Author: joanne-dimaggio

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 Local Farmers Markets

Every year, thousands of residents throughout Central Virginia patiently await the start of the growing season as they pursue fresh and delicious “Virginia Grown” products at Farmers Markets throughout the area. But Farmers Markets are more than finding fresh produce. They also provide the opportunity to greet a blend of farm, food and artisans plus friends and neighbors in a fun atmosphere that’s close to home.
 
Now that it is mid-June, you can find a vast array of produce at the peak of freshness, including beets, blackberries, blueberries, cabbage, cucumbers, green beans, potatoes, raspberries, squash and a variety of herbs. Still available, but just about at the end of their growing cycle, are asparagus, greens/spinach, onions and strawberries.  Coming up in July, you’ll start seeing apples, cantaloupes, eggplant, nectarines, peaches, sweet corn, tomatoes and watermelons.  If you’re unfamiliar with Virginia’s growing season, you can print out a handy Virginia Fruit and Vegetable Availability Calendar from www.virginiagrown.com.
 
June is Dairy Month
Many of the local Farmers Markets offer dairy products to the consumer and reporting this in June is appropriate, since Governor Bob McDonnell proclaimed June as Dairy Month in Virginia. “Milk consistently ranks as one of the top commodities in Virginia,” said McDonnell. “In 2010 it was number three.” (Rankings for all commodities for 2011 are not in yet.)  “The state’s largest industry is agriculture,” the Governor added, “and in 2010, fluid milk yielded $332 million in cash receipts.  That’s a lot of milk, and that figure doesn’t include cheese, ice cream, milk powder, butter or other dairy products.” 
 
With 227 dairy farms, nearby Rockingham County placed first among Virginia’s top six ranking dairy counties according to the number of licensed dairy farms during 2011. Augusta County came in third.
 
Largest Industry in Virginia 
This may come as a surprise to some, but agriculture is still Virginia’s largest industry by far, and according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, no other industry comes a close second. The agricultural industry has an economic impact of $55 billion annually and provides more than 357,000 jobs in Virginia. The industries of agriculture and forestry combined have a total economic impact of $79 billion and provide more than 500,000 jobs in the Commonwealth. Every job in agriculture and forestry supports 1.5 jobs elsewhere in the Virginia economy. 
 
Production agriculture employs nearly 60,000 farmers and workers in Virginia and generates approximately $2.9 billion in total output. Value-added industries, those that depend on farm commodities, employ an additional 76,000 workers and generate $26 billion in total industrial output. Agriculture-related industries contribute an additional 221,000 jobs and nearly $26 billion in total output. 
 
In looking at the Virginia Farm Profile, you’ll see that:
  • Virginia has more than 47,000 farms. 
  • The typical Virginia farmer is 58.2 years old. Nearly 30 percent of farmers are 65 years of age or older. 
  • The average farm size is 171 acres and has assets worth more than $1 million. 
  • Farms cover 8.1 million acres, or 32 percent of Virginia’s total land area. 
  • Approximately 14 percent of Virginia’s primary farm operators are female. 
  • The average market value of an acre of Virginia farmland is $4,213. 
  • About 90 percent of Virginia farms are owned and operated by individuals or families. 
  • About 25 percent of Virginia farms share the farm income with multiple households.
Honoring and Preserving Virginia’s Farms 
Since the first settlers landed at Jamestown nearly 400 years ago and planted crops to sustain themselves through the winters to come, agriculture has been at the heart of Virginia. Today, descendants of these first farmers continue to produce food and fiber on the same land as their forefathers. 
 
The Virginia Century Farm Program recognizes and honors those farms that have been in operation for at least 100 consecutive years and the generations of Virginia farm families whose diligent and dedicated efforts have maintained these farms, provided nourishment to their fellow citizens and contributed so greatly to Virginia’s economy.
Over 1200 farms have been recognized as Virginia Century Farms, including seven in Albemarle; seven in Fluvanna; two in Greene; twenty-six in Louisa; eighteen in Madison; and eight in Orange. 
 
In 2001, the Virginia General Assembly established the Office of Farmland Preservation (OFP) within the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to help reverse the loss of farmland to development. OFP has five missions: to work with other governmental and private organizations to help establish and support local purchase of development rights (PDR) programs; to create programs to educate the public about the importance of farmland preservation; to help farmers with farmland preservation efforts; to assist local governments in developing additional farmland preservation policies and programs; and to administer the Virginia Farm Link program—www.vafarmlink.org—which brings together aspiring and retiring farmers. 
 
To date, OFP has allocated a total of $4.75 million in state matching funds to 15 local PDR programs.  Of the $4.75 million allocated, $1.21 million has been used so far to help protect 1,007 acres of farm and forestland.  OFP also has provided almost $25,000 over the last year to Virginia Cooperative Extension to help fund farm transition workshops for farm families and their service providers.  
 
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services encourages residents to Buy Local all year long, promoting the idea that when you buy from local farmers, you get maximum freshness, taste and nutrition because your food travels far less from farm to table. Visit their website, www.VirginiaGrown.com, to locate farm fresh foods and beverages, plus plants, gifts, wool and other non-edible items.
 
Meanwhile, here is a list of Farmers Markets in our readership area. This was taken from the list of Farmers Markets on the VDACS website, but as some of it had not been updated in awhile, be sure to verify location and hours before venturing out. 
 
Bring the family and come out in support of these folks who bring you the very best in “Virginia Grown” items, fresh to your table. Your support helps to keep our incredible farming culture alive and well.
 
Albemarle County
 
Crozet Farmers Market
1156 Crozet Avenue
Crozet, VA 22932
Contact: Janet House
Website: www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets
Features: produce and flowers
Open:  Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon through October.
 
Earlysville Farmers Market
600 Earlysville Green
Earlysville, VA 22936
Contact: Wendy Russo, 434-978-2058
Email: evillefarmersmkt@embarqmail.com
Open: Thursdays, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. through October.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forest Lakes Farmers Market
1650 Ashwood Blvd.
Charlottesville, VA 22911
Contact: Dawn Story, 434-977-2033
Email: dawn@newmoonnaturals.com
Website: www.facebook.com/ForestLakesFarmersMarket
Features: local farmers, crafters and bakers together in one place, rain or shine!
Open: Tuesdays, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. through October.
 
Scottsville Community Farmers Market
Corner of Valley & Main Streets
Scottsville, VA 24590
Contact: Wendy Edwards, 434-996-8144
Email: scottsvillepavilion@gmail.com
Website: http://goscottsvilleva.com/
Features:  Locally grown produce, including tomatoes, corn, beans, potatoes, squash, eggplant, peaches, apples, berries and watermelon, as well as plants, flowers, baked goods, local beef, poultry and more.
Open: Thursdays, 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through October.
 
Augusta County

Staunton/Augusta Farmers Market
Wharf Parking Lot
Staunton, VA 24402
Contact: Tom Womack, 540-448-1937
Email: stauntonaugustafarmersmarket@gmail.com
Website: www.safarmersmarket.com
Features: They are a producer-only farmers market with all types of vegetables, baked goods, eggs and meats.
Open: Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon through Thanksgiving.
 
City of Charlottesville
 
Charlottesville City Market
South & Water Street parking lot
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Contact: Stephanie Anderegg-Maloy, 434-970-3371
Email: maloy@charlottesville.org
Website: www.charlottesvillecitymarket.com
Features: Fresh produce, herbs plants, meats, baked goods, eggs, cheese and more.
Open: Saturdays, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon through October.
 
Farmers in the Park
Meade Avenue
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Contact: Stephanie Anderegg-Maloy, 434-970-3260
Email: maloy@charlottesville.org
Website: www.charlottesville.org
Open: Wednesdays, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. through September.
 
