Happy New Year 2008!

New York:



London:



Sydney:



I wish you all a very happy and great 2008!

Karen
www.move2va.com

Fun Christmas Sites

Each year Alice Held, a RE/MAX associate from Arizona, publishes a great Christmas web site with links to lots of fun Christmas sites. Enjoy!

http://www.come2az.com/holidays/christmas/index.html

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Karen
www.move2va.com

Interest Rates Up A Bit To 6.21%

Mortgage rates edged up from 6.17% last week to 6.21% this week for 30-year fixed rate mortgages nationally.

Read more at BankRate.com:

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/bank/Dec2007_interest_rate_roundupa1.asp?s=2#tab

Karen
www.move2va.com

Featured Home - Large Brick Home in Charlottesville, Room For All With 4 Levels

• Room for all on 4 levels
  
• Incredible gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, maple cabinets, a treat to cook in!
  
• Large living room and dining room
  
• Escape to every floor for something different
  
• Fabulous yard with slate patio

Karen
http://www.move2va.com

What's Hot In Luxury Homes?

Royal LePage is reporting that some of the most sought-after and unique accessories for luxury homes are: elevator car lifts, indoor carwashes; spas, gyms and yoga and Pilates studios; wine cellars and tasting rooms; media rooms; wrapping and sewing rooms; structured wiring and security; home elevators; and heated driveways, walkways and garages. Read more about these accessories at newswire.ca:

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2007/04/c7136.html

Which of these would you love to have in your home?

Karen
www.move2va.com

Events in Central Virginia Christmas Weekend (Dec. 21-25)

Looking for Christmas in Charlottesville and Central Virginia? Here are some ideas...

The Downtown Business Association had some Christmas fun in Charlottesville listed on their website, such as the Holly Trolley:

Holly Trolley offers tours of neighborhood Christmas light displays, today-Saturday. Contact Customer Service at CTS at 970-3649 for ticket information. Get there early to reserve your free tickets, they go fast!

Click here for a map of Christmas light displays around Charlottesville, from the cVillain blog.

Here are some events I found online at the Albemarle Family calendar:

Christmas At The Paramount With The The Oratorio Society of Charlottesville-Albemarle is Friday at 8pm. The 100-strong chorus, under the direction of L. Thomas Vining, will be joined by a professional orchestra. This festive evening of seasonal favorites includes a special setting of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and the opportunity for the audience to join the chorus in traditional carols. A wonderful opportunity for family and friends to start the holiday weekend! $20 to $50, $15 Students.

Holiday City Market Friday and Saturday, 10am-5pm. Located at the City Hall Plaza near the Downtown Mall. Buy crafts, baked goods, toys, greenery and more. Everything is locally made. Great gift ideas!

"The Elves and the Shoemaker", at the Old Michie Theatre, Friday & Saturday, 11am, 2pm and 4pm. The Grimm's Tale about an old shoemaker at Christmas time who is so poor that he only has enough leather for a single pair of shoes. With the help of some clever elves, however, the shoemaker's luck changes and he is able to delight his customers and stay solvent in his shop. The story has a seasonal message of giving and kindness, and is appropriate for the very young and the young at heart. The show features soft sculpture hand puppets, a toyshop set, music, audience participation and holiday lighting. Directions: 221 East Water Street, across from the Parking Garage. $5.

The Bethlehem Project at Hebron Baptist Church in Afton, Friday-Sunday, 6pm-9pm. Come to Bethlehem and see for yourself the magic and wonder of the first Christmas. This little 1st century village contains over 40 costumed characters; period buildings including an inn, weapons shop, music shop, olive press, and weaving shop; camels, shepherds, wisemen, singing angels, and the Star of Bethlehem that can be seen for miles as it shines in the Afton night. Directions: 66 Tanbark Drive, Afton. $Free. Donations accepted.

Visit with Santa at the Charlottesville Ice Park on the Downtown Mall Sunday from 1pm-5pm. Get your wish list ready and come to Charlottesville Ice Park to share it with Santa. Come by anytime between 1:00 and 5:00 to sit on Santa's lap, talk with Santa's helpers, and tell them what you want most this year! $free.

A Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas at Wintergreen Resort, Saturday thru Christmas Day. Celebrate the most magical time of the year with horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday craft workshops, Santa on the slopes, story time with Mrs. Claus and New Year's Eve Celebrations.

I found more fun at the NBC29 calendar:

Toys For Tots Collection, Friday-Sunday 6am-10pm at the Giant on Pantops, which is the drop off site, sponsored by the U.S. Marines.

Candlelight Christmas Eve service, Monday, at 5:30pm at Barboursville United Methodist Church.

