CharlottesvilleFamily December 2013

CharlottesvilleFamily

TM

T O W N & C O U N T R Y L I V I N G AT I T S B E S T

Local Moms Making Parenting Easier & Growing Up Fun!

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Just Between Us…

volume 14 issue 12

This holiday season I’m giving thanks for my two favorite household helpers, Mr. Washer and Ms. Dryer. With four active (i.e., messy) kids, a multitude of pets and a gaggle of farm animals, these two household staff more than earn their keep. This past summer, after moving to a new home, we were without the services of Ms. Dryer for three months. (This followed a string of zany events, starting with our realization that first Ms. Dryer would not fit through the doorway of the laundry room we had built around her years ago. Clever.)

So in between unpacking what seemed to be about a million boxes, I followed in the steps of my ancestors (how did Mrs. Claus keep up with the elves’ laundry?) and hung our laundry on a clothesline rummaged from the camping gear. And, under the circumstances, I wasn’t a stickler for cleanliness. If clothes weren’t really dirty and you weren’t going somewhere special, my motto was, “That’ll do piglet, that’ll do.” With this arrangement, I was able to maintain (barely) my sanity—until a windstorm took down the tree holding our clothesline, bringing the dryer situation to a critical juncture.

Ironically, our youngest christened the new laundry as the Dryer Room, though drying was one task this humid basement room was definitively unable to facilitate. Eventually a new Ms. Dryer joined our household, and the Dryer

december 2013

PUBLISHERS Robin Johnson Bethke

Jennifer Bryerton CREATIVE DIRECTOR Robin Johnson Bethke EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jennifer Bryerton TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Peter D. Bethke EDITOR Jennifer Conrad Seidel EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Kelly Robeson GRAPHIC DESIGN

Kathleen Capshaw

Barbara Tompkins SALES ASSISTANT Katie Maillet ADVERTISING SALES

Nicholas Clark

Jay Crawford

Catherine Murphy

Susan Powell

Pam Whorley CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Betsy Bell, Michael Berick, Wendy Burt-Thomas, Becky Calvert, Jennifer Carroll, Kelly Casey, Kim Connolly, Rick Epstein, Virginia Loh Hagan, Helen Foster James, Teri Kent, Katherine Ludwig, Lynn Pribus, Heidi White ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Amy Duprey DISTRIBUTION Ray Whitson

Room label made some sense. We then discovered that it was no mere label: Our youngest theorized that the washing machine was an unnecessary step. He would throw anything wet—from rivers, mud puddles, potty accidents and so on—directly in the dryer to “clean” them.

So as we hunker down for the winter, and I hum a little carol while folding sweaters in our (now) very functional dryer room, I am grateful that I will not be carrying laundry and a washboard through the snow to the nearest creek.

Wishing you all a merry song-filled season,

CharlottesvilleFamily™ Magazine and CharlottesvilleFamily.com™ are published jointly by Ivy Publications, LLC. CharlottesvilleFamily. com™ is published weekly online at www.CharlottesvilleFamily. com, the weekly Newsletter is distributed via email, and the Magazine is published in print format 12 times per year along with a CharlottesvilleFamily.com™ Directory. The views and opinions expressed by the writers and advertisers do not necessarily represent those of CharlottesvilleFamily magazine, its officers, staff or contributors. The information presented here is for informational purposes only and although every effort has been made to present accurate information, we do not in any way accept responsibility for the accuracy of or consequences from the use of this information or for the businesses and organizations presented herein. We urge all parents to confirm any information given herein and consult with your doctor or an appropriate professional concerning any information of question. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in part or in whole without the express written consent of the publisher. Copyright ©2013. All rights reserved.

We welcome reader comments, submissions and the support of advertisers!

Please direct all correspondence to Ivy Publications, LLC 4282 Ivy Road, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 voice 434.984.4713 fax 434.984.4813 www.CharlottesvilleFamily.com editor@IvyPublications.com We reserve the right to refuse or edit any materials submitted to us that we deem inappropriate for our audience. Include a SASE with any submission to be returned. We do not accept responsibility for unsolicited materials.

8

December 2013

Jen Fariello

2004 Community Award Winner

{Contents} TABLE OF

OUR TOWN

LIVING WELL

Eco Lifestyle 28 Ho, Ho, Go Green

News 10

The Buzz Around Town 12 Are You Careful to Spend the Same

Amount on Each of Your Own Children at the Holidays?

Snapshot 14 Nicole Muller

Our Schools 17

Dancing Their Way to Excellence

Bravo! 18

Ashley Potter

2013

Home & Garden 36 Decorating the Tree

Out & About Calendar 20

Editor’s Pick!

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Agecroft Hall

Overuse injuries is a timely topic for our family. We were at UVA’s Hand Clinic last month! See Healthy Family on page 30.

Fun and Services

More Top Gifts for Giving 56 The 2013 National Parenting Publications Awards Winners

Local Gifts 58 Area Toy Stores Share Their Top

Gift Selections

Home Sweet Homeschooling 60 A Custom-Fit Education for Your Child

Music to Your Ears 70 Is Your Child Ready for Music Lessons?

RESOURCES

So Love This!

Give the Gift of Camp 69 Campers Grow in a Variety of Ways

Some years I get the tree up early and others I procrastinate, but it’s always

After-School Activities Guide 74 Find Local Classes, Clubs and

just the thing to get me into the spirit of the season. For great decorating tips see

Home and Garden on page 36.

Buy Local!

Holiday Gift Guide

— Kathleen, designer

Your Top Picks for Family-Friendly

December Activities and Events for Families

Daytrip Fun! 22

20

Healthy Family 30 Overuse Injuries

What’s Cookin’? 32 INSPIRATION Caramel Apple Pocket Pies

CharlottesvilleFamily Tips & Trends 34

Favorite Winners 2013 40 Fabulous Finds and Fun

The Gift of Spending Time Together 25 Something for Yourself 35 Deck the Halls 38

Teams for Your Child

UNTIL NEXT TIME

Don’t Hate Me Because My

Christmas Shopping Is All Done 78 It Comes Down to Knowing the

Perfect Gift

Sweets and Treats 78

58 CharlottesvilleFamily.com

9

{our town community}

NEWS

­the local buzz

A Racquet in Every Hand In November, more than 150 tennis racquets and balls were given

IP Presents

Check out the wonderful events

to students in first, second and third grade at Crozet Elementary

we are sponsoring this month!

by QuickStart Tennis of Central Virginia, a charitable organization

Virginia Gingerbread Christmas

dedicated to getting tennis into schools with limited resources and Toy Lift

those in communities that have few if any public tennis facilities.

December 6

A grant from the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation’s Smyth Foundation Fund helped make this all possible. QuickStart

December 5–8

coordinator Lynda Harrill identified several factors that led the organization to choose Crozet Elementary: The principal and PE

Millie Carson

teachers were known to QuickStart, the school already has

Find us on Facebook at

an after-school tennis program, the student body will be

Facebook.com/ CharlottesvilleFamily

students who receive free or reduced lunch than other

growing, no additional recreational facilities are planned in the area, and the school has a larger percentage of schools. The organization’s hope is that the tennis program will expand beyond PE classes to include clubs and school-based teams.

QCV

Buy an Extra Book Looking for an opportunity to give to a worthy cause this holiday? Two local organizations, the new Crozet branch of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library and the UVA Children’s Hospital’s Battle

Middle Schoolers from Abroad

Building, are welcoming new book donations.

Teachers, middle school students

The Crozet Library, which just opened on

Charlottesville during October

.com, where you’ll see several specific books

and November. The 26 high

requested by the branch’s librarians (as well as a

school students came from

couple other JMRL wish lists). These titles don’t have

Besançon, one of Charlottesville’s

to buy a book locally and take it to the new Crozet branch, be sure to present it to a librarian, who can remove it from the wish list and, if you like, apply a bookplate acknowledging your donation.

If you find yourself at Barnes and Noble between now and January 1, pick up an extra book — one

David Jones Photography

from France were hosted in

page (www.jmrl.org). The link takes you to Amazon​

to be purchased at Amazon, however. If you prefer

10

and high school students

September 28, has a link to its wish list on its web

sister cities, a city with which CHS has an ongoing partnership.

A few groups of students from CHS have traveled over spring break to Paris, Besançon and Geneva, where they visit CERN and the Large Hadron Collider.

of your favorites or one on the hospital’s wish list.

The 23 middle school students came from Champagney, France, and were

Collected books will be shared with outpatients at

hosted by families from Buford Middle School. While here, they visited

the new Battle Building, the large glass structure

Montpelier with a French film crew that is making a documentary about

under construction at the corner of West Main and

the slave trade. The students from Champagney, which has an abolitionist

Jefferson Park Avenue, set to open in summer 2014.

history, visited Harlem and Washington, D.C., after leaving Charlottesville.

December 2013

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{our town voices} The

Buzz

AROUND

TOWN Are you careful to spend the same amount on each of your own children at the holidays?

31% say “yes” 69% say “no” Edward T. Wolanski, MD Donna F. Vinal, CNM, PhD

I voted “yes” but it’s not really about an amount of money, so much as they each get an equity of gifts—a big item from Santa, PJs, an arts and crafts item, a book from Mama and so forth. So though I give myself a budget for the holidays, I don’t say X amount for each kid.

Now that [the kids] are older, I do tend to consider the amount for each child, but I still base it on what they need or want. So it’s not always even.

Albemarle mother of two boys

Because our children are far apart in age and one is very little we are not concerned about making gifts “even.” I imagine this will We are careful to spend similar amounts. change as the little one gets older.

Our children are old enough to understand Jessica, mom of two, Charlottesville that if one wanted one or two expensive items that will be all they will get, while a sibling may get many gifts that had smaller My kids are 3, 7 and 8 and really have little knowledge of the cost of most items. I try to price tags. balance the quantity of items so they have Ch’ville mother of four the same amount of gifts under the tree.

They’ll notice if someone has more gifts, not the price.

Vivian, mama of two little humans & a pup!

Offering individualized Obstetrical and Gynecological care 600 Peter Jefferson Pkwy, Suite 300 Charlottesville, Virginia 434-293-9800

WolanskiObgyn.com

For this month’s poll, we had 13 respondents.

Visit CharlottesvilleFamily.com to answer next month’s question:

8:30am-4:30pm M-F

2013

Thank you to our wonderful patients!

12

December 2013

Diane L., Charlottesville

As a parent, have you ever forbidden or censored a specific song or music artist?

{our town community} Area Football Roundup

Happy Holidays from

AlbemArle SquAre Shopping Center

Keith Gearhart

Sports ZONE

Two local schools advanced to the second round of Virginia High School League varsity football postseason in November. Western Albemarle advanced to meet Magna Vista, having defeated Cave Spring in the first round, 42-14. After pushing past Rustburg in a 35-28 victory, Monticello was packing for an away game in Roanoke versus Northside. Charlottesville and Albemarle High School each lost first-round matches in close games: Danville beat the Black Knights, 37-33, and Falls Church edged the Patriots, 24-23. The final VHSL championship games will be played at UVa’s Scott Stadium on December 14. On-site parking is $5, tickets are $10, but children 6 and under are free. Find out more at www.vhsl.org. In related news, Mike Alley of Albemarle was named the 2013 Jefferson District Coach of the

AAA Mid-Atlantic The Carving Board Cafe Cavalier Cards Chandler’s Bakery Chung’s Barber Shop H&R Block Kirt’s Homemade Ice Cream Legends Sports Little Caesars Nails Design Taste of China U.S. Cellular

Year, and Head Coach Sean Means of Monticello was named Defensive Player of the Year. Surprising no one, the honors for Offensive Player of the Year were given to Western

Thank you for supporting your locally owned and operated businesses!

Albemarle’s record-breaking, quarterback Kent Henry.

Route 29 North at Rio Road, Charlottesville

Support your locally owned

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

13

{our town interview}

SNAPSHOT

Nicole Muller

by Lynn Pribus

the world. Just ask third-year UVA student Nicole Muller, who launched a food drive called Neighbors-4-Neighbors in 2010, while a student at a local high school. Her goal was to gather 10,000 pounds of food by

Terry Muller

You don’t have to be Bill Gates to have a huge philanthropic impact on

the end of that year. In only four years, her project has expanded to all 50 states, and total collections are now approaching 650,000 pounds!

She has received a number of national awards from groups such as Bayer Corporation, Glamour Magazine and Kiwanis International. Recently, for example, the project received a $25,000 grant for her selected food bank, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Although busy with classes and homework at UVA, she still spends 3 to 20 hours a week on this project — including organizing a national drive in October and a local drive in March and answering weekly emails. (You’ll find her at naybors4naybors@gmail.com.) In her rare free time, she loves to exercise, travel, bake and hang out with friends.

What was your favorite book as a child?

What has surprised you most about the project?

Goodnight Moon and the Junie B. Jones series.

The willingness of strangers to help me year after year. I had no idea that

What are you reading now?

Textbooks. As a political science major, I have a load of assigned reading!

What 21st-century technology could you not live without?

That’s easy — my iPhone.

only four years later Neighbors-4-Neighbors would feed over 600,000 people.

How can parents kindle a feeling of philanthropy in their children?

Make it fun and be enthusiastic yourself. I believe kids want to help and really enjoy making a difference. For example, one of my biggest

Whom do you admire?

supporters is Ryleigh, who’s now 11. Her mom read her an article about

My family. My parents taught my older sister, Lauren, and me to give

my project when Ryleigh was just seven, and she jumped right on board,

back, pay it forward and look beyond ourselves to help someone less

bringing in thousands of pounds of food donations as part of Neighbors-

fortunate. My sister has graduated and is now working with at-risk kids.

4-Neighbors.

I guess helping others is in our blood and in our upbringing.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

What’s the best advice your parents ever gave you?

The ability to eradicate social maladies, such as hunger. Flying would also

To reach high and trust that you will be okay, even if you fall. Failure

be pretty neat.

doesn’t come from not succeeding — it comes from not trying!

What do you like best about living here?

What originally inspired you to launch Neighbors-4-Neighbors?

I like the vibrant, energetic, exercise-minded, community-spirited sense of

Reading about the food bank’s need for more donations because of the

being that Charlottesville embodies.

recession. I decided to ask people in the 12 homes in my nice neighborhood to help out and their response was incredible. They donated 278 pounds of food.

Lynn is a frequent contributor to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.

14

December 2013

Obstetrics and GynecOlOGy assOciates

2013

Setting A Standard of Excellence in Women’s Care Providing compassionate, intelligent and up-to-date pediatric care in the Charlottesville community for over 13 years

Siva Thiagarajah, MD Board Certified High-Risk Obstetrician

Thomas Wills, MD Michael Levit, MD Dana Porter, MD Peggy Willis, NP

All obstetrical and gynecology patients

Welcome!

Office HOurs Monday

Friday

8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday - Thursday

saTurday

8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

1101 east Jefferson street, charlottesville, Va 22902

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Fax: (434) 979-2365

E-Mail: drthiagarajah@aol.com • Website: www.obgynassociatescville.com

• New Patients Lucy Vacco, Office Administration Welcome

Wishing you a Wishing Wishing Wishing tangle-free you ayouyou a a holiday. tangle-free tangle-free tangle-free

• Most Insurance Accepted

Dr. Aaron Stump is accepting new patients!

