Western Albemarle Band Selected To Participate in Disney Honors

The Western Albemarle High School symphonic band traveled to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, March 7-10, for a national invitational music festival, The Disney Honors.

The band has attended the annual music event three times before, but this is the first time they have been showcased as an Honors band, a distinction bestowed upon only two other East Coast high school bands.

The Disney Honors invites premier high school concert bands, orchestras, and choral ensembles from around the nation to play for other schools and a panel of renowned music educators, who offer constructive feedback and personalized clinics.

The 64-member Western band performed El Capitan, A Norman Rockwell Suite, All Pleasant Things, and A Longford Legend. Band members attended presentations by distinguished music educators and enjoyed festival activities, including a special evening of dinner and dancing.

Mr. Steve Layman, band and choir director at Western, submitted the application for the invitational and accompanied students on the trip. The 2007-08 school year marks Layman's 23rd year teaching at Western, during which time the band has earned countless awards, including two First Division Superior Ratings at the 2007 New York Music Festival and a Heritage Festival of Gold nomination. Layman will be retiring at the end of this school year.

To be selected to participate in The Disney Honors program, a school has to meet high standards. According to Layman, "Each group has to submit audio tapes [and] judges comments from previous festivals, and list three band directors which are used as references for the quality of the program. It depends on how many groups apply, but this year only three bands were accepted into the program."

Mark Crockett, government and psychology teacher at Western, respects Layman's teaching ethic. "I can tell you that Steve Layman has been incredibly devoted to band instruction since he's been at Western and that he models his love for music by performing in a variety of bands himself. It seems to me that one of the more positive signs of consistency in any person- especially an educator-is whether or not he 'practices what he preaches,' and it seems to me that Steve Layman does."

Piedmont Workforce Network Announces Partnership

The Piedmont Workforce Network (PWN) Board is pleased to announce that its Marketing Committee has partnered with the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce Marketing Association to build an internal Customer Flow Chart and external marketing plan for the new highly regarded Virginia Workforce Center-Charlottesville located at 2211 Hydraulic Rd.

Four students were selected to lead the effort by McIntire:
· Brook Bandy: Hometown - Williamsburg, VA
· Rachel Hulvey: Hometown - Harrisonburg, VA
· Ashley Smith: Hometown - Washington, DC
· Betsie Vason: Hometown - Atlanta, Georgia

"We are pleased to have students of this caliber working to improve the delivery systems for our customers - both job-seekers and employers," said Leigh Middleditch, Chairman of the PWN. "Their work will enable the community to participate in this new dynamic delivery system and illustrate the growing demand for workforce services in the region."

The Virginia Workforce Center-Charlottesville, opened with the Governor's visit in December, is the shining star of the new strategic realignment of workforce services in the Commonwealth. Combining 12 agencies with one strong delivery system, the center promises to enhance and create better opportunities for its customers.

For more information, please contact: Willis Logan, PWN Marketing Committee Chairman at wlogan@vawineclub.comor Heather Foor, PWN Program Manager at hfoor@tjpdc.org.

Penny Lane Antiques Goes All-Virtual

Penny Lane Antiques and Gifts, located in downtown Charlottesville will go virtual beginning April 1, 2008. By June 1 the store's inventory will be completely catalogued online at www.PennyLaneShops.com.

The physical storefront will close on June 1. Owner Penny Latham opened Penny Lane Antiques & Gifts in 2001 in Leesburg, VA, and subsequently moved the store to Charlottesville in 2005.

Effective in mid-March, the Cville store is open Fridays and Saturdays through April 30. In May the store will be open only on Saturdays.

"Online sales have been growing for us. I have customers in the U.K., Australia, Malaysia, New York, Massachusetts and Florida." owner Penny Latham stated. "Customers can see all of my inventory online at www.PennyLaneShops.com and watch for sales at my eBay stores. I'm so excited about this new direction. I'll meet more people, find unusual pieces for my customers, obtain my antique appraisal certification, and spend more time on my art which I plan to show in my Handmade Category online." Penny said.

Customers are urged to shop at Penny Lane in Charlottesville before June 1: April: Fridays and SaturdaysMay: SaturdaysAfter two years of painstaking, room-by-room renovation, Penny restored the neglected building at 214 Ridge Street to historical accuracy.

"The house is located in an official historic area of Charlottesville, designated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. I am so proud to have been part of the preservation of this beautiful, historic house built in 1863, and hope that it will remain a part of Charlottesville's history, " Penny said.

Latham restored a 1906 house in Leesburg and a pre-war apartment in NYC. "After we close the storefront, Penny Lane will host regular monthly sales in Charlottesville."

Check out the website at www.PennyLaneShops.com. Sign up for our email notices about special sales online and in Charlottesville. For more information about 214 Ridge Street to lease or buy go to www.rifkinassociates.com.

Kluge Estate Farm Shop Celebrates Five Years

This March The Kluge Estate Farm Shop, the tasting room and gift shop for Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard, celebrates its fifth anniversary.

Over the past five years the Farm Shop has grown in lockstep with the winery. Up from the inaugural three wines, Kluge Estate now has seven wines to taste and for sale under the Kluge Estate and Albemarle labels, including the revered suite of four sparkling wines.

Of this anniversary, owner and vintner Patricia Kluge says, "It seems like just yesterday we opened our doors with Governor Mark Warner and fellow Virginia vintners by our side. That day three wine bills were signed on the lawn of the Farm Shop and it reminds me that the whole Virginia wine industry has made huge strides these past five years - and so have we!"