The Boar's Head Inn offers special dining on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, be sure to make a reservation:

Christmas Eve lunch in The Old Mill Room, 11:30 am - 2:00 pm.

Christmas Eve dinner in The Old Mill Room, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

Christmas Day brunch in The Old Mill Room, 10:45 am - 2:00 pm.

Christmas Day dinner in The Old Mill Room, 6 :00 pm - 9:00 pm.

Keswick Hall also has some Christmas fun planned as well as buffets, call ahead for a reservation:

Sunday Champagne Holiday Brunch, 12pm-2pm, Sunday. A great way to entertain family and friends during the holiday season (and take a well deserved break for yourself). Chef has designed an innovative and festive brunch menu that may inspire you to try some of our special dishes or desserts at your own holiday dinner table this season!

Christmas Eve Carols, Monday, December 24th, 6pm– 8pm, with George Melvin and Christmas Carolers in the Great Hall.

Joy To The World Christmas Lunch and Dinner, Christmas Day, Luncheon from Noon-5pm; Fossett's Dinner at 6pm. You and your family are invited to join us for a magnificent Christmas lunch or dinner to celebrate this cherished holiday. For lunch, guests may choose from a seating in our Terrace Level where we are offering an extraordinary combination of family style and buffet stations or in Fossett’s Restaurant where our a la Carte menu will feature special Christmas selections. For Christmas dinner, Fossett’s will be offering a five-course prix fixe menu along with a warm and welcoming ambiance to enhance your holiday celebration. Reservations required.

I wish you the merriest Christmas this year! Make some memories and relax..

Karen
www.move2va.com

More Senior Housing Coming To Greene County, VA

Greene County is getting more new senior housing, trying to compete with Albemarle County and Fluvanna County. The boomers are here, so we need housing to meet their needs.

Read more in this article that was posted on http://www.greene-news.com/ the week of 12/13/07:

http://www.greene-news.com/news1.shtml

More Senior Housing

BY SUSAN GIBBS
Record Reporter
December 13, 2007

Greene will be home to 200 more senior residences, the County's Board of Supervisors decided at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, November 27.

Three members of the Board - Chairman Steve Catalano and members Jeri Allen and Mickey Cox - voted to change the zoning on 48.76 acres on U.S. Route 33 and Carpenters Mill Road from A-1 Agriculture to SR Senior Residential.

The homes, to be built by the Fried Companies, will be incorporated into its Wood Park development, which has already been approved for 400 senior residences.

"There are things that need to be worked out, but I think with this parcel being inclusive of two sections, it will actually make a better development, a well-planned development," Catalano said.
Allen said that senior residential development is "the best kind of economic development."

"With this we get property values, we get taxpayers who are, in most cases, contributing far more than they consume in the cost of the services they require," Allen commented. "We get customers for our economic development, and we get volunteers for our clubs and organizations."
Cox agreed.

But Board member Buggs Peyton, who voted against the rezoning, noted that primary access to the development would be located off of U.S. Route 33. He expressed concern about the additional traffic that road will have to bear.

"The intersection of (U.S. Routes) 33 and 29 as it exists today is almost unbearable," Peyton said.

Steve Jones, executive vice-president and chief operating officer for Fried Companies, countered that point by saying that "senior (residents) is they don't travel at peak hours."

"They're not going out in the morning to work, so they're not creating additional traffic," Jones said. "They go out at off-peak hours and typically come back in before evening."

Jones also added: "We had a traffic study done that said the additional units are negligible. There are no additional traffic problems."

Board member Patsy Morris, who also voted against the rezoning, objected to the proffers of $580 per unit offered by the applicant.

"To me $580 is … cheap for a proffer when we have other things that we need in our county," said Morris. "I'm all for the senior residential … but there's going to be an impact on our rescue and our fire (and rescue)," Morris said.

Zoning Administrator Bart Svoboda, however, pointed out that the "proffers for a single family unit is $5,771."

"If you take out the school-related portion of that, it comes to $580," he said.
Regarding fire and emergency services, Cox said, "With every county around us (helping out), I don't think that is a matter of impacting (Greene)."
Both Morris and Peyton also expressed concerns about water and sewer.
Jones reminded the Board that Fried Companies had entered into a memorandum of understanding with the County that it would help the County find water.

"We gave you rights to drill on properties that we owned or controlled. You found some … ground water wells to supplement the water source of the County. We are in the process of giving those sites to you right now," Jones said.