Jennifer M. Dixon, DDS, MS

Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry

holiday. holiday. holiday.

FSS, Agent May all your days be ve, Suite 1A merry and bright.

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Greg Leffler LTCP FSS, Agent 503 Faulconer Drive, Suite 1A Charlottesville, VA 22903 Bus: 434-296-1010 www.gregleffler.us State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL

Wishing you a tangle-free holiday.

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{our town community} Grants Awarded to Albemarle Charter Schools

2013

The Virginia Department of Education has awarded more than $45,000 in grants to Albemarle County’s two charter schools, Murray High School and the Community Public Charter School. At Murray, most of the funds will support students’ yearlong research projects, which are central to the

CROZET PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

school’s approach. Murray was founded 25 years ago to serve those students who were not thriving in high school and those who

Dentistry for KiDs, ADolescents AnD chilDren with speciAl neeDs

would benefit from being part of a smaller student body (110 students). A portion of the grant money will also be used for professional development. The funds going to the Community Public Charter School, which serves nontraditional learners in grades six through eight, will be directed toward its broad arts curriculum, from visual and graphic arts to ceramics and metalwork.

434-205-4594 | crozetpediatricdentistry.com Located in the Old Trail Village Center

STAB Art Students Create Unusual Beauty Last month, St. Anne’s-Belfield held its annual fall art event, a Wearable Art Runway Show at which students design, create and model creations made from unusual materials. This year’s garments were inspired by the theme “Dreams and Nightmares.”

Among the materials featured were lacrosse mesh, wallpaper, San Pellegrino cans and tabs, dishwashing gloves, and playing cards. A popular fundraiser, the event was held over two nights in conjunction with music and drama performances.

David Jones Photography

2013

Oakley, Maui Jim, Gucci, Fendi Burberry, Ray Ban, Coach, Kate Spade, Tom Ford — in your prescription!

1450 Sachem Place | (434) 978-4090 & 600 Peter Jefferson Parkway | (434) 975-2420

16

December 2013

www.recordeyecare.com

Our Schools ll

by Betsy Be

Dancing Their Way to Excellence The scene could unfold on any early morning at a fitness club in Albemarle County. An eager, enthusiastic group is gathered and ready to start the day with a workout. Up front, a video monitor displays a favorite dance routine. The audience closely follows the dancers on the video. Blood starts pumping a little faster.

Minds become more alert and focused.

The students at Meriwether Lewis Elementary School (MLS) are ready to learn! The workout doesn’t really

take place in a fitness club but in all classrooms throughout the school. “Morning Movers” begins each school day.

Of course, it may help that the physical education teachers, Scott Williams and Andrew Wymer, are true believers. Williams was recently selected as the outstanding elementary school physical education teacher of the year in Virginia. Both he and Wymer have generated among the students a contagious interest and excitement about exercise and nutrition.

They have helped staff realize that students learn best when they are fresh and sharp. That’s why MLS uses short activity breaks, such as “Morning Movers” videos, throughout each school day to ensure students have the optimum conditions for learning.

“Morning Movers” are part of a school-wide, yearlong emphasis on healthfulness. Twice a year, parents are invited to participate in PE classes. About four times a year, school opens early, so students can Meriwether Lewis Elementary School

have early morning PE. In winter, the school nurse, nutritionist and counselor organize a heath and fitness fair, with activities and demonstrations from community members, from hand washing, to dental hygiene to Zumba.

The best and easily the most effective part of this approach is the students’ leadership roles. They design, choreograph and video the dance and exercise routines. They learn how to be creative, how to plan and how to work together in the MLS “healthy mind, healthy body” environment.

Betsy is a school counselor at Meriwether Lewis who frequently runs track with her son, Ryan, and plays volleyball with her daughter, Sarah Beth.

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

17

Bravo! nolly

by Kim Con

A Gentle Ride to Health and Confidence

Kim Connolly

{our town volunteers}

Charlottesville Area Riding Therapy (C.A.R.T.) is a nonprofit organization that offers therapeutic recreational horseback riding to local children and adults with physical or intellectual disabilities. One to three volunteers accompany each rider, serving as sidewalkers or leaders. Ashley Potter, 16, of Ivy, has been volunteering with C.A.R.T. for the past two years. While she has her own horse and a busy schedule as a junior at Western Albemarle High School, Potter can still be found most Saturday mornings at C.A.R.T., tacking up horses for lessons and cheerfully encouraging the young students in the ring.

When riding a horse, the rider’s hips move in same motion as that used when walking. This helps stimulate muscles and nerve endings in physically disabled riders. “It is always great to see their riding progress,” says Potter, “but it is really about the kids coming out of their shell and gaining confidence.

Learn about volunteer opportunities at www.cartcrozet.org

They also increase their physical mobility.”

Potter relates a story about one little girl who was very withdrawn and spent her first lesson screaming the entire time she was on the horse’s back. Five weeks later, the girl was laughing and giggling and petting the horse.

Potter, who would like to study something in the biomedical field in college, says she keeps coming for the horses and the kids. “I really miss it when I’m not here. It is always fun when you come out. You

Kim is the Vice President of

meet new people and see kids progress. It is like a family here.”

Marketing & Communications

C.A.R.T., located in White Hall, has training days for new volunteers (ages 14 and up). To learn more, call Sarah Daly at 823.1178 or visit the website: www.cartcrozet.org.

Albemarle Center

Jefferson Area.

for

Family Medicine Serving families in Central Virginia for over 20 years!

Our Services Include: • Pediatrics • Preventative Care • Minor Surgery • Adolescent Health

new families welcome!

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2013

We are honored to be VOTED your Family Favorite!

Thank you for allowing us the joy of caring for you and your family.

David W. Brown, M.D., Annika M. Abrahamson, M.D., Genevieve H. Barron, FNP-C, H. August Sanusi, M.D.

434.973.4040 | www.albemarlecenter.com 535 Westfield Rd., Suite 200, Charlottesville

18

December 2013

at the United Way-Thomas

Biz BITS

8

now online

Now Open Ivy Provisions Food and

Beverage Outfitters, 2206 Ivy Road,

Palette Paint and Home, based in Richmond (previously The Rue), now also at 325 W. Main, palettepaint.com

ivyprovisions.com, 202.1308

Transitions

Palette at Stonefield, off-site locations

Glass Haus Kitchen is no longer open

at CharlottesvilleFamily.com

for local stores, 29 & Hydraulic Road,

as a restaurant but is available as an

www.shopsatstonefield.com. Current

events venue. 244.8439

•

tenants include Alakazam, The Curious Orange, Duo, Elaine B Jewelry,

Announcements

Family Ties and Pies, KiraKira, Rock,

Golden Apple Awards nominations are

•

•

Looking for fun things to do?

Browse our winter & holiday events calendar in your pjs!

Check our Facebook often to win prizes & keep up on kidcentered news.

Join in: As a parent, have you ever forbidden or censored a specific song or music artist?

Paper, Scissors, and SweetHaus. Look for new stores rotating through in coming months.

Studio Eleven, furniture studio and chalk paint specialist, 313 E. Main Street on the Downtown Mall, studioelevenlynchburg.com, 202.0935

now open at k12albemarle.org The new Northside Library at 705 Rio will begin construction early 2014 and will offer roughly 30,000 square feet library space plus 20,000 for county storage.

J. Jill, women’s apparel, Barracks Road

Congratulations

Shopping Center, jjill.com

Service Dogs of Virginia 2013

• Baby & Home Guides

Hyatt Place Charlottesville, three-star

graduating class is largest ever.

hotel with 137 rooms, at Stonefield,

December 8 ceremony to celebrate.

• Early planning tips for summer camp

charlottesville.place​.hyatt.com, 995.5200

In next month’s issue:

Take charge of your dream for a confident retirement.

The American dream is of a better future. We’re dedicated to helping you keep that dream alive. By listening, planning and working with you oneon-one, we’ll help you build a plan to retire your way with confidence.

Season’s greetings and thank you for your support!

Michael S. Hancock, JD, CFP® Private Wealth Advisor CeRtIFIed FINANCIAl PlANNeRtM practitioner 941 Glenwood Station lane, Suite 203, Charlottesville, VA 22901 michael.s.hancock@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com/michael.s.hancock Kristen S. Hardy Financial Advisor kristen.s.hardy@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com/kristen.s.hardy

Joseph R. Feola, CFP® Financial Advisor joseph.r.feola@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com/joseph.r.feola

Call us today at 434.220.4671 to get started.

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2013 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

19

&

{our town calendar}

Out

About December 2013

Holiday Events Visit With Santa

Now through December 21, 12-4pm Saturdays at The Market at Grelen, Somerset Take a picture with jolly ol’ St. Nick and his sleigh. themarketatgrelen.com 540-672-7268

Holiday Evening Tours at Monticello

For more holiday festivals, events and fun, visit our online calendar at CharlottesvilleFamily.com

Holiday Lantern Tours

Holiday Village

Now through December 31 at Children’s Museum of Richmond - Central Stroll through a neighborhood featuring holiday celebrations from around the world. c-mor.org 804-474-7000

GardenFest of Lights

Now through January 13, 5-10pm at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Enjoy a sparkling tradition of more than half a million lights throughout the garden. lewisginter.org 804-262-9887

Virginia Gingerbread Christmas

December 4 gingerbread house entries due; December 5-8 showing at The Omni Hotel Enter the contest, enjoy fun activities, stroll through the Gingerbread Village and attend holiday parties! See website for exact event schedule. virginiagingerbreadchristmas.com 295-9073

S’mores and Stories

December 4, 11 & 18, 4-5pm at Keswick Hall Gather in the Great Hall for your favorite holiday stories and s’mores! keswick.com 979-3440

December 7, 13-14, 20-23, 26-30, 5:30-6pm at Monticello Experience Monticello after dark and see how the holidays were celebrated in Jefferson’s time. monticello.org 984-9822

Annual Lighting of the Lawn

December 5, 7pm at UVA Lawn Join community members on the UVA Lawn for music, readings and other winter festivities. virginia.edu

A Candlelight Christmas at Montpelier

December 6-7 & 13-14, 4:30-7:30pm at Montpelier, Orange Tour the mansion by candlelight and enjoy light refreshments, holiday music, caroling & dancing. montpelier.org 540-672-2728

Breakfast with Santa

December 7, 9:30am & 11:30am at The Paramount Theater Enjoy hearty breakfast treats, then meet and pose with the Big Man himself. theparamount.net 979-1333

Christmas Celebration

December 7, 11am-7pm at Adventure Farm Enjoy live music, cookie decorating, letter writing to Santa and chili. adventurefarm.net 971-8796

December 12-15 & 19-23, 6-8pm at Frontier Culture Museum, Staunton Tour the museum by lantern light and see the holiday traditions of the past. frontiermuseum.org 540-332-7850

Gingerbread Express

December 13-14 & December 20-21, 6-8pm at Virginia Discovery Museum Enjoy a one-hour tour of the holiday lights around Downtown Ch’ville. Mrs. Claus will sing and serve refreshments as you wait for the train. See website for schedule. virginiagingerbreadchristmas.com 825-3082

Santa Pancake Breakfast

December 15, 10am & 1pm at Virginia Discovery Museum Dig into delicious pancakes catered by a special guest chef. Then meet with Santa! vadm.org 977-1025

Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas

December 23-31 at Wintergreen Resort Celebrate with craft workshops, Santa on the slopes, story time with Mrs. Claus and New Year’s Eve Celebrations. wintergreenresort.com 325-8180

Countdown to 12:00

December 31, 11am at Gordon Avenue Library Spend an hour playing Minute-to-Win-It games until we ring in midday. Registration.

Ages 6 and up. jmrl.org 296-5544

Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Party

December 31, 3pm at Blue Mountain Brewery A party for the whole family with music, face painting and two sparkling cider toasts. bluemountainbrewery.com 540-456-8020

Holiday Concerts Virginia Glee Club’s Christmas Concert

Holiday Fun 20

December 2013

Virginia Gingerbread Christmas December 4: Gingerbread house entries due.

December 5–8: Showing at the Omni Hotel See above.

December 6 & 14, 8-9:30pm at UVA’s Old Cabell Hall (December 6) & University Baptist Church (December 14) virginiagleeclub.org

Continued on page 24

g l e n m o r e D a Z Z l e r o n a n e x pa n s i v e , l e v e l , p r i vat e pa r c e l

3104 lYFarne lane $1,595,000 What does this distinguished French provincial NOT offer?

Lush professional landscaping grace and expansive, level back lawn further enhanced by a huge bluestone patio with fireplace and builtin grill, an endless list of luxurious upgrades, exquisite wainscoting and trim work, extraordinary tile selections, built-in speakers throughout, brick wine cellar, invisible fence. The wonderful floor plan includes nanny or inlaw quarters, screen porch, cork-floored playroom near kitchen. MLS# 514124 n e w co n s t r u c t i o n i n t h e c i t y !

23 ac r e a l b e m a r l e e s tat e pa r c e l

privacy & space in glenmore

3244 heathcote lane • $839,000 An all-brick Glenmore home offering exceptional privacy to the rear, sunset views, a great floor plan and quality upgrades. Notable attributes include double height living room, 2 gas fireplaces with remotes. Fabulous kitchen appliances (commercial grade Viking, oversized KitchenAid fridge), tile and cast iron baths. A wonderful terrace level bar/ kitchen area and a screened porch. MLS# 514581 character & convenience in colthurst

rose hill Drive • $379,000 & $399,900

just north oF stonY point • $695,000

103 tallY ho Drive • $1,175,000

Two adjacent homes for sale. 3 bedroom and 2.5 bath energy efficient. Modern kitchen with island, granite and stainless appliances. Hardwood, bamboo and carpet flooring.

Huge walk-in master closet. 3rd floor walk-up attic with natural light. Unfinished basement could be apartment or in-law suite. Large front and rear porches. Off street parking.

City location close to Downtown, UVA and 250 Bypass.

Lisa Lyons (434) 987-1767. MLS# 514826 & 514833

A stunning estate parcel comprised of 3 lots, located between Stony Point and Barboursville, 15 minutes from Charlottesville. The building site is located well off Route 20 and completely out of sight of the road. Out of ear shot too. Fabulous Southwest Mountain views as well as winter Blue Ridge views. Large hardwoods border rear and sides of the gently rolling topography.

House site perfect for walk-out basement. MLS# 514911

Exceptional craftsmanship & distinctive character define this 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath, 5,000+ sq ft home, just minutes from UVA. Quality additions and renovations have expanded and perfected the original circa 1954 cottage.

Over-the-top master bedroom suites on both 1st & 2nd floors, supreme chef ’s kitchen, 4 fireplaces & extensive built-in cabinetry. Tranquil setting, yet close to everything.