To toast the anniversary and thank loyal customers the Farm Shop will have two wine specials during the month of March: Two bottles of Albemarle Rosé 2006 will be available for $14.99 (regular price is $13 per bottle) and a "Through the Years Tasting" will highlight different vintages of two award-winning and favorite Kluge wines. For $10 guests can sample the 2002 and 2004 Kluge Estate New World Red, a smooth and well-rounded Bordeaux-style blend, and the 2003 and 2004 Kluge SP Blanc de Blancs, a vibrant sparkling wine.

Also available at the Farm Shop are chic wine accessories, signature items, artisanal cheeses, homemade jams, plants and topiaries from Albemarle Farm and an assortment of books for the gourmand and garden enthusiast. The wooded setting, picnic garden and quiet surroundings, as well as the cozy country cottage interior, have made the Farm Shop a favorite with visitors of all ages, locals and tourists.

The Kluge Estate Farm Shop is adjacent to the winery and vineyard at 3550 Blenheim Road. It is open daily from 11am - 5pm. There are also shopping and gift services available by calling the shop at 434-984- 4855 or by accessing the Kluge Estate website, www.klugeestate.com.

CACVB Sales Manager Earns Travel Certification

Amy J. Busa, Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitor Bureau (CACVB) Sales Manager, earned the American Bus Association's Certified Travel Industry Specialist (CTIS) designation. She and other graduates were honored at ceremony during the 2008 American Bus Marketplace in Virginia Beach, VA.

The CTIS program is administered for ABA by Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis and is the first university-administered certification program in the group travel industry. The professional development program is available to any employee of an ABA-member organization.

Participants completed five correspondence courses over the past year, and attended and evaluated eight Industry Advancement Seminars presented at the American Bus Marketplace.

According to Peter J. Pantuso, president and CEO, American Bus Association, the certification process is rigorous and demanding. "These graduates are rightfully viewed by their peers as dedicated individuals who care about their profession."

To date, over 450 ABA members have earned the prestigious designation since the program's inception in 1989. The American Bus Association is the trade organization of the intercity bus industry with more than 1000 motorcoach owner and tour company members in the United States and Canada. Its members operate charter, tour, regular route, airport express, special operations and contract services. Another 2,300 members are travel and tourism organizations and suppliers of bus products and services who work in partnership with the North American motorcoach industry.

National College Honors Partners

National College Community Resource Coordinator Andrea D. Copeland and Regional Director of Community Development Karen Jackson presented plaques to two local businesses recognizing them for being Partners in Education.

AmeriGas Propane Company and Crutchfield each assist students attending National College with tuition costs. Along with tuition assistance, these students qualified for National College's Business Partnership Grant, with the college matching up to $1 for every $3 provided by the business. Thomas Watson, manager of AmeriGas was "recruited" for the presentation by Business Administration and Management student Dana Jackson to receive the plaque. He was more than willing to accept this on behalf of AmeriGas.

Crutchfield's Human Resources Lead Generalist Kelly Greenstone was very appreciative of the plaque. "This was so thoughtful of you", she said. William is a student at the Charlottesville Campus, and a Crutchfield employee who is currently benefitting from the Business Partnership Grant.

Thank you, AmeriGas and Crutchfield, for being a Partner in Education with National College!

AlbemarleFamily's Let's Go! Guide Released March 2, 2008

From world-class museums, theme parks and historic sites to exciting festivals, kitchsy roadside attractions and beautiful spots to enjoy nature, the AlbemarleFamily's Let's Go! Guide unlocks the treasures of Central Virginia.

The Let's Go! Guide represents ten years of unearthing the best in daytrips to publish in the popular AlbemarleFamily web site and monthly magazine. Written by the local experts, this is the insider's guide to more than 400 family- tested outings and includes hundreds of tips, insider secrets, teacher-written SOL suggestions and reader reviews.

The easy-to-use layout and helpful photos make finding something to do easier than ever. Whether you are a couple seeking a romantic getaway or traveling with a family in tow, AlbemarleFamily guides you to the best the region has to offer.

Soaking up the history in and around Charlottesville and Jefferson's Monticello is requisite, but adventure- bound readers might also want to take a hot air balloon ride, visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, see the biggest collection of snakes on the East Coast at the Luray Zoo, dig for the legendary Beale Treasure, taste local wines, hike in the Shenandoah National Park or spend a sunny day splashing at a water park. Whether it is a well-known attraction like Busch Gardens or something as unique as the Lidda Bidda Mountain Music Show, the AlbemarleFamily Let's Go! Guide makes visiting all of these sites easy and is an indispensable resource for tourists, newcomers and locals alike.

Outings come complete with practical information on current hours, fees, parking, handicapped access, and more along with thorough descriptions, tips on getting the most from your visit, nearby dining suggestions and websites.

AlbemarleFamily is dedicated to serving families in Charlottesville-Albemarle with useful comprehensive community resources designed to help "Make Parenting Easier & Growing Up Fun". Each month over 60,000 visitors make use of their extensive web site which includes free classifieds for families, the School Connection, a Volunteer Bulletin, The Family Calendar and so much more. It is a much appreciated support network for local parents. The popular web site also has companion print publications: 12 Magazines and an annual Directory of Family Services. www.AlbemarleFamily.com.