agent telling the unidentified driver, “I hope you weren’t lying.” When the driver says a deputy already checked his immigration status, the agent replies, “He’s not an immigration officer. I am. He pulls over for traffic, I [check] for immigration.”
The agent denies the unknown driver’s accusations that he was pulled over because he’s Hispanic, confirms he’s a legal resident, and lets him go.
‘We contribute to this country’
A woman we’ll identify as Lara, 48, agreed to an interview on condition of anonymity, fearing for her safety and that of her family. Her brother and her 74-year-old father, whom we’re calling Armand, were detained by ICE the morning of June 3.
They tried to fit in and follow the rules—then traffic stops turned their lives upside down BY CATIE RATLIFF AND NATHAN ALDERMAN
Armand, Lara says, had lived in Virginia since 2004, and was a semi-retired land-
Federal immigration officials and Greene County sheriff’s deputies stand in the parking lot behind the Greene County Sheriff’s Office in Stanardsville June 23.
NEWS IMMIGRATION
scaper who volunteered with their Catholic church. Lara describes him through an interpreter as a model resident. “He follows the rules. He pays his taxes. We contribute to this country.”
Lara says Armand and her brother, a Ruckersville resident, were driving to Lowe’s around 9am on June 3, when they were stopped by a sheriff’s deputy who asked what country they were from. When her brother wouldn’t answer, the deputy allegedly arrested both men, and four immigration agents took them into custody.
While drivers must provide immigration papers if asked for them, you “do not have to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with police [or] immigration agents,” according to the American Civil Liberties Union. “You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, whether you are a U.S. citizen, or how you entered the country.”
Lara says her father described agents treating him roughly; he also watched agents fist-bump each other in celebration “like someone who had won a trophy.” In detention at the Rockingham-Harrisonburg Regional Jail, Armand told Lara that officials offered him a choice: Spend six to 11 months in detention while contesting his case, or sign papers and leave the country in five to eight days. Armand signed.
After 10 days in the for-profit Farmville Detention Center, Armand was flown to Mississippi, Texas, and then finally Chiapas, Mexico—more than 14 hours and 700 miles from where Armand’s Mexican family members live. Lara says that after the ordeal, Armand “was sick for like a month.”
Lara’s brother, who was arrested with Armand, remains in detention. She reports another brother has been detained without bail by ICE since June 23. Her mother is “in the hospital, because she won’t eat since she found out what’s happened to my dad.”
Parallel accounts
Another person, whom we’ll call Bailey, was detained by sheriff’s deputies and ICE, and
agreed to speak with C-VILLE on condition of anonymity with the assistance of a translator. They were reportedly detained on June 2 after a Greene County sheriff’s deputy pulled them over.
“I just feel like ICE stopped us without any motive, anything more than the color of our skin,” Bailey says. “They told me that I have a broken taillight on the driver’s side, but that was a lie.”
After giving the sheriff’s deputy their license and registration, Bailey says ICE approached both sides of Bailey’s vehicle.
“When the [sheriff’s deputy] came back with my documentation, he gave it back to me, and he asked me where I was born,” says Bailey. “When I said that I couldn’t answer that question, he just told me, ‘Okay, you’re under arrest.’”
in the van initially. “After that they took us to Harrisonburg.”
At that point, Bailey was allegedly handcuffed and put in the back of a sheriff’s office vehicle. Their relative, who was in the passenger seat when they were pulled over, was reportedly questioned alone outside for five to 10 minutes.
Bailey’s relative gave the agents their Consular ID and country of origin. The agents allegedly did not return the ID.
In the squad car, Bailey and their relative were taken to an area behind the Greene County Sheriff’s Office where they were allegedly shackled around the wrists, ankles, and stomach while waiting for agents to arrive with more detainees.
“After the van was full, they started, like, celebrating—you know how they like fist bump … because they already had their trip full,” Bailey says, reporting five people were
Bailey was reportedly separated from their relative shortly after arriving in Harrisonburg, then taken for questioning by agents who urged them to sign deportation papers.
“They told me I could either sign voluntarily, and in three months I could possibly apply for a visa, or I could go for the other option, where I will have to go in front of a judge,” says Bailey. “They said they didn’t recommend … that because I could be locked up for like a year without bond.”
When Bailey refused to sign deportation orders or give information about their family, agents allegedly insisted they needed Bailey’s spouse’s name in case of an emergency—and continued pressing for information.
“The guy next to him, who was with [the agent] … was telling me, ‘Stop being stubborn, you’re not going to have a right for a bond. But that’s what you wanna do? We’re
“I just feel like ICE stopped us without any motive, anything more than the color of our skin.” ‘BAILEY,’ AN ANONYMOUS SOURCE
IN BRIEF
All the news you missed last week (in one sentence or less)
just asking your [spouse’s] name in case of emergency. … Where we’re sending you, what if, like, something happened to you?’”
Despite pressure from the agents, Bailey did not sign the papers. An agent reportedly returned after questioning the relative to taunt Bailey with their relative’s decision to sign the deportation order.
Bailey was able to contact a family member on a fiveminute phone call while in Harrisonburg, updating them on the situation and where they were heading: Farmville Detention Center.
Bailey and their relative reportedly remained shackled from the time they were behind the Greene County Sheriff’s Office until they got to Farmville around midnight.
“We waited in the waiting room the whole time” during processing, says Bailey. “Everyone was just sleeping on the concrete floor there [in] the waiting room. … We pretty much didn’t finish until around 6 or 7pm on Wednesday.” Bailey was able to stay with their relative through Wednesday, but was then sent away to the dorms. “They told me that, once [the relative] leaves, they will let me know,” says Bailey. “I don’t know if they just forgot or just didn’t tell me, but I never got to say bye.”
Inside detention
According to an ICE Office of Detention Oversight report, FDC scored a “Good” rating during an April 21 to 23 inspection this year, with one deficiency in the “Medical Care” category—a missing health assessment in one detainee’s files—identified in its standards. Bailey reports conditions inside are far from “Good.”
“It was eight of us per bunker, and it was like 88 of us in the dorm. We only have like three showers for like 88 of us, like three toilets.”
Birthday blowout Severe storm on July 4 topples trees and leaves many residents temporarily without power. Card green Five local nonprofits team up to raise money for grocery cards for immigrant neighbors amid area ICE sweeps; donate at bit.ly/GroceryCardCampaign. Another cycle Applications for the next round of Charlottesville’s e-bike voucher lottery are open through July 31 at cvilleebike.com. Stroke of luck? UVA researchers trace a dangerous kind of stroke found in younger patients to unusual, temporary activations of certain genes, raising hopes for better future diagnosis and prevention. Face off Federal judge blocks Virginia’s new law banning masked law enforcement officers as litigation continues, finding that the federal government’s suit against the Commonwealth would likely prevail on constitutional grounds. CH(icag)O Nonstop service between the Charlottesville Albemarle Airport and O’Hare International in the Windy City returns November 2. Burn notice Police investigate June 30 fire at the Rivanna encampment, the second this year, that claimed two tents and scorched a 30-foot area; no one was hurt. Flunked out After the arrest of former learning coach Michael Swiney on child sexual abuse charges, Albemarle County Public Schools announces suspended Hollymead Elementary principal Joseph McCauley will not return to that job.
Steven S. Smith has served as Greene County Sheriff since 2012.
Bailey and their dormmates reportedly used chairs for privacy when using the bathroom, as there are allegedly cameras facing the toilets. “Where we eat, it was literally right next to the bathrooms. … It was divided by a four[-foot] wall, and I don’t think that’s really hygienic,” Bailey adds. “Also whenever we brush our teeth, we have to use the sink that is kinda the same as the toilet.”
While they were able to leave detention June 17 after their family got in contact with an immigration lawyer, Bailey remains uncertain about the status of their immigration case and bond.
Protecting whom, from what?
“Our responsibility is not to decide which laws to enforce,” Greene County Sheriff Steven S. Smith said in a June 25 Facebook post. “It is to enforce the laws and serve our community professionally and fairly.”
Detentions in the region appear to have continued after June 23. ICE stopped at least one person behind the baseball field at Porterfield Park in Orange, Virginia, on Friday, June 26, as captured in a Facebook video.
New state laws took effect that require state and local law enforcement officials to cancel their current 287(g) agreements, and renew them only under strict new requirements that ICE seems unlikely to accept. At press time, Sheriff Smith had not responded to a request for comment on the status of the office’s agreement.
“We are not criminals, he is treating us like we are criminals. We are hardworking people,” says Bailey. “[The sheriff] should focus on the actual criminals that harm the community, not us, the workers.”
“We don’t understand why this is happening,” Lara says. “It’s [at] the point where we just try to avoid that road, because we know that if we go down that road, the sheriff is 100 percent going to stop us,” she says. “Instead of protecting us, he’s just instilling fear. We are terrified.” C
Education taxation
City Council to discuss how sales tax revenue can fund next round of school modernization BY SEAN TUBBS
The final adoption of Virginia’s budget has authorized all localities to ask voters for permission to increase the sales tax by 1 percent to fund public school modernization and construction projects. If the electorate consents in November, $15 million a year will be generated for Charlottesville.
