Couldn’t find this on your Food page, even after a site search, so I figured it was news to someone. I was over at Barracks Road and found a longtime Charlottesville institution, Casella’s Italian restaurant, closed and vacated. The sign on the window says, Tara Thai, which is the name of a fan-damn-tastic Thai restaurant in the Short Pump mall near Richmond. The couple of landlord-looking people inside, who unlocked the door and chatted briefly, confirmed that it’s those same owners. We can always use more delicious Thai food, I say!

[special thanks to the birdie who sent this in!]

Popularity: 23% [?]

It’s never pleasant waking up to depressing news, but last night an SUV hit two pedestrians attempting to cross Rio Road.

This is the third incident of pedestrians getting hit on that same road.

Note to pedestrians:  DON’T CROSS RIO ROAD ON FOOT.  IT’S DANGEROUS AND EVEN MORE SO AT NIGHT.

[via DP]

Popularity: 15% [?]