Real Estate Related News
Real Estate Weekly Celebrates 20 Years
In September 1997, I approached Mary Sproles Martin, editorial coordinator for the then five-year-old Real Estate Weekly, about a freelance writing job. I had been in Charlottesville for a little over two years and was working part-time as an assistant to a local builder but my goal was to rekindle the writing career I had successfully pursued in Chicago, writing for local newspapers and national magazines. Mary gave me that opportunity and I have been with REW ever since. Now here it is 15 years later and I am the editorial coordinator. I am so proud that it is on my watch that this wonderful publication is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
It is no small feat for a magazine to survive at a time when so many other publications have ceased production. One wonders if the founders of REW could foresee such an anniversary when the first issue was published on February 12, 1992. At that time, Peter Scherman, a member of the Charlottesville Association of REALTORS® (CAAR) Publication Task Force, said that the first issue of REW was “ushering in a new era in real estate marketing that will serve both advertisers and readers in an equally rewarding fashion.”
The publication’s objectives back then are the same as they are today: provide an effective advertising vehicle, designed for, and owned by, CAAR members; increase the quantity and quality of buyer responses to advertising; and promote the local community.
Two of the people I’ve worked with the longest at REW are Beth Wood, our account executive, and Tracy Federico, our art director. Besides being wonderful colleagues to work with, their contributions have taken REW to a new level.
“In the 12-1/2 years I have been with the Real Estate Weekly I have seen lots of change with the industry,” said Wood. “This, of course, has an impact on the magazine, but we’re still here assisting our CAAR REALTOR® community in selling property as well as keeping things positive for our readers. I have thoroughly enjoyed my years here.”
Federico has been at REW almost as long as Wood and echoed her sentiment. For her, it’s been an opportunity to expand her creative talents, as well as enjoy the perks of being a publication’s art director.
“One positive thing that comes to mind after having worked almost 12 years at the Real Estate Weekly is how many places in Central Virginia my work has taken me,” Federico said. “One of my jobs is to take photos for the articles we run, and many of those assignments took me to places I didn’t know existed. I had just moved to Virginia when I began working at the REW, and taking these photos really opened my eyes to the beauty of our area, and the cultural advantages to living here. Through the Weekly, my kids and I got to experience Foxfield, take a haunted tour of the Exchange Hotel, and enjoy a day at the Virginia Safari Park. It has also taken me down many scenic back roads and into little neighborhoods that would have been left undiscovered if not for the articles in our paper. It feels good to work for a paper that accentuates the good things our area has to offer.”
As for me, I used to keep count of the number of articles I wrote for REW over the years. I haven’t done that in a while, but a conservative estimate would be somewhere around 500 stories. I have had the privilege of talking to many of the outstanding REALTORS® and leaders in our community who have shared their passion and commitment to the Charlottesville area. We have strived to enable newcomers to discover all the reasons that Central Virginia is such an exceptional place to live, work, raise a family and retire. And for those who are native to the area, or who have lived here for many years, we keep the light shining on all we have to be grateful for in this beautiful part of the country. It’s not hard to do. Our cup really does runneth over.
Thank you for going to the newsstands to pick up our latest issue, using it as a tool to find a new home and to read up on what’s happening in our neck of the woods. We hope you will continue to do so for many more years to come and we look forward to making a big splash for our 25th anniversary in 2017!
Joanne DiMaggio
Editorial Coordinator
Blue Ridge Home Builders Association Celebrates 2012 Board and Officers
John Kerber, 2012 President of BRHBA installed at annual BRHBA meeting
BRHBA, the voice of the home building industry facilitating sustainable growth within our community, celebrated the installation of 2012 President, John Kerber. With over 18 years of custom home building and construction management experience, Kerber is the President and CEO of Dominion Development Company, L.L.C. Prior to founding his company, Kerber received his Bachelor and Masters of Science Degrees in Construction Management from Michigan State University. He has recently earned the designation of Certified Green Professional established by the National Association of Home Builders.
In addition to BRHBA, Kerber is on the Board of Directors of the Free Enterprise Forum, and the Construction Specifications Institute. He is also affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders, Professional Builders Council, Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors and the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce. Kerber built his business on two key principals: provide the personal attention that can’t be duplicated by larger builders and build each home with the integrity and stewardship that a family deserves.
