Episode Notes Virginia's former Director of Education is getting a six-figure severance package after abruptly resigning last week. The Quirk Gallery in downtown Charlottesville features the exhibit "Constant Anomalies" by Suzanna Fields--using unusual painting techniques to capture the beauty of nature. Five longtime locals describe what they love…

Episode Notes The 7th Annual UVA Flute Forum took place this past weekend. A few weeks ago, a man in custody at Central State Hospital was killed. Now seven deputies involved in the incident have been charged with murder. Some Virginia election officials are resigning in the face of threats and harassment--with some counties facing empty offices en…

Episode Notes Governor Glenn Youngkin's education townhall doesn't quite land. PVCC's Higher Education in Prison Program puts on an artistic performance for incarcerated students. Charlottesville's only homeless center for the elderly and seriously ill is closing soon. A new bill in the General Assembly would require age verification for pornograph…

Episode Notes Virginia's Superintendent of Public Instruction resigned last week after being in the job for a year. What happened? Live Arts has a new show opening this month: CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY | Live Arts Charlottesville city schools wanted to address staffing issues by hiring formerly incarcerated people--but the General Assembly didn'…

Have you ever looked at a map of Charlottesville, surrounded on all sides by Albemarle County, and wondered why Charlottesville and Albemarle are governed completely separately? Maybe you moved here from another state and were surprised to learn that your children would attend a city school rather than a county one. Or maybe you’ve visited northern…

It’s been two weeks since the US supreme court overturned Roe v. Wade and people all over the country have been trying to figure out how to respond to it. In Virginia abortions are still legal during the first and second trimesters. After about seven months, Virginia doctors can perform abortions only if the life of the pregnant person is threatene…

In the past year the national average cost of food according to the Consumer Price Index rose 10%. In this episode our production team canvases Charlottesville grocery stores to find out how much food costs here relative to the national averages. In the second half of the show we talk about how these rapid increases in the cost of food are impactin…

Episode Notes Notes go hereOn this episode of Charlottesville Soundboard, we discuss the trials and successes of labor unions in the area.First, we sit down with Kieran Williams, a member of the newly-founded Bodo's Union Organizing Committee. Then, we hear from the President and Vice President of the Albemarle Educator's Association, Vernon Liecht…

First up we’ll be discussing a new film titled Raised/Razed. It’s a documentary by local filmmaker Lorenzo Dickerson and journalist Jordy Yager about the vibrant life and later destruction of Vinegar Hill, a historically Black neighborhood in downtown Charlottesville. And coming up after that we get some tips for taking local action on climate chan…

This week, we’ll delve into two interesting and important stories in Charlottesville. First up, we’ll hear from a few of the artists behind a resurgence in the drag show scene here in town. And in the second half, Charlotte Rene Woods tells us how trees are an equity issue. Drag Shows at Pikasso Swig: https://www.pikassoswig.com/dragshow Drag Bonan…

If you love, are a part of, or want to learn more about the Charlottesville art scene, this episode is for you. We’ll hear about the benefits of destroying art, as well as making it. After all, it’s about the destination and the journey, right? We talk with Dana Wheeles of DeerHawk Healing in the first half and chat with Sri Kodakalla and Ramona Ma…

In this episode we’re talking about a new Charlottesville tourism initiative to promote local Black artists, musicians and entrepreneurs. The initiative is called Discover Black Cville and they’re launching Saturday March 26th at the sixth annual Vibefest music festival at IX Art Park. And stay tuned in the second half of the show for a sneak peek …

This episode deals with rezoning, housing density and peaceful mediation. Sound contradictory? Stay tuned to learn about rezoning and how to relax. We talk with reporter Erin O’Hare from Charlottesville Tomorrow in the first half and chat with Janet Evergreen of RiverBluff Sanctuary in the second. For sharing input on housing in Charlottesville:Ema…

This episode concerns a new law that took effect in 2022. It’s known as the No Surprises Act, and it is meant to protect patients from surprise medical billing. When surprise out of network charges occur, providers can no longer bill patients for anything more than their in-network cost-sharing. This applies to ll commercially insured individuals a…

In this episode we talk to some of the folks behind a new local company that’s all about supporting underrepresented artists and their work. On February 4th, they’re holding an event to kick of a three-month long exhibition downtown. It’s called Nature, Us, and the Future. Interested viewers can both observe and interact with the art being displaye…

This episode details winter weather and all the complications it can sometimes bring. Snow days are special, but they tend to come with real power and heat related issues that often affect the Charlottesville community. Today, we’re talking with Erin O’Hare of Charlottesville Tomorrow about how we can better prepare for weather emergencies, as well…