City of Waynesboro
 
Waynesboro Farmers Market
215 W. Main Street 
(Downtown Pavilion at Constitution Park)
Waynesboro, VA 22980
Contact: Jim Coate, 540-466-6479
Email: manager@waynesborofarmersmarket.org
Website: www.shenandoahrcd.org/WFM.htm
Features: vegetables and fruits in season, honey, wine, baked goods, cheese, eggs, meats, vinegars, plants and flowers. Children’s activities and music are provided. See website for specific activities and schedules.
Open: Wednesdays, 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. through September. 
 
Culpeper
 
Culpeper Downtown Farmers Market
E. Davis & Commerce Streets
Culpeper, VA 22701
540-825-4416
Email: criinfo@culpeperdowntown.com
Website: www.culpeperdowntown.com/shoppinganddining.cfm
Open: Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
 
Fluvanna County
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fluvanna Farmers Market
Route 53, Pleasant Grove
Palmyra, VA 22963
Contact: John Thompson
Features: farm market with craft and meats as well as produce. Operates under a strict “local only” rule—everything is from Fluvanna or a contiguous county. 
Open: Tuesdays, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. through October.
 
Zion Crossroads Farmers & Flea Market
78 Zion Park Court 
(Crossroads Home Court)
Troy, VA 22974
434-906-4138
Email: farmandflea@yahoo.com
Features: Fresh produce, fresh and locally grown flowers, fresh meat, crafts, antiques, baked goods and more.
Open: Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday & Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 
Greene County
 
Greene County Farmers Market
10415 Spotswood Trail
(Greene County Technical 
Education Center School)
Stanardsville, VA 22973
Contact: Cathryn Kloetzli, 434-958-5236
Email: cathrynk@vt.edu
Open: 3rd week in June to the 3rd week in September; 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
 
Louisa County
 
Louisa Farmers Market
213 E. Main Street
Louisa, VA 23093
Contact: Mark Bailey
Phone: 540- 967-1400
Email: louisatownmanager@verizon.net
Website: www.louisatown.org
Features: produce, crafts, flowers, meats, eggs and cheese. 
Open: Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon through September.
 
Mineral Farmers Market
81 Louisa Avenue 
(Across from Luck Field)
Mineral, VA 23117
Contact: Becky Vigon, 540-854-7626
Email: market@townofmineral.com
Website: www.mineralmarket.org
Features: Wide variety of fresh, local produce, meats, eggs, baked goods, sauces, preserves, honey and nursery items, berries, asparagus, snap peas, lettuce, herbs and more.
Open: Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., May through October.
 
Madison County
 
Madison County Farmers Market
542 Fairground Road 
(Hoover Park next to Madison Primary School)
Madison, VA 22727
Contact: Brad Jarvis, 540-948-6881
Email: bjarvis@vt.edu
Open: Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon through October.
 
Nelson County
 
Nelson Farmers Market Co-Op
Route 151, downtown Nellysford under the white tent
Nellysford, VA 22958
Contact: Sherry Huffer, 434-244-2399
Website: www.nelsonfarmersmarket.com
Features: Locally grown produce, meat, eggs, cheese, plus high-quality arts and crafts, plus live music, local dancers and demonstrations.
Open: Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon through October.
 
Orange County
 
Eastern Orange County Farmers Market
32345 Constitution Highway
Locust Grove Town Ctr.
Locust Grove, VA 22508
Contact: Bobbi Collyer, 540-212-3738
Email: easternorangecountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com
Features: seasonal produce, hanging baskets, bedding plants, herbs, heirloom plants, jams and jellies, herbal vinegars, local beef, peaches, apples and honey.
Open: Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. through October.
 
Orange County Farmers & Artisans Market
Faulconer Parking Lot
Route 15 North of Town
Orange, VA 22960
540-672-2540
Email: director@orangedowntownalliance.org
Open: Wednesdays, 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Taylor Park on Main Street and Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Municipal Parking Lot through November.
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Battle of Trevilian Station

On June 9 and 10th, you can once again experience the sounds and sites of The Battle of Trevilian Station, the largest all-cavalry battle of the Civil War.  Taking place in western Louisa County, the reenactment of this most historic event serves as the catalyst to bring throngs of people into Louisa County.

This year is the 148th anniversary of the battle. On Saturday, June 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. the action will take place at Bracketts Farm, 1117 Nolting Road in Louisa. Audiences will experience exciting cavalry battles and drills, home tours, living history demonstrations, see a field hospital, and be entertained. Spectator Admission is Adults (Ages 16 and Above): $10 for one day, $15 for two days and Children (Ages 4-15): $5 for one day; $8 for two days.
 
The re-enactments give area residents a chance to “show off” their beautiful piece of Virginia and share why the quality of life in Louisa makes it a wonderful place to live. 
Located in the rolling Central Piedmont region near the heart of Virginia, Louisa County is within 500 miles of one-half of the nation’s population. With a population of close to 33,000 people and two incorporated towns: Louisa, which is the county seat, and Mineral, Louisa County’s 514 square miles are predominantly farm and forests, mixed with business, industrial, and residential properties. Although considered an agricultural and rural residential county, it is one of the more rapidly growing counties in Virginia.
 
A Great Place To Raise a Family 
With a wide range of community events, classic country living in historic homes or modern ones around the county or on Lake Anna, and easy connections to additional shopping, arts, and entertainment, Louisa County offers a wonderful alternative to live, work, and raise a family.
 
“You can describe Louisa County’s quality of life, economic vitality and housing opportunities in one word, diversity,” said James Dickerson of RE/MAX Assured Properties. “I love showing Louisa County real estate to buyers relocating to the area since we have homes in three golf course communities (soon to be four with the addition of Cutalong at Lake Anna), multiple waterfront communities, mini-farms to 100+ acres estates, starter homes to luxury homes, gated and un-gated neighborhoods, etc., plus lots of available land parcels of varying size for new construction custom homes.  Buyers not already familiar with Louisa County are wowed by the number of housing options.”
 
Historic Downtown Louisa still has a charming village atmosphere where browsers can shop and dine. Stores, churches, offices, and residences, some dating from the 18th century, create a back-to-the-past ambiance. For those interested in the area’s history, the Historical Society Museum showcases memorabilia from another era. If your family has roots in the county, family genealogies can be researched in the records of the Louisa County Courthouse. In addition, there is The Green Springs National Historic Landmark District that encompasses 14,000 acres of fertile agricultural land and more than 250 original eighteenth and nineteenth century homes, barns and other outbuildings. 
 
Recreation is plentiful. “The county calendar is filled with community fairs, parades, and events (music festivals, historical reenactments & presentations, winery events, fish fries, barbeque fundraisers, Relay for Life, youth sports, farmers markets, etc.) based around the seasons and holidays,” said Dickerson.  “Every weekend you can find a fun event with the challenge often being which event to enjoy from the numerous offerings.”
 
The jewel of Louisa County’s recreational treasure chest is Lake Anna. The lake is approximately 17 miles long containing 13,000 acres of clean water for boating and fishing. “Louisa County has always been known for the hunting and fishing opportunities available across the county plus canoeing and kayaking the rivers and lakes,” said Dickerson. 
 
Industrial developments continue to grow.  “In addition to the traditionally rural farming and timber based economies that have supported families for years, Louisa’s Industrial Development Authority and the Board of Supervisors worked towards the future, recruiting and helping businesses across the county from Lake Anna to Gordonsville to Zion Crossroads to the Industrial Air Park to Shannon Hill and pretty much everywhere in between,” said Dickerson.  “The businesses (manufacturing, hospitality, retail, and service) provide jobs helping to keep many of our high school graduates from fleeing the county in search of jobs.”
 
Dickerson, who has lived in Louisa since the early 1970s, continues to meet new people and find new activities around the county.  “ Louisa County has always had a strong sense of community pride with neighbors coming together to help neighbors. This was exemplified to the nation after last year’s earthquake as citizens, churches, social organizations, business and local government came together to help displaced schools, homeowners and renters.”
 
Dickerson ended by saying:  “Diversity really does sum up the economic vitality, quality of life and housing found in Louisa County.” 
 