Fluvanna County supervisors have already adopted a resolution seeking permission from the Circuit Court to put the question on the ballot. The tax increase would only be allowed for 20 years.
Charlottesville City Council will hold a work session Wednesday at 4pm. at CitySpace to review school construction projects and current financing. It will also discuss a preliminary plan for using the proceeds from the sales tax increase to help pay for an anticipated $475 million construction and renovation budget through 2042. That includes a $150 million addition to Charlottesville High School and a new $50 million home for Lugo-McGinness Academy.
A third of the city’s capital improvement program already goes to education.
Each year, the city’s five-year capital budget sets aside $1.4 million in funds for priority improvements, such as the modernization of Trailblazer Elementary that is currently underway. There’s also $1.3 million for other projects, like the window replacements happening at Summit Elementary.
The current plan calls for new roofs at Sunrise, Jackson-Via, and Tall Oaks elementary schools, at $1.5 million each over the next three years.
There is a total of $30 million in the CIP allocated to a pre-K center to be built at Walker Upper Elementary School.
Council agreed in June with a staff recommendation to proceed with a plan that would keep the existing classrooms in place for “swing space” that could house students while another round of renovations is made to elementary schools. The draft spending plan calls for $75 million for new construction at Jackson-Via, $50 million for reconfiguration at Greenbrier, and $25 million each for upgrades at Summit, Sunrise, and Tall Oaks.
The current Walker scheme has a cost estimate of $51.4 million and would see the replacement of an existing gym to ensure elementary students have a place to exercise.
“It would be poor judgment to remove a gym from the site when we have all these plans for swing space,” said Mike Goddard,
Charlottesville’s deputy director for public works, at a work session on June 10. “My professional opinion is it is worth $10 million for us to have a gym which will be useful long into the future.”
The school system is currently wrapping up construction of an expanded Charlottesville Middle School to house sixth grade students this fall. The entire project cost $92 million.
Another topic on the horizon is what the city might do with Oak Lawn, a Fifeville estate purchased by the University of Virginia that is being handed over to the City of Charlottesville as a consolation prize. Both entities competed to acquire the former Federal Executive Institute, but the federal government chose UVA.
Each year, the city’s five-year capital budget allocates $1.4 million for priority improvements, like the modernization of Trailblazer (formerly Venable) Elementary that’s currently underway.
REAL ESTATE NEWS
House and home
Albemarle to launch pilot housing program for county employees BY
SEAN TUBBS
The median home price in Albemarle County this May was $554,000 and the median rent is around $2,200. Either is out of reach of many in the community—especially those on government salaries.
“Police officers start at $60,798, firefighters at $59,825,” said Kaki Dimock, Albemarle’s chief of human services, at a June 17 Board of Supervisors meeting.
“Teachers start at $57,511. Traditional social workers in the Department of Social Services start at $54,583.”
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, housing is considered affordable if a household pays no more than 30 percent of its total income. Still, about half of renters exceed that amount.
Virginia allows localities to help its employees with rental and down-payment assistance. For instance, Dimock said Henrico County in Richmond provides forgivable loans of up to $25,000.
“There are documented benefits to providing an employer-assisted housing program, including improved recruitment and retention, improved productivity and work life balance,” Dimock said.
County staff have proposed creating such a program that would allow county employees, including public school workers, to seek a $20,000 loan toward a down payment or up to $2,500 in one-time rental expenses for those who are rent-burdened. Decisions would be made by a committee of staff from the housing, human resources, and finance departments.
The Board of Supervisors told staff on June 17 to proceed with drafting an ordinance. It also agreed to commit $840,000 from the county’s Affordable
Housing Investment Fund to a pilot program for five years.
Participants will be required to complete a homebuyer education course, work with a housing counselor, and buy within the county’s borders. There would be a cap on the maximum sale price but that figure has not yet been set.
“We anticipate that it would take us … a couple of years to see what the interest really is,” Dimock said.
Some county employees are already eligible for similar assistance provided by private groups such as the Albemarle County Police Foundation.
The Rivanna District supervisor called the idea fantastic.
“Of course, we don’t know, things could happen, but that’s how you adjust with yearly updates,” said Bea LaPisto-Kirtley.
“I also think that this is a way of really telling our employees how much we value them, how much we care about them.”
Samuel Miller District Supervisor Fred Missel supported the idea but was more cautious.
“The original goal of AHIF was to create primarily or primarily to create and preserve affordable housing use units,” Missel said. “So it’s a little different.”
AHIF was created in 2019 and funded with one-time money. It has so far distributed $17,576,200.
Recipients in 2026 include Habitat for Humanity with $1.66 million, Piedmont Housing Alliance with nearly $1.25 million, and the Salvation Army with $100,000 to support its shelter for unhoused families.
In 2025, supervisors increased the real property tax and dedicated a fraction of a cent to the pool. The budget for FY2027 includes an additional $7 million for AHIF.
Annie Gould Gallery
Albemarle’s Chief of Human Services Kaki Dimock says there are demonstrated benefits to employer-assisted housing programs: improved recruitment, productivity, and work-life balance.
Jim Faulconer 434.981.0076 jfaulconer@mcleanfaulconer.com
$4,450,000 | MLS 677366 | Madison Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700
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Jim Faulconer 434.981.0076 jfaulconer@mcleanfaulconer.com Court Nexsen
SMITHFIELD CT
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GLENMORE
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ENDWYKE HALL
C. 1800 replica, 15 acres, private
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LANGFORD FARMS
Custom built in Ivy with 4-BR, 3-BA
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HAWKINS LANE
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Exceptional 5.6 acres, 2 approved homesites
$415,000
|
Why wait for new construction when you can move right into this less than a year old villa? This beautifully appointed one-level home offers thebenefits of new construction without the delays. Enjoy easy, low-maintenance living with HOA-maintained lawn care & attractive curb appeal. Inside, luxury vinyl plankflooring welcomes you into a bright, open-concept living space designed for both comfort & entertaining. The upgraded kitchen features quartz countertops, a tilebacksplash, abundant cabinetry, & a large island perfect for meal prep, casual dining, or gathering with friends & family. The dining area flows seamlessly into thespacious living room, creating an inviting atmosphere throughout. Step outside to the covered patio overlooking a level backyard; ideal for relaxing or enjoying theoutdoors. The thoughtfully designed floor plan also includes a dedicated laundry room, a secondary bedroom & full bath, plus a versatile flex room perfect for a homeoffice, hobby space, or guest room. A generous twocar garage provides ample room for vehicles & additional storage. Conveniently located with easy access toPantops, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, I-64, Downtown Charlottesville, & UVA! MLS#678703 $450,000
to own a private retreat in one of Fluvanna County’s most desirable NON-HOA neighborhoods. Tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac, thisexceptional property offers 6.49 level acres with a picturesque stream, creating the perfect blend of open space and natural beauty. Built by a respected local builder,this well-crafted home delivers the quality, functionality, and privacy today’s buyers are seeking. The flat lot provides endless possibilities for outdoor living, gardening,recreation, a future pool, or simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings. Whether you’re sipping coffee on the front porch, back deck or screened in porch, entertainingfriends, or exploring your own backyard oasis, this property offers the lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of. Enjoy the best of country living with the convenience ofnearby shopping, dining, schools, and easy access to Charlottesville, Lake Monticello, and Zion Crossroads. Properties with acreage, privacy, a stream, cul-de-saclocation, and no HOA are hard to find—don’t miss this unique opportunity.
MLS# 678646
$635,000
Beautiful Mountain Retreat on 30 Private Acres
Recent improvements include new Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring throughout the first floor.
Real Estate Agents: Preapproved (No later than 5:00PM the day prior to the auction closing) Buyer’s Agent will be compensated. Please contact Brad Lewis at 540-560-8520 or Kendall Shifflett at 540-271-2153 or email us at info@ svagauctions.com, for a Buyer’s Agent Representation form. Forms will also be available at scheduled viewings for any agent representing a buyer. Seller Reserves the right to accept an offer prior to auction closing.
Shen Valley Auction Group LLC is offering at Online Auction the real estate and improvements located at 2042 Wyatt Mountain Rd, Dyke VA. Greene County Records shows the property as containing 30.1 Acres, Zoned A1, improved by a 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath, Custom Cape Cod Home, built in 1995, with Living Area size of 1872 Sq. Ft.
Escape to the peace and privacy of this beautiful mountain retreat, nestled on an idyllic 30-acre wooded property in Dyke, Greene County. Discover a charming two-story farmhouse surrounded by nature, offering the perfect blend of rustic character and modern comfort.
Relax and take in the serene setting from the spacious front and side porches before stepping inside to the oversized Great Room, where a cozy wood-burning stove creates a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The large eat-in kitchen features beautiful custom cabinetry, ample workspace, and an adjoining laundry area, making it as functional as it is attractive. Just beyond the Great Room, French doors open to a bright, sun-filled flex space that can serve as a den, home office, playroom, or main-level bedroom to suit your needs.
The main floor also includes a spacious full bath featuring a specialty soaking tub. A distinctive spiral staircase leads to the second level, where you’ll find two generously sized bedrooms and a second full bath.