Kristin Cummings Streed (434) 409-5619. MLS# 514392

a charlottesville gem steps from uva

36 ac r e s j u s t o f f g a r t h r o a D & t e n m i n u t e s to to w n

132 cameron lane • $1,175,000 Two revered architects meld brilliantly in this prototypical home constructed in 1935 on a charming st a short walk to UVA. Milton Grigg designed the fieldstone residence: formal spaces loaded w/orig detailing incl’ wainscoting, arched doorways, 12-over-12 windows w/deep casements et al. Modernist W.G. Clark added a dramatic, double height, glass-walled wing. Gregg Bleam’s landscape design perfectly joins native species with modern design. MLS# 514531

401 Park Street Charlottesville, VA 22902

thimble Farm $1,995,000 A charming, classic 1940’s, mostly one-level home constructed of brick, slate and copper on 36 acres in an absolutely breathtaking, tranquil setting just 10 mins west of Charlottesville, via beautiful Garth Road. The house and dramatic pool house are both sited perfectly to enjoy the wonderful views of the farm itself & the mountains beyond. In addition to the pool/guest house with kitchen, bed & bath, there are several large barns and a tenant house that rents for $1,100/mo. MLS# 514712

(434) 977-4005 lwoodriff@loringwoodriff.com

w w w . l o r i n g w o o d r i f f. c o m

{our town calendar}

DaytripFun! Tudor Time Travels No need to book an expensive flight to journey “across the pond”! Visitors to Agecroft Hall will find themselves in a distinguished 15th-century dwelling that once housed the Langley and Dauntesey families in England. With 500 years’ worth of stories waiting to be uncovered, a trip to this historic home is a must.

Upon entering Agecroft Hall, it’s easy to imagine yourself back in England’s Tudor and early Stuart periods. Authentic pieces that date from 1485 to 1660 decorate the home, which is hundreds of years old, too. Marvel at the intricately carved staircases, look inside the sleeping chambers and stand in the middle of the Grand Hall. Just think of the feasts that these wood-paneled walls have witnessed! Can you imagine Thomas C. Williams Jr. packing up this stately home in its entirety in England to recreate it magnificently in Richmond over eight decades ago? Brave the chill and venture outdoors to see the gardens, designed to reflect the style of traditional English gardens.

Visitors to Agecroft Hall in December get two special opportunities. On December 8, the Christmas season in three different eras will come to life: England in 1640, London in 1850 and Richmond in 1942. With lively entertainment, historic interpreters, period parlor games and seasonal decorations, it’s an annual holiday treat that runs for a few weeks. Attendees will even hear Charles Dickens read from his classic “A Christmas Carol”! On December 13, King Henry VIII will descend upon Agecroft for a special audience with his loyal subjects. Learn more at agecrofthall.org.

Fraser Fir Christmas trees, Wreaths & rOPiNG LOCaL BeeF FOr saLe Adventure Farm Shop Grand Opening

November 30 (11am-5pm), December 1 & 8 (12noon-5pm)

Christmas Celebration December 7 (11am-7pm)

Music: 11am Matty Metcalfe, 1pm Red Drum Ramblers, 4pm Will Overman Santa, Cookie Decorating & Letter Writing to Santa Charley’s Chili made with Adventure Farm Beef 416

VI NC E NT AV E NU E

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA

3314 Earlysville Road

416

V I NC E N T AV E N U E

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA

434.971.8796

December 2013

-

22

adventurefarm.net

70005

70005

Lights, Camera, Action Since the Great Depression, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has welcomed visitors to browse its art from all corners of the globe.

The museum curates an impressive collection and also hosts interesting traveling exhibitions, including the Hollywood Costume exhibit currently on display from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Movie buffs won’t be the only ones delighted with the Hollywood Costume exhibit. With costumes from some of America’s classic and most popular films on view, everyone (including little superhero fans) is sure to find a recognizable garment to transport them to the other side of the movie industry. Inspect costumes from films like “The Wizard of Oz,” “Titanic,” “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” and “Twilight: New Moon” to build a bridge between your kids’ everyday life and the fantastic cinematic world — and bring to life some of the most iconic opportunity to check out costumes that, until now,

Before exploring the rest of

have been safely locked away in private and archival

the museum, stop by the

collections. The exhibit is on display at the museum

Visitor Services Desk to pick

until February 17, but don’t wait to go see it for yourself.

up a copy of the Family Fun

Its stay at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is not only the exhibit’s premiere in the United States, but it’s also

Guide. It outlines a scavenger

the exhibit’s only stop on the East Coast! You may want

hunt for younger visitors to

to buy tickets in advance. More information, along with additional downloadable activity guides and gallery hunts, is

Madison Price, rvanews.com

characters. The Hollywood Costume exhibit offers a unique

complete.

available on vmfa.va.state.us.

Celebrate the 2014 Olympics with us!

TONS OF ICE PROGRAMS AND ClASSES FOR KIDS AND ADUlTS!

lEARN TO PlAY hOCKEY! jOIN A lEAGUE!

Register online at

mainstarena.com SPACE IS lIMITED SO SIGN UP EARlY!

lEARN TO SKATE! lEARN TO CURl!

NOw OFFERING FREE SKATES FOR EVERY NEw PARTICIPANT!

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

23

{our town calendar} Christmas with the Consort & Youth Chorale

December 7, 4pm & 7pm at First Presbyterian Church virginiaconsort.org 244-8444

2013

Family Holiday Concert

December 7 & 8, 8pm Saturday, 3:30pm Sunday at UVA’s Old Cabell Hall artsboxoffice.virginia.edu 924-3376

Messiah Sing-In

December 10, 8pm at UVA’s Old Cabell Hall artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music 924-3376

Saturday, December 21 •11:00am & 3:30pm Sunday, December 22 • 2:00pm & 5:00pm

Municipal Band Holiday Concert December 15, 3:30pm at MLK Performing Arts Center cvilleband.org 295-9850

V. Earl Dickinson Building at Piedmont Virginia Community College

Oratorio Society of Virginia: Christmas at The Paramount

December 21, 2:30pm & 7:30pm at The Paramount Theater theparamount.net 434-979-1922

To reserve your tickets for The Nutcracker Suite and our other holiday events, visit

Learning Fun

www.CharlottesvilleBallet.org

Hola! Spanish Storytime

December 12, 10:30am at Gordon Avenue Library Sing and dance with the International School as they present stories and songs in Spanish. jmrl.org 296-5544

Box Office: 434.227.7592 Email: tickets@charlottesvilleballet.org Tickets starting at $20

The “Nutcracker Suite” Meet & Greet

December 16, 4:30pm at Central Library Meet professional dancers from Charlottesville Ballet and learn dances from “The Nutcracker Suite.” jmrl.org 979-7151

Thirteenth Annual Book Swap Party

December 21, 2pm at Crozet Library Swap your old books for some new used reads. Afterward, enjoy a game and some fun!

Registration. jmrl.org 823-4050

Consigning new and pre-owned name brand women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories, as well as men’s apparel, children’s clothing, books and toys, maternity and baby items.

Also featuring handmade jewelry, hair bows, and accessories crafted locally.

There’s something for everyone!

Come consign on Route 29!

2013

Like Us on FaceBook!

29consign.com | 126 Cedar Grove Road Ruckersville, VA 22968 | Located in the Food Lion Shopping Center on Route 29

Huge selection of

CheCk our website often for Current speCials and sales!

Poinsettias

39 varieties of poinsettias in 8 sizes we are open year ‘round! brighten your home and clean the air with houseplants.

Open 8:00 - 5:30 MOn - Fri 8:00 - 5:00 Sat

located on rt 340 about 3.5 miles south of i-64.

24

December 2013

(540) 943-8408 phone milmont@milmont.com e-mail www.milmont.com web site

we grow most of our plants ourselves

Pres. Wilson’s Birthday Open House

December 28, 10am-4pm at Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, Staunton Talk with costumed interpreters and enjoy period music, kids’ activities, cake and punch. woodrowwilson.org 540-885-0897

CPAS Open House

January 3, 5-7:30pm at Charlottesville Performing Arts School charlottesvilleperformingarts.com 293-2727

Sports & Outdoors Monticello Holiday Classic 5K

December 7, 7-9am at Monticello Enjoy either the family-oriented 5K or shorter Deck the Halls Kids Dash for ages 12 & under. monticello.org 984-9877

Jingle Bell Run

Gingerbread House Family Workshop

December 14, 8am at King Family Vineyards Kids are invited to wear jingle bells or a holiday themed costume as they participate in this 5K race/1 mile walk. jinglebellruncharlottesville.kintera.org 738-9625

December 7-8 & 14-15, 2-4pm at Monticello Fuel your creativity with hot chocolate and cookies as you work to craft the perfect gingerbread house. monticello.org 984-9822

Sticks and Stories @ The Fralin

December 11, 10am at UVA’s Fralin Museum of Art Celebrate nature, whimsy and creativity through the art of Patrick Dougherty with the Gordon Avenue Children’s Librarian.

Registration. jmrl.org 243-2050

Freedom 5K

December 21, 9am at Old Trail Village, Crozet Runners of all ages, walkers, leashed dogs and baby joggers are welcome. Proceeds go to Folds of Honor Foundation & Blue Star Families of Central Virginia. freedom5k.net 962-2752

Gingerbread Houses

December 19, 4pm at Northside Library Decorate a gingerbread house nice enough to make Hansel and Gretel jealous. Registration.

Grades K & up. jmrl.org 973-7893

Arts & Crafts 3D Holiday Ornament Craft

Decorate Your Own Hot Chocolate Mug!

December 2, 6:30-8:30pm at Northside Library Come and create beautiful three dimensional holiday paper ornaments. All materials will be provided. Registration. Grades 6-12. jmrl.org 973-7893

December 26, 4-5pm at Northside Library Use porcelain pens to decorate a porcelain mug for hot chocolate. Registration. Grades 6-12. jmrl.org 973-7893

December 7 & 14, 10:30am & 2pm at Virginia Discovery Museum Let your imagination run free as you create a candy-coated winter wonderland. Ages 4 & up with adult. vadm.org 977-1025

ille W ald o

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Main Street Arena See ad page 23 Paramount Theater See ad page 26

Virginia Discovery Museum See ad page 27

10am–4pm

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Charlottesville Ballet See ad page 24

Saturday, Dec. 7 oo

ar

Now through December 15, 2:30pm or 8pm at Four County Players This timeless classic takes us on Scrooge’s journey to learn the true meaning of Christmas. fourcp.org 540-832-5355

ch

o

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A Christmas Carol

The Gift of spending time together

Shenandoah Caverns See ad page 22

Stage & Screen

Holiday Houses

e tt

Buy Local!

Holiday Gift Guide

Sneak Preview Shopping Event

Friday,6–9pm Dec. 6

Gift making for Children & Adults 2013

Jumprope making | Leather stamping | Secret garden Puppet show | Candle dipping | Raffle local artisans and hand knit gifts for the holidays

FREE ADMISSION + PARKING

120 Waldorf School Road [across from Pen Park] Park and ride shuttle service from the Charlottesville Catholic School

www.cwaldorf.org

Like Charlottesville Holiday Bazaar Event on Facebook!

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

25

{our town calendar} A Christmas Carol

December 5-28 at the American Shakespeare Center, Staunton Expect to be right in the middle of this beloved tale with new twists and surprises. americanshakespearecenter.com 540-851-1733

Figure Skating Holiday Show

December 7, 3:30pm at Main Street Arena The Charlottesville Figure Skating Club presents scenes from “The Nutcracker.” cvilleskateclub.com

The Nutcracker

December 7-8 & 14-15 at Albemarle Ballet Theatre The holiday classic comes to life in 45-minute performances perfect for families. aballet.org 823-8888

Amahl and the Night Visitors

December 14, 2pm & 4:30pm at The Paramount Theater Ash Lawn Opera’s production of this holiday classic features participants from the Virginia Consort and the Wilson School of Dance. theparamount.net 979-1333

Children’s Ballet Series: Nutcracker Suite December 21 & 22, 11am & 3:30pm Saturday, 2pm & 5pm Sunday at PVCC’s Dickinson Building Join Clara on her magical journey to the Land of Sweets. charlottesvilleballet.org 227-7592

Shopping & Sharing Now through December 3 at Gordon Avenue, Central, Northside & Crozet Libraries Find the Giving Tree for the chance to give a local Head Start student a book of his or her own. jmrl.org 296-5544

Annual Holiday Bazaar

The Kiwanis Club’s Christmas Tree Lot

December 7 at McGuffey Art Center mcguffeyartcenter.com 295-7973

Now through December 16, 3-7pm Monday-Friday, 11am-7pm Saturday-Sunday at Seminole Square Shopping Center lot kiwaniscville.org 973-2006

Holiday Market

Now through December 21, 8am-1pm Saturdays at Second and Water Streets charlottesville.org 970-3371

Toy Lift

December 6, 7am-8pm at Fashion Square Mall Bring an unwrapped new toy to help make a local child’s holiday bright!

CharlottesvilleFamily is a proud sponsor! kidslift.org 975-8697

Annual St. Nicholas Toy Sale

December 7, 9am-1pm at Schoolhouse Thrift Shop at Rio schoolhousethriftshopatrio.com 973-2271

CELEBRATE THE

y

DECEMBER 1

December 7, 10am-2pm at Scottsville Volunteer Fire Department scottsvillefire.org 566-4219

The Giving Tree

Season Ly

13th Annual SVFD Christmas Fair

(

AT THE PARAMOUNT

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MOSCOW BALLET’S GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER

DECEMBER 7

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

DECEMBER 8

December 7, 10am-4pm at Charlottesville Waldorf School cwaldorf.org 973-4946

McGuffey Art Center Open House

Holiday Gift Bazaar

December 8, 1-4pm at Woodbrook Elementary School woodbrookpto.angelfire.com 973-7208

Especially for Parents Charlottesville City School Board Meeting December 5, 5pm at Charlottesville High School ccs.k12.va.us 245-2400

Albemarle County School Board Meeting

December 12, 6:30pm at Albemarle County Office Building, Lane Auditorium k12albemarle.org

ind the F perfect tree!

All Virginia Fresh Cut Fraser Fir & White Pine Wreaths Roping

MOVIE: A CHRISTMAS CAROL

DECEMBER 14

1st batch of trees arrive Thanksgiving Week

ASH LAWN OPERA: AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS

DECEMBER 20

WYNONNA & THE BIG NOISE: A SIMPLER CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER 21

ORATORIO SOCIETY: CHRISTMAS AT THE PARAMOUNT

Go where the growing’s good

DECEMBER 22

afton mountain

amFOG

MOVIE: WHITE CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER 22

Farm • Orchard • Greenhouse

Thank you to our Producer’s Club Sponsors:

26

December 2013

www.theparamount.net (434) 979-1333

)

9264 Critzer Shop Road 540-456-7100 Find us in the beautiful Rockfish Valley of Afton, VA. 20 minutes West of Charlottesville.

