Deal of the Week: KFC coupons

Go to this web site and put in your zip code, then you can print out some Kentucky Fried Chicken coupons:

http://kfccoupons.cre8.com/

Right now in Charlottesville they have these printable coupons which all expire 11/25/07:

- $3.49 for a 2 piece deal

- $4.49 for a 3 Colonel's strips meal

- $4.99 for a KFC famous bowls combo

- $19.99 for a 12 piece meal

- $11.99 for 12 pieces of chicken

- $13.99 for an 8 piece meal

Karen
www.move2va.com

High Marks For Local Schools

Schools are so important now and in the future. Today's students are the future leaders of our country, so education is paramount.



I found this article online a few weeks ago at NBC29.com's HomePlace page (http://www.nbc29.com/global/Category.asp?C=105495 ), but it has since been taken off of their site, so I pasted it below. (To view the article that Google cached click here: http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:TFjK5ck-kaUJ:www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp%3FS%3D6957015%26nav%3Dmenu496_13_13_4+%22albemarle+county+public+schools+quoted%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us )

This article shows we are doing things right. Great job!

Local Public Schools Get High Marks
By Joanne DiMaggio, NBC29

Visitors who discover the quality of life residents enjoy here in Central Virginia find themselves wanting that for their own families. Naturally, their thoughts focus on local public and private schools throughout the area, wondering what kind of an educational foundation these schools will offer their children.

The answer in a word is-outstanding. In their Report to the Community, Albemarle County Public Schools quoted Education Week, a national education journal, as saying Virginia children are the most likely in the nation to experience academic success by finishing high school and continuing on to college. That's quite an achievement and something the school systems here point to with pride.

In this two-part series, we will give you an overview of both public and private schools in the Central Virginia area. While it's impossible to present detailed information on each school in one article, you can read more about individual schools within the counties by visiting their Web sites. Links to those sites are included at the end of each summary.

Albemarle County Public Schools

Albemarle County stretches across 726 square miles, making it the fifth-largest county by area in the Commonwealth. The mission of the school district is to establish a community of learners and learning through rigor, relevance, and relationships, one student at a time.

Albemarle County school district services 12,446 students in 26 schools (16 elementary; 5 middle; and 5 high schools, including Murray High (charter) and Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Education Center (CATEC), which is jointly operated with Charlottesville City Schools.

Fifteen percent of Albemarle County students are identified as gifted and there is a 90% high school completion rate. Students-to-computers ratio is 3.15:1 and the budgeted per student cost is $11,338.

Albemarle County Public Schools are 100% fully accredited by the Virginia Department of Education-the highest rating a school can earn. The SAT performance of Albemarle County's high school graduates surpassed state averages significantly. Albemarle County students scored a 555 in math, and a 554 in verbal. Both scores were 42 points above the stage average. Sixty-three percent of Albemarle County graduates earned an advanced studies diploma; the division ranked third in Virginia for high school students graduating with advanced studies diplomas in 2005; and 85% of Albemarle County students go on to pursue post-secondary education.

Albemarle County Public Schools received the Gold Medal for being among the top 17% of public school districts in the United States in Expansion Management magazine's 16th annual Education Quotient. The 2006 Albemarle County Citizen Satisfaction Survey gave the district a 92.4% satisfaction rating. Individual honors went to Agnor-Hurt Elementary (Gold Award) and Stone-Robinson (Silver Award) from the Governor's Awards for Best Practices in Nutrition and Physical Activity Program.

Average class size is 19.09 students (K-5); 20.67 (grades 6-8); and 20.59 students (grades 9-12). Approximately 58% of Albemarle County teachers hold a master's degree and both teachers and support staff continue to receive honors as respected education experts in Virginia and the nation.

Last summer an estimated $3.45 million was invested into improvements to school buildings and campuses at 20 schools. Approximately $13 million in major, long-term facilities projects at two schools also began: a $5 million renovation and expansion of Cale Elementary and a $6.25 million construction project for a new auditorium at Monticello High School.