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Wildlife Pest Control

For some homeowners, having a flock of geese on a backyard pond, deer roaming the front yard, or squirrels scampering across tree limbs, is a welcome sight. For others, slipping on goose droppings, having gardens stripped bare, or rodents taking up residence in their attic, it is a pull-your-hair-out nuisance. There is no question that co-existing with nature is an emotional issue for some and a hard-core issue for others.  Here are some solutions to consider that may satisfy both sides.

 
Living with Bambi
Deer are charming to watch but if left unchecked, they can be a source of frustration and economic loss. Rising deer populations, coupled with developments that have destroyed the deer’s natural habitat, has resulted in increased deer damage to yards and gardens and in some areas the extinction of some species of plants.
 
While it is difficult to move deer out of areas where they are not wanted, there are a few practical solutions to reducing or eliminating deer damage.
 
Deer are border creatures. The perimeter areas between woods and clearings provide the feeding ground and shelter that deer require. One of the most effective ways of deterring deer from feeding on your favorite plants is to provide perimeter plantings around the yard of plants they like, but that you don’t care about. This will keep the deer fed, without them needing to go after your favorites.
 
In conjunction with these plantings, the use of physical deterrents will divert the deer traffic away from your plantings. Stone walls around raised beds and landscape netting are quite successful at deterring deer. Repellents work moderately well for deterring deer. Keep in mind, however, that if the deer are hungry enough, they will ignore the repellent and feed anyway.
 
Rocky the Nuisance Squirrel
A survey of the National Pest Control Association voted the tree squirrel as the number one nuisance animal in the United States. Tree squirrels can cause a variety of problems, including damage to trees, flowers, lawns, gardens, vehicles and homes. They also can cause extensive damage to attic insulation or walls and gnaw on electrical wires in homes and vehicles, creating a fire hazard.
 
Squirrels can squeeze through holes 1 1/2 inches in diameter or gnaw through smaller holes to gain access to homes. They can enter through vents, chimneys, broken windows, knotholes and construction gaps under eaves or gables. Tree squirrels most often enter attics and spaces between walls and floors. 
 
To reduce squirrel problems in your home, limit their access by closing all openings. Even holes that are too small for squirrels should be closed. Metal flashing, hardware cloth and copper wool usually discourage gnawing.
 
A one-way door that will capture the squirrels is the most preferred method. Cage squirrel traps should be 18 to 24 inches long with a least 5” x 5” door. Bait the trap with corn or whole pecans in shell. Once captured, you must relocate all of the squirrels or else they will break back in. Make sure that all squirrels are outside the building before making it squirrel proof by closing all the openings.
 
A Gander of Geese 
If you want to get rid of geese, stop feeding them. Not only is human food not good for a goose’s diet, but geese who become used to handouts and become domesticated will actually attract more wild or migrating geese to the same area.
 
Setting up a family of swan decoys can help get rid of geese still looking for nesting grounds. Like geese, swans will defend their young quite aggressively, and this is a danger most incoming geese will try to avoid. 
 
Make your pond or water front property less attractive with tall grasses that are at least 18 inches high in a band roughly ten feet wide around the shoreline. Geese will be less likely to make your property into a nesting ground if they don’t have an adequate visual field to ensure their safety from predators.
 
Restricting easy access to the water will ensure that geese stay away. Set up bird netting or a bird fence near the water’s edge to prevent easy access to and from the water. If you’ve ever chased geese, you know their first instinct is to go for water. If they don’t feel they can do that very easily, they will find another area to build their nest.
 
Calling In Help
When dealing with wildlife issues, first consider whether it is an immediate health and safety issue or a less serious problem that doesn’t threaten neighbors or pets. If a coyote or bear is in the area killing small dogs, call an animal control officer. For a non-urgent problem, call in local officials. If you live in a community with a homeowners association, start there. Some communities contract with private vendors supplying wildlife control services. If the problem is widespread in your community, consider this option.
 
Whatever you do, don’t assume you can just kill an animal that’s bothering you, as it may be a federally protected species.    
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Wine Festivals

It’s taken awhile, but the dreams of English settlers some 400 years ago to establish a flourishing wine industry at Jamestown, Virginia has finally come true. Virginia wines now stand up to the best in the world, with a never ceasing list of awards and accolades.  Travel and Leisure magazine’s Bruce Schoenfeld proclaimed Virginia one of five up-and-coming wine regions that “should be on the must-visit list of any adventurous wine traveler.” And in The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, a reviewer wrote that “Virginia is making Cabernet Franc and Viognier wines that are world-beaters,” citing a Saveur article in which wine critic Paul Luckas named two Virginia Viogniers among the best available. 

Although the Jamestown settlers hoped that Virginia would become a major source of wine for the British Empire, they met with dismal failure, savaged by an unknown pest, Phylloxera, as well as diseases in a new environment.  In the 18th century, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington tried to cultivate European grapes but despite their best efforts, neither had anything to show for it.  

However, in the 1820s, wine makers began using Native American grapes and experienced great success.  By the late 1800s, they discovered that European and American vines could be grafted but circumstances delayed wide scale success in this area. It was a long wait until success was experienced on a larger scale, as the Virginia wine industry did not officially take off until the 1970s.  Of particular local interest is that in 1976, the year of our Bicentennial, Gabriele Rausse was hired to grow and harvest vinifera grapes near Charlottesville. He established Barboursville Vineyards and then helped other vineyards do the same. Today, with 192 wineries and counting, only four other states in the Union have more wineries than Virginia. Jefferson’s vision has finally come true.
 
Throughout the Commonwealth, vineyards and wineries are opening their gates to the public in celebration of their bountiful harvest. Here in Central Virginia, there are several notable wine festivals and events throughout the month of May.
 
Albemarle County Monticello Wine Festival
Thomas Jefferson has been called “America’ first distinguished viticulturist” and the “greatest patron of wine and winegrowing that this country has yet had,” so it is appropriate that The Wine Festival at Monticello brings to life the story of Jefferson and wine.
 
Monticello is luring wine lovers to its coveted mountain for what it promises to be an unforgettable evening and a one-of-a-kind blend of the burgeoning Virginia wine culture and the unsurpassed beauty of Monticello’s West Lawn.
 
It all starts at 6:00 p.m. on May 12, with a wine tasting and a sunset tour of Monticello. Enjoy the splendor of spring, taste Virginia’s best selection of wines and stroll through the restored vineyards by twilight. Meet Thomas Jefferson, portrayed by Bill Barker, and Gabriele Rausse, the “Father of Virginia Wine,” as they discuss their passion for fine wine. 
 
Bring a blanket for picnic seating and enjoy a gourmet picnic box for two featuring fresh fruit, local artisanal cheeses, bread and dessert, available by pre-order only and courtesy of the Café at Monticello. The cost is $30.
 
If you prefer, reserve a premier table for your friends, family and colleagues. Tables include a selection of the finest gourmet fruit and cheeses, premier table seating, VIP parking, a special private tour of Jefferson’s wine cellar and leave with a commemorative gift. All-inclusive price is $750. Contact Kerry Hannon at 434-984-9826 if interested.
 
The event runs until 9:00 p.m. Reservations are required. Admission fee is $55.
 
Greene County Autumn Hills Vineyards
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Autumn Hills Vineyards is about 15 miles north of Charlottesville in Stanardsville. The vineyard was started in 1979 by the Schwab family. The plantings grew to 13 acres of Chardonnay, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and a new Nebbiolo area. They have some of the oldest Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon plantings in Virginia. The first vintage was produced in 1986. Over the years, Avra and Ed Schwab have continued to produce “Virginia wines with a European accent” and have grown to love full bodied, dry wines.
 
The winery has grown over the years to include a barrel room where the optimum temperature keeps the wines stable so they can develop slowly in predominantly French Oak barrels to their fullest potential. Their red wines are all unfiltered. 
 
On May 5 and 6, the public is invited to its 19th Spring Barrel Tasting.  Enjoy pairing wines with special cheeses. There will be a vertical tasting of Cabernet Franc wines. Cellar tours are at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. when you will taste wine from the barrels and engage in a lively discussion
. 
Autumn Hills is open to the public four weekends a year; two in the spring and two in the fall. For more information, visit www.autumnhillwine.com.
 