The home offers exceptional storage and workspace with two expansive walk-in cellars, each having separate entrance doors, ideal for workshops, hobbies, or extra storage.
Whether you’re looking for a full-time residence, weekend getaway, or private mountain retreat, this unique property offers tranquility, versatility, and room to explore—all surrounded by the natural beauty of Greene County.
See full details at svagauctions.com or Download our App; Shen Valley Auction Group LLC 2042 Wyatt Mountain Rd, Dyke, Greene County Va, Near Shenandoah National Park
59 FOX TROT LANE
715
$1,950,000
$595,000
(434) 981 -3097
The Local Newsies
Playing along
Indoor, outdoor, cuttingedge, or family-friendly: There’s something for everyone this summer at area theaters. Culbreth Theatre Disney’s Newsies July 9-19 virginiatheatrefestival.org
Live Arts Be More Chill , July 9-26 livearts.org The Paramount Theater The Barber of Seville , July 17 and 19 theparamount.net Shakespeare at the Ruins Much Ado About Nothing , July 17-August 1 fourcp.org
Ruth Caplin Theatre Frida...A Self Portrait , July 23-26 virginiatheatrefestival.org
Charlottesville, July 8 –14, 2026
Read all about Virginia Theatre Festival’s Newsies
The Virginia Theatre Festival’s production of Newsies brings together actors from local youth
id you hear the story about the flop movie that turned into a Broadway smash? Newsies , Director Kenny Ortega’s $15 million musical built around the real-life New York City newsboys’ strike of 1899 had no shortage of star power: The cast included Christian Bale, Robert Duvall, Ann-Margret, and Bill Pullman. Still, it was unceremoniously opened on screens in April 1992—a month when studios typically throw away what are known as “problem pictures,” seemingly noncommercial flicks that executives have little faith in. Although Bale and his fellow paperboys marched through turn-of-the-century Manhattan belting out “The World Will Know,” audiences decided ignorance was bliss. Savaged by the critics, Newsies quickly went out of circulation, grossing less than $3 million—one of the lowest box office totals ever for a live-action Disney film. But that was only the beginning of the story. Once it hit video stores and became a Disney Channel programming staple, Newsies became a sleeper hit, one of those movies that people eagerly recommend to their friends. The fan base was strong enough that in 2011, Disney produced Newsies The Musical at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse. The outstanding response to the three-week run convinced producers to launch a Broadway run the following year.
theater academy DMR Adventures as well as out-of-towners.
it’s hard for everybody to dream
right now, especially as I work with younger artists who are in their teens, or college kids. It’s like their idea of dreaming is so pressed down by social media and what the world says they have to do. … And then fighting for your rights and standing up for what you believe in—there’s no time more prescient than now—you have to stand up for what you believe in and fight for what you think is right.”
wanting to be a reporter—a woman reporter in a man’s world.” What Steffens originally thought would be merely “a fun show” when VTF Managing Director Jenny Mays first pitched it to him last December became something deeper and richer when he delved into Harvey Fierstein’s script and the Alan Menken/Jack Feldman score. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so prescient right now,’” Steffens says. “I think
“I just got shivers,” says the Virginia Beach native and University of Virginia alum. “As I started to read it and dive into the show, I realized that not only does it have, like, banger after banger after banger of songs—they’re so great—but the message of it is so compelling right now, because it is about dreaming, whether you’re Jack dreaming of living in Santa Fe, or dreaming of a better life, or Katherine
Virginia Theatre Festival’s production of Disney’s Newsies hits the streets on July 9. “We [have] wanted to do a family show for many, many years,” says Director/Choreographer Matthew Steffens during a Zoom call from London, where he was directing La Traviata at Garsington Opera. Not only did Newsies fit the bill, its themes also feel, as they say, ripped from today’s headlines, something Steffens was not expecting.
The movie nobody wanted to see became a surprise smash, playing for two years and—unlike the majority of Broadway musicals—recouping its costs. (Coincidentally, Kenny Ortega’s follow-up film to Newsies was the Halloween farce Hocus Pocus with Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, which also bombed in its initial run and became a holiday favorite years later. Ortega couldn’t catch a break.)
Dialect work brings 1899 Brooklyn to stage
Prior to becoming theatre director at St. Anne’s-Belfield School, Bryce spent four years working as an actor in New York City and seven years in Richmond, teaching and building a reputation as an accent and vocal coach, a role he’s taken on for Newsies
Big production opens doors for young actors
“Despite being a ’90s kid, I was not on the Newsies train,” Bryce admits. He didn’t catch the movie, he wasn’t in New York during the musical’s Broadway run, and he even missed the touring company.
But the teacher is doing his homework.
“Something that’s really fun about and exciting about Newsies is, you know, there’s a lot of young people that I’ll be working with and as a teacher that’s exciting,” Bryce says. Bryce and Steffens worked together on the St. Anne’s production of Ride the Cyclone in February, when Steffens was an artist-in-residence at the local private school. “He was just absolutely incredible,” says Bryce. “He had the production rise to a level that, you know, without him it wouldn’t have been possible.” In Bryce’s first time working with VTF, he has had plenty to do, between Newsies and the VTF season opener, Moriarty , the Ken Ludwig comedy in which five actors portrayed more than 40 characters. “It’s a season of accents,” Bryce jokes. “We’ve got standard RP [Received Pronunciation, commonly known as “the Queen’s English”], we’ve got bohemian–which has been a fun investigation, in figuring out exactly what we’re going to do for a bohemian accent–we’ve got Brooklyn for Newsies . Oh, and Cockney. We’ll probably throw some Estuary [a more modern British accent] in there.” That’s a lot of voices, a lot of accents, and a lot of moving parts. Good thing the newsboys have always known how to make themselves heard.
On Newsies , VTF is collaborating for the first time with DMR Adventures, the local youth theater academy that produces six mainstage productions of its own each year. Family programming has “been something we’ve been building towards” at VTF, Mays says. “Not only to capture our family-friendly audience, but also to have an opportunity to engage young artists in Charlottesville as members of the cast.” Typically, VTF shows primarily feature professional actors from outside the area, but Steffens and Mays estimate the Newsies cast is about 50-50 local talent and visiting artists. “It is a beast of a musical,” Steffens admits. “We have 37 people in the cast, and all the departments are flexing to make this happen. It’s the biggest—I think it’s the biggest—show that VTF has ever done.” Aside from the singing and choreography, there is also the challenge of capturing the sound of late 19th-century New York. That’s where Andrew Bryce comes in.
“There’s no time more prescient than now—you have to stand up for what you believe in and fight for what you think is right,” says Director/Choreographer Matthew Steffens of what Newsies can teach us.
to do the right thing to people who are older than you, to people who have more power than you do, I think is universal.” Mays and Steffens’ partnership goes back to their days at UVA.
“We met in our third week of college, as 18-yearolds here at UVA,” Mays says. “So, we’ve worked together for years and years and years and years. I refer to him kind of as an artistic touchstone, whether we’re working together or not. He’s kind of my first person I’ll call when I have a question about a different moment or a creative decision.
Real-life strike fuels Broadway favorite
Newsies is based on a true story, which Steffens has been researching. “I’m reading Children of the City ,” he says.
“Matt has built a career working internationally and on Broadway, and I think it’s safe to say—I don’t want to speak for him—but I think some of our most favorite things to do are to make theater here in Charlottesville, at UVA. Because it’s where we met and it’s where we kind of developed our sensibility of who we are as artists.”
“It’s a book about the news strike in 1899. I know this is technically a Disney show, but these are real people that struggled and fought. … I have found audiences don’t just want, like, a songand-dance show, and I have no desire to create a song-and-dance show. We’re going to create another show. It’s going to challenge our audiences to think a little bit about their own lives and how does this connect to them.” Mays agrees, calling it “a truly inspirational tale that is timeless.”
“There’s something so universal about that idea, you know?” says Mays. “The hope—the hope that exists within young people, the hope that we who are not young anymore have in young people, and the courage that it takes to stand up,
Henry Crater plays Jack Kelly in Newsies , which runs from July 9-19 at Culbreth Theatre.
Rising sixth grader Faith Penaredondo makes her stage debut as Coney.
THE WINE DOWN -
WHAT’S DELISH AT LOCAL WINERIES?
53RD WINERY AND VINEYARD
A note from Winegrower and Owner, Dave Drillock
Our Wine of the month is the release of our 2025 Quintessential Rose! This dry, Provence style rose has aromas of wild strawberries, raspberries and melon with a hint of pink grapefruit at the finish. It was awarded a gold medal at the recent American Wine Society Wine Competition along with our Gentile Press Rose.
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! And……
Thank You for Voting! We’re thrilled to share that we won Best Winery, Best Winemaker, and Best Wine Selection in the Best of Lake Anna Readers’ Choice Awards!
What’s Happening at FiftyThird Winery and Vineyard in July 2026
Saturday, July 11th:
Live Music: On Permanent Vacation: Lance Wolak 1-4pm
Get entertainment thats gets the crowd engaged!