For information on Albemarle County Public Schools, including additional accolades and awards, visit http://www.k12albemarle.org/.

Augusta County Public Schools

Augusta County Public Schools has a comprehensive educational program for students from preschool through high school. The school system takes in approximately 11,000 students from around the county, as well as the independent cities of Waynesboro and Staunton. Augusta County Public Schools operate 22 schools, including 5 high schools, 3 middle schools, 12 elementary schools, 1 regional vocational/technical center, 1 regional governor's school, plus a regional special education program and a regional Head Start program.

Currently the division employs approximately 880 teachers and offers advanced curriculum in language arts, science, foreign language, mathematics, social studies, physical education, and fine arts, with college credit available. The schools offer a program for gifted and talented students in the areas of language arts, mathematics, art, music, and drama as well as vocational education programs in agriculture, business, home economics, technology, trade, and industry. Extensive media services, connections to the Internet, and e-mail are provided to all students and personnel. Summer school enrichment and remedial programs are available as well as special education programs to provide a continuum of services for students with special needs.

More information is available at http://www.augusta.k12.va.us/.

Karen
http://www.move2va.com/

Funny Time!

"This house has every new convenience, except low payments".

Karen
www.move2va.com

Slopes & Subdivisions

In September the Albemarle County Planning Commission unanimously endorsed two new policies.

The first bans the construction of septic systems and driveways on hills with slopes of 25% of more.

The second affects the county's family subdivision ordinance, stating a family must hold a property for at least 15 years, (at least 5 years after the property subdivision).

Read more about these changes in this 9/12/07 article from DailyProgress.com:

http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP/MGArticle/CDP_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352719305

Some agreed these policies were good for Albemarle, because they are concerned about damage to watersheds and the costs required to maintain an adequate water supply.

Others disagreed, as they wanted to protect personal property rights.

A few weeks later, on 10/10/07, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors could not agree to either approve or deny these changes. They tied with a 3-3 vote. So back to square one.

Read more about the BOS vote in this article from DailyProgress.com:

http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP/MGArticle/CDP_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173353261791

Changes in county planning can affect all of us. What are your thoughts on these rural area policies?

Karen
http://www.move2va.com/

Quote of the Week: from Publilius Syrus

"No man knows what he can do till he tries."

--Publilius Syrus

This is an oldie, but a goodie. You never know what you can accomplish if you don't try.

Publilius Syrus lived during the first century BC. He wrote and acted in mimes. And he was very famous as an improviser; he even won a prize from Caesar in a contest. He also wrote a collection of Sentences (Sententiae), a series of moral maxims in iambic and trochaic verse.

Karen
www.move2va.com

Housing Stats for October 2007: More Houses Sold Than Last Month!

Today I compared September 2007 & October 2007 housing stats for real estate transactions in our area.

The good news... all areas, except Louisa County, had increases in the number of houses sold. The largest increases were Fluvanna County with a 54% increase, Greene County with a 50% increase, and Nelson County with a 43% increase.

Orange County also had a 38% increase in the number of houses sold, as well as a 39% decrease in the average selling price.

Two counties had very large increases in the average days on the market:
Orange County had a 99% increase and Louisa County had a 97% increase.

Housing gains since 2006 are happening in our area. Sellers are getting a haircut on selling, but are getting a great huge haircut on buying (incredible values). Now is the time to buy! This is the 4th best year for real estate in history, so what are we waiting for?

Click this link to view the September 2007 housing stats, so you can
compare:

http://move2va.blogspot.com/2007/10/housing-stats-for-september-2007-lots.html



Here are the October 2007 housing stats:

====================================================

GREENE COUNTY
Number of Houses Sold 18
Average Selling Price 283,583
Average Days on the Market 101
Number of Houses on the Market 202
Median Selling Price $240,000.00

====================================================

ORANGE COUNTY
Number of Houses Sold 11
Average Selling Price 225,036
Average Days on the Market 143
Number of Houses on the Market 168
Median Selling Price $256,900.00

