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Area:  Free UnionPrice range:  $55,000-$9,650,000Schools:  Meriwether Lewis, Henley, Western AlbemarlePros:  dramatic scenery, privacy, proximity to Blue RidgeCons:  high prices, distance to town, potentially difficult access in bad weather read full story

“Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.” ― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince   read full story

Emergency officials from Albemarle County, Charlottesville and UVA are monitoring the storm and conditions from the Emergency Operations Center EOC on Ivy Drive, and they report that there are almost 45,000 homes without power in Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville. As for the roads, they are in poor condition and drivers are being asked to stay home. Right, now there have been no serious crashes or injuries reported. Because of the heavy/wet snow there are a lot of trees and power lines down. read full story

Kate Farrell and Alessandra van der Meulen become part of an art installation March 1 at Ruffin Hall called "The end of language." Curated by local artist/UVA prof Dean Dass – these page-turners are his students –  the show features former Charlottesvillian Suzanne Silver. This piece is by Justin Quinn. "He's translating Moby Dick into the letter 'e'," explains Dass. read full story

By André HakesCHAPTER ONE: It's 11:00pm and you're on your way back from dinner. You are pulled over for a check point, speeding, or a taillight out. The officer walks up to your car shining the flashlight in the backseat on the way past, looking for drugs, beer bottles, or anything else of interest. The officer asks: "Do you know why I stopped you?" WHAT TO DO: Don't guess. Just say "Why?" and listen politely. Do not comment. You know that part where they say, "Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law?" They mean it. read full story

March 5 at noon at 4257 Seminole Trail Property: 4257 Seminole Trail Debtor: Kerry L. Hall Original amount owing: unknown Bidder brings: $100,000 Info: Richard E. Carter 977-0191 read full story

Two weeks after 18-year-old Kimberly Welch was killed by a train on the tracks just east of Charlottesville city limits, details about the teen's tumultuous life on the streets are emerging as her friends and family grieve the loss of the young woman, an aspiring musician who dreamed of moving to California and whose family was trying to bring her home. read full story

When long-time Hamilton's chef Jeanette Peabody announced she was leaving to pursue motherhood, owners Bill and Kate Hamilton took their time deciding on a replacement. "In its 17 years, Hamiltons' has been blessed with a dedicated and loyal staff.  We really are an extended family," says Bill Hamilton. "We give a great deal of thought to 'fit' when we bring in new hires." The right fit? Chef Curtis Shaver. read full story

Subdivision: Highlands at Mechums RiverLocation: CrozetPrice range: $163,000-$386,000Schools: Crozet, Henley, Western AlbemarlePros: pretty area, friendly neighbors, decent value, low maintenanceCons: disparate HOAs, lack of sidewalks read full story

At the same time Colorado and Washington are decriminalizing marijuana possession, the issue popped up again at the February 19 Charlottesville City Council meeting, when Council voted 3-2 against doing away with jail time for pot possession. Steve Deaton, a former prosecutor who is seeking his old job back, is sending them another proposal: Charge pot possessors with disorderly conduct instead. read full story

The sun has come out and the recession is over, if Albemarle's 2013-14 fiscal year budget is any indicator. The county's budget was grim grim grim in 2010, reflecting the nosedive in real estate values and in corresponding property tax revenue. Last year's was slightly improved, with county exec Tom Foley calling it a "half-smile" budget after unrelenting cuts since 2008. read full story

While the budget was on the agenda at the February 25 Albemarle Board of Supervisors meeting, the resignation of Scottsville Supervisor Chris Dumler was the agenda of 13 people speaking during the public comment portion of the meeting, one of whom was escorted out after dropping the f-bomb. Indeed, the controversy surrounding Dumler since he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery January 31 has not diminished, with an odd coalition of Tea Party and Occupy protesters united in demanding that he step down.   read full story

It's been over two and a half years since Virginia Quarterly Review managing editor Kevin Morrissey killed himself following what one co-worker described as "the worst week of his life" within the offices of the award-winning literary journal, but the repercussions from this complex and tragic tale are still being felt. read full story

Rob Bell is drinking a Slim-fast in his corner seventh-floor office in Richmond. It's 10:40am and the delegate has already been to two committee meetings. The Slimfast isn't a weight-loss solution for the already trim Republican; with no breakfast, the drink is a snack he can keep in his office, he explains, and it will tide him over until lunch. read full story

By Jeff Feldman           On March 25, 2012 my wife Kristin and I made a lifestyle choice, which, by all accounts, will have the most egregious environmental impact of our lives. We gave birth to a child.Naturally, we were thrilled at this truly wondrous event. As any parent will tell you, having a baby is among the greatest joys one can know. Yet at the same time, my green conscience questioned me: What impact will my child have on the Earth? read full story

I was surprised and delighted to see the Black and White photograph by Bill Emory you featured in the February 7 issue of the Hook. It is a picture of my old home place, where I spent the first seven years of my life. I am glad to have been here almost 76 years and to know that the old place is still in great shape inside and out, as old as it is. Many thanks to the former owner and the current one. Thanks so much for a great photograph and a lot of wonderful memories for an elderly Charlottesville resident. read full story

Maybe the reason we never noticed Sultan Kebab, which has been open almost a year, is its not-so-great location, tucked in back of the Rio 29 Plaza.   "We knew that," says Serhat Peker. "But there's no kebab restaurant in this part of 29. This is our first place and we didn't want a big risk." The first anniversary is a significant one for Peker and his partner, Deniz Dikman, because many new restaurants don't make it to the one-year mark. read full story

Week 6 of the 2013 General Assembly session and the end is in sight, with February 23 the scheduled adjournment. The governor's top priority, to pass a transportation plan, is still alive, albeit with some significant differences made in the Senate. It's back in the House of Delegates, and legislators seem motivated to finally get something passed in that area. DeadVirginia governors can serve two consecutive terms– Sen. Tom Garrett (R-Louisa) read full story

About the highest compliment a chef can be paid is an invite to come cook at a James Beard Foundation dinner in New York City. Local chef Peter Chang went back for a second year in a row this past Saturday, joining chef Scott Drewno of The Source in Washington, DC, to celebrate the Chinese New Year, this year symbolized by The Snake. Local videographer Anwar Allen, invited back again, too, by the Beard Foundation, caught all the action in the kitchen. Enjoy! read full story