About sewer facilities, Jones added: "The line is not an adequate size. It would have to be upsized. As with all of our residential properties, we pay for that sewer … these 200 units will bring an additional $4 million in connection fees. That goes a long way to pay debt on the sewer treatment plant."
Peyton asked if there was a "continued increased demand for age-restricted communities."

Svoboda said: "It's today's current national trend."

According to the County Planning Department's analysis and effect of this development: "Given the climate and cultural attractions in and around our community, Central Virginia is becoming a choice location for such developments."

Jones referred to the Four Seasons development on U.S. Route 33 West when he responded: "I know Four Seasons (has) a rolling plan where they do not build a house until they've got one under contract … 76 houses are up and the clubhouse is getting ready to be … finished."
Prior to asking for a motion, Catalano said, "The point is well-taken about the proffers."

He continued: The (Capital Improvement Plan) is going to be revised … a house, $400,000 value, at a minimum, no children in it, will more than adequately cover the burden on emergency services. It's up to the body politic to make sure that they actually use the funds in the appropriate manner to fund those things."

The age-restricted units, as defined by the applicant and allowed by the County, consist of single family detached dwelling units, duplex units, triplex units, town homes, patio homes, condominiums or apartments.
No building permits for dwelling units on the property will be requested for issuance prior to June 1, 2010.

Jones said he is unsure as to when construction will actually start.

"(The development) is going to be driven by the market," said Jones. "The whole planning process takes years. We don't have a customer yet."

Karen
www.move2va.com

A Funny Christmas Tune

Merry Christmas, and enjoy a Christmas tune:

http://badaboo.free.fr/merryxmas.swf

In case you're wondering who's singing it... Clyde McPhatter with the Drifters, 1954.

Thanks for sharing, Bill!

Karen
www.move2va.com

Deal Of The Week: Pier 1 Imports Coupon

$10 Off $50 or more purchase

Expires 12/31/07

Click this link for a printable coupon:

http://www.couponcat.net/coupons/pierone.pdf

Karen

www.move2va.com

If You Can't Pay Your Mortgage

The market is tough, and many are suffering through the mortgage crisis, which is especially difficult during the holiday season.

If you're having a tough time making your house payments, this article from RealEstateJournal.com will help and give you guidance. It has some great ideas and a step-by-step plan to assist you in analyzing your situation:

http://www.realestatejournal.com/buysell/mortgages/20071217-sichelman.html

I hope 2008 will be a good year for you and your family!

Karen
www.move2va.com

A Christmas Funny

Don't let the hussle and bussle exhaust you this year. Take some time to laugh, relax and enjoy ths season.

Karen

www.move2va.com

Ruckersville Interstate-Like Access At Rts. 29x33?

Greene is growing and we must make accomodations. It's interesting, according to the article below (from Greene-News.com the week of 12/6/07), Senator Emmett Hanger believes the intersection of Routes 29 and 33 should be changed to interstate-like access, with an overpass bridge and on the side, service roads.



http://www.greene-news.com/news1.shtml

Board to take up US 29 rezoning request

BY SUSAN GIBBS
Record Reporter
December 6, 2007

With the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) reporting an annual average traffic volume of 29,000 last year on the portion of Route 29 that runs through Greene, the County's Board of Supervisors will be considering a request for rezoning at its Tuesday, December 11, that has at least two members concerned.

Shortly before the Board deferred making a decision on the request at its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, November 27, Board member Jeri Allen said that granting it could lead to a "massively complicated intersection."

The intersection under discussion is that of U.S. Route 29 North and Lake Saponi Drive, just north of the Albemarle County line and south of Tierney Plaza, home to Best Western Charlottesville Airport Inn & Suites.

Siblings Stewart and Kevin Wood and their sisters, Sharon Lloyd and Vicki Hendrix want to rezone from A-1 agricultural to B-3 business -- and then sell, the 3.2 acres they inherited at that location. They all live out of County.

The problem, said Allen, is there is no crossover from U.S. Route 29 South to Lake Saponi Drive. And Bart Svoboda, the County's zoning administrator, says VDOT is "indicating" that there is not going to be one.

"It is a bad situation getting in and out on (Route) 29. I can't support it," Board member Patsy Morris said at the Board's November 27 meeting about the rezoning request.

In order to ease the problem of access, "We do have a potential connection through Tierney Plaza," Svoboda said. The Fried Companies (owners of the Plaza) has reserved an area that we can get through."

That means that traffic traveling south on Route 29 would have to cross the northbound lane at the crossover leading to Tierney Plaza and from there cut across to Lake Saponi Drive - on an access way yet to be constructed.

But businesses that locate on the parcel might attract heavy traffic.

