THE SCOOP
The Reserve at Belvedere's Scoop provides a monthly newsletter for apartment residents, with information, articles, recipes, and a much more! As well as a Blog with news and updates about your apartment community, and events and activities happening in and around Charlottesville Virginia. Check back often for new updates!
May 2022 Newsletter
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Contributing to Your Community
At Cathcart Group, we strive to create real estate developments that contribute to their respective communities. If you are looking to contribute more to your community, we have a few suggestions to get you started!
Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival
On May 7th & 8th the Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival will feature over 120 jury-selected artists, as well as, local food, Virginia wine and beer, live music from local performers, children's activities, and more!
Make Yourself an Attractive Renter
Modern apartment communities will look very closely at your credit score, your income, and even your past renting experiences to decide if you are the right fit for an apartment community. Use these basic guidelines to improve your application and make you more attractive to rental communities!
Tom Tom FestivalPrepare to make memories during a community-centric week of parties, concerts, talks, ideas, performances, and art, at the annual Tom Tom Festival, taking place April 20th through 24th!
Pet Care Survival GuideCharlottesville is a great place to live whether you have two legs or four! Check out our guide to discover great care providers, walking trails and dog parks, pet-friendly venues and pet supply stores that make Charlottesville just as appealing to pets as it is to their owners.
for KING & COUNTRYOne of Christian music’s most respected and decorated duos, for KING & COUNTRY, will be at John Paul Jones Arena on Saturday, April 9th, as part of their 2022 What Are We Waiting For, Tour!
The Harlem GlobetrottersThe Harlem Globetrotters will be back at Charlottesville's John Paul Jones Arena on March 23rd!
Enjoy an experience like no other with dazzling trick-shots, on-court characters, and matchless entertainment from the worlds greatest basketball team!
Freeze Your Socks Off Fun Run/Walk
Grab your family and friends and come join the Freeze Your Socks Off Fun Run/Walk at Darden Towe Park on February 12th!
This Fun Run and 5K is perfect for all ages and a great way to to enjoy our beautiful surroundings and support the Ronald McDonald House of Charlottesville.
Blippi the MusicalBlippi The Musical will be coming to John Paul Jones Arena on February 18th!
Blippi The Musical brings the energetic and loveable character Blippi off the screen and onto the stage with world-class production, audience engagement and amazing music.
5 Easy Upgrades For Your Apartment
The best part of apartment decoration is that it is intended to be temporary, so if you change your mind, you can change your apartment, too! There are plenty of ways to upgrade your apartment with renter-friendly temporary and removable renovations. Try out these fun ideas.
Is Now The Time to Invest in Property?
In spite of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. real estate market has been growing. Could real estate investments be a useful part of your portfolio in the current market? Find out what you need to know about real estate investing in 2022.
Get to Know Charlottesville!Charlottesville is an idyllic location with amenities galore in spite of a population just over 45,000. Get to know Charlottesville and discover just a few of the reasons Charlottesville has been called one of the country’s best places to live!
Host a Great Party in a Small Space
More and more often people are opting to stay home rather than go out these days even with vaccination, but how do you host a party with your family or your group of vaccinated friends at home? Even in a small space you can enjoy all of your loved ones and have a great party! Use these tips to help you make the most of what you have:
Winter Wander at Boar’s Head Resort
The Winter Wander will take place from November 26th to January 30th, at the Boars Head Resort in Charlottesville. Enjoy a half-mile illuminated Trail of Lights around Heritage Lake that brings the beauty of light and the whimsy of nature together.
The event will also feature Holiday entertainment on weekends, including carolers, pictures with Santa, and food vendors.
Holiday Lights from Your Couch
The holidays may look a little different this year, and one of the changes is that you can enjoy holiday lights without ever leaving your Charlottesville apartment!
Take a virtual tour of some of the most amazing displays in the country right now.
