Charlottesville Breaking News

Veneer

Bill Emory — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:54:30 +0000

Stone veneer being applied to a building on the “Shops at Stonefield” site.
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Commentator Bill Emory puts up a new photo nearly every day at billemory.com/blog.

Veneer

hawes — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:55:09 +0000

Stone veneer being applied to a building on the “Shops at Stonefield” site.
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Commentator Bill Emory puts up a new photo nearly every day at billemory.com/blog.

Beer buzz: New laws a boon for local breweries

Dave McNair — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:52:50 +0000

Unlike Virginia wineries, breweries in the state haven't been able to sell beer for on-site consumption without having a restaurant. All that began changing on May 15 when Governor Bob McDonnell signed two bills that have craft brewery owners hopping for joy.

"This is a big one for breweries," says Steve Crandall, founder of Devils Backbone Brewing Company up near Wintergreen Resort. "Mark Thompson over at Starr Hill Brewery always told me that a rising tide lifts all boats, and it sure does."

Indeed, Crandall, along with Thompson and a slew of other Virginia brewmeisters who make up the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, managed to convince lawmakers to pass SB 604 and HB 359 in less time than Crandall thought possible, a sign of how the brew biz in the state has grown.

Basically, SB 604 will allow breweries to sell beer and offer on-premises tastings just as wineries do. HB 359 will let breweries make beer for other labels under special contract. It also ends some rather silly distribution procedures.

For instance, Taylor Smack of Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton, recently opened a second brewing facility in nearby Colleen. Under the existing regulations, beer picked up by truck from the new brewery and headed for Blue Mountain, just down the road, must first be driven to a distributor's warehouse in Richmond, where it must sit for 24 hours before getting trucked back to Blue Mountain.

What's more, Blue Mountain was also required to come up with a restaurant concept for the new place. Come July 1, when the new laws take effect, none of that will be necessary. When Blue Mountain Barrel House has its grand opening on July 1, it'll be one of the first of its kind in Virginia. Devils Backbone, too, plans to open a new tap room in July.

"Most of these are just stupid laws still on the books from the 1930s," says Smack. "A lot of credit goes to the other brewery owners in the area, who really pushed for this."

Still, lawmakers could be kicking themselves for not getting it done even sooner. Three years ago, Thompson says, he personally pitched the bills to the Governor, and while a staff member followed up with him the next day, the state may have missed out on a chance to generate millions in revenue and create more jobs.

Earlier this year, three major craft-brewing companies from out West– Sierra Nevada, Oskar Blues, and New Belgium– chose locations in North Carolina to build their first breweries on the East Coast. New Belgium plans to build a $175 million brewery in Asheville; and Sierra Nevada, which looked at 200 possible locations this side of the Mississippi, is investing over $100 million in a new facility in nearby Mills River. One of the main reasons cited for the choice? North Carolina tweaked its laws, allowing beer makers to sell for on-site consumption.

"I think those moves really kicked this new legislation here in gear," says Smack. "It's a huge windfall for North Carolina, and we're talking millions and millions of dollars, because they are seen as a more beer-friendly state."

Indeed, Crandall thinks that those moves were a real wake-up call for Virginia lawmakers.

"It really put the efforts of our Guild on the radar," he says.

It also puts them in the spotlight. Moving forward, Crandall realizes the Guild must responsibly manage its new freedom so that tap rooms don't become "crazy bar scenes."

Plus, according to Crandall, there may be more legislative arm-twisting left to do.

"Like wineries, we'd like to be able to use remote licenses to sell and promote our beers at festivals," he says. "For the time being, we still aren't allowed to do that."

Guide to a death-defying summer o' 2012

Hook Staff — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:49:58 +0000

Mint Springs provides a beach with mountain views. Skinny dipping at Mint Springs
Oh, wait– that's not allowed. But even with a swimsuits-not-optional policy, Albemarle County has three excellent lakes for swimming, fishing, and picnicking, with beaches, shelters, grills, hiking trails– and bathrooms. To the south is Walnut Creek, which has 15 miles of trails, canoe rentals for $5 an hour, and an 18-hole disc golf course. To the north, Chris Greene Lake offers a fenced, one-acre off-leash dog park, a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier, and canoe rentals. And west of Crozet, Mint Springs is stocked with trout and is home to the memorial for Piedmont Flight 349, which crashed into Bucks Elbow Mountain above the lake. And you might see a bear.
–>Swimming 11am to 7pm, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, $3 Albemarle residents, $4.50 others

