For teens, being a volunteer means so much, not only to building their character and generous spirit going into adulthood, but also as a way to fulfill their community service requirement for school or clubs, build their resume, and make a difference in their community. Sometimes it’s difficult to find a volunteer opportunity that captures […]
Not so long ago, the best wine was European, and good American wine was Californian. Period. Virginia oenophiles knew that Thomas Jefferson had tried and failed to make a drinkable beverage from Old World vines on Virginia soil, and if the Renaissance man of Monticello couldn’t do it, it obviously couldn’t be done. End of […]
If you regularly run out of money before the month is over, it’s time to consider some economies. Here are concrete ideas to help stretch your money farther. First, build an emergency fund—enough to cover three months expenses to start and building to six months. Then if an emergency strikes, you’ll have funds to cover […]
When Norma Rafferty’s father passed away, it made sense for her and her husband, Bob, to have a modest apartment addition for her mother built onto their home. A few calls showed neighborhood zoning and homeowner regulations allowed it if various permits were granted. They hired an architect to design an addition to fit well […]
Walking into a paint place with those thousands of little paint sample cards can be a daunting adventure. Choosing among dozens of shades of white—white!—is mindboggling. And there are hundreds more shades of actual colors with names that range from imaginative to exotic. Here are some things to consider. First, select colors you can live […]
If you love horses you’ve come to the right place. Our area’s love affair with all things equine began in the 1600s when colonists brought the first English stock to this country. Ultimately, historians believe it was the introduction of the bloodlines from these early animals that resulted in the American Quarter Horse. Today’s horse […]
It originated outside the Omni Hotel in 1988, and it quickly became a Charlottesville tradition. In the 90s it moved to the grassy bowl at the other end of the Mall, and when the Pavilion opened in 2005, it took up residence there. If the Downtown Mall is the locus of Charlottesville civic life, the […]
If you walk along the serpentine brick walls by the Pavilion Gardens on the grounds of the University of Virginia, you will see a plaque commemorating the restoration work of the Garden Club of Virginia. Inside, right about now, the daffodils and periwinkle are blooming, and the tulips are on their way. In fact, thanks […]
While some people live on country estates with ample acreage, many people these days have less-than-spacious yards—especially in condominium or townhouse communities. “There are challenges in having a small yard,” points out Charlottesville Horticulturist Karyn Smith. It can be tempting, she says, to visit a nursery or garden store, buy a bunch of good-sized trees […]
Since spring is busting out all around central Virginia, it’s a perfect time to consider upgrades to outdoor living space. An ideal project might be a deck addition or a screened porch. Another welcome addition could be an outdoor kitchen with counter space, a grill, a built-in ice chest, or even a small refrigerator. Families […]