Sunday, July 12th: Fifty Third Uncorked: Perfect Pairings: Food & Wine Made Simple We’ll wrap things up with pairing tips you can actually use—plus a guided blind tasting that’s always a favorite.
$40 per person + tax https://www.exploretock.com/ fiftythirdwineryandvineyard/ event/601304/53rd-unco rkedfood-and-wine-pairings-madesimple-and-blind-tasting-july-12
Saturday, July 18th: Wine Club
3rd Quarter Pick up Day 1
Live Music: Ron Gentry 1-4pm
Food Truck: Blue Ridge Pizza Co. Let’s welcome back one of our favorite food trucks!
Bring a friend(s) $17/person includes tasting, food coupon and a great experience at the winery!
Sunday, July 19th: Wine Club
3rd Quarter Pick up Day 2
Live Music: Luke Bobbitt 12:304:30pm
Food Truck: Beaverdam Grill
Bring a friend(s) $17/person includes tasting, food coupon and a great experience Cheers!
Open 7 days a week, 11 am – 5 pm Sat/Sun. 12-6 pm 13372 Shannon Hill Rd Louisa, VA 23093 (540) 894-5474 • 53rdwinery.com
DUCARD VINEYARDS
2025 Shena ndoah
A crisp, light, and vibrant Vidal Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier blend offering classic notes of florals and melon on the nose with hints of tropical fruit in the background. This is an off-dry wine that pairs perfectly with slightly spicy foods. This wine along with the Black Bear celebrates the treasure that is our National Park that borders the DuCard lawns.
We are open 7 days a week throughout the month of July 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 & Sundays- Live music every Saturday and Sunday through the month! 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 fare from our lite noshing menu to pair with our awardwinning wine for a fun afternoon in our amazing mountain setting.
July 25th – Christmas in July with music by Tropical Attitudes DuCard Vineyards is hosting a summer celebration for Christmas in July! What is Christmas in July, you ask? It’s a Christmas celebration held during the summer season. According to legend, Christmas in July was first celebrated at a summer camp in 1933. Fun ensued! Now it’s time to celebrate with live music by Tropical Attitudes. Their Jimmy Buffet style tropical rock and country music will be sure to get your toes tappin’! We’ll have Christmas-themed tropical surprises and a visit from Santa with the goal of getting the everyone in the “Christmas spirit”. So, deck out in your Hawaiian shirt and join the fun with a bottle of your favorite DuCard wine! No cover. Reservations are recomm ended.
40 Gibson Hollow Ln Etlan, VA 22719 (540) 923-4206 www.ducardvineyards.com
EARLY MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS
At Early Mountain, our world class wines are featured in a restaurant grounded in the same sense of place. Reserve your table for indoor or outdoor seating and enjoy our latest releases alongside an à la carte menu or seasonal wine-paired prix fixe.
The Meadow is open for the season! We’re offering a casual picnic-style menu, paired with wines by the bottle, glass, or flight. No reservation needed, weather dependent.
Tasting Room Hours
Thursday–Monday: 11:00 AM–5:30 PM
Fridays: 11:00 AM–8:00PM Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Upcoming Events & Experiences
Summer Supper Somm
July 11, 2026 | 6:00–9:00 PM
Our second annual Summer Supper Somm returns following a sold-out debut and one of last year’s most talked-about events.
This five-course, wine-paired dinner highlights peak-season heirloom tomatoes from Village Garden RVA, brought to life through Chef Tim Moore’s artful and expressive approach.
Wine & Cheese Pairing
Experience
August 2, 2026 | 2:00–4:00 PM
Join Early Mountain Sommelier
Blueberry Lemonade Wine
Slushies as well as new menu items highlighting this favorite fruit including our popular Blueberry Flatbread, Baked Brie, & more! Celebrate the season with a glass of award-winning Rosé and oysters every Friday night! Salty Bottom Blue will be here every Friday night serving their delicious raw and grilled oysters, which pair beautifully with a glass of our gold medal Sparkling Blanc de Blancs or 2025 Rosé.
Eastwood has a large indoor airconditioned space and all music will be indoors this month unless the weather dictates otherwise.
Upcoming at the Winery:
Virginia Oyster & Wine
Celebration | Every Friday
Enjoy our Virginia Oyster & Wine Celebration every Friday night this Spring! The oysters are prepared by Salty Bottom Blue. Enjoy them in a relaxed, fun atmosphere with live music from 5-8pm on the stage in our tasting room.
Porch Nights | Every Thursday (NEW!)
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 Summer Maker’s Market & Blueberry Food and Beverage Celebration, Sunday July 19 Summer is Blueberry Season at Eastwood! Join us Sunday, July 19 for free tastings, including of our blueberry wheat beer and blueberry cider as well as a local maker’s market. In addition to the popular blueberry lemonade wine slushies for adults, we will also be featuring a special nonalcoholic blueberry slushie for the kids (for one day only)! Eastwood’s full menu will also be available, including many delectable blueberry-inspired specials. Open 12-5 PM, with live music 1-4 PM
Sangria Sunday and Maker’s Market| Sunday, August 23rd 12-5PM
Peggy Kearns Dean and Maggie Bradshaw of Truckle Cheesemongers for an interactive afternoon exploring the art of pairing wine and cheese. Taste five Early Mountain wines alongside artisanal cheeses while discovering the flavors and techniques behind exceptional pairings. Perfect for every level of wine lover.
Friday Dinner Hours & Chef’s Table
Fridays | 5:30–8:00 PM
Enjoy dinner hours every Friday! Later evenings invite you to enjoy seasonal dishes on the patio or in the Tasting Room as the sun sets.
The Chef’s Table experience offers an intimate, seven-course menu paired with select wines.
Seats are limited. Scan to plan your visit.
6109 Wolftown-Hood Rd, Madison, VA 22727 (540) 948-9005 www.earlymountain.com
EASTWOOD FARM AND WINERY
Blueberry Season
Enjoy delicious blueberry specials in the tasting room all summer including our seasonal Blueberry Wheat Ale, Blueberry Cider,
There’s something about a porch at golden hour that makes the world slow down in the best possible way. At Eastwood Farm and Winery, we’re leaning into that feeling all season long with Porch Nights — our weekly Thursday gathering featuring outdoor live music and an easygoing atmosphere. Grab a seat on our covered veranda or at one of our many picnic tables, relax with the sparkly lights overhead, fireflies in the fields, and a glass of porch-sipping wine in hand - join us for your new favorite Thursday tradition. Bring the family, the dog, a few friends, or just yourself. No reservations, no cover — just good music, good company, and spring evenings done right.
Wine Slushies are Back! Cheers to the beautiful weather with a refreshing wine slushie:)
Lobsterpalooza | Saturday, July 11th 12-4PM (open 12-8PM). Lobsterpalooza with Salty Bottom Blue 12-4 and Live Music All Day!
Porch Dogs from 12:30-3:30PM and Kat & The Travelers from 5-8PM
Music Bingo | Sunday, July 12th and 26th and August 9th 2-4PM (open 12-5PM)
Everyone loves singing along with their favorite songs and who doesn’t love a competitive game of Bingo? Music Bingo brings together the best of both worlds for a high energy game that is fun for everyone. Simply listen to the music, match the songs to the titles on your music bingo cards, and win great prizes!
Paint & Sip | Sunday, July 26th 12-2PM (open 12-5PM) 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
Join us for our house-made Sangria (one day only) with a pop up featuring Erica Cavanaugh from Honeysuckle Creek Farm and her fresh take on Sangria cocktails, as well as a local maker’s market where you are sure to find some creative treasures.
Live Music: Paxton Henderson 1-4PM
MUSIC AT EASTWOOD!
Join us for the popular Porch Nights every Thursday with live music on the veranda and Eastwood After Dark on Saturdays featuring upbeat, danceable music from 5-8pm (in addition to our more mellow Saturday afternoon music program). Eastwood also hosts a range of live performances by talented local and regional musicians every Friday night and Sunday afternoons. See the Winery Calendar on our website for details.
Every Thursday (open 12-8PM): Porch Nights Live Music on the Veranda 5-8PM
Every Friday (open 12-8 PM): Live Music and Virginia Oyster & Wine Celebration, every Friday 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 and Thursday 12-8PM
What about the kids?
Kids can share in the experience with their own juice tasting flights and cheese boards!
We look forward to welcoming you to our tasting room, seven days a week. Join us for award-winning wines, beer, and cider, as well as a delicious lunch/dinner menu. 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
2024 Harvest Rosé
Newly released vintage alert! This beautiful wine crafted from Chambourcin grapes radiates the color of pink hibiscus and vineyard sunsets. It bursts with airy fresh flavors of strawberry, nectarine, citrus, and melon. Brisk and acidic with a pleasant crunchy green flavor and a hint of cranberry on the finish. Perfect chilled for a summer afternoon sip!
Have you checked out our Social Media yet? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We promise a few laughs!
July 9, 5:30 p.m.- MUSIC
BINGO Night at the Hills! If you’ve never played before, we promise a night of musical favorites, laughs, wine, food and prizes! Join us for this popular event.