Long summer days make easier to catch a sunset after work. Sunset on the Blue Ridge
It's easy to forget just how close the Blue Ridge Parkway is, and what a spectacular place it is to watch the sunset with a bottle of wine, although that would be illegal. We meant to say, how spectacular it is to watch the sunset with a nonalcoholic beverage. This excursion works best spur of the moment on a long summer evening. From downtown Charlottesville, it's about 50 minutes to our favorite spot, Ravens Roost, which is about 11 miles south along the Parkway. And if you'd like a cold beer to go with your sunset, the deck at Blue Mountain Brewery down Route 151 is pretty amazing, too. Just get there before the sun drops behind the mountains.
–>30 minutes before sunset, any nice day, Blue Ridge Parkway, free

What's not to like about free music after a long week? Fridays after Five
This quintessential Charlottesville favorite, now in its 25th year, combines the best of summertime when the living is easy: music and cold beer. What better way to celebrate the end of the week than to stroll down the Mall to the nTelos Pavilion and catch a live band. Tout le monde comes out on a warm evening, and upcoming local favorites include the Chicken Head Blues Band May 25, Baaba Seth June 8, and Indecision June 15. Did we mention that it's free– and that your beer purchases help support local charities?
–>Fridays, 5:30pm, nTelos Pavilion, free

Monticello is serious about celebrating the 4th of July. Monticello on the 4th
There really isn't a more meaningful way to celebrate the 4th of July than at the home of the guy who wrote the Declaration of Independence, and it's something you can't do anywhere but Charlottesville. New American citizens are sworn in in front of the World Heritage Site; a naturalized American citizen like I.M Pei, Sam Waterston or Tracey Ullman speaks. This year it's Olympic gold-medalist Nadia Comaneci. There's lots of flag-waving in the best possible way– without politics. The event starts early, leaving plenty of time to cook burgers on the grill and catch fireworks later in the day. Fans are provided; sunscreen and hats are recommended.
–>July 4, 9am, Monticello, free

Route 20– the Constitution Route– wends its way north to Barboursville. Wine tasting at Barboursville
While there are plenty of wineries around, we like this one because its wines are some of the best in Virginia– and it has ruins. Founded in 1976, Barboursville is one of the oldest wineries in Central Virginia. The ruins date back to Christmas Day in 1884, when the house designed by Thomas Jefferson for Governor James Barbour burned. The haunting brick structure still stands with its octagonal room in the center of the house. Barboursville Vineyards has a wine museum, the highly-regarded Palladio restaurant, and a tasting room where just $5 gets you a glass and samplings of 16 to 20 wines. Buy a bottle of your favorite and picnic like it's 1829.
–>Monday-Saturday, 10am to 5pm, Sunday 11am to 5pm.

Leg up
If you're looking for a pleasant place to walk, run or ride a bike, it's hard to beat the Thomas Jefferson Parkway. Although the path goes up the side of Carter Mountain, the gentle five-degree incline means you can jog or bike the two miles from Route 53 to Monticello without gasping too hard for air. The ride down, of course, will be a breeze. For those who prefer to leave the beaten track, trails crisscrossing the adjacent 100-acre Secluded Farm are open to the public and offer a chance to frolic in fields and scramble up and down steeper slopes. Dogs on leash are welcome.
–>daily, sun-up to sundown, Route 53, free

Bend it like Satchidananda
There's no shortage of yoga studios in Charlottesville, but anyone looking for something a little more intensive– oh, say, an entire weekend of nothing but asanas and meditation– might enjoy a weekend getaway to Yogaville. Forty-five minutes from Charlottesville on 600 acres in Buckingham County, Yogaville was founded by the late Sri Swami Satchidananda in 1980. The centerpiece of the ashram is the Light of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS), which is shaped like the flower for which it's named, and which features altars for all of the world's major faiths. Private or shared accommodations are available, or pitch a tent to save some cash.
–>Single or multi-day stays available, $20-$140 per night

