The National Association of Realtors believes that a temporary tax credit would motivate wary buyers to purchase a home. NAR is urging congress to act quickly to pass this bill and help "jump start" the stagnant housing market. To read more click here.
Pam Dent, e-PRO, SRES
Real Estate III
Charlottesville, Virginia
434 960-0161
www.JumpintoGreenerPastures.com
http://activerain.com/blogs/pamdent
One of the key organizations in the preservation of Albemarle County’s rural beauty is the Piedmont Environmental Council. The PEC is "a 35 year old non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the Piedmont’s rural economy, natural resources, history and beauty."
A variety of regional, statewide and national issues are delt with that impact the northern Piedmont area of Virginia. These include the conservation of farmland and forests, solutions for traffic congestion and transpotation, preserving clean air and water, protecting wildlife and their natural habitat.
The Piedmont Environmental Council serves 9 counties and 1 city in Central Virginia: Albemarle, Charlottesville, Culpepper, Orange, Madison, Rappahannock, Greene, Fauquier, Clarke, Madison. Regarding Albemarle County and the city of Charlottesville the focus is on keeping a balance between city and county. In all of the areas where towns are impinging on the countryside there is an emphasis on building communities where residents can enjoy both the towns and the open countryside.
The PEC has had a major impact on the stewardship of land in the Piedmont and can boast one of the highest densities of private conservation land in the United States. This is not a time to rest on our laurels. If we want to keep our rural countryside, one of the things that we can do is to support the efforts of the Piedmont Environmental Council.
Pam Dent, e-PRO, SRES
Real Estate III
Charlottesville, Virginia
434 960-0161
www.JumpintoGreenerPastures.com
http://activerain.ccom/blogs/pamdent
In the middle of all the stresses of moving it is easy to missplace things. Then you arrive at your new home, look at the piles of boxes and even though you thought you did a good job of labeling the boxes there is always something that you can’t put your hands on until that last box is unpacked. There are many documents and pieces of information that it is essential to have at your fingertips the first day in your new house. A good solution is to create a moving file containing all the information that you need to get settled in your new life. For more tips on what to be sure to include in this file click here.
Pam Dent, e-PRO, SRES
Real Estate III
Charlottesville, Virginia
434 960-0161
www.JumpintoGreenerPastures.com
http://activerain.com/blogs/pamdent
At 
my daughter"s horse barn, Shadowfax LLC at the Glenmore Equestrian Center, we wage an ongoing battle with geese. Many other farms in Charlottesville and all over Albemarle County are having the same problem. I remember as a child watching v shaped formations of geese fly over in the fall on the way to their winter nesting grounds. Now flocks of geese make their home in central Virginia year round.
Most people are aware of the problems that golf courses and homeowners associations have discouraging the goose population, but farmers are faced with the problem as well. The numbers of Canada geese have increased all over the United States. Not only are they protected by laws but also in most areas there is a lack of natural predators. People understand the problem of goose poop on the golf course, but don’t realize the destruction that a large goose population can cause on a farm. A simgle goose can eat as much as 5 pounds of grass a day. Image what a sizeable flock can do to horse pastures and grazing land. Also geese can foul the water in the ponds where the horses and cattle need to drink.
Due to the fact that the geese are a protected species farmers are not allowed to shoot them. One solution is to use a dog such as a border collie to chase the geese off of the property. Some farmers also shoot over the geese to make them decide that a pond in another area would be a better choice for a home.
Another theory is that geese are not comfortable in tall grass since a predator mght be lurking unseen. Geese also prefer to eat the tender young shoots of grass rather than the tougher taller strands. Unfortunately it is an essential part of pasture management when maintaining fields for grazing to keep them bushhogged. However, there is the option of leaving a barrier of tall grasses around ponds. The grasses will block the goose’s view from the pond, and they will not feel safe there since they cannot see approaching predators. With a little luck the geese may decide to relocate.
Whichever approach you decide upon it will require constant vigilance since geese tend to be very persistent.
Pam Dent, e-PRO, SRES
Real Estate III
Charlottesville, Virginia
434 960-0161
www.JumpintoGreenerPastures.com
www.CharlottesvilleHorseFarmsandCountryHomes.com
Toda
y is the final day to catch Look – Charlottesville Festival of the Photograph. The festival describes itself as "three days of peace, love, and photography. A festival for those that love the still image, celebrating the careers of lengendary artists, emerging tallent, and the best work from the year." It is a not for profit event developed by photographers and consisting of exhitits, workshops, interviews, and screenings attracting professional and amateur photographers from around the world.
The three featured presenters are:
Mary Ellen Mark - exhibit: Prom, at the McGuffy Art Center, June 6-30
Joel Peter Witkin - exhibit: The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, at the Second Street Gallery, June 6-26
James Nachtwey - exhibit: The unvanquished, at Les Yeux du Monde, June 6-30
During the festival the Charlottesville Downtown pedestrian mall has been transformed with huge photographic banners. There are also many other exhibits in conjunction with the festival at galleries throughout Charlottesville, Virginia during June.
For more information on the festival click here.
Pam Dent, e-PRO, SRES
Real Estate III
Charlottesville, Virginia
434 960-0161
www.JumpintoGreenerPastures.com
www.activerain/blogs/pamdent