July 10, 5:30 p.m.- LIVE
MUSIC with Jon Zlock. A local Lake Monticello artist who brings your favorite tunes and a wild variety of songs. Round up the group and wind into the weekend with some summertime tunes at the Hills.
July 16, 6:30 p.m.- Friendly Feud Night. SURVEY SAYS! Gather your team and come see how many answers you can match from popular polled questions. This night is a hilarious round of thinking outside the box and a bit of teamwork!
July 17, 5:30 p.m.- LIVE MUSIC with the F.O.G. Band. Back by demand, we welcome back this fun group who ALWAYS gets us up dancing. Come see why they are a hit everywhere they play!
July 19, 11 a.m. - Sunday Brunch at the Hills. Get your seats now (limited availability) for a vineyard side treat. Enjoy the views while you delight in a curated Sunday brunch buffet. Mimosa and drink specials available. Check out our
event page at www.hardwarehills. com/events for more details and tickets.
July 24, 5:30 p.m.- Live Music with the Jefferson Speedboat. Growing in popularity, this talented group bring the songs you love to hear and a few gems you may have forgotten! Join us on the patio for Friday Night vibes by the vines.
July 25, 6:30 p.m.- Summer Tropical Dinner with progressive seating. Mix and mingle your way through four chefcurated courses! You’ll enjoy the company of a new person at each course, but we will get you back with your date for dessert! A fun way to meet, sip, and savor in our new event space! Get your tickets at www.hardwarehills.com/events
July 31, 5:30 p.m.- LIVE MUSIC with Chris Yung of the Inclinators Band! We are lucky enough to have this very talented musician join us at the Hills for Friday Vibes in the Vines! Come sip and sing with us... he is so worth it!
Hours- New Saturday Summer hours! Open late all summer until 8 p.m.HoursNew Saturday Summer hours! Open late all summer until 8 p.m.
5199 W River Rd, Scottsville, VA 434.286.4710 • www.hardwarehills.com
KESWICK VINEYARDS
July at Keswick Vineyards!
July is one of the most beautiful, but hot, times of year at Keswick Vineyards. The vines are growing strong, the views are lush and green, and there’s no better time to settle in with a glass of wine and enjoy everything the season has to offer.
Live Music Every Saturday | 12–4 PM
Spend your Saturdays enjoying great wine, live local music, and beautiful vineyard views.
Wine Down Wednesday | Every Wednesday | 5:30–8:30 PM
Unwind midweek with live music, great food, and your favorite Keswick wines.
Enjoy handcrafted bites perfectly paired with your favorite wines. Last food orders taken 30 minutes before closing.
Virginia’s Most Rewarding Wine Club—Now Even Better!
Our wine club is now fully customizable while still offering all the benefits you love: exclusive events, incredible savings, and first access to new releases. There’s something special about May in the vineyard, and we’d love to share it with you. Come sip, savor, and make the most of the season with
Hours: Open 7 Days a Week
Sunday–Tuesday & Thursday | 10 AM–5 PM
Wednesday | 10 AM–8:30 PM Friday–Saturday | 10 AM–6 PM Food, flights, and open bottle service end 30 minutes prior to closing daily
We’re thrilled to present our 2024 Petit Verdot — a bold red that thrives in Virginia’s unique climate and soils. This exceptional vintage received special treatment: over a year of French oak barrel aging followed by additional bottle rest to marry the flavors. On the nose and palate, it opens with concentrated dark stewed fruits — black cherry and plum — that segue into an earthy, savory midpalate. Gentle waves of toasted French oak lend soft vanilla and a whisper of baking spice, while fine-grained tannins and a lingering blackpepper finish give structure and length. Rich and complex now, this Petit Verdot will continue to develop gracefully over
Friday Sundowner’s Free Music Series - every Friday from 5:308:30pm, May through October. Friday night we love to create a family friendly atmosphere, supporting local up and coming musicians from all over Virginia, offering a full food menu, and our award winning wines while enjoying the beautiful sunset over our western facing vines and music from our talented artists.
Sundays Blues and Jazz-1:004:00pm every Sunday, May through October, featuring the best local Jazz and blues musicians, the perfect way finish the weekend relaxing on our patio with wine and great company.
594 Merrie Mill Farm Keswick, VA 22947 (434) 365-3006 www.merriemillfarm.com
PRINCE MICHEL VINEYARDS
June is the perfect time to slow down, soak up the sunshine, and enjoy the fresh flavors of the season—and Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery is the perfect place to do just that. Nestled in the heart of Virginia Wine Country and proudly woman-owned, Prince Michel combines rich winemaking tradition with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that invites you to relax, reconnect, and savor every sip.
This month, we’re featuring our Rapidan River Semi-Sweet Rosé, a light-bodied, beautifully balanced wine that captures the essence of summer. Crisp and refreshing, it opens with aromas of fresh strawberry, watermelon, and rose petal, finishing with a soft lingering note of red berries. Its clean, fruitforward character makes it an easy favorite for warm afternoons, outdoor gatherings, and casual celebrations.
Perfect for warm-weather entertaining, Rapidan River SemiSweet Rosé pairs beautifully with the flavors of summer. Enjoy it alongside picnic favorites such as chicken salad croissants, fresh fruit and cheese boards, grilled seafood, garden salads, and light pasta dishes. Its subtle sweetness and bright berry character also make it an excellent match for watermelon,
strawberries, prosciutto, and soft cheeses. From casual weeknight suppers to weekend gatherings, this rosé is a refreshing companion for the season’s best moments.
Beyond the bottle, Prince Michel offers more than just exceptional wine. From guided tastings and scenic vineyard views to delicious dining options and craft beer at Tap 29 Brew Pub, every visit is designed to create memorable experiences. Celebrate summer all June long with Rapidan River Semi-Sweet Rosé, our Wine of the Month. Club members save 20%, and nonmembers save 15%, throughout June.
Upcoming Events & Weekly Specials
Live Music every Friday–Sunday (lineup available on our website)
Trivia every Monday, 6:00–7:30 p.m. Tuesday Beer & Wings Specials
Happy Hour every Thursday, 3:00–5:00 p.m.
Open 7 days a week starting at 11:00 a.m.
154 Winery Lane, Leon, VA 22725 (540) 547-3707 www.princemichel.com A Woman-Owned Business
VIRGINIA WINE COLLECTIVE
Expanded Hours, Wine, Beer and Pizza
Join us at Eastwood Farm and Winery’s new production facility and downtown bar and lounge featuring a pizza shop menu, beer on tap, and winemaker wine flights. The Collective is now open every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 5-10PM with revamped loft and shuffleboard.
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.
July 10th: Jake Busching - Jake Busching Wines
July 17th: Tasha Durrett - ZC Wines
July 31st: Josh Cataldo - Cataldo’s Perfezione
Winemaker Karaoke | Every Other Wednesday, July 8 and 22, August 5 and 19 from 7-9PM (karaoke is only upstairs; downstairs bar and dining room still open as usual 5-10PM)
Join us up in the loft at the Collective every other Wednesday evening. No cover required.
Paint & Sip | Thursdays July 30th (6-8PM) (Open 5-10PM)
Grab a glass of wine (or your favorite
drink!) and let your creativity flow in this relaxed and fun class. 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 EventsReserve Your Spot On the Virginia Wine Collective Facebook Page or the Eastwood Website.
Mahjong with Mountain Mahj: Open Play | Thursday, July 23rd 6-8:30PM (open 5-10PM) Details to be announced On the Virginia Wine Collective Facebook Page and the Eastwood Website or contact gabrielle@ eastwoodfarmandwinery.com
Harvest Viewing Days at the Collective (Wednesday-Friday 5-10PM). Viewing opportunities start sometime in late August (as soon as the grapes start rolling in!). We are bringing harvest to downtown Charlottesville and are located on Avon Street at the 4-way stop for Wegmans! In addition to the glass viewing area upstairs, we will be roping off a small area on the production floor so that you can walk out to view the action. Anytime is a great time to visit the Collective this Summer and Fall. Email Gabrielle@ eastwoodfarmandwinery.com if you have questions.
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.
About the Collective Eastwood designed the Virginia Wine Collective 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.
Over 21 Policy
You must be over 21 to visit the bar, lounge and dining room at the Collective.
Current Winery Hours Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 5-10PM
1585 Avon Street Extended Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 264-6727
In a timely tale exploring high school, belonging, and artificial intelligence, Broadway hit Be More Chill brings to the stage plenty to ponder. Based on the novel of the same name by Ned Vizzini, the play follows outcast teenager Jeremy Heere, who trades mediocrity for popularity after ingesting a supercomputer. Young love, identity construction, and true friendships are all put to the test as Heere navigates newfound technology and attempts to discover who he really is—and what he really wants. $15, times vary. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. livearts.org
CULTURE TO-DO LIST
FRIDAY 7/10
SOUTHERN SOUNDS
Hailing from Virginia Beach, Jason Cale Band peddles a distinctive brand of musical mashup dubbed swampfunk. Blending Southern rock, blues, funk, soul, Americana, and New Orleans-inspired grooves into a rich sonic gumbo, the band pays homage to the soulful sounds of the late ’60s and early ’70s. Guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Cale infuses tunes with Deep South flavor, following 20 years of professional touring experience with the U.S. Army and Air Force bands. Free, 8pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellyscharlottesville.com
Wednesday 7/8
music
Open Mic Night. Mic check to all musicians, poets, and everyone in between. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St.