No license? No problem! Driven crazy?
Kids driving you crazy? Let them drive! A quick trip over Afton Mountain to Waynesboro– exit 94 off I-64– and your teens and pre-teens can be behind the wheel of a Go-Kart at Fastrax. Kids at least 56 inches can drive the standard karts, and a junior version might appease younger, shorter siblings. Those over 16 can get behind the wheel of a faster "sprint kart." Also on site: batting cages, miniature golf, and an arcade.
–>Daily hours vary, $4-7 per go-kart ride; batting, arcade extra

Booked!
Reading happens year round, but it's hard to deny that summer affords extra opportunities for kicking back with a good book. And there may be no better place to get a big pile of them than the Green Valley Book Fair in Mount Crawford, at exit 240 off I-81 near Harrisonburg. With half a million books at discount prices, the Fair is fantastic for stocking up on gifts for the rest of the year. And for those rainy summer days when you're wondering what the heck to do, grab the kids and hit the road for some reading.
–>May 12-28; June 30-July 15; August 18-September 3, 9am-7pm daily

Berry fun
Picking berries is fun; eating them is even better, and summer's the time to do both. While there's strawberry picking aplenty at various local orchards, you can go slightly more exotic at Grelen Nursery in Orange County, less than an hour away, where blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are ripening and ready to be plucked. Get ready for stained fingers!
–>Mon-Sat: 8am-3pm, Sunday: 11am-3pm; 15111 Yager Road, Somerset

Go to war
About an hour up Route 20 North, you can go to war this summer. According to local paintballers, WarPlay Paintball in Rhoadesville has some of the best real-to-life scenario set up fields, making you feel like you're in a real battle. And in the summer, when you can't wear layers of thick clothing, the sting of those paintball pellets tend to be more deadly. Of course, the folks at WarPlay will set you up with the right safety equipment, and the refs will keep things under control, but are you ready to risk that shot to the arm or thigh? Indeed, WarPlay was founded by two U.S. Marine vets, and they've designed fields that make for chaotic firefights, where contact with the enemy takes only about 50 seconds. –>Saturday & Sunday, 9am-4:30pm, WarPlay Paintball, $35

Quarry diving
About 40 minutes south of town, in Schuyler, Virginia, the landscape is dotted with abandoned soapstone quarries, some of which have flooded and become attractions for thrill-seeking swimmers and cliff divers. Rising up 30 to 90 feet, the plateaus of cut stone make for perfect diving platform into the cool water below. But be wary. This little adventure is not for the faint of heart or anyone with vertigo. And it is on no map or in any guide book. In fact, it's been a secret adventure challenge for UVA students. To get there, head down Route 29 South about 20 miles, turn left on to VA-6/Irish Road and go 6 miles, then turn right onto Schuyler Road. Go about 1.5 miles and you will see a large quarry through the forest on your left. Proceed at your own risk.
–>Seasonal, Schuyler, Virginia, free

Ashley Pillar helps two youngsters cross the James. Ride the James
Head down Scottsville way and ride the last existing poled ferry still operating in America. Things like timber and farm produce were carried across the James by the Hatton Ferry over 100 years ago, then loaded on to freight trains. At a nearby store, people picked up mail and items shipped into Hatton, and the ferry was an important transportation link between Buckingham and Albemarle counties. In 2009, the ferry was nearly shut down by the state highway department, but a nonprofit was formed in 2010 that saved it. Today, it's a living bit of American history, and a lovely way to experience the waters of the James River. It operates on Saturday from 9am to 5pm, and on Sunday from noon to 5pm between April and October.
–>May-October weekends, Hatton Ferry, times above, $2 per person and $5 per vehicle

Fair game
Looking for thrills and spills? Attend one or more of the county fairs in the area. We're talking demolition derbies, motocross races, tractor pulls, fireworks, bear shows, camel rides, and even pig racing. The first one kicks off in Orange County on Thursday, July 26, where, in addition to a watermelon eating contest, and a frog jumping contest (okay, not so dangerous), you can try your luck on the "raging bull" mechanical heifer. Next up, the Greene County Fair beginning on July 31. See beauty queens kissing hogs, a smash up derby (watch out for flying car parts!) and even watch your kid in a tug of war contest. Then, of course, there's the Albemarle County Fair starting on August 2, to be held this year at Ash Lawn-Highland, the home of James Monroe. At the Augusta County Fair August 7 you'll get to see bull riding and rodeo events, plus motocross. Finally, there's the Rockingham County Fair over in Harrisonburg beginning on August 13, where you'll see screaming tractors pulls and even a wild lawn mower race.
–>July 26 thru August 15, various county fairgrounds, $2-$4