====================================================

LOUISA COUNTY
Number of Houses Sold 18
Average Selling Price 261,215
Average Days on the Market 211
Number of Houses on the Market 275
Median Selling Price $256,330.00

====================================================

FLUVANNA COUNTY
Number of Houses Sold 37
Average Selling Price 289,573
Average Days on the Market 85
Number of Houses on the Market 333
Median Selling Price $265,000.00

====================================================

NELSON COUNTY
Number of Houses Sold 20
Average Selling Price 375,300
Average Days on the Market 112
Number of Houses on the Market 294
Median Selling Price $332,500.00

====================================================

ALBEMARLE COUNTY
Number of Houses Sold 96
Average Selling Price 468,966
Average Days on the Market 109
Number of Houses on the Market 985
Median Selling Price $339,900.00

====================================================

CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE
Number of Houses Sold 51
Average Selling Price 337,394
Average Days on the Market 95
Number of Houses on the Market 377
Median Selling Price $320,800.00

====================================================

Karen
www.move2va.com

Interest Rates edged up to 6.31% this week

Fixed-rate mortgages went up a bit this week after the Feds cut the rate by 1/4 point.

Read more at BankRate.com:

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/bank/Nov0807_interest_rate_roundupa1.asp?s=2#tab

Karen
www.move2va.com

Featured Home - Forest Lakes @ County Assessment, Only $359,700

Virtual Tour: http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1187640

• Immaculate large 4 bedroom home in Forest Lakes - 2,400 square feet
  
• Immediate Occupancy!
  
• Reduced $39,200 to $359,700 firm
  
• Forest Lakes: pool, clubhouse, trails, tennis, basketball, lakes
  
• Walk to Sutherland Middle School & shopping - Baker Butler Elementary
  
• Great floorplan with family room adjacent to kitchen
  
• Gourmet kitchen, lots of cabinets, huge pantry, island, breakfast nook
  
• 4 Large bedrooms, master suite with whirlpool tub, shower
  
• Freshly painted
  
• Expandable room off of a bedroom
  
• Not too late to buy and move in quickly
  

Contact me 24/7 for information about this home or any home on the market.

Karen
www.move2va.com

What is CurbPlaces?

The latest and greatest in local real estate websites. You can find and explore neighborhoods and real estate in Charlottesville and the surrounding area at:


You can also use it to look up assessment information for every house. If you're visual like I am, you'll love it. It works a lot like Google Maps, very easy to use. It's also a free site, another huge bonus!

Read more about it in this article from C-ville.com:

http://c-ville.com/index.php?cat=141404064435450&ShowArticle_ID=1991809070852362

Karen
www.move2va.com

Events in Charlottesville & Central Virginia This Weekend (Nov. 9-11, 2007)

Here are a few of the fun events I found at "Albemarle Family": http://www.albemarlekids.com/events_thisweek.htm

- 72nd Annual Stony Point Elementary Auction, Friday at 6:30pm

- The Forest Lakes Swim Team's Crafters and Vendors Boutique, at the North Forest Lakes Club House and Pavilion, Saturday 9am to 4pm

- Epilepsy Awareness Stroll: Take a stroll and have some good old family fun! The Park @ UVA, Saturday at 10am

- Rivanna Trails Foundation Saturday Workshops: volunteer to come out to help with trail maintenance. Great for older kids or the whole family, Saturday, 9am to 12pm

- "The Amazing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe" by the Community Children's Theater, at the Martin Luther King Performing Arts Center of Charlottesville on the campus of Charlottesville High School, Saturday at 2pm

- Charlottesville and University Symphony Orchestra: "Love & Fate" featuring the University Singers, at Old Cabell Hall, UVA, Saturday 8pm, Sunday 3:30pm. $11-$28.

- Veteran's Day at Montpelier, free admission Sunday, 11/11/07 for those who have served, or are serving, in the Armed Forces of the United States. Sunday 9:30 to 4:30pm.

- Veteran's Day at Ashlawn-Highland (Home of President James Monroe), veterans and current military personnel admitted free this Sunday, 11/11/07, 1 to 4pm.