Nelson County Wintergreen Resort
2012 Festival of Wines
Today Virginia, Tomorrow the World!
Wine lovers will enjoy this unique two-day wine festival. On Saturday, May 26, Virginia wines will be featured, and on Sunday, May 27, international wines will take center stage. Celebrate the Memorial Day Weekend at Wintergreen Resort on the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Proceeds support the extensive performance and educational activities of Wintergreen Performing Arts.
 
The festival runs from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Ticket price is $20 per day and includes a souvenir glass. The two-day pass is $35. Food will be available for purchase.  For information, visit www.wintergreenperformingarts.org .
 
Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery
Located in Nellysford at the foot of Wintergreen Resort and atop the rolling hills of the Rockfish Valley, sits Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery. Originally opened as a pick-your-own blackberry farm, the family owned and operated business expanded into a winery in the late 1990s. 
 
Hill Top is always at the forefront of Virginia’s wine industry by producing handcrafted specialty wines and meads not commonly found anywhere else. Over the years its small family operation has grown to include a whole new line of wonderful historical wines and they have expanded their facilities to offer both indoor and outdoor meeting facilities. However, Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery promises to never outgrow its family roots and southern hospitality
.  
Hill Top Berry Farm and Winery produces a unique experience for fruit lovers and historians alike. More than a dozen “True to the Fruit” Virginia wines and historical honey meads adorn the shelves of this cozy winery. 
 
On May 5, enjoy the Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Hill Top Berry Farm and Winery from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  This is a free event with live music by Beleza Brasil. Enjoy samba, funk and Spanish flamenco by Madeline Holly Sales and Humberto Oliveira Sales as they blend the melodic, rhythmic and harmonic riches from North and South America. Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy with the music. The Winery will make sangria for this event! Its wines, meads and sangria will be available to purchase by the glass or bottle. Wine tastings will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visit www.hilltopberrywine.com.
 
DelFosse Vineyards and Winery
DelFosse Vineyards and Winery in Faber is the newest vineyard in Virginia.  It offers a variety of activities for your enjoyment. Take a tour of the vineyard, one of the only terraced vineyards in the state. Taste its unique variety of wines, ranging from Merlot to Petit Mensang. Bring the family and enjoy a calm picnic by the lake.
 
DelFosse was established in 2000 in the Monticello AVA wine region. The location is exquisite, hugged between the hills, but with the elevation to guarantee not only flavorful wine but also breathtaking views. The area spans over 330 acres.
 
The Winery is offering a Spring Food and Wine Pairing on May 6 at 1:00. Advance reservations are required and the fee is $40 per person. Then on May 13, also at 1:00 p.m., there will be a special Mother’s Day Brunch at a cost of $45 per person, again with advance reservations required. You can learn more and read about the menus on www.delfossewine.com.
 
Wintergreen Winery
Also in Nelson County is Wintergreen Winery, where moms are being treated to “Time Out for Mom” on Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Designed to allow mom to relax and enjoy a winery visit, the event comes complete with complimentary wine tasting and refreshments, plus a fresh flower for each mom. Stay to soak in the scenery and picnic (light picnic fare available) by the Rockfish River. For information, visit www.wintergreenwinery.com.
 
Cardinal Point 
Vineyard and Winery 
Located in Afton, Cardinal Point Vineyard and Winery is also planning something special for moms on Mother’s Day, May 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Treat Mom to a tasting and some complimentary hors d’oeurvres. Mom gets a free Cardinal Point wine glass to take home!  Some picnic foods and beverages will also be for sale.
 
Cardinal Point is also offering a summer concert series featuring live music at the winery. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy the view. Admission is $10 or get free admission if you bring 5 non-perishable food items (per person) for the local food bank. Kids 18 and under admitted free. Some picnic foods and beverages will be for sale. Live music kicks off on May 19 with Jan Smith and the Honeybirds. The concert is from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.   In case of inclement weather, please call the winery (540-456-8400). Visit www.cardinalpointwinery.com.
 
Veritas Vineyard and Winery
Also in Afton, Veritas Vineyard and Winery is planning a four-course, wine-paired Mother’s Day brunch in Saddleback Hall on Sunday, May 13 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Reservations are required. For more information or to make reservations, please call 540-456-8000 ext. 108. Menu is available online at www.veritaswines.com.
 
Afton Mountain Vineyards
Beginning Saturday, May 26 and continuing once a month through September, Afton Mountain Vineyards is sponsoring “Afton After Hours” with music at the Vineyard from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Activities begin with Eli Cook on May 26. Visit www.aftonmountainvineyards.com for a complete list of entertainers, dates and times.
 
Orange County
Montpelier Wine Festival
Last, but certainly not least, is the Montpelier Wine Festival. The festival will be held May 5 and 6 on the grounds of the historic lifelong home of our 4th president, James Madison.
 
Organizers say the 2012 Montpelier Wine Festival is shaping up to be the best ever, featuring 24 area wineries. Visitors can come and spend the day on the grounds with friends and family, enjoying exceptional wines, great food and entertainment, cooking with wine demonstrations, unique artisans and crafters. The kids can make and fly their own kite and ride the famous Barrel Train. For more information, visit www.montpelier.org.
 
For ongoing wine festivals and events throughout Virginia, visit www.virginia.org.  
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Outdoor Lighting

Years ago outdoor lighting consisted of a harsh floodlight beaming at the front door or plastic lights lining a walkway or dangling across the patio. Today the look is natural, sophisticated and energy-efficient as homeowners look at ways of bringing the same ambiance of indoor lighting to their outdoor living environment.

There is not much difference between interior and exterior lighting anymore. Some manufacturers provide the same style and elegance of interior lighting to the outdoors, including chandeliers.
 
Boulderscape fixtures, such as natural looking rock lights that blend into the landscape, are popular, especially around fountains and pondless waterfalls. People are putting in natural pavers and lighting is following that trend. There are even waterproof fixtures that are fitted inside the water source. They light up the fish and plants at night, bringing all that activity alive. Moving water makes the whole yard will shimmer.
 
Outdoor security lighting has come a long way since floodlights provided what looked like blinding beams scanning prison yards! Today, security lighting is trending toward both beauty and safety. If you are fortunate enough to have mature trees in your yard, you can light those for a more subtle form of lighting. This can be quite beautiful and at the same time give you a substantial savings of power consumption. Where security is concerned, lighting is the number one crime deterrent. There’s no reason it can’t be done in an attractive way.
 
Another outdoor lighting option is the stem-mounted landscape light that sits 18” off the ground and provides a 10’ circle of light. This provides more light than the inexpensive, plastic lights that sit down close to the ground that have a four -watt bulb in them and don’t put out any light.
 
As far as materials are concerned, cast aluminum and resin fixtures are growing in demand. Cast aluminum is an ideal material to use outdoors because it does not oxidize the way a brass fixture would. Resin allows for lots of details in the fixture, giving it a hand-carved look for a lower price point.
 
Selecting The Right Fixtures
Before selecting fixtures, study your home’s architectural and material elements. If you have copper roof or gutters, then the lights in the landscape should match that element on the house. If you have black shutters, use black lights. 
 
It’s also important to know what the lighting will look like at night. Walk through the area before dark and then as it turns dark hook up some pieces to see what effect they’re going to have.
 
Showing digital photos of the areas you want to light to the staff at a lighting showroom will help them determine the right style and size fixture for your home. If you are replacing lighting on an existing house, measure what size the fixtures are and what type of bulbs they hold. Also take note of the placement of the electrical boxes in relation to the door. Sometimes boxes are mounted very high, making a fixture that hangs down better suited to the space. The same is true if the box is mounted low. Then you would want a fixture that has most of its size going above the electrical box.
 
Homeowners living in a rural setting have special lighting considerations that a professional can address. The night skies in the country can be beautiful so do some kind of downlighting so you don’t lose the darkness. Dusk-to-dawn light would take away the ability to see the stars.
 
