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Charlottesville Inside-Out Season 6 Update

tallard — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 20:00:33 +0000

We are currently filming our sixth season of Charlottesville Inside-Out (CVIO), and we have a super line-up for you! Upcoming guests and topics include Dave Matthews Band member Boyd Tinsley talking about his new role as a filmmaker and Bake ‘mmm Bagels entrepreneurs Janet Dob and Cynthia Viejo sharing their secret recipe for tasty, organic and – I kid you not -- healthy bagels.

Have We Got a Show for You!

tallard — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 17:00:59 +0000

The Charlottesville music scene is exploding! I say this with authority as I’ve been enjoying great entertainment in this town for years. I go back to the days when you could hear the Kokomotions – a then popular regional group – for a set on a Saturday night at the C & O, and - before it was time to go home – still manage to hop over to the legendary Mine Shaft to dance to the New Orleans based Neville Brothers band.

Batesville is Back in Business!

tallard — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:06:59 +0000

Last June, the beloved Batesville Store closed its doors. While there are mixed recountings as to why the establishment shut down, very few would disagree about the emotional vacancy caused by its closing. Quite frankly, it was like a death in the family. The country store had been a mainstay in the community for almost a century as Page’s Store, owned and operated by the Page family. In 1996, retired couple Dick and Rita Sokowokia took over running the business for five years offering sandwiches, conversation and convenience items.

Happy Birthday, Charlottesville!

tallard — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:00:44 +0000

This year marks the 250th birthday of Charlottesville. Now that’s a pretty big deal and something definitely worth celebrating, so a steering committee comprised of city council members, city representatives and involved citizens organized Celebrate! 250 Charlottesville -- a calendar of exciting events taking place over the next six months to mark this special year and to honor the history of our fair city.

Making the Ordinary Extraordinary

tallard — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:00:39 +0000

Someone once asked me whom I admire most, and I didn’t even have to think about it. Hands-down -- it’s my mother. She has the most wonderful energy. It’s like a light that draws you in, and when you're with her, you feel as if you can do anything. I suppose this is because – watching her as a child – it seemed she could do anything. For starters, she gave birth to four children in five years and was on her own with us more often than not because our father’s job as a National Geographic photographer took him away for months at a time.

Heroes

tallard — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:34:49 +0000

I have always been drawn to heroes – to people who show great courage and set an example for the rest of us; leaders who remind us that we, too, can be brave. My brother, Scott, was just that kind of person.

CVIO Season 6 – That’s No Bull

tallard — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:00:53 +0000

I’m thinking about riding a rodeo bull for Season 6 of Charlottesville Inside-Out. For previous shows, I arm wrestled for charity, played polo, and skated with the Charlottesville Derby Dames -- so why not sit on a bull? Word has it the bull in mind has retired and no longer struts (or kicks) his stuff around the arena.

Knowing When to Come Home

tallard — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:45:54 +0000

My friend Laura Thompson has been asking me to do a benefit performance for The Arts Center in Orange (TACO) for years now. She serves as the Executive Director for the organization, and until a few weeks ago, for various reasons, we just couldn’t seem to get our timing down. It certainly wasn’t because I didn’t want to support their efforts. TACO works very hard to bring fine arts and music to children and members of the community who don’t always have the opportunity to experience the arts.

The Kindness of Strangers

tallard — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:11:42 +0000

My friend, Julie, called me from a dumpster one Friday night last month. She was supposed to be joining us for dinner, but instead was knee deep in coffee grinds and cream -- her Nordic walking stick in hand -- poking around in a bright-red garbage container behind Starbucks Pantops. Sometime during the day, she had lost her ring. Not just any ring, mind you. This was an expensive, hand-designed piece of jewelry she’d received as a gift for her 50th birthday...from none other than Julie herself.