- Wind Ensemble: Come watch the most outstanding brass, woodwind, and percussion players at the University as they explore new literature as well as perform the masterworks of the wind band era, Old Cabell Hall, UVA, Sunday at 8pm. $10 general / $5 Students / 5ARTS$.

I found more events at NBC29's site, here are a few: http://calendar.nbc29.com/cgi-bin/suite/calendar/calendar.cgi?request=month&website=default&month=11&day=1&year=2007&category_id=&set=1&session=46a160554f4f2ee8

- Flag Retirement Ceremony: pays tribute not only to the flag of the United States but also to the veterans and citizens who proudly support the ideals America stands for, Friday, 1:30pm-2:30pm at Monticello High School Air Force JROTC, 1400 Independence Way, Charlottesville.

- Christmas Craft Fair at Sts. Peter & Paul Church on Rt. 53 in Palmyra, Saturday, from 8AM to 2PM.

- 10th Annual Show of Holiday Gifts and Winter Decorations at Louisa Baptist Church in the town of Louisa, Saturday, from 9am-4pm.

- Antique Appraisal Show Fundraiser at Jefferson Centre in Palmyra, next to CK Jewelers Saturday, 10am-4pm.

- Gordonsville Fire Company Full Pull and Fall Festival: ATV and modified lawn tractor sled pull along with kids games, food, and live music from the Jay Blackwell Band and Second Time Around. Pre-registration for the sled pull will cost $10.00 and $15.00 the day of the event. Saturday, 8am-10pm at Gordonsville Volunteer Fire House, Baker Street in Gordonsville.

- 13th Annual Artisans Center of Virginia Studio Tour, Saturday & Sunday, 10am-noon. Thirty-eight juried artisans showing and selling their work at 14 studios in Albemarle and Nelson Counties. Local chefs will provide food at each venue. A wide range of decorative and functional pieces will be on display. Maps & Info: http://www.artisanscenterofvirginia.org/2007-Tour/index.shtml

- Mistletoe Market, a holiday shopping event will be open every weekend until Christmas. Wonderful selection of home decor, antiques, folk art and seasonal accents. Located on Union Mills Road (Route 616), Troy, VA- near the Fluvanna SPCA. Fridays & Saturdays from 10am-8pm; Sundays from 1pm-8pm.

Have a fun weekend! Remember Veteran's Day!

Karen

www.move2va.com

Crozet Is Growing!

Wonderful things are happening in Crozet, VA!

Harris Teeter is coming and Old Trail shopping will be here soon!

Due to so much growth in this part of Albemarle County, the Board of Supervisors appointed a Crozet Community Advisory Council, who meet monthly, to provide assistance to county staff and the board on issues related to the Crozet Master Plan.

Crozet deserves great things!

Read more about "What's New In Crozet" from NBC29:

http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?s=7153147

Karen
www.move2va.com

This Week's Deal: Hardee's Coupons

Get the following coupons here: http://www.hardees.com/promotions/

$1 Off Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich, Expires 11/11/07

$1 Off Patty Melt Burger, Expires 11/11/07

$1 Off Country Breakfast Burrito, Expires 1/13/08

$1 Off Orange Cream Shakes & Malts, Expires 11/11/07

And guys, you can even download a free Hula Hottie Widget!

OR go to the following site for a free Cinnamon 'N' Raisin Biscuit with any breakfast purchase, Expires 12/16/07:

http://www.hardeescoolkids.com/secret_word_surprise.asp

Karen
www.move2va.com

Don't forget to

Find out who and what will be on your ballot:

http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Cidate_Information/Cidate_Lists/CidatesList.asp

Learn more about the candidates at Project VoteSmart (put in your zip code on the left):

http://www.vote-smart.org/

Virginia Local Election Results:

https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/

Karen
www.move2va.com

A "New World" Open House

Karen
www.move2va.com

Quote of the Week from Rick Pitino

“Excellence is the unlimited ability to improve the quality of what you have to offer.”

-- Rick Pitino, University of Louisville's Men's Basketball Head Coach

Karen
www.move2va.com