Energy Savings
Energy efficiency is improving with the introduction of low voltage lighting and fiber optics. Low voltage lighting has created an outdoor lighting revolution. Two lanterns and a lamppost use 500-600 watts, depending on the bulbs. With that same amount of power, low-voltage lighting could light the whole front of the home, plus trees. Low voltage allows less consumption of power but gives a more dynamic effect. Fiber optics stretch that even further with a single illumination source.
 
Many companies are coming out with wall and post lanterns that take fluorescent bulbs. They are using opaque glass, which hides the bulb, making for a more aesthetically pleasing fixture.
 
Timers are another way to conserve energy from a simple digital timer to photocells that respond to darkness.
 
Increase Home Value
Outdoor lighting has an aesthetic value that can give your home a whole new look. It makes your home an oasis of beauty. At night you can light isolated portions of your yard, so when you look outside there will be a soft glow and that’s what will make it so enjoyable.
When done well, outdoor lighting creates a usable environment. Enjoying the outdoors improves the quality of a person’s life. The light makes it an inviting place to be, plus much safer and secure, and that provides peace of mind. 
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 Historic Garden Week

Each year, thousands of garden enthusiasts from all over the country come to Virginia for the annual Historic Garden Week—and for good reason. While every state in the Union enjoys spring in their own fashion, no one does it quite like Virginia.  
 
Every April, the Garden Club of Virginia invites visitors to more than 250 of Virginia’s most beautiful gardens and private homes. Historic Garden Week in Virginia is the oldest and largest statewide event of its kind in the country and gives those lucky souls who come to our Commonwealth a week-long chance to see unforgettable gardens and stately homes while the peak colors of spring are in full bloom.
 
Over the last 83 years, the proceeds from the Historic Garden Week have gone to restoring or preserving many of Virginia’s most cherished historic landmarks, including Monticello, Montpelier and the University of Virginia to name a few. 
 
The 225-page Historic Garden Week Guide Book provides details on every stop of the tour throughout the Commonwealth. We are highlighting the tours in Albemarle County, with descriptions taken from that Guide Book. 
 
Keswick Area Tour
Tours of properties in the Keswick area will take place on Sunday, April 22 from noon to 5:00 p.m. and on Monday, April 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The $40 ticket ($30 in advance), admits you to seven locations, including:
 
Chopping Bottom Farm
Named Metropolitan Home’s “House of the Year” in 2002, Chopping Bottom is a stylized farmhouse with multiple modules that mimic outbuildings. The minimalist look of the exterior continues inside the house where an all glass wall frames a stunning view of the Southwest Mountains. Maples line the drive. Chinese elms bracket the 70 ft. lap pool. Crabapples flank the house and cedars surround the courtyard. Cutting gardens provide a plentiful array of flowers. A large shade garden is sited alongside the stream that gives the property its name. House, grounds and studio will be open.
 
East Belmont Farm
East Belmont dates back to the early 1800s and is listed with the Virginia Landmark Register and the National Register of Historic Places. The main house sits on a knoll with lovely views in all directions. Old Kentucky Coffee trees and boxwoods surround it. A gated formal garden and a colorful cutting garden provide a graceful transition from house to barnyard. 
 
Round Hill Farm
Overlooking the Southwest Mountains, the Williamsburg-inspired house is surrounded by 25 acres of gardens, native landscaping and horse paddocks. The house reflects the understated elegance of a Virginia-vernacular farmhouse. The owners commissioned a master landscape plan for the farm resulting in a variety of flowerbeds, vegetable and herb gardens, a fruit orchard and a koi pond. Tom’s Garden, a one-acre organic vegetable garden with raised beds and underground irrigation, benefits not only family and friends, but the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank as well.
 
Keswick Hall
The once country-house hotel features a golf course, designed by Arnold Palmer and included in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. A half-acre vineyard is planted with Petit Manseng grapes. Beautifully tended kitchen gardens provide vegetables for Keswick Hall. History buffs and art enthusiasts will enjoy the estate’s extensive collection of art and antiques.
 
Keswick Hunt Club
The Keswick Hunt Club, founded in 1896, has hosted at least one annual horse show since 1904. The kennels are home to 70 American Foxhounds. 
 
Grace Episcopal Church
First known as the Middle or Belvoir Church, and later as Walker’s Church, the original 1745 church was a square framed plastered and white washed wooden building. Foundation stones of the 1745 church and the old horse mounting stones are still visible. In 1845, William Strickland arrived to design a new building that burned in 1895. The current stone structure, built on the site of the 1855 church, was consecrated in 1896. The first Blessing of the Hounds service took place in 1929 and continues annually. 
 
Oak Hill Farm
An alee of wonderful old cedars and tulip poplar trees leads to the main house. Once a simple 1950s house, it was transformed into a stately mansion that evokes the elegance and grandeur of a much older age. Enjoy the many vistas as you stroll the grounds. Sit in a rocking chair on the back patio and admire the Southwest Mountains, or linger in the garden rooms around the pool and rose gardens. And there’s so much more—each presenting a unique perspective, framed by the beautiful oak trees that give Oak Hill its name.  
 
Morven Estate Gardens and House
Morven is a three-story brick manor house built in the late-Georgian/Federal style dating back to 1820. The land on which it sits was part of the original Carter family land grant and was known to Thomas Jefferson as “Indian Camp.” The 7,378-acre estate was given to the University of Virginia Foundation  by the late John Kluge.
 
The original gardens were renovated in the 1930s and Mr. Kluge added more gardens. Look for unusual trees such as a pair of Osage orange trees, the state champion Chinese chestnut, and a lovely dove tree. Morven was a charter property open for the first Historic Garden Week in 1929 and is on the National Register of Historic Places and on the Virginia Landmarks Register.
 
This historic home and garden will be open on Saturday, April 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 on day of tour. In case of rain and/or wet conditions, the tour will be canceled due to difficult parking conditions. Tickets are non-refundable, even if tour is canceled due to rain.  
University of Virginia Pavilion Gardens & Activities
 
Open Tuesday, April 24, admission to all activities and historic buildings at U.Va. is free of charge. 
 
Founded by Thomas Jefferson and established in 1819 as an “Academical Village,” the University of Virginia is the only American university designated as a World Heritage site. It is also a National Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.
 
The Garden Club of Virginia restored the University’s Pavilion Gardens and surrounding serpentine wall with proceeds from Historic Garden Week. Colonial Williamsburg landscape architects were hired to design the Colonial Revival gardens. Work in the gardens continues to be supported by the Garden Club.
 
Visitors are encouraged to explore all the gardens and are invited into five of Jefferson’s Pavilions, which still provide faculty with living and teaching quarters. 
Also open will be The Mary and David Harrison Institute for American History, Literature and Culture and the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library. Eric Groft, a 1985 graduate of the University, designed the landscape surrounding the Library. 
 
At 2:00 p.m. enjoy a special presentation: “The Dell: A Working Landscape Restored,” talk by internationally renowned landscape architect, Warren T. Byrd Jr., CLA. This storm-water management project has transformed a neglected marsh into a beautifully designed and ecologically diverse 11-acre valley.
 
Carr’s Hill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been home to eight university presidents and their families.  Carr’s Hill was part of the late 1890s to 1900s building campaign that also included Cabell, Rouss, Cocke, and Garrett Halls and the Rotunda’s North Portico and interior. Master Gardener John Sauer, Carr’s Hill gardener, will give garden tours. All gardens and limited areas of the house are open.
 
Morea Gardens and Arboretum features large old trees and a beautifully landscaped botanical collection, started by the Albemarle Garden Club in 1965, surrounded by an historic Federal period house built by John Patten Emmet, one of the first professors chosen by Mr. Jefferson for the University. Morea is named after the mulberries Professor Emmet cultivated for experiments with silkworms. Only the gardens are open.
 
University of Virginia Art Museum will also be open from noon to 5:00 p.m. with no admission fee. 
 