Eden and Raspberry Kisses

tallard — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:29:35 +0000

I just spent the afternoon with my sweet little friend Eden, his brother Elijah and his parents Jeff and Naomi. Eden has big blue eyes and a toothy grin. He is especially handsome today because he is sporting his first big-boy haircut given to him by his mom who had a little assistance from a tutorial on YouTube. He is a happy, loving and charming child. He is also quite funny. I know he has inherited his father’s sense of humor because of a story Jeff tells about his little boy’s love for noises brought on by bodily functions.

Turn It Up!

tallard — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:11:43 +0000

I’ve been blasting an early release of the Sons of Bill’s new album “Sirens” in my car for the past few days, and I can’t seem to make myself turn the volume down. I know I should know better having already abused my eardrums years ago singing and playing with loud stage monitors, but I have no self-control this time. The album is that good.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things…I Mean Songs

tallard — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:00:26 +0000

The other day my son asked me, “What’s your favorite song, Mom?” I was totally stumped. In all honesty, I have far too many favorites to choose just one. Still -- at that moment -- I couldn’t come up with a single title. I went completely blank. Too much pressure, I suppose.

16 Super Remedies for the Winter Blahs

tallard — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:30:51 +0000

It’s that time of year again – the time when many of us are ready to put the cold season behind us and spring forward. Not that we’ve had a very rough winter – if you can even call it a winter, really. But still, who isn’t ready to smell a few daffodils and dine out on the back deck? Who doesn’t want to pack away their coats and long pants and put on shorts and t-shirts for the next five months?

Let's Have a Party!

tallard — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:36:25 +0000

I just found out that one of my all-time favorite musical influences is coming to Charlottesville. This Saturday, Wanda Jackson – the Queen of Rockabilly – is headlining at the Jefferson Theater. I could just pop!

Love Thy Neighbor

tallard — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:58:07 +0000

I’ve been thinking lately about what makes a good friend. Is it someone who listens to you and holds your hand when you’re feeling down? Is it someone who doesn’t judge you and just loves you -- warts and all? Maybe a good friend is a person who laughs with you and tells you you’re funny – even when you aren’t. Or perhaps it is someone who gives freely of their time, their attention or – better yet -- their kidney.

Catching Up on CVIO

tallard — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:10:20 +0000

If you’ve been keeping up with Charlottesville Inside-Out this season, you know we’ve covered a lot of interesting topics so far. For example, I had a great time playing music with Ellis Paul, one of the leading voices in American songwriting, and learning more about his craft. And I really enjoyed visiting Morven Farm, a historical “think-tank” located in one of the most beautiful spots in Albemarle County.

Let It Snow?

tallard — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:30:02 +0000

Here we are into the third week of January, and my ten-year-old son is already predicting there will be no “snow days” this school year. I tried to tell him that it doesn’t usually snow that much in this area before January or February, but he is convinced that I am wrong. His reasoning, of course, is attributed to the “Snowpocalypse of 2009” that dropped close to two feet of heavenly white precipitation on the Friday kicking off winter break.

Culinary Courtship

tallard — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:02:44 +0000

This past Christmas, I gave my husband a really nice kitchen knife. O.K., O.K., I know you’re thinking, “Well, that’s not a very romantic gift.” For couples who have been married as long as we have, an offering like this could even be downright dangerous. (You know I’m just kidding…) Dwayne’s a great cook, though, and our knives have been dull for years, so I was actually very excited about this present. Six stitches later -- maybe just a little too excited.

Hoops and Resolutions

tallard — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:20:29 +0000

I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions. I haven’t been for quite a few years now. I guess it’s because I’ve reached a point in my life where I’m “on” to myself – I pretty much know what I will or won’t do. I may say that I’m going to do something and then give it my best for a few weeks, but within a month or so, I’m back to my old habits. After years of doing this, I realized I wasn’t fooling anyone – including myself. Kinda reminds me of the way I play basketball.