On the right just before Blue Mountain Brewery

,

MOVIE: LOVE ACTUALLY

1

Organic Olive Oil Skin Care made in C’ville brigittrueorganics.com

2

Current consignment + jewelry shopatdarling.com

3

jean theory: new and inherited premium denim www.jeantheory.com

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{living well eco lifestyle}

Ho, Ho, Go Green Make Your Holidays More Meaningful and Less Wasteful

This holiday season, why not give yourself the gift of simplicity? This change in approach will free up more time for you and yours to connect and show love to friends, family and those in need (including our beloved planet)! If you find yourself rushed, overwhelmed and altogether harried, stop, drop and roll out these tips.

Buy Less. The gifts we treasure the most are the ones that a loved one created especially for us. Every year my dad gives his close friends a music compilation CD of his favorite classical music including the story of its origin. Make your own compilation: poems, recipes, photographs, nature finds. Bake some goodies. Paint t-shirts by hand. Create a coupon Thinkstock

book. My kids still love the Mommy Coupon book I make each year — which includes “chore free” coupons. Is your gift list too long? Organize a way to draw names. Or honor someone by making a donation to a favorite non-profit — yours or theirs — instead of buying a gift.

Eco Lifestyle

Buy Smart. Shopping online while sitting on your comfy couch has a certain allure,

by Teri Kent

but beware. The dollar you spend online leaves our community, and the cost to our planet in shipping materials and fuel is considerable. Don your furry hat, and shop locally owned and operated stores — many of which depend on the gift-giving season to make it through the rest of the year. Local Charlottesville artists, musicians, craftmakers and winemakers provide us with an abundance of high-quality, unique gifts from which to choose.

String LED Lights. Long gone are the days of putting up thousand strands of outdoor lights to impress the neighbors — as Clark Griswold did in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Save energy and money this year with LED (light-emitting diode) holiday lights, which use up to 95 percent less energy than traditional holiday bulbs and last up to 100,000 hours when used indoors. The monetary savings is significant too: Over a 30-day period, 500 conventional holiday lights will cost you about $18.00, whereas the same number of LED lights cost $0.19.

Wrap It Up. As much as half of the 85 million tons of paper

Follow these tips to reduce stress before — and mess after — the holidays.

products Americans consume each year goes toward wrapping and decorating objects and this accounts for about 4 million tons of trash annually. Let’s face it. Wrapping paper is expensive, wasteful and impractical. Instead, use recycled wrapping paper, kid art, decorated shoeboxes, upcycled thrift store pillowcases and reusable gift bags.

Avoid overly glossy or metallic foil paper, which cannot be recycled.

Pick the Tree. My son asked me last holiday, “Mom isn’t it more green to put up a fake tree year after year?” Actually, the answer is no.

Artificial trees are made of petroleum products, including PVC (which means dioxins), various glues and metal shipped from overseas. They last on average six years, after which they go to the landfill. The more fragrant and earth-friendly choice is to consult the local tree farm guide in CharlottesvilleFamily’s November issue (online at charlottesvillefamily.com), the Buy Fresh, Buy Local guide or localharvest.org and then pick your own at a local tree farm. You can also purchase a live in-the-pot tree.

Connect to Nature. What about adding a new tradition with the kids? Decorate a tree outside for the birds. Place suet or pinecones rolled in peanut butter and seed or other homemade edible ornaments on a neighboring tree and enjoy the show!

Teri enjoys giving fabulous family go-green advice in her bimonthly column when she’s not busy cooking up more ways to save the planet with her two boys, Ian and Garrett. Visit her online at betterworldbetty.org.

28

December 2013

Quality Affordable Nutritional Products • Infant Formulas • Pediatric Drinks • Toddler Foods • Vitamin & Mineral Supplements

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4/12/13 12:39 PM

Valid at all three locations.

Limit one per customer.

Expires 01/02/2014.

OIL CHANGE & LUBE

$35.00

Free tire rotation, brake check and shuttle service if needed!

Call for appointment. With coupon only. Expires 12/31/13.

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(of equal value or more)

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2013

1791 Airport Rd, Charlottesville (434) 973-4075

Downtown Mall

(Near the Omni, next to Mudhouse)

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Barracks Road (North Wing by Anthropology)

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Thank you for voting us #1 Auto Repair Shop 5 years in a row!

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2013

Monday-Friday 7am-6pm • 24-hour Towing, call (434) 973-7328 after hours

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29

{living well healthy family}

Overuse Injuries What Parents Need to Know

Too much of anything is a bad thing. This holds true even when it comes to kids and their favorite pastimes. Whether you have an all-star pitcher, medal-winning gymnast or passionate video gamer, it’s important to set limits on any type of repetitive activity.

Bobby Chhabra, MD, sees overuse injuries in children, teenagers and young adults. He

Healthy Family

Thinkstock

specializes in hand, wrist and elbow injuries as co-director of the UVA Hand Center and a team

by Kelly Casey

physician for UVA athletes.

Kids who spend hours, day after day, texting or playing video games are at greater risk for overuse injuries such as tendonitis in the thumb, fingers or wrist. Chhabra also sees growth plate and cartilage injuries in the joints of tennis players, gymnasts and pitchers who don’t take time off from their sport. “We see overuse injuries in all sorts of repetitive activities. The most common ones are in athletics, because our kids are engaged in sports at very young ages and participate in these sports essentially year round,” Chhabra says.

“We’re also seeing this issue with children playing video games,” he adds. “They’re texting and using smart phones for extended periods of time, and they develop problems just because of how much they’re using these technologies.”

Fortunately, most overuse injuries can be alleviated by setting time limits on “screen time” and by giving athletes some downtime. “My advice for any parent with a child involved in sports is that it’s OK for them to take time off from their sports. Kids need to rest because doing the same activity can lead to irreversible damage.” Young pitchers can suffer from cartilage damage in their elbow, which can lead to pain, limited motion

The UVA Hand Center

and early arthritis. Growing gymnasts, he adds, can damage their wrist joints.

As a dad, Chhabra knows well the reality of kids wanting to stay

provides care for all ages.

connected. “We are a society that’s linked to our technology,” he says.

Learn more about this

He encourages parents to discuss the need for screen-free time. “While

specialized center at

technology is an important part of how we communicate, moderation is important,” he says, “just like anything else in life.”

uvahealth.com/blog (search for “UVA Hand Center”).

Tendonitis happens when the ropelike structures that connect muscles to bones get inflamed. If your child or teenager starts to complain of hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder or neck pain, ask when he or she notices the symptoms and what the pain feels like: muscle soreness, aching or an electrical-type feeling?

“Identifying the cause is important, as often moderation of those activities

and having a common-sense approach to how much kids participate in these activities will alleviate a lot of these symptoms,” Chhabra says. Sometimes more aggressive treatment — like anti-inflammatory medicine or splinting — will be needed but only after an evaluation by a physician, he adds.

If your child complains of persistent pain in the wrist and fingers that is interfering with activities, make an appointment with your child’s healthcare provider right away.

Kelly is a medical writer for the University of Virginia Health System and UVA Children’s Hospital. For more information on treating and preventing lice, visit uvahealth.com/primarycare.

30

December 2013

Art used with permission—from a 1st Grade Charlottesville Waldorf student’s main lesson notebook.

Any school can teach to a test, but in our Elementary and Middle School classes we teach the whole child, cultivating complete individuals.

As well as learning the three R’s and immersing themselves in history, science and foreign language, all of our students plant, paint, sing, sew and sculpt. They play in orchestra. They are encouraged to ask “Why?” not just “Who?”, “When?”, “Where?”, and “How Much?”

At the Charlottesville Waldorf School knowledge doesn't come from an SOL mandate.

It begins by nurturing a child's desire to learn.

Beginning in our Preschool classrooms, the foundations for academics, a life-long love of learning, and a genuine appreciation of the natural world are achieved with a play-based curriculum in a home-like setting.

Isn’t that the kind of education you want for your child?

Half and Full Day preschool programs available, with extended day options. Enrolling now for all grades. Tours available by appointment.

For more information visit: www.cwaldorf.org or contact our Enrollment Director at: 434-973-4946 x102 to schedule your tour today!

I got my start at

Free Union Country School

2013

Kathryn Cook,D.D.S.

Children’s Dentistry with a Mother’s Touch

Board Certified Pediatric Specialist

895-B Rio East Court (434) 817-KIDS (5437)

Wesley Merrick FAA-Certified Helicopter Pilot

Physics Major

St. Mary’s College, MD

VIRGINIA CENTER FOR

FAMILY RELATIONS

Bridges to Community

5 years, building houses in Nicaragua

2005 Graduate

Free Union Country School

Counseling Excellence

Preschool - Fifth Grade

434.978.1700 www.freeunioncountryschool.org

PC

from a Christian perspective since 1986

“Solutions for life”

434.973.5640 | www.VCFR.org CharlottesvilleFamily.com

31

{living well what’s cookin’?} Caramel Apple Pocket Pies Delightful Winter Treats to Make with the Kids

Oh, the smell of apple pie baking in the oven! It’s one of my favorites. But sometimes making an entire pie is too much. And, sometimes making individual custom pies with the kids is just too much fun to miss!

Consider the pocket pie. Easy to tote, eat and even freeze for future nibbling!

This recipe calls for apples, but depending on the season or your favorite fruits, you could use pears or peaches instead. And if fresh fruit is not available, this also works well with frozen fruit. (Keep frozen until it’s time to bake.)

You can also have fun with extras — arrange a smorgasbord of add-ins (easy to organize in a cupcake tin) so the kids can assemble their own. Walnuts, raisins, blueberries and even cranberries for a real kick of flavor are great to try. Then

What’s Cookin’?

Jennifer Carroll

decorate the top of the pies. The traditional cross drawn through the crust lets the

32

December 2013

steam escape but why not a small butterfly, initials or a wreath? Simpler yet is to cut out a decoration from the leftover dough and place it on top of the pie.

by Jennifer Carroll

Wrapped with a pretty

Caramel Apple Pocket Pies ½ Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and sliced ½ Gala apple, peeled, cored and sliced 1 teaspoon lemon juice ¼ cup chopped pecans, toasted 1 teaspoon store-bought caramel sauce, at room temperature or slightly warmed

ribbon, these pies are a

½ teaspoon granulated sugar, for sprinkling on

tasty twist on the “give your teacher an apple” tradition!

crust ½ teaspoon cinnamon plus 1/8 teaspoon for sprinkling on crust 2 prepared piecrusts, store-bought or homemade 1 egg, beaten, for egg wash White chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix apple slices, lemon juice, pecans, caramel and ½ teaspoon cinnamon in small bowl. Set aside.

Mix granulated sugar with 1⁄8 teaspoon cinnamon and set aside.

Roll out piecrusts and cut one 6-inch circle from each piece. (For perfect circles, trace with a 6-inch plate.) Fill half of each crust with a portion of the apple mix. Fold crust over to make a half circle and press edges with a fork to seal. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. If desired, cut two slits in the top to vent steam.

Bake for 12 minutes on a baking sheet or until pies are a golden brown.

For an added delight, drizzle melted white chocolate over the cooled pies.

Makes two 6-inch pocket pies.

Jennifer — the Celebrations Editor of our sister publication the Charlottesville Welcome Book Wedding Directory — is a mom, blogger, enthusiastic home entertainer and former event planner. More at celebratingeverydaylife.com.

Everyone Deserves

CharlottesvilleFamily Favorite Award Winner 2012

a

Dr. Michelle Heppner

Serving Families in Our Community Voted Charlottesville’s Favorite Chiropractor 2009, 2010, 2011 2012 & 2013

Maternity Care Pediatric Services Low Back/Neck Pain Massage Therapy Sports Injury, Prevention & Treatment

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• www.heppnerfamilychiropractic.com •

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Ray Sellers, Owner of Your Local Domino’s Pizza

Pie

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33

{living well tips & trends}

Poinsettia Dangers

The O. Henry Prize Stories No time to devour a good book this holiday season? Try a short story or two from this selection of the 20 best short stories of the year. Former UVA English professor Deborah Eisenberg and Alice Munro, the 2013 Nobel Prize winner in literature, are among the authors collected.

&

$15.95 at the UVA Bookstore

Tips

Poinsettia plants are not toxic to animals or humans, according to the Society of American Florists (SAF) and the Mayo Clinic. Ingesting the leaves can cause a mild stomachache and the sap can cause a rash, however, so it is still a good idea to keep the plants away from pets and curious children.

Trends

Simple Gift Giving

by Katherine Ludwig

If you’re short on time or cash this season, or you just want to do something a little different, consider these thoughtful gift ideas:

• Food baskets are great. Fill one with pasta, a jar of sauce, breadsticks and some cheese. Or bake your favorite breads or cookies, wrap a bow around them and collect them in a basket.

• Donating to a charity in the name of a loved one provides assistance to needy families and communities and allows all involved to share with others.

• “Freecycle” used books or items, such as photo frames or gently used toys, that you have enjoyed and know others will too.

• Family gifts make sense when buying for each family member is too much. Passes to the movies or the bowling alley are fun, and group games provide hours of enjoyment.

• Audiobooks and e-books offer ongoing listening entertainment. Create personalized CDs or buy and send electronic downloads through email (to save on postage).

It is your life.

Document it.

Holiday gift certificates available susanparmar.com 34

December 2013

Holiday Party 101

Q A

How do I avoid overeating at the holidays?

UVA’s Club Red advises preparing ahead by eating a healthy snack before you head out the door and make your first drink non-alcoholic so you don’t mistake thirst for hunger. At the buffet, scope out your most healthy options and make a plan before you even pick up a plate. Then be a social butterfly and enjoy visiting with friends and family — and indulge in conversation rather than extra helpings.

Buy Local!

Holiday Gift Guide

“There is generosity in giving, but gentleness in receiving.”

— Freya Stark

SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF Ashtanga Yoga See ad page 18

Massage Envy See ad page 35

Face Value Salon See ad page 35

Penelope See ad page 42

Happy Cook See ad page 52

Head to the Downtown Mall for more shops!

See ad page 27

Precious Gifts The simple beauty of these handmade Elaine B Jewelry pieces is truly something to behold. Designed and made of natural metals by a Charlottesville craftswoman, each item is uniquely different..

From $40 at Bittersweet, The Barn Swallow Gallery or Sustain

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Face Value Salon An Aveda Concept Salon In Old Trail Village

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CharlottesvilleFamily.com

35

Short on Ornaments?

Incorporating natural objects like pinecones and fruit and treats such as candy canes are easy, affordable ways of filling up your tree.

’Tis the Season Decorating the Christmas tree, the highlight of many homes this holiday season, can seem like an overwhelming task. Whether you prefer a themed tree or have a mismatched collection of ornaments, try some of these tips when trimming the tree this year.

by Becky Calvert

1

Start with the lights. Wrap them as close to the trunk as possible, starting from the bottom. Work them out from the trunk to the tip of every major branch, wrapping the lights as you go. For every vertical foot of tree, use 100 lights for maximum effect.

2

Place your topper. It’s much easier to place it without having to worry if you are going to knock your heavily

3

Add garland from the top of the tree down to the bottom, increasing the amount of garland in each wave

decorated tree over.

as you work your way down. Thin, beaded garlands will add a delicate effect while larger paper or ribbon garlands will fill out your tree.