For more information about U.Va. events and activities, visit www.virginia.edu/gardenweek/
 
Monticello & Ash Lawn-Highland
Gardens were a passion of Jefferson’s, so it’s fitting that amateur gardeners can share that passion by visiting his home, Monticello, on Saturday, April 21, Monday, April 23 and Tuesday, April 24. There is an admission fee.
 
On Saturday, April 21 and Monday, April 23, both at 9:00 a.m., Thomas Jefferson’s Revolutionary Garden Tour will take place. This experiential tour of Jefferson’s vegetable and fruit garden includes a guided walk followed by a Meet the Gardener segment. Visitors will participate in gardening activities. Peter Hatch, director of gardens and grounds, will be on hand to answer questions. Mr. Hatch has been responsible for the maintenance, interpretation and restoration o the 2400-acre landscape at Monticello since 1977. $42 includes admission to the house. Reserved tickets are required.
 
Also on Monday, April 23, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., visitors can celebrate the launch of Peter Hatch’s, A Rich Spot of Earth: Thomas Jefferson’s Revolutionary Garden at Monticello, at an elegant garden party with the author as he discusses his book. The book illustrates the restoration of the garden to its original glory. $60 includes informal tours of Monticello and the gardens. Virginia wine and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. Reserved tickets required.
 
On Tuesday, April 24 at 10:00 a.m., enjoy Peter Hatch’s lecture about Jefferson as gardener, and the themes that defined his interest in horticulture and the gardens he created. Guided garden tour follows the lecture. This is a free event, but requires advanced registration.
 
Also on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m., enjoy an illustrated lecture by Peggy Cornett, Monticello’s curator of plants, at the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants. This will be followed by a tour of the gardens and nursery at Tufton Farm. This is also free and no registration is required.
 
For a complete listing of all garden week events and to purchase tickets online, please visit www.monticello.org/gardenweek.
 
Just up the road from Monticello is Ash Lawn-Highland, the home of James Monroe, fifth President of the United States. Monroe located his mountain estate near Monticello at the urging of his friend, Thomas Jefferson. During Historic Garden Week, costumed crafters will demonstrate various farm activities such as open hearth cooking, candle making, spinning and paper quilling. (434) 293-8000 or www.al-h.us.
 
Ticket Information
The best way to enjoy the tours is to have a copy of the Historic Garden Week guidebook as it contains details of what you’ll see at each property, when the properties are open, how to get tickets and prices for various age groups, and directions.
 
Tickets can be purchased at any of the homes and gardens open on the day of their tour. Advance tickets are available at numerous local outlets listed by tour, or online at www.vagardenweek.org. No refunds for advance ticket purchases. Properties may be visited in any order.
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10 Green Projects

Want to get into the spirit of going green but don’t know where to start? You would be surprised at the number of projects you can do yourself that will make a difference in your use of energy. Here are ten inexpensive ways to go green in your home and backyard.

 
Build a clothesline
If you’re from the baby boomer generation, you remember that clotheslines were once the norm. When given the opportunity, when the weather was good our moms and grandmothers preferred to hang clothes out to dry and they always came back in smelling fresh and sweet. When you consider your clothes dryer is probably the biggest energy-guzzling appliance in your house, an old-fashioned clothesline is a simple and easy way to save energy. 
 
Recirculating Pump 
Have you ever stood around running the hot water, waiting for it to heat up in your bathtub or sink? As you watch the water go down the drain, you’re also seeing the energy it took to heat it going down the drain with it. What if you could press a button and have hot water in an instant? You could if you had an on-demand recirculating pump. Installed under the sink, the pump captures the not-yet-hot water before it exits the tap and shoots it back to the water heater. 
 
Insulate Hot-Water Pipes
Just like putting coffee in a thermos, you want to keep your hot water hot as long as possible. Insulate pipes wherever you can reach them by encasing them in rubber or polyethylene foam tubes. The tubes come with an adhesive-coated slit down the middle, so you just ease them over the pipe and press the ends closed. Seal the seams with good old reliable duct tape. 
 
Install a programmable thermostat
Here’s an upgrade that quickly pays for itself. With a programmable thermostat, you can automatically adjust your heating and air-conditioning systems to match your family’s schedule throughout the day and night. For every degree you lower your thermostat over an 8-hour period, you cut energy use by about one percent. Set it back 10 degrees overnight, and that’s a 10 percent savings. You’ll pay around $50 for the thermostat, but you’ll reap an estimated annual savings of $100.
 
Install a smart ceiling fan
Ceiling fans are a popular home addition no matter what season of the year, but if used improperly, they may not be doing much good in the energy department. Make sure any fan you buy is Energy Star rated. Lighted ones use fluorescent bulbs instead of hot-burning incandescents or halogens and are up to 50 percent more efficient than standard models.  
 
Install an occupancy sensor switch that shuts the fan off if no one’s in the room. 
 
Replace Recessed lights
From an energy efficiency perspective, recessed or “canned” lights are not good because they usually aren’t sealed. Since they can’t have insulation above them, they allow heated air to escape into the attic. You can replace them with newer, airtight models, but an easier fix is to buy a retrofit kit that screws into the existing fixture. Many of these enable you to seal around the rim and behind the bulb, converting the old fixture to one that is airtight and insulation-rated. 
 
Replace Weatherstripping
One of the reasons you may be losing heat or air conditioning could be because the seals around your windows and doors have worn out. A quick inspection can tell you whether they need replacing.  Redo the caulking to seal even tighter. Most experts agree that caulking and weatherstripping will pay for themselves in energy savings within one year. 
 
Clean Green 
Pay attention to the contents of your cleaning products and avoid using those containing toxic properties. Good old-fashioned soap, baking soda, and vinegar or lemon juice can take care of most household cleaning needs.
 
Plant Deciduous Trees
You can go green—literally—in your backyard by planting deciduous trees (trees that lose all their leaves in the fall) on the south, east, and west sides of your house. The right tree in the right place provides wind protection, shade, and cool air, while adding beauty, privacy, and wildlife habitat to the landscape. In five years, they may provide enough shade to let you run your air conditioner less frequently. And when the trees mature, they could save you as much as 40 percent on your cooling costs.
 
Create a Rain Garden
Another outside way to go green is to create a rain garden. Instead of diverting your gutter water into a storm drain, channel it into a low spot on your property planted with bushes, grasses, or trees that would love that extra drink. Rain gardens help provide the natural flood-control and water conservation.
 

 

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8 Energy Saving Tips for the Laundry Room

Your laundry room may be tiny, but did you know that it is one of the largest energy-consuming rooms in your house? When it comes to green laundry room practices, the ideal situation is to hand wash and use an outside clothesline. Let’s face it—with our busy schedules and iffy weather, this green solution is rather impractical.  Here instead are eight very practical and easy solutions to save energy and cut utility costs by nearly $300 a year.

 
Wash With Cold Water
According to Energy Star, about 90-percent of your washing machine’s operating costs goes to your hot water heater.   By reducing the amount of hot water your washer uses, you’ll significantly shrink the hot water portion of your utility bills.  But don’t just wash in cold water. Be sure your machine is set to rinse in cold as well. The Alliance to Save Energy states that by using cold water to wash your clothes for one year, you can save enough money to run an average home for up to two weeks. 
 
Purchase an Energy-Star Certified Washer
If your washer is near the end of its run, look for a new Energy Star certified washer. These appliances are designed to use at least 40 percent less energy and up to 65 percent less water than a standard washer. Most full-sized Energy Star washers use 18-25 gallons of water per load, compared to the 40 gallons used by a standard machine. And if you get a front-load washer, you’ll cut your hot water use by 60-70 percent. 
 
Run Full Loads
Your washer uses the same amount of electricity to run a half-full load as it does a full load. If you can stretch your wardrobe far enough, wait until you have enough clothes to fill the tub.  If you need to run a smaller load,  use the appropriate water-level setting. By reducing the number of overall loads by one-quarter, you can save $15 a year.
 