Fairy Dust

tallard — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:45:18 +0000

I’m struggling to find the holiday spirit today. I suppose it could be because it’s 60 degrees outside, and my world is showing no sign of slowing down. I usually love this time of year. In fact, some of my favorite childhood memories are of Christmas. Of course, these are my memories. My siblings may have a totally different take on things. And it would be an understatement to say that my dad was not a fan of the holiday season. But my mother “believed” enough for both of them, and she made everything magical.

Go Local for the Holidays! Charlottesville Shopping Ideas

tallard — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:28:22 +0000

1) Dinner at The Local – my family and I love everything about this restaurant! The ambience is warm and inviting. The food is fabulous and prepared using local ingredients. Even the light fixtures, chairs, bar, and balcony were built by local craftsmen. My son recommends the shrimp and/or the mussels. He also lives for the homemade bread. I personally like it all, including the wine selection.

Generosity of Spirit and Mind-Blowing Bands

tallard — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:14:34 +0000

Charlottesville musicians and music lovers are the best. I know I’m a little biased – being a member of “the band” and all -- but it’s true. And I’m not just talking about talent -- though you have to admit there is an absolutely amazing pool of gifted performers living in and around Cville. I’m talking about character. I’m talking about generosity of spirit.

Black and Blue Friday

tallard — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:14:19 +0000

I’m sitting here trying to make sense of the recent news regarding the most popular (or -- depending on how you feel about crowds – most boycotted) shopping day of the year. While it was nice to hear that the economy got a jump start from Friday’s pre-holiday sales, I’m in a quandary as to what would cause a person to snap to the point that she felt it necessary to shop armed with pepper spray in order to “get an edge on the competition.” I’m baffled by the notion that a deal on towels could be more important than a fellow shopper’s welfare.

Spring Cleaning in November

tallard — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:00:39 +0000

My husband and I have been doing some serious spring cleaning. Yes -- I do realize it is officially wintertime, and this puts us a little on the tardy side, but, for the record, we began the project at the end of the summer. I’m not sure if disclosing this information paints a better or worse picture of our organizational skills. I’m thinking the latter… Nonetheless, we are plodding ahead, and even though we didn’t initiate our endeavor in the spring, I am optimistic we may actually finish before the buds are blooming again.

Get Busy

tallard — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:58:17 +0000

Everybody handles bad news differently. Some folks retreat into themselves or go into a state of denial. Others get really sad. Some get angry. Marty Whitlow got busy.

Three years ago, Marty – an otherwise happy, healthy and energetic Kindergarten teacher – was diagnosed with advanced Stage 3C ovarian cancer. After further testing, doctors realized the cancer had spread throughout her entire abdominal area.

Judith’s Light

tallard — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:00:24 +0000

I’ll never forget the first time I met Judith. It was the month of May, many years ago, and I was singing at Innisfree Village -- a residential community with adults who have intellectual disabilities, located on 550 acres of the some of the most beautiful property in Albemarle County. The organization was hosting its annual May Day celebration, and Jenny, an Innisfree resident, had asked me to come and perform.

Learning New Tricks

tallard — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:30:56 +0000

When you watch Charlottesville Inside-Out, it’s pretty clear how much I enjoy my job. It’s hard not to have a good time when you’re meeting new people and catching up with old friends. Plus, I get to learn a lot of new tricks. Like belly dancing! For season 5 of the show, I had my first-ever belly dancing lesson with Joy Rayman and the Fire in the Belly dance company. I didn’t do too badly.

A No-Brainer

tallard — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:10:19 +0000

Don’t you love it when you hear about a really good idea… a concept that is so brilliant it pops itself immediately and comfortably in your mind as if it had been there forever? That’s how I would describe my first impression of the Local Food Hub.

Surviving Childhood

tallard — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:15:59 +0000

Do you ever wonder how in the world you survived your childhood? Long-time friends and I often share stories about the things we did when we were kids and shake our heads in amazement. Maybe that’s because we’re older now and somewhat mature. Or maybe it’s because many of us are raising kids of our own and, quite frankly, we would never let them do the things we did when we were kids!