Living in a College Town: Just How Good We Have It

By Ken Wilson – “If you close your eyes and say, ‘What would Charlottesville-Albemarle be like if UVA were somewhere else?’, muses Timothy Hulbert, President of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, “I don’t think anybody can tell you.” He can say that again. The University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson’s dream, is now ranked second […]

Smaller + Greener = Winner

By Marilyn Pribus – Statistics and reports reveal a definite move toward people building and buying smaller homes than a decade ago. “I think the trend really started with the recession,” declares REALTOR® Greg Slater, an associate broker with Nest Realty in Charlottesville. “Everyone started looking at building projects more closely.” According to the U. […]

Now Is The Time to Buy Your Vacation Home

By Celeste M. Smucker – Mountain views, gorgeous lakes, and  year-round vacation lifestyles all draw people to our area whether for jobs, retirement, or just  get away from urban life.  Some pass through on their way elsewhere, others come for specific events like the Wintergreen Summer Music Festival or the Montpelier Races.  Still others come […]

Habitat for Humanity Benefits Entire Community

By Marilyn Pribus – What’s the best thing about Habitat for Humanity? “My children have a place,” declares Sheron Sinclair, a Habitat homeowner for more than two years. Habitat for Humanity® of Greater Charlottesville is all about having a place. In more than 25 years of homebuilding, this remarkable effort has constructed more than 170 […]

Virginia Wine: Finding Its Own Identity

By Ken Wilson –  It’s no novelty anymore, no curiosity, no fledgling with promise. Virginia wine—more than 6.6 million bottles in 2016—has found its identity and found its fans. It may have taken a few decades—or a couple of centuries counting Jefferson’s aborted attempts—but the local vino is making us proud, and making the state […]

Cider Makes a Comeback

By Ken Wilson –  It was a staple of the Colonial diet, the most common drink in 18th and early 19th century America. Thomas Jefferson grew two varieties of apples, Hewes’ Crab and Taliaferro, especially suited for making it, and served it with the main course. And then, on American shores, it all but disappeared. […]

Charlottesville Is Horse Country

By Celeste M. Smucker –  Horse lovers, from weekend trail riders to fox hunting, racing and dressage enthusiasts, all appreciate what the Charlottesville area offers them and their animals.  Some come to participate in or watch races and other events, spend their money and go home. Others fall in love with the mountains and beautiful […]

Fridays After Five: A Charlottesville Tradition

By Ken Wilson –  The Dave Matthews Band  played it. So did Corey Harris, and so did Sons of Bill. The hometown crowd heard these future stars, and heard them for free, at Fridays After Five, the April to September concert series set to begin its 30th season. Fridays from April 14 to September 8, […]

Home Owners Love Louisa’s Relaxed Country Lifestyle

By Celeste M. Smucker – Comfortable rural living where you can see the stars at night is one way people describe life in Louisa County located just to the east of Albemarle.  Others point to its vibrant economy and central location with easy access to the three major urban centers of Charlottesville, Richmond and Fredericksburg. […]

Staging a House to Sell

By Marilyn Pribus –  “It’s critically important to have a house show well when it’s time to sell,” declares REALTOR® Byrd Abbott, an associate broker with Roy Wheeler Realty Co. “Some tweaking and paring down often needs to be done because it’s so much easier to present a staged home.”  What Exactly Is Staging? Often […]