The Wavelength. Vintage rock plus original tunes and blues for your mid-week music boost. Free, 6:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskeyjarcville.com dance
Swing Cville: Swing Dance Lesson and Social Dance. A complete beginner class followed by social dancing. No partner required. Free, 6pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. fireflycville.com
stage
As You Like It. The noble Orlando wins a court wrestling match—and Rosalind’s heart—but before their love can take root, she’s banished from court. $40–75, 7:30pm. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespearecenter.com
words
Rare Book School Lecture: Landscapes, Labor, and the Infrastructures of Printed Newspapers. Highlighting some of the hidden elements that shaped 20th-century printed newspapers, with Michael Stamm, professor of history at Michigan State University. Free, 5:30pm. Harrison Auditorium of the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, 170 McCormick Rd. rarebookschool.org
classes
Watercolor Card Making Workshop. Featuring demos, practice, and design explorations. No experience necessary, all materials included. $33, 6pm. Blue Ridge Brushes Studio, 1110 E. Market St. #13h. blueridgebrushes.com etc.
Teen Writers Club. Teens ages 14–18 are invited to the Teen Space for an hour of writing, collaborative editing, and optional writing challenges in the company of other creative, writerly teens. Snacks provided. Free, 4pm. Central Library, 201 E. Market St. jmrl.org
Thursday 7/9 music
Batesville Open Mic Night. Music, singing, poetry, spoken word—everyone is welcome to participate. Hosted by Jordan Redifer and Mark Douglas. All levels welcome. Free, 2pm. The Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com
Berto and Vincent. Lively flamenco rumba and Latin music duo. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com
Lenny Burridge. Rock, folk, Irish tunes, country, and jazz—all infused with some blues. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com
Project Bluebird. Local rockers take the stage for a night to remember. Free, 8pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellyscharlottesville.com
stage
Charlottesville Opera: New Works Series. Ader
Emerging Artists perform Patrick Soluri’s 10-minute operas and selections from new opera and musical theater. Free, 11:30am. Vault Virgina, 300 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. vaultvirginia.com
Disney’s Newsies. Tony Award-winning musical tells the tale of young Jack Kelly, who rallies his fellow turn-of-the-century New York paper hawkers to strike back against the leading media moguls of the day. $15–40, 7:30pm. Culbreth Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd. virginiatheatrefestival.org
Our Town Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prizewinning play is one of the most cherished works in American theater, not because of spectacle, but because of its simplicity. $40–75, 7:30am. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespearecenter.com classes
Paint & Sip with Juliette. Pick up a paintbrush and produce a watercolor painting to take home. Choice of three designs to pick from. $35, 5pm. Virginia Wine Collective, 1585 Avon St. Ext. julietteswenson.com etc.
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
Bob Bennetta Trio. Live jazz. Free, 6:30pm. Afghan Kabob House, 200 Market St. afghankabobhouse.com
Boomerangs. Acoustic and electric classic rock and pop hits from past generations. Free, 6pm. Chisholm Vineyards at Adventure Farm, 1135 Clan Chisholm Ln., Earlysville. chisholmvineyards.com
Fridays After Five: The Golden Hours. Lush modern folk from a supergroup made up of members from Lowland Hum and David Wax Museum. With Adam’s Plastic Pond. Free, 5:30pm. Ting Pavilion, 700 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. tingpavilion.com
Ian Gilliam & The FireKings. Blues, rockabilly, honky-tonk, and rock ‘n’ roll music. Free, 6pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com
Jason Cale Band. Sophisticated swampfunk orchestrator. Free, 8pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellyscharlottesville.com
Jay Pun & Houston Ross. Southeast Asian-inspired Virginia funk. Free, 9pm. Chimm, 365 Merchant Walk Square. chimmtaste.com
Ramona & The Holy Smokes x Hannah Juanita. Honky-tonk and old-school country sounds. With Mose Wilson. $19, 7:30pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com
Susan Munson & Gary Green. C’ville legends play originals and covers. Free, 5pm. Bottle House, 608 W. Main St. bottlehouse.net
The Greenhorns. A seven-piece band blending New Orleans funk, jump blues, R&B, and a little jazz. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St.
Ty Burkhardt. Fingerstyle guitarist whose technique transforms a single instrument into a full-band experience. Free, 5:30pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com
stage
As You Like It See listing for Wednesday, July 8. $40–75, 7:30pm. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespearecenter.com
Disney’s Newsies See listing for Thursday, July 9. $15–40, 7:30pm. Culbreth Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd. virginiatheatrefestival.org
Guys & Dolls, JR! A classic Broadway comedy full of big bets, big laughs, and even bigger heart. $18–25, 6pm. Belmont Arts Collaborative, 221 Carlton Rd. Ste. 3. dmradventures.com etc.
Fun Fridays. Teens 11–18 are invited to have a fun, new experience. This week: custom pencil pouch. Registration required. Free, 2pm. Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, 201 E Market St, Charlottesville, Va 22902.
Vineyard Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, July 9. $15, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. puzzledbee.com
Saturday 7/11 music
Blake Esse. Original music, classic covers, and crowd engagement. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com
Brian Franke. Independent award-winning singersongwriter and cover artist. Free, 2:30pm. Fallen Tree Vineyard and Farm, 4593 Clark Rd., Crozet. fallentreevineyard.com
Cville Band: America’s 250th Birthday Celebration. Bring your family and friends and spend an afternoon celebrating 250 years of America. Special guests the U.S. Army Brass Quintet and The Cville Singers also perform. Free, 3:30pm. Ting Pavilion, 700 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. tingpavilion.com
Don’t Look Up. Traditional Chicago and Delta blues with a vintage rock ‘n’ roll sound. Get your dancing shoes on, because these guys will get you up and moving. $10, 7pm. The Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com
Dropping Julia. A jazz-pop daydream. Free, 8pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durty nellyscharlottesville.com
Josh Mayo. Beautiful music and a one-of-a-kind voice to cure whatever ails you. Free, 9:30pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com
LockJaw Classic Rock Band. Covering fan favorites spanning the decades from the ’60s through the ’80s, and beyond. Free, 5pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com
Mojo Pie. Susan Munson and Frank Bechter bring harmonies to the orchard. Free, 2:30pm. Albemarle
CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com
Rivanna Roots: The Jacob Jolliff Band. Mandolin phenom fronts progressive bluegrass band. With Clara George & Annie Savage. $17–20, 6:30pm. Rivanna River Company, 1520 E. High St. frontporchcville.org
South Canal Street. Performing top hits from the golden era of music—the late 1950s to the 1970s. Free, 6pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com
The Big Fun. Rusty Speidel, Mike Clem, Tom Goodrich, Chris Holden, and Kent Raine perform with porch-side vibes. Free, 5:30pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potters craftcider.com
dance
Glowjob Dance Party. A drag dance party featuring DJs Gameboy Panda and Thicko Mode and queens Jackie of All Trades and Darling Nikki. Ages 18+. $14, 9pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com
stage
Art Song Recital. Hear opera’s future stars sing a variety of art songs, including German lied, French melodie, Italian art song, and English folk tunes. $10–25, 7pm. Grisham Hall, St. Anne’s-Belfield School, 2132 Ivy Rd. charlottesvilleopera.org
As You Like It. See listing for Wednesday, July 8. $40–75, 7:30pm. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespearecenter.com
Disney’s Newsies See listing for Thursday, July 9. $15–40, 2pm and 7:30pm. Culbreth Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd. virginiatheatrefestival.org
Guys & Dolls, JR! See listing for Friday, July 10. $18–25, 3pm and 6pm. Belmont Arts Collaborative, 221 Carlton Rd. Ste. 3. dmradventures.com
Our Town. See listing for Thursday, July 9. $40–75, 2pm. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespearecenter.com
words
New Dominion Storytime. 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
classes
Beginner Hand Sewing. An introductory course for those with little or no hand sewing experience teaches three basic sewing stitches—running, back, and slip. Ages 15+. $20, 10am. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com
Declaration of Independence Print Shop. Hands-on letterpress activity invites you to print your own Declaration of Independence broadside using the same kind of process that first carried those founding words across the colonies. Free with admission, 11am. Monticello, 1050 Monticello Loop. monticello.org etc.
Charlottesville City Market. Explore fresh produce, local foods, and handmade goods from 100+ local vendors. Free, 9am. Charlottesville City Market, 100 Water St. E. charlottesville.gov
Drag Bingo. Multiple games, multiple prizes. Enjoy life altering drag interactions and a moderately high amount of laughter. Hosted by CAKE POP!. $17, 6:30pm. Botanical Plant-Based Fare, 421 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. botanicalfare.com
THE WORKING POUR CULTURE
Among the vines
Hark Vineyards’ stunning new tasting room connects to the land BY
SHEA GIBBS
The Hark family started having folks over to try their award-winning wines in the fall of 2019. The only problem was, they couldn’t invite anyone inside. At the time, Hark Vineyards was growing grapes on a 70-acre parcel and making its estate wines out of an 8,500-squarefoot production facility. Aaron and Candi Hark, working with head winemaker AJ Greely, had enjoyed some excellent harvests and created some delightful wines. (And the winery recently added another accolade to its growing list, with its 2023 Cabernet Franc taking top honors at the 2025 Monticello Cup.) Their neighbors and others in the Charlottesville area had watched the Earlysville-based winery grow over the years and heard good things. They wanted to come over and have a few glasses.