Ride into the sunset
Hiking in the mountains is fun, but what about making a horse do it for you? Located about an hour north in Syria, Graves Mountain Lodge offers one-hour, half-day, and full-day horseback rides that take you through the lovely mountains and orchards of Graves Mountain and the valley of Syria. Former rodeo rider, horse trainer, and skilled guide Eddie Birckhead runs the show, offering expert advise on matching riders with horses, calming and coaching first timers and children, and making sure your guided trail ride is safe and fun. Hour-long rides are $40 per person, and half-day and full-day rides, which require a 4-person minimum, will run you between $115 and $220 per person. Kids eight years and older can ride, as long as they are at least 54 inches tall, and the rides are "walk only." Sorry, no galloping off into the sunset. For more information, call Graves Mountain Lodge at 540-923-4231.
–>By reservation, Graves Mountain Lodge, $40-$220

Walk into Swannanoa
It doesn't get much grander– or much quirkier– than Swannanoa. Suppose you owned a turn-of-the-century palace made of carrera marble in a Renaissance style. And suppose it were located atop Afton Mountain with views of both the Shenandoah and Rockfish Valleys. You'd open it for a sum so small that it would be hard to say no. And that's happening again this summer. The 2012 dates (as told to us by phone, 540-942-5201, since there's no website): May 26-27, June 2-3 and 23-24, July 7-8, August 4-5 and 11-12, September 1-2 and 29-30, October 6-7, 13-14, and 20-21, November 3-4.
–>11:30am to 5:30pm, atop Afton Mountain, $6 but kids 12 and under free

Get sprayed
Not near a pool or a lake? Don't have time to go to the ocean? Between May 12 and October 7, Charlottesville Parks & Recreation offers a great way to cool off for free– three spray grounds throughout the city at Forest Hill Park, Green Leaf Park, and Belmont Park. The newest, at Forest Hill Park, includes a variety of fun features, like a hoop squirting water you can run through, a trough high above your head that drops water, and even a fake fire hydrant that spews water. Over at Greenleaf Park, the spray ground is touch sensitive and features a mushroom fountain and other interactive features. At Belmont Park, there's probably the biggest "water faucet" you'll ever see. There's also a lot of shade at the three parks; forest Hills with its huge oaks and views of Carter's Mountain, Greenleaf with its whopping 14 acres of hardwoods and evergreens, and Belmont Park with its big oaks and new large shelter. The spray parks are open daily from 10am to 8pm.
–>May 12-October 7, city parks, free

Property auctions

Hook Staff — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:33:03 +0000

May 31 at 11am at the Albemarle Courthouse
Property: 5020 Harris Brook Lane, North Garden
Debtor: Jeanette B. Cowan
Original amount owing: $66,332
Bidder brings: 10 percent sale price
Info: Wittstadt Title & Escrow 866-503-4930

June 1 at 1pm at the Albemarle Courthouse
Property: 1608 Townwood Court
Debtor: Moises Loredo, Carol Loredo Alvarez, and Luis Carlos Flores Ugalde
Original amount owing: $190,500
Bidder brings: $19,000 or 10 percent sale price
Info: Rosenberg & Associates LLC 301-907-8000

June 6 at 4pm at the Charlottesville Circuit Court
Property: 235 Hartmans Mill Road
Debtor: Wallace C. Dowell and Antoinette R. Thomas
Original amount owing: $156,000
Bidder brings: $15,000 or 10 percent sale price
Info: Shapiro, Brown & Alt LLP 757-687-8777

[This compilation was culled from published accounts of auctions scheduled by creditors. Such plans may change if the alleged debt is satisfied.]

Beware: There's a dark side of sunny days

courteney — Tue, 22 May 2012 18:58:50 +0000

The warm sun on your skin... picnics with friends.... long, lazy days... beach vacations... heat stroke? We're not trying to kill your summer buzz, but there are a few heightened risks associated with summertime fun, so follow these precautions. And then dive right in!