This time last year we all had some difficult decisions to make about holiday travel. The first vaccines were in the final stages of the approval process and COVID-19 was running wild through the population. This year the situation is a lot different if you and your family have been vaccinated. This week, we’re hearing from Dr. Avula of the Virgini…

A lot of us local policy nerds have been eagerly awaiting the new Charlottesville Comprehensive Plan. This process of laying out a vision for the city started nearly five years ago. On Tuesday October 19th, the planning commission made a major step by recommending the plan to City Council for approval. So we are very excited to get the inside scoop…

This episode is our last in a series ahead of the local elections on November 2nd. There are a lot of important elections in Virginia this year. You can listen to our interviews with State Delegate Sally Hudson and the Democratic City Council candidates in this feed. But today we’re talking to Independent City Council candidate Yas Washington. And …

It has been a hectic week in the world of local governance. On Tuesday night, City Council accepted the resignation of the City Manager, Chip Boyles. Boyles has only been serving as city manager for ten months. So that really makes today’s topic even more important. In this episode we’re continuing our series on the local elections with interviews …

This week we’re starting a little series on the upcoming local elections. Stay tuned for our next episode with the City Council candidates but today we’re kicking things off with incumbent state delegate Sally Hudson. And in the second half of the show we’re excited to introduce you to Dr. Dena Jennings. She’s a physician, a musician, a banjo luthi…

Today we’re going to zoom in on evictions. In the first half of the show, we talk to attorney Caroline Klosko from the Legal Aid Justice Center. She specializes in representing low-income tenants. And in the second half of the show, we’re going to look at the local policy side of things with City Councilor Michael Payne.…

Today we’re going to hear the latest about COVID-19 and the delta variant from the Blue Ridge Health District. They discussed vaccination rates, vaccine locations, and what back-to-school will look like. They also reviewed the new CDC guidelines, which were updated after the highly contagious Delta variant became the dominant strain circulating in …

Today we’re going to talk about evictions. Evictions happen when renters are unable to pay their rent or violate their lease. For the past year, the courts have been closed and renters have had extra protections from the CDC against eviction if they were behind on their rent. However, those protections expire next week. So we sat down with Erin O’H…

Here in Charlottesville, it’s starting to feel like the threat of COVID-19 is subsiding. People are out and about, sometimes unmasked, maybe you’re starting to travel again… Well today we’re going to touch base with Jessie Higgins to hear about the vaccination process here in the Blue Ridge Health District and the differences between State COVID po…

This week we’re continuing some conversations we’ve been having over the course of the year. We’ll get some updates on the local elections season, the comprehensive plan and affordable housing, and the fate of our confederate monuments. And in the second half of the show, we give you a sneak peak of a new exhibit opening this week at the Kluge-Ruhe…

Episode Notes This week we’re catching up on the Charlottesville Comprehensive planning process with Erin O’Hare. We’ll talk about what the current draft would mean for affordable housing and life in the city and the region. Then we’re going to hear from an Albemarle family about their efforts to support anti-racism work in the county schools. Stay…

The June 8th primary elections are only eleven days away, so I sat down with Charlotte Rene Woods and Ali Sullivan at Charlottesville Tomorrow for a run-down on all the races, the candidates and what you need to know about how to vote this cycle. And stay tuned for stories from teachers about their experience as an educator during the civil rights …

This week we’re talking with the people behind two local women-centered organizations. First up we’re going to hear from Sri Kodakalla and Meesha Goldberg. They’re two artists at the Feminist Union of Charlottesville Creatives who just edited a new issue of their zine, Mala Leche. This edition of Mala Leche is called “Fever Dreams of Mother Earth” …

You may have heard that a bunch of local affordable housing non-profits recently came together to buy the Red Carpet Inn on 29. Today we’re going to talk about that project and how it plans to reduce area homelessness and create 140 new low-income housing units. Plus, the residents at Crescent Halls affordable housing complex in downtown Charlottes…

Enslaved people have been part of the story of the University of Virginia and Charlottesville since their very beginnings. And this week, on Saturday, UVA will dedicate a major physical marker and memorial to the enslaved people who built the University and were an integral part of its founding and early years. So we sat down with Kirt von Daacke, …

It’s been a turbulent year in Charlottesville City government and we are now in the midst of an election season. Mayor Nikuyah Walker and councilor Heather Hill were both elected to City Council in November of 2017, just a few months after the violent white supremacist rally. Their four year terms are nearly up and there are five candidates running…