4

Hang your favorite ornaments in prime positions. Then hang the largest ornaments, going in size down to the smallest, spacing them around the tree. Ornaments hung near the trunk can help create depth and interest in your tree, as will using a variety of ornament shapes and sizes.

5 36

A tree skirt is a nice finish under the tree. Don’t have one? A small quilt, tablecloth or even piece of fabric or batting to look like snow can be playfully scrunched around the base, adding a beautiful look.

December 2013

{living well home and garden} Charlottesville Commons 2013 Pulling together the many threads of our vibrant local food community, Charlottesville Commons 2013 is the first book for local photographers Sarah Cramer Shields and Andrea Hubbell.

With a variety of collaborating area writers

&

and enthusiasts, this is a quintessentially Charlottesville must-have.

“I never eat December snowflakes.

I always wait until January.”

— Lucy Van Pelt, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

$28, Feast, Happy Cook or The Artisans Market

HOME 

Doing It Themselves

Garden

DIY.org is a community where kids learn, show off and share the stuff they make and the skills they have. They can earn real merit badges too!

Naturally Organized Keep track of your family’s activities with this gorgeous calendar, inspired by nature, from Smudge Ink. The 2014 Natural Collection Write-in Wall Calendar has enough space to write in your daily events and reminders while being an attractive addition to your wall.

$30, O’Suzannah

Thank You!!!

2013

Your Source For Holiday Cheer!!

A Farm Market & Garden Shop

Please Visit our Website for Details...

T h e M a r k e t At G r e l e n . c o m 540-672-7268 Somerset, Virginia Tuesday - Saturday 9 - 5; Sunday 11 - 4 (closed Dec. 24 - Feb. 3)

Fresh & Local Christmas Trees Roping & Wreaths (Available Nov. 29) Holiday Workshops (First 2 wks in Dec.) Photos with Santa & Sleigh (Saturdays 12-4 p.m.

Starting Nov. 30) Custom lectures & Workshops Available CharlottesvilleFamily.com

37

{living well home and garden} in the bag

Buy Local!

Holiday Gift Guide

Upcycle old fabric napkins into unique gift bags

Deck the hallS

The average linen napkin is the perfect size to become a unique gift bag for some hard-to-wrap

AM Fog See ad page 26

gifts, namely bottles.

Grand Home Furnishings See ad page 33

To sew your own bottle-size gift bag, fold a napkin in half lengthwise, with right sides facing. Pin the long

The Market at Grelen See ad page 37

edge and one short one, leaving one open. Along the long edge, measure 4 inches down and make a mark.

Snow’s Garden & Landscape Center See ad page 34 Visit the Downtown Mall to do more shopping!

See ad page 27

Milmont Greenhouses See ad page 24

At the mark, insert two foot-long ribbons, ensuring the ends will be sewn into the seam along the long side. Stitch along the two edges, leaving a narrow seam. Turn the bag inside out, insert a bottle and tie it shut with the ribbon ties. Voila! A quick and easy gift bag for your bottle-shaped gifts!

Becky lives on an urban homestead with her husband, daughter and a gang of chickens. Follow their adventures at chickenwirepaperflowers.com.

Roof Top Services

434-975-2051 Voted #1 Roofer 4 Years in a Row! Roof Replacements & Repairs Over 30 Years Experience

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Fully Insured Class A Contractor # 2705083837A

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Your Choice for Favorite RealtoR®

Denise Ramey

Here’s what my clients have to say about our service: “It was a pleasure to be treated like we were the most important clients even though it was a long process and we were a low budget purchase. Nothing but the best from you guys!!”

— Joshua & Katie, Buyers in Louisa 2013

Thanks for voting me a Favorite again in 2012!

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CharlottesvilleFam Favorite Aw ily Winner ard 2012

Roy Wheeler Realty Co.

www.deniseramey.com • deniserameyrealtor@gmail.com 38

December 2013

A gentle, safe and loving atmosphere for young children to begin to explore the world and to prepare for kindergarten.

Close to Crozet, Charlottesville & UVA. • Operating since 1991 under the same owner • Long-term staff • Numerous schedule options • Full Day & Half Day

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Got Allergies?

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39

{inspiration family favorites}

CharlottesvilleFamily Favorite Awards 2013 We asked and you answered!

More than 1,600 of you shared your favorite places to eat, shop and play in the fifth annual CharlottesvilleFamily Favorite Awards.

Discover the top vote-getters here!

40

December 2013

n i c g n . u . o . n n A

r Family-Friendly Fun and Service o f s k c i P s inning W r u o Y

Family Fun Attraction 1. Monticello 2. Downtown Mall 3. UVA Grounds Craft Studio 1. Lazy Daisy Ceramics & The Pottery Paintin’ Place p 76 2. The Glass Palette 3. City Clay Family Day Trip, Out of Town 1. Washington, D.C. 2. Williamsburg 3. Virginia Safari Park Festival 1. Dogwood Festival 2. Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival 3. Top of the Hops Beer Festival Hike 1. Humpback Rock 2. Crabtree Falls 3. Saunders-Monticello Trail Historic Site 1. Monticello 2. Montpelier 3. UVA Grounds Kid’s Museum 1. Virginia Discovery Museum p 27 2. Amazement Square 3. Children’s Museum of Richmond Local Resort 1. Wintergreen Resort 2. The Boar’s Head 3. Keswick Hall

Movie Theater 1. Regal Cinemas 2. Carmike Cinemas 3. Zeus Digital Theater

Theme Park 1. Busch Gardens 2. Kings Dominion 3. Water Country USA

Music Venue 1. nTelos Wireless Pavilion 2. The Jefferson Theater 3. UVA John Paul Jones Arena

UVA Sports Team 1. Football 2. Basketball 3. Baseball

Park/Playground 1. Pen Park 2. Greenleaf Park 3. McIntire Park

Zoo 1. National Zoo 2. Virginia Safari Park 3. Metro Richmond Zoo

Pick-Your-Own Farm 1. Carter Mountain Orchard 2. Chiles Peach Orchard 3. The Market at Grelen p 37 Private Pool 1. ACAC p 3 2. Farmington Country Club 3. Fry’s Spring Beach Club Public Pool 1. Onesty Family Aquatic Center 2. Washington Park Pool 3. Crozet PARC Pool Rainy Day Outing 1. Bounce-n-Play p 53 2. AMF Kegler’s Bowling Lanes 3. Regal Cinemas Theatre Group 1. Live Arts 2. Four County Players 3. Black Box Players

Charlottesville is a wonderful place to raise children!!!

— Sandy

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

41

{inspiration family favorites} Parties and Portraits W

E

L

C

O

M

E

B

O

O

Cake Bakery 1. Chandler’s Bakery p 13 2. Albemarle Baking Company 3. Sweethaus

K

2013

Thank you for voting us best veterinary hospital

five years in a row!

Party Location 1. Bounce-n-Play p 53 2. ACAC p 3 3. Explorations Play Studio (TIE) 3. ATA Leadership Martial Arts

We are a full-service veterinary hospital dedicated to the welfare of companion animals.

Party Supplies 1. The Party Starts Here 2. Target 3. Dollar Tree

PreVentatiVe Care diaGnostiC testinG

Party Theme 1. Halloween 2. Pirates 3. Princess

surGery mediCal treatment online PHarmaCy Providing excellence in veterinary care since 1959.

boardinG

Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 6 pm| Saturday 7:30 am - 2 pm

Georgetown Veterinary Hospital | 200 Georgetown Way, Charlottesville 22901

(434)977-4600 | georgetownveterinaryhospital.com

Forget sugar plums.

DREAM ABOUT PANDORA.

Party Entertainment 1. Bounce-n-Play p 53 2. Zephyr the Magician 3. Expressions! (Face Painting and Body Art)

Mark Trimpe of Zephyr Magic is great with kids!

— Robert

Photographer 1. Jen Fariello Photography p 54 2. Jim Carpenter/Gitchell’s Studio p 48 3. KMS Photography p 12

Local Retail Baby Boutique 1. Whimsies p 59 2. Petit Bebe 3. Shenanigans p 59

2013

Bike Shop 1. Blue Ridge Cyclery 2. Performance Bicycle Shop 3. C’ville Bike & Tri Bookstore for Kids’ Titles 1. Over the Moon Bookstore & Artisan Gallery 2. New Dominion Bookshop 3. Shenanigans p 59 Children’s Clothing Boutique 1. Whimsies p 59 2. Petit Bebe 3. The Lollipop Shop Hobby Shop 1. C’ville’s Hobbies, Games and Toys 2. University Dive & Hobby 3. Cavalier Cards p 13 Jewelry Boutique 1. Penelope p 42 2. Andrew Minton Jewelers 3. Angelo Jewelry

Charlottesville 2160 Barracks Road 434.977.5811

42

December 2013

Farmville 306 North Main Street 434.392.1899

Kitchen Gear & Supplies 1. The Happy Cook p 52 2. Crème de la Crème

Thank you for making us one of your Family Favorite Real Estate Companies again!

2013

Visit us at

roywheeler.com Roy Wheeler Realty Co.

1100 Dryden Lane, Charlottesville, VA

(434) 980-MOVE (6683) • Toll-free: (866) 616-RELO (7356) • homes @roywheeler.com CharlottesvilleFamily.com

43

{inspiration family favorites} Complete, Modern Dentistry For Adults, Teens & Children

Music Stores 1. Plan 9 2. Stacey’s Music 3. Heinz Musitronics Pet Supplies 1. Pet Supplies Plus p 6 2. Pet Food Discounters 3. Sammy Snacks Place to Buy Green 1. Rebecca’s Natural Food p 53 2. Charlottesville City Market 3. Integral Yoga

CALL NOW

for your appointment!

823-2290 361-2442

Place to Buy Jeans 1. Jean Theory p 27 2. Lola 2013

Bring in a new, unwrapped toyfor Toys for Tots and receive $50 off your December Dental Service!* Share with your family and friends!

“Donate and Save” this holiday season!

Accepting toys through December 20! *Valid for existing and new patients. Not redeemable for cash or applicable to previous treatments.

Consignment, Kids 1. The Lollipop Shop 2. Kid to Kid Charlottesville 3. Here Wee Grow Again Consignment, Women 1. Divine Consign 2. Sally Jo’s 29 Consign p 24 3. Glad Rags Consignment Boutique Sporting Goods 1. Downtown Athletic 2. Ragged Mountain Running Shop 3. Total Soccer Shop

Dr. Jim rice & Dr. Jennifer rice

Family.

Friends.

Community.

2013

2009, 2010 2011, 2012 & 2013 Thank you for voting us #1 insurance agency 5 years in a row!

Toy Shop 1. Shenanigans p 59 2. Alakazam Toys and Gifts p 59 3. Bounce-n-Play p 53

Gary Albert CPCU CLU ChFC, Agent www.garyalbert.com Charlottesville, VA 22901 Bus: 434-296-1222 insurance@garyalbert.com

We’re all in this together.

State Farm® has a long tradition of being there. That's one reason why I'm proud to support Charlottesville Families.

Get to a better State . ®

Women’s Clothing 1. Bittersweet 2. Eloise 3. Levys of Charlottesville

National Retail Baby Gear 1. Babies “R” Us 2. Target 3. Toys “R” Us Bookstore for Kids’ Titles 1. Barnes & Noble 2. Amazon 3. Target Children’s Clothing 1. Old Navy 2. Target 3. Gap Maternity Clothing 1. Target 2. Motherhood Maternity 3. Old Navy

1211007

44

December 2013

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

Pet Supplies 1. PetSmart 2. Petco 3. Pet Supplies Plus p 6

Bright Beginnings Preschool

#1 DAYCAR E

Thanks for voting us

2013

· Place To Work—Daily Progress Readers’ Choice Awards 2012, 2013 · Daycare—CharlottesvilleFamily 2011, 2012, 2013 · Preschool—CharlottesvilleFamily 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, #2 in 2013 · Preschool—Cville Weekly 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 · Daycare—Daily Progress Readers’ Choice Awards 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 · Best Teacher—CharlottesvilleFamily 2011 & 2012 · Baby/Toddler Program—CharlottesvilleFamily #2 in 2013

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Thank you for voting us: #1 Daycare #2 Baby/Toddler Program #2 Preschool

Take A Tour And Receive Hot Chocolate and Free Quality Literature!

In A Neighborhood Near You! Mill Creek • 979-8585

Forest Lakes • 973-8414

Crozet • 823-7129

Offering an academic curriculum in a nurturing environment since 1984.

Find us on Facebook!

brightbeginningsva.com

{inspiration family favorites}

At Albemarle Center for Family Medicine, they are attentive, caring and take the necessary time to address your questions and concerns.

Dr. Sanusi has been my doctor for over 13 years, and I would highly recommend him to your family.

— Desta

Sporting Goods 1. Dick’s Sporting Goods 2. Play It Again Sports 3. Downtown Athletic Toy Shop 1. Toys “R” Us 2. Shenanigans p 59 3. Target Women’s Clothing Boutique 1. Talbots 2. Loft 3. Belk

Health Care Alternative Care Provider 1. Downtown Family Health Care 2. China Med Charlottesville 3. Virginia Integrative Medicine Chiropractor 1. Cox Chiropractic Clinic 2. Scott Wagner Chiropractic and Sports Medicine 3. Albemarle Family Chiropractic Counseling Service 1. Virginia Center for Family Relations p 31 2. New City Counseling 3. Transformation Counseling

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December 2013

Dentist, Family 1. Clarke, Farmer, and States, DDS 2. Aesthetic Dentistry of Charlottesville p 47 3. Drs. Rice & Associates Family & Cosmetic Dentistry p 44 Dentist, Pediatric 1. Charlottesville Pediatric Dentistry p 15 2. Kathryn A. Cook, DDS p 31 3. Crozet Pediatric Dentistry p 16 Dermatologist 1. Charlottesville Dermatology 2. Albemarle Dermatology Associates & Signature Medical Spa Family Doctor 1. Albemarle Center for Family Medicine p 18 2. Albemarle Square Family Health Care 3. Family Medicine of Albemarle Hospital for Children’s Health 1. UVA Health System 2. Martha Jefferson Hospital p 5 3. Kluge Children’s Rehabilitation Center Hospital for Maternity Care 1. Martha Jefferson Hospital p 5 2. UVA Health System 3. Augusta Health

Ob-Gyn 1. Jefferson Obstetrics & Gynecology 2. Ed Wolanski, MD & Donna Vinal, CNM p 12 3. Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates p 15 Optometrist 1. Crozet Eye Care, Optometrists 2. Drs. Record & Record, Optometrists p 16 3. Primary Eyecare p 17 Orthodontist 1. Charlottesville Orthodontics p 55 2. Hamer & Hamer Orthodontics p 2 3. Dr. Suzanne M. Dennis, Orthodontist p 51 Pediatrician 1. Piedmont Pediatrics p 15 2. Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville 3. Northridge Pediatrics Physical Therapy 1. ACAC p 3 2. Pantops Physical Therapy 3. PT Plus Physical Therapy & Wellness Center Plastic Surgeon 1. Victoria L. Vastine, MD 2. Stephen S. Park, MD 3. Thomas J. Gampper, MD Veterinarian 1. Georgetown Veterinary Hospital p 42 2. Airport Animal Clinic 3. Earlysville Animal Hospital

Treating Families Together Enhance Your Smile and Appearance:

With the Latest Techniques in Whitening, Bonding, Porcelain Veneers, Crowns, Implants and Bridgework

Be Comfortable and Relaxed:

With Nitrous Oxide and Sedation Dentistry

Straighten Your Teeth:

nk

you for your t e! vo

Family Dentistry:

We take pride in offering dental care for all ages

Tha

With Invisalign Dentistry (invisible braces)

2013

Visit us at 900 Gardens Boulevard, Suite 600, Charlottesville, VA | www.cvillesmiles.com | 434/984-3455

Thank You!!!