Winter Wander at Boar’s Head Resort
The Winter Wander will take place from November 26th to January 30th, at the Boars Head Resort in Charlottesville. Enjoy a half-mile illuminated Trail of Lights around Heritage Lake that brings the beauty of light and the whimsy of nature together.
The event will also feature Holiday entertainment on weekends, including carolers, pictures with Santa, and food vendors.
Albemarle Cider Works Apple Harvest Festival
One of the most anticipated festivals of autumn, Albemarle Cider Work’s 21st Annual Apple Harvest Festival will take place November 6th!
Enjoy farmers’ market vendors, local artisans, and craftsmen demonstrating their skills, fall foods and drinks, live music, hayrides, apple pie contest, and much more!
Dining with Fido in Charlottesville
You probably already know that Charlottesville is one of the most dog-friendly cities in America and that it is a city with lots of great dining options, but did you know that lots of local eateries near your Charlottesville apartment welcome Fido? Check out some of these great options for dining with your canine.
Virginia Film FestivalThe Virginia Film Festival takes place October 27th through 31st and will feature highly anticipated titles in the film world while also showing off the talents of rising stars in the industry!
The carefully-curated selection of films includes transformational classics, fascinating documentaries, and outstanding foreign films, as well as thought-provoking discussions, and much more.
Become a Renter By ChoiceMost of us have been taught that the ultimate goal is to buy a home as soon as we can afford it. But ideas about homeownership have begun to change as many of us start to realize that apartment rental is not only an affordable option on the way to homeownership - we actually prefer renting!
Crozet Fall Arts and Crafts Festival
The Crozet Fall Arts and Crafts Festival will take place October 9th & 10th, at the Claudius Crozet Park.
The arts and crafts festival will feature over 120 jury-selected artists, craft demonstrations, live music, children’s activities, food, and Virginia wine and beer.
Decorating Trends for FallAs summer draws to a close, the smell of pumpkin spice fills the air and entices you to enjoy all the rich, warm colors and textures of fall! Turn your apartment into an autumn haven with some of these easy new decorating trends for the season!
Virginia Festival of the Wheel
The 2021 Virginia Festival of the Wheel will take place Labor Day Weekend, September 3rd through 5th, at the Boar's Head Resort.
The event features some of the finest automobiles in the Commonwealth with proceeds benefitting the UVA Cancer Center.
Fridays After FiveCharlottesville's Fridays After Five is back for its 33rd Season of free live concerts, at the Ting Pavilion, all summer long!
The first event kicks off on June 18th and will run each Friday thereafter ending on September 17th. The schedule features local artists of myriad musical styles; there is something for everyone!
What Makes a Luxury Apartment?
If you’re shopping for a new apartment, you’ve probably seen the description “Luxury Apartments” used to describe some apartment communities. In general, luxury apartment communities earn the distinction by providing “higher-than-average levels of comfort, quality, and convenience”. Here are a few things you can expect from a luxury apartment home.
Charlottesville Restaurant Week
Foodies will get a chance to enjoy delectable dishes at great prices from some of Charlottesville's best restaurants, with Charlottesville Restaurant Week on July 16th to July 24th!
Diners get to choose from each participating restaurant’s special prix fixe menu and enjoy three courses— typically an appetizer, an entree, and dessert— for just $19, $29 or $39.
Host an Apartment Friendly Barbeque
We’ve all heard horror stories about grilling on an apartment balcony or deck – melted siding, railings that catch fire, smoke flooding your (and your neighbors’) apartment. In general, grilling in your apartment or on the balcony is a recipe for disaster and a “sure-fire” way to lose your security deposit. There ways to enjoy a barbecue in your apartment, but you’ll want to follow a few guidelines:
Broadway at the ParkCharlottesville Opera presents musical selections from your Broadway favorites at the IX Art Park on June 11th & 12th.
This outdoor, socially distanced event will feature selections from My Fair Lady to Dear Evan Hansen the with performances by a dazzling cast of singers.