Tick tick tick
According to the Centers for Disease Control, cases of Lyme Disease rose by close to 200 percent in Virginia between 2005 and 2010, and the effects of the disease can be devastating. As detailed in a Hook cover story, Lyme is carried by the deer tick, also known as the blacklegged tick, and while most people think they'll be able to spot the early stage from the classic "bullseye" rash that's not always possible. Since Lyme's not the only serious illness carried by ticks, your best bet is to avoid getting bitten. That means taking preventative measures when you're outside in tall grass or wooded areas– long sleeves and long pants tucked into socks help keep ticks off, as do DEET-containing bug sprays. Finally, always check yourself and your children for ticks after outdoor outings.

Heads up
Thirty years ago, bike-riding children thrilled to feel the wind blowing through their hair as they hurtled down hills and went over jumps, heads unencumbered– and at risk. These days, kids don helmets even when riding on the hill-less and car-less stretch of the Rivanna Trail because they have to– it's law in the city for children 14 and under. But helmets may cause a problem of their own, according to some recent research that suggests they can increase the risk of neck injury by "digging in" when a rider falls, causing the rider's head to snap back. That's the argument made by Richmond-based cyclist, engineer and father J. Tyler Ballance, who says helmets for road riding and high speed racing make sense, but may actually add risk when kids wear them while riding in cul-de-sacs or on paved paths. No matter what, when you or your child are wearing a bike helmet, make sure it's strapped properly to ensure it works in case of a fall. According to the National Highway Transportation Administration, that means the strap should be secured snugly under the chin (no more than two fingers should fit between strap and skin), and the helmet should be on the head squarely to ensure the forehead and the back of the head are adequately protected.

Deadly falls
Among the most popular hikes in the area is the steep climb to Crabtree Falls in the George Washington National Forest in Nelson County, but it's also the most deadly. Twenty-seven people have fallen to their deaths there, most– including the most recent in 2010– after ignoring posted warnings to stay off the moss-covered rocks. Indeed, any time you have rocks and water near steep drop-offs, the conditions are right for a potentially lethal slip.

Hot cars
In 2007, an Earlysville mom paid the ultimate price for her distraction when she forgot her nine-month-old son was in the car as she worked all day at the Judge Advocate General school. The baby died of hyperthermia, and his mother, who endured a criminal trial, is far from the only parent to make such a tragic mistake. In warmer months, cars become hotboxes that, in mere minutes, can soar to upwards of 100 degrees. Small children and animals, unable to escape on their own, should never be left unattended– even for a quick jaunt into the grocery store. If you happen upon an unattended vehicle with a child or pet inside, don't hesitate to call 911. A life may depend on it.

Heat stroke
Hot humid days can be deadly, particularly for babies, the elderly, and athletes. Such was the case on a 97-degree day in 2005 with talented Albemarle High School runner Kelly Watt, who collapsed and died after a run along Ridge Road. Nausea, vomiting, fatigue and confusion are symptoms, and if untreated, heat stroke can be fatal. Staying hydrated is key, and avoiding extreme exertion when the temperature soars is another important preventative measure.

Image-unconcious: tUnE-yArDs moves past the body

Justin Cober-Lake — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:04:53 +0000

In 2011, tUnE-yArDs received the album of the year award for w h o k i l l in the Village Voice's annual Pazz & Jop poll, which compiles the votes of about 700 music writers. Primary figure Merrill Garbus combined folk, Afrobeat, hip-hop, soul, and rock into something strange and assertive.

After her lo-fi debut BiRd-BrAiNs, she moved to Oakland (a city “ripe for artistic fodder” according to Garbus), added a bassist, and got into a studio. While tackling political concerns, body image issues, and systemic cultural problems, she managed to take all this commotion to the stage, drawing on her background in theater and puppetry, with the intersection of songwriting and performance as an important part of her art.

In a recent telephone interview, Garbus explains that performing live, including the improvisational elements, influenced the recording of w h o k i l l. She's invested in the idea that “a show is specific only to one moment,” as she puts it.

“It's been important to keep that in-the-moment-ness when recording," she says. "Those are the recordings that are the most long-lasting, the ones where you feel like you're really capturing one moment in time, and being in the raw reality of things.”

That raw reality frequently deals with sex, violence, and dysphoria, and Garbus has to deliver that challenging content to her audience in an intimate setting. In “Powa” she sings about “your power inside” before using more suggestive descriptions and tying sex to the violence of bombs and personal degradation. In bringing such material to the stage, Garbus says, “I have this mask of the performer. It's not my heart bared; it's my performance art. It's not my diary. I am a professional in that way– like I'm a dentist, except I happen to be on stage.”