2013

Fall & Winter are the Best Seasons to Transplant!

Grelen provides everything You need to Create & Maintain A Beautiful Landscape:

Providing Customers with the Highest Standards of Service since 1991

Native & Ornamemental Plants & Trees

grelennursery.com

Landscaping & Maintenance

540-672-5462 Somerset, Virginia

Hardscaping

Please call for an appointment Monday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm

Large Tree Spade Services CharlottesvilleFamily.com

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{inspiration family favorites}

Thank you!

Thank you Charlottesville Family Magazine readers — and our over 62,000 members — for choosing us as the best financial institution in Central Virginia. join today! Personal/Business Member Eligibility to anyone who lives or works in Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson or Orange. for a list of our branch and atm locations, visit uvacreditunion.org.

Open to the Community

Education Daycare 1. Bright Beginnings Preschool p 45 2. Foundations Child Development Center p 63 3. Nature’s Bloom Daycare Educational Consultant/Tutoring Program/Learning Program 1. LearningRX 2. Clayborne Education 3. Georgetown Learning Center p 66 Educational Recreation 1. Speak! Language Center 2. ATA Leadership Martial Arts 3. Explorations Play Studio

2013

uvacreditunion.org 434-964-2001 this credit union is federally insured by the national credit union administration.

Part of the Community

Library Branch 1. Northside 2. Crozet 3. Central Preschool 1. Charlottesville Catholic School p 62 2. Bright Beginnings Preschool p 45 3. ACAC p 3 Private School 1. Charlottesville Catholic School p 62 2. The Covenant School p 64 3. St. Anne’s–Belfield School p 65 Speech-Language Program 1. Sheila C. Johnson Center 2. Albemarle Therapy Center 3. Crozet Speech and Learning Center Teacher 1. Harold Mock, Tandem Friends School 2. Mini Nair, Charlottesville Catholic School p 62 3. Kim Basile-Wood, Peabody School (TIE) p 52 3. Rose Ciccarone, Charlottesville Catholic School p 62

Dining Out Breakfast Spot 1. Bodo’s Bagels 2. Tip Top Restaurant 3. Bluegrass Grill & Bakery Coffee Shop 1. Mudhouse 2. C’ville Coffee 3. Greenberry’s Coffee Co. Date Night Restaurant 1. Mas 2. The Local 3. Bonefish Grill Family Restaurant, Chain 1. Outback Steakhouse 2. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers 3. Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill Family Restaurant, Non-Chain 1. Tip Top Restaurant 2. Timberwood Grill 3. Eppie’s

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December 2013

If you have a chance to eat in town, stop at Mas. Sit at the bar and watch the chefs do their thing!

— Bob

Farmers’ Market Location 1. Charlottesville City Market 2. Crozet Farmer’s Market 3. Forest Lakes Farmer’s Market Fast Food 1. Chick-fil-A 2. Chipotle Mexican Grill 3. Wendy’s Frozen Dessert Place 1. Sweet Frog Premium Frozen Yogurt p 33 2. Arch’s Frozen Yogurt 3. Splendora’s Gelato Café p 72 Grocery Store, Chain 1. Harris Teeter 2. Kroger 3. Whole Foods Market Hamburger Restaurant 1. Five Guys Burger and Fries 2. Riverside Lunch 3. Citizen Burger Bar International Food, Chinese 1. Peter Chang’s 2. Red Lantern 3. Taste of China International Food, Indian 1. Milan Indian Cuisine 2. Maharaja Fine Indian Cuisine 3. Royal Indian

Classics Gymnastics Begin here. Go anywhere!

Learning.

Having Fun. Growing Strong.

Building Confidence.

2013

Parent & Child classes, starting at 18 months!

• Tumbling Tots for kids ages 3-Kindergarten • A lifetime of options to move on to from there!

•

experienced instructors

| superb facilites | well-structured classes

start classes anytime!

2327 Seminole Lane, Charlottesville

434-978-4720 CharlottesvilleFamily.com

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{inspiration family favorites} International Food, Italian/Mediterranean 1. Bella’s Italian 2. Vivace 3. Tavola International Food, South of the Border 1. Guadalajara 2. Plaza Azteca 3. Baja Bean International Food, Thai 1. Thai 99 2. Lime Leaf 3. Tara Thai Kid’s Menu 1. Burton’s Grill 2. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers 3. Eppie’s Local Market 1. The C’ville Market 2. Foods of All Nations 3. Reid’s Super-Save Market Pizza 1. Christian’s Pizza 2. Sal’s Pizza 3. Crozet Pizza Salad Bar 1. Whole Foods Market 2. Ruby Tuesday 3. Jason’s Deli Sandwich 1. The Market 2. Bodo’s Bagels 3. Which Wich

Kids’ Activities Baby/Toddler Program 1. The Little Gym p 73 2. Bright Beginnings Preschool p 45 3. Explorations Play Studio Dance School 1. Wilson School of Dance 2. Charlottesville Ballet Academy p 24 3. Albemarle Ballet Theatre p 75

The Little Gym is a great place for the kids to not only have fun, but also learn while doing it — and not even know it!

— Jennifer

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December 2013

Golf Program 1. First Tee 2. Farmington Country Club 3. Kandi Comer Golf Gymnastics Program 1. Classics Gymnastics p 49 2. The Little Gym p 73 3. Charlottesville Parks & Recreation p 7 Horseback Riding Lessons 1. Glenmore Equestrian Center 2. Carriage Hill Farm p 76 3. Hidden Creek Farm p 76

Martial Arts 1. ATA Leadership Martial Arts 2. Laughing Dragon Kung Fu 3. 7 Tigers Taekwondo and Hapkido Music Teacher/School 1. Joseph Olivarez/Peabody School p 52 2. Music Education Center 3. Angela Kelly/Charlottesville Day School

2013

Thank you for voting us a winner!

Summer Day Camp 1. ACAC p 3 2. Triple C Camp 3. Living Earth School Summer Residential Camp 1. Living Earth School 2. Camp Friendship p 68 3. Triple C Camp Swim Program 1. ACAC p 3 2. Fairview Swim and Tennis Club 3. UVA Intramural-Recreational Sports Team Sports Program 1. SOCA p 75 2. Piedmont Family YMCA 3. Virginia Basketball Academy p 72 Tennis Lessons 1. ACAC p 3 2. The Boar’s Head 3. Fairview Swim and Tennis Club Theatre Program 1. Live Arts 2. Black Box Players 3. Four County Players

Because a Smile Call Now to Schedule Your Free Consultation!

ference! f i D es a k a M

Braces for Children, Adults & Adolescents

Dr. Suzanne M. Dennis

Orthodontics

Flexible Payment Plans | Insurance Filed

Located Across from Fashion Square Mall

895 Rio East Court, Suite A, Charlottesville, VA 22901 (434) 973-4446 | SmileCville.com

Thank You for Honoring Us with Your Votes!

Fitness & Beauty Beauty Salon 1. Moxie Hair & Body Lounge 2. Bristles Hair Design and Day Spa 3. Face Value Studio and Salon p 35 Exercise Class, Mommy & Me 1. ACAC p 3 2. The Little Gym p 73 3. Bend Yoga Exercise Class, Women 1. ACAC p 3 2. Pure Barre 3. ATA Leadership Martial Arts

The Best Real Estate Teams Take Years to Refine.ith us Charlottesville Area’s Top Producing Brother-Sister Team

Family Health Club/Gym 1. ACAC p 3 2. Anytime Fitness 3. Gold’s Gym Kids’ Hair Cuts 1. Snip-Its 2. Hair Cuttery 3. Attitudes Salon Manicure/Pedicure 1. Holly’s Nails 2. K Nails & Spa 3. Oasis Day Spa & Body Shop

Charlottesville Natives

Marjorie Adam (Age 10)

Jacques Gates (Age 7)

Contact the Marjorie Adam Team to BUY or SELL your home!

434.326.1881 • MarjorieAdamTeam.com

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

51

{inspiration family favorites} Mind/Body Classes 1. ACAC p 3 2. Bend Yoga 3. Pure Barre Place for a Massage 1. The Spa at ACAC p 3 2. Massage Envy Spa p 35 3. The Boar’s Head Spa Spa 1. The Boar’s Head Spa 2. The Spa at ACAC p 3 3. Oasis Day Spa & Body Shop

Home & Garden Builder/Remodeler 1. Southern Development Homes p 11 2. Stanley Martin Homes p 80 3. Tectonics II Concierge Service 1. C’ville Concierge 2. C&D Concierge Service 3. Omni Charlottesville Hotel Decorator 1. Alicia Arnold Decorating 2. Embellish Interiors 3. Folly Home Furnishings

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.

Are you searching for a supportive and challenging middle school experience for your child?

Peabody School serves academically advanced students Pre-K - 8th grade and offers differentiated instruction specially tailored to meet the needs of all students.

Winter Open House Wednesday, January 15th | 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

2013

Please contact our Director of Admissions, Katie Murrah, to schedule a visit. kmurrah@peabodyschool.org 1232 Stoney Ridge Road ChaRlotteSville, viRginia 22902 (434) 296-6901

PEABODYSCHOOL.ORG

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December 2013

Electrician 1. Robertson Electric 2. Design Electric 3. W.E. Brown Furniture Store 1. Grand Home Furnishings p 33 2. The Artful Lodger 3. Kane Furniture & Interiors Garden Center 1. Snow’s Garden & Landscape Center p 34 2. Ivy Nursery 3. Lowe’s Home Improvement

supporting local

Handyman 1. Advantage Handyman Services 2. Mansfield Handyman Services 3. Bryant’s Handyman Services

Thank you for your vote!

Heating and Cooling 1. Robertson Electric 2. Albemarle Heating & Air 3. Mack Morris Heating & Air Conditioning p 39

2013

Home Accessory Shop 1. Home Goods 2. Lowe’s Home Improvement 3. Pier One Imports Home Electronics 1. Crutchfield Corporation 2. Best Buy 3. Lowe’s Home Improvement

www.RebeccasNaturalFood.com Barracks Rd. Shopping Ctr. Mon-Fri 9-8, Sat & Sun 10-6

House Cleaning Service 1. Merry Maids 2. Molly Maid 3. Busy Brooms Landscaping Service 1. Snow’s Garden & Landscape Center p 34 2. Grelen Nursery p 47 3. D&D Lawn Care Organizing Service 1. Simply Organized 2. Landis 3. Sara Burruss Painter 1. Wade Lewis 2. Perry G’s Painting 3. Webber Painting

We’ve worked hard to create a place kids and adults want to visit again and again... but we couldn’t have done it without YOU! We’ll see you again soon!

I’m fairly new to the area and I would say Grelen in Orange County is the place to watch as it expands and grows, and it’s worth the rural drive to find it.

Plan a visit around sunset for a gorgeous view, find out when the free concerts are.

— Kat

2013

GOLD

Favorite Rainy Day Outing, Party Location & Party Entertainment

BRONZE

Favorite Toy Shop

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

53

{inspiration family favorites} Pest Control 1. Intrastate Pest Control 2. Holistic Pest Solutions 3. Dodson Pest Control Plumbing 1. Fitch Services 2. Robertson Electric 3. Pete’s Plumbing & Heating Roofing 1. Roof Top Services p 38 2. Blue Ridge Roofing 3. Goodloe & Roberts Roofing Window Cleaning 1. Cavalier Window Cleaning 2. Albemarle Window Cleaning 3. Squeegee Clean Window Washers

Services Auto Dealers 1. Brown Automotive Group p 4 2. Jim Price Automotive 3. Colonial Auto Center Bank/Credit Union 1. UVA Community Credit Union p 48 2. Wells Fargo 3. BB&T

Car Repair Shop 1. Airport Road Auto Center p 31 2. Brown Automotive Group p 4 3. Colonial Auto Center Family Lawyer 1. Tucker Griffin Barnes 2. MichieHamlett 3. MartinWren Financial Consultant Service 1. Ameriprise Financial p 19 2. Northwestern Mutual 3. Wells Fargo Insurance Agent 1. Gary Albert, State Farm Insurance p 44 2. Lauren Morris, State Farm Insurance 3. Kevin Mann, State Farm Insurance

Mortgage Broker 1. Phillip Mahone, Mahone Mortgage p 54 2. Cleve Brannock, Fulton Mortgage Company 3. Tammy Wilt, Movement Mortgage Real Estate Company 1. Real Estate III/Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate 2. Nest Realty Group 3. Roy Wheeler Realty Company p 43 Realtor 1. Denise Ramey, Roy Wheeler Realty Company p 38 2. Marjorie Adam, Nest Realty Group p 51 3. Jim Duncan, Nest Realty Group

THANK YOU! I appreciate your vote!

Philip Mahone Owner/Licensed Loan Officer

2013

434-293-5200

mahonemortgage.com pmahone@mahonemortgage.com NMLS# 219673 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)

685 Berkmar Court, Charlottesville, VA 22901

54

December 2013

Bart Weis, DDs & Jim soDerquist, DDs

2013

VOTED #1 FAVORITE

FAMILY ORTHODONTIST 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013

Beautiful Smiles

They’re Our Specialty!

Welcoming children, Teens & AdulTs cleAr BrAces Premier Preferred invisAlign Provider flexiBle PAymenT PlAn | insurAnce filed

Call noW to sCheDule your free Consultation!

Gorgeous smiles brought to you by sisters & actual patients of Charlottesville Orthodontics

971-9601 | cvilleorthodontics.com NorthSide: Adjacent to Target | dowNtowN/PaNtoPS : Near Martha Jefferson

{inspiration shopping}

e r o M

This Year’s Stand-Out Books, Magazines and Music!

For 23 years, the National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) has been the go-to source for parents who are looking for great gifts for the holidays. An independent panel of experts, parents and children carefully tested and played with hundreds of submissions and honored the products featured in this section with gold awards.

To see the entire list of gold, silver and honors winners, visit NAPPAawards.com or download the free app from Cozi — the leading online family calendar and organizer — and view them on your phone.

