About October 2011 issue

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The October 2011 issue of Virginia Living is the tastiest yet, featuring our favorite pairings of cheese and wine, with every crumb and drop made right here in Virginia. Cheese and wine aren't the only Commonwealth couplings in this issue, as we welcome back our weddings section. We also go deep underground to bring you the story of coal in Virginia; the state's most valuable natural resource, and the cultural bedrock of towns like Appalachia and Dante. From coals towns to college town, we get the Charlottesville zeitgeist, examining the big-city vibe meets small-town charm that makes "the Hook" so popular. We also visit the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, whose mission recently expanded from studying endangered animals to actively saving them from extinction. Also inside: an interview with Virginia wine guru Gabrielle Rausse; Richmond Sports Backers' Jon Lugbill's bid to make Richmond the nation's leading sports town; a haunted school in Christiansburg; sweet treats that are actually good for you in Roanoke, and more.