With no tasting room on their property, the Harks hosted all comers in the only place they could: the great outdoors. It was an arrangement that suited the family—they’re avowed lovers of nature and the bucolic Blue Ridge. But they were beholden to the weather and needed a reliable place to pour their creations.
The solution? A 6,000-square-foot tasting room nestled into the saddle between two vineyards. The modern structure, designed by local architects Design Develop, opened last summer.
“It was important that we maintain that connection to the outdoors,” Candi Hark says. “We love this property and the landscape around it, and we wanted to appreciate that no matter what the weather was.”
As visitors approach the new tasting room, the structure’s clean, simple lines and unadorned façade emerge unobtrusively. Enter the building, and the sweep of the all-wood walls and massive floor-to-ceiling windows draw the attention back outside.
“They wanted to be family-oriented and provide a place people could gather, feel the beauty of the space, and enjoy some good wine,” says Kevin Schafer, Design Develop’s Charlottesville studio director. “The building was an embodiment of that vision.”
The tasting room’s interior finishes, like those on the outside, are minimal, with a few flourishes dotted around the main hall, private area, and restrooms. The idea, again, was to retain Hark Vineyards’ focus on its varietals and the place where they’re grown. The Scandinavian-inspired space features a polished marble floor, locally sourced white oak ceiling, and simple white walls standing in juxtaposition to the vibrant greens beyond the west-facing windows.
On the large, wraparound patio, wooden tables constructed from trees once on the property provide another link between en-
gineering and environment. “There are so many windows, you feel like you are outside,” Candi Hark says. “It’s a lot of space, and there’s an easy indoor-outdoor flow.”
Highlighting the mostly flat finishes in the main tasting room is a dramatic stone fireplace with tile accents, bisected by a mantel constructed from a salvaged beam. At the other end of the tasting room, the bar and kitchen exterior feature matching wood panels designed to give the appearance of weightlessness. Like the fireplace, the bathrooms feature unique tiling; a large storage area and fully equipped commercial kitchen round out the facility’s footprint.
Alexander Nicholson served as the primary contractor for the build, which came together over roughly 15 months starting in April 2024.
Allan Pettit, one of the builder’s principals,
In your cups
Visitors to Hark Vineyards should keep an eye on the monthly tasting list for one of the five gold medal winners from this year’s Virginia Governor’s Cup competition.
2022 Ember
2022 Spark
2023 Cabernet Franc
2023 Petit Verdot
2024 Roussanne
says he came to the project as one of those Hark Vineyards neighbors who’d been interested in what the family was up to.
Pettit and his family moved down the street from Hark Vineyards in 2020 and told the Harks that, if they ever decided to construct a tasting room, he’d be happy to bid it. After a false start on a construction site higher up the hill on the property, the team went to work in a more costeffective lowland area. The all-wood frame structure, which suited the Hark’s tastes while being relatively inexpensive, created some engineering challenges given the volume of glass the building would have to support. Strategically deployed engineered lumber was the solution, according to Pettit. “Cost was the predominant reason for being all wood, but it also offers simplicity and straightforwardness,” he says. “A lot of people in the commercial world want a residential feel in their building…something with a more welcoming feel.”
The tasting room—with its vertical siding, metal trim, massive sliding doors, and ceilings angling toward the westerly mountain views— is now nestled into the Hark Vineyards’ property, and is just what the vintners envisioned.
“In Virginia, there are a lot of barns,” Aaron Hark says. “So many farm wineries build a barn. We wanted something a bit more modern but at the same time welcoming. We want people to take in the natural environment, and we got that. It is low to the horizon and among the vines.”
This story originally ran in the 2026 spring/ summer issue of Abode.
Hark Vineyards’ 6,000-square-foot tasting room, with all-wood walls and massive floor-to-ceiling windows, is nestled into the saddle between two vineyards.
July 17August 1
at the historic barboursville ruins
Saturday 7/11
Pool Movie Nights. Bring your floaties and enjoy the show. This week: Zootopia. $10, 8:30pm. Town of Gordonsville Pool, 100 Allen St., Gordonsville. townoforangeva.gov
Vineyard Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, July 9. $15, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. puzzledbee.com
Sunday 7/12 music
Dave Goodrich. A rock-based repertoire including flavors of blues, rock, pop, Motown, and original music. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com
Patrick & Aaron Olwell and Friends. Irish folk music in the orchard. Free, 2:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com
Second Sunday Bluegrass Jam. Show up with instruments if you got ’em. Otherwise, just show up. Musicians gather in a circle to jam and the audience sneaks a spot to watch from the perimeter. Free, 2pm. The Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com
South River Strings. An eclectic mix of rock, blues, and bluegrass. Free, 2pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com
Tara Mills Band. Entertaining all with an original blend of folk, bluegrass, and Americana. Free, 2pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com
stage
Disney’s Newsies See listing for Thursday, July 9. $15–40, 2pm. Culbreth Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd. virginiatheatrefestival.org
Our Town See listing for Thursday, July 9. $40–75, 2pm. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespearecenter.com
Y2K Drag Brunch. A single-seating drag show featuring CAKE POP! and a rotation of talented performers. Come in your best Y2K styling to feel the full fantasy. $28, noon. Bar Botanical, 2025 Library Ave. Rooftop 4R, Crozet. botanicalfare.com
classes
Paint + Sip: Peaceful Beach Path. Paint the supplied design in a step-by-step format. No experience necessary, all materials included. $44, 2pm. Hazy Mountain Vineyard & Brewery, 240 Hazy Mountain Ln., Afton. blueridgebrushes.com
TO-DO LIST CULTURE
SATURDAY 7/11
SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL SOUNDS
Keep the Independence Day vibes going as the Cville Band presents America’s 250th Birthday Celebration. The community band offers up an exultant and family-friendly concert of standards and favorites, including Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait, narrated by actor and vocalist Doug Schneider. The U.S. Army Brass Quintet will perform with the band, and The Cville Singers add their collective voices to “Homeward Bound” and “America the Beautiful.” Free, 3:30pm. Ting Pavilion, 700 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. tingpavilion.com
Printmaking Workshop. Learn the art of linocut block printing. No experience necessary, all materials provided. Ages 15+. $35, 3pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com
Slow Stitch Sampler. Learn 10+ additional stitches (blanket stitch, feather stitch, french knots, etc.) and variations of some stitches to create unique looks and
expand your stitch library. Ages 16+. $20, 11am. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com etc.
Vineyard Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, July 9. $15, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. puzzledbee.com
Monday 7/13 music
Ramona Martinez. Local favorite serenades with her signature mix of country western and mariachi. Free, 5:30pm. The Fitzroy, 120 E. Main St. thefitzroycville.com
stage
Charlottesville Opera: The Barber of Seville Cover Run. An open rehearsal featuring Ader Emerging Artists playing leading roles. Free, 11am. V. Earl Dickinson Theater, 501 College Dr. charlottesville opera.org
words
Profs & Pints Charlottesville: Life Hacks for Distracted Brains. A look at how we can all benefit from research-based strategies for managing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, with Laura E. Knouse, professor of psychology at the University of Richmond. $13–17, 5:30pm. Graduate Hotel, 1309 W. Main St. profsandpints.com
VDM Storytime. A magical storytime adventure where the pages come alive and imagination knows no bounds. Free with museum admission. Free, 10:30am. Virginia Discovery Museum, 524 E. Main St. vadm.org
Tuesday 7/14 music
Prabir. Traditional Indian Raag set. Free, 7pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durty nellyscharlottesville.com
Tuesday Jazz with Jeff Massanari. A cast of great players joins the guitar virtuoso. Free, 6:30pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com stage
Disney’s Newsies. See listing for Thursday, July 7. $15–40, 7:30pm. Culbreth Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd. drama.virginia.edu etc.