Turn Down the Water Heater
Most water heaters are set for 140 degrees Fahrenheit and that’s actually too hot for most residential needs with the possible exception of your dishwasher.  Lower your water heater setting to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and you’ll be saving energy even when you wash clothes in hot or warm water. According to the Department of Energy, you can save between 3-5 percent in energy costs for each 10-degree reduction in water temperature. Lower temps also slow mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes, helping your water heater last longer and operate at its maximum efficiency. However, before you turn down the temp, be sure to check your dishwasher’s instruction manual to make sure it will still operate efficiently with water cooler than 140 degrees.  Some older models require hotter water to be efficient. 
 
Watch Your Settings
Good dryer efficiency starts in the washer’s spin cycle. Setting the maximum spin speed in the washer will reduce the amount of time—and energy—it takes to get clothes dry.  If your dryer has an automated moisture-sensing device, use it. Setting the timer can cause the dryer to run longer than needed, but a moisture sensor will automatically turn off the machine when it senses the clothes are dry. This will save $8-12 a year.
 
Choose a Gas Dryer
Did you know that a dryer powered by natural gas dries a load of clothes three times faster than an electric dryer?  If you have a gas line coming into your home, consider a gas powered dryer the next time you go appliance shopping.
 
Clean the Lint Filter
We’re all a little guilty of this one!  The truth is, dryers have to work harder and longer to dry clothes when the air doesn’t freely flow. It’s a good habit to clean the lint screen after each load. This helps to improve air circulation, reduce drying time and prevent fires. The Department of Energy suggests that you periodically use the long nozzle tip of your vacuum cleaner to remove the link that builds up below the dryer’s lint screen slot. Also, inspect your dryer vent occasionally to make sure it’s not blocked.
 
Dry Similar Fabrics Together
Don’t put your heavier cottons and towels in the same load as your lighter-weight, faster-drying clothes.  Lightweight synthetics dry much more quickly than bath towels and natural fiber clothes. Keep like fabrics together and do back-to-back loads to take advantage of residual heat, starting with a load of fast-drying fabrics. You’ll save energy by using an already heated dryer that doesn’t have to be brought up to temperature each time it is used.
By understanding your laundry room appliances, you can create a smart plan to help you save energy in your home and dollars in your wallet! 

 

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Romantic Places & Events in Central Virginia

February has long been a month of romance, highlighted by the February 14th celebration of Valentine’s Day. According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. With one day set aside to show that special someone how much you care, it’s good to know there is no shortage of romantic getaways in central Virginia.
 
Albemarle County
If you’d like to combine an overnight stay with a wine tour, come to Arcady Vineyard Bed & Breakfast (www.arcadyvineyard.com). Located just 6.5 miles from the Downtown Mall, Arcady is a Virginia Wine Country bed and breakfast, with special amenities created by wine enthusiasts for wine and beer lovers, as well as history buffs. It is the only bed and breakfast in Charlottesville with a working vineyard, and the only one that offers private escorted wine tasting tours for its guests. 
 
For a romantic Valentine’s Day weekend, enjoy two nights in the luxury junior suite offering a whirlpool tub for two, wine fridge with complimentary sparkling wine, heated tiled bath floor, Bose CD/radio, TV/VCR and port and chocolate turndown. The package includes a full farm fresh breakfast each morning, complimentary bottle of sparkling wine chilled in your suite, and a wine tasting on Friday or wine and cheese other days of stay. Enjoy a personalized, all-inclusive wine tour with the oldest owner-operated tour company in Charlottesville. Tour on Saturday from 1 to 5pm. Visit four wineries with a cheese/fruit/chocolate platter, all tasting fees included, and bottled water and soda.  The wine tour also provides transportation to and from Charlottesville for dining (subject to van availability), the only B&B in Charlottesville to offer this amenity. Call 434-872-9475 for details. 
 
Keswick Vineyards (www.keswickvineyards.com ) is hosting “Be Mine With Wine” on Saturday, February 11th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Spoil yourself or someone you love with Keswick Vineyards’ special wine and dessert tasting for a Valentine’s Day indulgence. Discover how these luscious confections complement each wine. After your tasting, enjoy the romantic setting while you savor a glass of wine on their newly enclosed heated porch! The cost is $15 for Keswick wine club members and $20 for non wine club members. Please call ahead as reservations are recommended. (434) 244-3341.
 
City of Charlottesville
First Colony Winery (www.firstcolonywinery.com), located on Harris Creek Road in Charlottesville, is hosting a Winemaker’s Dinner on Saturday, February 11 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a gourmet five-course meal prepared by Chef Pierce McCleskey of 20 South Catering. The menu includes appetizers consisting of Mango & Brie Quesadillas and Lobster Bisque Shooters; the first course is a Cantaloupe and Pancetta Salad; second course is a Pecan Crusted Halibut. The third course is Bacon-Wrapped Boneless Quail, followed by the fourth course of Smoked Bistro Tenderloin and finished with the fifth course, a Bittersweet Walnut Chocolate-Chambord Cake. Each course is paired with a First Colony wine. Hors d’ oeuvre reception begins at 6:30 with dinner served at 7:00. $80.00/person includes food, wine, taxes and gratuities. (434) 979-7105
 
At the famous Boar’s Head Inn (www.boarsheadinn.com), you can indulge in romance this Valentine’s Day with a special package on Friday, February 10 – Sunday, February 12 or Tuesday, February 14 – Wednesday, February 15. The Package includes: one night’s accommodations; five-course dinner for two in the award-winning Old Mill Room; sparkling wine and chocolate dipped strawberries in room; breakfast for two in the Old Mill Room; and use of full service sports and fitness center. Rates start at $404 (per room, per night, double occupancy, based on availability, alcoholic beverages not included with dinner, taxes additional). Call (434) 296-2181.
 
Greene County
Since 1840, The Lafayette Inn & Restaurant (www.thelafayette.com) in Stanardsville has been making history in the foreground of the Shenandoah Mountains.  The Inn features a Romance Package that includes a dozen roses in your room; premium Virginia wine upon arrival; “Taste of the Lafayette” dinner for two; wine flight for each to enjoy with dinner; box lunch for your second day (Skyline Drive or vineyards?); full breakfast each morning between 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. and priority seating reservations for your second night’s stay—all for only $249. Call (434) 985-6345 for more information.
 
Louisa County
At Cooper Vineyards (www.coopervineyards.com) on Shannon Hill Road in Louisa, you can celebrate Valentine’s Weekend (February 11-12) from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Be romanced by live music on the Baby Grand Piano performed by Charlie Kilpatrick. Red roses and chocolates will be presented to the ladies. Normal tasting fees apply. Call 540-894-5457 for more information.
 
Prospect Hill Plantation Bed & Breakfast (www.prospecthill.com) in Louisa is Virginia’s most award winning and historic full service country inn. Re-opening on Valentine’s Day, the B&B offers a Romantic Weekend Special. Enjoy two days and evenings in one of Prospect Hill Plantation Inn’s special cottages, either Sanco Pansy’s Cottage, the Overseer’s Cottage, or the largest suite in the Carriage House with King or Queen bed, double Jacuzzi Whirlpool bathroom, working fireplace and Full Country Breakfast-in-bed each morning served on a tray to your room (or in the dining room, ladies choice) with gratuities included as well as two Prospect Hill coffee mugs and two tee shirts. Optional dinner is available Friday and Saturday and some weekdays at $49pp. plus tax. (800-277-0844)
 
Nelson County
Have a Sweet Heart’s Weekend at Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery (www.hilltopberrywine.com) in Nellysford on Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Warm up your sweetie with meads and “true to the fruit” wines. Food samples paired with wine. Logo glass filled with treats for each guest. Fee. Food available for purchase. Call 434-361-1266 or 434-263-7015 for more information. 
 