Business uses permitted along the business highways and high density zones the County has deemed "B-3" include: vehicle sales, service and rental businesses, vehicle repair garages, vehicle parts stores, highway retail service centers and truck stops, bus, truck and taxi terminals, hotels and motels, equipment sales and repair shops, drive-up restaurants, building material sales, service contractors and convenience stores.

The applicants have proffered the exclusion of day care and child care facilities, laundry services, highway retail service centers, truck stops, bus, truck and taxi terminals, fuel distribution centers and temporary fireworks outlets on the parcel.

But: "If you add a drive-in restaurant or convenience store traffic to the Lake Saponi traffic coming out against northbound traffic from Charlottesville and crossing traffic into the Hotel and out of the Hotel, it becomes very congested or potentially very congested with high traffic business use. I would be in favor of this, but that is a very complicated entrance," Allen said.

An upcoming $1.5 million VDOT study covering United States Route 29 from Interstate 66 to Amherst County was announced in June. In early August, the Council invited John J. "Butch" Davies III, Greene's representative on the Commonwealth Transportation Board to speak to its members on anticipated transportation changes in Greene.

The study, Davies told Council members, will be looking at Route 29 "to bring it up to Interstate standards all the way from Gainesville to south of Charlottesville.

But in the meantime, Davies talked traffic lights.

"You have Best Western … you're (probably) going to see … a traffic light there. You've got the traffic light now at 607. You're going to see one, I think, at Deer Drive. The folks at Buck Drive clearly have trouble getting out. Where Bank of America is I think … there's a probability," Davies told Council members.

Davies continued: "The Route 29 corridor (has) become the primary access because of the increase in volume coming off the secondary roads. When that volume hits a certain point, you're getting those traffic lights. And if you don't think it isn't going to be frustrating for the commuters going into Charlottesville it is absolutely going to drive people crazy five, eight, ten years from now.

"Greene County has had significant development," Davies added. "The assumption has been that 29 will handle the traffic ... if developers are going to add projects that are going to add to the (traffic) burden they have to help create solutions. They can contribute improvements, they can contribute money, and they can contribute to the study."

Davies says that once the study starts, meetings will be held: "All counties affected will have input into the study. We're asking people to tell us what they want."

Senator Emmett Hanger has said that he will become involved in discussions concerning Route 29 "because I am concerned about what is going to happen with the development around there."

Hanger has said "I really believe (the intersection of Routes) 29 and 33 needs to be converted into an interstate style access, where you have an overpass bridge and where you have service roads on the side. If not, you're going to cause a huge problem there. Traffic will back up all the way into Emmett Street in Charlottesville," Hanger added.

At the November 27 meeting, Board Vice-chairman Buggs Peyton and member Mickey Cox voiced concerns about the rezoning, particularly with the issue of buffers.

Board Chairman Steve Catalano said: "This is in the business growth (area). It is surrounded by business growth and an appropriate use for business growth. The fact that the crossover is not there will limit the traffic. There is the possibility of inter-parcel access with the parcel next door."

Catalano noted that buffers and other concerns were addressed in County ordinances.

Catalano also said, "I'm willing to support the application. I think it's an appropriate use of property given what is happening around it and it is … supported by our comprehensive plan."

Peyton made a motion to defer. Catalano set December 11 as the date for the request to be heard again, and the vote to do so was unanimous.

Karen
www.move2va.com

Quote of the Week: "I am only one"

“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will.”

-- Edward Everett Hale

Hale (1822-1909) was a Unitarian minister, an author and reformer. He was elected unanimously as the Chaplain of the United States Senate. He was acquainted with John Quincy Adams, Dolly Madison, William Howard Taft, and Theodore Roosevelt, Lowell, Emerson, Julia Ward Howe, Webster, and Holmes. Hale is best remembered for “The Man Without a Country”.

Instead of becoming overwhelmed, if every person did something, imagine all that could be accomplished in the world.

Karen
www.move2va.com

Interest Rates Up to 6.17%

National 30-year mortgage rates rose to 6.17% this week, after it fell to its lowest level in more than two years last week.

Read more at BankRate.com:

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/bank/Dec1307_interest_rate_roundupa1.asp?s=2#tab

Karen
www.move2va.com

Featured Home - Affordable 3 BR in Northern Albemarle

• Bargain! Priced below appraisal of $260's
  
• Immediate possession
  
• Lots of home for the dollar
  
• 2 Floors of living
  
• 2,100 square feet
  
• King master bedroom suite
  
• 3 Full baths
  
• Huge gourmet eat-in kitchen
  
• Full finished basement
  
• Large rear deck
  

Karen
http://www.move2va.com/