Geeks Who Drink Trivia. Good trivia, good times. Teams of two to six people can compete to win prizes like gift certificates and pint glasses, plus bragging rights. Free, 7pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. fireflycville.com
Teen Space Tuesdays. Teens ages 11–18 are invited into the Teen Space to discover a new craft or activity. This week: decorate your summer reading tote. Free, 1pm. Central Library, 201 E. Market St. jmrl.org
FOR FUN PUZZLES
SUDOKU
#1
#1
#4
#3
#2
#5
#4
PUZZLES FOR FUN
CROSSWORD
BY MATT JONES
You’re too wise
58. It’s extremely high-priced and seaworthy
60. Wolf Man portrayer ___ Chaney Jr.
61. Poem full of praise
62. Pine tree droppings
63. Night before
Part of a repeated dance movement
Designation for bands like Bon Iver
16. Calligraphy tool
17. Backpacker’s chain
18. Sor ting hub for train networks
20. Formative period 22. Mine extractions
23. Lunchbox sandwich 24. Mata Hari, e.g 25. Mon. follower
26. South American fruit called “pineapple guava” in some areas
29. June honoree, in cards made by little kids
30. Coffee vessel
31. Liqueur in a Negroni
35. Dair y product that may contain seeds
41. Star t of many Italian dance track titles (it means “the rhythm”)
54. She was Maid Marian in “Robin Hood: Men in Tights”
64. Anderson who directed “The Royal Tenenbaums”
65. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” animal
66. My Chemical Romance genre
67. Garden droplets
DOWN
1. Farmer’s measurement
2. 1965 Beatles concert stadium
3. Fasteners that lend their name to sharp curves
4. Actress Catlett who voices Mrs. Puff on “SpongeBob SquarePants”
5. Pottery material
6. Pig pens
7. Bridal contribution of yore
8. Word with a sigh
9. Place to see constellations
10. Left undamaged
11. Iconoclasm
12. Airs the final episode
15. Move your wings
19. “Understand?” but beatnik-style
21. JFK’s veep
25. Luau root
26. Pet’s coat
27. Timeline por tion
28. Acid-tongued
29. Exactly when an event takes place
By Rob Brezsny
Leo
(July 23-Aug. 22): Leo-born oceanographer Marie Tharp created the first comprehensive maps of the ocean floor. Her work was pivotal in proving theories about plate tectonics. She did much of this work in the 1950s, when women weren’t even allowed aboard research vessels. She had to rely on data collected by others, never seeing the terrain she mapped. But her limitation became her advantage; distance allowed her to perceive patterns that field researchers missed. I suspect that you, too, are working with incomplete information, Leo. Does this disqualify you from drawing conclusions? No! I believe your inability to access certain details will compel you to see larger patterns. What you’re missing might be precisely what enables you to see what others can’t.
Virgo
(Aug. 22-Sept. 22): The “problem” confronting you right now is unusual: Your vision is too sharp, your thinking too precise, and your words too unambiguous. This would usually be good news to celebrate, but at the moment it’s blocking you from noticing the subtle openings life is presenting. Those portals may only reveal themselves if you soften your intense scrutiny and call on a creative, blurry logic. It’s like how, at night, you sometimes see more clearly when you peer from the edges of your vision rather than staring straight ahead.
Libra
(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): This is a perfect moment to express your own unique power more than ever before. I invite you to act with conviction, assert your influence, and claim what you’ve earned. For best results, clarify your ambitions and assert your authority. Write down a formal vow or two. Don’t wait for approval from anyone higher up, and don’t waste time wondering whether destiny is on your side. The succulent opportunities aren’t somewhere else or someday later. They’re here and now.
Scorpio
(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): I’m exultant when a vigorous bike ride up the trail of my local mountain leaves me so cleansed and energized that a flash of truth strikes and instantly dissipates the illusions I’ve been clinging to. I get a delightful shock when, while wandering through a city’s maze of asphalt and litter, a sudden breeze carries the earthy aroma of a rebellious garden. I love it when the reckless choices of misguided leaders jolt my community into doubling down on our quest for audacious harmony, inventive affection, and untamed wisdom. How about you, dear Scorpio? Where do you search for your awakenings and salvations? Keep your inner radar tuned; they’re circling close.
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY FOR FUN
(June 21-July 22): Male humpback whales in the Pacific Ocean change their songs over the years. New phrases can spread across thousands of miles as other whales take up and transform them. Researchers don’t know why, but the pattern is clear: The whales value novelty even in their ancient rituals. They create an evolving musical tradition. Consider what this practice might suggest for your own relationship with the past, Cancerian. The memories and patterns you’re carrying don’t have to remain frozen. You can honor your history while remixing it, adding new verses, and changing the key. What needs to be preserved isn’t the exact form but the living spirit.
Sagittarius
(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sagittarian physicist Freeman Dyson proposed that advanced extraterrestrial civilizations might build megastructures around stars to capture their energy. These “Dyson spheres” would be detectable from Earth as unusual infrared signatures. We haven’t found any yet, but his idea revolutionized how we think about looking for alien intelligence. Moral of the story: Valuable contributions can come from inventing the framework for how to search for unknown things. In the coming weeks, Sagittarius, you might not solve problems, but you could redesign the questions. You may not find the answers, but you could create better tools for exploration.
Capricorn
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Do you have a muse? If not, please find one. You shouldn’t go another day without a provocative, inspiring presence to stir your imagination and drive you deliciously wild. If you already have a muse and that genius has been faithfully fueling your creative fire, bestow a reward. Give a gift or blessing that provides a muse-like boost to your muse. And if your existing muse has grown quiet lately, go off on an adventure together. Dream up plans to stimulate the bursts of kaleidoscopic energy that you two are capable of generating.
Aquarius
(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In some monastic traditions, practitioners engage in “work prayer.” They transform ordinary labor into spiritual practice not by thinking holy thoughts while working, but by bringing complete presence and fond attention to ordinary labors. Chopping vegetables becomes med-
itation. Sweeping floors becomes devotion. The sacredness arises from their wholehearted attitude. This would be an excellent experiment for you to try, Aquarius. Divine solace and inspiration will arrive as you perform your daily duties with verve and gratitude. Try this: For a few days or even two weeks, approach routine duties and familiar obligations with a ceremonial reverence. Be joyful for the privilege of being alive in the most ordinary ways.
Pisces
(Feb. 19-March 20): You’ve entered a phase when your magnetism and charisma will expand as you focus on ruminating deeply about what’s most meaningful to you. Seeking out new teachers and fresh lessons will bring lucky breaks and helpful influences into your sphere. Each fresh insight will polish your allure, and every surge of curiosity will add to your glow. Be extra sexy and ultra smart: Cosmic energies will work in your favor as you weave your id and intellect together.
Aries
(March 21-April 19): There are only two types of humans, right? Some of us serve beauty, truth, and goodness, while the rest pledge their allegiance to illusions, lies, and shadows. Our planet is now caught in a colossal showdown between these two sides. And it’s high time for you to align yourself with one or the other. Just kidding! The truth is far messier and more interesting: Every one of us is a blend of luminosity and ignorance. And now is a perfect moment to study how those two currents move within you. When you clearly see how you contribute to the
murky jumble, your commitment to love, harmony, and justice will soar.
Taurus
(April 20-May 20): You’ll move with style and purpose if you take quick jaunts, dare gentle risks, and make a few nimble leaps of faith. You’ll go awry and astray if you wander too far afield, chase swaggering adventures, or try vaulting across yawning chasms. Keep it light, sharp, and intuitive, Taurus. Refrain from lugging heavy emotional baggage or drifting into daydream limbo. It’ll be wise to trust your sprightly impulses, but foolish to dissect them so ruthlessly that the magic leaks out. The color amber and the number three will be your allies. Somber gray and the number four will not. Align with sly visionaries and soulful realists but sidestep bitter contrarians and nostalgic clingers.
Gemini
(May 21-June 21): I swear I’m smarter in some places than in others. My intelligence soars in Barcelona, Kyoto, Aix-en-Provence, France, and Florence, Italy. But I seem dull-witted in Munich, Moscow, and Washington, D.C. Even in Northern California, my long-time home, some areas bring out the best in me. I feel mediocre on Valencia Street in San Francisco, for instance, whereas I’m extra wise in downtown Berkeley. Why is this? The branch of astrology known as astrocartography says that my strengths are more likely to shine in certain spots than others. In the coming weeks, Gemini, I urge you to experiment with the possibility that this may be true for you, as well. Wander far and wide. Find out where you feel most aligned with your deep, bright, genuine self.
Expanded weekly audio horoscopes and daily text message horoscopes: RealAstrology.com, (877) 873-4888
On motion of the Executor, it appearing that six months have elapsed smce the qualification, and a report of the accounts of Sharrah A. Lane, Executor of the Estate of Janet Sherrill Lane, deceased, and of the debts and demands against the Estate has been filed in the Clerk’s Office, IT IS ORDERED that the creditors of, and all others interested in, the Estate show cause, if they can, on the 16 th day of July, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. before this Court, against the payment and delivery of the Estate of Janet Sherrill Lane, deceased, to the distributees without requiring refunding bonds
It is further ordered that the foregoing portion of this order be published once a week for two successive weeks in the C-ville Weekly, a newspaper published in Charlottesville, Virginia.
ENTER: Claude Worrell, Sr. Date: 6/15/26
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America wasn’t the only birthday worth celebrating over the Fourth of July weekend. The Downtown Mall marked its 50th anniversary on July 3 with a daylong celebration that invited residents to hit the bricks for free Downtown Express train rides, guided tours of the Mall, and the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society’s “Then and Now: Charlottesville in the 1970s” exhibit. The festivities continued into the evening with free ice cream at Central Place, a performance by Baaba Seth at Ting Pavilion, and a lantern parade led by Elby Brass. Not a bad way to spend a day on the bricks.