Mermay at IX Art ParkThe IX Art park will host their Mermay event on Saturday, May 22nd. Landlubbers of all ages will love this explosion of under-the-sea fun
The event will feature street performers, food trucks, seashell crafts and a nautical photo booth. Dress like a mermaid or you’ll be a fish out of water!
Basic Safety Rules for the Dog Park
Dog parks can be a great benefit of your apartment community! But a dog park requires some very important rules, and it’s crucial that you understand the do’s and don’ts of the dog park. Follow them every time you and your pooch visit the park to ensure a paws-itive experience for everyone.
Live Music On The Hill | Pippin Hill
Come spend a Sunday afternoon with live music and local wine at the beautiful Pippin Hill winery!
Every Sunday from 1-4 PM, Pippin Hill will host local musicians out on the Veranda during their Live Music on The Hill series. Get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors with an amazing view, live music and delicious wine.
Get the Most Out of your Apartment Storage Space
No matter how large your apartment may be, it seems like we always need more storage space. Where should you store your favorite kitchen gadgets? What do you do with the day to day clutter that you haven’t had time to process yet? There are simple answers to most of these questions. All you need is a little creativity (and perhaps some shelves)…
Crozet Spring Arts and Crafts Festival
The Crozet Spring Arts and Crafts Festival is excited to be back for 2021! The Claudius Crozet Park will host the event on Mother's Day Weekend, May 8th and 9th.
The festival will feature over 120 Artists and Exhibitors featuring unique handmade and handcrafted works of art.
Festy 2021Festy is back for 2021 with a social distanced festival experience and is putting the safety and enjoyment of everyone first!
Charlottesville’s Chisholm Vineyards will host the Festy 2021 Music Festival, with performance dates from April to June.
The Effect of COVID-19 on Apartment Rental
We saw so many changes in 2020. Some of us have had to change jobs, we started teaching our kids at home, and we learned to work at home. As our lives changed to adapt to our new normal, COVID-19 has made renting more popular than ever.
Historic Garden Week - Albemarle
Virginia's Historic Garden Week will feature Albemarle with a self-driving tour on Sunday, April 18th.
The self-driving tour will feature three private garden exteriors that will delight both serious and novice gardeners alike!
Fun Fair & Camp Expo!CharlottesvilleFamily's Fun Fair & Camp Expo will take place Virtually this year from March 20th to 26th!
The Virtual Fun Fair & Camp Expo gives you and your family the chance to learn about and explore multiple summer camps and kids activities, right from home! The online event will also feature helpful tips, exciting giveaways, fun activities and much more.
Wildrock Into the Wild Day Camp
Wildrock is offering COVID-friendly small group drop-off camp on Fridays, for children ages 6-10 to experience an outdoor adventure!
Free play on the playscape and in the discovery barn, trail exploration and crafts daily. Children explore what it is like for animals to live at Wildrock through the seasons and visit Wildrock’s education animals.
Virginia Festival of the BookThe 27th Annual Virginia Festival of the Book will take place virtually this year from March 13th to 26th!
The event will feature a full schedule of engaging discussions for all ages and interests. The majority of our events this year will be held on Zoom and livestreamed on Facebook.
Safe and Sanitary in the Fitness Center
The cold weather and continued rise of COVID infections have made it increasingly difficult to find a safe place to enjoy a complete, effective workout. Your community fitness center is a great place to “hit the gym” without leaving home, but you must take the same precautions would in a public gym. The tips below will help you stay fit and avoid the virus.
Holiday Decorating for Your Apartment
The holidays are here, and that means it’s time to “deck the halls”! You don’t have to be one of Santa’s elves to give your apartment some holiday sparkle – simple changes can make a big impact with very little effort. Use these tips to achieve maximum “merry”!
Holiday Cheer in Charlottesville
The holidays this year might look a little different, and that could be a very wonderful thing! While we cannot gather together, Charlottesville has employed some very merry ingenuity to create opportunities to celebrate in brand new ways.