Also serving BRHBA as Officers in 2012 are:
Immediate Past President, â¨Doug Kingma, â¨Kingma Developers, Inc.
Vice President, â¨Charlie Armstrong, â¨Southern Development Homes
Associate Vice President, â¨Jessica Ammons, â¨Ferguson Enterprises
Treasurer, â¨Troy Yancey, â¨T.E.A.L. Construction, L.L.C.
Secretary, â¨Tracie Skipper, â¨Pella Windows & Doors
BRHBA as Board Members in 2012 are:
Art Peters, â¨Artisan Construction
Ben Davis, â¨Ryan Homes
Casey Hastings, â¨Tiger Fuel Company
Joey Conover, â¨Latitude 38 L.L.C.
Duncan Macfarlane, â¨Macfarlane Homes, Inc.
Drew Holzwarth, â¨Piedmont Realty & Construction
Jimmy North, â¨Airflow Systems
John Scott, â¨Builders FirstSource
Karen Morris, â¨Cunningham and Company
Keith Scott, â¨European Stone Concept
Kevin Shreiner, â¨Dominion Engineering & Design, L.L.C.
Matthew Gruber, â¨Peak Builders Ltd.
Nancy Brewer, â¨Builders Lighting, L.L.C.
Rick Beyer, â¨R.L. Beyer Construction, Inc.
Ravi Respeto, â¨Albemarle Housing Improvement Program (AHIP)
Robin Newhouse, â¨Dominion Virginia Power
T.J. Wilson, â¨Union First Market Bank
The event was sponsored by Dominion Virginia Power, Builders FirstSource and Pella Windows & Doors.
For more information on BRHBA visit http://www.brhba.org/home or contact Jim Kuznar, Executive Vice President.
What’s Happening Around Town?
Bluegrass BENEFIT Concert at C’ville Coffee
A special treat for bluegrass lovers! Friday, February 24 at 8pm C’ville Coffee will host a bluegrass concert featuring the talents of local musicians Richard Will, Christian Gromoll and Gabe Robey.
Robey is a guitarist and vocalist who has lived in Charlottesville for five years. He spends his days working for Varian Medical Systems in Charlottesville, and moonlights as a bluegrass musician, playing w/ The Southwater Duo and The Harwell Grice Band.
Banjo player Christian Gromoll is a math professor at UVa and has played with a number of local groups, including the Wednesday Night Regulars and Grit City Grass.
Fiddler Richard Will teaches music at UVa and hosts a weekly bluegrass jam on grounds. He has played previously with the Courtney Hollow Band and the Wednesday Night Regulars.
$10 cover charge will benefit The Women’s Initiative, a community-based nonprofit that empowers low-income women in times of challenge and change through individual mental health counseling, support groups, education and community outreach.
Civil War Living History Commemoration
The 147th anniversary of the Battle of Waynesborough (Waynesboro) will take place on Saturday, March 3 at the Plumb House Museum, 1012 West Main Street in Waynesboro. The day will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a memorial ceremony at the Presbyterian Cemetery, 1035 W. Broad Street (behind Purple Foot Restaurant). Enjoy a day filled with Civil War Reenactors, camp life, farm animals, speakers, live music and food. For more information, contact the Waynesboro Heritage Foundation, Inc. at 540-943-3943 or email museum@ntelos.net.
Medicare/Healthcare Advocacy Night
FOCUS Women’s Resource Center, as part of its continuing commitment to serving women and their families in the greater Charlottesville area, now offers Medicare and Healthcare Advocacy Night beginning February 28, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. at its offices at 953 2nd St. SE.
The primary consultant for this ongoing free event, held the last Tuesday of each month, will be Marci Kramer, Medicare and Geriatric Health Advocate. “If you have or will soon have Medicare, or you are an adult child trying to help your parent with issues as they get older, this free event is for you., says Ms. Kramer. “We will act as your personal research assistant so you don’t have to spend the time trying to understand all the complicated rules and regulations. We can cull information related to your Medicare or related insurance options, or give you resources for staying as well and active as possible as you age. We will guide your selection based on what’s most important to you.”
Pre-registration is requested by calling 434-293-2222.
