As measles make a comeback in pockets of the United States, a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases in Charlottesville in recent years has some local health experts worried that messages about the importance of immunization are not sinking in. In just the first two months of 2019, the U.S. has seen five outbreaks of measles–a highly […]
Health & Wellness
Refresh: 25 ways to look, feel, and be your best
New Year’s resolutions losing steam? (Or maybe you didn’t make any to begin with?) As we come to the end of a long, cold January, it’s not too late to make a fresh start. From ways to be brave to where to find support, here are 25 simple, mostly-local tips to help you look, feel, and […]
Finding the helpers: Locals offer addiction support
Charlottesville resident Jordan McNeish knows the perils of opioid addiction first-hand. Three years ago, he was on an East Coast road trip with his ex-girlfriend, and the plan was to end up in Maine. But their first stop was Baltimore, to buy heroin. McNeish, 29, says he had gone from using heroin once or twice […]
Inside the opioid epidemic: Author Beth Macy tells the story of a crisis
When the opioid crisis began to unfold, Virginia journalist Beth Macy was at its epicenter. As a beat reporter for the Roanoke Times, southwest Virginia’s largest newspaper, Macy focused on social and economic trends and how they affect ordinary people. The paper covered the stories of the [...]
Ticked off: UVA physician connects the dots on a perplexing allergy to meat
Frank Morris had trouble breathing. Victor Taylor woke up in the middle of the night, with “pancake-sized hives.” Author John Grisham’s ears were “really, really itching.” “We got in the car,” Grisham told Allergic Living magazine, “and I was so desperate I stripped down, took off all my [...]
Slaying shame: Amy Hagstrom Miller wants to change the narrative around abortion
The confirmation of conservative Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court has raised fears that Roe v. Wade could be undercut or even overturned. In fact, abortion access has been under attack for decades by restrictive state laws and regulations (more than a thousand restrictions have been passed [...]
Locals hire attorney, challenge Optima premiums
After Charlottesville earned the dubious distinction of having the most expensive health insurance premiums in the country, some of the area residents who couldn’t afford to pay $3,000 a month formed Charlottesville for Reasonable Health Insurance and retained a lawyer who’s made a career out [...]
Radical care: Doctors ditch health insurance
Maura McLaughlin still remembers the day in January 2015 she heard about a revolutionary way to practice medicine—like doctors used to do decades ago. Now she spends as much time as she needs with patients, who can come see her as often as they like at a reasonable cost. A key component: She [...]
Sticker shock: Charlottesville health insurance premiums spike to highest in nation
For many families, an income of $100,000 pretty much means they’re living the American dream. And for many families, that dream came crashing down when they saw what their health care premiums are going to be for 2018. For Sara Stovall, premiums for her family of four will go from $940 a month [...]
‘Life-changing’: Medical marijuana inches toward desperate families
Within the next few years, three Charlottesville families will be able to legally obtain the cannabis oil extract that eases the seizures of their children with debilitating intractable epilepsy, thanks to unanimous approval in the General Assembly in February, passing even the usually [...]
LIVING Picks: Week of September 21-27
Food & Drink Edible native fruits and nuts Saturday, September 24 While exploring the Saunders-Monticello Trail, learn which berries, nuts and fruits are edible, as well as the history of these native foods and ways to prepare them. $18, 9:30-11:30am. Kemper Park, Thomas Jefferson Parkway. [...]
UVA researchers discover immune cells call the shots
Groundbreaking research has emerged from UVA researchers showing that immune cells control social behavior. Last year, the same lab debunked a long-held scientific belief that the brain lacked a connection with the immune system, which will require medical textbooks to be rewritten. The [...]
Living Picks: To-do this week
Family Sweet Dreams Festival This family-friendly event features activities including a craft tent, rock climbing wall, laser tag, inflatables and more. Saturday 7/23. Free, 9am-4pm. Stuarts Draft Park, 96 Edgewood Ln., Stuarts Draft. sweetdreamsday.com. Nonprofit Restaurant Week Enjoy [...]
Zoom Indoor Cycling joins the local boutique fitness scene
When the owner of MADabolic grins at you from her bike and says, “Sometimes this class kicks my ass,” you know you’re in for a good workout. On Saturday, June 26, about a dozen people clipped onto bicycles in the rows of stationary bikes at Zoom Indoor Cycling, located in the Barracks Road [...]
Living Picks: To-do this week
Family Happy birthday, America A community celebration for America’s birthday includes food, cider, wine, a bike parade, games and live music. The orchard will remain open late for viewing fireworks. Monday, 7/4. Free, 9am-9:30pm. Carter Mountain Orchard, 1435 Carters Mountain Trl. [...]
Missing doctors: Patient seeks records after clinic closes
When a medical practice in Scottsville shut down and relocated to Charlottesville, a lupus-stricken patient was frantic, thinking 15 years’ worth of her medical records had vanished. Jennie Hamilton-Thorne of Keene says she last visited a doctor at Revolution Health Center in December and was [...]
Solidarity CrossFit makes classes safe and approachable for mothers-to-be
When Melissa Sacco was a few months pregnant with her second son, she posted a photo on Facebook of herself standing next to a loaded barbell that she had just deadlifted. “You’re not lifting that while pregnant. Correct?” commented one of her friends. Turns out she was. Sacco, a UVA grad, [...]
Living Picks: To-do this week
Family The Habitat Store’s 13th birthday Bring your family for live music, food trucks, special sales and kids activities on the front porch in celebration of 13 years of donors, customers and volunteers. Saturday 6/11. Free, 9am-5pm. The Habitat Store, 1221 Harris St. 293-6331. Nonprofit [...]
The Elements Hot Yoga strives for approachable hot yoga practice
Yoga is humbling. No matter how often or how many different methods you practice, a class or a pose will always come around to remind you that you’re human and your body’s strength and limitations vary from day to day. Take, for example, last Wednesday’s 9:30am 90-minute hot flow class at The [...]
Living Picks: To-do this week
Family Bike-In Movie Night Charlottesville Community Bikes concludes National Bike Month with a “bike-in” screening of Premium Rush, an action film about a bicycle messenger caught in a precarious situation in New York City. Wednesday, 5/25. Free, 8:30pm. Champion Brewing Company, 324 Sixth [...]
Living Picks: To-do this week
Family Eastminster Dog Show In this family-friendly event, presented by the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA, canines compete in best costume, best rescue, agility and musical chairs categories. Wednesday, 5/18. Free, 6-8pm. Keswick Horse Show Grounds, 701 Club Dr., Keswick. 293-2666. [...]
Living Picks: To-do this week
Festival Grand Marquee Gala Don your Oscar-worthy attire and support the Paramount Theater’s mission and community events during this Hollywood-style evening. Walk the red carpet and then enjoy dinner from Harvest Moon Catering, jazz performances, a silent auction and dancing. Friday, [...]
Living Picks: To-do this week
Festival Fridays After Five Enjoy the weather, tunes from local jam band Kendall Street Company and eats from numerous area food trucks. Friday 4/22. Free, 5:30pm. nTelos Wireless Pavilion, Downtown Mall. 245-4910. Nonprofit Historic Garden Week Tour The 83rd annual event celebrates the [...]