For someone who's dealt with eating disorders, there's a challenge to present not only her feelings, but her body to a crowd looking at her. Garbus has gained some comfort.

“I realized I'm way more uncomfortable in my body in my normal life than I am on stage,” she says. “If I think too much about what a woman performer is supposed to be in our culture, I can go on a large head-trip about the whole thing. More and more I've just gotten so much love and support from my family and friends, and also the world, that there's nothing wrong with me.”

She also realizes that she can't let these issues keep her from her vision.

“I have work to do in the world,” Garbus explains, “and obsessing about what's imperfect about me is time taken away from work I can be doing in the world.”

This work of translating these heady, intense ideas into her art poses a challenge, and while Garbus seems like a natural performer at this point, that wasn't always the case. Doing theater and puppeteering provided her with a place to develop the skills she would need for her current mission.

“From high school, when I started being in plays, from that moment onwards, I changed from a very shy person who could hardly speak in public without turning bright red and feeling a lot of shame to someone who talks about her body-image issues with a stranger on the phone,” she says. “A huge part of my life has been transformed by being comfortable with being in front of people.”

With tUnE-yArDs, Garbus continues to discuss power structures and explore all her musical influences, from Africa to Oakland. It's a matter of converting both the personal and the political into a sound that's surprising and exciting, even if, as Garbus says, “There are no puppets in our show– yet.”
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tUnE-yArDs performs Tuesday, June 5 at the Jefferson Theater. Doors open at 8pm with the show opening at 9pm with Mariachi El Bronx as the opener. Tickets are $17.

Jennifer Stuart: She's the Paramount Idol winner

hawes — Thu, 24 May 2012 03:02:03 +0000

On the same night that semi-shaven fellow with similar first and last names won the eleventh season of American Idol, a Central Virginian was named the winner of the Paramount Idol, a spiffy little Charlottesville contest.

She is Jennifer Stuart, and she sings in a Nellysford-based band called The Design.

At the Paramount on May 23, after singing "At Last," the song made famous by the late Etta James, Stuart was the last person standing among 10 finalists. They had been chosen a week earlier from over 200 singers who auditioned at the Paramount Theater.

As the winner, chosen by celebrity judges and audience texts, Stuart gets $1,000 as well as a professionally recorded demo session at The Sound recording studio and a career consultation session with Red Light Management.

"I'm gonna need that," Stuart told the Paramount audience.

Anyone wanting to hear her gets their chance, according to Reverbnation.com, at 10pm on Friday, May 25 when The Design performs at Miller's on the Downtown Mall.

Burning roadside: Can Mark Cline rise again from the ashes?

hawes — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:24:00 +0000

Just as the tourist season was about to begin, one of Virginia's most trip-worthy attractions has been destroyed by fire, a rude turn for the one-man whirling dervish whose creativity, for 30 years, has kept the tiny town of Natural Bridge on the map of summer fun.

A mid-April blaze demolished the Victorian-era mansion that served as the Haunted Monster Museum as well as the centerpiece of a bizzaro place called Dinosaur World where dinos would gobble Union soldiers and where brave visitors could also hunt Bigfoot with a "redneck." But the fire means no attractions this summer from Mark "Professor" Cline.

"We're gonna take a break this year," says Cline. "I just need more time to regroup."

Although the fiberglass dinos in the woods outside were saved, the Monster Museum was incinerated. The mechanical rats, the "Elvis-stein" monster, and the mighty fiberglass python that seemed to slither in and out of the second-story gable windows all went up in flames late on the afternoon of April 16.

During a next-day visit, the ruins are still smoldering when a State Police investigator shoos a reporter from the scene.

"This is Natural Bridge property," barks the officer, as Cline ushers the visitor away from the charred house.

"He was my dragon," laughs Cline, recalling the era when the future officer was a teenager piloting not a Crown Victoria but a lawn tractor and sporting a character costume at Cline's last attraction, the Enchanted Castle. In a still-unsolved 2001 fire, a blaze whose investigation (or lack thereof, as he alleges) still makes Cline bristle with anger, the Enchanted Castle went up in flames.