MUSIC

By Michael Berick

Singing Our Way Through: Songs for the World’s Bravest Kids — Alastair Moock and Friends Moock Music, 2013, $15, singingourway.com Ages: 18 months+

Recess — Justin Roberts Justin Roberts Music, 2013, $15,

All About Following Your Dreams ... Big and Small Cool Beans Music & East Coast Recording Company, 2012, $15, allaboutfollowingyourdreams.com Ages: 6 to 8

Blue Clouds — Elizabeth Mitchell & You Are My Flower

justinrobertsmusic.com

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings,

Ages: 4 to 10

2012, $14.98, folkways.si.edu Fun for the entire family

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December 2013

The Mighty Sky — Beth Nielsen Chapman

It’s Not Fair to Me — Bill Harley & Keith Munslow

BNC Records, 2012, $14.98,

Round River Records, 2013, $14.99,

themightysky.com

billharley.com

Fun for the entire family

Fun for the entire family

BOOKS & MAGAZINES

By Helen Foster James, Ed.D., and Dr. Virginia Loh Hagan

Noisy Bug Sing-Along,

The Dark, by Lemony Snicket,

by John Himmelman

illustrated by Jon Klassen

Dawn Publications, 2013, $8.95,

Little Brown Books for Young

dawnpub.com

Readers, 2013, $16.99,

Ages: 4 to 9

hachettebookgroup.com Ages: 3+

Exclamation Mark, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld Scholastic Press/Scholastic, 2013, $17.99, edelweiss.abovethetreeline.com

Rawr! by Todd H. Doodler Scholastic, 2013, $12.99, edelweiss.abovethetreeline.com Ages: 3+

Ages: 3+

The Man with the Violin,

by Kathy Stinson, illustrated by Dusan Petricic Annick Press, 2013, $19.95, annickpress.com

The Invisible Boy,

Ages: 5 to 8

by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Patrice Barton Alfred A. Knopf BFYR, 2013, $16.99, trudyludwig.com

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Fun Facts & Silly Stories, Volume 1

Ages: 6+

Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, 2012, $8.99, ripleybooks.com Ages: 6+

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library,

by Chris Grabenstein Random House BFYR, 2013, $16.99, randomhouse.com Ages: 9+

Sewing School 2: Lessons in Machine Sewing, by Amie Petronis Plumley and Andria Lisle: Storey Publishing, 2013, $18.95, storey.com Ages: 7+

Starry River of the Sky,

by Grace Lin, read by Kim Mai Guest Hachette Audio, 2012, $22.98, hachettebookgroup.com.

Fun for the entire family

Meet our panel of expert judges at NAPPAawards.com.

Enter to win a selection of NAPPA winners at Facebook.com/NAPPAawards.

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

57

{inspiration shopping}

Local Gifts Area Toy Stores Share Their Top Gift Selections

ZAM ALAKA & GIFTS

TOYS

BROOK W O D A ME ACY PHARM Polar Bear Tie 100% silk twill Alynn Neckwear, $45

Boogie Board LCD writing tablet Improv Electronics, $34.95 Dump Truck 100% post-consumer recycled plastic Green Toys, $28

Babar Father Christmas 24-piece floor puzzle New York Puzzle Company, $20.50

Slackers Slackine Classic Series Kit 50-foot webbing and ratchet Slackers, $80

IGANS

N SHENA

Snow Day 500-piece jigsaw puzzle New York Puzzle Company, $18.50

IES

Bebe Calin Baby doll Corolle, $39.95

WHIMS

Loopdedoo Spinning Loom Spinning loom with embroidery floss Ann Williams Group, $35 Purple Cordy Pony Corduroy stuffed animal Jellycat, $24

Discovery Space Center Space-themed playset Hape, $129.95

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December 2013

Mark-Mat Alphabet Animals Reusable to-be-colored placemats Modern-Twist, $27 Assorted Watches Themed timekeepers The Kids Watch Company, $12 each

hot toys for cool kids

It Only Takes

ONE

2013

to make a difference this holiday season!

ShenaniganS 601 West Main Street Open 7 days a week • (434) 295-4797

www.shenaniganstoys.net

2013 TOY LIFT Friday, December 6, 2013 | 975-TOYS | kidslift.org

2013

candycutie cane dress up your little ones for the holiday

North Wing Barracks Road • whimsieskids.com

434.977.8767

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

59

{inspiration education}

Home Sweet Homeschooling A Custom-Fit Education for Your Child

by Katherine Ludwig

On a warm June afternoon, with the school year drawing to a close, a group of elementary-age students gathered in the “community building” at Mountaintop Montessori to hear 22-year-old Seth Swingle play the banjo and a collection of oddlooking West African folk instruments. Sensing the fidgety curiosity (and fingers) of his precocious audience, Swingle explained that soon they’d each have a chance to try their own hands at the kora — a harp-like instrument. For a moment, the energetic audience calmed and all young eyes and ears tuned in to Swingle’s virtuosic playing.

Having attended the school’s elementary program, Swingle is a kind of famous alum at Mountaintop. A banjo prodigy, he has won numerous awards and played such prestigious events and venues as the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center and Merlefest. At 15, he was awarded a Virginia Foundation for the Humanities Folklife Apprenticeship to study banjo with the late Mike Seeger. After graduating from the University of Chicago in 2011, he received a Fulbright scholarship to study West African music and culture in Mali.

These accomplishments would be impressive even if he had studied under remarkable teachers at the country’s finest schools. But for most of his childhood, Seth was homeschooled.

Although his parents, Craig Swingle and Ruth Jolly, credit his early Montessori schooling for giving him a great educational foundation and selfmotivated work ethic that has contributed to his musical and academic success, Richard Harden

they ultimately chose to homeschool him for sixth through 12th grades, mostly to allow Seth freedom and flexibility to pursue his music. “You can’t pull your kid out of school for five days to attend a music festival,” says Swingle. But as homeschoolers, they could work around his travel schedules.

Another check in the pro-homeschool column was Seth’s habit of practicing his banjo first thing in the morning, when he was fresh. Jolly did look around for schools that might accommodate her son’s practice schedule, but she says she couldn’t find any that could allow Seth to start his academic studies after 9 a.m.

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December 2013

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

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Krissy Millar | KM Photography

{inspiration education} find your place

Resources Some State and Local Resources

Krissy Millar | KM Photography

for Homeschoolers

parent & child classes | preschool | elementary | middle school

M ou nt a int op Mont e s s o ri.o r g

Charlottesville Catholic School

Faith Knowledge Community

Homeschooling parent Ruth Jolly recommends that parents research options online, attend one of the two annual homeschooling conferences that occur in Richmond and join a local homeschooling group to learn what has worked for others.

Albemarle Christian Teaching Support (ACTS) Co-op www.actscoop.org Community Homeschool Enrichment Center (CHEC) cvillechec.org Home Educators Association of Virginia heav.org 31st Annual Virginia Homeschool Convention, Greater Richmond Convention Center, June 5–7, 2014

Where students are shaped by the values of our community as we bring faith and knowledge together.

May the birth of Christ reign in your hearts this Christmas.

Serving Pre-Kindergarten – 8th Grade 434.964.0400 | info@cvillecatholic.org | www.cvillecatholic.org

2013

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December 2013

Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers vahomeschoolers.org Conference and Resource Fair, Glen Allen, VA, March 21–22, 2014 Piedmont Virginia Community College pvcc.edu/admissions/home_ schooled_student_information Virginia Department of Education www.doe.virginia.gov

MAKE A CHOICE More and more parents across the nation are choosing to homeschool their children. According to a 2007 government survey

by

the

National

Center

for

Education Statistics, over 1.5 million children in the United States were being homeschooled. And an article in Education Week suggests that number may now have

Thanks for Voting Foundations a CharlottesvilleFamily Favorite!

Foundations

2013

Child Development Center

Celebrating 17 Years of Providing High Quality Infant, Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten Programs.

reached 2 million.

The range of reasons parents give for homeschooling is broadening as well.

The NCES survey asks parents about their primary reason for homeschooling, and while the most common answer (36 percent) is “a desire to provide religious or

moral

instruction,”

a

variety

of

primarily non-religious reasons also were indicated. These including concern over school environment (e.g., peer pressure, drugs,

bullying),

dissatisfaction

with

academic instruction, a desire for more family time or travel, a desire to provide a nontraditional approach to education, and accommodation for a child’s special

• full & part-time programs available • experienced & caring teachers • small class sizes with low studentteacher ratio • individualized curriculum • Wee Little Arts classes available • CPR, First Aid and MAT-certified staff • secure entry for children’s safety

• well-balanced lunches & snacks (peanut free!)

• optional breakfast programs • large open playground • separate infant/toddler playground • monthly haircuts • FREE weekly music classes for all ages

Voted one of C’ville’s favorite daycares, 2005 through 2013!

Join the Foundations “family” by calling 973-9218

3375 Berkmar Dr., Charlottesville (behind Lowes, next to SPCA) • www.foundationscdc.com

health or learning needs.

During the 2011–12 school year in Albemarle County, a total of 434 K–12 students were homeschooled, according to statistics compiled by the Virginia

Is this your cup of tea?

Tune into the World around you.

Department of Education. Of those, only 88 had filed a waiver from compulsory

NPR News & NPR Talk

education under the Code of Virginia’s

Overnight BBC Evening Classical Weekend Folk & Blues

religious exemption. In Charlottesville, none of the 64 homeschooled students applied for that exemption.

Virginia is widely known as a

103.5

homeschooling-friendly state, and the laws governing home-based education are liberal enough to provide much flexibility in both the why and the how of doing it.

CHOOSE THE CURRICULUM Homeschooling teaching

philosophies

conventional

and

methods

and

range

from

classical

Drink in a world of news and issues people and culture

FM... not in the usual place on the dial for public radio!

90.7 FM...in some areas wmra.org ...everywhere

NPR News

Overnig Evening Weekend F

103

...not in the usual for publi

programs,

to more progressive approaches such

90.7

as those developed by Charlotte Mason,

...in some

Maria Montessori and Rudolf Steiner (Waldorf), to the child-centered approach

wmra

referred to as “unschooling.” Parents can use distance-learning programs — many of

Fostering informed, engaged Fostering and culturally enriched communities informed, engaged and culturally enriched comm CharlottesvilleFamily.com

63

{inspiration education} which have video and online components — buy pre-packaged curricula, design a program themselves or create a mix of these as needed.

This — getting to “tailor-make the education that works best for your child and your family” — was the attraction for Sunny Gritsko, a Scottsville mother who has homeschooled all six of her children (now ages 12–25). “It’s not hard at all to find resources,” she says. “The curriculum options have exploded in the last few years.” As such, it’s easy for parents to overbuy or become overwhelmed, but Gritsko insists it’s not that complicated. “In the early years, it’s very simple: Focus on the basics and creating a love of reading.”

Early childhood education with a global focus for ages 2-6 with language immersion preschool in French and Spanish Application for 2014-2015 is available online

Flexible FULL DAY and PART-TIME programs Previous exposure to French or Spanish is not required

Visit our website to learn more...

Now scheduling admissions visits for summer and fall 2014 entry!

For enrollment information email: admissions@theISC.org call: (434) 984-2174 or visit us online

830 Monticello Avenue in Downtown Charlottesville

www.theISC.org

As the students approach high school, the curriculum does get harder and the stakes higher. For instance, both Gritsko and Jolly explained that at a certain point their children “moved beyond them” in math or science. That’s when

community

learning

classes

colleges, and

tutors

distancebecame

more important. Gritsko’s older children took advantage of Piedmont Virginia Community College to supplement their

so nks Tha h for muc ote!! rv you

Visit us at an upcoming OPEN HOUSE: • JANUARY 21: Lower School (Pre-K – 6th) • JANUARY 27: Upper School (7th – 12th) Come any time 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

studies in calculus and foreign languages during high school.

All this need not be expensive.

Swingle and Jolly gathered most of their son’s early materials from the library and kept costs down by, for example, bartering carpentry work for math tutoring. Later,

Charlottesville’s Christian Liberal Arts & Sciences School for Pre-K – Grade 12 _____________ College Preparatory _____________ Competitive Athletics _____________ Visual and Performing Arts

Seth received funding for private tutors through his high school years from a needand merit-based scholarship granted by the Jack Kent Cook Foundation.

FIND A RHYTHM Both

families

agree

that

being

flexible but organized — by mapping out the days, the weeks and the whole year — and developing clear goals is the key to success. For the Gritskos, a typical day when the children were young looked like this: Between 7 and 9 a.m., the children would eat, get dressed, and make their beds together. “Teach chores and good habits by modeling and doing them together,” Gritsko says. She would read aloud for an hour before having the kids

64

December 2013

work on phonics and math (“with a little break between”) until lunch at 12:30.

Quiet time followed lunch. “Younger kids nap while older kids play or read quietly. This gives Mom a break,”

Sunny Gritsko

she adds. The rest of the time up to dinner was spent playing outside, taking walks, going on fun trips or doing educational puzzles and projects.

Jolly recalls that she’d sit down with Seth every weekend to talk about what they needed to do in the next week and also to ask him, “What do you want to do this week?” After deciding on those particulars, Seth’s days fell into a rhythm around his music practice and lessons. “We walked through the woods every day,” Jolly adds. Come dinner, it was family time. “We’d play board games,” says Swingle, “listen to music or go to concerts.”

Both families also placed high priority on leaving ample room for “life skills” lessons in their daily and weekly routines. Gritsko assigned age-appropriate regular chores to her children, and Swingle brought Seth to his carpentry work sites once a week. “We wanted him to understand the value of hard work,” he says.

Some homeschooling families create a separate school space in their homes, but neither the Gritskos nor Swingle and Jolly were particularly concerned with creating a structured classroom. In many cases, Seth’s family was on the road — they spent the first year of

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{inspiration education} homeschool traveling around the country and much of the next few years attending music events and competitions. “I would

GrYMES

encourage people not to worry about creating a separate room for school,” says

MEMorIAl SChool

Gritsko, whose teaching was often at the dining room table.

GET OUT OF THE HOUSE One of the common stereotypes of

We’ve known the secret for over 60 years.

homeschoolers is that they’re sheltered

Grymes: the way all schools should be.

and socially awkward because they miss

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out on interacting with a diverse group of peers. These families contend that nothing can be further from the truth in their experiences. Both families took advantage of the fact that they were not limited to a with other homeschoolers and regular field trips to the science museum, to — in Seth’s case — five-day music festivals, the options for homeschoolers to get out and about are unlimited.

In addition to participating in weekly enrichment activities and group science classes at their local homeschool co-op, Gritsko’s children have played recreational sports. And through their church and

The Frost Montessori School

other activities, they have accumulated a diverse group of friends, including public and private school students as well as fellow homeschoolers.

If anything, say Swingle and Jolly, Seth received a more worldly socialization than most regular students receive, having made several trips for studies to West Africa and Europe both with his parents and solo before even heading off to college.

And under state law, homeschooled

2013

middle- and high-school students can go to a public school for one or more classes (as space permits), and these don’t have to be academic classes. Under this “part-time enrollment” arrangement, homeschoolers can participate in extracurriculars such as

A learning environment for children ages 21 months to 6 years old. call today to schedule a tour!

