Community Notebook: Relief Fund Set Up for Irene Victims, E-Commerce Workshop Offered

By Amber Lester Kennedy Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Business owners can boost their businesses in the off-season with help from SCORE’s e-commerce workshop, scheduled for Thursday. This weekend, Colonial Williamsburg will celebrate artisans and plein air painting, inviting artists to work outdoors. United Way has started a disaster relief fund for victims of Hurricane Irene. Read on for details on these items and more.

SCORE Workshop Focuses on E-Commerce

Business owners are invited to attend SCORE’s Sept. 22 workshop on boosting business in the tourism off-season with e-commerce.

The workshop will teach business owners a strategy for low-cost Internet marketing; e-commerce tools and resources; how to identify and reach markets; online display windows that attract and sell; review websites that work; and the key features of success in e-commerce.

The workshop will be presented by Vectec, consultants in e-commerce. It is sponsored by SCORE and the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance. It will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., with sign-in at 8 a.m. and costs $29 in advance (charge to credit card here or leave check at Chamber’s front desk by 4:30 today) and $34 cash or check at the door.

For more information, call (757) 229-6511 or email info@SCOREwilliamsburg.org.

Williamsburg Celebrates Contemporary Artisans This Weekend

Williamsburg is celebrating the work of contemporary artisans from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

During that period, guests enjoy free admission to five of Colonial Williamsburg’s historic trade shops – the blacksmith, printing office, bindery, weaver and shoemaker.

“Williamsburg Celebrates Contemporary Artisans” is being held in conjunction with “Williamsburg Celebrates Plein Air Painting.” Artists are invited to create outdoors in the Historic Area, Merchants Square and the campus of the College of William and Mary. The artists will then go to 345 Duke of Gloucester St. for a “show and sell” event at 4 p.m.

Guests can obtain free Historic Trades Sampler tickets on Sept. 24 at the information booth on Duke of Gloucester Street during “Williamsburg Celebrates Contemporary Artisans” and “Williamsburg Celebrates Plein Air Painting.” The tickets are good for both days.

United Way Accepts Contributions for Irene Victims

United Way of Greater Williamsburg has opened a designated bank account for contributions for victims affected by Hurricane Irene.

Those interested in contributing to assist some of our lower income residents whose homes will be condemned as a result of the hurricane can send checks to United Way of Greater Williamsburg, 312 Waller Mill Road, Suite 105, Williamsburg, VA or go to any branch of Chesapeake Bank to make a contribution to the United Way Disaster Relief Fund. Credit card payments can be accepted through United Way’s website.

All gifts are tax-deductible and will be used expressly for the assistance of persons adversely affected by Hurricane Irene.

Disaster-affected individuals in need of help relocating should contact United Way at 229-2222 or come in to the Community Resource Center at the address listed above. To receive assistance, individuals must reach criteria for income, other resources available, living situation and/or verifiable condemnation.

James River Plantations Offer Fall Tour on Saturday

Westover Episcopal Church’s 17th Annual House Tour will welcome visitors into seldom-seen homes and gardens this Saturday. The tour is the primary fundraiser for the church.

This year’s tour will make stops at landmark plantations Berkeley, Sherwood Forest and Westover, along with some private homes – Milton on the James, the Nance-Major House and the riverside home of Jerry and Sylvia Owens.

The tour will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Advance tickets are $45 and a limited amount of same-day tickets will be available at the church for $50. In addition to the tour, ticket holders will be served lunch at the church between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

For tickets, contact Eve McCray at (804) 829-2000. Find more information here.

Tax Preparers Needed for Tax Season

AARP TaxAide is seeking additional tax preparers to help prepare basic tax returns for seniors and low and moderate income people for free.

The organization works at both Williamsburg libraries from Feb. 1 to April 1. Tax preparers need basic knowledge about tax preparation, plus a computer with high-speed Internet to practice at home. Training sessions are held the first week in December at the JCC Library. Email Pat Groeninger at groennet2@verizon.net for more information.

CW Presents Early Music Festival

Colonial Williamsburg will present the sounds of 18th century America in its Early Music Festival, set from Sept. 27-30 in the Historic Area and in the Art Museums. The festival will showcase CW musicians, as well as special guests.

The events include an afternoon of music from 1:30 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. The opening event begins at 1:30 p.m. with an introduction to the museum collection of colonial instruments. At 3:30 p.m., vocalist Jane Hanson, instrument conservator John Watson and keyboardist Michael Monaco will explore changes in keyboard music in the 18th and 19th centuries. Tickets are $24.95 for guests without a CW admission pass that includes museum admission or $15 for guests who have purchased an admission pass.

At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, The Governor’s Musick ensemble will perform a concert at the Governor’s Palace, using original instruments from the collection. Reservations are required. Tickets are $15 for all seats.

Another afternoon of music will be offered from 1:30 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 28 at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. At 1:30 p.m., guests will learn about the viol family of instruments, then at 3:30 p.m., guests can join in “part songs” from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. That night, guests can enjoy a dance demonstration at 8:30 p.m. at the Governor’s Palace. Tickets are $15.

On Sept. 29, the DeWitt Wallace will present an examination of female instrumentalists at 1:30 p.m. and a look at mandolins at 3:30 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., the Wren Masters will perform Baroque music at the Wren Chapel. All seats $15.

On Sept. 30, guests at the DeWitt Wallace Museum will hear explorations of the baroque oboe at 1:30 p.m. and learn the differences between English and German flute at 3:30 p.m. Renowned baroque musician Debra Nagy will perform an oboe concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Governor’s Palace. Tickets are $24.95.

Hudgins Receives State Board Appointment

Governor Bob McDonnell appointed William Hudgins, of Williamsburg, to the state’s Motor Vehicle Board on Sept. 16.

Hudgins is the president and owner of Hudgins-Holiday Chevrolet Cadillac.

Bob Harris Promoted by Chamber

The Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance has promoted Bob Harris to the position of Senior Vice President-Tourism, effective Oct. 1.

Harris joined the Alliance in July 2007, after serving as Director of Global Sales for the state of Georgia. A native of the Historic Triangle, Harris had previously held tourism development positions in Williamsburg.

Hundreds to Benefit from School Supply Donations

Susan Branch Smith and Doug Pons display school supplies collected for the current school year.

Basecamp Productions owner Susan Branch Smith says hundreds of children are benefitting from donations of supplies for the 2011 School Supplies Drive.

Smith’s business was one of three local sponsors organizing the drive, which collected backpacks, pencils, index cards, lunch boxes and more.

The school supply was nicknamed “Fill the Room,” because the Knights Inn Williamsburg Busch Gardens emptied a guest room to fill with school supplies. The other sponsors of the drive were Knights Inn and Helen’s Place Photography.