Wintergreen Winery’s (www.wintergreenwinery.com) Wine and Chocolate Pairing will take place on the Verandah on Saturday, February 11 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A vintner’s selection of Wintergreen wines paired with chocolate. Fee includes wine and chocolate tasting and wine glass. Chocolates are available for purchase. Reservations are suggested. 434-361-2519 
 
If you are heading in Wintergreen’s direction, you may want to consider booking the Romance Package at the Wintergreen Resort (www.wintergreenresort.com/Romance-Packages/). You and your significant other will enjoy a romantic getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains where you can relax and allow the stresses of day-to-day life melt away. The retreat includes one bedroom condo for two nights; $100 credit in spa services; a bottle of champagne delivered to your accommodation; one dinner for two at your choice of Wintergreen restaurants and one breakfast for two. Call 800-266-2444 for rates and availability. Does not include taxes or gratuity.
 
A Valentine’s Day Winemaker’s Dinner will take place at Veritas Vineyard & Winery (www.veritaswines.com) in Afton on Saturday, February 11 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy a five-course, wine-paired meal and then dance the night away in Saddleback Hall. For more information or to make reservations, please call 540-456-8000 ext. 108.
 
DelFosse Winery (www.delfossewine.com) in Faber is also hosting Valentine’s Day Wine Dinner on Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. A romantic 5-course Gourmet Wine Dinner will be hosted in the winery’s elegant tasting room with fireplace, great views and great food and wine. Fee. Reservations required. Call 434-263-6100 or 434-263-7015. 
 
Enjoy a Valentine’s Weekend at Cardinal Point Winery (www.cardinalpointwinery.com) in Afton from Saturday, February 11 through Tuesday, February 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free tastings all weekend and artisan chocolates made with Cardinal Point wines to sample and purchase, along with its award winning wines. Bring a loved one and enjoy the winery’s new releases. Call 540-456-8400.
 
Wild Wolf Brewery/Restaurant and Shopping Village (www.wildwolfbeer.com) in Nellysford is having a “He Said Beer. She Said Wine” Valentine’s Day Beer and Wine Pairing Dinner on Tuesday, February 14 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Reservations accepted but not required. (434) 361-0088.
 
The Mark Addy (www.mark-addy.com – featured on cover) in Nellysford is hosting a special Blue Ridge Valentine’s Getaway Special. Your Valentines Sweetheart Package includes: two nights accommodation in The Blue Ridge mountains; three course gourmet breakfast each morning of your stay; welcome basket with wine, gourmet chocolates and other munchable treats; romantic four-course candlelit dinner for two with wine in The Fountain Room on Saturday, February 11, with live entertainment by Jacob and Jen of the Design (gratuity is not included). Full menu online—click the heart on the home page. Valid February 10-13, 2012. Room rates begin at $500. For reservations and information, call (434) 361-1101.
 
The Romance Package at Afton Mountain Bed & Breakfast (www.aftonmountain.com ) includes the perfect weekend with that special someone in beautiful mountain country. The Package offers two nights accommodations, two great breakfasts, and dinner for two at one of the local restaurants. In addition, you’ll enjoy a selection of homemade hors d’oeuvre, and the Inn will provide a bottle of wine of your choice from one of the award winning local wineries. And for a final touch, you’ll receive your choice of a lovely bouquet of fresh flowers from Couture Design or a decadent cake for two from Short and Sweet Bakery. The Romance Package is $120, plus the cost of the room. Call for information and availability (800) 769-6844.
 
Orange County
Barboursville Vineyards (www.barboursvillewine.com) in Orange is hosting a Valentine’s Day Dinner on February 14 at 7:00 p.m. The $150 per person price is all inclusive and includes Ravioli Valentino; Rockfish Carpaccio; Hand Cut Pappardelle; Blood Orange-Basil Sorbet; Pan Roasted Sea Scallops or Pan Roasted Guinea Hen or Braised Estate-Raised Boer Bok Goat Shank, with Red Velvet & Dark Chocolate Cake for dessert. Each course is paired with a Barboursville wine. The full menu can be viewed on the website. For information, call (540) 832-3824. 
 
Holladay House Bed and Breakfast (www.holladayhousebandb.com) in Orange has a special Cupid Package for you to romance your special someone! The Cupid Package includes: one romantic night in one of three traditional guest rooms (luxury suite available for an additional $100) ; a bottle of Virginia wine (Sparkling wine available for an additional $15); a freshly baked, made-from-scratch, dark chocolate lava cake for two OR a fruit & cheese tray; gift certificate for dinner at a selection of fine local restaurants Package price $299 plus tax. Phone 540-672-4893 for more information.
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Why Home Inspections Are So Important

If you’re a fan of the television program, House Hunters, you’ve seen many dreams of home ownership dashed because of a failed house inspection. For the buyers, what is visible during their initial home visit looks appealing, but little do they suspect that lurking behind that wall or under that floor are serious structural or mechanical problems whose repairs are costly enough to be deal breakers.

 
With this in mind, it may surprise you that buyers sometimes opt to waive the house inspection. While this was fairly common during a hot market when multiple bids on a property caused potential buyers to make rash decisions in order to win the bid, it still happens today, especially among property virgins.
 
Buyers who waive the inspection contingency have no protection from a host of costly potential defects in a home. A leaking roof, faulty electrical wiring, malfunctioning major appliances, a defective heating or cooling system and many other problems can result in thousands of dollars of unexpected repair costs at a time when most buyers can least afford it. 
 
With the home being the single most important financial investment most individuals make, it’s essential that buyers not only contract for a home inspection, but that they hire the best person for the job.  Here are a few things to consider when searching for the right home inspector: 
 
Qualifications 
Ask open-ended questions about the inspector’s training and experience as it relates to home inspections. The inspector should have some training in construction and building maintenance standards and a track-record of experience in the home inspection business.
 
While years of experience are important, equally important is the total number of home inspections completed. In a 2005 national home inspection business operations study conducted by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), over 80 percent of respondents said they were full time home inspectors. Ironically almost 40 percent said they perform less than 100 home inspections a year. What that may indicate is that many home inspectors are working at other jobs or are semi-retired individuals. 
 
Depending on the location and age of the home, you also may need to hire an inspector who’s qualified to deal with asbestos, lead-based paint or other potentially hazardous substances. It may be a good idea  to hire a geologist or structural engineer as well.
 
Scope
Which areas of the home will be inspected? Does the inspection include the roof? The swimming pool? The built-in appliances? How long will the inspection take? A thorough inspection on an averaged sized home, (1500-2500 sq. ft.) should last 2-4 hours. 
 
Also ask if you can attend the home inspection. A good home inspector should insist that you attend the home inspection if at all possible.
 
Sample Report
A home inspection should provide you with written detailed information about the house. Ask when and how will you receive the report and ask to see a sample report. Does it include a narrative description and photos or just check-off boxes? Is the information presented and explained clearly and completely? Does the report highlight any problems that could present a safety hazard? What is the approximate length of the report? Be wary of reports that are 10 pages or less, and long report turn-around times. 
 
References                                                                                         
Ask the inspector for the names and contact information of several homeowners who have used his or her services. Call and ask the homeowners whether they were satisfied with the report and other services they received from the inspector. Be sure to talk to some people who have owned their home for at least a few months, as some problems overlooked during an inspection can take a while to surface. 
 
Memberships
Although not necessary, membership in a national or state association of home inspectors is always a plus. These groups provide their members with training and certification programs and up-to-date information about industry practices and inspection standards. Inspectors who have made the commitment of time, training, testing and money to belong to a reputable professional home inspection society are generally more committed to doing a high quality job. 
 
Errors and omissions                                                                                     
Even the best inspectors occasionally make errors or overlook problems they should have noticed. Ask whether the company has insurance for errors and omissions.  Does the company or individual inspector stand behind the report? You may be asked  to sign a waiver limiting the company’s liability, often to the cost of the inspection.
 
Price                                        
Remember the old adage that you get what you pay for. Good home inspectors demand higher prices because of experience and money invested into training to improve their skills and their business for the benefit of their clients. Think of the money you pay a good inspector as an investment. 
 
Having a good home inspection will provide you with valuable information on your prospective purchase and ultimately peace of mind going forward. Don’t buy a home without it!