March 13th, marks the one year anniversary of a day that changed a lot of our lives. On March 13th, 2020 Governor Ralph Northam announced that all public schools in virginia would close for at least two weeks. You’ll hear about that day from Albemarle High School student, Mary Govan. Then we’ll talk about the racial inequities that the pandemic has…

Ten days ago on February 16th, UVA reported 229 new cases of COVID-19 in one day. Those 229 cases were 15% of all the new cases that day in the whole state. And as of this morning, UVA is reporting nine hundred and twelve active cases of COVID 19 among its students, faculty, and staff. So it’s safe to say that we are experiencing an outbreak here i…

Spoilers for the Stormlight Archive through Rhythm of War!In this second installment, we handle the complications in the Rosharan magic system introduced by Rhythm of War, including things I can't really talk about without spoiling things. As always, let me know what you'd like to see covered in the future now that we have some new Cosmere content …

Most local students have not been to school in-person in almost a year. We talk to Billy Jean Louis about the mental health impact of virtual learning. Stay tuned for the second half of the show, when we talk to Caetano de Campos Lopes from the Community Climate Collaborative about a few issues at the intersection of equity and climate in our commu…

This week we take a look at the COVID data in our health district and get an update on the local vaccine distribution process. And in the second half of the show we share a riveting interview with highly acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni from the podcast and talk show In My Humble Opinion. Charlottesville Tomorrow Vaccine Dashboard: https://www.cvillet…

Episode Notes Lirin--Kaladin's father--is a complex character that has divided the fanbase for the last ten years. A lot of that came to a head with the release of Rhythm of War, with that relationship taking a somewhat more prominent role. In this episode, I try to explain my view of Lirin--as a character perfect for the Stormlight Archive, having…

The year is barely two weeks old and yet we already have so much to talk about. We’re going to start with what City Councilor Michael Payne has called a “leadership crisis” in city government. After an avalanche of resignations, the city was able to announce a hire this week. Chip Boyles will take over as city manager on February 15th. We’ll talk a…

Spoilers for The Stormlight Archive through Rhythm of War! Rhythm of War is finally out, and the Worldhopper's Guide has finally put together an episode. This is part 1 of 3 as we tackle the fundamental nature of Light on Roshar, beginning with the very basics. What exactly IS Stormlight? What's so weird about it? As always, let me know what you'd …

Episode Notes UVA Hospital employees have begun to receive the vaccine! In our last episode of 2020, we look back on some of the big stories of year: the pandemic, the election, the racial justice protests this summer. Plus we’ll talk a little bit about a recent incident in which the Charlottesville Police Department was accused of racial profiling…

Episode Notes Last episode we were worried that COVID-19 cases might surge after the Thanksgiving holiday. And now they have. But it’s not all bad news. UVA Hospital plans to start distributing the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to some of it’s employees on December 15th. Plus, we talk to Sunshine Mathon and LaTasha Durrett of Piedmont Housing Alliance ab…

While cases are exploding around the US, COVID-19 is pretty under control in central Virginia. At least for now. We talk to Charlottesville Tomorrow about what has kept COVID cases low here and how to keep them that way as we approach the holidays. And stay tuned for an interview with Barbara Campbell Thomas. She’s a painter and multimedia artist b…

Election Day has come and gone, but the election process still continues. And while we’re still waiting to know who has won the Presidential election, a whole host of state and local races in Virginia were also on the ballot, as well as a state Constitutional amendment for redistricting reform. This week, we sit down with Nathan Moore and Aaryan Ba…

The end of this very long, very unusual election season is almost here. We talk to Charlottesville Tomorrow about the future of the Fifth Congressional District and what they’ve learned from Election 2020 so far. Plus, Nathan Moore interviews hometown congressional candidate Dr. Cameron Webb about what he’s seen as a doctor treating COVID patients …

Meet the creative team behind Lost Home, Win Home. It’s an original work by Charlottesville-native Shelby Marie Edwards running at Live Arts this weekend. In this one-woman show, Edwards interrogates her experience growing up in Charlottesville in relation to the white supremacist rally of August 2017. We also talk about Albemarle County’s decision…

We are only 32 days out from election day on November 3rd. So we reached out to Charlotte at Charlottesville Tomorrow to get the rundown on voting during a pandemic. But first we sit down with Anthony Guy Lopez he’s a UVA alum who’s been advocating for Indigenous rights in Charlottesville and across the country for over two decades. Recently, he wa…