Give Thanks Safely in 2020As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us are at a loss about how or even if we can celebrate the holiday while keeping our families safe. It’s true that this year’s holiday will be different, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make new traditions and enjoy the holiday.
Laptop Learning: Limitless Opportunities at Home
If you are hoping to save money, learn a new skill for work, or find something to do without ever leaving your apartment, take a look at YouTube!Here are just a few of the many things you can learn from your laptop.
Fall Leaf Viewing in VirginiaAs the weather cools, the leaves in Virginia turn the mountains and valleys into a tableau of stunning beauty created by an impressive variety of colors. It may not be safe to gather indoors, but the autumn leaves are a wonderful excuse to go for a scenic drive!
Haunted Halloween at HomeYou can tour some of the best haunted places right from your laptop! We've put togther a list of some truly “must-see” haunted places that you can visit online.
Make Working from Home a Success
Many of us have started working from home and have begun to tackle the challenges presented by working where we live. It’s not uncommon to feel frustrated as you learn to navigate the difficulties of creating a work space at home, but it can be done!
Walk-Up Farmers MarketGet fresh local food while social distancing at the city's only walk-up market! The IX Art Park is hosting an order & pickup Farmers Market on Saturdays, providing safe access to fresh produce for Charlottesville residents.
The Walk-Up Farmers Market uses safety guidelines to help keep shoppers safe, such as enforcing social distancing and masks. You can pick up your online order at the vendor's booth, or you can use our new drive-through booth and stay in your vehicle.
5 Tips for Your Home WorkoutExercising can be one of the most difficult activities to schedule and maintain. We all know that we need to work out regularly, but we never seem to find the time or energy. Here are a few tips to make your home exercise plan easier!
Create the Perfect Movie Night In!
You don’t have to go to a theater to enjoy a great movie experience. You can create the perfect movie night right in your apartment. You can even wear your pajamas! Movie Night In is a wonderful way to save money and keep your TV routine from becoming stagnant while you stay safe at home.
Make a Smooth Transition to Apartment Life
Whether you are moving into your first apartment or downsizing from a single-family home, transitioning to apartment life can be a breeze or a struggle, depending on your approach. Moving from a single-family home to an apartment offers many benefits you may not have previously considered. Here are a few ways to help make the transition smoother!
Staying Sane During “Stay at Home”
We all have to do our part and observe the "Stay at Home" order to protect ourselves and our community from the spread of COVID-19, but working, teaching and living together with no distractions can be difficult. We have some great ideas to help you do the right thing without losing your sanity.
Dog Walking Trails in Charlottesville
Charlottesville is the perfect city to share life with your dog. There are dog-friendly activities, trails and dog parks are around every corner! You and Fluffy can always find a new place to explore. Whether your perfect walk is in the city limits or on a mountain trail with your outward bound hound, there is a trail near Charlottesville that’s right for you.
Houseplants for Your Pet-Friendly Charlottesville Apartment
Adding houseplants to your Charlottesville apartment decor can spruce up your space and improve your health, but some plants can put your pets and children at risk. Use our guide to make safe choices the whole family can enjoy!
At the Heart of it All: Charlottesville Living
Charlottesville offers a wealth of options to improve your lifestyle, combining big city opportunity with small town charm. Learn all about the best of Charlottesville living in our handy guide!
Five Reasons to Love Apartment Living
Whether you're considering buying a new home or already a home owner, you may be surprised by all the ways that an apartment community can not only make your life easier, but provide more opportunities to make it better.
Perfecting Your “Dog House”Has your Charlottesville apartment style started to "go to the dogs?" You can balance great apartment decor with dog friendly style to create the perfect "Dog House". Let our apartment decorating suggestions get you started!
Charlottesville Named in Top 10 Most Giving Cities in U.S.
Tuesday was considered Giving Tuesday across the United States, and according to a study done by Smart Asset, Charlottesville is listed number four out of the top 10 cities that are considered the most giving.