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December 2013

art, PE and music. (They are not eligible for sports teams, however.)

EVALUATE YOUR CHOICES Here’s another myth associated with homeschooling: You have to be all in. But in truth, it’s possible and even advisable to revisit your choices — which materials

and methods you’re using and even the decision to homeschool — on a regular basis.

Jolly, who has an undergraduate degree in elementary education, says she second-guessed herself all the time: “Not every day was successful. We would reassess our choice every year.”

Swingle also emphasizes that homeschooling is a “family affair.”

It takes a commitment from all parties involved, particularly the primary “parent-teacher.” In Swingle’s case, he and his wife actually took turns staying home with Seth while the other one brought home the paycheck.

This is not a one-size-fits-all option. One Charlottesville mother of three had a year where one child was in public school, another was in private school, and a thirdwww.edwardjones.com was schooled at home. www.edwardjones.com

And this year, a mother of four is educating one son at home for the first couple hours of the school day, which seemed the best solution to a dilemma they faced. Plenty of parents who never considered themselves “the homeschooling type” may find that it makes sense to homeschool at some point.

Again, this open-endedness is one of homeschooling’s main attractions. “It takes creativity to come up with a routine

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Krissy Millar | KM Photography

that works for your family,” Gritsko says. “But you will be building family identity that is crucial to your child’s success.” www.edwardjones.com

Give Give aa Holiday Holiday Gift Gift That Doesn’t End That Doesn’t End When When the Batteries Run the Batteries Run Out. Out.

Katherine is local freelance writer, a recovering corporate lawyer and mother of two little girls.

www.edwardjones.com

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67

{resource camp guide}

VIrGInIA women’s soccer 2008 of Excellence Excellence 2014 Soccer Soccer Centers Centers of Spring Break

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Our program provides campers with a safe environment where they can be challenged and encouraged to grow as individuals. Friendships are made but most importantly they learn to have fun and try new things within an internationally diverse community

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Episcopal High School, Alexandria, VA July 23-26 • Girls Grades 5-7, 8-12

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Advanced Center

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December 2013

GIVE THE GIFT OF

! p m Ca

This holiday season, why not consider the gift of camp? Now is the perfect time to begin exploring the variety of gift opportunities — especially for grandparents! According to the American Camp Association, this is one gift that lasts the whole year, helping your camper grow in all these ways:

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69

{resources after-school guide}

o t c i s Mu ars E r u o Y Is Your Child Ready for Music Lessons?

Think your child is ready for music lessons? Here are few things to consider before you buy an instrument.

by Wendy K. Burt-Thomas

Never force your child to play an instrument. No matter what potential you believe your children to have, forcing them will help you run the risk of them not only losing interest for any future endeavors, but if they perceive the lessons as a chore, rather than a fun activity, it may also make them resentful of you for pushing too hard.

Don’t start your child too young. Although you are never too old to take up an instrument, you can be too young. It is important to remember that children mature at different ages. Just because your neighbor’s 6-year-old son is on his way to become the next Liberace, doesn’t mean that your 6-year-old is ready.

Children have different interests, attention spans and ideas about what they’re willing to commit their time to. Don’t feed into the pressure of starting your child too young in hopes of creating a child prodigy.

70

December 2013

Thinkstock

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

71

{resources after-school guide} WHAT INSTRUMENT IS APPROPRIATE FOR MY CHILD? Consider your child’s size. Would you give your 4-year-old an adult size tablespoon to eat with? Probably not. The same goes for certain instruments. Unless your 4-year-old is exceptionally large for their age, don’t expect them to be able to play a guitar. Although some things, such as dexterity, rhythm and concentration can be learned at a very young age, size is up to Mother Nature. Some instruments, such as the tuba, the guitar and the oboe may just be too big for a small child to maneuver no matter how talented they are.

Remember your budget. Purchasing a grand piano is a luxury that most can not afford. After your child shows a general interest in music, call around to find out what you can realistically afford to purchase. Check out secondhand stores, pawnshops and classified advertisements Thinkstock

for quality used instruments. Consider renting, especially if your child is young or has a tendency to change his or her mind

Thank you for voting!

2013

Authentic Italian Gelato and Sorbet LaVazza Espresso & Coffee Italian Hot Chocolate • Pastries • Wi-Fi

On the Downtown Mall 317 East Main St, Charlottesville 434-296-8555 • www.splendoras.com

FootNotes Studio

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footnotesstudio.com • (434) 242-0605 72

December 2013

REAL TEACHING. REAL LIFE.

PlayVABA.org

2013

frequently about current activities. Narrow options down to several instruments in order to allow your child to choose if they are interested in following up on the idea.

Assess your family’s needs. Money is not the only thing lacking in households today. For many families, time is their most valuable commodity. If you already have

Nurturing early development, socialization, and exploration.

Otherwise referred to as,

to struggle to find quality time with your children, perhaps music lessons are better off waiting until your schedule changes.

Be sure to consider your available space as well. Do you really want your child practicing the drums in your living room four nights a week?

THE LITTLE GYM helps children reach their greatest potential. From 4 months through 12 years, classes promote development and build confidence during each stage of childhood.

Call or schedule a free introductory class online.

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OPEN HOUSE DATE January 3, 2014 from 5:00 to 7:30 Classes begin January 5th !

WHAT ABOUT MUSIC LESSONS? Get price estimates. You wouldn’t walk into a dealership to buy a car without first comparing prices, so why not compare prices for music lessons? Look in CharlottesvilleFamily’s Ultimate Go-To Guide or online for a list of professionals. Be sure to specifically ask if they have experience working with children. Don’t be afraid to call all of the business listed, but consider the location in relation to your home or place of employment. Remember, if you don’t have the instrument that your child has chosen to play (such as a piano),

New Satellite Location at Lake Monticello!

Orme Family Fitness Center - 727 Lake Monticello Road Hip Hop - Breakdancing - Dance Discovery - Music - Voice charlottesvilleperformingarts.com (434) 293-CPAS (2727) CharlottesvilleFamily.com

73

{resources after-school guide}

AFTER-SCHOOL

Thinkstock

Thinkstock

ACTIVITIES GUIDE

ALL-AROUND RECREATION

GYMNASTICS & CHEERLEADING

ACAC See ad page 3

Classics Gymnastics See ad page 49

Bounce-n-Play of Charlottesville Classes See ad page 53

The Little Gym See ad page 73

Charlottesville Parks & Recreation See ad page 7

HORSEBACK RIDING

CRAFTS & LEARNING FUN

Camp Friendship See ad page 68

Lazy Daisy Ceramics & The Pottery Paintin’ Place See ad page 76

DANCE & MOVEMENT Albemarle Ballet Theatre See ad page 75 Charlottesville Ballet See ad page 24 Charlottesville Performing Arts School See ad page 73 FootNotes Studio See ad page 75 The Little Gym See ad page 73

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December 2013

Carriage Hill Farm See ad page 76 Hidden Creek Farm See ad page 76 The Pony Academy See ad page 76

MARTIAL ARTS ACAC See ad page 3 The Little Gym See ad page 73

MUSIC & THEATRE Blue Ridge Music Together See ad page 62

Charlottesville Performing Arts School See ad page 73 FootNotes Studio See ad page 75 Kindermusik with Pam See ad page 75

MORE SPORTS OPPORTUNITIES ACAC See ad page 3 Main Street Arena See ad page 23 SOCA See ad page 75 Virginia Basketball Academy See ad page 72

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT Georgetown Learning Center See ad page 66 Wahoo Tutors See ad page 76

someone is going to have to drive your child to and from their lesson. Now who could that be?

Summer Soccer Camps

Ask around. Do you have a friend or relative with a child who plays an instrument? Ask them for information.

Even if the instrument is different, their

2013

• Day Camps • Summer Academy • Striker/ Keeper Camp • Blue Ridge Residential Academy • World Cup Camp

music teacher may be able to recommend another who teaches lessons for your child’s choice. Better still, if you know someone who is especially talented, ask him or her if they can give your child any pointers. They may offer information, instruments, or perhaps if you’re lucky, a free lesson.

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY CHILD IS REALLY INTERESTED? Read the signs. Just because your child shows an initial interest doesn’t mean they’ll stick with it. Watch for some typical signals that demonstrate a lack of interest: constant complaining before their lesson, disappointment at missing a favorite TV show due to “having

SOCA

975-5025 www.socaspot.org

to practice” or obvious procrastination toward practicing. A general rule is that children who truly enjoy playing an instrument will probably practice on their own. If you have to constantly prompt them, you’re probably pushing an issue that is best left alone. However, if your child comes home from school to proudly announce that they have just joined the school band, chances are their interest has blossomed.

Communicate.

Perhaps

most

important is the need to talk to your child.

Let them know that it is okay to not want

Thank you for voting

Albemarle Ballet Theatre as your favorite dance school

to play an instrument. Be sure that it is not the teacher, type of music or difficulty of Encourage them to express their concerns

Increase self-control Cultivate a lifelong love of music

Classes for ages newborn to 7 years

at least once each week. Who knows. You may be cheering on the next Beethoven.

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Then again, maybe not.

2013

Digest Guide to Query Letters.”

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{resources marketplace} Give a gift that will last a lifetime

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Lazy Daisy Ceramics, Inc. & t he pott ery paint in' p lace

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2013

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{until next time humorous reflections}

Don’t Hate Me Because My Christmas Shopping Is All Done It Comes Down to Knowing the Perfect Gift

by Rick Epstein

When it comes to Christmas shopping, I’m not your

happen.) My wife has no wish list. She has a car, a

typical man. I start 364 days early — on December

job and money, and when she wants something that

26. The morning after the big day, retailers are

we can afford, she buys it herself.

abruptly sick of the whole holiday thing, and they

I wait for the inspiration that seldom comes.

will almost pay me to haul away their unsold

Then on Christmas Eve, I drag myself out to the mall

wrapping paper, ribbons, bows and Christmas lights.

and throw myself in. Because I don’t know what

And

the

gift

items!

They

know

that

merchandise is going nowhere. Except home with

anyone wants, I usually buy things that I want them to want.

me. For almost nothing. The sales clerks know what

Last year was typical: I bought a baseball

I’m up to, but there’s nothing they can do except

mitt for Wendy, my 9-year-old. Although not into

hand over the goods, like sullen bank tellers filling a

athletics, Wendy is nimble and fit. She busies herself

robber’s rucksack. And for the rest of the year I keep

with her bike, pogo stick and scooter, so I thought I’d

my eye open for bargains and little treasures that

nudge her toward my own favorite sport. For my big

will delight my loved ones.

brother, I bought a real scimitar — a short, curved

So along about this time of year, I’ve

sword with a pirate look, because I want us to be

got beautiful gifts for every member

young and adventurous again. (He’s 52 with a wife,

of the family all wrapped and

a child and a desk job at the State Department, but I

hidden

Buy Local!

Holiday Gift Guide SWEETS AND TREATS Chandlers See ad page 13

Splendora See ad page 72

Kirt’s Handmade Ice Cream See ad page 13

Sweet Frog See ad page 29

Rebecca’s See ad page 53

away.

Naturally,

pretend he’s a soldier of fortune.)

December is my favorite

So now it’s holiday season again, and it looks

month. While everyone

like there’ll be another desperate plunge into the

else is at the mall

mall. But something is wonderfully different this

fighting for the last

year. I’m preparing one inspired gift that will hit the

parking home halls

space,

I’m

decking

the

My big idea struck when I was watching a

donning

video of an old “Our Gang” episode in which one

and

gay apparel.

Don’t hate me

bull’s-eye.

of the kids is walking around on stilts. That’s it! I’d make a pair of stilts for lively little Wendy!

because I’m efficient!

I bought lumber, hardware and a pint of

Hate me because I’m

purple paint and took them down into my cellar

a liar.

workshop. Stilt manufacture only requires sawing a

Yep. While I should

few pieces of wood and drilling a few holes, so the

have been out shopping,

job is almost done. The stilts just need a second coat

I’ve been sitting here at the keyboard, spinning a web of wishful fantasy.

And the saddest lie of all was about the gifts. My daughters are 9, 13 and 16.

of paint before I bolt on the foothold blocks.

This little project buoys my spirits. It brightens my entire holiday outlook to know that on Christmas morning at least one child will be as happy as a baboon with boxful of bananas.

The oldest and youngest have no idea what they’d like for Christmas, and the middle one, the girl with the champagne tastes, always knows. This year she wants a $450 electric guitar. (That cannot

78

December 2013

Rick can be reached at rickepstein@yahoo.com.

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260 Pantops Center Next to Verizon 434-244-3027

9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

SEmINOLE SqUArE 1149 Seminole Trail Next to Burger King® 434-978-3998

facebook.com/medexpress * Ages 4 and older. While supplies last.

medexpress.com

All the Advantages of a New Home Without the Wait! visit a stanley martin Community today and select your new home!

Stanley Martin Homes

MOVE-IN-READY

Our homes are designed with your special lifestyle in mind, built especially for the way your family really lives—today and tomorrow. It’s how we make a house your home.

Stanley Martin Communities Pendower HeigHts at glenmore A city neighborhood of single-family New Decorated homes just steps from UVa, the Medical Model Now Open!

stonewater Now Selling from Dunlora Gates!

434.466.1005

434.466.1005

434.466.4100

Belvedere station Now Selling from our Avinity Model!

kenridge New Model Home Now Open!

434.466.7220

From the upper $500’s.

Gated golf course neighborhood offering single-family homes.

From the low $300’s.

avinity New Decorated Model Now Open!

3-4 bedroom garage townhomes 1 mile from downtown Charlottesville.

From the upper $200’s.

Gorgeous 2 car garage townhomes.

From the $300’s.

434.466.1005 dUnlora gates New Model Home Now Open!

Exclusive enclave of 18 main-level master villas in a desirable Dunlora location off Rio Rd. and Meadow Creek Pkwy. From the mid $400’s.

434.466.4100

HUntley Now Selling from Avinity!

Center and downtown Charlottesville.

From the upper $300’s.

Executive single-family homes in a gated golf course neighborhood.

From the mid $500’s.

sPring Creek Upscale stately villas with mainNew Decorated level living located near Farmington Country Club and just minutes to UVa. Model Now Open!

703.930.0696 old trail New Decorated Model Now Open!

703.930.0696

Luxury townhomes and single-family homes off Rio Road and close to Pen Park. From the upper $200’s.

willow glen New Model Home Now Open!

Main-level master townhomes and multi-level single-family homes off 29N within walking distance of Hollymead Town Center.

From the upper $200’s.

434.284.3252

Luxury single-family homes in an amenity-filled neighborhood!

Enjoy golf, shops and miles of trails.

From the low $400’s.

434.566.1007

Visit us online at StanleyMartin.com and find your new home today!

Stanley Martin Green Living Homes

800.446.4807 | 11111 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 200, Reston, Virginia 20190

MHBR #3588 | *Prices, features and availability subject to change without notice. Photos used are for illustrative purposes only. See our Neighborhood Sales Managers for more details.