"I'd much rather have Barney Fife and Inspector Clousseau out here," says Cline, recalling how State Police investigators conducted interviews hinting that Cline himself had torched the Enchanted Castle, despite the fact that the Castle was uninsured, and that he lost his office, his studio, and all the irreplaceable 8-millimeter films he made as a boy.

"We've done a pile of work on that case," says George "Stick" Austin, the State Police captain overseeing that investigation, noting that it's standard procedure to interview owners. "It is still considered an active investigation."

As for the recent fire, it was an otherwise uneventful spring afternoon when Cline says he was on the grounds of his studio, where– with a small crew– he manufactures fiberglass figures for America's roadside playgrounds.

"I got a call at about 5:45 from the assistant general manager of Natural Bridge," says Cline. "I dropped everything and ran outside."

Cline pauses, looking mournfully down the highway in the direction of the smouldering ruins.

"I looked up and saw a plume of thick black smoke," he says, "and I knew immediately it was gone."

By the time Cline could speed the three miles south on Lee Highway, what may have started as a minor blaze on a stage at one end of the structure had become an engulfing inferno. Cline snapped a few photographs as the mansion cooked.

At the time of a reporter's visit 24 hours later, all that's left are a trio of chimneys and the front wall, executed in a rusticated gray limestone.

To 64-year-old Kilmarnock resident Ann Gill, whose grandparents owned and operated the structure as a hotel/antique shop called "Stonewall Lodge," it's a crushing blow.

"It was a romantic old home," says Gill. "My mother was married there."

In the years after Gill's family sold the structure in the 1950s, the Natural Bridge company eventually let the place go to seed, and by the 1980s the expansive front lawn had reverted to forest.

Cline says the abandoned house seemed creepy when, a decade ago, he approached the owner, Natural Bridge LLC, with his plan to haunt it. In 2002, he unveiled his Haunted Monster Museum there. Two years later, as an April Fool's prank, he built a full-size replica of Stonehenge called Foamhenge about a mile away.

The past two decades have been a tough time on traditional road-trip destinations. While Natural Bridge keeps attendance figures under wraps, educational places like Monticello and Colonial Williamsburg reveal numbers that have fallen from their peaks in the pre-Internet, pre-water-park era.

The venerable Homestead Resort just announced plans to put in a water park. Massanutten installed its water park in 2005.

As some may recall, there was a proposal in Charlottesville 20 years ago to give land to a steam train operator. But that was at least five hotels ago, before the Downtown Mall and myriad wineries erupted with enough critical mass to fill all the new lodgings.

Despite having what's been billed as the Seventh Wonder of the natural world, Natural Bridge has had no such luck. The town's newest hotel appears at least 50 years old. A pair of zoos, a cave, a wax museum, an Indian village, and a new indoor butterfly garden helped draw families off the Interstate, but it was Cline's humor/horror compound that drew national attention from roadside enthusiasts.

"It was a nice addition to our attractions and particularly popular with kids," says Natural Bridge general manager Debbie Land. "It's a total loss as they say in the insurance world."

It's a great loss to Kay Lera. A retiree from the San Francisco Bay Area who for nine years ran a B&B in her new hometown of Lexington, Lera notes how one man can make a difference.

"Natural Bridge has the beauty of the bridge and the caverns," says Lera, "but having some wacky humor incorporated into the scenario does make it a family destination."

So strong is the pull of Professor Cline that when an unassuming adult walks into the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke to ask what the Museum has to offer, the first words out of the front desk lady's mouth are these: "Well, Professor Cline is gone…"

We didn't even ask about Professor Cline, whose exhibition there had closed a couple of weeks earlier. But when a man hangs a fiberglass King Kong on the side of your museum and breaks attendance records with such twisted figures as the "Franken-chicken," people take notice.

Like the rest of us, Cline says he's now trying to face the prospect of a summer without his Monster Museum. He's seen an uptick in contract work, like the 13 men's room sinks he recently built for the Broadway revival of How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying. A couple of reality show producers have made inquiries about following him around.

Cline veers between "pissed off" anger at an unknown arsonist and the peace of knowing that nobody was killed or injured in the fire.

"We made a lot of magic there," says Cline, mulling the impermanence of his creations. "Even one day the great Pyramids of Egypt will be just dust in the wind. This might just be one of those messages from the universe saying it's time to move on."

Bears and bobcats

Linda Sherman — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:20:43 +0000

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